Cover Image: Unforgettable You

Unforgettable You

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Unforgettable You
by: Marci Bolden
Pink Sand Press
The Gable Inn, a historic bed and breakfast in Iowa, is a perfect setting for Marci Bolden's story of family and romance. I find that Bolden's character development is beautiful in her detail and description of flaws, shortcomings, and past experiences, as well as emotions, feelings, and personalities. She is not afraid to write about the pain of grief and Alzheimer's disease in this book, while still giving the reader a story of romance, family closeness, friendship, trust, and healing.
When Hollywood actors and actresses come to stay for an extended period at the Gable Inn during filming, innkeepers Carrie and her mother-in-law "Mama" are surrounded by personalities that are very different from the culture of Iowa. There is a connection between handsome Will, a very famous actor whose career is in a somewhat downward spiral, and Carrie, a widow. She has her hands full juggling caring for both the Inn and Mama, who is battling dementia, as well as her own needs. Challenges arise for everyone at the Inn, but there is a spark igniting a romance between hometown girl Carrie and California actor Will.
Bolden's writing is warm, honest, and sincere as the story unfolds. One of my favorite parts of Bolden's stories are the way she weaves complexities such as family relationships, sickness, trust, grief and financial hardships into her romantic love themes as well, giving a rich, real life experience for readers. This is a very satisfying and enjoyable book for women of all ages.
Thank you to Net Galley and Pink Sand Press for an Advance Reader's Copy of this book and the opportunity to provide my review.
 #UnforgettableYou #NetGalley

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Another wonderfully emotional story from Marci Bolden. From the beginning of the story, from Doreen's diagnosis to the necessity to open the B & B, I was completely in Ms. Bolden's thrall in this story. I think we all fear that our loved ones will fall victim to this condition and I think that is why all of Carrie's struggles resonated with me. Now on top of all of that, she must deal with the demanding Hollywood elite that would most certainly try my patience on a good day much less with what Carrie must already deal with. There is one bright star though and he may either be the one to save her or to break her completely. I completely felt the push and pull, the want and needs of these characters. I loved Doreen to distraction and was distraught with how she must have felt with the hand she was dealt and how Carrie had to basically become this whole other person to keep everyone happy. I loved everything about this story.

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Unforgettable You by Marci Bolden is an unforgettable book. If you have ever had a close friend or loved one with dementia then you can identify with Carrie Gable. William Walker may be a little harder since most of us are not actors especially one famous. Still the workaholic style he has approached his career is easy to comprehend. His personality is such that any endeavor he would take would be with 150% effort, only Hollywood distorts that more.

Usually I am not a celebrity character story fan but enjoyed this novel immensely. The characters are fully developed, flaws and all with all the emotional baggage to go along with them. This story could have gone in many directions but the focus is more on Carrie, her mother-in-law’s health, and their struggle to keep their bed-and-breakfast home going. I was hooked on the story from the first doctor visit to the very end of the journey with all the declines, disappointments and let downs that happen.

As always with Marci Bolden’s stories there is deep emotional turmoil amongst the drama, soul searching, regrets, forgiveness, and love to be found. I am hoping that there will be a sequel with Carrie’s friend and perhaps Grant.

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4 1/2 Stars for this heart-wrenching story!

This book really hit home for me with Carrie's mother-in-law having dementia and the stress that puts on not only the patient, but the family as well. I just found Carrie was so incredibly brave and patient ... to have your mother-in-law ask where your dead husband is day after day was simply heart breaking. And even though Will was a big Hollywood star, he had this unpretentious way about him ... making you feel like he was the guy next door. The banter between the characters drew me in and made me feel like I was right there at Gable Inn with them. Carrie and Will had this instant connection, but they were hesitant to start anything because their worlds were so different ... how could any type of relationship work?

Carey and her mother-in-law open up the family inn to a Hollywood crew that are filming in the area for a three -month stint. They are only doing it so they don't have to sell their home. Carey runs herself ragged trying to keep her guests happy while keeping an eye on her mother-in-law. Will, the leading actor, can't get Carrie off his mind, as she and this inn remind him of his childhood ... before he became self-absorbed in his Hollywood lifestyle. Maybe it's time for Will to get back to his roots and have a normal life ... and maybe Carrie can help him.

I received an early copy courtesy of Pink Sand Press through NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.

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When Carrie's husband died she was devastated and so was Doreen who Carrie has always called Mama, then she noticed that Mama was getting forgetful and there were other changes that she noticed so after many tests Carrie was told the devastating news that Mama had dementia and Carrie promised that she would take care of her regardless of what happened in the future. Carrie is struggling as Mama is getting worse and the medical bills are piling up so she decided to open the Gable Inn to a group of Hollywood stars who were filming in the area of she will have to sell the inn which is something that she can't do as it has been in Doreen's family for generations and it would break her heart especially as she is already going through enough. Will s a Hollywood actor and staying at the Gable Inn, when he met Carrie there was an instant attraction between them and he was always drawn to her when they were in the same room but Carrie had so much going on that Will tried to help as much as he could to try and lesson her load and he wish things could be different but they were only there for three months. Will they give into the attraction between them or will they just continue to be just friends. Omg I couldn't put this book down as it was so addictive but emotional and I cried so much with everything that they were going through but I had to keep turning the pages to see what would happen next. Marci Bolden is an amazing author and she writes about some very difficult subjects with so much compassion and she certainly knows how to keep her reader's attention and on the edge of their seats while reading her books. I definitely recommend you read this book and others by her and you will definitely not be disappointed but always have the tissues ready as you will always need them when reading Marci books.

I Voluntarily Reviewed an Arc Copy of this Amazing Book.

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A beautiful novel about a woman who is stretched to the limit while taking care of a loved one. Carrie Gable’s husband was killed two years ago and she is living with his mother and running a B&B in their home. She considers his mother, Doreen, her “mama”. When Doreen begins to forget every day issues, she is diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s. In order to afford the upkeep on their home, Carrie rents to a group of Hollywood actors who are filming in the area. William Walker’s star is beginning to fade after his almost twenty-year career. His career has always been his first priority and has caused him to be estranged from his family. Carrie brings a feeling of renewal to him as they become close while he assists her with Doreen. He pleads with her to lean on him, to trust him as events sometime spiral out of control. Will he be there for her when she really needs him? A heart aching description of the daily ups and downs of dealing with a dementia patient. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)

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This was another incredibly great story by Marci Bolden.

After Carrie's husband passes away, Carrie moves in to the historic Gable Inn, a bed and breakfast owned by her mother-in-law, Doreen. Unfortunately Doreen is not well and with her medical bills on the rise, Carrie decides to open the Inn up to Hollywood actors for a 3 month rental since they are filming a period piece in town. The actors are not the friendliest bunch, except for Will Walker who Carrie develops a romantic connection with.

Carrie and Will are drawn to each other, but she feels she like she will never fit into his world. Carrie had made a promise to care for Doreen and could never leave her alone. When Will goes back to his home, his career begins to take off once again and Carrie and Will start to grow apart. Carrie questions if they can rekindle the relationship that they built together.

I know when I read a Marci Bolden book that I'm going to get a great story and that is exactly what I got! She really captured my attention in this one. This is the perfect beach read and I would highly recommend it!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Pink Sands Press for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This review will be posted to my Instagram Blog (@coffee.break.book.reviews) on June 17, 2021.

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Have you ever had a loved one with dementia? In this book, Marci Bolden displays not only the changes that take place in those with the condition, but the hardships on those who attempt to take care of them. Carrie has promised her mother-in-law, known as Momma, that she will keep her in their home throughout her illness. Little did she know how hard that would end up being.

As Carrie struggles to keep their older home/bed and breakfast, she agrees to house a group of people making a movie in the area. She needs the money badly. The group is very challenging, but the main actor becomes someone she can confide in and count on for help. As her relationship with Will becomes more intimate, Momma continues to decline. There are other challenges thrown in the mix, but Will promises he will be there for her. But will he really?

A wonderfully touching story of struggles, perseverance and loving deeply.

I was gifted a copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.

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This was a beautiful story of a daughter-in-law taking care of her mother-in-law who suffered from Alzheimer's and trying to hang on to Doreen's home. Carrie Gable, now widowed, having lost her husband from a robbery gone bad three years prior. Carrie and her mother-in-law, Doreen, live in a Colonial mansion converted into a bed and breakfast. Doreen is affectionately known as "Mama" to everyone.

Carrie was struggling with the upkeep and paying the bills and with no choice took on a group of actors for three months. The income needed to cover much-needed costs. Carrie believes that she can handle everything, everything but the unexpected that is!

While keeping an eye on Mama and catering to her guests, Carrie doesn't anticipate developing feelings for William Walker, one of the A-lister actors, nor trying to meet the demands of a few sourpusses.

Will is fascinated by Carrie and finds himself caring more and more not just about her but Doreen as well. After a freak accident, Will makes sure Carrie can lean on his shoulder with promises of always being there for her. Will can't help notice the devotion that Carrie has for Doreen and comparing himself and his own family. He feels shame for how he let his family down and bids to do better.

Time flies too quickly, where the actors wrapped up and are readying to leave. When Will finds that he doesn't have the heart to leave and returns, and for a while, he is content but soon boredom sets in. Will tries out a new adventure that catches the attention of his agent and pulls him back to LA.

Carrie left with her emotions thinking that Will won't want to come back to her, and Doreen's mind is slipping more and more. Carrie hangs onto Will's promise of keeping in contact. When tragedy strikes and Carrie needs Will the most but her calls go unanswered, she becomes angry that Will allowed her to believe in him and made promises he couldn't keep.

Will learns too late how putting his job before those he loves may have caused irreconcilable repair. He has quite a few people to make amends to, but Carrie may not accept an apology and it is Will who points out to Carrie a few of her own failings.

I love this sweet story! It shows the everyday struggle of caring for a loved one suffering from Alzheimer's and how tragic it is for both of them. I liked how Will watching how Carrie was with her mother-in-law, made him realize his own shortfalls with his own and understanding his brother's anger. I definitely loved Juliet Ramirez getting her comeuppance!

I requested and received an ARC from NetGalley via Pink Sand Press and I have voluntarily reviewed this book.

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Unforgettable You was a wonderful story that I was engaged in from the very beginning.

Carrie Gable both lives at and runs the Gable Inn with her mother-in-law, Doreen. Carrie is not only doing her best to make ends meet, but she's also caring for Mama as she is showing early symptoms of dementia. With both Mama's son and husband having passed away years before, Carrie has to do her best to navigate the fact that Mama doesn't remember along with doing everything she can to keep the doors to the Inn open and a roof over their heads.

Will Walker has come to Iowa and the Gable Inn when the film he's starring in is filming in the area. Their production team has chosen the inn as their housing for the next several months and while most of the crew is very Hollywood and high maintenance, Will is anything but. He finds himself drawn to Carrie and he sees how hard she works and wants to help make things easier for her. While Will treats Carrie and Mama differently than his co-stars, he definitely hasn't left all of his "Hollywood" self in tinseltown.

Carrie and Will end up giving in to their attraction, but they keep it quiet given they want to keep it out of the news and also they want to avoid the production team finding out. They are there for one another and support one another as they learn more and more about their lives to that point. When the film is over and Will has to go back to LA, are these two going to be able to make a go of a relationship? Or will the pulls and pitfalls of stardom lure Will back in?

As always Bolden delivers a book that is so realistic that you find you could see yourself in the town and story. The struggles that Will and Carrie were going through are real and you felt for both of them as the story unfolded. I liked that they brought out the best in one another and they also fought for each other and for the things they believed in, even if it took some time for them to see what those things were. This was such a wonderful read and one I'd highly recommend.

**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review**

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What an emotional read! Before you start reading this book make sure you have a box of tissue handy, you will need them. It hooks you on the first page and doesn't let go. You can feel every emotion and the characters come to life. This is a book you don't want to miss. Thank you Pink Sand Press via NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

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Pretty good story but I was a bit disappointed. I really enjoyed Marci's older books and felt there was something missing from this one. It seemed like it was just a basic love story - though she was trying to make it a bit more bringing in the topic of Alzheimer's but just felt it was lacking something.

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Awwww the highs and lows of this book were the perfect combination to make a perfectly addictive read,
So much sadness had come into Carries life that when a handsome actor named Will turned up with the entourage; Carrie was smitten. So was Will when he laid eyes on her.
One little old lady with Alzheimer’s and Carrie’s mother in law stood in the way of Carrie and her heart as she had lots to do looking after Mama.
One of the most beautiful books I have read. The author never ceases to amaze me with her ability to captivate me with her writing style.
Beautiful read thank you

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Unforgettable You, Marci Bolden

Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews
Romance 
Genre: Romance, general fiction ( adult), women's fiction

Sigh....women's fiction yet again. Outdated, publishers, lets get rid of it.

Anyway, the book. This type is like catnip for me so I really expected to love it. Maybe my expectations were too high but I was underwhelmed. Its a good read, don't get me wrong, just not the glued to the page story I expected.
The plot is neat, has a good mix of characters, though Carrie must be superhuman to do all that mostly alone AND look after her mother in law who has early dementia....having worked in B and B's as a kid I know how much work is involved. Carrie needed more help!
I liked Carrie, she was so caring, and I understood how close she was to mama. Will was lovely too, and the attraction between the two was obvious. I did like that there was heat without the inevitable endless sex scenes often found. I like sex scenes as much as any other reader but sometimes they just overtake the story. It's nicely balanced here. I loved that we had a couple of unpleasant characters too, they always add an edge to the story, though I'd have liked to see a bit more nastiness from them!
Its hard to say just why this wasn't a five star for me, all the elements were there but it just didn't grip me, didn't keep me glued to the page. Then when things go wrong, well, I didn't understand why either of the characters acted as they did. Will especially, head in the sand or what? It didn't feel right after him having been so caring and supportive. I would have expected Carrie to phone too, not just afterwards, but before there was an issue. It just didn't gel with the characters I thought I knew.

Stars: Three, a good book, just not one that lit real sparks for me.

ARC supplied by Netgalley and publishers

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Unforgettable You is such a beautiful emotionally moving read. You may just need a tissue or two for this one. You feel every emotion, every struggle that Carrie has as she tries and saves the family home and taking care of Mama (Doreen). Carrie is just so sweet with Mama as they navigate the hard road of Alzheimer's. You get why Carrie does what she does for Mama and you feel it throughout this one. You feel that pull between Will and Carrie the more time he spends at the Inn. Will is so sweet with Carrie and Mama. You feel for Will when it comes to his revelations he has of about his life. The emotions run so high in this one. You will feel the frustrations and pain that Carrie goes through. You feel the regret Will has. You feel the love that Carrie has for Mama. I loved every moment of this one. I could not put it down. There is just something special and beautiful about this one that you will have to experience for yourself.

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I usually know within the first couple of chapters how much I’m going to enjoy a book but I knew within the first 2 pages that this was one I was going to struggle to put down. Another great read by Marci Bolden

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This is a very good quick enjoyable book! This author can somehow capture your attention from the first page and before you know it your at the end of an awesome book!.
The characters here I couldn't help but love.
Thank You NetGalley, Pink Sand Press and author for this awesome book!

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Carrie lives at and helps to run the Gable Inn with her mother in law, who is starting to show signs of early onset dementia. She has a hard time remembering that both her husband and son had passed away and every day Carrie has to try to keep Mama calm and run the Inn. With mounting medical bills, Carrie agrees to let a film crew come and stay at the Inn when they offer a huge amount to stay for 3 months. The actors and other crew members are high maintenance and demanding, with the exception of the main male star, Will, who Carrie develops an immediate connection with and is surprised when he reciprocates the feelings.
Then Will has to go back to LA and Carrie stays at the Inn and they try to carry on long distance but it’s not the same. Then Mama dies and puts things in perspective for both of them.
This was a sweet but predictable story with a mild amount of steam. Marci is a go-to author for me when I need a comfortable and relaxing read. This one will make a good beach read this summer.
Thanks to Pink Sands Press and Netgalley for this Arc in exchange for my review.

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This is a delightful story with lovely characters in a warm and cozy location. Carrie came to a local Inn to work when she was a teenager. Doreen, the kind and loving owner of the Inn took her under her wing. She not only trained her and loved her as a daughter she also became her mother in law. After a short time together both of their lives fell apart as Carrie’s husband (Doreen’s son) is killed in a robbery. Together the two of them keep the Inn running until Doreen becomes ill and the bills become too much.

Carrie is forced to rent the Inn to a film company. Unexpectedly she meets an actor whom she likes. The book takes us through romance, heartbreak, loss and starting over. A great book to read on the beach or on a flight.

Thanks to Pink Sands Press and NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

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