In This Moment

In This Moment by Gabrielle Meyer is the second book in the Timeless series, but I think it works really well as a standalone. I loved the first book, When the Day Comes, so I’d say read the entire series because you won’t regret it, but if you really want to, this can work as a standalone.

This time, we have three different timelines instead of two, due to the unique nature of Maggie’s parents, who are both time travelers. I applaud the author for accomplishing such a feat, complete with different characters and family members in each time line, and keep them all interesting and distinct. It seems like a herculean feat to pull this off, so I wanted to start with compliments. And continue with compliments, as I absolutely loved this book and to no one’s surprise rate it 5 stars.

But first, we have Maggie/Meg/Margaret, from now on referred to as Maggie for convenience sake, who has a time line in 1861, 1941 and 2001. She lives one day in one age, and wakes up in the next time. By her 21st birthday, she has to choose a path by staying up late in the preferred timeline, from then on she only has one timeline to live in. For Maggie, this is quite the impossible choice, in every life she stands to loose something. In 1861 it’s her beloved Papa and a Civil War that’s at an outbreak where she feels she can make a difference with her healing skills. In 1941, her time traveling family lives, and she has a sister whom she cares deeply about and needs her. With her sister she is a navy nurse. In 2001, she lives for her school, as she desperately tries to finish med school before her 21st birthday, to soak up all the knowledge. Her ambitious and loving parents push her to be her best self and she shares a dorm with her bestie, who knows about her time travelling.

And in each path, she meets a guy… we have two politicians and a doctor. She’s holding everyone at a distance, as she doesn’t want to complicate her choice of timeline, but it’s getting increasingly hard… I have to say as someone who hates love triangles, this love square was very entertaining and very well done. I was invested in each path and outcome, and it didn’t feel like a love square because of the time crossing and the way things progressed. I can’t say much because of spoilers, but the romance was very well done and the main focus of this story, and I swooned a lot.

I loved how different the story is from When The Day Comes, how the focus lies on different things. In When the Day Comes the protagonist had made her choice early on, but here the focus lies on the doubt, on the merits of all timelines and above all, seeking the council of God for the course of your life versus your own ability to choose. There were many factors to take into account, and Maggie kept doubting her choices. Thankfully she is surrounded by many wise people, their wisdom spoke to me as well.

The shifting timelines make the story very interesting as there is never a dull moment, and I was equally invested in all of them. I was surprised by all the twists and turns, and at a certain date I was quite anxious, and wow that was excruciating. Maggie goes through a lot in all her timelines (I mean in most there is a war going on), and her grief felt raw and made me cry. I felt all the feels. For me the only downside is a resolution that felt too quick/abrupt, but otherwise, I love this book to bits front to cover. I recommend it to everyone who wants a book with both depth and romance, combined with amazing characters. I can safely say Gabrielle Meyer has made her way into my autobuy author list.

I received a free e-arc through Netgalley but this hasn’t influenced my opinions.