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Before I Forget
Not yet published
Expected 2 Dec 25A funny, heartfelt, late coming-of-age story that examines the role of memory in holding us back—and in moving us forward
Call it inertia. Call it a quarter-life crisis. Whatever you call it, Cricket Campbell is stuck. Despite working at a zeitgeist-y wellness company, the twenty-six-year-old feels anything but well. Still adrift after a tragedy that upended her world a decade ago, she has entered early adulthood under the weight of a new burden: her father’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis.
When Cricket’s older sister Nina announces it is time to move Arthur from his beloved Adirondack lake house into a memory-care facility, Cricket has a better idea. In returning home to become her father’s caretaker, she hopes to repair their strained relationship and shake herself out of her perma-funk. But even deeply familiar places can hold surprises.
As Cricket settles back into the family house at Catwood Pond―a place she once loved, but hasn’t visited since she was a teenager―she discovers that her father possesses a rare gift: as he loses his grasp of the past, he is increasingly able to predict the future. Before long, Arthur cements his reputation as an unlikely oracle, but for Cricket, believing in her father’s prophecies might also mean facing the most painful parts of her history. As she begins to remember who she once was, she uncovers a vital truth: the path forward often starts by going back.
Call it inertia. Call it a quarter-life crisis. Whatever you call it, Cricket Campbell is stuck. Despite working at a zeitgeist-y wellness company, the twenty-six-year-old feels anything but well. Still adrift after a tragedy that upended her world a decade ago, she has entered early adulthood under the weight of a new burden: her father’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis.
When Cricket’s older sister Nina announces it is time to move Arthur from his beloved Adirondack lake house into a memory-care facility, Cricket has a better idea. In returning home to become her father’s caretaker, she hopes to repair their strained relationship and shake herself out of her perma-funk. But even deeply familiar places can hold surprises.
As Cricket settles back into the family house at Catwood Pond―a place she once loved, but hasn’t visited since she was a teenager―she discovers that her father possesses a rare gift: as he loses his grasp of the past, he is increasingly able to predict the future. Before long, Arthur cements his reputation as an unlikely oracle, but for Cricket, believing in her father’s prophecies might also mean facing the most painful parts of her history. As she begins to remember who she once was, she uncovers a vital truth: the path forward often starts by going back.
288 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication December 2, 2025
15088 people want to read
About the author
Tory Henwood Hoen
2 books214 followersTory Henwood Hoen is a writer based in Vermont, where she is a solo mom to her toddler daughter. Her second novel, BEFORE I FORGET, will be published December 2, 2025. Her debut, THE ARC, is out now. You can find her on Instagram @toryhenwoodhoen.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 243 reviews
November 12, 2025
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Let me start with a shout-out and a HUGE thank you to my Goodreads friend, Heather Adores Books . It was because of her wonderful five star review that I requested this book. Heather's review can be found HERE . Now on to MY review...
Oh my gosh, this book! It's about 26-year-old Cricket, and she is stuck in a rut. She is traumatized by a tragedy in her past and in a funk at her wellness job. When her dad is diagnosed with Alzheimer's, she goes against her sister's plan to move him into a care home and instead returns to her family home and becomes his caretaker. She hopes that doing this will help to fix her strained relationship with him. As she settles in, she finds that her dad's illness of forgetting the past makes him able to predict the future.
This book is freaking incredible and truly special. It was incredibly profound and funny. The humour was witty and the story heartfelt. It sort of reads as coming of age, but the protagonist is in her twenties. The way the author dealt with Alzheimer's was very tender and emotional. I have had to deal with this with three different family members over the years, and it was so realistic. I liked how the author didn't just focus on the loss of a loved one with this disease; it was so uplifting at times that it surprised me. Cricket realises what she's missed by not spending time with her dad in such a joyful way. I wanted to reach through the pages and hug her at times. I will miss both her and Arthur.
This is a short book that can be read easily in a day or two. It was funny, magical and heartbreaking. Family is complex, and so is our love for them, and Tory Henwood Hoen writes this story that way. I can't recommend this book enough. It was captivating, charming and unforgettable from the first page to the last. All. The. Stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
The Book Review Crew Blog
Let me start with a shout-out and a HUGE thank you to my Goodreads friend, Heather Adores Books . It was because of her wonderful five star review that I requested this book. Heather's review can be found HERE . Now on to MY review...
Oh my gosh, this book! It's about 26-year-old Cricket, and she is stuck in a rut. She is traumatized by a tragedy in her past and in a funk at her wellness job. When her dad is diagnosed with Alzheimer's, she goes against her sister's plan to move him into a care home and instead returns to her family home and becomes his caretaker. She hopes that doing this will help to fix her strained relationship with him. As she settles in, she finds that her dad's illness of forgetting the past makes him able to predict the future.
This book is freaking incredible and truly special. It was incredibly profound and funny. The humour was witty and the story heartfelt. It sort of reads as coming of age, but the protagonist is in her twenties. The way the author dealt with Alzheimer's was very tender and emotional. I have had to deal with this with three different family members over the years, and it was so realistic. I liked how the author didn't just focus on the loss of a loved one with this disease; it was so uplifting at times that it surprised me. Cricket realises what she's missed by not spending time with her dad in such a joyful way. I wanted to reach through the pages and hug her at times. I will miss both her and Arthur.
This is a short book that can be read easily in a day or two. It was funny, magical and heartbreaking. Family is complex, and so is our love for them, and Tory Henwood Hoen writes this story that way. I can't recommend this book enough. It was captivating, charming and unforgettable from the first page to the last. All. The. Stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
November 26, 2025
Some books don’t just tell a story — they reach inside you, stir up feelings you didn’t know were buried, and gently remind you that healing is never linear, but always possible. Before I Forget by Tory Henwood Hoen is one of those rare novels that feels like a warm hand on your shoulder during a moment of reckoning.
At 26, Cricket Campbell isn’t a fresh-faced heroine chasing her dreams — she’s stuck. Lost in the fog of unresolved grief, stalled potential, and a tragedy she’s never really made peace with. When her older sister decides it’s time to move their father Arthur, who’s been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, into a memory-care facility, Cricket steps in. Not because she’s ready — but because somewhere deep inside, she knows she needs to be.
What follows is not a straightforward journey of redemption, but a layered, funny, and quietly aching late coming-of-age story. Returning to her childhood home on Catwood Pond is like opening a time capsule sealed with emotion — familiar, yet hauntingly changed. Arthur, once unreachable, now carries a surprising gift: as his memories fade, he begins predicting the future. This beautiful twist doesn’t just serve as a whimsical plot device; it becomes a mirror through which Cricket is forced to confront her own truths — and perhaps for the first time, allow herself to rewrite them.
The brilliance of this book lies in how effortlessly it weaves humor into heartbreak. I found myself laughing out loud on one page and wiping away unexpected tears on the next. Hoen’s writing is whip-smart, lyrical, and profoundly observant. She captures the subtle nuances of family — the silence between words, the inherited habits, the unsaid regrets — with so much grace and accuracy, it made me pause more than once just to breathe it all in.
Cricket’s relationship with Arthur is the heart of this novel. It’s raw, layered, and astonishingly tender. Watching their roles shift — daughter becoming caretaker, father becoming prophet — is both devastating and deeply human. Their connection reminded me that even in the face of illness and memory loss, love doesn’t disappear. It simply changes shape.
Before I Forget isn’t just about Alzheimer’s. It’s about what we remember and what we choose to forget — and how both can shape the stories we tell ourselves. It’s about home, grief, time, identity, and above all, hope. That elusive, quiet kind of hope that whispers: you can still begin again.
This novel left a mark on me. Not with flashy plot twists or dramatic crescendos, but with the slow, steady unfolding of emotional truth. It’s the kind of book that feels like it was written just for you — like someone reached into your chest, found your most hidden hurt, and gave it space to exhale.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for sharing this embracing, emotional women’s fiction digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts. This story will stay with me for a long, long time — and I feel incredibly lucky to have read it.
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At 26, Cricket Campbell isn’t a fresh-faced heroine chasing her dreams — she’s stuck. Lost in the fog of unresolved grief, stalled potential, and a tragedy she’s never really made peace with. When her older sister decides it’s time to move their father Arthur, who’s been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, into a memory-care facility, Cricket steps in. Not because she’s ready — but because somewhere deep inside, she knows she needs to be.
What follows is not a straightforward journey of redemption, but a layered, funny, and quietly aching late coming-of-age story. Returning to her childhood home on Catwood Pond is like opening a time capsule sealed with emotion — familiar, yet hauntingly changed. Arthur, once unreachable, now carries a surprising gift: as his memories fade, he begins predicting the future. This beautiful twist doesn’t just serve as a whimsical plot device; it becomes a mirror through which Cricket is forced to confront her own truths — and perhaps for the first time, allow herself to rewrite them.
The brilliance of this book lies in how effortlessly it weaves humor into heartbreak. I found myself laughing out loud on one page and wiping away unexpected tears on the next. Hoen’s writing is whip-smart, lyrical, and profoundly observant. She captures the subtle nuances of family — the silence between words, the inherited habits, the unsaid regrets — with so much grace and accuracy, it made me pause more than once just to breathe it all in.
Cricket’s relationship with Arthur is the heart of this novel. It’s raw, layered, and astonishingly tender. Watching their roles shift — daughter becoming caretaker, father becoming prophet — is both devastating and deeply human. Their connection reminded me that even in the face of illness and memory loss, love doesn’t disappear. It simply changes shape.
Before I Forget isn’t just about Alzheimer’s. It’s about what we remember and what we choose to forget — and how both can shape the stories we tell ourselves. It’s about home, grief, time, identity, and above all, hope. That elusive, quiet kind of hope that whispers: you can still begin again.
This novel left a mark on me. Not with flashy plot twists or dramatic crescendos, but with the slow, steady unfolding of emotional truth. It’s the kind of book that feels like it was written just for you — like someone reached into your chest, found your most hidden hurt, and gave it space to exhale.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for sharing this embracing, emotional women’s fiction digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts. This story will stay with me for a long, long time — and I feel incredibly lucky to have read it.
medium blog
November 21, 2025
Delightful. Gentle. Loving. Heartwarming...
26-year-old Cricket Campbell is the daughter-caregiver to her father, Arthur, who has Alzheimer’s. They live together in the old family home on Catwood Pond in the Adirondacks. She moved back home from NYC, her choice, after years of estrangement. Arthur no longer recognizes Crickett, but it doesn't seem to matter. Getting reacquainted in their new roles seems easy, natural, and comforting to both of them. Hearing about their life together is the joy in reading this book...
Before I Forget was a welcome read, and I quickly connected with the story and the characters. We learn about the Campbell Family dynamics before and after Crickett's return, as well as why she left Catwood Pond a decade ago. Arthur is quite the character and has a special, newly discovered talent. He reminds me of Teddy Roosevelt: a larger-than-life personality with energetic determination, childlike enthusiasm, and a deep love of nature. He even sounds a bit like him, or what I think he should sound like.
An immersive read with the advanced reading and listening copies, the audiobook is narrated by the amazing Barrie Kreinik, a master of gender voicing who delivers a satisfying listening experience. Hands down, the audiobook is the way to go with this entertaining read.
Before I Forget could have been a challenging, heavy, triggering read given its sensitive topic. Instead, the author created a story that was thoughtful, tender, touching, and one I'll think about for a long time. It's a hidden jewel!
5⭐
Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Macmillan Audio, and Tory Henwood Hoen for the gifted DRC and ALC through NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review. Due to publish on 12/2/25!
26-year-old Cricket Campbell is the daughter-caregiver to her father, Arthur, who has Alzheimer’s. They live together in the old family home on Catwood Pond in the Adirondacks. She moved back home from NYC, her choice, after years of estrangement. Arthur no longer recognizes Crickett, but it doesn't seem to matter. Getting reacquainted in their new roles seems easy, natural, and comforting to both of them. Hearing about their life together is the joy in reading this book...
Before I Forget was a welcome read, and I quickly connected with the story and the characters. We learn about the Campbell Family dynamics before and after Crickett's return, as well as why she left Catwood Pond a decade ago. Arthur is quite the character and has a special, newly discovered talent. He reminds me of Teddy Roosevelt: a larger-than-life personality with energetic determination, childlike enthusiasm, and a deep love of nature. He even sounds a bit like him, or what I think he should sound like.
An immersive read with the advanced reading and listening copies, the audiobook is narrated by the amazing Barrie Kreinik, a master of gender voicing who delivers a satisfying listening experience. Hands down, the audiobook is the way to go with this entertaining read.
Before I Forget could have been a challenging, heavy, triggering read given its sensitive topic. Instead, the author created a story that was thoughtful, tender, touching, and one I'll think about for a long time. It's a hidden jewel!
5⭐
Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Macmillan Audio, and Tory Henwood Hoen for the gifted DRC and ALC through NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review. Due to publish on 12/2/25!
November 20, 2025
5⭐
Genre ~ family life fiction, coming of age
Setting ~ New York
Publication date ~ December 5, 2025
Publisher ~ Macmillan Audio
Est Page Count ~ 288 (54 chapters)
Audio length ~ 9 hours 11 minutes
Narrator ~ Barrie Kreinik
POV ~ single 1st
Featuring ~ dual timeline, parent with Alzheimers
If you have read my reviews before you might know that I’m scared of getting Alzheimers. More so scared for my daughter than for myself and here we have a daughter, Cricket, choosing to become a caregiver for her father, Arthur (74). She’s only 26 and still trying to figure her own life out. As she spends time at the lake house in the Adirondacks, a place that holds painful memories, she’ll come to find her way.
We get a story of patience and making the most of the time you have left while you can. They create a phenomenon that people travel far and wide to experience. Arthur sounded like a truly lovely person in both the flashbacks and in the present.
Overall, just heartbreakingly lovely.
Narration notes:
She did a wonderful job.
Pre-reading notes:
Seems like I might need to have the tissues handy for this one 🥹
Genre ~ family life fiction, coming of age
Setting ~ New York
Publication date ~ December 5, 2025
Publisher ~ Macmillan Audio
Est Page Count ~ 288 (54 chapters)
Audio length ~ 9 hours 11 minutes
Narrator ~ Barrie Kreinik
POV ~ single 1st
Featuring ~ dual timeline, parent with Alzheimers
If you have read my reviews before you might know that I’m scared of getting Alzheimers. More so scared for my daughter than for myself and here we have a daughter, Cricket, choosing to become a caregiver for her father, Arthur (74). She’s only 26 and still trying to figure her own life out. As she spends time at the lake house in the Adirondacks, a place that holds painful memories, she’ll come to find her way.
We get a story of patience and making the most of the time you have left while you can. They create a phenomenon that people travel far and wide to experience. Arthur sounded like a truly lovely person in both the flashbacks and in the present.
Overall, just heartbreakingly lovely.
Narration notes:
She did a wonderful job.
Pre-reading notes:
Seems like I might need to have the tissues handy for this one 🥹
Want to read
November 24, 2025more books about quarter life crises!
October 23, 2025
A very sweet moving story about a girl who returns home after being away for nearly a decade to take care of her ailing father. It wasn’t as heavy as I thought it would be even though the topics of dementia and Alzheimer’s were there. The author was able to bring light to the story with the heavy subject matter and I appreciated the whimsy.
November 24, 2025
⭐⭐⭐.5
Pre-Read Notes:
I couldn't resist the amazing cover here. The water fowl combined with the glaring pink typeface made me so curious! This book takes on some important and brave subjects in the first quarter and I'm looking forward to the rest!
"There are some problems that solve themselves if you simply wait a while." p39
"I have a vague feeling that, when it comes to my life, not only am I sitting on the sidelines, but I’m playing the wrong game altogether. As I look around at the leftover mess from the weekend, I think: I’m ready to be something other than young." p41
Final Review
(thoughts & recs) I feel like I'm about to disappoint some friends, because almost everyone I know loves this book. I really get *why* everyone loves this book. But I feel an overwhelming need to remind everyone that magical disabled people don't exist and real disabled people still have value, live creatively, and deserve care, respect, and love without performing their disability for other people.
Basically, if a disabled person makes you feel inspired in a story, I encourage you to have a conversation with that text about why disability is "inspiring". Disabled people are just trying to live and our acceptance should not rest on being inspiring to not disabled people.
I loved the first half of this book and I liked the last fifty pages, but I had serious issues with the introduction of a magical element in a story about a disabled person. It's important because people who actually get Alzheimer's don't magically become psychics or oracles. And even though they are not magical they are still important, which is an idea not at all communicated by this story. This character was considered valuable in this story specifically because he did something no actual person, disabled or not, could have actually done. (Oh and because he could forgive the main character.) Thus not inherently valuable. So sadly I rounded down to 3 stars despite the spectacular subplot development going on in this book.
My Favorite Things:
✔️ "“Do you taste that spice?”“Yep. It kicks you right in the esophagus.” He laughs and says, “Let me get you one. We have all kinds of wonderful drinks here.” As he shuffles toward the kitchen, my sadness shifts to curiosity. What if Alzheimer’s isn’t just a slow death? What if it’s another dimension entirely— an ascension, even? We humans are so fixated on our minds that we see their loss as a tragedy. But what if it’s a gift? Maybe the erosion of memory clears space for something truer. Maybe the intellect gets in the way of the heart, until little by little, it doesn’t. How freeing, I think. For him —but also for me." p31 This is a great premise, and not just for a book. I think we too often think of disease and illness from the perspective of what we think is lost, rather than what remains and changes us. *unfortunately, the author ruins it.
✔️ I relate so much to the isolation illness can create. "“How’s your dad?” I don’t know how to answer this question. My father is himself, but he’s changing. He’s alive, but he’s dying. The ground is shifting, but in slow motion. There’s nothing we can do about it, even if we wanted to. I’m tired, so I just say, “He’s fine.”" p37
✔️ The writing style in this book is phenomenal. "...I wake in my creaky twin bed from a confounding dream: I coughed up my own heart. One quick retch and there it was in my hand, continuing its steady, purple thud. Bewildered, I thrusted it toward hazy passersby, asking, “Can I live without this?” They all shrugged— not knowing, not caring, or both. Can I live without this? Perhaps I don’t need my heart after all, my dream-self decided, so I threw it toward the frozen pond, where it fell through a hole in the ice and sank." p59
✔️ "I couldn’t imagine being apart from my father for a full school year, even though he assured me I could spend my vacations with him. I knew I would miss one of my parents either way, but I preferred to miss my mother and live with my father, rather than the other way around." p152 I get this. Divorce is so hard on kids, no matter how old they are.
✔️ "After four years of caretaking for our father, with very little in the way of medical or government support— because that’s not really America’s thing— she is now reaping the benefits of a system that actually wants to help its citizens thrive. Swedes don’t need to win the lottery; they already have." p164 Yeah I wish America took better care of it's citizens also. I really love how the author takes the opportunity to critique society whenever she can with hammering me over the head.
✔️ "In that moment, I had never felt more alone in my life. ... It’s not that I had lost my father—it’s that he had lost me. I had been erased. ... I now had to face the fact that my relationship with my father would never be repaired." p173 Poor thing. It's not over yet Cricket!
✔️ "I know that she has given me a gift, too: the feeling of being both mothered and understood. I hadn’t realized how badly I needed those things, and I never knew heartbreak and healing could be so intertwined." p269 In freaking deed.
Notes: Alzheimer's, caretaking, estrangement, dementia, memory loss, nursing care, alcohol, underage drinking, driving after consumption, divorce, family separation, joint custody, unexpected pregnancy, magical disabled person trope
Thank you to Tory Henwood Hoen, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for an accessible digital arc of BEFORE I FORGET. All views are mine.
Pre-Read Notes:
I couldn't resist the amazing cover here. The water fowl combined with the glaring pink typeface made me so curious! This book takes on some important and brave subjects in the first quarter and I'm looking forward to the rest!
"There are some problems that solve themselves if you simply wait a while." p39
"I have a vague feeling that, when it comes to my life, not only am I sitting on the sidelines, but I’m playing the wrong game altogether. As I look around at the leftover mess from the weekend, I think: I’m ready to be something other than young." p41
Final Review
(thoughts & recs) I feel like I'm about to disappoint some friends, because almost everyone I know loves this book. I really get *why* everyone loves this book. But I feel an overwhelming need to remind everyone that magical disabled people don't exist and real disabled people still have value, live creatively, and deserve care, respect, and love without performing their disability for other people.
Basically, if a disabled person makes you feel inspired in a story, I encourage you to have a conversation with that text about why disability is "inspiring". Disabled people are just trying to live and our acceptance should not rest on being inspiring to not disabled people.
I loved the first half of this book and I liked the last fifty pages, but I had serious issues with the introduction of a magical element in a story about a disabled person. It's important because people who actually get Alzheimer's don't magically become psychics or oracles. And even though they are not magical they are still important, which is an idea not at all communicated by this story. This character was considered valuable in this story specifically because he did something no actual person, disabled or not, could have actually done. (Oh and because he could forgive the main character.) Thus not inherently valuable. So sadly I rounded down to 3 stars despite the spectacular subplot development going on in this book.
My Favorite Things:
✔️ "“Do you taste that spice?”“Yep. It kicks you right in the esophagus.” He laughs and says, “Let me get you one. We have all kinds of wonderful drinks here.” As he shuffles toward the kitchen, my sadness shifts to curiosity. What if Alzheimer’s isn’t just a slow death? What if it’s another dimension entirely— an ascension, even? We humans are so fixated on our minds that we see their loss as a tragedy. But what if it’s a gift? Maybe the erosion of memory clears space for something truer. Maybe the intellect gets in the way of the heart, until little by little, it doesn’t. How freeing, I think. For him —but also for me." p31 This is a great premise, and not just for a book. I think we too often think of disease and illness from the perspective of what we think is lost, rather than what remains and changes us. *unfortunately, the author ruins it.
✔️ I relate so much to the isolation illness can create. "“How’s your dad?” I don’t know how to answer this question. My father is himself, but he’s changing. He’s alive, but he’s dying. The ground is shifting, but in slow motion. There’s nothing we can do about it, even if we wanted to. I’m tired, so I just say, “He’s fine.”" p37
✔️ The writing style in this book is phenomenal. "...I wake in my creaky twin bed from a confounding dream: I coughed up my own heart. One quick retch and there it was in my hand, continuing its steady, purple thud. Bewildered, I thrusted it toward hazy passersby, asking, “Can I live without this?” They all shrugged— not knowing, not caring, or both. Can I live without this? Perhaps I don’t need my heart after all, my dream-self decided, so I threw it toward the frozen pond, where it fell through a hole in the ice and sank." p59
✔️ "I couldn’t imagine being apart from my father for a full school year, even though he assured me I could spend my vacations with him. I knew I would miss one of my parents either way, but I preferred to miss my mother and live with my father, rather than the other way around." p152 I get this. Divorce is so hard on kids, no matter how old they are.
✔️ "After four years of caretaking for our father, with very little in the way of medical or government support— because that’s not really America’s thing— she is now reaping the benefits of a system that actually wants to help its citizens thrive. Swedes don’t need to win the lottery; they already have." p164 Yeah I wish America took better care of it's citizens also. I really love how the author takes the opportunity to critique society whenever she can with hammering me over the head.
✔️ "In that moment, I had never felt more alone in my life. ... It’s not that I had lost my father—it’s that he had lost me. I had been erased. ... I now had to face the fact that my relationship with my father would never be repaired." p173 Poor thing. It's not over yet Cricket!
✔️ "I know that she has given me a gift, too: the feeling of being both mothered and understood. I hadn’t realized how badly I needed those things, and I never knew heartbreak and healing could be so intertwined." p269 In freaking deed.
Notes: Alzheimer's, caretaking, estrangement, dementia, memory loss, nursing care, alcohol, underage drinking, driving after consumption, divorce, family separation, joint custody, unexpected pregnancy, magical disabled person trope
Thank you to Tory Henwood Hoen, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for an accessible digital arc of BEFORE I FORGET. All views are mine.
November 18, 2025
Dementia is a gnarly beast. My father was diagnosed with it about a year before his passing, and he became a completely different person. I picked up Before I Forget by Tory Henwood Hoen knowing it would be a deeply emotional read, and yes, probably a tearful one. I tend to seek out stories that hit me hard, and this one had all the makings of a book that would do exactly that.
It had all the makings, and it delivered, though not until near the very end. I was pleasantly surprised to find a perspective on Alzheimer’s I hadn’t seen before, one rooted in hope. When Cricket returns home to help care for her father, she ends up staying far longer than planned and discovers that his forgetfulness comes with an uncanny gift: he seems to predict the future. What follows is a quiet, moving exploration of family, purpose, and how letting go of the past can be the only way to move forward.
Cricket is our main character and narrator, and she feels like someone you might actually know. She even reminded me a little of myself. Over the time she spends caring for her father, she grows into her confidence and purpose, and it’s genuinely empowering to witness. It’s easy to root for both her and her dad. The supporting cast is likable and adds texture to the story, though none of them have quite the same emotional depth as Cricket. Her father, in particular, stands out as one of the most compelling and quietly moving figures in the book.
The story moves at a steady pace, never too fast or too slow. Henwood Hoen fills it with the rhythms of everyday life and the complicated emotions that come with becoming a parent’s caretaker. Through quiet moments of reflection, Cricket begins to see herself more clearly and to heal old wounds from her adolescence. These wounds are revealed through occasional dual-timeline chapters, and while the structure makes good sense, it did take me a moment to re-orient to the present after those sections ended. There are moments of genuine laughter, and yes, as hinted above, moments of tears. Henwood Hoen captures many of the same experiences I went through with my own parents, and that sense of recognition made the story deeply moving. She really hits the target with that.
Before I Forget is a moving story about family, love, loss, and the gradual reinvention that comes from rediscovering oneself. It should resonate deeply with readers who enjoy stories that are both heartwarming and a little bittersweet. As a work of women’s fiction, it captures the emotional complexity and quiet strength that define the genre, making it a rewarding read for anyone drawn to character-driven storytelling.
I read a digital copy made available by St. Martin's Press through NetGalley, and this review reflects my honest opinion.
It had all the makings, and it delivered, though not until near the very end. I was pleasantly surprised to find a perspective on Alzheimer’s I hadn’t seen before, one rooted in hope. When Cricket returns home to help care for her father, she ends up staying far longer than planned and discovers that his forgetfulness comes with an uncanny gift: he seems to predict the future. What follows is a quiet, moving exploration of family, purpose, and how letting go of the past can be the only way to move forward.
Cricket is our main character and narrator, and she feels like someone you might actually know. She even reminded me a little of myself. Over the time she spends caring for her father, she grows into her confidence and purpose, and it’s genuinely empowering to witness. It’s easy to root for both her and her dad. The supporting cast is likable and adds texture to the story, though none of them have quite the same emotional depth as Cricket. Her father, in particular, stands out as one of the most compelling and quietly moving figures in the book.
The story moves at a steady pace, never too fast or too slow. Henwood Hoen fills it with the rhythms of everyday life and the complicated emotions that come with becoming a parent’s caretaker. Through quiet moments of reflection, Cricket begins to see herself more clearly and to heal old wounds from her adolescence. These wounds are revealed through occasional dual-timeline chapters, and while the structure makes good sense, it did take me a moment to re-orient to the present after those sections ended. There are moments of genuine laughter, and yes, as hinted above, moments of tears. Henwood Hoen captures many of the same experiences I went through with my own parents, and that sense of recognition made the story deeply moving. She really hits the target with that.
Before I Forget is a moving story about family, love, loss, and the gradual reinvention that comes from rediscovering oneself. It should resonate deeply with readers who enjoy stories that are both heartwarming and a little bittersweet. As a work of women’s fiction, it captures the emotional complexity and quiet strength that define the genre, making it a rewarding read for anyone drawn to character-driven storytelling.
I read a digital copy made available by St. Martin's Press through NetGalley, and this review reflects my honest opinion.
April 6, 2025
Wow!! Thank you, NetGalley and to Macmillan publishers for an ARC of this awesome story. I absolutely loved it. Read it in a day. 4.5 stars easy.🥲🌟
When I first started the book, I was open to the premise but a part of me almost wasn’t in the mood for something “heavy”. But the author did such an excellent job of highlighting both the bittersweet moments that accompany tough family-level struggles like Alzheimer’s. Topics like loss, memory, coming-of-age struggles, and interpersonal conflicts were handled super well and refreshingly.
I also found that I liked it much more as the plot went on. And I really liked watching our protagonist’s arc develop next to her sister. It was a great way to characterize while “show don’t tell”-ing. The writing is riddled with moments that are quotable and subtly profound. Lots of good lines.
I think at the start of the book I had some moments where I wanted the plot to reflect some more back in time— to almost get me right away super invested in cricket and her family’s dynamics and flaws. However, that reflecting was something the story very much did later! And very excellently! So that might have been my personal preference.
I also really felt attached to her dad. He was so fun and felt like such a real character. And loved the late 20’s coming of age story. It’s a needed perspective and I think a lot of people will resonate. :)
When I first started the book, I was open to the premise but a part of me almost wasn’t in the mood for something “heavy”. But the author did such an excellent job of highlighting both the bittersweet moments that accompany tough family-level struggles like Alzheimer’s. Topics like loss, memory, coming-of-age struggles, and interpersonal conflicts were handled super well and refreshingly.
I also found that I liked it much more as the plot went on. And I really liked watching our protagonist’s arc develop next to her sister. It was a great way to characterize while “show don’t tell”-ing. The writing is riddled with moments that are quotable and subtly profound. Lots of good lines.
I think at the start of the book I had some moments where I wanted the plot to reflect some more back in time— to almost get me right away super invested in cricket and her family’s dynamics and flaws. However, that reflecting was something the story very much did later! And very excellently! So that might have been my personal preference.
I also really felt attached to her dad. He was so fun and felt like such a real character. And loved the late 20’s coming of age story. It’s a needed perspective and I think a lot of people will resonate. :)
October 31, 2025
Wow. This was such a fantastic book. I loved how this approached topics that normally feel overwhelmingly heavy with a quiet grace. These characters felt like real people and not overdramatized versions.
This is the kind of novel that stirs up thoughts and feelings that you weren’t planning on confronting anytime soon. I loved it.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martins press for the advanced copy.
This is the kind of novel that stirs up thoughts and feelings that you weren’t planning on confronting anytime soon. I loved it.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martins press for the advanced copy.
October 23, 2025
This story drew me in right away with its immersive opening—the setting was so vividly described that I could easily imagine being at Catwood pond alongside the characters! I enjoyed the heartwarming and emotionally rich plot, thoughtfully balancing heavier themes with moments of humor and lighter tones, creating a steady rhythm throughout.
The touch of magical realism adds a unique and memorable layer, giving Cricket and Arthur’s journey both meaning and a gentle sense of wonder. I loved getting to know them, and even the minor characters stood out with their own charm and distinct personalities.
Barrie Kreinik did a fantastic job giving Cricket’s voice depth and authenticity, deepening my connection to her and enhancing the listening experience.
Overall, this is a sweet, touching story filled with atmosphere, heart, and just enough magic to make it truly shine!
** I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to the author and publisher! **
The touch of magical realism adds a unique and memorable layer, giving Cricket and Arthur’s journey both meaning and a gentle sense of wonder. I loved getting to know them, and even the minor characters stood out with their own charm and distinct personalities.
Barrie Kreinik did a fantastic job giving Cricket’s voice depth and authenticity, deepening my connection to her and enhancing the listening experience.
Overall, this is a sweet, touching story filled with atmosphere, heart, and just enough magic to make it truly shine!
** I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to the author and publisher! **
June 22, 2025
I was so excited to get an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from St. Martin's Press, I ate this book UP this week. Finished it at work and had to go take a walk and cry a little. I really enjoyed the characters and saw myself in Cricket a lot and the silliness and seriousness of life was just very well written in this i loved it
November 2, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Cricket Campbell is just kind of stuck as she tries to navigate adulthood. She experienced a life-altering tragedy a decade ago that really set her on an aimless journey, but now she has to return home to Catwood Pond to be a caregiver for her father with his #Alzheimers diagnosis. But it’s just as she’s settling back in that she realizes that her father has a gift: as he loses his memory of the past, he begins to predict the future. But just as Cricket looks ahead, she’ll have to grapple with some of those painful parts of her past.
Let me first state that this book is far less metaphysical (or even magical realism) than it sounds, and it’s all such a beautifully written story you overlook the allegations of the father being an oracle in the best way possible. There’s so much complexity here, and the nuances of intentionally versus unwillingly forgetting the past are not lost on readers. In the audiobook version, Barrie Kreinik so expertly captures the wit and despair that Tory Henwood Hoen so expertly crafted into Cricket. It’s a relatability that even if the reader hasn’t quite experienced the same type or degree of loss, the raw emotions are universal and encapsulate how limited our time truly is. Grab a tissue and get ready for a read you won’t forget.
Reviewed as part of #ARC from #NetGalley. Many thanks to Macmillan Audio for the #gifted copy in exchange for an honest review. #MacAudio2025
Read this book if you like stories:
🎓 in coming-of-age settings
🕰️ of families grappling with the pain of Alzheimer’s disease and loss
📖 that stick with you, reminding you of the past as you build your future
Follow me on Instagram for more book reviews!
Cricket Campbell is just kind of stuck as she tries to navigate adulthood. She experienced a life-altering tragedy a decade ago that really set her on an aimless journey, but now she has to return home to Catwood Pond to be a caregiver for her father with his #Alzheimers diagnosis. But it’s just as she’s settling back in that she realizes that her father has a gift: as he loses his memory of the past, he begins to predict the future. But just as Cricket looks ahead, she’ll have to grapple with some of those painful parts of her past.
Let me first state that this book is far less metaphysical (or even magical realism) than it sounds, and it’s all such a beautifully written story you overlook the allegations of the father being an oracle in the best way possible. There’s so much complexity here, and the nuances of intentionally versus unwillingly forgetting the past are not lost on readers. In the audiobook version, Barrie Kreinik so expertly captures the wit and despair that Tory Henwood Hoen so expertly crafted into Cricket. It’s a relatability that even if the reader hasn’t quite experienced the same type or degree of loss, the raw emotions are universal and encapsulate how limited our time truly is. Grab a tissue and get ready for a read you won’t forget.
Reviewed as part of #ARC from #NetGalley. Many thanks to Macmillan Audio for the #gifted copy in exchange for an honest review. #MacAudio2025
Read this book if you like stories:
🎓 in coming-of-age settings
🕰️ of families grappling with the pain of Alzheimer’s disease and loss
📖 that stick with you, reminding you of the past as you build your future
Follow me on Instagram for more book reviews!
April 9, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
This book hits on a lot of heavy topics: the toll of being a caretaker for a parent, dementia, and death, but I loved how it also integrated the beauty of the natural world (one day I will visit the Adirondacks!), how weird Goop is, and how it takes time to find yourself and what brings you purpose in life. It was light at times to balance out the heaviness. I was excited to see how everything played out for Cricket.
All opinions are my own!
This book hits on a lot of heavy topics: the toll of being a caretaker for a parent, dementia, and death, but I loved how it also integrated the beauty of the natural world (one day I will visit the Adirondacks!), how weird Goop is, and how it takes time to find yourself and what brings you purpose in life. It was light at times to balance out the heaviness. I was excited to see how everything played out for Cricket.
All opinions are my own!
November 24, 2025
What an absolutely PHENOMENAL read!
*** If this one is not on your radar, please ADD IT NOW!!! ***
***** RELEASE DATE IS 12/2/25, so you’ll have to wait a little bit, but it will be so worth it!! *****
Cricket is living in NYC and working at a wellness company. Is it her dream job? NO. Is she ok with that? Maybe…
She left her home in the Adirondacks when she was just a teenager. A personal tragedy struck way too close to home, and she abruptly left her Dad (her favorite) to go live with her Mom in NYC. And she never looked back.
Now, ten years later, her sister Nina calls to tell her that she’s putting Dad in a memory care facility. He has Alzheimer’s, and she just got a huge job offer in Stockholm. And she’s going.
So, Cricket returns to her old home in Catwood Pond, and faces a lot of terrible memories. But, she also sees her Dad… and his decline in health. After spending a few days there, she decides that SHE will move back home and take on the caregiver role. Nina is SHOCKED! Are you sure? You don’t even know what to do! But Cricket is adamant. She quits her job and moves in…. And Nina takes off. 😮
She’s not sure what she’s gotten herself into, but, the more time she spends with him, the happier she is to do it. Can they make up for lost time? Can he ever forgive her for running away? Will he even remember?
The strange thing is that the deeper he gets lost in his Alzheimer’s diagnosis, the more IN TUNE he seems to be with the world around him! So when he starts PREDICTING THINGS…well, it’s just a coincidence,right??
But then he starts seeing and talking about dead people….
And then the book really takes off!!!! 🩷😭
This was Beautiful! It was Magical! Insightful! Heartbreaking! Sweet! Sad! Prophetic! Bold! And just plain Lovely!!!
If this book doesn’t break something inside of you, nothing ever will!
Also… It really made me think. Could there possibly be a connection with losing touch with reality, yet gaining insight on an entirely different level? Wouldn’t that just be the most remarkable thing… ever!
And, the scene with Cricket and the Mom… just stole my breath, and my heart! ♥️
Absolutely. All. The. Stars. For. Me!!!! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟✨✨✨✨✨💫💫💫💫💫
This one not only made me Feel All The Feels, but also made me consider things that might just lie right outside the box!
What a beautiful, heartfelt, stunning, glorious book!
First I’ve read from this author, but will certainly be on the lookout 👀 for more!
#BeforeIForget by @ToryHenwoodHoen and narrated beautifully by @BarrieKreinik.
*** This one has NOT BEEN RELEASED YET, please look 👀 for it in a few days on 12/02/25!! ***
Thanks so much to #NetGalley and #MacmillanAudio for an ALC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
You can find my reviews on: Goodreads,
Instagram: @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine
Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!! 📚⭐️
*** If this one is not on your radar, please ADD IT NOW!!! ***
***** RELEASE DATE IS 12/2/25, so you’ll have to wait a little bit, but it will be so worth it!! *****
Cricket is living in NYC and working at a wellness company. Is it her dream job? NO. Is she ok with that? Maybe…
She left her home in the Adirondacks when she was just a teenager. A personal tragedy struck way too close to home, and she abruptly left her Dad (her favorite) to go live with her Mom in NYC. And she never looked back.
Now, ten years later, her sister Nina calls to tell her that she’s putting Dad in a memory care facility. He has Alzheimer’s, and she just got a huge job offer in Stockholm. And she’s going.
So, Cricket returns to her old home in Catwood Pond, and faces a lot of terrible memories. But, she also sees her Dad… and his decline in health. After spending a few days there, she decides that SHE will move back home and take on the caregiver role. Nina is SHOCKED! Are you sure? You don’t even know what to do! But Cricket is adamant. She quits her job and moves in…. And Nina takes off. 😮
She’s not sure what she’s gotten herself into, but, the more time she spends with him, the happier she is to do it. Can they make up for lost time? Can he ever forgive her for running away? Will he even remember?
The strange thing is that the deeper he gets lost in his Alzheimer’s diagnosis, the more IN TUNE he seems to be with the world around him! So when he starts PREDICTING THINGS…well, it’s just a coincidence,right??
But then he starts seeing and talking about dead people….
And then the book really takes off!!!! 🩷😭
This was Beautiful! It was Magical! Insightful! Heartbreaking! Sweet! Sad! Prophetic! Bold! And just plain Lovely!!!
If this book doesn’t break something inside of you, nothing ever will!
Also… It really made me think. Could there possibly be a connection with losing touch with reality, yet gaining insight on an entirely different level? Wouldn’t that just be the most remarkable thing… ever!
And, the scene with Cricket and the Mom… just stole my breath, and my heart! ♥️
Absolutely. All. The. Stars. For. Me!!!! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟✨✨✨✨✨💫💫💫💫💫
This one not only made me Feel All The Feels, but also made me consider things that might just lie right outside the box!
What a beautiful, heartfelt, stunning, glorious book!
First I’ve read from this author, but will certainly be on the lookout 👀 for more!
#BeforeIForget by @ToryHenwoodHoen and narrated beautifully by @BarrieKreinik.
*** This one has NOT BEEN RELEASED YET, please look 👀 for it in a few days on 12/02/25!! ***
Thanks so much to #NetGalley and #MacmillanAudio for an ALC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
You can find my reviews on: Goodreads,
Instagram: @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine
Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!! 📚⭐️
September 16, 2025
Cricket and Nina are sisters who spent their childhood and adolescence between New York City and a very small town in the countryside, which has always been their father's favourite place. When Cricket was 16 years old she went through a terrible loss due to some tragic accident and she left that small town to never return again.
10 years later, after going through massive disappointments in life, in general, and eager to get rid of her toxic job and her narcissistic boss, she gets a call from her older sister, Nina, who has been taking care of their father - diagnosed with dementia -, telling Cricket that is now time to put their father into a proper home. Especially because Nine got the opportunity to move to Sweden. Cricket then decides to quit her life in NYC and goes back home to look after her father while she tries to figure her life out.
Once she's there she struggles to deal with her father's conditions and to put the tragic past in that city behind.
This is a very dense and sad story. There are some lighter moments here and there. Cricket and her father's relationship is both beautiful and heart-breaking to witness. There is a little romance, too, and funny scenes now and then. But don't get it wrong: this is a sad story. Especially to readers who, like me, have someone in their family with dementia.
Personally, this book spoke TOO CLOSE to home. It wasn't easy for me to read it because it all was very relatable to me. Luckily for myself, my mental health is in a good space enough for me to digest this book. It wasn't easy but I got through it and I LOVED this book. It hurt a little because it felt too realistic and not a fictional story at all, but this is the kind of reader I am. I'm drawn to contemporary/literary fictional sad stories to which I can relate, even if it hurts. And boy, this one hurt me good. I finished this book sobbing like a little spoiled child.
This is a very character-driven story and Cricket is now one of my favourite characters I read this year.
I can recommend this book to anyone who's into literary fiction with a heavy character-driven and sad storyline. Just be warned: this story can be very triggering to readers who know someone with dementia. Be sure that your head is in a good space to read this book.
I guess I mine was in a good space because this is now, cleary and easily, one of my top favourite reads of 2025.
Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, for providing me with a free eARC of this novel in exchange for my honest opinion.
10 years later, after going through massive disappointments in life, in general, and eager to get rid of her toxic job and her narcissistic boss, she gets a call from her older sister, Nina, who has been taking care of their father - diagnosed with dementia -, telling Cricket that is now time to put their father into a proper home. Especially because Nine got the opportunity to move to Sweden. Cricket then decides to quit her life in NYC and goes back home to look after her father while she tries to figure her life out.
Once she's there she struggles to deal with her father's conditions and to put the tragic past in that city behind.
This is a very dense and sad story. There are some lighter moments here and there. Cricket and her father's relationship is both beautiful and heart-breaking to witness. There is a little romance, too, and funny scenes now and then. But don't get it wrong: this is a sad story. Especially to readers who, like me, have someone in their family with dementia.
Personally, this book spoke TOO CLOSE to home. It wasn't easy for me to read it because it all was very relatable to me. Luckily for myself, my mental health is in a good space enough for me to digest this book. It wasn't easy but I got through it and I LOVED this book. It hurt a little because it felt too realistic and not a fictional story at all, but this is the kind of reader I am. I'm drawn to contemporary/literary fictional sad stories to which I can relate, even if it hurts. And boy, this one hurt me good. I finished this book sobbing like a little spoiled child.
This is a very character-driven story and Cricket is now one of my favourite characters I read this year.
I can recommend this book to anyone who's into literary fiction with a heavy character-driven and sad storyline. Just be warned: this story can be very triggering to readers who know someone with dementia. Be sure that your head is in a good space to read this book.
I guess I mine was in a good space because this is now, cleary and easily, one of my top favourite reads of 2025.
Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, for providing me with a free eARC of this novel in exchange for my honest opinion.
October 26, 2025
An engrossing tale- a late coming of age story that ends up being incredibly relatable. That time of life where you look from side to side and realize you are the adult in the room. Cricket, at 26, comes back to the Adirondacks to sit with her father, who is healthy aside from Alzheimer’s. Sometimes he doesn’t know her at all. After a tragic accident ten years earlier left a grieving Cricket to lash out at her family, she realizes now she can’t truly reconcile with her father, but she needs to create a new relationship instead.
Soon she starts to notice that he is able to predict the future in small ways- that the blueberries were ready, much earlier than usual. That they were looking forward to a visit from Seth, who had died years earlier. Together, Cricket and her father co-create a final chapter to determine if he is an oracle.
Some believe that Alzheimer’s is a gift for the end of life, to forget your hangups, your resentments and regrets. To live fully in the moment and be fully present. This story explores that concept, while at times it is heartbreakingly sad, it is also sweet and touching at others.
It’s a stunning audio performance from Barrie Kreinik. Inner dialogue with just the right amount of hesitation and insecurity, this is perfect for a long ride or while doing errands. I listened while at a Big 10 football game with AirPods in, everyone around me cheering and I was silently listening and wiping tears from my cheeks.
Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC. book to be published December 1, 2025.
#macaudio2025
Soon she starts to notice that he is able to predict the future in small ways- that the blueberries were ready, much earlier than usual. That they were looking forward to a visit from Seth, who had died years earlier. Together, Cricket and her father co-create a final chapter to determine if he is an oracle.
Some believe that Alzheimer’s is a gift for the end of life, to forget your hangups, your resentments and regrets. To live fully in the moment and be fully present. This story explores that concept, while at times it is heartbreakingly sad, it is also sweet and touching at others.
It’s a stunning audio performance from Barrie Kreinik. Inner dialogue with just the right amount of hesitation and insecurity, this is perfect for a long ride or while doing errands. I listened while at a Big 10 football game with AirPods in, everyone around me cheering and I was silently listening and wiping tears from my cheeks.
Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC. book to be published December 1, 2025.
#macaudio2025
April 7, 2025
4.25⭐️
I was immediately intrigued by the title of this book: it gives depth to the casual phrase that you would toss over your shoulder on your way out the door. In her story, Cricket Campbell’s journey confronts the complexities of adulthood, memory, and true responsibility.
This is truly a stunning story. I read this book in a day and loved it. Tori Henwood Hoen gracefully navigates some powerful themes, and I LOVE that she does it in such a relatable, sentimental, and lighthearted prose. This novel may carry some heavy topics that will definitely touch your heart, but it does not weigh so much as to put you in an emotional reading slump. It tenderly highlights the difficulties that accompany an Alzheimer’s diagnosis and the challenges in maneuvering it as a caretaker. The characters are crafted with realistic and relatable personalities. I especially loved the repeated emphasis on the relationships between Cricket and her father and sister. I’ll definitely be back to see what Tori Henwood Hoen comes out with next!!
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Publishers for sharing this ARC with me! All opinions are my own:
I was immediately intrigued by the title of this book: it gives depth to the casual phrase that you would toss over your shoulder on your way out the door. In her story, Cricket Campbell’s journey confronts the complexities of adulthood, memory, and true responsibility.
This is truly a stunning story. I read this book in a day and loved it. Tori Henwood Hoen gracefully navigates some powerful themes, and I LOVE that she does it in such a relatable, sentimental, and lighthearted prose. This novel may carry some heavy topics that will definitely touch your heart, but it does not weigh so much as to put you in an emotional reading slump. It tenderly highlights the difficulties that accompany an Alzheimer’s diagnosis and the challenges in maneuvering it as a caretaker. The characters are crafted with realistic and relatable personalities. I especially loved the repeated emphasis on the relationships between Cricket and her father and sister. I’ll definitely be back to see what Tori Henwood Hoen comes out with next!!
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Publishers for sharing this ARC with me! All opinions are my own:
November 15, 2025
Before I Forget is that rare novel that manages to be both warmly funny and quietly devastating, often in the same paragraph. Tory Henwood Hoen follows Cricket Campbell, stuck in neutral, grieving an old tragedy, and now reeling from her father’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis, as she abandons her running-away city life and returns to the family’s Adirondack lake house to care for her father Arthur. What unfolds is a late coming-of-age story that feels sharply contemporary yet deeply timeless.
Hoen writes beautifully about the disorientation of early adulthood, the slippery nature of memory, and the uneasy push-pull of family history. Cricket’s narration is wry and self-aware, but it’s her vulnerability that makes the novel so affecting. As she settles back into life at Catwood Pond, she has to confront the versions of herself she’s been avoiding and the ways grief quietly calcifies into habit.
Arthur, meanwhile, is a revelation. His Alzheimer’s is rendered with compassion and nuance, and the novel’s magical-realist twist, his growing ability to predict the future, is handled with surprising tenderness. Rather than feeling gimmicky, it becomes a thoughtful metaphor: as his past recedes, the future sharpens, and father and daughter meet each other in a liminal, often luminous space.
I loved how Hoen ties the emotional arc to place. The Adirondacks are drawn with crisp, lived-in detail, and the lake house and Catwood Pond become a site of both rupture and repair. Cricket’s slow reclaiming of memory, her own and her father’s, feels earned, moving, and often unexpectedly hopeful.
A funny, heartfelt, and insightfully crafted novel about what it takes to move forward when the past refuses to stay put. Four and a half stars rounded up. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with a copy of this book. It will be published on December 2, 2025.
Hoen writes beautifully about the disorientation of early adulthood, the slippery nature of memory, and the uneasy push-pull of family history. Cricket’s narration is wry and self-aware, but it’s her vulnerability that makes the novel so affecting. As she settles back into life at Catwood Pond, she has to confront the versions of herself she’s been avoiding and the ways grief quietly calcifies into habit.
Arthur, meanwhile, is a revelation. His Alzheimer’s is rendered with compassion and nuance, and the novel’s magical-realist twist, his growing ability to predict the future, is handled with surprising tenderness. Rather than feeling gimmicky, it becomes a thoughtful metaphor: as his past recedes, the future sharpens, and father and daughter meet each other in a liminal, often luminous space.
I loved how Hoen ties the emotional arc to place. The Adirondacks are drawn with crisp, lived-in detail, and the lake house and Catwood Pond become a site of both rupture and repair. Cricket’s slow reclaiming of memory, her own and her father’s, feels earned, moving, and often unexpectedly hopeful.
A funny, heartfelt, and insightfully crafted novel about what it takes to move forward when the past refuses to stay put. Four and a half stars rounded up. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with a copy of this book. It will be published on December 2, 2025.
November 20, 2025
This aptly named book is about a young woman guiding her father (Arthur) through the last stages of Alzheimer’s. Though it is emotional, it's not really sad. It's uplifting. It could be considered a manual for someone going through the experience with a loved one. I know I wish I could have read this when my mother had Alzheimer’s.
Cricket, the daughter, age mid 20s, is stuck in a bad place emotionally, due to a traumatic incident during her teen years. Spending time with her father allows her to come out of that place while enriching her father's days at the same time. It's such a multi-layered story as she comes to accept her past and live in her father's present.
Instinctively, she accepts her father’s reality, rather than trying to pull him into her reality. Her father's reality includes some clairvoyance and inner knowledge, which is surprisingly quite accurate. Some might think of it as magic realism because there is no logical explanation. I don't really believe it was magic. It was simply Arthur's intuitive life.
There are other supporting characters, important to the story and very realistic. They represent the population of small towns and country life very accurately. The setting is rural, on a large peaceful pond in a comfortable old cottage. My mind made it very picturesque.
I love the fact that the author has taken a subject that most people would consider dark and upsetting and turned it into an uplifting story with a hopeful ending.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.
Cricket, the daughter, age mid 20s, is stuck in a bad place emotionally, due to a traumatic incident during her teen years. Spending time with her father allows her to come out of that place while enriching her father's days at the same time. It's such a multi-layered story as she comes to accept her past and live in her father's present.
Instinctively, she accepts her father’s reality, rather than trying to pull him into her reality. Her father's reality includes some clairvoyance and inner knowledge, which is surprisingly quite accurate. Some might think of it as magic realism because there is no logical explanation. I don't really believe it was magic. It was simply Arthur's intuitive life.
There are other supporting characters, important to the story and very realistic. They represent the population of small towns and country life very accurately. The setting is rural, on a large peaceful pond in a comfortable old cottage. My mind made it very picturesque.
I love the fact that the author has taken a subject that most people would consider dark and upsetting and turned it into an uplifting story with a hopeful ending.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.
November 17, 2025
Thank you so much to the Macmillan Early Listeners Program for this ALC!
I was very intrigued by the description of this novel. It just seemed like the kind of book that may surprise you. And surprise me it did!
Initially, I was concerned that that story would feel slow. But the complex familial dynamics mixed with the intricate examples of grief kept the story alive. Seriously, there are just so many layers to the text between the different timelines and the different relationships. The craftsmanship in this book is really something to celebrate.
Understanding Cricket’s trauma and grief is really what this book was about. Getting to see her grow and change through the novel is really worth while. Her growth and the knowledge she gains by surrounding herself with the support of her small town is spectacular.
I feel as though I’ve read a shocking amount of books that deal with a character (typically a parent) working through having dementia or Alzheimer’s. That just seems to be an interesting “trend” happening recently. But each of these stories have done a great job of highlighting the realities of a loved one needing memory care.
The narrator of the is audiobook did an excellent job. I felt like her voice just really fit this character and the subtle changes to represent others really worked instead of feeling corny.
Overall, I am excited to explore more by this author!
I was very intrigued by the description of this novel. It just seemed like the kind of book that may surprise you. And surprise me it did!
Initially, I was concerned that that story would feel slow. But the complex familial dynamics mixed with the intricate examples of grief kept the story alive. Seriously, there are just so many layers to the text between the different timelines and the different relationships. The craftsmanship in this book is really something to celebrate.
Understanding Cricket’s trauma and grief is really what this book was about. Getting to see her grow and change through the novel is really worth while. Her growth and the knowledge she gains by surrounding herself with the support of her small town is spectacular.
I feel as though I’ve read a shocking amount of books that deal with a character (typically a parent) working through having dementia or Alzheimer’s. That just seems to be an interesting “trend” happening recently. But each of these stories have done a great job of highlighting the realities of a loved one needing memory care.
The narrator of the is audiobook did an excellent job. I felt like her voice just really fit this character and the subtle changes to represent others really worked instead of feeling corny.
Overall, I am excited to explore more by this author!
August 26, 2025
I'm not gonna lie and I say I wasn't strongly skeptical when we brought in the "my father with Alzheimer's can predict the FUTURE" angle. However, Before I Forget combines Cricket's grief of watching her father deteriorating in real time, her loss of her sense of self, her (self inflicted?) town pariah status, and the guilt of what it means to have left the town (and her father) in turmoil and applies the "oracle" behavior she's so certain of through that lens.
While Before I Forget is more about Cricket's processing of all of the above things and we get direct visibility into her father's good days, this book doesn't shy away about talking about the hard stuff.
I cried. and I cried hard. This one will stay with me (and be forever associated with my best friend, Stasha, listening to me talk about the book and giving me whiplash when in reading the synopsis - which I had blanked out of my mind - she had some strong feelings she had to share. It's worth it, I promise)
This one will be a touchy read for anyone who has had a loved one lost to Alzheimer's/Dementia and while I don't have that lived experience, I believe Before I Forget tells Arthur and Cricket's story with grace, levity, and a whole lot of heart that will leave a big impact.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
While Before I Forget is more about Cricket's processing of all of the above things and we get direct visibility into her father's good days, this book doesn't shy away about talking about the hard stuff.
I cried. and I cried hard. This one will stay with me (and be forever associated with my best friend, Stasha, listening to me talk about the book and giving me whiplash when in reading the synopsis - which I had blanked out of my mind - she had some strong feelings she had to share. It's worth it, I promise)
This one will be a touchy read for anyone who has had a loved one lost to Alzheimer's/Dementia and while I don't have that lived experience, I believe Before I Forget tells Arthur and Cricket's story with grace, levity, and a whole lot of heart that will leave a big impact.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 6, 2025
Net Galley Review-
Thank you Net Galley for allowing me to read this arc
Before I forget is a wonderful book showing that you never stop coming of age. You never stop discovering who you are and what you want. This book is thoughtful and considerate. It’s such a lovely depiction of parent/child dynamics and how pivotal they can be in navigating your own identity. This book is, at its core, hopeful. It discusses grief, loss, and the feelings of insecurity and confusion in a real and meaningful way. I loved this book.
Thank you Net Galley for allowing me to read this arc
Before I forget is a wonderful book showing that you never stop coming of age. You never stop discovering who you are and what you want. This book is thoughtful and considerate. It’s such a lovely depiction of parent/child dynamics and how pivotal they can be in navigating your own identity. This book is, at its core, hopeful. It discusses grief, loss, and the feelings of insecurity and confusion in a real and meaningful way. I loved this book.
July 2, 2025
Goodreads giveaway book!!!! Found this one moving and loved the storyline, wanted a bit more from the ending and I wanted to sobbbb but it just didn’t do that for me
September 1, 2025
wowowow I feel a little cracked open
October 29, 2025
Some books don’t just tell a story — they quietly walk you through your own emotions too.
Thank you, Macmillan Audio & Tory Henwood Hoen, for the gifted copy of Before I Forget {partner}
Genre: Fiction
Format: 🎧📖
Pub Date: 12.2.2025
Pages: 288
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
“It’s not too late and I’d be saying that if you were 37 or 47 or 57. Do not ever give up on yourself.”
Before I Forget by Tory Henwood Hoen is beautifully written and deeply character-driven. It explores grief, healing, and the complicated threads that bind family together. I loved watching the characters navigate their pain and rediscover connection, both through family and the “found family” that forms when life feels too heavy to carry alone.
Cricket’s growth throughout the 288 pages resonated deeply with me. Her reflections on past choices mirrored so many of my own experiences, and I rooted for her from start to finish, knowing she was perfectly capable of finding her own path in her own time.
The dual timelines added depth, weaving past and present in a way that made the story feel layered and real. It’s one of those rare books that feels as much about becoming as it is about remembering — a gentle reminder that healing isn’t linear, but it’s always possible.
This story deals heavily with anticipatory loss, grief, forgiveness, and learning to move forward without someone who has been a constant presence in your life. To say I cried would be an understatement—but there were also moments of laughter and even happy tears.
Audiobook Review: ☆☆☆☆☆
Before I Forget narrated by a newer audiobook narrator - Barrie Kreinik. Barrie did such a beautiful job telling Cricket’s story and brining to light every single emotion from the story. I can’t wait to listen to more from Barrie.
Read if you enjoy:
❤️🩹 The journey of grief & healing
🫶🏼 Found family
✌🏼 Dual timelines
😍 Character driven stories
Before I Forget somehow managed to be exactly what I was looking for at a time when I needed it most. I highly recommend reading this book if you enjoy authors like Tracey Lange and Ethan Joella.
______
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Thank you, Macmillan Audio & Tory Henwood Hoen, for the gifted copy of Before I Forget {partner}
Genre: Fiction
Format: 🎧📖
Pub Date: 12.2.2025
Pages: 288
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
“It’s not too late and I’d be saying that if you were 37 or 47 or 57. Do not ever give up on yourself.”
Before I Forget by Tory Henwood Hoen is beautifully written and deeply character-driven. It explores grief, healing, and the complicated threads that bind family together. I loved watching the characters navigate their pain and rediscover connection, both through family and the “found family” that forms when life feels too heavy to carry alone.
Cricket’s growth throughout the 288 pages resonated deeply with me. Her reflections on past choices mirrored so many of my own experiences, and I rooted for her from start to finish, knowing she was perfectly capable of finding her own path in her own time.
The dual timelines added depth, weaving past and present in a way that made the story feel layered and real. It’s one of those rare books that feels as much about becoming as it is about remembering — a gentle reminder that healing isn’t linear, but it’s always possible.
This story deals heavily with anticipatory loss, grief, forgiveness, and learning to move forward without someone who has been a constant presence in your life. To say I cried would be an understatement—but there were also moments of laughter and even happy tears.
Audiobook Review: ☆☆☆☆☆
Before I Forget narrated by a newer audiobook narrator - Barrie Kreinik. Barrie did such a beautiful job telling Cricket’s story and brining to light every single emotion from the story. I can’t wait to listen to more from Barrie.
Read if you enjoy:
❤️🩹 The journey of grief & healing
🫶🏼 Found family
✌🏼 Dual timelines
😍 Character driven stories
Before I Forget somehow managed to be exactly what I was looking for at a time when I needed it most. I highly recommend reading this book if you enjoy authors like Tracey Lange and Ethan Joella.
______
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chaptersofc...
Follow me on Goodreads:https://www.goodreads.com/chaptersofc...
Follow me on StoryGraph:https://www.instagram.com/chaptersofc...
August 22, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley for this ARC!
5 stars 🥲
Cricket is a bit aimless, she’s been an assistant for far too long, dropped out of college, keeps her on again of again boyfriend at an arms length, and is basically estranged from her father. When her sister needs to move their father into a care facility better equipped to handle his dementia, Cricket makes the spontaneous decision to move back to their lakeside home and become his primary caretaker - causing her to confront her teenage trauma: losing her boyfriend in a freak accident that she’s blamed herself over for a decade…
This book was so sweet and beautiful. I loved the way all the characters handle and support Arthur and Cricket, and how Cricket gains confidence and a new start by going back to the beginning.
5 stars 🥲
Cricket is a bit aimless, she’s been an assistant for far too long, dropped out of college, keeps her on again of again boyfriend at an arms length, and is basically estranged from her father. When her sister needs to move their father into a care facility better equipped to handle his dementia, Cricket makes the spontaneous decision to move back to their lakeside home and become his primary caretaker - causing her to confront her teenage trauma: losing her boyfriend in a freak accident that she’s blamed herself over for a decade…
This book was so sweet and beautiful. I loved the way all the characters handle and support Arthur and Cricket, and how Cricket gains confidence and a new start by going back to the beginning.
October 6, 2025
I loved this one! Cried my eyes out - especially because I can relate to Cricket navigating the role of daughter w an Alzheimer’s parent. It was so wonderful reading a book from the child in a caregiver role that approached it so openly and honestly. The writing of this book was so lovely and nothing was too saccharine or too depressing but you definitely felt the realness of the characters’ emotions. I loved the story lines I never saw coming - it felt fresh and interesting and captured the cheesy eye roll nature of the influencer / wellness world but also the down to earth healing that people go through when they’ve pushed off coping w trauma. Thanks so so much to NetGalley for this arc!
August 10, 2025
Unreal and whether it was supposed to be a fast read or not I made it one. Know what an oracle is? Well you need to learn about one named Arthur who doesn’t even know he is one.
Get to learn about Cottonwood Lake and Locust and the loons. When you are acclimated you may or may not see Seth, have a memory or lose your heart in a recurring dream.
Sound wild? No not really LOL But it’s a great well written novel with the last few chapters having an emotional twist. I don’t know when it is set to publish but you must grab it on a preorder
Get to learn about Cottonwood Lake and Locust and the loons. When you are acclimated you may or may not see Seth, have a memory or lose your heart in a recurring dream.
Sound wild? No not really LOL But it’s a great well written novel with the last few chapters having an emotional twist. I don’t know when it is set to publish but you must grab it on a preorder
October 16, 2025
Book Report: Before I Forget by Tory Henwood Hoen (Out December!)
Cricket Campbell is 26…lost in the chaos of adulthood…stuck in a job at a trendy wellness company that leaves her anything but well. When her beloved but complicated father is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s…Cricket does something bold…she leaves New York behind to return to her childhood lake house in the Adirondacks…hoping to reconnect with him before the memories slip away completely. But what she finds there is far more than nostalgia. Her father…seems to be forgetting the past... but gaining an eerie ability to see the future🌀
What follows is a moving…funny and quietly magical journey into memory…grief…family and the strange beauty of letting go.
I was completely in awe of this book. It's under 300 pages, but so full of feeling…humor…truth and insight. Hoen strikes this remarkable balance between heartbreak and laugh-out-loud moments…writing about Alzheimer’s and caretaking with honesty and grace…but also with levity and love. There are layers of coming-of-age…family reconnection…self-discovery and even a touch of magical realism that felt just right. This is a novel that asks: What do we hold onto and what do we let go? What does it mean to truly remember and what happens when we can’t?
🌟 Easily a five-star read.
Some quotes I adored:
👜 “If wealth were measured in complimentary tote bags, I would be a millionaire.” 👀 “…and although people are allowed to change, sometimes that change is hard to watch.” ⏳ “I’m ready to be something other than young.” ❓ “When you are full of questions, you are drawn to people who like answers.”
If you're drawn to stories about messy families…bittersweet transitions…memory and identity with just the right amount of weird and wonderful…Before I Forget needs to be on your radar. 💫
Thank you St Martins Press for the ecopy!
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Lyon.brit.A...
Cricket Campbell is 26…lost in the chaos of adulthood…stuck in a job at a trendy wellness company that leaves her anything but well. When her beloved but complicated father is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s…Cricket does something bold…she leaves New York behind to return to her childhood lake house in the Adirondacks…hoping to reconnect with him before the memories slip away completely. But what she finds there is far more than nostalgia. Her father…seems to be forgetting the past... but gaining an eerie ability to see the future🌀
What follows is a moving…funny and quietly magical journey into memory…grief…family and the strange beauty of letting go.
I was completely in awe of this book. It's under 300 pages, but so full of feeling…humor…truth and insight. Hoen strikes this remarkable balance between heartbreak and laugh-out-loud moments…writing about Alzheimer’s and caretaking with honesty and grace…but also with levity and love. There are layers of coming-of-age…family reconnection…self-discovery and even a touch of magical realism that felt just right. This is a novel that asks: What do we hold onto and what do we let go? What does it mean to truly remember and what happens when we can’t?
🌟 Easily a five-star read.
Some quotes I adored:
👜 “If wealth were measured in complimentary tote bags, I would be a millionaire.” 👀 “…and although people are allowed to change, sometimes that change is hard to watch.” ⏳ “I’m ready to be something other than young.” ❓ “When you are full of questions, you are drawn to people who like answers.”
If you're drawn to stories about messy families…bittersweet transitions…memory and identity with just the right amount of weird and wonderful…Before I Forget needs to be on your radar. 💫
Thank you St Martins Press for the ecopy!
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Lyon.brit.A...
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