Best Forgotten by Paula Vince
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
A young man is hit by a car and wakes up in the hospital with no memory of who he is. What better beginning can a story have? Courtney is soon identified by the police and returned to his family. He has an overbearing mother, a sister with whom he seems to have no real relationship, and a girlfriend who is strangely distant – but Courtney can’t shake the feeling that he’s in danger – serious danger.
The book follows as Courtney tries to figure out what happened to him the night of his memory loss – but more than that, we get to see the changes that this event is having on him as a person. It doesn’t take Courtney long to realise that he doesn’t much like the person he used to be. Is this a blessing in disguise? A chance for a fresh start?
At the centre of this book is a compelling mystery which keeps you guessing and anxiously turning the pages. This is fleshed out with some very real characters. You can’t help but feel a connection with the people – even the unlikable ones. The character of Courtney goes through many changes. He develops and grows through the book, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. He has a very satisfying arc.
It is no wonder that this book won a Caleb award in 2011. It has everything a good book needs.
