This is a beautiful, warm story about the past secrets, pain, shame and forgiveness. And grace.

Families are complicated and both Tanner and Natalie have been dealing with many issues rooted in the past and unraveling in the now. As well as their own family members. But grace and healing are possible. Even after the years. Even after many serious hurts. There can be warmth, reconciliation, new beginnings.

Ms West is now on my auto-read program. She is so tuned into the real problems of today's people! Her conflicts are spot-on and her recognition of the pain of the heart is immense. She knows what the heartbreak is, how it feels to live with secrets and how it is to feel alone to live with them. And she can offer the grace like it is a warm sweater and a cup of quality hot chocolate after walking in the cold, she can make feel you like coming home.

Sure, the ends for the characters feel very easy and everything is solved out so graciously, that you feel like this could never happen in your messy life. Yet...the messy life is still ongoing, so who knows? And grace is an everyday gift.

And yes, Tanner is hot.

4.5 stars, Top Pick
West is masterful at creating true-to-life family drama that all readers can identify with. Multidimensional characters have realistic struggles that resonate, especially when it comes to facing the past and learning to move forward. Tanner and Natalie's relationship develops naturally and not predictably. Some heavy topics — such as PTSD, end of life dilemmas and child custody decisions — are handled with grace and thoughtfulness. The faith journeys of the characters always shine through, even in the darker moments of questioning.
Natalie Mitchell's twin sister died many years ago while the two were visiting their grandparents' winery in California. Now an adult and working for her father, Natalie returns to see if the winery can be saved or if it is losing so much money that it should be shut down. Tanner Collins is the vintner, and also happens to be Natalie's old friend. He doesn't trust that she has the winery's best interests at heart, but he's also dealing with many personal issues of his own. Natalie and Tanner clash at first, but soon come to understand that in order to move on toward a successful future, each one needs to face the past, even if that means heartache along the way.

Thomas Nelson and NetGalley provided me with an electronic copy of The Memory of You. I was under no obligation to review this book and my opinion is freely given.

It has been thirteen years since Natalie Mitchell lost her twin sister in a car accident, but the memories have made it almost impossible for the young woman to function. Taking a break from her PR job at her father's firm, Natalie's parents send her to her grandfather's vineyard, the place where her issues began. Although her father has an ulterior motive for pushing for the visit, will Natalie finally be able to come to peace regarding her sister's death? Will being with friends and family from the past provide the comfort and support that Natalie needs?

The beginning of The Memory of You was good, with the Christian undertones subtle. By the second half of the book, the references to faith and the Bible were too frequent and took away from the story itself. The author uses the Christian vehicle to drive the plot, but this truly was not necessary. Instead of working through her pain and suffering, Natalie just explains it all away as a plan from a higher power. This took away from the emotional quality of the story and was a missed opportunity, in my opinion. Readers who are looking for clean Christian romance will probably enjoy The Memory of You, but it was an average read for me.

A well written story about families and the secrets they carry. I enjoyed this story and it's many layers. It was hard to put down!

Be prepared to sob at least once in this emotional novel. But also be prepared to smile, giggle and of course SWOON – as well as having your faith challenged and reaffirmed.

The Memory of You by Catherine West is powerful and compelling. It wrestles with issues like mental illness, PTSD, family conflict, the crippling effects of guilt and the spiraling damage of drug abuse. Yet at the same time, the heaviness of these topics is perfectly counterbalanced with the sweetness of reignited romance, well-timed wit and genuine affection. Tying all of these threads together is a clear picture of authentic faith – the highs and the lows, the doubts, the clarity, and the sweetness of grace.

Natalie and Tanner’s romance gently builds from a childhood friendship and from shared adult-sized pain. Tanner is just plain yummy despite his flaws, and Natalie really is his ideal match. This is not to say that their road to happily-ever-after is smooth and uncomplicated. Quite the contrary. Both bring as much emotional baggage to the table as a Hollywood socialite brings luggage on vacation, and neither especially trusts the other when first reconnected. But as their friendship rebuilds, old attractions once again ignite and readers are advised to keep a fan handy for the kisses that eventually follow!

Bottom Line: The Memory of You doesn’t shy away from the pain of life. But neither does it shy away from the audacity of grace. The combination of the two makes for a riveting read that sinks deep into the heart and swirls up truth in the soul. The main characters are vivid and layered, and the secondary characters are complex and delightful. This story is sweet and healing and provides the best of both worlds – authentic struggles against a backdrop of redemption and restoration. Have a tissue box (for the ugly-crying) and a fan (for the swooning) close at hand.

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

What a ride this book was! You're pulled into this well written story right away with the heartbreaking drama that both Natalie, Tanner and their families are going through. You feel their pain as each member struggles with different issues. But you also feel the hope and healing that starts to take place as they each learn to let go, to love again, to forgive, and to accept the help of family, friends, and a God that offers new life and the ultimate grace!

This book is heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. Dealing with deep issues such as death, guilt, depression, PTSD, bi-polar personality, drug abuse and abandonment, this is not a lighthearted read. But this talented author also takes you to a place of hope and light with grace, forgiveness, healing, second chances and reconciliation with earthly fathers as well as our heavenly Father. We ALL have drama and issues in our lives and it is heartening to read that there is hope and healing. :)

It is definitely worth reading and I will no doubt read more by this author! If I had a complaint it would just be that there were so many, many issues being dealt with and several different threads to the story, that it could get overwhelming at times.

*Thanks to Just Commonly and the publisher for a complimentary copy of this book. I was not paid or required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are my own.*

A very emotional read. Ms. West has the ability to write with such description you can smell the grapes on the vine. She writes so clearly, and with such clarification you feel everything the character does. Her books are not to be missed!

This is the first book I've read by Catherine West and I was pleasantly surprised! I somehow assumed that the book would fit more in the women's fiction genre, but there was a great romantic relationship that grew throughout the story as well as complex family dynamics. Natalie and Tanner are both hurting from painful experiences in their pasts that make it take time for them to rekindle their childhood friendship. I loved the depth of emotion in the author's writing and her lovely way of describing the setting and its influence on the characters. While there is drama, pain and angst during this transition season in the characters' lives, there is also healing, hope, and blossoming love. I felt like the responses and reactions of Natalie and Tanner were realistic instead of idealized, and it made their personalities and relationship more genuine. I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading more by the author!

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

Thank you Netgalley for my ARC in exchange for an honest book review.

I was not too sure if I wanted to read this book, but after reading that it takes place in Sonoma County, CA (Vineyard Country) and being a wine lover myself, I thought I'd give it a shot....and I was not disappointed. This book was off to a slow start, but picked up after the first few chapters. The main character is Natalie and Natalie hasn't been able to get over the loss of her twin sister, due to an accident, when they were 13. While there is some drama in this book, it's nothing that most of us don't encounter in our every day lives. It's an emotional, heartbreaking book, at times, but teaches a valuable lesson about forgiveness.

Overall I did like this book and it taught me a couple of lessons along the way. It's a feel good, light read and the wine setting made it a bit relaxing, which is something I look for when reading books. I would definitely recommend this book for those that might be struggling with loss and/or forgiving yourself for past choices you might've made.

Catherine West knows how to take a story that, if taken at a surface level is just another "poor little rich girl finds some gumption and romance," and goes so much deeper and makes it so much more. She gets me invested in characters and their circumstances and makes my heart ache for their brokenness.

Natalie Mitchell has decided to give herself a second chance. She no longer allows herself to take a passive or care-taking role based on past choices and the presumptions and expectations of overbearing family members.

Tanner Collins is a bit like some Jane Austen heroes in that he comes off as being a bit of a jerk for quite a bit of the story. But he slowly becomes more sympathetic, and the scene where he sees his office after Natalie gets through with it? It had me both smiling and snickering.

Now, I thought I had my bearings with this story - faith issues, trust issues, grief, depression, complicated families - then chapter 13 started and threw me for a loop. A new character is introduced into a sub-plot that really left me wanting more. I do love it when secondary characters pop up and say "you'd love me and my story, too!"

The Memory of You is about secrets, second chances, and forgiveness. If you enjoy a well told tale that touches your heart, a bit of mystery and a sweet romance, or just really like stories of messy families set in California wine country, then this is an excellent choice. Highly recommended and I will anxiously wait for more from this author.

This review refers to a finished copy I voluntarily received from the publisher, Thomas Nelson, in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own. An ebook review copy was also received through NetGalley.

Loved this book!
Natalie Mitchell works for her father's company and does his bidding, so when her grandfather has a heart attack and she is sent to the family winery to shut it down, she complies. Upon her arrival, she finds her grandfather out working, not the frail man she expected to find. Also, there is Tanner, who is running the winery with ideas of how to get it on it's feet once again and thriving. For the first time, Natalie, puts her father off to watch and see if the winery can really become profitable, rather than closing down operations and getting back to her father's corporation.
And, if you enjoy a little romance, well, you won't be disappointed.
Great read!
I received an ecopy of this book from the publisher, Thomas Nelson and Netgalley in exchange of my honest review.

This book was full of emotions, and I experienced every emotion right along with the characters. I laughed and cried (several times in fact). I felt sympathy, sadness, hope and grace. I was connected to this storyline and found myself wanting to help Natalie and Tanner through their grief.

Although some may call this a romance novel, I feel it is so much more than that. Both Natalie and Tanner had regrets and secrets from their past that were eating them alive. The real story was about their journey. Journey to healing, journey to letting go, journey to moving on, and journey back to the Lord. It was not an easy path for either character, just like it is not always easy for us. It bothers me when an author brings two troubled characters together, they become a couple and then poof – all their problems are gone and they can live happily ever after without addressing their issues. That is not the case here at all, and I appreciated the story more so because of it.

Ms. West paints a picture as you read her story, at least in my mind. The painting starts out kind of dark, with no pure light in sight. But as you stand there looking at it, little glimpses of color come into sight offering peach and hope. As you continue to dwell on it, the darkness begins to fade and the color shines brighter. Much like the story of Natalie and Tanner. Hope and peace were there, in their reach and in their light. They just had to look for it.

Overall this was a wonderful book. It did bother me the way Sarah and Jeffrey’s characters interacted near the end of the book – I did not feel it did their storyline justice at all. I would have rather liked to see that open ended, and perhaps a future book. Their reactions seemed rushed compared to the other things that were happening in the story, which surprised me because all the decisions and plot lines from the other characters seemed to go at a moderate to slower pace. Aside from this, I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Memory of You by Catherine West is a highly emotional story of Natalie and Tanner as they and their families are in the midst of grief-stricken situations. Heartwrenching and yet heartwarming as feelings are worked through and resolution and restoration occur. Natalie is sent to shut down the family vineyard, Maoilios, that Tanner has been managing for the last several years. Will shutting down Maoilios get rid of the past and its secrets? Childhood friends but now at odds with each other, can Natalie and Tanner stop the blaming and begin to heal? Where is God in all that is going on? Tanner has put Him on a shelf and Natalie doesn't know why He would bother to answer her prayers. The author brings a richness to her characters as they deal with the realism of death, PTSD, and family issues. The Memory of You is a wonderful story of family, friends, and faith--a story of mercy, forgiveness, love and redemption. A beautiful story of second chances.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. I was not required to write a review and the opinions are my own.

"The house now soothed and scared her. Bade her welcome like an old friend, but held a warning like a long forgotten journal, tattered pages filled with too much pain." (15)

What memories do you have that when taken hold, will do all sort of things in your heart and mind? The Memory of You by Catherine West does just that. Bringing a story of regrets past, it stirs up more than hurt in the characters' mind, but also the sweet memories. Maybe for the readers too.

Heartbreaking yet filled with grace, the author has a way in handling the most difficult subjects, that is every bit a reality as it is in fiction. Can you relate to Tanner or Natalie? What about their families that either are with them each step or not at all cognizant of what is going on? Sometimes the regrets, the memories, the hurt may not reveal itself on the surface, detrimental to any type of relationship, and even eventually one's daily life. Healing may take more than time, but allowing change, allowing memories to not be forgotten but embraced, and ultimately allowing God's grace to work it all together. My heart took a turn with this story. It stayed with me for more days than typical, as my heart and mind reserve the reaction to a select few only, and The Memory of You is one. It's not only the story of The Memory of You, but what the story evoked in me.

Beautifully written, intrinsically ingrained with love, faith and grace, and the slow-burn of romance through time that makes The Memory of You worth a place in your shelves and in your memory.

"Funny how one smile from her could reach right through him and turn on the lights, even on the darkest of days" (270)


Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, and have not been compensated for this. This is my honest opinion.

I always enjoy the work by Ms West...this novel was no exception. Have shared this story w/ all of my reading friends.

For me this was a wonderful story! Once I picked this book up I couldn't put it down. It has heart touching story line with complex characters that kept me glued to the pages.
I could feel the turmoil Natalie experienced just jump off the pages. Natalie's feeling were both raw and real. She is haunted by memories from 13 years ago and a secret she has kept close to her heart. As she feels her life is coming apart she returns to the one place she feels safest, Maoilios, the family winery located in California. She has two goals in mind: to finally make her father proud of her and to hopefully lay some ghosts to rest.
Tanner Collins had my heart from the moment I met him. He stepped up when no one else would. He has a wonderful relationship with Hal, but everything feels threatened with Natalie's arrival. He suspects her of betrayal of the one person who has not only his loyalty, but also his love.
This is a book I would recommend to anyone who loves a good story. Be warned this is a one setting read, or at least it was for me. This was the first book from Cathy West I have read, but it won't be the last.
**I received this book from NetGalley and was not required to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Rated 4.5 - THE MEMORY OF YOU by Catherine West seized my interest from the beginning with its vineyard setting, then riveted me with its emotional journey. An excellent character-driven story of broken faith transformed, THE MEMORY OF YOU is packed with thought-provoking issues. Listed as women’s fiction, this novel also excels in the inspirational romance category. Fans of sweet romance books, which are still a bit edgy with flawed characters, will enjoy this one immensely.

Catherine West is a new-to-me author, so I had no expectations. I was thrilled when this novel kept hitting my preferences. Natalie Mitchell is fighting PTSD from a tragic event in her life. Not willing to admit her weakness to her perfectionist father, Natalie jumps at the chance to visit her grandfather and evaluate their family’s failing vineyard. Her father thinks Natalie will agree with his assessment and advise the closure of the winery. But, her grandfather believes Natalie’s heart lies with this land.

All my favorite tropes are in this novel. First, it takes place in Sonoma, California, at a family-run vineyard. I love books that feature American farming ingenuity. Next, we have a heroine facing PTSD instead of the hero, which I found exceedingly interesting, especially since we don’t know the full extent of Natalie’s situation. The author releases the specifics slowly through interaction with the other characters. In true women’s fiction style, the emotive tally is heightened until we find out the startling reason behind Natalie’s illness.

Next, we have the reunited “best friends” theme and we’re introduced to Tanner Collins, Grandpa’s right-hand-man and vintner. Tanner was also Natalie’s first crush when they were teens. Tanner has worked hard for the vineyard and he doesn’t appreciate Natalie’s interference. He also has the added responsibility of caring for his sister’s children while she recovers from an accident. When Natalie and Tanner begin to compare their lives, they realize they have a lot more in common than they imagined, including their loss of faith.

Then, we have the MIA uncle who decides to come home for a breather and make amends. And secrets – lots of secrets to add to the emotion that’s sure to build. Natalie is a mess emotionally, but it’s reasonable considering her personal losses. Add that to all the things left unsaid between their families and you have the perfect mix for a maelstrom when all these strong-willed people decide they have the answers that don’t agree with God’s plan for their future.

I thought that the faith aspects seemed overdone in some respect, when it could have been kept to fewer characters and evolved more realistically. It was beautifully rendered, so it didn’t undermine my enjoyment, but it did make me wonder how I would have reacted with less. There were quite a few complications to be resolved that seemed to be jammed up at the end of the story. That made me want to skip ahead to find out what was going on, so I had to force myself to slow down and enjoy the journey.

THE MEMORY OF YOU is a captivating book with two love stories, lots of heartrending emotion, a passel of people renewing their faith, layered with cute kids and dogs, closing with a feel-good conclusion of hope. The author didn’t shy away from life’s challenges such as death, divorce, lies, and the reverberating effects. Be prepared to shed a few tears, even in the beauty of the resolutions. This novel is so close to a top rating of 5 for me, that I consider it a recommended read at 4.5. I can’t wait to delve into Catherine West’s backlist.

Reviewed by Dorine, courtesy of The Zest Quest.

“The Memory of You” is the second novel I’ve read by Catherine West and it reinforces my desire to never miss any of her future books. This author has a gift of reaching into her characters’ innermost beings and allowing her readers to know their very souls. Poignant yet hopeful is one way I would describe this particular novel.

Beautifully written, “The Memory of You” is a story of healing and second chances and overcoming the past. I loved how Tanner and Natalie were able to renew their lost friendship and eventually their love for each other. The story is an emotional roller coaster as Natalie is brought back to the place where her nightmares began and she is forced to come face-to-face with the truth and let God’s grace set her free from the guilt she feels.

This is a well written story with great characters. It deals with sensitive topics such as depression, mental illness, and grief. I would recommend this book if you enjoy contemporary women's fiction.

I received this book for free for the purpose of review.