When I first read the synopsis of this book, I was immediately intrigued and already trying to figure out how it would end. My first thought was it might head in a fantasy direction, though I knew it was a contemporary novel, so couldn't wait to see how a novel with such a unique premise would conclude without any fantastical elements.

It took some time for me to get used to the middle-grade style of writing. I completely understand that the book had to be written this way to help show the effects of Flora's amnesia, I'm just not used to reading a book with such an unreliable narrator. I felt like I was constantly waiting for something to go wrong or for it to all be revealed as a dream or something. As a result of this writing style, Flora's character seemed quite childish - so when she went and did seriously crazy and adventurous stuff, it felt wrong and like she shouldn't know how to do any of these things yet.

Particular settings in this novel were described beautifully and the characters were all very easy to like. I really appreciated the family aspect that was woven into the novel, especially when Flora's brother was introduced. Finding out everything as Flora does, time after time, really gives you an insight into how someone with short-term amnesia lives - and it is incredibly fascinating and admirable.

I loved and hated the romance in this book and much preferred the friendship between Flora and Paige, her lifelong best friend. I loved the way the novel ended, leaving me with so much hope for the characters, whilst also shocking me with multiple mind-blowing reveals. This book was so clever and unique and, even at times, a little overwhelming. I'll definitely be reading anything that Emily Barr writes in the future!

Immersive YA fiction that transports you not only to Penzance, but to the scared, unstable every day life of Flora - a seventeen year old girl with anterograde amnesia. Written in such a way to induce the panic of memory loss, the reader feels Flora trying to be brave, and the reader too hangs on to her one memory as if to try and break through the barrier and the limitations of her condition. Flora is surprised in various moments to find she is not ten years old, to find her own reflection, to find she has a brother, and to find her notes to herself. As a reader you become increasingly concerned for her - the time loss, the incoherent thoughts, the words on her arms, the youth and innocence of her bravery. You also want to be her friend.

All is not straightforward. Flora's parents have a secret. They tell lies. Who can she trust? She has a best friend but she has abandoned her and Flora knows why. Other people know her name when sometimes even she does not. Notes are all over the house telling Flora what she must do, but she has other ideas which she keeps writing down.


This is an amazing story, a book feast of emotions which are compelling and pressing. I made the mistake of putting this book down to sleep and it pervaded my dreams.

The One Memory of Flora Banks tells the story of seventeen-year-old, Flora Banks who has anterograde amnesia - which means she lacks short term memory and therefore cannot remember anything that happens in her day-to-day life after she's ten-years-old. That is, until she kisses a boy and she remembers it.
I have to give it to Emily Barr for coming up with a plot like this! It is brilliant, new and simply unique. From the summary, I was ready to assume a lot of things - and I got myself ready for your average YA romantic novel where the damsel in distress is going to be saved by a knight-in-shining-armour. However, I was pleasantly surprised as to how the things turned out!
Love them, hate them - it doesn't matter because these characters all play a vital role in the novel!
Flora Banks is the 17-year-old girl with anterograde amnesia. She is the most unique individual I have read about for a long while, and the best character I have read for the New Year! She is brave and impulsive - and I love how she is like this! 
She is the friendliest person I have encountered, and even with her condition, she was brave enough to travel to the end of the world just to retrieve her lost memory. 
Of course, at first I was sceptical about this book. I mean, our heroine fell in love and is in pursuit of said love interest in the hope to cure her memory. However, there is a massive plot twist that I did not see coming. It isn't about romance or teen angst and all this typical YA tropes. No. 
It is about finding your true self, being brave, and discovering what the whole world has to offer. 
The story is written in Flora's perspective. An effective way of ensnaring the reader into the mind of our protagonist. It is frustrating to re-read the same thing over, and over - But! It is effective. You get to be Flora, you are Flora. 
I know that it is way too early to tell, but I believe that The One Memory of Flora Banks will be in my Top Three favourite novels of the year 2017, purely because of how wonderfully written it is, and how completely unique the plot is. 
Therefore, if you are looking for a fresh new voice in the YA contemporary genre - then I highly recommend this novel to you!

I can’t believe it’s the first day of 2017 and I’m already giving a book 5 stars but The One Memory of Flora Banks definitely deserves it.

I love books that are unique, different and a little bit weird and this story is all of those things and more. The writing is incredible and draws you in to the life and mind of Flora Banks from the very first page and I could quite happily have stayed there.

The whole story is told from Flora’s point of view and this makes for a very unique reading experience. She constantly forgets things and has to keep reminding herself of what’s going on or where she is, there are moments of panic, complete confusion as her thoughts starts jumping around in time, obsession and quite a few moments of complete joy. It’s a bit of an emotional rollercoaster and Flora is not the most reliable of narrators making you constantly question what’s real and what’s not and whether she truly understands what’s happening.

I’ve always been fascinated by the idea of amnesia and what it’s like to not remember anything. Would it be liberating to not remember (and beat yourself up over) the things you’ve done or would it be terrifying to not know who you or anyone else is? In this book it’s both. Flora is such an engaging character you can’t help but like her and cheer her on. She’s innocent and naive in a lot of ways which had me permanently worried someone would take advantage but there is something very infectious about the way she just does things because she wants to. Would you follow a boy you kissed once to the Arctic? She takes things at face value and just trusts which is so endearing and in a lot of ways I found it inspirational just how brave she was.

As the story is from Flora’s perspective you don’t get a lot of depth or insight into the other characters, they appear, say or do something and are then forgotten but they do still make an impact. One character in particular, who never actually appears in the book in person plays a huge part in the story and for me left the biggest impression. I’d absolutely love to hear his story.

The writing throughout is incredible and emotive. I found myself laughing and smiling and crying at points and I just couldn’t stop reading. Even picking it up now and flipping to a random page I have a huge big smile on my face.

I know there has been some criticism that this is a book about someone on a quest to be “normal” rather than accepting and living with her condition but I don’t think this is what the story is about. For me it was about someone who, despite a frightening condition, wants to go out and live her life. To have adventures, make friends and be out there doing what she wants without fear. Also, is it really a bad thing that she wants to find a way to hang on to her memories?

I will admit it’s not perfect, I feel that there are some issues which are slightly brushed over, but as it’s such an emotional, addictive and unique read I just had to give it the full five stars. I’m so happy to have had this book to bring in the new year. I think it’s a book that will stay with me for a while.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. The One Memory of Flora Banks is released on 12th January 2017.

What a memorable character Emily Barr has created in Flora Banks!  I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it is funny, heart warming, sad and heart breaking without drifting into sentimentality.  I don't know anything about this type of memory loss but the way it is described, how Flora copes with it and how her parents, mum in particular, try to protect her is so believable.  What I think this book really achieves is to remind you that people with these kinds of difficulties, whether through accident or illness, are individuals who deserve as normal a life as they can get. 
I don't want to say too much as I don't want to spoil it for anyone else but Flora's personality and character shine through from every page and I would love a sequel. 
A wonderful YA novel which I will be recommending to all my young adult friends. 
My thanks to Netgalley for this copy in return for an honest review.

I don't know what I was expecting when I started reading this, but man, it definitely exceeded them. The writing is beautiful, Flora as a character is fantastic - her journey in the book and the people she meets, and her reaction/rereaction to them is amazing. Flora, be brave is the best tagline for this book, because at its roots, that's what this book is about.