Things I Can't Forget by Miranda Kenneally

Release Date: 1 March 2013
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Format: Paperback
Source: Purchased

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Goodreads description:

Kate has always been the good girl. Too good, according to some people at school—although they have no idea the guilty secret she carries. But this summer, everything is different…

This summer she’s a counselor at Cumberland Creek summer camp, and she wants to put the past behind her. This summer Matt is back as a counselor too. He’s the first guy she ever kissed, and he’s gone from a geeky songwriter who loved The Hardy Boys to a buff lifeguard who loves to flirt--with her.

Kate used to think the world was black and white, right and wrong. Turns out, life isn’t that easy…

My Thoughts...

This series is one that I consider a must-read/must-buy and thankfully Ms. Kenneally didn't disappoint with this third installment. Full of the charm I've come to except from this series, Things I Can't Forget was a quick read that lef the satisfied and looking forward to more.

What I Liked:

Kate was a very dynamic protagonist and I loved getting to see her different layers and the things that made her tick. I was curious how religion would be woven into the story and I felt that the way that it was portrayed they Kate was honest, refreshing, and dearly lacking in preachiness. Kate struggled with her upbringing, past choices, and future choices the way that every teenager does and it totally worked.  The storytelling was fabulous as always, with the perfect moment apps of reflection and just the right amount of teenage angst.

What was Disappointing:

Side characters have always been great in this series and this was no exception, except that I felt some of the potential with the more minor characters was lost. Brad pops up fairly early on and it is clear that he has some major home issues...but we never really get to see it play out.  I felt like he could have been developed more as Kate's friend and added yet another layer to the story.

Overall...

I am still head-over-heels for this series and I am happy to read that there will be more. Ms. Kenneally isn't afraid to tackle tough issues but she manages to keep her novels from turning into issues books, which is appreciated.  They are fun reads that aren't fluffy and I look forward to more.