What do you think?
Rate this book
90s Flashback #1
1996
When food blogger Anna Matthews takes a vitamin supplement that thrusts her back in time to 1996 - and into her sixteen year old body - she is naturally a little shocked. But after a hasty re-assimilation, she decides to take advantage of this amazing second chance to view her teenage years from a more mature perspective.
But with the effectiveness of each dose only lasting twelve hours, and any new actions initiated in the past having no effect on the future, Anna wonders whether taking it again would serve any purpose.
Of course, curiosity gets the better of her, and she soon becomes addicted to travelling back in time to relive what she originally believed to be some of her best memories.
Knowing that her husband grew up in the same area - and with him unwilling to talk about the past - Anna decides to track him down in 1996. But an unexpected discovery forces her to make a heartbreaking decision that will change both her and her husband’s future forever.
But with the effectiveness of each dose only lasting twelve hours, and any new actions initiated in the past having no effect on the future, Anna wonders whether taking it again would serve any purpose.
Of course, curiosity gets the better of her, and she soon becomes addicted to travelling back in time to relive what she originally believed to be some of her best memories.
Knowing that her husband grew up in the same area - and with him unwilling to talk about the past - Anna decides to track him down in 1996. But an unexpected discovery forces her to make a heartbreaking decision that will change both her and her husband’s future forever.
245 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 31, 2018
831 people are currently reading
2449 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 200 reviews
February 1, 2020
Three and a half stars.
Anna Matthews is a married food blogger. When her sponsor sends her a vitamin supplement called Youth Compound along with a selection of new ingredients Anna is literally taken back in time to 1996 when she was a teenager.
What makes this time travel story different from all the other ones out there is that firstly, the Youth Compound only works for 12 hours after which Anna is returned to the present day and second, nothing Anna does in the past has any effect. When she returns to the present nothing has changed and when she returns to the past no-one remembers the changes she made. So, you might ask, what is the point of travelling back and making better (or worse) decisions if ultimately nothing changes? Anna feels the same way, which is also kind of nice. But then Anna finds out something about her husband which tempts her to go back to 1996, a decision that rocks their marriage to its core.
I liked this, although I have to say I was confused as to which demographic the book was meant to appeal. It's a bit YA for women's fiction but a bit tame for a YA/NA audience. This is part of a series, the next book is set in 1997 and follows Anna's further adventures. I have to admit I am curious as to what happens next with Anna and her sister and her old school friends.
At the time of writing this was free on Kindle.
Anna Matthews is a married food blogger. When her sponsor sends her a vitamin supplement called Youth Compound along with a selection of new ingredients Anna is literally taken back in time to 1996 when she was a teenager.
What makes this time travel story different from all the other ones out there is that firstly, the Youth Compound only works for 12 hours after which Anna is returned to the present day and second, nothing Anna does in the past has any effect. When she returns to the present nothing has changed and when she returns to the past no-one remembers the changes she made. So, you might ask, what is the point of travelling back and making better (or worse) decisions if ultimately nothing changes? Anna feels the same way, which is also kind of nice. But then Anna finds out something about her husband which tempts her to go back to 1996, a decision that rocks their marriage to its core.
I liked this, although I have to say I was confused as to which demographic the book was meant to appeal. It's a bit YA for women's fiction but a bit tame for a YA/NA audience. This is part of a series, the next book is set in 1997 and follows Anna's further adventures. I have to admit I am curious as to what happens next with Anna and her sister and her old school friends.
At the time of writing this was free on Kindle.
September 22, 2020
Congrats to the author. The unexpected cliffhanger ending took what was going to be a 4* review and made it a one. Also, guaranteed I won't be reading another of your books.
Too bad, I enjoyed the book right up until I got slapped with the "want to know what happens next, buy my next book"
No!
Too bad, I enjoyed the book right up until I got slapped with the "want to know what happens next, buy my next book"
No!
February 19, 2020
Light fluffy nonsense. Love it
January 18, 2019
You guys I loved this so much ! I've struck the goldmind with Hidden Gem books twice so far!
So Anna is a food blogger. She lives in the town of Brisbane with her husband Ed. Ed never pays attention to Anna. In fact, there relationship seems more of a business agreement than any romance. When Anna is given the oppurtunity to try a Youth Potion and blog about it, she drinks the potion thinking maybe she'll wake up with a few less wrinkles. Instead, Anna wakes up in 1996 in her sixteen year old body !
Soon, Anna becomes addicted to visiting 1996. Especially when she learns that what she does in 1996 stays in 1996 and doesn't change the future. She sees it as a great opportunity to spy on her husband Ed, thinking maybe she can find out why he's so distant.
1996 was like reading chicklit mixed with Young Adult. Seriouly can it get any better than that. It was also light hearted and fun with just the right amount of romance thrown in. Definitely a great beach read.
Would definitely recommend and can't wait to read the next book.
So Anna is a food blogger. She lives in the town of Brisbane with her husband Ed. Ed never pays attention to Anna. In fact, there relationship seems more of a business agreement than any romance. When Anna is given the oppurtunity to try a Youth Potion and blog about it, she drinks the potion thinking maybe she'll wake up with a few less wrinkles. Instead, Anna wakes up in 1996 in her sixteen year old body !
Soon, Anna becomes addicted to visiting 1996. Especially when she learns that what she does in 1996 stays in 1996 and doesn't change the future. She sees it as a great opportunity to spy on her husband Ed, thinking maybe she can find out why he's so distant.
1996 was like reading chicklit mixed with Young Adult. Seriouly can it get any better than that. It was also light hearted and fun with just the right amount of romance thrown in. Definitely a great beach read.
Would definitely recommend and can't wait to read the next book.
August 24, 2023
I actually really liked this book. She wasn’t happy, she was content. But the obvious lack of caring from her husband left her lonely and she didn’t even realize it. I only gave it a 3 because I feel like I didn’t get enough from it but that’s the whole point to a series, the author needs you to come back for more. It also made me angry. If I were to spend nearly a decade with someone and I voice concerns and instead of attempting to re-light the fire, you decide to grab an extinguisher and put the fire completely out and IMMEDIATELY go back to your high school girlfriend…it really pissed me off. Ed played such a little role in the book, yet I found him the most impactful. Of course I want the HEA for everyone involved but to not even try to have the HEA be with your wife…terrible.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 3, 2020
This was so much better than I expected! I actually cried tears of rejection and sadness. What a great story.
May 11, 2025
2.5 stars
January 22, 2023
This book is a great weekend read. It’s fast paced and full of nostalgic references. The concept of the book is interesting, a youth compound that time travels you back in time. For me it seemed that she wasn’t able to alter her future, she discovered that her failing marriage was the result of her husbands past but it wasn’t suspenseful or mind blowing. It just fell flat for me.
August 7, 2023
Este un perfecto ejemplo de gran idea, pobre ejecución.
La historia trata sobre una mujer que tiene un trabajo como blogger de recetas que le gusta y un matrimonio tranquilo, pero pues por cosas de la vida encuentra unas pastas que le permiten viajar en el tiempo a 1996 cuando era adolescente. La cosa es que todo lo que hace en sus viajes no tiene repercusiones en el presente, así que ella se dedica a revivir los gloriosos 90s. La primera mitad del libro es pura nostalgia por esos años y es chévere reconocer todas esas referencias. La segunda mitad narra una serie de descubrimientos que la hacen cambiar su perspectiva sobre el presente. Muchos cambios ocurren en su vida de golpe y ella apenas puede manejarlo todo.
Tiene todo el potencial para ser una buena historia, pero tiene grandes problemas de ritmo y desarrollo. Unas partes triviales se extienden demasiado, mientras otras que necesitan más tiempo en desarrollarse, apenas se tocan. Pasan muchas cosas en tan poco tiempo que cuesta creerse el cuento. Siento esta historia como un primer borrador, como que la autora estaba explorando de qué iba la historia y al final lo descubrió pero no se devolvió a editar todo para que fuera más coherente.
El punto es que fue una historia tediosa de leer, lo leímos con Jhully y pensamos que llegaría a algún lado, pero quedó todo a medias, con la promesa de una segunda parte. La verdad, no la leería el resto de la trilogía, este fue uno de esos experimentos de leer autoras desconocidas que salió mal. Pero bueno, las risas no faltaron al discutir esta lectura con ella.
La historia trata sobre una mujer que tiene un trabajo como blogger de recetas que le gusta y un matrimonio tranquilo, pero pues por cosas de la vida encuentra unas pastas que le permiten viajar en el tiempo a 1996 cuando era adolescente. La cosa es que todo lo que hace en sus viajes no tiene repercusiones en el presente, así que ella se dedica a revivir los gloriosos 90s. La primera mitad del libro es pura nostalgia por esos años y es chévere reconocer todas esas referencias. La segunda mitad narra una serie de descubrimientos que la hacen cambiar su perspectiva sobre el presente. Muchos cambios ocurren en su vida de golpe y ella apenas puede manejarlo todo.
Tiene todo el potencial para ser una buena historia, pero tiene grandes problemas de ritmo y desarrollo. Unas partes triviales se extienden demasiado, mientras otras que necesitan más tiempo en desarrollarse, apenas se tocan. Pasan muchas cosas en tan poco tiempo que cuesta creerse el cuento. Siento esta historia como un primer borrador, como que la autora estaba explorando de qué iba la historia y al final lo descubrió pero no se devolvió a editar todo para que fuera más coherente.
El punto es que fue una historia tediosa de leer, lo leímos con Jhully y pensamos que llegaría a algún lado, pero quedó todo a medias, con la promesa de una segunda parte. La verdad, no la leería el resto de la trilogía, este fue uno de esos experimentos de leer autoras desconocidas que salió mal. Pero bueno, las risas no faltaron al discutir esta lectura con ella.
September 21, 2020
This was something a little different to my usual diet of murderation but I enjoyed it, nevertheless. I downloaded it as it regresses back to a time I remember well.....though I'd have preferred an 80s retro myself, cos' I'm that much older !!
A little different too since it's set in Australia so some pop culture mentions go over my head a little !!! I had to look up a Mazda 121 and Toyota Tarago (as they badge them differently here) and what a city cat was.
Love the mention of Flex Shampoo as I recently bought some of that conditioner at a bargain price on a well-known auction site and to have THAT smell once again took me back decades as well.
I liked Anna and Kurt, too, so hope she gets back to find him again in 1997, the follow-up story. I was hoping she'd be able to take Kelsey back to 1996 with her as well for fun.
I did notice she made mention of forgetting to note down an address then asked someone in the very next breath where a certain road was......but that was it for any errors or queries so that's most impressive. I'll definitely be getting hold of the next in the series.
A little different too since it's set in Australia so some pop culture mentions go over my head a little !!! I had to look up a Mazda 121 and Toyota Tarago (as they badge them differently here) and what a city cat was.
Love the mention of Flex Shampoo as I recently bought some of that conditioner at a bargain price on a well-known auction site and to have THAT smell once again took me back decades as well.
I liked Anna and Kurt, too, so hope she gets back to find him again in 1997, the follow-up story. I was hoping she'd be able to take Kelsey back to 1996 with her as well for fun.
I did notice she made mention of forgetting to note down an address then asked someone in the very next breath where a certain road was......but that was it for any errors or queries so that's most impressive. I'll definitely be getting hold of the next in the series.
January 11, 2023
When Anna takes a vitamin supplement and she wakes up in the year 1996, her life is thrown off balance. Especially when she meets Kurt. Present day Anna is married to a man who will not talk about his past. So what does she do? You guessed correctly. She goes back in time. However, her actions will have consequences on her future.
I floved this story so much that I gobbled up the series in the span of three days. If you like romantic comedies, then this book or book series is for you. I will definitely recommend this story to others.
I floved this story so much that I gobbled up the series in the span of three days. If you like romantic comedies, then this book or book series is for you. I will definitely recommend this story to others.
February 20, 2023
This was a quick read. First in a series of 3. A 39 year old Australian food blogger named Anna is sent something called a “youth compound,” which takes you back in time when you take it. It lasts 12 hours, keeps taking her back to 1996, when she was in high school, and doesn’t seem to affect the future. Anna’s marriage is in trouble, so she decides to use it to delve into the past. She discovers some interesting things about herself and the people in her life! Quick read, pretty linear plot. Interested to see what happens in the next one!
December 31, 2020
This was a quick read. I thought it would be a nostalgic read but I found it very hard to relate to the main character. Part of it could be that it was set in Australia but I just didn't agree with the choices the main character made. If I traveled back in time I would do things very differently.
August 12, 2023
SOOO deliciously nostalgic! I loved the way this story flowed, and how well the past was able to be intertwined with the present. This book was a lot of fun, but also very heartfelt and relatable for anyone who is in an introspective mood. I’m definitely down to finish the whole series 💕
January 22, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. I will look out for others in the series when they’re on offer! Think 13 going on 30 meets Freaky Friday! I loved it! I even read Dan a chapter which had entertained me.
November 1, 2018
The concept of traveling back in time seems inviting but sometimes the truth hurts.
November 3, 2018
Check your reality at the door!
1996. A time when mobile phones were the size of bricks and you could only use them to call and text. A time when we had CD Walkmans. I mentioned that to a much younger colleague and he looked at me like I was crazy. Walking around with all that?! But it was normal then! A time when there were still cassettes. Cassettes! I remember when I used to tape my favourite tunes. There was something special about that. A trip down memory lane for Anna, but also for me. How life has changed in just 22 years!
I loved this book. A. Ma. Zing. 10 stars! It wasn’t your traditional love story, it was different. Anna has found her old diaries back, but when she reads them her husband Ed reacts very strangely. He seems … self-centered. Distant. Arrogant. It’s all about him and his wishes and his life. But Anna seems happy enough. But then she travels back in time and finds out things, and once you know certain things you can’t un-know them, can you? It makes her reassess her life.
There were some real pearls of wisdom in there too. And so much to relate to! Anna’s mum has ME. And her story has so many similarities to my own story, it made me weak in the knees from all that recognition. Not many people really understand and it was soooo nice to read this! My ex employer used to look at me as if I were a hypochondriac and I never wish anything bad for anyone, but I’ll admit I wished him a week in my shoes; see how he liked that.
At the end all I could think was: I want more. I WANT MO-O-OOOOORE! The next book will be out soon: YAY! I recommend this book to anyone who wants to walk through the portal back to 1996!
1996. A time when mobile phones were the size of bricks and you could only use them to call and text. A time when we had CD Walkmans. I mentioned that to a much younger colleague and he looked at me like I was crazy. Walking around with all that?! But it was normal then! A time when there were still cassettes. Cassettes! I remember when I used to tape my favourite tunes. There was something special about that. A trip down memory lane for Anna, but also for me. How life has changed in just 22 years!
I loved this book. A. Ma. Zing. 10 stars! It wasn’t your traditional love story, it was different. Anna has found her old diaries back, but when she reads them her husband Ed reacts very strangely. He seems … self-centered. Distant. Arrogant. It’s all about him and his wishes and his life. But Anna seems happy enough. But then she travels back in time and finds out things, and once you know certain things you can’t un-know them, can you? It makes her reassess her life.
There were some real pearls of wisdom in there too. And so much to relate to! Anna’s mum has ME. And her story has so many similarities to my own story, it made me weak in the knees from all that recognition. Not many people really understand and it was soooo nice to read this! My ex employer used to look at me as if I were a hypochondriac and I never wish anything bad for anyone, but I’ll admit I wished him a week in my shoes; see how he liked that.
At the end all I could think was: I want more. I WANT MO-O-OOOOORE! The next book will be out soon: YAY! I recommend this book to anyone who wants to walk through the portal back to 1996!
November 1, 2018
Anna's complicating trip down the rabbit hole back to 1996 😮😶😲
October 31, 2018
Format: Kindle Edition
👍 4.5 🌟 stars
I enjoyed the story and found it a quick and easy read and I love her Australian settings. This heroine, based in Queensland, is having seriously confusing and difficult times! The story struck me as much more chick lit than romance and her mysterious blast back to her past also reminded me initially of the movie Peggy Sue Got Married with Kathleen Turner and Nicholas Cage, especially the touching moments when the heroine realizes opportunities she'd missed to connect more closely with family and friends. I understood and felt her regret and loss. Her romantic life past and present was a mess and I hope that she gets a more positive closure in the sequel.
I find author Kirsty McManus' writing easy to follow with engaging heroines and have enjoyed several of her novels in the past few years, the most recent being Multidate. This novel did not give the closure and HEA that her others offered, but I trust that McManus is working toward Anna's HEA as this story continues in 1997, the next in the series. Looking forward to the continuation.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the story; this is my voluntary and honest review.
October 31, 2018
Format: Kindle Edition
👍 4.5 🌟 stars
I enjoyed the story and found it a quick and easy read and I love her Australian settings. This heroine, based in Queensland, is having seriously confusing and difficult times! The story struck me as much more chick lit than romance and her mysterious blast back to her past also reminded me initially of the movie Peggy Sue Got Married with Kathleen Turner and Nicholas Cage, especially the touching moments when the heroine realizes opportunities she'd missed to connect more closely with family and friends. I understood and felt her regret and loss. Her romantic life past and present was a mess and I hope that she gets a more positive closure in the sequel.
I find author Kirsty McManus' writing easy to follow with engaging heroines and have enjoyed several of her novels in the past few years, the most recent being Multidate. This novel did not give the closure and HEA that her others offered, but I trust that McManus is working toward Anna's HEA as this story continues in 1997, the next in the series. Looking forward to the continuation.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the story; this is my voluntary and honest review.
May 6, 2020
A silly, fluffy, summer read. If you were born between 1975 and 1985 (give or take) you'll thoroughly enjoy this silly story about a woman who can time travel back to her high school days, 12 hours at a time.
March 12, 2019
The nostalgia of the book is fun, but I don’t feel compelled to continue the series.
March 2, 2022
Loved it!
This was such a cute book, and I love the concept. So glad things worked out. Can’t wait to read the next one!
This was such a cute book, and I love the concept. So glad things worked out. Can’t wait to read the next one!
February 13, 2023
3.5 stars. This was a quick, easy, fluffy read. I'm not sure where I heard about it, perhaps a random KU advertisement on FB? I do have KU currently, and I'm trying to "read" as well as listen to audiobooks. This being so short had some appeal there (sometimes I have a hard time committing to a long "eyeball" read as I just don't have much eye time). Listening to this on audio (doesn't look like there is audio available as I'm writing this) perhaps would have clued me in to the fact that his takes place in Australia (if the audio had an accent - it just took me a little bit to figure that out. Not that an Australian setting is essential to the storyline, just lots of cities/locales and food/drink mentions - had to look up lemon squash drink!)
I've enjoyed "what if" books ... if you could go back and change something, take a different life path. Books like The Midnight Library, The Unusual Second Life of Thomas Weaver, Dark Matter, Wrong Place Wrong Time are intriguing to me. Sometimes it's hard NOT to have some imaginings of reliving certain times.
Here - our MC finds her teenage journals (I'm a little older, so MY teen years would be about a decade before, 1980s but I've got them!) and gets a little lost in reading what she'd written back then. A "youth compound" supplement drink (it's never really explained HOW this time travel takes happens) pops her back into the time she had just been reading about. She has about 12 hours there, then bops back into her regular life ... and no "Back to the Future" time continuum issues, no matter what she did, HER life here is still the same timeline as originally (is there now an alternate reality branching off from her actions when she went back, we don't know). She goes back a few times. Gets to see her grandma again, figures she'll check out her husband (he was about her age in the same area, although she didn't know him then - he's not the most forthcoming about his past in the present).
Let me tell you - this didn't go how I might have expected. SPOILER Not your traditional "romance", but perhaps not unrealistic (time travel aside). Grandma says "there isn’t just one person who can make you feel alive. I think the statistics are much kinder than that. So, don’t be miserable your whole life and think you’re stuck or not going to find a better situation down the track, because you will."
Just a couple notes of interest (Australian things?) The MC is in high school in 1996, and as she goes back she tries to remember "What time does school start? Was it eight thirty or nine?" ... schools here start at 7:30, but there has been talk that teens could use a later starting time. I had early morning seminary (and my son now goes to shoot hoops early) - arriving at 6:00 am. Talk of drinking ... indicating 18 is the age alcohol is allowed (in the U.S. it's 21). Sizzler and cheesy pan bread ... yummy, it's been a long time!
At first I wasn't thinking I'd continue on with the series - I felt like there was a decent wrap-up (this is her life now ... will she go back again, maybe, maybe not). I read a little of the next book (included at the end) and I guess I'll continue on and see what else might happen.
I've enjoyed "what if" books ... if you could go back and change something, take a different life path. Books like The Midnight Library, The Unusual Second Life of Thomas Weaver, Dark Matter, Wrong Place Wrong Time are intriguing to me. Sometimes it's hard NOT to have some imaginings of reliving certain times.
Here - our MC finds her teenage journals (I'm a little older, so MY teen years would be about a decade before, 1980s but I've got them!) and gets a little lost in reading what she'd written back then. A "youth compound" supplement drink (it's never really explained HOW this time travel takes happens) pops her back into the time she had just been reading about. She has about 12 hours there, then bops back into her regular life ... and no "Back to the Future" time continuum issues, no matter what she did, HER life here is still the same timeline as originally (is there now an alternate reality branching off from her actions when she went back, we don't know). She goes back a few times. Gets to see her grandma again, figures she'll check out her husband (he was about her age in the same area, although she didn't know him then - he's not the most forthcoming about his past in the present).
Let me tell you - this didn't go how I might have expected. SPOILER Not your traditional "romance", but perhaps not unrealistic (time travel aside). Grandma says "there isn’t just one person who can make you feel alive. I think the statistics are much kinder than that. So, don’t be miserable your whole life and think you’re stuck or not going to find a better situation down the track, because you will."
Just a couple notes of interest (Australian things?) The MC is in high school in 1996, and as she goes back she tries to remember "What time does school start? Was it eight thirty or nine?" ... schools here start at 7:30, but there has been talk that teens could use a later starting time. I had early morning seminary (and my son now goes to shoot hoops early) - arriving at 6:00 am. Talk of drinking ... indicating 18 is the age alcohol is allowed (in the U.S. it's 21). Sizzler and cheesy pan bread ... yummy, it's been a long time!
At first I wasn't thinking I'd continue on with the series - I felt like there was a decent wrap-up (this is her life now ... will she go back again, maybe, maybe not). I read a little of the next book (included at the end) and I guess I'll continue on and see what else might happen.
February 26, 2025
***Spoilers included***
This was the first book I read for the new year and the only one I completed for January (and I’m finally writing the review at the end of February…). I got this book when I had my first child in 2022 and frankly was in such severe postpartum depression I was afraid to read anything about time travel in case it depressed me further (I fantasized about going back to my pre-baby life. Don’t worry-I’m fine now, have another baby and love my life. My first kid was just a very demanding newborn and I wasn’t getting sleep). Anyway, after having my second baby, I decided to attempt a read I knew would be easy to try to jump back into reading after my hiatus post baby.
This book was definitely a light read; it reads like YA, but is about a woman who is unhappy in her marriage, so I don’t think it would really appeal to teenagers. Basically, Anna goes back in time and re-lives some of her experiences, learning from them, but can’t change the past. This was pretty disappointing for me. I thought the whole “she’s learning from her past” was just boring and would have been more invested if she was capable of changing it. Plus, all of the alternate timelines were way too much to come up with and frankly too ambitious for this author’s craft. I did get Being Erica vibes, although Erica was able to change the future to some extent and the show was far superior.
I loved the nostalgic aspects, like thinking about how hair straighteners weren’t a thing back in the 90s and so on. But otherwise, the story was a bit bizarre. How is Anna the sympathetic character when she stalks her husband in the past, contacts his ex-girlfriend in the present, then practically pushes him to be with her? It was awful how quickly he transitioned, but then again, she clearly wanted it to happen.
I also thought it was super creepy that McManus made Kurt and adult and young Anna a teenager who keeps getting hit on by him in every reality.
Anyway, I saw there was a sequel and I’m not very interested. It sounds even less about nostalgia and, again, since she can’t change the past, I’m not very invested.
Final thoughts:
-I have never heard of a high school that begins at 8:30.
-There is no way she would have figured out her class schedule so easily.
This was the first book I read for the new year and the only one I completed for January (and I’m finally writing the review at the end of February…). I got this book when I had my first child in 2022 and frankly was in such severe postpartum depression I was afraid to read anything about time travel in case it depressed me further (I fantasized about going back to my pre-baby life. Don’t worry-I’m fine now, have another baby and love my life. My first kid was just a very demanding newborn and I wasn’t getting sleep). Anyway, after having my second baby, I decided to attempt a read I knew would be easy to try to jump back into reading after my hiatus post baby.
This book was definitely a light read; it reads like YA, but is about a woman who is unhappy in her marriage, so I don’t think it would really appeal to teenagers. Basically, Anna goes back in time and re-lives some of her experiences, learning from them, but can’t change the past. This was pretty disappointing for me. I thought the whole “she’s learning from her past” was just boring and would have been more invested if she was capable of changing it. Plus, all of the alternate timelines were way too much to come up with and frankly too ambitious for this author’s craft. I did get Being Erica vibes, although Erica was able to change the future to some extent and the show was far superior.
I loved the nostalgic aspects, like thinking about how hair straighteners weren’t a thing back in the 90s and so on. But otherwise, the story was a bit bizarre. How is Anna the sympathetic character when she stalks her husband in the past, contacts his ex-girlfriend in the present, then practically pushes him to be with her? It was awful how quickly he transitioned, but then again, she clearly wanted it to happen.
I also thought it was super creepy that McManus made Kurt and adult and young Anna a teenager who keeps getting hit on by him in every reality.
Anyway, I saw there was a sequel and I’m not very interested. It sounds even less about nostalgia and, again, since she can’t change the past, I’m not very invested.
Final thoughts:
-I have never heard of a high school that begins at 8:30.
-There is no way she would have figured out her class schedule so easily.
April 24, 2020
An Austrailian chick-lit book involving time travel and lots of nineties nostalgia, 1996 was kind of stupid, but it was fun and easy and lately, that's exactly all I am able to handle/ focus on when reading, so it gets 3 stars even though under non-quarantine times, it would probably earn 2. I enjoyed the escapism of the idea of being able to deliberately slip into our teenage bodies and lives, and I appreciated that the story included parts where the suddenly/temporarily teenaged protagonist was able to spend time with and fully appreciate grandparents and friends with whom she'd lost touch with and remember what made these people so special and important parts of her life during those formative years. It was a tinge of realism in an otherwise totally unbelievable book.
My reviews are likely going to be vague and short for the most part-- I got way behind, and had started a bunch of books all at once right as the world all kind of shut down and I've had trouble staying focused enough to finish books. Yesterday I turned all my internet off and forced myself to read for several hours and am going to try to catch up here and with my reading in general over the next few weeks. It is unnatural to me to have to force myself to read, but like many folks, I'm easily distracted and riddled with anxiety, so am trying to figure out the best ways to get back into my favorite leisure activity-- right now, for me, treating my Goodreads reading goal as some kind of imaginary professor's assignment is what is helping me stay off of the internet, obsessively reading science articles and journals and trying to focus on things that have nothing to do with this nightmare of a global pandemic that keeps killing people by the thousand. Life is weird and precious in metro-Detroit, MI these days-gratitude and keeping my household sane, safe, and smiling each day is prioritized over pretty much everything else - I'm happy to just read again, even if my reviews are garbage. Baby steps.
My reviews are likely going to be vague and short for the most part-- I got way behind, and had started a bunch of books all at once right as the world all kind of shut down and I've had trouble staying focused enough to finish books. Yesterday I turned all my internet off and forced myself to read for several hours and am going to try to catch up here and with my reading in general over the next few weeks. It is unnatural to me to have to force myself to read, but like many folks, I'm easily distracted and riddled with anxiety, so am trying to figure out the best ways to get back into my favorite leisure activity-- right now, for me, treating my Goodreads reading goal as some kind of imaginary professor's assignment is what is helping me stay off of the internet, obsessively reading science articles and journals and trying to focus on things that have nothing to do with this nightmare of a global pandemic that keeps killing people by the thousand. Life is weird and precious in metro-Detroit, MI these days-gratitude and keeping my household sane, safe, and smiling each day is prioritized over pretty much everything else - I'm happy to just read again, even if my reviews are garbage. Baby steps.
July 27, 2023
Cómo es posible que 220 páginas se sintieran como 500, es un misterio.
1996 es de esos libros que tienen una premisa que te engancha y te dice ESTO ES ESTUPENDO pero entonces empiezas a leer y es una decepción tras otra. No llenó nada de lo que te promete.
La sinopsis te dice que el esposo de Anna y su reticencia a hablar del pasado empieza a mover la trama, que es por eso precisamente que ella viaja al pasado. Sin embargo, el wey no tiene nada que ver en su viaje al pasado, además de que durante medio libro apenas y aparece.
Dicho esto, la mitad de la historia es una sucesión de escenas sin repercusión en la trama que lo único que hacen es quizás tocar en la nostalgia de la protagonista por su adolescencia; y la otra mitad es lo que te dice la sinopsis, pero desarrollado y resuelto de forma abrupta, rápida y sin sentido.
Que me digan que hay dos personajes que tienen un conflicto desde hace años, pero que lo resuelven con un "jaja, disculpa por lo que pasó", me parece incoherente, sumando que me dicen que Anna lleva como diez años de matrimonio pero solo ahora por arte de magia empieza a ver las falencias en su matrimonio. Y lo peor, todos alrededor le salen con "siempre supe que no era para ti *aunque nunca te dijimos nada, jeje*". Con esos seres queridos para qué enemigos.
En fin. Fue decepcionante. Pero lo leí con Pau, mi soulmate literaria, y eso ayudó a que lo terminara porque tenía a alguien con quien viborear a gusto jasjasja ♥ Pau, si ves esto, love you ♥
1996 es de esos libros que tienen una premisa que te engancha y te dice ESTO ES ESTUPENDO pero entonces empiezas a leer y es una decepción tras otra. No llenó nada de lo que te promete.
La sinopsis te dice que el esposo de Anna y su reticencia a hablar del pasado empieza a mover la trama, que es por eso precisamente que ella viaja al pasado. Sin embargo, el wey no tiene nada que ver en su viaje al pasado, además de que durante medio libro apenas y aparece.
Dicho esto, la mitad de la historia es una sucesión de escenas sin repercusión en la trama que lo único que hacen es quizás tocar en la nostalgia de la protagonista por su adolescencia; y la otra mitad es lo que te dice la sinopsis, pero desarrollado y resuelto de forma abrupta, rápida y sin sentido.
Que me digan que hay dos personajes que tienen un conflicto desde hace años, pero que lo resuelven con un "jaja, disculpa por lo que pasó", me parece incoherente, sumando que me dicen que Anna lleva como diez años de matrimonio pero solo ahora por arte de magia empieza a ver las falencias en su matrimonio. Y lo peor, todos alrededor le salen con "siempre supe que no era para ti *aunque nunca te dijimos nada, jeje*". Con esos seres queridos para qué enemigos.
En fin. Fue decepcionante. Pero lo leí con Pau, mi soulmate literaria, y eso ayudó a que lo terminara porque tenía a alguien con quien viborear a gusto jasjasja ♥ Pau, si ves esto, love you ♥
December 28, 2018
Being the exact same age as the protagonist of this novel, I was intrigued when I read the blurb. I have fond memories of 1996 and I was curious to see how Anna would handle the time traveling aspect. Then I read the first chapter and I was filled with regret - it was wordy, the dialogue stilted, there was an info dump, and I had no good opinion of the protagonist or her spouse. But something happened.
Somehow this cute little novel that was off to an awkward start transformed into so much more during the first time travel. Oh, the hardship of being a teenager! Never mind a thirtysomething stuck in the body of a sixteen-year-old. I stopped cataloging what didn't work for me and instead just enjoyed the story. I lived for Anna's friendship with Kelsey, I started to look forward to every run in with That Guy. It inspired me to see my own life through a new lens. How often do we settle for the path of least resistance? And how realistic is it to hold onto childhood dreams and aspirations conjured up when you have no idea of the sacrifice it takes to fulfil them?
The first chapter aside, I had one minor quibble - I'm not sure how realistic it is to reconnect with the people you were friends with when you were sixteen. But maybe I'm a cynic. Either way, I loved this delightful little novel and can't wait to read 1997.
An ARC was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Somehow this cute little novel that was off to an awkward start transformed into so much more during the first time travel. Oh, the hardship of being a teenager! Never mind a thirtysomething stuck in the body of a sixteen-year-old. I stopped cataloging what didn't work for me and instead just enjoyed the story. I lived for Anna's friendship with Kelsey, I started to look forward to every run in with That Guy. It inspired me to see my own life through a new lens. How often do we settle for the path of least resistance? And how realistic is it to hold onto childhood dreams and aspirations conjured up when you have no idea of the sacrifice it takes to fulfil them?
The first chapter aside, I had one minor quibble - I'm not sure how realistic it is to reconnect with the people you were friends with when you were sixteen. But maybe I'm a cynic. Either way, I loved this delightful little novel and can't wait to read 1997.
An ARC was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
September 17, 2023
1996 was a fun read where Anna is living a stagnant life until the “youth compound” powder shows up on her doorstep and completely changes her life. Her and her husband are living a mediocre life where he doesn’t seem to really connect with Anna. She is content but can’t help but want more from him. She also doesn’t have the best relationship with her sister and has lost touch with her high school best friend. All of that changes when she takes some of the youth compound powder and goes back to 1996 for 12 hrs a couple of different times. She reconnects with her best friend, sees her grandmother a few more times, and even sees her husband in his past. He is not a nice guy and had a whole past that he kept from her- even a high school love. Anna comes back to the present time questioning things and wanting more out of her life.
In the end, she ends up leaving her husband to find someone who she can have a deeper connection with, rekindles her relationship with her high school bestie, works on her and her sister’s relationship and starts focusing more on what brings her joy in life. I’m excited to read the next book in the series!
In the end, she ends up leaving her husband to find someone who she can have a deeper connection with, rekindles her relationship with her high school bestie, works on her and her sister’s relationship and starts focusing more on what brings her joy in life. I’m excited to read the next book in the series!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 14, 2019
Expected fun, found a serious read about relationships
I wasn't sure what to expect with this one - time travel all the way back to 1996? Egads! The wonders of the time and the progress between the years have never shone so clearly. Without spoilers - and typing quickly so I can binge read on to the next in the series - here we go.
The lead character happens upon a magic formula that surprisingly puts her back into her younger self, in 1996. The first jump is emotional, seeing people decades earlier and appreciating them more for the years past. The book see saws between past and present, with some character overlap. It's unique enough to be curious where things are heading next, despite some hunches.
An example of the writing:
"I’ve always had a soft spot for long-haired boys who look like they stay up all night playing guitar and drinking scotch on the rocks. Which makes me wonder why I didn’t end up with one. Actually, I know the reason. Guys like that make terrible long-term boyfriends, often being unemployed and depressed artistic types."
I wasn't sure what to expect with this one - time travel all the way back to 1996? Egads! The wonders of the time and the progress between the years have never shone so clearly. Without spoilers - and typing quickly so I can binge read on to the next in the series - here we go.
The lead character happens upon a magic formula that surprisingly puts her back into her younger self, in 1996. The first jump is emotional, seeing people decades earlier and appreciating them more for the years past. The book see saws between past and present, with some character overlap. It's unique enough to be curious where things are heading next, despite some hunches.
An example of the writing:
"I’ve always had a soft spot for long-haired boys who look like they stay up all night playing guitar and drinking scotch on the rocks. Which makes me wonder why I didn’t end up with one. Actually, I know the reason. Guys like that make terrible long-term boyfriends, often being unemployed and depressed artistic types."
March 2, 2019
I had such mixed reactions to this book. The premise was fun and interesting. I enjoyed the 90s stuff and the look back at where Anna came from, and her emotions of seeing how her family and hometown used to be. I also liked the unique handling of time travel.
The first 10% of the story seemed awkward, corny and full of clichés and characters who didn't realistically question the situation. I almost put the book aside. After that, the story turned around and I was hooked. I even read over half the book in one sitting. I wish the ending hadn't been so abrupt though – I literally double-checked my e-reader to see if I was missing chapters. And my final quibble was with the budding relationship with a certain guy. Past Anna is physically 16 and he's 23. Even if she is over 30 "inside", he wouldn't be able to tell that upon meeting her. Not that he does anything bad. It just gave me a strange feeling.
The first 10% of the story seemed awkward, corny and full of clichés and characters who didn't realistically question the situation. I almost put the book aside. After that, the story turned around and I was hooked. I even read over half the book in one sitting. I wish the ending hadn't been so abrupt though – I literally double-checked my e-reader to see if I was missing chapters. And my final quibble was with the budding relationship with a certain guy. Past Anna is physically 16 and he's 23. Even if she is over 30 "inside", he wouldn't be able to tell that upon meeting her. Not that he does anything bad. It just gave me a strange feeling.
February 29, 2020
This was a quick fun and different read. The time travel aspect caught my eye and it was free on Amazon. Anna, the main character, receives a mysterious bottle with a substance which, when taken, takes her back twenty years to 1996, into her then current 16 year old self. After a couple of times of doing this, she discovers that nothing she does there has any effect on her present life. Knowing this, she goes back to try and find out some things that have been a mystery to her. However, what she discovers means that things will never be the same again.
I’m not sure that I liked the way that the concept of time travel was used here, but once I was over those misgivings, I was able to enjoy the way the book turned out. In a way, it was quite refreshing and there were believable characters, along with a decent storyline. There’s a sequel, 1997, which I may have to pick up soon to see what happens to Anna next.
I’m not sure that I liked the way that the concept of time travel was used here, but once I was over those misgivings, I was able to enjoy the way the book turned out. In a way, it was quite refreshing and there were believable characters, along with a decent storyline. There’s a sequel, 1997, which I may have to pick up soon to see what happens to Anna next.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 200 reviews