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The Memory Collector
Heather Lucas lives her life through other people’s memories.
Heather doesn’t want to remember her childhood, not when her mother’s extreme hoarding cast her family life into disarray.
For Heather’s mother, every possession was intimately connected to a memory, so when Heather uncovers a secret about her past that could reveal why her mother never let anything go, she knows there’s only one place she’ll find answers – behind the locked door of her spare room, where the remains of her mother’s hoard lie hidden.
As Heather uncovers both objects and memories, will the truth set her free? Or will she discover she’s more like her mother than she ever thought possible?
A powerful, uplifting story about love, loss and the things we leave behind, perfect for fans of Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine and The Keeper of Lost Things.
Heather doesn’t want to remember her childhood, not when her mother’s extreme hoarding cast her family life into disarray.
For Heather’s mother, every possession was intimately connected to a memory, so when Heather uncovers a secret about her past that could reveal why her mother never let anything go, she knows there’s only one place she’ll find answers – behind the locked door of her spare room, where the remains of her mother’s hoard lie hidden.
As Heather uncovers both objects and memories, will the truth set her free? Or will she discover she’s more like her mother than she ever thought possible?
A powerful, uplifting story about love, loss and the things we leave behind, perfect for fans of Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine and The Keeper of Lost Things.
384 pages, Paperback
First published September 6, 2018
189 people are currently reading
946 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 164 reviews
September 1, 2018
I will admit I struggled initially with this book and nearly gave up when I was just a few pages in. It seemed quite bleak and I found Heather a hard character to understand.
However I persisted and I am glad I did.
Heather is trying to get on with life after the death of her mother, who was a hoarder. When her mother died we learn how her mother's hoarding had a major impact on Heather as a child - the chaotic living conditions, her lack of friends, being bullied and a traumatic event as a child that had been long buried is revisited when Heather discovers newspaper clippings that her mother had saved.
It would be easy to feel sorry for Heather or fail to understand her behaviours, but what this book very gently does is look at depression in a realistic and sympathetic manner.
This is part mystery, part love story. Layers of Heather's life are pulled away and we learn more about who she is, what happened to her and her family. And it is lovely to see the friendship that starts with her neighbour Jason that then grows into something deeper.
This is a lovely book. Many previous reviewers have said this was a nice easy read. I didn't find it so, but this may be because I was teased at school and like Heather didn't make friends easily - you don't if you're different. If you're like me, you might be tempted to put it down after a few pages.. Please stick with it.
Thank you HQ and Netgalley for giving me an opportunity to read and review this book.
However I persisted and I am glad I did.
Heather is trying to get on with life after the death of her mother, who was a hoarder. When her mother died we learn how her mother's hoarding had a major impact on Heather as a child - the chaotic living conditions, her lack of friends, being bullied and a traumatic event as a child that had been long buried is revisited when Heather discovers newspaper clippings that her mother had saved.
It would be easy to feel sorry for Heather or fail to understand her behaviours, but what this book very gently does is look at depression in a realistic and sympathetic manner.
This is part mystery, part love story. Layers of Heather's life are pulled away and we learn more about who she is, what happened to her and her family. And it is lovely to see the friendship that starts with her neighbour Jason that then grows into something deeper.
This is a lovely book. Many previous reviewers have said this was a nice easy read. I didn't find it so, but this may be because I was teased at school and like Heather didn't make friends easily - you don't if you're different. If you're like me, you might be tempted to put it down after a few pages.. Please stick with it.
Thank you HQ and Netgalley for giving me an opportunity to read and review this book.
September 6, 2018
All reviews can be found on my blog at https://thewritinggarnet.wordpress.com
The only way I can truly describe my thoughts on 'The Memory Collector', is if I were to liken it to a flower. Bear with me here. For several chapters, the storyline was like a little bud, waiting to blossom to its true potential, with me, its reader, waiting with bated breath to see if it would indeed flower. Of course, not every single flower blossoms, so I wasn't too sure whether it would or not. However, after several more chapters of bud like storyline, several chapters of perfect warmth and rain, 'The Memory Collector' blossomed into something which took my breath away.
Heather Lucas' childhood wasn't 'typical'. Her upbringing wasn't 'typical'. Her mother's hobby wasn't 'typical'. Unfortunately due to all of that, Heather's future ended up being the 'typical' response of someone who has endured what she has. The author doesn't let us into the secrets of Heather's past at first, and it felt as though the author wanted her character to trust her readers, therefore keeping her guard up until she felt safe to explain. Yes, I guess that meant that the storyline was pretty slow to begin with, and yes, I didn't appreciate why it was like that until later on in the book. But now? I can appreciate why the author wrote the storyline in the way that she did, and I am in awe at the strength of her main character, Heather. The fact that Heather's life seemed to remain under lock and key until she came face to face with the photographic proof, is likely to resonate with a lot of readers because come on, how many of us have reached for the photo album to remember a certain point in time? How many of us have lost a loved one, with the image of their face becoming cloudy due to how long ago they passed, only to feel closer to them when they rub their hands over a picture that was taken many years before their death?
We all have memories, both positive and negative. We all bring our pasts into our futures, especially if we haven't dealt with certain emotions at the time. Some people may say that you should leave the past in the past and, whilst I would agree with that to an extent, the past is proof that you have grown as a person and I love just how much Heather proves that throughout the book. She knows her life was rocky. She knows the path of her future is in her hands, but at the end of the day, she is only human. She can only do what she can do and for me personally, I felt like celebrating when that message hit home towards the end of the book. Fiona Harper has taken on board real life situations, real life experiences, and real life emotions towards certain things, bringing them to life in a way that will no doubt make a lot of readers think, 'wow, so I'm not a freak after all'. I think that is a very, very powerful message to convey in a story and I am in awe of the way that Fiona Harper has accomplished that.
'The Memory Collector' is an insightful, beautifully written, emotional, engaging, and thought-provoking read which made me feel like it's okay not to be okay. Sometimes you just need to be told that, and thanks to Fiona Harper's heartfelt story telling, I now feel proud of any wobbles that I have. I am in awe of Heather's story and am extremely grateful to the author for bringing her into our lives.
The only way I can truly describe my thoughts on 'The Memory Collector', is if I were to liken it to a flower. Bear with me here. For several chapters, the storyline was like a little bud, waiting to blossom to its true potential, with me, its reader, waiting with bated breath to see if it would indeed flower. Of course, not every single flower blossoms, so I wasn't too sure whether it would or not. However, after several more chapters of bud like storyline, several chapters of perfect warmth and rain, 'The Memory Collector' blossomed into something which took my breath away.
Heather Lucas' childhood wasn't 'typical'. Her upbringing wasn't 'typical'. Her mother's hobby wasn't 'typical'. Unfortunately due to all of that, Heather's future ended up being the 'typical' response of someone who has endured what she has. The author doesn't let us into the secrets of Heather's past at first, and it felt as though the author wanted her character to trust her readers, therefore keeping her guard up until she felt safe to explain. Yes, I guess that meant that the storyline was pretty slow to begin with, and yes, I didn't appreciate why it was like that until later on in the book. But now? I can appreciate why the author wrote the storyline in the way that she did, and I am in awe at the strength of her main character, Heather. The fact that Heather's life seemed to remain under lock and key until she came face to face with the photographic proof, is likely to resonate with a lot of readers because come on, how many of us have reached for the photo album to remember a certain point in time? How many of us have lost a loved one, with the image of their face becoming cloudy due to how long ago they passed, only to feel closer to them when they rub their hands over a picture that was taken many years before their death?
We all have memories, both positive and negative. We all bring our pasts into our futures, especially if we haven't dealt with certain emotions at the time. Some people may say that you should leave the past in the past and, whilst I would agree with that to an extent, the past is proof that you have grown as a person and I love just how much Heather proves that throughout the book. She knows her life was rocky. She knows the path of her future is in her hands, but at the end of the day, she is only human. She can only do what she can do and for me personally, I felt like celebrating when that message hit home towards the end of the book. Fiona Harper has taken on board real life situations, real life experiences, and real life emotions towards certain things, bringing them to life in a way that will no doubt make a lot of readers think, 'wow, so I'm not a freak after all'. I think that is a very, very powerful message to convey in a story and I am in awe of the way that Fiona Harper has accomplished that.
'The Memory Collector' is an insightful, beautifully written, emotional, engaging, and thought-provoking read which made me feel like it's okay not to be okay. Sometimes you just need to be told that, and thanks to Fiona Harper's heartfelt story telling, I now feel proud of any wobbles that I have. I am in awe of Heather's story and am extremely grateful to the author for bringing her into our lives.
August 6, 2018
I loved this book! At first I struggled with it purely because it brought up memories of living with a hoarder but as the story went on I found it therapeutic. By the middle of the book I had given lots of my stuff away! The story line to this book is so well written and keeps pace throughout. Thoroughly enjoyed it!!
August 1, 2018
The author sent me an advanced copy of this book so I could read and give an honest review to what I thought and it's brilliant. It's deals with very difficult issues with mental health but also very powerful and full of romance and finding out about your life which has had many secrets. Very uplifting read and so well written with parts in the present and some in the past but put together very well and you want to learn what the secret is. Also has a lot about loss as well so can be hard for some to read but I loved it as so worth the five stars.
The main character is Heather who has had a difficult past and doesn't remember much about her childhood other than her mother hoarding everything and makes her family life difficult. Her mother passes and she left with looking through the boxes to see if she can uncover the secret from her past. What does she do when she learns the secret and can she find love and friendship to over come it and work through it. Also can she make up with her sister and they can all move forward or is it just to much and she realises she is more like her mother. She's certainly going to need support to get through everything she finds.
Great characters and fantastic read so highly recommend the book although can be hard at times with the issues they face.
The main character is Heather who has had a difficult past and doesn't remember much about her childhood other than her mother hoarding everything and makes her family life difficult. Her mother passes and she left with looking through the boxes to see if she can uncover the secret from her past. What does she do when she learns the secret and can she find love and friendship to over come it and work through it. Also can she make up with her sister and they can all move forward or is it just to much and she realises she is more like her mother. She's certainly going to need support to get through everything she finds.
Great characters and fantastic read so highly recommend the book although can be hard at times with the issues they face.
October 10, 2018
Started of really slow then futher on it got good
September 6, 2018
Wow!! I really loved this powerful thought provoking book. It took me a while to get hooked but when I did I was reading into the early hours trying to find out how it would end.
Heather the main character has had a very difficult childhood her mother was a hoarder and this cast a shadow over the whole family. When her mother dies Heather is left with the remains of her hoarding all locked away in her spare room. The accidental discovery of a secret from her past shakes Heather into trying to discover what exactly happened. Will this help to set her free from her past and help her understand her mother better? Or will it destroy her?
I loved Heather and I was rooting for her through out. Childhood memories and experiences are so important in forming your life and this was beautifully portrayed in the book. All the other characters were so well written I really connected with them.
Overall this was an poignant must read. It will stay with me for a long time and the authors skilful writing is evident throughout.
Thank you to the publishers/author for allowing me to read this book for an honest unbiased review ,
Heather the main character has had a very difficult childhood her mother was a hoarder and this cast a shadow over the whole family. When her mother dies Heather is left with the remains of her hoarding all locked away in her spare room. The accidental discovery of a secret from her past shakes Heather into trying to discover what exactly happened. Will this help to set her free from her past and help her understand her mother better? Or will it destroy her?
I loved Heather and I was rooting for her through out. Childhood memories and experiences are so important in forming your life and this was beautifully portrayed in the book. All the other characters were so well written I really connected with them.
Overall this was an poignant must read. It will stay with me for a long time and the authors skilful writing is evident throughout.
Thank you to the publishers/author for allowing me to read this book for an honest unbiased review ,
August 19, 2018
I loved this book from the minute I started it, I couldn’t put it down. A powerful story about mental illness, lies, loss and love. A very poignant story. The main character Heather cannot remember her childhood well, she was bullied at school, had bad experiences as a teenager and had a destructive home life as her mother was a prolific hoarder. After her mother dies she has been left with the remnants of her mother’s hoarding, but Heather struggles to deal with these belongings due to the memories attached. One day, however, she has no choice but to go through some of the boxes and discovers a horrific family secret that she has no recollection of and now has to try and solve. The story also deals with the rocky relationship she has with her elder sister who left home before her. The story is skilfully told between the past and present as it unfolds the lies and secrets. The book deals with the deep emotional family issues with care and sensitivity and shows there are different aspects of mental health/controlling behaviour. I couldn’t put this book down, I absolutely loved it, a well deserved 5 stars!
October 22, 2025
A beautiful story, with some valuable messages. I have since sent a number of bags of surplus items to the charity shop!
April 14, 2024
Having a relative as a hoarder was quite upsetting and hard to understand by me and other members of the family. However, this particular story gave insight into how deep this illness goes, how it can be passed on,
winthout intention, how it can ruin lives or future happiness and relationships. How can one love all their possessions more than their own child or husband? Sadly, How can one love all those possessions more than themselves?
While we know a lot about mental illness and depression and obsessive compulsive disorder and medications and counseling, currently, it doesn’t make it easier to accept or go through it on your own. It’s hard not to take it personally, somehow.
I thought it was a well written story.
winthout intention, how it can ruin lives or future happiness and relationships. How can one love all their possessions more than their own child or husband? Sadly, How can one love all those possessions more than themselves?
While we know a lot about mental illness and depression and obsessive compulsive disorder and medications and counseling, currently, it doesn’t make it easier to accept or go through it on your own. It’s hard not to take it personally, somehow.
I thought it was a well written story.
September 29, 2018
This book has taken a long time to read as I kept picking it up & putting it down again as I struggled to get really involved with it.
Heather is a loner. She avoids being sociable. Her flat is white, clean & minimalist- apart from the spare room which is piled high with 'stuff'. This is what her mother left her.She struggles with her monthly visit to her sister & family.On one hand she longs to properly get to know her niece & nephew, but she has always found her sister .Faith, a bit overwhelming. When her niece needs a photo of her mum's family Heather tries to put her off but eventually she ventures into the room. As well as the photo she also finds an old newspaper cutting about the abduction of a child. It seems she was taken for a spell when she was six. She really can't remember it. She begins to wonder if this event was what started her mother's hoarding.
This books explores the obsessive world of the hoarder. I'm sure it will strike a chord in many of us. (It made me start tidying out a long neglected cupboard at school!!) Although it took a long while to get into it eventually , this was a book I enjoyed.
Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this.
Heather is a loner. She avoids being sociable. Her flat is white, clean & minimalist- apart from the spare room which is piled high with 'stuff'. This is what her mother left her.She struggles with her monthly visit to her sister & family.On one hand she longs to properly get to know her niece & nephew, but she has always found her sister .Faith, a bit overwhelming. When her niece needs a photo of her mum's family Heather tries to put her off but eventually she ventures into the room. As well as the photo she also finds an old newspaper cutting about the abduction of a child. It seems she was taken for a spell when she was six. She really can't remember it. She begins to wonder if this event was what started her mother's hoarding.
This books explores the obsessive world of the hoarder. I'm sure it will strike a chord in many of us. (It made me start tidying out a long neglected cupboard at school!!) Although it took a long while to get into it eventually , this was a book I enjoyed.
Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this.
January 22, 2019
Wow.
For a quick read, this was pretty engaging.
The poor main character, Heather, suffers....
you learn of her hurtful past, which leads to her mother's habitual collection, which devastates her family
She deals with these issues, as she struggles with her current personal relationships
It's an amazing narrative, even if it's fiction- motivating and inspiring.
For a quick read, this was pretty engaging.
The poor main character, Heather, suffers....
you learn of her hurtful past, which leads to her mother's habitual collection, which devastates her family
She deals with these issues, as she struggles with her current personal relationships
It's an amazing narrative, even if it's fiction- motivating and inspiring.
March 22, 2019
I loved this book!
It's a brilliant read, slowly untangling the myriad layers of the past, then moving on towards a bright future.
My local charity shop loved it too, as I felt compelled to start disposing of my hoardings before they started to take over the house...
It's a brilliant read, slowly untangling the myriad layers of the past, then moving on towards a bright future.
My local charity shop loved it too, as I felt compelled to start disposing of my hoardings before they started to take over the house...
November 12, 2020
There's a lot of good parts too, but I can't ignore the amount of kitsch in both the language and the plot. Too much for me.
September 14, 2018
I have another confession to make- yes another one. Although I have a few of Fiona’s books on my ‘To Be Read’ shelf, I haven’t actually read one of them. Sorry Fiona. Well I can certainly say that I have read one of her books now and what a read it was. I absolutely loved reading ‘The Memory Collector’ but more about that in a bit.
I have to admit that I felt for Heather. It’s obvious at the start of the book that she has been through some pretty tough stuff over the course of her lifetime but we don’t immediately find everything out. Instead Fiona drip feeds the reader little clues throughout and when put together, they explain what happened to Heather and why she is the way she is. To a degree I empathised with her as some of what happened to her happened to me. Heather’s mother hoarded a lot of things over her lifetime and when she dies it is left to Heather to sort it out. It soon becomes clear that both Heather and her mother suffered with mental illness to a degree and again I empathised with them over this.
To say that this is an emotive read is a huge understatement. From the moment I started reading ‘The Memory Collector’ I found that I kept developing a lump in my throat and my eyes would well up. I have to say that ‘The Memory Collector’ is beautifully and sensitively written. It deals with some sensitive subjects but in a humane and sympathetic way. I loved the way in which some subjects began with a memento of past events and we got some of the story of the background and significance to whichever memento was discussed. A lot of the chapters are written describing present day events but there are several chapters that describe past events. The chapters interlink well and the story flows seamlessly as a result.
It wasn’t hard to become addicted to reading this book and as soon as I got to the bottom of the page I knew that I wouldn’t be able to stop myself reading more and more. I only intended to read a couple of chapters at once but I was so riveted by the story, the characters and the mementos that I just continued to read. In the end it soon became clear that I had read considerably more chapters than I had intended to. I hadn’t noticed how quickly the time was passing or how quickly the pages were turning.
‘The Memory Collector’ is certainly one hell of an emotional rollercoaster ride with all the contrasting feelings such as hope & despair, happiness & sadness and well you get the picture. I certainly felt as though I had been through the emotional wringer after I finished reading. The author uses such vivid descriptions of emotions that I genuinely felt the same emotions that the characters were feeling and as if I myself was part of the story.
To conclude, I did really enjoy reading ‘The Memory Collector’ and I would definitely recommend it to other readers. I can’t wait to read what Fiona comes up with next but in the meantime I will definitely be trying to read her other books. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 4* out of 5*.
I have to admit that I felt for Heather. It’s obvious at the start of the book that she has been through some pretty tough stuff over the course of her lifetime but we don’t immediately find everything out. Instead Fiona drip feeds the reader little clues throughout and when put together, they explain what happened to Heather and why she is the way she is. To a degree I empathised with her as some of what happened to her happened to me. Heather’s mother hoarded a lot of things over her lifetime and when she dies it is left to Heather to sort it out. It soon becomes clear that both Heather and her mother suffered with mental illness to a degree and again I empathised with them over this.
To say that this is an emotive read is a huge understatement. From the moment I started reading ‘The Memory Collector’ I found that I kept developing a lump in my throat and my eyes would well up. I have to say that ‘The Memory Collector’ is beautifully and sensitively written. It deals with some sensitive subjects but in a humane and sympathetic way. I loved the way in which some subjects began with a memento of past events and we got some of the story of the background and significance to whichever memento was discussed. A lot of the chapters are written describing present day events but there are several chapters that describe past events. The chapters interlink well and the story flows seamlessly as a result.
It wasn’t hard to become addicted to reading this book and as soon as I got to the bottom of the page I knew that I wouldn’t be able to stop myself reading more and more. I only intended to read a couple of chapters at once but I was so riveted by the story, the characters and the mementos that I just continued to read. In the end it soon became clear that I had read considerably more chapters than I had intended to. I hadn’t noticed how quickly the time was passing or how quickly the pages were turning.
‘The Memory Collector’ is certainly one hell of an emotional rollercoaster ride with all the contrasting feelings such as hope & despair, happiness & sadness and well you get the picture. I certainly felt as though I had been through the emotional wringer after I finished reading. The author uses such vivid descriptions of emotions that I genuinely felt the same emotions that the characters were feeling and as if I myself was part of the story.
To conclude, I did really enjoy reading ‘The Memory Collector’ and I would definitely recommend it to other readers. I can’t wait to read what Fiona comes up with next but in the meantime I will definitely be trying to read her other books. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 4* out of 5*.
July 25, 2025
The Memory Collector explores how the weight of hoarding memories and objects can fracture relationships, until confronting the past becomes the only path to reclaiming love, life, connection and self.
June 25, 2019
This book took me a while to get into it, but once it hooked me, I couldn't stop reading. A story with depth that kept me thinking.
August 27, 2024
Fascinating read and make you really think about the objects we choose to own. A real page turner with likeable characters.
August 20, 2020
The only thing that lets this book down is the boring title
June 18, 2021
Quite enjoyed this.
October 30, 2025
Reminded me very much of Elinor Oliphant. Find it fascinating finding out why people behave as they do. Very well written, a heart warming story. xx
August 12, 2018
On of my favourite 2018 reads so far. What a wonderfully poignant and unputdownable story. Somehow gentle yet hardhitting at the same time. In parts Heather's story was so painful I had to physically turn way from the page to take a break before carrying on. Heather is a beautifully crafted protagonist I rapidly cared about. Harper skilfully entwines her past with the present. Fans of Elinor Oliphant is Completely Fine will love this novel. A story that will stay with me.
August 13, 2018
This book is really beautiful, moving and absolutely wonderful. It deals with some very sensitive subjects like mental health. It is a wonderfully uplifting book that tells you about the power of yourself. It deals with romance, friendship, secrets, friendship, family and loss. It is a very moving read and you will need tissues when you read it. It is so wonderfully and delicately written.
July 18, 2019
Read this in one sitting. Soooooo good!
December 14, 2018
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It took me two days to read this book.And I want to yell on top of my voice and tell everyone and anyone that this book is a masterpiece and definitely worth reading. If you have ever had a thing for authors like Cecelia Ahern , Jojo Moyes, or Paula Hawkins (Its not exactly a phycological thriller but has a few elements of it) then you would definitely like this one too.!
This book is about Heather and the effects the events of her childhood had on her.! And through reading the book you realise Heather considers herself to be broken but I thought that even after those earth shattering events she was so strong and selfless.!
So starting with the Synopsis . Heather is a 32 year something old women who lives in Britain, has a cool job , a room in her house locked with her mothers hoard , a sister with whom she doesn’t have a very strong relationship and meets her just to stay in touch with her niece and nephew. And then comes the backstory. Heathers mom had a psychological disease . She used to hoard. Our houses have things we need but her moms had anything and everything with only a small chair available for Heather to sleep. The book transcend between then and now. Talking about Heathers present and future. You understand from the first few chapters that Heather has blocked the memory of her childhood in her brain. Its when her niece needs an old family photo that she finds the courage to have an encounter with the hoard. And she ends up seeing something which sets her on a quest to understand why her mom did what she did and to answer more questions related to her childhood.!
There is a love interest for Heather too , Jason. I wanted her to have a love interest buy the synopsis on the backside of the book didn’t reveal that. So I was happy knowing that there was someone for her. So this is my theory. Heather was a strong person and she is the one who ends up saving herself but Jason in a way was her knight in shining armour and so was her sister. They were two people who were there for her. When it comes to saving yourself from your demons only you have the power to do it but if you have people who believe you it just makes the whole journey easier.!
This book broke my heart but at the same time mended it. It’s a book with an impression with a story I believe I can never forget. It talks about human emotions so beautifully . The pain we go through because of our loved ones and the love we have for them even after they hurt us.!
Its a book highly recommended from my side. So if you think it is something made for you then do pick it up and give it a read. Yes there are elements in the book which are sad but its not a book which will make you feel sad moreover it will just make you understand human emotions at a deeper lever with a lightness in the writing which makes this book a gem.!
It took me two days to read this book.And I want to yell on top of my voice and tell everyone and anyone that this book is a masterpiece and definitely worth reading. If you have ever had a thing for authors like Cecelia Ahern , Jojo Moyes, or Paula Hawkins (Its not exactly a phycological thriller but has a few elements of it) then you would definitely like this one too.!
This book is about Heather and the effects the events of her childhood had on her.! And through reading the book you realise Heather considers herself to be broken but I thought that even after those earth shattering events she was so strong and selfless.!
So starting with the Synopsis . Heather is a 32 year something old women who lives in Britain, has a cool job , a room in her house locked with her mothers hoard , a sister with whom she doesn’t have a very strong relationship and meets her just to stay in touch with her niece and nephew. And then comes the backstory. Heathers mom had a psychological disease . She used to hoard. Our houses have things we need but her moms had anything and everything with only a small chair available for Heather to sleep. The book transcend between then and now. Talking about Heathers present and future. You understand from the first few chapters that Heather has blocked the memory of her childhood in her brain. Its when her niece needs an old family photo that she finds the courage to have an encounter with the hoard. And she ends up seeing something which sets her on a quest to understand why her mom did what she did and to answer more questions related to her childhood.!
There is a love interest for Heather too , Jason. I wanted her to have a love interest buy the synopsis on the backside of the book didn’t reveal that. So I was happy knowing that there was someone for her. So this is my theory. Heather was a strong person and she is the one who ends up saving herself but Jason in a way was her knight in shining armour and so was her sister. They were two people who were there for her. When it comes to saving yourself from your demons only you have the power to do it but if you have people who believe you it just makes the whole journey easier.!
This book broke my heart but at the same time mended it. It’s a book with an impression with a story I believe I can never forget. It talks about human emotions so beautifully . The pain we go through because of our loved ones and the love we have for them even after they hurt us.!
Its a book highly recommended from my side. So if you think it is something made for you then do pick it up and give it a read. Yes there are elements in the book which are sad but its not a book which will make you feel sad moreover it will just make you understand human emotions at a deeper lever with a lightness in the writing which makes this book a gem.!
June 23, 2018
I really enjoyed this book. Although it deals with both mental health and deep emotional issues it is an easy read. The main character Heather had a very disturbed childhood living with a mother who was a hoarder. When her mother dies, Heather is left with the remnants of her life stored in boxes in her spare room. Do these boxes hold the secret as to why her mother was so dysfunctional? When Heather stumbles across a secret about her own past she knows the only place to find the answers she needs is within these boxes. In unpacking her mother’s collected memories will she find what she needs to set her free or will she discover that she and her mother have more in common then she first thought? A departure from Fiona Harper’s usual type of writing but it doesn’t disappoint. I received a free copy of this book from HQ Publishing in exchange for an honest review. A favourable review was not required and all opinions expressed here are my own.
December 31, 2018
This is a strange one .... I read the whole book but I still can’t make up my mind whether I liked it or not. I could not connect with the main character Heather, I just didn’t like her. There was too much scene setting that I skipped through hoping the story would pick up but it didn’t. A total disappointment and I’ve made up my mind - I didn’t like it and I don’t recommend it.
March 31, 2019
Seemed like the author had to labour really hard to come up with a story when there was none.
February 22, 2019
It took me some time to get into this book, I'm not sure why, in fact I left it for a couple of weeks and then went back to it. All in all it's a decent story and once I had reached the middle of it I had gained enough interest to carry on reading.
The Story.
Heather had a traumatic childhood. Her mother suffered from mental illness and was a compulsive hoarder. This meant that Heather and sister lived a lifestyle that was detrimental to the whole family. The space for the children to live grew smaller and smaller until Heather could not even sleep in her own bed,instead she had to sleep in a armchair in the lounge. Heather had several accidents due to the clutter that engulfed the house and Heather's father eventually left the family as he could not cope with the lifestyle they had to put up with.
All of this has an effect on Heathers mental wellbeing and even many years later,when Heather is an adult,her past is still playing a major part in her life decisions and not in a good way.
Can Heather put the past behind her and move on or will she always be tied to the past and stuck in a realm of unwanted baggage?
This book covers many themes. How hoarding can have such a devastating effect on a family. The repercussions of childhood trauma and what behaviours it can produce in an adults life. Bullying, how it can drive people to make unwise choices just to fit in. Mental illness and what terrible life choices it can lead people to if it is not treated properly.
This may be a book that some people describe as quick or easy to read but as I have just said it does cover some serious issues.
And if you do read it there is a high chance that you will tidy at least one cupboard out and have a think about clutter and what it can do to you!
Quote.
To her mother,every item was important in a way Heather could never fathom. It was as if she had another range of vision,a hoarder vision of ultraviolet or infra-red that allowed her to see value in things that no one else could.
pg 210
.
'There are too many questions cluttering up my head. I need to answer them,sort them and tidy them away. Maybe then I'll be able to move past this.'
The Story.
Heather had a traumatic childhood. Her mother suffered from mental illness and was a compulsive hoarder. This meant that Heather and sister lived a lifestyle that was detrimental to the whole family. The space for the children to live grew smaller and smaller until Heather could not even sleep in her own bed,instead she had to sleep in a armchair in the lounge. Heather had several accidents due to the clutter that engulfed the house and Heather's father eventually left the family as he could not cope with the lifestyle they had to put up with.
All of this has an effect on Heathers mental wellbeing and even many years later,when Heather is an adult,her past is still playing a major part in her life decisions and not in a good way.
Can Heather put the past behind her and move on or will she always be tied to the past and stuck in a realm of unwanted baggage?
This book covers many themes. How hoarding can have such a devastating effect on a family. The repercussions of childhood trauma and what behaviours it can produce in an adults life. Bullying, how it can drive people to make unwise choices just to fit in. Mental illness and what terrible life choices it can lead people to if it is not treated properly.
This may be a book that some people describe as quick or easy to read but as I have just said it does cover some serious issues.
And if you do read it there is a high chance that you will tidy at least one cupboard out and have a think about clutter and what it can do to you!
Quote.
To her mother,every item was important in a way Heather could never fathom. It was as if she had another range of vision,a hoarder vision of ultraviolet or infra-red that allowed her to see value in things that no one else could.
pg 210
.
'There are too many questions cluttering up my head. I need to answer them,sort them and tidy them away. Maybe then I'll be able to move past this.'
October 15, 2018
I was thrilled to receive this new book from HQ publishing as it has been tweeted about far and wide.
I’d never read any of Fiona’s work before this and went into it not really knowing what to expect. There is a very mysterious start to the book, and one that got me very curious. There’s a memory from a little girl, with an almost sinister undertone. We are then taken back to the present (now) and the chapters are interspersed with Heather’s past (then).
Heather is clearly very affected by the events in her childhood. Her relationship with her sister was once close but now very strained. Heather’s feelings about this come leaping off the page and you feel every bit of pain that she’s holding inside.
This side to her that is ‘a secret’ from everyone is between her and the reader. She has some long buried secrets, which lead to some strange behaviour and result in some dramatics events, as those things she has buried start to surface.
As I read the chapters from her childhood, my heart was breaking for her. Her younger years showed her to be resilient and so very brave. As a mother I found some of those chapters so emotional (especially the scenes with the kitten and the skip- when you read it, you will know!) However, as the books goes on, that inner strength starts to shine through in the present day.
I enjoyed the relationship she embarks on – very tumultuous but ultimately beautiful. She has gradually made herself a tough egg to crack and puts up barriers, but her feelings for this person break through all of those self-preserving instincts. It’s a love story that is true to life and uplifting.
I absolutely loved this book. More than I thought I would. The emotion of the characters, especially Heather, leapt off the pages. It illustrates so well the resilience of the human spirit and that it’s possible to change your future, despite the things that have held you back in the past.
The storyline was original and thought-provoking and it was just such a joy to read from start to finish. It impacted me and left me really moved.
I whole-heartedly recommend!
I’d never read any of Fiona’s work before this and went into it not really knowing what to expect. There is a very mysterious start to the book, and one that got me very curious. There’s a memory from a little girl, with an almost sinister undertone. We are then taken back to the present (now) and the chapters are interspersed with Heather’s past (then).
Heather is clearly very affected by the events in her childhood. Her relationship with her sister was once close but now very strained. Heather’s feelings about this come leaping off the page and you feel every bit of pain that she’s holding inside.
This side to her that is ‘a secret’ from everyone is between her and the reader. She has some long buried secrets, which lead to some strange behaviour and result in some dramatics events, as those things she has buried start to surface.
As I read the chapters from her childhood, my heart was breaking for her. Her younger years showed her to be resilient and so very brave. As a mother I found some of those chapters so emotional (especially the scenes with the kitten and the skip- when you read it, you will know!) However, as the books goes on, that inner strength starts to shine through in the present day.
I enjoyed the relationship she embarks on – very tumultuous but ultimately beautiful. She has gradually made herself a tough egg to crack and puts up barriers, but her feelings for this person break through all of those self-preserving instincts. It’s a love story that is true to life and uplifting.
I absolutely loved this book. More than I thought I would. The emotion of the characters, especially Heather, leapt off the pages. It illustrates so well the resilience of the human spirit and that it’s possible to change your future, despite the things that have held you back in the past.
The storyline was original and thought-provoking and it was just such a joy to read from start to finish. It impacted me and left me really moved.
I whole-heartedly recommend!
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