Review: Please Remember Me by Jacob Flores

Successful lawyer Santi Herrera couldn’t be happier with the direction his life is taking. Not only is he on track to becoming a partner in his law firm, but he’s planning his wedding to Hank Burton, a south Texas contractor who has made a name for himself despite his humble beginnings. The introverted, lone wolf Santi and the friendly, outgoing Hank complement each other perfectly. From the moment they laid eyes on each other, they were hooked, and as far as Santi and Hank are concerned, a happily ever after is their destiny.
 
But fate deals them a devastating new hand.
 
A construction accident leaves Hank with severe head trauma and brings him precariously close to death. When he finally awakens, Hank doesn’t remember Santi or the love they shared for the past three years. Santi faces the greatest challenge of his life. Can he respark a flame his lover can’t recall? And can he stop the diverging paths that fickle fate charts between them?

I was a Jacob Flores virgin before I started this book...and I have to admit, I came to it with mixed feelings. One friend HIGHLY recommended this book to me, then another friend found it didn't suit at all. As I've said a million times one of the best things about reading is that it is an individual thing, what works for one won't for another - but I would be lying if I didn't say that other readers opinions do influence my book choice, if not my actual feeling for a book. It is both the best and worst thing about reviews. Within about one chapter though, I knew I was firmly on the 'loved this' side of this book. Yay.

Why? Why did I love it so much? Quite simply Santi and Hank. I absolutely fell in love with them. We see the story through Santi's eyes, both in the present and flashback. He is dealing with losing the man he loved really. Although Hank is there and alive he is suffering memory loss and can't remember Santi at all. My heart broke for Santi, on the day that should have been their wedding he is taking Hank home - to home that Hank has no recollection of. From being the whole world to each other they are both learning each other again.

So, memory loss...it doesn't matter how many times I read this storyline, I cannot imagine how horrible this is, it would be like me waking up tomorrow and being told that this is not my life and family any longer, the children are older or x,y & z has happened. How impossible would that be to believe? While it is Hank with the memory loss, it is equally as hard for Santi. Every single action has to be thought about, all those things he takes for granted - the peck on the cheek, the sharing a bed, breakfast, dinner, tea routine, likes, dislikes...every single thing has to be thought about twice. Is he putting too much pressure on Hank by showing his worry, should he be trying to trigger memories...the list of uncertainties is endless.

I think Jacob Flores did a great job of handling this. It felt real, yet I could feel the care and despair of both characters. All the characters actually. They were all well rounded and fit the story perfectly. there was no angst plonked in for the sake of it, it just really clicked for me. Hank and Santi were a fantastic couple, they made me smile and I could feel their love with every word. I really appreciated how special Santi and Hank were and the message I found that love will conquer all, however hard the path maybe. A story I would highly recommend.

As an aside, I follow the author (amongst many others) on facebook and so I see pictures and updates and all the time I was reading this I could only imagine him and his partner in the roles of Santi and Hank. Maybe that's why the relationship felt so genuine. I'm not saying at all that the characters were based on them, I'm actually sure they weren't, but they were the images I had in my head as I read.

To find out more check out Goodreads.

A copy of this book was given in exchange for an honest review.