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Oh my did I love this book. Four strangers travel back in time to relive one day of their life. And then we find out all four were experiencing the same day. I love how we found out how it was connected. This book was so beautiful. Yes, there was a suspsense element. But it really was a meditation on loss, forgiveness and second chances. Such a beautiful book.

Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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TIME TRAVELERS

Four strangers choose to time travel with the help of Aeon Expeditions in Ventura, CA. They all wish to go back and spend one hour in their pasts. Oddly, these strangers have all chosen the same date to revisit. Even though this time travel offering is ultra expensive, it seems the only answer for these people to make peace with their pasts.

Elizabeth wants one more hour with her son, who died tragically in an accident that wasn't his fault. Andy desperately searches for his first love, who disappeared after a lightning romance. Logan dreams of mountain climbing, surfing, and the adrenaline rush from all the hardcore activities he participated in before being confined in a wheelchair. Brooke seeks one hour of relief from the guilt that has plagued her for an unforgivable mistake.

Author Dete Meserve has woven an intricate plot tying the lives of these four characters together by what happened on August 25, 2025, on the Pacific Coast Highway. When these four find themselves stuck in the past longer than the hour, they begin to work together and to discover things about themselves. They may not be able to change the past, but revisiting it has undoubtedly changed them in ways they would have never believed. The truth finally sets everyone free.

Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley provided me with a complimentary copy of this book. I am writing this review entirely independently.

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The Memory Collectors by Dete Meserve is an absolutely unforgettable exploration of fate, choice, and the power of memory. It poses the kind of questions: Is our path in life fated, fixed, carved into stone? Or can a single, seemingly small decision ripple outward and alter everything? And if you had the chance to revisit a pivotal moment, could you rewrite the outcome?

I was completely swept away by this book. The four rotating points of view are handled masterfully, giving each character depth, nuance, and emotional weight. It’s one of my favorite narrative styles, and here it’s done to perfection. Each perspective added something vital to the story, creating a rich, layered tapestry of experiences that felt profoundly human.

The plot is both tightly woven and emotionally resonant, striking the perfect balance between introspection and suspense. I flew through this in a single sitting, totally absorbed, and found myself reflecting on my own memories and choices in the aftermath.

Beautifully written, thought provoking, and emotionally gripping, The Memory Collectors is a standout read, easily one of my top books of the year. If you’re drawn to stories about second chances, the complexity of relationships, and the ripple effects of our decisions, this one is not to be missed.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Dete Meserve, and Crooked Lane Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinions.

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This was a fast read that kept me engaged. I read it in one day. I enjoyed the character development and how their lives all intertwined. There were some moments that were too wordy in a way that didn't add to the story so I found myself skimming at times. Overall, I enjoyed this book.

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💭: What a phenomenal book you guys! PREORDER THIS NOW!

4 strangers time travel to the past. With the new technology, no one knows when or where you will be sent, only that you will have 1 hour in the past. There must have been a glitch with these four because they all end up in the past on the same date, a day that tragically impacted their lives. And somehow they remain in that time period well past the hour mark. Why? Will they try to change what happened that day?

I couldn’t stop reading this book. The characters are so tragically broken and full of grief because of what happened to them in the past. You can feel their pain seeing loved ones they haven’t seen for years, and joy being able to walk after being wheelchair bound for years. I loved how the story unfolded when the characters found each other and realized they were all travelers. I loved the ending. I loved it all!

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Long story short: read this book!
Seriously, this is exactly my kind of story; gripping, suspenseful, original, thought-provoking, and deeply emotional.
It makes you think, it makes you wonder, and it makes you ask yourself over and over: “What if?”
I loved how these strangers’ lives came together. I loved the message. I loved the writing. Honestly, I loved everything about it.
Five easy stars. Just wow!

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Rated 3.5 really.

First off...DISCLAIMER: I requested this title on NetGalley. Thanks to Crooked Lane Books for providing a temporary ecopy. This didn't influence my review in any way.

I'll start with the positives: The Memory Collectors is a book that will hit the spot for a lot of people. Anyone who's ever dreamed of a chance to go back and set right something that dramatically changed the course of their life will be invested in these characters' journey, though their attempts to flip the script should be doomed from the start - but are they really? and if they are, was it all in vain? The individual stories intersect brilliantly, if a bit too conveniently, and though it isn't hard to solve the mystery behind their collective and timely jump, there are still other possibilities at play. Then again, a few things didn't work for me. First off, the narrative voices are very similar. Secondly, the two male protagonists feel like the stereotype of the "good stalker", which isn't something that should exist, but here we are. I mean, even if you think that someone is your soulmate based on something that happened in the past - YOUR past, not theirs, due to the time jump - that's no excuse to force yourself into their life, and I'm surprised the women in question would give those men the time of day. Which brings me to...instalove - another big turn-off for me. Furthermore, I found the overall message (if commendable) to be too on the nose, and the ending (if uplifting in a lot of ways) too simplistic. Finally, there's at least a loose thread related to the thriller writer's story, and I wasn't a fan of the disabled ex-adventurer's self-deprecating language, though I sympathised with his feelings. But the whole thing is extremely bingeable, and if you're drawn to character-driven speculative thrillers with a pronounced emotional angle, you'll probably enjoy this one.

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In the near-future, impossibly expensive new technology allows users to travel to the past. They can't choose when they travel to, or how long they stay (they're only granted an hour). But four strangers are somehow simultaneously sent to the same day, shortly before their lives catastrophically changed. One is about to commit a life-altering crime. One will lose a child. One will be ghosted by the love of his life. And one will never walk again. Each of them waits for their hour to be up... and it isn't. As they struggle to understand the glitch, they'll discover how they're connected, and work together to change their futures before time runs out...

This is a really griping thriller, surprisingly so for a novel where we know what's happening. The characters are vivid and empathetic, even though I found two of them more compelling than the other two (maybe inevitable with such a big cast). I think this will engage thriller readers, who will probably guess the twist before I did but, like me, keep reading to see if the past can ever really change.

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Thank you Netgalley & Crooked Lane Books for an eARC❤️❤️❤️

There’s something deeply human about the desire to revisit the past—not to alter it, but to stand in it again, to feel the weight of a moment that slipped away too soon. Dete Meserve’s *The Memory Collectors* captures this longing with aching beauty, weaving a narrative that is as much about grief and redemption as it is about the tantalizing—and treacherous—possibility of time travel. 🧭 🧳

What struck me first was how Meserve sidesteps the usual tropes of the genre. This isn’t a story about fixing mistakes or rewriting history. Aeon Expeditions, the company that offers clients a fleeting return to their past, imposes a cruel but fascinating rule: you can’t change anything. The past is immutable. And yet, the characters go anyway, desperate for even a whisper of what they’ve lost. Elizabeth’s need to see her son again, Andy’s hunt for a love that vanished, Logan’s yearning for the freedom of his old life, Brooke’s torment over a mistake she can’t undo—their motivations are so raw and real that the sci-fi element feels almost incidental. This is a story about people, not paradoxes. 💔

Then, the twist. When their allotted hour stretches beyond its limits, stranding them in the past, the novel shifts from quiet introspection to something far more sinister. The discovery that their lives were shattered not by chance but by design—that someone else was there, hiding in the shadows of that fateful night—sent chills down my spine. Meserve masterfully tightens the screws, transforming a meditation on regret into a gripping mystery. I found myself racing through the pages, desperate to know how these strangers’ lives intertwined and who, exactly, wanted them broken.

The pacing is deliberate, lingering in the characters’ pain before unraveling the larger conspiracy. At times, I wished for a swifter reveal, but the slow burn serves a purpose. It makes the eventual collision of their stories all the more powerful. And while the time-travel mechanics are light on technical detail, that’s not the point. This isn’t a book about how time travel works; it’s about what it *means* to those who wield it—and what it costs them.

What lingered with me long after I finished, though, was the unexpected solace in the characters’ shared journey. Their isolation—Elizabeth’s grief, Logan’s frustration, Brooke’s shame—feels so palpable that when their paths finally converge, it’s like watching fractured pieces click into place. The revelation that they were never truly alone in their suffering is a quietly profound one. It’s a reminder that even in our darkest hours, there are others carrying similar weights, even if we can’t see them.

*The Memory Collectors* is a rare breed of novel: a speculative thriller with a pulse of real emotion. It’s for anyone who’s ever replayed a moment in their mind, wondering what they’d do if they could step back into it. For anyone who’s felt the ghost of a memory like a physical presence. And, perhaps most of all, for anyone who needs to believe that even the most shattered fragments of a life can, in time, form a new mosaic ❤️

And now I’m left wondering: If you had one hour to relive—knowing you couldn’t change a single second—what moment would you choose? (Be warned: This book will make you ask yourself that question. Over and over again.)

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The Memory Collectors is a contemporary sci-fi novel with strong romantic elements and family themes. When our four main characters get stuck on a one hour trip to the same day in the past, they find out their lives might be linked in more ways than one.

“Here at Aeon Expeditions,” he says, “we don’t change time. But time changes us. What will you discover when you look back with fresh eyes? The most important part of your journey happens after your hour is over.”

Meserve knows how to write a strong opening chapter. We get thrown right in the action and intrigue. While some novels switch POV too often, Meserve knows how to strike the right balance here. Feeding us small amounts of information, while developing the characters and keeping the plot moving. An astounding feat. Meserve's writing style flows and makes for an easy and quick read.

I quite enjoyed the emotional journey our characters took over the course of the novel. While at times the plot seemed a bit too convenient and some elements felt a bit too on the nose, the overall hopeful message is meaningful and relevant in our current world. The character growth did feel a little quick at times, but that is probably because of the total of four main characters. I also struggled to keep some of the voices of the characters apart, especially in the beginning. It would have helped if the character voices were a bit more distinct.

"But the past is reshaping me. It’s not that I’ve become someone different —it’s as if I’m seeing my life with new eyes."

The Memory Collectors might be your next favourite read if you enjoy character-driven science fiction novels involving an intriguing mystery. This novel would be perfect for people that enjoyed Matt Haig's The Midnight Library.

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Ok…so normally I don’t even want to read books that involve time travel. But I LOVE Dete Meserve’s books! So I gave this a chance and was immediately sucked into this story! I loved the search for answers to the events of one particular day in the past, and the ending was just perfection! You won’t regret reading this one!

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The Memory Collectors is a splendid twisty ride that packs as much sci-fi as well as emotional punch for a riveting journey.

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Would you spend an hour in the past even if you couldn’t change the future? The four protagonists in this book do exactly that. But while they may not be able to change past events, they find they can change their present selves. Great read. Very thought provoking and inspirational.

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I requested this book when I mis in the midst of my Severance obsession, and I was thriller while reading it to see some similar themes: what do we do with our grief, can scientific breakthroughs help with our heavier human emotions, and finding healing within yourself with the help of others.

I was heartbroken for many of the characters who travel back to one of their most difficult days, but the journey they went through still felt like an empowering one.

The Memory Collectors is a sharply written speculative mystery with fully fleshed out characters, and a deep emotional resonance. Fans of mysteries with heart an insight into the human experience will LOVE this one!

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Five amazing stars!
This is not my usual genre but I could not stop reading! I’m not finicky about time travel plot holes or impossibilities, I just like a good story and boy was this a good story! It has enough mystery to keep you guessing. It was so well done! I enjoyed every minute of it!

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An intriguing premise that asks the reader to suspend belief and assume it is possible (or will be possible in 2028) to time travel back for one hour but then become stuck in that pace. And, that five people will all choose the same moment. A horrible accident on 25 August 25 changed the lives of Elizabeth, Andy, Logan, and Brooke, as well as Mark, the genius behind Aeon expeditions. All of them want to change something about that night but none of them understand at first that they are all linked. If the science doesn't work for you, know that Meserve does a good job of creating these characters and making the reader care about the resolution of their anguish. And she's a good storyteller. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. This has been pitched as sci-fi but think of it as a bit of a mystery.

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Was really expecting more from this one, and I think it has fallen victim to mismarketing. I ended up DNFing because I just couldn't get into it.

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I loved the overall concept of this book . It did take me a while to get all the characters straight but once I did i really enjoyed the story and it was really hard to put down . I wanted to know what would happen and if the four time traveler who were stuck in the past would be able to change the future or not ! There was some great character development and growth through out the story … and the book really challenges the concept of a “happy ending “ and what counts as one

My rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

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The Memory Collectors is my first book by Dete Meserve — but it definitely won’t be my last! I love stories about time travel, and this one has quickly jumped to the top of my list. While time travel plays a central role, the novel is just as much a character-driven mystery as it is science fiction.

In this world, time travel involves the traveler’s consciousness being transported back to a specific point in time, allowing them to fully experience and interact with a memory for 60 minutes. It’s like stepping into an hour-long immersive video — except you're living it. When the traveler returns to the present, nothing has changed; the Butterfly Effect doesn’t apply here.

The story follows four main characters, each with their own point of view. All are emotionally wounded in some way and long to revisit a memory from before their lives unraveled. But when something goes wrong, they become trapped in the past for longer than intended — their stories begin to intersect, and each hopes to change the one moment that altered everything.

I was completely drawn into The Memory Collectors and the journey of each traveler. The plot is compelling, the characters are well-developed, and the way it all comes together is satisfying. I’d highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good sci-fi mystery with heart.

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This started off so well. I was weepy from the start as Elizabeth travels in time and notices all the little details she never did back then. She is fully present as she relives a simple hour in her son’s childhood. She’s a heartbroken mother, and it’s her story that draws readers in. As other characters are introduced, we see they too have their own losses and heartache as well. Each of them is searching for answers and meaning.

The way the characters and their stories overlapped reminded me a bit of “A Little Hope” by Ethan Joella, although there were fewer people to keep track of and this one has a time travel element, of course. The book explores regret, grief, and time in such a delicate way for so much of it, but once I got back to the present time along with the characters, I felt rushed to the finish line. What felt very deep and thoughtful for most of the book became a bit contrived and convenient by the ending. I’m not certain what changes I would want to appreciate the ending more; I just know that for me as a reader, the ending fell flat while the opening and middle hit me strongly with emotion and empathy.

Overall, I enjoyed Meserve’s writing style and most of this story. I would still recommend it, but I wish that my 5-star prediction had been fulfilled with as strong an ending as the rest of the novel.

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