I was given a copy of this book prior to publishing in exchange for an honest review.

Wow! Don't know where to start with this book... in a good way! It is written through the narrative of the protagonist Jenny.. Hughes begins writing in a conversational style, talking directly to the reader, setting you at ease "you can trust me" . Although never trust anyone who says that! and nor is Jenny to be trusted really as her story is a rollercoaster of emotions... Hughes weaves the story together using a non-linear chronology so as the reader you get pieces of information that slot together. from past to present; I think writing in this way is more challenging and Hughes does this very well. The change from first to third person narrative for past Jenny, not only helps the reader set where they are themselves but I also felt made a disconnect between Jenny and her past - which makes sense given the story... which I am not going to tell you about, you'll just have to read it!
I genuinely felt uncomfortable reading passages where 'Beau' is involved., his character is sadly spot on - trust me I know. The characters are well rounded and authentic, Hughes builds backstory in a natural way. The ability to write realistically about the 40s and the present day is a skill. .

The book has twists and turns, it is dark and romantic and wonderful all in the same book - how does Hughes do this? In summary. a beautifully written story with fantastic imagery and gasp moments! Due for release in November, read it and see if you agree with me!

Thankyou to NetGalley for the early copy of this lovely book!

I really enjoyed this book, even though it has taken me a very long time to read but what a beautiful story about a woman who lived a very full life. It was nice how despite the many early difficulties in her life she went on to find someone unexpected and have a long and happy marriage.

I really liked that a woman who had lived such a full life took under her wing, a young woman in whom she could see herself.

The brother being her son I saw coming but the friendly resident being that son who she’d been apart from for so long was a real surprise but a excellent way to end a lovely story.

I really loved this story, engaging characters with a wonderful story which kept me guessing until the end. Thank you, I highly recommend.

Oh my word!!! This book is absolutely beautiful. What a gorgeous heartwarming read that has quite honestly left a huge gaping hole in my heart. I can’t stress enough just how gorgeous it is

After the initial pages, I found myself not connecting with the story or characters, so I decided to pass on this book. Did not finish

Jenny is 100 years old and her one wish is to visit Italy where she says she has something she must do before she dies. She asks her young carer Candice to accompany her and she agrees.
When Jenny was 21 she was evacuated to Wales with her young four year old brother. Jenny had a weak chest and a limp,the result of a childhood illness which is why she was being evacuated.
They are billeted on a farm with a lovely family and they settle into a happy life until one day the owner of an Italian ice cream parlour catches her eye.

Candice has a boyfriend who lives with her. She works and he doesn't but he takes charge of her money to help her save for the beauty courses she wants to do. If she had the money she would just spend it.
He also doesn't want her to go to Italy with Jenny. He would miss her and who would cook his meals?
When Jenny hears this ,her hackles rise. She fears for Candice as she knows what it's like to make mistakes when you are young, but Candice refuses to listen to her.

What a story, Just when you think everything is going well something surprising happens . There is no complacency in this book. Jenny has definitely not had a relaxing life and even at the age of 100 there are still important events and revelations happening in her life.
I liked Jenny as a character and her little brother was lovely. I really did feel for him having to be evacuated, it must have been so hard for children.
Candice was the kind of person everyone wants looking after their relatives. Kind and caring and willing to do anything extra to make their lives good.
She also need Jenny in her life as she had no one else apart from her boyfriend. Jenny was like a mother figure to her.
There are many more interesting characters in the book and many more storylines but that's all I can say without giving away spoilers.
I was in tears and the end of this book. Kathryn Hughes can always be relied upon to deliver a cracking story as she has once again gin The Memory Box.

A truly beautiful heartwarming book. I devoured each and every page journeying through Jenny's story feeling like I was living each page. Loved this book and highly recommend!

Kathryn Hughes books are amazing! I have read them all and they just keep getting better each time. This story had everything needed to make a story great, plus I love how the past always influences the present and everything comes full circle. Jenny had such a life story to tell Candice and there were so many revelations in the last part of the book, so surprising and I didn't see any of them coming. Then ending for Jenny, Louis and Candace was amazing! If you have never read Kathryn Hughes you should !! One of the best!! Thank you Netgalley for an ARC for my honest review!! An awesome story!!!!

Oh I have such a soft spot for these sweeping sagas that tell a story weaved through time. This was a good one and I loved it!#TheMemoryBox #NetGalley

A gentle story with a neat unravelling of events of the past combined with how they repeat themselves in others in the current day. Realistic characters shown complete with their flaws which sparks empathy rather than anything negative as you respond to the pressures each and everyone of them are subject to.

This is a wonderful read. Jenny after reaching the age of 100 reflects on her life and decides that she will take one last trip into her past.
With the help of Candice her carer she travels to Italy where she lived during world war 2.
Over the course of the book Jenny reflects on her life and decisions she has taken regardless of the consequences and what emerges is an old lady who has doubts and regrets who wants to reconcile her past.
Does she do it well only you will know by reading her story
Very emotional
A brilliant read

I was really surprised about this book - honestly, the opening of the book nearly put me off but carried on and loved it.

I thought that it was very different and the fact that some of the narration was from a centurion, sorry centenarian (loved that comment in the book!) ... and her history was fantastic.

I am definitely a fan of how the book had split narratives, from Jenny's childhood and her history, to the present day. The history of Italy was something I had never heard about. The way the author adds the history at the end of the book is an added bonus and put everything into context.

Some of Candice's story didn't make sense to begin with, but loved how all strings of the story tied together at the end and the conclusion of her part of the tale was unexpected, but inspirational.

The epilogue made me gasp and was absolutely perfect and loved the twist.

The Memory Box: A beautiful, timeless and heartrending story of love in a time of war
by K. Hughes, published by Headlines is a full length, stand-alone, hearwarming and touching story.
The story picks up when Jenny, living in a retirement home, opens her box of memories.
An excellent written story that had me from the first till the last page. Absolutely unpztdownable, a cover to cover read you'll not regret reading.
An outstanding story, unique, with chracters that I connected with very easily - and that doen't happen often. I recommend this favorite read of mine, 5 stars.

I have read all previous books from this author and enjoyed them all. I wasn't thrilled with this one and couldn't get into the storyline unfortunately or gel with the characters.

Thank you to Netgalley and Headline Publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

Jenny has just turned 100 years old. She lives in a care home and is lucky enough to have a wonderful carer called Candice. As Jenny reaches her final years, she shares her life story with Candice as she needs her help - Jenny wants to make one final trip to Italy to finally say goodbye to her past.

Candice is young and naive. She is in a controlling relationship with her boyfriend Beau and although she doesn't recognise it, she needs someone to save her.

What follows is a story that will make you both sad and mad. As Jenny talks us through her story, which takes place during World War II, her love and loss will break your heart. Jenny brings out Candice's best side but will that be enough to stop Candice making one of the biggest mistakes of her life?

This was a beautifully written story that was difficult to put down. I was so desperate to get to the end but equally didn't want it to finish. Simply written, this story will tug at your heart strings and remind you of what our older generations have had to suffer through.

This was my first Kathryn Hughes but most certainly won't be my last.

Thank you NetGalley and Headline for allowing me the pleasure of this wonderful read.

This book was such an emotional read. A 100 year old lady and her carer go back to Italy for a commemorative service and the past and present mix in an incredible story.
I love the history in this book and the characters are great.
Thank you NetGalley

The Author Kathryn Hughes starts her book with a dedication to all the Carers with in Care Homes who work so tirelessly ,& having worked in that environment myself I can fully understand how hard a job that is, & many who have no qualifications & work at the base level are just like `Candice' in this story.
It's an emotional roller coaster as it spans many generations as well as countries & all revolves round the main character `Jenny' as she celebrates her 100th Birthday in the Care Home where Candice works. Her story starts after she asks Candice to travel with her to Italy where she needs to attend a 75th Commemoration , & gradually she reveals her story from being evacuated to Wales at the beginning of the Second World War with her little Brother Louis from the Smokey City of Manchester to Penlan in Wales where they get Billeted on a Farm with the Evans Family . It's a tale of loves lost & won ,of inhumanities on many sides in War Time , of reprisal's, loss, horrific crimes against humanity , love again & finally forgiveness.. I will be highly recommending this Book to both Family members & Friends alike .#FB, #Instagram, #GoodReads,#NetGalley, #Amazon.co.uk, #<img src="https://www.netgalley.com/badge/c566f42be23a0e25d120e78a3454e2d427c4beee" width="80" height="80" alt="50 Book Reviews" title="50 Book Reviews"/>, #<img src="https://www.netgalley.com/badge/ef856e6ce35e6d2d729539aa1808a5fb4326a415" width="80" height="80" alt="Reviews Published" title="Reviews Published"/>, #<img src="https://www.netgalley.com/badge/aa60c7e77cc330186f26ea1f647542df8af8326a" width="80" height="80" alt="Professional Reader" title="Professional Reader"/>.

With grateful thanks to netgalley for an early copy in return for an honest opinion.
Gosh what a journey totally outstandingly beautiful and extremely poignant, lost love hurt finding new beginnings finding old friends duel time line where jenny's life is told in many parts I absolutely adorde this books and can highly recommend ❤

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity of reading this in exchange for my honest review.

What a gorgeously written tale. I love books like this - it was certainly right up my street!

This book flips between the present day where 100 year old Jenny lives in a care home, and events from Jenny’s past. Jenny gradually tells her tale to her care assistant, Candice, who she has become very close with. And by sharing her story, Jenny learns about Candice too.

Can Jenny find any peace in travelling back to Italy where she lived during the war? And can Candice learn from the trip too? This story was heartbreaking but also heartwarming. Full of unexpected twists, this one had me gripped!

A heartwarming, well-written story told by Jenny who is a resident of a luxury care home. She is 100 years old and as she tells the story of her life she realises that her carer Candice is in a controlling relationship, she feels that she must do something to help her. Despite her age, Jenny is determined to return to Italy where she spent time during the German occupation. She needs to lay ghosts to rest and come to terms with her past. Heartbreaking in places but a story that had to be told.