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Souvenir
In this powerful fiction debut, Therese Fowler combines the emotional resonance of Nicholas Sparks with the intense, true-to-life richness of Jodi Picoult to create a stunning and dramatic novel all her own.
Meg Powell and Carson McKay grew were raised side by side on their families’ farms, bonded by a love that only deepened. Everyone in their small rural community in northern Florida thought that Meg and Carson would always be together. But at twenty-one, Meg was presented with a marriage proposal she could not refuse, forever changing the course of her life.
Seventeen years later, Meg’s marriage has become routine, and she spends her time juggling the demands of her medical practice, the needs of her widowed father, and the whims of her rebellious teenage daughter, Savannah, who is confronting her burgeoning sexuality in a dangerous manner, and pushing her mother away just when she needs her most. Then, after a long absence, Carson returns home to prepare for his wedding to a younger woman. As Carson struggles to determine where his heart and future lie, Meg makes a shocking discovery that will upset the balance of everyone around her.
Unfolding with warmth and passion, Therese Fowler’s vibrant and moving debut illuminates the possibility of second chances, the naïve choices of youth, the tensions within families, and the wondrous designs of fate. A searing yet redemptive novel, Souvenir is an unforgettable tale about the transforming power of love.
Meg Powell and Carson McKay grew were raised side by side on their families’ farms, bonded by a love that only deepened. Everyone in their small rural community in northern Florida thought that Meg and Carson would always be together. But at twenty-one, Meg was presented with a marriage proposal she could not refuse, forever changing the course of her life.
Seventeen years later, Meg’s marriage has become routine, and she spends her time juggling the demands of her medical practice, the needs of her widowed father, and the whims of her rebellious teenage daughter, Savannah, who is confronting her burgeoning sexuality in a dangerous manner, and pushing her mother away just when she needs her most. Then, after a long absence, Carson returns home to prepare for his wedding to a younger woman. As Carson struggles to determine where his heart and future lie, Meg makes a shocking discovery that will upset the balance of everyone around her.
Unfolding with warmth and passion, Therese Fowler’s vibrant and moving debut illuminates the possibility of second chances, the naïve choices of youth, the tensions within families, and the wondrous designs of fate. A searing yet redemptive novel, Souvenir is an unforgettable tale about the transforming power of love.
362 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2007
24 people are currently reading
2676 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 297 reviews
December 23, 2008
I'm kind of partial to this book, it being my first published novel and all. :)
December 18, 2017
A story in the tradition of Nicholas Spark, but with finer writing. The beginning seems a little cliche, but the story grows on you, and the ending is satisfying.
July 8, 2008
Did not like this book for a few reasons... #1) subject matter such as teenage sex and drug use, #2) some bad language, #3) the storyline turned out to be plain dumb, and #4) because I would consider myself to be a pretty picky reader. Most of all, though, the characters in this book didn't have the best morals and it bugged me.
July 7, 2009
For some reason a lot of the reviews compare this to Nicholas Sparks; it's not like that - it is good.
I agree with the reader who said she was really surprised. I read the prologue and almost didn't continue because I was expecting a soap opera-y potboiler and found a very realistic story about people making hard choices and having real problems and found myself moved to tears for the first time since I first read "Cider House Rules" maybe 20 years ago. I've found myself "too busy" to read a lot in the last few months and this book (and another I recently read) reminded me why I need to make time for it and why it's such an important part of my life. Yay books!
I agree with the reader who said she was really surprised. I read the prologue and almost didn't continue because I was expecting a soap opera-y potboiler and found a very realistic story about people making hard choices and having real problems and found myself moved to tears for the first time since I first read "Cider House Rules" maybe 20 years ago. I've found myself "too busy" to read a lot in the last few months and this book (and another I recently read) reminded me why I need to make time for it and why it's such an important part of my life. Yay books!
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August 27, 2008This is a first novel. I loved it. It "rips your guts out." Meg Powell and Carson McKay grow up next door neighbors (farms). They spend all of their time together and fall in love....a true love. Then Meg's family farm is facing foreclosure and Brian Hamilton makes Meg an offer she can't refuse. This offer will save her family's future. Meg sleeps with Carson one last time and then marries Brian. Meg becomes an M.D., in obstetrics. She has a child, Savannah, of her own. Her life is good but she never gets over Carson. Now 16 years later, Carson is a music star who is about to marry a girl named Val (a surfer champion) who is 20 years younger than himself. Meg's daughter gets involved over the internet with a 23 year old guy who seduces her and gets her involved in drugs. Also explicit photos of Savannah having sex are taken in order to blackmail the family. Meg finds out that she has ALS and a short time to live. She has sudden right sided weakness. She drops a scapel during a caceserean section and must give up her practice. Meg runs into Carson. She confides the truth about why she left him for Brian. She and Carson enjoy a week together before Meg walks out into the lake and drowns. Savannah is really Carson's child. Savannah launches a music event with Carson. She has the journal that her mom left for her and now she knows that Carson is her dad. A GOOD READ.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 10, 2012
Reviewed by Amanda Dissinger for TeensReadToo.com
SOUVENIR is a heart-wrenching novel in the vein of Nicholas Sparks' THE NOTEBOOK and A WALK TO REMEMBER.
It is a novel about lost love, the possibility of second chances, and the fate that brings us all together.
Meg is a doctor with a sixteen-year-old daughter, and a businessman husband. Things seem to be normal in her life; she's stable at home, and she loves her job. However, she's still holding on to many secrets from her past, including a mistake that haunts her every day.
After a shocking change in her life, she decides to come to terms with her regrets, and decide what she wants in the future.
SOUVENIR is a tearjerker that is very realistic in its tale of true love and heartbreak. It is very well-written, and stays with you long after the first reading. This title will no doubt become a classic in future years because of its touching story and meaningful characters.
SOUVENIR is a heart-wrenching novel in the vein of Nicholas Sparks' THE NOTEBOOK and A WALK TO REMEMBER.
It is a novel about lost love, the possibility of second chances, and the fate that brings us all together.
Meg is a doctor with a sixteen-year-old daughter, and a businessman husband. Things seem to be normal in her life; she's stable at home, and she loves her job. However, she's still holding on to many secrets from her past, including a mistake that haunts her every day.
After a shocking change in her life, she decides to come to terms with her regrets, and decide what she wants in the future.
SOUVENIR is a tearjerker that is very realistic in its tale of true love and heartbreak. It is very well-written, and stays with you long after the first reading. This title will no doubt become a classic in future years because of its touching story and meaningful characters.
September 11, 2009
What can I say--my mom left it after her last visit and I was curious. It was sad, but sort of a romance novel in slightly more sophisticated clothing (the guy doesn't get the girl, and there's less bodice-ripping). Actually, I take that back--there's not that much sex, so it's more like Jodi Picoult (the one book I read of hers, anyway) with a bit more depth. I wouldn't buy it, but I didn't hate it.
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October 15, 2019It's been teen years since I read this book... I don't remember much, but I know I was way too young to read this back then. I also remember I cried a lot when I finished reading it.
IIRC, the story deals with family and marital issues, mother and daughter relationship, a chronic disease, sexual assault, grief, suicide etc.
IIRC, the story deals with family and marital issues, mother and daughter relationship, a chronic disease, sexual assault, grief, suicide etc.
September 7, 2018
Livro com profunda carga emocional, mostrando o aspecto nu e cru da vida. A história comovente de Meg e Carson, suas renuncias, suas paixões e suas escolhas. O amor, a família, a dor da perda...
Uma história que te faz retornar ao teu passado e lembrar da paixão adolescente e do que poderia ser se a vida te desse outras oportunidades.
E como é bom ter alguém para nos apoiar nos piores momentos da vida.
Chorei a cada virada de página e não consegui largá-lo até terminar.
QUOTES:
"Algumas regras são nada mais que velhos hábitos que as pessoas tem receio de mudar."
'Algumas memórias eram afiadas como navalhas"
"Em geral, a obstetrícia era um ramo de esperança e renovação, ao passo que a neurologia sugeria
navios à deriva lutando por mares escuros e congelados."
"Bem, o que era criar um filho senão uma série de inconsistências e uma ocasional atitude hipócrita?”
"Bem, não havia razão para especular agora — isso consumia muita energia, e nada poderia ser
modificado com especulações. Como Manisha sempre dizia, seu destino encontra você, não importa aonde você vá."
“Mais profundos momentos da vida eram, paradoxalmente, os mais comuns: as suas primeiras respirações, e a última”.
"(...) e, se ela não pudesse suportar as pequenas coisas, como esperar poder lidar com as grandes?"
"Por amor, faça aquilo que jamais faria."
"Arrependimentos são inevitáveis, e se empilham como as pedras de um pilar — mas tome cuidado para não permitir que cheguem alto demais e que a impeçam de ver o outro lado."
"Se ao menos... Havia alguma expressão mais triste que esta?"
"As lembranças eram como hélices em movimento: perigosas a curta distância."
Uma história que te faz retornar ao teu passado e lembrar da paixão adolescente e do que poderia ser se a vida te desse outras oportunidades.
E como é bom ter alguém para nos apoiar nos piores momentos da vida.
Chorei a cada virada de página e não consegui largá-lo até terminar.
QUOTES:
"Algumas regras são nada mais que velhos hábitos que as pessoas tem receio de mudar."
'Algumas memórias eram afiadas como navalhas"
"Em geral, a obstetrícia era um ramo de esperança e renovação, ao passo que a neurologia sugeria
navios à deriva lutando por mares escuros e congelados."
"Bem, o que era criar um filho senão uma série de inconsistências e uma ocasional atitude hipócrita?”
"Bem, não havia razão para especular agora — isso consumia muita energia, e nada poderia ser
modificado com especulações. Como Manisha sempre dizia, seu destino encontra você, não importa aonde você vá."
“Mais profundos momentos da vida eram, paradoxalmente, os mais comuns: as suas primeiras respirações, e a última”.
"(...) e, se ela não pudesse suportar as pequenas coisas, como esperar poder lidar com as grandes?"
"Por amor, faça aquilo que jamais faria."
"Arrependimentos são inevitáveis, e se empilham como as pedras de um pilar — mas tome cuidado para não permitir que cheguem alto demais e que a impeçam de ver o outro lado."
"Se ao menos... Havia alguma expressão mais triste que esta?"
"As lembranças eram como hélices em movimento: perigosas a curta distância."
May 8, 2008
This book is all about what it is we do for love--love of parents, of children,
of siblings, of the boy next door. Meg Powell and the next door boy Carson McKay were inseparable since their 5 and 6 year old selves met on the country
school bus. They were even going to get married--until suddenly Meg was offered an opportunity to help her dirt poor parents and 3 sisters have a much better life. At the cost of her happiness and great secrecy. Flash forward 16
years and all of the same players are a back on the home town scene but are all now very different people. Or are they? Can mistakes made so long ago be
righted before time runs out on them? This is a well written d ebut novel--the characters have great depth and a clean honesty to them that make them seem
very real and difficult to leave behind.
of siblings, of the boy next door. Meg Powell and the next door boy Carson McKay were inseparable since their 5 and 6 year old selves met on the country
school bus. They were even going to get married--until suddenly Meg was offered an opportunity to help her dirt poor parents and 3 sisters have a much better life. At the cost of her happiness and great secrecy. Flash forward 16
years and all of the same players are a back on the home town scene but are all now very different people. Or are they? Can mistakes made so long ago be
righted before time runs out on them? This is a well written d ebut novel--the characters have great depth and a clean honesty to them that make them seem
very real and difficult to leave behind.
May 25, 2009
I was surprised by this book and I cried and cried and cried. Great!!
January 6, 2022
This was really good- especially for a debut! This book is about a woman named Meg. She has a daughter and a husband that she married because he was able to help her family. They were in desperate financial strain and he was a good man so she left her first love, Carson, to marry him and life has been fine since. But thats it, just fine. Carson came from humble beginnings like Meg but now he's a major musician. Meg gets a health diagnosis around the same time Carson comes home for his wedding to a much younger (but still sweet) surfer girl. Meg and Carson reconnect and we learn more about their relationship in the past and see them navigate the chemistry even now. While the plot line feels like a romance, this is definitely more women's fiction as Meg battles with how to handle her new diagnosis. Good story!
SPOILERS AHEAD:
She gets ALS and ends up killing herself before the disease kills her. He cancels the wedding because he loves Meg. The paternity of her daughter is up for question and we believe she's actually Carsons. True love prevails?
SPOILERS AHEAD:
She gets ALS and ends up killing herself before the disease kills her. He cancels the wedding because he loves Meg. The paternity of her daughter is up for question and we believe she's actually Carsons. True love prevails?
October 5, 2023
4.5 stars
March 4, 2018
GAB Souvenir is an extraordinary debut novel, the tale told deftly, smoothly, with characters that win your heart and visit you long after the novel is finished. It is a book I will set aside and read again, when I need to be reminded that life is what you make of it, when my spirit is flagging and my soul needs uplifting.
May 22, 2012
This book is not what I expected it to be. I was ready for a feel-good novel about childhood loves reunited after a lifetime apart. At first I was a little disappointed in the unraveling of the story - for instance I wanted more vignettes about Meg and Carson's childhood. I also wish the author had doled out some plot twists throughout the story instead of casually inserting them at the beginning (like the indiscretion on the morning of Meg's wedding or the question of Savannah's paternity). But then things got serious. The reader was left oscillating between depression for Meg - terminally ill and planning her own suicide - and terror for Savannah - making some horrifyingly stupid decisions that seems as if they might leave her dead, too. The whole thing was rather emotionally draining by the end. Still, I liked it. The writing style and rotating perspective reminded me of Jodi Picoult (which is a good thing, in my opinion), and the characters were genuine and well-crafted.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 27, 2019
Meg and Carson grew up as neighbors and friends, but as teens their relationship grew into something more. But when Meg has the chance to save her family's farm from financial ruin, she leaves Carson behind to marry a banker who can resolve the family's debt. Fast forward 16 years. Carson is a famous musician, on the verge of his wedding date. Meg is still married, a doctor, with a teenage daughter. Her daughter becomes involved in an online romance. Meanwhile, Meg is diagnosed with a fatal disease. When Carson returns home to finalize wedding plans, Carson & Meg's paths cross again.
My description makes this story sound very sappy and Lifetime movie-ish. And yes, it is to a degree. I'm a little bit of a sucker for stories of reunited teenage love. But the writing was decent, which saves this from being over-the-edge sappy. A lot of it was predictable. Some of it was not. Not a deep read, but enjoyable enough as a quick interlude between the heavier stuff.
My description makes this story sound very sappy and Lifetime movie-ish. And yes, it is to a degree. I'm a little bit of a sucker for stories of reunited teenage love. But the writing was decent, which saves this from being over-the-edge sappy. A lot of it was predictable. Some of it was not. Not a deep read, but enjoyable enough as a quick interlude between the heavier stuff.
July 20, 2016
Loved this book! I was engrossed in the story from beginning to end. Meg and Carson grow up as neighbors and best friends, sure they will end up together. But Meg makes a different choice, in an attempt to help her beleaguered family, and suffers the consequence of that decision, being in a loveless marriage. Meg is a gynecologist, and has a teenage daughter, Savannah, who experiences her share of teenage misguided decisions. And Carson's musical song-writing talent turns him into a famous rock star, who still feels the loss of Meg. Ironically, things become more real after Meg is diagnosed with ALS. It was interesting to read how things became much clearer to Meg, when she knew her death was imminent. Well worth reading! These characters will stay with me for awhile!
June 15, 2009
I vacillated between not really not liking the story line of this book and not being able to put it down. I was not prepared to be saddened and sometimes even angry when reading this story, so in the book's defense, it's not at all what I was expecting. That being said, it's a good story that does make you think. The major turnoff for me in this book was related to Savannah; her character seemed to be somewhat thrown together and her part in the story line was too fantastic and unbelievable somehow.
April 10, 2009
I loved this book it was one that I could not put down and ended up reading through the night it was a quick read and was very touching. All of the lessons about living life to the fullest shone through and were very inspiring. A lost love reignited was truly one of the best parts of the entire story.
May 1, 2017
I loved this book! Carson is by far my favorite character.
Lots of great lessons in this book. Being a mom, it reminds me to not get so caught up in life, and to make sure to spend time with my daughter.
I do think I want to start writing in a journal so I can leave for her, when I pass.
I've never cried so much reading a book ♡
Lots of great lessons in this book. Being a mom, it reminds me to not get so caught up in life, and to make sure to spend time with my daughter.
I do think I want to start writing in a journal so I can leave for her, when I pass.
I've never cried so much reading a book ♡
May 22, 2017
A new author when I picked up this book I was intrigued by the blurb and hooked from the word go.
"If you had just weeks to live, what would you do"
The book follows the life of Meg and her family, seemingly perfect on the outside but hiding secrets you would never expect. At the start of the book Meg is given the devastating news that she has ALS - or Lou Gehrigs disease. Over the course of an undefinable future time Meg would lose the control over her body, limb by limb, until she would rely on the help of her family to even go to the bathroom. Eventually her organs would cease to work and she would pass away. It could take months or it could take years.
This news is the catalyst to her world falling apart. Secrets that she had been hiding for years, since before her daughter was born start to come out. Then enters Carson McKay, no longer the boy that she loved and left all those years ago, now the successful rockstar who she can't help but wonder what if?
He starts popping up in her life more and more, reminding her of the passion they had and the life she walked away from. The more she is around him the more she wants to tell him, unburden her secrets on him, tell him about her daughter, who is actually their daughter. To tell him about her disease and how she doesn't have long.
I have read this book numerous times now and it is the same bit, each time that I find myself crying over. Not a couple of tears either, full sobbing over what is happening.
"If this were a movie, I'd make a dramatic paus here, then say, 'Carson, I'm dying'."
Even though I know it is coming, even though the whole book has been building up to her telling him everything, you still hold on to that bit of hope that it isn't true. That she will find out the diagnosis was incorrect and in actual fact she would be fine. No matter how many times I read through this I still feel the same, and it always effects me in the same way.
Therese Fowler takes you on a journey, through Meg and her mistakes. Through her acceptance and her decision to take control of what she had left of her life.
This is an absolute must read. Set aside a day, lock your door, draw your curtains and have on hand tissues and wine because this book will take you on an emotional rollercoaster that will leave you reeling at the end.
"If you had just weeks to live, what would you do"
The book follows the life of Meg and her family, seemingly perfect on the outside but hiding secrets you would never expect. At the start of the book Meg is given the devastating news that she has ALS - or Lou Gehrigs disease. Over the course of an undefinable future time Meg would lose the control over her body, limb by limb, until she would rely on the help of her family to even go to the bathroom. Eventually her organs would cease to work and she would pass away. It could take months or it could take years.
This news is the catalyst to her world falling apart. Secrets that she had been hiding for years, since before her daughter was born start to come out. Then enters Carson McKay, no longer the boy that she loved and left all those years ago, now the successful rockstar who she can't help but wonder what if?
He starts popping up in her life more and more, reminding her of the passion they had and the life she walked away from. The more she is around him the more she wants to tell him, unburden her secrets on him, tell him about her daughter, who is actually their daughter. To tell him about her disease and how she doesn't have long.
I have read this book numerous times now and it is the same bit, each time that I find myself crying over. Not a couple of tears either, full sobbing over what is happening.
"If this were a movie, I'd make a dramatic paus here, then say, 'Carson, I'm dying'."
Even though I know it is coming, even though the whole book has been building up to her telling him everything, you still hold on to that bit of hope that it isn't true. That she will find out the diagnosis was incorrect and in actual fact she would be fine. No matter how many times I read through this I still feel the same, and it always effects me in the same way.
Therese Fowler takes you on a journey, through Meg and her mistakes. Through her acceptance and her decision to take control of what she had left of her life.
This is an absolute must read. Set aside a day, lock your door, draw your curtains and have on hand tissues and wine because this book will take you on an emotional rollercoaster that will leave you reeling at the end.
September 3, 2020
Selfish.
That’s what I’d like to rename this book. Selfish and sad.
This novel starts with Meg sleeping with her childhood sweetheart on the day of her wedding. (Okay, yes, I probably should’ve realized this wasn’t a story I’d enjoy.) yet, she chose to marry another man, who loves her and takes care of her and her daughter for 18-19 years. Evidentially, she never lets go of loving her first sweetheart, who is a famous singer.
I did enjoy the sweet mother-daughter moments, and was engrossed in the different subplots. These were perfect pictures of how the lives of family meme era are so closely connected. Sometimes all you can do is forgive. What a beautiful message.
But back to the point - Meg is diagnosed with ALS. She then finds old boyfriend, starts a sexual relationship with him and even tells her husband. She packs her bags in front of him, and at one point, even tells him when she decides to spend a week in a cabin with this other man.
Then Meg tricks her daughter into getting a DNA test, commits suicide, and leaves a note explaining that her daughter might be from her sleeping with another man on her wedding morning. How does Meg think that will help her daughter, who suddenly discovers that mommy never told her she never loved daddy, and never knew who her real father was. What a mess to leave your family with, especially after killing yourself.
Selfish selfish selfish.
That’s what I’d like to rename this book. Selfish and sad.
This novel starts with Meg sleeping with her childhood sweetheart on the day of her wedding. (Okay, yes, I probably should’ve realized this wasn’t a story I’d enjoy.) yet, she chose to marry another man, who loves her and takes care of her and her daughter for 18-19 years. Evidentially, she never lets go of loving her first sweetheart, who is a famous singer.
I did enjoy the sweet mother-daughter moments, and was engrossed in the different subplots. These were perfect pictures of how the lives of family meme era are so closely connected. Sometimes all you can do is forgive. What a beautiful message.
But back to the point - Meg is diagnosed with ALS. She then finds old boyfriend, starts a sexual relationship with him and even tells her husband. She packs her bags in front of him, and at one point, even tells him when she decides to spend a week in a cabin with this other man.
Then Meg tricks her daughter into getting a DNA test, commits suicide, and leaves a note explaining that her daughter might be from her sleeping with another man on her wedding morning. How does Meg think that will help her daughter, who suddenly discovers that mommy never told her she never loved daddy, and never knew who her real father was. What a mess to leave your family with, especially after killing yourself.
Selfish selfish selfish.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 21, 2025
I've had this book for quite some time. I picked it up from a library book sale quite some time ago.
I was hooked right from the first chapter. I feel like the first chapter really set the tone for the whole book and left you wanting to learn more about Meg and Carson. I made it through this book very quickly because I really wanted to see if things worked out in favor for them. The chapters were short which I did like. There are some parts that feel a bit drawn out for me, so I did skim through some of the middle.
For most of the book I felt that it was a 5 star read for me. That changed towards the end because the ending seemed a bit odd. I don't expect a book to be realistic because most people are reading as an "escape" from real life, but it just fell flat for me and I was expecting more. I don't want to give anything away, so I won't go into huge detail, but it didn't make sense that Meg was able to do what she did. That and her character in general was very annoying at times and she seemed incapable of every telling the truth. Otherwise I really enjoyed this book and it was a page turner for me.
I was hooked right from the first chapter. I feel like the first chapter really set the tone for the whole book and left you wanting to learn more about Meg and Carson. I made it through this book very quickly because I really wanted to see if things worked out in favor for them. The chapters were short which I did like. There are some parts that feel a bit drawn out for me, so I did skim through some of the middle.
For most of the book I felt that it was a 5 star read for me. That changed towards the end because the ending seemed a bit odd. I don't expect a book to be realistic because most people are reading as an "escape" from real life, but it just fell flat for me and I was expecting more. I don't want to give anything away, so I won't go into huge detail, but it didn't make sense that Meg was able to do what she did. That and her character in general was very annoying at times and she seemed incapable of every telling the truth. Otherwise I really enjoyed this book and it was a page turner for me.
August 20, 2023
When you think you're doing all the right things and end up doing them for all the wrong reasons.
It's called, the things we do for love. We sacrifice our happiness.
Carson and Meg should have got married they were childhood sweethearts.
Meg should not have taken the deal her future husband Brian offered after all her parents mistakes were not hers. But she accepted a devil's deal, but before she did, she got a little souvenir to keep for her very own so the misery of a loveless marriage would not be as hard, but it still was.
It kind of reminded me of Linda Mecham's book Tumbleweeds. The sadness, heartbreak, and angsty drama of it all. One small action or decision and your whole world turns upside down. You can never get it back. The things you give up. I used to love angsty books but now that I'm older I'm like, "well this is not going to end well". Then lay awake all night thinking how stupid they were and how stupid I was to waste my tears on fictitious people. Only one or two tears. shhhhh. It's a secret. Tell no one.
It's called, the things we do for love. We sacrifice our happiness.
Carson and Meg should have got married they were childhood sweethearts.
Meg should not have taken the deal her future husband Brian offered after all her parents mistakes were not hers. But she accepted a devil's deal, but before she did, she got a little souvenir to keep for her very own so the misery of a loveless marriage would not be as hard, but it still was.
It kind of reminded me of Linda Mecham's book Tumbleweeds. The sadness, heartbreak, and angsty drama of it all. One small action or decision and your whole world turns upside down. You can never get it back. The things you give up. I used to love angsty books but now that I'm older I'm like, "well this is not going to end well". Then lay awake all night thinking how stupid they were and how stupid I was to waste my tears on fictitious people. Only one or two tears. shhhhh. It's a secret. Tell no one.
July 2, 2022
I have a bad habit of skimming a book before I read it or right after I start, so I knew part of the ending right away and almost, almost didn’t read it. It would be easy enough to take back to the library and go on my merry way. But I started to read and oh, I am SO glad I did. I thought about reading it whenever I couldn’t and looked forward to when I could sit down in the quiet and enjoy. This book was beautiful, poignant and so well done. yes, there were hard topics, disturbing topics and character actions - but that is true in all of life. None of us are perfect, and so neither do book characters need to be. I heartily recommend this story and plan to let everyone I know who reads to put it on their TBR list!
April 26, 2020
I found this a little hard to get into and nearly gave up,... I'm so glad I didn't, it was such a great book even though I cried and I mean sobbed ( a lot).I had an idea where it was leading when she went to stay with Carson near the end.
Such an emotional read and having a daughter of my own a few years older than Savannah made it more poignant. I was going to pass this onto my mum but I know she'll cry more than I did.
Such a beautiful ending too.
I'd have given this 5 stars if I had enjoyed it from the very beginning.
Such an emotional read and having a daughter of my own a few years older than Savannah made it more poignant. I was going to pass this onto my mum but I know she'll cry more than I did.
Such a beautiful ending too.
I'd have given this 5 stars if I had enjoyed it from the very beginning.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 5, 2024
So I didn’t keep updating my progress on this book I guess bc I didn’t totally love it?? I give it like a 2.5-3, there were some parts that were really good that made me want to keep turning the page, but other parts that felt repetitive, drawn out, and boring. I think drawn out would be a good word for a lot of Meg’s feelings about her diagnosis near the beginning of the book. I thought all the stuff with Savannah was kindof random but was entertaining. If the book was chopped up into four sections, section 25-50% was the slowest and most borrrringgggg. Okay that’s all, onto the next!
May 20, 2023
Dans ce livre on suit trois personnes Meg (le personnage principale), Carson (son premier amour) et Savannah (sa fille). L'histoire est super et nous montre tous les sacrifices ou secret qu'on peux faire ou garder pour les personnes qu'on aime. C'est très touchant, surtout à la fin.
"Va de l'avant, conserve mes paroles dans ton coeur, car où que je sois quand tu me liras, tu reposeras toujours dans le mien."
"Va de l'avant, conserve mes paroles dans ton coeur, car où que je sois quand tu me liras, tu reposeras toujours dans le mien."
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February 6, 2024Souvenir é um livro belíssimo!
Meg e Carson são extremamente apaixonados um pelo outro e, de uma hora para outra, ela avisa que vai casar com Brian, sem explicar o real motivo da sua decisão (salvar a família da falência). Anos se passam e eles se reencontram. Ele está noivo e Meg, com ELA. O amor fala mais alto e eles passam os últimos dias dela juntos. Uma história linda e muito bem narrada! Amei!
Meg e Carson são extremamente apaixonados um pelo outro e, de uma hora para outra, ela avisa que vai casar com Brian, sem explicar o real motivo da sua decisão (salvar a família da falência). Anos se passam e eles se reencontram. Ele está noivo e Meg, com ELA. O amor fala mais alto e eles passam os últimos dias dela juntos. Uma história linda e muito bem narrada! Amei!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 12, 2019
Souvenir was a very good and intriguing book. It left me constantly on the edge of my seat. I cried, a lot. It was an extremely emotional book that had me asking a lot of 'what ifs.' To be honest though it seemed like the plot was rushed, I also didn't like how it ends. But overall it was a good book.
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