What the Heart Remembers: A Memory House Novel, Book 3

Bette Lee Crosby

Nov 2015 · Memory House Series Book 3 · Richard Crosby

About this eBook

CAN YOU TRULY TRUST THE MEMORIES OF YOUR HEART?

Max Martinelli spent her junior year of college in Paris, and fell in love. Julien was a wickedly handsome young man who was crazy in love with her, or so she thought. He was a free-spirited artist and she an aspiring architect—impressionable, young, and standing on the brink of womanhood.

That was over three years ago but the memory of him still haunts her. Max’s life is stuck on hold because she can’t stop wondering what would have happened if she had gone back. Was Julien simply part of the magic of Paris? Or was he meant to be her destiny?

After a New Year’s Eve party that ends in disaster and bad dreams, Max decides to find out once and for all. She is going to return to Paris and search for Julien. But will her search bring forever after happiness or a truth so ugly it will change her life forever?

What the Heart Remembers is Book Three in the Memory House Series

REVIEWER PRAISE FOR THE MEMORY HOUSE SERIES

“A magical book of memories, treasures and stories from a Masterful Southern Storyteller” Judith D. Collins, top 1000 Goodreads Reviewer

“Magical realism that will enchant…” Heidi, Rainy Day Ramblings

“Wonderful, heartwarming story of love and life…” Sherry Fundin, Reviewer 

“Crosby does more than leave you with memories of her books, she leaves footprints on a reader’s heart…” Suzie, Book Bunny Reviews

Ratings and reviews

I have been enthralled with the Memory House series since book one but those of you who haven't read one or two can read this as a stand alone book with no problem. My problem is that I am now totally invested in these characters. I want to sit and have tea with them some afternoon. This particular book in the series concentrates on Max. The way the book goes about setting up Max's future is by revisiting her past in the present day. Is that confusing enough for you? It won't be when you pick up the book. Trust me! I am looking forward to additional books in this series.

received this book in exchange for an honest review. Another great book by Bette Lee Crosby! The characters in her books are so real and well developed. She develops a story for each character. This is an excellent read with just a little romance thrown in. Although this is part of a series of books, it can be read as a standalone novel. I would recommend this to anyone. Max spent three years in Paris studying architecture. While she was there she met Julien. He was an artist with an inclination to be light fingered. They fell in love and when Max left to come back to America, Julien agreed to eventually reunite with her in the US. Three years has passed and Max hasn’t heard from Julien. She wants to move forward with her life but can’t because of the loose ties from her time in Paris. She decides to go back to Paris to see if she can find Julien and see if they both still have feelings for each other. Her reunion is nothing like she expected. But she does run into an old acquaintance, Andrew. Andrew helps her out of a tough spot and they get to know each other better. Could Andrew be the man of her dreams or is Max meant to stay with Julien?

I love all of Bette's stories and the characters in them, but I think some of my favorites are the ones in the Memory House series. What the Heart Remembers is book #3 and in this book, we learn more about Max and her memories of her time in Paris. Her life has been in limbo, waiting for her love, Julien to contact her. It's been three years since she has heard from him. She decides to head to Paris to find him, to make sure nothing has happened to him. But if she goes back, will she find things to be as wonderful as she remembers, or do memories change over time and we remember things as we want them to be? 'People who think they’re in love are blind to anything but what they want to see.' I love my trips back to Memory House where I get to revisit the wonderful people I have come to love and enjoyed spending time with in the past. Good old Ophelia is still going strong and offers her support and love to the new residents of Memory House. 'I spent most of my ninetieth year waiting to die. Now I’m wishing I had that year back. Instead of worrying about dying, I’d be celebrating the fact that I’m still living.' Annie and Oliver, the new owners of Memory House take a minor but supporting role is this story, which is centered on Max. But we see enough of them to feel like we are 'catching up' with their lives. Annie and Max are good friends and Annie knows Max has to take this trip, but that doesn't stop her from worrying. 'When you’re afraid someone you love is going to be hurt, doing nothing is the hardest thing in the world.' Max learns a lot about Julien, and about herself, while she is in Paris. I loved watching her grow and look for her happiness. And this story made me want to take a trip to Paris someday ... some day, sigh. As always, Bette's books are so full of wisdom and wonderful words to live by. I find myself marking so many passages when I read her stories. Her stories are just so beautiful and it is so easy to fall in love with the people she has created. I look forward to going back to visit Memory House again, sometime soon. 'As I stood there thinking about all that was lost, I started realizing I hadn’t lost anything. I still had all my memories.'