Moments We Forget by Beth K. Vogt is an unforgettable story. It is so poignant and heart-wrenching I’m still emotional days after finishing. My heart absolutely goes out to Jillian and her sisters, Payton and Johanna. Life really does a number on all three of them in this book. Even though my heart is a little more tender after having read this story, I am leaving these pages with such a pervasive sense of hope. I am so encouraged by Jillian’s and Payton’s new-found ability to leave it all to God’s will. They don’t know what their future’s hold, but they are OK with that. God’s got capable hands and He will get them through anything that comes their way. I’m leaving this novel with the same sense — God’s got this, and He’ll take care of me and my walk with Him. What a lovely, hope-filled way to leave a story!

Jillian is perfectly written. Her number one problem? Not the after-effects of cancer, not the side effects of chemo and dealing with chemo brain, not even a semi-disastrous kitchen remodel. Nope, these are not Jillian’s biggest problems. Her biggest issue is that she has always been “just Jillian.” Jillian is not like her perfect older sister, Johanna, who is always impressive and always has it together. She’s not like her amazingly athletic, talented, and beautiful twin sisters either. She’s “just Jillian,” and she hates it. As “just Jillian,” she is often dismissed and invisible. She is the girl who cannot catch a break, and she often has to watch as her dreams die. To the world, “just Jillian” is nothing. Honestly, the world sees her as a bit of a loser. Jillian almost caves and begins to believe that maybe she is just a “just” kind of girl. But then Jillian discovers the Truth — to God, Jillian is just the woman He needs.

I’m not going to lie, I bawled my eyes out. I’ve been “just Nicole” my entire life. Someone has always been better than me. No matter how hard I played, my brother Joey was seen as the better soccer player; everyone went to his games, not mine. No matter how hard I worked, when I presented my family with my Master’s Thesis the first thing they saw was a typo I didn’t catch. And, when I introduced my family to the man I was going to marry, all they could do was cut me down in front of him — of course, it was all a good joke at my expense. To my family, I have always been “just Nicole.” Like Jillian, it bothered me so hard. It took me a long time and a lot of tears, but as Jillian learns in Moments We Forget, I too learned that I am just the woman God needs. When we “just” girls realize who we are in Christ, we can overcome all the soul-hurting comments and judgments of the world, of our families. And we can handle being overlooked or ignored by those we love because we know God sees us, and that is all that truly matters. This is such a hopeful, positive message. One I am going to strive to remember the next time someone in this world makes me feel like a “just.”

Moments We Forget is a fantastic novel. I very much enjoyed every minute of this thought-provoking, heart-wrenching, hope-inducing story. I am sad my time with the Thatcher sisters is over … for now. Moments We Forget is another 2019 must-read — one I cannot recommend enough!

I received a review copy of this novel in eBook form from the publisher, Tyndale, via NetGalley. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This is the second book in the Thatcher Sisters series and it focuses on Jillian, who has just had cancer and is still struggling with the after effects. More than that, though, it's a story about three sisters who have all been through incredibly hard times and are learning to be honest and real with each other and with God. It's definitely more character driven than plot driven, but I still found myself drawn in and invested in the sisters' relationships. I can't wait for the third book!

After reading the first book in this series I went out and bought this one because I just had to know what happens next with this family.
Sisters and the dynamics of each role they play are so intriguing to me. I’m the middle sister of a big family and I truly understand all the issues Jillian is dealing with.
I don’t have cancer, so that’s not a factor in my life, but all the other issues she encounters I’ve had.
I loved how the author, Beth Vogt, brings out the complicated relationships of sisters who are so different, and yet, so much alike. She blends their stories so smoothly. This book flows in such a way that you really feel you know these characters.
I also loved how Beth Vogt brings hope into this story, through a relationship with God. Each one of these sisters deals with the need for hope in their own way and the author shows this beautifully.
I loved a quote in this book,
“A single thread of hope is still a very powerful thing.”
We all need hope in our lives and this book can bring you some.
I’m looking forward to reading Johanna’s story soon!
I truly enjoyed this book and series and I highly recommend you pick it up to read.

The Hardest Thing about This Book and Why I Love It

Obviously, the hardest thing about this book should be the cancer—how even after you’ve beaten it, you can lose. Lose your memory, your hopes, your dreams.

I won’t pretend that wasn’t hard, but the point of this book is that hope isn’t found in a lack of cancer diagnosis. It’s found in Jesus.

No, the hardest thing was watching the relationships between these sisters and seeing similarities in people you know and love—seeing how they create their own pain. Seeing that avoiding the pain causes a different kind of pain.

I love the book because the author, with brilliant use of words, welcomes you into the lives of characters. Even her point of view choices offer insights into character development and in the end, you’re left with wanting more.

And that’s a good thing because guess what?
This was book two. We are offered an invitation to walk through that cancer journey with Jillian in Things I Never Told You. It’s on my shelf. It’ll be hard to read. I’m walking through another cancer battle with another friend right now.

Actually, that’s a bit… overstated. She’s walking. I’m following behind, weeping, praising God for victories, begging Him for more time (she’s stage IV), ready to be a support if she needs me but instead, being supported by her amazingness.

This book didn’t just tell stories I related to in a brilliant and poignant way. It prepared my heart for more… for understanding more. And maybe, just perhaps… it helped prepare me for the next day when I come home from a memorial service after saying “see you soon” to a friend who has gone to be with Jesus.

Not an easy book to read, but it’s not hard, either. I don’t know how to classify it, but I recommend it for people who value friendships, who understand broken relationships, and who want to invest a bit more in their lives. I’m so glad I requested and received a review copy. Looking forward to book one. Sort of.

I devoured this book reading it whenever I could.

The Thatcher sisters are some of my favorites. You pick right off from the first book. There is so much emotion and heart in this book.