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Charles & Company #1
Before Time Runs Out
Graduate student Bree Sanders is failing the one class she needs to get her degree. So when her professor gives her an ultimatum—ace her dissertation or risk having to repeat her final semester—she knows she has to pull out all the stops. After scrambling for an idea, she decides to create her own Ghost Club, a club that blames ghosts for unsolved crimes, the same type of club originally founded two centuries ago by Charles Dickens.
What she doesn’t expect is to find an original copy of one of Dickens’ early works, or to be transplanted into Dickens’s actual ghost club meeting, circa 1870, the instant she picks it up.
When Bree shows up in nineteenth-century England wearing cut-offs and an old t-shirt, her only option is to hide. The Cambridge of 1870 won’t look kindly on a woman dressed like her. So, when Theodore Keyes finds her tucked behind a bookcase at the Trinity College library and immediately demands to know where she came from, she knows he doesn’t belong here either. Turns out she’s right; the same book caused him to time-travel from 1947 almost three months ago and he’s been stuck in England since.
Together, the two vow to work side-by-side in their search for the lost book that will take them home. But as their feelings for one another deepen, Theo and Bree are caught between a desire to return to the lives they each left behind, and the knowledge that if they find the book, they won’t be able to leave together.
In the end, they each must decide which sacrifice is worth making—the one that will cost them their hearts, or the one that could cost them their very existence.
What she doesn’t expect is to find an original copy of one of Dickens’ early works, or to be transplanted into Dickens’s actual ghost club meeting, circa 1870, the instant she picks it up.
When Bree shows up in nineteenth-century England wearing cut-offs and an old t-shirt, her only option is to hide. The Cambridge of 1870 won’t look kindly on a woman dressed like her. So, when Theodore Keyes finds her tucked behind a bookcase at the Trinity College library and immediately demands to know where she came from, she knows he doesn’t belong here either. Turns out she’s right; the same book caused him to time-travel from 1947 almost three months ago and he’s been stuck in England since.
Together, the two vow to work side-by-side in their search for the lost book that will take them home. But as their feelings for one another deepen, Theo and Bree are caught between a desire to return to the lives they each left behind, and the knowledge that if they find the book, they won’t be able to leave together.
In the end, they each must decide which sacrifice is worth making—the one that will cost them their hearts, or the one that could cost them their very existence.
264 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 2021
289 people are currently reading
1093 people want to read
About the author
Amy Matayo
26 books503 followersAmy Matayo is an award winning author of The Wedding Game, Love Gone Wild, Sway, In Tune With Love, A Painted Summer, and The End of the World. She graduated with barely passing grades from John Brown University with a degree in Journalism. But don't feel sorry for her--she's super proud of that degree and all the ways she hasn't put it to good use.
She laughs often, cries easily, feels deeply, and loves hard. She lives in Arkansas with her husband and four kids and is working on her next novel.
www.amymatayo
Twitter: @amymatayo
Instagram: @amymatayo.author
Facebook: www.facebook.com/amymatayo
She laughs often, cries easily, feels deeply, and loves hard. She lives in Arkansas with her husband and four kids and is working on her next novel.
www.amymatayo
Twitter: @amymatayo
Instagram: @amymatayo.author
Facebook: www.facebook.com/amymatayo
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 122 reviews
March 6, 2021
Brilliant!
Time travel can be a little hit or miss for me. Sometimes it's believable and sometimes it's pretty far-fetched, so I was a little nervous. WHY?! I mean, it's Amy Matayo, so of course she could pull off something so unique and interesting, still infuse a healthy dose of her typical style, and totally make it work!
Bree is an overwhelmed college student grasping at straws to get her master's degree and suddenly finds herself flung back to 1870s England--straight into the time of her all-time idol, Charles Dickens. Theo is a fellow time traveler, but from 1947, and together they brave many challenges and perilous experiences to discover secrets and a way back home. I was so intrigued and entertained by the events that unfolded along their journey. So many minor details of the time period were suddenly forefront in my mind and Matayo did a brilliant job of merging three different times.
Bree is modern and spunky, but has an old soul stuck in the past. It was amusing to watch her navigate what she feels would be her ideal life. I enjoyed watching her interact with Theo and fell a little bit in love with his adaptability and seriousness. I honestly had no idea how things could possibly come together, yet come together they did. The twists and turns were perfectly complicated, and I'm beyond thrilled that this is Book 1 (that means more is coming--hooray!).
Content: mild romance; mild+ language; mild moments of peril/danger
*I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*
Time travel can be a little hit or miss for me. Sometimes it's believable and sometimes it's pretty far-fetched, so I was a little nervous. WHY?! I mean, it's Amy Matayo, so of course she could pull off something so unique and interesting, still infuse a healthy dose of her typical style, and totally make it work!
Bree is an overwhelmed college student grasping at straws to get her master's degree and suddenly finds herself flung back to 1870s England--straight into the time of her all-time idol, Charles Dickens. Theo is a fellow time traveler, but from 1947, and together they brave many challenges and perilous experiences to discover secrets and a way back home. I was so intrigued and entertained by the events that unfolded along their journey. So many minor details of the time period were suddenly forefront in my mind and Matayo did a brilliant job of merging three different times.
Bree is modern and spunky, but has an old soul stuck in the past. It was amusing to watch her navigate what she feels would be her ideal life. I enjoyed watching her interact with Theo and fell a little bit in love with his adaptability and seriousness. I honestly had no idea how things could possibly come together, yet come together they did. The twists and turns were perfectly complicated, and I'm beyond thrilled that this is Book 1 (that means more is coming--hooray!).
Content: mild romance; mild+ language; mild moments of peril/danger
*I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*
April 5, 2021
What a fun story!!!
Amy Matayo has created a unique and engaging time travel story with a literary twist! I really enjoyed Bree and Theodore's banter, awkwardness, and eventual interest in one another. The mystery, especially around the halfway mark, kept this reader turning pages to get to the end...and to figure out how Matayo was going to pull off a HEA.
If you're interested in a fun, engaging, and interesting story with some good old-fashioned Dickens and a little time travel sprinkled in, this is a book for you :-)
Amy Matayo has created a unique and engaging time travel story with a literary twist! I really enjoyed Bree and Theodore's banter, awkwardness, and eventual interest in one another. The mystery, especially around the halfway mark, kept this reader turning pages to get to the end...and to figure out how Matayo was going to pull off a HEA.
If you're interested in a fun, engaging, and interesting story with some good old-fashioned Dickens and a little time travel sprinkled in, this is a book for you :-)
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March 15, 2021with thanks to the author for the copy!
***
Before Time Runs Out is a unique treatise on the magic of story to transcend time and place as it unites two star-crossed kindred spirits blessed and cursed with the fate to relinquish time to the power of written words.
A love letter to books and bookish people: Bree and Theodore’s adventures read out of some of my wildest literary dreams. But added to the dashes of suspense and winsome romance, is Matayo’s solid research, vivid voice and obvious passion for what makes us turn to age-worn pages, hidden corners of libraries and dusty tomes!
I highly anticipate where Charles and Company will take me next. Readers of Katherine Reay and VE Schwab will be entranced!
***
Before Time Runs Out is a unique treatise on the magic of story to transcend time and place as it unites two star-crossed kindred spirits blessed and cursed with the fate to relinquish time to the power of written words.
A love letter to books and bookish people: Bree and Theodore’s adventures read out of some of my wildest literary dreams. But added to the dashes of suspense and winsome romance, is Matayo’s solid research, vivid voice and obvious passion for what makes us turn to age-worn pages, hidden corners of libraries and dusty tomes!
I highly anticipate where Charles and Company will take me next. Readers of Katherine Reay and VE Schwab will be entranced!
March 5, 2021
Kudos to Amy Matayo for having the gumption to try something completely different! This time travel Dickensian story is a fresh, new adventure with marvelous characters. I always admire this author's ability to get inside her characters' heads, and as much as a more action-oriented story allows, she does the same here.
The last third of the book was my favorite as the stakes grew higher, the reader was drawn more deeply into Bree's and Theodore's pasts, and the time-hopping multiplied. To top it off, the ending was just right. I'm curious as to where this series goes next!
The last third of the book was my favorite as the stakes grew higher, the reader was drawn more deeply into Bree's and Theodore's pasts, and the time-hopping multiplied. To top it off, the ending was just right. I'm curious as to where this series goes next!
March 9, 2021
Happy release day to this new book by author Amy Matayo! I don't know how this feels as an author, but as a reader, it can be a bit scary when an author you love steps into a new genre. Into the unknown. . . (is anyone singing with me?!) Because what if you don't like it? That's how I was feeling about this book. Time travel romances can be hit or miss for me. It's not a genre that is easy to do well.
I shouldn't have worried. Honestly, I freaked myself out for nothing. haha. It took me a little bit to be convinced and to really invest in the characters and the story but once I was in, I was in. The plot of this book is interesting and it wasn't like anything I've been reading lately so that felt really good. It had a couple surprises for me that I didn't quite predict so that was also fun.
This author always does a good job of giving her characters substance and making them feel like every one of us. A little bit broken in some places but brave in moving forward and facing life. That was both Theo and Bree. I really liked them both.
This is the first book in a new series and I'm excited about it! Time travel romance, here we come! This book is available in KU if you have that. Happy reading!
Content: mild peril, mild violence, kissing
- I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
I shouldn't have worried. Honestly, I freaked myself out for nothing. haha. It took me a little bit to be convinced and to really invest in the characters and the story but once I was in, I was in. The plot of this book is interesting and it wasn't like anything I've been reading lately so that felt really good. It had a couple surprises for me that I didn't quite predict so that was also fun.
This author always does a good job of giving her characters substance and making them feel like every one of us. A little bit broken in some places but brave in moving forward and facing life. That was both Theo and Bree. I really liked them both.
This is the first book in a new series and I'm excited about it! Time travel romance, here we come! This book is available in KU if you have that. Happy reading!
Content: mild peril, mild violence, kissing
- I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
May 1, 2021
3.5* Wow. That ending! Honestly, I was so skeptical about how I'd find this book in the end, but right after the book finished, I already missed it so much! I so enjoyed the outline of this book and its plot -- I mean, time-travel with one from the present day and the other from the 1940s (as in the handsome old-fashioned guy we all love)? So my type! And to be transported to Victorian England, the land of Charles Dickens? AMAZING! It was fascinating to see things through Bree, who thought as we do since she was from the present time, which felt special since her thoughts could practically be ours (well, to an extent) if we ever could time-travel (which would never happen, sadly, but that's why we need Bree to see things that way...).
The romance was pretty sweet but not, like, overly crazily romantic. It was a cute romance, with a progressive development between the characters. Though come to think of it, there were times where I felt that the characters fell in love with each other just because they were stuck together. I did feel there were times I was asking, "soooo, can someone tell me why they fell in love again?". So, yeah, it did feel shallow and too "wishful" of a romance, but otherwise, it was super enjoyable and sweet!
Although, I did have some other problems with the book. Okay, firstly, I didn't like Bree that much. I mean, okay, she's funny, and all the best lines are from her. But she was a little too spoiled for my taste. She came off to me as more childish and not-so-mature, so it was hard to continue the book whenever it was in her POV. There was a point in the book where I felt that another heroine should be for Theo, but that did subside as I continue to read more, really because I could sympathize with Bree in her struggles which completely tugged at my heart!
Before I continue, can I mention Theo? He deserves all the heart eyes in the world just for how gentleman-like, sweet, and old-fashioned-1940s-type he is! But all right, he might've been too perfect and idealized, really. But still!
But another thing that kind of put me off with some parts of this book was some of the dirty comments implied. I mean, there is the crude innuendo that you find in books that is bearable (at least for me), but then there are the ones that leave you cringing and going, "did you really have to put that there, author??" So was the case with this one. There was just one thing specifically that left a sour taste in my mouth and thought unnecessary.
But other than not liking Bree and that weirdly inappropriate comment, I enjoyed this book a lot. The first 40% of the book felt more uninteresting, but once it was about 60% of the book, things picked up, and I was eager to continue! What I love about this book most were its story and its plot. It felt original, creative, and it had a unique taste to it. As I said before, I miss this book already -- I didn't realize I was that attached to it!
The romance was pretty sweet but not, like, overly crazily romantic. It was a cute romance, with a progressive development between the characters. Though come to think of it, there were times where I felt that the characters fell in love with each other just because they were stuck together. I did feel there were times I was asking, "soooo, can someone tell me why they fell in love again?". So, yeah, it did feel shallow and too "wishful" of a romance, but otherwise, it was super enjoyable and sweet!
Although, I did have some other problems with the book. Okay, firstly, I didn't like Bree that much. I mean, okay, she's funny, and all the best lines are from her. But she was a little too spoiled for my taste. She came off to me as more childish and not-so-mature, so it was hard to continue the book whenever it was in her POV. There was a point in the book where I felt that another heroine should be for Theo, but that did subside as I continue to read more, really because I could sympathize with Bree in her struggles which completely tugged at my heart!
Before I continue, can I mention Theo? He deserves all the heart eyes in the world just for how gentleman-like, sweet, and old-fashioned-1940s-type he is! But all right, he might've been too perfect and idealized, really. But still!
But another thing that kind of put me off with some parts of this book was some of the dirty comments implied. I mean, there is the crude innuendo that you find in books that is bearable (at least for me), but then there are the ones that leave you cringing and going, "did you really have to put that there, author??" So was the case with this one. There was just one thing specifically that left a sour taste in my mouth and thought unnecessary.
But other than not liking Bree and that weirdly inappropriate comment, I enjoyed this book a lot. The first 40% of the book felt more uninteresting, but once it was about 60% of the book, things picked up, and I was eager to continue! What I love about this book most were its story and its plot. It felt original, creative, and it had a unique taste to it. As I said before, I miss this book already -- I didn't realize I was that attached to it!
April 15, 2021
I really had high hopes for this book. The premise looked really promising. I’m not even finished and I’m not sure if I have the strength to go on. Because it is so disappointing.
The least nonsensical thing about this book is the time travel. The book didn’t really flow super well. A lot of the phrasing is awkward and doesn’t make much sense. Like what does “his voice carries a couple octaves” even mean? He changed the pitch of his voice? And what are “verbal nightmares”? He talked in his sleep? Night terrors?
The other thing that bugged me are the characterizations. They are all over the map. So much so that I can’t even really piece together the various attributes of each character into a coherent personality.
I guess overall I just feel like both of these characters were poorly written and it’s making it very difficult to finish the book. I’m hoping things get better...
Edit: I finally finished. It was almost like the last quarter of the book was from a totally different book. If the first 75% was written that way, I may have liked it a lot more. But neither character really seemed like they were the same person in the last portion. And not in a “they grew so much as people I barely recognize them” way. They didn’t seem like the same characters.
The least nonsensical thing about this book is the time travel. The book didn’t really flow super well. A lot of the phrasing is awkward and doesn’t make much sense. Like what does “his voice carries a couple octaves” even mean? He changed the pitch of his voice? And what are “verbal nightmares”? He talked in his sleep? Night terrors?
The other thing that bugged me are the characterizations. They are all over the map. So much so that I can’t even really piece together the various attributes of each character into a coherent personality.
I guess overall I just feel like both of these characters were poorly written and it’s making it very difficult to finish the book. I’m hoping things get better...
Edit: I finally finished. It was almost like the last quarter of the book was from a totally different book. If the first 75% was written that way, I may have liked it a lot more. But neither character really seemed like they were the same person in the last portion. And not in a “they grew so much as people I barely recognize them” way. They didn’t seem like the same characters.
May 10, 2021
2.75
So I know you have to suspend your disbelief for time travel novels- but honestly the time travel aspect didn't faze me as much as some of the plot choices. Sorry guys, I know this book was meant to be a light cute romance, and I should just enjoy it for what it is....but I couldn't.
I mean we have our h, Bree, who is a 21st century woman attending Princeton and writing her final thesis for her literary major...so we all assume she's smart enough to get into that prestigious school right? Well for the majority of the novel she's kind of a flighty idiot.
I mean she doesn't know what the butterfly effect is, or is shocked that poor kids in the 1800s didn’t get opportunities to go to school, or is somewhat surprised by all the restrictions on women in that era, or thinks that at the same time the justice system is going to be all ~oh *gasp* a woman breaking and entering? Oh of course your gender excludes you from repercussion! Be on your way then! She actually says that wearing all black and masks to rob a house in daylight is a good idea....
And she waxes all poetical about how men are so much better in this time era compared to men in the 21st- like she wasn't called a harlot, yelled at them for being sexist, and forced to dress up as a man because women aren't allowed most places. Oh yeah real winners.
She also wants to stay in this time period without Theo for some reason- like she, sadly, would have had any safe harbor without him there? I mean how would she get money or support herself without any skills to survive on in that time period? Instead she just complains about everything.
Anyhoo I'm also not going to let that ending slide- like I willfully had to just tell myself to stop thinking logically about that last part. Like how is Theo going to become a doctor in the 21st with no prior schooling records or basic id- family history- medical records...?
And how long has he been there? If so why didn't he try to find Bree sooner? He just waited to find her on the night of her Ghost Book Club? Did he just get the job to wait around for a year hoping she would show up even if the timeline changed? How long did it take to get a medical degree? If so did he age?
I just...I just. My brain cannot just gloss over these questions for a cutsie ending. Sorry.
So I know you have to suspend your disbelief for time travel novels- but honestly the time travel aspect didn't faze me as much as some of the plot choices. Sorry guys, I know this book was meant to be a light cute romance, and I should just enjoy it for what it is....but I couldn't.
I mean we have our h, Bree, who is a 21st century woman attending Princeton and writing her final thesis for her literary major...so we all assume she's smart enough to get into that prestigious school right? Well for the majority of the novel she's kind of a flighty idiot.
I mean she doesn't know what the butterfly effect is, or is shocked that poor kids in the 1800s didn’t get opportunities to go to school, or is somewhat surprised by all the restrictions on women in that era, or thinks that at the same time the justice system is going to be all ~oh *gasp* a woman breaking and entering? Oh of course your gender excludes you from repercussion! Be on your way then! She actually says that wearing all black and masks to rob a house in daylight is a good idea....
"Anyway, I’ve watched enough Tom Cruise movies to know that black gloves and masks are a fool-proof way to not get caught."
And she waxes all poetical about how men are so much better in this time era compared to men in the 21st- like she wasn't called a harlot, yelled at them for being sexist, and forced to dress up as a man because women aren't allowed most places. Oh yeah real winners.
She also wants to stay in this time period without Theo for some reason- like she, sadly, would have had any safe harbor without him there? I mean how would she get money or support herself without any skills to survive on in that time period? Instead she just complains about everything.
Anyhoo I'm also not going to let that ending slide- like I willfully had to just tell myself to stop thinking logically about that last part. Like how is Theo going to become a doctor in the 21st with no prior schooling records or basic id- family history- medical records...?
And how long has he been there? If so why didn't he try to find Bree sooner? He just waited to find her on the night of her Ghost Book Club? Did he just get the job to wait around for a year hoping she would show up even if the timeline changed? How long did it take to get a medical degree? If so did he age?
I just...I just. My brain cannot just gloss over these questions for a cutsie ending. Sorry.
March 4, 2021
This was not a typical Amy Matayo book, I should know... I have read them all! I really enjoyed the theme of time travel in her newest book. I am super excited to see that this will be a series of books!
Advanced Reader Copy
Advanced Reader Copy
February 25, 2021
Oh this book! Let’s say I am so thrilled we have more than just one in this series because....I AM IN LOVE with Theo! I wasn’t to sure how this time travel and 21st gentry and ghost club would play out....but it’s Amy Matayo and let me tell you....knocked my pantaloons off! Another amazing book! It all comes back around and I can’t wait for others to latch onto these new characters and fall in love like I did!
March 5, 2021
Amy Matayo makes me fall in love with her characters every time! They are real, quirky, and funny and I want to be best friends with all of them. And it is the first in a series, which makes me super happy! This book is different from her other books, in that in takes on time travel, but it is still written in her style, which I love. If you are looking for a fun read that will instantly cheer you up, this is the book for you... and all of her other books as well.
I was given an advanced reader copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
I was given an advanced reader copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
July 24, 2021
This is a very sweet romance.
•
Bree is a desperate graduate student looking for a thesis subject when she happens upon Charles Dickens’ involvement in a Ghost Club. An old book whisks her away to an actual meeting of the club in 1870! Theodore Keyes is also stuck in the same dilemma except he’s from the fifties... and of course they CAN’T fall in love! They would cause way too many problems!😂
•
This book is full of the funny banter that people love about the couples in Amy Matayo’s books but also more adventure than is in most of her novels. Also I had never heard of this Ghost Club and it’s for real! I’m definitely intrigued by that and I’d like to know more!
•
Bree is a desperate graduate student looking for a thesis subject when she happens upon Charles Dickens’ involvement in a Ghost Club. An old book whisks her away to an actual meeting of the club in 1870! Theodore Keyes is also stuck in the same dilemma except he’s from the fifties... and of course they CAN’T fall in love! They would cause way too many problems!😂
•
This book is full of the funny banter that people love about the couples in Amy Matayo’s books but also more adventure than is in most of her novels. Also I had never heard of this Ghost Club and it’s for real! I’m definitely intrigued by that and I’d like to know more!
April 7, 2021
I'm not a fan of time travel stories, but when it's a favorite author I make exceptions, and I'm so glad I did! I think the biggest reason this worked for me is that Bree and Theo are both from the future- albeit different futures. The premise is fascinating, and I loved learning fun tidbits about Dickens and the era. The technicalities of the time travel were left vague, and the focus was more on the characters and what they are facing in their lives- the lives they just left and the current ones in Victorian England. Bree's voice is definitely modern young adult, but her sometimes shallow persona is offset by the deep grief she feels for her lost brother as well as her love for classic literature. Theo's history is a painful one as well, having recently served as a medic in WWII and struggling to feel joy in daily living. I loved the way they surprise each other with their differences due to living in different time periods, but they also connect in important ways. The story has a good pace and I was eagerly reading to see how the plot and their relationship would come to a resolution. I'm excited that the author will be writing more books in this new series!
Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.
Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.
August 24, 2021
Fun read! Cute romance and relatively light plot (though the main characters do have deeper emotional issues and also they're dropped in the middle of a war zone at some point so I guess it's not that light LOL.) For readers 16+.
There was, however, a torturous corset scene that got on my nerves. Corsets are just underwear, not torture devices for women SMH. They're not supposed to be painful unless you lace it too tightly or if it's ill-fitting or if you're wearing it on bare skin aGHHhh. (Also Bree bought a new empire waistline dress, but I'm pretty sure they were out of fashion in the 1870s. And since it is an empire waist dress, there is literally no need to lace your corset to the point of pain because you're supposed to be shapeless anyway LOL...I wish the author did more research because the corset thing and the dress really took me out of the story.) Something else that bothered me was that Bree is a Charles Dickens enthusiast who apparently knows everything about him and read everything he wrote, so it threw me off that she didn't know that poor children couldn't go to school because a lot of his books have social commentary about class, like Oliver Twist. Homeboy didn't go to school because he's dirt poor. Also shouldn't she know basic facts about the 19th century, like people were blatantly sexist back then?
There are other things that don't make a lot of sense, honestly, but as someone who doesn't care about sense that much, I overlooked it LOL.
Other than those complaints, I really enjoyed the book. Amy Matayo's writing is very colorful and engaging. One thing I think she did well was weave in Bree's trauma and reason for her OCD into the story, and I liked that I could connect the dots myself instead of reading an info dump. Overall I had a pretty good time reading it!
There was, however, a torturous corset scene that got on my nerves. Corsets are just underwear, not torture devices for women SMH. They're not supposed to be painful unless you lace it too tightly or if it's ill-fitting or if you're wearing it on bare skin aGHHhh. (Also Bree bought a new empire waistline dress, but I'm pretty sure they were out of fashion in the 1870s. And since it is an empire waist dress, there is literally no need to lace your corset to the point of pain because you're supposed to be shapeless anyway LOL...I wish the author did more research because the corset thing and the dress really took me out of the story.) Something else that bothered me was that Bree is a Charles Dickens enthusiast who apparently knows everything about him and read everything he wrote, so it threw me off that she didn't know that poor children couldn't go to school because a lot of his books have social commentary about class, like Oliver Twist. Homeboy didn't go to school because he's dirt poor. Also shouldn't she know basic facts about the 19th century, like people were blatantly sexist back then?
There are other things that don't make a lot of sense, honestly, but as someone who doesn't care about sense that much, I overlooked it LOL.
Other than those complaints, I really enjoyed the book. Amy Matayo's writing is very colorful and engaging. One thing I think she did well was weave in Bree's trauma and reason for her OCD into the story, and I liked that I could connect the dots myself instead of reading an info dump. Overall I had a pretty good time reading it!
January 1, 2024
This was a good palate cleanser.
It was cute, mildly adventurous, humorous, and sweetly romantic. It had some surprisingly deep moments as well.
Loved that it was clean!!!
CW: war, mention of sexual assault, very mild language
It was cute, mildly adventurous, humorous, and sweetly romantic. It had some surprisingly deep moments as well.
Loved that it was clean!!!
CW: war, mention of sexual assault, very mild language
November 1, 2021
Age group: 16+
Genre: romance, time-travel, historic fiction
Content: suggestive content, kissing, a few bloody scenes
Language: hooker, harlot (one or two mentions each); no other profanities
TW: war/gory details pertaining to war; OCD; kidnapping scene
Okay, this book was even better than I thought it would be. Obviously it's a romance, so I was worried what kind of content it would include. Honestly it was pretty clean! Kissing was the extent of the main characters' physical contact, and there was some suggestive thoughts on both their parts, but I didn't think it was anything obscene or blatant. I really appreciated that aspect, because most books leave NOTHING to the imagination and are pretty distasteful in my personal opinion.
Romance aside, the actual story was SO GOOD. It was suspenseful and intense and predictable yet kept me guessing with so many plot twists, and kept me on the edge of my seat until the last page! (Do you ever read a book that reaches the climax too early, so the last chapter or two takes forever to wrap up? That's why I appreciate the last-minute conclusions!) I LOVE all things time travel, so I was living for this plot! And it tied up the loose ends so nicely, which I always appreciate. I 100% recommend this book, it's an easy read and the plot is so much deeper than you think!
Genre: romance, time-travel, historic fiction
Content: suggestive content, kissing, a few bloody scenes
Language: hooker, harlot (one or two mentions each); no other profanities
TW: war/gory details pertaining to war; OCD; kidnapping scene
Okay, this book was even better than I thought it would be. Obviously it's a romance, so I was worried what kind of content it would include. Honestly it was pretty clean! Kissing was the extent of the main characters' physical contact, and there was some suggestive thoughts on both their parts, but I didn't think it was anything obscene or blatant. I really appreciated that aspect, because most books leave NOTHING to the imagination and are pretty distasteful in my personal opinion.
Romance aside, the actual story was SO GOOD. It was suspenseful and intense and predictable yet kept me guessing with so many plot twists, and kept me on the edge of my seat until the last page! (Do you ever read a book that reaches the climax too early, so the last chapter or two takes forever to wrap up? That's why I appreciate the last-minute conclusions!) I LOVE all things time travel, so I was living for this plot! And it tied up the loose ends so nicely, which I always appreciate. I 100% recommend this book, it's an easy read and the plot is so much deeper than you think!
January 27, 2024
Probably more like 3.5
It was a 4 along the way, but there was something less than satisfying at the end... can't put my finger on it, almost like the author needed a quick wrap up and rushed it. The time travel aspects were okay but still too self-contemplative. When will these authors understand that what makes time travel a great genre is the dialogue between people from different times, not the thoughts going through their heads.
It was a 4 along the way, but there was something less than satisfying at the end... can't put my finger on it, almost like the author needed a quick wrap up and rushed it. The time travel aspects were okay but still too self-contemplative. When will these authors understand that what makes time travel a great genre is the dialogue between people from different times, not the thoughts going through their heads.
March 7, 2021
I was very curious to see how Amy Matayo would weave her style into a time travel novel. It is unlike anything she has ever done, yet it worked! Bree and Theo were so well developed like I’ve come to expect. The story brings together modern days, mid 1900s, and way back during Charles Dickens time. There is a bit of action, excitement, sass, and love story. I also loved that I received closure on this story, yet she left it open for more stories later. Excited to see where this series takes us!
***I received an ARC of this novel, but the opinions expressed are my own.
***I received an ARC of this novel, but the opinions expressed are my own.
May 9, 2021
Not like other time slip novels I have read. It was a bit crazy at times and sometimes a little tricky trying to sort out how the time slip world worked for Bree and Theo. However, it was enjoyable and had a satisfactorily happy ever after ending. A good read.
March 6, 2021
I was always skeptical about reading time travel books, but I certainly enjoyed this book by Amy Matayo. Her development of characters in this was good. There were unexpected twists and turns and the ending.......! I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.
March 13, 2021
This isn’t my typical genre, but I love Amy Matayo’s books so I jumped in to this book and am so glad I did. The relatable, quirky, compassionate and hilarious characters made this book so much fun. I giggled and laughed so many times from their banter and thoughts with the differences of the time periods. There were a few times that I really wondered how it could all end satisfactory but the twists and turns of this story were all so much fun and satisfying.
Read
March 29, 2023Alas, my first real DNF of 2023. Got to 30%.
April 22, 2023
3,5 ⭐️
October 9, 2024
Delightful book and I loved the writing style!
March 11, 2021
These are the kind of time travel that I just love!
I really enjoyed the unique aspect of two people who travel from two different time periods and meet in the past. That was super fun and completely built up the angst at the climax!
I wasn't aware when starting this book that it was not CF, however it was perfectly clean with some great chemistry between the two main characters.
As to the set up of how the time travel was made possible.....I was a tad uncomfortable with that. And it did dim my ability to fully accept the first part of the story. However I stuck with it and I really did enjoy it!
The heroine was okay, and she grew on me over the story. But Theo........win, win, win. A great hero that I adored!
4.5 stars
I really enjoyed the unique aspect of two people who travel from two different time periods and meet in the past. That was super fun and completely built up the angst at the climax!
I wasn't aware when starting this book that it was not CF, however it was perfectly clean with some great chemistry between the two main characters.
As to the set up of how the time travel was made possible.....I was a tad uncomfortable with that. And it did dim my ability to fully accept the first part of the story. However I stuck with it and I really did enjoy it!
The heroine was okay, and she grew on me over the story. But Theo........win, win, win. A great hero that I adored!
4.5 stars
July 7, 2025
2.5 stars- the extra half star because it was an interesting concept for a story, so I actually finished the book. But wow, this needed a few more drafts.
First of all, the FMC was an idiot. How can someone as well-read in 19th century literature be so clueless about everything in that time? She’s supposed to be a graduate student at Princeton, but knows less about the culture she’s so obsessed with than I do? She wants to stay in that era because it’s so much better than the yucky present-day, but refuses to blend in and assimilate to the culture? How was she ever going to survive there? What was her thesis (that she was so insistent to finish, but was going to stay in 1870?) actually about- the ghost club? the ending of the story she didn’t accept? Is that actually a thesis? Why does Theo see her as SO kind and funny? She has done almost nothing to show that. For as short a time as the two main characters know each other, there is nothing that would actually endear Bree to Theo. More development and time is definitely needed here in this point of the story to make anything more than physical attraction and a sense of duty be a reason Theo would even LIKE Bree.
Other than being confused by some of the strange things Bree said, Theo did not seem at all like someone from the 1940s. Otherwise, his character was likable, if not too accepting and quick to like the annoying Bree.
The pacing and writing was weird and clunky, and there were some typos/grammatical errors. It needed some editing for sure. Some info seemed confusing- Peter’s full name was not given earlier as implied, so the reveal of this info did not have the impact it should’ve had. Past info Bree read about Theo seemed confusing and contradictory- he was committed and never seen again, but died in 1955? Also, I was really thrown off by statements made like Bree realizing he had a Midwest accent, since she was from Texas, and thought he sounded like he was from Louisiana? A Louisiana accent sounds nothing like a Midwest accent, and Texas and Louisiana aren’t in even in the Midwest. Later, Theo thinks about Peter going to Tyler, Texas, and that may be the same town as Bree is from- Texas is huge- why would he think that, and why would that actually be the case, other than him chalking it up to some Butterfly effect? What was the actual date of the “present day?” She was 8 weeks from her thesis, but it was football season? All in all, the story needs polishing.
The ending seemed like a nice, cute HEA, but on closer inspection makes no sense. How does Theo have a job in present day? How is he able to adjust so easily to modern culture without immediately seeking out Bree? He just magically gets a nice job without ID, references, a logical degree, etc?
This was a nice concept for a book, but needs work to make it flow and make sense. I don’t need a perfectly logical time-travel explanation- I can suspend disbelief enough for that, but the story is underdeveloped and under-edited.
First of all, the FMC was an idiot. How can someone as well-read in 19th century literature be so clueless about everything in that time? She’s supposed to be a graduate student at Princeton, but knows less about the culture she’s so obsessed with than I do? She wants to stay in that era because it’s so much better than the yucky present-day, but refuses to blend in and assimilate to the culture? How was she ever going to survive there? What was her thesis (that she was so insistent to finish, but was going to stay in 1870?) actually about- the ghost club? the ending of the story she didn’t accept? Is that actually a thesis? Why does Theo see her as SO kind and funny? She has done almost nothing to show that. For as short a time as the two main characters know each other, there is nothing that would actually endear Bree to Theo. More development and time is definitely needed here in this point of the story to make anything more than physical attraction and a sense of duty be a reason Theo would even LIKE Bree.
Other than being confused by some of the strange things Bree said, Theo did not seem at all like someone from the 1940s. Otherwise, his character was likable, if not too accepting and quick to like the annoying Bree.
The pacing and writing was weird and clunky, and there were some typos/grammatical errors. It needed some editing for sure. Some info seemed confusing- Peter’s full name was not given earlier as implied, so the reveal of this info did not have the impact it should’ve had. Past info Bree read about Theo seemed confusing and contradictory- he was committed and never seen again, but died in 1955? Also, I was really thrown off by statements made like Bree realizing he had a Midwest accent, since she was from Texas, and thought he sounded like he was from Louisiana? A Louisiana accent sounds nothing like a Midwest accent, and Texas and Louisiana aren’t in even in the Midwest. Later, Theo thinks about Peter going to Tyler, Texas, and that may be the same town as Bree is from- Texas is huge- why would he think that, and why would that actually be the case, other than him chalking it up to some Butterfly effect? What was the actual date of the “present day?” She was 8 weeks from her thesis, but it was football season? All in all, the story needs polishing.
The ending seemed like a nice, cute HEA, but on closer inspection makes no sense. How does Theo have a job in present day? How is he able to adjust so easily to modern culture without immediately seeking out Bree? He just magically gets a nice job without ID, references, a logical degree, etc?
This was a nice concept for a book, but needs work to make it flow and make sense. I don’t need a perfectly logical time-travel explanation- I can suspend disbelief enough for that, but the story is underdeveloped and under-edited.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 21, 2021
Matayo is the boss when it comes to writing the 2 person alternating POV. Stepping outside her usual contemporary setting into a time travel story encompassing 3 different time periods was courageous and so well worth it. I think all of her readers will approve and be aching to read the next two in the saga. Who knows, perhaps a time slip series could be next for this talented author.
Bree (short for Brianna) and Theo are fabulous creations once again. Theo, a serving medico in WW2, is the quintessential gentleman. I've always admired Matayo's ability to get into her male lead's head. The interplay between the charm, respect and integrity coupled with resisting the natural desires that race through one's head can be a challenge for any writer to present. I loved Theo and I think another reviewer commented that his old-fashioned qualities still held up in this modern day. And Bree was generous and kindhearted enough to honour his chivalry.
And then there's Dickens. Heck, he even appears in the novel. Whaaat! Building a story around his Ghost Club was an ingenious creation that sends both Theo and Bree back in time to the 1870s and to that very Club. The banter between the two was fabulous to read, especially as they grappled with understanding the many differences between their worlds. Bree is sassy, smart and sexy. Theo is smitten within moments of meeting her. But Matayo also gives Bree depth in her grieving loss of a loved one and the impact it has had on her psychologically. Her OCD mannerisms are well presented and make us love her more.
The story moves at good pace, unlike a Dickens novel. However, I would have liked a little more of the Dickensian description of the grittiness of London. Yes, we got a superficial rendering of it from Bree's perspective and seeing the inside of Kings College Library but I would have loved more of the grim and squalor of the era.
One other element I wish I'd seen was a greater logic around the time travel jumps. Yes, they appealed to the romantic in me, but when creating a story world involving speculative elements it's good to provide the reader with some sound logic around those elements which I didn't find in this story.
Overall, it's a tremendous read and I'm excited for the next story in the series.
Bree (short for Brianna) and Theo are fabulous creations once again. Theo, a serving medico in WW2, is the quintessential gentleman. I've always admired Matayo's ability to get into her male lead's head. The interplay between the charm, respect and integrity coupled with resisting the natural desires that race through one's head can be a challenge for any writer to present. I loved Theo and I think another reviewer commented that his old-fashioned qualities still held up in this modern day. And Bree was generous and kindhearted enough to honour his chivalry.
And then there's Dickens. Heck, he even appears in the novel. Whaaat! Building a story around his Ghost Club was an ingenious creation that sends both Theo and Bree back in time to the 1870s and to that very Club. The banter between the two was fabulous to read, especially as they grappled with understanding the many differences between their worlds. Bree is sassy, smart and sexy. Theo is smitten within moments of meeting her. But Matayo also gives Bree depth in her grieving loss of a loved one and the impact it has had on her psychologically. Her OCD mannerisms are well presented and make us love her more.
The story moves at good pace, unlike a Dickens novel. However, I would have liked a little more of the Dickensian description of the grittiness of London. Yes, we got a superficial rendering of it from Bree's perspective and seeing the inside of Kings College Library but I would have loved more of the grim and squalor of the era.
One other element I wish I'd seen was a greater logic around the time travel jumps. Yes, they appealed to the romantic in me, but when creating a story world involving speculative elements it's good to provide the reader with some sound logic around those elements which I didn't find in this story.
Overall, it's a tremendous read and I'm excited for the next story in the series.
March 10, 2021
Author Amy Matayo bravely tackles a neat concept in Before Time Runs Out, a FUN time travel romance for fans of book lovers and Victorian England. With the snark and surprise hit-you-in-the-feels depth I’ve come to expect from her, this adventure is a unique experience in examining what-ifs and the contrasts between eras with humor and romance.
Matayo’s authorial voice shines through in the juxtaposition of time periods and characters. It highlights the differences of the eras with humor and deep meaning. Some of my favorite elements and examples include: corsets, pop culture references, candles, books, crimes, walking sticks, top hats, SIBLINGS, responsibility, Google (and the historical lack thereof), grace and second chances.
While there are many facets of this novel to enjoy, I love the heroine and hero the most. Bree is smart, sassy, and driven, with relatable emotional baggage revealed along the way. Theodore (or THEO as Bree calls him) is courteous, strong, and capable, with a backstory I was eager to hear more about. I like how he proves the character of a gentleman is a timeless asset, no matter the decade or century. In a sly way, Matayo uses their pairing to contrast with today’s societal norms in illustrating the qualities of a true romantic hero/heroine and the importance of respect and trust in such a relationship. Their whirlwind of a friendship-turned-romance is fraught with challenges, adventure, and some fantastic heart-sharing moments that make their unlikely situations believable and something to root for.
I recommend this book for any fans of Dickens, literature, sci-fi time travel, Timeless the TV show!, and Amy’s everyday snark 😉 (if you follow her on social media, you know). I’m so excited this is a series — I’m already looking forward to more time spent in the era of Dickens in the next book!
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy. This is my honest review
Matayo’s authorial voice shines through in the juxtaposition of time periods and characters. It highlights the differences of the eras with humor and deep meaning. Some of my favorite elements and examples include: corsets, pop culture references, candles, books, crimes, walking sticks, top hats, SIBLINGS, responsibility, Google (and the historical lack thereof), grace and second chances.
While there are many facets of this novel to enjoy, I love the heroine and hero the most. Bree is smart, sassy, and driven, with relatable emotional baggage revealed along the way. Theodore (or THEO as Bree calls him) is courteous, strong, and capable, with a backstory I was eager to hear more about. I like how he proves the character of a gentleman is a timeless asset, no matter the decade or century. In a sly way, Matayo uses their pairing to contrast with today’s societal norms in illustrating the qualities of a true romantic hero/heroine and the importance of respect and trust in such a relationship. Their whirlwind of a friendship-turned-romance is fraught with challenges, adventure, and some fantastic heart-sharing moments that make their unlikely situations believable and something to root for.
I recommend this book for any fans of Dickens, literature, sci-fi time travel, Timeless the TV show!, and Amy’s everyday snark 😉 (if you follow her on social media, you know). I’m so excited this is a series — I’m already looking forward to more time spent in the era of Dickens in the next book!
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy. This is my honest review
October 21, 2021
🚨 There will be a tiny spoiler, but I don’t think it will affect your take on the book. It will be in the paragraph with the 🕰.
✨ Michele over at @lattesandlotsofbooks recommended this story because of my love of time travel, and I truly enjoyed it. It was a twist on time travel I have never seen, and I loved the creative take she brought to this book.
“There’s a certain level of grief one experiences when trauma takes effect, grief so deep a person becomes easily convinced there’s no escape from it. So, you isolate yourself to keep the pain at bay; if you draw a line between you and the rest of the world, you can’t get hurt as readily.”
🕰 This quote from the book hit home for me. The connection I felt to Bree and Theo because of the loss in their lives brought out so many emotions for me. Especially with Bree. Our loss is both brothers but not in the same way, but feeling her emotions from the writing and the way she has struggled brought tears to my eyes. However, I am lucky to have the support of my parents and other siblings. Our situation wasn’t the same in that way. I don’t know if this author has suffered a loss, but she perfectly reached your emotions. It was beautifully done.
⏳ Bree was very relatable for me. The love of history, being antisocial, her anxiety. I could relate in many ways, but she was also funny and could make you smile or laugh.
⌛️ Theo was the type of gentlemen we all love in a book boyfriend. The way he protected Bree and the respect he showed her just made you melt.
🤎 I would recommend it to anyone who loves time travel and looking for a unique twist.
✨ Michele over at @lattesandlotsofbooks recommended this story because of my love of time travel, and I truly enjoyed it. It was a twist on time travel I have never seen, and I loved the creative take she brought to this book.
“There’s a certain level of grief one experiences when trauma takes effect, grief so deep a person becomes easily convinced there’s no escape from it. So, you isolate yourself to keep the pain at bay; if you draw a line between you and the rest of the world, you can’t get hurt as readily.”
🕰 This quote from the book hit home for me. The connection I felt to Bree and Theo because of the loss in their lives brought out so many emotions for me. Especially with Bree. Our loss is both brothers but not in the same way, but feeling her emotions from the writing and the way she has struggled brought tears to my eyes. However, I am lucky to have the support of my parents and other siblings. Our situation wasn’t the same in that way. I don’t know if this author has suffered a loss, but she perfectly reached your emotions. It was beautifully done.
⏳ Bree was very relatable for me. The love of history, being antisocial, her anxiety. I could relate in many ways, but she was also funny and could make you smile or laugh.
⌛️ Theo was the type of gentlemen we all love in a book boyfriend. The way he protected Bree and the respect he showed her just made you melt.
🤎 I would recommend it to anyone who loves time travel and looking for a unique twist.
March 10, 2021
I love a good time travel story, and Amy Matayo delivers. This isn’t her normal genre, but she has done a bang-up job of writing a story with characters that you’ll cheer for and a plot that just sucks you right in.
Bree and Theo’s initial meeting, and their interactions as they try to figure out how to relate to the past and to each other, are just how you’d imagine they’d be if you found yourself whisked back into another century. Even though they aren’t from the same time period, Theo and Bree learn pretty quickly that they’ll need to work together, both to get back home and to survive the nineteenth century!
I could really relate to Bree. She’s a modern female, pretty outspoken, not inclined to be patted on the head (figuratively speaking) and told to mind her place and keep quiet. I wouldn’t do real well with that, either. But here she is, in a time period where that’s basically what women are told to do.
And I’m not an avid reader of romance, but I will always make an exception to that general rule for Amy Matayo. The romance isn’t forced, it isn’t insta-romance. It develops organically as the story unfolds. Much better that way in my opinion.
If you like time travel, strong female characters, plot twists that leave your head spinning, and classic literature references, you need to read Before Time Runs Out. Five stars to a well-written and enjoyable read.
Thanks to the author and publisher for an advance review copy. All opinions here are mine, and I don’t say nice things about books I don’t actually like.
Bree and Theo’s initial meeting, and their interactions as they try to figure out how to relate to the past and to each other, are just how you’d imagine they’d be if you found yourself whisked back into another century. Even though they aren’t from the same time period, Theo and Bree learn pretty quickly that they’ll need to work together, both to get back home and to survive the nineteenth century!
I could really relate to Bree. She’s a modern female, pretty outspoken, not inclined to be patted on the head (figuratively speaking) and told to mind her place and keep quiet. I wouldn’t do real well with that, either. But here she is, in a time period where that’s basically what women are told to do.
And I’m not an avid reader of romance, but I will always make an exception to that general rule for Amy Matayo. The romance isn’t forced, it isn’t insta-romance. It develops organically as the story unfolds. Much better that way in my opinion.
If you like time travel, strong female characters, plot twists that leave your head spinning, and classic literature references, you need to read Before Time Runs Out. Five stars to a well-written and enjoyable read.
Thanks to the author and publisher for an advance review copy. All opinions here are mine, and I don’t say nice things about books I don’t actually like.
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