A Spare Key

by Line Langager

Glen, a Danish anthropology professor, moves to the countryside to escape the busy life in Copenhagen. What is supposedly a quaint, average house turns out to have something quite peculiar in the attic: a door leading to a time-travelling café.

121 pages, ebook

First published March 1, 2025

About the author

Danish author of magical realism. Mainly short fiction and novellas.

Reviews

[Katy Fann · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was fun, quick read! Loved the time travel element but I felt like I didn’t have enough time to really connect to the characters.

[Anouk Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ ARC Review - A Spare Key by Line Langager ✨

5/5 ⭐ 0/5 🌶️

𝓐 𝓷𝓮𝔀 𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓼𝓮, 𝓪 𝓶𝔂𝓼𝓽𝓮𝓻𝓲𝓸𝓾𝓼 𝓭𝓸𝓸𝓻 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓯𝓸𝓾𝓻 𝓴𝓮𝔂𝓼. 𝓗𝓸𝔀 𝓯𝓪𝓻 𝔀𝓸𝓾𝓵𝓭 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓰𝓸 𝓯𝓸𝓻 𝓪 𝓹𝓮𝓻𝓼𝓸𝓷 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝔀𝓮𝓻𝓮 𝓷𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓻 𝓶𝓮𝓪𝓷𝓽 𝓽𝓸 𝓶𝓮𝓮𝓽?"𝓔𝓷𝓽𝓮𝓻 𝓪𝓽 𝓸𝔀𝓷 𝓻𝓲𝓼𝓴, 𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓻𝔂𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓬𝓸𝓶𝓮𝓼 𝓪𝓽 𝓪 𝓹𝓻𝓲𝓬𝓮."

Keywords :
• Time travel
• Dual POVs
• Impossible love
• Novella

⭐ What I Loved:
• Multiple First-Person POVs – My favorite way to experience a story!
• Hooked from Chapter One – The book had me captivated right away.
• Easy, Engaging Read – Perfect for escaping a big series slump.
• Short Chapters – No long commitments—just quick, stress-free reading!

🩵 Negative not so negative points :
• Still craving more—pretty much my usual love-hate relationship with novellas!

I absolutely devoured this book in nearly one sitting—couldn’t put it down! Huge thanks to the author for the free ARC!

[Daniel Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was the given the chance to read this earlier with ARC and I’m glad I read it. I don’t normally this type of story but I was pleasantly surprised but this book.

I read this book in one afternoon and intrigued with duel POV from different characters and how the whole story came together right at the end

[Hannah Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved this Novella. We start off with Glen and this house he has just moved into when he goes into his attack and there is a mysterious door that he just has to venture through. The way they handle time travel in this really hit me. Glen and Emilia were cute, but a little rushed as well. Knowing this is translated from Dutch to English made me get past some of the original hiccups I had. I am so glad I read this book. I wanted more! :D

[Meaghan Elizabeth 🌙 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you @bookwormbookspr and @author.line.langager for gifting me an e-copy of this book.

I love books that have to do with time travel, and this one reminded me of 11.22.63 by Stephen King, which is one of my favorite books.

When Glen moves into his new home, he finds a mysterious door in the attic that leads to a cozy cafe where time does not exist. These mysterious doors also exist in different time periods around the world. Everyone who enters the cafe is from a different decade/century.

When he meets Emilia, who is from 17th century Denmark, the two of them have an instant connection but their love is almost impossible, being from different centuries. Emilia and her father are on a quest to find her mother who walked through one of the doors and never returned.

With Glen helping them, he realizes that every time he spends too much time at the cafe, the cafe seems to age him much quicker.

I know this was a novella, but I would have loved to see more of Glen and Emilia’s story and how they navigate through their challenges. I loved the concept of this and it made for a very unique story.

Would you enter the cafe not knowing what the consequences may be?

Tropes:
✨Multiple First Person POV
✨Time Travel
✨Forbidden Love
✨Novella

[Aalis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the absolute pleasure of reading this book as an ARC. I really had fun, I love whimsical fantasy like this with simple magic and it’s implications. The first chapter was really captivating and I had no idea where this was going, I was here for the ride and i throughly enjoyed it.

The writing is beautiful, it’s first person multi pov. The book is quite short so I managed to get through it once I had some breathing room with uni and work. I’d recommend this, especially for people who want something light hearted. My only issues was the romance being rushed and the MC takes some time to come to conclusions the reader comes to.

I won’t say that this is the craziest books I’ve read with the highest stakes but honestly I appreciate how delicately the author writes her characters. This is heartwarming, made me smile by the end and I would love to buy this physically. It’s just a bit healing you know?

[★ Mikael ★ · Rating 4 out of 5]

★ Arc read ★

4.25⭐

I really liked the idea of a cafe intertwined in different ages of time, I honestly ate it up. It was a super interesting concept to me.

I also enjoyed the writing style and how the characters were written in general. My favorite was Emilia (FMC, lady from the 1800s) because even being afraid of what her father would say she still pursued her wish of being with Glen (MMC, professor from the present time) and in the end it turned to be the best choice for everyone.

My favorite thing about this book was the chosen eras: The 1800s and the present time. It was a curious time comparison to read about!

The thing that stopped me from giving it 5 stars was the fact that I predicted the ending so it kinda ruined it for me but it was really great, I had a fun time binging it!!! (Yeah I read it in 2 sittings)

I don't really have anything else to say besides that I really recommend this to everyone<3
TW: animal death (NOT graphic!)

[Toni &#x1f49f; · Rating 5 out of 5]

This time-travel/ romance novella completely captivated me from the very first page! I read it in one sitting and found myself aching to go back to the cafe!

The author did amazing creating a narrative that is both heartwarming and thought-provoking. I was lured in with “How you spend time - reflects your values”. There is something deep within that line!

If you are looking for your next heartwarming, time-bending love story - this is perfect! I’m on the edge of my seat waiting for the next chapter in this journey!
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[Olimpia Goldberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m so happy I got to read this as my first ARC! This was a perfect novella. I felt the story to be very original and had my attention from the beginning. I mostly appreciated how the ending was wrapped up. It made the story feel complete and I wasn’t left with too many unanswered questions.

[Mariah Flores · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arc Review!

If your looking for a whimsical time travel romance this book is for you. Super cute and very will written! Author grabs you from the first page and will have you on the edge of your seat the entire time. 🖤

.5🌶️

Tropes:

1st person
Multi POV
Time Travel

[halei · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was so incredibly unique and so beautifully written. You’re able to understand the pull that the mysterious door holds, as well as feel the emotions of each character as you read their perspective. It really makes you wonder what you would do if you faced the same situation.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this cute romantic novalla! I love the time traveling aspect of it and the romance that develops! I love the twist that happens with the cafe!! so unique and give a perfect twist to this other wise romance lead book. If you are looking for a cute romance novalla with a time traveler, this is it! I also love the twist at the end when they finally find the rules!

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

With twist and turns that will keep you wondering what will happen next, this cozy book also makes you ponder how you really spend your time and at what cost.

[SunnyBunny_ BookDragon · Rating 4 out of 5]

" Enter at your own risk, everything comes at a price."
Thank so much to the author for sending me a eARC. I was hooked from the start.
A time travel romance novella with a good storyline, good characters and multiple POVs. I really enjoyed it. Would definitely recommend.

[Gale · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you Bookworm Books and Line Langager for this ARC!

If you’re a fan of short, magical realism with forbidden romance, this might just be for you.

Summary:
‘A Spare Key’ follows Glen, a present-day university professor who has found a strange door in his attic. When he enters, he is transported to a café where time and reality cease to exist. Here, he meets Emilia, a mysterious but alluring aristocrat from 17th-century Denmark. Despite being from different eras, there is an undeniable spark between them.

If Glen and Emilia were never meant to meet, can their romance truly develop, or will they pay the ultimate price for trying to bend time themselves?

Review:
The idea that something as cosy as a café being the hub of time travel is so captivating to me, and I thought this was a cool take on the “forbidden romance” trope. Glen and Emilia were cute, and I was rooting for them to somehow make their relationship work.

But that leads me to one of my major critiques of this novella. I really, really enjoyed the concept of time-travelling, but found that it felt rushed and too fast-paced. Maybe it’s just me wanting more of Glen and Emilia, but I just wish there were more scenes that explored their relationship in depth because it didn’t necessarily feel as though they *were* destined to be.

The writing style is also one I’m not used to. It felt simple at times since Langager does a lot of “telling” instead of “showing”, and I couldn't feel fully immersed in the setting, and supporting characters also felt flat because of this. Perhaps the translation is lacklustre because it was initially written in Danish?

Otherwise, a really enjoyable and intriguing read. Was only two sittings for me to complete (I started it late at night don’t judge), and I look forward to see what the author has next :3

[Dylanis Lopez Ruiz · Rating 3 out of 5]

The premise for this book is absolutely thrilling. I mainly signed up for this arc because how often do you see a time traveling romance? The author does a great job at world building in this novella. I can promise you that coming into this novella I was the most excited I have ever been. It starts off by the main male character, Glen, moving into a new home and before the past owner leaves, she leaves him with a cryptic message: “Age leaves its mark.” Glen goes on to find a locked door in his attic and once he opens it, his life will change forever. The door leads to a café, where he meets Emilia. Something draws them together and so the story of their love begins.

While I had a blast reading A Spare Key, giving it 3 stars. While the storytelling was absolutely amazing. I had no problems understanding what was happening or why something was happening. I was absolutely entranced with the beauty of this narration and how well the characters matched with their eras. I loved being in Emilia’s timeline and wished we could have spent more time there. Seeing Glen navigate through the different conversations and even outings with people from her timeline was hilarious and so entertaining to read. Unfortunately, I am not a fan of instalove. I cannot understand how someone can love so deeply after days of knowing each other. When they started physically and vocally expressing their love for each other, the only thought in my mind was “But why? You know nothing about each other.”

If you can get behind an instalove romance and are interested in how time traveling romance can be done RIGHT, check out A Spare Key by Line Langager. I almost read it in one sitting, but med school kept getting in the way. It’s a great book to get out of a reading slump. I wholeheartedly recommend it.

[Jennifer Deehan · Rating 4 out of 5]

#8 A Spare Key🔑🚪⏰ by @author.line.langager

A delightful time-traveling romance novella.

The story follows Glen, who buys a house from an elderly woman named Anna, only to uncover a mysterious door in the attic. Driven by curiosity, he unlocks it and steps into a charming café populated by people from different times and eras ☕️. There, he meets Emilia, a woman from the 17th century who immediately captures his heart. Despite the centuries that separate them, their undeniable connection deepens. Glen and Emilia must navigate the complexities of their love, knowing it comes with a heavy price.

The writing was smooth and engaging, with a natural flow from start to finish. I couldn’t put it down and really enjoyed the unique concept and the diverse perspectives of the characters. It reminded me of ‘Before the Coffee Gets Cold’. I can easily imagine this turning into a series of short stories centered around the café and its various visitors.

I’d give this 4 out of 5 stars ⭐️ if you’re looking for a heartwarming, easy-to-read story with a beautiful, intertwined concept.🫶🏼 @bookwormbookspr

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[Juliette Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of reading this book as an ARC copy .Thank you Line Langager for the ARC copy . Tbh I don't really read this type of books with different timelines and all . Thou the book was pretty short , it kept me hooked from the beginning to the end . I was really invested in the story by 30% of the book .It kinda reminds us that time is really really precious . The romance of Jakob and Anna was really special and I loved it . I mean who would go that far for their love . In the era of insta love Jakob crosses time to be with his woman , that my friends , was especially sweet . No offence but I didn't really dig Glen and Emelia's romance tho because they seemed to fall in love almost instantly . the entire book as a whole was great . I would really recommend this to someone in a reading slump. This would keep you on the edge to know what happens next . Happy reading 😁.
This was my first book by the author but it sure wouldn't be my last . Do give this book a try if you want a walk through time and a "hit on the head" reminder that time is precious.

[Joelle Gibson · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun read! I’m a sucker for time travel stories, and this one did not disappoint. The concept was super creative and kept me hooked the whole way through. The romance was sweet and felt really natural, and I loved how clever and well thought out the plot was.

If I had one critique, it would be that I just wanted more. I wish it was longer, with a bit more time between the time travels and more buildup in the romance. It would’ve been awesome to dive deeper into the characters and their connection. Honestly, I could totally see this being made into a TV series.

Definitely recommend it to anyone who loves a unique time travel story with a romantic twist!

[Erika Kukkar · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Spare Key is an enchanting blend of mystery, romance, and quiet magic. From the very first page, the story draws readers into a world where the ordinary edges seamlessly into the extraordinary. The writing is lush and atmospheric, painting the Danish countryside with both warmth and an undercurrent of intrigue. The characters are layered and compelling.
What makes this novel shine is the way it balances heart and suspense capturing the fragile beauty of connection while hinting at deeper, hidden truths. A captivating read for anyone who loves stories that feel both intimate and otherworldly.

[Meghan Pennington · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review,

4/5 Stars

A Spare Key was a cute romance novella set in Denmark! I really loved the idea of a magical café where guests come from all different times and places! The storyline was very original and the riddles from the café waitress were really fun.

It was super short and I was able to read it in one sitting which is always nice for a cozy evening in! I do wish it was a bit longer though as I felt like the romance was a bit too quick to happen and there wasn't enough storyline of the characters actually getting to know each other.

[Christi Lawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful, enticing, and mysterious

This is a beautiful story of exploration, love, and family. When Glen moves into a house in the country, he is given some keys that lead to discovery. When Emilia meets Glen, it leads to some difficult choices. As the story unfolds, it is unpredictable, but also believable. There is never a sense that the rules have changed; the twists and revelations fit perfectly. Glen and Emilia's story is thought-provoking and sweet, and I would highly recommend it.

I received an ARC copy of this book; this is my honest review.

[Chan · Rating 5 out of 5]

After Glen buys a house from an elderly lady, he discovers a free-standing chained door in the middle of his attic with "Enter at your own risk: everything comes at a price." across the front. Who would chain a door? What might be hidden behind the door?
• Mysterious Door
• Time Travel
• Impossible Love
• Stranger in an unknown world
• Dual POV
This was a quick, easy read and such a treat. I really enjoyed this world and hope to read more from this author.

[Olamide Aluko · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s a 3.5/5⭐️

This is an indie book so I’m being more liberal.
I actually liked the story. It’s a concept that I’ve never heard before and I was excited to see how it played out and it did play out nicely. I enjoyed the plot.
I have a love and hate relationship with the writing because I felt like it took me a long time to really get into the story. But I love the descriptions in the book so it kind of balances out. There were a few errors but other that that it was a good read

[Vernadette Domingo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love how the author describes each scenario vividly and consistently throughout the book. Although I couldn’t help but feel that the story was a bit too short, leaving me wanting more. I felt like each character deserves more meaningful moments.
It has so much more potential and I found myself wishing it had been longer. I enjoyed it so much and wanted to explore more of its world and characters.

[Cressthebookdragon · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘢. 𝘈 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴, 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘦, 𝘮𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘪𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘗𝘖𝘝𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘸𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘴. 𝘐 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘯𝘦!

𝘎𝘭𝘦𝘯, 𝘢 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘴𝘰𝘳, 𝘣𝘶𝘺𝘴 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘺𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘢𝘯 𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘸𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯. 𝘈 𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵’𝘴 𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘵.
𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘢𝘺 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘦 𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘳𝘴.

[Alyson Corry · Rating 2 out of 5]

ARC provided by @bookwormbookspr and this review is voluntary.

2/5⭐️
Quick little novella about a magical door that leads to other eras for time travel experience. Time comes with a price, so when two fated lovers meet they must decide which “time” to live in and who makes the sacrifice.

[Scott S · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently discovered this author and her story on Threads and it all sounded quite interesting. This is a wonderfully written and highly enjoyable tale, the author giving us an entertaining concept blended with interesting characters.
Well done and easy to recommend.

[Patti S · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love time travel and romance then this book is for you. I found it to also have some twists and turns that I wasn’t quite expecting. Story was well thought out and I found it to be an enjoyable read.

[Tiffany J McLay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a cute novella. The story touched my heart.
I'm hoping we get more of it!