REVIEW: Forget Me Not - By: Allison Whitemore

RATING: 4/5

GENRE: Historical Fiction

SYNOPSIS...

Theodora “Teddi” Donovan and Calvin Wynne have always hated each other. They didn't have a choice after Teddi's bootlegger father killed Calvin's and left them both orphaned. The scandal has fueled gossip in quiet, quaint Brookhurst, New York, for over a decade. When a friendship develops between them as teenagers, they are ridiculed and shunned by the strict society that dictates life in their town. As they grow older, friendship turns into love, and Teddi and Calvin have to choose between their future and the scepter of their past. Spanning continents and decades, Forget Me Not is a coming-of-age story about truth, self-reliance, and the freeing power of love. 

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Review 

Allison Whitmore, you have officially "carved" a piece of yourself into my heart (you'll understand the pun once you read the book). I was most definitely not a fan of historical fiction before her, but that has changed as now this book is on my shelf of favorites! Always a good thing to expand your likes, and she has done just that for me with Forget Me Not. before you think "if it is your favorite, why haven't you given it 5/5?" It is because I am not the biggest fan of third person point of view, but do not let that stop you from reading this gem! Aside from that, this book is tear jerking, heart clenching, and gasp grabbing. 

It is physically impossible to review this book without spoiling anything because even the little spoilers are such big events in the book, so I will try my best to work around them;

Lets start with Teddi (Theodora); I find myself so much like this rebellious one, grew up a certain way, with all these expectations and eyes on her, but yet her skin itches for a life, for a love, that is unfamiliar to the dreams her grandparents have for her. And because of the strong skin and drive that she has, she is able to shift all of these expectations, to breathe in a way that she wants to, Defying the odds that are her grandmother. And I find myself wanting to jump in the book and defend her every chance that I can. And then there is Calvin....Scratch the words I said in the begining of this review, because I am not completely positive it was Allison who captured me, more as her Character Calvin. And here is where I find it difficult to put the words together without ruining anything, but Calvin will crumble your heart together..and then iron it until its perfect again at the same time. His wit, his charm, his way of handling everything thrown at him, makes me want to take his hand and run away to new york with him, (again, you'll understand when you read) your heart will break for him and beat for him. And i'm still trying to accept that he isn't a real person. I think their story might be one of my favorites because of all of the history they fight through to be together, I was rooting for them the whole time despite it all. Grandmother and grandfather, I'll just say two things; grandmother is like the wicked witch you feel bad for , and grandfather is like the land of milk and cookies that you never want to part from. 

Allison has a way of taking you through history on a ferry boat of love, life, family scandal, and tragedy. And as you read through everything you genuinely feel the passion in between all of the words because it isn't just some made up fantasy, yes the story is fiction, but it includes a lot unfortunate truth. The characters are so realistic, and the events will have you anxious to turn the page. I read this book on the plane to seattle and gasped so much the person next to me asked me if I was okay! One minute you think its just a love story but as the book transitions you'll come to find out it is so much more than that. And I very much recommend you find out what I mean by that for yourself.

"Carve your own destiny"

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-  ABOUT THE AUTHOR - 

Allison Whitmore was born in Los Angeles and studied literature and writing at Long Island University. She spent several years teaching English and history after earning her master's degree. She now devotes her time to writing and coaching beginning writers in fiction and editing screenplays, her second passion.
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