About the Book
Format
304 pages, PaperbackPublished
June 6, 2023 by RevellISBN
9780800742959 (ISBN10: 0800742958)Language
English
It has been almost a year since the horrible accident that only took the life of Lori Mendenhall’s teenage son but also stole eight years of memories from her due to traumatic brain injury. Now she is returning home- but her life is nothing like she remembered. Her daughter is distant, and her once-loving husband is a workaholic she isn’t sure she can trust. As memories begin to resurface, Lori begins to wonder if the life she can’t remember is one she’d rather forget.
My Thoughts
The trigger warnings at the beginning of the book need to be taken seriously as there are some very heavy topics in this book, including the death of a child, adultery, abuse and divorce. The main characters are Lori, the mom who has lost her memory and is struggling to regain it, and Avery, the twin sister of Austin who was killed in a tragic car accident. This is not by any means an uplifting story, but it is engaging. I did not like most of the characters because they mostly seemed manipulative, although they were well-developed and dynamic. I did like Lori and felt bad for all she had been through but my favorite character was Avery. She tugged at all of my heart strings as she tried to maneuver her way through the minefield of loss and her parents’ broken marriage. This is definitely not a book for young teens because the topics are for more mature readers. Even some adults might find it difficult to read this book because it explores such difficult and heart-rending subjects. That being said, I did enjoy the book and its Christian message for seeking and finding hope amidst the rubble that sometimes is life. The central focus is that life is not predictable and you have to hold on tightly to faith in order to come out the other side of some of the dark tunnels. That being said, I will say that the darkness is emphasized here and the hope is revealed slowly, so I had to wait for it, expecting things to turn around, which they eventually did. I applaud the author for her sensitive writing about such hard topics and recommend this book for those looking for emotional release in a book…this one has all the feels, including an ultimately hopeful ending.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
About the Author
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Great review! I just got this book. I need some time before I read this one. My dad died 2 weeks ago. I need space before I jump into a book that deals with heavy. Thank you for doubly emphasizing the triggers.
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I’m so sorry about your dad. I understand how hard it is since my mother died in the 80’s and my father passed away in 2017. Things are hard for you now, but I pray God’s comfort will make them better. Definitely a book with a lot of emotion and triggers, so I suggest you wait a good long while to dive into it. Sending a virtual hug.
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Thank you, Vickie. I appreciate the virtual hug! 😀
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Hello.
This book tackles heavy topics with sensitivity and offers a Christian message of hope amidst difficult circumstances. The author’s writing is commendable, and the characters are well-developed. It may not be suitable for all readers due to its content, but for those seeking emotional release, this book is worth considering.
Thanks for sharing.
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I totally agree with your comment but I definitely felt the need to warn some who are triggered more easily that the topics are heavy. I am re-reading this book now for the FB group Beyond the Book and seeing more hope in it this time.
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