The Reading Garden

10 Things That Never Happened

For some reason, I always find myself crying over this author’s book. This also regularly takes place at three o’clock in the morning while I am sitting in bed. Not to mention that this year alone I’ve re-read this book three times. It’s a comfort read, I cannot help it. 

The Book in short
Sam Becker loves―or, okay, likes―his job. Sure, managing a bed and bath retailer isn’t exactly glamorous, but it’s good work and he gets on well with the band of misfits who keep the store running. He could see himself being content here for the long haul. Too bad, then, that the owner is an infuriating git.

Jonathan Forest should never have hired Sam. It was a sentimental decision, and Jonathan didn’t get where he is by following his heart. Determined to set things right, Jonathan orders Sam down to London for a difficult talk…only for a panicking Sam to trip, bump his head, and maybe accidentally imply he doesn’t remember anything?

Faking amnesia seemed like a good idea when Sam was afraid he was getting sacked, but now he has to deal with the reality of Jonathan’s guilt, as well as the unsettling fact that his surly boss might have a softer side to him. There’s an unexpected freedom in getting a second shot at a first impression…but as Sam and Jonathan grow closer, can Sam really bring himself to tell the truth, or will their future be built entirely on one impulsive lie?
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My Thoughts
The first time I read this book was through Audible, and I think the narration was spot on. The book is written in a Liverpool accent, and I loved everything about it. I really enjoyed the love for the North and how Sam begrudgingly started liking the South. That is a very niche British thing, but it was something I found great amusement in. 

I simply love Jonathan; the dynamic between him and Sam is so amazing. I loved how we see him learn to show his appreciation more to the people around him due to Sam’s influence. The references to Sam and his family were very interesting, and although not surprising, the big reveal made me tear up (I will not spell it out in detail as to not spoil it)

This book was so good. It was so funny, and even though the idea of faking amnesia was really odd, it did make sense for Sam. I liked that he started to feel really bad about it, and how he learned what he wanted with his job and everything. I think Sam went through a big healing process as much as Jonathan did. 

There is something really comforting about this book. It takes place around the Christmas period, which is very fun and gives off all the festive feels. It’s just good; it has a wonderful arc from start to finish. I also adored the epilogue; it was a natural progression of the story, and it was all so very happy. 

If you are in need of a new book, let this be your next read.

Details
Page count: 432

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