The Forgotten Girl by Kerry Barrett

The Forgotten Girl Reviews

• 
  Justkeepreading

  Thank you to Netgalley, HQ books and Kerry Barrett for the opportunity to read this book for an honest review.
  
  This is the first book that I have read by author Kerry Barrett and it certainly will not be the last. This is a little gem of a book that I urge you all to read.
  
  I loved the cover of this book and the blurb in the back had me intrigued. It is classified as a historical fiction. I'm not sure if I would call it that. I certainly understand why it is. But I find it hard to read historical fiction. Because if the way that most of them are written but I found that this was written so wonderfully. I couldn't put it down.
  
  For me I thought that it was more chick lit. But with a good bit of history thrown in. The plot of the storyline is solid and moves seemlessly. The characters are engaging and you see their development. Which I always like.
  
  We meet Ferne as she is starting her intern as editor of Mode magazine. It used to be the must read magazine. But now sales are low and it is up to Ferne to turn it all around. There are a lot of struggles that Ferne has to go through. At times you love her and at times you want to shake her and make her see the way she is treating people.
  
  This is a great feminist book with a strong message of woman can do anything they set their minds too.
  
  There is a tonne of amazing and wonderful descriptions of life in the 60's which I absolutely loved. It merges so flawlessly with the current day and it is wonderful to see the comparison.
  
  I really enjoyed this book and hope you do too.
  
  Happy reading everyone
• 
  Cammie

  Alternating between 1966 and 2016, readers meet Fearne (2016) and Suze and Nancy (1966) who are all strong female characters.
  Fearne is an ambitious and driven journalist who has just been named editor of Mode magazine, her dream job; however, Mode is struggling to survive and Fearne must save it. Nancy and Suze are writers in a time when respectable women married and cared for their families instead of working outside of the home. Their goal is to both get jobs writing for the new Mode magazine and making a name for themselves as trendy, contemporary women.
  The ways in which these characters' lives come together as Fearne recreates an early issue of the magazine to celebrate the 50th anniversary kept me engaged and guessing.
• 
  Beccabeccabooks

  Achieving her dream job was nothing that Fearne expected. As the new editor of Mode, she has the tedious task of saving the once popular magazine.
  
  As it's their 50th anniversary, Fearne and her creative team are planning to recapture the magic of the earlier issues. There's someone who would make this task a whole heap easier: Mode's longest serving editor, Suze, who's reluctant to assist.
  
  Why is she so hesitant? We are brought back to the swinging sixties, where we were introduced to Nancy. All she wants to do is to break free from her tedious life in suburban London and become a professional writer. Becoming best friends with the brilliantly unpredictable Suze is the key she's been searching for.
  
  And Suze's story just may be the biggest story of Fearne's career....
  
  The Forgotten Girl was utterly charming. As someone who's always loved kicking back with a glossy magazine, it was glorious to learn about the whole process of putting it together. The relevance of comparisons between then and now was extremely well executed.
  
  In saying that, Nancy/Suze were much better best friends than Ferne/Jen. Also, what a joy to discover that Ferne's ex is an Aussie! Nate and George (Nancy's love interest) were such sweet, considerate guys. I really hated how Nancy was treated by her father and fiance though!
  
  A quick read that was incredibly enjoyable.
  
  🌟🌟🌟🌟✨/5
• 
  Emma Crowley

  Little did I think when I began The Forgotten Girl by Kerry Barrett that I would come across such a gem of a book so late in the year. There have been quite a few new authors I have discovered in 2016 purely because I liked the look of their book covers and then thy turned out to be some of my best reads over the course of the last twelve months. This book was no exception as it was the haunting, intriguing cover that first caught my eye and then having read the blurb I knew I really wanted to read this story. It is classed as historical fiction and I can see why but I wouldn't call it my usual historical read of which I devour heaps of every year. This doesn't focus on World War One or Two and for a change that was really refreshing.
  
  The Forgotten Girl merges the past with the present in an exciting, innovative way and once I had started to read I found increasingly difficult to put down as I quickly became lost in the story of Fearne and her attempts to put Mode magazine back at the forefront of the women's magazine industry. To me The Forgotten Girl was perfect for those who love chick lit and also a dash of history thrown in. I had never read a story quite like this before and the pace was excellent throughout providing a good solid storyline and also great character development. I didn't really know how everything would all turn out or what 'the twist' could be until a paragraph made me stop and think and I did work it out. But this didn't in anyway detract from my enjoyment of the story and I couldn't recommend this enough.
  
  We meet Fearne Summers as she is beginning her first day as editor of Mode magazine. She is nervous and apprehensive as to what the future will bring. She is literally in the door when she discovers the magazine is publishing at a loss and is a ship that is rapidly on its way to sinking. Fearne wonders why on earth did she leave her previous job to join a magazine whose reputation was once so golden but now is tarnished and not as fashionable as it should be? Maybe it's because it has been Fearne's dream to work at Mode since she was a teenager and that once one has a dream you would do anything to see it fulfilled. Fearne should be relishing her new role but along the way she has upset her best friend Jen, who also works in the publishing industry, by abandoning ship on plans they had to launch their own magazine. Fearne is now at a crossroads and it's from this point her ambition and determination shines through at every opportunity. She is given six months to turn things around or else the magazine will shut down permanently. She may not have the most willing staff full of fresh, new, innovative ideas that will set the publishing world alight but she firmly believes she can do something and they will not go down without a fight. Although it doesn't help her ex boyfriend she last saw in Oz when she ran out on him has turned up and is now working on the magazine too. But maybe everything has a silver lining and happens for a reason.
  
  Fearne was a character not without her faults and in a way she did push Jen to one side in pursuit of her own ambitions but they both sort of back stabbed each other. In reality alot of things like this happen and I'm glad the author gave us the brutal truths of the magazine world and that a shiny glossy magazine doesn't appear on news stands without some drama and fuss along the way. Despite Fearne's faults I really did love her as a character, yes she may have wavered at times when things got particularly tough and she felt she saw no light at the end of the tunnel. Things seemed to be going to plan and then the author spices things up again with a few upsets and twists and turns. They all happened at just the right time and showed things are cut-throat and it's every man and woman for themselves in an industry where everyone tries to out do one another. Once they have done that they then set new targets for themselves always in a competition to be the best. You could see the pressure on Fearne was relentless but she wanted to climb the career ladder and the closing of Mode was not an option she was willing to even contemplate unless a good fight had been put in before the final nail in the coffin.
  
  The dialogue throughout was snappy and to the point and more than once brought a smile to my face especially when some home truths were told. One thing that shone through in this book was the creative talent the female characters had. I liked how they were strong and could be considered to be at the top of their game in their career and Fearne was going all out to prove this. They were doing a job they loved and they weren't weak and lacking ambition. Fearne was a character people would aspire to even if at times she did need pulling back and to be told think about others. But truly I loved her gutsy nature and her drive. So what of the past element of the book? Was it as strong and well written as events occurring in the modern day? How did it connect with Fearne and her story at Mode? I can say with no hesitation that both aspects of the story were super strong and I felt there were no weak elements within the book at all. They gelled so well together and the author showcased the many similarities between the female characters even though they were decades apart.
  
  Nancy and Suze's story is set in the 1960's and they meet in unusual circumstances but their love of writing, fashion and current affairs brings them together and forges a friendship that sees them strive to join the team on a new magazine being established in England having had great success in America. Nancy is not all she seems, she leads two different lives which must have been hard to maintain and keep everything separate. At home she going out with a man who really does nothing for her yet she finds herself engaged to him. Her mother died when she was young and her father has never been the same since. He is a man who wouldn't like the wider world to know just what he does. Once Nancy leaves the house every morning she transforms from the girl 'working' in an insurance office into a trendy young girl of the sixties when fashion, music and writing are booming and embracing all the changes that are coming. Nancy is a secret junior writer for a magazine but like Fearne in the present she has huge ambitions and meeting the enigmatic Suze who has led such a different life to that of Nancy may just lead her to some changes she never thought possible. The detail of all the sixties clothes, music and life in the publishing industry was fascinating and it was evident so much research had been undertaken. As like with Fearne in the present I fell in love with Nancy whereas Suze I was just that little bit wary of. I was really keen to see how the two stories would merge and would resurrecting the past have any bearing on the future be it in a positive or negative way.
  
  The Forgotten Girl offers something for everyone and proved to be a book that became increasingly difficult to put down. The characters, setting and storyline came alive on the page and even though I may have discovered the twist I did so quite later on. The reasoning, thought process and explanation behind it all was riveting and I was left gasping at what unfolded. Does Fearne make a success of the magazine in the present day? Will elements of the past help her in the future? How does the author connect the past and present so effortlessly that keeps the reader hooked and interested? Well I would say do yourself a favour and buy this book to find out. Kerry Barrett has written a wonderful story that took me by complete surprise. It had a nice sense of mystery which made for a real page turner. It wasn't full of love and romance and boy meets girl and they have issues before getting together. That has been done to death or maybe just my reading tastes are altering and I need to change things up every now and again. No The Forgotten Girl was a treat to read and a book you shouldn’t let pass you by. I'll definitely be looking out for what Kerry Barrett publishes in the future, she has a successful formula with this book and should stick to it.
• 
  Nessa

  What an absolute gem of a story this has been.
  
  Wow, this dual timeline story literally grabbed a hold of me and sucked me in. I was gripped and sitting on the edge of my seat with ever chapter, right to the very end. Thoroughly enjoyable.
  
  It didn't take me long to be drawn into the stories of Nancy, Sue and George back in 1966 and that of Fearne in present day 2016, I was captivated right from the first few chapters. I loved how the story went back and forth from 1966 to present day 2016 which was done so seamlessly.
  
  It was highly captivating, dramatic and emotional read in places, I literally could not turn the pages fast enough, with wanting to find out what happens next and as to how it would all end.
  
  I thought the story was brilliantly well written and the characters are all so very well portrayed and believable. I have absolutely loved reading this from start to finish.
• 
  Jeff Underwood

  Getting Hotter by the Minute
  
  Look, I'll be honest, I haven't finished this book...yet! Oh but I will:) I had my doubts when I read this author's The Girl in the Picture. But was very pleasantly surprised by the end of it. Now I understand. This author begins with a spare but very engaging style. This book and The Girl too. The author then turns it on and both character and plot become deeper, denser with a distinct saucy British flair. The author, because you usually write with what you are familiar with (I am an author too so I know) knows of hard times as a daughter living with a single dad who wants that daughter to live the tried and true (and boring) traditional female lifestyle. The author characterizes her heroines as women who want to break out on their own. Its about female oppression, but the female bravado to cram that oppression down their uncreative and frankly, very sexist and brutal father's throats. Its hot reading. I'm headed back right now. This author would be quite the whirlwind to meet. You go, Kerry. You're definitely already living the lifestyle you desire. So are your characters. Very sexy! PS - I am a male who believes in strong females. This author has got that style down just right.
• 
  Genilee Swope

  Love her work
  
  Was delighted to find a new author 's works I really enjoy. read three books in a row and I'm looking for more . Kerry Barrett mixes history with Mystery, a little romance, and some discussion of generational differences . The result is always a fun and interesting read . Be eating and author myself I'm always picky about finding good , well written books . I found these fascinating and compelling .
• 
  Mabaker

  Loved it :) makes for very light reading and has a few thrills and mystery thrown in
• 
  Cindy Spear

  I absolutely loved it! This is the first novel of Kerry’s I have read. Her books were recommended to me by another author. I am so glad I took her advice and grabbed a copy of The Forgotten Girl as I truly enjoyed it from start to finish.
  
  This story surrounds a long running magazine called Mode once popular and successful but now in trouble. The headquarters are stationed in London, England. Stories about publishing intrigue me and the determined women who lead in the industry, too. The challenges they face can break your heart but to see them find a way around the hurdles is inspiring and Fearne is one lady who definitely has sacrificed everything (including friendships and love) to achieve her goals of success. But although she lands her dream job, she quickly discovers she has inherited a sparce and uninspired team, plus a boss who aims to shut the magazine down due to its current poor ratings. Can Fearne change everyone’s mind and turn this magazine around? She certainly tries and we cannot help but cheer her on. The journey is tough as she learns a lot of hard lessons on the way. But she is determined and once meeting a certain fascinating person from Mode’s past, she seeks her assistance.
  
  With the story set in two time lines: Mode’s beginning of 1966 and Mode of the current day, there are some interesting comparisons and events. There are lots of secrets and unexpected twists from the past that flow into the present to keep you interested. It is a solid story with engaging characters and the move between two timelines is flawless. I enjoyed the ending and closed the pages with a satisfied heart. I am dying to read more of Kerry's stories. I certainly recommend the 'The Forgotten Girl' for it is a story I won’t forget! 5 Stars⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
• 
  Babs

  A fantastic and engaging read. Kerry Barrett truly is a very talented author. The characters are wonderful and the slips between the current era and the past are seamless. Highly recommended!
• 
  ReBecca

  3.5 stars rounding down!
  
  A quick and enjoyable read. The Forgotten Girl is the perfect chick-lit, full of strong female characters and an interesting story that merges past and present. It was a little predictable and I figured out the big secret early on, but how everything unfolded was well written. This is the first book I have read of Kerry Barrett's and it won't be my last. I would definitely recommend this book to others.
  
  ****
  
  The Forgotten Girl tells the story of three strong women at the height of their careers. Alternating between 1966 and 2016 readers get to enjoy the history of Suze and Nancy and the present-day of Fearne.
  
  Suze and Nancy, who become friends out of their love for writing, fashion, and current events, team up to become apart of a new magazine, being established in England, called Mode. Nancy is living two lives and struggles with how to break the news to her dad and fiancee, that the life she has, is not what she wants. Instead she wants to start a new life as a career driven, successful writer. Suze on the other hand has lived a difficult life. On her own since a very young age, Suze has struggled to make something of herself and dreams of becoming a writer as well. Together, Suze and Nancy become unstoppable, helping each other gain confidence and courage to take on the world!
  
  Fearne is a driven journalist who has recently accepted her dream job at Mode. As excited as she is for this opportunity, her bubble is quickly burst when she is told that she has less than a year to make Mode successful or it's done. Fearne is determined to make Mode as successful as it once was and with the help of Suze recreates the first edition of Mode to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the magainze.
• 
  Tracy Green

  Rather Insulting
  
  I should have loved this book. It is my favorite style: someone in the present solving a mystery about someone in the past with the book alternating between present and past. The characters in this story are so unlikable and the story itself so far fetched, I couldn't buy into it. I kept reading only because the author did weave the story together well. The worst problem is this author's views of feminism. She makes the mistake of so many that to be a modern feminist woman you have to put work above all else and live a lonely existence ready to step on anyone in your way to career advancement. This narrow view is as negative as believing all women should be home with a husband and children. It is a dated and shallow view. Worst of all, it is an insult to women.
• 
  The Wanderlust Book Club

  An interesting read about magazine writers/editors in the 1960s and now. We follow two stories, one of Nancy and Suze, young twenty-somethings in London striving to get their dream job on a new glossy, and one of Fearne, the current editor of the same magazine, hired to save it from extinction.
  
  With violence, drugs, pseudonyms, death, love, and finally the truth, this book is an easy and interesting read.
  
  My only complaint is switching the voice of the speaking character between chapters without notice. Toward the end, there were several 2016 chapters that were told by Fearne and others told by Suze with no distinction, it made it hard to follow.
• 
  Tonya

  The cross story of a woman in 2016 who takes over the editorial position of one England’s former prominent Fashion magazines, Mode, now starting to fail. Looking back to 1966 when two young writers are applying to be Mode’s junior writers. One of the these women will go on to be the editor of Mode in the 70s. I loved this book. It reminded me of The Bold Type and what the early days of Glamour or Cosmopolitan must have been like. The positivity of women helping other women was refreshing and the author wrote with a fresh voice. The plot was a bit predictable from the beginning but it was enjoyable read of SoHo England and the time period.
• 
  Janel Cox

  A quick read. Kept my attention. Worth the $0.99 I paid for it.
  The characters were quite complex and I appreciated that the author didn't perpetually repeat herself to describe the abuse, the bruises, the commitment to work over a personal life although there was some unnecessary repetition.
  I was actually pleasantly surprised by the ending.
• 
  Yvette

  Great read
  
  I really enjoyed how the story unfolded. Liked how it jumped from last to present and had a few different antagonists in the story line. The characters were likeable but had flaws. Could work out the mystery in the story before it was revealed but still enjoyed the ending.
• 
  Katt kattysuslibros

  The Forgotten girl
  
  Esperaba un poco mas de este libro, la verdad la historia estuvo bien pero creo que el final pudo ser mucho mejor. porque el anterior que leí me encantó . Tengo en mi lista uno mas de esta escritora y tengo gran expectativa y estoy ansiosa por iniciarlo, de momento seguiré con otro género para no quedarme encasillada a este.
• 
  Trish

  An enjoyable story with characters that have challenges, make mistakes but persevere. The young women in this book are well written and enjoyable to read about. The parallel stories in different time periods add breadth to the bigger story of struggles women have faced. I would still consider this light reading and recommend it for a rainy day read.
• 
  Brenda Shelbourne

  Good read
  
  I enjoyed this book but only once I got half way into it. It was very slow to get going and certainly didn't have me gripped but I was determined to carry on with it and was glad I did as intrigued to see what happened even though I had worked out who Suze was before the author did. Not sure if I would recommend this book but I did enjoy the last half of the book.
• 
  Janet Wild

  1966 to 2016 magazine writer mystery
  
  A fabulous entwined tale of two eras around a magazine's rise and fall. Family conflict with touches of abuse and neglect. Strong female characters and hard done to boyfriends as careers are made. Loved it
• 
  Christine

  This book was a quick read; however, I found the back story implausible and the current day protagonist a tad selfish. It was a quick read, but the ending left a lot of lose ends that were not tied tightly enough for me.
• 
  Shannon

  Good read
  
  This was just a good read for me. Not great but good. I could tell where part of the story was heading and I t was kind of slow getting there. I did really like the Characters and got invested in them.
• 
  Catherine Leggitt

  Excellent. Riveting. Emotion-charged. Loved this book! I did guess what the secret might be before it was revealed, but it took quite a while and I wasn't totally positive. Really tight writing and so intriguing.
• 
  Debbie Alger

  This is the first book I have read on Kindle, simply because I have no books in the house and am in quarantine due to coronavirus. Of course, I prefer holding a book and turning pages, but I have to say that I enjoyed this "book", it was a good read and held my interest.
• 
  Kylie

  I’d never heard of Kerry Barrett before. I saw something come up on Facebook about one of her books so I ordered all of them because I love dual time line. This book didn’t disappoint. Loved it. Can’t wait to read more from this author