Will is my fiancé. The shy man I met years ago in college. The person I’m supposed to spend the rest of my life with.This is the life I’ve always wanted until finding a picture of four men changes everything… done the impossible and have become trapped in time and I know Étienne is my key to going home.
The more time I spend with Étienne, the further I fall for him until I’m questioning which time I belong in and if the life I left behind is the one I truly desire.
All I know for certain is I need to survive time.
I need to survive love.
And I need to make it out on the other side alive.
more
REVIEW: 4.5 Stars….with questions – HIGHLY RECOMMENDED –
“His memory is a second heartbeat that echoes against my own.”
I’m in a state of shock right now, still….how can I rate this???
It took me a minute to collect myself so I could actually sit down and write my feelings out about this one. To be honest, I’m still pretty raw. I’m usually the type to write my review immediately after finishing a book because I love to purge my honest, gritty feelings as I am working through them…..but this book? It affected me so. It took me days just to come to terms with how I was feeling. To adjust to a world without Étienne and Serene was truthfully a distressing thought!!
This story was the perfect example of reading a new-to-me author and getting caught up in their words. Immediately. I loved that I was able to pick it up and immediately become immersed in a new world full of curiosities, while providing me with some mentally taxing thoughts. How could it be? How did all this work?? It made me challenge normalcy – which was necessary to take this ride. It made me think and smile and love and hurt – a barrage of emotions, for sure. The best emotion? Sounds kind of off, but the hopelessness I felt from both Étienne and Serene at opposing times for situations they couldn’t control, that was my favorite part. I was completely giddy when things would happen that were unexplainable, but they were little bits of proof that their times were converging on each other.
“Tell me how to get you out of my system.”
Here’s why I loved it as much as I did. Not only did the synopsis immediately intrigue me – I honestly hemmed and hawed over the idea of actually giving it a try, but the fact that I couldn’t stop thinking about the synopsis after I read it, that told me something. That and the emotions I ended up feeling by the time I finished it were beyond anything I would have ever imagined. Yes, this was not a genre I ever thought I would read. I see them and think there is no way I can relate, but THAT right there is exactly why I loved this as much as I did. I was so completely caught up in their world…their love….their plight. I hurt when they did. I yearned when they did. I loved when they did. I felt it all as if I were there, in their shoes, living her words. My favorite part was getting wrapped up in their emotional journey. The blending of two eras was so neat to read! I could only imagine what was going on in Serene’s mind, but the way the story was told, I was able to put myself in her shoes, questioning logic and circumstance, mundane and out of this world wonders. Being that this genre is somewhat of a mystery to me, I was fascinated with every page turn. I was thankful I wasn’t rolling my eyes, or screaming no way! I couldn’t get enough! I took a ton of notes, but I am sure I missed some clues along the way. The discovery factor with this one is intense. It was definitely a mind game.
I am confused by a few things in this book, but I am also hoping that it is not only my naïveté in this genre, but also info saved for books two and three. I will be paying attention and seeing if my assumptions are right, or if they are better explained. Either way, the story brought me to my knees on more than one occasion. I have never procrastinated on finishing a book ever. EVER. I milked this ending for a good two days while I thought about the story; while I felt the fear and love; while I mourned the inevitable ending that was coming way too fast.
I realize many people say it’s just a book, but do they realize how much one affects you when the words pull you in and fuck with your emotions? I feel empty now. . . at a standstill. I seriously questioned what I was supposed to do when this was over. I was already feeling the hangover that was sure to come by 96% into the book. This story made me seriously rethink blindly handing over my emotions to an author. The smiles were bright, the palpitations were rampant, and the emotions were consuming. This wasn’t a typical journey for true love that I normally read – this was an adventure and I totally ignored my kids while I read it – HA!! I am so glad I took a chance on it, but now the pain of knowing I have to wait for the next book settles in and I feel like I may die. I feel like I’m addicted and I need my next hit. Rumor has it, September’s the month.
“And I blame time. It is a thief that stole her from me.”
~BEE
What an amazing journey this was. This is my first book by this author. This is my first of this kind of book.
When I started I felt the difference. I wasn’t very, far maybe 7% or 10% and I started thinking “this ain’t for me” I thought I’ll continue a little more but this will probly be a DNF….
WHOA!!! Am I glad I continued a little more otherwise I would’ve missed out on this freaken fabulous story.
Soooo excited to start book 2.
P.S. It’s a pretty long book that doesn’t feel long. The story has a great flow.
Phenomenal and imaginative beginning to what is to be an epic love story that transcends time by Calia Read! I loved it and can’t wait for part two, The Reigning and The Rule! I highly recommend this series!
I have been putting Surviving Trace on my list for so long. The blurb had spoken to me. My reader friends had been telling me about the book about how good it was. It is.
My heart had been on denial. Can this be true? A time travel romance. Sound like a sci-fi thing? At first, i had no interest at all. The first chapter had blown my expectation. Can you picture death yourself? Hell No! The chapter had compelled me to keep going. BOY, i was reading with such a high alert and what ‘IF’ mode!
Etienne Lacroix was a lonely gentleman. I had fallen inlove with this mysterious persona, the way he carried himself.. a true gentleman..
Serene Parrow is a smart young woman. She is very curious about life, histrory which drawn her into antic charm and historical.
I love the way Etienne and Serena had fallen inlove. How Etienne confess about his love.. Surviving Trace is a love story without ending. 1912, was in the time frame of my favorite Era. The story had been written in an elegant way. Each words connected beautifully and I cant put it down until the final page.
A friend suggested I read this story. I grabbed it on Release but have been crazy busy so didn’t get to it straight away. Well – what a mistake that was. I devoured this book, inhaled the fantasy created in the pages, got frustrated when the real world made me put it down. Exquisite story telling – books like this are why I love romance. Straight into my Favourite Reads of the year and also into my All Time Favourite Reads. I loved it that much!!!
These characters and their love story that travels across time had me laughing, crying and swooning in a big way. Slowburn at its finest. Etienne is one of my favourite BBF ever and Serene is EVERYTHING I want in a heroine. Together – their love story felt so real I could picture every scene. My heart couldn’t cope with all the emotions!! That ending had me trying to turn the page for more & shouting at my IPad – Noooo!!!!
I have found myself a new author to one click that’s for sure. I cannot wait for book two.
5 PHENOMENAL STARS!! I don’t even know where to start, my review will not do this PHENOMENAL story any justice. This book is so different from my normal book I read and I am so glad my friend told me to read it. The story was so refreshing and intriguing, I could not put it down. This is my first book by Calia Read and I can’t wait for the next book.
If there ever was a book that I instantly would recommend to all romance lovers THIS IS THAT BOOK! I knew from the prologue that this book would be amazing and I was right!
I think EVERYONE needs to read this book! Like yesterday! It’s a time traveling romance with twists and turns. Mystery and deception. Hate and love. And it’s utterly addictive! The past and present chapters have u constantly guessing bc each chapter layers on more details and mystery! It’s a slow burn like no other! I fell in love right along with the characters Oh and did I mention there is an arrogant, imposing main male character, Ètienne, who’s used to no one going up against him, but he meets his match in the feisty main female character, Serene?
Have I convinced you yet??? GAH! This book is EV-ERY-THING! This is my first novel by Calia Read and I can honestly tell you that I am an insta-fan. Her writing style is eloquent and utterly captivating. Vividly descriptive. How the plot unraveled and characters developed was beyond everything I could imagine. Heck, Ètienne was described as ugly in the beginning (by the heroine)….that’s a first for me and I FLOVED that the characters weren’t in insta-lust…it was pure development, character growth, and TIME that created the love between them. GAH! I could go on and on about how much I LOVED this book.
Be warned, it ends on a major cliffy… like one of epic proportion. #dead But it’s so worth it! Book 2 is anticipated to come out this fall and it not come fast enough!
#ALoveStoryThatTestsThePowerOfTime
#10stars
#AMustRead
Amazon US: https://goo.gl/1rei1U
Amazon UK: https://goo.gl/CeT9Hc
Amazon AU: https://goo.gl/vhv5Tm
Amazon CA: https://goo.gl/eTBGRs
10 Stars!
Calia Read’s Pinterest Board for THE SURVIVING TRACE: https://www.pinterest.com/ailac5/the-surviving-trace/
I could not put this book down! I read it in two sittings (I had to sleep). Brilliantly written. Unique and original storyline and the leading male character is almost impossible to resist!
I’m not crying,you’re crying
That’s literally how I felt reading this book..
I loovveed everything about it. The author had an
amazing way of transporting you to that place and
time. I thought it was tragically beautiful. Fighting
so hard for something that you can clearly see
is inedible. Tug and pull, slow burn, with twist I didn’t
see coming….and that cliffhanger.
The book was definitely beyond enjoyable
I was gifted a copy of The Surving Trace and am beyond grateful that I was given the opportunity to read this amazing book! It is very different than your every other romance book; intriguing, angst, heartache and a twist of time travel. At first I was skeptical of reading this book but once I started I couldn’t put it down! Etienne and Serene heartache brought me to tears more than once in this book, their ending left me in a moment of disbelief that this was how their story ended. This is a must read book!
I’m not sure how to describe me reading experience with this book. I’d heard good things about it and purposely never looked at reviews so I only knew the basics and for me that was the best thing to do.
I loved the writing which was just superb the story was inventive unique and so addictive. The characters I have no words for how they made me feel. I loved them with everything i had the characterisation of everyone involved was just perfect.
It ends on a cliffhanger I know some don’t like them however I’m kind of weird because I love them. Now onto book two.
This book sucked me in! I’m glad I have Calia another chance even though its been a few years since I’ve read my last book from her, but I also have changed as a reader. I’m also glad I trusted my fellow book friends on this series. I feel like I have so many questions especially about the family when mention on Ancestry. I was trying to figure out whose, who, but also maybe it will be mentioned more on book 2? Gah this is a cliffhanger that I’m diving straight into book 2.
I’m diving straight into book 2 cause with that ending and epilogue I have to! This time traveling romance was fabulous. From the intriguing beginning to trying to make the puzzle pieces fit and following Serene’s journey back in time this was truly an exhilarating ride. The people Serene meets and forms a very special bond and friendship with were incredible. Her and Étienne were fantastic. Such a wonderful and exciting dynamic. Don’t get me started on their chemistry. Delicious. That ending though! Enough talking. I need more Serene, Étienne, Livingston and Nat.
4 Time Traveling Stars
I found myself so intrigued with the whole time travel scenario. I love the characters and their wit! It was so different and interesting. Great to read something out of the ordinary that keeps you captivated and wanting more. It was a great adventure. Can’t wait to read The Reigning and the Rule!
This book was recommended to me by a friend. And I have to be honest, when I first started reading this, I was like what does she having me reading? I trust this girl and her book choices (blue men aside). But OMG!!! this book is AMAZING. I have never read anything like this. This is book 1 in a 3 book series, which had me leery at first, Maybe I want to wait for all 3 books to be out. I’m so glad I didn’t wait. The torture is going to be agonizing, but I’m so happy that this story is messing with my head. READ THIS BOOK NOW!!!!!!!
This is my favourite book of the year! Etienne and Serene are end goal. I loved them. Loved the angst and the mystery. I can not wait for book 2!
The Surviving Trace is my first book to read by Calia Read and also my first time travel to read and I absolutely fell in love with Etienne and Serene. I couldn’t help but think about one of my all time favorite movies “Somewhere In Time” while reading. I was so wrapped up in this story, I didn’t want it to end.
What would you do if all of sudden you we’re transported back in time and everyone around you knew you but you didn’t know them? You finally accept the change, happen to fall in love with someone you despised at first knowing that any moment you could be taken back to the present. When you think about it, it literally takes your breath away. Not being in control and in a blink of an eye, everything can be taken from you. Yep, this is literally how I felt.
“I want any other woman who comes after me to never compare. I will make him feel me. My hands will leave a trail wherever they go, and my kisses will burn like fire. I look at him from beneath my lashes. Yes, he’ll remember me.
A beautiful story and series I’m looking forward to reading.
The Surviving Trace is a great romance story and so much more. Serene is perfectly happy with her life. She owns an antique store with her best friend, Liz. She is engaged to a wonderful man named Will. She has everything she could ever want but one day she runs across a picture from 1912 and it turns her world upside down.
The story sucked me in from page one. It was interesting and different from anything I’ve ever read. I fell in love with Serene both on the present day and in the past. She was easy to connect with and I couldn’t wait to find out the rest of her story. I loved the aspect of the time travel. Ms. Read did in so seamlessly. I had never read a time travel story but this one had me hooked and wanting more of the past. This is a brilliantly written love story both in the present and past. Ms.
Read has outdone herself with this one.
This story has stuck with me and had me thinking about how one incident can change the whole course of history. I especially loved the mention of other characters and Fairfax ( some of my favorites from this author). The Surviving Trace has earned a top spot in my reads for this year. This is a must read for everyone!
I love Calia Read, I’ve read everything she’s published. When I saw the cover for this book, I was enamored; it’s so freaking beautiful. However, when I read the synopsis, I wasn’t sold. Time travel? Not my thing. So, I took a step back and thought about it for a minute, I knew Calia wouldn’t lead me astray, and I threw myself into this book full steam ahead; such a great decision. The Surviving Trace was wonderful and different than anything else I’ve ever read.
The world building in this novel was phenomenal. I felt as if I’d been plucked right out of my living room and dropped into early 2oth century Charleston. Calia Read did an amazing job of capturing the feeling of a world before our time and how it would feel to suddenly be transplanted to a world without all the modern conveniences we enjoy. I loved how intensely Serene initially rebelled against her new life and how she slowly became more comfortable in 1912 Charleston than she was in her own time.
Étienne had a certain je ne sais quoi. Even when he was hard-headed and obtuse, there was something about him that was intensely enchanting. Getting past his gruff exterior to the center of who he was: a wonderfully compassionate, understanding, sensitive man. He was the perfect foil to Serene’s hugely colorful and outspoken persona. When they were together the electricity between them was palpable, and their dynamic was so entertaining. I was obsessed with how they knew how to push each other to the brink, then back with a single look.
I was completely enraptured with The Surviving Trace from the first page. The plot was insane; it had to be for it to work as sublimely as it did. I particularly loved how this whole thing started with an old photograph found at a flea market. That something so seemingly inconsequential could forever change the world was everything. It made this story feel so much bigger than a book. From there Serene herself said it best, ‘Nothing is impossible, and everything is a lie.’ I never knew what to expect because this story was so wholly unlike anything I’ve ever read. It was an entirely new and unique reading experience for me, and I can’t wait for more of it.
My biggest wish for this would be a correction to the timeline in 1912. I’m not going to delineate the entire timeline here, because it would spoil certain parts of the book, but there are about 12 weeks (3 months) accounted for, yet only two months pass. In a book about time travel, the dates that we get are very important, so it was a little frustrating. There were also several editorial mistakes: misspelled words, typos, incorrect usage of apostrophes, that need some attention.
The Surviving Trace is the first book in Calia Read’s Surviving Time series. This is a continuous storyline, involving the same primary characters and the books will have to be read to understand their story. The Surviving Trace is written in first-person perspective; most chapters are narrated by Serene with a few in Étienne’s point-of-view.
I first discovered Calia Read several years ago, I’ve reread her Sloan Brothers series a few times, and her Fairfax series is one of the most well-written looks into mental health I’ve read. Figure Eight was literary perfection in the way it made me feel like I was losing my grip on reality just as surely as Selah was. Ms. Read is a master of placing me firmly in the middle of the worlds she’s built, to the point it feels like I have a hard time discerning my reality from the fiction she’s woven.
This was my first time travel book and Calia did an excellent job writing it. It made me interested in all the historical facts and family trees! I loved all the characters and at times the suspense and mystery! Thank you for giving me a chance to read the ARC! I’m still thinking about it, can’t wait for the next book!!