Time Between Us

Time Between Us by Tamara Ireland Stone is such an awesome debut. I was led through all sorts of emotions while reading Time Between Us down and I set it down feeling very satisfied.

I’m not usually a time travel person. It confuses me a little and there’s usually a very sci-fi side to it all and it’s just hard for me to grasp. I like my protagonist and love interest in the same decade. But Time Between Us was a beautiful combination of contemporary romance with a side of time travel and yet still got pretty intense with the time travel stuff towards the end.

And oh boy, I cried while reading Time Between Us. Something about protagonists feeling empty just gets me every time.

I really enjoyed the relationship aspect of Time Between Us. I’m also not usually a romance person – I like my romance on the side of plot, but I thought Time Between Us focused on the romance but had plenty of plot elements to keep me from going ick at the mushy. Not to mention, it was really easy to root for Anna and Bennett. They’re like ultimate star-struck couple torn apart by circumstances beyond their control.

I loved the voice in Time Between Us. I thought Tamara Ireland Stone really nailed the teenage girl and she was sulky at the right moments and loyal and angry and sad and everything just really worked for me. I felt the range of emotions that Anna felt while reading it – Anna could have easily been the girl sitting next to me in English class.

Also, bonus, I love a protagonist with a large dose of wanderlust. I really identified with Anna’s lack of travel and her immense desire to see everything. I even had the same kind of map with pins when I was younger, but I was too depressed by the lack of pins so I just took it down.

Basically, Time Between Us by Tamara Ireland Stone rocks. It’s the perfect combination of romance, mystery, time travel, angst and it has such a great ending. Even if you lean solidy towards contemporary only, or even paranormal only, Time Between Us falls in the middle and I can easily see it appealing to readers of both sides.

Time Between Us by Tamara Ireland Stone
ARC received from Disney Hyperion
Release Date: October 9, 2012
Reviewed by: Middle Sis Jenn
The Sisters Say: Sweet, Sincere, and Stunning

Heartwarming and Heartbreaking—Tamara Ireland Stone’s debut novel, Time Between Us, will carry you to another world, where the boundaries of time and space don’t exist and all you’re left with is the here and now. Our past, our present, our future is an intricate web—push too hard, and it might break apart; but push just enough, and you might end up exactly where you’ve always wanted.

I liked the idea of Tamara’s time travel—it was similar to The Time Traveler’s Wife. Anna and Bennett are 17 years apart, which might as well be an eternity. But, with Bennett’s time travelling gift, he is able to jump into the past to meet Anna. From the moment they meet, things begin to unwind, in both a good and a bad way. Watching them both struggle through the revelations of truth was sincere, and at times, it brought tears to my eyes. That is a big deal—I’m not a crier. And I usually don’t like books that wring out such emotions, but I was pleasantly surprised with this book and I’m definitely glad I read it.

The book did start out slow—in fact, I was 100 pages in before I felt like the book really started. But from that point, I couldn’t turn the pages quick enough. I have always been intrigued by time travel—especially the paradoxes like…if I go back in time, can I see myself? And then, will there always be 2 of me in the past? You know, the Star Trek kinds of questions that will just leave your brain running in circles until you start wondering if the truth really is out there! I enjoyed seeing how Tamara approached those subjects—enjoyable and educational, in a sci-fi sort of way.

Anna was your typical girl who meets boy, falls for boy, finds herself in an unbelievable situation. I was not overly impressed with her because I truthfully didn’t see personality markers that were memorable. Don’t get me wrong, I still liked her, but I’m just not sure if, a month from now, I’ll remember her name. I’ll remember her story, her feelings, but probably not much else.

However, Bennett…now he I will remember. He is broken, guilty, and struggling to decide what is best for not only his future, but his family’s and Anna’s. It’s a huge weight to be put on his shoulders, and seeing him through Tamara’s words, I felt like I could feel that weight. He’s also cute and knows just what to say, so that’s a plus! I love his mystery, and Anna describes him perfectly when she says, “The boy with secrets, who still has one more to tell.” ARC, pg. 162 If only there were more Bennett’s out there—and not just because I want to go to Cinque Terre!

Tamara’s write was tight and cohesive, and the story flowed from the page. I loved the times when she got philosophical about life and the future—it was poignant and thought-provoking, and I wish there were more of those moments.
Content: Perfect for middle grade, teenagers, and adults!

So…I’ll leave you with one of my favorite quotes from the novel:
“You can take me anywhere. Or nowhere. But wherever you are in this world, that’s where I want to be.” ARC pg 269

If you’re a fan of contemporary romances that will tug at your heartstrings, but leave you with a smile on your face, then Time Between Us is for you!

Such an original and believable time-travel-love story!

Bennett travels through time, and usually he does it for fum. But this time, there is a reason he has to go back, and ends up in Anna's time. As much as he tries to stay away, tries to remain unnoticed by all so he doesn't disturb "history", is there a possibility that things happened for a reason? Was he meant to come here? To meet her?
Anna goes to a private school where everyone is the majority of the students are privileged own cars and have traveled plenty. Anna is okay with the fact that her parents both have to work overtime in order to put through her school to give her the best education and she is all prepared to start her senior year, with the hopes to travel once she graduates. It is something that she has always wanted to do and fears that she may not be able to because of her lack of finances... but in the end, life is good for Anna.
When she meets Bennett, its hard to say how she feels about him. And as she bumps into him and little by little gets to know him, she is not sure what to think of him. They're relationship slowly unfolds... she continuously feels that that Bennett may be hiding things; that he may not be telling her everything... can she trust him?

I really loved seeing how independent Anna was! Even after meeting Bennett and the things they went through, she did not completely crumble but got herself together and became stronger.
Oh my, and Bennett... you will fall in love with this boy! Other than the fact that he is a time traveler, he is still such a unique and memorable character. He is not perfect, but no boy ever is. But he makes up for it, in so many ways.

As a teen who grew up in the early 90's (oh my, did I just give away my age?!), who was in high school when Kurt Cobain passed away and who thought that Eddie Vedder (of Pearl Jam) was a god - all of the 90's references brought me back in time as well! I felt like I was 16, 17, 18 all over again, which makes me love this book even more!

And it has to be said, I really enjoyed this so much more than The Time Travelers Wife, which was much more serious and at times lagged - Time Between Us picks up after about 100 pages or so and then it has you continuously turning the pages! You won't be able to put it down - so be careful you don't get any paper-cuts!