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Forget Me Not
A pulse-pounding new Southern thriller from the author of the runaway bestseller A Flicker in the Dark.
Twenty-two years ago, Claire Campbell’s older sister, Natalie, disappeared shortly after her eighteenth birthday. Days later, her blood was found in a car, a man was arrested, and the case was swiftly closed. In the decades since, Claire has attempted to forget her traumatic past by moving to the city and climbing the ranks as an investigative journalist... until an unexpected call from her father forces her to come back home and face it all anew.
With the entire summer now looming ahead—a summer spent with nothing to do in her childhood home, with her estranged mother—Claire decides on a whim to accept a seasonal job at Galloway Farm, a muscadine vineyard in coastal South Carolina less than an hour away from where she grew up. At first glance, Galloway is an idyllic escape for Claire. A scenic retreat full of slow-paced nostalgia, as well as a place where her sister seemed truly happy in that last summer before she vanished, it feels like the perfect plan to pass the time. However, as soon as Claire starts to settle in, she stumbles across an old diary written by one of the vineyard's owners, and what at first seems like a story of young rebellion and love turns into something much more sinister as it begins to describe details of various unsolved crimes. As the days stretch on, Claire finds herself becoming more and more secluded as she starts to obsess over the diary's contents… as well as the lingering feeling that her own sister's disappearance may be somehow tied to it all.
Galloway was supposed to be a place to help her move forward, but instead, Claire quickly finds herself immersed in her own dark and dangerous past.
Twenty-two years ago, Claire Campbell’s older sister, Natalie, disappeared shortly after her eighteenth birthday. Days later, her blood was found in a car, a man was arrested, and the case was swiftly closed. In the decades since, Claire has attempted to forget her traumatic past by moving to the city and climbing the ranks as an investigative journalist... until an unexpected call from her father forces her to come back home and face it all anew.
With the entire summer now looming ahead—a summer spent with nothing to do in her childhood home, with her estranged mother—Claire decides on a whim to accept a seasonal job at Galloway Farm, a muscadine vineyard in coastal South Carolina less than an hour away from where she grew up. At first glance, Galloway is an idyllic escape for Claire. A scenic retreat full of slow-paced nostalgia, as well as a place where her sister seemed truly happy in that last summer before she vanished, it feels like the perfect plan to pass the time. However, as soon as Claire starts to settle in, she stumbles across an old diary written by one of the vineyard's owners, and what at first seems like a story of young rebellion and love turns into something much more sinister as it begins to describe details of various unsolved crimes. As the days stretch on, Claire finds herself becoming more and more secluded as she starts to obsess over the diary's contents… as well as the lingering feeling that her own sister's disappearance may be somehow tied to it all.
Galloway was supposed to be a place to help her move forward, but instead, Claire quickly finds herself immersed in her own dark and dangerous past.
325 pages, Hardcover
First published August 26, 2025
3895 people are currently reading
138402 people want to read
About the author
Stacy Willingham
9 books15.6k followersStacy Willingham is the New York Times, USA Today and internationally bestselling author of psychological suspense. Her books include A Flicker in the Dark, All the Dangerous Things, Only If You're Lucky and Forget Me Not.
Her debut, A Flicker in the Dark, has sold over one million copies in North America alone. It was the winner of Strand Magazine's Best Debut Award and a finalist for the Book of the Month's Book of the Year award, Goodreads Choice Best Debut award, Goodreads Choice Best Mystery & Thriller award, and ITW's Best First Novel award. Her work has been translated in more than thirty languages.
She earned her B.A. in magazine journalism from the University of Georgia and M.F.A. in writing from the Savannah College of Art and Design. She lives in Charleston, South Carolina, with her husband, daughter, and dog.
Her debut, A Flicker in the Dark, has sold over one million copies in North America alone. It was the winner of Strand Magazine's Best Debut Award and a finalist for the Book of the Month's Book of the Year award, Goodreads Choice Best Debut award, Goodreads Choice Best Mystery & Thriller award, and ITW's Best First Novel award. Her work has been translated in more than thirty languages.
She earned her B.A. in magazine journalism from the University of Georgia and M.F.A. in writing from the Savannah College of Art and Design. She lives in Charleston, South Carolina, with her husband, daughter, and dog.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,855 reviews
July 7, 2025
Oof. I normally really enjoy Willingham’s books, but this one never managed to pull me in.
I feel like her stories are typically a slower pace, this one was as well… but on top of the pacing (I prefer faster paced thrillers) the entire plot just bored the hell outta me.
I might try and go back again tonight, but I’ve got a stack of books I’m behind on.
DNF @48%
I’m having a hard time sinking my teeth into romance lately so I’m going to switch it up and give a thriller a go, plus knock another arc off my list lol.
A new Stacy Willingham Southern thriller you say? I'm in.
Expected Pub Date - 08/26/25
Previous SW Ratings:
A Flicker in The Dark - 4 Stars
All the Dangerous Things - 4 Stars
Only if You're Lucky - 4 Stars
Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the complementary advanced digital copy, all thoughts are my own.
⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ Connect with me on Instagram ˗ˏˋ★‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹
I feel like her stories are typically a slower pace, this one was as well… but on top of the pacing (I prefer faster paced thrillers) the entire plot just bored the hell outta me.
I might try and go back again tonight, but I’ve got a stack of books I’m behind on.
DNF @48%
I’m having a hard time sinking my teeth into romance lately so I’m going to switch it up and give a thriller a go, plus knock another arc off my list lol.
A new Stacy Willingham Southern thriller you say? I'm in.
Expected Pub Date - 08/26/25
Previous SW Ratings:
A Flicker in The Dark - 4 Stars
All the Dangerous Things - 4 Stars
Only if You're Lucky - 4 Stars
Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the complementary advanced digital copy, all thoughts are my own.
⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ Connect with me on Instagram ˗ˏˋ★‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹
August 8, 2025
Thank you Macmillan Audio for an advanced listener copy.
I really enjoyed this one, Stacy Willingham has yet to let me down! I loved the pacing, the atmosphere, the writing style. I’m a sucker for a good slow-burn mystery set in the South and this totally delivered that simmering tension I was hoping for without dragging the plot at all. I would’ve loved a bit more focus on the “cult” aspect but this was a solid thriller and I definitely recommend the audiobook!
I really enjoyed this one, Stacy Willingham has yet to let me down! I loved the pacing, the atmosphere, the writing style. I’m a sucker for a good slow-burn mystery set in the South and this totally delivered that simmering tension I was hoping for without dragging the plot at all. I would’ve loved a bit more focus on the “cult” aspect but this was a solid thriller and I definitely recommend the audiobook!
June 22, 2025
Fresh out of a job and still grieving the loss of her sister, Natalie, who went missing twenty-two years ago, Claire Campbell leaves New York and returns home to South Carolina, where she is confronted with unresolved questions about what really happened to her sister that fateful summer. When she decides to take a job at the local vineyard, the last place her sister ever worked, she has no idea just how many buried secrets she may unearth there.
I have zero chill when it comes to Stacy Willingham’s thrillers. The second they hit my Kindle, I am compelled to read them immediately. Although I did not love her previous book, Only If You’re Lucky, her newest did not disappoint. In fact, more than a week later, it is still living in my head, completely rent-free.
This story is incredibly haunting. The prose, atmospheric nature, dark themes, and setting all make for a really eerie backdrop within which to drop these very interesting characters. The characters themselves are fully fleshed out and could just as easily exist off the page as on; pretty scary considering one or more of them may be murderers.
Willingham keeps the reader on their toes consistently. There were so many fantastic twists and turns along the way, many of which I did not see coming. When it is over, you can look back and see the breadcrumbs missed; everything making sense when all is said and done. If I have just one small criticism, it is that the pacing was slightly wonky, with a few chapters feeling much slower than others. That said, I was able to quickly push past that issue because of how engaged I was with the overarching story.
Of note, there is one aspect of the writing itself that I am still incredibly confused about. The journal Claire finds and reads is told entirely in the 3rd person, not 1st. I have never seen that before, and I am still questioning the decision to do so.
I had originally given this book a solid 4.5 star rating rounded up, which I felt good about. But given the fact that I cannot stop thinking about the plot or characters, I had to bump it up to the full five stars.
Read if you like:
▪️domestic suspense
▪️true crime vibes
▪️family dramas
▪️southern thrillers
▪️isolated settings
▪️binge-worthy books
Check out my Bookstagram post here ♥
Thank you Minotaur Books for the advanced copy.
I have zero chill when it comes to Stacy Willingham’s thrillers. The second they hit my Kindle, I am compelled to read them immediately. Although I did not love her previous book, Only If You’re Lucky, her newest did not disappoint. In fact, more than a week later, it is still living in my head, completely rent-free.
This story is incredibly haunting. The prose, atmospheric nature, dark themes, and setting all make for a really eerie backdrop within which to drop these very interesting characters. The characters themselves are fully fleshed out and could just as easily exist off the page as on; pretty scary considering one or more of them may be murderers.
Willingham keeps the reader on their toes consistently. There were so many fantastic twists and turns along the way, many of which I did not see coming. When it is over, you can look back and see the breadcrumbs missed; everything making sense when all is said and done. If I have just one small criticism, it is that the pacing was slightly wonky, with a few chapters feeling much slower than others. That said, I was able to quickly push past that issue because of how engaged I was with the overarching story.
Of note, there is one aspect of the writing itself that I am still incredibly confused about. The journal Claire finds and reads is told entirely in the 3rd person, not 1st. I have never seen that before, and I am still questioning the decision to do so.
I had originally given this book a solid 4.5 star rating rounded up, which I felt good about. But given the fact that I cannot stop thinking about the plot or characters, I had to bump it up to the full five stars.
Read if you like:
▪️domestic suspense
▪️true crime vibes
▪️family dramas
▪️southern thrillers
▪️isolated settings
▪️binge-worthy books
Check out my Bookstagram post here ♥
Thank you Minotaur Books for the advanced copy.
August 26, 2025
What happens at Galloway stays at Galloway…
Claire Campbell’s older sister, Natalie, disappeared shortly after her eighteenth birthday, and although a body was never recovered the case was quickly closed.
Upon graduation, Claire moved to N.Y. to become an investigative journalist, and she hasn’t returned to her small town since. But after getting passed over for a promotion that should have been hers, she resigns from The Journal” to freelance. So when her mom is hurt in an accident, she is able to return home to help, since she can write from anywhere.
Claire finds that her sister’s room has remained untouched, and while looking through her belongings, she comes across a photo of Natalie taken at Galloway-the Muscadine vineyard on Wadamaw Island where Natalie worked the Summer before her death.
Claire impulsively decides to visit and when she learns that they are looking for seasonal help and that the position comes with room and board, she applies for the job, since Freelance writing hasn’t exactly been paying the bills and her Mom doesn’t seem to really welcome her assistance.
Perhaps it will nice to spend time at the last place where Natalie seemed so happy?
However, soon after settling in, Claire she finds a hidden diary which seems to detail various unsolved crimes, and as a journalist, she feels compelled to investigate, making one reckless decision after another.
Could her own sister's disappearance be tied to the events from the past chronicled in the diary?
Had I known the direction that this book would take, I would have passed on it, as it isn’t a favorite trope of mine (no spoilers) even though I have enjoyed two out of three of the author’s earlier books.
But, the “trope” wasn’t my only issue with it.
I was often taken out of the story with the purple prose, especially in the first half, as the story sets up. And, the last 25% felt longer than it was as we listen to drawn out confessions.
This wasn’t a bad book, despite these drawbacks, but for me it rates just an average three stars.
But now that I know the secrets, I see something in the intriguing book cover that I had not noticed before..
A buddy read with MarilynW, Mary Beth and DeAnn. Be sure to watch for their amazing reviews for additional insight!
Available Now!
Thank You to Minotaur Books for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. As always, these are my candid thoughts.
Claire Campbell’s older sister, Natalie, disappeared shortly after her eighteenth birthday, and although a body was never recovered the case was quickly closed.
Upon graduation, Claire moved to N.Y. to become an investigative journalist, and she hasn’t returned to her small town since. But after getting passed over for a promotion that should have been hers, she resigns from The Journal” to freelance. So when her mom is hurt in an accident, she is able to return home to help, since she can write from anywhere.
Claire finds that her sister’s room has remained untouched, and while looking through her belongings, she comes across a photo of Natalie taken at Galloway-the Muscadine vineyard on Wadamaw Island where Natalie worked the Summer before her death.
Claire impulsively decides to visit and when she learns that they are looking for seasonal help and that the position comes with room and board, she applies for the job, since Freelance writing hasn’t exactly been paying the bills and her Mom doesn’t seem to really welcome her assistance.
Perhaps it will nice to spend time at the last place where Natalie seemed so happy?
However, soon after settling in, Claire she finds a hidden diary which seems to detail various unsolved crimes, and as a journalist, she feels compelled to investigate, making one reckless decision after another.
Could her own sister's disappearance be tied to the events from the past chronicled in the diary?
Had I known the direction that this book would take, I would have passed on it, as it isn’t a favorite trope of mine (no spoilers) even though I have enjoyed two out of three of the author’s earlier books.
But, the “trope” wasn’t my only issue with it.
I was often taken out of the story with the purple prose, especially in the first half, as the story sets up. And, the last 25% felt longer than it was as we listen to drawn out confessions.
This wasn’t a bad book, despite these drawbacks, but for me it rates just an average three stars.
But now that I know the secrets, I see something in the intriguing book cover that I had not noticed before..
A buddy read with MarilynW, Mary Beth and DeAnn. Be sure to watch for their amazing reviews for additional insight!
Available Now!
Thank You to Minotaur Books for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. As always, these are my candid thoughts.
August 22, 2025
I really liked it, such an eerie and compelling mystery thriller. A story that stays with you, long after you finish it..
Claire finds herself back at her hometown in South Carolina, after her mother had an accident. But being home isn't easy for her, it's filled with ghosts of the past. Her sister Natalie disappeared 22 years ago, never to be found. It was solved, her older boyfriend arrested and charged, but Claire never moved on. Unable to stay with her mother, at the house she grew up in, she accepts a seasonal job at the Galloway Farm. The last place her sister worked. There she finds an old diary, a diary of a eighteen year old girl, one whose story might be similar to her sisters, in more ways than one...
But reading that diary might bring something even more sinister to the surface. Because there is always someone watching..
It was an incredible story, the constant unease you felt while reading it, the tension that was always there, slowly building up the story. It was slow at times, but I didn't mind that at all. That eerie feeling of the Farm and its occupants, always following you, made this much more thrilling. I loved the present and the past timelines.
While I did see the outcome of the story coming, which is why I took away a star, the writing was still compelling enough to make me enjoy it very much.
This author is new to me, but I would really like to read more from her.
*Thank you to Netgalley and to HarperCollins UK for providing me with an ARC.*
Claire finds herself back at her hometown in South Carolina, after her mother had an accident. But being home isn't easy for her, it's filled with ghosts of the past. Her sister Natalie disappeared 22 years ago, never to be found. It was solved, her older boyfriend arrested and charged, but Claire never moved on. Unable to stay with her mother, at the house she grew up in, she accepts a seasonal job at the Galloway Farm. The last place her sister worked. There she finds an old diary, a diary of a eighteen year old girl, one whose story might be similar to her sisters, in more ways than one...
But reading that diary might bring something even more sinister to the surface. Because there is always someone watching..
It was an incredible story, the constant unease you felt while reading it, the tension that was always there, slowly building up the story. It was slow at times, but I didn't mind that at all. That eerie feeling of the Farm and its occupants, always following you, made this much more thrilling. I loved the present and the past timelines.
While I did see the outcome of the story coming, which is why I took away a star, the writing was still compelling enough to make me enjoy it very much.
This author is new to me, but I would really like to read more from her.
*Thank you to Netgalley and to HarperCollins UK for providing me with an ARC.*
August 30, 2025
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The Book Review Crew Blog
While I rated the author's previous book, All the Dangerous Things , four stars, this one didn't impress me as much.
The story is about journalist Claire Campbell, who lost her sister, Natalie, 22 years ago. Natalie was only 18 at the time of her death, and the case has since been solved. Claire has worked hard to move on, but when she ends up back home in South Carolina for the summer, she takes a job at a vineyard. There, she finds an old diary written by one of the owners and is shocked by what she reads inside.
This book is touted as a "pulse-pounding new Southern thriller," but it isn't. The story dragged on for me; it was beautifully written but incredibly slow-going. For someone who is supposed to be an investigative journalist, Claire wasn't very bright, and I didn’t like her very much either. I never felt invested in her story or connected to any of the characters.
This book should have ticked all the boxes for me: it takes place in the South, features an investigative journalist with a tragic past, and includes an old diary that uncovers secrets. However, since nothing happens for more than the first two-thirds of the book, it just didn't work for me on many levels.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
The Book Review Crew Blog
While I rated the author's previous book, All the Dangerous Things , four stars, this one didn't impress me as much.
The story is about journalist Claire Campbell, who lost her sister, Natalie, 22 years ago. Natalie was only 18 at the time of her death, and the case has since been solved. Claire has worked hard to move on, but when she ends up back home in South Carolina for the summer, she takes a job at a vineyard. There, she finds an old diary written by one of the owners and is shocked by what she reads inside.
This book is touted as a "pulse-pounding new Southern thriller," but it isn't. The story dragged on for me; it was beautifully written but incredibly slow-going. For someone who is supposed to be an investigative journalist, Claire wasn't very bright, and I didn’t like her very much either. I never felt invested in her story or connected to any of the characters.
This book should have ticked all the boxes for me: it takes place in the South, features an investigative journalist with a tragic past, and includes an old diary that uncovers secrets. However, since nothing happens for more than the first two-thirds of the book, it just didn't work for me on many levels.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
April 1, 2025
Stacy Willingham beguiles with her magnetic writing and atmospheric setting, drawing readers easily into a decades-old mystery where a constant sense of danger and unease brews beneath the surface. Shocking and totally twisted. Totally unique, I've never read anything like it.
May 28, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for granting me access to the book in exchange for an honest review.
What a haunting, evocative, and atmospheric slow-burning mystery with a constant sense of unease simmering just beneath the surface!! The Southern setting is lush and immersive, the tension unrelenting, and the story utterly twisted and unique. It's a tale of memory, family, and the price of digging up the past. Though the pace is slower at first, once the mystery deepens, it's impossible to put down. The ending is stunning and shocking! You'll think about it long after the final page! 💜💜💜💜
What if the answers you've spent decades trying to forget are hidden in the very place you were trying to escape??
Twenty-two years after her sister Natalie vanished, Claire Campbell is called back to her coastal South Carolina hometown. With summer stretching ahead and nowhere to hide from old ghosts, she takes a seasonal job at Galloway Farm.
At first, it seems like the perfect escape. But when Claire discovers a long forgotten diary tucked away on the property, everything begins to unravel. Who wrote it and why does it detail eerily familiar crimes that were never solved? And more chillingly, could this be the key to understanding what really happened to Natalie?
As Claire delves deeper into the diary's secrets, she begins to wonder if she has found the truth or is the truth finding her? She is haunted by what she is reading, but also by the nagging feeling that someone else may be watching, waiting, and remembering.
This novel makes you asks: How far would you go to uncover the truth? And what happens when the place you sought for healing becomes the key to everything you were trying to forget?
In conclusion, I highly recommend this novel to anyone who loves stories steeped in atmosphere, emotion, and slow-burning suspense. While it's not an edge of your seat thriller, it's a deeply immersive mystery that quietly builds tension on every page. Days after finishing, I still find myself thinking about this story-how haunting, thoughtful, and beautifully unsettling it was. It lingers in the best way, quietly echoing long after the final page.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
What a haunting, evocative, and atmospheric slow-burning mystery with a constant sense of unease simmering just beneath the surface!! The Southern setting is lush and immersive, the tension unrelenting, and the story utterly twisted and unique. It's a tale of memory, family, and the price of digging up the past. Though the pace is slower at first, once the mystery deepens, it's impossible to put down. The ending is stunning and shocking! You'll think about it long after the final page! 💜💜💜💜
What if the answers you've spent decades trying to forget are hidden in the very place you were trying to escape??
Twenty-two years after her sister Natalie vanished, Claire Campbell is called back to her coastal South Carolina hometown. With summer stretching ahead and nowhere to hide from old ghosts, she takes a seasonal job at Galloway Farm.
At first, it seems like the perfect escape. But when Claire discovers a long forgotten diary tucked away on the property, everything begins to unravel. Who wrote it and why does it detail eerily familiar crimes that were never solved? And more chillingly, could this be the key to understanding what really happened to Natalie?
As Claire delves deeper into the diary's secrets, she begins to wonder if she has found the truth or is the truth finding her? She is haunted by what she is reading, but also by the nagging feeling that someone else may be watching, waiting, and remembering.
This novel makes you asks: How far would you go to uncover the truth? And what happens when the place you sought for healing becomes the key to everything you were trying to forget?
In conclusion, I highly recommend this novel to anyone who loves stories steeped in atmosphere, emotion, and slow-burning suspense. While it's not an edge of your seat thriller, it's a deeply immersive mystery that quietly builds tension on every page. Days after finishing, I still find myself thinking about this story-how haunting, thoughtful, and beautifully unsettling it was. It lingers in the best way, quietly echoing long after the final page.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
August 25, 2025
3/5 ★
The backstory and setting had all the makings for a 5/5, but I needed more!
In Forget Me Not, Claire Campbell returns home to the small town where her sister, Natalie, vanished 20 years ago, in a case that was hastily closed following seemingly substantial evidence and a rapid conviction. Shortly after returning, she quickly takes a seasonal job at the place her sister worked before disappearing… Galloway Farm. 🌱
I was hesitant going into this book, since I only enjoyed A Flicker in the Dark out of the author’s three other books. When Book of the Month selected it, I decided to give it a chance, and I was pleasantly surprised. This one is now my second favorite.
Starting with positives, I loved the setting of a muscadine vineyard. This was my first book in a setting like this, so it felt new and different. The writing throughout is very strong and detailed which kept me engaged.
The diary entries are what really stood out to me as the strongest part. I was always excited to get to the next one to learn more. In my opinion, they did not come up enough, and there was a lack of development with what was really going on at that time. This part could have been so much creepier and more detailed! 📓
A big pet peeve for me in mystery/thrillers is when all the clues and breakthroughs happen by random chance. Claire always seems to be in the right place at the right time, and after a while it just felt like things always went her way. If the diary entries had come up more, with more being revealed, discoveries could have felt less convenient than they were.
For people who love twists, there are a lot here, but most did not land for me, even when I did not guess them. However, they may work for you.
I rate this a 3 and not lower because I did have a fun time trying to figure it all out, and the characters were interesting to follow.
The backstory and setting had all the makings for a 5/5, but I needed more!
In Forget Me Not, Claire Campbell returns home to the small town where her sister, Natalie, vanished 20 years ago, in a case that was hastily closed following seemingly substantial evidence and a rapid conviction. Shortly after returning, she quickly takes a seasonal job at the place her sister worked before disappearing… Galloway Farm. 🌱
I was hesitant going into this book, since I only enjoyed A Flicker in the Dark out of the author’s three other books. When Book of the Month selected it, I decided to give it a chance, and I was pleasantly surprised. This one is now my second favorite.
Starting with positives, I loved the setting of a muscadine vineyard. This was my first book in a setting like this, so it felt new and different. The writing throughout is very strong and detailed which kept me engaged.
The diary entries are what really stood out to me as the strongest part. I was always excited to get to the next one to learn more. In my opinion, they did not come up enough, and there was a lack of development with what was really going on at that time. This part could have been so much creepier and more detailed! 📓
A big pet peeve for me in mystery/thrillers is when all the clues and breakthroughs happen by random chance. Claire always seems to be in the right place at the right time, and after a while it just felt like things always went her way. If the diary entries had come up more, with more being revealed, discoveries could have felt less convenient than they were.
For people who love twists, there are a lot here, but most did not land for me, even when I did not guess them. However, they may work for you.
I rate this a 3 and not lower because I did have a fun time trying to figure it all out, and the characters were interesting to follow.
August 21, 2025
Claire is spending her summer at Galloway Farm, not for a relaxing break, but to investigate the mysterious life her sister Natalie lived before she vanished. Posing as a seasonal worker, Claire takes on tasks like grape picking and helping around the farm. But when she discovers a hidden diary tucked away in a vent, her mission becomes deeply personal. As a journalist, she's used to uncovering stories, but nothing could prepare her for what the diary reveals. What follows is a gripping unravelling of secrets with major consequences.
I really enjoyed the mysterious atmosphere of the story. The creepy, edgy farm owner added a great layer of suspense, and Liam, the overly enthusiastic guy on the farm, was an interesting add. The characters were compelling, each with awesome backstories that gave the book depth. The twist (because any thriller/mystery book needs one) was well thought out, a little reread required of the last bit to make sure I got it right, but good.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the chance to read and review this ARC!
I really enjoyed the mysterious atmosphere of the story. The creepy, edgy farm owner added a great layer of suspense, and Liam, the overly enthusiastic guy on the farm, was an interesting add. The characters were compelling, each with awesome backstories that gave the book depth. The twist (because any thriller/mystery book needs one) was well thought out, a little reread required of the last bit to make sure I got it right, but good.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the chance to read and review this ARC!
August 26, 2025
Happy publication day!
3.5⭐
Genre ~ mystery fiction
Setting ~ South Carolina
Publication date ~ August 26, 2025
Publisher ~ Macmillan Audio
Est Page Count ~ 336 (p+ 52 chapters +e)
Audio length ~ 9 hours 26 minutes
Narrators ~ Helen Laser, Karissa Vacker
POV ~ single 1st & single 3rd
Featuring ~ past secrets, slow burn
Claire is reluctantly heading back home to help her mother after a fall. Home is a place she hasn’t been interested in visiting since her sister, Natalie, went missing 22 years ago. Mom isn’t too keen on having help, so Claire soon hits the road, but not back to NYC…to the place her sister used to visit right before she disappeared.
Claire gets hired for the summer by Mitchell and stays on the property, Galloway Farm, a vineyard. Also, living nearby are Marcia, Mitchell’s wife, and Liam, their son. She locates a diary in her cabin written back in the 80’s. She shouldn’t read it, she really shouldn’t, but her nosiness gets the best of her and she devours the pages any chance she can get…as would I. Could there be any information in there that might give some answers about Natalie?
About the diary ~ we had a different narrator for those chapters, yay!, but it’s told in the 3rd, which I found a little bit odd. I never had a diary, but if I were to write in one I assume I'd be writing it in the 1st, no?
There were some draggy bits, but overall it was fine. The vineyard gave off a creepy vibe, which I liked. Some obviousness and a couple zingers kept me listening. Can’t say my pulse was pounding really at any point, but Karissa has a way with her tones that makes me feel like it should be!
Narration notes:
Absolutely no complaints.
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3.5⭐
Genre ~ mystery fiction
Setting ~ South Carolina
Publication date ~ August 26, 2025
Publisher ~ Macmillan Audio
Est Page Count ~ 336 (p+ 52 chapters +e)
Audio length ~ 9 hours 26 minutes
Narrators ~ Helen Laser, Karissa Vacker
POV ~ single 1st & single 3rd
Featuring ~ past secrets, slow burn
Claire is reluctantly heading back home to help her mother after a fall. Home is a place she hasn’t been interested in visiting since her sister, Natalie, went missing 22 years ago. Mom isn’t too keen on having help, so Claire soon hits the road, but not back to NYC…to the place her sister used to visit right before she disappeared.
Claire gets hired for the summer by Mitchell and stays on the property, Galloway Farm, a vineyard. Also, living nearby are Marcia, Mitchell’s wife, and Liam, their son. She locates a diary in her cabin written back in the 80’s. She shouldn’t read it, she really shouldn’t, but her nosiness gets the best of her and she devours the pages any chance she can get…as would I. Could there be any information in there that might give some answers about Natalie?
About the diary ~ we had a different narrator for those chapters, yay!, but it’s told in the 3rd, which I found a little bit odd. I never had a diary, but if I were to write in one I assume I'd be writing it in the 1st, no?
There were some draggy bits, but overall it was fine. The vineyard gave off a creepy vibe, which I liked. Some obviousness and a couple zingers kept me listening. Can’t say my pulse was pounding really at any point, but Karissa has a way with her tones that makes me feel like it should be!
Narration notes:
Absolutely no complaints.
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August 24, 2025
A gripping Southern thriller, Stacy Willingham’s latest novel keeps you on edge from the very start.
The story follows journalist Claire Campbell, still haunted by the tragic murder of her sister, Natalie, 22 years ago. Natalie was killed by her secret older boyfriend, an event that shattered Claire’s family and drove her to escape her Southern hometown for a fresh start in New York. But after resigning from her journalism job—frustrated when a long-overdue promotion went to her best friend, Ryan—Claire finds herself reluctantly returning home when her father calls to inform her that her mother has been injured and needs care. Encouraged by Ryan to confront her past, she agrees to make the trip.
While back in town, Claire stumbles upon an undeveloped roll of film hidden in her sister’s old room. As she unravels the images frozen in time, they lead her straight to Galloway Farm—the place where Natalie worked before her death. Determined to uncover long-buried secrets, Claire takes a job at the farm, immersing herself in its unsettling atmosphere. There, she meets Mitchell, the eccentric owner with an uncanny knowledge of herbs; Liam, the charming yet mysterious farmhand; and Marcia, a silent, haunted woman who seems a shell of her former self. When Claire discovers Marcia’s hidden diary in the guesthouse where she’s staying, she becomes captivated by its cryptic pages, which hint at the farm’s dark past—one that eerily resembles a cult. The more she digs, the more she realizes that Natalie may have been caught in something far more sinister than she ever imagined. But with each revelation, Claire risks not only her sanity but also her life, as the truth about her sister’s fate threatens to upend everything she thought she knew.
Overall: A fast-paced and gripping Southern thriller, this novel delivers an addictive blend of suspense, mystery, and atmospheric tension—perfect for fans of Stacy Willingham’s work.
Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books for providing me with a digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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The story follows journalist Claire Campbell, still haunted by the tragic murder of her sister, Natalie, 22 years ago. Natalie was killed by her secret older boyfriend, an event that shattered Claire’s family and drove her to escape her Southern hometown for a fresh start in New York. But after resigning from her journalism job—frustrated when a long-overdue promotion went to her best friend, Ryan—Claire finds herself reluctantly returning home when her father calls to inform her that her mother has been injured and needs care. Encouraged by Ryan to confront her past, she agrees to make the trip.
While back in town, Claire stumbles upon an undeveloped roll of film hidden in her sister’s old room. As she unravels the images frozen in time, they lead her straight to Galloway Farm—the place where Natalie worked before her death. Determined to uncover long-buried secrets, Claire takes a job at the farm, immersing herself in its unsettling atmosphere. There, she meets Mitchell, the eccentric owner with an uncanny knowledge of herbs; Liam, the charming yet mysterious farmhand; and Marcia, a silent, haunted woman who seems a shell of her former self. When Claire discovers Marcia’s hidden diary in the guesthouse where she’s staying, she becomes captivated by its cryptic pages, which hint at the farm’s dark past—one that eerily resembles a cult. The more she digs, the more she realizes that Natalie may have been caught in something far more sinister than she ever imagined. But with each revelation, Claire risks not only her sanity but also her life, as the truth about her sister’s fate threatens to upend everything she thought she knew.
Overall: A fast-paced and gripping Southern thriller, this novel delivers an addictive blend of suspense, mystery, and atmospheric tension—perfect for fans of Stacy Willingham’s work.
Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books for providing me with a digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
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May 11, 2025
For some reason I haven’t been reading as fast as I used to (not that anyone cares), but I did end up enjoying this one. It wasn’t my favorite Willingham book to date, but after last year’s “Only If You’re Lucky”, which wasn’t a favorite of mine, I was pleasantly surprised with this one. This story kept me turning the pages, and I was eager to find out how this story ended.
In this story, we have Claire, who gets a call from her estranged father that her mother could use some help back home. Out of work, and struggling financially and a bit personally, she decides to travel from New York City back to her small town home, which she hasn’t been back to in fifteen years. Once home, Claire has to face her traumatic past, and the realization that her mother doesn’t even want her there…
To get away from her childhood home, Claire takes a drive to Galloway Farm, where her older sister Natalie used to work 22 years ago, before she disappeared. Once Claire arrives at Galloway Farm, she is offered a job, and accepts this position to stay in the guesthouse. Once inside, she finds a diary, and throughout the pages of this diary she finds some disturbing facts that just aren’t settling right with Claire. In fact, some of the contents of this diary are very concerning and disturbing. Will Claire ever uncover the truth about the disappearance of her missing sister? Is Galloway Farm a safe space for Claire?
While some things were easy to figure out in this story, there were a few twists that I didn’t see coming. So overall, I did enjoy this story and I do recommend reading this. I am also looking forward to Willingham’s next book!
Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books, and the author for a DRC of this book in which I had the pleasure of reading.
Publication date: August 26, 2025
Genre~ Mystery & Thriller, General Fiction (adult)
In this story, we have Claire, who gets a call from her estranged father that her mother could use some help back home. Out of work, and struggling financially and a bit personally, she decides to travel from New York City back to her small town home, which she hasn’t been back to in fifteen years. Once home, Claire has to face her traumatic past, and the realization that her mother doesn’t even want her there…
To get away from her childhood home, Claire takes a drive to Galloway Farm, where her older sister Natalie used to work 22 years ago, before she disappeared. Once Claire arrives at Galloway Farm, she is offered a job, and accepts this position to stay in the guesthouse. Once inside, she finds a diary, and throughout the pages of this diary she finds some disturbing facts that just aren’t settling right with Claire. In fact, some of the contents of this diary are very concerning and disturbing. Will Claire ever uncover the truth about the disappearance of her missing sister? Is Galloway Farm a safe space for Claire?
While some things were easy to figure out in this story, there were a few twists that I didn’t see coming. So overall, I did enjoy this story and I do recommend reading this. I am also looking forward to Willingham’s next book!
Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books, and the author for a DRC of this book in which I had the pleasure of reading.
Publication date: August 26, 2025
Genre~ Mystery & Thriller, General Fiction (adult)
September 10, 2025
From the first gripping chapter until the very last word, Stacy Willingham’s tale, Forget Me Not, was the definition of a *chef’s kiss* Southern Gothic suspense/thriller. Laced through with a haunting level of foreboding and a delicious true crime feel, I was beyond impressed by the vivid characters and the eerie small town setting. A deft mix of a clever family drama and taut psychological suspense, the combination began with a slow-boiling start that eventually caught fire and exploded in the middle. You see, from the moment I read the first earth-shattering twist, the entire plot shifted right before my very eyes. Don’t worry, I’m not going to explain—just know that it was as atmospheric as it was chilling.
As for the characters, not only were they all both relatable and true-to-life thanks to their flaws, but they gave a near-perfect arc to the novel. With various plot lines connected in truly jaw-dropping ways, there wasn’t a chance of me working even a single piece of it out. After all, I didn’t see any of the twists coming by a mile despite my armchair sleuthing skills. Paired with two dynamite protagonists, who both absolutely came alive on the page, the setting almost felt like yet another persona. Drawing me in just as it also repelled me away, I couldn’t shake the chills running up and down my spine. Put together with the realistic cast, and I easily found myself on Ladmadaw Island as the events unfolded around me.
All said and done, I was absolutely bowled over by this breathtaking new book. A shining example of the stunning literary chops that this author has in her arsenal, the highlights ranged from the evocative descriptions to the deftly interwoven dual timelines and dual POVs. Producing an unguessable tale of long-buried secrets and dark, manipulative lies, the mysteries in this novel took root in my brain so much that I couldn’t put the book down. This was so true, in fact, that I read it in one single sitting despite the fact that I was as sick as a dog. So if you like unique plots that are as shocking as they are twisted, grab this one as soon as you can. After all, I loved every darn minute. Rating of 5 stars.
BRIEF SYNOPSIS:
I highly recommend going into this one as blind as possible. All you need to know is that investigative journalist Claire Campbell has been haunted by the disappearance-turned-murder of her sister Natalie for over two decades. So when a surprise call from her father has her returning to her small hometown in South Carolina, she takes the opportunity to dig into the case by visiting the last place she has a happy memory with her whole family. A nostalgic vineyard not far from their home, Claire finds herself working the very same vines that her sister did the last summer of her life. But as quickly as she falls in love with the place, a sinister feeling invades after Claire discovers a hidden diary. Spinning a tale of young love and abandon at first, it quickly turns dark and Claire wonders what exactly she might’ve stumbled into at Galloway Farm.
Thank you to Stacy Willingham and Minotaur Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: August 26, 2025
Content warning: missing person, gun and knife violence, mention of: burglary, grooming
As for the characters, not only were they all both relatable and true-to-life thanks to their flaws, but they gave a near-perfect arc to the novel. With various plot lines connected in truly jaw-dropping ways, there wasn’t a chance of me working even a single piece of it out. After all, I didn’t see any of the twists coming by a mile despite my armchair sleuthing skills. Paired with two dynamite protagonists, who both absolutely came alive on the page, the setting almost felt like yet another persona. Drawing me in just as it also repelled me away, I couldn’t shake the chills running up and down my spine. Put together with the realistic cast, and I easily found myself on Ladmadaw Island as the events unfolded around me.
All said and done, I was absolutely bowled over by this breathtaking new book. A shining example of the stunning literary chops that this author has in her arsenal, the highlights ranged from the evocative descriptions to the deftly interwoven dual timelines and dual POVs. Producing an unguessable tale of long-buried secrets and dark, manipulative lies, the mysteries in this novel took root in my brain so much that I couldn’t put the book down. This was so true, in fact, that I read it in one single sitting despite the fact that I was as sick as a dog. So if you like unique plots that are as shocking as they are twisted, grab this one as soon as you can. After all, I loved every darn minute. Rating of 5 stars.
BRIEF SYNOPSIS:
I highly recommend going into this one as blind as possible. All you need to know is that investigative journalist Claire Campbell has been haunted by the disappearance-turned-murder of her sister Natalie for over two decades. So when a surprise call from her father has her returning to her small hometown in South Carolina, she takes the opportunity to dig into the case by visiting the last place she has a happy memory with her whole family. A nostalgic vineyard not far from their home, Claire finds herself working the very same vines that her sister did the last summer of her life. But as quickly as she falls in love with the place, a sinister feeling invades after Claire discovers a hidden diary. Spinning a tale of young love and abandon at first, it quickly turns dark and Claire wonders what exactly she might’ve stumbled into at Galloway Farm.
Thank you to Stacy Willingham and Minotaur Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: August 26, 2025
Content warning: missing person, gun and knife violence, mention of: burglary, grooming
May 31, 2025
🌟🌟🌟💫
Claire grew up under the shadow of her sister’s disappearance. Now, over twenty years later circumstances bring Claire back to her hometown. The site of her family's downfall.
Claire accepts a job at a local vineyard. Something to keep her busy. But quickly, Claire uncovers a diary that may hold a deeply buried mystery of the past.
Will Claire finally find the peace of mind regarding her sister? Or will she be the next family member to vanish!
This book began as a slowly developing mystery, as Claire realized that there may be a very different story regarding her sister’s disappearance. The second half ramped-up, offering the thriller-readers what they were looking for. (Well, this thriller-reader anyway!🙋🏼♀️). Twists!
Stacy Willingham is one of my go-to authors. And looking forward to her next!
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press
Claire grew up under the shadow of her sister’s disappearance. Now, over twenty years later circumstances bring Claire back to her hometown. The site of her family's downfall.
Claire accepts a job at a local vineyard. Something to keep her busy. But quickly, Claire uncovers a diary that may hold a deeply buried mystery of the past.
Will Claire finally find the peace of mind regarding her sister? Or will she be the next family member to vanish!
This book began as a slowly developing mystery, as Claire realized that there may be a very different story regarding her sister’s disappearance. The second half ramped-up, offering the thriller-readers what they were looking for. (Well, this thriller-reader anyway!🙋🏼♀️). Twists!
Stacy Willingham is one of my go-to authors. And looking forward to her next!
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press
March 16, 2025
Her sister disappeared many years ago & she moved away to start over. She finally comes back to town & ends up being drawn to the place her sister worked before she died. Finding clues along the way that what she thought happened to her sister may be wrong.
This is actually a slower thriller, but I still really enjoyed it. She slowly finds more and more puzzle pieces that keep you wondering what is going on. I will say my initial feelings of what might have happened proved to be right in the end but with a lot of wild details.
There were moments in the 2nd half of this book where I was thoroughly creeped out and scared, because this was written very well. I also felt like I was reading true crime with the way it was written, because it was just so believable of a story. It was also so intricate with every detail connecting and meaning something to the overall story.
I think this one will 100% be a hit. Even though it is slower at first, it is such a great story.
Thank you to netgalley for this free advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
This is actually a slower thriller, but I still really enjoyed it. She slowly finds more and more puzzle pieces that keep you wondering what is going on. I will say my initial feelings of what might have happened proved to be right in the end but with a lot of wild details.
There were moments in the 2nd half of this book where I was thoroughly creeped out and scared, because this was written very well. I also felt like I was reading true crime with the way it was written, because it was just so believable of a story. It was also so intricate with every detail connecting and meaning something to the overall story.
I think this one will 100% be a hit. Even though it is slower at first, it is such a great story.
Thank you to netgalley for this free advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
June 21, 2025
This was supposed to be a thriller but for me it was just a mystery that I half figured it out in the middle of the book. It didn't make my adrenaline rush nor it made me on the edge of my seat. It's interesting just enough to complete it. The audiobook narration may notch the rating up by half a star or something I love the female narrator so much it's unhealthy
⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚𝕻𝖗𝖊-𝖗𝖊𝖆𝖉˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆
I need a palate cleanser from romances and this thriller would be perfect. Thank you so much Netgalley and St. Martin's Press & Macmillan Audio for the early copies 💙💙
Find my review on Instagram
⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚𝕻𝖗𝖊-𝖗𝖊𝖆𝖉˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆
I need a palate cleanser from romances and this thriller would be perfect. Thank you so much Netgalley and St. Martin's Press & Macmillan Audio for the early copies 💙💙
Find my review on Instagram
September 2, 2025
“I guess I’ll start with my name, Marcia, because most days, my name feels like the only thing that’s mine.”
Claire’s sister disappeared years ago, causing her to flee that town and leave everything behind since she couldn’t handle the pain or constant reminder. then one day, her father calls her in concern for her mothers health, which makes Claire return where she decides to get to the bottom of what has happened to her sister Natalie. i was immediately suspicious of Mitchell and the whole Galloway farm, i really enjoyed the dual timelines— Marcia’s story: told through Claire reading her diary entries and then the present story as it occurs. there were some twists that I didn’t exactly predict, so that was a nice surprise. i think if you like cult thrillers with murder mysteries mixed in.. definitely give this a read.
➬ many thanks to NetGalley, the author and St. Martin’s Press for the arc.. all opinions are my own.
Claire’s sister disappeared years ago, causing her to flee that town and leave everything behind since she couldn’t handle the pain or constant reminder. then one day, her father calls her in concern for her mothers health, which makes Claire return where she decides to get to the bottom of what has happened to her sister Natalie. i was immediately suspicious of Mitchell and the whole Galloway farm, i really enjoyed the dual timelines— Marcia’s story: told through Claire reading her diary entries and then the present story as it occurs. there were some twists that I didn’t exactly predict, so that was a nice surprise. i think if you like cult thrillers with murder mysteries mixed in.. definitely give this a read.
➬ many thanks to NetGalley, the author and St. Martin’s Press for the arc.. all opinions are my own.
April 13, 2025
ARC - 4/5⭐️ what a heart pounding, eerie thriller! Claire, a journalist in New York, reluctantly returns home to a small town in South Carolina to assist her injured mother. While home, she unexpectedly accepts a job at an old vineyard where her sister used to work over 20 years ago, the summer before she was murdered. This twisty, exciting plot follows Claire as she uncovers secrets of the past and becomes consumed by the diary she discovers in the guest house. I really liked switching between present day and the diary scenes. Galloway farms was so creepy and Mitchell gave me the creeps from the start! The ending was such a page turner!!! Was some of it a little predictable? Yes, but I still enjoyed it!
This is the third book I’ve read from Stacy Willingham and I just think she writes such great thriller novels! Huge thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC! 💜
This is the third book I’ve read from Stacy Willingham and I just think she writes such great thriller novels! Huge thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC! 💜
April 15, 2025
I am very grateful to have read this book! This mystery thriller book had me hooked from the prologue! This is well written, easy to read and full of character development! The plot was very clear and I found it to be a thought provoking story! It was dark and creepy! I did find this to be more of a mystery than a thriller. However, the plot twist that came with this left me in complete shock!
Forget Me Not by Stacy Willingham is a book I will never forget! It revolves around a girl named Claire, who returns to her small town home. Claire’s mother is injured and is need of help, this is the reason she leaves her home in New York and goes back to the town she grew up in, which is located in South Carolina. Over twenty years ago, Claire’s sister disappeared. Back then, it was an easy, case closed murder.
In the present time, Claire discovers her sister’s diary and begins reading it. After reading the diary, Claire thinks that her sister might somehow be linked to other murders. As the story unfolds, a lot of twists and turns happen that you don’t expect! Be sure to read the content warnings for this book! This is a book you are going to want to read! I give this a solid 4 out of 5 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley, author Stacy Willingham, and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for this digital advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This book is expected to be published on August 26, 2025!
Forget Me Not by Stacy Willingham is a book I will never forget! It revolves around a girl named Claire, who returns to her small town home. Claire’s mother is injured and is need of help, this is the reason she leaves her home in New York and goes back to the town she grew up in, which is located in South Carolina. Over twenty years ago, Claire’s sister disappeared. Back then, it was an easy, case closed murder.
In the present time, Claire discovers her sister’s diary and begins reading it. After reading the diary, Claire thinks that her sister might somehow be linked to other murders. As the story unfolds, a lot of twists and turns happen that you don’t expect! Be sure to read the content warnings for this book! This is a book you are going to want to read! I give this a solid 4 out of 5 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley, author Stacy Willingham, and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for this digital advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This book is expected to be published on August 26, 2025!
August 28, 2025
Hot Diggity Dang, This One Delivered!
Confession time: this is my first Stacy Willingham read, even though I already have one of her books sitting on my unread shelf. I now see that is a big mistake, because I see why she is a hot read whether you love her or not. Me? I am a fan and I’ll be uncorking the rest of her backlist soon.
What Lit My Mood
I parked myself in a lawn chair with a glass of wine, ignored life, and tore through this because I had to know what happened to Claire Campbell’s older sister, Natalie, who vanished just after her eighteenth birthday.
Willingham lured me in with her unique Southern setting, an atmospheric vineyard dripping with secrets.
She layers her twists like a complex bottle of wine. The reveals weren’t jaw-dropping shockers, but they made sense, and I loved tracing those clues back through the story.
The characters? Messy, shady, and oh-so questionable and I needed to know how they all were connected to Natalie’s disappearance.
The suspense kept me reading “just one more chapter” and pouring one more glass of wine
Where My Mood Flickered
Claire can be a bit annoying. Her actions sometimes didn’t feel believable. But I think the intention was to make me squirm, question and heighten the suspense and tension.
The danger wasn’t quite the high-stakes level I hoped for, but I was still clutching my Kobo as the tension built toward the final reveal.
Witchy Mood Reader Rating: Spellbound, fully aligned with my mood and I couldn’t put it down
Verdit: Save a spot on your altar for this one and
Uncork it when you want to sip on messy suspense that pours straight into a page-turner glass.
I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley
Confession time: this is my first Stacy Willingham read, even though I already have one of her books sitting on my unread shelf. I now see that is a big mistake, because I see why she is a hot read whether you love her or not. Me? I am a fan and I’ll be uncorking the rest of her backlist soon.
What Lit My Mood
I parked myself in a lawn chair with a glass of wine, ignored life, and tore through this because I had to know what happened to Claire Campbell’s older sister, Natalie, who vanished just after her eighteenth birthday.
Willingham lured me in with her unique Southern setting, an atmospheric vineyard dripping with secrets.
She layers her twists like a complex bottle of wine. The reveals weren’t jaw-dropping shockers, but they made sense, and I loved tracing those clues back through the story.
The characters? Messy, shady, and oh-so questionable and I needed to know how they all were connected to Natalie’s disappearance.
The suspense kept me reading “just one more chapter” and pouring one more glass of wine
Where My Mood Flickered
Claire can be a bit annoying. Her actions sometimes didn’t feel believable. But I think the intention was to make me squirm, question and heighten the suspense and tension.
The danger wasn’t quite the high-stakes level I hoped for, but I was still clutching my Kobo as the tension built toward the final reveal.
Witchy Mood Reader Rating: Spellbound, fully aligned with my mood and I couldn’t put it down
Verdit: Save a spot on your altar for this one and
Uncork it when you want to sip on messy suspense that pours straight into a page-turner glass.
I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley
June 24, 2025
I loved this book but it also irked me. As I was reading this there were times I definitely thought I had a 5 star read on my hands. So , how do we end up with 3 stars? Loose ends that don't get tired up would be the biggest reason. And honestly, you can put a little of the blame for that on my shoulders. It is a HUGE pet peeve of mine when things don't add up( a moment of silence for my ex's)...... Why were we drugging a woman that was in on the whole thing again? I wish there was more reasoning to why the cop was involved and I wish the diary gave more facts about Mitchell in the early years.. The reason I'm coming down harder on this book is because I actually really really liked it. It's something I will still recommend people to read.. it was giving super hard Mansion Family vibes, which I loved!! This book got my heart racing a few times and it was hard to put down for sure...if it was a LITTLE cleaner it would be perfect!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 26, 2025
3.5 rounded up
Forget me not, a symbol of remembrance, true love and devotion.
Journalist Claire Campbell reluctantly returns home to Claxton, South Carolina after quitting her job at the New York Journal in order to care for her mother after she has an accident. The place of her birth holds difficult memories and she hasn’t been back for fifteen years, it’s way past time to face and confront her past especially in relation to her sister Natalie, missing for twenty two years. However, her mother has never been easy company and so Claire decides to escape the gloomy surroundings and follow a trail to the past. This leads her to Galloway Farm, a vineyard, where she agrees to work in exchange for board and lodgings. The place is owned by Mitchell and Marcia Galloway and run by Liam but that’s a whole different story.
One of the standout features of this slow burner novel is its rich atmosphere, especially in and around Galloway Farm which grows increasingly dark and creepy as time goes on. This is magnified by puzzling characters who exude off notes and increasingly give chills. It’s tense and suspenseful in several places and there are some good and unexpected twists, which is combined with secrecy from a number of sources and some strange, elusive behaviour. it’s packed with mystery and several of life’s parallels, making it intriguing reading.
Threaded throughout is Claire‘s unnecessary but very understandable guilt about her sister which drives her on despite the dangers. This leads her to make some questionable decisions that most of us would run a mile from. However, we wouldn’t have had much of a story without them, would we? In addition, she certainly makes some convenient discoveries!
Although at times the pacing is uneven, the atmosphere carries the plot throughout and is sufficiently strong for me to raise the 3.5 stars up to 4.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to HarperCollins, HarperFiction, Hemlock Press for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.
Forget me not, a symbol of remembrance, true love and devotion.
Journalist Claire Campbell reluctantly returns home to Claxton, South Carolina after quitting her job at the New York Journal in order to care for her mother after she has an accident. The place of her birth holds difficult memories and she hasn’t been back for fifteen years, it’s way past time to face and confront her past especially in relation to her sister Natalie, missing for twenty two years. However, her mother has never been easy company and so Claire decides to escape the gloomy surroundings and follow a trail to the past. This leads her to Galloway Farm, a vineyard, where she agrees to work in exchange for board and lodgings. The place is owned by Mitchell and Marcia Galloway and run by Liam but that’s a whole different story.
One of the standout features of this slow burner novel is its rich atmosphere, especially in and around Galloway Farm which grows increasingly dark and creepy as time goes on. This is magnified by puzzling characters who exude off notes and increasingly give chills. It’s tense and suspenseful in several places and there are some good and unexpected twists, which is combined with secrecy from a number of sources and some strange, elusive behaviour. it’s packed with mystery and several of life’s parallels, making it intriguing reading.
Threaded throughout is Claire‘s unnecessary but very understandable guilt about her sister which drives her on despite the dangers. This leads her to make some questionable decisions that most of us would run a mile from. However, we wouldn’t have had much of a story without them, would we? In addition, she certainly makes some convenient discoveries!
Although at times the pacing is uneven, the atmosphere carries the plot throughout and is sufficiently strong for me to raise the 3.5 stars up to 4.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to HarperCollins, HarperFiction, Hemlock Press for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.
August 27, 2025
Forget Me Not is marketed as a 'pulse-pounding new Southern thriller,' but I found it to be anything but exhilarating. The narrative felt drawn out, with a sluggish pace that made the reading experience tedious at times. Instead of being swept up in suspense, I often found myself wrestling with boredom. I was particularly hopeful that the diary entries would enrich the emerging mystery, adding layers of complexity and intrigue. Unfortunately, they ultimately missed the mark, leaving me disappointed and unsatisfied with their contribution to the story.
As an investigative journalist, Claire lacked the sharp wit and insight typically associated with her profession. Her decisions often left me puzzled, as if she were fumbling in the dark rather than confidently pursuing the truth. I struggled to connect with her character; her motivations seemed shallow, and her struggles unconvincing. The supporting characters also fell flat, lacking the depth and nuance that could have made their stories more engaging.
While some things were easy to figure out in this story, there were a few twists that I didn't see coming.
Twenty-two years after the mysterious disappearance of her sister Natalie, Claire Campbell finds herself drawn back to her coastal South Carolina hometown. With the summer stretching endlessly ahead of her, she has nowhere to escape from the haunting memories of her past. Seeking refuge, Claire takes a seasonal job at Galloway Farm, which initially appears to be the perfect escape from her troubled history.
However, Claire's sense of peace is shattered when she stumbles upon a long-forgotten diary hidden on the property. As she begins to read its contents, everything she thought she knew starts to unravel. The diary recounts eerily familiar crimes that have remained unsolved for years, raising unsettling questions about its author and their connection to her sister's case.
Could this diary hold the key to uncovering what truly happened to Natalie all those years ago? As Claire delves deeper into its secrets, she is torn between finding the truth and the unsettling realization that someone might be watching her every move. The line between discovery and danger begins to blur, leaving her to question whether she is actively seeking the truth or if the truth is actually seeking her.
I was fortunate to receive both the ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) and the ALC (Advanced Listening Copy) of "Forgot Me Not." I had high hopes for an immersive experience by pairing the two, but I found it challenging to connect with Helen Laser's narration; her voice grated on my nerves and felt like nails on a chalkboard. In contrast, Karissa Vacker was fantastic, as always. Please take my review with a grain of salt, as "Forgot Me Not" wasn't my favourite book by the author. I did, however, enjoy her previous work, "All The Dangerous Things," which I rated four stars.
I look forward to her next book.
I want to thank NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur, and Macmillan Audio for the ARC and ALC in exchange for an honest opinion. All opinions are my own.
As an investigative journalist, Claire lacked the sharp wit and insight typically associated with her profession. Her decisions often left me puzzled, as if she were fumbling in the dark rather than confidently pursuing the truth. I struggled to connect with her character; her motivations seemed shallow, and her struggles unconvincing. The supporting characters also fell flat, lacking the depth and nuance that could have made their stories more engaging.
While some things were easy to figure out in this story, there were a few twists that I didn't see coming.
Twenty-two years after the mysterious disappearance of her sister Natalie, Claire Campbell finds herself drawn back to her coastal South Carolina hometown. With the summer stretching endlessly ahead of her, she has nowhere to escape from the haunting memories of her past. Seeking refuge, Claire takes a seasonal job at Galloway Farm, which initially appears to be the perfect escape from her troubled history.
However, Claire's sense of peace is shattered when she stumbles upon a long-forgotten diary hidden on the property. As she begins to read its contents, everything she thought she knew starts to unravel. The diary recounts eerily familiar crimes that have remained unsolved for years, raising unsettling questions about its author and their connection to her sister's case.
Could this diary hold the key to uncovering what truly happened to Natalie all those years ago? As Claire delves deeper into its secrets, she is torn between finding the truth and the unsettling realization that someone might be watching her every move. The line between discovery and danger begins to blur, leaving her to question whether she is actively seeking the truth or if the truth is actually seeking her.
I was fortunate to receive both the ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) and the ALC (Advanced Listening Copy) of "Forgot Me Not." I had high hopes for an immersive experience by pairing the two, but I found it challenging to connect with Helen Laser's narration; her voice grated on my nerves and felt like nails on a chalkboard. In contrast, Karissa Vacker was fantastic, as always. Please take my review with a grain of salt, as "Forgot Me Not" wasn't my favourite book by the author. I did, however, enjoy her previous work, "All The Dangerous Things," which I rated four stars.
I look forward to her next book.
I want to thank NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur, and Macmillan Audio for the ARC and ALC in exchange for an honest opinion. All opinions are my own.
July 30, 2025
FORGET ME NOT is a return to Stacy Willingham's form to Southern suspense that you may have fell for when reading A Flicker in the Dark or All the Dangerous Things. I had a blast with both the audiobook and the physical book, so both options are worth a read!
Claire Campbell’s sister vanished twenty-two years ago, and now a call from her father pulls her back home to confront the past. She takes a summer job at a nearby vineyard, hoping for distraction, but instead discovers a chilling diary linked to old crimes. As her obsession grows, Claire begins to suspect her sister’s disappearance may be connected—and that Galloway holds more secrets than it seems.
FORGET ME NOT truly felt like old school Ruth Ware vibes—think The Death of Mrs. Westaway level of suspense (not in plot, but in true suspense-driven mystique). I truly could not put this book down and not only read it after my birthday party, but also listened to it at work. I was truly hooked into finding out what happened to Claire's sister Natalie. I did catch on relatively quickly what was at play, but I still loved diving into this world. I love Willingham's ability to create such an immersive and atmospheric suspense-driven thriller and I will consider her an auto-read author for me. And you should too.
Claire Campbell’s sister vanished twenty-two years ago, and now a call from her father pulls her back home to confront the past. She takes a summer job at a nearby vineyard, hoping for distraction, but instead discovers a chilling diary linked to old crimes. As her obsession grows, Claire begins to suspect her sister’s disappearance may be connected—and that Galloway holds more secrets than it seems.
FORGET ME NOT truly felt like old school Ruth Ware vibes—think The Death of Mrs. Westaway level of suspense (not in plot, but in true suspense-driven mystique). I truly could not put this book down and not only read it after my birthday party, but also listened to it at work. I was truly hooked into finding out what happened to Claire's sister Natalie. I did catch on relatively quickly what was at play, but I still loved diving into this world. I love Willingham's ability to create such an immersive and atmospheric suspense-driven thriller and I will consider her an auto-read author for me. And you should too.
September 4, 2025
I've enjoyed Stacy Willingham's books in the past. This one was good but it didn't pull me in like the rest. It may have been the character portrayals were a little off to me, in terms of their goals and needs. When Claire visited her mom, she immediately stayed elsewhere, dove into a search over her sister's past death, and it felt rushed... without a natural progression to get to know them all. But the mystery was engaging and had be guessing for a bit of time. Ultimately, there's a story within a story, and as we uncover the second mystery, things become more clear.
June 29, 2025
Stacy Willingham does it again!! 👏🏼😭😍 One of my all-time favorite authors, and I have not given her books less than 5 stars. And I don’t give those out freely.
FORGET ME NOT is about families, secrets, lies, and murder. What more can you ask for?! Stacy has a knack for writing about family dynamics. It’s raw, it’s beautiful, it’s sad, it’s frustrating, it’s maddening, and it’s so good!
I guessed one part and I was pretty proud of myself but then there was a whole slew of other twists I did not guess or even think they’d exist. It was brilliant.
Highly recommend getting this one on your TBR for August. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
FORGET ME NOT is about families, secrets, lies, and murder. What more can you ask for?! Stacy has a knack for writing about family dynamics. It’s raw, it’s beautiful, it’s sad, it’s frustrating, it’s maddening, and it’s so good!
I guessed one part and I was pretty proud of myself but then there was a whole slew of other twists I did not guess or even think they’d exist. It was brilliant.
Highly recommend getting this one on your TBR for August. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
March 26, 2025
Not only did Stacy Willingham avoid the stock characters of the small town southern crime genre, but she also pushed the boundaries with the creep factor!
I love having the thrill of fear without the actual danger. Willingham kept a great balance with her setting (Galloway Farm) and thoroughly intriguing characters such as Mitchell, Liam, and Marcia. The uniqueness of it all is so different from anything I’ve experienced that it added to what was already a compelling read. I wasn’t reading just to figure out a crime, I was reading to understand the motives and connections between her eccentric characters.
Stacy Willingham kept me in a constant tug of war; sometimes ‘not knowing’ won and I’d skip a few lines and then ‘wanting to know’ won and I’d go back and read what I realized I needed to know. Our world is full of fearful things and people, but I loved how Willingham (1) shows us how to live with being afraid, how to fight back against the fear, how to keep going and (2) challenges us to look beyond the incomprehensible choices her characters make and try to understand that it’s more than inherent weaknesses that drive them. She doesn’t just throw the creepy and gruesome out there, she holds our hand through her exploration of the darker sides of human nature.
Willingham’s attention to detail meant that it was a slower read for me, but this also meant that I could picture it. The secrets and the mystery kept the pages turning and kept me hooked.
Need some good scream therapy? You need this book.
I was gifted this copy by St. Martin's Press and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
I love having the thrill of fear without the actual danger. Willingham kept a great balance with her setting (Galloway Farm) and thoroughly intriguing characters such as Mitchell, Liam, and Marcia. The uniqueness of it all is so different from anything I’ve experienced that it added to what was already a compelling read. I wasn’t reading just to figure out a crime, I was reading to understand the motives and connections between her eccentric characters.
Stacy Willingham kept me in a constant tug of war; sometimes ‘not knowing’ won and I’d skip a few lines and then ‘wanting to know’ won and I’d go back and read what I realized I needed to know. Our world is full of fearful things and people, but I loved how Willingham (1) shows us how to live with being afraid, how to fight back against the fear, how to keep going and (2) challenges us to look beyond the incomprehensible choices her characters make and try to understand that it’s more than inherent weaknesses that drive them. She doesn’t just throw the creepy and gruesome out there, she holds our hand through her exploration of the darker sides of human nature.
Willingham’s attention to detail meant that it was a slower read for me, but this also meant that I could picture it. The secrets and the mystery kept the pages turning and kept me hooked.
Need some good scream therapy? You need this book.
I was gifted this copy by St. Martin's Press and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
September 9, 2025
You can always count on bestselling author Stacy Willingham for a juicy mystery-thriller.
Fast paced, twisty, haunting Forget Me Not will have you tearing through pages long into the night.
Me likey. 😉
May 22, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the opportunity to review the ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.
After her mom has accident, Claire returns to her childhood home. She hasn’t been home in a long time. It hasn’t been the same since her sister Natalie went missing two decades ago. The case was quickly solved and Natalie was presumed dead. After her mom tells Claire she doesn’t need her there, she gets a summer job at Galloway. It’s the same place her sister worked the summer before she went missing. It’s not long before Claire stumbles upon an old diary of one of the owners that makes this place seem sinister.
I couldn’t put it down. It was eerie, atmospheric, and though times predictable, a very gripping read.
After her mom has accident, Claire returns to her childhood home. She hasn’t been home in a long time. It hasn’t been the same since her sister Natalie went missing two decades ago. The case was quickly solved and Natalie was presumed dead. After her mom tells Claire she doesn’t need her there, she gets a summer job at Galloway. It’s the same place her sister worked the summer before she went missing. It’s not long before Claire stumbles upon an old diary of one of the owners that makes this place seem sinister.
I couldn’t put it down. It was eerie, atmospheric, and though times predictable, a very gripping read.
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