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Never Forget You
Some love stories end before they even begin…When Lili meets Ben by chance one hot summer’s day, it feels like fate. But life is about to take them in different directions, and so they agree to meet next July, in the beautiful hidden garden where they first laid eyes on each other. But one of them never shows up…Five years later, Ben still wonders how he got things so wrong – he let the love of his life slip between his fingers. And then a stranger, Alice, arrives in his tiny Scottish hometown. Alice has no memory of how she got she can’t remember anything before that morning. The only clue to her past is the silver bee necklace she wears – the very same one Ben bought for Lili that magical summer’s day…As Ben, Lili and Alice’s stories converge, so begins a beautiful and deeply emotional story of love, forgiveness and second chances. Perfect for fans of Colleen Hoover and Lucy Score.
448 pages, Paperback
First published April 4, 2023
261 people are currently reading
16670 people want to read
About the author
Fiona Lucas
2 books201 followersFiona Lucas is an award-winning author of contemporary women’s fiction. The Last Goodbye is her first novel written under the pen name of Fiona Lucas, but she’s been writing heartwarming love stories and feel-good women’s fiction as Fiona Harper for more than a decade.
During that time she has published 27 books and has won numerous awards, including a Romantic Novel Award, and chalked up a no.1 Kindle bestseller.
Find Fiona on TikTok, where she talks about her books, her writing process and gives writing and publishing tips (@fionalucasauthor)
During that time she has published 27 books and has won numerous awards, including a Romantic Novel Award, and chalked up a no.1 Kindle bestseller.
Find Fiona on TikTok, where she talks about her books, her writing process and gives writing and publishing tips (@fionalucasauthor)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 312 reviews
December 16, 2023
4⭐
Publication date ~ April 4, 2023
Est page count ~ 424 (65 chapters)
POV ~ single 1st person & dual 3rd person
Featuring ~ 4 part story, multiple timelines, amnesia, second chance, no steamage
CW from the author ~ this text contains potentially upsetting material relating to abusive relationships, emotional abuse and coercive control.
Lili/Alice & Ben
Lili and Ben meet and spend one glorious day together. They agree to meet again at the same location 1 year later. We flash forward 5 years, Lili has amnesia and shows up in Ben's town 500 miles away and we slowly learn why they never met up.
Told in multiple timelines ~ it's 1st person for the meet cute 5 years ago and then the chapters that countdown until the wedding, and their current time together is in dual 3rd person.
Emotional abuse is slowly revealed to the reader with the alternating chapters in the past with fiancé, Justin. It was heartbreaking to watch it happen to Lili and I was yelling at the pages when she didn't realize what he was doing to her. I hate that this is very much a reality for some.
Ben was such a lovely man. He was super sweet and a doting uncle to niece, Willow, who he has custody of.
Overall, I found this to be a well written and emotional read. While most of the story is about Ben and Lili finding their way back to each other it really didn't have enough of them as a couple for me to fully love it. Maybe we could get a sequel of their happily ever after? I'd definitely read more from this author.
*Thanks to Sophia at Harper Collins for my paperback ARC. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
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Publication date ~ April 4, 2023
Est page count ~ 424 (65 chapters)
POV ~ single 1st person & dual 3rd person
Featuring ~ 4 part story, multiple timelines, amnesia, second chance, no steamage
CW from the author ~ this text contains potentially upsetting material relating to abusive relationships, emotional abuse and coercive control.
Lili/Alice & Ben
Lili and Ben meet and spend one glorious day together. They agree to meet again at the same location 1 year later. We flash forward 5 years, Lili has amnesia and shows up in Ben's town 500 miles away and we slowly learn why they never met up.
Told in multiple timelines ~ it's 1st person for the meet cute 5 years ago and then the chapters that countdown until the wedding, and their current time together is in dual 3rd person.
Emotional abuse is slowly revealed to the reader with the alternating chapters in the past with fiancé, Justin. It was heartbreaking to watch it happen to Lili and I was yelling at the pages when she didn't realize what he was doing to her. I hate that this is very much a reality for some.
Ben was such a lovely man. He was super sweet and a doting uncle to niece, Willow, who he has custody of.
Overall, I found this to be a well written and emotional read. While most of the story is about Ben and Lili finding their way back to each other it really didn't have enough of them as a couple for me to fully love it. Maybe we could get a sequel of their happily ever after? I'd definitely read more from this author.
*Thanks to Sophia at Harper Collins for my paperback ARC. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
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April 3, 2023
Really emotional--definitely caused me some anxiety while reading, but ultimately heartwarming.
Lili and Ben meet by chance in a small hidden garden in London. He is a travel photographer, capturing gorgeous photos around the world. Lili is an accomplished violinist, attending the prestigious Conservatory, but her insecurities and doubts about her abilities, coupled with bullying from classmates, has caused her to rethink that calling. After spending two glorious days and one night together, they plan to meet in the same place in one year. But the next year, only one of them shows up. Fast forward five years, and Ben is living in Scotland, the guardian to his young niece after the death of his sister. A strange woman shows up in town with absolutely no memory of who she is and how she got there. Ben thinks this woman looks somewhat like Lili, but how could that be possible?
This book goes back and forth between the past and the present, describing Lili's life in the past and her progression through it to the present day. We know that this mystery woman is likely Lili, but not the how and why of what happened to her. That unfolds gradually, but it is emotionally trying.
Without giving spoilers, this book deals with abuse and the subtle way that it can develop. That part of the story gave me so much anxiety, because I really liked Lili and I only wanted the best for her. I'm not always the biggest fan of insecure women, but she is so likable and tries to be brave, so it made her endearing. The entire thing is incredibly realistic, which is why it connected so much with me emotionally. This isn't your typical amnesia storyline, everything about it felt authentic and the progression made it clear that the author had done some research into how this could have taken place.
This is a really moving contemporary romance novel with a hint of mystery. When I got to the end I was very satisfied, the characters are well developed and although they don't always make the best choices, the writing is so good that the reader can understand how things unfolded the way they did.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
Lili and Ben meet by chance in a small hidden garden in London. He is a travel photographer, capturing gorgeous photos around the world. Lili is an accomplished violinist, attending the prestigious Conservatory, but her insecurities and doubts about her abilities, coupled with bullying from classmates, has caused her to rethink that calling. After spending two glorious days and one night together, they plan to meet in the same place in one year. But the next year, only one of them shows up. Fast forward five years, and Ben is living in Scotland, the guardian to his young niece after the death of his sister. A strange woman shows up in town with absolutely no memory of who she is and how she got there. Ben thinks this woman looks somewhat like Lili, but how could that be possible?
This book goes back and forth between the past and the present, describing Lili's life in the past and her progression through it to the present day. We know that this mystery woman is likely Lili, but not the how and why of what happened to her. That unfolds gradually, but it is emotionally trying.
Without giving spoilers, this book deals with abuse and the subtle way that it can develop. That part of the story gave me so much anxiety, because I really liked Lili and I only wanted the best for her. I'm not always the biggest fan of insecure women, but she is so likable and tries to be brave, so it made her endearing. The entire thing is incredibly realistic, which is why it connected so much with me emotionally. This isn't your typical amnesia storyline, everything about it felt authentic and the progression made it clear that the author had done some research into how this could have taken place.
This is a really moving contemporary romance novel with a hint of mystery. When I got to the end I was very satisfied, the characters are well developed and although they don't always make the best choices, the writing is so good that the reader can understand how things unfolded the way they did.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
Read
November 11, 2022I liked the premise of this story and its emotional aspect. I wanted to keep reading but the execution was unexciting and flat for me… 😔
Dnf @ 43%
Dnf @ 43%
November 11, 2022
I experienced goosebumps so frequently when I was reading this book and I don’t think it was because of the weather. This was so powerfully written that Lucas’s narrative crawled under my skin and I don’t think this is a story that I will forget in a hurry.
To be honest, it was the reader warning at the beginning of the book that signalled to me that this was going to be an emotional rollercoaster. Despite being somewhat mentally prepared, I don’t think I was truly expecting the story to have the impact on me that it did. Watching Lili and Ben meet at the beginning of the story made it feel like this was going to be a cutesy, happy romance story that takes place over several years, with the happy couple being separated, for whatever reason, and then they eventually reunite. How I was wrong.
Whilst Lili and Ben fail to cross paths again, the story offers far much more than this lost relationship. Following Lili after this amazing two days with a perfect stranger, her life drastically alters and she finds herself on a different path. At the same time, the narrative switches to another time frame, present day, where Alice appears to have amnesia and finds herself in Scotland. With no identification, no phone and no understanding of why she should be at the opposite end of the country, Alice, the name that she adopts for the time being, needs to find answers. This narrative follows Alice as she attempts to retrace her steps: find her memories to discover what exactly was happening in her life and what made her travel all the way to Scotland.
Lucas doesn’t take too long in connecting the narratives together but the build-up between the two timeframes added to the intensity of the story. I foresaw some of the plot developments with Lili’s story but this did not lessen the impression it had on me. I found I was mentally screaming at Lili with her choices, but simultaneously frustrated because I was desperate to see her plot reach present day. On the other hand, I wanted to understand whether Alice would ever reconnect with her identity and what it would mean once, or if, her memories returned.
There’s a lot of topics covered in this book and it goes far beyond what the pretty cover suggests. This is not just a failed romance story and I would urge readers to take a deep breath before plunging in to Lucas’s novel. I for one will be following this read up with something a lot more light-hearted. However, it’s not a story to ignore and I thought the way the two narratives were presented were as immersive and emotional as if I had been the protagonists themselves. It truly was an immersive read. The issues that Lucas presents are sobering to say the least but I think the optimism that comes through the narrative should not be ignored.
This was an enjoyable read and one I had to take my time over to really absorb the narrative. I thrived on the intensity of the story and felt invested in the protagonists. It was well worth the goosebumps.
With thanks to HQ Digital and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
To be honest, it was the reader warning at the beginning of the book that signalled to me that this was going to be an emotional rollercoaster. Despite being somewhat mentally prepared, I don’t think I was truly expecting the story to have the impact on me that it did. Watching Lili and Ben meet at the beginning of the story made it feel like this was going to be a cutesy, happy romance story that takes place over several years, with the happy couple being separated, for whatever reason, and then they eventually reunite. How I was wrong.
Whilst Lili and Ben fail to cross paths again, the story offers far much more than this lost relationship. Following Lili after this amazing two days with a perfect stranger, her life drastically alters and she finds herself on a different path. At the same time, the narrative switches to another time frame, present day, where Alice appears to have amnesia and finds herself in Scotland. With no identification, no phone and no understanding of why she should be at the opposite end of the country, Alice, the name that she adopts for the time being, needs to find answers. This narrative follows Alice as she attempts to retrace her steps: find her memories to discover what exactly was happening in her life and what made her travel all the way to Scotland.
Lucas doesn’t take too long in connecting the narratives together but the build-up between the two timeframes added to the intensity of the story. I foresaw some of the plot developments with Lili’s story but this did not lessen the impression it had on me. I found I was mentally screaming at Lili with her choices, but simultaneously frustrated because I was desperate to see her plot reach present day. On the other hand, I wanted to understand whether Alice would ever reconnect with her identity and what it would mean once, or if, her memories returned.
There’s a lot of topics covered in this book and it goes far beyond what the pretty cover suggests. This is not just a failed romance story and I would urge readers to take a deep breath before plunging in to Lucas’s novel. I for one will be following this read up with something a lot more light-hearted. However, it’s not a story to ignore and I thought the way the two narratives were presented were as immersive and emotional as if I had been the protagonists themselves. It truly was an immersive read. The issues that Lucas presents are sobering to say the least but I think the optimism that comes through the narrative should not be ignored.
This was an enjoyable read and one I had to take my time over to really absorb the narrative. I thrived on the intensity of the story and felt invested in the protagonists. It was well worth the goosebumps.
With thanks to HQ Digital and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
March 5, 2023
This story was intense, a lot more intense than I expected. I enjoyed it so much. If you've read Mad About You and The Man I Never Met, it sort of felt like a unique mashup of those two books, but with the addition of a heroine having amnesia.
Sparks immediately fly when Lili meets Ben, a charming Scottish travel photographer, in London. Forced to part ways, they promise to connect again in one year at their meeting place. Of course, things don't go as planned ...
Alternating in past and present timelines, you slowly piece together the life Lili has lived for five years—a life she has no memories of. As fate brings her and Ben together once again, I loved the protection he provided as she searches for answers. He never, never leaves her side.
It's a heartbreaking story, without a doubt. It does a great job painting an understanding of how emotional abuse can present itself. There's some really difficult scenes to read, I must warn. But the way the mystery unfolds is so clever. I can't wait for more from Fiona Lucas!
(heat level: closed door)
Sparks immediately fly when Lili meets Ben, a charming Scottish travel photographer, in London. Forced to part ways, they promise to connect again in one year at their meeting place. Of course, things don't go as planned ...
Alternating in past and present timelines, you slowly piece together the life Lili has lived for five years—a life she has no memories of. As fate brings her and Ben together once again, I loved the protection he provided as she searches for answers. He never, never leaves her side.
It's a heartbreaking story, without a doubt. It does a great job painting an understanding of how emotional abuse can present itself. There's some really difficult scenes to read, I must warn. But the way the mystery unfolds is so clever. I can't wait for more from Fiona Lucas!
(heat level: closed door)
October 31, 2022
Lili & Ben first cross paths on a hot July day in a beautiful secret garden in London, where Lili is stung by a bee and there is an instant attraction between them. Ben, a travel photographer is only around for a few hours before he needs to catch a flight from Heathrow. They make the most of the time that they have together and arrange to meet up a year later, but it never happens. Five years on, a woman named Alice turns up in Scotland; she is at a bus stop and can hear the sound of waves but doesn't know where she is. Alice is wearing a bee necklace...
Told from differing time periods this novel is gripping, beautifully written and all-consuming. There is drama, surprises and the plotline is strong and unpredictable. Never Forget You is one of my favourite reads this year, so far.
This review was written voluntarily and my rating was in no way influenced by the fact that I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel from HQ via NetGalley.
Told from differing time periods this novel is gripping, beautifully written and all-consuming. There is drama, surprises and the plotline is strong and unpredictable. Never Forget You is one of my favourite reads this year, so far.
This review was written voluntarily and my rating was in no way influenced by the fact that I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel from HQ via NetGalley.
November 20, 2022
This has just become my new favourite book! I absolutely devoured this and loved every minute!💕📖
October 28, 2022
Enjoyed this book but found the ending lacking
January 20, 2023
This beautiful, heartbreaking, second chance romance takes us on a soul consuming journey. It isn’t always pleasant, the opening couple of chapters are just a smoke screen, lulling you into a false sense of security before you’re dropped back down to earth and taken on a 400 page rollercoaster filled with every range of emotion you can think of. But hey, isn’t that a what a good book is all about it? ❤️🔥
I went into this book completely blind, the blurb the only thing that I read before diving in. I’m now surprised it hasn’t been shown more on here. It gave definite CoHo/TJR vibes (although this is a clean romance, so much is going on that you don’t even care).👩❤️💋👨
I wasn’t bored once (which I’ve started to find with my much beloved smut w minimal plot) – I don’t know what has become of me but the plot in this was SO. BLOODY. GOOD. 🤌🏼
I read this cover to cover in half a day – it broke me and then healed me and I cried happy tears at the end (HEA).❣️
🎻Lili has a tough journey after initially meeting Ben, paved with turmoil and trauma, watching her arc was so satisfying – pls read the triggers, as Lili’s experiences are not for the faint hearted. The portrayal of emotional/mental abuse by Fiona are done very well, they are sensitive yet completely honest. ⚠️
👰♀The mystery surrounding Alice, the runaway with amnesia, and the struggles she encounters are interesting and emotional, she really helps Ben with his own journey and the issues he has encountered.
📸Speaking of, the man is LITERAL GOLD, a beautifully well written character, he was my favourite.
🕴🏼I won’t say much about Justin, only that him and people like him should rot in hell xoxo
The dual timelines and ‘multiple’ POVs work so well, taking away some of the heaviness that can come with this type of story – all in all it was extremely well written with dynamic and interesting characters, a well thought out plot and structure, it gave me all the feels and I highly recommend it! 🥲💖
I went into this book completely blind, the blurb the only thing that I read before diving in. I’m now surprised it hasn’t been shown more on here. It gave definite CoHo/TJR vibes (although this is a clean romance, so much is going on that you don’t even care).👩❤️💋👨
I wasn’t bored once (which I’ve started to find with my much beloved smut w minimal plot) – I don’t know what has become of me but the plot in this was SO. BLOODY. GOOD. 🤌🏼
I read this cover to cover in half a day – it broke me and then healed me and I cried happy tears at the end (HEA).❣️
🎻Lili has a tough journey after initially meeting Ben, paved with turmoil and trauma, watching her arc was so satisfying – pls read the triggers, as Lili’s experiences are not for the faint hearted. The portrayal of emotional/mental abuse by Fiona are done very well, they are sensitive yet completely honest. ⚠️
👰♀The mystery surrounding Alice, the runaway with amnesia, and the struggles she encounters are interesting and emotional, she really helps Ben with his own journey and the issues he has encountered.
📸Speaking of, the man is LITERAL GOLD, a beautifully well written character, he was my favourite.
🕴🏼I won’t say much about Justin, only that him and people like him should rot in hell xoxo
The dual timelines and ‘multiple’ POVs work so well, taking away some of the heaviness that can come with this type of story – all in all it was extremely well written with dynamic and interesting characters, a well thought out plot and structure, it gave me all the feels and I highly recommend it! 🥲💖
April 21, 2024
( don’t read if you are the author of this book )
im sure the author is a very lovely person. this is a monstrosity of a book, really sorry just not my cup of tea felt SO boring.
the only way i can describe it is when ur boring friend is telling u a story after you’ve sort of ran out of things to talk about, they’re half way through describing their story and then they stop. you wait for them to continue their story and they go “yeh that’s it”.
whatever story they just told was so boring nothing happened and you feel like u wasted your time just listening …you start questioning what else you’re doing wrong in your life.
im sure the author is a very lovely person. this is a monstrosity of a book, really sorry just not my cup of tea felt SO boring.
the only way i can describe it is when ur boring friend is telling u a story after you’ve sort of ran out of things to talk about, they’re half way through describing their story and then they stop. you wait for them to continue their story and they go “yeh that’s it”.
whatever story they just told was so boring nothing happened and you feel like u wasted your time just listening …you start questioning what else you’re doing wrong in your life.
December 30, 2022
RTC soon
September 8, 2025
I'm so conflicted because I was actually invested in the main plot/mystery and honestly couldn't believe it..but then at the same time, the most insta love I've ever read about gave me the ick and I couldn't care less about the two main characters and their reunion/love story? arghhh could have been done so much better and actually given me all the feels if not the most cringiest insta love 🤷
January 15, 2025
Oh wow, this book really delivered on emotion. It really grabbed me and I couldn't put it down. The story was so interesting and sweet as well as sad. What a great read.
July 13, 2024
SO GOOD literally could not put it down. it was so sad at some points but it’s such a powerful story, and has a happy ending, would recommend 100%!!!
October 25, 2022
Never Forget You, the most recent novel from Fiona Lucas, is simply stunning. This is the kind of book that you absolutely have to set time aside for before you begin to read it as you won’t be able to put it down. It is a beautiful, and yet also heartbreaking, story of finding yourself when you’ve been through the very worst that life throws at you.
Though this story is ultimately one that has hope and second chances at its core, it is well worth reading the author’s content warning at the onset as it deals with very significant issues.
Never Forget You is a story of two halves. First there is Lili and Ben, who meet one hot summers day and feel an almost instant connection. Life, however, is taking them in different directions and so they promise to meet each other again a year later to see where their story might take them. Only one of them doesn’t show up.
Five years later Ben still wonders how he got things so wrong and what might have been different if he’d not let Lili slip through his fingers. Soon a stranger, Alice, arrives in his tiny Scottish hometown. Only Alice had no idea who she is and how she got there. The only clue is the bee pendant she’s wearing around her neck, the very same one Ben bought Lili on that hot summers day.
The way Lucas tells Lili, Ben and Alice’s story is just spectacular. Lucas uses duel timelines of now and in the past, wherein which the past timeline is leading up to a specific event and the aftermath that follows. The present is told through third person narrative whilst the past is first person. This works especially well as it really brings home Alice’s amnesia and the fact that she is so unaware of who she is in the present and therefore has her story told for her, whilst in past we can see Lili’s life unfold in her own words. Yet even though we are able to hear from Lili directly she still doesn’t have a firm grasp on who she is and can be, however as the reader discovers this is through no fault of her own and instead is the consequence of much more sinister reasons.
Never once do you feel lost in these duel timelines. Instead they make the novel utterly gripping. It is hard to say too much without giving anything away but reading about Lili’s past felt like watching a wreckage in slow motion, you know what’s likely to come and yet you’re helpless to stop it. As prior noted very serious issues, including emotional and substance abuse, are covered in this story. Whilst they make for difficult reading in places they are handled so carefully by Lucas throughout.
I loved reading about Lili, Ben and Alice. Lili and Alice find themselves in difficult situations and you come to desperately feel for them. Ben, meanwhile, is dealing with his own issues and yet is so kind and caring, and so wonderful in how he tries to help Alice.
In her author’s note Lucas mentions that she based Ben’s Aunt Norina on her own late Aunt and hoped it would be a fitting tribute. Aunt Norina, Willow and Lo were all wonderful supporting characters who added so much to the story in their own ways. And how wonderful to be memorialised within a novel and through such a strong character.
Overall, this is a wonderful novel that I can’t recommend highly enough.
With thanks to Netgally and HQ for the advanced copy in return for my honest review.
Though this story is ultimately one that has hope and second chances at its core, it is well worth reading the author’s content warning at the onset as it deals with very significant issues.
Never Forget You is a story of two halves. First there is Lili and Ben, who meet one hot summers day and feel an almost instant connection. Life, however, is taking them in different directions and so they promise to meet each other again a year later to see where their story might take them. Only one of them doesn’t show up.
Five years later Ben still wonders how he got things so wrong and what might have been different if he’d not let Lili slip through his fingers. Soon a stranger, Alice, arrives in his tiny Scottish hometown. Only Alice had no idea who she is and how she got there. The only clue is the bee pendant she’s wearing around her neck, the very same one Ben bought Lili on that hot summers day.
The way Lucas tells Lili, Ben and Alice’s story is just spectacular. Lucas uses duel timelines of now and in the past, wherein which the past timeline is leading up to a specific event and the aftermath that follows. The present is told through third person narrative whilst the past is first person. This works especially well as it really brings home Alice’s amnesia and the fact that she is so unaware of who she is in the present and therefore has her story told for her, whilst in past we can see Lili’s life unfold in her own words. Yet even though we are able to hear from Lili directly she still doesn’t have a firm grasp on who she is and can be, however as the reader discovers this is through no fault of her own and instead is the consequence of much more sinister reasons.
Never once do you feel lost in these duel timelines. Instead they make the novel utterly gripping. It is hard to say too much without giving anything away but reading about Lili’s past felt like watching a wreckage in slow motion, you know what’s likely to come and yet you’re helpless to stop it. As prior noted very serious issues, including emotional and substance abuse, are covered in this story. Whilst they make for difficult reading in places they are handled so carefully by Lucas throughout.
I loved reading about Lili, Ben and Alice. Lili and Alice find themselves in difficult situations and you come to desperately feel for them. Ben, meanwhile, is dealing with his own issues and yet is so kind and caring, and so wonderful in how he tries to help Alice.
In her author’s note Lucas mentions that she based Ben’s Aunt Norina on her own late Aunt and hoped it would be a fitting tribute. Aunt Norina, Willow and Lo were all wonderful supporting characters who added so much to the story in their own ways. And how wonderful to be memorialised within a novel and through such a strong character.
Overall, this is a wonderful novel that I can’t recommend highly enough.
With thanks to Netgally and HQ for the advanced copy in return for my honest review.
December 25, 2022
4.75⭐️
i found this in the library and thought that the cover was beautiful so i decided to pick it up. and im glad i did because i was very invested in this story. it had me hooked and had me intrigued on what was going to happen on the next page. i found that the two timelines very well written. i really liked lili and ben as characters; they were strong and i enjoyed reading their development and their growth as individuals. i have to say I HATED JUSTIN WITH MY WHOLE GUTS. i literally had to take breaks due to his vile and horrid behaviour !!! as many would also agree, i think that the author was able to write the scenes that included this atrocious guy, with enough sensitivity and realisticness.
the reason why this isnt a 5⭐️ is that i wasnt entirely satisfied with the ending. an epilogue may have boosted the rating. also i wasnt too much of a fan of the insta-love between lili and ben. i would have liked to have seen more of them together. even so, i definitely recommend :)
check for TW !!!
i found this in the library and thought that the cover was beautiful so i decided to pick it up. and im glad i did because i was very invested in this story. it had me hooked and had me intrigued on what was going to happen on the next page. i found that the two timelines very well written. i really liked lili and ben as characters; they were strong and i enjoyed reading their development and their growth as individuals. i have to say I HATED JUSTIN WITH MY WHOLE GUTS. i literally had to take breaks due to his vile and horrid behaviour !!! as many would also agree, i think that the author was able to write the scenes that included this atrocious guy, with enough sensitivity and realisticness.
the reason why this isnt a 5⭐️ is that i wasnt entirely satisfied with the ending. an epilogue may have boosted the rating. also i wasnt too much of a fan of the insta-love between lili and ben. i would have liked to have seen more of them together. even so, i definitely recommend :)
check for TW !!!
March 30, 2023
Wow! First off I thought this is going slow I don’t know what’s gonna happen and it’ll just be some cheesy rom com style book where she meets a guy and then doesn’t see him and then meets up with him years down the line and falls in love. This book had me gripped and I’ve not read a book this quick for a while. It’s a different sort of love story as the main female character loses her memory and is trying to piece back together her life and who she is. She ends up in Scotland not knowing how or why she is there but it’s soon revealed.
I loved that it’s split timelines too and it gives it more perspective and then things come together towards the end. Very fast paced and such a light easy read.
TW: DA, EA
I loved that it’s split timelines too and it gives it more perspective and then things come together towards the end. Very fast paced and such a light easy read.
TW: DA, EA
December 30, 2022
Thank you Fiona for kindly gifting me a copy of this book.
I heard someone say this reads like a Colleen Hoover book and it totally does - if Colleen was British.
It was a very passionate book with intense emotions following Lili/Alice’s amnesia but the romance aspect was still very slow burn.
Fiona does a great job representing victims of psychological abuse and the effect it has on Lili’s memory.
It kept me on edge with every twist that pushed Lili and Ben apart through miscommunication/distance/memory loss.
A great book, 5*
I heard someone say this reads like a Colleen Hoover book and it totally does - if Colleen was British.
It was a very passionate book with intense emotions following Lili/Alice’s amnesia but the romance aspect was still very slow burn.
Fiona does a great job representing victims of psychological abuse and the effect it has on Lili’s memory.
It kept me on edge with every twist that pushed Lili and Ben apart through miscommunication/distance/memory loss.
A great book, 5*
April 14, 2023
Goodness. I got this for free as a goodreads giveaway and it was so good. Such a page turner. Fascinating story of a woman who lost her memory and is trying to figure out who she is. There’s a love story in the mix and some relationship abuse.
June 2, 2023
Never Forget You will break your heart and put it back together. A gut wrenching exploration showing the depth & impact of an emotional abusive relationship, as well strength & self discovery.
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October 11, 2022I adored this book and couldn’t put it down. I think this is her best. I cried, I laughed and I yearned and I loved!!
August 1, 2023
Never Forget You
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Author: Fiona Lucas
GR: 4.04
I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley and HarperCollins and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased. Special thank you to Sophia at HarperCollins, she always sends me the best arcs, some of them that I would not normally pick up.
My Thoughts: This was a beautifully poignant story that placed me on an emotional rollercoaster. Trigger of emotional relationship abuse and gaslighting. Lili and Ben meet and spend only one day together, but the love is formed that day. When they meet five years later Lili/Alice has amnesia and he helps her rediscover who she is. This is my first Lucas read but it will not be my last.
This was a dual timeline and a dual narration. The dual timelines work separate of each other until they collide. Lili/Alice was a strong independent woman until her marriage broke her into the point of amnesia. Ben was a compassionate, kind, and gentle person. I cried, I laughed, I screamed at the pages, I smiled, and at times I was angry at one of the characters. The characters were developed so well, with depth, emotion, chemistry, and so creatively developed. The author’s writing style was complex, multifaceted, an element of mystery, romantic, and just brilliant!
I loved the love story between Lili/Alice and Ben and would love to see a sequel, maybe on the one of the side characters but the first of the sequel just devoted to their continuing love story. I cannot recommend this enough, for me, I just loved it cover to cover, even with the triggers, as I believe they formed her as a character. Go pick up this book right now!
🏷
.
.
#whatimreading #booklover #bookworm #bookpic #bookstagram #fiction #booksoninstagram #reviewer #bookfriends #bookrecs #goodreads #bookishgirl #2023bookgoals #bookpost #Book-Reviews #netgalley #romance #romcom #secondchance #neverforgetme #fionalucas #harpercollinspublishers
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Author: Fiona Lucas
GR: 4.04
I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley and HarperCollins and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased. Special thank you to Sophia at HarperCollins, she always sends me the best arcs, some of them that I would not normally pick up.
My Thoughts: This was a beautifully poignant story that placed me on an emotional rollercoaster. Trigger of emotional relationship abuse and gaslighting. Lili and Ben meet and spend only one day together, but the love is formed that day. When they meet five years later Lili/Alice has amnesia and he helps her rediscover who she is. This is my first Lucas read but it will not be my last.
This was a dual timeline and a dual narration. The dual timelines work separate of each other until they collide. Lili/Alice was a strong independent woman until her marriage broke her into the point of amnesia. Ben was a compassionate, kind, and gentle person. I cried, I laughed, I screamed at the pages, I smiled, and at times I was angry at one of the characters. The characters were developed so well, with depth, emotion, chemistry, and so creatively developed. The author’s writing style was complex, multifaceted, an element of mystery, romantic, and just brilliant!
I loved the love story between Lili/Alice and Ben and would love to see a sequel, maybe on the one of the side characters but the first of the sequel just devoted to their continuing love story. I cannot recommend this enough, for me, I just loved it cover to cover, even with the triggers, as I believe they formed her as a character. Go pick up this book right now!
🏷
.
.
#whatimreading #booklover #bookworm #bookpic #bookstagram #fiction #booksoninstagram #reviewer #bookfriends #bookrecs #goodreads #bookishgirl #2023bookgoals #bookpost #Book-Reviews #netgalley #romance #romcom #secondchance #neverforgetme #fionalucas #harpercollinspublishers
March 23, 2024
Loved this! A mix of emotions but also gave you lots of good feelings! A great story!
October 8, 2023
I struggled a little bit with this book because of the triggering content in parts. But I liked the storyline between Ben and Alice and them finding each other again. I probably wouldn't read again but would recommend.
April 25, 2023
Wow! Talk about an emotional story that I didn’t see coming at all. Never Forget You is a mystery and contemporary romance story that tells the story of a women with amnesia, Lili, while going back and forth between the present and the past.
What appealed to you the most in this story?
I loved how real and emotional this story was. I felt for Lili’s character from the beginning and just wanted her to figure out who she was and what traumatic event brought on her amnesia. The whole time she was just so brave, and this is why I just felt so emotionally connected to her as I read. I know you are thinking…romance…amnesia…How can this be emotional and not cheesy? Trust me when I say that this is not your typical amnesia story at all. Everything felt so authentic and serious but still with a heartwarming touch.
How did you handle the dual timeline?
I loved how well the timelines seamlessly flowed together and added an extra note of suspense to the story. It is hard to talk more about the two timelines without creating a spoiler, but it’s one of those storylines where you know what is about to happen but there is just nothing you can do to stop it.
How was the pace?
This book held a steady and at times fast pace.
Do you recommend this book?
Overall, this is a story about hope and second chances that I really cannot recommend enough.
P.S. You may want to read author’s content warning at the beginning since this is quite the emotional story that takes on heavy issues.
Thank you, HQ Books, for this gifted copy in exchange for my honest review.
What appealed to you the most in this story?
I loved how real and emotional this story was. I felt for Lili’s character from the beginning and just wanted her to figure out who she was and what traumatic event brought on her amnesia. The whole time she was just so brave, and this is why I just felt so emotionally connected to her as I read. I know you are thinking…romance…amnesia…How can this be emotional and not cheesy? Trust me when I say that this is not your typical amnesia story at all. Everything felt so authentic and serious but still with a heartwarming touch.
How did you handle the dual timeline?
I loved how well the timelines seamlessly flowed together and added an extra note of suspense to the story. It is hard to talk more about the two timelines without creating a spoiler, but it’s one of those storylines where you know what is about to happen but there is just nothing you can do to stop it.
How was the pace?
This book held a steady and at times fast pace.
Do you recommend this book?
Overall, this is a story about hope and second chances that I really cannot recommend enough.
P.S. You may want to read author’s content warning at the beginning since this is quite the emotional story that takes on heavy issues.
Thank you, HQ Books, for this gifted copy in exchange for my honest review.
April 11, 2023
Never Forget You, by Fiona Lucas, is probably one of those books that polarizes readers. It was definitely, 100%, not for me, an opinion for which I am deeply regretful. Why, you ask? Well, I wanted to love it. I was absolutely drawn in by Part I, where we’re introduced to Lili and Ben.
I don’t know what the Hell happened after Part I but this story went careening downhill, broke through some barriers, hit a huge boulder, went airborne, crash-landed, rolled 33.5 times, and came to rest on its side, snug against a tea shop in west London. It’s still there now, smoking slightly and occasionally emitting a creaking sigh, like a train that has just pulled into the depot.
It is my humble – and I know I will be demolished for this – opinion, that Never Forget You is not a romance. I personally believe that it qualifies for that amorphous term, “women’s fiction.” It’s not certainly not romantic.
In fact, it is filled with trauma. So Much Trauma. The ‘happily ever after’ is not like any I’ve read before (that is not a compliment). Except, perhaps for portions of Part I, this book is not very happy and neither was I, when I read it.
When I turned the last page, I did not sigh with the joy of a widowed woman whose previously cracked heart has been healed by the caulk of romantic tears. I did, however, utter some foul curse words that shall not be repeated here lest I find myself banned from GR for vulgarity.
I don’t understand why the author took this story where she took it. It just feels like trauma for the sake of trauma. I don’t read romance to be traumatized. Bad things happen. Stories should absolutely include bad things when those bad things help with the story. In this case, I just feel like the author started to write a romance, wrote a horror story, smashed the two together and swiped her hands together with a satisfied “there.”
But there’s no ‘there’ there, IYKWIM.
Fiona Lucas’ writing is excellent. I hope I like her next book better.
I don’t know what the Hell happened after Part I but this story went careening downhill, broke through some barriers, hit a huge boulder, went airborne, crash-landed, rolled 33.5 times, and came to rest on its side, snug against a tea shop in west London. It’s still there now, smoking slightly and occasionally emitting a creaking sigh, like a train that has just pulled into the depot.
It is my humble – and I know I will be demolished for this – opinion, that Never Forget You is not a romance. I personally believe that it qualifies for that amorphous term, “women’s fiction.” It’s not certainly not romantic.
In fact, it is filled with trauma. So Much Trauma. The ‘happily ever after’ is not like any I’ve read before (that is not a compliment). Except, perhaps for portions of Part I, this book is not very happy and neither was I, when I read it.
When I turned the last page, I did not sigh with the joy of a widowed woman whose previously cracked heart has been healed by the caulk of romantic tears. I did, however, utter some foul curse words that shall not be repeated here lest I find myself banned from GR for vulgarity.
I don’t understand why the author took this story where she took it. It just feels like trauma for the sake of trauma. I don’t read romance to be traumatized. Bad things happen. Stories should absolutely include bad things when those bad things help with the story. In this case, I just feel like the author started to write a romance, wrote a horror story, smashed the two together and swiped her hands together with a satisfied “there.”
But there’s no ‘there’ there, IYKWIM.
Fiona Lucas’ writing is excellent. I hope I like her next book better.
March 30, 2023
I received an ARC copy via HarperCollins Publishing in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Please check trigger warnings before reading this book.
We all believe in soulmates in some form or fashion. It's one of our favorite tropes if we are being honest. The thought of there being one person out there that was made specifically for us. Everything should fall perfectly into place when we meet them. But what if you met the right person at the wrong time? In the short time you spent together, you knew he was different. But sadly, fate had other ideas. Our main characters still had some growing to do but will fate ever bring back our star crossed lovers together?
When I first started this book, I immediately wanted to put it down. There was so much insta-love that I couldn't stand it. If you follow my reviews, you know that insta-love is my absolute least favorite trope ever. If I never read another insta-love novel, it would be too soon. But then our heroine Lili and Ben the photographer went their separate ways after a little over 24 hours together. As they said goodbye, they promised to keep in touch and meet at the exact same place one year later.
At this point, I became afraid that it was going to be very similar to "November 9" by Colleen Hoover; that every year on the same day, they would meet up at the same place and have one day together. Boy was I wrong and I have never been more happy to be wrong.
At first I was a little confused as to what was going on. It was like the timeline had jumped and I was confused (I understand now and you will too the farther you get into the book). Lili wakes up on a bench in the middle of a town she has never been to and doesn't know how she got there. Nor does she remember who she is. Scared for her life, Lili attempts to go to a restaurant to gather her thoughts. It's then that she realizes just how messed up everything is. She has no ID, no money and no phone. Fate decides to play a funny hand when Ben walks into the same restaurant and finds the one that got away. Now he will do anything to keep her.
This is such a cute novel. It was the perfect mix of love but also character development. I think Lucas did a wonderful job explaining how abuse can take on more than one form and how one can be blind to see it. Lucas had wonderful representation of mental health issues, addiction and abusive relationships. I didn't feel as though the characters were only two dimensional. I felt connected to them. I felt their struggles and heartbreak. I very thoroughly enjoyed this book. While I do wish there was a little less insta-love, which is why I couldn't give it a five star. Plus there was times when I felt like it dragged on or felt confused. I would give it a 4 1/2 star if I could. I really did enjoy this book.
As mentioned, please check trigger warnings before picking this book up. It does have very heavy dealings with verbal, mental and emotional abuse. As well as death due to addiction. Please use caution.
Thank you to HarperCollins for allowing me to read this book prior to publishing. Find in on shelves and preorder it before April 4th!
We all believe in soulmates in some form or fashion. It's one of our favorite tropes if we are being honest. The thought of there being one person out there that was made specifically for us. Everything should fall perfectly into place when we meet them. But what if you met the right person at the wrong time? In the short time you spent together, you knew he was different. But sadly, fate had other ideas. Our main characters still had some growing to do but will fate ever bring back our star crossed lovers together?
When I first started this book, I immediately wanted to put it down. There was so much insta-love that I couldn't stand it. If you follow my reviews, you know that insta-love is my absolute least favorite trope ever. If I never read another insta-love novel, it would be too soon. But then our heroine Lili and Ben the photographer went their separate ways after a little over 24 hours together. As they said goodbye, they promised to keep in touch and meet at the exact same place one year later.
At this point, I became afraid that it was going to be very similar to "November 9" by Colleen Hoover; that every year on the same day, they would meet up at the same place and have one day together. Boy was I wrong and I have never been more happy to be wrong.
At first I was a little confused as to what was going on. It was like the timeline had jumped and I was confused (I understand now and you will too the farther you get into the book). Lili wakes up on a bench in the middle of a town she has never been to and doesn't know how she got there. Nor does she remember who she is. Scared for her life, Lili attempts to go to a restaurant to gather her thoughts. It's then that she realizes just how messed up everything is. She has no ID, no money and no phone. Fate decides to play a funny hand when Ben walks into the same restaurant and finds the one that got away. Now he will do anything to keep her.
This is such a cute novel. It was the perfect mix of love but also character development. I think Lucas did a wonderful job explaining how abuse can take on more than one form and how one can be blind to see it. Lucas had wonderful representation of mental health issues, addiction and abusive relationships. I didn't feel as though the characters were only two dimensional. I felt connected to them. I felt their struggles and heartbreak. I very thoroughly enjoyed this book. While I do wish there was a little less insta-love, which is why I couldn't give it a five star. Plus there was times when I felt like it dragged on or felt confused. I would give it a 4 1/2 star if I could. I really did enjoy this book.
As mentioned, please check trigger warnings before picking this book up. It does have very heavy dealings with verbal, mental and emotional abuse. As well as death due to addiction. Please use caution.
Thank you to HarperCollins for allowing me to read this book prior to publishing. Find in on shelves and preorder it before April 4th!
May 30, 2024
Initially, I found it difficult to focus on Never Forget You by Fiona Lucas, likely because I had just finished a book that left a significant impact on me. However, as I progressed through the chapters, I gradually let go of the previous story and found myself fully immersed in the compelling narrative of Alice/Lily.
Never Forget You defied my expectations in the best possible way. The blurb suggested a sweet, lighthearted romcom, but the story delivered so much more. Fiona Lucas delves deeply into the complexities of mental and emotional abuse, a theme that has resonated with me repeatedly this year. This book stands out for its insightful portrayal of non-physical abuse, which is often overlooked or misunderstood.
Lucas skillfully captures the insidious nature of emotional abuse—how it can be dismissed as oversensitivity or misinterpretation. Through the character of Alice/Lily, the novel explores how individuals can be drawn into unhealthy relationships and come to believe that the mistreatment they experience is their fault. The portrayal of this type of abuse is painfully accurate: it lacks visible bruises or broken bones, yet it leaves victims feeling trapped and suffocated in an invisible jail cell.
The narrative’s strength lies in its ability to weave together two storylines across different timelines, gradually revealing key details that keep the reader engaged and intrigued. Lucas masterfully drip-feeds information, maintaining a perfect balance of suspense and revelation. This approach not only highlights the protagonist’s journey of self-discovery but also underscores the emotional depth of the story.
Alongside the heavier themes, Never Forget You also develops a sweet and pure love story, showcasing Lucas’s versatility as a writer. The blend of romance and serious subject matter is handled with exceptional skill, creating a reading experience that is both heart-wrenching and heartwarming.
Reflecting on the book, I am thoroughly impressed by Fiona Lucas’s ability to craft such a nuanced and powerful story. Her portrayal of emotional abuse is profound and enlightening, making Never Forget You a standout read. I wholeheartedly loved this book and applaud Ms. Lucas for her excellent work. Well done, indeed.
Never Forget You defied my expectations in the best possible way. The blurb suggested a sweet, lighthearted romcom, but the story delivered so much more. Fiona Lucas delves deeply into the complexities of mental and emotional abuse, a theme that has resonated with me repeatedly this year. This book stands out for its insightful portrayal of non-physical abuse, which is often overlooked or misunderstood.
Lucas skillfully captures the insidious nature of emotional abuse—how it can be dismissed as oversensitivity or misinterpretation. Through the character of Alice/Lily, the novel explores how individuals can be drawn into unhealthy relationships and come to believe that the mistreatment they experience is their fault. The portrayal of this type of abuse is painfully accurate: it lacks visible bruises or broken bones, yet it leaves victims feeling trapped and suffocated in an invisible jail cell.
The narrative’s strength lies in its ability to weave together two storylines across different timelines, gradually revealing key details that keep the reader engaged and intrigued. Lucas masterfully drip-feeds information, maintaining a perfect balance of suspense and revelation. This approach not only highlights the protagonist’s journey of self-discovery but also underscores the emotional depth of the story.
Alongside the heavier themes, Never Forget You also develops a sweet and pure love story, showcasing Lucas’s versatility as a writer. The blend of romance and serious subject matter is handled with exceptional skill, creating a reading experience that is both heart-wrenching and heartwarming.
Reflecting on the book, I am thoroughly impressed by Fiona Lucas’s ability to craft such a nuanced and powerful story. Her portrayal of emotional abuse is profound and enlightening, making Never Forget You a standout read. I wholeheartedly loved this book and applaud Ms. Lucas for her excellent work. Well done, indeed.
April 10, 2023
Imagine meeting an amazing man only to find out he's just passing through for work. 🥺 You agree to meet 1 year later only it didn't happen!
I. Had. To. Know. Why!! I couldn't put this book down!!
I remember reading the synopsis but of course I promptly forgot what it said. I received the book and started reading it. I am SO GLAD I forgot what it was about! The story is beautiful!! It gave me all the feels!
I was kinda worried that the book was 400 pages long and it would be one of the books that could have been shorter. This book deserved every single page and more!
TW & SPOILER?: This book does have a male character who is a real jerk. He is narcissistic and manipulative. He does gaslight the MFC. I know that this is a trigger or sensitive topic for some people. I wouldn't want anyone to read this book without being aware. 🩷
On my scale of Buy, Borrow, Bargain, Bud or Bust. This is a BUY!! Definitely a top book for me this year!!
Read this book if:
🇬🇧 you like second chance romance
🇬🇧 you want a strong, patient, kind man in the book you're reading
🇬🇧 you want a twist to the second chance romance trope
I. Had. To. Know. Why!! I couldn't put this book down!!
I remember reading the synopsis but of course I promptly forgot what it said. I received the book and started reading it. I am SO GLAD I forgot what it was about! The story is beautiful!! It gave me all the feels!
I was kinda worried that the book was 400 pages long and it would be one of the books that could have been shorter. This book deserved every single page and more!
TW & SPOILER?: This book does have a male character who is a real jerk. He is narcissistic and manipulative. He does gaslight the MFC. I know that this is a trigger or sensitive topic for some people. I wouldn't want anyone to read this book without being aware. 🩷
On my scale of Buy, Borrow, Bargain, Bud or Bust. This is a BUY!! Definitely a top book for me this year!!
Read this book if:
🇬🇧 you like second chance romance
🇬🇧 you want a strong, patient, kind man in the book you're reading
🇬🇧 you want a twist to the second chance romance trope
Displaying 1 - 30 of 312 reviews