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Outlander meets What the Wind Knows with a dash of The Tudors

Claudia, Alex, and Marie embark on a perilous journey back through the swirling mists of time, their hopes pinned on averting a looming tragedy. As they navigate the tangled web of history, vivid memories of Alex and Claudia’s enduring love flicker across the timelines, a testament to their unyielding bond. Their destination is the tumultuous Ireland of 1649, a land poised precariously on the brink of siege. It is a treacherous era to traverse, where danger lurks at every corner.

In their quest, they immerse themselves within the ancient covens, becoming an integral part of the tightly knit community of Drogheda. The air is thick with tension, the kind that crackles and hums, as they wrestle with the monumental task before them. Caught in the crossfire of history, they face the daunting challenge of halting the impending slaughter of the town while grappling with the complex emotions tied to saving the beloved of their sworn nemesis.

As the stakes grow ever higher, the question looms will the timeless love between Alex and Claudia endure the trials they face, or are there formidable forces at work beyond their control, threatening to unravel the very fabric of their shared destiny?

*Contains mature themes, open door sex scenes, and mature language.

229 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 15, 2025

44 people are currently reading
114 people want to read

About the author

Stephanie Hansen

21 books638 followers
Agent @MetamorphLitAg | Altered Helix Game 2023 | PenCraft and Global Book Award Winning Author | Mom | deaf | Replaced Parts & Omitted Pieces @FireIceYABooks & @TantorAudio | Ghostly Howls 2023 | IMADJINN FINALIST | Armored Hours 2024

Follow me on BookBub https://www.bookbub.com/authors/steph...

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
Profile Image for Diamanti.
168 reviews5 followers
October 17, 2025
3,5⭐

Hello, people!
This book travels us on 1649, in Ireland and it's the second book in the Reincarnated Souls series.
Anyone who knows me well knows that the historical novel is my favorite literary genre. Therefore, they know that I am a strict critic.
The story is almost a bite, always compared to the multi-page books I usually read.
The protagonists are Claudia and Alex.
The author's writing is warm, romantic, tender and exciting. The characters are well-rounded and interesting.
There are moments that take your breath away, but I can't say that I wouldn't like more development on a lot of levels.
Overall, it is a very romantic and warm read that will make you spend your time happily.

Thank you to the author and Grey's Promotions for the eARC!
This is my honest review!
Profile Image for Holly Howard.
115 reviews5 followers
October 22, 2025
If you want to be transported to a new place in your minds eye, the descriptions in this book feels like you're in a movie. This book was Outlander coded and i would consider this a cozy Romantasy and I loved every bit of it. I loved the premise of going back in time and stopping a tragedy and I enjoyed the friendship and the romantic aspect of it which wasn't what the story relied on to take up word count. This is a perfect curl up in a comfy blanket and enjoy the visuals the author perfectly sets up in her storytelling.
Profile Image for Kaleigh Shabdue.
21 reviews4 followers
October 22, 2025
ARC REVIEW ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Guarded time was a thrilling historical romance from start to finish! If you’re a fan of Outlander and love a good time travel romance with low level romance this is the one for you! Exciting, adventurous, sexy at times.. it will have you entranced start to finish! Oh and if you love this don’t forget to check out the other in the series Armoured Hours!
Profile Image for Carolyn.
411 reviews36 followers
October 22, 2025
What’s not to love about a good time travel romance? I’m an Outlander fan. Somewhere In Time captured my imagination when I was younger. I decided to give this a go.
It was interesting.

My first time reading this author. Being book 2 in the series I felt behind from the start. I think a re-read is in order after I finish book 1.

Profile Image for Megan Ray.
81 reviews1 follower
October 12, 2025
What a wonderful twist on a historical icon like Cromwell. This was a pleasure to read which I was able to finish in 1 night. If you want a time-travel romance (light on the romance side) with a historical fiction twist then this is the book for you!
Profile Image for Tammy.
630 reviews5 followers
December 7, 2025
📚Guarded Time
✍🏻Stephanie Hansen
Blurb:
Outlander meets What the Wind Knows with a dash of The Tudors

Claudia, Alex, and Marie embark on a perilous journey back through the swirling mists of time, their hopes pinned on averting a looming tragedy. As they navigate the tangled web of history, vivid memories of Alex and Claudia’s enduring love flicker across the timelines, a testament to their unyielding bond. Their destination is the tumultuous Ireland of 1649, a land poised precariously on the brink of siege. It is a treacherous era to traverse, where danger lurks at every corner.

In their quest, they immerse themselves within the ancient covens, becoming an integral part of the tightly knit community of Drogheda. The air is thick with tension, the kind that crackles and hums, as they wrestle with the monumental task before them. Caught in the crossfire of history, they face the daunting challenge of halting the impending slaughter of the town while grappling with the complex emotions tied to saving the beloved of their sworn nemesis.

As the stakes grow ever higher, the question looms will the timeless love between Alex and Claudia endure the trials they face, or are there formidable forces at work beyond their control, threatening to unravel the very fabric of their shared destiny?
My Thoughts:
The fast paced plot of Guarded Time will keep you hooked cover to cover. I really enjoyed the wide variety of characters and keeping up with the time jumpers as they skipped across history. Set primarily in 17th century Ireland. This book covers their attempts to help during Cromwell‘s Siege Drogheda. That is a very basic summary though because there are so many characters that play we have coven and sorcerers and political intrigue - all mixed up with a little bit of romance, and the complexities of keeping your true identity secret while traveling in time.This book was Outlander coded and i would consider this a cozy Romantasy and I loved every bit of it. I loved the premise of going back in time and stopping a tragedy and I enjoyed the friendship and the romantic aspect of it which wasn't what the story relied on to take up word count. This is a perfect curl up in a comfy blanket and enjoy the visuals the author perfectly sets up in her storytelling.
Thanks NetGalley, Hypothesis Books and Author Stephanie Hansen for the advanced copy of "Guarded Time" I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation.
#NetGalley
#HypothesesBooks
#GuardedTime
#StephanieHansen
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
⚠️Trigger Warnings: Contains mature themes, open door sex scenes, and mature language.
Profile Image for N.N. Heaven.
Author 6 books2,123 followers
October 15, 2025
Claudia and Alex travel back in time along with Marie to stop a pivotal tragedy. It’s 1649 Ireland, a place well known to Marie, but she’ll have to be extra careful not to run into herself in the past. As Claudia, Alex, and Marie infiltrate into village life, danger surrounds them at every turn. Will they not only stop the impeding slaughter, but will Alex and Claudia’s enduring love knit their hearts together for all eternity?

Guarded Time is a breathtaking time travel fantasy romance fans of Outlander will love. The world-building and historical accuracy blend well to create a visually stunning story. The descriptive narration is lush and transports the reader. The stakes are high as are the emotions, but the dialogue and characters balance the plot to make it an enjoyable read. The characters are what make Guarded Time unputdownable.

Stephanie Hansen has penned an exquisite time travel fantasy romance. Her writing is poetic in nature and allows the reader to immerse themselves in the story and characters. Every scene is brilliantly written and the more I read, the more invested I became. I read late into the night and couldn’t stop reading. If you’re a rabid fan of Outlander, this is your next must-read.

My Rating: 5++ stars

Reviewed by: Nancy

This review first appeared: https://substack.com/@nnlightsbookhea...
95 reviews
October 23, 2025
Guarded Time
Thank you to the author for this gifted ARC

From the beginning of this book, the group is setting up to travel to 1640s and there is not any back story, so if you didn’t read the 1st book, you might have a bit of a tough time catching up.
The group lands in a cave that kind of becomes home for the duration of their stay. Claudia and Alex are the romance arc of the story but mostly this is a fictional historical depiction of Cromwell’s massacre/attack on Drogheda 1649.
Meanwhile, Marie, Claudia’s mother is trying to avoid running into Mary who is a couple of centuries younger version of herself! The 3 of them are working to circumvent Cromwell’s planned attack, with the hope that they could damage the cannons he has set up to fire at the town walls.
Then the unthinkable happens and Marie who is also known as Laura is captured by Cromwell.
The book really takes up speed at this point. I love time travel and history but I had a difficult time getting attached to this book until about 2/3 of the way through. I felt like I needed more back story, some of the characters were not well developed in my opinion. I never could figure out really whose side Elizabeth, Cromwell’s wife, was on.

#guarded time
#timetravelromance
Profile Image for Danielle.
79 reviews2 followers
October 25, 2025
Thanks to Grey's Promo and Stephanie Hansen for allowing me to read this ahead of its release in exchange for an honest review.

I didn’t realize when I picked this up that Guarded Time is part of a much larger connected universe, it’s technically book #2 in this series, but there are quite a few previous companion stories that tie in before it. Because of that, I definitely felt a little lost at times and think I would’ve benefited from reading the earlier ones first to really connect with the world and characters (although you could also read it as a standalone). I’m looking forward to exploring the earlier books to get the full experience and coming back to Guarded Time with fresh eyes once I’ve got all the context.

That said, Stephanie Hansen’s writing has a really vivid, cinematic quality to it. The pacing moves fast, the characters are layered, and there’s a sense of urgency that keeps you wanting to know what happens next. The time travel / paranormal mix is super intriguing.
They’ve traveled in time to Ireland, a place where one of our FMC has been before. So she has to avoid herself and others who would recognize her. Does Claudia and Alex's romance stand the test of time?! Read it and find out!

It has the feel of Outlander meets What the Wind Knows with a dash of The Tudors, and it has light open door spice so if thats your jam give it a try!
Profile Image for Lisa Britton.
28 reviews
October 8, 2025
ARC Review: Guarded Time by Stephanie Hansen
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (3.25 stars)
Guarded Time has an interesting premise and a main storyline that held my attention, but overall, the execution left me wanting more. While the central plot had potential, the number of subplots made the narrative feel a bit convoluted at times. I struggled to connect with the characters, as their development felt limited and their challenges seemed to be resolved too easily. The worldbuilding and magic system also lacked depth, which made it difficult to fully immerse myself in the story. Additionally, the dialogue felt somewhat simplistic, missing the emotional nuance that could have elevated the story. Overall, the book felt a bit like a draft—there’s a solid concept at its core, but it could benefit from more refinement and depth. Readers who enjoy light, fast-paced historical fantasy may still find it entertaining, but you need to read book one, Armored Hours.
1,862 reviews32 followers
October 16, 2025
- Time travel
- Magical world
- Action packed

This book is the second in the Reincarnated Souls series and, in my opinion, cannot be read as a standalone. The magical world is complex and the story is fast paced and without reading Armored Hours, readers may find it confusing.

When this book was described as something Outlander fans would enjoy, I was intrigued. I adore time travel stories...and with this installment being set in Ireland? I was sold.

I enjoyed that the story addressed meeting their past selves. Most time travel books don't mention that, which I think is an interesting twist to the story.

The thing I liked most about the story, however, was the way the author described the setting and surroundings. I felt like I could see it clearly in my mind.

Overall, I found this to be a solid and enjoyable read!
Profile Image for Lauren.
221 reviews8 followers
October 23, 2025
Guarded Time by Stephanie Hansen is the perfect read for anyone that dreams of love stories that transcend time and space. It’s a little bit Outlander, a little bit Discovery of Witches, a little bit Providence Falls, and a dash of The Tudors. Our main characters are transported back to Cromwell’s reign of terror in Ireland in 1649. I was initially drawn to this book because of the ✨GORGEOUS✨ cover and then I read the blurb and knew I had to read it. My ancestors are from the Drogheda region and even though this is a fictional book, it still weaves in actual history (and I’m a giant history nerd). This book is full of action, sorcery, Celtic myth and magic, soulmates, a badass girl squad and not a single boring moment. I sped through this book and would definitely recommend it to anyone that loves historical fiction, time-travel, and epic romance!
Profile Image for Christina.
Author 14 books326 followers
December 14, 2025
“Guarded Time” by Stephanie Hansen is a fast-paced time-travel romantasy set primarily in 17th-century Ireland. Claudia, Alex, and Marie journey back to Drogheda in 1649, hoping to prevent a devastating tragedy during Cromwell’s siege. As timelines intertwine, the enduring bond between Alex and Claudia grounds the story, while danger, political unrest, and the constant threat of discovery create unrelenting tension. Blending historical intrigue, magic, and romance, Hansen introduces a rich cast of characters—covens, sorcerers, and time jumpers—while exploring the moral complexities of changing history. The romance and friendships enhance the story without overwhelming it, making this a gripping read. With vivid settings and a brisk pace, “Guarded Time” is perfect for readers who love immersive time travel, emotional depth, and curling up with a beautiful historical fantasy.
Profile Image for Catherine.
49 reviews1 follower
October 24, 2025
Love Outlander? Cool, same!
Love autumn? OMG me too!
Ready to lose summer reads and ready to into cozy fall? YAS!
Then it’s high time you read Guarded Time by Stephanie Hansen.
This romantasy is fast-paced, filled with history, high-anxiety situations (try having to avoid yourself after traveling time!), and a lovely romance that blossoms along the way.
I feel like I’ll get more out of this read once I read the other books in this series but overall this is quite the enjoyable read! Very thankful for the ARC! 3.75🤩
Profile Image for Thatonegirltarrah .
70 reviews
October 23, 2025
This was such a cute book! I do love the idea of time travel and getting to see how those would who did it would react which is where it feels a lot like outlander! Claudia and Alex were great read and Marie’s time trying to avoid you know who killed me lol I do feel as if I would have gotten into it more had a read the first book but now this just gives me more to add to my tbr! Great for anyone who likes historical romance! Thank you so much for the chance to read it before anyone!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Michelle Shamy.
866 reviews55 followers
November 1, 2025
You can't ask for much more than a sweet romsntasy that brings you back through time. I enjoyed the book going back to 1649. seeing the differences in time. the friendships that were forged, and a Love That lasted throughout. the development of this story had me engrossed. i loved how vivid the details were. the characters were beautiful.
I enjoyed taking a Saturday, grabbing my favorite drink and snack, getting comfy in my recliner, and turning the pages of this wonderful book.
43 reviews
October 13, 2025
📖 ARC Review
⭐️ 4/5 stars
🕰️ Book Two in the Reincarnated Souls Series
Release Date: October 15th

✨I was so excited to dive into Guarded Time after reading Armored hours ! Having already met the characters and understood the time-travel element made this one much easier to get into.✨

✨This sequel takes Alex, Claudia, and Marie on another wild journey through time, this time landing in 1649 Ireland, full of tension, danger, and ancient magic. I absolutely loved that this book took place in Drogheda, Ireland — the Irish setting and characters were one of my favourite parts! 🇮🇪💚✨

✨There’s definitely a lot happening in this story, with the back-and-forth time jumps keeping me on my toes. If you enjoyed book one, you’ll definitely enjoy this follow-up. It expands the world, deepens the relationships, and continues that blend of history, fantasy, and romance that makes the series stand out.✨

✨ Overall, an enjoyable read ✨

✨Thanks to Greys promo and Stephanie Hansen for this arc for my honest review✨
Profile Image for Katie Wastlund.
247 reviews30 followers
October 22, 2025
3.5⭐️
This can be read as a stand-alone .This was my first book by this author.I am a huge historical fiction fan.I also love Ireland.I just came from a trip from Ireland and felt relatable.I did feel it fell short at times with the characters .I would give this author a try.
Profile Image for Shirin Rasheed.
2,816 reviews41 followers
October 18, 2025
Guarded Time is a captivating, action packed story set in a magical world. It is an enjoyable read which keeps your attention and hooks you from start to end.

Highly Recommend it to all readers.
Profile Image for Sierra.
36 reviews
October 23, 2025
I enjoyed both books very much. Great writing style and the plot made me lose myself. Loved the characters also.
Profile Image for Angel.
230 reviews24 followers
November 12, 2025
The fast paced plot of Guarded Time will keep you hooked cover to cover. I really enjoyed the wide variety of characters and keeping up with the time jumpers as they skipped across history. Set primarily in 17th century Ireland. This book covers their attempts to help during Cromwell‘s Siege Drogheda. That is a very basic summary though because there are so many characters that play we have coven and sorcerers and political intrigue - all mixed up with a little bit of romance, and the complexities of keeping your true identity secret while traveling in time.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the interesting perspective on the historical event, but I do wish that there had been a little bit more focus on character development. The setting was beautiful. The historic event was well researched and the concepts of the magical system were pretty well defined. Sometimes characters would act in ways that made me wonder at their motivation, and I think that may be because I didn’t have a good enough grasp on their development.

That critique is small potatoes though - I love a good time-bendy, speculative, historical fiction and you can bet I will be reading more from this author!
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews

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