The Memory of You ~ Review

The Memory of You
By Catherine West

For 13 years Natalie Mitchell has been living with the memory of her sister's death and trying to be what Nicole would have been. But Natalie isn't Nicole, she knows she can never become close to being the outgoing people person her twin sister was. And worse Natalie knows that she is a disappointment to her parents. On the brink of another breakdown, Natalie agrees to go to California, to her grandfather's home in the heart of Sonoma's wine country.

Her father has demanded that Natalie start proceedings to shut down Maoilios, the winery that her grandparents started. But returning to Maoilios may be the escape Natalie needs to recover and face her past.

But Tanner Collins is determined to send Natalie back to New York as soon as possible. He knows she's there at her father's bidding to shut down Maoilios and destroy everything he has worked for. But Hal Mitchell has faith in his granddaughter and knows that if Natalie is given the chance that she'll fight for Maoilios and her family's legacy if only he can convince Tanner to trust Natalie.

Tanner has his own issues revolving around his family and his guilt and as a result, he is an all around grump who is anything but helpful to Natalie's already fragile mental state. But when Natalie finds herself in need of help Tanner is the only one to whom she can turn.

Can working together help Tanner and Natalie heal from the wounds of the past that have left a mark on their hearts?  

The Memory of You is a moving and touching story that explores the value of family and the power of secrets and guilt upon the heart and mind. I really liked Natalie from the first chapter. Tanner really needed a good shake with his major attitude - it might have knocked the chip he was carrying around on his shoulder off. It was interesting to see how each character reacted differently to a situation and how it shaped them and their future responses.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by the Fiction Guild with no expectations of a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
 

About the Book:
Thirteen years ago, Natalie lost a part of herself when her twin sister died. Will traveling back to the family winery finally put the memory to rest, or will it completely destroy her?

When Natalie Mitchell learns her beloved grandfather has had a heart attack, she’s forced to return to their family-owned winery in Sonoma, something she never intended to do. She’s avoided her grandparents’ sprawling home and all its memories since the summer her sister died—the awful summer Natalie’s nightmares began. But the winery is failing, and Natalie’s father wants her to shut it down. As the majority shareholder, she has the power to do so.

And Natalie never says no to her father.

Tanner Collins, the vintner on Maoilios, is trying to salvage a bad season and put the Mitchell family’s winery back in business. When Natalie shows up, Tanner sees his future about to be crushed. He knows Natalie intends to close the gates, and he's determined to convince her otherwise. But the Natalie he remembers from childhood is long gone, and he’s not so sure he likes the woman she’s become. Still, the haunted look she wears hints at secrets he wants to unearth. He soon discovers that on the night her sister died, the real Natalie died too. And Tanner must do whatever it takes to resurrect her.

But finding freedom from the past means facing it. For both of them.