Book Review: REMEMBRANCE by Michelle Madow

Remembrance (Transcend Time #1)

Author: Michelle Madow
Publication Date: July 27th 2011
Publisher: Dreamscape Publishing
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary Fiction/Fantasy 

Summary on Goodreads:

New Hampshire high school junior Lizzie Davenport has been reincarnated from Regency Era, England ... but she doesn't know it yet.

Then Drew Carmichael transfers into Lizzie's school at the beginning of the year, and she feels a connection to him, almost like she knows him. She can't stop thinking about him, but whenever she tries talking with him about the mysteries behind her feelings, he makes it clear that he wants nothing to do with her. Reaching him is even more difficult because she has a boyfriend, Jeremy, who has started to become full of himself after being elected co-captain of the varsity soccer team, and her flirtatious best friend Chelsea starts dating Drew soon after his arrival. So why can't she seem to get him out of her mind?

Even though Lizzie knows she should let go of her fascination with Drew, the pair of them soon find that fighting fate isn't going to be easy. Add to TBR

As I write this review, I listen to Across the Oceans - Worth the Fight song that was used in the unofficial book trailer video of Remembrance. You can find the book trailer video in the last part of this review. I hope you'll watch it, it's very beautiful and you'll even more appreciate it once you read and finish the book.

I learned that Remembrance was inspired by Taylor's Swift's Love Story music video and I became even more excited to read it. Love Story is one of my favorites and probably my most favorite of all Taylor Swift's songs. (If you haven't seen the music video, you might want to check it in YouTube. I cannot post it here due to copyright issue, sorry.)

We were both young when I first saw you.
I close my eyes, and the flashback starts,
I'm standing there,
On the balcony in summer air...
(from "Love Story" by Taylor Swift) ...

My Thoughts:

I didn't know what to expect when I started reading this book and I'm glad to say that I'm not disappointed. Remembrance is well written and very engrossing, it even kept me awake way past my bed time. Ok, to be more precise, I read this book until past two in the morning. I was immediately absorbed by the story and I couldn't sleep until I knew what happened next. I really liked it and enjoyed it so much. This book was unputdownable!

Lizzie and Drew were two souls that reincarnated and were given a second chance to right the mistakes  they did on their past lives. But with Lizzie's boyfriend Jeremy and her best friend Chelsea, rewriting the past would never be that easy. Even though Lizzie and Drew were strongly attracted to each other, they couldn't be together since Lizzie has a boyfriend and Chelsea was determined to get Drew. 

Lizzie's character is easy to love and relate with. She tried to do what is right but her feelings with Drew cannot be ignored. I can't help feeling sad for her. Her relationship with Jeremy was once perfect but he became proud and controlling. And though I felt bad for Chelsea, I don't think she's been a good friend either. She's selfish and absolutely not a 'best friend' type of person to me. Well, as for Drew… he's gorgeous and swoon-worthy, who wouldn't love such a guy? The only thing is, he drives me crazy most of the time. He keeps pushing Lizzie away even though there is no doubt that he loves her. It was so frustrating to see how he's being so nice then turns cold and rude afterwards. The mystery behind Drew's behavior will keep you guessing and wondering all throughout the book. It makes the story exciting but frustrating at the same time. Reading this book to the end was entertaining and I wish there was more. Now, I'm excited to see what the next book has in store for us.

If you're going to ask me whether I will recommend this book, I'd say YES. Simply because it surpassed my expectations. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. If you like love stories about reincarnation and past lives, a long lost love and second chances, Pride and Prejudice and minuet... then you'll always have something to love about this book. So yes, I recommend it because it's beautiful and it will captivate your heart. Just give this book a try.

My Rating:

Since I posted my review of Remembrance today, I would like to take this opportunity to announce that I'll be joining the PROJECT TELL TAYLOR Meme/Giveaway Hop that will be hosted by the lovely Author Michelle Madow. There's a big giveaway that I'm sure you don't want to miss! To know more about this event and how you can participate, just click the Project Tell Taylor link or the banner below. The hop will start on February 1st 2012.

Always and Forever.