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Found Time
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Expected 7 Apr 26In 1993, Lili and Reid lock eyes after a Jeff Buckley show at Sin-é in New York’s East Village. Their connection is immediate and intense—kicking off a steamy summer romance that cracks something open for both of them—but the pursuit of another passion cuts it short. Thirty years later, they’re both navigating midlife as single parents of teen girls when they cross paths once more. Can they find their way to each other through the complexities of adulthood better than they could during the relative simplicity of their youth?
240 pages, Paperback
Expected publication April 7, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 135 reviews
November 14, 2025
A little corny nostalgia disease at first but then it turned into something very sweet. A good book to read if you are happy your divorced mom is dating someone who is nice to her :)
March 23, 2026
A whirlwind romance is revisited in Found Time - our protagonist reconnects with a former flame 30 years after the fact. The love store was charming and I liked reading about a couple finding love in their fifties. I would’ve liked even more moments between the main character and her daughter (!!) their sweetest moments brought me near tears. Also would’ve liked more moments between the main character and her best friend. Very sweet read!!
Out April 7th!
Out April 7th!
November 20, 2025
831 Stories delivers another fantastic unputdownable romance. I've truly never read a book from 831 Stories that I didn't love and this one is no exception. Found Time is the story of a 30-year love between Lili and Reid that begins when they meet in 1993 and picks up again in 2023. The story spans 30 years, but most of their time was spent apart. During this time, both Lili and Reid were married and had children, but after becoming single later in life, they unexpectedly reunite at a music venue with their respective children (notably, a reunion show for the artist that brought them together in 1993). This book gives Lili and Reid a second chance at love and aims to find out what-could-have-been... with a little help from fate and a parent-trap-esque set up by their teenage daughters.
Aside from 831 Stories, I'm generally not a fan of romances - but these books never fail to reach deep into my cynical little heart and grab on. At its heart, this story and the characters are relatable - these people have jobs and lives and responsibilities. No one is throwing away their lives and the goals they worked towards to casually jet off into the sunset together. These characters are complicated.
I think that this story has universal appeal because it's something most people have in common - wondering 'what could have been' is a universal experience. This book quenches that thirst for Lili and Reid without being cheesy (but includes a lil spice, which never hurts). While the outcome was somewhat predictable, the point wasn't to be surprised by the ending, it was to enjoy the ride (er, read).
Hands down, my FAVORITE part of reading this book was the subtle crossover event. When I read the line that said Jack Felgate would be starring in a movie written by Reid, I scrambled to Google SO FAST to make sure I was correct - and I was!! IYKYK - BUT if you don't, I'll happily explain - Jack Felgate is a character from Set Piece by Lana Schwartz. I'm not an expert and I have not read all of the 831 Stories available (yet!!!) but this is the first crossover event that I've seen that spans completely separate stories and completely separate authors within the 831 Stories universe. I nearly lost my damn mind.
I need more 831 Stories immediately.
THANK YOU, 831 Stories and NetGalley for the eARC!!
Aside from 831 Stories, I'm generally not a fan of romances - but these books never fail to reach deep into my cynical little heart and grab on. At its heart, this story and the characters are relatable - these people have jobs and lives and responsibilities. No one is throwing away their lives and the goals they worked towards to casually jet off into the sunset together. These characters are complicated.
I think that this story has universal appeal because it's something most people have in common - wondering 'what could have been' is a universal experience. This book quenches that thirst for Lili and Reid without being cheesy (but includes a lil spice, which never hurts). While the outcome was somewhat predictable, the point wasn't to be surprised by the ending, it was to enjoy the ride (er, read).
Hands down, my FAVORITE part of reading this book was the subtle crossover event. When I read the line that said Jack Felgate would be starring in a movie written by Reid, I scrambled to Google SO FAST to make sure I was correct - and I was!! IYKYK - BUT if you don't, I'll happily explain - Jack Felgate is a character from Set Piece by Lana Schwartz. I'm not an expert and I have not read all of the 831 Stories available (yet!!!) but this is the first crossover event that I've seen that spans completely separate stories and completely separate authors within the 831 Stories universe. I nearly lost my damn mind.
I need more 831 Stories immediately.
THANK YOU, 831 Stories and NetGalley for the eARC!!
March 25, 2026
This was so good. I loved Lili, Reid and their daughters. As someone who usually avoids "insta love", I was surprised by how believable their connection felt, even in such a short time. They were undeniably right for each other, which made their separation all the more devastating.
When they crossed paths again on the streets of NYC thirty years later, it felt like pure magic. That moment alone filled me with so much joy.
The story beautifully captures both the nostalgia of 90's New York and the pulsing energy of the present day. More than anything, I appreciated how hopeful it felt. It never leaned into unnecessary drama, instead letting the emotion speak for itself.
I especially loved the ending. It leaves enough space for the reader to imagine what comes next, making it feel like anything is possible. Such a great read.
When they crossed paths again on the streets of NYC thirty years later, it felt like pure magic. That moment alone filled me with so much joy.
The story beautifully captures both the nostalgia of 90's New York and the pulsing energy of the present day. More than anything, I appreciated how hopeful it felt. It never leaned into unnecessary drama, instead letting the emotion speak for itself.
I especially loved the ending. It leaves enough space for the reader to imagine what comes next, making it feel like anything is possible. Such a great read.
December 21, 2025
This is my favorite 831 story yet!!
It’s 1993 and Lili meets Reid at a show in the east village and they connect immediately. The only problem? He’s leaving NYC in just a few days. 30 years later, they find themselves in the same place at the same time, with their daughters.
The 90s NYC nostalgia in this book!!!! Was I here in the 90s? Definitely not. But who doesn’t love to romanticize? There were no insta-love vibes between Lili and Reid, just a beautiful example of the type of instant chemistry you can build with the right human. The way the flash forward is handled is so lovely. There was just the right doses of romantic and realistic. And their daughters? THE best side characters.
CW: emotional abuse, death of a loved one
Thank you to the publisher and author for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
It’s 1993 and Lili meets Reid at a show in the east village and they connect immediately. The only problem? He’s leaving NYC in just a few days. 30 years later, they find themselves in the same place at the same time, with their daughters.
The 90s NYC nostalgia in this book!!!! Was I here in the 90s? Definitely not. But who doesn’t love to romanticize? There were no insta-love vibes between Lili and Reid, just a beautiful example of the type of instant chemistry you can build with the right human. The way the flash forward is handled is so lovely. There was just the right doses of romantic and realistic. And their daughters? THE best side characters.
CW: emotional abuse, death of a loved one
Thank you to the publisher and author for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
March 25, 2026
this was tender and sweet and i love lili and reid!!
November 16, 2025
4 stars. This was such a reflective, emotional little novella that kept me interested the whole way through. Lili and Reid had this instant spark that didn’t feel like instalove, it felt true to who they were at the time. Their chemistry held up decades later, and I loved how believable that “what if” connection felt.
The ’90s details were done really well, not overdone, and I enjoyed how emotional the writing was without being dramatic. Their journeys as single parents in midlife felt real, valid, and true to parenthood. The theme of getting out of your own way and allowing yourself to be happy really stuck with me.
A sweet, hopeful second-chance romance about timing, healing, and choosing yourself.
Thank you to 831 Stories and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
The ’90s details were done really well, not overdone, and I enjoyed how emotional the writing was without being dramatic. Their journeys as single parents in midlife felt real, valid, and true to parenthood. The theme of getting out of your own way and allowing yourself to be happy really stuck with me.
A sweet, hopeful second-chance romance about timing, healing, and choosing yourself.
Thank you to 831 Stories and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
March 17, 2026
I swear 831 Books is allergic to bad books because oh my goodness another bite sized banger in Found Time!! So glad I found…the time…to read this one!!
When Lili is dragged by her coolest friend to a Jeff Buckley concert in NYC in the 90s, she meets the perfect man for her in Reid - who happens to be leaving the city in a week. They don’t let that stop them from developing feelings, but a career opportunity he can’t pass up comes his way and he has to jet back to the west coast, feelings be damned. When the two bump into each other 30 years later, also at an NYC Jeff Buckley (tribute) show, it feels like fate has intervened - and then so do their respective teenage daughters.
I loved getting to see them in different timelines, seeing their growth and understanding the different factors that were weighing on all their decisions at the time. Both had tough experiences before finding their way back together, and that impacts how they’re able to show up to each other, their kids, and their careers. Speaking of the kids, the daughters (especially sweet Emme) were total rockstars and I loved their dynamics with each other and their parents!!
Overall, just what a great book!!!! Thanks so much to Caroline Goldstein, 831 Stories, and NetGalley for a chance to read this in exchange for an honest review.
When Lili is dragged by her coolest friend to a Jeff Buckley concert in NYC in the 90s, she meets the perfect man for her in Reid - who happens to be leaving the city in a week. They don’t let that stop them from developing feelings, but a career opportunity he can’t pass up comes his way and he has to jet back to the west coast, feelings be damned. When the two bump into each other 30 years later, also at an NYC Jeff Buckley (tribute) show, it feels like fate has intervened - and then so do their respective teenage daughters.
I loved getting to see them in different timelines, seeing their growth and understanding the different factors that were weighing on all their decisions at the time. Both had tough experiences before finding their way back together, and that impacts how they’re able to show up to each other, their kids, and their careers. Speaking of the kids, the daughters (especially sweet Emme) were total rockstars and I loved their dynamics with each other and their parents!!
Overall, just what a great book!!!! Thanks so much to Caroline Goldstein, 831 Stories, and NetGalley for a chance to read this in exchange for an honest review.
November 24, 2025
831 Stories does it again! Found Time is such a fun second chance romance! It follows Lili and Reid who meet in 1993 at a Jeff Buckley concert in the East Village. They are young, in their early twenties and have their lives and dreams ahead of them. Their instant connection sparks a brief, fiery fling until work and responsibilities take Reid back home to the west coast.
The story picks up again in 2023, with Lili taking her teenage daughter to a tribute concert honoring Jeff Buckley 30 years later. Here, Lili and Reid meet again. Lili must reconcile who she is now with the uninhibited, dreamer she once was.
Yes, the Jeff Buckley storyline at the beginning was a little cheesy, but Lili was so relatable and the characters were so likable, the cheesiness was very easy to overlook.
This book was nostalgic, spicy, and heartfelt… making every page enjoyable to read! If you’re a fan of romance or you’re looking for a shorter novella to break out of a reading rut, this one will not disappoint!
Thank you to 831 Stories and NetGalley for the advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review.
The story picks up again in 2023, with Lili taking her teenage daughter to a tribute concert honoring Jeff Buckley 30 years later. Here, Lili and Reid meet again. Lili must reconcile who she is now with the uninhibited, dreamer she once was.
Yes, the Jeff Buckley storyline at the beginning was a little cheesy, but Lili was so relatable and the characters were so likable, the cheesiness was very easy to overlook.
This book was nostalgic, spicy, and heartfelt… making every page enjoyable to read! If you’re a fan of romance or you’re looking for a shorter novella to break out of a reading rut, this one will not disappoint!
Thank you to 831 Stories and NetGalley for the advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review.
February 23, 2026
I loved this so much. The chemistry, the second chance romance, the parent trap vibes, the music and art and pure NYC of it all. This is everything I love about a romance, with fun and joy balanced with the reality of being a human and having a past. I am once again blown away by what these authors achieve in a shorter novel with 831 Stories, and grateful for the inevitable win it feels like for me as a reader to get to experience something so profound in a short amount of time.
Thank you to 831 Stories and Edelweiss for the ARC.
Thank you to 831 Stories and Edelweiss for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A tender and emotional second chance romance about deep connections and the consequences of meeting the right person at the wrong time.
During the time Lili and Reid initially meet in 1993 they quickly feel drawn to one another. An attraction that on the surface happens very quickly feels like a deep connection to both of them, like had they known each other for years prior to this first encounter.
Both in the past and the present chapters, the feelings between Lili and Reid seemed truly genuine and it was so interesting to see them reconnect after years apart.
This was my very first 831 story but definitely not my last, I WILL be reading many more of these!
The publisher very kindly provided this arc through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
During the time Lili and Reid initially meet in 1993 they quickly feel drawn to one another. An attraction that on the surface happens very quickly feels like a deep connection to both of them, like had they known each other for years prior to this first encounter.
Both in the past and the present chapters, the feelings between Lili and Reid seemed truly genuine and it was so interesting to see them reconnect after years apart.
This was my very first 831 story but definitely not my last, I WILL be reading many more of these!
The publisher very kindly provided this arc through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
November 22, 2025
Sweet second-chance romance. Lili & Reid meet at a Jeff Buckley concert in the 90s, and run into each other again years later. I felt like this had quite a bit of depth for a novella, I enjoyed my time with this book!
Pub date: March 30, 2026
Pub date: March 30, 2026
January 6, 2026
Probably closer to a 3.5. Just fine.
March 10, 2026
Cuteeee! My first 831 novella and certainly not my last! Love how quick and easy these are to read.
Read
March 28, 2026thank you netgalley and 831 stories for the digital arc! review to come!
December 10, 2025
Found Time by Caroline Goldstein felt like a hug from a friend you haven’t seen since college. I’m usually not a big second-chance romance person, but this one had such a wistful, tender quality that I ended up loving it. The 30-year time gap put these characters in an age range I don’t read often (as a 20-something), but it gave me insight into a stage of life I haven’t lived yet — and I found that really beautiful.
The book follows Reid and Lili, who meet during an intense, meaningful week in 1993 New York City before life pulls them apart. Thirty years later, they run into each other at a tribute concert for the same band they saw when they first met. From there, the story explores whether the connection they once had can survive time, distance, and who they’ve become.
The romance feels like a warm breeze on a 75° sunny day: soft, full of possibility, slightly nostalgic. And the writing is gorgeous. Goldstein somehow makes intimacy feel poetic instead of overdone, and it worked so well for this story. I am such a fan. Highly recommend this one.
Thank you to NetGalley and 831 Stories for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
The book follows Reid and Lili, who meet during an intense, meaningful week in 1993 New York City before life pulls them apart. Thirty years later, they run into each other at a tribute concert for the same band they saw when they first met. From there, the story explores whether the connection they once had can survive time, distance, and who they’ve become.
The romance feels like a warm breeze on a 75° sunny day: soft, full of possibility, slightly nostalgic. And the writing is gorgeous. Goldstein somehow makes intimacy feel poetic instead of overdone, and it worked so well for this story. I am such a fan. Highly recommend this one.
Thank you to NetGalley and 831 Stories for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
March 25, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review!
A terrific, addictive, and adorable read! I fell in love with how Goldstein depicted New York in the '90s and was enamored by how she interwove the music and culture of the time between both our past and present day timelines. The love between our two main characters was palpable, as was the stress of the hurdles they each had to face. HIGHLY recommend!
A terrific, addictive, and adorable read! I fell in love with how Goldstein depicted New York in the '90s and was enamored by how she interwove the music and culture of the time between both our past and present day timelines. The love between our two main characters was palpable, as was the stress of the hurdles they each had to face. HIGHLY recommend!
February 10, 2026
Thank you NetGalley, 831 Stories and Caroline Goldstein for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I couldn’t stop reading this book. For 240 pages it felt very satisfying.
When two young 20-something’s meet and have a connection only to realize one is moving across the country at the end of the week - they are left with only one option, make the most of that week.
It so easily could have felt like insta love (which isn’t my favorite) but somehow it didn’t.
My one complaint is not having more backstory on if they tried to keep in touch or if they didn’t try due to distance and circumstances.
I loved the way they found each other again in present day and how it started because of their daughters.
I’m obsessed with Grace and Emme in general but serious respect for Parent Trap inspired moves.
I could totally relate to the mental gymnastics and self sabotage Lili was doing and loved how Reid did his best to call her on it (while he was scared too). They both were trying to protect themselves and their daughters from potential hurt but also hoping to make something work that they have wondered about over the years apart. Despite there being a small conflict they handled it really maturely and respectfully.
I know it’s a short story but I still wished it had an epilogue but in my mind they all life happily ever after, always!
I couldn’t stop reading this book. For 240 pages it felt very satisfying.
When two young 20-something’s meet and have a connection only to realize one is moving across the country at the end of the week - they are left with only one option, make the most of that week.
It so easily could have felt like insta love (which isn’t my favorite) but somehow it didn’t.
My one complaint is not having more backstory on if they tried to keep in touch or if they didn’t try due to distance and circumstances.
I loved the way they found each other again in present day and how it started because of their daughters.
I’m obsessed with Grace and Emme in general but serious respect for Parent Trap inspired moves.
I could totally relate to the mental gymnastics and self sabotage Lili was doing and loved how Reid did his best to call her on it (while he was scared too). They both were trying to protect themselves and their daughters from potential hurt but also hoping to make something work that they have wondered about over the years apart. Despite there being a small conflict they handled it really maturely and respectfully.
I know it’s a short story but I still wished it had an epilogue but in my mind they all life happily ever after, always!
November 17, 2025
2.5 stars
This is a story about what happens when you don’t get over your situationships. She could’ve paid an Etsy witch to do a tie breaking thing and be done.
This is a story about what happens when you don’t get over your situationships. She could’ve paid an Etsy witch to do a tie breaking thing and be done.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
thank you to netgalley and 831 stories for the e-arc! all opinions are my own :)
this was such a cute story worth finding time for! seeing the chemistry they developed years ago transcend the years was so nice, and i loved the relationship their daughters had after their initial squabble lol
overall, a reaaaally good novella <3
this was such a cute story worth finding time for! seeing the chemistry they developed years ago transcend the years was so nice, and i loved the relationship their daughters had after their initial squabble lol
overall, a reaaaally good novella <3
February 2, 2026
Thank you NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!
yet another 831 stories novella I adore!! this was such a refreshing read & definitely helped get me out of a reading slump (as would any other 831 stories novella I imagine!). perfect read for anyone who is obsessed with the feeling that watching 2000's rom-coms gives you.
yet another 831 stories novella I adore!! this was such a refreshing read & definitely helped get me out of a reading slump (as would any other 831 stories novella I imagine!). perfect read for anyone who is obsessed with the feeling that watching 2000's rom-coms gives you.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This story shuttered my most recent reading-avoidant streak. It’s been happening more lately, that I stop putting off my responsibilities with comfort/leisure reading; I hate it.
I had a teeny rollercoaster of a ride reading this book. At first, I was enthralled. I love anything set in NYC. Plus a romance? Plus concerts and the romantic feeling of what I’ll call, but is not actually, the New York underground? Seeing the names of a few of my favorite places, or just places that are married to specific memories was fun—a tickle of enjoyment.
I struggled a bit with the star-crossed fated to fail vibe. I didn’t feel that this was emotionally volatile enough to catch me in its crosshairs and drag me along, heart and hand to hell. However, as I continued reading, I began to respect that it was a character study of sorts. I enjoyed reading romance in which the characters are quintessentially themselves; equivalent to their younger selves, even at an older age ages. Still vibrant, just more complex. We don’t hear stories like this and I’ve been arriving at this conclusion, that you remain who you are cool/boring/vibrant/intriguing for as long as you want to, age be damned.
I also struggled a bit with not feeling that the characters were not the sexiest. Not them as people, but their specifically “supposed-to-be-sexy” dialogue, and descriptions of those intimate scenes kind of took me out of it. However, I appreciated that there was a distance because, tying back to my ability to remain at an arms length and study these two flawed, well-meaning, adorable people.
Sorry for the bastardization of this comparison, but one could say this is almost like Normal People all grown up, for girls who read that book as a teenager and are now…well, a bit more grown up.
I adored the children. Although, really they are adults. Practically, literally, whatever. They made the story for me. These two precious creatures that were inevitable and made each parent’s respective history inevitable—the failures and successes of their relationships inevitable. Because I suppose as a loving parent, that is how you begin to see and process everything—through the lens of your kid.
It definitely romanticized the idea of having children in a way, because I love the idea of watching these humans live a life more earnestly than you might have been/felt at their age. Also the idea of these profound moments of reflection that come from observing these people so much like you, and yet not at all the same, have realizations that prove expansive for you too. I never had and likely never will have a relationship with my parents that is like this. I don’t think most of my friends do either. So it is a pipe dream in a way that even if I were to have a child, every human is different and you cannot force a relationship even with your own kin/creation.
Five stars from me! Thank you NetGalley & 831 Stories for the ARC. Every time I am allowed another one I feel so honored and extremely grateful because I know I am in for something good.
I had a teeny rollercoaster of a ride reading this book. At first, I was enthralled. I love anything set in NYC. Plus a romance? Plus concerts and the romantic feeling of what I’ll call, but is not actually, the New York underground? Seeing the names of a few of my favorite places, or just places that are married to specific memories was fun—a tickle of enjoyment.
I struggled a bit with the star-crossed fated to fail vibe. I didn’t feel that this was emotionally volatile enough to catch me in its crosshairs and drag me along, heart and hand to hell. However, as I continued reading, I began to respect that it was a character study of sorts. I enjoyed reading romance in which the characters are quintessentially themselves; equivalent to their younger selves, even at an older age ages. Still vibrant, just more complex. We don’t hear stories like this and I’ve been arriving at this conclusion, that you remain who you are cool/boring/vibrant/intriguing for as long as you want to, age be damned.
I also struggled a bit with not feeling that the characters were not the sexiest. Not them as people, but their specifically “supposed-to-be-sexy” dialogue, and descriptions of those intimate scenes kind of took me out of it. However, I appreciated that there was a distance because, tying back to my ability to remain at an arms length and study these two flawed, well-meaning, adorable people.
Sorry for the bastardization of this comparison, but one could say this is almost like Normal People all grown up, for girls who read that book as a teenager and are now…well, a bit more grown up.
I adored the children. Although, really they are adults. Practically, literally, whatever. They made the story for me. These two precious creatures that were inevitable and made each parent’s respective history inevitable—the failures and successes of their relationships inevitable. Because I suppose as a loving parent, that is how you begin to see and process everything—through the lens of your kid.
It definitely romanticized the idea of having children in a way, because I love the idea of watching these humans live a life more earnestly than you might have been/felt at their age. Also the idea of these profound moments of reflection that come from observing these people so much like you, and yet not at all the same, have realizations that prove expansive for you too. I never had and likely never will have a relationship with my parents that is like this. I don’t think most of my friends do either. So it is a pipe dream in a way that even if I were to have a child, every human is different and you cannot force a relationship even with your own kin/creation.
Five stars from me! Thank you NetGalley & 831 Stories for the ARC. Every time I am allowed another one I feel so honored and extremely grateful because I know I am in for something good.
April 2, 2026
I LOVED this book! I have become a huge fan of the 831 romances, but this is by far my favorite! As much as I have loved the other stories, I am older than a lot of the characters, so I was looking back on my life to relate. So for Found Time, I was especially excited by the premise - two characters who are older and parents to teenage girls, like myself. A story with a look back in a way that I think invites readers of multiple generations. And who doesn't love the 90's? It's also is a second chance romance (my favorite trope) about the one who got away, about living with decisions you know were right at the time, but maybe never stopped thinking about. About looking back at a special time, place, person, and hoping that that type of love and experience finds you again, especially when life hasn't quite worked out the way you hoped it would. I absolutely adored the characters, the writing style, the 90s nostalgia, the time jump, all of it! The relationships between mother/daughter and father/daughter were so well written and special, and the respect between Lili and Reid as parents was refreshing to see in a story like this. The whole thing was realistic and the relatable, and I just couldn't get enough! I laughed, I cried, I felt nostalgic. Despite being older and relating to the parents more, I'd actually really love to see a little spin-off about the girls in college or their 20s in the city! They are so different, in the best ways! If you are a fan of 831 stories, Gilmore Girls, second-chance/one who got away, raw and relatable characters, definitely pick this one up! It's a quick but full read that you won't want to put down!
Some quotes that made me stop, rewind and write down after lol'ing:
"Such is the magic of the girls bathroom." TRUUUUE!
"One thing it took me too long to learn about parenting: the power of a well timed bribe." YUP!
Thank you SO much to NetGalley and AE Titles/Simon & Schuster Audio for the advanced listener copy of the newest 831 Stories Romance! I literally screamed with excitement when I found out I would get to listen to this story early! Sarah Naughton and Gabriel Sands were fantastic as Lily and Reid, and I am already looking forward to more from author Caroline Goldstein!
Some quotes that made me stop, rewind and write down after lol'ing:
"Such is the magic of the girls bathroom." TRUUUUE!
"One thing it took me too long to learn about parenting: the power of a well timed bribe." YUP!
Thank you SO much to NetGalley and AE Titles/Simon & Schuster Audio for the advanced listener copy of the newest 831 Stories Romance! I literally screamed with excitement when I found out I would get to listen to this story early! Sarah Naughton and Gabriel Sands were fantastic as Lily and Reid, and I am already looking forward to more from author Caroline Goldstein!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
“I want people to be nice to you.” - Chapter 3
This is the second 831 Stories novella that I have gotten to read, and I had a good time with this one! There is always something so deeply melancholic in reading about the passage of time, characters reconciling with who they once were and who they are now, and having to navigate that individually, but also with one another. Found Time sets out to do this with Reid and Lili, and it accomplishes it well enough.
There’s a lot to love about this novella. It works for the length, albeit of course some parts could have been spread out in a novel length instead. I liked getting the few chapters in the past, then moving forward to the present, though I will say Lili’s narration did not feel as though I was reading from a woman of her age’s point of view. The chapters when she was younger felt it, but I had a hard time fully connecting with the narration. Still, I found Lili to be interesting, and the novella gives you just enough information about her to understand the way she is and why she would act the way she acts. You could say a choice of hers is a little immature for her age, and I am still grappling with how I felt about it, but it worked fine in the end.
I liked Reid, too. The way he felt so visceral in the text really reflects how visceral Lili feels for him, which is a great thing. I do think their connection felt a lot more lust-focused than falling in love. I don’t think it’s impossible to fall in love in the time they originally spent together, or at least be on the road to it, especially at the ages they were, but there was little in the text to make me believe this was true, and not just lust-based. This probably could have been adjusted better in a full-length novel. The only issue I had with Reid’s character was the background we get on his wife, and I don’t think his actions after it is mentioned are fully understood. Again, this was hindered by the length.
Their relationship to their daughters was definitely a highlight of the present-day chapters, and I loved the overall message of the novella.
Thank you to Netgalley & 831 Stories for the ARC!!! Book publishes March 31, 2026!
This is the second 831 Stories novella that I have gotten to read, and I had a good time with this one! There is always something so deeply melancholic in reading about the passage of time, characters reconciling with who they once were and who they are now, and having to navigate that individually, but also with one another. Found Time sets out to do this with Reid and Lili, and it accomplishes it well enough.
There’s a lot to love about this novella. It works for the length, albeit of course some parts could have been spread out in a novel length instead. I liked getting the few chapters in the past, then moving forward to the present, though I will say Lili’s narration did not feel as though I was reading from a woman of her age’s point of view. The chapters when she was younger felt it, but I had a hard time fully connecting with the narration. Still, I found Lili to be interesting, and the novella gives you just enough information about her to understand the way she is and why she would act the way she acts. You could say a choice of hers is a little immature for her age, and I am still grappling with how I felt about it, but it worked fine in the end.
I liked Reid, too. The way he felt so visceral in the text really reflects how visceral Lili feels for him, which is a great thing. I do think their connection felt a lot more lust-focused than falling in love. I don’t think it’s impossible to fall in love in the time they originally spent together, or at least be on the road to it, especially at the ages they were, but there was little in the text to make me believe this was true, and not just lust-based. This probably could have been adjusted better in a full-length novel. The only issue I had with Reid’s character was the background we get on his wife, and I don’t think his actions after it is mentioned are fully understood. Again, this was hindered by the length.
Their relationship to their daughters was definitely a highlight of the present-day chapters, and I loved the overall message of the novella.
Thank you to Netgalley & 831 Stories for the ARC!!! Book publishes March 31, 2026!
November 18, 2025
I am a huge fan of second chance romances and this didn't disappoint. 'Found Time' is a well-paced, character-driven novella steeped in 90s nostalgia (I, too, was devastated when Jeff Buckley died) tinged with the bittersweet memories of first love. Lili and Reid meet in their early 20s at a Jeff Buckley performance at Sin-é and have an instant connection, the rare sort where they know and understand the other and their potential, but sadly the timing and location was wrong.
While there's an insta-spark in both timelines, I completely bought that even thirty years later Lili and Reid had the sort of chemistry to sustain a relationship. Young and middle-aged Lili and Reid were perfect for each other as they bared the wounds of their past. Reid was a sweetheart, even as a young man he was a clear communicator and just got Lili, and even in the present day he was willing to take the leap. Though Lili really got in her own way to a point where she was downright hurtful to him! Thankfully her wise teenage daughter and best friend put her to rights.
I loved how the author structured it to contain 1993 to the start with 2023 after instead of constant back and forth which I really detest in second chance stories. Though the 1993 section was tense to read because you know they aren't going to see each other for another 30 years, so I felt this should’ve been shorter. I also could've done without the visit to Lili’s parents as I wanted to keep the two alone to finally catch up. Supporting characters - Cat, Nisha, and parent trapping teens Gracie and Emme as the were also fabulous.
With its cinematic-like descriptions, I was engrossed to see how they'd work it out. I'm greedy for an epilogue though! I'd love a time jump to 2025 to see where Lili and Reid are now.
Poignant, tender and heartfelt.
Thanks to 831 Stories and NetGalley for the ARC.
While there's an insta-spark in both timelines, I completely bought that even thirty years later Lili and Reid had the sort of chemistry to sustain a relationship. Young and middle-aged Lili and Reid were perfect for each other as they bared the wounds of their past. Reid was a sweetheart, even as a young man he was a clear communicator and just got Lili, and even in the present day he was willing to take the leap. Though Lili really got in her own way to a point where she was downright hurtful to him! Thankfully her wise teenage daughter and best friend put her to rights.
I loved how the author structured it to contain 1993 to the start with 2023 after instead of constant back and forth which I really detest in second chance stories. Though the 1993 section was tense to read because you know they aren't going to see each other for another 30 years, so I felt this should’ve been shorter. I also could've done without the visit to Lili’s parents as I wanted to keep the two alone to finally catch up. Supporting characters - Cat, Nisha, and parent trapping teens Gracie and Emme as the were also fabulous.
With its cinematic-like descriptions, I was engrossed to see how they'd work it out. I'm greedy for an epilogue though! I'd love a time jump to 2025 to see where Lili and Reid are now.
Poignant, tender and heartfelt.
Thanks to 831 Stories and NetGalley for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley, 831 Stories, and Caroline Goldstein for the opportunity to read and review an advanced copy of "Found Time." The top three themes for this novel are: second-chance romance, dual timelines, and set in New York. We follow Lili and Reid during their whirlwind, week-long romance in the 90s - only for Reid to go back to LA, resulting in both of them losing touch. Until they run into each other again 30 years later through an encounter from their daughters. They have both lived different lives since then - but is the spark still alive after all these years?
I love a second-chance romance, and I thought the writing was fantastic for this book. Great banter, well-paced, and detailed descriptions of settings and food. It's also nice to see a romance novel with middle-aged main characters, and to see them navigate the realities of adulthood and the fantasy of being together.
However, there were a couple things that fell flat for me. The first is that I can't quite believe that they never got in touch again, especially with the rise of social media. Lili even admits to searching him on the internet regularly, so this felt like a major plot hole to me. The second was the ending - SPOILER AHEAD ----- as adults, they should not have to rely on their children to bring them together and have an adult conversation about their relationship. I think this was a weak ending for the book and was disappointed. If they can't come together on their own and talk through their issues, then they aren't ready to be together. ----- SPOILER END.
This book was still fun to read, and I think is a good option for rom-com fans. I ultimately enjoyed my time other than the ending!
I love a second-chance romance, and I thought the writing was fantastic for this book. Great banter, well-paced, and detailed descriptions of settings and food. It's also nice to see a romance novel with middle-aged main characters, and to see them navigate the realities of adulthood and the fantasy of being together.
However, there were a couple things that fell flat for me. The first is that I can't quite believe that they never got in touch again, especially with the rise of social media. Lili even admits to searching him on the internet regularly, so this felt like a major plot hole to me. The second was the ending - SPOILER AHEAD ----- as adults, they should not have to rely on their children to bring them together and have an adult conversation about their relationship. I think this was a weak ending for the book and was disappointed. If they can't come together on their own and talk through their issues, then they aren't ready to be together. ----- SPOILER END.
This book was still fun to read, and I think is a good option for rom-com fans. I ultimately enjoyed my time other than the ending!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
“Found Time” is a romance about grown ass people, for grown ass people.
Twenty-somethings Lili and Reid meet in 1993 at a Jeff Buckley show in NY. They have immediate chemistry and spend one week falling head over heels in love before Reid has to leave and return to his home and his life in CA. And Lili is still in school at NYU and can’t follow him.
Thirty years go by, they both meet other people, fall in love, have daughters, and then find themselves thrown together again when they reconnect in NY when Reid brings his daughter to visit NYU. Can they make it work this time?
This is one of my favorite 831 Stories romances so far. I really enjoyed the grounded vibes of a second chance romance between two people in their 50s. I liked all the characters, including the daughters, and the pacing of the story was great.
Up until the 80% mark this book passed my major romance test which is that there were no conflicts keeping the love interests apart that felt overly manufactured. But I felt the author fell into that trap with Lili a little bit in the last 20%, and the ending felt a little abrupt.
That said, I really enjoyed this book and think romance readers in their 30s, 40s, and 50s will like it too. (And readers who like a strong sense of place, because the author really makes you feel as if you’re running around NYC with Reid and Lili) As always, 831 Stories books are great for any reader who wants a quick and fun read that they can devour in one sitting.
PS: Thank you to NetGalley and 831 Stories for providing me with an Advanced Reading Copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own!
Twenty-somethings Lili and Reid meet in 1993 at a Jeff Buckley show in NY. They have immediate chemistry and spend one week falling head over heels in love before Reid has to leave and return to his home and his life in CA. And Lili is still in school at NYU and can’t follow him.
Thirty years go by, they both meet other people, fall in love, have daughters, and then find themselves thrown together again when they reconnect in NY when Reid brings his daughter to visit NYU. Can they make it work this time?
This is one of my favorite 831 Stories romances so far. I really enjoyed the grounded vibes of a second chance romance between two people in their 50s. I liked all the characters, including the daughters, and the pacing of the story was great.
Up until the 80% mark this book passed my major romance test which is that there were no conflicts keeping the love interests apart that felt overly manufactured. But I felt the author fell into that trap with Lili a little bit in the last 20%, and the ending felt a little abrupt.
That said, I really enjoyed this book and think romance readers in their 30s, 40s, and 50s will like it too. (And readers who like a strong sense of place, because the author really makes you feel as if you’re running around NYC with Reid and Lili) As always, 831 Stories books are great for any reader who wants a quick and fun read that they can devour in one sitting.
PS: Thank you to NetGalley and 831 Stories for providing me with an Advanced Reading Copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Set in two timelines (the first few chapters in 1993, the rest in 2023) we meet Lille and Reid at a cafe in the East Village. For a week they have a whirlwind romance, falling in love day by day, until it ends. Reid gets on a plane back to LA and Lille begins her junior year at NYU.
30 years later, a second-chance meeting puts the two of them in the same place for a limited time. Will they get it right or is their romance only meant to exist for fleeting moments in time?
While I did like this book, there were some inconsistencies that kept throwing me off. The book is set with a concrete 30 year gap (1993 to 2023), but almost all the references to time felt…off? In some parts it was 20 years since they’d seen each other…then it was 30. Lille mentions how Reid doesn’t seem old enough to have a teenager…but he’s 52. Maybe these will be edited before the book comes out in March, but it kept tripping me up.
I also have a reallllllly hard time with novella’s that end without giving insight into how the story truly ends. It feels like a theme with 831 Stories to end books with a happy ending that also feels incomplete. If you’re only giving me ~200 pages of a story, at least give me a 5 page epilogue.
That all said, I did enjoy the characters (especially the daughters, Gracie and Emme). Reid was WONDERFUL and I could have easily read a full 400 page book with him as the MMC. Lille…not so much 🤣 Worth picking up if you need something short & easy to read.
Thank you to NetGalley & 831 Stories for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. Grab this book when it comes out this March!
30 years later, a second-chance meeting puts the two of them in the same place for a limited time. Will they get it right or is their romance only meant to exist for fleeting moments in time?
While I did like this book, there were some inconsistencies that kept throwing me off. The book is set with a concrete 30 year gap (1993 to 2023), but almost all the references to time felt…off? In some parts it was 20 years since they’d seen each other…then it was 30. Lille mentions how Reid doesn’t seem old enough to have a teenager…but he’s 52. Maybe these will be edited before the book comes out in March, but it kept tripping me up.
I also have a reallllllly hard time with novella’s that end without giving insight into how the story truly ends. It feels like a theme with 831 Stories to end books with a happy ending that also feels incomplete. If you’re only giving me ~200 pages of a story, at least give me a 5 page epilogue.
That all said, I did enjoy the characters (especially the daughters, Gracie and Emme). Reid was WONDERFUL and I could have easily read a full 400 page book with him as the MMC. Lille…not so much 🤣 Worth picking up if you need something short & easy to read.
Thank you to NetGalley & 831 Stories for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. Grab this book when it comes out this March!
March 24, 2026
Oh be still my 90s loving heart! It’s 1993 in NYC and Lili meets Reid at an epic Jeff Buckley show in the East Village, embarking on a life-changing night and a whirlwind romance. The problem is that he has to go back to LA to start his film making career in just one week—a chance at working with a famous director that is too good to pass up.
Thirty years later, the two reunite at a Jeff Buckley tribute concert held at the same venue (just a different location) with their teen daughters—Emme and Gracie (love that nod to Buckley’s only full-length album!). Their connection & passion comes roaring back, but Lili is suffering from her post-divorce malaise of feeling abandoned by her workaholic surgeon ex, and scared to attempt a long distance relationship when they didn’t even attempt to try that in their 20s. Reid has his own baggage, too, as a widower. Thank goodness for The Parent Trap (both versions!) and the teen daughters’ shenanigans to get their parents together.
I loved the nostalgia and hope in this novella, and admittedly, I’m a sucker for a second chance romance and especially when the main character is in the midst of menopause! I also love characters calling each other on their shit. The side characters in this are well-developed from the daughters to Lili’s best friend Nisha, who pushes her to be authentic & stop self-sabotaging. As always, I continue to be impressed with the mix of literary fiction and romance that 831 Stories churns out, and I am anxiously awaiting their next move!
Thank you to NetGalley & 831 stories for the e-ARC. I wish I had a copy to send my best friend! This one is out April 7th, 2026.
Thirty years later, the two reunite at a Jeff Buckley tribute concert held at the same venue (just a different location) with their teen daughters—Emme and Gracie (love that nod to Buckley’s only full-length album!). Their connection & passion comes roaring back, but Lili is suffering from her post-divorce malaise of feeling abandoned by her workaholic surgeon ex, and scared to attempt a long distance relationship when they didn’t even attempt to try that in their 20s. Reid has his own baggage, too, as a widower. Thank goodness for The Parent Trap (both versions!) and the teen daughters’ shenanigans to get their parents together.
I loved the nostalgia and hope in this novella, and admittedly, I’m a sucker for a second chance romance and especially when the main character is in the midst of menopause! I also love characters calling each other on their shit. The side characters in this are well-developed from the daughters to Lili’s best friend Nisha, who pushes her to be authentic & stop self-sabotaging. As always, I continue to be impressed with the mix of literary fiction and romance that 831 Stories churns out, and I am anxiously awaiting their next move!
Thank you to NetGalley & 831 stories for the e-ARC. I wish I had a copy to send my best friend! This one is out April 7th, 2026.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
If you're not reading the novellas 831 Stories has been putting out, you are really missing out - each one is a gorgeous and sexy love story with relatable characters and a tight, contained plot. This one was no different - it actually might be my favorite of them I've read so far.
Lili and Reid met in 1993 at a Jeff Buckley show in New York City. They had an instant undeniable connection and had a hot and heavy romance for the next week. But Reid had a job opportunity he couldn't refuse, and they had to say goodbye. 30 years later, they run into each other again, and this time they're both single with teenage daughters. Sparks immediately fly like no time has passed, and they have to figure out whether they're willing to be brave this time around.
I found this achingly romantic. 1990s New York beautifully comes to life, especially the East Village, and Lili and Reid's optimism and dreams are really lovely. In the present, I was absolutely obsessed with the dynamics between Lili and Reid and their daughters - both trying to make up for the hole left by absent spouses/parents while also trying to heal from their own grief and trauma. The daughters are both so cute and fun and cool, and I loved how they really just wanted to see their parents happy while also protecting their relationships. There really aren't enough stories about people finding love later in life, and this was just a gorgeous second chance love story that made me feel very hopeful and dreamy. The spice is also great - Goldstein really captures the magnetism between Lili and Reid and how when you really feel drawn to someone, every inch of them is precious to you. I loved this!!!
Thank you to NetGalley and 831 Stories for an advance reader's copy in exchange for an honest review!
Lili and Reid met in 1993 at a Jeff Buckley show in New York City. They had an instant undeniable connection and had a hot and heavy romance for the next week. But Reid had a job opportunity he couldn't refuse, and they had to say goodbye. 30 years later, they run into each other again, and this time they're both single with teenage daughters. Sparks immediately fly like no time has passed, and they have to figure out whether they're willing to be brave this time around.
I found this achingly romantic. 1990s New York beautifully comes to life, especially the East Village, and Lili and Reid's optimism and dreams are really lovely. In the present, I was absolutely obsessed with the dynamics between Lili and Reid and their daughters - both trying to make up for the hole left by absent spouses/parents while also trying to heal from their own grief and trauma. The daughters are both so cute and fun and cool, and I loved how they really just wanted to see their parents happy while also protecting their relationships. There really aren't enough stories about people finding love later in life, and this was just a gorgeous second chance love story that made me feel very hopeful and dreamy. The spice is also great - Goldstein really captures the magnetism between Lili and Reid and how when you really feel drawn to someone, every inch of them is precious to you. I loved this!!!
Thank you to NetGalley and 831 Stories for an advance reader's copy in exchange for an honest review!
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