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.

I also listened to the audiobook, which features a different narrator for each POV. If you're a regular audiobook listener, you’ll probably recognize some of the voices, and each one brings their character vividly to life.

This was an interesting take on time travel. I thought it was convenient that the travelers couldn't actually change anything because their time in the past would be "reset." However, their purpose in the past was more part of an investigation and self- reflection. The four people who make a jump at the same time have a common history based on a tragedy that changed all of their lives. When the jump goes awry and their paths cross in the past, they all try to change what happened. The ultimate result and lesson is that while they can't change the past, they CAN change how they let it affect their present and future. The story flowed well, and the 4 voices were unique and easy to follow.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an audioARC.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5 Stars (Excellent)
Setting: Ventura, California
Genre: Science Fiction

The Memory Collectors by Dete Meserve is a captivating and deeply emotional novel that lingers with you long after you turn the final page. Meserve masterfully blends elements of mystery, science fiction, and heartfelt human drama to explore one of the most universal longings: the desire to go back and change—or simply relive—a moment from the past.

Set in the sun-drenched beach town of Ventura, California, the novel brings together four strangers, each desperate to reclaim an hour they’ve lost: Elizabeth, a grieving mother; Andy, a heartbroken romantic; Logan, an adrenaline-seeker bound by a wheelchair; and Brooke, a woman haunted by guilt. Through the fascinating and fragile technology of Aeon Expeditions, they are given that chance. But when the past refuses to let go, they soon realize their lives are more entangled—and more haunted—than they ever imagined.

Meserve shines in her portrayal of grief, regret, and the fragile beauty of memory. Each character’s journey feels authentic and raw, and the twists that emerge as their stories converge are both surprising and satisfying. The author handles the emotional weight of loss and healing with nuance, offering moments of genuine hope and redemption without veering into sentimentality.

If there’s one small drawback, it’s that at times the pacing falters—particularly in the middle when the narrative juggles multiple perspectives and timelines. But by the final third, the threads tighten into a poignant, suspenseful climax that delivers both heart and intrigue.

The Memory Collectors is more than just a time-travel novel; it’s a moving exploration of what it means to forgive, to let go, and to carry love forward even when time refuses to stand still. Fans of Jodi Picoult, Matt Haig, or Taylor Jenkins Reid will find much to love here. Highly recommended. #netgalley #thememorycollectors #booked_this_weekend

Four strangers are sent back in time to relive an hour of their lives. But they find themselves stranded in the past, trying to change the outcome of the day their lives all intertwined with horrible consequences.

I was torn on this one. There was a lot I really liked about it: I love time travel stories. I love “if you turned left this would have happened, but you turned right, so this other thing happened” sliding-doors-style stories. I love random connections. But I very much do not love cheesy redemption arcs.

The first 3/4 was great - the one hour of time travel concept and the backstories for all of the characters were interesting, but by the end I was kind of sick of all of these people and didn’t really care where they ended up. And Andy… YIKES. That boy was flying some SERIOUS stalker sad boy red flags and never really grew on me.

Audiobook-wise, the narration was fine. Logan’s voice was grating, but everyone else was ok.

I think fans of The Measure and This Time Tomorrow (both of which I loved) and The Midnight Library (which I did NOT love) would probably like this one!

I want to start by saying that this book is categorized as Sci-Fi and I think that's a big misstep on the part of the publisher. I tend to avoid this genre of writing because I tend to prefer stories with a basis in reality. Every once in a while I'll pick up a magical realism that really is light on the magic and more about realistic "what-ifs". This book feels like one of those exact stories with it's question, what would you do if you could go back to a point in time from your past and revisit it with new eyes. Maybe see things you missed before or just experience the idea that you didn't have all the information. The audiobook is narrated by 4 different voices and they are so distinct and perfect to each character. One of my favorite narrators is Hillary Huber and she voiced Elizabeth, a mother who lost her son so perfectly. The other narrators I have also had some experience listening to before and I think the voice of Andy made his character come across as portrayed (insecure, unsure and lost) wonderfully as well.
The four characters embark on this journey to revisit a point in time in their past and their worlds all intersect.

I think the heart and emotion that is written into this book is exactly the difference I was looking for in another book I recently read that pondered the "what-if" about erasing grief by using science and technology. The book I'm drawn to compare this to is The Poppy Fields and that book made you wonder the question of removing grief from your consciousness and there is a possibility that you would also remove your "attachment" to that person. I don't think that story went deep enough. On the other hand, the Memory Collectors felt raw and full of emotion. You could feel the pain of the two mothers that had their lives torn apart and of the grief felt my Logan when his life as an extreme sports guy is shattered because the accident causes him to be paralyzed. Andy has unanswered questions from a girl who has left him without any word as to where she went or why. They all get a better understanding of the events of that day and you can feel that their worlds have improved because of the "second" chance to look at that day in their life. This book made me contemplate things in ways that felt interesting and new. This quote was one of my favorites:

"Now that I see the extraordinary in all of it. The random things in life that I once took for granted take on new meaning. The first time I'd lived this life, I'd rushed through it, ignoring the details around me. I'd looked at the things in my life without really seeing them at all. Today, it's the little things I latch on to".

Perfectly describes a feeling that I resonated with.

So I was midway through this when for whatever reason I lost access to the audiobook. What I read, I loved, and I am now waiting patiently for the release so I can finish! I'm hearing about this book a lot...all good things....and I know it's going to be a five star read for me.

It is a story of hope, regrets, and healing.

Regretting an event that happened in the past, hoping that traveling back in time can/will change the outcome, and healing from all you learn along the way.

Imagine getting another chance to go back in time to a moment that haunts you! More time with a loved one, fix a mistake or take a chance on something?
Time travel is the theme and four people get a chance to do just this. Californian Mark Saunder, owner of Aeon Expeditions provides this chance.

One has lost their son, one wants a second chance, one looses mobility and one wants to fix a mistake.

Will this be the chance of a lifetime, or will this make things harder for those involved. After all we can’t change the past but we can learn to move forward.

The narrators were amazing!