Book Review and Contest: Thanks for the Memories by Cecelia Ahern

Justin, an American professor of architecture guest lecturing in Dublin, donates blood. Joyce, an Irish estate agent, gets a blood transfusion and starts to know things about architecture she couldn’t know, remembers places she’s never been, and has dreams about a blonde child she’s never met. An intriguing premise to be sure, and Author Cecelia Ahern pulls it off admirably.

Considering a part of him flows through her veins, Joyce becomes justifiably obsessed with finding Justin. And after a couple of chance encounters between the two strangers, Justin becomes obsessed with finding Joyce, not knowing she’s the one who received his blood. As per typical chick-lit convention, the two are kept apart as long as possible, with lots of screwball scenes (the one where Joyce and her father are on Antiques Roadshow in London being my favorite) and random obstacles to overcome.

Apart from the main plot, the novel also has a deeper side. Both Justin and Joyce are separated and are ready for but also wary of new romantic relationships. Joyce has suffered a devastating miscarriage and is still not over the death of her mother 10 years before. Much of the narrative explores her complex relationship with her elderly father and how they depend on each other despite their differences. Aherns ruminates on the passage of time and making the most of life.

If you’d like a chance to read this book before it’s out in the states (it is already out in the UK and Canada), comment on this post and you could win one of two SIGNED paperbacks. Anyone worldwide can enter, but please indicate International in your comment if you aren’t in the US or Canada. Extra entries will be given to anyone who comments on any of my posts this week, including my review of Moonstone from yesterday. And remember, PLEASE leave a way for me to contact you if you win.

This contest is part of the Book Giveaway carnival going on over at Book Room Reviews this week and will be open until November 9th. After you enter my contest, go on over and check out all the contests held by other book bloggers.

PLUS: Check out this post to see all the books I am giving away the rest of November and make sure you come back for them.