“Across Time is my Top Read of 2019, hands down, no questions asked.”—Amazon Best-Selling Author Maria Luis–In a dangerous time before her own…a dangerous attraction.Amelie Besson is on the cusp of attaining the life she’s dreamed of—until she finds herself stuck in pre-war France, fifty years before her time. The country is about to be under German rule, but her most immediate problem is … immediate problem is Henri Durand, the arrogant and infuriatingly handsome vineyard owner upon whom her survival depends.
The fiercely protective Henri challenges everything Amelie holds true—particularly her hatred of the gift that brought her there in the first place. As the bond between them grows, Amelie will begin to wonder if the life she’s returning to is actually the one she wants, and if her connection to Henri might be strong enough to surmount any obstacle…even time itself.
*Across Time is Book One in the Across Time Series and ends in a cliffhanger. The sequel, Across Eternity, will arrive 4/1/2020.
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It’s been a while since I’ve read a book by this author and I’m happy to say that I’m glad I did but sad I waited so long to do so! I am a huge fan of time travel stories and Across Time did not disappoint. It’s a slow burn kind of adventure with the 1987 Sarah ‘jumping’ back in time at the behest of her late sister, Kit, to France circa 1938. And right from the start, I knew she’d have her hands full trying to make sense of her purpose and also trying her hardest not to fall for the strong-willed Henri. “Landing” in his barn sets off a journey that takes the newly-renamed Amelie to a world that is rife with conflict as the onset of WWII looms over this peaceful countryside. With Henri’s sister, Marie-Therese as Amelie’s ‘guide’, there is much to ponder as she falls hard for the virile farmer, wondering how the life she left behind will be affected.
Even with the slow moving nature of this book, I felt as if there was so much going on, at times I had to sit back and let it all sink in. The mystery of the disappearance of Henri and Marie-Therese’s mother, along with Amelie’s Aunt is the underlying question that has both women taking chances in trying to find answers that might be better off undiscovered.
In addition, the burgeoning love between the oft-times callous Henri and the determined Amelie is full of unease knowing full well she’ll have to return to her time eventually, without him. There is great push and pull between them, with their chemistry undeniable and full of heat. I was thrilled they couldn’t resist the other and I shouted a big FINALLY, as they finally succumb to their desires.
The Author presents her own twist on time travel and again, it gave me pause and I knew I couldn’t skim even just one word. I will admit at times, though, that I wanted to, since it sometimes felt a bit too slow. With days seemingly taking forever, especially after ‘jumping’ occurred. But I will also admit that I was rewarded well for my patience, fully understanding the Author’s method to her madness so to speak, as the love scenes btw Henri and Amelie were way beyond touching. And worth the wait.
With a very OMG kind of ending, I will be extremely anxious to see how this story plays out with the conclusion, not due until April, 2020. It is very well-written and full of wonderful emotion and truly incredible characters. They are very likable and even those who are a bit detestable, add the right amount of realness to this story.
Reading other reviews, I suppose I should grab the Parallel duet while I wait for book two, since Sarah/Amelie was first mentioned there. And I will since O’Roark is a great storyteller and I’m curious to know more about this world she has created.
A real page-turner with all the elements I love about time travel books, I happily give Across Time 4.5 stars!
This is the sequel to the best books of 2019: Parallel&Intersect. That book rewrote the rules for time travel romance. This book doesn’t disappoint. On the contrary, it surpassed my expectations on all levels.
It takes place in France 1938, and the authenticity of the period is spot on. The Amount of research that must have been done while writing this masterpiece is hard to fathom. And getting the French all correct? Bravo.
Amelie is chasing a prophecy and a dream when she travels and meets Henri and Marie. Henri is wary and Marie welcomes her with open arms. Marie realizes she’s just like Amelie: A genetic time traveller. Born with the ability. Henri and Marie are brother and sister with secrets, and Amelie worms her way into their lives in order to satisfy…something. There’s so much to unpack in this nuanced story.
The book brings up honest concerns of too much changing the past or future. Does Amelie tell the siblings about what’s coming so it might save their lives? Do the siblings make changes in their lifestyle because of a perceived threat? Or do they all let it just play out the way it’s supposed to?
Henri is loyal, hardworking and prickly. But because of O’Roark ‘s deft hand, his personality is slowly revealed to be the kind of man we all want. (Swoon) The prose is magical without being paranormal in nature. As the reader, you will just accept the time traveling as normal. The chemistry is off the charts between Henri and Amelie. You will want to throw your kindle at their insane efforts to ignore the pull between them. Yes, it’s a slow burn, but as you read it, the pages fly by, making their relationship seem inevitable. But the secrets keep coming, and nothing is set in stone when you can travel through time. Cliffhanger at the end, so perhaps you end up throwing that kindle after all.
Amazing story and characters, whenever I want a book to blow me away, this is the author I read!
I don’t know how Mrs. O’Roark makes such a believable time travel story that is so gripping and interesting that I fully believe every single possible instance and can’t put down. My only issue is that this is duet, with a cliffhanger and that I will have to wait for the conclusion BUT still this book is AWESOME. A truly captivating read that I guarantee you can’t put down. Amelie and Henri’s story had me on the edge of my seat.
When I first read Parallel by Elizabeth O’Roark, I knew that I was slipping in to an amazing journey, but her story Across Time most definitely takes the cake. While the story starts as a little mysterious, you move into a feeling of definite tension and budding emotion between Henri and Amelie. The story builds, twists and turns in a way that keeps you interested and invested in the characters. Just when you think you have it all figured out…. Elizabeth O’Roark leaves you waiting and anxious. So I hear I sit, in awe of how this book played out, waiting for the end of the story.
P.S. I love Henri so much. He’s my new favorite hero.
On the fence about this book? Don’t be. It is SO SO SO worth the read. I finished this in one sitting (about 6 hours). I could not put it down and can’t wait for the next one. Try it… you can thank me later 😉
Across Time is the first book in this series and what a ride it has been! I forgot how I loved and enjoyed reading this kind of trope and it’s a big thank you to the author for bringing me back the feelings.
This is a story of Amelie who had to go back in time due to her sister’s urging to save a woman in the 1930’s. Once there she met siblings Marie-Therese and Henri, but her dilemma started when they have to figure out how she could help them. It didn’t help that Henri distrusts her presence in their life. Oh how I love the snarky, witty banter between Amelie and Henri! I just want to yell at them to get it together and kiss already, LOL! Anyway, I just love a good slow burn romance and this book had it in spades. This is one of those books that you could get lost to and never want to get out of. With that, I need the next book, like, right now! Loved it!
“Timeless and romantic! Ooo la la! The Parallel Saga continues…
Amelie and Henri are the perfect time out of time, impossible love story! Set against the backdrop of pre-WWII France, this romantic story wends it’s way through history, time, family and relationships, while all the while revealing what truly matters and forcing the hero and heroine to question the impossibility of it all. The intensity, the yearning and the emotion that Elizabeth O’Roark weaves throughout this story take the reader on a do not miss adventure beyond time!” Five stars.
This book went beyond my expectations – and I LOVED the Parallel/Intersect series, so I was expecting quite a bit walking into this book. Sarah is an incredible woman, one who grows leaps and bounds throughout the course of this book and truly finds herself. I loved her character so much because of the strength and determination she showed; even when she struggled, I just knew she was going to come out of it stronger and better (even if she didn’t think so). And then there’s Henri – stubborn, intelligent, swoonworthy Henri – who helps her with that growth, who helps her discover love, and who is her perfect match. Their journey together and apart, across the times, makes this book an incredible read. I’m not thrilled that the next book won’t be out until April, simply because I want to know what happens – but the wait will be worth it.
O’Roark does such a phenomenal job with this book. The setting, the characters, the imagery, the steam, the storyline…it’s all fantastic. I enjoyed every second of this book and can’t wait to read the second book in the spring.
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I loved this book and recommend that everyone reads it. Thank you to the author for thus opportunity to fall in love with Sarah and Henri.
This book left me breathless. The twist and turns kept me glued to my kindle. Henri is just yummy. Can’t wait to see what’s next.
This series is hands-down one of my favorite series this year. Besides the fact that I love time-travel stories, this just has everything I adore contained within the pages of this book. time traveling heroine, broody hero, a bit of fun times, mystery, intrigue, angst, and heat.
I thought Parallel and Intersect were fabulous stories. As a matter of fact, I totally broke down in Intersect and did the ugly cry. One part of it was so very emotional for me. Now we get to see another side of this story and I just ate up this story! Henri and Amelie started off as enemies. Their banter made me think of the Princess Bride where Montoya was always threatening to kill someone. There were some funny banter, but there’s a mystery to solve as well. Amelie had two beaus and had to choose, even if there really wasn’t a choice.
This story just grabbed me from the beginning and I didn’t want to put it down. I cannot wait until the second installment comes because even though I’m learning even more about the story as they all interconnect, I still need to learn more! I just absolutely loved this.
Romance, time travel, history? SIGN ME UP!
This was my first Elizabeth O’Roark book and I am hooked. I have never read someone who writes historical, time travel romance as effortlessly as she does. It’s both maddening and brilliant.
This is my friendly warning that this is a duet but jump on this train because the ride is fascinating!
For a couple of years, I have taken a break from reading time travel romances, but there was something about the blurb of this story that really intrigued me.
Amelie is not your ordinary, everyday time traveller. There are so many strange and mysterious things surrounding Amelie’s life (present, past, and 50 years in the past). She can bravely take on every challenge that the 1930s gives her, except the one person who helps guide her into her new world, deliciously headstrong Henri Durand. Amelie and Henri have an explosive chemistry filled with angry words, silent moments, and scorching glances. Their love/hate standoff dominates the story and leaves you rooting for a quick truce.
This is not a cookie cutter storyline. There is mystery, suspense, a unique time travel premise, and a really big cliff hanger that will make you scream in frustration and counting the days to find out how Amelie and Henri’s story ends.
My introduction to Elizabeth O’Roark’s writing came by way of her Parallel duology–Parallel and Intersect–a few months back, and while I’ve yet to go through her back list, when I found out that she had a spin-off in the works, there was simply no way I was going to let the opportunity to read this pass. Fair warning: This book ends in a cliffhanger AND the second book isn’t going to be released until April 1st of next year. Yep, that’s four months, but based on O’Roark’s track record with her previous duet, it’ll be worth the wait (knock on wood!). There was so much to savor in this first book, that even though I’m no exactly known for my patience and I knew that there was a cliffy, I’m glad I went with my gut and read the first part of Amelie and Henri’s story. I loved that they had to work through their issues before they were able to truly trust one another because it meant that they were building towards something more substantial. This story and the characters have me absolutely intrigued and on tenterhooks as to what awaits them in the next book. Across Time gets five stars. Let the waiting game commence!
Guys!! If you saw my previous reviews of Parallel and Intersect, you already know my LOVE for this author and her writing.
And Across Time… It’s on a whole other level. Omgggg she’s done it again! I’m a crazy mess but it’s such a glorious feeling!!! I messaged Elizabeth like a madwoman! LOL
Henri and Sarah … the feels… the angst… the tension… SO DELICIOUS!
I already know that Across Eternity is my most anticipated read of 2020 and I CAN’T WAIT!!! Gahhhhhhh
I know I am not saying a lot about the book but if you like time travel romance, if you love reading about a love that transcends time, if you love LOVE, this is a book you don’t want to miss. All books by O’Roark have been PERFECTION in my eyes and this is another to add to the list. <3
Oh my wow! Across Time by Elizabeth O’Roark is incredible. A complex story with time travel, romance and mystery that has all the feels. Don’t miss this one!
She does it Again! Truly Creative! Elizabeth @ Carolina Chic’s Read
Amelie’s story is right up there for 2019 for best reads right along with the others from this author. I have enjoyed these story lines that have spanned across times, but more the complexity of the Time Jumper story lines, this story is written to perfection. Henri may be my new Book Boyfriend!
5 Stars!
After reading Parallel and Intersect I couldn’t wait to get my hands on Across Time and it was everything! This is the first book in the series and ends in a cliffhanger. Gahhhh I don’t know what it is about time travel but I’m fascinated and can’t get enough. I couldn’t put it down. I absolutely fell in love with Henri and Amelie and looking forward to the next one. If you’ve never read time travel, give it a chance and I promise you will fall in love as much as I have.
“People who are older than us always seem different, almost a different species. As if they were always old and faded and cared about the wrong things. I wish there were a way for us to see each other exactly as we would like to be seen. To freeze ourselves at a certain age and stay that way if we choose.”
Y’all, THIS. BOOK. I can’t even say enough great things about Henri & Amelie, and I refuse to even spoil a single plot thread for ACROSS TIME. But I will say this: this book is my Top Read of 2019. I devoured it in a single sitting, slept all of 4 hours, and came out the other side, FREAKING OUT because Elizabeth O’Roark slayed. this. story.
I have so many feelings regarding this book!
First off, I want to make sure it’s known that this is the first book of a duet, so yes, there is a cliffhanger! But the author does such a wonderful job creating this story and the build up you will be wanting more. The writing was excellent, and the depth of these characters is phenomenal.
I would describe this as a slow burn romance/enemies to lovers, with fantastic chemistry. This is an unique story involving time travel and mystery.
I’m on the edge of my seat waiting for the conclusion of this duet!