As Time Goes By

The Californians #2

by Lori Wick

Lori Wick's bestselling series The Californians (more than 500,000 copies sold) has a fresh new cover design to delight avid Lori Wick fans and readers just introduced to Lori's beloved fiction. For five years handsome Jeff Taylor has wanted to apologize to Bobbie Bradford in person. But she left town the day after the humiliating episode at the picnic and never returned. Older now, Jeff has grown in his faith and as a man. Still, the news that Bobbie is returning to Santa Rosa while considering Cleve Ramsey's proposal of marriage comes as a shock. Will their friendship be restored after heartbreaking betrayal? Can love grow as time goes by?

Genres: Christian Fiction, Christian, Romance, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Christian Romance, Historical

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

FROM THE PUBLISHER:
Lori Wick is known as one of the most versatile Christian fiction writers on the market today. From pioneer fiction to a series set in Victorian England to a contemporary novel, Lori's books (over 5 million in print) continue to delight readers and top the Christian bestselling fiction list. Lori and her husband, Bob, live in Wisconsin with "the three coolest kids in the world."

Reviews

[Sarah Grace Grzy]

This book. I just didnt like it that much! I loved the character of Jeff in the first book, but she totally ruined him in this one. He felt like a completely different character! I also wasn't really a huge fan of Bobbie. On a side note, what's with Wick's affinity for masculine nicknames for female characters?

All in all, I didn't really care for this book. I appreciated the fact that it was less romancey than the rest of the series, but the story just didn't cut it.

[Jerry (Rebel With a Massive Media Library)]

Another great historical romance from Lori Wick.

[Catherine]

Typical Lori Wick writing but Jeff wasn’t a complete butt so points there.

[liaknight]

Amazing!!

[Sharon Hogenson]

From what I remember from previous readings I would have given this book two stars, but for some reason, perhaps the passing of time since last reading it, I found it moderately enjoyable. It's still my least favorite of the series and starts the same day "Whatever Tomorrow Brings" ends. I used to skip it when I'd read the "Californians", but this time I read it in order to give it a fair rating.

[Bella]

I was so captured in the story Line of these two books, and can’t wait to start the third!🤗

[Julie Graves]

Five years ago Bobbie had left Santa Rosa in humiliation and embarrassment. Jeff Taylor has always felt guilty for his part in causing Bobbie to stay away for so long. Now Bobbie is returning to work in the Taylor's shipping office.

Both Bobbie and Jeff have grown up in the five years since the incident at the lagoon. Both feel a little awkward when Bobbie first starts to work for the Taylor's, but they soon become great friends.

Jeff is once again dating Sylvia, but confused by how angry she is all of the time. Bobbie is contemplating engagement to Cleve, but it would be a marriage of convenience rather than a marriage of love. Both Jeff and Bobbie's mother Maryanne worry that Bobbie is settling for Cleve because she doesn't believe anyone will ever love her.

When Cleve shows up in Santa Rosa it doesn't take him long to realize that he shouldn't have stayed away from Bobbie for so long. Cleve and family and friends around Bobbie and Jeff all wonder how long it will take before they both realize that they love each other.

Rigg and Kaitlin are expecting their first baby. Sean is rebelling because of the continued absence of his father who has put off returning to the States indefinitely. Sean's behavior has forced Kate and Rigg to practice some tough love and make Sean more accountable for his behavior. Where will Sean's rebellion lead him and how heart-broken will he leave Kate and Marcail? Find out in the next installment of The Californian series Sean Donovan.

Bobbie and Jeff's story is so sweet. I love the way that love blossoms between them so slowly. I like how they become friends before they ever realize that they love each other. And as always the message of Salvation is quite clear and another theme that comes through in this series is forgiveness.

[Kristen]

A quick and clean, but pretty predictable read. There is a book ahead of this and I guess I should have read it first, there were a bunch of characters introduced at one time and it was hard to keep them straight at first. A little preachy at times, but hey, it's a christian romance...

Moral Note: Clean

[Carolyn R]

Always Enjoyable

I’ve read ATGB at least 5 times and it’s always an enjoyable read by Lori Wick. Love that Bobbie has some spunk and that Jeff learns to see from the heart…not the eyes. Great book in a great series!

[Brittany]

This has been a comfort book for me. The story is so simple, and heartwarming.

[Nadine Keels]

Boys will be boys, perhaps, but the way Jeffrey Taylor once hurt Roberta "Bobbie" Bradford's feelings was still inexcusable. Now that Bobbie is returning to Santa Rosa after a five-year absence, Jeff will finally have the chance to make it up to her in person. But her arrival back home throws Jeff strangely off-kilter in As Time Goes By by author Lori Wick.

Here's another novel I've now read thrice, which I think I first read in my teens.

I once loved this second book in The Californians series for various reasons, including that the heroine is considered to be rather plain. Bobbie also wears spectacles, and no, when she comes back to town, she's not an ugly-duckling-turned-beautiful-swan who's done away with her glasses to conveniently make her gorgeous. Not that romances have to make a big to-do about a heroine's physical looks either way (they most certainly do not), but it's still refreshing to see something different from this author's norm.

"Plain girls have dreams too, you know." Bobbie is competent and personable with a cheeky sense of humor, and she's regularly ready to cut folks some slack.

Even with the super cool heroine, though, I'll admit I don't feel the same about the story as I used to. It's often pretty schmaltzy and not the most natural. Having jumped straight to the second book in the series this time, I can see how certain minor characters and scenes don't really matter unless you already care about those characters from the previous book. Also, this novel has a lot of talk about salvation, prayer, and Bible reading, which I think can work if a novel's plot calls for it, but it feels overdone in this story.

Nevertheless, this is a feel-good kind of read for fans of ChristFic historical romance who can appreciate something that's easy to digest.

[Debbie Phillips]

Bobbie and Jeff. Yes, you know from pretty early on that they are going to end up together... but that doesn't detract from their story or how they get together in the end. Emotions again are strong for this book. I felt the highs and lows of the characters as they evaluated relationships they were in and sought the Lord's will in their lives.

"Even as Bobbie told herself this, she knew it wasn't entirely true. She did want someone who would look at her with love-filled eyes and who listened where she spoke because he believed what she had to say was important. But there was something else-something that Bobbie had not wanted to face. Bobbie wanted, no needed, a man who would be a spiritual leader in her home the way her father was. Bobbie knew that Cleve did not fit the bill." (pg 128)

I feel the same about the father's absence in this book as I did in the last... (see book one review for details) It is really affecting his son Sean, he is struggling to grow up and needs his father in his life, not a brother-in-law.

Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge prompt(s) –
#48 Two books that share the same title... other book was As Time Goes By by Annie Jones

[Bruce Dinsman]

This one has been on my shelf for a while and since I had just read about historical California I pulled this one down and read it again. I appreciated the way the author tactfully handled the difference between two pastors and how people were believing that if they were good enough they would go to heaven according to the first pastor they knew, but the second was very clear about a relationship with Christ. Throughout the book, people who had been in church all their lives came face to face with the realization that they didn't know God at all. I like the author's historical accuracy, well-written relationship issues, and on point scriptural guidance.

[Donna Bagby]

As Time Goes By Bk2 IBSN: 9781565070059
Book 2 continues with Katlin as wife and mother, as well as caring for her younger siblings. This was a good story about a young “plain Jane” who did not fit in with her peers. When an incident happens at a church function, the young girl runs away (out of town). She returns five years later as a confident and vibrant young lady who knows to whom she belongs. This is a story of loss, forgiveness, maturity, and love.

[Barbara]

I loved this book with its reminder that every single person is beautiful in their own way. This story also reminds us that we all must realize that accepting Jesus as our Savior is the only way to get to heaven.
I always love a good love story, and this book provides that with Jeff & Bobbie as well as a story of forgiveness as well. The love our Savior showed us should always be given to others, especially when it's hard. That is shown over and over again in this wonderful book!

[Fay Risner]

Second book in Lori Wick's Californians series historical Christian romance fiction. Jeff Taylor finds his father has hired a girl, Bobbie, that Jeff went to school with five years ago. He hurt Bobbie's feelings back then and she left town. As Jeff gets to know the grownup Bobbie while they work together, his girlfriend, Sylvia, gives him a hard time when ever he mentions Bobbie's name.

[Maria]

I absolutely loved this! One of the main reasons I enjoyed this novel so much was Bobbie. She was so adorable and I fell in love with her from the very beginning. I thought her and Jeff were just too cute together- their interactions were the sweetest and so much fun to read.
Loved catching up with the rest of the family, and the small-town community was a delight to read.

[Jan St Clair]

Good book, great series

I love this series!! Just couldn't put this one down! Historical, Christian Roma. Lori Wick brings all 3 in a fantastic series! Best if you Read these in order.

[linda]

Just love it !

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I always love to read Lorie Wick her clean romance and Gods guidance in each book makes it even more special to read!! I can always learn for myself when it comes to
Waiting
Trusting
Forgiving
Loving.

[Amanda]

This is a sweet story of a a young woman who isn't beautiful in the traditional sense who still finds love. I liked that the heroine of the story wasn't a typical "beauty" but rather one whose beauty was of a different kind.

[Sharon Rudolph]

Great book! This had been such a fun series to read! I have enjoyed watching the families grow and interact with each other. The books grab me from the first page and I don't stop until I finish the book! I have thoroughly enjoyed all of Lori Wicks books.

[Jessica Hembree]

A sweet, heartfelt romance story. Bobbie’s struggles with her appearance and her poor eyesight are extremely relatable for me. It was wonderful to watch her and Jeff grow and mature. Very sweet book.

[Elizabeth]

As Time Goes By (The Californians #2) by Lori Wick – Sometimes I joke that it takes divine intervention to make a man swallow his pride and apologize. Sometimes it’s the plot of a book, so I must not be the only one who thinks its noteworthy! Happy Reading!

[Kate]

3.5

[Stephanie Salyer]

Not one of my favorite of this series.....but its a good book that I own. I just struggle with the main character Bobbi. I adore her family though.

[Heidi]

I am LOVING this series. It is perfect for the nights when I want something light and uplifting to read.

[Marie Hartig]

Love the book.

[Patrick Joseph McNulty III]

Love Lori’s books!

Great read!
It really takes you back in time. You feel like you’re right there after church for Sunday dinner, or in the shipping office.

[coralie]

This book is so good!!!

I completely love this book! I read it once last year and decided to come back to read it again!!!

[Melissa]

Lori Wick books never let me down for touching, cheesy romance.