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…as the story continues in bk 2 more is revealed. The plot thickens with bits and pieces of the story. Luc as ever is the stalwart of them all. Cash is spiralling with his head injury and Maggie is clueless. Altho she does open her eyes as the story evolves. It’s a compelling story and hard to read at times, you want to shout at them what’s staring them in the face! Jeez I had to keep reading but boy thank goodness I had bk3 ready. Just saying these books are only meant to be read as a trilogy otherwise they won’t mean much to anyone. Very cleverly done Ms Walker. Bravo. I’m hooked
The triangle of friendship, emotions, destruction and a thread of hope continues throughout volume two. Your heart will be taken on a wild rollercoaster ride and you will be afraid where it will stop.
“She breaks my heart and makes me whole, and all I want is to fall into her arms. But I can’t. For once in my life, I have to do what’s right.”
In this installment, the story of Luc, Cash and Maggie continues with the addition Maggie’s letters to Luc and Cash at the start of each of the chapters told from their POV. It continues to be an emotional tale filled with intrigue as well as continued mystery around events of the past. This story continues to still have to slow build as the trio continue with their friendship as well as struggle with their feelings. I can’t wait to see where the story goes in the last installment as I continue to enjoy this series.
OMG how will this end! The tension is too much! Will Maggie, Luc and Chad finally succeed in their quest to see the Sheriff and Rick punished for their crimes. What will the future hold for Chad? And what an ending! I can’t wait to read the next book.
This is an amazing, addictive and beautifully written story with such detail and emotion. I absolutely loved this and highly recommend it to you.
This story picks up right where book one leaves off. Maggie gives Cash and Luc a binder of letters she wrote each of them after they leave her. Each chapter starts off with a letter. This story continues to be an emotionally charged tale about the mystery of past events. Will the the friends continue on as just friends or will feelings get in the way? I can’t wait for the conclusion of this trilogy!
“When I’m suffocating, you make me able to breathe again.”- Maggie
Volume 2 picks up exactly where Volume 1 left off as a direct continuation of the story.
To recap: 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. 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 Luc. 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.
With book 2 several things become apparent. Luc and Maggie’s secret from all those years ago is going to be revealed, and Cash’s grand plan is becoming clearer along with his reason for it. When it comes to the secret, the friends decide to go on the offensive to try to control the amount of damage that could potentially be caused. They are up against a formidable enemy though, and finding allies is not easy so the bulk of the hard work falls on Cash and Luc. In the meantime, the three of them continue their New Orleans bucket list by visiting touristy sites around the city. With each new location, Luc’s suspicion about Cash’s motivation grows but he says nothing, allowing his friend to continue along the path that only he can see. And in doing so, the scale starts to tip in favor of one of the men when it comes to Maggie. The problem is that she doesn’t want to see it no matter how many people try to point it out to her or what her own instincts are telling her.
Once again, this book started off very slowly for me and I seriously considered throwing in the towel at around 35%- but I am stubborn and I decided to keep pushing through until FINALLY things started moving forward around the halfway mark. From there, the second half was much better in my opinion and that is the only reason I can give this volume 4 stars. That final chapter sets up the big showdown and reveal for Luc and Maggie’s secret so it’s on to Volume 3…
The plot thickens
This story is unfolding nicely and going in a direction I don’t think I would’ve foreseen originally, but as I delve more and more into it, I’m finding that I’m falling in love with the characters and their philosophical outlooks about their past as well as their present but also their predicaments and loyalties. I’m also questioning some of my beliefs when I read into some of the more interesting aspects of Voodoo magic and if it truly exists More secrets are uncovered in this volume that will keep you on your toes and I’m enjoying the New Orleans presented and finding myself wishing I could be in such a timeless place with so many historical institutions and cultural experiences
Intrigued to find out what volume three holds in store for me nextThank you Julie for my advanced copy for which I leave my honest review.
Book two of this series picks up Luc, Maggie and Cash’s story and continues the complex emotional journey that readers are on with them. I thought that the tension, angst and suspense really increased in this book. From Luc’s unrequited feelings, to Cash’s accelerated behavior, to Maggie’s seemingly desperate, blind devotion and persistence, you are kept anxious and perched on the edge of a breaking point. I felt that it was just impossible not to care about these characters and yet, my frustration, my anger and my fear for any of them to ever truly be happy grows. As compelling as it all is, I almost feel like I am watching some macabre, codependency dance of doom. I feel like tragedy is looming and yet…. I can’t look away! I’m eager to see how it all ends in the last book.
The continuation of Cash, Maggie and Luc’s story delivered what I expected: deep, strong emotions and heart-felt sorrow. It is as if the chemistry of our hormones are the ingredients to Julie Ann Walker’s recipe. She’s stirring and cutting and blending our emotions into a delicate and masterfully cooked dish that’s already smelling so enticing that I can’t wait to eat it up in book 3.
The three volumes in Julie Ann Walker’s new trilogy In Moonlight and Memories are meant to be read together. The story flows seamlessly from one to another and together they are a complete whole. While I knew what was coming from the first sentence, it still wrecked me when we reached the inevitable conclusion. Told in alternating points of view (Cash, Maggie, and Luc) we see what all three of these characters are thinking and how they are all tied together. I felt in love with these characters, and the city that defines them. Be prepared with the extra-large box of tissues when you start book three, you’re going to need it. But keep reading, the end is worth it.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this novel.
Having read the first one I had to quickly get into this one. She does not leave us lost either she sinks us right back into this world. You are given more depth of the characters. It is a triangle though that gets you banging your head or wanting too. I also want to tell Cash to wake up and smell the coffee lol. This one is a emotional roller coaster that wraps us up and does not let go. This author has taken us deep this time and hopefully has mercy on us in the next one.
In this volume of the trilogy, Cash continues to work on his grand plan, but no one really knows what his plan is except him. The reader thinks that they have it figured out, but there are things that just don’t add up. Cash pulls some hurtful stunts that cause Maggie some pain. Both Luc and Maggie are trying to understand Cash, but he isn’t making it easy. They make some progress on their issues with Cash’s father and Sullivan in hopes of ending the threat against Maggie and Luc.
The tension is still thick in this volume of the story. The pacing is still steady and the characters are exposing more of their vulnerabilities. Luc especially is vulnerable, yet so likable most of the time. He seems to be able to read Maggie’s mind at times. They are so in sync with each other.
The reader gets to know a few more of the people who are close to the main protagonists in this story, and that adds richness and depth to the tale. The reader gets a deeper slice of backstory and that is definitely a wonderful addition. There are interesting things that have been set into play in this part of this trilogy, and this reader is anticipating the discovery of how it all gets pulled together.
The series continued to be melancholy through volume two and it didn’t take me long to figure out how the story was going unfold. Although I knew how this story was going to end, it did not ruin my reading experience because it is so well written. Very emotional!
The second volume of this epic tale continues to weave the mystery surrounding the young lives of these three friends and the consequences they could face as adults.
They have re-established their unbreakable bond and work together to try to remove the predators who are determined to break them.
The pieces of the past and the ongoing mystery are coming together albeit with some additional hardships, but Maggie, Luc and Cash are determined to find a satisfactory outcome for them all.
However the road is hard and their love and friendship is tested time and time again with no-one being happy with the feelings that are constantly being brought to the surface.
I can’t wait to complete the final volume of this masterpiece by Julie Ann Walker. NOT only for some sort of HEA, which I’m not convinced will come to fruition, but also for the mystery to be solved and justice to be SERVED!
And so to the third, and final volume!
The story picks up immediately where our previous book ended. And it is just as enchanting as the previous book. The suspense in this one, it grows, it builds, and it crashes down on us at the very end. We fall for our characters even more. Ache with them, and hurt with them. We feel their moments of joy, the times of hurt, and the confusion of attraction
Maggie, Luc, and Cash are stumbling forward with each other. Unsure, but committed to each other. Maggie has to face some harsh realities, experience some personal pain, and let go of the guilt she still harbours. It is a transformation, personal growth, and self-awareness. She doesn’t change her feelings, she adjusts them, to be in alignment with the now, not the then
Maggie, Luc, and Cash are on a crash course with their past and presents intertwining, and hoping they survive the moment!
This book 2 is the continuation of book one and we get to read letters that young Maggie wrote Luc and Cash. As any teenage, the angst are easy to see .
Ten years after their departure, Cash and Luc are back. Maggie still clueless that Luc is secretly in love with her. While Cash is a shell of himself, after a head injury. His behavior is erratic. Sadly, a reminder of the effects of war that many of the brave men and women that serve our country, suffer and how it affects not only the individual but also those that love them.
This story is filled with drama, heartaches, and love not recognized.
Will a resolution come in book 3? Will any get to find true love?
I was entrusted a copy of this book. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
4.5 stars
Picking up where volume 1 left off, volume 2 leads chapters off with letters teenage Maggie wrote to Cash and Luc the first year they were gone. I actually liked her teenage perspective. It showed Maggie’s faith and loyalty to the two, while showing her emotional growth in handling the situation and dealing with her own insecurities.
In the present day, Maggie…gracious, but I don’t know how she’s missed Luc when he’s been in front of her all along!!! Everyone, including her unwelcoming cats, recognized these two were meant to be from the start! Luc wears his heart on his sleeve for Maggie time and time again, and her obliviousness to Luc’s feelings made me frustrated and sad.
Luc is caught in the middle trying to keep the peace, rationalize Cash’s behavior, and keep Maggie’s feeling soothed. I can’t help but feel for the guy! He’s nice enough to concede to his best friend if that’s what Maggie wants, even though the small kernel of hopefulness Luc himself has been holding on to for years is still steadily burning in his own heart.
Cash is going downhill with his head injury. He’s still drinking excessively, losing weight, and struggling with common courtesy, especially towards Maggie. He’s obviously pushing her away, yet his mixed signals are sending a different message to Maggie, causing friction between the two and keeping Luc in the middle. I’m pretty sure I’ve figured out why Cash is doing what he’s doing and my heart is starting to break for these three!
Cash’s pathetic excuse for a parent, Rick, and Sullivan the vengeful police chief are looming over the trio in the worst way. More details come to light and there is light at the end of the tunnel, but man…that cliffy ending!!
I am thankful the third book is queued next in my kindle! Otherwise, my current device would be broken and I’d be buying a new one!
These books are not meant to be stand alone reads. Definitely start with volume one, otherwise the missed nuances and history between these three will leave a gaping hole in this book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I HATE books that seem like books but move slowly and then leave you with a cliff hanger so that you feel the need to buy the next book. I wouldn’t buy either of these again.
Middle book of 3. Slow if you haven’t read the preceeding book and already connected with the characters. Depressing circumstances. Decided not to bother finishing the book
I had a hard time getting into this book, so stopped reading it about a third of the way through.