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Erasing the Past
It all began with a laugh. In 1968, as chemistry major Joe Holly headed to class, it was the sound of Kate Taylor’s laugh that caused him to fall for her, even before he glimpsed her face. And once he found her, he knew he would do anything to get her, and later, everything to keep her.
Based on an award-winning short story, this reimagined third edition of Erasing the Past travels back and forth in time between the first days of their courtship to their lives together thirty years later. When Kate announces that she wants cosmetic surgery, Joe’s world unravels. As the chief chemist for a cosmetics company, Joe attempts to create an age-defying cream with a synthetic blend fruit from a tree found in Africa. His concept could transform a science fiction dream into reality: Erase time from Kate’s face. But this fountain of youth comes with a cost.
Set against the backdrop of medical and technological advancement as well as corporate politics, Erasing the Past is a novel about love, betrayal, ambition, illusion, and second chances.
Based on an award-winning short story, this reimagined third edition of Erasing the Past travels back and forth in time between the first days of their courtship to their lives together thirty years later. When Kate announces that she wants cosmetic surgery, Joe’s world unravels. As the chief chemist for a cosmetics company, Joe attempts to create an age-defying cream with a synthetic blend fruit from a tree found in Africa. His concept could transform a science fiction dream into reality: Erase time from Kate’s face. But this fountain of youth comes with a cost.
Set against the backdrop of medical and technological advancement as well as corporate politics, Erasing the Past is a novel about love, betrayal, ambition, illusion, and second chances.
Paperback
First published July 5, 2010
About the author
Geri Dreiling
3 books94 followersI'm an award-winning journalist as well as a lawyer and professor. I'm an avid runner and a decent gardener in my free time. My two kids are now all grown up and doing amazing things. I live in St. Louis with my husband and our lovably complicated rescue Schnoodle, Charlie.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 31, 2020
What is in a person’s appearance? In todays society, we place more and more emphasis on unattainable beauty standards. In this novel, we get treated to a love story between a chemist, Joe Holly and his wife Kate Taylor, whom he met in college. Thirty years later, she is feeling the pressure to stay young and beautiful and expresses her desires for plastic surgery. Joe doesn’t agree as he sees her still as the fresh faced, beauty he fell in love with. In an attempt to please her, he starts working on a new cream that will reverse all visible signs of aging, but he runs into some major complications.
This was interesting, it really made me consider all the deeper ramifications of the beauty standards we have nowadays and how it affects our subconsciousness. The story jumps between present day and the past, so that format might bother some people. The pacing was well done and there was plenty of drama throughout.
This was interesting, it really made me consider all the deeper ramifications of the beauty standards we have nowadays and how it affects our subconsciousness. The story jumps between present day and the past, so that format might bother some people. The pacing was well done and there was plenty of drama throughout.
January 25, 2021
Love is More than Skin Deep
Erasing The Past by Geri L. Dreiling is a wonderfully narrated story about a deep, committed, and moving relationship between a young couple that progresses to their middle-age lives and beyond.
It is a love story between two people who abide by their marital vows as a couple but still display their unique individuality.
The story unfolds with a lonely man stooped with age muttering about being alone but still clutching his cherished notebook that has chronicled various reflections about his wife who is no longer with him.
The story moves back and forth from when they met in college to a present-day account. Her laugh was enchanting and he knew from the start of their first encounter that he was in love. His love and appreciation for her laugh and beauty never diminished. When she wants to pursue plastic surgery to lift the sags and wrinkles here and there, he lovingly told her that if fifty women of the same age were placed in one room with her, she would outshine them all.
Being a chemist for a cosmetic firm, his life's work is devoted to beautifying women. When the possibilities of a miraculous leaf used in Africa to restore skin presents itself, his idea of designing a beauty product is endorsed by the company's executives and so the story riveting story unfolds.
Along the way, secrets held in dark marital closets are discovered and the "Phoenix" beautifying project takes a dramatic and horrible turn and even the best of us are not immune from medical conditions.
Erasing The Past by Geri L. Dreiling is a very moving story that weaves together the depths of a couple's love and demonstrating shallowness in pursuit of fading beauty. The resulting tapestry is the depth of a beautiful love story that is replete with twists, turns, and heart-aches.
Erasing The Past by Geri L. Dreiling is a wonderfully narrated story about a deep, committed, and moving relationship between a young couple that progresses to their middle-age lives and beyond.
It is a love story between two people who abide by their marital vows as a couple but still display their unique individuality.
The story unfolds with a lonely man stooped with age muttering about being alone but still clutching his cherished notebook that has chronicled various reflections about his wife who is no longer with him.
The story moves back and forth from when they met in college to a present-day account. Her laugh was enchanting and he knew from the start of their first encounter that he was in love. His love and appreciation for her laugh and beauty never diminished. When she wants to pursue plastic surgery to lift the sags and wrinkles here and there, he lovingly told her that if fifty women of the same age were placed in one room with her, she would outshine them all.
Being a chemist for a cosmetic firm, his life's work is devoted to beautifying women. When the possibilities of a miraculous leaf used in Africa to restore skin presents itself, his idea of designing a beauty product is endorsed by the company's executives and so the story riveting story unfolds.
Along the way, secrets held in dark marital closets are discovered and the "Phoenix" beautifying project takes a dramatic and horrible turn and even the best of us are not immune from medical conditions.
Erasing The Past by Geri L. Dreiling is a very moving story that weaves together the depths of a couple's love and demonstrating shallowness in pursuit of fading beauty. The resulting tapestry is the depth of a beautiful love story that is replete with twists, turns, and heart-aches.
December 21, 2020
“I will not allow you to die in the name of vanity.” Words spoken by a man to his wife on plastic surgery.
For Kate, make-up was pointless and she wanted to look young no matter what.
Story shifts between past and present throughout the book. In the present, Joe is a chemist for a cosmetic company in search of a chemical compound that repairs burned skin—the fountain of youth. As directed by management, Joe has 6 weeks to make it happen. If the project fails, he, along with his team, gets the axe. Meanwhile, he forbids Kate, his wife, from getting plastic surgery to restore her youth.
Finally, the team succeeds with their formula—removing wrinkles, restoring youth, and erasing the past! For Kate, this was too good to be true and was more than willing to be the first test subject. In the duration, past scenes from their first meeting and courtship are intermittently played out as she undergoes the treatment. The process in the narrative can be quite long at times as Joe notices certain infantile behavioral traits emerge in his loving Kate, like dressing a lot younger and pouting, all resulting in more arguing in the couple. Kate’s face wasn’t the only thing going back in time. As Kate starts to forget more about their time together, scenes from their past fill in the gaps.
What price would you pay for youth? Is it worth erasing the past?
Lovely and well-written! Very smart. Secrets, lies, and betrayal all boil to the surface and burst into a climactic conclusion you won’t see coming. Not sure if the ending was suitable for this story, but I admire the notion.
Interesting read!
For Kate, make-up was pointless and she wanted to look young no matter what.
Story shifts between past and present throughout the book. In the present, Joe is a chemist for a cosmetic company in search of a chemical compound that repairs burned skin—the fountain of youth. As directed by management, Joe has 6 weeks to make it happen. If the project fails, he, along with his team, gets the axe. Meanwhile, he forbids Kate, his wife, from getting plastic surgery to restore her youth.
Finally, the team succeeds with their formula—removing wrinkles, restoring youth, and erasing the past! For Kate, this was too good to be true and was more than willing to be the first test subject. In the duration, past scenes from their first meeting and courtship are intermittently played out as she undergoes the treatment. The process in the narrative can be quite long at times as Joe notices certain infantile behavioral traits emerge in his loving Kate, like dressing a lot younger and pouting, all resulting in more arguing in the couple. Kate’s face wasn’t the only thing going back in time. As Kate starts to forget more about their time together, scenes from their past fill in the gaps.
What price would you pay for youth? Is it worth erasing the past?
Lovely and well-written! Very smart. Secrets, lies, and betrayal all boil to the surface and burst into a climactic conclusion you won’t see coming. Not sure if the ending was suitable for this story, but I admire the notion.
Interesting read!
November 24, 2020
I really enjoyed reading this novel written by the very accomplished Missouri author, Geri L. Dreiling. The book tells the story of a couple, Joe and Kate, that have been married for over thirty years. I think it’s brilliant how the book goes back to the past, to the very moment they met at the university campus, so that you can have a deep understanding of the couple’s love story.
The story is about a husband who works as a chief chemist for a cosmetics company and wants to create a revolutionary anti aging cream in the hopes that it would stop his beloved wife from getting cosmetic surgery. The devotion that Joe has for his wife is something anyone would want to find in a partner.
The story brings up a very relevant theme, aging and beauty, and how the pressure to stay young affects women. We live in a world were we are constantly surrounded by ads on tv or social media about the importance of being young and beautiful, and this books is no stranger to that. The great thing about the author’s work in this story is that she refers to this problematic in the sphere of a love story, and she does it in a very intelligent and engaging way. The characters visit some lovely and important places in St. Louis, and the way the book describes them made me hope that I get a chance to visit them some day. I am looking forward to reading more from this outstanding author.
The story is about a husband who works as a chief chemist for a cosmetics company and wants to create a revolutionary anti aging cream in the hopes that it would stop his beloved wife from getting cosmetic surgery. The devotion that Joe has for his wife is something anyone would want to find in a partner.
The story brings up a very relevant theme, aging and beauty, and how the pressure to stay young affects women. We live in a world were we are constantly surrounded by ads on tv or social media about the importance of being young and beautiful, and this books is no stranger to that. The great thing about the author’s work in this story is that she refers to this problematic in the sphere of a love story, and she does it in a very intelligent and engaging way. The characters visit some lovely and important places in St. Louis, and the way the book describes them made me hope that I get a chance to visit them some day. I am looking forward to reading more from this outstanding author.
November 27, 2020
A compelling novel.
The title of the book attracted me from the very beginning, so I decided to read it. “Erasing the past” is an absorbing novel written by Geri Dreiling. Every single page was worth reading.
The story is set in 1968 and revolves around Joe Holly and Kate Taylor. Without expecting it, Joe founds love. The moment he saw Kate, he realized that she had something special. Throughout their life story, there are some mismatches between them that they must solve.
The narrative of this novel is simple and very engaging. It Is so well-written that it entices you throughout the reading. Regarding the characters, I would say that they are well-developed and dynamic. As the story goes back sometimes, it keeps you at the edge of your seat. I was hooked by the plot, so I highly recommend it to avid readers, because it is a novel full of love, suspense, ambition, betrayal and most importantly: second chances.
The title of the book attracted me from the very beginning, so I decided to read it. “Erasing the past” is an absorbing novel written by Geri Dreiling. Every single page was worth reading.
The story is set in 1968 and revolves around Joe Holly and Kate Taylor. Without expecting it, Joe founds love. The moment he saw Kate, he realized that she had something special. Throughout their life story, there are some mismatches between them that they must solve.
The narrative of this novel is simple and very engaging. It Is so well-written that it entices you throughout the reading. Regarding the characters, I would say that they are well-developed and dynamic. As the story goes back sometimes, it keeps you at the edge of your seat. I was hooked by the plot, so I highly recommend it to avid readers, because it is a novel full of love, suspense, ambition, betrayal and most importantly: second chances.
November 30, 2020
“Erasing the past” is a book written by Geri Dreiling. It is the second book I read by this author, being “Crime Beat Girl” the first one. The author’s writing style is marvellous, she makes you feel as if you are inside the story.
This is a novel of love but ambition at the same time. It tells the story of a couple that has been together for thirty years, Kate is everything to Joe. One day she decides to stop aging with a cosmetic surgery and Joe, as the chief chemist for a cosmetics company, creates a cream to help her, but one that will have a cost.
The plot is very good and was carefully developed. Characters are well developed too and portrayed in a way that are certainly believable. I would recommend reading Erasing the past because it was a novel that I enjoyed from beginning to end.
This is a novel of love but ambition at the same time. It tells the story of a couple that has been together for thirty years, Kate is everything to Joe. One day she decides to stop aging with a cosmetic surgery and Joe, as the chief chemist for a cosmetics company, creates a cream to help her, but one that will have a cost.
The plot is very good and was carefully developed. Characters are well developed too and portrayed in a way that are certainly believable. I would recommend reading Erasing the past because it was a novel that I enjoyed from beginning to end.
November 28, 2020
Erasing the Past by Geri Dreiling is one of the most fascinating novels I have read in awhile. As the story rotates between the lives of Joe and Kate when they met in college and their early married life, you also see them thirty years later as they face the trials of a life together. Joe is a scientist that develops an amazing beauty cream that he allows Kate to use as a trial. This cream changes Kate's looks traumatically, but also her memories of him. Life for Joe spirals down quickly from there.
There is no way to tell how incredible the ending is to Erasing the Past without giving away crucial information. Geri Dreiling unfolds layers of deceit that should never be in a marriage as Joe struggles with control issues in his marriage and work place. Overall, this novel is a classic and quite memorable.
There is no way to tell how incredible the ending is to Erasing the Past without giving away crucial information. Geri Dreiling unfolds layers of deceit that should never be in a marriage as Joe struggles with control issues in his marriage and work place. Overall, this novel is a classic and quite memorable.
August 20, 2020
Wow. This book started out slowly for me, but as the plot picked up I couldn’t put it down. The chapters alternated between the past and present, which didn’t work for me. I thought the ‘past’ chapters moved slowly, but once the project got going, the story moved along more quickly. There are so many issues to consider in this story - would we 'erase the past' if we could? How important are our looks & the appearance of youth? How does a married couple deal with differing opinions? What are the ethical obligations of a company developing a ‘age-defying’ cream and how is this complicated by office politics? Where did that plot twist come from?
November 17, 2020
I love twists
This one has a big twist. A Bobby Ewing sort.
I didn't much like Joe in the beginning. OCD personalities are a turn off.
This one has a big twist. A Bobby Ewing sort.
I didn't much like Joe in the beginning. OCD personalities are a turn off.
August 23, 2020
Where your insecurities can take you
The author chose a nice way of telling much of the story of this couple, alternating between the past and present to tell how these two met and fell in love and the current circumstances of their relationship.
As the story goes on, we learn more about the kind of person that Joe is. While it's very clear that he loves his wife more than anything, we see that his old-fashioned views on gender roles in a relationship puts a strain on their marriage as time passes. His sexism reveals what he is capable of, and many of his actions lead him to have very few redeeming qualities.
One of the main issues that this book covered was sexism. Both Kate and Rachel were among the top of their class, but still struggled for a respectful position in personal and professional life. How can we assign duties based on gender? Who decides this? If a woman is working in an office like a man does, why can they not divide house chores?
Some of my favorite quotes in this book are "Discrimination had become like Wi-Fi: she couldn't see it, but somehow her career was often connected to it", “To me, a feminist is someone who believes that women are free to make up their own minds" and “Fear is sneaky. It kills love like carbon monoxide, slowly poisoning the air until it reaches the point that love simply falls asleep, never to wake again”.
**The rest of this review contains spoilers**
While it was a very well-written and compelling novel, the ending ultimately felt like a cover-up to allow for a happy ending. While I do enjoy happy endings, it made me question what the purpose was of telling most of the story set in the present? I suspect it was to illustrate Joe's insecurities even in an unconscious state, however it felt a bit forced.
It is a good thriller with twists that will keep you interested.
The author chose a nice way of telling much of the story of this couple, alternating between the past and present to tell how these two met and fell in love and the current circumstances of their relationship.
As the story goes on, we learn more about the kind of person that Joe is. While it's very clear that he loves his wife more than anything, we see that his old-fashioned views on gender roles in a relationship puts a strain on their marriage as time passes. His sexism reveals what he is capable of, and many of his actions lead him to have very few redeeming qualities.
One of the main issues that this book covered was sexism. Both Kate and Rachel were among the top of their class, but still struggled for a respectful position in personal and professional life. How can we assign duties based on gender? Who decides this? If a woman is working in an office like a man does, why can they not divide house chores?
Some of my favorite quotes in this book are "Discrimination had become like Wi-Fi: she couldn't see it, but somehow her career was often connected to it", “To me, a feminist is someone who believes that women are free to make up their own minds" and “Fear is sneaky. It kills love like carbon monoxide, slowly poisoning the air until it reaches the point that love simply falls asleep, never to wake again”.
**The rest of this review contains spoilers**
While it was a very well-written and compelling novel, the ending ultimately felt like a cover-up to allow for a happy ending. While I do enjoy happy endings, it made me question what the purpose was of telling most of the story set in the present? I suspect it was to illustrate Joe's insecurities even in an unconscious state, however it felt a bit forced.
It is a good thriller with twists that will keep you interested.
November 13, 2020
Mid-fifties Joe and Kate have fallen into traps typical of our culture. Joe, who's defined himself by his work, is nearing the end of his career and feels threatened. Kate's looks have faded; she feels invisible, and turns out, Joe's love isn't enough to sustain her. But Joe's terrified of plastic surgery; he might lose Kate under the knife, so he devises a powerful anti-aging cream. Will the cream succeed, please Kate and secure Joe's place at work?
Erasing the Past is a cautionary tale touching on marital dysfunction, raging ego, obsession, ageing, and blind ambition. The novel asks the question: do men ever truly love a beautiful woman, "or do they love the way she makes them feel? Is she a person or an object to be owned." And if you own/love a beautiful woman, what prevails, love or the fear of loss?
This novel cover similar territory to Chuck Palahniuk's Invisible Monsters but is a much easier read. Two timelines are presented; Kate and Joe's courtship and the present, mostly through the perspective of Joe, with an occasional head hop. Professional editing and formatting ensure a good read. Recommended, and remember..."Old is the new black."
Erasing the Past is a cautionary tale touching on marital dysfunction, raging ego, obsession, ageing, and blind ambition. The novel asks the question: do men ever truly love a beautiful woman, "or do they love the way she makes them feel? Is she a person or an object to be owned." And if you own/love a beautiful woman, what prevails, love or the fear of loss?
This novel cover similar territory to Chuck Palahniuk's Invisible Monsters but is a much easier read. Two timelines are presented; Kate and Joe's courtship and the present, mostly through the perspective of Joe, with an occasional head hop. Professional editing and formatting ensure a good read. Recommended, and remember..."Old is the new black."
November 19, 2020
From past to present spans the love
This is a fun read about a couple and their life in the beginning and their life now. Joe has enjoyed many years with his wife and has a very successful career. Joe begins searching for a magic cream that will take back the ravages of time and rewind the aging clock for his wife. This search was spawned by the insecurity his wife was feeling as men no longer looked at her with that hunger in their eyes. This story takes an interesting journey as we follow Joe in his desperate search to grant this wish to the love of his life. The story follows a current and past timeline as we see the life they had and the life they now lead. This story will grab you from the first page and keep you turning the pages to see what will happen next. Great story with developed characters and storyline.
This is a fun read about a couple and their life in the beginning and their life now. Joe has enjoyed many years with his wife and has a very successful career. Joe begins searching for a magic cream that will take back the ravages of time and rewind the aging clock for his wife. This search was spawned by the insecurity his wife was feeling as men no longer looked at her with that hunger in their eyes. This story takes an interesting journey as we follow Joe in his desperate search to grant this wish to the love of his life. The story follows a current and past timeline as we see the life they had and the life they now lead. This story will grab you from the first page and keep you turning the pages to see what will happen next. Great story with developed characters and storyline.
February 18, 2025
Erasing the Past is a very good debut novel from independent author Geri Dreiling.
Overall, the story line was interesting, especially after the first two thirds of the book. Early on, I had a very hard time relating to the protagonist, Joe Holly. His character emerged as mean, controlling, and incredibly selfish. If not for wanting to support an independent author, I might have abandoned the book at the halfway mark. I’m glad I didn’t.
Geri’s writing style is beautiful and easy to read. I especially appreciated that there wasn’t a single off-color word in the book.
The novel ends with a twist that I found clever, and the very end of the story offers the reader an intriguing perspective on life and its realities. That, in itself makes this short novel a worthwhile read.
Overall, the story line was interesting, especially after the first two thirds of the book. Early on, I had a very hard time relating to the protagonist, Joe Holly. His character emerged as mean, controlling, and incredibly selfish. If not for wanting to support an independent author, I might have abandoned the book at the halfway mark. I’m glad I didn’t.
Geri’s writing style is beautiful and easy to read. I especially appreciated that there wasn’t a single off-color word in the book.
The novel ends with a twist that I found clever, and the very end of the story offers the reader an intriguing perspective on life and its realities. That, in itself makes this short novel a worthwhile read.
December 8, 2022
Wow! I didn’t see the end coming at all! I was drawn into the story immediately and enjoyed the progression of the story and development of the characters. The end was surprising but so captivating. Highly recommend.
February 27, 2026
Rich in atmosphere, emotionally layered, and thought provoking, Erasing the Past is a compelling exploration of love, identity, and the price of trying to outsmart time. A beautifully written novel that earns every one of its five stars.
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