The Heart of Memory

A Novel

By: Alison Strobel

Narrated by: Emily Durante

When beloved Christian writer and speaker Savannah Trover becomes gravely ill, she has to face the sham that her faith has become. Days before her heart transplant, she vows to change her ways and she renews her relationship with Christ. But when she awakens from the surgery, Savannah discovers that her faith has left her completely. Savannah’s husband, Shaun, is concerned about his wife's odd behavior—and even more concerned about the secret he’s keeping from her. If she doesn't bring down their ministry, then he might, losing his family in the process. A stranger may hold the answer to Savannah's recovery, but is Savannah strong enough to return to her old way of life? Can Shaun right his wrongs before word gets out? And do either one of them remember how to be who they once were—or who they want to be? In this latest relational drama from Alison Strobel, readers will explore the difference between emotional faith and life-giving truth as Savannah wonders if she can ever trust her heart again.

Expected better

What about Emily Durante’s performance did you like?

She did a very good job distinguishing voices - I was rarely confused about who was speaking when. She captured the drama of situations without over-doing it

Any additional comments?

I was very disappointed in this book. The idea is interesting - do the thoughts and emotions of a transplant recipient become those of the donor? Unfortunately, this idea was not very well flushed out, and it seemed that the protagonist/recipient, and thereby the author, just bought this idea by doing some research on the Internet.
The plot never really moves along, though I was interested enough in why certain things happened that I kept on listening, but by the end I just didn't care anymore.

I can't say I will never read one of Allison Strobel's books again, though I am disappointed I started with this one.