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When I Lost You
For fans of Colleen Hoover and Mia Sheridan comes an irresistible, cry-your-heart-out love story that What would you do if you could meet the love—and greatest loss—of your life again for the first time?
When Leo and Molly first married, they believed they were invincible. Together they could take on the world. But Leo, a war correspondent, lives for life on the edge, and when he takes a step into the unknown, tragedy strikes and he loses his memory. Molly rushes to help him fill in the gaps and soon they start falling in love all over again.
The trouble is, Molly is hiding something. Something big. The devoted wife at Leo’s bedside is a sham; Leo and Molly’s marriage was on the rocks long before Leo’s accident.
The closer Molly gets to her husband the more scared she becomes that he will remember. As Leo’s memory begins to trickle back will Molly lose the man she loves for a second time?
When Leo and Molly first married, they believed they were invincible. Together they could take on the world. But Leo, a war correspondent, lives for life on the edge, and when he takes a step into the unknown, tragedy strikes and he loses his memory. Molly rushes to help him fill in the gaps and soon they start falling in love all over again.
The trouble is, Molly is hiding something. Something big. The devoted wife at Leo’s bedside is a sham; Leo and Molly’s marriage was on the rocks long before Leo’s accident.
The closer Molly gets to her husband the more scared she becomes that he will remember. As Leo’s memory begins to trickle back will Molly lose the man she loves for a second time?
384 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2016
1631 people are currently reading
5568 people want to read
About the author
Kelly Rimmer
24 books8,344 followersKelly Rimmer is the author of historical and contemporary fiction, including The Warsaw Orphan, The Things We Cannot Say and The Secret Daughter, with 3 million books sold. Her books have been translated into dozens of languages and have appeared on bestseller lists around the world, including The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today.
Since 2022, Kelly has owned and operated Collins Booksellers Orange, the last remaining bookstore in the small regional city she calls home. Her next novel, The Midnight Estate, will be released in Australia, New Zealand and the UK in July 2025.
Since 2022, Kelly has owned and operated Collins Booksellers Orange, the last remaining bookstore in the small regional city she calls home. Her next novel, The Midnight Estate, will be released in Australia, New Zealand and the UK in July 2025.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 303 reviews
November 23, 2017
Received from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I fluctuate between giving this book 3 stars and 3.5 starts.
When Molly reaches out to Leo to find out what the circumstances were surrounding her brother's death, they begin dating and fall in love. They come from different walks of life, different cultures, and have different ways of communicating.
At first they have a fairy tale romance and wedding then Leo's career of being a war correspondent takes him away to dangerous locales. He is gone more than he is home. Molly begins to resent this as she is often alone and Leo misses important holidays and milestones in their lives.
Then an accident occurs and Leo is hospitalized. At first he does not understand why Molly is there. He has no recollection of their romance. He does not remember the good or the bad times. As he slowly gets his memory back they fall in love again but is it enough to save their troubled marriage.
This book is about love but it is also about failure to communicate, egos, insecurities, secrets, loss, anger and attraction. You feel frustrated as you watch their relationship and I couldn't help but feel sorry for Molly.
This book was enjoyable to read and never felt rushed. The issues at hand felt real. I would definitely read more books by this Author.
I fluctuate between giving this book 3 stars and 3.5 starts.
When Molly reaches out to Leo to find out what the circumstances were surrounding her brother's death, they begin dating and fall in love. They come from different walks of life, different cultures, and have different ways of communicating.
At first they have a fairy tale romance and wedding then Leo's career of being a war correspondent takes him away to dangerous locales. He is gone more than he is home. Molly begins to resent this as she is often alone and Leo misses important holidays and milestones in their lives.
Then an accident occurs and Leo is hospitalized. At first he does not understand why Molly is there. He has no recollection of their romance. He does not remember the good or the bad times. As he slowly gets his memory back they fall in love again but is it enough to save their troubled marriage.
This book is about love but it is also about failure to communicate, egos, insecurities, secrets, loss, anger and attraction. You feel frustrated as you watch their relationship and I couldn't help but feel sorry for Molly.
This book was enjoyable to read and never felt rushed. The issues at hand felt real. I would definitely read more books by this Author.
May 20, 2020
4.5/5. This book is a rare foray into contemporary romance for me, but it was utterly worth it. It tells the story of two different individuals, Molly, privileged daughter of a media tycoon, and Leo, of Aboriginal and much humbler origin, who rises to great self-made career heights as a Pulitzer-prize winning war-zone journalist. They come together through shared tragedy and grief, the death of Molly's older brother and Leo's best friend. They share little else in common, yet manage to fall passionately in love. However, despite the grandeur of this love, their many differences slowly tear them apart until Leo's near death experience during one of his many dangeous work assignments brings them back together once more.
Molly finds herself by Leo's side, in a situation she has been fearing throughout their marriage each time he leaves her for another work mission. Against all expectation, he wakes up from his coma, a different man to the angry, arrogant husband she last saw weeks earlier. Leo is not only paraplegic due to his injury, but also amnesic, having lost all memories of the preceding 4 years of his life including meeting and marrying Molly. In trying to support and aid Leo with his rehabilitation and overcoming his amnesia, Molly helps him piece together the memories of their time together. In doing so, they rediscover their love for one another, which has never dissipated, but was just buried under months of harsh words, hurt and resentment.
As Leo slowly regains his memory, Molly has to confront the possibility of losing him again the second time, and Leo has to chop down this giant chip on his shoulder, which has been present his entire life because of his Aboriginal background and which grows even more so under the shadow of Molly's proximity. For a man with a giant hero complex, he has an equally big inferiority complex -both have severe detrimental effect on their marriage. As for Molly, she has a good heart and good intentions, but her own fortunate upbringing makes her rather naïve and inadvertently insensitive to Leo's psyche.
The writing is quite exceptional. The author seamlessly switches between past and present and between Molly and Leo's first person perspectives, all without retelling the same scene. The book is surprisingly clean while manages to depict the deep passion between the couple, the author concentrating instead on the emotional growth of both characters as they learn to understand one another better by first confronting and comprehending their own motives for past actions. Just beautiful.
This was a free ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
Molly finds herself by Leo's side, in a situation she has been fearing throughout their marriage each time he leaves her for another work mission. Against all expectation, he wakes up from his coma, a different man to the angry, arrogant husband she last saw weeks earlier. Leo is not only paraplegic due to his injury, but also amnesic, having lost all memories of the preceding 4 years of his life including meeting and marrying Molly. In trying to support and aid Leo with his rehabilitation and overcoming his amnesia, Molly helps him piece together the memories of their time together. In doing so, they rediscover their love for one another, which has never dissipated, but was just buried under months of harsh words, hurt and resentment.
As Leo slowly regains his memory, Molly has to confront the possibility of losing him again the second time, and Leo has to chop down this giant chip on his shoulder, which has been present his entire life because of his Aboriginal background and which grows even more so under the shadow of Molly's proximity. For a man with a giant hero complex, he has an equally big inferiority complex -both have severe detrimental effect on their marriage. As for Molly, she has a good heart and good intentions, but her own fortunate upbringing makes her rather naïve and inadvertently insensitive to Leo's psyche.
The writing is quite exceptional. The author seamlessly switches between past and present and between Molly and Leo's first person perspectives, all without retelling the same scene. The book is surprisingly clean while manages to depict the deep passion between the couple, the author concentrating instead on the emotional growth of both characters as they learn to understand one another better by first confronting and comprehending their own motives for past actions. Just beautiful.
This was a free ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
May 30, 2024
I received a free copy of, When I Lost You, by Kelly Rimmer, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Molly is in a conundrum, Leo, her husband, and once love of her life was in an accident. Leo does not remember their marriage or the problems in it. This book is a bit of an emotional roller coaster. Going back and forth between the past and the present. This was a good read.
April 20, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this book in exchange for my honest review. This book is told in dual timelines which was great and easy to differentiate between the two. I loved the characters and how Kelly Rimmer played it against each other. This originally must’ve come out 6-7 years ago but is bringing re-released since I just got this recently as a widget.
March 7, 2018
The plot of When I Lost You by Kelly Rimmer drew me right in. The writing style of this author allows no other reaction as to be intrigued by the plot.
We follow a story that is shifting between present and past. Explaining the here and now and slowly also the past drop by agonizing drop.
We learn a lot about Molly at first and only slowly as the story moves we also learn about Leo. This slow process is also the reason it took me so long to come to an opinion on the leading characters.
And those are also my problem with the book. In a “Romance” you as a reader are supposed to feel for the leading characters – you are supposed to route for them. Wish for the best to happen …
But while I could feel for Molly, her mistakes, her struggles and everything related …
I had as much feeling for Leo as he had memory of the last years. And while the story flowed and their relationship changed and changed again and again …
I was still left trying to find out how I felt about Leo. I was wondering actually wondering on the pro’s and con’s and trying to find the reasons why Molly wanted to be with a man like Leo. I came up with no other reason than that a person has no control about who she falls in love with.
Because there is really nothing about Leo that makes him “loveable” …. At least not until maybe in the last few pages of the book. But I doubt that that would be enough – maybe for a friendship yes but not for the man Molly is supposed to be fighting for throughout the whole book.
Leo is selfish and bordering arrogant for most of the story and not in a “bad boy turning soft” way that a reader might like … no he simply IS
I actually think he does not deserve a woman like Molly – I can not say any more as my base rule (AS LITTLE SPOILER AS POSSIBLE) still stands but still … I guess I can file this book under the “Some selfish pricks are just that – selfish” shelf.
But I honestly liked the writing style and will pick up another book of this author at any time – as it is not here mistake that the turn of events simply did not work for me.
April 17, 2024
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
I’m backlogged with my ARC’s but working hard to get caught up. I really enjoyed the entirety of this story! It’s easily a 4.5 stars read for me, and sucks you in right from the start! All the characters are well written and imagined, and the setting paints such a vivid image for me to be fully immersed in their world for a few days. It’s not meant to be perfect love story, rather flawed like most real people are. I would definitely recommend to anyone who likes drama and romance set in a real world environment!
I’m backlogged with my ARC’s but working hard to get caught up. I really enjoyed the entirety of this story! It’s easily a 4.5 stars read for me, and sucks you in right from the start! All the characters are well written and imagined, and the setting paints such a vivid image for me to be fully immersed in their world for a few days. It’s not meant to be perfect love story, rather flawed like most real people are. I would definitely recommend to anyone who likes drama and romance set in a real world environment!
December 28, 2020
کلی ریمر نازنین...
ولی راستش را بگویم؟ ترجمه را اصلا دوست نداشتم. به هیچ وجه. شاید بگردم دنبال نسخه انگلیسی...
ولی راستش را بگویم؟ ترجمه را اصلا دوست نداشتم. به هیچ وجه. شاید بگردم دنبال نسخه انگلیسی...
December 11, 2018
The story alternates between Molly and Leo in past and present. In the past we get to see how both characters meet and the relationship that grows between them. In the present, well for Leo he is having to start all over again having lost part of his memory that contains Molly in it.
I so liked Leo but have to admit I had every empathy for Molly as having a husband who puts himself in danger constantly due to his love of his work, well I really didn’t envy her and there is no wonder that their marriage had begun to break down. What I loved about this story was how Leo’s accident gives the pair a second chance.
Molly an Leo are without doubt opposites. Molly has been brought up never wanting for anything with a family who have more money than they know what to do with, whilst Leo knows what it is like to come from a broken family and not having much. There are so many things against these unlikely two, yet throughout, you are hoping and praying that they can put their differences aside and get back on track.
There are hardly any characters in this novel, with the author concentrating on Molly and Leo and boy do you get absorbed in their story. I read this book in two sittings as I had to know how things were going to end between the two and if they would get their happy ever after.
When I Lost You is all about second chances. It makes you realise that we should put more work into our relationship with our partners and to never take each other for granted. Another utterly compelling read by the author and one that will send your emotions into a tizzy.
I so liked Leo but have to admit I had every empathy for Molly as having a husband who puts himself in danger constantly due to his love of his work, well I really didn’t envy her and there is no wonder that their marriage had begun to break down. What I loved about this story was how Leo’s accident gives the pair a second chance.
Molly an Leo are without doubt opposites. Molly has been brought up never wanting for anything with a family who have more money than they know what to do with, whilst Leo knows what it is like to come from a broken family and not having much. There are so many things against these unlikely two, yet throughout, you are hoping and praying that they can put their differences aside and get back on track.
There are hardly any characters in this novel, with the author concentrating on Molly and Leo and boy do you get absorbed in their story. I read this book in two sittings as I had to know how things were going to end between the two and if they would get their happy ever after.
When I Lost You is all about second chances. It makes you realise that we should put more work into our relationship with our partners and to never take each other for granted. Another utterly compelling read by the author and one that will send your emotions into a tizzy.
July 25, 2024
This book gave me all the feels and has me hoping for an upcoming movie adaptation. Leo and Molly are the personification of when opposites attract. After the loss of Molly's brother, she reaches out to his close friend Leo for closure. And that is all Leo remembers as he wakes up years later from a coma and without the use of his legs. Molly, who has been sitting at his bedside, is now left with the task of how much to tell her now husband about their rocky relationship. While Molly and Leo fall in love all over again, I, as a reader, did too, and my heart broke along with all theirs during this journey. An amazing second chance at love story.
August 13, 2018
The beauty of this book is it's commentary on marriage, what it takes to make it and just how hard it is when someone knows you so well. The way that these characters had to confront their inner demons and blindly trust that their partner's unconditional love will be there - risking that takes true courage.
On audio this is narrated by Brigid Lohrey, who is Australian. As both characters are Aussies, this lent an authenticity to the book. Americans phrase things differently and sometimes that gives a different feel or emotion to what's being said. So hearing it the way an Aussie would say it made a huge difference. Lohrey really nailed it.
On audio this is narrated by Brigid Lohrey, who is Australian. As both characters are Aussies, this lent an authenticity to the book. Americans phrase things differently and sometimes that gives a different feel or emotion to what's being said. So hearing it the way an Aussie would say it made a huge difference. Lohrey really nailed it.
April 22, 2016
I absolutely adored Me Without You, so it was a no-brainer when it came to picking up When I Lost You. The way the story opened and how it was written, was what grabbed my attention initially. As I got deeper into the story, I fully expected to end up completely enamored with this couple, but there was something big that held me back. Leo.
Leo is a war correspondent that ends up in a coma and subsequently a wheelchair. He wakes up with no memory of the last few years, which means he doesn’t even remember having a relationship with Molly.
“I know I wouldn’t have married you.”
As bits and pieces of his memory and their relationship start to come back to him, he vows to try and be the husband she needs. But there are underlying resentments, secrets and arguments they have to deal with first.
The biggest problem I had with the story was Leo. His condescending attitude, utter disregard for Molly’s feelings and the way he resented her just for coming from a wealthy family was so off-putting. He said horrible things to her on a consistent basis and left her home for months on end to pursue stories. There were no explanations and no sympathy, just arrogance. Molly compromised way too much for him.
“There are so many things that suck about being your wife.”
As more and more memories start surfacing, which often felt a little too convenient, he started to morph into a different character. He would say and do things that Molly always dreamed of, but the shift from arrogant prick to loving husband happened too late in the story for me. There was no way I could salvage any type of feelings for him or even find it within myself to support their love story.
There were things I liked and others I really didn't care for, but one thing is for sure. I would definitely read another book from this author. She’s a great writer. It just so happens, I didn’t connect with the characters this time.
*Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.*
Leo is a war correspondent that ends up in a coma and subsequently a wheelchair. He wakes up with no memory of the last few years, which means he doesn’t even remember having a relationship with Molly.
“I know I wouldn’t have married you.”
As bits and pieces of his memory and their relationship start to come back to him, he vows to try and be the husband she needs. But there are underlying resentments, secrets and arguments they have to deal with first.
The biggest problem I had with the story was Leo. His condescending attitude, utter disregard for Molly’s feelings and the way he resented her just for coming from a wealthy family was so off-putting. He said horrible things to her on a consistent basis and left her home for months on end to pursue stories. There were no explanations and no sympathy, just arrogance. Molly compromised way too much for him.
“There are so many things that suck about being your wife.”
As more and more memories start surfacing, which often felt a little too convenient, he started to morph into a different character. He would say and do things that Molly always dreamed of, but the shift from arrogant prick to loving husband happened too late in the story for me. There was no way I could salvage any type of feelings for him or even find it within myself to support their love story.
There were things I liked and others I really didn't care for, but one thing is for sure. I would definitely read another book from this author. She’s a great writer. It just so happens, I didn’t connect with the characters this time.
*Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.*
April 24, 2024
Thank you Forever (Grand Central Publishing) | Forever for allowing me to read and review When I Lost You on NetGalley.
Published: 07/23/24
Stars: 2.5
Confused and disappointed.
Some where in my life I was taught: Everything said before but doesn't count. Fitting for When I Lost You. Rimmer had my attention. I was so invested in the story. I would let each scene resonate. Then get started again. I liked this. There is no point in me sharing the beautiful thought processes, sections of writing that were realistic and reasonable.
She brings back the profanity, F-word for several sections. I was so disappointed, primarily because I had forgotten she started with F-word profanity and stopped using it just as I was going to stop reading. Her writing made me forget. It is sad. I wish I understood. I would have recommended this, but she chose unnecessary swearing over a classy romantic and sexy story.
Published: 07/23/24
Stars: 2.5
Confused and disappointed.
Some where in my life I was taught: Everything said before but doesn't count. Fitting for When I Lost You. Rimmer had my attention. I was so invested in the story. I would let each scene resonate. Then get started again. I liked this. There is no point in me sharing the beautiful thought processes, sections of writing that were realistic and reasonable.
She brings back the profanity, F-word for several sections. I was so disappointed, primarily because I had forgotten she started with F-word profanity and stopped using it just as I was going to stop reading. Her writing made me forget. It is sad. I wish I understood. I would have recommended this, but she chose unnecessary swearing over a classy romantic and sexy story.
April 21, 2016
This was a great read. It's told in different time frames and from different points of view.
Leo has had a really bad accident causing him to lose his memory. Molly spends every moment by his bedside willing him to get better. He has memory loss and she takes him to places that were important to them to try and fill in the gaps.
What will the emerging memories reveal? What secrets are they keeping? It's fascinating to see the issues revealed in this way. A story of love and family relationships and how relationships change. They need to overcome different backgrounds, wealth and family opposition.
With many thanks to Bookouture and Net Galley for a copy of this book.
Leo has had a really bad accident causing him to lose his memory. Molly spends every moment by his bedside willing him to get better. He has memory loss and she takes him to places that were important to them to try and fill in the gaps.
What will the emerging memories reveal? What secrets are they keeping? It's fascinating to see the issues revealed in this way. A story of love and family relationships and how relationships change. They need to overcome different backgrounds, wealth and family opposition.
With many thanks to Bookouture and Net Galley for a copy of this book.
October 27, 2018
ایفتیضاح
August 25, 2021
I absolutely love her historical fiction, but this contemporary romance was a disaster. The entire book felt like one long marriage therapy session.
February 24, 2023
Now, THIS is why I fell in love with Kelly Rimmer's writing in the first place. Domestic fiction is one of her strengths, and I do hope she returns to the genre in the future.
We first meet married couple Joe and Molly in a hospital located in Rome. Molly had rushed to her husband's side when he was involved in a dangerous incident whilst working as a foreign war correspondent in Syria. Miraculously, Joe survived, but acquired a brain injury that not only affected his mobility- but his recollection of past three years as well. For Joe, Molly's no more than a stranger, and any memory, happy or otherwise has been wiped clean. He has absolutely no idea that their marriage is on the rocks and has been for quite some time.
Could this horrific accident be a blessing in disguise? As soon as Joe returns home to recover and recuperate, Molly starts to plan outings to those places that held significance in their life together. Before long, they've reignited that spark and realise no matter how tough the fight may be, their love story deserves a second chance...
Both Joe and Molly's perspectives gave me a sincere yet emotional insight into their relationship. It's one of heartbreak yet hope, as they face an uncertain future.
Despite being set in the early 2010's, the significance of stigma in socialism is still relevant today. Joe's Indigenous status growing up in misunderstood Redfern plus Molly's privileged world full of glitz and glamour are the perfect example. Sadly, these cultural differences are one of the many catalysts that caused the breakdown of their marriage in the first place.
This hidden gem was easily relished in just a few reads, and I'm looking forward to discovering more of Kelly's earlier works!
🌟🌟🌟🌟✨/5
We first meet married couple Joe and Molly in a hospital located in Rome. Molly had rushed to her husband's side when he was involved in a dangerous incident whilst working as a foreign war correspondent in Syria. Miraculously, Joe survived, but acquired a brain injury that not only affected his mobility- but his recollection of past three years as well. For Joe, Molly's no more than a stranger, and any memory, happy or otherwise has been wiped clean. He has absolutely no idea that their marriage is on the rocks and has been for quite some time.
Could this horrific accident be a blessing in disguise? As soon as Joe returns home to recover and recuperate, Molly starts to plan outings to those places that held significance in their life together. Before long, they've reignited that spark and realise no matter how tough the fight may be, their love story deserves a second chance...
Both Joe and Molly's perspectives gave me a sincere yet emotional insight into their relationship. It's one of heartbreak yet hope, as they face an uncertain future.
Despite being set in the early 2010's, the significance of stigma in socialism is still relevant today. Joe's Indigenous status growing up in misunderstood Redfern plus Molly's privileged world full of glitz and glamour are the perfect example. Sadly, these cultural differences are one of the many catalysts that caused the breakdown of their marriage in the first place.
This hidden gem was easily relished in just a few reads, and I'm looking forward to discovering more of Kelly's earlier works!
🌟🌟🌟🌟✨/5
August 26, 2024
Molly and Leo couldn't be more different. However, they are brought together through grief and tragedy after Molly questions the real reason behind her older brother's death who was best friends with Leo. Despite Leo being a self-made Pulitzer war-zone journalist with incredibly humble beginnings and Molly being a trust fund kid of a media tycoon, they fall passionately in love.
The story is told from dual POVs from Molly and Leo and also dual timelines. In 2011, we see them fall in love and in 2015, we see them pushed back together after Leo had a near fatal accident. Kelly Rimmer is an exceptional writer. You could see all the passion and happiness of their relationship in the beginning. And when we meet our characters in present day, it really left you wondering where it all went wrong.
Leo woke up with amnesia after his TBI and does not remember any of the last 4 years (his entire relationship with Molly). As he slowly begins to get his memory back. Molly struggles with what she should reveal and what she should let him remember on his own. In the end, the things that tore their marriage apart are still very real despite this new chance of Molly of Leo falling in love all over again.
When I Lost You is an incredibly relatable marriage in trouble story. I loved the accountability both Molly and Leo both took in the end and finally understanding that communication was key along with compromise. Marriage is hard and seeing them fight for theirs was nothing short of beautiful.
The story is told from dual POVs from Molly and Leo and also dual timelines. In 2011, we see them fall in love and in 2015, we see them pushed back together after Leo had a near fatal accident. Kelly Rimmer is an exceptional writer. You could see all the passion and happiness of their relationship in the beginning. And when we meet our characters in present day, it really left you wondering where it all went wrong.
Leo woke up with amnesia after his TBI and does not remember any of the last 4 years (his entire relationship with Molly). As he slowly begins to get his memory back. Molly struggles with what she should reveal and what she should let him remember on his own. In the end, the things that tore their marriage apart are still very real despite this new chance of Molly of Leo falling in love all over again.
When I Lost You is an incredibly relatable marriage in trouble story. I loved the accountability both Molly and Leo both took in the end and finally understanding that communication was key along with compromise. Marriage is hard and seeing them fight for theirs was nothing short of beautiful.
July 21, 2024
WHEN I LOST YOU by Kelly Rimmer was originally published in 2016, and is being released again by Forever (Grand Central Publishing).
It’s a heart wrenching story of a deep, passionate, once-in-a-lifetime love found and lost. Molly and Leo have a love that burns bright despite their very different backgrounds and upbringings. But even the brightest flames dim over time. Their marriage is broken and their love shattered when Leo is seriously injured while working as a war correspondent.
During his recovery and rehabilitation, Leo and Molly rekindle the emotions that brought them together initially but that’s complicated by Leo’s significant memory loss. Can their new relationship survive reliving what tore them apart?
Ms. Rimmer takes the reader on an emotional ride along with Leo and Molly. Grab the tissues and settle in for an often uncomfortable, but powerful journey.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.
It’s a heart wrenching story of a deep, passionate, once-in-a-lifetime love found and lost. Molly and Leo have a love that burns bright despite their very different backgrounds and upbringings. But even the brightest flames dim over time. Their marriage is broken and their love shattered when Leo is seriously injured while working as a war correspondent.
During his recovery and rehabilitation, Leo and Molly rekindle the emotions that brought them together initially but that’s complicated by Leo’s significant memory loss. Can their new relationship survive reliving what tore them apart?
Ms. Rimmer takes the reader on an emotional ride along with Leo and Molly. Grab the tissues and settle in for an often uncomfortable, but powerful journey.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.
May 13, 2022
Veľmi pekná oddychovka.
Dve časové línie vedia robiť niekomu problém ale pri tejto knihe sa toho naozaj nikto nemusí báť.
Dve časové línie vedia robiť niekomu problém ale pri tejto knihe sa toho naozaj nikto nemusí báť.
May 31, 2016
In a beautiful and heartbreaking way this story took a lot out of me. It’s not unusual that when you love a story you find that yourself absorbed by it and reading quickly, but with When I Lost You I had to slow my reading speed. I absorbed every word and took to highlighting entire passages. It’s just so eloquently written.
There’s plenty of stories with a spouse being in an accident and suffering from amnesia and it's one of my favorite plot devices. But the setup with the marriage between Molly and Leo Stephens, being who they are and how they go there was entirely unique. I’m also big on dual points of view and I love how the story unfolds and we experience Leo’s hospitalization and the necessity for Molly to be playing the care-giver. Part 1 is where we learn about the first year or so of their marriage as the hospitalized Leo is slowly retrieving memories of being with and marrying Molly. All while Molly is left confused, to reconcile the here and now with the disintegration of their relationship.
By the halfway mark I was beyond anxious for them and starting to grieve the loss of the relationship. I became so invested in their marriage. I fell in love in time with them, with Leo’s memories. I feared for the reveal that would likely pull them apart. As with how they fell in love, the breakdown is slow. It’s a tough read as there's a complexity to what motivates each of them. Which was another reason why I read this slower than normal. There are many character nuances that show the push and pull of their relationship. Once you get to know Leo, his falling in love is almost miraculous.
In Part 2, Molly is recalling the two plus years that Leo has essentially checked out of their relationship. His job defines him and he’s stubborn and unyielding.
What's in between them is not only Leo’s love for his job, but it’s also their vastly different family backgrounds and I thought that maybe the 10 year age difference plays into it. At this point, Leo’s voice is in current time. His humility helps to soften him and the transformation helps to re-define their relationship. Again, I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop as Molly finds the courage to hit Leo with the truth of where things were with them prior to his accident and they’ve come full circle.
It really is a heartbreaking and at the same time a heartwarming read. At points it was hard to imagine anything coming between them, and yet things do. But there’s an affirming message of hope that Rimmer weaves into the plot and manages to leave us with:
5 stars and recommendation!
There’s plenty of stories with a spouse being in an accident and suffering from amnesia and it's one of my favorite plot devices. But the setup with the marriage between Molly and Leo Stephens, being who they are and how they go there was entirely unique. I’m also big on dual points of view and I love how the story unfolds and we experience Leo’s hospitalization and the necessity for Molly to be playing the care-giver. Part 1 is where we learn about the first year or so of their marriage as the hospitalized Leo is slowly retrieving memories of being with and marrying Molly. All while Molly is left confused, to reconcile the here and now with the disintegration of their relationship.
“Reliving these moments with him is so painful for me, and with his memories returning so easily I know that this brief period of renewed closeness will end soon. But suddenly I’m grateful for this time with Leo. Every second I can have with him like this, I will greedily take for myself and I will hold these new memories close to my heart long after I’ve lost him all over again.” ~Molly
By the halfway mark I was beyond anxious for them and starting to grieve the loss of the relationship. I became so invested in their marriage. I fell in love in time with them, with Leo’s memories. I feared for the reveal that would likely pull them apart. As with how they fell in love, the breakdown is slow. It’s a tough read as there's a complexity to what motivates each of them. Which was another reason why I read this slower than normal. There are many character nuances that show the push and pull of their relationship. Once you get to know Leo, his falling in love is almost miraculous.
“It’s a remarkable thing to be a part of a connection that is so satisfying that you feel lucky whenever you consider it. This made me want to try harder and to be better – I wanted to bring my A-game to every hour with Molly.” ~Leo
In Part 2, Molly is recalling the two plus years that Leo has essentially checked out of their relationship. His job defines him and he’s stubborn and unyielding.
“I had only ever wanted to reach him, but it is so very difficult to catch up with someone who is always pulling away.” ~ Molly
What's in between them is not only Leo’s love for his job, but it’s also their vastly different family backgrounds and I thought that maybe the 10 year age difference plays into it. At this point, Leo’s voice is in current time. His humility helps to soften him and the transformation helps to re-define their relationship. Again, I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop as Molly finds the courage to hit Leo with the truth of where things were with them prior to his accident and they’ve come full circle.
It really is a heartbreaking and at the same time a heartwarming read. At points it was hard to imagine anything coming between them, and yet things do. But there’s an affirming message of hope that Rimmer weaves into the plot and manages to leave us with:
"That’s the thing about love. You can abuse it, you can dampen it, you can wrap it up in hate, or try with all your might to destroy it – but once it’s been lit, an ember always remains." ~Molly
5 stars and recommendation!
May 26, 2022
I can’t believe this has an average rating of 4 stars?! I thought it was going to go somewhere but it was just soppy and un-exciting, with a predictable ending. Don’t think I’m cut out for ‘love stories’. 🥴
April 2, 2016
ARC provided via Netgalley.
I haven't read anything by this author before but liked the sound of this story. This is a 'clean' romance so there are no sex scenes but they weren't needed.
Part One is told in the present from Molly's POV and in the flashbacks to their past from Leo's POV. Then in Part Two the present is from Leo's POV and the past from Molly's POV, so we get to see how they both feel in the present but more importantly how they were both feeling in the past. The 'past' is 3 years ago when they met and fell in love but it's not long before Leo's job as a War Correspondent is causing trouble in their marriage.
The story starts in Rome where Leo is in hospital after a car accident and has lost the use of his legs but also his memory. He cannot remember the last three years or meeting Molly again (he knew her brother). Molly tells him they are married which he is shocked at but what she doesn't tell him is that they had separated just before his acccident. We learn by the flashbacks to the past how they met and how their romance progressed. Molly is rich and her family disapproved of Leo. I liked the pace of the story and how we see them in the past when they were happy and in the future falling in love all over again but Molly is scared about what will happen if Leo recovers the use of his legs and goes back to his job. She's also scared of what will happen when he finds out that they were separated and a secret she has been keeping from him.
From Leo's POV, we see that he was trying to prove he was good enough for Molly. He always had a problem with her wealth. I enjoyed this story, it was something different to what I normally read.
I haven't read anything by this author before but liked the sound of this story. This is a 'clean' romance so there are no sex scenes but they weren't needed.
Part One is told in the present from Molly's POV and in the flashbacks to their past from Leo's POV. Then in Part Two the present is from Leo's POV and the past from Molly's POV, so we get to see how they both feel in the present but more importantly how they were both feeling in the past. The 'past' is 3 years ago when they met and fell in love but it's not long before Leo's job as a War Correspondent is causing trouble in their marriage.
The story starts in Rome where Leo is in hospital after a car accident and has lost the use of his legs but also his memory. He cannot remember the last three years or meeting Molly again (he knew her brother). Molly tells him they are married which he is shocked at but what she doesn't tell him is that they had separated just before his acccident. We learn by the flashbacks to the past how they met and how their romance progressed. Molly is rich and her family disapproved of Leo. I liked the pace of the story and how we see them in the past when they were happy and in the future falling in love all over again but Molly is scared about what will happen if Leo recovers the use of his legs and goes back to his job. She's also scared of what will happen when he finds out that they were separated and a secret she has been keeping from him.
From Leo's POV, we see that he was trying to prove he was good enough for Molly. He always had a problem with her wealth. I enjoyed this story, it was something different to what I normally read.
March 11, 2019
3.5 selfish stars. Two selfish people both trying to sabotage (what could be) a lovely relationship, then one of them nearly dies and they suddenly realise they actually love each other. I didn’t love this book, but I didn’t hate it. I read the whole thing and enjoyed parts of it. The characters both just really annoyed me.
February 25, 2021
2.5 Stars- This book was about a mending marriage after the husband gets into an accident and has amnesia. I thought it was a dysfunctional couple who I didn’t really like or root for either character. So I ended up skipping a lot and was mostly bored. I rounded up the stars since I usually love this author.
August 29, 2024
When I Lost You is a deeply emotional and captivating novel that delves into the complexities of love, loss, and second chances. The story follows Molly and Leo, two individuals from vastly different backgrounds whose paths cross and ultimately intertwine in a passionate yet tumultuous relationship.
The novel begins with Leo suffering a tragic accident that wipes his memory clean of his life with Molly, including the love they once shared and the heartaches that drove them apart. As Leo grapples with his lost memories, Molly finds herself struggling to reconcile the Leo she fell in love with years ago with the man he became. The Leo in front of her is a blank slate, unaware of the mistakes, pain, and distance that marked their marriage.
Rimmer masterfully captures the raw emotions of two people forced to confront the realities of their past and the daunting possibility of starting over. The alternating perspectives between Molly and Leo give readers a deep dive into their inner worlds, exposing their vulnerabilities, secrets, and the lingering wounds that define their love story.
This novel is not just a romance but a poignant exploration of forgiveness, resilience, and the power of memory. The story's intensity and emotional depth will resonate with anyone who has ever navigated the complexities of love and heartbreak. Kelly Rimmer's writing is beautifully evocative, making this book a touching and unforgettable read that reminds us that sometimes, the hardest part of love is holding on, but the most courageous act is finding the strength to let go.
The novel begins with Leo suffering a tragic accident that wipes his memory clean of his life with Molly, including the love they once shared and the heartaches that drove them apart. As Leo grapples with his lost memories, Molly finds herself struggling to reconcile the Leo she fell in love with years ago with the man he became. The Leo in front of her is a blank slate, unaware of the mistakes, pain, and distance that marked their marriage.
Rimmer masterfully captures the raw emotions of two people forced to confront the realities of their past and the daunting possibility of starting over. The alternating perspectives between Molly and Leo give readers a deep dive into their inner worlds, exposing their vulnerabilities, secrets, and the lingering wounds that define their love story.
This novel is not just a romance but a poignant exploration of forgiveness, resilience, and the power of memory. The story's intensity and emotional depth will resonate with anyone who has ever navigated the complexities of love and heartbreak. Kelly Rimmer's writing is beautifully evocative, making this book a touching and unforgettable read that reminds us that sometimes, the hardest part of love is holding on, but the most courageous act is finding the strength to let go.
July 30, 2025
5.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
1.🌶️
I’m obsessed with this book.
This book was a real reflection of life — with all its ups and downs.
This is the kind of book you should read if you’re going through relationship problems.
🥹✨
اگر هزاران بار زمان به عقب برگرده و شانس زندگی کردن بهم داده بشه،توی هر هزار بارش این کتاب رو میخونم.
این تنها حرفیه که میتونم راجع به این کتاب بزنم.
امیدوارم به زودی این کتاب ترجمه بشه .
خیلی حرف ها توی این کتابه که نیاز به شنیده شدن داره.خیلی رفتار ها توی این کتابه که نیاز به دیده شدن داره.
یک زندگی واقعی این کتابه.یک پاشیدن و فروپاشی رابطه و ازدواج تماما این شکلیه.
و خیلی خوب شانس دوباره برای زندگی نشون داده شد.نشون داد شانس های دوباره برای زندگی و رابطه چطوریه.نشون داد گذر زمان چطوری میتونه انسان هارو درمان کنه.
شخصیت مرد این کتاب کودکی خوبی نداشت .از قشر پایین و سیاپوستهای جامعه بود.مشکلات خودش رو به خوبی نشون داد.
شخصیت زن داستان از خانوادهی مرفه بود.
شخصیت ها سن معقولی هم داشتند.(۳۰_۴۰)
و این خیلی خوب نشون داد که ازدواج زود تماما متفاوت چطوریه.با چه رفتاری از اطرافیانشون برای این ازدواج طرفن.
امیدوارم هرکسی یکبار هم که شده این کتاب روبخونه.
1.🌶️
I’m obsessed with this book.
This book was a real reflection of life — with all its ups and downs.
This is the kind of book you should read if you’re going through relationship problems.
🥹✨
اگر هزاران بار زمان به عقب برگرده و شانس زندگی کردن بهم داده بشه،توی هر هزار بارش این کتاب رو میخونم.
این تنها حرفیه که میتونم راجع به این کتاب بزنم.
امیدوارم به زودی این کتاب ترجمه بشه .
خیلی حرف ها توی این کتابه که نیاز به شنیده شدن داره.خیلی رفتار ها توی این کتابه که نیاز به دیده شدن داره.
یک زندگی واقعی این کتابه.یک پاشیدن و فروپاشی رابطه و ازدواج تماما این شکلیه.
و خیلی خوب شانس دوباره برای زندگی نشون داده شد.نشون داد شانس های دوباره برای زندگی و رابطه چطوریه.نشون داد گذر زمان چطوری میتونه انسان هارو درمان کنه.
شخصیت مرد این کتاب کودکی خوبی نداشت .از قشر پایین و سیاپوستهای جامعه بود.مشکلات خودش رو به خوبی نشون داد.
شخصیت زن داستان از خانوادهی مرفه بود.
شخصیت ها سن معقولی هم داشتند.(۳۰_۴۰)
و این خیلی خوب نشون داد که ازدواج زود تماما متفاوت چطوریه.با چه رفتاری از اطرافیانشون برای این ازدواج طرفن.
امیدوارم هرکسی یکبار هم که شده این کتاب روبخونه.
February 10, 2019
This story is told in different time frames and from different points of view between Molly and Leo - past and present. Leo had a bad accident causing him to lose his memory and doesn’t know he and Molly are married in the present and only remembers her as his friends’ sister. I enjoyed this story but found by about half way through the past story was dragging on a bit and just wanted to concentrate on the present story more. So a solid 3 ½ stars for me – rounding up to 4.
April 20, 2016
I would like to thank Net Galley and Bookouture for the advance copy of ‘When I Lost You’ by Kelly Rimmer.
Molly and Leo are a couple in crisis. Recently separated, they believe they have little left in common, their very different and very separate lives being a hurdle that was just too high to clear. Molly is rich, daughter of a high powered media mogul, and her parents disapprove of Leo as he is a man from the wrong side of the street, a man who Molly’s father wrongly believes had a part in her brother’s death. Leo is a war correspondent, a man who has built his whole life around exposing the darker more human side of conflict zones across the globe.
But none of that matters now. No matter how complicated Molly thought their lives had become, they are now a dozen times worse. Leo has been badly hurt in an explosion resulting in him being left unable to walk and unable to remember any of their past three years together. Molly sets aside her attempt to rebuild her life after Leo to help he remember his own, a last act of love for the man she just cannot let go of. As he slowly rebuilds his memory, will it give them the opportunity to wipe the slate clean, or will it drive a bigger wedge between the two forcing them to fall in and out of love all over again?
Told from both Leo and Molly’s point of view, it is set in two very distinct parts. Part one follows Molly’s version of the present day, Leo’s story being told in a series of flashbacks as he slowly begins to recall snatches of the past. Molly is patient with Leo, while all the time knowing that she is deceiving him, helping him to recover memories of a happy marriage that is no longer theirs. This is an excellent plot device as there would be no value to the reader in hearing Leo’s view of the present at the start, he is largely confined to a hospital bed, reliant on others to help him recover lost memories, whereas Molly is key to understanding the truth of where this relationship is. Leo tells us how they met, Molly tells us how they are tearing apart.
In part two, the present is told from Leo’s perspective and the memories are Molly’s and it charts the more volatile moments in the couple’s recent past. Leo is slowly regaining memories, becoming more confident in who he is and more capable in spite of his physical difficulties and it is Molly who takes the tour bus into the past, showing and telling us what Leo cannot yet remember. The truth of how and why they started to drift apart. And one key moment from this whole episode is really Molly’s to tell, a secret which drove them apart once and could easily devastate them again.
For me this is a well observed story of two very different people. Their early days are filled with passion and desire for each other and also a sense of pride in what each of them achieves. But along with the pride comes a stubbornness, a failure of either of them to properly communicate and this, ultimately is what leads to their downfall. And yet Leo’s memory loss, being faced with having nothing left to lose, is enough to push them towards trying to do better.
This is the second book I have read from Kelly Rimmer. It is emotionally charged, especially towards the end as things in the relationship really start to unravel, but there are also some moments of quiet beauty where the romance between Molly and Leo takes centre stage. There is an easy style to the writing, the narrative flowing and the descriptions of the different suburbs of Sydney enough to draw you in and the portrayal of Molly and Leo so real that it will leave you in a quandary. I think there is the chance for the characters to be polarising. It is easy to sympathise with Molly, the poor wife left at home alone while the daredevil husband goes off to risk his life year after year. And it would be simple to dislike Leo who appears to be more obsessed with his career than in protecting his marriage but for me it wasn’t that straight forward, and that is the beauty of this book. Both of the characters are flawed in their own way but that is why I loved them.
Molly at times (albeit sometimes in Leo’s befuddled mind) came across as a bit spoilt and some of the poor me complaints could be a little annoying. But Leo, while in his early memories he seemed romantic and protective of Molly, also came across as a bit of a jerk, forgetting anniversaries, failing to return home at Christmas and practically Neanderthal in his views on joint finances. That said, I kind of liked Leo, being able to identify more with the struggles he had in his childhood and how he had fought for everything her had as opposed to Molly, a child of absolute privilege that she came across as so ‘entitled’ she had never even ridden a train. The sacrifices or ‘compromises’ Molly made for Leo held nearly as much need for compromise from him. They are different in mind, background and style. They just shouldn’t work. And yet as the story unfolds, as you understand their motivations and their paranoia, as you learn more of the beautiful moments in their relationship, captured so simply and yet effectively, you know that they do. You want them to change and you will them to find a way forward. Together.
I am not a romantic person, entirely the opposite in fact, but I loved this book. A full 5 stars.
Molly and Leo are a couple in crisis. Recently separated, they believe they have little left in common, their very different and very separate lives being a hurdle that was just too high to clear. Molly is rich, daughter of a high powered media mogul, and her parents disapprove of Leo as he is a man from the wrong side of the street, a man who Molly’s father wrongly believes had a part in her brother’s death. Leo is a war correspondent, a man who has built his whole life around exposing the darker more human side of conflict zones across the globe.
But none of that matters now. No matter how complicated Molly thought their lives had become, they are now a dozen times worse. Leo has been badly hurt in an explosion resulting in him being left unable to walk and unable to remember any of their past three years together. Molly sets aside her attempt to rebuild her life after Leo to help he remember his own, a last act of love for the man she just cannot let go of. As he slowly rebuilds his memory, will it give them the opportunity to wipe the slate clean, or will it drive a bigger wedge between the two forcing them to fall in and out of love all over again?
Told from both Leo and Molly’s point of view, it is set in two very distinct parts. Part one follows Molly’s version of the present day, Leo’s story being told in a series of flashbacks as he slowly begins to recall snatches of the past. Molly is patient with Leo, while all the time knowing that she is deceiving him, helping him to recover memories of a happy marriage that is no longer theirs. This is an excellent plot device as there would be no value to the reader in hearing Leo’s view of the present at the start, he is largely confined to a hospital bed, reliant on others to help him recover lost memories, whereas Molly is key to understanding the truth of where this relationship is. Leo tells us how they met, Molly tells us how they are tearing apart.
In part two, the present is told from Leo’s perspective and the memories are Molly’s and it charts the more volatile moments in the couple’s recent past. Leo is slowly regaining memories, becoming more confident in who he is and more capable in spite of his physical difficulties and it is Molly who takes the tour bus into the past, showing and telling us what Leo cannot yet remember. The truth of how and why they started to drift apart. And one key moment from this whole episode is really Molly’s to tell, a secret which drove them apart once and could easily devastate them again.
For me this is a well observed story of two very different people. Their early days are filled with passion and desire for each other and also a sense of pride in what each of them achieves. But along with the pride comes a stubbornness, a failure of either of them to properly communicate and this, ultimately is what leads to their downfall. And yet Leo’s memory loss, being faced with having nothing left to lose, is enough to push them towards trying to do better.
This is the second book I have read from Kelly Rimmer. It is emotionally charged, especially towards the end as things in the relationship really start to unravel, but there are also some moments of quiet beauty where the romance between Molly and Leo takes centre stage. There is an easy style to the writing, the narrative flowing and the descriptions of the different suburbs of Sydney enough to draw you in and the portrayal of Molly and Leo so real that it will leave you in a quandary. I think there is the chance for the characters to be polarising. It is easy to sympathise with Molly, the poor wife left at home alone while the daredevil husband goes off to risk his life year after year. And it would be simple to dislike Leo who appears to be more obsessed with his career than in protecting his marriage but for me it wasn’t that straight forward, and that is the beauty of this book. Both of the characters are flawed in their own way but that is why I loved them.
Molly at times (albeit sometimes in Leo’s befuddled mind) came across as a bit spoilt and some of the poor me complaints could be a little annoying. But Leo, while in his early memories he seemed romantic and protective of Molly, also came across as a bit of a jerk, forgetting anniversaries, failing to return home at Christmas and practically Neanderthal in his views on joint finances. That said, I kind of liked Leo, being able to identify more with the struggles he had in his childhood and how he had fought for everything her had as opposed to Molly, a child of absolute privilege that she came across as so ‘entitled’ she had never even ridden a train. The sacrifices or ‘compromises’ Molly made for Leo held nearly as much need for compromise from him. They are different in mind, background and style. They just shouldn’t work. And yet as the story unfolds, as you understand their motivations and their paranoia, as you learn more of the beautiful moments in their relationship, captured so simply and yet effectively, you know that they do. You want them to change and you will them to find a way forward. Together.
I am not a romantic person, entirely the opposite in fact, but I loved this book. A full 5 stars.
January 2, 2024
A great book to start out the new year. It took a bit to get into but then I could not stop reading it. I am a fan of Kelly Rimmer and this book did not disappoint. Molly and Leo’s relationship went from past to present and back again. It was about so many things in a relationship that are relatable and emotional.
May 30, 2022
4.5✨ the troubled marriage here felt so so real!! And the shifting from past to present, the flashbacks that includes both povs, wow just immaculate! Gonna be thinking about this book for the next 7 business days.
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