Now That I’ve Found You
Kristina Forest
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
Publication Date: August 25th 2020
Format: Physical ARC
Goodreads Synopsis
A YA novel about searching for answers, love, and your eccentric grandma in all the wrong places.
Following in the footsteps of her überfamous grandma, eighteen-year-old Evie Jones is poised to be Hollywood’s next big star. That is until a close friend’s betrayal leads to her being blacklisted . . .
Fortunately, Evie knows just the thing to save her floundering career: a public appearance with America’s most beloved actress—her grandma Gigi, aka the Evelyn Conaway. The only problem? Gigi is a recluse who’s been out of the limelight for almost twenty years. Days before Evie plans to present her grandma with an honorary award in front of Hollywood’s elite, Gigi does the unthinkable: she disappears.
With time running out and her comeback on the line, Evie reluctantly enlists the help of the last person to see Gigi before she vanished: Milo Williams, a cute musician Evie isn’t sure she can trust. As Evie and Milo conduct a wild manhunt across New York City, romance and adventure abound while Evie makes some surprising discoveries about her grandma—and herself.
When I needed a quick, cute easy read to get me out of my I don’t even know how long reading slump- I ran to Kristina Forest. And she never fails to deliver.
I can’t find one thing in this book that didn’t make me happy. Two creatives falling in love? Amazing. Evie finding out what genuine friendship looks like? Ten out of ten. The mystery what happened between her grandmother and her ex-husband? I was intrigued.
Now, I’ve never been to New York and I’m also directionally challenged, but during this little hunt for Evie’s grandma… I felt like I was there. Never been on a subway, but I wasn’t lost when they got on one, ya know?
The characters were complex: Evie’s development of being put in a situation and taking a step back? Learning that removing yourself from social media and getting back to the things that make you happy? She wasn’t all likable in the beginning, but that didn’t mean I didn’t like her? It didn’t bother me at all, the growth we got was 100% worth it.
Yet, Simone, Evie’s “friend” was one I was not expecting to have my opinion changed on. I did not like this girl. And Forest managed to not only keep her unlikable (because I’m a Virgo and I hold grudges thanks)… but I understood where her head space was. How she got to the point that fractured the friendship. I’m still kind of blown away with her character.
This wouldn’t be a proper me review if I didn’t talk about the romance and how adorable all of it was. I will say Milo was a bit of a perfect pushover? However, nice guys always finish first in my book and I loved how even when Evie was being a bit mean and selfish in her motivations, he had this understanding vibe to him.
But, then again, they made my heart scream with happiness. Two black kids falling in love and acknowledging how hard it can be for creatives to balance relationships and their craft. ADORABLE.
Yes, this was a light little romance set in New York, but it was more than that. It was living up to the expectation you and others put on you and being conscious of yourself and not letting others take over your future. It’s ambition and jealousy and seeing past events in a new light. It’s about forgiveness.
The book just ended perfectly and nestled into my heart and I don’t know and other superlatives to describe this:
Disclaimer: my thoughts are a messy mess… sorry in advance.
Not the jealousy…. we’re barely one chapter in guys
YO WTF SIMONE WE’RE ONLY ON CHAPTER TWO
Evie… has a bit of a bougee high horse thing going on… get off of it now
Can’t even lie, Evie is lacking some manners… which is going to make some great character development later on
ELI AND CHLOE MENTION I MISS YA’LL
The more I think about it… Evie is my girl, one track mind and all
Evie might be a butthole right now, but I not even mad at her?
Milo… imma need you to stop being so perfect
Yo it’s been a while since I’ve hated a character…. looking at you Simone
The look at her privelede of having famouf family names behind her to help her career and her wanting to make a name for herself…
I’m not even a third of the way through and this book is SCREAMING five stars at me
Yas book, give me the roller coaster of emotions: I was angry, I’m laughing, I was a little bit sad… versatility
ELI AND CHLOE ARE HERE! I’M NOT CRYING OR ANYTHING
That ending? PERFECT. TEN OUT OF TEN. MY HEART MAY BURST IDK YET
Kristina Forest is the author of I Wanna Be Where You Are and Now That I’ve Found You. She earned her MFA in Creative Writing with a concentration in Writing for Children at The New School. She lives in Brooklyn, New York with two huge bookshelves.
Kristina Forest is the author of I Wanna Be Where You Are and Now That I’ve Found You. She earned her MFA in Creative Writing with a concentration in Writing for Children at The New School. She lives in Brooklyn, New York with two huge bookshelves.
Favorite books: When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead, If You Come Softly by Jacqueline Woodson, Devil In Winter by Lisa Kleypas and Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Favorite song: “The Beautiful Ones” by Prince
Favorite color: Turquoise
I really want to read this book!!! So glad you loved it!!
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I hope you enjoy it when you get to it, I can confidently say it’s a fave 💕
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This books sounds perfect! I always love reading stories set against some kind of treasure hunt (in this case, grandma hunt) and it sounds like the others element are executed perfectly too. Can’t wait to read this!
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It really is, but I had no doubts Forest would wow me— she’s a definite fave ❤️ I hope you love it !!
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