Catch up with the Thatcher sisters in Moments We Forget. This is the second book in Beth K. Vogt’s series, following Things I Never Told You, and I highly recommend reading them in order—but don’t worry; they’re both worth it.

Sisters Johanna, Jillian, and Payton all encounter more with which to deal in this continuation, and middle-child Jillian is at the center of it all (an unfamiliar place for her to be, for sure). Life is, by no means, easy, despite what she has already overcome, and yet, this story pushes her to consider both her sisters and her faith through the ups and downs.

If you love contemporary stories of sisterhood, challenging and authentic circumstances, and the discovery of faith (especially when set in Colorado!), definitely read Moments We Forget. Vogt delivers an emotional roller coaster of a story that should not be missed.

I received a complimentary copy of this book and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own. ( )

When I began reading this book it was apparent that there was a lot of tension in the relationships of the three sisters in Moments We Forget. Jillian is the middle Thatcher sister and she considers herself the peacemaker between her older and younger sister but she also feels like she is a little overlooked. She feels like she has been branded "just Jillian" and that she has worn this brand most of her life! Jillian is now fighting the after effects of her cancer diagnosis.The chemo and radiation treatments have zapped her energy, messed with her memory and her ability to complete her daily tasks, and she is currently unable to have a baby. Jillian also senses a distance developing between her and her biggest champion, her husband Geoff.
As I read this story, I realized that having a sister (or sisters) may not always be as perfect as some would have you believe. Family dynamics don't always make for a perfect sibling relationship and these Thatcher sisters are also missing the comfort that faith can offer. The Thatchers are non-believers during much of Moments We Forget but Beth K. Vogt does show two of the sisters reaching out to God. I was especially touched as Jillian contemplates her problems and her family's lack of belief in God. As she wondered about God loving someone as insignificant as her, Jillian realized that if she could find her way to a big, loving God who could fix all of her problems she would run straight to Him! Vogt allows readers to witness how God has a way of turning the coldest hearts warm and drawing the most reluctant people closer to Him.
Moments We Forget is the second book of The Thatchers series and I didn't feel like I needed to have read the first book. I do, however, hope to read Things I Never Told You because I believe I would have an even deeper understanding of these three sisters. I look forward to learning more of their story!
This is a contemporary Christian fiction novel and it focuses on some of the issues that many of us have encountered: death. grief, infertility, adoption and unfaithfulness. It isn't, however, all doom and gloom because the author also reminds us of the importance of family, of moments to remember and moments to forget, and the ever-present hope that comes from believing and trusting in God!
I received a complimentary digital copy of this book from the author and Celebrate Lit but I wasn't obligated to write a positive review. ( )

This book should come with several warnings. You should make sure you have set aside a proper amount of time to read this book. Be warned that once you start, the book will continue to absorb you until the last page. Don't forget to have tissues handy as they will come in handy while reading the story. The three sisters in the book will have you examining your own life and relationships with others. If you follow these warnings, you may begin the book.

I can't quite put into words how deeply this book touched me. Each sister has their own insecurities and struggle with finding happiness. I really understood how Jillian felt about being unimportant. She was always in the shadow of her older sister who was beautiful and smart and her younger twin sisters who were gifted in many things. Finding out she has cancer puts Jillian's life into perspective and I could see the wheels turning in her mind. She has strength that is undeniable but still feels inadequate around her sisters.

I really loved reading how the three sisters tried so hard to bond but something prevented them to really open up to each other. It was interesting to read about how they each questioned their faith. You can''t believe in something unless your whole heart is in it. The story is powerful and blends faith and family in a compelling way. I liked that the author didn't just focus on one sister, but gave us a story with three powerful yet vulnerable sisters trying to find their purpose in life.

Payton and Johanna are so different yet they share a sense of belonging and a bond that sisters can't deny. It was funny to see them try to all get together for a book club. They can't be in the same room without arguing and Jillian playing referee. There are a few surprises in the book that defines the sisters to look at themselves. Why are they unhappy? Is there something from their past that has caused them to be cynical at times?

The dynamics between the three sisters makes the story come alive with realism. I can even go as far as to say it would make a great movie. There are moments of pain, confessions and anger that make this story so touching. It has all the elements of a wonderful drama with a message of faith, family and hope.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion. ( )

Beth Vogt's "Moments We Forget" is the second book in the Thatcher Sister's series. We are taken into the lives of three sisters who are working on reconciling their relationships.
Jillian the middle sister who is the peacemaker and usually the bearer of bad news. She is beat breast cancer but now she is dealing with marriage struggles with her newly formed marriage. She tries to keep the family together, but it seems to only cause one big fight after another.

Each sister is facing really tough life challenges, everything from unemployment, failed cancer treatments.

This is not an easy book to read. It brought up my family. My mom is the one to try to make sure the family is together, but always ends up making someone unhappy. Family is work and this book does a great job of allowing us to see the struggles of families and doesn't sugar coat it. Vogt does a great job of taking its time and not speeding through time. She wrote some the book in the first person and some chapters are written in the third person.

I suggest reading the first book of the series first because it took me a little bit to figure out what happened.

The message of the book is not to give up on the people you love. Forgiveness is important because you never know what the other person is going through. You also never know when the person will pass away. This is a well-written story. I am looking forward to book #3.

Given an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own. ( )

Moments to Forget resonated with me because as a younger sister who had a stormy relationship with my older sister I could relate to what the Thatcher sisters were enduring. These sisters endure quite a bit of tension and dissension among themselves. Jillian serves as the mediator between her surviving sisters Johanna and Payton. The death of Payton’s twin Piper creates a certain amount of heartbreak for the sisters. Between cancer, losing her job because of the effects of cancer, house renovations that go awry and more, Jillian has too much to deal with in her life.

The characters pull the reader into the story. The storyline is believable. Jillian and her sisters portray strength and dedication. The home improvement storyline adds a certain amount of humor to the storyline and reminds me of the movie The Money Pit. So check out this book for yourself. ( )