The Unforgettable Alexandra Shaw

The Forgotten Academy Duology Book 1

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Pub Date Mar 01 2023 | Archive Date Apr 04 2023

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Description

Seventeen-year-old Alexandra killed her father.

It was an accident, but he’s dead all the same. Now all she wants is to find her place in her new school, keep her head down until graduation, and try to fix her relationship with her resentful mother.

But then a stranger named Logan shows up, claiming he knows her. And that’s not even the weirdest thing. According to Logan, her father wasn’t the only one killed in the accident—she was too.

While trying to uncover her past, Alexandra and Logan discover a horrifying truth about her new school and the more they dig, the more dangerous it becomes for Alexandra and her friends.

With no idea who to trust, she races to piece her life back together and take hold of her future before she loses it – and herself – completely.

Seventeen-year-old Alexandra killed her father.

It was an accident, but he’s dead all the same. Now all she wants is to find her place in her new school, keep her head down until graduation, and try...


A Note From the Publisher

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Advance Praise

"“I did not see these twists coming. Every time I thought knew where the story was headed, I was spun in circles. Incredibly well written and leaves you hanging onto every word to find out what happens next.”

– E. Whelly, bestselling author of My Beautiful Ghosts


“It’s not often you find a book that lives up to a beautiful cover and a strong title, but Alexandra Shaw is, indeed, unforgettable. Well written and boasting a strong voice, this book had me guessing from the beginning and clinging to a cliff at the end.”

– R. Raeta, award winning author of Everlong and Ladybirds


“THE UNFORGETTABLE ALEXANDRA SHAW is a fast-paced, voicey story about a girl trying to claim her identity and personhood—a familiar theme to anyone who have ever been a teenager… It’s like Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, but grittier and twistier, with excellent writing to boot.”

– Alaina Rose, author of Relative Fiction


“Did I stay up half the night reading TUAS? Yes! Did I regret a second of it? No! THE UNFORGETTABLE ALEXANDRA SHAW kept me on the edge of my seat (or bed) wondering what could possibly happen next. It was inventive, heart breaking and beautifully written. Having had the pleasure of working with the author directly, I know that she poured her heart and soul into this book and I cannot wait to see what twists she brings us in book two.”

– Emma Jane, EJL Editing


“The Unforgettable Alexandra Shaw by A. Lloyd Spanton is an intense, action-packed Young Adult novel with an exciting story and twists that will have you hooked… I highly recommend this novel and hope A. Lloyd Spanton writes a sequel!”

– Readers Favorite"

"“I did not see these twists coming. Every time I thought knew where the story was headed, I was spun in circles. Incredibly well written and leaves you hanging onto every word to find out what...


Available Editions

ISBN 9781738685714
PRICE $3.99 (USD)
PAGES 241

Available on NetGalley

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Average rating from 107 members


Featured Reviews

Alexandra is a young girl, who is struggling with the guilt from killing her father. There’s a lot to unpack with The Unforgettable Alexandra Shaw, so many twists, and so many turns. I usually can guess an ending at the very beginning of a book, but I was pleasantly surprised that my intuition was wrong. The story was beautifully written (even though I had to go back and reread a few sentences because I was reading so fast I missed a few words). I simply just couldn’t put the story down. I cannot wait for the next book to come out in the fall. Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

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This book is worth reading because the plot is so intriguing. The first chapter or so was tricky, but once the story proper started I was hooked. I will definitely keep an eye out for the sequel. The twists and turns were really good.

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Thank you netgalley and the publishers for letting me read this book. I absolutely loved it, the characters and the plot are top notch. Highly recommended. 4.5 stars

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😍 The cover for The Unforgettable Alexandra Shaw is beautiful, and I loved the synopsis. I wasn't sure what to expect, but in the end I really enjoyed this book. The premise is exciting, and it was fun watching it all unfold. It got a bit too unbelievable near the end, but I would definitely read the next book in this series, which should be available Fall 2023.

Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for this e-copy I received for an honest review.

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This was such a great book! I highly enjoyed this. This was so good. I stayed up late to finish this because I had to know what happened next.
I just reviewed The Unforgettable Alexandra Shaw by A. Lloyd Spanton. #TheUnforgettableAlexandraShaw #NetGalley
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This read was such a captivating young adult novel that blends together elements of mystery, fantasy, and sci-fi to create a unique and engaging story. The protagonist, Alexandra, is a troubled teenager who attends a reformatory school after causing her father's death in a car accident. As she begins to experience strange visions and encounters a boy claiming she has died, she starts to unravel a mystery that takes her on a thrilling adventure.

The author does an excellent job of creating a believable world filled with intriguing characters, including Alexandra's two best friends, Kayla and Hannah, who play important roles in the story. The writing style is smooth and easy to follow, making it an ideal read for young adults. Moreover, the pacing is well-done, with enough twists and turns to keep the reader engaged from beginning to end.

One of the book's strengths is the relationship between Alexandra and her mother. The scenes involving their interactions are some of the most emotional and powerful in the story. The book also delves into themes of friendship and family dynamics, which are relatable and well-executed.

It's is a highly entertaining and thought-provoking read that will appeal to fans of mystery, fantasy, and sci-fi. The characters are well-drawn, and the plot is engaging, making for an enjoyable reading experience.

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The Unforgettable Alexandra Shaw by A. Lloyd Spanton is a young adult novel that weaves together elements of mystery, fantasy, sci-fi, and themes of friendship and family dynamics. The story follows Alexandra, a teenage girl who is attending a reformatory school after causing her father's death in a car accident. Alexandra's life is relatively stable until she begins having visions of a boy she has never met but seems to have loved, who then shows up claiming she died in the accident too.

The book's writing style is solidly YA and easy to read, with relatable teenage characters and their familiar frustrating dramatics. The plot is intriguing and engaging, with a good blend of characters and story elements into the mystery. However, at times, the narration feels too observant, making the importance of some plot points too obvious.

The relationship between Alexandra and her mother is the highlight of the book, with the final act of the book relying heavily on this family dynamic. Although the plot gets a bit messy and relies on other side characters that are not as interesting, there is a great set-up for book two.

Overall, "The Unforgettable Alexandra Shaw" is a solid YA novel that combines mystery, fantasy, and sci-fi in a way that will appeal to fans of these genres. With relatable characters and an engaging plot, the book is a good choice for readers who enjoy a mix of different genres and themes.

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If you're looking for a book that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish, look no further than "The Unforgettable Alexandra Shaw" by A. Lloyd Spanton. This gripping novel is full of twists and turns that will leave you breathless.

The story follows Alexandra, a teenager who accidentally killed her father and discovers that she was also a victim of the accident. Along with a mysterious stranger named Logan, Alexandra sets out to uncover the truth about her past, but the more they dig, the more dangerous it becomes.

One of the things I loved about this book was the "motherly love" plot, which added a layer of emotional depth to the story. Alexandra is desperate to repair her relationship with her resentful mother, and her journey to do so is both heart-warming and heart-wrenching.

Overall, "The Unforgettable Alexandra Shaw" is an incredible read that I would highly recommend. I finished it in less than a day because I just had to know what was going to happen next. If I had to rate it, I'd give it 4.5 stars - it's not quite perfect, but it's darn close. So if you're in the mood for a thrilling and emotional ride, pick up "The Unforgettable Alexandra Shaw" by A. Lloyd Spanton and prepare to be swept away.

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The Unforgettable Alexandra Shaw

A teenage girl gripped with grief and guilt of killing her father. Trying to make it through school and repair her relationship with her mother. However, somethings not quite right and when a boy turns up saying that he thought that she was dead everything in Alexandra’s life is flipped upside down.

The story was truly gripping throughout and I honestly did not see any of the twists coming. It kept me in suspense wanting to read on and on and on. I’m also glad the book didn’t have the fairytale ending I expected. There’s some real raw emotions and I really did love this book.

I would definitely recommend this book to those who liked A Good Girls Guide To Murder.

Also the cover is amazing absolutely love the art work which is what originally drew me to requesting this book

Thank you NetGalley for the arc

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This is such an amazing book. A 17 year old girl keeps remembering snippets of memories involving a mysterious boy. Once she finally sees this boy and he recognizes her, she's freaked out. Who is this boy and why does he know her, know things about her. But also why does she know things about him but never met him before? There are so many great plots twists, but I don't want to mention for spoiler reasons. 1000/10 recommend. Can't wait for the sequel because that cliffhanger left me dying for more!

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Wow, this was not what I was expected, and I can't wait for the sequel!

Alexandra's relationship with her mother has never been easy, and after the tragic death of her father, it continues to fall apart by the day.

In an attempt to provide a fresh start for everyone, Alexandra's mother accepts a position at a prestigious private school.

But things aren't as they seem, and the truth is far more dangerous than Alexandra ever expected.

Will she be able to save her friends and free them from their past?

When I started the book, I hadn't realized there would be a sequel, but thankfully, it'll be released this fall!

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The way this book had me completely enraptured! Just when I thought things were about to get better for Miss Lex, we were both sucked back into the fray of utter chaos, turmoil and heartbreaking betrayal. I couldn't stop reading if I wanted to, but trust me, I didn't want to! The ending left me both heartbroken and wanting more. I look forward to the next installment with bated breath! Amazing work!

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Alexandra is a 17 year old student at a new school, but even as the new girl, the one thing she would rather leave in the past has followed her; the fact that she killed her father. Pine Cliff Academy is known for reforming school kids, but after another student ‘goes wild’, Alexandra starts to realise that the school isn’t exactly as it seems.

This book had me hooked pretty much from the get go, and I couldn’t put it down after the truth started to unravel. Be prepared to finish the book in the cliff hanger of all cliff hangers!

This is a well written book by A. Lloyd, and she keeps the suspense going throughout, right up to the last page. I will highly recommend giving this book a read. I can’t wait for the next instalment of Alexandra’s story to be released in Fall 2023.

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I was hooked from the first chapter. I love snarky female main characters and the mystery of what the heck is happening at the Academy was great. I’m wondering how book two is going to work out and looking forward to reading that as well!

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This book had me hooked from the beginning! I couldn’t resist the tension and really liked the atmosphere and the creepy, claustrophobic setting.
Alexandra Shaw was recently transferred to a high school where the students all experienced trauma in the past. However Alexandra, who is still suffering from the recent car accident that resulted in her father's death and is trying to mend her fragile relationship with her mother, starts to realise that not everything is what it seems at her new school.

While I sometimes wished for longer scenes since I felt that some scenes and interactions were too short at times, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. Some parts of the plot felt a bit rushed but overall I had a great time reading it and after this ending, I definitely can’t wait for the next book!

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Seventeen-year-old Alexandra killed her father.

It was an accident, but he’s dead all the same. Now all she wants is to find her place in her new school, keep her head down until graduation, and try to fix her relationship with her resentful mother.

But then a stranger named Logan shows up, claiming he knows her. And that’s not even the weirdest thing. According to Logan, her father wasn’t the only one killed in the accident—she was too.

While trying to uncover her past, Alexandra and Logan discover a horrifying truth about her new school and the more they dig, the more dangerous it becomes for Alexandra and her friends.

With no idea who to trust, she races to piece her life back together and take hold of her future before she loses it – and herself – completely.

I really enjoyed this unique story. From start to finish, I was enthralled with Alexandra's story. Will recommend to others.

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*Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily and all opinions are my own.*

This book is right up my street. It's not often you find a book that lives up to a beautiful cover and a strong title, but Alexandra Shaw does just that. My two favourite genres are fantasy and mystery, and this book struck the perfect balance between the two.

I also loved the theme of friendship, Stanton perfectly encapsulated the dynamics of high relationship. The characters were dynamic and complex, nobody is who they initially seem and everybody has a secret.

It is well written and had me guessing from beginning to end. I was absolutely hooked by this book and am already eagerly awaiting the sequel.

#TheUnforgettableAlexandraShaw #NetGalley

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Alexandra Shaw is not like other girls. She likes Jane Austin and Taylor Swift and doesn't feel like she needs makeup. She isn't interested in boys or partying. She doesn't feel compelling or beautiful, but the most popular girl is one of her best friends and she and her friends are literally at the center of her school's yearbook.

Does every part of that make you cringe and feel like, "Why on earth would I want to read that?" After getting one chapter into this book I actually made a social media post saying "In the year of our Lord, 2023, can we please drop the 'I'm not like other girls' trope?" But, hear me out, I want you to keep reading this book. I saw a review telling me to keep going, so this is me telling you the same, keep going.

Alexandra Shaw killed her father. It was an accident, but she carries that guilt with her all of the time. She and her mother have relocated and she is now going to a school new school and she is just trying to get through until she graduates.

Do you like plot twists? Do you like an unreliable narrator? Do you like just the tiniest bit of dystopian YA science fiction and near future to the point that it is almost believable as being a thing that could happen? Then this is for you. I am definitely looking forward to reading the next book to see what happens.

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If you want a book that'll keep you guessing and draw you in more with each page, this is the book for you! I was able to read it in a day, because it kept me so engrossed I couldn't pull away. 4 out of 5 stars for me.

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Alexandra is seventeen and trying to make sense of her life after accidentally killing her father. She just wants to find her place in a new school, mend things with her mom, but nothing is that simple. Enter Logan, who claims that not only does he know her, but she herself was killed in the accident. Together they start digging up a terrifying truth about her school and events quickly spiral out of control for Alexandra and those around her. With no one to trust, she races to piece her life together before it's too late. The Unforgettable Alexandra Shaw is an exciting debut novel full of twists and turns - I'm usually good at guessing endings but this one caught me off guard which I loved. With its captivating story and gripping suspense, this book was definitely a page-turner! Thank you Netgalley for the ARC in exchange of this honest review.

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Big thank you NetGalley and to the publisher for the chance to review this book pre-release. Yes yes yes. I loved this book SO much. It brought me on a ride, and I was hanging on the whole time in anticipation of the adventure. A more formal review will be available on my IG/TikTok and Goodreads, but I already purchased a copy for friends!

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This was a fun book that kind of reminded me of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. I look forward to reading the sequel. I don’t want to write any spoilers but I enjoyed the pace of the book and the surprise twists. I received a free copy of this book from netgalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

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Where to start?…… I LOVED THIS BOOK.
This SF is very well written, we became completely addicted by all the plot-twist.
We follow Alexandra Shaw, who after a car crash killing her father, tried to have a normal life in her new school. She also tried to reconnect with her mother, whom she thinks ressent her for the accident. Sinking both of them into grief.
‘Til she « meets » Logan who claim to know her, leaving her confused an with doubts, not knowing if her sudden visions are only a trick of her mind or reel memories.
We also have really good characters, all with a different story, that we could think as typical high school character. The Queen Bee, Kayla with her more reserved friend Hannah the both of them always attached to the hip, Kyle the Bully, Scott the director’s son and of course, Kayla’s older friends who are in University. But in this, nothing is typical or normal, and everyone has reasons to be here. I only have one advise for you, Don’t trust everyone.

I’m waiting now for the second books this fall ;)

PS: this cover is absolutely SUBLIME

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Oh my stars, what a cliffhanger! I can't wait until the second book comes out…
I loved Alexandra's character; she is a realistic teen, thinking about school and friends but similar to Trueman in the Trueman Show, people keep giving her hints about what is really going on and she repeatedly doesn’t pick up on it ,but you do 😉 she’s preoccupied with other things, like her guilt about her dad and her difficult relationship with her mom. Eventually, she works out that things in her life are not what they seem and that people are constantly lying to her and something more sinister is going on. You keep rooting for her to connect the dots and do something about it, before it’s too late. Really enjoyable read.

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A very enjoyable fast-paced YA read with multiple twists. This was easy and quick to read but kept me engaged and wanting to read the next book in the series.

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Check for all TWs before reading this book!

The Unforgettable Alexandra Shaw is a very intriguing novel with unexpected twists and turns to a very mysterious story. I was fascinated with the unique title and beautiful cover of this book when I first saw it and it indeed has a promising, chilling thrill to it. Alexandra and the other characters in this book were the typical cliqué in every fictional highschool setting, but the plot was written quite well as it traversed through friendships, falling in love, redemption, and reclaiming one’s identity through remembering. The storytelling was incredibly fast-paced and it never fell flat. This author definitely knows how to write an exhilarating story. I felt gaslit throughout the entire book, which was perfect as it painted the atmosphere in such a dark manner and conveyed what the author really wanted. This book is perfect for Teen and YA readers seeking mystery and a riveting adventure. I can’t wait for the next book!

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this was a really good! I liked the characters, and they were super well-developed. the plot was super cool and fun to read, and the writing was also smooth and easy to understand
highly recommend

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I really enjoyed this book! It kept me curious to find out the complete plot for the entire book, which is good and doesn't happen to me very often. It had lots of plot twists and turns in the book, which made me want to keep reading. I'm really curious to find out what will happen in the next book (I think I remember reading there will be a next part).

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Let me start off the cover is amazing and the premise of the book sounded exactly like what I love. The over all book was good but I did not fall in love with the characters. Quick read and I think the YA group will really like this book.

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Wow, this was not what I was expected, and I can't wait for the sequel! This book kept me gripped from the start and was full of things that weren't what they seemed. It was fast paced and a well developed story that was intriguing and full of likeable and interesting characters. This is the type of book that sticks with you after you read it.

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A compelling read focusing on a protagonist who has to "start again" after a horrific accident. It is rare to see a YA character battling such demons and because of this, I found this to be a thoroughly engaging story.

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Thank you to Books go social for this Arc copy on Netgalley.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book from start to finish. I loved the characters and storyline and plot. I felt like the author did a good job of gripping us into the story and taking us along on a discovery with Alexandra.

I think it covered some hard topics with sensitivity and not in a harmful way.

I thought the plot twists were very well done and I was not expecting them to go down the route they did at all.

I loved the ending and it left me wanting to read the next book in the series and see how things progress

I gave this book 4 ⭐️.

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I did not see these twists coming. Every time I thought knew where the story was headed, I was spun in circles.

Incredibly well written and leaves you hanging onto every word to find out what happens next.

I look forward to the sequel!

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What a story. I highly recommend this book. What a page turner, read it within one night.

The characters are so beautifully written. Heartbreaking moments, and don't get me started with that ending. It was perfect.

Can't wait to read more from this author.

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Wow! What a debut! I totally enjoyed this book. I’ll definitely keep this author on my radar. Easy story to get in to with fabulous characters. . Crazy great tension and reveals. This started off strong and has kept me flipping pages long past my bedtime.
Thank you NetGalley and A Lloyd Spanton for the opportunity to read and review this book

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I adored every twisty, turn second of this book. It will grab you from the first page and hold on tight.

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this book was literally crazy - imagine someone rocking up and informing you that not only did your dad die in this scary accident, but you did too??? i read this easily in one sitting, it is devourable and fast paced - perfect for a young adult thriller. i did not see any of these twists coming - and it filled the gap AGGGTM left in my heart, i’m a big fan of all fun young adult mysteries - especially when they have a bit of subtle side romance !!! outstanding for a debut author.

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The way this book had me completely enthralled! . I couldn't stop reading if I wanted to, but trust me, I didn't want to! The ending left me both heartbroken and wanting more. I look forward to the next installment in this series!

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Thank you NetGalley for approving me for this book. I am so glad I was able to read this book as I really enjoyed this and will read more by this author.

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This was such a good book. I loved the story and the writing so much. The characters were great and the story flowed smoothly. Will definitely read more books by this author in the future.

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