The Unforgotten World of Ava by Renee Scarrott is a moving novel that follows Ava, a woman who has loved and lost and who finds herself in the most unexpected of places. Ava Morgan has been married to her husband for years, but she loses him to another woman, one younger than herself. Deeply hurt and unsure why life should treat her thus, she starts on a journey of self-discovery, finding out the big “whys” of her life. This journey leads her to an unforgotten part of the world where she rediscovers love and with a
man who’s always been there.

The story starts with an expression that immediately captures the reader's attention: “She wondered if her husband was having an affair, as she looked out the window, watching the winter snowflakes fall to the ground.” Why would Ava Morgan, married to her husband for twenty-two years with two wonderful kids, be worried and suspicious of infidelity? The Unforgotten World of Ava is filled with magical realism and presents an extraordinary protagonist; a richly developed character with a humanity that reflects much of our human longings. The writing is crisp and beautiful and I loved how the author explores the inner world of the characters.

From the beginning, I knew that Ava was a troubled woman. She’d picked up on her husband’s infidelity, thanks to her sixth sense. Now, the fear of losing the man in her life becomes the one fear that defines her actions and drives her. Renee Scarrott is one of those writers who deeply understand the heart of humanity and writes about it in a way that readers connect with her characters. A lovely story, indeed.

Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo