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Oil Knights #2

A Temporary Memory

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Nannying two adorable kids was a way to support myself until I got on my feet again. I wasn’t supposed to fall for their stern single dad.

After a sudden, bad breakup, I land in a small town in the middle of nowhere, cut off from all my accounts and resources. I have a stalled dancing career, a mom in long-term care, and no money.

Then I meet Alcott “Cody” Knight. The type of guy I’ve learned to steer clear of—driven, rigid, and devastating in a suit. Only he also has two adorable kids, and he needs a nanny for the summer.

For two months, he’ll pay more than I need to help my mom and myself. For two months, I’ll take care of his kids, give them dance lessons, and see what a normal life could be like. For two months, I have to try not to fall for a guy who’s hotter in jeans and cowboy boots than a suit and treats me like I matter.

When my time is up, I’ll have to go. I might be used to leaving, only this time when I go, I wish I could be more than a temporary memory to the only man I could see forever with.

First published November 15, 2023

About the author

Marie Johnston

99 books1,019 followers
Marie Johnston is an award-winning, best-selling paranormal and contemporary romance writer. She grew up in the upper Midwest and planned to go to college for English. Didn't happen. She started college in accounting and was awful! Grabbing her inner science geek by the pocket protector, she changed to microbiology and medical technology where her only writing involved scientific articles and procedures.
Eventually, she left full-time work for full-time baby raising but kept thinking, "one day, I'd like to write a book." Finally, before any more time passed, Marie decided to buckle down and write. She loves it!

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews
Profile Image for Morgan.
406 reviews155 followers
November 13, 2023
This is the second book in this Oil Knights Series, and my second book of Marie Johnston’s that I have read. Let me tell you- I am sold! I love her writing style and her stories, and I am now excited to dive into her backlist. (Not to mention the next book in this series that is going to be one of my FAVORITE tropes! 👀)

Cody Knight is recently widowed and now a single dad to his two kids. He moves closer to his sister for the summer to get out of their house with all the memories, and spend some time with his kids. He is struggling with getting his work done and taking care of his kids though. Tova is a woman on the run from something and someone in her past, and she happens to be in the same town they are staying in for the summer. Through a series of events, Tova ends up being his many for the summer. The kids take to her immediately, and it’s the perfect fit.

Tova has a love for dancing, and teaching the kids dance in the backyard. It becomes a whole thing with the neighborhood kids joining and a performance planned for the end of the year. It’s so fun to watch the joy in these kids who are used to having to be quiet while their dad works. Tova also shows Cody how much his kids need him.

Tova and Cody’s instant attraction was so good! They fought it for a while because of their situation, but I loved their romance once they gave in. The future for both of them was very unknown, which made the relationship tough at times, but their feelings for each other continued to grow stronger.I loved Tova and how strong she is! She didn’t realize it at first, but I loved watching her grow in her confidence.

Thank you to the author agency for the ARC. All thoughts are my honest opinions.
Profile Image for Carolyn.
347 reviews35 followers
October 29, 2023
I Loved Cody & Tova!!
Marie writes the best complicated & messy family stories. Healing rifts and broken hearts is her specialty. 🥰❤️

Cody Knight, recently widowed and now a single dad. He moves closer to his sister for the summer, to spend some time with his kids and decompress. Fulfilling his wife’s final wishes regarding their children is taking a toll on him. Guilt, fear and longing for a way out, to be their dad and not chained to his family’s business seems impossible.

He meets Tova Evanson at a local diner he frequents. She is a relative, of sorts, to his waitress. His kids immediately take to her and a plan starts to percolate. He needs help, she needs a place to lie low. After running away from her abusive fiancé, with no money and limited choices has her figuring out her next move. She’s a dancer and employment options in the little town are limited. Working as his nanny for a short time might be the perfect solution.

Slowly they become friends, sharing deep secrets over starlit skies and guitar strings. The kids are happy, thriving. Cody is rediscovering his passions and Tova finally feels accepted. A late night ride and unexpected company arriving changes everything. If they are brave enough to take a leap, it might just be for the better.
Profile Image for Noëmie.
213 reviews3 followers
November 21, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

This is the second book of the Oil Knights series and it was a beautiful story.

What I loved about this book was the fact that Tova was so nice and so attentionate with Cody's children. She was the perfect nanny and all the kids wanted to be with her. It was really adorable.

Cody was all broody and such a workaholic man, but deep down he wants to be a better father to his kids and get past the fact that he lost his wife.

The little tension between Cody and Tova was lovely , and when they're together, it's almost explosive. They want and don't want to be together at the same time.

I love Marie Johnston's writing, because I can relate to it every time. It felt reel and deep.

I love Small Town, Single Dad and Nanny romance, so bassicaly this book was a perfect match for me.
I had a great time reading it and I totally recommend this book.
Profile Image for Maggie.
224 reviews4 followers
November 8, 2023
4.5⭐️s

in my single parent era and i’m having a great time!! this was my first marie book and i LOVED it!

tova and cody were the perfect couple with so much character development! they both were going through a lot at the beginning but came out such stronger people. the two of them, grayson, and ivy made the cutest little family and i loved them all so much

we love milk daddy and california<3

the only complaint i have is that there were a couple of things that were talked about but weren’t actual scenes. i would’ve loved to actually seen them written out!

i’m definitely going to read a reckless memory and i’m SO excited for the next book in the series <33

thank you the author agency for the arc!!
Profile Image for Brooke.
739 reviews31 followers
May 2, 2024
I was intrigued by the King family in the first book of the series, A Reckless Memory, just by the dynamics. I needed to know more about this family. When I read the synopsis of this book I was hooked. I knew that I had to know more about Tova, Cody, Ivy, and Grayson.

Tova and Cody couldn't have been better suited for each other.

Cody was a widower who was still trying to figure out life with his kids after losing his wife.

Tova, a burlesque dancer, found herself with Thelma a family friend, after discovering her life was turning into something she never wanted it to be. She needed to find a way to take care of not only herself but her mom as well.

Bumping into each other in the diner in town couldn't have been more serendip tous. The Dancing Queen meets Milk Daddy.

I fell in love with these two characters as they fell in love with each other. And as Tova fell in love with Ivy and Grayson. Sometimes falling in love with a man with children can be tricky, because not all children can be as welcoming. Ivy and Grayson took to Tova like ducks take to water. I loved these kids so much. They had been through so much and deserved so much love.

"I was no longer Alcott Knight, a married father of two. I was Cody Knight a single dad who had the hots for his nanny."

These two built a friendly relationship in such a short amount of time while also pushing down their attraction for one another. I loved that they had this instant attraction but refused to act on it right away because of the kids and how it would look.

They were like two horny teenagers and I loved it!! It felt like they were fighting so much attracting and doing everything they could to keep from running right into each other.

I loved how his family was able to give them some time together without the kids so that they were able to get that time together. Everyone deserves to have some times to themselves and workout whatever it is that they have going on between each other.

I was so darn happy to see the ways things ended in the end but I definitely wanted to see more of what happened!! I was hoping that we would get more!
Profile Image for ❀ Tayla ❀.
297 reviews18 followers
November 13, 2023
4.5 stars ✨

There’s something just so good about a single dad x nanny romance I can’t explain it!

I’m obsessed with the Knight family and it’s going ons so I was extremely excited for this book after meeting Cody in book 1
After the loss of his wife he is needing help to manage his job and his two young children for the rest of the summer enter Tova she is new to town after escaping a toxic relationship with no money and with her being a dancer, work is limited!

OMG they were so much fun! I loved that they established a really lovely friendship while fighting their attraction to each other. Once they finally gave in oh it was so good! I loved how horny they were each other 😂

“𝑰 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒏𝒐 𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓 𝑨𝒍𝒄𝒐𝒕𝒕 𝑲𝒏𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕, 𝒂 𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒅 𝒇𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒘𝒐. 𝑰 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝑪𝒐𝒅𝒚 𝑲𝒏𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕, 𝒂 𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒍𝒆 𝒅𝒂𝒅 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒉𝒂𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒉𝒐𝒕𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒏𝒂𝒏𝒏𝒚.”

I also love when characters are proud about their feelings and all though what they had could all be temporary they were both willing to sacrifice things in order to have that little bit of happiness.
Tova created a really special bond with Cody’s children as their nanny and her patience and kindness towards them just showed what an amazing person she was. She was the ray of light Cody was looking for to help him get back to how he was and find joy in life again

“𝑺𝒉𝒆’𝒔 𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕. 𝑰’𝒎 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒍𝒖𝒄𝒌𝒊𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝑴𝒊𝒍𝒌 𝑫𝒂𝒅𝒅𝒚 𝒂𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅.”

The character growth of both Cody and Tova was amazing and the way they both valued their family and made selfless decisions really made me adore them so much.
I cannot wait for the continuation of this series ❤️

Thank you author agency and Marie for this ARC
Profile Image for Leah.
670 reviews26 followers
November 18, 2023
Is there a 3rd act break up: I would call it a third act pause.

In A Temporary Memory we return to the Knight Family with Alcott’s story. He is a widower and a single dad, and we learn he is struggling with managing his kids along with the expectations and responsibilities that are set unto him from the family companies. Barns, the Knight’s deceased father, was a man that created chaos in his passing and all of the kids are floundering a little bit in the aftermath. Tova is a woman that realizes she has fallen into a toxic space in her relationship and gets out ASAP. The opening scene shows just how much. Tova struggles thoughout the book with the idea of who she is, what she is worth, and what she needs in life.

Marie Johnston creates A Temporary Memory as a book of growth and self-actualization.
The truth that while Alcott loved his late wife, perhaps they weren’t the best fit for each other. The fact that the choices that he is making might not necessarily be the best ones for his kids. Tova realizes—with some hard truths from Thelma—that some of her choices have been detrimental to her happiness. The cast of side characters in Alcott’s siblings, Thelma, the kids, and the friends that are created is perfect for this story. Johnston never fails to make me refuse to put down my kindle. There is such care in the way she treats these characters and their backstories. You do not want to miss it.

"Tomorrow, we’d go back to single dad and nanny, and if we never broke out of those roles again, at least I had tonight."

PoP: 63%
Profile Image for Amanda Grace.
636 reviews49 followers
November 29, 2023
Two books in and I am OBSESSED with this family.

Cody as a single dad… SWOON! He is trying to provide everything his kids need while honoring his late wife’s wishes and finds himself falling short.

Tova is in town to regroup after escaping a dangerous situation with her ex and finds herself in need of a job. She forms an immediate connection with Grayson & Ivy, so Cody asks her to be their nanny. Surely they can help each other out for the summer without acting on their insane chemistry, right? Nope!

This book is a bit of a slow burn for actual physical contact with each other, but it never feels that way because of their inner dialogue about each other. They lust hard and it is HOT!

Cody & Tova are supposed to be temporary, but Cody wants more. He makes changes for his family and wants Tova with them. She doesn’t see how it can work and projects her past onto the present. I wanted to knock some sense into her, but Thelma did it for me. I enjoyed seeing the “aha” moment when Tova realized she could have everything.

I really appreciate that this author doesn’t write angst just for the sake of a plot point. It makes sense for the characters and is resolved in a believable way.

I cannot wait for the next book.
Profile Image for Tammy - .
989 reviews132 followers
February 12, 2024
If you love small town romance with all the feels, then the Oil Knights series is a must read. Book 2 in the series is Cody Knight's story.

Cody is struggling to balance his demanding job with being a single dad after losing his wife. He meets Tova, and before he knows it, he's offering her a job as his nanny for the summer. Tova is in a hard place herself and she needs the money that this temporary job will offer. For two months, she'll watch Cody's kids, teach them to dance, and then she'll move on. The more time that she spends with Cody and his children though, the more that she wishes that this wasn't meant to be temporary.

Once again, this author pulls out of the feels with this romance. Cody is the "stern" Knight brother, and I loved seeing him soften up under Tova's influence. Their romance kept me turning the pages, and the relationship between Tova and Cody's children had me both smiling and tearing up.

Romance, steam, a touch of angst...this book has it all, and the Knight world is one that I hate to step out of. I hope to see all of the brothers get their own books. I'm already wanting more!
Profile Image for Brittney Thigpen.
133 reviews
November 19, 2023
This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I fell in love with the story immediately! It was such a slow burn but the anticipation and tension between Tova and Cody was just what I needed and was worth the wait! They both found what they needed in each other without even realizing they needed it. Overall, I found this to be an exciting read filled with all the emotions and approached grief beautifully and I can’t wait to read more of her work!
Profile Image for Sassy Southern Book Blog.
4,907 reviews267 followers
May 17, 2024
Marie Johnston is a new author to me and I really like the way she writes her stories, A Temporary Memory is book two within this series. But that didn't really matter as it can be read as a standalone and I was hooked from the start. Cody and Tova are perfect together, they change each other, and heal one another throughout the book and it was quite emotional. They are basically opposites but seem to just fit in the best way possible. Cody is a widower and a single dad to two children, he wants to fulfill his wife's wishes but he is struggling. Taking care of his kids and trying to ensure their happiness, while juggling everything else is becoming too much and he harbors a lot of guilt. A chance encounter with Tova will change his life forever. Tova is a dancer and she has escaped to this small town to regroup after ending a bad abusive relationship. She wants a fresh start but needs a job and there is no way she will be able to get a dancing gig in this town...But an encounter with a single dad and his two children will alter the course of her life in more ways than one. Tova becomes Cody's nanny short term while she gets on her feet, his children Ivy and Grayson adore her. Tova and Cody soon form a friendship that slowly with time becomes more. They are attracted to each other but Cody is her boss and this job is only for the Summer, so thinking about more would be silly right? I loved Marie Johnston's descriptions of the town and its residence, I adored the small town family vibe and togetherness that I felt while reading it.
Small town romances are always my comfort reads and I really enjoyed this one, with The Nanny and her hot grumpy but caring boss is a romance to relish also. I was enthralled by this story and it kept me entertained all the way until the end, emotional and sweet A Temporary Memory is a fantastic romance. Loved it.- Cat W.
Profile Image for Ktsues_booknook.
143 reviews3 followers
November 21, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
We are back in Crocus Valley and we meet Tova who just escaped a terrible relationship and is trying to find her footing. Cody lost his wife less than a year ago to a brain tumor and is struggling. He had agreed that his kids will go to live with his in laws but he needs help I’ve the summer. Tova and meets Cody and his two kids at a diner and they all connect instantly. Tova becomes the nanny and starts looking towards her future. Cody starts looking at what he wants out of life and how to actually live a life full of meaning and happiness. Together Tova and Cody break down each others walls and nurture a relationship. They both have so much to overcome and they actually talk about it openly. I adored these two and the kids. It was the right about of heart, healing and spice that you enjoy every page. I can’t wait to see what happens next to this crew but I am so invested!

I was blessed enough to receive this arc but the thoughts and opinions of this review are my own.


Profile Image for Rebmay.
2,208 reviews35 followers
November 13, 2023
Tova and Cody’s story is funny, poignant and heartwarming, with a little spice and steam added to make it hard to put down. Tova is a free-spirited dancer who has come to Crocus Valley to stay with a friend after fleeing a dangerous situation and her controlling and smarmy ex. She meets Cody and his two adorable kids, Ivy and Grayson, on her first day in town and the two kids instantly connect with her. As it happens, workaholic Cody, who is also a widower, needs a nanny and he offers the job to Tova because of her rapport with his kids. He also knows she is in need of a job after fleeing a bad situation, and her past dancing history doesn’t deter him from hiring her as a nanny. It does however, fire up the images and thoughts he has had about her since he met her, both of which make him feel guilty and disloyal to his late wife. The happiness and well-being of Ivy and Grayson override his trepidation of hiring a woman whose body he can’t stop thinking about.

Tova has not had an easy life. She moved around constantly with her mother. There was no father in the picture and very little financial security. She did take dance lessons and has become a professional dancer, but her ex took control of her life and finances. When he wanted to have her be very intimate with his investors, Tova knew it was time to make her escape. She desperately needs a job though, so she can pay the bills for her mothers care home. She is honest enough to tell Cody about her dancing history before she takes the job as nanny. She also tells herself to keep a tight control on her attraction to and fantasies about her new employer.

Tova is like a breath of fresh air for Cody and his two kids. She makes sure the kids are happy and occupied while he works from home. Still grieving for their mother, and having a workaholic father has been tough on them. Tova brings the gift of dance into their lives and lightens up the whole atmosphere around the house. She also helps Cody find a new rhythm and rapport with his kids. That pesky attraction they have for each other? That grows stronger, so much so, their desire rages out of control and they indulge in some very steamy, intimate contact. Then hearts become involved and many insecurities, doubts and fears begin to plague them. Tova’s job is supposed to be just for the summer, while Cody and his kids are in town. Will they be brave enough to fight for their newfound love and a chance to be together?

I loved the snark and banter as well as the sexy times between Tova and Cody. His kids are beyond adorable. So troubled at first, then so open and carefree because of Tova’s influence on the family. Family dynamics and good friends help make this book even more enjoyable.

I received a copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving this review.
Profile Image for Sharon Moritz-rosenthal.
2,249 reviews27 followers
November 15, 2023
I received a complimentary early release e-book prior to release and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is the second book in a new series by the author called Oil Knights. It's an offshoot of the authors Barron Oil series and stars Cody Knight and a new character to the series, Tova.

The Knight family consists of daddy Barns Knight and his kids:

- Cody is the oldest and is a widower with two young kids, Ivy and Grayson. He is the CEO and runs the family oil business. This is his story.

- Austen is away in the military

- Eliot who is single and runs the ranch with their Dad is ranch manager of the Knight’s Arabians and Cattle Company,

- Wilder, is a police officer who is divorced.

- Auggie who is married to Ansen and is close with Cody and his kids. The first book in the series featured her and Ansen.

Tova is a woman who is 33 but who has pretty much nothing to her name. The story opens up with the why. She makes a fast exit and ends up with no money and staying on the coach with a close family friend of her now deceased grandmother.

Cody is 40, a widower of about 9 months. He has two kids, who are bored and trying to get his attention. His wife died of a brain tumor, and he is spending time in the small town where his sister Auggie lives but in the fall plans to send his kids to live with their grandparents. He is very busy with work so he needs a nanny asap.

Enter Tova who has bills to pay and no income. She agrees to be the nanny and from there the book takes off. Tova is an amazing character. She is a dancer, loves kids, and has a very kind and understanding heart while at the same time being a strong character and has a fighting spirit. Things get in her way, and she just jumps over them.

She doesn't just inspire Cody and his kids but also the whole small town and she breathes life into Cody and his two kids. I loved her so much and she is why I adored this book. Cody is very sad at the start of the book, but she lights a fire in him that I loved watching happen.

The kids, Ivy and Grayson are just as wonderful. They have had a tough life thus far, but they still can see the beauty in life, and they fall for Tova pretty instantly. She helps them get confidence and grow and recover and it was beautiful to see.

This was just such an awesome book, and I loved it so much. It was a story about life and growing and seeing the beauty in it. Living each day and appreciating the blessings in our lives. It was a story I could not put down and I cannot wait for Wilder and Suttons story next.
Profile Image for MNHockeymomreads (Heather).
346 reviews30 followers
November 16, 2023
If I was not already in love with the Knight brothers I am now. And friends, Alcott (Cody) Knight is at the tippy top of my book boyfriend list. That does no mway mean that I think that I am not going to love Austen, Wilder, or Eliot just as much! Friends, Marie Johnston brought the banter on this one. The banter between siblings, amazing and the banter between Cody and Tova was simply stellar. The nicknames alone had me fanning myself….Stern Daddy is all I can say. We love a Stern Daddy, and Cody Knight is their leader.
Cody is such a serious guy with so much on his shoulders, you could literally feel the weight of it. A newly widowed father of two young kids, with a family business to run. Cody was always the brother that needed to be in charge, and felt like nothing was in order.
Tova is such a tenacious woman with a giant heart. I love her free spirit. Even after all that she has experienced in life she greets people with kindness and no judgment. They way she wrapped Ivy and Grayson up and loved them immediately. She gave these two grieving kids exactly what they each needed.
Sometimes a widow parent moving on and falling in love is sort of a hard sell, but not at all in this case! I love how Meg was never put down, but loved for who she was for Cody and the kids. And Tova never felt like she needed to compete with her. Writing that is a balance, and Marie wrote Cody and Tova perfectly. These two had a connection that readers felt from the meet cute, and the growth of their relationship from boss to employee, to friends, to more was done so well. I would call this a slow burn but it would have not worked if they didn’t have the chance to grow their relationship. I will say that once they took their relationship to the next level these two lit the pages on fire, and it was amazing. Cody and Tova might have seemed like complete opposites but they bring out the best in one another. Tova encourages Cody to have a little fun and relax a little, and Cody encourages Tova’s dreams and walks beside her to help her make them happen!
If you love a family series set in a small town with some amazing banter, a stern single dad, and a nanny that can’t wait to loosen him up this book needs to be on your kindle today!!!
Profile Image for Kimberley.
239 reviews5 followers
November 6, 2023
Thank you so much for the ARC, Marie. I absolutely loved your book, and it was exactly what I wanted. I can't wait to read more of your work.

The story follows Tova, who moves away from Los Angeles after a terrible breakup, and her dancing career is practically down the drain. She is helped by someone close to her family and moves in with them for the time being and helps them around the diner.

Tova then meets Cody Knight, who is recently widowed and now a single father who is struggling to fulfil his late wife's wishes to do about the kids all while trying to run two businesses.

Cody needs help looking after his kids while he has a load of work, and Tova needs a place to lie low for a while, so it ends up being a perfect solution to both of their issues. Especially when Cody's kids Ivy and Grayson both take to Tova really well.

The chemistry between Tova and Cody sets off almost instantly, and I loved witnessing it. The characters in the story were so well developed and you can clearly see the growth in them like Cody was such a stern and driven person but with Tova sharing her light and making the kids happier, Cody then turned into a more open and caring character.

Marie did an excellent job with how she portrayed the town, and every character was perfectly written and made you love them instantly. Everything about this book made me love it and find it extremely enjoyable.

I loved how the book showed the theme of family but the sacrifices you take for them, like where Tova had been struggling to find a job to make sure she could pay for her mother's care, just showed how selfless she really is.

One thing I thought was unique was that the story also followed a dance perspective, where Tova got to show off her love of dance while also teaching Ivy and Grayson as well as the neighbouring kids to dance and ended up with a performance at the end of the book for all the kids.
November 18, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶🌶

Cody Knight is recently widowed and is learning how to be both mom and dad to his kids, Ivy and Grayson. He decides to move closer to his sister for the summer to spend more time with her and his kids and to try and give them some sense of normalcy. He is bogged down by his job and the weight of his decisions regarding what’s best for his kids. He realizes that he needs help in the form of a nanny.

Tova recently moved to town to get away from her horrible ex and has nothing to her name. She is desperate for a job to help pay for her mother’s long-term care. Cody offers her a job as his nanny for the rest of the summer, and with no other job prospects, she accepts.

As time goes on, Tova and Cody develop a friendship. They become closer as their time together goes on and both Cody and Tova start to have more-than-friends’ feelings for one another. Cody isn’t sure how he’s supposed to feel in this situation, given his wife died less than a year ago, and Tova isn’t very trusting of men, given her past. Cody starts feeling guilty for how good it feels with Tova and he starts to sort out his feelings. His kids are thriving, he’s rediscovering passions and is trying his best to have a work/life balance, all because Tova is in their lives. Neither of them is supposed to stay in Crocus Valley. Neither of them was supposed to fall in love and neither of them know what the future holds.

💚 Single Dad
💋 Nanny
🏘 Small Town
❤️‍🔥 Slow-ish Burn

This book tugged at my heartstrings from the very beginning. I can’t imagine being a single parent whose partner died. Cody tries his best to navigate his new normal. He is trying to fulfill his late wife’s wishes with how the kids should be raised but finds himself thinking he should do things differently and feels guilty for it. He has the weight of the world on his shoulders, with his family’s company, raising two kids on his own and making time for everything. When he hires Tova, he has different feelings for her than he did his wife, and that kind of scared him. Tova was immediately drawn to Cody. Their personalities kind of clashed, but they trusted each other and were able to be themselves around each other. She got him to open up, and he saw how good she was with his kids. Her presence was calming and carefree, and he could see how she affected both of his kids. Such a great read!
Profile Image for Cat.
1,848 reviews1 follower
November 10, 2023
Marie Johnston is a new author to me and I really like the way she writes her stories,A Temporary Memory is book two within this series..But that didn't really matter as it can be read as a standalone and I was hooked from the start.
Cody and Tova are perfect together,they change eachother,and heal one another throughout the book and it was quite emotional.They are basically opposites but seem to just fit in the best way possible.
Cody is a widower and a single dad to two children he wants to fulfill his wifes wishes but he is struggling.Taking care of his kids and trying to ensure their happiness,while juggling everything else is becoming too much and he harbours alot of guilt.
A chance encounter with Tova will change his life forever.
Tova is a dancer and she has escaped to this small town to regroup after ending a bad abusive relationship.She wants a fresh start but needs a job and there is no way she will be able to get a dancing gig in this town...But an encounter with a single dad and his two children will alter the course of her life in more ways than one.
Tova becomes Cody's nanny short term while she gets on her feet,his children Ivy and Grayson adore her.Tova and Cody soon form a friendship that slowly with time becomes more.They are attracted to eachother..but Cody is her boss and this job is only for the Summer,so thinking about more would be silly right?
I loved Marie Johnston's descriptions of the town and its residence,I adored the small town the family vibe and togetherness that I felt while reading it.
Small town romances are always my comfort reads and I really enjoyed this one,with The Nanny and her hot grumpy but caring boss as a romance to relish also.
I was enthralled by this story and it kept me entertained all the way until the end emotional and sweet A Temporay Memory is a fantastic romance.
Loved it.
Profile Image for BooksBooksandmoreBooks69.
1,699 reviews27 followers
November 16, 2023
A spin off series from her “Oil Kings” Series, these are cousins/family of the original series. You don’t need to read the previous series, nor the previous book to enjoy this one.

“A Temporary Memory” is a small town/single dad/slow burn romance that I’ve come to love from this author.

Tova is a burlesque dancer, but life is on hold at the moment…. What with her love life down the toilet and her dancing career taking a tumble! Oh! And don’t forget her ill health mother! Her finances won’t let her rest for too, so taking a nanny job seems to be the best option whist she figures out her life…..

Cody Knight desperately needs help.
(Can’t help but think of Captain Von Trapp in the Sound of Music movie) how unbending and strict he is, he loves his kids, but doesn’t really know how to show it!

Almost from the start there is a spark between them, but Tova can’t get entangled with emotions again, and it’s only a temporary job. You can almost see from the start there will be sparks, but it takes time to fan the flames 😉
I loved the scenes where Tova teaches dance, it shows how much she enjoys dancing and the author puts real passion and thought into those scenes.

I really liked how Cody changed from rigid father, to someone the kids could call daddy and want to spend time with. Is that Tova’s influence, I’m sure it is, considering how he was in the start of the book!
The small town is beautifully written about, you could easily imagine walking the streets.
All the additional characters are added with care and thought. (Nothing worse than throwing in people when they aren’t needed!)
Pace was steady and never felt rushed or packed out with useless information.

Yes, it does follow the usual route, but as I said, this author adds something to her stories that will have you wanting the pages never ending 🥰

A highly recommended read if you love this genre.

🦋
Profile Image for Maz.
1,303 reviews24 followers
November 24, 2023
I knew this would be another good one. Marie is becoming one of my all time favourite authors.
This is book 2 in the Oil Knights Series and this is Cody's story, Aggie's older brother.
He is a widower, single dad to 2 adorable children and trying to manage the family business and all it's mess.
Tova hasn't had the best experience with relationships or had the best examples. When she thought she had found someone stable, she was so wrong. Luckily she has her grandma's best friend Thelma on 911 to help. That woman is a force to be reckoned with.
I loved Tova's strength of still wanting to keep going. She has her weaknesses but we all do. I also respected her for not being embarrassed for being a burlesque dancer. She loves to dance and teach. Her need for income is for her mum and her health. Tova's past really is upsetting and my heart broke for her. She is such a wonderful and caring person, so easy to love and be friends with.
Tova needs a job and Cody needs a nanny to help. Perfect match but their meeting has their hearts having other ideas.
Read the story and experience their fight against their chemistry, see the children start to live and be happy, also read how their hearts intertwine.
But is Tova safe from her evil ex? Will she Runaway as soon as things get serious? Will Cody lose his children because of work?
Loved seeing Aggie and Ansen again. Loved the friendship Tova has begun. Also the other Knight brothers are a delight to be around. Can't wait for all of their stories.
There was enough, tension, guilt happiness, dancing, fun, banter, laughter, drama, love and spice.

Favourite Quotes:

“Do you know how often I get off with the image of you in my head?”

“Opinions are like a$$holes, everyone’s got one.”

"Tova felt like coming home."

Profile Image for Bookish Lady Night.
336 reviews5 followers
November 25, 2023
Book Review: A Temporary Memory

I Loved Cody & Tova!! Ivy and Grayson are adorable kids and their journey in this book is just as powerful as the two MCs. Marie sure does know how to write a story that’s full of emotions and messy stories and situations. She weaves them so effectively with the healing and broken hearted characters she creates.

Cody Knights a recently widowed and now a single dad of about a year. He moves closer to his baby sister, and his sister in law for the summer, to get a change of scenery from where his wife passed. His wife’s dying wishes and eating at every inch of his soul and gut instincts of what his children really need and it’s made him a somewhat bitter and closed off man. Trying to over come the guilt, loneliness, and his hands being tied in the family business he is attempting a very difficult balancing act.

He meets Tova Evanson at a local diner while he is there with his children. She’s one of the waitresses found family member. Tova strikes an immediate bond with his children and since he is in desperate need of help with balancing all the demands placed on him he asks her to be his kids nanny. Tova accepts because she’s hiding from her abusive ex and trying to save up to care for her mom in a care center. She’s a dancer it’s her passion and joy! Their friendship blossoms slowly over several nights of porch sitting, staring gazing, and gentle strumming of a guitar. They share details they can’t really understand why they are sharing but they communicate so easily. His kids are happy and thriving under Tovas loving care! And they both feel heard and accepted after so long of feeling the opposite. They have a beautiful bond that grows into a beautiful love story! I really loved this book I’m going to go back a read the others and can’t wait for the next in the series!
Profile Image for DarknessLighttt.
349 reviews45 followers
November 29, 2023
🐚 𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐄𝐖 🐚

4.5 ⭐

𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝘀: age gap, small town, single dad, nanny, cowboy

𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝗿𝘀: manipulative ex

It's not the first time I've read from this author, so I'm not surprised that she once again managed to write a formidable book.

Tova and Cody's story is beautiful and emotional. I loved how the author highlighted all of Tova's fears and how she made her overcome them. I'm not saying that Cody doesn't have fears, but I felt that Tova's were so deep.

Cody is a single father after his wife died. He lives in Crocus Valley until his children start school and move in with his in-laws. He meets Tova accidentally one evening when he was having dinner with his children at a restaurant. What he did not take into account is that later Tova will become the children's nanny and the woman for whom he begins to feel something.

Tova ran away from a relationship where her ex controlled everything. Now, without anything on her own, she is desperate to find a job so that she can take care of her mother and herself. She accepted the job as a nanny, but only now she sees the true face of Cody. A face of a man who deeply down still mourns for his wife, who is simply overwhelmed by how much work he has for his job and the attention he has to give to the child, and the perfect man for her.

While Tova works for him, they get closer, and when the tension between them becomes too unbearable, they both give in. But with the closeness of the children and Cody's departure to his in-laws separate them or bring them closer together even more? I'll leave that to you to discover.

I loved every moment of this book and how it captivated me from the first pages. Many rounds of applause to the author of this amazing book!!

Thank you Marie Johnston for the opportunity to read this amazing book in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Cigi cini.
393 reviews30 followers
November 3, 2023
🔥 Small Town
🔥 Single Dad
🔥 Nanny Romance

Star: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

"A Temporary Memory" by Marie Johnston is a heartwarming contemporary romance novel that takes readers on a journey of unexpected love and self-discovery. The story centers around Tova who, after a tumultuous breakup and a stalled dancing career, finds herself in a small town with no financial resources. To make ends meet and support her ailing mother, she takes on a temporary job as a nanny for Alcott "Cody" Knight, a stern single dad with two adorable children.

The characters in the novel are well-developed and relatable. The chemistry between the Tova and Cody is palpable from the start, and their slow-burning romance is a delight to witness. Cody's transformation from a rigid and driven individual to a more open and caring person is beautifully portrayed. The way he interacts with his children and the protagonist adds depth to his character.

The author does an excellent job of creating a vivid and charming small-town setting, which enhances the story's appeal. The narrative also touches on the theme of family and the sacrifices one is willing to make for the people they love. Tova’s dedication to her mother's care and her budding relationship with Cody make for a touching and emotionally resonant.

The pacing of the book is well-balanced, keeping readers engaged throughout. The inclusion of dance lessons adds a unique and captivating element to the story, making it stand out from other contemporary romance novels.

While the plot may follow some familiar tropes of the genre, the characters' depth and the well-executed emotional moments set "A Temporary Memory" apart. The book beautifully explores the idea of finding love and a sense of belonging when you least expect it.
Profile Image for all.the.smut.things.
404 reviews173 followers
November 12, 2023
RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
SPICE: 🔥🔥💥

This is my second one of Marie’s books and I swear, I am in love with her writing style and her characters. I love that her characters are just a little older (30s) and have some messy life complications. I love that she packs a ton of emotion into the story, and I love the sense of family woven into her books.

I also love this western country vibe that she has going on in the books, and these cowboy ranchers, are just absolutely swoony. Cody was fantastic from his buttoned up suit all the way down to his cowboy boots. I have to admit, from the first book, he wasn’t my favorite brother, but in this one, I loved him. Just absolutely melted for him. 🫠

Cody and Tova are both temporary residents of Crocus Valley. Cody is there with his children trying to sort out his life after his wife passed a year earlier. Tova escaped from a bad situation with barely the clothes on her back, and is trying to find a reset. When Cody asks Tova to be his nanny for the summer, she realizes he is much more than the “Stern Daddy” she pegged him for.

I loved how raw this book was. You got to see real emotions from both Cody and Tova, and I loved how it brought them together. I loved how Cody’s grief over his late wife was handled, but not at the expense of his relationship with Tova. Tova was fantastic, of a little flawed, but I adored the way she gravitated towards his kids and seemed to know exactly what they needed. There is nothing that melts me more than the love interest falling for the MCs kids. It destroys me.

This book was just so good! I loved every second of it and it kept me captivated the entire time. Highly recommend if you like small towns, cowboys, single dads and nannies, a dancer FMC and a whole lot of family vibes.
2,262 reviews22 followers
November 16, 2023
4.5 stars. Tova, the female lead, has fled to her dead grandmother’s best friend’s house to escape an abusive rich boyfriend who thought “burlesque dancer” was interchangeable with “sex worker” for job description and told her he expected her to be intimate with his clients. Cody, the male lead, is an overworked man, trying to raise two children the way he believes his dead wife would want, whilst simultaneously running two businesses which his dead father left in disarray.

Cody and his family are on holidays, renting a house on the street Tova’s friend lives. When she’s able to rescue a situation, Cody finds himself offering her a nanny position for two months out of desperation, even though he is unreasonably attracted to her. Tova takes it because her ex has stolen her money and she needs to pay for her mother’s healthcare.

Both are in a bad situation. Neither has scope for a relationship, but this attraction won’t let up.

This story is dual POV, well written, and a steamy, angsty, contemporary romance, with both lead characters full of self-doubt. I enjoyed the significant character development for both lead characters. I enjoyed how they were able to bolster each other, even when they struggled to see a path for themselves. I enjoyed the integrated secondary characters and the support many provided for the lead characters. I enjoyed Cody’s children and appreciated the integral part of the story they were, how they were clearly differentiated in personality, and how their input impacted the lead characters’ relationship. I enjoyed the steamy intimate moments, and the way these were integrated into and integral to the story development.

I received a complimentary copy from the author and this is my voluntary honest review.
Profile Image for Trish- Late Knight Luna Reads.
1,884 reviews14 followers
November 9, 2023
Oh how I was hooked on this story and devoured it one sitting! “A Temporary Memory” is an emotional, sweet and tantalizing single Dad/Nanny romance that pulled on all my heart strings.

Tova has worked hard for her dancing career but after choosing the wrong guy, she’s in a small town living with her grandma’s best friend who has been her savior more than once. Trying to figure out her next plan, a job falls into her lap. Cody is in town with his two kids while figuring out his family business. He needs help with his kids as they are still grieving their mother who has passed and adjusting to the life changes. As Tova spends time with Cody and the kids, a friendship forms. An attraction between Cody and Tova grows but after the summer ends, Tova is determined to go back to California where her Mom is at.

I loved Tova and Cody’s story so much. From the first chapter, Tova was an instant favorite for me. She had to stand up for herself and get herself out of a terrible situation. It takes a brave person to do that. Tova is brave, sweet, genuine and so relatable with the struggles she faces in this story. Cody is a grumpy, swoony delight who I loved right away. He’s a great Dad working with family issues while trying to make sure his kids are happy. He had a few hidden qualities that were even more swoony. Tova and Cody’s chemistry was amazing and I loved the slow burn up until they couldn’t resist each other anymore. His kids, Greyson and Ivy, were such great kids and I loved how opposite they were. Tova was the missing piece to their family and she helped them heal so much. The ending was so sweet and I can’t wait for the next book in the series.
2,201 reviews54 followers
November 17, 2023
A Temporary Memory starts off with a temporary romance between Cody and Tova, but they were exactly what the other needed!

It's been a year since Cody lost his wife, Meg, and he and his kids are still drowning in grief. He isn't quite sure how to get out of being stuck between the family business and raising his kids, and thinks, since he's a workaholic, that following his late wife's wishes for them to live with her parents is the best choice for Ivy and Grayson. He's living in Crocus Valley for the summer and desperately needs a nanny… just as Tova arrives in town after escaping from a manipulative and emotionally abusive ex. She needs a job, he needs a nanny, the kids love Tova, it's a win/win.

There's an insane attraction between Cody and Tova from the start, even though he's super hard on himself about having feelings for his nanny when he feels he should still be grieving for Meg. But Cody and Meg's relationship wasn't a grand sweeping love, and Tova evokes all kinds of feelings in him that he's not sure what to do with. Of course, they give in — but only because there is an end date in sight before the kids go to live with their grandparents and Tova returns to California to care for her disabled mom.

But what if they can have it all? Cody and his family give Tova a sense of belonging that she's never felt before, and with Tova, he feels hope for a future that he thought was out of reach. Between his in-laws, her abandonment issues, and her stalker-y ex, it's a bumpy road for Cody and Tova to get to their HEA. But the epilogue was well worth the payoff!

I received an advanced copy and voluntarily left a review.
156 reviews1 follower
November 17, 2023
We first met Cody’s wife Meg in his sister Aggie’s story (A Reckless Memory) and honestly, she didn’t make the best impression. It’s clear that Meg had strong opinions and, even after her death, Cody is being influenced by them. He’s decided that at the end of the summer, he will send his children to live with Meg’s parents, having convinced himself that Meg would want that and that he is doing a terrible job at raising them alone. He isn’t completely wrong about the latter, though not as right as he thinks he is.

Tova befriends the kids and as she starts to care for them realizes that Cody needs help rebuilding his relationship with the children. She is such a natural with all three of the Barrons, and she fits right in, but while she’s extremely good at seeing what they need, she’s pretty blind to what’s going on with her. I have to admit that kind of tried my patience, though I suppose in fairness that is a pretty human characteristic and a mark of the realism in Marie’s writing.

Some of my favorite parts were Tova’s interactions with the neighborhood children and with Thelma, and Cody’s descriptions of his marriage. It’s clear that it wasn’t easy, and his relationship with Meg was nothing like what he shares with Tova, but his respect and love for Meg, his understanding of her ways even when she was prickly, and his desire to do what she would think best for the sake of the children was actually one of the most beautiful parts of the story to me. And the scene with Meg’s parents – priceless. You’ll know what I mean when you get there.

November 20, 2023
A Temporary Memory is the second book in the Oil Knights series. When I received an ARC for this book, I wasn’t aware of the first book of the series and I immediately went and first read book 1.

Alcott “Cody” Knight is a widower spending the summer in Crocus Valley with his two kids, to be a little closer to his sister and also a change of scenery for him and his kids after the death of his wife. But Cody is also a serious workaholic who realises that he needs a nanny to help him with the kids.

Tova used to work as a burlesque dancer until her boyfriend thought he could get more than dancing out of her performances and she left in a hurry with just about only the clothes on her back.

Tova is the perfect person to nanny for Cody’s kids for the summer. She doesn’t want to stay in Crocus Valley long term and Cody is getting ready to send his kids to live with their grandparents as per his wife’s wishes.

What I really loved about this book is that everyone was so accepting of Tova’s past without being judgemental about it.

Of course we have the increasing attraction between Tova and Cody and they both need to work through a lot before they can really make things work between them. Tova needed to learn to trust that some people really only have good intentions and are not trying to take advantage of her in some way. And Cody had to accept that he knew best how to raise his children even if it was completely different to what his wife would have done.

Grab this book now. You will not be disappointed.
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