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Night Shift #2
Faded Memories: A Night Shift Novella
Desperate to escape post-divorce melancholy, Katari Kimble joins her favorite cousins in Blackwood to become a part of the Night Shift team. The night before Christmas, a mysterious visitor sends her on a deep dive to re-examine her past, re-evaluate her present, and re-think the future she's imagined for herself - including who gets to be part of it.
Faded Memories is a novella.
Faded Memories is a novella.
70 pages, Paperback
First published December 31, 2022
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409 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews
September 24, 2023
Post divorce blues has Katari packing up and moving to Blackwood to try to figure some things out and finally start forging her own path. While bartending at Night Shift, she has an interesting conversation with a familiar stranger who offers her some much needed wisdom that has Kat questioning her life choices. Running into her old summer fling during a business meeting is one of those choices she begins to question. Seeing Derrick for the first time in ten years makes Kat realize she's been living everyone else's dreams but her own and she won’t truly be happy until she starts living for herself. I loved this book. Faded Memories was a great addition to the Night Shift series but, it was too short. Given the drama with her ex-husband, this book really should’ve been a full length novel or, at the very least, a longer novella so we could get more background on Rex and her fractured relationship with her parents. With the way it ended, their story felt a little incomplete. Honestly, I just wanted more of Kat and Derrick. They were so stinkin’ cute together. I really hope we get to revisit with them in Lark’s story. Either way, a good time is always had when we get to pull up in Blackwood.
June 11, 2023
I just know this is going to be good… and it was. I really enjoy this story. I mean this is Blackwood we’re talking about…duh! But I just wish the story was longer. I know it was novella, but damn it was shorter than short 😭. I would’ve loved more Kat & Derrick, they only interacted twice(the chemistry was sizzling from the onset 🥵) and I would’ve love to have more drama about Kat’s ex husband and how it’ll all unfold. Anyway here’s to hoping to get more on Kat & Derrick in Lark’s story 🤞🏾
April 13, 2023
Way too short but oh so good!!! CCJ really does have a gift for storytelling 🥰!
Katari is desperate for a fresh start after barely escaping by the skin of her teeth from a disastrous divorce. Rex was a whole fk boo in these streets and he’s manipulative ways knew no bounds. Katari has joined the Blackwood team and is ready to rediscover herself. After an unknown visitor makes his way to the bar and seemingly delivers a cryptic message causing her to re-evaluate her life even further, a business meeting leads her straight into the arms of a long lost but never forgotten lover.
10 years later and Derrick is still just as smitten with Katari. He never got over her and is ready to lock her down after openly admitting that no one could ever measure up to the affect she’s had on him. He has matured, is a business owner and can finally be the man Katari deserves that he wasn’t able to be all those years ago.
These two had me grinning from ear to ear and per usual Wesleigh delivered as only she can!
Katari is desperate for a fresh start after barely escaping by the skin of her teeth from a disastrous divorce. Rex was a whole fk boo in these streets and he’s manipulative ways knew no bounds. Katari has joined the Blackwood team and is ready to rediscover herself. After an unknown visitor makes his way to the bar and seemingly delivers a cryptic message causing her to re-evaluate her life even further, a business meeting leads her straight into the arms of a long lost but never forgotten lover.
10 years later and Derrick is still just as smitten with Katari. He never got over her and is ready to lock her down after openly admitting that no one could ever measure up to the affect she’s had on him. He has matured, is a business owner and can finally be the man Katari deserves that he wasn’t able to be all those years ago.
These two had me grinning from ear to ear and per usual Wesleigh delivered as only she can!
February 11, 2024
Loved this. Wish it was longer so I could've gone on this journey with Katari.
Recently divorced, Katari moved to Blackwood, left to reflect and re-evaluate her life's choices. A chance encounter with an old fling has her reconsidering spinning the block. Short fun read 📚
Recently divorced, Katari moved to Blackwood, left to reflect and re-evaluate her life's choices. A chance encounter with an old fling has her reconsidering spinning the block. Short fun read 📚
March 18, 2023
I wanted more😩😩. It’s just how good this was. It’s a good short addition to one of my favorite CCJ series.
June 1, 2023
53 page Christmas novella I read in the summer.
Every page, every word, every emotion was perfect.
It's not a complete story arc. But a beautifully captured moment, and the possibility of the future.
Every page, every word, every emotion was perfect.
It's not a complete story arc. But a beautifully captured moment, and the possibility of the future.
December 22, 2022
Faded Memories was a cute play on the Ghost of Christmas past! Katari Kimble is now living in Blackwood after suffering heartbreak and humiliation from her divorce. A ghost/mystery comes along and helps her to realize she’s not being her true self and she won’t be happy until she figures that out. This short journey was sweet, funny and filled with a few familiar faces and I loved the character updates! Hoping to see more of Katari and her love interest in future Night Shift books! Also Kimble parents still trash in their old thinking 😩 nothing new there lol. I definitely recommend this Christmas short and others in the Night Shift series!
February 17, 2024
I needed more!!!
Katari is freshly divorced and trying to find a new path in life. She moves away and joins her cousin Laken's team as she finds her way. After dodging her manipulative ex husband, fate has her crossing paths with Derrick an old flame.
It ends before we get any of the smoke. I would love a full story about Katari and Derrick.
Katari is freshly divorced and trying to find a new path in life. She moves away and joins her cousin Laken's team as she finds her way. After dodging her manipulative ex husband, fate has her crossing paths with Derrick an old flame.
It ends before we get any of the smoke. I would love a full story about Katari and Derrick.
March 31, 2024
Noooo I wanted more!!! 😫😫 so good too good to be a short story. ❤️❤️
March 3, 2023
A nice addition to this series...
I enjoyed this audio. Wesleigh Siobhan always delivers such an amazing performance. I didn't read the print copy of this story so I'm not sure if a few parts were missing to this audio. The sound seemed to fade in and out in a few places. The story was short enough that I didn't mind having to replay a few parts to try to catch what I missed.
I enjoyed this audio. Wesleigh Siobhan always delivers such an amazing performance. I didn't read the print copy of this story so I'm not sure if a few parts were missing to this audio. The sound seemed to fade in and out in a few places. The story was short enough that I didn't mind having to replay a few parts to try to catch what I missed.
April 5, 2023
Initial reaction: I managed to squeeze in this 53 page novella as a read for 2022, and it was an interesting holiday themed read featuring characters from Night Shift. I liked it quite a bit.
Full review:
This was such a quick read that I ended up reading this twice, once in 2022 around the holidays in physical form and now (April 2023) in audiobook, narrated by Wesleigh Siobhan. Originally I gave "Faded Memories" a strong 4 stars because while I loved this romantic, holiday-themed story, I felt like it was a bit shorter compared to the fuller experiences of the first two books in the "Night Shift" series. ("Equivalent Exchange" and "Prior Affair")
Having read it a second time, basically saying "Screw it, I'm bumping up my rating for it." It's really that good, if you take it for the experience that it is in showcasing a breaking apart of one relationship and the rekindling of another. Katari's working at Night Shift with her cousins in Blackwood coming off a very bitter divorce with her ex. An encounter with a strange, yet familiar man at the bar has her thinking about the life that she left behind and what she wants going forward. I found myself connecting to the phrase that the man left with Katari:
"This ain't you. And you ain't been you. And you're not gon' be you, until you take a good look at yourself."
I don't know a single person who couldn't connect to that phrase, especially when you're trying to find your place and space in life, as many of us do when we're trying to find our happy spaces. Katari has much the same journey in this novella, realizing that the life she left behind, that her husband and parents wanted for her, wasn't her life to live or giving her the happiness she expected.
There are some fun moments with characters from CCJ's other works, but I loved being able to see the reconnection of Katari and Derrick. Derrick was cool to follow, and I wanted to see more of him and Katari interact as they were the ones that got away (from each other). But I understood that this was a holiday story, and it felt like a full one for what it offered, especially when we see that stranger show up at the end. (I love a good spirit story with a warm HEA ending.)
So definitely another strong offering from Christina C. Jones. I do wish that it was longer and would love a full novel following more of Katari and Derrick, but I also know that I can relish the story that was provided here. It was great to read the first - and second - time around.
Overall score: 4.5/5 stars.
Full review:
This was such a quick read that I ended up reading this twice, once in 2022 around the holidays in physical form and now (April 2023) in audiobook, narrated by Wesleigh Siobhan. Originally I gave "Faded Memories" a strong 4 stars because while I loved this romantic, holiday-themed story, I felt like it was a bit shorter compared to the fuller experiences of the first two books in the "Night Shift" series. ("Equivalent Exchange" and "Prior Affair")
Having read it a second time, basically saying "Screw it, I'm bumping up my rating for it." It's really that good, if you take it for the experience that it is in showcasing a breaking apart of one relationship and the rekindling of another. Katari's working at Night Shift with her cousins in Blackwood coming off a very bitter divorce with her ex. An encounter with a strange, yet familiar man at the bar has her thinking about the life that she left behind and what she wants going forward. I found myself connecting to the phrase that the man left with Katari:
"This ain't you. And you ain't been you. And you're not gon' be you, until you take a good look at yourself."
I don't know a single person who couldn't connect to that phrase, especially when you're trying to find your place and space in life, as many of us do when we're trying to find our happy spaces. Katari has much the same journey in this novella, realizing that the life she left behind, that her husband and parents wanted for her, wasn't her life to live or giving her the happiness she expected.
There are some fun moments with characters from CCJ's other works, but I loved being able to see the reconnection of Katari and Derrick. Derrick was cool to follow, and I wanted to see more of him and Katari interact as they were the ones that got away (from each other). But I understood that this was a holiday story, and it felt like a full one for what it offered, especially when we see that stranger show up at the end. (I love a good spirit story with a warm HEA ending.)
So definitely another strong offering from Christina C. Jones. I do wish that it was longer and would love a full novel following more of Katari and Derrick, but I also know that I can relish the story that was provided here. It was great to read the first - and second - time around.
Overall score: 4.5/5 stars.
February 18, 2023
I Love A Good Second Chance Romance
I Loooove Kat & Derrick Together! I sooo wish this story had been longer…I was really praying for a story about Derrick….he was definitely the comic relief in the other stories about his boys Kyle & Rob…..I’m praying we get to hear from them more. In this story, Kat is still recovering a tad bit after an unexpected divorce a year ago. She moves to Blackwood to work with her cousins and ready to start her newly singled life. While trying to get Laiken’s night shift brews into more restaurants in the area, she runs into Derrick Allen again…..
I Loooove Kat & Derrick Together! I sooo wish this story had been longer…I was really praying for a story about Derrick….he was definitely the comic relief in the other stories about his boys Kyle & Rob…..I’m praying we get to hear from them more. In this story, Kat is still recovering a tad bit after an unexpected divorce a year ago. She moves to Blackwood to work with her cousins and ready to start her newly singled life. While trying to get Laiken’s night shift brews into more restaurants in the area, she runs into Derrick Allen again…..
December 21, 2022
A moment in time
Visiting Night Shift always has a nice lil secret vibe. There is also some kind of force lurking in the shadows of the story giving off mystical vibes. Katari was the leading lady who'd come to town after her ex-husband did the unthinkable. In this installment, it was also a second-chance romance when Katari ran into an old flame, and maybe the sparks will rekindle the flame. And yes, Phoenix rose again to visit us... You will see...
Visiting Night Shift always has a nice lil secret vibe. There is also some kind of force lurking in the shadows of the story giving off mystical vibes. Katari was the leading lady who'd come to town after her ex-husband did the unthinkable. In this installment, it was also a second-chance romance when Katari ran into an old flame, and maybe the sparks will rekindle the flame. And yes, Phoenix rose again to visit us... You will see...
December 31, 2022
Great story but it definitely left me wanting more for Kat & Derrick!
April 14, 2023
3.5 stars? CCJ is amazing, Wesleigh Siobhan is a favorite, and I love the Night Shift series, so of course I enjoyed Faded Memories. However, even for a novella, it felt…incomplete? Maybe there will be more of this couple in the future??
December 25, 2023
Night Shift is my favorite CCJ series
October 17, 2024
this was so festive & cuteee 😭❤️🎄 i would love more from katari & derrick! i go crazy for a second chance romance!! some supernatural/paranormal elements are a must in blackwood!! (just realized i read the 3rd in the series first & that's okay)
August 15, 2023
(katari + derrick) chemistry is still there after nearly 10 years. Katari has moved to Blackwood, taken a new job, gotten a new haircut, & a new place. Katari’s ex-husband, trash and I know he won’t try his bluff with the next one. Marley, trash. The comment about the shoes made me holler, I’m from the South and my mama definitely explained to neverrrrr do this! I’m looking forward to more Katari & Derrick.
February 22, 2023
Great to see Derrick get a love interest and to get updates on some of my favorite couples.
December 21, 2022
A delightful little jaunt into Night Shift... Don't mind if I do... CCJ is the perfect reason to drop everything I'm doing to read. Also Mulled Mules sound amazing and I might be making them later...
Anyways, Go read it, it's good.
Anyways, Go read it, it's good.
February 5, 2025
Very cute novella. I enjoyed the story very much. The main character reevaluates her live after a recent divorce to determine what she really wants for herself. It left me wanting more. I would love to know what happens with Katari and Derrick.
December 29, 2022
The Night Shift Series was my introduction to CCJ and is still my favorite series of hers so far. So I had to get my hands on Faded Memories immediately.
A mysterious stranger gives Katari some much-needed wisdom during the holidays, and she realizes that she's been living everyone else's dreams but her own. While beginning to forge her own path, she runs into old flame Derrick and the two get reacquainted again.
I wanted more of Kat and Derrick; they were so cute together. I was happy to be back in Blackwood. CCJ creates the best fictional neighborhoods. Please transport me to Blackwood, The Heights, or Sugar Valley pronto.
A mysterious stranger gives Katari some much-needed wisdom during the holidays, and she realizes that she's been living everyone else's dreams but her own. While beginning to forge her own path, she runs into old flame Derrick and the two get reacquainted again.
I wanted more of Kat and Derrick; they were so cute together. I was happy to be back in Blackwood. CCJ creates the best fictional neighborhoods. Please transport me to Blackwood, The Heights, or Sugar Valley pronto.
June 1, 2023
This was a quick Christmas novella (#ChristmasInJune). It reminded me of the Christmas story where you’re visited by the ghost of Christmas past/present/future. In this case, Katari is back working with family after a bad divorce. She gets a visit from a stranger whose words she can’t get out of her head, leading her to wonder just who she wants to be now that she’s free.
Fate intervenes and leads her to a long time ex’s restaurant. The chemistry is still there between them, and the novella ends with the promise of what could be now that they’ve found each other again.
I would’ve liked a little more towards the end, otherwise it would’ve been a solid 5 star read!
Fate intervenes and leads her to a long time ex’s restaurant. The chemistry is still there between them, and the novella ends with the promise of what could be now that they’ve found each other again.
I would’ve liked a little more towards the end, otherwise it would’ve been a solid 5 star read!
February 6, 2025
I don’t mind a book that’s gets right into the thick of it and that’s what happens here.
Love the way Christina wrote katari leaving to family that actually loves and supports her to start a new life. After her ex husband was on some bs it was time to find what moves her and get back on track. Then when she bumps into an old flame, Derrick, the timing couldn’t be more perfect. Derrick was on his moment too!! Yes ma’am.
We are left to our own imagination to guess about the beautiful life they’ll have.
Love the way Christina wrote katari leaving to family that actually loves and supports her to start a new life. After her ex husband was on some bs it was time to find what moves her and get back on track. Then when she bumps into an old flame, Derrick, the timing couldn’t be more perfect. Derrick was on his moment too!! Yes ma’am.
We are left to our own imagination to guess about the beautiful life they’ll have.
August 4, 2025
4.5 stars
This was too short Mrs. CCJ. I needed more!
This was too short Mrs. CCJ. I needed more!
September 10, 2025
This was short but good
December 24, 2024
Faded Memories was too short! It was a cute second chance love story but it left me wanting more. I didn’t realize until I was done that the Derrick in this story is Derrick from the Truth & Lies series. That tie-in increased the rating a bit. The CCJ universe is elaborate and we need to put some respect on her name.
April 22, 2023
I love a CCJ book. Wesleigh always delivers, but this was just.....
December 29, 2023
quite forgettable tbh
June 10, 2025
Short and sweet. 🥰
Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews