Memory Catcher : A Zordi World Standalone Novel

by Melissa Lam

She’s his future—until his past threatens to destroy it.

Liz

I don’t just see people—I see inside them. With one touch, their darkest, most painful memory becomes mine. I feel every second of their emotional trauma . . . as if it just happened to me.

This isn’t a gift; it’s a curse.

Night terrors, satin gloves, and broken relationships are my normal. No one has ever wanted to stay—until Colton. He’s my new dance student. Even though I refuse to date my students, this infuriatingly persistent man refuses to walk away, no matter how hard I push him.

Letting him in would mean revealing my secrets, but I’m not the only one with something to hide. I just never imagined that Colton’s secret would be more horrifying than all my night terrors combined.

Colton

A year ago, my world fell apart. So I buried my past and swore to never look back.

Forgetting becomes easier once I meet Liz. After just one glance, my inner wolf is obsessed. Pretty soon, she’s all we want and all we see in our future.

But my past isn’t finished with me yet. It’s back, and it’s threatening to ruin everything I have—including her.

I left that part of my life because it shattered me. If I’d known it would break Liz too, I never would have pursued her.

But now that she’s mine, I’ll do whatever it takes to protect her—even if it means risking my life.


Memory Catcher is a riveting standalone novel in the Zordi world, loaded with humor, sensual spice, and a heartwarming ending with all the feels. This dual-POV contemporary fantasy romance is for readers 18+ who enjoy love stories with playful banter and a splash of danger.

367 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication February 19, 2026

About the author

Melissa Lam loves reading and writing romance books that take the reader on an emotional roller coaster full of mystery, suspense, and heartache.

As an extroverted introvert who doesn’t like to leave the house (because it requires wearing pants), Melissa enjoys playing strategic board games and taking long showers. When she does find the will to put pants on, she can be found traveling, enjoying bubble tea, or experiencing the world through food.

TL;DR I like to eat and write about heartbreaking stuff.

To receive an exclusive excerpt, and be the first to know about exclusive content, giveaways, new releases, sales, and more, join Meilssa's VIP list at authormelissalam.com/newsletter

Connect with Melissa:
www.authormelissalam.com
Instagram.com/authormelissalam
Facebook.com/authormelissalam

Reviews

[Kashmir M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Melissa Lam knows how to write friendships! In the Secrets Trilogy, we get to see how wonderful a friend Liz is to Trey. Now, in Liz's story we see the other side of that and how Trey steps in to help Liz in no matter what. We also get Dixie, who is just the freaking best and you will love absolutely everything that comes out of her mouth!

But, it's not all Wolfie cuddles and bumblebees...there is a darker side to this story and it is certainly not for everyone. Please read the trigger warnings, not only because I've never read trigger warnings written as well as Melissa, but so you know if you can handle this story. Your mental health is SO important, so proceed with caution!

Out of Context Quotes to make you want more!

If I was you, I woulda dropped my panties the moment he said he wanted to take me home and make me pant his name. Actually, by now, I woulda knocked everything off this desk so he could bend me over it. Forget going home.”
🐝 🐺 🐝 🐺 🐝 🐺 🐝
He whispers, “I never thought I’d ever have to ask you this, but, um, do you wear boxers or briefs?” I spring upright to find that I’m sitting in a bed—Liz’s bed. What the fuck am I doing here? How did I get here? And, oh, god, I’m naked in front of her best friend. ((😂))

[Angelbelle Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Melissa for the early copy. All opinions are my own

Them: So why is Melissa one of your favorite authors?

Me: Points to Memory Catcher 👉🏾 uhh hello

Ok let’s yap. So this is a standalone book set in the same world as the Secrets Trilogy. This time we follow Liz, the dance teacher who can see anyone’s darkest moments with just a single touch, and Colton. A wolf-shifting construction worker who signs up for private dance lessons

So I’m just going to rip the bandaid off yall. Heartbroken 💔 while I wasn’t open-mouthed wailing like Scrubbed Mind (wish I was exaggerating) this still had its tragic moments. So for those of you who need content/trigger warnings, you’ll definitely want to check them out 💕

And because Melissa hates, my bad loves 🙄 us so much this runs parallel to some of the events from Scrubbed Mind so I got to relive some of those Trey moments yippee 🥲

This hit all the things that make a story great. It gave plot that kept me engaged, and tension that had me gritting my teeth like come on yall 😬 not to mention the flirting, the banter, the funny moments, the dark moments, and the boo-hooness? Boo-hoo-ness?? Boo hoo ness??? F it, the crying that had me grabbing a tissue. I could literally go on but I love the way this book was done ✨

Thank you Melissa for giving us Liz and Colton

[Nikki Mulkern · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have had the honour to read all of Melissa's books as an ARC team member and was gifted this book. I didn't think she could top the Secrets Trilogy ( if you haven't read them, run don't walk and grab them) I was wrong, she hit it out of the park again!

This book, is freaking amazing!! This is Liz's story, she was my favourite character from the trilogy and I was so excited she got her own book.
I had every emotion while reading this, I was angry, and uggghhhh my heart broke, there was crying.....again, but also it made me laugh and smile, it made me believe in soul mates and omg the spice, well ya it is 🔥

I read so many books ( last year I ended the year at 174 ) it is hard for some of them to stand out, all of Melissa's I remember vividly, her books are extremely hard to put down. The trilogy and this one are all in my top 10 books I have ever read and Melissa has officially taken over as my favourite #1 author.

I highly recommend you read this book as well as the Secrets Trilogy!!

[Kelsey C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for gifting me this book. All opinions are my own thoughts and opinions. Oh my gosh. I absolutely loved Liz & Colton. The dynamic between the characters was everything. I loved the push and pull. The angst of feeling like your past is going to be the thing that rips apart the one thing you hold special. Melissa always has a way of sucking you into the story, ripping your heart out, and slowly putting you back together. I have been waiting on pins and needles for Liz’s story and it absolutely did not disappoint. The fact that I was sobbing and had to regain my composure to read means that absolutely I rate this 5 stars and I will recommend this to anyone and everyone.

[SoBookishleeKaLee · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC review:

Oh I love Liz and Colton.
I'm so glad we got Liz's story.
Melissa seriously knows how to rip your heart out and smash it to pieces then put it back together.
I was not expecting what happened in the mansion. I was shocked.
I just loved this story, I hated how closed off Liz was about her powers. I'm like girl come on, you know he's gonna love you no matter what lol.
Overall I'm seriously gonna miss these two like I do Trey and Arella.

Thank you so much to Melissa for the ARC opportunity.

[Marina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Liz and Colton are so cute and their banter is so fun to read. My favorite side character was Dixie and all the stuff she did to make sure Liz got herself together so she can finally date Colton. This book made me laugh and I did actually shed a tear (no spoilers but I was not happy with author for that one). Also trust me when I say you can read this as a standalone because it does explain the Zordi world.

[Evelyn Cross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Melissa for gifting me this early copy - The following review is 100% my own.

Melissa! You did it again! I absolutely love Liz and Colton’s story. We first mee Liz in the Secrets Trilogy, and I am so glad that we get more of her now. She was such an amazing friend to Trey, and now we get to see him be the same amazing friend to her. Of course Melissa couldn’t make things easy for Liz, had to put her through it a bit. At least its not 3 books of torture this time ... right? You know what, no. I wouldn’t have been mad if this had been more then one book. I need more Liz and Colton ASAP.

[Shivany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a lucky, lucky girl because WOW — this book took me on a ride!

Let’s get into it.

This story follows Colton and Liz. We met Liz back in the Secrets Trilogy, while Colton was only a name dropped in book three… and now they finally have a whole book of their own, and trust me, it delivers drama, emotion, and pure swoon.

Liz is a hardworking woman just minding her business when love sneaks up on her. And the man who steals her heart? Colton, blond, built like a dream, and basically her entire wish list wrapped into one irresistible package. But her past with the wrong man still haunts her, making her scared to fall again.

Enter Colton, who is READY.
Ready to wait.
Ready to prove himself.
Ready to show her that what they share is real, once-in-a-lifetime, can’t-walk-away-from-it love.

He’s never felt anything like this before, and he’s not letting go.
But then fate steps in and throws everything off balance… and that’s when the real emotional punch hits.

This book has everything: love that pulls you in, mistakes that hurt, and forgiveness that feels like a breath of fresh air. It’ll make you cry, make you hope, and stitch your heart back together in the sweetest way. A true second-chance romance that screams ACCEPTANCE and HEALING.

If this sounds like your vibe, do yourself a favor and grab this book!