A review by life_full_ofbooks
Remember, I Love You by Claudia Carroll

emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

Set in Ireland this book is about loss, grief, and hope. Connie is an out of work actor and in addition to grieving the loss of her mother, her best friend and housemate, she is also stressing over the need to sell her house at her brother’s request. When she hears a brick phone ringing in the attic she picks it up only to hear her mom talking to her from the other side. 

Luke is an overworked architect and Dad to 6 year old Amy. He is trying to navigate single parenthood and helping Amy grieve (in addition to handling his own grief) as he comes to grips with the loss of his wife, Helen. 

Lucasta is the beloved author of the hit Mercy series, going on 20 years strong. While this octogenarian is known for her wonderful books and unconventional ways, she’s less known for conversing with spirits from the other side. Our three protagonists meet at a Bereavement Cafe; Connie and Luke attend at the insistence of others and Lucasta attends in the hopes of connecting a spirit who has come to her with her grieving husband. 

I was drawn to this book because the synopsis sounded cute. I knew it was likely going to be sappy, but I was here for it. I was not expecting it to be as one dimensional as it was, however. While the book is about 300 pages (give or take 30- the kindle version is 321, the paperback 328, and the hardcover 272) there is absolutely no flushing out of the characters or plot. The book focuses mainly on Connie, Luke, and Lucasta and they are essentially on a hamster wheel for the majority of the book. Each of their parts are the same thing until the end when miraculously all of their problems are resolved in a handful of pages. 

It felt as though the author knew how she wanted the book to start and end but she never really worked out the middle. If this were the case she would have done better to write about all of the side characters we meet at the bereavement cafe during the middle. While we still would have been confused as to how Connie, Luke, and Lucasta found their resolutions, at least we wouldn’t have been bored to tears during the middle. 

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an advanced copy of this. I’m sorry I didn’t like it more. Remember, I Love You hits the shelves on February 12th.