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Memento Mori
A modern-day reimagining of the lives of the Pre-Raphaelite artists and the women they painted obsessively and fiercely loved. Beautiful and strong-willed Jane meets her match in enigmatic artist Gabriel. He immediately challenges her assumptions about art, life, and love. And for Gabriel’s enormous ego, Jane represents an exhilarating yet exasperating game he refuses to lose. When Jane’s brilliant but naïve friend Lizzie insists on accepting Gabriel’s dinner invitation, they are swept into a circle of passionate artists who reside in an old Gothic mansion. Jane embarks on a life-changing journey of desire, romance, despair, and self-discovery as she becomes the muse for Gabriel and his friend and rival, Will. A desperate inner battle wages within Jane, who is drawn in by Gabriel’s magnetic personality and gorgeous looks, yet equally as captivated by Will’s kind heart and steadfast devotion. Underneath an immersive and dramatic world is a deeper storyline, as Jane and Gabriel can't fight the nagging feeling that they have done this all before. Fates collide as lovers and friends become entangled in past, present, and future. An artistic, genre-crossing tale, Memento Mori will appeal to both history and romance lovers alike.
Advanced praise: "Memento Mori is a historic tale with a modern-day twist. Tragically beautiful, this novel depicts how pain can lead to the greatest of love stories. Some things are just written in the stars. And I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough!" – Ivy Smoak, International Bestselling Author
"An escapist's dream full of art, history, and sexiness. It was a vacation I truly needed." -Laurelin Paige, New York Times bestselling author
Advanced praise: "Memento Mori is a historic tale with a modern-day twist. Tragically beautiful, this novel depicts how pain can lead to the greatest of love stories. Some things are just written in the stars. And I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough!" – Ivy Smoak, International Bestselling Author
"An escapist's dream full of art, history, and sexiness. It was a vacation I truly needed." -Laurelin Paige, New York Times bestselling author
Paperback
Published June 15, 2021
9 people are currently reading
181 people want to read
About the author
Jane Morris
9 books48 followersJane started teaching high school English in 2007 with stars in her eyes and hope in her heart, ready to inspire every jaded adolescent and save the world through literature. Within the first few weeks, she realized that the job was more than she bargained for and would probably lead to her early death.
To cope with the chaos, she started making sarcastic jokes about teaching on social media, and she was relieved to find an entire community of teachers who were also outraged and miserable in a profession that was nothing like they imagined it would be.
The Teacher Misery community has grown to over 450K followers across multiple social media platforms, and four comedic teaching memoirs in print.
To cope with the chaos, she started making sarcastic jokes about teaching on social media, and she was relieved to find an entire community of teachers who were also outraged and miserable in a profession that was nothing like they imagined it would be.
The Teacher Misery community has grown to over 450K followers across multiple social media platforms, and four comedic teaching memoirs in print.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
August 1, 2022
Okay, hear me out. I am going to give this book 3 stars. I will give it 3 stars because I struggled with a few things.
But first I want to point out that it was written beautifully, it was captivating and I was dying to know what would happen. At times the story was a bit slow. But overall the book really had a good pace.
I just didn't understand and could not connect with Jane at all. In the beginning I could, but the further the story developed. The less I could connect.
I loved the whole concept of all the artists living together. Lizzie (Jane's best friend) and Jane becoming their muses. That was one of the strong points. I loved all the characters and the banter was amazing.
At first I liked Jane. But that rapidly changed near the end. I thought she became really overbearing towards Lizzie. I know Lizzie is fragile at times. But it seemed like Jane couldn't see past that.
I loved Jane and Gabriel together. I even got an understanding of why she played so much with Will. She had her walls up. And it was a way of protecting herself.
But as everything unfolds.... Jane just became very, very weak. Gabriel loved her with every viber of his being. We are told constantly that what they have together is epic and beyond this world. It spans many, many life times. I loved that Jane guarded herself. And when she finally opened up, it was gorgeous to see and feel her love. It was one of the highlights of the book.
And then poof it all explodes. SPOILER ALERT: In the beginning Jane is pushing Gabriel away. She just doesn't let him in. Jane flirts with Will and Gabriel and is all over the place. Gabriel sleeps with Lizzie, after Jane roughly pushed him away. Once. She gets pregnant. It happened before Jane and Gabriel were together. And when Jane and Gabriel are together it's magical. But the second they both find out that Lizzie is pregnant, Jane just leaves. She doesn't even try to fight. I found that so so incredibly weak and she just leaves. She never turnes back around. Gabriel slept with Lizzie when she pushed him away hard. Jane flirts around with Will at the time. And that is okay for some sort of reason. But Gabriel isn't allowed to make one damn misstake. This whole incredible tale of epicness dwindles away to nothing.
She chooses Will. She chooses an easy life, with no fights. She never sits down and honestly talks with Gabriel about the future. She takes no time at all to hear his side of the story. She chooses security. She gives up on the one thing that could have shined so bright - and just walks away.
I did love it when her daugther turns out to be Lizzie. But I hate it that it is confirmed again that Gabriel is the one. And she just chooses easyness again. In the beginning she is portrayed as such a strong woman. But when it matters. She just bolts.
Maybe I am ranting a bit. In this day and age it is so easy to give up on relationships. People divorce so quickly. It's like we fight for half a year and boom it's over. Marriage and relationships are hard work. You have to fight for the one you love. You don't give up, and go on.
This was a story for me about giving up. And I truly, truly hated that.
But even though I disliked Jane with an intensity. I can see that the book was written beautifully. It was written in a strong way. It flowed really well. But it just wasn't for me. But just because I disliked it. Doesn't mean it only deserves 1 star. It deserves at least 3. The writing style was really, really good. That was probably even 5 stars. It flows tremendously. I just can't comprehend whatsoever, why Jane did what she did. If she took five minutes to actually talk to Gabriel. That would have made such a difference to the story. But she never did that. She just married Will to not ever have to deal true connection and what that entails.
Just such a huge missed opportunity.
But first I want to point out that it was written beautifully, it was captivating and I was dying to know what would happen. At times the story was a bit slow. But overall the book really had a good pace.
I just didn't understand and could not connect with Jane at all. In the beginning I could, but the further the story developed. The less I could connect.
I loved the whole concept of all the artists living together. Lizzie (Jane's best friend) and Jane becoming their muses. That was one of the strong points. I loved all the characters and the banter was amazing.
At first I liked Jane. But that rapidly changed near the end. I thought she became really overbearing towards Lizzie. I know Lizzie is fragile at times. But it seemed like Jane couldn't see past that.
I loved Jane and Gabriel together. I even got an understanding of why she played so much with Will. She had her walls up. And it was a way of protecting herself.
But as everything unfolds.... Jane just became very, very weak. Gabriel loved her with every viber of his being. We are told constantly that what they have together is epic and beyond this world. It spans many, many life times. I loved that Jane guarded herself. And when she finally opened up, it was gorgeous to see and feel her love. It was one of the highlights of the book.
And then poof it all explodes. SPOILER ALERT: In the beginning Jane is pushing Gabriel away. She just doesn't let him in. Jane flirts with Will and Gabriel and is all over the place. Gabriel sleeps with Lizzie, after Jane roughly pushed him away. Once. She gets pregnant. It happened before Jane and Gabriel were together. And when Jane and Gabriel are together it's magical. But the second they both find out that Lizzie is pregnant, Jane just leaves. She doesn't even try to fight. I found that so so incredibly weak and she just leaves. She never turnes back around. Gabriel slept with Lizzie when she pushed him away hard. Jane flirts around with Will at the time. And that is okay for some sort of reason. But Gabriel isn't allowed to make one damn misstake. This whole incredible tale of epicness dwindles away to nothing.
She chooses Will. She chooses an easy life, with no fights. She never sits down and honestly talks with Gabriel about the future. She takes no time at all to hear his side of the story. She chooses security. She gives up on the one thing that could have shined so bright - and just walks away.
I did love it when her daugther turns out to be Lizzie. But I hate it that it is confirmed again that Gabriel is the one. And she just chooses easyness again. In the beginning she is portrayed as such a strong woman. But when it matters. She just bolts.
Maybe I am ranting a bit. In this day and age it is so easy to give up on relationships. People divorce so quickly. It's like we fight for half a year and boom it's over. Marriage and relationships are hard work. You have to fight for the one you love. You don't give up, and go on.
This was a story for me about giving up. And I truly, truly hated that.
But even though I disliked Jane with an intensity. I can see that the book was written beautifully. It was written in a strong way. It flowed really well. But it just wasn't for me. But just because I disliked it. Doesn't mean it only deserves 1 star. It deserves at least 3. The writing style was really, really good. That was probably even 5 stars. It flows tremendously. I just can't comprehend whatsoever, why Jane did what she did. If she took five minutes to actually talk to Gabriel. That would have made such a difference to the story. But she never did that. She just married Will to not ever have to deal true connection and what that entails.
Just such a huge missed opportunity.
October 1, 2021
Clever Storytelling
I selected this book out of sheer curiosity. I suppose the author did the first step well in titling her work with a memorable Latin phrase (pun intended). It is an interesting story liberally sprinkled with western philosophies...a bit of quantum theory... mystic realism?....a good quantity of references from Dante Alighieri and 14th century literature...art theory and appreciation. IOW...the book is perhaps on the self-indulgent side of the author. She showed us her education. Sometimes this type of writing can become tedious reading. It was tedious reading for me in the beginning.
Despite the early temptation to discontinue reading, I discovered I became more interested in the story as she focused less on the references and began to develop her characters through plot movement about one third into the story. This author is clearly talented and facile with language.
Ultimately, I came away with a clear overriding theme that shone through the fog of often esoteric, poetically-flourished and over-worked notions of romantic love. "The simplicity on the other side of the complexity." You see sometimes making connections among disparate ideas , across intellectual and artistic disciplines...and spanning the ages requires more than "clever". It requires a self- effacing genius and discipline to write a story that shines on its own and not overly encumbered with classic and popular reference.
Speak to the heart, every heart, dear author and not to just the "intelligentsia". I'm afraid your book ironically represents the very traits that led to Gabriel's, your protagonist, downfall.
I selected this book out of sheer curiosity. I suppose the author did the first step well in titling her work with a memorable Latin phrase (pun intended). It is an interesting story liberally sprinkled with western philosophies...a bit of quantum theory... mystic realism?....a good quantity of references from Dante Alighieri and 14th century literature...art theory and appreciation. IOW...the book is perhaps on the self-indulgent side of the author. She showed us her education. Sometimes this type of writing can become tedious reading. It was tedious reading for me in the beginning.
Despite the early temptation to discontinue reading, I discovered I became more interested in the story as she focused less on the references and began to develop her characters through plot movement about one third into the story. This author is clearly talented and facile with language.
Ultimately, I came away with a clear overriding theme that shone through the fog of often esoteric, poetically-flourished and over-worked notions of romantic love. "The simplicity on the other side of the complexity." You see sometimes making connections among disparate ideas , across intellectual and artistic disciplines...and spanning the ages requires more than "clever". It requires a self- effacing genius and discipline to write a story that shines on its own and not overly encumbered with classic and popular reference.
Speak to the heart, every heart, dear author and not to just the "intelligentsia". I'm afraid your book ironically represents the very traits that led to Gabriel's, your protagonist, downfall.
June 21, 2021
Memento Mori held my attention from the first few pages. I had to know what was going to happen—and continued with that excitement until the end. One of my favorite things about this book was the song suggestions for each chapter. I have not encountered a playlist built into a novel. It was a nice treat. On top of the songs, I enjoyed how the chapters were short but engaging enough for me to want to keep reading. Believe me, there were a few situations I could not put the book down. I had to know what was going to happen next.
Memento Mori is a fast paced historical romance. Be warned, there are many steamy scenes but they flow perfectly with the plot. If that is not something you are comfortable with, look elsewhere for your next read. That being said, I gobbled up this story on the beach.
I do not read historical fiction/romance often so Memento Mori was a nice break from my TBR for the year. If you are looking for your next book to take with you on vacation or pool side, look no further than Memento Mori.
I have read Morris’s other work, while this book is vastly different, I have become a dedicated reader. Can’t wait to see what is next.
Memento Mori is a fast paced historical romance. Be warned, there are many steamy scenes but they flow perfectly with the plot. If that is not something you are comfortable with, look elsewhere for your next read. That being said, I gobbled up this story on the beach.
I do not read historical fiction/romance often so Memento Mori was a nice break from my TBR for the year. If you are looking for your next book to take with you on vacation or pool side, look no further than Memento Mori.
I have read Morris’s other work, while this book is vastly different, I have become a dedicated reader. Can’t wait to see what is next.
July 4, 2021
This book was a wild ride! At every turn of the plot, I had no clue what was going to happen next, and I was extremely intrigued by a lot of incidents and deja vu that overlapped across time.
The book focuses on a group of artists who want to do art the old way, with real experiences and using no technology. The main protag Jane and her friend Lizzie start to hang out with them, and this sets them out on a twisty and wild path.
The majority of the book deals with the conflicting emotions of Jane, as well as the love triangle she's gotten into. I definitely did not expect the way it eventually turned out, but I was satisfied with her HEA.
The only critique I have is that the plot and the mysteries overlapping across time could have been explored further. The book had a lot of interesting subplots which were left unresolved. The Agatha Christie and Perry Mason fan in me would love to see those mysterious incidents explained!
I was highly impressed with the author's writing and the high attention to detail to every part of this story - there was so many descriptions of art - visual art, music, symbols, old monuments etc., and they helped to enrich the story further. The author has also provided a song/playlist for each chapter in the ebook, and it was cool to hear them whilst reading the chapter.
Thank you to the author for giving me a copy :) I enjoyed it a lot.
Andd finally, (if you've read the book) - I'm definitely on team Will XD
The book focuses on a group of artists who want to do art the old way, with real experiences and using no technology. The main protag Jane and her friend Lizzie start to hang out with them, and this sets them out on a twisty and wild path.
The majority of the book deals with the conflicting emotions of Jane, as well as the love triangle she's gotten into. I definitely did not expect the way it eventually turned out, but I was satisfied with her HEA.
The only critique I have is that the plot and the mysteries overlapping across time could have been explored further. The book had a lot of interesting subplots which were left unresolved. The Agatha Christie and Perry Mason fan in me would love to see those mysterious incidents explained!
I was highly impressed with the author's writing and the high attention to detail to every part of this story - there was so many descriptions of art - visual art, music, symbols, old monuments etc., and they helped to enrich the story further. The author has also provided a song/playlist for each chapter in the ebook, and it was cool to hear them whilst reading the chapter.
Thank you to the author for giving me a copy :) I enjoyed it a lot.
Andd finally, (if you've read the book) - I'm definitely on team Will XD
September 9, 2021
If you listened to our 15 April 2021 episode on The Duke Undone, by Joanna Lowell, you may remember that we sent out a call into the ether for Pre-Raphaelite fanfic. Apparently it worked (!?) because Jane Morris wrote Memento Mori, a modern-day retelling of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood and their myriad romantic relationships (specifically the love triangle/square of Jane Burden, Lizzie Siddal, William Morris, and Dante Gabriel Rossetti).
As Pre-Raphaelite fans, it was fun to see the history of the Brotherhood in a modern setting. Certain aspects worked more than others - for example, the idea of an artists' collective living together works well, while the idea of individual artists in the collective actually making money on their art is less authentic (although fun to imagine). In particular, the portrayal of Dante Gabriel Rossetti as a pretentious f*ckboi rang very true!
The one place we wanted more was in Jane and Will's relationship. If you're serving us a love triangle we want a LOVE triangle! Ultimately, if you like the historical Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood and are even a little bit interested in its history, you'd probably be interested in this book as well. It can be a starting place to read more about the historical Brotherhood - or if you're already familiar with it, it's fun to see where Morris (the author 😉) has updated or changed the actual events. It's hard for us to judge the story as its own discrete object since it does draw so much from Victorian history.
This objective review is based on a complimentary advanced reader copy of the novel.
As Pre-Raphaelite fans, it was fun to see the history of the Brotherhood in a modern setting. Certain aspects worked more than others - for example, the idea of an artists' collective living together works well, while the idea of individual artists in the collective actually making money on their art is less authentic (although fun to imagine). In particular, the portrayal of Dante Gabriel Rossetti as a pretentious f*ckboi rang very true!
The one place we wanted more was in Jane and Will's relationship. If you're serving us a love triangle we want a LOVE triangle! Ultimately, if you like the historical Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood and are even a little bit interested in its history, you'd probably be interested in this book as well. It can be a starting place to read more about the historical Brotherhood - or if you're already familiar with it, it's fun to see where Morris (the author 😉) has updated or changed the actual events. It's hard for us to judge the story as its own discrete object since it does draw so much from Victorian history.
This objective review is based on a complimentary advanced reader copy of the novel.
November 6, 2021
A romance read for the senses - where music, art, poetry, beauty, and passion collide. Momento Mori is a modern love story based on historical figures of the past. Each chapter has a corresponding music which sets the mood- I found it to be inspirational to the theme of the story line.
An intoxicating and exciting read I enjoyed!
An intoxicating and exciting read I enjoyed!
December 24, 2021
Narrated in Dual POV (mostly) and a Standalone with No Cliffhanger.
The story, the concept, the way it was reading was definitely different, interesting and worth the time. But, whereas I liked 3/4 of the book last 1/4 of the book felt too fast paced and somewhat consolation prize.
I just didn't liked how it ended.
The story, the concept, the way it was reading was definitely different, interesting and worth the time. But, whereas I liked 3/4 of the book last 1/4 of the book felt too fast paced and somewhat consolation prize.
I just didn't liked how it ended.
June 30, 2021
This book was breathtaking! I found myself immersed in the story - wishing I could physically dive in and live through their stories. Memento Mori has everything - complex characters, opulent settings, intense drama and romance, art, literature and mysticism. It’s one of those books you’ll think about long after you read the last line.
Read
February 27, 2024Inspired by the Pre-Raphaelite artistic movement, Jane Morris wrote Memento Mori. In it, two beautiful young women become the muses for a group of artists (who are patterned after the Brotherhood) who live in a stunning, old mansion, an ancestral property of one of their members. This story’s been moved to modern times, so there are things like cell phones and sports cars, and the language is peppered with euphemisms and references, but there’s a definite timeless quality to the setting. Each chapter is titled and has a musical influence, which was interesting, and the ideas of friendship, chivalry, and eternal connections are threaded throughout. A great deal of time is spent on developing a sweeping love story, but there is a triangle, which is inspired by actual historic relationships. The storytelling is smart, the setting lush and atmospheric, and the writing is excellent.
June 17, 2021
This novel is expertly written, researched extensively, very easy and fast read! I found it so informative regarding the period from which the author drew! I truly could not put it down! The characters were very well developed and I found myself wanting to get back to it to find out what was about to happen, which happened throughout the read for me.. Very unique, being coupled with music, suggested for each chapter, to enhance the theme, something I had never experienced.. Ms. Morris is an already an accomplished writer, very successful in bringing us into her life and experiences in her years teaching, but this was really very enjoyable and a perfect summer beach novel or airplane travel companion.. Bravo!!
June 27, 2021
Lost myself in this story
I could not stop reading this story. Drama,love, fantasy and everything in between, captures you and holds you prisoner. I look forward to what's next from the mind of Jane Morris!
I could not stop reading this story. Drama,love, fantasy and everything in between, captures you and holds you prisoner. I look forward to what's next from the mind of Jane Morris!
February 22, 2022
✨ a brood of sexy artists, caught in a fantastical, sensual romance riddled with mystery and lush history ✨
Who knew the world needed a modern retelling of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood set in today's world with glimmers of fantasy and mystery? But now that I have read it, I am glad it exists.
Tropes:
- the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood
- love triangle/square
- surprise pregnancy
- spunky main character
- fuckboy hero
- engaging plot
- mystery
Morris weaves an engaging tale with lyrical writing and heaps of intrigue. However, there were many points in the book where I just wanted more that I, unfortunately, could not ignore.
From the very start, it is evident that Morris spared no expense in the research and proper integration of it for this book. The book is lush with historically accurate tidbits about the brotherhood. Many times, I found myself looking up facts about them. I, much to my pleasant surprise, left with a new and expanded understanding of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood.
The mystery was well developed and definitely kept me at the edge of my seat. As the somber, fantastical connotation of the cover suggests, this book was full of a sense of serenity and grit. It felt like walking through a forest with the full moon looming above you, not knowing what lurks around the corner. Morris tucked in beautiful themes of art and mystical realism. Sometimes, I get very overwhelmed when I read books like this. I will admit, I had picked this up when I had just gone back in person to uni and grew very overwhelmed with the depth Morris packed into this book. I had to put it down and come back when I knew I was in a better place, mentally, to read it to make sure I gave it a fair shot.
I was disappointed to see the development and the depth that the Morris had weaved into her integration of mystical and artistic themes and history was not really evident in all the characters or romance.
The way the characters spoke really rubbed me the wrong way. F-bombs after F-bombs were getting dropped, the same way a teenager who just learned a new cuss word would. The dialogue in general was unnatural, juvenile, and consistently got on my nerves.
Talking about juvenile, it seemed to me that the main character was written in the shadow of the surface level, obnoxious "badass" female lead character we used to see when dystopian YA literature had a grip on the publishing industry. Jane was very "badass woman character" caricature-esque, which was incredibly disappointing.
I had a hard time connecting with the characters in general. I already don't like love triangles all too much, it has to be well-written for me to like it, no matter how well-written the characters caught in the triangle are. So add hard-to-connect-with characters into a lightly fleshed out love triangle and we are not headed for a romance that would capture me.
If you guys know me, But I know some people do enjoy that trope.
So while this book might have not really been for me. If you are a fan or are intrigued with the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, looking for a book with lyrical writing and artistic themes that draw you in with a sprinkle of romance, I would suggest you pick up this book.
⭐️⭐️.5/ 5 stars | 🌶🌶/ 5 steam
Thank you so much to Jane Morris for a physical ARC in exchange for a review!
Who knew the world needed a modern retelling of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood set in today's world with glimmers of fantasy and mystery? But now that I have read it, I am glad it exists.
Tropes:
- the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood
- love triangle/square
- surprise pregnancy
- spunky main character
- fuckboy hero
- engaging plot
- mystery
Morris weaves an engaging tale with lyrical writing and heaps of intrigue. However, there were many points in the book where I just wanted more that I, unfortunately, could not ignore.
From the very start, it is evident that Morris spared no expense in the research and proper integration of it for this book. The book is lush with historically accurate tidbits about the brotherhood. Many times, I found myself looking up facts about them. I, much to my pleasant surprise, left with a new and expanded understanding of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood.
The mystery was well developed and definitely kept me at the edge of my seat. As the somber, fantastical connotation of the cover suggests, this book was full of a sense of serenity and grit. It felt like walking through a forest with the full moon looming above you, not knowing what lurks around the corner. Morris tucked in beautiful themes of art and mystical realism. Sometimes, I get very overwhelmed when I read books like this. I will admit, I had picked this up when I had just gone back in person to uni and grew very overwhelmed with the depth Morris packed into this book. I had to put it down and come back when I knew I was in a better place, mentally, to read it to make sure I gave it a fair shot.
I was disappointed to see the development and the depth that the Morris had weaved into her integration of mystical and artistic themes and history was not really evident in all the characters or romance.
The way the characters spoke really rubbed me the wrong way. F-bombs after F-bombs were getting dropped, the same way a teenager who just learned a new cuss word would. The dialogue in general was unnatural, juvenile, and consistently got on my nerves.
Talking about juvenile, it seemed to me that the main character was written in the shadow of the surface level, obnoxious "badass" female lead character we used to see when dystopian YA literature had a grip on the publishing industry. Jane was very "badass woman character" caricature-esque, which was incredibly disappointing.
I had a hard time connecting with the characters in general. I already don't like love triangles all too much, it has to be well-written for me to like it, no matter how well-written the characters caught in the triangle are. So add hard-to-connect-with characters into a lightly fleshed out love triangle and we are not headed for a romance that would capture me.
If you guys know me, But I know some people do enjoy that trope.
So while this book might have not really been for me. If you are a fan or are intrigued with the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, looking for a book with lyrical writing and artistic themes that draw you in with a sprinkle of romance, I would suggest you pick up this book.
⭐️⭐️.5/ 5 stars | 🌶🌶/ 5 steam
Thank you so much to Jane Morris for a physical ARC in exchange for a review!
July 28, 2021
I received an ARC of Memento Mori in exchange for my honest review. So here it is. I liked Jane. It's fantastic that she is a take-no-crap, tells it like it is kind of girl. Beyond that I had a hard time liking anyone else.
I'm about to drop some spoilers here, so don't expand unless you've read it.
I'm about to drop some spoilers here, so don't expand unless you've read it.
July 3, 2021
I follow Jane Morris on her Teacher Misery Instagram account and kept seeing ads for this book. At first I was trepidations because it wasn't my typical genre, but the excerpt sounded interesting and the reviews were promising.
I'll admit that the beginning of the book had me wanting to walk away. The sheer amount of gratuitous obscenities was off-putting to the point I wanted to put it away for good around chapter 6. F-bombs are dropped in various forms 317 times throughout the story. Could Ms. Morris not think of other words to use? I stuck with it though and eventually it felt right for the characters.
Ultimately, I give Memento Mori 3.5 out of 5 stars for the language. I enjoyed the story though parts seemed predictable (really, how many times does the girl have to fall for the bad boy when a perfectly decent man is right there in front of her). There were moments where Ms. Morris seemed to be going for shock factor over pertinent plot, but the overall story was compelling and spoke to human nature and the complexities of emotion.
I'll admit that the beginning of the book had me wanting to walk away. The sheer amount of gratuitous obscenities was off-putting to the point I wanted to put it away for good around chapter 6. F-bombs are dropped in various forms 317 times throughout the story. Could Ms. Morris not think of other words to use? I stuck with it though and eventually it felt right for the characters.
Ultimately, I give Memento Mori 3.5 out of 5 stars for the language. I enjoyed the story though parts seemed predictable (really, how many times does the girl have to fall for the bad boy when a perfectly decent man is right there in front of her). There were moments where Ms. Morris seemed to be going for shock factor over pertinent plot, but the overall story was compelling and spoke to human nature and the complexities of emotion.
August 17, 2021
Calling all lovers of Historical Fiction, art, music, Dante, and romance-read Memento Mori! Oh did I mention love triangle?!?!
I was honored to receive a copy of this book from the author, Jane Morris @teachermisery.
Maybe it's the teacher in me, but I love a book when I learn something, and especially when I am compelled to research a topic. This book had both! I learned lots of facts and researched the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood after reading to learn more about this piece of history.
Once I started this one, I couldn't stop! While reading, I always felt completely immersed in the story, like I was actually there...probably in part to the author creating a soundtrack to listen while reading! That's just badass in my opinion annnd I found some new music to add in the rotation! There were also lots of other musical mentions throughout the that I loved.
Content warning of strong language and some steam but if that doesn't bother you, get your Spotify ready and read and listen. Make sure you read the author's Note To Reader for more on her inspiration!
I was honored to receive a copy of this book from the author, Jane Morris @teachermisery.
Maybe it's the teacher in me, but I love a book when I learn something, and especially when I am compelled to research a topic. This book had both! I learned lots of facts and researched the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood after reading to learn more about this piece of history.
Once I started this one, I couldn't stop! While reading, I always felt completely immersed in the story, like I was actually there...probably in part to the author creating a soundtrack to listen while reading! That's just badass in my opinion annnd I found some new music to add in the rotation! There were also lots of other musical mentions throughout the that I loved.
Content warning of strong language and some steam but if that doesn't bother you, get your Spotify ready and read and listen. Make sure you read the author's Note To Reader for more on her inspiration!
January 11, 2024
This book was raw and real. It showed real human emotion which isn’t always pretty.
I loved and hated the characters. I wanted to rage with and at them. I found myself totally immersed in the book wanting to know what happened next.
Lizzie and Will both deserved better then how they were treated through out the book. However, I really didn’t like Lizzie for most of it, but my heart did break for her at the ending.
Gabriel and Jane had a beautiful but volatile relationship. It was so intense, almost too intense. But that love had traversed lifetimes.
Will was good for Jane though. He calmed her down where she dared him to do more. It was cute and I was happy for them. But they didn’t have the passion that Gabriel and Jane did.
The only reason I gave it 4 instead of 5 stars was because I felt like little bits of the story were missing. Like it just forgot to get added. And then the excessive use of exclamation points.
This is the first book I have ever physically highlighted. And there was so much. I truly enjoyed this book.
I loved and hated the characters. I wanted to rage with and at them. I found myself totally immersed in the book wanting to know what happened next.
Lizzie and Will both deserved better then how they were treated through out the book. However, I really didn’t like Lizzie for most of it, but my heart did break for her at the ending.
Gabriel and Jane had a beautiful but volatile relationship. It was so intense, almost too intense. But that love had traversed lifetimes.
Will was good for Jane though. He calmed her down where she dared him to do more. It was cute and I was happy for them. But they didn’t have the passion that Gabriel and Jane did.
The only reason I gave it 4 instead of 5 stars was because I felt like little bits of the story were missing. Like it just forgot to get added. And then the excessive use of exclamation points.
This is the first book I have ever physically highlighted. And there was so much. I truly enjoyed this book.
March 5, 2022
A shoddy imitation of the BBC's Desperate Romantics set in a modern rich man-child's world. These are two-dimensional characters dropped in to a flimsy plot which relies heavily on angsty sex and endless amounts of cash for expensive toys. The author tries to blend the Pre-Raphaelites, Dante's Inferno, and connections in past lives but fails to bring any depth to the concept. That's unfortunate - it's an intriguing idea and the story just doesn't live up to the challenge.
Perhaps going in to this book with a background in art history and a fascination of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood set me up to be disappointed. There is little beyond the character's names and bare basics of their connection to each other that reflects the dynamic personalities and rich history of the movement.
The author's name a pseudonym that is a spoiler for part of the story.
I'm sorry I bought the book.
Perhaps going in to this book with a background in art history and a fascination of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood set me up to be disappointed. There is little beyond the character's names and bare basics of their connection to each other that reflects the dynamic personalities and rich history of the movement.
The author's name a pseudonym that is a spoiler for part of the story.
I'm sorry I bought the book.
October 27, 2021
I really wanted to like this book. It has a great premise and has so much potential. I think the author’s other books are great and I wanted to support her and love this book too. The biggest issue for me was the dialogue. It did not give any depth to the characters or the storytelling. Most of the time characters gave short and honestly lame responses that are similar across all characters. The main character has moments of redemption but overall isn’t very compelling as a heroine or even just a likable character. The language was also quite simplistic for a book about poetry and art. Her poems are well written and I love the concept of love and loss across time but it just didn’t do it for me.
November 28, 2021
It’s been a while since a book held my attention from start to finish, and Memento Mori was a wonderful, captivating read.
Morris is a beautiful storyteller, and this fast-paced novel was just the escape I needed from my holiday weekend. Oh, and the playlist throughout the story? Loved it! You MUST listen to the songs as you begin each chapter. It adds a new element to reading that I didn’t know I was missing.
I’m a sucker for a good love triangle, and this book had me ready to print “Team Gabriel” t-shirts (shortly followed by “Team Will”). Hoo-boy, it’s going to be a while before I can stop thinking about all these steamy scenes *wipes brow*.
I was a fan of Morris from her Teacher Misery books, and this novel has me sold. I can’t wait to see what she releases next!
Morris is a beautiful storyteller, and this fast-paced novel was just the escape I needed from my holiday weekend. Oh, and the playlist throughout the story? Loved it! You MUST listen to the songs as you begin each chapter. It adds a new element to reading that I didn’t know I was missing.
I’m a sucker for a good love triangle, and this book had me ready to print “Team Gabriel” t-shirts (shortly followed by “Team Will”). Hoo-boy, it’s going to be a while before I can stop thinking about all these steamy scenes *wipes brow*.
I was a fan of Morris from her Teacher Misery books, and this novel has me sold. I can’t wait to see what she releases next!
November 22, 2021
This was such an unexpectedly beautiful read for me. I wasn't sure what exactly I was getting into when I started but I quickly fell in love with Jane and her story. There are so many different genres and themes woven into this novel - a touch of magical realism, deja vu, destiny, romance, suspense, a love triangle, art, and more. I definitely did not predict the ending but I am 100% happy with it. The writing is beautiful and the way Jane Morris jumps from timeline to timeline and character to character flowed really nicely. I really loved this one!
Read if you like:
-art
-destiny
-a kick ass main character
Read if you like:
-art
-destiny
-a kick ass main character
December 28, 2021
I have no idea where all these glowing reviews are coming from, did we read the same book? This was actually painful to read. The only reason I finished it was to fulfill a prompt to read a book published anonymously.
Not a single character was likable and the dialogue was forced and cheesy. Jane's personality was a little whiplash-y, she'd 180 on her personality every few paragraphs. I get it's supposed to be based on the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, and I liked what the author was trying to do, but it felt a little forced and the situations the characters ended up in just weren't believable.
Not a single character was likable and the dialogue was forced and cheesy. Jane's personality was a little whiplash-y, she'd 180 on her personality every few paragraphs. I get it's supposed to be based on the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, and I liked what the author was trying to do, but it felt a little forced and the situations the characters ended up in just weren't believable.
January 2, 2022
So I’m going to start this by saying this is not my typical genre.
What I enjoyed was the music added to each chapter, the art theme and the couple twists and turns I did not see coming.
I think it says something about Jane’s writing that I was engaged and kept going even though I kept screaming about Gideon the whole time and maybe there was too much romance for a reader like me that I felt it weighed down things a bit. I’m sure others who like romance enjoyed all of that though.
Overall, not a favorite story of mine due to the genre but an engaging and well written one that will have you wondering what will happen next.
What I enjoyed was the music added to each chapter, the art theme and the couple twists and turns I did not see coming.
I think it says something about Jane’s writing that I was engaged and kept going even though I kept screaming about Gideon the whole time and maybe there was too much romance for a reader like me that I felt it weighed down things a bit. I’m sure others who like romance enjoyed all of that though.
Overall, not a favorite story of mine due to the genre but an engaging and well written one that will have you wondering what will happen next.
July 4, 2022
This book has a little bit of everything and a lot of passion! It literally covered all my favorite genres. I loved the flow and pace of the story - lingering in just the right areas. And I liked how although there is one overarching storyline, we also got to have many events within that. I wanted to keep reading, and I felt like the author granted my wish (there was an obvious “easy” ending point, but we got to keep living theirs lives).
Would love to read another book by this author.
Would love to read another book by this author.
July 21, 2021
Not for me
This isn't really a negative review, I can't compleatly comment because I didn't finish reading it. Honestly I was put off by the amount of times the word 'f*cking' was used in the first 3 chapters or so...I just wasn't feeling it, i need a bit more depth. However someone else will probably think it's wonderful.
This isn't really a negative review, I can't compleatly comment because I didn't finish reading it. Honestly I was put off by the amount of times the word 'f*cking' was used in the first 3 chapters or so...I just wasn't feeling it, i need a bit more depth. However someone else will probably think it's wonderful.
July 29, 2021
I went into this book, loving the premise, but in the end of the book it turned out to be a cliche love traingle?
As such there wasn't any character development and the whole "you live only once" and memento mori thing wasn't working out for it as much as I wanted it to.
Other than that, a fun read for rainy days :)
As such there wasn't any character development and the whole "you live only once" and memento mori thing wasn't working out for it as much as I wanted it to.
Other than that, a fun read for rainy days :)
August 21, 2021
Memento Mori by J. Morris is a fast paced historical romance.
This new to me author kept me in susense right from the start til the last page.
Jane and Will's story is full of twists and unexpected turns, has everything I love in a good read. Characters easily to connect with, a good storyline, drama and action.
I liked the writing just fine, loved the story, 4,5 stars.
This new to me author kept me in susense right from the start til the last page.
Jane and Will's story is full of twists and unexpected turns, has everything I love in a good read. Characters easily to connect with, a good storyline, drama and action.
I liked the writing just fine, loved the story, 4,5 stars.
November 1, 2021
What a powerful poetically written book. It draws you in immediately, captures your attention and doesn’t let go. The rollercoaster of emotions about love lost and found leave you breathless at times. I highly recommend this love story and can’t wait to read more from this author. This was my first book by her and definitely not my last.
December 31, 2021
This was my first book I have ever read by this author. I enjoyed reading this story, I like the drama,love, fantasy and everything in between. It was well written with great characters and action.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 13, 2021
Perfect fantasy for the summer!!!
November 13, 2021
WHAT THE ACTUAL HELL I WASTED MY TIME FOR THAT SHIT GABRIELJANE I WILL MAKE THIS RIGHT SOMEHOW FAWK LIZZIE AND WILL IM SERIOUS
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