I read this one years ago and really don't remember much about it. I just realized that I had given it 4 stars on Goodreads, so I wanted to update my Netgalley shelf. I do know that Christina Suzann Nelson is on my list of authors to watch for and read/ buy when new ones come out! More Than We Remember delivers characters that you will relate to and care about, and scenes that will draw you to tears. Filled with trials and struggles the message of hope is strong. This is hope-filled fiction at its best and a great example of why I am continuously inspired by fiction.

What a story… so many feelings!



This book brought out some emotion. Past trauma and family dysfunction as a kid. There was a faith story weaved throughout and a story to figure out. I would recommend to a friend.



Audiobook: Narrated by Libby McKnight
Libby made this story come to life and made this enjoyable to listen to.



I will seek out other books by this author and other books Narrated by Libby McKnight.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from NetGalley on behalf of the Publisher and was under no obligation to post a favorable review

I love the concept of this book, the blurb of it, and I was on the edge of my seat to read it... Time went by... And I just found I couldn't get into it for some reason.

While this may not be a book for me, it might be for you.

No content warnings as I didn't finish the book.

An epic yet heartbreaking tale of three women and the secrets tearing them apart. You'll love this story, but keep the tissues close by and prepare to be drawn into this story with twists and turns you won't see coming. The secrets we keep never stay hidden, and this book shows how repercussions abound and spread through the consequences of the characters' actions

This was an exceptional read! I honestly didn't know it was a "Christian novel" until I was nearly through it - which for me is a plus, as it didn't come across as preachy or cheesy. The story was excellent, and the characters were likeable and complex. While the plot was a little dark and sad at times, the story was full of redemption and beauty. I highly recommend it

This book had a surprise ending! I was pleasantly surprised as to how it ended but getting to the last chapter was a slow process. This review took a long time because this book did not capture my attention. There were a lot of details in every chapter but the plot moved slowly. I did enjoy the characters and the empathy and compassion for each hardship that they were living through. The author expertly wove together the lives of a small town community into a plot.
I would allow my young teens to read this book, it was very clean. This book was free in exchange for my review.

For some technical reason, I cannot get this book to open on my Kindle. I’d like to read this, so I will obtaining a copy another way. When I read it, or if I’m finally able to get the copy to open, I will come back and update this review. The other reviews on this book look great, so please take a look at those.

West Crow, Oregon is the setting of a community dealing with a fatal car accident. The story opens with high school coach Caleb Killbourn held at fault for the accident. Deputy Emilia Cruz is the lead investigator. Emilia wants justice for the family of the deceased. At home, Emilia and her daughter deal with the altered personality of Emilia’s husband, after a different accident. Caleb’s wife, Addison, is dealing with his legal issues, plus a mother-in-law with memory and/or substance abuse issues. On leave therapist Brianne, Addison’s neighbor, provides childcare and neighborly care to the Killbourn children. Brianne is healing from the loss of a patient and her personal feelings of responsibility. She needs to find out how to move forward.

The lives of Brianne, Emilia and Addison intertwine in this story. It’s an interesting story of small town life and how we depend on one another.

This book is deep, dark and tragic...however, goodness and hope is weaved into this story. Read it. Experience it. And share it with your friends. Five stars.

This book pulled me in on the first page, and I absolutely flew through it! It's the story of three women navigating tragedy, brought together by proximity and circumstance.

The plot contains an aspect of mystery—Addison's husband Caleb is believed to be responsible for a deadly accident, but he has no memory of the event—but, more than anything, this is a book about friendship. It highlights just how much we need each other as all three women come to find community.

Heavy topics like substance abuse, memory loss, suicide, sexual abuse, and infidelity are discussed, but the book never feels overly dark; in fact, there's an underlying feeling of hope that runs throughout.

The ending, though slightly foreshadowed, surprised me (in a good way!), and I found it to be quite satisfying. I also loved the way some supporting characters came around in the final pages to add to the story.

This book is perfect for those who enjoy books focused on friendship, rather than romance (though there is a bit of that here, too). It's a compelling look at some of those most impacted by a small town tragedy.

One fatal night three families’ lives intersect. I was glued to this novel and felt for the characters as this captivating story unfolded. I liked this moving story and the way the author irresistibly drew readers in as she showed how one night can change the course of your life and those around you forever. It also brings into question about how well you know yourself and the people you live with. Life gets messy and one mistake can have you be on a path you never intended to go down. It could have you questioning yourself and everything you thought you knew. Three women get together and bond over tragedy as they find hope through an unexpected friendship in the middle of chaos. Each woman in this story has a deep hurt that needs healing and a heavy situation to overcome. I liked how the author dealt with each of these circumstances.

Deputy Emilia Cruz is the first responder to the accident. There is a fatality when these vehicles collide. Because Emilia’ Cruz’s husband, Deputy Cruz was disabled by an alcoholic her perspective is jaded when she learns about the drunk driver. The author keeps making this statement throughout the book. It’s powerful and true. “It’s easy to see what we want to see, or even what we expect to see. It’s much harder to stand back and see the truth.”

It’s interesting how the author explores what people remember and don’t remember about a single event they all were witness to. The story emphases the need for us to always keep an open mind before assuming we know “all” the facts, and to hold off before judging not only others, but ourselves as well.

This would make a great book club pick there is so much to talk about on so many levels. First book I’ve read by this author, it won’t be the last. She does a fabulous job of creating a thought-provoking, emotional drama that has you thinking about this book long after you’ve closed the book.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins! www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network blog www.psalm516.blogspot.com

I like this book because it is written from the viewpoint of 3 separate women. Their lives are changed one night. It shows the struggles and joys of going through tragedy. It takes a lot to bring me to tears while reading. This book did just that. It is a heavy book, dealing with heavy topics. Opioid abuse, DUI, death, suicide, memory loss, yet there is hope within the pages. I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. All views stated are my own.

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. These are my honest thoughts.

My first impression of Mrs. Nelson’s writing is spectacular. She blew me away with the complexity of this one. I loved how each set of characters overlapped with the others. Isn’t that so much like real life? Our lives intersect with so many other people throughout our daily journeys, and that was exquisitely on display in this book.

The characters were broken and hurting, yet the hope strung throughout was tangible and kept my spirits lifted even when I felt like crying my eyes out for these poor folks. The achiness of their hearts touched me. I felt great empathy for each of them, even the ones who were tougher for me to enjoy because of some closed-mindedness on their part. Despite that, I could see where they were coming from, why they had that bias and prejudice, so I still found myself rooting for even them. It was my great hope that they would come around and see that there was another way of viewing the scenario they were faced with.

Problems in this story included death, injuries, substance abuse, and peer pressure. These were all presented in realistic, believable ways that added depth and richness to the story. Yet, even with these difficult issues, the writing was clean. There was only one crude sexual term, but I was pleasantly surprised that there were absolutely zero expletives and profanities. Yay! This is tough to find in today’s Christian fiction market, so it’s books like this one that give me more hope that Bible-led standards and moral codes are still being showcased in certain works of fiction today. When I find works like this, I treasure them as the gems they are.

Hannah was perhaps my favorite character. Like me, she loves reading. Like me, she struggles to find good friends. Like me, she deals with emotional moments that try to overwhelm her. She was really easy to root for and relate to, and I was on pins and needles throughout her scenes because I wanted so much for her to get a happy ending. (Of course, I can’t really tell you what happened. You’ll just have to read the book for yourself to see if I ended up happy or sad at the finale of this book.)

The plot was great, and it included many surprises and twists I did not see coming. It’s always wonderful to be surprised like that, because I read a lot of books and, therefore, can predict a lot of plot points in most of the books I read. But when one manages to shock me in several spots? Well, that nearly guarantees the book will receive five stars and make it to my favorites list. Well done, Mrs. Nelson!

This book serves as a reminder that our memories are not always reliable. It’s the people around us who love us and support us that are there for us when our memories fail to recall correctly what happened in the past. I like how Mrs. Nelson handled memory with care, delicacy, strength, and truth. This theme was my favorite part of this book, because it was woven throughout every aspect of each character’s individual threads as well as the overall story arc. Oh, to be able to write so immersively! (#writergoals)

Content: alcohol, drugs, tattoos, underage vaping, tobacco, one crude sexual term, suicide

More Than We Remember was an incredible mystery. At first glance, it seemed like a run of the mill accident that ended in tragedy. However, with Emilia's persistence in making sure justice is served in a wrongful death case, everything seems to unravel. She is up against the world when the accident involves the town's beloved coach. Her own world has been upside down since a terrible accident has left her husband disabled and her middle school daughter is looking to assert her independence. It may not make her popular to press charges in the case, but her conscience won't let it be.


Caleb has no memory of the accident. He recently moved his family in with his mother in order to build the home of their dreams. Dutiful wife Addison is wary of this new life. Her mother-in-law lapses between the past and present and with her husband's mysterious whereabouts the night of the accident she struggles to keep her family together to face whatever happens as the case is investigated. It is her friendship with Brianne, their nearest neighbor that helps her juggle all the balls in the air that she has to deal with.



Often, we read stories in the news and at first glance they seem cut and dry. An accident where the driver seemingly is impaired paints the picture of someone guilty on so many levels. Add a small town into the mix and soon there are many versions of what happened, who did it and why aren't things happening quicker. Each character in this book has a lot going on in their lives. They intertwine in such a way that the reader stays engaged to the end, where things are solved. One can go from sadness, to elation, to being puzzled in the span of a half hour. I enjoyed this book. The characters are compelling and the ending is a surprise. I recommend this book for anyone who enjoys a good mystery without all of the cookie cutter trappings one often finds on the mystery shelves. This is the first book I have read by Christina Suzann Nelson and it will not be the last!

Many thanks to Bethany House, who provided me with an advanced copy to review. Opinions expressed are my own.

“One night changes everything...can they rise from the wreck of the worst moments of their lives to become who they were meant to be?”

One fatal night intersects three families’ lives and has them questioning everything they thought they knew. Innocence hides behind suspicion, and guilt taints a once happy reality. Three women bond over tragedy and find hope in the deep places.

This is not a shallow or a quick read, it has a depth that can steal your breath away as events unfold. It deals with modern day problems that can touch a family without warning, and has the potential to tear them apart or bring them closer together. As Addison, Brianne and Emilia deal with the aftermath of an accident that kills one woman, it will shred everything and crumble the foundation of their safe life. I ached for them, for all the things they went through and all the things they were facing. These women & their families get under your skin in a very real way and make you want to reach through the pages of the book to comfort, hug and take away what hurts. Sometimes you have to go through the dark valleys in order for truth to prevail. Even in those dark times, hope shines bright if we but look for it. This brings to life the truth that we must cling to and rely completely on the Lord when hard trials come, when things seem to want to overwhelm us and crush us under its weight.

“We're too big for our britches when we take responsibility for things that are ultimately out of our control. If we trust God, we trust that He can work through even the most upside-down situation. You are not God. ~pg 290”

“It's easy to see what we want to see, or even what we expect to see. It's much harder to stand back and see the truth.~ pg 322”

This story will stick with you for a long time afterwards and make you ponder its deep truths. Quite a few resonated with me and that's why it became much more than fiction in my mind. It touched me profoundly in a way I won't soon forget. If you’re looking for a “fluffy” read, you won't find it here. If you're looking for one with a lot of depth and emotion, characters who you come to really care about, and an even more meaningful relationship with God, then look no further than “More Than We Remember”! This is easily one of my top reads for 2020 and highly recommended.

*I received a complimentary copy from the author and was under no obligation to leave a favorable review. All opinions are my own. *

This was very well written woman's fiction. I enjoyed the story line. There is an interesting mystery, and a little mystery. Grief, trauma, and substance abuse are all explored in three different POVs. The author did a good job of making each voice distinct and individual. I recommend this book to readers of contemporary women's fiction.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher and Netgalley for the purpose of review.

I really enjoyed this novel with many interesting themes woven though a good plot. The novel is very well written with characters portrayed so that they really grabbed at my emotions. The plot is very realistic regarding the pain we experience. While there are some amazing victories, not every one lives happily ever after. Just like real life.

I recommend this insightful and thought provoking novel. You'll be challenged with how characters trust God, struggle with offering forgiveness, battle career obstacles, face failure and the responsibility of hurting others, and more. You will experience the joy and frustrations of women, so different in their personalities and goals, forming an unusual friendship. For me, the ending was a bit too convenient, although part of it was hinted at earlier.

While I did not see any discussion questions in the galley I read, this would make a good choice for a reading group. There would be much to discuss.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

Nelson’s work continues to shine!

One moment changes everything in the lives of three women.

Deputy Emilia Cruz is the first responder to the scene of an accident in the early hours of the morning. She discovers a two-vehicle head on collision which claims the life of a single mother to three boys. The other car contained the high school basketball coach who survived but is believed to have been drinking. This infuriates Deputy Cruz as her husband was a first responder fire fighter to an accident caused by an alcoholic the left his physically disabled. She’s more determined than ever to fight for justice regardless of who the victim is.

Addison Kilbourn is woken up in the night to find that her husband still hasn’t returned home from meeting someone in a neighboring town. She answers the door to find a deputy sheriff with news that her husband was in an accident and has been taken to the hospital. Life has been difficult enough moving to her husband’s hometown and living with her mother-in-law while they build their house, but she soon learns public opinion about her husband accident brands her family.

Brianne Demanno is trying to hide from her past and present. She always wanted to be a counselor and she got her wish, but after one of her patients committed suicide, she doubts her abilities and decides to delve into the solitude of artwork. When a deputy accidentally knocks on her door instead of the Kilbourn’s, she decides to go over and help the family by staying with the children so that the mom can go to the hospital. Brianne begins to connect with the kids and with their mom Addison, who may be the first real friend that she has had. Will this family be enough to pull her out of seclusion and help her start to live again?

One of the greatest aspects of Nelson’s writing is that she is able to connect her characters in ways that mimic real life. In every book that I’ve read by her, she brings multiple broken families together and connects them in a healing process. This book was no exception. Each woman’s story showed the immense struggle they were going through. Addison was insecure dealing with her husband’s accident, mother-in-law’s memory loss, and her oldest daughter that was now a teenage. Emilia struggled with her job, husband’s disability, and daughter’s friends. Brianne struggled internally with feeling inadequate. Each woman on their own would have faltered, but together they made bonds that helped them move forward. In some cases, it wasn’t even the relationship between the women, but between their kids. Nelson is becoming one of my favorite authors for this genre and I hope that others find her work encouraging too.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

This is an intriguing, touching story.
It is mostly the story of three women whose lives are forever changed by one night.
Emilia Cruz is the deputy who arrives on the scene of a terrible car accident in which a lady is killed.
Addison Kilbourne's husband Caleb is the man whose vehicle hit the deceased's vehicle, and is charged with the death of this woman.
And then there's Brianne, the next door neighbor of Addison.
Their lives become intertwined in various ways. Their inner struggles are revealed.
This book faces various difficult issues, and it shows real life in all of its messiness.
If you are looking for a book to inspire, maybe make you think, then definitely give this one a try!
Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

While this novel is about dementia, suicide, drug dependency, death and other difficult topics, at the heart it's primarily a story of being involved enough in the lives of others to see beyond the surface. There is fulfillment to be gleaned if we seek it out.

I love the way the author book ends with two young teens that are secondary characters. It lets us know that readers were exposed to only three families impacted by tragedy and there are others in pain too.

Brianne was my favorite of the three featured, but each family intersected and impacted each other.

I look forward to reading other works by this author.