Well, this one had a lot of potential. I just didn’t feel like it lived up to that potential. I had a hard time keeping track of the female characters and how they fit together. The last 20% went super fast and was all tied up in a neat little bow. I thought it was just ok.

Claire’s a journalist who quit her job returns home for the first time in years since her sisters murder. Claire nervous to return to the last place she saw her sister alive and to visit her mom who she doesn’t have the best relationship with. Remembering claire’s sister Natalie worked at a winery the summer before she was murder, claire decided to take a visit and ends up staying longer than expected. While she is visiting she find an old journal that leads to more questions about what really could have happened to Natalie.

I enjoyed this book and I love the first to books of Stacy’s. This is more of a slow burn mystery than a thriller I would say. But once you get into it you will be curious to know what really happened to Natalie and is Claire’s inklings are right.

Thank you so much for the ARC. Stacy does it again! Her books are easy to read and are full of twists.

Stacy Willingham can do absolutely no wrong.
I have been captivated by her books before, and truly don’t know how she continues to create stories that are unique, twisty, and down right thrilling.
This story will leave you positively breathless!
Claire’s sister went missing when she was 18. Her body was never found, but a man sits in jail for her supposed murder. Still dealing with the trauma decades later, she returns home when her mother requires help after an injury. Will this be what she needs for the closure she so desperately seeks? Or will she just end up with more questions?
Willingham is an absolute genius of the English language. You can feel, hear, smell, and see her landscapes and layered characters. Read this book when it is released in August! So good. While you’re waiting, if you haven’t read her back list, do it! She never disappoints.
Thank you so much netgalley! I jumped up and down when you sent me this one!

This new novel by the author does not hit the mark as compared to All the Dangerous Things (5 stars from me). The original mystery, a missing sister, sounded fascinating, but the book took a while to get going and I was not a big fan of the main character. The last third of the novel redeemed it overall although I thought that at least one of the twists did not have enough support to be impactful. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

I think the author is a great writer, however I feel things were a bit slow in this ? Maybe the characters were underdeveloped too? I found myself being irritated at the MC for being nosy and it seemed to work out in the end however, it all came crashing really quick. Will read from this author again but just not this.

Forget Me Not by Stacy Willingham completely sucked me in within a matter of pages. I honestly picked this up while I was trying to decide what to read next and became so invested in it that suddenly I was chapters deep and realized I guess this was the book I was reading now.

The story follows Claire as she returns to the hometown she has avoided for decades, since she was able to get away after the murder of her sister who haunts her family even 22 years later. She ends up taking a job on the same vineyard her sister worked at all those years ago, to find a connection with the sister she lost, as well as a means to get her life together after leaving her previous job and struggling to find new work.

Even more deeply intriguing is the diary that Claire finds which turns out to be an over 40-year-old journal of the mysterious, uncommunicative woman Claire is living next door to. Although it starts out in journal entry format, it does become full scenes of the past which did disappoint me a bit because I liked the journal aspect, but it was still interesting to watch the past unfold and get some answers on Marcia, who seems hesitant to speak to Claire in the present. As things become more insidious in the present on the vineyard, there’s a bit of a parallel in Marcia’s unfolding story in her diary which adds to the tension and only fuels the need for answers in both timelines. This becomes particularly true in the parallels that pop up between events in Marcia’s past and what happened to Claire’s sister.

Having the similarities crop in these two instances made for a fascinating read, particularly as Claire put together information from such old cases and tried to uncover what happened in both time periods. On top of that, there’s the suspicions and tension of the present where it’s unclear whether she is in danger or letting her guilt from the death of her sister get to her. I was absolutely hooked into all the different aspects of this book, from present, to past, and even further past and could not put this book down. I was so deeply invested in Claire finding answers, and even in the story unfolding in Marcia’s diary even though it was so long over, hoping for a good end for everyone. I highly recommend this book because it is the perfect kind of thriller and so hard to stop once you get going with it.

Forget Me Not is a slow burn mystery about a journalist returning to her home where her sister disappeared when she was a child. I think it’s important to go into this knowing it is a slow burn but you get just enough information each chapter to keep you going.

I enjoyed how the book toggled between the present and Marcia’s diary. I felt like the main character Alice trying to put the pieces of the story together throughout. A lot of connections I didn’t see coming and the end felt satisfying. A very solid 4.5 star book!

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an advanced copy of this book. All opinions in this review are my own.

Thank you to Macmillan/Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the free ARC!

Stacy Willingham is, without a doubt, one of the most underrated thriller authors out there. Every time she releases a new book, I’m left wondering why more people aren’t raving about her storytelling—and Forget Me Not is no exception.

This one had me hooked from the first page. Willingham masterfully blends a tense, eerie atmosphere with layered psychological depth and a protagonist you can’t help but root for—even when you’re not sure if you should. I won’t spoil the plot, but I will say this: if you love thrillers that mess with your head and keep you questioning everything until the final page, this is a must-read.

"Forget Me Not" follows Claire Campbell, a currently unemployed investigative journalist whose sister Nathalie was murdered 22 years ago. When her estranged mother seemingly needs help, Claire reluctantly returns to her hometown in South Carolina for the first time, finding traces of Nathalie's life before her disappearance that lead Claire straight to Galloway Farm, a coastal vineyard an hour away where Nathalie used to work. When Claire is offered a seasonal job on the farm, she is only too happy to accept. But when she finds a hidden old diary, she becomes consumed by its contents, soon suspecting that it somehow ties into her own past and her sister's disappearance.

The author excels at painting a vivid, atmospheric picture in this tense Southern thriller. You can practically feel the oppressive summer heat radiating off the pages while reading. Claire's search for answers regarding the disappearance of her sister was compelling, though I was a bit confused as to her methods - has no one ever looked through Nathalie's room in 22 years? Why did it take Claire so long to finish reading the diary (surely she could have skimmed it)? Why did she not buy a freaking flashlight in town when her phone was already dead?

I would have happily skipped over those little things, but Mitchell and Marcia's story rubbed me the wrong way from the start. The whole "young girl and older boyfriend" storyline, with icky parallels to Nathalie's case, was probably intentional. But if Marcia was 17 in 1983, and Mitchell in his late twenties or early thirties, that certainly wouldn't qualify as them being "kids. Just two kids who stumbled in love", as Claire characterizes them.

All in all, "Forget Me Not" had a solid backstory, strong writing, and some thrilling tension, but the pacing was off (the addition of the diary entries certainly didn't help with that particular issue), and when it finally picked up speed, the conclusion felt very over the top (IYKYK).

Sadly, this didn't quite live up to my expectations, but I won't let that deter me from reading the author's next book.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

"Forget Me Not" is slated to be released on August 26, 2025.

What a chilling thriller! Many twists and turns along with misdirection keep you guessing until close to the end. Enough drama to keep you engrossed in the story line and reading way past bedtime!

This is a story I regret not reading all in one fell swoop as it demands attention. Really detailed attention. So I did spend some time going back over the chapters to reacquaint myself with the characters, setting and timeline.

It's the present and Claire Campbell leaves her job as a journalist to return home and help out her mother, who has taken a bad fall. Going home also means reliving memories of her older sister Natalie, murdered 22 years ago by her boyfriend. But her mom is less receptive to Claire's return and hurt by the seeming rejection, Claire takes on a job at a farm in a nearby town. In some ways to feel close to her sister while seeking peace.

While her new coworker Liam is friendly enough, the farm's owner Mitchell Galloway and his wife Marcia are mysteries to Claire. Her journalists instincts ignite when she discovers a hidden diary penned by Marcia in the 1980s. It's a story in itself that ties the past with the present, and could unlock clues to Natalie's murder.

I'll give this to the author, it's well plotted out to reveal clues that in retrospect should have stuck out more. The subtleness of those reveals are what makes the a-ha moments all the more stunning. And, if I'd paid attention by reading it in one long arc, I might have caught those! Still, it's a delicious, absorbing mystery that fans of the author will appreciate.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for the ARC. #ForgetMeNot is not-to-be missed!

This was a binge worthy read. I was able to enjoy it even on my kindle which is usually a deal breaker for me. It was a slow burn, but the writing style hooked me in from the beginning.

I had no idea where this one would end up, and I enjoyed the storyline. Lots of mystery, murder and also cult vibes packed into this one.

I’ve read all four thrillers published by this author and after A Flicker In The Dark, I would say this is my next favorite. I recommend you add this one to your TBR.

I absolutely loved this book! I felt completely immersed in Claire’s journey, drawn into the haunting beauty of Galloway Farm and the unsettling secrets lurking beneath its idyllic surface. I appreciated the way nostalgia and mystery blended together, creating an atmosphere that was both comforting and deeply unnerving. I connected with Claire’s determination to unravel the truth, and I felt every ounce of her growing obsession as she dug deeper into the diary’s contents. The tension built masterfully, making each revelation feel more chilling than the last. I loved how the novel balanced emotional depth with suspense, keeping me hooked until the very end. I finished the book feeling completely satisfied and utterly captivated. The writing was lush, the twists were gripping, and Claire’s journey was unforgettable.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a mystery filled with rich atmosphere, emotional complexity, and secrets that refuse to stay buried.

This was an absolute page-turner! I was hooked from the first chapter and couldn’t put it down. The diary entries were one of my favorite parts, they added such a personal layer that pulled me deeper into the mystery.

The way everything fell into place was just so well done. Every twist made sense, and the final reveal was both surprising and satisfying. The writing was tight, emotional, and full of tension in all the right places.

If you love psychological thrillers with strong writing and a storyline that keeps you guessing, this one’s a must-read.

4.5 Stars

This was SO GOOD. After "A Flicker in the Dark," Stacy Willingham became in instant-buy author for me and her newest book did not disappoint. I loved the dual timeline and voices. There were several twists, a few I saw coming but several I was not prepared for. Stacy Willingham does not disappoint with this book.

Book: Forget Me Not
Author: Stacy Willingham
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Pub Date: August 26, 2025

This was one of my most anticipated reads for the year and it didn’t disappoint. While it’s not my favorite book by this author it is still a four-star read. I did feel like it dragged at times and was a little slow. There were a few loose ends that I thought were too neatly tied up and easily fixed and the twists were good but not necessarily shocking. Beyond that it was a fast and easy read and easy to follow. It is a very enjoyable who-done-it. This will make a great summer beach read.

Thank you St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for this sneak peak! Publication date is August 26, 2025.

This book held incredible promise, and I specifically picked it up due to being from South Carolina. I wanted to feel immersed in the small town southern environment and knew it would make for a pulse pounding mystery. However, I found the book lacking in immersion. It felt very surface level, with opportunities to grow the environment and the characters. I DNF'd at 50% as I was struggling to stay interested in where the story was headed.

I've loved other books by Stacy Willingham, but unfortunately, this one just wasn't for me. It didn't feel like a thriller to me.

It begins as a great story of what happens to a family that has experienced the murder of a child. It does a great job at really diving into how that family deals (or in this case - avoids dealing with) the aftermath of such a horrific event. It's slow start, but at about the 35% mark, a mystery is introduced in the way of a diary our main character, Claire, has found. First, this didn't feel like a diary at all since it was written in the third person. Who writes a diary in the third person? Most importantly, it really didn't feel like a big enough mystery to suck me in. It just felt like Claire was intruding on these people's lives. I was really hoping that the big hook would be that she was completely wrong and there was no mystery here.

Those who enjoy slow-burn mysteries will enjoy this, but if you are looking for a thriller, this isn't it. There is a climactic ending, but for me, that was too little too late. I didn't love it, but I can see that there are readers who will.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for this advanced review copy.

Claire Campbell’s eighteen-year-old sister, Natalie, disappeared 22 years ago. After moving away to forget about it all, an unexpected call from her dad brought her back to town for the first time in 15 years. With nothing to do for the summer, she starts a seasonal job at Galloway Farm, where her sister once worked. It seems like a tranquil retreat…until Claire finds a diary from one of the vineyard’s owners. She has this unsettling feeling that Natalie’s disappearance may be connected to this place.

This new Southern thriller from Stacy Willingham starts off a little slow, but once you get into it, it’s hard to put down!

Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books, for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Forget Me Not by Stacy Willingham

While I enjoyed the last two Stacy Willingham books that I read, this book was just too frustrating for me to enjoy as much as I enjoyed the other books. The mystery sounds very intriguing and and there are thrilling aspects to the story but the main character made me want to stomp my feet and throw my Kindle at her. I think I shouted at her a few times, too!

Thirty three year old Claire Campbell is heading back home because she's been asked by her dad to go take care of her mom. Long ago they split up about the time that Claire's older sister, Natalie, started all kinds of suspicious behavior. Then Natalie went missing and because of things found, was declared dead. Claire's mom won't allow her dad to help her but really, Claire's mom doesn't want anything from Claire either, so Claire finds a job at the place her late sister used to work before she went missing.

Claire's sister was seventeen when she was doing unwise things and then went missing. I'd like to think that thirty three year old Claire would have gained something from her years of experience as an adult. But no, Claire doesn't seem to have any situational awareness, no ability to say no when she most certainly should say no, and no ability to keep her electronics charged and in working order. As I've mentioned before, I'll never get to be a MC in a mystery/thriller because I never let my phone's battery get close to 0. In fact, I carry mini portable chargers with me to totally ruin that plot twist for me getting into huge messes.

Once again the author has filled the story with twists and turns and just as I would think I had something figured out, I'd find out I was wrong. There is a lot of enjoy here and I just wish it could have happened with a more alert, clear thinking MC. I always look forward to the work of this author and will be waiting impatiently for her next book. I was able to buddy read this story with Jayme, Mary Beth, and DeAnn so I was able to rant to them about my gripes, always fun when reading a perplexing mystery/thriller.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books and NetGalley for this ARC.