This book is Brilliant. I am very picky when it comes to time travel books, because some are so far fetched and out there they're hard to believe. That is not the case for The Memory Collectors. The way this story is woven and told is genius. I LOVED it! A story of love, grief, forgiving, suspense, it checked all the boxes!

You need a pen and paper when you start to untangle the web you're about to step into. To keep all the characters and story straight. This is a book I wish I could re-read for the first time! It is going to be a favorite of many!

So happy I was granted the opportunity to read this one early.

I do love a good sci fi novel with time travel involved. I especially enjoyed how each of the characters' stories became intertwined. The writing was great, the characters were interesting and the length of the story was just right. I did feel that this was the sort of story that would leave some questions remaining for the reader. The ending felt a tad twee for my liking.

This book is so great! I love the time travel/2nd time alternate reality that these characters were stuck in. I love how all the stories connect, and I love the themes that were covered throughout the entirety of the book.

Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complementary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!

Aeon Expeditions was an advanced technology created by a team of twenty two engineers with the goal of creating time travel, a one hour “jump” into the past. Why apply? If you could spend an hour in your past, you could have a few more moments with someone you lost. “Consciousness-complete with all our memories and emotions-can travel into our bodies…” “The way we enter and exit… creates a reset when we return…whatever we jumpers do in the past will bear no effect on the future.” Up to four applicants may jump per day. The cost was exorbitant. The acceptance rate for applicants was .001%. On August 25, 2025, the lives of four time travelers would drastically change; each wished to reconnect with significant others before the upheavals to come.

Elizabeth
“In the moment, [Sam] is still mine. I have the power to soothe and comfort him…” His future was erased in a senseless accident. Twenty year old Sam had seemed distant, leaving home at all hours of the night, stealing cash, stealing our boat. Last words to Sam were fighting words as he barreled out, slamming the front door. One hour with Sam might alleviate some of Elizabeth’s grief.

Andy
The summer he met Kate, his world turned upside-down. As an author, he had written five novels, however, his sixth had been rejected by the editor. He had lost his mojo, that was, until Kate. After a week-long romance he knew that she was “the one”. Without warning, she suddenly disappeared. Andy wanted one more hour with Kate.

Logan
Paralyzed in an accident, he viewed life from a wheelchair. He no longer had dreams. Strangers and friends alike did not see “that I was still someone who wanted the same things that they did”. In the past, “working out was the only way I stay sober…I was training to rid myself of the demons that had control of my life.” One hour would give me “extra time with a body that works. I’m going to use it every second I still have it.”

Brooke
She had it all…married…a child…a dream restaurant…a beautiful home…an idyllic life. A sudden, pale flash of light on a dark highway… now released after 900 days in county jail. A one hour jump might relieve some of the cruel reminders of the tragic night. Perhaps she could enter the highway five minutes earlier or five minutes later so as not to ruin lives.

“All great discoveries demand sacrifices in exchange for uncertain outcomes.” This is the case when the extracting process fails and each jumper is locked in the past on the day that impacts their lives and changes everything. The four protagonists had experienced joy, love, loneliness, grief, loss, guilt…a plethora of emotions. Could any outcomes be tweaked?

Through the vehicle of time travel, possibility existed. “We don’t change time. But time changes us. What will [be discovered] when you look back with fresh eyes? The most important part of your journey happens after [the jump has ended].”

Highly recommended.

Thank you Crooked Lane Books and Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The overall concept of the book- going in the past to relive the moment was something that caught my eye which is why I had decided to give it a read. However the overall story failed to amaze me. The story became pretty predictable once I started reading it. Though there were some lessons in the book (quotes basically) that i really liked. The ending could have been a little better with maybe showing the future and how all the characters ended up living. Overall i would say it was a one time read for me

Wow wow wow!!! What a touching story this was! I finished this in two days and loved it!!! I think you will too!

Four strangers are selected to travel an hour back to the past. They have no idea when that hour will be. However, they all have hopes to go back in time before something tragic happens in their lives.

These characters are humanly broken and I could feel their grief. Haven’t you thought about a time where you made a decision that changed your life forever? Wished you could go back and do it differently? Or lost someone you wished you could have back?

Sometimes life throws us curve balls. It’s what we do with them that counts! A compelling story that shouldn’t be missed!

Thank you to Dete Meserve, Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for the opportunity!

Publication date May 20, 2025
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I loved this book! Books about multiverses (which this one is not, but I thought could potentially be from the description) and time travel are often up my alley and this was no exception. I devoured this in less than 24 hours. I had a little trouble keeping the characters and what role they played in the story straight (although all chapters were clearly labeled with the POV) at first, but I quickly settled in. This was a wonderful debut and I will seek out other books by Dete Meserve! Thank you Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for providing this book, with my honest review below.

The Memory Collectors was an amazing story about grief, forgiveness, and both literally and not, revisiting the past. I almost wanted to describe the idea behind the book as nostalgia but with the events that impacted our main characters that is too trite. One thing that did ring true, however, is that often times going back to a place that reminds you of a certain time in your life reveals for more than met the idea initially, and that’s especially true when revisiting the same place and time.

The book takes place in the not so distant future where the science and technology has been discovered to revisit a past event around the same time (and place) as it took place. This can only occur for an hour and the visit to the past, while taking place physically in one’s body versus viewing a memory, doesn’t alter the past. Four individuals, Logan, Elizabeth, Andy, and Brooke are all going back to the past and unknowingly going back to around the same time and place. The four are connected in heart rending ways without all knowing it, and this seems to cause a glitch in the technology, stranding them.

While the concept of time travel was fascinating, the mystery that unfolded around how the foursome were connected and if they’d ever make it back was the most absorbing element of the story. I loved about every page, the way it all unfolded and the absorbing events. The only element I’d wish improved is that this felt like it wrapped up too quickly in the end, when all these characters deserved some more time to reflect on what their pasts revealed. Still, this is a beautiful story and really sits with you.

Thank you Dete Meserve, Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for this free ARC in exchange for a review.

I really enjoyed this speculative novel for the mystery and action which held my attention, and for how each character is distinct. It also has just the right amount of heart.

Unlike other books written in a similar way, switching points of view works well in this one, and allows the story to flow smoothly.

The Memory Collectors by new to me authgor D. Meserve, published by Crooked Lane Books, is a time travel novel.
Well written and beautifully thought out and beautifully ttold, the story held me in suspense from start till the very last page.

This was an exceptionally written story that was full of suspense, introspection, what-ifs, and heart. When four strangers are brought together to revisit a night that haunts them all, they must work together to figure out why, putting aside resentments and learning to forgive.

Wow .... what a thoroughly enjoyable, uplifting and captivating book.

For the second time in a month, I've quickly digested books focused on time travel in the "non-Ray Bradbury" sense .. whereby the traveler doesn't disrupt the future by visiting the past., but rather they use the opportunity to change their future once they return to the present. It does provide for a new, more surreal and engaging sort if time travel; not as turbulent, and arguably more captivating. After all the traditional "butterfly effect" from time travel is rather disturbing, and, for the most part provides shocking and horrific results.

Sometimes you just need to read a book that makes you feel good about the world and the people in it. I think this book delivered that in spades. High recommendation from me.

The Memory Collectors is one of those thought-provoking novels that will have you thinking deeply about what you'd do if you were in the characters' shoes. It was such an amazing read with so many emotions packed into one powerful punch! This author is definitely one to look out for in every bookshop!

Would you say yes if allowed an hour of time in the past, to relive a memory? Many people would likely puff up their chests with pride and say no, that the past implies having regrets and we should all focus on the present and future. If you can't change what's done, why does it matter? This story addresses these questions and so much more, with an insight I found extremely refreshing and a narrative that was often jerking between heartbreak and hope.

"Everything we do, everything that happens to us -good or bad- relies on a million little moments in the past. We fool ourselves if we believe that we control every moment."

Reading this, you will bounce between several points of view, immersed in lives that are deeply rooted in love and so full of life that you can't help wishing the best for each character. Meserve weaves these lives together in a way that leans much more toward fate than coincidence. I absolutely would recommend this book to others, even if it is to take a pause and reflect on which moments in your life that would be a mind-blowing memory to experience all over again, for better or worse.

I am extremely thankful to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for the ARC and the opportunity to share my honest opinion on The Memory Collectors.

I love this book! The way each chapter is written with the distinctive first hand voice of each different character. Each person in this story is relatable, flawed, likeable... I really enjoyed this one! 

I especially liked the parts told from the point of view of someone who was paralysed and couldn't walk in real life, but they could walk in the simulation. 

5/5 fantastic. 

Thank you to Dete Meserve and Netgalley for the ARC.

“But I see now that each of us is going on roads only we can see.”

The Memory Collectors is a gripping speculative mystery that reminds us that the world is rarely black and white. There are multiple perspectives and sides to a story beyond the one we hold—after all, each of us is indeed going on roads only we can see.

It also emphasizes that there’s very little we can control, encouraging us to focus on the elements we can influence. And of course, it serves as a reminder to be still and fully live in every moment.

The story centers around four strangers who get sent to the past and find themselves stuck on the one day their lives changed forever. Elizabeth longs to relive one more hour with her son who died in an accident. Andy is desperate to find his vanished first love. Logan wishes he could use his limbs again after being paralyzed in an accident. Brooke is haunted by crippling guilt for the past three years.

The concept of time travel has always fascinated me, and I’m impressed by the creativity with which it was handled in this book. Even though it covers substantial themes like grief, forgiveness, and second chances, it does so with an engaging and imaginative plot.

I also enjoyed the multiple POVs and piecing together how everything connects. It was really hard to put down!

The genre-bending quality of the book is quite remarkable and a testament to the author’s talent. It takes great skill to pull it off just right.

This was a fantastic read. The story is the perfect length, and the plot is deeply satisfying and memorable.

Thanks to @netgalley and @crookedlanebooks for providing me with this ARC. I loved this one!

I really enjoyed this. Science fiction where people travel back to their past. It is twisty in a good way and gives food for thought. An enjoyable read. Thank you to the author. Thank you to #netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.

I really enjoed this book. It was a little difficult to keep up with who everyone was and their individual stories at the beginning, but once the connections started to be made, I was hooked. I definitely didn't see some of those relationships coming and the twists really surprised me.

Brilliant! My first tip when reading this book, is pay close attention to the characters. There are several points of view that are very important to the overall story. I ended up with a sticky note with the four main characters and how they relate to one another.

What a cool and unique concept! I have never read anything quite like it. The thought of going back in time for 60 minutes to a point in your life is very interesting! The way the author twisted the time travel made it even more compelling! I don't want to give anything away, but the story evolves and you will never guess what happens next!

I appreciate the opportunity to read this ARC, thank you to Crooked Lane Publishing, Dete Meserve and NetGalley for this!

The Memory Collectors is a gripping speculative mystery where four strangers are given the chance to time-travel and revisit a pivotal hour from their past. Elizabeth wants one last moment with her lost son, Andy is chasing a vanished love, Logan misses his life before an accident, and Brooke is haunted by guilt. Full of hope, mystery, and emotion, this story explores how one moment can change everything.

Admittedly, I felt a bit overwhelmed at first, jumping between four narratives in the first few chapters—all starting their journeys with Aeon Expeditions and reflecting on how quickly 60 minutes would fly by. But by the second round of narrations, I started to feel more comfortable. While the narrative style doesn’t change between characters, each of their stories stands out in its own way.

The story really took off about a third of the way in. The first part flew by—I found myself breezing through 100 pages in no time—but I hadn’t fully sunk into the plot yet. Then came the second third... Suddenly, my surroundings faded away, and I was half-listening to my boyfriend talk, only humming in response as my eyes raced through the pages.

“We don’t change time. But time changes us.”

This book hit me with a whirlwind of emotions. It covered so much in what felt like so few pages, yet nothing felt underdeveloped. Would I have liked to linger a bit longer before everything unraveled? Absolutely! But that’s probably because I was enjoying uncovering the connections so much. It’s rare to find such a gripping story packed into a short 300-page read.

I can’t wait for this book to be published so more readers can experience it!

Thanks to the publisher, Crooked Lane Books, for providing an ARC copy through Netgalley! All opinions are my own.