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Memories in the Drift
Melissa Payne, bestselling author of The Secrets of Lost Stones, returns with another haunting and hopeful novel about redemption, the power of memory, and a woman’s will to reclaim her life.
My name is Claire. I’m thirty-six years old. It’s September. I know what I’m doing and why I am here…for now.
Ten years ago, Claire Hines lost her unborn child—and her short-term memory—following a heartrending tragedy. With notebooks, calendars, to-do lists, fractured pieces of the past, and her father’s support, Claire makes it through each day, hour by hour, with relative confidence. She also has a close-knit community of friends in the remote Alaskan town where she teaches guitar to the local children. It’s there, in the reminders.
As determined as Claire is to regain all that’s disappeared, she’d prefer to live without some memories of her before life—especially those of her mother, Alice, who abandoned her, and Tate, the ex-boyfriend who broke her heart.
But when Alice and Tate return from the past, there’ll be so much more for Claire to relive. And to discover for the very first time. Through healing, forgiveness, and second chances, Claire may realize that what’s most important might not be re-creating the person she was, but embracing the possibilities of being the person she is.
My name is Claire. I’m thirty-six years old. It’s September. I know what I’m doing and why I am here…for now.
Ten years ago, Claire Hines lost her unborn child—and her short-term memory—following a heartrending tragedy. With notebooks, calendars, to-do lists, fractured pieces of the past, and her father’s support, Claire makes it through each day, hour by hour, with relative confidence. She also has a close-knit community of friends in the remote Alaskan town where she teaches guitar to the local children. It’s there, in the reminders.
As determined as Claire is to regain all that’s disappeared, she’d prefer to live without some memories of her before life—especially those of her mother, Alice, who abandoned her, and Tate, the ex-boyfriend who broke her heart.
But when Alice and Tate return from the past, there’ll be so much more for Claire to relive. And to discover for the very first time. Through healing, forgiveness, and second chances, Claire may realize that what’s most important might not be re-creating the person she was, but embracing the possibilities of being the person she is.
279 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2020
5749 people are currently reading
7165 people want to read
About the author
Melissa Payne
6 books701 followersMelissa Payne is the bestselling author of five novels, including The Wild Road Home and A Light in the Forest. After an early career raising money for nonprofit organizations, Melissa began dreaming about becoming a published author and wrote her first novel. Her stories feature small mountain towns with characters searching for redemption, love, and second chances. They have been three-time Colorado Book Award finalists and Colorado Authors League 2020 and 2023 winners for mainstream fiction. Her upcoming novel, In the Beautiful Dark, will be released April 22, 2025. Melissa lives in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains with her husband and three children, a friendly mutt, a very loud cat, and the occasional bear. For more information, visit www.melissapayneauthor.com or find her on Instagram @melissapayne_writes.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 737 reviews
August 28, 2024
Watch my video review here: https://youtu.be/cK1JmUtx57U
My apologies to the author, because I have great respect that you wrote this book, found an editor, and a publisher and saw this book through to print. I know that that is no easy feat, and most people talk about writing a book but very few will ever meet this level of success. However, I don’t write reviews like this to tear you down so I will not leave you empty handed (if you so choose). My recommendation is before writing your next book to read The Kite Runner. This book had me on an emotional journey, and it was a very moving, very emotional story of imperfect people who loved each other trying to do their best. It was so realistic that I had to Google, “Is The Kite Runner a true story?”. No, it isn’t by the way. I, myself, am a Creator (of videos, not books), and it is always tough to hear negative feedback. If you want me to read another one of your books and give you feedback, I would be more than happy to. Don’t stop dreaming and writing because of this review.
This book started with an interesting premise: Claire, 10 years ago, lost her pregnancy, and her short-term memory. Despite these challenges, Claire makes it through her day-by-day with numerous coping mechanisms mainly through extreme organization.
However, Claire is very self-centered and frequently is stuck in woe-is-me land after 10 years! Talk about a broken record! The first 30-40 pages were like reading teenage angst. Painful. If I was a DNF person, this is where I would have put it down, but alas my Type A personality made me suffer through the rest of it.
Alice, who is a recovering alcoholic, comes back to Alaska. After 10 years, she apparently has no job, no friends, and no family because she picks up and rudely beats on Claire’s door after traumatizing her throughout her childhood. Claire, at the urging of other characters, is just supposed to forgive her. Um no. Forgiveness does not mean forgetting and no boundaries. It is perfectly healthy to establish boundaries with people who have deeply hurt you. Claire has worked hard to create a safe place for herself, and her mom should not be barging in when she wants to. That is not love. Her mom also apparently doesn’t work and bakes pastries all day and night and endlessly drops them off with sweet notes to Claire. This is just so unrealistic. People can and should move on after 10 years.
Tate, Claire’s ex, also comes back to Alaska. He apparently can’t move on after 10 years either. Plus, he can also drop everything that he has worked for, all his friends and uproot his daughter because Claire needs him. He also has a LOT of free time to give Claire a bunch of written note cards.
In fact, all of Claire’s friends write her note cards and most don’t have jobs so they can “be her memory.” Also, totally unrealistic. Plus, Dad thought it would be a great idea to bring Alice, a recovering alcoholic, back to the place where she fell off the wagon, while at the same time asking for their 10-year-old granddaughter to return. This is NOT a good idea.
Everything was extremely, extremely predictable especially if you remember 10 years ago Claire lost her baby and Maree is turning 10. Wow! What a reveal!….NOT!
Recently, I was reading that it can take 10 years to adjust to being in a blended family, but Claire and Maree bonded at first sight. Books like these hurt people. When two people fall in love and try to bring their families together, many times they think it will be just like the Brady Bunch. But it isn’t. It takes a lot of hard work and compromise. This book makes it appear to be easy. It isn’t!
2025 Reading Schedule
Jan A Town Like Alice
Feb Birdsong
Mar Captain Corelli's Mandolin - Louis De Berniere
Apr War and Peace
May The Woman in White
Jun Atonement
Jul The Shadow of the Wind
Aug Jude the Obscure
Sep Ulysses
Oct Vanity Fair
Nov A Fine Balance
Dec Germinal
Connect With Me!
Blog Twitter BookTube Facebook Insta My Bookstore at Pango
My apologies to the author, because I have great respect that you wrote this book, found an editor, and a publisher and saw this book through to print. I know that that is no easy feat, and most people talk about writing a book but very few will ever meet this level of success. However, I don’t write reviews like this to tear you down so I will not leave you empty handed (if you so choose). My recommendation is before writing your next book to read The Kite Runner. This book had me on an emotional journey, and it was a very moving, very emotional story of imperfect people who loved each other trying to do their best. It was so realistic that I had to Google, “Is The Kite Runner a true story?”. No, it isn’t by the way. I, myself, am a Creator (of videos, not books), and it is always tough to hear negative feedback. If you want me to read another one of your books and give you feedback, I would be more than happy to. Don’t stop dreaming and writing because of this review.
This book started with an interesting premise: Claire, 10 years ago, lost her pregnancy, and her short-term memory. Despite these challenges, Claire makes it through her day-by-day with numerous coping mechanisms mainly through extreme organization.
However, Claire is very self-centered and frequently is stuck in woe-is-me land after 10 years! Talk about a broken record! The first 30-40 pages were like reading teenage angst. Painful. If I was a DNF person, this is where I would have put it down, but alas my Type A personality made me suffer through the rest of it.
Alice, who is a recovering alcoholic, comes back to Alaska. After 10 years, she apparently has no job, no friends, and no family because she picks up and rudely beats on Claire’s door after traumatizing her throughout her childhood. Claire, at the urging of other characters, is just supposed to forgive her. Um no. Forgiveness does not mean forgetting and no boundaries. It is perfectly healthy to establish boundaries with people who have deeply hurt you. Claire has worked hard to create a safe place for herself, and her mom should not be barging in when she wants to. That is not love. Her mom also apparently doesn’t work and bakes pastries all day and night and endlessly drops them off with sweet notes to Claire. This is just so unrealistic. People can and should move on after 10 years.
Tate, Claire’s ex, also comes back to Alaska. He apparently can’t move on after 10 years either. Plus, he can also drop everything that he has worked for, all his friends and uproot his daughter because Claire needs him. He also has a LOT of free time to give Claire a bunch of written note cards.
In fact, all of Claire’s friends write her note cards and most don’t have jobs so they can “be her memory.” Also, totally unrealistic. Plus, Dad thought it would be a great idea to bring Alice, a recovering alcoholic, back to the place where she fell off the wagon, while at the same time asking for their 10-year-old granddaughter to return. This is NOT a good idea.
Everything was extremely, extremely predictable especially if you remember 10 years ago Claire lost her baby and Maree is turning 10. Wow! What a reveal!….NOT!
Recently, I was reading that it can take 10 years to adjust to being in a blended family, but Claire and Maree bonded at first sight. Books like these hurt people. When two people fall in love and try to bring their families together, many times they think it will be just like the Brady Bunch. But it isn’t. It takes a lot of hard work and compromise. This book makes it appear to be easy. It isn’t!
2025 Reading Schedule
Jan A Town Like Alice
Feb Birdsong
Mar Captain Corelli's Mandolin - Louis De Berniere
Apr War and Peace
May The Woman in White
Jun Atonement
Jul The Shadow of the Wind
Aug Jude the Obscure
Sep Ulysses
Oct Vanity Fair
Nov A Fine Balance
Dec Germinal
Connect With Me!
Blog Twitter BookTube Facebook Insta My Bookstore at Pango
October 19, 2020
Prepare To Cry. Holy hell y'all. This book is one of the more tragic and yet also visceral books about memory loss I've encountered to date, bringing you into the mind of the person more than any other I've yet encountered. And it is also the one that made me *BAWL* unlike any since Barbara O'Neal's 2019 WHEN WE BELIEVED IN MERMAIDS. Which was over 300 books ago for me. If you're looking for a great story and a good cry, you've found one here. And just to be crystal clear, it isn't like the things that make you cry are hidden - in both cases I picked up on them about a quarter ish of the book before Payne actually explicitly revealed them. And yet the execution on the actual reveal was so gut punching both times... wow. Very much recommended.
January 11, 2021
Memories in the Drift by Melissa Payne is beautiful and has to be one of the easiest 5 stars I have ever given to a book. I loved Melissa's debut, The Secrets of Lost Stones, and this is such an amazing follow up novel. Claire broke my heart but at the same time was completely endearing and such a fantastic character. I had to check out the audio because that's who I am, and I don't think they could have picked a better narrator. I thought that Karen Peakes did a wonderful job of really bringing the character of Claire to life, and she sounded exactly the way I would have expected Claire to sound.
Memories in the Drift reminded me a lot of the movie 50 First Dates only a more intense version and I loved the relation to one of my favorite movies! The relationships in this book plus the feel of a lost love just really hit you, and all the tragedy amidst Claire's short-term memory make this an emotion rollercoaster. I was ready to ugly cry at the end, but it was more because of happiness than being sad. I don't know how Payne managed to weave such an intricate tale with a stellar setting, but she did, and I am here for it. This is definitely going to be one of my top reads of 2021 and I highly recommend checking it out!
Thank you to the author for providing me with an advance review copy of this book! All opinions and thoughts are my own.
Memories in the Drift reminded me a lot of the movie 50 First Dates only a more intense version and I loved the relation to one of my favorite movies! The relationships in this book plus the feel of a lost love just really hit you, and all the tragedy amidst Claire's short-term memory make this an emotion rollercoaster. I was ready to ugly cry at the end, but it was more because of happiness than being sad. I don't know how Payne managed to weave such an intricate tale with a stellar setting, but she did, and I am here for it. This is definitely going to be one of my top reads of 2021 and I highly recommend checking it out!
Thank you to the author for providing me with an advance review copy of this book! All opinions and thoughts are my own.
July 21, 2021
I cannot remember the last time a book grabbed me so thoroughly by the heart and mind. By page 2 I was already recommending it. I was awestruck at Payne’s ability to balance the emotions of this young woman unable to form new memories and still clinging to childhood abandonment with the intellectual challenge of telling the story from that same woman’s perspective. I was so deeply immersed in Claire that I found myself several times in tears and with my heart racing on her behalf. That’s a feat.
It was a book that I could not put down, and yet I didn’t want it to end. It mattered not at all that I could predict plot points because I was so invested in discovering how Claire would react.
It doesn’t hurt that this story felt very personal to me. My own mother was abandoned by her alcoholic mother and I have a cousin who suffered a similar sort of amnesia after a traumatic brain injury, but I suspect this novel would have resonated regardless. The quality of writing, the compelling characters, the isolated small Alaskan town (its own character) all would have pulled me in.
A triumph.
It was a book that I could not put down, and yet I didn’t want it to end. It mattered not at all that I could predict plot points because I was so invested in discovering how Claire would react.
It doesn’t hurt that this story felt very personal to me. My own mother was abandoned by her alcoholic mother and I have a cousin who suffered a similar sort of amnesia after a traumatic brain injury, but I suspect this novel would have resonated regardless. The quality of writing, the compelling characters, the isolated small Alaskan town (its own character) all would have pulled me in.
A triumph.
November 29, 2020
I liked this book. I'd actually probably give it 3.5 stars, but not quite good enough to be a 4. I liked the story and the characters and I enjoyed reading this every time I picked it up. That said, there were some negatives worth highlighting. The book does get a little repetitive. I mean, of course it does, I knew I was signing up for reading a book about a girl with short term memory loss, but still. The author likely actually handled this pretty well because I think it could have been much more annoying than it was (but it was still a bit annoying.)
The story was a "nice" story. It started out super sad and it felt good to see the main character's situation sloooowly improve. But in another author's hands this exact same story could have been really moving and powerful. It definitely had the potential to be. So it was good, but not great.
The author gave us enough info for me to predict every "plot twist" well in advance of its reveal. I like that that makes me feel smart (ha!) but again a better author might have made the "twists" a little less apparent.
I also felt like the ending was rushed and I hated that they jumped ahead a year when I felt like critical storyline was about to unfold. It just me feeling cheated out of a part of the story I was very intrigued to read. On the positive side, I loved the little tidbits we got about life in Alaska and this real town with a strange history. All in all a good (if slightly repetitive) story that could have been fantastic in another author's hands.
The story was a "nice" story. It started out super sad and it felt good to see the main character's situation sloooowly improve. But in another author's hands this exact same story could have been really moving and powerful. It definitely had the potential to be. So it was good, but not great.
The author gave us enough info for me to predict every "plot twist" well in advance of its reveal. I like that that makes me feel smart (ha!) but again a better author might have made the "twists" a little less apparent.
I also felt like the ending was rushed and I hated that they jumped ahead a year when I felt like critical storyline was about to unfold. It just me feeling cheated out of a part of the story I was very intrigued to read. On the positive side, I loved the little tidbits we got about life in Alaska and this real town with a strange history. All in all a good (if slightly repetitive) story that could have been fantastic in another author's hands.
November 18, 2020
5+++ Stars
Wow...words can't even describe what I'm feeling right now. There are so many emotions flooding my brain and my heart. Emotional, compelling, amazing!
I am actually in awe of this author and the complexity of her skills in tying this all together. Unique...I don't think I have ever read a story like this but the only thing that comes to mind is the movie...Fifty First Dates but add on heart break, forgiveness, sadness, and over powering love.
I just can't stop thinking of these characters...especially Claire...and how amazing this book was!
Give this a try...I really hope you enjoy this book as much as I did!
Wow...words can't even describe what I'm feeling right now. There are so many emotions flooding my brain and my heart. Emotional, compelling, amazing!
I am actually in awe of this author and the complexity of her skills in tying this all together. Unique...I don't think I have ever read a story like this but the only thing that comes to mind is the movie...Fifty First Dates but add on heart break, forgiveness, sadness, and over powering love.
I just can't stop thinking of these characters...especially Claire...and how amazing this book was!
Give this a try...I really hope you enjoy this book as much as I did!
January 6, 2021
Story is set in remote, Whittier, Alaska. People decide to live there or work there for different reasons and it’s an entirely different environment to read about (unless you actually live there).
Well written story about a woman who undergoes an amnesia type of situation (anterograde amnesia) and is working on trying to get back her memory with the help of friends and family. There is a lot of repetitiveness in the book but that’s how Claire’s mind is working now and by the author writing that way, the reader is reliving her thoughts and struggles and daily reminders. It’s a good writing skill to be able to do that!
But Claire is stuck on some bad things that happened in her life and chooses not to let go or embrace the changes that have happened over time. It’s like she’s stuck, can’t remember, does not want to remember. Remembers those who loved her but also those who hurt her. Part of her amnesia is memory loss AND keeping memories intact. So she struggles with both.
It’s painful reading at times. Ive had a tear in my eye a few times during the book. She remembers as a child how drunk and out of it her mother always was and the pain she endured when her mother up and left. Why? How? Does she not love me? Why can’t she stop? 🥲 Why did she have to leave me and Dad?
She does not remember that her father died and it is heartbreaking to understand this when it unfolds to her - she’s then had to write reminders to herself that “Vance died of a heart attack.”
Claire’s life starts coming around in small bits and there are some little memory improvements; her friends and people from her past and others in town are all there for her. That’s the benefit of small town Whittier - they take care of their own. Secrets come out as well as painful times and painful memories, but also some lovely, lovely, beautiful surprises.
I have to give this a 5 star for the plot, how it swept me up into Claire’s head and had me feel her pain and confusion and dysfunction. I can’t imagine having to live and function semi-independently like that. Stickers, notes to remind yourself what to do, when to shower, how to dress, when to make coffee, when to read, what to make for dinner, etc.; basically, where to go and what to do on an hourly/daily basis.
This story is also about love and loss, failure, addiction and recovery, and forgiveness. There is no filler here, folks, it’s all genuinely plotted out and it certainly works well here.
Well written story about a woman who undergoes an amnesia type of situation (anterograde amnesia) and is working on trying to get back her memory with the help of friends and family. There is a lot of repetitiveness in the book but that’s how Claire’s mind is working now and by the author writing that way, the reader is reliving her thoughts and struggles and daily reminders. It’s a good writing skill to be able to do that!
But Claire is stuck on some bad things that happened in her life and chooses not to let go or embrace the changes that have happened over time. It’s like she’s stuck, can’t remember, does not want to remember. Remembers those who loved her but also those who hurt her. Part of her amnesia is memory loss AND keeping memories intact. So she struggles with both.
It’s painful reading at times. Ive had a tear in my eye a few times during the book. She remembers as a child how drunk and out of it her mother always was and the pain she endured when her mother up and left. Why? How? Does she not love me? Why can’t she stop? 🥲 Why did she have to leave me and Dad?
She does not remember that her father died and it is heartbreaking to understand this when it unfolds to her - she’s then had to write reminders to herself that “Vance died of a heart attack.”
Claire’s life starts coming around in small bits and there are some little memory improvements; her friends and people from her past and others in town are all there for her. That’s the benefit of small town Whittier - they take care of their own. Secrets come out as well as painful times and painful memories, but also some lovely, lovely, beautiful surprises.
I have to give this a 5 star for the plot, how it swept me up into Claire’s head and had me feel her pain and confusion and dysfunction. I can’t imagine having to live and function semi-independently like that. Stickers, notes to remind yourself what to do, when to shower, how to dress, when to make coffee, when to read, what to make for dinner, etc.; basically, where to go and what to do on an hourly/daily basis.
This story is also about love and loss, failure, addiction and recovery, and forgiveness. There is no filler here, folks, it’s all genuinely plotted out and it certainly works well here.
June 3, 2021
I absolutely loved “Memories in the Mist” by Melissa Payne it is a lovely story of story of love and loss, addiction and recovery, failure and forgiveness
It’s about a lady who during her labor process has a brain seizure and the seizure takes away her short term memory.
The characters are very relatable but the main character Clare is extraordinarily special. She embraces life and she she’s trying so hard. Clare writes everything down in a journal so that when somebody comes to visit she can look at the journal and remembers who this person is.
The end has some major twists that were very impressive.
I highly recommend
It’s about a lady who during her labor process has a brain seizure and the seizure takes away her short term memory.
The characters are very relatable but the main character Clare is extraordinarily special. She embraces life and she she’s trying so hard. Clare writes everything down in a journal so that when somebody comes to visit she can look at the journal and remembers who this person is.
The end has some major twists that were very impressive.
I highly recommend
December 30, 2020
Such a well written emotional read that gripped me right from the start. Really enjoyed this one set in Alaska and a great story about second chances and rediscovering yourself after a tragedy.
November 10, 2020
*** Note: I received this book from the author, in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks to author. ***
Memories in the Drift was poignant and touching fiction that revolved around Claire’s everyday struggle with anterograde amnesia, her past and emotions. It was about alcohol addiction and recovery, abusive childhood, loss, forgiveness, redemption, second chance, memory loss, family, friendship and love.
The setting of Whittier, the one roof city was atmospheric. All characters were realistic and relatable. Claire was the best character. It was easy to empathize with her, feel and understand her. I loved how slowly and gradually Claire’s character developed. Even though she forgot every time she met Alice and Tate again, she could feel the change, feel less anger, more accepting and more love and learned to trust them again by the end of the book.
Overall, Memories in the Drift was emotional, touching, exceptional, beautifully written and executed fiction that I recommend to all fiction lovers.
Read full review on my #bookblog by following this link-
http://booksteacupnreviews.com/2020/1...
Memories in the Drift was poignant and touching fiction that revolved around Claire’s everyday struggle with anterograde amnesia, her past and emotions. It was about alcohol addiction and recovery, abusive childhood, loss, forgiveness, redemption, second chance, memory loss, family, friendship and love.
The setting of Whittier, the one roof city was atmospheric. All characters were realistic and relatable. Claire was the best character. It was easy to empathize with her, feel and understand her. I loved how slowly and gradually Claire’s character developed. Even though she forgot every time she met Alice and Tate again, she could feel the change, feel less anger, more accepting and more love and learned to trust them again by the end of the book.
Overall, Memories in the Drift was emotional, touching, exceptional, beautifully written and executed fiction that I recommend to all fiction lovers.
Read full review on my #bookblog by following this link-
http://booksteacupnreviews.com/2020/1...
December 2, 2020
2 out of 5 stars
Eh, this book kind of dragged for me at least. The premise was interesting, but I honestly feel like not much of anything happened over the course of the novel. There simply wasn't a plot. Things just happen, and I didn't feel compelled to continue reading. It all was pretty slow and by the time the final "plot twist" came around, I just didn't care (this is just my honest opinion and I completely understand if you think otherwise). The side characters are uninteresting and stale, and every character feels "one-note". A lot of the book gave me the feeling of watching a Hallmark movie. I'm not a fan of Hallmark movies, so maybe that is why this book wasn't for me.
While that is a lot of negatives, I did find the author's portrayal of short-term memory loss to be pretty good and I felt like I could relate to the main character in a way I have never been able to relate to other "memory loss" characters in literature and film. I think she did an excellent job in this area.
Eh, this book kind of dragged for me at least. The premise was interesting, but I honestly feel like not much of anything happened over the course of the novel. There simply wasn't a plot. Things just happen, and I didn't feel compelled to continue reading. It all was pretty slow and by the time the final "plot twist" came around, I just didn't care (this is just my honest opinion and I completely understand if you think otherwise). The side characters are uninteresting and stale, and every character feels "one-note". A lot of the book gave me the feeling of watching a Hallmark movie. I'm not a fan of Hallmark movies, so maybe that is why this book wasn't for me.
While that is a lot of negatives, I did find the author's portrayal of short-term memory loss to be pretty good and I felt like I could relate to the main character in a way I have never been able to relate to other "memory loss" characters in literature and film. I think she did an excellent job in this area.
March 28, 2023
The basic gist centers on Claire who tragically suffered a seizure while pregnant, resulting in anterograde amnesia, meaning she can no longer form new memories since the incident. So, her life is consumed by meticulously recording in exhausting detail every moment in her life so that she has some semblance of normalcy. She can't remember conversations. She can't remember that her dad passed away, and so she "learns" and relieves this horrible loss every single day. Her memory of a drunken mother abandoning her to get sober is saturated with pain and grief, and every time she sees her, she has to be reminded that her mom is different and that she still loves her daughter. Sometimes, it seems, that certain memories are better left in the trapped past of Claire's existence.
Or, are they? Because without the pain, there wouldn't be any reconciliation or growth. Claire learns slowly (almost TOO slowly) how to come to grips with her last and how it has a lasting, living impression on her present, especially since she is surrounded by an angelic cast of lovingly quirky characters who support her unconditionally.
I loved the end of this book, but I honestly felt at times that I was living an annoying Groundhog's Day of endless repetitiveness - which was exactly what the author wanted me to feel. I cannot even imagine living with such a debilitating condition, and if this novel was even a small taste of their mountainous climb to live a normal life, I sincerely feel deeply for their struggle. Still, though, the repetitiveness became too much at times, though the ending certainly made up for these minor, selfish grievances.
You, there were a few minor inconsistencies within the story - nothing that takes away from its natural flavor - and really has no bearing into my rating. The story itself is fascinating, and the ending so heartwarmingly beautiful, that I had to give this a 4* despite my wishing the story moved along at a faster clip and skipped the constant barrage of Claire's evident, recurring memory loss.
Or, are they? Because without the pain, there wouldn't be any reconciliation or growth. Claire learns slowly (almost TOO slowly) how to come to grips with her last and how it has a lasting, living impression on her present, especially since she is surrounded by an angelic cast of lovingly quirky characters who support her unconditionally.
I loved the end of this book, but I honestly felt at times that I was living an annoying Groundhog's Day of endless repetitiveness - which was exactly what the author wanted me to feel. I cannot even imagine living with such a debilitating condition, and if this novel was even a small taste of their mountainous climb to live a normal life, I sincerely feel deeply for their struggle. Still, though, the repetitiveness became too much at times, though the ending certainly made up for these minor, selfish grievances.
You, there were a few minor inconsistencies within the story - nothing that takes away from its natural flavor - and really has no bearing into my rating. The story itself is fascinating, and the ending so heartwarmingly beautiful, that I had to give this a 4* despite my wishing the story moved along at a faster clip and skipped the constant barrage of Claire's evident, recurring memory loss.
August 6, 2021
A very interesting concept and excellently executed. Thank you Alena for bringing this book to my attention!
December 2, 2020
I received a free electronic copy of this novel from Amazon Prime First Reads, November 2020. Thank you for sharing your hard work with me. I have read this novel of my own volition, and this review reflects my honest opinion of this work. Melissa Payne writes an awesome tale with heart. She is an author I will follow. I am pleased to recommend this work to friends and family.
Several points of interest worth mentioning -- Whittier, Alaska. If you have ever heard it mentioned, you are one of a lucky few. There are people who love it enough to sit through the almost endless winter and lack of sunshine over half of the year. Not many. I love the way Melissa Payne describes Whittier. It is yet another character in this very intriguing tale, but one I found both interesting and colorful. --Anterograde Amnesia. Again, something we might hear of but very few have a clue of what life missing any recent memory would be like. Things that took place 10 minutes ago - gone. Though our protagonists handle it very well, the frustration and endless loss of 'now' was presented to us in this novel in a very personal way. -- Learning to live boxed in. Even with a pandemic staring us in the face, most Americans can't even imagine months of staying indoors or only traveling to stores and schools by way of protected tunnels. And many layers of clothing even to do that. And I loved the way school was handled, with several grades per classroom and kids helping kids just as it was down south a hundred years ago.
But mostly I loved the people. Maree - I would take that baby home. It is her flow and joy that ties together the generations of this tale and makes it into something special. Claire and her mother Ruth can find a middle ground and start again. Or so we hope. Tate Dunn really screwed up in the past, but he is older now and wiser. But can he deal with anterograde amnesia in a minute by minute reality? I hope so.
Reviewed on Goodreads and AmazonSmile on November 23, 2020. Reviewed at BookBub on December 1, 2020. Not available for review on Banres&Noble, Kobo, or GooglePlay.Returned on December 2, 2020, was only able to review at Barnes&Noble.
Several points of interest worth mentioning -- Whittier, Alaska. If you have ever heard it mentioned, you are one of a lucky few. There are people who love it enough to sit through the almost endless winter and lack of sunshine over half of the year. Not many. I love the way Melissa Payne describes Whittier. It is yet another character in this very intriguing tale, but one I found both interesting and colorful. --Anterograde Amnesia. Again, something we might hear of but very few have a clue of what life missing any recent memory would be like. Things that took place 10 minutes ago - gone. Though our protagonists handle it very well, the frustration and endless loss of 'now' was presented to us in this novel in a very personal way. -- Learning to live boxed in. Even with a pandemic staring us in the face, most Americans can't even imagine months of staying indoors or only traveling to stores and schools by way of protected tunnels. And many layers of clothing even to do that. And I loved the way school was handled, with several grades per classroom and kids helping kids just as it was down south a hundred years ago.
But mostly I loved the people. Maree - I would take that baby home. It is her flow and joy that ties together the generations of this tale and makes it into something special. Claire and her mother Ruth can find a middle ground and start again. Or so we hope. Tate Dunn really screwed up in the past, but he is older now and wiser. But can he deal with anterograde amnesia in a minute by minute reality? I hope so.
Reviewed on Goodreads and AmazonSmile on November 23, 2020. Reviewed at BookBub on December 1, 2020. Not available for review on Banres&Noble, Kobo, or GooglePlay.Returned on December 2, 2020, was only able to review at Barnes&Noble.
May 13, 2021
With notebooks, calendars, and near-constant reminders from her smartphone, Claire manages to get through each day. Sometimes it works and sometimes it's a huge struggle.
Hands down, my favorite character was the charming Maree! At ten years of age, she had so much empathy! I loved, loved, loved how she would remind Claire: My name is Maree, like with a y but with two e's instead 'cause I love Anne of Green Gables and she put an e at the end of her name, so I decided to, also, 'cept Dad said it had to be two e's so people knew to make it sound like a y. No matter how many times Maree said that (and she had to say it a LOT) I loved it!!
Memories in the Drift is a beautifully written story for the right reader. It would make a wonderful Hallmark Channel movie but it was a wee bit heavy on the romance for me.
Hands down, my favorite character was the charming Maree! At ten years of age, she had so much empathy! I loved, loved, loved how she would remind Claire: My name is Maree, like with a y but with two e's instead 'cause I love Anne of Green Gables and she put an e at the end of her name, so I decided to, also, 'cept Dad said it had to be two e's so people knew to make it sound like a y. No matter how many times Maree said that (and she had to say it a LOT) I loved it!!
Memories in the Drift is a beautifully written story for the right reader. It would make a wonderful Hallmark Channel movie but it was a wee bit heavy on the romance for me.
November 21, 2020
It sucks to not remember
I have a brain tumor. I have memory problems. I am having brain surgery in December and I am so afraid I will be worse instead of better. I am terrified, JUST LIKE CLAIRE that I am always forgetting the most important things, or I am going to hurt someone I love by forgetting something really important. I was afraid to read this book, but did it anyway. Cause I am brave - like Claire - too. Thank you Melissa Payne. I hope I remember this book AFTER my surgery.
I have a brain tumor. I have memory problems. I am having brain surgery in December and I am so afraid I will be worse instead of better. I am terrified, JUST LIKE CLAIRE that I am always forgetting the most important things, or I am going to hurt someone I love by forgetting something really important. I was afraid to read this book, but did it anyway. Cause I am brave - like Claire - too. Thank you Melissa Payne. I hope I remember this book AFTER my surgery.
November 9, 2023
"I don’t need for you to be normal or perfect, because I love you exactly as you are right now in this minute, and I’ll keep telling you that until my last breath.”
I knew nothing about this and really enjoyed it. Claire, the protagonist, has short-term memory loss starting ten years ago. It was fascinating seeing the story come together and watching Claire grow and change. The story was repetitive, but it worked as it was from Claire's point of view and she is repetitive due to her short-term memory loss.
I enjoyed the themes of support, friendship, grief, and forgiveness. I'm not sure if it was the timing of the book or what, but it had me in tears several times. I think this would make a good book club book. I'd recommend it.
I knew nothing about this and really enjoyed it. Claire, the protagonist, has short-term memory loss starting ten years ago. It was fascinating seeing the story come together and watching Claire grow and change. The story was repetitive, but it worked as it was from Claire's point of view and she is repetitive due to her short-term memory loss.
I enjoyed the themes of support, friendship, grief, and forgiveness. I'm not sure if it was the timing of the book or what, but it had me in tears several times. I think this would make a good book club book. I'd recommend it.
May 27, 2024
"Sometimes it feels pointless because I can’t recall what I’ve just read, but I still find the act of reading soothing and normal."
November 1, 2020
Uncommonly Beautiful Book
The author hooked me right away with this book, as we are dropped right into Claire’s life as she is trying to make sense of her day. Why is this difficult? She suffered an accident years ago that essentially makes her forget what happens to her each day moving forward. The way she picks up situational clues and has it set up her world of notebooks, to-do lists, and calendars is surprisingly riveting. She only remembers her past in good detail; every day is new. She had a troubled life before, including a mother who left and a man who did not treat her right. When they both reappear in her life, what will that change for her? I loved the sense of community the author showed in vivid detail; everybody is wonderfully helpful and understanding of Claire's predicament. Claire is so resilient and hopeful even though she has this hard-for-us-to-fathom problem. This book certainly examines how to be the best you can be, no matter the difficult circumstances you might face. The book, too, will likely make you cry in places; I love heartfelt, emotional reads like this one. The author has created such a complex, sympathetic character, showing us how she triumphs over her day-to-day struggles as well as her problems from the past. An exceptionally well-done novel.
My book blog: https://www.readingfanaticreviews.com
The author hooked me right away with this book, as we are dropped right into Claire’s life as she is trying to make sense of her day. Why is this difficult? She suffered an accident years ago that essentially makes her forget what happens to her each day moving forward. The way she picks up situational clues and has it set up her world of notebooks, to-do lists, and calendars is surprisingly riveting. She only remembers her past in good detail; every day is new. She had a troubled life before, including a mother who left and a man who did not treat her right. When they both reappear in her life, what will that change for her? I loved the sense of community the author showed in vivid detail; everybody is wonderfully helpful and understanding of Claire's predicament. Claire is so resilient and hopeful even though she has this hard-for-us-to-fathom problem. This book certainly examines how to be the best you can be, no matter the difficult circumstances you might face. The book, too, will likely make you cry in places; I love heartfelt, emotional reads like this one. The author has created such a complex, sympathetic character, showing us how she triumphs over her day-to-day struggles as well as her problems from the past. An exceptionally well-done novel.
My book blog: https://www.readingfanaticreviews.com
December 17, 2020
Wow. Just wow. This book takes your emotions for a serious ride. Memories In The Drift, about a woman with short-term memory loss, is poignant. It's visceral. And the author beautifully navigates the real struggle and repetition of living with a memory disorder.
December 22, 2020
Resilience and love defined
One of my favorite books I have ever read. I love how Melissa unwound the complicated memory loss of Claire. It was a tapestry of endurance, forgiveness, community and unconditional love. I have not been so moved by a story, and found unexpected connections to Claire, because I have not suffered memory loss, but her experience as a women is very relatable.
One of my favorite books I have ever read. I love how Melissa unwound the complicated memory loss of Claire. It was a tapestry of endurance, forgiveness, community and unconditional love. I have not been so moved by a story, and found unexpected connections to Claire, because I have not suffered memory loss, but her experience as a women is very relatable.
February 18, 2021
A while back I caught a little bit of a documentary about Whittier, AK, and was fascinated by how half of the town's population (~250 souls) lived in a huge apartment building that contained everything they needed to survive. This book takes place in that town, and was the perfect setting to demonstrate how a person with a severe disability can function nearly normally with the right amount of support. The story itself was lovely - we truly experienced Claire's lack of ability to form new memories with her, and it was frightening. Then we got to experience her coping methods and the support of those who loved her, and it became less frightening, and truly fascinating. I guessed some of the twists, but there was one huge one that took me by surprise, and I LOVE to be surprised. This was an Amazon First Reads book for me, and the best I've read, so far. Highly recommended, with one note of caution - you do live the repetitiveness of Claire re-learning her life many times, and for me it was a necessary part of the story, but I could see how it could get boring for some.
November 14, 2020
Memories in the Drift is a beautifully written story for the right reader. Unfortunately, I’m probably not the right reader.
For me, this book is a little too Lifetime movie-ish, with the kind of emotional turmoil and inner reflection designed to tug at heartstrings while always leading toward forgiveness and healing. I found it predictable from start to finish.
Pacing is slow and tends toward repetition, particularly through the first half.
Still, the content provides plenty of thoughtful moments to reflect upon, and I enjoyed it enough that it held my attention throughout.
*This was my Amazon First Reads choice for November.*
For me, this book is a little too Lifetime movie-ish, with the kind of emotional turmoil and inner reflection designed to tug at heartstrings while always leading toward forgiveness and healing. I found it predictable from start to finish.
Pacing is slow and tends toward repetition, particularly through the first half.
Still, the content provides plenty of thoughtful moments to reflect upon, and I enjoyed it enough that it held my attention throughout.
*This was my Amazon First Reads choice for November.*
December 2, 2020
well, that was an emotional rollercoaster..
December 5, 2020
This book is SO good! If you don’t become invested in these characters, especially Claire and Maree, then your heart is made of stone. Lol. A huge thank you to Melissa Payne for sending me a copy! When I finished reading this book, I immediately bought 2 paperbacks off Amazon for Christmas gifts.
November 6, 2020
This was my Amazon Prime First Reads choice for this month. I thought the premise was intriguing, but the plot moved too slowly for me.
November 25, 2020
There are so many things that captivated me in this story: the setting (I love Whittier and it came to life on the page), the concept (how can an author sustain an entire novel in which the main character can’t remember things?), the relationships (flawed characters looking for second chances). It was obvious that Payne did a ton of research on anterograde amnesia and the mechanisms that real people have created to survive (and maybe even flourish) in the face of this type of memory loss. I was fascinated, trying to wrap my head around Claire’s systems to “remember.” The cast of supporting characters in this book, with all of their quirks and details, took a story that could be very sad and made it something meaningful without being syrupy. Claire’s inability to make new memories could result in a really awful life, but the community and support net that the other characters create for her is beautiful. Payne writes wise crusty old women so well. Lucy was my favorite character in Payne’s first book, and Ruth captures my heart in this book. She makes me laugh and cry in her tough-nosed efforts to serve as Claire’s surrogate mom. What I love most about Melissa Payne’s books is her masterful description. In both of her books, I found myself wanting to highlight phrases or passages that turn the world slightly upside down and make me see it in a new way. Mostly, I love that I walk away from her stories with a sense that although life can be really tough, the imperfect things and people that make it meaningful are all around us even in a place as isolated as Whittier.
November 29, 2020
Memories in the Drift by Melissa Payne. Thanks to @amazonfirst and @lakeunion for the e-Arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Claire has anterograde amnesia. She has no short-term memory. In her small Alaskan town, she does the best she can to survive from day to day. Is survival the best that she can do with her friends and family by her side?
This book was heartbreaking but uplifting as well. I found the content really interesting, as memory is something that has always interested me. It was amazing how the main character organized her life to best make up for her short-term memory loss. Forgiveness is always difficult... but this book goes a bit further by showing how difficult it would be without a short term memory. Every baby step of reconciliation is lost.. pains from ten years ago, still fresh. It’s a difficult way to live, but the main character finds a way.
“Memories in the Drift comes out 12/1.
Claire has anterograde amnesia. She has no short-term memory. In her small Alaskan town, she does the best she can to survive from day to day. Is survival the best that she can do with her friends and family by her side?
This book was heartbreaking but uplifting as well. I found the content really interesting, as memory is something that has always interested me. It was amazing how the main character organized her life to best make up for her short-term memory loss. Forgiveness is always difficult... but this book goes a bit further by showing how difficult it would be without a short term memory. Every baby step of reconciliation is lost.. pains from ten years ago, still fresh. It’s a difficult way to live, but the main character finds a way.
“Memories in the Drift comes out 12/1.
May 22, 2023
Moving story filled with love, respect and hope
A beautiful story of a young woman who suffers with amnesia and has to live life with referencing notebooks, journals and help from friends and family.
When her ex appears on the scene she realises she still has feelings for him. Every day is a new day to her never knowing what happened yesterday.
A Beautiful story of love and respect in a hostile yet perfect setting in Whittier where life can be difficult.
A romantic book that has a wonderful ending
Kerry Kennedy Author
A beautiful story of a young woman who suffers with amnesia and has to live life with referencing notebooks, journals and help from friends and family.
When her ex appears on the scene she realises she still has feelings for him. Every day is a new day to her never knowing what happened yesterday.
A Beautiful story of love and respect in a hostile yet perfect setting in Whittier where life can be difficult.
A romantic book that has a wonderful ending
Kerry Kennedy Author
November 30, 2020
4.5 This delightful story with engaging characters beautifully tackles what a world can look like for someone with retrograde amnesia memory loss. Claire, the main protagonist lives in the small tight-knit community of Whittier, a quaint town with residents literally living under one roof due to the apartment building being a former WWII depot. This proves to be advantageous for someone like Claire who suffers from retrograde amnesia because she has a close tribe of people in Whittier looking out for her. The author skillfully allows you to feel the intensity of Claire's emotions as she struggles with deciding whether to take notes or just experience the full moment without writing it down, knowing she will not remember unless she looks back at her notes minutes later. I love how Claire's community supports her strategies in coping with her short term memory loss.
While I sometimes felt impatient and deterred by the repetition initially, I found it both heartwarming and heartbreaking to experience Claire's grief and love over and over again amidst the undaunting support of her family and friends. It was an inviting story packed with sentiment and Claire creates a life all her own despite the memory challenges she encounters in her life.
While I sometimes felt impatient and deterred by the repetition initially, I found it both heartwarming and heartbreaking to experience Claire's grief and love over and over again amidst the undaunting support of her family and friends. It was an inviting story packed with sentiment and Claire creates a life all her own despite the memory challenges she encounters in her life.
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