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Time and Tide
Historical fiction with a touch of time travel, for fans of Diana Gabaldon, Alexis Hall, and Olivia Waite’s Feminine Pursuits series, where a modern bisexual woman is thrown into Regency England and must figure out how to survive, while she falls in love with a woman who will become a famous author.
Just a twenty-first century gal with nineteenth-century problems…
When Sam’s plane crashes catastrophically over the Atlantic, it defies all odds for Sam to be the sole survivor. But it seems impossible that she’s rescued by a warship in 1805. With a dashing sea captain as her guide, she begins to find her footing in a world she’d only seen in movies.
Then Sam is betrayed. At the mercy of the men and morals of the time, and without the means to survive on her own, she’s left with no choice but to throw herself on the charity of the captain's sisters. She resigns herself to a quiet life of forever hiding her true self. What she doesn't expect is that her new landlady is Margaret Goodenough—the world-famous author whose yet-to-be-completed novel will contain the first lesbian kiss in the history of British Literature, and a clever woman. Clever enough to know her new companion has a secret.
As the two women grow ever closer, Sam must tread the tenuous line between finding her own happiness in a place where she doesn’t think she’ll ever fit in, and possibly (accidentally) changing the course of history.
Just a twenty-first century gal with nineteenth-century problems…
When Sam’s plane crashes catastrophically over the Atlantic, it defies all odds for Sam to be the sole survivor. But it seems impossible that she’s rescued by a warship in 1805. With a dashing sea captain as her guide, she begins to find her footing in a world she’d only seen in movies.
Then Sam is betrayed. At the mercy of the men and morals of the time, and without the means to survive on her own, she’s left with no choice but to throw herself on the charity of the captain's sisters. She resigns herself to a quiet life of forever hiding her true self. What she doesn't expect is that her new landlady is Margaret Goodenough—the world-famous author whose yet-to-be-completed novel will contain the first lesbian kiss in the history of British Literature, and a clever woman. Clever enough to know her new companion has a secret.
As the two women grow ever closer, Sam must tread the tenuous line between finding her own happiness in a place where she doesn’t think she’ll ever fit in, and possibly (accidentally) changing the course of history.
406 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 12, 2024
37 people are currently reading
10160 people want to read
About the author
J.M. Frey
30 books208 followersFrey is an award-winning author and lapsed academic. She spent three years as the entertainment contributor on AMI Radio's Live From Studio 5 morning show, and was an occasional talking head in documentaries and on the SPACE Channel's premier chat show InnerSPACE. She holds a BA in Dramatic Literature and an MA in Communications Culture, and has lectured at conferences and conventions all around the world.
Her debut novel TRIPTYCH was nominated for two Lambda Literary Awards and garnered a place among the Best Books of 2011 from Publishers Weekly, and TIME AND TIDE was named one of The New York Times’ Best Romances of the Year.
She lives in Toronto where she is surrounded by houseplants, because she is allergic to anything with fur. Like her main character in NINE-TENTHS, she is also allergic to chocolate. But not wine.
Her debut novel TRIPTYCH was nominated for two Lambda Literary Awards and garnered a place among the Best Books of 2011 from Publishers Weekly, and TIME AND TIDE was named one of The New York Times’ Best Romances of the Year.
She lives in Toronto where she is surrounded by houseplants, because she is allergic to anything with fur. Like her main character in NINE-TENTHS, she is also allergic to chocolate. But not wine.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
February 2, 2025
maybe a 3.25
October 30, 2024
I am extremely disappointed this book didn't have any trigger warnings. I have given trigger warnings to many books this year, but nothing like this. Toss out all previous ones if it meant the publisher would actually add one to the book. MAJOR TRIGGER WARNINGS for attempted rape, physical abuse, and PTSD. The scenes are detailed and go one for many pages. Thankfully, it wasn't meant to glorify it, but to show struggles women went through during the time period (and unfortunately still do today). Although it was necessary for the plot, I really don't think all the detail was needed.
Truly did enjoy the book, though. I started out hating the Samantha. Actually, so much that, even though I had only read less than 10 pages, I thought she may get up to Ross Gellar levels of hatred. One scene in an airport and a few references to the past, and I loathed her. But, apparently, all that she needed to change was get in a plane crash and get flung back into the past. Shoved back into the closet. Etc etc. So I did end up liking her.
Thanks to NetGalley for the free kindle book. My review is left voluntarily.
Truly did enjoy the book, though. I started out hating the Samantha. Actually, so much that, even though I had only read less than 10 pages, I thought she may get up to Ross Gellar levels of hatred. One scene in an airport and a few references to the past, and I loathed her. But, apparently, all that she needed to change was get in a plane crash and get flung back into the past. Shoved back into the closet. Etc etc. So I did end up liking her.
Thanks to NetGalley for the free kindle book. My review is left voluntarily.
August 20, 2024
First off, content warnings all. There are multiple scenes of
This was a good novel. It wasn’t perfect or my favorite, but it was a very enjoyable read with some good characters and a lot of great scenes. For me, its on the cusp of a high 4-stars or a low 5-stars, and I wish I could give partial marks. If you like historical fiction, time travel, or novels that point out how terrible things could be in the past sometimes, then this is a great novel for you.
There was a lot of sweet moments in this novel that I appreciated. The HEA was nice and for the most part it was quite satisfying. The exploration of trauma and PTSD was something I appreciated and found realistic, given everything that the MC went through in this novel. That is something which is often glazed over or ignored. This novel was a page turner that kept me reading. The plot wandered a little bit but there was (mostly) a point behind what was happening and I enjoyed following the journey.
The author is a good writer. They did an excellent job of giving each character a distinct voice and personality, which sometimes isn’t the case. The scenes between the two MC’s particularly showcased this as their language usage was very different, which I particularly enjoyed.
A lot of elements in this novel were underdeveloped, or unrealistic. This could be due to the multiple sections where the timeline fast forwarded and we didn’t see all of the action, or just superficial writing. Some of the relationship development I would have liked to have seen happened off screen, which is unfortunate as its one of the elements I was most interested in for a novel like this. I think we would have benefitted from seeing more relationship development between the MC and love interest(s) (which would also be more of exactly what romance readers want!), as well as more scenes between .
Despite all of the difficulties that the MC encountered, I couldn’t help but find myself thinking that things went too easily for her. She went 200 years back in time, but happened to fall in with people who had money, and a convenient job opening she could actually fill, a queer woman, etc. I know its fantasy, but still! She also did a terrible job of fitting in, constantly using language and behavior from her time. I can easily see a time traveler having this issue, however I think it would have caused more of an issue in her day to day interactions than we saw.
I was sad that there was no
This was a good novel. It wasn’t perfect or my favorite, but it was a very enjoyable read with some good characters and a lot of great scenes. For me, its on the cusp of a high 4-stars or a low 5-stars, and I wish I could give partial marks. If you like historical fiction, time travel, or novels that point out how terrible things could be in the past sometimes, then this is a great novel for you.
There was a lot of sweet moments in this novel that I appreciated. The HEA was nice and for the most part it was quite satisfying. The exploration of trauma and PTSD was something I appreciated and found realistic, given everything that the MC went through in this novel. That is something which is often glazed over or ignored. This novel was a page turner that kept me reading. The plot wandered a little bit but there was (mostly) a point behind what was happening and I enjoyed following the journey.
The author is a good writer. They did an excellent job of giving each character a distinct voice and personality, which sometimes isn’t the case. The scenes between the two MC’s particularly showcased this as their language usage was very different, which I particularly enjoyed.
A lot of elements in this novel were underdeveloped, or unrealistic. This could be due to the multiple sections where the timeline fast forwarded and we didn’t see all of the action, or just superficial writing. Some of the relationship development I would have liked to have seen happened off screen, which is unfortunate as its one of the elements I was most interested in for a novel like this. I think we would have benefitted from seeing more relationship development between the MC and love interest(s) (which would also be more of exactly what romance readers want!), as well as more scenes between .
Despite all of the difficulties that the MC encountered, I couldn’t help but find myself thinking that things went too easily for her. She went 200 years back in time, but happened to fall in with people who had money, and a convenient job opening she could actually fill, a queer woman, etc. I know its fantasy, but still! She also did a terrible job of fitting in, constantly using language and behavior from her time. I can easily see a time traveler having this issue, however I think it would have caused more of an issue in her day to day interactions than we saw.
I was sad that there was no
April 21, 2025
i know in my soul that this author was watching a period drama and someone said “queer” and the author went “ha” and then decided to write a book from that moment
June 8, 2025
I don’t know what I expected from a book published by wattpad
May 14, 2024
Sam has just broken up with her girlfriend, and her parting gift was the famous Queer novel “The Welshman’s Daughters”. Sam knew it well, because her ex quoted it all the time, and she had watched many adoptions on TV of the story. But it was not her favorite,and she threw it in the trash of the plane ride that she had hoped would be a romantic trip for the two of them.
Then, the plane explodes, and Sam is thrown into the ocean off Gibraltar, but instead of 2024, it is 1805, and the Battle of Trafalgar has just taken place, and the Welshman’s Daughter would be published in 1807.
Like any good Victorian or Regency novel, there are a lot of coincidences that tie people together, but this is done without hitting us over the head. Each thing that happens is logical, and explained.
Good time travel stories have to have some logic to them. So, the story can be good, but if the ending doesn’t wrap things up, then it is all a cheat, and all the build up is for nothing. That isn’t what happens with this story, I am happy to say.
I love how Sam manages to make her way in the world, knowing enough that she as a woman can’t do anything without friends or family, or unfortunately, a man.
I also love how Sam tries, but doesn’t always succeed in trying to match the current language, and swears like a sailor. She also is very sexual, and we get descriptions of those sexual encounters. Be warned, the F word is used early and often.
So, amazing book. Really well done. I look forward to anything J. M. Frey writes next. In the meantime, pre-order this one, if you love sapphic regency time travel stories.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. This book will be published the 12th of November 2024.
Then, the plane explodes, and Sam is thrown into the ocean off Gibraltar, but instead of 2024, it is 1805, and the Battle of Trafalgar has just taken place, and the Welshman’s Daughter would be published in 1807.
Like any good Victorian or Regency novel, there are a lot of coincidences that tie people together, but this is done without hitting us over the head. Each thing that happens is logical, and explained.
Good time travel stories have to have some logic to them. So, the story can be good, but if the ending doesn’t wrap things up, then it is all a cheat, and all the build up is for nothing. That isn’t what happens with this story, I am happy to say.
I love how Sam manages to make her way in the world, knowing enough that she as a woman can’t do anything without friends or family, or unfortunately, a man.
I also love how Sam tries, but doesn’t always succeed in trying to match the current language, and swears like a sailor. She also is very sexual, and we get descriptions of those sexual encounters. Be warned, the F word is used early and often.
So, amazing book. Really well done. I look forward to anything J. M. Frey writes next. In the meantime, pre-order this one, if you love sapphic regency time travel stories.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. This book will be published the 12th of November 2024.
December 21, 2024
Oh my word, I didn't expect this.
It's historical. It's intense. It's psychologically both battering and healing. Very sexy, very clever, very twisty.
Expect no one to be perfect, and everyone to be three-dimensional. Expect a love story that doesn't just sweep you away, but helps you fall in love with the era, if you weren't already.
I adored this, and I'm thrilled I got to read it before the year's end.
It's historical. It's intense. It's psychologically both battering and healing. Very sexy, very clever, very twisty.
Expect no one to be perfect, and everyone to be three-dimensional. Expect a love story that doesn't just sweep you away, but helps you fall in love with the era, if you weren't already.
I adored this, and I'm thrilled I got to read it before the year's end.
May 21, 2024
I really wanted to like this book. The premise sounded like something exactly for me—sapphic time travel to the regency era. What could be wrong about it? It ended up fun, but as a character over plot girl, I just don't think it was for me.
To give a little more detail, Time and Tide is about Samantha, our main character who has a breakup with her girlfriend in the modern day but still goes on the trip they were meant to, only for her plane to crash in the ocean, and... she's pulled out in the early 1800s. An awesome concept!
Unfortunately, for me, so much of this book fell flat. At the core of my issues was Sam as a main character—besides just fitting into a modern activist bisexual woman archetype and her past relationship, I couldn't tell you anything about her personality or life. And if those things were ever actually mentioned, it was never integrated into her to the point where I felt a desire to empathize with her or understand her. Similarly, the way she settled into the idea of existing in the 1800s felt contrary to the little I knew about her (stubborn, sharp, "pushy"), instead settling into an immediate acceptance and settle for survival mode. Maybe some of this could be attributed to the various long time skips that allowed her to settle in without actually doing any of the character work to get her there.
Sam's ex-girlfriend from the present mainly exists to be a reminder of Sam's insecurities—and to introduce her favorite author, Margaret Goodenough, randomly mentioned early on as the writer of the first published sapphic kiss in literature, who never married and lived with a "mysterious Wealthy Widow" who people theorize she was romantically involved with.
Needless to say, I'd had the entire plot nailed down in the first 10% of the book. Any twists unfortunately felt shoed in almost as if it were a soap opera, which was wild considering how predictable the overarching story was.
The romance had its moments—the love interest, Daisy Goodenough (who happens to be the sister of the captain who rescues Sam from the ocean), is more developed than Sam, but I never felt there was a good reason for her to fall in love with Sam. Lust, sure—Sam is a modern woman with a brash personality and awareness of her body and what she can do with it. But I don't know that I ever fully bought their love and devotion to each other.
The book itself as I mentioned never fully deals with Sam's trauma for 75% of the book, until it really decides to and blows it up big time—only to forget about it shortly thereafter. Despite an eleventh hour sweet twist with some minor characters, any emotional arc this book might have had really didn't follow through for me. The characters for the most part were fun, if inconsistent, and unfortunately much of the plot was simply too convenient or too convoluted, with very little in between.
If you're just looking for a fun little sapphic regency romp with some wild twists and turns and don't need to dive too deep into character, this could be for you—unfortunately as a very character centric reader, it wasn't for me.
Thank you to Netgalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review!
To give a little more detail, Time and Tide is about Samantha, our main character who has a breakup with her girlfriend in the modern day but still goes on the trip they were meant to, only for her plane to crash in the ocean, and... she's pulled out in the early 1800s. An awesome concept!
Unfortunately, for me, so much of this book fell flat. At the core of my issues was Sam as a main character—besides just fitting into a modern activist bisexual woman archetype and her past relationship, I couldn't tell you anything about her personality or life. And if those things were ever actually mentioned, it was never integrated into her to the point where I felt a desire to empathize with her or understand her. Similarly, the way she settled into the idea of existing in the 1800s felt contrary to the little I knew about her (stubborn, sharp, "pushy"), instead settling into an immediate acceptance and settle for survival mode. Maybe some of this could be attributed to the various long time skips that allowed her to settle in without actually doing any of the character work to get her there.
Sam's ex-girlfriend from the present mainly exists to be a reminder of Sam's insecurities—and to introduce her favorite author, Margaret Goodenough, randomly mentioned early on as the writer of the first published sapphic kiss in literature, who never married and lived with a "mysterious Wealthy Widow" who people theorize she was romantically involved with.
Needless to say, I'd had the entire plot nailed down in the first 10% of the book. Any twists unfortunately felt shoed in almost as if it were a soap opera, which was wild considering how predictable the overarching story was.
The romance had its moments—the love interest, Daisy Goodenough (who happens to be the sister of the captain who rescues Sam from the ocean), is more developed than Sam, but I never felt there was a good reason for her to fall in love with Sam. Lust, sure—Sam is a modern woman with a brash personality and awareness of her body and what she can do with it. But I don't know that I ever fully bought their love and devotion to each other.
The book itself as I mentioned never fully deals with Sam's trauma for 75% of the book, until it really decides to and blows it up big time—only to forget about it shortly thereafter. Despite an eleventh hour sweet twist with some minor characters, any emotional arc this book might have had really didn't follow through for me. The characters for the most part were fun, if inconsistent, and unfortunately much of the plot was simply too convenient or too convoluted, with very little in between.
If you're just looking for a fun little sapphic regency romp with some wild twists and turns and don't need to dive too deep into character, this could be for you—unfortunately as a very character centric reader, it wasn't for me.
Thank you to Netgalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review!
March 29, 2025
Originally reviewed at Books Etc.
If you tell me a book has Outlander vibes, I’m in. I may not know which vibes in particular you mean, since there are MANY to choose from in that series, but I’m still in. Time and Tide by J.M. Frey is one such book and the Outlander vibes it has are a dash of historical mixed with time travel. And it was a fun read!
Time travel is the only sci-fi element I really enjoy reading and the way Frey approached it was pretty interesting. One minute Sam was in an airplane that’s about to crash, the next she’s been plucked out of the sea by a Captain in 1805. Like with most time travel books, the exact “science” of it was never fully explained and, unlike Outlander, you never know what kind of hole Sam left behind in the present day. Did she ever exist? Did her parents just assume she did die in a plane crash? Plus, the telling of the time travel is always a fraught experience for the traveler. Sam was lucky that the people she told believed her, or, at the very least, didn’t not believe her. I’m not quite sure that her strange manners and way of speaking actually would have been accepted by the people she encountered but humans are a strange species.
I loved the Happily Ever After. It was tied up so well and I really appreciated knowing how the characters ended up, especially after all the hardship they had encountered. I mean, come on, Sam survived a plane crash and almost drowning, of course I wanted her to find her HEA in the end and know she was ok! (This is a romance. There is going to be a HEA. This is not a spoiler.)
It took forever for the other shoe to drop in this story. I knew where things were going but it took Sam ages to realize how she fit into history. I almost wonder if the book could have been a lot shorter (it clocks in at just over 400 pages) and if that could have helped.
I was also *this* close to not even reading this one as I was so enraged at the novel’s epigraph. It quoted Persuasion but not only did it misspell Jane Austen’s name (it’s Austen, not Austin) but it also spelled the book’s title as Persuassion. That’s not even a word! This was a finished copy, not an ARC, so it should have been fixed. AND Austen is quoted at the start of every. Single. Chapter. All spelled correctly! Be better, copy editors.
Important content warnings: there are a few instances of sexual assault, including attempted rape. Things are interrupted right at the last second but I am sure the scenes will be hard for some people to read. There’s also the plane crash and almost drowning. Sam’s PTSD is discussed and there are flashbacks. Be kind to yourselves.
On the whole, though, Time and Tide was fun to read. A sapphic time travel novel with a character who will eventually be a famous author? Delightful! JM Frey’s novel is far from perfect, and the imperfections sometimes hurt my enjoyment, but it was still a good story to spend some time with.
*A copy of this novel was provided by the publisher, Wattpad Books, in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own*
If you tell me a book has Outlander vibes, I’m in. I may not know which vibes in particular you mean, since there are MANY to choose from in that series, but I’m still in. Time and Tide by J.M. Frey is one such book and the Outlander vibes it has are a dash of historical mixed with time travel. And it was a fun read!
Time travel is the only sci-fi element I really enjoy reading and the way Frey approached it was pretty interesting. One minute Sam was in an airplane that’s about to crash, the next she’s been plucked out of the sea by a Captain in 1805. Like with most time travel books, the exact “science” of it was never fully explained and, unlike Outlander, you never know what kind of hole Sam left behind in the present day. Did she ever exist? Did her parents just assume she did die in a plane crash? Plus, the telling of the time travel is always a fraught experience for the traveler. Sam was lucky that the people she told believed her, or, at the very least, didn’t not believe her. I’m not quite sure that her strange manners and way of speaking actually would have been accepted by the people she encountered but humans are a strange species.
I loved the Happily Ever After. It was tied up so well and I really appreciated knowing how the characters ended up, especially after all the hardship they had encountered. I mean, come on, Sam survived a plane crash and almost drowning, of course I wanted her to find her HEA in the end and know she was ok! (This is a romance. There is going to be a HEA. This is not a spoiler.)
It took forever for the other shoe to drop in this story. I knew where things were going but it took Sam ages to realize how she fit into history. I almost wonder if the book could have been a lot shorter (it clocks in at just over 400 pages) and if that could have helped.
I was also *this* close to not even reading this one as I was so enraged at the novel’s epigraph. It quoted Persuasion but not only did it misspell Jane Austen’s name (it’s Austen, not Austin) but it also spelled the book’s title as Persuassion. That’s not even a word! This was a finished copy, not an ARC, so it should have been fixed. AND Austen is quoted at the start of every. Single. Chapter. All spelled correctly! Be better, copy editors.
Important content warnings: there are a few instances of sexual assault, including attempted rape. Things are interrupted right at the last second but I am sure the scenes will be hard for some people to read. There’s also the plane crash and almost drowning. Sam’s PTSD is discussed and there are flashbacks. Be kind to yourselves.
On the whole, though, Time and Tide was fun to read. A sapphic time travel novel with a character who will eventually be a famous author? Delightful! JM Frey’s novel is far from perfect, and the imperfections sometimes hurt my enjoyment, but it was still a good story to spend some time with.
*A copy of this novel was provided by the publisher, Wattpad Books, in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own*
June 28, 2025
4.25/5 ⭐ So I low key kinda loved this, but that does come with some caveats. It definitely needs TW/CW for SA, PTSD, and abuse. It's also a Wattpad book, so take that as you will. I had fun reading it, even if Sam was annoying at times. She came around a lot and grew a lot. The plot was predictable, but for me, that was a plus this time in that it felt like a nice cozy story that tackled some deeper subjects. It didn't take itself too seriously and neither should you. It's enjoyable as a time slip, queer read and all that entails.
August 13, 2024
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Okay in general this was an interesting story, although I found the main character Sam really annoying. Fresh from a breakup, Sam boards a plane to Europe but rather than seducing the men and women of modern-day Spain, the plane crashes into the sea and she finds herself back in time aboard a ship in 1805.
I actually really liked the descriptions of the time period and the cities Sam visits! The author was pretty detailed and it was fun to read about how Sam adjusts to living in this time period. She also has romances with both the ship's captain and his sister in this story (not a spoiler as that is already mentioned in the description), and she is very proud of her bisexuality. I however hated the captain, Fenton, and his betrayal was lowwww, as was that entire situation. There is also a lot of misogyny and attempted sexual assault in this book, so reader be warned.
I liked the first part of the book the most as Sam got to know her new world, and while I personally found Sam obnoxious and annoying, it didn't stop me from finishing the book.
Okay in general this was an interesting story, although I found the main character Sam really annoying. Fresh from a breakup, Sam boards a plane to Europe but rather than seducing the men and women of modern-day Spain, the plane crashes into the sea and she finds herself back in time aboard a ship in 1805.
I actually really liked the descriptions of the time period and the cities Sam visits! The author was pretty detailed and it was fun to read about how Sam adjusts to living in this time period. She also has romances with both the ship's captain and his sister in this story (not a spoiler as that is already mentioned in the description), and she is very proud of her bisexuality. I however hated the captain, Fenton, and his betrayal was lowwww, as was that entire situation. There is also a lot of misogyny and attempted sexual assault in this book, so reader be warned.
I liked the first part of the book the most as Sam got to know her new world, and while I personally found Sam obnoxious and annoying, it didn't stop me from finishing the book.
April 28, 2025
This is published via a Wattpad imprint.
You might think, like I did, "but it was on the NYT's top 10 romances of 2024 list! Clearly it is punching above its publisher's weight class!" It is not. I can't think of any reason to include this book on that list other than maybe some money exchanged hands.
If you want to read a poorly written and much too long novel from the POV of a holier-than-thou social justice tumblr circa 2012 given sentience, in which the mood swings violently without quality connective tissue, historical accuracy varies from page to page (), there are as many sex scenes as there are sexual assault scenes, and Jane Austen gets quoted every chapter to remind you that you could be reading something much, much better for free, well, be my guest. otherwise, isekai's a pretty big genre. you have plenty of options. spare yourself.
You might think, like I did, "but it was on the NYT's top 10 romances of 2024 list! Clearly it is punching above its publisher's weight class!" It is not. I can't think of any reason to include this book on that list other than maybe some money exchanged hands.
If you want to read a poorly written and much too long novel from the POV of a holier-than-thou social justice tumblr circa 2012 given sentience, in which the mood swings violently without quality connective tissue, historical accuracy varies from page to page (), there are as many sex scenes as there are sexual assault scenes, and Jane Austen gets quoted every chapter to remind you that you could be reading something much, much better for free, well, be my guest. otherwise, isekai's a pretty big genre. you have plenty of options. spare yourself.
November 12, 2024
Time and Tide by J.M. Frey is a beautifully woven time-travel tale that explores the intricacies of survival, adaptation, and personal transformation. This magical novel took me on an emotional rollercoaster, pulling me into the world of Sam, a modern-day woman who is abruptly thrust into the past after a plane crash leaves her stranded in a time centuries before her own.
From the very start, we meet Sam as a carefree, adventurous soul, content in her present life without any desire to settle down. Her life, however, is upended in a dramatic twist, and she finds herself in a bygone era, far removed from the conveniences and luxuries of the modern world. As she faces the harsh realities of this new time period, Sam must navigate not only the practical challenges of survival but also the emotional turmoil of being ripped from everything she knows and loves.
What makes *Time and Tide* particularly striking is Frey’s ability to capture the raw, emotional journey of adaptation. Sam’s struggle to fit into a world where societal norms, technology, and language are all unfamiliar is portrayed with authenticity and depth. The reader is right there with her, experiencing the highs and lows of her journey as she attempts to build a new life while grappling with the constant tension of longing for the life she lost. This emotional depth is one of the book’s most compelling aspects, as it explores themes of identity, survival, and resilience.
Frey’s prose is both lyrical and rich, evoking a vivid sense of time and place that is evocative and immersive. The descriptions of Sam's surroundings and the people she encounters are lush without feeling overbearing. The way Frey handles Sam’s emotional development, too, is deft and subtle, allowing us to see her grow, adapt, and mature with each page.
In terms of tone, *Time and Tide* has an almost cinematic quality, which made me think of the Apple TV series *Dickinson*. Like the show, Frey’s novel captures the spirit of a different time while simultaneously giving it a modern sensibility. There’s a sense of anachronistic beauty in how Sam processes her new world—an intriguing mix of contemporary thought against the backdrop of historical struggles.
One of the novel’s strengths is its exploration of the emotional complexity of time travel. Sam isn’t just learning how to survive in a different time; she’s also learning to reconcile the person she was with the person she’s becoming. As she faces love, loss, and the unpredictability of fate, Frey crafts a poignant meditation on the personal transformations that come from being displaced in time.
*Time and Tide* is, at its heart, a story about how the tides of time shape us, how we can find resilience in the most unexpected places, and how, no matter where or when we are, the human spirit has a remarkable capacity to adapt and thrive. Frey’s storytelling is both emotionally resonant and thoughtfully introspective, making this novel a timeless read.
Whether you're a fan of historical fiction, time travel, or simply well-crafted character-driven narratives, *Time and Tide* is a must-read. It’s a novel that lingers long after the last page is turned, echoing with the universal truth that no matter what era we inhabit, the complexities of the human heart remain timeless.
May 27, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC! Content warning for sexual assault and abuse (I didn't know this going in, and there are a couple of pretty intense scenes of attempted sexual assault). Spoilers ahead with my full review.
As a queer person and lover of Regency-era romance (Jane Austen my darling!), a sapphic time travel story set in 1806 could not have been more appealing to me. I devoured this book very quickly, as it's mostly plot-driven, unlike novels written during the actual Regency era. I still found the characters well-developed, quirky, and even lovable, though I do think if this book was longer, there could have been more room devoted to developing some of the important side characters. I was sad that Fenton wasn't a bigger part of the story after the first half, as I thought his character was complicated and interesting, and I think that Marigold's dislike of Sam and their conflict could have been given more space as well. Sam's trauma is touched on many times, but could have been explored in more depth; her life in 2024 is given up just a bit too easily.
There was a good bit of sexiness throughout the book, though fair warning & spoilers ahead: there is both M/F and F/F sex depicted with some detail, and our bisexual MC, Sam, does have sex with a man who turns out to be her future girlfriend's brother which is a little uncomfortable for me to think too much about, personally.
I found most of the twists, especially the ending, to be pretty predictable, though not in an entirely bad way. Yes, I expected that Sam would turn out to be The Wealthy Widow, but that didn't stop me from looking forward to how that would wind up happening. I do think that the climax was a bit abrupt (no pun intended), and it almost felt like Frey was just ready to wrap up the story and so did a bit of fast-forwarding to get to the good part at the end. But given how awful Lewis is, the eventual resolution is deeply pleasing; I'm so glad it didn't happen off-page, with Sam just so happening to inherit as he dies or something or other. And boy do I love the ending - yes, let our queer Regency darlings have a happy ending, thank you very much!
All that said, if the blurb appeals to you, I think you'll like this book, and it is definitely worth reading for any fellow queer historial fiction lovers like me!
Rep: female bisexual Canadian MC, lesbian love interest, queer female Muslim ex
As a queer person and lover of Regency-era romance (Jane Austen my darling!), a sapphic time travel story set in 1806 could not have been more appealing to me. I devoured this book very quickly, as it's mostly plot-driven, unlike novels written during the actual Regency era. I still found the characters well-developed, quirky, and even lovable, though I do think if this book was longer, there could have been more room devoted to developing some of the important side characters. I was sad that Fenton wasn't a bigger part of the story after the first half, as I thought his character was complicated and interesting, and I think that Marigold's dislike of Sam and their conflict could have been given more space as well. Sam's trauma is touched on many times, but could have been explored in more depth; her life in 2024 is given up just a bit too easily.
There was a good bit of sexiness throughout the book, though fair warning & spoilers ahead: there is both M/F and F/F sex depicted with some detail, and our bisexual MC, Sam, does have sex with a man who turns out to be her future girlfriend's brother which is a little uncomfortable for me to think too much about, personally.
I found most of the twists, especially the ending, to be pretty predictable, though not in an entirely bad way. Yes, I expected that Sam would turn out to be The Wealthy Widow, but that didn't stop me from looking forward to how that would wind up happening. I do think that the climax was a bit abrupt (no pun intended), and it almost felt like Frey was just ready to wrap up the story and so did a bit of fast-forwarding to get to the good part at the end. But given how awful Lewis is, the eventual resolution is deeply pleasing; I'm so glad it didn't happen off-page, with Sam just so happening to inherit as he dies or something or other. And boy do I love the ending - yes, let our queer Regency darlings have a happy ending, thank you very much!
All that said, if the blurb appeals to you, I think you'll like this book, and it is definitely worth reading for any fellow queer historial fiction lovers like me!
Rep: female bisexual Canadian MC, lesbian love interest, queer female Muslim ex
August 8, 2024
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with this arc in exchange for an honest review!
Anyway, before you pick up this book, as others have noted in their reviews... READ THE CONTENT WARNINGS! There are multiple graphic scenes of assault, violence, and misogyny present throughout the book.
Now that that's out of the way, let's get into the actual review.
In my opinion, this is a book that you'll either really like or really hate. I'm not going to lie, although the author has beautiful writing with exquisite imagery, it doesn't shadow how flawed all of the characters are. Because of that, you might greatly dislike the book because of its characters.
Sam, our protagonist is a 24-year-old bi woman in 2024. She, obviously has a lot of 21st century mannerisms so it makes complete sense for her to go slightly bonkers when she is transported back to 1805. Because of how she was raised, she is also quite stubborn and rash. She leaps into things without thought for personal gain and oftentimes hurts people along the way. However, she does become better and learn from her actions.
Now, Fenton and Marigold and Daisy also aren't perfect. Given that they are in the 1800s, they obviously have internalized misogyny and homophobia. Because of that, they hurt Sam and also make bad decisions. But like Sam, they learn.
As for Lewis... he's a son of a bitch who deserves to get punched. That's... all you have to know.
Apart from the characters, the plot was interesting but the pacing felt off sometimes. Although the premise of the book and Sam's spunky character kept me drawn in, I felt like the middle felt long, and the beginning and the ending felt rushed. Speaking of the ending, I felt that it fit the story. However, I would've loved for an epilogue. I thought it ended too abruptly.
Overall, I'll give it 3.5 stars.
If you need a entertaining read with interesting characters that tackle on some darker themes, then this is the book for you.
Anyway, before you pick up this book, as others have noted in their reviews... READ THE CONTENT WARNINGS! There are multiple graphic scenes of assault, violence, and misogyny present throughout the book.
Now that that's out of the way, let's get into the actual review.
In my opinion, this is a book that you'll either really like or really hate. I'm not going to lie, although the author has beautiful writing with exquisite imagery, it doesn't shadow how flawed all of the characters are. Because of that, you might greatly dislike the book because of its characters.
Sam, our protagonist is a 24-year-old bi woman in 2024. She, obviously has a lot of 21st century mannerisms so it makes complete sense for her to go slightly bonkers when she is transported back to 1805. Because of how she was raised, she is also quite stubborn and rash. She leaps into things without thought for personal gain and oftentimes hurts people along the way. However, she does become better and learn from her actions.
Now, Fenton and Marigold and Daisy also aren't perfect. Given that they are in the 1800s, they obviously have internalized misogyny and homophobia. Because of that, they hurt Sam and also make bad decisions. But like Sam, they learn.
As for Lewis... he's a son of a bitch who deserves to get punched. That's... all you have to know.
Apart from the characters, the plot was interesting but the pacing felt off sometimes. Although the premise of the book and Sam's spunky character kept me drawn in, I felt like the middle felt long, and the beginning and the ending felt rushed. Speaking of the ending, I felt that it fit the story. However, I would've loved for an epilogue. I thought it ended too abruptly.
Overall, I'll give it 3.5 stars.
If you need a entertaining read with interesting characters that tackle on some darker themes, then this is the book for you.
November 10, 2024
Thank you to Wattpad and JM Frey for this ARC.
The premise of this book sounded like a blend of Outlander, Pride & Prejudice, and Bridgerton. As a queer historical romance, Time and Tide follows Samantha after a plane crash leaves her stranded in the 1800s.
💜 What did you love the most?
The concept was incredible, and I loved leaning into Sam’s out and proud voice in this narrative. She understands the historical era she is in, yet remains rooted in her identity, and slowly realizes that her actions may have irreversible consequences for her entire community as she becomes fast friends with her famed literary hero. Her voice is funny and wonderfully sarcastic, and I truly enjoyed some of the banter between her and the other characters in this novel.
However, there were some parts where our FMC really annoyed me, and she didn’t really show any character growth by the end of the novel.
🔥Steam level: open-door
💜 How was the romance?
The romance in this book is very believable, which was one of the aspects I loved about it. Sometimes, Samantha’s forthrightness made me cringe a bit, but overall, the romance is sweet.
💜 Do you recommend this book?
Do you want a book that is both queer romance and f*ck the patriarchy all in one…well, I present Time and Tide as the book you’ve been waiting for. I had some issues with the pacing and the rushed relationship development, so my rating is not higher for this one. However, I know that many readers will enjoy this twist of a regency romance tale.
3.5/5
The premise of this book sounded like a blend of Outlander, Pride & Prejudice, and Bridgerton. As a queer historical romance, Time and Tide follows Samantha after a plane crash leaves her stranded in the 1800s.
💜 What did you love the most?
The concept was incredible, and I loved leaning into Sam’s out and proud voice in this narrative. She understands the historical era she is in, yet remains rooted in her identity, and slowly realizes that her actions may have irreversible consequences for her entire community as she becomes fast friends with her famed literary hero. Her voice is funny and wonderfully sarcastic, and I truly enjoyed some of the banter between her and the other characters in this novel.
However, there were some parts where our FMC really annoyed me, and she didn’t really show any character growth by the end of the novel.
🔥Steam level: open-door
💜 How was the romance?
The romance in this book is very believable, which was one of the aspects I loved about it. Sometimes, Samantha’s forthrightness made me cringe a bit, but overall, the romance is sweet.
💜 Do you recommend this book?
Do you want a book that is both queer romance and f*ck the patriarchy all in one…well, I present Time and Tide as the book you’ve been waiting for. I had some issues with the pacing and the rushed relationship development, so my rating is not higher for this one. However, I know that many readers will enjoy this twist of a regency romance tale.
3.5/5
November 16, 2024
Sam is bi, queer, and proud of it. So she's a little blindsided when her closeted girlfriend breaks up with her just as she's about to get on a plane for their dream European vacation. She doesn't have long to dwell on that because the plane crashes and she's the sole survivor. Except she didn't just land in the middle of the Atlantic, she landed in 1805 and she needs to quickly figure out how to navigate life in early 19th century England.
I'm giving this one a tentative 3.5 stars because I had a hard time figuring out how I feel about it and I'm still deciding almost a day later. I like Sam and think Frey did a great job with the queer representation and the deep thoughts issues the story touches on. However, it drags in places when there really isn't any reason for it to do so. There is always something happening, even when it's just Sam talking about how time drags, so I can't figure out why it feels like it shouldn't be taking so long to get from one point to another.
It's a time travel story with a very well-done queer love plot that has a very clear villain and some excellent exploration of the topic of coming out and living an authentic life when it isn't even safe to do so. The characters are interesting and Sam finds herself in one captivating situation after another. There are things that are a little hard to believe people of the era would be so calm about, but I'm giving artistic license because they make sense for the story.
Happy thanks to NetGalley and W by Wattpad Books for the read!
I'm giving this one a tentative 3.5 stars because I had a hard time figuring out how I feel about it and I'm still deciding almost a day later. I like Sam and think Frey did a great job with the queer representation and the deep thoughts issues the story touches on. However, it drags in places when there really isn't any reason for it to do so. There is always something happening, even when it's just Sam talking about how time drags, so I can't figure out why it feels like it shouldn't be taking so long to get from one point to another.
It's a time travel story with a very well-done queer love plot that has a very clear villain and some excellent exploration of the topic of coming out and living an authentic life when it isn't even safe to do so. The characters are interesting and Sam finds herself in one captivating situation after another. There are things that are a little hard to believe people of the era would be so calm about, but I'm giving artistic license because they make sense for the story.
Happy thanks to NetGalley and W by Wattpad Books for the read!
October 5, 2024
TLDR: This book is a goldmine for all the regency romance lovers! The prose is beautiful and lyrical, characters are strong and have distinct personalities. Sam, our 21st century heroine is an embodiment of all us women out here. READ THIS!!!
Detailed: Wow! The story follows Samantha Franklin, an 'obnoxiously bi' woman who is on a flight to Barcelona when it crashes. She is rescued by a ship in 1806, somehow having travelled two centuries back in time! She meets Margaret Goodenough, the iconic queer writer and falls in love with her, possibly changing the course of history.
The writing is extraordinarily beautiful. There is a distinct contrast between Sam and the other people's dialogue style which shows how much effort the authoress has put into her research! As the plot advances, the narration style becomes more subtle and old-timey, in accordance with Sam's adjustment.
Mind you, this is not a fluffy, breezy, no brain romance. It is a witty commentary on the development of feminist rights, the abysmal state of women back in the 1800s with dark themes which add to the plot. The pace is perfect but I have fallen in love with J.M Frey's writing style!
P.S. I absolutely loved the little fun facts thrown in by Sam's dad!
Detailed: Wow! The story follows Samantha Franklin, an 'obnoxiously bi' woman who is on a flight to Barcelona when it crashes. She is rescued by a ship in 1806, somehow having travelled two centuries back in time! She meets Margaret Goodenough, the iconic queer writer and falls in love with her, possibly changing the course of history.
The writing is extraordinarily beautiful. There is a distinct contrast between Sam and the other people's dialogue style which shows how much effort the authoress has put into her research! As the plot advances, the narration style becomes more subtle and old-timey, in accordance with Sam's adjustment.
Mind you, this is not a fluffy, breezy, no brain romance. It is a witty commentary on the development of feminist rights, the abysmal state of women back in the 1800s with dark themes which add to the plot. The pace is perfect but I have fallen in love with J.M Frey's writing style!
P.S. I absolutely loved the little fun facts thrown in by Sam's dad!
June 6, 2024
That was incredible. I loved it so much.
First of all, it's not going to be for everyone. Most people I know won't like it. Totally fair. It's a sapphic historical romance (regency) with time travel. You can read the summary yourself.
I didn't rate it 5 stars because Samantha annoyed me in certain parts. She always has to be right at the expense of others. It causes problems for her, but she never actually overcomes it. Most romances I've read don't actually have character growth anyway, but it made me cringe to read those parts.
Aside from those moments, I was blown away by how well done this was. I'm not typically impressed with sapphic romances, but this one was so well done. The romance was believable and it wasn't anti men (probably due to Samantha being bi). The time travel was so well done and I was so happy at the end.
If it sounds interesting, you'll probably love it. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
CW: language, attempted sexual assault, explicit sex (M/F and F/F)
Thank you Netgalley and Wattpad Webtoon Book Group for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
First of all, it's not going to be for everyone. Most people I know won't like it. Totally fair. It's a sapphic historical romance (regency) with time travel. You can read the summary yourself.
I didn't rate it 5 stars because Samantha annoyed me in certain parts. She always has to be right at the expense of others. It causes problems for her, but she never actually overcomes it. Most romances I've read don't actually have character growth anyway, but it made me cringe to read those parts.
Aside from those moments, I was blown away by how well done this was. I'm not typically impressed with sapphic romances, but this one was so well done. The romance was believable and it wasn't anti men (probably due to Samantha being bi). The time travel was so well done and I was so happy at the end.
If it sounds interesting, you'll probably love it. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
CW: language, attempted sexual assault, explicit sex (M/F and F/F)
Thank you Netgalley and Wattpad Webtoon Book Group for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
November 10, 2024
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for feedback.
After a massive breakup right before a couple's trip, Sam finds her plane crashing. Into the 1800s. Saved by a ship after the crash, she finds herself struggling to survive in this new time period, and, after accidentally pursuing an engaged man and escaping the abuser she was almost stuck marrying, she finds herself in the household of the writer credited, in this world, with the first wlw kiss, the author of her ex-girlfriend's favorite novel. Sam spends her first year there trying not to mess up the future, while keeping herself safe.
This was both a sweet and at times stressful story (see the aforementioned abuser) and I had a really good time reading it. I like watching Sam grow out of her bad habits, both real and ones she'd been accused of, and struggling to navigate a safe path in this time before realizing how she fits into this world. It was a fun sapphic tale featuring some great bi rep. I had a really good time with it.
After a massive breakup right before a couple's trip, Sam finds her plane crashing. Into the 1800s. Saved by a ship after the crash, she finds herself struggling to survive in this new time period, and, after accidentally pursuing an engaged man and escaping the abuser she was almost stuck marrying, she finds herself in the household of the writer credited, in this world, with the first wlw kiss, the author of her ex-girlfriend's favorite novel. Sam spends her first year there trying not to mess up the future, while keeping herself safe.
This was both a sweet and at times stressful story (see the aforementioned abuser) and I had a really good time reading it. I like watching Sam grow out of her bad habits, both real and ones she'd been accused of, and struggling to navigate a safe path in this time before realizing how she fits into this world. It was a fun sapphic tale featuring some great bi rep. I had a really good time with it.
November 21, 2024
Thank you to @WbyWattpadBooks and @j.m.frey for the #gifted book.
The novel takes you on a captivating journey back to 1805, showcasing how Sam, a strong and independent woman, learns to navigate the challenges of the era. The author excels in depicting this historical period, skillfully capturing the language, fashion, and customs of the time.
Witnessing Sam's journey as she adapts to her new surroundings is both engaging and inspiring. While she faces numerous struggles, her resilience shines through by the story's conclusion. The female characters she encounters are fascinating, contrasting sharply with the despicable men of the time. The love story woven throughout is undeniably sweet and heartfelt.
If you're a fan of historical fiction and time travel, this book is a must-read and is available now!
The novel takes you on a captivating journey back to 1805, showcasing how Sam, a strong and independent woman, learns to navigate the challenges of the era. The author excels in depicting this historical period, skillfully capturing the language, fashion, and customs of the time.
Witnessing Sam's journey as she adapts to her new surroundings is both engaging and inspiring. While she faces numerous struggles, her resilience shines through by the story's conclusion. The female characters she encounters are fascinating, contrasting sharply with the despicable men of the time. The love story woven throughout is undeniably sweet and heartfelt.
If you're a fan of historical fiction and time travel, this book is a must-read and is available now!
May 14, 2025
EDIT: just discovered this was published under a Wattpad publishing imprint and yep that checks out
I had to start skimming at around the 200 page mark. Could not stand the MC. I found through my skimming that she was stuck in England from 1805 until almost 1807 during the events of the book. You would think that she would have either smart enough to integrate into English societal norms by then, or just settled into it naturally. But nope. Two years into it she’s still calling people jackwads to their faces and using modern slang. And for some reason no one blinks twice at it.
She had no less than 5 romantic interests. Apparently MC was the hottest piece in Victorian London. There was both too much and too little happening all at once. For almost 400 pages.
I had to start skimming at around the 200 page mark. Could not stand the MC. I found through my skimming that she was stuck in England from 1805 until almost 1807 during the events of the book. You would think that she would have either smart enough to integrate into English societal norms by then, or just settled into it naturally. But nope. Two years into it she’s still calling people jackwads to their faces and using modern slang. And for some reason no one blinks twice at it.
She had no less than 5 romantic interests. Apparently MC was the hottest piece in Victorian London. There was both too much and too little happening all at once. For almost 400 pages.
November 11, 2024
Time and Tide is the sapphic love child of Outlander and Bridgerton with a dash of Jane Austen thrown into the mix. I loved reading along with Sam’s adventures as she navigated Rengency era England. I laughed at all the faux pas and fun facts while I cried for the life Sam left behind. This was a beautifully written love story between a girl from our time, and a queer Jane Austen type authoress. I loved the story and I can’t wait to read all of J.M. Frey’s other works!
July 15, 2024
CW: some sex, attempted rape, historical misogyny and homophobia. Elevator pitch: a bi cousin to Outlander meets gay Pride and Prejudice. This is the fast-paced, summer-read adventure of (bisexual) Sam. She is on a flight to Barcelona that crashes in the Atlantic but is rescued by a British ship. ...in 1802. This book is lovely.
June 1, 2024
Time travelling sapphic love story??? Yes please! I devoured this book. Absolutely loved it.
June 15, 2024
This was a perfect book to read for pride month! It's a queer historical/science fiction book and I loved it so much! I adore the Outlander series and when I read the synopsis and it said "perfect for Outlander fans," I knew I would love it!
Thank you yo NetGalley and to the publisher for my digital ARC!
Thank you yo NetGalley and to the publisher for my digital ARC!
April 30, 2025
i didn’t entirely hate the book… i just hated sam, the main character 🤣 she was sooo obnoxious for the entire story that the only redeeming quality to her was daisy🥲
May 5, 2025
Loved reading a romance with a bi protagonist! Though I found the main character a bit annoying at times and I wish there was an answer to “why did she time travel”. otherwise really enjoyed the read. Definitely want to read more by J.M. Frey.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 5, 2025
look, i get it, you’ve been thrown into the past and want to hold onto what you have, but that pair of jeans has to be so crusty and disgusting and will not last the rest of your life
June 2, 2024
Thank you author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of this book!!
Ok so the first chapter I was like!!!! This is gonna be great!!!! And then for a while I was bored and kinda annoyed AND THEN! I was like oh yeah that was nice. But there’s something about the ending I was like bruh…
I had a good time reading it but at the same time I could’ve told you exactly what happened in the book right from the start except the ending isn’t as exciting as I would guesses which feels like a let down. Also it was longer than my brain was wanting to spend on this story and I don’t think there’s really that much more pay off for the extra pages tbh.
Ok so the first chapter I was like!!!! This is gonna be great!!!! And then for a while I was bored and kinda annoyed AND THEN! I was like oh yeah that was nice. But there’s something about the ending I was like bruh…
I had a good time reading it but at the same time I could’ve told you exactly what happened in the book right from the start except the ending isn’t as exciting as I would guesses which feels like a let down. Also it was longer than my brain was wanting to spend on this story and I don’t think there’s really that much more pay off for the extra pages tbh.
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