What do you think?
Rate this book
Time Change
In 1948, a film star sees a strange man in her photos.
In 2019, a writer sees a strange woman in his photos.
Film star and writer occupy the same beach house—71 years apart.
In an extraordinary moment, they meet face-to-face.
Hypnotic, original and intrepid. This story grabs you from the first page and never lets go.
—Peggy-Anne Lawford
Perfect Word Book Blog
Rita Randall, a celebrated film noir actress in 1948, leaves LA after a fatal confrontation. Clint West is a best-selling author in 2019, struggling to move on after the death of his wife. Rita and Clint travel to Long Island, New York and occupy the same beach house—seventy-one years apart.
When Rita appears in the background of Clint’s recent cell phone photos, he’s mystified. When Clint appears in Rita’s photos, she’s troubled and confused.
Clint investigates and learns about secret time travel experiments that were conducted in the area during the 1940s. Clint meets Oscar, a 95-year-old physicist, who had worked for the military in the 1940s and who had time traveled himself, using time portals.
During a thunderstorm, Rita wanders the beach. When she sees a rolling blue, misty wave charging toward her, she pivots and darts away. But there is no escape and she is swallowed, tossed and propelled forward into the future—to 2019.
Rita and Clint meet face-to-face, and their lives are changed forever.
In 2019, a writer sees a strange woman in his photos.
Film star and writer occupy the same beach house—71 years apart.
In an extraordinary moment, they meet face-to-face.
Hypnotic, original and intrepid. This story grabs you from the first page and never lets go.
—Peggy-Anne Lawford
Perfect Word Book Blog
Rita Randall, a celebrated film noir actress in 1948, leaves LA after a fatal confrontation. Clint West is a best-selling author in 2019, struggling to move on after the death of his wife. Rita and Clint travel to Long Island, New York and occupy the same beach house—seventy-one years apart.
When Rita appears in the background of Clint’s recent cell phone photos, he’s mystified. When Clint appears in Rita’s photos, she’s troubled and confused.
Clint investigates and learns about secret time travel experiments that were conducted in the area during the 1940s. Clint meets Oscar, a 95-year-old physicist, who had worked for the military in the 1940s and who had time traveled himself, using time portals.
During a thunderstorm, Rita wanders the beach. When she sees a rolling blue, misty wave charging toward her, she pivots and darts away. But there is no escape and she is swallowed, tossed and propelled forward into the future—to 2019.
Rita and Clint meet face-to-face, and their lives are changed forever.
303 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 18, 2019
About the author
Elyse Douglas
48 books367 followersElyse Douglas is the pen name for the husband and wife writing team of Elyse Parmentier and Douglas Pennington. Elyse began writing poems and short stories at an early age and graduated with a Master's Degree in English Literature. Douglas grew up in a family of musicians, astrologers, and avid readers. Some of Elyse Douglas' novels include: "Time Change," The Summer Letters," "Daring Summer," The Christmas Eve Series" and "Time Stranger." They reside in New York City.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews
September 30, 2019
Disappointing ending
The characters were great, the story line creative...and just as you get to the last , climactic pages...you're let down. What was it; writer's block, had to meet a deadline so the author just tacked on a glib, unimaginative ending? I enjoyed the suspense only to be dropped flat.
The characters were great, the story line creative...and just as you get to the last , climactic pages...you're let down. What was it; writer's block, had to meet a deadline so the author just tacked on a glib, unimaginative ending? I enjoyed the suspense only to be dropped flat.
February 28, 2026
great yarn
Time travel stories are usually about regret and second chances, and this did not disappoint! Especially enjoyed the world-building of late 40s LA. Will read more from these authors.
Time travel stories are usually about regret and second chances, and this did not disappoint! Especially enjoyed the world-building of late 40s LA. Will read more from these authors.
October 5, 2026
The narrator was really impressive, but the story itself was just okay. There were too many unanswered questions, and the ending was abrupt and raised more questions than it answered. I just expected more.
5-stars for the narrator and 2-stars for the story.
5-stars for the narrator and 2-stars for the story.
September 17, 2019
1948: Rita, a Hollywood actress, was tired of the spotlight. Tired of playing the mysterious femme fatale, she wants actually meet a nice man—her knight in shining armor. “But I’ve never really lived. I’ve never had the time to be truly in love… to really care about somebody other than myself…I haven’t fallen in love.” (18)
2019: Clint was a struggling novelist. Ever since his wife died, he became distant and withdrawn. “His heart was stone cold. He felt nothing.” (22)
Book relays two different stories—the stories of these two characters. After a violent attack from her agent, Rita flees a murder scene, trying to cover her tracks. What would she do if the cops found out? Would she get jail time? That would surely end her career and any possible hope of finding a husband and father for her daughter. Entranced by the classic beauty of one of the era’s leading actresses, Clint decides to learn more about Rita Randall and the scandal that had befallen her. Oddly enough, one of his neighbors seems to be the spitting image of Rita.
Two characters, lonely and unfulfilled, lost in deep and dark despair. Living decades apart, the characters, connected by the same soul, only see each other in captured images. How could they appear in each other’s lenses? What was this strange phenomenon? A time portal connecting the past and present? But what happens when one accidentally stumbles through the portal? Talk about Alice of Wonderland down the rabbit hole.
Story become topsy-turvy as each character swaps time. Characters are constantly trying to find each other in this strange time warp.
Time Change transcends across space, geography, and…time. A well-crafted and overall enjoyable read!
2019: Clint was a struggling novelist. Ever since his wife died, he became distant and withdrawn. “His heart was stone cold. He felt nothing.” (22)
Book relays two different stories—the stories of these two characters. After a violent attack from her agent, Rita flees a murder scene, trying to cover her tracks. What would she do if the cops found out? Would she get jail time? That would surely end her career and any possible hope of finding a husband and father for her daughter. Entranced by the classic beauty of one of the era’s leading actresses, Clint decides to learn more about Rita Randall and the scandal that had befallen her. Oddly enough, one of his neighbors seems to be the spitting image of Rita.
Two characters, lonely and unfulfilled, lost in deep and dark despair. Living decades apart, the characters, connected by the same soul, only see each other in captured images. How could they appear in each other’s lenses? What was this strange phenomenon? A time portal connecting the past and present? But what happens when one accidentally stumbles through the portal? Talk about Alice of Wonderland down the rabbit hole.
Story become topsy-turvy as each character swaps time. Characters are constantly trying to find each other in this strange time warp.
Time Change transcends across space, geography, and…time. A well-crafted and overall enjoyable read!
February 6, 2024
Hello, fellow readers. I'm back with another review of one of Elyse Douglas's books.
'Time Change' tells the story of Rita Randall, a famous noir actress of the Hollywood golden age, who escapes from a dangerous situation in 1948 and finds herself in 2019. She had just shot her agent, who tried to rape her then dumped his body back at his house. Returning home, she decides to walk on the beach. There, she encounters a mysterious blue vortex that transports her to the future. She meets Clint West, a best-selling author who lives in the same house that used to be hers. What follows is a fascinating journey of discovery, romance, and suspense. They must find a way to send Rita back to her own time for her daughter and change things regarding the agent before it's too late.
'Time Change' is a captivating novel that blends history, science fiction, and drama. The characters are well-developed and likable, and the plot is full of twists and turns. The author does a great job of portraying the contrast between the two eras and the challenges Rita faces in both. The warm and exciting writing style makes you feel like you're part of the story. If you're looking for a book that will keep you on the edge of your seat and make you fall in love with the characters, then 'Time Change' is for you. It's a perfect blend of action, romance, and mystery, with a touch of nostalgia and humor. I highly recommend it! Whoopee, now I only have 8 left!!!
• ASIN: B07S1814MK
• Publisher: Broadback
• Publication Date: 6/18/2019
• File Size: 1073 KB
• Print Length: 303 pages
• Genre: Time Travel Romance, Time Travel Romances, Time Travel Science Fiction
'Time Change' tells the story of Rita Randall, a famous noir actress of the Hollywood golden age, who escapes from a dangerous situation in 1948 and finds herself in 2019. She had just shot her agent, who tried to rape her then dumped his body back at his house. Returning home, she decides to walk on the beach. There, she encounters a mysterious blue vortex that transports her to the future. She meets Clint West, a best-selling author who lives in the same house that used to be hers. What follows is a fascinating journey of discovery, romance, and suspense. They must find a way to send Rita back to her own time for her daughter and change things regarding the agent before it's too late.
'Time Change' is a captivating novel that blends history, science fiction, and drama. The characters are well-developed and likable, and the plot is full of twists and turns. The author does a great job of portraying the contrast between the two eras and the challenges Rita faces in both. The warm and exciting writing style makes you feel like you're part of the story. If you're looking for a book that will keep you on the edge of your seat and make you fall in love with the characters, then 'Time Change' is for you. It's a perfect blend of action, romance, and mystery, with a touch of nostalgia and humor. I highly recommend it! Whoopee, now I only have 8 left!!!
• ASIN: B07S1814MK
• Publisher: Broadback
• Publication Date: 6/18/2019
• File Size: 1073 KB
• Print Length: 303 pages
• Genre: Time Travel Romance, Time Travel Romances, Time Travel Science Fiction
March 27, 2026
Quite enjoyed this TT Romance from Elyse Douglas. Would have rated it 4, but for some strange reason the end was rather abrupt. There was no sense of this throughout the story where plenty of time is allotted for side characters, conversations, indepth explanations and lots of detail. Then the last chapter is dropped on us, and it actually feels like an entire chapter is missing.
So,at what point did Clint arrive back in the past? He would have landed at the beach house, on Long Island. Did he contact the same friends for help? How did he find,Rita again? Didmshe know him? Was he okay when he landed? Was his memory intact right away? Did he still have the necklace in his hand? Would that mean there were now 2? If he went back to a time,before the accident, how did that work, since he was already there? Or was he? At what point did he disappear from the past, if not after the accident - in which case history would not have said Rita was alone in the car. OMG, the loopholes. It was going so well, then this weird crazy ending, anyway. 3⭐️⭐️⭐️
So,at what point did Clint arrive back in the past? He would have landed at the beach house, on Long Island. Did he contact the same friends for help? How did he find,Rita again? Didmshe know him? Was he okay when he landed? Was his memory intact right away? Did he still have the necklace in his hand? Would that mean there were now 2? If he went back to a time,before the accident, how did that work, since he was already there? Or was he? At what point did he disappear from the past, if not after the accident - in which case history would not have said Rita was alone in the car. OMG, the loopholes. It was going so well, then this weird crazy ending, anyway. 3⭐️⭐️⭐️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 12, 2019
I have enjoyed reading this story. I like the concept of time travel and look forward to the creative ways authors will find to bring this about. Elyse Douglas has been creative in doing so. The fascinating forties filled with people intent on making money from films in whatever way they can, be it producing, acting, directing or bringing people like Rita to the attention of filmmakers, like her agent Tony. Lots of famous people mentioned in the book were favorites of mine. Then there is Clint, the successful author trying to deal with the death of his wife, needing a change of scene. The setting of the beach house is an idyllic place for romance.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 12, 2021
Get Your Skates On!
As a keen fiction time-travel fan of course I was drawn to this book, but I wondered whether I would last the course, as it was fairly obvious that this was in real lovey-dovey mode.
However, having realised that this was indeed the case, I nonetheless persevered, and was nicely surprised that the story was interesting enough to carry the love bits.
1948 screen star actress meets 2019 writer, and a little journey backwards and forwards still held my interest, wondering where this was all going. Of course there's a nasty guy in it, and this adds real interest to the story as it chugs along.
So my final analysis, including the love angle, is that this is a worthwhile time-travel tale, so get your skates on, and get reading.
As a keen fiction time-travel fan of course I was drawn to this book, but I wondered whether I would last the course, as it was fairly obvious that this was in real lovey-dovey mode.
However, having realised that this was indeed the case, I nonetheless persevered, and was nicely surprised that the story was interesting enough to carry the love bits.
1948 screen star actress meets 2019 writer, and a little journey backwards and forwards still held my interest, wondering where this was all going. Of course there's a nasty guy in it, and this adds real interest to the story as it chugs along.
So my final analysis, including the love angle, is that this is a worthwhile time-travel tale, so get your skates on, and get reading.
November 12, 2019
I have mixed feelings about this book..It was we'll written and I liked it but I didn't love it..it was fun reading about Hollywood in the 1940's and the actors and actresses mentioned brought back sweet memories..I love a good time travel book but I guess that's where I was a bit disappointed..The back forth was a bit long, but it's probably just me..
I read "The Summer Letters" by the authors and I loved that one..Overall, I will be reading more of Elye Douglas's books and I think they are very talented authors....
I read "The Summer Letters" by the authors and I loved that one..Overall, I will be reading more of Elye Douglas's books and I think they are very talented authors....
July 5, 2019
I loved this time travel romance.
Finally! An answer to how time travel works explained by the expert in the story.
This was a real page-turner with a fresh look at time travel. The story was written with great characters and fabulous descriptions of 1948 Hollywood. How can two people who love each other manage to defeat the hands of time to stay together?
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Finally! An answer to how time travel works explained by the expert in the story.
This was a real page-turner with a fresh look at time travel. The story was written with great characters and fabulous descriptions of 1948 Hollywood. How can two people who love each other manage to defeat the hands of time to stay together?
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 6, 2019
From start to finish a captivating novel that takes place mostly in the past but also in the now. Rita is a film star in 1948 and Clint a best selling author in 2019. Following the story of Rita and Clint will having you turning pages and not wanting to put it down until you are finished. then will leave you wanting more of their story when it is finished.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 19, 2019
Captivating Time Travel Romance!
Wow! The chemistry between Noir Film Star Rita Randall and twenty-first century novelist Clint West is electrifying. Their love story is so intriguing I couldn’t stop reading. I loved the Hollywood history and the mystery behind the Montauk Project included. Wonderful, complex characters and unique twists with great HEA. Enjoy!
I received an advance copy and am happy to leave my honest review. I look forward to reading more from Elyse Douglas.
Wow! The chemistry between Noir Film Star Rita Randall and twenty-first century novelist Clint West is electrifying. Their love story is so intriguing I couldn’t stop reading. I loved the Hollywood history and the mystery behind the Montauk Project included. Wonderful, complex characters and unique twists with great HEA. Enjoy!
I received an advance copy and am happy to leave my honest review. I look forward to reading more from Elyse Douglas.
November 6, 2019
I love time travel stories and this one doesn’t disappoint
Clint and Rita find each other in a totally bizarre fashion. I found the story interesting and engaging. It took me only two nights to finish it. I love time travel stories and this one did not disappoint. Three lives changed in several ways and times. It made you want to root for Rita with Clint her savior...or could he be, actually.
Clint and Rita find each other in a totally bizarre fashion. I found the story interesting and engaging. It took me only two nights to finish it. I love time travel stories and this one did not disappoint. Three lives changed in several ways and times. It made you want to root for Rita with Clint her savior...or could he be, actually.
July 10, 2021
Great idea…somehow not satisfying
I couldn’t connect with the characters. Too much talking going on for pages and no action. I wanted to like rita and Clint, i just couldn’t. Repetitive conversations, ending not satisfying. I just didn’t care whether these two got together or not. I didn’t like the people in 1948 or 2019. Dialogue was stiff. No excitement building up. Just no emotion at all for me.
I couldn’t connect with the characters. Too much talking going on for pages and no action. I wanted to like rita and Clint, i just couldn’t. Repetitive conversations, ending not satisfying. I just didn’t care whether these two got together or not. I didn’t like the people in 1948 or 2019. Dialogue was stiff. No excitement building up. Just no emotion at all for me.
March 27, 2022
An Amazing Time Travel Romance!!
I loved all the drama in your novel!! I am a big fan of time travel stories and this was one of the best! The aspect of being able to travel back and forth in time made for a great story. I highly recommend that those of you who love this genre, read and be surprised by the climax of the novel. I know I was! Kudos Ms. Douglas and keep writing more great novels like this!😍
I loved all the drama in your novel!! I am a big fan of time travel stories and this was one of the best! The aspect of being able to travel back and forth in time made for a great story. I highly recommend that those of you who love this genre, read and be surprised by the climax of the novel. I know I was! Kudos Ms. Douglas and keep writing more great novels like this!😍
February 18, 2026
Terrific story
I live part of the year in Montauk, NY so finding a story about the research done in Montauk during WWII was a very pleasant surprise. I have read a lot about it and about all of the experiments done at that time. There is definitely something strange in Montauk - almost like in Sedona. It’s definitely fun to think about the possibility of time travel and making changes to the past.
This was a terrific story and one that would make an amazing film.
I live part of the year in Montauk, NY so finding a story about the research done in Montauk during WWII was a very pleasant surprise. I have read a lot about it and about all of the experiments done at that time. There is definitely something strange in Montauk - almost like in Sedona. It’s definitely fun to think about the possibility of time travel and making changes to the past.
This was a terrific story and one that would make an amazing film.
July 5, 2026
Thrilling
Loved the story of Rita and Clint. I don’t want to be a spoiler alert so I will just say the mysticism about the portal made this novel exciting and unpredictable. I loved that. The villain, “Tony”, truly scary character. I couldn’t put down the book. Totally sad when the novel ended. I felt that the epilogue could’ve been a bit longer. I felt a bit cheated…I wanted more!
Loved the story of Rita and Clint. I don’t want to be a spoiler alert so I will just say the mysticism about the portal made this novel exciting and unpredictable. I loved that. The villain, “Tony”, truly scary character. I couldn’t put down the book. Totally sad when the novel ended. I felt that the epilogue could’ve been a bit longer. I felt a bit cheated…I wanted more!
July 2, 2019
I really enjoyed this fast paced, creative, witty, fun, romantic, heart-warming, steamy time travel adventure. There were also some serious & scary moments too, but yay for happy endings. I can’t wait to read more by this author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 7, 2019
The author does a wonderful job of spanning different time periods. I think that is what stood out to me the most. Tying the two together, making sure we understand where we are in different points of the book, and making both times important to the outcome of the story.
It's a wonderfully written and beautiful piece of romance writing.
It's a wonderfully written and beautiful piece of romance writing.
August 13, 2019
Loved, loved this very entertaining Romance I truly enjoyed it. I could not put down until the end, a superbly enjoyable Time Travel Romance.
Very engaging characters all around, though!
So beautifully written. Wonderful characters and plots. Great passion, but no unnecessary graphic garbage. Hoping for many more!!
Very engaging characters all around, though!
So beautifully written. Wonderful characters and plots. Great passion, but no unnecessary graphic garbage. Hoping for many more!!
October 1, 2019
Take me away
A wonderful story of true love and the strength of belief .An addictive story, very enjoyable. I was entranced by the portals and the characters that were on either end. Movie Actors., Actresses, villians, friends and bewildered family . This is a fun read full of hope and dreams that come true for some, but not all.
A wonderful story of true love and the strength of belief .An addictive story, very enjoyable. I was entranced by the portals and the characters that were on either end. Movie Actors., Actresses, villians, friends and bewildered family . This is a fun read full of hope and dreams that come true for some, but not all.
June 27, 2020
Time Change
From 1948 and murder to 2019 moving across time a love story happens. After murder and back to 1948 the love story continues. Another murder and back to 2019. Not until 2023 did the love continue but back to 1948 and to get rid of the pest it drove into the ocean. So the love stayed in 1948.
From 1948 and murder to 2019 moving across time a love story happens. After murder and back to 1948 the love story continues. Another murder and back to 2019. Not until 2023 did the love continue but back to 1948 and to get rid of the pest it drove into the ocean. So the love stayed in 1948.
August 15, 2020
Review of Time Change
This has been the absolute best of all the time travel novels I have read by this author. Loved the location of the beach house , the blue wave getting ready to transport to another time and the the despair of the main character that turned first to hope and finally to infinite love.
This has been the absolute best of all the time travel novels I have read by this author. Loved the location of the beach house , the blue wave getting ready to transport to another time and the the despair of the main character that turned first to hope and finally to infinite love.
August 29, 2021
Love all of all of the books by this writing team. Have feeling this book needs sequel as in parts of this book her daughters becomes a drug addict and dies of an OD. In all of them her mother is dead. Right now hoping for sequel that follows Rita, Clint and her daughter with happier consequences for her.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 12, 2023
Time travel and old Hollywood
Elyse Douglas crafts a time twisting story of lovers joined and torn apart by capricious time warps. Excellent characters and plot that makes this book difficult to put down. Throw in the glitz and glamour of 1940s Hollywood and Time Change is now my new favorite time travel story.
Elyse Douglas crafts a time twisting story of lovers joined and torn apart by capricious time warps. Excellent characters and plot that makes this book difficult to put down. Throw in the glitz and glamour of 1940s Hollywood and Time Change is now my new favorite time travel story.
April 25, 2023
High Drama
A time portal, a beautiful actress from 1948 who has just killed a man, a writer in mourning...back and forth between 1948 and 2019, can the writer change the past? Prevent the shooting? Get the woman to fall in love with him? And what happens in a different timeline when she is murdered by the same man she killed? High drama and romance. Enjoy.
A time portal, a beautiful actress from 1948 who has just killed a man, a writer in mourning...back and forth between 1948 and 2019, can the writer change the past? Prevent the shooting? Get the woman to fall in love with him? And what happens in a different timeline when she is murdered by the same man she killed? High drama and romance. Enjoy.
June 2, 2023
Rita, an actress from 1948 suddenly shows up on Clint's beach house porch in 2019. How they develop a relationship and work to resolve the time issues made an interesting story. I must admit that I had the movie "Groundhog Day" in mind as I read it. It made me wonder if such things could be possible.
January 20, 2025
Outstanding 5+*
I absolutely loved this time travel romance. The characters were fabulous and creatively written to blend perfectly with each other. Romance with the perfect amount of suspense and mystery which makes you think, could this time change actually work. A must read story.
I absolutely loved this time travel romance. The characters were fabulous and creatively written to blend perfectly with each other. Romance with the perfect amount of suspense and mystery which makes you think, could this time change actually work. A must read story.
May 3, 2026
Easy to read. I won't read this author again, but I love the idea of time travel and for this reason I chose this book. An ideal book for a summer holiday read. This isn't Sebastian faulks, but it is a gripping read with a flowing plot that takes you on a journey between 1948 and 2019. Filled with the glamour of the movies from the 40s and often written in that style. Fun.
June 20, 2019
Best Elyse Douglas Book to date
I love historical romances and this story has that plus time travel. Love the characters, plot has cool twists and turns. Lots of interesting information about life as it was in 1948. Very good read.
I love historical romances and this story has that plus time travel. Love the characters, plot has cool twists and turns. Lots of interesting information about life as it was in 1948. Very good read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews