This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Genres: Time Travel Romance, Historical Romance
Released on July 14, 2015
Pages: 278
Format: eARC
I thought the first book in this series was delightful and fun so I anticipated similar feelings toward this second installment. Let me tell you, the tale of the modern woman control freak and the medieval knight with the tarnished honor and strong, courageous heart hooked me in from the start and I couldn’t put it down. I was captivated by the blend of colorful historical backdrop, well-developed characters, and an exciting well-paced plot.
The story is part of a series, but it is loosely connected and could be read out of order or as a standalone.
Katy Tolson is one of those people who has to control everything including those around her which is why when her bridesmaids put a moratorium on her using her planner and her phone while on their bachelorette trip to Wales, that she nearly goes nuts. Katy’s time in Wales has already left her unsettled and not just because she has been cut off from her phone. She dreams of a dashing knight and she feels an inexplicable connection to the knight depicted as a saint in a Welsh church. But then things really go awry when she is accidentally catapulted back to the past- to medieval Wales no less. Control? Katy is plunged into a situation that makes her painfully aware of just how not in control she is. She is dropped into the middle of a battle between the Welsh and the Norman English. She has aroused the curiosity and suspicion of one of the Norman knights because of her modern clothes and modern speech. Katy is confused by her reaction to the knight who protects her and has to convince herself that she can’t get attached because she doesn’t belong in the past and she has another man waiting for her even if she now has serious doubts about marriage. If she could only find the object that sent her back to the past?
Sir Robert Beucol, landless and living with a tarnished family reputation because his father died as a traitor and his mother is Welsh. This Welsh rebellion is his chance to make good and gain a hearing with King Edward to petition for the return of his family lands from his enemy and rival who is still working toward Robert’s further ruin. Only, right when he is poised to prove his loyalties and prowess, he encounters a mysterious woman with high-born and foreign ways. She stumbles into the middle of war and against his own needs he protects her and brings her with him. Ultimately, he will have to part ways since he must marry for advancement and financial gain, but the longer he is with the beautiful Kaytee, the harder it is convince his heart that they cannot be together.
This was a refreshing story. I tend to have certain expectations when it comes to Time Travel romance. Mostly, I notice that these stories tend to focus on the characters, plot, and even sci-fi aspect of the story with the settings in the past glossed over. This I forgive if the story is good. But in this book, I was thrilled to have my cake and eat it, too. The author put a lot of effort into making medieval Wales and even the set up for how the time-travel part of the romance conflict really work. Robert’s time and the way Katy was written in were convincing (at least to this non-scholar and amateur history lover).
And the characters were well developed in their situations. Katy has issues because of being abandoned and Robert has scars from his past, too. They have a nice developing romance and I loved how they made it work in spite of the language and cultural barriers. I ended up with a strong medieval romance even though Katy is a modern gal.
I was fascinated how the difference of 700 years difference worked. Love and lusty times, greed and mean-heartedness are universal. Robert and Katy share attraction and I loved how they help heal each other even while I was left speculating just how it would all work out. The villains were great as the black-hearted rape and pillaging sorts that I enjoy hating in medieval romance.
All in all, this was a blast to the past that kept me riveted from cover to cover. Time travel romance fans really need to grab this one.
My thanks to the author for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
What is your impression of Time Travel in Romance? Are you for it? Against it? Like it, but prefer it to have either a magical or scientific explanation? Now how about personally. If you could time travel, would you? And if so, where and when would you go (assuming you can come back to all that’s familiar)?
Romance Roundabout #270 HR
Historical Romance #73
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When I read time travel, I want to be able to get the feel for the time and place the person has traveled to so setting is really important to me. If the author drones on about the mechanics of time travel, I often find myself losing interest in the story.
I’m eager to check out this book.
I had fun with it and the first book Must Love Breeches which gave a wink to Jane Austen. Yes, I definitely fall more the way you do when it comes to how I feel about Time Travel plots. Wow me with the scenes, but don’t bore me with the mechanics.
This sounds like fun an the type of time travel romance I enjoy. I always fantasize that something like this would happen to me During my histrom phase
It was fun. Haha! I’ve daydreamed my way through a few time travel fantasies.
Oh I think I would be able to relate to Katy very well, I am a control freak as well. Sounds like an interesting situation where she get’s transported back in time and then realizes how she doesn’t have any control. I haven’t read a lot of time travel romances so far as I am not a fan of the technical aspect of tiem travel, but I’ve read one book which didn’t focus on that and instead more on the setting and romance. I can enjoy books like that although it will never be my favourite genre. sounds like the… Read more »
Yes, Katy needed her control and I felt a bit sorry for her when it was all gone, but she was a strong gal who adjusted. Your aversion to time travel stories makes sense to me. In this one, it is magical so there isn’t anything to have to understand as to the science of it. I like these more as I tend to not want a long technical explanation which, as you point out, can’t really make sense. 😉 Haha! Yes, we do have nice creature comforts here that the past eras can’t offer us. Indoor plumbing, a/c and… Read more »
I love time travel! When it’s historical like this, it’s definitely a lot better when the author really incorporates the history and setting for the time period. This sounds really good.
Yes, she did a really good job of establishing the historical setting and making the characters fit the time period. Hope you get a chance to try it, Christy!
It sounds fun! And that title, lol
It was good stuff. And yes, a ‘must love’ title. 😉
Darn you…I have book one on my wishlist, and now I have to have this one…I love the sound of the chemistry. Eep.
Evil, evil, reviewer, right? See, I felt the same way about the Sideswiped and The Drafter. 😉
These two had good chemistry and it came out b/c they had to actually communicate before they spoke the same language.
I actually really love time travel romance, it adds a unique twist. I have heard of this book, but haven’t read it but boy do I really want to especially after reading your thoughts on this one.
I know you enjoy Medieval so I think this one will hit the spot. And yes, the time travel was a fun twist.