I did not finish this one, it was not for me, I couldn't relate to the characters, and just did not care for the story.

I liked this one.

The Jagger family is meeting again two years after their last Christmas together. The siblings Josiah, Julianna, Jesse, and Jada are all coming back to the family home in southern California known as the "Pink Castle".

Why has it been 2 years since their last time together?

Well, at that time, their father introduced them to his new companion bot, January. One of the siblings couldn't tolerate the idea of someone else replacing their mother (who killed herself many years ago) so January was violently attacked. Per their father, January was able to be fixed and her memory was wiped out completely about the event.

In the present, all the siblings have received an anonymous letter saying their mother was murdered. At first, they don't share the information but as the time together progresses, they will learn that they all got the same note.

I enjoyed this one so much. Love January and Six (the bot next door). From the Jaggers, I was very interested in Jada and her true crime obsession with the Freezer man (hoping there is a book about that). I thought Jesse needed mental health for life. Julianna had the weight of the world on her shoulders and I felt bad for Josiah's childhood.

This was a great installment of the Jolvix Episode series!

Cliffhanger: No

4/5 Fangs

A complimentary copy was provided by Mirror House Press via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed reading this as a physcological thriller with a little sci fi twist. The characters are twisted but interesting and the settings are time zone.

What a great scifi thriller this is! I love AI stories and this is one of the better ones I've read in a while. It was a great one to read so close to Christmas as well. Faith Gardner is a great writer and I look forward to more from them.

When I started reading this book I wasn’t liking it too much. I forced myself to keep going and to be honest I’m glad I did because the book got more interesting. I wasn’t bored anymore. The jagger family has been through so much.

Julianna’s mother supposedly killed herself and the family was forced to live with that for 12 years. They had no way of knowing what went on in their home the night their mother died. Their father was so lost and lonely after his loss that he got a companion bot named January.

I did enjoy the book after I got through all the family drama. I’m glad I kept on and gave the book a real chance

This was an interesting story with interesting robot characters. I was engaged in the story & even sympathized with June & January. The concept of humans owning robots for companionship in this world was a new one to me and one I had never read before. I found "What January Remembers" to be an original concept to me & it had enough mystery that made me want to keep reading.

I wanted to find out if the mom really committed suicide or if she was murdered. I also found the dad & moms drama to be interesting. I wish the story would have had more of the love triangle drama between the parents. Nevertheless, this was a good read.

Faith Gardner is quickly becoming a go-to author for me. Part mystery + light sci-fi + family drama equals an entertaining read. Although <b>What January Remembers</b> is set around Christmas, by no means will it give you warm and fuzzy holiday vibes. Quite the opposite! I'm a sucker for dysfunctional family drama (in books) and that is exactly what this book gave me in the form of the Jaggers.

The last time the Jagger family was all together at Christmas, the youngest sibling Jesse tried to murder January, his father's companion bot. It has been 2 years since that fiasco and January has been repaired and her memory wiped clean, but what exactly does she remember from that day.

What I love about the Jolvix Episodes is that it delves into some interesting thoughts on AI, both good and bad. The subject matter of her books have actually started a few interesting dinner conversations in my house about AI. I especially loved January's POV and really wish there were more chapters from her perspective. She was easily my favorite character and actually probably the only character I actually liked other than June. My one major critique was the abruptness of the ending. I was actually surprised to see the author’s note when I turned the last page. <b>Amen Maxine</b> is still my favorite but I have enjoyed all 3 books in the series and hope there will be more. 4 stars.

This may not be most people's idea of a Christmas story, but I'm gonna consider it an early gift!

In Amen Maxine, Faith Gardner introduced us to Jolvix - creator of futuristic technology for the home. In that book, Maxine was a personal assistant device in the shape of a small silver box. Think a more evolved Alexa with a hint of feelings. In this third book of the Jolvix Episodes series, we meet January: a lifelike female companion robot to Jeremy, the widowed patriarch of the Jagger family.

That's great for him, but not so much for his adult children, Josiah, Julianna, Jesse and Jada, who are still reeling in all sorts of dysfunctional ways from their mother, Janelle's, suicide 12 years prior. Everyone is still on high alert after their last Christmas gathering two years prior when Jesse tried to kill January. She was repaired and her memory was wiped, so why is she still keeping her distance from them? There's also the mystery of those notes each sibling was sent with just four words: Your mother was murdered.

There's clearly something more going on. Everyone in this family has secrets ... can robots have them too?

After loving Amen Maxine, I was nervous that nothing else could live up to it, but I needn't have worried. Though I liked the story and plot just a tiny smidge less, this domestic suspense with sci-fi seasoning was another deliciously fun one from Gardner, and just the holiday story my dysfunctional family-loving heart could want! I thought Jeremy was a little OTT with his Christmas cheer and family togetherness, but hey - he also lets January wear his dead wife's clothes, sooo ... yeeeah. 👀 To each his own!

I highly recommend this book and series if you enjoy smart writing, great characters, mystery, suspense and moments of dark humor!

★★★★ ½

Thanks to Mirror House Press, NetGalley and author Faith Gardner for this ARC and the opportunity to share my honest opinions. It's now available.

Faith Gardner is continuing to put out awesome sci-fi thrillers and I'm here for it! I really liked this one!

If you’re looking for a Christmas story that’s NOT a Hallmark or Lifetime movie and you enjoy a bit of futuristic technology and a mystery to solve then pick this one up! I really enjoy this author’s writing, it is well thought out, the characters are fleshed out and the story is fun and interesting. Looking forward to her next book or installment in this series. And, yes this is third in the Jolvix series, but they do not need to be read in order, all can be read as stand alone. Thank you NetGalley, Mirror House Press, and the author for this eARC in exchange for my honest review. This book was recently released and available now!

I absolutely LOVED this book!

It was a cool story, clever writing and truly engaging and relatable characters. Omg, it had it all!
It’s been ages since I’ve read a book I’ve been so happy with and can’t wait to now dive into the author’s others books!

Truly a fun read and I can’t wait to read the first two books from the series now!

Thank you for the ARC, NetGalley!

"‘Tis the season for another dysfunctional family Christmas story …This time, with murder. And robots."

Faith Gardner redeemed herself in this third installment of the Jolvix series. Her character development is unmatched. Domestic suspense, family drama and sci-fi - if you''re looking for a creepy nontraditional Christmas read, this is it. Out now!

Thank you to NetGalley & Mirror House Press for my advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

What readers should remember is to read this book!

<b> the season for another dysfunctional family Christmas story …
This time, with murder. And robots.</b>

Who doesn't get a little upset and want to stab someone or something at Christmas? Especially if the <i>victim</i> is wearing your late mother's robe!

Two years ago, the adult Jagger children gathered for Christmas with their father. They have drifted apart, and this was supposed to be a time of reconnection and bonding. Instead, they were shocked to see that their father had January, a companion robot. Let the shock set in! After being attacked, January had her memory wiped. She doesn't remember the attack, she shouldn't, but does she?

They are all back together again and have received notes telling them that their mother had been murdered. Was she murdered? Does someone know something? Who is sending the notes?

This was another brilliant book by Gardner. I loved [book:Amen Maxine|61306546] and had high hopes for this book. Luckily, I was just as happy reading this one! I love her imagination, characters and well thought out plots. Such a great book that can be read in one sitting.

4.5 stars

Highly recommend!

🎵 It's the most dysfunctional time of the year 🎶

🎄🎁🥂

The Jagger family have all come home for Christmas to be with their Dad. It's been two years since they've gotten together for the holidays and the memories of their last time still haunt all of them. Jesse the youngest son tried to kill January, their fathers companion bot, which he purchased after the suicide of his wife and their mother.

It's okay, they had January repaired and her memory erased, so it's not as if she remembers the attempted murder or does she?

To make matters more complicated all four children have received anonymous notes claiming that their mother didn't kill herself but that she was murdered. Now all the Jagger kids are questioning which of them could have done such a thing.

It appears that it's not going to be the happiest season of all for the Jaggers. Could one of them be a murderer?

Let me begin with how much I admire Faith Gardner's creativity and imagination. I hadn't even heard of this author before this summer and now I've read my third book in her Jolvix series and it's only early November. She's a young up-and-comer to the scene and she's been embraced by the Goodreads community for good reason. I am so happy for her success and I hope it continues for years to come. With that being said it pains me to tell you that this is my least favorite so far in this series. Nothing about this story wowed me and I felt the ending was very lackluster. With Amen Maxine I was on the edge of my seat, with Violet Was Nowhere I adored the characters, the banter, and the outstanding ending, with What January Remembers I liked the idea of it more than the execution. Perhaps it's because I just couldn't relate to any of the characters. I'm not exactly sure but this one was just missing that special something that was so evident with the previous two.

This is only my opinion though. Many of my friends found this book to be a 5 star experience and I am so happy for them and I hope future readers seriously consider picking up this series for something fresh and exciting to add to their shelves.

I'm not sure if there will be more Jolvix books, I'm not sure what Faith Gardner's future writing plans are, but know this: I'll be the first in line for whatever it may be. 3 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley and Mirror House Press for my complimentary copy.

The Jagger family Christmas comes with a lot of baggage. Father Jeremy has a companion robot named January who seems to have replaced his dead wife, Janelle. Jeremy has summoned his adult children home for the holiday. Josiah, Juliana, Jesse, and Jada find their old habits and patterns are just waiting to reclaim them. There is a mystery surrounding Janelle's death. They all have their own version based on their own perceptions. Gardner explores many themes in this third episode: the effect of the holidays on strained relationships, the trauma of living with a suicidal parent, the value of a human life, the ethics surrounding the robot companions, and rogue robots. Multiple POVs give us nuggets of information and shed new light on the family past and present -- the neighbor's household, too. Especially creative was the way Dickinson's poetry was woven into the plot. An intriguing chapter in the Jolvix Episodes.

Thank you to Mirror House Press and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.

If you love Christmas but also can relate to a stressful family situation, raise your hand!

I don’t read a ton of robot books, but when I do, they catch me every time. This played on tropes without feeding in too heavily, and I was impressed by the way the family drama, mystery, and sentient robot themes interplayed so well together without one subsuming the rest. The characters were believable and felt so well thought out. I can easily recommend this if you’re looking for something a little different for the holidays this year.

Excuse me while I check out Gardner’s backlist!

Book Dynamics✨
Multiple POV
Non-linear timeline
Long chapters- more like parts as they are broken into POV
Sci-Fi

A fun mystery. Slow and a little repetitive but it held my attention enough to keep going. I couldn’t wait to find out was their mom really murdered and what’s going on with January. The stories wove together nicely at the end.

Robots scare the shit out of me so January’s character development was amazing and horrifying.

Really enjoyed that it was set during Christmas and not your traditional Christmas tale. Made the story feel lighter with the heavier subject matter.



Overall: grab if you like sci-fi and mystery combined

Favorite Character: January

Rockin' around the Christmas tree ...🎄🎁🤖

4.5⭐

You do not want to miss the Jaggers' family Christmas this year. "What January Remembers" is an amazing domestic suspense with a bit of Sci-Fi that will keep you guessing. Be sure to add this one to your holiday read list folks!

It's been twelve years since Janelle Jagger died at the family home. It's ruled a suicide. Now adults, the children Josiah, Julianna, and Jesse have moved from Santa Barbara to live and work in the Bay Area, only Jada with addiction problems lives at home in the guest house. None of the kids really want to be home for Christmas because of what happened two years ago when one of them stabbed dad's companion in the eye.

It's bad, but not as bad as it sounds. Jeremy's companion is a model 8 companion bot. Her name is January. She helps with house chores and maybe more... After the incident, she was sent to be fixed and memory wiped, or did it?

This is one dysfunctional family for sure. The story has creepy vibes as well like the robot wearing mom's clothes or that she sleeps with the dad! 😬 January is friendly with a neighbor's bot whom she calls June. There are multiple PoVs and I have to say, my favorites are the bot's perspective.

Love that this episode adds a wonderful holiday atmosphere to the whodunit suspense. I'm kicking myself for getting it wrong. I love the ending though. Jolvix episode 3 is the best one yet.

Bite or be bitten........

Kind of a mantra for the Jagger family of Santa Barbara, California. This little group wears dysfunction like the crown jewels. Each has their own set of quirks and maladjustments. Some carrying higher carats of malfunction than the others.

But it's Christmas and they're expected to descend upon the "Pink Castle" once again even though their last holiday together two years ago was a disaster. Nevermind. Santa's reindeer on the roof and an elf's cap on the fountain should make amends.

Let's see whose stockings are hanging by the fireplace. There's Jeremy, anesthesiologist and father to this group; Josiah, the oldest, and a self-made millionaire; Juliana, tutoring in place of a career; Jesse, responsible for the fiasco of last time, and Jada, the youngest, who has a black belt in rehab.

And who's missing is their mother who tragically committed suicide 12 years ago. Her beautiful portrait casts eyes upon you as you enter into the foyer. Mom had a difficult personality and was intense in everything that she did. Each of these individuals have separate memories of her.

Enter a new face in the mix. January is the companion bot purchased by Jeremy. Her purpose seems to be to fill in the gaps in Jeremy's lonely life after the death of his wife. January can mix a fine drink in seconds and refresh bathrooms in a heartbeat. January's memory has been wiped since that last Christmas with the family. Oh, momma, you must read to find out why......

And then there are those little scraps of paper that each of the adult children have received. "Your mother was murdered." Now that will get your attention and set the tone for the holiday. Just who was responsible for their mother's death and why? Each will tumble out their self-imposed guilt in a variety of fashions.

Faith Gardner jingles those bells as only she can. She's on a high-powered roll with all three of the editions to the Jolvix Episodes. (My favorite is Amen Maxine.) Gardner has been blessed with a mega mind wrapped in creativity and tied with a giant analytical bow. Each of these editions can be read as standalones, but you'd be depriving yourself of quality writing if you forego the other two. Move over, January, you'll be remembering this one for a long time to come. Bravo, Gardner.

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Mirror House Press and to the talented Faith Gardner for the opportunity.

Oh my goodness! What a great episode in the 3rd book for the Jolvix series! I was blown away by Amen Maxine, then Violet is Nowhere and now What January Remembers is unbelievable! If you like a domestic suspense with some dysfunctional family members gathering in their family's "pink castle" for a Merry Christmas, then read this one. It isn't necessary to have read the other ones because this is a great stand-alone.
The Jagger family's father is excited to have the family gather for the Holidays after a two year sabbatical. The last time they gathered they experienced an attempted murder on their father's companion bot, January. Upon her repair, she had her memory wiped clean so she would not remember one of the adult sons, Jesse committed this hideous act against her. This human-like bot has them all fooled. She does have feelings and shares them with her neighbor's bot, June.
This is told by everyone's perception creating a view of everyone's thoughts and feelings. Before they arrived, each one of the children received a message stating "Your mother was murdered". Flashbacks of their mother's erratic suicidal behavior, until her death one day of an overdose.
Well done! I wasn't sure who was responsible for her death, but they all had their suspicions. The suspense will have you reading this all in one day. It is unforgettable and will have you cheering for the fourth in the series! It is thought provoking with the reality of sci-fi in the near future!
Thank you NetGalley and Mirror House Press for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!