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The Time Travel Trailer #1
The Time Travel Trailer
A 1937 vintage camper trailer half hidden in weeds catches Lynne McBriar’s eye when she is visiting an elderly friend Ben. Ben eagerly sells it to her and she just as eagerly embarks on a restoration. But after each remodel, sleeping in the trailer lands Lynne and her daughter Dinah in a previous decade—exciting, yet frightening. Glimpses of their home town and ancestors fifty or sixty years earlier is exciting and also offers some clues to the mystery of Ben’s lost love. But when Dinah makes a trip on her own, separating herself from her mother by decades, Lynne has never known such fear. It is a trip that may upset the future if Lynne and her estranged husband can't team up to bring their daughter back.
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First published November 7, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 149 reviews
September 21, 2015
MYSTERY, HISTORY, AND SUSPENSE
This compelling novel has two narrators: The mother and the daughter. Their different perspectives are viewed with ongoing interest by the reader who is fascinated by time travel. What lends further interest to the protagonists' experiences is that at times they converge and at times they separate, imbuing the story with varying degrees of contrast in time. The author must have done extensive research into the eras covered because they are astonishingly correct in description, detail, and even vernacular.
Many items mentioned in this article can be seen in historical museums, thereby verifying their accuracy. Further, depending upon the age of the reader and where they resided, certain artifacts can be recalled from their childhood, so nostalgia is also introduced, as is a bit of romance.
Read it; you will love it.
Phyllis Eisenstadt
This compelling novel has two narrators: The mother and the daughter. Their different perspectives are viewed with ongoing interest by the reader who is fascinated by time travel. What lends further interest to the protagonists' experiences is that at times they converge and at times they separate, imbuing the story with varying degrees of contrast in time. The author must have done extensive research into the eras covered because they are astonishingly correct in description, detail, and even vernacular.
Many items mentioned in this article can be seen in historical museums, thereby verifying their accuracy. Further, depending upon the age of the reader and where they resided, certain artifacts can be recalled from their childhood, so nostalgia is also introduced, as is a bit of romance.
Read it; you will love it.
Phyllis Eisenstadt
December 2, 2014
This was a quick, fun read that was well told overall. The story had a good pace to it and was interesting enough that I wanted to turn the next page to see where this was going, and also to see if there would be any twists in the road. Also I thought the dialogue was good, which is a big thing with me, and the characters were well-defined so that I had a pretty good image in my mind who they were.
So then why three stars? Why not four or five? I think because although this feels like a well-done effort by a writer who at least took the time to deliver a well-edited and well told story - no small feat - I still felt at the end like there needed to be a bit more to chew on for this to get a stronger rating. This is not at all to chastise the author for not trying harder, but to offer encouragement for what I hope will be more to come. What's missing, to me, is a few zigs and zags in the road between beginning and end. A few more surprises, both with the storyline and with the characters. A few more layers. And a few more details. For example, the reader is pretty much dying to know the origins and backstory to the trailer, but once we get to the part that somewhat explains this, I felt unsatisfied. There needed to be more to this. After all, The Time Travel Trailer is the core of the story, so we need more than just the fact that it travels through time and a brief drive-by description of how that came to be. We need some more meat on those bones.
What Ms. Musser has done she has done well, and it's obvious she's a good writer who knows how to tell a good story, and that praise does not come lightly. Telling a good story ain't pressing license plates. This was a fun read which kept me reading all the way through. I hope to hear more from her.
So then why three stars? Why not four or five? I think because although this feels like a well-done effort by a writer who at least took the time to deliver a well-edited and well told story - no small feat - I still felt at the end like there needed to be a bit more to chew on for this to get a stronger rating. This is not at all to chastise the author for not trying harder, but to offer encouragement for what I hope will be more to come. What's missing, to me, is a few zigs and zags in the road between beginning and end. A few more surprises, both with the storyline and with the characters. A few more layers. And a few more details. For example, the reader is pretty much dying to know the origins and backstory to the trailer, but once we get to the part that somewhat explains this, I felt unsatisfied. There needed to be more to this. After all, The Time Travel Trailer is the core of the story, so we need more than just the fact that it travels through time and a brief drive-by description of how that came to be. We need some more meat on those bones.
What Ms. Musser has done she has done well, and it's obvious she's a good writer who knows how to tell a good story, and that praise does not come lightly. Telling a good story ain't pressing license plates. This was a fun read which kept me reading all the way through. I hope to hear more from her.
January 13, 2015
"The Time Travel Trailer" provides a glimpse of life during several different time periods. The first thing I noticed was the realness of the writing. Life with the teen daughter, especially during the earlier part, is totally accurate. There is also plenty of humor with distinctive character voices. I especially enjoyed the mother's, Lynne's, slightly sarcastic voice.
Nortman's historical facts are weaved beautifully throughout the story and ground it in time - we get information about happenings, court cases, and events we've likely heard about before. The story is told through short, easily digestible chapters; you can pick it up, read a few chapters, quickly do what you have to do, and jump right back in without having to thumb through to see how many pages the next chapter has so you can decide if you have time to start reading. As I read, I was continuously curious about what Lynne and Dinah would find and in what year they would find themselves placed.
The story is told through Lynne's and Dinah's point of view (Lynne's in first person and Dinah's in third) in no-particular-order alternating chapters or chapter groups. After the first few chapters from Dinah's point of view, I wasn't sure of the purpose of the alternating viewpoints and wondered if it would add to the story. As the story unfolded, however, I learned how Dinah's unique perspective fit in and I can't think of a way the author could've handled it differently.
"The Time Travel Trailer," in addition to providing an interesting history lesson, develops into a double mystery - what happens along the way and what happened with the trailer's original owner. As mentioned above, during the first approximate one-third of the book, I wondered where the story was going, but then the suspense picked up, keeping me turning the pages and reading "just one more chapter" before putting it down for the night. Nortman doesn't disappoint in her mystery writing ability, either; the end provides a satisfying conclusion.
"The Time Travel Trailer" was a great read. It had good suspense that pulled me through the story. This book would be great for those who enjoy camping, time-travel stories, mysteries, or history. It's enjoyable on many levels.
Nortman's historical facts are weaved beautifully throughout the story and ground it in time - we get information about happenings, court cases, and events we've likely heard about before. The story is told through short, easily digestible chapters; you can pick it up, read a few chapters, quickly do what you have to do, and jump right back in without having to thumb through to see how many pages the next chapter has so you can decide if you have time to start reading. As I read, I was continuously curious about what Lynne and Dinah would find and in what year they would find themselves placed.
The story is told through Lynne's and Dinah's point of view (Lynne's in first person and Dinah's in third) in no-particular-order alternating chapters or chapter groups. After the first few chapters from Dinah's point of view, I wasn't sure of the purpose of the alternating viewpoints and wondered if it would add to the story. As the story unfolded, however, I learned how Dinah's unique perspective fit in and I can't think of a way the author could've handled it differently.
"The Time Travel Trailer," in addition to providing an interesting history lesson, develops into a double mystery - what happens along the way and what happened with the trailer's original owner. As mentioned above, during the first approximate one-third of the book, I wondered where the story was going, but then the suspense picked up, keeping me turning the pages and reading "just one more chapter" before putting it down for the night. Nortman doesn't disappoint in her mystery writing ability, either; the end provides a satisfying conclusion.
"The Time Travel Trailer" was a great read. It had good suspense that pulled me through the story. This book would be great for those who enjoy camping, time-travel stories, mysteries, or history. It's enjoyable on many levels.
February 3, 2018
There are a lot of time travel books out there. I found this one to be different and quite enjoyable.
Lynne McBriar's time travel adventure begins quite innocently when she purches a derelict 1937 camper trailer that she comes upon when visiting an elderly friend of hers. He sells it to her and she and her daughter begin to bring it back to life, which happens in more ways than one. Every time they spend the night in the trailer, it transports them back in time.
One night, Lynne takes the journey alone, which leads to big problems that may effect the current time line.
Very well written and enjoyable story with some unforseen twists and turns.
Lynne McBriar's time travel adventure begins quite innocently when she purches a derelict 1937 camper trailer that she comes upon when visiting an elderly friend of hers. He sells it to her and she and her daughter begin to bring it back to life, which happens in more ways than one. Every time they spend the night in the trailer, it transports them back in time.
One night, Lynne takes the journey alone, which leads to big problems that may effect the current time line.
Very well written and enjoyable story with some unforseen twists and turns.
December 7, 2015
The book was very well written and avoids most of the time travel story tropes. Most time travel books feel the need to introduce historical characters, but Nortman keeps the story small and personal. Because of the linear writing style, the book started off slowly but the characters kept me engaged and caring about them enough to keep reading. The payoff was an absorbing adventure and a nice relatable tale about relationships.
June 27, 2016
This usually is not the type of book that I choose to listen to. However, I am a sucker for time travel adventures. There is just something so mysterious and yet fascinating about the past. The author does quite a good job in many aspects of this book. The author definitely did her homework and studying common clothing trends, hairstyles, as well as many other things that needed attention to detail from the past. I thought even the characters names were relevant to the time period in which they took part throughout the story. One thing I especially liked were just the little things that meant so much throughout the book that you probably wouldn't think of. Four instance, that FDR is on the dime know however he was not always on the dime and I will leave it at that as to not spoil anything for anyone looking to read this book. This is a wholesome and at times very humourous time travel book. I definitely enjoyed it! I had a chance to listen to the audiobook and the narration was great the emotion and snarkiness of a teenage girl was definitely present in the voices despite what decade the characters were in. The timing and pitch of the voices was also done very nicely the narrator did a great job at leaving the voice is very distinguishable between characters. All in all a job well done. Perhaps a sequel? I was provided a free copy of this audiobook from the narrator, publisher, or author in exchange for an unbiassed review via audiobook boom
December 4, 2014
As in her previous books, Karen Musser Nortman creates characters the reader wants to know. In The Time Travel Trailer, Lynne and her petulant teenage daughter are dead on. Both are likeable, more so as the story develops. And although Lynne and her husband are separated, they respect each other and are devoted to their daughter. The time travel element is unique: an old camper is acquired and delivers mother and daughter to earlier twentieth century decades on each nostalgic trip. When mother and daughter get separated by years, the tension leads the reader to turn pages faster and faster. An enjoyable read.
September 16, 2017
I enjoyed this book! It took me back in a time from my birth in 1937 to the times i lived through all the way to special time. My marriage in 1955 to the birth of my children in 1960 . your book hit the high lights of my life and great memories. You got those years right. My name is Daisy an
I am Lulu's mother. I have enjoyed my trip back in time by reading your book. However it is good to be back in 2017 and waiting for my last trip home!
I am Lulu's mother. I have enjoyed my trip back in time by reading your book. However it is good to be back in 2017 and waiting for my last trip home!
November 16, 2018
What a surprise!
This story was a great surprise! A time travel novel where nobody arrives in the nude or requires a machine or complicated gadget to get from here to there. Nor do they lose their belongings. Thoroughly enjoyed the character's and I look forward to the next book in the series.
This story was a great surprise! A time travel novel where nobody arrives in the nude or requires a machine or complicated gadget to get from here to there. Nor do they lose their belongings. Thoroughly enjoyed the character's and I look forward to the next book in the series.
April 7, 2015
I thought this was a cute book. Very easy read, very quick read. The idea of a trailer that time travels was pretty ingenius. However the ending was kinda okay. It just ended with no real explaination as to how the trailer time travels. But still an overall good book.
May 30, 2016
A cute book, but a little too simple for my taste. As one reviewer mentioned, it could have used a few more twists and more conflict. The first half was better than the second, IMO. 3.5 stars.
June 2, 2020
Sometimes I'm just in the mood for a lighthearted fluffy read, something that doesn't take a lot of brainpower to enjoy. "The Time Travel Trailer" is just such a book -- not a lot of substance, but still an entertaining, funny, and cute read. The time periods aren't always portrayed exactly faithfully, and some of the plot twists feel a bit contrived and unrealistic, but for the most part it's a light and enjoyable book that even non-sci-fi lovers will enjoy.
Lynne is trying to find a way to reconnect with her teenage daughter, Dinah, in the wake of her separation from her husband... so when she buys a vintage camper trailer, she hopes that a camping trip with Dinah will do the trick. But after spending a night in the trailer, Lynne and Dinah find themselves transported back to the 1960s! The trailer apparently has the ability to slip back in time whenever someone spends the night in it, its time period always fitting whenever the latest renovation was done to its interior. As Lynne works on restoring the trailer to its original condition, she and Dinah are able to visit other decades... but when Dinah decides to use the trailer to get back at her mother in an act of teenage rebellion, it lands her in a world of trouble...
The writing in this fic isn't the best, but it flows well and serves nicely to tell this kind of story. The author has obviously done their research on the various time periods on display, though occasionally the slang feels either forced or wrong for the time period. And some of the plot twists feel a bit contrived, or forced for drama's sake. Still, it's entertaining and fun, and I never felt completely jarred out of the time period as I read.
Lynne is pretty much an everywoman, without a lot of established personality but still with a relatable drive to identify with her daughter and juggle her responsibilities as a mother, wife, and working woman with the mystery of the trailer. Her daughter, Dinah, is a brat, and while I understand that she's fourteen and most fourteen-year-olds are a bit rebellious and defiant, it feels like that's all there is to Dinah's character. Other characters are enjoyable, if somewhat flat, though I do appreciate that while Lynne and her husband, Kurt, are said to be having difficulties in their marriage, the plot doesn't vilify him to an absurd degree.
"The Time Travel Trailer" is nothing groundbreaking, but it's still an enjoyable time-travel story with a fun twist. If you enjoy time-travel stories or just want something relatively lighthearted, this is a good option. Sometimes you just want a bit of brain candy, something fluffy to enjoy between heavier reads.
Lynne is trying to find a way to reconnect with her teenage daughter, Dinah, in the wake of her separation from her husband... so when she buys a vintage camper trailer, she hopes that a camping trip with Dinah will do the trick. But after spending a night in the trailer, Lynne and Dinah find themselves transported back to the 1960s! The trailer apparently has the ability to slip back in time whenever someone spends the night in it, its time period always fitting whenever the latest renovation was done to its interior. As Lynne works on restoring the trailer to its original condition, she and Dinah are able to visit other decades... but when Dinah decides to use the trailer to get back at her mother in an act of teenage rebellion, it lands her in a world of trouble...
The writing in this fic isn't the best, but it flows well and serves nicely to tell this kind of story. The author has obviously done their research on the various time periods on display, though occasionally the slang feels either forced or wrong for the time period. And some of the plot twists feel a bit contrived, or forced for drama's sake. Still, it's entertaining and fun, and I never felt completely jarred out of the time period as I read.
Lynne is pretty much an everywoman, without a lot of established personality but still with a relatable drive to identify with her daughter and juggle her responsibilities as a mother, wife, and working woman with the mystery of the trailer. Her daughter, Dinah, is a brat, and while I understand that she's fourteen and most fourteen-year-olds are a bit rebellious and defiant, it feels like that's all there is to Dinah's character. Other characters are enjoyable, if somewhat flat, though I do appreciate that while Lynne and her husband, Kurt, are said to be having difficulties in their marriage, the plot doesn't vilify him to an absurd degree.
"The Time Travel Trailer" is nothing groundbreaking, but it's still an enjoyable time-travel story with a fun twist. If you enjoy time-travel stories or just want something relatively lighthearted, this is a good option. Sometimes you just want a bit of brain candy, something fluffy to enjoy between heavier reads.
May 19, 2025
Enjoyable read
I liked the time travel concept . Traveling back in time can be filled with excitement,but also unexpected danger. I plan to read book 2.
I liked the time travel concept . Traveling back in time can be filled with excitement,but also unexpected danger. I plan to read book 2.
February 5, 2018
Kindle unlimited, could have been a little better in some areas, and the switch from one person to another view was confusing to me, but what really made me wonder is some of the reviewers actually read the book, for real, completely and to the end, was that I caught several cross overs with characters from the 'past' versus the current present, etc, and some reviewew was totally unable to even decipher what they were supposed to mean or the reason for the rating such as saying liked the book, then not giving it a 5, 4, 3 o even 2, but a 1, really hard to figure out what the stars mean when amazon says 5 levels yet accepts reviews that say good or better book then turn around and rate it 1 which is basically worst. HOWEVER after going through all 3 books and seeing wrong time period things and other MAJOR issues, all the books dropped down, bcause great premise does NOT exlude bad execution.
A 1937 vintage camper trailer half hidden in weeds catches Lynne McBriar’s eye when she is visiting an elderly friend Ben. Ben eagerly sells it to her and she just as eagerly embarks on a restoration. But after each remodel, sleeping in the trailer lands Lynne and her daughter Dinah in a previous decade—exciting, yet frightening. Glimpses of their home town and ancestors fifty or sixty years earlier is exciting and also offers some clues to the mystery of Ben’s lost love. But when Dinah makes a trip on her own, separating herself from her mother by decades, Lynne has never known such fear. It is a trip that may upset the future if Lynne and her estranged husband can't team up to bring their daughter back.
The Time Travel Trailer (The Time Travel Trailer #1)
Trailer on the Fly (The Time Travel Trailer Book 2)
Trailer, Get Your Kicks!: The Time Travel Trailer, Book 3
A 1937 vintage camper trailer half hidden in weeds catches Lynne McBriar’s eye when she is visiting an elderly friend Ben. Ben eagerly sells it to her and she just as eagerly embarks on a restoration. But after each remodel, sleeping in the trailer lands Lynne and her daughter Dinah in a previous decade—exciting, yet frightening. Glimpses of their home town and ancestors fifty or sixty years earlier is exciting and also offers some clues to the mystery of Ben’s lost love. But when Dinah makes a trip on her own, separating herself from her mother by decades, Lynne has never known such fear. It is a trip that may upset the future if Lynne and her estranged husband can't team up to bring their daughter back.
The Time Travel Trailer (The Time Travel Trailer #1)
Trailer on the Fly (The Time Travel Trailer Book 2)
Trailer, Get Your Kicks!: The Time Travel Trailer, Book 3
April 13, 2018
** Review of Audio Format **
Promising
This was a fun listen. It took some time to get rolling and there was a lot of repeat scenario's along the way, but it sets the stage for an interesting series. Lynne figures out pretty quickly what the trailer does and what makes it work. Dinah accepts it fairly easily and has a teenager's sense of adventure about it. Lynne's husband has a harder time...until it's proven to him. I love that Lynne is a natural helper and also has enough curiosity to figure things out and understand just how to help the elderly friend who sold her the trailer.
The time periods selected were fascinating as well because they highlighted the times well. The cold war and fear of communism in the early 60's, the pride and fear of what the neighbors will think in the 30's. The approach that had to be taken to extract themselves from each period differed by the fears that motivated people at the time.
I enjoyed listening to Valerie Gilbert's narration. She performed both male and female voices well and kept the story moving seamlessly.
I received this audiobook for free in exchange for an honest review.
Promising
This was a fun listen. It took some time to get rolling and there was a lot of repeat scenario's along the way, but it sets the stage for an interesting series. Lynne figures out pretty quickly what the trailer does and what makes it work. Dinah accepts it fairly easily and has a teenager's sense of adventure about it. Lynne's husband has a harder time...until it's proven to him. I love that Lynne is a natural helper and also has enough curiosity to figure things out and understand just how to help the elderly friend who sold her the trailer.
The time periods selected were fascinating as well because they highlighted the times well. The cold war and fear of communism in the early 60's, the pride and fear of what the neighbors will think in the 30's. The approach that had to be taken to extract themselves from each period differed by the fears that motivated people at the time.
I enjoyed listening to Valerie Gilbert's narration. She performed both male and female voices well and kept the story moving seamlessly.
I received this audiobook for free in exchange for an honest review.
October 5, 2017
Entertaining and interesting mystery
Not every thread is tied up neatly in this book, but somehow I felt that the main thread which was tied up was enough. The story moved quickly and yet there was still time for a look at the events, emotions, and culture of the times that the heroines traveled to. The main characters were well-drawn and there was plenty of realistic danger and excitement. I would recommend this book to people who love trying travel stories and light mysteries.
Not every thread is tied up neatly in this book, but somehow I felt that the main thread which was tied up was enough. The story moved quickly and yet there was still time for a look at the events, emotions, and culture of the times that the heroines traveled to. The main characters were well-drawn and there was plenty of realistic danger and excitement. I would recommend this book to people who love trying travel stories and light mysteries.
June 4, 2017
What an entertaining trip through time!
I enjoyed this book not only because I love sci-fi / time travel stories but also because this one offered unique views on history. I did not like Dinah (the daughter)'s character at first but she grew on me once she stopped being just a bratty teenager. I liked all the references to other time travel literature as Dinah is trying to process what is going on. All in all, a very entertaining read!
I enjoyed this book not only because I love sci-fi / time travel stories but also because this one offered unique views on history. I did not like Dinah (the daughter)'s character at first but she grew on me once she stopped being just a bratty teenager. I liked all the references to other time travel literature as Dinah is trying to process what is going on. All in all, a very entertaining read!
September 24, 2018
Time Jumps
I really enjoyed this book! It's a fast read. I'd say it's light reading when one is traveling. I'm still not sure exactly how the trailer causes time traveling, but that's not really an important part of the story. The character's reactions and how they dealt with being in different eras is. I recommend this book for a nice break for entertainment.
I really enjoyed this book! It's a fast read. I'd say it's light reading when one is traveling. I'm still not sure exactly how the trailer causes time traveling, but that's not really an important part of the story. The character's reactions and how they dealt with being in different eras is. I recommend this book for a nice break for entertainment.
February 1, 2018
The Time Travel Trailer
Very interesting story that takes you back into different time periods with some history lessons thrown in. Also some true to life look at raising a teenager and what parents have to deal with. Nice way to tie it all together
Very interesting story that takes you back into different time periods with some history lessons thrown in. Also some true to life look at raising a teenager and what parents have to deal with. Nice way to tie it all together
December 11, 2024
This Book was Fun and full of adventure and suspense. Time travel is an interesting concept. This is book one of a three book series. If your looking for something different without a lot of bad language and just a book to leave this present time, I would recommend this series.
June 17, 2015
This was a cute read. I got it for free on my Kindle. I thought it was a pretty neat time travel concept. I'll be checking out some of her other books.
May 15, 2022
An intriguing idea, well told, but not a very satisfying story
I got this book free on a promotion, so I wasn’t sure what to expect, but on the whole I enjoyed it. It’s a time travel story, of a kind, but set up in an unusual way. Instead of the usual portals or time machines, the time travel here happens almost by accident every time someone spends the night in a vintage trailer. We meet Mom Lynne and her grumpy teenage daughter Dinah and follow them as they accept the gift of a run-down 1930s trailer from their old friend Ben. Lynne plans to refurbish it, maybe for a bit of camping to try and bond with her daughter, and if that fails, to set it up as a home office. The first time they spend a night in it, though, they end up thrown back into the past, trailer and all.
What follows is a slightly heavy-handed introduction to a few slices of American history, wrapped up in the tale of Lynne and Dinah rediscovering their friendship while attempting to work out how the time travel works and whether Ben knew about it. There’s a bit of jeopardy here and there but mostly it feels as if the main purpose is education about history rather than entertainment, much like most of the early episodes of “Doctor Who”, “The Time Tunnel”, or “Quantum Leap”.
I hesitate to call this book a mystery story, but there is the slight puzzle of Ben and the trailer, and at least that is resolved by the end, but on the whole it feels like a great idea which the author didn’t entirely know where to go with it.
I got this book free on a promotion, so I wasn’t sure what to expect, but on the whole I enjoyed it. It’s a time travel story, of a kind, but set up in an unusual way. Instead of the usual portals or time machines, the time travel here happens almost by accident every time someone spends the night in a vintage trailer. We meet Mom Lynne and her grumpy teenage daughter Dinah and follow them as they accept the gift of a run-down 1930s trailer from their old friend Ben. Lynne plans to refurbish it, maybe for a bit of camping to try and bond with her daughter, and if that fails, to set it up as a home office. The first time they spend a night in it, though, they end up thrown back into the past, trailer and all.
What follows is a slightly heavy-handed introduction to a few slices of American history, wrapped up in the tale of Lynne and Dinah rediscovering their friendship while attempting to work out how the time travel works and whether Ben knew about it. There’s a bit of jeopardy here and there but mostly it feels as if the main purpose is education about history rather than entertainment, much like most of the early episodes of “Doctor Who”, “The Time Tunnel”, or “Quantum Leap”.
I hesitate to call this book a mystery story, but there is the slight puzzle of Ben and the trailer, and at least that is resolved by the end, but on the whole it feels like a great idea which the author didn’t entirely know where to go with it.
August 18, 2022
Well....I enjoyed this book, the first in a series. I wanted to enjoy it, and through most of it, the story unfolded gradually as the main characters, a mom and her teen daughter, discover something weird about an old travel trailer the mom recently purchased. When they sleep in the trailer, they wake up in the same place, but a different time. There is no operator's manual and no obvious way of controlling when the trailer will take them. I was engaged with the story of a mom trying to connect with her daughter while the mom is temporarily separated from her husband. Then the last couple of chapters kind of brought the tale to a screeching halt. Some questions were quickly answered, some were not answered at all, and some strange aspects of the tale were not really resolved at all, such as the back story of the elderly man who sold the trailer to the mom. It was as though the author ran out of time to end the book and had to close it up ASAP. Generally, I don't really like books that end this way, but I was so engaged with this story, I gave it four stars anyway. I will probably try the second volume in the series to see how the characters play out. Fingers crossed.
July 29, 2019
Going to sleep might be a bad idea
A novel way to time travel but a terrific twist to the norm. Okay it wasn't really much of a mystery but nevertheless a great read with interesting characters and snapshots of American life.
Her marriage has broken down and her attempts to bond better with her 14 year old daughter are failing miserably. A chance remark about camping has a full blown teenage fit attached. However a visit to an elderly neighbour has her spying and buying a vintage camper. Their first session of camping has them waking up in the past. Further renovations to the camper to restore it to it's original form has them going back further. Prison work gangs, a meeting with a young woman all follow. Until the day her daughter disappears. Where is she? Has she gone back and if so to when? Plus their neighbour maintains he was married but no-one remembers it. Why? Can they find their daughter and what will it mean to them and their relationship? Was the neighbour married ad why does no-one remember?
A novel way to time travel but a terrific twist to the norm. Okay it wasn't really much of a mystery but nevertheless a great read with interesting characters and snapshots of American life.
Her marriage has broken down and her attempts to bond better with her 14 year old daughter are failing miserably. A chance remark about camping has a full blown teenage fit attached. However a visit to an elderly neighbour has her spying and buying a vintage camper. Their first session of camping has them waking up in the past. Further renovations to the camper to restore it to it's original form has them going back further. Prison work gangs, a meeting with a young woman all follow. Until the day her daughter disappears. Where is she? Has she gone back and if so to when? Plus their neighbour maintains he was married but no-one remembers it. Why? Can they find their daughter and what will it mean to them and their relationship? Was the neighbour married ad why does no-one remember?
June 3, 2022
Possible vague spoilers
Pro: Liked the storyline; mentions of other time traveling literature; loved the history and research that went into making the jumps historically accurate; overall I liked the concept; great potential, but it feels like the author got tired of the story about halfway through and just wanted to finish the book
Cons: Some grammatical errors; redundant description of characters - crinkling or sparkling blue eyes, characters with only one arm, etc, but never linked these things together which makes it seem repetitive; storyline with Dinah had great potential but seemed forced about halfway through to the end; loose ends or no closure for certain characters, such as the guy in the library
Pro: Liked the storyline; mentions of other time traveling literature; loved the history and research that went into making the jumps historically accurate; overall I liked the concept; great potential, but it feels like the author got tired of the story about halfway through and just wanted to finish the book
Cons: Some grammatical errors; redundant description of characters - crinkling or sparkling blue eyes, characters with only one arm, etc, but never linked these things together which makes it seem repetitive; storyline with Dinah had great potential but seemed forced about halfway through to the end; loose ends or no closure for certain characters, such as the guy in the library
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 11, 2024
I love books like this that give me an entertaining break from the types of books I usually read (murder mysteries, true crime). I love camping, so that was a bonus! After reading this one, I will be checking out more books by this author.
This story was entertaining & got to the point, quickly, that I didnt want to put it down until I was done. Fantasy storylines like this one sometimes make you stop & think...and wonder if it's really possible to time travel; or at least it's nice to let the mind wander.
I do have to wonder though, was the camper bigger on the inside than it looked from the outside?
This story was entertaining & got to the point, quickly, that I didnt want to put it down until I was done. Fantasy storylines like this one sometimes make you stop & think...and wonder if it's really possible to time travel; or at least it's nice to let the mind wander.
I do have to wonder though, was the camper bigger on the inside than it looked from the outside?
April 13, 2020
I am a big fan of time travel books, movies, etc. So, I will try almost any book that involves time travel. This one was particularly good. The storytelling was excellent. The characters were well-developed.
My only complaint, and it was minor, was the ending. I felt that there were some inconsistencies with the time travel element at the very end. This is to be expected with time travel ideas in general, so it was not so off-putting that I would remove a star because of it.
I will definitely read the next in the series. I also want to try Ms. Nortman's other series as well.
My only complaint, and it was minor, was the ending. I felt that there were some inconsistencies with the time travel element at the very end. This is to be expected with time travel ideas in general, so it was not so off-putting that I would remove a star because of it.
I will definitely read the next in the series. I also want to try Ms. Nortman's other series as well.
February 7, 2021
Time travel with a difference as a vintage camping trailer takes a mother and daughter on a weekend trip with a difference.
When Lynne buys a vintage camper trailer from an old friend she and her daughter Dinah end up having some strange and exciting weekends away, but what will happen to Dinah when she sleeps in the trailer on her own after a row with her mum? Can Lynne convince her estranged husband to join her in a dangerous quest to find their daughter?
When Lynne buys a vintage camper trailer from an old friend she and her daughter Dinah end up having some strange and exciting weekends away, but what will happen to Dinah when she sleeps in the trailer on her own after a row with her mum? Can Lynne convince her estranged husband to join her in a dangerous quest to find their daughter?
October 11, 2021
Slow starting but could not put it down
The idea of time travel in a camper! Who would have thought it could work? Well Karen did. And what a great job she did. Although this book is now huge, I have so much happening and things to do. So l started the book and read a bit at a time. By the second trip I was trying to find time to read. When the third trip happened I made time to read and then read right through to the final page.
The idea of time travel in a camper! Who would have thought it could work? Well Karen did. And what a great job she did. Although this book is now huge, I have so much happening and things to do. So l started the book and read a bit at a time. By the second trip I was trying to find time to read. When the third trip happened I made time to read and then read right through to the final page.
October 28, 2021
What a great time travel novel. The relationship between a young teenage girl and her mom and how it all came around due to an old 1937 camper. It was delightful, scary and healing. It would be fun to time travel and actually me your great grandparents and grandparents in their youth. But would you take the chance knowing that you might not return to your own time? Only the brave would answer this question with a "yes".
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