But she could never capture the particularity of him in the way he has captured the particularity of her, and later, when this all sinks in, she will come to realize that this might be the greatest gift another person can give you. The very idea that they pay enough attention to notice what makes you singular, and Margot has no idea how she can possibly repay him."

I'm a sucker for a well-written love story, so I jumped at the chance to read an early copy of "If I Forget You". This novel features many familiar themes: star-crossed lovers, a fight against fate, meddling families and more. While Greene is an extraordinarily talented writer, it seemed that he couldn't quite move this novel beyond the standard trope. The plot followed the same script as way too many other stories before it, and I found the emotional apex of the book unworthy of the characters Greene was trying to build. Was it readable? Sure. Even somewhat enjoyable. Memorable? Sadly, no.

3 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a galley of this book in exchange for an honest review. ( )

Beautifully written, If I Forget You is, a love story between Henry Gold and Margot Fuller. The story begins when Henry and Margot by chance see each other in 2012, over 20 years since they last saw each other. Margot races away from the encounter. The novel then returns to 1991 when Henry, a poet, and Margot, a rich debutante, meet in college and become inseparable. The writing is beautiful, the poetry is lovely. ( )

This was an easy, straightforward read without any twists or big surprises. Although the storyline was sweet and parts were beautifully written, Margot and Henry were both bland and uninspiring so I never really connected with them. I did finish the book, but I will soon forget it. Maybe it would make a nice movie. Yawn! ( )

Henry and Margot are star crossed lovers that haven't seen each other in years. In their younger days they fell in love but religious and class differences caused them to go their separate ways. However, a chance meeting in the streets of New York rekindles a tidal wave of feelings from days past. There are a couple twists toward the end but the main thrust of the plot is lost love. I did care about these characters. ( )

When any book lands on my doorstep and has the beautiful New York skyline on its cover I am always going to be excited to read it. If I Forget You did not disappoint me. A story centred solely on the love story of Margot and Henry, it was gentle but not kitsch.

T. C. Greene has written in present tense, which puts the reader really up close and personal with the two characters and as I read further along I became more and more involved with them, entangled in their rush of emotions. The story starts in the present day, when a chance encounter between the two stirs up so much emotion in them it just can not be left. We are then given chapters, interchanging between past and present, from both points of view - which I liked very much - and we discover the delicious history the two have together.

I wasn't quite sure what to expect from the plot. As I read I thought the book was just going to tell of the love story, a pattern of longing and circumstance, so was quite pleased with the twist in the tale at the end.

I have to say, I loved Henry, but did not care so much for Margot, but I think this is what made it a captivating love story rather than a cringe-worthy one. I liked that they were flawed characters and the realism that sometimes 'real life' does get in the way of love.

Beautiful prose paired with exceptional and vivid imagery of New York I thoroughly enjoyed getting embroiled in the world of Henry and Margot, and their love story. ( )