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The Memories We Hide
Can you trust your memories?
Laura Murphy thought she could, but that was before she returned home.
Laura Murphy thought she could, but that was before she returned home.
When 27-year-old Laura returns to her home town ten years after the tragic death of her then-boyfriend, Ryan Taylor, she isn't prepared for the nostalgia and memories that resurface. After discovering a newspaper clipping alluding to the fact that there may have been more to Ryan's death than first thought, Laura is compelled find out what happened that fateful night.
Reconnecting with childhood friend Tom Gordon, she begins to unravel the blurred lines of truth and memory. But Tom holds a secret of his own. Not only is he facing losing his family farm, but what he knows could destroy any chance of a future with Laura.
Will Laura have the strength to confront her memories? Or will Tom's secret be the key to unlocking the truth?
Dealing with the complexities of friendships, love, depression and the consequences of secrets and split-second decisions, The Memories We Hide is a compelling story exploring how memories can't always be trusted but how they can set you free.
- GenresFiction
260 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 20, 2019
7 people are currently reading
101 people want to read
About the author
Jodi Gibson
6 books68 followersJodi is an Australian author, writing mentor and podcaster. She writes contemporary women's fiction and crime/suspense.
Jodi lives in regional Australia with her family on a mini-farm and spends her time while not writing, either baking or reading.
Jodi's debut novel, a contemporary drama, THE MEMORIES WE HIDE, was released in August 2019. Her second novel, a feel-good holiday romance THE FIVE YEAR PLAN was published in 2021, and REINVENTING EMILY BROWN, another feel-good novel was published in September 2023. Jodi is also working on her next feel-good fiction, as well as something in the crime suspense genre.
You can find Jodi at www.jfgibson.com.au, on her weekly ASK THE AUTHOR PODCAST or hanging out on Instagram @jfgibsonwriter
Jodi lives in regional Australia with her family on a mini-farm and spends her time while not writing, either baking or reading.
Jodi's debut novel, a contemporary drama, THE MEMORIES WE HIDE, was released in August 2019. Her second novel, a feel-good holiday romance THE FIVE YEAR PLAN was published in 2021, and REINVENTING EMILY BROWN, another feel-good novel was published in September 2023. Jodi is also working on her next feel-good fiction, as well as something in the crime suspense genre.
You can find Jodi at www.jfgibson.com.au, on her weekly ASK THE AUTHOR PODCAST or hanging out on Instagram @jfgibsonwriter
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
March 26, 2020
Sometimes when I am alone, a darkness grips hold of me, pulling me down in a vast space of nothingness. One minute I feel fine and the next I feel like there's a thousand drums beating in my head and someone's standing on my chest crushing my lungs. When it happens, I want to both run and hide. It's like I am spiralling down a black hole, looking up at the top and screaming inside for someone to help me, but the light gradually disappears and no one listens. (from Ryan's journal).
Approaching the tracks, Laura wondered what went through Ryan's mind the moment he turned into the train. Did he really not see it? How was that possible? Was he really planning on making things right? As much as Laura wanted to understand the hopelessness and frustration that crippled Ryan, she wanted to know how it manifested inside and built into something bigger, something that seemed insurmountable.
This book went through my emotions like a wrecking ball!! This is the only way I can describe my reading of this book.
Through this story, the author shows that memories can be a such a powerful thing and still hold the ability to bring out emotions and feelings from inside us that we think, hope and wish are either long dead or forgotten but in reality, never are.
My thanks to NetGalley and the author for the e-Arc of this book.
Approaching the tracks, Laura wondered what went through Ryan's mind the moment he turned into the train. Did he really not see it? How was that possible? Was he really planning on making things right? As much as Laura wanted to understand the hopelessness and frustration that crippled Ryan, she wanted to know how it manifested inside and built into something bigger, something that seemed insurmountable.
This book went through my emotions like a wrecking ball!! This is the only way I can describe my reading of this book.
Through this story, the author shows that memories can be a such a powerful thing and still hold the ability to bring out emotions and feelings from inside us that we think, hope and wish are either long dead or forgotten but in reality, never are.
My thanks to NetGalley and the author for the e-Arc of this book.
August 25, 2019
*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
Memories have the power to shape our lives, our sense of self, and the regrets we may hold. This is at the centre of the debut novel by Jodi Gibson. The Memories We Hide is a contemporary women’s fiction title, that covers the themes of friendship, the past and long held secrets. It is also a story about self acceptance and finding a way to accept the past, in order to find peace in the future. The Memories We Hide is a book that I was able consume in two close sittings and there was much to applaud in Jodi Gibson’s first release.
A book about trust and delving into the memories of a tragic event of the past is at the core of The Memories We Hide. Chief protagonist Laura Murphy has recently returned home, after a decade away. This homecoming has serious implications for Laura, a woman tormented by the loss of her childhood sweetheart ten years earlier, in tragic circumstances. As Laura grapples with the memories that have come flooding in since her homecoming, she must try and classify which of these memories is the truth. Laura decides to reconnect with an old friend from ten years ago, Tom, in an effort to put her issues from the past to rest. However, Tom is battling with his own demons and this will ultimately impact Laura. The Memories We Hide is about the inherent need to reconcile the past with the present, in order to achieve a stable future.
Memory has been a popular subject matter of late in contemporary fiction titles. The Memories We Hide is a book that stands out from the crowd. Rather than focus on memory loss or amnesia, which I have noticed has been a feature of many recent releases, Jodi Gibson’s debut looks at the memories of a tragic event in the past. I really did appreciate this very different focus on memory, and the questions this theme churned up. This focal area allowed the author to delve into the psychology and mechanics of the mind. Gibson was also able to pull apart the impact of how the same pinnacle event can be viewed very differently from alternative viewpoints, and how the perception of a traumatic event can change over time. Jodi Gibson provides the reader with plenty of food for thought.
I know that Jodi Gibson currently lives and grew up in a small town environment. She definitely has her finger on the pulse when it comes to the development of small town settings. In The Memories We Hide, Gibson looks at a small community rocked by the tragic loss of a young man in his prime. Alongside this tragic event, Gibson sensitively provides the audience with a sense of understanding about the pressures on young people suffering from depression and mental health issues in rural areas. It is a sad state of affairs, but unfortunately this is a very real issue that we as the general public should be aware of. Books such The Memories We Hide go a long way in highlighting this issue.
The Memories We Hide is strong on the character front. Laura, Gibson’s lead, is well developed and I genuinely cared about her welfare. Supporting Laura are a number of key side characters, from Tom, to Rachel and Ryan in the past, plus family members, as well as the local community. By the close of this novel I felt like I had bonded with this cast. Gibson’s approach to the interactions that occur between her protagonist set was engaging and engrossing. She has a natural flair for dialogue, which I appreciated very much.
I really enjoyed the mystery slant to this novel, which was increased tension wise with the style of narration, which shifted from the past to the present. I was fully engaged in The Memories We Hide, as I just had to know exactly what happened to Ryan and how this played out for each of the key characters of the novel. The final revelation really hit me, I didn’t see it coming, which was a great parting surprise for this reader.
The Memories We Hide offers an excellent insight to the complexities of relationships, the intricacy of memory and our natural instinct to protect ourselves from emotional pain. With a parting message of hope in the face of tragedy and despair, this is a compelling novel from debut novelist Jodi Gibson.
*I wish to thank the author, Jodi Gibson, for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The Memories We Hide is book #109 of the 2019 Australian Women Writers Challenge
Memories have the power to shape our lives, our sense of self, and the regrets we may hold. This is at the centre of the debut novel by Jodi Gibson. The Memories We Hide is a contemporary women’s fiction title, that covers the themes of friendship, the past and long held secrets. It is also a story about self acceptance and finding a way to accept the past, in order to find peace in the future. The Memories We Hide is a book that I was able consume in two close sittings and there was much to applaud in Jodi Gibson’s first release.
A book about trust and delving into the memories of a tragic event of the past is at the core of The Memories We Hide. Chief protagonist Laura Murphy has recently returned home, after a decade away. This homecoming has serious implications for Laura, a woman tormented by the loss of her childhood sweetheart ten years earlier, in tragic circumstances. As Laura grapples with the memories that have come flooding in since her homecoming, she must try and classify which of these memories is the truth. Laura decides to reconnect with an old friend from ten years ago, Tom, in an effort to put her issues from the past to rest. However, Tom is battling with his own demons and this will ultimately impact Laura. The Memories We Hide is about the inherent need to reconcile the past with the present, in order to achieve a stable future.
Memory has been a popular subject matter of late in contemporary fiction titles. The Memories We Hide is a book that stands out from the crowd. Rather than focus on memory loss or amnesia, which I have noticed has been a feature of many recent releases, Jodi Gibson’s debut looks at the memories of a tragic event in the past. I really did appreciate this very different focus on memory, and the questions this theme churned up. This focal area allowed the author to delve into the psychology and mechanics of the mind. Gibson was also able to pull apart the impact of how the same pinnacle event can be viewed very differently from alternative viewpoints, and how the perception of a traumatic event can change over time. Jodi Gibson provides the reader with plenty of food for thought.
I know that Jodi Gibson currently lives and grew up in a small town environment. She definitely has her finger on the pulse when it comes to the development of small town settings. In The Memories We Hide, Gibson looks at a small community rocked by the tragic loss of a young man in his prime. Alongside this tragic event, Gibson sensitively provides the audience with a sense of understanding about the pressures on young people suffering from depression and mental health issues in rural areas. It is a sad state of affairs, but unfortunately this is a very real issue that we as the general public should be aware of. Books such The Memories We Hide go a long way in highlighting this issue.
The Memories We Hide is strong on the character front. Laura, Gibson’s lead, is well developed and I genuinely cared about her welfare. Supporting Laura are a number of key side characters, from Tom, to Rachel and Ryan in the past, plus family members, as well as the local community. By the close of this novel I felt like I had bonded with this cast. Gibson’s approach to the interactions that occur between her protagonist set was engaging and engrossing. She has a natural flair for dialogue, which I appreciated very much.
I really enjoyed the mystery slant to this novel, which was increased tension wise with the style of narration, which shifted from the past to the present. I was fully engaged in The Memories We Hide, as I just had to know exactly what happened to Ryan and how this played out for each of the key characters of the novel. The final revelation really hit me, I didn’t see it coming, which was a great parting surprise for this reader.
The Memories We Hide offers an excellent insight to the complexities of relationships, the intricacy of memory and our natural instinct to protect ourselves from emotional pain. With a parting message of hope in the face of tragedy and despair, this is a compelling novel from debut novelist Jodi Gibson.
*I wish to thank the author, Jodi Gibson, for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The Memories We Hide is book #109 of the 2019 Australian Women Writers Challenge
December 17, 2021
Laura Murphy is returning to her hometown of Banuyla to be with her mum who has terminal cancer. Ten years ago Laura left Banuyla after she lost her boyfriend Ryan Taylor. The pain and memories of what happened to Ryan all those years ago was something Laura struggled with and now she was returning home. How would Laura cope not only with looking after her gravely sick mum, but also reuniting with childhood friends and a past she had hidden.
The Memories We Hide by Australian author Jodi Gibson has written an excellent debut novel of friendship, love and loss. With relatable characters and a well thought out and engaging storyline, this was a very enjoyable book and I look forward to reading more by this author in the near future. Highly recommended.
The Memories We Hide by Australian author Jodi Gibson has written an excellent debut novel of friendship, love and loss. With relatable characters and a well thought out and engaging storyline, this was a very enjoyable book and I look forward to reading more by this author in the near future. Highly recommended.
August 31, 2019
A fantastic debut by this author. I loved the theme of memories running through the novel and how all of our memories of an event can differ. It’s also about learning to love ourselves, forgive our mistakes and move on. Loved the main character Laura, can’t wait for more from Jodi.
August 31, 2019
I’ve been in a little reading slump, picking up and putting down my last 3 books. Meanwhile this book has been popping up on my radar with good reviews and well, what can I say except it was the perfect book to get me out of that slump!
Laura has returned to her home town of Banyula because her Mum is dying. She is close to her Mum but events from 10 years previously at the finish of high school, have stopped her from coming home. Laura, her boyfriend Ryan and friends Tom and Rachel were young and free that last year of school but Ryan’s death tore everyone apart. For 10 years each of those friends have been harbouring a guilt and it’s time to let go.
The was a little bit of mystery surrounding Ryan’s death and the background of that era was told in chapters, mainly in the second half of the book as Laura was remembering those times. This was very easy to follow and you got to understand the friendship dynamics. I really liked Laura and you could feel the love she had for her Mum and her confusion of her relationship with Tom.
It’s not quite your usual Australian small town rural romance. With memories and regrets, it also deals with mental illness, especially teenagers and in rural settings, where help is difficult to find and giving people hope.
A lovely book which I really enjoyed and with more depth than some books of the genre.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy to read.
Laura has returned to her home town of Banyula because her Mum is dying. She is close to her Mum but events from 10 years previously at the finish of high school, have stopped her from coming home. Laura, her boyfriend Ryan and friends Tom and Rachel were young and free that last year of school but Ryan’s death tore everyone apart. For 10 years each of those friends have been harbouring a guilt and it’s time to let go.
The was a little bit of mystery surrounding Ryan’s death and the background of that era was told in chapters, mainly in the second half of the book as Laura was remembering those times. This was very easy to follow and you got to understand the friendship dynamics. I really liked Laura and you could feel the love she had for her Mum and her confusion of her relationship with Tom.
It’s not quite your usual Australian small town rural romance. With memories and regrets, it also deals with mental illness, especially teenagers and in rural settings, where help is difficult to find and giving people hope.
A lovely book which I really enjoyed and with more depth than some books of the genre.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy to read.
August 15, 2019
The Memories We Hide wasn't like most other books. Even though it took me a little while to get into the storyline, I really liked it. You have to give it time to develop. Our main character, Laura, is coming home because her mother is dying. Apparently she hasn't been back in ten years, since the death of her first love, Ryan. Once she's there though, things aren't all as she remembers them. Apparently she's carried guilt since Ryan's death but she's not the only one. Her friends, Rachel and Tom, have as well. Her arrival in town has dredged up everyone's feelings and the fact that she's looking for answers so she can put it all to rest is bringing a lot to the surface. There is a mystery surrounding how Ryan died and who saw him last. There were also other things going on with Ryan that he hid and no one knew about.
It was truly a sad story about high school age kids dealing with serious issues and not having a proper support system. They could look back on things in hindsight and think they should have done better but in all truthfulness, they were eighteen year old kids who did the best they could with the information they had in front of them. I was just hopeful that through all of the heartache, they could all find some peace and move on but they had so much pain to work through first. Unfortunately, they had each done things that ultimately hurt the other back then and all of that had to be worked through as well. When Laura left ten years before, all of those issues and emotions were frozen in time. They had to be dealt with before anyone could move forward with their lives in a healthy way.
The Memories We Hide wasn't an easy read. There were a lot of issues that occurred within the pages that frustrated me, but that is how things happen in the real world too. People make stupid choices. Sometimes they are decisions you can fix and make right and unfortunately sometimes they aren't. Overall, I found the ending to the book to be a satisfying one and felt it was what always was meant to be.
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
It was truly a sad story about high school age kids dealing with serious issues and not having a proper support system. They could look back on things in hindsight and think they should have done better but in all truthfulness, they were eighteen year old kids who did the best they could with the information they had in front of them. I was just hopeful that through all of the heartache, they could all find some peace and move on but they had so much pain to work through first. Unfortunately, they had each done things that ultimately hurt the other back then and all of that had to be worked through as well. When Laura left ten years before, all of those issues and emotions were frozen in time. They had to be dealt with before anyone could move forward with their lives in a healthy way.
The Memories We Hide wasn't an easy read. There were a lot of issues that occurred within the pages that frustrated me, but that is how things happen in the real world too. People make stupid choices. Sometimes they are decisions you can fix and make right and unfortunately sometimes they aren't. Overall, I found the ending to the book to be a satisfying one and felt it was what always was meant to be.
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 21, 2019
A book of love, family bonds, friendships and relationships, betrayals and secrets of the past. Each made this family drama a captivating read. A beautiful cover too.
Laura came home 10 years after the death of her love Ryan when her mom was seriously ill. The threads of the past connected to Ryan's death slowly pulled her into the secrets as she found herself wanting a closure. Tom, her best friend, had been waiting in the wings, for her to notice him, would she? This was Laura's life, a closure to the past and view into the new beginning.
Jodi Gibson is a fantastic writer. Her words were like a soothing balm to the soul, even in a turbulent scene, I knew she would guide me through. Tears and shockers were a part of this book's journey, but the flow of the writing was like a gentle brook finding its way over the pebbles, smoothing them and making them shine in the first rays of the sun.
Laura's character had a lot of soul searching to do along with delving into the past to get to the future. Set in a small town, the story had the people supporting her, some hiding their own secrets. Each character added to the story, the mystery deepened in every chapter. A debut at times is a bit abrupt, but this talented author was quite a wordsmith, she kept the rhythm of the book going from the beginning to end.
The emotions behind the words were crystal clear, keeping me in sync with the happenings of the story. They dealt with some social issues sensitively, making it a part of the story. Not many books can do that. The final reveal was shocking, I liked the thriller-y slant. I loved and enjoyed every pulse I spent in the pages of this book.
A book may not be perfect, but sometimes they are perfect for the moment in life's journey that we are in. For me, I needed the book in that of time. It was SIMPLY PERFECT.
Laura came home 10 years after the death of her love Ryan when her mom was seriously ill. The threads of the past connected to Ryan's death slowly pulled her into the secrets as she found herself wanting a closure. Tom, her best friend, had been waiting in the wings, for her to notice him, would she? This was Laura's life, a closure to the past and view into the new beginning.
Jodi Gibson is a fantastic writer. Her words were like a soothing balm to the soul, even in a turbulent scene, I knew she would guide me through. Tears and shockers were a part of this book's journey, but the flow of the writing was like a gentle brook finding its way over the pebbles, smoothing them and making them shine in the first rays of the sun.
Laura's character had a lot of soul searching to do along with delving into the past to get to the future. Set in a small town, the story had the people supporting her, some hiding their own secrets. Each character added to the story, the mystery deepened in every chapter. A debut at times is a bit abrupt, but this talented author was quite a wordsmith, she kept the rhythm of the book going from the beginning to end.
The emotions behind the words were crystal clear, keeping me in sync with the happenings of the story. They dealt with some social issues sensitively, making it a part of the story. Not many books can do that. The final reveal was shocking, I liked the thriller-y slant. I loved and enjoyed every pulse I spent in the pages of this book.
A book may not be perfect, but sometimes they are perfect for the moment in life's journey that we are in. For me, I needed the book in that of time. It was SIMPLY PERFECT.
Read
December 15, 2023A moving and tender debut from Jodi Gibson, one that I’ve been looking forward to reading for some time. A lovely portrayal of love, family, friendship, and the role memory plays in shaping our lives.
Read
November 2, 2020The Memories We Hide by Jodi Gibson
One of the hardest battles in life is fought between hanging on and letting go
The Memories We Hide is a contemporary drama, debut novel by Australian Author Jodi Gibson.
At 18 years old, Laura Murphy fled her small hometown of Banyula following the tragic death of her boyfriend, Ryan Taylor. Two decades later, still living with the constant ache of loss and guilt, Laura returns home to care for her dying mother and inescapably, confront her unresolved past.
Upon seeing Tom, her oldest and closest friend, and embracing a grieving Stella, her mother’s best friend, she is instantly transported back in time. Being home and feeling grounded, her thoughts begin to unravel. Memories move from black and white to colour, with moments of perfection set alongside instances of hurt. Laura becomes frustrated that she cannot piece together broken memories of images that have tormented her for years and becomes determined to know the truth of that fateful night when their lives changed forever.
When Laura starts questioning her memories and that of those around her, she discovers that the people she loves and trusts the most are hiding secrets, withholding the truth of a decades old tragic chapter in the community. Laura becomes desperate to solve the puzzle of Ryan’s death, realising that the only way to move forward with her life, is to finally stop running from her past.
The narration moves between past and present, told in dual perspectives by Laura and Tom. The past is represented by their respective memories and creatively, by Ryan’s journal entries.
I highly recommend the audio version with voice actor Corinne Davies who skillfully represents multiple characters, timelines, and tension.
Set in the fictional town of Banyula, in country Victoria, Australia, the author authentically represents the life of a small country town where everyone is as connected to the land as they are to each other. A woven fabric of secrets and struggle and support.
The characters were well developed and unfurled at a teasingly perfect pace. Interactions remained relatable and real, easily allowing the reader to absorb the story line and small-town environment. Gibson deftly conveyed the narcissistic tendencies and naivety of youth, trying to find themselves in the world. Tom and Stella were enjoyable, heart-warming characters who represented the authentic goodness of country people, and while Laura was complicated, it was satisfying to see her development. Every country town generally has a Mrs Hatfield, at 90 years old, the self-appointed town gossip and wanna-be Mrs Marple was a delightful distraction and added a sense of intrigue.
The writing was intentionally slow paced to allow the reader to go on Laura’s personal, complex journey, however the story remained gripping thanks to the authors natural flair for dialogue and constant simmering tension which drove the story towards to a powerful and unexpected ending.
Gibson sensitively provided the audience with a sense of understanding about the pressures on young people suffering from depression and mental health issues in rural areas.
There was an enjoyable mystery slant to the novel amongst the depths of grief, loss and love as the author moved the reader through conflicting issues, past and present and the impacts on family and friendships.
The Memories We Hide was a well-written, intriguing novel. It will appeal to those who enjoy contemporary drama with a touch of romance and mystery. A fascinating exploration of memory and self-preservation, I found this novel captivating and difficult to put down and consumed it in just two sittings.
Rating
4/5 stars. I agree with several reviewers who suggest adding this enjoyable novel to your Christmas reading list.
Just a heads up
This novel deals with themes including death, suicide, mental health, and depression.
For more
Epidsode 310 So You Want To Be A Writer – for writers
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast...
One of the hardest battles in life is fought between hanging on and letting go
The Memories We Hide is a contemporary drama, debut novel by Australian Author Jodi Gibson.
At 18 years old, Laura Murphy fled her small hometown of Banyula following the tragic death of her boyfriend, Ryan Taylor. Two decades later, still living with the constant ache of loss and guilt, Laura returns home to care for her dying mother and inescapably, confront her unresolved past.
Upon seeing Tom, her oldest and closest friend, and embracing a grieving Stella, her mother’s best friend, she is instantly transported back in time. Being home and feeling grounded, her thoughts begin to unravel. Memories move from black and white to colour, with moments of perfection set alongside instances of hurt. Laura becomes frustrated that she cannot piece together broken memories of images that have tormented her for years and becomes determined to know the truth of that fateful night when their lives changed forever.
When Laura starts questioning her memories and that of those around her, she discovers that the people she loves and trusts the most are hiding secrets, withholding the truth of a decades old tragic chapter in the community. Laura becomes desperate to solve the puzzle of Ryan’s death, realising that the only way to move forward with her life, is to finally stop running from her past.
The narration moves between past and present, told in dual perspectives by Laura and Tom. The past is represented by their respective memories and creatively, by Ryan’s journal entries.
I highly recommend the audio version with voice actor Corinne Davies who skillfully represents multiple characters, timelines, and tension.
Set in the fictional town of Banyula, in country Victoria, Australia, the author authentically represents the life of a small country town where everyone is as connected to the land as they are to each other. A woven fabric of secrets and struggle and support.
The characters were well developed and unfurled at a teasingly perfect pace. Interactions remained relatable and real, easily allowing the reader to absorb the story line and small-town environment. Gibson deftly conveyed the narcissistic tendencies and naivety of youth, trying to find themselves in the world. Tom and Stella were enjoyable, heart-warming characters who represented the authentic goodness of country people, and while Laura was complicated, it was satisfying to see her development. Every country town generally has a Mrs Hatfield, at 90 years old, the self-appointed town gossip and wanna-be Mrs Marple was a delightful distraction and added a sense of intrigue.
The writing was intentionally slow paced to allow the reader to go on Laura’s personal, complex journey, however the story remained gripping thanks to the authors natural flair for dialogue and constant simmering tension which drove the story towards to a powerful and unexpected ending.
Gibson sensitively provided the audience with a sense of understanding about the pressures on young people suffering from depression and mental health issues in rural areas.
There was an enjoyable mystery slant to the novel amongst the depths of grief, loss and love as the author moved the reader through conflicting issues, past and present and the impacts on family and friendships.
The Memories We Hide was a well-written, intriguing novel. It will appeal to those who enjoy contemporary drama with a touch of romance and mystery. A fascinating exploration of memory and self-preservation, I found this novel captivating and difficult to put down and consumed it in just two sittings.
Rating
4/5 stars. I agree with several reviewers who suggest adding this enjoyable novel to your Christmas reading list.
Just a heads up
This novel deals with themes including death, suicide, mental health, and depression.
For more
Epidsode 310 So You Want To Be A Writer – for writers
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast...
March 13, 2020
The theme of relationships with those who are precious to us is at the heart of this intriguing and poignant story. Jodi Gibson depicts life in rural Australia perfectly, evoking the small town that as both comforting and suffocating to protagonist Laura, who returns home after ten years away to confront her past and be with her mother who is gravely ill with cancer. The relationships between Laura and her mother and Laura and old friend, Tom, are well written and highly moving. Highly recommended.
February 4, 2020
The Memories We Hide by Jodi Gibson is a very interesting story about one women's memories. Laura who is 27 years old, returns to her home town after being gone for 10 years. She left town when her high school boyfriend, Ryan, died suddenly. Laura memories are fuzzy, and she finds newspaper clippings saying Ryan's death might have been more than an accident. I really enjoyed this book, as the true facts come to light. I highly recommend this book, you won't be disappointed.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
August 15, 2019
Can you trust your memories?
When Laura Murphy returns home ten years after the death of her childhood sweetheart Ryan Taylor, her past begins to unravel and memories she’d long pushed aside begin to surface.
Having trouble reconciling truth and memory, Laura reconnects with her friend Tom to try and find closure, but Tom has issues of his own. Not only is he faced with the threat of losing his farm, but he is also hiding a secret that could change everything for them both.
Will Laura and Tom find the answers they need to move forward, or will they discover that memories can’t always be trusted?
My rating:
Plot: 4 out of 5 stars
Writing: 4 out of 5 stars
Character development: 4 out of 5 stars
Overall: 4 out of 5 stars
Recommended for readers of:
General fiction
Women’s Fiction
Literary Fiction
Review:
This book explores how trauma effects are memory, the fact that what we remember isn’t always what really happened. Sometimes we choose to forget details in order to protect ourselves. This is what Laura is confronted with when she returns home after leaving it 10 years before following a tragic loss. It’s not only Laura but also her old school friends Tom and Rachel who still bear the scars of this event that happened all those years ago. The book also deals with the effects of depression on young people.
The book is nicely written and the story flows well. The characters are well developed and described in detail which made them realistic.
Overall this is a interesting story, very captivating and hard to put down once you start.
I received an ARC through NetGalley at no cost to me.
When Laura Murphy returns home ten years after the death of her childhood sweetheart Ryan Taylor, her past begins to unravel and memories she’d long pushed aside begin to surface.
Having trouble reconciling truth and memory, Laura reconnects with her friend Tom to try and find closure, but Tom has issues of his own. Not only is he faced with the threat of losing his farm, but he is also hiding a secret that could change everything for them both.
Will Laura and Tom find the answers they need to move forward, or will they discover that memories can’t always be trusted?
My rating:
Plot: 4 out of 5 stars
Writing: 4 out of 5 stars
Character development: 4 out of 5 stars
Overall: 4 out of 5 stars
Recommended for readers of:
General fiction
Women’s Fiction
Literary Fiction
Review:
This book explores how trauma effects are memory, the fact that what we remember isn’t always what really happened. Sometimes we choose to forget details in order to protect ourselves. This is what Laura is confronted with when she returns home after leaving it 10 years before following a tragic loss. It’s not only Laura but also her old school friends Tom and Rachel who still bear the scars of this event that happened all those years ago. The book also deals with the effects of depression on young people.
The book is nicely written and the story flows well. The characters are well developed and described in detail which made them realistic.
Overall this is a interesting story, very captivating and hard to put down once you start.
I received an ARC through NetGalley at no cost to me.
August 20, 2019
A quick but surprisingly twisted read! This story was full of so much emotion and dealt with some very powerful subjects. Following Laura as she returns to her hometown she ran away from a decade ago. she's come to care for her mom and deal with her estates after her passing. She's also forced to face the memories of why she left this town so quickly all those years ago. But are her memories correct why does she feel like theres more to this story then what her memory is allowing her to remember. An insight into depression, grieving and the way our minds handle tragic events this book is a great read for anyone who loves drama with a touch of romance and some great unexpected twists! The ending gave me goosebumps I didn't see it coming! Thanks Netgalley and Jodi Gibson for this ARC in exchange for my honest review
August 26, 2019
An enjoyable and heartfelt read, The Memories of Us explores the way present reality can be shaped by past memories for better or worse.
When Laura returns to her hometown to care for her dying mother, it stirs up grief of all kinds. All she wants to do is be with her mother to the end and then leave ... but life has other plans for her, including the memories she's built everything on.
A well-written and warm book, with believable characters all carrying their own baggage and protecting themselves the best they can, and plenty of tension driving the story towards an unexpected ending.
I read this in one sitting because I couldn't put it down. I'm looking forward to more from Jodi Gibson.
When Laura returns to her hometown to care for her dying mother, it stirs up grief of all kinds. All she wants to do is be with her mother to the end and then leave ... but life has other plans for her, including the memories she's built everything on.
A well-written and warm book, with believable characters all carrying their own baggage and protecting themselves the best they can, and plenty of tension driving the story towards an unexpected ending.
I read this in one sitting because I couldn't put it down. I'm looking forward to more from Jodi Gibson.
August 3, 2019
Thank you Net Galley for giving me free ARC and giving me the opportunity to review this book.
Oh yeah The Memories We Hide going to come out around this month if I'm not mistaken so don't forget to check it out ya!
Goshhh I don't know what to say! I couldn't stop reading and I keep wondering what going to happen next.
Ryan's death hit them pretty bad. Not only Laura but Tom and Rachel felt the same way. What happened between them are freaking dark. What Rachel and Ryan did to Laura pissed me off. But I felt sorry for Ryan but I hate him at tje same time. Urghhh mix feelings! I hate this! I cried reading this book (kinda sensitive right now)
🌟🌟🌟🌟.5
Oh yeah The Memories We Hide going to come out around this month if I'm not mistaken so don't forget to check it out ya!
Goshhh I don't know what to say! I couldn't stop reading and I keep wondering what going to happen next.
Ryan's death hit them pretty bad. Not only Laura but Tom and Rachel felt the same way. What happened between them are freaking dark. What Rachel and Ryan did to Laura pissed me off. But I felt sorry for Ryan but I hate him at tje same time. Urghhh mix feelings! I hate this! I cried reading this book (kinda sensitive right now)
🌟🌟🌟🌟.5
October 1, 2019
The memories we hide is a beautiful story and a must read for anyone who enjoys stories that sit over two timelines.
We follow Laura as she navigates being back in her home town where she has to confront her past.
Laura's past is told by way of memories and is seamlessly integrated into the rest if the story. I loved learning about Laura's past and watching her learn to move on in the present, and the story as a whole was very fulfilling and he ending very satisfying.
The story is intriguing and keeps you reading.
A wonderful debut and I can't wait to see what's next for Jodi.
We follow Laura as she navigates being back in her home town where she has to confront her past.
Laura's past is told by way of memories and is seamlessly integrated into the rest if the story. I loved learning about Laura's past and watching her learn to move on in the present, and the story as a whole was very fulfilling and he ending very satisfying.
The story is intriguing and keeps you reading.
A wonderful debut and I can't wait to see what's next for Jodi.
August 16, 2019
A sweet story about how our memories can shape us, I enjoyed the way this story shifted between past memories and present happenings. Laura returns home to care for her gravely ill mother and comes face to face with the memories she has been avoiding since she left home after graduation. As Laura reconnects with friends from her past, she learns the memories she has been avoiding may actually be inaccurate. Relatable characters and a good pace, I enjoyed this read.
August 7, 2019
I did not finish this book, so I guess I am unable to give a full and complete review. I did not enjoy the parts that I did read. The characters were not well rounded, nor was the plot. I did not get drawn into the story.
August 21, 2019
This one starts off a bit slow, but it is so worth it to hang in there. This book had so many emotional highs and lows, but somehow it isn't a heavy read. I highly recommend it!
December 21, 2019
Laura returns to her hometown to care for her ailing mother. She hasn’t been back for 10 years - not since the sudden and horrifying death of her high school boyfriend, Ryan. She’s worked hard not to think about that time of her life, refusing to acknowledge long buried memories. But when she returns home, she is forced to confront the truth about what really happened to Ryan.
Jodi Gibson has crafted an enjoyable and interesting tale about loss, betrayal and love, and the challenge presented by leaving the past behind and moving forward. The main character, Laura, goes on an emotional journey as she is met with several unexpected reveals. The setting descriptions of a small country town where everyone knows everyone else feels authentic as the plot builds towards a surprising and satisfying resolution.
Jodi Gibson has crafted an enjoyable and interesting tale about loss, betrayal and love, and the challenge presented by leaving the past behind and moving forward. The main character, Laura, goes on an emotional journey as she is met with several unexpected reveals. The setting descriptions of a small country town where everyone knows everyone else feels authentic as the plot builds towards a surprising and satisfying resolution.
April 6, 2020
I really enjoyed this, I could totally relate to the small town setting, especially the growing up and wanting to get out soon as you could. Like most kids I escaped as soon as I could moving to the city.
The novel follows Laura Murphy’s return home after ten years, she returns to be with her dying mother and to come to terms with the reason she left. This is a story that has all the feels, heartache, love, lost!
The novel follows Laura Murphy’s return home after ten years, she returns to be with her dying mother and to come to terms with the reason she left. This is a story that has all the feels, heartache, love, lost!
April 1, 2020
A contemporary Australian romance. The story opens with a young woman, Laura, conversing with her fiance, Luke, as she is preparing to leave Melbourne to go home to Banyula to be with her dying mother. Luke is not happy she's leaving and she's leaving whether he likes it or not. Once home Laura spends her time making her mother comfortable and remembering events that caused her to leave home determined not to return. The story continues as after her mother's death, Laura starts to find out things that she didn't know. The story continues through a series of events that lead to the answers and a reconnect of Laura and her best friend Tom leaving the reader with a HEA. I had a hard time reading this story. I read almost two-thirds of the book before I really got interested what was going on. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 11, 2020
Netgalley ♥️ Lauras mom has cancer. She is engaged to Luke. Laura is going to live with her mom to care for her. Tom is a friend Laura parted ways with when her boyfriend Ryan died. Laura discovers Ryan's death may not be accidental . I loved that Laura was trying to find out the secrets of Ryan's death.Laura is trying to figure out her engagement with Luke and whether to marry.
November 11, 2020
This book was very good for a debut and one of those that I would call a creeper. It was slow to start but I was also hooked enough to keep reading because I wanted to know what the secrets were haunting Laura, the main character. Once I got into it, I was totally sucked into all the characters and the idea of how one event can shape a life, and the different ways people cope with loss and the confusing era that is our teens. I really liked this book and would read more from this author.
December 4, 2019
This book really brought me back to my high school years, and while that’s a bit uncomfortable for me, I think it’s important for anyone who doesn’t have first hand experience with the darker side of teenage years. I think this book does a great job of delving into teenage depression and it is very insightful. A very well written and enjoyable, and a bit sobering, book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 30, 2019
When the past comes calling we may find our memories do not measure up.
A young girl runs from a traumatic event.
Nine years later she returns home to finally work her way through what happened.
An excellent story line handled with insight.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A young girl runs from a traumatic event.
Nine years later she returns home to finally work her way through what happened.
An excellent story line handled with insight.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 21, 2019
Really enjoyed this debut novel by Jodi Gibson.
This story features Laura returning to the town she grew up in, after 10 years away. She leaves her fiancée behind in the city to look after her mum in the last stages of cancer. Her mum makes her promise to understand why she left aged 18, leaving her friends Tom and Rachel behind after her boyfriend Ryan was killed, after being struck by a train.
She befriends Shea at the library and reconnects with Tom and her mums friend Stella.
Good character development, enjoyable pace. With a couple of twists as we learn about Ryan, Laura’s relationship with him and what happened before he died.
I received an advanced review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This story features Laura returning to the town she grew up in, after 10 years away. She leaves her fiancée behind in the city to look after her mum in the last stages of cancer. Her mum makes her promise to understand why she left aged 18, leaving her friends Tom and Rachel behind after her boyfriend Ryan was killed, after being struck by a train.
She befriends Shea at the library and reconnects with Tom and her mums friend Stella.
Good character development, enjoyable pace. With a couple of twists as we learn about Ryan, Laura’s relationship with him and what happened before he died.
I received an advanced review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 22, 2019
Laura Murphy has to return to her home town, Banyula, because her mum has terminal cancer and is dying. She is close to her mum, but 10 years back, she lost her boyfriend, Ryan Taylor. Not being able to cope with the grief, she leaves Banyula, only to return now.
Their group of four: Tom, Laura, Rachel and Ryan broke-up after the tragic demise of Ryan and tore everyone apart.
For 10 years, each of them has been harbouring their own guilt and their version of what actually happened that night. Is it now time to let go?
When Laura returns, she isn't prepared for the nostalgia and memories that resurface.
After discovering a newspaper clipping that possibly hinted to the fact that there may have been more to Ryan's death than she first thought, Laura is compelled find out what happened that fateful night.
On her death-bed, her mother asks her to let go and make peace with Rachel and Tom.
Reconnecting with her childhood bestie Tom Gordon, she begins to unravel and piece together what she has kept supressed for the past 10 years.
Tom too holds a secret of his own, which may destroy any chance of a future, he had forever envisioned, with Laura. Besides, he is facing financial issues with regards to his family farm and stands a chance of losing it.
A chance meeting with Rachel brings back all the memories to the forefront, and leaves Laura wondering whether she will ever forget and forgive what happened 10 years back?
Told alternatively between the then and the now, from various points-of-view, this was a powerful and emotional read, albeit a bit slow.
Will Laura have the strength to confront her memories? Will she be able to finally let go of her past? Will she find out the truth of that fateful night?
The author deftly deals with the complexities of friendships, love and depression.
Secrets, guilt and regret aside, one important aspect dealt with in this book revolves around the mental health of young people, which is often ignored.
A great debut and looking forward to more by this author.
Their group of four: Tom, Laura, Rachel and Ryan broke-up after the tragic demise of Ryan and tore everyone apart.
For 10 years, each of them has been harbouring their own guilt and their version of what actually happened that night. Is it now time to let go?
When Laura returns, she isn't prepared for the nostalgia and memories that resurface.
After discovering a newspaper clipping that possibly hinted to the fact that there may have been more to Ryan's death than she first thought, Laura is compelled find out what happened that fateful night.
On her death-bed, her mother asks her to let go and make peace with Rachel and Tom.
Reconnecting with her childhood bestie Tom Gordon, she begins to unravel and piece together what she has kept supressed for the past 10 years.
Tom too holds a secret of his own, which may destroy any chance of a future, he had forever envisioned, with Laura. Besides, he is facing financial issues with regards to his family farm and stands a chance of losing it.
A chance meeting with Rachel brings back all the memories to the forefront, and leaves Laura wondering whether she will ever forget and forgive what happened 10 years back?
Told alternatively between the then and the now, from various points-of-view, this was a powerful and emotional read, albeit a bit slow.
Will Laura have the strength to confront her memories? Will she be able to finally let go of her past? Will she find out the truth of that fateful night?
The author deftly deals with the complexities of friendships, love and depression.
Secrets, guilt and regret aside, one important aspect dealt with in this book revolves around the mental health of young people, which is often ignored.
A great debut and looking forward to more by this author.
November 11, 2019
The Memories We Hide is Australian author Jodi Gibson's debut, and shows a great new presence in the industry.
The story follows a woman with past experiences that she hasn't confronted, and Jodi expertly drops clues as the story progresses, keeping us hooked and questioning what's real and what's being remembered incorrectly.
Having had my own challenges with blocking out memories of difficult times, this is a story that rang true for me. It's a fascinating exploration of the tricks our minds play on us, and the self-preserving reasons for this.
Jodi has detailed her experiences of publishing her first book - and more to come soon - on her blog, engaging readers and fellow writers in the ups and downs. This only adds to the enjoyment of her stories: knowing how authentic her stories are to her own experiences and observations - for example, the rural setting that so clearly holds a piece of Jodi's heart.
The story follows a woman with past experiences that she hasn't confronted, and Jodi expertly drops clues as the story progresses, keeping us hooked and questioning what's real and what's being remembered incorrectly.
Having had my own challenges with blocking out memories of difficult times, this is a story that rang true for me. It's a fascinating exploration of the tricks our minds play on us, and the self-preserving reasons for this.
Jodi has detailed her experiences of publishing her first book - and more to come soon - on her blog, engaging readers and fellow writers in the ups and downs. This only adds to the enjoyment of her stories: knowing how authentic her stories are to her own experiences and observations - for example, the rural setting that so clearly holds a piece of Jodi's heart.
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