Prompt: A book about forgetting

The lovely folks at HQ sent me a proof copy of The Man I Didn’t Marry by Anna Bell earlier in the year. Published in February 2021, it makes a perfect, and more lighthearted, read for this prompt.

What it’s about?

What happens when the man she married can’t remember her?

Ellie has the perfect life: a happy marriage, a gorgeous daughter and a baby on the way. But when her husband Max develops amnesia, he forgets everything about the last five years . . . including their relationship.

Now the man she said ‘I do’ to has become a stranger, and she has no idea why. Yet Ellie is determined to reconnect and find herMax again – he has to be in there somewhere, right?

As they get to know one another afresh, Ellie finds herself seeing Max clearly for the first time. But then she discovers that before his memory loss, Max was keeping a huge secret from her. Will their new beginning prove to be a false start, just as it seemed they might fall in love all over again?

What I think:

This is such a great read fullnof genuinely funny moments and completely relatable, amusing characters.

Ellie and Max have a great marriage. They are expecting their second child and have just brought a new home. And then he is involved in an accident that causes, hopefully temporary, amnesia.

He doesn’t remember marrying Ellie or any of their life together, including his daughter.

Ellie and Max have to rebuild their relationship and lie sets put to rekindle their romance.

This sounds like it could be a sad read, but it is anything but. Ellie is smart and witty and her resilience and some of the situations she gets herself in woth make you smile.

She had the support of her best friend, and her pregnancy support group – and if youbhave ever been a member you will completely understand the instant, if sometimes superficial, bo do this create.

Max’s family are both heartwarming and poignant. He does not remember that his parents have divorced so they inadvertently give the the impression they are still a couple which adds to the confusion as fun.

This was a lovely romantic comedy with a great twist. I really enjoyed it.