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A review by sometimesrenn
The Memory of You by Jamie Beck
4.0
Big picture, I really enjoyed this book. I loved how there was a lot of character development with her friends. We learn about Claire and Peyton, both their current roles in Steffi's life and their roles as kids. We also received a preview of their individual character flaws and struggles. The novel doesn't focus exclusively on the two protagonists and name drop people without building the characters. We really get to know her friends and family who don't play a huge role in the relationship aspect of this plot. We receive little cookie crumbs of upcoming relationships, and foreshadows the next books in the series. Overall, it definitely makes me want to keep reading the series so I can learn more the folks in Sanctuary Sound.
Without giving away spoilers, looking back I have some issues with the conceptual aspects.
In the end of the book, Jamie Beck includes a section explaining her inspiration and research for the book. After finishing the novel I thought it was a cute contemporary romance, but then after reading the motive for writing the book I wanted more of the deep stuff. Steffi was assaulted, horribly. That plays a role in the book, but I feel the author could have included more detail and plot content pertaining to the actual night, the consequences, and her backstory. Instead, Steffi suffers from occasional flashbacks and tries to ignore it.
The assault could have had a much stronger role in the plot, but instead it felt like a background detail to the romance. I would have much preferred the assault aftermath be the focus of the novel with the romance being the external arc. Their relationship couldn't be restored until Steffi dealt with her assault, yet it was tip toed around. Maybe the author wanted to keep the novel light, and prevent triggering her readers, but I think it could have brought a lot more depth to the novel after reading all the research she put into writing it.
I also have a minor issue with the title: memory of you. This gives the illusion that the memory of her past relationship with Ryan has significance to the plotline. I expected flashbacks from their relationship that shaped the current plot. Instead, there were very few memories of their relationship explained, such as their trips on the boat and dates at the pizza shop. The memory of that alley should have been incorporated into the title, since those memories (or lack there of) is what shaped the novel.
Without giving away spoilers, looking back I have some issues with the conceptual aspects.
In the end of the book, Jamie Beck includes a section explaining her inspiration and research for the book. After finishing the novel I thought it was a cute contemporary romance, but then after reading the motive for writing the book I wanted more of the deep stuff. Steffi was assaulted, horribly. That plays a role in the book, but I feel the author could have included more detail and plot content pertaining to the actual night, the consequences, and her backstory. Instead, Steffi suffers from occasional flashbacks and tries to ignore it.
The assault could have had a much stronger role in the plot, but instead it felt like a background detail to the romance. I would have much preferred the assault aftermath be the focus of the novel with the romance being the external arc. Their relationship couldn't be restored until Steffi dealt with her assault, yet it was tip toed around. Maybe the author wanted to keep the novel light, and prevent triggering her readers, but I think it could have brought a lot more depth to the novel after reading all the research she put into writing it.
I also have a minor issue with the title: memory of you. This gives the illusion that the memory of her past relationship with Ryan has significance to the plotline. I expected flashbacks from their relationship that shaped the current plot. Instead, there were very few memories of their relationship explained, such as their trips on the boat and dates at the pizza shop. The memory of that alley should have been incorporated into the title, since those memories (or lack there of) is what shaped the novel.