The Memory Book

by Rowan Coleman

A wonderful husband, two beautiful children, a job she loves—Claire has it all. And then some.

But lately, her world has started to feel uncertain. Her mother hovers more than a helicopter, her husband seems like a stranger, and her children are like characters in a movie.

More concerning is that Claire is losing her memory.

When she is diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s, Claire begins to fill the pages of a blank book with private memories and keepsakes.

Soon, the book becomes the story of Claire - her passions, her sorrows, her joys, and her adventures in a life that refuses to disappear.

380 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 10, 2025

About the author

Rowan Coleman lives with her husband, and five children in a very full house in Hertfordshire. She juggles writing novels with raising her family which includes a very lively set of toddler twins whose main hobby is going in the opposite directions. When she gets the chance, Rowan enjoys sleeping, sitting and loves watching films; she is also attempting to learn how to bake.

Rowan would like to live every day as if she were starring in a musical, although her daughter no longer allows her to sing in public. Despite being dyslexic, Rowan loves writing, and The Memory Book is her eleventh novel. Others include The Accidental Mother, Lessons in Laughing Out Loud and the award-winning Dearest Rose, a novel which lead Rowan to become an active supporter of domestic abuse charity Refuge, donating 100% of royalties from the ebook publication of her novella, Woman Walks Into a Bar, to the charity. Rowan does not have time for ironing.

Reviews

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartbreaking and heartwarming in equal measure.
I enjoyed reading about Clare's tragic journey through early onset dementia from different perspectives. Her own, her Mum's, her husband's and her eldest daughter's.
Beautifully written and whilst it could have been an uncomfortable read, the style of writing and amusing stories lightened the book.

[Rebecca Hemshall · Rating 3 out of 5]

For anyone who has experienced Alzheimer’s this is a particularly poignant book. Claire is diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s and the book charts how she and her family navigate their way through the challenges that this presents for them all. Throughout these challenges they write the memory book, to record their happy memories- beautifully written.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll give a warning for this one, if you've got or had someone in your life with Alzheimer's then this might not be the easiest of reads.

It was well written and around a subject that doesn't get much coverage, but if it's not just a theoretical illness for you, it hits hard

[Dorcas Temple · Rating 5 out of 5]

À wonderful book which I couldn’t put down

[Haley Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written story highlighting just how important memories are. ❤️