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Twickenham Manor Time Travel Romance #1
P.S. I Love You
Cora Rey wanted a fresh start in life, but being thrown back in time to 1850 isn’t how she expected to do that. She discovers that Victorian England isn't the pleasant social whirl Jane Austen led her to believe, but when in Rome—or in this case Twickenham . . . She’s determined to have the vacation of a lifetime, especially in the company of a certain duke.
Simon Tuttle never expected to become the duke of Hertfordshire, never wanted it, but now he is, and eligible women seeking a title consider him the next trophy to be taken in the marriage mart. A union of convenience is the most he hopes for due to the shame-filled secret he bears—until he meets Cora. Now, he imagines that a love match could be possible after all. Hiding his secret from society has been easy—hiding it from Cora proves impossible. Can Cora love a man like him despite learning the truth?
This delightful romance is a little Regency, a little contemporary, and a lot Victorian.
Simon Tuttle never expected to become the duke of Hertfordshire, never wanted it, but now he is, and eligible women seeking a title consider him the next trophy to be taken in the marriage mart. A union of convenience is the most he hopes for due to the shame-filled secret he bears—until he meets Cora. Now, he imagines that a love match could be possible after all. Hiding his secret from society has been easy—hiding it from Cora proves impossible. Can Cora love a man like him despite learning the truth?
This delightful romance is a little Regency, a little contemporary, and a lot Victorian.
332 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 20, 2018
729 people are currently reading
1331 people want to read
About the author
Jo Noelle
47 books333 followersThis mother/daughter writing team writes “Sweet, Swoony Ever-Afters.”
Sweet Historical Western under the name Gemma Stuart
Sweet Victorian & Regency Time Travel under the pen name Jo Noelle, who a USA TODAY bestselling author
Sweet Contemporary under the name Evee Tuttle.
They write stories about the places they’ve lived, the places they’ve visited around the world, and the places still on their bucket lists.
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Sweet Historical Western under the name Gemma Stuart
Sweet Victorian & Regency Time Travel under the pen name Jo Noelle, who a USA TODAY bestselling author
Sweet Contemporary under the name Evee Tuttle.
They write stories about the places they’ve lived, the places they’ve visited around the world, and the places still on their bucket lists.
Follow us on Amazon, Goodreads, and Bookbub to get notices for all our new releases!
Join our Facebook Groups and chat with us and other readers who love sweet and clean romance.
• Cowboys and Angels and The Matchmaker’s Ball
• Loving Sweet Historical Romance
• Sweet Kisses Readers’ Group
• Sweet and Sassy Books Facebook Page
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 143 reviews
December 11, 2018
This is part of a series where it looks like they're all written by different authors, but the stories take place simultaneously and the characters all know each other. All the characters go back in time at the same time, but they're kind of parallel from there. I imagine that took some planning and that care was taken not to spoil or present a preferred order.
I highly recommend skipping the other two in the "series", but this was a delight. It's just as well that I picked this one up last because the others would have died in even more passionate flames if I'd had this to compare them to. Jo Noelle (a mother-daughter writing team) does a fantastic job with the characters, the setting, and the romance. The frame story of a fairy house that pulls people through time remains mostly just a frame story with Aunt Nellie providing the occasional magical boost to events but mostly staying out of the main track. I'm okay with this even though I built up, like, fifty different side themes based on the setup because my mind just can't stop that kind of thing and it's a fascinating idea (with lots of both downside and upside potential).
Anyway, Cora was outstanding as a lead brought back to the past with the potential to want to stay. She's basically disconnected in her modern setting, though not discontented. I liked her handling of the changes in circumstances and that she actively sought to turn disadvantages around. She's uniquely suited to doing so because she knows that she'll leave at the next full moon. So she has no investment and I love that she determined to have fun. This is very much part of her character and I loved how, when there are no practical consequences for what she does, she chooses to put things in their best light and to help rather than to hinder those around her. So when it slips out that she's 27 in addition to being American (and thus completely unmarriageable for any but the most desperate), she sees that as an opportunity rather than sulking in the corner.
And I liked Simon, too. It's only now, on consideration, that I realize how fine a line Noelle walked with his character. He's a duke, yes, but was never expected to succeed to the title and has been actively neglected most of his life. So he's deeply insecure about his position, and not least because he sustained an injury some years ago that has affected his hearing (to the point of what we'd consider a barely-compensatible disability—i.e. he takes care to be close to the orchestra when dancing and he keeps conversation partners on his right where he can hear at all, etc.). Anyway, my point is that it'd be easy to make this a poor-me scenario for the titled rich guy, which doesn't play at all well. But it isn't. Simon is just himself and he does his best to cope with both his insecurities and his disability and he's basically kind and decent and that came through very well. And I loved his interactions with Cora so very much, not least his falling so completely, and unashamedly, in love with her. He falls fast, so much of the story is Cora's journey in getting to where she can stay in 1850s England instead of returning home.
From about midway on, Cora's the only real impediment to their happily ever after and that provided me some anxiety because many authors would make that an excruciating slog. Not so Jo Noelle, however. Cora has concerns and she does dither some. But she also progresses believably along the way. And because she's honest enough to admit to herself that she is falling in love with Simon, she makes reasonable choices from that standpoint. I particularly like that she doesn't pull either the "love conquers all" or the "for his own good" unilateral thing which would have been an easy trap to fall into (because she "knows" she's leaving in a month and that their growing attachment means anticipating more pain on parting).
Which brings me to the only thing that really bothered me. Cora meets a cadre of people who have also time-travelled to this place, one of whom was born around the same time she was (but is now in her forties with grown children because time travel). These are people who have been where she is and who are willing and able to talk about the concerns and conflicts Cora is experiencing. And those people are present and available enough that she was already in discussions with them. So it felt a bit strange that Cora wasn't talking about her conflict, about what it was like to make the choice to stay, about how they cope with the differences in treatment and expectations for women, about how they deal with the technological changes, and about how they either exploit or avoid knowing things about the future that others don't (like, say, investing in industries that are starting at this time). She seemed uncharacteristically incurious and that felt weird. Also, . So that broke my immersion a bit, too.
My qualms are slight in light of the rest of the story, though. So this ends up being an easy 4½ stars that I'm rounding up because of how engaged I was in the story. Yeah, I took the early story in small gulps, but once I hit about 40% I couldn't stop myself from gobbling it up. Little issues like poor copy editing and little bonuses like no glaring period errors didn't really register because the rest shone so brightly.
A note about Chaste: This story had lots of kissing. Four scenes with kissing to various degrees of passion, I think. It was well-done, so don't read this as a complaint in any way. And none of it rose to the level of a modern make-out or anything. Plus, we got to see both pull back from passion because that was just the right thing to do (for the time probably, but for their circumstances, surely).
A note about (not) missing faith: The only, very small, odd note on the sexual scale in the story is that Cora never considered sex at all and for a modern 27 year-old with no stated religious affiliation that was a little strange. I'm not going to tag this as missing faith because the period constraints on sex made sense and would naturally have overridden such concerns, possibly even in an internal monologue. But it could have been an active consideration for Cora and you could make a case that it should have based on her background and modern relationship assumptions.
I highly recommend skipping the other two in the "series", but this was a delight. It's just as well that I picked this one up last because the others would have died in even more passionate flames if I'd had this to compare them to. Jo Noelle (a mother-daughter writing team) does a fantastic job with the characters, the setting, and the romance. The frame story of a fairy house that pulls people through time remains mostly just a frame story with Aunt Nellie providing the occasional magical boost to events but mostly staying out of the main track. I'm okay with this even though I built up, like, fifty different side themes based on the setup because my mind just can't stop that kind of thing and it's a fascinating idea (with lots of both downside and upside potential).
Anyway, Cora was outstanding as a lead brought back to the past with the potential to want to stay. She's basically disconnected in her modern setting, though not discontented. I liked her handling of the changes in circumstances and that she actively sought to turn disadvantages around. She's uniquely suited to doing so because she knows that she'll leave at the next full moon. So she has no investment and I love that she determined to have fun. This is very much part of her character and I loved how, when there are no practical consequences for what she does, she chooses to put things in their best light and to help rather than to hinder those around her. So when it slips out that she's 27 in addition to being American (and thus completely unmarriageable for any but the most desperate), she sees that as an opportunity rather than sulking in the corner.
And I liked Simon, too. It's only now, on consideration, that I realize how fine a line Noelle walked with his character. He's a duke, yes, but was never expected to succeed to the title and has been actively neglected most of his life. So he's deeply insecure about his position, and not least because he sustained an injury some years ago that has affected his hearing (to the point of what we'd consider a barely-compensatible disability—i.e. he takes care to be close to the orchestra when dancing and he keeps conversation partners on his right where he can hear at all, etc.). Anyway, my point is that it'd be easy to make this a poor-me scenario for the titled rich guy, which doesn't play at all well. But it isn't. Simon is just himself and he does his best to cope with both his insecurities and his disability and he's basically kind and decent and that came through very well. And I loved his interactions with Cora so very much, not least his falling so completely, and unashamedly, in love with her. He falls fast, so much of the story is Cora's journey in getting to where she can stay in 1850s England instead of returning home.
From about midway on, Cora's the only real impediment to their happily ever after and that provided me some anxiety because many authors would make that an excruciating slog. Not so Jo Noelle, however. Cora has concerns and she does dither some. But she also progresses believably along the way. And because she's honest enough to admit to herself that she is falling in love with Simon, she makes reasonable choices from that standpoint. I particularly like that she doesn't pull either the "love conquers all" or the "for his own good" unilateral thing which would have been an easy trap to fall into (because she "knows" she's leaving in a month and that their growing attachment means anticipating more pain on parting).
Which brings me to the only thing that really bothered me. Cora meets a cadre of people who have also time-travelled to this place, one of whom was born around the same time she was (but is now in her forties with grown children because time travel). These are people who have been where she is and who are willing and able to talk about the concerns and conflicts Cora is experiencing. And those people are present and available enough that she was already in discussions with them. So it felt a bit strange that Cora wasn't talking about her conflict, about what it was like to make the choice to stay, about how they cope with the differences in treatment and expectations for women, about how they deal with the technological changes, and about how they either exploit or avoid knowing things about the future that others don't (like, say, investing in industries that are starting at this time). She seemed uncharacteristically incurious and that felt weird. Also, . So that broke my immersion a bit, too.
My qualms are slight in light of the rest of the story, though. So this ends up being an easy 4½ stars that I'm rounding up because of how engaged I was in the story. Yeah, I took the early story in small gulps, but once I hit about 40% I couldn't stop myself from gobbling it up. Little issues like poor copy editing and little bonuses like no glaring period errors didn't really register because the rest shone so brightly.
A note about Chaste: This story had lots of kissing. Four scenes with kissing to various degrees of passion, I think. It was well-done, so don't read this as a complaint in any way. And none of it rose to the level of a modern make-out or anything. Plus, we got to see both pull back from passion because that was just the right thing to do (for the time probably, but for their circumstances, surely).
A note about (not) missing faith: The only, very small, odd note on the sexual scale in the story is that Cora never considered sex at all and for a modern 27 year-old with no stated religious affiliation that was a little strange. I'm not going to tag this as missing faith because the period constraints on sex made sense and would naturally have overridden such concerns, possibly even in an internal monologue. But it could have been an active consideration for Cora and you could make a case that it should have based on her background and modern relationship assumptions.
June 18, 2018
Time travel lovers and magic lovers alike might really enjoy this book. I really thought it was a fun and clever way how the authors of this series created the ability to travel through time. Time by the way, is a great "fuzzball." I liked how Aunt Nellie described it as a fuzzball and how the other characters in sharing their story of time travel all tended to agree with her description. I have to say it was a pretty apt description for how it works in this story and series. There are two other books in this series, which I haven't read, but am interested in reading them. The three main females who are the main characters of these three books were all introduced at the beginning of this book but we only saw the other two a couple times and it wasn't anything to spoil their stories. Just enough to give you a taste and want more.
I will say that I really like spunky modern day characters who go back in time and try to figure out how to adjust. Cora's time travel is limited to coming and going around the full moon. So when she first arrives she knows she has to wait out the next full moon, and any further cycles if she wants to stay longer. The same for all time travelers. Cora knew her time in the past wasn't forever so she learned to play the game, and change the game a little. It was pretty fun to watch her adapt and enjoy her time.
The beginning of the book, it was harder for me to really connect to the characters and storyline. But at about 25% into the book I was hooked and was reading as much as possible to find out what was going to happen. Cora and Simon know that they like each other pretty much from the beginning. It's not love or infatuation right away but a little spark of interest and friendship. Cora knows her reality of being from a different time and tries to act nonchalant and aloof from any attachments but Simon is a pretty awesome gentleman that it's not as easy as she thinks to stay emotionally disconnected from him.
Simon is not the heir or the spare, he is that lovely third son. Who unfortunately, through his father and brother's deaths he becomes the Duke of Hertfordshire, gaining all the matrons and their daughters' attention. Simon has a secret though. Something his family has tried very hard to hide and ignore. But unfortunately for all of them, he can't be hidden away now that he is the heir. I'm not going to say what it is because no spoilers here people. But I will say that once Cora discovered what it was I absolutely loved their interactions. Cora was the best! Simon too! I really liked these two characters a lot. And reading their fun story and the many interactions, the friendship growing into love, their mishaps, the misunderstandings, the devious family members, scheming friends, magic, all came together so lovely throughout.
If you pick this one up and are like me, that the beginning is a little slower, can I tell you to stick with it. I think you'll be quite pleasantly surprised and enjoy your time travel through a fuzzball, magical moments and a sweet love story. Plus the whole spoiler I was talking about with Simon. Loved it!
Content: Clean. There was no religious talk, no sex, no swearing. Some devious characters and some kissing scenes.
I received a copy from ebooks. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Happy Reading!!!
I will say that I really like spunky modern day characters who go back in time and try to figure out how to adjust. Cora's time travel is limited to coming and going around the full moon. So when she first arrives she knows she has to wait out the next full moon, and any further cycles if she wants to stay longer. The same for all time travelers. Cora knew her time in the past wasn't forever so she learned to play the game, and change the game a little. It was pretty fun to watch her adapt and enjoy her time.
The beginning of the book, it was harder for me to really connect to the characters and storyline. But at about 25% into the book I was hooked and was reading as much as possible to find out what was going to happen. Cora and Simon know that they like each other pretty much from the beginning. It's not love or infatuation right away but a little spark of interest and friendship. Cora knows her reality of being from a different time and tries to act nonchalant and aloof from any attachments but Simon is a pretty awesome gentleman that it's not as easy as she thinks to stay emotionally disconnected from him.
Simon is not the heir or the spare, he is that lovely third son. Who unfortunately, through his father and brother's deaths he becomes the Duke of Hertfordshire, gaining all the matrons and their daughters' attention. Simon has a secret though. Something his family has tried very hard to hide and ignore. But unfortunately for all of them, he can't be hidden away now that he is the heir. I'm not going to say what it is because no spoilers here people. But I will say that once Cora discovered what it was I absolutely loved their interactions. Cora was the best! Simon too! I really liked these two characters a lot. And reading their fun story and the many interactions, the friendship growing into love, their mishaps, the misunderstandings, the devious family members, scheming friends, magic, all came together so lovely throughout.
If you pick this one up and are like me, that the beginning is a little slower, can I tell you to stick with it. I think you'll be quite pleasantly surprised and enjoy your time travel through a fuzzball, magical moments and a sweet love story. Plus the whole spoiler I was talking about with Simon. Loved it!
Content: Clean. There was no religious talk, no sex, no swearing. Some devious characters and some kissing scenes.
I received a copy from ebooks. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Happy Reading!!!
September 30, 2019
Review update 2019. I listened to the audiobook and loved listening to this time-travel romance. I loved Simon and Cora just as much the second time around.
4.5 stars for this fun time travel romance.
Jo Noelle is a new author to me (this is only my second book by them), and I thoroughly enjoyed this time travel Victorian romance. Cora goes with her roommates, Reese and Kaitlyn, Kaitlyn's brother and his best friend on a trip to England. The highlight of which was a week-long stay at Twickenham Manor where they would live like Jane Austen. The week culminates in a ball, and Cora joins her friends to explore Twickenham Manor. They end up in "the secret level" of the Manor, where they see a portrait of themselves. What a better time for a selfie, but while trying to fit everyone in the picture lightning flashes and when Cora awakens she discovers she's in 1850 Victorian England! What's a girl to do when she finds out she can't go back home to the future) until the next full moon? If you're Cora Rey, you decide to make the most of it.
She meets Simon Tuttle, his friend Everett, Lucy Radnor, and May Cottrell and they become friends, participating in the many activities held at Twickenham Manor. Cora is taken with Simon's good looks, she thinks he looks exactly like John Smith in Disney's Pocahontas. Simon Tuttle, Duke of Hertfordshire, Earl of St. Albans is entranced by Cora Rey, the American. She's unlike any of the women he's been avoiding since his father and brothers' deaths and he reluctantly became the latest catch of the Season. But Simon has a secret and wonders how Cora will feel about him when she learns the truth.
I really got into this book, and I liked that the chapters alternated between Cora and Simon. I loved that Cora called him Mr. Duke, and the letters going back and forth between them. I like Cora's sense of humor--when she asked about him being a little dukelet and what do you do when you aren't duke-ing about and have you been to London to visit the queen? Priceless. Cora knows she isn't staying in Victorian England so she views Simon as only a friend, but the more she finds out about him, the more she finds herself looking for him at events and wanting to spend more time with him.
I liked that Cora didn't change who she was to fit in with the ladies of that time period. She didn't flirt, giggle, or lead the men on, she spoke her mind and even taught Beth a new way to work out in the mornings. I really liked the shooting competition scene and especially liked the musicale scene when Cora played the harp--much to the amazement of Simon's mother and sisters.
Simon is taken with Cora because she's not like any of the other women he associates with in society. She doesn't care a whit about his title, land or money, and he finds he's no longer content with having a marriage of convenience. Now if only his horrible mother and self-serving sisters would get the message and stay out of his romantic life. I didn't care for his mother at all--he wasn't groomed to take over the running of their estate, and instead of lending him support I felt she treated him as if he wasn't very intelligent. His sisters didn't seem to care about him either although they all depended on him for financial support. How could his family think this woman would ever be a good match for him? They didn't. They only thought Lady Atkins was a good match for them without considering him at all. The saying "don't bite the hand that feeds you" applies perfectly to his sisters and mother. Thankfully, Simon isn't anything like the rest of his family--he's polite, giving, and thinks of others, especially those that don't fit in because they're different.
This is part of the Twickenham Time Travel Romance series, but can be read by itself. The other books are about Cora's American friends who went to Twickenham Manor with her. I like finding new authors and genres to read.
4.5 stars for this fun time travel romance.
Jo Noelle is a new author to me (this is only my second book by them), and I thoroughly enjoyed this time travel Victorian romance. Cora goes with her roommates, Reese and Kaitlyn, Kaitlyn's brother and his best friend on a trip to England. The highlight of which was a week-long stay at Twickenham Manor where they would live like Jane Austen. The week culminates in a ball, and Cora joins her friends to explore Twickenham Manor. They end up in "the secret level" of the Manor, where they see a portrait of themselves. What a better time for a selfie, but while trying to fit everyone in the picture lightning flashes and when Cora awakens she discovers she's in 1850 Victorian England! What's a girl to do when she finds out she can't go back home to the future) until the next full moon? If you're Cora Rey, you decide to make the most of it.
She meets Simon Tuttle, his friend Everett, Lucy Radnor, and May Cottrell and they become friends, participating in the many activities held at Twickenham Manor. Cora is taken with Simon's good looks, she thinks he looks exactly like John Smith in Disney's Pocahontas. Simon Tuttle, Duke of Hertfordshire, Earl of St. Albans is entranced by Cora Rey, the American. She's unlike any of the women he's been avoiding since his father and brothers' deaths and he reluctantly became the latest catch of the Season. But Simon has a secret and wonders how Cora will feel about him when she learns the truth.
I really got into this book, and I liked that the chapters alternated between Cora and Simon. I loved that Cora called him Mr. Duke, and the letters going back and forth between them. I like Cora's sense of humor--when she asked about him being a little dukelet and what do you do when you aren't duke-ing about and have you been to London to visit the queen? Priceless. Cora knows she isn't staying in Victorian England so she views Simon as only a friend, but the more she finds out about him, the more she finds herself looking for him at events and wanting to spend more time with him.
I liked that Cora didn't change who she was to fit in with the ladies of that time period. She didn't flirt, giggle, or lead the men on, she spoke her mind and even taught Beth a new way to work out in the mornings. I really liked the shooting competition scene and especially liked the musicale scene when Cora played the harp--much to the amazement of Simon's mother and sisters.
Simon is taken with Cora because she's not like any of the other women he associates with in society. She doesn't care a whit about his title, land or money, and he finds he's no longer content with having a marriage of convenience. Now if only his horrible mother and self-serving sisters would get the message and stay out of his romantic life. I didn't care for his mother at all--he wasn't groomed to take over the running of their estate, and instead of lending him support I felt she treated him as if he wasn't very intelligent. His sisters didn't seem to care about him either although they all depended on him for financial support. How could his family think this woman would ever be a good match for him? They didn't. They only thought Lady Atkins was a good match for them without considering him at all. The saying "don't bite the hand that feeds you" applies perfectly to his sisters and mother. Thankfully, Simon isn't anything like the rest of his family--he's polite, giving, and thinks of others, especially those that don't fit in because they're different.
This is part of the Twickenham Time Travel Romance series, but can be read by itself. The other books are about Cora's American friends who went to Twickenham Manor with her. I like finding new authors and genres to read.
March 25, 2018
Alot of unnecessary details....should've been a Novella.
August 18, 2023
ETA: I just listened to the audiobook that just came out for this book and loved it. That narrator Amy Putt did a great job with the story. She brought an already fun story even more to life.
Disclaimer--I have also written in the Twickenham world, so I'm biased.
I love this world, and Cora and Simon are so great for each other. In a time where physical imperfections can cause you to be shunned, Simon is in a precarious situation. He and his friends who know what he's struggling with work hard to keep it a secret. Cora, with her family history and training, is the perfect woman to understand and see beyond it.
Disclaimer--I have also written in the Twickenham world, so I'm biased.
I love this world, and Cora and Simon are so great for each other. In a time where physical imperfections can cause you to be shunned, Simon is in a precarious situation. He and his friends who know what he's struggling with work hard to keep it a secret. Cora, with her family history and training, is the perfect woman to understand and see beyond it.
January 14, 2020
Just didn't enjoy this one like I wanted to. It felt very stiff and forced in the beginning and when you get into the story the characters just didn't feel like they felt it either. Lots of empty paragraphs that had no meaning. I just drug for me and I skimmed to the end. Really good idea but just feel flat for me.
June 6, 2018
3.5 stars.
When this book first came across my notice for review, I was interested. The concept sounded intriguing. A little time travel, Victorian England, romance? I was sold!
Cora Rey is a modern gal who is enjoying a vacation at Twickenham Manor after graduating with her master’s degree. But this trip was so much more than expected when she finds herself thrust back to Victorian England.
While it’s fairly obvious how the story is going to end, the road to the destination is filled with twists and turns. Cora and Simon are immediately attracted to each other but Cora knows she’s not staying. Living in the past has some perks (the wardrobes) but future knowledge can create some problems.
The friendship that develops between Simon and Cora is enjoyable, and believable when it blossoms to more. And the letters are wonderful.
Cora’s indecision starts to wear after a bit and I felt the thing that triggers confessions of love came a little too late in the story, almost as if it was added to increase word count. But overall, a fun read when you want something light and fluffy.
Jo Noelle puts readers in the midst of the gentry and their daily experiences as well as balls, hunting parties, dinners, and more.
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
When this book first came across my notice for review, I was interested. The concept sounded intriguing. A little time travel, Victorian England, romance? I was sold!
Cora Rey is a modern gal who is enjoying a vacation at Twickenham Manor after graduating with her master’s degree. But this trip was so much more than expected when she finds herself thrust back to Victorian England.
While it’s fairly obvious how the story is going to end, the road to the destination is filled with twists and turns. Cora and Simon are immediately attracted to each other but Cora knows she’s not staying. Living in the past has some perks (the wardrobes) but future knowledge can create some problems.
The friendship that develops between Simon and Cora is enjoyable, and believable when it blossoms to more. And the letters are wonderful.
Cora’s indecision starts to wear after a bit and I felt the thing that triggers confessions of love came a little too late in the story, almost as if it was added to increase word count. But overall, a fun read when you want something light and fluffy.
Jo Noelle puts readers in the midst of the gentry and their daily experiences as well as balls, hunting parties, dinners, and more.
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
July 7, 2018
This was a fun story and one I enjoyed reading. Cora was a good main character, but even knowing history she behaved much too modernly for the time period. Simon was such a great guy and I loved watching the romance between the two of them grow. The ending felt a little rushed, would have like a little more or for it to dwindle down better...it just felt sudden, as if there should have been another chapter. All in all, a fun read and I'd definitely read others in the series.
May 7, 2018
Co-author review.
I think Simon might be my favorite hero we've written so far. I especially loved adding a voice for Deaf characters into the time travel romance and appreciate the people who gave us interviews so we would get that part right and also read the manuscript to check it before publishing. It was fun adding in the musical elements as well as creating a new theory of time and the art elements as the means of traveling though time. I hope readers will enjoy this as much as we did creating Cora and Simon's story. There are 3 stories in this group. Only Cora's story is here. The other two stories are told by Donna Weaver and Laura Bastian.
I think Simon might be my favorite hero we've written so far. I especially loved adding a voice for Deaf characters into the time travel romance and appreciate the people who gave us interviews so we would get that part right and also read the manuscript to check it before publishing. It was fun adding in the musical elements as well as creating a new theory of time and the art elements as the means of traveling though time. I hope readers will enjoy this as much as we did creating Cora and Simon's story. There are 3 stories in this group. Only Cora's story is here. The other two stories are told by Donna Weaver and Laura Bastian.
April 28, 2018
Jo Noelle writes such lovely stuff.
This Victorian romance is a wonderful counterpart to the rest in the series. I'm loving them all.
Beautiful to watch how Cora and Simon discover they are a perfect pair, though there are secrets to reveal and compassion to be shown. I like their flaws, their strengths, and the way they interact with the characters around them. Scandals, abductions, lots of music (one of my favorite elements in a novel), and magic are used to tell this charming tale.
A wonderful world to escape into. May we all be as lucky as Cora and her friends.
This Victorian romance is a wonderful counterpart to the rest in the series. I'm loving them all.
Beautiful to watch how Cora and Simon discover they are a perfect pair, though there are secrets to reveal and compassion to be shown. I like their flaws, their strengths, and the way they interact with the characters around them. Scandals, abductions, lots of music (one of my favorite elements in a novel), and magic are used to tell this charming tale.
A wonderful world to escape into. May we all be as lucky as Cora and her friends.
February 6, 2019
With a book cover like this, how can you go wrong? The premise of this series was intriguing, and the characters were well done with a well thought out storyline. However, this read like a first draft - lots of telling in the beginning, and MC’s jumping from one activity to the next without connecting the reader. I’ve read several other books by Jo Noel. This one wasn’t their best, but was such a fun idea.
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September 27, 2021Did not finish...
Not my style, not what I expected, and way too drawn out.
Not my style, not what I expected, and way too drawn out.
May 31, 2018
I'm a sucker for time travel books. Just the thought about going to another time period in the past and learning how to adapt to what was customary and usual can be mind boggling. But this book takes a bit of a twist - there is a home that resides on fey lines and travel back and forth between time periods happens quite often. Another twist is that one might spend a year or so in one time period, but when they go back to the original time period it is like no time has passed at all.
The romance between Cora and Simon is sweet. While there are some miscommunications at times, watching their love for each other unfold made my heart happy. It wasn't easy at times because of a few issues, but as any good romance they made it through to each other. I also enjoyed reading their letters to each other and the P.S. that were added to the bottom of each letter. They told so much more about the characters than the body of the letter.
I think this might be (or will be) a series and I can't wait to read other books. There are characters that mention their time periods (not current day as this book) and hopefully there will be books about their story.
The romance between Cora and Simon is sweet. While there are some miscommunications at times, watching their love for each other unfold made my heart happy. It wasn't easy at times because of a few issues, but as any good romance they made it through to each other. I also enjoyed reading their letters to each other and the P.S. that were added to the bottom of each letter. They told so much more about the characters than the body of the letter.
I think this might be (or will be) a series and I can't wait to read other books. There are characters that mention their time periods (not current day as this book) and hopefully there will be books about their story.
April 27, 2018
I liked the way the time travel worked in this book. Not only does Cora Rey travel back in time, but she meets others who have also traveled in time and I was intrigued by some of their stories, too.
I loved Simon and Cora Rey. Simon never expected to be a duke and he has reasons to be insecure, especially as a prominent member of the ton. His mother and sisters are awful, and I love when he finally stands up to them!
At times I didn't want to put this story down, but then at other times I felt a little bogged down by the pace of the story. Overall, I liked the story and the characters!
Content: Clean
Source: Review Copy (opinion is 100% my own)
I loved Simon and Cora Rey. Simon never expected to be a duke and he has reasons to be insecure, especially as a prominent member of the ton. His mother and sisters are awful, and I love when he finally stands up to them!
At times I didn't want to put this story down, but then at other times I felt a little bogged down by the pace of the story. Overall, I liked the story and the characters!
Content: Clean
Source: Review Copy (opinion is 100% my own)
August 1, 2018
I really love the idea of bending time, or time not existing how we view it traditionally. Case in point Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy, when you're cleaning up your bedroom vs. playing with your friends, etc. I'm sure you get the point.
Well, while I did find the explanation of time a bit comical, I enjoyed the magical elements sprinkled in there too.
I wished for a bit more descriptions regarding the fashions, or what Cora's friends were up to, but that didn't deter from the flow of the story.
I enjoyed that the romance built and the friendship blossomed before there was much physical action taken to show how the main characters felt for one another. On a steaminess level I would rate this a hot PG.
Well, while I did find the explanation of time a bit comical, I enjoyed the magical elements sprinkled in there too.
I wished for a bit more descriptions regarding the fashions, or what Cora's friends were up to, but that didn't deter from the flow of the story.
I enjoyed that the romance built and the friendship blossomed before there was much physical action taken to show how the main characters felt for one another. On a steaminess level I would rate this a hot PG.
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January 23, 2020I'm not rating this solely for the reason that's it's not the book it's me . 😂
Romances are usually more miss than hit for me . Most of the time I just can't stay focused on the story because there's not a whole lot going on . I actually liked the characters ,but there wasn't as much action as I had assumed would take place in this .
It's not a bad book ,it's just really hard for me to find books like this that really hold my attention .
No hard feelings . ☺️
Romances are usually more miss than hit for me . Most of the time I just can't stay focused on the story because there's not a whole lot going on . I actually liked the characters ,but there wasn't as much action as I had assumed would take place in this .
It's not a bad book ,it's just really hard for me to find books like this that really hold my attention .
No hard feelings . ☺️
February 24, 2018
Excellent book
P.S. I love you is a wonderful story full of romance and magic. Although part of the Twickenham Time Travel Romance series it can be read as a stand-alone story with a HEA. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to all romance, fantasy and/or historical romance fans. This book, and series, has something for everyone.
P.S. I love you is a wonderful story full of romance and magic. Although part of the Twickenham Time Travel Romance series it can be read as a stand-alone story with a HEA. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to all romance, fantasy and/or historical romance fans. This book, and series, has something for everyone.
February 25, 2018
P.S. I Love You
This book was so sweet and romantic I couldn't put it down. I fell in love with Simon and Cora. I love time travel romance and this was one of the best ones I have read in a long time.
This book was so sweet and romantic I couldn't put it down. I fell in love with Simon and Cora. I love time travel romance and this was one of the best ones I have read in a long time.
June 5, 2018
This story made me catch my breath as it sparked my imagination. What girl doesn’t dream of being swept away into a Regency romance with a dashingly, handsome duke while dressed in period costumes. I have not read any books in this series but it did not affect my enjoyment of this book and the dance between the past and the present. If anything, it whets my appetite for more of the many delightful characters, especially Aunt Nellie and May.
I enjoyed Cora’s awkward introduction into polite society. She stays true to herself and often turns the tables on her stiff and proper competition. Her sensitivity, empathy, and loving heart made her one of my favorite heroines this year. Simon is a vulnerable and sensitive man hidden behind a tall, dark, and handsome façade. As he struggled to hide his defects and earn the acceptance of his family and society, I fell a bit in love with him too.
One of my favorite parts of this story was the focus on music. There are so many elements to adore in this book. First, I loved the musical encounters between Cora and Simon. These pivotal scenes focused on the importance of music in the lives of the characters. Second, I appreciated how the authors used the handwritten messages to further the plot. Sweet sentiments written in short little snippets. As a society, we have lost the art of note writing to the impersonal and incomplete text message. Lastly, the focus on the disabled, “the history of anyone with differences that society saw as a disability wasn’t good. They were abandoned to orphanages, hidden in cellars, or killed for the inconvenience of being born.” A little scandal, mystery, and devious schemes add intrigue and depth to this - much too short - romance.
*I received a free copy of this book. All opinions are uniquely my own.
I enjoyed Cora’s awkward introduction into polite society. She stays true to herself and often turns the tables on her stiff and proper competition. Her sensitivity, empathy, and loving heart made her one of my favorite heroines this year. Simon is a vulnerable and sensitive man hidden behind a tall, dark, and handsome façade. As he struggled to hide his defects and earn the acceptance of his family and society, I fell a bit in love with him too.
One of my favorite parts of this story was the focus on music. There are so many elements to adore in this book. First, I loved the musical encounters between Cora and Simon. These pivotal scenes focused on the importance of music in the lives of the characters. Second, I appreciated how the authors used the handwritten messages to further the plot. Sweet sentiments written in short little snippets. As a society, we have lost the art of note writing to the impersonal and incomplete text message. Lastly, the focus on the disabled, “the history of anyone with differences that society saw as a disability wasn’t good. They were abandoned to orphanages, hidden in cellars, or killed for the inconvenience of being born.” A little scandal, mystery, and devious schemes add intrigue and depth to this - much too short - romance.
*I received a free copy of this book. All opinions are uniquely my own.
June 22, 2018
Dearest reader,
'Time is a fuzzball'...
Sincerely,
Elsbeth
P.S. I love this book. I read 'Against the Magic' by Donna K. Weaver, which is about the same group of people travelling to 1850. This book is different, since in Donna's story two people from our time fall in love with each other. In this book someone from our time struggles with her feelings for a 1850-man.
So the time travel aspect is more important here. She even meets and befriends other time travellers.
Very well written. I couldn't put it down!
This book just asks for a sequel. And I would love to read it!
I received a copy and chose to review it.
'Time is a fuzzball'...
Sincerely,
Elsbeth
P.S. I love this book. I read 'Against the Magic' by Donna K. Weaver, which is about the same group of people travelling to 1850. This book is different, since in Donna's story two people from our time fall in love with each other. In this book someone from our time struggles with her feelings for a 1850-man.
So the time travel aspect is more important here. She even meets and befriends other time travellers.
Very well written. I couldn't put it down!
This book just asks for a sequel. And I would love to read it!
I received a copy and chose to review it.
May 30, 2018
Cora only thinks she's vacationing in an immersive Victorian experience, only to discover that she really is in 1850! And, as if that's not confusing enough, she meets a man that makes her heart beat faster. A man who is quickly becoming more than a friend. Yet, how can she reconcile both worlds? Can she give up her world in the future to remain in the past with him?
Simon wasn't supposed to inherit the title. He was ignored growing up and, yet, now all the responsibility falls on him, including finding a wife to carry on the title. He is all but convinced that a marriage of convenience is in his future until he meets a woman who is unlike anyone he's ever met before. She actually sees him beyond the title and inadequacies and accepts him for who he truly is. Can he convince her to choose him as a husband? Or, will she choose to return to her homeland?
As the story unfolds, Cora observes how people are much the same regardless of century - of how they connive and manipulate to achieve what they want. There are those who are true friends and those who you cannot trust.
The story has lighthearted humor and mild danger. But, through it all is a sweet, well developed romance that is fully convincing. I loved how Cora was able to encourage and uplift Simon - making him a better man. And, I loved how Simon was able to give purpose to Cora's past education and provide ways for her to use it in his century.
So, why only 4 stars instead of 5? I deducted a star because I was constantly aware of the length and checking where I was in the book. It just felt long to me. The flow / pace seemed to bog down in the middle. Did I like the story? Yes. But, I started to grow weary of it in the middle. Thus the deduction.
Romance - PG, lots of kisses
Language - PG, nothing offensive
Violence - mild in one scene
My rating - 4 stars
Simon wasn't supposed to inherit the title. He was ignored growing up and, yet, now all the responsibility falls on him, including finding a wife to carry on the title. He is all but convinced that a marriage of convenience is in his future until he meets a woman who is unlike anyone he's ever met before. She actually sees him beyond the title and inadequacies and accepts him for who he truly is. Can he convince her to choose him as a husband? Or, will she choose to return to her homeland?
As the story unfolds, Cora observes how people are much the same regardless of century - of how they connive and manipulate to achieve what they want. There are those who are true friends and those who you cannot trust.
The story has lighthearted humor and mild danger. But, through it all is a sweet, well developed romance that is fully convincing. I loved how Cora was able to encourage and uplift Simon - making him a better man. And, I loved how Simon was able to give purpose to Cora's past education and provide ways for her to use it in his century.
So, why only 4 stars instead of 5? I deducted a star because I was constantly aware of the length and checking where I was in the book. It just felt long to me. The flow / pace seemed to bog down in the middle. Did I like the story? Yes. But, I started to grow weary of it in the middle. Thus the deduction.
Romance - PG, lots of kisses
Language - PG, nothing offensive
Violence - mild in one scene
My rating - 4 stars
October 21, 2021
Nice book
Nice, refreshing book, full of events and emotions. I loved the humor, the teasing, the lessons. I read it twice from the beginning to the end. I can't wait for the second volume.
Nice, refreshing book, full of events and emotions. I loved the humor, the teasing, the lessons. I read it twice from the beginning to the end. I can't wait for the second volume.
July 8, 2019
Such a cute story! This time travel is becoming a favorite!
May 15, 2018
Oh boy, can I just say that if it were ever able for a book to be possible, that I’d jump right into this one?? Imagine going on a vacation to England, expecting a week of living like the past, only to find yourself actually being sent back to 1850! Are you feeling a little jealous too?
Without giving anything away, the book describes time as a “fuzzball.” I’m merely sharing the term due to my own amusement from it. The story does explain the reasoning, but it also leaves some of it up to imagination. There is also a bit of “faerie magic” involved. I’m personally not a fan of “faerie fantasies,” but the emphasis was small enough it didn’t bother me.
I thought it was sweet how even though Simon and Cora were separated by over 100 years, there were still things they were able to have in common. Disabilities were treated far different in the past than they are now. The heart that both characters had for those with special needs (specifically deafness), was uplifting. Cora experienced it through her own mother when she was a child, and Simon has secretly suffered with losing most of his hearing due to childhood illness. It’s something that helps them to form their own unique bond.
There were are few references to “Jane Austen” and the characters from her books, so I’d be willing to bet the author is a fan. It shows in the character development, of which I’m not complaining. Life in 1850 was quite different from today, so the culture clash was a pretty big deal for Cora going in (even being someone who loved history), but she was able to make new friends to show her around and educate her on the customs. I think it could have been awkward, but the author was able to add a bit of humor so that it wasn’t. Her lack of knowledge was blamed on her being “American.”
If you wish you could step back into a Jane Austen novel, or at least historical England, then I would highly recommend this story. It’s an enjoyable clean read, and surely one to bring out your inner-idealist. This one is being added to my favorites! Loved it!
*I received a complimentary copy from iamareader.com and the author in hopes of an honest review. I was not obligated to give a positive review. Thoughts and opinions expressed are mine alone.
Without giving anything away, the book describes time as a “fuzzball.” I’m merely sharing the term due to my own amusement from it. The story does explain the reasoning, but it also leaves some of it up to imagination. There is also a bit of “faerie magic” involved. I’m personally not a fan of “faerie fantasies,” but the emphasis was small enough it didn’t bother me.
I thought it was sweet how even though Simon and Cora were separated by over 100 years, there were still things they were able to have in common. Disabilities were treated far different in the past than they are now. The heart that both characters had for those with special needs (specifically deafness), was uplifting. Cora experienced it through her own mother when she was a child, and Simon has secretly suffered with losing most of his hearing due to childhood illness. It’s something that helps them to form their own unique bond.
There were are few references to “Jane Austen” and the characters from her books, so I’d be willing to bet the author is a fan. It shows in the character development, of which I’m not complaining. Life in 1850 was quite different from today, so the culture clash was a pretty big deal for Cora going in (even being someone who loved history), but she was able to make new friends to show her around and educate her on the customs. I think it could have been awkward, but the author was able to add a bit of humor so that it wasn’t. Her lack of knowledge was blamed on her being “American.”
If you wish you could step back into a Jane Austen novel, or at least historical England, then I would highly recommend this story. It’s an enjoyable clean read, and surely one to bring out your inner-idealist. This one is being added to my favorites! Loved it!
*I received a complimentary copy from iamareader.com and the author in hopes of an honest review. I was not obligated to give a positive review. Thoughts and opinions expressed are mine alone.
January 13, 2020
Awful. The plot was muddled, slow, and winding. Our MCs weren't interesting at all. Instead, Cora is literally the perfect Mary Sue for Simon. I skimmed so much and am 100% sure I missed nothing.
November 13, 2019
*Update. I see now that there are other books already written about other characters so this all makes more sense to me.....
I started reading this without knowing anything about the story. Seriously. Nothing except it was a romance. As I started reading my first thought was that it was another Austenland story and I felt a twinge of disappointment. How would the authors make it different enough to be interesting in comparison? And then suddenly, ZAP! We are in a different time period! Wow. I guess I should have looked up the book to see that it was a time travel novel. Totally took me by surprise. And not Austenland at all. (My ecopy didn't have the Time Travel part of the title written big enough for me to notice it and I didn't study the cover to discover it).
I had mixed feelings while reading. I enjoyed the romance in general but kept feeling just a little thrown off by Cora's modern language and behavior in an 1850's world. It was a bit jarring but fun at the same time. She uses phrases and words that don't fit the time period and is far too independent, spirited and opinionated. And that makes her lovable. Also, she is able to say things to people that no one else can because she comes from a world where women can do things. So when her future mother-in-law is rude, instead of taking it, Cora hands it right back to her. She says what I always wish the heroine would say.
Also, Cora enables Simon to become the man that he always could be but had no support from his family. I delighted in his standing up for himself. And the letters they write to each other are sweet.
The whole idea of time travel is boggling to me and the fairy magic explanation is as good as any in my mind. I choose to set aside all thoughts of reality in this aspect and just enjoy the story for what it is.
I was a little confused by Cora traveling with her American friends but then they really aren't part of the story. I think they are there just to set up being able to write about them in upcoming books. There are probably a number of things that don't really make sense to me but I didn't really care.
Also, as much as I love reading books from this time period, I'm not sure that I could be happy living there knowing what there is in my present. I would despise all the clothes and rigidity in rules of society. I just want to relax in a pair of jeans. Going back to a time when people died from totally curable things in our time would be difficult for me. I might enjoy going forward in time though. Maybe.
I started reading this without knowing anything about the story. Seriously. Nothing except it was a romance. As I started reading my first thought was that it was another Austenland story and I felt a twinge of disappointment. How would the authors make it different enough to be interesting in comparison? And then suddenly, ZAP! We are in a different time period! Wow. I guess I should have looked up the book to see that it was a time travel novel. Totally took me by surprise. And not Austenland at all. (My ecopy didn't have the Time Travel part of the title written big enough for me to notice it and I didn't study the cover to discover it).
I had mixed feelings while reading. I enjoyed the romance in general but kept feeling just a little thrown off by Cora's modern language and behavior in an 1850's world. It was a bit jarring but fun at the same time. She uses phrases and words that don't fit the time period and is far too independent, spirited and opinionated. And that makes her lovable. Also, she is able to say things to people that no one else can because she comes from a world where women can do things. So when her future mother-in-law is rude, instead of taking it, Cora hands it right back to her. She says what I always wish the heroine would say.
Also, Cora enables Simon to become the man that he always could be but had no support from his family. I delighted in his standing up for himself. And the letters they write to each other are sweet.
The whole idea of time travel is boggling to me and the fairy magic explanation is as good as any in my mind. I choose to set aside all thoughts of reality in this aspect and just enjoy the story for what it is.
I was a little confused by Cora traveling with her American friends but then they really aren't part of the story. I think they are there just to set up being able to write about them in upcoming books. There are probably a number of things that don't really make sense to me but I didn't really care.
Also, as much as I love reading books from this time period, I'm not sure that I could be happy living there knowing what there is in my present. I would despise all the clothes and rigidity in rules of society. I just want to relax in a pair of jeans. Going back to a time when people died from totally curable things in our time would be difficult for me. I might enjoy going forward in time though. Maybe.
April 14, 2018
Wonderful Gripping Time Travel Romance
Disclaimer - In exchange for a review, I received this book free from the author.
This is a wonderful book about a young woman who joins friends for a "Regency Immersion" vacation, and is transferred back to 1850 as an American heiress. As will all of the author's books, it is well written. Several things I enjoyed about the book were the depth and historical accuracy of the story, characters, and setting. The author could have put more about differences in words and sentence structure that is common between British and American English, including 19th century and early 21at century slang. However, the lack of it does not take anything away from the environment of the story.
As someone while a degree in European history, it is important for me that novels like this are historically accurate. The author does this well, while still focusing more on the romance and fae magic rather than the historical differences. This adds to the flow of the story.
As someone who knows both British and American Sign Language, I also appreciated the underlying story of Simon's secret; and how he grew in confidence to finally confront his mother and sisters. Cora's character is just fun; especially the way she refuses to "play the game" she doesn't know.
Finally, I just loved the fairies and fae magic in the book. Excellent read.
Disclaimer - In exchange for a review, I received this book free from the author.
This is a wonderful book about a young woman who joins friends for a "Regency Immersion" vacation, and is transferred back to 1850 as an American heiress. As will all of the author's books, it is well written. Several things I enjoyed about the book were the depth and historical accuracy of the story, characters, and setting. The author could have put more about differences in words and sentence structure that is common between British and American English, including 19th century and early 21at century slang. However, the lack of it does not take anything away from the environment of the story.
As someone while a degree in European history, it is important for me that novels like this are historically accurate. The author does this well, while still focusing more on the romance and fae magic rather than the historical differences. This adds to the flow of the story.
As someone who knows both British and American Sign Language, I also appreciated the underlying story of Simon's secret; and how he grew in confidence to finally confront his mother and sisters. Cora's character is just fun; especially the way she refuses to "play the game" she doesn't know.
Finally, I just loved the fairies and fae magic in the book. Excellent read.
April 12, 2018
This is an exceptional novel! 4.5 Stars!
Interesting story right at the start. I love the heroine. She’s bold as she holds onto several modern ideals as she adjusts to having traveled back in time, and I think that makes the story exciting. I especially love the games she plays with Simon. And secrets between characters and about characters. So fun!
The characters are well-rounded. I especially loved Simon, and how he was always embarrassed by modern things Cora did. And I loved how sweet she was with Simon when she found out his secret. Ooo, the violin scene was awesome! I was a bit confused about some of the time travel stuff in the beginning of the novel, but near the end, it became clear. I love the mode of time travel—through a portrait. I want to know more about Aunt Nellie, the fairy, and how the magic works. I loved every moment immersed in this past. It was such a blast. I would most definitely read more by this author.
Reader Rated for ages 14+ for mild kissing.
*note. While the novel was expertly written for enjoyment content-wise, a few minor grammar and spelling errors were noticed. Nothing to distract from the reading. A bit of formatting was wonky too. A few paragraphs had extra large indents.
Interesting story right at the start. I love the heroine. She’s bold as she holds onto several modern ideals as she adjusts to having traveled back in time, and I think that makes the story exciting. I especially love the games she plays with Simon. And secrets between characters and about characters. So fun!
The characters are well-rounded. I especially loved Simon, and how he was always embarrassed by modern things Cora did. And I loved how sweet she was with Simon when she found out his secret. Ooo, the violin scene was awesome! I was a bit confused about some of the time travel stuff in the beginning of the novel, but near the end, it became clear. I love the mode of time travel—through a portrait. I want to know more about Aunt Nellie, the fairy, and how the magic works. I loved every moment immersed in this past. It was such a blast. I would most definitely read more by this author.
Reader Rated for ages 14+ for mild kissing.
*note. While the novel was expertly written for enjoyment content-wise, a few minor grammar and spelling errors were noticed. Nothing to distract from the reading. A bit of formatting was wonky too. A few paragraphs had extra large indents.
July 5, 2022
3.5 stars. Overall, I liked this story about a girl who travels back through time to Victorian England. Simon is a great hero with secrets to uncover but who is kind and loyal. Cora is a young woman who is ready for a change in her life. I liked Cora for the most part, although a few of her actions in the story didn't seem to fit with her character, such as when she decided to "play" the game of finding a suitor. Several parts of the story also were confusing to me - there were a lot of side characters that were only briefly mentioned by name (like all the college roommates) and I felt like I should know more about them but didn't. And I felt like I should have gotten to know some of the other side characters that came in and out of the story better than I did. The time travel magic was also a little confusing (but time travel is always confusing). The different events of the story sometimes felt like one right after the other and I had a hard time keeping it all straight with all the characters. But it was a fun story with a sweet romance and a happy ending!
Note: I received a free ebook version of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Note: I received a free ebook version of this book in exchange for an honest review.
May 14, 2018
I could not get into the book because of the heroine. She had traits that I usually like in my heroines; a teacher who specializes in teaching children with special needs – so you would expect someone compassionate and caring, someone who loves and plays music and also a bit of a loner. Unfortunately 2 things totally spoiled the character for me quite early on in the book & I could not warm to Cora at all. When she meets Simon, she is instantly attracted but decides to “play a game” & tells him that she is on the lookout for a suitor and asks his help to introduce to “10 or 12” eligible gentlemen. I didn’t get that at all & it didn’t sit with her supposed character.
As Cora and Simon spend more time together she realizes that he has hearing problems on one side & to “test her theory”, mouths something that gives him the impression that she had told him “I love you”. I thought that was totally crass, thoughtless and hurtful not to mention inappropriate given the time that they are in. An intelligent, compassionate heroine would never have been so insensitive (or stupid).
Simon is a more likable character. The 3rd son who never expected to inherited and with his disability, one who abhors that his inheriting the title has made him the target for all the marriage minded females and their mothers.
The whole time travel premise didn't sit well either but given my dislike of the heroine, I couldn't finish the book & gave up mid way through when it didn't get any better.
Copy gifted in exchange for an honest review
As Cora and Simon spend more time together she realizes that he has hearing problems on one side & to “test her theory”, mouths something that gives him the impression that she had told him “I love you”. I thought that was totally crass, thoughtless and hurtful not to mention inappropriate given the time that they are in. An intelligent, compassionate heroine would never have been so insensitive (or stupid).
Simon is a more likable character. The 3rd son who never expected to inherited and with his disability, one who abhors that his inheriting the title has made him the target for all the marriage minded females and their mothers.
The whole time travel premise didn't sit well either but given my dislike of the heroine, I couldn't finish the book & gave up mid way through when it didn't get any better.
Copy gifted in exchange for an honest review
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