Loved this book. Written so simply but it comes across in such an effective manner. So many emotions are portrayed through the simplicity of the text. Storyline reflected my nursing career and the dementia patients that have been part of my life. Brought back memories. The book covers trauma past and overcoming trauma to move forward.
Thank you Netgalley for the eARC in return for my honest opinion

I ADORED THIS BOOK! Sarah totally nails it with her second novel that hits you in the feels. Proving she can write the most amazing romance novels and heartwarming books.

I enjoyed this book immensely. The characters of Isabel, a suspended hospital chaplain, Opal, an elderly dementia patient that Isabel meets at the hospital prior to her suspension, and Evan, Opal’s grandson were all very well developed, The interactions between the three characters kept me engaged and I read way past my bedtime while reading it.

I was amazed to discover that I guessed in a very early point in the book what the big secret was (I rarely do when reading books that have a big reveal) but it in no way diminished the experience of reading it.

Opal’s dementia hurt my heart, when it brought back memories of similar experiences I had with my grandfather when I was a teenager. It was very realistically written.

By the time I was done, my handkerchief was soaking wet, and it left me looking forward to more books from this author.

<b>There are minor spoilers in this review</b>

Five stars. I could not bring myself to rate this book anything other than that. I absolutely loved 'What We Remember' and it has quickly become one of my favourite books that I've ever read. I cannot recommend you to read it enough.

The story follows Isabel, an interfaith chaplain working in a hospital, over 2 years after 'That Day'. Throughout the book, a traumatic experience that she went through is referred to as 'That Day' and it dictated how her life has become. She struggles with her faith, her friendships and family.

Due to an altercation at work, she ends up suspended for the summer months. In order to be able to afford her bills and other expenses, she decides to offer to be a carer for Opal, an elderly dementia patient, she tended to in the hospital after finding out that her daughter, April, and grandson, Evan, can't afford to keep her in a memory care facility.

I have to credit to Sarah on how well Opal was written. Everything about her character's was true to life with this sad illness. It hit close to home as my grandmother has both dementia and Alzheimer's and she acts the same way as Opal. Recalling her past like it was yesterday, missing her parents, remembering old songs and singing.
Evan was also struggling to deal with his grandmother's illness and also suffering because of it just like his mom, April. I've spent enough time with my own grandmother to understand his feelings, and seen my own mum and auntie upset to know and relate all too well to this part of the book.

Evan ends up leaning on and being emotionally vulnerable with Isabel which sparks an interesting friendship between the two and sets the basis for a possible romance. It was a refreshingly real relationship that took a long time to develop from strangers into friends. It was natural, it wasn't forced and it was slow. Trauma isn't something that easily let's you make new connection with someone.

Then you have Isabel's own family. Her mum, dad and her sister. After 'That Day' Isabel has had a lot of trouble with her family and has cut out her parents from a lot of her life. When her mum and dad ask her to come round to their house to try and get her help with her trauma, Isabel gets upset that instead of giving her time and space to heal, as well as just a little bit of faith from them, they tried to force her into therapy.
Isabel's sister Chantel is younger than her and trained as a nurse. She mainly travels around for work, but when she returns home she works in the hospital and lives with Isabel. Their relationship is the only thing that has stayed strong throughout the years, Isabel phones her whenever she has a free moment to talk and loves seeing her no matter what the occasion is.

This book, however, isn't <b>just</b> about the trauma that Isabel has suffered. It is about overcoming it. Trying to be okay again after an incident that changes your life. It's about family, that they should and will always, always be there for you. That those <i>who love you will always be there for you, no matter what.</i>
There are certain things that you will think nothing of in this book, that after reading the book you'll realise have a deeper hidden meaning, a meaning that only Isabel knows. It has layers of meaning and not everyone can connect things in such a subtle way you wouldn't notice.
Sarah is a brilliant author, she evokes so many emotions in such simple but effective ways. By the end of the book I was a mess. I went through tissue after tissue as each sentence entered my heart. I hope she keeps writing, and I'll look forward to reading her other releases.

Thank you to both Sarah Echavarre and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.