A Five-Minute Life

by Emma Scott

Remember us...when I can't.

Thea Hughes has five minutes to live.

A car accident stole her parents and left her with the second-worst documented case of amnesia in the world. She now has only minutes of experiences, of consciousness, of life…before her memory is wiped clean. The once effervescent artist with a promising future is reduced to scribbling with pens and paper, living an empty, quiet life, three hundred seconds at a time.

Jim Whelan is on autopilot.

A foster kid shuffled around the system since birth, he’s lived his entire life without knowing love…and it’s taken its toll—until he learned to fight back, carry his armor, and keep his head down.

Working as an orderly in the Blue Ridge Sanitarium, deep in Virginia countryside, Jim looked up…and found Thea.

When Thea has the chance to break free of her five-minute prison with a risky, experimental surgery, it could lead them both to an epic love they never thought possible… or one that could require the ultimate sacrifice.

***
50 First Dates meets Awakenings in this emotional love story by international and best selling author, Emma Scott.

WARNING A Five-Minute life contains subject matter that might be sensitive to some readers.
#standalone #newadultromance #notparanormal

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, New Adult, Contemporary Romance, Emotional, Disability, Slow Burn

335 pages, ebook

First published May 14, 2019

About the author

Emma Scott is a USA Today and Wall St. Journal bestselling author whose books have been translated in seven languages and featured in Buzzfeed, Huffington Post, New York Daily News and USA Today’s Happy Ever After. Her first MM romance, Someday, Someday won the Utopia Con Award for LGBTQ Book of the Year. Emma writes emotional, character-driven romances in which art and love intertwine to heal, and in which love always wins. If you enjoy emotionally-charged stories that rip your heart out and put it back together again, with diverse characters and heroes who treat their heroines like gold, you will enjoy her novels.

RECENT RELEASES all available now and FREE with KU

The Muse an MM romance

Between Hello & Goodbye

The Sinner, a paranormal angels and demons romance

The Lost Boys, a three-book series of interconnected standalones

The Girl in the Love Song
When You Come Back to Me
The Last Piece of His Heart

Someday, Someday M/M romance (Winner! LGBTQ Book of the Year, Utopia Con)

A Five-Minute Life


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Reviews

[Alex ✰ Comets and Comments ✰ · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Thea’s eyes widened and so did her smile, and the radiance inside her burst through the cracks of her broken mind, and I saw her.
This girl whom, if we had longer than five minutes, I’d make mine."







I think it's going to be one of my life missions to get as many people as I can to read at least one Emma Scott book.


_______________

♪ She takes me away to that special place... ♪
Whenever I start an Emma Scott novel, I always seem to get the butterflies all laced with nostalgic excitement because I'm starting something I already know I'm going to love! But, I also get impending feeling of loss because I know that soon enough, it's going to end and all I'm going to do is keep thinking about how wonderful it was.

I seriously envy those of you who have the ability to read this for the first time and feel all the wondrous things only ES can make you feel.

A Five-Minute Life had so much good in it, I feel like I'm on top of the world. There was so much to be learnt in this book, which reached more than just a love story, more than just a romance about two people growing and falling and breaking and fixing. Every single one of Emma's books touches on concepts that are real and valid in the world today.

"Your thoughts aren’t inconsequential.”

The crux of this story was based in Blue Ridge Sanitarium, where we meet Thea Hughes. A resident of BR, she suffers from the second worst documented case of amnesia where she constantly "resets" every five minutes. When Jim and Thea meet, sparks flew off the page. As Jim started falling for her, I started falling for them. It reminded me of all the romance movies you sit and watch eating a tub of ice cream in a shirt soaked in tears. It was so beautiful <3

I’d never seen anything so beautiful in my life. She swayed like willow tree, slender and delicate, while I was the oak rooted in front of her. Between her and the world, protecting her as best as I could.

My heart is so full even writing this review and if ever you are double guessing about picking up this book or any other by ES, please do it. Not for anyone except yourself. Trust me when I say that these words are worth so much more than a shot.



♪ And if I'd stare too long... ♪
There are lines in this book that made me ache. That's how breath-taking Emma's writing can be... so good that it makes you sore.

This book touched so much on "broken people" and how people can break through different ways and in different manners, but that doesn't negate or undermine the pain. I loved so many characters in this book. From Rita and Alonzo to Jim and Thea, the characters in this book were so emotionally captivating and I wanted to hug the little family that I came to love.

"Can you imagine? Loving someone so much that the thought of life without them is too unbearable?”

With all the brilliance that this book has, and trust me it's mesmerizing. Personally, it did have certain flaws that I wish I could look the other way to and give this a 5 star rating. But, that wouldn't be like me at all ;) The only trouble I really had was that the chemistry between Thea and Jim often short-circuited at times. I felt like their love was raw and real, but some of what took place was often predictable.

This book is split into three "parts" and although I loved all three parts, the first section of the book will always be my favourite. Just because we get to see the pain within the beauty and how suffering can make you bloom. I truly treasured this story and I still stand true to my stance that I will read whatever Emma puts out in the future without thinking twice. I'm not scared to say that I hope her novels will be looked at as classics in the Romance genre for generations to come.

“You don’t have enough to keep loving me. Only five minutes.” “That’s all I need. That’s all I ever needed.”

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

5+ stars



Emma Scott always does this to me... I pick up one of her books expecting it be amazing and she blows that expectation right out of the water. A Five-Minute Life is a romance unlike anything I've read before. It was outstanding. Perfection. I loved every single second of it and it is 100% my top favorite book of 2019 so far. I jumped into this book only knowing the title, cover, and that it was by Emma. I decided not to read the blurb or any teasers because Emma Scott is an author I love reading blind. The impact is that much greater. If you want to go in blind, I would highly recommend that.

This story starts out with Thea, a brilliant young artist with her whole life ahead of her. Thea has a great family and is excelling at her art. One accident changes her entire life. Thea remembers everything before the accident, but her current memories are not there. Her brain runs on this five minute loop and she's in a facility for traumatic brain injury because of it. When Jimmy gets a job at Blue Ridge, he doesn't know what to expect. He doesn't expect someone like Thea to be there. She seems so normal. Then five minutes will pass. And she won't remember anything.

Every time, the confusion swept across her eyes, wiping everything away. Erasing our five minutes. Erasing who and what we were to each other.

Jim sees Thea every day at work and grows to care for her. Even though it's not possible, it seems that Thea recognizes Jim as well. They connect every time they meet, even if it feels like the first time every time. Thea has spent years trapped inside her own head, but now she has a chance to get a procedure done that could change everything for her. It's risky and the outcome is unknown, but if it works, it could change it all.

Jim and Thea are both broken characters in different ways. Jimmy's past broke him, but he's working hard to heal and move past it. He needs someone like Thea to encourage him to follow his dreams, help him heal, and help him move forward. Thea's life is so unpredictable. She's a wild woman (in the best way) but needs someone to keep her calm, keep her safe, and never ever give up on her. Jimmy is that guy. And Jimmy needs someone to help him live and take chances. Thea is that girl. There has never been a more perfect pairing than these two. I loved them to pieces.

“I want to live, Jimmy. Don’t you?”
“I don’t know what that means,” I said, my own autopilot existence feeling like a prison too; one I’d made for myself.
“Really live,” Thea said. “Not just exist.”
“I want that too.” “You should have it, Jimmy.” She tilted her head up.
“Go out in the world and…” Her hand came up between us, on my chest, over my heart. “… take what you want.”

After reading this, I was filled with so much love and happiness. Even though it was extremely emotional, it was such a feel good book. By the end, I couldn't wipe the smile off my face. I will never forget Thea Hughes or Jimmy with the kind eyes. This book was so very special to me and one that will stay with me always. It's my favorite book of this year, my favorite book by this author, and quite possibly one of my favorite books ever.

I'm one of those readers who needs to feel to truly love a book. I need that emotion, for the story to touch my heart, and to be moved. Scott does this with each and every book she writes. I swear, Emma Scott's writing is a gift to the world and I hope she never stops putting out such amazing reads. This is one of those books I would recommend to any and everyone! A Five-Minute Life is something truly special! Do yourself a favor and spend some time with Thea and Jimmy. You won't regret it!

“I love you.” I kissed his mouth and kept my lips on his. “I love you, Jimmy. I love you so much. My warrior who never stopped fighting for me.”
“I won’t,” he said. “I never will. I swear it."

[Emma Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's LIVE now and FREE on KU
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Official blurb now posted and the cover is here! <3
Release date, May 16, 2019
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[Nilufer Ozmekik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five unforgettable sweet child and sweet love of mine stars!!!

Instead of writing a review, firstly I wanted to write reading instructions because it’s not for everyone :

1) if you can handle edgy, angsty, heart punching-breaking-hammering books, you chose the right one!

2) If you’re ready for new heart transplant and having a great surgeon, it is still a great book. Because when your heart crumbled into little pieces as you were reading Thea and Jimmy’s story, you’re gonna need a brand new one!

3) You’re gonna also need a new home decorator for the punching holes on your walls. Because Thea’s evil also ultra protective sister will make you so pissed off so you will want to punch some places or change the decoration of your living room by throwing glassy objects!!!

4) You’re gonna also need boxing gloves ( it helped me a lot to get rid off the stress that book gave me! And f*ck off Delia or Black Dahlia one more time!!! So sorry for Roger!)

5) Too much napkins for ugly cries needed!

6)You’ll need hard liquor or gallons of ice cream but trust me they’re not enough!

7) And finally you have to raise your hands to clap the author for doing amazing job!

I wrote the instructions because just like Thea when I see, live, feel or read tragic things, I start making bad jokes and using sarcasm to fight against the pain!
This book hurt me a lot! If you survive after reading %40 of it, then you can enjoy these wonderful characters’ amazing journey!

Thea is the most livid, sarcastic, unpredictable, creative, joyful character. I love her determination, her fight, her devotion, but mostly her amazing love story!
And our kind, lovely, tormented but not broken, loyal, sweetest Jimmy ! It’s impossible not to love, care this man!

This book might have too many illogical and unrealistic parts like the doctors’ lack of performance to find any cure for Thea! If she didn’t meet with Jimmy, she would be a lost soul! And the trail process parts, miraculously healing of Thea, side effect parts are really argumentative. I still have some doubts about Delia’s power of the hospital and her sister’s life.

But when I read a romance book, I mostly test how that book makes me feel! This book made me torn apart, cried, laughed, pissed , screamed, cursed. So when my emotions are everywhere, it means the book does a wonderful job!

As a summary, this book not flawless , not the masterpiece but it captured my mind, soul and heart at the same time. So I give a big applause to the author! I wish I could give the characters a big hug! Emma Scott did a wonderful job and made them real for me !!!

[KAS · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 ”You gave my life back to me.” Stars!!

I always feel like a kid in a candy store when reading an Emma Scott novel. I just know I am in for a delectable, romantic treat!!

Honest to Pete, all her storylines speak to me!! E.V.E.R.Y. S.I.N.G.L.E. O.N.E.

I highly recommend going in totally blind (don’t even read the blurb), snuggle down into your comfiest chair, and prepare to bask in the lives of Jim and Thea with each turn of the page.

I can guarantee their love story will be unlike anything you have ever read before.

  But the beautiful artist took the stutter-less version of me by the hand and led him out into the bright light of day.

I won’t ruin the total uniqueness of the storyline by saying anymore, except for this glorious tidbit ... if angst or slow burn is your jam, like it is mine, you are in for a mega treat because this is chock full ;)

I am re-quoting a line from my dear friend, Robin Hill’s review ... “She did it again.” Yes, Emma, you definitely did it AGAIN, and we your avid readers are the lucky recipients.

[❥ KAT ❥ Kitty Kats Crazy About Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

#KeepMeSafeKeepMeWild
A FIVE-MINUTE LIFE: Is a full length, stand alone, romance novel by Emma Scott. Spoken in ‘Dual Perspectives’

God how do you write up a review for perfection!?! You can't!! You just do what I did and shove it on your favourite shelf of 2019!! This book was beyond amazing!!

I don't know how Emma Scott does it but she just goes from strength to strength, leaving us the readers spell bound in her wake.

A five minute life took me by complete surprise, within a few pages and I was eating out of the palm of this author's hand, devouring her written words, like the speed of lightning I’d finished it in record time, faster than I’ve ever read before, I absolutely loved the journey she took me on. I can’t convey how much I loved this story. For me this was a fast burn, that bitch got its claws into me right from the beginning..



This made my rainy day Sunday perfect!!
Utterly unique, utterly unputdownable, utterly captivating, utterly and wholeheartedly in love with this book!!

More than once my heart broke..
More than once I got tears in my eyes..Remember us...when I can't.

Two years ago at the age of twenty one the life Thea knew ended, just like that, in a blink of an eye she was never going to be the same again. Lost in darkness. An unheard voice screaming to be heard. She has the second-worst recorded case in history of amnesia.

Her long and short term memory are shot to hell. She's got no memory of her life before the accident, and no memory of her life now.

She'd lost so much..She used to attend art college and was considered one of the most talented with a bright future in front of her. But the thing is..She just doesn't know it. She doesn't remember anything..



You see Thea Hughes has a brain that resets itself after every five minutes. Now she's living at Blue Ridge Sanitarium where long term permanent brain injury patients reside.

She has a few minutes of consciousness then she has to start over. She resets.

“How long has it been?” I ask the beautiful man.
“Two years,” he says in a low voice, almost a whisper.
“But the doctors are working on your case.”
He’s right. The doctors are working on my case. That’s one of the Things I Know.
My name is Thea Hughes.
There’s been an accident.
The doctors are working on my case.”

And like a broken record those questions get asked many many times throughout the day.

Enter twenty four year old 'Jim Whelan' he's the newly appointed orderly at 'Blue Ridge Sanitarium'

Jim's first meeting with Thea was so heartbreaking, so soul crushing, so utterly unfair. Along with Jim's my heart got shattered. But slowly as their tale unravels the author puts me back together again. I've tried to make this review as spoiler free as I could. This book right here is a must one click, go in blind, and I hope you love it as much as did.

     

[Shabby -BookBistroBlog · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have NO WORDS!!!
................................
Fascinating,Reverberating, mystifying, soulful and generous. This book gives you the world before crashing it down. Intense & moving, you'll sneak a glimpse of what eternal, everlasting love feels like.
I'm moved and shook and my eyes are like waterfalls in rainy season



What a unique story, it's now tattooed on my soul with indelible ink. I will NEVER be able to walk away from it. It crashed like a meteor on my heart and left behind a huge crater.
"Remember me; remember us...even when I cant!"
Can I die from sobbing so hard? Cause I truely have cried almost the entire duration of this story. I've wept and wailed like a bereft griever at a funeral. How can I sum up my devastated feelings in words. That task should and has fallen upon Emma.
Oh Dear Emma!! What have you done to me!!!
It's a brief story, in the sense that it takes place in about 2 year span.
There's this amnesiac patient- Thea Hughes. Her beautiful, artistic brain is trapped in a memory loop of 5 minutes



She was here, but any minute now, she’d be gone. And this moment, right here, right now, never happened.
The new, handsome, stuttering,compassionate orderly is acutely tuned to her case and somehow ends up getting his heart entangled with hers every five minutes, the span of her life memory.
He's Jim Whelan- Jimmy with kind eyes
My heart ......just flatlined. Many times!
The powerful brief love they share makes me shake my fists to God and his designed destiny.
This story delves in  not only undying, devotional love but also into the deeper meaning of life
“what are we if we aren’t our memories?
Who are we without them?
Where are we in this life?
They anchor us to all the who, what, and where. Without memory, we might as well be dead. Inside the amnesia, I’m not physically dead but I’m stuck in between both worlds.
Like a ghost."
To capture as many raindrops of love nectar as we can and bask in their glory. Love, life, relationships are so fleeting.......like a butterfly!!!



This was my first book by Emma (I know, how dumb of me!) But I'm going to read every single word written by her.  That'll be my mission from now on
Each tear I shed was a testament to the powerful emotions her words elicited.
It's EPIC in its feels, it's storyline, characters and narration. I fell in love with Thea and Jim in the first scene itself. Tender hearted, lonely souls that anchor to each other in a relationship that has nowhere to go and nothing to give to each other.
I held her so tight, trying to keep her with me.
She was in my arms and slipping away at the same time. And she knew it.
She was sliding down a steep, unforgiving slope into the blackness of amnesia; desperately scrabbling for purchase, her fingers clutching my shirt.



It starts beautifully and then you can feel the danger and dread in the middle and the end almost killed me.
It's beautiful, befitting and bespoke. In the sense that I could never have imagined or accepted any other ending. It made me smile so hard and cry yet again, joyous tears this time.
What a fantastic word painting you've created Emma, full of vibrant colours and words.
The pointillism was a genius touch and I got to learn something new today.
I'm tearfully babbling, so please go and BUY THE BOOK when it read it with a giant bottle of wine and extra large box of tissues
6 stars for exploding ovaries and melting hearts
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[Patty ~ Wrapped Up In Reading Book Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

*****FIVE ++++++++ STARS*****
{ARC Generously Provided by Author}



We kissed to seal the pact, but it wasn’t enough. A feeling I didn’t have a word for made my chest expand. I couldn’t describe it except that when I looked in Thea’s eyes, or held her, or kissed her, or listened to her talk, it grew bigger. Sunk in deeper. Embedded itself into the marrow of my bones, and yet I was fucking petrified it would crumble and vanish.





”A FIVE MINUTE LIFE” is Emma Scott’s latest EPIC romance! This story is another testament to the amazing talent of this gifted author. It was mesmerizing and heartfelt. There is no way you will not fall head over heels in love with this story and the characters who live and breathe within its pages. Thea and Jim’s love story is hauntingly beautiful!




Life has broken Jim and Thea in completely different ways but somehow something deep within them calls out to each other's soul. Jim grew up being transferred from one foster home to the next. Suffering from verbal and physical abuse. Bullied by kids in school because he was afflicted with a severe case of stuttering. Only ever having experienced brief moments of true kindness, he grew up to be a gentle soul whose only purpose in life was to try and help others. It’s only after he sees the beautiful girl with dazzling blue eyes at his new job at Blue Ridge Sanitarium, that his heart comes to life.




Thea was once a vivacious and happy young woman with a promising career as an artist waiting ahead of her until a terrible accident steals it all away. She’s been a patient at Blue Ridge for two years. Thea suffers from a catastrophic brain injury which destroyed her memory. Her memory resets every five minutes. She’s destined to repeat the same five-minute conversation for the rest of her life. That is until the beautiful man with the kind eyes walks into her life.





Jim sees something in Thea’s drawings and in her eyes that no one else takes notice of. He can see the woman fighting to break free of the prison that her broken mind keeps her entrapped within. It all seemed to be such an incredibly hopeless situation. I wondered where the author planned to take these two characters. I soon learned to never doubt Emma Scott. Jim and Thea will go on an epic journey filled with so much love and hope. My heart was bursting for them, but the worry was never too far behind.




This story was a true masterpiece. It’s one of those books that you wish would never come to an end!




Here are my overall ratings:

Heroes: 5++++
Heroine: 5++++
Plot: 5+++++
Angst: 5++++++
Steam: 4.5
Chemistry Between Hero & Heroine: 5+++++++++



”A FIVE MINUTE LIFE” releases on May 16th! I have no doubt that this book is going to be getting a plethora of “Five Star” reviews!!




Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2EaBVBk
Amazon Worldwide: mybook.to/AFiveMinuteLife

[Bibi · Rating 1 out of 5]

**Spoilers**

So, to recap:

Thea suffered a traumatic brain injury
Her reality is then limited to five-minute intervals
Necessitating a stay at a sanitarium
Where she meets Jim who recently started working there
Thea gets a chance to lead a normal life after an experimental treatment
She and Jim run off to NYC to “live life to its fullest”
They fall in love

But, no

Tragedy strikes again
Back to the sanitarium
Jim vows to stay with her forever
18 months and change later
She’s back on different meds
The love birds marry and all their dreams come true

The end.

I’m sorry, but dear lawd that was another level of boredom I never want to experience ever again. I'm sorry, okay?

[Hulya Kara Yuksel · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's LIVE early! 🤗🤗🤗 And I highly recommend this book to you. ❤


“Remember for me.” Tears spilled down her cheeks and over my fingers, and then she pulled me to her, her voice tremulous.
“Remember us… when I can’t.”


OMG I can't stop my tears... 😭😭😭

One of the best books of 2019!!! 😍😍😍
Ms. Scott, I love you so much. Thank you for this wonderful story. ❤❤❤


*ARC kindly provided by author in exchange for an honest review. ❤❤❤
Expected publication: May 16th 2019



BLURB:

Remember us...when I can't..

Thea Hughes has five minutes to live.

A car accident stole her parents and left her with the second-worst documented case of amnesia in the world. She now has only minutes of experiences, of consciousness, of life…before her memory is wiped clean. The once effervescent artist with a promising future is reduced to scribbling with pens and paper, living an empty, quiet life, three hundred seconds at a time.

Jim Whelan is on autopilot.

A foster kid shuffled around the system since birth, he’s lived his entire life without knowing love…and it’s taken its toll—until he learned to fight back, carry his armor, and keep his head down.

Working as an orderly in the Blue Ridge Sanitarium, deep in Virginia countryside, Jim looked up…and found Thea.

When Thea has the chance to break free of her five-minute prison with a risky, experimental surgery, it could lead them both to an epic love they never thought possible… or one that could require the ultimate sacrifice.

[Malene · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m so filled with love after finishing A Five Minute Life. This story grabbed hold of me from page one and didn’t let go until the final page. Wow. Absolutely breathtaking and so beautiful in its storytelling, writing and portrayal of characters.
Jim and Thea are two extraordinary people who I’ve come to care deeply for while reading AFML. They display values I treasure in people. Their humanity, empathy and respect of and for others are what carries them through this story and life. Jim and Thea are warriors and never gives up no matter the struggle and obstacles life throws at them.
I have to be honest and say I struggled reading AFML but only because it was so damn good. I felt too much and it made me pause to think about this story and life in general.

The author excels in capturing the helplessness, the frustration and the feeling of being lost with an effortless ease. Jim and Thea had to go through these emotions and it was excruciating to be on the sideline with them.
Emma Scott has constructed this story with so many layers. Not only with the storytelling but also with the characters. Yes, Jim and Thea are incredible characters but so are the secondary ones as well. Especially Rita and Alonzo who become so much more than colleagues and caregivers to Jim and Thea.

A Five Minute Life is a story that I will remember and treasure. Especially for Jim and Thea. Their love story is unique and breathtakingly beautiful. It has to be experienced and felt.
You won’t regret it. Wow indeed!

5 Keep Me Safe, Keep Me Wild Stars

[Dilek VT · Rating 3 out of 5]

Something between 3 and 3,5 stars

I don’t know if I will make any sense in this review because I know that I didn’t enjoy this book as much as I expected or as much as many readers did but I really am not sure as to why. So, while writing this review, I will try to analyze both the book and my feelings so that I can be as helpful as possible.

I do not intend any disrespect for the writer as there are so many worthless books around and this is still a decent work of fiction worth reading even though it fell short of my expectations. I will just try to explain why it didn’t satisfy me.

*********************************************

First of all, it's all about the illness - the whole book - it's all about the amnesia. Of course, there is other stuff but the leading role is of the illness. It's always there.

The doctors are working on my case.

That’s one of the Things I Know.

My name is Thea Hughes.
There’s been an accident.
The doctors are working on my case.



It is clear that the writer has made a good enough research about the worst case of amnesia and she has tried hard to put it all in the book but reflecting a life with a 5-minute memory span entails the repetition of the same or similar conversations and activities.

Therefore, because the nature of the illness requires it, the first half of the book is heavily repetitive and dull. The whole situation is depressing and suffocating.



The heroine, Thea, was a cheerful girl before the accident and she was an artist who loved painting, so there are a lot of pages about her trying to speak through her art.



And it was WEIRD that all her doctors abandoned hope about curing her but a hospital orderly who feels something for her recognizes the patterns in the pictures she paints. It was kinda unbelievable!



Oh, yes, the hero, Jimmy, is a hospital orderly (Call me shallow, but I would have preferred another profession for him). Still, Jimmy was a very likable character and I loved him.

Jimmy was a foster kid who was abused and bullied. He didn’t have either a chance or a desire to continue his education.

In fact, he wants to be a speech therapist as he himself stutters and he wants to help kids like him who have difficulty in speaking but his foster mother always made him feel worthless so he has become a man who thinks very little of himself. He doesn’t think he can be successful in achieving his dreams so he is just content being an orderly.

He also plays the guitar and sings well. He has a beautiful voice. However, because he stutters when he is nervous, he doesn't dare to sing in public.

Only after Thea comes into his life, things start to change and he starts to dream bigger and he achieves his dreams one by one.

*********************************************

There is this evil sister of Thea, who tries to make sure Jimmy stays away from her sister all along the book. She, in fact, loves her sister in her own way but her way sucks. She believes he will do more damage than good for her.

She was cruel and heartless most of the time. I wanted to strangle her, really.

*********************************************

Now, I will talk about how the book progresses and if she heals or not in the end so I will do it under a spoiler tag.

Jimmy falls for Thea when she has only a 5-minute memory. Then, he helps her in his own way and they have a bond. Soon after that, there is a treatment and Thea takes it.

At first, it seems to be successful and they have a short period of happy couple time. Unfortunately, it is mostly boring, too (for me) because she wants to go to New York and live her dream so it's all about going here and going there, museums, coffee shops etc. It’s all about going around the city. There is some emotional talk and some sex at the hotel, of course, but there is too much casual stuff.

Then, amnesia hits back. So another period of illness and sad times...






Then, after a long time, she has another treatment and she is finally fine. They have their HEA. There is a good epilogue for 10 years later. .

*********************************************

All in all, it was an OK book but I always felt that something was either wrong or missing.

In retrospect, I think that with a depressing and sad plot like amnesia and a shot-term memory of 5 minutes, the book should have made me ugly cry but I never cried.

And a love like theirs that blossoms in such impossible conditions and survives all the unbearable times should have felt epic and I should have felt it deep in my heart but I couldn’t. I thought it was great love – but the key word here is “thought” not "felt" ☹

Maybe, the writer spent so much time and put so much effort in making it clinically correct and therein lies the problem – it feels too clinical??? I don’t know.

Or maybe, it’s just Ms Scott’s writing style. She writes in a slow pace and she gives too much importance to mundane tasks, unimportant but habitual daily activities and casual things.

*********************************************

The painful situation of the heroine and her medical condition is a serious and sad topic, making the tone of the book gloomy and it feels boring after a certain point.

Therefore, the bond and love between them should have contributed to the story in a stronger way, by changing the tone of the book to a much different one and I am not saying changing it to “a cheerful tone” but changing it to - maybe - an “epic love story” tone.

Yes, they loved each other very much but I have no idea why the writer spent their happy couple time with all those pages full of mundane tasks like shopping, eating, drinking, going around the city, visiting museums, listening to music, talking about their favorite shows etc.

All those pages devoted to casual activities were like a cold shower after a hot bath. After the sad and depressing parts, I needed a more epic time when they have finally become a couple, not them going around New York like tourists. Of course, they have some emotional and hot moments but they were far from being enough or being epic. I needed epic in their situation.

*********************************************

The strange thing is that there are some epic lines such as the one below:

No matter what happens tomorrow, we were happy. We had the time of our lives.

The above lines sound "epic", right? But the way the writer wrote how they lived their happy time was not epic.

Do I make sense?
I hope I do… It is too hard to explain what’s wrong with this book and I don't know if I am making sense.

For example here, there is another line that made me almost cry when I read it in a review before I read the book.

“Remember for me.” Tears spilled down her cheeks and over my fingers, and then she pulled me to her, her voice tremulous. “Remember us… when I can’t.”

Beautiful, right? So very touching!

However, when I read the book and came to that part and read the same lines, it didn’t affect me that much. I just said, “Oh, it is here she says it…” and like a robot, I turned over the page. And it was because the parts before that speech didn’t find their place in my heart so this beautiful and touching line is wasted and it didn’t make the effect on me as it was supposed to.

*********************************************

Maybe, it’s not the book but me. Maybe, Emma Scott's writing is not for me.

Or maybe, it's the book. I really don't know at this point.

If you ask me, throw away all the mundane stuff and put some epic love scenes into it, then, it would totally be 4 stars, if not 5. I read "Medicine Man" and it was depressing and it was also mostly in a hospital environment but the love... the passion... the emotions in it... Oh, my! They all made it an epic read! I guess I expected the same kind of epic love from this couple as well.

*********************************************

As a side note, I want to say that I DNF'ed Ms Scott's Full Tilt duet in the first book, feeling bored to death. Ms Scott writes with a slow pace, giving too much attention to small and unnecessary details and even now, I remember how bored I was with the glass making scenes in Book 1 of Full Tilt.

I promised a dear friend to try Book 2 in the Full Tilt duet so I will. That will make me decide about reading any more books from this writer or not in the future.

*********************************************

Well, the bottom line is that I didn’t enjoy this book as much as I wanted but it is still a decent book and I see that majority of the readers are loving it so maybe, you should just ignore me. I may end up being one of the few people with an unpopular opinion about it.

*********************************************

If you want to know, the book is 322 pages, with dual point of view. And it is safe with no cheating, no OW/OM drama.

*********************************************

You can follow my instagram page from here

[Wil Loves Books! · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, no words, freaking masterpiece ❤️

“He went into my world in order to bring me out. Maybe it’s time for me to return the favor.”

When I finished this one and said I had no words, I truly meant it. This was so beautiful; I was so overwhelmed and full of emotions when I was done. I’ve always said that Emma Scott is at a whole different level than most when it comes to her writing. And when you think she’s given you her best book to date, she comes out with a new book and simply BLOWS YOUR MIND! It’s just amazing. How does she comes up with these complicated, intricate yet mesmerizing love stories is beyond me. But she’s just a master of her craft.

“Thea was down in the dark, but I was down there with her.”

The other thing Emma Scott does better than anyone is write relatable stories, even if some of the circumstances are extraordinary, her characters are always so simple and relatable. And I say simple as in the people next door. There’s no frills. There’s no alpha billionaire dude with a God complex that talks like Tarzan and “claims” his woman. Don’t get me wrong, I might enjoy some of those stories from time to time. But it’s those simple, people next door, relatable stories that get me ALL THE FREAKING TIME! And this one is exactly that, in true Emma Scott fashion, a masterpiece.

I sang of a woman’s blue eyes that thought of rain, her smile, and the beauty of her face that could make me cry if I stared too long. I lost myself in the words, inhibitions falling away with every syllable because I was singing to Thea. I was singing about Thea and it was the easiest thing in the world…

I won’t rehash the blurb. I think it’s pretty explanatory. Thea is in an institution, she has one of the worst case of amnesia in the world. And Jim, or Jimmy is an orderly there. He’s had a pretty rough life, and she’s had a pretty beautiful one, she just can’t remember it. Jim takes a liking to Thea cause he’s able to see beyond the superficial things and the most beautiful love story ensues. I can’t even begin to tell you how much I want you to read this and experience this by yourself. So basically, stay away from reviews!

I was a dying man in Thea’s Egyptian desert, and she was a mirage. An oasis that didn’t exist.

But I will tell you this. This story has one of the best heroes I’ve ever read. The best! This man, this beautiful caring man, was a man in every sense of the word. Even though his life had been rough, this man loved like no other and was there when he had to. He is everything I love in a hero and everything I think a man should be, through the end. And it was just perfect. Jimmy with the kind eyes. I’m completely and wholeheartedly in love with him. I loved Thea too, beautiful Thea. Not only did I love her point of view, I also loved how Jimmy saw her through his eyes, sigh! See, it all comes back to Jim. Jim is the star of this book, hands down.
“James Whelan, you don’t expect anything for yourself. You just give and give… I love you for that. I love you for everything. All of you. I’m so in love with you, Jimmy.”

I won’t bore you with details and I won’t spoil a thing. But this one is an instant favorite, top read of the year or ever. I read it in one sitting and my heart was in my throat the entire time. I tried to go slow but at the same time I needed to read it fast. This book is carefully paced and poetically beautiful, and the ending will leave you speechless. It’s a standalone and there are no cliffhangers. And there’s 2 epilogues! 2!!! You know how much I love those. And they were perfect!!! PERFECT!!!! I will definitely be screaming off the top of my lungs at any one who could listen of how amazing this book is. As with every other Emma book, I might add. But this one, man, it was just perfection. I can’t wait to see what she writes next. Pick this one up if you love epic love stories. You won’t be disappointed.

“Remember us… when I can’t.”

[Jenny••Steamy Reads Blog•• · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lately I've been in a string of amazing books, Absolutely falling in love time in time again. May has brought a slew of new releases, and wow have I scored!!!! I don't think I have ever had so many 5 star reads. Here's the thing, these authors, they are simply amazing, their writing is on queue, the characters, magical.

I have always adored Emma's writing. She brings me to tears with her writing, the flawless nature of the characters, but this story, WOW, I am still reeling, days later. To put into words what this story has done to me, not possible.

Jimmy, words to describe this character.....



Thea..... The tragic past, the unknown future, the lost present. I love this character, LOVE LOVE LOVE her. I've never read a character where I am begging and pleading for a HEA for. She deserves nothing but.



Hands down a book that I recommend to you Adult Romance lovers! IT is one that will stick with you!

[Jx PinkLady Reviews ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

5++++☆☆☆☆☆
I AM IN LOVE WITH THEA AND JIMMY ♡♡♡


My stand out read of the year so far! This story is everything I wanted it to be and so much MORE.
A ROMANCE STORY DOES NOT GET BETTER THAN THIS 📚💜
Breath-taking.
Beyond beautiful.
Eloquent.
Intense.
SO SPECIAL
And emotional. (Have a whole box of tissues ready!)


It's the ROMANCE NOVEL ALL romance readers need because it is the absolute best on all levels: writing, emotion, romance, passion, love, angst, story, plot, characters. There’s light and shade in the narrative. I sobbed but equally, there were moments when I laughed out loud with Thea and Jimmy. Testament to the power of a full-bodied book with highly developed characters whom I totally believed in and who made me feel all levels of emotion.



Emma Scott poured her heart into the rich layers of this story. Her writing is incredible; amazing, heart-breaking and uplifting all at the same time. I cannot stress enough the beauty of the writing, and the abundance of love that I felt within the pages. ♡ This is a story that readers will remember for a long time to come.


Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2JN3xjX
Amazon Worldwide: mybook.to/AFiveMinuteLife


Graphics made by me with photos from depositphotos.com

Beta read *

[Robin Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Dear God.”

Those were the first words I choked out when I came to The End. As in, Dear God, everything hurts. Dear God, readers are going to go bonkers for this. Dear God, she did it again. AGAIN. Every time Emma Scott releases a new book, I think, there’s no way she’ll come close to topping that last one, and yet, she always does. After fifteen books, you’d think I’d learn my lesson. And despite having written fifteen books, she manages to keep the storylines fresh and unique. Falling in love five minutes at a time? *mind blown* I saw Drew Barrymore do it in 50 First Dates and she had twenty-four hours at a time...and that was a comedy! Spoiler alert: Ms. Scott doesn’t write comedies. Let me rephrase that, Ms. Scott hasn't written a comedy yet, but I wouldn't put it past her.

If you’re an Emma Scott fan, you will no doubt LOVE A Five-Minute Life, and if you’re new to her, this is a great place to start.

[Pavlina Read more sleep less blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

❤️5 stars ❤️

Such a beautiful story, my heart is so full right now.I knew this one will be another win but I didn't expect to love it so much!It was unique,emotional,powerful and sweet.



It was an emotional roller coaster, Thea is a unique and lovely heroine, my heart was aching for her.I felt sorry for her and I wanted to hug her. Jim was also so sweet I wanted to hug him too!I adored them.



I can say this is an unforgettable story get prepared you are going to fall in love with Thea and Jimmy.

 

  

[EmBibliophile · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars




"Remember for me.” Tears spilled down her cheeks and over my fingers, and then she pulled me to her, her voice tremulous.
“Remember us... when I can’t.”

Every book I read by Emma Scott leaves me the same exact three feelings...
Frustration,
Heartbreak,
Love.

This book was no exception.

We were all whackos and head cases to a certain degree. Some were just better at hiding it. For some of us, hiding it was our life’s mission.

Thea is a young talented artist who got into an accident that left her with the second worst documented case of amnesia. Her brain “resets” every few minutes.
Jim has just got a job as an orderly in the facility where Thea stays. He was instantly captivated by her beauty and spirit. Later he get to know that Thea who seems so normal, forgets everything within minutes, including him.

Thea was down in the dark, but I was down there with her.

Jim and Thea, my heart break for them. I would consistently scream “THIS IS NOT FAIR!” Their story is so beautiful, it almost felt unreal. To love someone like that, to give them everything, keep on giving, and take nothing in return but just a few minutes of them remembering you? It’s beautiful, frustrating, and heartbreaking.

Remember me, Thea. Please.

They were both broken in different ways. Thea was trapped in her mind, unable to break free. She’s a free spirit whose forced to stay in a cage. While Jim has suffered a lot in his childhood. He was broken, also trapped in his past, trying to move on with his life. Jim is cautious. Choosing what’s safe, what’s stable. But he took a risk with Thea, and he didn’t give up. He sees Thea. The one nobody notices. He’s so perfect. Those two needed each other to feel, to remember, and to love.

I was a dying man in Thea’s Egyptian desert, and she was a mirage. An oasis that didn’t exist.
And I had to stop turning my empty soul in her direction.

I love Emma Scott’s books. I haven’t read a book written by her that I didn’t end up loving. This book is no exception. I loved all the characters in this book, and how every single one of them had an important role. Even though Delia seems to be “the bad guy,” I could understand her. She was just as broken as Jim and Thea. Even though this is only a work of fiction, it felt so real and important. And it was written in the most beautiful way.

"You don’t have enough to keep loving me. Only five minutes.”
“That’s all I need. That’s all I ever needed.”

Song recommendation:
I will follow you into the dark by Death Can for cutie
Sweet child O’ mine by Guns N’ Roses
Slip by Elliot Moss

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Back in college I took an intro to psychology class and I recall specifically learning about a man, Clive Wearing, who had an extreme case of anterograde amnesia - the inability to put anything new into memory. Other than the amnesia, Wearing was still of sound mind, so he constantly tried to understand what he was experiencing by writing down in a notebook the current time and a statement that he "just woke up" because that's how it felt to him - he couldn't remember how he got to be in whatever room he was in, even if he had been awake for hours already. But then just a couple of minutes later he would write down again the time and "just woke up", because his memory was already erased and reset. He is not able to make sense of this feeling of constantly being 'woken up' with no memory of what he was doing just minutes, hours, or days before, because any explanation given to him about his condition is almost immediately forgotten by him. He knows he *should* remember, but he just can't. Google him, it's a very interesting case though terribly sad at the same time.

This book is a fictionalized version of that same condition, with some romance thrown in for good measure. Thea is able to only recall things for up to five minutes at a time before she feels like she 'wakes up' again. So how does someone who can only 'live' in five minute increments become involved in a romantic relationship? You'll have to read this book to find out :) I'm not spoiling things.

[Carvanz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy heck! How do I even begin to review this amazing, brilliant, beautiful book? Even if I were a writer I could never find the perfect words to describe this story. And to do so without spoiling it is a near impossibility.





Two years ago, Thea was in a tragic accident that has left her with the second worst case of amnesia ever recorded. Her life is now lived in five minute increments. Everything between those windows of time wiped out, completely erased until she resets and it starts over and over again…every day, for two years.

Jim’s past haunts him in his lack of confidence to fight for what he wants in life as well as in the breaths he takes to speak. He’s never had anything and he lives with low expectations. But at his core he’s a good, kind man and he longs to help others.





When he begins a new job as an orderly at Blue Ridge Sanitarium he expects to do his job, keep to himself, and continue on in the emptiness that is all he knows. Meeting Thea brought a light to his life he never expected, but as each window of time closes between them, he’s anguished at how hopeless it all is. Until he realizes that there is one thing he can do for her, he can take care of her.

”My life was a set of hours to be endured, not lived. My light low and sputtering. But I could take care of Thea Hughes. That was something I could do.”





“She was lost in the music and I was lost in her. I’d never seen anything so beautiful in my life. She swayed like a willow tree, slender and delicate, while I was the oak rooted in front of her. Between her and the world, protecting her as best as I could.”


Despite her five minute life, Thea was a warm, caring, and bright light in not only Jim’s life but those who cared for her. The script was pre-written each time she “woke up” but her character shined brilliantly through it all. I absolutely adored her and wanted so much more. I longed for the cure, the fix, the magical elixir that would make it all better. When one of the worst things imaginable happens to her, I wanted to rant and rave and then I cried because even in the darkness, Jimmy was there for her.





From the beginning I was deeply entrenched in the journey of each of these characters individually and as a couple. I can’t express how much Jimmy and Thea’s story moved me. There was a desperate need inside of me for them to find some way to make it work. I cried so many tears throughout this book, some in joy, some in devastation and all of them welcomed because this book made me FEEL like nothing I have read before.






I have to recommend this one to everyone who loves a complicated love story filled with obstacles that simple communication cannot overcome. I would warn you to be careful of reviews that give too much away. This is one that you would do better to go into as blind as possible.





Dual POV
Safe no ow/om drama; h not a virgin; H not a manwhore
Triggers h is molested – forced to touch man

[Radd Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

5++++ ⭐️'s
“How long has it been?”
"My name is Thea Hughes.
There’s been an accident.
The doctors are working on my case.”

Emma Scott is one of my favorite authors!! So of course when I saw she had a new book, I definitely had to jump in with both feet as I knew it would be an exceptional story that would bring all the feels. I was not disappointed......this book has it all and it's an addictive page turner that I absolutely loved.

Characters
Jimmy (24): bounced around foster homes in his youth and ended up with Doris from 10-18. She was only interested in the check she got from the state and didn't show Jim any kindness. He has a stutter that caused him a great deal of grief with Doris and was often bullied by the kids at school because of it. Doris' verbal abuse has stayed with him and he struggles to ignore her derisive voice that always plagues his internal thoughts.
"I tried to ignore the insidious thoughts, but they were ingrained in me. Part of the fiber of my being, woven by years of abuse and neglect in a fucked-up system"

When he was in 7th grade, a teacher felt sorry for him and taught him some breathing techniques to help with his stutter.
“Inhale the thought, exhale the words.”

Thea (23): the “unconventional”, fun sister. She loves to paint, is fascinated by Egyptian history and loves to push her sister's buttons. She has some snarkiness to her and she is a free spirit - she goes with the flow. Her dad always says she could light up the darkest of rooms.

The Story
This book has such a unique plot and I was immediately captivated. It is divided into three parts and each section was incredible.

Part 1: Thea's amnesia diagnosis:
”She has semantic memory, which means she remembers factual information such as words, concepts, numbers. She still knows how to wash her face, use a fork, put on her clothes. But she has no episodic memory. No personal experiences, events, or details about people or places. Meaning, she knows what a dog is but can’t tell you if she’s ever pet one in her life.”
Seeing as she is only "conscious" moments at a time, there is bound to be some repetition. Each time Thea's memory "resets" she says the same phrase, asks the same questions and has the same conversations with people. However, this didn't bother me as I would imagine it is a true representation of what would happen in real life.
There is an instant connection between Thea and Jimmy. Even though Thea technically can't remember meeting him, deep down she knows he's special as she often tells him the story of Cleopatra & Marc Anthony. It's clear Thea views Jimmy as her "Marc" and knows he will protect, defend, and honor her.
"You’d fight for me, wouldn’t you, Jimmy?” she asked. “Like Marc Antony?”
“Yeah.” I swallowed. “Yeah, Thea. I would.”

"For all those weeks, we talked and listened to music and every conversation we built was torn down again by the amnesia. Over and over again.”

What I loved about Part 1 was the feeling of hope....of something "more". Jimmy (who was broken in his own way) just knew that Thea was communicating memories and feelings via her word chain drawings and getting her voice heard was something he was determined to make happen. He never gave up in his pursuit to bring her some aspect of happiness in what felt like a desperately hopeless situation. He persevered and fought for her behind the scenes. There wasn't anything about Jimmy that I didn't love. There was excitement building in part 1 because you just knew something big was right around the corner.
"These weren’t just word chains. These were strings of pain. And at the end of every one, the theme.”

Part 2
This section brings big changes and I absolutely detested Thea's sister Delia. Man, I thought she was a major bitch in part 1, but in part 2 her true colors were even more obvious and she was beyond hateful/spiteful. What is her issue? Dang this woman ticked me off. Could she have a bigger stick up her a$$? Talk about bland, boring and uptight. Geez.

Thea and her sister are at opposite ends of the spectrum. Thea is full of life and the little tricks she plays on people made me smile. She is vibrant and snarky and has a great sense of humor. I absolutely adored Thea. She begs for independence and fortunately a few people offer her support when she needs it most. The romance starts to pick up in this section of the book and Thea and Jimmy together are awesome. These two are such a fantastic team and I looked forward to each of their interactions. Hearing Thea's thoughts about her amnesia prison was heartbreaking.
"Those years were a long, endless reel of sameness. Wake up, eat, watch The Office, take a walk, draw pyramids, scream for help, eat, go to sleep, wash, rinse, repeat. In five-minute increments. Until Jimmy heard my cries and added music and color to my monotone, monochrome existence.”

Part 3
This section of the book focuses on the budding relationship between Thea and Jimmy and I loved watching them develop as a couple. Thea's excitement of exploring New York was contagious and was only eclipsed by the excitement of finally having Thea and Jimmy together and watching them explore their new feelings. They had a few bumps along the way as they each had some broken pieces that needed some tender love and care, but there were so many special moments that they shared together. I loved the way they supported each other. When negative thoughts would creep in, they would offer each other encouragement, they believed in each other and always tried to bring out the best in each other. I thought they made a beautiful couple and the choice Thea had to make and the scene on top of the Empire State building.....gut wrenching. When their deepest fears were realized and Thea says, Remember for me. Remember us… when I can’t.” ...omg 😢😢😢

"Keep me safe."
"Keep me wild.”

"I’m going to take care of you, and I’m going to go out and build a life so you have a place to come back to when they find a new drug. When. You’re coming back, and I will be here the whole time, waiting and building. I’ll never give up on you. I’ll never leave you alone in the desert or sealed up in a tomb.”

Overall
As with every Emma Scott book, the author has done the research to make this book sound and feel authentic. Superb writing that sucks you in from page 1 and a story that brings all the feels. Thea and Jimmy are broken, flawed individuals and who can't relate to that? I devoured this book because the way ES writes is brilliant, captivating, all consuming and this story was so much more than just words on a page. I felt the heartbreak and disappointment, I rooted for a young couple trying to defeat unimaginable odds, I raged at the way people abuse those without a voice, I hurt when Thea and Jimmy were let down by others and I jumped up and down when they broke free to find themselves. This book packs a punch and my emotions certainly went on a journey. Thea and Jimmy have a beautiful story and when I finished the story and closed the book, I felt overjoyed that they found their HEA, but I felt sad I had to say goodbye to such a stunning and amazing story. This book is absolute perfection!!

"I think everyone deserves happiness. It’s out there, waiting to come to us, but we have to be open to receiving it. We have to know we deserve it, in order to give it a chance.”

Quotes
“Can you imagine? Loving someone so much that the thought of life without them is too unbearable?”

“I Will Follow You into the Dark.’”
I drained my beer and pushed my chair back to go when the song’s lyrics grabbed my attention. A man telling his love he’d follow her into the dark, but it was nothing to be sad about. They’d go together, hand in hand.”

“The stronger the love, the more helpless the person feels in the wake of its loss.”

“Anyway, big deal, you have a stutter. I have brain damage.”
“Show off.”

“I don’t feel sorry for you, Jimmy,” she said. “I feel sorry for all the people who had a chance to really know you but didn’t. They blew it. They fucked up. I’m proud of myself that I’m not like them.”

“What are we if we aren’t our memories? Who are we without them? Where are we in this life? They anchor us to all the who, what, and where. Without memory, we might as well be dead.”

Remember for me.” Tears spilled down her cheeks and over my fingers, and then she pulled me to her, her voice tremulous. “Remember us… when I can’t.”

[Sophie "Beware Of The Reader" · Rating 5 out of 5]

4,5 stars.

 

“Alone-ness is an abyss. It’s being alone even when you’re surrounded by people. It’s vast and empty and silent.”

 

Here we go, trying to write a review for Emma’s book when I have so much to say that ideas are fighting in my brain. It happens every time I read one of her books. Trying to give something organized yet conveying all the emotions that story made me feel.



I think this conversation that I had with a blogger friend, Talia @redhotink gives the best idea.

We were skyping Saturday, her in New York me in my tiny European town and discussed Emma’s book.

Talia: “I am waiting for the right frame of mind to read that one. I just know it will be very emotional and I need to be ready.”

Me, 80% in the book at that moment: “Don’t be afraid. It has lots of emotion, because this is Emma we are speaking about, but you won’t drown in it like “The Beautiful Hearts” duet”.

Then a few hours later, having finished the book …

Me: “I said that it was safe for you to read it. Well, now I say "Abort! Abort!"

Because she packed a punch in the last 20% and I was just crying like a baby!!!!”

 

 

Another snippet of information that I can give you is that now, on Emma’s Facebook group, there is a controversy about Weston still being the best boyfriend versus Jim alias “Jimmy with the kind eyes” because that guy was sooooooooo loveable!



 

Now that I’ve been all over the place *told you my reviews tend to be really messy with Emma’s books* I will try to structure this review.



In a nutshell, what’s this story about?



As the synopsis explains, it’s about Thea, a young vibrant artist who lost her memory in a car accident that killed her parents. She is now in a sanatorium with her sister as legal guardian as she can only have memories in five minutes time period. After five minutes, she is resetting and does not recall being under the shower or eating etc.

Can you imagine the stress of being constantly “awakening” when you are under your shower or chewing something without any recollection of having undressed to shower or of being seated to eat your meal?

How are you there? Where are you? Who are these strangers around you in white blouse? Why are you headed outside? Where are your parents? Your sister? Etc.

This is just insane! Poor, poor Thea! Prisoner of her mind!

 

 

Time to bow low to Emma’s talent as a chapter was written with Thea resetting all the time. Again and again and again and …with the same scenario and dialogs on a loop.

It could seem boring but I found it just arresting as we got to really realize what Thea’s and her entourage’s lives must be and feel!

 

Enter Jim.

Jim is a product of the foster system. He’s never known his parents, has been sent from foster home to foster home, often to not very kind people to say the least. He stutters after a dramatic incident when he was a kid and has been bullied for years. He’s been convinced or rather brainwashed that he is nothing, deserves nothing.

Jim was …a dream book boyfriend.

He could have been hardened by life wanting to lash on everyone, he could have been bitter and resentful due to his lack of luck in life yet he chose the path of kindness.

Jim wants to help others. He needs to give, to be compassionate, to do something good, something that matters.

His dream is to help other people struggling to speak but studying costs money and he does not think that he deserves happiness.

 

“I don’t feel sorry for you, Jimmy,” she said. “I feel sorry for all the people who had a chance to really know you but didn’t. They blew it. They fucked up. I’m proud of myself that I’m not like them.”

 

When Jim arrives to work as an orderly at Blue Ridge Sanatorium he will instantly be drawn to Thea.

He will be the only one to see her. To see that she is still inhabiting that body, that mind. That she is trapped. That we have to help more.

“These weren’t just word chains. These were strings of pain. And at the end of every one, the theme. The period at the end of Thea’s sentence. A repetition, like the echo of a voice calling out from somewhere deep and dark. Lost. Gone. Scream.”

 



I won’t tell more about the plot as I don’t want to spoil your read but just know that their relationship, their connection was deep, solid and moving.

Both are luminous souls and they glow.

 

Their romance, their personal struggle, the atmosphere of the book and the cover reminded me so much of Sugar & Gold. If you want to “compare” to another of Emma’s books I’d use Sugar & Gold.

It has a softness, a “muteness”, a nuance that can be found in that work. The characters are less “flashy” if you could say so, humbler than “The Beautiful Hearts”. They deserve to be heard and seen but you have to want to see and hear them because they are discreet. There is so much humility in that story, so much hope too.

 

But as I said in the beginning, don’t be fooled by the apparent softness of the tone as the last 20% will slap you right in the face, morphing your experience from a moving story to an emotional tsunami!

 

Now what was missing to give it 5 stars? Not much at all honestly. It’s only my personal greed as I would have loved delving more into Jimmy’s past. We got only snippets here and there, a short prologue but I wanted more. GIMME MORE LITTLE JIMMY Emma! LOL

Recommend it? A thousand times!

Have you read it or any of Emma's books?
Thanks for reading!
Sophie

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[✰ Bianca ✰ BJ's Book Blog ✰ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two years ago Thea lost everything in a car accident.

She was 21 years old. She had the perfect life. The perfect family. She was one year away from finishing art school and living her dream life in New York City.

Now that is all gone. Plus so much more. But she doesn't know it.

She can't remember.

Every five minutes her brain resets itself and it feels as if she just wakes up for the first time after the accident.

Her sister put her in a facility that's specialized in caring for permanently brain damaged people.

Enter Jim. Jimmy. James.

His life hasn't been pretty either. He's been sent from one foster home to the next until they put him with horrible Doris when he was a kid. She was only in it for the money. She couldn't even be bothered to send that sweet stuttering kid to speech therapy.

Jim was bullied every day. Until he was one day strong enough to fight back.

The clinic back home - where he was working as an orderly - closed down and now he's been hired at Thea's place.

And on his first day there he meets the girl of his dreams. He has the most amazing, flirty conversation with her. Without stuttering!

And five minutes later she can't remember him.

What will happen with Thea & Jim?
WILL THERE BE A HAPPILY EVER AFTER???
BUY THE BOOK TO FIND OUT!

══════════════════





Ugh Emma! You!! You cry-making person you!



I swear - the next book I'll read in the bathtub! Or a pool even!

Such a heartbreaking story.

I don't even know why I read a book where I just know that it's going to be mega hard to get that happy ending!?

WHY DO I DO THAT?



Because Emma's books are amazing!

And maybe because we still hope that there is something that will help Thea.

Ugh. That poor girl. But she doesn't really know what's happening with her. Or does she?

But poor Jimmy definitely does. He has to watch the girl he's falling in love with forget him every few minutes.

Ugh. I always see Drew Barrymore in my head and even though they had a kind of normal life at the end - she never got better - I don't want that for Thea and Jim!!! But I was so afraid that was exactly how this was going to end too. Or even worse - I really hope nobody gets dead here!!! Oy. Jeez.

What a sweet and emotional book.

I adored Jimmy. Such a perfect man.



How can he be so sweet and kind and good when he's been hurt so much in his life?
The way he wants to be there for Thea, how he's protecting her, taking care of her and how he loves her - or at least tries to - because he has no idea what love even is. Ugh. Poor boy.

And Thea ... so full of happiness and life and art and love and she's not able to live that amazing life that should be hers. So sad - but we still have hope. ☺

There were some moments where I wanted to throw the sister out the next window. Grrrr. That woman! But she only wants what's best for Thea.

I just adored this book ... it was so beautiful and full of allll the feels. It made my heart hurt reading it, but I loved every single word!!!

A FIVE-MINUTE LIFE was such a beautiful & heartbreaking romance! Hurry to your nearest amazon for a box of tissues and your own Jimmy - this one is MINE!


♡ ♡

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

I believe reading a book by Emma Scott is very similar to looking at a vividly painted picture. Instead of using a paintbrush and paints, Ms. Scott creates pictures and stories with her words and they are simply breathtaking. A Five-Minute Life is definitely one such book. Jim and Thea's is such an unlikely love story and the odds are definitely not in their favor. There are so many people and situations working against them. Jim and Thea are strong characters though. Jim (aka Jimmy) is kind and loving. He is ethical with a strong moral compass. His desire to help others and to protect those who cannot help themselves is reminiscent of days gone by. Then there is Thea. She loves with her whole heart and lives life fully. She won't let him waste a minute and encourages him to chase his dreams. She is definitely the yin to Jimmy's yang - they compliment each other perfectly.

"Keep Me Safe. Keep Me Wild."

Throughout this book, Ms. Scott had me riding the emotional rollercoaster. There was so much at stake for the characters within this story. Just when one challenge was resolved, it seemed that another one popped up. The reader finally reaches a point of exhaustion and feels like there isn't any hope left. Just when you don't think you can handle anymore emotionally, Ms. Scott brings out the suture kit and begins stitching up the torn places in your damaged little heart. It's a talented author that cannot only connect a reader to characters so intensely that you feel their emotions and pain, but who can help to heal that same reader ...all with her words.

I absolutely adored this story! I will carry it with me for quite a while....

"Remember us...when I can't."

This ARC was generously gifted by the author for an honest review.

[NiCoLeTa E. {Addicted To Books} · Rating 5 out of 5]

***5 "Don't give up on me!!!" stars***

"Keep me safe..."



"Keep me wild..."

This book was soooo BEAUTIFUL and HEARTWRECKING at the same time!!!
This was my ninth book by Emma Scott and i have nothing wrong to say about the heartbreaking, but beautiful stories that Mrs. Scott is coming up with!!!!
This story started with so much pain and desperation.... It was chocking me inside and it was sooo hard to breath... The second part was full of hope... and the last part had a u-turn that left me breathless!!!! It was really a compination of the first two parts... Desperation, heartbreaking, but also hope!!! So much hope!!!!
Love can conquer everything, if there is true love, faith and hope!!!!

"Stay with me, Thea... Please. Stay."



"Remember for me... Remember us... when I can't."

Mrs. Scott had to do much research for being able to write this book!!!! And she did a great job marrying reality with fiction...
Thea was a girl full of life... An artist... A girl who was laughing all the time!!!
Unfortunately, a bad accident characterized her as the second bad case of amnesia in the world...
Her clarity time was lasting only five minutes at time and then, she was reseting everything...
Just some minor things she was able to remember...
Seriously, guys!!!! Her condition was breaking my heart soooo badly!!!!

“How long has it been?” I ask the beautiful man.
“Two years,” he says in a low voice, almost a whisper.
“But the doctors are working on your case.”



"I try to remember. Something. Anything.
Silence in my mind.
Emptiness.
I'm lost...
Trapped.
Trapped where?
I don't know. I don't know where I am anymore.
I can't remember."

Two years after the accident that left Thea in this ugly situation, Jim came to work in the sanitarium for persons with amnesia... From the first moment, his attention was drown toward Thea, even though he couldn't have interactions with the residents...
But even though he was fighting his attraction for her, he just couldn't stay away from her... Her presence was drowing him in all the time and all these interactions and his focus on her, made him see things that the rest of the people around her didn't see...
Is it possible, the old Thea was somewhere there inside???

"What the hell was I doing thinking about Thea Hughes? Her memory was fucked. She wasn't capable of anthing, not even friendship. Her brain is broken. Leave her alone. But she wouldn't leave me alone."



“These weren’t just word chains. These were strings of pain. And at the end of every one, the theme. The period at the end of Thea’s sentence. A repetition, like the echo of a voice calling out from somewhere deep and dark. Lost. Gone. Scream.”

I loved Thea and Jimmy so damn much!!!
Thea was trapped in her own five minute life and even though her lost mind, Jimmy was a person that every time was earning her attention one way or another!!!
Jimmy had a bad life himself and he just wanted to pass his time peacefully, but his attraction to Thea, only made him more courageous and determined!!!!
I liked Jimmy's kindness, strength and determination to help Thea and to make her life better in every possible way... I liked him for not giving up on her!!!!

"The radiance inside her burst through the cracks of her broken mind and I saw her. This girl whom, if we had longer than five minutes, I'd make mine."



"Every time, the confusion swept across her eyes, wiping everything away. Erasing our five minutes. Erasing who and what we were to each other..."

What i didn't like was how the people around Thea had given up on her in a way!!! They didn't seek deeper to find a solution...
I hated how Delia was acting so much!!! I hated that she took away vital things from Thea because she thought there was no hope for her...
I hated that the doctors didn't do their job right!!!
I hated how they were keeping Jimmy away from her, when he was the only person that could see her!!!!

"A simple truth remained... losing Thea was fucking agonizing, but it was better than never having her at all.
But I'm not giving up on her. Not fucking ever."



"He went into my world in order to bring me out. Maybe it's time for me to return the favor."

This story was sooo beautifully heartbreaking, but so meaningful, as all Mrs. Scott's stories!!!
This story had depth and i liked how the author was giving us solutions when there was a dead end...
I liked how those two people connected with each other...
I liked how they saved each other...
I liked AND this story by Emma Scott! It was very interesting and unique!!! Period.

"Nothing good lasts... That's been a truth of my life. Being with you? Here? It's too fucking good."
"Nothing ever lasts, good or bad... That's why we have to live as much as we can, as hard as we can, every moment."



“You don’t have enough to keep loving me. Only five minutes.”
“That’s all I need. That’s all I ever needed.”

[Deanna❤Pink Lady❤️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 ”Brilliant” Stars


Where do I start? How do I review A Best of 2019......
1. This was a story that was extremely unique and filled with eloquence and breathtaking moments. My heart was taken on an incredible roller coaster ride. There were moments that left you breathless and heartbroken as well as moments that left you high as an eagle, soaring brilliantly through the clouds.
2. This was a book that made you think about life, about the here and now and what would you do if it wasn’t there anymore. If all you had was five minutes to feel alive before you had to start again.
3. This was a beautiful romantic love story but it was also so much more. The depths of this author’s writing was so compelling and thought-provoking that I cried, I smiled, I hoped and I loved.

Thea and Jimmy, are very compelling individuals. Each are broken and trying to escape,Thea, her present and Jim, his past. While Thea is lost within herself, Jim sees her and struggles to help. It’s who he is, no matter what his past tries to dictate to him. It’s a beautiful journey with highs and lows that penetrates your very soul.

Besides Thea and Jimmy, there are many secondary characters that breathe extra life into the story. Alonzo, Rita, and Delia and their connections to Thea and Jimmy make your heart ache and soar at the same time. They are vital to the well being of both in ways that slowly progress throughout the story. Not always in good ways but because of the situation, fear, anger and frustration also come out.

The blurb sets the scene. I don’t need to go into any added details because part of the beauty of the story is letting it unfurl as you read. What I want to say is be prepared to be amazed! It’s a story of hope, resilience, determination and love, laced with a promise to never give up, to never forget, and a promise to......
KEEP YOU SAFE and KEEP YOU WILD.

Emma Scott and her ability to move you beyond emotion is magnificent. A storyteller that tells from her beautifully gifted soul and gives her readers her brilliance with each and every story. If you want to read a story that will move you and make you appreciate life and all its gifts, A Five-Minute Life is a must read. A Best of 2019 in my opinion.

*advanced copy provided by author in exchange for an honest review*

[Dora Koutsoukou · Rating 5 out of 5]

(reposting my pov since it recently disappeared)


5 / 5 ❤️❤️💔❤️❤️👏👏👏⏳⏳⏳ 🎨 🎸 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟s❣️

Let me tell you that I cried much more than five minutes...

“Stay with me. You’re mine. You’ll always be mine. I’ll take care of you. Keep you safe.” Jimmy

This story was powerfully emotional, an ode to life, hope and strength. Emma Scott’s writing was breathtaking, full of quotes and lines that had my heart breaking in so many pieces.
The characters were wholeheartedly developed. Jimmy with the kind eyes and Thea had a fantastic chemistry, so full of love that stole my heart...

“Remember for me. Remember us... when I can’t.” Thea

[warhawke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Type: Standalone
POV: First Person - Dual
Rating:




Thea Hughes always believed in living in the moment. As an artist, she had drives and ambitions, and plans for her future. But an accident ripped everything apart and left her trapped in a never-ending loop. That was until Jim Whelan saw something in her that cannot be ignored. He was determined to set her free, but freedom could be as fleeting as time.



Thea faced a tremendous challenge that she had to navigate in literally minutes. Despite that, she learned to make good use of whatever she had. But she could also be a little too much to handle at times.

“Stay with me, Thea,” he whispered. “Please. Stay.”
“I’m here,” I whispered as the pleasure grew between our joined bodies. “I’m right here, Jimmy.”
For now. But now was all we ever had.

It was impossible not to love Jim. Even with his own issues to deal with, he was patient and compassionate.

“The alone-ness. It’s not the same as loneliness. Alone-ness is an abyss. It’s being alone even when you’re surrounded by people. It’s vast and empty and silent.”

The story was definitely unique, fascinating and thought-provoking. I loved how this book touched a subject that is terrifying to think of. It’s hard to imagine being in the situation Thea was in. The only thing is, personally I wanted to feel more.



A Five-Minute Life is a story of taking chances with two individuals helping each other breaking free of their personal prisons. It would appeal to readers looking for a romance with an uncommon premise.





🎨 💔 🎨 . . . (F)BR With Twinsie CC & Loyda . . . 🎨 💔 🎨






For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:

[Wendy'sThoughts · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Seeing What No One Sees Stars
* * * * * Spoiler Free
So I got lucky when was home sick! Yes, recovering from a horrible bout of ick given to me by people who come to work sick...I know we all have been there. Anyway, the silver lining to this experience was my being on GR when a flood of reviews came across my feed last night. I have amazing friends who have incredible taste and when one right after the other are expressing their love for a book I never had heard of...I will check it out. After quickly reading the blurb, I clicked, took my meds and with the promise of something great in the wings, went to bed.

I started this book over 13 hours ago and with only a few breaks, was captivated from the start. There was an ease of reading this yet also had just the right level of not knowing for sure what was coming to keep you drawn in. From the start, we were given backstories of these characters. We could feel the family dynamic between the parents and sisters. The conflicts and differences but with the undercurrent of love. We understood the parents and how they interacted with the girls. Each one catered to and sort of favored by a parent. Just like any other "regular middle-class family".

This was Thea Hughes' family. Thea has a promising future as an artist. She's about to go to graduate school and live her dreams in New York City. But first, everyone is going to Delia's graduation and with being the more rigid, controlling older sister, everyone was snapping to and leaving en masse. Delia gets called away and has to pick up another, so the parents and Thea leave and will meet her at the school later.

Except life does allow us to really control what we think we can...Instead, the actions of others can impact our lives changing our paths.

A devastating crash happens, taking parents away from these two girls, changing their lives forever. Thea left with the second-worst documented case of amnesia in the world. After multiple injuries and surgeries to repair them, she is left in limbo... She is basically healthy, body recovered with a mind that is on instant replay every five minutes...asking the same questions, drawing the same types of pictures and resets to do it over again behind the walls of the Blue Ridge facility which specializes in brain trauma.

Jim Whelan's life experiences couldn't have been more different than Thea's. A child of the Foster System, he was not one of the lucky ones. He was shuffled from place to place and finally landed at a home where the check he brought was the reason he was there. And like so many in this type of environment, the verbal abuse from his caretaker, Doris, did just as much damage as the beat downs he got at school. The only person who showed any concern for him was Grandpa Jack. When he passed, the additional trauma left its mark on Jim. Made him a target for ridicule, bullying, and fights.

But time allows a boy to grow into a man and Jim figured out how to survive in this world that has been given him. He treasured the guitar Grandpa Jack gave him, became self-taught, could sing and play to keep himself company. He learned he didn't need much, didn't expect much, but liked helping others. Took to doing orderly work and he was about to interview at Blue Ridge as the place he had been working for the last years had closed.

These two people are about to cross paths and what will be astounding is how this lost man is able to see Thea for the woman she truly is...In the fleeting moments during their first exchange, he sees a woman which shines and sheds light all around her. She is alive with a curiosity about who he is and says what she see when looking at him...Jimmy with the kind eyes...And then in a moment, all this beauty is gone from Jimmy, only to restart again.

This is how all of this starts...Two people who each are locked away in their own prisons of the minds, fighting to get out and be free.

Emma Scott brings so much to this tale. The question of how we live our lives. Of the need to pay attention and understand each day is a gift. How all of us have experienced things which we have to overcome, to rise and love ourselves and others. How it is a crapshoot as to how we arrive in this world and how many have had difficult childhoods where severe damage was done and could take away all hope. Or where maybe if the child was lucky, a teacher or someone was able to encourage them to see they were worthy.

She addresses survivor guilt with the reality of how debilitating it can be to be the responsible one left to worry about finances and care. She doesn't make things rose colored with everyone perfect.

But do not worry, I promise there is the sweetest love story. All the feels, all the nerves, and passion you could want.

I spent my day with these people and I am glad I did. Thank you, Emma Scott, for this experience. Please take a moment, check out all the reviews or better yet, don't, and just buy the book. Sit back read it and appreciate the life you have...and maybe push yourself to experience it a little more than you are now...I know I will.

~~~~~ Before Reading ~~~~~
Every once in a while a flash of reviews ripple by...
All your friends loving a book...
Pushing you to see what is what...

Emma Scott has put together something special and I must be part of it...
The idea of only experiencing a life in short bits ...
Only to slip away is too much to imagine...

How this journey goes will be the challenge...
For I am about to embark on...

A Five Minute Life

For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways

[Joanne Ragona · Rating 5 out of 5]

”The stronger the love, the more helpless the person feels in the wake of its loss”

My emotions took an unbelievable journey while reading A Five Minute Life by Emma Scott. Once again this author has crafted a story so beautiful, so unique—that I was left feeling drained in the best way possible.

I’ve never felt so much compassion for a character than I did for Jim, whose past was heartbreaking. Empty of family, of security, of warmth and of love...this man still grew up to be kind and caring, a good soul. Thea, the brilliant artist, was always the outgoing, well liked girl whose life was altered immeasurably by an accident that leaves her with a terrible diagnosis. The two come together and the story that unfolds is equal parts heartbreaking and beautiful.

There are so many unique facets of this book—the use of art, music and history. There are very powerful (and detrimental) thoughts that continually run through Jim’s head from a voice from his past (it provided such a vivid look into what he dealt with) and finally, the illness that Thea is living. That in itself was gut wrenching and so hard to fathom. I found myself anxious reading about what she was going through. And Thea’s drawings and the words within that Jim knew was a plea for help. It was all just so well done, so superbly and exquisitely written.

AFML was so much more than a romance that blossomed between two people. It was a story of living life to the fullest because we don’t know how much time we have in this world. It’s about love and trust and safety and living wild. It’s about loss, promises, taking risks, and believing in your heart. It was an extraordinary story that truly touched my heart. Emma Scott has once again provided us with a very special gift. A book filled with beauty, uniqueness and the power of love. 5 incredible stars from me—and a huge thank you for writing a book that touched me on so many different levels.