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The Luxury of Time Travel
Consciousness is a stream. With the right combination of psychic ability and science, anyone can navigate it.
London Riley is the reluctant daughter of an in-home fortune teller. Gable Matthews is a gifted young scientist, driven by a family tragedy. When the two stumble on an explosive discovery as teenagers, their lives are upended and they are forced apart.
A decade later, their accidental invention reunites them in a mysterious Arizona commune, aimed at one mission: making it possible for anyone to time travel. Harnessing the power and fluidity of consciousness they navigate time through their memories. Often at odds, London and Gable explore the boundless capability of the human mind in search of a better life.
Just as they begin to find peace in the present, their world is turned upside down again and they are thrust into an alternate timeline. One where only London can decide whether they deserve their original life, or if anyone, even a time traveler, has the right to the life she wants.
Intimate and thrilling, The Luxury of Time Travel examines the power of our choices even in the face of infinite options.
London Riley is the reluctant daughter of an in-home fortune teller. Gable Matthews is a gifted young scientist, driven by a family tragedy. When the two stumble on an explosive discovery as teenagers, their lives are upended and they are forced apart.
A decade later, their accidental invention reunites them in a mysterious Arizona commune, aimed at one mission: making it possible for anyone to time travel. Harnessing the power and fluidity of consciousness they navigate time through their memories. Often at odds, London and Gable explore the boundless capability of the human mind in search of a better life.
Just as they begin to find peace in the present, their world is turned upside down again and they are thrust into an alternate timeline. One where only London can decide whether they deserve their original life, or if anyone, even a time traveler, has the right to the life she wants.
Intimate and thrilling, The Luxury of Time Travel examines the power of our choices even in the face of infinite options.
- GenresTime Travel
420 pages, ebook
Published October 20, 2020
26 people are currently reading
95 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
March 29, 2021
Memories, time, consciousness. They can all be manipulated. Our two MC’s, London and Gable are deeply developed characters in a book where science and morality meet. This book is a fascinating delve into the human psyche and the choices we make. Time travel becomes real but the big question is, is it right? Just because someone has the ability to change the timeline, should they? Should they get the life they truly desire or live the one they were dealt. This speculative fiction was a really intriguing dive into some deep subjects all at a fast pace with a good plot and a couple unexpected twists and turns. When we have the power to chose our life as we wish do we always make the best decisions? Should someone have the power to pick the best choice from infinite options or should we make the best of the one we have. This is not your normal, light beach read. This one needs time and attention that is well worth it. A great way to read and also do a little introspection into our own lives, choices and memories.
Verdict: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Verdict: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
November 2, 2020
It's hard to believe that this is author Christelle Lujan's first published novel - it reads like it's her twentieth! The story was well thought out, consistent and had great flow. Her character introductions and development were outstanding and her emphasis on the people and relationships allowed her science fiction to feel more plausible. Her science fiction technology and related systems retained continuity as they built upon themselves and advanced through the course of the book. It is rare to find such complicated subject matter written with such smoothness and readability - congratulations on a great novel!
August 6, 2023
The Luxury of Time Travel is a masterfully woven work that leaves the reader questioning reality and what it means to be connected to someone. I love the accessibility of this book and the way that it covers deep and complex themes like time travel, family, and relationships with seeming ease and readability. Perfect for fans of Blake Crouch.
July 7, 2025
London is a psychic, but she fights against her innate powers. Gable dabbles in chemistry, desperate to find a way to alleviate his mother's grief over the loss of his sister. When Gable's mom has a breakdown, he turns to London for help, but when his mom takes a turn for the worse, London and her mother leave town, and Gable is left with only questions.
When the two of them cross paths a decade later at a compound whose mission is to harness the power and fluidity of consciousness to navigate time through someone's memories, their unresolved past creates conflict.
Just as they begin to come to terms with their past and present, time travel turns their lives upside down, and London is desperate to get back to her original timeline. But to make that happen, she has to make some hard choices--does she deserve the life she had, or does the happiness of others take precedent?
With trigger warnings of language, mentions of suicide, sexual violence, and death, The Luxury of Time Travel is an intriguing story of what-ifs and what's right. While I felt the pace was rushed in places, and there could have been some expanded scenes, the overall story, mixed with science, had me hooked and almost convinced the premise could be real. If you're a fan of time travel, this is a good book to pick up.
When the two of them cross paths a decade later at a compound whose mission is to harness the power and fluidity of consciousness to navigate time through someone's memories, their unresolved past creates conflict.
Just as they begin to come to terms with their past and present, time travel turns their lives upside down, and London is desperate to get back to her original timeline. But to make that happen, she has to make some hard choices--does she deserve the life she had, or does the happiness of others take precedent?
With trigger warnings of language, mentions of suicide, sexual violence, and death, The Luxury of Time Travel is an intriguing story of what-ifs and what's right. While I felt the pace was rushed in places, and there could have been some expanded scenes, the overall story, mixed with science, had me hooked and almost convinced the premise could be real. If you're a fan of time travel, this is a good book to pick up.
June 6, 2022
This is an excellent science fantasy book. I can't believe it's an indie debut: it reads with the skill and polish of an experienced writer with a team of editors at their beck and call. Time travel is really hard to write well, with all the different timelines and alternate realities, but Lujan certainly succeeds.
The story is anchored by very strong characters. There's a ton of growth and development for all of them over the course of the book. I was particularly enamoured, however, of the villain. She's brilliant and tragic and her backstory is dealt with with compassion and thoughtfulness. But I'll also give a shout-out to the fact that the heroine, London, goes believably from a young girl to a wife and mother over the course of the book.
Very well-written, with clear, evocative prose. The story kept me turning the pages late into the night, and I'll eager look out for more by this author.
One note, though, that I feel I have to give: the book could use a sensitivity reader in terms of race. There are a brief moments that feel less-than-perfectly handled in that regard.
The story is anchored by very strong characters. There's a ton of growth and development for all of them over the course of the book. I was particularly enamoured, however, of the villain. She's brilliant and tragic and her backstory is dealt with with compassion and thoughtfulness. But I'll also give a shout-out to the fact that the heroine, London, goes believably from a young girl to a wife and mother over the course of the book.
Very well-written, with clear, evocative prose. The story kept me turning the pages late into the night, and I'll eager look out for more by this author.
One note, though, that I feel I have to give: the book could use a sensitivity reader in terms of race. There are a brief moments that feel less-than-perfectly handled in that regard.
June 22, 2021
Having a debut novel is hard but having one that is THIS good? That’s even harder! Christelle has knocked it out of the park with this one! Consciousness, traveling through memories quite literally would be a ground breaking invention and her book does this. The characters are thought out and well explained, none of them being boring. Having their own character flaws and letting it be shown is quite unusual when people mainly want perfection and I love it! London being the “weird” girl that everyone is against and Taryn being the mouthy friend who’s both pretty AND smart and Gable, the science nerd who just needs answers, they make a hell of a team. This story drives home that with persistence you can do just about anything but just because you can do it, does that mean you should? When does morality come in to play? I highly recommend this book! I highly highly recommend this book!
December 31, 2020
If Christelle's debut novel is any indication of what's to come, I can't wait to see how her career pans out and all the incredible stories that will come our way.
Christelle's tagline is "Science Fiction with a Soft Center and The Luxury of Time Travel is precisely that. The time travel and otherworldly elements are great parts of the narrative, but what makes the story shine is the characters. They're interesting, dynamic, and their stories are worth caring about.
This fast-paced story had me hooked from page one with an ending I didn't see coming.
Christelle's tagline is "Science Fiction with a Soft Center and The Luxury of Time Travel is precisely that. The time travel and otherworldly elements are great parts of the narrative, but what makes the story shine is the characters. They're interesting, dynamic, and their stories are worth caring about.
This fast-paced story had me hooked from page one with an ending I didn't see coming.
December 13, 2021
This was an excellent book - I can't believe it isn't more well known! I would have given it 5 stars if the ending didn't feel a little rushed. All in all I would recommend - excited to read more from this author!
May 13, 2021
I am leaving this review as one part of "The Bookish Girls Reviews" I loved this book! I am not a fan of time travel so i was skeptical but man I was so shocked and surprised at how much this book interested and intrigued me! The spin on time travel she took was so cool and interesting as well as unique! I definitely recommend this book to read even if you think it isn't your cup of tea. Very well written and took me to the places they were. I enjoyed being in this world. Thank you christelle lujan for the opportunity to read!
June 19, 2024
What a captivating read! As a fan of luxury travel myself, this book took me on an enchanting journey through time and space. The way the author weaves together elements of luxury and time travel is truly unique and engaging. It's a perfect blend of escapism and elegance. If you're someone who enjoys exploring new and extraordinary destinations, you might check out luxury travel agency that consistently finds amazing travel destinations tailored to your preferences, making your travel experiences truly one-of-a-kind.
June 17, 2022
sci-fi
A science fiction story. Thought provoking ideas of responsibility, destiny, choices and right or wrong. As with most life, greed and arrogance plays a major role.
A science fiction story. Thought provoking ideas of responsibility, destiny, choices and right or wrong. As with most life, greed and arrogance plays a major role.
August 24, 2022
That was hands down the best time travel novel that I have read in a long time. It was gripping and edgy and oh wow. So good.
October 30, 2023
This book is so well written. The language the author uses is almost lyrical and the characters are fascinating. The nuances and complications of time travel are well thought out. That twist in the later half of the book made my jaw drop! Overall a great read. Highly recommended.
January 3, 2023
Love love loved this book. It had a- Inception type vibe I just couldn’t get enough of.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews