cateslittlelibrary's review against another edition
3.0
light, fluffy, extremely hetero romance! i read it for the summer camp but god damn that was a lot of god-fearing. live laugh love
blakehalsey's review against another edition
4.0
Kenneally's third book in the Hundred Oaks series was an interesting experience. Kate is a conservative christian dealing with the aftermath of helping her best friend get an abortion. In her confusion and guilt, she falls in love and struggles with the physical relationship. I don't usually like YA with a spiritual twist, but Kenneally handled the issues pretty well and is clearly in favor of tolerance and acceptance--your truth is not every one's truth.
coleanne's review against another edition
5.0
This book is my all-time favorite. I come back to it constantly and re-read it. Every time I read it I find more of myself in the pages. I don't think I'd love it as much as I do if I hadn't read it when I did, but I connected to it so deeply then. I love that
Spoiler
ParkerSpoiler
teaches Kate to set healthy boundaries and respect herself enough to communicate her wants and needs toSpoiler
MattSpoiler
. This is such an important thing to learn to do, in platonic, familial, and romantic relationships and I think this line of the plot is what makes me love this book so much.Spoiler
Matt is willing to respect the boundaries that Kate communicates to him and work to keep her because he loves her, which is cheesy, but sweet.Spoiler
There are some typical tropes andSpoiler
almost everyone ends up in romantic relationships by the endSpoiler
, which is unnecessary but doesn't really detract from anything, so it's whatever. I've read this book so many times that pages are falling out of my copy.donttakemybooks's review against another edition
4.0
I really like this series and enjoyed the growth Kate goes through in this book. It's a tough process to learn that your truth is not everyone else's truth and to go from seeing things in black and white to shades of gray.
michellesantiago's review against another edition
4.0
In TICF, we have another got-to-keep-turning-the-pages like [b:Catching Jordan|9888775|Catching Jordan (Hundred Oaks, #1)|Miranda Kenneally|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327875803s/9888775.jpg|14780777] and [b:Stealing Parker|12551077|Stealing Parker (Hundred Oaks, #2)|Miranda Kenneally|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1334451985s/12551077.jpg|17552643].
Out of all of Miranda Kenneally's girls (Jordan, Parker, Kate) Kate was the hardest to like for me--her character was judgmental, very black-and-white sort of view of the world and like some people called her, a "Jesus Freak." But it doesn't make her any less real and having grown up attending Bible studies and going to church like Kate, I did understand where she was coming from and I know people like her in real life.
I enjoyed reading about her summer in which her faith was tested and temptations abound, friendships were made and Kate's tunnel vision view of the world expanded, but she stayed, at her core, herself and was able to hold on to her beliefs and opinions.
As for the love interest, Matt, Kenneally created another swoon-worthy guy, although I don't know about the whole bare feet thing (I kept waiting for him to step on a thorn or a sharp twig or something while they were at the summer camp). Kate and Matt did get pretty hot and heavy in a few scenes and because of that I wouldn't recommend this novel to younger teens but there's nothing in this book that readers in high school and older will not be able to handle.
My favorite part of the novel was the friendship that formed between Kate and Parker (for those who loved Stealing Parker like myself, I'm happy to report that Parker and Will played large roles in this book and we get to see an update about them and where they may be heading in the future).
Out of all of Miranda Kenneally's girls (Jordan, Parker, Kate) Kate was the hardest to like for me--her character was judgmental, very black-and-white sort of view of the world and like some people called her, a "Jesus Freak." But it doesn't make her any less real and having grown up attending Bible studies and going to church like Kate, I did understand where she was coming from and I know people like her in real life.
I enjoyed reading about her summer in which her faith was tested and temptations abound, friendships were made and Kate's tunnel vision view of the world expanded, but she stayed, at her core, herself and was able to hold on to her beliefs and opinions.
As for the love interest, Matt, Kenneally created another swoon-worthy guy, although I don't know about the whole bare feet thing (I kept waiting for him to step on a thorn or a sharp twig or something while they were at the summer camp). Kate and Matt did get pretty hot and heavy in a few scenes and because of that I wouldn't recommend this novel to younger teens but there's nothing in this book that readers in high school and older will not be able to handle.
My favorite part of the novel was the friendship that formed between Kate and Parker (for those who loved Stealing Parker like myself, I'm happy to report that Parker and Will played large roles in this book and we get to see an update about them and where they may be heading in the future).
hannahhhhh's review against another edition
5.0
This book was bought on a whim. I was pressured to get out of Barnes and Noble and I grabbed the book, quickly scanned the back cover, and payed.
Was I surprised! This book was amazing! I love camp set settings and romance between two people who knew each other from their childhood. *swoon* Childhood love reuniting!
I anticipated every page. I wanted to read it all the time! I got tears, warmth, anger, humor, and shivers from reading this book.
I recommend you read this book if you're looking for something cute and fun. It's a great summer read!
Was I surprised! This book was amazing! I love camp set settings and romance between two people who knew each other from their childhood. *swoon* Childhood love reuniting!
I anticipated every page. I wanted to read it all the time! I got tears, warmth, anger, humor, and shivers from reading this book.
I recommend you read this book if you're looking for something cute and fun. It's a great summer read!
jackiestone's review against another edition
1.0
God I hated Kate. I just really hated Kate. NEVER READ THIS!
bookishnicole's review against another edition
DNF around 10% I know that is early to abandon a book, but she was super judgy, and I know that she'll probably grow as a person to be more accepting, but I just can't deal.
sarabelle93's review against another edition
3.0
Loved it! A lot of people aren't liking the religious aspects of the book. Coming from a religious southern family myself, I didn't mind at all. I love how Kate grew through out the story. I also liked that she stayed true to her beliefs and that Matt didn't pressure her. Can't wait for Racing Savannah.
cupcakegirly's review against another edition
5.0
LOVED.IT.SO.HARD!
I have enjoyed all of Miranda Kenneally's books thus far but this one, THIS ONE, with THIS BOOK BOY sent me spiraling into the land of "I LOVE THIS AUTHOR AND I WILL READ ANYTHING SHE WRITES!"
What I loved: Matt Brown. OK, I'll come back to him in a minute. Miranda Kenneally is a master at covering the hot button issues with grace, honesty and compassion. She has the ability to make the reader see both sides of a situation and creates characters and stories that are realistic and completely relateable. Regardless of whether or not you agree with the choices being made, you're still able to empathize with what these characters are going through.
Life isn't black and white and a person's faith and beliefs are just that, personal, but there comes a point in life when you have to decide what you believe and why. You have to own it. Or not. Kate struggles with a lifetime of expectations and it isn't until she finds herself reeling with guilt over helping her friend that she truly begins to understand this. While spending the summer at church camp, Kate comes face to face with people and situations that go against everything she's ever been taught is "right". She finds herself challenged in ways she never imagined and she'll have to decide for herself what's most important, rules or relationships which is easier said than done especially when she runs into Matt again.
Fans of Miranda Kenneally's know that she writes AMAZEBALL BOOK BOYS! I mean, I loved Sam Henry in Catching Jordan and Will Whitfield in Stealing Parker but Matt Brown is truly one of the Things I Can't Forget! Matt is the kind of boy you want your daughter to bring home and your son to be. He's smart, funny, artistic, and definitely not riding the ugly train especially with those biceps. *fans face* Matt is also grounded in his beliefs and he helps Kate see that nobody is perfect, he teaches her how to forgive and how to see good in others.
Matt also shows Kate how to love. *swoons* These two could be open and honest with each other about every aspect of their relationship which is not always easy to do and I thoroughly enjoyed watching it grow.
What left me wanting: Not.enough.Matt.Brown. In fact, I could read an ENTIRE book dedicated to Matt and his love for music, literature, green beans and of course, his biceps. *hint hint Miranda* ;)
Final verdict: Things I Can't Forget is a beautifully written story about faith, love and becoming the person you were meant to be. READ.IT!
I have enjoyed all of Miranda Kenneally's books thus far but this one, THIS ONE, with THIS BOOK BOY sent me spiraling into the land of "I LOVE THIS AUTHOR AND I WILL READ ANYTHING SHE WRITES!"
What I loved: Matt Brown. OK, I'll come back to him in a minute. Miranda Kenneally is a master at covering the hot button issues with grace, honesty and compassion. She has the ability to make the reader see both sides of a situation and creates characters and stories that are realistic and completely relateable. Regardless of whether or not you agree with the choices being made, you're still able to empathize with what these characters are going through.
Life isn't black and white and a person's faith and beliefs are just that, personal, but there comes a point in life when you have to decide what you believe and why. You have to own it. Or not. Kate struggles with a lifetime of expectations and it isn't until she finds herself reeling with guilt over helping her friend that she truly begins to understand this. While spending the summer at church camp, Kate comes face to face with people and situations that go against everything she's ever been taught is "right". She finds herself challenged in ways she never imagined and she'll have to decide for herself what's most important, rules or relationships which is easier said than done especially when she runs into Matt again.
Fans of Miranda Kenneally's know that she writes AMAZEBALL BOOK BOYS! I mean, I loved Sam Henry in Catching Jordan and Will Whitfield in Stealing Parker but Matt Brown is truly one of the Things I Can't Forget! Matt is the kind of boy you want your daughter to bring home and your son to be. He's smart, funny, artistic, and definitely not riding the ugly train especially with those biceps. *fans face* Matt is also grounded in his beliefs and he helps Kate see that nobody is perfect, he teaches her how to forgive and how to see good in others.
Matt also shows Kate how to love. *swoons* These two could be open and honest with each other about every aspect of their relationship which is not always easy to do and I thoroughly enjoyed watching it grow.
What left me wanting: Not.enough.Matt.Brown. In fact, I could read an ENTIRE book dedicated to Matt and his love for music, literature, green beans and of course, his biceps. *hint hint Miranda* ;)
Final verdict: Things I Can't Forget is a beautifully written story about faith, love and becoming the person you were meant to be. READ.IT!