It pays to keep reading.
This book wasn't what I expected. It's set in the sixties from which 16...almost 17 year old Dani travels 10 years into the future. Her body doesn't go with her and her spirit spends a couple of weeks sharing the body of a grown man--a reporter. Not your typical romance. More sci fi. But, I read on...
Because Dani's comatose body was left in her own time, the author had to account for the time Dani's spirit was out of her body. So, much of the first half of the book is told from the uncle and housekeeper's POV. Again, not what I'm used to.
I have to admit, by this point, I wasn't sure I was going to like this book. I had expected a time-travel romance. This didn't seem like a romance at all. It was more of a melding of the minds--kind of Vulcan, if you're an old Star Trek fan. But, I read on...
The antics of Mrs. Dorn amused me. The uncle was endearing. And all the interaction between Troy and Dani was internal...mental. I felt a bit disappointed this wasn't a romance, but I was still intrigued. I read on...
And fell in love with Dani and Troy. Their early romance is based entirely on compatibility, beliefs, and personality. The two characters truly connect on a spiritual level.Despite her youth and the age difference, Troy understands Dani the way every woman wants to be understood. She can see him through his own eyes when he looks into the mirror. But he can't see her.
She shares her secret and the reason she escaped her own body, but she never describes herself or tells Troy a startling truth she learns soon after binding her spirit to his....her spirit traveled 10 years into the future, and the woman--ten years older than her current self, whom Troy came to England to interview--is actually her future self.
Oh yeah, I was reading now.
Before Dani returns to her own body, she makes Troy promise not to attempt contacting her until the next week--when she turns 17. He thinks it's the age difference and agrees to come to her birthday party in one week. He's in love, but he can wait a week. But for Dani, it's a 10 year wait.
The second half of the book is about Dani & Troy reuniting--being together again. And it reads more like a romance with the conflict, angst, and passion any romance reader expects. I was totally blown away by how quickly I read the second half of this book, devouring every word, trying to get to the end so I could see how Ms. Barbour resolved the conflict.
Troy had fallen in love with Dani without ever seeing her. But Dani had seen Troy and in 10 years when her body reached the point in time where her spirit linked with his for those few weeks, he hasn't aged a day. But she's all grown up. Not only has he never seen her face, but his spirit doesn't recognize hers. And she's jealous of the love he still feels for her 17 year-old self.
Will true love find it's way? Or will the secrets Dani kept prevent them from finding their happily ever after?
It was only after I finished reading this intriguing tale that I realized why it struck a cord with me. The story reminded me of the story of Eros and Psyche in Greek mythology. Psyche fell in love with Eros without seeing his face. Despite her undying love, self-doubt and fear tore at her faith, nearly destroying their love.
Ms. Barbour employees many of these same elements to weave a fantastical story that truly surprises.