Friday, July 24, 2015

Remembrance by Michelle Madow Review


"Lizzie Davenport has been reincarnated from 1815, England ... but she doesn't realize it until she meets her soul mate from the past and he triggers her memories to gradually return.

When Drew Carmichael transfers into Lizzie's high school, she feels a connection to him, like she knows him. But he wants nothing to do with her. Reaching Drew is more difficult because she has a boyfriend, Jeremy, who has become full of himself after being elected co-captain of the varsity soccer team, and her flirtatious best friend Chelsea starts dating Drew soon after his arrival. So why can't she get him out of her mind?

Lizzie knows she should let go of her fascination with Drew, but fighting fate isn’t easy, and she’s determined to unravel the mysteries of the past."


NetGalley. Thanks for the copy. 

Remembrance is a story that catches my eye from the start. It has reincarnation, romance, parallels, and hints of something magical. Jane Austen's famed Pride and Prejudice is mentioned many times throughout the book, and Drew Carmichael is very much like Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy of the mentioned novel. Lizzie, the main character, is the nickname of Elizabeth Davenport. See the similarities here? 

To top it all off, Lizzie thinks a lot about Jane Austen's novel. Lizzie has taken a liking to it, and I can't help but be slightly amused (and excited) by all of the parallels Michelle Madow manages to pull off. The characters of this novel can't be any more similar in personality when it comes to the cast of the older novel. Even the circumstances are similar. Still, the sort-of retelling of Pride and Prejudice is very liking, unique, and captivating. 

Lizzie falls in love with Drew at first sight. Her connection is unmistakable and explosive, and she can't help but be drawn to the mystery and aura of Drew Carmichael. Drew, like I said before, is like Mr. Darcy. He is dating Lizzie's best friend, Chelsea. He can't help but be drawn towards Lizzie. He is hot and then cold. Though he does have some terrible (and wincing) moments, he does stand by Lizzie when no one else would. 

The main narrator, Lizzie is thrown for twist when she meets Drew. Slowly getting her memories of her past life back, Lizzie is confused between the past and the present. The times blur together, especially in Drew's presence. Despite her confusion and ignorance, she remains hopeful for the future. 

The reincarnation aspect of the novel should be expanded, and it is irritating how the story draws it out. (I wish Lizzie knows much more about her past right from the start.)

The plot of Remembrance starts off slowly in the beginning. The preface sticks out like a sore thumb, and there are some grammar errors here and there throughout the book. The story really kicks off when Drew and Lizzie finally meet and hormones go into overtime. The ending of this novel provides many loose ends for a sequel. (Thank goodness that the sequel has already been released.) 

Overall, Remembrance is an entertaining book about second chances. It isn't without some supernatural and mystery. Reincarnation plays a big role in pushing forward the story's plot, and Drew (I nearly called him Mr. Darcy) is a charmer.

Rating: Three out of Five

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