A practical summary of Harlequin Junkie’s review of Emily Harding’s contemporary romcom about Marnie, who wakes up with a year missing from her memory and must decide whether to reclaim her past or step into a different future.
The amnesia premise drives both a mystery and an emotional journey: Marnie reconstructs the missing year while confronting grief and loneliness.
Romance develops as a slow-burn, neighbor-to-lovers story between Marnie and her grumpy neighbor Ben, built on banter, friendship, and steady support.
The book balances humor, character-driven emotional work, and a Boston setting that gives the memory-reconstruction scenes a treasure-hunt energy.
# What this review covers Harlequin Junkie's review presents Thank You for Remembering as a contemporary romantic comedy centered on Marnie Stephens, who wakes in a Boston hospital with no memory of the previous year. The review focuses on two intertwined threads: the memory mystery that propels plot action, and the emotional work of a woman deciding who she wants to be after losing a year of her life.
# Premise and plot engine Marnie's amnesia sets up a dual mystery. One question is factual: what happened during the missing year that explains how she ended up in Boston with shorter hair, a breakup, and a new life she does not remember. The other question is personal: who was Marnie during that year, and was that version of her actually happy?
The review highlights how following clues—objects in her apartment, small discoveries around Boston—gives the book a treasure-hunt quality. Each clue sends Marnie to a new scene or emotional beat, which keeps forward motion while allowing character detail to emerge.
# Romance and character dynamics
The romance is only one strand of Marnie's journey. The review appreciates that Marnie's relationship with herself—her grief, loneliness, and the discovery of personal change—receives as much attention as the developing attraction. The resulting romance mixes yearning with quieter moments of reliance and trust.
# Tone, pacing, and setting
# Who will likely enjoy this book Readers who want a romcom with an emotional core will find this appealing: people who like slow-burn relationships grounded in friendship, romcoms with a mystery element, and stories that explore personal reinvention after loss. Fans of contemporary romances that prioritize character growth over plot spectacle should find this a warm, charming read.
The reviewer calls Thank You for Remembering a sweet mix of romance, mystery, humor, and self-discovery. The combination of the amnesia premise, the treasure-hunt feel of tracing a missing year in Boston, and a steady grumpy-but-caring love interest made the book a satisfying character-driven romance in the reviewer's view.
Book info noted in the review: publication September 15, 2026, Gallery Books.
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