Book review: Thanks for the Memories

By Cecilia Ahern

Book review: Thanks for the Memories

Hey Besties! Welcome back for another book review.

Have you ever donated blood? Or experienced deja vu? Or both, actually.

Cecilia Ahern takes us on a journey with Joyce Conway, a young Irish woman, who wakes up after a blood transfusion. But here's the kicker: after the transfusion, she starts experiencing deja vu so vivid that she begins to question her reality. Where are these brand new memories coming from?

She doesn't exactly have time for this. She's got plenty on her plate already. The only grounding force in her life at that moment is her father, Henry.

I know I'm asking a lot of questions today, but do you know anything about the red string theory? When everything conspires to bring two soulmates together amidst life's obstacles. I strongly believe that happened to her.

Joyce starts dreaming of a little girl, and I cannot imagine how difficult it must be as a newly single woman trying to find her groove back. Was the universe playing tricks on her? Or purposely torturing her with these brand new memories that were never hers to begin with?

I found this book at a small library cafe, drawn in by the cover (yes, I am that shallow, unfortunately). And I shelved it for a while until I started gravitating toward the colour purple and thought, "Well, this book sure fits the theme".

One aspect that stood out for me was Joyce's relationship with her father, supportive, although he does not always understand her. And I think that’s the mystery of parenthood: no matter how well you know yourself, your child may take a path that only makes sense to them, although they are a part of you. All you can really do is guide with love.

I really liked Henry's character.

There is more that happens in Joyce's love life... but I’ll leave that for you to discover.

I would rate it a solid 8.5/10.

Why?

Well, to begin, the writing is lovely, the plot is beautiful, and the themes merge seamlessly. My only moment of confusion came with the scenery shifts, switching between Joyce’s and Justin’s points of view in Thanks for the Memories was a challenge, but that did not stop me from emjoying the book.

What about you? Do you believe in the red string theory?

Don't hesitate to reach out, I write back ;)