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Keeping Time: A Sound Logic Journey
Sing Street meets Back to the Future: a coming-of-age story where a cassette tape can change everything.
Ena Quinn-Baker knows music can tell stories of the past, but she never expected it could break time altogether.
Before the music can rewrite history, Ena needs to find her rhythm again. In a new town with no friends, she learns how connection, chords, and grief give her the strength to face the impossible.
After losing someone close, Ena clings to their shared memories through song. Then one day, the music launches her into a time she was never meant to see.
Stranded with no way back, she stumbles through a world of mixtapes, ashtrays, and arcade games. She finds family and challenges in a world she doesn’t understand, forced to rely on her wit and a bit of luck.
But returning home isn’t the end. Small actions have rippled into a new history. Now Ena must decide: turn away from what she changed, or face the truth of the past she’s rewritten. With her friends by her side, she navigates a world that feels all too familiar, yet unmistakably altered.
A heartfelt debut about grief, found family, and the songs that carry us through. In the end, the meaning of time depends on how you choose to hear it.
Ena Quinn-Baker knows music can tell stories of the past, but she never expected it could break time altogether.
Before the music can rewrite history, Ena needs to find her rhythm again. In a new town with no friends, she learns how connection, chords, and grief give her the strength to face the impossible.
After losing someone close, Ena clings to their shared memories through song. Then one day, the music launches her into a time she was never meant to see.
Stranded with no way back, she stumbles through a world of mixtapes, ashtrays, and arcade games. She finds family and challenges in a world she doesn’t understand, forced to rely on her wit and a bit of luck.
But returning home isn’t the end. Small actions have rippled into a new history. Now Ena must decide: turn away from what she changed, or face the truth of the past she’s rewritten. With her friends by her side, she navigates a world that feels all too familiar, yet unmistakably altered.
A heartfelt debut about grief, found family, and the songs that carry us through. In the end, the meaning of time depends on how you choose to hear it.
360 pages, ebook
Published October 21, 2025
476 people want to read
About the author
D.P. Sheil
1 book3 followersD. P. Sheil writes stories about music, time, and the people who shape us.
The idea for Keeping Time began in a bar when a song pulled him back to the ’90s, to when he was waiting tables at night, surfing all day, and living in the space between who he had been and who he would become. He told his wife she should write a story about music as time travel. She told him to write it himself.
So he didn’t. Not until he couldn’t not write the story.
A thousand words a day, Monday through Friday. Terrible words, good words. It didn’t matter. Somewhere in those words, Ena became real. Fiona became real. The story began to sing with its own music.
Keeping Time is the first book in the Sound Logic Journey, a series that begins with Ena in eighth grade, and only time can tell where the story goes. Each book comes with its own soundtrack: playlists for every chapter, fictional bands with real music on Spotify, and a world you can listen to while you read.
D. P. lives in Portland, Oregon, where the story is set. Everyone is welcome at Fiona’s table. Come as you are.
The idea for Keeping Time began in a bar when a song pulled him back to the ’90s, to when he was waiting tables at night, surfing all day, and living in the space between who he had been and who he would become. He told his wife she should write a story about music as time travel. She told him to write it himself.
So he didn’t. Not until he couldn’t not write the story.
A thousand words a day, Monday through Friday. Terrible words, good words. It didn’t matter. Somewhere in those words, Ena became real. Fiona became real. The story began to sing with its own music.
Keeping Time is the first book in the Sound Logic Journey, a series that begins with Ena in eighth grade, and only time can tell where the story goes. Each book comes with its own soundtrack: playlists for every chapter, fictional bands with real music on Spotify, and a world you can listen to while you read.
D. P. lives in Portland, Oregon, where the story is set. Everyone is welcome at Fiona’s table. Come as you are.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 18, 2025
This is one of those books with a rating that changed quickly the farther I read.
The first 40% just seemed to limp along. I kept wondering where the time travel part would start (no spoilers; it’s in the blurb!). I was sure the rating would be no higher than 2 stars. Then, exciting things started occurring, quickly, and I was hooked until I finished! It ended on a cliffhanger, so I was glad to read that the sequel will be released in February 2026.
*I received a digital copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.*
The first 40% just seemed to limp along. I kept wondering where the time travel part would start (no spoilers; it’s in the blurb!). I was sure the rating would be no higher than 2 stars. Then, exciting things started occurring, quickly, and I was hooked until I finished! It ended on a cliffhanger, so I was glad to read that the sequel will be released in February 2026.
*I received a digital copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.*
October 25, 2025
This is the first in a series by a new author, and after reading this one, I'm looking forward to what's next! In Keeping Time, the lead character is the new kid at school in a new town. She leans into her love of music as she's figuring out who she is and how to make friends. She then finds herself in a new time and has to figure out how to get back home (and worry about time-travel consequences). Music is infused throughout the book, and I found myself stopping to pull up song lyrics and recordings more than once. The characters are developed early on in the book, and the music and sci fi aspects ramped up the sense of adventure as I kept reading. If you enjoy YA, music, and/or a little sci fi, you'll probably enjoy this book.
December 9, 2025
I was surprised by how invested I became into the friendship (and rival) dynamics between 8th graders. As I finished this book I thought about how it might be valuable for me to think more about that time in my life as I rarely do.
Additionally I really enjoy the theme that music played in this book. When mentioned it often made me think of times and places in my life I’d seemingly forgotten. There was one band I hadn’t heard of though… and that was when the fun all began.
Additionally I really enjoy the theme that music played in this book. When mentioned it often made me think of times and places in my life I’d seemingly forgotten. There was one band I hadn’t heard of though… and that was when the fun all began.
December 29, 2025
The start of this book was quite slow in the build up of the plot although once I got past the 40% mark the pacing as well as the journey of the main character through time travel really picked up and propelled the story forward ending in a thrilling cliffhanger I didn't see coming at all.
An enjoyable YA read with good sci/fi elements.
Thankyou to Net galley and the publisher for an arc copy of this story.
An enjoyable YA read with good sci/fi elements.
Thankyou to Net galley and the publisher for an arc copy of this story.
December 29, 2025
Such a fun read about a young girl finding herself and a new set of friends in Portland Oregon. The characters are well developed and you follow as the lead characters mature through the book. A little drama, mystery and a harmonious blend of science and music lover vibes. Highly recommended for young readers and adults alike. I especially liked the music playlist that came with it.
November 17, 2025
it definitely starts out slow and could be edited down but once you get about 35% in it starts picking up. I love the inclusion of music to connect all generations. I do think the Boston accent needs some work.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews