Self-published
Published Nov 3, 2012
Ebook, 242 pages
I'm a new fan of John Heldt because of
his ability to write stories that uses the time travel element to
propel forward a good story without the fantastical part overwhelming
the plot. And unlike other time travel novels, his characters only
travel back within fifty years rather than hundreds. His first book
The Mine (read my review) captured my attention and I enjoyed it so much that I wanted
to read this second novel.
Recently widowed and childless, 48
year-old Michelle Preston decides to go back to her hometown for a
class reunion. After visiting an abandoned mansion and entering a
mysterious room, she ends up travelling back in time thirty years to
1979. She finds a job as a secretary at her old high school and meets
her former classmates, her parents and her younger self, all of whom
have no idea who she is. She befriends her younger self Shelly, as
she was known in school, and also finds a new love. But knowing about
future events propels her to make a sacrifice in order to save lives
and give herself a second shot at life.
Once again, I was quickly taken in with
the story and wondered how the time travel element was going to
direct it. Michelle is in the position of being a mature woman in the
same environment as her teenage self. She can see herself as she was
back then, young and confused, with different eyes. It made me wonder
what I would feel and do if I was suddenly thrown back to my teenage
years to see myself in school with my friends and former boyfriend.
Would I want to give myself advice and see if I took a different path
in life? Probably. Or maybe not at all because of what those changes
might mean for the future? You know how we all wish we had done
things differently during those tumultuous teen years?!
Well, this book made me question all
that because of what Michelle did. I have to admit that at first I
had a hard time believing Shelly did not recognize herself thirty
years into the future. I know my face hasn't changed all that much
and I look pretty much the same way I did when I was in high school
28 years ago. Even her parents didn't recognize her. Also, there
seemed to be little reaction toward seeing her former boyfriend who
had been her husband for many years and had recently died. But once I
got past this lack of dramatic opening (must be the Italian in me
that expected it!) I was able to focus more on the storyline to see
where it was heading.
Heldt managed to surprise me once again
with his ending, which was bittersweet and satisfying. If you like
time travel stories that deal with relationships and second chances
you will like this one. It took me back to my high school days and
entertained me with a story that had me questioning what I would have
done differently if given a second chance.
Note: This book is rated S = sexual scenes, not too explicit.
I will count this book toward the following challenges: My Personal Time Travel ChallengeReviewed by Laura
Disclosure: Thanks to the author for sending me this book for review. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.
Post a Comment
Thank you for commenting! I appreciate your feedback.