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Through Time #1
Linked Through Time
Fifteen-year-old Kate Christenson is pretty sure she's about to experience the worst possible summer at her grandparents' rural farm in Baudette, Minnesota. Without cable, cell phones, or computers, she is headed for total isolation and six tedious weeks of boredom.
Until the storm.
A freak lightning accident has Kate waking up in 1960.
But she is not herself. She's the aunt she never met but has eerily resembled her entire life.
Thrust into living a dirt-poor, rural farm existence, Kate struggles to make sense of her situation - a boyfriend with a dark side, a "townie" who steals her heart, and the knowledge that 1960 is the very summer her aunt drowns in the local river.
But was the drowning an accident or a suicide... or something much worse?
Until the storm.
A freak lightning accident has Kate waking up in 1960.
But she is not herself. She's the aunt she never met but has eerily resembled her entire life.
Thrust into living a dirt-poor, rural farm existence, Kate struggles to make sense of her situation - a boyfriend with a dark side, a "townie" who steals her heart, and the knowledge that 1960 is the very summer her aunt drowns in the local river.
But was the drowning an accident or a suicide... or something much worse?
201 pages, Paperback
First published April 16, 2012
11 people are currently reading
336 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
September 3, 2012
When I read the blurb for this book I though "Hell yeah, a book about time travel, strange new places, mysteries, magic, monsters and heart stopping action scenes ? " I am so in.
Expectation
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But . . .
In reality
During a lightning storm Kate get's transported back to 1960 (lame) where she assumes to life of her dead aunt Sarah ( what happened to the real Sarah during this time is unclear ). As Sarah, she takes to the tasks of a 1960's farm girl (lame) doing tedious boring work such as milking cows and feeding chickens (even more lame). During her time there she discovers that Sarah's boyfriend Dave has been abusing Sarah and later she falls in love with some guy called Travis. Do not make the mistake of thinking this book is about time travel, because it isn't, it's actually a love story - a very crap love story at that. It has the fastest case of insta love I have ever seen. You know how usually insta love takes a few days to happen ? Well in this book, Kate/Sarah falls in love with the guy in less than 24 hours :
"Travis had walked into my life and stolen my heart in less than 24 hours. Unbelievable."
Yeah, it is unbelievable isn't it ? But you know the worst part about that ? It doesn't even make sense ! Because Travis is the most uninteresting person in the whole world. He has all the typical markings of a generic recycled love interest : super hot, popular, likes to play hero . . . and blah blah blah. He has no interest, history or a life outside the heroine's story. He might as well be a decorative ornament. Everything that comes out of his mouth is boring, cringy, cheesy crap. Seriously, he has the personality of this brick wall.
Clearly Kate/Sarah is only with him because of his looks because really, there's nothing else there to love. Travis bored the ferret out of me and their silly declarations of "true luv" just made me sick. It's not love, it's lust, LUST . There's a clear difference : Love requires genuine feelings (feelings Kate/Sarah and Travis don't have), lust is just lust.
The supposed plot was, I think, Kate trying to solve the mystery of Sarah's death but the answer had been so obvious from the start that it doesn't deserve to be called a mystery. As for the whole time travel thing, God that was so disappointing. There were no Dr. Who style adventures or kick ass action scenes or whatever. In fact if the book hadn't said it was 1960, I wouldn't have known because the world building was unimaginative and lacked that special something that makes you feel like the setting is in a different time.
And now for the question you really want answered.
Should I read Linked Through Time ?
Not if you value those precious brain cells.
Expectation
[image error]
But . . .
In reality
During a lightning storm Kate get's transported back to 1960 (lame) where she assumes to life of her dead aunt Sarah ( what happened to the real Sarah during this time is unclear ). As Sarah, she takes to the tasks of a 1960's farm girl (lame) doing tedious boring work such as milking cows and feeding chickens (even more lame). During her time there she discovers that Sarah's boyfriend Dave has been abusing Sarah and later she falls in love with some guy called Travis. Do not make the mistake of thinking this book is about time travel, because it isn't, it's actually a love story - a very crap love story at that. It has the fastest case of insta love I have ever seen. You know how usually insta love takes a few days to happen ? Well in this book, Kate/Sarah falls in love with the guy in less than 24 hours :
"Travis had walked into my life and stolen my heart in less than 24 hours. Unbelievable."
Yeah, it is unbelievable isn't it ? But you know the worst part about that ? It doesn't even make sense ! Because Travis is the most uninteresting person in the whole world. He has all the typical markings of a generic recycled love interest : super hot, popular, likes to play hero . . . and blah blah blah. He has no interest, history or a life outside the heroine's story. He might as well be a decorative ornament. Everything that comes out of his mouth is boring, cringy, cheesy crap. Seriously, he has the personality of this brick wall.
Clearly Kate/Sarah is only with him because of his looks because really, there's nothing else there to love. Travis bored the ferret out of me and their silly declarations of "true luv" just made me sick. It's not love, it's lust, LUST . There's a clear difference : Love requires genuine feelings (feelings Kate/Sarah and Travis don't have), lust is just lust.
The supposed plot was, I think, Kate trying to solve the mystery of Sarah's death but the answer had been so obvious from the start that it doesn't deserve to be called a mystery. As for the whole time travel thing, God that was so disappointing. There were no Dr. Who style adventures or kick ass action scenes or whatever. In fact if the book hadn't said it was 1960, I wouldn't have known because the world building was unimaginative and lacked that special something that makes you feel like the setting is in a different time.
And now for the question you really want answered.
Should I read Linked Through Time ?
Not if you value those precious brain cells.
July 5, 2013
I recently read "The Mirror" a month ago and could barely finish it. Not only were there two time jumps, but the book "The Mirror" meandered on, at least in my opinion.
This book is much more compact. While the writing style is different, i.e. The Mirror is more of a literary style, and this book is more of a young adult read, Jessica Tornese's book has a much better story, and is better told.
I enjoyed how Kate, the heroine, adapted from city life to country life in a few short days (although it took weeks for her to completely master). In "The Mirror" the older time period (a hundred years earlier) seemed too much of a contrast, and life did not seem so enjoyable back then. Here in this book, we can relate more to the year 1960, as farm life was still hard, but at least social morals had become liberated enough to ensure children could still enjoy being children, and family members could respect one other.
I really enjoyed Travis (the younger)'s character. He seems the perfect boyfriend - sensitive, sweet, and understanding. He is a very good role model - but still retains charm and charisma to turn on a young woman's heart.
The only issue I have with this book is the ten pages or so at the end of the book where (trying not to give away spoilers here, but this should be okay) Kate, the heroine, is back in her own time and confronts (in different ways) the two men that were central to her alter ego Sarah's life. I didn't like that brief moment in the book showing who Travis had become as an adult, and also that Dave would still retain such murderous impulses he last had forty or so years ago and had not changed at all. Also I thought Kate took way too many risks when she confronts the older Dave, given that she had firsthand experienced the behaviour of his younger self! Also, the fact that these two men still lived in the same town decades later, given the animosity between them and the natural tendency for people to move on out of town as young adults.
Aside from these ten pages or so at the end, I loved this book and the time travel connection was so well explained. As you can see, ten pages out of 210 is just me being nitpicky. I loved the scenes where the connection between Kate (as the younger Sarah) and Kate's future father (also Sarah's younger brother) is strong; the bond durable. For me, it was so emotional how Kate gradually learns how her father really lived, and how he experienced first hand his life on the farm with several brothers and sisters. For me, this brings into vogue the time-honoured tradition of "...when I was your age" stories that older parents routinely tell their children. Listen to these stories (yes, all generations no matter in the 1950's, or 1970's, or 2010's roll their eyes at such) as they do have a lot of meaning and they're usually very true, even if they're not directly relevant to the younger generation, but they mean a lot to the parents.
A great time travel book. I strongly recommend it.
This book is much more compact. While the writing style is different, i.e. The Mirror is more of a literary style, and this book is more of a young adult read, Jessica Tornese's book has a much better story, and is better told.
I enjoyed how Kate, the heroine, adapted from city life to country life in a few short days (although it took weeks for her to completely master). In "The Mirror" the older time period (a hundred years earlier) seemed too much of a contrast, and life did not seem so enjoyable back then. Here in this book, we can relate more to the year 1960, as farm life was still hard, but at least social morals had become liberated enough to ensure children could still enjoy being children, and family members could respect one other.
I really enjoyed Travis (the younger)'s character. He seems the perfect boyfriend - sensitive, sweet, and understanding. He is a very good role model - but still retains charm and charisma to turn on a young woman's heart.
The only issue I have with this book is the ten pages or so at the end of the book where (trying not to give away spoilers here, but this should be okay) Kate, the heroine, is back in her own time and confronts (in different ways) the two men that were central to her alter ego Sarah's life. I didn't like that brief moment in the book showing who Travis had become as an adult, and also that Dave would still retain such murderous impulses he last had forty or so years ago and had not changed at all. Also I thought Kate took way too many risks when she confronts the older Dave, given that she had firsthand experienced the behaviour of his younger self! Also, the fact that these two men still lived in the same town decades later, given the animosity between them and the natural tendency for people to move on out of town as young adults.
Aside from these ten pages or so at the end, I loved this book and the time travel connection was so well explained. As you can see, ten pages out of 210 is just me being nitpicky. I loved the scenes where the connection between Kate (as the younger Sarah) and Kate's future father (also Sarah's younger brother) is strong; the bond durable. For me, it was so emotional how Kate gradually learns how her father really lived, and how he experienced first hand his life on the farm with several brothers and sisters. For me, this brings into vogue the time-honoured tradition of "...when I was your age" stories that older parents routinely tell their children. Listen to these stories (yes, all generations no matter in the 1950's, or 1970's, or 2010's roll their eyes at such) as they do have a lot of meaning and they're usually very true, even if they're not directly relevant to the younger generation, but they mean a lot to the parents.
A great time travel book. I strongly recommend it.
October 31, 2012
LINKED THROUGH TIME By: Jessica Tornese
Kate Christensen is a typical, twenty-first century fifteen-year-old. She adores the latest electronics, her music, constant contact with her friends. She even has a teen's disdain for her dad and his roots. Then he takes her to what she believes is a prison for summer vacation, where she is caught up in a forty year old mystery about how her aunt died – the same aunt Kate resembles enough to be her identical twin. Caught up in a twist of time, she lives out her aunt's last two months on earth, and discovers Sarah's final moments weren't as everyone believes.
Jessica Tornese weaves a tale of a typical teenager, in trouble for sneaking out and angry at her father, with magical ease. Although Kate is somewhat unlikeable at the beginning of the story, the reader soon falls into the pain she feels, almost like the pain of abandonment. Kate's anger and rebellion leaves her lost in time, back on her Aunt Sarah's fifteenth birthday, two months before she dies in what the rest of the town believes is a suicide. Tornese then takes the reader on a journey, where modern day Kate is trapped in a past she never knew about, a past where her dad is her champion, a past where children work as hard or harder than their elders. There is a special guy for the person who Kate is during this time, a guy that gives her the creeps and fascinates her at the same time.
The chores done by the children while Kate is in the past toughen the world-weary city girl, give her the chance to right a wrong. Does she succeed? You'll have to read the story to find out. Jessica Tornese give the reader the chance to see the world through Kate's eyes, as she matures and learns her dad is always suspected something was wrong, and he is there for her when she returns to the present.
Kate Christensen is a typical, twenty-first century fifteen-year-old. She adores the latest electronics, her music, constant contact with her friends. She even has a teen's disdain for her dad and his roots. Then he takes her to what she believes is a prison for summer vacation, where she is caught up in a forty year old mystery about how her aunt died – the same aunt Kate resembles enough to be her identical twin. Caught up in a twist of time, she lives out her aunt's last two months on earth, and discovers Sarah's final moments weren't as everyone believes.
Jessica Tornese weaves a tale of a typical teenager, in trouble for sneaking out and angry at her father, with magical ease. Although Kate is somewhat unlikeable at the beginning of the story, the reader soon falls into the pain she feels, almost like the pain of abandonment. Kate's anger and rebellion leaves her lost in time, back on her Aunt Sarah's fifteenth birthday, two months before she dies in what the rest of the town believes is a suicide. Tornese then takes the reader on a journey, where modern day Kate is trapped in a past she never knew about, a past where her dad is her champion, a past where children work as hard or harder than their elders. There is a special guy for the person who Kate is during this time, a guy that gives her the creeps and fascinates her at the same time.
The chores done by the children while Kate is in the past toughen the world-weary city girl, give her the chance to right a wrong. Does she succeed? You'll have to read the story to find out. Jessica Tornese give the reader the chance to see the world through Kate's eyes, as she matures and learns her dad is always suspected something was wrong, and he is there for her when she returns to the present.
January 3, 2013
Wow, wow wow! I absolutely LOVED this book and could not put it down. I'm now disappointed I have finished it so quickly- I want it to go on!
The story focuses on a 15 year old girl - Kate- who, after bumping her head during an accident whilst on holiday at her Grandparents farm, becomes linked back through time, and actually becomes her Aunt Sarah when she herself was a fifteen year old girl.
How will this spoilt, work- shy, technology loving girl cope with her new life of farm labour living as part of a very large, fairly poor family, 40 years ago.
Also, now living as her Aunt it is very important that Kate can uncover the truth behind her Aunts death during the August of her fifteen year, before time runs out, and she herself suffers the same fate.
The plot explores love, unrequited love and family conflict and is a really enjoyable read.
The characters are all very well developed, and you really get a feel for them, and an understanding of how they are feeling and what they are going through.
Each chapter left me wanting to read more - hence why I finished the book in less than two days.
The book also ends with a real cliffhanger and I only hope they're will be more to come!!
Linked Through Time is a must read!
The story focuses on a 15 year old girl - Kate- who, after bumping her head during an accident whilst on holiday at her Grandparents farm, becomes linked back through time, and actually becomes her Aunt Sarah when she herself was a fifteen year old girl.
How will this spoilt, work- shy, technology loving girl cope with her new life of farm labour living as part of a very large, fairly poor family, 40 years ago.
Also, now living as her Aunt it is very important that Kate can uncover the truth behind her Aunts death during the August of her fifteen year, before time runs out, and she herself suffers the same fate.
The plot explores love, unrequited love and family conflict and is a really enjoyable read.
The characters are all very well developed, and you really get a feel for them, and an understanding of how they are feeling and what they are going through.
Each chapter left me wanting to read more - hence why I finished the book in less than two days.
The book also ends with a real cliffhanger and I only hope they're will be more to come!!
Linked Through Time is a must read!
May 30, 2013
With the blurb telling you pretty much what you'll work out about 10% in, this book does come across as a bit predictable. There were a lot of stereotypes scattered throughout, some that work and others that didn't quite sit right.
I much preferred Kate while she's in 1960, but then, that really is the whole point isn't it. I did often feel like I was being transported back to my grandparents era. The story took on similarities to tales they have told about their childhood, so it wasn't much of a stretch to see what Jessica was going for.
There were a couple of inconsistencies with character that worried me (Travis) I didn't get his reaction, I am guessing it was to do with grief, shock and self preservation, but I don't think the scene quite got there.
Ultimately, the reading was quick, there was enough action to keep me reading and despite picking the climax about 15% in, the nice little sting in the tail was a welcome addition.
A couple of things I noticed:
78% - rag doll sentence repeated twice.
81% - '...creeped-out al (all) in one.'
I much preferred Kate while she's in 1960, but then, that really is the whole point isn't it. I did often feel like I was being transported back to my grandparents era. The story took on similarities to tales they have told about their childhood, so it wasn't much of a stretch to see what Jessica was going for.
There were a couple of inconsistencies with character that worried me (Travis) I didn't get his reaction, I am guessing it was to do with grief, shock and self preservation, but I don't think the scene quite got there.
Ultimately, the reading was quick, there was enough action to keep me reading and despite picking the climax about 15% in, the nice little sting in the tail was a welcome addition.
A couple of things I noticed:
78% - rag doll sentence repeated twice.
81% - '...creeped-out al (all) in one.'
September 26, 2013
If you're expecting a murder mystery, like i did, this one isn't for you.
"Linked through time" mainly focuses on the love life of Sarah/Kate, and the mystery (if you can call it that) didn't really come into to it until about 70%.
The mystery wasn't really mysterious. It's pretty obvious who it was from the beginning.
The only character i liked, was Kate's dad in his child years.
He was really sweet, and was really protective of his sister.
Dave was a nasty piece of work. He was vile, and really possessive.
What he was about to do to Sarah/Kate was disgusting.
Then, there was the other love interest, Travis.
Travis was sweet, but there was just something missing. I didn't hate him, but i didn't really like him either.
It didn't really help that there was Insta-love between him and Sarah/Kate.
Overall, This was a bit of a boring read. It's more likely to be a book you'll like if you're looking for a romance story, with the "mystery" being on the sidelines.
"Linked through time" mainly focuses on the love life of Sarah/Kate, and the mystery (if you can call it that) didn't really come into to it until about 70%.
The mystery wasn't really mysterious. It's pretty obvious who it was from the beginning.
The only character i liked, was Kate's dad in his child years.
He was really sweet, and was really protective of his sister.
Dave was a nasty piece of work. He was vile, and really possessive.
What he was about to do to Sarah/Kate was disgusting.
Then, there was the other love interest, Travis.
Travis was sweet, but there was just something missing. I didn't hate him, but i didn't really like him either.
It didn't really help that there was Insta-love between him and Sarah/Kate.
Overall, This was a bit of a boring read. It's more likely to be a book you'll like if you're looking for a romance story, with the "mystery" being on the sidelines.
June 8, 2015
This was an enjoyable read with credible characters. Fifteen year old Kate isn’t very happy about spending the summer at her grandmother’s house in the back of beyond. A city girl she is at odds with her father and resentful about her life. Then after a fall in the barn Kate is transported back to the 1960’s and finds herself inhabiting the body of her father’s sister, Sarah, who it is believed committed suicide at fifteen. As Kate struggles to cope with the harshness of her new sixtie's life she builds a bond with her father who is now a young boy, learns a few hard lessons and discovers some secrets about her Aunt Sarah’s life. Jessica handled the time-slip transition well and spins a heart-warming story with a neat twist at the end.
April 19, 2012
I am the proud author of this book that is meant to be a trilogy. Working on the sequel right now!
February 16, 2019
Super fast overnight read. I enjoy a good time travel. This definitely YA and frankly broaches on some hard subjects such as domestic abuse in a very young age, but it was a decent read and I will likely read the sequels
Want to read
December 20, 2019Author's guest post at my blog:
https://bookfare.blogspot.com/2019/12...
https://bookfare.blogspot.com/2019/12...
January 13, 2013
First, the cover: I think it really fits the tone of the book--a bit mysterious but romantic. The thing that is striking here is the TIME, but the front is that of the magazine the TIME as well. I'm not sure if it was done on purpose because it's an iconic magazine, but I suppose that would work either way. In the novel the main character is a snotty, spoiled brat of a teenager who constantly bickers with her brother. She's a city-girl and couldn't be more upset when her father drags her to the country especially because everyone keeps reminding her how much she looks like her suicidal aunt. Then she hits her head, and actually becomes her aunt. From here you get to watch the character grow into a mature and grateful person as she goes the trails and tribulations of a possessive and abusive boyfriend and the hardworking home life. I enjoyed watching the character grow and learn, and I could really relate to how she was feeling in the situations she was put in. Through each step of the character's journey you get intimate descriptions of what is going on, but these descriptions aren't overbearing or cliche; thus, they do not violate the show not tell tenant. The writing also perfectly captures the feelings and roller coaster of an abusive relationship including the realization that the guy is a total toolbox. You feel the fear, hate, and anguish with the relationships she is in. The abusive relationship with Dave is one that the aunt is already in when the main character gets there, and it seems she is feeling as the aunt did. Luckily, she stands up for herself and gets out the relationship, but there is a sense of doom that something bad is going to happen because of it either way. Then you get to see her relationship with Travis build up slowly but surely. You feel her doubts and questions about if this could be the same as with Dave and when it's not you're relieved. I really connected with the characters and enjoyed watching the main character grow up when I really hated her in the beginning. This book isn't a "Dr.Who" time travel book filled with fantasy--it's hardcore real life contemporary romance that has you trembling with the character and laughing, too. I purchased the next one in the series the second I saw the 100% on my Kindle!
July 5, 2012
LINKED THROUGH TIME by Jessica Tornese tells the story of Kate Christenson, a self-absorbed 15-year-old who's forced to spend the summer at her grandparents' farm in rural Minnesota. There's no internet or cell service. No cable. And before Kate even makes it into the farmhouse, she accidentally smashes her iPod: a clean separation from the life she knew. Kate has issues with everyone, from her dad to grandparents to her mother. Nothing is made easier by the fact that Kate's a dead ringer for her Aunt Sarah, who committed suicide at age 15.
But when Kate is transported back to 1960, resurrected as Sarah, her once-burning issues begin to seem trivial in light of what she's facing. Life is so different than what Kate is used to, it's like a movie. Every member of the family works long, hard hours on the farm. There's Sarah's questionable relationship with intimidating boyfriend Dave Slator. There's a new love interest, Travis Kochevar, a townie. There's Sarah's siblings, Kate's dad, and other aunts and uncles. And there the secrets Sarah keeps, secrets that she doesn't even share with her closest sibling, Kate's dad. With Sarah's death looming, Kate has to figure out why she's there. Kate grows up during her stay in 1960. When she pops back into the year 2000, she's matured, much more compassionate, and much more aware of love, loyalty, and family.
This book drew me in and moved along flawlessly. There's something for every reader: the paranormal, romance, suspense, and a mystery with a twist. Jessica Tornese's deft writing will keep you turning the pages. I'm hoping for a sequel!
But when Kate is transported back to 1960, resurrected as Sarah, her once-burning issues begin to seem trivial in light of what she's facing. Life is so different than what Kate is used to, it's like a movie. Every member of the family works long, hard hours on the farm. There's Sarah's questionable relationship with intimidating boyfriend Dave Slator. There's a new love interest, Travis Kochevar, a townie. There's Sarah's siblings, Kate's dad, and other aunts and uncles. And there the secrets Sarah keeps, secrets that she doesn't even share with her closest sibling, Kate's dad. With Sarah's death looming, Kate has to figure out why she's there. Kate grows up during her stay in 1960. When she pops back into the year 2000, she's matured, much more compassionate, and much more aware of love, loyalty, and family.
This book drew me in and moved along flawlessly. There's something for every reader: the paranormal, romance, suspense, and a mystery with a twist. Jessica Tornese's deft writing will keep you turning the pages. I'm hoping for a sequel!
July 28, 2012
Link Through Time is one of those remarkable Young Adult books that transcends its genre and joins the category of all-around good reads.
15-year-od city girl Kate hates it that her father is forcing her to spend the summer with him on his parents’ farm. Nothing against her grandparents, but there’s no internet, no cell service, no cable, and she breaks her iPod getting out of the car. Add to that the embarrassment of being constantly reminded that she is the spitting image her father’s late sister Sarah, who died in the nearby rapids at just her age, and Kate seems set up for a thoroughly miserable stay.
Then comes the bonk on the head. Suddenly, it’s 1960, and she is her aunt Sarah in the weeks leading up to the date of her death. In addition to all the usual dilemmas of accidental time travelers—What are the rules here? What happens if I do or don’t do this that or the other? How do I get out? Can I get out?—Kate/Sarah has to become someone everyone else knows but whom she knows not at all. This includes getting used to constant farm chores (Tornese depicts these with been-there-done-that authenticity), outhouses, no running water, living with just a couple of outfits to wear, and two boy friends in a feud over her.
Not enough for you? All right then, Tornese throws in the central conflict of the whole book—solving (avoiding?) Sarah’s death.
I won’t go into more plot details because it’s more fun to discover them by reading the book than a review, but I promise Tornese tells the tale with great skill and ends it with a tantalizing surprise that makes you wonder what might come next. Sequel maybe?
15-year-od city girl Kate hates it that her father is forcing her to spend the summer with him on his parents’ farm. Nothing against her grandparents, but there’s no internet, no cell service, no cable, and she breaks her iPod getting out of the car. Add to that the embarrassment of being constantly reminded that she is the spitting image her father’s late sister Sarah, who died in the nearby rapids at just her age, and Kate seems set up for a thoroughly miserable stay.
Then comes the bonk on the head. Suddenly, it’s 1960, and she is her aunt Sarah in the weeks leading up to the date of her death. In addition to all the usual dilemmas of accidental time travelers—What are the rules here? What happens if I do or don’t do this that or the other? How do I get out? Can I get out?—Kate/Sarah has to become someone everyone else knows but whom she knows not at all. This includes getting used to constant farm chores (Tornese depicts these with been-there-done-that authenticity), outhouses, no running water, living with just a couple of outfits to wear, and two boy friends in a feud over her.
Not enough for you? All right then, Tornese throws in the central conflict of the whole book—solving (avoiding?) Sarah’s death.
I won’t go into more plot details because it’s more fun to discover them by reading the book than a review, but I promise Tornese tells the tale with great skill and ends it with a tantalizing surprise that makes you wonder what might come next. Sequel maybe?
May 24, 2013
I really enjoyed this novel, Linked Through Time. Kate is a teen with an attitude and she does everything she can to make sure her dad knows she is mad at him and everything else as well. When he takes his kids to his parents' farm, she feels like she has fallen down a rabbit hole because there is no electronics, no cell services, no friends and no city life. She hates it. Then one night something bizarre happens during a lightning storm and she ends up going back in time to become her aunt who died at 15, the same age as Kate. She is now living her aunt Sarah's life for two months before she dies in 1960. She realizes she is meant to discover how and why her aunt died. A secret that has been covered up for a very long time.
Anyone who has grown up on a farm will be able to relate to the hard work of looking after animals, working the land. Now imagine going back to the '60's, no power and no running water... Kate is sure she is being punished for something. She goes from playing on her cell phone to having to heft bales of hay, collect eggs, milk cows. She is constantly getting into trouble for one thing or another.
In this story, you get an inkling of what is coming. I so wanted to cheat and skip to the end to read what happened... but I didn't. I really enjoyed following Kate's journey from the reality of now to the reality of back then. I think every parent at some time has had the thought that they'd love to take away all the electronics and have their child discover what it really means to work and be outdoors a whole lot more.
I loved this story, very engaging. I look forward to reading book 2 in this series - Lost Through Time.
Anyone who has grown up on a farm will be able to relate to the hard work of looking after animals, working the land. Now imagine going back to the '60's, no power and no running water... Kate is sure she is being punished for something. She goes from playing on her cell phone to having to heft bales of hay, collect eggs, milk cows. She is constantly getting into trouble for one thing or another.
In this story, you get an inkling of what is coming. I so wanted to cheat and skip to the end to read what happened... but I didn't. I really enjoyed following Kate's journey from the reality of now to the reality of back then. I think every parent at some time has had the thought that they'd love to take away all the electronics and have their child discover what it really means to work and be outdoors a whole lot more.
I loved this story, very engaging. I look forward to reading book 2 in this series - Lost Through Time.
May 18, 2014
Linked Through Time is probably the most meticulous and well thought of book I have read so far. Never would I thought of falling in love with time travel story, basically I'm not a fan of that but lately I've been reading a lot of cool stories and this one definitely hits the spot. I admire how our author came up with such divine setting, characters and plot.
The only thing I know about the 60s is that life was different, people were conservative and there wasn't much to do for fun but Jessica told it accurately that it seem tempting to wonder how it really is to live in that era. The characters especially the Christenson family (Sarah and Kate's family is so endearing even when they sometimes fight with one another making Kate realize that life there is not so bad after all.
Except for what happened to her aunt, Sarah. Abusive relationships have been going for the longest time and in this story it's hard not to hate Dave Slater for ruining what could be a perfect life for Sarah and Travis. And while I can't help but like Travis (Sarah's current boyfirend who is the sweetest guy), I kind of expected a lot from him but I don't think he delivered at all.
I don't see any flaw to this story, it kept going from having a good beginning to exciting middle and satisfying end. I commend Jessica for being such a good storyteller because this is the kind of story that would make you want to read it over and over again.
Giveaway available on my blog until June 14,2012. Just visit http://goodnightcarolina.blogspot.com...
The only thing I know about the 60s is that life was different, people were conservative and there wasn't much to do for fun but Jessica told it accurately that it seem tempting to wonder how it really is to live in that era. The characters especially the Christenson family (Sarah and Kate's family is so endearing even when they sometimes fight with one another making Kate realize that life there is not so bad after all.
Except for what happened to her aunt, Sarah. Abusive relationships have been going for the longest time and in this story it's hard not to hate Dave Slater for ruining what could be a perfect life for Sarah and Travis. And while I can't help but like Travis (Sarah's current boyfirend who is the sweetest guy), I kind of expected a lot from him but I don't think he delivered at all.
I don't see any flaw to this story, it kept going from having a good beginning to exciting middle and satisfying end. I commend Jessica for being such a good storyteller because this is the kind of story that would make you want to read it over and over again.
Giveaway available on my blog until June 14,2012. Just visit http://goodnightcarolina.blogspot.com...
June 14, 2013
I love a good time-travel book, and the pacing of the story definitely kept me engaged. It hooked me from the beginning, and I finished it a few hours. The main character and plot were fairly predictable, but still solid and obviously interesting. There was just the right about of detail so I could create my own movie in my mind. The reason I couldn't rate it any higher than I did was because the whole time element kept throwing me, and obviously for a time-travel book that is a very crucial aspect. The beginning and end of the story definitely take place in the present due to the cultural references and the language the main character uses, like "my bad", but then she time warps back to 1960. Not a problem for a fictional book, right? Except for the ages of her father and grandparents. When she goes back to 1960, her father is 8. That means he was born in 1952, which in present day makes him 60. Not impossible, but not very likely for a fifteen year old. Also, both of her grandparents are living, and since Kate's dad is a middle child in a large family, that would easily make her grandparents in the upper 80s to mid 90s. Again, possible, but not likely. I read through a few other reviews of this book and no one else mentioned this, so maybe I am being too critical. Overall, I did like it and it earns every one of its three stars. I will also recommend it to my mature middle school students.
June 23, 2013
"Linked Through Time is a blend of time-travel and a murder mystery. When the story opens fifteen year old Kate Christenson, her father and young brother have arrived at her grandparents rural farm in Baudette, Minnesota where they will spend the summer. For a city-girl the vacation spells boredom, and to add fuel to her frustration she's constantly reminded of her resemblance to her Aunt Sarah who died tragically at the same age; that is until a sudden electrical storm hurtles Kate into 1960's. No longer herself, Kate assumes the life of the aunt who so closely resembles her, and has to face all the challenges of a teen living on a poor rural farm with hardworking brothers and sisters. As well as trying to adapt to this strange development in her life Kate fights to extricate herself from the bullying of townies,an abusive boyfriend and to unravel the mystery of Sarah's death. Woven into the story are elements of obsessive love, revenge and deliverance as well as family values and unconditional love. I liked the characters; the resourceful and determined Kate who learns to value her father and her family, the tender and compassionate Travis who finds true love only to lose it and Dave whose good looks hide a sinister personality. Although at times the momentum of the plot seemed to slow, I recommend this book to everyone who likes a taste of time-travel with a touch of mystery.
June 13, 2014
When 15-year-old Kate Christenson equates visiting her grandparents in rural Minnesota for six weeks with a prison sentence, you know it’s going to be the vacation from hell—and Jessica Tornese makes it living hell for Kate—and made a reader unable to put this down out of me. Without giving too much away, I want to tell lovers of time travel that it was executed, wrapped up, and came full circle with exquisite deftness. Kate travels through time to become her aunt Sarah who was believed to have committed suicide in 1960. The following events and Kate’s determination to bring justice to Sarah make her a true heroine. I started this book with unusually high expectations, since time travel is one of my favorite genres, and it exceeded even that. I’ve read time travels that are cliché (time machines, etc.) with stock storylines and cardboard cutout characters, but Kate and her entire family, in 1960 and in the present, came as alive as I was sitting at that kitchen table in the dilapidated farmhouse sharing a meager meal of squirrel and potatoes. Reading this story, you will visit that Minnesota farm with no plumbing and smell the cow dung and the interior of an outhouse. I can’t fail to mention this either—it’s extremely well-written. I’ve worked as an editor, and believe me, do I appreciate a well-written work that conveys emotion without spilling into melodrama territory—the essence of great fiction writing. Now onto the sequel. www.dianarubino.com
June 25, 2013
Kate Christenson is a spoiled 21st Century city girl forced by her father to spend summer vacation on her grandparents’ farm in rural Minnesota. To add insult to injury Kate has an uncanny resemblance to her Aunt Sarah. Family and friends who knew Sarah gasp or cry when they see Kate. Sarah died when she was Kate’s age, 15, from an apparent suicide.
After an accident in the barn, Kate wakes to a calendar reading 1960. For some amazing reason she has been transported back in time fifty years to the summer when Sarah died.
Life isn’t easy for Kate/Sarah. She must wake up before the roosters to milk cows, tend the hay in the barn, and countless other chores leaving her hands blistered and her body muscled. And the farm doesn’t even have running water! No wonder Sarah killed herself. Or did she?
The boys in town seem to be drawn to Sarah. There’s Dave Slater who is tall, handsome, strong, and a bit domineering. Travis Kochevar is a very cute townie with a gentle touch and dimples hard to resist.
Jessica Tornese takes her readers through time in Linked Through Time, an absorbing YA novel with riveting characters and a fascinating arc that will keep her audience turning pages as Kate’s summer on the farm comes closer to the August date of her aunt’s demise.
After an accident in the barn, Kate wakes to a calendar reading 1960. For some amazing reason she has been transported back in time fifty years to the summer when Sarah died.
Life isn’t easy for Kate/Sarah. She must wake up before the roosters to milk cows, tend the hay in the barn, and countless other chores leaving her hands blistered and her body muscled. And the farm doesn’t even have running water! No wonder Sarah killed herself. Or did she?
The boys in town seem to be drawn to Sarah. There’s Dave Slater who is tall, handsome, strong, and a bit domineering. Travis Kochevar is a very cute townie with a gentle touch and dimples hard to resist.
Jessica Tornese takes her readers through time in Linked Through Time, an absorbing YA novel with riveting characters and a fascinating arc that will keep her audience turning pages as Kate’s summer on the farm comes closer to the August date of her aunt’s demise.
February 7, 2015
Given To Me For An Honest Review
Linked Through Time (Linked Series Book 1) by Jessica Tornese is a fantastic must read! Once you open up to page one this book will grab you and not let you go until the end. You will be on the edge of your seat watching those pages turning and turning one after another. A few little twists and turns for good measure. The story will engulf the reader so that the reader becomes a part of the story. It has everything a book should have. Adventure, suspense, action, romance and even some humor. A young girl is taken back in time and is re-living her aunt's life and experiences when she was 15. Kate, the niece, feels the need that she has to uncover the truth of her aunt's death. Was it really suicide, or an accident or maybe even worse? The lessons that she learned while in the past, help her understand more of her life in the present. She better understands
what family relationships are all about. I gave this book 5 stars but wish I could've given it more. It would make a great gift or look good in your bookshelf. I highly recommend this book to everyone especially if you enjoy young adult mysteries or time travel. I look for more by Jessica Tornese.
Linked Through Time (Linked Series Book 1) by Jessica Tornese is a fantastic must read! Once you open up to page one this book will grab you and not let you go until the end. You will be on the edge of your seat watching those pages turning and turning one after another. A few little twists and turns for good measure. The story will engulf the reader so that the reader becomes a part of the story. It has everything a book should have. Adventure, suspense, action, romance and even some humor. A young girl is taken back in time and is re-living her aunt's life and experiences when she was 15. Kate, the niece, feels the need that she has to uncover the truth of her aunt's death. Was it really suicide, or an accident or maybe even worse? The lessons that she learned while in the past, help her understand more of her life in the present. She better understands
what family relationships are all about. I gave this book 5 stars but wish I could've given it more. It would make a great gift or look good in your bookshelf. I highly recommend this book to everyone especially if you enjoy young adult mysteries or time travel. I look for more by Jessica Tornese.
September 10, 2013
Kate is a spoiled, grumpy typical teenager reluctantly on a family holiday visiting her gran. She hates the fact that she is the spitting image of her aunt, Sarah, who died as a teenager – a death her father and gran have never got over, then she has an accident and wakes up in the past as Sarah.
Linked Through Time is an absorbing tale of Kate’s journey as she struggles to live Sarah’s life of hard farmwork and chores, discovering the values she had so completely disdained as Kate and realising just how important family is. As the days count down to Sarah’s death date, she also discovers the truth about what really happened to her, a truth she is determined to bring into the open.
This is a great window into the past and compares the reality of lives separated by a generation, and a real eye-opener. Well-researched and well-written, this is a delightful story about righting wrongs and a young girl’s journey into adulthood. Recommended.
Linked Through Time is an absorbing tale of Kate’s journey as she struggles to live Sarah’s life of hard farmwork and chores, discovering the values she had so completely disdained as Kate and realising just how important family is. As the days count down to Sarah’s death date, she also discovers the truth about what really happened to her, a truth she is determined to bring into the open.
This is a great window into the past and compares the reality of lives separated by a generation, and a real eye-opener. Well-researched and well-written, this is a delightful story about righting wrongs and a young girl’s journey into adulthood. Recommended.
March 24, 2013
(This review may contain spoilers).
When I first read this book, I didn't expect to like it as much as I did. Kate was fairly irritating and not a very likable character, but something about the book kept me reading it.
The idea wasn't perhaps a very unique one, but I liked the fact that Kate struggled so much with the life on the farm and that it took her a while to adjust. I also liked her relationship with the child version of her father. It was good to see the way they were with each other.
I did think that Kate fell too quickly into relationships. She made the right decision to break things off with Dave, but probably shouldn't have gone so quickly into another relationship. I did like how much she grew up over the story, though, and how she still tried to do the right thing.
I think I'd definitely be interested in reading a sequel.
When I first read this book, I didn't expect to like it as much as I did. Kate was fairly irritating and not a very likable character, but something about the book kept me reading it.
The idea wasn't perhaps a very unique one, but I liked the fact that Kate struggled so much with the life on the farm and that it took her a while to adjust. I also liked her relationship with the child version of her father. It was good to see the way they were with each other.
I did think that Kate fell too quickly into relationships. She made the right decision to break things off with Dave, but probably shouldn't have gone so quickly into another relationship. I did like how much she grew up over the story, though, and how she still tried to do the right thing.
I think I'd definitely be interested in reading a sequel.
September 24, 2012
I really enjoyed this book. It has some fun (and some not so fun) twists and turns, it has really good character development, and it is easy to read. I did not like Kate at first because she is spoiled, but by the end I really liked her because she had completely changed her attitude. There were some good lessons that were taught in the book, and Kate is a good, strong character. There was a little bit of language, but there were also a couple of attempted rape scenes and the murder of a character. I ended up enjoying this book and would recommend it, with the previous warnings, for 16 yrs-old and up. You may read my full review on my book blog: www.the-readathon.blogspot.com.
May 14, 2013
Linked Through Time captures your attention soon after it begins. When Kate, a spoiled city girl, is sent to her grandparents farm for the summer, she is whisked away back into the 1960's, literally. Her journey finds her in a relationship, that to me stood out more as an adult relationship, not one you would typically find a young teenager in. The book had me wanting to flip through pages as quickly as I could. I would also recommend the book to an older genre than young adult as some of the language and scenes were a bit more than I would have liked. I very much enjoyed the book and am looking forward to the next book in the series.
April 23, 2012
I enjoyed this book a lot. I love a good time travel novel and this one did not disappoint. I also loved the fact that there was a bit of a mystery to solve too. I was compelled to read more and find out why Kate travelled back in time and what would happen. I was dying to know what had happened Sarah all those years ago and was very shocked at the truth. It was a very interesting story and the end had me saying WHAT??? I'm now very intrigued to read the sequel when it is available ... I NEED to know what will happen next! :)
August 13, 2012
I haven't read many time travel stories, but I thoroughly enjoyed this one from Jessica Tornese. What I loved most about it were the rich details that put me back in the 1960's rural setting and the relationship between Kate and her father in the past. It was such a neat way to strengthen the bond between father and daughter - a bond that was very shaky in present day. The story kept me in suspense throughout as I wondered if Kate would be able to change the past, and the ending was definitely a surprise! I'll be looking out for more from Jessica Tornese in the future.
August 25, 2012
Linked Through Time is a wonderful read for any age group. I especially enjoyed the parts about growing up in a rural setting in the 60's. The author, Jessica Tornese, is a storyteller and the history of the Baudette area comes alive with her words!.
Kate, who is 15, hates the thought of spending the summer on her grandparent farm near Baudette without a cell phone, computer or cable TV. Life changes drastically when Kate finds herself back in the 60’s. Iinteresting things start happening. I could not put the book down!
Kate, who is 15, hates the thought of spending the summer on her grandparent farm near Baudette without a cell phone, computer or cable TV. Life changes drastically when Kate finds herself back in the 60’s. Iinteresting things start happening. I could not put the book down!
September 13, 2012
I was in between books and wanted a quick read that I couldn't put down and this was the perfect choice!! I read it in a weekend and loved every minute of it. The plot had me waiting to see what was going to happen, and the ending was not precisely what I expected. I know the sequel is coming and I cannot wait! The ending leaves you wondering and wanting more! I would most definitely recommend this book to all ages, adults looking for a great leisure book or teens that you are hoping gets hooked on reading. Five stars!!
May 15, 2012
Was extremely impressed with the writing style of the author in this book. For the age group she's aiming for it's appropriate and has a smooth writing style and transitions. She leaves you wanting to read on after each chapter. I really like how she doesn't follow the trends now a days and write about vampires or magic. She writes about a time that was alot more interesting and hard to live in. Can't wait for a sequel!
August 26, 2012
I received "Linked through Time" for free through Goodreads First Reads and I'm so grateful with Jessica Tornese for sending it to me. It was a very good book. I enjoyed it so much that I didn't put it down until I finished it. I loved how it took me to the 1960's and made me feel like I was right there next to Kate/Sarah. I loved the suspense and most of all I loved how in the end Kate realized how nothing else mattered not even materialistic things, just family and love. Awesome book!
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