Thank you NetGalley and Bethany House, Bethany House Publishers for accepting my request to read and review Remember Me.
Published: 03/07/23
The cover is beautiful. I was drawn to the book by the cover. Then I saw Christian, Historical Fiction and Romance. I'm not a romance reader, given the cover, the synopsis and 2/3 on the genre I was all-in. This was a clear calendar day, hot mug of coffee, and food delivery read. Bonus, it rained just enough that I could see it. I don't have many days like this.
After reading, I sat staring at the cover on GoodReads. Was the darkness of the cover the clue that I missed? The beatings were so brutal, and not addressed in any fashion. Slapped so hard people heard, gasped and stared, no further acknowledgment. Broken ribs, bloody face, brain swelling and nothing -- absolutely nothing is said.
I finished this by the grace of God. The final beating made me fight vomiting. I kept telling myself, there will be an author's note. One that will address how not to be treated. Clearly state the time period. I was waiting on something to teach young girls growing into ladies, God's grace and mercy, and I got nothing.
The story was romance -- they met in their mid teens; she was abused and his guidance at 15 was God. Pray, he can't stop pain -- it's up to man. The story evolves, she is abused. 10-12 years later they meet again.
I want this whole mess out of my head.