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American Journey #4
Class of '59
When Mary Beth McIntire settles into a vacation house on June 2, 2017, she anticipates a quiet morning with coffee. Then she hears a noise, peers out a window, and spots a man in 1950s attire standing in the backyard. She panics when the trespasser sees her and enters the house though a door to the basement. She questions her sanity when she cannot find him.
In the same house on March 21, 1959, Mark Ryan finds a letter. Written by the mansion’s original owner in 1900, the letter describes a basement chamber, mysterious crystals, and a formula for time travel. Driven by curiosity, Mark tests the formula twice. On his second trip to 2017, he encounters a beautiful stranger. He meets the woman in the window.
Within hours, Mary Beth and Mark share their secret with her sister and his brother and begin a journey that takes them from the present day to the age of sock hops, drive-ins, and jukeboxes. In CLASS OF ’59, the fourth book in the American Journey series, four young adults find love, danger, and adventure as they navigate the corridors of time and experience Southern California in its storied prime.
In the same house on March 21, 1959, Mark Ryan finds a letter. Written by the mansion’s original owner in 1900, the letter describes a basement chamber, mysterious crystals, and a formula for time travel. Driven by curiosity, Mark tests the formula twice. On his second trip to 2017, he encounters a beautiful stranger. He meets the woman in the window.
Within hours, Mary Beth and Mark share their secret with her sister and his brother and begin a journey that takes them from the present day to the age of sock hops, drive-ins, and jukeboxes. In CLASS OF ’59, the fourth book in the American Journey series, four young adults find love, danger, and adventure as they navigate the corridors of time and experience Southern California in its storied prime.
259 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2016
292 people are currently reading
327 people want to read
About the author
John A. Heldt
33 books230 followersJohn A. Heldt is the author of twenty-six bestselling time-travel novels. The former reference librarian and award-winning sportswriter has loved getting subjects and verbs to agree since writing book reports in grade school. A graduate of the University of Oregon and the University of Iowa, Heldt is an avid fisherman, sports fan, coin collector, and reader of thrillers and historical fiction. When not sending contemporary characters to the not-so-distant past, he weighs in on literature and life at johnheldt.blogspot.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
September 26, 2016
Time travel, we’ve all had that moment when we wish we could go back and change something, or maybe head into the future to see what has happened, not that we think it is possible, but for a curious college student from 1959, traveling through time to the year 2017 would become the best trip he ever made. Welcome back into the world of romance and time travel as John A. Heldt once again breaches time to bring true love to two brothers and two sisters born decades apart who were destined to be together in Class of '59.
When Mark follows the instructions in a mysterious letter, he finds himself in the year 2017, in front of what was once his home. He is spotted by college grad, Mary Beth whose own curiosity leads both her and her sister back to the year 1959 where teens actually communicated verbally, enjoyed their youth and relative innocence of the times. Dances, proms and poodle skirts were the rage.
Together, these four young adults discover that no matter the era, budding romance is still exciting, mistakes can cause deadly problems and trying to act normal in a different time is a risky business all by itself. Will there be heartbreak when the danger rises so high the girls must go back to 2017? Will these four be left with only memories of what could have been?
John A. Heldt has created another wonderful world in mid-twentieth century Southern California with the glitter of movie stars, the wonder of places now long gone and a genuine feel of the excitement of the times where even drive-ins still existed with their boxy speakers and concrete concession stands. Mr. Heldt builds an authentic background for his tale and populates it with characters that each come alive with such clarity that his words float away and you are actually living in the time when Leave to Beaver was a prime time show and no one noticed it was in black & white!
For those of us who can relate, it is a walk down memory lane, for those who cannot imagine being without texting, it is an eye-opening experience to be in the era of their grandparents and to see how they lived.
As always, another delightful and well-written tale from the magical imagination of John A. Heldt.
I received this copy from John A. Heldt in exchange for my honest review.
Series: American Journey - Book 4
Publisher: John A. Heldt (September 1, 2016)
Publication Date: September 1, 2016
Genre: Time Travel Romance
Print Length: 293 pages
Available from: Amazon
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
When Mark follows the instructions in a mysterious letter, he finds himself in the year 2017, in front of what was once his home. He is spotted by college grad, Mary Beth whose own curiosity leads both her and her sister back to the year 1959 where teens actually communicated verbally, enjoyed their youth and relative innocence of the times. Dances, proms and poodle skirts were the rage.
Together, these four young adults discover that no matter the era, budding romance is still exciting, mistakes can cause deadly problems and trying to act normal in a different time is a risky business all by itself. Will there be heartbreak when the danger rises so high the girls must go back to 2017? Will these four be left with only memories of what could have been?
John A. Heldt has created another wonderful world in mid-twentieth century Southern California with the glitter of movie stars, the wonder of places now long gone and a genuine feel of the excitement of the times where even drive-ins still existed with their boxy speakers and concrete concession stands. Mr. Heldt builds an authentic background for his tale and populates it with characters that each come alive with such clarity that his words float away and you are actually living in the time when Leave to Beaver was a prime time show and no one noticed it was in black & white!
For those of us who can relate, it is a walk down memory lane, for those who cannot imagine being without texting, it is an eye-opening experience to be in the era of their grandparents and to see how they lived.
As always, another delightful and well-written tale from the magical imagination of John A. Heldt.
I received this copy from John A. Heldt in exchange for my honest review.
Series: American Journey - Book 4
Publisher: John A. Heldt (September 1, 2016)
Publication Date: September 1, 2016
Genre: Time Travel Romance
Print Length: 293 pages
Available from: Amazon
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
January 11, 2021
THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SOME SPOILERS
As much as I love them, I seem have certain vague expectations of time travel novels and so they usually disappoint me in ways that I can't exactly define. I enjoyed this story overall, but was surely disappointed with the mechanics and matter-of-fact introduction of time travel. I didn't realize this book was 4th in a series where I haven't read the previous three, and in fairness all that may have been explored thoroughly in the previous books. In any case, time travel isn't really the theme here and the usual tropes aren't explored in any depth, it's more a tool to set up an unusual romance.
Within the first few pages, we meet Mark, a college senior in 1959. He has just moved into a Victorian mansion in Los Angeles with his mother and brother. (It annoyed me to distraction that the author insisted on constantly referring to this house as "the Painted Lady" - always capitalized - throughout the story. I think you describe a house once, and then you're done. It doesn't need a name. I've never met people, or read another story where people are always saying, "Let's go back to the Sugar Maple Split," or "the Center Hall Colonial." Anyway, I will use this same convention and you can draw your own conclusions as to whether it is generally annoying or I am just a grouch.)
So Mark is idly browsing in an old desk he finds in the Painted Lady, and discovers a locked drawer that contains a notebook from some previous occupant that conveniently describes how to go into the basement and locate a door to the backyard. If he holds the two crystals also included in the drawer, this door will become a portal that will take him to 2017. Without too much thought about the dangers or consequences, he decides to try it.
Mark emerges into the backyard of the Painted Lady in 2017 and immediately meets Mary Beth. She and her sister Piper are staying at the Painted Lady, which is the home of family friends, as a brief vacation before Piper starts college and Mary Beth goes on to medical school.
After spending a short time with them in 2017 LA, Mark convinces the girls of the truth of his seemingly crazy story. He has discovered that according to the conventions of this particular time travel portal in the Painted Lady, multiple people can go back and forth as many times as they want and will always end up at the exact minute of the previous time period that they left. Naturally the sisters decide to go back to 1959 with Mark, who conveniently has a brother Ben about Piper's age. Mark and Ben are handsome; Mary Beth and Piper are pretty, so you can guess what happens.
The foursome almost immediately decide to road trip to Vegas, as Mary Beth and Piper find it is not kosher to try to spend your 2017 money in 1959 and they need cash. Mary Beth had the foresight to buy a book about the history of sports, so she marches into a betting hall and puts down $100 on the exact score of a game, a type of wager which has astronomical odds against winning. She of course wins a huge amount of money. There is nothing fishy about THAT and it doesn't draw attention to the foursome and put them in grave danger from mobsters who find the receipt for the book from 2017 that Marybeth carelessly tosses in the trash as they leave the betting hall with all that loot. (Of course it does.)
Something that often disappoints me about time travel stories is the characters apparent lack of amazement and curiosity about the situation they find themselves in. So I give this story some snaps for a unique approach. Instead of trying to do something huge like prevent the assassination of John F Kennedy, Mary Beth and Piper just want to experience life as young people in 1959.
Piper enrolls in high school and makes friends, goes to parties and sock hops with Ben; Mary Beth enjoys life as the girlfriend of a popular fraternity brother. They all fall deeply in love with each other although they know the Painted Lady is there in the background waiting to inevitably take the girls back to 2017. Then the Vegas mobster element of the story comes back into play to bring their adventure to a sudden and somewhat surprising conclusion.
For my own memory the following is a summary of the plot and ending. DON'T READ if you don't want to know the ending.
As much as I love them, I seem have certain vague expectations of time travel novels and so they usually disappoint me in ways that I can't exactly define. I enjoyed this story overall, but was surely disappointed with the mechanics and matter-of-fact introduction of time travel. I didn't realize this book was 4th in a series where I haven't read the previous three, and in fairness all that may have been explored thoroughly in the previous books. In any case, time travel isn't really the theme here and the usual tropes aren't explored in any depth, it's more a tool to set up an unusual romance.
Within the first few pages, we meet Mark, a college senior in 1959. He has just moved into a Victorian mansion in Los Angeles with his mother and brother. (It annoyed me to distraction that the author insisted on constantly referring to this house as "the Painted Lady" - always capitalized - throughout the story. I think you describe a house once, and then you're done. It doesn't need a name. I've never met people, or read another story where people are always saying, "Let's go back to the Sugar Maple Split," or "the Center Hall Colonial." Anyway, I will use this same convention and you can draw your own conclusions as to whether it is generally annoying or I am just a grouch.)
So Mark is idly browsing in an old desk he finds in the Painted Lady, and discovers a locked drawer that contains a notebook from some previous occupant that conveniently describes how to go into the basement and locate a door to the backyard. If he holds the two crystals also included in the drawer, this door will become a portal that will take him to 2017. Without too much thought about the dangers or consequences, he decides to try it.
Mark emerges into the backyard of the Painted Lady in 2017 and immediately meets Mary Beth. She and her sister Piper are staying at the Painted Lady, which is the home of family friends, as a brief vacation before Piper starts college and Mary Beth goes on to medical school.
After spending a short time with them in 2017 LA, Mark convinces the girls of the truth of his seemingly crazy story. He has discovered that according to the conventions of this particular time travel portal in the Painted Lady, multiple people can go back and forth as many times as they want and will always end up at the exact minute of the previous time period that they left. Naturally the sisters decide to go back to 1959 with Mark, who conveniently has a brother Ben about Piper's age. Mark and Ben are handsome; Mary Beth and Piper are pretty, so you can guess what happens.
The foursome almost immediately decide to road trip to Vegas, as Mary Beth and Piper find it is not kosher to try to spend your 2017 money in 1959 and they need cash. Mary Beth had the foresight to buy a book about the history of sports, so she marches into a betting hall and puts down $100 on the exact score of a game, a type of wager which has astronomical odds against winning. She of course wins a huge amount of money. There is nothing fishy about THAT and it doesn't draw attention to the foursome and put them in grave danger from mobsters who find the receipt for the book from 2017 that Marybeth carelessly tosses in the trash as they leave the betting hall with all that loot. (Of course it does.)
Something that often disappoints me about time travel stories is the characters apparent lack of amazement and curiosity about the situation they find themselves in. So I give this story some snaps for a unique approach. Instead of trying to do something huge like prevent the assassination of John F Kennedy, Mary Beth and Piper just want to experience life as young people in 1959.
Piper enrolls in high school and makes friends, goes to parties and sock hops with Ben; Mary Beth enjoys life as the girlfriend of a popular fraternity brother. They all fall deeply in love with each other although they know the Painted Lady is there in the background waiting to inevitably take the girls back to 2017. Then the Vegas mobster element of the story comes back into play to bring their adventure to a sudden and somewhat surprising conclusion.
For my own memory the following is a summary of the plot and ending. DON'T READ if you don't want to know the ending.
October 22, 2016
Well, that was great! I was a little worried that I wouldn’t like it because I always feel bad after giving a bad review … even if my last review of one of Mr. Heldt’s books wasn’t exactly bad, I had some bad things to say about the book. But I really enjoyed Class of ’59 (as you know if you’re my mother and scolded me in the morning for being up at two …).
Read the rest of my review here.
~Kellyn Roth, Reveries Reviews
Read the rest of my review here.
~Kellyn Roth, Reveries Reviews
September 6, 2016
It's 2017 and Mary Beth is recovering from the death of her fiancé, Jordan, almost a year ago. She is on vacation with her family and staying in the house of her father's friend in California. One morning she sees a man coming and going from the house. When she goes to confront him, he has disappeared.
It's 1959 for Mark Ryan and he and his family have just moved into a house. One day he discovers a tunnel that takes him to 2017. He goes twice, the second time being confronted by Mary Beth. She is quickly comfortable with him and believes him.
Mary Beth and Piper, her younger sister, are looking for an adventure so go back to 1959 with him for a couple weeks. Piper becomes friends with Mark's younger brother, Ben. As the two couples become closer, they have a difficult decision to make ... do Mary Beth and Piper stay in 1959, do Mark and Ben go to and stay in 2017, or do the two couples break up and stay in the own years?
This is the eighth book I've read by this author and I liked it. I like time travel books when people go back in time where there are no cell phones, no Internet, etc. Though it is the fourth in the American Journey series, you don't have to read the others since these characters aren't in the other books. The author wrote about 1959 well and I got a good sense of what it was like living in that time period ... it was such a polite time. It is written in third person perspective.
Blog review post: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2016/09...
It's 1959 for Mark Ryan and he and his family have just moved into a house. One day he discovers a tunnel that takes him to 2017. He goes twice, the second time being confronted by Mary Beth. She is quickly comfortable with him and believes him.
Mary Beth and Piper, her younger sister, are looking for an adventure so go back to 1959 with him for a couple weeks. Piper becomes friends with Mark's younger brother, Ben. As the two couples become closer, they have a difficult decision to make ... do Mary Beth and Piper stay in 1959, do Mark and Ben go to and stay in 2017, or do the two couples break up and stay in the own years?
This is the eighth book I've read by this author and I liked it. I like time travel books when people go back in time where there are no cell phones, no Internet, etc. Though it is the fourth in the American Journey series, you don't have to read the others since these characters aren't in the other books. The author wrote about 1959 well and I got a good sense of what it was like living in that time period ... it was such a polite time. It is written in third person perspective.
Blog review post: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2016/09...
January 6, 2017
The Class of ’59 by John A. Heldt is a great romance book, the perfect company for a rainy Sunday afternoon. It combines love story and time traveling with details of ’59 and just a little bit of suspense, crime, and danger.
The book is easy to read and made me curious from the start. When I read about the death of Mary Beth’s boyfriend in the first pages of the book, I didn’t imagine that it will be some time traveling involved.
The characters were so simple, no drama, just enjoying life. I almost envied them. All the problems were so easily solved. So it made me think of a fairytale. A ’59 fairytale.
The descriptions parts, nice and simple, gave me the impression of watching a movie. But still, I would have loved more of the ’59, something that I can not find on google.
I also liked the unpredictable.I had no idea of what would happen next and how it would end. Every time I thought the book was leading me somewhere, another event changed the direction. I really enjoyed the simple optimistic end. It is not the type of book that makes me think but the type of book that makes me smile.
You can read the original review at The Reading Bud
The book is easy to read and made me curious from the start. When I read about the death of Mary Beth’s boyfriend in the first pages of the book, I didn’t imagine that it will be some time traveling involved.
The characters were so simple, no drama, just enjoying life. I almost envied them. All the problems were so easily solved. So it made me think of a fairytale. A ’59 fairytale.
The descriptions parts, nice and simple, gave me the impression of watching a movie. But still, I would have loved more of the ’59, something that I can not find on google.
I also liked the unpredictable.I had no idea of what would happen next and how it would end. Every time I thought the book was leading me somewhere, another event changed the direction. I really enjoyed the simple optimistic end. It is not the type of book that makes me think but the type of book that makes me smile.
You can read the original review at The Reading Bud
November 14, 2017
Class of ’59 by John A. Heldt is a must read for any reader that loves historical romances or even just loves the 50s. This book is different from the other two books that I have read of Mr. Heldt’s. This is the first book that I am aware of his that has four different main characters. Along with the four different main characters, it also has six different third person point of view chapters scattered throughout the book.
The main character is Mary Beth McIntire. She is a twenty-two-year-old soon-to-be medical student who is spending the summer in Los Angeles, California with her mom, dad, and sister at the house of professor Geoffrey Bell.
What I like about her is that despite losing her fiancé a few months ago she’s still trying to be happy and not ruin her family vacation. She still wants to be a medical student despite losing her plan for her life. I also like how she is kind of like a typical Southern Belle but not completely. What I mean by that is that yeah, she can act polite and do all of this other stuff that a normal Southern girl would but she also doesn’t have a problem speaking her mind and she wants to be a doctor. Mary Beth overall is a great and wonderful young woman who tries to be a good person. She sees the good in everyone despite the trouble that she accidentally brings to herself, her sister, and the two young men they find themselves to be within 1959.
What I don’t like about Mary Beth McIntire is that she falls in love too easily the second time. She is supposed to be mourning the loss of her fiancé but then she runs into this guy from the past and she falls for him. I get that he reminds her of her fiancé but still. This is truly a minor issue for this character, though, as Mr. Heldt has written her so well that she is very three dimensional in my honest opinion.
The second character is Mark Ryan. He is a twenty-two-year-old college senior who is studying to be an engineer so that he could build rockets when he is able to and he lives in 1959 Los Angeles, California.
What I like about Mr. Ryan is that he is a very polite gentleman (you know typical of that era) that tries not to fall for Mary Beth.Ryan has two sides, we see the gentleman side of him when he’s out and about with everyone else, then we see the way he is at home, that side is a very family-orientated man that wants to be there for his family. Reading about Mark Ryan we get a sneak peek into the way they live back then in the 1950s if some of the readers weren’t alive back then (like me). The fifties were a pretty interesting time period. What else I liked about Mark is that he was very kind and generous to Mary Beth and Piper. He helped bring them back into their time, but he was nice and helped them out in his time as well.
What I dislike about Mark is that he didn’t really think about with what would happen if he fell in love with Mary Beth until it happened and they had to say goodbye. I know that is something that no one can predict happening. I also dislike that he didn’t see the trouble from the beginning. Good thing that everything worked out quite well for these four people.
The third character is Piper McIntire. She is an eighteen-year-old high school graduate who is spending her summer vacation in Los Angeles with her parents and sister. She is planning on going to college in Tennessee for dance and art history. Although her parents are not being thrilled about her going to Tennessee.
What I like about Piper McIntire is that she is independent. Another thing that I liked about her is that she knows what she wants. The other thing that I liked about her is that she loves to speak her mind and tell things the way it is. Piper is a very charismatic character, I truly enjoyed her insights.
What I dislike about her is that she doesn’t have a filter, what she thinks just comes out her mouth. Another thing that I dislike about Piper is that she is afraid to engage at times. She doesn’t want to lose anyone close to her.
The fourth character is Ben Ryan. He is an eighteen-year-old high school senior who is still in school in Los Angeles, California in 1959. He lives at home with his brother and mom but is different from his brother.
What I like about Ben is that he doesn’t take no for a final answer, he keeps trying. I think that Ben would be considered a player back in the fifties despite not really being one. Ben doesn’t let his brother makes his decisions.
What I dislike about him is that he is a very cocky person that ends up butting heads with Piper. Although I thought a lot it was kind of cute. Another thing that I dislike about Ben is that he is also very stubborn and didn’t know what to think when the girl he likes didn’t fall for him straight away.
What moved me about this story is the four people’s determination to have a good time in the fifties while also making sure no one finds out about the time travel tunnel. I totally loved the settings and the time travel. I felt like I was transported therethrough Mr. Heldt’s words so I could share the once in a lifetime moments with these wonderful characters. My favorite supporting character I think would have to be Donna Ryan but I won’t get why as I don’t want to ruin the story.
Class of ’59 by John A. Heldt is an amazing book. I am giving this book a five-star rating. I couldn’t stop thinking about it at all or wanting to read about what would happen next to the wonderful characters. In my mind, Mr. Heldt is a fantastic writer that can take you to place you never imagined, including the different time periods he chooses for his books. I still like his way of time travel as it is different than what we are used to seeing/reading about and it’s pretty amazing to read about. This is the third book by him that I have read and I can’t wait to read his other books.
Anyways until next time enjoy this book review brought to you by
Baroness’ Book Trove
I received this book for free from the author and publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The main character is Mary Beth McIntire. She is a twenty-two-year-old soon-to-be medical student who is spending the summer in Los Angeles, California with her mom, dad, and sister at the house of professor Geoffrey Bell.
What I like about her is that despite losing her fiancé a few months ago she’s still trying to be happy and not ruin her family vacation. She still wants to be a medical student despite losing her plan for her life. I also like how she is kind of like a typical Southern Belle but not completely. What I mean by that is that yeah, she can act polite and do all of this other stuff that a normal Southern girl would but she also doesn’t have a problem speaking her mind and she wants to be a doctor. Mary Beth overall is a great and wonderful young woman who tries to be a good person. She sees the good in everyone despite the trouble that she accidentally brings to herself, her sister, and the two young men they find themselves to be within 1959.
What I don’t like about Mary Beth McIntire is that she falls in love too easily the second time. She is supposed to be mourning the loss of her fiancé but then she runs into this guy from the past and she falls for him. I get that he reminds her of her fiancé but still. This is truly a minor issue for this character, though, as Mr. Heldt has written her so well that she is very three dimensional in my honest opinion.
The second character is Mark Ryan. He is a twenty-two-year-old college senior who is studying to be an engineer so that he could build rockets when he is able to and he lives in 1959 Los Angeles, California.
What I like about Mr. Ryan is that he is a very polite gentleman (you know typical of that era) that tries not to fall for Mary Beth.Ryan has two sides, we see the gentleman side of him when he’s out and about with everyone else, then we see the way he is at home, that side is a very family-orientated man that wants to be there for his family. Reading about Mark Ryan we get a sneak peek into the way they live back then in the 1950s if some of the readers weren’t alive back then (like me). The fifties were a pretty interesting time period. What else I liked about Mark is that he was very kind and generous to Mary Beth and Piper. He helped bring them back into their time, but he was nice and helped them out in his time as well.
What I dislike about Mark is that he didn’t really think about with what would happen if he fell in love with Mary Beth until it happened and they had to say goodbye. I know that is something that no one can predict happening. I also dislike that he didn’t see the trouble from the beginning. Good thing that everything worked out quite well for these four people.
The third character is Piper McIntire. She is an eighteen-year-old high school graduate who is spending her summer vacation in Los Angeles with her parents and sister. She is planning on going to college in Tennessee for dance and art history. Although her parents are not being thrilled about her going to Tennessee.
What I like about Piper McIntire is that she is independent. Another thing that I liked about her is that she knows what she wants. The other thing that I liked about her is that she loves to speak her mind and tell things the way it is. Piper is a very charismatic character, I truly enjoyed her insights.
What I dislike about her is that she doesn’t have a filter, what she thinks just comes out her mouth. Another thing that I dislike about Piper is that she is afraid to engage at times. She doesn’t want to lose anyone close to her.
The fourth character is Ben Ryan. He is an eighteen-year-old high school senior who is still in school in Los Angeles, California in 1959. He lives at home with his brother and mom but is different from his brother.
What I like about Ben is that he doesn’t take no for a final answer, he keeps trying. I think that Ben would be considered a player back in the fifties despite not really being one. Ben doesn’t let his brother makes his decisions.
What I dislike about him is that he is a very cocky person that ends up butting heads with Piper. Although I thought a lot it was kind of cute. Another thing that I dislike about Ben is that he is also very stubborn and didn’t know what to think when the girl he likes didn’t fall for him straight away.
What moved me about this story is the four people’s determination to have a good time in the fifties while also making sure no one finds out about the time travel tunnel. I totally loved the settings and the time travel. I felt like I was transported therethrough Mr. Heldt’s words so I could share the once in a lifetime moments with these wonderful characters. My favorite supporting character I think would have to be Donna Ryan but I won’t get why as I don’t want to ruin the story.
Class of ’59 by John A. Heldt is an amazing book. I am giving this book a five-star rating. I couldn’t stop thinking about it at all or wanting to read about what would happen next to the wonderful characters. In my mind, Mr. Heldt is a fantastic writer that can take you to place you never imagined, including the different time periods he chooses for his books. I still like his way of time travel as it is different than what we are used to seeing/reading about and it’s pretty amazing to read about. This is the third book by him that I have read and I can’t wait to read his other books.
Anyways until next time enjoy this book review brought to you by
Baroness’ Book Trove
I received this book for free from the author and publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
September 8, 2016
Book Info
Kindle Edition, 293 pages
Published September 1st 2016 by John A. Heldt
Original Title Class of '59
ASIN B01LFS490W
Edition Language English
series American Journey
Other Editions None found
[Digital copy from Author]in exchange for honest review
Book Buy Link
Amazon
BOOK SYNOPSIS
When Mary Beth McIntire settles into a vacation house on June 2, 2017, she anticipates a quiet morning with coffee. Then she hears a noise, peers out a window, and spots a man in 1950s attire standing in the backyard. She panics when the trespasser sees her and enters the house though a door to the basement. She questions her sanity when she cannot find him.
In the same house on March 21, 1959, Mark Ryan finds a letter. Written by the mansion’s original owner in 1900, the letter describes a basement chamber, mysterious crystals, and a formula for time travel. Driven by curiosity, Mark tests the formula twice. On his second trip to 2017, he encounters a beautiful stranger. He meets the woman in the window.
Within hours, Mary Beth and Mark share their secret with her sister and his brother and begin a journey that takes them from the present day to the age of sock hops, drive-ins, and jukeboxes. In CLASS OF ’59, the fourth book in the American Journey series, four young adults find love, danger, and adventure as they navigate the corridors of time and experience Southern California in its storied prime.
My Thoughts
Mark, Mary Beth, Ben and Piper were like the pioneers who took a chance when they left everything familiar to them so they could build a new life. The big difference for Mary Beth and her sister Piper though is their ability to have actually prepared themselves beforehand which makes all the difference in their experience with traveling from 2017 to 1959.
With each of the books I appreciate the authors effortless ability to capture his characters personalities, time researching which showed in his attention to historic detail and most of all with this particular book the focus on positive aspects of a period in the past that had such an impact on so many people who are now wishing those simpler times would have lasted longer.
This book has one of the, for the most part, lighthearted stories of the series. That holds true even with the addition of certain criminal elements causing a few bad moments for the intrepid time traveling quartet.
What is most important to remember is that this time there is no introduction to what one should and should not do when traveling into the past or into the future by Professor Bell.
Therefore mistakes were made which have an impact on the four main characters later. Of course the main concern the reader will find that threads throughout the story is what happens when the two sisters must depart the 20th century and go back to the 21st, or will they stay with Mark and Ben instead?
Always interesting , informative and enjoyable from start to finish this fourth and last book of the series was probably the one that will stick with readers for a long time because it brings us back to a slower way of life that had a lot of good points life in the fast lane is lacking.
[Digital copy from Author]in exchange for honest review
March 23, 2022
I really enjoyed reading "Class of '59" by John A. Heldt. It's a book for people who like to read about nice people with loving families with a bit of intrigue, time travel, love with complications and bad people. It's about two sisters and two brothers who meet and pair up. Unfortunately, they are from different time eras, have loving families, friends and a future in their own world. The boys from the past recently lost their father and Mary Beth lost her long-time friend and fiancé. What to do? That is the question and the problem. If they choose to stay together, one has to give up their family, friends and their comfortable time zone.
It's a book I could and unfortunately did put down, then picked up and read right where I left off. (I stopped reading, because I became obsessed with another project which disturbed my normal chores and routine - not because of the book.)
It's a book I could and unfortunately did put down, then picked up and read right where I left off. (I stopped reading, because I became obsessed with another project which disturbed my normal chores and routine - not because of the book.)
October 4, 2016
REVIEW
5 out of 5 for this reader folks!
OK, so I have been reviewing for John Heldt for a while now, and I admit that when I start one of his books, he is already at a 5 star rating, simply because he ALWAYS delivers. Every time I review I think, "my goodness, seriously there has to be something that I can pick at?", but NOPE, NEVER IS! This time is not the least bit different, and I struggle to find new ways to gush about John's writing. So instead of trying to find new ways to write an "OMG, I LOVED IT!" review, I am just going to write the gush of happy that I felt, and if it comes across repetitive, well it's John's fault for writing another freaking fantastic book! LOL
Class of '59 is the fourth book of John A Heldt's American Journey Series. This book was MY FAVE! I always make mention of my dislike of time travelling books (other than The Outlander Series) and for sure now, other than American Journey Series. This book had a more lighthearted feel, with it's own unique sense of danger and angst, but forefront to all of John's books, and especially in this one, is romance and love. I love a gritty dirty book, but John doesn't deliver this, thank goodness, because what he has done, that many dirty gritty book authors do not, is make me believe in timeless romance and sweet true love. How refreshing!
Mary Beth lives in 2017, and is vacationing with her sister Piper, when she sees a man strolling into the house's basement. This man is dressed as if he comes from the 1950's. Before we know it, an elaborate story of finding a letter that the original home owner wrote, with description of time travel, surfaces. Deciding, "well let's see what happens!" we are back in the 1950's where poodle skirts, sock hops, drive in movies and old fashioned teenage fun is being had by our characters. Mark (who was the man entering the basement) has a brother Ben who becomes paired up with Piper. Essentially, sisters Mary Beth and Piper become romantically involved in brothers Mark and Ben.
Innocent fun and experiences are being enjoy by both couples, and true love is blooming. However, time travel comes with consequences, and times are dangerous for our couples. Before long, the questions of "Where is it the most safe?", and "Is it fair to ask one person to jump into life with another outside of their planned existence?" are asked. Is this even possible? Unfortunately, fate takes over and separation must occur. What does one do when they have found a once in a lifetime love with another, but decades is what is separating you? Is there a way back to each other or was it only ever meant to be brief?
Ya, my heart string got pulled as well! LOL I found I asked myself more than once, if I was ever presented with the ability to time travel, would I do it? It also made me reflect of how different eras produce such different generations, but love will always be love.
Strong, well rounded, and believable characters. Strong story with vivid examples of a time I have never experienced but think I came about as close to it as I could reading this book. John, you never cease to amaze me with your talent. If you are looking for a fantastic time travel series, please, PLEASE do yourself a favour and read John A Heldt!
HAPPY READING! :)
October 20, 2016
Written for My Blog
Thank you to the author of this book for sending me a copy in return for an honest review.
Although this is part of a series, I read it as a stand alone.
The story follows two sisters and two brothers, the sisters are from 2017, and the brothers from 1959. They cross paths when eldest brother Mark stumbles upon a time tunnel that was left by the house’s previous owner. Mark Ryan walks into 2017 and startles Mary Beth Mcentire, a young medical graduate who is visiting the current owner of the house. She and her sister Piper travel back to 1959 with Mark and meet his younger brother, Ben. The story then follows their time in 1959 when Piper decides that she wants to stay and experience the 50s.
I really enjoyed this book! Not usually being a fan of sci-fi style books I was a little apprehensive about reading it. But being a huge fan of the 50s music, fashion and stars I chose to give it a go. I am so glad that I did.
The thing that I liked most about this story was the characters. The two sets of siblings were really well written as they were very different from each other but also had similar, sibling-like qualities. Mark and Ben for example, Mark was laid back and calm, Ben was a ladies man, yet they shared a sensitive side. I loved the growing relationship between Piper and Ben, how it went from dislike, to unsure, back to dislike, to romance, back to dislike again.
I loved the things that they got up to as well. They did all of the things that I’d love to do if I got to travel back to the 50s. Hops, drive in movies, stalking icons, poodle print skirts, listening to one of my favourite artists – Buddy Holly…I did keep reading this and wish that I could have seen the 50s in full bloom.
The adventure in this story was just about right for me. It mainly focused on character relationships but made sure to add in the 50s mobster with a gun who’d appear every now and then.
The author stuck to his facts in this story. Near the end of this book came a problem that made me wonder if the author had forgotten about his time sequences (I can’t really go into more detail without spoiling) but not long after I’d thought it, the issue was brought up by one of the main characters and explained.
I really liked the ending of the story. I spent the majority of reading the book trying to guess what would happen, but it was a nice ending that I felt satisfied with after finishing.
The dialogue in this did get on my nerves a little. Characters would often simply reply to questions and comments with “I am” or “I have” rather than a simple yes or no, or elaboration. But that was the only thing about this story that really grated on me.
All in all I really enjoyed this book, to the point where I’m very likely to buy another one of John’s books in the time traveling series and read them. Thanks again John for sending it to me, very enjoyable!
Thank you to the author of this book for sending me a copy in return for an honest review.
Although this is part of a series, I read it as a stand alone.
The story follows two sisters and two brothers, the sisters are from 2017, and the brothers from 1959. They cross paths when eldest brother Mark stumbles upon a time tunnel that was left by the house’s previous owner. Mark Ryan walks into 2017 and startles Mary Beth Mcentire, a young medical graduate who is visiting the current owner of the house. She and her sister Piper travel back to 1959 with Mark and meet his younger brother, Ben. The story then follows their time in 1959 when Piper decides that she wants to stay and experience the 50s.
I really enjoyed this book! Not usually being a fan of sci-fi style books I was a little apprehensive about reading it. But being a huge fan of the 50s music, fashion and stars I chose to give it a go. I am so glad that I did.
The thing that I liked most about this story was the characters. The two sets of siblings were really well written as they were very different from each other but also had similar, sibling-like qualities. Mark and Ben for example, Mark was laid back and calm, Ben was a ladies man, yet they shared a sensitive side. I loved the growing relationship between Piper and Ben, how it went from dislike, to unsure, back to dislike, to romance, back to dislike again.
I loved the things that they got up to as well. They did all of the things that I’d love to do if I got to travel back to the 50s. Hops, drive in movies, stalking icons, poodle print skirts, listening to one of my favourite artists – Buddy Holly…I did keep reading this and wish that I could have seen the 50s in full bloom.
The adventure in this story was just about right for me. It mainly focused on character relationships but made sure to add in the 50s mobster with a gun who’d appear every now and then.
The author stuck to his facts in this story. Near the end of this book came a problem that made me wonder if the author had forgotten about his time sequences (I can’t really go into more detail without spoiling) but not long after I’d thought it, the issue was brought up by one of the main characters and explained.
I really liked the ending of the story. I spent the majority of reading the book trying to guess what would happen, but it was a nice ending that I felt satisfied with after finishing.
The dialogue in this did get on my nerves a little. Characters would often simply reply to questions and comments with “I am” or “I have” rather than a simple yes or no, or elaboration. But that was the only thing about this story that really grated on me.
All in all I really enjoyed this book, to the point where I’m very likely to buy another one of John’s books in the time traveling series and read them. Thanks again John for sending it to me, very enjoyable!
January 31, 2018
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. This in no way effects my overall rating of this book.
This book starts off with a literal bang and doesn’t let up as the novel progresses. We follow four young protagonists that discover a time travelling tunnel in their home. Mary Beth and her sister Piper are from 2017 – Mark and Ben are brothers from the year 1959.
This premise really intrigued me when I got an email request for it. Although I haven’t read many, time travelling books interest me greatly. I found that time travelling was done really well in this book.
Mark finds these crystals in a drawer in his home and discovers that when he walks through this tunnel in the house’s basement he is then transported to another time! The actual time travel ‘machine’ confused me a bit because I’m still not 100% sure how it’s done, but the main point is that you have these crystal things that help you jump through time.
The interesting part was how you can spend – let’s say a month – in another time period but still come back only two minutes later in your time. I loved this concept because it got rid of the entire missing persons thing that usually would happen in time travelling books where somebody has gone to another time period for a longer period of time and people start wondering where they went.
The center of the book is about how things might change throughout time but there will always be constants – most notably love. Normally the romance would be my least favorite part of the book, but it was done surprisingly well.
The pair of brothers and sisters end up falling for one another knowing the inevitable of having to be separated by a good 50 years. But they can’t help their feelings from blooming, but they try so hard to keep it from happening. It was so sad to read because JUST LET THEM BE TOGETHER AUTHOR!
But we all know that book characters can’t simply be happy so *shrug*.
I found this book to be very well-written, a great storyline with interesting characters. I might end up finding myself reading one of the other books in the series in the future (there are loads of other books but they can all be read separately since they don’t interconnect).
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Although I really loved following these characters, there were a few things that made me keep from rating this a full five stars. I think it might have to do with the way everything got wrapped up way too cleanly at the end. Besides that, I would recommend this to anyone on the lookout for a time travelling book!
For more book reviews and bookish stuff, check out my blog here
This book starts off with a literal bang and doesn’t let up as the novel progresses. We follow four young protagonists that discover a time travelling tunnel in their home. Mary Beth and her sister Piper are from 2017 – Mark and Ben are brothers from the year 1959.
This premise really intrigued me when I got an email request for it. Although I haven’t read many, time travelling books interest me greatly. I found that time travelling was done really well in this book.
Mark finds these crystals in a drawer in his home and discovers that when he walks through this tunnel in the house’s basement he is then transported to another time! The actual time travel ‘machine’ confused me a bit because I’m still not 100% sure how it’s done, but the main point is that you have these crystal things that help you jump through time.
The interesting part was how you can spend – let’s say a month – in another time period but still come back only two minutes later in your time. I loved this concept because it got rid of the entire missing persons thing that usually would happen in time travelling books where somebody has gone to another time period for a longer period of time and people start wondering where they went.
The center of the book is about how things might change throughout time but there will always be constants – most notably love. Normally the romance would be my least favorite part of the book, but it was done surprisingly well.
The pair of brothers and sisters end up falling for one another knowing the inevitable of having to be separated by a good 50 years. But they can’t help their feelings from blooming, but they try so hard to keep it from happening. It was so sad to read because JUST LET THEM BE TOGETHER AUTHOR!
But we all know that book characters can’t simply be happy so *shrug*.
I found this book to be very well-written, a great storyline with interesting characters. I might end up finding myself reading one of the other books in the series in the future (there are loads of other books but they can all be read separately since they don’t interconnect).
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Although I really loved following these characters, there were a few things that made me keep from rating this a full five stars. I think it might have to do with the way everything got wrapped up way too cleanly at the end. Besides that, I would recommend this to anyone on the lookout for a time travelling book!
For more book reviews and bookish stuff, check out my blog here
October 14, 2017
Class of 59 American Journey book 4 by John A Heldt
Sisters and brothers find love and much more in a timeless adventure!
When Mary Beth McIntire settles into a vacation house on June 2, 2017, she anticipates a quiet morning with coffee. Then she hears a noise, peers out a window, and spots a man in 1950s attire standing in the backyard. She panics when the trespasser sees her and enters the house through a door to the basement. She questions her sanity when she cannot find him. In the same house on March 21, 1959, Mark Ryan finds a letter. Written by the mansion’s original owner in 1900, the letter describes a basement chamber, mysterious crystals, and a formula for time travel. Driven by curiosity, Mark tests the formula twice. On his second trip to 2017, he encounters a beautiful stranger. He meets the woman in the window. Within hours, Mary Beth and Mark share their secret with her sister and his brother and begin a journey that takes them from the present day to the age of sock hops, drive-ins, and jukeboxes. In CLASS OF ’59, the fourth book in the American Journey series, four young adults find love, danger, and adventure as they navigate the corridors of time and experience Southern California in its storied prime.
What did I like? The first thing that I liked was the devotion of Mary Beth for her sister, that kind of bond is one of a kind. The other thing that I loved was the year 1959, it was the times that I was the happiest in my growing up. High School, what could be better? Young love and all the adventures of the growing pains!
What will you like? Adventure, humor, young love, danger, mystery, intrigue, and the thought of doing it all again. Wow, what a time for these four youths and to enjoy that epic feeling of time travel. The danger and intrigue of the whole thing kept these kids on their toes. The intense feelings of love during that time in their lives and not knowing what to expect in the future kept me turning the pages fast. I really loved the ending and thought it was the greatest way to end this adventure. I also think this was the most fun I had reading a time travel book. I received this from the author for an honest review with no other compensation.
Sisters and brothers find love and much more in a timeless adventure!
When Mary Beth McIntire settles into a vacation house on June 2, 2017, she anticipates a quiet morning with coffee. Then she hears a noise, peers out a window, and spots a man in 1950s attire standing in the backyard. She panics when the trespasser sees her and enters the house through a door to the basement. She questions her sanity when she cannot find him. In the same house on March 21, 1959, Mark Ryan finds a letter. Written by the mansion’s original owner in 1900, the letter describes a basement chamber, mysterious crystals, and a formula for time travel. Driven by curiosity, Mark tests the formula twice. On his second trip to 2017, he encounters a beautiful stranger. He meets the woman in the window. Within hours, Mary Beth and Mark share their secret with her sister and his brother and begin a journey that takes them from the present day to the age of sock hops, drive-ins, and jukeboxes. In CLASS OF ’59, the fourth book in the American Journey series, four young adults find love, danger, and adventure as they navigate the corridors of time and experience Southern California in its storied prime.
What did I like? The first thing that I liked was the devotion of Mary Beth for her sister, that kind of bond is one of a kind. The other thing that I loved was the year 1959, it was the times that I was the happiest in my growing up. High School, what could be better? Young love and all the adventures of the growing pains!
What will you like? Adventure, humor, young love, danger, mystery, intrigue, and the thought of doing it all again. Wow, what a time for these four youths and to enjoy that epic feeling of time travel. The danger and intrigue of the whole thing kept these kids on their toes. The intense feelings of love during that time in their lives and not knowing what to expect in the future kept me turning the pages fast. I really loved the ending and thought it was the greatest way to end this adventure. I also think this was the most fun I had reading a time travel book. I received this from the author for an honest review with no other compensation.
September 1, 2017
I am a really big fan of time travel books and this was a very cool read. Would you ever follow secret instructions on the letter? This book jumps back-and-forth from 2017 and 1959 and this mysterious, enlightening and filled with romance. This one got me thinking if I had the chance to go back and change one thing what I? What could possibly go wrong and with the second chance be better? The author does a great job of showing us how no matter how many things change they sometimes seem to always stay the same. I really liked the story and the characters seeing how they interacted in their own time and along the entire timeline. It was cool to see the whole timeline and the author does a very good job of jumbling and keeping everything consistent. For some, this will be a trip through memory lane and for others such as myself it will be a really fun and exciting history lesson. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this one and you should definitely give it a try. The performance and narration was spot on. I thought the narrator did a great job scene to scene. The narration added value to this book and made the fun scenes fun. Overall, a great attention keeping listen. I was provided a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Boom. This in no way affected my opinion of this book.
August 4, 2017
Class of '59
: John A. Heldt
This time travel novel features two sets of young adult siblings, one from 1959 the other from 2017. The listener gets to see how younger characters handle the challenges that older characters might face differently. There are adventures, teen drama, romance and of course villains to round things out. I enjoyed this book.
The narration was well done. The characters were well portrayed. I loved the voices and accents performed by Patrice Gambardella.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
: John A. Heldt
This time travel novel features two sets of young adult siblings, one from 1959 the other from 2017. The listener gets to see how younger characters handle the challenges that older characters might face differently. There are adventures, teen drama, romance and of course villains to round things out. I enjoyed this book.
The narration was well done. The characters were well portrayed. I loved the voices and accents performed by Patrice Gambardella.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
January 30, 2019
Relaxing read
This was a pleasant, easy read that I enjoyed on this frigidly cold day in January. It was just what I needed for a relaxing, cozy day inside. I enjoy time-travel books and this fit the bill just fine. Four young people experience both 1959 and 2017 together over a month's time. It was fun imagining what it must have been like fir the two that were experiencing a prior of time that wasn't there own. Betting on a basketball game in 1959 with information obtained in 2017, thereby having an unfair advantage, was something that seemed a very reasonable thing to do to get a little extra, quick cash. However, that's what gets the mob involved and on the time travelers' trail. Exciting right? If you're having a snow day and looking for a quick, pleasant book I recommend this one. Enjoy!!
This was a pleasant, easy read that I enjoyed on this frigidly cold day in January. It was just what I needed for a relaxing, cozy day inside. I enjoy time-travel books and this fit the bill just fine. Four young people experience both 1959 and 2017 together over a month's time. It was fun imagining what it must have been like fir the two that were experiencing a prior of time that wasn't there own. Betting on a basketball game in 1959 with information obtained in 2017, thereby having an unfair advantage, was something that seemed a very reasonable thing to do to get a little extra, quick cash. However, that's what gets the mob involved and on the time travelers' trail. Exciting right? If you're having a snow day and looking for a quick, pleasant book I recommend this one. Enjoy!!
February 1, 2019
Classic and predictable
I found this book rather boring actually. His past 3 books in the American Journey series has much more pazase. While the storyline was good, it just didn't have a lot of character so to speak. I found the characters too predictable and lacking in development. I am not sure the commentary overweening people was that calm and to the point, as in, " Are you happy? ", at the end of the book...whereas we one expected something more profound from this intelligent young lady. A little more editing and re-writing could add much more adventure to the story. Keep working on it!
I found this book rather boring actually. His past 3 books in the American Journey series has much more pazase. While the storyline was good, it just didn't have a lot of character so to speak. I found the characters too predictable and lacking in development. I am not sure the commentary overweening people was that calm and to the point, as in, " Are you happy? ", at the end of the book...whereas we one expected something more profound from this intelligent young lady. A little more editing and re-writing could add much more adventure to the story. Keep working on it!
February 4, 2019
The 1950's Were Fun!!!
Heldt has written another time traveling fun, informative, heart-racing and heart-wrenching novel! As I was born in 1955, much within this fictional work is only known through others older than I or historical accounts, movies and the like. John Heldt brings it all to life, as well as the challenges time-traveling presents to those involved.... The differences between 1959 and 2017 are incredible on so many fronts!
I highly recommend John Heldt's books.... His work will capture your imagination, if nothing else, but I bet there will be much more!!!
Enjoy the ride!!!
Heldt has written another time traveling fun, informative, heart-racing and heart-wrenching novel! As I was born in 1955, much within this fictional work is only known through others older than I or historical accounts, movies and the like. John Heldt brings it all to life, as well as the challenges time-traveling presents to those involved.... The differences between 1959 and 2017 are incredible on so many fronts!
I highly recommend John Heldt's books.... His work will capture your imagination, if nothing else, but I bet there will be much more!!!
Enjoy the ride!!!
October 30, 2022
What's not to love if you like Time Travel?
I've read three of John A Heldt's series of time travel now and in my view, he's a master at the genre. The ways he imagines his characters travelling are imaginative and different in every series. In the American Journey series, the only constants are Professor and Mrs Bell. Each story is about different people who go through the secret tunnel under the Bell's house and their different reasons. In this book, Mark Ryan found the tunnel accidentally. What follows is a bitter sweet dilemma. As always, the characters are well drawn and understandable, the time travel and past period credible. And as always, a very enjoyable read
I've read three of John A Heldt's series of time travel now and in my view, he's a master at the genre. The ways he imagines his characters travelling are imaginative and different in every series. In the American Journey series, the only constants are Professor and Mrs Bell. Each story is about different people who go through the secret tunnel under the Bell's house and their different reasons. In this book, Mark Ryan found the tunnel accidentally. What follows is a bitter sweet dilemma. As always, the characters are well drawn and understandable, the time travel and past period credible. And as always, a very enjoyable read
April 23, 2023
Time travelling brothers
A college student from 1959 finds papers in a locked drawer in an old mansion that he's living in that states there is a time travel tunnel in the basement and while sceptical he decides to test the theory out and ends up in 2017 meeting Mary Ann who he finally convinces by taking her back to his time. They bring his brother and her sister into the mix and have a great time in 1959 going to drive ins, prom and meeting Marilyn Monroe... I could not put this book down as was engaged from the first page.
A college student from 1959 finds papers in a locked drawer in an old mansion that he's living in that states there is a time travel tunnel in the basement and while sceptical he decides to test the theory out and ends up in 2017 meeting Mary Ann who he finally convinces by taking her back to his time. They bring his brother and her sister into the mix and have a great time in 1959 going to drive ins, prom and meeting Marilyn Monroe... I could not put this book down as was engaged from the first page.
June 14, 2023
Great travel back in time
Anytime I see a book I haven’t read by John Heldt, I drop everything I’m doing and read until I’m finished. Today was no exception. A trip back to the fifties in Class of ‘59 was fun, exciting, a bit dangerous and as always when I finished reading, I wished for more. Heldt develops a great plot with vibrant characters, but it is the quality of writing that brings me back to this author. And from a retired college English instructor, that’s a big compliment.
Anytime I see a book I haven’t read by John Heldt, I drop everything I’m doing and read until I’m finished. Today was no exception. A trip back to the fifties in Class of ‘59 was fun, exciting, a bit dangerous and as always when I finished reading, I wished for more. Heldt develops a great plot with vibrant characters, but it is the quality of writing that brings me back to this author. And from a retired college English instructor, that’s a big compliment.
April 18, 2018
Not as good
Having graduated from college in 1959 I really looked forward to this entry in this series. But I found this tale more simplistic and slow developing than the first three books. Mr Heldt seemed more interested in mentioning songs and places than furthering the plot. I also think the ending was too simple and easy. I am hoping for a better tale in the next book more like the first three.
Having graduated from college in 1959 I really looked forward to this entry in this series. But I found this tale more simplistic and slow developing than the first three books. Mr Heldt seemed more interested in mentioning songs and places than furthering the plot. I also think the ending was too simple and easy. I am hoping for a better tale in the next book more like the first three.
February 15, 2019
Interesting story
This was an interesting book with great characters. The time travel theme worked very well. The four young people traveled between 2017 and 1959 so there was good contrast between what each knew and how much that was the same. I think younger readers will relate better to them. Being a 50's girl, I was interested in what the author consisterd important enough to incorporate into the story.
This was an interesting book with great characters. The time travel theme worked very well. The four young people traveled between 2017 and 1959 so there was good contrast between what each knew and how much that was the same. I think younger readers will relate better to them. Being a 50's girl, I was interested in what the author consisterd important enough to incorporate into the story.
November 18, 2022
I received an audio code from the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
Class of 59 was not my most favorite novel of the series, though I can’t put my finger on exactly the reason why. The story was enjoyable but maybe it is because it solely focused on young people.
The author follows his typical flow, which serves his writing well. The story line does not seem to connect to any of the others, at least not so far in the ones I have read
Class of 59 was not my most favorite novel of the series, though I can’t put my finger on exactly the reason why. The story was enjoyable but maybe it is because it solely focused on young people.
The author follows his typical flow, which serves his writing well. The story line does not seem to connect to any of the others, at least not so far in the ones I have read
June 18, 2023
Another great book in the series
I must admit I love all of the authors time travel stories. This was no exception. The book was heartwarming throughout and had a very exciting end. I also love that time period and thought he did an excellent job describing the late 50’s. I would definitely recommend this book and the rest in the series. I have only 1 book to go and look forward to it.
I must admit I love all of the authors time travel stories. This was no exception. The book was heartwarming throughout and had a very exciting end. I also love that time period and thought he did an excellent job describing the late 50’s. I would definitely recommend this book and the rest in the series. I have only 1 book to go and look forward to it.
February 23, 2019
Another winner
I enjoyed a trip back to 1959 when I was a 10 year old. Even though time travel has never been an interest to me, I've read several of Heldt's books. I've found them to be well-written with interesting characters that you want to get to know. Keep them coming, Mr. Heldt!
I enjoyed a trip back to 1959 when I was a 10 year old. Even though time travel has never been an interest to me, I've read several of Heldt's books. I've found them to be well-written with interesting characters that you want to get to know. Keep them coming, Mr. Heldt!
January 24, 2023
Another great story from Heldt. He writes a lot of romance in this one. Develops two romantic relationships and throws in some almost impossible low life scum trying to get a book. I really enjoyed the twists near the end of this book. I can’t believe Piper concocted a story That got them out of a mess. Really a great job John Heldt! 5
June 15, 2023
A really fun read!!
This book is light and fun. The best part is that it is well written! I used to be an editor and that profession makes it hard to read anything filled with too many adjectives and grammatical errors. This was a treat!
It has a “Back to The Future” vibe for sure. Get past that and enjoy the book. It’s PG.
This book is light and fun. The best part is that it is well written! I used to be an editor and that profession makes it hard to read anything filled with too many adjectives and grammatical errors. This was a treat!
It has a “Back to The Future” vibe for sure. Get past that and enjoy the book. It’s PG.
November 5, 2023
3 Stars
I’ve read the first 3 books in this series and loved them (4 Stars) but I was disappointed in this 4th book. It did not have the intrigue that the other books had and the history that I really enjoyed before was not present much in this book. I will be reading the next book in the series.
I’ve read the first 3 books in this series and loved them (4 Stars) but I was disappointed in this 4th book. It did not have the intrigue that the other books had and the history that I really enjoyed before was not present much in this book. I will be reading the next book in the series.
January 27, 2019
Tripped down memory lane.
What a trip down memory lane! I knew every song mentioned in the book and every event. Born in the late forties and growing up in the fifties made this book full of many memories. Read it in one day and thoroughly enjoyed it.
What a trip down memory lane! I knew every song mentioned in the book and every event. Born in the late forties and growing up in the fifties made this book full of many memories. Read it in one day and thoroughly enjoyed it.
October 20, 2020
I enjoyed all of John Heldt,s previous time travel novels, but found this one lacking. The plot was simplistic. The novel read like a glimpse into life in the late 1950s. Some of the events were gratuitous. The plot rambled until an unlikely resolution. I found the book disappointing.
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