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Memory Lane
A strained mother-daughter bond. An experiment with memory implantation. Someone who doesn’t want them to remember.
New York Times bestselling author of the Pretty Little Liars series Sara Shepard teams up with Ellen Goodlett (author of the Rule duology) for this sci-fi thriller perfect for fans of Inception and Blake Crouch’s Recursion.
New York Times bestselling author of the Pretty Little Liars series Sara Shepard teams up with Ellen Goodlett (author of the Rule duology) for this sci-fi thriller perfect for fans of Inception and Blake Crouch’s Recursion.
300 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 12, 2021
7 people are currently reading
1947 people want to read
About the author
Sara Shepard
128 books14.7k followersSara Shepard graduated from NYU and has an MFA from Brooklyn College. She has lived in New York City, Brooklyn, Tucson, Arizona, Philadelphia, and now lives in Pittsburgh, PA. Sara's Pretty Little Liars novels were inspired by her upbringing in Philadelphia's Main Line.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
December 17, 2020
"Any new invention seems impossible until it becomes a part of everyday life."
This was an interesting story about a mother and daughter going on a road trip to remember shared memories - memories that the mother shared with the daughter through a new mind-meld type technology. The daughter knows little of her mom's life before she was born and she'd love to know more.
But the story felt very light. I'd have loved more before story and more depth in-between. I think there's a lot of potential to really get to know Alex - the daughter. I didn't buy her need to control or her doing so much for her mom because she seemed to know very little about her mother in general. And she seemed to have this endless supply of money for only working part time.
However, the story was short, fast paced and definitely kept me wondering what was going on. I didn't love it but I did find it interesting.
An e-ARC was provided to me by the author and publishing via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
This was an interesting story about a mother and daughter going on a road trip to remember shared memories - memories that the mother shared with the daughter through a new mind-meld type technology. The daughter knows little of her mom's life before she was born and she'd love to know more.
But the story felt very light. I'd have loved more before story and more depth in-between. I think there's a lot of potential to really get to know Alex - the daughter. I didn't buy her need to control or her doing so much for her mom because she seemed to know very little about her mother in general. And she seemed to have this endless supply of money for only working part time.
However, the story was short, fast paced and definitely kept me wondering what was going on. I didn't love it but I did find it interesting.
An e-ARC was provided to me by the author and publishing via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
January 10, 2021
This is a very interesting read that has left me with a lot of questions, but in a good way.
Alex is indulging her mother Cassie by doing an experimental treatment with her. Alex will get her mother’s memories imported to her brain to experience her past and maybe solve why Cassie is the way she is. The embark on a Roda trip to trigger the memories. What unfolds is a crazy trip, where Alex questions what she sees and experiences and leaves her confused and questioning her mother even more.
Just when you think you have it all figured out the book pulls out a twist and you question things even more. I like how this is a bit of sci-if thriller, it’s clearly set in some future, without mentioning it, but with all this brain tech and only self driving cars with city limits. It’s a super quick read and I was really surprised by it, but I think stretching it out would have made it repetitive and a lot less thrilling than it is now. I think there could be a sequel, but if the authors don’t write one that is fine as well. Sometimes being left with some questions is why makes story even better.
*ARC received in exchange for a voluntary and honest review*
Alex is indulging her mother Cassie by doing an experimental treatment with her. Alex will get her mother’s memories imported to her brain to experience her past and maybe solve why Cassie is the way she is. The embark on a Roda trip to trigger the memories. What unfolds is a crazy trip, where Alex questions what she sees and experiences and leaves her confused and questioning her mother even more.
Just when you think you have it all figured out the book pulls out a twist and you question things even more. I like how this is a bit of sci-if thriller, it’s clearly set in some future, without mentioning it, but with all this brain tech and only self driving cars with city limits. It’s a super quick read and I was really surprised by it, but I think stretching it out would have made it repetitive and a lot less thrilling than it is now. I think there could be a sequel, but if the authors don’t write one that is fine as well. Sometimes being left with some questions is why makes story even better.
*ARC received in exchange for a voluntary and honest review*
January 12, 2021
*Thank you to Netgalley and Serial Box Publishing for an advance readers copy in exchange for an honest review*
4 stars. This is the story of Alex and her mother Cassie and the road trip they embark on to recall memories transferred to Alex from Cassie from many years ago. Alex and Cassie are a part of this scientific study that implants/transfers a mothers desired memories into their daughter. Cassies desired memory was from the time in her life when she was pregnant with Alex at the age of 21. But everything starts to go awry when Alex starts recalling the memory differently to how Cassie remembers it.
The thing that drew me into this book originally was the memory transfer aspect which I think was interesting and was done well. I didn't know what to expect of the plot but I was definitely invested and was keen to figure out what was happening. I was not expecting and didn't see the plot twists coming and was definitely surprised. This was a quick and easy read and I would definitely be intrigued to read a sequel or continuation of this if they released it.
4 stars. This is the story of Alex and her mother Cassie and the road trip they embark on to recall memories transferred to Alex from Cassie from many years ago. Alex and Cassie are a part of this scientific study that implants/transfers a mothers desired memories into their daughter. Cassies desired memory was from the time in her life when she was pregnant with Alex at the age of 21. But everything starts to go awry when Alex starts recalling the memory differently to how Cassie remembers it.
The thing that drew me into this book originally was the memory transfer aspect which I think was interesting and was done well. I didn't know what to expect of the plot but I was definitely invested and was keen to figure out what was happening. I was not expecting and didn't see the plot twists coming and was definitely surprised. This was a quick and easy read and I would definitely be intrigued to read a sequel or continuation of this if they released it.
January 19, 2021
This was my first audiobook! I think it was the perfect one to start with though!
I am a mega fan of all things sara shepard, so when I saw the opportunity to get a copy to review, I had to get it!💖 I loved how original this story was! I can honestly say I haven’t read anything like it before!
I love how it’s Alex (the daughter) experiencing Cassie’s (her mother’s) past through her mother’s memories being implanted into her head! Alex thought she would be receiving the memories of Cassies road trip, which was supposedly the best time of Cassies life, but she received so much more.
I love how you can never guess the truth! Every time you think you know what is going on, the story shifts and a new memory is uncovered! This story is a must read for fans of mystery and suspense! I guarantee that the ending will leave you speechless! I cannot wait for season 2!
I am a mega fan of all things sara shepard, so when I saw the opportunity to get a copy to review, I had to get it!💖 I loved how original this story was! I can honestly say I haven’t read anything like it before!
I love how it’s Alex (the daughter) experiencing Cassie’s (her mother’s) past through her mother’s memories being implanted into her head! Alex thought she would be receiving the memories of Cassies road trip, which was supposedly the best time of Cassies life, but she received so much more.
I love how you can never guess the truth! Every time you think you know what is going on, the story shifts and a new memory is uncovered! This story is a must read for fans of mystery and suspense! I guarantee that the ending will leave you speechless! I cannot wait for season 2!
January 4, 2021
All my reviews can be found at: http://jessicasreadingroom.com
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This review will appear on my site on January 6, 2021.
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Please Note: I am not even sure how many pages Memory Lane is as it is a kindle copy and doesn’t list the page numbers; Amazon and Goodreads also do not have the number of pages listed. There is also some confusion as to the publication date. Both Netgalley (where I received my arc) and Goodreads have the publication date as January 13, 2021 while Amazon shows the publication date of December 21, 2021. Personally, I am more inclined to go with the release date on Amazon, so I received a very advanced copy of Memory Lane. Needless to say, my thoughts reflect the current arc I read and not any future versions which might have changes. There are also two covers showing, and I know which one I prefer!
My Review:
Memory Lane is a serialized novel of 8 episodes/chapters in one short novel. It centers around mother and daughter Cassie and Alex. They are at odds, but Cassie convinces Alex to go on this latest experiment to earn money. Alex accepts and it is actually a memory transfer. Cassie’s chosen memories are implanted in Alex and then they go on a road trip which triggers Cassie’s memories in Alex’s head. But soon other memories begin to flash for Alex, including ones that Cassie has no memory of. Soon Alex does not know who to trust.
This is a very quick read that keeps going the whole time! The ending was quite unexpected, and I hope there is a continuation of this serialized novel. I really enjoyed reading this one.
Many thanks to the publisher Serial Box for granting me an arc to read and review via NetGalley.
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This review will appear on my site on January 6, 2021.
~~~~
Please Note: I am not even sure how many pages Memory Lane is as it is a kindle copy and doesn’t list the page numbers; Amazon and Goodreads also do not have the number of pages listed. There is also some confusion as to the publication date. Both Netgalley (where I received my arc) and Goodreads have the publication date as January 13, 2021 while Amazon shows the publication date of December 21, 2021. Personally, I am more inclined to go with the release date on Amazon, so I received a very advanced copy of Memory Lane. Needless to say, my thoughts reflect the current arc I read and not any future versions which might have changes. There are also two covers showing, and I know which one I prefer!
My Review:
Memory Lane is a serialized novel of 8 episodes/chapters in one short novel. It centers around mother and daughter Cassie and Alex. They are at odds, but Cassie convinces Alex to go on this latest experiment to earn money. Alex accepts and it is actually a memory transfer. Cassie’s chosen memories are implanted in Alex and then they go on a road trip which triggers Cassie’s memories in Alex’s head. But soon other memories begin to flash for Alex, including ones that Cassie has no memory of. Soon Alex does not know who to trust.
This is a very quick read that keeps going the whole time! The ending was quite unexpected, and I hope there is a continuation of this serialized novel. I really enjoyed reading this one.
Many thanks to the publisher Serial Box for granting me an arc to read and review via NetGalley.
January 14, 2021
Fast paced, but slow to reveal. We follow the story of Alex (daughter) and Cassie (mother). Cassie isn’t the most motherly -- often too busy dealing with her own painful past and vices. Alex, however, is sensible, level-headed, and yearning to learn more about her father’s past.
One day, the two check-in for a mother-daughter study focused on memory which may hopefully help Cassie heal from her past and give Alex the answers she needs. Dr Novik performs a memory transfer from Cassie to Alex and suggests the two recreate the trip from Cassie’s memories in order to start transferring them.
I liked seeing the little moments where Cassie and Alex seemed to bond over. It was interesting to compare past memories with the present -- I kept trying to piece everything together and find the truth behind any discrepancies. Each fading memory left me in suspense with more questions than answers. The buildup was pretty good, but the ending felt a little rushed and tied together a bit too well -- it was shocking though. I would’ve also liked to know what happened beyond the last scene.
Overall, I’d say this is a good book if you’re looking for a quick thriller, fast-pace/suspense, and something that keeps you guessing.
*Thank you to Netgalley and Serial Box for a copy of the ARC in return for an honest review.
One day, the two check-in for a mother-daughter study focused on memory which may hopefully help Cassie heal from her past and give Alex the answers she needs. Dr Novik performs a memory transfer from Cassie to Alex and suggests the two recreate the trip from Cassie’s memories in order to start transferring them.
I liked seeing the little moments where Cassie and Alex seemed to bond over. It was interesting to compare past memories with the present -- I kept trying to piece everything together and find the truth behind any discrepancies. Each fading memory left me in suspense with more questions than answers. The buildup was pretty good, but the ending felt a little rushed and tied together a bit too well -- it was shocking though. I would’ve also liked to know what happened beyond the last scene.
Overall, I’d say this is a good book if you’re looking for a quick thriller, fast-pace/suspense, and something that keeps you guessing.
*Thank you to Netgalley and Serial Box for a copy of the ARC in return for an honest review.
November 6, 2020
DUDE!!! This was epic! It feels a lot like Assassin's Creed with a wonderful touch of family drama that kept me on the edge of my seat! This is worth the read!
*This was given to me by NetGalley for an honest review*
*This was given to me by NetGalley for an honest review*
March 28, 2023
Started off strong …lost its way. Definitely thought the twists were worth the wait but the character construction wasn’t great.
February 5, 2021
Thank you Goodreads for the Giveaway ebook.
I was enjoying this and was sucked completely in...but it ended so abruptly. What happens next? Is this really supposed to just be a short story? If so -- it's great. But I wanted more. So much lead in was explained...give me more!
Is this an excerpt from a book that's coming out in 12/2021? I'm a bit confused.
After reading many other reviews, it seems that the "book" I received is just 1 of 8 excerpts of the story. I wish this had been explained to me when I received the download.
I was enjoying this and was sucked completely in...but it ended so abruptly. What happens next? Is this really supposed to just be a short story? If so -- it's great. But I wanted more. So much lead in was explained...give me more!
Is this an excerpt from a book that's coming out in 12/2021? I'm a bit confused.
After reading many other reviews, it seems that the "book" I received is just 1 of 8 excerpts of the story. I wish this had been explained to me when I received the download.
November 30, 2024
Promising Yet Odd
When I went through NetGalley and I saw this book it instantly pulled my curiosity so when I was approved for the advanced reader's copy of this book I was thrilled. While it had major promise for me it fell a little flat. Mother and daughter, Cassie, and Alex respectively, took part in a scientific memory transfer with Alex being the recipient of her mother’s memories. The memory that was transferred involved Cassie’s life when she was the same age as Alex presently, 21. This was also the time period in which Cassie was pregnant with Alex. At first, Alex thinks this is her mother's way of making a quick buck, but when the memory transfer begins to work and Alex gets bits and pieces of the memories, she has always been curious about them set off on an adventure.
As they continue their journey and the memories continue to pass from mother to daughter you as a reader get this underlining fear that creeps in because you do not know what to believe who is telling the truth and who is not. I am hoping that this book is part of a series because with the way that this ended, I am for sure in need of knowing what happens next.
When I went through NetGalley and I saw this book it instantly pulled my curiosity so when I was approved for the advanced reader's copy of this book I was thrilled. While it had major promise for me it fell a little flat. Mother and daughter, Cassie, and Alex respectively, took part in a scientific memory transfer with Alex being the recipient of her mother’s memories. The memory that was transferred involved Cassie’s life when she was the same age as Alex presently, 21. This was also the time period in which Cassie was pregnant with Alex. At first, Alex thinks this is her mother's way of making a quick buck, but when the memory transfer begins to work and Alex gets bits and pieces of the memories, she has always been curious about them set off on an adventure.
As they continue their journey and the memories continue to pass from mother to daughter you as a reader get this underlining fear that creeps in because you do not know what to believe who is telling the truth and who is not. I am hoping that this book is part of a series because with the way that this ended, I am for sure in need of knowing what happens next.
November 6, 2020
A very good thriller. Alex is convinced by her mother to take part in research into transferring memories from mother to daughter. Cassie, her mother, and Alex go on a trip to recapture Cassie’s most happy memories. Alex remembers things that Cassie says aren’t true, but Alex is convinced they are. Are Cassie’s memories true or are Alex’s version true. You’ll have to read the novel to find out. There are many twists and turns throughout along with lots of suspense. The ending is eventful also. I as very pleased by this thriller and look forward to reading more by this author.
November 11, 2020
Wow. This book was amazing. The plot kept me guessing until the very end, when I had this eureka moment and everything finally made sense. The genre was an interesting combination of sci-fi and thriller woven together beautifully. I loved exploring the characters of Cassie and Alex and piecing together their complicated relationship. The cliffhanger at the end left me hooked, and if there is a sequel, I'd gladly read it.
January 19, 2021
This book had an interesting premise. Cassie transfers her memories to her daughter Alex hoping she will learn about her father. She learned way more than she expected. I wish there had been more. It just felt like something was missing. The layout was also a bit odd - like this should have been a podcast.
Thank you to #NetGalley, #SerialBox and the author for the #gifted copy of this book.
Thank you to #NetGalley, #SerialBox and the author for the #gifted copy of this book.
January 9, 2021
This little novella packs quite a punch! It seems almost like the elevator pitch of a novel. All the filler and most of the background is removed, making it fast paced and interesting. Certain parts and aspects are glossed over and would benefit from further explanation but for the length allotted it afforded a thrilling comprehensive read.
December 14, 2021
A solid sci-fi mystery/thriller. Emily Woo Zeller is a good narrator, and Cassie's actress was great. The mystery kept me guessing about what was really going on, and kept me engaged.
It never really passed beyond solid, though. The writing used a couple of repetitive structures and phrases over and over ("her expression darkened" showed up at least once or twice per episode), and the mystery elements were often unsubtle and workmanlike. Yes, I wanted to know what happened next, and Alex's discovery of her mother's journal was both a heavy-handed convenient writing choice but also had me immediately starting the next episode instead of going to sleep.
The resolution was decent, but rapid-fire, and so much more could have been done with it. While the whole thing was a great concept, there's just a lot of emotional and thematic depth that was a missed opportunity here.
Part of this, I think, was that Memory Lane couldn't quite decide whether it wanted to be an audiobook or an audio drama, and didn't manage to embrace the depths of either. If it was more committed to being an audiobook I think it would have been able to address some of these things better.
It never really passed beyond solid, though. The writing used a couple of repetitive structures and phrases over and over ("her expression darkened" showed up at least once or twice per episode), and the mystery elements were often unsubtle and workmanlike. Yes, I wanted to know what happened next, and Alex's discovery of her mother's journal was both a heavy-handed convenient writing choice but also had me immediately starting the next episode instead of going to sleep.
The resolution was decent, but rapid-fire, and so much more could have been done with it. While the whole thing was a great concept, there's just a lot of emotional and thematic depth that was a missed opportunity here.
Part of this, I think, was that Memory Lane couldn't quite decide whether it wanted to be an audiobook or an audio drama, and didn't manage to embrace the depths of either. If it was more committed to being an audiobook I think it would have been able to address some of these things better.
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July 7, 2021Ce thriller est l'un des premiers pour ma part et j'ai vraiment adoré ! Je n'aurais plus d'hésitations pour en lire maintenant : me creuser les méninges est quelque chose que j'adore et c'est donc exactement le genre qu'il me faut :).
*
L'intrigue a mis un petit moment avant de réellement débuter mais les auteures ont su nous mettre l'eau à la bouche. En effet, elles nous donnaient des éléments sans les développer plus que cela pour vraiment attiser notre curiosité. De plus, elles ont parfaitement su doser les informations et les donner au bon moment, c'est un aspect que j'ai adoré : on pouvait émettre des hypothèses et se creuser les méninges comme j'aime !
J'ai énormément apprécié ce concept sur la mémoire, c'est quelque chose de nouveau, pour moi en tout cas, et je plongeai donc en terre inconnu. Par contre, je vous avoue que je ne m'attendais pas du tout à ce retournement de situation à la fin ! J'ai été très surprise et au début confuse aussi : je n'ai pas trop compris comment on en était arrivé là mais finalement, c'était vraiment top ! Néanmoins, le reproche que je pourrais lui faire est que je n'ai pas eu toutes les réponses à mes questions, ce qui a accentué cette confusion. J'aurais vraiment aimé avoir davantage de chapitres pour obtenir les réponses qui me manquent et peut-être un ou deux autres pour un flashforward (saut dans le temps) afin de voir comment se porte nos personnages.
*
Justement, au niveau des personnages, ils n'étaient pas parfaits et c'est ce qui les a rendu humains et réalistes. Je me suis un peu reconnu en Alex, sur le fait de vouloir contrôler le maximum de choses comme connaitre son itinéraire et ne pas se laisser porter par le vent, ce que sa mère fait. La relation mère/fille a évolué doucement mais sûrement néanmoins, j'aurais vraiment aimé avoir un flashforward pour en voir davantage.
*
La plume des auteures est très fluide et agréable à lire. En effet, je me suis laissée porter par le récit et les questionnements d'Alex qui étaient aussi les miens. Le vocabulaire était adéquate et facile niveau compréhension. C'est vraiment un excellent petit thriller qui pourrait bien être celui de lancement dans ce genre !
*
Ayant adoré la série The Pretty Little Liars, je me suis laissée tenter par ce court thriller de la même auteure et franchement, je n'ai aucun regret ! L'histoire est captivante, le concept sur la mémoire vachement intéressant et je me suis bien creusée les méninges pour comprendre le pourquoi du comment ! J'aurais quand même aimé avoir quelques chapitres supplémentaires : en soit, c'est une bonne fin mais j'aurais voulu en savoir plus et j'ai encore des questions sans réponses !
*
L'intrigue a mis un petit moment avant de réellement débuter mais les auteures ont su nous mettre l'eau à la bouche. En effet, elles nous donnaient des éléments sans les développer plus que cela pour vraiment attiser notre curiosité. De plus, elles ont parfaitement su doser les informations et les donner au bon moment, c'est un aspect que j'ai adoré : on pouvait émettre des hypothèses et se creuser les méninges comme j'aime !
J'ai énormément apprécié ce concept sur la mémoire, c'est quelque chose de nouveau, pour moi en tout cas, et je plongeai donc en terre inconnu. Par contre, je vous avoue que je ne m'attendais pas du tout à ce retournement de situation à la fin ! J'ai été très surprise et au début confuse aussi : je n'ai pas trop compris comment on en était arrivé là mais finalement, c'était vraiment top ! Néanmoins, le reproche que je pourrais lui faire est que je n'ai pas eu toutes les réponses à mes questions, ce qui a accentué cette confusion. J'aurais vraiment aimé avoir davantage de chapitres pour obtenir les réponses qui me manquent et peut-être un ou deux autres pour un flashforward (saut dans le temps) afin de voir comment se porte nos personnages.
*
Justement, au niveau des personnages, ils n'étaient pas parfaits et c'est ce qui les a rendu humains et réalistes. Je me suis un peu reconnu en Alex, sur le fait de vouloir contrôler le maximum de choses comme connaitre son itinéraire et ne pas se laisser porter par le vent, ce que sa mère fait. La relation mère/fille a évolué doucement mais sûrement néanmoins, j'aurais vraiment aimé avoir un flashforward pour en voir davantage.
*
La plume des auteures est très fluide et agréable à lire. En effet, je me suis laissée porter par le récit et les questionnements d'Alex qui étaient aussi les miens. Le vocabulaire était adéquate et facile niveau compréhension. C'est vraiment un excellent petit thriller qui pourrait bien être celui de lancement dans ce genre !
*
Ayant adoré la série The Pretty Little Liars, je me suis laissée tenter par ce court thriller de la même auteure et franchement, je n'ai aucun regret ! L'histoire est captivante, le concept sur la mémoire vachement intéressant et je me suis bien creusée les méninges pour comprendre le pourquoi du comment ! J'aurais quand même aimé avoir quelques chapitres supplémentaires : en soit, c'est une bonne fin mais j'aurais voulu en savoir plus et j'ai encore des questions sans réponses !
January 14, 2021
A Huge thanks to Sara Shepard and Ellen Goodlett for the opportunity to review this amazing novel!!
Where to begin? First off, this book was AMAZING, it was a roller coaster of events that keep me reading for hours.
The plot: Before we even dive into the execution, the plot for this is soo intriguing. This is about a mother and daughter study, where the mother can pass her memories to her daughter. However, when the memories come, they realize nothing is as it seems. This is extremely interesting and the execution is so good down to the last page. I would like to compliment the writing in that the way flash backs are done are so smooth, sometimes flash backs are so hard to make out in the mist of so much happening, but that’s not the case here at all.
The characters: Both Cassie and her daughter Alex are such distinctive characters in the way they behave. I love this because my biggest pet peeve in a book is when everyone is a cardboard cutout of each other. Between the two I’d have to say Cassie was the most interesting because of her layers. I love that we tap into her mental state and why it’s become the way it is, psychology in novels are a big element I enjoy.
The writing: there is something about this writing that feels so... relatable. It has a flow, as if someone is talking to you. I love when writing is informal without being sloppy, and that is perfectly done in this book. As for the content, I really liked how we got to dig deep into the science of memory due to the study they were in, I found it so interesting.
Overall, this book was super unique and had so many twists and turns I just simply didn’t see coming. I’m not kidding when I say that last chapter had me lying on the floor contemplating the last few hours that I’ve been immersed in this story. I may be a simple person, but if your writing keeps me still for hours, you get major points.
I so highly recommend this to people who want a thriller sci fi type of book, however I feel like people who just like Sara Shepard or Ellen Goodletts writing would enjoy this. I also think people who like a good wow moment and a turn of events in their books would enjoy this.
I again want to say I am so thankful that I got this opportunity to read and review this... now excuse me, I have to go yell at everyone I know to read this book. ;)
Where to begin? First off, this book was AMAZING, it was a roller coaster of events that keep me reading for hours.
The plot: Before we even dive into the execution, the plot for this is soo intriguing. This is about a mother and daughter study, where the mother can pass her memories to her daughter. However, when the memories come, they realize nothing is as it seems. This is extremely interesting and the execution is so good down to the last page. I would like to compliment the writing in that the way flash backs are done are so smooth, sometimes flash backs are so hard to make out in the mist of so much happening, but that’s not the case here at all.
The characters: Both Cassie and her daughter Alex are such distinctive characters in the way they behave. I love this because my biggest pet peeve in a book is when everyone is a cardboard cutout of each other. Between the two I’d have to say Cassie was the most interesting because of her layers. I love that we tap into her mental state and why it’s become the way it is, psychology in novels are a big element I enjoy.
The writing: there is something about this writing that feels so... relatable. It has a flow, as if someone is talking to you. I love when writing is informal without being sloppy, and that is perfectly done in this book. As for the content, I really liked how we got to dig deep into the science of memory due to the study they were in, I found it so interesting.
Overall, this book was super unique and had so many twists and turns I just simply didn’t see coming. I’m not kidding when I say that last chapter had me lying on the floor contemplating the last few hours that I’ve been immersed in this story. I may be a simple person, but if your writing keeps me still for hours, you get major points.
I so highly recommend this to people who want a thriller sci fi type of book, however I feel like people who just like Sara Shepard or Ellen Goodletts writing would enjoy this. I also think people who like a good wow moment and a turn of events in their books would enjoy this.
I again want to say I am so thankful that I got this opportunity to read and review this... now excuse me, I have to go yell at everyone I know to read this book. ;)
January 11, 2021
Memory Lane aimed straight but missed the mark.
This fast-paced read will have you guessing what’s real or not and what really happened to Alex’s mother and father all those years ago. However, other than the main character Alex, the characters are flat and the ending rushed to an unfinished close.
Alex and her mom Cassie agree to participate in a scientific study where some of Cassie’s memories are transplanted into Alex’s mind in hopes she will be able to recall them as if they were her own. Cassie has spent 20 years as an off and on addict with mental illness. Alex has tried to make something of herself by going to college and finding a good job while she cares for her mother. The only reason she agrees to the experiment is that Cassie refuses to tell her anything about her father and why she left him 20 yrs prior. Alex hopes she can learn more about him from cassie’s memories. Instead, Alex recalls memories that Cassie says aren’t real, including one of a body on a table and one of Cassie being drowned.
This is another book that was issued as a serial, so it has “season x episode y” at the start of every chapter. I really wish authors would take this out when publishing as a full book because it's distracting and irrelevant to a full-length book. The book did not feel long at all, making me think the plot could have been filled in more in a few places or a bit more added to the ending.
Overall I think the idea has promise but the authors just didn’t pull it off. If you like sci-fi type thrillers you would like this one. It’s written like it’s the future but really set in modern-day times. I’m not quite sure when it publishes as the ARC states 1/13/21 but Amazon states 12/21/21.
Thank you to #NetGalley and Serial Box for providing me an #ARC of #MemoryLane to review.
This fast-paced read will have you guessing what’s real or not and what really happened to Alex’s mother and father all those years ago. However, other than the main character Alex, the characters are flat and the ending rushed to an unfinished close.
Alex and her mom Cassie agree to participate in a scientific study where some of Cassie’s memories are transplanted into Alex’s mind in hopes she will be able to recall them as if they were her own. Cassie has spent 20 years as an off and on addict with mental illness. Alex has tried to make something of herself by going to college and finding a good job while she cares for her mother. The only reason she agrees to the experiment is that Cassie refuses to tell her anything about her father and why she left him 20 yrs prior. Alex hopes she can learn more about him from cassie’s memories. Instead, Alex recalls memories that Cassie says aren’t real, including one of a body on a table and one of Cassie being drowned.
This is another book that was issued as a serial, so it has “season x episode y” at the start of every chapter. I really wish authors would take this out when publishing as a full book because it's distracting and irrelevant to a full-length book. The book did not feel long at all, making me think the plot could have been filled in more in a few places or a bit more added to the ending.
Overall I think the idea has promise but the authors just didn’t pull it off. If you like sci-fi type thrillers you would like this one. It’s written like it’s the future but really set in modern-day times. I’m not quite sure when it publishes as the ARC states 1/13/21 but Amazon states 12/21/21.
Thank you to #NetGalley and Serial Box for providing me an #ARC of #MemoryLane to review.
December 22, 2020
Brief Synopsis:
In this story we're following two women: Cassie, a mother who has struggled throughout the years raising her daughter Alex due to a painful past, all the while dealing with her addictions and her mental health. Alex, on the other hand has grown to distrust of her mother due to the lack of support and responsibility she has failed to provide as a parent. Not to mention never talking about her dad when asked. It isn't until one day, Alex and Cassie drive out to Oleander Biomedical to meet Dr. Novik. He offers to heal Cassie's mental illness by proposing an experimental study where he can implant her memories into Alex's which will help her better understand Cassie's past. However, Alex becomes very skeptical but at the same time curios as to what she may find harnessed in Cassie's memories.
Overall Evaluation:
While, I love the element of suspense, I felt that the beginning of this story started out a bit too fast. However, this definitely kept me holding on the entire way through. There were times I even felt chills, simply because it left me thinking: What if there are people in real life creating these experimental studies under the table?
Personal thoughts:
If you enjoy the feeling of suspense and don't mind having the chills every so often, then you'll certainly enjoy this read. Though I have to say, I've never read anything quite like this before, but if I could compare it to a movie, I would say it's somewhat similar to Black Box. However, this is not a spoiler as they have very different settings. I recommend that you give this book a try once available.
Thank you much to NetGalley and Serial Box for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Publication Date: January 13, 2021
In this story we're following two women: Cassie, a mother who has struggled throughout the years raising her daughter Alex due to a painful past, all the while dealing with her addictions and her mental health. Alex, on the other hand has grown to distrust of her mother due to the lack of support and responsibility she has failed to provide as a parent. Not to mention never talking about her dad when asked. It isn't until one day, Alex and Cassie drive out to Oleander Biomedical to meet Dr. Novik. He offers to heal Cassie's mental illness by proposing an experimental study where he can implant her memories into Alex's which will help her better understand Cassie's past. However, Alex becomes very skeptical but at the same time curios as to what she may find harnessed in Cassie's memories.
Overall Evaluation:
While, I love the element of suspense, I felt that the beginning of this story started out a bit too fast. However, this definitely kept me holding on the entire way through. There were times I even felt chills, simply because it left me thinking: What if there are people in real life creating these experimental studies under the table?
Personal thoughts:
If you enjoy the feeling of suspense and don't mind having the chills every so often, then you'll certainly enjoy this read. Though I have to say, I've never read anything quite like this before, but if I could compare it to a movie, I would say it's somewhat similar to Black Box. However, this is not a spoiler as they have very different settings. I recommend that you give this book a try once available.
Thank you much to NetGalley and Serial Box for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Publication Date: January 13, 2021
December 29, 2020
This story was originally published on serialbox.com, which makes sense. It reads like a podcast or serial fiction than a cohesive book. It is a good story, but doesn't feel as robust as a novel.
Memory Lane explores the relationships we have with our mothers, and how memories can fool us into believing things that aren't true. Alex and her mother Cassie have a strained relationship. When Cassie invites Alex to participate in a research study with her, Alex goes along with it, partially for the money and partially because she wants to repair their relationship. When they get to the research facility, Alex finds out that the study involves implanting Cassie's memories in Alex's brain, then going on a road trip with Cassie to activate these memories.
Alex decides to participate, even though she has misgivings about the study. When their road trip begins, Alex realizes that the memories she is experiencing are different than what her mother remembers. Which memories are true, and why are they different?
The premise of this book is better than its execution; it feels forced at times, and some things don't ring true toward the end of the book. You will question why certain decisions were made. The book would have been improved by more flashbacks, or descriptions of past events that led to what is happening in the present.
Thanks to Netgalley for an advance copy of this book!
Memory Lane explores the relationships we have with our mothers, and how memories can fool us into believing things that aren't true. Alex and her mother Cassie have a strained relationship. When Cassie invites Alex to participate in a research study with her, Alex goes along with it, partially for the money and partially because she wants to repair their relationship. When they get to the research facility, Alex finds out that the study involves implanting Cassie's memories in Alex's brain, then going on a road trip with Cassie to activate these memories.
Alex decides to participate, even though she has misgivings about the study. When their road trip begins, Alex realizes that the memories she is experiencing are different than what her mother remembers. Which memories are true, and why are they different?
The premise of this book is better than its execution; it feels forced at times, and some things don't ring true toward the end of the book. You will question why certain decisions were made. The book would have been improved by more flashbacks, or descriptions of past events that led to what is happening in the present.
Thanks to Netgalley for an advance copy of this book!
May 18, 2022
This was a fun short thriller about a mother and daughter who get more than they bargained for when they enter a study on memories. The daughter has always wanted to understand some family secrets, such as who her father is, but will she be happy with what she discovers?
I first got interested in reading this book because I went to a children's book writers conference with one of the authors around 2009, and I love seeing my peers become successful (except in some cases where I'm initially horribly jealous.) The first chapter or segment of this story I read on the kindle and then the rest I had to read on an app I believe was called Realm. I think this work was mainly featured as an audiobook but I did the print version (except it had a sound effect and a gif of Captain Picard.) This is more a review of the delivery system than the story, but I was reading it on a trip and I started out thinking this is okay but I really prefer the usual book experience, I spend too much time on my phone anyway. Then I lost my bag that had my books and my iPad in it so I was very grateful at least I had this story. Ultimately I think the app platform is a nice addition alongside the usual way I read, and it might help authors reach more readers.
I first got interested in reading this book because I went to a children's book writers conference with one of the authors around 2009, and I love seeing my peers become successful (except in some cases where I'm initially horribly jealous.) The first chapter or segment of this story I read on the kindle and then the rest I had to read on an app I believe was called Realm. I think this work was mainly featured as an audiobook but I did the print version (except it had a sound effect and a gif of Captain Picard.) This is more a review of the delivery system than the story, but I was reading it on a trip and I started out thinking this is okay but I really prefer the usual book experience, I spend too much time on my phone anyway. Then I lost my bag that had my books and my iPad in it so I was very grateful at least I had this story. Ultimately I think the app platform is a nice addition alongside the usual way I read, and it might help authors reach more readers.
February 6, 2021
This story intrigued me from the start, but fell flat and didn't deliver as I had hoped.
Alex finds herself in the midst of another scheme at the hands of her mother, Cassie. This time part of a scientific experiment to put Cassie's memories into Alex's head. Following the procedure and the advice of their doctor, the two take themselves and their rocky relationship on a road trip, to help spur the memories along. Alex went along with the plan to hopefully find out information about her father, whom Cassie never talks about, but is shocked when memories actually start appearing in her mind that aren't hers. What follows is an emotional rollercoaster of moments, until the dramatic ending that you are not supposed to see coming, but you do.
The characters and story really didn't hold the appeal that I was hoping for. I found both Cassie and Alex very annoying and their relationship overly frustrating. The story could have been more exciting, and I felt that the ending was too predictable. I would not recommend this book.
I was given a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
Alex finds herself in the midst of another scheme at the hands of her mother, Cassie. This time part of a scientific experiment to put Cassie's memories into Alex's head. Following the procedure and the advice of their doctor, the two take themselves and their rocky relationship on a road trip, to help spur the memories along. Alex went along with the plan to hopefully find out information about her father, whom Cassie never talks about, but is shocked when memories actually start appearing in her mind that aren't hers. What follows is an emotional rollercoaster of moments, until the dramatic ending that you are not supposed to see coming, but you do.
The characters and story really didn't hold the appeal that I was hoping for. I found both Cassie and Alex very annoying and their relationship overly frustrating. The story could have been more exciting, and I felt that the ending was too predictable. I would not recommend this book.
I was given a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
January 8, 2021
2.5 stars
I don't know about this book. For one thing, it's very short though no page # count is listed, it feels more like a novella - definitely under 200 pages. A lot happens in that short time, but it almost feels like the author sat down and dashed off the lines. Maybe that's because the pace feels frenetic and busy. Is that a good thing?
The bones of the story of a mom's memories being implanted/shared with her daughter is definitely intriguing, but when those memories turn out to be ones the mom actually DOESNT remember, the confusion explodes. I got tired of everything in the daughter's life revolving around her unknown father - I guess if you never knew anything about your father, your mind might be a bit obsessed, but in a book it begins to feel awfully repetitive. And the end. Hmmmm. Definitely a cliffhanger - as in, I feel like I was in the middle of the book and it just stops. Feels like it's set up for book #2 which I won't be reading.
I received this ARC as a #NetGalley 'read now' book and the opinions are my own. Thanks to #NetGalley and #SerialBox for the opportunity to review the book.
I don't know about this book. For one thing, it's very short though no page # count is listed, it feels more like a novella - definitely under 200 pages. A lot happens in that short time, but it almost feels like the author sat down and dashed off the lines. Maybe that's because the pace feels frenetic and busy. Is that a good thing?
The bones of the story of a mom's memories being implanted/shared with her daughter is definitely intriguing, but when those memories turn out to be ones the mom actually DOESNT remember, the confusion explodes. I got tired of everything in the daughter's life revolving around her unknown father - I guess if you never knew anything about your father, your mind might be a bit obsessed, but in a book it begins to feel awfully repetitive. And the end. Hmmmm. Definitely a cliffhanger - as in, I feel like I was in the middle of the book and it just stops. Feels like it's set up for book #2 which I won't be reading.
I received this ARC as a #NetGalley 'read now' book and the opinions are my own. Thanks to #NetGalley and #SerialBox for the opportunity to review the book.
February 9, 2021
I received a copy of Memory Lane through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Memory Lane is about a mother and daughter who have a strained relationship. In hopes of connecting better, Cassie, the mom, signs her daughter and herself up for a scientific trial that has to do with sharing memories. Alex, the daughter, agrees in hopes that she can find out about her father and all of the things that her mom has refused to tell her.
Let me start by saying that I am not a huge sci-fi fan at all, but I saw Sara Shepard’s name and knew I needed to give this book a try. It was an interesting story that was fast paced and made me want to keep turning the page, but I didn’t get into it all that much. I wasn’t a huge fan of the characters and felt like there were a lot of questions I didn’t get answered. It was a good story, but like I said before, I am not a huge sci-fi fan, which made it hard to get into this story for me. I think if you like sci-fi a lot, this would be a good book to read.
Memory Lane is about a mother and daughter who have a strained relationship. In hopes of connecting better, Cassie, the mom, signs her daughter and herself up for a scientific trial that has to do with sharing memories. Alex, the daughter, agrees in hopes that she can find out about her father and all of the things that her mom has refused to tell her.
Let me start by saying that I am not a huge sci-fi fan at all, but I saw Sara Shepard’s name and knew I needed to give this book a try. It was an interesting story that was fast paced and made me want to keep turning the page, but I didn’t get into it all that much. I wasn’t a huge fan of the characters and felt like there were a lot of questions I didn’t get answered. It was a good story, but like I said before, I am not a huge sci-fi fan, which made it hard to get into this story for me. I think if you like sci-fi a lot, this would be a good book to read.
June 27, 2021
Je tiens tout d’abord à remercier Hachette Lab et NetGalley France pour l’envoi de ce roman. On retrouve ici l’auteure à succès de Pretty Little Liars : Sara Shepard. J’était très curieuse de découvrir ce nouveau roman car il faut bien le dire elle sait clairement faire durer le suspens. Cependant, ici son plus gros défaut est de nous avoir livré un roman bien trop court ! Sara Shepard nous entraîne dans une histoire folle où l’on implante dans la mémoire d’Alex des bribes du passé de Cassie, sa mère, sur un court instant puisqu’il s’agit de ceux d’un road trip. Pourtant, elle voit plus que prévu et surtout elle découvre tout un tas de choses dont Cassie n’a aucun souvenir. Est-ce faux ou réel ? Est-ce que c’est elle qui a les bons souvenirs ou bien sa mère ? C’est un scénario qui tient clairement en haleine, très fantastique mais à la fois qui semble très réel grâce à des personnages proche de nous. C’est aussi l’histoire d’une mère et d’une fille avec une relation compliquée où la fille a l’air d’avoir la tête sur les épaules et la mère totalement pas. Et puis, surtout c’est une fille qui essaye d’y voir clair dans sa vie, qui veut comprendre d’où elle vient, qui est son père et pourquoi sa mère ne veut parler de rien. Elle espère alors, grâce à ce programme de mémoire, y voir plus clair. Pourtant, les choses ne sont pas si simples que cela et surtout tout va faire changer les choses.
En résumé, Memory Lane est un roman passionnant qui sait tenir son lecteur en haleine. Le scénario est super original et on se demande clairement comment l’histoire va tourner, si ce que voit Alex dans les souvenirs de sa mère est vrai ou pas. Le dénouement reste toutefois trop vite arrivé, j’aurais aimé que l’histoire ne se coupe pas comme cela et que l’on voit un peu l’après et surtout que l’on ait un peu plus d’explications. En tout les cas, c’est un roman qui se dévore à vitesse grand V et qui saura trouver son lectorat car il est vraiment très bon.
En résumé, Memory Lane est un roman passionnant qui sait tenir son lecteur en haleine. Le scénario est super original et on se demande clairement comment l’histoire va tourner, si ce que voit Alex dans les souvenirs de sa mère est vrai ou pas. Le dénouement reste toutefois trop vite arrivé, j’aurais aimé que l’histoire ne se coupe pas comme cela et que l’on voit un peu l’après et surtout que l’on ait un peu plus d’explications. En tout les cas, c’est un roman qui se dévore à vitesse grand V et qui saura trouver son lectorat car il est vraiment très bon.
January 2, 2021
What an exciting thriller. It tells the story of mother and daughter Cassie and Alex and is told from Alex's perspective. They have a really interesting, non conventional relationship where Alex often feels like the mother figure instead of the daughter.
There is a medical facility that is conducting experiments to see if they can transfer certain memories from a mother, to a daughter. As alex has a lot of unanswered questions about her father she agrees to go along. As part of the therapy to reactivate these memories, the women embark on a costal road trip to relive Cassies memories of her youth.
Mysteries begin to be uncovered and answers are revealed as Cassie and Alex find themselves in unexpected danger.
I really enjoyed the fast pace of this book. It kept me interested and drew me in. The relationship between Cassie and Alex was great to read, especially when it was all explained towards the end. Great ending, easy to follow and kept you wondering after it was finished.
There is a medical facility that is conducting experiments to see if they can transfer certain memories from a mother, to a daughter. As alex has a lot of unanswered questions about her father she agrees to go along. As part of the therapy to reactivate these memories, the women embark on a costal road trip to relive Cassies memories of her youth.
Mysteries begin to be uncovered and answers are revealed as Cassie and Alex find themselves in unexpected danger.
I really enjoyed the fast pace of this book. It kept me interested and drew me in. The relationship between Cassie and Alex was great to read, especially when it was all explained towards the end. Great ending, easy to follow and kept you wondering after it was finished.
January 7, 2021
*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC of this book.*
This light-sci-fi story has an intriguing premise. A mother's memories are subconsciously implanted in her daughter's mind and the two of them retrace a summer road trip from the mum's past to try to trigger the memories. When the memories don't match up the reader is left wondering which version of the past is real. I love a good unreliable narrator/character (or two or three!).
The story balances a fast-paced plot and characterisation, with a focus on a mother-daughter relationship. Coming from a single-parent, only-child upbringing, I could definitely relate to some of the arguments they had!
What didn't work so well for me was the serialised nature of the book. It was originally published chapter-by-chapter, designed for audio, like a podcast series. As a result, the abrupt ending doesn't work in book format. I was left confused, wanting more, and ultimately disappointed.
This light-sci-fi story has an intriguing premise. A mother's memories are subconsciously implanted in her daughter's mind and the two of them retrace a summer road trip from the mum's past to try to trigger the memories. When the memories don't match up the reader is left wondering which version of the past is real. I love a good unreliable narrator/character (or two or three!).
The story balances a fast-paced plot and characterisation, with a focus on a mother-daughter relationship. Coming from a single-parent, only-child upbringing, I could definitely relate to some of the arguments they had!
What didn't work so well for me was the serialised nature of the book. It was originally published chapter-by-chapter, designed for audio, like a podcast series. As a result, the abrupt ending doesn't work in book format. I was left confused, wanting more, and ultimately disappointed.
May 10, 2021
I didn't know what to expect going into this one (I actually pre-ordered this back in 2019 before the world changed but hadn't listened to it yet). I had never read or watched Pretty Little Liars (or anything else by Sara Shepard) so I was drawn purely by the synopsis.
But then we got: full cast audio (with sound effects, background music, and ambient noise), a cool concept, dynamic characters, a [spoiler] (yeah, it was definitely 100% a [spoiler] even though it's not confirmed in season one).
It felt like there was maybe a little too much "my entire identity is determined by the father I never met" for me but other than that I found Alex to be a compelling lead as she's confronted with her mother's memories. Especially when some of those memories are less than straightforward.
Also I can't wait for [spoiler] to come back (hopefully in a big way) in season two. Also... So glad Alex is not 100% straight
But then we got: full cast audio (with sound effects, background music, and ambient noise), a cool concept, dynamic characters, a [spoiler] (yeah, it was definitely 100% a [spoiler] even though it's not confirmed in season one).
It felt like there was maybe a little too much "my entire identity is determined by the father I never met" for me but other than that I found Alex to be a compelling lead as she's confronted with her mother's memories. Especially when some of those memories are less than straightforward.
Also I can't wait for [spoiler] to come back (hopefully in a big way) in season two. Also... So glad Alex is not 100% straight
January 23, 2021
This was my first audiobook! I was happy to receive a code from the author’s team to review for her!
This was a great book to do the audio method on. It made the characters more vivid and the music and sound effects added to the suspense and tension in the story.
I liked how it was set up in episodes, almost like a TV show! It kept me guessing and I did have moments of confusion as I wasn’t sure who I could trust, or who I should suspect! It definitely wasn’t predictable, but in a positive way!
I’m extremely antsy to find out what happens next, and I’m going to continue on when season 2 comes out.
Once again Sara Shephard proved that she’s got a knack for writing mysteries and drawing in her readers.
I binged the whole first season in one day! 🤩
and I loved the medical aspects to it! 👩🏽⚕️
This one is a 4 star for me.
🌟🌟🌟🌟/5 stars
This was a great book to do the audio method on. It made the characters more vivid and the music and sound effects added to the suspense and tension in the story.
I liked how it was set up in episodes, almost like a TV show! It kept me guessing and I did have moments of confusion as I wasn’t sure who I could trust, or who I should suspect! It definitely wasn’t predictable, but in a positive way!
I’m extremely antsy to find out what happens next, and I’m going to continue on when season 2 comes out.
Once again Sara Shephard proved that she’s got a knack for writing mysteries and drawing in her readers.
I binged the whole first season in one day! 🤩
and I loved the medical aspects to it! 👩🏽⚕️
This one is a 4 star for me.
🌟🌟🌟🌟/5 stars
March 26, 2022
Alex and Cassie are a mother daughter duo that have never gotten along. Alex has had to take care of her mother while trying to learn more of her past and who her father is. When an experimental memory transfer has the potential to bring the two closer, Alex reluctantly accepts.
I enjoyed the premise of the book but it soon lost me. Alex starts having memories of her mother that Cassie claimed never happened. As Alex’s hallucinations keep happening, the distance between them grows. Although this was a short read, it was somewhat fast. The ending was kind of unexpected but I still wanted more. More from the story and more from Alex and Cassie. I didn’t feel invested in them as characters in a good way or bad way. I’d be interested in reading this as a full novel, to see what would be added.
Thank you to Netgalley and Serial Box for a copy of the book in exchange for a review!
I enjoyed the premise of the book but it soon lost me. Alex starts having memories of her mother that Cassie claimed never happened. As Alex’s hallucinations keep happening, the distance between them grows. Although this was a short read, it was somewhat fast. The ending was kind of unexpected but I still wanted more. More from the story and more from Alex and Cassie. I didn’t feel invested in them as characters in a good way or bad way. I’d be interested in reading this as a full novel, to see what would be added.
Thank you to Netgalley and Serial Box for a copy of the book in exchange for a review!
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