With Every Memory by Janine Rosche is about a woman, Lori Mendenhall, who tries to pick up the pieces of her life after a devastating accident that killed her teenage son, Austin. A year after Lori’s family was in a car accident, she is able to return back home to her family after her recovery and awakening from a coma. Lori is still recovering from a traumatic brain injury that has left her unable to remember the last eight years of her life.
Her family is still reeling from Austin’s death but as Lori tries to heal,she realizes and is shocked that her family and life before the accident is unrecognizable. Her doting husband, Michael, is distant and spends most of his time at work. He seems hesitant when she asks for details about their past. Lori feels that he is hiding something from her and doesn’t know if she can trust him. Avery, Austin’s twin sister, was once bubbly and the center of attention. She now spends most of her time locked up in her room listening to music and avoids socializing and school. Lori feels that someone is keeping a secret and with every returning memory, she wonders if the life she can’t remember is actually one she wants to forget.
Avery feels that her life is different since she lost her beloved brother. She has spent the last year in limbo but after she was told she might not graduate high school, she will decide how she wants to spend the rest of her life. If she wants to have a chance at graduating, she would need to accept help from her brother’s best friend, Xander Dixon. When the trio were young, Xander would pick and tease her relentlessly. Avery feels isolated and she doesn’t know if she will be able to put her and Xander’s past behind her and ask for his help.
The novel was told from Avery’s and Lori’s point of view. Even though the two characters were very different, they both had similar struggles. Avery is trying to move forward and figure out her life without her twin by her side. She has spent most of her life with him and there is no one else who had her back like he did. Lori is trying to figure out what has happened in the past 8 years that has caused a strain in her marriage and how to move forward. Usually, with novels that had dual point of views, I am usually invested in one storyline over the other but both were equally captivating to read.
It was heartwarming to read how the once close knit family is working to bridge the distance that was caused by the accident. Avery is learning that she can be her own independent person apart from her twin and is rediscovering her joy in fashion. Lori is trying to rekindle the love she had for her husband while following her passion for interior design. As readers we can feel that the family loves each other and Austin, and they are trying to carve a path forward without Austin.
The story had a few unpredictable twists that were interesting and helped lead to a satisfying conclusion for the Mendenhall family. The novel illustrates that grief can rip a family apart but it can also help them heal and be a better version of themselves. If you love stories about redemption, family bonds, and fighting for the ones you love, then you will enjoy this heartwarming read.
