A slow burn crime mystery. One night Quinn, a florist witnesses a murder. Or so she thinks, there’s no body. What’s worse is she can’t recall memories, as she was attacked a while back that left her with a brain injury. She keeps a notebook where she writes everything down. Including details of what she saw that night as a form of therapy. This is a unique take on this genre, although it is a bit of a slow burn, it is a good plot. The mystery was very well laid out, with some really good turns along the way. Driscoll is able to incorporate a lot of details about memory loss and keep it interesting the way she does it. Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity.

Very good thriller/mystery! Will definitely read more by this author. I enjoyed the different approach with the main character having a traumatic brain injury and not being able to form new memories.

Wow action packed thought provoking. This audio book was a binge listen. The writer had vlearly done tgeir research into the effects of brain injury and trauma and thus shown throught. The narrator dud s fsbujon of just making it a natural part of the narrative. What would you do if you witnessed a murder but you can't remember all the time dye to an attack on you. I loved the way the police were betrayed as both understanding and ignorant. This was full of teists and turns and good solid side chatacters. A real joy to listen 2 and also screamed series potential.
Thank you so much netgallery and publisher and author and narrator.

I wouldn't really call this book a thriller as there's nothing for the readers to 'uncover' and no suspense element really. There wasn't any sense of anticipation of "what comes next", "which one to trust, and who not to trust". There was a crime, and the case was solved as the book progressed with the help of our protagonist.

But I did enjoy the book, which is why I am giving it 3.5 stars. It might not have been gripping, but it was a pleasant one. The character's internal struggles, fight with herself for self-love and confidence, resilience, and the other characters all made it an overall interesting journey.

I also liked the narration, it's always pleasant to find an audiobook with a narrator with a level voice who knows how to change the tones aptly enough for the different characters to be easily distinguished but not sound too odd or forced while doing it!

Never Fall for a Dragon
Mate Mountain #1
Lola Glass
Never Fall for a Dragon is the first book in a spicy new series.
This book got some pretty bad reviews, but I can’t figure out why. It is a fast read and a hot read. I do not like books about demons and there was a demon in the book, but I like dragons. I enjoyed this book. This is the kind of book you read when you need to be distracted, you don’t want anything serious, and you want something hot.
Elodie sees a man and woman in what she believes is an argument. She rushes to the woman’s aid only to discover things were not as it appeared. It was too late though; she had already touched the dragon and so began the heat. The Dragon Shifter, August. Explained what happens when a female touches a male Dragon Shifter. She immediately goes in heat. It is very painful for the next 4 weeks she will be in agony unless he is touching her. If they give in to their desire, they will be mated/sealed for life. August along with the help of some friends, take Elodie to a house where they will stay for the next 4 weeks. The house is unfurnished, so August has furniture delivered. He also has food delivered.
Elodie and August have some very hot scenes as they attempt to resist having sex. They do everything but…it’s a matter of opinion I suppose. They actually get to know each other, and they like each other. What will happen at the end of the 4 weeks.
I like it. The book was a fun read.

Thank you NetGalley for providing a copy of this book for review.

Get ready for an intense and emotional ride with "Echoes of Memory"! From the very first page, this gripping thriller had me hooked. But fair warning, it contains some sensitive topics, so brace yourself.

I have a thing for books that explore mental illness and the complexities of the human mind. In "Echoes of Memory," Quinn is battling a traumatic brain injury following a vicious attack. Her struggle to retain short-term memories leads her to rely on journaling and sketching to hold onto the important moments. To make matters worse, she becomes a witness to a murder and finds herself teaming up with Detective Reyes, the only person in law enforcement who believes her tale.

After reading countless thrillers, it's rare to come across a fresh, intriguing plot filled with compelling characters like this one. I can't imagine being in Quinn's shoes, much less with no family to lean on. The author's writing is captivating, and I'm already itching to dive into more of her books, especially if she has other standalone novels up her sleeve.

Sincere thanks to RB Media for providing this audiobook through NetGalley. All opinions are my own and left voluntarily.

I was completely absorbed by this book from beginning to end. My interest in mysteries involving memory loss or trauma made it especially compelling. The way the story unfolded was captivating, with each twist and turn keeping me engaged.

The characters were vividly portrayed, and their complex relationships added depth to the plot. Watching how their connections and pasts intertwined to solve the mystery was fascinating. The resolution was both surprising and satisfying, bringing all the elements of the story together in a meaningful way.

This audiobook truly stands out for its skillful blend of intricate plot and rich character development.

Echoes of Memory by Sara Driscoll
Release Date: 7/23/24
Format: audio
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

This thriller started quick and had me intrigued! We have a victim of a crime that caused memory loss witnessing another crime while still working on improving her short term memory recollection. Thankfully, she has a handy dandy notebook she documents everything in religiously before her memories escape her!

To no one’s surprise, the two male police officers that show up on the scene, act like she is a criminal for needing to check her “script” and she finds herself second guessing everything. She ends up befriending a friendlier woman detective who helps her navigate her tricky situation as it continues to develop and unfold.

This book unfortunately fell flat for me due the the sheer amount of info dumping. Unfortunately, when there are books that rely heavily on memory loss as a plot device, it’s sometimes difficult to avoid the constant rehashing of details. However, I felt like so much exposition was given to us through info dumping as well.

Not a terrible thriller all in all, but unfortunately not a book I’d be quick to recommend in the genre. Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced listening copy in exchange for my honest opinion!

Thanks to RB Media, NetGalley, Sara Driscoll, and narrator Cynthia Farrell for the chance to listen to a very exciting audiobook. Echoes of Memory tells the story of Quinn Fleming who months earlier was assaulted and now suffers from post traumatic brain amnesia. However, now she is faced with a difficult problem—she just witnessed a murder and if she can’t remember the details she could be the next victim. The police work hard to try and help her but she’s running out of time.
I really enjoyed the writing and I thought the author did a great job making Quinn very realistic. This is one I am happy to recommend to mystery and thriller lovers.

This standalone mystery takes readers on a thrilling journey with Quinn Fleming, a San Diego florist grappling with post-traumatic amnesia after a brutal attack. As the sole witness to a murder she can’t recall, Quinn’s quest to uncover the truth is both captivating and intense.

The storyline is masterfully crafted, with Quinn relying on her handwritten notes and sharp instincts to piece together the crime and ensure her survival. The use of flashbacks, presenting fragments of her broken memory, adds layers of suspense and complexity that keep readers on the edge of their seats.

Quinn’s struggle with her memory loss is depicted with authenticity and sensitivity, making her a compelling and relatable protagonist. The tension escalates as she realizes someone else is aware of her fragmented memories and considers her a threat to be eliminated.

The novel’s pacing is excellent, with each chapter revealing just enough to keep readers hooked, yet always leaving them wanting more. The plot is intricate and the twists well-executed.

The narrator skillfully brings the characters to life, adding depth and tension to the story. The narration enhances the experience, making it even more engrossing!

For fans of psychological thrillers and mysteries, this book is a must-read. It’s a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the relentless pursuit of truth, even when the odds are against you.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC (audiobook) in exchange for my honest review.

Narrated by Cynthia Farrell
Presented by RB Media

An interesting premise, but the story was a little too slow for my tastes.

A woman with a traumatic brain injury witnesses a murder, but her condition means she has to write everything down before she forgets what's happened. But once the memories fade, how does she tell what's real and what's not?

I really liked the idea of it, and Quinn was likeable enough as a protagonist. I appreciated the detective and that, for the most part, Quinn wasn't treated like a nutjob. There was a lot of respect given to her and her condition, and the inclusion of her TBI support group helped explain the condition in a compassionate way.

Aside from that, I never really became as invested in the story as I wanted to be. I found myself tuning out a lot and losing interest and therefore focus. There's a lot of attention on Quinn's injury and how she goes about everyday life with it, so it took away from the crime aspect a lot and really slowed the story down.

The narrator did a decent job bringing the characters to life, though some sounded similar enough that I was a little confused as to who was speaking. I also got genders mixed up a bit and lost track of some of the less distinctive characters.

I did enjoy it, but it wasn't particularly memorable. It was an easy enough listen with an interesting premise, but not quite thrilling enough to hook me.

With thanks to NetGalley for an audio ARC

Slower mystery to what I’m used to. If you like a slow burn mystery this might be for you. I found the main characters persona to be repetitive and not very interesting. She’s been through a lot, but I found it to be the same issues over and over again. I much preferred the chapters from the other characters perspective. I found the end of the book good, since there was more action and excitement. I wish there was more suspense throughout the book though.

Thanks NetGalley for the ARc of this audiobook, The storyline of this book was very intriguing. A woman loses her memory and now she is seeing things that she can’t understand. I unfortunately couldn’t stay interested in the book past 50% I thought the speed of the story was really slow and nothing had happened in the book that was keeping my interest alive.

Echoes of Memory by Sara Driscoll, aka Jen J Danna
Mystery, thriller.
Several months earlier, San Diego florist Quinn Fleming survived a terrible attack which left her with post-traumatic amnesia. Her short term memory is gone. In order to remember anything from day to day, she keeps a notebook of hand written notes of things she needs to remember, which she then reads on the bus to and from work each day.
One night when closing the store, she witnesses a murder in the alley. She immediately writes down everything she saw in detail including impressions and calls the police. By the time they arrive though, there is no body and no evidence of a crime. When Quinn starts having flashbacks, Detective Reyes matches a body found washed up on a beach to Quinn’s notes and sketches. Quinn innocently starts investigating a logo she thinks she’s remembering from that night, which triggers a threat from the killer. He heard someone in the alley that night. Now he knows who else needs to be eliminated.

🎧 I alternated between an ebook and an audiobook which was performed by Cynthia Farrell. The narration is fantastic with varying voices for the few main characters and impressive emotional scenes from the victim. Much of the book is high tension and terror which is clearly heard and felt while other parts include her therapy sessions where you hear tension, embarrassment and hope from Quinn.
For me, reading print is more visual and immersive while an audiobook is heard and felt. Both work wonderfully for this thriller.
I listened to the audiobook at a speed of 1.5 which more closely matches speech patterns in my area.

I couldn’t imagine having no memory of yesterday or this morning and having to refer to notes, let alone the shock of reading about witnessing a murder, and being in danger because of it. Talk about a wake up call!
A gripping and intense thriller.
4.5
I received a copy of this from NetGalley and publisher RB Media.

Three months ago, Quinn's life was turned upside down by a traumatic brain injury that left her unable to retain new memories. Her days are now filled with sticky notes and alarms to navigate her world. One evening, she witnesses a murder behind the shop where she works. The police need her to piece together the crime, but how reliable is her shattered memory?

My thoughts:
This book felt like an unexpected deep dive into the workings of memory. And I might also have gained some knowledge about how the bits and bytes of my memory lane work. 😛

I loved the story and its portrayal, especially the dual POV, which was perfect. Experiencing the world through Quinn's eyes made me question my own perception at times. Like Quinn, the narrative moved one step back and two steps forward, guiding us to the story's climax. It felt like being on a journey with her, sharing her setbacks and breakthroughs.

I also listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed Cynthia Farrell's narration.

Thanks to NetGalley, Sara Driscoll, and Kensington Books for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Many thanks to NetGalley and RBmedia for the free audiobook in exchange for my honest review. Cynthia Farrell does a great job narrating this one.

Imagine being in a horrible attack that left you without your short term memory. This is Quinn's new world. She survived a horrible attack outside a nightclub only to be left with no short term memory unless she writes it down in her notebook. Then, one night when working late in the florist shop, Quinn witnesses a murder. She recorded all of the events in her notebook which makes the detectives suspicious of her. Also, there is the small fact of no body has been found. Will Quinn recognize the killer? Will the cops believe her?

I do think this is an entertaining read and my favorite sections were learning how memory and the brain function after suffering a traumatic event. I loved learning how the brain can use neuroplasticity to retrieve memory loss. I thought that Quinn's character and her methods of moving forward and her efforts to heal and help solve the crime and save her life to be interesting. The pacing for me fell off a bit in the middle but it did pick up at the end.

3.5 stars rounded up!

I love this. I know "isn't this a cop book?" It is! It is like a super cop book because our girl can't remember a thing and is trying to solve a murder she witnessed and then forgot. She ends up working with a lady cop. It was intriguing, I loved the narration too.

3.5 stars
Quinn Fleming is recovering both mentally and physically from a life changing assault. Being attacked left Quinn with amnesia that affects her day to day life tremendously. She must journal even the smallest of details to be able to try to live as normal as she can. One night while closing the flower shop she works at, she witnessed a murder in the alley behind the shop. She immediately went to her journal to jot down any details she could retain. But once the police arrive, there seems to be no evidence of a murder at all. Not even a body. Will Quinn be able to recall enough details to assist in solving this horrendous act?

I really enjoyed the first 30 or so percent of this story. Great foundation with a lot of potential. I really enjoyed Quinn's character. Her working relationships with Detective Reyes was admirable. They both showed so much respect for one another. I loved how Reyes was supportive and encouraging through Quinn's biggest struggles.
I enjoyed the writing style/prose and would read other books from this author.
I listened to the audiobook - narration was 2.5/5 stars for me and potentially a large part of the reason this one fell short for me. It felt flat/monotone. The storyline got repetitive with little action towards the end. I felt like it was opposite of the usual slow burn beginning and explosive ending. There were no twists or unexpected happenings. Simply a detective investigation story.

Thanks to NetGalley, Sara Driscoll, and RB Media for this ARC audiobook and the chance to give my own honest opinion.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Kensington Books, and Recorded Books Media for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of this standalone book by Sara Driscoll, wonderfully narrated by Cynthia Farrell. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

Quinn survived a terrible attack that left her with a traumatic brain injury. Three months later, she relies on tips she learned in a TBI support group to help her retain her short-term memories. When she witnesses a crime, she writes down the details before she forgets them. The police aren't impressed and she soon starts experiencing flashbacks about the crime, leading her to do her own investigation.

I got lost in this book, and loved being able to switch from the audio to the digital versions so I could keep reading. I thought the TBI storyline was fascinating, as were all the tricks and tips Quinn used to help retain her memories. The suspense was high and I worried for Quinn's safety as she took things into her own hands. Detective Reyes was the only law enforcement officer who put stock into Quinn's story, and she turned into a very sympathetic friend and supporting character. Great read - would love to read more from these characters!

The story centers around a woman who suffers from some sort of short-term memory loss due to brain damage from an assault. As she navigates her life with the aid of a notebook where she records her daily experiences to keep track of her life, she unexpectedly becomes a witness to a murder. Besides jotting down notes, she sketches what she remembers, utilizing her talent as an artist to help piece together her fragmented reality.

The premise of the book is intriguing, with the potential to offer a deep, psychological exploration of memory and trauma. However, the execution falls short. The prose feels mechanical, almost as if it were generated by an AI. While there are no glaring issues with the writing, it lacks the emotional depth and soul that would make the story engaging. The characters are flat, and the plot, despite its promise, becomes monotonous.

Unfortunately, the narration only adds to the overall lackluster experience. The narrator's delivery is painfully monotone, making it difficult to distinguish between characters during conversations. Every character ends up sounding like a TBI patient. Additionally, the narrator's frequent swallowing etc is distracting.

The book also lowkey suggests various coping mechanisms for memory issues, which seem to be sourced from Wikipedia ;) While this information could be useful, its presentation feels superficial and uninspired.

Overall, while the concept had potential, both the writing and narration fail to bring it to life. The result is an audiobook that is more of a chore to listen to than a compelling experience.