Thanks for the Memories by Cecelia Ahern

The idea that one could begin to inhabit the traits of another through the simple process of a blood transfusion is absurd, at best. To then believe that there is an established connection that is neither understood nor avoidable, is incredible. But through the story of Justin and Joyce, what once seemed to be the foundations of a good science fiction novel, is the perfectly executed tale of love lost and then found by Cecelia Ahern.

Before reading this book, I'd never heard of or picked up one of her novels. Boy! What a wasted life. I can't praise her enough for the combination of EXACTLY the type of romantic-comedy I love and a well written story that utilizes language in a way that redefines the idea of the cliched Rom-Com.

Not to diss us lovers of Romantic Comedies, because HEY! I'd be dissing myself (haha--not cool!), but at times, Romantic Comedies are predictable and easily concluded within the first few chapters. This, being the reason why I almost cringe at the classification of this book as a RomCom. Yes, it was funny (serious laugh out loud material) and yes, it was romantic, but there was so much more that dictated the pages of this book. From the intrinsic struggles of dealing with a sudden death, to the deeply-rooted battle with a defining moment in the past, the two main characters (including all the supporting characters as well) are well developed and profoundly shaped by their mutually exclusive experiences.

So, to Cecelia Ahern, thank YOU for the memories . . .
(on a scale of 1-10, what was the cheese factor of that last statement? I'd say 6. But it was so appropriate don't you think!)