I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review, all opinions are my own. Julia threw herself into restoring an old Civil War era home, the Peach Orchard Inn, after her son was abducted and her husband left her. She is a shell of the person she once was but the arrival of Eli, a man trying for a second chance makes her feel for his sadness.

Eli meets his son for the first time and makes him even more determined to make things work at the Peach Orchard Inn. He is working to restore the carriage house and uncovers the letters of the previous owners. Weaving in the history of the Inn and also a love story. Julia and Eli begin to allow themselves to believe in a happier ending.

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Set in a small town in Tennessee in the sweetest inn - the Peach Orchard Inn and the owner Julia is still trying to put her life back together after her son goes missing. Her marriage dissolved after he went missing and she is trying to put all her effort into the inn. An interesting character ends up on her doorstep and she takes a chance and it changes her life.

The above story is the main story, but there are some chapters interspersed that take this story to the next level. It is a historical storyline taking place in the same inn during the Civil War and a time when the house became a hospital and the habitants must try to survive the upheaval and the war.

4.5 stars.

The Memory House by Linda Goodnight is a heartfelt novel of redemption, forgiveness and healing. This beautifully written story has two gentle and sweet romances that take place in two different time periods, but they both tie together in the present at a renovated plantation which is now a Bed and Breakfast. It is a very charming novel with very light supernatural elements that I greatly enjoyed and highly recommend.

In the present, Julia Presley is still deeply mourning the loss of her son six years earlier, but opening the B&B with her sister Valery has given her a measure of peace. She is slowly rebuilding the life that slipped away during her deep depression after losing her son Mikey and she loves taking care the visitors that stay at the Peach Orchard Inn. While she and Valery completed many of the renovations on their property, there is still work that needs to be in some of the outlying buildings and she agrees to newcomer Eli Donovan's offer to complete the project at a steep discount along with room and board.

Eli and Julia are both struggling to overcome the tragedies of their respective pasts. Julia is a little further along in the healing process while Eli is just beginning to pick up the pieces of his tattered life. Both are keeping secrets but Eli's are much more serious and could have a detrimental effect on Julia's emotional well being and her B&B. Right away, Eli is forced to admit the reason he is town is his young son Alex and while Julia is dismayed at this revelation, she allows him to continue working for her. But it is not until unforeseen circumstances force Eli to take more responsibility for Alex that true healing begins for Eli, Alex and surprisingly, Julia.

In the past, Charlotte Reed Portland finds her life upended when Union soldiers arrive at the plantation where she lives with her husband and young son, Benjamin. She unexpected finds common ground with Captain William "Will" Gadsden as they work together nursing his wounded men. Their feelings for one another soon run much deeper than friendship but there seems to be no future for them since Charlotte is married and Will eventually returns to battle. Will and Charlotte secretly exchange letters that Julia and Eli discover during the B&B renovations and they are both captivated by the Civil War era romance that has a few parallels to the difficulties they are currently experiencing.

Although Linda Goodnight tackles some very serious topics in The Memory House, the novel is surprisingly free of angst and very uplifting. The storyline is hopeful as both Julia and Eli break free from the sorrow of their pasts while they unexpectedly find love. Their romance is sweet and while it is slow growing, this makes their relationship more believable. All in all, it is an immensely satisfying journey of healing and redemption that fans of contemporary romances are sure to love.

I love, love, loved this book! I adored all the characters and each heartbreaking story. The historical connections nearly made me giddy. I can't wait to see what comes next!

The audiobook for this was awesome. And I think I enjoyed the book more than I would have had I read it. I loved Eli and reading about his journey from felon to father. Normally, I don't connect as much with books about parents (as I have zero experience with parenting and kids really), but I felt for both Eli and Julia.

With dual time/story lines there is always one I connect with more than the other. In this case it was Charlotte and Will that I didn't connect to as much, but luckily the author kept those chapters short.

Everyone needs to read a good old fashioned story about redemption, hope, and second chances from time to time. With the world always focused on negativity it is refreshing to read a story that depicts normal people who made mistakes or suffered loss find a way to turn their lives around for the better with a little love, faith and trust. We all need second chances in life at times but sometimes that task requires a little more courage than at others. Julia's ability give Eli the benefit of the doubt made all the difference the world and helped him recapture his self-worth and boost his confidence, not only in regards to his relationship with Alex, but with Julia too.

Julia has a lot on her plate, but finds in Eli a quiet strength that convinces her he is a good man, and one she can lean on, who will listen patiently, is kind, and is falling hopelessly in love with her.

The old Civil War letters and Charlotte's story was very authentic and well written, but harsh and sad at times. But, you will love Charlotte's fortitude and her son Ben will capture your heart.

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Title: The Memory House

This story has a little bit of mystery, a slight paranormal tint, a little bit of history, and a sweet contemporary romance. This story is a clean read and could be read by older teens and young adults as well.

The book was so intriguing. A mix of romance and history, this story was amazing given you the current love connection that paralleled the past love in the same house.