What do you think?
Rate this book
Middle Falls Time Travel #5
The Emancipation of Veronica McAllister
Time Travel with a twist!
Veronica McAllister died in 2018.
She immediately opened her eyes again in 1958, all memories of her previous life intact.
She goes from old age, pants suits, and a cane, to poodle skirts, saddle shoes, and Buddy Holly.
At the end of her first life, Veronica said she “wasn’t any good at life.” With the most precious of gifts—perspective and a second chance, can she succeed where she failed during her first life?
What would you do, if you could do it all again?
Veronica McAllister died in 2018.
She immediately opened her eyes again in 1958, all memories of her previous life intact.
She goes from old age, pants suits, and a cane, to poodle skirts, saddle shoes, and Buddy Holly.
At the end of her first life, Veronica said she “wasn’t any good at life.” With the most precious of gifts—perspective and a second chance, can she succeed where she failed during her first life?
What would you do, if you could do it all again?
280 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 18, 2018
287 people are currently reading
275 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 140 reviews
July 8, 2019
Martie’s Rating 2 ½ Stars
Genre: Fantasy
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing
Pub. May 2018
This is the fifth book in the “Middle Falls Time Travel Series.” Still, it is a standalone read. This reviewer didn’t know that the novel was part of a series until after finishing the book. The story begins in 2018 when the protagonist, 80-year-old Veronica, is on her deathbed. She is ready to die. As she breathes her last breath she is anxious to learn the answers to the question we all wonder about—what happens after death? Is there a heaven? Is there a hell? Or will it be an eternity of nothingness? Once dead, Veronica opens her eyes, to see that she is back in 1958 and is a teenager again, wearing a poodle skirt and apparently babysitting. The author does a good job with her complete confusion and excitement at seeing her old friends and parents again. “Oh, Daddy, you’re so young and handsome,” she says. Often you may think of the comedy-drama film, “Peggy Sue Got Married.”
But the story theme isn’t really about time travel. The author is asking the question, "What If” you could live your life over and over again until you got it right? What would you do differently not to duplicate your mistakes made in each life? Not an original thought but an interesting one, especially when you imagine yourself in such a situation. Where the story begins to become a bit tiresome is after Veronica’s second or third life. Each time she dies, she wakes up as a teenager at the same babysitting job. Until she finally learns her own personal meaning of self-actualization, she and the reader are stuck in a purgatory-like, “Groundhog Day” existence. If the author would have stayed with keeping his protagonist to a one do-over life, while adding in anything new to the theme, this may have been an interesting tale regarding the nature of changing oneself kept light with humor. Instead, it can read as a bit preachy—neither marriage nor money guarantees happiness— time-loop redemption tale. The novel is too cliché to encourage this reviewer to read the first four in the series. This may not be the case for other readers who enjoy when characters get to stop the clock and start over again. You will have to read the book yourself to decide.
I received this Advance Review Copy (ARC) novel from the publisher at no cost in exchange for an honest review.
Find all my book reviews at:
Goodreads
Wordpress
Twitter
Barnes & Noble
Amazon Books
Facebook
Pinterest
Instagram
Genre: Fantasy
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing
Pub. May 2018
This is the fifth book in the “Middle Falls Time Travel Series.” Still, it is a standalone read. This reviewer didn’t know that the novel was part of a series until after finishing the book. The story begins in 2018 when the protagonist, 80-year-old Veronica, is on her deathbed. She is ready to die. As she breathes her last breath she is anxious to learn the answers to the question we all wonder about—what happens after death? Is there a heaven? Is there a hell? Or will it be an eternity of nothingness? Once dead, Veronica opens her eyes, to see that she is back in 1958 and is a teenager again, wearing a poodle skirt and apparently babysitting. The author does a good job with her complete confusion and excitement at seeing her old friends and parents again. “Oh, Daddy, you’re so young and handsome,” she says. Often you may think of the comedy-drama film, “Peggy Sue Got Married.”
But the story theme isn’t really about time travel. The author is asking the question, "What If” you could live your life over and over again until you got it right? What would you do differently not to duplicate your mistakes made in each life? Not an original thought but an interesting one, especially when you imagine yourself in such a situation. Where the story begins to become a bit tiresome is after Veronica’s second or third life. Each time she dies, she wakes up as a teenager at the same babysitting job. Until she finally learns her own personal meaning of self-actualization, she and the reader are stuck in a purgatory-like, “Groundhog Day” existence. If the author would have stayed with keeping his protagonist to a one do-over life, while adding in anything new to the theme, this may have been an interesting tale regarding the nature of changing oneself kept light with humor. Instead, it can read as a bit preachy—neither marriage nor money guarantees happiness— time-loop redemption tale. The novel is too cliché to encourage this reviewer to read the first four in the series. This may not be the case for other readers who enjoy when characters get to stop the clock and start over again. You will have to read the book yourself to decide.
I received this Advance Review Copy (ARC) novel from the publisher at no cost in exchange for an honest review.
Find all my book reviews at:
Goodreads
Wordpress
Barnes & Noble
Amazon Books
April 8, 2020
*read for free with Kindle Unlimited*
July 19, 2019
What a brilliant story. I was a bit disheartened when I learnt that this is the fifth (yes, the fifth!) in a series, but this really doesn’t matter. I easily read this as a stand alone book and wish I had the opportunity to review the others in the series.
The premise of the story reminded me very much of ‘Back to the Future’ because Veronica travels back to 1950s mid-America, after the novel opens at her deathbed. Secondly, the recent NetFlix series, ‘Russian Doll’, linked into my head because, as Veronica is trying to find the reason behind reliving her life, she does eventually die, only return to the same starting point as a teenager once more. Veronica lives several lives before she is finally ‘emancipated’ and realises the life she was destined to have. Finally, I couldn’t help but be reminded of the Tom Cruise film, ‘Live Die Repeat’, for the same reason as before. However, with all of those links, don’t let this put you off reading this novel because it is a great read and I loved exploring 1950s America onwards.
I grew to admire Veronica’s character because for each of her lives, she tries to do her very best and understand what she most wants. Whilst it doesn’t go according to plan until her final “life”, I admired her determination at resolving her complicated relationship with her mother and desperation to lead the chain of events to her becoming a mother again to her precious daughters. She is not afraid of trying to find happiness through material things and even when she has plenty of money, misses those that matter the most to her.
When I thought I had figured out where the plot was headed, the writer throws in another unexpected curve ball, adding to my enjoyment even further. Arguably one may say that this is quite a quaint story, looking at a local town in Central America and avoids any of the heavy, political issues. However, I think this would have unnecessarily complicated the plot and sometimes I think it is right to just focus on the nicer things in life.
I think the only criticism that I have towards this plot is how easily Veronica accepts this time shift and gets on with life. She instantly looks forwards in this new path and shows an inevitable fondness towards her memories and revisiting old haunts and friends. I didn’t let this bother me too much, but I would like to have seen this protagonist questioning what has happened to her. It just seems a bit convenient to me.
This was a pacey plot and the short chapters meant it was ideal for dipping in and out of. A stand-alone read, the novel reaches a natural conclusion so you don’t have to worry about reading the rest of the series. Having said this, I would like to pursue more by this author and see what else they have to offer.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The premise of the story reminded me very much of ‘Back to the Future’ because Veronica travels back to 1950s mid-America, after the novel opens at her deathbed. Secondly, the recent NetFlix series, ‘Russian Doll’, linked into my head because, as Veronica is trying to find the reason behind reliving her life, she does eventually die, only return to the same starting point as a teenager once more. Veronica lives several lives before she is finally ‘emancipated’ and realises the life she was destined to have. Finally, I couldn’t help but be reminded of the Tom Cruise film, ‘Live Die Repeat’, for the same reason as before. However, with all of those links, don’t let this put you off reading this novel because it is a great read and I loved exploring 1950s America onwards.
I grew to admire Veronica’s character because for each of her lives, she tries to do her very best and understand what she most wants. Whilst it doesn’t go according to plan until her final “life”, I admired her determination at resolving her complicated relationship with her mother and desperation to lead the chain of events to her becoming a mother again to her precious daughters. She is not afraid of trying to find happiness through material things and even when she has plenty of money, misses those that matter the most to her.
When I thought I had figured out where the plot was headed, the writer throws in another unexpected curve ball, adding to my enjoyment even further. Arguably one may say that this is quite a quaint story, looking at a local town in Central America and avoids any of the heavy, political issues. However, I think this would have unnecessarily complicated the plot and sometimes I think it is right to just focus on the nicer things in life.
I think the only criticism that I have towards this plot is how easily Veronica accepts this time shift and gets on with life. She instantly looks forwards in this new path and shows an inevitable fondness towards her memories and revisiting old haunts and friends. I didn’t let this bother me too much, but I would like to have seen this protagonist questioning what has happened to her. It just seems a bit convenient to me.
This was a pacey plot and the short chapters meant it was ideal for dipping in and out of. A stand-alone read, the novel reaches a natural conclusion so you don’t have to worry about reading the rest of the series. Having said this, I would like to pursue more by this author and see what else they have to offer.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 9, 2022
Yet another great iteration in this series. Not only was this the first female but to me her story represents what would likely happen to the average person going through multiple lives... humans are pretty messy and confused lol
The only thing that could have made this better was CARRIE. Where the heck is Carrie?!?
4.5 rounded up
The only thing that could have made this better was CARRIE. Where the heck is Carrie?!?
4.5 rounded up
August 5, 2019
I loved this book so much, even though it was number five in the series it didn’t spoil the read . I can’t wait to read all the others in this wonderful series.
April 28, 2024
The grumpus23 (23-word commentary)
Love this series. Every book is so clever. 80-year-old woman goes back to the 1950s and has the opportunity to relive her life.
Love this series. Every book is so clever. 80-year-old woman goes back to the 1950s and has the opportunity to relive her life.
March 7, 2022
Notes:
Books #1-12 on Audible Plus
After the intro to Veronica in the last book, I was ready to see what kind of story would be told for Veronica.
- Like the 1st book, this one had great little details, interactions & dialogue to establish the time periods & settings.
- A cool exploration of the paths not traveled.
- It is the first time that I felt like the author did not want to finish the story for one of the characters.
- I'm on the fence about the general attitude of 'death' that are presented in the stories, but it's most likely going to be one of the small plot holes that I just have to ignore. You know, like that itch in a spot you can't quite reach? It's itchy enough that you want to scratch it, but not so terrible that it'll make you go nuts. =P
Books #1-12 on Audible Plus
After the intro to Veronica in the last book, I was ready to see what kind of story would be told for Veronica.
- Like the 1st book, this one had great little details, interactions & dialogue to establish the time periods & settings.
- A cool exploration of the paths not traveled.
- It is the first time that I felt like the author did not want to finish the story for one of the characters.
- I'm on the fence about the general attitude of 'death' that are presented in the stories, but it's most likely going to be one of the small plot holes that I just have to ignore. You know, like that itch in a spot you can't quite reach? It's itchy enough that you want to scratch it, but not so terrible that it'll make you go nuts. =P
May 27, 2018
Disclosure: I downloaded this book for free, have purchased four previous books by the author, and am posting an honest review of this work.
I enjoyed the four earlier novels in this time-travel series, and this one is up there with Inmon's best (in my opinion, The Redemption of Michael Hollister)! It focuses on the "replaying" of the life of Veronica McAllister, who ends her life at age 78, and is given another chance to obtain happiness as a teenager who grows up in the 1950s and as an adult thereafter.
All told, though, she gets five lives, marrying different men, investing in "sure things" in the stock market, traveling, etc.
I loved the glimpses of life in America in the 1950s, such as listening to Buddy Holly music, Ricky Nelson and Elvis Presley adoration, unlocked home doors, "duck and cover," ten-cent hot dogs, and burger hangouts; not to mention, Greenwich Village in the 1960s.
The story is heartwarming, and we are rooting for Veronica to find joy and fulfillment. The book is an easy and enjoyable read, with some surprises along the way.
And, of course, we get reacquainted briefly with some characters from Inmon's other novels, including Nathaniel Moon and James Weaver—and a future one, Joe Hart.
I look forward to the author's final book in the series on Mr. Hart!
I enjoyed the four earlier novels in this time-travel series, and this one is up there with Inmon's best (in my opinion, The Redemption of Michael Hollister)! It focuses on the "replaying" of the life of Veronica McAllister, who ends her life at age 78, and is given another chance to obtain happiness as a teenager who grows up in the 1950s and as an adult thereafter.
All told, though, she gets five lives, marrying different men, investing in "sure things" in the stock market, traveling, etc.
I loved the glimpses of life in America in the 1950s, such as listening to Buddy Holly music, Ricky Nelson and Elvis Presley adoration, unlocked home doors, "duck and cover," ten-cent hot dogs, and burger hangouts; not to mention, Greenwich Village in the 1960s.
The story is heartwarming, and we are rooting for Veronica to find joy and fulfillment. The book is an easy and enjoyable read, with some surprises along the way.
And, of course, we get reacquainted briefly with some characters from Inmon's other novels, including Nathaniel Moon and James Weaver—and a future one, Joe Hart.
I look forward to the author's final book in the series on Mr. Hart!
April 11, 2019
3.5 Stars Rounded Up.
Good time travel story. What if you didn’t die at the conclusion of your life, but instead found yourself repeatedly at a certain juncture in your past? If you had a do-over, would you make different choices? Would those choices ensure a happier life this time around?
Each time she dies, Veronica McCallister wakes to finds herself an 18 year old girl working at a car hop in 1958. I was afraid the combination of teenager and 1958 ‘happy days’ culture was going to make this a silly book. I was pleasantly surprised that the book didn’t remain stuck there but followed McAllister during the course of her various lives.
A quick and interesting read.
Good time travel story. What if you didn’t die at the conclusion of your life, but instead found yourself repeatedly at a certain juncture in your past? If you had a do-over, would you make different choices? Would those choices ensure a happier life this time around?
Each time she dies, Veronica McCallister wakes to finds herself an 18 year old girl working at a car hop in 1958. I was afraid the combination of teenager and 1958 ‘happy days’ culture was going to make this a silly book. I was pleasantly surprised that the book didn’t remain stuck there but followed McAllister during the course of her various lives.
A quick and interesting read.
April 25, 2025
While this was a very quick read, I didn’t like this book as much as the others in the series. The storyline was okay, it was the writing style. None of them are excellent in the craft of writing, but they are plot driven and the questions and premise make these books interesting.
For this book the writing style was bugging me. One example is the pointing out at this time there wasn’t certain technology or way of doing things today. It happened a few times and was clunky and pulled me out of the story. (like reminding us cell phones didn’t exist.)
For this book we have a woman POV for the first time in the series. Veronica’s character was near the end of the previous book, taking her life as she was dying of cancer. This taking of one’s own life is what resets the character’s life, and goes back to a pivotal point. For Veronica who was 80 or so she reverted back to a teenager in the last few months of high school before graduation. The next day she meets her husband to be, at least in the first life.
Veronica ends up having several lives, each restarting at the same point and the story repeats some of those first moments for most of those restarts. Yeah, that gets repetitive too. Veronica ends up killing herself during each life as she isn’t fulfilled and wants to do it again, until she finally gets it right.
What the author choses to fill in these lives is always an interesting choice as well, and maybe didn’t make the best decisions. There were moments that seemed to make no sense why it was included and other moments that were didn’t get fully explored.
Yet, there are still glimpses of philosophical questions that these books bring up. Some that are explored in the series such as: What would you do different if you had a chance to do it again? What would you do the same? Ultimately, what is your best life?
I will read the next book, since I have it and these are short books. Then I will consider about continuing the series or not.
For this book the writing style was bugging me. One example is the pointing out at this time there wasn’t certain technology or way of doing things today. It happened a few times and was clunky and pulled me out of the story. (like reminding us cell phones didn’t exist.)
For this book we have a woman POV for the first time in the series. Veronica’s character was near the end of the previous book, taking her life as she was dying of cancer. This taking of one’s own life is what resets the character’s life, and goes back to a pivotal point. For Veronica who was 80 or so she reverted back to a teenager in the last few months of high school before graduation. The next day she meets her husband to be, at least in the first life.
Veronica ends up having several lives, each restarting at the same point and the story repeats some of those first moments for most of those restarts. Yeah, that gets repetitive too. Veronica ends up killing herself during each life as she isn’t fulfilled and wants to do it again, until she finally gets it right.
What the author choses to fill in these lives is always an interesting choice as well, and maybe didn’t make the best decisions. There were moments that seemed to make no sense why it was included and other moments that were didn’t get fully explored.
Yet, there are still glimpses of philosophical questions that these books bring up. Some that are explored in the series such as: What would you do different if you had a chance to do it again? What would you do the same? Ultimately, what is your best life?
I will read the next book, since I have it and these are short books. Then I will consider about continuing the series or not.
February 29, 2024
I've read a few of the Middle Falls books now, and this one is my favorite to date.
Veronica McAllister dies of complications from cancer treatments. She's had an unhappy marriage that she regretted for years, and life didn't go as she had hoped. So, when she wakes up in her teenage body back in the 1950s, she realizes that she has a chance to undo some of her mistakes.
She makes some of the same ones again, of course ... and then she makes some new ones along the way. She gathers new information to make her life better -- or so she thinks -- and does her best to get along.
The characters were believable, and author Shawn Inmon did a great job of showing the kinds of limitations women faced in the 1950s and 1960s. Nicely done!
Veronica McAllister dies of complications from cancer treatments. She's had an unhappy marriage that she regretted for years, and life didn't go as she had hoped. So, when she wakes up in her teenage body back in the 1950s, she realizes that she has a chance to undo some of her mistakes.
She makes some of the same ones again, of course ... and then she makes some new ones along the way. She gathers new information to make her life better -- or so she thinks -- and does her best to get along.
The characters were believable, and author Shawn Inmon did a great job of showing the kinds of limitations women faced in the 1950s and 1960s. Nicely done!
May 10, 2019
3.5 stars. This is a fun story that is good for entertainment and also for sparking a bit of introspection about what one would do if they were in the MC's situation. The life spirals/redos are intriguing enough to keep a reader's attention, but it isn't a "can't put it down" type of book. I didn't know this was one in a series when I picked it up, but I don't think it is dependent upon the previous novels. The narrative makes sense as a stand-alone.
I received a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I received a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
November 6, 2025
Loved this one! It’s always great to visit Middle Falls!
March 31, 2023
Veronica lived her life submissive to her mother and then to her husband who ended up leaving her and getting the children. When she died she woke up with two months of high school remaining. With a sixty year gap she had forgotten people, her locker combination, and her day to day activities. After figuring all that out she had to decide about whether to bring Sarah and Nellie back into the world suffering through another marriage to Christopher or for her daughters to never exist.
Can Veronica make a better life with the second chance that has been given to her? That's basically the theme of all the Middle Falls Time Travel books. Here we're going back to a bit further, 1958, and she is struggling against the limitations of gender inequality. It looked like she was trying to force things and they weren't working out. She starts getting more and more the hang of things. Starting right away, but getting better results in the second half of the book. 4.7 stars. I worked a fast food job as a teenager and I liked it and have more lifelong friends from there that I do from high school, but there is no way that I'd ever want to do it again after having gone on to my career. For Veronica to long to go back to Artie's in a teen body, OK, but later on that seems to be putting on rose colored glasses.
Can Veronica make a better life with the second chance that has been given to her? That's basically the theme of all the Middle Falls Time Travel books. Here we're going back to a bit further, 1958, and she is struggling against the limitations of gender inequality. It looked like she was trying to force things and they weren't working out. She starts getting more and more the hang of things. Starting right away, but getting better results in the second half of the book. 4.7 stars. I worked a fast food job as a teenager and I liked it and have more lifelong friends from there that I do from high school, but there is no way that I'd ever want to do it again after having gone on to my career. For Veronica to long to go back to Artie's in a teen body, OK, but later on that seems to be putting on rose colored glasses.
May 23, 2018
Another winner
I love the idea of getting do overs, but I don't know that I would be as tenacious as Ronnie. All the books in this series have great, strong characters, from the protagonists to the minor players. Can't wait for the next book. Will take my time reading if, as the author says, it may be the last in the series. Hate to say goodbye to Middle Falls.
I love the idea of getting do overs, but I don't know that I would be as tenacious as Ronnie. All the books in this series have great, strong characters, from the protagonists to the minor players. Can't wait for the next book. Will take my time reading if, as the author says, it may be the last in the series. Hate to say goodbye to Middle Falls.
February 8, 2019
Read More Book Reviews on my blog
It's Good To Read
Summary:
A Time Travel story, taking a dying eighty-year old woman back to the cusp of her adulthood in 1950’s Oregon, for a chance to re-live her life. Would she do things differently?
Main Characters:
Veronica McAllister: The protagonist, a woman who has a lot of regrets in her current life.
Ruthie Miller: Veronica’s childhood pal, with whom in her first life she had a falling-out, and never made up with.
Doris McAllister: Her mother, a formidable matriarch.
Wallace McAllister: The Dad, a genial man, hen-pecked at home, but has his own way of gentle revolution. He was either of the Greatest or the Silent generation, stoic, hard-working.
DJ: A co-worker at Artie’s, he too has a story to tell.
Minor Characters:
Danny Coleman: Her first teenage crush, the “what-if” of her first life.
Christopher Belkins: Her original husband, with whom she had two daughters first time around.
Plot:
2018.
Veronica is dying. She closes her eyes one final time in the hospital, as the cancer takes another life.
She then opens her eyes, and wakes dazed and confused back in her home town of Middle Falls, Oregon in 1958, seventeen years old and full of possibility!
Understandably, Veronica is completely confused as to what is happening, and comes off very strange to those around her. She is an eighty-odd year old woman in a teenager’s body, and all her recent memories are intact. Her memories of her old life come back over time, and she slowly picks up threads of her old life.
Veronica starts out, and even the smallest differences in choices made/not made have big ripples. She is haunted by the fact that whatever she does impacts future Veronica – will she still have her two daughters if she marries someone different? Can she make amends to lost friends? Would making herself independently wealthy bring her happiness? Will her relationships within her own family be different – will the Veronica with an older head help the Veronica with a younger heart?
Will the choices she makes this time round be the right ones? How will she know?
Along the way, she meets forgotten friends, and has adventures and experiences she missed out on first time around. We experience the innocence of late 50’s, Elvis-era America, where it always seemed to be sunny, and through Veronica we can contrast the world now with then, and how some of what would happen was then firmly in the realm of science-fiction.
What I Liked:
- The premise of the book was excellent – time-travel with a great twist in it.
- Veronica was very empathetic as a character, and you really want things to work out for her.
- The world-building was excellent, and the treatment of how Veronica finds her feet in her new old reality is excellent – nothing too schmaltzy or sentimental. The balance was just right.
What I Didn’t Like:
- It was somewhat slow to start, but gets into a steady rhythm once it does.
Overall:
This is a nice, easy read. It was my first time reading this author, whom I discovered has a whole series done around this theme, and around various characters in this town.
There is no tension around world-shaking, apocalyptic events that may happen should the wrong decision be made. This is purely an individual tale, and is highly engaging and entertaining. It would make a super holiday read, or one to curl up on the sofa with a cup of tea! Highly recommended!
Acknowledgements:
I received a free copy of the book from BookSirens and the author, in return for an honest and objective review.
Summary:
A Time Travel story, taking a dying eighty-year old woman back to the cusp of her adulthood in 1950’s Oregon, for a chance to re-live her life. Would she do things differently?
Main Characters:
Veronica McAllister: The protagonist, a woman who has a lot of regrets in her current life.
Ruthie Miller: Veronica’s childhood pal, with whom in her first life she had a falling-out, and never made up with.
Doris McAllister: Her mother, a formidable matriarch.
Wallace McAllister: The Dad, a genial man, hen-pecked at home, but has his own way of gentle revolution. He was either of the Greatest or the Silent generation, stoic, hard-working.
DJ: A co-worker at Artie’s, he too has a story to tell.
Minor Characters:
Danny Coleman: Her first teenage crush, the “what-if” of her first life.
Christopher Belkins: Her original husband, with whom she had two daughters first time around.
Plot:
2018.
Veronica is dying. She closes her eyes one final time in the hospital, as the cancer takes another life.
She then opens her eyes, and wakes dazed and confused back in her home town of Middle Falls, Oregon in 1958, seventeen years old and full of possibility!
Understandably, Veronica is completely confused as to what is happening, and comes off very strange to those around her. She is an eighty-odd year old woman in a teenager’s body, and all her recent memories are intact. Her memories of her old life come back over time, and she slowly picks up threads of her old life.
Veronica starts out, and even the smallest differences in choices made/not made have big ripples. She is haunted by the fact that whatever she does impacts future Veronica – will she still have her two daughters if she marries someone different? Can she make amends to lost friends? Would making herself independently wealthy bring her happiness? Will her relationships within her own family be different – will the Veronica with an older head help the Veronica with a younger heart?
Will the choices she makes this time round be the right ones? How will she know?
Along the way, she meets forgotten friends, and has adventures and experiences she missed out on first time around. We experience the innocence of late 50’s, Elvis-era America, where it always seemed to be sunny, and through Veronica we can contrast the world now with then, and how some of what would happen was then firmly in the realm of science-fiction.
What I Liked:
- The premise of the book was excellent – time-travel with a great twist in it.
- Veronica was very empathetic as a character, and you really want things to work out for her.
- The world-building was excellent, and the treatment of how Veronica finds her feet in her new old reality is excellent – nothing too schmaltzy or sentimental. The balance was just right.
What I Didn’t Like:
- It was somewhat slow to start, but gets into a steady rhythm once it does.
Overall:
This is a nice, easy read. It was my first time reading this author, whom I discovered has a whole series done around this theme, and around various characters in this town.
There is no tension around world-shaking, apocalyptic events that may happen should the wrong decision be made. This is purely an individual tale, and is highly engaging and entertaining. It would make a super holiday read, or one to curl up on the sofa with a cup of tea! Highly recommended!
Acknowledgements:
I received a free copy of the book from BookSirens and the author, in return for an honest and objective review.
May 13, 2019
If you woke up as a teenager after dying as an old woman what would you do? Would you live your life the same as you did before? Would you do everything differently?
These are the questions Veronica McAllister faces in this novel.
As we come to understand her situation with her, Veronica is living through a time period that I've never lived in, but could clearly picture through this novel.
The differences in not just style and entertainment, but women's lives and what they were expected to do, are explored as Veronica relives her life. This book explores what would happen if you made one different decision in your life, or a million different decisions. What would make you truly happy?
I really loved this book. I was drawn in immediately by the characters and the story. I hated having to put this book down.
Highly recommend this book!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
These are the questions Veronica McAllister faces in this novel.
As we come to understand her situation with her, Veronica is living through a time period that I've never lived in, but could clearly picture through this novel.
The differences in not just style and entertainment, but women's lives and what they were expected to do, are explored as Veronica relives her life. This book explores what would happen if you made one different decision in your life, or a million different decisions. What would make you truly happy?
I really loved this book. I was drawn in immediately by the characters and the story. I hated having to put this book down.
Highly recommend this book!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 14, 2025
This is book 5 in the Middle Falls series. It’s not often that a series holds my attention through this many books but I am very much enjoying these books. Each book picks up on a minor character from the previous book and that character becomes the main character. Even though the premise of each book is the same… second chances after death and time travel each book is very different. On to book 6.
May 17, 2022
This is a fine entry in the Middle Falls Time Travel series. It doesn't bring anything new to the universe - it's just a historical fiction story of a woman finding herself and making better choices in life. It was entertaining.
May 22, 2018
Another great read from Shawn Inmon!!
I could not put this book down and was so engrossed i forgot that it would have to end!
In this book you watch Veronica llive out a variety of lives and the way Shawn writes means you are there living them right along side her.
I could not put this book down and was so engrossed i forgot that it would have to end!
In this book you watch Veronica llive out a variety of lives and the way Shawn writes means you are there living them right along side her.
January 3, 2023
Not the strongest in the series. Picked up halfway and redeemed itself.
March 8, 2022
I listened to this book on Audible Plus.
Again, the narrator does a great job. The switch to the older Veronica voice for the inner thoughts was a bit jarring at first, but well executed.
Again, the story is compelling from start to finish. Unlike her predecessors in this series, Veronica actively tries out different paths, searching for the life that will fulfill her. I found myself at times yelling at Veronica "NO! Don't do that!" and cheering for her.
This is also our first Middle Falls book with a female protagonist (though the first half of #4 gave us a taste), and so the story explores the sexism inherent in the 1950s-70s a little bit--the MC pushes back, but not as much as I would have liked.
There are fewer cameos from previous books, but more people who come out as being repeaters.
Over all, this is my 2nd favorite of the series so far, after Michael Hollister's (#2).
Again, the narrator does a great job. The switch to the older Veronica voice for the inner thoughts was a bit jarring at first, but well executed.
Again, the story is compelling from start to finish. Unlike her predecessors in this series, Veronica actively tries out different paths, searching for the life that will fulfill her. I found myself at times yelling at Veronica "NO! Don't do that!" and cheering for her.
This is also our first Middle Falls book with a female protagonist (though the first half of #4 gave us a taste), and so the story explores the sexism inherent in the 1950s-70s a little bit--the MC pushes back, but not as much as I would have liked.
There are fewer cameos from previous books, but more people who come out as being repeaters.
Over all, this is my 2nd favorite of the series so far, after Michael Hollister's (#2).
June 29, 2019
I have to say, as much as I love this series and these characters (this one is no exception), I didn't love this story as much as some of the others. The world makes me long for a do-over, but there was a noted lack of the alternate dimension in this one. Nobody helped Veronica at all. On the one hand, that was good because she rose above the confines of the 50's housewife and all its expectations. On the other hand, it would have been nice to revisit the guy in the hospital (Nathaniel Moon?) and/or any of the previous characters. That connection was missed here. It would have been nice for her to have gotten a brief visit from someone like Carrie Copeland and given some direction to make her journey easier. It would also have given us another glimpse into the Universal Center of Life. Some cameos here and there would have been great -
But all that said, this is still a great story and series. Tamara Marston was excellent on the audiobook, although I wasn't sure about that at first. As I grew to hear the personality of Veronica unfold, it seemed more and more perfect for her voice to sound like Marston was doing it.
One last thing about this series - lots and lots and lots of time passes without incident. Whole lives start over and several years can pass without explanation other than "the next few years were full of . . . " I think I might lose my mind if I had to live my life over and over again, even with the changes to make. Starting over might get to feel like an impossible task. While I don't need too many details, some more mundane stuff would be nice. Or a word here and there about how going through the motions can get tedious, especially with the vast future ahead.
But all that said, this is still a great story and series. Tamara Marston was excellent on the audiobook, although I wasn't sure about that at first. As I grew to hear the personality of Veronica unfold, it seemed more and more perfect for her voice to sound like Marston was doing it.
One last thing about this series - lots and lots and lots of time passes without incident. Whole lives start over and several years can pass without explanation other than "the next few years were full of . . . " I think I might lose my mind if I had to live my life over and over again, even with the changes to make. Starting over might get to feel like an impossible task. While I don't need too many details, some more mundane stuff would be nice. Or a word here and there about how going through the motions can get tedious, especially with the vast future ahead.
November 10, 2021
4.5 stars for this fantastic time-travel story
Veronica McAllister dies at age 78, but moments later she wakes up 60 years earlier with full memories of her whole life. Now what will she do, stuck in 1958 as an 18 year old girl? Will she re-create her previous life, her kids, broken marriage and unhappy life, or will she start anew?
This is a quiet introspective novel with a cool twist at its core. Veronica McAllister is and interesting if not always likable character. The effective reset of her life forces her to examine what exactly is important to her and why. What should her goal be and what is he willing to do, or to sacrifice to reach those goals. All difficult question, but they are handled with care and examined in detail in this novel.
In the end I greatly enjoyed reading this novel. Shan Inmon's writing is smooth, well paced and easy to read. Recommended for any SF reader who enjoyed a more quiet and introspective time-travel novel.
[note]
Though this novel is part of a long running series, it can be read as a Stand-Alone without any ill effect.
*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Veronica McAllister dies at age 78, but moments later she wakes up 60 years earlier with full memories of her whole life. Now what will she do, stuck in 1958 as an 18 year old girl? Will she re-create her previous life, her kids, broken marriage and unhappy life, or will she start anew?
This is a quiet introspective novel with a cool twist at its core. Veronica McAllister is and interesting if not always likable character. The effective reset of her life forces her to examine what exactly is important to her and why. What should her goal be and what is he willing to do, or to sacrifice to reach those goals. All difficult question, but they are handled with care and examined in detail in this novel.
In the end I greatly enjoyed reading this novel. Shan Inmon's writing is smooth, well paced and easy to read. Recommended for any SF reader who enjoyed a more quiet and introspective time-travel novel.
[note]
Though this novel is part of a long running series, it can be read as a Stand-Alone without any ill effect.
*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 13, 2020
I've loved all the books in this series but I loved this one the least so far. At times it felt like a rushed job. It felt a bit disconnected from the rest of the books. And, unlike the other books, it didn't really have a theme that set it apart from the others.
But of course it was addictive. I kept coming back to it and I had trouble putting it down every night. It's still a five star book. The first three books in this series will be really hard to top. These books contain a note that says you can read them in any order but, as far as I'm concerned, you should start with book one and work your way through the series. Order does kind of matter for books one through three.
But of course it was addictive. I kept coming back to it and I had trouble putting it down every night. It's still a five star book. The first three books in this series will be really hard to top. These books contain a note that says you can read them in any order but, as far as I'm concerned, you should start with book one and work your way through the series. Order does kind of matter for books one through three.
January 15, 2019
3 stars. I generally like time travel books and I've seen a number books in this series for sale, so I thought I'd finally give one a try. This one had a number of good reviews so I picked it up. It was written well enough and mildly interesting. But neither the story nor the MC were anything that I would describe as compelling.
June 15, 2018
The Emancipation of Veronica McAllister - Middle Falls Time Travel Bk 5 - Written by Shawn Inmon Time Travel with a twist!
Veronica McAllister died in 2018. She immediately opened her eyes again in 1958, all memories of her previous life intact. She goes from old age, pants suits, and a cane, to poodle skirts, saddle shoes, and Buddy Holly. At the end of her first life, Veronica said she “wasn’t any good at life.” With the most precious of gifts—perspective and a second chance, can she succeed where she failed during her first life? What would you do, if you could do it all again? The Emancipation of Veronica McAllister is the fifth book in the Middle Falls Time Travel series. Like all the books in this series, it can be read as a standalone novel. The sixth book in the series, The Changing Lives of Joe Hart, is available for pre-order and will be published in July.
What did I like? Well, darn it what isn’t there to like? I have always loved time travel stories, but these are by far the best ones around. I have loved every one of them and look forward to each new one as they come along. I guess because this one is closer to my age than any of the others I think it may be my favorite. I know that each story has grown stronger with each page and story.
What will you like? If you’re a time traveler lover than this is the series for you. They are so different than any that at least I have seen, and I am not saying that I have read every one that has ever been published but these sure take a front row seat to the ones that I have. Funny, off the wall type of humor, exciting characters, cute action and an amazing storyline that just keeps getting better and better. I HIGHLY recommend this book and the whole series to everyone. I received this from the author for an honest review with no other compensation.
Veronica McAllister died in 2018. She immediately opened her eyes again in 1958, all memories of her previous life intact. She goes from old age, pants suits, and a cane, to poodle skirts, saddle shoes, and Buddy Holly. At the end of her first life, Veronica said she “wasn’t any good at life.” With the most precious of gifts—perspective and a second chance, can she succeed where she failed during her first life? What would you do, if you could do it all again? The Emancipation of Veronica McAllister is the fifth book in the Middle Falls Time Travel series. Like all the books in this series, it can be read as a standalone novel. The sixth book in the series, The Changing Lives of Joe Hart, is available for pre-order and will be published in July.
What did I like? Well, darn it what isn’t there to like? I have always loved time travel stories, but these are by far the best ones around. I have loved every one of them and look forward to each new one as they come along. I guess because this one is closer to my age than any of the others I think it may be my favorite. I know that each story has grown stronger with each page and story.
What will you like? If you’re a time traveler lover than this is the series for you. They are so different than any that at least I have seen, and I am not saying that I have read every one that has ever been published but these sure take a front row seat to the ones that I have. Funny, off the wall type of humor, exciting characters, cute action and an amazing storyline that just keeps getting better and better. I HIGHLY recommend this book and the whole series to everyone. I received this from the author for an honest review with no other compensation.
June 3, 2021
This was the fifth book in the Middle Falls series, but easily a stand along as none of the previous characters played a vital role (although they did appear in the story).
In this do-over, Veronica is an elderly woman suffering from cancer who utilizes Oregon's death with dignity act. But instead of dying peacefully, she wakes up as her teenage self in the 1950's. In her first life, she and her husband divorced early on and she was alienated by her two daughters. She went on to live a very unfulfilling life. For her do-over, she would have just as soon avoided her previous husband, but she still wanted her daughters. Bringing her daughters back into the world became her focus and goal. But unlike Dominick in book number 3, Veronica is not completely obsessed and she learns to re-focus.
I started to get a little frustrated with how many do-overs Veronica got and wondered why she wasn't getting it right. But then I thought, if I had to re-live my life, it would probably take me a time or two as well. Life is a very complex thing. There's probably not just one "moment" we could all go back to that would fix everything. I was very happy with how things ended for Veronica when she finally got it right. Upon finishing Veronica's story, I have already eagerly started the sixth book in the series. It's pretty impressive to me that even though basically the same thing is happening to each character in this series, they are all different and unique enough that I want to keep reading more of them. I love the idea of second chances.
In this do-over, Veronica is an elderly woman suffering from cancer who utilizes Oregon's death with dignity act. But instead of dying peacefully, she wakes up as her teenage self in the 1950's. In her first life, she and her husband divorced early on and she was alienated by her two daughters. She went on to live a very unfulfilling life. For her do-over, she would have just as soon avoided her previous husband, but she still wanted her daughters. Bringing her daughters back into the world became her focus and goal. But unlike Dominick in book number 3, Veronica is not completely obsessed and she learns to re-focus.
I started to get a little frustrated with how many do-overs Veronica got and wondered why she wasn't getting it right. But then I thought, if I had to re-live my life, it would probably take me a time or two as well. Life is a very complex thing. There's probably not just one "moment" we could all go back to that would fix everything. I was very happy with how things ended for Veronica when she finally got it right. Upon finishing Veronica's story, I have already eagerly started the sixth book in the series. It's pretty impressive to me that even though basically the same thing is happening to each character in this series, they are all different and unique enough that I want to keep reading more of them. I love the idea of second chances.
May 20, 2022
I know I'm not even half way through, but I don't want this series to end!
What these books prove is that when you first come across someone, they might not seem all that interesting, but when you have lived through a lifetime with them (even multiple lifetimes) these strangers become like a distant family. The author manages to write the characters that live in Middle Falls so well you feel like retracing your steps to spot little details about the town or characters that live or have lived there, before you've even caught up with the latest Middle Falls gossip.
Veronica McAllister was no different from the rule. We first met her in book 4 as an old lady, not initially a very pleasant one. Nathaniel moon (our hero from the last book) came across her in hospital where she was planning an assisted suicide. But all is good in the end, if it's not, it is not the end. Hence why Veronica Aka Ronnie is our protagonist in book 5. What a blissful and satisfying transformation it was. This book had me very close to tears on multiple occasions. I could babble on about how amazing it was but if you've made it this far into the series then you probably already know.
This is going to be a series I buy all the books of (no matter how many there are) and set my very fierce Shih Tzu on anyone who dares to touch.
What these books prove is that when you first come across someone, they might not seem all that interesting, but when you have lived through a lifetime with them (even multiple lifetimes) these strangers become like a distant family. The author manages to write the characters that live in Middle Falls so well you feel like retracing your steps to spot little details about the town or characters that live or have lived there, before you've even caught up with the latest Middle Falls gossip.
Veronica McAllister was no different from the rule. We first met her in book 4 as an old lady, not initially a very pleasant one. Nathaniel moon (our hero from the last book) came across her in hospital where she was planning an assisted suicide. But all is good in the end, if it's not, it is not the end. Hence why Veronica Aka Ronnie is our protagonist in book 5. What a blissful and satisfying transformation it was. This book had me very close to tears on multiple occasions. I could babble on about how amazing it was but if you've made it this far into the series then you probably already know.
This is going to be a series I buy all the books of (no matter how many there are) and set my very fierce Shih Tzu on anyone who dares to touch.
September 11, 2019
This book was so engaging and intriguing, even if it did start off a little slow. I had no idea it was part of a series until researching the author's other books, so it clearly stands alone. Seeing the same character (Veronica) living different lives and learning different lessons was very interesting. You always wonder what choices you would make in a character's situation, and here we got to see several options play out. Veronica wonders what it is all for partway through the book... why keep repeating the same life? But we do find out and it made me wonder whether I would experience a do-over or be emancipated from this life. I tried to imagine I was 84 and living in my current body and stage (49 years old) and truly looked at my family from a different perspective. One of the best quotes from this book was Veronica, at the age of 66, saying that she wanted to "travel while she was still young enough to do it". Although starting out with pessimism and going through considerable disappointment, this book ends with incredible hope and satisfaction. Highly recommended read.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions above are my own.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions above are my own.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 140 reviews