Time After Time (Time Between Us #2) by Tamara Ireland Stone
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.
Publishes in US: October 8th 2013 by Disney-Hyperion
Genre: YA paranormal time travel
Source:
Series? Yes.
Buy it: *Amazon*Barnes and Noble*
Author stalk away: Website / Facebook /Twitter
This is an enjoyable follow up from Bennett's point of view. I didn't remember a lot of details, but it did a pretty good job of naturally reminding what happened. I remembered that romance that shouldn't have happened because in different times but did anyway, that I thoroughly enjoyed. And while it is present in this one, we see them apart more than book one. We see a lot of character development from Bennett and him struggling with the limitations of his travelings, and possibilities of changing what bothers him.
Bennett is as sweet, charming and conscientious as ever, but he does learn a lot about how he has been spreading himself thin. He realized the friends and family in both places that wanted and deserved his whole head instead of always divided between two times or not.
I flew through the story, hoping for certain things to fall into place, some suspicions confirmed that I wished weren't true, and other twists taking me by surprise.
To me, I forgot all of the details about time travel and the specifics, but I didn't harp over the inconsistencies or the things that didn't quite make sense because some of it I am not scientifically minded to understand anyways, I just love the concept not the hows or whys. So it may bother some people, but for me it is about the very idea of time crossed lovers and how they make that work in the emotional not science realm. And on that level Ms. Stone delivers beautifully.
There are some really tough choices explored and I loved the flawed perfection and internal struggle and anguish it brings out in the characters. It forces them to look past the blinders into their hearts for the answer even if it is not easy.
I reviewed Time After Time because it was available as an e-arc. But it is a book that I would have bought after release or at the very least checked out from the library, because I enjoyed the first book so much and I wanted to be back in their world and see what happens with their romance.
The ending isn't as complete as I would like it to be, but it is kind of perfect in that contemporary sort of way. In that the main issues in the book are tied up and there is a half way open ending where I can keep imagining the characters and how they get to the spot that I know they will be and what will happen to them after that.
My question to you, my lovely readers:
Could you love someone from a different time?
I agree Brandi, I did expect a bit more from the ending, but overall did enjoy this book a lot! Lovely review!
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way about the ending but overall, I think it was still a wonderful read.
ReplyDeleteGlad you loved it!
I loved romance here too! It was so sweet and the whole story too but yeah I agree about the ending. Great review :)
ReplyDeleteI have been hearing great things about this series. I am always looking for sweet reads. Great review!
ReplyDeleteTeresa @ Readers Live A Thousand Lives
Between you and Christy I am convinced I need to read these, wonderful review!
ReplyDeleteGlad to see you enjoyed the series even though the ending wasn't as tied up as you would've liked. Wonderful review, Brandi! :)
ReplyDeleteThis sounds great. I still have to read the first book. I love that the cover is designed to resemble the first in series. I knew it was a part of the same thing the moment I saw it.
ReplyDelete-Dilettantish Reader
I liked the first book but I wasn't sure I wanted to read the second. I felt satisfied after the first so I personally didn't think this needed to be a series.
ReplyDeleteHowever, you sold me when you said "flawed perfection" as my favorite types of characters and stories are those that are "beautifully flawed."
I haven't read this series but I'm really curious about it. I love the time travel element. And great character development is always a plus. I'm glad you enjoyed this and that it was a nice conclusion.
ReplyDeleteThis seems like such a good series, and i absolutely adore books with time travel. I don't think I've read a follow-up with an alternate point of view, but this one seems better than most.
ReplyDeleteNice review, Brandi!
I haven't read the first one, but I have had it for ages and can't wait to read it! I'm glad you enjoyed the 2nd book as well!
ReplyDeleteI've seen quite a few mixed reviews on this one since most of the people love book #1 and just liked this one, but I'm so glad you loved it :) Yay!
ReplyDeleteI am so excited to read this! I loved the first book....
ReplyDeleteKate @ Ex Libris
I am not sure about all these from another POV books, that just means 2 books with the same story
ReplyDeleteI think this is a series that I need to start and soon. Great review.
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed Time After Time as much as the first book in the series. Your review has me convinced to try them out! Thanks for the great review Brandi! :)
ReplyDeleteoh it's a beautiful ans sweet cover so i'm glad the story is as good.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed this, I always appreciate a realistic ending! Lovely review. :-) And yes, I think I could fall for someone from another time, if everything worked out for us and we could find a way to be together for more than the short term.
ReplyDeleteThe whole age difference thing in the first book kind of weirded me out, but I'm so happy you enjoyed this!
ReplyDeleteJen @ YA Romantics
I didn't know the sequel is coming out today. Sounds like you had an enjoyable time reading the story even though the ending wasn't exactly as you'd have preferred. Honestly, I think I like time travel stories because of their endless possibilities but I couldn't quite imagine me living outside of the time that we're in - so, I guess my answer is no but thanks for the question :)
ReplyDeleteAw, I'm glad you loved it :D I still need to read book one, but I own them both and excited to read them. <3 thank you for sharing :)
ReplyDelete