Title: Always Remember
Author: Emma Hart
Publication Date: May 11, 2013
Given an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review, i felt i should start by reading book one in the Memories Series Never Forget. WHOA, i believe i establish an author crush on author Emma Hart. Alec and Lexy story is AMAZ-BALLS. I also read the short 1.5 story in the series Holding On before i started Jen and Bing aka Sam's story.
For those you haven't read any books in the memories series, you can read Always Remember as a standalone but i recommend reading both prior books in the series first. They help you understand Jen and Bing with giving you the must needed continuation of Alec and Lexy. (links for both books are below)
As explained in the synopsis:
How long does it take for a long-distance relationship to break down? Sixteen months.
When Jen and Carl put their relationship to rest after Christmas, Jen’s biggest problem is going back to London ten days earlier than planned – and her ever-present attraction to Samuel ‘Bing’ Edwards.
Bing has no idea why Jen left Devon so fast. All he knows is that he wants her as much as he did the first day he laid eyes on her – so spending time with her while Lexy is still in Devon isn’t exactly a hardship for him. When he finds out she’s single, the only thing on his mind is finishing what they started at his dad’s fiftieth birthday party.
Feelings that have been a long time building between the two explode, and they both find themselves sucked into an easy yet passionate relationship, with Bing determined to prove to Jen that she’s it for him. That she is The One.
But in a city like London, the odds are stacked against them, and there’s always that one person ready to stir things up… And Jen doesn’t know how much of that she can take – even for the guy she loves more deeply than she ever imagined, and eventually she breaks.
Bing isn’t down with that. He wants Jen, and he wants her by his side for good.
Jennifer Mason must learn that Samuel Edwards doesn’t do giving up. Especially not when his forever girl is involved.
The story follows Lexy's best friend Jennifer Mason aka Jen journey out of her small town of Lilac Bay, Devon to the big city in London. A year into Uni, you see how Jen develops from a small town country girl to a city woman. This book shines light on Jen the artist, the bestfriend, the sister, the student and most importantly Jen the woman!
Jen's one liners are whitty and one of a kind..
"crap on a lollipop"
"the next few minutes drag more than a chain smoker"
But not just Jen grows in this book, so does Bing aka Sam. Known throughout the series as a one show man whore you watch Sam fall in love and come to terms with the reputation he's established that interferes with the feels you has now.
"those blue eyes that have me so entranced are a whirlpool of doubt, uncertainty and reserve. i can see it"
While you have the story of Jen and Sam develop you also have them both deal with the changes that come with age. Helping friends and family get thru loss their own different ways shapes them and their relationship with others.
"im not saying you cant feel, that you cant hurt, because you can. Of course you can..... you love your best friend too and while we can't understand that, we can still be here"
I love this book and whole series, its real and at times raw. I appreciate that Emma didn't ignore the loss that happened in book one. Not only did she touch on Lexy and Sams grandmother but the loss Alec constantly deals with of his father. As someone whose lost someone recently i know the constant reminders, thoughts and moments the surviving family deals with.
Emma writing style is so established and well rounded. Having one book that flows from two POV so well is a skill not many writers have. Seeing each event from Sam and Jens point of view was refreshing! The epilogue gives me such joy and brings the journeys of Alec, Levy, Jen and Sam together in an endearing way.
"as long as i have you love will always be enough for me"
I give Always Remember by Emma Hart
* I want more- the books is long so i know this is just me being selfish but i wanted more. I wanted more details on this issues with Heidi and what happens right after the last chapter.
* i book i felt in the beginning started slow but thats cause i just came off book one and 1.5
*I want to know Sapphire's story
*love Carls reaction to Facebook
*"my name isnt Bing, its Sam" -How one sentence means so much
*Sam and his moms shopping trip
*Jen art, how you feel every emotion she has in one painting
*some hot hot hotttttt love scenes
*Alec and Lexy
*Meeting Jen's sister
*"i want you, Jennifer Mason, I must be fucking crazy, but God knows i do"
Signed copy of the Memories series
(Open Internationally):
By day, New York Times
and USA Today bestselling New Adult
author Emma Hart dons a cape and calls herself Super Mum to a terrible two year
old and growing bump, due September 2013. By night, she drops the cape, pours a
glass of juice and writes books.
She likes to write about magic, kisses and
whatever else she can fit into the story. Sarcastic, witty characters are a
must. As are hot guys.
Emma is currently working too many books to even count -
including Playing for Keeps, the companion book to New York Times and USA Today
bestselling novel, The Love Game. She likes to be busy - unless busy involves
doing the dishes, but that seems to when all the ideas come to life.
Find Emma online at:
Blog: http://www.emmahart93.blogspot.com/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/YAAuthorEmmaHart
Twitter: @EmmaHartAuthor
Never Forget and Holding On purchase links:
NEVER FORGET #1: (All hyperlinks)
HOLDING ON #1.5: (Hyperlinks again)
Goodreads page for the MEMORIES series:
