Elaine White's Life in Books

While this was an interesting concept that kept me wondering what was going to happen next, the main plot arc was so obvious that I knew exactly how it would end by 26%, which meant that I spent the rest of the book wondering how it was going to happen and why it needed so long to take place. Eventually, I did get that the reveal had to come in stages and I really enjoyed the journey; it was so intriguing that I didn't put it down until 3am.

However, the author is apparently new to the business, from the claims at the back of the book and I feel like I should point out that there are some really professional parts missing: no copyright information, no author bio or links. It needed a lot more editing and a check of formatting before being published, because the indentations of paragraphs was all over the place, there were commas in weird places and it could have used a real polish by a beta reader/editor or two before going into publication. The cover could also have used some work, because it's very vague, not clear and quite plain. But, as I said, this is all something that authors learn as they go along, so hopefully they'll take this as advice and not criticism. Apart from editing, fixing the cover, formatting, copyright, author bio etc and even some of the editing, can all be done either free or for less than £20. It's worth the investment.

When it comes to the writing, I liked it. The author gave us what we needed to know, but it all felt a little too much like 'paint by numbers' plotting, in the end. Things happened conveniently at the right place, like finding that note, getting shivery and such, and there wasn't one scene where we didn't learn something important or that wasn't about Connor and Nate's growing feelings for each other. It might have been nice to see some other aspect of his new life taking shape.

I liked that we got to see the support group, but no one was really putting in any effort, which made it nothing more than a tool for Nate and Connor to meet. I liked the characters we met at the support group, but again they were all just reflective surfaces to help Connor figure himself out; I'd liked to have seem something more akin go a friendship form between these people.

However limited it made the story, I liked that it was realistic in the way that Connor was broke, even when he was living with his wife, although that doesn't explain how he could play golf, which my own dad does, and is very expensive. It also doesn't explain where he got the money or how he hid the money to buy such an expensive necklace. But, seeing them all go to the Unemployed Men's Club, going to sign on and having to wait for money, having to search for jobs, was all really nicely done and quite realistic. I do question, however, how quickly Connor was seen by a doctor and how easily they gave him medication. I'm also surprised that the hospital never attempted a check-up with him, or gave him any help in regaining his memories. I don't believe they'd release him into the care of someone he didn't know, without his permission, either. So I have to question the reality of those situations, but they worked for the story.

Being a 1st person narrative, we were only ever able to see Connor's side of things, but I think it worked. I did find that there were a few times we were told something, then it was immediately explained when it was quite clear what the meaning was in the first place.

There was a nice pace and progression throughout, both with the memory issue and the relationship. I loved that we got to see the progression of chemistry between Connor and Nate. There was some nice characterisation for both of them and Emma, who I hated with a passion. I really couldn't stand knowing that she, their mutual friends and even his work colleague Janey had kept such a big secret from hi, trying to force him into this little box of who they thought he used to be. It's a serious violation of their friendship, but also grossly immortal and I loved that we were able to feel all the things Connor felt, when the big secrets were finally revealed. Nate, for me, was my favourite character, because of how genuine he was from the first, how he took care of Connor even when Connor wasn't aware he needed it.

In the end, I would have liked an epilogue from maybe a year or two later, to show how they'd rebuilt their lives after regaining their memories, find out if the others, like Gregory and Marge had regained theirs. The plot needed fleshing out a little, maybe removing some of the less important aspects like detailing the hospital beginning, the job centre stuff and focused more on Connor finding out who he was, exploring his character and Nate's. With some work, this could be a great 4 or 5 star story.

Favourite Quote

"I clung to more than his skin and limbs, I was keeping hold of him, of Nate, who was looking out for me, good to me. Who told me things about browning meat and making good pastry, pinched my arse to get the duvet off me at night, and who blew raspberries on my stomach."