Review: Far From You by Tess Sharpe

Sophie Winters nearly died. Twice.

The first time, she's fourteen, and escapes a near-fatal car accident with scars, a bum leg, and an addiction to Oxy that'll take years to kick.

The second time, she's seventeen, and it's no accident. Sophie and her best friend Mina are confronted by a masked man in the woods. Sophie survives, but Mina is not so lucky. When the cops deem Mina's murder a drug deal gone wrong, casting partial blame on Sophie, no one will believe the truth: Sophie has been clean for months, and it was Mina who led her into the woods that night for a meeting shrouded in mystery.

After a forced stint in rehab, Sophie returns home to a chilly new reality. Mina's brother won't speak to her, her parents fear she'll relapse, old friends have become enemies, and Sophie has to learn how to live without her other half. To make matters worse, no one is looking in the right places and Sophie must search for Mina's murderer on her own. But with every step, Sophie comes closer to revealing all: about herself, about Mina and about the secret they shared.

I'm not a reader of murder mysteries. Yet something about the dark setup here just drew me in! The tag line on the cover reads: "the truth won't let her go." But that's not the half of it. Sophie's palpable desperation to tell the world what really happened is hard to read. She's trapped under the weight of everyone's disappointment. And she knows she deserves it, up to a point. It's horrifying nonetheless.

Wow!

This book jumps back and forth in time, which demands the the reader pay careful attention to the "tags" at the beginning of each chapter, which help anchor the moment in time. But the story is constructed skillfully enough that the non-linear narrative is never annoying. Reading this, I got whiffs of Gillian Flynn's twisty stories. (Although the characters here are FAR more likeable!)

You will feel for Sophie, cry for Mina and want to hug Trev. And the killer? You won't see him coming!

Blog Tour Review and Giveaway: Dark Metropolis by Jaclyn Dolamore

Today we have the pleasure to host the blog tour for Jaclyn Dolamore's new book, Dark Metropolis!  Be sure to enter the giveaway at the bottom of the post.

Cabaret meets Cassandra Clare-a haunting magical thriller set in a riveting 1930s-esque world.

Sixteen-year-old Thea Holder's mother is cursed with a spell that's driving her mad, and whenever they touch, Thea is chilled by the magic, too. With no one else to contribute, Thea must make a living for both of them in a sinister city, where danger lurks and greed rules.
Thea spends her nights waitressing at the decadent Telephone Club attending to the glitzy clientele. But when her best friend, Nan, vanishes, Thea is compelled to find her. She meets Freddy, a young, magnetic patron at the club, and he agrees to help her uncover the city's secrets-even while he hides secrets of his own.

Together, they find a whole new side of the city. Unrest is brewing behind closed doors as whispers of a gruesome magic spread. And if they're not careful, the heartless masterminds behind the growing disappearances will be after them, too.

Perfect for fans of Cassandra Clare, this is a chilling thriller with a touch of magic where the dead don't always seem to stay that way.

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Dark Metropolis was one of those books that immediately caught my eye (while I was book stalking on Goodreads of course).  The cover was so provocative and alluring, and then I read the synopsis.  This book sounded new and exciting, and I couldn't wait to get my hands on it.  The 3 things that drew me in,  you ask?

1.) A world with good and bad magic (I love paranormal!)

2.) The Telephone Club--sounds like something right out of the 20s (my favorite decade)

3.) Freddy--magnetic and mysterious with secrets to hide....love!

Jaclyn's world is gritty and spell-binding, and I found myself turning the pages faster and faster.  Just like it's cover, Dark Metropolis is beautiful and haunting.

I love that this book doesn't get weighed down in history.  It has just enough to introduce you to their world and the past that led them to the current underground revolution.  I don't like getting bogged down in the details; I much prefer to get to know the characters more intensely.  As a result, the pacing was well-done.  I didn't find myself bored, double checking when the chapter was going to end.  On the contrary, I didn't want to stop reading--even when I needed to!

I really (I mean really) loved the Telephone Club, and I do wish we could have seen more of what really goes on in dark corners of the club.  It was by far the most interesting setting in the book, and I found myself waiting to get further and further into it's lavishness.

Jaclyn did a good job of switching from one character's setting to the next, but I do wish that there were fewer characters that we had to follow so intensely.  There were times when I felt like there were too many characters that she focused on (not too many to keep up with), and at times it made the book feel disjointed. I wish that somehow the stories could have been told with more connection.

And finally, the romance.  The romance progressed pretty slowly, and I do wish that it would have had more passion.  This world was so well built and so intoxicating that the romance just didn't live up to what was going on everywhere else.  I almost wish this were written as a NA as I think there could have been some amazing romance that really makes you swoon.

Overall, this was a great book and a welcome change from what we see everyday in the YA genre.  I will definitely be reading more of Jaclyn Dolamore!!!

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Blog Tour & Excerpt: Don't Look Back by Jennifer L. Armentrout

It's a bird, it's a plane, no it's Jennifer Armentrout!  Seriously, JLA is better than Superman, Superwoman, Wonder Woman etc.  It's just not possible for her to be human with the amount of writing she does and how magnificent it all is!  I refuse to believe she is 100% human!  She has to be something more!  And, once again we are here to gush over a new book that is coming out!  This time it is:

About The Book
By: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Published by: Disney Hyperion
To Be Released on: April 15th, 2014
Pre-Order from: Amazon | Barnes and Noble
Add it to Goodreads

Samantha is a stranger in her own life. Until the night she disappeared with her best friend, Cassie, everyone said Sam had it all-popularity, wealth, and a dream boyfriend.

Sam has resurfaced, but she has no recollection of who she was or what happened to her that night. As she tries to piece together her life from before, she realizes it’s one she no longer wants any part of. The old Sam took “mean girl” to a whole new level, and it’s clear she and Cassie were more like best enemies. Sam is pretty sure that losing her memories is like winning the lottery. She’s getting a second chance at being a better daughter, sister, and friend, and she’s falling hard for Carson Ortiz, a boy who has always looked out for her-even if the old Sam treated him like trash.

But Cassie is still missing, and the facts about what happened to her that night isn’t just buried deep inside of Sam’s memory-someone else knows, someone who wants to make sure Sam stays quiet. All Sam wants is the truth, and if she can unlock her clouded memories of that fateful night, she can finally move on. But what if not remembering is the only thing keeping Sam alive?

About The Author

# 1 NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing. she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell Loki.

Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Spencer Hill Press, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen. Her book Obsidian has been optioned for a major motion picture and her Covenant Series has been optioned for TV.

She also writes adult and New Adult romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.

Follow Jennifer via:  Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook 

About the Giveaway
Thank you to Disney Hyperion, each site has 1 copy of Don't Look Back to giveaway. To enter today's giveaway, please fill out the form below. 

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The Tour
Don't by tomorrow's stop to read the next excerpt! Follow the tour here.

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EXCERPT

Chapter 1  

I didn’t recognize the name on the street sign. Nothing about the rural road looked familiar or 

friendly. Tall, imposing trees and overgrown weeds choked the front of the dilapidated home. 

Windows were boarded up. There was a gaping hole where the front door had been. I shivered, 

wanting to be far away from here…wherever here was. 

Walking felt harder than it should be, and I stumbled off the chilly asphalt, wincing as 

sharp gravel dug into my feet. 

My bare feet? 

I stopped and looked down. Chipped pink nail polish peeked through the dirt…and blood. 

Mud caked the legs of my pants, leaving the hems stiff. It made sense, seeing as how I wasn’t 

wearing any shoes, but the blood…I didn’t understand why there was blood staining the knees of 

my jeans. 

My vision clouded and dulled, as if a gray film had been dropped over my eyes. As I 

stared at the weathered asphalt under my feet, large and smooth rocks replaced the tiny stones. 

Something dark and oily seeped over the rocks, slipping through the cracks. 

Sucking in a sharp gasp, I blinked and the image was gone. 

Hands trembling, I raised them. They were also covered with dirt and scratches. My nails 

were broken, bloodied. A silver ring wrapped, encased in soil, around my thumb. Air froze in my 

chest as my gaze crawled over my arms. The sleeves of my sweater were torn, revealing pale 

flesh covered in bruises and gashes. My legs started to shake as I swayed forward. I tried to 

remember how this had happened, but my head was empty—a black void where nothing existed. 

A car drove by, coasting to a stop a few feet in front of me. Somewhere in the trenches of 

my subconscious, I recognized the flashing red and blue lights as a source of safety. Elegantly 

scrawled along the black-and-gray side of the cruiser were the words ADAMS COUNTY SHERIFF’S 

DEPARTMENT. 

Adams County? A flash of familiarity came and went. 

The driver’s door opened, and a deputy stepped out. He said something into the radio on 

his shoulder before he looked at me. 

Launch Day Blast and Giveaway: Alienated by Melissa Landers

ALIENATED Launch & NOOK Giveaway!

Hey, fiction lovers. I’m author Melissa Landers, and I’m thrilled to announce that my debut YA sci-fi romance, ALIENATED, is finally available from Disney-Hyperion! Cue the dancers and toss the confetti, because it’s been a long wait!

In a nutshell, ALIENATED is the story of valedictorian Cara Sweeney, who gets more than she bargained for when she agrees to host the nation’s first intergalactic exchange student, the gorgeous but emotionally-stilted Aelyx (pronounced A-licks) from planet L’eihr. The tone is light and humorous, but I explore some deeper themes as well.

What do reviewers have to say?

“The storyline is out of this world and character development paired with authentic voice is superb. Filled with intrigue and suspense, this book will appeal to both sci-fi and contemporary YA fiction fans.” –VOYA

“Interstellar relations heat up in this start to a new romantic science fiction series. Landers [explores] larger social, ecological, and ethical issues in this tense, fast-paced read.” –Booklist

“The perfect blend of sizzling romance, action, and suspense.” –#1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout

“Smart, funny, and epic. I am now awaiting contact from planet L’eihr.” Julie Cross, bestselling author of Tempest.

“Intergalactic exchange students? Yes, please! I fell in love with this story and couldn’t put it down.” Jodi Meadows, author of Incarnate.

If you like hot, swoony science fiction as much as I do, I hope you’ll give ALIENATED a try. It’s now available in stores and online.

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1eHsLaf

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1dZqtBI

Book Depo (free international shipping): http://bit.ly/1hzxOfs

Indie Bound: http://bit.ly/1dfZHDW

To celebrate my book birthday, I’m offering one lucky winner a Nook Simple Touch. I’ll even throw in a $25 gift card to Barnes & Noble so you can fill your new e-reader with whatever you want!

Now for the fine print: This giveaway is open to US residents only. (Sorry, international friends, but you need a US billing address to buy digital content on the Nook.) Due to sweepstakes laws, entrants must be 18 years or older to participate.

Best of luck, and happy reading!

Melissa Landers is a former teacher who left the classroom to pursue other worlds. A proud sci-fi geek, she isn’t afraid to wear her Princess Leia costume in public—just ask her husband and three kids. She lives outside Cincinnati in the small town of Loveland, “Sweetheart of Ohio.” For more information, or just to say hello, visit www.melissa-landers.com.

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Waiting on Wednesday: Dark Metropolis by Jaclyn Dolamore

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine. It spotlights books that have not yet been released, but ones that you should pre-order today! This week's book that we are anxiously awaiting is DARK METROPOLIS by Jaclyn Dolamore.  It will be released July 17, 2014 from Disney Hyperion.

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Cabaret meets Cassandra Clare-a haunting magical thriller set in a riveting 1930s-esque world.

Sixteen-year-old Thea Holder's mother is cursed with a spell that's driving her mad, and whenever they touch, Thea is chilled by the magic, too. With no one else to contribute, Thea must make a living for both of them in a sinister city, where danger lurks and greed rules.
Thea spends her nights waitressing at the decadent Telephone Club attending to the glitzy clientele. But when her best friend, Nan, vanishes, Thea is compelled to find her. She meets Freddy, a young, magnetic patron at the club, and he agrees to help her uncover the city's secrets-even while he hides secrets of his own.

Together, they find a whole new side of the city. Unrest is brewing behind closed doors as whispers of a gruesome magic spread. And if they're not careful, the heartless masterminds behind the growing disappearances will be after them, too.

Perfect for fans of Cassandra Clare, this is a chilling thriller with a touch of magic where the dead don't always seem to stay that way.

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First of all, isn't that cover gorgeous?  And I just love the title of this one.  Very gothic chic. I really love that this one is set in the 1930s glitz and glamour.  Add that to the paranormal aspect, and I have a feeling this is going to be a Must Read!!!

Poison by Bridget Zinn

Poison by Bridget Zinn

ARC received from Disney Hyperion

Release Date:  3-12-2013

Reviewed by:  Middle Sis Jenn

The Sisters Say:  Enchanting, Enigmatic, and Endearing

Sixteen-year-old Kyra, a highly-skilled potions master, is the only one who knows her kingdom is on the verge of destruction—which means she’s the only one who can save it. Faced with no other choice, Kyra decides to do what she does best: poison the kingdom’s future ruler, who also happens to be her former best friend.

But, for the first time ever, her poisoned dart . . . misses.

Now a fugitive instead of a hero, Kyra is caught in a game of hide-and-seek with the king’s army and her potioner ex-boyfriend, Hal. At least she’s not alone. She’s armed with her vital potions, a too-cute pig, and Fred, the charming adventurer she can’t stop thinking about. Kyra is determined to get herself a second chance (at murder), but will she be able to find and defeat the princess before Hal and the army find her?

Kyra is not your typical murderer, and she’s certainly no damsel-in-distress—she’s the lovable and quick-witted hero of this romantic novel that has all the right ingredients to make teen girls swoon.

From the first look at Poison, I really didn’t know what to expect.  The blurb bore a striking resemblance to my favorite childhood cartoon, The Black Cauldron, though, and I just had to read it to see if it was similar.  I mean, both have the enchanted pig, the riffraff guy, and the beautiful girl.  After reading Poison, I will say that I loved it!  It was very similar to my fave cartoon in some aspects, but there were parts of the story, like Kyra herself, that was all Bridget’s imagination.  I’m so sorry that Bridget passed away before getting the chance to write a second novel in this world.

Bridget’s world was delightful—full of intrigue, deception, and romance.  I loved the “kind of” magic that blanketed the world.  What do I mean by that?  I mean that the world wasn’t so full of magic like your Harry Potter’s or the like, but it had touches of it here and there.  Kyra’s potions were the most interesting—she had potions for everything—from ones that open doors to ones that turn people into wooden statues.  It was fascinating to see Kyra work and create new and old combinations.

Now, let’s get to the fun part—Fred.  I liked him the moment he first entered the story—which was hilarious by the way.  I had to stop a few times to let myself catch my breath because the picture that Bridget painted was so alive and over the top.  It’s been a while since I have read this book, and I can still picture Kyra (in her undies) and Fred’s reaction to them.  The romance in this book was so sweet and innocent, which makes this book perfect for MG readers, but also YA readers who enjoy the high fantasy world.  It was a nice change of pace, and I admire Bridget for keeping the romance enjoyable yet clean. 

Fred was such a fun character—he was rough and tough, and he didn’t let anyone push him around.  He provided some comic relief from Kyra’s circumstances, and he really helped to liven up the storyline.  There was just something about him, and I can’t quite put my finger on it, but he was just the kind of guy everyone likes.

Kyra was such a great heroine, and that’s a big thing for me to say, because if you follow my reviews, you know it’s hard to impress me with a great heroine.  But Kyra did it!  She’s the super kick-butt assassin who knows that her best friend (the future ruler) must die or the kingdom will pretty much die a slow and agonizing death.  So, she has to make a brutally difficult decision.  I admire that she was strong enough to make that decision, but at the same time, she wouldn’t just push aside her guilt.  I felt every emotion along with her, and I really felt like I knew Kyra by the end of the novel.

Bridget Zinn’s debut novel is thrilling and passionate.  Based in a world where magic looms around every corner, where truth and deceit are separated by a thin line, and where love might be the only thing that can conquer evil, Bridget’s book will open your eyes to a new kind of fantasy.  There are plenty of plot twists and turns (some predictable, some not so much), and there’s a little something for everyone in this wonderful tale of murder and truth.

 

Waiting on Wednesday: All Our Yesterdays by Cristin Terrill

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine. It spotlights books that have not yet been released, but ones that you should pre-order today! This week's book that we are anxiously awaiting is ALL OUR YESTERDAYS by Cristin Terrill.   ALL OUR YESTERDAYS releases on September 3, 2013 from Disney Hyperion.

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Marina has everything. She’s got money, popularity, and a bright future. Plus, she’s best friends with the boy next door, who happens to be a gorgeous prodigy from one of America’s most famous families.

Em has nothing. Imprisoned in a small white cell in the heart of a secret military base, all she has is the voice of the boy in the cell next door and the list of instructions she finds taped inside the drain.

But Marina and Em have one big thing in common: they’re the same person.

Now Em must travel back four years in time in order to avert the terrible future from which she’s fled, and there’s only one way to do it. She must kill the person who invented the time machine in the first place: someone from her past. A person she loved.

But Marina won’t let them go without a fight.

 

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I really love the sound of this one!  I've not read many time travel books, but this one looks like its going to have it all:  action, romance, and danger!  Plus, she has to kill the person she loves?  I'm betting there will be some seriously great drama here!

 

The Archived by Victoria Schwab

The Archived by Victoria Schwab

ARC received from Disney Hyperion at ALA

Release Date:  1-22-2013

Reviewed by:  Middle Sis Jenn

The Sisters Say:  Brilliant, Bewitching and Beautifully Written

Wow!!!! At first this was not high on my TBR list. I had heard good things, but there was so much more I needed to read. And then I made a trade with another blogger, so I read it quickly before sending it off. And I am SO GLAD I did! This book was so uniquely addicting that I read it in one sitting. The characters were full of life (or death...you know, if they were a History) and Victoria's world bled from the page.  It was perfect--I wouldn't change a thing!

From Chapter 1, I was immediately entranced by the poetry in Victoria’s words.  I could immediately relate to Mackenzie, and my heart broke for her loss.  She has lost Da, her mentor, and Ben, her little brother; and through Victoria’s words, I felt Mac’s pain as if it were my own.  There was one part in the first chapter where Mac says, “The silliest things shatter you.”  She goes on to talk about how after you suffer a loss, you try to move on—but the small things, a ball under a bed, a crumpled up t-shirt in the corner of a room can bring all the pain flashes back to you at the speed of light.  But instead of that light, you are shrouded in darkness.  The writing was so full of emotion that I just knew this book was going to be amazing.  And it was.

Mac was the perfect heroine—strong-willed, curious, but flawed and easily broken (in spirit, not in body).  She was truth wrapped up in the guise of a Keeper, one who returns Histories who have escaped the Archives.  I loved watching her as the digs deeper and deeper into the conspiracy.  I loved watching her fall victim to her own insecurities and suspicions.  But most of all, I loved watching her conquer those insecurities and fight back for her world and her life.  She pushed through, even when the cards were stacked against her.  Trust me, Mac will have you punching a fist into the air and yelling, “Go get ‘em!”

And then the guys…oh, there are so many guys that will leave you with a bit of drool on your chin.  I don’t know how Victoria did it, but there were so many guys that caught my attention:  Roland, Wes, and Owen.  I mean, wow!  I didn’t know who to choose!

I loved Roland’s sense of humor and his loyalty.  I felt like I could trust him immediately.  He was charming and, maybe I’m wrong, but I think he has a thing for Mac.  I really enjoyed the conversations between him and Mac.  They were clever and heartfelt.  Even when Roland was being a jerk, you could tell it was for Mac’s own good.

And Wes...otherwise known as “Guyliner.”  I’m not normally a fan of guys that wear eyeliner, but somehow, Wes makes it hot.  He seems like he has a dark side, and if you know me, I’m a sucker for the dark side.  But, Wes was more than that—he was mysterious, and at times I just knew he was hiding something.  But he still managed to sweep me off my feet.

And Owen…he’s a complete mystery.  He’s sexy in his own way, and Mac immediately feels for his position.  She wants to help him, and darn it, so do I!  Not much is known about this mystery man, but, if you’re like me, you’ll find yourself wanting to know more!

So…there’s this entire slew of guys that Mac can pick from, and let me tell you, when she does—it is oh so steamy hot!  There were some kissing scenes that left me blushing from head to toe, and I’m not ashamed to admit that I re-read them once or twice….okay, three times.  The question is…with who?  I won’t tell, you’ll have to check it out on your own.

 Victoria builds an amazingly captivating world that will draw you straight into the romance, betrayal, and suspense.  She keeps you guessing right up until the very end, and I, for one, can’t wait for the next book!

Teaser Tuesday: Poison by Bridget Zinn

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by MizB over at Should Be Reading!

To participate all you have to do is:

•Grab your current read

•Open to a random page

•Share "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page

•BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS!

(make sure what you share doesn't give too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!)

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Today's teaser comes from Poison by Bridget Zinn
Release Date:  March 12, 2013
Published by:  Disney Hyperion

 

“Sorry Hal, We always hurt the ones we don’t quite love.”  ARC, Pg 11

"She was cradled against an extremely warm body, on that smelled tantalizingly of roasted spices and wood fire. " ARC, Pg 47

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I really loved this book!  It reminded me of Disney's The Black Cauldron, which was one of my favorite cartoons growing up.  It has the riffraff guy, the beautiful girl, and the enchanted pig.  I was swept away into Bridget's world--an intriguing world full of betrayal and mystery.  It was cute and quick read (I read it in one sitting), and it just somehow felt magical.  I highly recommend you preorder this one today!

And of course you want to know about the mysterious guy...let's just say, he'll be worth the wait until March!

 

Time Between Us by Tamara Ireland Stone

Time Between Us by Tamara Ireland Stone

ARC received from Disney Hyperion

Release Date:  October 9, 2012

Reviewed by:  Middle Sis Jenn

The Sisters Say:  Sweet, Sincere, and Stunning

 

Anna and Bennett were never supposed to meet: she lives in 1995 Chicago and he lives in 2012 San Francisco. But Bennett's unique ability to travel through time and space brings him into Anna's life, and with him, a new world of adventure and possibility. As their relationship deepens, they face the reality that time might knock Bennett back 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--and what consequences they can bear in order to stay together.
Fresh, exciting, and deeply romantic, Time Between Us is a stunning and spellbinding debut from an extraordinary new talent in YA fiction.

Heartwarming and Heartbreaking—Tamara Ireland Stone’s debut novel, Time Between Us, will carry you to another world, where the boundaries of time and space don’t exist and all you’re left with is the here and now.  Our past, our present, our future is an intricate web—push too hard, and it might break apart; but push just enough, and you might end up exactly where you’ve always wanted.

I liked the idea of Tamara’s time travel—it was similar to The Time Traveler’s Wife.  Anna and Bennett are 17 years apart, which might as well be an eternity.  But, with Bennett’s time travelling gift, he is able to jump into the past to meet Anna.  From the moment they meet, things begin to unwind, in both a good and a bad way.  Watching them both struggle through the revelations of truth was sincere, and at times, it brought tears to my eyes.  That is a big deal—I’m not a crier.  And I usually don’t like books that wring out such emotions, but I was pleasantly surprised with this book and I’m definitely glad I read it

The book did start out slow—in fact, I was 100 pages in before I felt like the book really started.  But from that point, I couldn’t turn the pages quick enough.  I have always been intrigued by time travel—especially the paradoxes like…if I go back in time, can I see myself?  And then, will there always be 2 of me in the past?  You know, the Star Trek kinds of questions that will just leave your brain running in circles until you start wondering if the truth really is out there!  I enjoyed seeing how Tamara approached those subjects—enjoyable and educational, in a sci-fi sort of way.

Anna was your typical girl who meets boy, falls for boy, finds herself in an unbelievable situation.  I was not overly impressed with her because I truthfully didn’t see personality markers that were memorable.  Don’t get me wrong, I still liked her, but I’m just not sure if, a month from now, I’ll remember her name.  I’ll remember her story, her feelings, but probably not much else.

However, Bennett…now he I will remember.  He is broken, guilty, and struggling to decide what is best for not only his future, but his family’s and Anna’s.  It’s a huge weight to be put on his shoulders, and seeing him through Tamara’s words, I felt like I could feel that weight.  He’s also cute and knows just what to say, so that’s a plus!  I love his mystery, and Anna describes him perfectly when she says, “The boy with secrets, who still has one more to tell.”  ARC, pg. 162  If only there were more Bennett’s out there—and not just because I want to go to Cinque Terre!

Tamara’s write was tight and cohesive, and the story flowed from the page.  I loved the times when she got philosophical about life and the future—it was poignant and thought-provoking, and I wish there were more of those moments. 

Content:  Perfect for middle grade, teenagers, and adults!

So…I’ll leave you with one of my favorite quotes from the novel:

“You can take me anywhere.  Or nowhere.  But wherever you are in this world, that’s where I want to be.”  ARC pg 269

If you’re a fan of contemporary romances that will tug at your heartstrings, but leave you with a smile on your face, then Time Between Us is for you!