Forget You by Jennifer Echols - Review

I have to admit it took me a while to get into this novel, but not, I don't think because of the novel itself, but because of the book I finished right before this one, I could not seem to get it out of my head...but in the end, the way Jennifer Echols always seems to, she drug me out of my slump, she hit me over the head with amazingly unique characters, and with a story line that's real, interactive and poignant.

How, you might be wondering, can a book be interactive – I am not 100% sure I can tell you how, but Forget You was, for me. You have heard me say before that I believe what a person brings to a story, or book can make it or break it, my story, my life, brought this book even more to life, before my eyes.

Having a cousin, whom I am very close to, be Bi-Polar, and having been myself diagnosed on more than one occasion with major depression – Zoey, as well as her mom became walking, talking, real people; people I felt like I just pulled up a chair with, and had a conversation.

Jennifer Echols, and I am not sure how she does it, always creates characters that present themselves as real, tangible, people you could reach out, touch – people you long to reach out and touch.

Synopsis via goodreads:
There’s a lot Zoey would like to forget. Like how her father has knocked up his twenty-four-year old girlfriend. Like Zoey’s fear that the whole town will find out about her mom’s nervous breakdown. Like darkly handsome bad boy Doug taunting her at school. With her life about to become a complete mess, Zoey fights back the only way she knows how, using her famous attention to detail to make sure she’s the perfect daughter, the perfect student, and the perfect girlfriend to ultra-popular football player Brandon.

But then Zoey is in a car crash, and the next day there’s one thing she can’t remember at all—the entire night before. Did she go parking with Brandon, like she planned? And if so, why does it seem like Brandon is avoiding her? And why is Doug—of all people—suddenly acting as if something significant happened between the two of them? Zoey dimly remembers Doug pulling her from the wreck, but he keeps referring to what happened that night as if it was more, and it terrifies Zoey to admit how much is a blank to her. Controlled, meticulous Zoey is quickly losing her grip on the all-important details of her life—a life that seems strangely empty of Brandon, and strangely full of Doug.

You have, I am sure, read books where relationships start, way to fast, connections are made, and it almost seems more like lust than love, when you've only known someone for such a short period of time, how could it be more; unless your like me and believe in love at first site – Jennifer Echols however is different, each book that I have read of her's so far, she creates a love story, that's built on something, there's always a solid foundation for the love, the characters inevitably share, and Forget You is no different. Zoey and Doug; are different than most YA love's, they take time, build a relationship, and though at times some of the sexual content caught me off guard; I was thrilled that it did. I think, sex, if it's tastefully done, has a place in YA Lit. not because ALL kids out there are having sex, but because lots of them are! Anyway, the love they develop is, rich with sexual tension, deep with emotional moments, and poignant with free floating dialogue, and tender moments that take your breath away.

Jennifer Echols, took the hard road with Forget You, and some people, I am SURE will balk at her for doing that, Zoey does have sex for the first time with a guy she does not love, just because she feels broken and she MUST do something, change something...I know how she felt, but because she jumps right into it, it was a bit hard to read, though on a positive note, she does use protection!

I think, lots of teens can relate to Zoey, she's flawed, and let face it, kinda broken – several reviews I have read have suggested that she's all over the place, I agree she is, and she's REALLY naive especially when it comes to Brandon. But knowing what depression is like, and feeling like your in the water, being pulled, pushed and plucked each time you try to put your feet down, I connected with Zoey, in a way that not many people might, I think. I can tell you from experience, the things she experienced, are exactly the way a person can feel, sometimes. And, her lack of better judgment, at times, well – it just hit home!

Bottom Line – Forget You, is not a book that you can easily forget, it's plot makes this a book you will want to get your hands on and it's characters mark this one as a MUST read; Jennifer Echols has not disappointed readers, or at least not this reader, I loved Going Too Far, and I always will and now Forget You has made it's way into my heart as well. Zoey, towards the end, though still what I might consider broken, is healing – I loved how Jennifer worked the ending, though I can't say more. Also, I can't not mention Doug, he's the type of guy I think we all deserve. I give Forget You a 5 mushrooms, and as always will be following Ms. Jennifer Echols to her next publication, she's got an amazing and powerful voice in YA Lit today, we are lucky to have her!

Forget You
By: Jennifer Echols
293 Pages
Published: July 20, 2010 (Happy Book Birthday!)
Publisher: MTV
Received via an ART Tour, for my honest review.