From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Julie Ann Walker comes an epic story about sacrifice, friendship, and the awe-inspiring power of love.Maggie: Ten years ago, Cash Armstrong stole my heart. Then he promptly joined the army—dragging my best friend with him—and left me crying on the front porch in a red sequined prom dress. Now he’s back. They’re both back. Cash, the one who … he’s back. They’re both back. Cash, the one who still has my heart. And Luc, the one who saved my life.
Cash: How do you know if you’re at the end of the beginning or the beginning of the end? That’s what I’ve been trying to figure out since a traumatic brain injury made me “unfit to serve.” I’m back in New Orleans, and picking up the shattered pieces of my past means I must confront where my life’s journey began… and where it all might end.
Luc: Long ago, Maggie May was mine. Not mine in the way you might think. She was mine because she was my only friend. Then Cash came along and we became brothers by something stronger than blood. We became brothers by choice. When tragedy struck, I was forced to make a decision that changed all our lives. I thought, after ten years, it was safe to come back home. I was wrong…
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This story couldn’t be more different from how this author normally writes. Three friends reunite in New Orleans after 10 years of being apart. They have all drastically changed but their love for each other is never wavering. I can’t wait to see where book two takes us!!
In Moonlight and Memories tells the story of Cash, Luc and Maggie May over a span of 12 years. When they first meet, each is a bit of an outcast in their New Orleans high school, and they all bring something to their friendships that is needed by at least one of the others. Cassius Clay Armstrong (Cash) is the brash Yankee transplant from New Jersey who is a bit of a scrapper with no qualms about standing up to bullies which earns him the unwavering loyalty of Lucien Dubois (Luc). Magnolia May Carter (Maggie or Maggie May) is 2 years younger than the boys, and in the aftermath of Katrina she is struggling to find motivation to get out of bed day after day. Meeting Luc is a game changer for her, and when Cash comes onto the scene, a great friendship and great loves are born.
I will admit to having some reservations going into this trilogy because love triangles are really not something I enjoy- and the blurb pretty much lays out that by reading this I am going to be setting myself up for some serious heartache with a box of tissues as my companion. I am all about the HEA and inevitably someone gets hurt or is left out in the cold when it comes to a triangle- not to mention the feeling that something much more heartbreaking is going to happen here. Since I have been a fan of this author since I cracked open the first Black Knights Inc. book, I decided to give it a whirl though.
Volume 1 sets the stage in the present day as we meet all three of the main characters. Maggie loves her life in New Orleans but her heart is still stuck in the past with the two boys who were her whole world. Their desertions might have eventually become tolerable with the passing of time if they hadn’t cut off all ties and left her wondering exactly where she went wrong. Now they are back in the Big Easy after being discharged from the armed forces, and she can help but be wary of letting them back into her life. Of course, her soft heart won’t let her shut them out either and the trio is reunited. All three have secrets though, and when they come out life will forever be changed for each of them.
Luc has loved Maggie from afar for far too long, but as soon as Cash came into the picture all those years ago, it was clear that he didn’t stand a chance of moving out of the friend zone. So, he made the choice to stand aside and support the two people who meant the most to him in this world aside from his parents. He has questioned Cash’s judgment when it comes to Maggie many times in the past but ultimately he went along with him. Now Cash’s grand plan has them back home and working their way into Maggie’s life and heart once again… too back Cash doesn’t share too many details of that plan.
Cash’ traumatic brain injury has reshaped his world, and he lives with constant pain every hour of every day. The only question is how bad the pain will be on any given day. Leaving Maggie was one of the most difficult choices he ever made, and he has never shared that reason with anyone besides Luc. He continues the secret keeping strategy by sharing only bits and pieces of The Plan with Luc. Cash has never stopped loving Maggie, but he refuses to saddle her with his new reality. Her hopes that they can pick up where they left off make it extremely difficult to resist her, but he is determined to try. Just call him the king of mixed signals as he fluctuates between his desire to have the best thing that ever happened to him in his life again and his conviction that burdening her with his problems and future outlook is the wrong thing to do.
The chapters alternate between all three POVs, so we are immersed in the events of both the past and present from the perspective of all 3 MCs. While I appreciated the insight, the constant shifts and retreading the same territory became a bit repetitive and slowed the story down. By the time I reached the final chapter of part 1, I was left debating if I wanted to continue onto part 2 because it didn’t feel like we were really making any headway. But I decided to give it a chance and forged on.
Now onto volume 2…
4.5 stars–IN MOONLIGHT AND MEMORIES Volume 1 by Julie Ann Walker introduces some of the back story, history and present day struggle of three friends in New Orleans, Louisiana: twenty six year old, Magnolia ‘Maggie’ May Carter, and twenty-eight year olds, Cassius ‘Cash’ Armstrong, and Lucien ‘Luc’ Dubois.
Told from three first person points of view (Maggie, Cash and Luc) IN MOONLIGHT AND MEMORIES follows twenty six year old, Magnolia ‘Maggie’ May Carter, and twenty-eight year olds, Cassius ‘Cash’ Armstrong, and Lucien ‘Luc’ Dubois as they reconnect in the aftermath of ten years of silence in which Maggie Carter never stopped wondering what happened and why. Ten years earlier, Maggie and Cash were high school sweethearts but on the night of the prom, Cash disappeared without a trace leaving Luc Dubois to pick up the pieces of Maggie’s heart. Fast forward to present day wherein Green Berets Luc and Cash return from serving several tours in the Middle East but Cash is but a shell of his former self. What ensues is the rekindling but fragile friendship between Cash, Maggie and Luc, as they meander a minefield of memories, past betrayals, and the possibility of losing one another, all over again.
IN MOONLIGHT AND MEMORIES is an emotional, raw, heart breaking and angst filled story of friendship, forgiveness, secrets and lies. Having just touched on the some of the dark and explosive backstory, Volume One sets into motion the potential for destruction of everyone’s heart.
A love triangle of sorts, the relationship between Luc, Maggie and Cash is real, startling, profound and calamitous. Cash Armstrong’s daily battle is a fight between life and death, the present and the past; pain, grief, guilt and love. Luc Dubois battles his attraction to the woman he has always loved but a woman who is in love with someone else; and Maggie Carter, a twenty-six year old business owner who has yet to discover the truth; the secrets, and the horrific possibility that everything is about to come crashing down as the man that she has never stopped loving has stopped loving himself.
Julie Ann Walker pulls the readers into a tragic story of a friendship forged by tragedy, loss, betrayal and love.
Wow. This is book one of three, so be aware that you will need to read all three to get the complete story. And what a story it is shaping up to be. This book’s firm foundation is built on emotion; raw, powerful, intense emotion. Luc, Maggie and Cash are well characters that share a complicated history. The story line is very engaging and quickly pulls you in with its complex blend of drama, friendship, affection, desire, pain, secrets, suspense, angst and so many questions that desperately need answers. I eagerly look forward to reading the next book.
Captivating story
Maggie lost her two best friends when they enlisted in the Army ten years ago. She’s still struggling to comprehend what happened and why they left so suddenly. Now, it appears that they are both back for good. Luc is the same but has grown out of his lanky teenager self and Cash is sporting a head injury which he self medicates when he’s in pain…oh and he refuses to acknowledge why he left ten years ago. As they all three fall into a familiar routine, some of their pasts rear their ugly heads.
A captivating story, with fantastic characters that have me laughing along with them and an intriguing storyline. I’m keen to find out what happens next Thank you to Julie for my advanced copy for which I voluntarily leave my honest review
I admit, I was hesitant to start this story. The synopsis and the very first lines promised to be set up for heart ache. But this is Julie Ann Walker we’re talking about and her previous stories of the BKI guys never failed to entertain and make me smile. This story has a distinctly different feel – it’s less action packed, less funny/light-hearted and the pace of storytelling is slower. But in there lies part of the power of this story’s set up: we really get to know the characters. We feel and experience (rather than being told) what makes up their motivations, their desires and their personality. With ease, I connected with the protagonists and got emotionally involved into how their story will turn out. I am hooked to read the next instalment!
In volume one, we meet Maggie May, Cash, and Luc. Three friends that have a secret that is only hinted at, but not revealed. There is also a love between them all, but the romantic love between Maggie and Cash is on and off due to a past that won’t go away, with Luc being the go between for them both. It was heartbreaking to see the past and the present of young love as Luc stands back without voicing his love for Maggie. The secret that binds them all together is peeked at, but not completely revealed in this book. A beautiful story of love in all its elements, “In Moonlight and Memories” is a trilogy that is not to be missed. I was gifted Volume one and am voluntarily giving my honest opinion. Looking forward to finding that HEA for them all. 5 Stars!
As much as I love this author’s work this book didn’t work for me
This is very deceptive. They sell this like a book, but it’s actually only a part of the book, you get to the cliff hanger, and they cut you off. I really liked the characters, but not enough to spend what I’d have to spend to buy the last two segments. What a rip off!
A trio of friends reconnect after ten years. In a story of love, deception, and forgiveness, Maggie, Cash, and Luc try to reconcile their feelings for each other only to find the past a hindrance. Brilliantly written by Ms. Walker, “In Moonlight and Memories” offers a tale centered in New Orleans with plenty to muse over. If you like slow moving storylines with numerous cliffhangers, you’ll love this one. Personally, I found it difficult to find a rhythm.
I was not aware that this book was not a stand alone until the end. I was upset that I would have had to purchase the next in the set to see what happens. It wasn’t that good in the first place so I opted out of purchasing the next one and made up the ending I wished.
Very boring read same thing over throughout the whole book
I do NOT like books that don’t end just push you to another book. Don’t want to read this author!
Sweet, tender and emotional! Three teenagers forged a connection a decade ago that felt like it could have lasted a lifetime, but closely held secrets have a way of blindsiding people when they least expect it. Cash chose to leave with Luc close behind him and Maggie was left to pick up the pieces of her life. Now they are sashaying back into town and she’s not sure what they expect from her. There’s a secret that still hasn’t been explained to the reader, and what’s going to happen between the three of them is still up in arms. She wants one man, he’s playing hot and cold, but the other man admits to always loving her. Stay tuned to book two and three where their saga continues.
Years ago Maggie Carter lost her heart to Cash and had big plans for the future running through her teenage mind. They were shattered when Cash up and joined the military and left town without any warning. Her wounded heart was upset yet again when her best friend Luc followed behind him.
Years have passsed but Cash Armstrong is heading home to New Orleans. He knows he hurt Maggie, and that being estranged from her for all of these years was even worse … but he needs to reconnect. A traumatic brain injury might have ruined his military future, but he has a plan in mind when it comes to Maggie.
Luc Dubois adored Maggie all those years ago and stood by her as a devoted friend even though she chose to fall for Cash instead of him. He forced himself to put distance between them after he went into the service in hopes it would protect her from the secret they don’t want anyone to find out about.
I love Julie Ann walkers ability to make me grab hold of a book and want to know each one of her characters personally. This is a book of a beginning, an end and a reunion
Maggie May , bar owner in the historic district of New Orleans, deals almost daily with the void of not having her best two friends Luc and Cash in her life. Its been 10 years since life separated them but suddenly they’re back in town, all grown up and it is like time hasn’t gone by. She does have questions, like why did they left? Was she not enough for her high school sweetheart? Will their friendship ever be the same? Will dreams come true in magic NOLA?
In Moonlight and Memories volume 1,2 and 3, we met an unlikely trio New Orleans’ native who happen to be Harry Potter’s fans, Katrina’s survivors and complicated Army heroes. Simply put, it is a true love story. There are no small characters, some are “teachers” others bring much needed comic relief, but the city itself may play the central one and like a magnet will draw you in and will come alive with each word and evocative description. Although there are 3 books, they read as one. They must be read in order and pace yourself to laugh, cry, think but above all, feel.
To Julie Ann Walker, I know you pour your soul in these volumes. Its been a long time since I have cried both in joy and in sadness reading a book. Ma’am, you wrecked me (in a good way) and I agree…”You only live once. But if you do it right, one is enough”. Five shinning stars!
I received an ARC and these are my sincere thoughts.
In Moonlight and Memories: Volume One, by Julie Ann Walker
I really enjoyed how the author brought you right into the heart of New Orleans and made you feel like you were actually there in person. It is an emotional triangle and ends on a cliff-hanger so I really like that all three books came out on the same day!
Cash Armstrong and Luc return home after ten years and multiple tours in special forces, to New Orleans and the girl they left behind Maggie. Cash was Maggie’s first love and Luc’s best friend. Cash returned home with a plan, but not sure what that plan is. Cash has been deemed unfit to serve after a traumatic brain injury while in the military, the only place he wants to go is back home to be with Maggie and Luc. Cash buys a house and begins to fix it up with Luc while Maggie is unsure what is going on with the two men she grew up with and love.
Maggie had not heard from Luc and Cash since prom night in high school, but she continued on with their plans and opened her own bar. Even after ten years Maggie is optomistic for a second chance with Cash, but their relationship begins going in a direction that she didn’t expect. While Cash has become an alcoholic, neither Luc or Maggie know what is truly going on with him and the true amount of pain he is in.
Throughout part 1 of the trilogy, I wasn’t sure which way the story was going to go. Maggie was trying to convince Cash that they belonged together and was constantly let down. No matter what happened Luc was right there to pick her back up. I hope that Luc and Maggie get their chance because he has always stood beside her and helped her through the most difficult time in her life. Whatever is going on with Cash I think is going to make me cry in the end … I hate crying. But I’m looking forward to seeing what happens with these three friends.
Received an ARC from Julie Ann Walker and voluntarily posted review.
Julie Ann Walker diverts from her prior tales of romantic suspense, bikers, and ex-military men and creates a new series with characters that were unexpected and surprising.
Taking inspiration from her time in New Orleans, this new series introduces Maggie, Cash, and Luc. The three are high school friends, but Maggie hasn’t seen them in years after Cash left her stranded on prom night, with Luc leaving soon after. The two have returned from being in the military, and they’re determined to integrate themselves back into her life.
All three books are told from points of views from all three characters, and weave a tale that is heartfelt and heartbreaking. Cash is the carefree charmer, and has Maggie in his spell but is reluctant to start up a relationship with her due to his head injury. His constant headaches drive him to slug Gentleman Jack like water, and Maggie and Luc grow concerned. The three interact in locations varied between Maggie’s bar, Cash’s fixer-upper that he’s renovating, and Luc’s cabin by the marsh. Cash alludes to a “plan” and if you’re saavy, you can tell what it is early on, but it’s not fully revealed until book 3.
This was a fantastic story, and while the first one started a bit slow, the next two were better than the first
As soon as I read the blurb on In Moonlight and Memories, Volume I, I was intrigued and after finishing, I’m still intrigued.
This isn’t your typical boy meets girl, they fall in love. And so on. There is so much more; I need answers, I need for my heart to stop racing….just waiting.
Okay, I’m diving into Volume II now…..
Reviewed by: Dana D.