Book Review: Impossible To Forget by Imogen Clark

“There was something about old friends, a special depth of understanding that you never quite managed to reach with friends made later in life. The people who knew you when you were learning to know yourself had a more honest picture. They’d seen you when you were not yet entirely formed, when your outer shell hadn’t quite sealed around you. As a result, there was less pretending. Friends like that would never let you get away with the stories that you could spin around yourself with newer people. And even though that could be scarily exposing, it was also good to be around them.”

― Imogen Clark, Impossible to Forget

In Imogen Clark's heartwarming book, which has sold millions of copies, a remarkable last request permanently unites five lives.

Synopsis from Goodreads...

Just turned eighteen, Romany is on the cusp of taking her first steps into adulthood when tragedy strikes, and she finds herself suddenly alone without her mother, Angie, the only parent she has ever known. In her final letter, Angie has charged her four closest friends with guiding Romany through her last year of school—but is there an ulterior motive to her unusual dying wish?

Each of the four guardians possesses an outlook on life that Angie wants to give her daughter as a legacy. Three of them have known each other since the eternally nomadic and exotically named Tiger; the shy and practical Leon with his untapped musical genius; and Maggie, a brilliant lawyer who doesn’t know her own abilities. But the fourth guardian is a mystery to the they’ve never even heard of former model Hope before…

As the guardians reflect on their friendship with Angie, it becomes apparent that this unusual arrangement is as much about them as it is about Romany. Navigating their grief individually and as a group, what will all five of them learn about themselves, their pasts—and the woman who’s brought them all together?

My reaction to this novel...

I saw the title of this book on Kindle, and since I'm subscribed and it's included in the subscription, I downloaded it immediately. Honestly, I haven't read a book by Imogen Clark before, so I don't know what to expect from this one. I was drawn in by the book cover, so I thought I'd download it and give it a read. I'm also on the lookout for a heavy drama book right now because I feel like crying over a story; sometimes I'm just in that mood, and I sensed that this book has some drama in it, so I started reading it right away.

I can say that the author's choice of words is commendable as they are easy to understand and the reading is not tedious, as it captures your interest in how the story unfolds. I also appreciated the flashbacks that depict how the characters came to know each other. This story revolves around friendship. Upon reflection, the topic may seem somewhat mundane, but I was not bored because the characters created by the author are engaging.

I really like Maggie's character here because she's the type of person who always wants things organized and struggles with sudden changes. I can't really relate to her, but I'm just amused by how her character is written. I also found it fun that she has a long-time crush on a character that I won't mention because I don't want to spoil the story, but it's cute because it makes you reflect on those times in your youth when you had friendships like this and experienced similar things in your life.

The story is quite pleasant to read. As I mentioned initially, what I was looking for was a heavy drama, but for me, this is not really a drama. Although there are scenes that are sad, I still perceive the narrative as light in tone. If you want to read a relaxing story, this could be one of my recommendations. Readers will also witness the beauty of friendship here, where despite their differing personalities and life paths, they remain intact with each other, something that, in real life, is rarely observed among individuals.

But of course, just like friendships, the story is not always perfect because there are times when, while reading, I find myself annoyed with certain characters, such as Angie. I’m not sure about others, but for me, there is something slightly off about Angie; I just can't fully explain it. There are instances where I seem to dislike her character. Perhaps it is because when her character was introduced, I expected more from her, but it felt underdeveloped and did not align well, which is why sometimes I feel a bit lacking in the portrayal of her character.

Anyway, this book is perfectly suitable if you are looking for reading materials that offer relaxation, especially if you prefer to read about friendship. This book encompasses various types of friendships that one may experience. It also illustrates and conveys the significance of friendship in a person's life and how different individuals can come together and become friends.

My Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐✨(3.5/5)