4.5 stars. I loved this new thriller from Stacy Willingham!

I read Willingham's debut novel, A Flicker in the Dark, and could not put it down. Her release last summer, Only If You're Lucky, was just so-so for me. I'm happy to report that Forget Me Not was so engrossing, I literally read it in 24 hours by alternating the audiobook and e-book!

Claire Campbell is a crime reporter living in NYC whose older sister, Natalie, disappeared and was presumed murdered when they were teens. Claire has lived her life trying to erase her past by focusing on other people's stories and repressing her own grief at the tragic loss of her sister. However, when Claire returns home to her small southern town to help her mother after an injury, she begins to revisit the details surrounding her sister's disappearance. What follows is a wild ride that keep me on the edge of my seat until the very end. I highly recommend this novel if you're looking for an atmospheric binge-worthy summer thriller!

Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for audiobook and ebook ARCs in exchange for my honest review.

Forget Me Not is a tightly woven psychological thriller that showcases Stacy Willingham’s growing mastery of suspense and emotional depth. The narrative explores themes of memory, grief, and perception, delivered through a protagonist whose voice is both vulnerable and compelling.

Willingham maintains a strong sense of unease throughout, with well-timed twists and atmospheric writing that keep the tension high. While some plot elements follow familiar genre paths, the character development and emotional resonance elevate the story. A strong addition to contemporary suspense fiction, perfect for readers of Megan Miranda and Lisa Gardner.

3.5 stars
There was so much going on with this book! We follow Claire through her struggles in NYC & decision to return home to help her ailing mother. Next thing we know, she’s working on a farm with a cult-like owner. Enter the epistolary segments where she’s reading the journal of one of the characters. I always struggle with this device as it will take the main character days/weeks as they slowly read along to discover the relevant and connecting information that was sorely needed days/weeks earlier!
I still enjoyed following Claire on her journey to discover what happened to her older sister. This will make a great summer beach read!
*Thanks to Macmillan Audio & NetGalley

This atmospheric novel is right up my alley. The characters are complex and this is not your ordinary missing girl mystery.

I listen to this as an audiobook and I have to say right from the get-go I had to know what happened to Clara sister Natalie I think that it's a little complicated in the middle with all of the different missing girls that were connected to Mitchell but in the end it was explained andhad a nice complete resolution. I listen to this in about a day because I felt completely engrossed in the storyline and on the edge of my seat. I also kept thinking that I was going to guess the ending and I didn't. I love all of Stacy Willingham's thrillers and this one was no different a solid 4.5 for me.

4.5⭐️. Forget Me Not by Stacy Willingham is a haunting, atmospheric thriller that lingers long after the final page. The story follows Claire Campbell, an investigative journalist who returns to her South Carolina hometown decades after her sister Natalie vanished without a trace. What begins as a reluctant homecoming slowly unfolds into a gripping mystery as Claire takes a summer job at Galloway Farm and uncovers an old diary that seems far too close to the truth about her sister’s disappearance.

At first, I wasn’t completely sold. The pacing in the beginning was a little too slow for my taste, and I found myself wondering when things would really kick off. But once the story picked up, I was hooked. Seriously—I couldn’t put it down. Willingham does an excellent job layering past and present, weaving Claire’s memories with her present-day discoveries in a way that feels both tense and emotional.

The setting is beautifully written. The vineyard, with its Southern charm and eerie undertones, almost feels like a character itself. And Claire is such a compelling lead—flawed, determined, and easy to root for as she uncovers dark secrets no one wants unearthed.

I wanted to give this a full five stars, but the slow start held me back just a bit. That said, the payoff is so worth it. The twists genuinely surprised me, and by the end, I was sitting there thinking, “Wow. Just… wow.”

If you’re into slow-burn thrillers with emotional depth and some seriously chilling moments, this one is absolutely worth your time.

The writing style is more similar to Willingham’s “Flicker in the Dark” vs her more later releases, which I absolutely loved as that was one of my favorite thrillers!

There’s no shortage of suspense, twists, and eeriness in Forget Me Not. I loved the short, quick paced chapters that truly made this book impossible to put down. It’s got complex characters, and unexpected surprises along the way too.

As customary with Willinghams other books, she created a fulfilling ending with everything buttoned up and no questions left on the table.

One of my favorite of her recent books, and can’t wait to read what comes next!

4.5 stars!!

I really liked this one — even more than I expected! It’s a solid mystery with some twists I saw coming, but plenty that completely caught me off guard. Everything ties together really well by the end. I’ve always loved Stacey Willingham’s writing, and this one felt more like her first two books (which I loved), especially after her last release didn’t quite measure up for me. If you’re into suspenseful mysteries (definitely more mystery than thriller), this one’s worth picking up!

Claire lost her sister Natalie many years ago. Her life has now gone off the rails. The promotion she deserved went to a friend, and a call from her father sent her back home to care for her mother.
But a discovery in Natalie’s room leads her to Galloway Farm. An odd atmosphere permeates this place and soon Claire wonders if there is more to Natalie’s story than anyone imagined.
Lots of secrets and surprising revelations. A slow burn mystery that I enjoyed on the beach.

An eerie mystery to keep you guessing!

I really enjoyed the setting for this story, I found it to be really unique and well done. Our main character was believable and I was happy to be along for her journey. I particularly enjoyed the diary chapters we got!

I would definitely recommend the read for fans of the authors previous books, and a mystery read in general. This wasn’t the highest thrill ride but the mystery was absolutely solid and I read through the book very quickly.

Thank you to the publisher for the gifted ARC

This story read less like a thriller and more like literary fiction solving a mystery.

Full transparency, this was my first Stacy Willingham book. I came to know of her and her books when she facilitated an author convo with Tarryn Fisher. I will read anything written by TF. I also liked that Willingham is a SC girlie.

This story was a bit slow for me. I was not really engaged in the first quarter of the book. The writing was too eloquent for a thriller. I did like the introduction of the journal when Claire found it, but even how that started was disengaging to me. The transition between first and third person when a part of the journal was being read was jarring. Certainly there were red flag vibes from the characters at Galloway Farm & Vineyard, so that’s what ultimately kept me interested and curious as to how the story would unfold.

I think those who are drawn to whodunnit stories, books set in South Carolina, or a tale with purple prose will enjoy this book. While I rate it as average for a thriller, I won’t hesitate to pick up Willingham’s next book.

3.25 stars

I was able to take in this story thanks to Minotaur Books/St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley..

Stacy Willingham’s Forget Me Not starts off slow, but quickly evolves into an absorbing psychological thriller that blends suspense with complex family dynamics. Once the plot gains momentum, it becomes nearly impossible to put down. Willingham’s ability to intertwine emotional trauma, memory, and mystery that creates a layered narrative.

FORGET ME NOT is a gripping psychological thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. I really liked Claire and how determined she was throughout the book. Her family secrets were pretty surprising and the twists were perfectly executed. Overall, I'd say this is a winner. I've enjoyed all of Stacy Willingham’s books so far, so I knew this would be a great one!

Many thanks to Minotaur Books for my gifted copies.

This review will be shared to my Instagram account (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the future.

Thank you NetGalley and the author for allowing me to read this arc in exchange of an honest review. For me, this story had a slow start, but once it started picking up, it turned out to be a great read! Claire is on the hunt to find out what really happened to her sister. Lots of twists and turns that I wasn’t expecting!

Oof. I normally really enjoy Willingham’s books, but this one never managed to pull me in.

I feel like her stories are typically a slower pace, this one was as well… but on top of the pacing (I prefer faster paced thrillers) the entire plot just bored the hell outta me.

I might try and go back again tonight, but I’ve got a stack of books I’m behind on.

DNF @48%


I’m having a hard time sinking my teeth into romance lately so I’m going to switch it up and give a thriller a go, plus knock another arc off my list lol.


A new Stacy Willingham Southern thriller you say? I'm in.

Expected Pub Date - 08/26/25

Previous SW Ratings:

A Flicker in The Dark - 4 Stars
All the Dangerous Things - 4 Stars
Only if You're Lucky - 4 Stars


Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the complementary advanced digital copy, all thoughts are my own.

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Wow, what a great thriller! Definitely family issues, a little culty vibes and a journalist just trying to find her way. There are lots of good twists throughout the book, and it definitely keeps your interest!!

Thank you to Net Galley and St Martin's Press for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I have always enjoyed Willingham's books. This one wasn't my favorite of hers, but I still enjoyed it.

I think readers are going to have a difficult time getting into this book. It starts out in New York City and then quickly shifts to this small town..You get introduced to her best friend and her dad very briefly. I would have liked more information on them and interactions.

The mysterious nature of Galloway Farms kept me interested in the book. The ending was solid. It tied it all together. There were some solid twists that I enjoyed with hints dropped throughout the novel. I didn't love the journal entry formatting. I liked the story in them, but I'm hoping that is fixed before publishing.

Claire Campbell quit her job after a co-worker/boyfriend got the promotion she should have had.

She didn't know what to do until her father called and said her mother broke her leg and needed some help.

Claire hadn't been home for about twelve years, and she and her mother were estranged.

It was uncomfortable from the minute she arrived. Nothing had changed since she left and since her older sister was murdered.

Her mother didn't want to talk about it.

On a whim Claire stops at Galloway Farms where her sister worked. She gets a job and stays there which is good because she doesn't have to spend time with her mother.

Claire finds a diary hidden in the cabin she is staying in. It is the diary of the wife of the owner of the farm.

She can't put the diary down and learns things that might connect the diary to her sister.

How could that be? The incidents are ten years apart, but Marcia's story sounds very similar to her sister's.

Claire finds out things she shouldn't and puts herself in danger. I would have gotten out of there immediately.

It takes a bit to get going, but once it does, you won't be able to stop reading.

When you find out secrets that have been kept for years, your jaw will drop.

It is a good one, Stacy Willingham fans. 4/5

Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

This creepy mystery will have your anxiety spiking and your heart pounding! Forget Me Not by Stacy Willingham will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Twenty-two years ago, Claire’s sister Natalie disappeared. Soon after, enough evidence was discovered to close Natalie’s case but her body was never found. To escape the trauma of losing her sister, Claire moves to the city to become an investigative journalist. Years later, she unexpectedly returns to her hometown and on a whim, accepts a seasonal job at Galloway Farm, a muscadine vineyard where her sister worked before her disappearance. But what starts out as a way for Claire to feel closer to her sister turns into something dark and dangerous.

From the very beginning of this story, you just get the feeling that something is off and spend the rest of the book feeling uneasy. The author uses such detail to describe the atmosphere at the farm, it is very easy to imagine, which just adds to the feeling of uneasiness. Forget Me Not is told in dual timeline which gives you tiny pieces of the puzzle that you have to try to put together as you get them throughout the story. There are some things in this story that are definitely predictable. BUT those unexpected reveals are mind blowing! I really enjoyed seeing this one play out and would highly recommend it!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press\Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read an ARC of Forget Me Not in exchange for my honest review.

This book was not one of Ms. Willingham’s best but I’m confident in the knowledge that her previous books have set the bar high and if you haven’t read any of her previous books, you would probably enjoy this one. With that said, the pace felt a little slow and the story had some holes in it. I’m not sure that it even makes sense at times. Despite that, there was a creepy vibe almost the entire time and that’s what she does best.