Now That I've Found You
Young Adult
Roaring Brook Press
25 August, 2020
eBook
330
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.
“Hurting the people I care about scares me. That’s why I don’t like to Lie”
Now that I’ve Found You is the first book I’ve had the privilege to read by Kristina Forest. This was a charming YA story that showed the complexity of emotions that come with entering adulthood and how that is amplified when it happens in the spotlight.
Our leading lady Evie is a legacy in Hollywood following the iconic acting career of her grandmother and successful filmmaker parents. After winning the role of a lifetime under an esteemed director she is met with the ultimate betrayal when her closest friend shares a private video to the press that immediately gets her 
blacklisted in Hollywood. In an attempt to salvage her new and now dying career she decides that a public appearance with her famously beloved grandmother may be just what she needs. The only problem is that as soon as she 
arrives her grandmother disappears and Evie is left to go on a scavenger hunt around New York with a young musician named Milo who has mysteriously entered her grandmother’s life as a friend and roommate. Over the next few days Evie learns a lot about her grandmother, Milo and herself which leads to some important and life-changing realizations about how she can move forward from her past mistakes.
Now That I’ve Found You was modern and relatable as it explores the swift backlash that can come from 
social media as well as the delicate balance of stardom and humility. I was surprised at how quickly I became invested in the characters, and though I was able to see the betrayal coming it didn’t make it any less of a punch to the gut when it was revealed. Evie’s actions afterward were desperate and at times a bit selfish, but it felt like exactly the right reaction for a young woman who had taken the final step towards realizing her dream and had it ripped away, regardless of the circumstances.
Kristina Forest’s storytelling ability could, should and will no doubt make her a household name. She is able to develop characters that feel like family almost instantly and take you on a journey that feels real because she shows you the beautiful and ugly that is found in each experience. I cannot wait to see what more she has in store for us. Congratulations on an amazing new release!
Amanda is a proud Alaskan who now resides in District 10 with her husband and 2 kids. As a full-time working mom, her time to read is precious and she uses it to devour as many books as possible. While romance in all it’s forms is her go-to, she has recently developed a love of thriller/mysteries and is so excited to explore a whole new genre!
