by Val Emmich
First published 2018
Joan can recall every detail of her ten years on earth. She knows her mother said "it never fails" twenty-seven times in six months. She remembers the fox socks she wore fishing with her grandfather on a specific June Sunday. This perfect memory feels more like a burden than a gift. Joan wants people to remember her, not just marvel at what she remembers. When Gavin arrives at their house, Joan sees an opportunity. Her father's former bandmate is grieving the sudden death of his partner Sydney. Joan decides to help Gavin piece together Sydney's final months, using her extraordinary recall as a tool. She hopes this partnership will transform her from the girl who remembers everything into someone truly memorable. The story unfolds through Joan and Gavin's alternating perspectives as they navigate grief, friendship, and the weight of memory. Joan discovers that being unforgettable has less to do with supernatural abilities and more to do with genuine human connection. Their unlikely bond becomes a source of healing for both characters.
Genres: literary-fiction, mystery, contemporary, family-drama
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, unlikely-friendship
224 pages · Paperback · Picador
Content warnings: mental-illness