THE MEMORY OF YOU #1

THE MEMORY OF YOU                       JAMIE BECK                  

When Steffi Lockwood returns to Sanctuary Sound to start over, she has no idea she’ll also get a second chance with her first love.

Steffi Lockwood has survived more than most. Recovering from an assault, she returns to her coastal Connecticut hometown to rebuild her life the best way she knows how: with her hands. But starting a remodeling business with one longtime friend puts her in the middle of a rift with another. Worse, being hired by her ex-boyfriend’s mother forces her to confront old regrets.

Public defender Ryan Quinn wasn’t shocked when his wife left him, but he was floored when she abandoned their daughter. With his finances up in the air, the newly single dad returns to his childhood home in Sanctuary Sound. The last person he expects or wants, to see working on his family house is Steffi Lockwood—his first love who shattered his heart.

Although Steffi and Ryan are different people now, dormant feelings rekindle. But when Steffi’s secrets begin to surface, will it bring them together…or tear them apart for good?

MY REVIEW:

     This story has a lot to offer and that gave me some really good reading.  It had so many layers to be peeled back from this second chance romance.

     You have Steffi Lockwood a woman who although all woman and sexy as hell.  She never was your “girly girl” type.  She was an all-out soccer athlete who could go toe to toe with guys on the field.  One being her crush and boyfriend Ryan Quinn.  There was only one set back.  Like her dad and brother’s, he had definite ideas on how and what their future should look like.

     He was in the class ahead of her and good friends with her brother, Ben.  He was also a serious soccer player.  He had dreams of playing pro ball.  They got together as a couple and created many of their dreams for their future.  Only Steffi had in her dreams to travel to Barcelona. 

     Yet, when Steffi got to college, she started to become spooked when talking with Ryan and her pending trip to Barcelona.  For which he talks her out of it.  With that, she knew she was seeing her mom’s life being played out in front of her eyes all over again.  Her mom died of breast cancer.  She remembers her mom telling her aunt that she wished she had more or at all, really.

     So, she knew to explain that to Ryan that he would have fears of losing her, and she feared he would talk her out of traveling.  So, she needed to avoid him.  She ghosted him.  Years later she finds out he marries and has a daughter.  She is heartbroken but she had chosen her path so what could she do?

     Now she was back home, owned a construction business/rebuilds and living with Claire in a rental.  Only to find out one of her first paying jobs would be for Ryan’s mom, Molly.  On day one she runs into not only him but his daughter.  They have now moved in with his parents and he is going through a divorce.  She can’t say she is heartbroken but she is sad for his young daughter since her mom didn’t want her full time.

     At first sight, he is mean and out of line.  Each meeting thereafter becomes easier.  Yet, they are both left with a gaping ache in their hearts.  What she finds interesting is his daughter, she is such a spitfire.  So, independent yet hurting so bad you can just see it.

     Each character is full bodied and full of endless emotion and passion.  Yet, the one I just love is Emmy.  She is just the funniest and saddest all at the same time.  She is such a drama queen who so wants to get her hand's dirty helping, Steffi.  After years of being her mom, Val’s baby doll it’s hard.

     You will totally enjoy this story.  It does deal with a second chance, PTSD, aftermath of an assault, and how we all deal with relationships with those we love.  I give this: 5 stars.  Provided by netgalley.com. 

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