One of Bell’s best

This one was exceptional. The topic of race and sexuality was carefully tackled during the supposed ‘good old days’ as a love transcended time. It’s hard not to feel deeply for the characters and want the best outcome for them. The ending is satisfying and believable - ageism is a thing that needs to be nipped in the bud too.

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So Good!!

I finished this story a week ago, and I still cant stop thinking about it. Jay bell did an outstanding job with this one. They way he seamlessly blends the past with the present is perfect. I feel in love with all the characters in this book especially the main characters. It felt like each character that was introduced had enough depth that you are not left with many questions. Also the way elements of black history during the 1950's are introduced felt very well researched and handled with the gravity it should be. I throughly enjoyed this book and I can't recommended it enough.

1 person found this helpful

Enjoyable Moments. Meant well, fell short.

I'll start by saying I love pretty much all of Jay Bell's books; they are character-driven with just the right amount of everything, except this time, he took on more than he was prepared to explore. The story would have played better had he just explored homosexuality during the 50s. The inclusion of an interracial relationship added a level of complexity that he didn't address. Because he didn't explore any of the conflicts they would have faced during that time, it created a distraction and reduced the couple's believability factor. Racism and homosexuality in the 50s were not fun and were met with hate, making the reality for a couple like Reggie and Daniel virtually impossible to exist. Although I admire what he tried to do, it came across as two all-American white guys dealing with being gay in the 50s. The book would have been a little more believable in the areas of race and gay had it been set in the 70s. Time travel held its own for the most part. The purpose for it was clear. Sure, there were holes so big you just fell into them, but they were innocent holes, so you didn't care. The book felt like a cross between Leave it to Beaver and the Brady Bunch. I applaud him for trying to move things forward in the world of race. The fact is racism is evil and messy, and glossing over it, however, well-intentioned, comes across as someone burying their head in the sand and not acknowledging the reality that still exists today. I would have rooted for Daniel and Reggie more if their struggle truly explored what a gay interracial couple may have gone through in the 50s. In the 50s, Black people and White people did not go to supper clubs together, and White people, I'm sure, didn't go to Black Jazz clubs on the other side of town with their Black friends. I loved that he wrote it like that, but if you want to take on race relations on any level, especially in the 50s, you have to create a reasonable amount of reality; otherwise, the plot isn't believable. The ending was satisfying and, oddly enough, plausible given everything. The book should have been 8 or 9 hours. The story wasn't strong enough to be as long as it was. The narrator was OK, but his Daniel's voice was just stereotypical and so was he. I enjoyed the Reggie character and his Grandmother.

1 person found this helpful

Jay Bell Has Done It Again!

This story is so sweet and wonderful. I loved the time traveling aspect and I loved the character development. Stand alone as it may be, our Jay always has a trick or two up his sleeve. Kevin Free, as always, is a genius in bringing Jay’s words alive. Sometimes, though I have to stop myself and figure out how William got to the 50’s to court Ben ;)

1 person found this helpful

Another emotional journey from my favorite Author!

The chemistry between Daniel and Reggie is electric!

The only thing that has me disappointed is the fact that this is a stand-alone novel and that I won’t be getting more of Reggie’s story!

1 person found this helpful

loved it!

Not going to lie at first I wasn't really into the book but after the first chapter I was invested, I loved it, the story was great and enlightened me on the hardships of past LGBTQ youth. great book!

Great concept...but..

I really don't want to ruin anything so I will keep it to a minimum.

I love the concept.I think the story had great bones.

My biggest issue is by taking this story on there there are a lot of heavy very real issues. There is great opportunity to take these on and really really explore racism and homosexuality in the past.

However, I feel like all the characters were way too agreeable in moments that realistically would not have been nearly as easy for the time period. It was way too sugar coated.

However, the story kept me intrigued. I couldn't wait to see how this ended. So many choices and so many ways that this could end beautifully.

Unfortunately, that wasn't the case.

Reggie throughout the entire story is mature. Grasping the big picture of the whole situation. The ending makes him immature. It feels more like a bratty teen not getting what he wants than love. The ending made no sense.

Ugh!! I have screamed and ranted for an hour to my household now.

So much potential...sadly...not satisfying

Outstanding Time Travel Story

I knew going into this author Jay Bell was going to break my heart, mend it, and break it again, but I bought the audio (for an extra dose of emotional upheaval) and went into it willingly. And, yes, it was all I expected...but also so much more! Kevin Free's performance was spot-on and perfect for each character.

When I wake up at 4 a.m. and can't fall back to sleep because I need to know what happens to Reggie and Daniel... When I learn more about racism in the late fifties than I ever did in a history book... When I bleed tears over blatantly acceptable homophobia against two young men who only want to dance with each other and enjoy themselves... And when I absolutely cannot forget two characters who entered and left my life within the course of a few days but became a part of my life forever... I know I have just lucked out with an all-star story performed by an outstanding voice actor and written by a superb author who previously brought Ben and Tim (Something Like Summer) into my life.

The blurb tells the tale and yet it only skims the surface. Is it possible for these two men to walk into the sunset together? One who is 18 when he slips through "a stitch in time" to 1957 and falls in love with the other who is also 18 and totally innocent in his personal outlook and his role in a changing world. Sixty-five years later.... Yes, without giving away spoilers, I can say there is.

wow wow wow

I did not think that the somethingike... series could ever be topped. but this book is nothing short of a masterpiece.

So good and heartwarming and sad

I did not want it to end! I just want more! It was definitely a beautiful and funny and heart wrenching story.