Love's Past

Twickenham Romance

by Laura D. Bastian

Kaitlyn loves all things Regency and jumps at the chance to take a trip to England for a full immersion experience. But when the ancient fae magic causes a disruption in reality, she’s unexpectedly pulled back in time to 1850. Kaitlyn is thrilled to spend time in the past and eager to try it all, including the harmless flirting with the wealthy men who visit Twickenham Manor. Though her mind belongs in the twenty-first century, as she spends time with a handsome Baronet she wonders if finding love in the past is really a possibility.
Cyrus told himself the real reason he came to England was to help keep Kaitlyn safe as a promise to her mother, but he soon discovers that there’s more to his best friend’s younger sister than he remembers. When he finally gets a chance to explore where a relationship might lead, he finds himself in the past where there are others willing to sweep Kaitlyn off her feet. Will Kaitlyn give him a chance to prove his love, or will he lose out to a genuine Victorian gentleman?

Genres: Time Travel

183 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 20, 2018

About the author

Laura grew up in a small town in central Utah and now lives in another small town in northern Utah. She always loved stargazing and imagining life outside her own little world. Though they grew up only thirty miles apart, she didn't meet her husband until they went to college. A graduate of Utah State University with a degree in Elementary and Special Education, Laura has been using that training as she raises her children and writes make believe worlds. You can usually find her on her laptop either typing away, or on social media interacting with friends.

Reviews

[Jacob Proffitt · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is part of a series where it looks like they're all written by different authors, but the stories take place simultaneously and the characters all know each other. All the characters go back in time at the same time, but they're kind of parallel from there. I imagine that took some planning and that care was taken not to spoil or present a preferred order.

This is the second that I've tried and I bounced again, despite loving the frame story. Fairies sending people back to 1850 after completing an "immersion program" for Regency manners just has so much potential. I mean, you can play it mean (exploiting the wish-fulfillment) or nice (granting hearts' desires) and it works either way. Or at least, has the potential to work either way. Sadly, this one didn't work for me, either.

At least this author didn't have an idiot lady who couldn't stop preaching hard-core feminism while being a giant wuss herself. Kaitlyn is enjoying herself and simply loves being able to experience the stuff she has read about for so long. I liked that she's still bored with the constrained activities but she's still happy she's there. Good characterization and I liked her.

Cyrus, on the other hand, is an even bigger wimp than Jem was. Once it became clear that both leads secretly liked each other I lost all patience. Cyrus can't be bothered to act like he's interested in Kaitlyn even a little bit and I just can't even. What, you can't say "you look awesome in that dress"? You can't say "I love seeing you enjoy yourself"? No, he just follows her around with a disapproving demeanor even though he's all "I sure like seeing her enjoy herself" inside. This is so very stupid I wanted to reach into the novel and smack this dimwit for wasting everybody's time! Cyrus, you don't deserve her, you amazing limp noodle! Now step aside so someone with more brains than a wet tissue can take a shot at making her happy.

I mean, once I realized that she was kind of pining for him in secret, I lost respect for her, too. I mean, what the crap does she see in the idiot? He's a huge downer literally* all of the time.

So I stopped at 45% so that the pain would go away. I'm still going to try for the third one, but if that one blows it, I'm going to be very, very sad.

* Literally used in the original, some might say correct, sense of the term.

[Donna Weaver · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclaimer--I have also written in the Twickenham world, so I'm biased.

I've been a fan of Bastian's writing for years. I loved learning more about Kaitlyn and seeing how things developed between her and her historical and modern-day suitors.

[Lucinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really cute read and original premise.

[Donna Weaver · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm biased because I also write in this world, and some of my characters (like Kaitlyn's brother Jem) are running around the pages of this book. I found it a lovely romance with all the right feels.

I listened to the audiobook and the narrator did a great job with the accents.

[Lcr · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful read.

Love's Past is a well written story set in the present day and Victorian England. Wonderful characters, a brilliant and clever story and just a touch of magic .. brilliant!
This is one three interconnected books in the Twickenham Time Travel Romance series but each book can be read as a stand-alone and the books can be read in any order. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it .. and the other books in this magical series.. to everyone who enjoys a good romance and a HEA

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in a series. I am crazy for these characters and how they handle being launched into an experience in 1850. Though they came for a vacation, there is more at work for these two. Enjoyed the trip and the resulting situation. These are meant to be read quickly, they are also hard to put down! These two are fun and cute, you will love them as well!

[Maile · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet and wonderful

I have loved Bastian's previous books so I bought this when it was released. I thoroughly enjoyed this sweet story. I am looking forward to reading more Twickenham books as well as others by Bastian.

[Stephen Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Time travel

I love time travel books and this one did not disappoint! It has a twist if you are expecting predictability!

[Khadejah R. · Rating 3 out of 5]

The future is their past and the past has become their present

This is an age old story of unrequited love, with a twist. The time traveling component was compelling. It was a pleasant read.

I did find some flaws in the storyline between the first Twickenham book and this that threw me off for a while. I feel that the transition as well as my interest would held more had the details been more closely looked at. The biggest issue was in book 1 all five Americans travelled together, and attended all the immersion activities together. In this book Jem is written to arrive the last day of the immersion week. Many references were made to his delay throughout the book which was a tad irksome, but didn’t overshadow the story at hand.

I really like the chemistry Cyrus and Kaitlyn shared in their original timeline and during immersion week. Unfortunately, I found it slightly annoying that they practically avoid each other for the majority of the story. The author did reach a believable ending. It was just a slight let down. Had I read this book without prior reading book one of the series my rating would have been higher.

[Kyra · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you love me let me know

I get frustrated with romances where it's two people dancing around the fact that they are in love. When you keep your thoughts and feelings hidden you become, not mysterious but stupid. People won't understand the way you behave, and you let yourself in for a world of hurt.

[Elizabeth Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a pleasant read and my first for the Twickenham series. I liked the plot and the magic. The characters were fun. Some parts dragged a bit but I was entertained through out the whole thing. I do get frustrated with the troupe of the two main characters loving eachother but are just not communicating. It can be done well but it is hard. This book was mediocre on that part.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not a genre I usually read, but I've enjoyed some of Ms. Bastian's other books so thought I'd give it a try. The main characters in this book go back to 1850. Will they decide to stay there or go back to their own time? I'll probably try a few other books in the series.

[Kathy Danheim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ups and downs to true love

What a wonderful story. Sometimes it’s hard to know if love is true love or not. What a way to find out who that person is and if he’s the right one. All the ups and downs it takes makes for a very enjoyable book.

[Fabiha]

I honestly didn't feel ANY chemistry between the leads.

[Becky Fenn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very slow, the 2 main characters hardly spent anytime together. I thought this was supposed to be a romance. Than in the last 20 pages they decide they love each other.