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aliiiaaa_x's review against another edition
4.0
Mystery? Yes. Mafia? Yes yes yes. Two idiots in love that you have to yell at the pages to make a move? Yes. Amnesia? Most definitely. Circumstances that keep pulling them apart and bringing them back together? Hell yeah. It's a bit of a slow burn, BL romance that's sweet and makes you want to cry. It ended on such a cliffhanger I threw a fit! It basically starts off in the present where the two main characters are meeting after years while one of them (AHEM IT'S CALLUM BRECKER) and some incidents do take place but then it shifts to the past where we can experience first hand what led up to where we were first introduced to them. Do I want more? Most definitely. But there are some uncomfortable scenes in the book that may make you feel like you want to hurl, but trust me, push past that and you'll enjoy it.
I was given a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
I was given a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
reinatellstales's review against another edition
5.0
Back again with Pride Book Tours, this time for mafia romance The Lost Memories of Callum Brecker! This book was quick and tense, especially when you near the end and realize there is NO way it is wrapping up the story. Pleased there will be a next book to read but also would very much like that book right now!
If you read any Mafia manhwa, I would compare this to Max Mojave's Case or Dangerous Convience Store. Very much "this cinnamon roll does not belong here!" vibes. Clearly there is the memory loss aspect with is quite popular in the genre as well.
For those that don't binge-read Korean comics, this is a darker, New Adult, queer romance with some glorious demi rep. You know I'm always looking out for some Ace spectrum rep, and it's just so fact of the matter about it. The tension holds up throughout, giving it thriller/action vibes as well. Having the time switch also makes the reader (here meaning me definitely me) worry so much about one shorty kid we know is said to be dead but we hope is just hiding...
If you read any Mafia manhwa, I would compare this to Max Mojave's Case or Dangerous Convience Store. Very much "this cinnamon roll does not belong here!" vibes. Clearly there is the memory loss aspect with is quite popular in the genre as well.
For those that don't binge-read Korean comics, this is a darker, New Adult, queer romance with some glorious demi rep. You know I'm always looking out for some Ace spectrum rep, and it's just so fact of the matter about it. The tension holds up throughout, giving it thriller/action vibes as well. Having the time switch also makes the reader (here meaning me definitely me) worry so much about one shorty kid we know is said to be dead but we hope is just hiding...
bellsb00ksandwritings's review against another edition
5.0
I loved The Lost Memories of Callum Brecker!
When I started reading, I was confused because it felt like I was thrown in the middle of a scene/the story. But once I got the hang of who was who and what was going on, I started to enjoy it. And then Ambrose did something (I won't spoil), and I thought: there's no way I will ever like this character again. HA. I was so wrong!
Once the story switched to the past, I was hooked. And the more I read, the harder it became to stop.
I loved the entire friend group, but my favorite character was Callum. There's something about him that makes him so precious. I felt incredibly connected to him. I understood him so well, maybe because, in a way, he's a lot like me. But also: whenever he felt something, I literally felt it myself.
And Ambrose. I loved him so much. And I loved them together! I rooted for them throughout, and if they don't end up together at the end of the series, I'm going to... eh, probably just pretend the ending is different.
When I started reading, I was confused because it felt like I was thrown in the middle of a scene/the story. But once I got the hang of who was who and what was going on, I started to enjoy it. And then Ambrose did something (I won't spoil), and I thought: there's no way I will ever like this character again. HA. I was so wrong!
Once the story switched to the past, I was hooked. And the more I read, the harder it became to stop.
I loved the entire friend group, but my favorite character was Callum. There's something about him that makes him so precious. I felt incredibly connected to him. I understood him so well, maybe because, in a way, he's a lot like me. But also: whenever he felt something, I literally felt it myself.
And Ambrose. I loved him so much. And I loved them together! I rooted for them throughout, and if they don't end up together at the end of the series, I'm going to... eh, probably just pretend the ending is different.
popthebutterfly's review against another edition
4.0
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: The Lost Memories of Callum Brecker
Author: Marilyn Bordelon
Book Series: The Lost Memories of Callum Brecker Book 1
Rating: 4/5
Spice: 1/5
Diversity: Japanese descent character, Demisexual MC, Gay MC, Gay characters
Recommended For...: romance, mafia romance, LGBT, MLM
Publication Date: December 18, 2022
Genre: Mafia Romance
Age Relevance: 16+ (language, violence, murder, grief, death, parental death, homophobia, romance, child abuse, child neglect, drug abuse, torture, sexual content, religion, underage alcohol consumption, alcohol consumption)
Explanation of Above: There is a lot of cursing in this book. There are scenes of violence, including gun and other weapon violence, torture, murder, and death. There is grief displayed in the book as well as parental death mentioned. There are some scenes of homophobia and the book discusses coming out a little bit. There is romance and some small mentions of sexual content. There are mentions and small scenes of child abuse and neglect. There is one scene showing drug abuse, mentions of underage alcohol consumption, and one scene of alcohol consumption. There are a couple of mentions of Christianity and one scene with a prayer shown.
Publisher: Spectrum Publishing
Pages: 310
Synopsis: Twenty-five year old Ambrose Romano happens across someone from his past, an individual who had once meant the world to him. When that person doesn’t recognize him at all, Ambrose makes it his mission, against his better judgement, to help him remember.
Twenty-four year old Callum Brecker cannot recall an entire year of his life. When he comes across an alluring man who insists that they know each other, he feels a renewed curiosity of the past. Despite being warned to stay far away from him, Callum can’t help but follow Ambrose, determined to uncover his lost memories.
Embarking on this journey proves to be exciting and dangerous. Through it, Callum learns that he inadvertently got involved with the Mafia and that he fell in love with the son of a prominent member. People close to him were hurt and he even committed a heinous crime to protect the man he was falling in love with.
Now he has to decide—is it worth it, after all, to travel into the past? Is it worth it to remember the person he was?
Review: I thought this was a fun little beginning to a great series. The book is in part a Mafia Romance and in part a thriller. The book revolves around our MC Callum and their memory loss. They’ve lost a year of their life. Our other MC is Ambrose, who is the former boyfriend of Callum except that Callum doesn’t remember them anymore. The book explores their relationship in a past/present format and the reader sees how they started their romance and where it was headed in the end. The book is Duel POV and does well to discuss coming out and finding yourself.
However, I did wish that some of the world building and character development was a bit more fleshed out. The book felt a little confusing at times with the back and forth method as well.
Verdict: It’s good! I recommend if you’re looking for a non-erotic Mafia Romance.
Book: The Lost Memories of Callum Brecker
Author: Marilyn Bordelon
Book Series: The Lost Memories of Callum Brecker Book 1
Rating: 4/5
Spice: 1/5
Diversity: Japanese descent character, Demisexual MC, Gay MC, Gay characters
Recommended For...: romance, mafia romance, LGBT, MLM
Publication Date: December 18, 2022
Genre: Mafia Romance
Age Relevance: 16+ (language, violence, murder, grief, death, parental death, homophobia, romance, child abuse, child neglect, drug abuse, torture, sexual content, religion, underage alcohol consumption, alcohol consumption)
Explanation of Above: There is a lot of cursing in this book. There are scenes of violence, including gun and other weapon violence, torture, murder, and death. There is grief displayed in the book as well as parental death mentioned. There are some scenes of homophobia and the book discusses coming out a little bit. There is romance and some small mentions of sexual content. There are mentions and small scenes of child abuse and neglect. There is one scene showing drug abuse, mentions of underage alcohol consumption, and one scene of alcohol consumption. There are a couple of mentions of Christianity and one scene with a prayer shown.
Publisher: Spectrum Publishing
Pages: 310
Synopsis: Twenty-five year old Ambrose Romano happens across someone from his past, an individual who had once meant the world to him. When that person doesn’t recognize him at all, Ambrose makes it his mission, against his better judgement, to help him remember.
Twenty-four year old Callum Brecker cannot recall an entire year of his life. When he comes across an alluring man who insists that they know each other, he feels a renewed curiosity of the past. Despite being warned to stay far away from him, Callum can’t help but follow Ambrose, determined to uncover his lost memories.
Embarking on this journey proves to be exciting and dangerous. Through it, Callum learns that he inadvertently got involved with the Mafia and that he fell in love with the son of a prominent member. People close to him were hurt and he even committed a heinous crime to protect the man he was falling in love with.
Now he has to decide—is it worth it, after all, to travel into the past? Is it worth it to remember the person he was?
Review: I thought this was a fun little beginning to a great series. The book is in part a Mafia Romance and in part a thriller. The book revolves around our MC Callum and their memory loss. They’ve lost a year of their life. Our other MC is Ambrose, who is the former boyfriend of Callum except that Callum doesn’t remember them anymore. The book explores their relationship in a past/present format and the reader sees how they started their romance and where it was headed in the end. The book is Duel POV and does well to discuss coming out and finding yourself.
However, I did wish that some of the world building and character development was a bit more fleshed out. The book felt a little confusing at times with the back and forth method as well.
Verdict: It’s good! I recommend if you’re looking for a non-erotic Mafia Romance.
kevinscorner's review against another edition
4.0
The Lost Memories of Callum Brecker is a gay Mafia thriller with a twist. Callum Brecker cannot recall a year of his life after a traumatic incident seven years ago during his senior year in high school that resulted in one of his stepbrothers going missing and the other dead. But when he has a chance encounter with a vaguely familiar man, things start to shake loose. Ambrose Romano is the heir to a prominent member of the Mafia family. When he accidentally meets up with the boy who meant so much to him all those years ago, he accidentally on purpose trigger’s Callum’s memories.
First and foremost, I think it’s important to disclose that this is an incomplete story and ends on a cliffhanger with none of the mystery revealed yet. The summary above describes the first quarter to a third of the book, then the story jumps back to a seven years ago when Callum and Ambrose first meet and races towards the “incident” but ends right before it happens. It’s a bit frustrating when I didn’t even realize this was a first in a series so it’s best to know what you are getting into.
The first part of the book set in the present sets up the mystery of Callum’s missing memories quite well (although it does require some suspension of disbelief at the sheer unlikelihood of it). But once the book got to the flashback part, it started feeling like the mafia story I was expecting. It’s a bit dark with violence and murder, but not overly descriptive or gratuitous.
The slowburn romance between Callum and Ambrose was indeed that—slow and smoldering (but with very little spice). I really liked Callum as a character, with his childhood trauma and fear of being a burden playing a large role in how he is as a teen living with his step family. I really enjoyed the dynamic he has with his step brothers Meanwhile, Ambrose struggles with the role he is forced to play in his criminal family as well as having to hide his sexuality. When things start to heat up despite Callum’s obliviousness and Ambrose’s restraint, the book manages to keep on teasing by ending it right there.
The Lost Memories of Callum Brecker delivers a slowburn Mafia romance that is in desperate need of its sequel.
Merged review:
The Lost Memories of Callum Brecker is a gay Mafia thriller with a twist. Callum Brecker cannot recall a year of his life after a traumatic incident seven years ago during his senior year in high school that resulted in one of his stepbrothers going missing and the other dead. But when he has a chance encounter with a vaguely familiar man, things start to shake loose. Ambrose Romano is the heir to a prominent member of the Mafia family. When he accidentally meets up with the boy who meant so much to him all those years ago, he accidentally on purpose trigger’s Callum’s memories.
First and foremost, I think it’s important to disclose that this is an incomplete story and ends on a cliffhanger with none of the mystery revealed yet. The summary above describes the first quarter to a third of the book, then the story jumps back to a seven years ago when Callum and Ambrose first meet and races towards the “incident” but ends right before it happens. It’s a bit frustrating when I didn’t even realize this was a first in a series so it’s best to know what you are getting into.
The first part of the book set in the present sets up the mystery of Callum’s missing memories quite well (although it does require some suspension of disbelief at the sheer unlikelihood of it). But once the book got to the flashback part, it started feeling like the mafia story I was expecting. It’s a bit dark with violence and murder, but not overly descriptive or gratuitous.
The slowburn romance between Callum and Ambrose was indeed that—slow and smoldering (but with very little spice). I really liked Callum as a character, with his childhood trauma and fear of being a burden playing a large role in how he is as a teen living with his step family. I really enjoyed the dynamic he has with his step brothers Meanwhile, Ambrose struggles with the role he is forced to play in his criminal family as well as having to hide his sexuality. When things start to heat up despite Callum’s obliviousness and Ambrose’s restraint, the book manages to keep on teasing by ending it right there.
The Lost Memories of Callum Brecker delivers a slowburn Mafia romance that is in desperate need of its sequel.
First and foremost, I think it’s important to disclose that this is an incomplete story and ends on a cliffhanger with none of the mystery revealed yet. The summary above describes the first quarter to a third of the book, then the story jumps back to a seven years ago when Callum and Ambrose first meet and races towards the “incident” but ends right before it happens. It’s a bit frustrating when I didn’t even realize this was a first in a series so it’s best to know what you are getting into.
The first part of the book set in the present sets up the mystery of Callum’s missing memories quite well (although it does require some suspension of disbelief at the sheer unlikelihood of it). But once the book got to the flashback part, it started feeling like the mafia story I was expecting. It’s a bit dark with violence and murder, but not overly descriptive or gratuitous.
The slowburn romance between Callum and Ambrose was indeed that—slow and smoldering (but with very little spice). I really liked Callum as a character, with his childhood trauma and fear of being a burden playing a large role in how he is as a teen living with his step family. I really enjoyed the dynamic he has with his step brothers Meanwhile, Ambrose struggles with the role he is forced to play in his criminal family as well as having to hide his sexuality. When things start to heat up despite Callum’s obliviousness and Ambrose’s restraint, the book manages to keep on teasing by ending it right there.
The Lost Memories of Callum Brecker delivers a slowburn Mafia romance that is in desperate need of its sequel.
Merged review:
The Lost Memories of Callum Brecker is a gay Mafia thriller with a twist. Callum Brecker cannot recall a year of his life after a traumatic incident seven years ago during his senior year in high school that resulted in one of his stepbrothers going missing and the other dead. But when he has a chance encounter with a vaguely familiar man, things start to shake loose. Ambrose Romano is the heir to a prominent member of the Mafia family. When he accidentally meets up with the boy who meant so much to him all those years ago, he accidentally on purpose trigger’s Callum’s memories.
First and foremost, I think it’s important to disclose that this is an incomplete story and ends on a cliffhanger with none of the mystery revealed yet. The summary above describes the first quarter to a third of the book, then the story jumps back to a seven years ago when Callum and Ambrose first meet and races towards the “incident” but ends right before it happens. It’s a bit frustrating when I didn’t even realize this was a first in a series so it’s best to know what you are getting into.
The first part of the book set in the present sets up the mystery of Callum’s missing memories quite well (although it does require some suspension of disbelief at the sheer unlikelihood of it). But once the book got to the flashback part, it started feeling like the mafia story I was expecting. It’s a bit dark with violence and murder, but not overly descriptive or gratuitous.
The slowburn romance between Callum and Ambrose was indeed that—slow and smoldering (but with very little spice). I really liked Callum as a character, with his childhood trauma and fear of being a burden playing a large role in how he is as a teen living with his step family. I really enjoyed the dynamic he has with his step brothers Meanwhile, Ambrose struggles with the role he is forced to play in his criminal family as well as having to hide his sexuality. When things start to heat up despite Callum’s obliviousness and Ambrose’s restraint, the book manages to keep on teasing by ending it right there.
The Lost Memories of Callum Brecker delivers a slowburn Mafia romance that is in desperate need of its sequel.
aimora's review against another edition
4.0
Omg why did I read this before book 2 was released? Extreme cliffhanger ending.
popthebutterfly's review against another edition
4.0
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: The Lost Memories of Callum Brecker
Author: Marilyn Bordelon
Book Series: The Lost Memories of Callum Brecker Book 1
Rating: 4/5
Spice: 1/5
Diversity: Japanese descent character, Demisexual MC, Gay MC, Gay characters
Recommended For...: romance, mafia romance, LGBT, MLM
Publication Date: December 18, 2022
Genre: Mafia Romance
Age Relevance: 16+ (language, violence, murder, grief, death, parental death, homophobia, romance, child abuse, child neglect, drug abuse, torture, sexual content, religion, underage alcohol consumption, alcohol consumption)
Explanation of Above: There is a lot of cursing in this book. There are scenes of violence, including gun and other weapon violence, torture, murder, and death. There is grief displayed in the book as well as parental death mentioned. There are some scenes of homophobia and the book discusses coming out a little bit. There is romance and some small mentions of sexual content. There are mentions and small scenes of child abuse and neglect. There is one scene showing drug abuse, mentions of underage alcohol consumption, and one scene of alcohol consumption. There are a couple of mentions of Christianity and one scene with a prayer shown.
Publisher: Spectrum Publishing
Pages: 310
Synopsis: Twenty-five year old Ambrose Romano happens across someone from his past, an individual who had once meant the world to him. When that person doesn’t recognize him at all, Ambrose makes it his mission, against his better judgement, to help him remember.
Twenty-four year old Callum Brecker cannot recall an entire year of his life. When he comes across an alluring man who insists that they know each other, he feels a renewed curiosity of the past. Despite being warned to stay far away from him, Callum can’t help but follow Ambrose, determined to uncover his lost memories.
Embarking on this journey proves to be exciting and dangerous. Through it, Callum learns that he inadvertently got involved with the Mafia and that he fell in love with the son of a prominent member. People close to him were hurt and he even committed a heinous crime to protect the man he was falling in love with.
Now he has to decide—is it worth it, after all, to travel into the past? Is it worth it to remember the person he was?
Review: I thought this was a fun little beginning to a great series. The book is in part a Mafia Romance and in part a thriller. The book revolves around our MC Callum and their memory loss. They’ve lost a year of their life. Our other MC is Ambrose, who is the former boyfriend of Callum except that Callum doesn’t remember them anymore. The book explores their relationship in a past/present format and the reader sees how they started their romance and where it was headed in the end. The book is Duel POV and does well to discuss coming out and finding yourself.
However, I did wish that some of the world building and character development was a bit more fleshed out. The book felt a little confusing at times with the back and forth method as well.
Verdict: It’s good! I recommend if you’re looking for a non-erotic Mafia Romance.
Book: The Lost Memories of Callum Brecker
Author: Marilyn Bordelon
Book Series: The Lost Memories of Callum Brecker Book 1
Rating: 4/5
Spice: 1/5
Diversity: Japanese descent character, Demisexual MC, Gay MC, Gay characters
Recommended For...: romance, mafia romance, LGBT, MLM
Publication Date: December 18, 2022
Genre: Mafia Romance
Age Relevance: 16+ (language, violence, murder, grief, death, parental death, homophobia, romance, child abuse, child neglect, drug abuse, torture, sexual content, religion, underage alcohol consumption, alcohol consumption)
Explanation of Above: There is a lot of cursing in this book. There are scenes of violence, including gun and other weapon violence, torture, murder, and death. There is grief displayed in the book as well as parental death mentioned. There are some scenes of homophobia and the book discusses coming out a little bit. There is romance and some small mentions of sexual content. There are mentions and small scenes of child abuse and neglect. There is one scene showing drug abuse, mentions of underage alcohol consumption, and one scene of alcohol consumption. There are a couple of mentions of Christianity and one scene with a prayer shown.
Publisher: Spectrum Publishing
Pages: 310
Synopsis: Twenty-five year old Ambrose Romano happens across someone from his past, an individual who had once meant the world to him. When that person doesn’t recognize him at all, Ambrose makes it his mission, against his better judgement, to help him remember.
Twenty-four year old Callum Brecker cannot recall an entire year of his life. When he comes across an alluring man who insists that they know each other, he feels a renewed curiosity of the past. Despite being warned to stay far away from him, Callum can’t help but follow Ambrose, determined to uncover his lost memories.
Embarking on this journey proves to be exciting and dangerous. Through it, Callum learns that he inadvertently got involved with the Mafia and that he fell in love with the son of a prominent member. People close to him were hurt and he even committed a heinous crime to protect the man he was falling in love with.
Now he has to decide—is it worth it, after all, to travel into the past? Is it worth it to remember the person he was?
Review: I thought this was a fun little beginning to a great series. The book is in part a Mafia Romance and in part a thriller. The book revolves around our MC Callum and their memory loss. They’ve lost a year of their life. Our other MC is Ambrose, who is the former boyfriend of Callum except that Callum doesn’t remember them anymore. The book explores their relationship in a past/present format and the reader sees how they started their romance and where it was headed in the end. The book is Duel POV and does well to discuss coming out and finding yourself.
However, I did wish that some of the world building and character development was a bit more fleshed out. The book felt a little confusing at times with the back and forth method as well.
Verdict: It’s good! I recommend if you’re looking for a non-erotic Mafia Romance.
renwzi's review
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
the_b00kreader's review against another edition
4.0
**TW**
This book contains violence, death, neglect, ab*se, s*x, hints at s*xual ass*ult, c*caine usage, substance ab*se, mafia, homophobia, guilt, mental health, drugging someone, death of parents, etc.
If a sensitive reader, this book may not be suited for you.
I will admit that it was the description that initially drew me in and I knew that this was a book that I wanted to read. Starting off lightly this book quickly got quite heavy and dark very quickly. I hadn't been fully aware of exactly what this book entailed but it wasn't at all what I thought it would be.
I adored the pining that Ambrose and Callum had for each other. They just seemed to fit together in a way that seemed right. This book heavily featured the forbidden romance trope, which I love! There were also elements of forced proximity, "touch him and I'll kill you" vibes, as well as golden retriever vs. black cat energy.
There was one scene in particular that I loved and that was the scene with Sia, Mick and Callum. Mick made a guess at Callum's sexuality and Sia told him that it's best not to assume someone's sexuality. I just loved this scene. A short scene, but a lovely one.
I did enjoy the authors writing style and liked how the story was told. I don't really feel like the book had a real end to it though. It felt like it had just stopped mid-way through the story rather than on a cliffhanger that would have made readers more excited for the next book.
Either way, I do still look forward to the next book as I have questions about both past and present Callum and Ambrose that I'd love to get an answer to!
This book contains violence, death, neglect, ab*se, s*x, hints at s*xual ass*ult, c*caine usage, substance ab*se, mafia, homophobia, guilt, mental health, drugging someone, death of parents, etc.
If a sensitive reader, this book may not be suited for you.
I will admit that it was the description that initially drew me in and I knew that this was a book that I wanted to read. Starting off lightly this book quickly got quite heavy and dark very quickly. I hadn't been fully aware of exactly what this book entailed but it wasn't at all what I thought it would be.
I adored the pining that Ambrose and Callum had for each other. They just seemed to fit together in a way that seemed right. This book heavily featured the forbidden romance trope, which I love! There were also elements of forced proximity, "touch him and I'll kill you" vibes, as well as golden retriever vs. black cat energy.
There was one scene in particular that I loved and that was the scene with Sia, Mick and Callum. Mick made a guess at Callum's sexuality and Sia told him that it's best not to assume someone's sexuality. I just loved this scene. A short scene, but a lovely one.
I did enjoy the authors writing style and liked how the story was told. I don't really feel like the book had a real end to it though. It felt like it had just stopped mid-way through the story rather than on a cliffhanger that would have made readers more excited for the next book.
Either way, I do still look forward to the next book as I have questions about both past and present Callum and Ambrose that I'd love to get an answer to!
biancahartley's review
• Feels like the book was waffling between being a self-aware mafia romance and an indulgent one and thus landed nowhere
• Main romance and main characters were not compelling, Callum especially, but both he and Ambrose annoyed me in different ways
• Wish it had stayed in the present tense. The middle devolved into high school nonsense quickly and their first meeting/blossoming romance was not interesting enough for several chapters of it
• Main romance and main characters were not compelling, Callum especially, but both he and Ambrose annoyed me in different ways
• Wish it had stayed in the present tense. The middle devolved into high school nonsense quickly and their first meeting/blossoming romance was not interesting enough for several chapters of it