It all started with the bereavement flowers with my name on them.Not the best way to wake up, right? I work in a flower shop. I know a funeral arrangement when I see one.I know a killer when I see one, too. And one is standing in my hospital room right now, straight behind the man who saved my life.I can’t tell anyone the truth, because that’s the fastest way to really die. So I do the next best … way to really die. So I do the next best thing. I “lose” my memory.
I fake my amnesia.
Pretending not to remember a brutal attempted murder has its perks. The killer is backing down, spending less time around me, loosening the noose.
The less I claim to recall, the more my rescuer, Duff, works to help me “remember.” I hate lying to him.
But he doesn’t understand that my memory is dangerous. To me. And to him.
Fooling everyone isn’t easy. It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done.
Except it’s starting to look like I’ve been fooling myself.
In more ways than one.
Read Book 1 in the newest series from USA Today bestselling author Meli Raine.
“…intrigue and dark humor on display in this thriller…”
While the immediate—and more compelling—tension in Raine’s (A Shameless Little Bet, 2018, etc.) heart-pumping series opener comes from Lily’s constant proximity to her would-be killer, the action takes place against a backdrop of secret government scandals.
Fortunately, Lily’s voice is captivating, wry, and tough enough to sell this thriller. The novel ends with a cliffhanger that startles, if only because readers will have become so attached to Lily.
— Kirkus Reviews
Praise for Meli Raine’s books:
“Fresh, riveting, and thrumming with emotion and romantic suspense, False Memory is absolutely unputdownable. You need this book!” – New York Times bestselling author Meghan March
“I accidentally lost a day to this trilogy! It is unputdownable. Apparently I’m on a dark-and-twisty binge, and this book is addictive.” – USA Today bestselling author Sarina Bowen (Harmless series)
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This is the first book in a new trilogy by Meli Raine, I will say that they do need to be read in order. With that said I was so excited to be able to read this book in advance of it’s release…thank you Meli Raine for giving me that opportunity! I loved the books in the previous series- Harmeless and Shameless series and we meet Lily during those.. As this book opens Lily is in the hospital after being shot in the head. She is in a coma where she remained for 14 months. As she wakes up she figures out who it is that tried to kill her…why she wants to know and she has to make sure that no one knows that she rememeber it. She fears that they may try and finish the job. Duff continues to be her bodyguard and will do what ever it takes to protect her as he feels responsible since she was shot on his watch. I will not spoil the book for you but this has mystery, some sizzle, snark, trust issues along with some funny moments. This book kept me reading until was on the final page. I can not wait for the next book in this series to find out what happens next with Lily and Duff and the quest to keep her safe.
The Reader Lives this Story – Incredible Insight!!
Warning I: You should have read some prior stories from Meli Raine – this series has characters and events from those stories. Warning II: Once you’ve read one – you will read them all…they are highly addictive!
We awaken with Lily who is coming out of a coma where she resided for 14 months. We are trapped in her body just as she is. We struggle with her to make herself known to those around her. Blinking is considered an “automatic response”. Saying Muh – for mom, and Buh – for her brother Bowie is still not acknowledged by the doctor …. Until she looks at the reluctant doctor and gives him a Fuhhhh Ooooo.
The physical and emotional struggle is real. She knows who tried to kill her. He is one of the men hired to protect her. Her only defense is to continue to have amnesia. Her closest protector Duff, who has scars of his own, seems to care. But he is friends with her would-be-killer. Does he know, is he part of the plot against her?
Brilliant read. Completely captivating. These series come in three’s so be prepared for a full story, with some hanging points…Rest assured I have the next two books in this series already marked on my calendar!!
*** I am voluntarily leaving my honest review of this book ***
I absolutely love Meli Raine’s books. Heavy mystery is the one word that describes False Memory.
Lily wakes up after 14 months in a coma and the mystery gets really heavy as some things begin to happen. Someone may be waiting to finish the job.
Duff goes above and beyond in his quest to keep Lily safe. The chemistry between these two is just a little simmer waiting to boil.
This book will keep you on the edge the whole time. You simply won’t be able to turn the pages fast enough. Will Duff finally figure out what Lily is holding back?
If you don’t like cliff hangers this book may not be for you but book #2 will answer some of the questions this book will undoubtedly leave you with.
This book is the first of three. There is a cliffhanger in both books 1 and 2, with the final conclusion in the 3rd book.
I recommend starting at the beginning of the series with the Breaking Away series so you can understand the background characters. This isn’t critical though.
I have loved all of these books and this one doesn’t disappoint. This took a different angle this time, in that you find out the killer earlier in the story and the love interest starts later. I really enjoyed the tension and drama and look forward to book 2!
I just love Meli Raine’s books. She tells a story that draws you in and keeps you on the edge of your seat. I love this book about Duff and Lily. Lily was shot in the head and was in a coma for over a year. Duff is her bodyguard and she is faking that she can’t remember who shot her. Things are heating up between them and the danger is getting higher. What a cliffhanger, I can’t wait for the next book to see what is going to happen.
Holy cow! I absolutely love Meli Raine books. They are so full of mystery, suspense, romance & every twisted thing in between. I read this one in one day & still need more. I can not wait for False Hope to be released!
This book has so much intrigue, you can cut it with a knife. The pain, hopelessness and anger of the recovering Lily, feels real. Her fear burns bright. Excellent read. Anticipating the next in this series.
It took me a while to realize this book is connected to the Shameless and Harmless trilogies.The book keeps the reader in suspense to the end and after as it is part one of a series something I don’t really like. I would rather gobble up the whole story but then I could probably not afford the book. I love all of Meli’s books, they take you bang into the middle of the story, it is very informative on the coming-out-of-a coma patient but this one made me a little sad, My heart often went out to Lily. I hope in the end all turns out well.
Meli Raine writes romantic suspense that gives the reader an adrenaline-fueled read that hits in the heart and head. You never see the twists and turns coming, but at the core, love matters most.
Oh my, will the intrigue never end? False Memory, the first book of the third trilogy in this saga, concerns Jane Borokov’s lookalike friend, Lily, who was shot in the head by an assassin, apparently believing her to be Jane.
Although Lily had been in a coma for fourteen months, she was cognizant of what was occurring around her for some time prior to fully coming out of the coma. She also saw her attacker just prior to being shot, recognizing him as someone who was trusted by those around her. Yet Lily doesn’t know how deep the deception goes or who else may be working for the wrong side. What she does know is that her knowledge is potentially deadly and the attacker has been hovering around her and her family since she was first shot. She therefore determines that silence is the best choice for the time being.
Then there’s Duff, Lily’s primary bodyguard, who still feels terrible guilt over not being better positioned to have kept her from being attacked in the first place. Lily and Duff have become so close during her recovery that he is able to read and assist her unlike anyone else. There is also a clear chemistry between them that has not been addressed.
As with all the books in the past two series, this book ends with a cliffhanger. Since I am usually not a fan of reading continuing stories until they are complete, I keep wondering why I want to read these books as soon as possible. The only answer I can think of is that these stories have me so entranced that my normal hesitation is overridden by my stronger desire to know what’s going on sooner rather than later. I’m simply hooked!
This book is the first in a new, yet connected trilogy and it was seriously enthralling!! I was captivated from the beginning and can’t wait for False Hope!!! Suspenseful, edgy, thrilling and a bit of sexual tension all wrapped into an amazing story and fantastic start to the series!! Meli Raine has done it again!!
I received an ARC and have voluntarily provided my honest review.
OMG this book had me hooked from the opening scene. Lily is in a coma after someone tried to kill her and now, 14 months later, she’s starting to come around. We hear from her narrative just what happened to her and who did it, and unfortunately the culprit is still hanging around, watching and waiting to see just what Lily remembers about that night.
I have never read Meli Raine before so I haven’t read the other series’ that this one seems to follow on from. That didn’t seem to affect this story at all (I didn’t even realise it was a spin off tbh until I went to leave a review and saw someone mention it) but I’m guessing that at least one thing that was mentioned in this book was the plot of one of those series. I really enjoyed this, so will be checking out the other series so I can get the full background on everything. False Memory was a real page turner for me, I literally couldn’t put it down until I had finished it, but damn… those cliffhangers. Luckily the wait isn’t too long for the next part. I give False Memory 5 stars.