I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. Lisa Jewell is one of my go to authors and I was so excited to be approved to read this! As usual she does NOT disappoint! This book grabs you on page one and by the time you finish it you will love Melody Browne and be ugly crying. You should just plan to give up your day in order to read this as you aren't going to move from your couch once you start! I highly recommend this book!

This book was originally published in 2009. It reads just as good today. It's no wonder Melody has blanked out her childhood memories since a fire when she was 9 years old. The first 8 years are a blank slate until one night she attends a show and a hypontist puts her under. She starts getting flashbacks and goes on a quest to find the truth. It's a sad journey but has a good outcome. I enjoy Lisa Jewell's books and I'm surprised I missed this one but I'm glad it's being re-released. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

The Truth about Melody Browne is a re-release of a book that was first published in 2009. I'm glad it was re-released, otherwise, I might never have read it.

The beginning was a bit wonky. It was hard to figure out what was happening. Melody is a single mother in her 30s but her memory does not exist prior to the age of 9 when her family's house burned down. She goes to a hypnotist's performance, gets called on stage and after her hypnosis experience, strange recollections start coming into her memory. At this point I was almost ready to abandon the book.....it was hard to keep things straight, the memories were not sequential, did not make sense and I was confused. It all seemed quite disjointed.

Then, slowly, the memories start to come into order. And the book starts to make sense. Melody is finding out who she really is and what had happened in her young life. It is not always pretty, some things are quite tragic.

Throughout the book, I was quietly cheering Melody on. She seemed like a lost soul, trying to figure herself out. The ease with which Melody was able to rediscover her past was a bit unrealistic. But, it was still a fun and entertaining read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an Advance Readers Copy

Another excellent offering from Lisa Jewell. The Truth About Melody Browne is a recommended first purchase for collections where thrillers are popular.

I honestly didn't realize this was an older Lisa Jewell book. However, she is a wonderful author and the book (just one of many) showcases that talent. Thankful to NetGalley for allowing me a copy of this book.

Thanks Netgalley for a copy of THE TRUTH ABOUT MELODY BROWNE BY LISA JEWELL.
I always enjoy Lisa Jewell novels, this one is no exception. Sad in parts but also beautifully written. Loved the character of Melody.

I didn’t realize that The Truth About Melody Browne is actually one of Lisa Jewell’s earlier books and that this book is more contemporary than thriller. Overall, I enjoyed the storyline and loved the fast paced writing style. Switching from past to present really kept me on my toes as I didn’t have an idea on how the story would end. I also really liked the way we got introduced to so many different characters. The only part that didn’t work for me was the ending which seemed to wrap up in a bow. If you enjoyed Lisa Jewell’s other books, I’d recommend picking up The Truth About Melody Browne.

Even though Lisa Jewell is one of my favorite writers, this book wasn't even on my radar until a few weeks ago. (Note to self: Look up an author's catalog on Goodreads instead of assuming your well-stocked library has every book) The Truth About Melody Browne was first published in 2009. This book is more of a regular fiction read when compared to her more recent novels. However, a good portion of the story is unraveling the mystery of Melody's childhood. It's worth a read if you are a fan of the author.

When Melody Browne was 9 years old, her family's home burned down and it left her with no memories prior to the tragedy. She is now in her early 30s and a single mother living in London. While attending a hypnotist show, Melody faints onstage. And that jumpstarts her desire to learn more about her past. The story alternates between the present day and key moments in Melody's life when she was a child.

Melody is a character I felt very protective of and I'm sure that is in large part due to the fact you see her as a child for half of the story. The young Melody is the driving force but adult Melody is interesting too. Her kid, who she singlehandedly raised, will be leaving the nest soon and so she is at a point in which she will need to redefine her life because she is no longer needed in the day to day mothering role. And so you have this typical storyline of a woman trying to find her place in life along with this slightly bizarre, soap opera amnesia plot but yet they both work well together.

I did have some mixed feelings about the last few chapters of the book. In general, the current day storyline wasn't as fully developed as Melody's childhood. And in the end it felt like the author was rushing to wrap everything up.

Overall, a good read for me. Even though this is an early work from the author, the writing talent I have come to love was present throughout. I've said this before in my reviews of her books, she's a solid storyteller.

Not what I expected, but I think this is an earlier book of hers that is being reprinted? It wasn't as tense or thrilling as I thought it would be, but the story was still good.

Such an interesting read. Lisa Jewell just really doesn't disappoint. The twists, the turns, the writing. I would love to see this one become a movie!

Ever have one of those days where you jump on a book only to say "oh no, I didn't mean it." Well, that happened here... but let me explain. I've read many of Lisa Jewell's books, and I do want to read all of them in the next few years; however, I saw this one on NetGalley and requested it, believing it was a new release. Then I read the description and realized my error, so I tried to cancel the request, which you cannot do on NetGalley, as far as I know. Since not reading it wasn't an option (OCD right here), I put it in my queue and finished it this week.

I would've read it in time, yet fate must've wanted it read sooner. Fate is sometimes smarter than me. She won here... wow, this was a great book. I had some struggles connecting in the beginning, as the tale starts as erratically as Melody Browne's memory. There are a lot of characters and some strange moments where she stops investigating... and I was like... 'No, honey... Google that now, you'll have your answer.' But I decided to just let it go and enjoy the story as it unfolded. When I did that around 15 to 20% into the book, it became so much stronger.

Melody is 32 and has no memory before she was 8 years old. Truthfully, I don't either, and I've always worried that I've blocked something out. I generally have no memory before 18, but this isn't about me. Back to the real drama queen. Melody visits a hypnotist on a date, and a memory is triggered. From there, this becomes a search of all her history but in the present day... yet in opposite chapters, readers see what's happening to Melody before she was 8 as well as other characters who seemingly have no connection. In the end, it all becomes quite clear.

As a whole, this is a good book. In parts, I felt there were too many contrivances and missed opportunities. I know we need to let the story develop at the narrator's pace, but in many moments, I wanted to stop the book and say, but "wait, what about..." and when that happened, it took me out of the story. For that reason, I deducted a star... also because the author's later books are much tighter, so I had to show the growth. Still, the writing is beautiful and has so much detail. All of which is interesting and keeps me invested. Much of it takes place in the UK, and there are lots of times when I just don't understand how American and Britain can be so different when it comes to language and raising children. Not in a bad way, but I had to really analyze it to understand what was happening.

As a story, it's ripe with conflict and emotion. Melody and her past have a war to fight together, and it's interesting to see how it all comes together. I'm glad I accidentally downloaded the book as it was perfect for this snowy weekend. Now... when is the next one really dropping, Ms. Jewell? :)

The Truth About Melody Browne by Lisa Jewell is a highly recommended novel about a woman recovering past memories.

Melody Browne's house burned down when she was nine years old and at that point the trauma of the experience erased all of her previous memories. Now, at age thirty three, Melody has a son, Ed, who is about to turn eighteen and she hasn't seen or spoken to her parents since she was fifteen and pregnant. At this time she also met her best friend, Stacey, who was also a teen about to become a mother. Stacey and her family became sort of an extended family to Melody and Ed since Melody doesn't know of any other family members.

Then, unexpectedly, Melody accepts a date to a hypnotist's show where she is chosen to participate on the stage. When she is put back to sleep after one segment, she ends up fainting and is out cold. When she recovers, she unexpectedly begins to remember memories and pieces of her past and people, none of which seem to have a tie to her life after the fire. These recovered flashes of memories start her on a journey to discover her life before age nine and how these recollections reflect on her forgotten childhood.

The narrative switches back and forth in time, telling Melody's present day story and the story of her lost childhood. In the present, she slowly begins to recover memories and put together clues from the increasing number of memories coming back to her. The flashes from her past combine with her intuition when she sees something familiar which helps Melody slowly reclaim past memories. The narrative from her childhood highlights the instability and trauma in her childhood that may have led to her amnesia, but the memories also highlight those who cared about her at that time. Jewell keeps the pace moving along at an even pace and the plot is interesting in both time periods. FYI: This is a re-release from an earlier published novel.

The character of Melody is well-developed and interesting both as an adult and a child. Although it's not overly stressed, it is clear why trauma in her childhood might also have resulted in her reticence as an adult to expand her circle of friends, but it is also clear that as a child she had a number of people who cared about her and her well being. One thing didn't necessarily ring true for me. Most teenage boys aren't going to allow all the hugging and face touching from their mothers, no matter how close they are, that Ed was fine receiving from Melody.

Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Simon & Schuster
the review will be posted on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

This is the second time this week I had to read other reviews before writing this because the book left me with, well, not really anything to say. I guess not having anything negative to point out will have to do.

3.5 stars, rounded up
This is a reprint of an older title of Lisa Jewell's and it made me smile remembering the women's fiction books of hers I have read in the past and really enjoyed (A Friend of the Family, Ralph's Party, etc.) I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Melody.
The general premise of the story is that Melody doesn't remember anything about her childhood prior to a house fire when she was seven years old. After getting pregnant at 15, she has been estranged from her parents, raising her now-almost-18-year-old son alone. She goes on a date with a nice guy and they attend a hypnotist show, while there Melody faints and then starts to remember bits and pieces of her past, which aren't exactly part of the childhood she remembers. As the weeks go by, she begins to put things together and learns a lot about herself and her family.

Once I got to the end, I sighed with satisfaction. The story comes full circle and Melody remembers and learns about her childhood--the good and the bad. It's both touching and meaningful as she finds her family--both the ones she is related to by blood and the ones that have become like family, and she is all the better for it in the end.

Delightful book and just what I needed to read today.

Lisa Jewell is such a solid author — she never disappoints in her ability to create, well-defined relatable characters, and this one was no different. I really enjoyed going back in time and reading a book that was originally published over a decade ago.

Flipping back and forth between adult and childhood, the book follows Melody Browne unpacking her memories that she had long since forgotten following a fire of her childhood home. You'll laugh. You'll cry. And seriously, how often is it that a domestic mystery does both of those for ya?

This is another great reading experience! Dear Ms. Jewel’s amazing books never disappoint me!

I realized this is one of her old time works: its genre is a little different from her regular suspense books, this is mostly women’s fiction and mystery but it’s filled with true emotions wrench your hearts and it directly speaks with your soul.

And Melody Browne is so much likable heroine you can honestly resonate with. Her journey to discover herself by gathering pieces of her missing past hooks you from the beginning and time traveling between back and forth turn into a satisfying, spectacular wild train ride. Both the present and past stories of her are intriguing, capturing.

Let’s give you the introductions about the storyline to draw a neater picture:

Melody Browne suffers from traumatic experience: when she was nine, her family house was burned to the ground. No family belongings or any specific memory left behind.

Then she grew up, raising her 17 years old son Ed alone because her family rejected to contact with her when she decided to keep her baby at her young age .

She still seems pleased with her life even though Stacey- her best friend she’s met when she was also a teen mother like her moved on her life, married , with three kids.

Melody barely makes ends meet, working her son’s school cafeteria but everything suddenly changes when she accepts to go on a date with Ben. They attend to a hypnotist’s show and she finds herself at the stage. She passes out and as soon as she wakes up she starts to remember some pieces of her missing past which drags her to the out of the country to face with her estranged parents to fill the blanks about her own life.

It’s truly impressive family drama with bunch of deeply layered, impeccably developed and memorable characters. I always enjoy the powerful writing style of the author so it was another hit for me to highly recommend.

I’m giving my four emotional, poignant, amnesiac, mysterious, motherhood, family, gripping stars!

Special thanks to Netgalley and Atria Books for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.

4.5 stars

The Truth About Melody Browne is a book that will stay with me for some time.

Lisa Jewell slowly but surely pulls you in to Melody's story . After a devastating fire at a very young age Melody can not remember her tragic past .

Her memory is slowly coming back in flashbacks and she is doggedly putting the jigsaw pieces of her life back together. She needs to know what happened and wants her son Ed to know.

You will cry with Melody, you will cheer on Melody and most of all you will admire her strength, her determination and the love she has for her family and friends.

When you read a book that makes you think and stays with you that is a big tribute to the author Lisa Jewell ( I am of course a big fan) and I will say again I will think of Melody and her story often

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for a fascinating read.

Melody Browne led a tumultuous childhood. From ages 4 - 7 her life had upheaval after upheaval. However, she experienced such great tragedy that she lost her memory. There was a fire that changed Melody's life forever when she was quite young, but as an adult she has no memory at all of those years.

This story is told in dual time-lines. We meet Melody as a precocious young child whose parents are living on different continents. While dedicated to her mother, who definitely has problems that Melody could in no way understand, she longs for her father. She does get the opportunity to spend a couple of weeks with him, along with his new partner and her new baby sister. This is the life Melody longs for. However, she goes back home to her mother and things go from bad to worse.

The story jumps ahead to Melody in her mid-thirties. She is a single parent to a teenaged son. An experience with a hypnotist shakes her world. The memories long since lost come back to her. So Melody begins to dig and dig for the source of those memories, and for anyone that was connected to her when she was young.

I have been enjoying a few of Lisa Jewell's books these past couple of years. so when this book came available on NetGalley, I swooped it up. I did not realize that it was a re-release, so I am glad for the opportunity. This book was good, had strong drama, but had a different edge from the other books I have read by her.

Many thanks to Pocket Books and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

I was hoping for something edgier with a more dramatic ending. This was more a story about a sad childhood and an adult who is finally trying to fill in the holes. I was invested in the beginning but just lost interest along the way due to the way the story unfolded. It was okay but you could probably skip this one and not be missing out. I've heard good things about Lisa Jewell so maybe I'll try reading a different one.

Kindly received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Usually I really enjoy books by Lisa Jewell and was so excited to read this. The premise was intriguing and I liked the cover. However, it was predictable and I cannot stand predictable stories and I was right in my guess. Disappointing and not up to her usual standard. Hopefully she redeems herself in the next book.

All thoughts and opinions are my own. Cannot recommend this even though it is a Lisa Jewell book.

Thanks to Netgalley, Lisa Jewell and Atria boooks for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Already available: 1/29/21