***same review left on Amazon***
First, I would like to thank Ms. Onuorah for entrusting me with her words. Second, I was given a copy for an honest review, so here goes.
This is my second experience reading an interracial romance novel with spiritual/Christian overtones. I did not like the first that shall remain nameless because of inconsistencies, however Ms. Onuorah's Remember Me attempts was a better reading excursion -- meaning that I did not flounce her story.
Let's be clear, my review is subjective to *me* but I hope it will assist other readers in their buying decision (or not) and provide constructive criticism to the author (or not) as well.
Remember Me was well-written. I enjoyed the premise about a couple's life disrupted by war, it compelled me to stick with all 200+ pages. I loved the way the book began, allowing me to see a typical day in the lives of the Tyversons.
Even though there were more than a handful of incorrectly marked conversation tags that were really action tags and I guessed (correctly that) the author would use a cliche-d virgin status in the story line, these did not detract from the overall plot. Because of Remember Me, I am intrigued by this author's other works and would purchase one of her books. Kudos to Ms. Onuorah for the special way she handled the religious theme that runs throughout Remember Me. It was done skill and care because the story did not become overly preachy, but was, in my opinion, a realistic look at a family dealing with an unplanned upheaval. I can only imagine the fine line an author has to walk while writing a romance novel with spiritual overtones.
These are the areas I would have liked more exploration (***SPOILERS may be inadvertently shared):
1. we learn Kristen has a step-father who put her down verbally because (it's hinted) that he wanted her sexually. Even though she shares a close relationship with her deceased mother, Kristen never shared that information to her which seemed plausible with me. However, I was wondered why Kristen never harbored any residual issues with her mother or why the author never considered adding that emotional conflict as an additional way to let the reader more into Kristen's head.
2. the sex -- it was fade to black. I am a woman (near these fictional couple's ages), a wife, a mother, and a Christian ... the sex and it's descriptions left much to be desired. To me, there was no chemistry. One can fade to black yet still draw the reader into the very intimate experiences of the mates. However, I felt disconnected. Additionally, the couple's first sexual re-connection (after the accident) occurred after an event with Mark's family which I felt, in my opinion, (the timing) was out of place.
3. Mark and his step-mother ... more was simply needed, in my opinion. He resolved his issues with his father, but we're all left hanging when Mark's and his step-mother's relationship is left wide-open at a potentially emotional scene. I asked myself why didn't the author take the plunge and explore the fall-out from this scene. And, again, it's my opinion that the "events" that happened afterward simply felt disjointed.
It's my opinion that had #1 and #3 (from above) been included, the reader would be introduced to another layer of conflict and see how the main characters resolved (or not) them. In all, Remember Me is well-written with consistent characterizations and a compelling plot, exhibiting the power of forgiveness, redemption, and love.