I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Everything She Forgot by Lisa Ballantyne Published by William Morrow on October 6, 2015
Pages: 432
Format: ARC
Source: the publisher
Margaret Holloway has a lot of things on her mind as she is driving home during a blinding snowstorm. Suddenly, her car is rear-ended and she becomes one of many victims in what is later referred to as "the worst pileup in London history." Right before her car becomes engulfed in flames, she's rescued by a disfigured stranger. Before she can thank him, he disappears.
Margaret's injuries are minor, yet she finds herself struggling to get past the accident. Her memories of the accident are bringing up memories from her past, memories she realize she consciously chose to forget. Somehow, everything ties back to the stranger that saved her life.
As she confronts her past, she awakens memories that have lasting impact on her future. Told in alternating time frames, Everything She Forgot is a heart-wrenching story about redemption.
Novels with family secrets are my kryptonite; I’m drawn to them instantly. This one is no different. Set in two time periods, this thriller involves quite a host of interesting characters. In the current time period, readers are introduced to Margaret, a school teacher caught in a terrible accident. The man who saved her has no other family and Margaret is compelled to sit by his bedside as he recovers.
Flash back to 1985. Molly, a seven year old girl, is abducted by her father. “Big George” McLaughlin is the youngest child in a notorious crime family. He has no desire to hurt his daughter; though he was present at her birth he’s been denied access to her all these years. He only meant to say hello, maybe spend a few hours with her, but instead he finds himself on a mission to avoid authorities.
Angus is a small-town journalist. A devoutly religious man, Angus is a walking hypocrite. He treats his own family as animals, handing out strict punishments when they disobey. Angus is on George’s tail, determined to be the one responsible to bring this child abductor to justice.
What makes this novel so remarkable is the complex level of character development. Additionally, Ballantyne creates characters that will invoke the strongest of feelings from readers, but not in the way one would predict. The characters one would think you would root for are the ones you despise the most. Instead, you are falling for those characters you should hate. This is a true feat, one the author executes phenomenally.
Though labeled as a thriller, this is one that will definitely pull at your heartstrings. The bonds of family, the unrelenting love between a parent and child, all of this leaves a lasting impact that extends beyond the final pages.
If you are looking for a captivating, intensely crafted thriller, this is the title for you. Highly recommended.
Photo credit: Emily Ellsworth
