The Memory House

“I’m just saying God has a way of taking the worst situation and turning it for good.”Rachel Hauck takes this theme and showcases it throughout her latest novel, THE MEMORY HOUSE. It’s a time slip story of the lives of Everleigh Applegate and Don Callahan and Beck Holiday and Bruno Endicott. Everleigh and Don own a home affectionately known as “The Memory House.” Bruno grew up across the street from Everleigh. Beck’s family used to vacation at Everleigh’s home.Both women have lived through their share of loss. Their losses have left them empty, scarred and wondering if they would ever be able to be happy and know love again. Though they are separated by 50 years, they have more in common than most people. Everleigh loved Bruno and Beck and invested her time with them when they were children. She also recognized a part of herself in Beck. It’s as though Beck was the daughter Everleigh never had. The Memory House itself serves as a silent character in this novel as it’s the constant that ties them all together. Don and Bruno prove themselves time and again to be men who are trustworthy, loyal, kind and will always put their significant other’s needs before their own. Through it all, Hauck continues to point the reader to God by taking the worst situation and working it for good. She accomplishes this subtly by incorporating it into the story as the natural process of things rather than being overtly Christian. This is a wonderful book from start to finish and I highly recommend it! I was provided an ARC of this novel by Thomas Nelson Publishers and NetGalley. The opinions expressed here are completely my own and without influence.

Rachel Hauck has long been a must-read author, and with The Memory House that status has been cemented. She has outdone herself with this book. It easily is my favorite by this talented author. There is certainly romance, but the characters are what got me. Their stories resonated deep within me. This book is a highly recommended read.There are two story lines in The Memory House. Present day finds Beck Holliday, an NYPD sergeant whose forgotten childhood leaves her adrift in the world, while 50+ years before Everleigh Applegate is left widowed and feeling like love and happiness are something in the past. Each woman deals with grief and survivor’s guilt in a solitary manner, yet long for connection with others. The men that reach out to them have issues of their own, and I loved that about them. Neither man is a savior, but rather a partner in sorrow and joy. In fact all the characters, main and secondary, are flawed and so very real. I found myself connecting with them in so many things. The house that links the two women, the Memory House, is a wonderful setting and provides a place of comfort and safety as they make their way back to a full life. I also like that Hauck inserts a bit of fairytale into the women’s stories. It is subtle (I had to go back to the beginning to make sure I had it right), but wonderfully reminiscent of God’s care and provision in our lives.If you are a fan of romance or women’s fiction, you are in for a treat with The Memory House. I loved it and was sad to leave when the last page was turned.Highly Recommended.Audience: adults.

Masterful! This book was absolutely incredible! I have read a few of Rachel's other books in the past and fully enjoyed them, but I believe I've just discovered a new favorite! Each of the characters were magnificently developed and I instantly felt drawn into their world. Several twists and turns left me glued to the book until the very end.One thing that I loved about this story was that each of the characters were intricately developed with their own lives and struggles. It wasn't just a story about a girl who inherits a house and the people who show up to help her figure out why.  Each character had their own unique background where they were able to come alongside each other and walk through the obstacles of life together. I really don't want to spoil any details here, but just know that the character development for this story gets an A+++ rating.While the heartache in this story will probably lead you to reach over for a few tissues, it also holds wonderful healing. You don't have to live long to know that we live in a broken world full of broken people. Yet what is beautiful to see, is that it's through their brokenness that the characters are able to connect and come alongside one another as they desperately seek the healing their hearts crave. Without being overly preachy, faith was an unmistakable and significant element to each of their journeys.Simply put, this story was incredible and absolutely is a MUST-READ. I know for sure that this book will make my favorite reads list for 2019. I HIGHLY recommend it to everyone!

As always Rachel writes a book that you can't put down. But most of all, she is an author who is not afraid to express her Faith in God throughout the book. Her way of sliding from the Past to the Now is fascinating. Anyone who is not a Christian needs to be aware that you will end up at the end of this, and all Rachel's books, questioning your own beliefs. Yet, Rachel never sets out to "preach" to her readers, she writes a great piece of fiction in which she weaves her faith because this is a part of her.

Loved this story...love, history, redemption...it has it all. Rachel has become one of my favourite authors. Looking forward to the next book.

...this is not a book I would recommend unless you are looking for sap, cliches and religion. Way too much God for me and way too predictable.