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Rhapsody in Time
A fall transports Liz McShane from the 1990s to the Roaring Twenties, into the life and arms of famous composer Alec Aarronson, and into a breathtaking, time-changing adventure. Original.
294 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1994
4 people are currently reading
114 people want to read
About the author
Judith O'Brien
19 books46 followersWriting romance novels has got to be the way to make a living in the world. What other career allows you to send the kids off to school, walk the dog, and vanish into the most fascinating of historical times and places, with the most glorious of men, to escape danger and find everlasting love for the rest of the day?
Like most writers, I knew early on that I wanted to be a writer. Well, almost. Actually, writing was the third choice on my short list of career possibilities, right after Fairy Princess and Prima Ballerina. The first two didn't work out. So after college I moved to New York, where I worked for Seventeen Magazine. Not only had I never really been to New York before, but I believe I was the only editorial assistant in the magazine industry who still wore knee socks. Soon I was promoted to Editor of the "Letters to the Editor" department. Yes, there really IS an editor for the letters to the editor column. But it allowed me to write articles, answer the personal problems of teens (boys and zits were the big topics of concern), and rummage through the back files of the magazine. I found Sylvia Plath's original carbon of a short story she submitted while still in high school. There were articles on up-and-coming talents with names like Judy Holiday, Marlon Brando and Elvis. And very occasionally I was employed as a last-minute makeover subject. That was me looking miserable after getting the "Brideshead Revisited" bob.
Then I lucked into a fabulous job - as a jacket copy writer at a publishing house called Pocket Books. There I first read Jude Deveraux, Judith McNaught and Julie Garwood in manuscript form, and from those I would compose the blurbs for the book covers. It was heaven. I would read straight through my lunch hour, thus accounting for the chicken salad and iced tea on the returned manuscripts. But as much as I loved reading those marvelous stories, what I really wanted to do was to write one. Just one. Just to see what would happen.
Life interfered. I went back into magazines, this time at Self as an editor and writer. I got married, then had my son. I was still on maternity leave, writing general health articles while bouncing a newborn on my knee, that I began to dream once again of writing a romance novel. So that is exactly what I did. And I modestly claim to have written the most horrendous first three chapters of ANY book, in ANY genre, at ANY time in history. Unfortunately, still addled by the turmoil of being a new mom (hey, it's an excuse), I actually sent the wretched chapters to agents and publishers.
The rejections were polite form letters. Dozens of them. I shoved them into a bottom drawer and stuck to articles, becoming a free-lance writer and full-time mom. A few years later I gave romance writing another try. This time I sent it to only one person, Linda Marrow, with whom I had worked at Pocket Books years earlier. I certainly did not expect her to accept the manuscript. But I did hope she would let me know which editor at whatever house just might be interested in my time-travel romance.
Instead, I received a call from Linda three days later, offering me a two book contract.
Now I am a single mom. My son is twelve. I live in Brooklyn. And I'm lucky enough to write romance novels for a living. So please excuse me while I slip into something more comfortable. Such as Civil War Atlanta, or Tudor England, or Georgian Ireland, or....Did I mention how much I love this job?
Like most writers, I knew early on that I wanted to be a writer. Well, almost. Actually, writing was the third choice on my short list of career possibilities, right after Fairy Princess and Prima Ballerina. The first two didn't work out. So after college I moved to New York, where I worked for Seventeen Magazine. Not only had I never really been to New York before, but I believe I was the only editorial assistant in the magazine industry who still wore knee socks. Soon I was promoted to Editor of the "Letters to the Editor" department. Yes, there really IS an editor for the letters to the editor column. But it allowed me to write articles, answer the personal problems of teens (boys and zits were the big topics of concern), and rummage through the back files of the magazine. I found Sylvia Plath's original carbon of a short story she submitted while still in high school. There were articles on up-and-coming talents with names like Judy Holiday, Marlon Brando and Elvis. And very occasionally I was employed as a last-minute makeover subject. That was me looking miserable after getting the "Brideshead Revisited" bob.
Then I lucked into a fabulous job - as a jacket copy writer at a publishing house called Pocket Books. There I first read Jude Deveraux, Judith McNaught and Julie Garwood in manuscript form, and from those I would compose the blurbs for the book covers. It was heaven. I would read straight through my lunch hour, thus accounting for the chicken salad and iced tea on the returned manuscripts. But as much as I loved reading those marvelous stories, what I really wanted to do was to write one. Just one. Just to see what would happen.
Life interfered. I went back into magazines, this time at Self as an editor and writer. I got married, then had my son. I was still on maternity leave, writing general health articles while bouncing a newborn on my knee, that I began to dream once again of writing a romance novel. So that is exactly what I did. And I modestly claim to have written the most horrendous first three chapters of ANY book, in ANY genre, at ANY time in history. Unfortunately, still addled by the turmoil of being a new mom (hey, it's an excuse), I actually sent the wretched chapters to agents and publishers.
The rejections were polite form letters. Dozens of them. I shoved them into a bottom drawer and stuck to articles, becoming a free-lance writer and full-time mom. A few years later I gave romance writing another try. This time I sent it to only one person, Linda Marrow, with whom I had worked at Pocket Books years earlier. I certainly did not expect her to accept the manuscript. But I did hope she would let me know which editor at whatever house just might be interested in my time-travel romance.
Instead, I received a call from Linda three days later, offering me a two book contract.
Now I am a single mom. My son is twelve. I live in Brooklyn. And I'm lucky enough to write romance novels for a living. So please excuse me while I slip into something more comfortable. Such as Civil War Atlanta, or Tudor England, or Georgian Ireland, or....Did I mention how much I love this job?
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
May 20, 2025
This book had a lot of flaws, no doubt about it. The plot wandered, the pacing was all over the place, and the drama often tipped into the melodramatic. It definitely read like a debut novel. But. I loved it. I loved it so much that I read the whole thing as a poorly scanned PDF, literal photos of the pages, and I didn't care one bit.
The story follows Liz, who gets mugged and injured on a train and somehow ends up transported back to 1927. There, she meets Alec a pianist who, in the future, is a wildly famous singer. Secrets, romance, and problems follow as their connection deepens across time😍
Let me just say, the 1920s setting was EVERYTHING. Marcel curls, Clara Bow’s “It,” gossip columns full of Gloria Swanson and Marilyn Miller, glamorous New York vibes, it was all chef’s kiss. As someone who adores the 20s (and Clara Bow), I felt like I was right at home. Every time something familiar popped up, I was thinking, “Yep, I know this one.”
Now, the romance between Alec and Liz... My God it was perfect. Alec was tender but protective, sweet but stern, he was your man in a suit all wrapped up in love for Liz. I LOVED HIM😭
HE CALLS HER "MY LIZZIE" OMGGG I WAS MELTING😭😭
The chemistry between them was incredible. Funny, flirty, natural... they matched so well that I was grinning like a teenager the whole time. Their dynamic was honestly addictive.
Now, as for the plot, especially the time travel and the drama with Alec’s cousins, it got a little too dramatic, and everything wrapped up way too fast at the end. But honestly? I didn’t care. I just wanted to see Alec again😭
Overall, yes this book had issues. Objectively, it might be 2.5 to 3 stars. But because I’m a sucker for time travel, obsessed with the 1920s, and head over heels for Alec and Liz? I’m giving it a very biased 4 stars.
The story follows Liz, who gets mugged and injured on a train and somehow ends up transported back to 1927. There, she meets Alec a pianist who, in the future, is a wildly famous singer. Secrets, romance, and problems follow as their connection deepens across time😍
Let me just say, the 1920s setting was EVERYTHING. Marcel curls, Clara Bow’s “It,” gossip columns full of Gloria Swanson and Marilyn Miller, glamorous New York vibes, it was all chef’s kiss. As someone who adores the 20s (and Clara Bow), I felt like I was right at home. Every time something familiar popped up, I was thinking, “Yep, I know this one.”
Now, the romance between Alec and Liz... My God it was perfect. Alec was tender but protective, sweet but stern, he was your man in a suit all wrapped up in love for Liz. I LOVED HIM😭
“My own Lizzie,” he whispered. “Nobody has ever told me they love me before.”
“I love you, you fool,” she whispered into his ear.
He laughed, then grew serious, and she saw him swallow hard. “My Lizzie. You’re my life.”
Because, my love, you are everything to me. The work you will hear tonight exists because of you. In fact, I exist now because of you. Even though it’s sketchy these days, I still remember what might have been, what almost was.” With a harshness he didn’t intend, he drew her closer in his embrace, his hands clenching her back and shoulders, His Lizzie.
HE CALLS HER "MY LIZZIE" OMGGG I WAS MELTING😭😭
The chemistry between them was incredible. Funny, flirty, natural... they matched so well that I was grinning like a teenager the whole time. Their dynamic was honestly addictive.
Now, as for the plot, especially the time travel and the drama with Alec’s cousins, it got a little too dramatic, and everything wrapped up way too fast at the end. But honestly? I didn’t care. I just wanted to see Alec again😭
Overall, yes this book had issues. Objectively, it might be 2.5 to 3 stars. But because I’m a sucker for time travel, obsessed with the 1920s, and head over heels for Alec and Liz? I’m giving it a very biased 4 stars.
February 9, 2011
This is one of my all time favorite books. Some may say that it is silly because it is a romance novel but that doesn't mean that it doesn't constitute a good book. It's a love story and I can't see what is wrong with that. I read this book all the time and I never get tired of it. Many of the scenes are imprinted in my mind but I still return to have the images once again flourish more clearly and detailed in my head. As a writer I want to make my stories be stories that people can't put down or forget, that one story they return to just because they enjoyed it so much. I don't need all of my writings to be classics but I want them to be loved by someone as much as I love this one. I don't know how good the writing truly is because I am biased to liking the book but I know that the imagery is spectacular and before I read this book I had a vague sense of what the 1920's were like and now I can see it all how it used to be.
The story is set in the Roaring Twenties. A time that this book has made me adore. I have looked up information about this time period and constantly feel that I was meant to be born in that time. I think the author has done something special when you make a modern teenager want to go back to an era where they didn't even have t.v. or mp3s.
The main character Liz is heading to the subway to go home after a bad date when she is attacked by a drunken crazed man. Liz hits her head and is thrown back in time into the 1920's. There she meets a musician named Alec Aarronson and their romance begins. The book portrays a myriad of scenes of the 1920's. The places that used to exist, the ideals Americans held, and descriptions of the people they admired. The book paints vignettes of an era that holds a simple charm. Style wise the love story presents itself cleanly. Liz and Alec are two people who meet and are attracted to each other almost at first sight. They try to fight it but can't resist. Neither one of them is the typical person in their own time which makes them perfect for each other. Their relationship holds the charm of not being forced or full of dozens of unlikely complications. They do have a major danger looming in their way but resolve to solve it together. They are both equal players and partners in the construction of their lives. Liz is not the damsel in distress. She is strong and a fighter who does not leave everything to the man in her life but shares the responsibility. The two face the danger of bootleggers together and head on.
The story is full of a simple happy existence and general happiness and honesty that characterized the era. It doesn't contrive to be a story for today's setting but a book about a period in the past with witty flashes in the character's dialogue of things that were. The book may not be perfect but it nonetheless captures my imagination every time.
The story is set in the Roaring Twenties. A time that this book has made me adore. I have looked up information about this time period and constantly feel that I was meant to be born in that time. I think the author has done something special when you make a modern teenager want to go back to an era where they didn't even have t.v. or mp3s.
The main character Liz is heading to the subway to go home after a bad date when she is attacked by a drunken crazed man. Liz hits her head and is thrown back in time into the 1920's. There she meets a musician named Alec Aarronson and their romance begins. The book portrays a myriad of scenes of the 1920's. The places that used to exist, the ideals Americans held, and descriptions of the people they admired. The book paints vignettes of an era that holds a simple charm. Style wise the love story presents itself cleanly. Liz and Alec are two people who meet and are attracted to each other almost at first sight. They try to fight it but can't resist. Neither one of them is the typical person in their own time which makes them perfect for each other. Their relationship holds the charm of not being forced or full of dozens of unlikely complications. They do have a major danger looming in their way but resolve to solve it together. They are both equal players and partners in the construction of their lives. Liz is not the damsel in distress. She is strong and a fighter who does not leave everything to the man in her life but shares the responsibility. The two face the danger of bootleggers together and head on.
The story is full of a simple happy existence and general happiness and honesty that characterized the era. It doesn't contrive to be a story for today's setting but a book about a period in the past with witty flashes in the character's dialogue of things that were. The book may not be perfect but it nonetheless captures my imagination every time.
July 31, 2017
Well, what a delight. Liz McShane, working girl in 1992, time travels back to 1927 and meets a beautiful, wonderful Irish man, who also happens to be a brilliant composer who is also perfect. I was pleasantly surprised by this book! There's very little to analyze or critique, because Rhapsody in Time seems to be made for fun. And it was fun! I found myself laughing out loud multiple times, and I was impressed by the amount of historical detail provided by O'Brien. Rather than being a mere visitor in a faraway time, I felt like I was truly swept away to the Roaring Twenties, surrounded by O'Brien's elaborate description of her setting. My favorite thing about Rhapsody in Time, besides the powerful chemistry between Liz and Alec (their relationship is just to die for), was Liz's complete and enthusiastic enjoyment of the time to which she traveled. Instead of moaning and complaining like time travel heroines are often prone to do, she had the time of her life, and I cannot tell you how much I appreciated this common ground between myself and Liz. Finally, a heroine who behaves the exact same way I would in her situation!
The only real criticism I have is the lack of conflict between Liz and Alec, and I wasn't even entirely bothered by it. Instead of emotionally devastating arguments, the two have some minor tiffs, and the time travel issue is almost moot; I spent the majority of the book's middle and end in conflict, trying to decide if the lack of unreasonable arguments was boring or delightfully refreshing.
Despite a slight lag due to that lack, this book was an overall pleasure to read, and a fun escape for anyone who longs for another time!
Rating: 4.5 stars. 5 stars for the part after the first time Liz and Alec made love, on the floor, and Alec afterward explained the red marks on his elbows as carpet burn.
...
The only real criticism I have is the lack of conflict between Liz and Alec, and I wasn't even entirely bothered by it. Instead of emotionally devastating arguments, the two have some minor tiffs, and the time travel issue is almost moot; I spent the majority of the book's middle and end in conflict, trying to decide if the lack of unreasonable arguments was boring or delightfully refreshing.
Despite a slight lag due to that lack, this book was an overall pleasure to read, and a fun escape for anyone who longs for another time!
Rating: 4.5 stars. 5 stars for the part after the first time Liz and Alec made love, on the floor, and Alec afterward explained the red marks on his elbows as carpet burn.
...
November 1, 2018
Me gusto una historia bonita y entretenida.
January 31, 2020
La leí hace bastante tiempo, pero la recuerdo bien y estuvo muy bonita. Básicamente, Liz es una joven neoyorkina q está bastante descontenta con su vida en la época actual, y por esas cosas de la vida, un día se topa con algo parecido a un tunel del tiempo (literalmente, xq ocurre en el subte) y de repente se encuentra en los locos años 20, donde obviamente todo era más simple.
Allí se enamora de un famoso compositor, Alec Aronson y de ahí vamos a unos cuantos tejemanejes entre divertidos y dramáticos, para q finalmente Liz decida si se queda en el pasado o vuelve al futuro.
La trama en sí no presenta demasiadas sorpresas, para los q gustan de este tipo de historias. Pero los dialogos están bien hilados y la trama en general entretiene.
Allí se enamora de un famoso compositor, Alec Aronson y de ahí vamos a unos cuantos tejemanejes entre divertidos y dramáticos, para q finalmente Liz decida si se queda en el pasado o vuelve al futuro.
La trama en sí no presenta demasiadas sorpresas, para los q gustan de este tipo de historias. Pero los dialogos están bien hilados y la trama en general entretiene.
September 7, 2015
After nearly being mugged in the subway, Liz McShane hits her head as she falls through the doors of an arriving train. When she stands up, she finds herself in 1927 New York City, in the midst of speakeasies, prohibition, jazz and gangsters. While wandering the city, she comes face to face Alec Aaronson, a famous composer who died in a plane crash in 1935. Alec is fascinated by the beautiful Liz from her bluejeans to her strange turn of phrase. He helps her find a place to live and a job working on his latest Broadway production. As they grow closer, Liz knows she has been sent back in time to find the man of her dreams and save him from an untimely death.
This is a very well-written time travel romance set in the Roaring Twenties. It took a little while for me to get into the story. Besides the usual fish-out-of-water story of Liz dealing with traveling back in time, we were also told of Alec's immigration to America and how he came to be a famous composer. After getting through that information dump, the story takes off. The author has done her homework. The story includes lots of information on Broadway in the 1920's, along with general history of New York City. There are even debates about the guilt or innocence of Sacco and Vanzetti, two immigrants who were on death row. I give this book and extra 1/2 star just for the incredible setting. My rating: 4.5 Stars.
This is a very well-written time travel romance set in the Roaring Twenties. It took a little while for me to get into the story. Besides the usual fish-out-of-water story of Liz dealing with traveling back in time, we were also told of Alec's immigration to America and how he came to be a famous composer. After getting through that information dump, the story takes off. The author has done her homework. The story includes lots of information on Broadway in the 1920's, along with general history of New York City. There are even debates about the guilt or innocence of Sacco and Vanzetti, two immigrants who were on death row. I give this book and extra 1/2 star just for the incredible setting. My rating: 4.5 Stars.
June 24, 2021
Relectura. Después de buscar por años el título y el libro en si, por fin pude volver a leer ésta romántica historia con viajes en el tiempo.
Es una lectura muy ligera y ágil, no hay grandes giros ni tramas muy complejas, pero es justo el tipo de historias necesarias para distraerse o descansar después de una lectura pesada.
Un insta-love ambientado en los años 20's con romance y muchas referencias musicales.
Es una lectura muy ligera y ágil, no hay grandes giros ni tramas muy complejas, pero es justo el tipo de historias necesarias para distraerse o descansar después de una lectura pesada.
Un insta-love ambientado en los años 20's con romance y muchas referencias musicales.
December 5, 2023
This is one of my favorite books. I remember stealing this book from my sister from time to time, back in the 90s. It made me fall in love with Time Travel Romance. My sister still has the book and at least once a year I read it again. 💜
December 3, 2019
A wonderful travel back in time, all for true love. I love rereading this story and seeing these two people find each other across time.
January 7, 2016
I think this book had a ton of potential but failed to live up to it. The plot was exceptional with plenty of intrigue and brilliantly thought out scenes. I normally hate things that switch between times but this was done very well. Where this fell short for me was prose. I think the author sounded at times like a middle school girl writing notes in her diary, at other times like a poet. Either way it seemed wrong and over the top for the book. I fully expect romance novels to be cheesy but this one went beyond even my capabilities to read. I enjoyed the male lead although he got way too sappy for my tastes by the end, but the female lead was not really to my liking. she didn't have the spunk i like in my heroines and her main moments of glory (and entertainment value) were her stealing other people's ideas (many of which fell totally flat because they were given no context other than something the so and so would have done/said/created). The plot makes it worth reading once but im leaving feeling like im dripping with honey its so sappy sticky sweet so i would definitely not read it again
February 21, 2015
My all time favorite book!! I've read it at least 5 times and never get tired of it.
It's one of those love at first sight truly destined for each other kind of story. Also has mystery and intrigue woven in.
The author does a beautiful job of describing everything in a way that makes you feel as if you were right there in NYC during the late 1920's.
It's one of those love at first sight truly destined for each other kind of story. Also has mystery and intrigue woven in.
The author does a beautiful job of describing everything in a way that makes you feel as if you were right there in NYC during the late 1920's.
December 5, 2015
I loved this book! Lighthearted and thoroughly entertaining, but then who doesn't want to time travel to the Roaring Twenties? I loved Alec and Liz and their rather unconventional romance. First time travel I've read which was only a mere 60 years or so, but it really worked. I didn't want to put it down. This one is a keeper!
January 31, 2013
I love any time travel book and this one was quite good. I liked the characters and the era of the 1920s that Liz found herself back in. Was a bit bland to start but then a sideline story within the story kicked in and made it more interesting. Time travel and romance - yes!
September 6, 2007
Captivating and clever time travel set in 20th century New York.
October 30, 2007
really used to like this book, rebekah i think you stole it
September 30, 2016
One of my favorite books, it just appeals to my imagination. It's sweet, has a suspense, great heroes, not your typical story, there are few minuses but minor ones. I love it <3
August 6, 2015
Missing chapters.
I loved this book. Where's the rest of my book. This kindle edition cut off when Liz was talking to Hazel.
I loved this book. Where's the rest of my book. This kindle edition cut off when Liz was talking to Hazel.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews