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Forget Me Never
Did she jump or was she pushed? A compulsively page-turning thriller, with true-to-life protagonists and a gripping denouement. When Sophie's cousin Danielle dies after a fall from her balcony, the police dismiss her death as suicide. She had broken up with her boyfriend and had suffered from depression in the past. Sophie isn't so sure, however, and when she finds a memory stick in a pair of Dani's old jeans, some new photos and information come to light that point to something more sinister. Sophie and her friend Reece investigate further and soon find out that Dani was involved with something very dark and very dangerous. As Sophie and Reece become more and more deeply involved they put themselves in huge danger too, accessing secret data, facing kidnap attempts, and worse. And as they uncover the terrible truth about what really happened to Dani, Sophie and Reece must also face their feelings for each other.
288 pages, Paperback
First published September 27, 2012
6 people are currently reading
130 people want to read
About the author
Gina Blaxill
8 books64 followersGina Blaxill wanted to be an author from a very young age - she started writing properly when she was eight and has not stopped since.
Gina lives in Essex with her family and two imperious cats and edits as well as writes. Prior to that, she worked in schools liaison, helping teenagers puzzle out the mysteries of higher education.
Gina lives in Essex with her family and two imperious cats and edits as well as writes. Prior to that, she worked in schools liaison, helping teenagers puzzle out the mysteries of higher education.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
June 7, 2014
Wow I absolutely loved this book, I certainly be looking out for more by this author.
Sophie visits her cousin Dani with her best friend Reece, one weekend, who lives in Bournemouth. She loves to visit her and has a close relationship with her. However all that is about to change very suddenly. Her cousin Dani is found dead in an apparent suicide that very same weekend. So begins Sophies quest for the truth and the unraveling of a very dark conspiracy.
Dani works for a very big pharmecutical company who were close to manufacturing an innovative new diet drug that actually works.
Realising her cousin, although had suffered with depression, suicide didn't make sense, she had a good job, a few new friends and a nice apartment. Told from both Sophie and her best friend Reece point of view, the books take you a mystery thrilling conspiracy, involving big pharma, many twists and turns along the way.
Who can Sophie trust, was her cousin murdered?
Sophie visits her cousin Dani with her best friend Reece, one weekend, who lives in Bournemouth. She loves to visit her and has a close relationship with her. However all that is about to change very suddenly. Her cousin Dani is found dead in an apparent suicide that very same weekend. So begins Sophies quest for the truth and the unraveling of a very dark conspiracy.
Dani works for a very big pharmecutical company who were close to manufacturing an innovative new diet drug that actually works.
Realising her cousin, although had suffered with depression, suicide didn't make sense, she had a good job, a few new friends and a nice apartment. Told from both Sophie and her best friend Reece point of view, the books take you a mystery thrilling conspiracy, involving big pharma, many twists and turns along the way.
Who can Sophie trust, was her cousin murdered?
July 15, 2014
Review can be found at: www.the-reading-pile.blogspot.co.uk
I cannot explain how happy I was when I found out that Gina was releasing another book! Sure, it wasn't happy it wasn't a sequel to Pretty Twisted ( ;) ) BUT! I was super happy that she was writing another one! And what an amazing concept!
As soon as I read the first chapter over at mykindabook I knew I was going to love this book, and sure enough I did! I really loved the concept of this book, and it was really enjoyable to read.
Unsurprisingly, I found myself talking to myself whilst I was reading this book which my new friends at University probably now think i'm 10 times weirder than they already thought I was... I wasn't talking to myself necessarily due to things that I was annoyed at but I actually found myself trying to help Sophie and Reece whilst reading the book! Who does that? Well, actually probably a lot of people...
I felt really sorry for both Sophie and Reece in this story because they both have some horrible things happen to them... I think Gina just knows how to make me love her with her writing now! It's so easy to read, without being childish. It's got the maturity level to it, without having me baffled at every other word she uses. I just generally (and genuinely) love her writing!
Hoping for another book now! Can't wait to read more by her!
Rating: 5/5
I cannot explain how happy I was when I found out that Gina was releasing another book! Sure, it wasn't happy it wasn't a sequel to Pretty Twisted ( ;) ) BUT! I was super happy that she was writing another one! And what an amazing concept!
As soon as I read the first chapter over at mykindabook I knew I was going to love this book, and sure enough I did! I really loved the concept of this book, and it was really enjoyable to read.
Unsurprisingly, I found myself talking to myself whilst I was reading this book which my new friends at University probably now think i'm 10 times weirder than they already thought I was... I wasn't talking to myself necessarily due to things that I was annoyed at but I actually found myself trying to help Sophie and Reece whilst reading the book! Who does that? Well, actually probably a lot of people...
I felt really sorry for both Sophie and Reece in this story because they both have some horrible things happen to them... I think Gina just knows how to make me love her with her writing now! It's so easy to read, without being childish. It's got the maturity level to it, without having me baffled at every other word she uses. I just generally (and genuinely) love her writing!
Hoping for another book now! Can't wait to read more by her!
Rating: 5/5
November 29, 2012
2.5 - 3 stars. For the most part, Forget Me Never is quite enjoyable. The criminal aspect was something I found rather refreshing and will definitely have be reading more within a sub-genre that I think, could really do well for YA.
Preliminary thoughts (Full review to come later)
Written from two points of view (Reece and Sophie), the book made for a rather quick read. The biggest problem for me was that the various things that happened within the novel were almost too neat and convenient.
Character wise, I admit to taking a bigger liking to Reece than to Sophie. Sophie while interesting, had this poor me mentality that just about grated on me throughout the novel. And even though we know that she's a product of a foster care system, her emotional baggage doesn't entirely excuse the way she treated Reece throughout most of the novel. (As much as I hate it when boys treat a girl like they're disposable, I hate it just as much when girls do so to boys)
Will elaborate more on plot points later. Not a bad read, but it definitely could have been better.
Preliminary thoughts (Full review to come later)
Written from two points of view (Reece and Sophie), the book made for a rather quick read. The biggest problem for me was that the various things that happened within the novel were almost too neat and convenient.
Character wise, I admit to taking a bigger liking to Reece than to Sophie. Sophie while interesting, had this poor me mentality that just about grated on me throughout the novel. And even though we know that she's a product of a foster care system, her emotional baggage doesn't entirely excuse the way she treated Reece throughout most of the novel. (As much as I hate it when boys treat a girl like they're disposable, I hate it just as much when girls do so to boys)
Will elaborate more on plot points later. Not a bad read, but it definitely could have been better.
January 24, 2022
wow i actually liked this book
idk if i'll want to read more from this author bc i don't usually read these type of books but lets go ig
the book was interesting and had a steady flow, and i read it in just under two hours i think lmao
the twists incorporated into the story were good and well placed, and while shocking not too random. all in all a fair read, and i'd recommend it to the average teenager.
idk if i'll want to read more from this author bc i don't usually read these type of books but lets go ig
the book was interesting and had a steady flow, and i read it in just under two hours i think lmao
the twists incorporated into the story were good and well placed, and while shocking not too random. all in all a fair read, and i'd recommend it to the average teenager.
May 28, 2023
Started off strong with the death of Dani, Sophie’s cousin. It was implied from the beginning that her boyfriend had something to do with her death, however I thought it would been because of a bad relationship.
The story was a very quick read I managed to finish within 4 hours. I wasn’t too fond of Sophie’s character although she was grieving I found her a bit selfish. I did not like Reece at first but he started to grow on me.
The ending felt very rushed and unrealistic.
I wished Gina explored more of Dani’s background and the connection between Sophie and Reece.
The story was a very quick read I managed to finish within 4 hours. I wasn’t too fond of Sophie’s character although she was grieving I found her a bit selfish. I did not like Reece at first but he started to grow on me.
The ending felt very rushed and unrealistic.
I wished Gina explored more of Dani’s background and the connection between Sophie and Reece.
January 14, 2021
This is a fantastic YA read. Fast, pacy with wonderful characters.
June 12, 2023
Couldn't put this book down! Read it in half a day, love every character
September 23, 2024
2.5⭐️
This was an easy quick read, a little slow and boring at times.
A good time passer 📖
This was an easy quick read, a little slow and boring at times.
A good time passer 📖
February 8, 2014
I wasn't sure whether to pick up this book or not. Blaxill's debut novel, Pretty Twisted, was an interesting quick-read, but also very forgettable - I was worried that this would be exactly the same, despite the interesting concept. And maybe I really should have listened to my gut-instinct, because Forget Me Never was just as forgettable as the last.
Sophie's cousin Dani has committed suicide - or so everyone is lead to believe. But not Sophie. Hours before her "suicide", Sophie had been with her cousin, and despite her past history of mental health, she didn't seem like she wanted to end her life. So Sophie, along with her best friend Reece, go on the hunt to track down and discover what really happened to Dani - and managed to stumble into a whole lot of trouble.
The concept had me intrigued, as it had with Pretty Twisted. Blaxill likes murder mysteries, and I've got to say that I'm addicted to psychological thrillers. I wanted the outcome of this novel to surprise me, but it just fell a bit flat. Yes, some pretty extreme things happened, but they were way out of context I thought. Quick spoiler here, but this whole drug scandal didn't really make an impact on me - yet when they suddenly got kidnapped and places in the middle of nowhere? It just went from one extreme to the other, really, and I think that anticlimactic, boring undertone to the novel ruined everything.
I didn't connect well with either the narratives of Sophie or Reece. Sophie was very secretive and closed off, and a lot of the novel was loosely based around what happened at that party - what had gone so bad that had made Sophie shut off Reece and everyone else. This may sound bad, but I thought it was going to be a case of sexual assault, as that was what Blaxill seemed to be hinting at. But nope. Spoiler, but it was that she had gotten mad at a girl for being mean and had smashed up her phone, a bit of footage that had been captured and put on YouTube. Yeah. I felt like I was holding my breath on the edge of my seat, and then let out this massive sigh of disappointment. It was all very dramatic for something that was really boring. My liking for Sophie as a relateable character just went downhill from thereon in.
Reece wasn't much better. He just wasn't a good love interest, and although he was slightly better than Sophie, it wasn't by much. I also thought their relationship lacked romantic chemistry - the best friends vibe I could feel, but romance? Nope. It was as romantic as a bag a cereal. Blaxill needed to, again, make it more interesting.
The plot was good I guess, and I did find myself reading it quickly as I wanted to know what happened next. Yes, the outcome was disappointing, but it did keep me hooked enough to finish it. I think Blaxill's writing is also good, but it isn't outstanding - I wouldn't be able to single it out from a line of other mediocre authors' writing. I may sound like I'm being overly critical, but I believe that Blaxill has incredible potential as an author. Although slightly anticlimactic and underdeveloped, I think that if she just gave the stories a tiny bit of a boost and included some more gripping plot twists, then I'd be giving this four stars rather than two stars. Maybe I'll read another one of her novels again - but if I do, I hope it's kicked up a notch, and instead of being a childhood game of Cluedo, I want a proper, young adult, Sherlock Holmes-styled investigation.
Sophie's cousin Dani has committed suicide - or so everyone is lead to believe. But not Sophie. Hours before her "suicide", Sophie had been with her cousin, and despite her past history of mental health, she didn't seem like she wanted to end her life. So Sophie, along with her best friend Reece, go on the hunt to track down and discover what really happened to Dani - and managed to stumble into a whole lot of trouble.
The concept had me intrigued, as it had with Pretty Twisted. Blaxill likes murder mysteries, and I've got to say that I'm addicted to psychological thrillers. I wanted the outcome of this novel to surprise me, but it just fell a bit flat. Yes, some pretty extreme things happened, but they were way out of context I thought. Quick spoiler here, but this whole drug scandal didn't really make an impact on me - yet when they suddenly got kidnapped and places in the middle of nowhere? It just went from one extreme to the other, really, and I think that anticlimactic, boring undertone to the novel ruined everything.
I didn't connect well with either the narratives of Sophie or Reece. Sophie was very secretive and closed off, and a lot of the novel was loosely based around what happened at that party - what had gone so bad that had made Sophie shut off Reece and everyone else. This may sound bad, but I thought it was going to be a case of sexual assault, as that was what Blaxill seemed to be hinting at. But nope. Spoiler, but it was that she had gotten mad at a girl for being mean and had smashed up her phone, a bit of footage that had been captured and put on YouTube. Yeah. I felt like I was holding my breath on the edge of my seat, and then let out this massive sigh of disappointment. It was all very dramatic for something that was really boring. My liking for Sophie as a relateable character just went downhill from thereon in.
Reece wasn't much better. He just wasn't a good love interest, and although he was slightly better than Sophie, it wasn't by much. I also thought their relationship lacked romantic chemistry - the best friends vibe I could feel, but romance? Nope. It was as romantic as a bag a cereal. Blaxill needed to, again, make it more interesting.
The plot was good I guess, and I did find myself reading it quickly as I wanted to know what happened next. Yes, the outcome was disappointing, but it did keep me hooked enough to finish it. I think Blaxill's writing is also good, but it isn't outstanding - I wouldn't be able to single it out from a line of other mediocre authors' writing. I may sound like I'm being overly critical, but I believe that Blaxill has incredible potential as an author. Although slightly anticlimactic and underdeveloped, I think that if she just gave the stories a tiny bit of a boost and included some more gripping plot twists, then I'd be giving this four stars rather than two stars. Maybe I'll read another one of her novels again - but if I do, I hope it's kicked up a notch, and instead of being a childhood game of Cluedo, I want a proper, young adult, Sherlock Holmes-styled investigation.
November 3, 2012
I've been excited for Gina Blaxill's new book since I read her debut, Pretty Twisted and really enjoyed it. Unfortunately is wasn't everything I hoped it would be.
I really liked the idea, but I don't know, it didn't stand out to me. The whole idea of it was fantastic. It's a kind of murder-mystery thing, and I LOVE those, but I don't know if it was executed well enough for me personally. The whole truth about what Sophie's cousin Dani was involved in didn't feel like it was as well, terrible as the synopsis suggest. I know that sounds bad but I wanted to be put on the edge of my seat and SCARED. While at some points I was on the edge of my seat, nothing really scared me like I wanted it to. Do you know what I mean? I'm a fan of dark and crazy and it just wasn't ENOUGH.
Sophie and Reece felt younger than 15/16 year-olds and just yeah, that bugged me a bit because it made the storyline and what they were doing seem less believable.
I'm a bit disappointed with Forget Me Never, but after written my review I feel a bit harsh because I realize that I'm a bit of a sociopath and nobody else really gets their highs of um, murders and um, yeah. I think readers a bit younger than me 13/14 will really get into this though. It's quite a quick read and fast-paced, so I do recommend that you read other reviews and try it for yourself because I have a feeling I'll be in the minority of people who didn't love it.
I really liked the idea, but I don't know, it didn't stand out to me. The whole idea of it was fantastic. It's a kind of murder-mystery thing, and I LOVE those, but I don't know if it was executed well enough for me personally. The whole truth about what Sophie's cousin Dani was involved in didn't feel like it was as well, terrible as the synopsis suggest. I know that sounds bad but I wanted to be put on the edge of my seat and SCARED. While at some points I was on the edge of my seat, nothing really scared me like I wanted it to. Do you know what I mean? I'm a fan of dark and crazy and it just wasn't ENOUGH.
Sophie and Reece felt younger than 15/16 year-olds and just yeah, that bugged me a bit because it made the storyline and what they were doing seem less believable.
I'm a bit disappointed with Forget Me Never, but after written my review I feel a bit harsh because I realize that I'm a bit of a sociopath and nobody else really gets their highs of um, murders and um, yeah. I think readers a bit younger than me 13/14 will really get into this though. It's quite a quick read and fast-paced, so I do recommend that you read other reviews and try it for yourself because I have a feeling I'll be in the minority of people who didn't love it.
October 12, 2012
A book which makes you eager to know more and wanting to find out the truth!
We follow Sophie through many adventure as she prepares to face reality in a quest to find out what really happened to her Cousin, Danielle, because she couldn’t really have committed suicide… could she? As I read the many ordeals she had to face, I myself felt her hunger for the truth and wanted to finish the book quickly because I had no patience in waiting! Sophie also has to deal with friend Reece and her feelings for him, and throughout the book as I read about them together I started to understand their relationship and begin to feel how the characters were feeling themselves.
Now, if I’m honest I did think the Gina Blaxill’s portrayal of 15/16 year olds was a bit wrong in my opinion because I found them to be immature in the way they thought and spoke. However this didn’t ruin the book for me, so hopefully won’t for other people!
The plot itself is realistic and clever and I enjoyed Blaxill’s portrayal of it. However I didn’t get hooked to the book straight away like I usually do and found it took a good few chapters until I was really engaged with the story. Overall it is a quick gentle read that is worth reading!
We follow Sophie through many adventure as she prepares to face reality in a quest to find out what really happened to her Cousin, Danielle, because she couldn’t really have committed suicide… could she? As I read the many ordeals she had to face, I myself felt her hunger for the truth and wanted to finish the book quickly because I had no patience in waiting! Sophie also has to deal with friend Reece and her feelings for him, and throughout the book as I read about them together I started to understand their relationship and begin to feel how the characters were feeling themselves.
Now, if I’m honest I did think the Gina Blaxill’s portrayal of 15/16 year olds was a bit wrong in my opinion because I found them to be immature in the way they thought and spoke. However this didn’t ruin the book for me, so hopefully won’t for other people!
The plot itself is realistic and clever and I enjoyed Blaxill’s portrayal of it. However I didn’t get hooked to the book straight away like I usually do and found it took a good few chapters until I was really engaged with the story. Overall it is a quick gentle read that is worth reading!
July 6, 2013
Forget Me Never is one of those really unexpected books that comes along and and whips the rug out of from under you. I expected something completely different and was pleasantly surprised with that I got instead.
When Sophie finds out that her cousin, Danielle, has killed herself, Sophie can’t believe. No, she really can’t believe. Sophie knows her cousin would never do such a thing, and when she finds a memory stick in a pair of her jeans with leading information on it, she knows she can’t let it go. Before she knows it, Sophie is on the hunt for Danielle’s killer.
Recruiting her friend Reece to help gather information, Sophie inadvertently stumbles upon something much larger than she ever realised...and places herself and Reece right in harms way.
Forget Me Never was raw and powerful with an incredibly strong voice to carry us through the story. One moment my heart was pounding the next my eyes were stinging with tears. This book whizzed past in a blur as I gobbled up the words. Sophie is a very likeable character, and admirable for not giving up on her cousin.
A thrilling read.
When Sophie finds out that her cousin, Danielle, has killed herself, Sophie can’t believe. No, she really can’t believe. Sophie knows her cousin would never do such a thing, and when she finds a memory stick in a pair of her jeans with leading information on it, she knows she can’t let it go. Before she knows it, Sophie is on the hunt for Danielle’s killer.
Recruiting her friend Reece to help gather information, Sophie inadvertently stumbles upon something much larger than she ever realised...and places herself and Reece right in harms way.
Forget Me Never was raw and powerful with an incredibly strong voice to carry us through the story. One moment my heart was pounding the next my eyes were stinging with tears. This book whizzed past in a blur as I gobbled up the words. Sophie is a very likeable character, and admirable for not giving up on her cousin.
A thrilling read.
July 14, 2013
I thought the plot of this was promising and I liked having the story told from both Sophie and Reece's point of view, but I felt that the book overall was slightly bland and didn't really live up to the blurb.
December 28, 2013
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel it was a real page turner for me. It had great characters, terrific twists and the plot was very clever and kept me on the edge of my seat. it was a great read and I look forward to reading more from Gina Blaxill❤❤❤
August 30, 2013
Gripping and very very interesting! Loved this book
August 16, 2019
I enjoyed this book a lot more than Blaxill's previous book Pretty Twisted and I definitely want to read more from this author.
December 12, 2015
I really liked this book. I felt the language and story was a bit young for a young adult book but then again I am 27. I loved the plot and the ending! Fan quick read!
March 11, 2016
This started out as a pretty boring book, but thankfully it picked up a bit. It was nothing fantastic but a pretty enjoyable read overall.
April 19, 2017
Much in the vein of Blaxill's third novel, Saving Silence, FMN is a thriller which never neglects strong character building and emotional content while delivering a pacy and intriguing mystery. It also, unusually for a thriller, manages to touch on a lot of other themes alongside the thrills, most pertinently, mental health, depression and family.
MCs Sophie and Reece have a really interesting relationship - they are trying to resurrect a friendship that has soured - and we see them overcoming their past issues as the book progresses. Sophie is a little maddening at time but sympathetically and understandingly so, as she is quite a damaged young lady and has been badly affected by the apparent suicide of cousin Dani. Reece is probably easier to like - he comes across as a very realistic teenage boy. The narrative is split between both leads. The storytelling is weighted more towards Sophie - FMN is really her emotional journey - but Reece's sections never feel surplus to requirements.
Another thing I liked is that FMN comes across as very modern, with mention of work experience and exams, another reason that makes it easy to invest in and believe in the story. This writer portrays modern British teenagers very well. It's not quite as gritty and hard hittingly realistic as Saving Silence (which I really loved, hint, go and read it) but it's highly entertaining and an excellent quick read! It has a summertime setting so a good one to read over the holidays.
MCs Sophie and Reece have a really interesting relationship - they are trying to resurrect a friendship that has soured - and we see them overcoming their past issues as the book progresses. Sophie is a little maddening at time but sympathetically and understandingly so, as she is quite a damaged young lady and has been badly affected by the apparent suicide of cousin Dani. Reece is probably easier to like - he comes across as a very realistic teenage boy. The narrative is split between both leads. The storytelling is weighted more towards Sophie - FMN is really her emotional journey - but Reece's sections never feel surplus to requirements.
Another thing I liked is that FMN comes across as very modern, with mention of work experience and exams, another reason that makes it easy to invest in and believe in the story. This writer portrays modern British teenagers very well. It's not quite as gritty and hard hittingly realistic as Saving Silence (which I really loved, hint, go and read it) but it's highly entertaining and an excellent quick read! It has a summertime setting so a good one to read over the holidays.
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