This is the third book I've read by this author and it is the weakest of the three. That said, it's still pretty good for a chick-lit book.

The story is about a woman who goes on vacation, a natural disaster happens, and she is presumed dead. Six months later she come back to her life and all kinds of interesting things happen.



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Strong start, weak finish

This is one of those books that seems like it's going to be different, until it isn't. Girl's mother passes, leaves her a ticket to Africa, girl hesitates but goes. Natural tragedy follows, delaying her return. Conflicts at home, romance, work etc..yada, yada, yada. This story has been done countless times, yet I'd hoped for more given its ratings. Alas its nothing more than a regurgitation of plots that have been used for decades. The ONLY thing going for it is pacing, which is done well. That said, I DO realize this type of story appeals to various readers. To quote Groucho Marx, "I'd never be a member of a club that would have someone like me as a member" :) ( )

Emma Tupper is grieving her mother’s death. When her mother’s final gift to her is a trip to Africa, Emma takes the trip, putting her life and career as a litigation lawyer on hold.
While in Africa, Emma gets sick, and her month long trip turns into 6 months. When she gets home, she finds that her apartment has been rented to a photographer named Dominic, her things gone, her boyfriend has moved on and her cases have been reassigned.
Now that her life has been upended, Emma has to reconsider her life choices. While rebuilding her caseload, she is assigned to an insurance case involving a missing Manet painting.
Part investigation, part romance, part finding yourself, this is a cute story. There were too many holes to give it a higher rating though. ( )

4.5 stars. A realistic plot, witty dialogue and an understated romance make Forgotten a thoroughly enjoyable story that I highly recommend. To read my review in its entirety, please click HERE. ( )

Emma Tupper leads a busy life as a corporate lawyer. But after her mother passes away, she takes a month-long leave of absence (basically unheard of in her firm) to visit Africa -- the dream trip her mom never had the chance to take. But things go awry and Emma gets sick in Africa. Shortly after, an earthquake hits the region where she's recuperating, and her one-month trip becomes a six-month odyssey. Unable to communicate from her remote village, Emma finally returns home, only to find out that everyone thinks she died in Africa and that life has gone on without her.

This was an interesting novel. It's a fun and diversionary story, to say the least, even if not much of it seems too rooted in truth. Emma is so easily declared dead in a mere six months? When she returns back to find her apartment rented, the new tenant has no issue with her staying with him, and even wearing his clothes? Hmm. Okay. A romance triangle is thrown in, of course, with Emma's pre-Africa boyfriend having moved on (or has he?). So much of the book seemed downright silly to me, but I found it oddly addictive. Emma's a little irksome from time-to-time, but I'm not sure what I would do if I came back from vacation and everyone thought I was dead and had sold my life out from under me! It's a good exploration on how we often lead our lives out of habit and ease, versus truly going after what we truly want. Nothing earth-shattering here, but an enjoyable read.

Thanks to Goodreads for giving me a copy of this book through their First Reads/Giveaway program. ( )