Review: Remember Me Always by Renee Collins

Release date: October 3rd 2017
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Purchase: Amazon | Book Depository{Affiliate Link}

Synopsis via Goodreads:

Shelby is nervous to start her senior year after spending the whole summer away from home. After all, it's hard to be carefree when you're trying to protect a secret.

Shelby was in a devastating car accident, and everyone in town thinks that she was undergoing more physical therapy in Denver. Instead, Shelby's mother enrolled her in a clinical program to stop the panic attacks that started after the crash. The treatment erased Shelby's memory of the accident, but she can't help feeling as if a piece of herself is missing, that the treatment took more than the doctors claimed.

So when Shelby starts hallucinating a boy with dark and mysterious eyes, she knows it must be a side-effect of the clinical program. Except you can't kiss hallucinations. And this boy insists that they know each other and are in love...

*Publisher approved request via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I fell in love with Renee's writing in Until We Meet Again, which turned out to be one of my favorite romance novels. So when I saw Remember Me Always I just knew I had to read it, especially after getting pulled in by that blurb.

The story starts off with Shelby returning home after receiving some sort of procedure that wiped away her memory of a terrible accident, along with other things that mattered to her. This is the second time I've read a book surrounding the erasure of bad memories and while I disagree with altering the mind, I'm understanding of this treatment being used on individuals with PTSD, like soldiers or others who have experienced abuse.

Right away I'd suspected there was more to the accident and to this boy trying to convince Shelby they were in a relationship. Her apprehension to talk to him came off a tad annoying at first but then I started to see things from her perspective, in the sense that she wasn't sure about who to trust since she couldn't recall important details. Once her defenses came down and she realized that her heart refused to deny this guy, I liked how she opened up to the idea of relearning about herself and the intense feelings that came so naturally toward him. The whole thing seemed sort of strange though and I had a lot of questions throughout, but those were all answered as the story progressed even though by the time the truth was revealed I had already figured it out.

In regards to the characters, Shelby was the only one I trusted since she was a blank page who didn't know anything and was pretty much a confused girl desperate for answers. Her "boyfriend", best friend, and even her mother were all hiding things. The latter, mind you, I could not stomach for the majority of the story. I found her rather insensitive at times and very controlling, which was something Shelby struggled with. As for her step-father, I wish he was more present in the story. I would have liked to know his feelings about the whole thing and how he could tolerate being married to Shelby's mother. I kid you not, the woman was a trip. She encouraged her daughter to run away from her problems instead of facing them head-on, and basically pressured Shelby into doing the procedure. The woman even dragged her back when she felt like her daughter just wasn't conforming to her ways. Like seriously, I could hardly stand her scenes.

Aside from that, loved the premise of the story and how Shelby dealt with the situation before and after everything was revealed. And even though I had figured out the truth a tad earlier, it still was an interesting read and I liked how it ended with new beginnings for each character. It left me feeling hopeful for them, yes even for the mother. 

Overall, this is another great Renee Collins book. Loved the writing and the perseverance of Shelby's character. She's not perfect but I found her quite likable in spite of what happened. Please do give this one a read if you're curious about the memory erasing thing and most importantly, how powerful love can be. As crazy as it seems, somehow the heart always know even when the mind doesn't remember, and the truth always comes out no matter what lengths are taken to forget it. So yeah, definitely check this out, especially if you love emotional young adult stories.

About the Author

Renee Collins grew up on a beach in Hawaii. Sadly, she never met anyone from the past on those shores, but she did go on to get a degree in History, which is almost the same. She currently lives in Colorado with her family. 

WEBSITE | TWITTER  

Review & Giveaway: Until We Meet Again by Renee Collins

Release date: November 3rd 2015
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Genre: Young Adult Fiction
Amazon | Apple | B&N | BAM | IndieBound

Synopsis via Goodreads:

They exist in two different centuries, but their love defies time

Country clubs and garden parties. The last thing Cassandra wants is to spend the summer before her senior year marooned in a snooty Massachusetts shore town. Cass craves drama and adventure, which is hard when she just feels stuck.

But when a dreamy stranger shows up on her family’s private beach, claiming that it is his property—and that the year is 1925—Cass is swept into a mystery a hundred years in the making. As she searches for answers in the present, Cass discovers a truth that thrusts Lawrence’s life into jeopardy. It won’t matter which century he is from if he won’t live to see tomorrow.

Desperate to save the boy who’s come to mean everything to her, Cassandra must find a way to change history…or risk losing Lawrence forever.

*Publisher approved request via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Until We Meet Again completely blew me away. Truly an emotional story with wonderful writing and two intriguing characters that will have you invested greatly.

I haven't read many books about time-travel, and in this one I loved how the author delivered the element of two very different time periods crossing only on the beach. Both Cassandra and Lawrence had this longing in their hearts, and they found some sort of peace by the water. From the moment of their first encounter to the ending of the story, they had me so convinced of their feelings and I could feel every spark between them. They had me smiling, crying, just utterly pulled into the story. I went in with an open mind and without expectations, and in the end it made such an impact on me that I'll probably be thinking about the characters for a long time.

I liked how both were on summer vacation at that house, it made things more interesting because they seemed to be in the right place and at the right time. And it's amazing how something as otherworldly like that was taking place on that beach whenever the moon was in a particular phase, and possibly no one before Cassandra or Lawrence had experienced just what they had. It made their encounter that much more special, in my opinion. Because in a way, it felt like that only happened just for them. Just so they could meet. 

Of course, there was always that side of me that suspected something would happen because they were after all, meant to be years apart. And something did happen to make them think they probably shouldn't be talking, much less developing feelings for each other. And for a moment there Cassandra tried to keep away from Lawrence and anything having to do with the beach, but then she finds out something horrible and just had to try and save him. They had a pull between them too that even if she hadn't learned about his demise, she probably still would have gone back to the beach. 

Speaking of demise, I liked how the story wasn't all about their blooming romance, individually they had their issues and were after all, two young adults trying to figure stuff out. Lawrence wanted to do so much. He had dreams he wanted to accomplish and yearned for the support and understanding of his family, but sadly his life was planned out for him and it was hard to go against his father and uncle. Cassandra had her problems too, but I was particular curious about her relationship with her mom. There were moments I didn't like her mother and wanted Cass to stand up to her, but I had to consider the situation and in time, I understood her mother's intention and saw that she had nothing but love for her daughter. 

Aside from their individual family issues, there was also an inclusion of mystery. A major part of the story, actually, and I liked how Cass and Lawrence sought out information in the way one would in their time. Amid the amazement of crossing times and basking in this sweet romance, fear still loomed around them and like both characters, I wanted so badly to know who did that to Lawrence and why. I had my suspicions about the girl he was promised to marry, but it seemed too easy to just blame her and in the end, I understood why. 

The story entails a lot more but I don't want to give too much away. Instead, I'll conclude by saying definitely give this one a read. The bittersweet romance between Cass and Lawrence will have you tearing up. I knew from the beginning it would be difficult for them to be together, being that one would have to choose to leave their time for the other. But every moment they shared was still rather interesting and I was rooting for their love right to the end. It's a quick read with a beautiful summer setting and alluring writing. Like I said, emotional. So do have tissue nearby.

Prologue

The beach is empty. In the fading glow of twilight, the waves roll up to the rocks in sweeping curls of white foam. The sand glistens like wet steel. The grass bends low in the briny night wind. Always changing, yet always the same. I imagine the beach has looked like this since the beginning of time.

Stepping onto the soft terrain, I feel transported to some ancient evening, eons ago. Long before my uncle claimed this land as his own. Long before man even dared to taint these shores.

I wish the fleeting vision was true.

My gaze falls to the full moon’s reflection on the water. It’s broken into shards on the black sea, tossed about with each wave. A small, white shape catches my eye. It’s in the glare of the reflection, so I nearly miss it.

I step into the wave break. A seabird, dead and limp, is rolling back and forth in the foam. Her wings are spread open, her white-and-brown-speckled breast exposed.

I lift the small creature into my palm. What killed her? I wonder. There’s no sign of injury. Did she drown in the sea? Pinching her brittle, fragile leg gently between my fingers, I notice a small metal band snapped around her ankle. The sight of it startles me. Examining it closer, I catch the faint impression of numbers and letters etched into the band, but something in me resists reading them. I can’t say why.

What does it matter, anyhow? The poor creature is dead. And she reminds me that there is no going back. Time howls on, like the wind. And it is not only weaker creatures like this bird that succumb to it. Even the strongest man will fall before its crushing forward push.

I set the bird out into the water. As the tide pulls her away, I accept this truth. Soon the summer will be over. Too soon.

About the Author
Renee Collins grew up on a beach in Hawaii. Sadly, she never met anyone from the past on those shores, but she did go on to get a degree in History, which is almost the same. She currently lives in Colorado with her family.

Connect with Renee Collins

Website: http://reneecollinsauthor.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/reneecollins_

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Waiting on Wednesday #51

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spines. This is a cool way to spotlight a upcoming release that you're anxious about, as well as checking out what other book lovers are anticipating as well. So, check out my WoW for this week:

Trying to Get Over You
by J.D. Rivera

Release date: June 25th 2013
Self-Published

Synopsis via Goodreads:

Choices in life are hard.

College student Emily Reynolds has been in a three year relationship with Cooper Thomason but one awful night has left their relationship shaken. She soon finds out she is pregnant and Cooper can’t give up his partying ways. Emily leaves Cooper and tries to find a life without him. She finds out a life without Cooper is harder than she thinks. Will Emily be able to move on from Cooper and find a relationship with another man or run back to him?

Relic

by Renee Collins

Release date: August 27th 2013

Publisher: Entangled Teen

Synopsis via Goodreads:

After a raging fire consumes her town and kills her parents, Maggie Davis is on her own to protect her younger sister and survive best she can in the Colorado town of Burning Mesa. In Maggie’s world, the bones of long-extinct magical creatures such as dragons and sirens are mined and traded for their residual magical elements, and harnessing these relics’ powers allows the user to wield fire, turn invisible, or heal even the worst of injuries.

Working in a local saloon, Maggie befriends the spirited showgirl Adelaide and falls for the roguish cowboy Landon. But when she proves to have a particular skill at harnessing the relics’ powers, Maggie is whisked away to the glamorous hacienda of Álvar Castilla, the wealthy young relic baron who runs Burning Mesa. Though his intentions aren’t always clear, Álvar trains Maggie in the world of relic magic. But when the mysterious fires reappear in their neighboring towns, Maggie must discover who is channeling relic magic for evil before it’s too late.

Relic is a thrilling adventure set in a wholly unique world, and a spell-binding story of love, trust, and the power of good.

3:59

by Gretchen McNeil

Release date: September 17th 2013

Publisher: HarperCollins

Synopsis via Goodreads:

Josie Byrne's life is spiraling out of control. Her parents are divorcing, her boyfriend Nick has grown distant, and her physics teacher has it in for her. When she's betrayed by the two people she trusts most, Josie thinks things can't get worse.

Until she starts having dreams about a girl named Jo. Every night at the same time—3:59 a.m.

Jo's life is everything Josie wants: she's popular, her parents are happily married, and Nick adores her. It all seems real, but they're just dreams, right? Josie thinks so, until she wakes one night to a shadowy image of herself in the bedroom mirror – Jo. 

Josie and Jo realize that they are doppelgängers living in parallel universes that overlap every twelve hours at exactly 3:59. Fascinated by Jo's perfect world, Josie jumps at the chance to jump through the portal and switch places for a day.

But Jo’s world is far from perfect. Not only is Nick not Jo's boyfriend, he hates her. Jo's mom is missing, possibly insane. And at night, shadowy creatures feed on human flesh.

By the end of the day, Josie is desperate to return to her own life. But there’s a problem: Jo has sealed the portal, trapping Josie in this dangerous world. Can she figure out a way home before it’s too late?

From master of suspense Gretchen McNeil comes a riveting and deliciously eerie story about the lives we wish we had – and how they just might kill you.

Why I'm Waiting? 

These three all seem intriguing in their own right. I've been getting into new adult books a lot lately so the first one is at the top of my to read list once its out, as for the other two, well, I'm always going to be a fan of anything fantasy like so can't wait to consume the stories. 

What are you waiting on?