The Clockwork Countess

Mine Through Time #4

by Kate Serzenta

London, England, 1483. When young Cly’s prank goes awry, her two friends disappear into thin air. Cly’s father, an inventor working closely with the King, panics. Because those two boys? They were the heirs to the English throne. And Cly has accidentally awakened powers she didn’t know she possessed—the powers of time travel. Now they have to run. Hide.

Los Angeles, California, 2023. Cole Marshall has submitted his passions, desires, and relationships to his work. The billionaire CEO’s path to glory lies in a mysterious time-bending substance—one he hadn’t invented, but stolen in order to salvage the family company, which had once saved his life. When the substance begins to fail, Cole’s life and reputation become a ticking clock as he must figure out how to replicate it. Little does he know that its righteous owner is already on her way to destroy his plans …

Florence, Italy, 1499. Grown up on the idyllic countryside, Cly remembers little of her former life, except that she must never use her inexplicable powers. Temptation grows when she discovers she could save her father and right the wrongs of her past. All she needs is a vial of a mysterious liquid—one that ended up in the hands of a man from the twenty-first century.

When Cly shows up in the present, pretending to be Cole’s new assistant, a game of deception is on—and so is the game of attraction. Their secrets can’t stop Cole and Cly from feeling the electric sparks of having found a like mind, but their loyalties can. Because they aren’t the only ones after the vial, and the more entangled their feelings become, the deeper they fall into a conspiracy that has been gearing up for centuries …

Perfect for new and old readers alike, The Clockwork Countess introduces fresh faces and storylines while also featuring beloved old favorites. This fourth installment in the Mine Through Time series can be read as a standalone. Its mix of romance, history, and intrigue will enthrall the readers of Gabaldon’s Outlander series and Kaliane Bradley’s The Ministry of Time.

443 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 1, 2026

Reviews

[iris ઇଓ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an advanced review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

As someone who's been seeking out Kate Serzenta's books this year especially after reading Time Watcher, I had high expectations for this and I'm glad to say that it did not disappoint. The story was really interesting and the characters were great too, especially Cole and Cly. I loved the appearances of characters from Serzenta's previous novels and how the stories all tie together.

Thank you to BookSirens for this ARC!!

[Lara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well that was an unexpected and really great read. Although this is book 4 in the 'Mine Through Time' series, it was my first read of these books. We follow Cly, a young women from the 15th century, and Cole, a 21st century business man. The story is woven together as if happening simultaneously until Cly arrives at Cole's office as an intern. We continue to learn more about Cly and her adventure as a time traveler through memories and 'flashbacks'. As you can imagine, these two have chemistry that grows over the time she works for Cole. There is mystery, flirting, dualling and cosplay and this innate need to know what happens.

There was enough intrigue and twists that I couldn't put it down. Certainly different from what I've been reading lately but a nice change. This is what I'd consider a 'closed door romance' so don't expect spice but there is still yearning, love and a few laughs. 5 stars

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Rose Seals · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written, bouncing you back thru time then back to the present. Cly is able to travel from her time to the present. She was once in Cole's time a few years earlier. But she dropped a vial of almonite that she now needs to get back. Cole has built his business empire on it not really knowing much about it. She shows up in his time and becomes his assistant. He hopes to find out more about her and what she is up too. With each chapter going back and forth to Cly's time, more is learned about her. Cole is pulled more into her strange behavior, not knowing what things are in the present that she really wants. Cly thinks she is helping Richard "Angel" to get Edmund back from wherever she sent him, not knowing the power of the almonite. She also wants to help her father as he is sick. Has lots of action, secrets, mystery, love, villains but best of all being able to time travel. Wouldn't that be great. Can't wait for the next story. Would strongly recommend to all.

I received this story and leave this unbiased, honest review.

[Courtney Pityer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will say Kate has managed to impress me again with her dual timeline series Mine Through Time. She manages to weave the two separate worlds which happen to be the modern world and whichever historical time period that is taking place into one book. I have to say I was quite impressed when this tale took us to England in 1483 and then to Italy in 1499. Not to mention the magical elements were also a nice addition.

Cly has always been a little different. But what makes her different is the fact that she has magical powers. In the fifteenth century that is a big no which can surely cause you to lose your life. Years later when living in a different location she realizes that her powers could help save her father. Only this time she must travel to the modern world. In 2023 a young man named Cole is trying to make a name for himself and his world is turned upside down when he meets Cly.

[Kat M · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was a strong fourth entry in the Mine Through Time series, it had that element and concept that I enjoyed from the previous three books. I enjoyed the two time-periods and how good the overall characters worked in this universe. I was engaged from the first page and enjoyed getting to know Cly and Cole in this and how well they were written. Kate Serzenta has a great writing style and am excited to read more in this series and the author.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 4th in a series of stand alones that all tie together. Cly and Cole get to fall in love in this book, and it is the sweetest, most redemptive story. I loved watching Cly fall in love, and I loved watching her win the heart of the stiff, no-fun-but-secretly-fun business man. Watching Cly fumble over present day phrases was hilarious. Bouncing back and forth to watch her in real time and learn about her past was gripping and touching. I felt all the things reading this book and I need all the books in this series now!!

[Valeri Sullivan (vsulvn29)]

I love the Mine Through Time series as a whole but I struggled with this one. Cy is time traveling in hopes of saving friends she accidentally vanished and to help her sick father naively believing she’s helping an ‘Angel’. Cole is a tech guru whose whole success is dependent on a small vial of mysterious liquid he found one day. The concept is intriguing -especially the flashbacks of Cy in her own time- but the execution just didn’t work for me unfortunately.

[Kierston · Rating 5 out of 5]

This it's my first read from this author and I thoroughly enjoyed this story! Though this is the fourth book in this world/series I was able to jump right in and the story felt complete as its own. The characters were funny and interesting, the story itself was a great pace and the world building was vibrant.

Based on other reviews there were Easter eggs throughout that I've missed not having read the other books, so I'm looking forward to starting from the beginning of the series!

[Diane Richmond]

I thoroughly enjoyed this time travel novel. The scientific research and explanations by the main characters made it so credible. Of course there were a couple of evil people, trying to steal the key to time travel freely.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.