The memory box by Kathryn Hughes.
Jenny Tanner opens the box she has cherished for decades. Contained within are her most precious mementoes, amongst them a pebble, a carving and a newspaper cutting she can hardly bear to read. But Jenny knows the time is finally here. After the war, in a mountainside village in Italy, she left behind a piece of her heart. However painful, she must return to Cinque Alberi. And lay the past to rest.
A beautifully written book. Great story and characters. The details. Wow. 5*.

This book was like a heartbreakingly beautiful breath of fresh air. Jenny just turned a century old and although it seems almost too late at this point in her life, she is on a mission to return to Italy and set things right. Well, as right as she possibly can. Some things she has completely given up on and as she tells her story, you begin to understand why.

I can't begin to tell you how much I love the jumping back and forth, from present day to the past. You're reliving Jenny's past through her own eyes and anyone who knows me, knows history is my thing. Comparing how completely different almost every aspect of life is from then until now, never gets old. Of course, some things never change, namely relationships and the downright trouble or absolute bliss that they bring.
The more you learn about Jenny's past, trying to survive in war-torn Europe, the more surprises you receive. I honestly didn't see a couple of them coming, which is difficult to do when you read as much as I do. I really got caught up so much in this book, that it was easy to picture it in-depth and feel the breeze in Italy or smell the food Simeon cooked for everyone in the retirement home. Sound crazy? Maybe, but that is how good the author portrayed it all.

There's plenty more I could say, but I want everyone to dive into this book headfirst. Be taken on a poignant journey of love, loss, friendship, and redemption.

I would like to show my appreciation to Netgally, the author, and publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I completely and utterly adored this book. I was so taken in by it that all I wanted to do was read it. A fabulous read.

Beautifully written book, The story it written over two time lines and the characters likeable, and true to life. The plot is a love story in WW2 but also follow the present day of the character. Very heartwarming and emotional

I have read and loved all of this authors previous books, so I was very excited for this one. Oh my word this was just an absolute gem of a read. I adored it. I loved the dual time line of this book and of heading about Jennys life as a young woman in the 1940’s. The characters were all wonderful and the author described them so well. I was completely taken by surprise at one point which I love in a book.

What a lovely story! Jenny is approaching her 100th birthday in the care home where her main carer is Candice (the two have more in common than either realises) and so the story unfolds, the memory box is gradually opened unfolding the secrets of Jenny’s past.
There are some lovely sayings and an analogy I loved

One of the best WWII books that I have read this year. I couldn't wait to see what happened next. There were many surprises but the best one was kept for last. Thank you NetGalley for my ARC of this book.

This is a lovely story. Jenny is 100 years old, living happily in a nursing home and cared for particularly by Candice. She looks back on her life and starts to tell Candice about her experience being evacuated to Wales with her young brother in the War. The story interweaves through the book, as we experience her falling in love. Candice however has very different experiences, living with an idle and controlling boyfriend. The author's depiction of their relationship is spine chilling.

The story grips and draws the reader along as we discover what happened so long ago, as Jenny tries to atone for her mistakes in the twilight of her life. I really enjoyed it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Headline for allowing me access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Memory Box by Kathryn Hughes is the most beautiful and heart wrenching dual timeline novel that I never wanted to end.
The story is set in present day and during the second world war. The reader follows the fortunes of care worker Candice and one hundred year old Jenny who shares her story. There is a beautiful bond between the two lead characters, as if they were grandmother and granddaughter. They both have so much love to give.
There is the difficult topic of a toxic relationship where a character is manipulated and controlled bit by bit. This is sensitively portrayed as we see the need to get out before being totally consumed.
The war years see the reader travel from Manchester to Wales to Italy as the war takes various turns. We witness the bravery of civilians everywhere and also of the partisans in Italy. We see that not all Germans were Nazis. There were still some willing to take risks to do the right thing.
Regrets have travelled down the years. They are heavy burdens to carry as a character needs to make a pilgrimage to lay the ghosts of the past to rest.
All the characters were well drawn and realistic. We see the changes that war makes on characters mental well-beings. I was very emotionally invested in The Memory Box as I ‘lived’ the novel through the eyes of Jenny and Candice.
I absolutely adored The Memory Box and was sad to see it end. My emotions had a roller coaster ride but I have been left smiling and with a heart full of love.
I received a free copy via Net Galley. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

I am so glad I had the opportunity to read this beautiful heartbreaking, heart wrenching, emotional book. This one had me hooked from the very first page. It is written in dual time lines which is one of my favorites and the writing itself is flawless. The characters are so relatable they feel like friends and the story is deep and meaningful. If you like family sagas this is one of the very best. I highly recommend.
Thank you to Net Galley for allowing me to read this beautiful ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is the 1st book I’ve read from this author and it wont be the last. The writing of this book is emotional and raw and it had me shedding a few tears!

firstly thank you Netgalley for this ARC. What a lovely book based in two time limes. Reminiscing of the war and the good and bad times

Thank you to #NetGalley and the publisher for my advance copy of #TheMemoryBox by #KathrynHughes.
A wonderful story travelling from the Second World War to the present day.
Jenny is in a residential home with a lifetime of memories.
As she tells them to her carer Candice she decides to go back to visit the important places once more before it is to late.
A book that keeps you turning the pages well into the night. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Emotional and packed full of twists and turns, The Memory Box is a timeless story set against the backdrop of the Second World War.

This is a timeslip novel, told in two parts. First and foremost is Jenny's story. She is a 100-year-old lady living in a retirement home, determined to finally set the ghosts of her past free. To do so, Jenny takes a trip to Italy to confront her past and finally seek some answers. Her young carer, Candice, accompanies her.

Candice is an aspiring beautician, working in the care home where Jenny lives to try and make ends meet. She's living with her boyfriend Beau, yet trouble is brewing under the surface of their relationship. Will the Italian holiday bring about change for both women?

Both Jenny and Candice are strong women and interesting, multi-faceted characters. Jenny has so many tales to tell - not surprising, given her age! Candice is hardworking and determined, yet always makes time for Jenny and the other residents.

As Jenny begins to recount her past to Candice, both get drawn into the secrets of the past. It's a twisty journey with plenty of surprises; at times sweet, at others heartbreaking.

The story is beautifully written, with poignant prose and some great descriptions. The characters are full of life and just jump off the page. In fact, the book finished far too soon. I'd love to read more about these characters!

The Memory Box is an enjoyable read and an emotional rollercoaster of a story!

Have you ever found yourself reading a book and loving it? And I mean really loving it — the setting, the characters, the storytelling. When out of the blue comes a plot twist that makes you slap your forehead and groan aloud in dismay. It doesn’t fit, it’s not plausible. It’s corny and clichéd AND IT’S RUINED THE STORY!

I’ve read many novels by Kathryn Hughes and enjoyed them immensely. And The Memory Box promised similar joy. An intriguing premise. An engaging writing style — one that I know and love. And a truly fabulous, female protagonist. I confess, I was hooked from the first page.

I immediately warmed to the endearing character of centenarian Jenny Tanner and the reminiscences of her younger 1940s self, who was evacuated with her little brother from bomb-torn Manchester to a farm in the Welsh countryside.

The two timelines — a tragic, wartime love story and an old woman’s desire to make peace with her past —are beautifully interwoven. The fact that they are set against actual historical events make them all the more compelling. I also enjoyed the parallel story of Jenny’s carer, Candice, and the genuine affection between the two women, despite the enormous age gap. I liked them both, was invested in their stories and wanted happy endings for them.

What I struggled with, though, were the male characters. Unlike Jenny and Candice, who were so well rounded, in all their frailties and feistiness, the men appeared insipid and half formed. This had a knock-on effect on the plot, giving rise to events and actions that just didn’t seem to fit to the characters as I understood them.

In all honesty, there were just too many plot elements that felt like the product of an overly fertile imagination. Even the ending was all a bit too twee and saccharine for my liking.

Perhaps I’m being too harsh. Perhaps the majority of readers will enjoy this for the romance and the escapism. The writing is great, and the story — if you can suspend disbelief — is emotional and captivating.

I’m really not averse to a bit of romance myself; I just prefer it to have some connection to reality.

The memory box by Kathyn Hughes
A two timeline story set in WW2 and present day. Jenny the main character is 100 years old and lives in a care home . She has lived a interesting life but has many regrets and needs to take a last trip to Italy to put to sleep ghosts of the past. Candice is her career and is accompanying her on the trip to Italy. The story unravels starting with Jenny and her young brother Louis evacuated from Manchester to Wales . Jenny failing in love and the chooses to leave her brother with the family in Wales and make a life with her Italian lover after he is deported back to Italy with his parents treated them as the enemy . This was a interesting fact enjoyed finding out about how the Italians where treated . Candice has her own story going on living with Beau a controlling boyfriend who Jenny's can see is no good for Candice.
Kept me reading to the end but felt a bit flat as the story went on.
Over all good story in parts.
Thank you Netgalley for letting me review this book

Jenny lives in a care home and has just celebrated her 100th birthday. Taking her favorite caregiver, Candice, aside, Jenny tells her she must ask a huge favor of her. Jenny wants Candice to accompany her on one last trip Jenny must make before her time is up. A trip to Italy. Jenny begins to tell Candice her story, believing that after she hears all of it she will agree to make the journey with Jenny. .Jenny knows that the only way for her to atone for the past is to make this journey to Italy, no matter how much pain it will bring when old memories are dug up and unburied. She is hoping that by doing this she will finally achieve peace.
Can Jenny's journey into the past help Candice find the fulfilling life and purpose she is seeking?
This novel is a tear jerker at times, very touching and emotional. You can't help but feel for Jenny and all she endured in her lifetime. She had a full life, at times filled with pain and agony, but also with love and joy. Candice is seeking to make such a life for herself.
I feel in love with Jenny and Candice, Candice's boyfriend Beau, not so much! The characters are great, you feel as if you have been friends forever (except Beau). This story is poignant, thought provoking, and beautifully written, readers will not be disappointed. I recommend this book highly.
Thank you to the publishers at Headline Review and to Net Galley for the free ARC, I am leaving my honest review in return.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

Although I have loved reading Kathryn’s previous books, but, this one, is my favourite.

It’s beautifully written, loved how Candice befriends Jenny in the care home, how this flowed into something so much more.

I found Jenny’s Jenny’s story sad in so many ways, everything she endured in her younger years, it was a lot, from overcoming polio, losing her parents to the war, her and Louis’ move to Wales for safety, her relationships with both Nico and Lorcan.

The ending was beautiful too, it doesn’t happen often when a book makes me cry, but this one made me several times., made me feel like I was there, in Italy, during the war.

So hard to imagine what happened during that time.

I never wanted the book to end.

Highly Recommend This Book.

Unpardonable, I had to fi nd out what happened although I had my ideas about the ending.

A wonderful read, the characters were wonderful I loved Jenny and Candice and was so angry at Besu, I wanted to shake him.

Kathryn Hughes is a great writer I have read other books but will read more

Thankyou Net galley.

I read this book in just over a day (which is very fast for me!) It gripped me from the very beginning and I couldn't put it down.

Jenny has just reached 100 years old and is in a care home. She forms a connection with a young carer called Candice who works there and she gradually shares her story with her (through her memory box). This begins at the start of World War Two when she is in her twenties. The story is dual time frame and moves between the present (2019) and Jenny's life through the War starting in Wales and then in Italy.
Candice has her own struggles in the present with her overly controlling and toxic boyfriend. Together they travel to Italy for a commemorative trip.

I loved the two main characters and slowly becoming immersed in each of their lives. There was certainly a lot of turmoil and a few big secrets in Jenny's life. Some of the memories were heart wrenching and there were a few big twists that I didn't see coming at all. I equally enjoyed reading about Candice's life in the present and I was really rooting for her to achieve her life ambitions and get her life back on track.
An emotional and beautifully written story which I would definitely recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley for this advanced reading copy.