Review: "Moments We Forget" by Beth K. Vogt

Earlier this week, I (finally) read Beth K. Vogt's excellent Things I Never Told You. It had been on my TBR shelf for nearly a year, but with the upcoming release of Moments We Forget (and the looming deadline for this review), I finally picked it up. I was captivated. I loved the introduction to the Thatcher sisters, and I was so glad to be able to move right into this book once I finished Things I Never Told You. (Also, you didn't miss it—I haven't posted that review yet. Coming soon, I promise!)

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Jillian Thatcher has spent most of her life playing the family peacemaker, caught in the middle between her driven, talented older sister and her younger, spotlight-stealing twin sisters. Then on the night of her engagement party, a cancer diagnosis threatens to once again steal her chance to shine. Now, Jillian’s on the road to recovery after finally finishing chemo and radiation, but residual effects of the treatment keep her from reclaiming her life as she’d hoped. And just when her dreams might be falling into place, a life-altering revelation from her husband sends her reeling again. Will Jillian ever achieve her own dreams, or will she always be “just Jillian,” the less-than Thatcher sister? Can she count on her sisters as she tries to step into a stronger place, or are they stuck in their childhood roles forever?

Genre: Women's Fiction
Release Date: May 7, 2019

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Moments We Forget continues the story of the Thatcher sisters, which began in Things I Never Told You (and yes, you really should read the books in order, as much of what happens in this novel was set up in the first book). When this novel begins, middle sister Jillian has beaten breast cancer and is settling into married life ... but then circumstances arise that set her off balance and threaten all of her hopes and dreams. Youngest sister Payton finds herself open to faith for the first time in her life, but she doesn't know if she's believing for herself or because that's what her deceased twin Pepper wanted for her. And oldest sister Johanna unexpectedly finds herself at a crossroads in her personal and professional life. As the three Thatcher sisters cope with the unexpected twists of life, they also take baby steps toward each other.

After being a secondary character in Things I Never Told You, Jillian becomes the main character in Moments We Forget. After finishing her breast cancer treatment, she thought life would become easier ... but it didn't. Her story of coming to grips with her new reality and beginning a faith journey is beautiful to watch. Payton's relationship with God, which began in Things I Never Told You, continues to grow throughout this novel, and it was nice to see her more settled after the emotional roller coaster she was on in that first novel. And then there's Johanna ... I could. not. stand. her in book one, and I struggled to like her in this book, as well. She's a bossy know-it-all who can't ever say "I'm sorry." But we get to know her better in this book, and she slowly becomes more sympathetic. I'm very much looking forward to seeing how her story continues!

When this series begins, no one in the Thatcher family has any semblance of a relationship with Christ. The faith journeys in these first two books strike me as authentic—while "lightning bolt" moments do happen, I think that probably more often, there's a slow awakening to an interest in the Lord, and then the time comes when you have to make a decision about whether you believe and choose to follow Christ. That's what's depicted here, at least with Payton and Jillian. (Something tells me that, just based on personality, Johanna's conversion—if it comes—will look a bit different.)

Moments We Forget is a beautiful story of sisterhood, faith, and forgiveness. You'll definitely want to have a Kleenex box nearby as you read! 4-1/2 stars.

Buy the book.
Read my reviews of Vogt's Wish You Were Here (5 stars), Catch a Falling Star (4-1/2 stars), A November Bride (4-1/2 stars), Somebody Like You (5 stars), and Crazy Little Thing Called Love (4-1/2 stars).

Follow the tour:
Livin’ Lit, May 7

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, May 7
The Power of Words, May 7
Among the Reads, May 8
Carpe Diem, May 8
Quiet Quilter, May 8
Wishful Endings, May 9
Christian Chick’s Thoughts, May 9
Simple Harvest Reads, May 10 (Guest post from Mindy Houng)
Remembrancy, May 10
God’s Little Bookworm, May 11
Just the Write Escape, May 11
Spoken from the Heart, May 12
Splashes of Joy, May 12
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 12
Through the Fire Blogs, May 13
Genesis 5020, May 13
By The Book, May 13
Bigreadersite, May 14
A Baker’s Perspective, May 14
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, May 14
Pause for Tales, May 15
Moments, May 15
Stephanie’s Life of Determination, May 15
All-of-a-kind Mom, May 16
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 16
Texas Book-aholic, May 16
janicesbookreviews, May 17
Living Life Free in Christ, May 17
To Everything A Season, May 17
Real World Bible Study, May 18
Older & Smarter?, May 18
A Reader’s Brain, May 18
Inklings and notions, May 19
Hallie Reads, May 19
Locks, Hooks and Books, May 19
Godly Book Reviews, May 20
The Becca Files, May 20
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 20

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Beth is giving away a grand prize of a $25 Amazon gift card plus a softcover copy of Moments We Forget!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter. https://promosimple.com/ps/e26d/moments-we-forget-celebration-tour-giveaway

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Beth K. Vogt is a nonfiction author and editor who said she’d never write fiction. She’s the wife of an Air Force family physician (now in solo practice) who said she’d never marry a doctor—or anyone in the military. She’s a mom of four who said she’d never have kids. Now Beth believes God’s best often waits behind the doors marked “Never.” A women’s fiction novelist, Beth’s first novel for Tyndale House Publishers, Things I Never Told You, released May 2018.

Beth is a 2016 Christy Award winner, a 2016 ACFW Carol Award winner, and a 2015 RITA® finalist. Her 2014 novel, Somebody Like You, was one of Publishers Weekly‘s Best Books of 2014. A November Bride was part of the Year of Wedding series by Zondervan. Having authored nine contemporary romance novels or novellas, Beth believes there’s more to happily-ever-after than the fairy tales tell us.

An established magazine writer and former editor of the leadership magazine for MOPS International, Beth blogs for Novel Rocket and also enjoys speaking to writers’ groups and mentoring other writers. She lives in Colorado with her husband, Rob, who has adjusted to discussing the lives of imaginary people, and their youngest daughter, Christa, who loves to play volleyball and enjoys writing her own stories. Connect with Beth at bethvogt.com.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."