Forgotten

A Novel

By: Catherine McKenzie

Narrated by: Kristi Burns

If your old life vanished completely, should you try to get it back or create a whole new one? That's the intriguing question at the heart of Catherine McKenzie's Forgotten.

The smart, funny, and provocative story of a woman who returns home after being stranded for months in Africa by an earthquake, only to find that everyone in her life believed she was dead and moved on, Forgotten is captivating and thought-provoking contemporary women's fiction from the author of Arranged and Spin - a fresh and witty tale that will not be soon forgotten.

©2012 Catherine McKenzie (P)2016 Catherine McKenzie

Critic reviews

"For fans of The Good Wife, Catherine McKenzie's Forgotten is a pure, page-turning pleasure." (Gwendolen Gross, author of The Orphan Sister)

"By turns hilarious and heart-tugging.... A thoroughly enjoyable read!" (Juliette Fay, author of Deep Down True)

Great premise for a story

I would class this as women's fiction. The audiobook was based on a very interesting concept. Emma, the heroine went on a trip to Africa and because of a natural disaster, everyone presumes she's dead. When she returns to pick her life back up, she can't. I thoroughly enjoyed the intrigue in the early parts of the book but equally liked reading life beginning to return to some normality. The relationships in this book are hugely complex and betrayal is on the menu from multiple angles.

Emma herself was both an empowered character and wishy washy at times. However, I think her experiences earned her the chance to be weak in certain situations. Dominic was at first a bit of a hero in my eyes but later he annoyed me. Craig left me frustrated.

This is my first book by Catherine Mckenzie but I will be reading more by her.

This was a well narrated story with emotions captured well and a pleasing voice that seemed to fit the character.

The author provided a copy of this audiobook in return for an honest review.

Reviewed for Jo&IsaLoveBooks Blog.

Interesting story, although somewhat predictable.

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Yes. Narrator was great. I enjoyed the story, although I didn't love it. It kept my attention and the characters were interesting.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

It was somewhat predictable... maybe add a little more conflict somehow.

What about Kristi Burns’s performance did you like?

She was great! Tone, narration, enthusiasm... she made the characters come to life.

Do you think Forgotten needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

I would be interested to see what happens to the characters, especially Emma as she truly settles back into her "new" life.

Loved it!

Upon the death of her mother, Emma Tupper goes on a trip to Africa that was supposed to last one month. She gets sick shortly after her arrival followed by a major earthquake. It is six months before she makes it back home and is presumed dead. The law firm where she was expecting to make partner has moved her arch enemy into her office. Her boyfriend has now hooked up with said enemy. The apartment where she lived has been rented out to someone else. Her best friend has gone to Africa to look for her.
In a nutshell, the life she had is gone.
Kristi Burns does a fantastic job with the narration. She just tells the story. No over the top drama, no larger than life characters. She let's the listener feel the despair.

I was gifted a copy of this book for an honest review. I highly recommend it.

Chick-lit at its Best.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Definitely, this book is well-written with interesting characters and an original plot.

What did you like best about this story?

It tackles the problem of what makes your life worth living in an original way. In the story, Emma sorts through influences of society, her mother, and the imprint her father's abandonment left on her and finds herself.

Which scene was your favorite?

That is a hard choice. There are lots of good scenes, but I think my favorite is when Emma comes home from Africa on a wintry cold day to find her apartment has been leased to a total stranger. Her pictures and many of her belongings are gone. Her bank account has been frozen. She has no money. The brilliance of this book is that this scene is funny and poignant. It is touching, but not heavy. It is funny first, and then thought provoking. Great book.

Who was the most memorable character of Forgotten and why?

All of the characters are well-written, but Emma is my favorite. She is an ambitious lawyer who likes a challenge. She went to law school to learn to argue so well that she would never again lose an argument. Yet, she takes a month off to go to Africa to fulfill the dying request of her mother. Very likable character.

Any additional comments?

This is for an adult audience. Some steamy sex scenes. Great book. I received this book free in exchange for an honest review.

Lost

I did not like Emma.
I’m having a hard time with Catherine ‘s book. Stories are pretty good but the characters unlikable. The female characters are all shallow and foolish.
Emma is book smart but street stupid.
She really is not that into Craig. She can’t figure out that after six months people are not sitting waiting for her and would think the worst happened to her. I guess at an older age all the anguish this woman feels like well past and can’t relate too. I can’t relate to any of this girl’s issues except falling sick and being in a natural disaster.