Book Review: The Memory House by Rachel Hauck
When Beck Holiday lost her father in the North Tower on 9/11, she also lost her memories of him. Eighteen years later, she’s a tough New York City cop burdened with a damaging secret, suspended for misconduct, and struggling to get her life in order. Meanwhile a mysterious letter arrives informing her she’s inherited a house along Florida’s northern coast, and what she discovers there will change her life forever. Matters of the heart only become more complicated when she runs into handsome Bruno Endicott, a driven sports agent who fondly recalls the connection they shared as teenagers. But Beck doesn’t remember that either.
Decades earlier, widow Everleigh Applegate lives a steady, uneventful life with her widowed mother after a tornado ripped through Waco, Texas, and destroyed her new, young married life. When she runs into old high school friend Don Callahan, she begins to yearn for change. Yet no matter how much she longs to love again, she is hindered by a secret she can never share.
Fifty years separate the women but through the power of love and miracle of faith, they each find healing in a beautiful Victorian known affectionately as The Memory House.
“Accomplished Hauck demonstrates genre finesse as she blends inspirational romance with a cinematic style of storytelling, bringing empathic characters to life as they cope with grief in marriage and faithfulness, parenthood and adoption, death and tragedy. Challenging decisions, the blessing of finding love again, and the solace of a beautiful Victorian home all come together in this spellbinding, lovely novel.” —Booklist
I wasn’t quite sure what to think when I first saw The Memory House. Reading a book with multiple POV (Point of View) and time-travel is risky, and it takes a top-notch author to pull it off. No worries, Rachel Hauck penned a beautiful story about grief and redemption that truly carries out for decades.
Beck is a tough cop who has a lot of burden on her shoulders. She’s pregnant and unmarried, her mom seems to be doing just fine with her second husband and child after losing Beck’s father to 9/11. The attack robbed Beck of her father, and her memories. Bruno is a friend from childhood that she can’t recall, but they have a reunion when a beloved grandmother figure from the past passes away. Ms. Everleigh’s house is Beck’s refuge and a place where Beck and Bruno might discover healing for their past and hope for the future.
I loved reading Ms. Everleigh’s story and how she impacted Beck and Bruno, even to present time. I also loved the careers the two modern characters had. I don’t remember reading about a sports agent before, nor a female cop. It was a great change of pace.
The transition between Everleigh’s younger years and where Beck was in life was seemless. I felt Everleigh’s deep pain. Tough issues are explored, and written well. The only aspect that felt like a little miss for me was the chemistry between Beck and Bruno. It felt a little off-balance, but that could be given Beck’s many issues.
If you’re in the market for a Spring Break read, The Memory House has history, memories, and heart. I definitely recommend it.
There’s a giveaway opportunity! If you’d like to enter for a chance to win The Memory House, CLICK HERE.
Rachel Hauck is an award winning, New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author. Her book The Wedding Dress was named Inspirational Novel of the Year by Romantic Times Book Reviews. She is a double RITA finalist, and a Christy and Carol Award Winner. Her book, Once Upon A Prince, first in the Royal Wedding Series, was filmed for an Original Hallmark movie. Rachel has been awarded the prestigious Career Achievement Award for her body of original work by Romantic Times Book Reviews. A member of the Executive Board for American Christian Fiction Writers, she teaches workshops and leads worship at the annual conference. She is a past Mentor of The Year. At home, she’s a wife, writer, worship leader and works out at the gym semi-enthusiastically. A graduate of Ohio State University (Go Bucks!) with a degree in Journalism, she’s a former sorority girl and a devoted Ohio State football fan. Her bucket list is to stand on the sidelines with Ryan Day. She lives in sunny central Florida with her husband and ornery cat. For more information, visit www.rachelhauck.com, Facebook (@rachelhauck), Twitter (@RachelHauck) and Instagram (@rachelhauck).
