Title: One Day at a Time
Author: Tessa Alexandra
Genre: Romance
Published on: June 26, 2023
Publisher: Independent
Source: digital (provided by author)
Pages: 399
Synopsis:
A love she can’t remember … and he can’t forget.
When she was 25, Emilia’s brain was damaged in a car accident. While she can remember everything from her life up until the accident, she can’t form new memories for longer than a day.
What do you do when your memory resets itself each night? Who can you trust? Can you still live a meaningful life? Can you find love? Two years after her accident, these questions are still plaguing Emilia, and there’s one person who seems to have the answers.
Her roommate, Eric, has been acting strangely, not at all like the platonic best friend she remembered from before her accident. What has changed since then? What has she forgotten? And why won’t Eric just tell her what it is?
My thoughts
(Spoiler free)
If you’re a fan of rom-com movies, you’ve probably seen 50 First Dates, a film I’ve always loved for its mix of humor and hardship. So when Tessa Alexandra, the author of One Day at a Time, reached out and invited me to read her debut book dealing with the same subject matter as the film—short-term memory loss—I was instantly intrigued. I quickly read the first few chapters available on Amazon, was impressed with the author’s writing, and found myself unable to stop thinking about Emilia’s story. I knew I wanted to read more.
“All lives were a collection of moments, mosaics crafted from countless colorful tiles. Due to her condition, she could only view her mosaic one tile at a time. Though that could have some advantages. Weren’t people always saying you should live in the moment?”
Tessa Alexandra, One Day at a Time
While the film does touch on the difficulties of someone living with short-term memory loss, I always wanted to dive more into the subject, curious as to how a long-term relationship with someone could really work for someone with short-term memory loss. Alexandra does a good job of showing us Emilia’s day to day, without it growing repetitive for the reader. She manages to show how repetition is necessary and important, but each day holds something new.
I enjoyed watching Emilia uncover the mystery of why her friend and roommate Eric is acting so strange—even though it’s fairly clear to the reader what’s going on. The mystery of it all successfully conveys Emilia’s confusion of waking up each day thinking it’s two years in the past. She’s surrounded by a wonderful friend group, who only want what’s best for her, but Eric’s devotion toward Emilia making her own decisions without any other influences is commendable, yet heartbreaking. His yearning for Emilia to find happiness and completeness, and his dedication to seeing that goal achieved, is what’s at the heart of the book.
One of my favorite aspects of the novel is how the author explores how our bodies can remember things our minds might not. One example, Emilia has learned to ski since her accident, but she never believes she can do it until she physically tries it; her body remembers what her brain doesn’t. Usually this kind of bodily response is an experience that happens with negative situations, so it’s nice for Emilia’s experience to be a positive one.
One Day at a Time is written in third-person limited point of view, which enables the reader to feel some of the confusion Emilia is experiencing. It’s also an open-door romance, which I wasn’t expecting for some reason, but I thought was done well. The book is mostly set in the late 1980s, which also adds in a level of nostalgia to the story.
While I enjoyed the characters, the setting, and the plot, what kept me reading was wondering how Emilia’s story could be wrapped up satisfactorily. I wondered, can she ever really have a happy ending? No spoilers, but I think the author handled it beautifully AND realistically. One Day at a Time is a heartrending love story that deserves to be read, and one I won’t be forgetting!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to Tessa Alexandra for providing me with a copy.
My Rating:
Amazon – Read for free through Kindle Unlimited
About the Author
Tessa Alexandra
I live in the western part of the United States with three lovely kids and an even lovelier husband. I enjoy reading, wine, hiking, my day job, puzzles, and writing (shocker).
I’ve always had a vague dream about writing a book and having it published, but never thought it would actually happen. Then I sat down and simply started working on it one day. As Thoreau said, “If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them.”
A Song For A Book
I have to admit I found this perfect song by searching fan-created Spotify playlists for the film 50 First Dates. I’ve chosen to highlight “Sunrise” by Norah Jones.
Sunrise, sunrise
Looks like mornin’ in your eyes
But the clock’s held 9:15 for hours
Sunrise, sunrise
Couldn’t tempt us if it tried
‘Cause the afternoon’s already come and gone
And I said, “Ooh, ooh, ooh” to you.
Surprise, surprise
Couldn’t find it in your eyes
But I’m sure it’s written all over my face
Surprise, surprise
Never something I could hide
When I see we made it through another day
And I said, “Ooh, ooh, ooh” to you.
And now the night
Will throw its cover down
On me again.
Ooh, and if I’m right,
It’s the only way
To bring me back.
“Ooh, ooh, ooh” to you.
“Ooh, ooh, ooh” to you.
Will you be adding this one to your tbr? Let me know in the comments!
Happy Wandering!
The first thing I thought of after reading the blurb was 50 First Dates. I’m glad you enjoyed diving in deeper.
I *think* it started out as a 50 First Dates fan fiction, so that explains why it sounds so similar, but the plot ended up being quite different.
This does sound like a moving and memorable love story!
It really was!
That is interesting that the body can remember things the mind cannot – muscle memory. I kind of like stories where the readers know more than the character too. I don’t know why, but it delights me to wait for the characters to figure it out.
Yes! I tend to like the books where I know more than the character, too. It’s like being in on the secret. Ha!
Ahhh!! This is such a gorgeous and thoughtful post. Thanks for reading! I’m glad you enjoyed the story. 💖
Thank you so much for inviting me to read it! Congrats on a beautiful story. <3
I love that Norah Jones song! 😍 This sounds like such an interesting premise. I don’t think I’ve read anything with short term memory loss and it sounds like this author handles it well. I’ll keep an eye out for this one. Great review!
I thought it was pretty special! <3