Sweet! I read this book and thought wow! This book blew me away. I really enjoyed this book and will definitely look forward to reading more books by this author!

Ms. Beck writes such heartfelt romances that will have your heart breaking for everything her main characters go through on their journey to happy ever after, but will without a doubt leave your heart whole at the end of her stories when the couple find their way back to each other forever.

Really, this is exactly how I was feeling throughout this first book of this Sanctuary Sound series, as Steffi has returned to her hometown after many years. She's working as a carpenter and started a company with her two friends; a company that is finally starting to take off for the three friends. Except the only bad thing is she's found herself working for her ex-boyfriend's mother; the ex-boyfriend whose heart she broke when she left him.

Both the main characters really impressed me. Steffi is a strong woman who has survived so much and managed to go forward with her life when it would have been easy to give up. She's also a very determined woman that is out to prove she can do the job she's been tasked with. However, she's also a woman with a lot of regret, mostly with how she left Ryan. How could she have done what she did when she was so in love with him? While Ryan, he's a good guy with a lot of baggage. He's now a single father trying to balance fatherhood with being back in his hometown and coming face-to-face with his first love. The woman that broke his heart. Yet, at the same time, the connection between him and Steffi is still very much alive, despite what she did in the past. Can he forgive her? Can they make things work, even when it's clear Steffi is hiding something? Will she open up to Ryan about what happened to her?

Overall, Ms. Beck has delivered a wonderful second chance romance in this story, which was filled with plenty of emotion; incredibly likeable characters in the main and secondary; and a plot that drew me in from the beginning and kept me hanging on every word until I was at the end of the book.

My first book by this author and I absolutely loved every page, every character. every emotion. I loved the author's writing style, and how connected I felt to each character. I loved how I've been left wanting more from these characters and from this author.

THE MEMORY OF YOU is the first book in the SANCTUARY SOUND series, and it deals with the effects of trauma in relationships. Three life-long best friends, Steffi, Claire, and Peyton, each have tragedies affecting them in different ways. Those tragedies definitely affect their friendships as well. This is Steffi and Ryan’s story, who were first loves and childhood sweethearts but went in different directions when Steffi hurt him. Now that they’re both back in their hometown, will they have a second chance at love?

Ryan has a lot of baggage when he returns home with his eight-year-old daughter, Emmy, to live with his parents. He’s going though a divorce, and his wife seems high maintenance. She’s hard to like, although I appreciate how she and Ryan both act like adults in the way they treat each other. Steffi is in business with Claire and is doing a home improvement project for Ryan’s parents, so Steffi and Ryan’s paths keep crossing. Is that a good thing or a bad thing? Will their memories cause them pain or help them heal?

There are family and friends along with many layers to the story and a depth to the characters. Their losses have a definite impact on their lives. The story has a lot of secrets and memories that help the relationships evolve. I liked the way Emmy had interactions with so many of the characters. The descriptions of the town, the homes, and the businesses made me feel like I was there.

There are unexpected twists and turns to the story. We learn how Steffi’s childhood and home life shapes her. There’s a nice flow to the plot, but there isn’t the closure I was looking for even with the epilogue that takes place three months later. Too much of the ending is glossed over to get to the happily ever after. There is an excerpt from the next book in the series, PROMISE OF US, and it left me wanting more. I can’t wait for it to be released and am looking forward to returning to Sanctuary Sound once again!

Jamie Beck is a new-to-me author and I look forward to reading more of her books, not just those in this series.

A clean second chances romance. High school sweethearts that breakup during college because one wants to experience more than small town life. His mother hires is former girlfriend to remodel a room in her house.

I loved this one! It was so swoon worthy and romantic! I can't recommend this one enough to people! It makes me want to read more from the author

An okay read for me, but that's probably because I am not always the biggest fan of angsty romance. I also felt like with all the history between the main characters, the male MC forgave the female MC way too easily. I also wasn't a fan of them getting together physically off page. Not for me, but could be for someone else!

The Memory of You was a great read by Jamie Beck. This is book one in the Sanctuary Sound series. Steffi finds herself as a survivor of an assault when she returns to her hometown. She starts a remodeling business with her longtime friend. Ryan is a public defender who finds himself raising his daughter alone when his wife leaves them. He also returns to his hometown where he sees Steffi who he has a past of hurt. I loved reading Steffi and Ryan's story andcan't wait to read more in this series.

Jamie Beck's The Memory of You is such a wonderful read. It grabbed me from the very first page making it hard for me to put it down when bedtime rolled around.

Fantastic opening to Sanctuary Sound. I adored Steffi, Ryan, Emmy and the cast of other characters. The stories of love, loss and tragedy are inspiring. This book touched me with its sensitive topics and I love how all was handled by Beck. I honestly enjoyed the storyline and getting to know these characters.

Jamie's new Sanctuary Sound series starts off with The Memory I You and I loved it.It's a second chance love story that draws you in to the storyline right away and doesn't let go. Great characters that have a few problems that any family in today's world could be going thru.

The Memory of You is an emotional and evocative story. My heart hurt for Steffi and what she went through but she's a strong woman. I liked that she isn't the typical heroine who won't move a finger to avoid breaking a nail.

Great start to a new series! Steffi is offered a job renovating a room in her ex boyfriend's mom's house... and that about says it all, doesn't it?! Seriously loved the good relationship between Ryan's mom and Steffi - and the slow refreshment of a friendship between Ryan and Steffi. Good, solid story with likable characters, great dialogue, and cool references to the state I call home. I'm looking for book 2 as soon as this review is done being written!
NetGalley provided an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
https://randombookmuses.com/2019/01/20/review-the-memory-of-you-by-jamie-beck/

I really liked this book which is the first in a romance series. Steffi was an interesting heroine and her story, particularly around her assault and the resulting trauma, was an important one. Not only is this book a good romance, but it also has a lot of substance and explores the issue of trauma very effectively. This is more of a cozy romance than a super sexy one. It was nice to visit the world of Steffi and Ryan while also having a bit more of a complex story than a typical romance. I definitely recommend this one.

Too much sadness and bitterness

Regretfully I had a hard time getting through Jamie Beck's The Memory of You. I even went back to the book blurb thinking maybe I'd picked the book in error as I don't like really sad stories but there was no real warning.
No specific spoilers but I felt that the horrific situations Steffi and some of the secondary characters faced overwhelmed the story. I wasn't a real fan of Ryan either, he just came across too bitter. If you like s box of Kleenex with your read uou may enjoy this book. I want to feel good after I finish a book, this just made me feel bad.
I received an advance reader copy via Netgalley.

Steffi and Ryan had a slow burn to a second-chance. I liked that it wasn't an easy road. Feelings were hurt, mistakes were made, and baggage was to be sorted through. I liked that not everything was resolved and I like the promise that the rest of the series could bring.

Jamie Beck’s The Memory of You was a great story with so many emotions!

Stefanie returns to her hometown to start over after an attack. She runs into Ryan- her ex. He is trying to recover from a divorce.

As they try and put their own lives back together- they realize perhaps there is more to their past. There was angst, a real connection, so much emotion, I encouraged the relationships and characters throughout the book!

A great second chance romance where I just wanted to both to be happy!

This is a story about second chances. It has a lot going on from Steffi's flashbacks to an attack she doesn't quite remember, to her bestfriends not getting along, to Ryan not being sure if he can ever fully trust her again, and his meddling mother. But, I did enjoy the scenes between Steffi and Emmy...the angst was just too much in the rest of it. I will probably give the next book in the series a try to see if it gets better.

This story has a lot to offer and that gave me some really good reading. It had so many layers to be peeled back from this second chance romance.

You have Steffi Lockwood a woman who although all woman and sexy as hell. She never was your “girly girl” type. She was an all-out soccer athlete who could go toe to toe with guys on the field. One being her crush and boyfriend Ryan Quinn. There was only one set back. Like her dad and brother’s, he had definite ideas on how and what their future should look like.

He was in the class ahead of her and good friends with her brother, Ben. He was also a serious soccer player. He had dreams of playing pro ball. They got together as a couple and created many of their dreams for their future. Only Steffi had in her dreams to travel to Barcelona.

Yet, when Steffi got to college, she started to become spooked when talking with Ryan and her pending trip to Barcelona. For which he talks her out of it. With that, she knew she was seeing her mom’s life being played out in front of her eyes all over again. Her mom died of breast cancer. She remembers her mom telling her aunt that she wished she had more or at all, really.

So, she knew to explain that to Ryan that he would have fears of losing her, and she feared he would talk her out of traveling. So, she needed to avoid him. She ghosted him. Years later she finds out he marries and has a daughter. She is heartbroken but she had chosen her path so what could she do?

Now she was back home, owned a construction business/rebuilds and living with Claire in a rental. Only to find out one of her first paying jobs would be for Ryan’s mom, Molly. On day one she runs into not only him but his daughter. They have now moved in with his parents and he is going through a divorce. She can’t say she is heartbroken but she is sad for his young daughter since her mom didn’t want her full time.

At first sight, he is mean and out of line. Each meeting thereafter becomes easier. Yet, they are both left with a gaping ache in their hearts. What she finds interesting is his daughter, she is such a spitfire. So, independent yet hurting so bad you can just see it.

Each character is full bodied and full of endless emotion and passion. Yet, the one I just love is Emmy. She is just the funniest and saddest all at the same time. She is such a drama queen who so wants to get her hand's dirty helping, Steffi. After years of being her mom, Val’s baby doll it’s hard.

You will totally enjoy this story. It does deal with a second chance, PTSD, aftermath of an assault, and how we all deal with relationships with those we love. I give this: 5 stars. Provided by netgalley.com.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Mary Jo – ☆☆☆
Triggers: Assault/rape

This book has a good plot and storyline, but it just didn't grab me. I'm not sure if it was just the mood I was in or if it was the way the story was written.

The characters are sound, but I think Steffi's independence is, while well-written, a little over the top. I completely understand blocking out traumatic things that happen to us, but I think her inability to talk about the assault at all is a little too much. While we may not want to open up to family about the things that bother us, normally we have at least one good friend or sibling, that we open up to, even if we don't go into detail about what's wrong.

Ryan is written almost the same way. He's still holding a grudge from 10 years ago when Steffi dumped him out of the blue. To top it off, his wife has practically abandoned his daughter to pursue a relationship with another man. His anger at the entire situation is heartfelt and honestly, I feel like he should consider therapy as well.

This book has a lot of storyline to resolve and I think the ending was rushed. Granted, the epilogue helped, but I think the ending could have benefited from a few more chapters.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is the first story in a new series by the talented Jamie Beck – her Cabot series was excellent, so I was delighted to get the chance to read this book. The premise for the series is set out early on, and we know the three main protagonists – I rather liked this as it made me think about each woman and their impact on each other. I am curious to see progress in underlying stories through the future installments. I did find the story a little slow, but it was in part building the new world of Sanctuary Sound and so, forgivable.

Steffi is a strong, independent woman, who is making a new life for herself with one of her best friends back in their home town. She is struggling with blackouts after an attack, but is determined not to get the help that we all probably believe that she needs. I did wonder if her stubbornness was come by honestly as she had mostly grown up around her father and brothers; her mother died when she was barely a teen. I liked her clear skills as a builder, and as a friend to Ryan's daughter, but her dealings with Ryan are incredibly stilted for a significant part of the book. One couldn't really just blame her, as Ryan behaved in a very rigid and unforgiving way. It was a relief when they finally started talking, although other issues in life kept interfering.

I am keen to read on and find out how things move forward for Steffi's friends.