A review by jojo_fiction_
I Know You Remember by Jennifer Donaldson

challenging dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

 Ruth has just moved back to her childhood town in Alaska after the tragic death of her mother. Surrounded by her formerly absentee father and his new family, all Ruth wants is to be reunited with her childhood best friend, Zahra. But just days before Ruth returns home, Zahra is seen leaving a party, drunk and wandering into the woods, and disappears. In an attempt to find her missing friend she joins Zahra’s friend group, and Ruth has to come to terms with not only the physical disappearance of her old friend, but also the disappearance of the girl she thought she knew in her memories. She discovers just how little she knows about this new version of her old friend, or, did she just not really know her friend at all?


This book was fantastic. It was gripping, full of twists and turns and I was completely shell shocked by the plot twist at the end. In hindsight I could see the hints but I just never picked up on them until everything was explained. It was exactly what I love in a mystery. This book really got into my head, which honestly is the mark of a good story in my mind, for it to stick with me, and for me to keep thinking about it, even a few days after I finished reading it. I read it all in one day, I honestly couldn't put it down!


One thing I didn't love was the church plot line. It was very extreme (I know there are many extremist churches out there, that's not what I had issues believing), but I think it was too unbelievable that Ruth’s dad would be so passionate about that particular church, and for there to be no reasoning as to why. I understand the Step-mom’s loyalty to the community as opposed to the pastor and the teachings but I just didn't understand the dad’s logic. And I felt like there was no conclusion with the rest of the religious plot line. Everything just went on as before. A very minor criticism in the long run but it took me out of the story a bit while reading it. 

Overall, if you’re a fan of YA mysteries/thrillers, I think this is just the kind of book you’d enjoy!


As I write this spoiler/rant section it is midnight and I have just finished reading this book. I haven't felt so shaken by a book in a long, long time. Maybe because Ruth was so believable, even in her own thoughts? And you really get into her head. I remember thinking it was weird that she didn't seem too bothered by her mom dying but oh my god I had no idea that she killed her. I just thought she was numbing herself to the pain, and distracting herself from feeling anything by focusing completely on Zahra. I was disgusted to have been rooting for this character, to want her to be reunited with her friend. This book was so fun to read, even if it shook me up, I want to go back and reread it to see all the hints I missed when I first read it.
 
Rating: 4.5/5

Content warnings: Violence, child death, religious trauma, mental illness
Minor: addiction, drug abuse 
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