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Time Travel for Beginners
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Expected 4 Aug 26Win a free print copy of this book!
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20 copies available
U.S. only
Three strangers’ lives converge in the waiting room of Sydney’s Time Travel Agency – a nondescript shopfront that promises impossible things… It’s a crisp, wintry Thursday when Anna is hit by a car. In the wake of this chance encounter – possibly lightly concussed, possibly thinking clearly for the first time in a long time – she quits her miserable job and agrees to take on a role at the Time Travel Agency, a nondescript experiential arcade beneath a creative writing school.
Across town, Teddy has been lying flat on his back staring at the ceiling for the past three weeks. Since his wife left him for his brother he just can’t seem to get up. It’s another in a long line of instances of his selfish older brother taking everything he loves. When he spies an advert promising journeys into your past, he figures it might be time to reckon with their difficult relationship once and for all.
For some reason, Jade is journalling. A friend gifted her a ‘creative mentorship’ and now once a week she’s expected to open her mind and fill pages in a small room above the Time Travel Agency. She’s not particularly convinced, but there’s something that just keeps bringing her back.
Over the course of one winter, three lives converge around this very unusual travel agency. It offers them a chance to revisit the choices that have shaped their lives and those of the ones they love, but how can you move forward if you won't leave behind the past? Time Travel for Beginners reminds us that the gift of life is that we can’t go back – that the only way out is through. It’s magical and human and hopeful.
Across town, Teddy has been lying flat on his back staring at the ceiling for the past three weeks. Since his wife left him for his brother he just can’t seem to get up. It’s another in a long line of instances of his selfish older brother taking everything he loves. When he spies an advert promising journeys into your past, he figures it might be time to reckon with their difficult relationship once and for all.
For some reason, Jade is journalling. A friend gifted her a ‘creative mentorship’ and now once a week she’s expected to open her mind and fill pages in a small room above the Time Travel Agency. She’s not particularly convinced, but there’s something that just keeps bringing her back.
Over the course of one winter, three lives converge around this very unusual travel agency. It offers them a chance to revisit the choices that have shaped their lives and those of the ones they love, but how can you move forward if you won't leave behind the past? Time Travel for Beginners reminds us that the gift of life is that we can’t go back – that the only way out is through. It’s magical and human and hopeful.
544 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication August 4, 2026
12 people are currently reading
7812 people want to read
About the author
Jaclyn Moriarty
38 books1,568 followersJaclyn Moriarty is an Australian writer of young adult literature.
She studied English at the University of Sydney, and law at Yale University and Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, where she was awarded a PhD.
She is the younger sister of Liane Moriarty. She was previously married to Canadian writer Colin McAdam, and has a son, Charlie. She currently lives in Sydney.
She studied English at the University of Sydney, and law at Yale University and Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, where she was awarded a PhD.
She is the younger sister of Liane Moriarty. She was previously married to Canadian writer Colin McAdam, and has a son, Charlie. She currently lives in Sydney.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
March 7, 2026
I just love Jaclyn Moriarty’s writing. Getting approved for the digital ARC was such a treat, and came along right when I was starting to feel like rereading “The Spell Book of Listen Taylor.” This was very twisty, charming, clever, and whimsical. It’s my favorite kind of sci-fi (very light on the sci). I loved the characters and the concept of a lowkey time travel agency staffed by research nerds. I think this book would be perfect for fans of the “Before the Coffee Gets Cold” series by Toshikazu Kawaguchi; “The Seven Year Slip” by Ashley Poston; and “Oona Out of Order” by Margarita Montimore.
March 23, 2026
What a dazzling fictional story of how time travel can lure you in and get its grip on you. Not only does it explore time travel as an escape from day to day life, but also as a way of seeing history, whether one’s own past or past events. This is told from a multi-pov. At time it seems the person is directly speaking to you and other times you are there as an observer. This tied in “partial view” and “full view” of time travel, explained in the story. The story goes beyond time travel and looks at family and relationships. How they can change given a diffrent course of action. Fascinating read, thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publish Group for this ARC.
March 3, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced reader copy of this incredible book!
Time Travel for Beginners is a warm, surprising and satisfying sci-fi novel that focuses on 3 individuals and their encounters with Sydney's Time Travel Agency. Often considered an augmented reality AI stunt (kindly) or even a joke (usually), the agency is not bustling with customers on a regular basis....until Anna shows up and begins learning the magic and possible science behind this amazing establishment.
The writing is whimsical without being twee. I loved how Jaclyn Moriarty shifts POVs between her characters with ease, but they each had a distinct voice and POV. I could not get enough of this book and read it in one night because it was an absolute page turner. I highly recommend picking it up if you're a fan of time travel novels (a la The Time Traveler's Wife, The Seven Year Slip, The Ministry of Time, etc) and want a novel that feels like the best lingering hug.
5/5 stars no notes!
Time Travel for Beginners is a warm, surprising and satisfying sci-fi novel that focuses on 3 individuals and their encounters with Sydney's Time Travel Agency. Often considered an augmented reality AI stunt (kindly) or even a joke (usually), the agency is not bustling with customers on a regular basis....until Anna shows up and begins learning the magic and possible science behind this amazing establishment.
The writing is whimsical without being twee. I loved how Jaclyn Moriarty shifts POVs between her characters with ease, but they each had a distinct voice and POV. I could not get enough of this book and read it in one night because it was an absolute page turner. I highly recommend picking it up if you're a fan of time travel novels (a la The Time Traveler's Wife, The Seven Year Slip, The Ministry of Time, etc) and want a novel that feels like the best lingering hug.
5/5 stars no notes!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Time Travel for Beginners is a cozy, clever, and quietly dazzling sci‑fi novel with an enormous amount of heart. I found myself drawn to the mysterious time‑travel agency the same way the characters are — with curiosity, delight, a touch of skepticism, and a sense that something extraordinary is waiting behind its doors. I’m genuinely grateful I had the chance to read this early because the story and the writing spoke to me at a level I didn’t expect.
The novel uses a multi‑POV structure, and I loved how distinct and emotionally textured each voice felt. We follow Anna, Teddy, and Jade — with Jade’s sections reading like fragmented journal entries. They weren’t my favourite at first, but by the end I could see how intentional and effective they were. I felt a flicker of irritation with Anna early on, but eventually recognized it as a sign of how honestly she’s written; some of her insecurities mirrored parts of myself I’m still learning to navigate, and I imagine other readers may connect with different characters in similarly surprising ways. Meanwhile, Teddy has that warmth, handsomeness, and charm of many classic romantic leads, but I appreciated that he felt real, and that his inner world is sincere and more complex than he first appears. At certain points, he even reminded me of someone I’ve met — or maybe I was simply seeing him through Anna’s eyes. There was one character I didn’t fully grasp at first, but thinking about it now, I suspect that was the point. All in all, none of the characters felt like caricatures; they’re shaped by their past, their fears, their longings, and their hopes.
The epistolary elements ended up being some of my favourite parts. The email exchanges between Anna and Teddy are endearingly funny, tender without being overly sweet, and filled with the kind of vulnerability that sometimes feels easier to express in writing than out loud. Their closeness feels earned. The texts between friends made me chuckle, even when they felt a little polished. I also loved the agency reviews sprinkled between sections — they added a playful layer of humour that felt relatable and perfectly in tune with the story.
Structurally, I think the book is beautifully orchestrated. The story zigzags, but each act is satisfyingly clear, and there’s an emotional through‑line that keeps everything connected. The early chapters, naturally, include the learning‑the‑ropes phase of time travel, and while a portion of the first half moved slowly for me, it never felt like an information dump. The groundwork laid in the earlier parts made everything after it land perfectly. I loved reaching the crescendo when the worldbuilding, character arcs, and plot come together into a page‑turning momentum. If you were watching me read, I imagine I would have been quite a sight — eyes wide, expressions shifting, hands typing notes frantically so I wouldn’t lose ideas in between (I love e‑books for this!), then diving back into the next moment as fast as possible.
The writing stood out to me again and again. There’s a restraint to it — a sense of emotional layering and careful misdirection — so that when something lands, it doesn’t feel like a twist. It feels like a door swinging open. The metaphors are beautiful and precise, often making me think, “Yes, that’s exactly what that feels like,” and even the sci‑fi elements are rendered in imagery that feels familiar and human. There’s a harmony to the way the time travel, the emotional stakes, and the humour coexist, like distinct notes in a three‑part chord, each carrying its own weight but resonating together. And beneath all of that, the emotional intelligence is remarkable. The writing is honest without ever judging the characters, and the author seems deeply attuned to the gap between how people see themselves and how they actually behave, how fears shape choices, how perceptions shift, how people try and fail and try again. She knows when to let a moment sit, when to ease the tension, and when to let a revelation land softly but powerfully. Small details from earlier chapters return with unexpected weight, and the book trusts the reader to feel these shifts without being told. I found myself learning from the writing as much as I was experiencing the story, and by the time I reached the final chapters, I knew this was a book I wanted to own physically, revisit with all my notes, and gift to people I love.
Overall, Time Travel for Beginners felt whimsical yet grounded, clever yet heartfelt, playful yet emotionally true. It rewards attention. It feels intuitive and alive. It held up a mirror to parts of me that are tender, flawed, resilient, and deeply human. My experience reading it was emotional, intellectual, and creative all at once. The story had me by the heart, and the craft had me by the spine! This wasn’t just an enjoyable read. It was a transformative one. Truly entertaining, illuminating, and incandescent.
5 ⭐ and an easy addition to my favourites list
Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group (Berkley) and NetGalley for the advance reading copy of Time Travel for Beginners by Jaclyn Moriarty.
---
Rating Guide: My star ratings represent personal resonance, not universal value. I admire writers for the courage it takes to be seen and the discipline it takes to create. Thank you!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 — Deeply resonant, even when I can’t fully put it into words
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 — Compelling and well-written
⭐⭐⭐ 3 — Not quite my style, but still enjoyable
⭐⭐ 2 — Had promise but didn't quite land
⭐ 1 — Fell short of what I hoped for
The novel uses a multi‑POV structure, and I loved how distinct and emotionally textured each voice felt. We follow Anna, Teddy, and Jade — with Jade’s sections reading like fragmented journal entries. They weren’t my favourite at first, but by the end I could see how intentional and effective they were. I felt a flicker of irritation with Anna early on, but eventually recognized it as a sign of how honestly she’s written; some of her insecurities mirrored parts of myself I’m still learning to navigate, and I imagine other readers may connect with different characters in similarly surprising ways. Meanwhile, Teddy has that warmth, handsomeness, and charm of many classic romantic leads, but I appreciated that he felt real, and that his inner world is sincere and more complex than he first appears. At certain points, he even reminded me of someone I’ve met — or maybe I was simply seeing him through Anna’s eyes. There was one character I didn’t fully grasp at first, but thinking about it now, I suspect that was the point. All in all, none of the characters felt like caricatures; they’re shaped by their past, their fears, their longings, and their hopes.
The epistolary elements ended up being some of my favourite parts. The email exchanges between Anna and Teddy are endearingly funny, tender without being overly sweet, and filled with the kind of vulnerability that sometimes feels easier to express in writing than out loud. Their closeness feels earned. The texts between friends made me chuckle, even when they felt a little polished. I also loved the agency reviews sprinkled between sections — they added a playful layer of humour that felt relatable and perfectly in tune with the story.
Structurally, I think the book is beautifully orchestrated. The story zigzags, but each act is satisfyingly clear, and there’s an emotional through‑line that keeps everything connected. The early chapters, naturally, include the learning‑the‑ropes phase of time travel, and while a portion of the first half moved slowly for me, it never felt like an information dump. The groundwork laid in the earlier parts made everything after it land perfectly. I loved reaching the crescendo when the worldbuilding, character arcs, and plot come together into a page‑turning momentum. If you were watching me read, I imagine I would have been quite a sight — eyes wide, expressions shifting, hands typing notes frantically so I wouldn’t lose ideas in between (I love e‑books for this!), then diving back into the next moment as fast as possible.
The writing stood out to me again and again. There’s a restraint to it — a sense of emotional layering and careful misdirection — so that when something lands, it doesn’t feel like a twist. It feels like a door swinging open. The metaphors are beautiful and precise, often making me think, “Yes, that’s exactly what that feels like,” and even the sci‑fi elements are rendered in imagery that feels familiar and human. There’s a harmony to the way the time travel, the emotional stakes, and the humour coexist, like distinct notes in a three‑part chord, each carrying its own weight but resonating together. And beneath all of that, the emotional intelligence is remarkable. The writing is honest without ever judging the characters, and the author seems deeply attuned to the gap between how people see themselves and how they actually behave, how fears shape choices, how perceptions shift, how people try and fail and try again. She knows when to let a moment sit, when to ease the tension, and when to let a revelation land softly but powerfully. Small details from earlier chapters return with unexpected weight, and the book trusts the reader to feel these shifts without being told. I found myself learning from the writing as much as I was experiencing the story, and by the time I reached the final chapters, I knew this was a book I wanted to own physically, revisit with all my notes, and gift to people I love.
Overall, Time Travel for Beginners felt whimsical yet grounded, clever yet heartfelt, playful yet emotionally true. It rewards attention. It feels intuitive and alive. It held up a mirror to parts of me that are tender, flawed, resilient, and deeply human. My experience reading it was emotional, intellectual, and creative all at once. The story had me by the heart, and the craft had me by the spine! This wasn’t just an enjoyable read. It was a transformative one. Truly entertaining, illuminating, and incandescent.
5 ⭐ and an easy addition to my favourites list
Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group (Berkley) and NetGalley for the advance reading copy of Time Travel for Beginners by Jaclyn Moriarty.
---
Rating Guide: My star ratings represent personal resonance, not universal value. I admire writers for the courage it takes to be seen and the discipline it takes to create. Thank you!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 — Deeply resonant, even when I can’t fully put it into words
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 — Compelling and well-written
⭐⭐⭐ 3 — Not quite my style, but still enjoyable
⭐⭐ 2 — Had promise but didn't quite land
⭐ 1 — Fell short of what I hoped for
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Anna is walking to a job she hates when she's hit by a car. She isn't injured too badly, but in her concussed state, inquires about a job at The Time Travel Agency. Many people think The Time Travel Agency is a joke, buying gift certificates for gag gifts, or they believe it's an elaborate VR experience. On her first day, Anna answers email inquiries and begins corresponding to a man she calls Chewie. Teddy is struggling with the fact that his newlywed wife has left him for his brother and often visits The Time Travel Agency to see into the past and to find how things came to this point. Jade is a writer taking lessons from Ren, who works above The Time Travel Agency. How do these people all connect? I liked so much about this book...the friendships among the co-workers at the time travel agency and the different types of time travel (revisiting one's own past or traveling to prominent moments in time). Teddy's text messages between his childhood friends Bollocky and Ribbons plus the agency's reviews were amusing. This has a bit of everything: love, friendship, family, betrayal, plus emotional moments. There were a few times I thought I knew where the book's ending was headed but I was totally surprised. This is one of those books that will stay with me. Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
March 27, 2026
A huge thank you to Berkley Publishing Group for an advanced copy of Time Travel for Beginners, which I was not expecting but thrilled to have been selected. I was not at all familiar with Jaclyn Moriarty and went into this book knowing nothing except the title. Normally, I am a sucker for anything time travel-related; I'm a massive Doctor Who fan and generally love sci-fi of all kinds. Well, this book is much less focused on sci-fi and time travel as it is on the relationships and bonds among a core group of people in Sydney, Australia. The chapters are POVs from 3 main characters: Anna, Teddy and Jade. But we meet several other interesting and quirky folks around these 3, and it's pretty clear they are all linked somehow. I figured out a lot of the plot while reading, but I still enjoyed the journey and the payoff at the end. Very thought provoking book and what I would call a "cozy" read. My only criticisms include getting very tired of constantly hearing about the "couches" at the Time Travel Agency and how everyone sits on them having coffee and dessert, and the name of Teddy's friend Bollocky. Seriously, this one was beyond silly. But overall this was a quick one for me to finish, and now I want a sequel to see what happens next.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I really wanted to like this book. The concept is brilliant. Tucked away in a little corner of Australia is a time travel agency that no one believes is real. We follow three women navigating the world and parenthood after suffering a loss. Anna, Rena, and Jade have all lost someone close to them - the person that made the world go round - and Dr. Katya might just have the answer. The only problem is that traveling creates a new timeline. One you create by traveling, but it’s one that you can never return to.
Time Travel for Beginners uses my favorite time travel theory, that every moment, every word you speak, and every decision that you make creates a whole new universe. Where it flat for me is that it was just too long, so it feels like very little happens. The women go to work. The school calls. The daughters get detention. This repeats three times. There are full chapters of the mothers agonizing over whether or not to ground the daughters, and frankly, I don’t care.
There are some sweet moments throughout the book, and a few times when I thought “that would be so cool!” Overall, this book just wasn’t for me. If you like stories about family, grief, regret, and romance, this might be for you,
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC
Time Travel for Beginners uses my favorite time travel theory, that every moment, every word you speak, and every decision that you make creates a whole new universe. Where it flat for me is that it was just too long, so it feels like very little happens. The women go to work. The school calls. The daughters get detention. This repeats three times. There are full chapters of the mothers agonizing over whether or not to ground the daughters, and frankly, I don’t care.
There are some sweet moments throughout the book, and a few times when I thought “that would be so cool!” Overall, this book just wasn’t for me. If you like stories about family, grief, regret, and romance, this might be for you,
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I picked this book on NetGalley because I’ve always enjoyed Sci-fi/Fantasy books about Time Travel, and I liked the colors on the cover. I very quickly realized this was much less of a sci-fi time travel book, and more of a contemporary fiction or women’s fiction book. Yes there were elements of time travel throughout, but this book was much more about interpersonal relationships, parenting, loss, and a love of reading and history. There was a bit of a twist in the story. Throughout I thought it was building up to a fairly mundane twist (I thought that two characters that only interacted tangentially had had the same lover in the past). I was surprised to have the rug pulled out from under my feet and discovered a completely different twist altogether. The story writing style reminds me of Barbara Davis and her books The Keeper of Happy Endings or The Echo of Old books. Seemingly separate storylines that are actually so intrinsically intertwined that you discover they were one story all along. I would definitely recommend this book and will be looking for other books by this author as well.
April 2, 2026
What a delightful first read from Jaclyn Moriarty! This isn’t my first time-travel novel of the year (so apparently I have a type 😅) but this one truly stood out.
“Time Travel for Beginners” follows three separate POVs that you quickly realize belong to three interconnected individuals. Figuring out exactly how they’re connected, though, is a mystery that unfolds across 500+ pages. Watching those threads slowly weave together was such a satisfying reading experience.
I genuinely did not see the plot twist coming, yet when it arrived it felt completely natural… one of those “of course! No other ending makes sense!” moments. Moriarty executed it so effortlessly.
Beyond the clever structure and time-travel elements, the emotional core of the story really resonated with me. At this stage in my life, where parenting is becoming more and more complex, the book’s reflections on what-ifs, regret, mistakes, and learning to live in the present felt especially meaningful.
This is a thoughtful, imaginative story that lingers long after the final page.
Special thanks to NetGalley and Berkeley Publishing Group for the ARC. “Time Travel for Beginners” hits shelves August 4, 2026.
“Time Travel for Beginners” follows three separate POVs that you quickly realize belong to three interconnected individuals. Figuring out exactly how they’re connected, though, is a mystery that unfolds across 500+ pages. Watching those threads slowly weave together was such a satisfying reading experience.
I genuinely did not see the plot twist coming, yet when it arrived it felt completely natural… one of those “of course! No other ending makes sense!” moments. Moriarty executed it so effortlessly.
Beyond the clever structure and time-travel elements, the emotional core of the story really resonated with me. At this stage in my life, where parenting is becoming more and more complex, the book’s reflections on what-ifs, regret, mistakes, and learning to live in the present felt especially meaningful.
This is a thoughtful, imaginative story that lingers long after the final page.
Special thanks to NetGalley and Berkeley Publishing Group for the ARC. “Time Travel for Beginners” hits shelves August 4, 2026.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC, in exchange for an unbiased review.
Until I read the author's notes, I didn't realize I'd read Moriarty's previous adult debut, 2019's "Gravity Is the Thing." I found it quirky, original, and engaging- and "Time Travel For Beginners" is even better.
Three people intersect with The Time Travel Agency, a small storefront business in Sydney, Australia that may or may not be for real. Much of the story revolves around Anna, a single, struggling mother who gets a job as a time travel consultant. We spend much of the book reading about her challenges with her daughter, and her time travel journeys to the past, creating literary-themed time travel tours for the agency.
The characters are colorful, well-written, and I did not see the ending coming- it's a highly original twist, and more than makes up for the overlong middle that tended to drag a bit.
Highly recommend!
Until I read the author's notes, I didn't realize I'd read Moriarty's previous adult debut, 2019's "Gravity Is the Thing." I found it quirky, original, and engaging- and "Time Travel For Beginners" is even better.
Three people intersect with The Time Travel Agency, a small storefront business in Sydney, Australia that may or may not be for real. Much of the story revolves around Anna, a single, struggling mother who gets a job as a time travel consultant. We spend much of the book reading about her challenges with her daughter, and her time travel journeys to the past, creating literary-themed time travel tours for the agency.
The characters are colorful, well-written, and I did not see the ending coming- it's a highly original twist, and more than makes up for the overlong middle that tended to drag a bit.
Highly recommend!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book was surprising, moving, calm, and fun all at once. I did not predict the twist and yet when it happened, it had that "of course!" click into place. Moriarty's prose exactly suits the narrative. The time travel in this book is pleasantly understood without diving into deep science, and that balance worked well for this type of contemporary science fiction. I loved the author deep dives and getting to see brief but poignant interactions with Jane Austen, the Brontës, and Frances Hodgson Burnett. The intertextuality/epistolary intrusions were so fun.
I received an e-ARC from Netgalley; all opinions are my own.
I received an e-ARC from Netgalley; all opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
ARC received from Berkley Press.
I hated The Midnight Library. When I first started reading Time Travel for Beginners, it felt very much like that book. But it wasn't. It was everything TML SHOULD have been. I enjoyed this book a lot, it was such a great escape from these trying times right now, and also a bit reflective as I plod on ahead. I honestly had mid-expectations of it, but I was blown out the water with all of the emotions, without being overwhelmed. Admittedly, my tastes tend to run on the POC stories, and it was bland in that sense, but some mayonnaise recipes just hit the spot sometimes.
I'm eager to read some classics and imagine conversations with those authors!
I hated The Midnight Library. When I first started reading Time Travel for Beginners, it felt very much like that book. But it wasn't. It was everything TML SHOULD have been. I enjoyed this book a lot, it was such a great escape from these trying times right now, and also a bit reflective as I plod on ahead. I honestly had mid-expectations of it, but I was blown out the water with all of the emotions, without being overwhelmed. Admittedly, my tastes tend to run on the POC stories, and it was bland in that sense, but some mayonnaise recipes just hit the spot sometimes.
I'm eager to read some classics and imagine conversations with those authors!
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
This was a crazy book in the best possible way. I’m a fan of time travel stories and it’s always interesting to see how different authors approach it. I loved the way the net cast around all these characters gradually drew them closer and closer together. I had a few theories but really didn’t see what was coming. The focus was less on science fiction and more on the relationships between siblings, the impact of grief, and the nature of memory.
I’ve read most of Liane’s books, one of Nicola’s books, and this was the first one I’ve read by Jaclyn. So much writing talent amongst these sisters!
Thank you to Goodreads Giveaways and Berkley for the ARC.
I’ve read most of Liane’s books, one of Nicola’s books, and this was the first one I’ve read by Jaclyn. So much writing talent amongst these sisters!
Thank you to Goodreads Giveaways and Berkley for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
"It's possible that my own happy ending is taking shape around me right now."
I didn't realize I enjoyed this immensely until I read the last page. This was amusing and cozy, and the email/text correspondence between characters was fun. There were twists and lots of whimsical moments. Once it all clicked, it was like an aha moment, one that leaves you happy. I really enjoyed the ending. Beautiful writing.
**Added points because the time travel element did not confuse me!
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkeley Publishing for the arc!
I didn't realize I enjoyed this immensely until I read the last page. This was amusing and cozy, and the email/text correspondence between characters was fun. There were twists and lots of whimsical moments. Once it all clicked, it was like an aha moment, one that leaves you happy. I really enjoyed the ending. Beautiful writing.
**Added points because the time travel element did not confuse me!
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkeley Publishing for the arc!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.75/5 rounded up.
Another time travel agency story!
This was fun and I did appreciate the more serious conversations that were had about time travel and its uses.
I found these characters likable and relatable, they felt like real people and how real people would respond to these situations. And time travel as a whole.
This also has a rather cozy vibe to it. And I liked the inclusion of the reviews and the emails, those were funny and a nice touch.
Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
Another time travel agency story!
This was fun and I did appreciate the more serious conversations that were had about time travel and its uses.
I found these characters likable and relatable, they felt like real people and how real people would respond to these situations. And time travel as a whole.
This also has a rather cozy vibe to it. And I liked the inclusion of the reviews and the emails, those were funny and a nice touch.
Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I am grateful that I could read this book, and appreciate the ARC. Definitely a new favorite.
It has been a while since I have read a book this simultaneously beautiful and meaningful. It reminds me of books like “Before the Coffee Gets Cold,” but instead of short interconnected stories, it is one full gorgeous story. It is human connection, it is mistakes and forgiveness and sorrow and delight. It makes me want to do a better job with the way I live my life, while also taking stock of the infinite beauty that fills it.
It has been a while since I have read a book this simultaneously beautiful and meaningful. It reminds me of books like “Before the Coffee Gets Cold,” but instead of short interconnected stories, it is one full gorgeous story. It is human connection, it is mistakes and forgiveness and sorrow and delight. It makes me want to do a better job with the way I live my life, while also taking stock of the infinite beauty that fills it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you, Berkley, for the ARC!
This book felt long, not because it has 544 pages, but because it was somewhat difficult to get through. It’s a slow-burn, sci-fi novel, and I almost DNFed it. However, I’m glad I stuck with it, as it picked up around the 80% mark and has a very beautiful ending.
The story follows a group of somewhat intertwined people, believing in time travel, secrets, and shifting timelines, with a strong focus on friendship and self-discovery. While the pacing may not work for everyone, the emotional payoff and character growth make it worth the journey.
This book felt long, not because it has 544 pages, but because it was somewhat difficult to get through. It’s a slow-burn, sci-fi novel, and I almost DNFed it. However, I’m glad I stuck with it, as it picked up around the 80% mark and has a very beautiful ending.
The story follows a group of somewhat intertwined people, believing in time travel, secrets, and shifting timelines, with a strong focus on friendship and self-discovery. While the pacing may not work for everyone, the emotional payoff and character growth make it worth the journey.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
jaclyn moriary has a distinct whimsical writing style that i used to adore and still find comforting and delightful. i was unsure where this was going for most of the book or what the conflict was, but it became clear, and i LOVED the twist. and the last part of the book really did have me sitting here awash with the enormity of theme even if i couldn't articulate it. quintessential jaclyn moriarty.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A wonderful love story with the unusual setting of a time travel agency. Only thing I wanted more of was… time travel. But that’s okay. It gave me food for thought, like where would I go? Who would I want to meet? And halfway through I couldn’t put the book down because I wanted to know what would happen.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was such a clever and fun read. The author explained time travel in a way that was easy to digest. The characters experiences were real and well-though out in the realm of time travel. Very much enjoyed this book.
February 1, 2026
Loved this so much. There’s something so deeply human about Moriarty’s characters and something so clearsighted and tender in how she writes the foibles and failures of life.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
This book is so hard to classify, but I loved it so much.
*Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for providing an e-galley in exchange for an honest review.
*Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for providing an e-galley in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Loved the concept of the book and the creativity of the author. A very thought provoking book with many quotable phrases and relatable characters.
March 16, 2026
I kind of figured out the twist early on, but the story was so enjoyable that that didn’t ruin it for me.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book centers around three characters stories and their ties to a mysterious time travel agency. None of them believe time travel is real, and yet they decide to take a chance on the impossible. And the book. Poses the question if you could go back in time, where would you go and why?
This was a fun read and I didn’t want it to end. I highly recommend it to anyone who likes a little magic and hope mixed into things, with perhaps some love interests and the connections we build with our family + the way we view ourselves.
Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for this ARC in exchange for honest feedback.
This was a fun read and I didn’t want it to end. I highly recommend it to anyone who likes a little magic and hope mixed into things, with perhaps some love interests and the connections we build with our family + the way we view ourselves.
Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for this ARC in exchange for honest feedback.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Words cannot express how much joy Time Travel for Beginners brought me. If I could give the second half of this book 6 stars, I would. I'm a huge fan of time travel, so that's what intrigued me enough to pick this up. But this story is so much more than that. It's about the complexities of parenthood, reconciling with past mistakes, embracing new connections and a new future, viewing past events from a different lense, and so much more. This is a big book! But I couldn't help but feel melancholic about having the story be over. What a gem of a novel!
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