Forget Me Not by Alyson Derrick – Full Book Guide
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Quick Facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Author | Alyson Derrick |
| Publication Year | 2023 |
| Genre | Romance, Young Adult, Contemporary, LGBTQ+ |
| Setting | Wyatt, Wyoming (small conservative town); Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
| Narrator | Stevie Green (first-person) |
Short Summary
Stevie Green, a high school graduate in a conservative Wyoming town, suffers retrograde amnesia after a fall that erases the last two years of her life. She doesn’t remember her secret girlfriend, Nora Martin, or the plans they made to escape to California. As Stevie pieces together clues—a hidden box of Polaroids, a UCLA acceptance letter, and Nora’s persistent presence—she gradually uncovers the relationship her parents tried to erase. Forced to choose between her family’s expectations and her own identity, Stevie and Nora decide to leave together. The novel explores memory, identity, and the courage to love openly.
Full Summary
After a dramatic fall into a ravine, Stevie Green wakes from a two-week coma with no memory of the previous two years. Her parents, especially her mother Julia, are by her side but clearly shaken. Stevie struggles to recognize her own bedroom, which has been stripped of her personal items. She learns she was found on Martin’s farm and that a girl named Nora Martin carried her out of the ravine. Yet Stevie has no recollection of ever meeting Nora.
Trying to reclaim her past, Stevie returns to work at a coffee shop and reconnects with former friends Savannah and Rory. They steer her toward a boy named Ryan, claiming she had a crush on him before the accident. Stevie agrees to a double date at the county fair, but feels no spark. Meanwhile, Nora, who avoided Stevie after the hospital visit, eventually agrees to show her the accident site. At the ravine, Stevie feels nothing—but notices a California travel guide and a hidden Polaroid in Nora’s room.
Suspicions grow when Stevie discovers an orange shoe box hidden in an air vent. Inside are photographs of herself with Nora, including a kiss. Realizing Nora lied about their past, Stevie confronts her. Nora confesses: they had been in a secret relationship for two years, planned to move to Los Angeles, and had even secured an apartment. Stevie is overwhelmed, denies being gay, and kisses Ryan to prove otherwise—but feels empty.
After a painful process of self-discovery, Stevie admits to Ryan that she loves Nora. She and Nora begin dating again in secret, rekindling their connection. But danger looms: Nora’s mother physically attacks Nora when she finds them together, and Stevie shelters Nora at Ryan’s house. There, Stevie reads Nora’s journal—letters written during her coma. Realizing she cannot live under her parents’ control, Stevie devises an escape plan. She cashes a lottery ticket, and together they budget for a new life in LA, with UCLA accepting Stevie for a light first semester.
On the morning of their departure, Stevie writes a coming-out letter for her parents. At the airport, just before security, her parents appear—not to stop her, but to reconcile. Her father crumples the letter and says he loves her. Her mother admits she actively erased Stevie’s memories by removing photos and altering her room, and begs forgiveness. Instead of asking her to stay, they encourage her to go and welcome Nora. For the first time, Stevie kisses Nora in public, feeling sorrow, relief, and hope. The novel ends with Stevie realizing that while forgetting can be painful, it also allowed her to fall in love with Nora all over again—and that her true home is wherever Nora is.
Main Characters
- Stevie Green – The protagonist who loses two years of memory and must rediscover her identity, including her love for Nora.
- Nora Martin – Stevie’s secret girlfriend; rescues Stevie from the ravine and patiently helps her rebuild their relationship.
- Ryan – A kind Asian-American coworker who becomes Stevie’s friend and supports her journey.
- Julia Green – Stevie’s mother, who initially erases Stevie’s memory but later reconciles.
- John Green – Stevie’s conservative father who struggles but ultimately accepts his daughter at the airport.
- Savannah – Stevie’s former best friend, whose toxic behavior (racism, lies) leads to their friendship ending.
For deeper dives, see the full character pages.
Themes
- Memory and Identity – Stevie’s amnesia forces her to question who she was versus who she is becoming.
- Love and Second Chances – Nora and Stevie choose each other anew despite the lost history.
- Secrecy and Coming Out – The pain of hiding one’s sexuality in a conservative community and the courage to live openly.
- Family Expectations vs. Self-Authenticity – Stevie grapples with parental pressure while pursuing her true self.
- Escape from a Small Town – The driving desire to leave Wyatt for a freer life in California.
Explore each theme in more depth: memory and identity, love and second chances, secrecy and coming out, family expectations, escape from a small town.
Symbols
- Polaroid Photographs and Hidden Box – Tangible evidence of Stevie and Nora’s forgotten relationship.
- Fallen Oak Tree and Ravine – The scene of the accident; symbolizes the barrier between past and present.
- Pocketknife – Won by Ryan at the fair, later given back as a goodbye gift; represents friendship and letting go.
- Orange Shoe Box of Mementos – Contains love letters and UCLA acceptance; key to unlocking lost history.
Learn more about Polaroid photographs, fallen oak tree, pocketknife, and orange shoe box.
Ending Overview
The novel concludes at the airport. Stevie’s parents arrive, not to stop her but to reconcile. Her father accepts her sexuality, and her mother confesses she erased Stevie’s memories. They encourage Stevie and Nora to leave. Stevie kisses Nora in public for the first time, feeling sorrow, relief, and hope. The ending affirms that forgetting allowed them to fall in love again, and that Stevie’s home is with Nora.
Read the full ending explained.
Chapter-by-Chapter Summary
| Chapter | Summary |
|---|---|
| 1 | Stevie hides a box of mementos from her secret relationship; she can’t say “I love you” to Nora on the phone. |
| 2 | Stevie lies to her mom, endures Savannah’s racist comment, and counts the months until escape. |
| 3 | Stevie and Nora exchange “I love you” in the forest; Nora confirms their apartment; Stevie falls into the ravine. |
| 4 | Stevie wakes from a coma with severe memory loss; Dr. Reicher tests her neurological function. |
| 5 | Nora visits but Stevie doesn’t recognize her; Nora flees crying; Stevie’s father reveals she was found at Martin’s farm. |
| 6 | Dr. Reicher diagnoses retrograde amnesia; Stevie struggles with the loss of two years. |
| 7 | Stevie learns she is enrolled at Bower Community College; her mother comforts her in the hospital bed. |
| 8 | Stevie returns home to a renovated room; she finds a strange rock and avoids the mirror. |
| 9 | Stevie and her mom eat at Lola’s; Mom suggests bringing a sandwich to Nora Martin. |
| 10 | They drive to Martin’s Meats; Nora’s mother is hostile; Stevie feels distance from her own mother. |
| 11 | Savannah and Rory visit; they reveal Stevie had a crush on Ryan; Stevie agrees to see him. |
| 12 | Stevie brings lunch to her dad; he makes a homophobic comment; Dr. Reicher warns memory may be permanent. |
| 13 | Stevie returns to work but fails during a rush; Nora comforts her outside and gives her phone number. |
| 14 | Stevie meets Ryan; she feels no attraction but agrees to a double date; she texts Nora instead. |
| 15 | Nora shows Stevie the ravine; Stevie feels no recognition; Nora hides a Polaroid; she orders Stevie to leave. |
| 16 | Stevie’s mom tearfully admits Stevie shut her out long before the accident; Stevie wonders if forgetting is better. |
| 17 | Stevie goes to the fair with Ryan; they win a pocketknife; Nora sells raffle tickets; Ryan tries to kiss Stevie but she avoids it. |
| 18 | Stevie returns to church; her mom suggests a fresh start; Stevie decides to apply to colleges outside Wyatt. |
| 19 | Stevie wins a cow in the raffle; she goes to give it to Nora but finds it slaughtered; they fix a fence together. |
| 20 | Stevie rides a four-wheeler with Nora; she feels a romantic thrill when their hands touch. |
| 21 | At Truck Night, Ryan is racially taunted; Stevie scratches Nora’s name on a takeout container; she texts Nora. |
| 22 | Nora reveals she is gay and recounts her past relationship; a physical mishap sparks attraction between them. |
| 23 | Stevie finds the orange shoe box in the vent; she sees photos of herself kissing Nora and realizes Nora lied. |
| 24 | Stevie confronts Nora; they kiss; Stevie pushes her away out of fear. |
| 25 | Stevie kisses Ryan but feels nothing; she realizes Nora is the missing piece of her life. |
| 26 | Stevie apologizes to Ryan; they become friends; she admits she likes a girl; Ryan encourages her. |
| 27 | During dinner, Stevie’s dad criticizes Ryan; her mom reveals her own regret; Stevie decides to pursue Nora. |
| 28 | Nora shows Stevie the orange shoe box in a wildflower field; they agree to a secret relationship; Nora vows to make Stevie fall in love again. |
| 29 | Stevie and Nora go to the Pittsburgh Night Market; Stevie holds Nora’s hand in public for the first time. |
| 30 | They swim at Ryan’s house; Ryan reminds Stevie of her UCLA acceptance; Stevie says she’s not leaving. |
| 31 | Stevie invites Nora over for a campfire; they are intimate; Nora gives back Stevie’s backpack; they plan to meet again. |
| 32 | Stevie works the church dinner; Savannah and Rory confront her; Stevie ends the toxic friendship. |
| 33 | Stevie and Nora become intimate; Nora’s mother attacks her; they flee into the rain. |
| 34 | Stevie takes Nora to Ryan’s; she reads Nora’s journal; inspired, she devises an escape plan. |
| 35 | Stevie confesses her love; Nora reveals savings; they plan to leave in nine days. |
| 36 | They finalize UCLA plans; Stevie quits her job; she takes her parents to dinner; she knows she will leave a letter. |
| 37 | Stevie observes her parents’ morning routine; she hugs her father goodbye; she rereads her leaving letter. |
| 38 | At the airport, Stevie gives Ryan the pocketknife; her parents arrive and reconcile; Stevie kisses Nora in public. |
For detailed summaries of each chapter, visit the chapter 1 summary and subsequent chapters through chapter 38.
Common Questions
1. What is Forget Me Not about?
It follows Stevie Green, a teen who loses two years of memory after a fall and must rediscover her secret relationship with Nora, ultimately choosing to leave her conservative hometown for a new life.
2. What caused Stevie’s amnesia?
She fell from a fallen oak tree into a ravine, resulting in a cranial fracture and brain bruising that led to retrograde amnesia.
3. Does Stevie get her memories back?
No—she never fully recovers the lost two years. Instead, she rebuilds her identity and relationship with Nora from scratch.
4. Who is Nora Martin?
Nora is Stevie’s secret girlfriend before the accident. She rescued Stevie from the ravine and patiently helps her fall in love again.
5. Why did Stevie’s mother erase her memory?
Julia Green removed photos and redecorated Stevie’s room to hide evidence of the relationship, hoping to give Stevie a “clean slate” and protect her from the shame of being gay.
6. What is the significance of the orange shoe box?
It contains Polaroids, love letters, and Stevie’s UCLA acceptance—the key to unlocking the truth about Stevie’s past with Nora.
7. Does Stevie come out to her parents?
She writes a letter but doesn’t directly tell them until the airport, where her father crumples the letter and says he loves her, accepting her fully.
8. How does the book end?
Stevie and Nora leave Wyatt together for UCLA. Stevie’s parents arrive to reconcile, and Stevie kisses Nora in public for the first time, feeling hope for the future.
More answers can be found in the questions and answers section.