Book Review: Time Between Us by Tamara Ireland Stone

Title: Time Between Us

Series: Time Between Us #1

Author: Tamara Ireland Stone

Genre: Young Adult (Science Fiction & Time Travel)

Publisher: Corgi Childrens

Publish Date: July 4th 2013

Pages: 384

Goodreads link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11115457-time-between-us

Author link: http://tamarairelandstone.com/

Book blurb: Anna and Bennett were never supposed to meet: she lives in 1995 Chicago and he lives in 2012 San Francisco. But Bennett has the unique ability to travel through time and space, which brings him into Anna’s life, and with him a new world of adventure and possibility.

As their relationship deepens, the two face the reality that time may knock Bennett back to 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, what consequences they can bear in order to stay together, and whether their love can stand the test of time.

Overall rate: ★★★★☆ (4.44 out of 5)

Book cover: 4/5

Story plot: 5/5

Characters: 4.7/5

Language: 4/5

Book's world: 4.5/5

Favourite excerpt from the book:

He continues as if I never interrupted. "I don't think I can go back to a life without you."

My face goes blank and I just stare at him. "What are you saying?"

"I'm saying... I'm completely in love with you. And I guess I'm wondering... what if I didn't leave, after all?"

The word that was just pressing against my chest minutes ago is now coming from his mouth, and even though I wanted so much to see it on paper, I guess I wasn't prepared to hear it spoken out loud. He loves me. He wants to stay with me. I can't completely process either idea, but I feel light-headed from all of the hope that's surging through my veins. And I think I'm still staring at him.

Time Between Us is one of the best teenage romance I have ever read. I could have easily give it a 5 star, but I don't want to sound too biased, since there are a few parts that I wasn't really fond of. I own the UK edition of this book (the cover is different from the two above), but I wish I owned the original edition because the cover is so much more beautiful.

I haven't seen or read much stories regarding time travel, but time travelling always amuses me. Because it's simply impossible. Which makes time travelling very interesting. Time Between Us tells that even though you are separated by many years—and in this case, almost two decades—love can still bloom. Two person can still love each other despite the consequences of time gap.

The story started with (if I'm not mistaken, because I've read the book some time around last month? And my memories are not that good) a woman looking for Bennett, somewhere in 2012. She gave him a letter, and told him that one day he'll understand. I think it stopped right then, before the time went back to 1995 as this story was told by Anna's point of view. Anna was having her routine morning jog when she saw a boy sitting on a nearby bench looking out and smiling at her as if he knew her. But when she curiously went to see who he was, he was already gone but there were footsteps around the snow by the bench. Footsteps of one going to the bench, but not leaving the bench. 

Of course she found it weird, and she shared it with her best friend, Emma. Not long after that (or was it before she told Emma??) she saw the same boy walking around the school grounds, but this time he did not even acknowledge her. It made Anna feel weirder. When she told Emma about him, the girl made him sit with them on the lunch table. They all introduced themselves, Anna being embarrassed that Emma actually called him to their table, and Bennett smiling obliviously. When he learned Anna's name though, he looked surprised. Which added more to Anna's confusion.

A lot more things happened in between, which I really don't feel like spoiling because this story is just too good and needed to be read by everyone, but one of the things that I really like was when Anna wanted to tie up her hair while in class, but couldn't find anything to hold her hair up. Bennett, who was sitting behind her gave her his pencil and she used it to hold her hair. It was only a simple gesture, but Anna was smitten about it (and so did I). 

Anna and Bennett went through a lot of hot and cold moments before Bennett finally told her the truth. He could travel through  time and space, and that he was actually 17 years younger than her. To his surprise though, she accepted it without any hesitation. In fact, she seemed fascinated by his ability. Bennett took Anna to different places all around the globe. He first took her to Ko Tao, a beautiful island in Thailand.

Bennett did think countless of times whether he should be with Anna or not, but eventually he fell for her the same way she did for him, and he wanted to stay with her. And he used his gift only to make her happy, since she really wanted to travel to new places. But when Emma and Justin (Anna's friend since childhood) was involved in a horrible accident that almost cost Emma's life, Anna questioned Bennett's gift. She wanted him to help save Emma's life by altering the past. Bennett was furious at first because something bad could happen if they alter anything from the past, but he finally gave in because all he wanted was for her to be happy.

The real reason Bennett came to 1995 was because he was looking for his sister, Brooke, who was caught somewhere in 1993 after their attempt to watch a concert there. But Bennett was knocked back, leaving Brooke alone caught in the past. When Brooke was finally knocked back to the present time, Bennett could no longer come back to 1995 to visit Anna like he wanted. She was left hanging, not knowing what happened to him.

I won't share any much longer, since I've already spoiled a little bit too much already. 

I had fun during the whole time reading Time Between Us, because of the way the places and feelings were described. They felt so real. Anna is one of my favourite female fiction characters, because she knew how to stand up on her own. Yes, she did break apart when Bennett disappeared, but she still fought back and stood up again. And she had such a loving heart, who won't love her?

Bennett is pretty much the sweetest male fiction character that I have ever read upon. Even though he sets a few limits for his abilities, he was willing to explore more for the sake of Anna. That simply shows how sweet and caring he was for Anna.

I do enjoy Emma and Justin's characters too. A sharp-tongued Brit like Emma will always amuse me. She often act before she think, but that made her character more fun to be with. I like the fact that Justin knew a lot about music, but I couldn't like him as much as I like all the other characters. You may know the reason once you pick up this book. Nonetheless, all characters were much likeable, including Anna's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Greene, and Bennett's grandmother, Maggie.

I totally love the whole plot, because most of the parts were quite unpredictable. It wasn't really quick-paced or slow-paced, just nice enough. And the ending just left me with so much bubbly feels.

I really recommend Time Between Us to young adult readers that enjoy a fresh and relaxing read that still expresses a great love without any ridiculousness. 

I have also read the sequel, Time After Time. The review will be posted soon.

Till next time ♡ Love, Humaira