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.

This is the second novel by Emma Grey that I’ve read and I equally enjoyed it.

I am learning amnesia as a plot complication is one I enjoy.

Evie’s husband dies and she has amnesia…so she spends her time recollecting her life, what she wants from it (and what she doesn’t).

I liked that complications that amnesia afforded the story, the complexities of Evie’s past as envisioned by her friend Drew, and her current influencer life as Oliver’s wife.

As with the first novel from Emma Grey, I highly recommend this one!

This well-written novel deals with a lot of serious issues and handles them with care and sensitivity. Evie has amnesia after surviving the car accident that killed her husband and doesn't remember anything after age 16. The way the author brings in tidbits of information to complete the puzzle of Evie's life is perfection and Evie's response is heartening. It was nice to see her come into her own and take charge of her life and how she wants to live it. I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed the immersive experience thanks to the delightful narration by Kristy Best and Nic English.

Evie Hudson wakes up in a hospital room with no recollection on how she got there. She learns that she has survived a horrific car accident but her husband unfortunately did not. The thing is, Evie has no recollection of ever having a husband.

Told in dual timelines and multiple POVs, PICTURES OF YOU follows Evie back to her high school years as she tries to piece together her memories and reclaim her life.

Emma Gray has written a very different type of love story from her debut, THE LAST LOVE NOTE, but her sophomore novel is uniquely compelling and has a layered storyline in its own right. This emotionally weighty story explores how over time we can slowly become a person that the “old us” wouldn’t even recognize.

READ THIS IF YOU:
-love a soapy style drama
-know that punctuation matters
-Have a soft spot for 13 Going on 30

RATING: 4.5/5

I could not imagine waking up in a hospital being told that my husband died, with no recollection of ever having been married, but this is how this book begins.

Evie Hudson believes she is still in high school and not 30 years old. She knows only of a life with her parents and close school friends. The reality she wakes up to is that her friends are gone and her parents appear to have abandoned her. As she struggles to piece together the last 13 years of her life, she realizes what and who took her away from it all. Will she be able to pick up the pieces and mend the relationships she so desperately wants back?

Trigger warnings for those that struggle with mental and emotional abuse. What a powerful example this book shows in that abuse can surface in a relationship in so many ways. Some forms are not as obvious, though the results are just as devastating. I loved the character of Drew Kennedy. His best friend/one that got away vibes just made the story all that much more worth it.

The way the author writes human emotion is simply amazing. Her stories make you feel so much for the characters and their situations. Even if you haven’t personally experienced what the character is specifically going through, the emotions behind their situations are always so relatable. Everyone has sat in feelings of despair, of being lost in their own life, and struggling at times to cope with traumatic experiences. But we have all also felt hopeful and encouraged, and maintaining that balance is one of the hardest struggles sometimes.


I have been fortunate enough to have been on two zoom meetings with the author, and she is quite simply just lovely person all around. My hope is that Emma Gray has many more amazing books left to write. This is my second of her books and my second to have earned a five star rating hands down. Thank you so much to Zibby Books for sending me my copy, and for the chance to speak with the author.

i am not lying when i say i could NOT put this one down once i started it. this was my first emma grey book but it will definitely not be my last. if you are looking for a romance book that's more than just a romance, this one is for you. the twists, turns, reveals, and mystery elements to it were *chefs kiss* so well done.

I'm glad I pushed through my early reservations about this book as it got better as it went on. I was intrigued by the premise of this book, but the characters felt very juvenile at first. This may have been on purpose as the main character is mentally sixteen at the beginning, but it was a little distracting. As the story unfolded there were multiple satisfying reveals and mysteries solved which kept me turning the pages late into the night!

Thank you Zibby for the ARC!

Emma Grey is officially an auto-buy author for me! She knocked it out of the park with The Last Love Note and again with Pictures of You!

Pictures of You was very different in story from TLLN but still had that same emotional, guy punch experience that I loved from her debut. POY had an added element of kind of mystery in that you’re kept in the dark about things and get tiny tidbits of info as the main character receives them. I loved that! It kept me on the edge of my seat the entire way through, needed to know what in the world actually happened.

5/5, absolutely recommending to friends!

While this is a great story, it could have been shorter. It is a good story but the descriptions seem to go on & it was a slower pace than I'm used to.

I made it over 50% through this book before needing to skim to the end. The writing did not work for me in its sparseness and simplicity, and the main character being stuck memory wise at age 16 made out for an immature main character I had a hard time jiving with and enjoying. Unfortunately this just didn’t work for me at all, but I could see it being enjoyable for really easy summer reading if you like an amnesia trope and women’s fiction.

After absolutely loving The Last Love Note last year, I was so excited to get this advance copy of Emma Grey's newest novel.
While it wasn't a raw and emotional journey like her last novel, I tried my best not to compare the two.
The story immediately sucks you in and there is nothing I love more than a first chapter that instantly hooks you.
The pace is maintained throughout the book, making it a perfect bingeable poolside book. My only complaint is that at some point I was feeling a bit tired of constant twists, and it started to feel a bit repetitive.
While you can't compare the two, I think you'd like this if you are looking for something similar to It Ends With Us that's a little more YA. They're very different books but there were moments it came to mind.

This was a poignant exploration of love, loss, and the power of second chances. When Evie wakes up in a hospital with no memory of the past thirteen years, she's thrusted into a world she doesn't recognize. Drew, a talented photographer, becomes her lifeline as they unravel the mysteries of her past.

Grey's storytelling is captivating, weaving together past and present to create a compelling narrative. The dual perspectives of Evie and Drew offer a deeper understanding of their characters and their evolving relationship. While the plot is filled with emotional twists and turns, the author's delicate touch ensures a heartfelt and satisfying reading experience.

If you're looking for a book that will make you laugh, cry, and believe in the magic of love, The Pictures of You is the perfect choice!

I first discovered Emma Grey when I selected her book the last love note as my book of the month. I couldn’t get over how good the book was and immediately looked her up to see if she had written anything else. There was something so amazing about her writing that I immediately followed her, and when I saw that she was releasing pictures of you in November I jumped on the chance to sign up for an arc. All I can say is Emma Grey, oh my God, this book! There’s just something so incredible about the way she writes where you feel like you’re in the story, you can picture it. You know these characters and you just cannot put the book down. Even from the opening prologue. I knew the story it was gonna be incredible.

I don’t even know how she came up with the concept of the story, but I loved every second of it. Just like in her last book there’s an underlying sense of grief throughout the story that makes it even more incredible. When I say read this book, I mean - read this book - it’s amazing!

Thank you @emmagreyauthor @zi