Early Review - Just Like Fate by Cat Patrick & Suzanne Young

Title: Just Like Fate

Author: Cat Patrick & Suzanne Young

Series: Stand Alone

Pages: 304

Published:  August 27th 2013 by Simon Pulse 

ISBN: 9781442472716

Source: Publisher via Edelweiss

 Description: Caroline is at a crossroads. Her grandmother is sick, maybe dying. Like the rest of her family, Caroline's been at Gram's bedside since her stroke. With the pressure building, all Caroline wants to do is escape--both her family and the reality of Gram's failing health. So when Caroline's best friend offers to take her to a party one fateful Friday night, she must choose: stay by Gram's side, or go to the party and live her life.  The consequence of this one decision will split Caroline's fate into two separate paths--and she's about to live them both.  Friendships are tested and family drama hits an all-new high as Caroline attempts to rebuild old relationships, and even make a few new ones. If she stays, her longtime crush, Joel, might finally notice her, but if she goes, Chris, the charming college boy, might prove to be everything she's ever wanted.  Though there are two distinct ways for her fate to unfold, there is only one happy ending.. 

I Give This ..

The premise behind sounded great.  I really liked the idea that each fate would be written by a different author (at least that's what I am assuming happened).  I'm not really sure why, but I just wasn't as impressed with this book as I wanted to be.

I think my problem lies with Caroline.  It's painfully obvious that she's a runner.  It's easier for her to do that than to face whatever problem she might have.  Granted, I get that it is how some people cope.  But, there's really only so many times you can watch a character do it before you want to slap her.   I can't imagine having my grandmother on her death bed and choosing to leave her knowing full well she might pass away.   But, it's not the first time she has run...nor will it be the last.  

I did like the idea that no matter which fate she choose, she basically ended up at the same place.   I've always loved the idea that we might be fated to something, but the choice is up to us.  Caroline has two very different experiences to get to the end.  Although both fates definitely teach her things about herself and others.   I liked the fact that she ended up right were she needed to be.  But, I was surprised at the fate I preferred.  It wasn't the one I thought it would be.  

Overall, the story was just average to me.  I did like the idea it presents and the ending.  It just wasn't all that memorable. 

 

Forgotten by Cat Patrick

Title: Forgotten

Author: Cat Patrick

Series: Stand Alone (but I could see a sequel)

Pages: 304

Published: June 7, 2011 by Little Brown

ISBN: 9780316094610

Source: Book It Forward Tours

Description: Each night when 16 year-old London Lane goes to sleep, her whole world disappears. In the morning, all that's left is a note telling her about a day she can't remember. The whole scenario doesn't exactly make high school or dating that hot guy whose name she can't seem to recall any easier. But when London starts experiencing disturbing visions she can't make sense of, she realizes it's time to learn a little more about the past she keeps forgetting-before it destroys her future.  Part psychological drama, part romance, and part mystery, this thought-provoking novel will inspire readers to consider the what-if's in their own lives and recognize the power they have to control their destinies.

I Give This ...

 

I started this book wondering how the story would work.  I worried a little that the idea of the memory being wiped out daily would be silly.  I was wrong on that.  I really enjoyed the story but did find the idea had holes in it at times.  

I liked London from the opening pages.  I loved how she left herself notes to remind herself of what she needed to do for the day.  I imagine the daily note taking to remind oneself of events would be exhausting.  At first, I had a really hard time connecting what she can remember with the fact that she could see events in the future.  So, she knows who her best friend is because she sees her in the future as a part of her life.  

I also really liked Luke.  He was really sweet and I loved some of the things he does for London.  I wondered for awhile, how he couldn't see the little things that I'm sure gave clues that London doesn't fully remember things.  Granted that was answered and things all made sense.   I also really enjoyed how London unravels the clues to the vision of the funeral she's been having.  Turns out they hold a big key to her past which completely floored me.  It wasn't what I was expecting at all.

While I really enjoyed the story, there were some points on the memory loss that bugged me.  It was weird how it only effected her remembering the events of a day and nothing else.  The fact that she could see the future was strange and at times I didn't really understand how it worked.  In the end, I resigned myself to not think about them because I don't think they are important to the story and would cause me not to enjoy it.  I was also annoyed that we never figure out why she couldn't see Luke in her future and that's why she could never remember him.  Then he sets off all sorts of triggers to help her remember her past which leads to his place in her future so she does remember him.  It was weird and confused me.