Anna lives in 1995 and Bennett lives in 2012. She is 17 years older, but when he shows up in her life and at her high school, acts like he knows her then gives her the cold shoulder, Anna can’t help but wonder why. Then one night, he saves her from the danger of a robbery at her family bookstore, and Bennett begins to tell Anna all his secrets and explain how he’s able travel back in time and why. Romance blossoms and adventure abounds, as Bennett is able to take Anna places she has only ever dreamed of. Will their relationship be able to handle Anna’s request for Bennett to alter life events to save her friends? Will Anna make the decision that will allow her to be with Bennett, despite the fact they live 17 years apart?
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again....I LOVE Time-Travel novels!! Tamara Stone did a superb job with this time-travel romance.
The first thing that I liked about Time Between Us was the time-travel element. It’s just something that appeals to me. That’s why I really liked Myra McEntire’s Hourglass series and Audrey Niffenegger’s The Time Traveler’s Wife.
The second thing that I liked about Time Between Us was Anna. She is such a likable character, with strong will and determination. She has a great sense of adventure and knows what she wants, without any doubt. Whether it’s the desire to run, the desire to travel, or the desire to be with Bennett, Anna puts her whole heart and soul into the desire.
Next, I liked the relationship between Anna and her best friend, Emma. It’s an honest friendship with it’s ups and downs and unconditional love that only best friends can have. I also enjoyed the years that Stone chose for Bennett to travel back and forth between. The majority of the story is set in 1995. While this may not appeal to a wide variety of YA, it will appeal to those who were raised in the mid-1990’s, especially if they were a teen at this time. While reading Time Between Us, it was great to reminisce through the music and style of such a great decade. Of course I always enjoy the romantic element in a book. Stone gives us a great romance, intertwined in this adventure, as Bennett takes Anna to destinations that she had once only dreamed of. He also really knows how to soothe rough patches with Anna, and where to take her to win her back over!
Most of all I loved the adventure of the story. It’s the type of story that pulls you in and allows you to participate through your own will and desire. Stone does such a wonderful job of making the reader feel like they are right there in the story and living the adventure!! Applause to Tamara Ireland Stone on a wonderful debut novel. Looking forward to her future reads.
Recommended by: Mrs. Shawn Lane, Librarian, Texas USA
See more of her reviews at https://www.whatireadyesterday.com
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Okay, so I wanted to like this book a whole lot and it was fun to read but it didn't have the tension I was looking forward to. It's a really fun read... cute guy... nice girl... enough mystery to keep girls...especially best friends talking all night long for weeks.... does he like me? Why do you think he said that? That kind of fun! Talk about relishing the details... there are plenty of them here.
Anna goes running on the Northwestern University track. It's a cold, snowy day; where you can see your breath. As Anna makes a turn, muscles pumping, she notices a guy in the bleachers. He's "hip-deep" in the snow that's piled up there. Why would anyone want to sit in the bleachers on a cold and snowy day? He disappears suddenly and Anna walks over to investigate after running her last lap. When she arrives at the bench where the guy had been sitting, she is stunned to find there are no footprints in the snow. In fact, there is no evidence that he was ever there at all. Then he walks into her classroom at school and she knows he was real.
Doesn't that get all your romantic juices flowing? It's great fun as the mystery unfolds and the edging closer to one another begins. Will he kiss her? Does he love her? Turns out he can take her places no one has ever taken her to before and they never will either. This is one special, unique guy and relationship.
Stuffed with romantic time travel and the pain of separation this is a perfect read for a summer day, on a plane, or curled up in front of the fireplace. So go get the cookies, or bake the brownies. whatever your vice may be and give yourself up to some decadent bliss. Four out of five stars
Ages 12 and up
Recommended by: Barb Langridge, abookandahug.com
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Anna meets the new boy, Bennett, in the strangest manner. One minute he is in the
snow-covered bleachers watching her run and the next he’s not there and there are no footprints.
Later, Anna meets him again in her Spanish class. There is an instant attraction. There is only
one problem: Bennett is a time traveler. He can travel through time whenever he likes. Not
only does he share this secret with Anna, but he takes her with him. Bennett yearns for the
family life that Anna has and she yearns to travel like he does. Anna's life is saved by Bennett’s
ability to travel through time. Anna sends Bennett back to his home in San Francisco and tells
him not to return. Understandably, Anna is very sad about the breakup. She decides to go on
with her life and pursue her interest in traveling by becoming an exchange student with a family
in La Paz. Will she ever see Bennett again?
I highly recommend this book for Older and Mature Readers. When I first realized that the book
involved time travel, I was hesitant to read it. However, I really enjoyed it and the time travel
works well in the story. The characters and their issues hit home.
Recommended by: Karen Limbaugh, Retired Librarian, Texas USA
