A Million Tomorrows

by Kris Middaugh

Sometimes building a future requires changing the past.

An unexpected and enchanting blend of light science fiction and contemporary romance, A Million Tomorrows follows Dr. Perry Roberts and Beverly Bowen as they race against the unrelenting persistence of time.

“So, it’s not exactly time travel…” Lucian said. And it wasn’t…exactly.

But Lucian Phanes’ revolutionary research might just be Dr. Perry Roberts’ only hope to repair his haunting past and build an actual future.

There is something special about Beverly Bowen that Dr. Roberts can’t verbalize, or even understand. Yet, he feels an almost supernatural pull toward her, and the feeling is mutual. The budding romance raises eyebrows even among Perry’s closest friends. How can he envision a future with Beverly when her life hangs by a thread?

As Lucian’s top-secret research begins to blur the lines between past, present, and future, hope — as scarce and fragile as it might be — begins to bubble under the surface.

If only there is enough time before the government and Beverly herself shatter that fragile hope.

Poignant and powerful, A Million Tomorrows is a love story for all times: past, present, and future.

Genres: Romance, Science Fiction, Fiction

254 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 2, 2024

About the author

An award-winning journalist, Kris Middaugh spent two-decades working in print media, first as a writer and reporter and later as an editor and publisher. She retired from journalism in 2018 and was caretaker for her mother for several years before again turning her attention to writing fulltime.

A Million Tomorrows is the third novel from Kris Middaugh. Her previous works include Particles of Faith and the co-authored Kintyre Girls, with Christina Sudairy. Kris grew up in San Jose, California and recently returned to the area to be closer to family. Contact Kris Middaugh via Rebel Publishing. Rebelpublishingllc@gmail.com

Reviews

[Lee Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book! In fact, this time there aren't quite enough stars that I can give. Why, you might ask? It was...

1) a great (and really quite beautiful) story
2) SO well-written: the pacing, prose, descriptions, cadence, all was top-notch
3) more than just a little imaginative/creative (involving time travel that "isn't quite time travel")
4) apparently written JUST FOR ME!

Furthermore, the ending was both happy and, well, pretty perfect. I read the Epilogue twice.

I hope that my review has intrigued you enough to check this out... at least read the sample. Of course and on the other hand, since this book was written JUST FOR ME, you might not like it quite as much as me! 😁🤣

[Thais • tata.lifepages • · Rating 4 out of 5]

Are you looking for a heartfelt love story that will make you sob like when watching The Notebook or with a bit of unexplainable science fiction like The Curious Case of Benjamine Button?

While reading this book I felt like I was there with the characters, witnessing an intimidate tale about love and loss. The romance is all-consuming, even though the two characters are so different in age. He falls first and we follow his point of view, he even talks to the reader through the story! The time travelling aspect made the book so mysterious and compelling, you won’t be able to put the book down until the very end. And by then, you will be a sobbing mess.

[Caitlin Kerr · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dnf at 50%

[Pennie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I initially found this book a little difficult to get into finding the main character a little dry however I love the overall concept and found myself thinking about the theory of it long after I finished the book.

[Karen Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful

A wonderful story about parallel lives and love. Realistic characters and situations that allow you to be in the story.

[Pam M · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is really charming, fun book. An unusual love story, with a dash (ok, more than a dash) of the super-natural that blends beautifully with the love story. If you're from, or familiar with the SF Bay Area, you will enjoy the many references, and it has an ending that does not disappoint. Read this book!

[Foxglove · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book a lot more than I did, but unfortunately, I had a bit of trouble enjoying it. There is one very positive element, which I will outline first. That element is the plot. I do believe this book had a very interesting premise, and I think it was explored as well as it could have been considering the circumstances.

However, the writing style was a major downside that decreased my overall enjoyment levels. It didn't flow well at all, with some sections using purple prose and unnecessarily confusing language, and others fitting the theme of a YA novel. The inconsistencies were irritating, to say the least. I was a bit surprised to see so many positive reviews mentioning the writing style because, to me, the writing felt like a copy of something more tastefully done. I had trouble getting through the book because of this.

As well as this, the characters simply didn’t feel real to me. I couldn’t connect with the main character whatsoever, and I struggled so much to see him as a human that I forgot details about him from chapter to chapter. Although, in all honesty, many details given were irrelevant – both in reference to the characters and the narrative description.
I also didn’t particularly understand the romance. It felt unnatural, strange, and slightly off-putting at times. It just didn’t feel like a real romance, which I do understand that some people enjoy that sort of romantic fiction. If you prefer more fantastical relationships, you may feel more connected to this one. As a side note, this criticism isn’t about the age gap.

It’s actually a bit of a shame that I can’t give a more in-depth review than this. I usually like to give spoiler-free examples or explanations but I’m having trouble coming up with them because, quite frankly, this book is extremely forgettable.

Overall, I wouldn’t read this again, but I wouldn’t discourage others from picking it up if they please. I guess it just wasn’t my thing.

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

[Rebel Publishing · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprising and intricately told, this is such a fresh take on common tropes in both sci-fi and romance. Well-developed characters with a flowing but challenging plot development. A great beach read for those wanting to relax with a book, or for readers who like story craft.

[Kendrix · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you Reedsy and Kris Midddaugh for providing me with an advanced copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

A Million Tomorrrows tells the story of a chance encounter and a lifetime of stories that follow. It is a story of Perry and Beverly, who met because Perry was covering for a colleague, Dr. Zamora, who was away from the hospital. Perry and Dr. Zamora are oncologists and Beverly is the latter’s patient receiving infusions for her cancer. A call for Dr. Zamora leads to Perry meeting Beverly for a consult about her broken arm, and the story goes from there.

It is a strange one, because it is marketed as a poignant, time-traveling love story a la The Time Traveler’s Wife, and there are certain elements of it in here. I think, unfortunately, the story of Perry and Beverly is not compelling enough for me to buy into their relationship, which did not help when the time-traveling elements kick in at the end.

We meet Perry at a pretty low point of his life. While a successful doctor, his love life has taken a beating and he must now accept that his ex-girlfriend has moved on with someone new and are happier for it. So an encounter with the enigmatic Beverly causes him to slowly open himself up to a possibility of a new relationship, especially since they have so much in common and connect well on a deeper level. I do love how gentle they are for each other - their relationship invokes the feelings and chemistry of a new relationship, where all you want to do is talk to the other person, and spend all the time that you can in their company. I think some of this aspect of their relationship is written pretty well, especially against the backdrop of a person running out of time due to their cancer. It’s like packing an entire life and relationship in these short few moments.

But Middaugh also challenges the reader to ponder about the nature of this relationship and I think this is where their relationship lost me. For one, Beverly is significantly older and sicker than Perry with little chance of sharing a happy future together. We are also told that Perry lost his mother to cancer and he wasn’t there for her last moments. So when we see this relationship unfold over a span of a few months, it wants the reader to see it as a profound encounter - a love at first sight, but all I was wondering is whether Perry is just recreating the circumstances of how he lost his mother as an attempt to overcorrect for a love lost?

Then there is also the time-traveling aspect of the story. It felt disjointed, as though the story of Perry and Beverly was not enough to carry the plot of the novel, so a side plot needs to be introduced to add some colour to the story. It is not time-travel in the traditional sense. The characters are trying to access memories (which are inherently in the past, because that’s what memories are) in order to manipulate them for their purposes. In Perry’s case, it is used to help him see his mother one last time to find closure for the what-ifs that have been hounding him all his life. When it was introduced, I genuinely thought that it was eventually going to be used as a device to help Beverly prolong her life or even save her from her demise. It never did anything with it in the actual plot, though a lot came from it in the epilogue of the novel. It makes it contrived, because it feels like it was forced to be in there to rush this story towards the ending. I would have much rather see the events in the epilogue play out in the actual plot and see where the characters go from there.

I think I was sold a story that was better than what it turned out to be. I have no emotional investments in these characters and the sci-fi elements feel shoehorned as an attempt to make this story more than what it actually is: a dull love story between two people whose feelings for each other seem manufactured. I truly wanted to love this more and I’m sorry that I didn’t.

[Jill Rey · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the moment Dr. Perry Roberts steps into the room with Beverly Bowen and her broken arm, he is captivated. The magnetic pull they have towards each other is palpable. As an oncologist, covering for his colleague Dr. Ruben Zamora, this chance encounter sets off a future he never imagined.

In his San Francisco Giants jersey, his deep love for the Giants shines through, something Beverly takes note of in their first meeting. So, when they meet again at a follow up appointment, at the behest of Dr. Zamora, Beverly is sure to ask him about his seats as she happens to be planning on attending the game this week. Admitting to his Friday night routine, it is with shock and utter bewilderment that he learns the Beverly Bowen being treated by his colleague for cancer, and now a broken arm, is presenting a $50,000 check at the Giants baseball game. Inviting him to her suite, their inevitable love story ignites.

It is Beverely’s friends, the energetic and enigmatic Lily and Dr. Lucian Phanes where “A Million Tomorrows” gets intensely interesting. Dr. Phanes, with his government funding, is working on using the mind, imagination, and memory to revisit the past, relive moments, correct mistakes, and redo a moment in time. With applications for those suffering PTSD, Alzheimer’s, and other mental health uses, these memory stimulations open the brain to many possibilities.

Despite a large age gap, and Beverly quickly succumbing to cancer, author Kris Middaugh gives readers a sense of hope, imagination, and what if, with Dr. Phanes’ fictional research. The idea that we can live in our memories and redo our regrets, offers opportunities to relive millions of yesterdays, millions of tomorrows, and millions of love stories.

Middaugh’s writing is captivating, the urgency, fear, excitement, and passion emanate off the page. Her words, the characters she’s created, and the feelings within seem as real as the air we breathe. The story that plays out across the pages of “A Million Tomorrows” houses worlds of imagination, an excitement for a future reality, and a captivating love story for the ages.

[Book Reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Million Tomorrows is an emotionally rich novel that follows Perry Roberts, a young oncologist in San Francisco haunted by personal grief and the long shadow of cancer. Through his relationships with patients, colleagues, and especially the enigmatic Beverly Bowen, the book explores how we navigate memory, love, guilt, and second chances. The story is told in the first person, and its power lies in the deep interiority of Perry’s voice as he relives past traumas, unexpected connections, and one strange, beautiful relationship that may defy time itself.

This book surprised me. At first, it felt like a standard character-driven drama, maybe a little too heavy on introspection. But as the story unfolded, I was hooked. The writing is tender and relatable. Middaugh has a real gift for voice, and Perry's narration walks a fine line between thoughtful and raw. The supernatural elements that emerge later are handled with a kind of casual magic that made me believe them without blinking. There’s a warmth and ache to this book that stayed with me.

What struck me most was how it deals with grief, not as something to “get over” but as something you live with, reshape, even share. The love story at the center of the book is unusual and a little odd at times, but I found it touching and refreshingly honest. And Beverly Bowen? She’s a wonder. Funny, sharp, and complicated. Their conversations felt like real conversations. The baseball stuff, which I expected to be filler, turned out to be beautifully woven in. Not just a theme, but a language of connection and healing. I found myself smiling at the smallest moments.

A Million Tomorrows is a book for anyone who’s lost someone or loved someone in a way that didn’t make sense on paper but made perfect sense in the heart. It’s for readers who like stories that stretch time and memory and emotion without shouting about it. If you’ve ever stared at the past and wondered what would happen if you got one more shot, this is your book.

[Saint Vitas · Rating 5 out of 5]

And I thought I was the only sentimental fool in love

this could have been my story, so one I will be making my husband of 52 years read. In my mind it could be exactly this way. even that song means something that actually happened in my past. yes, John Denver was covering a previous song. it had to have been moderately popular in the late 1950s or early 1960s. in college the girls in my old southern srority held hands and sang this in friendship. it was old in 1969. our sponsor made us end every meeting that way. she wore cat glasses and was hopelessly out of date as she herded us hippie wild girls into our place in a rapidly changing society. That song sang by John wasn't one of my favorates: mine was "I am a rock" by Paul, and then one more obscure" come Saturday morning " lisa manelli. Of John's there were many others of his originals to look back on for truth. thanks for the journeys in this book. music tells a lot about our life peaks and troughs.

[Volpot · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars. This was a well-written book. But it was not a time travel book. Even the "not quite time travel" advertised in the book description didn't even occur until well past the 50% mark of the book and was only barely mentioned thereafter. So what was the book about? Mainly the first person tale of a pathetically self absorbed and angsty guy who desperately seeks and briefly finds love after a life of sadness. I'm really rather upset with myself for finishing it. I am constantly kidding my wife for watching shows like "90 Day Fiancée" and "Married at First Sight". I just think that being entertained by watching such broken human beings flail about in their lives is somehow...distasteful. Sort of how I feel about reading all of this book. So if you like that kind of thing, you'll probably enjoy this book as much as one of the better episodes of those shows.

[Lauren Gibson · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really didn't like this and had to force myself through it (to be honest, I skimmed quite a bit).

I'm not against age gaps in relationships, you can love who you want, but I just found the romance really hard to believe or about and frankly just strange. The characters felt like caricatures and were incredibly unrelatable (and extremely cringey at times)—I wasn't interested in them in the slightest nor did I care about them.

The writing style was hard to follow and felt like a diary / stream of consciousness. I realize this was meant to read loosely like a memoir (I think?) but it just didn't work for me. In terms of the time travel...I think some of the ideas were promising and had potential to be interesting but I just found myself bored and didn't really care. The time travel also felt disjointed from the rest of the story and like it was just shoved in.

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Million Tomorrows is a tale of love crossing the boundaries of time, space, and age. Two people are randomly thrown together, Bebe and Perry, one a cancer patient, the other a cancer doctor. Thus starts a love of Oedipus proportions. Add in a bit of experiential science, and you have the makings of a tale similar to Somewhere in Time.

Lovely tale, a bit meandering, but it got the point across eventually. Could have a done a bit more on the explanation portion, but I suppose some things are left to the reader to interpret. Having the tale in first person was a bold choice. Perry needed to break the fourth wall a little more often. I could definitely see this as a movie one day.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Keith Carey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was not a time travel story. It was much more like the 1970s movie "Brainstorm" where the issue had to do with experiencing what someone else had experienced. It held my interest. Often novels get dull in the middle, and you almost want to skip to a later chapter. That was not the case here.
It had an unusual twist in that Gaylord, the main character, was in love with a woman 30 years older than him. The book was in the first person, which added some reader interest. All of the main characters were very likeable.

[Book Addict · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an emotionally resonant novel that blends heartache, hope, and second chances into a story that lingers long after the final page. The past plays a powerful role in shaping the characters’ identities.The characters are imperfect, vulnerable and hopeful of better tomorrows. It teaches the reader to slow down and reflect, not just living in the moment. The book asks the reader: how do our memories define us, and how can we move forward without forgetting? Thought provoking. Recommended reading.

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

[Doc Honour · Rating 2 out of 5]

Slow start

At over forty pages in—about 15%—very little had happened yet. Lots of character development, lots of characters met. Excellent writing style, with palpable emotions, but I kept waiting for the advertised “time travel” element that wasn’t even hinted yet. Stopped at that point.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick and engaging read

This story is a quick read that leaves you feeling contemplative and peaceful. It has a great concept, with very believable speculative fiction and a beautiful romance that transcends time. I'd rate it a 4.5/5.

[Alisa Yancey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun read. I enjoyed the writing style…the way the narrator would speak to the reader. That is what drew me in. I’m also fascinated with the idea of parallel time lines. The characters were developed well.

[Joyce]

dnf’ed at 15%. the plot and suspense is lacking and it just stalls for too many pages.

[Brynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Vaeda · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this story pretty boring and skipped pages at a time just to get through it. The ending, though predictable, wrapped it all up.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read… would be so amazing if possible … parallel time lines.

[Lisa Druckreier · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was ok ..a decent story until about 50 percent in where it detailed.

[Cloudy Hades · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book bored me I’m sorry it was a long read through for me I wasn’t attached to any characters and then adding the “changing your past” sciencey government plot was just a no…

[Hassan Clemons · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful tale of love

What more can I say. This book is like a watercolor painting, beautiful and light, shaded with colors that when taken as a whole, become a little piece of life. I can't remember what brought me to this book, was it a reddit post, or a friend's suggestion... I vaguely remembered someone mentioned parallel lives and memories.

I kept waiting for more of the science and the but that was just the plate on which you were served this beautiful meal.

[Jean Hull · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5

While I found the book to be decent, I’m not sure how to feel after reading it. The idea that love knows no age is clear, but I still questioned the connection between the two main characters. Even though they repeatedly express their love for each other, I just didn’t fully feel it. Maybe I was expecting a more sci-fi-focused story instead of the romance that took center stage.

The pacing was good, and the story was interesting, with some charming, hopeful moments. But I never really felt as emotionally involved as I’d hoped. That might be more about me and my expectations than the book itself.

The characters were likable, but they didn’t have much depth. They were simple and straightforward, which made it hard to get fully invested in their growth.