Forgetful Hearts

A Hometown Jasper Novel, Book 3

By: Nicky James

Narrated by: Nick J. Russo

Length: 9 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's Summary

Why can't Shay remember when his nemesis became his lover?

Shay would never associate with Josiah. Not only is he his brother’s ex-best friend, but he’s arrogant, cocky, and rude. 

When Josiah claims they’re dating and that Shay forgave him for his past transgressions, Shay is convinced he’s lying. Except, since the accident that left him with no memory, Shay isn’t sure of anything. 

The last six months are a black hole in his mind. What’s worse, Shay is convinced that whatever happened to him wasn’t an accident, at all. But the only person who believes him is Josiah. 

Perhaps, together, they can figure out the truth. Maybe, retracing their steps will shake loose those missing pieces. 

Can Shay put trust in the man he swore to hate? Will regaining those memories be good or bad? What if the truth was written on his heart the whole time? 

Forgetful Hearts is a low angst MM romance novel with amnesia, age gap, enemies-to-lovers, and brother's ex-best friend tropes. It is part of the Hometown Jasper Series but can be listened to as a stand-alone. 

©2020 Nicky James (P)2021 Nicky James

A second chance enemies to lovers romance

This was a sweet, opposites attract, unconventional enemies to lovers romance.

I absolutely loved the concept of the story.
Once enemies, now lovers getting a second chance to love again.

The writing style was engaging, compelling and enthralling.

I do recommend listening to this in the series order for maximum enjoyment although it can be read as a standalone as well.

The narrator did an exceptional audio delivery and narration as well.

Loving it!

I am absolutely loving this series. Before it I had never read anything by Nicky James and I am so happy I stumbled on this author when I did.

I love enemies to lovers romances, but factor in a major case of amnesia and I'm sold. I love books with a unique aspect to them and considering I have only read one other book with that situation I was super excited to start this one. I thought James did a fantastic job combining Shay and Josiah's tumultuous past with their original present and then their new present. Shay was driving me crazy and breaking my heart with how he was treating Josiah, but once I learned more about their past it all made sense. I loved the progression back to each other and how Shay felt comfortable with Josiah without even realizing it. And I also loved how Josiah was very go with the flow whenever Shay needed to do something.

One of my favorite aspects of this book was the amazing character arc of Josiah. I HATED him in the other books; literally could not stand him. I wasn't sure what to expect from this, but I figured he had to have some kind of redemption and he definitely did. I did like how James kept a lot of his quirkiness (the constant flirting, the baiting, the trailed off speech), but at the same time, we got a deeper understanding of why he is the way he is so it made those annoying quirks much more endearing.

Nick J. Russo is one of my all time favorite narrators, particularly with series, because each character gets their own distinct voice and then it also carries on to their books. Josiah's voice was exactly the same as it was in the previous two books and it really helped differentiate all of the characters. That's the sign of an amazing narrator!

Overall, I highly recommend this book. I'm going to be grabbing book 4 ASAP!

Good story. Good narration.

This book had a slightly darker tone than the first two in the series, but the story was still very sweet. I liked the way the author is showing characters from different perspectives. Small town gossip is always challenging to deal with, and the author does a great job of showing how perspective changes the meaning of gossip.


Shay and Josiah are an interesting pair, and I hope we catch glimpses of them in more books.

As usual, the narration was a well performed.

Enemies-to-lovers with a detour

I love Nicky James books, and I’ve enjoyed the first two Jasper novels. I met the character of Josiah early on and I didn’t like him. Wore glasses even though he didn’t need them? Never completed sentences? Too pretentious for me. Especially because everyone else in town is so honest and friendly.

I was introduced to Shay in a previous book where he wanted to do an amazing skiing trick. Now, I’d known he would fail at it, so I was curious where this book would pick up. I was surprised, honestly. A good surprised.

Josiah and Shay have actually become a couple in the intervening time. Josiah has real feelings for Shay and he understood it to be reciprocated. Except Shay’s lost six months of his life, and still believes he and Josiah are enemies. Shay blames him for his beloved brother leaving Jasper and never coming back. But when Shay is injured, his brother does return. And boy does that complicate things. And provide more potential stories so, yay for that.

Shay wants nothing to do with Josiah, but Josiah’s not willing to give up on them. He’s proving far more patient than I’d ever give him credit for. He knows he needs to woo Shay. Give the injured man time to rediscover what they had. To remember the truth that drew them together. Figure out why Josiah is so certain the previous animosity is gone.


This author often takes medical and psychological issues and makes them feel real. I was immersed in Shay’s injury and subsequent memory loss. I was cheering, hoping those memories would come back. I was even cheering for Josiah, learning he’s not such a bad guy and first impressions can be deceiving.

The ending was perfect. The entire book was pretty darn close as well. And I have to mention Nick J. Russo’s narration. He’s just great in this series and I’m so glad he’s helming the audio project. I cannot wait for the final book.

Enjoyed It a Lot

I enjoyed this story from the first minutes of listening till the epilogue. Forgetful Hearts was my first book in Jasper town series and even though it made me very interested in learning what happened between Josiah and Shay in previous books, I feel this can be enjoyed as a standalone, there was plenty of clarification to let me know their history. Enemies to Lovers is my favorite trope, I read/listened so many stories that I thought I experienced all kinds of variations on this kind of relationship development. This book offered a different twist on the enemies to lovers trope with amnesia aspect, disconnect between Shay's mind and heart as well as Josiah's helplessness in the face of these circumstances. I loved following relationship development and interactions where Josiah's manner of speaking offered funny and entertaining moments in how Shay completed his questions. Narrator did a great job and made this a perfect listening experience. I am going to listen to the other stories in Jasper town series and hope they will be just as good as Forgetful Hearts.

outstanding performance

THE STORY:
The Heart Never Forgets!!!
Forgetful Hearts is my favourite (so far) in this series.
Loved, Loved, Loved Josiah and Shay.... this was a fun read.

Contrary to other reviewers, I thought Forgetful Hearts was a much lighter read than the 2 previous books in this series.
We met Josiah in both Clashing Hearts & Confused Hearts where he struggled to complete sentences where we the reader, had to assume/interpret what he meant... this was fun :)
Shay, we met briefly in Confused Hearts, where he and Josiah got off on the wrong foot!!

Can I say enemies to lovers to enemies back to lovers??
Why, yes I can!! ..... as Nicky James threw an amnesia trope at us, so poor Shay had no recollection of his previous involvement with his sworn enemy, Josiah.

Readers who are familiar with Mrs James's other work would not realise how funny a person she is!!
This series, but in particular, this book is full of banter, snark, sass, witty comebacks, hilarious texting and butt convos.
I can't not mention a new favourite side character in a book - Jordie!!! He had me LOL so hard.

This book was fantastic!!! It's everything you need in a feel good book, with heaps of witticism and a bit of mystery thrown in.

THE NARRATION:
Nick J Russo did an amazing job with this story! I am loving enjoying this series again with audios.
 
I loved how Nick was able to project Shay’s frustration so very well, and Josiah’s quirky character.
Nick has become a fast favourite narrator for me. His narration is clean and filled with emotion.
I can’t wait to listen to the next book in this series.
 

❤❤❤❤

I loved this while reading it. But after hearing Nick Russo, caused me to love it even more! Amazing job Nick and Nicky!!

Great addition!

This was my favorite book in the series and the narration definitely did it justice. Russo’s voices for the characters were fitting and I enjoy when narrations match up with what’s already in my head. I loved shay and Josiah, even when they frustrated me, and I kinda wanted them to get it together faster! This book is filled with tropey goodness but with a fresh twist that helps it stand apart. There is a little bit of a mystery in this book and I really liked that I wasn’t able to guess the hows and whys. I def this think book can be enjoyed as as standalone

Lovely addition to the Hometown Jasper series

Amazing. Very well done. I applaud Nick Russo for his fantastic narration of yet another wonderful Nicky book. I really loved Shay and Josiah's story when I read the book but the narration really brings it to life, especially Josiah's  unique speech patterns. The story was fabulous and the narration just makes it so much better. This audio is a terrific addition the series and I highly recommend it.

Second Chance Love

I loved this story so much when I read it, I knew the audio would be a must as well! Once again Nick J Russo did an amazing job of pulling me into the town of Jasper for Josiah and Shay’s story! His narration made me feel part of the story and really brought the amazing words and characters to life for me. In the past I’ve shied away from amnesia stories, I just didn’t think they were for me. If anyone can take me out of my comfort zone, and show me wrong, it’s this author. I loved Josiah and Shay’s story. It had some great humor, mystery, low angst and great sexy times! I listened almost straight through, and didn’t want to stop! It was really pulled in from the start. I’d been fascinated by Josiah since the first book. Who wouldn’t be? His half finished sentences and his crazy paper. I knew Shay would give him a run for his money. There was so much to love about these two men. Josiah his such an honorable and caring person that he inside and away from everyone. The face that Shay showed the outside world, wasn’t what he necessarily was inside. I absolutely loved Josiah’s devotion to Shay. He was by his side through the good times, the uncomfortable and the heated. He never gave up showing Shay what they had was real and making Shay realize that. Not once, but twice. I loved that Shay chose Josiah. Swoon! He needed to be chosen so badly. These two men deserved their HEA they found together. They navigated past hurts, injury, and family crisis to come out the other side together.

Another great book!

I really love this series!!
Love the characters, the story, the narration of course (Nick J. Russo is so good!).
Can totally be read as a standalone but it's nice when you know the other characters stories.
Highly recommend it :)

The best in the series so far!

I love this series and just want to be there, live in Jasper and know these people!
And I think this book is the best so far. The beginning gripped and squeezed my heart. The feeling when the love of your life wakes up after an accident and hates you and have no idea of why you’re there.
I fell in love with Josiah in the second book. His language and way of speaking is very special. Annoying most of the time, but oh so ... you know!
And! Not to forget! The fantastic side character, Jordie! A laugh out loud-funny guy!

Nick J Russo nails it, again. I think he captures the vulnerability in both the main characters and let them evolve!

Another outstanding romance in Jasper!

Every time I think the town of Jasper can't get any more amazing, Nicky writes another story that blows me away! Josiah and Shay's romance was much more hurt/comfort and suspenseful than the other two books in this series, and Nick Russo did an excellent job narrating despite the difference in style. I thought the chance of pace was so exciting, and I loved unraveling the mystery of Shay's accident piece by piece.

As I was listening to the opening sentences of this story, I had a revelation about why I always love Nicky's characters so much. In just a couple of sentences, Nicky can unveil the hidden truths of her characters, exposing to everyone what matters most in their hearts and souls. I had barely heard five minutes of Josiah sitting in Shay's hospital room when I saw so clearly what these men had together.The way Josiah thought about Shay, the things he missed doing together, and his desperate wish for Shay to wake up were all it took for me to fall head over heels for the two of them.

For a character who was so openly hated in earlier books, Josiah really surprised me in this story. I had pictured him as this no-nonsense, snooping newspaper owner who didn't care whose feelings he hurt as long as he got a good article out of it. I couldn't have been further from the truth. Understanding Josiah's motivations, finding out what really happened in his past, and seeing his loving patience with Shay changed the way I interpreted everything Josiah did. While he's certainly not the perfect character--his habit of trailing off sentences is still annoying--I have a much softer spot in my heart for him now.

As much as I adored Josiah, my heart ached for Shay and the turmoil his life became in this story. Losing memories is one of my worst fears, so listening to Shay's confusion and struggle to remember anything about his accident was heart-wrenching. Unlike some of Nicky's other books where she leaned hard into the angst, I thought this story had a nice balance of realistic trauma recovery and lighthearted moments. I especially appreciated that Shay kept up his snarky banter with Josiah--the way he kept finishing Josiah's sentences with the most ridiculous phrases never stopped making me snort-laugh.

With two fantastic main characters, there was no way the romance in this story could be anything but stunning. Given Shay's memory loss, I wasn't expecting them to jump into bed right away, and Nicky made the waiting pass with such delicious anticipation. When Josiah and Shay finally did come together again, it was every bit as intimate and steamy as I had hoped. Beyond the strictly physical connection, the way Josiah and Shay supported each other without question warmed my heart. Even when everyone else was skeptical about Shay's accident being less-than-accidental, Josiah believed him. Even when Josiah wanted to drag Shay to Lady Mallory to get some psychic answers, Shay rolled with it.

At the end of the day, Shay and Josiah proved that forging ahead is much more important than living in the past. With or without memories, with or without support from their families, these men chose each other time and time again.

**I voluntarily listened to a free copy of this book. This review expresses my honest thoughts and opinions. 

Brilliant, Beautiful & Emotional 💞💞

Love... the hometown Jasper series another amazing read by Nicky James. Josiah & Shay what a couple wouldn't think they go together but they just click the banter and fun between these two at one time enemies bickering & fighting now lovers , Josiah was persistent caring and loving even when getting pushed away but he knew what they had together. Shay losing his memory of Josiah he's in pain and so scared but knows he was attacked and Josiah's the only one who believes him, Nick J. Russo does a brilliant job with the voices bringing them to life love with Josiah not finishing his sentences and getting Shay so mad. 💞💞

Josiah is the best character ever! Loved the audio

My favorite book from the series and I couldn't wait to hear Josiah & Shay's story on audio. And let me tell you, it was everything and more. The narrator did such an awesome job to give Josiah and Shay life with his voice. Josiah is perfect as he is, but with that voice... ahh.
I laughed many, many times. Especially, when...you know.
Loved listening to it, I swooned and laughed. I cheered them on and was crazy happy all the time while listening to this story.

Tomi and Windsor were hilarious, I loved them when I first met them, but now that I know they will be together... it's always funny to re-visit characters when you know more about them ;)

Loved, loved, loved it! I'm not saying it's my favorite audio by Nicky, but it's a close second.

O.M.G.

Story: This book is by far my favorite in this series! Everything about Josiah's and Shay's story just spoke to me on a deep emotional level! And the mystery part was so well written!
Narration: Great performance! Easy to follow voices and great emotions!

loved it

i freakin loved it.. it was amazing and sexy.. it was an amazingly written story.. this narrator did an amazing job with the personalities and complex emotions of these characters.. i loved it

Love the quick wit

I love this series but especially this story. These two are so dysfunctional in their own way. Josiah might own a newspaper but has trouble with complete sentences. Shay who has plenty to say keeps getting corrected by Josiah. I love the sort of banter as Shay finished Josiah’s sentences. I laughed at the interaction between Josiah and Jordy over Jordy’s helping at the newspaper. There is a serious mystery here but its more the personalities and their relationships to each other than kept my attention. The narration of Nick Russo really brought this fun story to life. Even though this is listed as a standalone I feel I enjoyed it more because I’ve read these stories in order.

fantastic performance

listening to nick j russo's performance of bringing shay and joshia and nick James's words to life was absolutely stunning and incredible I loved it I felt like I was there every step of the way

i cried a little and my heart felt so full

I was on the edge of my seat at times and excited to listen to more