Madeline J. Reynolds

Synopsis:
Elias is living in the 19th century and is part of the aristocracy. While drunk he accidentally spills wine on his best friends artwork causing everyone to be upset with him. His already strained relationships become more strained and Elias just wants to run away. His grandfather gives him a magical time-traveling watch and he poofs himself into modern day where he meets Tyler, a wanna-be filmmaker. Tyler hopes that Elias will lead to his big break and Elias needs Tyler's hospitality to navigate the complex modern world. Elias is gay and Tyler is bisexual so as they spend time together a slow burn relationship develops.

My rating:
4/5

I really had a great time with this book which is why I rated it a four out of five stars. This book did have some plotting issues and required quite a bit of suspension of disbelief but it was such a fun read that in the end I didn't care much that there were some lapses in logic.

I loved Tyler's character. He reminded me quite a bit of Dawson from Dawson's Creek. I loved Elias and his enthusiasm for our modern world. I adored the chemistry between the two and found the relationship sweet and believable. I also appreciated that, while these character had chemistry the book didn't get smutty. I am super picky about bedroom stuff in romances. If it is poorly done it can ruin a book for me. This book had some kissing and that was pretty much it. Which was the perfect heat level for me especially considering the character are 17 years old.

I will add that at times in the book Elias and Tyler acted older which was sometimes confusing to me. The book takes place on a campus and it feels like a college campus though I believe it is actually supposed to be a boarding high school.

This book was super cute and funny. It had fun scenes and witty dialogue.

My main issue with the book was the time travel device. Elias can travel through time basically at will. He also can make changes in the past that effect today. This created some situations in the book that didn't work for me.

Overall I loved the characters and the romance. I felt the setting was a bit shaky because it felt like a college campus but I believe it is a high school campus. I felt the watch being used as a time travel device created plot issues.

I had a good time with this book despite the flaws. If you are able to suspend your disbelief this was a fun read and I recommend picking it up.… (mais)

**I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. This is a voluntary review; all opinions are my own and not influenced by my source.**

This book took me awhile to get into probably because it is told through (primarily) journal entries and that delivers the story in a different way. You focus more on the characters, their feelings and daily events more so than the setting or interactions with other characters. But once I got into the groove of the POV format, the story was easy to read.

It was amazing to watch these two transform before my eyes as the story progressed. The Thomas and Saverio we get at the start of the novel definitely aren't the same boys we end the story with. I just loved the personal growth we see in these characters. I think the journal entries provided that touch of intimacy into these characters' emotions and inner thoughts that really adds to the characters' many layers.

I, personally, would have enjoyed a more amped up rivalry between the two master magicians; with more sabotage. Instead, the focus remains on the two apprentices creating a very character driven story that is still very enjoyable to read because there is some great character growth (in addition to the very sweet romance).

These two were simply adorable together! I always enjoy romances that don't start out with the nicest intentions, yet twist into something real and strong. When the plot isn't focusing on them as individuals, I like how it concentrated on how they navigate their relationship given the various circumstances (their rivalry, the nature of their relationship in society, etc.). I also appreciated how it took the time to tackle them realistically; nothing ever felt rushed in that sense.

Despite a slower start, this is a great read for fans of character driven historical YA reads!… (mais)

The premise of this book is great. This is why I wanted to read this book. It would have been really good if the story had started out with the one scene towards the ending as the starting point of the story and then made its way backward. Due to the layout of the story being all in journal format. This way I would have been sucked into the story quicker. Not that I wasn't interested in the story but it just took me a bit longer. Also, it didn't help that I found the pacing of the story to move slowly. The second half of the story picked up speed.

In regards, to the two dueling illusionists Neville Wighton the Great and Paolo, they played second string to Thomas and Saverio. Thomas and Saverio were the voices of the story. Thomas really intrigued me. A man of mystery. Saverio is like the boy from the wrong side of the tracks who falls for the rich boy. The romance between them was real and mature. Nothing childish about it. The story does end on a high note.… (mais)