Thank you @whoisalysonanyway @simonteen and @coloredpagesblogtours for providing me with a copy.

This book is about two girlfriends who finally figured everything out and are almost close to achieve the plan of leaving for good to be able to be together. But then one of them gets in an accident and forgets the other ever existed. Not only are they now separated but Nora has to watch stevie struggle with either trying to remember the life she had or give it all up to start again.
If that's not a recipe for heartbreak I don't know what is.

Forget me not was heart wrenching, the things these two characters go through in the book will have you wanting to give both of them a hug and then personally go into the medical field to find a way to help them.

The book explored a lot of themes, from racism, dysfunctional families to homophobia. But I think the best part was the way love was written. Whether it's familial love, platonic love or romantic love. The way these two girls felt for each other was a stab to the chest and their feelings were just so beautifully written on paper. The longing, the protectiveness, the desire, the contentment etc. It was all just so well imagined.

Even though my heart broke to a million pieces, the managed to still mend them together. The hope that is withing this book, the queer joy, the possibility of something, just normal for queer people. It astounded me. I think this is a book every queer person would've needed when young. I'm so glad it exists now.

If you want a quick heartbreaking, hopeful read filled with so much love, do pick up this book!!

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I loved this sweet story! Alyson Derrick does a beautiful job laying out the mystery of amnesia and how it affects all the people surrounding the victim. I specifically loved how Derrick created different levels of yearning in Stevie's different relationships, especially with her mother. And of course, it was so fun watching Stevie and Nora find each other all over again!

4.5 stars

Thank you to Colored Pages Tours, Simon Teen, and Alyson Derrick for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Tender yet strong, Forget Me Not is a beautiful solo debut. I saw some comparisons to Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and Five Feet Apart, which, sure, captures the memory loss aspect and the forbidden relationship, but these two titles won't prepare you for the nuances of Forget Me Not.

On the surface, this is a love story about two girls in a conservative small town who have secret plans to run away to California. You know from the first page of the book that Stevie and Nora are in love, and that Stevie, who is our first person narrator, will lose her memories of being in a hidden relationship with Nora. So of course, the arc of the story is predictable in the way that you already know these two characters have a past and will most likely spend the entire book finding a way back to each other. But this book is not necessarily about what will happen at the end (even though the final scenes did still surprise me!), but more so all intricacies beforehand.

Centering around a queer, Asian girl in a conservative, Catholic town, this book hit close to home. I appreciated some of the very subtle but relatable references in Stevie's life. For example, a book was described as having some hay on the cover, which was a clear reference to The Miseducation of Cameron Post. I didn't even like that book that much! But was that not the book to read (with an innocuous cover!) for teen girls questioning their sexuality in the early 2010s? LGBTQ+ books aren't as taboo anymore, but this immediately brought me back to being 13 and checking books out facedown at the library when they had the Stonewall Award on the cover.

I was skeptical of using amnesia as a plot line--I thought it might take a sci-fi turn or read like some trope-laden fanfic--but the characters were realistic and the progression felt natural. Although a large portion of the book is a bit distant due to the fact that Stevie can't remember the past two years of her life, there was still a wonderful intimacy to it; this is always hit or miss in YA, but Alyson Derrick captured it perfectly. As I loved with Derrick's coauthored book She Gets the Girl, the coming-of-age aspect was wonderfully awkward and quiet. But beyond that, I loved the representation that complicated Stevie's story (oh, you know, beyond the complexity that comes with losing your memory). There were the regular coming-of-age struggles of first loves and clueless parents, but we also get a glimpse into Stevie's experiences with racism, confusion over sexuality, homophobia, and religion.

Overall, I was impressed by the layers of Forget Me Not. From this title and She Gets the Girl, it's clear that Alyson Derrick knows how to write queer coming-of-age YA, and I'm looking forward to see how her writing evolves!

(Oh, and if you liked this book, try Release by Patrick Ness.)

All the stars. A million stars. Gosh this freaking book. What I would give to have had the opportunity to get this book into the hands of 16 year old me. I’m so thankful this book now exists for those, like me, who came from ultra conservative towns and were raised on purity culture who it took until their 30’s to realize they’re bi. I just freaking loved this book. Probably top book of the year right here.

Is this another favorite of the year?
Absolutely.
Maybe one of my top favorites overall 🙌🏻


5⭐️
Friends, when I tell you I devoured this, I mean it.
Not only is the cover gorgeous, but the story is heartbreakingly beautiful.
Probably my favorite sapphic romance….ever 🖤

This is the epic love story of Stevie and Nora. Their secret once-in-a-lifetime love is put to the test after an accident where Stevie looses her memories from the past two years. Their plans to leave the small town are forgotten along with any memory of Nora.

But this is true love and Stevie and Nora are Nora meant to be.

I hope you give this beautiful book a chance.

First of all, that cover. Holy moly it is absolutely beautiful.

Second, in reading the blurb, I just knew this book was going to make me cry and it did. So much. This story is such a beautiful capture of love in its many forms. How through even with amnesia and other forces pulling them apart, Stevie and Nora are able to find their way back to each other.

I do wish there had been more with Stevie's parents coming to terms with her sexuality, the ending did seem a little rushed, and I wouldn't have minded another 50 pages to sort everything out. But overall I still loved this story and think it is well worth the read.

First thing first, this cover is just the best, I adore it so much.

I feel like this book had a very personal vendetta against my tear ducts. My eyes probably stayed dry for about 4 pages in this entire book. Every little part of this book just made me so emotional, which is why I adored reading this book so much. I might have gone through about 20 different emotions while I was reading this book, but I appreciated each and everyone of them, very much.

But this book didn’t only shatter my heart in two, it was super lovely and hopeful. I loved how hopeful this book was, I just found it so comforting. Yes, this book hurt me a lot, but it always pieced me together piece by piece and i’m very grateful for that.

Also, the romance in this one was just the best. I loved every little seconds of it. It was just so lovely, and Stevie and Nora were the best together.

Everything about this book just worked for me in a way that no many books do, this was just the perfect book for me.

Thank you, Alyson Derrick, Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing, and Netgalley for sending me an E-ARC to read and review 🫶
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I originally wanted to read an ARC of this one to see if I wanted to get a special edition of it (yes, I'm talking about the stunning one from Dazzling Bookish Shop) Anyways, once a got a few chapters in I knew I would love it and would immediately need any and all editions of it! I read Alyson’s previous book, She Gets The Girl, which she co-wrote with her wife, Rachael Lippincott, and really enjoyed that one! And I loved this one just as much! I think the two books definitely have different tones and I really enjoyed getting to see more of Alyson’s writing skills in this book!
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I was also thrilled to find out a favorite narrator of mine - Natalie Naudus narrated the audiobook of this one! I will definitely be rereading it to listen to that! 😊
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I was a little hesitant to read this one as it seemed to be marketed as a sad story and not a “definite happily ever after”. And I was a little scared of this as I typically read somewhat happy stories. However, I fell in love with Stevie and Nora and I had to read more! However, after the initial accident and Stevie forgets Nora, it isn't as sad as I was expecting. Don’t get me wrong my heart absolutely shattered for Nora but the majority of the chapters weren't just pure tears while I was reading it! Thankfully! I loved the story and loved learning about Stevie and Nora’s past! There were so many beautiful moments between the girls! This one is a new forever favorite of mine!

‼️Spoiler‼️ This had a happy ending! I’m so glad Stevie and Nora got their happy ending and that Stevie’s family came around! I also thought it was sweet that even though Stevie didn’t get her memory back she was still able to find Nora and continue to live her best life. ‼️Spoiler‼️

Trigger Warnings: church, cursing, toxic beliefs, politics, accident, injury, hospital, coma, amnesia, homophobia, racism, racist micro-aggressions, underage drinking, internalized homophobia, disowning, child abuse, violence, unaccepting parents

Representation: Korean-American, Lesbian, vegan

Forget Me Not is a queer romantic contemporary about Stevie and Nora. While their love is a secret, Stevie and Nora have a plan to leave their small, ultra-conservative town and families behind after graduation and move to California, where they could finally stop hiding that love.

When Stevie has a terrible fall and she finally comes to, she has forgotten the last two years, including California, coming to terms with her sexuality, and even Nora. Suddenly, Stevie finds herself in a life she doesn’t quite understand, one where she’s estranged from her parents, drifting away from her friends, lying about the hours she works, dating a boy she can’t remember crushing on, and headed towards a future that isn’t at all what her fifteen-year-old self would have envisioned. Can the two beat the odds a second time and find their way back together when “together” itself is just a lost memory?

This is definitely unlike most of the other romance books I’ve read recently. Not only is the amnesia trope not common, the ending is happy but I wouldn’t necessarily call it a happily ever after. Overall, I really enjoyed this story, the characters, and the romance. The vibe just hits different and is hard to articulate an exact reason.

This book is beautifully written and I loved the author’s writing style. Her characterization is very thorough and provides excellent growth and introspective for the main girls. I loved the journal that Nora writes throughout the beginning of the book. The feelings and emotions are raw and lovely.

Alyson Derrick's solo debut is exceptional. Heartbreaking, moving, and so romantic—I can't recommend this book (along with a box of tissues) enough!

I read the author's other work She Gets the Girl last year and absolutely fell in love with it (it was one of my top reads of 2022) so when I heard this book was coming out this year, I knew I had to read it and I was 90% sure that I was going to love it. And I did!

I really enjoyed this book! I think it started off a little slow for me because it took me a few chapters to actually get into the story (and because I was in a slump when I started it) but once the main incident happens, I literally binge read the rest in like two sittings. I love love loved the characters so much, Nora has a special place in my heart like I just wanna hug her :( And I loved Stevie too and Ryan!! The amnesia trope was also done well I think, and I liked how we got to see both sides of the story, like how it was for the person who forgot and how it was for the person who was forgotten.

I also liked how it ended in terms of the amnesia aspect and how it was portrayed realistically. But I diid think the ending overall was quite rushed, especially the airport scene and it felt way too unrealistic. I think it just didn't match with what the characters had done up until that point so it seemed unrealistic because they did such a 180 in a span of a hour. Overall, I really enjoyed it and I'm excited to read future works by the author!

read if you want a book with:
- queer characters
- small town romance
- accident/ amnesia trope
- secret relationship

Forget Me Not is finally here! I heard of the synopsis of the book shortly after I devoured She Gets the Girl, co-written by the author, Alyson Derrick, and her wife, Rachel Lippincott. Ever since I read the announcement post, I knew I had to read it as soon as possible. It did not disappoint!

The main character, Stevie, suffers from amnesia after an accident in a ravine and forgets about the past two years of her life. That means she doesn't remember that she's been dating her girlfriend, Nora, in secret for all this time. They were planning on moving away from their conservative town together at the end of the summer but since no one knew of these plans, and no one knew that they even knew each other, Stevie is thrown back into her life and can't figure out what feels so off about it. Even without her memories, Stevie is inexplicably drawn to Nora. As she tries to piece together her past and rediscover who she is, she finds herself falling in love with Nora all over again. The chemistry between Nora and Stevie is undeniable, and their love story will definitely pull at your heartstrings.

One aspect I thought really added to the book was Stevie's relationship with her mother. Stevie purposely distanced herself so leaving wouldn't sting as hard but undid all her progress as the amnesia allows them to redefine and explore their relationship. The side characters, Savannah and Rory, are well-written but so unlikeable as they are Stevie's supposed best friends yet quickly show their manipulative behavior when she needs them the most. It's heartbreaking to see Stevie's struggle with her identity and relationships, but ultimately this is a story about a girl trying to piece herself together again.

The pacing of this book is just right! It's definitely a page-turner with the shorter chapters making you want to say "just one more chapter" every time. Overall, Forget Me Not is a stunning solo debut from Alyson Derrick that will leave you with a sense of hope and love. I would highly recommend it to anyone in search of a good YA sapphic romance with some depth.

Firstly, thank you Simon & Schuster for providing me with the opportunity to read and review an early copy of Forget me Knot by Alyson Derrick.

TW

Racism
Homophobia
Hospitalization
Religious Trauma

This story follows Stevie and Nora as they navigate the world of dating in secret in order to protect themselves from the harsh judgment of their friends and family. One day Stevie has a terrible accident and wakes up unable to remember the past two years of her life. Leaving Nora the only one who knows of their “terrible” secret. This story was fast paced and jam packed with deep emotional moments. Its a read that I feel many parents and teens alike need to read. If your looking for meaningful, strong and at times extremely frustrating characters this is the book for you.

Congratulations Alyson on your incredible debut. I cant wait to see what you decide to write next!

Forget Me Not is an exquisitely written, beautiful YA sapphic romance.

Stevie Green and Nora Martin have spent the past 2 years secretly dating and making plans to leave their close-minded, ultra-conservative, small town behind for sunny California. Their plans come to a screeching halt when Stevie suffers a devastating brain injury leaving her missing all her memories from the past 2 years. Can Stevie find her way back to Nora or will their love be lost forever?

I adored this highly emotional story of heartbreak, healing and hope. Told from Stevie’s perspective, the reader follows along as she fights for her memories and to find herself again. It was so special to watch Stevie fall back in love with Nora. Nora is so patient with Stevie and her progress, giving her the space to recover while offering her consistent support. Nora and Stevie have that once in a lifetime, soul mate kind of love and Stevie is subconsciously pulled towards the peace and comfort that Nora brings her even when she doesn’t know her. Derrick has created the most endearing protagonists and developed their characters with the utmost care.

I laughed (the cow), I cried (many times), I swooned (all of Nora’s letters) and then I did a smiling/ crying hybrid at the ending because I wanted a happy ending for them so badly and was so pleased.

Forget Me Not by Alyson Derrick is a tender and heartwarming debut novel that explores the power of love and the obstacles it can overcome, particularly for LGBTQ+ relationships. Stevie and Nora's love is secret and epic, but when Stevie suffers a terrible fall, she wakes up unable to remember the last two years of her life, including her relationship with Nora. Derrick beautifully captures the confusion and heartbreak that Stevie feels as she tries to navigate a life she doesn't quite understand, including hiding her sexuality and dating a boy she doesn't remember crushing on.

Throughout the novel, the theme of acceptance and understanding of LGBTQ+ relationships is prevalent, as Stevie and Nora struggle to reconcile their love in a small, conservative town. The novel shows the resilience of their relationship as they try to find their way back to each other, despite the obstacles in their way.

Overall, Forget Me Not is a touching and emotional novel that will resonate with readers who have experienced the challenges of being in a LGBTQ+ relationship in an unsupportive environment. Derrick's writing is honest and heartfelt, and the story she tells is a powerful reminder that love can conquer all, even when it feels like it has been forgotten.

4.5

I mean I was crying from page 2, this book had my heart and I loved it so much. Coming from the lgbtqui community this really struck home, and coming to terms with who you are, and then having to do it all over again, I loved watching Stevie grow into herself with Nora and seeing how their love unfolded again- everything felt so raw and real. I will follow this author anywhere :)

Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.

Book: Forget Me Not

Author: Alyson Derrick

Book Series: Standalone

Rating: 5/5

Diversity: Korean American lesbian MC, Lesbian character, Sapphic romance

Recommended For...: young adult readers, contemporary, romance, LGBT, Sapphic romance

Publication Date: April 4, 2023

Genre: YA Contemporary Romance

Age Relevance: 15+ (religion, religious trauma, racism, romance, teen pregnancy, sexual content, homophobia, cursing, misogyny, gore, underage alcohol consumption, child abuse)

Explanation of Above: There is mention of Catholicism and some religious trauma shown in the book. There is romance and very slight/one scene sexual content that is vague about what happens. There are racist remarks and confederate flags shown in the book. There are mentions of teen pregnancy. There is homophobia mentioned and shown in the book, and a scene where closeted characters are forced to come out and are kicked out. There is some cursing. There is some misogyny. There is slight blood gore mentioned. There is one scene of underage alcohol consumption. There is some child abuse mentioned and one scene of it being shown.

Publisher: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers

Pages: 320

Synopsis: A romantic ode to the strength of love and the power of choosing each other, against odds and obstacles, again and again.

What would you do if you forgot the love of your life ever even existed?

Stevie and Nora had a love. A secret, epic, once-in-a-lifetime kind of love. They also had a plan: to leave their small, ultra-conservative town and families behind after graduation and move to California, where they could finally stop hiding that love.

But then Stevie has a terrible fall. And when she comes to, she can remember nothing of the last two years—not California, not coming to terms with her sexuality, not even Nora. Suddenly, Stevie finds herself in a life she doesn’t quite understand, one where she’s estranged from her parents, drifting away from her friends, lying about the hours she works, dating a boy she can’t remember crushing on, and headed towards a future that isn’t at all what her fifteen-year-old self would have envisioned.

And Nora finds herself…forgotten. Can the two beat the odds a second time and find their way back together when “together” itself is just a lost memory?

Review: I thought this was such a beautiful book about love and how eternal it is. The book is about our MC who is in a secret relationship with Nora. They have such a great connection and are destined for more than their small homophobic racist town allows and they plan to seize it, until our MC falls and sustains a brain injury that wipes her memory of the last two years, which includes every bit of Nora. The book focuses on our MC and their journey to reclaim their memories and Nora’s efforts to help her remember their relationship. The book made me cry and is one of those I’m not going to forget anytime soon. The book did well with pulling every heartstring I had and, even though the end was predictable, it was the journey that had me coming back to furiously read more and more of the book. The book also did well with making relatable but flawed characters and the world building was immaculate.

The only issue I had with the book is that I felt like it was a bit predictable and we’ll never get real confirmation about Stevie’s memories, but I think that’s what gives the book a special appeal: the realism that while nothing may never be the same after an awful event, you can still find your way back to your old life in your own way.

Verdict: I highly recommend this book!

This one was absolutely stunning & gut-wrenching from start to finish! The last scene in particular, made me near tears - which is usually pretty tough for someone like me! Highly, highly recommed.

Was a super good read. I was very excited to read this and it definitely did not disappoint. I will say I wish I could read more of how Nora is feeling through all of this and her perspective and maybe just in general more Nora. Loved it though!

I don’t even really know how to describe the way this book made me feel. At first I loved it because of the fanfic style tropes but it quickly became so much more than that. The characters are so well written and you really feel for them as they navigate being stuck in a town full of small minded people. Some of the more intense scenes are hard to read, but man do they have an impact. I enjoyed this book the whole way through, but the last chapter is what really bumped it up to five stars for me. I can’t remember the last time a book made me cry, but this one certainly brought out all the emotions. I can’t wait to see what else Alyson Derrick has in store.