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Remember My Name: An M/M Romance
524 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 28, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 129 reviews
February 23, 2026
I have so many issues with this book, I don’t even know where to start. This read like a rough draft. A really rough draft. So many errors with dates and time left me confused and having to reread. For example, when Ivan was 16 he told his foster mom he’d been looking for Jay for 7 years. It had only been 4 at that point. They mention growing up together but were only together for 6 months? There was also a questionable description of male anatomy that I don’t think the author quite understood. The writing was also SO REPETITIVE. Honestly, this book could have been cut in half if it was just edited properly.
May 15, 2026
Beautiful book, although I have some questions. And there were some annoying inconsistencies. So they meet when they’re 12 and 14, and get split up pretty soon. And they look for each other forever and have all the important details. It’s the time of social media. Why on earth can’t they find each other? I get that they didn’t have phones. But why didn’t they have some sort of social media presence, at least when they were 18?
I know that would have ruined their second meetup, but seriously, this was a bit ridiculous. They even mentioned looking on social media. And somehow they both didn’t think to ever make an account?
Then the inconsistencies: how long has Ivan lived with Rosalyn? The age of his new siblings keeps changing. And why doesn’t Michael have a role? That was a bit weird too.
So that were the lesser points. The rest of the book was the best! I cried at least 10 times, sometimes even out loud 😳😂 As a former kid with foster siblings (that were treated as our own) I understand a lot about their trauma. And in this book it has been portrayed very authentic I think.
Will reread and definitely recommend. This author is amazing! Hope she writes a lot more.
Edit May 15 ‘26
Ok, apparently there was a lot of AI involved in writing this book. And although as a non native speaker of English I get using some AI. If it’s used for large portions of the book and leading to stupid inconsistencies and weird things that happen in the story, I don’t like it at all. So I’m dialing the stars down.
I know that would have ruined their second meetup, but seriously, this was a bit ridiculous. They even mentioned looking on social media. And somehow they both didn’t think to ever make an account?
Then the inconsistencies: how long has Ivan lived with Rosalyn? The age of his new siblings keeps changing. And why doesn’t Michael have a role? That was a bit weird too.
So that were the lesser points. The rest of the book was the best! I cried at least 10 times, sometimes even out loud 😳😂 As a former kid with foster siblings (that were treated as our own) I understand a lot about their trauma. And in this book it has been portrayed very authentic I think.
Will reread and definitely recommend. This author is amazing! Hope she writes a lot more.
Edit May 15 ‘26
Ok, apparently there was a lot of AI involved in writing this book. And although as a non native speaker of English I get using some AI. If it’s used for large portions of the book and leading to stupid inconsistencies and weird things that happen in the story, I don’t like it at all. So I’m dialing the stars down.
March 11, 2026
If I read "Big" or "Fat" cock one more time in this book, I'm gonna jump off a BIG FAT building.
2 stars for the emotional damage I got in the first half, but I really couldn't finish it.
I wanted to love it, I wanted to feel the pain these two have suffered from, but they run in circles, then they fuck with dirty talk that makes no sense for two VIRGINS or barely not virgins anymore (in my head it doesnt...it's just so over the top, like in porn...)
The story itself was intriguing for me to WANT to read it so badly, but the smut just threw me off so hard I cannot...for now...finish this book.
I really hope this book finds a re-edit... I wan't to know whats gonna happen, but I just cannot oversee all the timing issues, the weird sextalk issues, the characters who flipflop with personality issues.
I love myself a good starcrossed lovers with hurt/comfort....and lots of angst, and swordfighting... I'm so...gutted I didn't love this.
Soft DNF at 57%.
2 stars for the emotional damage I got in the first half, but I really couldn't finish it.
I wanted to love it, I wanted to feel the pain these two have suffered from, but they run in circles, then they fuck with dirty talk that makes no sense for two VIRGINS or barely not virgins anymore (in my head it doesnt...it's just so over the top, like in porn...)
The story itself was intriguing for me to WANT to read it so badly, but the smut just threw me off so hard I cannot...for now...finish this book.
I really hope this book finds a re-edit... I wan't to know whats gonna happen, but I just cannot oversee all the timing issues, the weird sextalk issues, the characters who flipflop with personality issues.
I love myself a good starcrossed lovers with hurt/comfort....and lots of angst, and swordfighting... I'm so...gutted I didn't love this.
Soft DNF at 57%.
March 29, 2026
”You're not broken. You're hurt. There's a difference."
I really wanted to love this since based on the blurb, the book should have been right up my alley (foster brothers, broken boys, hurt & comfort, years apart and then finding each other again), but overall it didn't live up to my expectations.
I liked many things about this. We get a good amount of content from the time they were in foster home when they were young. The book also gave a brief overview of what happened between the time they were separated and when they found each other again.
I also liked both MMCs and the author writes about them in such a way that I am able to form a connection to them. I liked the change in their relationship dynamics, how Jay supported them when they were young and how Ivan was able to give him the same support when they were older.
What affected my reading experience was that this was a little tedious at times. It felt like they were having the same conversation over and over again and same things were repeated. It's wonderful that they communicate about things, but in this case, there was sometimes too much talking which often didn't bring up anything new.
Also, not that these boys didn't suffer enough already, but there could have been more drama or conflict there, perhaps something more related to Jay's problems.
Another thing was that spice didn't work for me. Both were around 20 years old, virgins, never done anything with anyone. However, as soon as they started having sex, they jumped right into dirty talking and both did it in the same way. The dialogue didn’t feel natural in their situation and kind of threw me off in those scenes.
For a debut, this isn't too bad, and I would read other books from the author in the future.
Read 02/2026
_________________
I dream about a kid with a garbage bag, standing in a doorway, looking at me with those terrified eyes like I'm the only thing left in the world that might not hurt him. In the dream, I don't let him down. In the dream, I keep him safe. I wish it were more than just a dream.
”I will not let you fall any further. I will not let you drown. I will pull you out of this darkness even if I have to drag you kicking and screaming.”
”I never could have given up. You're part of me. You always have been. I couldn't stop looking for you any more than I could stop breathing."
"You don't even know, do you? You don't know how much you saved me. Not just from Henderson, from everything. You gave me a template for what kindness looks like. What safety feels like. What love looks like. I've been chasing that same feeling my whole life. That feeling of being held by you in the dark."
I really wanted to love this since based on the blurb, the book should have been right up my alley (foster brothers, broken boys, hurt & comfort, years apart and then finding each other again), but overall it didn't live up to my expectations.
I liked many things about this. We get a good amount of content from the time they were in foster home when they were young. The book also gave a brief overview of what happened between the time they were separated and when they found each other again.
I also liked both MMCs and the author writes about them in such a way that I am able to form a connection to them. I liked the change in their relationship dynamics, how Jay supported them when they were young and how Ivan was able to give him the same support when they were older.
What affected my reading experience was that this was a little tedious at times. It felt like they were having the same conversation over and over again and same things were repeated. It's wonderful that they communicate about things, but in this case, there was sometimes too much talking which often didn't bring up anything new.
Also, not that these boys didn't suffer enough already, but there could have been more drama or conflict there, perhaps something more related to Jay's problems.
Another thing was that spice didn't work for me. Both were around 20 years old, virgins, never done anything with anyone. However, as soon as they started having sex, they jumped right into dirty talking and both did it in the same way. The dialogue didn’t feel natural in their situation and kind of threw me off in those scenes.
For a debut, this isn't too bad, and I would read other books from the author in the future.
Read 02/2026
_________________
I dream about a kid with a garbage bag, standing in a doorway, looking at me with those terrified eyes like I'm the only thing left in the world that might not hurt him. In the dream, I don't let him down. In the dream, I keep him safe. I wish it were more than just a dream.
”I will not let you fall any further. I will not let you drown. I will pull you out of this darkness even if I have to drag you kicking and screaming.”
”I never could have given up. You're part of me. You always have been. I couldn't stop looking for you any more than I could stop breathing."
"You don't even know, do you? You don't know how much you saved me. Not just from Henderson, from everything. You gave me a template for what kindness looks like. What safety feels like. What love looks like. I've been chasing that same feeling my whole life. That feeling of being held by you in the dark."
June 2, 2026
well-disguised AI
Who knows? Maybe this *was* written by an extremely talented NY Times bestselling author who has been publishing since 2012 (author’s bio claims this). But since someone with those characteristics would have an editor, I’m betting that this is actually just the most well-disguised AI writing I have come across. It avoids the most obvious tells, like groupings of three and nonsense metaphors, but important details keep changing throughout the story. I despise the current plague of talentless hacks using AI to masquerade as human authors. Just admit that you use AI so those of us who care can avoid this garbage.
Who knows? Maybe this *was* written by an extremely talented NY Times bestselling author who has been publishing since 2012 (author’s bio claims this). But since someone with those characteristics would have an editor, I’m betting that this is actually just the most well-disguised AI writing I have come across. It avoids the most obvious tells, like groupings of three and nonsense metaphors, but important details keep changing throughout the story. I despise the current plague of talentless hacks using AI to masquerade as human authors. Just admit that you use AI so those of us who care can avoid this garbage.
March 24, 2026
This book is a perfect example of how potential can be undermined by execution. The emotional core of this book is undeniably powerful. The story elicited such a visceral response in me, the beginning to the MCs reunion especially was very emotional. Someone order me an EKG because my heart! I absolutely broke for Jay. It was all I could do to keep it together. Any book that can provoke that kind of response I’m inclined to rate higher. However, what could have been a standout debut suffered from a clear lack of editing.
For context, I am willing to overlook some issues, I understand that even professionally edited books go to market with a few errors, that’s just how it goes. However, the number of mistakes, grammar issues, narrative inconsistencies, and excessive repetition, eventually became too noticeable and pulled me out of the story. The lack of editorial tightening made the book longer than it needed to be. With better developmental cohesion and some willingness to “kill a few darlings,” this could have been a high four or five-star read. As it stands, it lands at a three. I do think the author has potential, and I’d likely pick up their next book. But I’m begging, hire an editor.
The positives: Overall, I enjoyed the story and really liked both main characters. They came across as real people and I felt for them every step of the way. Their bond and what they meant to each other was undeniably special and I was rooting for them the whole time. I especially appreciated the role reversal in their adult lives. Jay, who was the older, bigger, and protective figure in their childhood, is the one who struggles more in adulthood. I also liked the nuanced portrayal of trauma. Too often, trauma and recovery are depicted in a flat, one-dimensional way, even problematic way, but here we see two people who experienced many of the same traumatic events yet process and cope with them very differently. Their contrasting coping mechanisms and how the lingering effects of trauma for each of them presented added realism to the story, and I commend the author for that.
Now the issues: The book contains numerous grammatical errors and developmental oversights that led to an abundance of narrative inconsistencies where details are established and later contradicted or presented as new information. The pacing, particularly after their reunion, was a bit off. Some elements dragged while others that I thought deserved more attention and development were rushed.
The repetition, oh my goodness gracious, the repetition. Far too many conversations were repeated without any variation or new details sometimes within pages of each other. I’d have to go back and make sure I’d actually advanced the page and hadn’t just gotten lost and re-read the same part. It became tedious. I think a solid 100 pages could have been cut by eliminating the repetitious scenes alone.
The spicy scenes were fine I suppose, nothing inspiring, they felt pretty formulaic and mechanical, without any personalization to their dynamic.
This book had a worthwhile foundation and compelling characters, but the lack of editing and narrative issues ultimately held it back from being truly exceptional. With more streamlined storytelling, the author could produce something outstanding in the future.
For context, I am willing to overlook some issues, I understand that even professionally edited books go to market with a few errors, that’s just how it goes. However, the number of mistakes, grammar issues, narrative inconsistencies, and excessive repetition, eventually became too noticeable and pulled me out of the story. The lack of editorial tightening made the book longer than it needed to be. With better developmental cohesion and some willingness to “kill a few darlings,” this could have been a high four or five-star read. As it stands, it lands at a three. I do think the author has potential, and I’d likely pick up their next book. But I’m begging, hire an editor.
The positives: Overall, I enjoyed the story and really liked both main characters. They came across as real people and I felt for them every step of the way. Their bond and what they meant to each other was undeniably special and I was rooting for them the whole time. I especially appreciated the role reversal in their adult lives. Jay, who was the older, bigger, and protective figure in their childhood, is the one who struggles more in adulthood. I also liked the nuanced portrayal of trauma. Too often, trauma and recovery are depicted in a flat, one-dimensional way, even problematic way, but here we see two people who experienced many of the same traumatic events yet process and cope with them very differently. Their contrasting coping mechanisms and how the lingering effects of trauma for each of them presented added realism to the story, and I commend the author for that.
Now the issues: The book contains numerous grammatical errors and developmental oversights that led to an abundance of narrative inconsistencies where details are established and later contradicted or presented as new information. The pacing, particularly after their reunion, was a bit off. Some elements dragged while others that I thought deserved more attention and development were rushed.
The repetition, oh my goodness gracious, the repetition. Far too many conversations were repeated without any variation or new details sometimes within pages of each other. I’d have to go back and make sure I’d actually advanced the page and hadn’t just gotten lost and re-read the same part. It became tedious. I think a solid 100 pages could have been cut by eliminating the repetitious scenes alone.
The spicy scenes were fine I suppose, nothing inspiring, they felt pretty formulaic and mechanical, without any personalization to their dynamic.
This book had a worthwhile foundation and compelling characters, but the lack of editing and narrative issues ultimately held it back from being truly exceptional. With more streamlined storytelling, the author could produce something outstanding in the future.
May 29, 2026
I hope I’m wrong but this feels like it was written with ai, very disappointing (especially looking into the author more)
January 28, 2026
This book was truly an amazing read. This appears to be the authors first book and what a place to start.
The story of Jay and Ivan is heartbreaking and raw, but its filled with love and hope and fighting for each other.
I cannot reccomend this book enough.
It will stick with me for a long time.
The story of Jay and Ivan is heartbreaking and raw, but its filled with love and hope and fighting for each other.
I cannot reccomend this book enough.
It will stick with me for a long time.
Did Not Finish
May 28, 2026DNF @43% ... the premise pulled me in, but the execution is awful. A human editor could have done something worth reading with this one, but the repetitiveness of the Claude-isms made it far too much of a slog.
March 4, 2026
3.5 ⭐️ So I enjoyed the story on this one but it definitely had its challenges.
Hearing about how they found each other then were torn apart, only to be back together was very heart-breaking and beautiful.
However, I do feel like, in real life, the adults would have done more. I have experience with social work and foster care and this story didn’t align with what I know. But, that being said, my experience is not everyone’s. But the Hendersons not getting arrested is so unlikely. And they would have completed examinations on both of the children when removing them from the home.
Some challenges for me in this book had to do with the length, for one. It was in desperate need of editing. Someone to go through and cut out some parts. I felt like the author was trying to reach a specific word count or something. It was just soooo long. Mannnyyyyyy repeated thoughts and dialogue. It got so tedious. Also the dialogue itself wasn’t always realistic. I thought to myself multiple times, who would actually say this? And the dirty talk was so extra lol. Like using descriptors during dirty talk that were more author-describing words rather than something someone would say. It’s hard to word what I mean lol.
There were also some consistency errors. Like the first weekend together was 3 days long? Lol Saturday happened twice. And just other inconsistencies that pulled me out of the story.
Also ugh! I feel like it was such a wasted opportunity for Ivan to not show Jay the note he kept from him for years and got laminated. Why didn’t that get mentioned?!
The honeymoon was cute. The wedding was okayyy.
I dunno. This one just didn’t hit.
Hearing about how they found each other then were torn apart, only to be back together was very heart-breaking and beautiful.
However, I do feel like, in real life, the adults would have done more. I have experience with social work and foster care and this story didn’t align with what I know. But, that being said, my experience is not everyone’s. But the Hendersons not getting arrested is so unlikely. And they would have completed examinations on both of the children when removing them from the home.
Some challenges for me in this book had to do with the length, for one. It was in desperate need of editing. Someone to go through and cut out some parts. I felt like the author was trying to reach a specific word count or something. It was just soooo long. Mannnyyyyyy repeated thoughts and dialogue. It got so tedious. Also the dialogue itself wasn’t always realistic. I thought to myself multiple times, who would actually say this? And the dirty talk was so extra lol. Like using descriptors during dirty talk that were more author-describing words rather than something someone would say. It’s hard to word what I mean lol.
There were also some consistency errors. Like the first weekend together was 3 days long? Lol Saturday happened twice. And just other inconsistencies that pulled me out of the story.
Also ugh! I feel like it was such a wasted opportunity for Ivan to not show Jay the note he kept from him for years and got laminated. Why didn’t that get mentioned?!
The honeymoon was cute. The wedding was okayyy.
I dunno. This one just didn’t hit.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 26, 2026
This book had the potential to be spectacular but I was instead brought out of the story by the constant small inconsistencies in the story itself. This book needs an editor. It needs several editors.
Also, the sex made ZERO sense. Two blushing virgins with ZERO experience even KISSING anyone are not going to speak like that in bed. Like, what are we doing….
Also, the sex made ZERO sense. Two blushing virgins with ZERO experience even KISSING anyone are not going to speak like that in bed. Like, what are we doing….
February 14, 2026
Some promises don’t fade—they become lifelines
What makes this book work is the connection between Ivan and Jay. Their bond isn’t just romantic—it’s foundational. The kind of love that comes from two people who were each other’s only safe place, and never stopped being that, even when the world ripped them apart. Their relationship feels raw, protective, and genuinely heartwarming without losing the weight of what they’ve lived through.
The healing arc is handled with care, and the emotional payoff comes from watching love become something steady instead of something fragile. This is the kind of story where the tenderness hits harder because it’s earned.
There were a few minor continuity issues, but they didn’t take away from the heart of the story or the emotional impact.
What makes this book work is the connection between Ivan and Jay. Their bond isn’t just romantic—it’s foundational. The kind of love that comes from two people who were each other’s only safe place, and never stopped being that, even when the world ripped them apart. Their relationship feels raw, protective, and genuinely heartwarming without losing the weight of what they’ve lived through.
The healing arc is handled with care, and the emotional payoff comes from watching love become something steady instead of something fragile. This is the kind of story where the tenderness hits harder because it’s earned.
There were a few minor continuity issues, but they didn’t take away from the heart of the story or the emotional impact.
February 16, 2026
I cannot even put in words how much a loved this book, Jay was so hurt and so kind and he really wanted to be the best, and the way he protected Ivan, i cried most of the book, the support and love that they had for eachother is everything, at the end i had to stop so many times because i was sobbing, amazing
April 12, 2026
DNF. Started out strong but by 50%, I’m over the timeline inconsistencies, the terrible bedroom talk, and the repetitive scenes. Had potential but I think it lacked a good editor.
June 14, 2026
Guys this is written by AI 💀💀💀
June 13, 2026
It started well, emotional but… plot errors, time line problems, implausible conflicts (in the age of social media, they really couldn’t locate each other?), porn-star level cringey sex dialogue from 2 virgins, repetitive conversations (M says, this, then J reports to Iv that “M said this” then copy-paste first conversation. Trauma, alcoholism, and possibly an eating disorder treated and ‘resolved’ in a surface way. That’s why I had to put it down for a month at about 60%. It was a DNF I gave another chance.
I’m noticing that the next 2 books this author has out (Stormy, Benji) have the same model on the cover, but the books are not about the same character. That’s weird. This book has already been translated into 3 other languages. Seems quick for a debut release. Looking at the French, it reads very much like a French Immersion student’s I-used-Google-translate-for-this assignment, I did not see a credit for translation. If I were more curious I’d copy and paste a chunk of text from each language to compare. It would be disappointing to learn that the author used AI without acknowledging it. I wish that use of AI in creative works like books, cover art, music etc. had to be disclosed. I mean a hair dryer can get a warning label ‘for external use only’ so why can’t books and art get ‘created using AI’?
I’m noticing that the next 2 books this author has out (Stormy, Benji) have the same model on the cover, but the books are not about the same character. That’s weird. This book has already been translated into 3 other languages. Seems quick for a debut release. Looking at the French, it reads very much like a French Immersion student’s I-used-Google-translate-for-this assignment, I did not see a credit for translation. If I were more curious I’d copy and paste a chunk of text from each language to compare. It would be disappointing to learn that the author used AI without acknowledging it. I wish that use of AI in creative works like books, cover art, music etc. had to be disclosed. I mean a hair dryer can get a warning label ‘for external use only’ so why can’t books and art get ‘created using AI’?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
April 19, 2026This is one of the books where I would have appreciated more tell than show, because some things were a little too repetitive. As a reader, I'm more than okay being told once or twice about an important information or detail. The other thing that didn't work for me about this book is the smut, how it was written. This is where Wilds lost me. I cared a lot about Ivan and Jay when they were younger, throughout their suffering under Henderson's house, after they got separated, after they grew up and faced new realities separately, after they finally found each other again, and after they felt and expressed their attraction and feelings to each other. I imagined their intimate moments to be on the tender and clumsy side (with their touches, words, curiosity, and intentions), to match all the fragile emotions leading up to their reunion, but Wilds' approach is more on the crude side, which really surprised me, because it seemed performative for both of the characters. Every time Jay and Ivan had sex, it felt like I was reading about a completely different couple.
April 9, 2026
Great premise
I wanted to like this so much, man. I’m a sucker for foster kids and tragic backstories, but I had to DNF at around 90 pages because of one GLARING detail- these kids had access to a computer, it was somewhere in the 2010s at this time, I think, and they didn’t create social media accounts??? They could have found each other in five minutes on the computers they kept ‘searching’ each others’ names for. I am willing to suspend my disbelief for a lot of things, but not making a Facebook account specifically for the one person you know is looking for you- i don’t get it. And if there is an explanation for it later, it needed to come sooner.
I wanted to like this so much, man. I’m a sucker for foster kids and tragic backstories, but I had to DNF at around 90 pages because of one GLARING detail- these kids had access to a computer, it was somewhere in the 2010s at this time, I think, and they didn’t create social media accounts??? They could have found each other in five minutes on the computers they kept ‘searching’ each others’ names for. I am willing to suspend my disbelief for a lot of things, but not making a Facebook account specifically for the one person you know is looking for you- i don’t get it. And if there is an explanation for it later, it needed to come sooner.
March 8, 2026
The start of this book had so much going for it. Jay and Ivan lived through so much at such a young age and their bond was infinite.
Unfortunately after the two boys were separated it just got worse.
Continuity was a big problem for me. One thing said in one chapter, then completely changed or contradicted later on. Time periods not matching up. It just bothered me too much.
I also felt the spicy scenes didn't quite work. The dirty talk did not feel natural or right for the type of characters these men had.
All that being said, this book is a debut for the author, and I would their next book a chance. As with life, we are all on a learning curve, and dont get everything right all of the time.
Unfortunately after the two boys were separated it just got worse.
Continuity was a big problem for me. One thing said in one chapter, then completely changed or contradicted later on. Time periods not matching up. It just bothered me too much.
I also felt the spicy scenes didn't quite work. The dirty talk did not feel natural or right for the type of characters these men had.
All that being said, this book is a debut for the author, and I would their next book a chance. As with life, we are all on a learning curve, and dont get everything right all of the time.
March 1, 2026
2.5 - 2.75⭐️
I have qualms. But I skimmed a lot, and the only one I can remember is the ending.
I understand they moved. Jay no longer lives in Macon. But how come no one from his life there was at the wedding or even mentioned? Did they invite any of them? It would’ve been a long drive, but they could’ve sent card or something. I think they deserved a mention, at least.
I have qualms. But I skimmed a lot, and the only one I can remember is the ending.
I understand they moved. Jay no longer lives in Macon. But how come no one from his life there was at the wedding or even mentioned? Did they invite any of them? It would’ve been a long drive, but they could’ve sent card or something. I think they deserved a mention, at least.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 5, 2026
DNF @ 51%
Notes I took while reading:
The start was devastating and gave a very good basis for Ivan and Jay's dynamic. The writing was very emotional and I loved how we saw Ivan start off scared of Jay then cautiously warmed up because of how earnest he was. It was very very sad when they eventually separated and I wish the author just timeskipped their time apart because I couldn't find myself caring about their individual experiences when we'd already seen the foster system at its worst AND they were already separated. Also, it was basically just summarized anyway so it really killed the emotional pacing.
I loved when they found each other again though. The emotional weight from their separation really held up well there. I also really liked how they bonded over their trauma and how Ivan really showed Jay that he cared and didn't blame him for anything. I was a little shocked at how easy everything seemed at that first weekend from
TL;DR: Promising start that loses momentum after Ivan and Jay see each other again. Jay's troubles felt mainly like lip service because of how easily he seemed to be able to give up alcohol and drugs. The scenes where Ivan comforted Jay were sweet at first, but got very repetitive after the third/fourth time he did it. Could've used actual angst and conflict (that showed Jay failing to keep sober or giving into his fears before the 50% mark) to make their romance hard fought. Also really needed some editing to cut down the repetition. I swear there were three chapters back to back where Jay panicked about something, said he wasn't worth Ivan's time, then Ivan told him he wasn't giving up on him and that he was worth it. It did not need to happen three separate times.
2 stars.
Notes I took while reading:
The start was devastating and gave a very good basis for Ivan and Jay's dynamic. The writing was very emotional and I loved how we saw Ivan start off scared of Jay then cautiously warmed up because of how earnest he was. It was very very sad when they eventually separated and I wish the author just timeskipped their time apart because I couldn't find myself caring about their individual experiences when we'd already seen the foster system at its worst AND they were already separated. Also, it was basically just summarized anyway so it really killed the emotional pacing.
I loved when they found each other again though. The emotional weight from their separation really held up well there. I also really liked how they bonded over their trauma and how Ivan really showed Jay that he cared and didn't blame him for anything. I was a little shocked at how easy everything seemed at that first weekend from
TL;DR: Promising start that loses momentum after Ivan and Jay see each other again. Jay's troubles felt mainly like lip service because of how easily he seemed to be able to give up alcohol and drugs. The scenes where Ivan comforted Jay were sweet at first, but got very repetitive after the third/fourth time he did it. Could've used actual angst and conflict (that showed Jay failing to keep sober or giving into his fears before the 50% mark) to make their romance hard fought. Also really needed some editing to cut down the repetition. I swear there were three chapters back to back where Jay panicked about something, said he wasn't worth Ivan's time, then Ivan told him he wasn't giving up on him and that he was worth it. It did not need to happen three separate times.
2 stars.
June 12, 2026
Remember by Namehad a lot to live up to for me. Stormy was one of my favourite five-star reads of the past year, so I went into this book with high expectations. While I don't think it quite reaches the same heights as Stormy, it's still an excellent read.
In some ways, the story explores familiar territory. Themes of child abuse, addiction, trauma, and healing run throughout the novel, and at times it's a brutally emotional experience. At the heart of the story are Jay and Ivan, two boys trying to survive a horrific childhood of abuse. Clinging to each other for comfort and strength, they become each other's only lifeline in an otherwise unbearable world.
When they are cruelly separated as teenagers, they commit each other's personal details to memory, holding onto the hope that one day it will be enough to find their way back to one another.
Seven long years pass before they finally reconnect, and without venturing into spoiler territory, I'll simply say that their reunion absolutely shattered me. Wren Wilds' writing is beautiful, evocative, and deeply affecting. The emotions feel almost overwhelming at times, and I found myself sobbing as the story unfolded. Her prose has a way of bypassing your defences, sinking straight into your heart and settling in your bones.
My only real criticism—and perhaps an unusual one—is that I felt there was a little too much focus on the sex. Once Jay and Ivan reconnect as adults, a significant portion of the story is devoted to their physical relationship. The intimate scenes are undeniably hot, emotional, and well written, but I occasionally felt they overshadowed the broader narrative. As a result, I didn't connect with Jay and Ivan quite as deeply as I did with Tex and Stormy in Stormy , where the character development felt more fully realised.
That said, this is still a fantastic book. It's an emotional roller coaster that blends love, pain, hope, cruelty, and heartbreak into a compelling and unforgettable story. Wren Wilds is rapidly becoming one of my favourite authors in this genre, and I'm already looking forward to whatever she writes next.
In some ways, the story explores familiar territory. Themes of child abuse, addiction, trauma, and healing run throughout the novel, and at times it's a brutally emotional experience. At the heart of the story are Jay and Ivan, two boys trying to survive a horrific childhood of abuse. Clinging to each other for comfort and strength, they become each other's only lifeline in an otherwise unbearable world.
When they are cruelly separated as teenagers, they commit each other's personal details to memory, holding onto the hope that one day it will be enough to find their way back to one another.
Seven long years pass before they finally reconnect, and without venturing into spoiler territory, I'll simply say that their reunion absolutely shattered me. Wren Wilds' writing is beautiful, evocative, and deeply affecting. The emotions feel almost overwhelming at times, and I found myself sobbing as the story unfolded. Her prose has a way of bypassing your defences, sinking straight into your heart and settling in your bones.
My only real criticism—and perhaps an unusual one—is that I felt there was a little too much focus on the sex. Once Jay and Ivan reconnect as adults, a significant portion of the story is devoted to their physical relationship. The intimate scenes are undeniably hot, emotional, and well written, but I occasionally felt they overshadowed the broader narrative. As a result, I didn't connect with Jay and Ivan quite as deeply as I did with Tex and Stormy in Stormy , where the character development felt more fully realised.
That said, this is still a fantastic book. It's an emotional roller coaster that blends love, pain, hope, cruelty, and heartbreak into a compelling and unforgettable story. Wren Wilds is rapidly becoming one of my favourite authors in this genre, and I'm already looking forward to whatever she writes next.
April 24, 2026
Jason Morrow and Ivan Collins. I’ll probably remember their names with how often they were mentioned in the book. This was probably one if the most emotional and lowkey traumatizing books I’ve ever read. It’s super important to check your triggers for this ind because I don’t really have any triggers and some scenes where difficult to get through even for me.
Jay must be one of my favorite men ever written, I just felt so much for him. I’m so devastated about the lack of stability he had throughout his life and all the things he had to go through. This book just gave me an insight about what foster kids in the system have to go through that I did not know about to this extent. It absolutely shattered my heart and I cried multiple times through this book. I’m glad they had each other and even tho it might be hard to wrap your head around them actually only having been together for 6 months. Well being traumatized, abused and hit for 6 months and the only thing you have is each other you will most likely build a trauma bond.
Ivan brought so much stability routine and love into jay’s life, I really admire him for that. Ivan was so strong for his age, and he listened so well to whatever jay said when they were younger. He has grown into such a great person.
My issues with this book and what kept it from being a 5 star is that it was extremely repetitive, across both povs. Both characters kept repeating the same things over and over as well as describing things the exact same way. At some point it really started annoying me but luckily I was able to look past it because the story truly held me captive.
And the smut was just wild. It was good but very unrealistic considering they were both virgins and probably knew very little about sex in general so for them to be fucking and talking like porn stars that was a bit meh.
But overall 4/5 stars, definitely worth reading just check the triggers.
Jay must be one of my favorite men ever written, I just felt so much for him. I’m so devastated about the lack of stability he had throughout his life and all the things he had to go through. This book just gave me an insight about what foster kids in the system have to go through that I did not know about to this extent. It absolutely shattered my heart and I cried multiple times through this book. I’m glad they had each other and even tho it might be hard to wrap your head around them actually only having been together for 6 months. Well being traumatized, abused and hit for 6 months and the only thing you have is each other you will most likely build a trauma bond.
Ivan brought so much stability routine and love into jay’s life, I really admire him for that. Ivan was so strong for his age, and he listened so well to whatever jay said when they were younger. He has grown into such a great person.
My issues with this book and what kept it from being a 5 star is that it was extremely repetitive, across both povs. Both characters kept repeating the same things over and over as well as describing things the exact same way. At some point it really started annoying me but luckily I was able to look past it because the story truly held me captive.
And the smut was just wild. It was good but very unrealistic considering they were both virgins and probably knew very little about sex in general so for them to be fucking and talking like porn stars that was a bit meh.
But overall 4/5 stars, definitely worth reading just check the triggers.
Did Not Finish
May 14, 2026I refuse to rate this story in stars as it is a DNF for me.
The first third of this book takes place when the MCs are children. I don’t mind flashback scenes, but this felt like a long stretch of being stuck in the past. I understand the idea was to build a connection between the MCs, but their childhood story was pretty short in lived time — they were only together a matter of months. And while I wanted those chapters to build a really strong connection between them, I felt they focused heavily on the abuse and trauma they faced, and less on the connection between them. If a third of the book was going to be centered in the past, I wish we would’ve seen their bond grow more. Not in a sexual way, obviously — they’re children — but I wanted to see them fall into that connection to another person that both had been denied in their lives up until each other.
Next, a major issue for me: both MCs were searching for each other relentlessly for literal years. They were scouring news articles, social media, death announcements, etc. Why did neither one of them think to post about themselves for the other one to find? Like, you’re searching all of these places, but you’re not putting any information about yourself in those same places in order to be found. It just felt like a pretty big oversight. If I was desperately searching for somebody and hoping they were searching for me too, I think I would put my information out there in the same places in hopes of being found.
42% update: I think I hit a wall. It was going okay, I was enjoying the story well enough, but suddenly I have no desire to finish it. I think all the little things that annoyed me piled up a bit too much. The MCs have shared their first kiss and it just didn’t do much for me. The texting feels like filler — a bit empty and repetitive. My interest is just falling flat. I hate DNFing, but I think that’s where I’m at. I don’t like pushing through or skimming. Maybe if I was at the 80% mark, but not 40%.
The first third of this book takes place when the MCs are children. I don’t mind flashback scenes, but this felt like a long stretch of being stuck in the past. I understand the idea was to build a connection between the MCs, but their childhood story was pretty short in lived time — they were only together a matter of months. And while I wanted those chapters to build a really strong connection between them, I felt they focused heavily on the abuse and trauma they faced, and less on the connection between them. If a third of the book was going to be centered in the past, I wish we would’ve seen their bond grow more. Not in a sexual way, obviously — they’re children — but I wanted to see them fall into that connection to another person that both had been denied in their lives up until each other.
Next, a major issue for me: both MCs were searching for each other relentlessly for literal years. They were scouring news articles, social media, death announcements, etc. Why did neither one of them think to post about themselves for the other one to find? Like, you’re searching all of these places, but you’re not putting any information about yourself in those same places in order to be found. It just felt like a pretty big oversight. If I was desperately searching for somebody and hoping they were searching for me too, I think I would put my information out there in the same places in hopes of being found.
42% update: I think I hit a wall. It was going okay, I was enjoying the story well enough, but suddenly I have no desire to finish it. I think all the little things that annoyed me piled up a bit too much. The MCs have shared their first kiss and it just didn’t do much for me. The texting feels like filler — a bit empty and repetitive. My interest is just falling flat. I hate DNFing, but I think that’s where I’m at. I don’t like pushing through or skimming. Maybe if I was at the 80% mark, but not 40%.
May 30, 2026
Heavy yet a heartwarming and brilliantly crafted story !
I read Wren Wilds’ 2nd book Stormy first. I had never read this author before, and I am pleased I selected the book. I liked this story so much I looked to see what else she has written. I found Remember My Name and was shocked this was the only other choice from this author, at least from Amazon. Stormy and Tex will be seen again, apparently in her next book, so I decide what the heck I will read this book until the next book comes out. I am so glad I did. Warning: it is heavy. I am a teacher, and child abuse is a hard pill to swallow. My only complaint about this book is her depiction that educators don’t care or pay attention to potentially abused students is overly generalized and complete BS. We (educational staff) are required to go through training and mandatory reporting each year, and we care about our students’ well-being. Other than that 1 trigger for me, the book was well crafted, and the plot was very well-developed - everything connected and had significance. The author shows strong character development and proves to know how to transition her characters from static to dynamic characters. You will definitely be rooting for and applauding for their successes in overcoming extreme obstacles and building productive lives.
I truly loved this book. I am bummed that I have no more books to read from this author now that I found her and have to wait for her next book about Tex’s BFF from Stormy, but I am sure it will be worth the wait. LH
I read Wren Wilds’ 2nd book Stormy first. I had never read this author before, and I am pleased I selected the book. I liked this story so much I looked to see what else she has written. I found Remember My Name and was shocked this was the only other choice from this author, at least from Amazon. Stormy and Tex will be seen again, apparently in her next book, so I decide what the heck I will read this book until the next book comes out. I am so glad I did. Warning: it is heavy. I am a teacher, and child abuse is a hard pill to swallow. My only complaint about this book is her depiction that educators don’t care or pay attention to potentially abused students is overly generalized and complete BS. We (educational staff) are required to go through training and mandatory reporting each year, and we care about our students’ well-being. Other than that 1 trigger for me, the book was well crafted, and the plot was very well-developed - everything connected and had significance. The author shows strong character development and proves to know how to transition her characters from static to dynamic characters. You will definitely be rooting for and applauding for their successes in overcoming extreme obstacles and building productive lives.
I truly loved this book. I am bummed that I have no more books to read from this author now that I found her and have to wait for her next book about Tex’s BFF from Stormy, but I am sure it will be worth the wait. LH
June 1, 2026
Two parentless teenagers form a protective bond when they are placed in foster care with a cruel and heartless drunkard. Rescued from this, Jay and Ivan get separated and lose touch, but find each other seven years later. We then learn how their relationship rebuilds and develops, exposing and overcoming the emotional traumas and rough times they have endured and helping one another to build a better future life together.
As it is a romance, focus is primarily on the feelings, anxieties and expectations of the two protagonists. It’s a good read, it kept my interest throughout and it has some very well crafted moments of heart rending emotion and of great joy. The realisation of the sexual attraction between them is an important element of the story, being a keystone of the loving trust that ultimately binds them.
A few quibbles: The voice alternates between Jay and Ivan in successive chapters throughout the book. This is a clever device to get us into the heads of the guys, but does incur some mundane repetition. Action is in strict chronology and it might have been better had some of the details of the miseries and loneliness of the years apart been revealed later in flashback or in reflective dialog between the couple. Given that these fellows are both virgins when they re-connect, they catch on very quickly and their descriptions of their couplings don’t seem to fit too well with the rest of the literary style of book. But it’s nevertheless a good book.
As it is a romance, focus is primarily on the feelings, anxieties and expectations of the two protagonists. It’s a good read, it kept my interest throughout and it has some very well crafted moments of heart rending emotion and of great joy. The realisation of the sexual attraction between them is an important element of the story, being a keystone of the loving trust that ultimately binds them.
A few quibbles: The voice alternates between Jay and Ivan in successive chapters throughout the book. This is a clever device to get us into the heads of the guys, but does incur some mundane repetition. Action is in strict chronology and it might have been better had some of the details of the miseries and loneliness of the years apart been revealed later in flashback or in reflective dialog between the couple. Given that these fellows are both virgins when they re-connect, they catch on very quickly and their descriptions of their couplings don’t seem to fit too well with the rest of the literary style of book. But it’s nevertheless a good book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 12, 2026
Remember Me When Each Other Is All That Really Matters: Together
If you have lived through much of life, you already know that is NEVER happens like life is supposed to happen. The unfortunate and forgettable parts are hard to sort out. The wonderful and marvelous moments spent together in happiness and love are always too short and never enough. But no matter if you come together as foster children or the lucky few who get the almost perfect family life together, the friends and found family that can save you if you will let them in spite of loneliness, grief, pain, suffering, starvation, financial challenges, hatred, jealousy, greed, or any other of the thousands of excuses from others who do not care about you.
You only need to find that one perfect match for you that is out there searching for you. The one that you will remember their name, and they will remember you when that one magic moment changes your lives from misery to manageable perfection together.
The real trick is knowing how and when to recognize your fated mate, and how to both change into one happy couple forever after in spite of what the world and others might try to do to you. Even as the seagulls stay near the safety of the beach in your perfect place, stay together in heart, mind, and touch for as long as you can, and linger in the memories of your time together forever.
If you have lived through much of life, you already know that is NEVER happens like life is supposed to happen. The unfortunate and forgettable parts are hard to sort out. The wonderful and marvelous moments spent together in happiness and love are always too short and never enough. But no matter if you come together as foster children or the lucky few who get the almost perfect family life together, the friends and found family that can save you if you will let them in spite of loneliness, grief, pain, suffering, starvation, financial challenges, hatred, jealousy, greed, or any other of the thousands of excuses from others who do not care about you.
You only need to find that one perfect match for you that is out there searching for you. The one that you will remember their name, and they will remember you when that one magic moment changes your lives from misery to manageable perfection together.
The real trick is knowing how and when to recognize your fated mate, and how to both change into one happy couple forever after in spite of what the world and others might try to do to you. Even as the seagulls stay near the safety of the beach in your perfect place, stay together in heart, mind, and touch for as long as you can, and linger in the memories of your time together forever.
March 23, 2026
If I wasn't a mom this probably would of been like a 4.25 ⭐️ for me. But my mama heart was hit so hard early in this book and I was taken on an emotional ride, so for me this goes on my very rare 5 ⭐️ read list!
This book is absolutely beautiful and heartbreaking and amazingly written. The story and journey that is being told in this book really dives hard into your heart. It was hard for me to put the book down but also I took my time with it because well cry breaks and mental adjustments were needed and I definitely didn't want to rush this so I could take it all in.
It broke my heart multiple times and at the same time showed so much love.
Also, I love a good spicy scene (this book didn't really have a lot of them) but this was a first for me where I skimmed through the spice to get back into the story.
Definitely add to your MM TBR and grab the tissues.
( very small note cause I know it can bother some readers.... they do a lot of back and forth with the same feelings in multiple chapters - but where it might be annoying to some readers I think it makes sense to do it because it's how these characters are constantly thinking and feeling, they've been through so much that it's tough for them to be accepting of things)
This book is absolutely beautiful and heartbreaking and amazingly written. The story and journey that is being told in this book really dives hard into your heart. It was hard for me to put the book down but also I took my time with it because well cry breaks and mental adjustments were needed and I definitely didn't want to rush this so I could take it all in.
It broke my heart multiple times and at the same time showed so much love.
Also, I love a good spicy scene (this book didn't really have a lot of them) but this was a first for me where I skimmed through the spice to get back into the story.
Definitely add to your MM TBR and grab the tissues.
( very small note cause I know it can bother some readers.... they do a lot of back and forth with the same feelings in multiple chapters - but where it might be annoying to some readers I think it makes sense to do it because it's how these characters are constantly thinking and feeling, they've been through so much that it's tough for them to be accepting of things)
Did Not Finish
May 4, 2026DNF @ 53%
June 26, 2026
Good but not as good as Stormy and Benji’s stories.
While I admired the way the author tackled trauma and addiction, and I enjoyed Ivan and Jay’s love story and healing journeys, some parts of the book felt a bit too contrived, especially the way the s*x scenes were described and the dirty talk between them. It really took me out of the story and I ended up skimming a lot of the spicy scenes. The way Jay was like “I’ll just do this, this and this and then everything will be fine and dandy” near the end also came across as a bit too contrived, but I still loved seeing him overcome his demons and start to believe in himself. There were also a few spots on the timeline where it didn’t make sense for Ivan to be certain age, but I was able to move past that pretty easily. Overall I did enjoy the story and will be looking forward to more of Ms Wild’s books (though mostly because I really enjoyed her other two books Stormy and Benji).
While I admired the way the author tackled trauma and addiction, and I enjoyed Ivan and Jay’s love story and healing journeys, some parts of the book felt a bit too contrived, especially the way the s*x scenes were described and the dirty talk between them. It really took me out of the story and I ended up skimming a lot of the spicy scenes. The way Jay was like “I’ll just do this, this and this and then everything will be fine and dandy” near the end also came across as a bit too contrived, but I still loved seeing him overcome his demons and start to believe in himself. There were also a few spots on the timeline where it didn’t make sense for Ivan to be certain age, but I was able to move past that pretty easily. Overall I did enjoy the story and will be looking forward to more of Ms Wild’s books (though mostly because I really enjoyed her other two books Stormy and Benji).
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