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Time Past
You Never Forget Your First Love In 2022, 74-year-old Kate Clarke returns to her Ohio college town seeking redemption from a tragic past. She bursts from a secret cave to discover it’s 1968 and she’s twenty years old again. Can Kate find Paul, her true love, and prevent a tragedy that shattered her life, while the memories of her former life begin to fade, and the past is ever-changing?
In 2022, after the death of her husband, seventy-four-year-old retired teacher, Kate Clarke, returns to her small college town, seeking redemption for a tragic event that occurred in 1969 and completely changed the course of her life.
Kate hikes to the secret cave where she and her first love, Paul Ganic, had often met. After she enters, she passes out. When she awakens and bursts from the cave, it’s 1968, and she’s twenty years old again, before Paul Ganic was killed.
In this new 1968, nothing occurs as it had in the past, and the memories she had in 2022 are fading fast. This time, can Kate prevent the tragedy and have the future that was taken from her—a life and family with Paul Ganic?
In 2022, after the death of her husband, seventy-four-year-old retired teacher, Kate Clarke, returns to her small college town, seeking redemption for a tragic event that occurred in 1969 and completely changed the course of her life.
Kate hikes to the secret cave where she and her first love, Paul Ganic, had often met. After she enters, she passes out. When she awakens and bursts from the cave, it’s 1968, and she’s twenty years old again, before Paul Ganic was killed.
In this new 1968, nothing occurs as it had in the past, and the memories she had in 2022 are fading fast. This time, can Kate prevent the tragedy and have the future that was taken from her—a life and family with Paul Ganic?
- GenresTime TravelRomance
390 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 21, 2023
233 people are currently reading
116 people want to read
About the author
Elyse Douglas
45 books342 followersElyse Douglas is the pen name for the husband and wife writing team of Elyse Parmentier and Douglas Pennington. Elyse began writing poems and short stories at an early age and graduated with a Master's Degree in English Literature. Douglas grew up in a family of musicians, astrologers, and avid readers. Some of Elyse Douglas' novels include: "Time Change," The Summer Letters," "Daring Summer," The Christmas Eve Series" and "Time Stranger." They reside in New York City.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
May 9, 2023
I recommend this book. It was a unique twist. Who would not like to go back and redo some things
February 28, 2023
Absolutely Fascinating
There is a maturity in this story that made me appreciate the writer all the more. I jumped to buy this book because I enjoyed so many previous ones by E. Douglas. There are surprising twists, a foreboding sense that this love story was doomed for tradgedy and a reality to each character that made the final turn of events worth the many non-stop hours of reading. I liked the sense of mystery about time and the question I found myself asking: if given the chance, would I truly be a better person by going back and changing any set of life events? These characters lived through many iterations of their life and finally got it right. I am grateful I don't have to, but what if I could? I enjoyed the thoughts and feelings from reading this story and recommend you do the same.
There is a maturity in this story that made me appreciate the writer all the more. I jumped to buy this book because I enjoyed so many previous ones by E. Douglas. There are surprising twists, a foreboding sense that this love story was doomed for tradgedy and a reality to each character that made the final turn of events worth the many non-stop hours of reading. I liked the sense of mystery about time and the question I found myself asking: if given the chance, would I truly be a better person by going back and changing any set of life events? These characters lived through many iterations of their life and finally got it right. I am grateful I don't have to, but what if I could? I enjoyed the thoughts and feelings from reading this story and recommend you do the same.
February 21, 2023
Great!
So nice to find a time travel romance that isn't based in Scotland or Ireland, as they all seem so similar - Ginger-haired wealthy Lord from 150+ years ago falls in love with modern woman who's travelled back, or vice versa. This was a good read and I finished it in one go. My only slight criticism would be: the author seems British to me because words like "terraced", "shopping centre", or "shop" etc. are used. Many words and phrases in this book are British but with the American spelling - "center" for example. The book is set in the US, with American characters, so in that respect it is a bit jarring with the mish-mash of American and British English. Having said all that, it is a 5 star read.
So nice to find a time travel romance that isn't based in Scotland or Ireland, as they all seem so similar - Ginger-haired wealthy Lord from 150+ years ago falls in love with modern woman who's travelled back, or vice versa. This was a good read and I finished it in one go. My only slight criticism would be: the author seems British to me because words like "terraced", "shopping centre", or "shop" etc. are used. Many words and phrases in this book are British but with the American spelling - "center" for example. The book is set in the US, with American characters, so in that respect it is a bit jarring with the mish-mash of American and British English. Having said all that, it is a 5 star read.
March 19, 2023
Elyse Douglas – Time Past
Could it be possible for a life re-do? Just ask Kate Clarke, she’ll tell you!
It’s 2022; Kate Clarke is 74. As she steps out to get in a taxi, she is hit by an SUV and ends up in the hospital. Waking up, Kate recognizes it is past time to make peace with her past. She returns to Paxton, Ohio, and realizes so many changes have occurred since she left. Thinking about what to do, she decided to visit some of the places that were important to her and Paul, and maybe it would help her face this and let it go. They had gone to that hillside for that first picnic, and then he showed me his cave, where he had played as a boy.
Oh, what a climb; maybe this wasn’t such a good idea, but it was only a little further, so she pushed on. Remembering the lunches and the incredible lovemaking afterward in the cave, I wonder… she stepped into the cave and was looking for the initials Paul had carved into the wall when things suddenly didn’t feel right. She dropped to her knees and then down. When she woke and wandered outside, she realized that her hands looked different, her legs did not hurt, and her hair…… oh heck, it was long and black again…and now the story begins!
What did I like? Wow, this story just blew me away. A little taste of the past from another story but yet so different. I cried a heap of tears and jumped from a ton of joy, and then the smiles hit my face. It’s hard to explain because I don’t want to give away any of the secret jewels that Elyse and Doug have given us, but just be prepared to be blown away.
What will you like? If you like time travel, you will love this book. If the thought of having the chance of a re-do from your past has ever occurred to you, then I invite you to read about the opportunity that Kate Clarke was given. It will have you so involved in reading that you will not be able to put this down and then so excited that you won’t be able to sleep! This book is that good!!!! A job well done; congrats to Elyse and Doug!
• ASIN: B0BSCPG166
• Publisher: Broadback
• Publication Date: 2/21/2023
• File Size: 1902 KB
• Print Length: 290 pages
• Genre: Time Travel Romance, Time Travel Science Fiction,
Could it be possible for a life re-do? Just ask Kate Clarke, she’ll tell you!
It’s 2022; Kate Clarke is 74. As she steps out to get in a taxi, she is hit by an SUV and ends up in the hospital. Waking up, Kate recognizes it is past time to make peace with her past. She returns to Paxton, Ohio, and realizes so many changes have occurred since she left. Thinking about what to do, she decided to visit some of the places that were important to her and Paul, and maybe it would help her face this and let it go. They had gone to that hillside for that first picnic, and then he showed me his cave, where he had played as a boy.
Oh, what a climb; maybe this wasn’t such a good idea, but it was only a little further, so she pushed on. Remembering the lunches and the incredible lovemaking afterward in the cave, I wonder… she stepped into the cave and was looking for the initials Paul had carved into the wall when things suddenly didn’t feel right. She dropped to her knees and then down. When she woke and wandered outside, she realized that her hands looked different, her legs did not hurt, and her hair…… oh heck, it was long and black again…and now the story begins!
What did I like? Wow, this story just blew me away. A little taste of the past from another story but yet so different. I cried a heap of tears and jumped from a ton of joy, and then the smiles hit my face. It’s hard to explain because I don’t want to give away any of the secret jewels that Elyse and Doug have given us, but just be prepared to be blown away.
What will you like? If you like time travel, you will love this book. If the thought of having the chance of a re-do from your past has ever occurred to you, then I invite you to read about the opportunity that Kate Clarke was given. It will have you so involved in reading that you will not be able to put this down and then so excited that you won’t be able to sleep! This book is that good!!!! A job well done; congrats to Elyse and Doug!
• ASIN: B0BSCPG166
• Publisher: Broadback
• Publication Date: 2/21/2023
• File Size: 1902 KB
• Print Length: 290 pages
• Genre: Time Travel Romance, Time Travel Science Fiction,
July 22, 2024
This book held my interest from beginning to end. It had a different premise than most time travel novels. The main character would slowly lose her memory of how life was in the previous "version." How do you end a book like that? She managed to do it, and it was a smooth ending.
One of the other strengths was the amount of details and descriptions. She didn't over-do it or move on too quickly. For example, she described how the town looked in 1969 and 2022. That added reader interest.
The weakness would be the incomplete subplots. There were a couple of ominous statements that didn't lead anywhere.
One of the other strengths was the amount of details and descriptions. She didn't over-do it or move on too quickly. For example, she described how the town looked in 1969 and 2022. That added reader interest.
The weakness would be the incomplete subplots. There were a couple of ominous statements that didn't lead anywhere.
March 13, 2023
Hum...
It started out terrible. It sounded odd. The wording was so off I thought perhaps it was a translation. Then it would improve. Then I'd think maybe they're just not American and so the way we speak does come natural to them. Then it got better. But I'm not sure I liked the repetition. I've read one of their books I like and one I didn't. This was both. Parts I somewhat enjoyed other I hated. It was sweet in the end but I didn't have much emotion of any kind about any of it. It was just ok.
It started out terrible. It sounded odd. The wording was so off I thought perhaps it was a translation. Then it would improve. Then I'd think maybe they're just not American and so the way we speak does come natural to them. Then it got better. But I'm not sure I liked the repetition. I've read one of their books I like and one I didn't. This was both. Parts I somewhat enjoyed other I hated. It was sweet in the end but I didn't have much emotion of any kind about any of it. It was just ok.
May 12, 2023
Interesting time travel
I enjoy this genre. This book was different from most. The characters were interesting. So why only tree stars? While I like the turn of flowery prose, A little goes a long way. I get that the author was trying to keep us in the proper time zone, with so many through out the tale, but really, does every person's clothing have to be constantly described? Over all over? Every scene detailed to the nth degree?
I enjoyed the ending. I couldn't figure out how the woman could stay in the past with children in the future.
I enjoy this genre. This book was different from most. The characters were interesting. So why only tree stars? While I like the turn of flowery prose, A little goes a long way. I get that the author was trying to keep us in the proper time zone, with so many through out the tale, but really, does every person's clothing have to be constantly described? Over all over? Every scene detailed to the nth degree?
I enjoyed the ending. I couldn't figure out how the woman could stay in the past with children in the future.
September 22, 2023
This story has more surprises than any book I have read in a very long time! And what a clever concept of time travel and romance combined. It's the grand "if only" that every person has day-dreamed about at some point or other in their lives so what fun it was to read a whole story about the fulfillment of "if only". If only I hadn't or of only I had.... if only I could go back and do it over. I couldn't put it down. Last week while I was reading it, I had carpal tunnel surgery and the nurse told me that I woke from the anesthesia talking about this book! So, there you go!
March 10, 2023
Enjoyable read, Totally different
I have read all of Else Douglas' time travel novels and have thoroughly enjoyed them. Time Past is totally indifferent than previous time travel novels. It is a bit like "Ground Hog Day.". The past keeps repeating itself until the future is finally righted. The first few chapters ( In the present) were a bit tedious, but once Kate enters the cave the story got very interesting.
I have read all of Else Douglas' time travel novels and have thoroughly enjoyed them. Time Past is totally indifferent than previous time travel novels. It is a bit like "Ground Hog Day.". The past keeps repeating itself until the future is finally righted. The first few chapters ( In the present) were a bit tedious, but once Kate enters the cave the story got very interesting.
March 27, 2023
My favorite books of Elyse Douglas was the two Speakeasy stories. This one was great and is near the top of my list of their books. The characters were interesting and the story well plotted. When I moved from Part One to Part Two, it was a little jarring, but I soon settled in and began to feel comfortable. For me, one of the best parts was the characters not trying to get back to their own time. There was nothing dragging them back, just a strong love for each other. Terrific read.
October 31, 2025
Marry Go Round
The cave has been a convenient jump-off point for fantasy stories. The first time I encountered it Edgar Rice Burroughs sent John Carter to Mars from an Arizona mountain. But here, a car crash kills a love affair of a lifetime, over and over until, finally, the cave pays off. The couple, with grand children, are happily watching the Thanksgiving parade. Not my favorite time travel by the Douglas team.
The cave has been a convenient jump-off point for fantasy stories. The first time I encountered it Edgar Rice Burroughs sent John Carter to Mars from an Arizona mountain. But here, a car crash kills a love affair of a lifetime, over and over until, finally, the cave pays off. The couple, with grand children, are happily watching the Thanksgiving parade. Not my favorite time travel by the Douglas team.
April 22, 2023
Could we? Would we?
If we could go back and live our lives over again, would we want to? Is there a perfect love, opportunity lost by unfortunate timing, a kismet or destiny driving our thoughts and actions? And the ultimate question...can we change fate? Challenge events and change them for the better? Who knows, but it would be fun to try!
If we could go back and live our lives over again, would we want to? Is there a perfect love, opportunity lost by unfortunate timing, a kismet or destiny driving our thoughts and actions? And the ultimate question...can we change fate? Challenge events and change them for the better? Who knows, but it would be fun to try!
June 16, 2023
Wow!
I’ve always felt that time is not exactly as we think it is. Is time travel possible, who knows. This well written, engaging story, tells of love - past, present, and future. A young couple who have suffered the ultimate loss, gets a second chance to get their happily ever after.
I’ve always felt that time is not exactly as we think it is. Is time travel possible, who knows. This well written, engaging story, tells of love - past, present, and future. A young couple who have suffered the ultimate loss, gets a second chance to get their happily ever after.
March 21, 2024
what a wonderful story!
This is a beautifully done story that deals with a young couple who keep getting separated by life’s surprises but keep reliving their joint past over and over again until they finally get it right and live their life as they always wanted it to be. It reminds me a lot of Ken Grimwald’s very special book of years ago called Replay.
It has always been a personal favorite. I can highly recommend this book.
This is a beautifully done story that deals with a young couple who keep getting separated by life’s surprises but keep reliving their joint past over and over again until they finally get it right and live their life as they always wanted it to be. It reminds me a lot of Ken Grimwald’s very special book of years ago called Replay.
It has always been a personal favorite. I can highly recommend this book.
May 26, 2024
Not a book I enjoyed
I found this book the most difficult to read of all ELyse Douglas' books as though Ground Hog day was repeating over & over again with different results & more frustrating each time it repeated! She has been very good at writing good books up to date so this one was disappointing to say the least!
I found this book the most difficult to read of all ELyse Douglas' books as though Ground Hog day was repeating over & over again with different results & more frustrating each time it repeated! She has been very good at writing good books up to date so this one was disappointing to say the least!
June 17, 2024
seriously, again?
I liked the premise of the story. What i didnt like was how Kate had so many do overs and then even Paul went thru the time thing. Great they kept finding each other but i think the time travel should have stopped at once and expounded on that. Didnt make sense. Seemed too much like a go round and the author didnt know what else to do?
I liked the premise of the story. What i didnt like was how Kate had so many do overs and then even Paul went thru the time thing. Great they kept finding each other but i think the time travel should have stopped at once and expounded on that. Didnt make sense. Seemed too much like a go round and the author didnt know what else to do?
April 6, 2025
Believe
At first I felt it was Ground Hog Day all over again. Kept on reading on how determined Kate was but then it was Paul’s turn that was a surprise. This story kept me on the edge of my seat. Think we have all thought ‘what if’ we could go back and what would we change.
Be happy were you are because the grass is not always greener on the other side
At first I felt it was Ground Hog Day all over again. Kept on reading on how determined Kate was but then it was Paul’s turn that was a surprise. This story kept me on the edge of my seat. Think we have all thought ‘what if’ we could go back and what would we change.
Be happy were you are because the grass is not always greener on the other side
June 12, 2025
This was an interesting book and I enjoyed it until the ending, which just felt completely wrong and sad. It is interesting to think that our lives can follow many different paths and in this story, Kate finds a path to the past, but in the process, her life is changed many times quite fundamentally. So ultimately, I found it a little disappointing.
November 25, 2025
Not her best work I. My opinion. Y here were so many times in that cave and this was her first time changing ages. I don’t think I like that premise. I thought she would meet her younger self but she was back and replaced herself. To me this stretches the imagination too much. I would have rated it a three except when Paul went back she brought it all together.
February 24, 2023
Another Good Time Travel
Another good time travel story fro. Elyse Douglas. This is a bit different with several versions of someone traveling back in time. As usual a good depiction of the past and well developed characters provide realism to this story.
Another good time travel story fro. Elyse Douglas. This is a bit different with several versions of someone traveling back in time. As usual a good depiction of the past and well developed characters provide realism to this story.
February 28, 2023
A very different take on time travel.
I was a little unsure at the beginning, but as the story unfolded I was surprised at the cleverness in this story. I have read hundreds of time travel stories and I think this is one of the cleverest. It is worth the time.
😊
I was a little unsure at the beginning, but as the story unfolded I was surprised at the cleverness in this story. I have read hundreds of time travel stories and I think this is one of the cleverest. It is worth the time.
😊
February 28, 2023
Time Past
Just finished the book and loved it as I have with all Else Douglas stories. Have read them all and enjoyed ever one of them. All the stories have grabbed my attention right from the beginning and don't want them to end.
Just finished the book and loved it as I have with all Else Douglas stories. Have read them all and enjoyed ever one of them. All the stories have grabbed my attention right from the beginning and don't want them to end.
March 1, 2023
A real page turner!!
Engaging and entertaining. A few times I had to put it down, not wanting to read what I knew would be a sad twist of events. Such a lovely life journey. Love the ending.
Engaging and entertaining. A few times I had to put it down, not wanting to read what I knew would be a sad twist of events. Such a lovely life journey. Love the ending.
March 3, 2023
good book
This book makes you think wonder what if. I know there’s been times in my life when I wished I could time travel and change things that happened to me. So this book makes me think what if
This book makes you think wonder what if. I know there’s been times in my life when I wished I could time travel and change things that happened to me. So this book makes me think what if
March 13, 2023
I love how this author’s books make me feel!
As has been the case after reading each of this author’s time travel books, my eyes are again misty and my 72 year old heart is full. I really enjoy reading these books. They make me feel…good!
As has been the case after reading each of this author’s time travel books, my eyes are again misty and my 72 year old heart is full. I really enjoy reading these books. They make me feel…good!
March 17, 2023
If you read this finally does have a happy ending but in a way repetitive as character keeps returning to the past to try to get her life to to turn out the way she wished had happened in first place.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 2, 2023
Memory Lane for Baby Boomer s
I loved this book. I felt as though I lived again through 1968 and the thought of repeating a time repeatedly with conscious hope for change was so interesting. Love eventually conquered.
I loved this book. I felt as though I lived again through 1968 and the thought of repeating a time repeatedly with conscious hope for change was so interesting. Love eventually conquered.
April 23, 2023
A great time travel book
This book was very informative about time travel. It was fun to read and discover what took place for the two main characters. Alot of good history was shared. The love story was so good. I enjoyed this book from start to finish.
This book was very informative about time travel. It was fun to read and discover what took place for the two main characters. Alot of good history was shared. The love story was so good. I enjoyed this book from start to finish.
June 2, 2023
What a great story
This is a unique time travel story. The writing was very good and the characters...well one became invested in their struggle to be together. I enjoyed this one!
This is a unique time travel story. The writing was very good and the characters...well one became invested in their struggle to be together. I enjoyed this one!
July 23, 2023
Time Past
A very good tale to read or was it a tale? As a person with ADD, I did get lost once or twice but I did enjoy the book and do recommend it to others to read! I do think that you will enjoy it too!!
A very good tale to read or was it a tale? As a person with ADD, I did get lost once or twice but I did enjoy the book and do recommend it to others to read! I do think that you will enjoy it too!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews