Welcome to my stop on the FFBC Blog Tour for Remember Me by Chelsea Bobulski! I am so excited to share with you my thoughts on the book, and two chances to win a copy of this lovely book!
Remember Me by Chelsea Bobulskion August 6, 2019
Pages: 336
Format:eARC, Hardcover
Source:Copy provided by publisher for review
In this eerie and suspenseful YA, a teen girl discovers what connects her to the hotel she calls home as horrifying visions lead her to the truth.
Nell Martin is moving again, this time to the Winslow Grand Hotel, built in 1878. As Nell is settling in, strange things begin to happen. Doors lock of their own accord, writing appears on bathroom walls--and most horrifying of all--visions of a dead boy permeate her waking life. Thinking it was her mind playing tricks on her, she soon finds the past and the present colliding as she learns horrific details of a murder that happened at the hotel in 1905 involving a girl named Lea.
Nell and a mysterious bellboy must relive that day in hopes of finally breaking a curse that imprisons them both. And Nell discovers what truly links her to the history of the Winslow Grand Hotel.
Oooh this was such a gem! I had a hard time stepping away from the world once I got into it. So let us break down the positives and the less-than-positives, though the positives far outweigh anything else!
What I Loved:
- The entire story was so easy to become immersed in. Off the bat, the author does a great job of setting up the tone and vibe of the story. The whole atmosphere of this southern hotel in summertime radiates. And the feel of the early 20th century permeates, both in the past timeline and the present, as the historical timeline was its heyday.
- The characters are incredibly sympathetic. Both main characters (Lea in 1905 and Nell in the present) are facing some real struggles, struggles that will play a huge part in who they will become. While it took me a few chapters to really connect to Nell (though I definitely did connect to her!), I was enamored with Lea immediately. She’s being pressured to marry this awful dude who will never respect her, and she is so torn. While she wants to help her family, she can’t fully fight the dread surrounding her future. And as you put yourself in Lea’s shoes, you certainly can’t blame her! Nell, on the other hand, is trying to find her way in a whole new city, and is still coping with the loss of her mother. Two very different narratives, but both equally compelling as the story goes on.
- There is some romance, and wow it delivers! I loved it a lot. And I don’t want to give anything away, but I will say that it is most definitely swoon-worthy.
- The mystery itself was a page-turner! Yeah I needed to know what was going to happen. While some aspects of it became apparent during the course of the book, how things would turn out wasn’t. And I absolutely could not book the book down until I found out all the things!
What I Didn’t:
- The ending felt a bit rushed. We spent a lot of time leading up to it, and I actually had to go back and re-read it because it was over pretty quickly. But that said, I felt satisfied that the story was tied up properly.
- I would have liked a few more answers in terms of world-building. I think this is probably another one of those “me” things because I am a very logical thinker. So I can’t always accept things at face value, I need to know the hows and the whys of the world/plot/etc. I doubt a less annoyingly analytical person would have the same reservations.
Bottom Line: Atmospheric and full of likable characters you can’t help but root for. Also, some serious swoons and a unique mystery!
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I’m totally getting some creepy Ya-style The Shining vibes. Without the axe-wielding Jack Nicholson. I assume. LOL I like that you mention the atmosphere because that always does wonders to pull me into a story. And there’s romance? Big selling point there! 🙂 This sounds like a great, creepy read!
Ooh I don’t think I could stay in a hotel that creepy. LOL I’d be a-okay reading about it though. I’m glad to hear you really enjoyed this one and that the mystery kept you reading as well. Sorry the end was a bit rushed, but it seems like it was a solid ending in general. Thanks for sharing!
-Lauren
This is already on my TBR and sounds deliciously creepy and suspenseful.
A good mystery and good characters- sounds pretty good. Plus it looks like it kinda has that mysterious vibe like The Wood.
I had my eye on this one, and now that you say there is romance and it’s good, I definitely have to check it out.
I was able to get a copy of this book, but it just looked too creepy for me so I gave it to somebody who would appreciate it more. I am such a wimp, at the sign of anything supernatural I would automatically check out ?
I love that the mystery is a page-turner and that the characters are sympathetic! I’ll keep this one in mind.
This one sounds pretty good! I actually have a copy of it that I’m hoping to read soon so I’m glad to see that you enjoyed it.
Krystianna @ Downright Dystopian
Dang! I’m bummed the ending felt rushed but I’m glad you still enjoyed this otherwise. I’m definitely excited to get my hands on it in the future. Fantastic review, as per always!