The Memory House - by Rachel Hauck (Paperback)

Picking up a new book by Rachel Hauck, I knew I would love it. But the more I got into it, the more I panicked, because I knew it would have to end. And after a very satisfying read, there were tears of joy. I highly recommend this book! This dual time period story was beautiful, yet quite realistic. The characters suffered through tragedy, and it was amazing to witness their healing and transformation. Readers who enjoy historical or contemporary romance will be drawn into this memorable story. I received an ARC of this book from the publisher, Thomas Nelson, through Celebrate Lit. The thoughts expressed here are my own.

"You are not a has-been. You are a not-yet. Or a you've-not-seen-me-yet. But do not let your mistakes, which you've paid for dearly, define you. Let them refine you." Rachel Hauck is one of my all-time favorite contemporary romance and dual time-line authors for so many reasons and this book just proves that her writing gets better with each book (how DOES she do that?!). The characters in her book are so real, tangible, broken and lovable. The dual time-line works well to bring a story of remembrance, finding true self, forgiveness, healing, and faith with intricate details that fit together perfectly. Reading this book was like settling down with an old friend I haven't seen in a while - equally comfortable, excited, and expectant - and catching up on the ups and downs of life with honesty and vulnerability and letting her story touch my heart, encourage my soul, and uplift my spirit. This book is a must-read! Beck and Bruno share the present-day timeline as Beck yearns to find herself while being plunged into the great unknown and uncertainty of her future. Bruno holds many shared memories that Beck has forgotten and their childhood friendship begins anew even as he struggles with his own past and sense of failure. Everleigh and Don share their 1960s timeline as Everleigh hides herself in widowhood and Don tries to coax her out into the world of the living. Both the couples' stories converge in a house on Memory Lane where Everleigh and Don lived out their married years and Beck happens to inherit when Everleigh dies. All four characters have guilt, shame, and regrets that drag them down but learn to rise above them and become the new creations God has promised. I know Rachel Hauck hasn't written a series for some time now, but I would love to see follow up books with some of the minor characters in this book - particularly Tyvis!! I received a copy of the book from Thomas Nelson via Celebrate Lit Tours and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.

This is a beautifully written story of two women and the life events that shaped their memories. Two women, separated by over fifty years, find that their lives have connected and often intertwined. Author Rachel Hauck uses a dual timeline to relate their stories and as we alternate between Everleigh Applegate and Beck Holiday we witness how their individual memories came about. Everleigh lived through natural disasters, she had experienced love and loss and she feared that her precious old memories would be erased if she allowed new ones to be made. Many of Beck's memories no longer existed because she had selective amnesia and all of her memories of her father had been erased; she didn't know why she couldn't remember and she wondered if she would ever remember them again. Heartache and loss are a big part of this book but there is also an abundance of love, happiness and the promise of second chances. Hauck has created some unforgettable characters and she's filled the dual storylines with historical events and trivia that many readers will recall. A tornado in Texas in 1953, Hurricane Donna in Florida and 911 in New York; Everleigh and her mother watching Maverick as a part of Walt Disney Productions and Beck watching the Gilmore Girls. I found myself recalling my own memories when I saw all of these mentioned! The Memory House is a well written story that I found hard to put down. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys inspirational fiction. I received a complimentary Advanced Reader's Copy from the publisher and Celebrate Lit and I was not required to write a positive review.

The Memory House By Rachel Hauck Eighteen years ago Beck Holiday forgot and she's come to accept the fact that she'll never remember any of her memories that have any link to her father. When the towers came down on September 11th Beck lost a huge portion of her life and herself. Her tough New York City cop persona is about to take a hit when her emotions get the better of her and she takes out her frustrations on a repeat offender in a manner that has her facing several weeks of unpaid suspension. And then there is this little personal matter she's tried to ignore - a matter that is about to change her life in a big way. In the midst of all her turmoil, Beck learns that she has inherited a house in Florida. Even more puzzling is why this Everleigh Callahan left her home in Fernandina Beach to her Beck Holiday? Could returning to Florida help Beck remember? She doubts it but she has the time on her hands thanks to her suspension and she'll need it to decide her future. When Beck Holiday returns in time to attend Miss Everleigh's memorial service Bruno Endicott couldn't be more surprised or pleased as he's never forgotten his first love. Unfortunately, Beck seemingly has no memories of him or their childhood summers together. Bruno is determined to be the friend that Beck needs as he again rebuilds his career as a sports agent. And just maybe something will reawaken what Beck has lost as they spend time together. While the current day story unfolds we are introduced to Everleigh Applegate a young woman of 1950s Texas who has her life just opening before her. She and her new husband have hopes and dreams for the future - their own home, a growing family and their growing love. But when tragedy strikes Everleigh makes a decision that she feels is unforgivable, one that is a betrayal of the love she and her husband shared. As the years pass Everleigh falls into a steady and hum ho type of existence. Life has seemingly passed her by until she has a chance encounter with brother's good friend. But a second chance at love - Everleigh just doesn't believe that is something she can chance her heart on again. How many times can a heart be broken and survive? Can the Memory House bring healing to a broken grieving heart? The Memory House is another enjoyable work from Rachel Hauck that binds two different eras together. In this case, the binding agent is the house - a house on which memories have been created and lost. A house where second chances are possible if one is willing to believe and have faith that God can work miracles. As with all of Rachel's standalone titles this would be an excellent book club selection as there is much to delve into and contemplate. When faced with what Everleigh faced how would one handle it? Would you willing lose all your memories of a loved simple to block out the grief and pain? Who deserves to be given a chance to reach for their dreams and goals? And could one forgive a betrayal? And the best part is the way Rachel weaves these very things into her work so smoothly that it is the heart of the story. I highly recommend this newest work from Rachel Hauck. Those familiar with her work will not be disappointed. And if you have never yet sampled her works this is a good place to start. I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher through BookLook Bloggers with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

3.5 stars " . . . .I've not given up on you . . . It is perfect love that drives out all fear." Everleigh Applegate doesn't like storms and she doesn't believe in second chances; in fact she really doesn't want one, especially when it comes to love. Content to live out her days with her widowed mother, Everleigh remains stuck in her past while her future continuously beckons, coaxing her away from all she has ever known in Waco, Texas and towards something she never believed possible in Fernandina Beach, Florida; a memory house. After a couple of costly missteps, New York Police Sargent Beck Holiday finds herself traveling to Florida's northern coast after an embarrassing suspension from the force. Quite unexpectedly, she had received notification of an inheritance from a "Miss Everleigh", whose home Beck frequented during the summers when her family vacationed in the area. Selective memory loss limits her recollection of those years, and of the handsome sports agent Bruno Endicott, who is thrilled to reunite with the grown up version of his childhood sweetheart. Two women; decades apart, both trying to move forward after years of being stymied in their pasts. While the constantly changing points of view in this story were a bit distracting at times, the heart of the story comes through quite beautifully in the end; leaving no doubt that its readers will certainly remember the house on Memory Lane.

Just when I thought Rachel Hauck couldn’t get any better she goes and blows it out of the water. This book left me at a loss for words as it touched me deep within my soul. She writes split time like no other and draws you into both stories until they converge into a dramatic conclusion. You will fall in love with both sets of characters and their stories of loss and redemption will leave you sobbing. I enjoy reading about flawed characters who find forgiveness through Christ. I give it a Ten tissue rating. Believable, relatable, and inspirational all rolled into one with tender romance to seal the deal. Absolutely will go on my Best Read List for 2019. I received a complimentary copy from CelebrateLit/author. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.

This book is a glowing example of everything I love about Rachel Hauck's writing. An English class would have a heyday with the themes of this novel: loss of innocence, forgiveness, mercy, motherhood, a person's sense of worth, marriage, and loyalty go along with the overarching focus on both good and painful memories. There’s even a subtle but beautiful pro-life message. Several small storylines are mixed in with the larger ones, and she weaves them all together perfectly with threads of spiritual lessons (and you never get confused jumping between the stories---amazing). I enjoyed all of the characters and found myself pulling for all of them as if they were my friends. We can all relate to the ways that life will take a sharp left on you and you don’t end up anywhere near where you thought you would. Everleigh, the historical protagonist, starts out as an innocent, slightly naïve girl in love, and through her life’s circumstances, you watch her transform into a woman of character and even a spiritual mentor. I found myself wishing for more chapters to see even more of her story. We first see Beck as a tough girl with street smarts--and she retains that strength, but she becomes more relatable and feminine as the story goes on. I thought I would have a hard time connecting with Beck because her life is so vastly different from anything I’ve ever known, but only a few pages in, she felt like someone I’d want to know. (I loved the descriptions of her TV binges!) I appreciate that the author didn’t sugar-coat or sanitize Beck’s character before she met the Lord. The men are likeable, and their individual stories and growth as people are just as compelling. The house feels like a character as well (as does Beck’s dog, which I loved!) This type of story can’t be easy to write. The ending is everything I was hoping for, and you’re left knowing that the characters have all changed for the better—but clearly none of those changes could have happened without God’s mercy. Rachel Hauck is my favorite author; not only is she an amazing storyteller, but she’s an incredible writer also—her word choices are so perfect and beautiful. (I highlighted several quotes that I’ll add to my journal later.) If her name is on it, I’ll happily devour every word!

The Memory House, by Rachel Hauck, is a thoroughly engaging story of love, loss, and second chances. Alternating gracefully between two timelines, this novel tells the stories of two women who persevere even after their lives have been altered by heartache. Despite their many fears and uncertainties, they find the courage to heal and to live their lives with boldness and gratitude. The characters in this novel are truly interesting and deeply sympathetic. Their choices and struggles are believable and moving. It is immensely satisfying to engage with characters who bravely pursue wholeness in the aftermath of tragedy, giving space for their hardships to grow in them a generosity, a wisdom, and a hope that inspires others. How fascinating it is to read a novel that so creatively explores the power of memories to shape dreams and desires. The themes of perseverance, belonging, and purpose resonate on every page of this book making it sincerely thought-provoking and utterly touching. Beyond mere entertainment, this story is very compelling as it explores the value of meaningful relationships and the powerful legacy that is formed when lives are lived with authenticity and vulnerability. Ms. Hauck has skillfully crafted a story that is emotionally impactful and compelling. The Memory House is a remarkable novel that is beautifully written and relevant. It is a pleasure to recommend it eagerly to all readers. *I received a copy of this novel through Celebrate Lit and NetGalley. The review I have written is voluntary and contains opinions that are entirely my own.

Having read several novels by Rachel Hauck, I was looking forward to reading The Memory House and was not disappointed. The reader is drawn into the story right from the get-go with a police chase and a dirty, weary-faced little dog. And who doesn't love a well-written dual time story? The author does a great job weaving together Everleigh and Beck's stories. Everleigh, a widow too soon and Beck, a mother too soon and both have huge life lessons to learn. Everleigh found that tombs could be comfy and that in more ways than one she was still stuck in the storm cellar. Would she choose to live, to be free of the past? Beck struggles with amnesia and she too is bound by the past. The characters are vivid and well-rounded--all their flaws and faults are portrayed as well as their strengths and humanity. The reader can easily relate to the characters too, as the stories could easily mirror the reader's life with shattered hopes and dreams from unforeseen circumstances. It is a story of family, friends, and forgiveness. It is a story of coming to know that love can not only drive out fears but can bring hope for a new beginning. I received a complimentary copy of this book via CelebrateLit. A favorable review was not required and opinions are my own. This review is part of a CelebrateLit blog tour.

The Memory House is an I-can't-put-this-down gem from Rachel Hauck. The imagery draws you in and then the tangled relationships of love and family hook you until the last page is turned. Rachel makes you feel like part of the family in this book. This is a feel good read that I would highly recommend. I received an ARC to read and give an honest review. All comments are my own.