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The Memory Keeper
Not yet published
Expected 30 Jul 26
Sometimes ordinary people can make an extraordinary difference . . .
Meet Gracie. At mid-life, she’s fed up with her unhappy marriage and humdrum career. So when a new housing estate threatens to sever her last connection to her late father – the oak tree he planted as a child – she decides to take a stand. Only Gracie has never stood up to anyone.
When Gracie’s five-year-old neighbour, Tilly, unexpectedly bounds into her life, she shows Gracie that you shouldn’t always take no for an answer. Despite long-buried family secrets being revealed and conflicts taking root, Gracie begins to think that this could be the beginning of a new chapter – one in which she finally discovers her inner strength and realizes that even in the face of loss, there is hope.
Full of warmth and joyful community, this is the uplifting story of one woman’s journey towards letting go of the past and creating memories worth holding on to . . .
Readers LOVE Abigail
‘It’s not often that a book can make me cry, but this one definitely did’
‘Both heart-wrenching and happy, a rollercoaster of emotions’
‘Very moving’
‘Heartwarming with some genius touches of humour’
‘Really made you feel like you knew the characters. Loved it’
‘The best book I have read for ages’
Meet Gracie. At mid-life, she’s fed up with her unhappy marriage and humdrum career. So when a new housing estate threatens to sever her last connection to her late father – the oak tree he planted as a child – she decides to take a stand. Only Gracie has never stood up to anyone.
When Gracie’s five-year-old neighbour, Tilly, unexpectedly bounds into her life, she shows Gracie that you shouldn’t always take no for an answer. Despite long-buried family secrets being revealed and conflicts taking root, Gracie begins to think that this could be the beginning of a new chapter – one in which she finally discovers her inner strength and realizes that even in the face of loss, there is hope.
Full of warmth and joyful community, this is the uplifting story of one woman’s journey towards letting go of the past and creating memories worth holding on to . . .
Readers LOVE Abigail
‘It’s not often that a book can make me cry, but this one definitely did’
‘Both heart-wrenching and happy, a rollercoaster of emotions’
‘Very moving’
‘Heartwarming with some genius touches of humour’
‘Really made you feel like you knew the characters. Loved it’
‘The best book I have read for ages’
298 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication July 30, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
June 3, 2026
Gracie is just turning fifty, with a marriage that is struggling, a career she doesn't love anymore and an elderly mother in a care home who hasn't shown her any love since losing her husband when Gracie was ten. Now she discovers that the land at the back of her house is being developed into a housing estate, threatening the life of the oak tree that her dad planted when she was a child and, to make things worse, the development is being managed by her husband Max and she knows she has to stop it. Five year old Tilly is Gracie's neighbour, full of life she shows that you shouldn't always accept no as an answer and it gets Gracie thinking that, even though secrets from the past have recently been unearthed, she could change things and, although she will face more loss, there is hope for the future.
The Memory Keeper is the new feel good read from Johnson, it's a tale of friendships, of a community coming together when they're needed and showing that all is not lost even when you've given up hope of winning the battle. This is a beautiful read with some adorable characters, I loved Tilly and her mum Liv and the friendship that blossomed between them and Gracie. I was desperate for Gracie to wake up and smell the coffee where her husband Max was concerned and to see that she could do anything she wanted to without him, she just needed to believe in herself and find the courage to stand up to those around her that constantly took advantage of her kind heart and good nature. Another heartwarming story from this author which I really enjoyed.
The Memory Keeper is the new feel good read from Johnson, it's a tale of friendships, of a community coming together when they're needed and showing that all is not lost even when you've given up hope of winning the battle. This is a beautiful read with some adorable characters, I loved Tilly and her mum Liv and the friendship that blossomed between them and Gracie. I was desperate for Gracie to wake up and smell the coffee where her husband Max was concerned and to see that she could do anything she wanted to without him, she just needed to believe in herself and find the courage to stand up to those around her that constantly took advantage of her kind heart and good nature. Another heartwarming story from this author which I really enjoyed.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to the author, publisher and netgalley for an arc of this uplifting novel. 'The Memory Keeper' is a book about love,friendship and community with 50 year old Gracie at the heart of it. Gracie's story pulls you in from the very first page and I thoroughly enjoyed every part of her journey. A beautifully written book,well told and well worth reading. Happy to recommend.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews