Review: "Forgotten Treasures" by D. Hart

Note: This ARC was provided by Patchwork Press Cooperative via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

A woman wakes up in the hospital to find that she has not only suffered a few injuries but has no memory to speak of. She has no idea what her name is and is devastated that no one appears to be looking for her. She then meets a hospital volunteer named Grady who she becomes fast friends with and when the time comes that she's discharged, he invites her to stay in a house he owns. He bestows upon her the nickname "Freckles" and the connection between them is obvious though there is nothing romantic about it.

Then she meets Brandt, who makes her feel things she doesn't when she's with Grady. She soon learns that Brandt and Grady are stepbrothers and they prove to be the support system she needs. However, as her feelings for Brandt quickly develop, she realizes that she needs to first find out who she is and what kind of life she's led so far before engaging in anything more serious with him. She also sees that being around her is causing the brothers to be reminded of their own grief and mourning upon losing their loved ones.

As she begins to see a psychiatrist and with the help of a new friend, she soon remembers that her name is Baylor. Afterwards, it takes one kiss for something in her head to click and the memories rush back with a vengeance. When the truth finally comes to light, Baylor will need to deal with her past and the heartbreaking events that led to her being in the hospital and losing her memory. She will also have to decide if she's ready to face the present and the future after everything that's happened, good and bad.

Forgotten Treasures is touted as being based on actual events and I can only imagine how difficult it would be for someone to be in the same position as Baylor. Sometimes, our memories are the only thing we can hold on to but when those memories are painful ones, it almost makes sense for us to want to simply forget and start again or maybe even give up altogether, no longer feeling the need to continue living. Even with all the love and understanding, the bad stuff that comes is enough to break anyone down.

Baylor struck me as odd during the first few chapters in the story, especially since it felt as if her closeness to both Grady and Brandt was almost instantaneous. She was, after all, someone who was going through dissociative amnesia, but, after thinking about it, I guess that because she clicked so easily with the brothers, she went with the feeling. Being alone and facing the uncertainty of the future and the blank space that was her past, Baylor's need for love and support was something I could finally understand.

Brandt and Grady's motivation for helping Baylor out was unclear until it nearly smacked me in the face. I was thrown for a loop, especially since I was already leaning towards one explanation and when the reasons came out, I simply never saw it coming. I love it when books are able to catch me off-guard because I'm usually able to figure out what the heck is going on and what the twist is going to be. There's a satisfaction in knowing I'm right but there's also a thrill in the realization that I can still be surprised.

This is the first book by D. Hart that I've been able to read and I know that this isn't the first novel she's written and published. I feel the need to smack myself since I can't believe that I had never read anything else by her prior to this latest one. If you've got a slot open on your to-be-read list, I seriously suggest you give it to this book. Heck, add it even if you don't have any space left! Forgotten Treasures was a book with a well-crafted story and characters that resulted in a well-executed final product. Five stars, people! ♥

Release Date: 23 February 2015

Date read: 23 February 2015

Learn more about author D. Hart here.

Grab a copy of Forgotten Treasures on Amazon.