What do you think?
Rate this book
Things Remembered
“Bockoven is magic.”
— New York Times bestselling author Catherine Coulter A fabulous repackaging of this deeply emotional novel from the bestselling author of Beach House and Another Summer , Georgia Bockoven’s Things Remembered is a heartrending tale of family and the healing power of love. This intensely moving story follows a young woman’s difficult homecoming to Northern California where, despite painful memories of her past, she must make peace with her ailing grandmother before it’s too late. An enduring masterwork of women’s fiction, Things Remembered is Georgia Bockoven at her very best. They say you can’t go home again—but Bockoven fans will find this heartfelt return to be well worth the journey, as will readers of Elin Hilderbrand, Juliette Fay, and Karen White.
— New York Times bestselling author Catherine Coulter A fabulous repackaging of this deeply emotional novel from the bestselling author of Beach House and Another Summer , Georgia Bockoven’s Things Remembered is a heartrending tale of family and the healing power of love. This intensely moving story follows a young woman’s difficult homecoming to Northern California where, despite painful memories of her past, she must make peace with her ailing grandmother before it’s too late. An enduring masterwork of women’s fiction, Things Remembered is Georgia Bockoven at her very best. They say you can’t go home again—but Bockoven fans will find this heartfelt return to be well worth the journey, as will readers of Elin Hilderbrand, Juliette Fay, and Karen White.
384 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 1998
113 people are currently reading
1019 people want to read
About the author
Georgia Bockoven
28 books175 followersGeorgia was a Army child, who after a successful career as a freelance photo journalist before she turned to fiction writing. Published since 1983, she is an award-winning author whose books have sold more than four million copies worldwide. Her romance novel, A Marriage of Convenience, became a CBS movie in October of 1998 starring Jane Seymour and James Brolin.
Married wich John Bockoven, she is the mother of two, and resides in Northern California. When her husband retired from the fire department, she decided to take a break from writing and spend more time together. The result was a nature photography business that is both challenging and filled with creative energy.
Married wich John Bockoven, she is the mother of two, and resides in Northern California. When her husband retired from the fire department, she decided to take a break from writing and spend more time together. The result was a nature photography business that is both challenging and filled with creative energy.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
October 28, 2012
Raising three granddaughters and learning that they never changed as adults was what Anna found out when she needed her granddaughters to take care of her.
Karla was the granddaughter who always made sure things were settled and in order, and Karla was the most unlikely to help but the one who did come to help Anna. Returning to her home town and sleeping in her childhood bed brought good and bad memories back for Karla. The bad ones included not really getting along with her grandmother, but they both found things out after all these years that had been mistakenly assumed and that had them holding unnecessary grudges.
As you are reading, you will think of your childhood and your mother and most likely have tears as I did. This book will make you think about your life and your relationships with your parents, your friends, your siblings, and any other people in your life.
The details and character descriptions are vivid. The main focus of the book was on Karla and Anna and how they re-discover each other as well as the re-discovering of themselves and things about other family members they never knew. The love they never had for each other as Anna raised Karla came to the surface with happiness but also with regret that all those years had been wasted.
I enjoyed the family connections and how nicely the story flowed along with situations that will make you think about your family relationships.
The book is perfect for this time of year with Thanksgiving around the corner. It is a book about being thankful for who we are and who helped us get where we are. Whether we realize it or not, we "are" our mother, father, grandmother, or grandfather and can't change that.
This book is a warm, cozy read about reliving family moments, making new family moments, starting anew with your life, and definitely is all the things your parents told you would be coming true some day….all the good things that is.
This quote will make you want to find out why it was so significant to the story: “Have a good life, sweetheart.” Find out who and why.
Don’t miss this book, and definitely don't miss the recipes included in the back of the book.
ENJOY!! 5/5
This book was given to me free of charge in exchange for an honest review.
Karla was the granddaughter who always made sure things were settled and in order, and Karla was the most unlikely to help but the one who did come to help Anna. Returning to her home town and sleeping in her childhood bed brought good and bad memories back for Karla. The bad ones included not really getting along with her grandmother, but they both found things out after all these years that had been mistakenly assumed and that had them holding unnecessary grudges.
As you are reading, you will think of your childhood and your mother and most likely have tears as I did. This book will make you think about your life and your relationships with your parents, your friends, your siblings, and any other people in your life.
The details and character descriptions are vivid. The main focus of the book was on Karla and Anna and how they re-discover each other as well as the re-discovering of themselves and things about other family members they never knew. The love they never had for each other as Anna raised Karla came to the surface with happiness but also with regret that all those years had been wasted.
I enjoyed the family connections and how nicely the story flowed along with situations that will make you think about your family relationships.
The book is perfect for this time of year with Thanksgiving around the corner. It is a book about being thankful for who we are and who helped us get where we are. Whether we realize it or not, we "are" our mother, father, grandmother, or grandfather and can't change that.
This book is a warm, cozy read about reliving family moments, making new family moments, starting anew with your life, and definitely is all the things your parents told you would be coming true some day….all the good things that is.
This quote will make you want to find out why it was so significant to the story: “Have a good life, sweetheart.” Find out who and why.
Don’t miss this book, and definitely don't miss the recipes included in the back of the book.
ENJOY!! 5/5
This book was given to me free of charge in exchange for an honest review.
December 3, 2012
I received this book through a first-reads giveaway.
Things Remembered reads like a sappy made for tv movie. The characters in this book are one dimensional, and I couldn't relate to any of them or their experiences. Karla seems to be a multitude of contradictions: she's bitter and filled with anger yet bears no hard feelings toward the ex-husband who cheated on her and she's a seriously devoted business woman who spends no time actually working. The author includes a few recipes at the end of the book which I thought was a nice idea considering how much of the book takes place cooking and sharing recipes in the kitchen. Ultimately this book feels forced and overly sentimental to the point of cheesy.
Things Remembered reads like a sappy made for tv movie. The characters in this book are one dimensional, and I couldn't relate to any of them or their experiences. Karla seems to be a multitude of contradictions: she's bitter and filled with anger yet bears no hard feelings toward the ex-husband who cheated on her and she's a seriously devoted business woman who spends no time actually working. The author includes a few recipes at the end of the book which I thought was a nice idea considering how much of the book takes place cooking and sharing recipes in the kitchen. Ultimately this book feels forced and overly sentimental to the point of cheesy.
June 6, 2021
This is a awesome book!!
Read
January 13, 2019Seemed like it was going to be a really good book, but halfway through, it was a struggle to keep reading.
May 6, 2021
The most enjoyable parts of the story were the shared moments spent in the kitchen. Drinking coffee and tea, eating pie crust cookies and cooking together seemed to bring happy times for everyone.
I might even try a few of the recipes shared in the back of the book. That was a nice discovery!
I might even try a few of the recipes shared in the back of the book. That was a nice discovery!
July 6, 2013
I finished this book a few days ago and didn't have time to update... Although this book took me much longer to read than any of her others I have read...
I liked the story but it was very alow moving at the start. I wish i had realized before I was done that this was reprint of a book from 1998. I didn't understand why no one had cell phones etc until after I was finished. If I had known prior, it probably would have cleared up some of what I thought were inconsistencies in the plot.
I liked the book. I didn't love the book. It was slow in the beginning and then almost too much happened at once and there was no closure at the end.
Her beach house books are much better.
I liked the story but it was very alow moving at the start. I wish i had realized before I was done that this was reprint of a book from 1998. I didn't understand why no one had cell phones etc until after I was finished. If I had known prior, it probably would have cleared up some of what I thought were inconsistencies in the plot.
I liked the book. I didn't love the book. It was slow in the beginning and then almost too much happened at once and there was no closure at the end.
Her beach house books are much better.
January 12, 2014
Really nice story of grandmother and grown grand-daughters all with special memories of growing up with their grandmother after the sudden deaths of their parents. Do we ever remember things they actually happen? Nice read. Definitely chick lit.
September 27, 2019
I really enjoyed this story! The story centers around 3 sisters who lost their parents at a very young age. As adults, they regain the love they shared with a grandmother who raised them. Karla was always angry and returns to visit her aging grandmother and ends up learning many of her childhood memories are off mark and comes to love her grandmother as she discovers so much about herself. Heather is happily married and pregnant with her third child. She has health issues during the pregnancy and delivers early with complications. Her family rallies beside her and her baby. Grace is a self-centered wanna be actress who constantly asks her grandmother and older sister for money. When Karla finally stops giving her money, Grace learns to stand on her own.
When reading this book, you feel part of the family and want the sisters to find peace, happiness and love. You will not be disappointed.
When reading this book, you feel part of the family and want the sisters to find peace, happiness and love. You will not be disappointed.
April 11, 2024
This book was passed to me by my mother after she read it.
It's a whole 300+ pages in large print.
I never quite understood where the story was going, and I don't really understand why it ended where it did.
There are breaks in the chapters where there could just be a new chapter. Time passes from one paragraph to the next, but on other pages, a moment can have so much more detail.
The book wants to focus on Karla & Anna's relationship, but also focuses on Karla & Mark's relationship, Karla & Heather's relationship, Heather and Bill's relationship, Karla and Grace's relationship, the list goes on.
The events in the book read more like a brief description to set the scene for a television episode. The book as a whole could have been a whole television series instead.
It's a whole 300+ pages in large print.
I never quite understood where the story was going, and I don't really understand why it ended where it did.
There are breaks in the chapters where there could just be a new chapter. Time passes from one paragraph to the next, but on other pages, a moment can have so much more detail.
The book wants to focus on Karla & Anna's relationship, but also focuses on Karla & Mark's relationship, Karla & Heather's relationship, Heather and Bill's relationship, Karla and Grace's relationship, the list goes on.
The events in the book read more like a brief description to set the scene for a television episode. The book as a whole could have been a whole television series instead.
May 24, 2025
It’s sad to see how torn childhood memories can be and how the three sisters had to grow up without their parents and how they were shuffled around to different relatives and once the money was all gone, then they gave them up to a grandmother who did everything possible for them, but karla Did not feel like she belonged, and that that the grandmother loved her two sisters but not her but later on in life when Ana, the grandmother is failing with her health, Karla comes back to try to put her affairs and then discovers different things about her grandmother and truths come out and all it takes is a little bit of forgiveness to make everything right and to become a family again
And Karla found love again when she meets Mark and his daughter
And Karla found love again when she meets Mark and his daughter
Read
August 11, 2020This one betrayed me. It is the kind of novel I usually enjoy--where protagonists heal and progress and learn and become stronger, better women. And the healing happens over the course of the novel with all of the troubled relationships--sister, grandmother, ex husband, a little too pat that ALL would turn their lives around and selfish and manipulative snots become sensitive and sensible! The betrayal comes a long way into the narrative--a very steamy, explicit sex scene, very much unnecessary and unpleasant in this warm and fuzzy novel.
July 12, 2017
2.5 stars
(I round up)
I liked the idea for the story. I liked the ideas for the characters. But it was a slog. Uneven characterization and pacing, so much telling instead of showing (11th grade English), and chock-full of treacle. I like sentimental when it's done well, but this book was cheesy when it should have been charming.
Some good moments -- enough to keep me reading and hoping for more -- but ultimately disappointing and forgettable.
December 20, 2022
It was a good story but hard for me to read. The sadness of a family of 3 girls who were taken in and raised by a grandmother after their parents were killed and the other side of the family no longer wanted them. There were so many misunderstandings and now as adults they try to come to peace with each other.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 22, 2019
A decent story. No real surprises, but a reminder about family and time and not leaving things unsaid.
March 25, 2020
Sappy and boring. I kept reading in case it got better and eventually finished.
May 15, 2020
Interesting book exploring family dynamics of sisters growing up. Easy read during pandemic times.
February 7, 2021
I loved this book.
May 9, 2023
I struggled through this one. It just did hold my interest. Too sappy!
June 11, 2023
Sweet story I enjoyed it even though it was predictable and some of the dialogue seemed forced. Still enjoyable read
July 13, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. The characters were very "real", and I enjoyed it being about 3 sisters since I am one of three.
April 11, 2019
Mel PL ordered 03/19/19 very good hard to get books by this author in large print
January 20, 2013
Every family has one person who can be depended upon to take care of things, no matter the personal cost. Karla Esterbrook is getting tired of being that person. Nevertheless, she arranges to have someone run her coffee shop for a month and makes the drive to northern California to help Grandma Anna get her estate in order.
Anna knows she does not have much time left to make things right with her eldest granddaughter. Anna loves Karla’s younger sisters, Heather and Grace, but the impact of the death of the girls’ parents has been much different for them than for Karla. With time running out for Anna’s weakened heart, it is vital to help Karla come to terms with the past.
Karla never expects to feel herself softening toward Anna. Yet, the more the two women connect, the more she realizes that there is a bond between them. With Anna’s help, Karla will lay past hurts to rest. As the healing begins, Karla will find the courage to open her heart to love not only her family, but also an incredible man she never dreams existed.
Ms. Bockoven touches so sweetly on the shared emotions and experiences that tie three sisters to the grandmother that raised them. I believe my only complaint about this winsome story is that I will never in a million years find real people who can express themselves as beautifully as Ms. Bockoven’s characters do on paper. Readers will enjoy this unforgettable tale of love, sacrifice and the miscommunications that drive us crazy in our own lives.
Kaitlin
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More
Anna knows she does not have much time left to make things right with her eldest granddaughter. Anna loves Karla’s younger sisters, Heather and Grace, but the impact of the death of the girls’ parents has been much different for them than for Karla. With time running out for Anna’s weakened heart, it is vital to help Karla come to terms with the past.
Karla never expects to feel herself softening toward Anna. Yet, the more the two women connect, the more she realizes that there is a bond between them. With Anna’s help, Karla will lay past hurts to rest. As the healing begins, Karla will find the courage to open her heart to love not only her family, but also an incredible man she never dreams existed.
Ms. Bockoven touches so sweetly on the shared emotions and experiences that tie three sisters to the grandmother that raised them. I believe my only complaint about this winsome story is that I will never in a million years find real people who can express themselves as beautifully as Ms. Bockoven’s characters do on paper. Readers will enjoy this unforgettable tale of love, sacrifice and the miscommunications that drive us crazy in our own lives.
Kaitlin
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More
May 10, 2014
Karla Esterbrook finds that in order to move forward on must face the past. Her past consists of being the oldest of three girls that suddenly lost their parents and were shipped between family until finally going to their maternal grandmother Anna, of which she has a very complicated relationship with, she has an ex husband that has left her in debt and a store she always dreamt of owning. Karla finds herself being in charge of preparing the estate with Anna and start settling all the affairs. Misunderstandings, miscommunications, and the walls that were built long ago come up, but soon as Karla opens her heart to listen she is able to open her heart to love - hopefully it isn't too late to make up for all the years wasted.
I loved this book. The complicated story of female relationships, the family ties that bind us, the gift of love through the generations, traditions, the gift of forgiveness - especially for yourself. So many themes and this is the book that is PERFECT to share with your sister, mother, grandmother, cousin. A great beach read, good for discussion, but mainly for that feel good feeling for the women in your life and how strong their importance lingers.
***** This is a First Reads, Thank You Goodreads *****
I loved this book. The complicated story of female relationships, the family ties that bind us, the gift of love through the generations, traditions, the gift of forgiveness - especially for yourself. So many themes and this is the book that is PERFECT to share with your sister, mother, grandmother, cousin. A great beach read, good for discussion, but mainly for that feel good feeling for the women in your life and how strong their importance lingers.
***** This is a First Reads, Thank You Goodreads *****
March 28, 2014
It's sort of slow and not action packed. But that's OK, not all books need to be that way. I admit I read this book because I liked the cover and then I read the synopsis and it seemed interesting. Karla comes home because her grandma, who raised her and her two sisters is sick. Karla has resentment/anger towards Anna, her grandma. It all eventually comes out and theirs forgiveness. Of course the sisters all have a different role, Grace is irresponsible and always needs to be helped, Heather is a loving mother who has a wonderful husband and Karla is the recently divorced sister who seems lonely and in need of a love interest. Sure enough that happens. Anna and Karla use each other to learn about Karla's mom/Anna's daughter who passed away. I look forward to read more books by Georgia Bockoven.
January 23, 2013
Have you ever finished a book and thought whatever I read next will never be as good? That is what when I finished Things Remembered.
Things Remembered sucked me in from page one and I could not put it down. Karla's grandmother, Anna, raised Karla and her sisters after their parents death. Karla goes back home to help Anna get her affairs in order because she is dying. Returning home brought back good and bad memories for Karla. Karla and Anna re-discover themselves and find love that they never had when Karla was growing up. The author makes you feel like you are part of the story. This book will make you think about your life and your relationships with your family and friends. I give this book a 5 star rating
Things Remembered sucked me in from page one and I could not put it down. Karla's grandmother, Anna, raised Karla and her sisters after their parents death. Karla goes back home to help Anna get her affairs in order because she is dying. Returning home brought back good and bad memories for Karla. Karla and Anna re-discover themselves and find love that they never had when Karla was growing up. The author makes you feel like you are part of the story. This book will make you think about your life and your relationships with your family and friends. I give this book a 5 star rating
October 19, 2012
Karla Esterbrook is dreading the return to her childhood home. She's not going because she wants to, she's going because she has to. Her grandmother Anna is dying of congestive heart failure. Karla isn't going home to profess her love for her grandmother. She's going to help Anna get her will in order. There's no time to deal with feelings, this visit is purely for practical reasons. But this visit will be more than they bargained for.
Oh, I'm such a sucker for family dramas. I was instantly drawn to Things Remembered by Georgia Bockoven.
Read the rest of my review at: http://www.asiturnthepages.blogspot.c...
Oh, I'm such a sucker for family dramas. I was instantly drawn to Things Remembered by Georgia Bockoven.
Read the rest of my review at: http://www.asiturnthepages.blogspot.c...
February 23, 2015
This is my February book off Kristin's of Kritters Ramblings bookshelf.
If you haven't read Georgia Bockoven before this would be a great place to start. This story is very heartwarming. When you start reading you will immediately have a connection with the characters.
This story reminds me to enjoy and cherish my time with my girls. Having traditions and making memories to pass down to the next generation is important. I did have a few tears while reading since I have lost my mom. This story is not morbid or even sad - it is more hopeful.
I will be reading more Georgia Bockoven's books.
If you haven't read Georgia Bockoven before this would be a great place to start. This story is very heartwarming. When you start reading you will immediately have a connection with the characters.
This story reminds me to enjoy and cherish my time with my girls. Having traditions and making memories to pass down to the next generation is important. I did have a few tears while reading since I have lost my mom. This story is not morbid or even sad - it is more hopeful.
I will be reading more Georgia Bockoven's books.
March 29, 2017
This book was extremely painful to read. It took me over 6 months to dedicate myself to the last 150 pages. I was impressed by the author's descriptions of places throughout California, especially northern California but that is about the only good thing I have to say. The plot did have potential but unfortunately it fell flat in delivering. After many chapters of build-up Karla and Anna's story just became uninteresting. The story began to focus on Karla reforming her life and opening up her heart to love after years of being closed off. Barf. I mean- if you want to read a long book about normal life without cliffhangers or surprises this book is for you.
November 6, 2012
***I RECEIVED THIS BOOK FROM FIRSTREADS
Was this book sappy, similar to a lifetime movie? Yes. Do I happen to love lifetime movies? Yes. Was this book extremely predictable? For sure.
Although the book is beyond formulaic, cheesy and completely predictable, I enjoyed it. I think the best way to describe this book as 'guilty pleasure'. It's a sweet, heartwarming story, a quick read (especially since I have no power since Sandy). The characters leave a bit to be desired, but the story had its moments where I found myself cheering for them anyway. Good vacation read.
November 6, 2012
A fast and engaging read and I could easily relate to the family dynamics of the sisters and the concerns of having an aging parent or grandparent. It is a sweet story and a perfect fall/winter read as it is set over late October and flows into Christmas and beyond. Things Remembered is good pick for anyone who enjoys books about family and relationships.
You can see my full review and a recipe inspired by the book here:
http://kahakaikitchen.blogspot.com/20...
You can see my full review and a recipe inspired by the book here:
http://kahakaikitchen.blogspot.com/20...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews