The One Memory of Flora Banks by Emily Barr
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. Since this was dubbed “the debut of the year”, I was really excited to review it. This was everything I didn’t know I wanted and needed in a book. Seventeen-year-old Flora has amnesia and forgets things after every few minutes. Her only memories are from before she was ten.
But then Flora kisses Drake, her best friend’s boyfriend (or ex-boyfriend but they broke up like two seconds before Flora and Drake kissed. This reminds me of Rachel and Ross’ “we were on a break argument” but never mind). When Flora wakes up the next day, she remembers that she kissed Drake and decides tracks him down because she is convinced that a) she is in love with him and b) she is convinced that he holds the key to her memory.
Honestly the first part of the book doesn’t have much in the way of plot but it’s oddly intriguing to watch Flora go through her daily life. I think she does pretty well for someone with amnesia especially when she decides to travel on her own- something her parents definitely don’t want her to do.
This book exceeded my expectations and was so different. I loved that I was unable to predict the ending. This was incredibly well-written and I finished it in one go. I couldn’t stop reading.
This is a book I would recommend to anyone who enjoys YA.
