Intoxicating

Muscle Memory by Author Stylo Fantôme is a standalone novel. I have found that this author brings me out of my reading slump very quickly yet another book that I finished in one day. Thank you for writing such a page-turner and such a great second chance at love story.

“We're two parts of a whole, always making up for the other one. We couldn't survive without each other.”

Oh my gosh! I ALWAYS anticipate new novels from this author. This is like a double-edged sword for a reader. The anticipation level at an all-time high, I took a deep breath and tried to dispel the nerve-racking pre-read jitters. After reading the first chapter I had to ask myself the question, "Why?" Why was I so concerned that I may not feel a connection? Why was I scared that I wouldn't get that tingle one feels when they're hooked to words and can't pull their eyes from the page? Because let me tell you, I took a complete heart-dive into this novel from the first pages and never looked back. What a feeling! A one day read of the best kind! If you haven’t read any of Stylo Fantome’s books then you are missing out.

“My brain forgot,” he said. “And my heart wasn't sure. But my soul ... how could I ever forget it belongs to you?”

I craved this novel! Just like one cannot simply have one potato chip and feel appeased, one chapter was not enough. I needed more and more. Constantly in awe of what was developing in the story, apprehension became my close friend and a box of tissues my bedmate.

"I wasn't alone. She was always there. Always looking for me. Caring about me. I was never alone."

I loved how the author switched from past to present, giving us a trail of bread crumbs and personality traits to follow. This played-up Jon's character in a fascinating way. How he saw himself and life then and now. How he viewed intimacy. How he indulged in having fun. I cannot express to you how much I adored Delaney. This woman! She was fearless, long-suffering, brave, compassionate, and kind.

“I don't know her, but she's in my blood and in my bones and in my body. I wake up reaching for her, but can't remember her ever being there. I turn around to look for her, then realize she was never with me. She's my ghost, she haunts me. I don't remember her, but I know her.”

Here's the thing, I knew that even with all of the emotional turmoil in Jon's life, a twist was coming...because it's a Stylo Fantôme book, and that is a staple. Seriously, just after this thought, the bottom fell out. No. Freaking. Way! And then I lost all composure and kept falling and falling and falling


“You were the best time of my whole life. Thank you for that."

I cannot say this journey was easy, but the end rivaled any high that an adrenaline junkie could experience. Take the ride for yourself.
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Pretty riveting amnesia read. Told almost entirely in the hero’s point of view. Lots of honest emotion. The hero and heroine were not always people you admired but they were real and they totally grew and changed. Well written and a fast read. ( )

I love this story. It involves two people that aren't necessarily the best society has to offer. They do some messed up things and seem toxic at times. This storyline and these characters are so unique and real. Readers take the journey with them through the ups and downs and consequences. The author manages to turn it into one of the sweetest love stories ever. I had all kinds of emotions while reading. I absolutely recommend Muscle Memory.


***Copy given in exchange for an honest review***

Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents

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Not for me.

ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

Jon doesn't know he used to lead a life of drugs and fun. He doesn't know there was once a girl he'd do anything for. He only knows that he awoke in a hospital room, his memory gone, his name lost, and his hopes slim. It's the second chance he doesn't even know he needed. What he does know is his body remembers someone, that she belongs there with him, but he doesn't know if he really wants the past to come back. As he builds his new life as Jon Doherty, the past shows up to change everything.

"'Who were you?' he whispered. 'And where are you now?'"

Give me ALL the books about characters missing their memory, I have never read one I didn't like, and Muscle Memory by Stylo Fantome was no different. From the moment I started this book, I was lost to the world, I couldn't be pulled away from the pages for anything. Stylo Fantome puts you into the mind of main character Jon Doherty like no other author, I felt like I too was seeking my past and the answers to how it all happened. Jon is frustrated, confused, angry at times, and mourning a version of himself he cannot remember. The reader however, is treated to his memories of the past, with every other chapter granting us a glimpse at the past before returning to the present.

"I want you to tell her to not exist. Life was less scary when it was all blank."

Jon is the kind of character you are unsure of, he's unreliable due to his memory loss and even more so due to the past that the reader knows about before he does. His old self was self-destructive, a partier, and selfish in many of his ways. His new self is just as selfish, but it was like his mind knew this was a chance to be a better man, to gain some work ethic, to be respected and independent. It was so interesting to read both sides of Jon, it was exactly like reading two characters, but with the promise that at some point they would meet. Jon's new life is made up of nurses, a social worker, volunteers at his halfway house and his new job, and the men at the house. It's nothing like before, until he sees her. Delaney Carter is a force to be reckoned with, though petite in size she is otherwise larger than life. Her love is strong, her self destruction is the worst, and her trust is unwavering. I loved and hated Delaney, she was both a good part and a bad part of Jon's past and it was hard to wait and see what Stylo Fantome was going to do with their reintroduction. All that was left between them was muscle memory.

"...She's my ghost, she haunts me. I don't remember her, but I know her."

The entire book is driven by character choices and it was refreshing to read a book that was entirely based on what a character did or didn't do. The choices made in Muscle Memory lead down several paths and the reader is never sure whether the final outcome will be love or heartache. I loved that the book was focused on Jon's second chance at life and that it was driven by friendship and a second chance at love. It was incredibly well written, thought provoking, and unputdownable. That's a word. Stylo Fantome has outdone herself again and I highly suggest Muscle Memory to, well, everyone. ( )