The Memory Child by Steena Holmes

When Brian finds out that his wife, Diane, is pregnant, he is elated. He's been patiently waiting for twelve years to become a father. But Diane has always been nervous about having children because of her family's dark past. The timing of the pregnancy also isn't ideal - Diane has just been promoted, and Brian is being called away to open a new London office for his company.

Fast-forward one year: being a mother has brought Diane a sense of joy that she'd never imagined and she's head over heels for her new baby, Grace. But things are far from perfect: Brian has still not returned from London, and Diane fears leaving the baby for even a moment. As unsettling changes in those around Diane began to emerge, it becomes clear that all is not as it seems.

A woman's dark past collides head-on with her mysterious present in this surreal and gripping family drama.

  I really loved reading this book; it seemed at times that it was a true story more than a work of fiction. I loved how I could almost see myself as the main character “Diane” and being in her situation. The way the story unfolds and is told I believe will help anyone who reads this book to follow along easier and not get confused. Each chapter tells which character’s viewpoint the story is being “told” through and gives a general date (month and year).  I had a hard time getting into “Brian’s” character; I felt like he was hiding something throughout the entire book and that he seemed too good to be true. When I was on the last chapter of the book I was really surprised by the ending. I thought I had figured the story out a little more than ½ way through the book, but I was really surprised by the ending.  

    I was really sympathetic to Diane’s situation and felt bad that she couldn’t remember everything that had happened to her. I felt sorry for her that she ended up in a mental hospital and that she couldn’t remember her husband dying.  I think however, that it was her way of coping though to think that “Brian” had left her instead of him dying. I was really surprised by the ending; I thought it was going to end much different than it did. 

     I think Ms. Holmes did a wonderful job with this book; just when the reader thinks they know the entire story then the author is able to give a twist to the end of the story. I think mainly women will like this book especially because  I think quite a bit of women will be able to relate to this story. I really liked reading this author and I plan to read more of her books; I highly recommend this author to other readers. I give this book and Ms. Holmes an “A+.”

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.  Tiffany