Janine Rosche begins With Every Memory with an author’s note that includes a trigger warning and information about resources for individuals who find themselves in the situations covered in the book. I begin with that information, as well, because it is critical information. I read the warning before I agreed to read and review this book, feeling at the time like I would be able to handle it and wanting to see how the author handled these situations within the Christian fiction realm. It took a while for me to get my teeth into this story and really bond with the characters, but if I am honest about it, I believe the issues I had in the beginning are more personal than a reflection of the author’s work. Rosche manages to balance the reality of the difficult topics she addresses with care. If this book is for you, then I recommend it. If it is not, I certainly vote to feel good about your decision to pass over it.
Having said all of that, With Every Memory begins as Lori Mendenhall prepares to return home from extensive rehabilitation after a tragic accident. Beyond the physical, Lori is also struggling to recall memories lost in her retrograde amnesia; not only is she struggling to remember the people around her, but also to recall her own identity. On top of trying to figure out who she is, Lori also must work to learn who her husband and daughter are, and how to move forward after losing her son in the accident. With every memory that returns, there are a million other questions that arise about how it fits in the scope of her life as she remembers it and how it fits in the scope of the life she is finding to be her reality. Each member of the Mendenhall family has to learn to navigate life without their beloved Austin in their own way, but learning to support each other and rely on each other through the process is what may be their greatest success. Rosche’s character development of Michael and Avery is very well considered, and to reflect on the track of each one individually shows just how the breadcrumbs come together to create something even more special than I expected early on. Once I began relating to and bonding with the characters, the pages began to fly, and I was torn between wanting to see the resolution and dreading the conclusion.
With Every Memory by Janine Rosche is available now from your favorite local bookseller or online:
Baker Book House Christian Book Barnes & Noble Amazon
Thank you to the author and publisher for allowing me a copy to read and review. All opinions expressed here are my own and are completely genuine.
