Time After Time: Backward

by Mary Margaret

Katherine is an English noble woman, raised by a harsh mother who is not willing to let her marry just anybody. When the man she was once betrothed to returns to England, Katherine is drawn to the handsome and charming man she'd only ever known as a boy, pulled toward him despite her own senses. But when the duty of family calls, Henry is forced to return to America, and becomes a casualty of the revolution.

Years later, Katherine's mother seals her fate, all but forcing her to marry a wealthy, distant member of the royal family to advance their status in society. But in the months before her wedding, Katherine could swear she is being pulled in a different direction by a familiar, unseen force...

321 pages, Paperback

Published June 23, 2020

Reviews

[Chryssie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness, this book tore my heart out!! 😢 What a phenomenal read. I absolutely loved it!! 💕

The ending of this incredible historical fiction took me completely by surprise. I was quite literally gobsmacked, shocked, mind blown… I did not AT ALL think the events that unfolded would happen. It was so sad!! 😭

I adored the main character, Katherine. I came to care about her so much and my heart went out to her the whole way through the story. Her character was bought to life so well that I understood her, and I found myself hoping for her and feeling emotion and helplessness for her when tragedy struck. Her brother Edward was so likeable as well, he was everything a brother should be, and I also adored William and Henry.

This sweeping story was one that I fell into and got swept away with. It is beautiful. I loved being all wrapped up in the old fashioned language and the lifestyles of that era. I can’t recommend this book highly enough for historical fiction lovers. This one is a MUST READ!! I am starting book number 2 straight away because I must know what happens next!! 5 stars!! 🌷

[Taylor l The Literary Lady l · Rating 4 out of 5]

@the_literarylady Review

I recieved a copy of Time After Time: Backward by the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Ok talk about a pleasant surprise! I had no idea what to expect from Mary Margarets writing but wow! Time After Time: Backward started off slow and I thought it was going to be a predictable read but I was so completely wrong! Mary is daring with her writing and with her characters. She is not afraid to step out of the box and make bold unexpected moves which I found very refreshing. The characterization was superb. I loved and empathized with Katherine and how she was given a raw deal with her wicked mother Fiona. She was just pure evil to her daughter and stood in the way of her happiness in every way imaginable. Henry just made me swoon. He is charming, handsome and chivalrous. Every 18th century girls dream guy. Katherine's brother Edward was wonderful and would do anything to make sure of his sisters happiness even if it means sacrificing his reputation in the eyes of English society.

Time After Time: Backwards gave me MAJOR Bridgerton and Outlander vibes! The plot is centered around romance, betrayal, revenge and set during the American Revolution but from the English perspective. This was a delightful refreshing read for me that absolutely tore my heart out! It was definitely a page turner and was just what I needed at the time. I am grateful for the opportunity to read Mary Margrets book and I can't wait to see what she has in store for her second book Time After Time: Forward. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves the Bridgerton and Outlander series. You won't be disappointed.

[Angelina | Bookstagramwithange · Rating 4 out of 5]

Katherine Whyte was born an English woman, during the 1760’s. Her mother cruel and loveless as ever. Her only goal is to marry her daughter off to a rich and wealthy man, no matter how her daughter feels about it. Growing up with a brother Edward and a love of insects, she always felt she never wanted to live up to her mothers feminine and judge mental standards. When she’s a young girl, she forms a friendship with her brothers best friend Henry. When he gets sent to move away to America, years go by and he always reminisces of the girl Katherine once was…
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This book took me by surprise and was such a good story! I ended up having a procedure done and while in waiting, I kept reading this book like a page turner. It was a great historical fiction read, with some romance and a feminist voice. With the evil and cruel mother, it reminded me of Cinderella. With a tragic scene in the book, it reminded me of Romeo & Juliet. In a way, it had some re-telling vibes to it. It even reminded me of Bridgerton too, in how there is a “man” figure who runs the house and any suitors must answer to the man. I wanted such different outcomes for the characters and the ending feels incredibly sad. I love the contemporary twist the author brought to the main character Katherine’s voice and we see how she goes from obedient/submissive to someone who is going to abide by her heart and her own rules.
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***Thank you to the author for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review! ***

[Jamie Hanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book. 💛 Read it in 2 days, the second of which I stayed up until 3:30 am reading it, as I needed to see what happened next. Ending broke my heart! 💔 Now I'm excited to read the second book in the series!

[Kate Wells · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written but oh! gut wrenching ending. Definitely not your usual historical romance. Received as a complimentary copy from the author via Voracious Readers only in return for an honest review.

[Rebecca Stonehouse Lupuliak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh MY GOODNESS!! What a book!! Ugh that ending!!! I must read book 2!! Best part .. the author is my cousin!! Highly recommend this book!! 🥰😭📚

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW - Mary Margaret certainly takes no prisoners, packs a punch and takes her reader on a rollercoaster ride in this historical romance. I read it two sittings and just couldn't put it down. Her style is unusual, in that the structure is simple; language, paragraphs but it is very condensed each page containing so much information and it took me 17 pages (first sitting) to get used to it and then I just couldn't put the book down and had to read the ending twice just to get all the facts again (few places in the book I had to do that), it didn't distract or exclude a reader audience and was exceptionally well crafted, with many twists and turns, insights into history, the role of women and men, what was expected of them and how women were treated, including by there own family.

We see the central character Katherine struggling to be her authentic self with an abusive mother particularly when her mother seals her fate to marry into the aristocracy and how she transforms like a butterfly through metamorphosis through those she loves who supports her. Katherine's heart and soul however always belonged to another and the impending marriage, would turn her into a replica of her mother whom both herself and her brother immensely dislike. Katherine has a choice to make and there are consequences to her choice - will she make the right one? Life is a rollercoaster and we certainly see this in this book, the suspense and wanting her to be happy takes the reader on her journey and the ending just left the reader with one word "wow"!

If you like historical romances then you have to read this one and it is different to your usual run of the mill historical romances and I could see it becoming a drama or film easily. I shall definitely be reading the next two books in the series as I can't wait to see how this series could possibly evolve.

I had never heard of the authoress before but I was contacted by Mary Margaret after I signed up to read her book for an honest review by Voracious Readers. She was delightfully authentic and went out her way to make sure I received a copy of her book to review and was genuinely pleased and interested to engage in with her readers. I can honestly say I have now put her as an authoress on my radar.