Book Review: Forget Me Not by Stacy Willingham

Forget Me Not is the fourth thriller by Stacy Willingham. The release date is August 26, 2025.

I have read and enjoyed all of her novels--I recommend them all.  If I had to choose, A Flicker in the Dark, her first book, and Forget Me Not are my two favorites.  I had the fun opportunity to read an early release edition through Book of the Month and I devoured it in two days.

Perfect for Mood Readers

If you’re a mood reader currently sweating out the dog days of summer, Forget Me Not has those vibes—I could feel the summer thunderstorms and sense I was there with Claire at the isolated vineyard where much of the book takes place.

What’s It About?

Our main character, Claire, was compelling and mostly relatable; she was kind of naïve for an investigative journalist, but it worked for the plot. The story begins as Claire takes a pause from her career. She heads back home to South Carolina, a place she’s avoided for years, due to her estranged relationship with her mother; there’s a lot of avoidance going on, related to her sister Natalie’s disappearance years ago. One of the last places Natalie seemed happy was Galloway Farms, a muscadine vineyard not far from where they grew up. And when Claire stumbles onto a job there, she finds an old journal that reveals more about her family’s past than she could have imagined.

My Thoughts

I truly believe this is Willingham's best book so far, so DO NOT hesitate to pre-order. When I picked up the book, I knew I would get an exciting plot, but I was pleasantly surprised by the relatable character development of the protagonist Claire and the mesmerizing, memorable setting.

Overall, the book is fast-paced without sacrificing writing style, character development, or atmospheric setting details.

The Book Cover is Gorgeous!

If you are a book nerd like me, you probably love physical books and cover design. There are several cool things about the book cover, including the muscadine grape vines, honeysuckle flowers, and forget-me-nots. Look for the “forget me not” shout out and symbolism in the book.  

For the Romance Girlies

There was also a cute will-they-won’t-they secondary storyline with her work colleague—potential friends to lovers?