Reminders of Her

A Decker Family Novel (Requiem for Love, Book 1)

By: Claudia Burgoa

Narrated by: Erin Mallon, Aaron Shedlock, Lee Samuels, Samantha Brentmoor

Length: 5 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's summary

From USA Today bestselling author Claudia Burgoa comes an achingly poignant tale—an exquisite Why Choose? An MMF polyamorous romance told partially in epistolary-style that promises a rollercoaster of emotions, bringing together love, loss, and the unabating pull of the past.

This wasn’t the typical boy meets girl story.

In our case, it was extraordinary: a boy met a girl and another boy.

And he fell madly in love with both.

Greyson was a gifted musician whose songs soothed even the most shattered souls.

Aerin was a ballerina, exuding an elegance that could steal your breath away.

They weren’t just my loves.

They were my reason to breathe—my world.

Until a tragedy broke us into a thousand pieces.

Now, years later, I'm left haunted by Greyson's melodies and the fragmented echoes of our shared past.

Just as I’m learning to breathe again, our history is flung into the public eye.

An agonizingly intimate memoir has surfaced, putting our past on full display.

I find myself drawn to Greyson, desperate to shield him from reminders of her.

As we navigate the stinging wounds of our history, we’re on a mission to find the person who ripped the bandages of our past.

Is there a chance this could lead us to something more—a way to fill the void left by her absence?

Because finding her is impossible… isn’t it?

Reminders of Her is the enthralling first book in the Requiem for Love duet. Prepare yourself for a breathtaking, slow-burn romance that culminates in a heart-stopping cliffhanger.

This novel will leave you gasping, aching, and craving for more.

©2023 Claudia Burgoa (P)2024 Claudia Burgoa

Get your tissues ready

I've read stories told in epistolary style before, but I don't recall any having such an impact as Reminders of Her. The story moves back and forth as we get the book and the memories, and my heart broke so many times for these characters - and for more reasons than I can explain here without giving too much away. The story has a tone that is absolutely beautiful and full of so many emotions. The blurb promises a heart-stopping cliffhanger, and Claudia Burgoa certainly delivers. I never doubt her ability to pull me in with lovable characters and a terrific story, but this one exceeded even what I expected. And that's with the cliffy! It's a whopper, and it hasn't left my mind for long since I read it. As a matter of fact, I expect this duet to be one that stays with me for years to come, and I expect to come back and visit over the years as well. We also get the added bonus of visits with some past favorites, something I always look forward to from this author.
I could say more, but I'd rather just leave it with a solid recommendation. I'd say dive in without checking out any spoilers and just soak it all in. I'd be willing to bet you'll love these characters as much as I do.
Reading Reminders of Her was an emotional rollercoaster, and I didn't think I could be affected any more by the audio than I was when I actually read the words. I. Was. Wrong. Erin Mallon, Aaron Shedlock, Lee Samuels, and Samantha Brentmoor absolutely gave me chills with their performances. One word that struck me several times while reading was haunting. So much of the story has that feel to it, and these narrators did a terrific job with that tone. Whether you read it or listen to it, you can't go wrong with this duet.

Emotionally, raw, heart-stopping story!

Oh my heart! This first book in Burgoa's Requiem For Love duet is an emotionally, raw, and heart-stopping story that I couldn't put down! It's a story about three people who connect so intrinsically, at first, through music and dance, starting out as friends, then growing into something deeper, and even more beautiful. It starts out talking about the pain and torture of having your voice taken away from you, before introducing us to Sanford and Greyson. They are both in love, but something tragic has happened that has torn them apart, along with an unknown third person, their ballerina, who brought so much light and love into their world, before it was shattered. Their story is told in a unique way, helping us to understand them, and their deep connections, through past memories, present events, and reading through a mysterious memoir that is giving voice to their tragic past. Their love is organic, beautiful and pure, and you can't help but fall for them as they fall for each other, making your heart break even harder for what they have endured. Burgoa has a magical way of weaving this story in a poetic and lyrical way, making me feel everything even deeper, making my heart race and taking my breath away. Add in the outstanding narrations by Aaron Shedlock, Lee Samuels, Samantha Brentmoor, and Erin Mallon, and you have a breathtaking audiobook experience! Their brilliant deliveries gripped my imagination and compelled me to feel everything these characters think and experience. They embodied these characters perfectly, making my heart race from beginning to end. They made me care so deeply for these characters, and I was so completely invested in them, that the jaw dropping ending left me completely stunned! I need book two soon so Burgoa can put my heart back together again, like only she can! On a side note, I loved how so many characters from past books appear in this story, helping to keep my heart beating! This was an up-putdownable story, and I can't wait to listen to The Symphony of Us!

Raw and gritty, emotional roller coaster

Reminders of Her is book one in the Requiem of Love Duet and even though this was a quick read it packed a mighty punch. It’s raw, it’s gritty and it’s a heartbreaking emotional roller coaster. This is childhood friends Sanford, Greyson and Evie’s entertaining and very emotional journey.
The narration from Erin Mallon, Aaron Shedlock, Lee Samuels and Samantha Brentmoor did a fantastic job with the us roller coaster of a ride. They really brought the characters and their journey to life as well as being spot on with all the raw, gritty emotions that run through this book.
They thought they would be friends and lovers forever but their life’s was shattered and they were left broken adults……….
I’m not going to give you anymore because I believe this book needs to be read with no preconceived ideas, you need to read first hand and you need to lose yourself in darkness so you can experience the light when I hope it arrives. This is a very special read that stayed with me long after the final word was read and I’m in desperate need of the second book.
Ms Burgoa has given us a heartbreaking, soul searching story that I’m sure she written from deep in her own heart. I have no more words and I just hope I have given this book justice.

A love to stand the test of time

The first book of the Requiem For Love duet is off with a bang, and you will be unable to stop listening. I will caution those with triggers to proceed with care. Two boys and their ballerina is a story for the ages. Sanford and Greyson were boyhood best friends when they met a shy young girl who danced and took everyone’s breath away. Unfortunately for her, she came from a dysfunctional family with a mother who was h**l bent on living through her to the expense of everything and everyone else. What started as three friends grew to become something so much more until tragedy happened. Fast forward a few years and the past is rearing its ugly head in an unexpected way. Once again, the author delivers a heart pulling, angst ridden drama with characters that are so lifelike you feel every one of their emotions. Ms. Burgoa has pulled out all the stops to craft this gut-wrenching love story. The chosen narrators; Erin Mallon, Aaron Sherlock, Lee Samuels and Samantha Brentmoor could not have been more perfect to take this storyline to another level. Each narrator brought the characters to life giving listeners the ability to feel the raw emotions the characters go through. You cannot help but be swept up in the sublime story, woven by a master.

This Duet

They were willing to protect her since they were just little kids but then she left them and broke them.

This one’s a little more dark and twisty than I expected and that cliffy had me diving straight into book two.

MMF

Ten Stars

This was a powerful, raw, heart -wrenching emotional journey of childhood trauma and tragedy. The story of Sandord, Greyson and Evie is about childhood best friends who cared deeply for one another to embrace their unique love as adults, only for everything to shatter in an instant leaving them and all broken and alone to face the demons without that love. Ms. Burgoa has a way of reaching into your heart and soul of her readers. Her words have a lasting effect. I wish I could give this book more than five stars!

This book has finally been brought to life by the wonderful narrating talents of Aaron Shedlock, Lee Samuels, Samantha Brentmoor, and Erin Mallon. Listening to this emotional book brought back all the feelings I experienced when I first read the book.

Emotional

Having read numerous books by Claudia Burgoa I knew that this book was going to be an emotional roller coaster of a read and I was correct. Reminders of Her is the first book in her Requiem for Love duet and is a MMF story about Greyson, Sanford and Aerin. As expected, this book ends in one heck of a cliffhanger so you have been warned.

This book tore me apart and had me in tears on many occasions. I was left with such a book hangover after finishing and am thankful that we do not have to wait too long to read the conclusion to their duet.

From the moment they all met, there was a deep, soulful connection between all three. This book moved from the past to present and at times was heartbreaking. Their love had no boundaries until it shattered, destroying them all in the process. They have endured so much and yet there is a sliver of hope. There was so much angst and heartbreak that I thought I couldn’t take anymore but Ms. Burgoa write such strong characters that you cannot help but become addicted.

The narration by Aaron Shedlock, Erin Mallon, Samantha Bretmoor and Lee Samuels brought the characters to life for me. Not only are their voices easily to listen to but they did justice to the story that Ms. Burgoa wove. Their performances expressed the passion, love and angst that the characters experienced and were believable.

I was totally invested in the story that Ms. Burgoa wove, and I am on the edge of my seat waiting (not so patiently) for the conclusion which releases shortly.

An angsty second chance romance

I always know that when I start a book by Claudia Burgoa that I’m going to get in touch with my deep feelings. She never fails to make me sympathize for her characters and fall in love with them more and more with each page. Claudia was so rough on Greyson and Sanford. It made me want to hug them both which is usually a sign that means I adore the story. Their story is not an easy read and Claudia never shies away from putting her characters into horrific situations, but does so with care to further the plot. This story is layered and slowly reveals itself, which is why I won’t summarize it in my own words. This angsty second chance, MMF polyamorous romance switches between the present and past, with glimpses of the past told in epistolary style as the men read a tell-all biography. It will steal your heart.

Reminders of Her was an absolute treat in audio. With 4 top narrators bringing the story to life, you can’t help but get lost in the story. Lee Samuels and Aaron Shedlock didn’t shy away from Grayson and Sanford’s difficult love story that has enemies to lovers vibes, but they never really hated each other. Tragedy has a way of twisting the past and splitting people up. Their journey back to one another was amazing. The story splits between the present and the past read by Samantha Brentmoor. Without spoiling anything, I will say that she embraced her role and it was magical. With Erin Mallon rounding out the cast (again no spoilers), this story couldn’t have been better cast and was one I’m so glad I got to experience in audio. I immediately dove into book 2 at the cliffhanger, desperately needing to know what happened next. This duet stuck with me long past the ending and was a reminder of why I always enjoy reading Claudia’s stories.

Sooooo emotional…. Sooooo good!

Wow!! This audio blew me away. I was so in my feels listening to this group of performers. The emotions—my emotions—were intense and heightened while listening to this story. That cliffy though… I need to jump into the second audiobook so the author and narrators could mend my shattered heart. I just can’t… my heart bleeds for this mmf book… I need their hea asap.

Reminders of Her

As the first book in a duet you know there's so much story to come - and no HEA here - but this was even more angsty and emotional than expected. Claudia Burgoa always does a nice job of blending the drama, angst, and heartache of relationships with the happiness of falling in love, finding personal growth, and moving forward in life. This book is heavier on the drama/angst end of things, but it makes me want to see what happens next. The narrators all did a nice job creating distinct character voices and bringing the story to life.