Author: Nancy Scanlon
Publisher: Diversion Books
My Rating: 4/5
Source: Publisher on NetGalley
Publisher: Diversion Books
Genre: Historical Fiction, Time Travel
Publication: November 17, 2015My Rating: 4/5
Source: Publisher on NetGalley
THE PRESENT
Successful matchmaker Brianagh O’Rourke believes in happily-ever-afters...just not her own. She’s convinced passion only exists in her dreams. When she reluctantly accepts a marriage proposal, Bri decides she needs a vacation—but she didn't expect it to be in 15th century Ireland.
Successful matchmaker Brianagh O’Rourke believes in happily-ever-afters...just not her own. She’s convinced passion only exists in her dreams. When she reluctantly accepts a marriage proposal, Bri decides she needs a vacation—but she didn't expect it to be in 15th century Ireland.
THE PAST
Laird Nioclas MacWilliam just wants peace for his clan. The time for him to marry has come, and after waiting years for his ally to present their daughter, he’s agreed to marry another. But on the eve of his nuptials, a daring rescue brings his missing betrothed right into his arms.
And she does not want to be there.
THE FUTURE
Brianagh has to return to the future. Nioclas has to marry. He offers a solution for the both of them: She marries him and stays for three months, and they work together to convince his clan they are a love match. In return, he vows to safely return her home. But as the days turn to weeks, they both begin to see what a happily-ever-after could be. And when the time comes, does Brianagh return to the life she’s built, or does she remain in the past for a chance at true love?
Laird Nioclas MacWilliam just wants peace for his clan. The time for him to marry has come, and after waiting years for his ally to present their daughter, he’s agreed to marry another. But on the eve of his nuptials, a daring rescue brings his missing betrothed right into his arms.
And she does not want to be there.
THE FUTURE
Brianagh has to return to the future. Nioclas has to marry. He offers a solution for the both of them: She marries him and stays for three months, and they work together to convince his clan they are a love match. In return, he vows to safely return her home. But as the days turn to weeks, they both begin to see what a happily-ever-after could be. And when the time comes, does Brianagh return to the life she’s built, or does she remain in the past for a chance at true love?
**I received a free eARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
Brianagh O'Rourke is a very successful matchmaker, every single one of her clients gets their own happily-ever-after, and all of them wish for her to find the same kind of happiness with her boyfriend. Matthew and Brianagh have been dating for a while, until one day he decides to pop the question and Bri says "okay".
Matthew is supposed to be perfect, but for some reason Bri isn't crazy about him, she just feels "comfortable" in their relationship. I never saw why she thought him perfect though, the guy didn't care one bit about her, and it was very obvious. We also get to know more about him later on and he just keeps getting worse. I really disliked him, especially because he blames Bri's personality for his own behavior (even though he obviously doesn't know her as well as he thinks) and I can't stand people like that.
So Bri agrees to marry Matthew, because what they have is "nice" and she thinks that's as good as it gets. She helps her clients get their happy ending, but she doesn't believe in her own. The only time she's really happy about her love life is during her dreams, next to the same man every single time, until one day he's killed in one of her dreams and she's supposed to be at fault for that.
Bri decides she needs a break, so she leaves Boston and goes on a trip to Ireland, the land of her ancestors, where she finds out that the story about the O'Rourke clan being time passage keepers is not just an old tale. Bri is suddenly brought to 15th century Ireland, and she can't believe her eyes when she sees the man of her dreams in the flesh.
Matthew is supposed to be perfect, but for some reason Bri isn't crazy about him, she just feels "comfortable" in their relationship. I never saw why she thought him perfect though, the guy didn't care one bit about her, and it was very obvious. We also get to know more about him later on and he just keeps getting worse. I really disliked him, especially because he blames Bri's personality for his own behavior (even though he obviously doesn't know her as well as he thinks) and I can't stand people like that.
So Bri agrees to marry Matthew, because what they have is "nice" and she thinks that's as good as it gets. She helps her clients get their happy ending, but she doesn't believe in her own. The only time she's really happy about her love life is during her dreams, next to the same man every single time, until one day he's killed in one of her dreams and she's supposed to be at fault for that.
Bri decides she needs a break, so she leaves Boston and goes on a trip to Ireland, the land of her ancestors, where she finds out that the story about the O'Rourke clan being time passage keepers is not just an old tale. Bri is suddenly brought to 15th century Ireland, and she can't believe her eyes when she sees the man of her dreams in the flesh.
Nioclas MacWilliam has been dreaming about the same woman for years, his brother's made him believe that those dreams are a sign from their mother, who was killed with the rest of her clan by her own husband. Because of his father's ruthlessness, Nioclas makes him leave the clan and becomes laird in his place, just at the young age of twelve, the same age he was when he promised to marry O'Rourke's daughter. But more than 20 years have passed and she's still nowhere to be seen, so he needs to find a wife soon, since he's expected to be married for his clan. Until one night he's part of a rescue mission, and the woman of his dreams is right in front of him.
Neither of them can understand what's happening. But they're supposed to be engaged since they were children, so they make a deal: three months they're to be married, then Nioclas will make sure Bri gets back home.
It's great to see that, even though she was sent to the past, Bri still manages to be her usual self, I think it'd be pretty hard for an independent woman of the 21st century to go back to a time where women were sold like cattle to the highest bidder. And the matchmaker in her just can't help but try to find a suitable partner for her new cook.
The romance plays a big part in the story, but we don't get to see too much of it. It's not exactly about them being together, but about them struggling with their feelings until they realize they love each other. It was actually pretty sweet.
Something I really enjoyed about this was that it's fast-paced. I hate it when something takes too long in a book to finally happen and you're just sitting there suffering, waiting for it to be over! Also, it was not too predictable, there were a few things that I didn't expect and I just wanted to keep reading to know how it would all end. And I know that books about time travel can easily get confusing, but this was very well done.
Definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys books about time travel :)
What books about time travel do you know?
Neither of them can understand what's happening. But they're supposed to be engaged since they were children, so they make a deal: three months they're to be married, then Nioclas will make sure Bri gets back home.
It's great to see that, even though she was sent to the past, Bri still manages to be her usual self, I think it'd be pretty hard for an independent woman of the 21st century to go back to a time where women were sold like cattle to the highest bidder. And the matchmaker in her just can't help but try to find a suitable partner for her new cook.
The romance plays a big part in the story, but we don't get to see too much of it. It's not exactly about them being together, but about them struggling with their feelings until they realize they love each other. It was actually pretty sweet.
Something I really enjoyed about this was that it's fast-paced. I hate it when something takes too long in a book to finally happen and you're just sitting there suffering, waiting for it to be over! Also, it was not too predictable, there were a few things that I didn't expect and I just wanted to keep reading to know how it would all end. And I know that books about time travel can easily get confusing, but this was very well done.
Definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys books about time travel :)
What books about time travel do you know?
Thank you for reading! Bye-Bye! ♥
Now that I think I have never read a book on time travel. Now this is on my TBR! Thanks for this excellent review darling!
ReplyDeletexx
www.sakuranko.com
I think I've read quite a few, they're pretty fun :) Thank you, I'm glad you liked it!! ^-^
DeleteOoo this sounds good. I like time travel books, but I don't think I've read that many.
ReplyDeleteThere are a lot of great time travel books out there, my favorite one is Outlander, it's just so good! <3
DeleteTime Travel Books sind auf jeden Fall spannend, mir fällt da gleich Narnia ein, wobei es ja eigentlich nicht so das typische Zeitreisen Buch ist :D
ReplyDeleteNarnia ist erstaunlich! :D Es ist eines der ersten Bücher über Zeitreisen, die ich gelesen habe <3
DeleteOh, das klingt ja spannend!!!
ReplyDeleteHabe erst gerade mit meinem Sohn Zurück in die Zukunft geschaut und da wäre dieses Buch gleich passend für mich! ;o)
xoxo Jacqueline
www.hokis1981.blogspot.com
Zurück in die Zukunft ist unglaublich gut! :D
Deleteoh my god yes, I am glad you liked this one. I am reading it for a tour and super excited! The struggling with their feelings part sounds different from the normal that I been reading lately so yay
ReplyDeleteThat's great, I'm glad you're also enjoying this book! :D Yes, it's also very different from what I've been reading it, I really liked it :)
DeleteIt seems like maybe Bri doesn't go through too much of a character development process, but she starts to realise different things about her current way of life as she goes through experiences. And that might be a nice change to read about. I do think we should all believe in our own happy endings too, as well as helping people reach theirs ^^
ReplyDeleteYes, especially since she had to get used to being a woman in that century. Must be pretty tough!
DeleteAw that's sweet :) although I wonder why people always associate having a happy ending with being in a love relationship.
Oh Carla I love time travel books! Thanks to your review I will be reading this! Nioclas MacWilliam sounds like the perfect guy for Bri!
ReplyDeleteMe too, they're so much fun! :D I think you'd enjoy this one :)
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