When food blogger Anna Matthews takes a vitamin supplement that thrusts her back in time to 1996—and into her sixteen year old body—she is naturally a little shocked. But after a hasty re-assimilation, she decides to take advantage of this amazing second chance to view her teenage years from a more mature perspective.But with the effectiveness of each dose only lasting twelve hours, and any new … and any new actions initiated in the past having no effect on the future, Anna wonders whether taking it again would serve any purpose.
Of course, curiosity gets the better of her, and she soon becomes addicted to travelling back in time to relive what she originally believed to be some of her best memories.
Knowing that her husband grew up in the same area—and with him unwilling to talk about the past—Anna decides to track him down in 1996. But an unexpected discovery forces her to make a heartbreaking decision that will change both her and her husband’s future forever.
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I had a hard time getting into the book. It is a YA book. I skimmed through the first part and thought if I did that then I might as well give up. This was not for me. I received an Advanced Readers Copy of this book via Hidden Gems and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Loved the story and found myself remembering some parts of 1996 with fondness and others with a cringe. I’m usually not a fan of stories that switch backward and forward between eras, but this was so wonderfully done that it was seamless. Perhaps this was because the author was able to get across the sense of confusion and delight Anna experienced when she was back in 1996, without overwhelming the story. It might be this that made it work as well as it did. Great read and perfect for those have a ‘what if’ in their past.
Everything I love in a book! Highly recommended.
Great concept, endearing heroine with a dilemma. As Anna timetravels back to her teenage years, she must decide whether to let what she learns in the past effect her present. Loved it and can’t wait for the follow-up novel 1997 because this one does end with major issues, including romance, unresolved. Good writing, good reading.
Enjoyed this book so much. Looking forward to 1997
Check your reality at the door!
1996. A time when mobile phones were the size of bricks and you could only use them to call and text. A time when we had CD Walkmans. I mentioned that to a much younger colleague and he looked at me like I was crazy. Walking around with all that?! But it was normal then! A time when there were still cassettes. Cassettes! I remember when I used to tape my favourite tunes. There was something special about that. A trip down memory lane for Anna, but also for me. How life has changed in just 22 years!
I loved this book. A. Ma. Zing. 10 stars! It wasn’t your traditional love story, it was different. Anna has found her old diaries back, but when she reads them her husband Ed reacts very strangely. He seems … self-centered. Distant. Arrogant. It’s all about him and his wishes and his life. But Anna seems happy enough. But then she travels back in time and finds out things, and once you know certain things you can’t un-know them, can you? It makes her reassess her life.
There were some real pearls of wisdom in there too. And so much to relate to! Anna’s mum has ME. And her story has so many similarities to my own story, it made me weak in the knees from all that recognition. Not many people really understand and it was soooo nice to read this! My ex employer used to look at me as if I were a hypochondriac and I never wish anything bad for anyone, but I’ll admit I wished him a week in my shoes; see how he liked that.
At the end all I could think was: I want more. I WANT MO-O-OOOOORE! The next book will be out soon: YAY! I recommend this book to anyone who wants to walk through the portal back to 1996!
I am totally a fan of time travel fiction and I found this unique twist on the concept incredibly interesting. I also really enjoyed the main character, Anna – I loved how self-aware and “real” she was. I thoroughly appreciate the complexity of hers and the other characters’ personalities. And I must admit that one of my very favorite aspects of this book was the blast from the past I got with the 1996 scenes!
Literally, the only thing that I dislike about Kirsty McManus’s 1996 is the fact that it ended and I have to wait until 1997 is released to find out what happens next… I sure hope it’s not too long!
Some books grab you from the start. Others take their time. 1996 is of the former category. I was hooked but good by the end of the first chapter, and I stayed hooked all the way through to the end. Like the mysterious youth compound Anna receives—and imbibes, this novel’s heady mix of three-dimensional characters, captivating plot, and wise morsels of introspection and discovery transported me deep within the story.
With a delicate touch, Kirsty McManus awakens Anna to the realities lying beneath the superficial perfection of her life. Visits to her teen-aged life back in 1996 give Anna the clues she needs to understand herself and the people closest to her. It’s an emotional journey, to be sure, but a fun one to follow as a reader. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for her back in 1997!