I'm aching for blue skies instead: FORGET YOU KNOW ME.

Forget You Know Me by Jessica Strawser

My rating: 3.5+ of 5 stars


Molly and Liza have been friends forever--seeing each other through high school, college, and early adulthood. But they now find themselves drifting apart. Liza is single and recently moved from Cincinnati to Chicago. Molly still lives in Cincy, is married to Daniel and has two kids, ages three and five. One night they attempt to reconnect over video chat. But while Molly's upstairs putting one of the kids back to bed, Liza spots a black-clad figure sneaking in Molly's back door. Liza's shouting over the computer startles him, and he shuts the computer lid on her. Liza panics and calls the police. But she never hears from Molly again that night, beyond a few short texts. Convinced her friend is in real trouble, Liza drives from Chicago to check on her, only to have the door basically be shut in her face. Liza is baffled, wondering if their friendship is truly over. And Molly is unable to deal with what happened--and with the other issues going on her life. But the webcam incident has kicked off a series of events for both women that they soon will be unable to ignore.

I have to hand it to Jessica Strawser--not sure what's happened to her in her life (ha), but she can come up with some tangled plots. As always with her books, you have to go in expecting more women's fiction than suspense/thriller, and that helps set expectations up front. Still, I have to say, that there are a surprising number of suspects for the black-clad figure who pops up on Liza's web cam. For a suburban neighborhood, it sure is a tangled web of secrets and lies out there!

So I found the plot on this one kind of baffling at first: I think it could have done without Liza and Molly's fight, honestly. Their fighting was awkward and uncomfortable and didn't seem really necessary. But I quickly warmed to Molly and Liza, who were very real characters with flaws and genuine traits. For Liza, much of her life is ruled by her anxiety, while Molly's by her chronic pain. I felt for both of them. Despite being best friends, they are on separate tracks for most of the book, making you wonder where things are going to wind up.

With everyone keeping secrets, telling lies, and basically just being dishonest--both to others and themselves--the book really does keep you guessing about what happened that night. As it does, you're treated to a very realistic look at marriage and friendship. I felt parts of it were overblown and it was a very different sort of read, but I enjoyed it overall. The descriptions and portrayals of Molly and Liza are what really drew me in. 3.5+ stars.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in return for an unbiased review- thank you!

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