When Hearts Remember” is my first read from Victoria Lum, and I can’t help but wonder—why am I only now discovering her work? Although it’s the sixth book in a series, it stands strong on its own. Still, it left me eager to dive into previous books from the series.
Title: When Hearts Remember
Author(s): Victoria Lum
Series: The Orchid #5
Published by Eternal Hearts Publishing on June 4, 2025
Pages: 438
Genre(s): Contemporary Romance
Source: Publicist
Format: eArc
Purchase: Amazon
Rating:
Series Rating:
Heat Level:
She doesn’t remember her first love. But her brother’s best friend never forgot her.Two love stories unfold—one in the past, full of stolen moments and reckless devotion, and one in the present, where fate has given them a second chance.
Alexis Vaughn first fell in love with a forbidden stranger through the pages of a secret journal. Their romance burned fast and bright—until a car crash stole her memories and nearly her life. Eight years later, she wakes up from a coma to a world she doesn’t recognize. When her brother’s best friend offers her an internship, she accepts. But something about the brooding, enigmatic billionaire unsettles her.
Ethan Anderson made a promise—to love Alexis even when she forgot him. For years, he’s kept it, watching over her, honoring the dreams she never got to chase. But now that she’s awake, she looks at him with no memories of their past. Pretending that doesn’t shatter him may be the hardest thing he’s ever done.
But as the truth behind her accident unravels and danger closes in, will love be enough to save them this time?
Note: All my books are standalones and can be read out of order.Tropes:• Brother’s best friend• Amnesia• Billionaire• Office romance• Angsty and emotional• It’s always been you• Second chance• Pining hero• Secrets and twists• Letters/pen pals• Dual timelines• Standalone and dual POV• Spicy and HEA!
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
This post contains affiliate links you can use to purchase the book. If you buy the book using that link, I will receive a small commission from the sale.
When Hearts Remember introduces Ethan and Alexis, whose love story began with letters and grew into something neither expected.
Ethan, a college intern weighed down by family expectations, never imagined falling for a pen pal. Alexis, bright and bold, was preparing for college when their weekly letters forged a deep, undeniable connection. When they finally met, sparks flew—until Ethan discovered Alexis was his best friend’s sister. Bound by loyalty, he tried to step back, but their love was too strong to ignore. For two secret years, they nurtured their bond, hearts beating quietly against the odds.
Just as they prepared to reveal their truth, tragedy struck. A devastating accident left Alexis in a coma for eight years. When she awoke, she had no memory of Ethan or their shared past.
Before the accident, Alexis’s fearless spirit lit up every page. Now quieter but fiercely resilient, she fights to reclaim her life—and herself. Ethan, who found in her someone who truly saw him, honored her dreams by visiting places on her bucket list, quietly loving her through years of silence.
When Alexis wakes, Ethan stays—supporting, encouraging, loving her from the shadows despite her forgotten memories.
Their story weaves two timelines—one full of stolen moments, the other of uncertainty and loss. Suspense and secrets add depth to a romance that’s more than just love—it’s a battle for memory, trust, and a second chance.
Ethan and Alexis’s journey is a powerful reminder that true love endures through time, silence, and even forgotten memories. Sometimes, the heart remembers what the mind cannot.
| Story Evaluation | |
|---|---|
| Plot | |
| Characters | |
| World Building | |
| Writing Style | |
| Pacing | |
| Cover | |
| Enjoyment | |
| Ending | |
| Overall: | |
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
