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Never Tear Us Apart
A spellbinding tale of love, strength and sacrifice from the Sunday Times bestselling author. Based on the gorgeous island of Malta in WWII, this is a story about the power of fate, and how sometimes, in order to find yourself - and to find love - you must first lose everything else. . .
Fate has brought them together. Will time tear them apart?
2025
Named after a star, war correspondent Maia knows how to find the brightest stories - the tales of survival and strength - hidden amongst the dark realities of combat.
Now, travelling to Malta to visit her estranged father, with one more chance to build a relationship with her last remaining relative, she's here to find her own never having found somewhere - or someone - she can call home, she's desperate for answers that might show her where she truly belongs.
But when she arrives on the beautiful mediterranean island, she realises her long-lost family is full of more secrets than she could possibly have imagined. . .
1942
Maia wakes up to find herself on an island under siege, a city in ruins - and knows she must have been sent here for a reason.
Who has she been sent to save? Or is it Maia herself that needs saving? And just when she's finally found what she's been seeking . . . will time separate them forever?
Perfect for fans of Lucinda Riley, Santa Montefiore and Dinah Jefferies.
Fate has brought them together. Will time tear them apart?
2025
Named after a star, war correspondent Maia knows how to find the brightest stories - the tales of survival and strength - hidden amongst the dark realities of combat.
Now, travelling to Malta to visit her estranged father, with one more chance to build a relationship with her last remaining relative, she's here to find her own never having found somewhere - or someone - she can call home, she's desperate for answers that might show her where she truly belongs.
But when she arrives on the beautiful mediterranean island, she realises her long-lost family is full of more secrets than she could possibly have imagined. . .
1942
Maia wakes up to find herself on an island under siege, a city in ruins - and knows she must have been sent here for a reason.
Who has she been sent to save? Or is it Maia herself that needs saving? And just when she's finally found what she's been seeking . . . will time separate them forever?
Perfect for fans of Lucinda Riley, Santa Montefiore and Dinah Jefferies.
393 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 3, 2025
5 people are currently reading
50 people want to read
About the author
Rowan Coleman
49 books851 followersRowan Coleman lives with her husband, and five children in a very full house in Hertfordshire. She juggles writing novels with raising her family which includes a very lively set of toddler twins whose main hobby is going in the opposite directions. When she gets the chance, Rowan enjoys sleeping, sitting and loves watching films; she is also attempting to learn how to bake.
Rowan would like to live every day as if she were starring in a musical, although her daughter no longer allows her to sing in public. Despite being dyslexic, Rowan loves writing, and The Memory Book is her eleventh novel. Others include The Accidental Mother, Lessons in Laughing Out Loud and the award-winning Dearest Rose, a novel which lead Rowan to become an active supporter of domestic abuse charity Refuge, donating 100% of royalties from the ebook publication of her novella, Woman Walks Into a Bar, to the charity. Rowan does not have time for ironing.
Rowan would like to live every day as if she were starring in a musical, although her daughter no longer allows her to sing in public. Despite being dyslexic, Rowan loves writing, and The Memory Book is her eleventh novel. Others include The Accidental Mother, Lessons in Laughing Out Loud and the award-winning Dearest Rose, a novel which lead Rowan to become an active supporter of domestic abuse charity Refuge, donating 100% of royalties from the ebook publication of her novella, Woman Walks Into a Bar, to the charity. Rowan does not have time for ironing.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
July 27, 2025
I think this was a case of “it’s not you - it’s me”.
I am a big fan of Rowan Coleman’s work as Bella Ellis and her Brontë sisters mysteries. While there was much that was lovely here I have identified that I struggle with time travel fiction.
I think many people will enjoy this, but it was not my cup of tea.
I am a big fan of Rowan Coleman’s work as Bella Ellis and her Brontë sisters mysteries. While there was much that was lovely here I have identified that I struggle with time travel fiction.
I think many people will enjoy this, but it was not my cup of tea.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 13, 2025
I’ve read a few Rowan Coleman books and enjoyed them immensely. Never Tear Us Apart is a dual timeline story between 1925 and 1942 but with a time travel theme running through. Present day Maia Borg is a war correspondent, suffering the after effects of a previous assignment and its tragic consequences for which she blames herself.
Her visit to her emotionally distant father in Malta does not go entirely as expected and somehow Maia finds herself caught between two lives, over 80 years apart. The main focus of the story is of her life in 1942 during the siege of Malta, the people she meets and the decisions she makes.
I’m not quite sure why but I didn’t initially warm to Maia although there is no doubt that although stubborn she is also compassionate, brave and resolute. Clearly affected by past events, she is adamant that she wants to make a difference and it is this that drives her. As the story progressed however she definitely won me over and together with the sterling efforts of a few marvellous supporting characters – looking at you Sal, Danny and Christina to name just a few, she was the star of the story.
Each chapter, (which I was delighted to see are fairly short) leads with a distinct timeline date so there is no danger of feeling lost. I’m in awe of the author’s ability to keep the two timelines running whilst ensuring that both characters and events follow seamlessly. Whilst some of the sciency stuff went over my head, I was totally invested in both of Maia’s lives and so keen to know what the outcome of her actions would be.
Superbly descriptive; despite the bombed out ruins, the story took me back to the parts of Malta that I visited some years ago. Maia’s desire to find family connections and a sense of belonging comes through clearly and as a result this was an emotional but hopeful read.
With its themes of time travel, identity and romance this was such an enjoyable book, and so beautifully written. Recommended.
Her visit to her emotionally distant father in Malta does not go entirely as expected and somehow Maia finds herself caught between two lives, over 80 years apart. The main focus of the story is of her life in 1942 during the siege of Malta, the people she meets and the decisions she makes.
I’m not quite sure why but I didn’t initially warm to Maia although there is no doubt that although stubborn she is also compassionate, brave and resolute. Clearly affected by past events, she is adamant that she wants to make a difference and it is this that drives her. As the story progressed however she definitely won me over and together with the sterling efforts of a few marvellous supporting characters – looking at you Sal, Danny and Christina to name just a few, she was the star of the story.
Each chapter, (which I was delighted to see are fairly short) leads with a distinct timeline date so there is no danger of feeling lost. I’m in awe of the author’s ability to keep the two timelines running whilst ensuring that both characters and events follow seamlessly. Whilst some of the sciency stuff went over my head, I was totally invested in both of Maia’s lives and so keen to know what the outcome of her actions would be.
Superbly descriptive; despite the bombed out ruins, the story took me back to the parts of Malta that I visited some years ago. Maia’s desire to find family connections and a sense of belonging comes through clearly and as a result this was an emotional but hopeful read.
With its themes of time travel, identity and romance this was such an enjoyable book, and so beautifully written. Recommended.
July 8, 2025
Such a beautiful, magical story. The island of Malta was brought to life from the pages the story, drawing you that made you feel you were there with all the wonderful, warm characters. Such a wonderful read for the glorious Summer sunshine!
December 27, 2025
It's been several years since I visited Malta but I was effortlessly swept back there with the beautifully evocative Never Tear Us Apart. The sense of place is impeccable throughout and readers are also reminded of the hardships endured by the islanders, whose collective courage and fortitude during the Second World War earned Malta the George Cross. This dual timeline novel comes with an intriguing twist and Rowan Coleman's clever use of time travel will appeal to even those who are reluctant to read speculative fiction.
Maia is first introduced in 2025 when she is visiting Malta with her father but it quickly becomes apparent that their relationship has long been a strained one. Maia understandably resents the way her father has let her down time and again but is still prepared to risk further heartbreak in the hope that at eighty-eight, he is finally ready to make amends. However, a heated discussion leading to a near-tragedy while they are driving results in Maia growing closer to her cousin, Kathryn who takes her to one of Malta's ancient temples and it's here that everything changes. It's not surprising that Maia's first thoughts when she is drawn into a mysterious void before finding herself amongst people sheltering from a bombing aren't that she has somehow ended up in 1942. As a war correspondent she assumes she is experiencing flashbacks to a previous ordeal. The truth though, is much stranger and changes everything she ever thought she knew and wanted.
The chapters set in 1942 are, unsurprisingly, the most engaging; seeing how Maia adjusts to wartime life on an island under siege is fascinating, especially as she soon begins to form relationships with the people there. Rowan Coleman empathetically captures the raw poignancy of love affairs conducted in the face of constant risk as bombing raids endanger all, particularly the pilots stationed on the island. Maia strikes up a bond with a Canadian pilot, Danny Beauchamp but as she finds herself inexplicably travelling back and forth across time, she has to confront the repercussions of her actions in the past while burdened with the terrible weight of historical knowledge. Can she prevent the tragedies she learns will happen without affecting the outcome of Malta's war?
With the support of Kathryn in the present day and her friends in the past, she tries to make sense of what is happening to her, but as close as she and Kathryn become, she is emotionally drawn to 1942. However, the inherent paradoxes of time travel ensure it is never obvious whether she will find the happiness and need to belong she is so obviously searching for. The characterisation throughout Never Tear Us Apart is excellent and although this is Maia's story, the bravery, guilt, loss and hope experienced by others brings further resonance to this touching, thought-provoking novel. From the open-minded acceptance of those presented with a strange new reality in 2025, to the sacrifice and courage of their wartime counterparts, the strength of women is a particularly important theme throughout the book.
Never Tear Us Apart is a richly imaginative, compelling tale exploring love, family and belonging; I thought it was wonderful and highly recommend it.
Maia is first introduced in 2025 when she is visiting Malta with her father but it quickly becomes apparent that their relationship has long been a strained one. Maia understandably resents the way her father has let her down time and again but is still prepared to risk further heartbreak in the hope that at eighty-eight, he is finally ready to make amends. However, a heated discussion leading to a near-tragedy while they are driving results in Maia growing closer to her cousin, Kathryn who takes her to one of Malta's ancient temples and it's here that everything changes. It's not surprising that Maia's first thoughts when she is drawn into a mysterious void before finding herself amongst people sheltering from a bombing aren't that she has somehow ended up in 1942. As a war correspondent she assumes she is experiencing flashbacks to a previous ordeal. The truth though, is much stranger and changes everything she ever thought she knew and wanted.
The chapters set in 1942 are, unsurprisingly, the most engaging; seeing how Maia adjusts to wartime life on an island under siege is fascinating, especially as she soon begins to form relationships with the people there. Rowan Coleman empathetically captures the raw poignancy of love affairs conducted in the face of constant risk as bombing raids endanger all, particularly the pilots stationed on the island. Maia strikes up a bond with a Canadian pilot, Danny Beauchamp but as she finds herself inexplicably travelling back and forth across time, she has to confront the repercussions of her actions in the past while burdened with the terrible weight of historical knowledge. Can she prevent the tragedies she learns will happen without affecting the outcome of Malta's war?
With the support of Kathryn in the present day and her friends in the past, she tries to make sense of what is happening to her, but as close as she and Kathryn become, she is emotionally drawn to 1942. However, the inherent paradoxes of time travel ensure it is never obvious whether she will find the happiness and need to belong she is so obviously searching for. The characterisation throughout Never Tear Us Apart is excellent and although this is Maia's story, the bravery, guilt, loss and hope experienced by others brings further resonance to this touching, thought-provoking novel. From the open-minded acceptance of those presented with a strange new reality in 2025, to the sacrifice and courage of their wartime counterparts, the strength of women is a particularly important theme throughout the book.
Never Tear Us Apart is a richly imaginative, compelling tale exploring love, family and belonging; I thought it was wonderful and highly recommend it.
November 3, 2025
Breathtaking, moving and unforgettable, Never Tear Us Apart is a truly special book that has stolen a piece of my heart forever. A dual timeslip novel, it follows war correspondent Maia Borg, who we first meet in 2025 when she is visiting Malta, the place her estranged father, David, was born. It is her first time here but Maia soon finds that she feels like she’s coming home. But one day while visiting a temple, Maia faints and wakes in an unfamiliar place. This place is dark, noisy and airless. And she quickly realises she is in a shelter while bombs fall around them. It is 1942 and Malta is under siege from the Nazis and their allies. At first she thinks it’s a dream or that her PTSD is giving her hallucinations. But over time, as she takes multiple trips between timelines, Maia starts to believe that her presence in both places is real. But why? What has she been sent back for? As she makes friends and begins to fall in love, Maia realises she has finally found a place she truly belongs. But just as that happens, something threatens to take it all away…
Rowan Coleman is an author whose books are on my autoread list and I’ve always had a soft spot for her historical fiction stories most of all. So I couldn’t wait to read this book. I had high hopes but was unprepared for the beauty of this book and the emotional rollercoaster I was about to embark on. This book really should come with a warning! Exquisitely written, cleverly choreographed and filled with vivacious characters, you can feel how much of Rowan’s heart and soul has been poured into this story. She made Malta come alive on these pages, transporting me to a place that has been on my bucket list for decades. I felt like I was taking every step and feeling every emotion alongside Maia. As a fan of history and historical fiction, I appreciated Rowan’s meticulous research and loved all of the history in this story. It was fascinating and I love how she allowed us to learn alongside Maia and experience her joy at understanding more about this country and her heritage. It has definitely made me even more eager to pay a visit and see these places for myself.
This book has a bit of everything: history, romance, drama, mystery and fantasy, all merged together in perfect harmony to create a story I never wanted to end. I also didn’t want to leave these wonderful characters behind. I was so invested in their lives and was rooting for Maia at every step. I was on the edge of my seat, especially as we got to the final third of the book and the stakes got even higher. The sense of apprehension, urgency, tension and foreboding was palpable, leaping from the pages and setting my nerves on edge. I couldn’t have put this book down even if my house had been on fire.
A mesmerising story that demands to be read, I highly recommend this book.
Rowan Coleman is an author whose books are on my autoread list and I’ve always had a soft spot for her historical fiction stories most of all. So I couldn’t wait to read this book. I had high hopes but was unprepared for the beauty of this book and the emotional rollercoaster I was about to embark on. This book really should come with a warning! Exquisitely written, cleverly choreographed and filled with vivacious characters, you can feel how much of Rowan’s heart and soul has been poured into this story. She made Malta come alive on these pages, transporting me to a place that has been on my bucket list for decades. I felt like I was taking every step and feeling every emotion alongside Maia. As a fan of history and historical fiction, I appreciated Rowan’s meticulous research and loved all of the history in this story. It was fascinating and I love how she allowed us to learn alongside Maia and experience her joy at understanding more about this country and her heritage. It has definitely made me even more eager to pay a visit and see these places for myself.
This book has a bit of everything: history, romance, drama, mystery and fantasy, all merged together in perfect harmony to create a story I never wanted to end. I also didn’t want to leave these wonderful characters behind. I was so invested in their lives and was rooting for Maia at every step. I was on the edge of my seat, especially as we got to the final third of the book and the stakes got even higher. The sense of apprehension, urgency, tension and foreboding was palpable, leaping from the pages and setting my nerves on edge. I couldn’t have put this book down even if my house had been on fire.
A mesmerising story that demands to be read, I highly recommend this book.
August 16, 2025
Never Tear Us Apart takes places over several timelines but mostly focusses on 2025 and 1942. War correspondent Maia travels to Malta to meet her father Sal who she has long been estranged from. She hopes to find out about her Maltese heritage and perhaps build a better relationship with her father. It’s fair to say that things don’t go as well as she’d hoped. Her relationship with her father remains strained and following an argument, an incident occurs. On waking from this, Maia finds herself somehow in 1942, in a Malta under siege.
Rowan Coleman’s books often include an aspect of the impossible and here we have some time travel. Maia knows exactly what happens in Malta in 1942 and desperately wants to change some events. Can she change the future and what will this mean for her? There’s the added complication of a romance with airman Danny Beauchamp which I so enjoyed reading about. Maia had some big decisions to make and she really didn’t know how they would affect the past or the present.
As is often the case with time travel books, on occasion my head was spinning as I tried to work out the repercussions of Maia’s actions. She doesn’t quite know how the time-travelling is happening but is determined to make sure she gets herself to the right places at the right times. There are characters who pop up in both timelines and I was fascinated to see how they responded to Maia’s claims. It’s the kind of book which makes me wonder how I would react if the impossible happened to me or if someone I knew claimed it had happened to them. Quite thought-provoking really.
I also enjoyed the setting of Malta. It’s an island I’ve never been to although I would like to. In particular the challenges and fear faced by the islanders in the Second World War were vividly described by the author. It’s no wonder the George Cross was awarded to the island of Malta in recognition of the bravery of the islanders.
Never Tear Us Apart is a beautiful romance with a side helping of mystery and danger. With themes of family, love, courage and sacrifice, it’s a book to lose yourself in.
Rowan Coleman’s books often include an aspect of the impossible and here we have some time travel. Maia knows exactly what happens in Malta in 1942 and desperately wants to change some events. Can she change the future and what will this mean for her? There’s the added complication of a romance with airman Danny Beauchamp which I so enjoyed reading about. Maia had some big decisions to make and she really didn’t know how they would affect the past or the present.
As is often the case with time travel books, on occasion my head was spinning as I tried to work out the repercussions of Maia’s actions. She doesn’t quite know how the time-travelling is happening but is determined to make sure she gets herself to the right places at the right times. There are characters who pop up in both timelines and I was fascinated to see how they responded to Maia’s claims. It’s the kind of book which makes me wonder how I would react if the impossible happened to me or if someone I knew claimed it had happened to them. Quite thought-provoking really.
I also enjoyed the setting of Malta. It’s an island I’ve never been to although I would like to. In particular the challenges and fear faced by the islanders in the Second World War were vividly described by the author. It’s no wonder the George Cross was awarded to the island of Malta in recognition of the bravery of the islanders.
Never Tear Us Apart is a beautiful romance with a side helping of mystery and danger. With themes of family, love, courage and sacrifice, it’s a book to lose yourself in.
October 7, 2025
What if our lives are a series of nows, existing parallel to each other? What if your dreams are not just dreams but a glimpse into another version of you? What if the universe could send you back into the past and you could shape the future then not yet written?
Maia Borg, a war correspondent, has never quite felt she belonged. Having lost her mother before she was even twenty and never quite connecting with a father who struggles with emotion, a trip to Malta, where her father grew up, seems like an opportunity to finally understand her own roots and maybe find some inner peace. But not long after arriving on the island, Maia is involved in a car accident and every time she falls asleep in the present, she suddenly finds herself alive in 1942. Time travelling between the past and the present, Maia pieces together both her family’s past and her own future and her unusual experience opens her eyes to possibilities she could never before imagine…
This is such a gorgeous book with some truly wonderful characters. It took me a few chapters to get into the timeslip element of the novel but once I did, I was hooked. I found it extremely interesting learning about the siege of Malta in 1942 and the impact of the war on the island, something I didn’t really know anything about beforehand. Added to this, Maia’s romance with the American pilot Danny back in WWII Malta creates such a well rounded story: historical fiction mixed with some magic and love. I loved the idea of what the timeslip could do to your own life and just the possibility of parallel universes; it’s a concept I adore in general.
Maia Borg, a war correspondent, has never quite felt she belonged. Having lost her mother before she was even twenty and never quite connecting with a father who struggles with emotion, a trip to Malta, where her father grew up, seems like an opportunity to finally understand her own roots and maybe find some inner peace. But not long after arriving on the island, Maia is involved in a car accident and every time she falls asleep in the present, she suddenly finds herself alive in 1942. Time travelling between the past and the present, Maia pieces together both her family’s past and her own future and her unusual experience opens her eyes to possibilities she could never before imagine…
This is such a gorgeous book with some truly wonderful characters. It took me a few chapters to get into the timeslip element of the novel but once I did, I was hooked. I found it extremely interesting learning about the siege of Malta in 1942 and the impact of the war on the island, something I didn’t really know anything about beforehand. Added to this, Maia’s romance with the American pilot Danny back in WWII Malta creates such a well rounded story: historical fiction mixed with some magic and love. I loved the idea of what the timeslip could do to your own life and just the possibility of parallel universes; it’s a concept I adore in general.
July 1, 2025
I read this one in the heat of Rhodes, Greece. My copy was a heat bound book and the pages had all fallen out by the time I had finished the book. I'm looking forward to seeing the author at Newark Book Festival in July and buying a shiny finished copy!
I've been reading Rowan Coleman's novels for many years now. I'm a huge fan, I also love her work as Bella Ellis - she's a superb writer, no matter the subject matter, she brings her characters to life and makes the settings perfect too.
This one is set on the island of Malta - a place that I've visited and very much enjoyed. Maia is a journalist, covering wars. She has travelled to Malta to visit her estranged father, to try to mend their relationship and find out more about herself and her family. Maia and her father argue when they are out in the car and there's an accident.
Maia wakes up in hospital, but there's something not quite right about her surroundings. She realises that she's woken in 1942 during the siege of Malta. The island is unrecognisable, bombed and in ruins. Maia knows that she's there for a reason, but what? Add attractive Canadian pilot Danny into the mix and you have a heady story of history, romance and family relationships.
This is just wonderful. Coleman's trademark magical, evocative writing makes this such an immersive read. Despite the time hopping, this feels so real, so magical and so wonderfully researched. The beauty of Malta and its people shines through. It is so life affirming and an utter joy to discover.
Highly recommended by me.
I've been reading Rowan Coleman's novels for many years now. I'm a huge fan, I also love her work as Bella Ellis - she's a superb writer, no matter the subject matter, she brings her characters to life and makes the settings perfect too.
This one is set on the island of Malta - a place that I've visited and very much enjoyed. Maia is a journalist, covering wars. She has travelled to Malta to visit her estranged father, to try to mend their relationship and find out more about herself and her family. Maia and her father argue when they are out in the car and there's an accident.
Maia wakes up in hospital, but there's something not quite right about her surroundings. She realises that she's woken in 1942 during the siege of Malta. The island is unrecognisable, bombed and in ruins. Maia knows that she's there for a reason, but what? Add attractive Canadian pilot Danny into the mix and you have a heady story of history, romance and family relationships.
This is just wonderful. Coleman's trademark magical, evocative writing makes this such an immersive read. Despite the time hopping, this feels so real, so magical and so wonderfully researched. The beauty of Malta and its people shines through. It is so life affirming and an utter joy to discover.
Highly recommended by me.
June 25, 2025
Whilst this isn’t my normal genre of read I felt a connection to this book as soon as I heard about it, but more about that later. This is a wonderful timeslip book about family, hope and everlasting love. Set mainly in Malta in 1942, during the WWII Siege, and present day, 2025 this is Maia’s story. Beautifully written this is an immersive read, I felt like I was there in Malta with Maia, in both timelines.
Briefly, in the present journalist Maia Borg has travelled to Malta to visit her estranged father David, an artist. Having some heated words when they are out in the car Maia loses concentration and they are involved in an accident. Waking up in hospital Maya eventually realises that she has woken up in 1942. Meeting up with a relative she comes to understand that there is a reason for her being there and it isn’t just handsome Canadian spitfire pilot Danny.
Historical romance with an element of time travel, and ok this might be very unlikely but the author makes a good case for believing it. I loved following Maia’s travels around what is a beautiful island, full of history, and sad reading how the inhabitants suffered during the war. Oh and my reason for the interest; my father was stationed on Malta throughout the siege, on minesweepers. It really was a terrible time. Thank you for writing this book, it was special.
June 22, 2025
What a fantastic five-star read. This one blew me away, I am so glad that I didn’t read the blurb on this one, I just picked it up as I knew Rowan Coleman always pulls a compelling story out of the bag. If I had I wouldn’t have read this one, as I am not a fan of historical stories, but I would have missed simply one of the best stories that I have ever read. This one had me dreaming of visiting Malta, I know several people who have visited and loved it, but it never appealed to me, now however I dream of visiting and digging into the history of the island. Maia broke me, she was just simply the most amazing woman, and she shone amongst the other characters that blew me away, and there were simply so many I couldn’t name them all. I love how all of the details flow and spin off into areas that you cant help but follow, I even found myself looking into war planes and the different types and the details about them, that was how compelling this story was, it envelops you into the words, taking you back in time and helping you feel the wind rushing past, smell the burning and hear the band playing.
June 17, 2025
I've read a few Rowan Coleman books and really enjoyed them. They all had an interesting twist, and this is no exception.
Maia has travelled to Malta with her estranged father, as he wanted to show her the place her grew up. Things dont go well, and after a car accident, he ends up in hospital, and Maia meets up with her cousin, who shows her around an ancient temple. This is where things get weird as Maia is transported to 1942 and a Malta under seige during WW2. No spoilers because this is all in the book description.
This is a mystery and a love story with the major twist of time travel. I really loved it. Brilliant characters, who are interesting and mostly, extremely likeable. I'm not completely sure what happened in the end, but I think you just have to use your imagination .
The only thing I wanted to know was what was the outcome with Maia's father? She does something in the past to change the future and this isn't mentioned again, even though it was the main storyline. I suppose I'll just have to use my imagination again.
Maia has travelled to Malta with her estranged father, as he wanted to show her the place her grew up. Things dont go well, and after a car accident, he ends up in hospital, and Maia meets up with her cousin, who shows her around an ancient temple. This is where things get weird as Maia is transported to 1942 and a Malta under seige during WW2. No spoilers because this is all in the book description.
This is a mystery and a love story with the major twist of time travel. I really loved it. Brilliant characters, who are interesting and mostly, extremely likeable. I'm not completely sure what happened in the end, but I think you just have to use your imagination .
The only thing I wanted to know was what was the outcome with Maia's father? She does something in the past to change the future and this isn't mentioned again, even though it was the main storyline. I suppose I'll just have to use my imagination again.
June 19, 2025
I have read several books by Rowan Coleman, so I was excited to receive a copy of her new book. Never tear us apart.
Maia is a journalist and has agreed to go to Malta with her father after not being in each other’s lives for several years Her father David was born and raised there. They don’t really get on with each other, but she hopes that the trip will change that.
But unfortunately, things go wrong when they are both involved in a car accident, and she wakes up she finds herself in Malta in WW2 in 1942. What is the reason of her being there. S she supposed to save someone. Only time will tell.
Rowan Coleman is a great storyteller, and she knows how to write a story that will tug at your heart. This is another beautifully written story, of a mixture on historical, time travel and romance. I loved the setting, and it had some great likable characters, I loved it. 5 stars from me
Maia is a journalist and has agreed to go to Malta with her father after not being in each other’s lives for several years Her father David was born and raised there. They don’t really get on with each other, but she hopes that the trip will change that.
But unfortunately, things go wrong when they are both involved in a car accident, and she wakes up she finds herself in Malta in WW2 in 1942. What is the reason of her being there. S she supposed to save someone. Only time will tell.
Rowan Coleman is a great storyteller, and she knows how to write a story that will tug at your heart. This is another beautifully written story, of a mixture on historical, time travel and romance. I loved the setting, and it had some great likable characters, I loved it. 5 stars from me
December 7, 2025
Dual timeline, time travel, time slip – call it whatever you like, but I thought this book was simply wonderful. Visiting Malta with her father, with whom she has a difficult relationship, in the present day, Maia finds herself slipping back to 1942 and the wartime siege of Malta, with no control over the way time moves around her: she also carries guilt over an incident she experienced as a war correspondent, and that resonates through both timelines. The characters are superbly drawn, the pervading mystical elements so well handled, the romance elements strong and believable, the book’s whole sense of place is exceptional, and I really enjoyed the themes of family, emotional support, and belonging. Yes, the time travel storyline does need some suspension of disbelief – but I didn’t find that an issue for an instant. A really compelling read, and a story so very well told – I loved it.
October 2, 2025
Oh my days! What a wonderful book this turned out to be. It well and truly swept me off my feet!
It was such a captivating story, and this along with Coleman's writing immediately transported me to the island of Malta.
I'm a huge lover of a dual timeline read, so to have that with an element of time travel too...I was fast obsessed with Maia's story.
The characters were easily likeable, charming and warm...their story is one of love, family and sacrifice.
Immensely enjoyable.
It was such a captivating story, and this along with Coleman's writing immediately transported me to the island of Malta.
I'm a huge lover of a dual timeline read, so to have that with an element of time travel too...I was fast obsessed with Maia's story.
The characters were easily likeable, charming and warm...their story is one of love, family and sacrifice.
Immensely enjoyable.
Read
July 11, 2025Dnf
August 19, 2025
Absolutely breathtaking. The dual timelines were woven together beautifully, and I felt every ounce of Maia’s struggle and hope. I couldn’t put it down.
September 5, 2025
Straight into my top 10, scratch that, my top 3 best love stories of all time. I agree with Carole Matthews, this book is up there with The Time Traveller’s Wife.
Outstandingly beautiful.
Outstandingly beautiful.
November 17, 2025
Another beautiful story with wonderful characters and heartbreaking story. Loved it.
November 20, 2025
This is a moving, beautifully written timeslip novel that weaves together family, hope, and a love that crosses the boundaries of time. The story unfolds between wartime Malta in 1942 and the near-future of 2025, following Maia Borg as she embarks on a deeply personal journey shaped by history and emotional healing. In the present day, Maia returns to Malta to see her estranged father, David, a withdrawn and gifted artist. Their reunion is tense, and after a painful argument during a drive, Maia loses control of the car. When she opens her eyes in hospital, she discovers she has somehow awakened in 1942, right in the midst of the Siege of Malta. As she struggles to understand her new reality, she encounters relatives from the past and meets Danny, a Canadian Spitfire pilot whose kindness and courage draw her in. Through her time in the past, Maia begins to uncover truths about herself, her family, and the meaning of love. Blending history, romance, and emotional rediscovery, this heartfelt novel shows that connection and healing can reach across generations.
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