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Spark
Jamie Maddox is worried about her grip on reality. Has her consciousness really been transported back to 1560, landing in the body of Blanche Nottingham? Not good, since Blanche, a lady-in-waiting for Queen Elizabeth I, is plotting a murder. The other possibility that Jamie faces? She’s had a psychotic break that has trapped her in an Elizabethan fantasy while another personality—let’s call her Blanche—has taken control of Jamie’s life and is jeopardizing everything.
Jamie is repeatedly zapped back and forth between the present and 1560 (or in and out of that twisted fantasy.) Betrayal, murder, thunderstorms, and two doctors complicate everything as Jamie and Blanche battle to control Jamie’s body. Just as Jamie is running out of both hope
Jamie is repeatedly zapped back and forth between the present and 1560 (or in and out of that twisted fantasy.) Betrayal, murder, thunderstorms, and two doctors complicate everything as Jamie and Blanche battle to control Jamie’s body. Just as Jamie is running out of both hope
240 pages, Paperback
First published July 18, 2017
11 people are currently reading
160 people want to read
About the author
Catherine Friend
32 books166 followersCatherine Friend had what she calls a "boring" childhood, but she says that boring was just fine -- because it gave her more time to read. She read so much her parents had to set a "no-reading-at-the dinner-table" rule. She was slightly shy as a child, but enjoyed playing Beauty Parlor with her sister, taking family trips, and watching STAR TREK and TIME TUNNEL.
She studied Economics, but because of her love for books and stories, she eventually found herself drawn to writing. Since then, the author has written six children's books, including THE PERFECT NEST, a hilarious read-aloud illustrated by John Manders; and two books in Candlewick’s Brand New Readers series. She is also the author of the acclaimed adult memoir, HIT BY A FARM: HOW I LEARNED TO STOP WORRYING AND LOVE THE BARN. When it comes to her writing, Catherine Friend likes to try new things and seek new challenges -- but she always likes to write stories that make her laugh.
Catherine Friend lives on a small farm in southeastern Minnesota -- which inspired both THE PERFECT NEST and HIT BY A FARM. There, she raises sheep, goats, and llamas, and has an energetic border collie named Robin.
She studied Economics, but because of her love for books and stories, she eventually found herself drawn to writing. Since then, the author has written six children's books, including THE PERFECT NEST, a hilarious read-aloud illustrated by John Manders; and two books in Candlewick’s Brand New Readers series. She is also the author of the acclaimed adult memoir, HIT BY A FARM: HOW I LEARNED TO STOP WORRYING AND LOVE THE BARN. When it comes to her writing, Catherine Friend likes to try new things and seek new challenges -- but she always likes to write stories that make her laugh.
Catherine Friend lives on a small farm in southeastern Minnesota -- which inspired both THE PERFECT NEST and HIT BY A FARM. There, she raises sheep, goats, and llamas, and has an energetic border collie named Robin.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
July 9, 2017
I really enjoyed this book! I was a fan of Friend's other time traveling book The Spanish Pearl. When I heard she was writing another time traveling book, I was excited to get my hands on it. While it has been a while since I read The Spanish Pearl, I think this book was even better. It seems Friend keeps growing as a writer and excels in the time traveling category.
What if you and your girlfriend have hit a rough patch? She says you are not exciting and brave anymore. To prove her wrong, you agree to be a test subject for a doctors experiment that she is interested in. But something goes horribly wrong. Your mind and conciseness are transported into a women living in the 1500's. Not just any woman, but one of Queen Elizabeth's friends and ladies. And what if the women from the 1500's, is now living in your body, in your bed, with your girlfriend? What do you do?
I must admit, I just loved the premise and was hooked from the beginning. I started this late last night thinking I would read a few chapters, but I could not put this down. I stayed up into the early am having to finish this. I had to know what was going to happen next. I love books that grab me and have a ton of imagination, and this book fits that perfectly. You could also tell that Friend did a ton of research. She had the feel of Elizabeth's court down perfectly. I really felt like I was traveling back in the 1500's. While the idea of time traveling is out there. I thought this idea of just transporting ones conciseness back and forth, was really interesting. Better than just popping a whole person in the past.
I almost gave this book 5 Stars, I had just two small complaints. I'm going to keep this part a little vague not to give away any spoilers. The ending was just too abrupt for me. It is a happy ending, but it just ends, and I really wanted to know what would happen next. I needed at least another chapter or two. There is a certain character I really wanted to see the main Jamie have it out with. This character had it coming and I wanted that resolution. My other issue, I wanted a little more romantic time with the main couple. Again, this could have been put at the end of the book. This book was great, it just ended to damn soon.
If you are an adventure fan, a time traveling fan, or even a historic-fiction fan, this book is for you. This was a great read that hooked me and and would not let go. It is pretty easy for me to recommend. I think people that pick up this book, will be pleasantly surprised, what a great adventure it is.
An ARC was given to me by BSB, for a honest review.
What if you and your girlfriend have hit a rough patch? She says you are not exciting and brave anymore. To prove her wrong, you agree to be a test subject for a doctors experiment that she is interested in. But something goes horribly wrong. Your mind and conciseness are transported into a women living in the 1500's. Not just any woman, but one of Queen Elizabeth's friends and ladies. And what if the women from the 1500's, is now living in your body, in your bed, with your girlfriend? What do you do?
I must admit, I just loved the premise and was hooked from the beginning. I started this late last night thinking I would read a few chapters, but I could not put this down. I stayed up into the early am having to finish this. I had to know what was going to happen next. I love books that grab me and have a ton of imagination, and this book fits that perfectly. You could also tell that Friend did a ton of research. She had the feel of Elizabeth's court down perfectly. I really felt like I was traveling back in the 1500's. While the idea of time traveling is out there. I thought this idea of just transporting ones conciseness back and forth, was really interesting. Better than just popping a whole person in the past.
I almost gave this book 5 Stars, I had just two small complaints. I'm going to keep this part a little vague not to give away any spoilers. The ending was just too abrupt for me. It is a happy ending, but it just ends, and I really wanted to know what would happen next. I needed at least another chapter or two. There is a certain character I really wanted to see the main Jamie have it out with. This character had it coming and I wanted that resolution. My other issue, I wanted a little more romantic time with the main couple. Again, this could have been put at the end of the book. This book was great, it just ended to damn soon.
If you are an adventure fan, a time traveling fan, or even a historic-fiction fan, this book is for you. This was a great read that hooked me and and would not let go. It is pretty easy for me to recommend. I think people that pick up this book, will be pleasantly surprised, what a great adventure it is.
An ARC was given to me by BSB, for a honest review.
June 30, 2017
Fire trucking amazing!
----
I just read the blurb now and I realized how much of the plot it reveals. I think a huge part of my enjoyment of the book rested in not knowing much about it other than it's a Catherine Friend and there's time travel. And in my mind, Catherine Friend + time travel = great adventure. As anyone can see from my rating, that formula still holds true. :)
Artist Jamie Maddox finds herself coerced by her long time girlfriend into volunteering for an unusual experiment in looking for and documenting the physical presence of "consciousness" inside her brain. An unfortunate confluence of factors sends her into the past, specifically, the year 1560 A.D. And not just anywhere, but into the court of the newly crowned Queen Elizabeth. Jamie realizes soon enough that she isn't bodily in the past, but only her consciousness has transferred. Upon awakening from the experiment, her initial reaction had been--Is she in some kind of elaborate movie production? With movie sets so realistic that they reek of sweat, unwashed bodies and putrid rivers? It seems much more logically just a recreation of her subconscious, Tudor-fascinated mind and she is simply in a coma. But is her knowledge of the Tudors that good and detailed that she can invent historical characters' faces, foods, smells, arcane words and even entire incidents, wholesale?
More disconcerting, the body isn't hers. She can't even eat without spilling food on her half-exposed breasts. Even worse, the person who owns it may not be a simple lady-in-waiting, but an ambitious, devious, scheming woman who may be involved in some nefarious plot that will mess up history as we know it.
Can Jamie get back to her time? Can she even get back to her own body? Does she even want to? Witnessing history in the making right beside England's most important ruler doesn't seem so bad. Ang the youthful Queen Elizabeth is such a fascinating woman.
It's a race against time, the weather, and a woman who's enjoying the future just a bit too much to give it up.
The book starts off a bit slow, with a mini-travelogue of London, both past and present. It's fascinating and all, but I couldn't wait to get on with the story. Once it does (and I finally got a sense of what's going on), I couldn't stop reading till the end. This is my new favorite Catherine Friend. I loved the The Spanish Pearl and its sequel The Crown of Valencia for their audacious plots, but this is just as intriguing, and much more fun and upbeat (although also frustrating!). And, I just found a whole new way to curse out loud without offending anyone. ;)
Other aspects I loved about the book:
- a glimpse into what the "real" 16th century London was like and not the romanticized versions we get from books and movies (The truth? it stinks!)
- a close-up and behind-the-scenes look at the newly-crowned Elizabeth, in turns wily and unsure and sometimes needing to seek validation, before she became the formidable Queen
- bits of arcane history/court politics--always more entertaining than the dry stuff we get in school
- a sweet romance that I wasn't even sure had started and simply had no idea how it would end, until much later)
Bottom line, get this if you love history, a bit of speculative fiction and great adventure. And the bonus of a sweet love story to boot.
Rating: 4.9 (Ah ratings, this is the part of the review that always gives me a headache. How do you rate a book you love more than other books, but isn't perfect? The extended travelogue could use some pruning. Comparing this against Spanish Pearl and sequel, both 5 starrers, I feel like I love this more, although I did read those two aeons ago so a re-read might actually reverse this. )
ARC from Netgalley and BSB
----
I just read the blurb now and I realized how much of the plot it reveals. I think a huge part of my enjoyment of the book rested in not knowing much about it other than it's a Catherine Friend and there's time travel. And in my mind, Catherine Friend + time travel = great adventure. As anyone can see from my rating, that formula still holds true. :)
Artist Jamie Maddox finds herself coerced by her long time girlfriend into volunteering for an unusual experiment in looking for and documenting the physical presence of "consciousness" inside her brain. An unfortunate confluence of factors sends her into the past, specifically, the year 1560 A.D. And not just anywhere, but into the court of the newly crowned Queen Elizabeth. Jamie realizes soon enough that she isn't bodily in the past, but only her consciousness has transferred. Upon awakening from the experiment, her initial reaction had been--Is she in some kind of elaborate movie production? With movie sets so realistic that they reek of sweat, unwashed bodies and putrid rivers? It seems much more logically just a recreation of her subconscious, Tudor-fascinated mind and she is simply in a coma. But is her knowledge of the Tudors that good and detailed that she can invent historical characters' faces, foods, smells, arcane words and even entire incidents, wholesale?
More disconcerting, the body isn't hers. She can't even eat without spilling food on her half-exposed breasts. Even worse, the person who owns it may not be a simple lady-in-waiting, but an ambitious, devious, scheming woman who may be involved in some nefarious plot that will mess up history as we know it.
Can Jamie get back to her time? Can she even get back to her own body? Does she even want to? Witnessing history in the making right beside England's most important ruler doesn't seem so bad. Ang the youthful Queen Elizabeth is such a fascinating woman.
It's a race against time, the weather, and a woman who's enjoying the future just a bit too much to give it up.
The book starts off a bit slow, with a mini-travelogue of London, both past and present. It's fascinating and all, but I couldn't wait to get on with the story. Once it does (and I finally got a sense of what's going on), I couldn't stop reading till the end. This is my new favorite Catherine Friend. I loved the The Spanish Pearl and its sequel The Crown of Valencia for their audacious plots, but this is just as intriguing, and much more fun and upbeat (although also frustrating!). And, I just found a whole new way to curse out loud without offending anyone. ;)
Other aspects I loved about the book:
- a glimpse into what the "real" 16th century London was like and not the romanticized versions we get from books and movies (The truth? it stinks!)
- a close-up and behind-the-scenes look at the newly-crowned Elizabeth, in turns wily and unsure and sometimes needing to seek validation, before she became the formidable Queen
- bits of arcane history/court politics--always more entertaining than the dry stuff we get in school
- a sweet romance that I wasn't even sure had started and simply had no idea how it would end, until much later)
Bottom line, get this if you love history, a bit of speculative fiction and great adventure. And the bonus of a sweet love story to boot.
Rating: 4.9 (Ah ratings, this is the part of the review that always gives me a headache. How do you rate a book you love more than other books, but isn't perfect? The extended travelogue could use some pruning. Comparing this against Spanish Pearl and sequel, both 5 starrers, I feel like I love this more, although I did read those two aeons ago so a re-read might actually reverse this. )
ARC from Netgalley and BSB
July 2, 2018
GOD'S BLOOD, THIS BOOK WAS GOOD! it managed to lift me out of the reading slump that's been plaguing me for a fortnight!
spark had one of my favourite tropes - switching places with someone in a different time/universe. after a neurological experiment goes wrong, jamie finds herself switching places with some conniving bitch named blanche during the reign of elizabeth i, and basically has to figure out a) how not to get thrown in the tower of london for treason, b) how to stop blanche from completely ruining her life back in the twenty-first century and c) how to stop this crazy body-switching.
i really liked the characters and the main romance, it was very sweet and believable, and of course i loved the descriptions of queen elizabeth's court.
definitely recommended!
spark had one of my favourite tropes - switching places with someone in a different time/universe. after a neurological experiment goes wrong, jamie finds herself switching places with some conniving bitch named blanche during the reign of elizabeth i, and basically has to figure out a) how not to get thrown in the tower of london for treason, b) how to stop blanche from completely ruining her life back in the twenty-first century and c) how to stop this crazy body-switching.
i really liked the characters and the main romance, it was very sweet and believable, and of course i loved the descriptions of queen elizabeth's court.
definitely recommended!
July 13, 2017
Yay! I liked this book a lot. Fun, interesting, and well written.
A longer review will be posted on C-Spot Reviews after the book is released but it mostly says the same thing.
Thanks BSB and NetGalley!
A longer review will be posted on C-Spot Reviews after the book is released but it mostly says the same thing.
Thanks BSB and NetGalley!
May 7, 2019
This was an amazing story with a truly wonderful setting. The writing was excellent. I felt the romance story element was a little weak. But, the historical setting is absolutely stunning. If I ever visit London, I'll be sure to read this book while I'm there. It will bring its history to life.
September 6, 2017
Fire Truck, what a mad ride this was!
After an experiment gone wrong, Jamie Maddox finds herself jumping through time and inhabiting the body of Blanche Nottingham, lady-in-waiting for Queen Elizabeth I in the year 1560. Suddenly she needs to cope with an unfamiliar life, an unfamiliar body, an unfamiliar time and - if that wasn't enough - a murder plot. Jamie thinks she is having a mental breakdown as she is struggeling to get a handle on things.
Doing a solid, believable time travel story is not easy but Catherine Friend has done a tremendous job keeping everything tied together as we jump from the present to Elizabethan times and back again. I loved her characters, the way she vividly described 16th century London and life at court. It was as if I could almost smell the unwashed bodies ;-)
The author kept me on the edge of my seet from beginning to end. I would have loved to see an epilogue but only because parting was such sweet sorrow.
5 Royal Stars!
After an experiment gone wrong, Jamie Maddox finds herself jumping through time and inhabiting the body of Blanche Nottingham, lady-in-waiting for Queen Elizabeth I in the year 1560. Suddenly she needs to cope with an unfamiliar life, an unfamiliar body, an unfamiliar time and - if that wasn't enough - a murder plot. Jamie thinks she is having a mental breakdown as she is struggeling to get a handle on things.
Doing a solid, believable time travel story is not easy but Catherine Friend has done a tremendous job keeping everything tied together as we jump from the present to Elizabethan times and back again. I loved her characters, the way she vividly described 16th century London and life at court. It was as if I could almost smell the unwashed bodies ;-)
The author kept me on the edge of my seet from beginning to end. I would have loved to see an epilogue but only because parting was such sweet sorrow.
5 Royal Stars!
August 29, 2017
Spark was certainly an interesting read. Part SciFi, Part Historical. Jamie Maddox is a really fun character. She taught me a new way to say a naughty word and not offend anyone. The story itself is mainly about some time travel from current day back to the Elizabethan era, which is something I've always been fascinated with. Catherine Friend is excellent in her detail that it makes you feel like you're there with Jamie as well. The romance is fairly thin and I wanted more, but it was more about Jamie's adventures in the past and her current issues in the present. This was a great read and I'd suggest it to everyone!
July 9, 2017
I would have loved to read more of Meg and Jamie when they finally get together in the 21st century and what would happen to Chris and Blanche? But anyway, I really liked the book, inresting plot, lovable main characters.
June 27, 2017
I'm a bit conflicted with my star-assessment. On the one hand, I have really enjoyed the novels of Catherine Friend in the past, The Spanish Pearl (also featuring time travel) was an excellent book with a riveting protagonist. On the other hand, the operative words here were "in the past". Her last several novels were just so so for me and seem to feature the same type of characters, along with what seems to be a reliance upon vaguely emotionally abusive relationships. This particular novel features Jamie, a bland artist whose only notable feature is that instead of saying a certain 4-letter word, she replaces it with "fire truck". It's not cute as much as it's distracting. Time travel comes in thanks to some strange science experiment involving a mystery serum, bringing her back to Elizabethan times. The descriptions of 1560 are vivid, with just the right amount of historical facts to really drive it home. However, the pining for her (emotionally abusive, under-developed) girlfriend in the present were grating and unsympathetic, as were the ramblings that she was losing her mind and inventing the time traveling. Parts of this book were very interesting and yet parts tended to drag, namely anything involving Jamie believing she's crazy, conversations with Elizabeth, murder plots that really don't go much of anywhere, every scene between Jamie and her girlfriend, etc. Events just felt so cliched. Naturally, Jamie views 1560 through the eyes of a modern-age woman and tends to look down her nose at the treatment of women by men or the different class levels of people, and even the outward appearance of the body she ends up in. She doesn't do/think/say anything different than every other time traveling character we're read in books or seen in movies. Just once, I'd like a surprise! This wasn't the page turner of Friend's previous novels and infact when she name-drops her own book early on (the aforementioned The Spanish Pearl) it feels quite a bit tacky. If she wants to continue writing time travel novels, I mean I'll keep reading them, but I'm really hoping she begins to bring some new and richly flavored characters to the table and spends a bit more time on developing an intense plotline.
ARC provided by NetGalley
ARC provided by NetGalley
May 10, 2020
Oh damn! Why did i try to ignore this book again? Probably because of i thought it was going to be a love triangle drama or something. But it's not! At least, that what i think after finish reading it.
The story is really fascinating me. The time travel, people losing themselves, almost give up hope and question your own realise. That hope speech given to Jamie by the queen, for some reason, really touching me and even brought me to tear.
I really love Jamie and Meg and Queen Elizabeth I. They all are such a great people. And i'm glad i learnt abit of History of England as well.
The author really kept me on endge through out the book. I couldnt stop reading it until the end. I also i was hopping there would be a bit more story between main characters after everything is over.
P.S. I still found the experience that the professor given still look dodgy to agree. >_>
The story is really fascinating me. The time travel, people losing themselves, almost give up hope and question your own realise. That hope speech given to Jamie by the queen, for some reason, really touching me and even brought me to tear.
I really love Jamie and Meg and Queen Elizabeth I. They all are such a great people. And i'm glad i learnt abit of History of England as well.
The author really kept me on endge through out the book. I couldnt stop reading it until the end. I also i was hopping there would be a bit more story between main characters after everything is over.
P.S. I still found the experience that the professor given still look dodgy to agree. >_>
June 10, 2017
*I received this novel as a ARC from Netgalley and the Publisher in exchange of an honest review*
As someone who loves history and especially history involving royal families, this book was just perfect. It was a slow burning romance, which only really came out in the last 30% or so, the story before that was interesting and full of history but not much romance or lesbian themed. So for somebody who is only interested in lesbian content in novels, this might not be the right book.
I loved that most of the historic facts were real and Cathrine Friend build a story around true events. This timeframe and Queen Elisabeth I is just fascinating and I felt this book was a great history lesson wrapt up in a story to enjoy.
I was going back and forth between 4 and 5 stars but settled on 4 stars and wished I could give 4 ½ stars just because I hoped for a little bit of a longer time with Meg and Jamie together. It was ended kind of abruptly and I was hoping for more.
The characters were portrait in a very realistic way and the author did a great job in changing the characters from 1560 to 2017 and how different people talked and acted. The writing style was marvelous and it was hard to put the book down.
andreazupanc.wordpress.com
As someone who loves history and especially history involving royal families, this book was just perfect. It was a slow burning romance, which only really came out in the last 30% or so, the story before that was interesting and full of history but not much romance or lesbian themed. So for somebody who is only interested in lesbian content in novels, this might not be the right book.
I loved that most of the historic facts were real and Cathrine Friend build a story around true events. This timeframe and Queen Elisabeth I is just fascinating and I felt this book was a great history lesson wrapt up in a story to enjoy.
I was going back and forth between 4 and 5 stars but settled on 4 stars and wished I could give 4 ½ stars just because I hoped for a little bit of a longer time with Meg and Jamie together. It was ended kind of abruptly and I was hoping for more.
The characters were portrait in a very realistic way and the author did a great job in changing the characters from 1560 to 2017 and how different people talked and acted. The writing style was marvelous and it was hard to put the book down.
andreazupanc.wordpress.com
August 18, 2017
Entertaining. Very entertaining. But I expected a little more action from Jamie back in 1560. She was more a spectator than anything.
Oh yes, I also think the book needs one or two more chapters. And perhaps an epilogue on each end of the story.
Oh yes, I also think the book needs one or two more chapters. And perhaps an epilogue on each end of the story.
May 10, 2019
This book made me very cranky. In fact, I ended up disliking it so much I requested a refund from Amazon, which I guess they don't normally do if you don't like a book on Kindle. (They gave it to me, But just this once, because I'm such a loyal customer! Honestly, though, it was a $10 e-book and I did not tolerate it enough to permanently part with $10.) Honestly, I'm not sure how informative this review will end up being if you're curios about the book, because I'm not sure entirely why I disliked it so much. It just immediately struck the wrong chord with me, and never recovered.
To begin with, the main character Jamie, I did not like her at all, almost immediately. Well, actually, that was my entire problem. I just really, really disliked her. And I also disliked her girlfriend, which made me dislike her more for being with her girlfriend, who was so mean! From the opening pages, when she is making friends with a homeless man (a ploy on the part of the author to make her likable, in my opinion), to her fights with her girlfriend where her wife is belittling her for a fear of needles (and basically telling her she's boring), I was just like, no.
It did get better when she was in the past because Friend seems to be really into the Tudor period, and there was good historical detail there. The time travel plot was pretty good as well. Unfortunately, we were still in Jamie's head, so I didn't really enjoy those parts either. I had actually really been looking forward to this book when I put in my Read Harder list, so I'm pretty disappointed about this outcome. I was too mad at the beginning of the book when it came time to turn around near the middle, and things ostensibly got better, but it had already lost me by then. YMMV though, because I have one GR friend who gave it five stars.
Read Harder Challenge 2019: A book published prior to January 1, 2019 with fewer than 100 reviews on Goodreads.
To begin with, the main character Jamie, I did not like her at all, almost immediately. Well, actually, that was my entire problem. I just really, really disliked her. And I also disliked her girlfriend, which made me dislike her more for being with her girlfriend, who was so mean! From the opening pages, when she is making friends with a homeless man (a ploy on the part of the author to make her likable, in my opinion), to her fights with her girlfriend where her wife is belittling her for a fear of needles (and basically telling her she's boring), I was just like, no.
It did get better when she was in the past because Friend seems to be really into the Tudor period, and there was good historical detail there. The time travel plot was pretty good as well. Unfortunately, we were still in Jamie's head, so I didn't really enjoy those parts either. I had actually really been looking forward to this book when I put in my Read Harder list, so I'm pretty disappointed about this outcome. I was too mad at the beginning of the book when it came time to turn around near the middle, and things ostensibly got better, but it had already lost me by then. YMMV though, because I have one GR friend who gave it five stars.
Read Harder Challenge 2019: A book published prior to January 1, 2019 with fewer than 100 reviews on Goodreads.
July 14, 2017
OMG! I LOVED THIS BOOK.
It was set in my home town and actually in my childhood neighborhood. London is an awesome place and it was like I was there with Jamie. I would like to state at this point it was 2017 London I knew I'm not that old. I hear you saying yeah yeah :).
The basic story is that Jamie takes part in an experiment and she is pushed into it by her partner Chris who thinks she has no ambition. Anyway during the experiment there is a thunder storm and she is transported back in time into the body of Queen Elizabeth 1 lady in waiting Blanche. Now Jamie is stuck in 1560. She meets Meg who has under gone the same experiment. The problem is Blanche really likes 2017 and is going to anything to stay there. Even Chris prefers Blanche.
I gave it 5 stars and I'll admit the location had a lot to do with the extra star. But the only down side I had was that the story stopped so suddenly. Yes Jamie and Meg made it back to present time and then the story ended. I would loved to have read the clash of Jamie and (I hope now) her ex, as well as the budding romance between Jamie and Meg and being reunited with her family who Blanch managed to alienate in a big way.
This book would be a really good read if you love romance, with a bit of time travel and some historical fiction all tied up in a great package. This is my first book by Friend. But wow her writing keeps you hooked. I literally couldn't put it down which isn't good because I forgot to sleep. So yes I defiantly would recommend it. Enjoy!
*ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley*
It was set in my home town and actually in my childhood neighborhood. London is an awesome place and it was like I was there with Jamie. I would like to state at this point it was 2017 London I knew I'm not that old. I hear you saying yeah yeah :).
The basic story is that Jamie takes part in an experiment and she is pushed into it by her partner Chris who thinks she has no ambition. Anyway during the experiment there is a thunder storm and she is transported back in time into the body of Queen Elizabeth 1 lady in waiting Blanche. Now Jamie is stuck in 1560. She meets Meg who has under gone the same experiment. The problem is Blanche really likes 2017 and is going to anything to stay there. Even Chris prefers Blanche.
I gave it 5 stars and I'll admit the location had a lot to do with the extra star. But the only down side I had was that the story stopped so suddenly. Yes Jamie and Meg made it back to present time and then the story ended. I would loved to have read the clash of Jamie and (I hope now) her ex, as well as the budding romance between Jamie and Meg and being reunited with her family who Blanch managed to alienate in a big way.
This book would be a really good read if you love romance, with a bit of time travel and some historical fiction all tied up in a great package. This is my first book by Friend. But wow her writing keeps you hooked. I literally couldn't put it down which isn't good because I forgot to sleep. So yes I defiantly would recommend it. Enjoy!
*ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley*
July 7, 2017
Elizabethan fantasy...engaging and educational. Wonderful combination of brain science, friendship, love, perseverance, thunderstorms, caring, and romance. The read had me thinking Avatar, Game of Thrones, and heavy clothing. So very different from a typical romance. In my opinion, that is a good thing! Fire trucking good!
Read provided via Netgalley by Bold Stroke Books.
Read provided via Netgalley by Bold Stroke Books.
October 10, 2017
Like another reviewer, I'm a little unsure of how to review this book. Time travel is one of my favorite fantasy/sci-fi tropes, and Catherine Friend is one of my favorite contemporary authors. Her previous time travel novels (Spanish Pearl and Crown of Valencia) are possibly my favorite in the genre, which means I came into this book with high expectations. Perhaps that is why the reading experience fell a bit flat for me.
The writing is excellent as usual (did I mention I love Ms. Friend's previous novels?), and the historical world-building is lovely and visceral. The pacing felt patient, which I appreciate, and there was plenty of mystery to keep me interested in the storyline. Where I got hung up was the time travel phenomena--I'm all for willing suspension of disbelief, but the method the author employed to send the main character back in time felt far-fetched and clunky. Also, I agree with the reviewer who said that the girlfriend in the present was unsympathetic and borderline emotionally abusive. That made it harder for me to empathize with Jamie's decision-making, a plot point that directly impacts the time-travel narrative.
Despite these issues, I did enjoy the book. I just got booted out of the story more often than I normally do with Ms. Friend's novels, which meant it took me considerably longer to read this book than her previous novels, most of which I binged over a few days max. If you haven't read her Kate Vincent Adventures series, I highly recommend it.
ARC provided by NetGalley
The writing is excellent as usual (did I mention I love Ms. Friend's previous novels?), and the historical world-building is lovely and visceral. The pacing felt patient, which I appreciate, and there was plenty of mystery to keep me interested in the storyline. Where I got hung up was the time travel phenomena--I'm all for willing suspension of disbelief, but the method the author employed to send the main character back in time felt far-fetched and clunky. Also, I agree with the reviewer who said that the girlfriend in the present was unsympathetic and borderline emotionally abusive. That made it harder for me to empathize with Jamie's decision-making, a plot point that directly impacts the time-travel narrative.
Despite these issues, I did enjoy the book. I just got booted out of the story more often than I normally do with Ms. Friend's novels, which meant it took me considerably longer to read this book than her previous novels, most of which I binged over a few days max. If you haven't read her Kate Vincent Adventures series, I highly recommend it.
ARC provided by NetGalley
May 22, 2018
Gods, what a ride.
Given, all the ideas are there, and it's a brilliant concept, but to me, that is all there is-
A hatchet of half-baked ideas that seriously should have been worked on. The relationships range from abusive to underdeveloped, the reactions and coincidences are just too unlikely at some point, and the major twists can be foreseen chapters in advance. I had high expectations for this novel but maybe that was part of the problem. Great for odd details on the Elizabethan Age, not so great as a narrative. The way the author congratulates herself in between pages and references her own work and life just added to my distaste. One does however perceive genuine interest for Queen Elizabeth I, who was well done as a character so there is that. Proceed with this information as you all see fit.
Given, all the ideas are there, and it's a brilliant concept, but to me, that is all there is-
A hatchet of half-baked ideas that seriously should have been worked on. The relationships range from abusive to underdeveloped, the reactions and coincidences are just too unlikely at some point, and the major twists can be foreseen chapters in advance. I had high expectations for this novel but maybe that was part of the problem. Great for odd details on the Elizabethan Age, not so great as a narrative. The way the author congratulates herself in between pages and references her own work and life just added to my distaste. One does however perceive genuine interest for Queen Elizabeth I, who was well done as a character so there is that. Proceed with this information as you all see fit.
October 12, 2023
For me, this book started out really slow. I couldn't get around all the scientific terms. I almost set it aside but decided to give it one more try, and then the story started picking up. It turned out to be a funny and fun book. I loved the Queen and that Jamie/Blanche and Meg/Harriet could entertain her so well. I could see how Blanche wanted freedom, but I really don't understand how the Queen could hold someone like her in such high esteem. On the whole, it's a pretty good book, and you learned a bit about England and Queen Elizabeth 1. By the way, I can't get over a sixteen year old being queen for only nine days yet getting the nickname Bloody Mary!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 10, 2018
This is the first fiction book I've read where the author refers to a previous work of hers in the story. It made me literally laugh out loud in a silent train. oops!
This book was a page turner for me. I do wish the ending talked a little bit more about how she'd resolve some of the family issues caused by her time travel. But other than that, this was a fun book!
This book was a page turner for me. I do wish the ending talked a little bit more about how she'd resolve some of the family issues caused by her time travel. But other than that, this was a fun book!
January 2, 2019
This wasn't a bad book, but I feel like calling it a romance is a little bit misleading. I felt like the relationship aspect was squeezed in and didn't really add anything to the story. I felt it had more of an "adventure" aspect too it that I enjoyed. (Though I did find the pacing a little off and tried to hurry through some parts.)
May 13, 2020
Completely addictive
Once you’ve started this book, you won’t be able to put it down. Anyone who loves time travel, history, and romance will be thoroughly rewarded by this compelling story of a woman who finds love under the most mysterious circumstances. Another tour de force by Catherine Friend—can’t wait for the next one!
Once you’ve started this book, you won’t be able to put it down. Anyone who loves time travel, history, and romance will be thoroughly rewarded by this compelling story of a woman who finds love under the most mysterious circumstances. Another tour de force by Catherine Friend—can’t wait for the next one!
August 16, 2023
It's a well written time bending book. The history was immersive. The chemistry and relationships clever. I kept reading and hoping that a certain someone would get a punch on the nose. The ending was a little abrupt. Wish there was one more chapter
May 2, 2019
4.5 stars: I love this author and all of her books and this is no exception! A lovely combination of history, humour, & romance.
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