A Brief Moment in Time

by Erin E. Cowell

276 pages, Paperback

Published March 3, 2026

Reviews

[Neil E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

“A Brief Moment in Time” tells the story of Jen Brooks, a young woman who dreams of a better life, a life of romance and glamor. Jen looks at her modest job waiting tables and she dreams of working as an executive assistant. However, when Jen begins her fantasy job in the city, something feels wrong. Jen can’t explain why she feels like she is in over her head, but she attributes her feelings to the unfamiliar environment. Soon, Jen finds herself in a world that threatens not just her, but her friends and her family.
Erin Cowell’s novel “A Brief Moment in Time” is a riveting suspense novel. The plot twists keep coming as Jen Brooks' dream job turns into a terrifying nightmare. “A Brief Moment in Time” is exciting to read and difficult to put down.

[Finsup · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Brief Moment in Time is one of those rare debut novels that quietly sneaks up on you. The author’s voice feels surprisingly confident for a first book, and the story has a gentle emotional weight that lingers long after you’ve finished reading.
What truly stood out to me was how the small, everyday moments were written with such clarity and sincerity. The characters feel real, their choices feel meaningful, and the themes of memory, timing, and the impact of fleeting moments are handled with a soft but deliberate touch.
It’s not a dramatic or overly complex read—and that’s exactly what makes it special. It’s intimate, reflective, and beautifully human. If this is the author’s starting point, I’m genuinely excited to see what they write next.
Highly recommend for anyone who enjoys character‑driven stories with heart.

[Jeanine Boulay · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Brief Moment in Time is a thrill! The '90s references gave it such a fun, nostalgic texture, and I was completely wrapped up in the protagonist's struggle to escape a job that was supposed to be her way out of a small town she feared getting stuck in — only to find herself stuck all over again. Watching her get pulled deeper into her employer's hooks, unable to break free, kept me flipping pages. It's a sharp, twisty read for anyone who loves a protagonist in over her head and a nostalgic setting as a backdrop. Recommend!!

[Leaf and Letter · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are an independent bookstore who just so happen to stock this book. I just finished up my latest ARC read and decided I would give this one a go. I was not disappointed either. The storyline was great, character development was great and I love the way that everything was tied in together at the end especially how the title came together.
I highly recommend this book and look forward to being able to recommend it to more of our customers.
Thanks Erin!
- Josh with Leaf and Letter

[Carole Sustak · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a first time book from a first time writer, this was an excellent read. Lots of humor, twists and turns and surprises. I wish this writer Erin Cowell, a very successful future with more books to come.

[Julie Busa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of typos, but a great first novel!

[Jana Pierson · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5⭐️
This ended up being an okay novel. There were some unexpected twists. It's a debut novel that should have had better editing.