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A 21st century woman shakes up a doctor's 19th century world.

When the summit of Pikes Peak is beset with a summer storm, Lalita Torres thinks the embarrassment of trading her shorts and tank top for a touristy union suit to keep warm is the worst that could happen.

She was wrong.

A lightning strike sends her back a hundred and twenty-three years and into the care of Dr. Tate Cavanaugh.

Lalita thinks she's in a reality TV show. Tate thinks she's lost her mind.

305 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 17, 2016

574 people are currently reading
308 people want to read

About the author

Jodi Bowersox

25 books38 followers
Jodi Bowersox is the author of romance novels, children's picture books (under the name J.B. Stockings) and a short commentary on the Biblical book of Ephesians.
Jodi has worn many hats in her life—actress, seamstress, interior designer, home-school teacher, artist, and writer.
As an artist, she specializes in watercolor pet portraits. To find out more about her writing, art, and other creative endeavors, check out her website: www.jodibowersox.com

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5 stars
309 (45%)
4 stars
218 (31%)
3 stars
115 (16%)
2 stars
30 (4%)
1 star
10 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
Profile Image for Vish.
44 reviews
January 1, 2019
3.5 𝓢𝓽𝓪𝓻𝓼

When I got the book in the beginning. I was happy.
Like this happy...

It is sad to say that the story didn't live up to my (very high) expectations. The starting was very bold and I loved the concept of time-travelling through lightning. It was definitely unique than the other time-travelling romance stories that I have read.
When Lalita entered Tate's house, that was when the story started going downhill. The way Lalita kept up the pretense of being in a 'reality show' was frankly fake. It was too dragged out. I skipped pages just to see when she would finally come to the realization that it wasn't a reality show.
Tate's character was more complex than Lalita's and I liked that although, he was a bit too uptight for my liking.

The way Augusta, Tate's 'dead' wife worked herself into the ending was refreshing. That was definitely a good part and it brought closure for Lalita since she finally got to know Augusta and how the entire thunder time traveling concept worked.

I didn't feel any 'tingles' which are definitely a must for any romance story. Their romance was slow and sweet but it wasn't particularly emotion evoking.
The story was a bit dull and boring sometimes but the ending and beginning made up for it.
After reading it, I feel as if the concept could have been utilized better and my absurd happiness has turned into this...
Profile Image for Ashley.
875 reviews17 followers
October 13, 2020
3 1/2 stars. There was plenty of dumb scenarios, but what made this time travel book a bit different is a twist to your typical storyline. Usually it goes: girl goes back in time, meets handsome man, she tries to convince him she’s from the future, for some reason she knows a lot about this time period, there might be a misunderstanding or trouble that comes and the girl is sent back to her time, she misses said handsome man and makes her way back to the past.
Sound familiar? Well this book went a bit different than that and because it surprised me I gave it another 1/2 star.
471 reviews3 followers
October 11, 2020
Believable, enjoyable characters, action and romance

Told alternatively from Lalita's and Tate's points of view. Her's is focused on enjoying the authentic details of the physical and social world which she believes is an amazing recreation of the past. His focus is figuring out the puzzle of the strange woman who has inexplicably arrived in his home. The other characters and the town are also satisfyingly brought to life.
248 reviews3 followers
November 18, 2020
Surprising

I bought this book because it embodies everything I enjoy in a read - romance, history and time travel. Add to that it’s set in Colorado where I lived for a while.
Beautifully written and perfectly edited so it’s without typos and historically accurate. Then there’s a dash of romance (no sex) and a very interesting storyline. Loved it and will definitely read more by this author.
Profile Image for Jean.
404 reviews
January 1, 2021
A girl travels back in time to 1800 s Colorado after being caught in a thunder storm. She is helped by a nice young widower dr. They fall in love then the usual lack of communication comes up and she thinks he’s thinking this and he thinks she’s thinking that and suddenly she flashes again and she’s there before his wife died. She is also a traveler so she goes to her own time and leaves. Lita stays and Marries Tate.
75 reviews1 follower
May 21, 2018
Interesting premise but a waste of time

Just plain boring. I gave up at about 30%, then fast forwarded to about 50%, and the writing wasn't getting any better, so I skipped to the last couple of pages, because that's what I do! I didn't care for the main characters. OR any of them. I just didn't feel any connection to them.
734 reviews4 followers
May 25, 2018
Old fashioned

Sweet story with clean plot but there is some mild cussing and aggression from men toward Native Americans. The going back and forth in time is far fetched but helped the HEA. The story dragged with the heroine not recognizing she was back in time but thinking she was part of a filmed reality show. I got the book free.
Profile Image for Jean Holtof.
426 reviews4 followers
May 30, 2018
I thoroughly enjoyed Lalita's trip through time, ending up in a time period she liked until of course she had to cope with its morality, clothing styles and lack of technology, but instead she found love with the handsome and kind Dr Tate Cavanaugh. A clever time travel that will delight. Thanks Jodi Bowersox, I look forward to reading more in this series.
Profile Image for Don.
1,027 reviews5 followers
October 31, 2022
When I started this book I was questioning whether it could be worth my time. I tend to gravitate to books that grab me at the getgo. It only took to the third chapter and I was hooked. She really makes this an interesting story well worth the readers time. It was too much to learn how this came to be, I wouldn’t spill the beans so a reader has to find out on their own. 5
Profile Image for Ami.
2,391 reviews14 followers
February 19, 2025
Excellent time-travel!

Oh my gosh, Jolt is so awesome! The main characters are well developed and the storyline is incredible. I was very sad to find myself on the last page at 1:50am as I had read it straight through. Now, I’m off to get book 2 of the Lightning Riders series, enjoy!

Kindle Unlimited
24 reviews
April 13, 2025
Fantastic read

5 Stars because it can be read by any age. I loved that the story continues with the excitement without having to add 20 pages of sex every 5 chapters. This is good clean reading That is all about romance, Intrigue, and fun.There are some good clean laugh out loud funny parts that I absolutely loved. I'm excited to get on to the next book
Profile Image for Pam Pantell.
33 reviews
August 17, 2025
hang onto your hat, spoke

This is a great read. It was hard to put down. I love the twists and the double twists. Fascinating character, development and plot lines. This is my first time reading a Jodi Bowersox book. I’m sure glad I stumbled upon it! I will now read all her other books in the proper order.
160 reviews1 follower
November 13, 2017
A time travel story about Lalita being transported back to 1892 where she is found unconscious and brought under the care of the local doctor, Tate. The story is how their relationship develops. Just as things seem settled Lalita is sent further back in time to when Tate's first wife is still alive... Lots of twist and turns. Enjoyable.
Profile Image for Holly.
1,470 reviews11 followers
June 16, 2018
The story was decent and had one particularly surprising element which I liked. The prolonged belief that it was reality tv fell flat and I found Lakota to be immature. The story line however was good.
30 reviews
June 30, 2018
We!l developed characters

I really enjoyed this story. The characters are well developed, the story line consistent. I would like to learn more about what happened to Augusta. I will read the next book in this series.
Profile Image for Diane Horne.
682 reviews6 followers
July 4, 2018
Jolt: An American Time-Travel Romance (Book 1) By Jodi Bowersox

Four stars, it may have been time travel book, but they never dealt with where she came from..Although it is a cute storyline..Bits of mass confusion with his wife story and the neighbors..Ending was just okay
Profile Image for Carisa Butterworth.
1 review1 follower
October 8, 2018
this was an enjoyable read with one exception, I can't understand why the heroin in such books are described to be very intelligent and educated but are portrayed to be unable to show even a minimum amount of self control.
Profile Image for Cynthia Stewart.
21 reviews
January 3, 2019
Great book!!

Very enjoyable book with likeable characters. Refreshing twist at the end even if a bit more time could have been spent coming to certain conclusions. I am excited to head to the next book for more of the story!
13 reviews
October 15, 2020
A thoroughly enjoyable read

A good book, easy to read, interesting plot. I wondered how it was going to end. A bit of a twist concluded it nicely. Engaging enough to make me want to read the next book.
Profile Image for Andrea.
457 reviews
February 24, 2021
I love time travel books but this one was a bit of a disappointment. The love story is not believable and she is supposed to love history but seems to not know anything about it when she time travels.
38 reviews1 follower
February 22, 2024
What a Ride

I loved the surprises you expanded in the time travel novel. I love everything to do with time travel and how the authors deals with the technology. The author didn’t disappoint.
287 reviews1 follower
February 4, 2025
Nice Past Blast

This was a nice read and an interesting plot. I loved the doctor’s patients and hearing how he treated them. Our heroine was cute and convinced she was right about her circumstances. I enjoyed this book.
88 reviews11 followers
September 20, 2025
I was introduced to this author from a friend and I was not disappointed in this recommendation! The character and plot development were great! I'm looking forward to the other books in this series!
Profile Image for Mary.
223 reviews29 followers
May 22, 2018
Okay book. Lalita (the main character) got on my nerves a lot so I ended up skimming through parts a lot.
45 reviews
May 29, 2018
Storm with lightening

The book was ok. Needs more action. I consider it to be average. So many travel possibilities sorry to see just this one in this story.
Profile Image for Sue Harris.
5 reviews
June 3, 2018
Interesting

I wasn’t sure I’d like this book, but after the 2nd chapter, I was hooked. It has an interesting time travel theory.
193 reviews
June 3, 2018
Normally I like time travel books, but this one I didn't read past the first few pages.
Profile Image for Avis Dillon.
109 reviews2 followers
June 12, 2018
This plot is a twist on the usual time travel novels and I was surprised but thoroughly enjoyed the different approach...very creative author.
Profile Image for Sarah.
158 reviews
August 7, 2018
What a summer read! Cute romance, likeable protagonist, delightful understanding of the time period, and one action packed third act!

Jolt is a fun ride, the series promising far more in the future.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews

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