The next “masterful” (Publishers Weekly) novel from “the gifted Jessica Strawser” (Adriana Trigiani), hailed as “immensely satisfying” (Kathleen Barber) and “that book you can’t put down” (Sally Hepworth). A video call between friends captures a shocking incident no one was supposed to see. The secrets it exposes threaten to change their lives forever. Molly and Liza have always been enviably …
Molly and Liza have always been enviably close. Even after Molly married Daniel, the couple considered Liza an honorary family member. But after Liza moved away, things grew more strained than anyone wanted to admit–in the friendship and the marriage.
When Daniel goes away on business, Molly and Liza plan to reconnect with a nice long video chat after the kids are in bed. But then Molly leaves the room to check on a crying child.
What Liza sees next will change everything.
Only one thing is certain: Molly needs her. Liza drives all night to be at Molly’s side–but when she arrives, the reception is icy, leaving Liza baffled and hurt. She knows there’s no denying what she saw.
Or is there?
In disbelief that their friendship could really be over, Liza is unaware she’s about to have a near miss of her own.
And Molly, refusing to deal with what’s happened, won’t turn to Daniel, either.
But none of them can go on pretending. Not after this.
Forget You Know Me is a “twisty, emotionally complex, powder keg of a tale” (bestselling author Emily Carpenter) about the wounds of people who’ve grown apart. Best friends, separated by miles. Spouses, hardened by neglect. A mother, isolated by pain.
One moment will change things for them all.
“[A] great hybrid of women’s fiction and suspense…strong character development and unpredictable plot.” – Library Journal
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Strawser is at the top of her game with Forget You Know Me. A gripping, moving novel that should be at the top of everyone’s to read list!
Each character has something they hide from another character and actually from themselves.
We first meet Liza and Molly the night of their long overdue Skype chat that was to bring them close again, but the chat turned everything sour.
Another question is what was going on between Molly and her husband that she couldn’t tell him or even call him about the scary incident that Liza had seen?
An answer might be that there were a lot of things happening in Molly and Daniel’s life that were not being addressed, and it had nothing to do with what happened in the Skype chat.
The tension mounted as we learn more about what was going on with everyone and how cunning and sneaky some of the characters were.
If you enjoy personal drama, seeing how any type of relationship can fall apart, characters that are somewhat believable, secrets, and a story line that will have you thinking about the situations and choices the characters made long after you turn the last page, then FORGET YOU KNOW ME will be a book you won’t want to miss.
I do have to say that the book dragged on a bit too long, but it didn’t affect the read. I still enjoyed the book and the revelations at the end. 4/5
This book was given to me as an ARC by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Don’t start this book with the belief that it’s a psychological suspense novel. It’s more of a novel of friendship, marriage and love. That doesn’t make it any less of a fantastic book with some very interesting situations.
Liza and Molly have been friends their entire lives. The friendship has diminished since Liza has moved to Chicago and Molly still lives in Indiana with her husband and two children in what appears to be a very unhappy marriage. They decide to Skype one evening while Molly’s husband is out of town. When Molly goes to check on one of her children, Liza sees a masked man come in Molly’s back door and panics. Only one thing is certain: Molly needs her. Liza drives all night to be at Molly’s side—but when she arrives, the reception is icy, leaving Liza baffled and hurt. She knows there’s no denying what she saw. Only one thing is certain: Molly needs her. Liza drives all night to be at Molly’s side—but when she arrives, the reception is icy, leaving Liza baffled and hurt. She knows there’s no denying what she saw. This event makes them both realize that their friendship is basically over even though they miss each other. Will they be able to connect as friends again or is their childhood friendship over?
This was an intriguing look at long term friends and their attempt to remain friends despite major changes in their lives. I especially liked Liza and the way that she looked at her life. Molly was a bit more difficult to connect with because she and her life were such a mess. Overall, it was an enjoyable look at friendship and love.
Thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own.
A catch-up video call between two old friends ends in horrifying fashion as one friend—in Chicago—sees what appears to be a masked intruder invading her friend’s home in Cincinnati before the screen goes blank. An engrossing study in domestic suspense, with well-drawn characters and many twists and turns.
This book has great characters, masterful writing, and a compelling story. Another winner from an outstanding writer.
A very enjoyable read that really kept me coming back to it. I had to figure out who did what and I was pleasantly surprised by how everything turned out. Not only was this a bit suspenseful, but it was also just a great read about women friends who both feel as if their once very strong friendship has gone off course. A terrific beach read or anytime read. Strongly recommend.
Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for an ARC in return for my honest review.
I enjoyed this book from start to finish. I don’t understand why some people call this a thriller when it’s marked as a Women’s fiction book on NetGalley. It’s the kind of story that will keep you wanting to know why things happened. What caused it and who this person really is. At least to me it did.
I recommend this book to anyone that likes a kind of edge of your seat, women’s fiction book. It will keep you turning pages to find out what or who did what. It’s kind of a pull at the heartstrings in places too. I felt bad for Molly and Daniel. They seem to have lots of love but somewhere they have drifted. Molly is in chronic pain and Daniel is frustrated because he can’t seem to make things ok. Or he can’t relate maybe. Liza is Molly’s best friend and they have something that has driven a wedge between them. I felt for Liza so much. Returning back home. Dealing with things that are beyond her control?? All three lives have complications.
It’s a very good book. I enjoyed it very much. It’s one I just might read again.
I gave it a 4.5 star rating.
Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for the ARC.
Best friends. Friends who would do anything for each other, who have been there for each other for years. And then slowly they drift apart. Until one night when these friends need each other more than they ever have. But it just might be too late.
Secrets. Secrets from your best friend, secrets from your spouse. All those secrets. And with secrets, comes danger.
Forget You Know Me hooked me from the very first chapter as I tried to wrap my head around the cause of the estrangement of these two best friends and what all of the secrecy was about. This was definitely a page-turner for me as I watched Molly and Liza struggle with their friendship and their complicated lives. This is a story that had me thinking about it long after I closed the pages of the book. Jessica Strawser was a new-to-me author and but she has now become one of my must-read authors
Best friends since childhood, Liza and Molly have grown apart. I enjoyed seeing these two try to reconnect, to rebuild, and to find their new friendship. Neither of them were willing to give up their friendship but both had obstacles to overcome before they can do that. I struggled with how not nice they were to each other once their video chat was broken up. Molly blew Liza off after her driving all night to check on her, Liza moves to town and doesn’t even tell Molly that she is back, and then went Daniel forces them to be together they are catty and rude to each other. I get that feelings were hurt, things were said, but GROW UP!
I was under the impression that Forget You Know Me was a thriller but it was more a book about friendship and marriages. It is a story about forgiveness, telling the truth, letting go of past issues and moving on with life, and of being honest with yourself. Daniel and Molly’s marriage was in trouble from the first omission by both of them. Liza and Molly’s friendship was in trouble from not letting go of the past.
I enjoyed this book and look forward to those quiet moments when I could escape into Jessica Strawser’s story.
Forget You Know Me is the first book I’ve read by Jessica Strawser and I really enjoyed it, but fair warning – this book is a domestic drama! I would not call this a mystery per say, and definitely not a thriller.
What it’s about: Molly and Liza used to be the best of friends but have grown apart since Liza moved away to Chicago. They decide to catch up on a video chat one night, and Liza sees something disturbing after Molly goes to check on her daughter… She ends up driving through the night to check on Molly, only to receive a not-so-warm welcome and basically gets the door slammed in her face. But Liza is troubled by what she saw, and even though the friendship seems to now quite possibly be over, she still wants to help. There is more going on with Molly than Liza knows, and everything will eventually come to a head in this sizzling domestic drama!
I felt like I read Forget You Know Me really quickly, but when I looked at my stats on the Bookly app, I found out that it actually took me 6.5 hours! I don’t know why it took me so long because I really do think this book is a fast read. Strawser’s writing flows really well, and I was completely invested in the story. Luckily for me, I had not read the synopsis recently and went in blind. I had kind of thought the book would be more of a mystery, but domestic drama is a much better category for this one.
The book made me tear up at the end and I loved how Strawser pulled everything together. She leaves you with a nice ending that is hopeful and sweet.
Final Thought: I really enjoyed Forget You Know Me and I’m pretty surprised by the low average on Goodreads. I think it might have something to do with people thinking this is going to be a mystery, but it really isn’t. I would recommend this to fans of domestic dramas and general adult fiction. I loved Strawser’s writing and I can’t wait to check out more from her!
Jessica Strawser has written a contemporary story that rings true. A vivid portrait of how lives change with time and stress. Throw in a little mystery, some complications and a race to a finish line that moves along very nicely and you have a solid bestseller!
This book has me totally invested in the characters and the suspenseful events that unfolded at a good and steady clip! The suspense was real and taunt making this a great read! You may look over your shoulders a few times, hold your family close and be thankful for friends!
3.5 – 4 Stars
Forget You Know Me is the story of one event in the lives of three people, that threatens each of their respective relationships. Molly and Daniel, married, lead a seemingly stable life until it begins to unravel. Molly and Liza have been best friends since childhood but separation is taking a toll on their friendship. Can they ever get it back?
Tensions rise as each character reacts in the their own way to the book’s pivotal event, while the reactions have a significant impact on the friendship and the marriage.
It is an interesting and intense story. The reader is drawn in by the characters as they bring the reader along, making you feel what the character is feeling.
I enjoyed reading this book. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a mystery. Thank you to #Netgalley and #StMartinsPress for the approving my request. The opinions expressed in this review are solely my own.
I enjoyed Jessica Strawser’s third novel as much as I did her first two. As with the first two, Forget You Know Me focuses on relationships and friendships with a bit of suspense. Strawser combines these elements to create a solid contemporary or women’s fiction novel. I enjoyed the character development and the interactions of the main characters, both with each other and the secondary characters that are in their lives. Liza and Molly are well-developed and multi-faceted characters as is their friendship. Strawser explores the characters and how they have changed as individuals as each has followed their own path in life. She also delves into how their individual changes, combined with time and distance, have impacted their friendship.
I have enjoyed following Strawser on her publishing journey and am really excited to see where the next stop takes us.
#BloomReads #TallPoppyWriter
Linda’s Book Obsession Reviews “Forget You Know Me” by Jessica Strasser, St. Martin’s Press, February 5, 2019
Jessica Strawser, Author of “Forget You Know Me” has written an edgy, intense, intriguing, captivating, suspenseful and thrilling novel. The Genres for this novel are Mystery, Suspense, and Fiction. The story takes place in the present and goes back to the past when it pertains to the events or characters in the story. The author describes her unique and dramatic characters as complex and complicated, and possibly dysfunctional.
Molly and Liza have been good friends forever, but Liza realizes that something has changed between them. As they are having a girl’s night by speaking on the phone,Molly leaves the room for a short while to tend to her child, and Liza sees something quite frightening. Will things ever be the same? Molly has been so different since she and her husband Daniel have had children. Liza fears for Molly’s safety, and calls the police.
Something doesn’t feel right, so Liza and a friend drive for hours to get to Molly’s house. Liza finds herself unwelcome by Molly. What is going on? Liza heads home and finds there is another tragedy. There are twists and turns, and ups and downs. Some of the characters seem very quirky and strange. There are betrayals and deep and dark secrets. There are threats and danger.
I appreciate that Jessica Strawser discusses marital problems, the importance of friendship, communication, emotional support, love and hope. I would highly recommend this novel to those readers who enjoy a thought-provoking novel. I received an ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.
Shocked by something that occurred during a video call between childhood best friends, Molly and Liza, Liza drove all through the night to check on her friend. But, instead of receiving the warm greeting she’d expected, her friend practically slams the door in her face. What is happening? Why is Molly distancing herself from Liza and her husband, Daniel? Could she be hiding something? Will Molly be able to reconcile her relationships before it’s too late? Forget You Know Me provided an inside look at a troubled marriage while also exploring the hows and whys of secrets kept from loved ones.
While reading this book, I found myself only sporadically interested in the story and the characters (and admit that my restless mood could have been at least partly to blame), but in the end, the insightful, honest look at the complexity of relationships — as well as the fabulously dramatic conclusion — definitely made it worth my time! While lightly suspenseful, this was definitely not a thriller as some other readers have classified it. In my opinion, it would be much better listed as Women’s Fiction as the publisher intended.
I’ve had the pleasure of reading advance copies of all of Ms. Strawser’s books and love how the progression and emotional depth of her writing has improved with each one.
Location: Chicago, Illinois and Cincinnati, Ohio
I received an advance copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Forget You Know Me is the story of a marriage that has hit a plateau with a bit of suspense thrown in. There are secrets on both sides of the marriage, secrets that could destroy the relationship. Jessica Strawser has written a page turning novel that kept me up all hours of the night to finish it!
Forget You Know Me is a suspenseful page-turner that keeps the reader engaged. Secrets and lies come to light when a masked intruder makes a chance appearance on the video chat between two best friends. Strawser’s characters really came to life for me! This one is not to be missed!
The suspense in this story is unbelievable! Who is the masked man that Lisa saw coming into her best friend Molly’s home? This is such a good book with an ending you won’t see coming. It explores the complexities of friendship and marriage. It is about lies and deceit. It made me angry at times and sad at others. It is well written with superb characterization. These characters are so believable! It will evoke a wide range of emotions. It will keep you intrigued throughout.I really enjoyed this book. I love when I can’t guess the ending. You will be surprised. Another great read by Jessica Strawser! I recommend this read!
What an intriguing premise! Childhood best friends Liza and Molly decide to catch up over a Skype call and some wine. But when Molly goes upstairs to check on her daughter, Liza sees a masked intruder enter her house. This one incident sets off a chain reaction of intriguing events that kept me guessing.
Guys, this is not a thriller, it is a domestic suspense novel, and as such there is less tension and suspense, and more character development and thoughtful themes. The plot doesn’t veer wildly from one plot point to the next, but you intimately know each of these carefully crafted characters and understand their motivations.
This book is about friendship, honesty and deception. It is emotionally complex and thoughtful. It asks if a debt can ever be paid and if forgiveness can ever entirely be given. With thoughtful themes and well-drawn characters, Forget You Know Me is a lovely book to read over a glass of wine and chat with your girlfriends about.