Everything We leave behind is the sequel to Everything We Keep, and i definitely do not recommend reading them out of order. The beautiful story that begins in Keep concludes so satisfactorily in Leave behind. Kerry Lonsdale took an amazing premise - having to attend the funeral of your fiancee on the day that would have been your wedding, and also having to continue your life, and absolutely kept the promise of that premise! Her settings are beautifully detailed, and the pacing of the books is steady. I quickly became accustomed to her writing style, and the narration was simple to follow. I most appreciated the complexity of her characters. They were deeply layered with clear voices and I truly cared about the outcome of their stories. This set would make the perfect choice for a lazy vacation read.
I highly recommend the set.

I’ll start by echoing comments of other reviewers and recommending that readers read “Everything We Keep” before reading this one. This is a series (trilogy?) that definitely should be read in order. The structure of this book is different from Everything We Keep, and covers some of the same territory and time frame, but from James’/Carlos’ point of view rather than Aimee’s.
Everything We Keep ended on a huge cliffhanger, and this book takes up where that left off. From there it takes us back and forth in time. Lonsdale alternates between Carlos’ journals that catch James up with what’s happened while he was in his dissociative fugue state, and James dealing with being thrown back into “himself” with no memory of what’s happened to him during the past 6 years. The setting shifts between Mexico and California, as the first book did, and adds Hawaii to the mix. Most of the characters are the same. The mystery of James’ past is revealed, lots of family dysfunction (even more that we’d realized from the first book) and the surprising truth of what happened on that boat to send him into his fugue state.
I enjoyed this one as much as the first one (both were 4-star reads for me). It kept me interested and not quite sure of what had really happened on that boat (and which family members James could really trust) until near the end. And once again, this ends on a bit of a cliffhanger. l’ll have a wait, but I look forward to Lonsdale’s third installment.

Copy provided by Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing in exchange for an unbiased review.

This is the follow up to Everything We Keep. I really liked it but I thought the first book was better. I am glad James finds love and is able to piece some of the past together. There are a few twists which definitely keep the story interesting. I would recommend reading this book. It ties everything together. This book could be read as a standalone but I think would be more enjoyable read after Everything We Keep.

Great to read this one right behind the first one so everything is fresh. Great sequel.

As the first book ended on a cliffhanger I couldn't wait to jump into this story. It certainly didn't disappoint, the story was just as gripping as the first one & I read it in one day. I'm really looking forward to reading the next book in the series

This is the sequel to Everything We Keep. If you have not read Everything We Keep it is excellent and I highly recommend reading it first. . This is one of my top favorite authors and each book is a delight.
In this next book the author perfectly blends, loss, love and suspense. I was enthralled from the beginning and unable to put this book down to completion.
James Donato was presumed lost at sea 6 years ago and has reemerged. James has been living as a artist in Mexico with two children and support from his sister in law. He is without much memory of his boating trip with his Brother a known criminal. His Brother has been released from prison soon to re enter his life. As James returns to try to piece his former life together nothing is as it was . Everyone has moved on and he finds he cannot rebuild his life. He soon finds reason to fear his Brother and leaves for Hawaii to be with his sister in law and raise his children in peace. The events that occur are so well crafted by the author this reader found it impossible to put down this book. it is great writing as are her previous books. I look forward to the next in series. Thank you for the ARC that did not influence my review. I highly recommend each and every book by this author.

Another page turning story in this second book of a series. I suggest you read (Everything we keep) beforehand or you may get lost in the story line.
This time the story is mainly about James/Carlos, who after having been in a. Six and a half year dissociative fugue state, James reappears, forgetting the life he had for all of those years, including his two sons and Natalya, his sister in law, whom he has become close to, after the death of the boys mom. We hear a lot more about his family who were responsible for having him go into the dissociative fugue state initially. There are so many new developments happening all of the time throughout this story, that it makes you just want to keep reading. The story line goes back and forth between James present day life and that which he lived as Carlos in Mexico.
I am not usually one to read series, but I am definitely looking forward to the next book.
I have read all three of her books so far and am a big fan.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC of this book.

You need to read book one, Everything we Keep, before reading this book. I'm also excited to see that there is book three not too far in the future. We finally get the back story of Carlos/James and how he came to be in his fugue state. This book starts exactly as book one ended. It flips back and forth between time as James/ Carlos relates his tale. This story does tug at your heart strings and keeps your interest building.

A tricky situation fraught with problems. Forgetting a large part of your life is bad but forgetting twice a nightmare. Cleverly crafted story.

Wow. What a rollercoaster I felt like I was on with this book, it just kept coming. Loved it.

3* review for Everything We Left Behind by Kerry Lonsdale, the follow up to Everything We Keep.
The first chapter of this book is the same as the last chapter of the previous book, which is a brilliant idea for those who don't read the books back-to-back like i did. Carlos has now got some of his memories back and the book is told from one man’s two perspectives, which again can be confusing at times.

The story picks up and follows Aimee and her new life in the U.S.A. and James/Carlos Dominguez and his two sons and new life with Natalya in Mexico. The story combines mystery and romance in an exploration of loss and the compelling need to protect the ones we love at all cost, but James has to return to his old life in California and discover who his family members really are and who he can really trust.

Personally, i did not enjoy it as much as the first book because i got confused with the back story of the 3 brothers and the Donata company and it's underhand double dealings in Mexico. However, the storyline about James recovering from his fugue state, reading the letters and rediscovering his/Carlos' old life and children is fascinating and saved the book for me, especially the heartbreak we uncover about how the children are lost and confused at best, and just want their old dad back.

(This book is the sequel to Everything We Keep.)

Everything We Left Behind by Kerry Lonsdale

Brief Summary: This book is the second installment in the series and this time we get to hear what happened to James/Carlos. James entered into a dissociative fugue state after nearly losing his life and assumes a new identity. This story interweaves his past as Carlos and then present as James.

Highlights: I loved the love story between Carlos and Natalya. I also kept reading to find out how Carlos would come out of the fugue and what really happened to James. I think using dissociative fugue is an incredibly unique plot twist and I really liked the strategies that Carlos employed to help James remember. It was also both heart wrenching and touching to see how James dissociative fugue state impacted both his and Carlos’ loved ones.

Explanation of Rating: 4/5 This novel had a fairly steady quick pace and my intrigue kept me turning pages. I also thought the plot was original.

Psychology Factors: Dissociative fugue is a major point in the plot. Dissociative fugue is not a DSM-V diagnosis; but a specifier for Dissociative Amnesia. Unfortunately, the way it’s portrayed in the book is unrealistic. When it does occur it is more likely to last for months rather than years. The prevalence rate is low; which means that we also don’t know a lot about treatment or outcomes. Of course I like that they consulted with a neuropsychologist and it made for great fiction.

I actually liked this book more than the first in the series. I heard the third installment is coming next summer and I can’t wait. This is a great read for book clubs.

Thank you to Net Galley and Lake Union Publishing for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review

Having read Everything We Keep, I was excited to follow it up with Everything We Left Behind. I was not disappointed...great weaving of present and past to flush out a deep story with loads of twists. I felt deeply for all the characters and stayed up late to finish the book! Can't wait to read another book by Kerry Lonsdale!

Everything We Left Behind is the wonderfully written sequel to Everything We Keep. We find Carlos has woken from the fuge state and is now trying to cope being James. James must now try to reconnect with his sons while trying to figure out what happened in his past and who he can trust.
The story is told in alternating chapters between James life and his life as Carlos. A beautifully written story full of romance, suspense, and family drama. Thank you to Kerry Lonsdale and Lake Union Publishers for an ARC of this book

This was a complicated read, and can really only be read after the first book. I can not imagine what this hero goes thru-he must drive himself mad with these dual lives. I kinda sorta figured he would end up with the sister in law. Good read, not quite as good as the first one though.

I read the first book in this two book series and really enjoyed it. It was nice to catch up with Carlos/James again. My heart went out to the kids though especially Julian as he suffered the most according to me. If you haven't read the first book please do so before reading this one as it can't be read as a stand alone. A great story.

Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for sending a copy of both this book and its predecessor. Enjoyed both very much, but glad to have read Everything We Keep first or would not have got so much from this book as the story is quite complex. This part of the tale was told by James/Carlos, jumping between the present time and the background, five years ago. Was a little surprised by the last few chapters. Looking forward to the next in the series.

Everything we left behind is a sequel so please read the first book - Everything we Keep. It's a fast paced story and I couldn't put it down till I finished it. Definitely recommended!

Thanks to, Amazon publishing and Kerry Lonsdale for this ARC. I liked the story. I read the first book then immediately read this second one. I liked the twists and turns in it. I liked the character of Claire much better in this book, but she also confused me. Such a terrible mother in book one. Then in book two, she's like the best mother ever, right up to the end..interested to see where this character goes.
Reviews in Goodreads and Amazon to follow.

As much as I enjoyed the first book, Everything We Keep, this one was maybe a bit better. It's a great series and I can't wait for the next one.

After all Aimee and James went through and lost I think this story made it all worthwhile. In a sense anyway. Aimee moved on and James is trying too, after awaking from being a totally different person.

I loved that he, James, was so forgiving towards his brother and so trusting with Natalya. His love for his boys is wonderful and so touching. All the stress and fear and anger James and his son Julian went through was sad but in the end it all worked out. James/Carlos was a wonderful dad who would have risked anything to keep his boys and the woman/women he loved safe.

I was very angry that his mother let him and Thomas suffer at the hands of their father. My opinion is there is never an excuse to allow that kind of abuse. She was by far no angel. I understand Phil's anger towards them all also. But was happy he learned from his mistakes.

Wonderful heartfelt story that had me from the first book and now I will be looking forward to the next one.

I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. I loved this book very much, thus the stars. Great job Ms Lonsdale. Truly a wonderful story.