The Memory House

I was fortunate to be picked to preview the first chapter of Rachel Hauck's latest book The Memory House. I am familiar with her writing and understand, like some of her other works, this will be about two ladies living in different generations. They both have suffered heartache and lose but are connected some way through a beautiful house. I read the first chapter, and Rachel had me at the heartstrings from the get-go. The action is intense right from the start with a police foot chase and a mouthy, nasty, punk getting arrested. Throw in a helpless little puppy and you have the making of a fantastic read. After finishing the book , my edited review..... Rachel is the queen of dual time lines that intersect flawlessly. This story is about love, forgiveness and faith and it is book-ended by two breathtaking romances. She gives us flawed yet realistic characters with a large dose of faith. Our modern protagonist is Beck Holiday an angry NYPD. Her father's death at 9/11 changed her and her mom forever. Beck has selected amnesia. She can't remember her dad or anything connected to him in her past. She learns that she has inherited a beautiful Victorian house in Florida, from a total stranger. Fernandina Beach, it is a small town right outside of Jacksonville. Our other protagonist is from 1953. Everleigh Applegate is newly pregnant and very happily married to her childhood sweetheart. She is planning a celebration dinner that night and will tell Rhett the good news. That afternoon a D5 tornado sweeps through Waco, Texas destroying most of the town and all of Everleigh's dreams. I love the way this author writes with a thread of faith woven within her stories. One of my favorite lines from The Memory House. “Take a chance. Be surprised. See what life, even God, might have in store for you. Try a little faith. You just might.....start remembering.” I can not wait for this new book of Rachel's to be released in April of 2019. I don't think you will be disappointed. I might be slightly biased with this review, since Rachel is one of my favorite writers. I received the first a copy of The Memory House from Thomas Nelson through NetGalleys. The opinions of this review are my own.

THE MEMORY HOUSE. by Rachel Hauck Beck now facing of what happened that night with Hunter. Rescuing a dog, and knowing stepfather was allergic, guess she would need to get her own place, after all she was thirty one, As a cop which she loved, knew what to expect, the friendships there.Now suspended for four weeks without pay, Telling Hunter, that didn’t go beyond, him saying ‘my wife’. Getting a legal letter, stating that the will from a Mrs. Callahan in Florida, she had inherited a house, Was on Memory Lane, how they were connected, for herself, the memory of before her Dad died, are gone. This goes from the life of 1950-1960 to present with Beck, both suffered loss, facing the past and rebuilding to having another life. Given ARC by Net Galley and Thomas Nelson for my voluntary review and my honest opinion.

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.