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So Close to You #2
[This Strange and Familiar Place (So Close to You)] [By: Carter, Rachel] [July, 2013]
THESE ARE THE THINGS of which Lydia is now Montauk Project has been experimenting with time travel for years.The Project's subjects are "recruits" from across time, recruits like Wes, Lydia's ally, friend, and love.The Project is now responsible for the disappearance of two members of her family...And they're coming for Lydia next.This thrilling sequel to So Close to You explores how far we'll go to save the people we love - and what happens after you change the future.
Hardcover
First published July 2, 2013
10 people are currently reading
1461 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Carter
3 books240 followersI'm a young adult writer and my debut novel, So Close to You, is the start of a three book series with HarperTeen.
Also, it's about time travel. Which I love. Along with vampires, werewolves, epic Russian historical romances, and movies starring Ryan Gosling.
Please, please recommend books to me, especially YA and romance (the more obscure the better!). I'm always looking for new stories to fall in love with.
Also, it's about time travel. Which I love. Along with vampires, werewolves, epic Russian historical romances, and movies starring Ryan Gosling.
Please, please recommend books to me, especially YA and romance (the more obscure the better!). I'm always looking for new stories to fall in love with.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews
December 14, 2013
Wow. It's been a long time since I am completely excited about a sequel. (Perhaps ever since I read Unravel Me and completed it?)
This Strange and Familiar Place is an amazing book that enchanted me from the very beginning. I thought I was going to hate this book (because of my particular dislike for time traveling books and multiple timelines). Instead, This Strange and Familiar Place (what a mouthful of words and title) went back to So Close To You and did a short recap whenever necessary. Furthermore, This Strange and Familiar Place rarely caused any confusion for me. (It's a nice change for once. To not be confused in a book).
The plot is crazy. Insane like The Blessed. And it goes by a lot faster than The Blessed, which is written is a shocking three to four hundred pages. And this book is only written in about two hundred and fifty. It goes nuts and haywire. And I love how fast the plot went, yet also how perfectly paced it was. Perfectly paced enough for me to not get lost.
The wording of This Strange and Familiar Place definitely helped me keep up. Names and titles and obvious references were a great help when it comes to time traveling. I tip my gray and worn hat to Rachel Carter, who did a much better job in this book than So Close to You (aka and, in case you didn't pick up the hint, the first book in this series). Good planning.
The ending is beautiful. Beautiful. I loved it and I want to know... Oh, I just want to tell you all and reveal everything. Unfortunately, (if you haven't read this book) you are going to hate me. So much that you'll send me to coldest pits.
Lydia is awesome in this book. I love how her character is starting to show the tougher side of herself. I love how her naiveness (is this even a word?) is starting to wear off. She's getting better and better with each book.
And Wes...oh...I love this guy. I love this guy. I love this guy. And I'm not going to tell you why because...oh...too many spoilers.
Rating: Five out of Five
-ofpaperandwords.blogspot.com
This Strange and Familiar Place is an amazing book that enchanted me from the very beginning. I thought I was going to hate this book (because of my particular dislike for time traveling books and multiple timelines). Instead, This Strange and Familiar Place (what a mouthful of words and title) went back to So Close To You and did a short recap whenever necessary. Furthermore, This Strange and Familiar Place rarely caused any confusion for me. (It's a nice change for once. To not be confused in a book).
The plot is crazy. Insane like The Blessed. And it goes by a lot faster than The Blessed, which is written is a shocking three to four hundred pages. And this book is only written in about two hundred and fifty. It goes nuts and haywire. And I love how fast the plot went, yet also how perfectly paced it was. Perfectly paced enough for me to not get lost.
The wording of This Strange and Familiar Place definitely helped me keep up. Names and titles and obvious references were a great help when it comes to time traveling. I tip my gray and worn hat to Rachel Carter, who did a much better job in this book than So Close to You (aka and, in case you didn't pick up the hint, the first book in this series). Good planning.
The ending is beautiful. Beautiful. I loved it and I want to know... Oh, I just want to tell you all and reveal everything. Unfortunately, (if you haven't read this book) you are going to hate me. So much that you'll send me to coldest pits.
Lydia is awesome in this book. I love how her character is starting to show the tougher side of herself. I love how her naiveness (is this even a word?) is starting to wear off. She's getting better and better with each book.
And Wes...oh...I love this guy. I love this guy. I love this guy. And I'm not going to tell you why because...oh...too many spoilers.
Rating: Five out of Five
-ofpaperandwords.blogspot.com
May 26, 2020
What the heck? This book sent me in a roller-coaster of emotions. Wes and Lydia did feel off in this book - not sure why I thought that, but I personally didn't enjoy watching their interactions as I did in the first book. It seemed like their relationship went one step forward and then two steps back over and over again, and the repetitiveness of that got a little frustrating. Nevertheless, I did enjoy the plot of the book and I'm still recovering from the ending. Like seriously, what just happened? I'm still super excited to read the final book of this series and I hope that the characters will get some more development!
April 13, 2017
That plot twist tho!!!!!!!
May 17, 2020
I personally think that this series is one of my favorite series of all time. I love Wes so much and the couple chapters at the end made me shed so many tears. This book was a little slow, but it was wonderful to hear the continuing story of Lydia and Wes.
July 8, 2014
Love it!!
March 23, 2019
I want to give a review but I am too hungover. All I can think of is next books please.
It was tooo fascinating.
Wes I hated you so much u made me cry myself to sleep. But I love you still.
Lydia you are one of my most Fav YA characters. You are so bold when weak too tough yet soft. And you remind me so much of me.
Thank u carter for the love confession scene it fixed me up yet to break me down all over again that twist OMG!!!! It was already excitin nd u went and made me go crazyyy. You are one underrated author
Too good dear. You just gave me another major hangover.
Ok next book here Moi comezssz.
It was tooo fascinating.
Wes I hated you so much u made me cry myself to sleep. But I love you still.
Lydia you are one of my most Fav YA characters. You are so bold when weak too tough yet soft. And you remind me so much of me.
Thank u carter for the love confession scene it fixed me up yet to break me down all over again that twist OMG!!!! It was already excitin nd u went and made me go crazyyy. You are one underrated author
Too good dear. You just gave me another major hangover.
Ok next book here Moi comezssz.
November 21, 2015
I really have to reread this series to review it.
When I see the ridiculous amount of reviews, I'm just - well, you know...
Because passed the first half of So close to you? Pure awesomeness.
Any volonteers to go with me?
When I see the ridiculous amount of reviews, I'm just - well, you know...
Because passed the first half of So close to you? Pure awesomeness.
Any volonteers to go with me?
Want to read
November 24, 2012Not even a synopsis yet?!? Can't wait to see what happens next!
May 17, 2020
Definitely better the second time I read it. I love the realistic fantasy that Carter created with this trilogy. I perhaps do not favor this book because of the plot and the writing, but I am in LOVE with the characters and their development throughout this book. This one may not be as exciting as the following book in the series and the former one, it still had me encaptured enough to read it in a single day.
June 24, 2020
I liked this book, but it wasn’t quite as good as the first book, although once I got a little past halfway it started to get really good. I definitely suggest reading this, it’s crucial to go along with the first book!
June 17, 2023
At first ..I was bored and disappointed with this book. Not a great sequel. Then...the twist. Oh what a delicious twist! Even though I know it'll end alright l, for that brief moment, was smiling like a fool at the twist. It was unexpected and I enjoyed it. I'm curious to see how it all pans out
July 20, 2016
Lydia is back in 2012, but it's not the same time she knows. She may still live in the same house with her parents and have the same friends, but all of her relationships with them are different. The Lydia whose life she is now living was different. So when Wes, the boy she fell in love with when they were in 1944, comes to check up on her, Lydia knows that she has to do something to try and make her time right again. Posing as one of the Montauk Project's recruits, she manages to sneak through the time machine on a mission with Wes, back to the 1980s. There she finds her grandfather, who is missing in the 2012 she'd returned to, as well as her great-grandfather, whom she hadn't seen since her visit to 1944. Except neither seem to remember her, which makes helping them return to their proper times difficult. Lydia must be careful, because the Montauk Project always has people watching - and these people will do anything to keep their timelines safe from tampering.
I was very eagerly anticipating this novel after finishing So Close to You. Although this book was very good and did meet my standards set after its prequel, I can't say that I enjoyed it entirely as much as the first book. I think that part of this has to do with the setting, and resulting characters. So Close to You was based in 1944 in a more rural setting, and most of the characters were Lydia's family. This Strange and Familiar Place was set in the '80s, in dirty New York, and the characters were children who lived on the streets. Even though there was danger to Lydia in the first book, the setting was comfortable. This story took away all comfort, and since the time was closer to modern, there wasn't as much excitement in the time travel aspect. The setting contributes a lot to my enjoyment of a book, so I definitely think that this novel's setting is part of the reason I didn't like it quite as much as the first.
This novel definitely amped up the intensity though. Not even just the danger, but the characters, and the seriousness of their situations. There was a lot more depth to the main characters (and it's not like they weren't already well-written in the first book). In my review of the previous book, I mentioned that Lydia and Wes's relationship seemed very real. That stayed true for this novel, although there wasn't as much romance. There were, however, more problems between them, and more secret-sharing. I found that as this novel grew more serious, my reactions grew more pronounced. I wouldn't say it's uncommon for me to gasp out loud while reading, but it certainly takes a big surprise. This book had everything necessary to keep me hooked and on high alert.
I really enjoyed how the ending was written, in both books. In the first book, it seemed as though everything would be okay, until there was a plot twist. That was enough to make me read this novel, but it wasn't so much that I lay obsessing over it at night. The same sort of ending was written in this sequel. There was a HUGE plot twist, but then there was a small section at the end that laid the readers' minds to ease, just slightly. I still want to read the next book, perhaps even more than I wanted to read this one after finishing the first. Although there are plot twists, which I normally dislike, they aren't so big as to make me temporarily hate the author for making me wait to read the next book. Rather, I can appreciate the timing of Rachel Carter's major moments.
Although I didn't love this book quite as much as I did the previous one, I still did very much like it. I'm definitely going to read the third and final book, and I hope that Carter can sufficiently wrap everything up, because right now there are still many things left hanging. I would give this book a rating of four stars. I tore through it, finishing it very quickly (although it wasn't a particularly long book). I'd recommend this story to readers who are seeking realistic characters, time travel, and government conspiracies.
I was very eagerly anticipating this novel after finishing So Close to You. Although this book was very good and did meet my standards set after its prequel, I can't say that I enjoyed it entirely as much as the first book. I think that part of this has to do with the setting, and resulting characters. So Close to You was based in 1944 in a more rural setting, and most of the characters were Lydia's family. This Strange and Familiar Place was set in the '80s, in dirty New York, and the characters were children who lived on the streets. Even though there was danger to Lydia in the first book, the setting was comfortable. This story took away all comfort, and since the time was closer to modern, there wasn't as much excitement in the time travel aspect. The setting contributes a lot to my enjoyment of a book, so I definitely think that this novel's setting is part of the reason I didn't like it quite as much as the first.
This novel definitely amped up the intensity though. Not even just the danger, but the characters, and the seriousness of their situations. There was a lot more depth to the main characters (and it's not like they weren't already well-written in the first book). In my review of the previous book, I mentioned that Lydia and Wes's relationship seemed very real. That stayed true for this novel, although there wasn't as much romance. There were, however, more problems between them, and more secret-sharing. I found that as this novel grew more serious, my reactions grew more pronounced. I wouldn't say it's uncommon for me to gasp out loud while reading, but it certainly takes a big surprise. This book had everything necessary to keep me hooked and on high alert.
I really enjoyed how the ending was written, in both books. In the first book, it seemed as though everything would be okay, until there was a plot twist. That was enough to make me read this novel, but it wasn't so much that I lay obsessing over it at night. The same sort of ending was written in this sequel. There was a HUGE plot twist, but then there was a small section at the end that laid the readers' minds to ease, just slightly. I still want to read the next book, perhaps even more than I wanted to read this one after finishing the first. Although there are plot twists, which I normally dislike, they aren't so big as to make me temporarily hate the author for making me wait to read the next book. Rather, I can appreciate the timing of Rachel Carter's major moments.
Although I didn't love this book quite as much as I did the previous one, I still did very much like it. I'm definitely going to read the third and final book, and I hope that Carter can sufficiently wrap everything up, because right now there are still many things left hanging. I would give this book a rating of four stars. I tore through it, finishing it very quickly (although it wasn't a particularly long book). I'd recommend this story to readers who are seeking realistic characters, time travel, and government conspiracies.
July 3, 2014
*Also posted at Oops! I Read A Book Again*
Thank you to HarperCollins International for the review copy! This in no way affected my views of the novel.
HOLY GODS OF TIME TRAVEL, I THANK YOU FOR RACHEL CARTER.
With how SO CLOSE TO YOU ended, Rachel Carter left readers demanding about WHAT HAPPENED and WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN in the sequel. So when I got my hands on THIS STRANGE AND FAMILIAR PLACE, I dived into it immediately. Because I needed to know. NEED. And boy did TSAFP deliver on all my questions. But as great sequels go, it only raised even more questions and made me hungrier for more answers. I'm greedy like that.
Lydia and Wes travel back in time to 1989 in TSAFP. Wes is in a mission and Lydia tags along, to be with Wes and to plot together his freedom. I'll be partly mum about the plot because not knowing is part of the fun. But let's just say that it deals with the changes our main characters did back in 1944 and them trying to right the wrong they've inflicted in the past. At first, Lydia's wary of changing the timeline yet again but then it seems like they need to and it's inevitable.
On the conspiracy front of the Montauk Project, Lydia and Wes learn more about the inner workings of the project, which puts their lives in even more danger. More danger, more action and more stakes equals a tightly plotted and thrilling novel in our hands.
Moreover, being in 1989, makes it Wes's original timeline. Lydia has been an open book since the first book but even after SO CLOSE TO YOU ended, Wes still remained as that mysterious boy. We don't know much about him. We know close to none about him. Being in his supposed timeline lest he didn't became a recruit of the Montauk Project, we got to see who Wes was prior to the project. Layer by layer, we got to peel off and get to know more of Wes. We got to read his playful side, his smiling self, and we even meet his friends back then. He's not just the mysterious boy now.
More importantly, we also see Lydia grow. As I mentioned in my SO CLOSE TO YOU review, although I admire Lydia for loving her grandfather so much enough to risk her life and the whole world, it was also a bit stupid and insane for me. In here, we see how the changes she brought into the present timeline changed her as well. She is now more wary of changing anything as she learned that the hard way. I was looking for that growth in her and now I got it and I love it.
Similar to SO CLOSE TO YOU, Rachel Carter has written side characters so fun and enjoyable to read about. LJ! Tag! Nikki! I love them all and it was sad to part with them. I just had a blast reading THIS STRANGE AND FAMILIAR PLACE because it has the elements I need to keep me reading page after page: characters I'm invested in, romance I'm even more invested in (WES AND LYDIA KISSING. OH AND KISSING AGAIN. I'm a happy reader.), questions I can't wait to be answered, mysteries I want to be solved, missions, issues on morality, etc etc. This novel just had me from start to finish.
That pre-ending though??? IT GUTTED ME. But thank you Rachel, thank you for the ACTUAL ending. Like Lydia, I feel hopeful. Curious what I'm talking about and spazzing about? You sure are! So go now and read THIS STRANGE AND FAMILIAR PLACE. Astounding sequel, with even deeper and complicated mysteries and the subsequent reveals, and more challenges and obstacles to face for Wes and Lydia to be together. Gah, love this sequel even more and HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE? All time travel romance lovers, get on this series STAT!
Thank you to HarperCollins International for the review copy! This in no way affected my views of the novel.
HOLY GODS OF TIME TRAVEL, I THANK YOU FOR RACHEL CARTER.
With how SO CLOSE TO YOU ended, Rachel Carter left readers demanding about WHAT HAPPENED and WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN in the sequel. So when I got my hands on THIS STRANGE AND FAMILIAR PLACE, I dived into it immediately. Because I needed to know. NEED. And boy did TSAFP deliver on all my questions. But as great sequels go, it only raised even more questions and made me hungrier for more answers. I'm greedy like that.
Lydia and Wes travel back in time to 1989 in TSAFP. Wes is in a mission and Lydia tags along, to be with Wes and to plot together his freedom. I'll be partly mum about the plot because not knowing is part of the fun. But let's just say that it deals with the changes our main characters did back in 1944 and them trying to right the wrong they've inflicted in the past. At first, Lydia's wary of changing the timeline yet again but then it seems like they need to and it's inevitable.
On the conspiracy front of the Montauk Project, Lydia and Wes learn more about the inner workings of the project, which puts their lives in even more danger. More danger, more action and more stakes equals a tightly plotted and thrilling novel in our hands.
Moreover, being in 1989, makes it Wes's original timeline. Lydia has been an open book since the first book but even after SO CLOSE TO YOU ended, Wes still remained as that mysterious boy. We don't know much about him. We know close to none about him. Being in his supposed timeline lest he didn't became a recruit of the Montauk Project, we got to see who Wes was prior to the project. Layer by layer, we got to peel off and get to know more of Wes. We got to read his playful side, his smiling self, and we even meet his friends back then. He's not just the mysterious boy now.
More importantly, we also see Lydia grow. As I mentioned in my SO CLOSE TO YOU review, although I admire Lydia for loving her grandfather so much enough to risk her life and the whole world, it was also a bit stupid and insane for me. In here, we see how the changes she brought into the present timeline changed her as well. She is now more wary of changing anything as she learned that the hard way. I was looking for that growth in her and now I got it and I love it.
Similar to SO CLOSE TO YOU, Rachel Carter has written side characters so fun and enjoyable to read about. LJ! Tag! Nikki! I love them all and it was sad to part with them. I just had a blast reading THIS STRANGE AND FAMILIAR PLACE because it has the elements I need to keep me reading page after page: characters I'm invested in, romance I'm even more invested in (WES AND LYDIA KISSING. OH AND KISSING AGAIN. I'm a happy reader.), questions I can't wait to be answered, mysteries I want to be solved, missions, issues on morality, etc etc. This novel just had me from start to finish.
That pre-ending though??? IT GUTTED ME. But thank you Rachel, thank you for the ACTUAL ending. Like Lydia, I feel hopeful. Curious what I'm talking about and spazzing about? You sure are! So go now and read THIS STRANGE AND FAMILIAR PLACE. Astounding sequel, with even deeper and complicated mysteries and the subsequent reveals, and more challenges and obstacles to face for Wes and Lydia to be together. Gah, love this sequel even more and HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE? All time travel romance lovers, get on this series STAT!
January 28, 2014
4.5 for this.
I am so hooked on to this series. I absolutely cannot wait to read the next installment in this series. Why is Wes acting so cold to Lydia? What is the whole connection with Lydia and the Montauk Project? What is so special about her that makes her the only one who can solve this whole mission that the Montauk project was solely built for? So many questions without answer. Can the next book just come out now so I can find out what happens next? Omg I can't waitttttt!
I am so hooked on to this series. I absolutely cannot wait to read the next installment in this series. Why is Wes acting so cold to Lydia? What is the whole connection with Lydia and the Montauk Project? What is so special about her that makes her the only one who can solve this whole mission that the Montauk project was solely built for? So many questions without answer. Can the next book just come out now so I can find out what happens next? Omg I can't waitttttt!
September 11, 2014
Are you effing kidding me? I've just finished this book and, okay, Rachel Carter. I'm giving this a 4 star rating because, if nothing else, that twist actually hit me like a punch in the gut. I find myself heartbroken by twists fairly often. But it's rare when I feel sucker punched by one. So great job on that alone if nothing else.
I'm fairly certain if you enjoyed the first book there's nothing here that would keep you from enjoying this one. I actually enjoyed Book 2 more. 1989 NYC is far more interesting to me than WWII Montauk and the secondary characters I found much more interesting. Getting to know and learn more about Wes and his past was great too. Lots of sweet little romantic moments and a gut punching, tear your heart out twist. Yup. Sounds like something I like.
I'm looking forward to Book #3. I am very intrigued as to
I'm fairly certain if you enjoyed the first book there's nothing here that would keep you from enjoying this one. I actually enjoyed Book 2 more. 1989 NYC is far more interesting to me than WWII Montauk and the secondary characters I found much more interesting. Getting to know and learn more about Wes and his past was great too. Lots of sweet little romantic moments and a gut punching, tear your heart out twist. Yup. Sounds like something I like.
I'm looking forward to Book #3. I am very intrigued as to
June 18, 2015
Once again I'm really surprised that I found a time travel book so interesting. I couldn't put it down! Reading back over the review of the first book in the series, I didn't seem to like Wes much. I liked him much more this time around. I believed in his relationship with Lydia this time.
It was interesting to see how everything was connected. And to see how one little event in time can affect future events. I liked the side characters of Tag, Nikki, and LJ. They each had their own little personalities and I grew to really like them.
The end really threw me for a loop. I was ready to throw my book against a wall. Luckily everything was right-ed (is that even the correct way to use the word?) in the last 3 pages and I was okay with it. I'm dying to get my hands on the third book in the series!
It was interesting to see how everything was connected. And to see how one little event in time can affect future events. I liked the side characters of Tag, Nikki, and LJ. They each had their own little personalities and I grew to really like them.
The end really threw me for a loop. I was ready to throw my book against a wall. Luckily everything was right-ed (is that even the correct way to use the word?) in the last 3 pages and I was okay with it. I'm dying to get my hands on the third book in the series!
Read
December 11, 2016This thrilling sequel to So Close to You explores how far we'll go to save the people we love--and what happens after you change the future. These are the things of which Lydia is now certain:
The Montauk Project has been experimenting with time travel for years. The Project's subjects are "recruits" from across time. Recruits like Wes: Lydia's ally, friend, and love. The Project is now responsible for the disappearance of two members of her family. . . .
And they're coming for Lydia next.
The Montauk Project has been experimenting with time travel for years. The Project's subjects are "recruits" from across time. Recruits like Wes: Lydia's ally, friend, and love. The Project is now responsible for the disappearance of two members of her family. . . .
And they're coming for Lydia next.
Want to read
January 12, 2013GAHHH!!! Can't wait!! I lovvveeed the first book!
August 13, 2013
I liked it and can't wait for the next one. It ends in such a bad spot!
February 25, 2017
Rating before reread: 4 stars
Rating after reread 4.5 stars
2/25/17: Reread.
2/25/17: Finished with reread.
Rating after reread 4.5 stars
2/25/17: Reread.
2/25/17: Finished with reread.
April 30, 2015
The twists and turns keep coming in this sequel to So Close To You. These books keep building up so that I can't wait to find out how it all turns out. On to book three!
June 20, 2017
The Montauk Project id responsible for the disappearance of two of Lydia's family members and now they are coming for her.
It was interesting to me how Lydia could go back into her life even though it was not really the one she remembered it being. As I was reading the beginning I realized how depressing and heartbreaking it would have to be to live your life as if nothing had changed yet at the same time everything did.
I liked how the readers got to see more of Wes' story when they traveled back to the 1980s. I did not like the era as much as with the 1940s but it did help to move the plot along. I liked how we got to meet some of Wes' friends that he used to know and how they further 'humanized' him for me and Lydia.
The ending was just stunning!
It was interesting to me how Lydia could go back into her life even though it was not really the one she remembered it being. As I was reading the beginning I realized how depressing and heartbreaking it would have to be to live your life as if nothing had changed yet at the same time everything did.
I liked how the readers got to see more of Wes' story when they traveled back to the 1980s. I did not like the era as much as with the 1940s but it did help to move the plot along. I liked how we got to meet some of Wes' friends that he used to know and how they further 'humanized' him for me and Lydia.
The ending was just stunning!
January 15, 2022
This is the second book in the series. Lydia is struggling to adapt to the changes in her world after her trip into the past. When the opportunity arises, she joins Wes, impersonating another agent, so they can go back to the time when her grandfather disappeared from a mental institution in New York City in the 1980s. As they work to find out what happened to potentially change the timeline, Lydia learns more about her own past and a little more about the life Wes used to have. They begin to uncover more details about the Project and the abduction of children to use as time agents, culminating in a major twist that turns the entire story on its head. I enjoyed the first book, but the sequel took a step above. Looking forward to reading the concluding volume to find out what happens.
December 7, 2025
This book was much more interesting than the last especially since we already have context and information about the Montauk project. I love seeing how different people write time travel and thankfully this one wasn't repetitive and has its own take on how time worked. Something about the relationship I wish was written slightly differently. I think because Lydia is so dependent on Wes it was predictable what she was going to say and a little naive. Chemistry was good but maybe I would have liked slightly different descriptions of Wes and other characters. The suspense was very well done and for the most part ( time travel is never perfect) most every question was somewhat explained
March 10, 2017
Why I decided to read this book?
The reason I decided to read this book is because of how the blurb on the back of the book hooked me into reading it, it was the way that the hook inticed me with such a titillating introduction that lured me into dwelling into the world of this girl.
Which category on the bingo board this book completes:
You should comment on the category too – why was it interesting (or not)?
This story genre would be related to the work that we studied in class about survival, the way that this theme of survival is portrayed is how she is trying to research and uncover a secret yet, she is running for her life so that the secret agency of savages that will not hesitate to terminate her with extreme prejudice.
My favourite quote from this book (and why):
My favourite quotation of this book is: "The Project is now responsible for the disappearance of two members of her family" the reason that I like to savour this sentence is how it is structured to mystify the reader about what happened to her family, they have a chance of being alive. Hence, are her family members actually alive or dead?
Something new I learned from this book is:
The book is not always based on the gender of the character it is more their characteristics that they delineate during the events of the book, what I am just trying to say is that I get more information out of the character's characteristics more than what he or she is portraying in physical form, because the author is mainly trying to use "Show Don't Tell" and you can delve deep into the character's feelings of doing something inside the book.
A character or setting in this book that was interesting to me (and why):
A setting that was interesting to me in this book was the character's mind and thoughts, it was just the way that she thought stood out most to me because of how well described her emotions are and how it aids you in visualising what it is like to be in the situation of this woman. It can really get to you inside books when you are hooked into a book that you do not realise how connected you are to the actual character's thoughts.
The reason I decided to read this book is because of how the blurb on the back of the book hooked me into reading it, it was the way that the hook inticed me with such a titillating introduction that lured me into dwelling into the world of this girl.
Which category on the bingo board this book completes:
You should comment on the category too – why was it interesting (or not)?
This story genre would be related to the work that we studied in class about survival, the way that this theme of survival is portrayed is how she is trying to research and uncover a secret yet, she is running for her life so that the secret agency of savages that will not hesitate to terminate her with extreme prejudice.
My favourite quote from this book (and why):
My favourite quotation of this book is: "The Project is now responsible for the disappearance of two members of her family" the reason that I like to savour this sentence is how it is structured to mystify the reader about what happened to her family, they have a chance of being alive. Hence, are her family members actually alive or dead?
Something new I learned from this book is:
The book is not always based on the gender of the character it is more their characteristics that they delineate during the events of the book, what I am just trying to say is that I get more information out of the character's characteristics more than what he or she is portraying in physical form, because the author is mainly trying to use "Show Don't Tell" and you can delve deep into the character's feelings of doing something inside the book.
A character or setting in this book that was interesting to me (and why):
A setting that was interesting to me in this book was the character's mind and thoughts, it was just the way that she thought stood out most to me because of how well described her emotions are and how it aids you in visualising what it is like to be in the situation of this woman. It can really get to you inside books when you are hooked into a book that you do not realise how connected you are to the actual character's thoughts.
January 2, 2018
God damn it, Rachel. I thought we were friends.
Seriously though, you’re so good at so many things; I just wish messing my heart and leaving me on cliffhangers wasn’t one of them.
It took me awhile to get into this one, but I think that was probably because it had been awhile since I’d read So Close to You and my brain needed some catching up. Rachel is excellent at plotting, and her pacing is phenomenal, even if it does break my heart.
Seriously though, you’re so good at so many things; I just wish messing my heart and leaving me on cliffhangers wasn’t one of them.
It took me awhile to get into this one, but I think that was probably because it had been awhile since I’d read So Close to You and my brain needed some catching up. Rachel is excellent at plotting, and her pacing is phenomenal, even if it does break my heart.
February 5, 2021
I feel be-trade, but I hope the next book is just as good!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 10, 2021
This has been a great read. This is a trilogy and I am excited to read the third and final book. It is short and an easy read.
May 27, 2022
Another good read, with yet another cliffhanger, and some unexpected plot twists! Good thing I have the next book!
April 16, 2014
Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales
Quick & Dirty: Wonderful sequel filled with mystery, suspense and romance. I love this series and would highly recommend it to all young adult sci-fi fans.
Opening Sentence: My eyes open.
The Review:
I wanted to start off by saying that even though I tried to keep this as spoiler free as possible there are a few spoilers from the first book in this review. So I would suggest that you read the first book before reading this review.
Lydia Bentley has returned to a life that’s not her own. When she traveled back into the year 1944 she changed something in time that has had a very negative rippling effect to her life. Her grandfather disappeared years ago, her relationship with her friends and family is totally different, and she is a stranger to the girl she is in this life. There is only one person that knows the real her and she hasn’t seen Wes since she returned to her own time.
When Wes suddenly appears in her bedroom one night to say goodbye for good, Lydia makes the choice to not let that happen. She decides to convince him to let her follow him back to the year 1989 and help him with his mission. She also wants to try and figure out a way to get Wes out of the Montauk Project for good so they can finally be together. That is the year her grandfather disappeared and if fate is on her side, maybe she can fix her future as well as save Wes. But the Projects have their own plans and Lydia is a big part of them.
I completely adore Lydia she is such a sweet girl that loves fiercely and will go to great lengths to save everyone she cares about. The life she returned to was so foreign to her and it was awkward to watch her try to stagger through her everyday life. Once she reconnects with Wes she gets back to being the same Lydia that I connected with in the first story. I admire her determination and strength to always try to do what she thought was right. She doesn’t always make the best decisions but her flaws make her easier to relate too. I think she is a great character and I can’t wait to see her grow even more in the next book.
Wes is just totally dreamy. He has put up walls around his emotions because that is what he has been trained to do, but with Lydia he starts to let some of those walls crumble. I loved learning more about his background and where he came from, it made him feel more realistic. He is very protective of Lydia and I loved watching their relationship develop. He is a great love interest with the perfect amount of mystery and sexiness.
This Strange and Familiar Place was a great sequel filled with romance, mystery, and adventure. It started off a little slow for me but once things picked up, I found that I couldn’t wait to finish it. There were some big plot twists that took me completely by surprise in a very good way. I adore the characters and felt that my connection with them just intensified more in this book. Carter’s writing is so captivating and full of suspense that it is easy to get lost in her stories. Also, I wanted to mention how perfect the title of this book fits the story perfectly, and I just really like it! This is the first time travel series I have read and I loved it so far. The ending is complete torture, but fortunately for me the last book comes out in a few months. I would highly recommend this series to anyone that is a time travel or sci-fi fan.
Notable Scene:
“We can’t let them win.” I push my hands forward, as though the idea is a physical thing I’m holding out to him.”You know that better than anyone, especially after what you saw tonight. I refuse to let this be our fate—apart no matter what we do. I don’t know how we’re going to find a way out of this, but we can do something right now. We can choose each other.”
He shuts his eyes as if in pain. When he opens them, there’s a look I never seen in his gaze before—something bright and wild.
He moves closer. “You might be giving up everything. Are you sure this is what you want?”
“Yes.” No hesitation.
I hold my breath, waiting for him to send me away again. But then he slips his hand into mine. “I want to be where you are, too.”
FTC Advisory: HarperTeen provided me with a copy of This Strange and Familiar Place. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
Quick & Dirty: Wonderful sequel filled with mystery, suspense and romance. I love this series and would highly recommend it to all young adult sci-fi fans.
Opening Sentence: My eyes open.
The Review:
I wanted to start off by saying that even though I tried to keep this as spoiler free as possible there are a few spoilers from the first book in this review. So I would suggest that you read the first book before reading this review.
Lydia Bentley has returned to a life that’s not her own. When she traveled back into the year 1944 she changed something in time that has had a very negative rippling effect to her life. Her grandfather disappeared years ago, her relationship with her friends and family is totally different, and she is a stranger to the girl she is in this life. There is only one person that knows the real her and she hasn’t seen Wes since she returned to her own time.
When Wes suddenly appears in her bedroom one night to say goodbye for good, Lydia makes the choice to not let that happen. She decides to convince him to let her follow him back to the year 1989 and help him with his mission. She also wants to try and figure out a way to get Wes out of the Montauk Project for good so they can finally be together. That is the year her grandfather disappeared and if fate is on her side, maybe she can fix her future as well as save Wes. But the Projects have their own plans and Lydia is a big part of them.
I completely adore Lydia she is such a sweet girl that loves fiercely and will go to great lengths to save everyone she cares about. The life she returned to was so foreign to her and it was awkward to watch her try to stagger through her everyday life. Once she reconnects with Wes she gets back to being the same Lydia that I connected with in the first story. I admire her determination and strength to always try to do what she thought was right. She doesn’t always make the best decisions but her flaws make her easier to relate too. I think she is a great character and I can’t wait to see her grow even more in the next book.
Wes is just totally dreamy. He has put up walls around his emotions because that is what he has been trained to do, but with Lydia he starts to let some of those walls crumble. I loved learning more about his background and where he came from, it made him feel more realistic. He is very protective of Lydia and I loved watching their relationship develop. He is a great love interest with the perfect amount of mystery and sexiness.
This Strange and Familiar Place was a great sequel filled with romance, mystery, and adventure. It started off a little slow for me but once things picked up, I found that I couldn’t wait to finish it. There were some big plot twists that took me completely by surprise in a very good way. I adore the characters and felt that my connection with them just intensified more in this book. Carter’s writing is so captivating and full of suspense that it is easy to get lost in her stories. Also, I wanted to mention how perfect the title of this book fits the story perfectly, and I just really like it! This is the first time travel series I have read and I loved it so far. The ending is complete torture, but fortunately for me the last book comes out in a few months. I would highly recommend this series to anyone that is a time travel or sci-fi fan.
Notable Scene:
“We can’t let them win.” I push my hands forward, as though the idea is a physical thing I’m holding out to him.”You know that better than anyone, especially after what you saw tonight. I refuse to let this be our fate—apart no matter what we do. I don’t know how we’re going to find a way out of this, but we can do something right now. We can choose each other.”
He shuts his eyes as if in pain. When he opens them, there’s a look I never seen in his gaze before—something bright and wild.
He moves closer. “You might be giving up everything. Are you sure this is what you want?”
“Yes.” No hesitation.
I hold my breath, waiting for him to send me away again. But then he slips his hand into mine. “I want to be where you are, too.”
FTC Advisory: HarperTeen provided me with a copy of This Strange and Familiar Place. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
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