Hello lovely readers and welcome to today's blog tour stop of Things I Can't Forget by Miranda Kenneally, hosted by Xpresso Book Tours! I'm so glad to be part of this blog tour, because I loved Catching Jordan and liked Stealing Parker. However Things I Can't Forget, in my opinion, is the best out of the bunch! Read my review and enter the giveaway for a chance to win a copy of your own!
Title: Things I Can't Forget (Hundred Oaks, #3)
Author: Miranda Kenneally
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Publication year: March 1, 2013
Genre(s): Young Adult (Contemporary)
Source: Blog Tour
Format: ARC
Pages: 320
Some rules were meant to be broken.
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 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...
Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Indigo
Growing up in Tennessee, Miranda Kenneally dreamed of becoming an Atlanta Brave, a country singer (cliché!), or a UN interpreter. Instead she writes, and works for the State Department in Washington, D.C., where George W. Bush once used her shoulder as an armrest. Miranda loves Twitter, Star Trek and her husband.
Things I Can't Forget was such a pleasant read. I have read Kenneally's two previous books in this companion series and enjoyed them, but I have to say that Things I Can't Forget is my favorite so far. I read it in a couple of hours and just wanted more! I seriously need more of these amazing companion novels. I think this is a great direction for contemporaries. I am NOT for contemporary series, but companions? they are perfect, especially when you get to see the main characters of the previous books and actually learn new things about them that make you all happy for them!
Things I Can't Forget is centered around Kate, a girl who we only saw glimpses of in the previous books. She is religious, in a big way, to the point that anyone who doesn't share her beliefs is called a sinner or thought of as a lost soul or something. I did NOT enjoy how judgmental Kate was at the beginning. I mean, I come from a religious background, but I have friends from different religions and beliefs and I never try to preach about on whether they are living a wrong life or something. I thought that was also part of her religion? being accepting of different people? but anyways, the way Kate internally talked about this with herself made her looks so naive and innocent. She REALLY had no idea how judgmental she was! So I gave her some leeway.
Soon enough, even though it was one tiny step at a time, she started to become more likable, more accepting. Of course with the help of Matt, who is SO adorable and totally crush worthy, and Parker & Will from Stealing Parker! Let's backtrack and talk about Matt, he is 18 years old, Kate is 17. They have the cutest history together when they went to the same summer camp. Now, they are camp counselors and have definitely rekindled feelings from their first kiss when they were preteens (haha). I think Matt was so very understanding and supportive of Kate, he didn't try to change her or push her to do anything she wasn't comfortable with. He IS a jokester, but he never took it over the top which usually induces an eye roll. As for Parker, I loved how close they grew together, definitely a great friendship there! Of course Kate holds a secret that she believes god will make her pay for, I felt really sad for her, how lost she feels and the broken friendship she has with her childhood friend. I know this may seem like too much religion for some of you guys, but it REALLY isn't like that. It is just about a person trying to find her relationship with god, the people around her, and also with herself. It has a very cute romance and I would recommend it to all contemporary fans, especially fans of the Hundred Oaks series itself!
The rest of the Hundred Oaks series:
So after my raving review, you guys want to read this book right? well here is a chance to win a copy of this beautiful cover to read and also put on your shelf! All you have to do is fill out the rafflecopter below. Yes this giveaway is international so everyone can participate!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Also, there is a chance for a grand prize giveaway that has been running throughout the duration of this blog tour!
Also, there is a chance for a grand prize giveaway that has been running throughout the duration of this blog tour!
I really enjoyed this book! I also didn't like how judgmental Kate was, but I agree with you that she became so much more likable over the course of the story. Matt was great, too :) Amazing review!
ReplyDeleteHmm - assassin. I'd love to be a nun assassin like in Grave Mercy. Although I don't want to be a nun. So just an assassin.
ReplyDeleteI loved this book. I don't think anyone likes how judgmental Kate is, but like you said she didn't realize it, which makes a big difference.
I really hope that I can start this series soon, it sounds amazing. Lovely review.
ReplyDeleteJenea @ Books Live Forever
I'm really excited for this book! Normally I shy away from all things religion, but I've LOVED both books in this series thus far, and I think Miranda does a brilliant job of weaving religion into the story in a way that doesn't make me feel uncomfortable. So glad you think this is the best book so far, that's good to hear:)
ReplyDeleteAwesome giveaway! I'm really excited! I can't wait to start this series and see how wonderful it is!
ReplyDeleteNew follower!
http://escaperealitythroughbooks.blogspot.com/
YAY! Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI'm really eager to read book 3!!! I'm becoming a big fan of this series. Glad you loved it!!
ReplyDeleteI have read both Catching Jordan and Stealing Parker and I'm so excited to read this one too! I couldn't even pick a favorite..
ReplyDeleteYou can find me here: Jen @ YA Romantics
I think I'll enjoy reading about the transformation of Kate, thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteGAHHHH...everyone has read this series except for me! :( I really need to read this and I have heard some amazing things about it, so I am very excited! I love stories like these, so I'm sure I'll like it! :D I'm glad you enjoyed this, Farah! Awesome review! :D And thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDelete~ Maida
Literary Love Affair
Juhina like you I had some issues with Kate's character too, but as the book progressed and with the help of Matt who I adored, I loved the character which emerged in Kate. It's really difficult to focus on religion within a YA novel, as sometimes it can completely put readers off, but I think Kenneally did a great job with this novel! I can't wait to read more from her! Lovely review Juhina! :)
ReplyDeleteI actually haven't picked up this series yet, and I really should! I don't think I'd like how judgmental Kate was, but the rest sounds pretty good! Loved the review! Thanks for making me very interested in this series haha.
ReplyDeleteGreat review!! I thought that Kate was super judgmental at first too. Usually too much religion in a book will turn me off, but it didn't with this because it was just who she was. I really loved watching her slowly learn to be more accepting. I also thought that her relationship with her dad was awesome. Even though it wasn't a huge part of the book it really stuck with me. There isn't enough good parent child interaction in YA books.
ReplyDeleteGreat review! I am starting this one soon.
ReplyDeleteI love Kenneally's books. Catching Jordan was amazing and so was Stealing Parker but if this one is your favorite then I am totally reading it. Thanks for the great review and giveaway!! :D
ReplyDeleteExcellent review Juhina! I really need to pick this back up. I was annoyed with Kate and then had to read something else before I could finish. I'm glad to hear Kate becomes more likable. :)
ReplyDelete