You Will Remember Me by Hannah Mary McKinnon

Hey book lovers! I’m here with a book review for You Will Remember Me by Hannah Mary McKinnon. After giving Sister Dear three stars I requested to read the arc of You Will Remember Me hoping this book would have a better plot, ending and character development. I wasn’t disappointed!

About The Book 📚

Title: You Will Remember Me

Author: Hannah Mary McKinnon

Publication Date: May 25, 2021

Publisher: Harlequin – Trade Publishing, MIRA

Suggested Reader Age: Adult

Genre: Mystery, Thriller

About The Author

“I was born in the UK and grew up in Switzerland. Unsurprisingly I love chocolate, mountains and cheese, and books, of course.

When I moved to Canada with my husband and three sons in 2010 I went through an (early) mid-life crisis. Maybe it was the failed attempt at a start-up company, but one morning I decided to follow my oldest passion; writing – and never looked back.

My first novel, TIME AFTER TIME, a lighthearted romantic read, was published by HarperCollins AVON in June 2016. I subsequently moved over to the dark side. THE NEIGHBORS, a domestic suspense story, was published by MIRA in March 2018. HER SECRET SON followed in May 2019. My fourth book, psychological suspense SISTER DEAR, arrived May 2020 (also published by Hodder & Stoughton in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. Next up is YOU WILL REMEMBER ME, another psychological suspense, which publishes May 2021. I’m now working on my sixth for 2022.” https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15144570.Hannah_Mary_McKinnon

My Review

› In the last week of June, Lily wakes up one morning to find Jack hasn’t returned from his late-night swim. Jack wakes up on a beach and can’t remember anything, not even his name. The only thing that comes to him is a phone number. Calling it, he meets a girl named Maya who knows right away this man is her step brother, who left two years ago. His return to the small town sparks animosity because some believe Asher is responsible for the disappearance of a teen girl, and death of another.

The Maryland police discover Jack’s driver’s license is fake. How could he lie to her for eighteen months? Lily is sure there’s an explanation. She travels to Maryland after finding a library book in Jack’s apartment. In a small Maryland town, Lily finds Jack (Asher). He doesn’t recognize her, but he thinks having her near will help him recall his past.

Lily is determined that Asher will remember her. Asher is determined to remember his past. Maya is determined to keep family secrets buried.

› I use the CAWPILE method to rate books.
0-3 Really bad
4-6 Mediocre
7-9 Really good
10 Outstanding

› Characters: 8
The characters are definitely more developed than they were in Sister Dear. They are complicated, flawed. The only thing lacking here is diversity.

› Atmosphere: 8
Excellent atmosphere, tone, however, I wanted more description of the setting.

› Writing Style: 7
Some of the dialogue was unbelievable and cliché.

› Plot: 6
70% into the book I felt slightly bored, wondering when things were going to start happening, and then THEY DID. BAM. That ending is fast. I did see it coming from the beginning and I’m wondering if others did too.

› Intrigue: 8
Although the pace is extremely slow and boring for the majority of the story, I still wanted to find out what was going to happen.

› Logic: 6
Some elements didn’t quite make sense. If you woke up on a beach, couldn’t remember anything, not even your name, wouldn’t your FIRST step to be going to the hospital? Also, I don’t think the landlord for Jack’s apartment would be able to sell it one week after he went missing, particularly when the case is still under investigation? Weird assumptions like “her green eyes had the longest natural lashes I’d ever seen” – How would you KNOW they were “natural lashes”?

› Enjoyment: 8

Average 7.3

1.1-2.2 = ★
2.3-4.5 = ★★
4.6-6.9 = ★★★
7-8.9 = ★★★★
9-10 = ★★★★★

My Rating ★★★★

› Final Thoughts
• Like McKinnon’s previous novel, Sister Dear, You Will Remember Me is an over-the-top mystery about family secrets, trust, and betrayal. I’ll definitely be picking up more McKinnon!