What do you think?
Rate this book
More Than Memory
Eight years have passed since their passionate young love went wrong. Now Nelda returns to her Iowa farmland home, only to rediscover her teenage love who was, for a few brief months, her husband. But is their love reawakening?
419 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2001
37 people are currently reading
209 people want to read
About the author
Dorothy Garlock
86 books382 followersDorothy Garlock was a best-selling American author of over 60 historical romance novels, most of them set in the American West. More than 20 million copies of her books are in print, in 18 languages. Her books have been on the New York Times best seller list seven times. She was named one of the 10 most popular writers of women's fiction four years in a row, from 1985-1988. In 1997, she was awarded the Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Award. Garlock is also a member of the Romance Writers Hall of Fame.
Garlock worked as an editor, agent and publicist for most of her writing career. She was a native of Texas who grew up in Oklahoma then married and moved to Iowa. Garlock donated many of her manuscripts and other unpublished writings to the University of Iowa libraries.
Pen names include:
Johanna Phillips
Dorothy Phillips
Dorothy Glenn
Garlock worked as an editor, agent and publicist for most of her writing career. She was a native of Texas who grew up in Oklahoma then married and moved to Iowa. Garlock donated many of her manuscripts and other unpublished writings to the University of Iowa libraries.
Pen names include:
Johanna Phillips
Dorothy Phillips
Dorothy Glenn
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
December 18, 2015
I feel torn about this book. I really liked the 1950's small-town Iowa feel. I liked the idea of two young lovers meeting again after a few years, more grown up now. And the author is a good writer. So there was a lot to like. But the MC's, as much as I liked them at first, began to irritate me and by the end, despite all the "likes", I just couldn't give it a higher rating.
The biggest problem is the hero, Lute. He's hard working, takes care of those around him, helps Nelda out a lot, etc. So what's not to like? Well, every time he and Nelda get close, (and they do get close in this book a few times), he turns on her, yells, calls her terrible names and stomps off. Now I understood the first time - he's conflicted, right? Maybe he feels guilty or unsure of himself? But it happens several times, and every time he's the initiator, yet he always ends up making her feel like scum. Nelda, appropriately, becomes angry and tries to shut him out, but he manages to worm his way back into her life until - it happens again. And again. By the end of the book I wanted her to tell him flat out, "You have a problem. Don't speak to me again until you get your head together. And quit blaming me for your own actions." It didn't help that Lute disliked another man in the book and called him names that fit Lute, too.
To give her what's due, Nelda tries to push Lute out of her life but the author manipulates events so it doesn't work. And that's OK - it's what makes the story, after all. But for them to get an HEA he needed to do some heavy soul searching and then grovel. Because she deserved better than what she got. So, 2 stars. :)
The biggest problem is the hero, Lute. He's hard working, takes care of those around him, helps Nelda out a lot, etc. So what's not to like? Well, every time he and Nelda get close, (and they do get close in this book a few times), he turns on her, yells, calls her terrible names and stomps off. Now I understood the first time - he's conflicted, right? Maybe he feels guilty or unsure of himself? But it happens several times, and every time he's the initiator, yet he always ends up making her feel like scum. Nelda, appropriately, becomes angry and tries to shut him out, but he manages to worm his way back into her life until - it happens again. And again. By the end of the book I wanted her to tell him flat out, "You have a problem. Don't speak to me again until you get your head together. And quit blaming me for your own actions." It didn't help that Lute disliked another man in the book and called him names that fit Lute, too.
To give her what's due, Nelda tries to push Lute out of her life but the author manipulates events so it doesn't work. And that's OK - it's what makes the story, after all. But for them to get an HEA he needed to do some heavy soul searching and then grovel. Because she deserved better than what she got. So, 2 stars. :)
April 28, 2008
Set in the 1950's in and near Clear Lake, Iowa. This is another one of ms Garlock's great historical romance. Nelda and Lute were married 8 years prior by her Marine Corps father because she was pregnant. A few weeks after the marriage, they were divorced. In the meantime, Nelda had their child, A little girl, Rebecca. Well the baby eventually dies and Nelda has returned to her grandparents home to see to the selling of it. Lute is there now and a prosperous farmer. The characters are well developed and the plot line is really interesting. Towards the end of the book is what happened the Day the Music Died, north of Clear Lake.
September 17, 2013
I love this book. It's an incredible love story that takes you back to the fifties and the heartland of America. There is a particularly tender ending and one of the best grovels in romance ever written.
This story has depth, wonderful characters and is beautifully orchestrated. This is one I pull off the shelf every year. My favorite by Dorothy Garlock.
This story has depth, wonderful characters and is beautifully orchestrated. This is one I pull off the shelf every year. My favorite by Dorothy Garlock.
May 18, 2022
Really quite a nice second chance story. Set in the 1950s
The couple were teenage sweethearts, who got pregnant and were forced to marry, but immediately after the wedding, the father of the young heroine (she is 16) takes her away and sends divorce papers to the Hero. The very distraught Hero enlists in the navy.
They are separated for 8 years. The baby only lived for 6 months and the Hero was in the navy at the time and never saw his daughter.
The book opens when the heroine comes back to town to stay in her grandparents farm. The Hero’s family is their neighbor, and the he has also been back a few years making a success of his farm. In fact, he rents the farm land of the heroine as well. So there are many opportunities for them to meet and run into each other.
At first the Hero is very bitter, he resents that the heroine went away with her father. Plus he thinks she’s turned into a sophisticated city career lady and will never fit into a farm lifestyle. He also is still very smitten with her, but since he resents the attraction, he tries to push her away. Though he is conflicted, he really cant quit her so he keeps coming back and making excuses to check up on her.
The heroine is also still in love w the Hero, she never got over him, but she knows he resents her for going w her dad instead of him after their rushed wedding. She is also very heartbroken over the death of her baby. At first she is very starved for what little glimpses of attention she gets from him, and thinks in her head that she will treasure these moments forever. But as they see more of each other, and he says nasty things because of his hurt or jealousy. She also starts to stand up for herself.
In the end she is the one pushing him away despite his persistence. She has her reasons and they seem valid to her. So i liked that she stood her ground and didn’t put up with s**t from him.
What I particularly liked, is that the heroine was quite competent and went on with her life whether the Hero was around or not. She had a very independent attitude and was making plans for her future without expecting anything from the Hero.
In the end, they have a hard won very lovely happy ending. They went through some tough times and the Hero really groveled to get her back.
The couple were teenage sweethearts, who got pregnant and were forced to marry, but immediately after the wedding, the father of the young heroine (she is 16) takes her away and sends divorce papers to the Hero. The very distraught Hero enlists in the navy.
They are separated for 8 years. The baby only lived for 6 months and the Hero was in the navy at the time and never saw his daughter.
The book opens when the heroine comes back to town to stay in her grandparents farm. The Hero’s family is their neighbor, and the he has also been back a few years making a success of his farm. In fact, he rents the farm land of the heroine as well. So there are many opportunities for them to meet and run into each other.
At first the Hero is very bitter, he resents that the heroine went away with her father. Plus he thinks she’s turned into a sophisticated city career lady and will never fit into a farm lifestyle. He also is still very smitten with her, but since he resents the attraction, he tries to push her away. Though he is conflicted, he really cant quit her so he keeps coming back and making excuses to check up on her.
The heroine is also still in love w the Hero, she never got over him, but she knows he resents her for going w her dad instead of him after their rushed wedding. She is also very heartbroken over the death of her baby. At first she is very starved for what little glimpses of attention she gets from him, and thinks in her head that she will treasure these moments forever. But as they see more of each other, and he says nasty things because of his hurt or jealousy. She also starts to stand up for herself.
In the end she is the one pushing him away despite his persistence. She has her reasons and they seem valid to her. So i liked that she stood her ground and didn’t put up with s**t from him.
What I particularly liked, is that the heroine was quite competent and went on with her life whether the Hero was around or not. She had a very independent attitude and was making plans for her future without expecting anything from the Hero.
In the end, they have a hard won very lovely happy ending. They went through some tough times and the Hero really groveled to get her back.
June 12, 2022
*spoilers* overall 8/10
*spoilers*
The writing is great quality, I never struggled to pay attention or follow the story. I love a good classic romance and this one hit all the reqs: forbidden teenage love, tension between social classes, plot-convenient pregnancy, and more. As a feminist I struggle with some of the happenings of the book… as a romantic, I love them. It’s an internal conflict of mine and I won’t take it out on the book.
8/10, highly enjoyed, highly recommend, probably wouldn’t revisit the story again though… looking forward to something else by this author ☺️
*spoilers*
The writing is great quality, I never struggled to pay attention or follow the story. I love a good classic romance and this one hit all the reqs: forbidden teenage love, tension between social classes, plot-convenient pregnancy, and more. As a feminist I struggle with some of the happenings of the book… as a romantic, I love them. It’s an internal conflict of mine and I won’t take it out on the book.
8/10, highly enjoyed, highly recommend, probably wouldn’t revisit the story again though… looking forward to something else by this author ☺️
April 8, 2013
Another good romance with some depth to the characters by Dorothy Garlock. This is a story of a young high school couple who fall in love, make some wrong choices, and then meet again eight years later. It also includes a bit of intrigue and some interesting characters. There is a small bit of bad langauge but it is appropriately used in the context of some obscene phone calls. There are also a few intimate scenes but they are not detailed so do not distract from the story line.
July 3, 2021
Lute and Nelda were high school sweethearts who got pulled apart by Nelda's overbearing father. United by tragedy but dogged by miscommunication and rage the couple never quite hits it off except in bed which seemed odd due to the rage. Little tenderness is shared, but readers are expected to believe love was there the whole time....
January 7, 2020
I loved this book. I have never read anything by this author but I want to read more now. Absolutely
awesome. The characters are wonderful It's set in Iowa my home state. I felt like I had gone back in time and knew these people.
awesome. The characters are wonderful It's set in Iowa my home state. I felt like I had gone back in time and knew these people.
January 14, 2019
I have always enjoyed rereading More Than Memory. It's a sweet, heartbreaking romance. The characters at times get on my nerves but it's just a sweet romance that I love to read.
October 30, 2020
Two people involved in a love hate relationship -- that's basically what this book is about. I guessed the ending, and I was right, but it was a little too syrupy for me. Three stars.
December 29, 2023
This book is so good. I enjoy reading all of Dorothy Garlocks books.
August 9, 2024
One of my favorite books by Dorothy garlock. Although I like all of her books
January 22, 2025
Very good read. So many interesting twist and turns.
April 1, 2024
Easy spring break read!
June 15, 2019
This is a rich and accurate portrayal of life in the 1950’s; moral restrictions were very important and it rings true that Nelda Hansen had to marry the man who made her pregnant. The icing on the cake was the dictates by her father that Lute Hanson would get out of Nelda’s life. Oh, and the divorce papers would be in the mail – sign them.
Shocked by the marriage and Mr. Hansen’s threats, Lute promptly joined the Navy. Nelda takes her baby to her grandparents’ home in Iowa, but in 6 months Becky was dead. Lute never saw his daughter. Nelda’s grandparents helped her get a college degree and she moved to Chicago. Before long, Nelda was developing a fine reputation as a commercial interior designer.
Now her grandparents have died and Nelda returns the scene (Clear Lake, Iowa) to decide what to do with their farm. She also wants to take a 6-month break to evaluate where she is going with her life. She’s been away for 8 years. She never dreams of running into Lute.
All of Nelda’s legal affairs have been handled by a local attorney, so she does not know Lute is out of the service and has returned to farming in Iowa. In fact, he has been leasing the farmland of her grandparent’s property.
This is a beautifully told tale of second chances. Not a lot of action takes place but emotions run high throughout this book. Some of the details are surprising; I hadn’t thought about them in years. However, Dorothy Garlock accurately portrays the mindset of folks at that time. This book grows on the reader.
Shocked by the marriage and Mr. Hansen’s threats, Lute promptly joined the Navy. Nelda takes her baby to her grandparents’ home in Iowa, but in 6 months Becky was dead. Lute never saw his daughter. Nelda’s grandparents helped her get a college degree and she moved to Chicago. Before long, Nelda was developing a fine reputation as a commercial interior designer.
Now her grandparents have died and Nelda returns the scene (Clear Lake, Iowa) to decide what to do with their farm. She also wants to take a 6-month break to evaluate where she is going with her life. She’s been away for 8 years. She never dreams of running into Lute.
All of Nelda’s legal affairs have been handled by a local attorney, so she does not know Lute is out of the service and has returned to farming in Iowa. In fact, he has been leasing the farmland of her grandparent’s property.
This is a beautifully told tale of second chances. Not a lot of action takes place but emotions run high throughout this book. Some of the details are surprising; I hadn’t thought about them in years. However, Dorothy Garlock accurately portrays the mindset of folks at that time. This book grows on the reader.
September 10, 2012
This romance takes a trip back to the 50's when women men still had a hard time grasping that women could survive on their own. Nelda Hansen with an E fell in love at the early age of 15. Seventeen-year-old Lute Hanson with an O was naive enough to believe they would always be together. Nelda became pregnant and they were married. For one day. You see, Nelda's father ruled with intimidation and verbal threats. He forced them to divorce and took Nelda away. Grief stricken and unable to locate Nelda, Lute joined the armed services.
Fast forward eight years later. Nelda lost their precious daughter, then went to college to become a designer. Her grandparents left her the home and land where she spent the best year of her life. She still thinks of Lute often and has returned to his hometown to decide what she is going to do with her inheritance. Little does she know that he is a farmer and not the young man she once knew. When they finally meet anger fills the air. And yet, she senses something else.
There are plenty of TSTL moments by both of them. Jealousy and problems communicating came between them just about every time they met. If ever there was a couple that needed therapy it was these two.
There are a couple of secondary stories that kept the romance flowing, otherwise I may have stopped reading altogether. Because everything finally came to an understandable conclusion I am giving this book three stars. I liked it but nothing more. If you enjoy this type of romance but want something better try Ann Howard Creel's THE MAGIC OF ORDINARY DAYS.
Fast forward eight years later. Nelda lost their precious daughter, then went to college to become a designer. Her grandparents left her the home and land where she spent the best year of her life. She still thinks of Lute often and has returned to his hometown to decide what she is going to do with her inheritance. Little does she know that he is a farmer and not the young man she once knew. When they finally meet anger fills the air. And yet, she senses something else.
There are plenty of TSTL moments by both of them. Jealousy and problems communicating came between them just about every time they met. If ever there was a couple that needed therapy it was these two.
There are a couple of secondary stories that kept the romance flowing, otherwise I may have stopped reading altogether. Because everything finally came to an understandable conclusion I am giving this book three stars. I liked it but nothing more. If you enjoy this type of romance but want something better try Ann Howard Creel's THE MAGIC OF ORDINARY DAYS.
May 10, 2010
I just loved this book. It's a very sweet and tender story about young love forced apart then reunited years later. This is the first book I have read by Garlock and I do plan to read all her books.
Nelda and Lute were young and in love but at the age of 16 Nelda got pregnant. Nelda's angry father forced them to marry but the very next day they were driven apart and forced to divorce. Eight years passes and Nelda returns home to sell her grandparents ranch, which she inherited. The two of them see each other for the first time in eight years and there is so much hatred, mixed feelings and confusion between the both of them. They were driving me crazy. First Lute is rude and mean while Nelda is hurt by his words then the roles reverse and Nelda can't say one nice thing to Lute. There's a lot more to the story but I won't write too much. You'll just have to read it to see how good it is.
I'd have to say that this was a simple cute romance with no kinky sex scenes, no big plot or no big mystery. Just a simple story that reeled me as I rooted for the H/H to realize they were meant for one another. If you enjoy sweet and romantic stories like I do then you will definitely love More Than Memory!!
Nelda and Lute were young and in love but at the age of 16 Nelda got pregnant. Nelda's angry father forced them to marry but the very next day they were driven apart and forced to divorce. Eight years passes and Nelda returns home to sell her grandparents ranch, which she inherited. The two of them see each other for the first time in eight years and there is so much hatred, mixed feelings and confusion between the both of them. They were driving me crazy. First Lute is rude and mean while Nelda is hurt by his words then the roles reverse and Nelda can't say one nice thing to Lute. There's a lot more to the story but I won't write too much. You'll just have to read it to see how good it is.
I'd have to say that this was a simple cute romance with no kinky sex scenes, no big plot or no big mystery. Just a simple story that reeled me as I rooted for the H/H to realize they were meant for one another. If you enjoy sweet and romantic stories like I do then you will definitely love More Than Memory!!
November 27, 2012
Clear Lake, Iowa, August 1958. Nelda Hanson, a successful young designer in Chicago, has come home to sell the family farm. Here, just eight years ago, she was a pregnant teenage bride, torn from the arms of her new husband minutes after the ceremony. Nelda wouldn't see him again, not even after she bore his child. Now suddenly...and dangerously...Lute Hanson is back in her life. The thin, blue-eyed boy with the shy smile has become a rugged and handsome, yet distant and angry man. He's someone who has reason to hate her. But all Nelda can hate is her own weakness in loving him, as if she could have ever stopped, as if all the hurt over so much time could not return to consume them both...
I enjoyed reading this book set in the 1958-59 era, the era I grew up in. She included a tragic event of 1959, when she set a scene that Nelda and some of her friends attended and danced at the last concert of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and the Big Bopper, who were killed in a plane crash outside of Clear Lake, Iowa on February 3, 1959, right after this their last concert.
I always enjoy Dorothy Garlock's books, she always seems to include some suspense, romance, and mystery in her stories. For me that makes an interesting story. Therefore, I awarded it four****
I enjoyed reading this book set in the 1958-59 era, the era I grew up in. She included a tragic event of 1959, when she set a scene that Nelda and some of her friends attended and danced at the last concert of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and the Big Bopper, who were killed in a plane crash outside of Clear Lake, Iowa on February 3, 1959, right after this their last concert.
I always enjoy Dorothy Garlock's books, she always seems to include some suspense, romance, and mystery in her stories. For me that makes an interesting story. Therefore, I awarded it four****
February 4, 2025
Many years ago, this was the first Dorothy Garlock book that I had ever read.
I love this book as much as I did back then.
Lute and Nelda’s love story has always resonated with me. What I love most about this book is the angst and turmoil both characters had to go through in order to find their happily ever after.
I don’t think I will ever get tired of reading this book.
I love this book as much as I did back then.
Lute and Nelda’s love story has always resonated with me. What I love most about this book is the angst and turmoil both characters had to go through in order to find their happily ever after.
I don’t think I will ever get tired of reading this book.
April 28, 2008
A very good romance. Even tho I knew the probable outcome, it was fun getting there. Set in the 50's, Garlock used events and songs and sayings that took me right bck there...when I was a girl. Very enjoyable story....
May 6, 2012
The time period of this romantic novel is in 1958-1959 so the references to a party line telephone, television shows, music titles and artists, neighbors who love and care for you as 'family' are my shared memories of days gone by but always treasured.
June 22, 2023
It wasn't awful, it wasn't the best either. Interesting enough that I read the whole thing, and enjoyed it, but not interested in any of her other work (if there is some). It is set in the 1950's (more or less) and it doesn't really have that feel.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 1, 2009
loved it
November 16, 2009
very nice story
May 17, 2010
I liked this book a lot. Star crossed lovers come back together after a long separation which neither of them wanted. Sweet sad book.
November 24, 2010
I really enjoyed this book... it takes place in Clear Lake, IA near my hometown during the late 1950's around the time of the Buddy Holly plane crash.. I couldn't put the book down.
February 25, 2011
Love her fifties dialog, and she does really good vivid male characters, who have their own issues they have to overcome. Great emotionally charged drama, more than a romance novel.
Read
May 8, 2012Very, Very good Book !!!!
July 31, 2015
Oh I loves it. I read this book 3 times!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews