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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Wow !!! For this final installment be sure you have a box of tissues .
The friendship, loyalty and love of Maggie, Luc and Cash is touching , heartbreaking but also filled with hope.
Another winner by this talented author.
I was entrusted a copy of this book. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
What a fantastic ending to this series. Make sure you read this book with some tissues handy, you will definitely need them. This book just gutted me even though I had a feeling about what would happen. But I still was not ready for it. The ending had me crying yet it was a perfect ending. I love the friendship and relationship between Cash, Luc and Maggie. Even though Maggie is confused about her feelings and it takes her awhile to figure out just what she is feeling it ended the way it needed too. I don’t want to give anything away because I want whoever reads it to appreciate this book and all the emotions it stirs up. I really can’t say enough about Cash and what he is holding in and suffering with and yet he wants what is best for his friends who he loves with everything he is.
For this book series to be such a departure from Julie Ann Walker’s Black Knights series she really hit this one out of the park. I can’t say enough good things about this book.
This tale will put your heart through the wringer. But it will begin a healing process. I highly recommend you hop on this emotional roller coaster. Be sure to read all three together for the full journey. A five-star series.
The conclusion of this trilogy might leave you speechless. It might leave you with a book hangover like no other. And it might leave you totally in love with every part if this series. The love the characters share is all consuming and as a reader, you’re able to feel every bit of it.
I am wrecked after reading the conclusion to this story.
Even though I saw a lot of things coming in this book, I was, in no way, prepared for the emotions that overtook me. I was heartbroken for Maggie and Luc. And yet, I was in love with their story. So many conflicting emotions, yet I can’t stop thinking about the stories. This really was multiple storylines going on at once, but they had interconnections.
I think Cash is wise beyond his years and his love for his best friends can never be questioned. I wish Maggie and Luc the best in their future and I hope they heed Cash’s well intentions. Maybe someday we can get a short follow up on them. I would love to see them raising kids in the cottage house.
The BKI books are probably my favorite series so when I had a chance to review this Trilogy by Julie Ann Walker I jumped on it. I was a bit apprehensive when I received the books and read the synopsis and realized this was a totally different type of book. All I can say is WOW – what an emotional ride. I loved and hated them at the same time. Great read!! Would give higher stars if possible.
Holy cow, Volume 3 gutted me. Gutted. Me. I finished at bedtime and then could not fall asleep for hours, rehashing this book in my mind. So many things revealed, expected and unexpected, along with a resolution to the Maggie, Cash and Luc love triangle. It was very bittersweet. I am not typically a fan of angsty, highly emotional reads, but this book, this series, was well worth reading. Definitely 5-stars and I highly recommend. I could not pick up another book for several days after this, and I usually read a book a day. Note: You must read these in order to get the full impact.
I received an ARC from the author for an honest review.
Of course in my mind I could not go without reading this one since I had read the other two. I dived right in with also a bit of excitement to see where this does end up. Be ready for the way you will be pulled from the inside to be left hanging out for all to see thanks to the emotions that will run through you and on your face as you travel through this last one. You will be filled up where the other two left you abit empty giving you so much goodness through the heart. Oh these three will become a part of you also that this one will be hard to go onto another one for a bit of time.
Hang onto your socks for the finale!
Warning please have a tissue box handy!!!
Things aren’t always what they seem especially with these 3 characters!
Possible SPOILERS
Cash is getting worse not better and he’s keeping a MAJOR secret from his friends but according to him it’s for their own good…Cash needs the “plan” to work but it’s slow going and things might need a nudge..
Between Cash ending up in the hospital and Luc being arrested Maggie is handling all the stress fairly well considering..
It’s one step forward and several steps back with Luc and Maggie but all Luc wants is for Maggie to choose him…is that so hard??
The cottage is finished so the group heads out to celebrate but the noise is unbearable for Cash luckily he is able to tough it out to the end…that is until he sees her unfortunately though his mom is dead and that means he is seeing things. When Cash starts hallucinating he knows it’s not good but with the addition of stars it’s worse!
At the hospital Maggie and Luc learn the full hard truth about Cash’s situation and it’s grim!
What a conclusion! I’ll admit that I wasn’t quite sure what to think at the beginning of the book, but the second half more than made up for it! So emotional and so powerful. The romance was so moving and heartwarming. Keep your tissues handy! I loved the letters and thought they really helped tie things up properly. This story is a powerful tale of love and friendship, and it is definitely one that will stay with me. Great ending!!!
*I received an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
An Epic Best-Seller!
This part of the story is where it all is getting exceptionally good! We learn that justice has its way of digging in and waiting for the most opportune time to come calling in all its glory!
Sheriff Sullivan is not only a very corrupt official, he is also arrogant and just plain mean. I feel bad for Maggie since she alone has had to deal with the Sheriff’s relentless harassment involving the disappearance of his son, Dean. these last ten years that the guys have been gone. She not only has been under tight scrutiny, she gets stopped and questioned regularly by the Sheriff or one of his deputies. Even now, with Cash and Luc back in town, the harassment has escalated to the point that something must give.
Cash’s health is deteriorating every day. I can’t help but feel sorry for the way his life has turned out since the road side bomb blast cruelly altered his future. The miracles of modern day medicine can only heal so much. Cash has his cottage to renovate to keep him busy and his mind off Maggie May.
Julie Ann Walker does a very accurate job describing how an abusive person feels so empowered by their actions and power over those weaker than they are and doesn’t see themselves as the monster they are. Cash’s father needs very little encouragement for his disdain and hatred of his son to escalate into a physical situation any time he finds Cash alone despite Cash’s deteriorating appearance. Again, there is justice here, waiting for the right moment.
This story has been intriguing and gets deep in your head, but it’s really just strolling along, actively setting the scene for what’s to come. It has brought to vivid life; the beauty and wonders of what NOLA has to offer and also reveals the underbelly of its ugly side. Each person’s true character, past and present, comes to light as they come together and recognize their future. This is a tantalizing drama evolving into a sweet, heartwarming love story. As it is all revealed, I cried throughout these chapters, they are so full of emotion and heartache. I had an almost frantic time trying to get to the next part to get more answers. With Maggie and Luc there comes acceptance and heartwarming beginnings. I smiled through my tears and eventually felt satisfied that this is the only ending that could be.
I absolutely loved this book and all three volumes are an unforgettable journey that I won’t soon forget!
Omg! What a story of friendship, love and compassion between 3 friends. It’s riveting and heartbreaking at the same time. You’ll need Kleenex for most of this book. I can only say, without spoiling anything that it’s beautifully written. The description and sense of not only the city itself but the intense love between these three friends was amazing. I’m gutted now. I can only urge you to read all three books in order. Wow. Just wow.
“ Intimacy isn’t only physical. It’s knowing the heart and soul and mind of another.”
This series has kept my emotions riding high. Just when you think you can’t get pulled in further Julie Ann Walker makes a liar out of you. My emotions have been put through the ringer. My heart has been happy, it’s laughed and it has cried like never before.
“I cried in gratitude for all that we have, at the same time that I cried in sorrow for all that we never will.”
A review simply cannot give this series justice. As heartbreaking as it was it was written so beautifully. Filled with friendship, self-sacrifice, loss, heartache, forgiveness and hope for the future.
“Our lives are as fragile as a butterfly’s wings, as mysterious as the great beyond, and as brief as a human heartbeat.”
FINALLY, FINALLY we’re getting somewhere with the story. Not to be harsh, but the first two volumes of In Memories and Moonlight didn’t do much for me.
I think a lot of what happened and a lot of the flashbacks could have been condensed. It’s not that the writing wasn’t well done, but for me, the story felt very drawn out.
That being said, Cash redeemed himself in this book. Things come to light that shed understanding on his actions, and I softened toward him significantly. I don’t entirely agree with the way he handled the situation or the way he treated Maggie and Luc, but he is easier to understand. I appreciated his viewpoint more in this volume as well.
As always, Luc was my favorite and Maggie was a close second, and I loved their interactions and the evolution of their friendship.
The final volume of this trilogy was heart-wrenching and heart-breaking, in the very best of ways, and I truly enjoyed the conclusion to Cash, Maggie and Luc’s love and friendship with one another.
***I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy generously provided by the author.***
The final installment of this trilogy was simply amazing and heartbreaking all at the same time. I knew that there was more to the story of Luc, Cash and Maggie than what met the eye but I did not imagine what Ms. Walker had in store for them in the end. I will admit that this is not the installment to read at work as by the end of this book I was in ugly cry mode but it was a simply amazing story that was told. All of the characters had resolution to their story and I was sorry to see the story as a whole end. I would definitely recommend this trilogy to others.
There are not enough words in the world let alone the universe to describe how wonderful this book is.
This epic love story , set in the hustle and bustle of New Orleans is without any doubt the most beautiful and compassionate story I have ever read. It rates amongst the highest of the high. Words are simply not enough to describe how brilliant this is.
My heart ached, I had tears in my eyes as I read of the three friends. The love and devotion between them was incredible The descriptions were so intense I could feel the beat of the music, taste the aromas from the bistros and live the life of a New Orleans inhabitant.
I simply cannot recommend this book too highly. You have got to read it.
Epic conclusion to an outstanding trilogy!! The intensity of this book is not for the faint of heart. This author writes down to Earth characters that you just want to be friends with. This is a very emotional story about love and friendship. Keep the tissues handy because you will need them and by the end of the book I was really surprised for the beautiful new beginnings. I highly, highly recommend this trilogy!!
4.5 stars
“… in the end, we’ll always exist in moonlight and memories.”
And we are right back into the thick of it as book 3 continues with danger on Luc’s doorstep as the proverbial you know what hits the fan. The repercussions of what happens next ripple through the rest of the book as Luc and Maggie wait to see what price will be paid for their actions in high school and on this night.
As for the relationship between Luc, Maggie, and Cash- well, this is where that big ol’ box of tissues is going to come in handy! Cash’s behavior is explained, and Luc finally grows a set to tell Maggie how he has felt about her since they met. Now she has to make a choice… but is it really any sort of choice at all?
I won’t say anything further so that I can avoid spoilers, but suffice it to say there were parts of this final volume that just absolutely tore my heart out and left me a blubbering mess. When it comes to Maggie’s choice, there really was only one possible outcome and I am not necessarily OK with how it all shook out. I didn’t really feel that connection, and quite frankly Maggie annoyed the hell out of me more often than not. At the end of the day, I felt like two books would have been sufficient to tell this story. But I did absolutely love the setting and the rich quality the secondary characters of Maggie’s aunts as well as her best friends Jean- Pierre and Eva brought to the story.
Wow, I’m blown away
It’s funny when you read certain genres of books by certain authors you have certain expectations. When I first saw these books in an email, I really wanted to get stuck into them but I was worried because after reading Black Knights so religiously would I enjoy this particular story? Right now, I’m blown away (and sniffling because yes I ugly cried for the last half hour) but this book will be one that forever stays in my memories and I know I will remember for a long time to come I can certainly say that Julie is a master story spinner and I can’t wait to read more of her books
Maggie, Cash and Luc have all been friends for years and after the boys disappeared and joined the military a decade ago, they are now back in New Orleans to stay. Friendships aplenty in these three volumes and laughs galore amongst them. These characters are absolutely amazing and I feel as though I was with them all through their various journeys and I felt their emotions as if I was seeing the events through their eyes I’m sorry to see it end but they will all live on in my memories
Thank you Julie for allowing me into this world you’ve created and I willingly leave my honest review for this epic story
4.5 stars–IN MOONLIGHT AND MEMORIES Volume 3 by Julie Ann Walker concludes the three part serial focusing on 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.
Some background: Ten years earlier Maggie Carter’s life spiralled out of control when the boy that she loved disappeared on the night of her prom, never to be heard from until present day. His best friend Luc volunteered to take Maggie to prom but life as they knew it was about to come crashing down. Fast forward to present day wherein Luc and Cash have returned home from their years in the US Army, only to find themselves back in the past facing the same threats, secrets and lies as so many years before.
Told from three first person perspectives (Maggie, Cash and Luc) IN MOONLIGHT AND MEMORIES Volume 3 follows the culmination of a lifetime of friendship, love, secrets and lies. Cash Armstrong continues to fight the battle of his life, as he, Maggie and Luc put a plan into action to take down the men who have and continue to destroy so many lives. Secrets are revealed; hearts will be broken; betrayal and vengeance will seek retribution and more. As Maggie and Luc move forward with their plans, Cash struggles to remain in the here and now.
IN MOONLIGHT AND MEMORIES is a heart breaking, emotional and passionate three part serial focusing on three friends who live hard but love harder. An impassioned, raw and dramatic tale, IN MOONLIGHT AND MEMORIES will stay with you long after the story has ended.