Remembrance lined up with what I remember about the original series. The dialogue can be a bit cheesy at times, but it had a pretty good story.

I wanted to love this book, I really did. But our good pal Suze was up to her same old tricks, and I found myself bored with the "conflict" that kept the narration going. Did I still love reading about Jesse and Suze? Of course. But I guess I just wanted more from this book than Cabot was willing to give.

jesse de silva remains my number one book crush of all time

As I read most reviews, the majority was letdown by this seventh and final (?) installment in the series. Here's what I have to say about it:

I read the [b:Royal Wedding|23215471|Royal Wedding (The Princess Diaries, #11)|Meg Cabot|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1418786285s/23215471.jpg|41355508], having loved the Princess Diaries novels as much as I do the Mediator ones. That book? It was a major letdown, with lose ends everywhere and no character development what-so-ever. The plot of the whole book felt like it just isn't complete. So you can only imagine my expectations going in for Remembrance. I loved Jesse and Suze from the very first book, [b:Shadowland|187811|Shadowland (The Mediator, #1)|Meg Cabot|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327886166s/187811.jpg|2013718], and have read and reread their every adventure a couple of hundred times. For this last installment, I had but the lowest expectations, thinking it would never live up to the greatness before it.

I was about to give up right there in the middle of the first chapter. But here's the thing it gets better. So much better! Sure it isn't perfect. Sure, some characters lose their beloved personalities and only get thrown in to move the plot along

Spoiler

I'm looking at you Paul. Also what the hell is up with Adam? Like he only appears once and becomes this sleazy uncle-type. Why?

Sure some characters don't have any resolutions and relationships are left hanging in the air

Spoiler

Cee Cee and Adam, also Gina and Jake. I would have loved to see Gina do her own thing and have her stuff figured out, instead of sleeping on Suze's sofa and only hooking up with Jake. The first couple? Yeah, see the spoiler above.

. I guess I can overlook these things for my love of what happens. Because the whole mystery part of this book? The ghost-butt-kicking stuff? It's everything that's perfect. It's everything that shows how the characters have changed with time, how they've grown. It's the thing that kept me up until 4am, wishing it would never end.

I guess the other thing I really loved about this whole series that I've only realized is the dynamics of the whole Ackerman/Simon family. We're introduced to three new additions (well four, but I'm not counting their mother because she's meh) to the family, who truly shine throughout. It would be fun if they'd have their own adventures, with the guiding force of their favorite aunt and new uncle, of course (like how there's a spin-off book of the Princess Diaries, only they aren't children, and instead of a pre-tween book, it's at least a YA, so a few years into the future).

In the end, I would definitely recommend reading this if you're into the series, or if you just like paranormal romances. I guess even if my expectations weren't so low, I would still have liked it. My only question is, where is Spike? Is he mentioned at all? Has my tired brain skipped over when they talked about him or was he forgotten? I guess I'll find out when I'll reread this, which will definitely happen.

This book is amazing!! It is everything I can hope for in more. Adult, dark and keeping you on the edge of your seat, this is a Mediator book that all fans must read.

We can acknowledge that this isn't literature. I came here for the nostalgia. And for Jesse. Mostly for Jesse. And he did not disappoint. He was my first book crush for a reason y'all. I'm not sure if this is supposed to be YA or up, but it definitely has more spice than I remember in the other books. Anyhow, it was nice to revisit these characters as adults and watch them get their happy ending all these years later.

I first read the Mediator series when I was a teenager and loved it and never forgot it. When I discovered that there was a new book featuring the same cast but all grown up I was excited and this book did not disappoint.

I was here for the sexual tension, the dark subject matter and mystery. I re-read the series in anticipation and this turned out to be a perfect swan song for the whole experience. Absolutely loved it.

Pros:
- The most intriguing ghost plot of the series since Jesse's backstory!
- Growth and redemption for the brothers
- Finally Suze gets some action
- Suze has learned after all these years that the best way to deal with Paul is to pretend to go along with it.

Cons:
- Suze is immature as ever and frustratingly slow at figuring out what is going on.
- Yet another book where most of the problems arise because the main character refuses to share what she knows and is thinking. My biggest pet peeve.
- SPOILER: anyone else a little disappointed that after waiting 6+ years to have sex with Suze, he caved days shy of the wedding? Seemed anticlimactic. And honestly, so unlike Jesse that I was sure it was Paul inside Jesse's body.

Memories!!! Oh how I loved reading this. I felt 13 years old again...