The Memory House

Rachel Hauck

Apr 2019 · Sold by Thomas Nelson

About this ebook

The inspirational story of two women whose lives have been destroyed by disaster but find healing in a special house.

When Beck Holiday lost her father in the North Tower on 9/11, she also lost her memories of him. Eighteen years later, she’s a tough New York City cop burdened with a damaging secret, suspended for misconduct, and struggling to get her life in order.

When a mysterious letter arrives informing Beck that she’s inherited a house along Florida’s northern coast, she discovers something there that will change her life forever. Matters of the heart only become more complicated when she runs into handsome Bruno Endicott, a sports agent who has never forgotten their connection as teenagers. But Beck can't even remember him.

Decades earlier, widow Everleigh Applegate lives a steady, uneventful life with her widowed mother after a tornado ripped through Waco, Texas, and destroyed her new, young married life. When she runs into her former high school friend Don Callahan, she begins to yearn for change. Yet no matter how much she longs to love again, she is hindered by a secret she can never share.

New York Times bestselling author Rachel Hauck brings us a sweet romance where the power of love and the miracle of faith promise hope and healing in a beautiful Victorian home known affectionately as The Memory House.

• A split-time (contemporary and historical) standalone romance
• Book length: approximately 100,000 words
• Includes discussion questions for book clubs
• Also by Rachel Hauck: The Wedding Dress, Once Upon a Prince, and The Writing Desk

Ratings and reviews

THE MEMORY HOUSE. by Rachel Hauck Beck now facing of what happened that night with Hunter. Rescuing a dog, and knowing stepfather was allergic, guess she would need to get her own place, after all she was thirty one, As a cop which she loved, knew what to expect, the friendships there.Now suspended for four weeks without pay, Telling Hunter, that didn’t go beyond, him saying ‘my wife’. Getting a legal letter, stating that the will from a Mrs. Callahan in Florida, she had inherited a house, Was on Memory Lane, how they were connected, for herself, the memory of before her Dad died, are gone. This goes from the life of 1950-1960 to present with Beck, both suffered loss, facing the past and rebuilding to having another life. Given ARC by Net Galley and Thomas Nelson for my voluntary review and my honest opinion.

The Memory House is another beautiful story by Rachel Hauck. The Memory House is told from the perspective of Beck, Bruno, Everleigh and Don. We get to see how each of them came to be at the Memory House. The Memory House is well-written with thoughtful pacing. The characters suit the story and I like that we get to see them grow as individuals and in their faith. In The Memory House Don and Bruno help Everleigh and Beck deal with their grief. Grief takes a terrible toll on an individual and we each handle it differently. Beck was a teenager when her father died, and her mother was busy. She handled her grief by forgetting. Everleigh lost her husband, father, in-laws and her home all on one day. She clung to her grief and memories. Beck is now suspended from the force and dealing with a personal issue that will forever change her life. She was unprepared to meet Bruno with his continual references to their summers spent together when they were kids. Both women must deal with the past or they will be stuck living a half-life. God has a plan for these ladies’ lives. Joshua Christian was a mysterious character who provided little nudges when needed. I was little surprised to find intimate relations with a married man included in this Christian story along with violence to a suspect (even though he deserved it). Beetle Boo’s story will have you in tears. I wanted to take the sweet little dog into my arms and comfort him. Christian elements are light but impactful. It is true that God does work in mysterious ways. I enjoyed Beck’s Gilmore Girls marathon and the references to the characters (one of my favorite shows). My favorite sentence from The Memory House is “You could be Lana Turner or Marilyn Monroe on the outside, but if you ain’t got Jesus on the inside? Well, just leave your lipstick and mascara at home.” I liked how the characters stories connected and the book ended. The Memory House is one of those books that stay with you and puts a person in a reflective mood.

The Memory House By Rachel Hauck Eighteen years ago Beck Holiday forgot and she's come to accept the fact that she'll never remember any of her memories that have any link to her father. When the towers came down on September 11th Beck lost a huge portion of her life and herself. Her tough New York City cop persona is about to take a hit when her emotions get the better of her and she takes out her frustrations on a repeat offender in a manner that has her facing several weeks of unpaid suspension. And then there is this little personal matter she's tried to ignore - a matter that is about to change her life in a big way. In the midst of all her turmoil, Beck learns that she has inherited a house in Florida. Even more puzzling is why this Everleigh Callahan left her home in Fernandina Beach to her Beck Holiday? Could returning to Florida help Beck remember? She doubts it but she has the time on her hands thanks to her suspension and she'll need it to decide her future. When Beck Holiday returns in time to attend Miss Everleigh's memorial service Bruno Endicott couldn't be more surprised or pleased as he's never forgotten his first love. Unfortunately, Beck seemingly has no memories of him or their childhood summers together. Bruno is determined to be the friend that Beck needs as he again rebuilds his career as a sports agent. And just maybe something will reawaken what Beck has lost as they spend time together. While the current day story unfolds we are introduced to Everleigh Applegate a young woman of 1950s Texas who has her life just opening before her. She and her new husband have hopes and dreams for the future - their own home, a growing family and their growing love. But when tragedy strikes Everleigh makes a decision that she feels is unforgivable, one that is a betrayal of the love she and her husband shared. As the years pass Everleigh falls into a steady and hum ho type of existence. Life has seemingly passed her by until she has a chance encounter with brother's good friend. But a second chance at love - Everleigh just doesn't believe that is something she can chance her heart on again. How many times can a heart be broken and survive? Can the Memory House bring healing to a broken grieving heart? The Memory House is another enjoyable work from Rachel Hauck that binds two different eras together. In this case, the binding agent is the house - a house on which memories have been created and lost. A house where second chances are possible if one is willing to believe and have faith that God can work miracles. As with all of Rachel's standalone titles this would be an excellent book club selection as there is much to delve into and contemplate. When faced with what Everleigh faced how would one handle it? Would you willing lose all your memories of a loved simple to block out the grief and pain? Who deserves to be given a chance to reach for their dreams and goals? And could one forgive a betrayal? And the best part is the way Rachel weaves these very things into her work so smoothly that it is the heart of the story. I highly recommend this newest work from Rachel Hauck. Those familiar with her work will not be disappointed. And if you have never yet sampled her works this is a good place to start. I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher through BookLook Bloggers with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the author

Rachel Hauck is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA TODAY bestselling author of The Wedding Dress, which was also named Inspirational Novel of the Year by Romantic Times and was a RITA finalist. Rachel lives in central Florida with her husband and pet and writes from her ivory tower. Visit her online at RachelHauck.com; Facebook: RachelHauck; Twitter: @RachelHauck; Instagram: @rachelhauck.