Member Reviews
This was such a unique and emotional storyline! I enjoyed this more than The Last Love Note and this author is now one of my favorites! 4.5⭐️
Put this phenomenal, transcendent, magical, special book at the very top of your TBR. Emma Grey has done it again.
Do yourself a favor and go into this blind.
Evie wakes up in the hospital after a devastating car crash that has killed her husband. The problem is, she doesn’t even remember that she has a husband. She thinks she is still 16.
Thus begins a novel that is nothing I expected to be, yet everything I needed. It’s a roller coaster of longing, loss, emotion, and above all love.
And I adored every moment of it. Evie and Oliver and Harriet and Drew will never leave my mind or my heart. Please read this, I promise you’ll love it.
When Evie Hudson wakes up in a hospital room, she thinks she's fresh out of a teenage party with her best friend. However, years have gone by and she's no longer a teenager and her and her best friend haven't spoken in years. Evie has just survived a car accident that killed her husband, Oliver - but the thing is she doesn't remember being married and she certainly doesn't know who Oliver is. After suffering a traumatic loss of memory, Evie is left to try and connect the dots of the part of her life she's lost. Enter Drew, a successful photographer who is the key in helping Evie unravel the details of her missing life and the death of the husband she doesn't remember.
"Pictures of You," was a quick and very engaging read. I read it in less than 24 hours and found myself compelled to keep turning the page despite the time on my clock. While the journey of the book kept me going, the reward of piecing Evie's life back together did not quite do it for me. I think the author tried to make the revelations of Evie and her marriage as well as her father-in-law's presence in her life was a little too dramatic for the story. I thought I was reading a sweet, but unique story of second chance romance, but instead the end portion of the book suddenly made it feel like a thriller or mysterious suspenseful story that had no real place in this book considering its pacing for the majority.
I really like the style of this author’s writing. I loved The Last Love Note by her and was excited to pick this one up.
This book was quite different from Grey’s previous one, but her ability to write an emotionally powerful story is found in both. The emotional manipulation in this story felt so real and made character choices understandable. I like a story that moves backward and forward at the same time as this one is written. Controlling monied family, regrets and forgiveness all play out.
The Last Love Note is still my fave by this author, but I think this one will be equally well received. Recommend!
Emma Grey’s Picture of You is a heartfelt and beautifully written story about love, loss, and finding the courage to heal. Grey captures raw emotion with stunning authenticity, crafting characters that feel real and relatable. The story is equal parts heartbreaking and uplifting, with moments of joy and hope that shine through the sadness. Perfect for fans of deeply emotional contemporary fiction, this book is a moving reminder of the power of second chances and the beauty in imperfection.
Pictures of You by Emma Grey is a poignant and emotionally resonant novel that explores love, loss, and the healing power of forgiveness. This story is deeply moving and really left an emotional impact on me. This story will stick with me for a long time.
Grey’s writing is both delicate and evocative, capturing the rawness of human emotions and the struggles of moving forward after trauma - and redefining your life with the people you need most.
Wonderful story, great character development, great writing! Highly recommend this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it
I loved this book. I love Grey’s writing style and enjoyed the real love story behind all the chaos of this storyline.
This twisty and secret-filled story is one I wasn't able to put down. There were some plot lines that were a little over-the-top but I still found PICTURES OF YOU touching.
Thanks to Zibby Books for the copy to review.
•Dual POV
•Past/Present timelines with flashbacks
•Second chance romance
Pictures of You is part romance, part mystery, part suspense, and so beautifully written. I enjoyed the dual points of view and the flashbacks, but admittedly was a bit lost at times with all switching back and forth. Thank you to Zibby for an ARC. 4 stars.
Loved the way this story was told in alternating timelines and narrators. I loved how thought provoking this one was too! I feel like if you are a fan of Grey's debut you will also love this!
When Evie wakes up after a car crash that killed her husband, she believes she’s 16 and has no memory of her current life. This sets her on a journey to uncover the truth about her past and how photographer Drew fits into her story. The novel hooks readers effortlessly, as the pieces of the puzzle slowly come together alongside Evie’s discoveries. I particularly enjoyed the teenage flashbacks, which offered insight into how her decisions shaped the relationships around her over the years. With a perfect blend of angst, second chances, heartbreak, and hope, this story will tug at your heartstrings!
Pictures of You by Emma Grey is a poignant, beautifully crafted novel that explores the complexity of grief, love, and healing with sensitivity and depth.
The story follows two women, Rachel and Tessa, whose lives become intertwined after a tragic accident. Rachel is struggling with the recent loss of her husband, Ben, and as she sorts through the aftermath, she discovers a series of old photographs that reveal an unexpected connection between Ben and Tessa, his former lover. As Rachel grapples with feelings of betrayal, loss, and the deepening mystery of her husband’s past, Tessa, too, is dealing with her own sorrow and regrets.
Both Rachel and Tessa are multi-dimensional characters, each navigating their own journey of loss, self-discovery, and the search for closure. The novel’s dual narrative—told from both Rachel’s and Tessa’s perspectives—adds layers to the story, allowing readers to understand the pain, vulnerability, and resilience of both women as they come to terms with the past and begin to rebuild their lives.
The pacing is deliberate, allowing the story to unfold at a natural rhythm as the characters reflect on their pasts and slowly begin to piece together the truth about Ben’s life. The dialogue is sharp and honest, and the intimate, often fragile moments between Rachel and Tessa are written with such authenticity that they feel deeply relatable.
The themes of —loss, identity, and the power of understanding—are universal, making the story resonate on a deeply human level. It’s a book that asks difficult questions about how we deal with the secrets and lies of those we love and what it means to forgive, both others and ourselves. The emotional journey of both women is heartbreaking at times but ultimately uplifting as they both discover that healing is possible, even after the most profound heartbreak.
*Pictures of You* is a beautifully rendered exploration of how loss shapes our lives and the people we become. Emma Grey’s masterful storytelling, combined with her nuanced portrayal of the complexity of human relationships, makes this novel a must-read for fans of emotional, character-driven fiction. It’s a story about finding hope and strength in unexpected places, and about the power of connection when we’re least prepared for it. If you’re looking for a book that will tug at your heartstrings and leave you thinking long after you’ve turned the last page, *Pictures of You* is an absolute must-read.
Thank you so much to the publisher for my gifted ARC!
Beautiful, tragic coming of age story that had you rooting for the characters and desperately wanting to know the whole story as it unfolded.
This is my first book by Emma Grey and I am glad I discovered her even thought I am late to the game. "Pictures of You" takes readers on an emotional journey as protagonist Evie grapples with devastating loss and memory loss following a tragic car accident that claims her husband's life.
I am not familiar with areas of Australia, so that was an added feature that didn't take me out of the book, but made me compare those descriptions to places I know in the US.. Grey skillfully navigates themes of memory, identity, and second chances with her friend Drew by her side as she learns why her life has become so insular. There was almost a mystery element as we learn more about her dead husband and his family. This poignant tale of rediscovery and unexpected love will resonate with readers who enjoy emotionally complex contemporary fiction. I am recommending to readers of all ages who enjoy women's fiction and romance (but light on the romance side of things as this is not a light-hearted love story). I look forward to the next book from Emma Grey (and I need to dive into her backlist).
This book certainly tried to tackle a lot of complex themes, and while I can appreciate the author's attempt at a nuanced approach, I felt it ultimately fell short. The "secrets" and revelations that were built up throughout the story didn’t seem to justify the anticipation when they were finally revealed. Again, I value the effort to weave in depth and complexity, but the payoff at the end didn't quite meet the expectations set by the tension that had been building.
That said, I want to emphasize that three stars still means I *did* enjoy the book. In fact, I read it in one sitting and was fully engaged with the story. I just didn't *love* it. I can see this book resonating deeply with others, and based on some of the earlier reviews I’ve seen, I seem to be in the minority on this one.
Emma Grey's 'Pictures of You' is a captivating novel that blends romance, suspense, and mystery into a poignant story of self-discovery. The narrative follows Evie as she wakes from a serious car accident with amnesia. She doesn't remember anything past the age of 16, and must piece together the clues around her to learn about her life.
What truly sets this book apart is its exploration of the profound impact seemingly insignificant moments can have on our lives. Grey masterfully weaves together the past and present, revealing how past choices and chance encounters shape our destinies. Through Evie's journey of self discovery , we are all encouraged to embrace the courage to take chances, believe in ourselves and live our best lives.
'Pictures of You' is a beautifully written and emotionally resonant novel that will stay with you long after you turn the final page. It is a page turner that you will not be able to put down as the truths of Evie's life are slowly uncovered. There are some tough subjects, but they are handled with respect and caring. If you are looking for a book you will finish in one sitting, this one is for you!
This book was absolutely beautiful. I wasn’t prepared for all the emotions, and I think that made it even better. I highly recommend going in blind like I did! This is hands down one of the very best books I’ve read this year.
After loving this author's last release (The Last Love Note), I was excited to get my hands on a copy of this newest story! I absolutely loved this book, maybe even more than the last?
This book was dark but it was also incredibly propulsive and I truly could not put it down. The mystery at the core of this story (what really happened to Evie?) was so perfectly paced, with reveals happening along the way that helped us put the pieces together alongside her. The topics this book covers are very heavy, but the author handled them with such grace and tact.
I also loved the deep, hard-hitting romance that ran underneath this entire story. As we got to know Evie and her history with Drew and Oliver, all I wanted was for her to find happiness and peace, and the way the story ended left me so emotional!
4.5 stars rounded up
*Pictures of You* was such an emotional read. It’s one of those books that quietly sneaks up on you and then hits you right in the heart. The story explores love, grief, and moving forward in a way that feels raw and real. Emma Grey’s writing really captured the weight of loss but also the small, beautiful moments of healing.
I loved how the characters felt so authentic, especially with their struggles and vulnerabilities. The romance was sweet and didn’t overshadow the deeper themes of the story—it was more of a complement to the journey, which I appreciated.
While it’s definitely a slower-paced book, it worked for the story being told. If you’re in the mood for something heartfelt and introspective, this one is worth picking up. Just have some tissues handy—you’ll probably need them.