A somewhat overly sentimental novel that squanders a good premise. This was poorly written and unfortunately not what I had hoped for. Would recommend to fans of "cozy" fiction rather than readers of SF.

Memory Collectors is not only one of the most anticipated sci-fi reads of the year, but it may also be one of the most thought-provoking, tackling a compelling and controversial question: What if you had the chance to go back to the past, face one of the most pivotal days that changed your life, and make different choices in the hope of altering the outcome?

In this remarkable story, an innovative company called Aeon Expeditions offers a groundbreaking opportunity to its clients: 60 minutes in the past. While participants have no control over the exact moment or timeline they will be transported to, the promise of seeing loved ones again or reliving one of life’s happiest moments makes it an irresistible offer.

But everything changes when a glitch in the system strands four individuals in the past—four people who are unknowingly connected by a tragic event that occurred on August 25th. As they navigate this strange and dangerous situation, they may affect each other’s life paths in ways they never imagined, all while a sinister figure lurks in the shadows, threatening to change everything.

Enter Elizabeth, the ex-wife of Aeon Expeditions’ creator, Mark Saunders. Three years ago, she lost her son, Sam, in a suspicious hit-and-run accident. This tragedy not only left her grief-stricken but also ended her marriage. Desperate to spend even a moment with the son she can never see again, Elizabeth will do anything to rewrite the past. Then there’s Logan, whose life was forever altered by the same accident. Now confined to a wheelchair, Logan longs to feel the thrill of his old life—climbing mountains, swimming in treacherous waters, and embracing adrenaline-fueled adventures. Elizabeth, however, suspects Logan may have been a drug dealer involved in her son’s death, but Logan is just as much a victim of that fateful night.

Brooke, once a celebrated chef, lived a picture-perfect life with her husband and daughter—until she became the driver in the hit-and-run accident that killed Sam and paralyzed Logan. After serving 900 days in prison, Brooke’s life is in ruins. Haunted by her actions, she desperately seeks redemption and a chance to confront her mistake.

Finally, there’s Andy, who is desperate for closure. Ghosted by Kate—the woman he fell for in just one week—Andy hopes his journey to the past will provide answers about her mysterious disappearance. But as he discovers his connection to Elizabeth, Logan, and Brooke, he realizes there may be more to his presence in the past than he anticipated. Now stranded with no idea why he hasn’t returned after 60 minutes, Andy faces questions that may change everything.

How long will they remain in the past? Can their actions alter the future, even though they were assured they wouldn’t? What really happened on that ominous night that killed one person, paralyzed another, and shattered the lives of so many? What secrets does Kate hold, and what is Andy’s true connection to the others? Most importantly, what happens if they are stuck in the past forever—or if they do manage to return?

Memory Collectors is an intensely gripping, unputdownable page-turner—equal parts sentimental, thought-provoking, and mysterious. Readers will easily resonate with each character, reflecting on what they would do in similar circumstances. The story builds to a satisfying and insightful conclusion, wrapping up this adventurous and emotionally rich narrative in a remarkable way.

I highly recommend this book.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for sharing this immersive and engaging sci-fi digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

First time author and I went in sans-synopsis for this ARC. Definitely a good read for me but I was expecting a bit more wow factor. Getting to know the characters then following them through the plot kept it a decent pager turner. I did have to remember who was who a bit and some of the chapters were a little long. The ending was good but not great. I could definitely see this made into a streaming show. Love the Ventura setting.

Thank you to both Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity in exchange for an honest review.

A fun twist on the classic time travel novel! Instead of traveling back to a specific time in history, the traveler is instead taken back to a random time in their own personal history for just a one-hour visit, courtesy of tech developer Aeon Expeditions. Four people with an overlapping past soon discover that the time they were taken to feels anything but random, though, and their one hour stretches into days.

The novel circles around the events of a tragic day three years prior, when one man was killed and another was left paralyzed. While Aeon Expeditions assures the time travelers that nothing they can do in the past can change the future, they begin to wonder if the glitch in the system that has kept them locked in the past for far too long might also allow them to circumvent tragedy.

This is a great multiple-POV narrative, providing a lot of room for the reader to deeply understand each character and witness their growth. I found this not only one of my favorite reads of the year so far, but also one that seems to be keeping space in my head rent-free — no small feat given my proclivity for forgetting plots the minute I move on. It's fast paced and immersive, and light enough on the scifi that it still manages to feel mostly grounded.

This is an interesting concept of time travel where travellers revisit a time in their own past, a moment they've already experienced, and they have a (very expensive) chance do it differently or to just re-experience it, but they return to their original timeline unchanged; they are unable to alter things - or at least that's what they're told.

The story doesn't go deep into the sci-fi aspects, it doesn't need to, it's focused on characters and the emotional impact of loss, grief, or regret that is driving each one to go through this time travel process, but it's also about forgiveness, second chances, love, and appreciating what you have in the moment. It's a great use of speculative fiction to explore heartfelt human connection.

The multiple character perspectives hooked me and had me turning pages to find out how their stories would cross and entangle, how everything fit together. I think Dete delivered on this and pulled it together into a satisfying story.

A creative and gripping story that makes excellent use of a speculative twist to inspire us to look at the everyday moments in our lives with greater appreciation. An excellent pick for readers who like speculative fiction that is in a recognizable world and focused on character growth.

The Memory Collectors by Dete Meserve

How many seconds are in an hour? The correct answer is 3,600. What can be accomplished in 3600 seconds? More importantly, what would you do with an hour in your past? Would you relive a traumatic event? For some, spending extra time with loved ones is crucial, presenting the opportunity to make amends or even uncover a family mystery. This concept is brought to reality by Aeon Expeditions, particularly through founder Mark Saunders' vision—a chance to relive history. Under the pretense of work, Mr. Saunders is burying his emotions and demons while working nonstop, all while jeopardizing his marriage. However, he is convinced that his new time-traveling machine will give his family the necessary answers to move on from the pain of everyday existence.

Dete Meserve’s story is told from multiple perspectives, captivating the reader from the first page. Carefully constructed from the beginning, the story develops layer by intricate layer like a fondant cake at a sweet sixteen birthday celebration, culminating in a deliciously satisfying conclusion. Different viewpoints coil around a single strand, with the occasional graze of material sending up a brilliance of sparks. From the characters themselves, electricity pulses. A conduit of emotions emanated nervously as the tale progressed.

Dear reader, I am being evasive. For good reason, I want your reading experience to be full of anticipation for what you will learn rather than what you already know. Yes, it is that good. While my heart was racing with incessant excitement inducing small tinges of anxiety, the author's prose continued to steer my emotions with reckless abandon, a constant reminder of how sensitive and gentle I have become in my older stage of existence. Even though I made some early connections, it hardly made a difference. The story’s strength lies in Meserve's ability to snare the audience’s attention through the hardships of her characters.

This was worthy of a round of applause; it was extraordinary. The captivating mystery presented a slightly charred underside of sci-fi elements pairing fabulously with a glass of complex emotional turmoil with a hint of smoky undertones. I am giving this 5 out of 5 stars, highly recommended.

Many thanks to Crooked Lane Books for the ARC through NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion.

Imagine being able to travel back in time and spend an hour in the past. Any moment is viable, so you can relive a beloved event or renew your memories of someone before they passed. Aeon Expeditions has just such a technology and when four travelers sign up to go back to the lead up to a tragic event a few years in the past, they don't realize that their experiences are going to become intertwined in a most extraordinary way. Andy seeks his first love who vanished mysteriously, Elizabeth wants to spend more time with her son before he was tragically killed, Logan wants mobility after being tragically confined to a wheelchair, and Brooke seeks peace with a terrible mistake she made in the past.

What none of them realize is that their experiences are woven together in the strands of time and that they're all destined to simultaneously travel to the same moment in history. But what is the past like when it turns out that multiple people have an unnatural knowledge of the future? And what's going to transpire when their hour in the past extends to two hours, six hours, multiple days?

I quite enjoyed this fascinating and occasionally poignant exploration of tragedy and memory, a sci-fi book that's smartly focused on how we experience events rather than the technical mumbo jumbo of quantum entanglement, time travel physics, etc. It starts out a bit confusingly, but stick with it: as the stories begin to weave together, you'll start to realize the profundity of Meserve's storytelling. Highly recommended.

I think everyone in life has a moment in time they've wondered "what if...".

I know I've spent countless hours in the middle of the night, unable to sleep, staring at my ceiling replaying many moments that have happened in my life. Thinking. What I would have done differently. What would my life have looked like if I made a different decision. What would I do if I could spend more time with someone who is no longer here or I lost touch with. To be honest and vulnerable with all of you, some of those questions have haunted me for years (and probably will for the rest of my life).

Which brings us to The Memory Collectors.

In the future Aeon Expeditions has made a groundbreaking discovery and invention involving time travel. Very few lucky people receive the opportunity to spend one hour in their past even though Aeon has made it very clear that time travel will not alter their future. When you come back, everything will be how it was before you left. I dont want to say too much because this is a book that you should just jump into. Just read it.

This story was unbelievably emotional, thought provoking and beautifully written. Out of all of the characters you will meet in this story, you will probably find a piece of yourself in there as well. Buckle up when that happens because ALL of the feelings will come out. It will make you think of love, grief, hope and second chances.

This is one of those rare books that comes along and changes part of you. It will make you think and evaluate things in your life. It is truly something special. I wouldnt be surprised if this wins an award and is one of the top releases of 2025.

"Now that I see the extraordinary in all of it. The random things in life that I once took for granted take on new meaning. The first time I'd lived this life, I'd rushed through it, ignoring the details around me. I'd looked at the things in my life without really seeing them at all. Today, it's the little things I latch on to."

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for allowing me the opportunity to read a copy of this book in anticipation of its upcoming release. This review is my honest opinion/thoughts.

I started off by giving this book a 5⭐️ in the first half of the book, but I overall rated it a 4.25 because the last half of the book slowed down a lot!

I'm not totally sure what I expected going into this one, but overall I enjoyed it! It's a mix of fiction, speculative fiction, and maybe a little sci fi. I really enjoyed the characters and the character development. It was a little hard to get into the book, and the ending was a bit abrupt for me. But it was a beautiful story about love, life, and loss, and how we should all try to live in the moment, even the hard moments. As a mom to a young kid, I really appreciated the life insights and how they played out for each character. Overall, a solid 4 star read for me.

absolutely excellent!!!! i've been really getting into time travel plots recently, and this book did not disappoint!! 5/5 stars. highly recommend

It was an effort trying to remember who each character was and following each of their storylines at the start of the book, as a multitude of characters was introduced at once. However, once they crossed paths and their storylines started inter-weaving, I was hooked on the story and found it hard to put down. I liked that it focused more on the characters' stories, rather than technical sci-fi descriptions, which can often take away from the pace of a book. The ending was wrapped up a little too predictably and tidily for me, however, it was overall a good read.

I am a big fan of books with any aspect of time travel in them so I was interested in the premise of The Memory Collectors.

This book was a wild ride. It kept me very engaged throughout because I really wanted to know if the memory collectors were going to be able to change their fate after being stuck in the past. I liked how it ended with each memory collector healing from spending time in the past. It did feel a bit rushed for the last bit of the book, I would have loved a few more chapters to really feel satisfied.

Some of the storylines felt a little forced to me but overall I really enjoyed the book. It’s not the best writing but the plot was engaging enough that it wasn’t an issue. I think if you enjoy sci fi or time travel, this book will be a good one for you to pick up.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the arc.

*The Memory Collectors* by Dete Meserve is a fantastic take on time travel that kept me hooked from start to finish. The story follows four strangers—Elizabeth, Andy, Logan, and Brooke—who get the chance to revisit a pivotal hour in their pasts using a groundbreaking time-travel technology. Of course, things don’t go as planned, and they find themselves stranded, digging into secrets and connections they didn’t expect.

What I loved most was how well the time-travel concept was done. The rules were clear, and it all made sense within the world Meserve built. It’s such a relief when a time-travel story feels well thought out instead of leaving me scratching my head. The characters were flawed but relatable, and I really cared about where their journeys would lead. The pacing was great—there was always something pulling me to read one more chapter.

The ending? Totally satisfying. It tied everything together in a way that felt earned and left me with a lot to think about. This would be a great pick for a book club because there’s so much to discuss—about choices, regrets, and second chances.

As a big fan of time travel, I was impressed by how fresh and engaging this story felt. I’d give it 4 stars without hesitation and would recommend it to anyone looking for a mix of sci-fi, mystery, and emotional depth. Definitely worth checking out!

I enjoyed the emotional vibe attached to all the action that was happening in the book. Very clever idea and well-realized with a lot of detail that contributes to the emotional charge of the book. The characters were well-developed and the story sucks you in.

Incredible! I'm a sucker for time travel books so this was an easy selection. I did not expect it to be so wonderful. Each of the main characters were well written and had interesting stories. It made me think a lot about the past. And it reminds me of my favorite quote from The Office that I like to bring to mind every now and then. It's the one when Andy says something like, it's too bad we can't know we're in the good times when we're living them. I really enjoyed it! I will be recommending to everyone!
I also look forward to more from this author!

I loved this book! Time travel is one of my favorite themes, and this book really took that concept to the next level, with multiple time travelers ending up on one fateful day. The connections that these characters forge and their attempts to change the events that affected their lives are dramatic and poignant. I raced through this story and was captivated by every page. Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC and the opportunity to provide an honest review.

Aeon Expeditions has cracked the code on time travel, with a twist—participants only get an hour in the past to relived their memories. With an exorbitant cost, the experience is still extremely popular and competitive. Four time travelers see their trips back go out of control when their sixty minutes extends far beyond the allotted time. And their lives will be forever changed, once again.

This was a phenomenal book. I found the writing sharp and well executed. The plot was a clever spin on time travel and delivered all the way throughout up until the finale. The four main characters found a way into my heart and I will be thinking about this book for a while.

I give this one five stars and recommend it—I’m sure it will be a standout of 2025.

I received this advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review and feedback.

It is a relatable story in a way that the majority of us have fantasized of a plot in our own life where we go back at time in our past to that one event that changed us or affected our life irrevocably. While this might be a story about time travel, it is more so a story about grief, guilt, survival, fate, and overall love. We follow the lives of interconnected people while they are finding themselves in the past thing to change the future.

*thanks to the netgalley for the copy of the book, all opinions are my own

The Memory Collectors by Dete Meserve is a beautifully written, emotional story that asks: If you could go back and relive one random hour of your past, would you? Four strangers—Elizabeth, Andy, Logan, and Brooke—jump at the chance, each hoping to revisit a moment before their lives were turned upside down. But when they get stuck in the past, they’re forced to confront their pain, their choices, and how their lives are unexpectedly connected.

This book pulled me in right away. The characters’ stories—full of grief, love, and regret—felt raw and real, and I couldn’t help but root for each of them. The pacing picks up fast, and before I knew it, I couldn’t put it down. At just 300 pages, it’s a quick read, but it still manages to pack a huge emotional punch.

If you’ve ever wondered “what if,” this story will stick with you long after you finish. I loved it and highly recommend it.

Thanks to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for the ARC.