My Best Memory: Helene's Story

by Carole Wolfe

She needs to feel in control. When it’s all stripped from her, can a fifty-something mother build a bridge to a better tomorrow?



Helene Shaw’s life is falling apart. She doesn’t have her friends’ respect, her eldest daughter moved to get away from her, and now her youngest is refusing her perfectly sensible advice on planning her wedding. But even with all that going on, she’s still shocked by her husband’s Cease her meddling ways, or he’s leaving.



Dragged to couples’ therapy, Helene is determined to shield her deepest trauma from the probes of their know-it-all counselor. But when an unexpected tragedy catapults her back to the worst moment of her childhood, she’s terrified she’s about to lose everything that ever mattered.



Can Helene come to terms with her painful past before she destroys all hope for a happy future?



My Best Memory - Helene's Story is the stirring third book in the My Best women’s fiction series. If you like family sagas, strong-willed heroines, and emotional journeys, then you’ll love Carole Wolfe’s moving tale.

252 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 3, 2021

About the author

Carole Wolfe writes women’s fiction that makes you smile. She enjoys running at a leisurely pace, crocheting baby blankets for others and drinking wine when she can find the time. After moving nine times in twenty years, Carole and her family have settled in Texas.

Reviews

[Shellie Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heartfelt story on how your childhood can affect your adult life

Interesting that I read this while working through a therapeutic book on my own childhood and the affects it can have on my present life. This was a good read, eye opening and challenging. Getting to the resolution seemed a bit drawn out but overall; great read

[Luv_a_good_story · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story, not one I’ve read before

[Lori Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Best Memory is the third book in the series. Helene Shaw, the mother of Tasha and Sara from the first two books, is the main character. She’s been shown as an antagonist in the first two books. Her manipulative tactics make her seem like the mother from hell. This story is an origin story to let us know how Helene became the way she was, and makes her a sympathetic character. The book begins with Helene and her husband, Max, in a therapist’s office. He gives her an ultimatum to get herself straightened out in the ten weeks before Tasha’s wedding, or he will leave her. Helene fights therapy at first, but makes great strides once she cooperates. She discovers how her feelings about her parents and grandparents make her want to be in control of situations to the detriment of others. She finally backs off of trying to plan Tasha’s wedding for her, and reconnects with Sara. The main focus of the story is Helene’s character arc, which is improves greatly by the end. People who like family sagas and happy endings will love this book.

[Cathy Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poor Max. Helene’s devoted husband has a dilemma that feels so truly heartbreaking, he had my complete sympathy. Helene had already alienated one of their daughters and seemed bent on alienating their second daughter with her machinations. Helene simply would not stop meddling no matter what Max did. He finally had enough. He gave Helene an ultimatum: change her ways or their marriage was over. Would she finally take him serious, or force him to choose between his wife and his daughters?
I read this in one sitting, something I rarely do. It is a story to devour, a great beach read. Although ‘My Best Memory’ is the third of a series, it is a satisfying stand-alone for readers who enjoy women’s fiction and family drama.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[David Rae · Rating 5 out of 5]

So this is not my normal read. I think it's fair to say I'm not the target demographic. But I really enjoyed this. This is a family drama about strained relations between mother, grandmother and daughter. The characters are beautifully drawn and so nuanced. And this a basic integrity to the story. Family fall out and fight but ultimately are family.

Think K-drama set in the US. I honestly can't think of better writer in this genre

[Luv_a_good_story · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story, liked how it developed