The Memory of You

Starred review from January 23, 2017
In her fifth novel, West (The Things We Knew) builds a complex, relatable story of faith, hope, and recovery in the aftermath of great tragedy. On the brink of having another emotional breakdown, Natalie Mitchell is bullied by her father (who is also her boss) into taking a leave of absence to check up on her ailing grandfather, Hal, as he recovers from a heart attack in Sonoma, Calif. But as comforting as Sonoma once was for Natalie, it also brings back terrible memories of the car accident that took the life of her sister 13 years before. Instructed by her father to find a way to close Hal’s struggling winery, Natalie defiantly plans to find a way to keep the business open. Upon arriving, she reconnects with her former crush Tanner Collins, the son of Hal’s ex-housekeeper, who is now the vintner at the winery. In the beginning, their relationship is strained and harsh, with Tanner unable to fully trust Natalie to fight to keep the winery open, and Natalie unable to get over bad memories of their teenage relationship. But the closer they get to each other, the harder it becomes for Natalie to avoid her guilt and run away from regrets—a struggle that brings her into deeper spiritual faith. In this inspiring, emotionally astute story, West does an exquisite job depicting the complexity and messiness of overcoming trauma. Agent: Rachelle Gardner, Books & Such Literary

March 15, 2017

Natalie Mitchell needs a break. Between working for her overbearing father and the rat race of New York, she is forever on edge. Shattered by her twin sister's death 13 years ago, she also battles depression and post-traumatic stress disorder with a cocktail of medications. But when her grandfather has a heart attack, she returns to the family's Sonoma, CA, vineyards, even though it means revisiting the scene where her sister was killed. The winery is failing, and her father wants Natalie to shut it down. However, vintner Tanner Collins, who wishes to save the business, quickly figures out why Natalie is there, and sparks between them fly shortly after her arrival. However, the longer she's there, sparks of another kind soon begin to ignite, making Natalie's decision to close the winery all the more difficult. VERDICT West's (The Things We Knew) bittersweet and stirring novel engages readers with its introspective themes of self-forgiveness and healing. Her characters' strong faith that God's hand will put things right will endear them to readers of inspirational fiction. Recommend to fans of Robin Lee Hatcher.

Copyright 2017 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 1, 2017
Natalie Mitchell's plan to keep painful childhood memories deeply buried is foiled when she is forced to return to the family's Sonoma winery, Maoilios, after her grandfather's heart attack. As the winery's major shareholder, Natalie must decide what to do with the failing business. But despite her business-school education, Natalie's decision-making capabilities are threatened by the flood of emotions she experiences upon her return to Maoilios. Tanner Collins, a childhood friend and Natalie's first love, is now the winery's chief vintner, and he's desperate to keep his job. But the Natalie he remembers is nowhere to be seen, replaced by a woman haunted by loss and secrets. For Natalie to make her peace with her past and be a good guardian of Maoilios' future, she must confront her demons and learn to see what is right in front of her. West (The Things We Knew, 2016) tells the engaging story of a young woman eager to find her place in the world. With endearing characters and idyllic scenery, this is a satisfying story of life and love lost and won.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)