Title: I’ll Remember April
Author: Jean Murray Munden
Publisher: XlibrisUS
ISBN: 9781425715328
Pages: 333
Genre: Fiction / Romance
Reviewed by: Gilliam Pemberton

Pacific Book Review
Exploring the unique threads that weave themselves through generations of family, I’ll Remember April brings several unique characters to life, chronicling their quests for romance and the paths they forged to finally find contentment.
Though the actual story takes place in a matter of weeks, it explores the memories of Louise and her family. As an 88-year-old woman, Louise has plenty of memories to share and lessons to teach about her own life, and her decades of experience and that of her family fill the pages. As she watches her granddaughter, Lulu, embark on her own journey towards love, Louise fondly remembers her own romances, as well as stories of her family. On first impression, Louise is the type of woman I hope to be when I am older. She is wise, intuitive, independent, and continues to be active around her home, where she lives on her own. In fact, it is this independence that serves as a catalyst for Louise’s exploration of her relationship with her daughter Harriet. The clean, elegant writing gives the impression that Louise is both of those things, but is her insight and adventurous spirit that I envy the most.
The story is told in flashbacks and memories, intermingled with snippets of Louise’s current life. Though it could be easy for the timelines story to become muddled, the author keeps them well organized and the reader on track. On occasion, the large number of characters of multiple generations became a little confusing, but it didn’t lessen the impact and the enjoyment of the overall story. If a moment or a character feels as if it doesn’t quite fit, file the moment away in your mind and it will find its own importance and relevance in the memoir.
While the book lacks any overall conflict to drive the story, I was immediately drawn in by the beautiful writing and storytelling, the flawlessly genuine dialogue, and the engaging mini-dramas of various individual characters. Though it seems unconventional, the plot didn’t require a “what’s going to happen next?” question to drive the plot forward. Louise’s memories are sweeping and grand; yet touch on the relatable subjects of love, loss, and family. Louise and her family’s story will appeal to a certain generation who also lived through the same time period, but the familiar themes and engrossing storytelling transcend age. It’s clear that the author understands romance, emotion, and the complexity of relationships, including those of family, friends, and lovers.
At its heart, I’ll Remember April is a lovely family saga, but its unique combination of romance and fictional memoir will charm readers, regardless of their preferred genre.
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