Friday, November 2, 2012

Review: Time Between Us by Tamara Ireland Stone

Time Between UsTime Between Us

by 
Hardcover384 pages
Published: October 9th 2012 by Hyperion
Purchase: Amazon | Book Depository
*Finished copy provided by publisher in exchange of an honest review.

Synopsis via Goodreads:
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.

~My Review~
Initially, the synopsis reminded me of the Lake House difference is the characters weren't that far apart in time. Time Between Us was a sometimes sweet sometimes bitter read; I liked the simplicity and the paranormalcy of the plot. Yet, the book left me with mixed feelings. I really tried to enjoy what was taking place, and the story was interesting and had the potential to be great, but I felt the pace was a bit slow and it was kind of draggy in getting to a rising action. Also, the love between the main characters didn't seem believable because they weren't together that much and when they were it seemed thrown in.

The writing was nice, not too over the top, and there were other elements of the story that were refreshing, like Anna being from a good family and the protectiveness of a father who truly loved her. Also, both mother and father work  really hard, and it was interesting how Anna's relationship with her father was more portrayed than that of the one with her mother, at least to me. 

In regards to the characters, I didn't really connect with them but I warmed up to them as I went on. There were times I felt Anna's reaction to her best friend's silliness a bit childish, like not talking to her because of it. Maybe it's me, and I know sometimes we do, but I've never seen friends stopped talking over such reasons depicted early on.

Otherwise, it was an okay book. I would've loved for the story to be much stronger but it still was a nice debut and I'd like to read more of the author's future works. 


About the Author
Tamara Ireland StoneTamara lives with her husband and two children just outside San Francisco, California. She runs a marketing communications firm that serves the software industry and is currently working on her next novel.
Writing has always been something Tamara just does. Sometimes she writes for the pure creative joy of it. Sometimes she writes because it’s therapeutic. Sometimes her stories are funny, sometimes they’re sad, and sometimes they’re just plain lame—but they’ve always been one thing: just for her. As much as Tamara wanted to become an author someday, she never thought she’d actually let anyone read them. Until recently.
Her YA time travel romance, TIME BETWEEN US (Hyperion/October 9, 2012), has sold in fifteen countries and been optioned for film by CBS Films.

10 comments:

  1. I've never seemed to have a good relationship with time travel books myself, but this one's been dancing in front of my face for quite some time now ^_^; Really appreciate the honesty in your fair review, Shane! It's too bad the relationship wasn't strong enough, but this still sounds really sweet so I might still give it a shot. Thanks for sharing the lovely review! <3

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  2. I was going to pick up this book, but I had my doubts. I figured it wouldn't be all that grand, and I would be left in a not so happy place after reading it. In regards to the character connection, that is a major point to a book, for me anyways. Not being able to feel a good connection makes the story less interesting. Though it sounds sweet, I doubt I'll be giving this one a try, though I really enjoyed your review!!! :D

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  3. I really enjoyed this one. I thought it was a very sweet romance. Character connection is important and sometimes it is there sometimes it just isn't. I liked the characters but I would say I had a really strong connection either. I was really rooting for them and I thought the time travel was well done in an easily understandable way. I would love to go to a remote island on a date!

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  4. This book sounds lovely! I'm a bit disappointed to hear that you only thought this book was mediocre and a bit boring. :( And the romance wasn't done well?! Sadness. But yes, thrown in romances aren't good. Thanks for being honest Shane, great review!

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    1. Well, give it a try maybe it'll be a different experience for you.

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  5. aww i hoped you connected with the characters more!! Though I really thought you would have enjoyed this book a bit more! Don't know if ill be picking this up soon.. Thanks for your honest review Shane!
    - Farah @ MajiBookshelf

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  6. This sounds like it could be interesting. Thanks for the great honest review!

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