Remembrance by Michelle Madow
Released: July 27, 2011
ISBN13: 9780615512
2.5/5 Stars
Goodreads Synopsis:
New Hampshire high school junior Lizzie Davenport has been reincarnated from Regency Era, England ... but she doesn't know it yet.
Then Drew Carmichael transfers into Lizzie's school at the beginning of the year, and she feels a connection to him, almost like she knows him. She can't stop thinking about him, but whenever she tries talking with him about the mysteries behind her feelings, he makes it clear that he wants nothing to do with her. Reaching him is even more difficult because she has a boyfriend, Jeremy, who has started to become full of himself after being elected co-captain of the varsity soccer team, and her flirtatious best friend Chelsea starts dating Drew soon after his arrival. So why can't she seem to get him out of her mind?
Even though Lizzie knows she should let go of her fascination with Drew, the pair of them soon find that fighting fate isn't going to be easy.
2.5 Stars (rounded up to 3)
I thought Michelle Madow's spin on fated lovers and reincarnated lives was an interesting one when meshed together with the influence of Taylor Swift's "love story".
I'm a sucker for all things Swifty- I'm a HUGE T Swift fan and I was tremendously excited and curious when I heard about this book, and I really wanted to love it.
And parts of the story really did intrigue me; I was completely enthralled with the past lives of Liz and Drew. I looked forward to every little hint towards what their lives had been like in the past, as it was slowly revealed.
I was also impressed with Madow's writing; the pacing was good and the story was easy to follow along and read.
But what really bothered me about this book were the characters. I had a hard time connecting with Remembrance's characters, any of them. In fact, I was probably more interested in the secondary characters than the main characters. I just didn't care for Elizabeth, Drew, Jeremy, or Chelsea; the friendship between Liz and Chelsea is probably what I found most disappointing.
They were set up as best friends, but I failed to see much of a friendship aspect between them. Liz seemed to spend more time complaining bitterly about Chelsea's relationship with Drew than anything else; and while Jeremy was a huge jerk to her, so was Drew at times. And Liz wasn't always such a sweetheart herself, either. There was too much teen angst for very little outcome, besides a happily ever after for the romantic interests.
That being said, I really did enjoy the beginning of the book, although there were still a few bits that rubbed me the wrong way regarding the characters even then. But after reading this, I am interested in seeing what else Michelle Madow writes in the future.
Review copy provided from the author in exchange for my honest review; no other compensation was received. Thank you, Michelle!
