Repeat

by Kylie Scott

[stacey_is_sassy]

Is the before me or after me a better me?

I’ve spent more of my life as the after me than the before me. I had a major car accident in my late teens that left me with a similar brain injury to Clementine, the main character in Repeat. This is the first time I’ve realised this and I’m surprised to realise that I still wonder if the before accident me was a better me than the current me. If you ask my family or friends, they claim they love both me’s but I know deep down, my family would have happily throttled both me’s too.

Meeting Clementine and watching her process and analyse each situation brings back memories of my recovery. I didn’t lose all my memories and was lucky enough to remember everyone from my previous life. I remembered how to make a cup of coffee but for the life of me, couldn’t remember where the coffee cups were. I was looking at buildings that I had driven by numerous times with completely fresh eyes. I’m lucky that with some deep prodding, some memories will come back to me, like people I've met before. Hubby thinks I have selected memory problems…but I guess we’ll never know. 😉

So, of course Repeat hit me a lot harder than the average reader/listener. Seeing Clementine cover her scar self-consciously, try to act blasé when her feelings are hurt, and having loved ones hover constantly, were things I could relate to. You frequently find yourself questioning your thoughts, actions and reactions. Is this how I should react? Am I overreacting? Are they disappointed because I’m reacting differently to how I would have previously reacted? It’s no wonder Clementine and I suffered from severe headaches and a need to recharge often.

You can’t help but feel that Clementine was given a second chance at happiness by having her brain injury. Obviously, you don’t want her to suffer as she did, but there’s this little part of me that thinks she’s happier now than she would have been living her previous life. Maybe, it’s a case of making the best out of what life throws you. Again, I could completely relate to that as I felt invincible and some would even say, a little reckless. You become a person who looks for their happy place and won't settle for anything less. Why waste your life being miserable?

The relationship between Clementine and Ed starts off a little rough and even felt a little hopeless. How on earth is Ed supposed to forgive Clementine for her lack of faith in him? But, then again, how could he not, considering she has no previous memory of it all. I loved seeing them struggle through the attraction and feelings that refuse to go away.

Andi Arndt is a fantastic narrator and she was perfectly matched to Kylie Scott’s amazing story. Andi brings these characters to life and easily makes me feel their emotions. I had no problems telling when the characters changed and I’m a big fan of her male voice.

Repeat is not a long story and I easily finished it in two sessions…which I quickly regretted that I rushed. I loved every moment of Clementine and Ed’s journey to happiness and could definitely see them in their happy ever after. I highly recommend and I’m adding it to my Best-of-the-Bestest Goodreads list.

Dear Ms Scott, please consider writing a story for all of Ed and Clementine’s siblings. Thanks. Hugs and smooches, Stacey (who’s not often Sassy, but likes to think she is) xoxoxo