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Time Travel for Beginners
Not yet published
Expected 28 Jul 26Three strangers’ lives are forever changed when they’re all drawn to a mysterious agency claiming to have unlocked the secret to time travel.
Anna, Teddy, and Jade are on a collision course. The Agency is the cause. It is also the solution.
On a quiet road nestled within the bustle of Sydney lies a nondescript storefront known simply as the Time Travel Agency. At once a confounding mystery and a beacon of hope, the Agency seems to attract those who need it most. Single mother Anna is in desperate need of change, and the Agency gives her the chance to begin her career—and life—anew. Teddy is a genius at salvaging businesses but needs saving himself, and he’s drawn to the Agency hoping to travel back in time to untangle his troubled childhood and his recently imploded marriage. Jade has no interest in the Agency at all, because there’s no way people are literally time traveling, right? Jade’s present is challenging enough, with her spirited, increasingly bad-tempered daughter and a deeply buried secret too painful for words. As Anna, Teddy, and Jade’s paths converge, the question of just how legitimate the Agency’s ventures into the past are becomes a mysterious, provocative, tantalising, and even heart-wrenching one to parse—but there is no denying that the ripple effects through all three of their lives are very, very real …
Anna, Teddy, and Jade are on a collision course. The Agency is the cause. It is also the solution.
On a quiet road nestled within the bustle of Sydney lies a nondescript storefront known simply as the Time Travel Agency. At once a confounding mystery and a beacon of hope, the Agency seems to attract those who need it most. Single mother Anna is in desperate need of change, and the Agency gives her the chance to begin her career—and life—anew. Teddy is a genius at salvaging businesses but needs saving himself, and he’s drawn to the Agency hoping to travel back in time to untangle his troubled childhood and his recently imploded marriage. Jade has no interest in the Agency at all, because there’s no way people are literally time traveling, right? Jade’s present is challenging enough, with her spirited, increasingly bad-tempered daughter and a deeply buried secret too painful for words. As Anna, Teddy, and Jade’s paths converge, the question of just how legitimate the Agency’s ventures into the past are becomes a mysterious, provocative, tantalising, and even heart-wrenching one to parse—but there is no denying that the ripple effects through all three of their lives are very, very real …
544 pages, Paperback
Expected publication August 4, 2026
About the author
Jaclyn Moriarty
26 books1,604 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 - 30 of 84 reviews
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!
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.
July 4, 2026
What an absolute joy this book is. Perfect antidote to the world.
Anna gets a job in a time travel agency in Neutral Bay, Sydney. No one believes the time travel is real but wonder how do they make it seem so lifelike?
Teddy is a customer of the agency following a devastating split from his wife.
Jade is taking writing classes in a room above the agency.
They are entangled in each other’s lives in ways that slowly unfold.
The 400+ pages flew past.
I am definitely biased towards this book because it’s set in my old Sydney ‘hood. And it’s also is a great story.
Jaclyn - usually a writer for children and young adults - is especially skilled at creating the teen girl characters which add a depth to this story. What even is this genre? Who cares, it’s fun.
Thanks to Ultimo Press for a review copy. This book publishes at the end of July in Oz.
Anna gets a job in a time travel agency in Neutral Bay, Sydney. No one believes the time travel is real but wonder how do they make it seem so lifelike?
Teddy is a customer of the agency following a devastating split from his wife.
Jade is taking writing classes in a room above the agency.
They are entangled in each other’s lives in ways that slowly unfold.
The 400+ pages flew past.
I am definitely biased towards this book because it’s set in my old Sydney ‘hood. And it’s also is a great story.
Jaclyn - usually a writer for children and young adults - is especially skilled at creating the teen girl characters which add a depth to this story. What even is this genre? Who cares, it’s fun.
Thanks to Ultimo Press for a review copy. This book publishes at the end of July in Oz.
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.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I absolutely love Jaclyn Moriary's writing. You just never know what to expect, but it always feels interesting and fresh! I love time travel stories, and I would love to work at the Time Travel Agency, or at least take all the author tours. I loved all the parenting stress/reassurance, although it hit awful close to home as someone with a teenage daughter or two myself. A++
June 17, 2026
I liked this so much more than I expected. I was mostly reading it before bed and I would look forward to it every night. It has magical realism elements and I picked up on a few things but was mostly surprised with the ending. If you like Ashley Poston or Rebecca Serle I’d highly recommend this.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
My thanks to both NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for an advance copy of this new book of magical realism that deals with a very unique store, offering a very unique service, the people who work there, the customers they deal with, the past and their mutual futures.
There are quite a few moments in my life that if I had to the chance to go back in time and change, well the world would be a far different place, at least for me. If I could only go back and re-experience them, well I could think of some personal moments quickly. Watching the George Carlin special from Carnegie Hall with my father, where my Dad laughed so much he nearly fell off the couch. The first night our new puppy escaped his cage and came into my room, getting in my bed though he was a tiny little thing. Seeing the Grateful Dead at Cornell University. There is a lot. To quote a poet and a writer, "The past is a foreign country", and "The past is never dead. It's not even past.". This is a lesson that characters in this book are forced to learn, some they become better for knowing, others are haunted not only by the past, but by revisiting it again. Time Travel for Beginners is a novel by Jaclyn Moriarty about a unique service that changes the lives of people, a chance to look back not in anger, but in wonder, hoping to learn, to have fun, but finding a whole lot more.
In Sydney, Australia a small shop is located on a simple street that offers a unique service. The company is called Time Travel Agency, and though the shop smells like a realtor's with fresh baked goods and fine coffees, the store offers something quite unique. An opportunity to go back in time, without leaving the office and see things from the past. Famous events, infamous concerts, historical events large, small, and maybe only of interest to the customer. Or meet family in the past, view things from a different point of view. Nothing can be changed, one can view, learn and return. To Anna this sounds too good to be true, but sounds like a good job for a single mother whose life is not going well. Anna's workmates seem to love their, job, their boss seems decent, and things start to turn in Anna's life. To Teddy a customer it is a way to see why things went bad in life, and in marriage. To try and learn what went wrong, and where. For Jade the offer war too good, and this had made Jade bitter and angry. And lost in the present Jade finds herself in.
A book that has a science fiction idea, but is more a book of magical realism, or truly speculative fiction, with a focus on characters. The book offers clear rules, what can be done, how the store works, and why and what can be changed. The service is more of a way to look back and see who life was, and how things can be changed. And how the past continues to shadow the lives we live today. The characters are well-developed and interesting. One can see clear motivations and as the characters change, readers can see why. Except for some techo-babble that some might find a little odd, the book reads really well. Once it starts it is hard to put down as Moriarty carefully adds things in, and makes readers want to know more.
A very enjoyable story, one that is told well, and has a lot of heart. This is my first reading of anything by Jaclyn Moriarty and I quite enjoyed the writing, the ideas, and how everything was executed. A bit more than a beach read, yet one that left me feeling surprisingly elated after reading.
There are quite a few moments in my life that if I had to the chance to go back in time and change, well the world would be a far different place, at least for me. If I could only go back and re-experience them, well I could think of some personal moments quickly. Watching the George Carlin special from Carnegie Hall with my father, where my Dad laughed so much he nearly fell off the couch. The first night our new puppy escaped his cage and came into my room, getting in my bed though he was a tiny little thing. Seeing the Grateful Dead at Cornell University. There is a lot. To quote a poet and a writer, "The past is a foreign country", and "The past is never dead. It's not even past.". This is a lesson that characters in this book are forced to learn, some they become better for knowing, others are haunted not only by the past, but by revisiting it again. Time Travel for Beginners is a novel by Jaclyn Moriarty about a unique service that changes the lives of people, a chance to look back not in anger, but in wonder, hoping to learn, to have fun, but finding a whole lot more.
In Sydney, Australia a small shop is located on a simple street that offers a unique service. The company is called Time Travel Agency, and though the shop smells like a realtor's with fresh baked goods and fine coffees, the store offers something quite unique. An opportunity to go back in time, without leaving the office and see things from the past. Famous events, infamous concerts, historical events large, small, and maybe only of interest to the customer. Or meet family in the past, view things from a different point of view. Nothing can be changed, one can view, learn and return. To Anna this sounds too good to be true, but sounds like a good job for a single mother whose life is not going well. Anna's workmates seem to love their, job, their boss seems decent, and things start to turn in Anna's life. To Teddy a customer it is a way to see why things went bad in life, and in marriage. To try and learn what went wrong, and where. For Jade the offer war too good, and this had made Jade bitter and angry. And lost in the present Jade finds herself in.
A book that has a science fiction idea, but is more a book of magical realism, or truly speculative fiction, with a focus on characters. The book offers clear rules, what can be done, how the store works, and why and what can be changed. The service is more of a way to look back and see who life was, and how things can be changed. And how the past continues to shadow the lives we live today. The characters are well-developed and interesting. One can see clear motivations and as the characters change, readers can see why. Except for some techo-babble that some might find a little odd, the book reads really well. Once it starts it is hard to put down as Moriarty carefully adds things in, and makes readers want to know more.
A very enjoyable story, one that is told well, and has a lot of heart. This is my first reading of anything by Jaclyn Moriarty and I quite enjoyed the writing, the ideas, and how everything was executed. A bit more than a beach read, yet one that left me feeling surprisingly elated after reading.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Single mom Anna Salone, mother to 13-year-old Nicola, is frazzled. She’s worried about how Nicola is doing at school—more socially than academically—and she’s not getting a lot of communication from her daughter, who is very definitely entering her trying teenage years. Anna is no fan of her job, either. She works at the Nut Bar, for a boss, Trisha, who lacks people skills. Through a series of semi-comic events, Anna ends up getting a job at the Time Travel Agency.
For the life of her, Anna can’t figure out this place. Is it real (seems hardly likely), is it a scam (it has so few customers, and the owner, Katya Nastevski, only ever shows up to deliver delicious baked goods)? But Anna finds herself liking the place, especially its other staff members, Joon, Roberto, and Paisley. As Anna goes on time travel ventures herself and is allowed to design some packaged literary-themed trips, she falls in love with the job—which is very well paying, on top of it. Then there is the intriguing customer named Teddy, whose wife has left him for his own brother. He’s awfully attractive, but why are he and Joon so secretive about Teddy’s regular trips?
Upstairs from the agency, Rena offers a sort of therapy-by-creative-writing consultancy, with Jade, another single mother of a young teenage daughter, a regular, though somewhat reluctant, client. There are many odd similarities between Jade and Anna, and it can occasionally be confusing as to which one’s daughter is getting into what kind of mean-girl trouble at school.
Like Chekhov’s gun, a software glitch that Anna experiences when she is alone in the office fairly early in the book presages another glitch that will accelerate the plot into high gear and bring various threads together in an ending that is exciting and emotional.
This is my first Jaclyn Moriarty book, though I’m a fan of her sister, Liane. There must be something in their genes or shared upbringing that gives both of them the gift of writing quirky but easily relatable characters, and settings and situations that feel real and interesting even when they are ordinary.
I’m giving this four stars rather than five because it feels longer than it needs to be and can be a bit confusing and bogged down in the middle.
For the life of her, Anna can’t figure out this place. Is it real (seems hardly likely), is it a scam (it has so few customers, and the owner, Katya Nastevski, only ever shows up to deliver delicious baked goods)? But Anna finds herself liking the place, especially its other staff members, Joon, Roberto, and Paisley. As Anna goes on time travel ventures herself and is allowed to design some packaged literary-themed trips, she falls in love with the job—which is very well paying, on top of it. Then there is the intriguing customer named Teddy, whose wife has left him for his own brother. He’s awfully attractive, but why are he and Joon so secretive about Teddy’s regular trips?
Upstairs from the agency, Rena offers a sort of therapy-by-creative-writing consultancy, with Jade, another single mother of a young teenage daughter, a regular, though somewhat reluctant, client. There are many odd similarities between Jade and Anna, and it can occasionally be confusing as to which one’s daughter is getting into what kind of mean-girl trouble at school.
Like Chekhov’s gun, a software glitch that Anna experiences when she is alone in the office fairly early in the book presages another glitch that will accelerate the plot into high gear and bring various threads together in an ending that is exciting and emotional.
This is my first Jaclyn Moriarty book, though I’m a fan of her sister, Liane. There must be something in their genes or shared upbringing that gives both of them the gift of writing quirky but easily relatable characters, and settings and situations that feel real and interesting even when they are ordinary.
I’m giving this four stars rather than five because it feels longer than it needs to be and can be a bit confusing and bogged down in the middle.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Wow, this was a sheer delight from beginning to end! I have read Jaclyn Moriarty's YA novels and appreciated their humor and the exotic Australian setting, but this took me by surprise with its depth and sheer magical storytelling.
The blurb mentions 3 main characters - Anna, Teddy and Jade - but as I read it, I was mostly fixated on Anna. She was my gateway character and I adore her. She is a mother first and foremost, of a nerdy little wonderful middle schooler and is nervous about her parenting. She shouldn't worry, she is making all the right mistakes.
Teddy is a cutie pie, a good friend, a solid listener and an appealing possible love interest for Anna.
Jade didn't do much for me. I found her kind of an annoying, self-centered person who seems to put herself first in most situations. I read the sections from her point of view with some interest, but also a little bit of disdain. Until her world and Anna's shift closer and their daughters become embroiled in one another's lives - then I liked her even less, until she realizes she is dropping the ball and - Dare I say? - she becomes a wee bit self-aware.
But I haven't even mentioned the time travel!! In this version, any trip a visitor makes to the past through the agency starts a new shoot into the multiverse. Travelers can choose to just be an observer or to have corporeal form. They can interact with people in the past, knowing that it won't change their future. Of course most people think it is a clever immersive kind of special effects matrix at best or a bunch of hooey at worst. It is beautifully rendered and I loved the shout out to Frances Hodgson Burnett.
So Anna works there (with some great secondary characters), Teddy uses the service to try to deconstruct why his marriage fell apart and Jade goes to a creativity workshop upstairs from the offices. To tell you anymore would give too much away. Suffice to say there is humor, grief, regret, renewal and some vicious tween girl drama.
This is in my top 5 of the year so far - and that is saying something!
Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced readers' copy.
The blurb mentions 3 main characters - Anna, Teddy and Jade - but as I read it, I was mostly fixated on Anna. She was my gateway character and I adore her. She is a mother first and foremost, of a nerdy little wonderful middle schooler and is nervous about her parenting. She shouldn't worry, she is making all the right mistakes.
Teddy is a cutie pie, a good friend, a solid listener and an appealing possible love interest for Anna.
Jade didn't do much for me. I found her kind of an annoying, self-centered person who seems to put herself first in most situations. I read the sections from her point of view with some interest, but also a little bit of disdain. Until her world and Anna's shift closer and their daughters become embroiled in one another's lives - then I liked her even less, until she realizes she is dropping the ball and - Dare I say? - she becomes a wee bit self-aware.
But I haven't even mentioned the time travel!! In this version, any trip a visitor makes to the past through the agency starts a new shoot into the multiverse. Travelers can choose to just be an observer or to have corporeal form. They can interact with people in the past, knowing that it won't change their future. Of course most people think it is a clever immersive kind of special effects matrix at best or a bunch of hooey at worst. It is beautifully rendered and I loved the shout out to Frances Hodgson Burnett.
So Anna works there (with some great secondary characters), Teddy uses the service to try to deconstruct why his marriage fell apart and Jade goes to a creativity workshop upstairs from the offices. To tell you anymore would give too much away. Suffice to say there is humor, grief, regret, renewal and some vicious tween girl drama.
This is in my top 5 of the year so far - and that is saying something!
Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced readers' copy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
“Time Travel for Beginners” is a fantastical tale about a travel agency in Sydney, Australia that offers one product, and one product only: time travel excursions. Although it’s a novel that normally I would not gravitate towards, I enjoyed it and suspect it will find a large readership.
The blurb gives a good synopsis of the plot, so I won’t replicate that work here (especially since I don't want to inadvertently give anything away, including whether the Time Travel Agency really can deliver time travel, a constant question both for the characters and us readers).
Suffice it to say that this is more a story about family relationships (e.g., marital, sibling, parent-child, etc.) than it is about time travel. Author Jaclyn Moriarty doesn’t take us to ancient Greece or Rome, or the days of English prisoner transports to New South Wales, or any time or place of historical significance. Instead, she presents us with three characters—Anna, Teddy, and Jade—all of whom have suffered the failure of a relationship or relationships. Each seeks to travel to points in his or her past to learn what went wrong so that the relationship might be repaired.
The novel begins somewhat lightheartedly but finishes with the resolution of conflicts having high stakes for the characters involved. Along the way, there are comedic moments and mother-daughter battles, as well as forays into physics and the meaning of the universe. Towards the end, Ms. Moriarty gives readers a very big surprise.
All in all, an entertaining novel that may find its way into more than one beach bag after publication on 8/4/2026.
My thanks to NetGalley, author Jaclyn Moriarty, and publisher Berkley Publishing Group / Berkley for providing me with a complimentary electronic ARC. All of the foregoing is my honest, independent opinion.
The blurb gives a good synopsis of the plot, so I won’t replicate that work here (especially since I don't want to inadvertently give anything away, including whether the Time Travel Agency really can deliver time travel, a constant question both for the characters and us readers).
Suffice it to say that this is more a story about family relationships (e.g., marital, sibling, parent-child, etc.) than it is about time travel. Author Jaclyn Moriarty doesn’t take us to ancient Greece or Rome, or the days of English prisoner transports to New South Wales, or any time or place of historical significance. Instead, she presents us with three characters—Anna, Teddy, and Jade—all of whom have suffered the failure of a relationship or relationships. Each seeks to travel to points in his or her past to learn what went wrong so that the relationship might be repaired.
The novel begins somewhat lightheartedly but finishes with the resolution of conflicts having high stakes for the characters involved. Along the way, there are comedic moments and mother-daughter battles, as well as forays into physics and the meaning of the universe. Towards the end, Ms. Moriarty gives readers a very big surprise.
All in all, an entertaining novel that may find its way into more than one beach bag after publication on 8/4/2026.
My thanks to NetGalley, author Jaclyn Moriarty, and publisher Berkley Publishing Group / Berkley for providing me with a complimentary electronic ARC. All of the foregoing is my honest, independent opinion.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I'm a science fiction fan so I always approach books that feel like they're dabbling in science fiction but aren't being marketed in that genre with caution. There are a lot of literary fiction/book club fiction writers who think they've come up with an amazing new idea when in fact they've just reinvented the wheel, but maybe an oval wheel instead of a round one. In other words, a lot of litfic authors don't understand the conversation taking place over ideas in SF/F world or even know that there's a conversation taking place, so they come up with an idea that they think is original. But that idea's been out there for a while in the genre they haven't researched, and that idea has probably been explored, expanded upon or subverted better than they have managed.
So I approached this book a bit nervously. I'm a sucker for time travel books but I've read a lot of them that end up being a disappointment to me. I'm very happy to report that this book exceeded my expectations.
I'm not going to go into much detail about the plot. But what the author does really well is characterization. Her characters all feel distinct, they have little quirks and some personality traits that make them lovably imperfect (and not in a twee way). Really this book is about relationships even though the title is about time travel. It's about grief, about choices and of course it's also about love.
The time travel in the book is not explained. In fact, it's not ever even truly certain that it's time travel, at least for most people. That's fine, time travel here is a mechanism to explore the themes that the author truly wants to address. That being said, she does a fine job with the time travel concept that she's created. This is the first book I've read by her and I'd be happy to read more.
So I approached this book a bit nervously. I'm a sucker for time travel books but I've read a lot of them that end up being a disappointment to me. I'm very happy to report that this book exceeded my expectations.
I'm not going to go into much detail about the plot. But what the author does really well is characterization. Her characters all feel distinct, they have little quirks and some personality traits that make them lovably imperfect (and not in a twee way). Really this book is about relationships even though the title is about time travel. It's about grief, about choices and of course it's also about love.
The time travel in the book is not explained. In fact, it's not ever even truly certain that it's time travel, at least for most people. That's fine, time travel here is a mechanism to explore the themes that the author truly wants to address. That being said, she does a fine job with the time travel concept that she's created. This is the first book I've read by her and I'd be happy to read more.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I need to read two books by authors who are related to each other for a reading challenge, so I decided on the Moriarty sisters. I've enjoyed numerous books by Liane and, of course, am planning to read BIG LITTLE TRUTHS as soon as I can get my hot little hands on it. I had never read anything by Nicola or Jaclyn, but the premise to Jaclyn's forthcoming novel sounded interesting, so I decided to give TIME TRAVEL FOR BEGINNERS a go. At nearly 600 pages, it's a long novel that felt meandering and overly wordy at times. It also gets confusing as it switches between narrators and points of view. On the whole, though, I enjoyed the read. It actually reminded me a lot of HERE ONE MOMENT by Liane Moriarty.
TIME TRAVEL FOR BEGINNERS doesn't really have a villain. All of the characters, even the moody teenagers and the adults who make questionable life decisions, are sympathetic and likable. It's easy to root for all of them, wanting each one to find the happy endings they're seeking. The story isn't really about time travel—it's about the relationships that grow between the characters, whether they're about romance, friendship, or family ties. (Although watching these relationships develop and evolve was my favorite part of reading this book, I was actually disappointed there wasn't more emphasis on the time travelling.) As far as plot goes, there isn't really one. TIME TRAVEL FOR BEGINNERS is all about the characters, which is great since they're all so appealing, but, as I said, this does make the story feel unnecessarily long and repetitive. I would have liked a more streamlined plot because I did find myself constantly checking too see how much longer it was going to take me to finish the book.
As you might guess based on the novel's premise, TIME TRAVEL FOR BEGINNERS asks some thought-provoking questions about time, grief, regret, relationships, memory, etc. It's a lighter read, yes, but it still explores some deep issues and it does that in a way that is relatable, approachable, and life-affirming.
If I could, I would give this book 3 1/2 stars; since I can't, I'm rounding up.
If this were a movie, it would be rated: R for language (a handful of F-bombs, plus occasional milder invectives) and mild sexual content (not detailed or graphic)
TIME TRAVEL FOR BEGINNERS doesn't really have a villain. All of the characters, even the moody teenagers and the adults who make questionable life decisions, are sympathetic and likable. It's easy to root for all of them, wanting each one to find the happy endings they're seeking. The story isn't really about time travel—it's about the relationships that grow between the characters, whether they're about romance, friendship, or family ties. (Although watching these relationships develop and evolve was my favorite part of reading this book, I was actually disappointed there wasn't more emphasis on the time travelling.) As far as plot goes, there isn't really one. TIME TRAVEL FOR BEGINNERS is all about the characters, which is great since they're all so appealing, but, as I said, this does make the story feel unnecessarily long and repetitive. I would have liked a more streamlined plot because I did find myself constantly checking too see how much longer it was going to take me to finish the book.
As you might guess based on the novel's premise, TIME TRAVEL FOR BEGINNERS asks some thought-provoking questions about time, grief, regret, relationships, memory, etc. It's a lighter read, yes, but it still explores some deep issues and it does that in a way that is relatable, approachable, and life-affirming.
If I could, I would give this book 3 1/2 stars; since I can't, I'm rounding up.
If this were a movie, it would be rated: R for language (a handful of F-bombs, plus occasional milder invectives) and mild sexual content (not detailed or graphic)
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book was a TRIP. It wasn't at all what I expected it to be, but I mean that in the best possible way!
First, it took me a really long time to get my bearings with this book. Like, I realized there were definitely dots I was supposed to be connecting, but I couldn't quite fit them together. It wasn't until about 60% of the way through when it all started coming together for me. From there I couldn't put it down and started forming my various theories and predictions. And while I was right about some parts, I wasn't about all. I loved that this book kept me guessing and so engaged with the plot.
But more than anything , this book is so incredibly deep. It hits at the heart of the impact of grief and regret. I think we all have things in our lives that we wish we did or handled differently. But if you had the chance to change that thing, what butterfly effect changes could also happen? The impact of finding peace, specifically with yourself, is a key theme throughout. Also, if you're a parent, this book will really hit close to home.
I loved the characters so much. All of them were so unique and multifaceted. It was truly a character study and I just truly enjoyed getting to know all of the quirks and characteristics of them all. On the flip side, there are a few characters you will grow to hate. Some deserve your ire. Others, maybe not as much as you originally think.
I truly loved this book and have pre-ordered it for my home library. My 4⭐ rating is mostly, while it definitely kept it interesting, the variation in writing styles was a bit jarring from time to time (although I believe that was intended). Overall, it's a masterpiece of the mind and I look forward to it being out in the world for all to devour!
First, it took me a really long time to get my bearings with this book. Like, I realized there were definitely dots I was supposed to be connecting, but I couldn't quite fit them together. It wasn't until about 60% of the way through when it all started coming together for me. From there I couldn't put it down and started forming my various theories and predictions. And while I was right about some parts, I wasn't about all. I loved that this book kept me guessing and so engaged with the plot.
But more than anything , this book is so incredibly deep. It hits at the heart of the impact of grief and regret. I think we all have things in our lives that we wish we did or handled differently. But if you had the chance to change that thing, what butterfly effect changes could also happen? The impact of finding peace, specifically with yourself, is a key theme throughout. Also, if you're a parent, this book will really hit close to home.
I loved the characters so much. All of them were so unique and multifaceted. It was truly a character study and I just truly enjoyed getting to know all of the quirks and characteristics of them all. On the flip side, there are a few characters you will grow to hate. Some deserve your ire. Others, maybe not as much as you originally think.
I truly loved this book and have pre-ordered it for my home library. My 4⭐ rating is mostly, while it definitely kept it interesting, the variation in writing styles was a bit jarring from time to time (although I believe that was intended). Overall, it's a masterpiece of the mind and I look forward to it being out in the world for all to devour!
April 5, 2026
Time Travel for Beginners is the kind of book that quietly pulls you in—and then completely flips your expectations in the best way possible.
At first, it reads like a light, slightly quirky take on time travel, easing you into its world without overwhelming you with dense rules or jargon. The pacing is steady, and the story feels approachable, almost deceptively simple. But that simplicity is part of what makes the eventual plot twist hit so hard.
One of the book’s strengths is its character development, which unfolds gradually but meaningfully. As the story progresses, the characters reveal new layers of themselves, shaped by their experiences with time travel and the consequences of their choices. Their motivations become clearer over time, and by the end, they feel more complex than they initially appear.
The use of multiple points of view also adds depth to the narrative. Shifting perspectives allow the reader to see the same events from different angles, which not only enriches the story but also subtly plants clues leading up to the twist. These varied viewpoints keep the story dynamic and help build a fuller picture of what’s really happening beneath the surface.
Moments that seemed small or even incidental suddenly carry new weight once the plot twist is revealed, and the story transforms from a straightforward narrative into something much more clever and layered. It’s the kind of twist that makes you want to go back and reread earlier chapters just to catch all the clues you missed.
Overall, Time Travel for Beginners stands out not just for its memorable twist, but for how well it develops its characters and uses perspective to enhance the story. If you enjoy narratives that are both emotionally engaging and structurally clever, this one is absolutely worth the read.
At first, it reads like a light, slightly quirky take on time travel, easing you into its world without overwhelming you with dense rules or jargon. The pacing is steady, and the story feels approachable, almost deceptively simple. But that simplicity is part of what makes the eventual plot twist hit so hard.
One of the book’s strengths is its character development, which unfolds gradually but meaningfully. As the story progresses, the characters reveal new layers of themselves, shaped by their experiences with time travel and the consequences of their choices. Their motivations become clearer over time, and by the end, they feel more complex than they initially appear.
The use of multiple points of view also adds depth to the narrative. Shifting perspectives allow the reader to see the same events from different angles, which not only enriches the story but also subtly plants clues leading up to the twist. These varied viewpoints keep the story dynamic and help build a fuller picture of what’s really happening beneath the surface.
Moments that seemed small or even incidental suddenly carry new weight once the plot twist is revealed, and the story transforms from a straightforward narrative into something much more clever and layered. It’s the kind of twist that makes you want to go back and reread earlier chapters just to catch all the clues you missed.
Overall, Time Travel for Beginners stands out not just for its memorable twist, but for how well it develops its characters and uses perspective to enhance the story. If you enjoy narratives that are both emotionally engaging and structurally clever, this one is absolutely worth the read.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I love time travel so I've read a lot of variants on this theme and this one is refreshingly original and imaginative. Mostly time travelers are clutching their pearls in fear that they will destroy the past, the future, the fabric of the universe. They're very secretive about what they're doing. In this novel, the people at the Time Travel Agency are open about traveling to the past but nobody really believes them. They think it's a really good form of virtual reality or hypnosis or something. Also there are several different ways to travel to the past; one where you're just an observer, one where you can interact with the past and one that I'll leave hanging in the air because everyone hates a spoiler. It's not dangerous for the universe for you to go back into the past because each time you go, you create another time line; you can go back and tell people in the past about their future and nothing changes. To coin a phrase, time keeps marching on. Many people go back to understand key moments in their own lives and/or see people they missed. That's the only part that actually can be dangerous because you can get sort of addicted to returning to the past and it isn't good for you to keep going back. But that isn't
I think my favorite part was that the heroine of the novel curates time-traveling experiences that include literary pilgrimages. For example, one around "The Secret Garden" by Frances Hodgson Burnett. You meet Frances at different points in her life and also get to explore gardens that inspired her classic children's book. I so wish I could go on that one!
I think my favorite part was that the heroine of the novel curates time-traveling experiences that include literary pilgrimages. For example, one around "The Secret Garden" by Frances Hodgson Burnett. You meet Frances at different points in her life and also get to explore gardens that inspired her classic children's book. I so wish I could go on that one!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Time Travel for Beginners by Jaclyn Moriarty
Sue Parsons, Reviewer
Thank you to Berkeley Publishing Group and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy of this imaginative and enjoyable book.
Based on the title alone, I expected something along the lines of a Ray Bradbury novel or maybe even a time-crossed romance. Then when I saw the author’s last name, I immediately wondered if the writer is a member of the extraordinarily talented Moriarty family. Yup, she is, and I couldn’t wait to start reading! This book has humor, creativity, interesting characters throughout, and I found it very entertaining.
The story is nominally about a time travel agency, but one of the questions running in the background of the story is whether the time travel offered by the agency is real or just a clever psychological trick. The book is strongly character driven, with each character’s unique point of view expressed by communication style. There are journal entries, social media, conversations, and experiences used as well as some jumping back and forth between present and past. I think the author may have used these different styles as a way to move the story forward without having to offer any complicated time travel theories or rationale. This did make it a bit confusing since the reader is left to figure that out without explanation. I was a few chapters in before I realized that.
As soon as I finished the book, I went back and read it again to make sure I hadn’t missed something. Luckily I enjoyed the book so much I didn’t mind at all reading it a second time!
Sue Parsons, Reviewer
Thank you to Berkeley Publishing Group and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy of this imaginative and enjoyable book.
Based on the title alone, I expected something along the lines of a Ray Bradbury novel or maybe even a time-crossed romance. Then when I saw the author’s last name, I immediately wondered if the writer is a member of the extraordinarily talented Moriarty family. Yup, she is, and I couldn’t wait to start reading! This book has humor, creativity, interesting characters throughout, and I found it very entertaining.
The story is nominally about a time travel agency, but one of the questions running in the background of the story is whether the time travel offered by the agency is real or just a clever psychological trick. The book is strongly character driven, with each character’s unique point of view expressed by communication style. There are journal entries, social media, conversations, and experiences used as well as some jumping back and forth between present and past. I think the author may have used these different styles as a way to move the story forward without having to offer any complicated time travel theories or rationale. This did make it a bit confusing since the reader is left to figure that out without explanation. I was a few chapters in before I realized that.
As soon as I finished the book, I went back and read it again to make sure I hadn’t missed something. Luckily I enjoyed the book so much I didn’t mind at all reading it a second time!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A time travel agency opens in Australia, and it allows it's visitors to go back to famous historical events, visit their favorite historical figures, or even go back to their own past. We follow Anna, Teddy, and Jade as their paths all intertwine through the Time Travel Agency.
Anna begins working at the agency and starts making her own tours to visit famous writers. Teddy is going through his own personal struggles and dives into his own past to see where things may have gone wrong. And Jade is our outside POV that isn't as directly involved with the Agency.
**********
I loved the premise of this! The whole time I was reading, I was thinking about all the places in the past that I would go to (I would def go back and see my brother.... so I related to Jade there). There were so many fantastic quotes about dealing with grief as well. I loved seeing all the places that people were travelling to and just the vibes in the Time Travel Agency as a whole- all the characters that were working there really made it come to life!! The reviews at the beginning of each part were so funny; a couple I actually LOLed.
While the story was fun, I do think it went on for too long. I don't think this novel needed to be 500+ pages. Also with the reveal, I saw coming (kinda), but I think I was too dumb to fully understand what happened. (Trying not to give spoilers) but I could not figure out how the two women's timelines came together/what was true or not.
Thank you to Net Galley and Berkley for the ARC!!!
Anna begins working at the agency and starts making her own tours to visit famous writers. Teddy is going through his own personal struggles and dives into his own past to see where things may have gone wrong. And Jade is our outside POV that isn't as directly involved with the Agency.
**********
I loved the premise of this! The whole time I was reading, I was thinking about all the places in the past that I would go to (I would def go back and see my brother.... so I related to Jade there). There were so many fantastic quotes about dealing with grief as well. I loved seeing all the places that people were travelling to and just the vibes in the Time Travel Agency as a whole- all the characters that were working there really made it come to life!! The reviews at the beginning of each part were so funny; a couple I actually LOLed.
While the story was fun, I do think it went on for too long. I don't think this novel needed to be 500+ pages. Also with the reveal, I saw coming (kinda), but I think I was too dumb to fully understand what happened. (Trying not to give spoilers) but I could not figure out how the two women's timelines came together/what was true or not.
Thank you to Net Galley and Berkley for the ARC!!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
TIME TRAVEL FOR BEGINNERS was an enjoyable fantasy story. Anna is a single mother with an unfulfilling job. When she is hit by a car, she takes it as a sign to change her life. She is led to the Time Travel Agency for her new job. She isn't sure she believes in time travel but has an enjoyable time planning literary tours for herself and others to enjoy.
Anna has a thirteen-year-old daughter who is coping with a new school and trying to expand her friend pool. She's having some problems and Anna decides to let the school counselor know. Her daughter sees her mother's help as interference and relations between the two of them deteriorate.
Teddy is a customer of the Time Travel Agency who is eager to go back in time and see why his new wife decided to run off with his brother. He wonders if there is a way to save his marriage through trips to his past. Of course, his already fraught relationship with his brother is another casualty.
Then there is Jade who has lost her creativity and who attends mentoring sessions with a woman whose office is above the Time Travel Agency. Jade also has a thirteen-year-old daughter at the same school and Anna's daughter.
The stories are intertwined and twist together in various ways. I was eager to see the decisions the characters made and how their stories twisted together.
Anna has a thirteen-year-old daughter who is coping with a new school and trying to expand her friend pool. She's having some problems and Anna decides to let the school counselor know. Her daughter sees her mother's help as interference and relations between the two of them deteriorate.
Teddy is a customer of the Time Travel Agency who is eager to go back in time and see why his new wife decided to run off with his brother. He wonders if there is a way to save his marriage through trips to his past. Of course, his already fraught relationship with his brother is another casualty.
Then there is Jade who has lost her creativity and who attends mentoring sessions with a woman whose office is above the Time Travel Agency. Jade also has a thirteen-year-old daughter at the same school and Anna's daughter.
The stories are intertwined and twist together in various ways. I was eager to see the decisions the characters made and how their stories twisted together.
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
April 12, 2026
A charming and cozy story with characters that really tugged at my heart! I’m a sucker for the (kinda?) niche time travel + romance trope so this definitely will be in the running for my favorite book of 2026.
“Time Travel For Beginners” follows 3 characters:
Anna, a single mom who begins working at a time travel agency (that everyone thinks is just like, really advanced VR) after quitting a dead-end job,
Teddy, whose wife pretty much just left him for his brother which makes Teddy ultimately turn to the time travel agency services to see where it all went wrong
Jade, a single mom who is journaling at the command of a mentor all in the pursuit of getting her creativity back
I really loved how the lives of these characters intertwined and just how endearing they were. This book was so light-hearted and funny most of the time and then bam, it had me crying and thinking You’re right Dr. Natsevski, people are breathtaking, aren’t they? (read it - you’ll get it - my favorite quote, such a beautiful moment). I loved how this story showed grief and loss, the complexities of love and family and how resilient humans can be.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced copy!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I offer things to NetGalley for this opportunity to read the advanced reader copy of Time Travel for Beginners.
The story is solid, but to be honest, it was a little bit slow, a little bit plodding. By reading the blurb, I had in my head, a vision of more exciting time travel. I enjoyed the science behind the time travel I enjoyed thinking about the concepts and the possibilities that existed, which definitely is something that I’ll be thinking about long after I finish reading.
All of the action was centered around the ending, and although there was a fair amount of we’re shadowing, the twist and the action were compelling.
Ultimately, what I enjoyed most about this book was the way it made me think about regret and possibilities. The Multiverse is something that I have spent a bit of time thinking about on my own anyway so this book was a bit of a thought experiment in that regard. I love the idea of time travel which is why I chose this book as an arc. I think that if I were able to go back with understanding that it was not going to be an action packed story, I would enjoy it more and I would recommend it to people who enjoy time travel thinking.
To me the end, definitely justified the rest of the story.
The story is solid, but to be honest, it was a little bit slow, a little bit plodding. By reading the blurb, I had in my head, a vision of more exciting time travel. I enjoyed the science behind the time travel I enjoyed thinking about the concepts and the possibilities that existed, which definitely is something that I’ll be thinking about long after I finish reading.
All of the action was centered around the ending, and although there was a fair amount of we’re shadowing, the twist and the action were compelling.
Ultimately, what I enjoyed most about this book was the way it made me think about regret and possibilities. The Multiverse is something that I have spent a bit of time thinking about on my own anyway so this book was a bit of a thought experiment in that regard. I love the idea of time travel which is why I chose this book as an arc. I think that if I were able to go back with understanding that it was not going to be an action packed story, I would enjoy it more and I would recommend it to people who enjoy time travel thinking.
To me the end, definitely justified the rest of the story.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I usually love books about time travel, so when I had the opportunity to read an advance e-book copy of Time Travel for Beginners, I was really excited. The idea of a time travel agency where people can revisit moments from history or their own lives is such a fun and original premise, and it immediately caught my attention.
Unfortunately, this one just wasn’t the right fit for me. It moved at a slower pace than I expected, and I found it hard to stay engaged. There were also several times when I wasn’t completely sure what was happening, and it took me quite a while to understand how Jade fit into the story at all.
There were definitely some heartwarming and poignant moments along the way, and I think readers who enjoy sprawling stories with multiverse ideas and big questions about time and the choices we make will probably appreciate what the author was doing. I just tend to prefer stories that keep me a little more anchored, and this one wandered a bit more than I like. By the end, I also felt like it was a little longer than it needed to be.
Even though this one wasn’t for me, I can absolutely see it finding the right audience.
Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the complimentary advance e-book copy. All opinions are my own.
Unfortunately, this one just wasn’t the right fit for me. It moved at a slower pace than I expected, and I found it hard to stay engaged. There were also several times when I wasn’t completely sure what was happening, and it took me quite a while to understand how Jade fit into the story at all.
There were definitely some heartwarming and poignant moments along the way, and I think readers who enjoy sprawling stories with multiverse ideas and big questions about time and the choices we make will probably appreciate what the author was doing. I just tend to prefer stories that keep me a little more anchored, and this one wandered a bit more than I like. By the end, I also felt like it was a little longer than it needed to be.
Even though this one wasn’t for me, I can absolutely see it finding the right audience.
Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the complimentary advance e-book copy. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
i’ve loved jaclyn moriarty’s writing since “feeling sorry for celia” and “the year of secret assignments” so i was delighted to see that she’d started writing for adults!
this book was a fun little puzzle where i got to hoard information as i went along. the format was fantastic, i’m always a fan of epistolaries. seeing the differences in voice between anna, the clipped and concise notes from jade’s journals, even the emails back and forth between anna and teddy were great.
this was a super fast read for me, where i was able to finish it in an afternoon and a half. it manages to squeeze in quite a few tropes without it ever feeling like it. i really enjoyed
a very sweet story about treasuring the moments you have in the present. the book gives a lot of grace around parenting styles (everyone is a human being, simply doing the best they can with the info and resources they have), and does nod to technological advancements. would absolutely reread!
this book was a fun little puzzle where i got to hoard information as i went along. the format was fantastic, i’m always a fan of epistolaries. seeing the differences in voice between anna, the clipped and concise notes from jade’s journals, even the emails back and forth between anna and teddy were great.
this was a super fast read for me, where i was able to finish it in an afternoon and a half. it manages to squeeze in quite a few tropes without it ever feeling like it. i really enjoyed
a very sweet story about treasuring the moments you have in the present. the book gives a lot of grace around parenting styles (everyone is a human being, simply doing the best they can with the info and resources they have), and does nod to technological advancements. would absolutely reread!
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.
June 4, 2026
Berkley Publishing Group provided an early galley for review.
If a story touches on time travel, I am always interested. This one does that, but it is also very much a character-driven piece about families, relationships and such. The rules regarding how time travel fits into the story is not even discussed until well into the first ten percent or so of the book. For such a big part of the title, I was surprised how tangential it is to the story early on (though it becomes very important later).
Moriarty also plays around with formats a lot through out. There are chapters that are just WhatsApp and email exchanges, while others are excerpts from Jade's journal and even customer reviews of the business for pure measure. They do speed up the reading a bit, even if they are a bit less standard content delivery forms. The author also tends to put in a lot of "asides" in which serves as flashbacks or info drops on backgrounds, etc. It sometimes throws off the flow of the story for me, especially when one aside generates a second sub-aside.
The middle section drags a bit (setting up dominoes for the final act), but the pace picks up rather nicely in the last twenty percent.
If a story touches on time travel, I am always interested. This one does that, but it is also very much a character-driven piece about families, relationships and such. The rules regarding how time travel fits into the story is not even discussed until well into the first ten percent or so of the book. For such a big part of the title, I was surprised how tangential it is to the story early on (though it becomes very important later).
Moriarty also plays around with formats a lot through out. There are chapters that are just WhatsApp and email exchanges, while others are excerpts from Jade's journal and even customer reviews of the business for pure measure. They do speed up the reading a bit, even if they are a bit less standard content delivery forms. The author also tends to put in a lot of "asides" in which serves as flashbacks or info drops on backgrounds, etc. It sometimes throws off the flow of the story for me, especially when one aside generates a second sub-aside.
The middle section drags a bit (setting up dominoes for the final act), but the pace picks up rather nicely in the last twenty percent.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I have always liked time travel stories and this was no exception. The premise of a Time Travel Agency was creative and brought up many questions. How to suspend belief about the room and the technology? How do you not change the past with your visit? How does Partial mode work with the ability to reach someone if you feel strongly enough? I loved that most people didn’t believe it was real. I also really enjoyed the public reviews sprinkled in. The very first one led me to believe the whole thing wasn’t real which added to the tension. The dual stories kept me guessing about how it would all resolve. The characters were well developed and I particularly liked Katya - the absent minded professor. I also enjoyed the text chains between Teddy, Bollocky and Ribbons. They were funny and insightful. Problems I had with the story were that the Teddy/Anna story was too easy to see coming and I had trouble distinguishing between the two girls’ story lines. I kept getting them confused. Overall, very enjoyable and I would recommend it. Thank you to Net Galley and Book Browse for this advanced reader copy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Time Travel for Beginners by Jaclyn Moriarty is a unique and charming light sci fi story about three people whose lives unexpectedly intersect around the mysterious Time Travel Agency in Sydney. Anna is a single mother looking for a fresh start, Teddy hopes to revisit his troubled past, and Jade wants nothing to do with time travel at all. While the Agency is creating the challenges they face, it also become the key to solving them. As with all time travel their is a ripple effect on their lives.
As their paths come together, the story becomes surprising and satisfying, with twists that unfold at just the right moments. I loved how the shifting points of view gave each character a distinct voice, and the comforting, whimsical tone made the whole premise feel clever and twisty. The characters are a real strength, with Anna, Teddy, and Jade all endearing in their own ways, and the secondary characters adding even more interest. The focus on these three individuals kept me engaged as more pieces of the puzzle fell into place.
As their paths come together, the story becomes surprising and satisfying, with twists that unfold at just the right moments. I loved how the shifting points of view gave each character a distinct voice, and the comforting, whimsical tone made the whole premise feel clever and twisty. The characters are a real strength, with Anna, Teddy, and Jade all endearing in their own ways, and the secondary characters adding even more interest. The focus on these three individuals kept me engaged as more pieces of the puzzle fell into place.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I am always drawn to books about time travel, and the premise of this one was especially alluring.
I liked the storyline of Anna, and her character in general. Teddy was kind of too meek for me, and I struggled to see how Jane’s story (written as journal entries) fit into the bigger picture. Ultimately, the story was way too long for me, and I just struggled to stay caring after the halfway mark. With the amount of filler and redundancies, it really seemed it could been edited down to create a better paced more engaging novel. Example- people time traveling so they could shut their curtains that morning-stuff like that added nothing to the story.
I liked how the author used such a wide range writing techniques, but at times it kind of jarred me out of the flow of the story. Read other reviews, though. It seems this story really took others on a fantastical journey.
Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for providing the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review! All opinions and statements are my own.
I liked the storyline of Anna, and her character in general. Teddy was kind of too meek for me, and I struggled to see how Jane’s story (written as journal entries) fit into the bigger picture. Ultimately, the story was way too long for me, and I just struggled to stay caring after the halfway mark. With the amount of filler and redundancies, it really seemed it could been edited down to create a better paced more engaging novel. Example- people time traveling so they could shut their curtains that morning-stuff like that added nothing to the story.
I liked how the author used such a wide range writing techniques, but at times it kind of jarred me out of the flow of the story. Read other reviews, though. It seems this story really took others on a fantastical journey.
Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for providing the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review! All opinions and statements are my own.
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