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 is the first series that I’ve read by Julie Ann Walker, but it will not be my last. This series of books were a wonderful experience to read and it is definitely one of the best series of books that I’ve ever read. I became so emotionally invested in the three main characters in these books, that I truly believed that they were good friends of mine. The ending really threw me for a loop, and I found myself thinking about it all day today, even though I finished this last book yesterday evening. I will not spoil this series by telling you anything other than this is a story of love between three very close friends, and I found it to be a beautiful story. I definitely would recommend this series to everyone!
Fantastic conclusion to the series. Luc, Maggie and Cash are amazing characters. Their lives not simple and filled with pain. Their hearts full of sadness and love. Their dynamics intricately entwined. And despite loss, they are entwined forever in the most beautiful and wonderful way.
This is the last book of the trilogy and don’t read this one if you haven’t read the other books! This is the emotional ending and truly the best of the best. This is not what you expect from this author and really not what I wanted when I started this journey but glad I stuck with it. I will say, I read this trilogy while sitting in the hospital over two days and this book had tears running down my cheeks from beginning to end and the nurses finally brought me a box of tissues. I’m not going to give you anything more than tell you this one brings us into the present and we are brought up to date. Revelations are made and WOW, this is an emotional series that kept me captivated over the weekend. I definitely recommend it.
Wow! It’s now the end of the In Moonlight and Memories trilogy and it does not disappoint! I have loved this story so much and every tear that I cried led to a joyful end. Cash, Luc, Maggie and the city of New Orleans are now embedded in my heart. I will think about love, laughter, beignets, crickets chirping in the swamp, jazz music and lifelong friends when I remember this series. It is a must read for anyone that believes in true love and friendship. I hope that you enjoy it as much as I have when you read it and as with the previous two books it is told from the view point of all three characters.
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.
This is an epic journey of three friends. Their friendship and love spanned across time even when they were separated for ten years. Follow Luc Cash and Maggie on their emotional journey as they handle their friendships, love, loss and mystery. These books are a spellbinding, emotional rollercoaster from the first book until the last. It was hauntingly beautiful.
Love triangles are not really my favorite trope to read. I think that kept me from being more involved in the plot and the characters. I love stories set in New Orleans and the author did an exceptional job of capturing NOLA’s quirk and charm.
The voice is different from the author’s prior books. This is a good thing, meaning the author can branch out and try different things than the same ol same ol.
In the third book, things are coming to the front. New details about the past crop up shocking each one
WOW, just WOW. I was enthralled with traveling this path with these three kids and their journey of love, friendship and life into adulthood. And what a path to travel. I laughed, I cried (absolutely bawled actually), was scared for them, was angry with them and thru it all they loved each other. Even tho life doesn’t go as you believe it will they kept that love and friendship alive.
I loved this author’s other work so I read this. Different arc for her, she tried something new, it didn’t capture me. It was necessary to get 3 books to get to the end of the story and it wasn’t worth it.
I read these books awhile back and have been wracking my brain what to write as a review. The books were well written, the characters were amazing as usual per Julie Ann Walker. I ugly cried so many times because all the feels this series made me feel. If you don’t mind cliffhangers or ugly crying you will most likely love the Moonlight and Memories trilogy.
In book three, you will experience excitement and tears as you read. What a compelling way to wrap up a three-part series. This story was also beautiful and so well told you almost felt like you experienced it happening first hand. Julie Ann Walker did not disappoint in any way. This series was an incredible read and I’m very happy that I read it. I almost didn’t want it to end…
In the third book of this trilogy, who knew that we were going to be so completely heartbroken by the turn of events. In the end we see how truly selfless and how much love Cash has for Maggie and Luc. I did not expect the need to go find tissues. This was such an amazing ending/conclusion for the trilogy and it shows the talent of Julie Ann Walker and her ability to create such amazing characters. All I’ve got is WOW and thank you for sharing such a heartbreaking story with your readers. The emotions are so raw and real that you feel what the characters are feeling and is something you don’t expect.
Received ARC in exchange for honest voluntary review.
4 1/2
Now, we get the present. We have their history and now it’s time for the present. Now, I had a little feeling of what was going to happen; I still wasn’t prepared. Volume III was just pure perfection. It was hard to write a review on the previous two volumes because I knew that the third was waiting for me and the story wasn’t over in one or two.
Volume III was heartbreaking as a whole but only because of who was remaining. I highly recommend all three volumes.
Well done Ms. Walker!
Reviewed by: Dana D.
The conclusion to this trilogy is heartbreaking and hopeful. Cash’s plan and the true issue behind his headaches are revealed, the relationship between the three changes in different ways than expected, and the drama between Cash’s dad, the local Sheriff, and Maggie and her sister are revealed and resolved.
Although these characters were quite different from Julie’s normal alpha men, her usual humor, her catchy phrases and expressions using the southern New Orleans’ drawl, and sharp dialogue are all present. I was pleasantly surprised by this story, and love that she’s taken her writing in a different direction than normal.
I highly recommend this series, and can’t wait to see what she writes next!
I have to start by saying that I LOVE Julie Ann Walker’s writing. I’ve devoured her Black Knights & Deep Six series & anxiously awaited each new installment. That being said, “In Moonlight and Memories” is nothing like those action-packed books but because of what an amazing writer she is, I was going through Walker withdrawals & I was anxious to get my hands on these books. They did not disappoint.
Though in three volumes, “In Moonlight and Memories” is really one continuous story of the love & friendship and highs & lows, between three friends, Maggie May, Cash & Luc. Though they are the main characters, you can’t dismiss the fact the Ms. Walker has introduced a fourth character — New Orleans. She vividly captures the idiosyncrasies of that most unique of all American cities. It’s New Orleans that sets the gentle, unhurried pace of the story, a story where the details matter. Unlike most books, the setting is important. The characters were shaped by the culture & geographic location of New Orleans so their actions & reactions are not so much predictable but understandable in that context.
I won’t share the details of this epic story because you honestly need to read it for yourself. Knowing what will happen will make some readers impatient with the story‘s pace but the pace is important. It allows you to really feel what the characters are experiencing. The emotions you’ll experience are the highs & lows of a roller coaster but a slow-moving one with beautiful scenery along the way. Carve out plenty of time to enjoy the ride. This is one you don’t want to rush.
The final volume of Julie Ann Walker’s In Moonlight and Memories is the ONLY way this epic story could end. Not going to lie, I still have a “book hangover” from the conclusion. But even in this Walker is still a master storyteller. Her timing and pace were impeccable! Some book’s emotional peak is too early, and you’re too wrung out to really appreciate the end of the story.
Walker played out the end of this epic story of first loves, second chances, friendship and all the messy bits in between to perfection. I’m not even sure what more I can about In Moonlight and Memories, other than you have to read this story!!
I was given all three volumes in exchange for an honest review. This review is for all three volumes because there is no way you can read Volume 1 and stop. This book pulls at your heart strings and then kicks you in the gut. Its been a long time since I’ve read a book that made me cry with tears rolling down my cheeks but this one definitely did it. This is the story of a love triangle….that isn’t.
The story itself takes place in New Orleans which truly becomes a fourth character in the story (and if you know anything about NoLa you know that is not unusual). Julie Ann Walker’s previous stories have been full of tough military men and the suspense/mystery of who is the bad guy. Although this story doesn’t fit into that mold on first glance, it still contains a great deal of suspense – trying to figure out what is going on from multiple aspects of the story.
The story centers around Cash, Maggie and Luc. The three met as teenagers and seemed to form an unbreakable bond. But for reasons unclear to Maggie Cash and Luc effectively disappear, running off to join the military. And then all of a sudden they are back. We are brought into the stories of the tragedies of each life (that we all experience in one way or another) and the mystery of what did really did happen. Then there is the mystery of what is happening now. You are trying to tie everything up in a pretty bow and instead there are a bunch of knots. You are easily wrapped up in the story that there is only one choice – to finish all three volumes. The emotions (and crying) I felt as Walker wrapped up this story were rough, raw and yet oh so beautiful. And right….and complete. Don’t miss out on this epic saga of love, loss and life!
The drama, suspense, and love between these three friends is so beautiful as the time comes for Maggie, Cash, and Luc to confront it. The emotions are high and heartfelt as you read the story of these three friends and all they have gone through. It is said to keep the tissues handy, and I agree wholeheartedly as you read the beautiful conclusion of “In Moonlight and Memories:Volume Three” I was gifted a copy of their story and voluntarily leave my honest opinion. This is mine. 5 Stars!
In Moonlight and Memories: Volume three is the finale to this wonderful love story. If you haven’t read the first two books you are really missing out. When reading this third book make sure you have the Kleenex ready as you will definitely be needing the full box. This series is about secrets, lies, friendships and mostly about a strong love. I highly recommend you reading all three books in this trilogy you will not be sorry. This story will stay with you for a long time after turning the last page.
Let me start out by saying I have loved the characters and worlds created by Julie Ann Walker ever since I read the first entry in her Black Knights Inc. series and through to her most recent Deep Six series. Those books were full of alpha males (and females) who are covert black-ops operators who ask questions, shoot, then ask more questions. That is the Julie Ann Walker novel that I am used to. So when I was given the opportunity by her to review a new “trilogy” , needless to say that I jumped at the chance!
Little did I know what I was getting into with the three volumes of In Moonlight and Memories. Because the three books are so intertwined, I am reviewing them as one complete work.
Against the haunting backdrop of New Orleans, the story focuses on Maggie, Cash, and Luc – childhood friends who met at school and bonded with each other through feelings of loneliness, loss, abandonment, and a devoted friendship to one another. Flash forward (or backwards as the case may be) ten years. Cash and Luc, who “disappeared” from Maggie’s life, return to New Orleans to pick up the pieces of the lives they left behind. The story is told from the perspective of each of the three protagonists which gives the reader a glimpse into the hopes, fears, and minds of each of them.
Adding to the drama of attempting to renew the close bond the three friends shared, is a looming mystery of the disappearance of a classmate ten years earlier whose father happens to be the chief of police and the hatred that Cash’s father feels towards his own son. I
The books start slowly, setting the backstories of the characters and the city that they inhabit. New Orleans, itself, often feels like one of the main characters as the atmosphere, both exciting and oppressive, adds to the emotional impact of the books. The peripheral charters are compelling, as well.
I can’t remember a series that put me on such an emotional roller-coaster. One minute I was sharing laugh-out-loud passages with my husband and a few chapters later I was grabbing for the tissues. The conclusion of the trilogy left me both ecstatic and “ugly-crying” at the same time.
If you want your characters real, believable, and people you genuinely want to be happy, then I highly recommend this trilogy. Kudos to Julie Ann Walker for taking a giant leap into the unknown with this style of writing, character development, and emotional impact.
I received ARCs of all three novels from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.