You Will Remember Me by Hannah Mary McKinnon

 

I received a gifted copy and am providing a review. (Not my picture.)

The premise of this book is based on Jack waking up on a beach not remembering who he is but having an extremely strong desire to make his way to Maine for reasons he cannot understand. He makes it to Maine and ends up with Maya who, as it turns out, is his younger stepsister but because of his amnesia he does not remember her. Lily, who “Jack” was with in Maryland, sets out on a quest to find him because she knows he isn’t dead, or is he?

This book published back in May 2021, and I am terribly late to be getting around to reading this one; it has been on my list for quite a while. It is quite a twisted read – just what I like! The characters Jack/Ash, Maya, and Lily … what relationships they have and their backstories. They each have deeply hidden secrets and they keep them for their own reasons. And, really, who wouldn’t want to read a book with a quote like this one: “… as if we were in the middle of a vomit-inducing romantic comedy.” Ms. McKinnon’s descriptions alone, especially those recalling how Ash and Maya met, make the reader feel like they were there experiencing their encounters themselves.

 

The Secrets of Cedar Farm by Carissa Ann Lynch

 

I was fortunate enough to receive a gifted copy and am providing a review. (Not my picture.)

I went into this read with absolutely no expectations, as I hadn’t even read the blurb … I mean, it was written by Ms. Lynch, so it has to be good right? To say this is an excellent read is an understatement. If I could give this one more than five stars, I would … yes, I thought it was that good. I was pulled in from the very first sentence. If I didn’t have to sleep, I would’ve finished this one in a day … it will definitely keep you up past your bedtime!

There is so much going on throughout this tale of addiction, love, forgiveness, creepiness involving Aunt Sara and Uncle Francis and Cedar Farm itself. That house … the way it is portrayed, it definitely reminds me of a museum we have here in California, the Winchester House where there are doors and stairwells leading to absolutely nowhere, the only difference being at Cedar Farm’s house the secret door leads somewhere. Norah, the main character, ended up in rehab and the only reason she ended up staying with Aunt Sara and Uncle Francis was because she had no alternative; as well, that is where her daughter, Gemma, was … again, having no alternative. This book definitely has a creep factor that you will not want to miss.

If you don’t have this one on your radar or in your to-be-read pile – add it! Expected to be published January 2022 – an excellent read to start the near year with!