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theavidreaderandbibliophile's review against another edition
4.0
The Memory House is another beautiful story by Rachel Hauck. The Memory House is told from the perspective of Beck, Bruno, Everleigh and Don. We get to see how each of them came to be at the Memory House. The Memory House is well-written with thoughtful pacing. The characters suit the story and I like that we get to see them grow as individuals and in their faith. In The Memory House Don and Bruno help Everleigh and Beck deal with their grief. Grief takes a terrible toll on an individual and we each handle it differently. Beck was a teenager when her father died, and her mother was busy. She handled her grief by forgetting. Everleigh lost her husband, father, in-laws and her home all on one day. She clung to her grief and memories. Beck is now suspended from the force and dealing with a personal issue that will forever change her life. She was unprepared to meet Bruno with his continual references to their summers spent together when they were kids. Both women must deal with the past or they will be stuck living a half-life. God has a plan for these ladies’ lives. Joshua Christian was a mysterious character who provided little nudges when needed. I was little surprised to find intimate relations with a married man included in this Christian story along with violence to a suspect (even though he deserved it). Beetle Boo’s story will have you in tears. I wanted to take the sweet little dog into my arms and comfort him. Christian elements are light but impactful. It is true that God does work in mysterious ways. I enjoyed Beck’s Gilmore Girls marathon and the references to the characters (one of my favorite shows). My favorite sentence from The Memory House is “You could be Lana Turner or Marilyn Monroe on the outside, but if you ain’t got Jesus on the inside? Well, just leave your lipstick and mascara at home.” I liked how the characters stories connected and the book ended. The Memory House is one of those books that stay with you and puts a person in a reflective mood.
ecscoby's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.5
klr3353's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
gwalt118's review against another edition
3.0
This is my third Rachel Hauck book. I picked up another one of her novels because I wanted a plot-driven, easy-to-read novel that I knew would end positively. She delivered. I knew exactly how this book was going to end by pg. 50, but I enjoyed the ride.
A house brings together two women who are trying to answer similar questions about their lives in two generations - Everleigh in the early 1960s and Beck in the 2010s. I enjoyed watching these two women find themselves throughout the story, and I appreciated how their stories came together at the end of the novel. Hauck writes wonderful dialogue, so much so that I try to emulate it in my own creative writing.
Another good one from an author I enjoy very much.
A house brings together two women who are trying to answer similar questions about their lives in two generations - Everleigh in the early 1960s and Beck in the 2010s. I enjoyed watching these two women find themselves throughout the story, and I appreciated how their stories came together at the end of the novel. Hauck writes wonderful dialogue, so much so that I try to emulate it in my own creative writing.
Another good one from an author I enjoy very much.
amyk2024's review against another edition
4.0
This was a beautifully written story of forgiveness and faith. Rachel Hauck is the only author I’ve read that is able to tell such gripping dual-time period stories in 4 points of view. This book made me laugh, cry and everything in between. I was invested in these characters from the beginning and was sad to see it end. All of the football talk (especially my beloved Ohio State Buckeyes) and Gilmore Girls references were an added bonus! Highly recommend!
reneesmith's review against another edition
5.0
“Family is whoever fits into your heart.” Story of learning to live again & love again after loss, fear, and disappointment change the course of your life. Two timelines. Four characters it’s easy to have sympathy for. Sweet & satisfying ending. Great read!
inspiretruth's review against another edition
4.0
For the month of May, my book club chose to read The Memory House by Rachel Hauck. A New York Times bestseller and widely known for her wedding-themed novels, I’d only read one of Rachel’s books before beginning The Memory House. Starting this book late, and without reading the synopsis, I had no idea if I’d finish the book before the end of the month or what to expect. However, The Memory House surprised me, and within a couple of days, the last words of the audiobook were spoken, and I was left wanting more!
Centering on the lives of four individuals, The Memory House takes us on a journey through time. Everleigh Applegate and Don Callahan are navigating life in the 1950s where women are expected to marry and have children, and the men are supposed to follow in their father’s footsteps; meanwhile, Beck Holiday and Bruno Endicott are in our time battling trials of their own.
Married with a baby on the way, Everleigh Applegate couldn’t be happier. She is married to the man of her dreams and about to start building their dream house, but when a twister tears through the town of Waco, Texas, one spring day, all of Everleigh’s hopes and dreams are swept away with it.
Widowed and childless, Everleigh mourns the death of her husband and moves in with her mother, who is also a widow. Succumbing to her new life, with no bright future seemingly in reach, Everleigh believes she is content; but that all changes when she runs into her old high school friend, Don Callahan. Before long, Everleigh begins to question her choices. Lighting a spark inside of her, Everleigh soon finds the doors she’d trapped herself behind coming unlocked; but will the shame of loving someone else stop Everleigh from finding happiness again?
Back in our time, Beck Holiday is an NYPD cop and has a growing secret that is becoming harder to hide by the day. Overwhelmed with emotions and recently suspended, receiving the letter from a lawyer in Florida couldn’t have come at a better time. Stunned to learn that she had inherited a house, Beck’s cop instincts immediately kick in, and questions rattle her brain as to why this has happened to her. Unable to ignore the letter or help her curiosity, Beck travels down to the orange state to investigate.
Having lost her memories after her dad’s death during 9/11, Beck’s time in Florida comes with its own complications. With no idea why the recently deceased lady of the house has gifted it to Beck, she does everything she can to remember her childhood. Soon after her arrival, however, she meets Bruno Endicott, a boy she grew up with though she has no recollection of it. Will Beck’s time in Florida help her remember the memories that have been buried; and what about Bruno, will their budding friendship only complicate her current situation more?
The Memory House was a compelling read. You would think that four points of views would be confusing, but the story was written so naturally that each viewpoint brought the story together in a magical way. Emotions flew off the pages, and the characters felt so real that I wondered if I was reading nonfiction rather than fiction. Rachel Hauck captures her audience with her words, always keeping Jesus at the center, and tackled controversial topics in a sensitive yet inspiring way. Showing us that life is messy and not squeaky clean, The Memory House proved that even though we all sin, forgiveness, and redemption are always available to us.
I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this book; my only wish is that it was longer! If you’re a long time fan of Rachel Hauck, you’re going to go crazy over this novel; or, if you’re a newcomer, buckle up because once you’ve read this book, you’re going to want to read the rest of her published works, I know I do!
Centering on the lives of four individuals, The Memory House takes us on a journey through time. Everleigh Applegate and Don Callahan are navigating life in the 1950s where women are expected to marry and have children, and the men are supposed to follow in their father’s footsteps; meanwhile, Beck Holiday and Bruno Endicott are in our time battling trials of their own.
Married with a baby on the way, Everleigh Applegate couldn’t be happier. She is married to the man of her dreams and about to start building their dream house, but when a twister tears through the town of Waco, Texas, one spring day, all of Everleigh’s hopes and dreams are swept away with it.
Widowed and childless, Everleigh mourns the death of her husband and moves in with her mother, who is also a widow. Succumbing to her new life, with no bright future seemingly in reach, Everleigh believes she is content; but that all changes when she runs into her old high school friend, Don Callahan. Before long, Everleigh begins to question her choices. Lighting a spark inside of her, Everleigh soon finds the doors she’d trapped herself behind coming unlocked; but will the shame of loving someone else stop Everleigh from finding happiness again?
Back in our time, Beck Holiday is an NYPD cop and has a growing secret that is becoming harder to hide by the day. Overwhelmed with emotions and recently suspended, receiving the letter from a lawyer in Florida couldn’t have come at a better time. Stunned to learn that she had inherited a house, Beck’s cop instincts immediately kick in, and questions rattle her brain as to why this has happened to her. Unable to ignore the letter or help her curiosity, Beck travels down to the orange state to investigate.
Having lost her memories after her dad’s death during 9/11, Beck’s time in Florida comes with its own complications. With no idea why the recently deceased lady of the house has gifted it to Beck, she does everything she can to remember her childhood. Soon after her arrival, however, she meets Bruno Endicott, a boy she grew up with though she has no recollection of it. Will Beck’s time in Florida help her remember the memories that have been buried; and what about Bruno, will their budding friendship only complicate her current situation more?
The Memory House was a compelling read. You would think that four points of views would be confusing, but the story was written so naturally that each viewpoint brought the story together in a magical way. Emotions flew off the pages, and the characters felt so real that I wondered if I was reading nonfiction rather than fiction. Rachel Hauck captures her audience with her words, always keeping Jesus at the center, and tackled controversial topics in a sensitive yet inspiring way. Showing us that life is messy and not squeaky clean, The Memory House proved that even though we all sin, forgiveness, and redemption are always available to us.
I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this book; my only wish is that it was longer! If you’re a long time fan of Rachel Hauck, you’re going to go crazy over this novel; or, if you’re a newcomer, buckle up because once you’ve read this book, you’re going to want to read the rest of her published works, I know I do!
jojoiotn's review against another edition
4.0
I have always had one of Rachel's book on my TBR list. Well I have finally managed to read one and all I can say is that I will be back for more.
My full review is to follow.
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My full review is to follow.
|Blog|Instagram|Twitter|FaceBook|Friend Me On Goodreads|
jojoiotn's review against another edition
4.0
Rachel Hauck is one of my go to authors, I can buy a book without even reading the synopsis. Her books are always fantastic reading and her stories are always written so perfectly.
This is the story of Beck a New York City cop. She has been suspended from work and goes to Florida where she has recently inherited a house. There she meets Bruno Endicott, he was her best friend as a child when she use to visited Florida.
Fifty years earlier, Everleigh is living in Texas until a tornado sweeps through Waco, Texas. She then moves home to live with her mother. She is stuck in the past and has a secret she will never tell. She connects with an old high school friend Don Callahan.
Will Memory House help them heal?
This Story was truly a pleasure to read. Rachel pulled me into the story from the first page and I fell in love with all the characters. There where twists and turns along the journey. But the way it is written and the way that she has interweaved the two main characters is amazing.
I would recommend this book.
This is the story of Beck a New York City cop. She has been suspended from work and goes to Florida where she has recently inherited a house. There she meets Bruno Endicott, he was her best friend as a child when she use to visited Florida.
Fifty years earlier, Everleigh is living in Texas until a tornado sweeps through Waco, Texas. She then moves home to live with her mother. She is stuck in the past and has a secret she will never tell. She connects with an old high school friend Don Callahan.
Will Memory House help them heal?
This Story was truly a pleasure to read. Rachel pulled me into the story from the first page and I fell in love with all the characters. There where twists and turns along the journey. But the way it is written and the way that she has interweaved the two main characters is amazing.
I would recommend this book.