“Remember Me Tomorrow” by Farah Heron could be placed under many genres. It’s a young adult novel and a mystery, but there’s a paranormal twist and a romance mixed in. Main character Aleeza has a tiff with her best friend and moves out of their shared dorm. The only available room is in a much older dorm across campus, and when Aleeza arrives there, she realizes it’s available because the occupant, Jay, has disappeared.
His disappearance had occupied the news several months before, but more recently, he’s been presumed dead. Aleeza is studying journalism, and she decides to do a podcast about murders on campus, and this story fits right in. But when she goes on her campus app designed for roommates to communicate, she sees that Jay is still listed as one of the occupants. Strangely, she gets a text from him. He’s angry that a roommate is showing up on the app as he was supposed to have a single room, and Aleeza can’t understand how someone who disappeared five months before could be texting her. It’s got to be a scam, right?
Eventually, both Jay and Aleeza realize that somehow, unbelievably, they are texting through time. They both have to be in the dorm room at the same time to send and receive texts from each other, but the phenomenon is real. When Aleeza tells Jay about his disappearance, and that she’s going to investigate it, he is happy to help. After all, her investigation might save his life.
There’s plenty of mystery in Jay’s life. He doesn’t know who his father is; but someone is providing a scholarship for him to attend college. He has some very wealthy friends, and for the first time, Aleeza sees how the 1% live as she meets Jay’s friend Jack. There is also some girl drama as Aleeza must contend with her former best friend Mia, who dumped her for friends with a higher net worth. Mia has become involved with some people who might be involved in Jay’s disappearance.
The romance is sweet as we see Aleeza fall for Jay through their texts, and we see Jay grow to appreciate Aleeza and her championship of him. She’s working against time because in a few weeks, he will disappear. She needs to know who Jay’s enemies are and why they want him gone. She meets with much resistance in her investigation, but she also has made new friends and gained self-confidence, so there’s no stopping her.
This clever and touching YA novel is perfect for young mystery lovers and romance aficionados. The ending is sweet and heartwarming, and justice is served.
Please note: This review is based on the paperback book provided by Skyscape, the publisher, for review purposes.