Reviewed by rakesandrogues on
After moving across the country to New York City, Michele discovers a way into the past where she meets the love of her life during the Gilded Age. Michele lives both lives as she travels back and forth the early 1900s and 2010. Though TIMELESS sounds like a historical read, the writing style comes across as contemporary. As a reader of historical fiction, I had a tough time getting into Alexandra Monir's writing. I found all the "teen talk" to be really forced to the point of annoying and some parts just seemed cliche, to be honest. However, Monir does a spectacular job of bringing readers into the past with her vivid descriptions of early 20th century life.
TIMELESS is being promoted as a romance story that spans between two different times. I was expecting it to be romantic and passionate, but it fell short. I wasn't a fan of the romance between Michele and Philip. I just didn't feel the chemistry at all between them. Love at first sight didn't work for me in this book. I kind of felt that their interactions were to the point of corny, but that's just me. I was curious as to how their relationship would turn out, but I wasn't giddy with excitement to read about them.
My favorite part of the book is reading about the spectacular sights of New York City in the early 1900s. Living in New York, I can't even begin to imagine what the city was like a century ago. Monir paints the city beautifully in her descriptions. I can almost picture New York City in the 20th century in my mind. I would love to have traveled back in time to see this for myself.
I was very disappointed with the ending of TIMELESS, but I should add that I didn't know that this was part of a series. I thought it would have been an amazing stand-alone, but I guess not. Very little was resolved at the end. The sequel will probably entail tying up lose ends, but at this point, I don't think I'll be reading on to the next one. I would have liked this book more if it just ended.
Fans of historical, contemporary, and time travel will enjoy this read.
Reading updates
- Started reading
- 30 January, 2011: Finished reading
- 30 January, 2011: Reviewed