Moments We Forget by Beth K. Vogt – Book Review, Preview

“Just two?” the hostess at the restaurant often asks as she searches beyond us as if hoping to find someone else, anyone else, to add to our party.

I bristle when I hear that question. What does she mean “just” two? Aren’t “two” enough?

I doubt they realize it sounds like this – if they did, I hope they begin to rephrase the question to be less offensive. In a world where so many are struggling with a sense of insignificance, the word “just” conveys a sense of not being quite enough.

Do you face this struggle? If so, take courage – the Lord’s love for you goes so far beyond “just” loving you. His is an all-encompassing, sacrificial love that knows no bounds. And His love is more than just enough to satisfy your every need if you simply surrender to Him.

Moments We Forget
by Beth K. Vogt

Series: Thatcher Sisters #2
Published by Tyndale House Publishers
Publication Date May 7, 2019
Genres: Christian Fiction
Setting: Colorado Contemporary
Main Character Ages: 25-34, 25-60
Written for: Adults
Pages: 448

Synopsis:

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?

I would like to thank Celebrate Lit for giving me this copy of the book. This gift did not influence my opinion or review.

Also in this series: Things I Never Told You

Moments We Forget is the deeply moving continuation of the story of the Thatcher sisters, picking up with Jillian’s viewpoint. As the middle sister, she struggled with finding her worth – having never felt like she measured up. She wasn’t as organized and in control as Jillian and wasn’t athletic like the twins. In fact, she was short and overweight. . .

Anyone who has also felt they were “just” will be able to relate well to Jillian. I was very touched by her struggles which were compounded by the effects the chemo and radiation wreaked on her body and her brain. As the circumstances of her life appeared to crash down around her, she discovered hope.

I have to admit that after reading Things I Never Told You and liking Geoff so very much, I was a little nervous about this book. After all, what kind of life-altering revelation could he make? I won’t give any spoilers and will let you stew as I did. I’ll just say that I was surprised – and I do still like Geoff!

As with Things I Never Told You, we are still given glimpses of the lives of Juliana and Peyton and I’m so glad. Peyton continues to struggle with her view of God and whether she even believes he exists. Her biggest struggle has become whether her choice to believe is because of her love for Zach. And Juliana – let me just say that she is becoming more human as her dreams are beginning to shatter around her. Not that I would wish these things on anyone, yet I can sense good things in store for her.

I’m in the middle of three sisters and sometimes wonder what is wrong with my family when I read stories of the families who are so close they do everything together, even as adults. While my family isn’t as dysfunctional as the Thatcher sisters (thank you, Lord!), it is refreshing to see a book that deals with the other side of families. The portrayal of each sister and the struggles they have finding into their place in the family are similar to those in my family and so I was able to relate so well.

Don’t even bother trying to read this before reading Things I Never Told You. I imagine it could stand alone yet feel you would miss out on so much by not getting the rest of the story. And yes, there is another book coming but don’t wait to read these until it comes out. This is the type of story that stays with you so you won’t be lost when you start reading the next one.

I do hope the author will not only tell us Juliana’s story but will also have a one for Harper, Jillian’s best friend!

More from Beth

“A sister is like yourself in a different movie, a movie that stars you in a different life.”

Deborah Tannen (1945-), sociologist

I’m launching Moments We Forget, book two in the Thatcher Sisters series, and I’ve just turned in the final book in the series. I’d love to share book three’s title with you, but I don’t know what it is. (Of course, book three might have a final title by the time you read this—that’s part of the fun of pre-release deadlines.)

One thing I do know: the theme of “Little Women gone wrong” is woven through all of the books . . . thanks to the Thatcher sisters: Payton, Pepper, Jillian, and Johanna.

Sisters, be they real or imaginary, can be complicated.

Of course, there are sisters who have close relationships. They “get” each other and love doing life together.

But then there are the sister relationships that are like mismatched socks. Or those expensive jeans you loved in the store, but when you bring them home, they never quite live up to those moments in the dressing room.

Such are the Thatcher sisters. Johanna, Jillian, Payton, and Pepper grew up in the same family. They’re all tall. They love Broncos football and board games. But in so many ways their lives are like different movies because they each made different choices. Choices that changed and separated them. Moments We Forget continues to explore whether the Thatcher sisters can find a way to understand each other enough to bridge the distance between them.

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