Absolutely loved this. The last few books I’ve read have been pretty flat and this one went deep, so it felt like an enormous relief the entire time I was reading it.

A twenty something who has been floundering since a tragic accident in her teens returns to the town where it happened to take care of her father, who has advanced Alzheimer’s, and seems to be able to predict future events.

Reading about dementia and Alzheimer’s is tricky for me. It’s a very sensitive subject, and when not written well, it can be really offensive. Here’s the thing - it was not written about in any realistic way here, but it cast a hopeful light over it, and was able to offer some new perspective and that was exactly what I needed. With one of my recent reads being “Say You’ll Remember Me” by Abby Jimenez, I NEEDED that light. Alzheimer’s, but make it quirky and delightful. I KNOW that is not how it is, and some people will take issue with this portrayal, and some people will find the daughter’s relationship with her father pretty exploitative, but this is the story of a character who grew leaps and bounds, and you have to grow from the bottom up. She was not perfect, but to me, this story almost was.

I also absolutely loved the Adirondack setting, and felt like I was at summer camp or on vacation. Simple but magical days, lots of time to contemplate, observe and marvel. This was a highly (and surprisingly) peaceful read.

My only complaint was the lack of development in a side character who, when he was in the scene, provided plenty of witty and playful banter, but we didn’t get to really see how things grow into more with them, it happens off page and feels like an afterthought.

This was such an emotional book. It went through heavy topics such as dealing with dementia and death. However, I couldn’t put it down. As someone who has experienced having a loved one with Alzheimer’s, it hit experiences on the head and the author was still able to add lightheartedness and instances of seeing the good in spite of the bad. Thanks so much for this ARC, I really enjoyed it!

As a daughter and caregiver for my mother with early onset Alzheimer’s this storyline really caught my interest. The book took a while to catch my attention or really get me into the story. I felt like there was a heavy lead up to the story but then some storylines, for example her relationship/story with Max lacked depth or just fizzled off. I really enjoyed the concept and perspective of her fathers mind being utilized in a different way when he began to loose his memory due to the Alzheimer’s. Overall, I liked the book well enough and enjoyed storyline that isn’t often explored.

I believe that sometimes a good book finds you when you need it most, and I'm so glad this one found me when it did. I loved every bit of it. It was emotional and full of heart, and I found myself mostly smiling and laughing throughout. Having dealt with Alzheimer's in my family and recent loss, so many of our conversations have been centered on what we've lost, but this book reminded me to appreciate what we gained in even our toughest moments. I can't wait to recommend this one to everyone I know and I look forward to rereading it in the future.

What a wonderful book! I was captivated from the very first page. Besides being well written and easy to read, the story is one that will be familiar to many people.

The story is of a daughter trying to navigate caring for her father who has dementia. She feels unprepared and at times alone, but she finds ways to bring joy to their lives in the midst of a disease with an inevitable ending. Further, she is caring for her father at a remote family property, where she experienced tragedy, love and loss earlier in her life.

Her reflections on her father’s condition and her ability to accept and celebrate his life at this moment are inspiring. A powerful mix of love, loss, regret, guilt, hope, and joy run through every page. I highly recommend this book.

Wow! I had trouble putting this book down. Cricket has been living with the unnecessary guilt of her perceived role in the death of her teenage love for the past ten years and is floundering her way through life. When her father’s dementia becomes too much for her older sister to handle, Cricket decides to take over the caregiver role even though it means dealing with the demons of the past. And as her father’s memory continues to decline, Cricket’s purpose in life becomes clear and she faces the future with newfound confidence. The author does not sugarcoat the trials and tribulations of caregiving and Alzheimer’s yet presents them with grace and compassion. I laughed in parts. I cried in others. I highly recommend this story. 5 stars. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

What a pleasant surprise! I was initially put off by the synopsis, and I’ve felt like there’s been an oversaturation of books and films about Alzheimer’s in recent years. But I decided to give it a chance anyway—and I’m so glad I did. I loved it. Hoen has created a funny, relatable character in Cricket, and it’s a joy to follow her as she ditches her job at a cringe-worthy wellness company (fronted by an obnoxious girlboss) to take on the role of caregiver for her elderly father. The book strikes a fine balance between multiple painful subjects and plenty of light-hearted moments, all while exploring the aimlessness of young adulthood, sisterhood, and the obligation to family. The psychic storyline is handled much better and more realistically than I expected, and the descriptions of the Adirondacks are just lovely. Hoen also gives us intriguing supporting characters and weaves in a flashback timeline that reveals a troubling incident from Cricket’s past. Overall, it’s a thoughtful, funny, and engaging read, perfect for anyone who’s ever felt like their life is missing a little direction or purpose.

Thanks to Net Galley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC of Before I forget. A beautiful story of an unrelenting topic. Cricket returns to her father’s home to care for him in the final stages of his Alzheimer’s journey. Heartbreaking yet uplifting. A solid 4 stars.

This was a very sweet novel that tackled some pretty heavy subject matter without weighing you down. I really enjoyed the similarities shown between Cricket and her family and the family of Loons that visit the lake

This is SUCH a lovely book! I started it yesterday afternoon, then stayed up late to finish - what a wonderful treat to be immersed in this world and these characters. I was hesitant to request it at first - stories where a character has Alzheimer’s can be a rough go sometimes, in life and in fiction. But this is not that. Instead, author Tory Henwood Hoen offers us a different perspective, which she unfolds in the differing responses of two sisters to their father’s diagnosis. The older sister responds with charts, lists, and a schedule written in stone, attempting to manage/control something that is unmanageable and uncontrollable. But then when the younger sister, Cricket, takes over, she sees and experiences amazing things in her relationship with her father. Her account of the journey is eye-opening and so encouraging.

There’s a significant plot line about her father mysteriously knowing the future, and casually giving stunningly accurate personal prophecies. Cricket turns to the occult to explore this, with a bunch of forms of divination. I wish the author had included some thought of God in this - it all seemed a bit unmoored without any consideration of possible origins of the spiritual experiences the characters where having, and all the questions that come up when we’re faced with the end of life.

That said, this story is filled with warm and thoughtful people you will be happy to spend time with, and a story that will give you much to ponder in the best possible way. Highly recommend.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book.

This book hits on a lot of heavy topics: the toll of being a caretaker for a parent, dementia, death, but I loved how it also integrated the beauty of the natural world (one day I will visit the Adirondacks!), how weird Goop is, and how it takes time to find yourself and what brings you purpose in life. It was light at times to balance out the heaviness. It is a nice length that I finished in a few hours and I was excited to see how it played out!

In *Before I Forget*, Tory Henwood Hoen tells a funny and heartfelt story about memory that really hits home. The main character, Cricket Campbell, is 26 and feeling lost between who she was meant to be and who she actually is. When she heads back to her childhood home to take care of her dad, Arthur, who's dealing with Alzheimer's, things take a surprising turn. Arthur reveals he can predict the future, and this twist makes their journey even more special.

Hoen handles the tough topic of Alzheimer’s with a light touch, mixing humor with the more serious moments, making everything feel relatable. Cricket’s voice is both witty and vulnerable, and her struggle to find herself will resonate with anyone who's ever felt out of place. As she reconnects with her dad and her roots, she starts to uncover family secrets and rediscover parts of herself she thought she lost.

In the end, *Before I Forget* is a warm, uplifting read about healing and the importance of remembering in a different way.

**Verdict:** A clever and touching look at memory, identity, and fresh starts, this book hooks you in with its quirky premise and emotional punch.

Before I forget is a wonderful book showing that you never stop coming of age. You never stop discovering who you are and what you want. This book is thoughtful and considerate. It’s such a lovely depiction of parent/child dynamics and how pivotal they can be in navigating your own identity. This book is, at its core, hopeful. It discusses grief, loss, and the feelings of insecurity and confusion in a real and meaningful way. I loved this book.

Wow!! Thank you, NetGalley and to Macmillan publishers for an ARC of this awesome story. I absolutely loved it. Read it in a day. 4.5 stars easy.🥲🌟

When I first started the book, I was open to the premise but a part of me almost wasn’t in the mood for something “heavy”. But the author did such an excellent job of highlighting both the bittersweet moments that accompany tough family-level struggles like Alzheimer’s. Topics like loss, memory, coming-of-age struggles, and interpersonal conflicts were handled super well and refreshingly.

I also found that I liked it much more as the plot went on. And I really liked watching our protagonist’s arc develop next to her sister. It was a great way to characterize while “show don’t tell”-ing. The writing is riddled with moments that are quotable and subtly profound. Lots of good lines.

I think at the start of the book I had some moments where I wanted the plot to reflect some more back in time— to almost get me right away super invested in cricket and her family’s dynamics and flaws. However, that reflecting was something the story very much did later! And very excellently! So that might have been my personal preference.

I also really felt attached to her dad. He was so fun and felt like such a real character. And loved the late 20’s coming of age story. It’s a needed perspective and I think a lot of people will resonate. :)

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Publishers for sharing this ARC with me! All opinions are my own:

“Before I Forget” is a touching new fiction novel by Tori Henwood Hoen. I was immediately intrigued by the title of this book: it gives depth to the casual phrase that you would toss over your shoulder on your way out the door. In her story, Cricket Campbell’s journey confronts the complexities of adulthood, memory, and true responsibility.

This is truly a stunning story. I read this book in a day and loved it. Tori Henwood Hoen gracefully navigates some powerful themes, and I LOVE that she does it in such a relatable, sentimental, and lighthearted prose. This novel may carry some heavy topics that will definitely touch your heart, but it does not weigh so much as to put you in an emotional reading slump. It tenderly highlights the difficulties that accompany an Alzheimer’s diagnosis and the challenges in maneuvering it as a caretaker. The characters are crafted with realistic and relatable personalities. I especially loved the repeated emphasis on the relationships between Cricket and her father and sister. I’ll definitely be back to see what Tori Henwood Hoen comes out with next!!

This is a story about the unpredictable nature of healing and how sometimes the hardest truths offer the deepest clarity. Poignant, funny, and brimming with heart, it’s a reminder that even fractured memories can lead us home.