The Girl You Forgot: An emotional, gripping novel of love, loss and hope

by Giselle Green

'A moving novel that had me gripped from the start' Bella Andre, New York Times bestselling author of The Sullivans
Does the heart ever really forget?

When Ava’s partner Will is diagnosed with a terminal brain tumour, the doctors give Will one chance to survive - an operation which means he will lose his recent memory. Ava begs him to take the chance, sure that she can cope with Will forgetting her. After all, they have something very special to live for.

But they are also keeping a heart-breaking secret, and if Will loses his memory, Ava will have to carry that secret alone.

Can they rebuild their love from scratch or will their secrets and past come between them? Will Ava really be a stranger when Will wakes up – or does the heart never really forget…

Giselle Green returns with a heart-breaking, deeply moving story of love, loss, and what it really means to be alive. Perfect for all fans of Jodi Picoult, Susan Lewis and Diane Chamberlain.

Praise for Giselle Green’s novels:

'A genuinely heart-wrenching and thought-provoking read.' The Sun

‘A heartwarming, emotional take on a mother/daughter relationship. I couldn’t put it down.’ Closer

'A bitter sweet tear-jerker' OK

What readers are saying about The Girl You Forgot:

'WOW! The Girl You Forgot is easily the best book I have read this year!' Literacy Indulgence

’Oh this book really was heartbreaking and emotional. One that really pulls on your heartstrings with some lovely characters. I loved it.' ReadPea

'This very readable book has it all, such real characters, a fascinating plot, beautiful and very descriptive imagery, and a storyline that will stir up so many emotions. I was totally absorbed by this book, and sorry when it was finished. Gorgeous.' Sibzzreads

'The Girl You Forgot is much more than a romance story. It has a plot that covers more serious issues, has engaging characters and is a very enjoyable, and thought provoking read.' My Reading Corner

'The Girl You Forgot is such a heartbreaking tale, that will reduce you to a complete emotional mess, but it’s totally worth it!' Cara's Book Boudoir

'This was a heck of a heart-wrenching story! From the very start I felt the pain this couple was feeling.' Tizi's Book Review

'A heart-wrenching love story that will haunt readers long after the last page is turned, Giselle Green’s The Girl You Forgot is a must-read for fans of Jojo Moyes’ Me Before You.' Bookish Jottings

'Heartfelt and heartbreaking' Ellsea Loves Reading

'The Girl You Forgot is truthful, honest realistic and heartfelt as well as the kind of novel that makes you really feel for the protagonists. My heart was in my mouth more than a few times.' Just Katherine

'The Girl You Forgot is so beautifully written with a devastating plotline that is handled perfectly. It’s a heartbreaking story of hope for the future, lost memories and how love always tries to conquer all.' My Chestnut Reading Tree

'This is a book full of hope, all around whether the heart remembers what the memory might have forgotten – and where love might just carry you through a situation that seems quite impossible to bear. And the author’s writing has really never been better – I loved this book.' Being Anne

'This is a wonderful, heartfelt story that will stay with you for a long time.' Kraftireader

'The Girl You Forgot is a beautiful story, beautifully written by Giselle Green. It's full of heart being heartbreaking, heart-wrenching and heartwarming in equal measure.' The Book Magnet

• ISBN13: 9781800482029
• Publish Date: 11 August 2020
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: GB
• Imprint: Boldwood Books Ltd
• Format: Paperback (B-Format (198x129 mm))
• Pages: 360
• Language: English

Reviews

[Lynn]

Waking up from a life-saving operation, Will is grateful to be alive. However, he's lost seven years of his memory and therefore no memory of how he met his partner, Ava. As they become close again, Will wants to know about their life before his operation. However, will the secret Ava is keeping, destroy the relationship they are rebuilding?

Ava is a woman in an unenviable situation. The man she loves needs a lifesaving operation which will erase his memory. She's promised to keep the other devastating news they found out before Will's operation a secret. After his successful surgery, they begin to re-build their relationship, but the burden of keeping the secret could tear them apart.

Will is a musician, a successful one, not that he remembers that part of his life post-op. When he's re-introduced to Toby, his American song-writing collaborator, music is something he remembers playing and creating. It's a connect to his past which makes sense however, he's unaware of how successful his musical career was or of the burden he placed on Ava.

Ava and Will's story is both heartfelt and heartbreaking. They're both dealing with unknown emotions; Will can't remember the woman he loved and Ava's hoping the man she loves will fall in love with her again. Their emotional journey's complemented by secondary characters as the protagonists try to make sense of the situation they are in. The extras highlight events from the past, bringing issues to the surface which should have remained buried. It's a thought-provoking scenario for both the protagonists and the reader. What would you do in a similar situation?

The originality of the narrative is noteworthy but missed a beat or two for me. I fell out of the plot intermittently, in contrast, was fully amerced within this roller-coaster of a ride story for the rest. For me, it's the timing of when the secret is revealed… I won't spoil anything by saying more.

Overall, I enjoyed this novel but not as much as I'd hoped. Ms Green is a new to me author and won't hesitate to pick up and read other books she's written.

3.5 stars

***arc generously received courtesy of Boldwood Books via NetGalley***l