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Out of Time #4
Time Turns
As a consultant analyst for the most technologically advanced firms in the country, Danny Ferguson knows he’s seen a lot of crazy stuff, but nothing comes close to his newest position at the Temporal Research Institute, the world’s foremost time travel organisation.
The corrupted piece of code Ferguson found on the TRI’s closed network is a serious concern for Lysander O’Donohue, the director of the TRI. Unable to trust his own people—any one of whom might be the source—he’s forced to put all his trust in Danny to solve the mystery of the corrupt code and find the identity of the enemy within.
But when an unexpected temporal gate opens, a straightforward code analysis becomes something a lot more complicated.
The corrupted piece of code Ferguson found on the TRI’s closed network is a serious concern for Lysander O’Donohue, the director of the TRI. Unable to trust his own people—any one of whom might be the source—he’s forced to put all his trust in Danny to solve the mystery of the corrupt code and find the identity of the enemy within.
But when an unexpected temporal gate opens, a straightforward code analysis becomes something a lot more complicated.
400 pages, ebook
First published September 16, 2019
62 people want to read
About the author
C.B. Lewis
15 books25 followersA book-lover from infancy, C.B. has been writing and telling stories for as long as she can remember. Based in Edinburgh, she has diverse tastes and will quite happily attempt to write any genre, but always come back to history, fantasy, and sci-fi like an old friend. C. B. Lewis is small and Scottish and can often be spotted perched around historical monuments with her notepad and pen. She has been writing and telling tales for almost as long as she can remember, and has a brain that constantly fizzes with an abundance of ideas. If she’s not working on half a dozen things at once, it should be considered a slow day. She loves to travel and just has one continent left to complete her travel bingo card. A lot of the travel has also been research-based, and if pointed at any historical event, she will research it vociferously, just because she can. Normally, she is based in Edinburgh, where she tends toward the hermit-lifestyle, needing nothing but a kettle, a constant supply of tea, and – of course – the internet. There are no cats, no puppies, no significant others, only a lot of ideas, and an awful lot of typing. And occasionally, cake. Never forget the cake.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
December 28, 2019
4.5 stars. This is awesome! I love this Manchester-based time travel adventure romance series so much. It's smart, diverse, and exciting. This volume features: Time travel disasters! Cooking! Sabotage! Betrayal! Thrills! Cuddling! Earl Grey tea in times of crisis! I'm not sure this book stands alone and I definitely recommend reading this series from the beginning--there's a big story arc and recurring characters, plus there's a lot of stuff from earlier books that's very significant in this story.
I was looking forward to Lysander's story and I was not disappointed. As is usual in this series, two smart people fall in love while things go really wrong at the Temporal Research Institute. This is the penultimate book in the series and I will note that this book feels a bit like part one of the big climax. The ending is more like a pause in the ongoing action and the grande finale is still underway. Seriously bad stuff is happening and they haven't figured it all out yet. It's not a cliffhanger exactly, but the story isn't over yet (though there is an HFN for the romance fans), so people who don't like incomplete endings may wish to wait for the last book, which is due out in January 2020 (which is very soon--yay!).
Lysander's always been a bit of a badass mystery and I loved getting to know him better. He's the aloof, tough-as-nails, supersmart Director of the TRI, who's also a Canadian trans man of colour. I loved how Lysander's transness is a complete non-issue. It's mentioned very briefly and Danny doesn't even bat an eye. It's a wonderful scene. Books about trans people where their transness is a big part of the story are important, but books about trans people where their transness is completely unremarkable are also important. Danny's also a great character. He's a down-to-earth Scottish computer coding genius and a bit of a rascal who woos Lysander through cooking nice meals for him. I loved catching up with favourite characters from the previous books, as quite a few years have passed since the beginning. Janos and Jacob, both going grey, are proper secondary characters in this story, not just cameos.
The plot is exciting and smart and the writing is so snappy. This series has some of the best everyday, real-world diversity that I've come across in any series I've read so far. I am excited for the end of the series! I'm also sad that it's ending, because this is series is special and I love it dearly. Bring on the finale!
I was looking forward to Lysander's story and I was not disappointed. As is usual in this series, two smart people fall in love while things go really wrong at the Temporal Research Institute. This is the penultimate book in the series and I will note that this book feels a bit like part one of the big climax. The ending is more like a pause in the ongoing action and the grande finale is still underway. Seriously bad stuff is happening and they haven't figured it all out yet. It's not a cliffhanger exactly, but the story isn't over yet (though there is an HFN for the romance fans), so people who don't like incomplete endings may wish to wait for the last book, which is due out in January 2020 (which is very soon--yay!).
Lysander's always been a bit of a badass mystery and I loved getting to know him better. He's the aloof, tough-as-nails, supersmart Director of the TRI, who's also a Canadian trans man of colour. I loved how Lysander's transness is a complete non-issue. It's mentioned very briefly and Danny doesn't even bat an eye. It's a wonderful scene. Books about trans people where their transness is a big part of the story are important, but books about trans people where their transness is completely unremarkable are also important. Danny's also a great character. He's a down-to-earth Scottish computer coding genius and a bit of a rascal who woos Lysander through cooking nice meals for him. I loved catching up with favourite characters from the previous books, as quite a few years have passed since the beginning. Janos and Jacob, both going grey, are proper secondary characters in this story, not just cameos.
The plot is exciting and smart and the writing is so snappy. This series has some of the best everyday, real-world diversity that I've come across in any series I've read so far. I am excited for the end of the series! I'm also sad that it's ending, because this is series is special and I love it dearly. Bring on the finale!
October 29, 2019
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.5 stars
Time Turns is the fourth book in the Out of Time series and I think it is best enjoyed reading the books in order. The focus of the story is a compress time narrative, with Danny and Lysander spending roughly four weeks in close contact and experiencing a strong attraction for one another. Danny’s nurturing instincts really pull Lysander along and out of the funk he falls into when Danny’s de-coding leads to an unlikely, but undeniable, suspect for the coding breaches. For me, I had a strong suspicion about the saboteur, but the writing provided excellent misdirection, which made the suspense build in rewarding ways.
Like previous titles, this story is heavy on both the romance and the sci-fi elements. It’s easy to imagine this near-future with instant connectivity and self-driving pod cars, and ethical dilemmas surrounding time travelers interfering with timelines into the future. Danny’s a quirky genius and I enjoyed being in his head. Lysander is a trans man, and his insecurities surrounding his dodgy relationship history and negative interactions with family and partners slows the seduction in believable ways. Danny is a bit relentless in his caretaking of Lysander, however, which allows Lysander to build sufficient trust to reach for his desire thanks to their growing rapport. Also, their sexy times are as mutually rewarding as their cuddle times and their tender confidences.
Read Veronica’s review in its entirety here.
4.5 stars
Time Turns is the fourth book in the Out of Time series and I think it is best enjoyed reading the books in order. The focus of the story is a compress time narrative, with Danny and Lysander spending roughly four weeks in close contact and experiencing a strong attraction for one another. Danny’s nurturing instincts really pull Lysander along and out of the funk he falls into when Danny’s de-coding leads to an unlikely, but undeniable, suspect for the coding breaches. For me, I had a strong suspicion about the saboteur, but the writing provided excellent misdirection, which made the suspense build in rewarding ways.
Like previous titles, this story is heavy on both the romance and the sci-fi elements. It’s easy to imagine this near-future with instant connectivity and self-driving pod cars, and ethical dilemmas surrounding time travelers interfering with timelines into the future. Danny’s a quirky genius and I enjoyed being in his head. Lysander is a trans man, and his insecurities surrounding his dodgy relationship history and negative interactions with family and partners slows the seduction in believable ways. Danny is a bit relentless in his caretaking of Lysander, however, which allows Lysander to build sufficient trust to reach for his desire thanks to their growing rapport. Also, their sexy times are as mutually rewarding as their cuddle times and their tender confidences.
Read Veronica’s review in its entirety here.
September 27, 2020
Disappointed with this one unfortunately. Admittedly, I had lost sight of this series and took a while to get back into it, but there really was only one person the 'traitor' could have been, it was fairly obvious AND I didn't get much of a connection between the 2 MC's either. I admit to skimming...don't like doing it, but things definitely dragged. I will still read the finale as I've already bought it.
September 2, 2019
Thanks to Netgalley for the complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
This is the fourth book in the Out of Time series, but can be read as a standalone. It's my first introduction to the time travel series, and the use of their gates to travel reminded me of Stargate.
The world and characters felt established, but I didn't feel lost as they referred to things that happened in previous books. Instead, it makes me want to go hunt those down.
I'm not normally a big fan of time travel books, but there wasn't any going into the past or future to change things. Instead it focused on an internal coding issue, which Danny is brought in to help figure out.
I loved Danny's need to take care of people by bringing them food as well as his attention to detail, and focused dedication to figure out the puzzle he's presented.
Lysander was a great character too. Even though he was the head of the TRI, the author did a good job of showing his vulnerable side. It was really sweet to see the way they supported each other through the lockdown/crisis.
And the mystery was good too. I had an inkling who the culprit was, but wasn't sure until it was revealed. I'll definitely be watching for the next in the series.
This is the fourth book in the Out of Time series, but can be read as a standalone. It's my first introduction to the time travel series, and the use of their gates to travel reminded me of Stargate.
The world and characters felt established, but I didn't feel lost as they referred to things that happened in previous books. Instead, it makes me want to go hunt those down.
I'm not normally a big fan of time travel books, but there wasn't any going into the past or future to change things. Instead it focused on an internal coding issue, which Danny is brought in to help figure out.
I loved Danny's need to take care of people by bringing them food as well as his attention to detail, and focused dedication to figure out the puzzle he's presented.
Lysander was a great character too. Even though he was the head of the TRI, the author did a good job of showing his vulnerable side. It was really sweet to see the way they supported each other through the lockdown/crisis.
And the mystery was good too. I had an inkling who the culprit was, but wasn't sure until it was revealed. I'll definitely be watching for the next in the series.
September 22, 2019
Review excerpted from my blog post over at FanSciHist (https://fanscihist.wordpress.com/2019...)
My Rating: 3.5 stars
Library recommendation: Recommended for public library LGBTQIA collections.
Warning: Hereafter, you chance spoilers. I will try never to reveal major plot points, but to review any book, you must reveal some parts of the story.
___________________
Number of titles I have read by this author: 1
Love story speed: Insta-attraction; medium burn
Relationship dynamics: The Powerful Executive (H1) / The Brilliant Programmer (H2)
Sexual content: Some; both on-screen and explicit. Includes anal sex.
Sexuality and Gender: one of the heroes is ftm transgender and gay; the other is cisgender and, while not explicitly stated, seems to be pansexual.
Triggers: None.
Grammar/Editing: This ARC had some typos, increasing in frequency throughout the book.
Review: If you are a reader who would like romance to be the central element of the novels you read, this one is probably not for you – the romance is important, but there is a lot of focus on the time travel plot line, which made the pacing of this novel seem a bit slow, especially given the length of the book. That being said, the world building in this novel, set 50 years in the future of Earth, is fairly good: the physics and programming are consistent, although some explanations of time travel events could have been more clearly explained; and, while some of the computer programming is realistic in contemporary terms, much of it falls very much in the realm of science fiction (I consulted with a computer programmer to confirm this).
Danny and Lysander are certainly a cute couple, but they both have flaws that prevent them from spending much time together: Lysander has an overdeveloped sense of personal responsibility in his work and Danny, while affecting an attitude of mediocrity, displays similar traits of workaholism. That being said, Danny is a carer and this is the defining characteristic of their relationship in this book. Lysander takes comfort in Danny and Danny gives a lot to the relationship. It definitely feels a bit lopsided in terms of give-and-take. This relationship also feels more like an HFN than an HEA, which won’t be for everyone. The supporting characters are mostly recurring from previous books in the series. In reading, it feels very much like you have entered an ongoing camaraderie and perhaps should know some of the in-jokes. In this respect, it may be better to read the series in order to enrich the reading experience. The nice thing that I noted about this novel is how accepting the supporting characters are of diverse sexualities: anyone who doesn’t approve is generally off-screen, and very much relegated to the status of “other.”
Canteen review version: The menu at this canteen could be hit or miss for some; there are certainly some tasty offerings, some options are bland, but thankfully, none of the menu is unpalatable and the atmosphere is welcoming.
Full disclosure: I received a free advance review copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
My Rating: 3.5 stars
Library recommendation: Recommended for public library LGBTQIA collections.
Warning: Hereafter, you chance spoilers. I will try never to reveal major plot points, but to review any book, you must reveal some parts of the story.
___________________
Number of titles I have read by this author: 1
Love story speed: Insta-attraction; medium burn
Relationship dynamics: The Powerful Executive (H1) / The Brilliant Programmer (H2)
Sexual content: Some; both on-screen and explicit. Includes anal sex.
Sexuality and Gender: one of the heroes is ftm transgender and gay; the other is cisgender and, while not explicitly stated, seems to be pansexual.
Triggers: None.
Grammar/Editing: This ARC had some typos, increasing in frequency throughout the book.
Review: If you are a reader who would like romance to be the central element of the novels you read, this one is probably not for you – the romance is important, but there is a lot of focus on the time travel plot line, which made the pacing of this novel seem a bit slow, especially given the length of the book. That being said, the world building in this novel, set 50 years in the future of Earth, is fairly good: the physics and programming are consistent, although some explanations of time travel events could have been more clearly explained; and, while some of the computer programming is realistic in contemporary terms, much of it falls very much in the realm of science fiction (I consulted with a computer programmer to confirm this).
Danny and Lysander are certainly a cute couple, but they both have flaws that prevent them from spending much time together: Lysander has an overdeveloped sense of personal responsibility in his work and Danny, while affecting an attitude of mediocrity, displays similar traits of workaholism. That being said, Danny is a carer and this is the defining characteristic of their relationship in this book. Lysander takes comfort in Danny and Danny gives a lot to the relationship. It definitely feels a bit lopsided in terms of give-and-take. This relationship also feels more like an HFN than an HEA, which won’t be for everyone. The supporting characters are mostly recurring from previous books in the series. In reading, it feels very much like you have entered an ongoing camaraderie and perhaps should know some of the in-jokes. In this respect, it may be better to read the series in order to enrich the reading experience. The nice thing that I noted about this novel is how accepting the supporting characters are of diverse sexualities: anyone who doesn’t approve is generally off-screen, and very much relegated to the status of “other.”
Canteen review version: The menu at this canteen could be hit or miss for some; there are certainly some tasty offerings, some options are bland, but thankfully, none of the menu is unpalatable and the atmosphere is welcoming.
Full disclosure: I received a free advance review copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
September 10, 2019
When Danny Ferguson, a brilliant coding analyst, finds corrupt code from the data that Temporal Research Institute sends to Danny’s office, Lysander O’Donohue, director of TRI decides to bring Danny to TRI and work in-site. What they both discover next – other than the simmering attraction, of course – is that someone may play a hand in trying to manipulate TRI for their own purpose. And hell breaks loose…
C.B. Lewis returns this month with the penultimate title of her series, Out of Time. I believe this series should be read out of order, because as the story evolves, I realized how Lewis probably outlined the five books with one big arc, with all things that happened here in Time Turns all originated from first and second book.
Okay, the romance part first – I loved Lysander and Danny’s relationship progress. Danny is smart, cheeky, friendly, and caring – I LOVE how he first gains Lysander’s heart by sending him food *laugh*. Lysander maintains ‘mysterious leader’ persona at first, like he keeps people at arm’s length, but he sure shares things with Danny that he doesn’t tell anyone. It was really sweet to read.
I also loved that Danny didn’t push Lysander about acknowledging their relationship at the workplace. Danny understands their situation, he knows when to keep quiet, even if he pays attention to a lot of things.
Now, apart of the romance part, there’s a bigger plot surrounding Danny and Lysander. Corrupt codes, a case that is similar to the event of the first book (), and of course, a HUGE betrayal from one of the characters. I still reserve my opinion about this unexpected turn of events. I am going to give the character a chance to redeem themselves and to explain. I believe it will be the plot for the final book.
This book clocks in around 123k words – or translated into roughly 400 pages in my Kindle. Although maybe it can be slightly trimmed but I can’t say that the story feels dragged. In fact, it moves in good steady pace and the author manages to throw in some surprises in between. I may think that the timeline (from the first book) is still a little blurry, but I can take everything in stride because I enjoy the writing, the story, and the characters.
If I’m not mistaken, the final book will be released early next year. I really can’t wait for it!
The ARC is provided by the publisher via Netgalley for an exchange of fair and honest review. No high rating is required for any ARC received.
C.B. Lewis returns this month with the penultimate title of her series, Out of Time. I believe this series should be read out of order, because as the story evolves, I realized how Lewis probably outlined the five books with one big arc, with all things that happened here in Time Turns all originated from first and second book.
Okay, the romance part first – I loved Lysander and Danny’s relationship progress. Danny is smart, cheeky, friendly, and caring – I LOVE how he first gains Lysander’s heart by sending him food *laugh*. Lysander maintains ‘mysterious leader’ persona at first, like he keeps people at arm’s length, but he sure shares things with Danny that he doesn’t tell anyone. It was really sweet to read.
I also loved that Danny didn’t push Lysander about acknowledging their relationship at the workplace. Danny understands their situation, he knows when to keep quiet, even if he pays attention to a lot of things.
Now, apart of the romance part, there’s a bigger plot surrounding Danny and Lysander. Corrupt codes, a case that is similar to the event of the first book (), and of course, a HUGE betrayal from one of the characters. I still reserve my opinion about this unexpected turn of events. I am going to give the character a chance to redeem themselves and to explain. I believe it will be the plot for the final book.
This book clocks in around 123k words – or translated into roughly 400 pages in my Kindle. Although maybe it can be slightly trimmed but I can’t say that the story feels dragged. In fact, it moves in good steady pace and the author manages to throw in some surprises in between. I may think that the timeline (from the first book) is still a little blurry, but I can take everything in stride because I enjoy the writing, the story, and the characters.
If I’m not mistaken, the final book will be released early next year. I really can’t wait for it!
The ARC is provided by the publisher via Netgalley for an exchange of fair and honest review. No high rating is required for any ARC received.
September 16, 2019
This has been another amazing series I’ve gotten the chance to read. I love it. Time travel, hacking, coding sneakiness, person from the past appearing. There are just problems popping up everywhere in this book and it’s taking a toll on the staff. Especially as they remember what happened when this happened before. And it wasn’t pretty. And it’s not pretty again.
Danny works for a company that helps solve coding problems. He’s been keeping an eye on an account from before when he’s noticed some discrepancies. And when he’s called in to work for the company that he’s been coding for, he’s in shock that it’s in TRI and he’s as happy as a clam. But soon he realizes there’s a lot more going on, especially with the hottie boss, Lysander. Who has a secret of his own. Danny realizes that whoever is doing this coding is underwriting and he isn’t sure how it’s going to turn out or where it’s coming from. Before he knows it, he’s caught up in a world of secrets, betrayals and more than he could imagine. While his relationship with Lysander is getting closer, the world around him is getting deeper in mystery. He can’t seem to figure out who is behind this and what the purpose is. When he finds out about the person from the past, they figure it’s all connected somehow, but can’t figure out how. Now everyone is in a rush to figure out how this happened, who’s involved, and how to adapt a man from the past into today’s society. And all before some really bad happens.
This is such an interesting story. Along with being a part of an interesting series as a whole. Most of the characters from the other books are back and helping to figure all this mess out. What I’ve loved as far as Lysander and Danny though, is that Lysander needed someone in his life who he could let his hair down with. Literally. And Danny wouldn’t take no for an answer. He wooed Lysander. Making him feel wanted and needed at a time when he needed it the most and it made all the difference. He didn’t push Lysander or make him feel pressured. He often let him lead to make sure he felt comfortable and safe. And I loved it. I love their relationship. Their banter and wit. They’re good for each other.
But the espionage and betrayals, secrets and everything else going on has made this one hell of a book too. It’s a mystery to be solved. It shows how strong they are and how they work together. And how they seem like a family. It’s a great book and series and i hope you guys give it a chance. It’s worth it.
http://lovebytesreviews.com/
Danny works for a company that helps solve coding problems. He’s been keeping an eye on an account from before when he’s noticed some discrepancies. And when he’s called in to work for the company that he’s been coding for, he’s in shock that it’s in TRI and he’s as happy as a clam. But soon he realizes there’s a lot more going on, especially with the hottie boss, Lysander. Who has a secret of his own. Danny realizes that whoever is doing this coding is underwriting and he isn’t sure how it’s going to turn out or where it’s coming from. Before he knows it, he’s caught up in a world of secrets, betrayals and more than he could imagine. While his relationship with Lysander is getting closer, the world around him is getting deeper in mystery. He can’t seem to figure out who is behind this and what the purpose is. When he finds out about the person from the past, they figure it’s all connected somehow, but can’t figure out how. Now everyone is in a rush to figure out how this happened, who’s involved, and how to adapt a man from the past into today’s society. And all before some really bad happens.
This is such an interesting story. Along with being a part of an interesting series as a whole. Most of the characters from the other books are back and helping to figure all this mess out. What I’ve loved as far as Lysander and Danny though, is that Lysander needed someone in his life who he could let his hair down with. Literally. And Danny wouldn’t take no for an answer. He wooed Lysander. Making him feel wanted and needed at a time when he needed it the most and it made all the difference. He didn’t push Lysander or make him feel pressured. He often let him lead to make sure he felt comfortable and safe. And I loved it. I love their relationship. Their banter and wit. They’re good for each other.
But the espionage and betrayals, secrets and everything else going on has made this one hell of a book too. It’s a mystery to be solved. It shows how strong they are and how they work together. And how they seem like a family. It’s a great book and series and i hope you guys give it a chance. It’s worth it.
http://lovebytesreviews.com/
September 2, 2019
This book is part of the Out Of Time series by C.B. Lewis, but don’t worry if you’re not caught up, this title can be read as a stand-alone. I haven’t read the rest of the series, but I have a feeling I will be reading it now.
Let me start with the characters. I loved Danny! He’s a Scotsman through and through. He’s a coder by trade and resorts to a bit of a drink when he needs to loosen up his brain and work on a puzzle. He’s open, caring and nurturing, funny and I adored him. Early on in the book, he accepts a lucrative short-term contract to work on a very secretive project solving a coding mystery.
When Danny arrives at his posting, he meets the man in charge, Lysander O’Donahue. Lysander is another very interesting character! He is all reserved strength and confidence behind his desk but has a tendency to carry too much weight on his shoulders.
Time Turns is a mystery of sorts. Set in the future, when time travel is tightly controlled and inspires awe in most people … it seems that someone is trying to undermine the Temporal Research Institute. Someone has been altering the coding behind the Institute’s work and Danny has been assigned to work out the mystery.
The longer Danny works at the Institute, the closer he gets to Lysander. They have a lovely relationship. Lysander seems to thrive off the nurturing spirit of Danny’s soul… and at the same time craves the control that Danny surrenders to him at times. They’re a very interesting pair because of their differences and the way that they relate to one another. I liked the ease they were quick to find in each other’s presence.
There are a couple of things that stand out… in that they don’t stand out. SPOILER COMING (in a way) Let’s see, about 1/3 of the way into the story, Lysander discloses that he is a Trans man. I say … it’s a spoiler in a way… because it’s just NOT that big a deal. I freaking loved that! Trans is just something that is part of who Lysander is… and Danny doesn’t really react to it at all. It’s just… something that is. THANK YOU, C.B. Lewis! Hopefully, we won’t all have to wait until 2065 to get that kind of inclusion.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it as many times as I’m able to… Queer isn’t the point of this novel… it’s just something that some of the characters happen to be.
Let me start with the characters. I loved Danny! He’s a Scotsman through and through. He’s a coder by trade and resorts to a bit of a drink when he needs to loosen up his brain and work on a puzzle. He’s open, caring and nurturing, funny and I adored him. Early on in the book, he accepts a lucrative short-term contract to work on a very secretive project solving a coding mystery.
When Danny arrives at his posting, he meets the man in charge, Lysander O’Donahue. Lysander is another very interesting character! He is all reserved strength and confidence behind his desk but has a tendency to carry too much weight on his shoulders.
Time Turns is a mystery of sorts. Set in the future, when time travel is tightly controlled and inspires awe in most people … it seems that someone is trying to undermine the Temporal Research Institute. Someone has been altering the coding behind the Institute’s work and Danny has been assigned to work out the mystery.
The longer Danny works at the Institute, the closer he gets to Lysander. They have a lovely relationship. Lysander seems to thrive off the nurturing spirit of Danny’s soul… and at the same time craves the control that Danny surrenders to him at times. They’re a very interesting pair because of their differences and the way that they relate to one another. I liked the ease they were quick to find in each other’s presence.
There are a couple of things that stand out… in that they don’t stand out. SPOILER COMING (in a way) Let’s see, about 1/3 of the way into the story, Lysander discloses that he is a Trans man. I say … it’s a spoiler in a way… because it’s just NOT that big a deal. I freaking loved that! Trans is just something that is part of who Lysander is… and Danny doesn’t really react to it at all. It’s just… something that is. THANK YOU, C.B. Lewis! Hopefully, we won’t all have to wait until 2065 to get that kind of inclusion.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it as many times as I’m able to… Queer isn’t the point of this novel… it’s just something that some of the characters happen to be.
October 28, 2019
I loved the romance between sweet, clever Danny, a coder/troubleshooter, and Lysander, his new sexy but aloof client/boss. I loved every scene where it was just the two of them, flirting and dating and dancing and eating and etc...And the plot started out interesting--who is manipulating the code base of a time travel organization--but it progressed very slowly and I found myself skimming. Maybe it would help if I had read the previous books (I jumped into #4 as a standalone). And the ending is not a direct cliff hanger but not really resolved either.
September 13, 2019
C.B. Lewis doesn't write bad books, but this one is my favourite and not just because Lysander is my favourite archetype. The balance between romance and thriller is perfect, the emotional beats piercing, and you don't need to read the previous books to catch the impact of the plot developments. I've read it at least three times now and each time I enjoy myself just as much.
(Full disclosure: I was an alpha-reader for this book and got so bloody engrossed I forgot to edit.)
(Full disclosure: I was an alpha-reader for this book and got so bloody engrossed I forgot to edit.)
October 16, 2019
This is the fourth book in a series, but can be read as a stand alone as I did. There are definitely references to events of previous books, but nothing that will leave you feeling like you are missing out on something major if you haven't read them. The characters are fun and engaging, even if some of Danny's Scottish-isms were incomprehensible to me XD The bits of mystery were well done with just enough clues to keep you guessing without giving everything away until it was ready.
September 14, 2019
A very nice M/M romance, I liked the characters and the story had depth and was interesting to read.
July 10, 2020
Tis always a joy to revisit the futuristic world of the Temporal Research Institute. There is no time traveling jaunts/adventures in this book - which is firmly focused on the administration aspects of the TRI (given that one of the MCs is Lysander O'Donohue - Director of the TRI). So whilst there is less of the hair-raising action found in a couple of the previous titles of the series - the stress and tension gets progressively ramped up as Mr Director gets thrown one curve ball after another ... internal systems being compromised, rogue time travel gates being opened, unwitting victims dragged across centuries dumped on his doorstep, long reaching arms reaching out from a past time-travel disaster, and one cocky buffed-up coding-genius consultant (Danny Ferguson) who keeps shoving food at him.
I love the diverse backgrounds represented by characters featured across the books in this series ... it's a multicultural mix reflected in the later Star Trek series; M-M romances have happened across racial lines in the past couple of books. I also appreciate the author allowing for significant passages of time to pass between books e.g. head-honcho Lysander is ignorant of some crucial historical facts involving the time gates/TRI just because he arrived on scene much later, some characters have literally grown up over the course of a couple of books (did someone mention Wesley Crusher?) But whilst MCs from previous volumes do make cameo appearances (albeit much older and maybe even retired) they don't distract from the current drama/dynamics. It is also nice to crank up my mental faculties when the temporal science talk starts up ... trying to makes sense of what could happen when people are flung back and forth across history. A solid 4 star read.
I love the diverse backgrounds represented by characters featured across the books in this series ... it's a multicultural mix reflected in the later Star Trek series; M-M romances have happened across racial lines in the past couple of books. I also appreciate the author allowing for significant passages of time to pass between books e.g. head-honcho Lysander is ignorant of some crucial historical facts involving the time gates/TRI just because he arrived on scene much later, some characters have literally grown up over the course of a couple of books (did someone mention Wesley Crusher?) But whilst MCs from previous volumes do make cameo appearances (albeit much older and maybe even retired) they don't distract from the current drama/dynamics. It is also nice to crank up my mental faculties when the temporal science talk starts up ... trying to makes sense of what could happen when people are flung back and forth across history. A solid 4 star read.
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