A magical love story, inspired by the legend of a woman who vanished from Grand Central Terminal, sweeps readers from the 1920s to World War II and beyond. “Readers who enjoyed Audrey Niffenegger’s The Time Traveler’s Wife will be enchanted.”—Publishers Weekly“I utterly loved this clever, charming, hopeful tale of true love against all odds.”—Ariel Lawhon, New York Times bestselling author of I … odds.”—Ariel Lawhon, New York Times bestselling author of I Was Anastasia
On a clear December morning in 1937, at the famous gold clock in Grand Central Terminal, Joe Reynolds, a hardworking railroad man from Queens, meets a vibrant young woman who seems mysteriously out of place. Nora Lansing is a Manhattan socialite and an aspiring artist whose flapper clothing, pearl earrings, and talk of the Roaring Twenties don’t seem to match the bleak mood of Depression-era New York. Captivated by Nora from her first electric touch, Joe despairs when he tries to walk her home and she disappears. Finding her again—and again—will become the focus of his love and his life.
As thousands of visitors pass under the famous celestial blue ceiling each day, Joe and Nora create a life of infinite love in a finite space, taking full advantage of the “Terminal City” within a city. But when the construction of another landmark threatens their future, Nora and Joe are forced to test the limits of their freedom—and their love.
Praise for Time After Time
“I’ll never again set foot in Grand Central Terminal without looking over my shoulder for Nora and Joe, or marveling at the station itself—a backdrop as intriguing as the love story that unfolds beneath its star-studded ceiling.”—Georgia Hunter, New York Times bestselling author of We Were the Lucky Ones
“In lively prose set against the fascinating history of Grand Central . . . Grunwald asks a compelling question: How long would we stay in one place [for love]?”—Time
“The spectacular Lisa Grunwald has written a classic story of fate, true love, art, and chance with truth and beauty. You will want to share it with every reader you know.”—Adriana Trigiani, New York Times bestselling author of Tony’s Wife
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I never quite knew how this was going to turn out–and I love that in a book. At the end, the story had me by the heart, and it was a wonderful look at a tiny moment of history in a grand place.
Here is a glorious novel to savor and return to again and again. I fell in love with Joe and Nora, star-crossed lovers from a time when women wore gloves, men wore hats and a train ticket could change the course of your life. The spectacular Lisa Grunwald has written a classic story of fate, true love, art, and chance with truth and beauty. You will want to share it with every reader you know.
What a sweet and lovely lyrical story this was (and what a gorgeous and evocative cover)… I am captivated by time and stories about time anomalies, and this was a delightful find. It was whimsical and original and clever and I quite enjoyed it. I must admit that it felt like it could have used a slightly tighter edit – there are whole swaths of the story that describe the minutiae of Joe and Nora’s lives that, while I understood for the color they were providing, found to pull me out of the otherwise excellent pacing of the story arc. On the whole though I really enjoyed this – it was touching and beautiful and magical without ever feeling heavy-handed. I recently read another novel about the history of Grand Central Terminal and found the level of detail in that regard to be spot-on and to paint a marvelous picture of a time and place that almost became a character itself, given the direction of the story. Very well done!
Thanks to NetGalley for my review copy.
I simply loved this book.
It started off slowly, but as it unfurled and gained momentum, I fell deeper and deeper into its many chasms…an epic supernatural time-travel tale, a complicated and heart wrenching love story, an absorbingly interesting historical spanning from the mid 1920s-1947 and a true celestial/geographical phenomenon that seems more like science fiction…this book covers a lot of territory. And it all takes place in the iconic Grand Central Terminal.
From its moments of lighthearted charm to its often heartbreaking dilemmas, this one (and its Nora and Joe) will stay with me for awhile. 5+/5
A big thank you to #NetGalley and #RandomHouse for providing the ARC. The opinions are strictly my own.
This is one of the best books I have read in awhile. So imaginative, a touch of magic that delightfully suspended reality amidst the familiar surrounding of Grand Central Terminal. Highly recommended!
The world of Grand Central Station, with its history and amazing beauty, came alive to me as a third character in this story of two lovers brought together by an unusual cosmic event. Their unlikely connection and fragile hold on a shared place beyond death kept me holding my breath, turning pages late into the night. This ode to self-sacrificing love is beautifully told and not to be missed!
I greatly enjoyed this smart and not-at-all-ghoulish ghost story of a relationship between a railroad worker and a ghost trapped in Grand Central Station. I like ghost stories not because of the ghosts, but because of the history that comes along with them. I was intrigued watching how Grand Central and New York in general changed over the decades of the 20th century–reminded me of similar changes to Union Station/Chicago. It’s witty and well-written, and the “solutions” the author came up with for what the ghost can and cannot do, and how she manages her, um, life in the station, are clever. I knocked off one star because it disappointed me characters went to bed together so readily, IMO, which kind of spoiled the sweet romance for me. Still, it was an entertaining story and I’m looking forward to reading more from this author.
This was my first book by Lisa Grunwald. I usually do not like time travel stories, but this one works. The setting and time period (end of The Great Depression and World War II) is my favorite. I loved learning about life was affected in a normal family affected by the war. The author’s excellent research shows up as she paints a picture of Grand Central station. A wonderful love story develops between Nora and Joe. So many obstacles and sacrifices to overcome. Be sure to read about the author at the end. Thank you NetGalley and Random House for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Lisa Grunwald has written my favorite kind of novel. Set within the wondrous boundaries of Grand Central Terminal, Time After Time is the story of Joe and Nora, the love they find amidst impossible circumstances, their fight to stay together, and the great sacrifices they make along the way. I utterly loved this clever, charming, hopeful tale of true love against all odds.
I would really have to describe Time After Time by Lisa Grunwald as imaginative! While it is a sweeping romance that spans time, it is part supernatural and part historical fiction. For that reason alone, I’m a wee bit on the fence with this one.
When Joe sees Nora standing at Grand Central Station he is intrigued — she has no suitcase and no coat, yet it is barely dawn on this December morning in 1937. She appears to be out of place. He goes to see if she needs help, but when he offers to escort her home, she vanishes.
As the year passes, Joe sees her yet again. In the same dishevelled, out of date clothes, there she is one year later. It is a special day, not only for her return, but also because of the Manhattanhenge that takes place. It is when the rising sun lines up exactly with the East-West grid of Manhattan. Sure enough Joe is captivated by this rare occurrence of Nora appearing like this, but before long, he is head over heals for her. But will Joe’s life and family obligations get in the way of this budding romance? And can Nora stay safe only with the Biltmore Hotel attached to the terminal? In this backdrop of World War II, Grand Central becomes the heart of Joe and Nora’s love.
I will say this book pleasantly surprised me. I’m not a big fan of historical fiction novels but I did enjoy certain aspects of this one. The background on Grand Central Station was very interesting and refreshing. I really found the significance of Manhattanhenge to be fascinating. I’ve never witnessed it, but I’ve seen photos of it and it is stunning. That bit of history with the fantastical aspect of time travel made this book authentic.
On the other hand, I was very disappointed by the characters. They felt underdeveloped and unlikeable. I really had a hard time resonating with Joe and Nora. I was waiting for the plot to unravel this sweeping romance that defies the laws of age and time, but what I got were two very flat characters. I didn’t feel any connection between Nora and Joe, which is really required in a romance, especially given the whole premise of this book. It left me feeling entirely defeated with the romance aspect.
I will give Lisa Grunwald credit where it is due. She is a brilliant writer. She has a lot to offer in terms of the creativity behind the book; even the historical facet was brought to life with her descriptions and imagery. With that being said, I could see this being adapted for the screen, especially with the supernatural, even magical elements sprinkled throughout the book.
While Time After Time by Lisa Grunwald would normally not be my cup of tea in terms of genres to enjoy, it had some intriguing elements that held my interest. Although it lacked in the romance department, the fantasy and historical details gave this book the charm it really needed. It is a well conceived and executed book that had its ups and downs. If you’re looking for an engaging and easy read, this book is worth getting!
Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Publishing and Lisa Grunwald for an ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
Read more of my review here: https://bit.ly/2WDPpMl
When I saw the description of Time After Time, I immediately wanted to read it. I love historical fiction, I love time travel, and I love books set in NYC, and this book has all these elements. The time travel aspect is quite different from what I expected, it’s not exactly time travel and I can’t really say what it is because of spoilers. I liked both Joe and Nora, and I loved their bitter-sweet love story. They are years and worlds apart but their connection and their love for each other is breathtaking!
I found the setting of Grand Central Station so interesting, I was fascinated by the description of all the behind the scenes. I’ve been to Grand Central lot’s of times and always marveled at the beautiful architecture but never thought about what secrets could be hidden behind the walls and underneath the station. I also enjoyed historical aspects of the book and reading about life in NYC during the depression and in 1940s. Overall, I really enjoyed Time After Time and would recommend it to historical fiction and time travel fans.
One of my top pics for the year. One of the best time travel love stories I’ve ever read. And I read as many as I can find. Don’t miss it!
Grand Central Terminal was and still is the most famous railway terminal in the world. However, Grand Central is much more than a railroad station. High above the exterior doors is the ethereal sculpture featuring Hercules, Mercury, and Minerva. Under them is an ornate clock made of Tiffany glass. The main concourse features a four-faced clock; each face crafted of opal. Above is a ceiling of constellations.
It is in this world-famous setting that the novel, Time After Time, written by Lisa Grunwald, takes place. Spanning from the mid-1920s through the mid-1940s and beyond, Time After Time tells the love story of Nora Lansing and Joe Reynolds. The first time the couple meets one another is on a bright, early December morning in 1937. Joe is a Queens’ Irishman who is the youngest leverman ever to work at Grand Central Station. Nora is a Manhattan socialite whose flapper getup and Roaring Twenties jargon are out-of-place and outdated and yet they work for her. From the moment these two meet, they are drawn to one another, despite their backgrounds and circumstances. And nothing, not time nor space or even death will keep Nora and Joe from one another.
For the complete review, go to https://kindredconnection.wordpress.com/2019/06/09/time-after-time/.
Lisa Grunwald’s TIME AFTER TIME is an intriguing and well-written historical, other-worldly romance, full of questions and mysteries, impossible, but in the context of this story, believable and real. Could Nora’s return from the dead, limited as it is, be called truly living? Is Joe sacrificing too much of life to be with her? Don’t all couples give up other possibilities, other lives, to be together? I found myself wanting to visit Grand Central Station, to view the East/West alignment of the sun nicknamed Manhattanhenge, and I did not want to put this book down.
Insights into the work and technology for keeping the trains running were fascinating, as was the description of the many shops and businesses within the Grand Central buildings, like a city within itself. The efforts to care for the soldiers coming through were heart-warming, as was the rationale of Victory Gardens, to feed civilians so farm-grown food could more sufficiently feed the soldiers. My heart went out to Joe’s mother, telling her boys that war is not a game, a truth they had to learn for themselves through their own losses, a truth we perhaps still need to learn.
The Q&A at the end of the book adds further insights into the background and process, enhancing an already wonderful book. Brava!
I enjoyed every page of this book!
Enjoyed it ….. easy read.
Terrific story!!
long book for the story it told
I read the blurb to Time After Time, the excerpt, and I was so intrigued by the mysterious Nora Lansing that I had to get this book.
I’ve been in Grand Central Terminal, the setting for this story. But I didn’t pay attention to GCT the way it comes alive through the many skills of Lisa Grunwald. When the story opens in 1937, it’s not just a destination for passengers, it’s a hard-earned place of employment, a romantic hideaway, an architectural crowning achievement. And it’s home for our heroes Joe Reynolds and Nora Lansing. Through this story I learned about levermen, the various levels of GCT, the thousands of employees, and an utterly fascinating clockwork event that forms the crux of the relationship between Nora and Joe.
There’s love and heartache amid these pages and a mystery that will keep you rapt with curiosity. I love the ability of historical fiction to teach without being boring or preachy, and the author takes full advantage of the time period to bring home critical moments in time and place so the reader savers NY as the glittering hubbub of an era gone by.
One note of caution. Reviews often contain spoilers so don’t browse the reviews. You’ll want to go into the story fresh and let the mystery and information unfold. And what a mystery it is.
Time After Time will find its way into your mind and then your heart. And maybe one day when you travel to NY you can stop in at GCT and imagine Joe and Nora standing under the famous gold clock.
A great read! I could not put it down as I could not possibly figure how the story would end!