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Sometime This Century
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A riotous rom-com meets a swoon-worthy Regency comedy of manners in this heartfelt time-travel story about sisters, love, identity—and how Jane Austen just might change your life.
Annabel Blake was born in the wrong century. An Austen-loving book nerd, she dreams of being a writer herself, with a just-penned Regency novel to prove it. Her hopes sink when her hot author crush rejects The novel reads like she’s never been in love. Ouch.
Annabel sees a chance to rewrite it when her ex-pat boss sends her to England to sort out her family’s “crumbling old pile” of a country house. Tempted by an invitation tucked in an antique writing desk and a “period” coachman at her door, Annabel’s whisked away to a local Regency Society ball—cue candlelight, costumes, dancing—that might be just the inspiration she needs. There’s even the achingly perfect—and wildly out of her league—Henry Leighton D’Evercy.
When Annabel’s audacious influencer sister crashes the party with her super-chill ex-boyfriend, the unlikely trio wake to find themselves trapped in the actual Regency era. No Wi-Fi, lattes, cellphones—just a world where manners, money, and marriage rule.
As Annabel falls deeply for D’Evercy, she must write her perfect love story…or live it.
Annabel Blake was born in the wrong century. An Austen-loving book nerd, she dreams of being a writer herself, with a just-penned Regency novel to prove it. Her hopes sink when her hot author crush rejects The novel reads like she’s never been in love. Ouch.
Annabel sees a chance to rewrite it when her ex-pat boss sends her to England to sort out her family’s “crumbling old pile” of a country house. Tempted by an invitation tucked in an antique writing desk and a “period” coachman at her door, Annabel’s whisked away to a local Regency Society ball—cue candlelight, costumes, dancing—that might be just the inspiration she needs. There’s even the achingly perfect—and wildly out of her league—Henry Leighton D’Evercy.
When Annabel’s audacious influencer sister crashes the party with her super-chill ex-boyfriend, the unlikely trio wake to find themselves trapped in the actual Regency era. No Wi-Fi, lattes, cellphones—just a world where manners, money, and marriage rule.
As Annabel falls deeply for D’Evercy, she must write her perfect love story…or live it.
320 pages, Paperback
Expected publication June 9, 2026
About the author
Samantha Silva
4 books430 followersSamantha Silva is the author of Mr. Dickens and His Carol (2017), Love and Fury: A Novel of Mary Wollstonecraft (2021), both from Flatiron Books, and Sometime This Century, coming June 2026 from HarperCollins. As a screenwriter, she's sold projects to Paramount, Universal, and New Line Cinema. Her short fiction and essays appear in One Story, The New York Times and LitHub. She adapted Mr. Dickens and His Carol for the stage as a commission by Seattle Repertory Theater, where it premiered in December 2022.
She's a graduate of Johns Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies and is currently based in Idaho.
She's a graduate of Johns Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies and is currently based in Idaho.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
March 16, 2026
Thank you Netgalley and Harper Perennial for this free ARC in exchange for an honest review!
First thing I will say: the writing is PHENOMENAL!! It captivated me from the very first page and gave me very high expectations for the rest of the novel. The writing really brings the regency setting to life with its beautiful and orignal descriptions. The dialogue also felt realistic and natural (well as natural as one can get when writing dialogue from the regency era). I was completely immersed in the world and the writing appealled the all the senses.
Althought the writing was absolutely incredible, this did not feel like the romance novel I was expecting. It is advertised as a rom-com and I was really searching for the romance aspect as I was reading. I got teased with the appearance of D'Evercy, our MMC and love interest, and I thought we would get a swooning love story between him and our FMC, Annabel, but they had maybe 3 conversations before they decided to get married and only kissed after the 95% mark. Usually, I wouldn't mind the slow-burn, but nothing was burning. There was no romantic development at all and it all felt quite mechanical. Now that they is no guarantee of going back to modern times, the sisters HAVE to marry to survive and the whole plot kind of surrounds just that aspect of necessity which took away the romantic part of it. Especially since D'Evercy, accurate to his name, was misogynistic to our FMC about her writing career and overall modernity. I don't want to see that from the love interest when I'm reading a romance novel, no matter how realistic it is.
Character-wise, I thought Annabel, Cassie and Billy had great character development. They felt well-rounded (albeit extremely annoying for 3/4 of the novel for Cassie and Billy's part) and realistic. I did not mind too much how annoying Cassie and Billy were because that was the whole point of them being out of touch influencers. I really liked their character arcs and how the conclusion tied it all together. However, we know nothing about D'Evercy. How am I supposed to root for their relationship if I don't know anything about this man?? Annabel fell in love with him at first sight and only when he showed his reluctance at her writing career did she decide to leave him.
Another point that irked me was the insistence of women writing as this incredibly outrageous and nearly illegal affair. This is just untrue. There were plenty of female writers in the 18-19th century who were KNOWN as female writers and who had careers as writers (I have studied these texts as an English major). It might not have been celebrated, but it wasn't as scorned as it was described in the book.
The plot really focused on them getting back to modern times and how they would survive if they didn't, rather than the romance which did not sit well with me as I was expecting a regency romance.
Overall, the writing and setting of this book are 5 stars but the plot lost me completely. I kept waiting for the romance and tension to happen and it left me unsatisfied (I nearly thought they just wouldn't get together).
First thing I will say: the writing is PHENOMENAL!! It captivated me from the very first page and gave me very high expectations for the rest of the novel. The writing really brings the regency setting to life with its beautiful and orignal descriptions. The dialogue also felt realistic and natural (well as natural as one can get when writing dialogue from the regency era). I was completely immersed in the world and the writing appealled the all the senses.
Althought the writing was absolutely incredible, this did not feel like the romance novel I was expecting. It is advertised as a rom-com and I was really searching for the romance aspect as I was reading. I got teased with the appearance of D'Evercy, our MMC and love interest, and I thought we would get a swooning love story between him and our FMC, Annabel, but they had maybe 3 conversations before they decided to get married and only kissed after the 95% mark. Usually, I wouldn't mind the slow-burn, but nothing was burning. There was no romantic development at all and it all felt quite mechanical. Now that they is no guarantee of going back to modern times, the sisters HAVE to marry to survive and the whole plot kind of surrounds just that aspect of necessity which took away the romantic part of it. Especially since D'Evercy, accurate to his name, was misogynistic to our FMC about her writing career and overall modernity. I don't want to see that from the love interest when I'm reading a romance novel, no matter how realistic it is.
Character-wise, I thought Annabel, Cassie and Billy had great character development. They felt well-rounded (albeit extremely annoying for 3/4 of the novel for Cassie and Billy's part) and realistic. I did not mind too much how annoying Cassie and Billy were because that was the whole point of them being out of touch influencers. I really liked their character arcs and how the conclusion tied it all together. However, we know nothing about D'Evercy. How am I supposed to root for their relationship if I don't know anything about this man?? Annabel fell in love with him at first sight and only when he showed his reluctance at her writing career did she decide to leave him.
Another point that irked me was the insistence of women writing as this incredibly outrageous and nearly illegal affair. This is just untrue. There were plenty of female writers in the 18-19th century who were KNOWN as female writers and who had careers as writers (I have studied these texts as an English major). It might not have been celebrated, but it wasn't as scorned as it was described in the book.
The plot really focused on them getting back to modern times and how they would survive if they didn't, rather than the romance which did not sit well with me as I was expecting a regency romance.
Overall, the writing and setting of this book are 5 stars but the plot lost me completely. I kept waiting for the romance and tension to happen and it left me unsatisfied (I nearly thought they just wouldn't get together).
May 7, 2026
Thank you, NetGalley, for this ARC.
This was a really cute book. Perfect for a pallet cleanser read. I’ve been a bit in a reading slump and this brought me out of it. I genuinely enjoyed all of the characters. Annabel, Cassie, and Billy were so enjoyable. Actually, I want more. Especially from Billy. There is so much more to discover in this time traveling world and I hope we get it.
This was a really cute book. Perfect for a pallet cleanser read. I’ve been a bit in a reading slump and this brought me out of it. I genuinely enjoyed all of the characters. Annabel, Cassie, and Billy were so enjoyable. Actually, I want more. Especially from Billy. There is so much more to discover in this time traveling world and I hope we get it.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: June 9, 2026
Samantha Silva’s new novel, “Sometime This Century: A Regency Rom-Com” is a time-telling romance with Bridgerton vibes, that pays tribute to the great Jane Austen in direct and indirect ways.
Annabel Blake is a Jane Austen-loving bookworm who feels like she was born in the wrong time period. Her sister, Cassie, however, was perfectly made for this modern world, and the two sisters seem to have more differences than they do similarities. Until both Annabel and Cassie, with the help of an antique writing desk, end up in the nineteenth century. Cassie is desperate to return to her time while Annabel is having the time of her life but in order for one sister to be happy, the other has to sacrifice. So, Annabel makes a promise that she will do all she can to return, with Cassie, to the modern century, even though she seems to have finally met the man of her dreams.
“Century” is a tribute to Jane Austen in many ways, from the very different sisters, Annabel and Cassie, who both have different goals and dreams that can’t come true without a sacrifice from the other (think Pride and Prejudice) and there’s even a cameo from the great author herself. The romance between Annabel and Henry had me thinking “Bridgerton” (there were more than a few similar scenes, in fact), with a time traveling component that made it different from both Jane Austen and Julia Quinn, yet fans of both will find a kindred spirit in Annabel.
The narration is all over the place, with Annabel narrating in some sections, Cassie in others, and third-person narration in other areas, but the story is primarily centred on Annabel, the misfit sister who is looking for her place and finally finds it- although it isn’t in this century.
“Century” is a cute and cozy historical fiction romance. The plot is reminiscent of other novels but is just different enough to stand out and the main characters, both sisters, are charming and honest, even though they are completely different in almost every way.
The ending of this novel could have happened in a multitude of ways and yet Silva managed to find the conclusion that fit this story perfectly. It was reassuring and heart warming and found a way to bring both sister’s story line to an ideal close.
Silva’s “Century” is an ode to Austen, and the romantic Regency era. It is sweet, heartwarming and romantic, but the time traveling component adds mystery and intrigue, which will appeal to a larger collection of readers.
Expected publication date: June 9, 2026
Samantha Silva’s new novel, “Sometime This Century: A Regency Rom-Com” is a time-telling romance with Bridgerton vibes, that pays tribute to the great Jane Austen in direct and indirect ways.
Annabel Blake is a Jane Austen-loving bookworm who feels like she was born in the wrong time period. Her sister, Cassie, however, was perfectly made for this modern world, and the two sisters seem to have more differences than they do similarities. Until both Annabel and Cassie, with the help of an antique writing desk, end up in the nineteenth century. Cassie is desperate to return to her time while Annabel is having the time of her life but in order for one sister to be happy, the other has to sacrifice. So, Annabel makes a promise that she will do all she can to return, with Cassie, to the modern century, even though she seems to have finally met the man of her dreams.
“Century” is a tribute to Jane Austen in many ways, from the very different sisters, Annabel and Cassie, who both have different goals and dreams that can’t come true without a sacrifice from the other (think Pride and Prejudice) and there’s even a cameo from the great author herself. The romance between Annabel and Henry had me thinking “Bridgerton” (there were more than a few similar scenes, in fact), with a time traveling component that made it different from both Jane Austen and Julia Quinn, yet fans of both will find a kindred spirit in Annabel.
The narration is all over the place, with Annabel narrating in some sections, Cassie in others, and third-person narration in other areas, but the story is primarily centred on Annabel, the misfit sister who is looking for her place and finally finds it- although it isn’t in this century.
“Century” is a cute and cozy historical fiction romance. The plot is reminiscent of other novels but is just different enough to stand out and the main characters, both sisters, are charming and honest, even though they are completely different in almost every way.
The ending of this novel could have happened in a multitude of ways and yet Silva managed to find the conclusion that fit this story perfectly. It was reassuring and heart warming and found a way to bring both sister’s story line to an ideal close.
Silva’s “Century” is an ode to Austen, and the romantic Regency era. It is sweet, heartwarming and romantic, but the time traveling component adds mystery and intrigue, which will appeal to a larger collection of readers.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
Sometime This Century 📖🕰️
by Samantha Silva
3.5 almost-there stars ✨
Huge thank you to Harper Perennial for the ARC 💛
This book felt like stepping into a dream I really wanted to stay in… and then slowly realizing it wasn’t quite the story I thought it would be.
There is something undeniably beautiful about Sometime This Century. The writing is lush, immersive, and so clearly written by someone who loves the Regency era. Every detail feels intentional, from candlelight to conversation, and as someone who also romanticizes that world a little too much, I felt right at home at first. 🕯️🌿
Here’s what stayed with me:
• 📖 The writing is genuinely stunning. It carries the entire book and makes even quieter moments feel rich and atmospheric.
• 🕰️ The time travel concept is fun and a little chaotic in the best way, especially with multiple characters navigating it differently.
• 👭 The sibling dynamic adds depth. Messy, frustrating, but real in a way that grounded the story.
• 🌸 The love for Jane Austen is everywhere, and if you’re an Austen girl, you’ll catch so many little nods that feel like a wink just for you.
But for me, something never fully clicked:
• 💔 The romance felt distant. Not bad, just… underdeveloped. I kept waiting to feel something deeper, and it never quite landed.
• 🫧 The story leans more into survival and circumstance than emotional connection, which made it feel less like a rom-com and more like a “what now?” situation.
•🧍♂️ The love interest felt more like an idea than a fully realized person, which made it hard to root for the relationship.
I think that’s what left me a little adrift. This is marketed as swoony and romantic, but what I found instead was quieter, more introspective, and a bit uncertain about what it wanted to be.
Still, there is something undeniably charming here. It’s thoughtful, literary, and full of love for storytelling itself. It just didn’t quite deliver the emotional payoff I was hoping for.
A soft, thoughtful read that feels like a first draft of something that could have been unforgettable. 💫
by Samantha Silva
3.5 almost-there stars ✨
Huge thank you to Harper Perennial for the ARC 💛
This book felt like stepping into a dream I really wanted to stay in… and then slowly realizing it wasn’t quite the story I thought it would be.
There is something undeniably beautiful about Sometime This Century. The writing is lush, immersive, and so clearly written by someone who loves the Regency era. Every detail feels intentional, from candlelight to conversation, and as someone who also romanticizes that world a little too much, I felt right at home at first. 🕯️🌿
Here’s what stayed with me:
• 📖 The writing is genuinely stunning. It carries the entire book and makes even quieter moments feel rich and atmospheric.
• 🕰️ The time travel concept is fun and a little chaotic in the best way, especially with multiple characters navigating it differently.
• 👭 The sibling dynamic adds depth. Messy, frustrating, but real in a way that grounded the story.
• 🌸 The love for Jane Austen is everywhere, and if you’re an Austen girl, you’ll catch so many little nods that feel like a wink just for you.
But for me, something never fully clicked:
• 💔 The romance felt distant. Not bad, just… underdeveloped. I kept waiting to feel something deeper, and it never quite landed.
• 🫧 The story leans more into survival and circumstance than emotional connection, which made it feel less like a rom-com and more like a “what now?” situation.
•🧍♂️ The love interest felt more like an idea than a fully realized person, which made it hard to root for the relationship.
I think that’s what left me a little adrift. This is marketed as swoony and romantic, but what I found instead was quieter, more introspective, and a bit uncertain about what it wanted to be.
Still, there is something undeniably charming here. It’s thoughtful, literary, and full of love for storytelling itself. It just didn’t quite deliver the emotional payoff I was hoping for.
A soft, thoughtful read that feels like a first draft of something that could have been unforgettable. 💫
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
What a charming little book! This is someone who clearly knows their Austen trivia and is not to be trifled with. I'd never heard of a Hepplewhite in my life until this book, and now it's the star of the show.
This was both exactly what I wanted and not quite. I'm not sure I've ever experienced the phenomenon where I actually like the ending better than any one point in the book. One could chalk it up to regency-era romance being light on action, but Austen and Bridgerton never make it seem that way. Suffice to say, the ending was the absolute best and exactly what I expected from a modern woman. Although, my brain was rambling off questions about logistics, that's just a fun way to keep the book fresh in your mind, whether by design or a happy accident.
Ell Potter does a handy job with the narration. Her American accent is much better than I expected - I’m not sure I’ve ever heard her pull one out before! She really hits her stride by the end, and it becomes nearly flawless. Well done.
Austen‑inspired books can be tricky. They either swoon too hard over Austen and can’t quite mimic her style, or they modernize it so much it becomes tacky. This one lands somewhere in the middle. Austen fans won’t be incensed, and they’ll appreciate the homage and the clear affection the author has for the source material - even if recreating Austen’s magic is nearly impossible. It’s still a lovely book and absolutely worth a read.
Thank you so much to NetGalley, HarperAudio Adult and the author, Samantha Silva. I received an Advanced Listener's Copy in exchange for my heartfelt opinions.
This was both exactly what I wanted and not quite. I'm not sure I've ever experienced the phenomenon where I actually like the ending better than any one point in the book. One could chalk it up to regency-era romance being light on action, but Austen and Bridgerton never make it seem that way. Suffice to say, the ending was the absolute best and exactly what I expected from a modern woman. Although, my brain was rambling off questions about logistics, that's just a fun way to keep the book fresh in your mind, whether by design or a happy accident.
Ell Potter does a handy job with the narration. Her American accent is much better than I expected - I’m not sure I’ve ever heard her pull one out before! She really hits her stride by the end, and it becomes nearly flawless. Well done.
Austen‑inspired books can be tricky. They either swoon too hard over Austen and can’t quite mimic her style, or they modernize it so much it becomes tacky. This one lands somewhere in the middle. Austen fans won’t be incensed, and they’ll appreciate the homage and the clear affection the author has for the source material - even if recreating Austen’s magic is nearly impossible. It’s still a lovely book and absolutely worth a read.
Thank you so much to NetGalley, HarperAudio Adult and the author, Samantha Silva. I received an Advanced Listener's Copy in exchange for my heartfelt opinions.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5🌟
I am a sucker for Regency romance books and was very interested in the time travel concept?? Not only that, but a group of people time traveling!
Annabel feels like she was born in the wrong time period. She is also an aspiring author and a huge Jane Austen fan. Her manuscript gets declined, stating it’s obvious Annabel has never been in love and it shows in her writing. By happenstance, Annabel, her sister the super hot social media influencer, and her goofy sister’s ex all three fall back in time to the regency era??? Annabel feels right at home, while the other two struggle to get used to their changing world. Will they ever get back to the modern time??
I was super interested in this setup because it sounded so unique! A group time traveling together and each having their own romance and storyline. However, the characters quickly fell flat for me. It’s like they abruptly changed and didn’t seem accurate to their original personalities. Cassie constantly grated on my nerves and she is supposed to be the elder sister! The romance was also incredibly dull and the ending made little sense to me. I would say this felt like Annabel’s first draft of her story where it’s obvious the author has never been in love… oh well. At least the plot felt original!
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Perennial for an arc of this book! This review is my honest opinion.
I am a sucker for Regency romance books and was very interested in the time travel concept?? Not only that, but a group of people time traveling!
Annabel feels like she was born in the wrong time period. She is also an aspiring author and a huge Jane Austen fan. Her manuscript gets declined, stating it’s obvious Annabel has never been in love and it shows in her writing. By happenstance, Annabel, her sister the super hot social media influencer, and her goofy sister’s ex all three fall back in time to the regency era??? Annabel feels right at home, while the other two struggle to get used to their changing world. Will they ever get back to the modern time??
I was super interested in this setup because it sounded so unique! A group time traveling together and each having their own romance and storyline. However, the characters quickly fell flat for me. It’s like they abruptly changed and didn’t seem accurate to their original personalities. Cassie constantly grated on my nerves and she is supposed to be the elder sister! The romance was also incredibly dull and the ending made little sense to me. I would say this felt like Annabel’s first draft of her story where it’s obvious the author has never been in love… oh well. At least the plot felt original!
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Perennial for an arc of this book! This review is my honest opinion.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I listened to this on audiobook via my NetGalley ARC copy.
Samantha Silva's writing is phenomenal, and I was completely drawn into this world from the very first chapter. The Regency era feels so alive, and every detail felt intentional and beautiful.
Cassie is annoying, but that is the whole point of her character, and watching her relationship with Annabel grow throughout the story was one of my favorite parts. They are so different, and yet that is exactly what makes their dynamic so compelling. Billy, I loved from the start, and watching him grow throughout the story was wonderful. Annabel is the kind of protagonist you just root for.
I will say this is marketed as a rom-com, but if you are looking for a spicy read, this is going to disappoint you. The romance is very minimal. Annabel falling in love is something that happens in this story, but it is not what drives it. If you go in knowing that I think you will love it.
The ending left me with questions I needed answered, and that is the only reason this is not a five-star read for me. I need closure and clarity on what happens next. If this becomes a series, it is an easy five stars.
Ell Potter's narration was absolutely phenomenal. She carried this book beautifully, and I could not have asked for a better narrator.
I received an audiobook copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Samantha Silva's writing is phenomenal, and I was completely drawn into this world from the very first chapter. The Regency era feels so alive, and every detail felt intentional and beautiful.
Cassie is annoying, but that is the whole point of her character, and watching her relationship with Annabel grow throughout the story was one of my favorite parts. They are so different, and yet that is exactly what makes their dynamic so compelling. Billy, I loved from the start, and watching him grow throughout the story was wonderful. Annabel is the kind of protagonist you just root for.
I will say this is marketed as a rom-com, but if you are looking for a spicy read, this is going to disappoint you. The romance is very minimal. Annabel falling in love is something that happens in this story, but it is not what drives it. If you go in knowing that I think you will love it.
The ending left me with questions I needed answered, and that is the only reason this is not a five-star read for me. I need closure and clarity on what happens next. If this becomes a series, it is an easy five stars.
Ell Potter's narration was absolutely phenomenal. She carried this book beautifully, and I could not have asked for a better narrator.
I received an audiobook copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Sometime This Century by Samantha Silva is a delightful regency time-travel romcom! Ell Potter is a fantastic narrator, bringing our Jane Austen obsessed Annabel to life.
Annabel, an aspiring romance writer, who incidentally has never been in love, slips through time (accompanied by her sister and her sister's ex) to regency England, where she meets and falls in love with Henry Leighton D’Evercy, a handsome man with a sizeable fortune. Stuck in the past, the three of them have to figure out how to *blend in* while also trying to find a way home. And Annabel has to decide where she wants home to be--in the past with D'Evercy or in the future, where she can live out her dreams of being an author?
The story was silly and quirky, but I found the characters endearing and their struggles relatable (even if their situation is, realistically, impossible). I didn't like how Annabel's family treated her at first. Her parents were dismissive, and her sister was self-centered and shallow. But I loved that her sister wasn't static. She changed through the events of book, and their relationship improved tremendously. By the end of the book, not only was I rooting for Annabell and D'Evercy's HEA, I was rooting for her and her sister's friendship too.
Thank you to Harper Audio for my ALC.
Annabel, an aspiring romance writer, who incidentally has never been in love, slips through time (accompanied by her sister and her sister's ex) to regency England, where she meets and falls in love with Henry Leighton D’Evercy, a handsome man with a sizeable fortune. Stuck in the past, the three of them have to figure out how to *blend in* while also trying to find a way home. And Annabel has to decide where she wants home to be--in the past with D'Evercy or in the future, where she can live out her dreams of being an author?
The story was silly and quirky, but I found the characters endearing and their struggles relatable (even if their situation is, realistically, impossible). I didn't like how Annabel's family treated her at first. Her parents were dismissive, and her sister was self-centered and shallow. But I loved that her sister wasn't static. She changed through the events of book, and their relationship improved tremendously. By the end of the book, not only was I rooting for Annabell and D'Evercy's HEA, I was rooting for her and her sister's friendship too.
Thank you to Harper Audio for my ALC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
It is looking like 2026 will be my favorite year for books. I’ve had the pleasure of reading early releases of several books already that have touched my soul. This is another one.
Annabel Blake wants to be a writer. She has since she was six. Her first finished novel, however, lacks… experience. Her literary agent boss gives her an opportunity in exchange for “cleaning out” her aunt’s home in England. A huge Austen and Regency fan, Annabel happily agrees. As she takes inventory of the house she finds an invitation to a ball in a writing desk and some lovely period gowns in the attic. Thinking she’s going to a local club’s attempt at a reenactment, she attends. Upon arriving home, she finds her sister and her “assistant” have invited themselves to crash her holiday. When they decide to join Annabel at the next “ball,” they have a grand time… until they wake up the next morning realizing it wasn’t a reenactment. They’re stuck in 1815.
What follows is a love letter to books, writing, Jane Austen, friendship, family, and love. If you love those things, I think you will love this book. I do.
Many, many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Perennial for the eARC. I can’t wait to purchase it. These opinions are my own.
Annabel Blake wants to be a writer. She has since she was six. Her first finished novel, however, lacks… experience. Her literary agent boss gives her an opportunity in exchange for “cleaning out” her aunt’s home in England. A huge Austen and Regency fan, Annabel happily agrees. As she takes inventory of the house she finds an invitation to a ball in a writing desk and some lovely period gowns in the attic. Thinking she’s going to a local club’s attempt at a reenactment, she attends. Upon arriving home, she finds her sister and her “assistant” have invited themselves to crash her holiday. When they decide to join Annabel at the next “ball,” they have a grand time… until they wake up the next morning realizing it wasn’t a reenactment. They’re stuck in 1815.
What follows is a love letter to books, writing, Jane Austen, friendship, family, and love. If you love those things, I think you will love this book. I do.
Many, many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Perennial for the eARC. I can’t wait to purchase it. These opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I really enjoyed listening to the audiobook of Sometime This Century. In a nutshell, the story revolves around a modern day woman who desires to be a writer and who accidentally travels back in time to the Regency era where hijinks ensues. It reminded me of a mash up between two of my favorite Jane Austen fan-fiction movies: Lost in Austen and Austenland (which is based on the wonderful book by the same name by Shannon Hale).
The story begins with Annabel, a publisher's assistant, who is sent to her boss's ancestral home to clean house and put it on the market. When she wakes up, it's another century. There she experiences a brief encounter with a Mr. Darcy type character and she immediately falls in love. Annabel's sister, Cassie, and the sister's best friend, Billy, crash Annabel's solitude and they are also swept back in time for a few days. I am giving this book a three star rating as it is beautifully written as if it were a regency novel. However, I never got an emotional connection with the characters, especially between Annabel and Mr. Darcy-type. The narrator Ell Potter was excellent as she effortlessly switched between American and English accents as warranted.
In summary, Sometime This Century is pure "brain candy" - it's a fun read and pure escapism.
The story begins with Annabel, a publisher's assistant, who is sent to her boss's ancestral home to clean house and put it on the market. When she wakes up, it's another century. There she experiences a brief encounter with a Mr. Darcy type character and she immediately falls in love. Annabel's sister, Cassie, and the sister's best friend, Billy, crash Annabel's solitude and they are also swept back in time for a few days. I am giving this book a three star rating as it is beautifully written as if it were a regency novel. However, I never got an emotional connection with the characters, especially between Annabel and Mr. Darcy-type. The narrator Ell Potter was excellent as she effortlessly switched between American and English accents as warranted.
In summary, Sometime This Century is pure "brain candy" - it's a fun read and pure escapism.
June 3, 2026
Thanks to Harper Perennial for the gifted copy. All opinions below my own.
Annabel is desperate to be a writer, but her tastes are unusual for the modern world and her life experiences are limited. She’s constantly in the shadow of her sister Cassandra, who is an up-and-coming influencer. As she is rethinking the draft of her novel, she has an unexpected fateful moment where she slips through time to Regency England. She doesn’t realize it at first and thinks everyone is acting. Somehow she returns again, but this time with her sister and her male producer/on again off again, boy toy. This time they are all stuck. Annabelle fits in perfectly and begins to fall in love with a Darcy like character, while Cassie really struggles. They will need to decide if they can make it work in this time or figure out how to go home.
This was a really fun read if you like Jane Austen or Bridgerton, it took plot lines from both, and we have them together with a modern storyline that was quite fun. Although all of the elements were predictable if you know those stories, the way they came together was unique. There is a fabulous surprise towards the end of the story. The ending was very abrupt, though, I think I would’ve rated this one higher if it had had a few more chapters.
Annabel is desperate to be a writer, but her tastes are unusual for the modern world and her life experiences are limited. She’s constantly in the shadow of her sister Cassandra, who is an up-and-coming influencer. As she is rethinking the draft of her novel, she has an unexpected fateful moment where she slips through time to Regency England. She doesn’t realize it at first and thinks everyone is acting. Somehow she returns again, but this time with her sister and her male producer/on again off again, boy toy. This time they are all stuck. Annabelle fits in perfectly and begins to fall in love with a Darcy like character, while Cassie really struggles. They will need to decide if they can make it work in this time or figure out how to go home.
This was a really fun read if you like Jane Austen or Bridgerton, it took plot lines from both, and we have them together with a modern storyline that was quite fun. Although all of the elements were predictable if you know those stories, the way they came together was unique. There is a fabulous surprise towards the end of the story. The ending was very abrupt, though, I think I would’ve rated this one higher if it had had a few more chapters.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
4.25 rating
I LOVE a time travel regency rom com!!
This was such a fun audiobook! I absolutely loved how all the characters came to life, the silly shenanigans they ended up in, and how heartwarming it was. We see our main character, Annabel, is a struggling upcoming writer who loves Jane Austen and the regency period. Always second best and overlooked in her mother’s eyes and at work, she decides to take a retreat to help her boss sort out antiques in their ‘country house’. And this is where the fun begins.
Now accompanied by her sister and her sister’s friend, they are accidentally thrown back in time - specifically 1815 Regency England. Now, Annabel, Billy, and Cassie have to navigate life in this time period without drawing too much attention to themselves. Uhm, easier said than done!
I absolutely loved the dynamics between each of the characters and how much they grew into their respective selves the more they stayed stuck in 1815. We really see them grow not only as individuals but as sisters and friends. The romance aspect was amazing as well, though I wish we had a different ending but I digress, but I truly think the core of this novel was loving yourself no matter what. And I loved that.
Thank you to Harper Perennial and Libro.fm for the ALC.
I LOVE a time travel regency rom com!!
This was such a fun audiobook! I absolutely loved how all the characters came to life, the silly shenanigans they ended up in, and how heartwarming it was. We see our main character, Annabel, is a struggling upcoming writer who loves Jane Austen and the regency period. Always second best and overlooked in her mother’s eyes and at work, she decides to take a retreat to help her boss sort out antiques in their ‘country house’. And this is where the fun begins.
Now accompanied by her sister and her sister’s friend, they are accidentally thrown back in time - specifically 1815 Regency England. Now, Annabel, Billy, and Cassie have to navigate life in this time period without drawing too much attention to themselves. Uhm, easier said than done!
I absolutely loved the dynamics between each of the characters and how much they grew into their respective selves the more they stayed stuck in 1815. We really see them grow not only as individuals but as sisters and friends. The romance aspect was amazing as well, though I wish we had a different ending but I digress, but I truly think the core of this novel was loving yourself no matter what. And I loved that.
Thank you to Harper Perennial and Libro.fm for the ALC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 stars rounded up. Sometime This Century follows Annabel, who loves all things Regency and Jane Austen, and believes she was born in the wrong century, her sister Cassie who is an influencer who very much belongs in this century, and Billy, her goofy partner in crime. Annabel, Cassie, and Billy find that they've time-traveled back to Regency England and have to figure out how they're going to get back, or if they even can.
I think it's better if you ignore the Regency rom-com descriptor of this book, because while it does have romance, it feels much more like a Regency fantasy with a little bit of romance. While Annabel's romance with D'Evercy is a plot point throughout, it's very much a Regency romance where most of it is them being attracted to each other but being kept apart by decorum or circumstance. The Regency setting and writing is done very well and beautifully, and the characters feel very Regency. The modern characters' dilemmas are also very compelling as they try to figure out how to live their new reality.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Perennial for the ARC!
I think it's better if you ignore the Regency rom-com descriptor of this book, because while it does have romance, it feels much more like a Regency fantasy with a little bit of romance. While Annabel's romance with D'Evercy is a plot point throughout, it's very much a Regency romance where most of it is them being attracted to each other but being kept apart by decorum or circumstance. The Regency setting and writing is done very well and beautifully, and the characters feel very Regency. The modern characters' dilemmas are also very compelling as they try to figure out how to live their new reality.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Perennial for the ARC!
May 6, 2026
Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Perennial for this advance copy!
This story is light, sweet and has the Jane Austen theme all throughout. We have Annabel, an old soul. Cassie, her older, very much modern sister, an influencer who is really different from Annabel. Billy, Cassie’s assistant? Co-worker? All three find themselves in Regency England courtesy of a magic writing desk. And in that period we find Henry who is practically Mr. Darcy.
I had such high expectations for this book. But the romance in the book felt distant and stiff. Cassie and Billy don’t feel like secondary characters and take away from Annabel and Henry (who isn’t developed enough in my opinion). The insistent theme that women writing is a major social faux pas was a bit annoying. The plot was more about traveling through time and trying to get back to modern times rather than the romance, which is fine, but that felt too convenient. And the ending came off a bit rushed and incomplete. It ends nice enough, happy ever after for now.
This story is light, sweet and has the Jane Austen theme all throughout. We have Annabel, an old soul. Cassie, her older, very much modern sister, an influencer who is really different from Annabel. Billy, Cassie’s assistant? Co-worker? All three find themselves in Regency England courtesy of a magic writing desk. And in that period we find Henry who is practically Mr. Darcy.
I had such high expectations for this book. But the romance in the book felt distant and stiff. Cassie and Billy don’t feel like secondary characters and take away from Annabel and Henry (who isn’t developed enough in my opinion). The insistent theme that women writing is a major social faux pas was a bit annoying. The plot was more about traveling through time and trying to get back to modern times rather than the romance, which is fine, but that felt too convenient. And the ending came off a bit rushed and incomplete. It ends nice enough, happy ever after for now.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thank you Harper Perennial and Libro.fm for the advanced copies of this book and audiobook.
This book was so cute and witty! It's perfect for anyone who has ever wanted to live in a Jane Austen novel. It was full of yearning, magical realism, time travel, and cheeky nods to Austen's books and characters. I loved the mash up of modern and Regency eras, laughing out loud multiple times at moments when words & meanings were lost in translation - Billy in particular cracked me up in this regard! There were so many fun moments throughout this book, and also very real moments of questioning one's identity and life purpose, of sister squalls and heart-to-hearts, and lots of gossip amongst the ton. I really adored this fun romp of a book through Austen's world.
I absolutely adored the narrator's character voices and felt like I was watching a season of Bridgerton.
This book was so cute and witty! It's perfect for anyone who has ever wanted to live in a Jane Austen novel. It was full of yearning, magical realism, time travel, and cheeky nods to Austen's books and characters. I loved the mash up of modern and Regency eras, laughing out loud multiple times at moments when words & meanings were lost in translation - Billy in particular cracked me up in this regard! There were so many fun moments throughout this book, and also very real moments of questioning one's identity and life purpose, of sister squalls and heart-to-hearts, and lots of gossip amongst the ton. I really adored this fun romp of a book through Austen's world.
I absolutely adored the narrator's character voices and felt like I was watching a season of Bridgerton.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I loved this, as I think all Austen-lovers will love it! So many fun Easter eggs and references for fans of Pride & Prejudice, Sense & Sensibility, etc. Time travelly stuff can be a big miss for me, but this felt clever and new, still very much grounded in realism despite the central conceit. I loved all the characters, especially the sister and her friend. Not a lot of rom-coms really get me laughing, but this one absolutely did. And the romance raises some really interesting, smart, nuanced questions that I was so glad to see explored. Beyond just being super dishy and romantic and sweet!
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
I really enjoyed this book! I absolutely love the concept of traveling to your favorite time period, though I admit the Regency period is not my favorite point in English history. I could relate to the main characters Annabel and even her sister Cassie and friend Billy started to grow on me. I enjoyed the romance and the ending, but I might have gotten more of the references if I were a Jane Austen fan.
I received an advanced reader’s copy through the Good Reads giveaways.
I received an advanced reader’s copy through the Good Reads giveaways.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
What a lovely book! Annabel, Cassie, and Billy travel through time and find themselves in Regency England. Annabel fits right in, being a lifelong Jane Austen devotee. Cassie and Billy struggle a bit, but find their own way, although they do miss modern times and modern conveniences. This is an enjoyable book with several surprises included. This reader highly recommends this lovely story.
June 4, 2026
When I first started reading, I wasn't sure if the main character had enough main character energy to be honest. But the (very early on) twist of her annoying vlogging sister and her golden retriever boy toy/sidekick traveling back to the past with her? Absolutely hilarious. I love when a romance also heavily features repairing a family relationship as well as the romance side of things. Silly and fun, but also heartfelt.
Read if you like: Envisioning yourself in the world of Jane Austen, men with old fashioned manners, treating workers like people, and ruthlessly committing to the improv exercise "yes and"
Thanks to Netgalley and HarperAudio Adult for providing me with a digital copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Read if you like: Envisioning yourself in the world of Jane Austen, men with old fashioned manners, treating workers like people, and ruthlessly committing to the improv exercise "yes and"
Thanks to Netgalley and HarperAudio Adult for providing me with a digital copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Time travel Regency Rom Com?! I enjoyed this one and if you're a fan of the era, you should check this one out when it's published in June!
May 25, 2026
A true 3 star book. Relatively enjoyable, but I finished it a few days ago and I don't remember being left with any resounding feelings. Some characters annoyed me...I can suspend reality to believe some 20 year olds get teleported to 1815 but I cannot suspend reality enough to pretend a UVA grad is completely ignorant of Jane Austen or that it would be bad news to ask someone outright if they're gay in 1815.
If you're looking for a quick read that doesn't make you think too much, this is great.
If you're looking for a quick read that doesn't make you think too much, this is great.
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February 12, 2026review text for 97
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