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Forget You
Why can't you choose what you forget ... and what you remember?
There’s a lot Zoey would like to forget. Like how her father has knocked up his twenty-four-year old girlfriend. Like Zoey’s fear that the whole town will find out about her mom’s nervous breakdown. Like darkly handsome bad boy Doug taunting her at school. Feeling like her life is about to become a complete mess, Zoey fights back the only way she knows how, using her famous attention to detail to make sure she’s the perfect daughter, the perfect student, and the perfect girlfriend to ultra-popular football player Brandon. But then Zoey is in a car crash, and the next day there’s one thing she can’t remember at all--the entire night before. Did she go parking with Brandon, like she planned? And if so, why does it seem like Brandon is avoiding her? And why is Doug--of all people-- suddenly acting as if something significant happened between the two of them? Zoey dimly remembers Doug pulling her from the wreck, but he keeps referring to what happened that night as if it was more, and it terrifies Zoey to admit how much is a blank to her. Controlled, meticulous Zoey is quickly losing her grip on the all-important details of her life--a life that seems strangely empty of Brandon, and strangely full of Doug.
There’s a lot Zoey would like to forget. Like how her father has knocked up his twenty-four-year old girlfriend. Like Zoey’s fear that the whole town will find out about her mom’s nervous breakdown. Like darkly handsome bad boy Doug taunting her at school. Feeling like her life is about to become a complete mess, Zoey fights back the only way she knows how, using her famous attention to detail to make sure she’s the perfect daughter, the perfect student, and the perfect girlfriend to ultra-popular football player Brandon. But then Zoey is in a car crash, and the next day there’s one thing she can’t remember at all--the entire night before. Did she go parking with Brandon, like she planned? And if so, why does it seem like Brandon is avoiding her? And why is Doug--of all people-- suddenly acting as if something significant happened between the two of them? Zoey dimly remembers Doug pulling her from the wreck, but he keeps referring to what happened that night as if it was more, and it terrifies Zoey to admit how much is a blank to her. Controlled, meticulous Zoey is quickly losing her grip on the all-important details of her life--a life that seems strangely empty of Brandon, and strangely full of Doug.
292 pages, Paperback
First published June 30, 2010
235 people are currently reading
25.2k people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Echols
37books4,892followersJennifer Echols was born in Atlanta and grew up in a small town on a beautiful lake in Alabama—a setting that has inspired many of her books. She has written nine romantic novels for young adults, including the comedy MAJOR CRUSH, which won the National Readers� Choice Award, and the drama GOING TOO FAR, which was a finalist in the RITA, the National Readers� Choice Award, and the Book Buyer’s Best, and was nominated by the American Library Association as a Best Book for Young Adults. Simon & Schuster will debut her adult romance novels in 2013, with many more teen novels scheduled for the next few years. She lives in Birmingham with her husband and her son.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,345 reviews
July 24, 2010
This novel is hot. This novel is one of my all time favorite books. Honestly... I am at a loss for words. And that's not supposed to happen to me... right? I mean I'm supposed to be able to spout my undying love for novels that totally rock my socks off. I'm just having a hard time trying to compose my thoughts on something that is unlike anything I've ever encountered.
I loved Jennifer's novel Going Too Far, so when I saw the blurb for Forget You.... I couldn't wait to read it. Luckily I received an advance readers copy and the day it arrived I devoured it in it's entirety. I simply couldn't put it down. And while I wasn't expecting it to exceed the magnificence of Going Too Far, it did... and then some. Writing this review actually makes me want to read it again...
There are things that I expect to be addressed when reading young adult literature, and there are things that I don't expect to see when reading young adult literature. And not just because there are things that people have decided may be too mature for young adults... like gasp... sex.... but there are things that just aren't written about because it's taboo to talk about them period. It's like saying penis or vagina.... god forbid you mutter those two words in public.... like they are a bad thing. There is nothing wrong with those words! That being said, and as I'm finally getting to the point of this whole paragraph... there is nothing wrong with be comfortable with your body in a sexual manner.... being a teen is a hard business, there isn't anything wrong with exploring your own body... and now I'm totally going off an a tangent here... but something that I really respected about this novel is that Jennifer tackled things in this novel that I wished someone would have had the guts to write about when I was a teen. And if you still haven't figured out what I'm talking about.... I'm just going to lay it out for you. Masturbation. Yep, that's right. I said it... masturbation. Are you mature enough for it? I think that teens today are. I think teens today are a lot more intelligent and self aware than I was.... I think they deserve a lot more credit than what we give them. And thank you Jennifer Echols for giving them the credit they deserve.
Now I'm sure I probably scared some of you away with the masturbation talk, but please don't think that's all this novel is about because it's not... it's a very very very minuscule part of the novel I mean you could read the novel and not even realize that aspect is even in there, and I really only mentioned it because.... when I read something like "I hoped he couldn't tell I was still tingling and swirling from everything Doug and I had and hadn't done to each other. I hurried into my dad's house, past the cameras and into my room, to finish what we'd started." and then I think... did I just read what I think I did... and then read the stance again... and then realize I did read what I think I did... well it was just so freaggin' awesome to see that mentioned in a ya book. I just wanted to yell from my roof top: HELL YES JENNIFER ECHOLS, YOU ROCK!
And you can probably get from that little snippet that there is some serious sexual chemistry going on between the two main characters. Doug and Zoey. Did anyone else realize how totally alike these characters were or was it only me? They both have fathers that are not only assholes but they like to bully people into getting their way, their mothers are both absent from their lives for the most part... Doug's mother being deceased and then Zoey's mom being emotionally unavailable for her daughter because she's in a mental institution.... these two need each other more than they could ever possibly fathom.
Zoey comes across as a bitch... but there are some serious underlying issues there, which I think are apparent in the novel... she's trying to cling to the 'normal' or what she thinks is normal.... what she thinks is the perfect image that she has to uphold... this is where Brandon comes into play. She's not so stupid that she doesn't realize the guy is the biggest player and that a one night stand with her suddenly makes him her boyfriend.... but he's going to make Zoey look perfect, look put together and that's what she needs right now. She needs that image to feel sane. (What she really needs is DOUG! She just doesn't know it yet!) And then Doug, the other piece to this puzzle... and really the piece of the puzzle that Zoey needs because he is the only one that knows what happened the night of the accident. Alluring because of his imperfections, and his dark past... that no one really knows the truth about, he is the ying to Zoey's yang.
The writing is off the wall.... it's so simple to read, yet it's incredibly complex. Yes, I realize that, that makes no sense what-so-ever... so why don't I just say that it was magnificently well written. You know as much about that night as Zoey does... which is a big fat nothing. I don't know what kept me flipping the pages... the anticipation of finding out what really happened that night, or the if and when Doug and Zoey would finally get together. Not to mention Zoey's personal growth... finally coming to terms with the imperfection with her life... it was amazing.
And I think that's all I'm going to say about that.
I loved Jennifer's novel Going Too Far, so when I saw the blurb for Forget You.... I couldn't wait to read it. Luckily I received an advance readers copy and the day it arrived I devoured it in it's entirety. I simply couldn't put it down. And while I wasn't expecting it to exceed the magnificence of Going Too Far, it did... and then some. Writing this review actually makes me want to read it again...
There are things that I expect to be addressed when reading young adult literature, and there are things that I don't expect to see when reading young adult literature. And not just because there are things that people have decided may be too mature for young adults... like gasp... sex.... but there are things that just aren't written about because it's taboo to talk about them period. It's like saying penis or vagina.... god forbid you mutter those two words in public.... like they are a bad thing. There is nothing wrong with those words! That being said, and as I'm finally getting to the point of this whole paragraph... there is nothing wrong with be comfortable with your body in a sexual manner.... being a teen is a hard business, there isn't anything wrong with exploring your own body... and now I'm totally going off an a tangent here... but something that I really respected about this novel is that Jennifer tackled things in this novel that I wished someone would have had the guts to write about when I was a teen. And if you still haven't figured out what I'm talking about.... I'm just going to lay it out for you. Masturbation. Yep, that's right. I said it... masturbation. Are you mature enough for it? I think that teens today are. I think teens today are a lot more intelligent and self aware than I was.... I think they deserve a lot more credit than what we give them. And thank you Jennifer Echols for giving them the credit they deserve.
Now I'm sure I probably scared some of you away with the masturbation talk, but please don't think that's all this novel is about because it's not... it's a very very very minuscule part of the novel I mean you could read the novel and not even realize that aspect is even in there, and I really only mentioned it because.... when I read something like "I hoped he couldn't tell I was still tingling and swirling from everything Doug and I had and hadn't done to each other. I hurried into my dad's house, past the cameras and into my room, to finish what we'd started." and then I think... did I just read what I think I did... and then read the stance again... and then realize I did read what I think I did... well it was just so freaggin' awesome to see that mentioned in a ya book. I just wanted to yell from my roof top: HELL YES JENNIFER ECHOLS, YOU ROCK!
And you can probably get from that little snippet that there is some serious sexual chemistry going on between the two main characters. Doug and Zoey. Did anyone else realize how totally alike these characters were or was it only me? They both have fathers that are not only assholes but they like to bully people into getting their way, their mothers are both absent from their lives for the most part... Doug's mother being deceased and then Zoey's mom being emotionally unavailable for her daughter because she's in a mental institution.... these two need each other more than they could ever possibly fathom.
Zoey comes across as a bitch... but there are some serious underlying issues there, which I think are apparent in the novel... she's trying to cling to the 'normal' or what she thinks is normal.... what she thinks is the perfect image that she has to uphold... this is where Brandon comes into play. She's not so stupid that she doesn't realize the guy is the biggest player and that a one night stand with her suddenly makes him her boyfriend.... but he's going to make Zoey look perfect, look put together and that's what she needs right now. She needs that image to feel sane. (What she really needs is DOUG! She just doesn't know it yet!) And then Doug, the other piece to this puzzle... and really the piece of the puzzle that Zoey needs because he is the only one that knows what happened the night of the accident. Alluring because of his imperfections, and his dark past... that no one really knows the truth about, he is the ying to Zoey's yang.
The writing is off the wall.... it's so simple to read, yet it's incredibly complex. Yes, I realize that, that makes no sense what-so-ever... so why don't I just say that it was magnificently well written. You know as much about that night as Zoey does... which is a big fat nothing. I don't know what kept me flipping the pages... the anticipation of finding out what really happened that night, or the if and when Doug and Zoey would finally get together. Not to mention Zoey's personal growth... finally coming to terms with the imperfection with her life... it was amazing.
And I think that's all I'm going to say about that.
July 24, 2010
After reading Going Too Far and The Boys Next Door, which were really good to excellent (esp Going Too Far), I was excited to read to this book. The description was interesting, something a little different from other books of this genre.
I had a hard time feeling anything for Zoey. She was delusional about a "relationship" that was basically a one night stand with a friend, and that drove me crazy. For someone that seemed to be pretty bright, and who knew how her friend operated, it seemed completely out of character for her to think the one night stand would be anything more to him.
Her dad was a total booger head and her friends were so quick to turn their backs on her. I found both to be such extremes in human nature. I'm sure there are people in the world who are like her dad, but it just seemed so unrealistic for a father to care so little and be so terribly horrible to his child who was just involved in a car accident pretty much immediately after her mother attempted to commit suicide - just heartless. I can understand her friends being upset, but I also feel they would have known a little about her home life so that they didn't overreact as much as they did.
The one character that I really did like and who I believe remained pretty constant was Doug. What a dreamy guy with a contradicting personality (quick tempered but patient at the same time). He was probably the driving force in keeping me reading the book and rooting for a happy ending.
Sorry, Ms. Echols - really wanted to put Forget You right up there with Going Too Far, but I just couldn't.
I had a hard time feeling anything for Zoey. She was delusional about a "relationship" that was basically a one night stand with a friend, and that drove me crazy. For someone that seemed to be pretty bright, and who knew how her friend operated, it seemed completely out of character for her to think the one night stand would be anything more to him.
Her dad was a total booger head and her friends were so quick to turn their backs on her. I found both to be such extremes in human nature. I'm sure there are people in the world who are like her dad, but it just seemed so unrealistic for a father to care so little and be so terribly horrible to his child who was just involved in a car accident pretty much immediately after her mother attempted to commit suicide - just heartless. I can understand her friends being upset, but I also feel they would have known a little about her home life so that they didn't overreact as much as they did.
The one character that I really did like and who I believe remained pretty constant was Doug. What a dreamy guy with a contradicting personality (quick tempered but patient at the same time). He was probably the driving force in keeping me reading the book and rooting for a happy ending.
Sorry, Ms. Echols - really wanted to put Forget You right up there with Going Too Far, but I just couldn't.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 26, 2010
Going into this book, I didn’t expect too much. I really liked Jennifer Echols� 'Going Too Far' a lot, but I read quite a few negative reviews about Forget You.
And I got what I expected. Although I was hooked and finished the book in a few hours last night, it has quite a few flaws that can’t be overlooked in my opinion.
First and foremost, these flaws are closely linked to Zoey’s behaviour. I simply didn’t get her. There were moments when I thought: What are you doing? Why are you obsessing about a relationship that basically doesn’t exist? And why do you keep changing your opinion all the time without reason or explanation? I felt confused fifty percent of the time. And I don’t think this confusion was due to fact that I couldn't grasp the complexity of the plot, but more due to it being poorly executed with quite some holes.
Zoey’s father was too one-dimensional for my taste. He was simply a jerk, and there was nothing in his behaviour that showed he cared at least a little about his daughter, or explained what caused him to become the person he is. I know that there are probably even worse parents out there, but did Echols have to make him all bad?
Despite all that, Zoey’s relationship with Doug was portrayed in a believable way. Echols definitely did a good job at that. I could feel the chemistry between them and I really liked Doug as a character. Nevertheless, even here Zoey’s behaviour annoyed me: She always persisted in ‘being with Brandon� and not wanting to ‘cheat� on him.
I know that parts of Zoey’s (re)actions can be explained by her emotional state after everything that happened to her in such a short time, but after a while I just wanted her to see clearly again. I couldn't believe that Doug came back to her every time she treated him in a bad way.
Altogether, I wouldn’t label this a must-read; I would rather recommend giving a try.
And I got what I expected. Although I was hooked and finished the book in a few hours last night, it has quite a few flaws that can’t be overlooked in my opinion.
First and foremost, these flaws are closely linked to Zoey’s behaviour. I simply didn’t get her. There were moments when I thought: What are you doing? Why are you obsessing about a relationship that basically doesn’t exist? And why do you keep changing your opinion all the time without reason or explanation? I felt confused fifty percent of the time. And I don’t think this confusion was due to fact that I couldn't grasp the complexity of the plot, but more due to it being poorly executed with quite some holes.
Zoey’s father was too one-dimensional for my taste. He was simply a jerk, and there was nothing in his behaviour that showed he cared at least a little about his daughter, or explained what caused him to become the person he is. I know that there are probably even worse parents out there, but did Echols have to make him all bad?
Despite all that, Zoey’s relationship with Doug was portrayed in a believable way. Echols definitely did a good job at that. I could feel the chemistry between them and I really liked Doug as a character. Nevertheless, even here Zoey’s behaviour annoyed me: She always persisted in ‘being with Brandon� and not wanting to ‘cheat� on him.
I know that parts of Zoey’s (re)actions can be explained by her emotional state after everything that happened to her in such a short time, but after a while I just wanted her to see clearly again. I couldn't believe that Doug came back to her every time she treated him in a bad way.
Altogether, I wouldn’t label this a must-read; I would rather recommend giving a try.
April 13, 2015
Forget You?? Bitch, believe me, you're already forgotten.
* I might add more later...but Idk if I care enough to do so. Decisions, decisions...*
May 3, 2012
2.5 stars
I am going to dub this the Awkward Second Date Book.
Let’s back up a moment to , which I read earlier this month. It was my first Echols book, and we hit it off. I spent three days with , and I was quite enamoured with it, in particular with Echols� well-drawn characters and the intense chemistry that drove the story.
Fast forward one chapter into my second Echols book . I found myself perplexed - giving the book a quizzical raised eyebrow. Was I drunk when I read ? Reading through the rose-tinted glasses of book-infatuation? Pause to flick back through previous book. No � I was still feeling the charm of Meg and Johnafter’s story.
And so, back to . Where was it going wrong for me? (Besides the cover, which was causing people on the tram to give me the side eye).
The premise was sufficiently interesting and the plot device of Zoey’s amnesia sets the story up for the required conflicts and tension between the characters. While the withholding of information (we initially know only as much as Zoey does) is frustrating, it achieves its purpose of raising the stakes and piquing interest from the outset. Of course, readers will swiftly put two and two together and realise the majority of what has unfolded during Zoey’s lost night (perhaps not the reasons why), but it is observing the characters� interactions as Zoey puts the pieces together that makes the plot engaging.
Where this story fell down for me was the characters� motivations and choices. I really could not understand some of the decisions Zoey made, even with the justification/explanation of the family trauma she had recently experienced. She was not an unlikeable character, I simply failed to understand her at times. (On a side note here, I freely and without qualms slap the Unlikeable Character label on Zoey’s dad. He made my blood boil. Which was probably the point.)
In my opinion, the prickly, reckless Meg of was a more sympathetic character, despite the fact that in reality, I am probably more like Zoey. Meg’s motivations felt clearer, her actions very much in line with her character. Conversely, Zoey felt hazier to me - with none of Meg’s sharp edges, she was less defined and more difficult for me to empathise with. I did come to feel more invested in her as the book progressed, but she was never very easy for me to get a handle on. Just when I thought I understood her, she’d slip out of my grasp and do something like
Zoey did have some moments when her strengths really shone through � case in point . Not that I enjoyed seeing these characters in conflict, but because I liked seeing her own her outrage, and misunderstandings aside, not let someone get away with what she perceives to be a complete betrayal of her. As Zoey gradually becomes less anaesthetized to her true feelings and gains the courage to be less in control of her life, she becomes a stronger character, and I liked seeing her develop and grow.
I feel a certain amount of ambivalence over the justifications the characters made for their actions, particularly Doug. While the outcome was the one I was hoping for, some things felt conveniently brushed aside. Having said this, however, I appreciate that the outcome was not perfectly tied up, and that the characters did not undergo total personality transformations. They remained themselves, complete with flaws and issues to resolve between them.
I did enjoy reading and I think that Jennifer Echols writes quite compelling teen romance (*cough hot guys cough*). On its own merits, Zoey and Doug’s story is appealing and highly readable. However, I can’t help myself, I inevitably compare it to . And I didn’t perceive the same raw, emotive quality in Forget You that made Going Too Far such strong book for me. Rather, Forget You felt slightly formulaic at times.
So, I’m sorry, Forget You. I had a nice time, and it was fun while it lasted, but I think it’s just me, not you.
Okay. That’s a bit of a lie. It kind of is you.
But no hard feelings. You're a nice book. I just don’t think you’re quite the book for me.
I am going to dub this the Awkward Second Date Book.
Let’s back up a moment to , which I read earlier this month. It was my first Echols book, and we hit it off. I spent three days with , and I was quite enamoured with it, in particular with Echols� well-drawn characters and the intense chemistry that drove the story.
Fast forward one chapter into my second Echols book . I found myself perplexed - giving the book a quizzical raised eyebrow. Was I drunk when I read ? Reading through the rose-tinted glasses of book-infatuation? Pause to flick back through previous book. No � I was still feeling the charm of Meg and Johnafter’s story.
And so, back to . Where was it going wrong for me? (Besides the cover, which was causing people on the tram to give me the side eye).
The premise was sufficiently interesting and the plot device of Zoey’s amnesia sets the story up for the required conflicts and tension between the characters. While the withholding of information (we initially know only as much as Zoey does) is frustrating, it achieves its purpose of raising the stakes and piquing interest from the outset. Of course, readers will swiftly put two and two together and realise the majority of what has unfolded during Zoey’s lost night (perhaps not the reasons why), but it is observing the characters� interactions as Zoey puts the pieces together that makes the plot engaging.
Where this story fell down for me was the characters� motivations and choices. I really could not understand some of the decisions Zoey made, even with the justification/explanation of the family trauma she had recently experienced. She was not an unlikeable character, I simply failed to understand her at times. (On a side note here, I freely and without qualms slap the Unlikeable Character label on Zoey’s dad. He made my blood boil. Which was probably the point.)
In my opinion, the prickly, reckless Meg of was a more sympathetic character, despite the fact that in reality, I am probably more like Zoey. Meg’s motivations felt clearer, her actions very much in line with her character. Conversely, Zoey felt hazier to me - with none of Meg’s sharp edges, she was less defined and more difficult for me to empathise with. I did come to feel more invested in her as the book progressed, but she was never very easy for me to get a handle on. Just when I thought I understood her, she’d slip out of my grasp and do something like
Zoey did have some moments when her strengths really shone through � case in point . Not that I enjoyed seeing these characters in conflict, but because I liked seeing her own her outrage, and misunderstandings aside, not let someone get away with what she perceives to be a complete betrayal of her. As Zoey gradually becomes less anaesthetized to her true feelings and gains the courage to be less in control of her life, she becomes a stronger character, and I liked seeing her develop and grow.
I feel a certain amount of ambivalence over the justifications the characters made for their actions, particularly Doug. While the outcome was the one I was hoping for, some things felt conveniently brushed aside. Having said this, however, I appreciate that the outcome was not perfectly tied up, and that the characters did not undergo total personality transformations. They remained themselves, complete with flaws and issues to resolve between them.
I did enjoy reading and I think that Jennifer Echols writes quite compelling teen romance (*cough hot guys cough*). On its own merits, Zoey and Doug’s story is appealing and highly readable. However, I can’t help myself, I inevitably compare it to . And I didn’t perceive the same raw, emotive quality in Forget You that made Going Too Far such strong book for me. Rather, Forget You felt slightly formulaic at times.
So, I’m sorry, Forget You. I had a nice time, and it was fun while it lasted, but I think it’s just me, not you.
Okay. That’s a bit of a lie. It kind of is you.
But no hard feelings. You're a nice book. I just don’t think you’re quite the book for me.
February 6, 2020
There's a lot to like about this New Adult book. I loved "loner" Doug( who has a Caucasian father and a Japanese mother.) Both Doug and Zoey's home life is less than ideal. Doug has a bad boy/"Juvie" reputation (which we realize later is sadly exaggerated), but he is the ace swimmer on the school's team.
One fateful evening, Zoey, Doug and Mike are involved in a car accident when both the cars they are traveling in swerve to avoid hitting a deer. As the story progresses, we realize right away that Zoey is suffering from memory loss - as well as a deep emotional trauma from saving her mother from a suicide attempt that same week.
Plucky, headstrong Zoey, who likes to be in control of everything, decides she is going to find out what happened during the missing hours leading up to the accident. Doug seems to be at the heart of the mystery. I loved the build up to the big reveal - Doug and Zoey are just made for each other, they are both such control freaks!
Jennifer Echols creates believable, appealing, but very flawed characters who make you care about what happens to them. I noticed that some reviewers couldn't understand why Zoey kept repeating that Brandon was her boyfriend. I've actually witnessed this type of repetitive dialogue from a family member who had experienced a trauma, so I had no issues accepting that Zoey was coping with reality as best she could, under the circumstances. Doug's frustration with the repetitions had me chuckling, but how sweet was this guy, sacrificing his own peace of mind to make sure that Zoey found out the truth in a less traumatizing way?
Not everything is as it seems, so sit back and enjoy the unraveling of this interesting story. Highly recommended!
One fateful evening, Zoey, Doug and Mike are involved in a car accident when both the cars they are traveling in swerve to avoid hitting a deer. As the story progresses, we realize right away that Zoey is suffering from memory loss - as well as a deep emotional trauma from saving her mother from a suicide attempt that same week.
Plucky, headstrong Zoey, who likes to be in control of everything, decides she is going to find out what happened during the missing hours leading up to the accident. Doug seems to be at the heart of the mystery. I loved the build up to the big reveal - Doug and Zoey are just made for each other, they are both such control freaks!
Jennifer Echols creates believable, appealing, but very flawed characters who make you care about what happens to them. I noticed that some reviewers couldn't understand why Zoey kept repeating that Brandon was her boyfriend. I've actually witnessed this type of repetitive dialogue from a family member who had experienced a trauma, so I had no issues accepting that Zoey was coping with reality as best she could, under the circumstances. Doug's frustration with the repetitions had me chuckling, but how sweet was this guy, sacrificing his own peace of mind to make sure that Zoey found out the truth in a less traumatizing way?
Not everything is as it seems, so sit back and enjoy the unraveling of this interesting story. Highly recommended!
February 27, 2011
I didn't get it at all why Zoey tried to stay together with Brandon all the time and why she even believed they were together since she knew him and his use-each-woman-only-once-and-discard-her method well before and it was clear that she hooked up with him spontaneously because of her helplessness concerning her family situation.
In addition, I really had difficulties to understand what her friends, the twins and others, were talking about, the strange dating conversations she has with them; Zoey's - in my eyes unnecessary - paranoia in the cafeteria and at the swim meetings concerning what the others might say about her puzzled me to no end.
Also I didn't grasp why Zoey obeyed her father so much. What could possibly happen to her if she just defied him? In my head I shouted: "Go, Zoey, talk to the psychologist, buy a car, take that boy to your bedroom. Give your shitty, self-centered father a piece of your mind. In the end he will not care, he has the most to lose (i.e. his face and consequently his smoothly running business) and your mom is a lawyer and will back you up." She never even tested the waters, which was pretty frustrating.
I am a sucker for tormented, sensitive, love-challenged guys, though: I enjoyed the "Desperate-Doug"-moments tremendously, which results in a 3.5 rating. Plus, Doug turned out to be half-Japanese (thus I didn't buy the translucent, green eyes) and I pictured him bone-meltingly drop-dead gorgeous.
And ... although they are always only short, frozen in the middle or switching into something else entirely, I have to admit Jennifer Echols has this talent to cook up incredibly sexy make-out scenes. Care to write an adult novel, Mrs. Echols?
Thank you, Janina, for giving this book to me. I do not consider the reading time wasted.
In addition, I really had difficulties to understand what her friends, the twins and others, were talking about, the strange dating conversations she has with them; Zoey's - in my eyes unnecessary - paranoia in the cafeteria and at the swim meetings concerning what the others might say about her puzzled me to no end.
Also I didn't grasp why Zoey obeyed her father so much. What could possibly happen to her if she just defied him? In my head I shouted: "Go, Zoey, talk to the psychologist, buy a car, take that boy to your bedroom. Give your shitty, self-centered father a piece of your mind. In the end he will not care, he has the most to lose (i.e. his face and consequently his smoothly running business) and your mom is a lawyer and will back you up." She never even tested the waters, which was pretty frustrating.
I am a sucker for tormented, sensitive, love-challenged guys, though: I enjoyed the "Desperate-Doug"-moments tremendously, which results in a 3.5 rating. Plus, Doug turned out to be half-Japanese (thus I didn't buy the translucent, green eyes) and I pictured him bone-meltingly drop-dead gorgeous.
And ... although they are always only short, frozen in the middle or switching into something else entirely, I have to admit Jennifer Echols has this talent to cook up incredibly sexy make-out scenes. Care to write an adult novel, Mrs. Echols?
Thank you, Janina, for giving this book to me. I do not consider the reading time wasted.
July 26, 2010
When I first read all the rave reviews of Echols' Going Too Far, I was psyched to read it. I love a good YA contemporary romance and am always looking for new authors. Although I liked Going Too Far, I didn't love it, and I certainly didn't think it lived up to all the hype. However, I did enjoy it and was hoping I 'd LOVE Forget You. Alas, I liked this one much less than Going Too Far.
Why? Simple, Zoey. The main character. I, frankly, could not stand her. On one hand I really felt sorry for her. She has this horrible father. I mean BAD. Then her mother tries to kill herself and is admitted to the loony bin. And her horrible father threatens her, demanding she tell no one about the incident, including her two best friends. He then makes Zoey feel like she can't say or do certain things for fear people will also think she's crazy, like her mother.
She's having a helluva tough time. Right after her mom's incident her Dad and his new girlfriend head out to Hawaii to get married leaving the seventeen year-old Zoey alone. Sigh. Talk about bad parenting. So, I feel for her. I really do. However, the night her mother attempts suicide. Zoey does something drastic and out of character (which is understandable considering the ordeal she's been through) by losing her virginity to Brandon, her man-whore, player of a friend. Maybe not the best decision ever but ya know we all make mistakes, we do stupid things when we're hurting or in pain. That's not what bothered me.
What bothered me was for the entire rest of the novel she referred to Brandon as her boyfriend and somehow equated this one time incident as a relationship. I'm sorry honey but a one time hook-up does not a boyfriend make.
I can somewhat understand her motivation behind this. She's in this uncontrollable situation and keeping up appearances has always been part of who Zoey is. Brandon is the football captain and having him as her boyfriend would, in her mind, help keep the appearance of a normal life.
I can't express how obnoxious and annoying I found it every time Zoey said something to the effect of Brandon being her boyfriend. I felt so bad for Doug, because you know he felt just as frustrated with this ridiculous notion. I loved the scene where he suggested she get a card that she could whip out every-time she was going to use the " Brandon Boyfriend Excuse"(BBE), as I've been referring to it in my mind.
Doug. He was the books saving grace for me. I loved him. The bad boy rep but really he's a nice guy. I really wanted to smack Zoey upside the head every freaking time she used the BBE with Doug. Bitch, he's not your boyfriend, grow a brain! Gah!
Despite my complete annoyance with Zoey I have to say that Echols can really write one helluva love scene. She manages to make it hot and sexy and completely believable between two teens. I also loved that she doesn't shy away from generally tabooed topics such a masturbation. The incident is brief but I cheered when I read it. I remember my first time reading about *gasp* masturbation when I read Judy Blume's Deenie and I like to see authors tackling such subjects!
Overall, I was just so annoyed with Zoey's insistence that Brandon was her boyfriend that I could NOT find enough empathy to move beyond it. And not even Doug could get me past it. But never fear readers, I seem to be in the minority in my thinking. If you can get past Zoey's bonehead assumptions you'll probably enjoy it. However, I couldn't and it really impeded my enjoyment of the novel.
Why? Simple, Zoey. The main character. I, frankly, could not stand her. On one hand I really felt sorry for her. She has this horrible father. I mean BAD. Then her mother tries to kill herself and is admitted to the loony bin. And her horrible father threatens her, demanding she tell no one about the incident, including her two best friends. He then makes Zoey feel like she can't say or do certain things for fear people will also think she's crazy, like her mother.
She's having a helluva tough time. Right after her mom's incident her Dad and his new girlfriend head out to Hawaii to get married leaving the seventeen year-old Zoey alone. Sigh. Talk about bad parenting. So, I feel for her. I really do. However, the night her mother attempts suicide. Zoey does something drastic and out of character (which is understandable considering the ordeal she's been through) by losing her virginity to Brandon, her man-whore, player of a friend. Maybe not the best decision ever but ya know we all make mistakes, we do stupid things when we're hurting or in pain. That's not what bothered me.
What bothered me was for the entire rest of the novel she referred to Brandon as her boyfriend and somehow equated this one time incident as a relationship. I'm sorry honey but a one time hook-up does not a boyfriend make.
I can somewhat understand her motivation behind this. She's in this uncontrollable situation and keeping up appearances has always been part of who Zoey is. Brandon is the football captain and having him as her boyfriend would, in her mind, help keep the appearance of a normal life.
I can't express how obnoxious and annoying I found it every time Zoey said something to the effect of Brandon being her boyfriend. I felt so bad for Doug, because you know he felt just as frustrated with this ridiculous notion. I loved the scene where he suggested she get a card that she could whip out every-time she was going to use the " Brandon Boyfriend Excuse"(BBE), as I've been referring to it in my mind.
Doug. He was the books saving grace for me. I loved him. The bad boy rep but really he's a nice guy. I really wanted to smack Zoey upside the head every freaking time she used the BBE with Doug. Bitch, he's not your boyfriend, grow a brain! Gah!
Despite my complete annoyance with Zoey I have to say that Echols can really write one helluva love scene. She manages to make it hot and sexy and completely believable between two teens. I also loved that she doesn't shy away from generally tabooed topics such a masturbation. The incident is brief but I cheered when I read it. I remember my first time reading about *gasp* masturbation when I read Judy Blume's Deenie and I like to see authors tackling such subjects!
Overall, I was just so annoyed with Zoey's insistence that Brandon was her boyfriend that I could NOT find enough empathy to move beyond it. And not even Doug could get me past it. But never fear readers, I seem to be in the minority in my thinking. If you can get past Zoey's bonehead assumptions you'll probably enjoy it. However, I couldn't and it really impeded my enjoyment of the novel.
July 26, 2010
I am having difficulty believing it was almost a year ago that I read . It was a solid swallow-in-a-single-gulp read and, I have often thought of Meg's "I am full of fear" mantra and smiled. I'm happy it's received the welcome attention it has in the blogosphere and I knew her next romantic drama would meet with a host of eager readers. When I first read the synopsis for ' FORGET YOU, I admit I was completely sucked in by the amnesia angle and the whole waking up to find you have a different boyfriend from the boyfriend you thought you had bit. I mean, who's not up for that? So many great possibilities when the protagonist herself doesn't know exactly what's going on. Plus, I enjoyed Ms. Echols' writing quite a bit in . And nearing the end of July as we are, this book was fast starting to sound like the perfect summer read to me and I looked forward to it with a high degree of anticipation.
Zoey works at her dad's water park--Slide with Clyde--along with all seventeen other members of her high school swim team. All except Doug Fox. The boy who did a year in juvie and always seems to give Zoey a hard time. As captain of the swim team, Zoey runs a tight ship in and out of the pool. Her friends respect her and admire her for her work ethic and her seemingly perfectly put together exterior. Then her dad knocks up his 24-year-old human resources manager and Zoey finds herself racing the gossip home to her mother before things get any worse. And for awhile it seems that everything will be all right. Yes, she and her mother are on their own now as her father is going to leap into his midlife crisis with reckless abandon and marry Ashley. In Hawaii, no less. But then Zoey comes home to find her mother unresponsive on the bed next to a dangerously empty bottle of pills. And suddenly her vaunted ability to keep tight control over her life has disappeared without a trace. Forced to move back in with her furious father, while her mother resides indefinitely in a mental institution for evaluation, Zoey tries to exert a modicum of control over her life and decides to sleep with her longtime friend (and player with a capital P) Brandon. The next thing she knows she wakes up in the hospital, having apparently crashed her car after the party. And, even more mystifying, Doug Fox is attached to her hip. The large gap in her memory appears to include several vital things and Zoey is determined to find out what they are.
I'll just go ahead and start by saying that FORGET YOU is an example of another great setup that fell very flat for me. Much of the problem was plotting issues, along with an abundance of confusion throughout the story. So many character traits and decisions just didn't add up and I felt like I was constantly scratching my head, like I was missing more puzzle pieces than poor Zoey. I liked Zoey. I felt incredibly sorry for her. Her mother attempts suicide and then gets locked up in the hospital, where no one will allow Zoey to visit. Her father is like something out of a nightmare and the boys that she lusts after are neither of them anything to write home about. Her commutation of a one-night stand into a full-blown relationship with Brandon can be chalked up to her completely understandably disordered mental state. For awhile. But unfortunately I was only able to suspend my disbelief so long. She knows his reputation. She knows the reality of him. And, smart as she is, it seems beyond unlikely she would persist in such an unbelievably unrealistic scenario, when presented with the lovely young hottie by the name of Doug, who clearly wants her. Yesterday. And despite the fact that she so wants him back, she treats him pretty poorly. And he takes it! I mean, he snarks at her a bit, and definitely tries to get her to see the light. But ultimately he takes it. It was hard for me to keep a torch for Doug burning when he kept turning belly up. And not treating her very nicely either, come to think of it. These two were undeniably drawn to each other, but they didn't seem to much like each other. I have difficulty signing on for that sort of deal. I guess I just need a little more than attraction to go on. I couldn't feel the connection between them, much less want them to be together. They didn't leap across the page at me and their magnetism alone just wasn't enough. And so what I hoped would be an absorbing, sweet read ended up an extremely confusing and fractured one. As evidenced by the links below, some people feel similarly and many do not. If you've not ready any yet, I highly recommend starting with and working your way out from there.
Zoey works at her dad's water park--Slide with Clyde--along with all seventeen other members of her high school swim team. All except Doug Fox. The boy who did a year in juvie and always seems to give Zoey a hard time. As captain of the swim team, Zoey runs a tight ship in and out of the pool. Her friends respect her and admire her for her work ethic and her seemingly perfectly put together exterior. Then her dad knocks up his 24-year-old human resources manager and Zoey finds herself racing the gossip home to her mother before things get any worse. And for awhile it seems that everything will be all right. Yes, she and her mother are on their own now as her father is going to leap into his midlife crisis with reckless abandon and marry Ashley. In Hawaii, no less. But then Zoey comes home to find her mother unresponsive on the bed next to a dangerously empty bottle of pills. And suddenly her vaunted ability to keep tight control over her life has disappeared without a trace. Forced to move back in with her furious father, while her mother resides indefinitely in a mental institution for evaluation, Zoey tries to exert a modicum of control over her life and decides to sleep with her longtime friend (and player with a capital P) Brandon. The next thing she knows she wakes up in the hospital, having apparently crashed her car after the party. And, even more mystifying, Doug Fox is attached to her hip. The large gap in her memory appears to include several vital things and Zoey is determined to find out what they are.
I'll just go ahead and start by saying that FORGET YOU is an example of another great setup that fell very flat for me. Much of the problem was plotting issues, along with an abundance of confusion throughout the story. So many character traits and decisions just didn't add up and I felt like I was constantly scratching my head, like I was missing more puzzle pieces than poor Zoey. I liked Zoey. I felt incredibly sorry for her. Her mother attempts suicide and then gets locked up in the hospital, where no one will allow Zoey to visit. Her father is like something out of a nightmare and the boys that she lusts after are neither of them anything to write home about. Her commutation of a one-night stand into a full-blown relationship with Brandon can be chalked up to her completely understandably disordered mental state. For awhile. But unfortunately I was only able to suspend my disbelief so long. She knows his reputation. She knows the reality of him. And, smart as she is, it seems beyond unlikely she would persist in such an unbelievably unrealistic scenario, when presented with the lovely young hottie by the name of Doug, who clearly wants her. Yesterday. And despite the fact that she so wants him back, she treats him pretty poorly. And he takes it! I mean, he snarks at her a bit, and definitely tries to get her to see the light. But ultimately he takes it. It was hard for me to keep a torch for Doug burning when he kept turning belly up. And not treating her very nicely either, come to think of it. These two were undeniably drawn to each other, but they didn't seem to much like each other. I have difficulty signing on for that sort of deal. I guess I just need a little more than attraction to go on. I couldn't feel the connection between them, much less want them to be together. They didn't leap across the page at me and their magnetism alone just wasn't enough. And so what I hoped would be an absorbing, sweet read ended up an extremely confusing and fractured one. As evidenced by the links below, some people feel similarly and many do not. If you've not ready any yet, I highly recommend starting with and working your way out from there.
August 8, 2010
I really enjoyed Forget You. Jennifer Echols really knows how to write about real teen problems. It was a powerful and honest novel that deals with divorce, depression, sex and realtionships. It was one of those books I had to finish in one sitting or I wouldn't have gotten any sleep that night if I didn't have everything resolved. Thankfully I finished it and I got the ending I needed.
Zoey was a complex character who I liked. I can see that she will annoy some people. It is frustrating that she kept talking about Brandon is her boyfriend when clearly everybody else can see he is not, including him. I wanted to yell at her but in a caring way. I understand why she thought it and needed to say it. She didn't want to deal with the truth and this story is about her growing up and learning about realtionships.
Doug, he is by far the best character in this book. He is at the beginning portrayed as the bad boy but clearly as the story unravels you find out what an amazing guy he is. He is sweet, caring, dedicated and gorgeous (even hotter than John After from Going Too Far). Doug and Zoey's chemistry was HOT! Seriously, there was one scene in the book where I thought this was an adult book. So be warned there is a lot of sexual content in this for a young adult fiction.
There was also a lot of characters in this book who made me mad. I wanted to punch Zoey's Dad. I wanted to punch Doug's Dad too. And Brandon I just wanted to slap him for being so stupid.
Overall, another great book by Jennifer Echols and I can't wait to see what she writes next.
Zoey was a complex character who I liked. I can see that she will annoy some people. It is frustrating that she kept talking about Brandon is her boyfriend when clearly everybody else can see he is not, including him. I wanted to yell at her but in a caring way. I understand why she thought it and needed to say it. She didn't want to deal with the truth and this story is about her growing up and learning about realtionships.
Doug, he is by far the best character in this book. He is at the beginning portrayed as the bad boy but clearly as the story unravels you find out what an amazing guy he is. He is sweet, caring, dedicated and gorgeous (even hotter than John After from Going Too Far). Doug and Zoey's chemistry was HOT! Seriously, there was one scene in the book where I thought this was an adult book. So be warned there is a lot of sexual content in this for a young adult fiction.
There was also a lot of characters in this book who made me mad. I wanted to punch Zoey's Dad. I wanted to punch Doug's Dad too. And Brandon I just wanted to slap him for being so stupid.
Overall, another great book by Jennifer Echols and I can't wait to see what she writes next.
July 9, 2010
Jennifer Echols is the author of a well-appreciated number of touching romances for both MTV and Simon RomCom, but FORGET YOU felt sadly short in my opinion. I never fully felt a connection to and between the characters, and the the plot was jerky and disorienting more often than satisfying.
It's hard to get a read on Zoey. One minute she seems self-assured and capable of figuring out her own problems (with support from others, probably, but mostly independently); the next, she's flipping out, desperately and stubbornly repeating her emanations that she's "with Brandon" (which I can understand to an extent: she's at a vulnerable time in her life and wants to feel loved--but she had been so much smarter before they got "together" that I didn't entirely understand why she was so obstinate about the situation with Brandon), and then practically manipulating Doug's help for whatever thing she needs next. Zoey's eventual revelation of her mother's psychological illness did not have enough lead-up for me to believe that they were causing her own insecurities as well. Thus, I was left simply feeling confused, then irritated, that she was so inconsistent, her motivations so opaque.
I felt like I was in a fog for nearly the whole time I was reading this book. I found myself constantly having to stop, think "What the heck just happened?" and going back to reread the paragraph. Probably not a good sign. I'm not asking for perfect clarity from a story, of course--sometimes it's a good experience for the reader to do some deductive work themselves--but I DO want motivations and events to be believable and understandable. In FORGET YOU, I had trouble believing that. Zoey's far from perfect--she can be downright cruel and inconsiderate at times--and that's okay, but I just couldn't qualify her reasoning for being so.
Similarly, I thought Doug's devotion to Zoey was sweet, but I couldn't understand it. They were both attempting to play games with each another, both being people who like to be in control. Which is totally fine, except that I didn't understand that until the very end, when they actually explain it out loud. Such a fundamental aspect of their personalities should be more apparent throughout the book. Once again, there was very little explanation for why the characters were acting in their crazy ways. The why's in this book were not answered as well as I wanted.
FORGET YOU is a brave attempt to break a lot of YA conventions, but it fell short in many areas for me. However, this will not deter me from reading Jennifer Echols' other works, and this doesn't mean that FORGET YOU is a bad book. It is simply a challenging one to be engaged with.
It's hard to get a read on Zoey. One minute she seems self-assured and capable of figuring out her own problems (with support from others, probably, but mostly independently); the next, she's flipping out, desperately and stubbornly repeating her emanations that she's "with Brandon" (which I can understand to an extent: she's at a vulnerable time in her life and wants to feel loved--but she had been so much smarter before they got "together" that I didn't entirely understand why she was so obstinate about the situation with Brandon), and then practically manipulating Doug's help for whatever thing she needs next. Zoey's eventual revelation of her mother's psychological illness did not have enough lead-up for me to believe that they were causing her own insecurities as well. Thus, I was left simply feeling confused, then irritated, that she was so inconsistent, her motivations so opaque.
I felt like I was in a fog for nearly the whole time I was reading this book. I found myself constantly having to stop, think "What the heck just happened?" and going back to reread the paragraph. Probably not a good sign. I'm not asking for perfect clarity from a story, of course--sometimes it's a good experience for the reader to do some deductive work themselves--but I DO want motivations and events to be believable and understandable. In FORGET YOU, I had trouble believing that. Zoey's far from perfect--she can be downright cruel and inconsiderate at times--and that's okay, but I just couldn't qualify her reasoning for being so.
Similarly, I thought Doug's devotion to Zoey was sweet, but I couldn't understand it. They were both attempting to play games with each another, both being people who like to be in control. Which is totally fine, except that I didn't understand that until the very end, when they actually explain it out loud. Such a fundamental aspect of their personalities should be more apparent throughout the book. Once again, there was very little explanation for why the characters were acting in their crazy ways. The why's in this book were not answered as well as I wanted.
FORGET YOU is a brave attempt to break a lot of YA conventions, but it fell short in many areas for me. However, this will not deter me from reading Jennifer Echols' other works, and this doesn't mean that FORGET YOU is a bad book. It is simply a challenging one to be engaged with.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 22, 2010
I don't think I could be more obsessed with a book! I love this book so much! I almost started rereading it as soon as I finished it. I was such a giddy dork while reading this, it was really quite embarrassing, luckily I was by myself.
I love all of Jennifer Echols books so I was impatiently awaiting the release of this one. And when I got it in the mail I was so excited. But I was afraid that I had built it up so much in my mind that it wasn't going to be as good as I hoped. But don't you worry it was even 10x's better than I expected. Oh Lordy.
I think it would be really cool if she made a sequel to this book and maybe did the same story but from Doug's point of view. But really I'll read whatever she comes out with she is an amazing author!
I love all of Jennifer Echols books so I was impatiently awaiting the release of this one. And when I got it in the mail I was so excited. But I was afraid that I had built it up so much in my mind that it wasn't going to be as good as I hoped. But don't you worry it was even 10x's better than I expected. Oh Lordy.
I think it would be really cool if she made a sequel to this book and maybe did the same story but from Doug's point of view. But really I'll read whatever she comes out with she is an amazing author!
November 24, 2019
Full of ergenus. O iki puan da Doug'un tatlılığının hatırına. Kız tam bir embesil ve umutsuz vakaydı. Okumayın bu kitabı gerek yok yani. Daha faydalı şeyler okuyun gençler.
August 19, 2010
I really wanted to like this book. I was so excited to read it because the storyline sounded like it had so much potential. I was sorely disappointed, and so mad that I wasted a good few hours reading this.
This is one of the worst books I have ever read. It may even be worse than Twilight, and that's saying something.
Everything that happened in this book was made out to be a really big deal, like "end-of-the-world-as-we-know-it" big deal. But everytime a new "plot point" was revealed, or something "major" happened in the story, all I could think was, "So what?" None of it seemed important, and most of it seemed unrealistic. The whole book revolves around the one night of the car accident that Zoey can't remember, so you would think it would be an epic revelation, a mind-blowing revelation that would tie everything together (and salvage the story). But no, I won't spoil it for anyone here, but the revelation was just some trashy teenage drama that could have occurred in 5 minutes in any TV drama episode. Definitely not something worth centering a whole novel around. The way she "pieced together" the revelation was lame, and the revelation itself was lame. For 200+ pages, I expect something at least a LITTLE epic!
Let's move on to characters. The only character that had any depth was Doug. I found him likeable and I liked that he was multi-dimensional and had a mysterious quality about him. But the rest of the characters ... their actions did not reflect their personalities. Echols would tell us one thing about a character, and the character would do something totally contradictory to what we were told about them.
I was annoyed with Zoey for most of the novel. She was presented to us as a smart girl, but her actions showed she was anything but. For one, she had a one-night stand with playboy Brandon, whose reputation and character she was fully aware of (being his best friend and all), and then deludes herself the entire story with the notion that she is now his faithful girlfriend. Brandon was barely mentioned in the book at all. After they had sex, they barely interacted. Meanwhile, there's hot Doug who clearly likes her and understands her and is supportive of her, and it appears the feelings are mutual. So I can't fathom why she wanted to be Brandon's gf so badly; she had nothing to gain from it! Even she knew she didn't love him, and yet she'd repeat the same line over and over, "Sorry, Doug, I'm dating Brandon ..." Yeah, dating him after you slept with him once and never saw him again.
And why was it such a big deal that she lost her memory of one night? It's not like she had serious amnesia and forgot her entire life. Furthermore, amnesia is not synonymous with insanity. Why was it so important that she keep it a secret? Would it have been so nonsensical to ask one of her friends what happened that night instead of lying and snooping around uselessly and fruitlessly? "Hey, guys, what happened the night of the wreck? I can't remember." It irked me how she had to make something simple so unnecessarily complicated, and for no valid reason at all.
I was forcing myself to finish the novel because I hate to start a book and leave it unfinished. The whole time Echols was just trying to milk meaningless situations for all they were worth. She also seemed quite fond of leaving gaps in the plot and making huge leaps of logic, leaving the reader behind. However I do have to admit I like her writing style, and she has a way with words. If only she could use that talent to make the content believable.
I'm pretty lenient when it comes to judging books. I like most YA novels that I read, or at least find them somewhat enjoyable. But this .. this was a mess. Made no sense, did not keep me interested, and made me wish I could take back the few hours I spent reading it.
This is one of the worst books I have ever read. It may even be worse than Twilight, and that's saying something.
Everything that happened in this book was made out to be a really big deal, like "end-of-the-world-as-we-know-it" big deal. But everytime a new "plot point" was revealed, or something "major" happened in the story, all I could think was, "So what?" None of it seemed important, and most of it seemed unrealistic. The whole book revolves around the one night of the car accident that Zoey can't remember, so you would think it would be an epic revelation, a mind-blowing revelation that would tie everything together (and salvage the story). But no, I won't spoil it for anyone here, but the revelation was just some trashy teenage drama that could have occurred in 5 minutes in any TV drama episode. Definitely not something worth centering a whole novel around. The way she "pieced together" the revelation was lame, and the revelation itself was lame. For 200+ pages, I expect something at least a LITTLE epic!
Let's move on to characters. The only character that had any depth was Doug. I found him likeable and I liked that he was multi-dimensional and had a mysterious quality about him. But the rest of the characters ... their actions did not reflect their personalities. Echols would tell us one thing about a character, and the character would do something totally contradictory to what we were told about them.
I was annoyed with Zoey for most of the novel. She was presented to us as a smart girl, but her actions showed she was anything but. For one, she had a one-night stand with playboy Brandon, whose reputation and character she was fully aware of (being his best friend and all), and then deludes herself the entire story with the notion that she is now his faithful girlfriend. Brandon was barely mentioned in the book at all. After they had sex, they barely interacted. Meanwhile, there's hot Doug who clearly likes her and understands her and is supportive of her, and it appears the feelings are mutual. So I can't fathom why she wanted to be Brandon's gf so badly; she had nothing to gain from it! Even she knew she didn't love him, and yet she'd repeat the same line over and over, "Sorry, Doug, I'm dating Brandon ..." Yeah, dating him after you slept with him once and never saw him again.
And why was it such a big deal that she lost her memory of one night? It's not like she had serious amnesia and forgot her entire life. Furthermore, amnesia is not synonymous with insanity. Why was it so important that she keep it a secret? Would it have been so nonsensical to ask one of her friends what happened that night instead of lying and snooping around uselessly and fruitlessly? "Hey, guys, what happened the night of the wreck? I can't remember." It irked me how she had to make something simple so unnecessarily complicated, and for no valid reason at all.
I was forcing myself to finish the novel because I hate to start a book and leave it unfinished. The whole time Echols was just trying to milk meaningless situations for all they were worth. She also seemed quite fond of leaving gaps in the plot and making huge leaps of logic, leaving the reader behind. However I do have to admit I like her writing style, and she has a way with words. If only she could use that talent to make the content believable.
I'm pretty lenient when it comes to judging books. I like most YA novels that I read, or at least find them somewhat enjoyable. But this .. this was a mess. Made no sense, did not keep me interested, and made me wish I could take back the few hours I spent reading it.
August 6, 2010
I will preface this with saying, I really wanted to read this book. I read the description and thought, hey that sounds interesting.
But, it wasn't. It sucked. Hardcore suckage. The premise of the book, is Zoey is a perfect darling girl who has rich parents and has everything. Except apparently a brain. She is on the swim team life is perfect until it spirals out of control when her controlling asshole father cheats on her mom, gets his 24 year old gf pregnant and then makes her mom move out of the house to an apartment. Her mom then goes crazy, tries to kill herself and is sent to 'insane asylum' where it is determined she is bi-polar. Her ass of a dad threatens Zoey to not mention a word of this.
This craziness pushes Zoey out of control and she decides it's a fabulous idea to have sex with Brandon, the extreme player who she has been giving girl advice to all summer. I am all about having random fun sex if you can handle it. BUT, if you do it and then think you are this stupid player's GIRLFRIEND??? You lose all credibility. This is about the time I REALLY couldn't handle reading it. But like I said, I requested to read this book because I thought it sounded interesting. HA.
So they hook up, she doesn't hear from him for OVER a week and yet calls herself his girlfriend. HELLO CRAZYCAKES. YOU HAD SEX WITH HIM. That was it. Stop calling him your boyfriend. Anyhooo... like any other player he finds someone else to have sex with.
Enter Doug. Doug is this 'baaad boy' who went to juvie in 9th grade and yada yada yada he is sooo bad. We can't talk to him cuz he is a baaaad boy. So Doug and Zoey never have liked each other apparently, stemming back to when he went to juvie and missed homecoming, after he had asked her to go with him. Whatever.
So, one nite (a week after the hook up with player) Zoey wakes up and she has been in a car crash. She has no idea how she got there, no memory of most of the nite leading up to it. She doesn't admit this to anyone. (HELLO STUPID YOU HAVE A CONCUSSION AND THOSE CAN BE DANGEROUS.) Her dad flips out on her because HE is going to Hawaii to get married to 24 year old ho and SHE BETTER NO RUIN THIS FOR HIM. SO, Zoey lies about having no memory because he threatens to lock HER up in a looney bin if she says she can't remember anything. The wierd thing? All Zoey remembers is waking up to Doug pulling her out and then Doug shows up to her house acting all wierd the morning after. ALmost, like HE is her boyfriend and NOT Brandon.
So this is where I completely stopped attempting to like it and just started rolling my eyes and thinking ofa ll the stupidness. 1) What parent leaves their child less than 24 hours after they have had a MAJOR CAR ACCIDENT AND EXPERIENCED PASSING OUT frequently? 2) What hospital lets someone leave the same night when they CANNOT remember and had a head injury? 3) What idiot doesn't just say to her friends, dude I can't remember what happened. ha ha.. Tell me about it. 4) Doug's character is completely unbelievable. NO one acts like that. 5) Zoey starts swearing and acting completely different AFTER HER HEAD INJURY. HELLO ANYONE????
Ok, this book had a lot of problems and one of the most irritating to me was overuse of using animals in similies or the fact that Zoey just wouldn't freaking ask someone what happened, or that Doug wouldn't tell her what happened and the fact that she called a guy she had sex with once her boyfriend. Ok so that was more than one.
This book was horrible and the only reason I finished it was because I requested it as an ARC through Star Book Tours.
But, it wasn't. It sucked. Hardcore suckage. The premise of the book, is Zoey is a perfect darling girl who has rich parents and has everything. Except apparently a brain. She is on the swim team life is perfect until it spirals out of control when her controlling asshole father cheats on her mom, gets his 24 year old gf pregnant and then makes her mom move out of the house to an apartment. Her mom then goes crazy, tries to kill herself and is sent to 'insane asylum' where it is determined she is bi-polar. Her ass of a dad threatens Zoey to not mention a word of this.
This craziness pushes Zoey out of control and she decides it's a fabulous idea to have sex with Brandon, the extreme player who she has been giving girl advice to all summer. I am all about having random fun sex if you can handle it. BUT, if you do it and then think you are this stupid player's GIRLFRIEND??? You lose all credibility. This is about the time I REALLY couldn't handle reading it. But like I said, I requested to read this book because I thought it sounded interesting. HA.
So they hook up, she doesn't hear from him for OVER a week and yet calls herself his girlfriend. HELLO CRAZYCAKES. YOU HAD SEX WITH HIM. That was it. Stop calling him your boyfriend. Anyhooo... like any other player he finds someone else to have sex with.
Enter Doug. Doug is this 'baaad boy' who went to juvie in 9th grade and yada yada yada he is sooo bad. We can't talk to him cuz he is a baaaad boy. So Doug and Zoey never have liked each other apparently, stemming back to when he went to juvie and missed homecoming, after he had asked her to go with him. Whatever.
So, one nite (a week after the hook up with player) Zoey wakes up and she has been in a car crash. She has no idea how she got there, no memory of most of the nite leading up to it. She doesn't admit this to anyone. (HELLO STUPID YOU HAVE A CONCUSSION AND THOSE CAN BE DANGEROUS.) Her dad flips out on her because HE is going to Hawaii to get married to 24 year old ho and SHE BETTER NO RUIN THIS FOR HIM. SO, Zoey lies about having no memory because he threatens to lock HER up in a looney bin if she says she can't remember anything. The wierd thing? All Zoey remembers is waking up to Doug pulling her out and then Doug shows up to her house acting all wierd the morning after. ALmost, like HE is her boyfriend and NOT Brandon.
So this is where I completely stopped attempting to like it and just started rolling my eyes and thinking ofa ll the stupidness. 1) What parent leaves their child less than 24 hours after they have had a MAJOR CAR ACCIDENT AND EXPERIENCED PASSING OUT frequently? 2) What hospital lets someone leave the same night when they CANNOT remember and had a head injury? 3) What idiot doesn't just say to her friends, dude I can't remember what happened. ha ha.. Tell me about it. 4) Doug's character is completely unbelievable. NO one acts like that. 5) Zoey starts swearing and acting completely different AFTER HER HEAD INJURY. HELLO ANYONE????
Ok, this book had a lot of problems and one of the most irritating to me was overuse of using animals in similies or the fact that Zoey just wouldn't freaking ask someone what happened, or that Doug wouldn't tell her what happened and the fact that she called a guy she had sex with once her boyfriend. Ok so that was more than one.
This book was horrible and the only reason I finished it was because I requested it as an ARC through Star Book Tours.
February 5, 2012
I can't justify a higher rating than 3.5, but I also refuse to give it any less. It's kind of a bad book. There's one reason, in particular, I want to mention: The dad was a forced douche bag. I feel bad actually, on his behalf, because I don't think he really wanted to be a total dick. But he only has so much control seeing as he's a fictional character, therefore not real, and Echols, who is real holds the pen...see the problem, yeah? She wanted a dick dad, and so he was. Le sigh. All in all, this book is like a good one hour episode of a semi-watchable teen drama.
The reason why I enjoyed my time through Forget You, despite its many setbacks, is Zoey. She seems to be a hit or miss from what I've read, but I have to say -- she definitely hit my soft spot. She was adorable, I couldn't help it! She's a sweet (childlike), hilarious (clueless), polite (goody goody) perfectionist (anal with a hint of OCD). And she totally works. There's something a little off with her, both quirky and unbelieving. She thought she'd be thrown in the loony bin for suffering amnesia (she loses several hours of that night) after getting in a car wreck...like, she honestly believed that...she's 17. Anyway, I don't always know how she ends up wherever she ends up mentally and emotionally; why she feels what she feels, and makes the decisions she makes. You're always left just a bit baffled, like she's either really innocent or quite possibly stupid, but definitely as though she's not quite normal-thinking. But she's cute, so I accept it.
Don't believe me?...EXCERPTS!!!
I have a feeling Echols is actually a really good writer (in fact, I'm pretty sure as I read Going Too Far and that was quite legitimately good). I believe, if she chooses, she could do some real damage to my emotional stability.
EXCERPTS!!!
...except she's writing for MTV Books.
The reason why I enjoyed my time through Forget You, despite its many setbacks, is Zoey. She seems to be a hit or miss from what I've read, but I have to say -- she definitely hit my soft spot. She was adorable, I couldn't help it! She's a sweet (childlike), hilarious (clueless), polite (goody goody) perfectionist (anal with a hint of OCD). And she totally works. There's something a little off with her, both quirky and unbelieving. She thought she'd be thrown in the loony bin for suffering amnesia (she loses several hours of that night) after getting in a car wreck...like, she honestly believed that...she's 17. Anyway, I don't always know how she ends up wherever she ends up mentally and emotionally; why she feels what she feels, and makes the decisions she makes. You're always left just a bit baffled, like she's either really innocent or quite possibly stupid, but definitely as though she's not quite normal-thinking. But she's cute, so I accept it.
Don't believe me?...EXCERPTS!!!
The next time my dad sent me to the wholesale club for paper towels and soda straws...I also bought the world's largest box of condoms...I gave condoms out to anyone who asked. I gave condoms to people who didn't ask. If I heard rumors about them, I slipped condoms through the vents in their lockers in the break room.
---
I couldn't lie down with him, though. Lying in the back of a police car with him would not be my consolation prize after I couldn't go parking with my boyfriend. That would make me a ho.
I have a feeling Echols is actually a really good writer (in fact, I'm pretty sure as I read Going Too Far and that was quite legitimately good). I believe, if she chooses, she could do some real damage to my emotional stability.
EXCERPTS!!!
In my mind, I was back in my mother's bedroom, trying to fix everything. With two fingers, I brushed her blong hair away from her closed eyes so she'd look better to the paramedics when they arrived.
...except she's writing for MTV Books.
April 30, 2010
I have been a Jennifer Echols fan since the day I picked up Major Crush off the "New YA" shelf at my library. I have loved every single book by her thus far, and Forget You was no exception. Since the day I read the description, I had been dying to read it. I had high expectations for Forget You, and it surpassed them all by leaps and bounds.
Jennifer Echols has filled the pages of Forget You with a beautiful story dealing with darker and raw experiences of life. She wasted not one word, and hooked me into the story with the first words. Zoey is dealing with her family basically being torn apart and is going through a lot. Doug is there for her, and despite her resentment of him at first, you see them meld together The chemistry between Doug and Zoey was intense and simply flew off the page.
Jennifer Echols really has a way with words. Forget You is filled with some of the most romantic, beautiful scenes I've ever read. Every moment felt so real. There were so many scenes that simply took my breath away. The sexual tension was so much I'm surprised the book didn't burst into flames. Everything was perfect, nothing ever felt from for Doug and Zoey. There was not one thing I could even come close to criticizing about Forget You. If I did say something, it would be that I wish it was longer because I never wanted to leave Zoey and Doug's world.
Jennifer Echols has an insane talent with writing these absolutely amazing boys that you fall for on about page 2. This is one of those books. I was crushing on Doug right away. He was sweet despite the attitude he gave off. He was totally hot, and you kept thinking about his amazing eyes. Along with her talent of writing gorgeous men, Jennifer Echols writes amazing heroines with strong qualities. Zoey was a strong willed girl and I really appreciated that.
If I had to describe Forget You with one word it would be W.O.W. Jennifer Echols has written a book that will be sure to blow readers away. It's superbly well written and is filled with a story that will make your heart melt. It has an addictive quality, that makes it hard to put down once you've started reading. Forget You is a rare gem of a book in every way.
Jennifer Echols has filled the pages of Forget You with a beautiful story dealing with darker and raw experiences of life. She wasted not one word, and hooked me into the story with the first words. Zoey is dealing with her family basically being torn apart and is going through a lot. Doug is there for her, and despite her resentment of him at first, you see them meld together The chemistry between Doug and Zoey was intense and simply flew off the page.
Jennifer Echols really has a way with words. Forget You is filled with some of the most romantic, beautiful scenes I've ever read. Every moment felt so real. There were so many scenes that simply took my breath away. The sexual tension was so much I'm surprised the book didn't burst into flames. Everything was perfect, nothing ever felt from for Doug and Zoey. There was not one thing I could even come close to criticizing about Forget You. If I did say something, it would be that I wish it was longer because I never wanted to leave Zoey and Doug's world.
Jennifer Echols has an insane talent with writing these absolutely amazing boys that you fall for on about page 2. This is one of those books. I was crushing on Doug right away. He was sweet despite the attitude he gave off. He was totally hot, and you kept thinking about his amazing eyes. Along with her talent of writing gorgeous men, Jennifer Echols writes amazing heroines with strong qualities. Zoey was a strong willed girl and I really appreciated that.
If I had to describe Forget You with one word it would be W.O.W. Jennifer Echols has written a book that will be sure to blow readers away. It's superbly well written and is filled with a story that will make your heart melt. It has an addictive quality, that makes it hard to put down once you've started reading. Forget You is a rare gem of a book in every way.
September 7, 2010
After her mother and father's divorce, Zoey is determined to live the perfect life, everything and everyone in it's place. However, when her mother attempts suicide Zoey's world is thrown out of whack. To further complicate matters, Zoey is in an accident and can't remember what happened the night it happened. But she needs to remember and fast, because when she wakes up her love life is upside down.
Things that irked me about the novel: I had a hard time sympathizing with Zoey at times because I simply got fed up with her. Truly, I kept having to remind myself that the girl had been through a huge trauma, not to mention the fact that her dad was a total asshole. Once I reminded myself of these facts, I could over look her stupid and see that it made sense... sorta. Not to mention she comes off as a snob at times and not in a lovable way.
Things I loved: As always I love Echols's style and voice. This novel is not only witty but emotionally charged, something I am coming to love and respect about the author. Zoey, when she's not obsessing about her lame "boyfriend" is sweet, smart, and clueless, just the right mix. And Doug is all the things a sweetly messed up bad boy should be. I loved the moments when Doug and Zoey were together and it was natural.
Overall, I really enjoyed the novel, despite this itching need I felt to slap some sense into Zoey (which I'm beginning to wonder if that was the authors intent!).
Things that irked me about the novel: I had a hard time sympathizing with Zoey at times because I simply got fed up with her. Truly, I kept having to remind myself that the girl had been through a huge trauma, not to mention the fact that her dad was a total asshole. Once I reminded myself of these facts, I could over look her stupid and see that it made sense... sorta. Not to mention she comes off as a snob at times and not in a lovable way.
Things I loved: As always I love Echols's style and voice. This novel is not only witty but emotionally charged, something I am coming to love and respect about the author. Zoey, when she's not obsessing about her lame "boyfriend" is sweet, smart, and clueless, just the right mix. And Doug is all the things a sweetly messed up bad boy should be. I loved the moments when Doug and Zoey were together and it was natural.
Overall, I really enjoyed the novel, despite this itching need I felt to slap some sense into Zoey (which I'm beginning to wonder if that was the authors intent!).
April 28, 2010
My Thoughts: Over the past 24 hours I kept reliving this book over and over in my head, trying to find the right words to write this review. I can't stress enough how beautiful this book is! Yes, it was that darn good! We are introduced to Zoey and Zoey's crazy family troubles. Her mom tries to commit suicide, her dad is marrying a 24 year old, and she along with her whole swim team except Doug works at the family business as lifeguards. After her mom's suicide attempt she is forced to go live with her dad. Why so much family craziness? Zoey just wants to be normal! She hooks up with her buddy Brandon even though she knows how he is (hooks up with all the girls). She sleeps with him and thinks that maybe he'll be different, who knows. Brandon is kind of guy you'd just have as a friend. You know his ways, so you would never really "want" to hook up with him or be his girlfriend. Well, there are so many characters throughout this book and they are all so appealing. We meet her other friends on the swim team but most of all we are introduced to Doug.Doug went to juvie a few years ago and everyone is afraid to mess with him. I liked Doug from the first sentence. I just knew there had to be a sweet side underneath that rough exterior. He and Zoey don't get a long real well. Everyone thinks he really dislikes her and they are always at eachothers throats. They have a history together and as the story unfolds you realize all the reasons why they don't see eye to eye. One night Zoey goes out to one of the beach parties and is in a car accident. She is dragged out of the car by Doug. But she doesn't remember what happened. Why is he there? Why was he in the other car with Mike (who he doesn't even like)? All she knows is she has a bump on her head and Doug has a broken leg! The next morning, she wakes up to find Doug in her living room acting all cuddly and sweet thinking they are together now. She's confused!!! What the heck happened last night?
This story goes from there as she tries to figure out what happen and why is Doug all of a sudden looking so delicious to her! There is sarcasm, wit, and a certain sweetness about this book. I don't want to give away the whole story because this book is so good and you have to read it yourself but I want to point out my favorite parts!!!! First off, there was one scene where Doug and Zoey were in the bus and Doug has his head on Zoey's lap. There was nowhere else to sit and Doug had to elevate his leg and she didn't want to sit on the nasty floor. This was so romanctic, its like Echols got right into my head and took out my favorite romantic scene that I've wanted to see in a book forever!!!! The whole thing was beautiful, even the way her eyes traced down his belly button!!!!! Oh yeah! My other favorite scene was where Doug and Zoey were in the back of the police car and she was against him. When he said, "You Know I've Been Awake" I laughed so hard I thought I was going to cry! When you read Forget You, you'll understand exactly what I mean.
Lets just put it this way, Jennifer Echols has a way with words. Forget You was beautiful, intelligent, and downright sexy! Zoey and Doug were meant to be together from the get go! The chemistry between them was smoldering! So hot, I thought my eyes were going to catch fire!!!
Overall: Loved Loved Loved Loved Loved This! I really enjoyed Going Too Far but Forget You was 100x better!!!! This book is definitely one you should read this year! I usually do not reread books but this is one I will be rereading!
Cover: This is one of the most amazing covers ever. It is beautiful! The girl is pretty and the guy is super hot! Even his eyelashes!
This story goes from there as she tries to figure out what happen and why is Doug all of a sudden looking so delicious to her! There is sarcasm, wit, and a certain sweetness about this book. I don't want to give away the whole story because this book is so good and you have to read it yourself but I want to point out my favorite parts!!!! First off, there was one scene where Doug and Zoey were in the bus and Doug has his head on Zoey's lap. There was nowhere else to sit and Doug had to elevate his leg and she didn't want to sit on the nasty floor. This was so romanctic, its like Echols got right into my head and took out my favorite romantic scene that I've wanted to see in a book forever!!!! The whole thing was beautiful, even the way her eyes traced down his belly button!!!!! Oh yeah! My other favorite scene was where Doug and Zoey were in the back of the police car and she was against him. When he said, "You Know I've Been Awake" I laughed so hard I thought I was going to cry! When you read Forget You, you'll understand exactly what I mean.
Lets just put it this way, Jennifer Echols has a way with words. Forget You was beautiful, intelligent, and downright sexy! Zoey and Doug were meant to be together from the get go! The chemistry between them was smoldering! So hot, I thought my eyes were going to catch fire!!!
Overall: Loved Loved Loved Loved Loved This! I really enjoyed Going Too Far but Forget You was 100x better!!!! This book is definitely one you should read this year! I usually do not reread books but this is one I will be rereading!
Cover: This is one of the most amazing covers ever. It is beautiful! The girl is pretty and the guy is super hot! Even his eyelashes!
March 20, 2015
Jennifer Echols never let's me down when I need a quick, satisfying read.
There's the 'bad' (more like misunderstood) boy in the form of Doug who's caught up in the current of the good girl, Zoey. Not that she can convincingly convince the reader that she isn't swept up by him equally as much.
But Echols is never one to skimp on substance, grounding this stereotypical YA trope by giving her characters rich back stories. She speaks of teen issues unabashedly.
Zoey is a raging storm struggling to maintain a facade of control over her life. She is the captain of the swim team, so used to maintaining structure when it comes to her position, but not quite managing to do it for her own life. Her father has as good as abandoned her, and her mother has launched into a downward spiral which she blames on herself.
Add Doug to this all. He is a storm in his own right. A tempest that no one has been able to understand since he was sent to juvie in the 9th grade. One that rattles her and excites her all at the same.
Again, and again, they're drawn to each other. Forced together by one shared night which only one of them can remember.
And it's delicious. The tension. The secrets. The wild rainstorms that soundtrack all their anger and attraction. Phew, it was hot.
My one gripe comes from one scene in the second half of the novel. I won't give it away, but it's when we see Zoey's controlling nature tip towards manipulative. And I just no Zoey. Up until that point it was a 5 star read, but that scene made my stomach turn.
Regardless, it's well worth a read.
There's the 'bad' (more like misunderstood) boy in the form of Doug who's caught up in the current of the good girl, Zoey. Not that she can convincingly convince the reader that she isn't swept up by him equally as much.
But Echols is never one to skimp on substance, grounding this stereotypical YA trope by giving her characters rich back stories. She speaks of teen issues unabashedly.
Zoey is a raging storm struggling to maintain a facade of control over her life. She is the captain of the swim team, so used to maintaining structure when it comes to her position, but not quite managing to do it for her own life. Her father has as good as abandoned her, and her mother has launched into a downward spiral which she blames on herself.
Add Doug to this all. He is a storm in his own right. A tempest that no one has been able to understand since he was sent to juvie in the 9th grade. One that rattles her and excites her all at the same.
Again, and again, they're drawn to each other. Forced together by one shared night which only one of them can remember.
And it's delicious. The tension. The secrets. The wild rainstorms that soundtrack all their anger and attraction. Phew, it was hot.
My one gripe comes from one scene in the second half of the novel. I won't give it away, but it's when we see Zoey's controlling nature tip towards manipulative. And I just no Zoey. Up until that point it was a 5 star read, but that scene made my stomach turn.
Regardless, it's well worth a read.
August 13, 2010
(3.5stars)
Forget you was a good book, but there was a lot of character traits I didn't care for in this one.
The father, for one, was an ass and while I sympathize with Zoey's situation, she bothered me, a lot. I know she's young but she's also very naive and dense.
Doug on the other hand was a good role. I liked his wit and charm and I have to admit he had some good chemistry with Zoey.
The concept was cool and the writing is as always fantastic, but I just didn't love this one as much as Echols other books.
Forget you was a good book, but there was a lot of character traits I didn't care for in this one.
The father, for one, was an ass and while I sympathize with Zoey's situation, she bothered me, a lot. I know she's young but she's also very naive and dense.
Doug on the other hand was a good role. I liked his wit and charm and I have to admit he had some good chemistry with Zoey.
The concept was cool and the writing is as always fantastic, but I just didn't love this one as much as Echols other books.
January 16, 2018
So good so bad.
July 11, 2017
I loved this book! I'm officially a Jennifer Echols fan-girl!
Zoey is a senior in high school on the swim team. Her father owns a water-park called Slide with Clyde(Zoey's father) where she works every summer with her swim teammates. This is where she first hears that her father has impregnated his twenty-four year old girlfriend, Ashley a water park employee. Zoey and her mother move out of their house on the beach to an apartment. Ashley and her father will now be living at the house. Zoey notices her mother becoming more and more depressed and finally she walks in to find that her mother has overdosed. Zoey was in time to save her and she gets taken to the emergency room where they decide to commit her to the "looney bin" as her father so tactfully puts it.
As a witness to all this, in the emergency room is handsome bad-boy Doug Fox, a swim teammate and hater on Zoey. His older brother was one of the police responders to the 911 call on Zoey's mother and Doug is bringing him food. Zoey's father threatens her not to tell anyone about her mother, she could ruin her mother's career, but more than that he doesn't want the embarrassment of other people knowing. Zoey is terrified that Doug will spread this news around to embarrass her but surprisingly he tells no one.
That same night Zoey decides to go to a beach party, she doesn't just want to go home and be alone with her thoughts. There she decides is as good a time as any to lose her virginity to her friend Brandon, football player at her school.
One night, after a football game, Zoey gets into a car crash and can't remember anything from the night before. Just being at the game and getting into a fight with Doug. She remembers Doug pulling her from the car and cradling her after the accident but nothing else. All of a sudden Doug acts like something has happened between them and her boyfriend Brandon starts avoiding her.
Jennifer Echols does such a great job building up relationships and tension! I loved, loved, loved this book! You really fall in love with her flawed characters. Zoey is reeling from all her family drama and probably from growing up with such a self-absorbed father (what a jerk!) You feel like she's trying so hard to keep it together, yet she makes a few pretty stupid choices. I couldn't believe she took so long to really wake up to Brandon after he spent the summer confiding in her about all his girlfriends. I also loved Doug *sigh*, he had his own problems but was so caring about Zoey.
There was a lot of humor, even dealing with some heavy issues and a lot of swoon worthy romance! An amazing book!
Zoey is a senior in high school on the swim team. Her father owns a water-park called Slide with Clyde(Zoey's father) where she works every summer with her swim teammates. This is where she first hears that her father has impregnated his twenty-four year old girlfriend, Ashley a water park employee. Zoey and her mother move out of their house on the beach to an apartment. Ashley and her father will now be living at the house. Zoey notices her mother becoming more and more depressed and finally she walks in to find that her mother has overdosed. Zoey was in time to save her and she gets taken to the emergency room where they decide to commit her to the "looney bin" as her father so tactfully puts it.
As a witness to all this, in the emergency room is handsome bad-boy Doug Fox, a swim teammate and hater on Zoey. His older brother was one of the police responders to the 911 call on Zoey's mother and Doug is bringing him food. Zoey's father threatens her not to tell anyone about her mother, she could ruin her mother's career, but more than that he doesn't want the embarrassment of other people knowing. Zoey is terrified that Doug will spread this news around to embarrass her but surprisingly he tells no one.
That same night Zoey decides to go to a beach party, she doesn't just want to go home and be alone with her thoughts. There she decides is as good a time as any to lose her virginity to her friend Brandon, football player at her school.
One night, after a football game, Zoey gets into a car crash and can't remember anything from the night before. Just being at the game and getting into a fight with Doug. She remembers Doug pulling her from the car and cradling her after the accident but nothing else. All of a sudden Doug acts like something has happened between them and her boyfriend Brandon starts avoiding her.
Jennifer Echols does such a great job building up relationships and tension! I loved, loved, loved this book! You really fall in love with her flawed characters. Zoey is reeling from all her family drama and probably from growing up with such a self-absorbed father (what a jerk!) You feel like she's trying so hard to keep it together, yet she makes a few pretty stupid choices. I couldn't believe she took so long to really wake up to Brandon after he spent the summer confiding in her about all his girlfriends. I also loved Doug *sigh*, he had his own problems but was so caring about Zoey.
There was a lot of humor, even dealing with some heavy issues and a lot of swoon worthy romance! An amazing book!
May 19, 2010
Life changes for Zoey when her Dad has an affair with his 24 year old assistant and gets her pregnant. Since most of her friends from school work for her Dad's business everyone knows what has happened but it is something that Zoey would much rather have kept quiet. When her Mum attempts to commit suicide Zoey is forced to move in with her Dad and his new fiance. Worried about her Mum and the stress of trying to keep what happened a secret changes Zoey and makes her act in ways she never would have imagined.
When she has a car accident and looses her memory of a whole night she is determined to piece together what happened by herself - too embarrassed to confess that she can't remember. She had planned to go parking with her boyfriend Brandon but doesn't understand why he suddenly seems to be avoiding her. Then there is Doug, who usually spends his time teasing her at school but is now acting almost like she's his girlfriend. What could have happened that night? And how is Zoey going to find out without letting everyone know that she can't remember?
This is the first book I've read by Jennifer Echols but it definitely won't be the last. I was really impressed with Forget You and it is one of my favorite young adult romances. Although Zoey is a smart student she makes some stupid choices over the course of the book, however, I think with everything that was going on in her life at the time this is actually quite understandable. I'm sure she's not the first teenager who does something that they later regret in the heat of the moment. I actually liked this about her as it made her seem a more realistic character.
I absolutely loved Doug - I wish I'd known a boy like him when I was Zoey's age. He comes across as your typical bad boy but in the end you discover there is so much more to him than that & it doesn't hurt that he is also incredibly sexy. The chemistry between Doug & Zoey was great - I thought it was surprisingly steamy for a young adult book (but then I've not read a huge amount of YA contemporary romance to compare this to) but found it very enjoyable. I have to mention that I could not stand Zoey's Dad - I really wanted to punch him several times throughout the story and if I had to pick one thing I didn't like about the story overall it would be that I'd have liked to see him get some of his own medicine! That is a minor complaint though & if you're a fan of young adult romance I'd definitely recommend this book to you and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
When she has a car accident and looses her memory of a whole night she is determined to piece together what happened by herself - too embarrassed to confess that she can't remember. She had planned to go parking with her boyfriend Brandon but doesn't understand why he suddenly seems to be avoiding her. Then there is Doug, who usually spends his time teasing her at school but is now acting almost like she's his girlfriend. What could have happened that night? And how is Zoey going to find out without letting everyone know that she can't remember?
This is the first book I've read by Jennifer Echols but it definitely won't be the last. I was really impressed with Forget You and it is one of my favorite young adult romances. Although Zoey is a smart student she makes some stupid choices over the course of the book, however, I think with everything that was going on in her life at the time this is actually quite understandable. I'm sure she's not the first teenager who does something that they later regret in the heat of the moment. I actually liked this about her as it made her seem a more realistic character.
I absolutely loved Doug - I wish I'd known a boy like him when I was Zoey's age. He comes across as your typical bad boy but in the end you discover there is so much more to him than that & it doesn't hurt that he is also incredibly sexy. The chemistry between Doug & Zoey was great - I thought it was surprisingly steamy for a young adult book (but then I've not read a huge amount of YA contemporary romance to compare this to) but found it very enjoyable. I have to mention that I could not stand Zoey's Dad - I really wanted to punch him several times throughout the story and if I had to pick one thing I didn't like about the story overall it would be that I'd have liked to see him get some of his own medicine! That is a minor complaint though & if you're a fan of young adult romance I'd definitely recommend this book to you and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
June 11, 2015
It's my first book of this author and to say the truth I liked her honest writing style. I liked the relationship between Doug and Zoey. It was believable and I could see the chemistry between them. It was so obvious!! I liked how the author approached some major subjects (suicide, bipolar, amnesia and even masturbation). I liked the mistery. It made the book hard to put down.
But (there's always a but) I disliked Zoey's character. Why did she keep obsessing over a relationship that clearly didn't even exist? She knew Brandon. She was his bff. More so she knew how Brandon treated girls. What did she thought?
BTW Brandon is a total dick!!
Most of the book I didn't see the depth of Zoey's character. She was a bit shallow (as a character) and confused me a lot with her actions.
Also, Zoey's dad. He came throughout all a book as a heartless dad. He was a total jerk! And we saw only this part of him when the author, through Zoey mentioned that he hadn't always been like this. When Zoey was a child, he played with her and loved her. Despite all, he couldn't have changed so radically that now he saw Zoey only as a noizy and bothersome bug!!! He was his daughter for God's sake and apparently he had a heart when she was little!! His love for her couldn't have vanished in thin air like the love he had for his wife because in spite of everything she was his blood!! I know there are worse dads there but this wasn't exactly the case!!
On the other hand, Doug was a very well-thought character!! It was the most realistic and the best character there. (even though he made some mistakes!)
Anyway, I know many have loved this book so it's probably me the problem! Or maybe it is the book? Me or the book?
Anyway (Really Zaira, you have to use two "anyways"? Such a poor vocabulary!! The other me: Shut up, self!!)
Where was I? Ahhh, yes! I would love to read other books by this author. Maybe ?
But (there's always a but) I disliked Zoey's character. Why did she keep obsessing over a relationship that clearly didn't even exist? She knew Brandon. She was his bff. More so she knew how Brandon treated girls. What did she thought?
BTW Brandon is a total dick!!
Most of the book I didn't see the depth of Zoey's character. She was a bit shallow (as a character) and confused me a lot with her actions.
Also, Zoey's dad. He came throughout all a book as a heartless dad. He was a total jerk! And we saw only this part of him when the author, through Zoey mentioned that he hadn't always been like this. When Zoey was a child, he played with her and loved her. Despite all, he couldn't have changed so radically that now he saw Zoey only as a noizy and bothersome bug!!! He was his daughter for God's sake and apparently he had a heart when she was little!! His love for her couldn't have vanished in thin air like the love he had for his wife because in spite of everything she was his blood!! I know there are worse dads there but this wasn't exactly the case!!
On the other hand, Doug was a very well-thought character!! It was the most realistic and the best character there. (even though he made some mistakes!)
Anyway, I know many have loved this book so it's probably me the problem! Or maybe it is the book? Me or the book?
Anyway (Really Zaira, you have to use two "anyways"? Such a poor vocabulary!! The other me: Shut up, self!!)
Where was I? Ahhh, yes! I would love to read other books by this author. Maybe ?
November 23, 2013
I recommend .
HOTNESS PERSONIFIED!
That’s how Echols described Brandon and it seemed fitting that i describe her book in the same manner. :)
Gosh, i am definitely having fangirl moments in this review. I’ve got dibs on Doug Fox!
Zoey (she looked like Uma Thurman) reminded me of Brittany from Perfect Chemistry (they wanted to preserve their perfect-girl-daughter act), but i have to say the latter has more steel in her character than the former. I have nothing against Zoey (except maybe she doesn’t deserve Doug, lol), it just that her refusal to end her relationship with Brandon so she can be with Doug is idiotic considering she and Brandon just hooked up! But i do love her cussing after the accident � it was funny!
Doug Doug Doug How about you park with me, instead? *wink* I do like bad boys, more so if they admit their mistakes and make up for it. They are explanations, not excuses � he says, and i agree with him. His family issues are real enough and i like that the author didn’t delve too much on the drama of it. Doug, you are one swoon-worthy guy!
I hate Zoey’s dad. really, really hate him. Zoey should’ve crashed his benz when she had it.
The backseat scenes are hot and steamy! The author knows how to keep me going and panting after Doug. *huffs*
The story is simple but the characters are not and that makes the story interesting. Forget You is a quick read for me, and boy, did i ever read it again minutes just after finishing it. It was good!
"I don't think we should spend any more time together unless i have a chance with you."
HOTNESS PERSONIFIED!
That’s how Echols described Brandon and it seemed fitting that i describe her book in the same manner. :)
Gosh, i am definitely having fangirl moments in this review. I’ve got dibs on Doug Fox!
Zoey (she looked like Uma Thurman) reminded me of Brittany from Perfect Chemistry (they wanted to preserve their perfect-girl-daughter act), but i have to say the latter has more steel in her character than the former. I have nothing against Zoey (except maybe she doesn’t deserve Doug, lol), it just that her refusal to end her relationship with Brandon so she can be with Doug is idiotic considering she and Brandon just hooked up! But i do love her cussing after the accident � it was funny!
Doug Doug Doug How about you park with me, instead? *wink* I do like bad boys, more so if they admit their mistakes and make up for it. They are explanations, not excuses � he says, and i agree with him. His family issues are real enough and i like that the author didn’t delve too much on the drama of it. Doug, you are one swoon-worthy guy!
I hate Zoey’s dad. really, really hate him. Zoey should’ve crashed his benz when she had it.
The backseat scenes are hot and steamy! The author knows how to keep me going and panting after Doug. *huffs*
The story is simple but the characters are not and that makes the story interesting. Forget You is a quick read for me, and boy, did i ever read it again minutes just after finishing it. It was good!
"Or that I couldn’t stand to watch anything bad happen to you, because it was like it was happening to me too.Is that love?”His hand clasped my hand again and squeezed.
I swallowed. “It could be."
July 23, 2010
***BEWARE: OVER-DRAMATIC DIATRIBE TO FOLLOW***
I'm easy to please... some would say, I'm an easy reviewer and rater of books. I would have to agree. I may give out five and four stars to just about anything. Mostly. But, I don't give one stars out lightly though. I like what I like... without guilt or shame.
What I loath most in books is horrendous writing and pointless story lines. Or, dull-witted female character types. Zoey the main character in this book was annoyingly moronic. She was blind and one-dimensional, actually that describes most of the characters, except Doug (he reminded me of Brandon Lee, so he gets exempt).
Besides the unfavorable Zoey, the writing was beyond bad. Was an editor even present during the reviewing of this book, or did that process get skipped and it was straight to the printing press. I'm thinking the latter. There was too much repetitive detailing and word phrasing. I hate to sound over redundant myself, but hasn't anyone ever heard of a Thesaurus. Seriously. Plus, the story had no direction and it seemed fragmented.
I really liked Jennifer Echols', Going Too Far, but now I'm wondering if I was delusional at the time. I'm thinking of rereading it, so I would know whether I was sane at the time of reading it, or if this book was a weird fluke from the author.
At any rate, I think that about sums up my rant... sorry.
I'm easy to please... some would say, I'm an easy reviewer and rater of books. I would have to agree. I may give out five and four stars to just about anything. Mostly. But, I don't give one stars out lightly though. I like what I like... without guilt or shame.
What I loath most in books is horrendous writing and pointless story lines. Or, dull-witted female character types. Zoey the main character in this book was annoyingly moronic. She was blind and one-dimensional, actually that describes most of the characters, except Doug (he reminded me of Brandon Lee, so he gets exempt).
Besides the unfavorable Zoey, the writing was beyond bad. Was an editor even present during the reviewing of this book, or did that process get skipped and it was straight to the printing press. I'm thinking the latter. There was too much repetitive detailing and word phrasing. I hate to sound over redundant myself, but hasn't anyone ever heard of a Thesaurus. Seriously. Plus, the story had no direction and it seemed fragmented.
I really liked Jennifer Echols', Going Too Far, but now I'm wondering if I was delusional at the time. I'm thinking of rereading it, so I would know whether I was sane at the time of reading it, or if this book was a weird fluke from the author.
At any rate, I think that about sums up my rant... sorry.
February 21, 2015
Beautiful writing, history, cover, characters and excellent book.
Zoe was sometimes really stupid, by the decision she made, like the one of the second chapter for EX! I meaaaaaan! Why????? It suppose that it has to be special *crying face*
But that was all, the i love the rest of the book.
Zoe was sometimes really stupid, by the decision she made, like the one of the second chapter for EX! I meaaaaaan! Why????? It suppose that it has to be special *crying face*
But that was all, the i love the rest of the book.
February 17, 2011
What really bugged me was the line I HAVE A BOYFRIEND. Grrr... Other than that this book was one of my favorite young-adult romances.
July 29, 2010
Zoey’s dad just got his twenty-four-year old girlfriend pregnant.
Her mom was admitted to the psych-ward.
She just lost her virginity to a friend / playboy the same night her mom tried to kill herself.
She gets in a car crash trying to avoid a deer during a rainstorm.
Zoey gets amnesia and forgets everything that happened that night.
Forget You has the skeletal structure of the book in perfection yet the muscle and tissues are missing. Forget You lacked what I found incredible in Going Too Far: the emotional impact and self-awareness. Forget You grazed those two issues that made it an “OK� read from being an “amazing� read. I’ve heard the good and the bad of Forget You. It’s spectacular! It’s raw! It’s so obnoxious and annoying that I cannot simply get past 50 pages! It’s not any of those things in my view.
I am mostly disappointed in the relationship between Doug and Zoey. There was some background clarity that Zoey and Doug has some past history (heck they almost went to Homecoming together), but I felt that the point leading up to the inevitable confession was hard to swallow. Keeping the actual time frame in mind rather than going by the length of the book (like instead of saying they had so-and-so pages to progress, I went by they had this many hours from the confession) I found it to be slightly unbelievable to warrant the “L� word.
Okay so keeping the timeframe in mind (after the accident, beginning of the book) it would make sense. There were some deep connections and lots of baggage to be laid on the table and definitely enough sweetness and tenderness (though things got raunchy).
The layout of Forget You was slow in my view. The plot went round and round that seemed to be missing a definite direction. I was a bit peeved as to why no one would utter a word especially from the close friends (whom I would assume would at least try to comfort Zoey). (I am still confused about Mike and Lila, but mostly Mike in general.)
The build-up with Forget You was well done (though the ending was a small let-down) and the hints were appropriate for a dramatic / romantic fiction novel than say it would be for a thriller / mystery novel. On a surface level Forget You was an impressive read with external and internal conflicts, a hot half-Japanese guy, and a great idea for a novel. On a deeper level there were some chips and cracks.
Her mom was admitted to the psych-ward.
She just lost her virginity to a friend / playboy the same night her mom tried to kill herself.
She gets in a car crash trying to avoid a deer during a rainstorm.
Zoey gets amnesia and forgets everything that happened that night.
Forget You has the skeletal structure of the book in perfection yet the muscle and tissues are missing. Forget You lacked what I found incredible in Going Too Far: the emotional impact and self-awareness. Forget You grazed those two issues that made it an “OK� read from being an “amazing� read. I’ve heard the good and the bad of Forget You. It’s spectacular! It’s raw! It’s so obnoxious and annoying that I cannot simply get past 50 pages! It’s not any of those things in my view.
I am mostly disappointed in the relationship between Doug and Zoey. There was some background clarity that Zoey and Doug has some past history (heck they almost went to Homecoming together), but I felt that the point leading up to the inevitable confession was hard to swallow. Keeping the actual time frame in mind rather than going by the length of the book (like instead of saying they had so-and-so pages to progress, I went by they had this many hours from the confession) I found it to be slightly unbelievable to warrant the “L� word.
Okay so keeping the timeframe in mind (after the accident, beginning of the book) it would make sense. There were some deep connections and lots of baggage to be laid on the table and definitely enough sweetness and tenderness (though things got raunchy).
The layout of Forget You was slow in my view. The plot went round and round that seemed to be missing a definite direction. I was a bit peeved as to why no one would utter a word especially from the close friends (whom I would assume would at least try to comfort Zoey). (I am still confused about Mike and Lila, but mostly Mike in general.)
The build-up with Forget You was well done (though the ending was a small let-down) and the hints were appropriate for a dramatic / romantic fiction novel than say it would be for a thriller / mystery novel. On a surface level Forget You was an impressive read with external and internal conflicts, a hot half-Japanese guy, and a great idea for a novel. On a deeper level there were some chips and cracks.
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