Book Review: Time Between Us by Tamara Ireland Stone

Time Between Us
Author: Tamara Ireland Stone
Reading Level: YA
Genre: Science Fiction/Time Travel
Release Date: October 9th 2012
Review Source: Hyperion Book
Available: Amazon

Summary: (from goodreads) Anna and Bennett were never supposed to meet: she lives in 1995 Chicago and he lives in 2012 San Francisco. But Bennett's unique ability to travel through time and space brings him into Anna's life, and with him, a new world of adventure and possibility. As their relationship deepens, they face the reality that time might knock Bennett back where he belongs, even as a devastating crisis throws everything they believe into question. Against a ticking clock, Anna and Bennett are forced to ask themselves how far they can push the bounds of fate--and what consequences they can bear in order to stay together. Fresh, exciting, and deeply romantic, Time Between Us is a stunning and spellbinding debut from an extraordinary new talent in YA fiction.

Time Between Us started off slow for me, but along the pages it turned into something more. The story was kind of slow paced until nearly half-way through the book. Then, everything started to develop and the connection between the two main characters began to build in just the sweetest way.

Anna is a 17 year old girl living in 1995 and Bennett, although the same age, is from the year 2012. He has returned to 1995 to find something he lost there, while time traveling. Playing the role of a normal 90’s teenager, Bennett starts high school in Chicago (he is from San Francisco in 2012) and meets Anna. I really liked that the characters weren’t just thrown in there and made to fall in love at first sight. They had to get to know each other and Bennett revealed his abilities slowly to Anna, so as to not freak her out completely. Their whole relationship built up slowly, but once they began to trust each other there is a world of adventure for them. Of all the characters, friends and families written into the story, I loved most the chapters that were centered around Anna and Bennett. Their entire relationship was fresh and innocent and so pure.

The storyline itself was easy to follow. There were a few moments where you may not be sure where it’s leading, but for a time-travel story it was kept pretty simple. And there are a few heart breaking events that really make you think and realize how one tiny choice can completely affect life. Wonderfully written, and I loved that Bennett had his own “rules” when it came to using his ability.

Without giving much more away, I will also add that the ending was exactly what it should’ve been! So many moments throughout, I didn’t see how the story would end. I figured the worst, especially for characters with over a decade of time between them. I will say if you enjoy a time travel story that actually has a happy ending, this book will definitely do it for you.