The Time It Takes: An Hourglass Novel

by Margot Rivers

WHO WERE YOU BEFORE THE WORLD TORE YOU APART?

TEN YEARS AGO

At seventeen, Willow Vensling’s life is far from easy. With her mother riding around the states in an RV with her boyfriend, she’s left in the care of her older brother, Benjamin. She’s known her best friend, Oliver Grayson for her entire life and they’ve never been more than platonic until one drunken night she admits her feelings–changing everything between them. With the possibility of leaving Florida to attend Juilliard in the fall, her priorities are questioned. For once, her life seemed to piece itself together. All until one horrid night sends her crashing into the deep end and her heart cracking in two.

NOW

Willow has found herself living a routine life in New York. She’s got everything she’s ever wanted out of her career. After a call from her mother saying she’s selling the house in Florida, her world is back to crumbling and she’s being thrown into the past she’s tried so hard to move on from. When it’s time to come face to face with those she left without saying goodbye, she knows there’s only two possible outcomes. Finally finding the peace she’s been craving or ending up in pieces all over again. Either way, she’s going to fight for a different ending.

Genres: Friends To Lovers, Romance, Second Chance Romance, Contemporary Romance

427 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 10, 2023

About the author

Margot Rivers lives in Virginia with her very adorable piranha that everyone keeps referring to as a dog…strange. She's been interested in storytelling since she was a young girl and began writing about her idea of love. Now that she's experienced it and it's not like the books she's read, she decided to stick to the happy ever after's she can control by writing them.

Reviews

[steph ⋅˚₊ 𐙚 ྀི (on hiatus)]

pre review:
╰┈➤ finished january twenty eighth, 2025
ahh this was cute and emotional rtc

🦋pre read:⏳
╰┈➤ started on january twenty sixth, 2025
honestly I was bored and couldn’t find anything to read when I remembered that my bestie jazz told me I should read this book😭 even though no one talks about it I hope I enjoy it and maybe it will be a new underrated fav idk🤷‍♀️

[Jazz .☘︎ ݁˖ · Rating 5 out of 5]

The way this is so underrated makes me fume

[ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 my soul… hurts. i knew this was going to be depressing, i knew it in my soul. and i am never wrong. the sadness… ripped my soul apart. i was always rooting for willow and ollie though. thanks for making me tear up i guess, you won. (i need ollie.)

[Claudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was absolutely wonderful. The story follows the emotional journey of Willow and Oliver, childhood friends whose bond grows into something more. The narrative alternates between past and present, painting a vivid picture of their shared history and the unresolved feelings that linger a decade later.

In the past, Willow and Oliver are part of a tight-knit group that includes Willow's brother, Ben. Tragedy strikes when Ben dies, and that same night, Willow experiences a harrowing assault. This prompts her to flee to New York, leaving everything—and everyone—behind, including Oliver. Fast forward ten years, and life has carried on for both: Oliver now has a girlfriend, Beth, while Willow is in a complicated relationship with her close friend, Julian. Circumstances force Willow to return home, where she must confront the friendships and unresolved emotions she abandoned, especially with Oliver.

The story is filled with angst, heartache, and emotional depth. Watching Willow and Oliver navigate their painful past and rediscover their connection is both heart-wrenching and heartwarming. Margot Rivers does an incredible job of capturing the weight of grief, trauma, and love, making the characters' journeys feel authentic and deeply moving.

I found myself unable to put this book down, reading late into the night to see where the story would lead. And as if this wasn’t enough, there’s a second book told from Oliver’s point of view, which adds even more layers to their story. This companion novel melted my heart and provided a beautifully rounded perspective on their journey.

This love story is as touching as it is poignant, and I cannot recommend it enough. If you love emotional, character-driven romances, The Time It Takes is a must-read. LOVED IT!

[debora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow…

This is one of the most amazing books I have ever seen and read in my entire life.

The writing is so but so beautiful you just get lost in the story and fall in love within the first pages…
I’ll really never stop talking about the writing of this author and how life changing it is. No book can compare to this one and how my heart feels about it.

I cried and cried and cried, and I smiled and laughed and kicked my feet. Just really got in my feelings and made me feel like I was in their world, something I haven’t felt in a long long time!

The more I talk about it the more I love it, I just want to cry thinking about it and realizing that it was all just a book and not my reality… 😭

This is one of those books I can’t stop thinking about it and cannot comprehend how it’s not super famous.
The writing style I can only compare it to ‘Jessa Hastings’ even tho they are so different but both so beautiful. The story is wonderful and if you like the series ‘Friends’ you’ll love it so much, the friend group feels just like the series and it’s so heartwarming, every single one of them it’s important in a different and deeper level and that’s what makes their friendship raw and real!

I really have no words, this is one of my favorite books not just of this year but of my life, I’ll forever and ever remember Willow, Benji and Oliver almost as if they are my real friends and love them as if they are <3

Thank you so much Margot Rivers for the amazing story and message this book gives, and everyone remember to value your loved ones and say everything you feel for them before it’s to late.

Love you all,

Débora <3

[Bookish Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story about crushing heartbreak, loss/trauma, and difficult decisions that will shatter you. But it's also about putting yourself together and deciding to follow your heart, no matter how hard it is to face your past and your mistakes. Plus, it's got an EPIC love story (like soul-to-soul connection), a fantastic found family in a group of surfer friends, and an interconnected storyline which makes it difficult to put the book down.

There are suicide, drug use/addiction, sexual assault, and death trigger warnings for this book. But PLEASE don't let that deter you. Margot Rivers tackles these tough topics with grace, towing the line between breaking our hearts for the emotions the characters are going through while remaining respectful to any reader who could connect to the material on a personal level. Her writing is PHENOMENAL! There are so many golden nuggets about life and love in this book, you'll want to add them to your daily affirmations or to your mood board. Margot's fluid language and vivid descriptions make it easy to see every scene and feel every emotion. It's an epic and intricate story you just have to read!

[Addie K · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review

So this book was honestly better than I expected. This was my first time using this app so I honestly wasn’t sure what to expect. But, this book did not disappoint. It was so well written, I was interested from page one and if I’m honest I didn’t put the books down! I was up all night reading. I became so invested in the story! This book had amazing characters who I resonated with right away. I feel in love with the characters so fast, and they made the book even better. The romance in this book is also top tier. The author did and amazing job connecting the old with the new and making the story engaging and relatable. Not only was the romance great, but the book has some amazing deep and insightful moments. There were times I couldn’t keep reading because I had literal tears in my eyes! Overall I fell in love with this book, it’s the kind of one I could see myself reading 10 times over..

[Nic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Willow and Oliver are childhood best friends who fell in love. When something terrible happens, Willow moves away to New York. 10 years later, she has to go back home and be forced to confront her past and reunite with the boy she still loves from all those years ago.

My heart hurtssss. Willow and Ollie both went through so much pain. 😭 They loved each other with their whole mind, body and soul and I was so happy to read a HEA. I’m so so so excited to read Oliver’s POV 🥹 also this book made me cryyyyyyyyyyy

[Meg Eliza · Rating 5 out of 5]

oh, hello emotions!

This book… THIS BOOK.
Phew. It shattered me. It healed me. It resonated deep in my soul.
I absolutely loved the story of Willow and Ollie. There were sad tears and there were happy tears and the ride in between them was beautiful.
Well-written and well-paced kept me itching to get back to the story anytime I had to put it down to be an adult and do adult things.
I really hope to see more from Margot Rivers in the future!

[Oakley Fox-Kern · Rating 4 out of 5]

such a good story

I’m very picky about the style of writing when I read. I was very pleased with the flow of the story flipping back and forth from past to present. The story was cute and definitely made me tear up at certain moments. It was a nice light read for me. I would highly recommend!

[Cienna Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

sobbing, sobbing and i repeat sobbing. this book had me feeling all the emotions. i was laughing, crying, and repeating it all over again. this book flowed so nicely from the past to the present and it kept me wanting more the whole time. ollie and willow are 100% soulmates and i loved reading their story. easily one of my new favorite books!!

[Natalie Yanez · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read!

This my first book by Margot Rivers and I'm hooked! I cant believe I didn't find her sooner. Oliver and Willow's story was and instant 'I can't put this book down.' I felt bad for both of thrm, but also her brother Ben. This story made me cry and it also made me smile. So much heartache.

[Katia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book as an arc and it has easily become a favorite of mine. Childhood friends to lovers has never been my favorite but I have a new appreciation for it because of this book. Bring tissues for sure because you will need them!

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG I it’s sooooo good

I have read many,many books and I have never experienced such emotion like I did with this one. The way she writes make you feel everything they feel in the book it is absolutely a 10/10 RECOMMEND
😭😭😭

[hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book. I’m not a big romance fan, so I appreciate that this also dealt with loss, grief, trauma, growth, forgiveness, etc. The storyline did feel pretty similar to another book but overall it was engaging and emotional.

[Alli Wren · Rating 5 out of 5]

love it more with each reread

Ive read it twice now and Willow and Olivers story will never stop touching my heart. I need this book in a physical copy now so i have it with me always even when my battery dies

[Alycia Clay · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was absolutely heartbreakingly beautiful. My only drawback was what I perceived to be a lack of resolution. Hopefully this means another book!

[Christina Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Prepare to cry and feel things. I need something fluffy now to wash all that grief out of my mouth.

[Susie Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was not prepared for all the emotions in this book!
It was so good!!!
I had all the feels!
I love Ollie and Willow! They broke my heart but they also healed it!
I loved the flash backs to their childhood, I loved the build up to the end! I was on the edge of my seat the whole book!

[fey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish we got more childhood scenes from Willow and Oliver. Other than that, I could not put this book down!

[Jenny Lampe · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a beautiful contemporary love story. I enjoyed seeing Willow and Oliver fall in love as teens and find each other again 10 years later. I appreciated how different the love and affection felt as they were teens and as they were in their late 20s. There's some found family aspects for Willow, who doesn't have much support from her parents. There are some moments of trauma in this book, so please check content warnings to see if you're comfortable with the topics. I laughed, I cried, and I fell in love with Willow and Oliver.