Things I Can't Forget by Miranda Kenneally
Series: Hundred Oaks #3
Published by Sourcebooks Fire on March 1, 2013
Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult
Pages: 320
Source: Borrowed
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Companion to Catching Jordan and Stealing Parker.

Kate has always been the good girl. Too good, according to some people at school—although they have no idea the guilty secret she carries. But this summer, everything is different…

This summer she’s a counselor at Cumberland Creek summer camp, and she wants to put the past behind her. This summer Matt is back as a counselor too. He’s the first guy she ever kissed, and he’s gone from a geeky songwriter who loved The Hardy Boys to a buff lifeguard who loves to flirt--with her.

Kate used to think the world was black and white, right and wrong. Turns out, life isn’t that easy…

Note: Mature themes, sexual situations, religious discussions.

What I Thought

This is one of the most difficult reviews I’ve written. There is just no way I can express all my feelings on this book, but I will try.

• It’s not very often that I’m struck so soundly by a book. Even when I completely love a book above all others, I’ve never had a problem moving on to the next book pretty quickly. That was not the case with Things I Can’t Forget. I just could not pick up any other book.
• Things I Can’t Forget is filled with feelings. Lots of feelings.
• Kate took some time to get used to. She’s very religious (please, please, please do not let that stop you from reading this book) and she struggles with her decisions because of her religiousness. She’s very judgmental in the beginning and it will probably rub you the wrong way at first, but she changes A LOT throughout the book. She comes to realize that not everything is black and white, and that’s ok.
• Matt is perfect. Seriously. Not perfect in a “I have no faults” kind of way but perfect as in “I wish he was real and a bit older so I could marry him” kind of way. He’s cute and funny and sweet and caring and just a little bit sensitive. And he’s also a bit of an idiot. He’s definitely a contender for “worst first date idea” ever. He’s in a frat, which seems totally out of place, yet not out of place at the same time. Best part about Matt is his respect for Kate and her feelings.
• Emily is Kate’s best friend. Kate would do anything for her and that turns out to be a bit of a problem for Kate. I can’t really say more but Emily puts a lot of pressure on Kate (a lot of pressure is on her too) and it’s definitely a stressor for both of them
• Parker and Will are in the book quite a bit, which is perfect since I loved Parker and Will in Stealing Parker. It was also nice to see Kate and Parker work out their issues.
• I firmly believe that all books have messages (why are you writing if you don’t have a message,right?), but some stand out more than others. The message in Things I Can’t Forget comes through so strong (and not preachy) to be yourself and believe what you want to believe in, no matter what.

Overall I just really think that everyone should read this. If I had lots of money I would buy lots of copies and shove them at people everywhere.

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