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1 Falls Forward, 2 Steps Back
Closeted lesbian schoolteacher Lina falls through a sinkhole into a cave. Upon her rescue, she realizes the world has changed and it is no longer 1919. Aspiring geologist Emery is a skeptic who neither believes in love nor the supernatural. Yet when fate places her outside the same cave Lina fell into, Emery feels compelled to help her.
Suddenly unemployed and homeless, Lina struggles to learn the ways of this new reality. She’s drawn to Emery and Emery to her, yet they are as different in everything as two people can possibly be. Whereas Lina accepts she somehow travelled through time and vows to make the best of it, Emery scoffs at the notion and believes Lina delusional or a lying manipulator.
Why, then, doesn’t Emery turn her back on Lina? Is it due to their mutual physical attraction? Or do the dreams that hound her reveal more than Emery wants to know?
Suddenly unemployed and homeless, Lina struggles to learn the ways of this new reality. She’s drawn to Emery and Emery to her, yet they are as different in everything as two people can possibly be. Whereas Lina accepts she somehow travelled through time and vows to make the best of it, Emery scoffs at the notion and believes Lina delusional or a lying manipulator.
Why, then, doesn’t Emery turn her back on Lina? Is it due to their mutual physical attraction? Or do the dreams that hound her reveal more than Emery wants to know?
348 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 1, 2024
6 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
January 22, 2025
A Joyfully Jay review.
3 stars
This book succeeds in having the holiday, Hallmark movie vibe. It has family, feelings, a touch of the fantastic, and most importantly, two characters learning about themselves so they can open their hearts to love. It’s a very sweet story with plenty of twists and unexplained mysteries to keep a reader engrossed.
Overall, I liked the book, but the ending left some things unresolved in a way that maybe an extra chapter could have tied up better, though there isn’t enough for a sequel. That doesn’t mean there couldn’t be more in store for Lina and Emery, since Lina has only been in 2023 for about two weeks by the end of the book. I would be interested to see what further directions the authors could take this in. For now, the book does alright on its own.
Read Nishan's review in its entirety here.
3 stars
This book succeeds in having the holiday, Hallmark movie vibe. It has family, feelings, a touch of the fantastic, and most importantly, two characters learning about themselves so they can open their hearts to love. It’s a very sweet story with plenty of twists and unexplained mysteries to keep a reader engrossed.
Overall, I liked the book, but the ending left some things unresolved in a way that maybe an extra chapter could have tied up better, though there isn’t enough for a sequel. That doesn’t mean there couldn’t be more in store for Lina and Emery, since Lina has only been in 2023 for about two weeks by the end of the book. I would be interested to see what further directions the authors could take this in. For now, the book does alright on its own.
Read Nishan's review in its entirety here.
December 12, 2024
Do you believe love transcends time? This is a journey you won't want to miss!
I am an absolute sucker for a good time travel novel. And while this one has a single unexplainable trip from 1919 to today (so, not really much traveling 😉), I found it captivating! I loved Lina's reactions to the completely new world she stumbled into. I loved how adaptable she forced herself to be despite the grief over what she had lost. I definitely got the impression that her life in the past had been full of being resilient too. Emery was quite different, and clung to the idea that everything could be explained. And if it couldn't, it wasn't real. On paper these two just wouldn't work as a couple. So, for me, the joy in the story was watching Emery grow and start to learn to lean into love.
The book was well written. The story takes place in Texas over almost two weeks at Christmas time. I felt I was there with the characters. And the first half was absolutely compelling as I watched Lina try to adjust to a world a century after the world she knew; and watched Emery try to scientifically explain all that was happening and the why of her connection to Lina. At the halfway mark, I just didn't see how they could come out the other side of this experience still connected. But the authors had a few twists awaiting the reader. But, my concern grew as Emery continued to be adamant that she didn't believe Lina.
There were a few misunderstandings that made me want to sit both characters down and tell them to "use their words". But, honestly, those failures in communication were completely believable.
I enjoyed the supporting characters as well, especially Emery's supportive Mom and somewhat skeptical and protective Dad.
I started the book for the time travel story but the real story is much more about acceptance and learning to believe and accept what you already know, even when you can't explain it. I definitely recommend this one!
Thanks to the authors for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
I am an absolute sucker for a good time travel novel. And while this one has a single unexplainable trip from 1919 to today (so, not really much traveling 😉), I found it captivating! I loved Lina's reactions to the completely new world she stumbled into. I loved how adaptable she forced herself to be despite the grief over what she had lost. I definitely got the impression that her life in the past had been full of being resilient too. Emery was quite different, and clung to the idea that everything could be explained. And if it couldn't, it wasn't real. On paper these two just wouldn't work as a couple. So, for me, the joy in the story was watching Emery grow and start to learn to lean into love.
The book was well written. The story takes place in Texas over almost two weeks at Christmas time. I felt I was there with the characters. And the first half was absolutely compelling as I watched Lina try to adjust to a world a century after the world she knew; and watched Emery try to scientifically explain all that was happening and the why of her connection to Lina. At the halfway mark, I just didn't see how they could come out the other side of this experience still connected. But the authors had a few twists awaiting the reader. But, my concern grew as Emery continued to be adamant that she didn't believe Lina.
There were a few misunderstandings that made me want to sit both characters down and tell them to "use their words". But, honestly, those failures in communication were completely believable.
I enjoyed the supporting characters as well, especially Emery's supportive Mom and somewhat skeptical and protective Dad.
I started the book for the time travel story but the real story is much more about acceptance and learning to believe and accept what you already know, even when you can't explain it. I definitely recommend this one!
Thanks to the authors for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
January 31, 2025
✔Sapphic Book Bingo Challenge 2025 🌈✨: Micro Trope Board - Wearing the other character’s clothes
3 stars. Emery and her parents were so insufferable to me. She also read like a character in her early twenties when she was actually in her late twenties-early thirties. Her parents treat her like a child and I just didn’t understand it. And she put up with them chastising and running her life. It was so bizarre. I also just didn’t like her character. She was inconsistent, childish, unlikable, and gave Lina the runaround so much that I had trouble buying into their relationship. Lina was all in on Emery yet Emery didn’t feel the same.
Lina and the plot were the saving grace for me. I love time travel. Shut your brain off with this one because it doesn’t make sense but I didn’t mind. Lina is such an endearing and likable character. She’s a fish out of water as she’s from the year 1919 and has been transported to 2023 and has to figure out today’s time. It was fascinating. This wasn’t a bad read at all, it’s well paced, again the plot was intriguing and I liked the writing but the romance left a lot to be desired and I disliked one of the main characters. Three stars.
3 stars. Emery and her parents were so insufferable to me. She also read like a character in her early twenties when she was actually in her late twenties-early thirties. Her parents treat her like a child and I just didn’t understand it. And she put up with them chastising and running her life. It was so bizarre. I also just didn’t like her character. She was inconsistent, childish, unlikable, and gave Lina the runaround so much that I had trouble buying into their relationship. Lina was all in on Emery yet Emery didn’t feel the same.
Lina and the plot were the saving grace for me. I love time travel. Shut your brain off with this one because it doesn’t make sense but I didn’t mind. Lina is such an endearing and likable character. She’s a fish out of water as she’s from the year 1919 and has been transported to 2023 and has to figure out today’s time. It was fascinating. This wasn’t a bad read at all, it’s well paced, again the plot was intriguing and I liked the writing but the romance left a lot to be desired and I disliked one of the main characters. Three stars.
December 4, 2024
I absolutely LOVED this book and always looked forward to picking up where I’d left off during my nighttime reading!
There were many moments when I simply had to stop and look away from what I’d just read to collect my thoughts! Pretty sure this one is gonna leave me with a book hangover!
Please give it a read! ;)
There were many moments when I simply had to stop and look away from what I’d just read to collect my thoughts! Pretty sure this one is gonna leave me with a book hangover!
Please give it a read! ;)
December 16, 2024
Well written story of 2 women, Emery and Lina. It’s 2023 and Emery is home after finishing her degree in Geology. Lina time travelled from 1919…or is she confused? Crazy? There’s a lot going on…time travel, age gap. Several coincidences make you wonder if Lina is crazy, is she really from 1919? Do they have a connection before Lina’s fall? The story really keeps you wondering and keeps you reading. I definitely recommend this book.
December 14, 2024
Not to long ago i started to read time travel romance because one of my friend always talked about it and while i first thought it is probably not my cup of tea, i liked the idea to have a common troup to talk about with my friend. Man was i wrong, i totally Love time travel romance. This story is a "one Trip Story" from 1919 to today. I really love to read about people from different times having to survive in the modern world. Lina is a school teacher in 1919 she is a closet lesbian and from one moment to another her life changes when she fells into a sinkhole. I instantl Fell in Love with Lina and the way she handled a total, strange situation for herself. We also met Emery who couldnt been more different than Lina. She is warry wir the world and thinks Linas Life Story ist a plot agains her. But there is already an Instant Connection between them and i loved to read how both Had their own struggels but Crew together.
The story is taking place over about 2 weeks around Christmas, so it was the perfect read for me while beeing sick in bed (thanks to the cold German winter). I had a very good time reading it,i Love the writers style. I would have probably finished it within 2 days If i wasnt sick because it was that good and i had a hard time puting it away.
The story is taking place over about 2 weeks around Christmas, so it was the perfect read for me while beeing sick in bed (thanks to the cold German winter). I had a very good time reading it,i Love the writers style. I would have probably finished it within 2 days If i wasnt sick because it was that good and i had a hard time puting it away.
December 8, 2024
"1 Falls Forward, 2 Steps Back" is one of those books that's difficult to review, at least to me. The premise is unique and I'd hate to give too much away so I'll keep plot details vague. It's a love story, of course. Emery and Karolina meet under unusual circumstances, and there's a definite age gap. But Emery can't stay away from Lina and can't forget her. Likewise, Lina is drawn to Emery but can't quite figure out why. There's angst, mystery, and suspense. I had a hard time putting it down once I got into it. The book is set in New Braunfels, Texas, and, as a native Texan, I enjoyed the geographic and historic references to the area. Their side trip to Enchanted Rock brought back a lot of memories; I might have to go visit this coming year.
I enjoyed this book. It's definitely different, kept me guessing throughout, and pulled me farther and farther in as I read. Lina has to learn about a new world, and Emery has to learn to trust. Simple, right?
I enjoyed this book. It's definitely different, kept me guessing throughout, and pulled me farther and farther in as I read. Lina has to learn about a new world, and Emery has to learn to trust. Simple, right?
December 1, 2024
Wow what a gripping storyline I loved the main characters their connection shined throughout their journey was written in so much depth making you feel apart of their life's, its a beautiful crafted book a must-read congratulations
December 19, 2024
I found this an interesting read. I thought the author dealt well with how Emery could not believe Lina had come from the past rather than blind acceptance but I also felt that Emery did not stay true to character throughout which was a shame. I actually enjoy the concept of time travel and how different authors approach it, unfortunately I could not get on board with the way this was resolved here. I am sure many people will accept it for what it is but my more logical brain struggled with it. All in all though I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to most people.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews