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A Time Slip Novel #2
The Right Time: Back to the 80s
Not yet published
Expected 8 Jan 26Thirty-year-old Andie is struggling. Despite a fresh start—escaping an abusive ex and making a new home—her old life reaches out to reclaim her. In desperation, she makes a wish and slips back in time.
The 80s are safer and have a reputation as simpler, but everything is different and new. Despite her strange situation, Andie navigates finding work, making friends, and learning how to live in 1985. Along the way, she challenges herself to make more connections and enjoy life.
Paramedic Zack believes love leads to heartache. He has no time for or interest in having a girlfriend—until he meets awkward and irresistible Andie. He resists her charm and pushes her away—afraid to lose someone the way his father did.
Andie’s been given a second chance. If she doesn’t grasp it, she might as well have stayed in her original time. Zack might be the answer to Andie's wish—if only she could make him believe they belong together.
A blast from the past, The Right Time: Back to the 80s, reminds us to be careful what you wish for—you just might get what you want.
The 80s are safer and have a reputation as simpler, but everything is different and new. Despite her strange situation, Andie navigates finding work, making friends, and learning how to live in 1985. Along the way, she challenges herself to make more connections and enjoy life.
Paramedic Zack believes love leads to heartache. He has no time for or interest in having a girlfriend—until he meets awkward and irresistible Andie. He resists her charm and pushes her away—afraid to lose someone the way his father did.
Andie’s been given a second chance. If she doesn’t grasp it, she might as well have stayed in her original time. Zack might be the answer to Andie's wish—if only she could make him believe they belong together.
A blast from the past, The Right Time: Back to the 80s, reminds us to be careful what you wish for—you just might get what you want.
300 pages, Paperback
First published January 8, 2025
9 people want to read
About the author
Lena Gibson
8 books246 followersAward-winning author Lena Gibson is a storyteller as an elementary school teacher and keeper of the family lore. As someone with autism, she often creates characters that reflect this experience.
A voracious reader from childhood onward, Lena seeks wonderful books in which to escape. She loves interesting characters and fast-paced, emotional narratives, leading her to write genre-defying stories in multiple categories. While her books are disaster romance, time slip, dystopian adventure, and sports romance, all are about love, resilience, and hope.
When Lena isn't writing, she reads, practices karate, and drinks a ton of tea. She resides in New Westminster, Canada, with her family and their fuzzy overlord, Ash, the fluffiest of gray cats.
https://linktr.ee/LenaGibsonAuthor
A voracious reader from childhood onward, Lena seeks wonderful books in which to escape. She loves interesting characters and fast-paced, emotional narratives, leading her to write genre-defying stories in multiple categories. While her books are disaster romance, time slip, dystopian adventure, and sports romance, all are about love, resilience, and hope.
When Lena isn't writing, she reads, practices karate, and drinks a ton of tea. She resides in New Westminster, Canada, with her family and their fuzzy overlord, Ash, the fluffiest of gray cats.
https://linktr.ee/LenaGibsonAuthor
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
October 19, 2025
This was great! I really enjoyed it! A fun idea, really well written, lightly amusing at times, with good levels of tension & stress when needed. I really liked the little twist & will look for more by this writer. I do recommend!
November 15, 2025
GAH! I fell headfirst into this book and never wanted to come back up for air. Lena pulled me straight into 1985, wrapped me up in it completely, and I could’ve stayed there forever. I adored Zach and his wonderfully alphabetical family, and the way every character’s story intertwined. And let’s not forget Andie; I’d happily be in Andie’s shoes for a week just to spend some time in the ’80s!
If you love time travel or have even a hint of nostalgia for the ’80s, ‘I wish’ you’d pick up this book.
If you love time travel or have even a hint of nostalgia for the ’80s, ‘I wish’ you’d pick up this book.
September 12, 2025
Andie Sterling knows how to change her life. After a fractured childhood, she escapes into the arms of a man who seems to have it all, and she moves to the other side of the country. When she discovers she’s traded one nightmare for another, she seeks counseling. The results are not what she expected—her current problem is resolved, but now she finds herself trapped in a world she never asked for, with no friends and little money.
Always the survivor, Andie struggles to make ends meet. Money remains an issue, but new friends are a surprise. She finds herself drawn towards paramedic Zack. It’s a good thing he only wants to be friends because she’s uncertain how long she’s staying.
But is “just friends” really the relationship Andie and Zack need?
Always the survivor, Andie struggles to make ends meet. Money remains an issue, but new friends are a surprise. She finds herself drawn towards paramedic Zack. It’s a good thing he only wants to be friends because she’s uncertain how long she’s staying.
But is “just friends” really the relationship Andie and Zack need?
November 8, 2025
The Right Time / Back to the 80’s
Lena Gibson has an amazing gift for writing stories that touch the heart. In her latest time slip novel, The Right Time, Andie and Zack go on a rollercoaster ride of fear, loneliness, friendship, abuse, desperation and true love. The Right Time leaves you feeling like you live those emotional moments along with them.
The 80’s references are accurate and a lot of fun, along with the beginning of chapter quotations that are especially apt and memorable.
You won’t be disappointed if you try Gibson’s latest! It has characters you cheer and cry for and an enticing story. Five stars for sure!
Lena Gibson has an amazing gift for writing stories that touch the heart. In her latest time slip novel, The Right Time, Andie and Zack go on a rollercoaster ride of fear, loneliness, friendship, abuse, desperation and true love. The Right Time leaves you feeling like you live those emotional moments along with them.
The 80’s references are accurate and a lot of fun, along with the beginning of chapter quotations that are especially apt and memorable.
You won’t be disappointed if you try Gibson’s latest! It has characters you cheer and cry for and an enticing story. Five stars for sure!
October 11, 2025
I read this book as an ARC reader for Lena Gibson. I absolutely adored this book.
This book brought back so many memories of the 80s for me and it had me enthralled from page one all the way through. I love time travel stories and this one did not disappoint. The Protagonist Andie starts off in a DV relationship which right away gets you rooting for her. As Andie deals with her situation and seeks help, things go off the beaten path, the humor and resilience that see her through makes for a great story. Oh to wake up in the 1980s when you are a young woman from the future Year 2033. This slow burn romance is charming and magical and Gibson does a great job bringing the ‘80s back to life. For me it was a trip down memory lane. The characters are well rounded and well written and just invite you into their world . If you like time travel and romances give this one a shot, you won’t be disappointed.
This book brought back so many memories of the 80s for me and it had me enthralled from page one all the way through. I love time travel stories and this one did not disappoint. The Protagonist Andie starts off in a DV relationship which right away gets you rooting for her. As Andie deals with her situation and seeks help, things go off the beaten path, the humor and resilience that see her through makes for a great story. Oh to wake up in the 1980s when you are a young woman from the future Year 2033. This slow burn romance is charming and magical and Gibson does a great job bringing the ‘80s back to life. For me it was a trip down memory lane. The characters are well rounded and well written and just invite you into their world . If you like time travel and romances give this one a shot, you won’t be disappointed.
October 6, 2025
The Right Time is a time-slip romance that follows Andie, a woman trying to escape an abusive marriage by starting over in an unexpected way, nearly fifty years earlier, in the 1980s. She finds herself grappling with heartbreak, survival, and the strange blessing of a second chance. The book weaves together themes of self-discovery, nostalgia, and the longing for safety and love, all wrapped in a blend of magical realism and women’s fiction.
The writing pulled me in right away. Gibson writes with a straightforward style that’s easy to sink into, yet she layers in emotion without ever making it feel heavy-handed. I found myself rooting for Andie almost instantly. Her struggles felt raw, sometimes painfully so, but that’s what made the story stick. There were moments that made me angry at the unfairness of her situation, then others that made me smile with relief when she carved out a sliver of peace for herself. The details of the 80s setting added charm, but they never overshadowed the deeper story, which is what really mattered.
I felt the pacing meandered, lingering on small domestic details, but oddly enough, I didn’t mind. Those slower scenes gave the book a lived-in feel, almost like watching someone rebuild their life one messy, ordinary moment at a time. The romance element had a soft touch. It wasn’t all swoon and sparks, but more about the ache of possibility, of whether Andie could trust herself again. That restraint worked for me. It felt authentic, not like a fairy tale.
By the end, I closed the book with a sense of satisfaction. It’s not flashy or grand, but it’s heartfelt. I’d recommend The Right Time to readers who enjoy character-driven stories, especially fans of women’s fiction with a hint of magic. If you’ve ever wondered about do-overs or if you simply love a slow-burn story rooted in courage and hope, this book will speak to you.
The writing pulled me in right away. Gibson writes with a straightforward style that’s easy to sink into, yet she layers in emotion without ever making it feel heavy-handed. I found myself rooting for Andie almost instantly. Her struggles felt raw, sometimes painfully so, but that’s what made the story stick. There were moments that made me angry at the unfairness of her situation, then others that made me smile with relief when she carved out a sliver of peace for herself. The details of the 80s setting added charm, but they never overshadowed the deeper story, which is what really mattered.
I felt the pacing meandered, lingering on small domestic details, but oddly enough, I didn’t mind. Those slower scenes gave the book a lived-in feel, almost like watching someone rebuild their life one messy, ordinary moment at a time. The romance element had a soft touch. It wasn’t all swoon and sparks, but more about the ache of possibility, of whether Andie could trust herself again. That restraint worked for me. It felt authentic, not like a fairy tale.
By the end, I closed the book with a sense of satisfaction. It’s not flashy or grand, but it’s heartfelt. I’d recommend The Right Time to readers who enjoy character-driven stories, especially fans of women’s fiction with a hint of magic. If you’ve ever wondered about do-overs or if you simply love a slow-burn story rooted in courage and hope, this book will speak to you.
November 7, 2025
Reviewed by Keith Mbuya for Readers' Favorite
Thirty-year-old Andie Marks, a reserved public school teacher in Seattle, had had enough of her abusive husband, Dylan Marks. He had hit her again, and she knew this would not be the last time. Hellbent on freeing herself from this toxic union, Andie flees to a rental across town and begins the separation process. However, it’s not long before Dylan comes knocking, chaotically trying to get back into her life and disrupting her attempt at a fresh start. Thanks to her new neighbour, Andie is introduced to Dr. Maeve, an unconventional therapist, who offers to help deal with her plight. Soon, Andie finds herself sent back in time to 1985, where she is offered a clean slate and another chance at love. Find out how it all goes down in Lena Gibson’s The Right Time: Back to the 80s.
If you are looking for a slow-burning romance novel with a touch of drama, suspense, fantasy, and sci-fi, Lena Gibson’s The Right Time is the perfect pick. Featuring a fascinating, dynamic cast, Gibson unfolds the intriguing plot through a multi-perspective timeline. The evocative depictions colorfully brought the scenes to life on the pages. It felt like I was next to the cast in every scene, experiencing every moment alongside them. Gibson has a way with words, profoundly conjuring emotions straight from the heart. Coupled with the juxtaposition of the cast’s complex traits, which gave the story a firm grip on reality, it was easy to connect with them. I found myself rooting for Andie and Zack as I related to their desires, fears, flaws, trauma, and more.
Thirty-year-old Andie Marks, a reserved public school teacher in Seattle, had had enough of her abusive husband, Dylan Marks. He had hit her again, and she knew this would not be the last time. Hellbent on freeing herself from this toxic union, Andie flees to a rental across town and begins the separation process. However, it’s not long before Dylan comes knocking, chaotically trying to get back into her life and disrupting her attempt at a fresh start. Thanks to her new neighbour, Andie is introduced to Dr. Maeve, an unconventional therapist, who offers to help deal with her plight. Soon, Andie finds herself sent back in time to 1985, where she is offered a clean slate and another chance at love. Find out how it all goes down in Lena Gibson’s The Right Time: Back to the 80s.
If you are looking for a slow-burning romance novel with a touch of drama, suspense, fantasy, and sci-fi, Lena Gibson’s The Right Time is the perfect pick. Featuring a fascinating, dynamic cast, Gibson unfolds the intriguing plot through a multi-perspective timeline. The evocative depictions colorfully brought the scenes to life on the pages. It felt like I was next to the cast in every scene, experiencing every moment alongside them. Gibson has a way with words, profoundly conjuring emotions straight from the heart. Coupled with the juxtaposition of the cast’s complex traits, which gave the story a firm grip on reality, it was easy to connect with them. I found myself rooting for Andie and Zack as I related to their desires, fears, flaws, trauma, and more.
September 13, 2025
In The Right Time: Back to the 80s, Lena Gibson deftly blends women’s fiction, romance, and magical realism to craft a can’t-miss story of love and identity. On the run from an abusive husband and in danger of losing her job, Andie seeks help from a therapist. Unaware of the therapist’s unconventional tactics, Andie soon finds herself in another world: 1985. With no way to contact the therapist and no idea of how to return to her time in 2033, Andie settles into a new life and finds herself on a surprising journey of recovering her true identity and falling in love.
Gibson’s writing shines in The Right Time, drawing the reader further into the story with each page and including enough 80s nostalgia to give the novel a distinct flavor without overdoing it. The plot is original and perfectly executed, but character development is the real star. Andie and Zack are expertly drawn, and Gibson uses the tension between them to show the complexities of each and the pitfalls of a 2033 woman looking for love in 1985. I highly recommend this book!
Gibson’s writing shines in The Right Time, drawing the reader further into the story with each page and including enough 80s nostalgia to give the novel a distinct flavor without overdoing it. The plot is original and perfectly executed, but character development is the real star. Andie and Zack are expertly drawn, and Gibson uses the tension between them to show the complexities of each and the pitfalls of a 2033 woman looking for love in 1985. I highly recommend this book!
November 20, 2025
I love how Lena Gibson opens each chapter with a quote from an ‘80s movie. It is original and fun, as she weaves these moments into her story.
Back to the ’80s begins with Andie, a woman trapped in an abusive relationship. After her husband beats her, not for the first time, she is done. She leaves him for a fresh start, but it isn’t so easy. He cuts off the money and demands she return. But she hires a lawyer and meets a very special counselor who magically sends her back in time, giving her a new identity in the ‘80s. Suddenly, the world is entirely different, and she has no idea how she arrived there.
Her handsome neighbor Zach, a paramedic, insists on patching her up after an injury. In her previous life, his persistence might have scared her, but this guy is genuine and kind. His sister befriends Andie too, and slowly, things start to get better. There's a clear attraction between them, but Zach pushes her away, afraid to risk his heart.
She has to figure out why she’s gone back to the ‘80s and if she wants to stay or return to her own time.
Back to the ’80s begins with Andie, a woman trapped in an abusive relationship. After her husband beats her, not for the first time, she is done. She leaves him for a fresh start, but it isn’t so easy. He cuts off the money and demands she return. But she hires a lawyer and meets a very special counselor who magically sends her back in time, giving her a new identity in the ‘80s. Suddenly, the world is entirely different, and she has no idea how she arrived there.
Her handsome neighbor Zach, a paramedic, insists on patching her up after an injury. In her previous life, his persistence might have scared her, but this guy is genuine and kind. His sister befriends Andie too, and slowly, things start to get better. There's a clear attraction between them, but Zach pushes her away, afraid to risk his heart.
She has to figure out why she’s gone back to the ‘80s and if she wants to stay or return to her own time.
September 12, 2025
The Right Time: Back to the 80s transported me with fond nostalgia, and admittedly, maybe even a tad of yearning for simpler times. Video movie rentals for family night Fridays, the surge of pop culture, great television shows and music...it all came back. How did we do without cell phones, navigational systems, and our handheld computers? Author Gibson’s time-slip novel brought it all back with wonderful simplicity and with characters I rooted for from the very beginning. Andie, who finds the eighties decade more suitable to her; Zack, who’s afraid to give his heart to someone since he saw what losing his mother did to his father; Val, the sister/friend everyone wishes they had; and the mysterious Aunt M. An enjoyable and touching story that will linger on your mind long past the final page is turned.
September 12, 2025
“The Right Time” by Lena Gibson is a delightful tale of second chances. Andie is determined to leave her manipulative and abusive husband. She had already mistakenly given him two chances, but the third time was it. No more. She rents an old rundown house, sight unseen, determined to make a fresh start with her life. But she has no idea exactly how fresh that start is going to be until after she meets with the therapist recommended by her new elderly neighbor, who by chance, shares the same name. Will Andie learn to trust again? Will she find a community in which she feels she truly belongs? Will she ever find love?
If you believe in magic, even just a little bit, then this book is for you! I’m grateful to have received an ARC of this wonderful book and my opinions are my own.
If you believe in magic, even just a little bit, then this book is for you! I’m grateful to have received an ARC of this wonderful book and my opinions are my own.
November 25, 2025
I love me a good story set back in the 80’s. Makes this Dowager Dutchess feel nostalgic for fluorescent clothes and my youthful glow. Unfortunately The Right Time- Back to the 80’s missed its mark with me. The pacing was so slow, the first 28% filled with mundane things like grocery marketing or going to a store to rent VHS movies. The mc’s don’t even meet until after that. The circumstances didn’t feel like they happened organically with the flow of the story, more like written in to show nostalgia. Andie and Zack were great m/c and I enjoyed their meet cute where he comes to her rescue. Not badly written, just needed some tightening to plot line. Thanks to BookSirens for this ARC, these opinions are my own.
September 14, 2025
Gibson has done it again! This is another unputdownable book that had me hooked from the first page. With her unquestionably excellent writing skills she has created another genre-defying novel that has something for everyone. Time-travel, romance, action, tension, suspense. I loved every minute of it. I first became a fan of her post-apocalyptic Train Hopper Series (you’ve got to read this series!) but I have to say, no matter what genre she’s writing, she knows how to capture and hold onto her readers. Highly recommended!
September 12, 2025
How far would you go for a second chance at a happy ever after? In order to escape her abusive husband, Andie is willing to sacrifice everything and start over almost 50 years earlier. Timing is everything in this gripping time slip romance. Five stars for memorable characters and lots of twists and turns.
October 24, 2025
Brimming with 80s nostalgia, heartfelt romance, and a spark of magic, Lena Gibson’s THE RIGHT TIME is a captivating tale of resilience, love, and the courage to seize new beginnings. Dare to step back in time and discover that the right moment might just change everything.
September 12, 2025
Thoughtful and touching, The Right Time proves that even time travel stories can feel intimate, grounded, and truly human.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews