"But life has a way of surprising me, often in the worst ways. What’s scariest of all are the horrible things that could happen that I haven’t even dreamed of yet."

'Tis the season for a dysfunctional family Christmas with the Jaggers. Right before gathering together for the first time since an unspeakably violent incident two years earlier, the Jagger siblings each received a note saying their mother was murdered twelve years ago, suggesting she did not commit suicide as had been previously assumed. But who could have sent the notes? And what role could their father's new companion bot, January, have played in all of this? What started out with a promising idea embracing the evolution of technology to include companion bots and the roles they could potentially play in humans' lives quickly turned into a family drama rather than the suspenseful thriller it originally seemed to be.

"Would be a real heartwarming story if it didn’t begin with robot murder."

I thought some interesting concepts were introduced in this book, particularly regarding robots and the possibilities of their unimagined capabilities. What are the limits of their intelligence? What kinds of thoughts and feelings are they able to have? Can they feel empathy or fear? Can they form friendships? But the space they occupied in the Jagger household was unsettling and borderline creeptastic at times. The Jaggers were also an insufferable bunch, each unlikable in his or her own way and without much character development aside from their brokenness. I would have liked to see more of a focus on solving the potential murder of the Jagger matriarch instead of a constant run through of the trials and tribulations of their individual lives.

"I’m not apt to think hard on it, to be honest, because either way it’s creepy: robots becoming their own individual beings, or robots being replaceable machinery we treat like human beings. Neither option is exactly comforting."

I liked the look at the complexities of memories shadowed by the ghosts of the past as well as the look at the space that exists between the truth and lies, including those that we tell ourselves. How do we choose who to trust? Can we even trust ourselves? I also thought the inclusion of Emily Dickinson's poetry was a brilliant part of the story. And after enjoying the unique and mind bending Violet is Nowhere, I truly thought this book would be so much more. Less melodrama, less family dynamics and a lot more suspense describe the direction I was expecting it to go. I thought I had an interesting ending figured out but the actual one was disappointing and anticlimactic. I do like the author's writing style, however, and I'm intrigued by the expanse of her imagination, and so I look forward to seeing what she comes up with next.

"When we come back— and this is why we don’t usually come back— we not only feel the ghosts, but we become them."

** Special thanks to Mirror House Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. Quotes subject to change at time of publication. Available November 1, 2022. **

A Christmas story with murder and robots”. What could be better?! This is the third installment to the Jolvix Episodes and it does not disappoint! More creepy technology, more drama. I loved it!

The Jaggers are coming back together to Christmas. Things between them drastically changed after their mother committed suicide. Their Dad moved on with his robot companion January and the kids have mixed feelings.

The kids each get disturbing notes saying their mother was murdered. Who wrote the note and why? Was it January or is someone hiding a terrible secret?

What January Remembers is available November 1,2022.

Thank you to netgalley and mirrorhousepress for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

I devoured this book all in one day, it was that good! Stories about dysfunctional families are my jam and What January Remembers totally slayed.

The characters are outstanding (I love how everyone's names start with the same letter) and January is my absolute favourite!!! I stan. The author captured her voice so perfectly — robotically detached but also reflective with a touch of humanity, if that makes sense? Simply brilliant.

Just like its predecessors, this book makes really sharp-witted and relevant observations about society and humankind despite its futuristic setting. Not only does the story flow well, Faith Gardner also explores issues such as morality and abuse in depth.

What a shrewd, highly inventive and entertaining novel! Suffice to say I'm obsessed with The Jolvix Episodes after 3 books. They can all be read as standalones but going in order will allow you to catch the occasional reference and Easter egg. More please!

I'm truly surprised at the average rating for this book. I nearly put it down several times because the plot felt like it was going nowhere and I didn't like any of the characters except January. The ending was a massive let down.

Another AMAZING book in the Jolvix series....I could honestly read these as fast as Faith Gardner could write them. I absolutely love this series,,,,Amen Maxine is still my favorite but What January Remembers is a close second. Eagerly awaiting the 4th book?! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy.

This is another great book in the Jolvix Episodes. Each can be read as a standalone. This one explores the not-so-distant future, when robots become lifelike companions, with perfectly smooth skin and anatomical correctness. For the Jagger adult kids, it’s a great surprise when their father purchases January, a frozen in time version of their mother who it was presumed committed suicide 10 years prior.

While January is still robot learning the nuances of language, she runs into her neighbor’s robot companion who has a complex view of life based on her longevity and readings of Emily Dickinson. They discuss their owners and the possibility of life outside the home.

In the meantime, in the setting of a Christmas time family reunion, drama ensues among the 4 children: Julianna (the peacekeeper), Jesse (troubled but the mom’s favorite), , a successful showoff, and , the most like her mother, still living in the guest house and living through addiction. They each have their own reason to believe their mother was murdered.

The best part of the book for me was how Gardner evokes both sympathy and fear through the characteristics she ascribes to January – a robotic inability to interpret things as other than black and white, along with our fear of the lengths with which tech can go wrong.

Thanks to NetGalley and Mirror House Press for an advance readers copy.

This is the 3rd book in Gardner's Jolvix Episodes series and while they all occur in the same "world" it is not necessary to read them in order. This book is what I'd refer to as sci-fi lite--it's futuristic and has some sci-fi elements, but overall it's more a novel about people and technology and what it means to be alive.

The Jagger siblings are returning to their father Jeremy's home for Christmas. It's the first time they've all been together since the disastrous Christmas two years ago. That year, Jeremy had introduced the siblings Jesse, Josiah, Julianna, and Jada to his new companion bot, January. Their mother had committed suicide years before, and although they are now adults with their own lives, they all feel uneasy about January's presence, especially when she comes to a meal wearing their mother's clothes. Jesse snaps and stabs January through the eye, meaning that she has to go back to Jolvix to be repaired and have her memory erased.

But when the siblings arrive, it seems like January might actually remember what happened...or does she? In turn, it is revealed that each of the siblings received a message stating that their mother was murdered. Did January send the messages, and are they true?

Told from many alternating points of view, the picture gradually comes into focus about the dysfunctional family both in the past and the present. I liked the mystery element, but it doesn't overshadow the discomfort the various family members have with January and with each other.

I truly enjoyed this story, it's fast paced and interesting. Gardner has a way with storytelling that keeps the reader thoroughly engaged even when the characters might be awful people, there's always someone to root for. I loved the ending, it was perfect for the book and everything is wrapped up beautifully. I cannot believe that this is the third book this writer has released within just a few months, I'm in total awe at her ability to craft a unique and original tale that keeps readers clamoring for more.

"What January Remembers" is the third book in the outstanding Jolvix Episodes by Faith Gardner. The first one: "Amen, Maxine" is one of my favorite books of the year and the other two came out in rapid succession. She must have written all three at once because all three will have come out within a few months of each other.

If you haven't already read "Amen, Maxine" then first, what are you waiting for? And second you are introduced to a terrific world which is light on science fiction and heavy on tension and thrills. This one has The Jagger family: A close knit group of four siblings who meet at their father's house for Christmas. This visit is tense because two years ago, their father adopted a lifelike Robot named January to "replace" their mother who had committed Suicide. But in a bout of rage, Jessie, one of the siblings, attacks and "murders" January for taking the place of their mother. Now, two years later, January's memory is wiped clean and they try to have another Christmas family reunion. One hopefully without any distractions or complications......

But of course, since this is The Jolvix Episodes, immediately prior to their visit, all four siblings get a note in the mail that simply reads "Your mother was Murdered" Looks like this one may get complicated really quick!

And this one takes off like a rocket. Faith Gardner is a gifted writer and this one is paced so well and the characters have outstanding believable personalities with their own titled chapters. And this includes January: The Robot.

Once again, I love this series and can't recommend it enough. I would rank it #2 behind "Amen Maxine" if I were to rank them. I can't find any flaws to this one as it's just a great enjoyable read that knocked my socks off from start to finish.

I really appreciate Mirror House Press for giving me the opportunity to review this book. It has a publication date of November 1, 2022.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

this was really good. i thoroughly enjoyed it.
fresh and intriguing plot. kept me interested. but the ending was a letdown. after all the drama, it felt like a very weak ending. i also couldn’t like the characters except for January. however, i liked it enough to read the other books in the series. really looking forward to it!

thanks to the publisher and netgalley for the copy!

At heart this is about a dysfunctional family with secrets. There is a futuristic element added with companion robots. This gave rise to the question of what constitutes humanity.

It was a good mystery/thriller. It is the third in the series but can easily be read as a stand alone book.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers. This is my honest review,

Thank you NetGalley and Mirror House Press for the copy of What January Remembers. I loved parts of this book and thought January was an intriguing character. What can bots learn, and do they have feelings and friendships? The siblings, on the other hand, were pretty boring and didn't really show personalities. The book had a slow start and it never really picked up. The suspense/mystery took a back seat to the story of the bots for me. It wasn’t a bad book, it just wasn’t great.

This series just won't let up! Each time I see a new installment I request an early copy band hope I'm accepted. I'm never disappointed in the book or being accepted for the early read. Thank you as always to Netgalley, the publisher and author for my advanced copy for an honest review.

I think this is a great Christmas read as it takes place during obviously that time of year where the Jagger family all comes together for that one special time of year to celebrate. You have all four siblings whose names start with "J" along with the father and companion Robot whose name is January. Yes you read that right, companion robot! There is so much dealt with in regards to the family dynamics. Jesse and Julianna were my favs in regards to character development. But January and June stole the show. There is just so much packed into this read and while its a standalone I did like the quick nod to the previous book with Violet and her band.

To rate the entire series this one and Amen Maxine are my favs but they all are so good. As I said in other reviews i need a robo feather duster....I'M NOT KIDDING.....its seriously on my xmas list and someone needs to gift me one.

Holy shit the third installment in the Jolvix Episodes was 🔥🔥🔥⁣
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The Jaggers were THE family. That is, until their matriarch was found dead in the bathtub. The family drifts apart. Their father, Jeremy, gets a companion bot he names January. Ten years later they reunite yet violence returns to the estranged family. Two years later the Jaggers are back together, trying to be a family once more. But all the children receive a sinister note telling them their mother was murdered. What's the truth? Is this the work of January or something else?⁣
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Guys this book is DEEP. WHAT JANUARY REMEMBERS can be read as a standalone but it's best to be read with AMEN MAXINE and VIOLET IS NOWHERE. Not only do we have crazy sci-fi bots and a futuristic feel but the book explores family dynamics, mental illness and just the ethics of companion bots in general. ⁣
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This is not a typical thriller but it pulled me in from page one. It's a family drama with lots of secrets. All the characters (hell, even January) were layered AF. They were a bunch of onions. ⁣
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This book was on par, if not better than AMEN MAXINE. I'm seriously loving this universe that @faith.gardner is creating and yooooo she is a fast AF writer. Three books so far this year! Insane.⁣
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Go grab AMEN MAXINE and VIOLET IS NOWHERE before WHAT JANUARY REMEMBERS comes out Nov. 1!⁣
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Thank you to @netgalley for my free e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book had absolutely everything. It was so good that I’m a bit dazed right now. I liked her previous books too, but this is my new favorite.

The Jaggers were once a tight-knit family. But after their mother’s tragic death years ago, the four children and their father have drifted further apart

After a disturbing, violent Christmas two years ago the Jaggers wish they could forget, they’re reuniting in their childhood southern California home dubbed “the Pink Castle” to give celebrating the holidays one more shot this year. But in the days before they gather, the children each get a sinister note that reads ‘Your mother was murdered’

Everything in the book appealed to me; The superb writing, that blew my mind away. Her writing style just flows effortlessly, and there are tons of interesting and sometimes funny dialogues.I have added some of my favorite quotes to show how skilled Gardner is. The plot and the alternating POVs. My favorite character was January herself. It was so interesting to see how bot reasons and learn and found ways to overcome her programming.

The ending was really something. I won’t say to much, other than it was genius. You will understand if you pick up this gem and I promise you hours of satisfying reading. I want to read it AGAIN at once.



Quotes I liked
‘I put a cork in my secret bottle of wishes’

‘I find it interesting that humans can exist in the past and present at the same time’

‘I think I might be discovering that a world exists between a lie and a truth’

‘It seems like the more we talk, the more I have to say’

‘It seems like a house of card ready to blow over at a whisper’

Thank you mirror house press and netgally for this very much appreciated ARC.

4.5⭐
It’s the Christmas season, and the Jagger family are all gathering to enjoy this special time together. It’s been two long years since all the adult children came home. But it's time, as they try to celebrate the holidays once again.

You see, the last time they were together there was what you might call “an incident” (to say the least). But there may be even more drama awaiting them now as each receives a disturbing note stating...

“Your mother was murdered”😱

Their mother died years ago after what was considered a suicide. Their father never remarried.
And instead of pursuing a new love interest he purchases the latest companion bot, and named her January.

This 'human-like' robot is as close to life like as they come. And familiar question arise: Just how life like are these bots? They’re programmed to follow commands. But can they also think on their own? Feel? Or…remember? (EEKS!!😱)

Book three of the Jolvix series that can certainly be read as a stand-alone. But why would you? This series is so good I strongly recommend starting at the beginning with Amen Maxine. All are light sci-fi thrillers. But don’t be concerned if sci-fi isn’t your thing. It’s more just futuristic.🤷🏻‍♀️

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this entire series and cannot wait to see what Faith Gardner has in store for us next!

Thank you to NetGalley and Mirror House Press

My rating system: 3.5 rounded up to 4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ticked a lot of boxes and was reliable and FUN!!!

The Jaggers were once (from the outside) a tight knit family who spent every Christmas together, but after the Janelle’s (the mother’s) death they have drifted ever further apart. From the inside though the effects of Janelle Jagger and her ever changing moods has left lasting damage on each and every member of the family.

All the kids have moved away, save for one who stays and has an unhealthy addiction and Dad well, he has his own unusual habits. Mr Jagger has a live in ‘companion robot’ named January. January suffered an unfortunate fate two years earlier at the hand of one of the Jaggers and no one has returned - until now.

With January having a sufficiently wiped memory (or does she) and everyone has cleaned up their act (or have they) the Jaggers are back together for a loving and fun filled Christmas together…. or is that just what it looks like from the outside??

Each member of the family receives an ominous note in the mail simply stating ‘Your mother was murdered’ is this a sick joke? Is it a warning from January? Or does someone in the family have more to hide?

Fa-la-la-la-ing Hell this will be one Christmas that will not be forgotten!!

So I was a little hesitant to get this one after - Violet is Nowhere - which I did not enjoy at all. But after reading some really good reviews I jumped in feet first and went for it. 👣

I found the style of this one to be really fun and fast paced. I always like alternating POVs and dark humour which we have in spades. The very ‘real’ way each of the family members deals with life is such a familiar thing. Each of us have our own issues, childhood problems and things we would rather forget. I would venture a guess that no one (YET) has a robot family member and that made this super fun. 🤗

Every time I imagined January I couldn’t help but think of ‘Rosey the Robot’ from the Jetson’s (showing my age there) which made me giggle. IMAGINE having a robot in your home doing your housework - aside from the fact that I would be afraid it would kill me in my sleep - that alone would have me half sold 🤣. And boy does January like to clean!!!

I liked the dynamic of each of the Jagger’s and finding out a little more about the things that make them the way they are was not only interesting but disturbing. Their mother is some piece of work and I don’t mind saying also somewhat a little close to home 😲. Mentally unstable is probably the right word for Mrs Jagger - and she managed to cast an everlasting shadow over everyone’s life in the worst kind of way even after her death. These chapters where we went back in time to learn more about mother dear’s relationship with her children were the most interesting to me as they were very real and very familiar but also super sad. I felt for the Jagger kids and understood why they were the way they were. BUT were they capable of murder ??? You will have to read it to find out. 😵

I found myself feeling sad for January - although she is a robot - she has a pretty average life and a lot of people hate her guts. Here’s lookin at you Jesse!!! 🤖

Overall this is not what I would call a thriller - but it was a really good look at domestic chaos in all its glory. I think many a family would have a familiar tale to tell (save for the robots) at Christmas time. When too many Rums are flowing and punches start flying, emotions are high and it is by far not a Silent Night! 🤶

The story was written really well in relatable language that kept me engaged. I would say that some of the chapters were slightly too long but thats me being picky. I absolutely did not pick who the baddie was as there were simply too many options, although I quite liked everyone enough for me not to suspect anyone. 🤷‍♀️

I still think from this series Amen Maxine is my favourite - it was the first and the best in my opinion but this one is a close second. You don’t need to read these in any order to enjoy them but there are some nice little ‘Easter Eggs’ from the other books if you have read them in sequence. 🙌

Thank you Mirror House Press, NetGalley and Faith Gardner for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

TW: Suicide, adultery, trauma, drug, alcohol and family violence.

I loved reading the third instalment of the Jolvix Episodes.
Two Christmases ago, Jesse tried to kill January, his father's humanlike "companionship bot." For the first time since The Incident, the Jagger family is back together for Christmas ... including January, who allegedly had her memory wiped and doesn't remember Jesse's attack. Or does she?????

I love how Faith made January the companionship bot human-like. I loved the storyline with June. What I found weird is Jesse's father treats the bot like a human. Even gets January to wear his wife's clothes. This book is for you if you love suspense, thriller, and sci-fi.

Thank you to Mirror House Press and NetGalley for this ARC.

What January Remembers will be published on 1 November 2022.

I give it 5 out of 5 stars.

Wicked Witches! 😳😯🤯😳🤯

⊰ 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐁𝐲 𝐅𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐆𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐫 ⊱

I'm so absolutely invested in this amazing thriller Sci-fi dystopian series that Gardner has amazingly & creepily created! Ironically I am not a Sci-fi adorer in any way, but Gardner has converted me to her side as the only exception because of how and what she writes and the absolute craziness & unreal revelations she smacks you sideways with! If you haven't jumped on the Jolvex Series yet... RUN FOR IT! I was sucked in and gripped with talons when I started this and couldn't put it down like all her others. The absolutely wickedly twisted fun of this thriller is enough to give you the creeps with the thrilling aspect of each character's past story. She concocts and creates an incredibly messed up (in a fab way!), family and delivers an incredible mystery with a wicked punch for an ending that will leave your jaw on the floor. She takes you on a ride of insanity and you won't see it coming. Trust no one and nothing!

Mყ 𝐒ყɴ𝐨ρѕιѕ: 'Tis the season for Christmas, defected family & murderous fun! Welcome to The Jaggers. Although they all live apart now, they're all back for Christmas at the family home with their dad, & his robot companion, January. It's been two years since the last time they got together which ended in... well attempted murder. But this time, everyone's received a cryptic note that their mother who died years earlier, was actually murdered. Everyone is dysfunctional in their own way... but could it be one of them are actually murderers?

Thank you to NetGalley & Mirror House Press for this ARC.
Release Date: November 1, 2022

𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐭: 4.5 / 5 Jack-o'-lanterns! 🎃

Are you ready for the Black Mirror Christmas episode?

Faith Gardner delivers in the third installment of the Jolvix Episodes. I honestly like this one even more than Violet is Nowhere. If you enjoy reading about the human experience, even the robots in this story will make you ponder our existence and actions.

Pub date: 01 November 2022

Thank you to NetGalley and Xpresso Book Tours for the ARC; I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I really enjoyed this story. It was fun reading a thriller/suspense type of novel with a science fiction feel to it and a little sprinkle of Christmas to get you in the mood for the holiday season. After all, is it really a holiday season if there's no family disfunction? There were quite a few things I liked.

1. The complicated family relationships. - Each child had a complicated childhood, but the one common factor in all of it was their mother, Janelle Jagger. She was a whirlwind of toxic energy and emotional manipulation. The lengths she went to, to garner sympathy and coerce her family into bending to her whims was heartbreaking and also fascinating.
Each person in the family remembered her differently, but all of them wished her dead at some point. I enjoyed watching Gardener navigate through these relationships. She managed to keep each one unique. Represented the countless people that dread the holidays because it brings nothing but stress and headaches. Families can be ugly. Families can be complicated and leave you feeling conflicted for loving the people that bring you the most pain. Each Jagger had a lot of traumas, and they all chose to deal with it in different ways.

2. January- Speaking of the different ways they chose to deal with their trauma, Papa Jagger went and got himself a companion bot named January who closely resembled his dead wife. Which is super creepy and weird, considering how crazy she drove him. January was humanlike in appearance, aside from the soulless eyes, but she was still a robot. Her habit of being painfully literal was actually hilarious more often than not. I don't know if that was meant to be funny, but I found myself snickering at January quite a bit throughout the book.

3. Everyone was scared of the robots, but they should have been scared of the humans. - An interesting concept in this story, was that most of them were so hellbent on seeking out flaws in the framework of the companion bots, that they failed to see the shortcomings in themselves. Now don't get me wrong, the idea of a companion bot is unbelievably creepy, even if they do help with the laundry and the cooking but everyone framed them as if they were these horrible creatures. In reality, it was the humans in this book that were actually horrible. Especially Jesse. I really couldn't stand him. He had violent outbursts that left a ton of damage in its wake. The next-door neighbor was a jerk that liked to abuse his companion bot and abused his actual wife before she got tired of his crap and left him. They tried hard to convince themselves that the companion bots were inherently evil, when in reality, they were the evil ones.


I definitely recommend this book! If you're looking for something to get you in the festive mood, but you don't want to stray too far away from the thriller vibes that you're used to, this is the perfect book for you! Not everything about the holidays has to involve a meet cute. It isn't always snuggly vibes and good times. What January Remembers is the perfect combination of sci-fi, thriller, and holiday vibes.