Member Reviews
This is unlike any other book I’ve read and I found myself not being able to put it down. Meet Hallie who actually dies but is revived by a doctor and lots of weird things happen after that and I could not wait to find out what was happening next. I don’t want to give anything away! Some triggers in this book are: suicide, bulimia, abuse, and mental illness. It’s action packed till the end. And the twist at the end I literally could not believe it! My jaw dropped wide open!!!! Wow!!!! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this release in exchange for my honest review.
Hallie Evers has the worst fourth of July in her life. She finds out her boyfriend is cheating on her with her roommate and they are moving in together, so she no longer has a boyfriend or a place to live. She offends her boss and loses her job. Oh, and she dies after her heart stops at a rooftop party she goes to. She doesn't stay dead, however. She wakes up in a hospital bed, confused, and her head feels " crowded". She starts seeing glimpses of memories that aren't hers but seem very real, and so she sets off towards Boston, where the memories seem to be leading her, in an attempt to get answers.
This is a combination thriller/mystery/science fiction novel. I loved the main protagonist, Hallie. She had a lot of trauma from her past that she had repressed that you hoped she could work through, and you wanted to see her dodge all of the "bad guys" who were chasing her from Las Vegas to Boston. The science fiction part was a little too weird and creepy, but it worked for the novel, and the story had a lot of suspense, and a great mystery. I definitely recommend this one.
Quite a different type of mystery from Brian Freeman. I enjoyed this one like I’ve enjoyed all of this author’s books that I’ve read, but it did get a little confusing to me in parts of it, especially when it wasn’t always clear whose memories were coming through. I suppose the confusion was intentional so the reader could have an idea of what Hallie’s confusion was like. Unlike others I’ve read of Freeman’s books, this one was more predictable. But still an interesting storyline.
What a crazy unique idea for a book! This book is out there, but it was done right so you don't feel like it is nuts. It definitely has a sci-fi vibe to it that I wasn't expecting, but I was happy with that plot twist.
This is my third Brian Freeman book and it won't be my last. His writing is very entertaining and fast paced.
Thanks Netgalley and publisher for the digital copy in exchange for my honest review!
You would think a gifted copywriter could get a job anywhere. Hallie Evers is a quick learner and well versed in the medical supply industry and medical terminology. She is easy to place and most employers are happy to employ her. One of those employers is BioEfx. Their products are closely held company secrets and they needed someone who understands the terminology and is closed-mouthed!
Hallie thought it might be a good idea to volunteer to try some of the company’s products. She had a cap placed on her head and was infused with another personality. She began to know things she could not possibly know and realized that the person’s name was Skye.
The author engulfs our heroine in ever-evolving thoughts! As the book evolves, the two personalities become intertwined. The problems are exacerbated when BioEfx sends investigators to monitor her progress. She is unable to hold jobs for long and her relationships are usually self-destructive.
The author provides a glimpse into personality disorders and the futility of some suffering from them to find peace. With the technology used by BioEfx she finds it difficult to maintain her true identity. Enjoy! 4.5 stars – CE Williams
“Just because you’re paranoid, does not mean they’re not out to get you.” – Kurt Cobain
Hallie Evers is having a bad July 4. She’s been fired – again. She writes promotional material for medical device companies, and unfortunately, she is not always tactful when she opens her mouth. This has cost her jobs in the past, and now, another one. Oh, and her boyfriend broke up with her. He was sleeping with her best friend/roommate, so now, in addition to being jobless, she is also, minus a boyfriend, her best friend, and is homeless. But, no worries. She goes to a party hosted by one of the medical companies, and, well, she wakes up many hours later in the hospital to learn that she died. Huh?
Not only is she bewildered and disoriented, but she begins having strange memories and dreams. It’s as if she has someone else in her head. Now she’s getting worried. Her mother had mental illness, and Hallie herself has a troubled past with elusive memories. Suddenly, she seems to have memories of someone else’s life, not her own. What is going on?
I loved this book! It’s billed as a psychological thriller, which it definitely is. There are people spying on Hallie and trying to kill her, aren’t there? Why? The answers may lie all the way across the country in a city where she’s never been before. Or has she? Brian Freeman has devised a plot that seems a lot like science fiction, but with a terrific mystery, buried secrets, and heart-stopping danger. Hallie is looking over her shoulder at every corner; even when she meets people who explain to her what’s going on, she doesn’t know if she can trust them. The thoughts and feelings inside her that make her feel like someone else seem to be leading her away from herself – but how will this end?
I was fully engaged in this story, and I did not expect the twist near the end. Five fabulous stars for Freeman’s I Remember You!
I received a digital copy of I Remember You courtesy of NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer, and the author in exchange for my honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own.
Hallie dies at a party and is revived but when she wakes up, she's got Skye's memory in her head. Who is Skye? Hallie sets out to find answers in this twisty sci-fi'ish thriller. You'll find yourself questioning how reliable Hallie is as a narrator as well as, to be honest, the underlying premise. That said, I found myself turning the pages looking for answers. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.
I Remember You is a gripping, engaging and well-written thriller with a dust of sci-fi. Brian Freeman is on my list of authors to watch out for! Hallie dies on the 4th of July but is revived. But there's something different...she has someone else's memories and a crime scene that takes form in her mind. Brian Freeman delivers a fast-paced plot with a beautiful balance between science and thriller. The ability to integrate someone else's memories into the plot is seamless and well-executed. Each character had a pivotal role to play and drove the story. There are plenty of trigger warnings with this read as there are elements of abuse, suicide, bulimia and mental illness. Throughout the book, the human element of loss, grief, pain, ambition and greed lingers. The ending was a jaw-dropping moment with unforgettable twists and turns. Enjoy this memorable, thrilling and unique ride. A 5-star read!
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Mercer for the opportunity to review a copy of this book. This honest review is left voluntarily.
This was a 3.5 rounded up to 4 stars for me. Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review. The opening of this novel introduces Hallie, a train wreck writer who has had her share of near death experiences and finds herself at a rooftop party sponsored by yet another medical group she is hoping to get a job with. She wakes up in the hospital after “dying” and being brought back to life, only to find she has another woman’s memories in her head. Quite a twisty and suspenseful read.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59948885
Thank you, Thomas and Mercer and @Netgalley for my advanced readers copy of I Remember You!
I need to start out by stating that the copy I read was an uncorrected proof and I haven't a clue how close to the final product it will be.
That out of the way, this was an average read for me. Not my favorite by far by Brian Freeman but it was a solid ride from beginning to end. I Remember You, is a story about two women Hallie, and Skye, whose paths never crossed, and who grew up on opposite sides of the US. Both women have experienced trauma, and their minds have blocked out portions of the past to protect them from the truth. When their paths cross and Hallie wakes up in a hospital bed with Skye's memories mixed with her own she goes on a torrid quest to unlock Skye's memories.
There was a predictability to the story, but also many surprises along the way. By the time you reach the end, you are ready and cheering for the climax, you are praying that Hallie makes it through and just waiting for that HEA. Does she get one?? You gotta read to find out.
Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the copy of I Remember You. The idea behind this book was intriguing. I found Hallie’s memories fascinating and I loved how they were seamlessly woven into her conversation and thoughts. I was disappointed that we didn’t learn anything about memory in general, and I think it was a missed opportunity. There are Neurotech startups.
The story really kept me guessing and the villain was a surprise. I thought the ‘final showdown’ was unbelievable and just thrown together.
Hallie was an interesting character and it was interesting that after the initial party, most of her bad habits were neer talked about (or seen) again.
This was a fun read until the showdown so if you can handle some things that are out of the realm of reality, you will probably love this book. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
I admit that I was intrigued as soon as I first read the blurb of I Remember You. Between the main character dying and then waking up with the memories of someone else and the murder she then remembers, I knew I simply HAD to read this story to see where it would lead. I'm glad I did make the decision, because I think I have found a new author to follow. I Remember You ended up being a highly engaging thriller with an almost sci-fi vibe, and I loved every single minute of it.
I think part of the reason this story worked so well for me was the fact that the writing style and tone were an instant hit, and this made it very easy to keep turning those pages. Add a suspenseful and fast-paced plot with lots of intrigue and danger, and I was hooked almost as soon as I started reading... The story has that sci-fi feel to it with Hallie suddenly having someone else's memories inside her and the science in general, although the main focus does remain a thriller with everything that is going on. The science aspect of this story does make the plot feel more unique, and it definitely took this book to the next level for me.
There are a lot of different elements incorporated into the plot, with a focus on heavier topics including abuse, rape, mental illness, eating disorder, addiction and suicide. The fact that you are not completely sure if the main character really has someone else's memories or if she is actually imagining it instead (mental illness runs in her family after all) only adds to the intrigue of this story; the other elements give the characters more dept and they explain certain behavior and events. I could have done without the cheating element, although it only played a minor role and I was too busy enjoying the story to be truly bothered by it.
I think I Remember You is one of those stories where it's best to go in blind and simply brace yourself for a thrilling ride. There are lots of dangerous situations, twists and secrets to keep you entertained along the way, and I never did guess those final reveals... All in all I Remember You turned out to be an engaging and gripping sci-fi thriller that has both dept and lots of danger and movement to keep that pace fast. I can't wait to try more of his books!
Another great book by Brian Freeman. Suspenseful from beginning to end. Didn’t want to put it down to go to work! Really enjoy reading his books.
*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review*
A psychological thriller that does not disappoint! I will definitely read more from this author!
I’m on a roll, that’s two books in a row where the author has departed from their usual style with great success. Freeman writes crime thrillers, many of which I’ve enjoyed but this book is a psychological thriller/sci-fi story and it was really well done!
Hallie Evers is a late 20s young woman who is having the worst 4th July ever. she got sacked from her job (again), her boyfriend dumped her which means she has nowhere to live as the reason he dumped her is her flat mate. So when she goes to the party on the rooftop of a Las Vegas hotel for the MedX convention (Hallie writes promotional material for medical device companies) she goes a little overboard with the drinks. To top it off she does 4 lines of coke (why the heck not) and staggers back to the party where she promptly dies of a heart attack. Luckily the party is packed with doctors and she is resuscitated by Dr Reed Smith with a mobile defibrillator and swept off to hospital. That’s when things get really weird for Hallie!
When Hallie comes to her head feels “crowded”. She has strange snatches of memories that are not familiar. This concerns her greatly because her mother suffered severe mental illness and Hallie wonders if it will come for her too. At a job interview she gets transfixed by the photos on the office wall. They are all of Boston. She has never been to Boston yet she knows all the places in the photos, she knows the lobster at Salties is the best.
In an effort to find answers she goes to Boston and starts to follow the trail that these strange memories are leading her along. It seems like there is another person inside her head. But the worrying thing is she often sees her hands covered in blood, her dead sister lying at her feet. Only Hallie doesn’t have a sister. Will this quest lead her to answers? Does she really want to know? Or is she doomed to madness like her mother?
I thought Hallie was really gutsy following this obscure trail of someone else’s memories, not knowing where it would lead. She was likeable and quirky with a fair amount of snark! Many of the other characters were unreliable narrators and you didn’t know who could be trusted. The story was tautly plotted with good pacing throughout. I really enjoyed this rather unique story. Many thanks to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for the much appreciated arc which I reviewed voluntarily and honestly.
4.5 stars.
This was a very engrossing and suspenseful novel. I do not want to give any spoilers here. Hallie Evers went to a party, died, was revived and woke up seeming to have memories from someone else.
The book will take you on a wild ride to find out what is going on with and around her. Is Hallie falling into severe mental illness like her mother did? Is someone else responsible for her mental condition?
Is anyone who they say they are and who are all these people dying around her? This is a creative story that will keep you guessing until the end. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I was surprised and delighted by the ending.
Psychological thriller. As a woman survives death, she has memories that are seemingly not her own. Interesting as she (and you) try to figure this out.
This is a disturbing, creepy, unsettling, psychological thriller with a sci-fi edge. Although it's fiction, makes you think this is close to reality and could really happen someday. It's written by an author I've read and enjoyed previously.
Hallie is in her late twenties, lives and works in Las Vegas. She does medical device website design. She keeps her headhunter busy because she continually gets fired despite her excellent knowledge and intelligence. She drinks too much, dabbles in illegal substances, generally doesn't take her health seriously. She has a shrink, but doesn't take her advice either. One fateful night at a networking party Hallie has a near death experience. A mysterious man, Dr. Reed Smith, revived and saved her life.
Everything in Hallie's life changes after this. She has nightmares that feel too real. She has experiences and knows places that aren't part of her life. Is she slipping into the same mental instability that her mother lived? She sees a man with long blond hair following her. She does not feel safe or in control.
She flees Vegas and drives to Boston. The author's descriptions of the historic city reminded me how much I love visiting there. The smell of the ocean, the stately old buildings, the statues, the arts, and the taste of the seafood all made me eager to revisit.
There are many other interesting and well defined characters, unexposed truths and a murder to solve. The only downside for me was figuring out much of the plot very early in the story.
Thanks to the author, Brian Freeman, publisher Thomas & Mercer, and to NetGalley for the advance reader digital copy of "I Remember You". These are my honest personal thoughts and opinions given voluntarily.
"I Remember You" by Brian Freeman
was a real page turner.
It was a wild ride- it was fun, suspenseful & very original.
It had tons of twists, turns & deception to keep me interested.
This was my 1st book by this author & I will definitely be on the lookout for his next book.
I just kept the pages turning fast and furious on this one! This was a wild ride! And not only was it a fun, suspenseful crazy book - best of all, it was something a little different!
One the 4th of July Hallie decides to attend a party with big wigs of the medical field in Las Vegas - where she dies! Then she wakes up in . a hospital and realizes she doesn't feel like herself at all. Her head feels too full, She's remembering people & places she's never been or seen and she wonders if she is going crazy. Or is there actually something else going on?
There were some twists and turns that I didn't see coming. And I loved that I didn't know if Hallie was crazy or not. In the second half of the book, I pretty much had things figured out - but I had to keep turning the pages to see if I was right.
This is a strong 4 stars. It is almost 5, but I didn't quite get that WOW!. It was more of a little wow... But this is a for sure recommendation for you to read.
I want to thank the author #BrianFreeman the publisher and #netgalley for the ARC which did not impact my review. See for yourself!