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A Different Time
Keith Nolan falls in love with a remarkable young woman from the past, talking to him on a home video she recorded in 1989. To keep their conversation going, he must find more of her tapes—while forces work against them both, and time is running out.
200 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 2, 2019
4 people are currently reading
97 people want to read
About the author
Michael K. Hill
2 books6 followersMichael K. Hill is an internationally published writer of fiction and non-fiction. His short story collection, Anansi and Beyond, is available now. His novel, A Different Time, publishes July 2, 2019. He lives in Connecticut with his wife, kids, and 7 rescued animals.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
September 19, 2019
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★ I did not hear of this book before, I do not know the author, I did not know anything about it until Dave contacted me and asked if I wanted to be a part of The ultimate blog tour. It was short, it had a good cover, the synopsis sounds interesting and the rest is history.
★ The synopsis kind of gave me “Your name” vibes if you know that anime movie and it is a really great one so check it out, this kind of had a more simple but similar synopsis, a girl and a boy communicates but more than 30 years apart!
★ The story was really intriguing, I really cared about the characters and what would happen, so I found myself flying through this in 1 day. I really had no expectations but it exceeded those (makes zero sense, I know!).
★ The book had a simple writing, I find books that involve time and space a little bit difficult to read and I need to be in the right mood and mind set, but this was really a light read.
★ I have to criticize the Instalove in this one, it may be the fastest love I ever see in a book! I would rather call it a crush that we may have all gone through but calling it love is bit far stretched, I won’t give too much because spoilers. But the characters themselves were good and three dimensional.
★ Summary: This was a very enjoyable read and it was intriguing, the writing made sense and we had a nice closure to wrap everything up, if you hate instalove books, stay away from this one, but other than that, I recommend this as a quick nice read!
You can get more books from Book Depository
★ I did not hear of this book before, I do not know the author, I did not know anything about it until Dave contacted me and asked if I wanted to be a part of The ultimate blog tour. It was short, it had a good cover, the synopsis sounds interesting and the rest is history.
★ The synopsis kind of gave me “Your name” vibes if you know that anime movie and it is a really great one so check it out, this kind of had a more simple but similar synopsis, a girl and a boy communicates but more than 30 years apart!
★ The story was really intriguing, I really cared about the characters and what would happen, so I found myself flying through this in 1 day. I really had no expectations but it exceeded those (makes zero sense, I know!).
★ The book had a simple writing, I find books that involve time and space a little bit difficult to read and I need to be in the right mood and mind set, but this was really a light read.
★ I have to criticize the Instalove in this one, it may be the fastest love I ever see in a book! I would rather call it a crush that we may have all gone through but calling it love is bit far stretched, I won’t give too much because spoilers. But the characters themselves were good and three dimensional.
★ Summary: This was a very enjoyable read and it was intriguing, the writing made sense and we had a nice closure to wrap everything up, if you hate instalove books, stay away from this one, but other than that, I recommend this as a quick nice read!
You can get more books from Book Depository
September 2, 2019
I'm mush.
Lindsey lives with her mother after her parent's divorce. For a lack of financial resources, her mother remarried quickly to give them some stability, but the guy is a scumbag and Lindsey doesn’t care for him much. Not really sure how she will go about pursuing her passion in the arts, she is sort of in slump about her future and hasn’t made real friends yet since their move. Her mother envisions her to study accounting or some such that leads to an orderly profession and keeps tabs on her constantly about it. With a constricting air and no room to breathe, the family dynamics are complicated and difficult.
One day, alone in her room, Lindsey finds herself pulling out a video camera, and starts recording herself:
“My name is Lindsey, “ she said. “I need someone to talk to, and I’ve decided it should be you,” she smiled, as a sense of calm washed over her.”
Keith has lost his parents in a vehicle accident and rents a little place in Hoboken. He manages fine, but not great. Happiness is simply missing since his parents are gone and he wallows in memories to numb to really move on. Collecting X-Men comic books and adding to his father’s collection the missing issues is his bread and butter. On one of his hunts for more comics, a tape falls into his possession and after some time, he curiously plays it, not knowing what to expect. What he saw took him, by surprise. What he couldn’t forget was her sweet nature and their great conversations. What he had to make happen was a meet-up in her future. What he couldn’t foresee was the inevitable.
“I’ve left you me, Keith. I’ve left you us. Go find it….”
So, I’ve lived my teens in the ’80s and I found both characters as well as the surroundings, the interests, and lifestyle, etc very relatable. I remember the crazy hair, the music, the tapes, the concerts, and all that fun stuff. Plus it feels like it was just yesterday!!! ;) As a matter of fact, I still keep finding stuff in my closet from back then, and yes…that collection of VHS tapes, I have a few left too! I didn’t think of those things going into the novel, but it all came back to me while reading.
What a sweet romantic story. As much as I want to say that I had this novel figured out, I didn’t. It really quite surprised me. Told in alternate points of view and is easy to follow and builds up tension. I don’t read romance normally, but don’t mind it if it’s part of an overall plot. What drew me to read this book was the time travel aspect of the prospective lovers which was uniquely crafted and would make a sweet movie.
Most overwhelming to me was the ending of the story that wrapped up so heartbreakingly (beautiful!?). Albeit the plot arc, it outdid the overall writing of the novel. Ideally, I would have enjoyed a longer development in the character’s emotions and falling in love with each other, but it must have really ‘zinged’ for them. (Perhaps that’s the best of ways!)
I am a less impressionable person today as when I was at the character’s ages, but I can see the care and thought that went into the writing of it. I wonder what the inspiration for this lovely book was and that ending that turned me into mush!
I received a digital copy of this novel for a blogtour in exchange for an honest review. Thank you.
More of my reviews here:
https://scarlettreadzandrunz.com/
Lindsey lives with her mother after her parent's divorce. For a lack of financial resources, her mother remarried quickly to give them some stability, but the guy is a scumbag and Lindsey doesn’t care for him much. Not really sure how she will go about pursuing her passion in the arts, she is sort of in slump about her future and hasn’t made real friends yet since their move. Her mother envisions her to study accounting or some such that leads to an orderly profession and keeps tabs on her constantly about it. With a constricting air and no room to breathe, the family dynamics are complicated and difficult.
One day, alone in her room, Lindsey finds herself pulling out a video camera, and starts recording herself:
“My name is Lindsey, “ she said. “I need someone to talk to, and I’ve decided it should be you,” she smiled, as a sense of calm washed over her.”
Keith has lost his parents in a vehicle accident and rents a little place in Hoboken. He manages fine, but not great. Happiness is simply missing since his parents are gone and he wallows in memories to numb to really move on. Collecting X-Men comic books and adding to his father’s collection the missing issues is his bread and butter. On one of his hunts for more comics, a tape falls into his possession and after some time, he curiously plays it, not knowing what to expect. What he saw took him, by surprise. What he couldn’t forget was her sweet nature and their great conversations. What he had to make happen was a meet-up in her future. What he couldn’t foresee was the inevitable.
“I’ve left you me, Keith. I’ve left you us. Go find it….”
So, I’ve lived my teens in the ’80s and I found both characters as well as the surroundings, the interests, and lifestyle, etc very relatable. I remember the crazy hair, the music, the tapes, the concerts, and all that fun stuff. Plus it feels like it was just yesterday!!! ;) As a matter of fact, I still keep finding stuff in my closet from back then, and yes…that collection of VHS tapes, I have a few left too! I didn’t think of those things going into the novel, but it all came back to me while reading.
What a sweet romantic story. As much as I want to say that I had this novel figured out, I didn’t. It really quite surprised me. Told in alternate points of view and is easy to follow and builds up tension. I don’t read romance normally, but don’t mind it if it’s part of an overall plot. What drew me to read this book was the time travel aspect of the prospective lovers which was uniquely crafted and would make a sweet movie.
Most overwhelming to me was the ending of the story that wrapped up so heartbreakingly (beautiful!?). Albeit the plot arc, it outdid the overall writing of the novel. Ideally, I would have enjoyed a longer development in the character’s emotions and falling in love with each other, but it must have really ‘zinged’ for them. (Perhaps that’s the best of ways!)
I am a less impressionable person today as when I was at the character’s ages, but I can see the care and thought that went into the writing of it. I wonder what the inspiration for this lovely book was and that ending that turned me into mush!
I received a digital copy of this novel for a blogtour in exchange for an honest review. Thank you.
More of my reviews here:
https://scarlettreadzandrunz.com/
January 9, 2022
When I saw that it’s about soulmates I knew I have to read this book. Two people fighting against time to be with each others? Count me in for it!
The story is told from to POV’s: Lindsay’s in year 1989 and Keith’s in year 2019. Lindsay is 19 year old girl who is trying to find her way through life. She wants to be an artist but her mother disagres with her and insisting that she can’t live like that. Feeling like she’s alone Lindsay decides to create video diary. But she defenitly didn’t expected that while recording she will get answear from the man watching it 30 years later.
Keith is average guy who has a job that he dislikes but it helps him get money to pay bills and that’s good enough for him. His only life goal is to collect whole X-Men comic collection. In order to do so he goes to flea markets to find the missing comics. One day he finds home video tape which change his life completely.
The relationship between Keith and Lindsay is simply amazing. Thanks to their conversations they both learnt a lot about each other and found strenght and purpose in their life. I was cheering for them from their meeting and was praying for my suspisions were right. I won’t tell you if they were or not but I will tell you that ending is really emotional and it took me a day to sort out my thoughts and write this review.
I have to say it’s one of my favorite reads in this year and I surely add it to books I want to reread.
The story is told from to POV’s: Lindsay’s in year 1989 and Keith’s in year 2019. Lindsay is 19 year old girl who is trying to find her way through life. She wants to be an artist but her mother disagres with her and insisting that she can’t live like that. Feeling like she’s alone Lindsay decides to create video diary. But she defenitly didn’t expected that while recording she will get answear from the man watching it 30 years later.
Keith is average guy who has a job that he dislikes but it helps him get money to pay bills and that’s good enough for him. His only life goal is to collect whole X-Men comic collection. In order to do so he goes to flea markets to find the missing comics. One day he finds home video tape which change his life completely.
The relationship between Keith and Lindsay is simply amazing. Thanks to their conversations they both learnt a lot about each other and found strenght and purpose in their life. I was cheering for them from their meeting and was praying for my suspisions were right. I won’t tell you if they were or not but I will tell you that ending is really emotional and it took me a day to sort out my thoughts and write this review.
I have to say it’s one of my favorite reads in this year and I surely add it to books I want to reread.
September 5, 2019
Guys, I can’t even tell you how happy I am that I’m part of this blog tour. Yeah, I am not in the list of bloggers above due to miscommunication, I guess I can just call it a miscommunication. hehe. But I have the book and The Write Reads, the host of this #UltimateBlogTour, told me I can post my review today. But anyway, oh my God, this book!!! I didn’t expect the feelings it brought me. I cried!!! I fre*kin’ teared up. So please keep reading. I want you all to know more about this book.
A Heart-warming love story that I couldn’t help but root for the romance despite its impossibility, proving that this is a tale crafted to touch the reader’s heart. Sure, the mystery kept me hooked but it is the showing of the extent of the power of love that really made Keith and Lindsey’s love story exceptional.
“Sail to Serenity, sail to serenity.”
Do you believe in fate, or destiny, whatever you call it? I do. I believe that it’s destiny I became one of the “The Write Reads” bloggers which made it possible for me to read this book. I can assure you that I wouldn’t have find this gem by myself. There are thousands of amazing books out there and no matter how much I try to read more, my effort seems lacking. Thankfully, this book found its way to my kindle. I can even tell you it’s the same way Lindsey’s tape found its way to Keith’s hands. And then, Keith’s finding the rest of them.
I really enjoyed Keith and Lindsey’s story. I felt like time flew so fast when I read it. I didn’t even noticed I was nearing the ending. Maybe because I was in denial. I really didn’t want to end. I savored every scene where Lindsey and Keith ‘talks’. And then I cried, which as I said, I wasn’t expecting. I didn’t expect the book would affect me as much as it did. And the first time Keith talked to Lindsey, gooseflesh spread across my arms too, the same way Keith felt. I felt the same way when the twist was revealed even though I was already expecting it. This proves how amazing the storytelling is because it still evoked an emotion from me even though I was already expecting it. Kudos to the author.
Though I must admit, at first I was a little put off by the writing which is ridiculous because I ended up liking the writing. It’s just at the first few chapters, the writing feels too ABC-ish. Every little thing that the characters do were narrated but that changed as the book progresses. I really highly recommend this book. If you just want to relax and feel in love, taste a bit of mystery, and maybe cry a bit, this book is perfect. 🙂 🙂
By the way, the author thanked Nanowrimo.org at the end of the book so I’m guessing, just guessing, that this book was drafted through National Novel Writing Month, and if it is, how cool is that? *Just imagine me grinning wide and excited to do NaNoWriMo this November more than ever.*
#AugustTBR #BlogTour
A Heart-warming love story that I couldn’t help but root for the romance despite its impossibility, proving that this is a tale crafted to touch the reader’s heart. Sure, the mystery kept me hooked but it is the showing of the extent of the power of love that really made Keith and Lindsey’s love story exceptional.
“Sail to Serenity, sail to serenity.”
Do you believe in fate, or destiny, whatever you call it? I do. I believe that it’s destiny I became one of the “The Write Reads” bloggers which made it possible for me to read this book. I can assure you that I wouldn’t have find this gem by myself. There are thousands of amazing books out there and no matter how much I try to read more, my effort seems lacking. Thankfully, this book found its way to my kindle. I can even tell you it’s the same way Lindsey’s tape found its way to Keith’s hands. And then, Keith’s finding the rest of them.
I really enjoyed Keith and Lindsey’s story. I felt like time flew so fast when I read it. I didn’t even noticed I was nearing the ending. Maybe because I was in denial. I really didn’t want to end. I savored every scene where Lindsey and Keith ‘talks’. And then I cried, which as I said, I wasn’t expecting. I didn’t expect the book would affect me as much as it did. And the first time Keith talked to Lindsey, gooseflesh spread across my arms too, the same way Keith felt. I felt the same way when the twist was revealed even though I was already expecting it. This proves how amazing the storytelling is because it still evoked an emotion from me even though I was already expecting it. Kudos to the author.
Though I must admit, at first I was a little put off by the writing which is ridiculous because I ended up liking the writing. It’s just at the first few chapters, the writing feels too ABC-ish. Every little thing that the characters do were narrated but that changed as the book progresses. I really highly recommend this book. If you just want to relax and feel in love, taste a bit of mystery, and maybe cry a bit, this book is perfect. 🙂 🙂
By the way, the author thanked Nanowrimo.org at the end of the book so I’m guessing, just guessing, that this book was drafted through National Novel Writing Month, and if it is, how cool is that? *Just imagine me grinning wide and excited to do NaNoWriMo this November more than ever.*
#AugustTBR #BlogTour
September 12, 2019
Be kind, rewind.
I have received this book for free from TheWriteReads & Michael K. Hill in exchange for an honest review.
I want to start with that this is the kind of book that fits new adults in the year 2019. The characters themselves, what they love and how they act is so close to home that it actually feels like I am reading about a person I could become friends with right this day. I never thought I'd need this, but now I do and I just need more.
Keith is one of the main characters and he is a 22yo comic book nerd, gamer and just such a lovely guy. His casual love for the X-Men really remind me of myself and my BF (I am 19, he is 23.) The other main character, Lindsey, is a 19yo booknerd who loves nature and drawing/making art. These characters really feel like new adults, instead of the ''they are this age for plot purposes, but actually they are well-aged adults'' crap we often see in SFF stories. It legit made me so happy and Hill deserves all the praise for it!
The plot was just so cute. It's a love story, but with such a unique twist to it. It's a story of a boy falling in love with a girl 30 years in the past, magically talking through video tapes she recorded then. I only heard of this trope like once before when I saw an ad of an anime movie: Two people got a physic and/or magical connection and try to find one another. And when they finally reach the same place, they realise they don't live in the same time/dimension. Never was able to get a hold of the title later, sadly.
I am not usually the person reading books about love stories. We all know the typical one and honestly, they bore me as most are just more of the same. But this was just... so heart warming AND breaking at the same time, but also so unique. The intensity of all emotions displayed and the realness of the characters was something I absolutely adored together with the one of a kind plot really created an amazing book.
There is something I realised while reading this book: I really have been fucked up by Thirteen Reasons Why and everything involving tapes is just.... you know? I think I could handle it as these were video tapes and not just audio, but I just couldn't get this next quote out of my head every time tapes were mentioned. It's totally irrelevant to the book in all ways except the inclusion of tapes (even when they are different kinds of tapes. But it was part of my experience and I wanted to share it. I think some might relate even.
''Hey, it's Hannah. Hannah Baker. That's right. Don't adjust your...whatever device you're hearing this on. It's me, live and in stereo.''
If I would read more books by Michael K. Hill? Oh, definitely. His writing is so to the point with the right pace and flair to tie it all together. The fact that A Different Time was about 150 pages, but it felt like so much more says a lot. Less is more. Quality over quantity. All that. It was really an experience and adventure and I look forward to more.
I really recommend this book. It made me feel so many things and I was really sad when it ended. I just needed more of this. I think everyone, even people that aren't SFF fans, can enjoy this. The plot is so unique and I think that with the proper attention this is one of those stories people will still talk about a decade (perhaps even more!) later. This is one of the reasons I am so glad I am part of sharing this story with the world.
September 3, 2019
I only shelve this under Sci-Fi because there's a sort of time travel involved. It's complicated. lol
4.5
Book source ~ Tour
It’s 2017 and 22-year-old Keith Nolan is just living his life, working a job he dislikes to pay the bills and haunting flea markets and stores trying to fill out the last of his Uncanny X-Men comic collection as a tribute to his dad. On the day he finds that final edition he needs he also picks up a home video from one of his regular vendors. In the excitement of finding the comic book he forgets about the tape for a bit. When he does remember it and gets it playing, something strange happens. The woman on the 1989 tape is 19-year-ol Lindsay Hale and when Keith plays her tape, they can hear and talk to each other. What?! And this strange phenomenon changes their lives forever.
Told from both Lindsay and Keith’s POV the story will pull you in from the start and keep hold until the end. I wanted to know more about Lindsay and I really wanted Keith to find the rest of her videotapes. This isn’t a typical time travel story because Keith doesn’t go back in time and Lindsay doesn’t come forward, so while it has some sci-fi to it I guess it could also be considered paranormal. In any case, I dare you to read this and not be cheering for these two to get together. Be prepared because this is one exciting and unusual romance with a surprise ending that will make some people happy and others not. I cried and that’s all I’ll say about it.
4.5
Book source ~ Tour
It’s 2017 and 22-year-old Keith Nolan is just living his life, working a job he dislikes to pay the bills and haunting flea markets and stores trying to fill out the last of his Uncanny X-Men comic collection as a tribute to his dad. On the day he finds that final edition he needs he also picks up a home video from one of his regular vendors. In the excitement of finding the comic book he forgets about the tape for a bit. When he does remember it and gets it playing, something strange happens. The woman on the 1989 tape is 19-year-ol Lindsay Hale and when Keith plays her tape, they can hear and talk to each other. What?! And this strange phenomenon changes their lives forever.
Told from both Lindsay and Keith’s POV the story will pull you in from the start and keep hold until the end. I wanted to know more about Lindsay and I really wanted Keith to find the rest of her videotapes. This isn’t a typical time travel story because Keith doesn’t go back in time and Lindsay doesn’t come forward, so while it has some sci-fi to it I guess it could also be considered paranormal. In any case, I dare you to read this and not be cheering for these two to get together. Be prepared because this is one exciting and unusual romance with a surprise ending that will make some people happy and others not. I cried and that’s all I’ll say about it.
August 24, 2019
Loved loved loved this book. It made me laugh and made me cry. The only thing that I wish was different is that I wish Keith's friend aric had more of a role in the book. Especially with an ending like a different time had.
September 8, 2019
3.5 Stars.
This is a short and quick read, and an equally sweet read.
The plot follows the two main characters, Keith and Lindsey. One lives in 2019, the other, Lindsey, thirty years ago in 1989. They communicate through VHS tapes that Lindsey recorded as a young woman and Keith purchased from a local flea market.
I liked A Different Time a lot.
It failed to make me emotional, however, probably because it's too short and there aren't enough pages to fully develop the characters or the time they live in.
Sadly, that shortness also made the romance feel rushed, and instead of a slowly developing love story, the book offers insta-love— something I really don't like.
The prose is smooth and makes this a pleasing read. It's a sweet story, and definitely worth a read, but I wish it were longer.
Recommended to romance fans who are looking for a quick, sweet read and who don't mind a fantastic element.
This is a short and quick read, and an equally sweet read.
The plot follows the two main characters, Keith and Lindsey. One lives in 2019, the other, Lindsey, thirty years ago in 1989. They communicate through VHS tapes that Lindsey recorded as a young woman and Keith purchased from a local flea market.
I liked A Different Time a lot.
It failed to make me emotional, however, probably because it's too short and there aren't enough pages to fully develop the characters or the time they live in.
Sadly, that shortness also made the romance feel rushed, and instead of a slowly developing love story, the book offers insta-love— something I really don't like.
The prose is smooth and makes this a pleasing read. It's a sweet story, and definitely worth a read, but I wish it were longer.
Recommended to romance fans who are looking for a quick, sweet read and who don't mind a fantastic element.
September 8, 2019
A Different Time is a sweet and poignant book about finding love against all odds. The theme itself isn't common for the genre but the presentation of the story is something which kept me hooked from the beginning to the end. Honestly, I kind of had a hard time wrapping my head around this story at first, because there are certain things in the plot which is a departure from reality and probably not possible at all. However, the unbelievable aspect of the story is what makes this book unique and worthy.
It's a classic boy meets girl, they fall in love and do whatever it takes to be with each other. Only in this case, the boy is a 22-year-old, comics book collector, Keith Nolan, living in the present day, New Jersey and the girl is Lindsey Hale, who is living in 1989, California. You see, Lindsey uses to make these video journal as a coping mechanism back in a day and call it destiny but almost 30 years later, some of her videotapes fall into the hands of none other than Keith himself. What defies logic and transcends time is the fact that Keith and Lindsey can communicate through these videotapes. However, as these two people fall hard for each other, time is running out for them and if Keith wants to continue his relationship with Lindsey, he must not only find the other tapes that Lindsey made but also her fate in present day.
Nothing hits me harder than a story of star-crossed lovers and without a doubt, Lindsey and Keith's story is absolutely surreal. It does feel insta-lovey but at some point this entire book challenges logic, so for once, I am not going to bicker about the improbability of love at first sight/ falling madly and crazily in love only after a few meetings, which, in the case of this book is few conversations because, honestly, in a story where people could talk through video recordings, that's the least of my problem. I'll instead focus on the message that this book tries to relay and that is, just sometimes destiny plays a bigger role than we let ourselves believe and if two people are fated to be together, there's absolutely nothing that can stop them.
However, despite, the heart-warming love story, I can't deny the fact that somewhere, the writing lacked depth. It's easy to understand but there's a lot more scope for character and situation development and because of the somewhat bland and shallow writing, the plot although promising felt a little impoverished. The two main characters have quite interesting backstories and their present circumstance and the things that they are going through in their respective lives regarding their career and relationship felt extremely relatable but at the same time, I thought, could have done with a little more introspection. Overall, though, if you are someone, who is looking for an easy to read, escape romance, this is a great book.
ARC received from The Write Reads in exchange for my honest opinion!!
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It's a classic boy meets girl, they fall in love and do whatever it takes to be with each other. Only in this case, the boy is a 22-year-old, comics book collector, Keith Nolan, living in the present day, New Jersey and the girl is Lindsey Hale, who is living in 1989, California. You see, Lindsey uses to make these video journal as a coping mechanism back in a day and call it destiny but almost 30 years later, some of her videotapes fall into the hands of none other than Keith himself. What defies logic and transcends time is the fact that Keith and Lindsey can communicate through these videotapes. However, as these two people fall hard for each other, time is running out for them and if Keith wants to continue his relationship with Lindsey, he must not only find the other tapes that Lindsey made but also her fate in present day.
Nothing hits me harder than a story of star-crossed lovers and without a doubt, Lindsey and Keith's story is absolutely surreal. It does feel insta-lovey but at some point this entire book challenges logic, so for once, I am not going to bicker about the improbability of love at first sight/ falling madly and crazily in love only after a few meetings, which, in the case of this book is few conversations because, honestly, in a story where people could talk through video recordings, that's the least of my problem. I'll instead focus on the message that this book tries to relay and that is, just sometimes destiny plays a bigger role than we let ourselves believe and if two people are fated to be together, there's absolutely nothing that can stop them.
However, despite, the heart-warming love story, I can't deny the fact that somewhere, the writing lacked depth. It's easy to understand but there's a lot more scope for character and situation development and because of the somewhat bland and shallow writing, the plot although promising felt a little impoverished. The two main characters have quite interesting backstories and their present circumstance and the things that they are going through in their respective lives regarding their career and relationship felt extremely relatable but at the same time, I thought, could have done with a little more introspection. Overall, though, if you are someone, who is looking for an easy to read, escape romance, this is a great book.
ARC received from The Write Reads in exchange for my honest opinion!!
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September 19, 2019
I started this book last night because I need to read it for my blog tour but omg! I’m reading it again, this book is short yet packs so much of a punch it hurts. THAT ENDING killed me so heart warming but sad😭. Keith and Lindsey instantly have a connection, they are both trying to figure out what they want to do in life, how they want to spend it and Keith is determined that he will spend it with Lindsey. He just needs to find her. If you love time travel books and romances that will tear you apart this is definitely one to read. Excuse me whilst I go cry in a corner.
If I’m being honest I hadn’t heard of this book until I Noly mentioned it to me. When I read the synopsis and she told me that there was a blog tour for this book I was so excited to join in the fun. I am so glad I did because I would of been missing out. Fantasy and romance are my go to genres but I have been reading a lot of sci fi in recent months thanks to my love of time travel and this book has quickly become one of my favourites. I was so surprised by how much I relate to this book and to the characters, especially Lindsey. I was hooked from the first page (actually from the prologue). This is the story of Lindsey and Keith two people who come together in rather unique circumstances... and have an instant connection. The story is brilliantly written and a book I would recommend to anyone. They are both going through so much and feel less alone when talking to each other. Keith lives in present day with the am aspiration of completing his fathers comic book collection. He doesn’t know what he wants to do in life but that made him all the more relatable. Lindsey, is 30 years in the past she also doesn’t know what she wants to do, she just knows that her mums plan for her is definitely not what she wants for herself. I personally wish I had Lindsey’s skills when it comes to art and creativity. I loved her character, just like Keith her doubts and fears are so relatable and made me love her all the more. The romance in this book (in my opinion) was wonderfully written, I really enjoyed it. I have heard people say that this book is insta love, but I don’t necessarily agree. Lindsey and Keith have a unique relationship and I loved reading about it. It’s complicated because of the sci fi aspect to properly day that this is insta love but I wouldn’t of done it differently. It was so good.😌 Overall thoughts (this may contain minor spoilers) I knew straight away what I wanted to say when I was reading this book. If I could just write ‘READ THIS BOOK!! RIGHT NOW it’s amazing it’s rips your heart out and it’s one my favourites’ I would, but I didn’t think that would of been long enough. I don’t usually cry in books in fact I don’t remember ever crying whilst reading a book but this one😭😭😭 I really wanted them to meet and fall in love and live happily ever after 😭😭... but this ending hits you a lot harder than the happily ever after ending and I love it for that. I think if it had ended differently it would of impacted me as much as it did this way. I have read this book at least 3 times now and I love it more and more every time I read it. Even though I know what happens I am still shocked by the ending like I am reading it for the first time. I was talking to Noly whilst reading re-reading this book the third time and constantly sending her updates when I was nearing the end. Let me just say that lying on my bed when it is past midnight talking to a friend whilst crying with a box of tissues is not a pretty sight, but it was worth it😂😂. So what I am saying is READ THIS BOOK!! The plot, the characters, that ending, Amazing! A story of life, loss and the power of love. Another huge thank you to Michael for writing this amazing book I still haven't recovered yet🤣. Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
If I’m being honest I hadn’t heard of this book until I Noly mentioned it to me. When I read the synopsis and she told me that there was a blog tour for this book I was so excited to join in the fun. I am so glad I did because I would of been missing out. Fantasy and romance are my go to genres but I have been reading a lot of sci fi in recent months thanks to my love of time travel and this book has quickly become one of my favourites. I was so surprised by how much I relate to this book and to the characters, especially Lindsey. I was hooked from the first page (actually from the prologue). This is the story of Lindsey and Keith two people who come together in rather unique circumstances... and have an instant connection. The story is brilliantly written and a book I would recommend to anyone. They are both going through so much and feel less alone when talking to each other. Keith lives in present day with the am aspiration of completing his fathers comic book collection. He doesn’t know what he wants to do in life but that made him all the more relatable. Lindsey, is 30 years in the past she also doesn’t know what she wants to do, she just knows that her mums plan for her is definitely not what she wants for herself. I personally wish I had Lindsey’s skills when it comes to art and creativity. I loved her character, just like Keith her doubts and fears are so relatable and made me love her all the more. The romance in this book (in my opinion) was wonderfully written, I really enjoyed it. I have heard people say that this book is insta love, but I don’t necessarily agree. Lindsey and Keith have a unique relationship and I loved reading about it. It’s complicated because of the sci fi aspect to properly day that this is insta love but I wouldn’t of done it differently. It was so good.😌 Overall thoughts (this may contain minor spoilers) I knew straight away what I wanted to say when I was reading this book. If I could just write ‘READ THIS BOOK!! RIGHT NOW it’s amazing it’s rips your heart out and it’s one my favourites’ I would, but I didn’t think that would of been long enough. I don’t usually cry in books in fact I don’t remember ever crying whilst reading a book but this one😭😭😭 I really wanted them to meet and fall in love and live happily ever after 😭😭... but this ending hits you a lot harder than the happily ever after ending and I love it for that. I think if it had ended differently it would of impacted me as much as it did this way. I have read this book at least 3 times now and I love it more and more every time I read it. Even though I know what happens I am still shocked by the ending like I am reading it for the first time. I was talking to Noly whilst reading re-reading this book the third time and constantly sending her updates when I was nearing the end. Let me just say that lying on my bed when it is past midnight talking to a friend whilst crying with a box of tissues is not a pretty sight, but it was worth it😂😂. So what I am saying is READ THIS BOOK!! The plot, the characters, that ending, Amazing! A story of life, loss and the power of love. Another huge thank you to Michael for writing this amazing book I still haven't recovered yet🤣. Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
September 3, 2019
Keith spends his spare time trawling flea markets for an elusive comic book to complete his collection. On one of his trips he sees video recorder tape with ornately decorated and he gets an emotional tingle and pops it into his pocket (with the stall holders permission). But this is quickly forgotten when he finds the comic he has been searching for….
One day, at a bit of a loss, Keith comes across the tape and decides to play it….a young woman is doing a video diary, he makes a comment and somehow she hears him…..he asks the year….1989….she says she will record more but he will have to find the tapes…..and so an adventure begins.
This is not the usual genre for me, but the sci-fi element caught my imagination. It’s a beautifully written, charming and emotional fantasy romance. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Thank you to The Write Reads for the opportunity to read this for free. This is my honest and unbiased review.
One day, at a bit of a loss, Keith comes across the tape and decides to play it….a young woman is doing a video diary, he makes a comment and somehow she hears him…..he asks the year….1989….she says she will record more but he will have to find the tapes…..and so an adventure begins.
This is not the usual genre for me, but the sci-fi element caught my imagination. It’s a beautifully written, charming and emotional fantasy romance. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Thank you to The Write Reads for the opportunity to read this for free. This is my honest and unbiased review.
September 15, 2019
There’s a girl in 1989, Lindsey, and a guy in 2019, Keith, and they fall truly madly deeply in love with each other. Please note that the trailer makes it sound a lot more sci-fi than it actually is. There is of course a fantastical / sci-fi element to it, but I would classify this more as a romance story. If there are any fans of Sandra Bullock and/or Keanu Reeves in the audience today: this is like The Lake House but with videotapes instead of notes. Lindsey makes tapes like a sort of visual diary, Keith happens to find one, and they notice they can hear each other and talk to each other.
A Different Time focusses on Keith and Lindsey’s relationship, as much as they can have one, you know with the being in separate states and separate centuries. Which brings me to a little gripe I had, this is a personal hang-up and most readers won’t care even a little bit, but there is so much instalove. I understand that they both have their issues and find in each other what they have been missing forever. Lindsey is a real sweetheart, she’s in a far from ideal situation at home, she doesn’t have many friends, she’s unsure about what to do with the rest of her life, and as a result she decides to make videos, basically talking to herself like one would write in a diary. And Keith, well, he’s a great guy, in a bit of dead-end job, no family and few friends. So imagine their surprise when Keith plays one of Lindsey’s tapes, and finds that when he talks to her, she hears him. They have one conversation and they hit it off and BOOM, they are both convinced that they’re each other’s true love. I understand that the medium that they use is very limited, one tape does not go on forever, so it had to go very quickly, but I had some trouble with them falling in love so deeply and so instantly.
Still, it’s a lovely love story they have going on, so I put aside my little instalove gripe and focussed on the star-crossed lovers and their impossible romance instead. Keith is willing to go to whatever lengths necessary to find the girl of his dreams in 2019, but obviously she won’t be the fresh-faced girl that she was in 1989 anymore. I was dying to know how this tale would end! Would he find her and would they have an actual relationship? I mean, I’m all for true love and everything, but the age difference, bit weird no? Still I was rooting for Keith in 2019, and Lindsey in 1989 (although I had an inkling about how her future would pan out that turned out to be correct in the end).
With very short chapters and the need to know the ending, I flew through A Different Time in little time. An enjoyable, at times emotional read that I’d recommend to romance lovers who don’t mind a fantastical element.
A Different Time focusses on Keith and Lindsey’s relationship, as much as they can have one, you know with the being in separate states and separate centuries. Which brings me to a little gripe I had, this is a personal hang-up and most readers won’t care even a little bit, but there is so much instalove. I understand that they both have their issues and find in each other what they have been missing forever. Lindsey is a real sweetheart, she’s in a far from ideal situation at home, she doesn’t have many friends, she’s unsure about what to do with the rest of her life, and as a result she decides to make videos, basically talking to herself like one would write in a diary. And Keith, well, he’s a great guy, in a bit of dead-end job, no family and few friends. So imagine their surprise when Keith plays one of Lindsey’s tapes, and finds that when he talks to her, she hears him. They have one conversation and they hit it off and BOOM, they are both convinced that they’re each other’s true love. I understand that the medium that they use is very limited, one tape does not go on forever, so it had to go very quickly, but I had some trouble with them falling in love so deeply and so instantly.
Still, it’s a lovely love story they have going on, so I put aside my little instalove gripe and focussed on the star-crossed lovers and their impossible romance instead. Keith is willing to go to whatever lengths necessary to find the girl of his dreams in 2019, but obviously she won’t be the fresh-faced girl that she was in 1989 anymore. I was dying to know how this tale would end! Would he find her and would they have an actual relationship? I mean, I’m all for true love and everything, but the age difference, bit weird no? Still I was rooting for Keith in 2019, and Lindsey in 1989 (although I had an inkling about how her future would pan out that turned out to be correct in the end).
With very short chapters and the need to know the ending, I flew through A Different Time in little time. An enjoyable, at times emotional read that I’d recommend to romance lovers who don’t mind a fantastical element.
September 14, 2019
TheWriteReads Ultimate Blog Tour Review
I received this book in exchange for an honest review through this blog tour event.
I have so many things to say about this book but also I can’t say too much or it will give too much away. I can say that this is one of my favorite books that I’ve read. This book should be read by everyone, it should be loved by everyone. It had such heart, that pulled me right in. It’s an interesting plot, when I heard of it I did think of that movie “The Lake House” but this is actually different in a lot of ways.
The story takes place in two times, following two people who defy logic and meet. Not in the traditional sense but that makes things much more interesting. I loved these characters, I love that they have an instant connection and that the pull for them is strong.
The book is also witty and the main characters have a nice level of sarcastic humor that made me laugh at random times. Despite the depressing under tones of the lives these two lovebirds have there is some lightness to them that made me smile. The author also does an excellent job of pulling you so far into this story that you are fully invested by the end and it makes it all worth it.
The ending. This ending hurt. It hurt me deeply but in the best way that a book can hurt you. I couldn’t prevent the sobs for the first big reveal but it didn’t end there, there was more and it was such an emotional series of moments that I was left broken. I loved this ending though, it was such a perfect ending to all that happens to these two characters. For me it wasn’t fully happy and wasn’t fully sad. It was raw and wounding but also gave you hope.
I think the only thing that I was left with after I finished was thinking that it seemed a little unnatural for two people to feel so strongly for each other in such a short amount of time. However I was able to look past that because the whole why they come together is already not all that natural to begin with so obviously it all is deeper than what is normal for real life.
All in all I would read this one again, I would recommend it highly to anyone that wants a good book to read.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review through this blog tour event.
I have so many things to say about this book but also I can’t say too much or it will give too much away. I can say that this is one of my favorite books that I’ve read. This book should be read by everyone, it should be loved by everyone. It had such heart, that pulled me right in. It’s an interesting plot, when I heard of it I did think of that movie “The Lake House” but this is actually different in a lot of ways.
The story takes place in two times, following two people who defy logic and meet. Not in the traditional sense but that makes things much more interesting. I loved these characters, I love that they have an instant connection and that the pull for them is strong.
The book is also witty and the main characters have a nice level of sarcastic humor that made me laugh at random times. Despite the depressing under tones of the lives these two lovebirds have there is some lightness to them that made me smile. The author also does an excellent job of pulling you so far into this story that you are fully invested by the end and it makes it all worth it.
The ending. This ending hurt. It hurt me deeply but in the best way that a book can hurt you. I couldn’t prevent the sobs for the first big reveal but it didn’t end there, there was more and it was such an emotional series of moments that I was left broken. I loved this ending though, it was such a perfect ending to all that happens to these two characters. For me it wasn’t fully happy and wasn’t fully sad. It was raw and wounding but also gave you hope.
I think the only thing that I was left with after I finished was thinking that it seemed a little unnatural for two people to feel so strongly for each other in such a short amount of time. However I was able to look past that because the whole why they come together is already not all that natural to begin with so obviously it all is deeper than what is normal for real life.
All in all I would read this one again, I would recommend it highly to anyone that wants a good book to read.
August 23, 2019
am not the type of person to be easily swayed with romance stories but this was different! what caught my eye is how things change with time.
I wouldn't call this book a romance but more of a supernatural due to the time traviling? The characters are very down to earth, living in situations you or I may be living in. The main characters Keith and Lyndsey are the type of people I would like to be friends with, I fell in love with them almost instantly
Keith is a comic book fan and completing his collection is a huge goal in his life. Keith hasn't found his meaning in his life yet and seems like something is missing from it.
Lyndsey is a true artist who has the same tastes as keith but she finds it hard living a "normal" life with just n accounting job.
keith and Lyndsey stumble upon each other accidentaly when keith buys some tapes at a flea market.
keith and Lyndsey live in different decades, when they become aware that the other person exsists ,they feel that connection straight away and know they are ment for each other and they are the other persons missing puzzle piece.
I wouldn't call this book a romance but more of a supernatural due to the time traviling? The characters are very down to earth, living in situations you or I may be living in. The main characters Keith and Lyndsey are the type of people I would like to be friends with, I fell in love with them almost instantly
Keith is a comic book fan and completing his collection is a huge goal in his life. Keith hasn't found his meaning in his life yet and seems like something is missing from it.
Lyndsey is a true artist who has the same tastes as keith but she finds it hard living a "normal" life with just n accounting job.
keith and Lyndsey stumble upon each other accidentaly when keith buys some tapes at a flea market.
keith and Lyndsey live in different decades, when they become aware that the other person exsists ,they feel that connection straight away and know they are ment for each other and they are the other persons missing puzzle piece.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 9, 2019
I forged an effortless connection with this book almost immediately, which remained unbroken until I reached the very end. What begins as an original and fascinating concept, becomes something supremely thoughtful, heart-rending, and utterly enchanting all rolled into one.
It is a story that moves along at a fast pace throughout, but at the same time it packs a lot in. I felt like it encompasses a range of genres; as well as the romance, there are also sci-fi/paranormal elements, and the intermittent feel of a contemporary.
It all centres upon two characters, brought together by the most magical of circumstances. Keith, and in particular Lindsey, are both easily likeable, and that is one of the book's biggest strengths. It made me feel very invested in their relationship, and raise my hopes for a happy ending.
The narrative alternates between Keith in 2019 and Lindsey in 1989, both told in the third-person past tense. The two storylines were equally engaging, and contrast well despite regularly overlapping. Although Keith's quest for the rest of the tapes is fairly compelling, I found Lindsey's more interesting to read.
I was originally a bit sceptical about their relationship, fearing a case of insta-love. However, while I would have preferred for it to have been developed slightly more and over a longer period of time, the writing has a way of making it feel...genuine.
There were also several neat puzzles and questions thrown up by the plot, the best of which was the prologue. After reading it, I was convinced that it would go on to mean something very important later on, and it did. It was a loose end that was tied up perfectly, and it is not until late in the book that everything in the prologue makes absolute sense. Great writing.
The whole time travel aspect of the book led me and my science brain to consider all kinds of theories. At one point I was having an entire philosophical debate in my own mind! What would happen if Keith watches one of the tapes more than once and has a different conversation with Lindsey? What if Keith watched the tapes in the wrong order? Clearly I was over-thinking it, but I guess that's a good thing, right?!
I was largely impressed by the writing, allowing for a few typos. Lindsey's love of books shines through powerfully enough to speak to any reader, the settings are given a good level of realism and atmosphere, and the narrative is extremely engaging all-round.
My one main criticism is that at times it is too descriptive. For example, almost every single scene contains details of the weather, which lacked relevance. Meanwhile the supporting characters are given relatively little depth, but the emphasis is clearly on Keith and Lindsey, which was understandable.
Overall, this is a highly impressive and well crafted book. Keith and Lindsey carry the story effectively and it really pulls you in, culminating in an emotional and truly fitting conclusion. A very good idea that has been spun together into a very good novel.
It is a story that moves along at a fast pace throughout, but at the same time it packs a lot in. I felt like it encompasses a range of genres; as well as the romance, there are also sci-fi/paranormal elements, and the intermittent feel of a contemporary.
It all centres upon two characters, brought together by the most magical of circumstances. Keith, and in particular Lindsey, are both easily likeable, and that is one of the book's biggest strengths. It made me feel very invested in their relationship, and raise my hopes for a happy ending.
The narrative alternates between Keith in 2019 and Lindsey in 1989, both told in the third-person past tense. The two storylines were equally engaging, and contrast well despite regularly overlapping. Although Keith's quest for the rest of the tapes is fairly compelling, I found Lindsey's more interesting to read.
I was originally a bit sceptical about their relationship, fearing a case of insta-love. However, while I would have preferred for it to have been developed slightly more and over a longer period of time, the writing has a way of making it feel...genuine.
There were also several neat puzzles and questions thrown up by the plot, the best of which was the prologue. After reading it, I was convinced that it would go on to mean something very important later on, and it did. It was a loose end that was tied up perfectly, and it is not until late in the book that everything in the prologue makes absolute sense. Great writing.
The whole time travel aspect of the book led me and my science brain to consider all kinds of theories. At one point I was having an entire philosophical debate in my own mind! What would happen if Keith watches one of the tapes more than once and has a different conversation with Lindsey? What if Keith watched the tapes in the wrong order? Clearly I was over-thinking it, but I guess that's a good thing, right?!
I was largely impressed by the writing, allowing for a few typos. Lindsey's love of books shines through powerfully enough to speak to any reader, the settings are given a good level of realism and atmosphere, and the narrative is extremely engaging all-round.
My one main criticism is that at times it is too descriptive. For example, almost every single scene contains details of the weather, which lacked relevance. Meanwhile the supporting characters are given relatively little depth, but the emphasis is clearly on Keith and Lindsey, which was understandable.
Overall, this is a highly impressive and well crafted book. Keith and Lindsey carry the story effectively and it really pulls you in, culminating in an emotional and truly fitting conclusion. A very good idea that has been spun together into a very good novel.
September 15, 2019
MY RATING: 4/5 stars
So it’s the 5th day of #thewritereads #adifferenttime #ultimateblogtour and I am so excited to be sharing the Review of ‘A Different Time’ with you guys!!! Thanks a lot Dave from TheWriteReads and the Author- Michael K. Hill, for giving me this lovely opportunity and providing me with a free e-book copy of ‘A Different Time’ in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.
‘A Different Time’ is a beautifully written love story which will certainly prod your lacrimal glands and take you through an emotional roller coaster ride. At times, it will induce a smile on your face and again, the story will make your heart ache.
It’s the spring of 1989. Lindsey Hale is 19, living in Visalia, California and experiencing a rather exasperating life. Tormented by the uncertainties of her future, her mother’s rasping words and her step-father’s vexatious demeanor, Lindsey constantly tries to find peace by engaging herself in sketching and acknowledging the beauty of nature. Soon, Lindsey finds another way of escape from her troublesome life. She needs to talk to somebody and so she decides to record and talk in front of the camera as she feels it will relax her.
It’s the year of 2019. Keith Nolan is 22 , living in Hoboken, New Jersey. The boy is a massive fan of anime and video games and one of the major goals in his life is to complete his collection of the greatest comic books from 1970s to the 80s. Since the death of his parents, Keith has lived a rather forlorn life devoid of any adventure. The main sources of entertainment in his life have always been video games and comic books.
One day in the flea market, while Keith looks for new comic books to read and video games to play, he stumbles upon a certain VHS-C tape used in camcorders. The beautifully handwritten label on the tape seizes Keith’s attention and he instantly decides to buy it even though he is unsure about the contents of the tape.
Keith hurries back home and is eager to explore the contents of the tape. To his great surprise, as he plays the tape, he finds a beautiful young girl talking and Keith can’t stop staring at her. He feels butterflies in his stomach and quite miraculously he could respond to the girl over the tape.
The girl is no one but Lindsey, Lindsey Hale from 1989 who started recording on the camera hoping to ease herself by talking to somebody.
Very Unbelievable indeed! The characters in the book are as astonished as the readers for conversing with someone in the past , from the future, that too through video tapes is a very outlandish phenomenon. As time flows by, Lindsey and Keith develop a strong bonding. The void in their lives start to fill up as the duo experience an ethereal connection in a world full of commotions and uncertainties. They live for each other and fight against all odds, desperately trying to overcome all the obstacles that they face in life. They determine to keep their promise of staying together, no matter what. I love the desperation alive in Keith’s and Lindsey’s heart. Once you read the story you understand how the couple strives against all the impediments and I adore how selfless their love is!
I could relate with Lindsey’s character in the story. Many a times, most of us have faced uncertainties in our lives. I could understand how dreadful and vexing the life has been for Lindsey. No wonder she wanted to talk to somebody. She wanted to share her sorrows and happiness with someone who would care for her, understand her and comfort her. And the biggest SURPRISE was just ready for her! It is a miracle indeed, else can time travel through camcorder tapes can possibly be even imaginable!!??
Besides Lindsey, Keith Nolan’s character also moved me very much. Keith was a lonely guy. The only thing that kept him busy was his job and his love for comic books and video games. His life was too mechanical and just like Lindsey, he needed someone who would love him, care for him and comfort him. It was all in the hands of destiny! Two loners find each other and even space and time couldn’t stop them!
The ending of the story made my heart ache so much that I am so certain that I would retain the story in my heart for quite some time now! I do not want to talk about the end, I do not want to give out any spoilers for the passion hidden within the story can only be felt and understood if read assiduously. The thing about this story can’t be expressed in words. One needs to read it and feel it!
To sum up, I’d say that this is a very beautiful story which will certainly occupy a permanent place in your heart. The story is fast paced, the language is quite lucid and the extremely gripping and absorbing quality of the narrative makes sure that the reader keeps on turning the pages! I don’t generally read romance, it is not quite within my comfort zone, but this story certainly felt like home. I enjoyed the read very much, it touched me really and I’d highly recommend this book to any book lovers out there! Even if you are not a romance fanatic, I’d say just give this book a chance, it will certainly not fail to impress you! Surely Looking forward to reading more of the author’s works!
Thanks again, Dave (you are awesome) from @TheWriteReads, the fantabulous Gang and the talented author- Michael K. Hill for giving me the opportunity of reading and reviewing the book!
Thanks for stopping by and reading my review ❤
If you have already enjoyed reading this book then don’t forget to drop down your thoughts in the comment section below. If you are yet to read the book then grab it up asap!
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Email: devyanisen99@gmail.com
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So it’s the 5th day of #thewritereads #adifferenttime #ultimateblogtour and I am so excited to be sharing the Review of ‘A Different Time’ with you guys!!! Thanks a lot Dave from TheWriteReads and the Author- Michael K. Hill, for giving me this lovely opportunity and providing me with a free e-book copy of ‘A Different Time’ in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.
‘A Different Time’ is a beautifully written love story which will certainly prod your lacrimal glands and take you through an emotional roller coaster ride. At times, it will induce a smile on your face and again, the story will make your heart ache.
It’s the spring of 1989. Lindsey Hale is 19, living in Visalia, California and experiencing a rather exasperating life. Tormented by the uncertainties of her future, her mother’s rasping words and her step-father’s vexatious demeanor, Lindsey constantly tries to find peace by engaging herself in sketching and acknowledging the beauty of nature. Soon, Lindsey finds another way of escape from her troublesome life. She needs to talk to somebody and so she decides to record and talk in front of the camera as she feels it will relax her.
It’s the year of 2019. Keith Nolan is 22 , living in Hoboken, New Jersey. The boy is a massive fan of anime and video games and one of the major goals in his life is to complete his collection of the greatest comic books from 1970s to the 80s. Since the death of his parents, Keith has lived a rather forlorn life devoid of any adventure. The main sources of entertainment in his life have always been video games and comic books.
One day in the flea market, while Keith looks for new comic books to read and video games to play, he stumbles upon a certain VHS-C tape used in camcorders. The beautifully handwritten label on the tape seizes Keith’s attention and he instantly decides to buy it even though he is unsure about the contents of the tape.
Keith hurries back home and is eager to explore the contents of the tape. To his great surprise, as he plays the tape, he finds a beautiful young girl talking and Keith can’t stop staring at her. He feels butterflies in his stomach and quite miraculously he could respond to the girl over the tape.
The girl is no one but Lindsey, Lindsey Hale from 1989 who started recording on the camera hoping to ease herself by talking to somebody.
Very Unbelievable indeed! The characters in the book are as astonished as the readers for conversing with someone in the past , from the future, that too through video tapes is a very outlandish phenomenon. As time flows by, Lindsey and Keith develop a strong bonding. The void in their lives start to fill up as the duo experience an ethereal connection in a world full of commotions and uncertainties. They live for each other and fight against all odds, desperately trying to overcome all the obstacles that they face in life. They determine to keep their promise of staying together, no matter what. I love the desperation alive in Keith’s and Lindsey’s heart. Once you read the story you understand how the couple strives against all the impediments and I adore how selfless their love is!
I could relate with Lindsey’s character in the story. Many a times, most of us have faced uncertainties in our lives. I could understand how dreadful and vexing the life has been for Lindsey. No wonder she wanted to talk to somebody. She wanted to share her sorrows and happiness with someone who would care for her, understand her and comfort her. And the biggest SURPRISE was just ready for her! It is a miracle indeed, else can time travel through camcorder tapes can possibly be even imaginable!!??
Besides Lindsey, Keith Nolan’s character also moved me very much. Keith was a lonely guy. The only thing that kept him busy was his job and his love for comic books and video games. His life was too mechanical and just like Lindsey, he needed someone who would love him, care for him and comfort him. It was all in the hands of destiny! Two loners find each other and even space and time couldn’t stop them!
The ending of the story made my heart ache so much that I am so certain that I would retain the story in my heart for quite some time now! I do not want to talk about the end, I do not want to give out any spoilers for the passion hidden within the story can only be felt and understood if read assiduously. The thing about this story can’t be expressed in words. One needs to read it and feel it!
To sum up, I’d say that this is a very beautiful story which will certainly occupy a permanent place in your heart. The story is fast paced, the language is quite lucid and the extremely gripping and absorbing quality of the narrative makes sure that the reader keeps on turning the pages! I don’t generally read romance, it is not quite within my comfort zone, but this story certainly felt like home. I enjoyed the read very much, it touched me really and I’d highly recommend this book to any book lovers out there! Even if you are not a romance fanatic, I’d say just give this book a chance, it will certainly not fail to impress you! Surely Looking forward to reading more of the author’s works!
Thanks again, Dave (you are awesome) from @TheWriteReads, the fantabulous Gang and the talented author- Michael K. Hill for giving me the opportunity of reading and reviewing the book!
Thanks for stopping by and reading my review ❤
If you have already enjoyed reading this book then don’t forget to drop down your thoughts in the comment section below. If you are yet to read the book then grab it up asap!
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February 13, 2020
Do you ever think that book come to you for a reason? Like, you read them at a certain point in your life and as a result it impacts you in some way? It happened a few months ago when I read The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky and it happened again when I read A Different Time. My heart still hurts in the best way, this book made me extremely happy and I’m so overjoyed that I read it when I did because it was kind of a low and stressful time when I read it; but this book made me feel so freaking wonderful and I think the author for being able to give that to me through his story and his characters and his words.
I’m not going to spoil this book at all because I really want you to read it, with all of my heart. So, I’ll just give you my thoughts, okay?
First off, I must admit, the writing kind of through me just a tad? The first few chapters were extremely descriptive with every little thing narrated, which typically annoys me. But eventually I began to to understand the flow of the narrative and how the writing worked in tandem with the narrative (I know it sounds obvious but like you have to read it to understand what I’m saying).
At its core, this story between Keith and Lindsey is a beautiful and heartwarming one. The relationship between these two characters was so raw and wonderful, the writing of the romance was done so well and packed such emotion that I LEGIT CRIED, OKAY?!
It was an unpredictable ride from the beginning, which surprised me in the best way. I think the time-travel aspect of the story was what engaged me wholly. It added such mystery as well as tension (!!!!) and it was just so freaking beautiful.
AND THE ENDING!!! THE ENDING!!! It was perfect, heartbreaking, but so freaking beautiful.
Although i would have loved if the story was slightly longer in that I really would have enjoyed if the characters’ emotional development was longer. I also find insta-love to be slightly trope-y, and although I loved this story and the romance, a longer ‘falling in love’ aspect, would have made this a 5 star read.
In saying that though, I give A Different Time by Michael K. Hill a glowing 4 out of 5 stars. Give this a read whenever you can because you will not be disappointed.
I’m not going to spoil this book at all because I really want you to read it, with all of my heart. So, I’ll just give you my thoughts, okay?
First off, I must admit, the writing kind of through me just a tad? The first few chapters were extremely descriptive with every little thing narrated, which typically annoys me. But eventually I began to to understand the flow of the narrative and how the writing worked in tandem with the narrative (I know it sounds obvious but like you have to read it to understand what I’m saying).
At its core, this story between Keith and Lindsey is a beautiful and heartwarming one. The relationship between these two characters was so raw and wonderful, the writing of the romance was done so well and packed such emotion that I LEGIT CRIED, OKAY?!
It was an unpredictable ride from the beginning, which surprised me in the best way. I think the time-travel aspect of the story was what engaged me wholly. It added such mystery as well as tension (!!!!) and it was just so freaking beautiful.
AND THE ENDING!!! THE ENDING!!! It was perfect, heartbreaking, but so freaking beautiful.
Although i would have loved if the story was slightly longer in that I really would have enjoyed if the characters’ emotional development was longer. I also find insta-love to be slightly trope-y, and although I loved this story and the romance, a longer ‘falling in love’ aspect, would have made this a 5 star read.
In saying that though, I give A Different Time by Michael K. Hill a glowing 4 out of 5 stars. Give this a read whenever you can because you will not be disappointed.
September 18, 2019
Oh, my heart.
Two characters, Lindsey and Keith. Separated by time, space and circumstances. They could not be more different, yet so much about them comes together to be right.
Lindsey lives with her mother and step-father in the past. Lindsey is right out of school floundering about what she wants to do and who she wants to be. Family dynamics complicate things and make her home life uncomfortable. With no one to talk to, Lindsey pulls out a video camera and records a video diary to have somewhere to put her thoughts.
Keith lives in the past, but only figuratively. He lost his parents at a young age in an automobile accident. As a means to cope, Keith collects comic books to feel close to his dad. On one fateful day, while searching for comics books, Keith comes across an old VHS tape. On a whim, he takes the tape home to see what he has come across. What he finds on that tape changes both Lindsey and Keith forever.
This book spoke to me. I related to both Lindsey and Keith. I grew up in the 1980s. It was sweet bits of nostalgia reading about Lindsey. Keith was also very relatable and well written. I liked him, I liked his character. I wanted him to succeed. I can't give away to much of the plot arc because what is the fun of that? But man, my heart. If you want a love story that spans time with relatable characters then this is the story for you. Beware the ending, it left me destroyed but in a lovely sweet way.
Two characters, Lindsey and Keith. Separated by time, space and circumstances. They could not be more different, yet so much about them comes together to be right.
Lindsey lives with her mother and step-father in the past. Lindsey is right out of school floundering about what she wants to do and who she wants to be. Family dynamics complicate things and make her home life uncomfortable. With no one to talk to, Lindsey pulls out a video camera and records a video diary to have somewhere to put her thoughts.
Keith lives in the past, but only figuratively. He lost his parents at a young age in an automobile accident. As a means to cope, Keith collects comic books to feel close to his dad. On one fateful day, while searching for comics books, Keith comes across an old VHS tape. On a whim, he takes the tape home to see what he has come across. What he finds on that tape changes both Lindsey and Keith forever.
This book spoke to me. I related to both Lindsey and Keith. I grew up in the 1980s. It was sweet bits of nostalgia reading about Lindsey. Keith was also very relatable and well written. I liked him, I liked his character. I wanted him to succeed. I can't give away to much of the plot arc because what is the fun of that? But man, my heart. If you want a love story that spans time with relatable characters then this is the story for you. Beware the ending, it left me destroyed but in a lovely sweet way.
September 10, 2019
This book follows our two of our main characters, Kevin and Lindsey, and is told through their perspectives. They are perfect for each other and understand each other other, which is seldom to find, however there is a problem. Just a little something that stops them from actually meeting each other and being together. I'm not going to spoil this by giving away spoilers, as the less you know the better I would say!
This book is so much more than the synopsis would lead you to believe. I didn't know that much before going into this book, which I think is the best way to go into it, because it all took me by surprise. I didn't have that much of an expectation before going into it, which is why I probably enjoyed it more, plus I didn't really read any of the descriptions, which is why it all took me by surprise and off guard. There are certain things you should know, simply because of the genre and so you should know whether it will suit your reading style. I would sum this book up as a Sci-Fi Romance, which aren't my usual reading choices, ESPECIALLY Science Fiction. But this book was something special, and it kept me hooked the entire time. There is only a small Sci-Fi element and the rest is basically just romance, so basically romance with a twist. I read it within a day as I couldn't put it down until I found out what happened and how it was going to end.
I loved the writing style and the writing itself, which has really got me interested in this author and finding out if he's written more. This is quite a short read, with it being just 200 pages. This was the ideal length, as the author didn't overdo it with unnecessary additions just for the sake of it. The characters felt real and believable, and I got emotional at certain points, especially at the end, which had me reaching for the tissues.
This book is more character driven and didn't heavily rely on the plot so much, or really worry about explaining how everything was happening. This didn't bother me because there was strong character development, plus the unknowing added a little bit of magic to the story and made me enjoy it more. It read out and played out in my head like a movie, with great imagery. I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.
This book taught me not to judge a book based on its genre or its author and to read more books by Indie Authors. That I also need to explore and read more books that are in genres I don't usually read, as I might find a jewel hidden within them!
(I read this book for the UltimateBlogTour event and therefore received a free ebook copy for an honest and unbiased review)
This book is so much more than the synopsis would lead you to believe. I didn't know that much before going into this book, which I think is the best way to go into it, because it all took me by surprise. I didn't have that much of an expectation before going into it, which is why I probably enjoyed it more, plus I didn't really read any of the descriptions, which is why it all took me by surprise and off guard. There are certain things you should know, simply because of the genre and so you should know whether it will suit your reading style. I would sum this book up as a Sci-Fi Romance, which aren't my usual reading choices, ESPECIALLY Science Fiction. But this book was something special, and it kept me hooked the entire time. There is only a small Sci-Fi element and the rest is basically just romance, so basically romance with a twist. I read it within a day as I couldn't put it down until I found out what happened and how it was going to end.
I loved the writing style and the writing itself, which has really got me interested in this author and finding out if he's written more. This is quite a short read, with it being just 200 pages. This was the ideal length, as the author didn't overdo it with unnecessary additions just for the sake of it. The characters felt real and believable, and I got emotional at certain points, especially at the end, which had me reaching for the tissues.
This book is more character driven and didn't heavily rely on the plot so much, or really worry about explaining how everything was happening. This didn't bother me because there was strong character development, plus the unknowing added a little bit of magic to the story and made me enjoy it more. It read out and played out in my head like a movie, with great imagery. I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.
This book taught me not to judge a book based on its genre or its author and to read more books by Indie Authors. That I also need to explore and read more books that are in genres I don't usually read, as I might find a jewel hidden within them!
(I read this book for the UltimateBlogTour event and therefore received a free ebook copy for an honest and unbiased review)
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September 14, 2019You can find my review here on my blog
September 15, 2019
Thanks to Dave @ The Write Reads for my spot on The Ultimate Blog Tour for Different Time by Micheal Hill. Thanks for a copy of the book. My thoughts are all my own.
This book is why I hail the Indie writers. I’ve reviewed and rated a couple of 5 star reads this year, but this is topping the scale. It takes all the biscuits, all the stars, it takes the motherfucking yard stick. This story is so blinking different and unique it made my soul happy and broken all at the same time. It’s no lie that I’m a bit of a masochist when it comes to reading and I’m a happy camper if a book can made me cry – and boy did I ever! You are going to want to read this one! It’s a finish in the middle of the night book because you just can’t put it down.
Keith and Lynsey are the main characters and I developed an immense connection to both of them. The characterisation is strong and intense. You feel empathy and sadness for them both. They have both suffered incredible loss in their lives and the one solace they have is the connection they share. They are both each other’s escape in life. The constant that keeps them going forward. It’s a tragedy that they live in different times. Lynsey in 1989 and Keith in 2019. They communicate through the media of VHS. This was such a great plotline and was such a refreshing take on the usual theme of time travelling. Michael nailed it. I love the way the different times intersected with one another without being cliched. This was an immaculately written book and is going to leave a lasting impression on me for sure.
Keith and Lynsey’s story does move swiftly but it feels right…not forced, it’s a natural progression of two souls connecting. The potential age gap that the continuum of time presents doesn’t matter. The complexity of the communication method doesn’t matter. Nothing matters. Nothing but them. Other reviewers have suggested that there is a feeling of insta-love, but I just don’t agree. Lynsey and Keith are two souls that can exist and find one another through the barriers of time and space. Fate has a funny way of directing you. Keith and Lynsey both know they are the one for each other. I’m a massive believer of “when you know, you know.”
Keith’s a little lost in life and Lynsey is a strong-willed character who is having a constant battle between her love of art and the need to have a regular pay check coming in. Her interaction with Keith shows her the way. I don’t want to spoil the ending for any of you, but it felt like I had got whacked over the head and left me with a concussion. The writing and world building were second to none. This has become one of my favourite books of all time and I’m excited to watch what Michael brings out next.
A Story of loss, beauty and grief. A soul is not complete without their other half. Space and time is no obstacle to finding that one special person. Michael. K. Hill is going to be an author to watch.
This book is why I hail the Indie writers. I’ve reviewed and rated a couple of 5 star reads this year, but this is topping the scale. It takes all the biscuits, all the stars, it takes the motherfucking yard stick. This story is so blinking different and unique it made my soul happy and broken all at the same time. It’s no lie that I’m a bit of a masochist when it comes to reading and I’m a happy camper if a book can made me cry – and boy did I ever! You are going to want to read this one! It’s a finish in the middle of the night book because you just can’t put it down.
Keith and Lynsey are the main characters and I developed an immense connection to both of them. The characterisation is strong and intense. You feel empathy and sadness for them both. They have both suffered incredible loss in their lives and the one solace they have is the connection they share. They are both each other’s escape in life. The constant that keeps them going forward. It’s a tragedy that they live in different times. Lynsey in 1989 and Keith in 2019. They communicate through the media of VHS. This was such a great plotline and was such a refreshing take on the usual theme of time travelling. Michael nailed it. I love the way the different times intersected with one another without being cliched. This was an immaculately written book and is going to leave a lasting impression on me for sure.
Keith and Lynsey’s story does move swiftly but it feels right…not forced, it’s a natural progression of two souls connecting. The potential age gap that the continuum of time presents doesn’t matter. The complexity of the communication method doesn’t matter. Nothing matters. Nothing but them. Other reviewers have suggested that there is a feeling of insta-love, but I just don’t agree. Lynsey and Keith are two souls that can exist and find one another through the barriers of time and space. Fate has a funny way of directing you. Keith and Lynsey both know they are the one for each other. I’m a massive believer of “when you know, you know.”
Keith’s a little lost in life and Lynsey is a strong-willed character who is having a constant battle between her love of art and the need to have a regular pay check coming in. Her interaction with Keith shows her the way. I don’t want to spoil the ending for any of you, but it felt like I had got whacked over the head and left me with a concussion. The writing and world building were second to none. This has become one of my favourite books of all time and I’m excited to watch what Michael brings out next.
A Story of loss, beauty and grief. A soul is not complete without their other half. Space and time is no obstacle to finding that one special person. Michael. K. Hill is going to be an author to watch.
September 13, 2019
Coming in at only 200 pages, this heartbreakingly beautiful story left me a gushing puddle of tears.
At the age of 16, Lindsey was forced to relocate to California from Hawaii following her parents divorce with her mom. Her mom quickly remarried as a means for financial stability, but Lindsey’s stepdad just rubs her the wrong way. Now, its 1989 and 19 year old Lindsey has graduated high school, but she’s no closer in figuring out what she’s going to do. Lindsey’s mom wants her to go to college and study accounting wince her she considers Lindsey’s artwork a childish hobby. The strained family dynamic environment coupled with no friends and no clue what to do in the future, Lindsey is lonely and just wants someone to talk to. One night, Lindsey decides that she’s going to make a video diary.
It’s 2017, and Keith’s life just seems to be passing him by. He lives in a small apartment in Hoboken and works for a manufacturing company that is anything but his dream job. Keith lost both of his parents in a car crash, and he’s never recovered. He spends his days desperately trying to finish his X-Men comics collection that was originally started by his dad. Following one of his flea market trips, Keith comes across a homemade VHS-C. He decides to watch it, and discovers tape Lindsey. What he doesn’t expect is that they are able to talk to each other through the tapes. Now Keith is on a mission to find the other tapes in order to find Lindsey and have a chance at happiness.
The story unfolds from the different POVs on Lindsey and Keith and the lengths that each of them must go through in order to continue seeing each other (even if 30 years apart). This is a fast-paced, race against time. My heart was pounding for Keith because I desperately wanted him to find Lindsey to get their happily ever after.
I loved both Lindsey’s and Keith’s character. I definitely think that this story highlights the struggles of being young and uninspired until you finally have that conversation with someone that ignites that spark of passion inside you. Both of them have their flaws, and neither tries to make excuses for it.
Overall, I can’t recommend this book enough. This book has romance, time travel, comic references, and 80’s references. This is one of those books that keeps you on the edge of the page wondering if time will in fact run out, and just when you think you figured this one out, that ending will come at you like a freight train.
Thank you to Dave from The Write Reads for my blog invitation as well as providing an ebook for review. This did not influence my review. All opinions are my own.
At the age of 16, Lindsey was forced to relocate to California from Hawaii following her parents divorce with her mom. Her mom quickly remarried as a means for financial stability, but Lindsey’s stepdad just rubs her the wrong way. Now, its 1989 and 19 year old Lindsey has graduated high school, but she’s no closer in figuring out what she’s going to do. Lindsey’s mom wants her to go to college and study accounting wince her she considers Lindsey’s artwork a childish hobby. The strained family dynamic environment coupled with no friends and no clue what to do in the future, Lindsey is lonely and just wants someone to talk to. One night, Lindsey decides that she’s going to make a video diary.
It’s 2017, and Keith’s life just seems to be passing him by. He lives in a small apartment in Hoboken and works for a manufacturing company that is anything but his dream job. Keith lost both of his parents in a car crash, and he’s never recovered. He spends his days desperately trying to finish his X-Men comics collection that was originally started by his dad. Following one of his flea market trips, Keith comes across a homemade VHS-C. He decides to watch it, and discovers tape Lindsey. What he doesn’t expect is that they are able to talk to each other through the tapes. Now Keith is on a mission to find the other tapes in order to find Lindsey and have a chance at happiness.
The story unfolds from the different POVs on Lindsey and Keith and the lengths that each of them must go through in order to continue seeing each other (even if 30 years apart). This is a fast-paced, race against time. My heart was pounding for Keith because I desperately wanted him to find Lindsey to get their happily ever after.
I loved both Lindsey’s and Keith’s character. I definitely think that this story highlights the struggles of being young and uninspired until you finally have that conversation with someone that ignites that spark of passion inside you. Both of them have their flaws, and neither tries to make excuses for it.
Overall, I can’t recommend this book enough. This book has romance, time travel, comic references, and 80’s references. This is one of those books that keeps you on the edge of the page wondering if time will in fact run out, and just when you think you figured this one out, that ending will come at you like a freight train.
Thank you to Dave from The Write Reads for my blog invitation as well as providing an ebook for review. This did not influence my review. All opinions are my own.
September 8, 2019
Sometimes, it doesn't matter how much we are expecting from a book, we still aren't prepared for it when it completely sweeps us off our feet. This is exactly what this book did to me. I knew it was going to be good (more than good) but I just wasn't read for how breathtakingly beautiful and exquisite it actually was going be.
Keith is at a bit of a loose end. He lives a quiet life with a seemingly similar routing and while he isn't all alone, he seems to missing something from his life. A chance finding at a flea market sees him come across an old cassette recording and what follows is a beautiful romance story with a difference. How can Keith be talking to the girl (Lyndsey) on the video that was recorded 20 years ago?
A different time is a fairly short novel but nothing is lost because of this. Every sentence was full of character and setting development, emotion and perfection. It was done so well that it negated the need for longer descriptions and it never felt as though anything had been rushed or missed. The narrative flowed immaculately and I just completely lost myself in this story.
I fell in love with the character of Keith immediately. Such a pleasant and lovely young man who really needed to find love beyond his best mate and his comic books. Lyndsey was written with feist and strength and a vulnerability that I loved. Each character was developed perfectly through the narrative and they were just so relateable. I think most readers will be able to see themselves reflected in one of them.
The plot was seamless. Despite being fully aware that the magical aspect of the novel is impossible, I still found myself totally convinced that this had and could happen. I never once sat there thinking 'this is ridiculous' or 'this is unbelievable'.
The novel was seamless from start to finish and the books was equally uplifting and heartbreaking at the same time. Pure and simply - a beautiful and perfect novel.
Keith is at a bit of a loose end. He lives a quiet life with a seemingly similar routing and while he isn't all alone, he seems to missing something from his life. A chance finding at a flea market sees him come across an old cassette recording and what follows is a beautiful romance story with a difference. How can Keith be talking to the girl (Lyndsey) on the video that was recorded 20 years ago?
A different time is a fairly short novel but nothing is lost because of this. Every sentence was full of character and setting development, emotion and perfection. It was done so well that it negated the need for longer descriptions and it never felt as though anything had been rushed or missed. The narrative flowed immaculately and I just completely lost myself in this story.
I fell in love with the character of Keith immediately. Such a pleasant and lovely young man who really needed to find love beyond his best mate and his comic books. Lyndsey was written with feist and strength and a vulnerability that I loved. Each character was developed perfectly through the narrative and they were just so relateable. I think most readers will be able to see themselves reflected in one of them.
The plot was seamless. Despite being fully aware that the magical aspect of the novel is impossible, I still found myself totally convinced that this had and could happen. I never once sat there thinking 'this is ridiculous' or 'this is unbelievable'.
The novel was seamless from start to finish and the books was equally uplifting and heartbreaking at the same time. Pure and simply - a beautiful and perfect novel.
September 28, 2019
The first thing I’m going to say is that reading this felt like reading a cross between The Lake House and The Notebook. Both are great romantic stories with tragically sad endings. If you do choose to read this one, I should warn you to have a box of tissues ready because you’ll need them.
The two main characters are set 30 years apart (hence the hint of sci-fi) yet manage to fall in love with each other. Lindsey’s story spans a good 30 years, while Keith’s (after you finish the prologue) spans all of like one month. The prologue is important, and I’m not sure if I was super quick or super slow but I totally keyed in on one tiny little detail and my mind was like “OMG! That’s an anagram of **** and ***! That’s so cool! OOOOOO!!! That means *******!”
I bleeped those out because I doubt you want spoilers for this kind of story. You really do need to read it yourself to realise the genius of it. I literally stayed up 3 hours past my bedtime and 2 hours past my sleep time to read this book in one night. Let’s just say my work colleagues were NOT impressed with my body’s response to the lack of sleep!
On a different note, the day after I finished reading it (same day I’m writing this) I was chatting to Dave from The Write Reads about the story where I mentioned I wasn’t happy with the ending. I really feel like this story deserves a sequel to finish it off. Purely because I have so many questions that I can’t even share with you!
The two main characters are set 30 years apart (hence the hint of sci-fi) yet manage to fall in love with each other. Lindsey’s story spans a good 30 years, while Keith’s (after you finish the prologue) spans all of like one month. The prologue is important, and I’m not sure if I was super quick or super slow but I totally keyed in on one tiny little detail and my mind was like “OMG! That’s an anagram of **** and ***! That’s so cool! OOOOOO!!! That means *******!”
I bleeped those out because I doubt you want spoilers for this kind of story. You really do need to read it yourself to realise the genius of it. I literally stayed up 3 hours past my bedtime and 2 hours past my sleep time to read this book in one night. Let’s just say my work colleagues were NOT impressed with my body’s response to the lack of sleep!
On a different note, the day after I finished reading it (same day I’m writing this) I was chatting to Dave from The Write Reads about the story where I mentioned I wasn’t happy with the ending. I really feel like this story deserves a sequel to finish it off. Purely because I have so many questions that I can’t even share with you!
October 22, 2019
I read this book as part of TheWriteReads Blog Tour for Michael K. Hill. You can check out my review that's up on my blog here.
Thanks to Dave @The_WriteReads for organising this amazing blog tour and thanks to Michael K. Hill for sharing a free copy of his book in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to Dave @The_WriteReads for organising this amazing blog tour and thanks to Michael K. Hill for sharing a free copy of his book in exchange for an honest review.
October 13, 2019
✨FULL REVIEW OVER AT PAGES & PLOTS ✨
A Different Time is the type of romance I usually fall in love with. A contemporary romance with a dash of sci-fi and fate that gives meaning to an unpredictable relationship. It reminded me a lot of the movie In Your Eyes (featured in my 20 must-watch romance movies post!
Keith is a comic book nerd, with no meaning to his life, that comes across a VHS tape. That tape is a recording of Lindsey, a girl who lives in 1898 and, surprisingly, they can communicate with each other. She hears him in her head while he sees and listens to her on the tape.
A Different Time is the type of romance I usually fall in love with. A contemporary romance with a dash of sci-fi and fate that gives meaning to an unpredictable relationship. It reminded me a lot of the movie In Your Eyes (featured in my 20 must-watch romance movies post!
Keith is a comic book nerd, with no meaning to his life, that comes across a VHS tape. That tape is a recording of Lindsey, a girl who lives in 1898 and, surprisingly, they can communicate with each other. She hears him in her head while he sees and listens to her on the tape.
September 18, 2019
A Different Time shows me that there is always light in the dark.
Keith Nolan and Lindsey Hale are both interesting and lovely characters. They both had no plans for their future. So, when time interconnected the two of them, they found themselves engaged on talking with one another using the home video Lindsey had recorded in 1989. But, with every happy day, there will always be a sad day. Keith needs to find more of those home videos if he wants to keep on talking with Lindsey.
This is the second time that I encountered a plot like this. The previous one that I had seen, which is something like this was from a Filipino movie wherein they are also both from the past and future. *If you are interested in watching it, the title of the film is Moments of Love* They are similar in the aspect of having two people connected from a different timeline, but the execution is really different in this book, and I liked it. The story is only short, so reading this won’t take much of your time. But, during that time, you’ll get immersed in the story and the journey that the characters will have.
This book gives me a dreamy vibe where you will hope something magical like this would happen to you. But despite it, I am not as surprised as to what will happen in the story because I already watched a movie with a similar concept but only with different execution. The writing lacked something which I keep on looking for, but I don’t know what it is. Is it the writing style? Is it the story itself? The characters’ development? The scenes? But, no matter what it is, the story is still good.
Also. I associate myself with Lindsey when it comes to guys because we have the same preferences or an ideal guy. I want to meet someone who likes to read and maybe, someone who can understand me as a person.
Overall, A Different Time shows that love has no boundaries even if it is the time that separates the two lovers. I am recommending this to everyone who likes to read a classic and timeless romantic story of two star-crossed lovers from a different timeline.
Disclaimer: I received a review copy via The Write Reads.
Keith Nolan and Lindsey Hale are both interesting and lovely characters. They both had no plans for their future. So, when time interconnected the two of them, they found themselves engaged on talking with one another using the home video Lindsey had recorded in 1989. But, with every happy day, there will always be a sad day. Keith needs to find more of those home videos if he wants to keep on talking with Lindsey.
This is the second time that I encountered a plot like this. The previous one that I had seen, which is something like this was from a Filipino movie wherein they are also both from the past and future. *If you are interested in watching it, the title of the film is Moments of Love* They are similar in the aspect of having two people connected from a different timeline, but the execution is really different in this book, and I liked it. The story is only short, so reading this won’t take much of your time. But, during that time, you’ll get immersed in the story and the journey that the characters will have.
This book gives me a dreamy vibe where you will hope something magical like this would happen to you. But despite it, I am not as surprised as to what will happen in the story because I already watched a movie with a similar concept but only with different execution. The writing lacked something which I keep on looking for, but I don’t know what it is. Is it the writing style? Is it the story itself? The characters’ development? The scenes? But, no matter what it is, the story is still good.
Also. I associate myself with Lindsey when it comes to guys because we have the same preferences or an ideal guy. I want to meet someone who likes to read and maybe, someone who can understand me as a person.
Overall, A Different Time shows that love has no boundaries even if it is the time that separates the two lovers. I am recommending this to everyone who likes to read a classic and timeless romantic story of two star-crossed lovers from a different timeline.
Disclaimer: I received a review copy via The Write Reads.
September 8, 2019
I'm always so unsure of reads that are outside my preferred genres, not usually attracted to emotive reads this one reeled me in with my heartstrings and left me shockingly broken - I didn't think it would because like I said it's shaky genre ground for me, it took me a while to embrace it but once I did, you better believe I steamrolled through Different Time and I was so glad that I stuck with it.
It takes something special for me to binge read a book and Michael injected this one with such an emotional concept that I was hooked, I can describe it as a captivating hybrid of The Lake House and The Time Traveller's Wife - I am in no way comparing the three because this novel is on it's own level but you'll get similar feels. Should be a contender for the big screen, the visualisation, writing and imagination is all clearly planned out and written with such beauty and heart with an easy flowing structure of events that flow between the past and present character POV's.
The concept of this novel is a love story across timelines, the characters were likeable, although ----- grated on me a little at the beginning, I came to love him, as well as ---- who doesn't have the best home life, she's the embodiment of loneliness and it's saddening, but so heart-warming when she finds an unexpected connection with -----. I would describe Different Time's bookish genre as fantasy romance, I truly, utterly loved it, regardless of the initial wobbles. I'm rambling but Michael has written Different Time with the perfect level of consciousness, humanity and heart wrenching emotional unravelling. I dare you not to get tangled up in the story, it's impossible.
I found myself lost after being completely emotionally invested in this read, a very must lie in a dark room after finishing read - but with so many underlying thoughts, especially that love is timeless, it's ageless and it's not always perfect but it's always perfect to have. It's a great read, high five to Michael.
It takes something special for me to binge read a book and Michael injected this one with such an emotional concept that I was hooked, I can describe it as a captivating hybrid of The Lake House and The Time Traveller's Wife - I am in no way comparing the three because this novel is on it's own level but you'll get similar feels. Should be a contender for the big screen, the visualisation, writing and imagination is all clearly planned out and written with such beauty and heart with an easy flowing structure of events that flow between the past and present character POV's.
The concept of this novel is a love story across timelines, the characters were likeable, although ----- grated on me a little at the beginning, I came to love him, as well as ---- who doesn't have the best home life, she's the embodiment of loneliness and it's saddening, but so heart-warming when she finds an unexpected connection with -----. I would describe Different Time's bookish genre as fantasy romance, I truly, utterly loved it, regardless of the initial wobbles. I'm rambling but Michael has written Different Time with the perfect level of consciousness, humanity and heart wrenching emotional unravelling. I dare you not to get tangled up in the story, it's impossible.
I found myself lost after being completely emotionally invested in this read, a very must lie in a dark room after finishing read - but with so many underlying thoughts, especially that love is timeless, it's ageless and it's not always perfect but it's always perfect to have. It's a great read, high five to Michael.
February 18, 2020
A Different Time by Michael K. Hill is a standalone novel that is sure to tug on heartstrings. The novel is set in two time periods – present day and 1989. Each time features a different protagonist. In the present day Keith Nolan finds a home video VHS. On that VHS is a young woman recording a sort of diary – a young woman he finds he can speak to. That young woman is Lindsey Hale. Living with her mother and stepfather, Lindsey is looking for her place in the world, a vocation to follow. In limbo and living with a man she doesn’t like and doesn’t trust, she turns to recording her thoughts on VHS tapes.
As a Jersey girl who loves comics, I immediately liked Keith. It very much felt as if it was set in Jersey, and I truly appreciated it. A kindhearted, nostalgic young man, Keith is dedicated to finally completing his collection of Uncanny X-Men when picks up a single VHS tape.
The time travel aspects here lean on the magical realism side of the spectrum as opposed to either soft or hard science fiction. For those playing along at home it’s a bit more ‘timey-wimey’ with little in the way of hard explanation. But explanation isn’t needed here. The mystery is part of the charm. An improbable, impossible love story with characters fighting to be with one another across time itself is the books strongest suit.
The love story was a bit insta-lovey. There wasn’t any build-up of trust or friendship first. The characters simply fell for one another and fell hard. However, both were lonely souls and found within one another a kindred spirit and deep understanding that others around them couldn’t fulfill.
Both characters have other obstacles they must overcome. Keith drops absolutely everything in his life to chase after long forgotten VHS tapes, much to the chagrin of his friends. Lindsey must navigate the murky waters of young adulthood while keeping an eye on her mother’s husband, a true scumbag. Her mother doesn’t seem to have the same sentiments, though, which causes tension in the household.
However, at times, I wished for just a little more. A bit more introspection could have been useful. A little more follow through on the consequences of actions might have been useful too. Overall, it felt as if a good twenty pages could have been added.
On the other hand, this novel absolutely excels with its strong points. This is a story of improbable love. It’s a story about destiny, about following your heart and gut even when it seems absolutely impossible to everyone else. It is a beautiful and sometimes heartbreaking story, one whose ending fits absolutely perfectly within the narrative.
A Different Time by Michael K. Hill is a nearly perfect time travel romance that is sure to scratch the itch for fellow fans of the sub-genre.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This review originally found at Looking Glass Reads.
As a Jersey girl who loves comics, I immediately liked Keith. It very much felt as if it was set in Jersey, and I truly appreciated it. A kindhearted, nostalgic young man, Keith is dedicated to finally completing his collection of Uncanny X-Men when picks up a single VHS tape.
The time travel aspects here lean on the magical realism side of the spectrum as opposed to either soft or hard science fiction. For those playing along at home it’s a bit more ‘timey-wimey’ with little in the way of hard explanation. But explanation isn’t needed here. The mystery is part of the charm. An improbable, impossible love story with characters fighting to be with one another across time itself is the books strongest suit.
The love story was a bit insta-lovey. There wasn’t any build-up of trust or friendship first. The characters simply fell for one another and fell hard. However, both were lonely souls and found within one another a kindred spirit and deep understanding that others around them couldn’t fulfill.
Both characters have other obstacles they must overcome. Keith drops absolutely everything in his life to chase after long forgotten VHS tapes, much to the chagrin of his friends. Lindsey must navigate the murky waters of young adulthood while keeping an eye on her mother’s husband, a true scumbag. Her mother doesn’t seem to have the same sentiments, though, which causes tension in the household.
However, at times, I wished for just a little more. A bit more introspection could have been useful. A little more follow through on the consequences of actions might have been useful too. Overall, it felt as if a good twenty pages could have been added.
On the other hand, this novel absolutely excels with its strong points. This is a story of improbable love. It’s a story about destiny, about following your heart and gut even when it seems absolutely impossible to everyone else. It is a beautiful and sometimes heartbreaking story, one whose ending fits absolutely perfectly within the narrative.
A Different Time by Michael K. Hill is a nearly perfect time travel romance that is sure to scratch the itch for fellow fans of the sub-genre.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This review originally found at Looking Glass Reads.
December 2, 2020
This was a super interesting read for me. I found the book to be super cute. The timing in this book is quick which I enjoyed very much it's only 200 pages. Quick reads are the best when your in a reading slump. The cover for this book could have been done a little better. I would have loved to see a cover that fits the book's plot better. Maybe one that looks a bit more professional. The font and the image doesn't seem to be the best fit.
The characters are super cute. Keith is a nerdy comic book collector and Lindsay is just a woman who doesn't want to be stuck in a boring life that her mother wants her to be content with. Both of the character's have no clue what to do with their lives and they both feel trapped. I connected with them a lot because of this. At that age I feel like no one really knows what they're going to do with their lives and if they do they are super lucky. Now let's talk about the plot itself.
The book seems to have an element of the paranormal to it. Our main character Keith finds himself watching these tapes of a girl and he can somehow talk to her. It's super cool but also I'm not for sure what genre you would put this book into because of it. Magical realism maybe? The timing in this book isn't exactly specified. But I feel like the whole thing was instalove. I felt like it would have been nice to see more scenes of Keith with his best friend. I do however wish the author included more detail I feel like we skimmed over a few things that, if they had more detail it would have added more to the story. Like the ending. It left me with alot of questions. Overall the plot was super cute but a bit on the odd side. I say this because they are decades apart and you can tell they sorta have a thing for each other. Now I can't say anything else about the plot or it will be considered spoilers so if you wanna know more you just have to read the book.
My over all thoughts on this book is that it's a cute book and a fast paced read. If you're looking for more books written by self published authors you should totally keep this book in mind. You should definitely go with the good old saying don't judge a book by its cover for this one.
The characters are super cute. Keith is a nerdy comic book collector and Lindsay is just a woman who doesn't want to be stuck in a boring life that her mother wants her to be content with. Both of the character's have no clue what to do with their lives and they both feel trapped. I connected with them a lot because of this. At that age I feel like no one really knows what they're going to do with their lives and if they do they are super lucky. Now let's talk about the plot itself.
The book seems to have an element of the paranormal to it. Our main character Keith finds himself watching these tapes of a girl and he can somehow talk to her. It's super cool but also I'm not for sure what genre you would put this book into because of it. Magical realism maybe? The timing in this book isn't exactly specified. But I feel like the whole thing was instalove. I felt like it would have been nice to see more scenes of Keith with his best friend. I do however wish the author included more detail I feel like we skimmed over a few things that, if they had more detail it would have added more to the story. Like the ending. It left me with alot of questions. Overall the plot was super cute but a bit on the odd side. I say this because they are decades apart and you can tell they sorta have a thing for each other. Now I can't say anything else about the plot or it will be considered spoilers so if you wanna know more you just have to read the book.
My over all thoughts on this book is that it's a cute book and a fast paced read. If you're looking for more books written by self published authors you should totally keep this book in mind. You should definitely go with the good old saying don't judge a book by its cover for this one.
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