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Memories of You
The sound of corks popping and distant cheers of ‘Happy New Year!’ wake me. I crack my eyes open and take a slow, surprisingly painful breath. My sister’s face comes into focus, and I see the tears staining her cheeks. Where am I?
One minute, pastry chef Tabitha Greenwood is driving through rain-soaked Dublin with her fiancé, Mark, on their way to a New Year’s Eve party. The next, she is waking up in the hospital, the devastated face of her sister telling her everything she doesn’t want to know. Mark is gone. And Tabby knows that it’s her fault.
Lost in her grief and haunted by memories, Tabby can’t seem to return to the woman she was. Until one day, sorting through Mark’s belongings, she finds a delicate rose-gold bracelet with an engraving that changes everything. Because this heartfelt gift isn’t for her…
Should she follow the mystery? Find the girl this bracelet belongs to? Faced with the choice to step beyond the walls she’s built around herself, Tabby doesn’t realise how many lives will be affected by her decision, and how much the answers she finds will upend her world again…
Completely heartbreaking and powerfully uplifting Irish storytelling. The perfect unputdownable read for fans of Dani Atkins, Sally Page and Amanda Prowse.
Readers love Memories of You :
‘ I cried so much while reading this book and my heart broke for Tabitha… An emotional and powerful read that will stay with me for a long time! ’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
‘What can I say other than absolutely brilliant . Such a wonderful story where from sadness, hope arises… I couldn’t put this book down .’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
‘I absolutely adored it from start to finish . It’s a wonderful story with some fabulous characters. I can’t recommend this fantastic emotional read highly enough .’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
‘This book was so good … such a tearjerker .’ Booked with Brandi , ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
‘I was captivated from the beginning … I have now downloaded another of her books.’ Netgalley reviewer, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Readers adore Brooke
‘ Wow … One hell of a rollercoaster ride of emotions!… This book will certainly tug at your heartstrings. I was completely hooked from the very first page and only managed to dry my eyes after I had finished .’ Stardust Book Reviews , ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
‘To say that my heart was broken would be an understatement… THE most moving, emotional, tender novel I think I have ever, ever read .’ The Writing Garnet , ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
‘ WHAT A BOOK!!! … It was a-ma-zing, fabulous, wonderful … Had my eyes filled with tears and the emotions were so raw… never-to-be-forgotten … Heartbreaking, heartfelt… I loved it! ’ B for Bookreview , ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
‘Oh my goodness… I couldn’t see the words through my tears . This book broke me… Fantastic .’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
‘ Stunning … Even though it made me blub like a baby and I met my grocery delivery man with tears streaming down my face!’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
‘ Absolutely wonderful. Charming, real and heartbreaking … The love I felt for this book was unreal … Such an amazing book .’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
‘ OMG … I loved this book so much … It felt really special , I couldn’t put it down and read it in one go … I ended the book with tears streaming down my face .’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
‘This book broke me … Took my heart and squeezed it until all my emotions flowed down as tears … I loved every single thing about this book .’ Shalini’s Book Reviews , ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
One minute, pastry chef Tabitha Greenwood is driving through rain-soaked Dublin with her fiancé, Mark, on their way to a New Year’s Eve party. The next, she is waking up in the hospital, the devastated face of her sister telling her everything she doesn’t want to know. Mark is gone. And Tabby knows that it’s her fault.
Lost in her grief and haunted by memories, Tabby can’t seem to return to the woman she was. Until one day, sorting through Mark’s belongings, she finds a delicate rose-gold bracelet with an engraving that changes everything. Because this heartfelt gift isn’t for her…
Should she follow the mystery? Find the girl this bracelet belongs to? Faced with the choice to step beyond the walls she’s built around herself, Tabby doesn’t realise how many lives will be affected by her decision, and how much the answers she finds will upend her world again…
Completely heartbreaking and powerfully uplifting Irish storytelling. The perfect unputdownable read for fans of Dani Atkins, Sally Page and Amanda Prowse.
Readers love Memories of You :
‘ I cried so much while reading this book and my heart broke for Tabitha… An emotional and powerful read that will stay with me for a long time! ’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
‘What can I say other than absolutely brilliant . Such a wonderful story where from sadness, hope arises… I couldn’t put this book down .’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
‘I absolutely adored it from start to finish . It’s a wonderful story with some fabulous characters. I can’t recommend this fantastic emotional read highly enough .’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
‘This book was so good … such a tearjerker .’ Booked with Brandi , ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
‘I was captivated from the beginning … I have now downloaded another of her books.’ Netgalley reviewer, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Readers adore Brooke
‘ Wow … One hell of a rollercoaster ride of emotions!… This book will certainly tug at your heartstrings. I was completely hooked from the very first page and only managed to dry my eyes after I had finished .’ Stardust Book Reviews , ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
‘To say that my heart was broken would be an understatement… THE most moving, emotional, tender novel I think I have ever, ever read .’ The Writing Garnet , ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
‘ WHAT A BOOK!!! … It was a-ma-zing, fabulous, wonderful … Had my eyes filled with tears and the emotions were so raw… never-to-be-forgotten … Heartbreaking, heartfelt… I loved it! ’ B for Bookreview , ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
‘Oh my goodness… I couldn’t see the words through my tears . This book broke me… Fantastic .’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
‘ Stunning … Even though it made me blub like a baby and I met my grocery delivery man with tears streaming down my face!’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
‘ Absolutely wonderful. Charming, real and heartbreaking … The love I felt for this book was unreal … Such an amazing book .’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
‘ OMG … I loved this book so much … It felt really special , I couldn’t put it down and read it in one go … I ended the book with tears streaming down my face .’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
‘This book broke me … Took my heart and squeezed it until all my emotions flowed down as tears … I loved every single thing about this book .’ Shalini’s Book Reviews , ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
376 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 10, 2023
1153 people are currently reading
489 people want to read
About the author
Brooke Harris
10 books262 followersAlso writes as Laura Anthony - The Women on Platform Two out now!!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
August 6, 2023
Tabitha Greenwood starts the year with 12 New Year's Resolutions, but she never carried out all of them.
This year her first resolution was to break up with her long time fiancè, but it didn't go as she planned and her life has been completely turned upside down.
Tabby must go on and try to conquer all her resolutions in order to survive the hardest year of her life.
Memories of you was a very heartbreaking, emotional journey.
We follow Tabby during the year, and we can see her changes chapter after chapter. At the beginning it's really hard to read about her grief, but her sister helped her to accept her new life.
I loved the characters. Tabby's sister, Avery,on top of all. She is a force of nature, she never gave up and tried to help Tabby even when she resisted to every change to be stucked in the past. Tabby is a kind woman, at times too much and some people take advantage of her. It seems like her grief is less than that of the others, and she is almost scared to speak her mind most of the time. I've adored when she rediscovered her true self, pulled her life together and started to live for herself, being happy for real.
Brooke Harris wrote these characters very well, their flaws make them more real, relatable and endearing.
It was the first time I've read this author but it won't be the last.
I recommend to read this book, if you are not worried to shed some tears while reading.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for kindly giving me an advanced copy of this book to read.
July 9, 2023
It is no secret that I love Irish fiction so when I had an opportunity to review Memories of You by Brooke Harris, well, I could not resist. And I am so glad I read it as this contemporary story is well composed and tugs at the heart strings. There is sadness and loss from a tragedy but splashes of hope and light spring from those dark corners of despair. There are surprises, new starts and small victories. One step at a time.
Tabitha Greenwood is a pastry chef who shares ownership of a Dublin bistro with her fiancé. But everything in her world is not right. Unhappiness moves her to make a comment at what seems to be the wrong moment, for afterwards, she finds herself waking up in a hospital bed. When she asks about Mark, her fiancé, she gets the worst news possible. He was driving the car and she was in the passenger seat. They were on their way to an event when a vehicle runs into them. Shocked and grieving, she begins to blame herself as she remembers her last words to him, and the anger it fuelled. How can she continue to move forward with her life now in shambles?
She discovers that Catherine, her very controlling mother-in-law to be, has been left the prevailing share of the bistro by her son. This puts Tabby in an awkward position. She must not only deal with Mark’s mother’s grief and blame but the extra stress of running the business. Catherine begins to make drastic changes, too, with the menu and staff, including hiring a new chef they cannot afford. But Scott proves to be a good addition and business begins to boom, until Catherine decides to fire him over a misunderstanding. Through all this, Tabitha is struggling to hold it together, and then she finds a gift of Mark’s with an unexpected inscription. Although a painful revelation, this eases her conscience a little as the discovery proves she was not the only one in the relationship who was unhappy. Even though they had planned to be married, it obviously was not the right path to take.
Another thing about Tabby we learn, is that she likes to makes New Year’s resolutions but struggles to fulfil them. Sadly, her attempts and failures became a source of cruel jokes, between her late fiancé and his friends. But later her sister, Avery, tries to help her achieve a more realistic list. This starts Tabby on a new journey of growth, change and taking more control of her life. Her progress is admirable as she is a likeable character with a kind and patient heart. Too patient sometimes, as there were moments when I wanted her to speak up for herself. Too often she was mocked by her fiancé and his mother. To see her eventually become stronger through the challenges she faced made me cheer! I also love the fact she has a close relationship with her sister as this made me think about the importance of sibling support. These sisters are very different people but their care for each other is heart-warming. This may have been heightened by the loss of their parents at a young age. Of course, their relationship is not perfect. Like all family members, they have their battles and hurts but love and forgiveness are always bubbling under the surface.
There are other lovely characters in this story. Like Rashidi, Becca and, as mentioned before, Scott. Each one is relatable as we get to see them in various situations being human with their own flaws. As a result of this realness, it connects us to our emotions and makes us think about what is important in life.
Memories of You is about grief but how love can lift and heal a broken heart and set it in a new direction. This is also a story brimming with self-discovery and how if we keep trying, we will find a way back to the right road for us, with a little help from our family and friends. I recommend this beautifully uplifting novel that truly gave my heart quite a few squeezes. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to Storm Publishing and Netgalley for my review copy.
Tabitha Greenwood is a pastry chef who shares ownership of a Dublin bistro with her fiancé. But everything in her world is not right. Unhappiness moves her to make a comment at what seems to be the wrong moment, for afterwards, she finds herself waking up in a hospital bed. When she asks about Mark, her fiancé, she gets the worst news possible. He was driving the car and she was in the passenger seat. They were on their way to an event when a vehicle runs into them. Shocked and grieving, she begins to blame herself as she remembers her last words to him, and the anger it fuelled. How can she continue to move forward with her life now in shambles?
She discovers that Catherine, her very controlling mother-in-law to be, has been left the prevailing share of the bistro by her son. This puts Tabby in an awkward position. She must not only deal with Mark’s mother’s grief and blame but the extra stress of running the business. Catherine begins to make drastic changes, too, with the menu and staff, including hiring a new chef they cannot afford. But Scott proves to be a good addition and business begins to boom, until Catherine decides to fire him over a misunderstanding. Through all this, Tabitha is struggling to hold it together, and then she finds a gift of Mark’s with an unexpected inscription. Although a painful revelation, this eases her conscience a little as the discovery proves she was not the only one in the relationship who was unhappy. Even though they had planned to be married, it obviously was not the right path to take.
Another thing about Tabby we learn, is that she likes to makes New Year’s resolutions but struggles to fulfil them. Sadly, her attempts and failures became a source of cruel jokes, between her late fiancé and his friends. But later her sister, Avery, tries to help her achieve a more realistic list. This starts Tabby on a new journey of growth, change and taking more control of her life. Her progress is admirable as she is a likeable character with a kind and patient heart. Too patient sometimes, as there were moments when I wanted her to speak up for herself. Too often she was mocked by her fiancé and his mother. To see her eventually become stronger through the challenges she faced made me cheer! I also love the fact she has a close relationship with her sister as this made me think about the importance of sibling support. These sisters are very different people but their care for each other is heart-warming. This may have been heightened by the loss of their parents at a young age. Of course, their relationship is not perfect. Like all family members, they have their battles and hurts but love and forgiveness are always bubbling under the surface.
There are other lovely characters in this story. Like Rashidi, Becca and, as mentioned before, Scott. Each one is relatable as we get to see them in various situations being human with their own flaws. As a result of this realness, it connects us to our emotions and makes us think about what is important in life.
Memories of You is about grief but how love can lift and heal a broken heart and set it in a new direction. This is also a story brimming with self-discovery and how if we keep trying, we will find a way back to the right road for us, with a little help from our family and friends. I recommend this beautifully uplifting novel that truly gave my heart quite a few squeezes. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to Storm Publishing and Netgalley for my review copy.
April 30, 2025
I liked this book. Maybe if I had read it instead of listening to the audio version my rating would have been better. I loved the Irish accent of the narrator.
July 25, 2023
I enjoyed this book. It was interesting to follow Tabby's journey in the aftermath of her fiancé's death.
However, I dislike how it was marketed to me. I went in expecting it to revolve around the woman named Saoirse and everything that went with that, but it ended up being Tabby dealing with various toxic and borderline abusive relationships.
I also wish that the marketing had included mention of the New Year's Resolutions plotline. Tabby sets 12 Resolutions every year, one for each month. As part of helping Tabby find herself again, Avery (Tabby's sister) sets Tabby's resolutions for the year, and the story includes mentions of each month's resolution and the attempts to fulfil them.
I loved Tabby's relationship with her sister, Avery. I also loved Avery's significant other, Bec. They made the story so much better. And SCOTT. Oh boy, I loved Scott.
On the other hand, I hated Mark (Tabby's fiancé) and Katherine (Mark's mother). I seriously questioned why Tabby was even with Mark in the first place, since none of their memories seemed to be happy ones. They were both manipulative, and demanding, and butting in where they weren't wanted.
I also didn't believe the grief at times. We're told that Tabby spends a month sequestered in her home crying, but we're not given any true indication of what was going through her head. We're told she's sad without being shown her sadness.
I wish it would have focused more explicitly on discussions around the abusive / toxic relationships that Tabby faced. She'd become such a quiet, softly spoken person, giving in to everyone else's preferences. And while the story showed her growing less accustomed to that, it would have been nice to have some moments of realisation that Mark (and his mother) were in the wrong. Instead, they ended up almost being excused, and I didn't like that. I couldn't stand either of them, and just being out of Tabby's life isn't enough of a resolution to those stories. I wanted more from that.
But overall, I enjoyed the book. The audiobook was good company for a day spent laying in bed, not feeling amazing.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an advance copy of the audiobook.
However, I dislike how it was marketed to me. I went in expecting it to revolve around the woman named Saoirse and everything that went with that, but it ended up being Tabby dealing with various toxic and borderline abusive relationships.
I also wish that the marketing had included mention of the New Year's Resolutions plotline. Tabby sets 12 Resolutions every year, one for each month. As part of helping Tabby find herself again, Avery (Tabby's sister) sets Tabby's resolutions for the year, and the story includes mentions of each month's resolution and the attempts to fulfil them.
I loved Tabby's relationship with her sister, Avery. I also loved Avery's significant other, Bec. They made the story so much better. And SCOTT. Oh boy, I loved Scott.
On the other hand, I hated Mark (Tabby's fiancé) and Katherine (Mark's mother). I seriously questioned why Tabby was even with Mark in the first place, since none of their memories seemed to be happy ones. They were both manipulative, and demanding, and butting in where they weren't wanted.
I also didn't believe the grief at times. We're told that Tabby spends a month sequestered in her home crying, but we're not given any true indication of what was going through her head. We're told she's sad without being shown her sadness.
I wish it would have focused more explicitly on discussions around the abusive / toxic relationships that Tabby faced. She'd become such a quiet, softly spoken person, giving in to everyone else's preferences. And while the story showed her growing less accustomed to that, it would have been nice to have some moments of realisation that Mark (and his mother) were in the wrong. Instead, they ended up almost being excused, and I didn't like that. I couldn't stand either of them, and just being out of Tabby's life isn't enough of a resolution to those stories. I wanted more from that.
But overall, I enjoyed the book. The audiobook was good company for a day spent laying in bed, not feeling amazing.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an advance copy of the audiobook.
June 20, 2023
Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this early access! What a heartwarming adventure.
This story is about Tabitha, a pastry chef, who shares a Dublin Bistro with her fiancé, Mark. Tabby loves setting New Year's resolutions and even though she never fulfills them, this year is no exception. Except Tabby does not know her world is about to be turned upside down.
On New Year's Eve, while driving to a party, they are involved in a terrible car accident. Tabby wakes up in a hospital bed and finds out the devastating news that her Mark is gone...
Haunted by the memories and struggling with grief, Tabby finds it hard to be the woman she once was. Her sister has the greatest idea to get her life back on track. She sends Tabby 12 simple resolutions to be delivered by emailed on the first of every month.
While clearing out some of Mark's belongings, Tabby finds a beautiful gift box. Excited and happy to find a bracelet from Mark, she quickly finds that the inscription is made out to another woman...
Will Tabby let the news of another woman set her bac? or will the answers she finds be exactly what she needs.
This book was so good. I was not expecting such a tearjerker.
I loved the idea of 12 simple resolutions to help guide you back to your old self. I would definitely benefit from this.
Tabitha's character really surprised me. I was expecting a lot of drama but she's such a strong character. And her sister! WHAT A LOVELY WOMAN. The bond they have reminded me of the relationship I have with my sisters. Avery is the push the Tabby needed to help get her where she needed to go.
Grief is hard. No matter what and I think this book is a great reminder that we have what it takes to move forward. Yea is sucks, but we have people in our lives that make the suck a little less sucky.
The author writes so beautifully. I felt connected to the characters and their emotions.
I should also note that this was my first Irish fiction and I loved it!
This story is about Tabitha, a pastry chef, who shares a Dublin Bistro with her fiancé, Mark. Tabby loves setting New Year's resolutions and even though she never fulfills them, this year is no exception. Except Tabby does not know her world is about to be turned upside down.
On New Year's Eve, while driving to a party, they are involved in a terrible car accident. Tabby wakes up in a hospital bed and finds out the devastating news that her Mark is gone...
Haunted by the memories and struggling with grief, Tabby finds it hard to be the woman she once was. Her sister has the greatest idea to get her life back on track. She sends Tabby 12 simple resolutions to be delivered by emailed on the first of every month.
While clearing out some of Mark's belongings, Tabby finds a beautiful gift box. Excited and happy to find a bracelet from Mark, she quickly finds that the inscription is made out to another woman...
Will Tabby let the news of another woman set her bac? or will the answers she finds be exactly what she needs.
This book was so good. I was not expecting such a tearjerker.
I loved the idea of 12 simple resolutions to help guide you back to your old self. I would definitely benefit from this.
Tabitha's character really surprised me. I was expecting a lot of drama but she's such a strong character. And her sister! WHAT A LOVELY WOMAN. The bond they have reminded me of the relationship I have with my sisters. Avery is the push the Tabby needed to help get her where she needed to go.
Grief is hard. No matter what and I think this book is a great reminder that we have what it takes to move forward. Yea is sucks, but we have people in our lives that make the suck a little less sucky.
The author writes so beautifully. I felt connected to the characters and their emotions.
I should also note that this was my first Irish fiction and I loved it!
March 12, 2024
Memories of You is a story of grief, new beginnings, family, and following your own path. It's New Year's Eve and Tabitha Greenwood is driving through rain-soaked Dublin with her fiancé, Mark, on their way to a New Year’s Eve party. The next thing she knows, she is waking up in the hospital and Mark is dead. Tabby says nothing, but she knows it is her fault. Tabby is a pastry chef and is co-owner of a restaurant with Mark. With his death, he has left his share to his mother and Tabitha's nightmare begins. Tabby is haunted and filled with grief, until she finds out that he was in love with someone else. With the help of her sister, her sister's girlfriend, Scott, the new head chef that is hired and fired within a very short time, she tracks down the mystery woman. Tabby needs to decide what to do next, with her job and her private life.
Memories of You is set in Dublin, over a year. Tabby has always written monthly resolutions each year and after Mark's death, her sister, Avery gives her twelve resolutions to try and remember how to be happy. Avery is a wonderful sister. She moves in with Tabby and does everything she can to help her deal with her grief. She never liked Mark but supports Tabby in her feelings and grief. Tabby is a pushover. She has taken a lot over the years from Mark and his family, so I was glad she finally got a backbone later in the book. Tabby has a lot of growth in this book, helped by Avery and Scott. Mark's family are not very nice, none of them. They all look down on Tabby and treat her terribly. Brooke Harris has written a story that really pulled at my heartstrings. I loved her well developed characters and the journey that Tabby takes. A quiet story, one that is realistic and where I smiled as I finished listening. The audiobook was well narrated by Amy McAllister. She does a nice job with the voices and the storytelling. This was the first book I have read by Brooke Harris, but I'm pretty sure it won't be the last.
Memories of You is set in Dublin, over a year. Tabby has always written monthly resolutions each year and after Mark's death, her sister, Avery gives her twelve resolutions to try and remember how to be happy. Avery is a wonderful sister. She moves in with Tabby and does everything she can to help her deal with her grief. She never liked Mark but supports Tabby in her feelings and grief. Tabby is a pushover. She has taken a lot over the years from Mark and his family, so I was glad she finally got a backbone later in the book. Tabby has a lot of growth in this book, helped by Avery and Scott. Mark's family are not very nice, none of them. They all look down on Tabby and treat her terribly. Brooke Harris has written a story that really pulled at my heartstrings. I loved her well developed characters and the journey that Tabby takes. A quiet story, one that is realistic and where I smiled as I finished listening. The audiobook was well narrated by Amy McAllister. She does a nice job with the voices and the storytelling. This was the first book I have read by Brooke Harris, but I'm pretty sure it won't be the last.
June 26, 2024
I loved the book. It is my second book from Brooke and really enjoyed her writing. Such a lovely one.
August 5, 2023
"I was so ready to grieve our relationship but I wasn't ready to grieve him."
Oh the gut punch heartaches in The Memories Of You by Irish storyteller Brooke Harris are almost too real and the honest grief compounds the emotions.
Tabitha makes her annual New Year's Eve Resolutions and one is to break off her engagement with long time boyfriend and business partner Mark. On their way to a party she says five words to him and BOOM! She wakes up in a hospital, after a devastating accident but Mark is gone.
Tabitha is overwhelmed with grief but more with guilt. Were her last words to him the reason for the crash? After a month unable to get out of bed her sister Avery convinces her to go back to work at the Dublin bistro she owns with Mark. She finds Mark's mother, Catherine, is now her new business partner. She's hired an expensive chef to take over the kitchen.
It's all too much as Catherine's passive aggressive insults disguised as compliments are fodder to hurt her, "Oh did you lose weight? I'm so glad you're finally taking care of yourself." UGH!
The real gut punch comes when Tabitha finds a bracelet among Mark's things that's engraved with another woman's name. Did this person know about her? Did she love Mark? Oh no! Does she know he's dead? She needs to find her.
The visceral sadness from narrator Amy McAllister takes your breath away but the healing, love and heartwarming grace that Tabitha voices in a year is a breathtaking experience.
The side characters are endearing especially food truck owner Rashidi and new chef Scott. I wish the narrator had not used such a masculine voice for Avery. It was a bit off-putting but she's still the best sister. Memories of this story are in my heart.
I received a free copy of this audiobook from the publishers via #NetGalley for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
*This Review Is For The Audiobook*
Oh the gut punch heartaches in The Memories Of You by Irish storyteller Brooke Harris are almost too real and the honest grief compounds the emotions.
Tabitha makes her annual New Year's Eve Resolutions and one is to break off her engagement with long time boyfriend and business partner Mark. On their way to a party she says five words to him and BOOM! She wakes up in a hospital, after a devastating accident but Mark is gone.
Tabitha is overwhelmed with grief but more with guilt. Were her last words to him the reason for the crash? After a month unable to get out of bed her sister Avery convinces her to go back to work at the Dublin bistro she owns with Mark. She finds Mark's mother, Catherine, is now her new business partner. She's hired an expensive chef to take over the kitchen.
It's all too much as Catherine's passive aggressive insults disguised as compliments are fodder to hurt her, "Oh did you lose weight? I'm so glad you're finally taking care of yourself." UGH!
The real gut punch comes when Tabitha finds a bracelet among Mark's things that's engraved with another woman's name. Did this person know about her? Did she love Mark? Oh no! Does she know he's dead? She needs to find her.
The visceral sadness from narrator Amy McAllister takes your breath away but the healing, love and heartwarming grace that Tabitha voices in a year is a breathtaking experience.
The side characters are endearing especially food truck owner Rashidi and new chef Scott. I wish the narrator had not used such a masculine voice for Avery. It was a bit off-putting but she's still the best sister. Memories of this story are in my heart.
I received a free copy of this audiobook from the publishers via #NetGalley for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
*This Review Is For The Audiobook*
April 3, 2024
"Memories of You" is a romantic drama, but not the kind you are used to reading.
Yes, there is self-discovery, there is evaluation of the past, there is new love and a future, but it is still not what they usually are.
Yes, it all starts when the heroine's previous life is turned upside down very abruptly, but she does not run away to the bosom of her family to find her eternal happiness with her highschool sweetheart.
Tabbi is someone who writes new New Year's resolutions every year before New Year's Eve, but this year her first resolution comes true before the year even begins, and much more literally than she intended. So she doesn't know if it was her fault or…
Tabbi's sister finds her promises and fills her calendar with reminders and tasks for the whole year. Tabbi doesn't even remember what she had written, so the reminders that come at the beginning of each month are a surprise to her. On the one hand, these tasks are good, they help her to come out of her grief, but at the same time, it also makes her do things that destroy her relationships with her family and her almost mother-in-law, but at the same time, they also open her eyes to her ex-fiancé ‘s secrets and the people around her.
And yes, Tabbi also finds new love, but that's not the only purpose of this book. The main thing is still overcoming grief, finding self-confidence and moving on with your life.
Good story.
Yes, there is self-discovery, there is evaluation of the past, there is new love and a future, but it is still not what they usually are.
Yes, it all starts when the heroine's previous life is turned upside down very abruptly, but she does not run away to the bosom of her family to find her eternal happiness with her highschool sweetheart.
Tabbi is someone who writes new New Year's resolutions every year before New Year's Eve, but this year her first resolution comes true before the year even begins, and much more literally than she intended. So she doesn't know if it was her fault or…
Tabbi's sister finds her promises and fills her calendar with reminders and tasks for the whole year. Tabbi doesn't even remember what she had written, so the reminders that come at the beginning of each month are a surprise to her. On the one hand, these tasks are good, they help her to come out of her grief, but at the same time, it also makes her do things that destroy her relationships with her family and her almost mother-in-law, but at the same time, they also open her eyes to her ex-fiancé ‘s secrets and the people around her.
And yes, Tabbi also finds new love, but that's not the only purpose of this book. The main thing is still overcoming grief, finding self-confidence and moving on with your life.
Good story.
July 25, 2023
Happy New Year! Each year Tabitha Greenwood creates twelve New Year’s resolutions, one to focus on for each month of the year. This year, she got to January’s resolution a little early, and then her world turned upside down quite literally.
January 1: Tabitha wakes to find herself in a hospital bed struggling to breath after a car accident. Her sister, Avery, frantically paces nearby worried for not only her sister’s physical health, but her mental health as well. As the fog begins to clear, Tabby is told her fiancé has died. The previous night she, and Mark were supposed to going to a friend’s to celebrate the new year. Though a few of her resolutions were going to be difficult, this is certainly not how Tabby wanted her resolutions to go.
Avery, Tabitha’s biggest cheerleader, takes it upon herself to set up new resolutions for this year, one for each month like her sister plans to help her move forward from her grief. Initially, Tabitha finds the resolutions bizarre, but slowly she realizes her sister is helping her to find herself again—the Tabitha pre-Mark. Month by month, grief slowly releases her grip from Tabitha’s heart, and she begins to find herself again as well as a new future she never dreamed possible.
Tabitha is an easy character to like, as is most of those who surround her, with the exception of her almost mother in law, who is so cruel she seems like a caricature of a person. Overall, I enjoyed this book, but I personally wasn’t a fan of the narrator, a few of the voices felt off.
Thank you to NetGalley, Dreamscape Media, and of course the author Brooke Harris for the advanced copy of the audiobook. Memories of You is out on July 27th. All opinions are my own.
Http://www.instagram.com/passionforprose
January 1: Tabitha wakes to find herself in a hospital bed struggling to breath after a car accident. Her sister, Avery, frantically paces nearby worried for not only her sister’s physical health, but her mental health as well. As the fog begins to clear, Tabby is told her fiancé has died. The previous night she, and Mark were supposed to going to a friend’s to celebrate the new year. Though a few of her resolutions were going to be difficult, this is certainly not how Tabby wanted her resolutions to go.
Avery, Tabitha’s biggest cheerleader, takes it upon herself to set up new resolutions for this year, one for each month like her sister plans to help her move forward from her grief. Initially, Tabitha finds the resolutions bizarre, but slowly she realizes her sister is helping her to find herself again—the Tabitha pre-Mark. Month by month, grief slowly releases her grip from Tabitha’s heart, and she begins to find herself again as well as a new future she never dreamed possible.
Tabitha is an easy character to like, as is most of those who surround her, with the exception of her almost mother in law, who is so cruel she seems like a caricature of a person. Overall, I enjoyed this book, but I personally wasn’t a fan of the narrator, a few of the voices felt off.
Thank you to NetGalley, Dreamscape Media, and of course the author Brooke Harris for the advanced copy of the audiobook. Memories of You is out on July 27th. All opinions are my own.
Http://www.instagram.com/passionforprose
June 27, 2023
This is the first book I have read by this author but will be looking for more for a good beach read. Tabby and Mark are engaged and off to a New Year party but have an accident on the way and sadly Mark doesn't recover. Tabby blames herself for what she said to him seconds before the crash. Even though we barely meet Mark, we know that he is cruel to Tabby in what he says to her (calls her fat, constantly putting her down) and that she is better off without him - maybe not in this way, of course. Tabby continues to run their little bistro along with Catherine, Mark's mother, who it appears does not like Tabby or her sister Avery at all. Tabby has great support from Avery and the story takes us through a year of Tabby's life following the accident where she is set 12 monthly new year resolutions by her sister. A lovely enjoyable feelgood read.
November 23, 2025
Wow .. this is a book of creating new beginnings while navigating toxic relationships that are ongoing through most of the book. I absolutely love Tabitha, the main character, and watching her develop and grow throughout this book
July 6, 2023
This is not my typical genre. I wasn’t sure how I would like it but I was pleasantly surprised.
Harris has this relatable writing style that makes you feel as if you are the main character of the book. While I read I had to stop myself a few times because we have all been Tabby (female lead).
Tabby is a sweet young lady just trying to be happy. But life and the opinions of others really impacts all that Tabby does. She has an eccentric sister, a narcissistic fiancé, and an overbearing mother in law.
Tabby loves making New Year’s resolutions and this year she’s going to see them through.
This is a really relatable book for everyone I feel. If you like the writing styles of Colleen Hoover, Lucy Score, and Jodi Picoult then this is a read fit for you.
Harris has this relatable writing style that makes you feel as if you are the main character of the book. While I read I had to stop myself a few times because we have all been Tabby (female lead).
Tabby is a sweet young lady just trying to be happy. But life and the opinions of others really impacts all that Tabby does. She has an eccentric sister, a narcissistic fiancé, and an overbearing mother in law.
Tabby loves making New Year’s resolutions and this year she’s going to see them through.
This is a really relatable book for everyone I feel. If you like the writing styles of Colleen Hoover, Lucy Score, and Jodi Picoult then this is a read fit for you.
September 17, 2023
Hoopla bonus borrow audio
October 10, 2023
Just a lovely fluffy read😍
August 3, 2025
Another Irish romance. I enjoyed it, but wasn’t wowed by it. Tabitha has 12 new year’s resolutions - one for each month. After losing her fiancé in a New Year’s Eve accident, tabby doesn’t know how to move forward. But the resolutions help her to make it through the year and become a better version of herself.
August 4, 2025
Ending the year in a car crash killing her fiancé, Tabitha has to face a life running their restaurant, living in their flat, reinventing her life. A struggle, but one full of hope.
Well developed, well written.
Well developed, well written.
July 31, 2023
I loved this book. It’s a beautiful and tragic story of Tabitha rediscovering herself and her strength after the loss of her fiancé (?) in a tragic car accident on New Years Eve in which only she survived. Not a good way to start the new year and then to discover, Mark was an more awful, worse and despicable than she could ever have imagined and so much more like his equally disgusting narcissistic mother than she could have imagined. It was gut punch after gut punch and then to find that he left the bulk of their shared restaurant to his mother. WHAT? Thankfully she is surrounded by a loving sister and some other truly wonderful people around her and even a potential new love on the horizon. Tabitha was truly amazing. The way she handled all of the things she was going through with such grace, maturity, lack of anger, kindness and understanding was beautiful. I adored listening to this book. It was so much more than the blurb, which was what drew me in. It’s an emotional story that is redemptive, sweet and let me sad it was over. The narration was fabulous.
I received a copy of this audiobook from Netgalley.com in exchange for a fair and honest review. It did not impact my review. My thanks to the author, publisher and who shared this book with me. It was one of the best books I've read or listened.
I received a copy of this audiobook from Netgalley.com in exchange for a fair and honest review. It did not impact my review. My thanks to the author, publisher and who shared this book with me. It was one of the best books I've read or listened.
July 12, 2023
I absolutely loved this book! Finished it in just over a day! Such a beautiful story about the complexities of grief and moving on.
Tabitha Greenwood has always taken new years resolutions seriously. In fact, she makes 12 resolutions each year. One for each month. She might not make it very far, which her fiance Mark is sure to remind her of, but this year is different. This year starts with her most life changing resolution yet. But when a terrible accident on new years eve leaves her in hospital and her fiance dead, Tabitha not only has to grapple with her grief, but also her guilt over their last moments. With her loving and carefree sister Avery there to help her, Tabitha must piece her life back together, starting with the cafe she owned with Mark.
Thank you so much to #netgalley for the advance reading copy and a HUGE thank you to #stormpublishing for allowing me to be part of the storm reviewer club! All opinions are my own!
Tabitha Greenwood has always taken new years resolutions seriously. In fact, she makes 12 resolutions each year. One for each month. She might not make it very far, which her fiance Mark is sure to remind her of, but this year is different. This year starts with her most life changing resolution yet. But when a terrible accident on new years eve leaves her in hospital and her fiance dead, Tabitha not only has to grapple with her grief, but also her guilt over their last moments. With her loving and carefree sister Avery there to help her, Tabitha must piece her life back together, starting with the cafe she owned with Mark.
Thank you so much to #netgalley for the advance reading copy and a HUGE thank you to #stormpublishing for allowing me to be part of the storm reviewer club! All opinions are my own!
July 24, 2023
In a moving tale of grief and self-discovery, Memories of You by Brooke Harris opens the question of what happens in life after the loss of a loved one, especially if that loved one was carrying a life-altering secret.
Synopsis:
“One minute, pastry chef Tabitha Greenwood is driving through rain-soaked Dublin with her fiancé Mark, on their way to a New Year’s Eve party. The next, she is waking up in the hospital, the devastated face of her sister telling her everything she doesn’t want to know. Mark is gone. And Tabby knows that it’s her fault.
Lost in her grief and haunted by memories, Tabby can’t seem to return to the woman she was. Until one day, sorting through Mark’s belongings, she finds a delicate rose-gold bracelet with an engraving that changes everything. Because this heartfelt gift isn’t for her…
Should she follow the mystery? Find the girl this bracelet belongs to? Faced with the choice to step beyond the walls she’s built around herself, Tabby doesn’t realize how many lives will be affected by her decision, and how much the answers she finds will upend her world again…”
My rating: 3.75/5
This one was difficult to rate. I loved the characters, especially Tabitha’s sister in all her eccentricity, and I loved the concept and execution. The story was a beautiful, moving, emotional rollercoaster that had me laughing one minute, crying the next, then suddenly gasping out of shock. Anyone who has witnessed grief that came from the loss of a significant other can relate to stages of grief Tabitha goes through. However, just as the story is complex in the ups and downs of life after grief, breakups, and the discovery of secrets, my thoughts were equally as complicated.
I feel like the toxic relationship and verbal abuse Mark put Tabitha through wasn’t explored enough. There was a lot of talk of loving him and things not always being the best, but it seems like the grief became the excuse of why it was okay since Tabitha feels responsible for Mark’s death. There was so much self-discovery towards the end that didn’t include the full depth of what Mark put her through. She also seemed quick to have a “whatever makes him happy” attitude regarding Mark’s secrets and lies. I understand she was over their relationship, but it seemed too abrupt. On the other hand, I want to give the benefit of the doubt that maybe the author was going for the “denial felt by an abuse victim” as a reason for not digging in as deeply. I can totally see that and understand, but at that point it felt like it was more a “tell-not-show” scenario. My other conflict was how beautiful the prose was in the first half of the novel that seemed to have a steady decline as the story progressed up to the last 10% that seemed rushed. I just can’t get over how lovely the first half was written though.
All in all, I do highly recommend this book. It explores many heavy topics in a way I haven’t read before.
Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
Synopsis:
“One minute, pastry chef Tabitha Greenwood is driving through rain-soaked Dublin with her fiancé Mark, on their way to a New Year’s Eve party. The next, she is waking up in the hospital, the devastated face of her sister telling her everything she doesn’t want to know. Mark is gone. And Tabby knows that it’s her fault.
Lost in her grief and haunted by memories, Tabby can’t seem to return to the woman she was. Until one day, sorting through Mark’s belongings, she finds a delicate rose-gold bracelet with an engraving that changes everything. Because this heartfelt gift isn’t for her…
Should she follow the mystery? Find the girl this bracelet belongs to? Faced with the choice to step beyond the walls she’s built around herself, Tabby doesn’t realize how many lives will be affected by her decision, and how much the answers she finds will upend her world again…”
My rating: 3.75/5
This one was difficult to rate. I loved the characters, especially Tabitha’s sister in all her eccentricity, and I loved the concept and execution. The story was a beautiful, moving, emotional rollercoaster that had me laughing one minute, crying the next, then suddenly gasping out of shock. Anyone who has witnessed grief that came from the loss of a significant other can relate to stages of grief Tabitha goes through. However, just as the story is complex in the ups and downs of life after grief, breakups, and the discovery of secrets, my thoughts were equally as complicated.
I feel like the toxic relationship and verbal abuse Mark put Tabitha through wasn’t explored enough. There was a lot of talk of loving him and things not always being the best, but it seems like the grief became the excuse of why it was okay since Tabitha feels responsible for Mark’s death. There was so much self-discovery towards the end that didn’t include the full depth of what Mark put her through. She also seemed quick to have a “whatever makes him happy” attitude regarding Mark’s secrets and lies. I understand she was over their relationship, but it seemed too abrupt. On the other hand, I want to give the benefit of the doubt that maybe the author was going for the “denial felt by an abuse victim” as a reason for not digging in as deeply. I can totally see that and understand, but at that point it felt like it was more a “tell-not-show” scenario. My other conflict was how beautiful the prose was in the first half of the novel that seemed to have a steady decline as the story progressed up to the last 10% that seemed rushed. I just can’t get over how lovely the first half was written though.
All in all, I do highly recommend this book. It explores many heavy topics in a way I haven’t read before.
Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 8, 2023
Memories of You begins with a tragic New Year’s Eve accident that completely changes central character Tabitha Greenwood’s life. Tabs, as she is affectionately called, places a lot of importance on New Year resolutions and although she tries hard to keep to them, she inevitably fails. This year, however, she decides things will be different. And they are. For all the wrong reasons. A dark icy road and the words she utters seals her fate.
Tabitha now begins a new phase of her life. One without her fiancé Mark. She has the support of her older arty sister Avery, but she also has to contend with Mark’s mother Catherine, who has been left the controlling share of Mark and Tabitha’s restaurant La Bella Vita. Catherine, proves what a really unpleasant woman she is. Not only does she make sure Mark is buried before Tabitha is discharged from hospital, she makes it clear she intends to take charge of the restaurant.
I really enjoyed the relationship between Avery and Tabitha. The dialogue between them showed a typical sisterly love and tussle. I particularly enjoyed the way Avery drew up a new monthly list of resolutions to motivate Tabitha during times when things weren’t going so well. Then there are friends from the restaurant, especially new chef Scott, who are there to support her. There were also moments when I was convinced maybe Catherine wasn’t as bad as I first thought. To Tabitha's credit she took all the insults in her stride, convinced maybe Catherine's attitude was down to her grief. Of course, it wasn't. Catherine had no redeeming features whatsoever. Then there were Tabitha’s memories of Mark, small scenes which clearly indicated he was just as unpleasant as his mother.
For me, this book had all the right ingredients. A compelling story that made me want to continue turning the pages to find out what happened next. A great cast of characters and some pretty tough challenges for the heroine to overcome. A really enjoyable read to curl up with, and one, I have to add, which became difficult to put down. It's worth every one of the four stars I’m giving it. I can’t wait to see what Brooke Harris does next. Recommended.
I would like to thank Storm Publishing, Brooke Harris and Netgalley for an ARC of Memories of You in exchange for an honest review.
Tabitha now begins a new phase of her life. One without her fiancé Mark. She has the support of her older arty sister Avery, but she also has to contend with Mark’s mother Catherine, who has been left the controlling share of Mark and Tabitha’s restaurant La Bella Vita. Catherine, proves what a really unpleasant woman she is. Not only does she make sure Mark is buried before Tabitha is discharged from hospital, she makes it clear she intends to take charge of the restaurant.
I really enjoyed the relationship between Avery and Tabitha. The dialogue between them showed a typical sisterly love and tussle. I particularly enjoyed the way Avery drew up a new monthly list of resolutions to motivate Tabitha during times when things weren’t going so well. Then there are friends from the restaurant, especially new chef Scott, who are there to support her. There were also moments when I was convinced maybe Catherine wasn’t as bad as I first thought. To Tabitha's credit she took all the insults in her stride, convinced maybe Catherine's attitude was down to her grief. Of course, it wasn't. Catherine had no redeeming features whatsoever. Then there were Tabitha’s memories of Mark, small scenes which clearly indicated he was just as unpleasant as his mother.
For me, this book had all the right ingredients. A compelling story that made me want to continue turning the pages to find out what happened next. A great cast of characters and some pretty tough challenges for the heroine to overcome. A really enjoyable read to curl up with, and one, I have to add, which became difficult to put down. It's worth every one of the four stars I’m giving it. I can’t wait to see what Brooke Harris does next. Recommended.
I would like to thank Storm Publishing, Brooke Harris and Netgalley for an ARC of Memories of You in exchange for an honest review.
July 25, 2023
Tabitha Greenwood gets excited about New Year's resolutions each year, and this year will be no different. She plans to set one major goal each month of the year to help her in her personal journey towards being a happier person. First up is January's resolution, to dump her toxic fiancé Mark. However, after a terrible accident on the way to a New Year's Eve party, Tabi's resolution plans come to a standstill leaver her grief stricken and haunted with guilt.
After healing and grieving during the month of January, Tabi's sister Avery, comes up with a plan to help her with her resolutions during the remainder of the first difficult year after losing a loved one. Abby, Avery's girlfriend, and new friend named Scott join efforts and adventures with Tabi. They help her plan and follow through on her resolutions.
Along the journey, Tabi comes to realize her relationship with her fiancé was not what she believed it was, especially after finding a beautiful gift from Mark that wasn't intended for her. She slowly comes to see that she had allowed herself to become stagnant in a toxic and emotionally abusive relationship. However, how can she admit he was a bully, when she feels guilty over his death? Especially when Mark's grieving mother, who has inherited his half of their mutual business, plants herself into Tabi's life in way that will have you seething with anger.
This book is marketed as an Irish fiction and the story telling was so wonderful. The Irish landscape plays a small role in the story. I listed to the audiobook version and truly loved the narrator. Her Irish accent really helped put me in the story so I felt I was right there with Tabi, Avery, Abby and Scott. I loved the relationship dynamics between Tabi and the other characters as well as the journey she took to get back to her true, happy self.
I would give this 4.5 stars if GoodReads allowed half stars.
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy of the audiobook in exchange for a review.
After healing and grieving during the month of January, Tabi's sister Avery, comes up with a plan to help her with her resolutions during the remainder of the first difficult year after losing a loved one. Abby, Avery's girlfriend, and new friend named Scott join efforts and adventures with Tabi. They help her plan and follow through on her resolutions.
Along the journey, Tabi comes to realize her relationship with her fiancé was not what she believed it was, especially after finding a beautiful gift from Mark that wasn't intended for her. She slowly comes to see that she had allowed herself to become stagnant in a toxic and emotionally abusive relationship. However, how can she admit he was a bully, when she feels guilty over his death? Especially when Mark's grieving mother, who has inherited his half of their mutual business, plants herself into Tabi's life in way that will have you seething with anger.
This book is marketed as an Irish fiction and the story telling was so wonderful. The Irish landscape plays a small role in the story. I listed to the audiobook version and truly loved the narrator. Her Irish accent really helped put me in the story so I felt I was right there with Tabi, Avery, Abby and Scott. I loved the relationship dynamics between Tabi and the other characters as well as the journey she took to get back to her true, happy self.
I would give this 4.5 stars if GoodReads allowed half stars.
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy of the audiobook in exchange for a review.
July 27, 2023
Happy New Year! When Tabitha Greenwood wakes up in a Hospital on New Years, she finds that her whole world has changed. Her fiancé, Mark has died in the car accident that occurred on their way to a party and now Tabitha must pick up the pieces of her life. Luckily, her sister has a plan. Every year Tabitha sets up 12 New Year’s resolutions, one for each month of the year, and this time Avery is in charge.
Throughout the year, Tabitha must let go of the guilt and learn to be the person she once was, before her toxic relationship with Mark. When looking in Mark’s office, she finds a bracelet engraved for someone else. She decided to unravel the mystery of who Mark truly loved and hopefully in the end will find closure herself.
This story was heartbreaking. Not only do you feel sympathy for Tabitha for losing her fiancé but also losing herself throughout her relationship with Mark. Mark and his family was beyond toxic and even after Mark’s death, she still has to navigate a relationship with his mother. Even though the synopsis states the main focus is finding out who the owner of the bracelet is, I felt like that plot point only had a small space in this book and the main focus of this book was Tabitha finding what makes her happy through the 12 resolutions. I was captivated on Tabithas journey but was extremely happy how everything ended.
The only complaint I have is for the audiobook. The narrator gave Avery a very manly voice and found it to be very off-putting. It was very similar to Mark’s and Scott’s voice as well.
Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the opportunity to listen to Memories of You.
Throughout the year, Tabitha must let go of the guilt and learn to be the person she once was, before her toxic relationship with Mark. When looking in Mark’s office, she finds a bracelet engraved for someone else. She decided to unravel the mystery of who Mark truly loved and hopefully in the end will find closure herself.
This story was heartbreaking. Not only do you feel sympathy for Tabitha for losing her fiancé but also losing herself throughout her relationship with Mark. Mark and his family was beyond toxic and even after Mark’s death, she still has to navigate a relationship with his mother. Even though the synopsis states the main focus is finding out who the owner of the bracelet is, I felt like that plot point only had a small space in this book and the main focus of this book was Tabitha finding what makes her happy through the 12 resolutions. I was captivated on Tabithas journey but was extremely happy how everything ended.
The only complaint I have is for the audiobook. The narrator gave Avery a very manly voice and found it to be very off-putting. It was very similar to Mark’s and Scott’s voice as well.
Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the opportunity to listen to Memories of You.
July 18, 2023
Memories of You by Brooke Harris is normally my favorite type of book, one that focuses on relationships and characters evolving into better people in spite of life's difficulties. However, I never warmed to Tabby as she is too perfect and unrealistic with zero flaws. She is sympathetic to almost every person and excuses their treating her like their punching bag. It seems readers are to view her as the put upon martyr and feel endless sympathy for her. Also, and more importantly, we are never given an opportunity to see what brought her and Mark together. Every single memory Tabby has is Mark being verbally and emotionally abusive. It makes no sense why she stayed with him for so many years because we aren't shown a single healthy, heartfelt moment between them, even from their start (as most abusers start out charming and likeable).
(There's a review stating readers will like this book if they like Colleen Hoover and Jodi Picoult. I got more excited to read this since I regularly rate these two authors' books 4 or 5 stars. However, I found no similarities between these them and Brooke and disagree with this sentiment.)
Amy McAllister is a joy to listen to. Even though everyone is from Ireland, she is able to give each character their individual idiosyncrasies when speaking, making it quite easy to know who we're hearing from.
I rate Memories of You 2 stars. I really wanted to enjoy it but couldn't get there.
Thank you to Dreamscape Media for providing me with an ALC.
(There's a review stating readers will like this book if they like Colleen Hoover and Jodi Picoult. I got more excited to read this since I regularly rate these two authors' books 4 or 5 stars. However, I found no similarities between these them and Brooke and disagree with this sentiment.)
Amy McAllister is a joy to listen to. Even though everyone is from Ireland, she is able to give each character their individual idiosyncrasies when speaking, making it quite easy to know who we're hearing from.
I rate Memories of You 2 stars. I really wanted to enjoy it but couldn't get there.
Thank you to Dreamscape Media for providing me with an ALC.
June 24, 2023
How many of us make New Year’s resolutions on January 1st every year ? Yes quite a few of us but sticking to them is another thing altogether. One such person is Tabitha Greenwood who has been making resolutions for as long as she can remember. Tabitha makes 12 resolutions one for each month of the year. This year her first one for January is to get rid of someone who has been in her life for a while. Setting off on New Year’s Eve with her fiancé Mark things take a tragic turning and life changes for Tabitha. When Tabitha wakes up in hospital on New Year’s Day she is floored with grief and blames herself for what happened. As time goes on she realises that she wasn’t the only one in Marks life and she wonders whether to find this other person . Avery, Tabitha’s sister is determined to help Tabitha get her life back together and devises 12 resolutions and she gives Tabitha one every month for her to follow.
Brooke Harris is one of my absolute favourite authors. You know the ones where you don’t even read the blurb you just go grab the book. Of all the books I’ve read by this author never have I felt disappointed or let down they have all been outstanding reads and this one was no exception. I absolutely adored it from start to finish. It’s a wonderful story with some fabulous characters. I can’t recommend this fantastic emotional read highly enough.
Brooke Harris is one of my absolute favourite authors. You know the ones where you don’t even read the blurb you just go grab the book. Of all the books I’ve read by this author never have I felt disappointed or let down they have all been outstanding reads and this one was no exception. I absolutely adored it from start to finish. It’s a wonderful story with some fabulous characters. I can’t recommend this fantastic emotional read highly enough.
April 1, 2025
I really wanted to like this book, but unfortunately it missed the mark.
Mark had no likeable qualities whatsoever. Tabitha keeps on saying that she loves Mark, but literally every memory she recalls is of him verbally abusing her. Why should I like or care about him at all.
I was initially sympathetic of Tabitha. Her relationship had clearly worn on her self esteem and her ability to stand up for herself. However, at some point it became unbearable. She was selfish, spoke badly about her sister and didn't care about anyone else. She not only never stood up for herself and folded like a doormat, she didn't think about others either. How long did it take her to care or do anything about the fact that Rishida was missing? Scott lost his job, something she could have prevented, and she barely seemed to care about the fact that he was still searching months later. This was his livelihood, and he already said that he was barely making rent with the job at the cafe. Which, side note doesn't make any sense, considering this was double his previous salary.
Overall Tabitha was too selfish and didn't take enough action to be likeable. She was only considerate of Mark and Catherine, the last people she should have been considerate of.
It was still a bit fun to read in the beginning, and I really like the supporting characters, Becca, Avery and Scott.
Mark had no likeable qualities whatsoever. Tabitha keeps on saying that she loves Mark, but literally every memory she recalls is of him verbally abusing her. Why should I like or care about him at all.
I was initially sympathetic of Tabitha. Her relationship had clearly worn on her self esteem and her ability to stand up for herself. However, at some point it became unbearable. She was selfish, spoke badly about her sister and didn't care about anyone else. She not only never stood up for herself and folded like a doormat, she didn't think about others either. How long did it take her to care or do anything about the fact that Rishida was missing? Scott lost his job, something she could have prevented, and she barely seemed to care about the fact that he was still searching months later. This was his livelihood, and he already said that he was barely making rent with the job at the cafe. Which, side note doesn't make any sense, considering this was double his previous salary.
Overall Tabitha was too selfish and didn't take enough action to be likeable. She was only considerate of Mark and Catherine, the last people she should have been considerate of.
It was still a bit fun to read in the beginning, and I really like the supporting characters, Becca, Avery and Scott.
July 25, 2023
I loved many elements of this unconventional story of loss, grief, and moving forward. However, there were also some very frustrating elements that kept it from being a 5-star read for me. Namely, the way that Tabby continued to excuse abusive and manipulative behaviors from certain people, including her would-be mother-in-law. As we watch Tabby work through her complex case of grief, and work through her resolutions towards a better future, she continues to hold back when it comes to standing up for herself/growing a spine. In some ways, she achieves this, and in others, she really never does- she just stumbles into her version of a happily ever after anyway. This left me with mixed feelings, as I wanted more for and from her- and I didn’t like the way the story seemed to let abusers more or less off the hook.
It was otherwise a lovely tale. I especially appreciated Avery, a strong female character who provided a great support system - and an example of how to stand up for oneself.
Amy McAllister did a lovely job narrating the audiobook.
Thank you Brooke Harris, Dreamscape Media, Storm Publishing, and NetGalley for providing this ALC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.
It was otherwise a lovely tale. I especially appreciated Avery, a strong female character who provided a great support system - and an example of how to stand up for oneself.
Amy McAllister did a lovely job narrating the audiobook.
Thank you Brooke Harris, Dreamscape Media, Storm Publishing, and NetGalley for providing this ALC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.
July 21, 2023
Tabby and Mark are engaged and together they own a bistro. Mark is the consummate gas-lighter, always making Tabby feel bad about herself. She finally gets the gumption to break up with him on New Year’s Eve. But when Tabby wakes up next, she’s in the hospital and Mark is dead.
It was heartbreaking to watch Tabby work through her grief and guilt after Mark’s death. She didn’t feel she deserved to enjoy her life and live as she wanted. Thankfully, her sister and friends never gave up on her. Mark’s mother was such an old battle ax! I don’t think I would’ve been able to show her the compassion Tabby did. It was rewarding to read as Tabby stood up for herself and worked toward her happy future.
I both listened to and read this book. I thought Amy McAllister did a good job with the narration. She had several characters to interpret. One small note, Tabby’s sister’s voice sounded a lot like the men’s voices in the narration and I sometimes had difficulty identifying her as the person talking.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media, Storm Publishing for this complimentary ARC. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
It was heartbreaking to watch Tabby work through her grief and guilt after Mark’s death. She didn’t feel she deserved to enjoy her life and live as she wanted. Thankfully, her sister and friends never gave up on her. Mark’s mother was such an old battle ax! I don’t think I would’ve been able to show her the compassion Tabby did. It was rewarding to read as Tabby stood up for herself and worked toward her happy future.
I both listened to and read this book. I thought Amy McAllister did a good job with the narration. She had several characters to interpret. One small note, Tabby’s sister’s voice sounded a lot like the men’s voices in the narration and I sometimes had difficulty identifying her as the person talking.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media, Storm Publishing for this complimentary ARC. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
July 30, 2023
This was a truly emotional story!
Meet Tabitha, a pastry chef who works with her boyfriend Mark in their restaurant/Irish Bistro in Dublin. They have been together forever, but Tabitha is starting to re-think things. Not sure if she really loves him or if she's just comfortable with him...but one thing is for sure, if I was his fiance, I'd smack him. He is so insulting to her...all the time.
In any case, they are on their way to a New Year's Eve party, and the unthinkable happens.
When Tabitha (Tabby) wakes up, she finds that she is in a hospital and her trusted sister Avery is right by her side. Her life changes forever.
Fast forward to her putting the pieces of her life back together.
Then add in the fact that the fiance's Mom is now invested in the business that she ran with Mark...as she initially put up money for them to open it.
Then add in all the other crazy things that go on, and you have the recipe for a fantastic book!
Thru all the craziness, Tabby meets Scott, who her future Mother-in-law hired as the chef, without even consulting her!
Then we find that Tabby's sister has found love!
Then we find that Mark was maybe not faithful...
Lots of twists. Lots of love. Oh...and lots of New Year's Resolutions...waiting to be broken...
4 1/2 stars for me!
Thanks to Net Galley, Dreamscape Media and Storm Publishing for the ARC of the audiobook.
It arrives on shelves starting 7/27/23...so look for it tomorrow!
Meet Tabitha, a pastry chef who works with her boyfriend Mark in their restaurant/Irish Bistro in Dublin. They have been together forever, but Tabitha is starting to re-think things. Not sure if she really loves him or if she's just comfortable with him...but one thing is for sure, if I was his fiance, I'd smack him. He is so insulting to her...all the time.
In any case, they are on their way to a New Year's Eve party, and the unthinkable happens.
When Tabitha (Tabby) wakes up, she finds that she is in a hospital and her trusted sister Avery is right by her side. Her life changes forever.
Fast forward to her putting the pieces of her life back together.
Then add in the fact that the fiance's Mom is now invested in the business that she ran with Mark...as she initially put up money for them to open it.
Then add in all the other crazy things that go on, and you have the recipe for a fantastic book!
Thru all the craziness, Tabby meets Scott, who her future Mother-in-law hired as the chef, without even consulting her!
Then we find that Tabby's sister has found love!
Then we find that Mark was maybe not faithful...
Lots of twists. Lots of love. Oh...and lots of New Year's Resolutions...waiting to be broken...
4 1/2 stars for me!
Thanks to Net Galley, Dreamscape Media and Storm Publishing for the ARC of the audiobook.
It arrives on shelves starting 7/27/23...so look for it tomorrow!
August 23, 2023
Tabitha and her sister have had a lot of grief in their lives and although they are very different, they have stuck together. Tabitha wakes up on New years day to find herself in hospital after an accident. Her fiance, Mark did not make it. They not only lived together, but also ran a restaurant together. Tabitha returns to the restaurant to find that her overbearing future mother in law has taken Mark's place in managing the restaurant. Tabitha needs to come to terms, not only with her changed living and work circumstances, but also with a secret about the last car journey Mark and Tabitha made together.
I liked Tabitha and her sister very much and her sister's solutions to help Tabitha deal with her demons are unusual and give a structure to the book. Some of the characters seem a bit two dimensional at times though and the opportunities at times a bit too good to be true . Saying that the book is entertaining, with some food for thought and a light read. A mixture of emotions is explored and I always enjoy the Irish setting .This book definitely uses an Irish turn of speech.
Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review
I liked Tabitha and her sister very much and her sister's solutions to help Tabitha deal with her demons are unusual and give a structure to the book. Some of the characters seem a bit two dimensional at times though and the opportunities at times a bit too good to be true . Saying that the book is entertaining, with some food for thought and a light read. A mixture of emotions is explored and I always enjoy the Irish setting .This book definitely uses an Irish turn of speech.
Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review
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