Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Runtime: Book 1 TRA Series

Rate this book
Time travel is only freedom if you can afford it.

In 2087, access to time itself is controlled by a worldwide system of oligarchy that governs wealth, power, and history. Corporal Marion “Yar” Yarrington serves in the Time Regulation Agency, the only remaining authority regulating time travel in a world where the past has become just another controlled resource.

When a mission goes wrong, Yar and her jump team are stranded in 1815 Brussels on the eve of Waterloo. With their extraction zone on the battlefield, survival depends on adapting to a past they were trained never to alter or directly interfere with.

To remain hidden, Yar assumes the identity of a teenage soldier named Matthew, embedded in an elite British rifle company under Lieutenant Brayden Poole. Brayden is an outsider within his own ranks, shaped by class and driven by duty, he is searching for meaning in a rigid system that does not fully accept him. But when he begins to suspect that his new batman is far more than he appears, curiosity draws him closer to a truth that could unravel both their futures.

Heading up the stranded team, Sergeant Caleb Larkin is responsible for maintaining order and protecting his crew in a war they were never meant to fight. As history closes in, he must keep to the mission and secure any chance of extraction. His growing connection to team medic Yar complicates an already dangerous situation.

Two men. One mission. One woman trying to survive in a system determined to define her.

As history unfolds around them, Yar must balance duty to her team with the growing consequences of surviving in a war she should never have been part of, and the connections forming that her training and her future will never allow.

Time to extraction is running out. And Yar must decide what she is willing to leave behind for a future where even time itself is a commodity.

For readers of dystopian science fiction, time travel, high control political systems, and slow-burn romantic tension across history.

Perfect for fans of Timeless and Timecop.

War, Language, Discussions of SA, Violence, Descriptions of government oppression, Death, Death of child, Death of parent, Historical violence.


403 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 1, 2025

Loading...
Loading...

About the author

Wendy Wills

26 books26 followers

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
12 (75%)
4 stars
2 (12%)
3 stars
1 (6%)
2 stars
1 (6%)
1 star
0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
Profile Image for Michal Vaughter.
32 reviews12 followers
July 3, 2026
Dystopian time travel definitely isn't my typical genre. But oh my lanta!! It was different. But a good different. The love triangle!!! The yearning!! I listened to the audio and THE ACCENTS!! Lauren Beck and Nathan Bailey were phenomenal!! Can’t wait for the next book!
Profile Image for L.J..
41 reviews
June 29, 2026
A dystopian time travel that gives you everything…

I bought the eBook and was lucky enough to be offered an ALC of the audiobook, performed by Nathan Bailey and Lauren Beck. When I say these narrators are unbelievably talented, I mean just that.

The book takes off from the start, diving you into a dystopian future, only to pull you back in time after a time jump goes wrong. Wendy Wills and Lynn Collum know how to pull the reader in and develop an emotional connection to these characters with their incredible storytelling. I don’t think I’ve felt like I’ve been kicked in the chest that quickly before. Within the first chapter, I was already emotionally invested, my heart bleeding for Yarrington.

I’m also an avid reader of historical romance, so the fact that they travel back to the time of the Battle of Waterloo was both familiar to me and something I could appreciate. Tossing in the fact that Yar had to pose as a man, knowing it would be the most convincing way for her to blend into the time, only added to all the chaos, and then, of course, Poole had to be added to the mix, creating such a chaotic dynamic between himself, Larkin, and Yarrington.

The book goes back and forth between the group at TRA headquarters in 2087, under attack by rebels, and wartime Belgium in 1815, where Yar and Larkin’s group is trying to make it back to the jump site. When Yar is thrust into a historical battle, the carnage ensues. Yar can’t stop herself from acting, even though she knows there’s a chance she could be changing history. I found myself agreeing with her. I myself wouldn’t be able to ignore what was in front of me, either. I also knew that at some point, Poole was going to find out Yarrington’s secret, and it made me a little giddy. Of course, a romance wouldn’t be a romance without a little bit of drama. I know some readers are divided when it comes to the love triangle between Yar, Larkin, and Poole, but I have to say it: TEAM POOLE! But if I had to choose for myself? Casey!

I’m also a sucker for time travel; the concept of it in itself is enough to pique my interest, but the way this one was written was superb. If you want a book that sucks you in from the start and makes you feel ALL emotions, then consider this one. And if you can, grab the audiobook, it’s amazing!! Xoxo




Profile Image for Julia Heart.
Author 2 books32 followers
June 17, 2026
This book completely pulled me in from the very beginning. The combination of time travel, dystopian politics, military action, and historical fiction created a fascinating world that felt both unique and believable. Even with the complex premise, the story was easy to follow because the characters were so well developed. I quickly became invested in Yar and her team's struggle to survive in a past they were never meant to become part of. Every chapter seemed to raise the stakes, making it incredibly difficult to put down.

What really surprised me, though, was how emotionally invested I became in the relationships. The slow-burn romantic tension was wonderfully written, and the love triangle had me completely hooked. I found myself constantly wondering how everything would possibly work out and changing my mind about who I was rooting for. The blend of action, suspense, history, and romance kept the pages turning, while the characters made me care deeply about the outcome. If you enjoy time travel stories with heart, high stakes, and unforgettable characters, this is a book I highly recommend.
Profile Image for Arleigh Salerno.
515 reviews15 followers
January 11, 2026
no, no, no! I don't want to wait for the next one! atleast it won't be long now...

on another note, this is a dystopian type book. not normally my usual but something I enjoy if done right... and this... this book was done right. it pulled me in from the beginning. had me wondering about characters, feeling along with them. and boy... feeling along with them is sure a rollercoaster.
So many are basically kids. and I fear... this shows another side of what OUR future could one day become. although fiction, this book takes orphans and juvie kids... basically stealing them to do testing of a system to better provide for the rich. are there aide affects? does anyone realize? I dont want to give to much away but id say this book is a must read! it will leave you wanting to immediately get into book two!

"I would rather be thought of as a wretch, but live honestly as who I am than live under the veneer of some fake facade invented by other people to control me."
Profile Image for J.M. Gokey.
Author 12 books48 followers
May 3, 2026
Wow! All I can say is wow. Dystopian time travel is a new genre to me and I have to say while it was different, and at times so relevant to current events it was scary, I thoroughly enjoyed this read (well, technically listen!)

As the book progresses you fall in love with the rawness of each character, always at the edge of your seat knowing that in this world Wendy Wills and Lynn Collum have created, no one is safe. From the current timeline to back in the Regency era, the future looms heavy for all and every decision can impact it.

I was lucky enough to listen to this in audio and holy accents! Specifically, not one but TWO swoony love interests with accents, what more could you want? Nathan Bailey deserves an award for his performance. I could feel the emotion in every scene. Together Nathan and Lauren put on a stellar performance on a fantastic book!
Profile Image for C.H. Reece.
55 reviews3 followers
January 23, 2026
When Every Choice Feels Wrong (In the Best Way)

This book is incredibly well done. I was pulled into the story almost immediately and ended up binge-reading it over just a couple of days. What a rollercoaster of emotions.

The pull the FMC feels toward the MMCs, and they toward her, created a why choose-style love triangle for me, and I genuinely couldn’t decide who I was rooting for... which I loved. The character development is so strong that I felt like I was right there, watching the scenes unfold 👀.

Bravo to both authors. I’m very impatiently waiting for the release of book two.
Profile Image for Amanda Cassidy.
14 reviews1 follower
July 10, 2026
I enjoyed this book but I think I would have rather read it over listen to it as I found the multiple voices hard to follow with some of the accents. Overall, it was a good book and kept my interest. I'm looking forward to reading or listening to the second book.
Profile Image for Bec.
300 reviews6 followers
January 18, 2026
I enjoyed every moment of this book..

Dystopian Time travel!.. what more do you need to know!
21 reviews
July 24, 2026
I won this audiobook in a StoryGraph giveaway, and I’m so glad I did! This was such a fun ride from start to finish! I’m looking forward to the next installment.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews