Showing posts with label time travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label time travel. Show all posts

Wednesday, October 18, 2017

Review: The Girl With the Red Balloon by Katherine Locke

The Girl With the Red Balloon by Katherine Locke
Series: The Balloonmakers #1
Published: September 1st, 2017
Publisher: Albert Whitman Company
256 pages (eARC)
Genre: Young Adult Historical/Science Fiction
Acquired this book: From Netgalley in exchange for honest consideration
Rating: 4.5 stars
Warning: May contain spoilers
GoodReads || Buy the book: Amazon US ~ Canada || Chapters

When sixteen-year-old Ellie Baum accidentally time-travels via red balloon to 1988 East Berlin, she’s caught up in a conspiracy of history and magic. She meets members of an underground guild in East Berlin who use balloons and magic to help people escape over the Wall—but even to the balloon makers, Ellie’s time travel is a mystery. When it becomes clear that someone is using dark magic to change history, Ellie must risk everything—including her only way home—to stop the process.


The Girl With the Red Balloon is full of magic, mystery, action, romance, and wonderfully diverse characters. Set in 1988 East Berlin, a year before the Berlin Wall came down, there’s so much history and devastation and love and hope packed into Ellie and Kai and Mitzi’s story.

The book started out a bit slow for me, but when it picked up, I could hardly put it down. The last quarter or so was so exciting I was stabbing at my Kindle pages trying to turn them faster and faster. Locke created a complex story that wove together the lives of several generations of people, from the Holocaust to Cold War Germany where a girl from modern times ends up time traveling via magic balloon.

Whenever I read books that deal with Hitler’s Germany in any way, I realize how little I actually know about the horrors of the Holocaust. The scenes told from Ellie’s grandfather’s perspective, which took place mostly in a ghetto in Poland, left me with a lump in my throat, fighting back tears. I knew even less about the Cold War and the Berlin Wall, and the intense oppression and fear people experienced in East Berlin. As I was reading, I kept thinking, ‘this is recent history. This isn’t even 30 years ago. I was alive when this happened’. Considering what’s happening in the world and the fact the US currently has a leader who has frightening resemblances to Hitler, this book is one that got me thinking, researching, and having important conversations with friends.

The Girl With the Red Balloon wasn’t just a story about the atrocities of history, though. It was also a story about friendship, acceptance, love, perseverance, and hope. So much hope. I know this is a story that will stick with me - I read it weeks ago and have thought about it every single day since. I can’t wait to read the next book and see what happens.


Have you read The Girl With the Red Balloon? Do you consider yourself well educated when it comes to the Holocaust and/or the Cold War? Do you enjoy books about time travel?



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Monday, March 7, 2016

Review: Into the Dim by Janet B Taylor

Into the Dim by Janet B Taylor
Series: Into the Dim #1
Published: March 1st, 2016
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers
432 pages (eARC)
Genre: Young Adult Science Fiction
Acquired this book: Via NetGalley in exchange for honest consideration
Warning: May contain spoilers
{GoodReads || Buy this book: Amazon || Chapters/Indigo}


When fragile sixteen-year-old Hope Walton loses her mom to an earthquake overseas, her secluded world crumbles. Agreeing to spend the summer in Scotland, Hope discovers that her mother was more than a brilliant academic, but also a member of a secret society of time travelers. Trapped in the twelfth century in the age of Eleanor of Aquitaine, Hope has seventy-two hours to rescue her mother and get back to their own time. Along the way, her path collides with that of a mysterious boy who could be vital to her mission...or the key to Hope’s undoing. Addictive, romantic, and rich with historical detail, Into the Dim is an Outlander for teens.

When I first read the synopsis of Into the Dim, I remember my eyes getting bigger and bigger with excitement. Scotland. Secret society. Time travel. Eleanor of Aquitaine. All things that should make for a Marie Book. I went into it trying hard not to expect too much ‘just in case’, but ended up completely loving this book from beginning to end. It wove together elements of contemporary, science fiction, and historic fiction into a book that was nearly impossible to put down.

Hope has led a very sheltered life. Not only did her mother homeschool her, she also led Hope to believe she didn’t need anyone else in her life - no friends and few interactions with the outside world. Hope’s adopted father loved her, but his family was horrible to her, so Hope stayed away from them as much as possible. She developed a lot of phobias throughout her seclusion, plus she awkward and uncomfortable around other people. A few months after her mother’s death, Hope’s dad is already moving on, so when Hope’s mom’s family invites her to visit in Scotland, she goes. She’s not there long before she learns all kinds of fantastical things, including the fact her family is in a secret society of time travelers, and her mother isn’t actually dead - she’s trapped in London in the 1100s.

Hope was a great main character. She started out really timid and afraid of her own shadow, but she overcame so many obstacles - both mental and physical - along the way. She surprised me with her strength, and I ended up feeling proud of her for how strong, smart, and resourceful she was. I liked that the book started out like a contemporary, giving you time to get to know, like, and even understand Hope, and then BAM, not only does time travel exist, but she’s about to experience it. The book truly grabbed and held my attention once the characters travelled back in time. It all seemed so well thought out, and the plot was incredibly engaging. I’ve always been fascinated by Eleanor of Aquitaine (talk about a badass woman!), and I loved her part in the story. I also enjoyed the other characters and their side stories, and thought they were a great addition. It was obvious Taylor had done her research, and I appreciated that she touched on various aspects of what life was like then, from how horrifically common rape was to how a man essentially owned and controlled his wife to anti-Semitism and a bit of what life was like if you were Jewish. As a history nerd, I loved the little details and facts that were worked into the story, especially since I just visited London for the first time last year.

Overall, I loved Into the Dim. It was action packed, had great twists, plenty of intrigue, and a slow-building romance that kept me guessing and made me swoon. The vivid writing sucked me in - there were even a few times where I was breathless because the things that were happening seemed so real. I had high hopes for this book, and it exceeded my expectations. I can’t wait for the next book!

 


Have you read Into the Dim? What did you think? If you haven't read it, do you plan to? Do you have a favourite time travel book?

Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Review: The Infinite by Lori M Lee


The Infinite by Lori M Lee 
Series: Gates of Thread and Stone #2
Published: March 10th, 2015
Publisher: Skyscape
378 pages (eARC)
Genre: Young adult fantasy
Acquired this book: Via NetGalley in exchange for honest consideration 
Warning: May contain spoilers
{GoodReads || Buy this book: Amazon || Chapters/Indigo}
 
{Read my review of Gates of Thread and Stone}

Kai always believed the only danger to the city came from within. Now, with a rebel force threatening the fragile government, the walls have become more of a prison than ever.

To make matters worse, as Avan explores his new identity as an Infinite, Kai struggles to remind him what it means to be human. And she fears her brother, Reev, is involved with the rebels. With the two people she cares about most on opposite sides of a brewing war, Kai will do whatever it takes to bring peace. But she’s lost her power to manipulate the threads of time, and she learns that a civil war might be the beginning of something far worse that will crumble not only Ninurta’s walls but also the entire city.

In this thrilling sequel to Gates of Thread and Stone, Kai must decide how much of her humanity she’s willing to lose to protect the only family she’s ever known.

I loved Gates of Thread and Stone. The gorgeous cover drew me in, and then my interest was captivated by the story itself - great characters, mystery, magic, romance, action. There was so much to love about the book, and I was eager to find out what would happen to Kai and her friends and family next. The Infinite was a great sequel. It satisfied my curiosity about what would happen next while skillfully adding in new information, new intrigue, and character development, plus setting things up for the next book.

Things in Ninurta are changing quickly after the huge power shift at the end of the first book. Kai has gone from living a simple life where she and her brother struggled to survive financially to living in the city centre and dealing directly with the people who run the city. When they learn that there are more survivors of the war living in their own city, things change even more.

Kai has a lot to deal with. She’s just found out the truth about her past, who/what she really is, and who her biological family is. She’s torn between worlds, between different groups of people, between family and duty, and between two possible loves. Through it all, though, she’s strong, smart, and fierce. She’s not perfect by any means, and she can be impulsive and even reckless, but I think that’s part of what makes her so great. She would do anything to protect the people she cares about, even if that means putting herself in danger. And it’s those flaws that make her believable and easy to connect with.

The romance, while not a main plot of the book, was much more prominent in Gates of Thread and Stone. The Infinite just had hints of romance, because there was so much else going on. I loved Avan in the first book, so it was hard seeing him not be himself. He’s the same person on the outside, but has none of his memories or old personality traits, and I can only imagine how much it would hurt Kai to interact with the boy who looks like the one she cares about but who can’t even remember her or their past. It made me glad he wasn’t in much of the book, because his interactions with Kai usually just left me sad. I did, however, continue to fall harder for Mason in this book. I loved him in the first book and was torn between him and Avan, but unless Avan somehow gets his memories back, I’m leaning more toward Mason. He and Kai are a good match, they work well together, and they have great chemistry.

With lots of twists and turns, a ton of new information, and plenty of action, The Infinite was a great sequel to Gates of Thread and Stone. I’m curious to see where the story will go from here, what will happen to the characters, and how certain things will get wrapped up.
 

    

Have you read Gates of Thread and Stone or The Infinite? What did you think? If you haven't read them, do you plan to? Let's talk here or on Twitter!

Monday, March 30, 2015

Review: Gates of Thread and Stone by Lori M Lee

Gates of Thread and Stone by Lori M Lee
Series: Gates of Thread and Stone #1
Published: August 5th, 2014
Publisher: Skyscape
335 pages (eARC)
Genre: Young adult fantasy
Acquired this book: Via NetGalley in exchange for honest consideration
Warning: May contain spoilers
{GoodReads || Buy this book: Amazon || Chapters/Indigo}

In the Labyrinth, we had a saying: keep silent, keep still, keep safe.

In a city of walls and secrets, where only one man is supposed to possess magic, seventeen-year-old Kai struggles to keep hidden her own secret—she can manipulate the threads of time. When Kai was eight, she was found by Reev on the riverbank, and her “brother” has taken care of her ever since. Kai doesn’t know where her ability comes from—or where she came from. All that matters is that she and Reev stay together, and maybe one day move out of the freight container they call home, away from the metal walls of the Labyrinth. Kai’s only friend is Avan, the shopkeeper’s son with the scandalous reputation that both frightens and intrigues her.

Then Reev disappears. When keeping silent and safe means losing him forever, Kai vows to do whatever it takes to find him. She will leave the only home she’s ever known and risk getting caught up in a revolution centuries in the making. But to save Reev, Kai must unravel the threads of her past and face shocking truths about her brother, her friendship with Avan, and her unique power.
When I read the synopsis of Gates of Thread and Stone, I was really excited. Plus, I mean, that cover is just so beautiful and eye-catching, right? Between the cover and synopsis, I had extremely high hopes for Gates of Thread and Stone, and I’m thrilled to say it lived up to my expectations. This book drew me in from the first page and held my attention right to the last page. It was gripping, exciting, mysterious, and well written, with a tightly woven, inventive plot.

I really liked Kai. She was feisty, smart, and strong. She loved her brother fiercely, and would do anything to make him happy and make life easier. She was a believable teenager - at times insecure, uncertain, selfish, impulsive - definitely flawed, and I loved that. We didn’t see much of Reev, Kai’s brother, but from Kai’s thoughts and memories of him, plus the few glimpses we did get, you were able to get a good sense of the protective, loyal older brother who would do anything to keep his sister safe.

Then there was Avan. Oh Avan. *swoon* I loved him. I loved the will they/won’t they pull between him and Kai, and the slow build of anticipation toward the possibility of something beyond friendship. I alternately sighed and squealed every time they touched, especially as the story went on and things were so uncertain. They had each other when everything was falling apart and even though there were moments I wanted to knock some sense into Kai, I loved these two together.

The world building in this book was fantastic. I was fascinated by the Labyrinth and the world beyond, and was able to picture it all clearly. The whole thing had a dark and creepy post-apocalypse vibe to it. I loved that this book was different from anything I’ve read.

I’ll admit, part of me was hoping this would be a really strong standalone. Up until close to the end I thought it might be, but by the end, I knew there would have to be a continuation. The ending was bittersweet, but I’m hopeful it will get worked out in the sequel, and since I loved these characters so much I’m happy to get the opportunity to see them again.

Gates of Thread and Stone is a fast-paced adventure full of magic and romance. I think this book will appeal to a lot of readers, whether you like fantasy, science fiction, post-apocalyptic, dystopian, or romance. Gates of Thread and Stone has a great concept, and Lori M Lee executed it with finesse. I highly recommend this one. 

 

   
Have you read Gates of Thread and Stone? If you haven't read it, do you plan to? Let's talk here or on Twitter!
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Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Review: The Clockwork Scarab by Colleen Gleason


The Clockwork Scarab by Colleen Gleason
Series: Stoker and Holmes #1
Published: September 17th, 2013
Publisher: Chronicle Books
356 pages (ebook)
Genre: Young adult historic fiction (steampunk)/mystery
Acquired this book: From the library
Warning: May contain spoilers
{GoodReads || Buy this book: Amazon || Book Depository || Chapters/Indigo}

Evaline Stoker and Mina Holmes never meant to get into the family business. But when you’re the sister of Bram and the niece of Sherlock, vampire hunting and mystery solving are in your blood. And when two society girls go missing, there’s no one more qualified to investigate.

Now fierce Evaline and logical Mina must resolve their rivalry, navigate the advances of not just one but three mysterious gentlemen, and solve murder with only one clue: a strange Egyptian scarab. The stakes are high. If Stoker and Holmes don’t unravel why the belles of London society are in such danger, they’ll become the next victims.

 

From the moment I read the synopsis of The Clockwork Scarab, I knew I had to read this book. Sherlock Holmes’s niece and Bram Stoker’s sister? Steampunk? Count me in! With great elements of historic fiction, steampunk, mystery, humour, and timey-wimey goodness, this book was a lot of fun.

I really liked both Mina and Evaline. Mina was like a teenage girl version of her Uncle Sherlock - highly intelligent, observant, and antisocial. She’d been through a lot in the last few years, and it made her different from other girls her age whose lives basically revolved around social engagements and courting. Evaline was a kickass vampire hunter with super-human speed and strength, but a debilitating weakness at the sight of blood. The girls were very different (yet also very similar) and didn’t like the idea of working together; they each had their own strengths and weaknesses, and they slowly learned that they balance each other out and could work well together if they got over their desire not only to work alone, but also to prove themselves to other people.

Because Mina and Evaline were so different, the dual POV telling worked perfectly. Each girl had a distinct voice, and it was fun to get inside their minds and see their ‘process’, as well as learn firsthand their strengths and weaknesses. The girls were the perfect choice for this investigation - they knew they’d be underestimated and overlooked just because they were women and it was the 1800s, and naturally women couldn’t be useful for anything but looking pretty and attending parties and balls. They used that to their advantage, and were very clever in the schemes they came up with.

I loved the steampunk element of this book, and thought it was really well executed. In an alternate Victorian London where electricity has been outlawed, the city is powered by steam. I was fascinated by the inventions, and I liked how Mina was really into gadgets and was always coming up with ‘cognoggin’ solutions to problems. I felt immersed in the time and place, able to picture it all clearly.

As for the mystery, I was fully engrossed. I liked how the Egyptian mythology was worked in, and thought it was a really unique idea. I’m always fascinated with books about secret societies, and the whole steampunk/Victorian London element made it all the more interesting and mysterious. 

Now let’s talk romance. There were three boys in this book - a mysterious and charming thief, an intense and handsome Scotland Yard inspector, and an accidental time traveler from the 21st century. The romances weren’t a main focus of the book, which I appreciated, because the book was more about the girls coming into their own, learning to be partners, and trying to solve the mystery. There was just enough romance to make things interesting, show a different side to each girl, and to make me curious how things will turn out in the next book(s). The (potential) love interests challenged the girls - usually in very amusing ways - and even though I'm a total romance junkie, I liked that there was just a touch of romance and it didn't consume the whole book.

I know The Clockwork Scarab is the beginning of a series, but it felt like there were too many loose ends left at the end of the novel. Nothing was really resolved, and while that makes for more interest in the next book, I was left sort of scratching my head and thinking ‘that’s it?’ There were far more questions than answers. Also, while I liked the time travel element, it felt like it was thrown in and never really expanded. I liked Dylan but we didn’t actually learn anything about him, so he sort of felt like he was just there and not really part of the story.

The Clockwork Scarab was an exciting story with great characters, a wonderful setting, and fascinating elements of mystery, steampunk, and time travel. Mina and Evaline were memorable characters, and I can’t wait to see what they get up to next in The Spiritglass Charade

 


 
Have you read The Clockwork Scarab? What did you think? If you haven't read it, is it on your TBR? Do you enjoy steampunk? Historic fiction?

Saturday, October 26, 2013

Review: If Only We by Jessica Sankiewicz


If Only We by Jessica Sankiewicz
Series: Standalone
Published: October 2013
Publisher: Self-published
187 pages (ebook)
Genre: Contemporary young adult
Acquired this book: Beta read for the author, then bought a copy
Warning: May contain spoilers

They say all it takes is one wrong move and you lose the game. One false step and you’re trapped. One slip-up in your choice of words and you ruin a friendship forever. That is what they say. They say I lost.

I do not believe them.

At the end of the summer after graduation, Adrienne wonders what happened to cause her life to be in ruins. She isn’t getting along with her mom, her stepsister isn’t talking to her, and, to top it off, the boy she’s been in love with doesn’t want anything to do with her. She believes the turning point was a choice she made at graduation. When she wakes up the next day, she has been transported back three months to that moment, the one where everything started to fall apart.

Adrienne realizes she has been given a second chance—and this time she doesn’t want to mess anything up. Reliving the entire summer, though, turns out to be a lot harder than she thought. As the same days and weeks go by, she starts to see how simple decisions can make a huge impact on the world around her. Despite knowing some of what lies ahead, there are some things she didn’t anticipate. She thought she knew what mistake led her to where she ended up the first time. She was wrong.

And by the time summer is over, she discovers what was really at stake.


I should probably put in a little disclaimer here: Jessica Sankiewicz is one of my best friends. We met through book blogging a little over two years ago, and our friendship has gone far beyond just our mutual love of bookish things. Even though we’ve never actually met in person, I know I can count on her for anything. I’d heard her talk a lot about her writing project If Only We, and I was eager to read it. I feel so honoured that I got to be part of this book in little ways - I designed the cover, beta reader for Jess (she's beta read my last three books), and formatted the ebook.

So while people might think that because she’s one of my best friends I’d go easy on her writing, it was quite the opposite. If anything, I was tougher on her because I want her to succeed. I wanted her to avoid a few of the stumbling blocks I had with my first novel, when I didn’t really have anyone to hold my hand and guide me or give me advice. I was brutally honest, knowing she would appreciate it and take my criticism for what it was - constructive, and from a place of love.

Now, with that out of the way, I can finally talk about the actual story!

As someone who loves anything to do with time travel, the concept of If Only We appealed to me instantly. It’s not your typical time travel story - Adrienne doesn’t go back and forth in time, but she does go back, and she gets to relive the summer where everything in her life got messed up. She gets the ultimate second chance, and she’s determined not to mess it up.

Adrienne was a great character - strong and determined, creative and kind. She wasn’t perfect - she made mistakes, she was insecure at times, she told lies to protect herself - but it made her more realistic. She learned a lot of hard life lessons that summer. The theme of second chances played a big part in every aspect of the book, from Adrienne’s career choice to her relationship with her family to her relationship with the boy who broke her heart. She realized life isn’t always black and white, and she also realized that when life gives you a second chance, you don’t question it, you grab it with both hands and you make the best of it.

I really liked that this story dealt with tough subjects like alcoholism. A lot of authors shy away from things like that, but Jessica tackled it in a way that was true to life. There was a nice balance of the big things - family issues, a mother with unrealistic expectations, uncertainty about the future, a friend’s father’s alcoholism, unrequited love - and quiet, small moments of everyday life, which I appreciated. Those little moments are part of what I love most about contemporary books, because they give you a chance to relate to and connect with the main character.

A sweet and uplifting story about second chances and love in many of its forms, If Only We is a great contemporary story that I think will appeal to people of all ages. It’s one of those books that could be considered either young adult or new adult - Adrienne has just finished high school and is on the cusp of adulthood, learning big life lessons. 

 
Have you read If Only We? What did you think? If you haven't read it, do you plan to? Have you ever wished you could go back in time for a second chance?

*Be sure to come back tomorrow for the kick-off of the If Only We blog tour, where Jessica shares a playlist of her favourite songs from The OC, and you can enter her huge tour-wide giveaway!*
 

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Review: Time After Time by Tamara Ireland Stone


Time After Time by Tamara Ireland Stone 
Series: Time Between Us #2
Published: October 8th, 2013
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
368 pages (eARC)
Genre: Contemporary young adult/time travel
Acquired this book: From the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Warning: May contain spoilers
{GoodReads || Buy this book: Amazon || Book Depository || Chapters/Indigo}

{Read my review of Time Between Us}

Calling Anna and Bennett’s romance long distance is an understatement: she’s from 1995 Chicago and he’s a time traveler from 2012 San Francisco. The two of them never should have met, but they did. They fell in love, even though they knew they shouldn't. And they found a way to stay together, against all odds.

It’s not a perfect arrangement, though, with Bennett unable to stay in the past for more than brief visits, skipping out on big chunks of his present in order to be with Anna in hers. They each are confident that they’ll find a way to make things work...until Bennett witnesses a single event he never should have seen (and certainly never expected to). Will the decisions he makes from that point on cement a future he doesn't want? 

Told from Bennett’s point of view, Time After Time will satisfy readers looking for a fresh, exciting, and beautifully-written love story, both those who are eager to find out what’s next for Time Between Us's Anna and Bennett and those discovering their story for the first time.

I’ve been struggling for a few days with how to write this review. I’m half-tempted to just write ‘wibbly wobbly timey wimey goodness’ and leave it at that, but I know that would be cheating this book out of the proper praise it deserves.
Time After Time is Bennett’s story. I wasn’t really sure how it was going to work or if I’d really like a story from his POV, but I think I might actually have enjoyed Time After Time even more than Time Between Us. Bennett had a really strong, distinctive voice, and I connected with him in a way I didn’t expect.

I found myself even more invested in Anna and Bennett this time around - both separately and together. I wanted so desperately for them to find a way to be together, even though I couldn’t figure out how it would happen, with Bennett continually getting knocked back to 2012. He tried so hard to do the right thing and make everyone happy, often at the expense of his own happiness or well-being. I really liked him in Time Between Us but I ended up loving him in Time After Time. 

This book was romantic in the way that only a time travel novel can be. Being separated by so much more than just distance really ups the stakes and adds tension. It was incredibly romantic, but not in an idealized sort of way, which I really appreciated since Anna and Bennett are, after all, teenagers. The characters - and their relationship - had their share of faults, but it only made them more believable and made me root for them that much more. 

Time After Time is a beautiful, powerful, and satisfying ending to Anna and Bennett’s story. I know these characters and their love story that literally stood the test of time will stay with me for quite awhile. 
  
Have you read Time After Time? What did you think? If you haven't read it, does it sound like something you'd be interested in? What do you think of companion novels told from the male's POV?
 


Monday, October 7, 2013

Review: Time Between Us by Tamara Ireland Stone


Time Between Us by Tamara Ireland Stone
Series: Time Between Us #1
Published: October 9th, 2012
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
368 pages (hardcover)
Genre: Contemporary young adult/time travel
Acquired this book: Bought
Warning: May contain spoilers
{GoodReads || Buy this book: Amazon || Book Depository || Chapters/Indigo}

Anna and Bennett were never supposed to meet: she lives in 1995 Chicago and he lives in 2012 San Francisco. But Bennett has the unique ability to travel through time and space, which brings him into Anna’s life, and with him a new world of adventure and possibility.

As their relationship deepens, the two face the reality that time may knock Bennett back to where he belongs, even as a devastating crisis throws everything they believe into question. Against a ticking clock, Anna and
Bennett are forced to ask themselves how far they can push the bounds of fate, what consequences they can bear in order to stay together, and whether their love can stand the test of time.

I was intrigued by Time Between Us from the moment I read the synopsis. It combined three things I love: time travel, contemporary fiction, and romance.

Right from the beginning I felt immersed in Anna’s world. The story had a lot of what I love most about contemporary young adult - time spent with friends and family; time at school; time spent alone thinking and figuring things out. Going into a book like this, you might not think it would be believable or relatable, but it was. Anna and Bennett were so real - they were flawed, their relationship wasn’t perfect, and they dealt with real life issues.

Anna was strong, passionate, and determined, and I found her very easy to relate to. She had people and things in her life that were familiar, and while those were good things, she also longed for so much more, and that’s something that I dealt with as a teen and still do as an adult.

All the characters in Time Between Us were so well fleshed out. I felt like I really knew Anna, Bennett, Emma, Justin, Maggie, and Anna’s parents. Tamara Ireland Stone has a real knack for placing you in the time and space with the characters and connecting you to that time and space through dialogue, music, and the characters’ actions and emotions. 

Time Between Us is a beautiful love story, but it’s more than a romantic love story. There was familial love and friend love, and then of course the blossoming relationship between Anna and Bennett, which was one of my favourite things about the book. Watching their first tentative steps toward something more, and then watching them struggle to find ways to work things out was both heartbreaking and beautiful, and just so real. You truly feel their dilemma; it’s so much more than being separated by distance, they’re also separated by time.

The dreamer in me loved Time Between Us. The romantic in me did, too. There’s just so much to like about Tamara Ireland Stone’s debut novel, from strong characters to exciting time travel to a sweet romance. 

  
Have you read Time Between Us? What did you think? If you haven't read it, is it on your TBR? What do you think of time travel romances?
 


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