William Through Time

Magical Bookshop #2

by Harmke Buursma

In the second installment in the A Magical Bookshop Novel series join William as he returns to his friends Rose, Beth, and John in Westbridge.

Still wrestling with losing the man he loved during the Napoleonic War, William Chambers receives a letter from his friend John Easton. Spurred by its contents William leaves his apartments in London behind to travel to the Hawthorne estate. There, he meets Austin Miller, a man who just like his friend's wife Rose has traveled from the future.

William struggles with feelings of guilt, nightmares about his military service, and strict regency era society rules as he becomes more and more intrigued by the strange and modern young man. However, the return of a figure from his past threatens to disrupt everything William cares about. Will love slip through his hands once more or can he hold on to it?

304 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 14, 2022

About the author

Harmke Buursma is a writer, and author of the novel Rose Through Time. She uses her background in Journalism to help build her characters and worlds. When she isn't writing, she likes to read as many books as she can get her hands on. Originally born and raised in The Netherlands, Harmke now lives in Las Vegas with her husband and two dogs.

5* Review by K.C. Finn for Reader's Favorite

Penned by author Harmke Buursma, Rose Through Time: A Magical Bookshop Novel is a work of fiction in the fantasy, historical romance, and interpersonal drama subgenres. This enticing love story follows central protagonist Rose Hart from her modern life in the Southwest of the United States to another century. A discovery in her late grandmother’s belongings sends her on a fantastical journey to England hundreds of years in the past. Here the handsome John Easton takes her in as a guest. Thus Rose begins her wild adventure filled with colorful characters from the English countryside. Before Rose completes her journey, she must decide what is important to her.

Combining elements of contemporary romance with time travel and Regency-era drama, author Harmke Buursma has crafted a fantastic work of romantic fiction with plenty of thrills, chills, and historical touches to delight readers from cover to cover. The pacing of the story was perfect, and I admired the creation of the story world. I appreciated how the author, in true Regency fashion, ensured that intrigue infused every chapter. The well-written storyline observes the main character as she encounters the more sharp-edged rogues and discovers their motivations. Her heartfelt experiences are the core of the story. The dialogue was well-balanced between an older style of formalized English and a modern dialect, making it easy to understand from a contemporary perspective. Overall, I recommend Rose Through Time to fans of historical romance, time travel dramas, and readers of Regency fiction everywhere.

5* Review by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite

William Through Time is the second book of the Magical Bookshop series by Harmke Buursma. After serving years in the harrowing Napoleonic War, William Chambers returns home to his apartment in Albany, London, brokenhearted. He receives a letter from his best friend, John Easton, who once again invites him to the Hawthorne estate in Westbridge. Warmly welcomed by the Easton family, William is a bit taken aback when John introduces him to a man named Austin Miller. To William's surprise, he learns that Austin, like John's wife Rose, also came from the future through a portal at an American bookshop. As the days go by, William and Austin become ever closer. But the entrance of a devious Captain Tremblay changes everything. Will William suffer another heartache? Can Austin and William find their happy ending?

A mesmerizing tale of forbidden love, friendship, and time travel set in the Regency era in England, William Through Time breezes past without a single hitch. Author Harmke Buursma weaves a captivating story of two star-crossed lovers who find each other in the most extraordinary circumstances. Rich in history and infused with colorful characters, the narrative doesn't have a single dull moment, and Buursma's smooth prose makes it an absolute delight. Although William's relationship with Austin is the primary focus of the narrative, the other characters also bring something of their own to the story. Apart from William and Austin, I also enjoyed the dynamic between William and John. If you love romantic dramas set in historical settings, I recommend William Through Time.

Reviews

[Teresa Banschbach · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harmke Burrsma has created a love story where two men find each other, despite this kind of love is highly dangerous to them as same sex relationships are against the law in this time period. Will is a veteran of the Napoleonic wars just recently fought. Wounded & terribly depressed at the loss of his love on the battlefield. He goes to recuperate at the home of John, a friend from childhood. While Will recuperates there, he makes the acquaintance of Austin, also a friend of John & wife, Rose.
As time passes, they get to know each better. Despite the fear that Austin would be transported back to his time, they decide to be together for now. Follow along as Harmke takes us on a journey through depression, loneliness, loss, joy, betrayal & maybe even a detention in a local jail cell. No cliffhanger.

[Bob Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good read. This is the second novel in the Magical Bookshop series written by the author, Harmke Buursma. It's a story of time travel and romance. The storyline is heartrending, heartwarming, and ultimately full of joy with a delightful happily-ever-after end. The protagonists, Austin, a man magically transported to the Regency era in England and William, a man suffering from PTSD as a result of not only being a front line soldier in the war against Napoleon's army but also the loss of his lover in that war. There is a slow burn romance between the two men, both of whom are delightful in character and just a wee bit snarky. Ultimately choices have to be made to return to the future or remain with a new love in 1811 England.

Harmke has a delightful writing style and the story is fascinating and true to the time period. Looking forward to reading more of her work.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a slow moving, intriguing story. When Austin finds himself in London in the early 1800's, he is happy the his friend from back home, Rose, and her husband John find him and bring him to their home. John writes to his best friend William to come visit, that it's important. John wants William to help Austin while he's in the past. William and Austin become friends, and wish there could be more. There is no lack of drama in the story, but it does lack romance through most of it. I truly liked all of the characters and enjoyed the story, I just wish that the romance hadn't been put off until the end. In the end, it is a really good story and I would recommend it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. This is my honest and voluntary opinion of it.

[Stephanie W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Romance that is against the law, but you can't help you love.

Will is a veteran who loses his love on the battlefield. Struggling to find a place of peace, he falls into a state of depression. While staying at the home of John and Rose, he meets a man names, Austin. Things will never be the same.
Not knowing what the future holds, Austin and Will make the best of the days they have. Many twists, and a healthy dose of snark.

**I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.**

[Carole Mondragon Author · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harmke Buursma has written another romance that draws the reader in, not merely by opening the pages of a book but actually by the reader 'becoming' a lead character in the tale itself.

William Through Time is a Regency romance with a unique twist that has me coming back for seconds of this delightful style of story  telling.

[SJ]

Began skimming when I realized the romance is chaste kisses and that took almost the entire book to get to. Dry writing about 21st century guy dropped down into 19th century England. There is already a side character from present day living there. This must be the reason no one questions anything that might happen in the future, like what is the line of succession to the throne? Are there any more wars after the Napoleonic? Their non interest in the future must have meant they were already filled in on the life of two hundred years later. /s Not going to rate this, but am definitely heading back to some 2022 smutty MM romance involving motorcycles!

[Klissia]

3.5 A sweet gay romance but I wanted more....