Heart-warming, thought-provoking and impossible to put down, Samantha Tonge’s The Memory of You is a book you will want to tell your friends and family about.

Alex is a woman who seems to have it all. She is somebody who has achieved all of her goals and has everything that she has always wanted. But reality is an entirely different proposition altogether. She is in danger of losing her home, her career as a writer is in tatters, her ex refuses to have anything to do with her and she’s lost her mother forever. Alex is about to give up – until a stranger called Hope comes into her life and gives her the second chance she had been absolutely desperate for.

Alex and Hope decide to swap lives and Alex agrees to step into Hope’s shoes for a whole month and take over The Wrong Order Café. Alex, however, soon realises that she should have asked Hope more questions about the running of the café because this establishment is like no other coffee shop in the world. Is Alex cut out for The Wrong Order Café? Has she just made the biggest mistake of her life by turning her back on everything that was familiar to her?

Little did Alex realise when she had agreed to swap lives with Hope that everything was going to change for her. But will all these changes prove beneficial for Alex? Will she find everything she had been looking for? Or will there be further heartache and disappointment in the offing?

Samantha Tonge can always be relied upon to deliver a first-rate page-turner that grips from the very first page and keeps you hooked until the end and she has done it again with The Memory of You. A novel that will make you laugh and cry and feel every single emotion the characters in this book go through, The Memory of You is a stellar tale of friendship, courage, hope and love that will tug at the heartstrings and stay with you long after the last page is turned.

I’m so glad I pushed through the first few chapters and continued reading this book. I was going to give up on it as I disliked the writing style at first. I found it to be choppy, unorganized, and abrupt, and the author often left out what I thought to be important explanations of certain things. But as I continued, I fell in love with the characters and was shocked (and pleasantly surprised) with the character development in the protagonist. Being a nurse, I appreciated the information the book offered on dementia and the way the author portrayed those characters; I believe it was a great representation. I was also so happy with the ending; I thought it was sweet and heartwarming but not cheesy! Well done

Samantha Tonge's "The Memory of You" is a heart-warming tale filled with love, hope, and the power of new beginnings. Alex, a woman struggling with various aspects of her life, finds herself at a crossroads when she meets Hope, a stranger who offers her an unexpected opportunity to take over her job at a café while she travels. Desperate for a change, Alex jumps at the chance, unaware of the transformative journey that awaits her.

Tonge skillfully weaves a narrative that explores themes of loss, redemption, and the resilience of the human spirit. Through Alex's experiences at the "Wrong Order Café," readers are taken on a journey of self-discovery as she navigates through unexpected challenges and forms meaningful connections with the people she meets along the way.

The characters in "The Memory of You" are beautifully drawn and relatable, each with their own hopes, fears, and secrets. From the enigmatic owner of the café, Tom, to the colorful cast of regulars, Tonge creates a vibrant and captivating world that readers will find themselves fully immersed in.

What sets this novel apart is Tonge's ability to infuse the story with warmth, humor, and genuine emotion. As Alex confronts her past and embraces the possibilities of the future, readers are reminded of the power of forgiveness, second chances, and the importance of cherishing the memories that shape who we are.

A gentle but stunning read regarding a sensitive subject which is handled with care and reverence. The story is crafted beautifully and is truly heart warming and enjoyable. The story is slow to start and the main character difficult to like but this adds to the depth and the overall book meaning neither of these are bad things but integral elements of the story telling. Fantastic characters bring depth to the story. Dementia can be a difficult diagnosis to read about but this book is respectful and informative.

Thank you Netgalley

In the book centering around the Wrong Order Cafe, the narrative sensitively addresses the topic of dementia. The cafe, previously run by Tom's now dementia-afflicted father, has workers Renee and Fletch who, due to early stages of dementia, often mix up orders. Alex steps in to replace Hope, residing in the apartment above the cafe while Hope is on vacation. Initially seeking an escape from her declining writing career and poor life decisions, Alex, who starts off as rather self-centered, almost abandons the cafe. However, she soon recognizes the profound impact of the cafe and undergoes significant personal growth as she confronts various challenges. The book, commended for its research and heartfelt writing, encapsulates themes of love and kindness, deeply resonating with the reader.

A brilliant read and one I really enjoyed. The characters are loveable and varied, the plot is one that is engaging and medium paced. I found myself completely drawn into the story and enjoyed the writing style.

The Memory of You by Samantha Tonge was an uplifting, well written novel about the sad topic of Alzheimer's. The characters you meet are quirky, believable and lovable. Pay close attention to the life lessons taught along the way. Two characters went through a thorough metamorphosis and made you love the final person they evolved into. I will recommend this book and read other books by this author. Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.

Alex appears to have it all but is secretly facing numerous challenges. When a chance encounter with a stranger named Hope presents her with an unexpected opportunity to take over a café job, she seizes it as the solution to her problems.

This is a touching and emotionally satisfying read that reminds us of the power of human connection and the unexpected turns life can take.

Really like this author. My father had dementia so I wasn’t sure if this one was for me or not. But I’m glad I did read it, it was very sensitively done. Lots of great research or personal experience has gone into the writing of this book. It was very well written mixed bunch of characters and a good plot. This book is another winner for the author

Found this to be such a poignant and touching story. It's an issue that seldom gets attention and I felt that the issues surrounding dementia and it's effects on everyday life and families was sensitive and well done. It struck a balance between educating me about how I can take more notice of how dementia affects people and also crafting a lovely story that was a pleasure to read.

An author, Alex, who needs to re-find her mojo
Meets a mother, Hope, who travelling with her daughter wants to go....
A change of time and space for them both could be
With new experiences for them both to live and see!

What a truly inspirational read,
Reflecting on aspirations, changes and need.
A story with great characters, who
Show their search for happiness and need for acceptance, too.

Chasing perfection is no way to live,
A time of unhappiness is all that will give.
However discovering this truth can take long time
And making mistakes is never a crime.

A fantastic story dealing with sensitive things so well
Enabling characters involved their stories to tell.
For my complementary copy I say a huge thank you
As I share with you my honest review.

This book was so powerful. It made me think about my memories and how important they are to me. Such an inspiring book. Will be reccomending

There are so many layers to this story which deals with some serious issues in a warm and humane way. The Alex you meet at the beginning is not particularly likeable but then you realise that she feels that way too. There are plenty of people who you can enjoy in the Wrong Order Cafe and there is a feeling of community there and acceptance of the loss that dementia brings to people and their families. As it takes away a person’s identity as memories fade away, there is nevertheless a determination to hang onto as much as possible to what makes them unique and loved.

I enjoyed all the humour which was to be found in the story, from Captain Beaky to the customers who delighted in the wrong order being delivered. Alex’s realisation about what she values and her opinion on how she has been living strikes home. I also loved all the references to the writing process and books. Most of all, I enjoyed the setting in Manchester having caught the bus in Stevenson Square many years ago as a schoolgirl.


In short: a warm uplifting story which goes beneath the surface.
#blogtour

Alex Butler is a very successful author. She has it all. A sleek modern apartment, a buzzing social media presence, and of course all the luxury items a woman could want. She has also the kind of attitude where you know that she has uttered the phrase "do you know who I am?" at least once in her life.

Except that it is all an illusion. Her career has taken a nose-dive after receiving a scathing review from an influential blogger, and there is no guarantee that she is going to receive a new contract. She is broke and the bank is chasing her for the arrears of her mortgage payment. She has a matter of weeks to get her agent the first part of her next book, and it has to be good.

She is also alone. When her marriage fell apart and then her mother died, Alex threw herself into her work, alienating her former colleagues and friends.

And so it is that she finds herself alone in a bar in Manchester. What she doesn't know is why is alone in a bar and crying. Hope is also alone in that bar and crying. She is crippled with fear. She is supposed to be leaving on a dream trip around with the world with her daughter in just a few days. The idea of going to strange countries scares her completely.She hasn't told her boss that she is going and she knows that if she does go she will also lose her home as it comes with her job, but if she doesn't go then she will disappoint her daughter

Somewhat impulsively Alex and Hope agree that Alex will fill in for Hope working in a cafe. Hope tries to tell her what makes the cafe unique, but Alex being Alex she doesn't listen. And so it is that Alex finds herself at the Wrong Order Cafe.

The Wrong Order Cafe is a special place. It is owned by good hearted Tom - a man with a penchant for wearing odd socks. He owns a cranky, opinionated parrot by the name of Captain Beaky. The thing that really makes The Wrong Order Cafe special is the staff. Many of the employees have varying degrees of dementia. They are each still able to work but on occasion they may get the orders mixed up, hence the cafe name. Tom works hard to ensure that his team is allowed to feel safe in their workplace and that they feel valued and useful. He knows how hard dementia is for both the person with dementia and for their family. as his own father was diagnosed with the condition.

Alex realises very quickly that this is not the place for her. She has no patience and she doesn't have time. Her deadline is fast approaching. But she does feel a bit guilty that if she doesn't fulfil her part of the bargain that Hope will lose her home too. In due course, she begins to see beyond the superficial, to see the strengths of the other people at the cafe. Even the parrot.

Whilst dealing with dementia is one of the major themes of the book, there is another, and that isthe dreaded M word for women my age - menopause. After realising that she has skipped her period for months, Alex is shocked to be told that she is peri-menopausal. This is not something that is talked about very often so it was interesting to read as Alex begins to relook at her life over the last few years to see how her changing body might have impacted on her life.

Alex was a difficult character to read about. She is very self contained and isolated from everyone. It is only as the book progresses that she begins to thaw. I am not sure that Alex is ever going to bel ight and fluffy but she does get better.

The strength of this book is in the issues it deals with. I loved the Wrong Place Cafe and the team that works there. They each are at different stages of their condition and each need different things to ground them in reality for as long as possible. They, and their families, know that it is only a matter of time before their condition worsens. There were lovely moments all through the book with each of the characters. Even the people in the cafe who are do not have dementia are given the space on the page for them to blossom.

And to read about two women discussing how menopause is affecting them? Unheard of. Or at least I can't remember reading one any time recently.

I had read one book from this author before, and I have another here waiting for me to read. I am looking forward to seeing what issues the author is going to explore next.

Alex had reached the heights as a best selling author but after a scathing review of her latest book and an unsettling text from her agent, she felt her career was over. Consequently, she had no idea how she was going to fund the lifestyle she’d become accustomed to and was all but drowning in self pity. All this, on top of the end of her marriage and the death of her mother, sent Alex into a tailspin. Bumping into Hope in a bar offered Alex a lifeline.

Hope was in a quandary. She and her daughter, Leah, were supposed to be going travelling for a few weeks before Leah’s final year at uni. Being used to a routine Hope was getting cold feet at the thought of being in foreign climes and not knowing what each day would bring. Her job also included her apartment and if she couldn’t find someone to fill in during her absence she would lose both. She hadn’t even told Tom, her boss, about the trip.

Meeting Hope changed Alex’s life in ways she could never have imagined, despite the rocky start. The Wrong Order Café was nothing like Alex had imagined and, with her present mindset, prickly attitude and health worries, feels working there is not for her. She’d been insular in her designer penthouse for too long and was finding dealing with people difficult. Tom, the café owner, had previously run the business with his father but a dementia diagnosis had forced Tom to rethink, and the Wrong Order Café was conceived.

Like countless other families, mine has also be affected by Alzheimer’s and so I was intrigued by the premise of this book. Tom and his staff, not forgetting the resident parrot, are lovely. He’s created a place where there’s the opportunity for those affected by dementia, including his father, to integrate into the community and feel appreciated. It doesn’t matter if customers are given the wrong order. I enjoyed Alex’s transformation as she begins to live in the real world, working at the cafe while getting to know the staff and witnessing how their lives are enriched.

The Memory of You is a story with heart, depth and emotion, written with empathy and understanding about the disease and the way it affects not only the person suffering, but also family members and friends. A unique concept, exploring relevant issues in a very sensitive way. Another wonderful read by Samantha Tonge.

After a chance encounter Alex agree to take over Hope's job in a cafe. It's not just any cafe though. An emotional read at times, especially if you have had a loved one diagnosed with dementia.

Like the duck that sleeps with one eye open to protect itself from an enemy, Alex had only one open as to how she perceived the world and how it really is. By detaching herself from her reality both from a personal and financial situation, Alex perceived others to be at fault and against her. Her life like Instagram was full of over inflated portrayals that couldn't be farther from the truth. Her books were an example of escapism. Yet she had a caring side and as she chose to work at the Wrong Order Cafe and observe others with dementia who lived according to memories in the past, she realized that life without imperfections would not be complete. Love and being vulnerable is. It is wabi sabi. I was so glad to see her and Hope form a strong bond and her relationship with Tom grow. I didn't know as much about dementia as I should and I am glad I was exposed to it. A truly worthwhile read.

This book had so much potential, but in my opinion only reached half that potential from the middle of the book onwards. The cafe idea is super different and great. For those who have had people in the family with Alzheimer's it is great to see this idea developed. Also, you can tell that the author has spent some time researching about dementia. Alex is one of the characters where you notice the most evolution. In the beginning she is super selfish until half of the book. Until she realises the reality of life and starts to change. I wish I could have seen more because the story had immense potential, but unfortunately it didn't quite get there. Other than that, it's a different book and I'm sure many people will enjoy it!

Thank you NetGalley for approving this book for me.

4.5 stars
Unlike recent books by Samantha Tonge, this story took me a little longer to love it. I think the problem was Alex, the main character. I didn't like her personality and her behavior at the start, so found it hard to fully enjoy the story right from the start, but I guess this was needed to show the personal growth she went through when she decides to step in for Hope after a chance meeting.

As the story developed I warmed up to Alex. I liked all the other characters immediately, but I wasn't feeling everything as intensely as I had expected. Perhaps because I don't have personal experience with what the characters are going through or because of the hecticness in my own life at the moment with a young puppy not allowing me to fully escape... I am not sure.

I enjoyed seeing the new friendships that developed and the emphasis on what can really make one happy and what matters and that it is not material things or status.

The Memory Of You - Samantha Tonge.

It’s the final day of the #blogtour for #TheMemoryOfYou by Samantha Tonge.
They say we save the best till last. However, when it comes to doing this book the justice it deserves in a review, I’m not sure that any words I choose will be eloquent enough to sum up this very special book.

Like so many other readers, dementia has touched the heart of my family.
It’s a terribly cruel and indiscriminate disease. But, as a family, we certainly felt there were lighter moments too.

Dementia isn’t a topic that we often find at the centre of mainstream fiction.
Thankfully, Samantha Tonge takes this delicate subject and writes it into something quite beautiful.

Alex’s life seems to have hit the skids. Her writing career has gone off the boil, her marriage is over, her mother has passed away and she is in serious danger of losing her swanky London abode.
A chance meeting with Hope, gives Alex an opportunity to step into someone else’s shoes for a month.
As Alex arrives at The Wrong Order Café, it isn’t quite what she had been expecting.
Alex eventually digs deep and gives the job and her new colleagues a chance, she is truly surprised and humbled by what she discovers.

It took me a few chapters to warm to Alex. At first she seemed a little self absorbed. When The Wrong Order Café finally sprinkles it’s magic on her, we see a new, much kinder and down to earth Alex emerge.

The mix of characters in this story, is wide and quirky.
From the individuals whose lives have been tapped on the shoulder by the dreaded disease, to their nearest and dearest who can only watch on as dementia takes hold and try their damndest
to make the most out of every day.

Tom, the café owner is a quirky but beautiful soul. He has created a space for people with dementia to shine and be accepted and respected.
The friendship that developed between him and Alex is very sweet and touching.

The star of the show can only be Mr Beaky the potty mouthed, straight talking parrot. He’s a bird with his own sad story to share. But he does seem to have landed on the right perch with Tom in The Wrong Order Café.

The Memory Of You, is a gentle, but powerful story. It’s honest, raw, poignant and heartbreaking. It is also warm hearted, positive, uplifting, funny and full of love and hope.
The story is captivating and written with such beautiful and tender words.
This is a story that Samantha Tonge has clearly written straight from the heart.

If I’m honest, I wasn’t entirely sure that I wanted to read a book that had dementia at its heart. I am so pleased that I took the plunge and gave it a go.
While the realities of this condition are not skirted around, The Memory Of You, is still a book that will make you smile and leave you with joy in your heart.
This is definitely a book that will stay with you, long after the last page has been read.

All credit to Samantha Tonge, for taking her own unique style of writing and daring to go down a tricky path. Then turning it into an exquisite journey.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

With grateful thanks to Netgalley, Boldwood Books and Rachel’s Random Resources for a digital arc of this title.