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What I Remember Most
After her husband’s betrayal, an artist tries to reinvent herself in small-town Oregon in this novel by the author of If You Could See What I See. Grenadine Scotch Wild has only vague memories of the parents she last saw when she was six years old. But she’s never forgotten their final, panicked words to her, urging Grenadine to run. The mystery of their disappearance is just one more frayed strand in a life that has lately begun to unravel completely. One year into her rocky marriage to Covey, a well-known investor, he’s arrested for fraud and embezzlement. And Grenadine, now a successful collage artist and painter, is facing jail time despite her innocence. With Covey refusing to exonerate her unless she comes back to him, Grenadine once again takes the advice given to her so long she runs. Hiding out in a mountain town in central Oregon until the trial, she finds work as a bartender and as assistant to a furniture-maker who is busy rebuilding his own life. But even far from everything she knew, Grenadine is granted a rare chance, as potentially liberating as it is terrifying—to face down her past, her fears, and live a life as beautiful and colorful as one of her paintings . . .“[Cathy Lamb] kept me up half the night. I could not put her latest novel, What I Remember Most, down!” —USA Today–bestselling author of Under the Southern Sky
497 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2014
242 people are currently reading
2985 people want to read
About the author
Cathy Lamb
24 books1,600 followersCathy Lamb was born in Newport Beach, California. As a child, she mastered the art of skateboarding, catching butterflies in bottles, and riding her bike with no hands. When she was 10, her parents moved her, two sisters, a brother, and two poorly behaved dogs to Oregon before she could fulfill her lifelong dream of becoming a surfer bum.
She then embarked on her notable academic career where she earned good grades now and then, spent a great deal of time daydreaming, ran wild with a number of friends, and landed on the newspaper staff in high school. When she saw her byline above an article about people making out in the hallways of the high school, she knew she had found her true calling.
After two years of partying at the University of Oregon, she settled down for the next three years and earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education, and became a fourth grade teacher. It was difficult for her to become proper and conservative but she threw out her red cowboy boots and persevered. She had no choice. She had to eat, and health insurance is expensive.
She met her husband on a blind date. A mutual friend who was an undercover vice cop busting drug dealers set them up. It was love at third sight.
Teaching children about the Oregon Trail and multiplication facts amused her until she became so gigantically pregnant with twins she looked like a small cow and could barely walk. With a three year old at home, she decided it was time to make a graceful exit and waddle on out. She left school one day and never went back. She likes to think her students missed her.
When Cathy was no longer smothered in diapers and pacifiers, she took a turn onto the hazardous road of freelance writing and wrote almost 200 articles on homes, home décor, people and fashion for a local newspaper. As she is not fashionable and can hardly stand to shop, it was an eye opener for her to find that some women actually do obsess about what to wear. She also learned it would probably be more relaxing to slam a hammer against one’s forehead than engage in a large and costly home remodeling project.
Cathy suffers from, “I Would Rather Play Than Work Disease” which prevents her from getting much work done unless she has a threatening deadline. She likes to hang with family and friends, walk, eat chocolate, camp, travel, and is slightly obsessive about the types of books she reads. She also likes to be left alone a lot so she can hear all the odd characters in her head talk to each other and then transfer that oddness to paper. The characters usually don’t start to talk until 10:00 at night, however, so she is often up ‘til 2:00 in the morning with them. That is her excuse for being cranky.
She adores her children and husband, except when he refuses to take his dirty shoes off and walks on the carpet. She will ski because her children insist, but she secretly doesn’t like it at all. Too cold and she falls all the time.
She is currently working on her next book and isn’t sleeping much.
She then embarked on her notable academic career where she earned good grades now and then, spent a great deal of time daydreaming, ran wild with a number of friends, and landed on the newspaper staff in high school. When she saw her byline above an article about people making out in the hallways of the high school, she knew she had found her true calling.
After two years of partying at the University of Oregon, she settled down for the next three years and earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education, and became a fourth grade teacher. It was difficult for her to become proper and conservative but she threw out her red cowboy boots and persevered. She had no choice. She had to eat, and health insurance is expensive.
She met her husband on a blind date. A mutual friend who was an undercover vice cop busting drug dealers set them up. It was love at third sight.
Teaching children about the Oregon Trail and multiplication facts amused her until she became so gigantically pregnant with twins she looked like a small cow and could barely walk. With a three year old at home, she decided it was time to make a graceful exit and waddle on out. She left school one day and never went back. She likes to think her students missed her.
When Cathy was no longer smothered in diapers and pacifiers, she took a turn onto the hazardous road of freelance writing and wrote almost 200 articles on homes, home décor, people and fashion for a local newspaper. As she is not fashionable and can hardly stand to shop, it was an eye opener for her to find that some women actually do obsess about what to wear. She also learned it would probably be more relaxing to slam a hammer against one’s forehead than engage in a large and costly home remodeling project.
Cathy suffers from, “I Would Rather Play Than Work Disease” which prevents her from getting much work done unless she has a threatening deadline. She likes to hang with family and friends, walk, eat chocolate, camp, travel, and is slightly obsessive about the types of books she reads. She also likes to be left alone a lot so she can hear all the odd characters in her head talk to each other and then transfer that oddness to paper. The characters usually don’t start to talk until 10:00 at night, however, so she is often up ‘til 2:00 in the morning with them. That is her excuse for being cranky.
She adores her children and husband, except when he refuses to take his dirty shoes off and walks on the carpet. She will ski because her children insist, but she secretly doesn’t like it at all. Too cold and she falls all the time.
She is currently working on her next book and isn’t sleeping much.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 365 reviews
October 4, 2016
The ratings for this book are high, so I expected A LOT. Let me just be clear: If you put five stars in a book, you are basically saying that it is one of the best books of all time. Think "Hunger Games."
This book started out well, and then it just rambled on and on and on.
There needs to be action in a book. Let me explain that again: There needs to be actual action.
My other problem with this book is it was just so over-the-top in regards to how much the mc suffered. I mean, seriously. Her life was HORRIBLE.
It reminded me of another book I read last summer where it was pretty much unbelievable in that aspect.
Another thing was the constant referring to her female body part as "The big V." C'mon! I'm 38 years old. The mc is supposed to be 38 years old. I'm supposed to believe that after surviving serial killers and foster care horror straight out of Stephen King that she still doesn't have the fortitude to refer to her vagina as a vagina.
I guess I'm just disappointed because this book started out so strong, and I really do like the main character. However, I had to force myself through the second half of the book.
This book started out well, and then it just rambled on and on and on.
There needs to be action in a book. Let me explain that again: There needs to be actual action.
My other problem with this book is it was just so over-the-top in regards to how much the mc suffered. I mean, seriously. Her life was HORRIBLE.
It reminded me of another book I read last summer where it was pretty much unbelievable in that aspect.
Another thing was the constant referring to her female body part as "The big V." C'mon! I'm 38 years old. The mc is supposed to be 38 years old. I'm supposed to believe that after surviving serial killers and foster care horror straight out of Stephen King that she still doesn't have the fortitude to refer to her vagina as a vagina.
I guess I'm just disappointed because this book started out so strong, and I really do like the main character. However, I had to force myself through the second half of the book.
July 23, 2017
This was a fantastic read with one of my most favorite main characters to date! Grenadine Scotch Wild is multifaceted. She comes from humble beginnings, a child in the foster care system at age six. She has endured torture and has flashes of memories of what happened to her biological parents. Someone from her past is also obsessing over her. The book begins with her being homeless and awaiting prosecution because her husband has implicated her in his financial schemes. She is audacious, hardworking, bluntly comical, and takes no crap from anyone! The book details her journey to making herself a member of her new community, dealing with trauma from her past and current legal issues, making quite memorable friends (I wish they were mine! You will wish they were yours!), and navigating the waters of a potential new love. You will find yourself rooting (loudly!) for her to prevail. I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading more from Cathy Lamb!
July 21, 2014
“Fry Me a Pig! Cathy’s Outdone Herself Again!”
Talented Artist and Collagist, Dina Wild had only been married a little over a year to well-known financial investor Covey Hamilton, when her life began to unravel again. Her possessive, greedy husband’s unscrupulous dealings had been discovered and, although Dina had no knowledge of his underhanded practices, she was charged with theft, fraud, embezzlement, and money laundering and thrown in jail. When released, bruised, angry and frightened, she followed a voice she remembered from her childhood—“Run Grenadine, run!” She left Covey and fled Portland, leaving her uncomfortable, overblown lifestyle behind. With very limited funds, she settled in a town in Southern Oregon, Western-themed Pineridge. Knowing her money wouldn’t stretch very far, Dina, now known as Grenady, lived in her car while trying to find a job so she could survive. The auburn-haired, determined beauty found the chances slim until Tildy Green, gruff ,but good hearted owner of “The Spirited Owl” Bar/Restaurant hired her as a bartender. The pay plus kindness kept her fed and a bit more optimistic—but it also gave her time for old fears and questions from the past to rear their ugly heads. How would she ever be able to get out of her cramped auto abode and afford an apartment on her small wage and tips? Grenady decided to look for a second job. But, who would hire someone with a supposed criminal record? Taking a chance, she applied for a receptionist position at “Hendrick’s Furniture”, owned by a scarred “Mountain of a man”, Kade Hendricks, who may have some secrets of his own up his sleeve. Grenady was taken, being an artist herself, by the talented wood carvings on the Hendrick’s furniture line and hoped she would be given a chance at the position and, perhaps grow, trust, and re-invent herself. Little did Grenady know the prospects this opportunity could afford her. The unforgettable story of 6 yr. old Grenadine Scotch Wild, starting with her discovery by a passing trucker in 1982 and progressing through her trials, tribulations, and foster home nightmares into her teens and beyond is one you will not soon forget. The fear, mistrust, anger, mistreatment and longing for love and security imprint the pages as clearly as someone leaving their fingerprints on glass. Your heart will ache—You’ll gasp, cry, cheer, chuckle, and, as you reach the epilogue,be wishing for more. The Author has, once again, pulled us into the protagonist’s world—where you feel like you know all of the characters’ hearts and souls—especially Talia, Rozlyn and Cleo DeMarco, and soon-to-be everyone’s favorite spy, Eudora, among many others. Bravo Ms. Lamb, You’ve outdone yourself once more. Be sure you put this on the very top of your “To-Be-Read List”. Nancy Narma
Talented Artist and Collagist, Dina Wild had only been married a little over a year to well-known financial investor Covey Hamilton, when her life began to unravel again. Her possessive, greedy husband’s unscrupulous dealings had been discovered and, although Dina had no knowledge of his underhanded practices, she was charged with theft, fraud, embezzlement, and money laundering and thrown in jail. When released, bruised, angry and frightened, she followed a voice she remembered from her childhood—“Run Grenadine, run!” She left Covey and fled Portland, leaving her uncomfortable, overblown lifestyle behind. With very limited funds, she settled in a town in Southern Oregon, Western-themed Pineridge. Knowing her money wouldn’t stretch very far, Dina, now known as Grenady, lived in her car while trying to find a job so she could survive. The auburn-haired, determined beauty found the chances slim until Tildy Green, gruff ,but good hearted owner of “The Spirited Owl” Bar/Restaurant hired her as a bartender. The pay plus kindness kept her fed and a bit more optimistic—but it also gave her time for old fears and questions from the past to rear their ugly heads. How would she ever be able to get out of her cramped auto abode and afford an apartment on her small wage and tips? Grenady decided to look for a second job. But, who would hire someone with a supposed criminal record? Taking a chance, she applied for a receptionist position at “Hendrick’s Furniture”, owned by a scarred “Mountain of a man”, Kade Hendricks, who may have some secrets of his own up his sleeve. Grenady was taken, being an artist herself, by the talented wood carvings on the Hendrick’s furniture line and hoped she would be given a chance at the position and, perhaps grow, trust, and re-invent herself. Little did Grenady know the prospects this opportunity could afford her. The unforgettable story of 6 yr. old Grenadine Scotch Wild, starting with her discovery by a passing trucker in 1982 and progressing through her trials, tribulations, and foster home nightmares into her teens and beyond is one you will not soon forget. The fear, mistrust, anger, mistreatment and longing for love and security imprint the pages as clearly as someone leaving their fingerprints on glass. Your heart will ache—You’ll gasp, cry, cheer, chuckle, and, as you reach the epilogue,be wishing for more. The Author has, once again, pulled us into the protagonist’s world—where you feel like you know all of the characters’ hearts and souls—especially Talia, Rozlyn and Cleo DeMarco, and soon-to-be everyone’s favorite spy, Eudora, among many others. Bravo Ms. Lamb, You’ve outdone yourself once more. Be sure you put this on the very top of your “To-Be-Read List”. Nancy Narma
October 15, 2019
Trigger warning: Depicts incidents of physical abuse of a child
So this one was my least favorite out of my Cathy Lamb reading spree. I think the problem is that the main character (Grenadine) doesn't even sound similar to the headstrong girl and then young adult we hear about via CPS reports and then court proceedings. I think that Lamb didn't think that through enough when she set this up. She wanted I think to have a book about a wife in hiding from her soon to be ex and had a whole story about her past. It didn't help that we also get narratives from an unseen killer in this one and it doesn't take too long to figure out who this may be and why it's important to Grenadine. I also thought the romance was pretty meh. I also loathed, loathed Grenadine's temper and how she talked and threatened people. It wasn't funny or anything like that to me. There's also comments about how she gets grossed out thinking about a woman in that way, but she's fine with lesbians (yeah that happened...twice in this book). All in all I was glad to put this one away.
"What I Remember Most" follows Grenadine Scotch Wild who is in hiding from her husband Covey. Covey is apparently the head of a similar type Enron business and has tied Grenadine up in his financial shenanigans. Grenadine is trying to hide from Covey and also come up with money to pay her divorce attorney and her possible criminal attorney if the case goes to court. Grenadine has only $500 and her car and the art supplies she took. After being told no in several towns about possible work, Grenadine ends up in the town of Pineridge and gets work at the local bar/restaurant and then eventually at a furniture maker business as well. We also have Grenadine thinking often of the parents she recalls from her memories, but she never saw again after she was 7.
So Grenadine as a child was all spitfire. I loved the parts showing via other people (police reports, CPS reports, court proceedings) what a fighter she was. Your heart also breaks for her though when you find out how she split through the cracks and eventually was in one foster home after another. She holds onto her art (which seems to be mixed medium collages) through her childhood and adulthood and then marries Covey. This is where Lamb looses me though. We are shown how Grenadine has a good bullshit detector after what she has been though so the Covey thing made zero sense to me. Also I didn't like Grenadine much as an adult living in Pineridge. I thought she was nasty and her temper and remarks to men and women at the bar she was working got old after a while. People saying they come in to watch the show were gross too. How about the owner telling people from the start no harassment of her staff? I guess it was done to make us tee hee about it. I did not.
I also thought all of Grenadine's relationships were shallow. We just have her eventually meet Cleo and her daughter and then they are calling each other soul sisters. I don't even want to get into that nonsense plot with Cleo cause it didn't even work in the book. I forget though that Lamb always has to have some senseless tragedy though in her works.
Grenadine's love interest Kade was a no go for me. His backstory made zero sense, and the supposed attraction was lame.
We have the usual case of some of the women and men in this town being eccentric. The thing with the snake guy creeped me out and that's all I am saying about that.
The writing was okay. I liked the parts actually looking at Grenadine's past and the present stuff was boring. The narratives with the unseen killer could have been edited out.
The setting of Pineridge seemed like the typical Oregon town that Lamb likes to write about. Everyone knows each other and likes each other and they embrace the eccentricities of all. The police also totally turn a blind eye to crimes if you cook for them or give them pie. I seriously remember this as a thing that happened in "Julia's Chocolates" and something else I am blanking on too.
The ending didn't work for me. I just thought it didn't work. We have Grenadine acting out of character with regard to Covey (no confrontation or anything) and then we have the story go on too long with the reveal of what happened to Grenadine's parents. And then the book just kept going.
So this one was my least favorite out of my Cathy Lamb reading spree. I think the problem is that the main character (Grenadine) doesn't even sound similar to the headstrong girl and then young adult we hear about via CPS reports and then court proceedings. I think that Lamb didn't think that through enough when she set this up. She wanted I think to have a book about a wife in hiding from her soon to be ex and had a whole story about her past. It didn't help that we also get narratives from an unseen killer in this one and it doesn't take too long to figure out who this may be and why it's important to Grenadine. I also thought the romance was pretty meh. I also loathed, loathed Grenadine's temper and how she talked and threatened people. It wasn't funny or anything like that to me. There's also comments about how she gets grossed out thinking about a woman in that way, but she's fine with lesbians (yeah that happened...twice in this book). All in all I was glad to put this one away.
"What I Remember Most" follows Grenadine Scotch Wild who is in hiding from her husband Covey. Covey is apparently the head of a similar type Enron business and has tied Grenadine up in his financial shenanigans. Grenadine is trying to hide from Covey and also come up with money to pay her divorce attorney and her possible criminal attorney if the case goes to court. Grenadine has only $500 and her car and the art supplies she took. After being told no in several towns about possible work, Grenadine ends up in the town of Pineridge and gets work at the local bar/restaurant and then eventually at a furniture maker business as well. We also have Grenadine thinking often of the parents she recalls from her memories, but she never saw again after she was 7.
So Grenadine as a child was all spitfire. I loved the parts showing via other people (police reports, CPS reports, court proceedings) what a fighter she was. Your heart also breaks for her though when you find out how she split through the cracks and eventually was in one foster home after another. She holds onto her art (which seems to be mixed medium collages) through her childhood and adulthood and then marries Covey. This is where Lamb looses me though. We are shown how Grenadine has a good bullshit detector after what she has been though so the Covey thing made zero sense to me. Also I didn't like Grenadine much as an adult living in Pineridge. I thought she was nasty and her temper and remarks to men and women at the bar she was working got old after a while. People saying they come in to watch the show were gross too. How about the owner telling people from the start no harassment of her staff? I guess it was done to make us tee hee about it. I did not.
I also thought all of Grenadine's relationships were shallow. We just have her eventually meet Cleo and her daughter and then they are calling each other soul sisters. I don't even want to get into that nonsense plot with Cleo cause it didn't even work in the book. I forget though that Lamb always has to have some senseless tragedy though in her works.
Grenadine's love interest Kade was a no go for me. His backstory made zero sense, and the supposed attraction was lame.
We have the usual case of some of the women and men in this town being eccentric. The thing with the snake guy creeped me out and that's all I am saying about that.
The writing was okay. I liked the parts actually looking at Grenadine's past and the present stuff was boring. The narratives with the unseen killer could have been edited out.
The setting of Pineridge seemed like the typical Oregon town that Lamb likes to write about. Everyone knows each other and likes each other and they embrace the eccentricities of all. The police also totally turn a blind eye to crimes if you cook for them or give them pie. I seriously remember this as a thing that happened in "Julia's Chocolates" and something else I am blanking on too.
The ending didn't work for me. I just thought it didn't work. We have Grenadine acting out of character with regard to Covey (no confrontation or anything) and then we have the story go on too long with the reveal of what happened to Grenadine's parents. And then the book just kept going.
May 16, 2015
I'm actually giving up on reading this book. The cover, the synopsis, and yes, all the great reviews left me completely intrigued. But only 10% into the book, I had to keep checking to be sure I was reading the right book. It almost seems like a female western, with truly unbelievable dialogue. I'm sure it gets better, but honestly, the three scenes of action I have read so far are totally ridiculous. I went in expecting an uplifting story of female courage and really feel like I've stumbled into a bad tv series. I agree with one reviewer who said that some of the passages of writing were great, thus the two stars. There was just no consistency, and again, the story was just getting to be ridiculous. No thank you.
February 7, 2019
What a suspenseful book! Cathy Lamb did it again. Her writing just amazes me! How she can make every character be so believable is mind boggling!
I could not put “What I Remember Most” down! I literally read non stop to the last pages.... dreading the book ending yet needing to know what the ending was going to be.
This book is full of perseverance, suspense, survival, friendship, love and lots of drama.
You will go through a roller coaster of emotions as you read this book. It is very hard and heartbreaking to read at time.
I highly recommend this book, it is certainly a journey you will never forget!
I could not put “What I Remember Most” down! I literally read non stop to the last pages.... dreading the book ending yet needing to know what the ending was going to be.
This book is full of perseverance, suspense, survival, friendship, love and lots of drama.
You will go through a roller coaster of emotions as you read this book. It is very hard and heartbreaking to read at time.
I highly recommend this book, it is certainly a journey you will never forget!
December 5, 2014
Grenadine Scotch Wild is a wonderful, multilayered character. Her story of courage, resilience, and oftentimes heartbreaking determination shines a bright light upon what can happen when we face tremendous adversity and refuse to give up believing in ourselves and our dreams. Cathy Lamb has crafted a tender and bighearted tale that’s sure to be a hit with book clubs.
November 23, 2018
This was a fun read, and just what I needed after a run of sugary chick-lit and gritty police precedurals: something completely different from my usual choices.
I was immersed into the story from the very beginning, hook line and sinker, and followed the ups and downs of Grenadine Scotch Wild's crazy life in Oregon with intensity. The writing is fast-paced and slick, with colourful characters and beautiful scenery. The story is pure tragicomedy, contemporary and raw.
I have never read any of Cathy Lamb's books before, but I shall be looking out for them from now on.
I was immersed into the story from the very beginning, hook line and sinker, and followed the ups and downs of Grenadine Scotch Wild's crazy life in Oregon with intensity. The writing is fast-paced and slick, with colourful characters and beautiful scenery. The story is pure tragicomedy, contemporary and raw.
I have never read any of Cathy Lamb's books before, but I shall be looking out for them from now on.
September 8, 2014
This is the first of Cathy Lamb's books that I have read and I really enjoyed it. Grenadine was a very strong woman who had a terrible heartbreaking childhood and was now facing a prison term for a multiple of charges, none of which she was guilty of.
She leaves town while awaiting trial and finds herself in a small town where she keeps her past a secret. She slowly becomes comfortable with the new life she has and the many friends she makes including her boss Kade, who she'd like to be more than a friend. She's always had her art in her life as her comfort, saying things she can't and she gets back into it as she becomes a part of this town. But the disappearance of her parents and her shattered childhood still haunt her. And her trial date is becoming closer with her nasty almost ex husband trying to shift all the blame to her, and begging her to come home. And there's the complication of Rozlyn and Cleo.
For the most part I really enjoyed this book. However I didn't find the sections with Danny/Butch to fit. They seemed to come out of nowhere occasionally and seemed unnecessary and not fitting with the rest of the book. I think the book would have been fine without all those sections in and not be taking anything away from the book. Also, at times I found the dialogue to be just weird and unnatural. Nonetheless I did really enjoy it and will be looking to read more books by this author.
She leaves town while awaiting trial and finds herself in a small town where she keeps her past a secret. She slowly becomes comfortable with the new life she has and the many friends she makes including her boss Kade, who she'd like to be more than a friend. She's always had her art in her life as her comfort, saying things she can't and she gets back into it as she becomes a part of this town. But the disappearance of her parents and her shattered childhood still haunt her. And her trial date is becoming closer with her nasty almost ex husband trying to shift all the blame to her, and begging her to come home. And there's the complication of Rozlyn and Cleo.
For the most part I really enjoyed this book. However I didn't find the sections with Danny/Butch to fit. They seemed to come out of nowhere occasionally and seemed unnecessary and not fitting with the rest of the book. I think the book would have been fine without all those sections in and not be taking anything away from the book. Also, at times I found the dialogue to be just weird and unnatural. Nonetheless I did really enjoy it and will be looking to read more books by this author.
March 13, 2015
This was my first book by Cathy Lamb. This book impressed me so much because she tells this hard-to-believe story about a young girl,Grenadine, and how she suffered unbelievable loss,abuse, displacement and suffering, but managed at a very young age to survive at all costs. As she ages she takes you on a roller coaster ride with her. The book is full of amusing, endearing characters. Amidst all her troubles, she retains and nurtures her love of crafts and art. She meets and marries a wealthy investor and is betrayed by him and flees his obsessive, damaging behavior. Cathy's writing is beautifully descriptive and lyrical.
Will Grenadine ever have her happily ever after, and be able to overcome her past traumas and live a happy life.
I loved this book so much. It's full of humor and also incredible sadness. I highly recommend you read it. You won't be a bit disappointed.
Will Grenadine ever have her happily ever after, and be able to overcome her past traumas and live a happy life.
I loved this book so much. It's full of humor and also incredible sadness. I highly recommend you read it. You won't be a bit disappointed.
February 10, 2016
Cathy Lamb has characterization in the bag. Grenadine Scotch Wild -- have you ever heard such a fantastic character name? She's faced adversity from her traumatic childhood to her terrible marriage to a criminal and yet, she's still portrayed as a strong, flawed character with a deep arc. Lamb really shines with her dialogue: brimming with life, her characters have the quirkiest sayings and mannerisms. This was my first book by Cathy Lamb but it won't be my last.
February 27, 2022
Man, this Story,this character really sucked me in.. I got so invested in Grenadine‘s life and thoughts! At first I did not like her but the way Lamb describes her and her way of living, special!
The connection between the love couple really drew me in too, loved how this was set up. The racy romance was really too low life for me.. the characters connected well but why all this language? 🤷♀️
The connection between the love couple really drew me in too, loved how this was set up. The racy romance was really too low life for me.. the characters connected well but why all this language? 🤷♀️
April 1, 2015
I liked this book. The plot was funny and gruesome, dark and light and an interesting story of a young women trying to survive. It was entertaining especially the first half but later it turned repetitious and I was ready for it to end.
May 14, 2015
Do not waste your time with this book!
I did not enjoy this book. It was way too slow. Too many characters and too many sub-stories! Would not recommend it to anyone. I could not wait for it to be over!
I did not enjoy this book. It was way too slow. Too many characters and too many sub-stories! Would not recommend it to anyone. I could not wait for it to be over!
August 21, 2016
Well swing me a cat, I loved this book.
August 31, 2014
A Sunday Morning Review for you ...just WOW!!
What I Remember Most By Cathy Lamb,
Book Description :
In a new novel rich in grace, warmth, and courage, acclaimed author Cathy Lamb tells of one woman's journey of reinvention in the wake of deep betrayal.
Grenadine Scotch Wild has only vague memories of the parents she last saw when she was six years old. But she's never forgotten their final, panicked words to her, urging Grenadine to run. The mystery of their disappearance is just one more frayed strand in a life that has lately begun to unravel completely. One year into her rocky marriage to Covey, a well known investor, he's arrested for fraud and embezzlement. And Grenadine, now a successful collage artist and painter, is facing jail time despite her innocence.
With Covey refusing to exonerate her unless she comes back to him, Grenadine once again takes the advice given to her so long ago: she runs. Hiding out in a mountain town in central Oregon until the trial, she finds work as a bartender and as assistant to a furniture-maker who is busy rebuilding his own life. But even far from everything she knew, Grenadine is granted a rare chance, as potentially liberating as it is terrifying--to face down her past, her fears, and live a life as beautiful and colorful as one of her paintings. . .
My Review:
This is without a Doubt One of Most Emotional Books I have EVER read!! EVER!! Cathy Lamb has the uncanny ability with everyone of her books to make you identify with at least one of the Characters.. In some way I was touched by many of them.. Let me say I was a Foster/Adopt home for many ,many years. So I do know BOTH sides of the this story .. Grenadine Scotch Wild is a Survivor ..Literally, The Last thing she remembers is 'Run Grenadine Run!" and then nothing ..she is 6 yrs old and found running and bleeding by a truck driver... Freedom and Bear her parents, No where to be found. Grenadine ends up in Foster Care, and thru letters written by case workers (some great workers , some " I KNOW these kind of case workers and they should be in jail") workers.. add in tales of horrific Foster Parents that need a good whipping themselves!! (oh that part had me seeing RED!!! ) and wonderful Foster Parents who without them who knows what would have Happened to Grenadine! And Grenadine makes it to adulthood and she is on the run... again.. but this time the circumstances are so different !! She married a "weasel" Covey, who seemed sooo wonderful, don't they all he did illegal things and brings Grenadine (through no knowledge of her own) into his mess... Its Chaos, she leaves him and moves to find a new life... and does she ever!! I'm not giving any spoilers but I PROMISE you will LOVE these people , you will laugh with them, cry with them and cheer them on ... and want to just be a part of their lives...You will see The inner workings of Foster Care and just how wrong it goes.. You will also see caring and Loving Social Workers and Foster Parents.. Ms. Lamb hits this nail RIGHT on the head.. You will LOVE Kade, and Tildy, Rozlyn and Eudora, Moose, and Little Cleo... and they way Ms. Lamb paints a collage of intertwining loves together to make the most colorful of Paintings!! This will go on my "Pink Ribbon Shelf" I give this Book 5 daisy crowns .. and I wrote this review thru tears.. this one was close to home!!! LOVED it!!
What I Remember Most By Cathy Lamb,
Book Description :
In a new novel rich in grace, warmth, and courage, acclaimed author Cathy Lamb tells of one woman's journey of reinvention in the wake of deep betrayal.
Grenadine Scotch Wild has only vague memories of the parents she last saw when she was six years old. But she's never forgotten their final, panicked words to her, urging Grenadine to run. The mystery of their disappearance is just one more frayed strand in a life that has lately begun to unravel completely. One year into her rocky marriage to Covey, a well known investor, he's arrested for fraud and embezzlement. And Grenadine, now a successful collage artist and painter, is facing jail time despite her innocence.
With Covey refusing to exonerate her unless she comes back to him, Grenadine once again takes the advice given to her so long ago: she runs. Hiding out in a mountain town in central Oregon until the trial, she finds work as a bartender and as assistant to a furniture-maker who is busy rebuilding his own life. But even far from everything she knew, Grenadine is granted a rare chance, as potentially liberating as it is terrifying--to face down her past, her fears, and live a life as beautiful and colorful as one of her paintings. . .
My Review:
This is without a Doubt One of Most Emotional Books I have EVER read!! EVER!! Cathy Lamb has the uncanny ability with everyone of her books to make you identify with at least one of the Characters.. In some way I was touched by many of them.. Let me say I was a Foster/Adopt home for many ,many years. So I do know BOTH sides of the this story .. Grenadine Scotch Wild is a Survivor ..Literally, The Last thing she remembers is 'Run Grenadine Run!" and then nothing ..she is 6 yrs old and found running and bleeding by a truck driver... Freedom and Bear her parents, No where to be found. Grenadine ends up in Foster Care, and thru letters written by case workers (some great workers , some " I KNOW these kind of case workers and they should be in jail") workers.. add in tales of horrific Foster Parents that need a good whipping themselves!! (oh that part had me seeing RED!!! ) and wonderful Foster Parents who without them who knows what would have Happened to Grenadine! And Grenadine makes it to adulthood and she is on the run... again.. but this time the circumstances are so different !! She married a "weasel" Covey, who seemed sooo wonderful, don't they all he did illegal things and brings Grenadine (through no knowledge of her own) into his mess... Its Chaos, she leaves him and moves to find a new life... and does she ever!! I'm not giving any spoilers but I PROMISE you will LOVE these people , you will laugh with them, cry with them and cheer them on ... and want to just be a part of their lives...You will see The inner workings of Foster Care and just how wrong it goes.. You will also see caring and Loving Social Workers and Foster Parents.. Ms. Lamb hits this nail RIGHT on the head.. You will LOVE Kade, and Tildy, Rozlyn and Eudora, Moose, and Little Cleo... and they way Ms. Lamb paints a collage of intertwining loves together to make the most colorful of Paintings!! This will go on my "Pink Ribbon Shelf" I give this Book 5 daisy crowns .. and I wrote this review thru tears.. this one was close to home!!! LOVED it!!
July 3, 2014
There is nothing I love more than the anticipation of reading a new book by a favorite author. I mark my calendar far in advance and begin counting down the days about two weeks before launch date. The only thing that comes close to equaling that excitement is when I’m surprised with the the opportunity to review a copy in advance in the form of an Advanced Reader’s Copy from the author or publisher. Recently, I had the opportunity to get my hands on an ARC of Cathy Lamb’s newest novel, What I Remember Most.
As an avid reader and fan of Lamb’s work, I walked into this book expecting a good read. I’ve read everything she’s released, and so there’s a reason why I always anxiously await her next book. With that said, though, I had no idea the huge treat that was in store for me. Simply stated, this book was absolutely beautiful and probably the best book Lamb has released yet. It was without any doubts one of the best books I’ve read so far this year.
As with many of Lamb’s books, What I Remember Most is filled with a strong female leading character surrounded by a close-knit group of quirky friends. But what sets this book apart and above all others is the grit and determination of the main character, Grenadine Scotch Wild. She’s a young woman who has been knocked down by life and by the system her entire life, and yet she refuses to give up. She refuses to be beaten and she refuses to accept defeat. She keeps her chin up and her head high as she plows forward through life in search of the peace and fairness she deserves. She’s tender-hearted, yet tough as nails and unafraid to stand her ground against those who would take advantage of her. And through all of this, she’s intensely likable and the kind of person we all wish was among our inner circle of friends. She’s the kind of character that a reader falls in love with, and the one who lingers in your memory long after the last pages have been turned.
When an author starts with a character as appealing as Grenadine, she has a responsibility to that character not to drop the ball on the storyline. Luckily Cathy Lamb was up to the task and brings the reader an unforgettable story of a young orphan as she navigates through the foster care system and then, later, the real world. It’s a story of love, loss, survival, determination, perseverance, friendship and new starts.
This is a book that I will be recommending to every one of my friends, and it’s the first book I’ve ever felt compelled to tell my friends to pre-order in advance of its release date. This is a book that you won’t want to wait any longer than necessary to read.
As an avid reader and fan of Lamb’s work, I walked into this book expecting a good read. I’ve read everything she’s released, and so there’s a reason why I always anxiously await her next book. With that said, though, I had no idea the huge treat that was in store for me. Simply stated, this book was absolutely beautiful and probably the best book Lamb has released yet. It was without any doubts one of the best books I’ve read so far this year.
As with many of Lamb’s books, What I Remember Most is filled with a strong female leading character surrounded by a close-knit group of quirky friends. But what sets this book apart and above all others is the grit and determination of the main character, Grenadine Scotch Wild. She’s a young woman who has been knocked down by life and by the system her entire life, and yet she refuses to give up. She refuses to be beaten and she refuses to accept defeat. She keeps her chin up and her head high as she plows forward through life in search of the peace and fairness she deserves. She’s tender-hearted, yet tough as nails and unafraid to stand her ground against those who would take advantage of her. And through all of this, she’s intensely likable and the kind of person we all wish was among our inner circle of friends. She’s the kind of character that a reader falls in love with, and the one who lingers in your memory long after the last pages have been turned.
When an author starts with a character as appealing as Grenadine, she has a responsibility to that character not to drop the ball on the storyline. Luckily Cathy Lamb was up to the task and brings the reader an unforgettable story of a young orphan as she navigates through the foster care system and then, later, the real world. It’s a story of love, loss, survival, determination, perseverance, friendship and new starts.
This is a book that I will be recommending to every one of my friends, and it’s the first book I’ve ever felt compelled to tell my friends to pre-order in advance of its release date. This is a book that you won’t want to wait any longer than necessary to read.
May 23, 2015
It's not often I sit and read a 486 page book in one day. I did with this one!
What I Remember Most by Cathy Lamb was a great read. I sat and read it during the day and into the night until I had finished it. I can't remember when I did that with a book. Maybe I was in the mood for a good read and this book just slotted right in there.
It is told in the first person, so we only have Grenadine's side of the story. However Cathy Lamb also adds in reports from child welfare officers, teachers and police officers and small slots of a creepy guy's thoughts. In this way the life history of Grenadine is slowly built up. Let's just say her past is on the whole horrific. Yet what a wonderful woman has emerged.
When her creepy, slime ball husband tries to prove that Grenadine is a part of his whole investment scandal, she takes refuge in a small town in Oregon and fends for herself. There she fights her way into jobs and eventually a place to call home. She is a very hard worker and a gifted artist, it is not long before the people of the town recognise her talents and abilities.
When she takes up work at Hutchinson's Furniture she meets a whole raft of women, some providing fun and humour, others tears and sadness. Friendships and bonds form. Then there is Kade - a tough looking reformed gang leader from LA. What a group of people, and of course there is a delightful little one - Cleo who wins Grenadine's heart in unexpected ways.
This book didn't quite have the humour in it that I have met in Cathy Lamb's other books, but it did have some! I chuckled and shed tears at times. I cheered Grenadine on and was relieved when she made it through each challenge.
Love the cover and for once it fit right in to a page of the book wonderfully well. Thumbs up from me on this one.
What I Remember Most by Cathy Lamb was a great read. I sat and read it during the day and into the night until I had finished it. I can't remember when I did that with a book. Maybe I was in the mood for a good read and this book just slotted right in there.
It is told in the first person, so we only have Grenadine's side of the story. However Cathy Lamb also adds in reports from child welfare officers, teachers and police officers and small slots of a creepy guy's thoughts. In this way the life history of Grenadine is slowly built up. Let's just say her past is on the whole horrific. Yet what a wonderful woman has emerged.
When her creepy, slime ball husband tries to prove that Grenadine is a part of his whole investment scandal, she takes refuge in a small town in Oregon and fends for herself. There she fights her way into jobs and eventually a place to call home. She is a very hard worker and a gifted artist, it is not long before the people of the town recognise her talents and abilities.
When she takes up work at Hutchinson's Furniture she meets a whole raft of women, some providing fun and humour, others tears and sadness. Friendships and bonds form. Then there is Kade - a tough looking reformed gang leader from LA. What a group of people, and of course there is a delightful little one - Cleo who wins Grenadine's heart in unexpected ways.
This book didn't quite have the humour in it that I have met in Cathy Lamb's other books, but it did have some! I chuckled and shed tears at times. I cheered Grenadine on and was relieved when she made it through each challenge.
Love the cover and for once it fit right in to a page of the book wonderfully well. Thumbs up from me on this one.
October 9, 2014
View my full review at http://palmerspageturners.blogspot.co...
If you've been reading my blog you know I LOVE Cathy Lamb's books! I was fortunate enough to meet Cathy back in September when she spoke at Powell's Books in Beaverton. I absolutely loved this book. I was worried it would drag on (it's almost 500 pages) but it didn't at all. The story flowed well, kept me interested, and I ended up reading the bulk of it in one weekend! It was THAT captivating!
When Cathy Lamb spoke in Beaverton (my observations of her visit here) she talked a bout the writing process and how she writes her books. She spoke about how the first thing she does is really get to know her main character. I could easily see this in What I Remember Most. Grenady is a complex and deep character with true to life emotion. The strength of the main character is what made the book so good--because you knew her so well, you couldn't help but root for her throughout the book. I loved Grenday's quirks and mannerisms. The book also had flashbacks to Grenady's childhood, in the form of reports and letters from Child Services that helped give clues to Grenady's horrible past and helped you to understand why she behaved in certain ways.
What I Remember Most is definitely one of my favorite books by Cathy Lamb. I highly recommend this book--don't let the length intimidate you! It reads quickly because you get sucked into the story from the beginning.
If you've been reading my blog you know I LOVE Cathy Lamb's books! I was fortunate enough to meet Cathy back in September when she spoke at Powell's Books in Beaverton. I absolutely loved this book. I was worried it would drag on (it's almost 500 pages) but it didn't at all. The story flowed well, kept me interested, and I ended up reading the bulk of it in one weekend! It was THAT captivating!
When Cathy Lamb spoke in Beaverton (my observations of her visit here) she talked a bout the writing process and how she writes her books. She spoke about how the first thing she does is really get to know her main character. I could easily see this in What I Remember Most. Grenady is a complex and deep character with true to life emotion. The strength of the main character is what made the book so good--because you knew her so well, you couldn't help but root for her throughout the book. I loved Grenday's quirks and mannerisms. The book also had flashbacks to Grenady's childhood, in the form of reports and letters from Child Services that helped give clues to Grenady's horrible past and helped you to understand why she behaved in certain ways.
What I Remember Most is definitely one of my favorite books by Cathy Lamb. I highly recommend this book--don't let the length intimidate you! It reads quickly because you get sucked into the story from the beginning.
October 15, 2019
I read this book because I knew Cathy Lamb had co-authored some books with Debbie Macomber, Fern Michaels and Lisa Jackson. I thought her book would be similar to the type of books the others write. I really liked the story line involved in the book, What I remember most. It was very interesting and I enjoyed how it went back and forth between past tense and present day. Unfortunately the author felt it necessary to add a lot of sex, sexual innuendos and talk of sex outside of marriage and love. Although it was not graphic it was enough to make the book a little too raunchy for my taste. Add the swearing to the mix and I was very disappointed. It could have been a great story had the charecters not been casted as over sexed middle aged women with very few morals. Cathy Lamb has some other very good sounding books with great storylines that I had an interest in but I am afraid that they will be too sexual in nature and contain too much swearing. I just find books with that kind of context unappealing and takes away from the story itself. There is enough garbage in this world. I do not need to fill my head with unnecessary filth. Like I tell my kids, garbage in results in garbage out and that is all that swearing and sex outside of marriage equates too.
March 10, 2016
What I Remember Most is the first book I have read by author Cathy Lamb, and I can't wait to read more of her books. This was really a phenomenal read.
Grenadine Scotch Wild is a successful collage artist who is on the run after finding out that her husband has been arrested for fraud and embezzlement. She runs and hides out in a small Oregon town where she eventually finds a job, actually two jobs, a room to rent, and quite a few wacky friends. We get to know Grenady's back story through flashbacks and learn that her parents had been killed and there is a very creepy character who still wants to reach her. I laughed and cried with this book, and the rating is really a 4.5/5.0! I look forward to reading more by this author.
Go Cards! L1C4!!
Grenadine Scotch Wild is a successful collage artist who is on the run after finding out that her husband has been arrested for fraud and embezzlement. She runs and hides out in a small Oregon town where she eventually finds a job, actually two jobs, a room to rent, and quite a few wacky friends. We get to know Grenady's back story through flashbacks and learn that her parents had been killed and there is a very creepy character who still wants to reach her. I laughed and cried with this book, and the rating is really a 4.5/5.0! I look forward to reading more by this author.
Go Cards! L1C4!!
November 24, 2014
What a lovely way to spend a few hours, immersed in this book by such a gifted author. Grenady and her beautiful works of art were such a pleasure to spend time with. The descriptions were divine, the mystery was delicious, I loved Grenady- she was heartbreaking but so amazingly strong. And of course, the whole cast of delightful characters who made up the heart of the story, including Kade who is what a hero is all about. This was just one heck of an excellent read.
January 10, 2015
I enjoyed this story. Sad at times, but a good story.
April 7, 2015
Insipid. Unbelievable. Juvenile. I only finished this book because I wanted to know what happened to the parents. Holy hell, I hated this book!
September 20, 2016
A good story about a girl who, because of her tragic upbringing, grows into a strong woman who makes her own future. Great character driven journey that is a nice romance with out the sappy side.
February 8, 2024
This book was dark and intense in parts and sweet and caring in other parts. I really like the first half and loved the characters. I had issues with the past to present time transition. Was a little confusing at times. I can't deny that for the time being, the book entertained me. It did not blow my mind but I enjoyed reading it. Some parts were repetitive and unnecessary but I love the romance and build-up. The end tied up loose ends.
September 2, 2021
I found this to be an inspiring story of an insurmountable woman who overcomes several obstacles that would surely crush many of us. That is not to say she always remained strong, or confident in herself; on the contrary, she ran when she had to, and fell into some bad habits. But there was always that inner strength, which I loved seeing, and hope it will give other women the courage and strength to pick themselves up, dust themselves off, and keep on . . .
March 4, 2025
I listened to this book on audio. 16 hours????? And to top it all off the story was boring. Nothing exciting happened. Just when you thought something exciting was going to happen you were let down. I have no clue as to why this book had to be this long. I doubt i will read any others by this author.
February 17, 2018
This one was a joy to read. It had highs and lows. Sometimes you cry, others you rage, but you keep on reading. Can't wait for another Cathy Lamb book!
August 20, 2024
A truly intense book, a warrior protagonist, good people with big hearts, the sad reality of many government institutions that care for the well-being of children...it made me cry 😞
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