Imogen Clark has written a mesmerising tale of how four entirely different personalities meet on their first day at university and against all the odds form a friendship which although at times is tenuous, is more than strong enough to last a lifetime.

Maggie, has always worked hard towards her ultimate goal, to become a successful lawyer, but at what cost?
Leon is steadfast and the peacemaker of the group. But he is scared of change.

Tiger is a nomad, travelling around the world with just a rucksack holding his worldly goods. Will he ever be able to settle down.

And then there is Angie, the ultimate party girl. How will she cope when she is faced with a life changing decision?

From the very first page I was drawn into this story. It was so satisfying to read a novel where I could see the world through the eyes of these four characters. Each one had a story to tell, and the author told it succinctly but honestly, no embellishment was needed just the raw truth of what these people were going through. When they laughed, I joined in, when they hurt, I felt their pain. These friends became my friends.

The book moves effortlessly from the present day to the 1980s, 1990s and the millennium. I was taken on a very nostalgic journey through the decades. Ms Clark had definitely done her homework. The talk of music, cars and food of each era was spot on and left me feeling more than a bit melancholy for my youth.

I have read all of Imogen Clark’s novels, but I can honestly say this one is by far her best yet. An easy 5 stars from me.

Having read all Imogen Clark's published titles to date, this is definitely my favourite. This probably has a lot to do with the fact that I was able to relate easily to the characters who were from my own generation and with whom I share similar experiences of university during the 1980s, but it is also because the excellent storytelling. Killing off a main character right at the start is always a risk, especially when a large chunk of the narrative is effectively told in flashback and the reader therefore knows that character's fate throughout. But the author makes it work by adding a mystery to the fact of Angie's death - why has she chosen these four people in particular to act as guardian to her almost-adult daughter and given them each a specific role in doing so? To find the answers, we are taken back in time and get to meet each of the four in the same way as Angie did and to travel with her and them to the present day, experiencing the highs and lows of their lives over a thirty year period and learning about their strengths and weaknesses. Thanks to some skilful writing, I became invested in those lives and by the end, felt as if they and Angie were my friends too. The story may not involve any dramatic or sensational twists and turns but there is a momentum to the storytelling that keeps you turning the pages and it is certainly an extremely enjoyable read.

Thank you to the author & publisher for gifting me an ARC via Goodreads in exchange for an honest review.

When Angie dies unexpectedly from cancer, she leaves her 18 year old daughter Romany under the care of her 3 best friends, and an ex-model called Hope. Each are tasked with guiding Romany through a different aspect of life, and the reasons become clear through the course of the novel.

Imogen writes family & friendships really well. I loved the bond between Angie, Maggie, Leon & Tiger - 4 very different people but best friends nonetheless. I loved the description of their university days and could relate to a lot of it - especially the stolen food & used crockery!

I would love a novella sequel to catch up with how all the characters are doing! I would recommend this to fans of novels with well-rounded characters & family dramas.

Angie knows she is dying and wants to make sure her daughter, Romany, has just the right support after she's gone. What starts out as an unlikely quartet of Angie's friends across the years becomes an engaging story of flaws, friendship and honouring the wishes of a dying woman to her daughter. At times it seems that Romany is the adult and the four guardians need her to help them find their way. There's laughter, wisdom, some fiery words and a few tears, and a great trip into the 80s and 90s which is wonderfully true to life as I remember it.

I read most of this book as I became rather poorly and ended up in hospital and it was just the right level of engaging, feel good read I needed. At times the characters annoyed me a little but by the end I was willing them all to rise to the occasion and it left me with a smile, and a few lessons of my own to consider.

Perfect beach, winter evening cosied up on the sofa, commuting to work (or hospital) read for 2022.

I have pretty much read all of Imogen Clark's books and I think this is her best. They are all good but I think her writing has developed and this one flows really well. The story starts in the present and then goes back to the eighties where the four friends meet at university. Gradually we are taken through the next thirty years as their lives and relationships change over time. I very quickly got involved in the story and with the characters, often reading many more chapters than I intended!

It's not a dramatic storyline but if you like a book that concentrates on the ups and downs of life and friendships you should enjoy it and there is a twist or two along the way. I would say though that two of the characters mature in what to me is an unlikely way but that does not take from the enjoyment of the book and only my opinion.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publishers of Impossible to Forget for a free early copy in exchange for an honest review.

Imogen does not disappoint in this latest novel. Clear from the first pages what the ultimate ending will be, your are swiftly whisked back decades in time, and follow the lives of four friends from university days through to a generation on.

The characters are delightful and very believable, and you are gripped by heir highs and lows, successes and regrets. I personally I found this a throwback to my days at University, and the diverging paths that my friends' lives took afterwards. In many ways it goes to show how those early days of adulthood seem so important, and how your original choices can become almost irrelevant to your later life. Following your happiness is the main key, and your true friends from the early days are at the heart of your happiness.

I enjoyed this novel more than any since her original "Postcards", and feel that I begin to know the author through her writing. It kept me reading late at night, a thorough page-turner.
You will not be disappointed by this, I was lucky enough to receive a copy pre-launch in exchange for a genuine review.

This story is founded on friendships formed during those early days of university which somehow survived the ebb and flow of life over time. Each character finds themselves facing an unexpected responsibility alongside an individual previously unknown to the circle of friends. Through the story each tackles their responsibilities in their own unique style with clarity of the connection described by the conclusion if the book.

I thoroughly enjoyed the latest book from Imogen Clark with relatable characters and an interesting story. A solid read.

Grateful to the publisher for an early copy for review. .

The story starts at the reading of a lady's will, in which she leaves the care of her 17 daughter (Romany) in the hands of her three oldest friends - and asks that the three of them act as Romany's guardians until she goes on to university. The book takes the form of snapshots of the characters at various stages of their lives as the story takes shape, I felt as if I knew the characters and cared about what was happening to them. An immensely enjoyable and interesting read and I confidently recommend it. This author has never let me down with the quality of her work - if you haven’t read any Imogen Clark books before, you are in for a real treat!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I found story relevant but both unusual and original, and the characters well drawn and very entertaining.
The story begins with one character from a group of friends, and develops the stages of her life, and each of their lives over many years. Towards the end they are drawn together again in a situation which is strange but seems wholly credible and the denoument maintains the reader’s interest throughout.
. I wanted to get to end of the story but it was woven so well that I was never tempted to skip even a word!
Thank you and well done Imogen! My favourite book of yours so far and I wish you every success with it!

Angie is dead. Her daughter, Romany, has been left alone in the world. For as long as Romany can remember, Angie was her only parent. After weeks of feeling flu-like symptoms, Angie finally went to see a doctor. The news was tragic, Angie had stage 4 ovarian cancer. There was little chance of any treatment being successful. Faced with the knowledge that she would be leaving her daughter alone, Angie began crafting a plan to have guardians care for Romany. Who better to serve as guardians than her three best friends from college? They had watched Romany grow from birth to present day. Angie also had a new friend that she decided to include as a guardian. Angie left explicit instructions for each guardian as to who would teach Romany certain life skills. This came as a surprise to the friends. While they have been in touch with Angie, this is an extremely big request. How will this request be carried out day to day? What happens if they don't want to help? Romany has a father but Angie never revealed his identity to Romany. Could Romany find him after her mother's death? Who is Romany’s father? Did he know about Romany or not?

This story is related in flashbacks and present day events. We meet Angie as her university experience begins. She is an unconventional student. Her style is bohemian, she's not concerned with being fashionable. Much to the annoyance of her neighbors, she ignores the labels on food in the community cupboard and fridge, eating whatever strikes her fancy. One of Angie's neighbors, Maggie, plans to be a lawyer. Careful and studious, Maggie struggles to understand Angie and her easy going ways. Another neighbor, Leon, is fascinated by Angie and her unusual approach to life. Maggie, Leon, and Angie bond, not because of similar goals, but because of Angie.

Angie's oldest friend, Tiger, roams around the world. He has no money, no degree, and no desire to stay in any place for very long. Over the years he will flit in and out of the friends lives. What can this nomadic acquaintance provide to a seventeen year old girl? What was Angie thinking? The final addition to the guardians is a relatively new friend of Angie's. Hope was a well known model who was aging out of the model life. She wanted to start her own swimwear company and met Angie while taking a class on business management. Over the weeks of school, they appreciated each other's point of view. Hope's level headed approach to life is something that Angie values and wants Romany exposed to.

Romany is adrift. Without her mom as her anchor, she has to face her A levels (college entrance exams) and choose a university. Who will be at her house each evening when she comes home? Who will motivate her to study for the A levels? While Angie's plan was a surprise, it is structured to help equip Romany for the world. Romany starts living without her mother and it is bumpy at first but as time moves on, life begins smoothing out. The guardians stop looking at Romany as an obligation and begin enjoying their time together. Each character is changing and growing because of their unusual ties. Will they change for the better? Will Romany be ready to take a step toward university life or will she be too damaged by her mother's death?

In each of her books, Imogen Clark relates behavior and emotions so realistically. Dialogue is genuine. Her characters feel like people you know. There isn't any awkward getting to know the characters part of the book. You begin reading and it is like sinking into a comfortable chair. As the story unfolds it becomes more and more compelling. The emotions here are real, no rose colored glasses. The anguish and uncertainty Romany feels toward locating her father is expressed beautifully. Nothing is clear cut and the variables are exactly as you would experience in life. Ms. Clark isn’t writing fiction, she is showing us life, awkward moments and all. This book is about undying friendship, loyalty, emotional growth, and love. Angie gives her daughter and her friends the best gift of all - the gift of each other.

This was one of the authors best books. I was hooked in very early on and was curious to understand why the relevant people were chosen to look after Angie’s daughter upon her premature death. All of the characters were well defined. The basis of the book was of understanding, support and friendship. This was an easy uplifting book and easy read. Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC.

I was given a advance copy of this book and give my review without pressure or reward. It was an easy and most enjoyable task.
This is Imogen Clark's best book yet, Impossible to Forget is exactly what this story is and the main character Angie fits that bill from the very start. I was totally drawn in by the opening scenes and wanted to know why Angie had chosen these particular people to look after her daughter Romany. Every character in the book is so well drawn and unique and they pull on your emotions easily. Their interactions are a joy and allows the reader to visualise, sympathise, walk alongside and laugh and cry with them.

Imogen Clark goes from strength to strength - this book kept me up until 3am because I simply could not put it down. Brilliant story telling and compelling, realistic characters, Absolutely loved it!

This book grabbed me from its opening sentence and kept me until the end. It's basically a story of friendship between a group of very different people, how the relationship between them started, developed and changed over time and how they are always there for each other. 18 year old Romany is left to face life alone when her mother dies, but her mother ensures she is not alone by asking her friends to keep an eye on her and help her.. The first part of the story is leads up to the events of the opening chapter, the second part is about what happens afterwards.. All the characters are different and each have their own different problems to deal with but they are all basically the type of friends anyone would want in their lives. I found it a very uplifting story.
I was given a free copy to review.

This is another delightful book from Imogen Clark and I enjoyed it from beginning to end.
The idea of a young girl loosing her mother seems sad at first but any sadness is rapidly banished through the telling of the story through the various characters' eyes.
The characters themselves are engaging and relatable and as a reader you feel you get to know them.
I highly recommend this book.

IMOGEN CLARK – IMPOSSIBLE TO FORGET *****

I read this novel in advance of publication through NetGalley in return for an honest review.

With the name Imogen Clark on the cover, you know you’re in safe hands. Her latest has all her hallmarks: a gripping story, real and interesting characters, writing as smooth as butter. There is a reason she is a number one best-selling author with over a million sales to her name.

It is not too much of a spoiler, since it is the opening scene, to reveal that Angie has died, leaving behind fatherless Romany, her teenage daughter. At the reading of her will, each of her close friends are given a task to help Romany through her last year of exams before she heads for university, including someone no one else knows, the beautiful but mysterious Hope.

And then the story drops back to their own university days, how they all met, and follows the fascinating parallels of their lives with all their conflicting emotions. Each of the characters is particularly well-drawn: Maggie, the sensible, highly organised solicitor; Leon, apparently the dull one, yet full of surprises; sexy Tiger, with itchy, globe-trotting feet, afraid to set down roots. And Angie herself, of course, totally impossible from the start, yet someone everyone loves. And as you get to know the characters, you discover the reasons behind why she allotted each of them their tasks.

I don’t want to create spoilers by unveiling the plot. Suffice to say there are plenty of equally well-drawn subsidiary characters, not to mention page-turning twists and turns galore. It is one of those rare stories in which each character lives on in your mind long after their lives on the page has come to an end.

Highly recommended.

Disclaimer - I received an advanced copy of this from the NegGalley. No spoilers in this review.

For me, this is Imogen Clark's best book yet. I love, love, loved it!

The timeline moves through several decades from the mid-80s onwards and follows a group of friends who met at university and maintained the friendship through the years. When one of them passes away, her will asks them to step up and help care for and mentor her teenage daughter, along with a newer friend who they don't know.

Told from different perspectives, including the new friend and the daughter, the characters really came to life for me. The storyline wove in and out of their lives at the various stages with great skill and sensitivity, and I found it hard to put down. A great read and I definitely recommend this book!

I was fortunate enough to read Reluctantly Home so I received an advance copy of Impossible to Forget. The story starts with confronting Angie's death and what that means for her daughter and her friends. But that is only the vehicle to tell the story of friends growing up from university, through careers, marriages, relationships. etc. You become invested with each of the friends, and what friendship really means when faced with life's most difficult challenges.

Do yourself a favor and read this book ASAP! Once you start, it will be hard to put down!

I loved this book. The book starts with the reading of a letter of wishes then jumps to 1985 to tell the whole story of the friends and beyond the year of guardianship.

Every character is just right. Flawed with depth.

The story is mainly told by Angie (the mum), Maggie (the strict lawyer) and Romany (the daughter) across the decades. It's an emotional story but somehow light hearted.

Thanks to the author and Netgalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.