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britlitnerd's review
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.0
ellelainey's review
2.0
DNF'd
I'm afraid that Jackie North and I just don't mix. It's nobody's fault, but we're just not a good fit when it comes to this series. I might try another series/novel of theirs in the future.
.
When I was asked to review this book, I hadn't read the other two novels in the Love Across Time series, but I was led to believe that all the books could be read as standalones. That didn't prove to be the case with this one. I was disappointed to find that the whole premise of Zach ending up in another time was that he was searching for his best friend Laurie, who happened to be the MC of book 2. It took 4% of the story to discover this, which was disappointing, because I'd already become invested in the story.
Here's the problem: I loathe reading a series out of order. Especially when previous characters are going to appear and I'm not going to be able to understand or follow the story without knowing their story, too.
Solution? I put down Wild As the West Texas Wind, took a trip to Amazon and bought the previous two books. I read book 1 and it was okay. Not brilliant, but not awful. However, by the time it came to reading book 2, I just couldn't finish it. It was bland, boring and I couldn't get beyond 21% without feeling like I was going to fall asleep, because nothing was happening. I'm all for a good slow burn, this thing was like molasses and I just didn't feel any connection to the story or the characters. There was no point going on.
Sadly, that meant I couldn't read this book. Other readers might disagree with me, but I DO NOT read a book out of order, especially when a previous character has a bearing on the novel. I just don't do it. And, as this is the third book in this series, which already hasn't blown me away, I can honestly say that my desire to read it dropped 50% by the time I'd got 10% into book 2. Now that I've DNF'd book 2, there's no way that I can bring myself to repeat that trudge through the pages, so I'm bowing out early.
~
Review of what I read:
I really enjoyed the first chapter. I got sucked into Layton's story, the fluidity of the writing, the almost purple prose of the beautiful setting. It felt more natural in this book than the others; similar to how real and natural Stanley's POV had been in book 1. Reading Layton's story was like stepping into a John Wayne movie, being surrounded by sights and sounds and smells and engaging all the senses with the beautiful writing style.
Then we entered chapter 2 and that all disappeared. Sadly, it was the same problem as books 1 and 2; the historical characters had more weight, more natural fluidity and more characterisation than the MC's from the present day, who were bland, boring and usually looking for a new life. This continuous theme came with the added disappointment in this novel that meant the present day chapter, Zach's first POV scene, lacked all the charm that Layton's chapter had. The writing wasn't as eloquent, it wasn't as fluid or beautiful or engaging. In fact, I found it a bit repetitive and less cohesive, less enticing. It didn't have the same clear cut characterisation, the same flair of charm and the engaging vivid detail as the historical scenes. It lacked depth, which left me feeling disappointed and shook me right out of the desire to keep reading.
I was intrigued to see that the author chose the real Ketchum Gang as the gang in question, as there is such a high risk of historical inaccuracy. Though it kept some facts accurate, there is the inevitable literary license when making a historical figure an on-page character. It didn't fit, for me, and I felt a little like I was watching a John Wayne movie - only, this time, that isn't a positive. While John Wayne movies - and this book, in places - could be evocative and engaging, entertaining and so real it felt like you were really there, there were also the historical inaccuracies and the creative license of taking real people and turning them into something they weren't, or adapting their actions and personality to fit the narrative. Sadly, it didn't work for me, in a way that inspired me to keep reading.
In the end, I just couldn't keep reading a book that I wasn't going to understand, due to not having finished book 2. I didn't feel any connection to Zach, as an MC, and even Layton's eloquently written scenes couldn't make up for the editing issues, missing/extra words in sentence, and the distinctly 50/50 ration of good and bad qualities. For me, this series is always going to be a tale of two halves - one of historical accuracy and beautifully written prose, and the other of boring modern day characters who are bored with their lives and not engaging enough to make me hope for a bright future.
I'm afraid that Jackie North and I just don't mix. It's nobody's fault, but we're just not a good fit when it comes to this series. I might try another series/novel of theirs in the future.
.
When I was asked to review this book, I hadn't read the other two novels in the Love Across Time series, but I was led to believe that all the books could be read as standalones. That didn't prove to be the case with this one. I was disappointed to find that the whole premise of Zach ending up in another time was that he was searching for his best friend Laurie, who happened to be the MC of book 2. It took 4% of the story to discover this, which was disappointing, because I'd already become invested in the story.
Here's the problem: I loathe reading a series out of order. Especially when previous characters are going to appear and I'm not going to be able to understand or follow the story without knowing their story, too.
Solution? I put down Wild As the West Texas Wind, took a trip to Amazon and bought the previous two books. I read book 1 and it was okay. Not brilliant, but not awful. However, by the time it came to reading book 2, I just couldn't finish it. It was bland, boring and I couldn't get beyond 21% without feeling like I was going to fall asleep, because nothing was happening. I'm all for a good slow burn, this thing was like molasses and I just didn't feel any connection to the story or the characters. There was no point going on.
Sadly, that meant I couldn't read this book. Other readers might disagree with me, but I DO NOT read a book out of order, especially when a previous character has a bearing on the novel. I just don't do it. And, as this is the third book in this series, which already hasn't blown me away, I can honestly say that my desire to read it dropped 50% by the time I'd got 10% into book 2. Now that I've DNF'd book 2, there's no way that I can bring myself to repeat that trudge through the pages, so I'm bowing out early.
~
Review of what I read:
I really enjoyed the first chapter. I got sucked into Layton's story, the fluidity of the writing, the almost purple prose of the beautiful setting. It felt more natural in this book than the others; similar to how real and natural Stanley's POV had been in book 1. Reading Layton's story was like stepping into a John Wayne movie, being surrounded by sights and sounds and smells and engaging all the senses with the beautiful writing style.
Then we entered chapter 2 and that all disappeared. Sadly, it was the same problem as books 1 and 2; the historical characters had more weight, more natural fluidity and more characterisation than the MC's from the present day, who were bland, boring and usually looking for a new life. This continuous theme came with the added disappointment in this novel that meant the present day chapter, Zach's first POV scene, lacked all the charm that Layton's chapter had. The writing wasn't as eloquent, it wasn't as fluid or beautiful or engaging. In fact, I found it a bit repetitive and less cohesive, less enticing. It didn't have the same clear cut characterisation, the same flair of charm and the engaging vivid detail as the historical scenes. It lacked depth, which left me feeling disappointed and shook me right out of the desire to keep reading.
I was intrigued to see that the author chose the real Ketchum Gang as the gang in question, as there is such a high risk of historical inaccuracy. Though it kept some facts accurate, there is the inevitable literary license when making a historical figure an on-page character. It didn't fit, for me, and I felt a little like I was watching a John Wayne movie - only, this time, that isn't a positive. While John Wayne movies - and this book, in places - could be evocative and engaging, entertaining and so real it felt like you were really there, there were also the historical inaccuracies and the creative license of taking real people and turning them into something they weren't, or adapting their actions and personality to fit the narrative. Sadly, it didn't work for me, in a way that inspired me to keep reading.
In the end, I just couldn't keep reading a book that I wasn't going to understand, due to not having finished book 2. I didn't feel any connection to Zach, as an MC, and even Layton's eloquently written scenes couldn't make up for the editing issues, missing/extra words in sentence, and the distinctly 50/50 ration of good and bad qualities. For me, this series is always going to be a tale of two halves - one of historical accuracy and beautifully written prose, and the other of boring modern day characters who are bored with their lives and not engaging enough to make me hope for a bright future.
yuemiho's review
emotional
tense
fast-paced
3.0
This was a nice read but the ending was kind of abrupt and left me wanting more
toshi21's review
5.0
Heart racing intense ride. But so sweet
This is the 2nd book of Jackie North’s Love Across Time Story featuring Zach and Layton.
Zach received a letter from 1892 from his best friend who had disappeared months ago. He was devastated and kept looking for him when a freak storm sent him back to 1892, the year Laurie sent the letter.
Layton was a young man who was an unwilling part of the Ketchum Gang. He was sweet boy who just wanted a house to stay in and a permanent place to rest his head.
When Zach interrupts Tom Ketchum’s poker game, he is abducted and threatened to be sold to a brothel to make up for the lost money.
The story is a sweet slide into true love. It’s not a easy ride to the finish line. Layton has been programmed to rely only on Tom and Tom holds all the cards.
Zach refuses to back down and constantly fights against the bully Tom.
But like recognizes like and soon Zach sees the sweetness in Layton and he works on getting Layton out from under Tom’s thumb.
This book was intense. I spent a long time dreading the next chapter because I knew that Tom would be there. But I also wanted to see what happened.
Jackie North takes the time period and creates a plausible believable world. She doesn’t shoehorn modern day into the past. She lets it mingle and cooperate. I loved the pace of the story and I loved seeing Zach and Layton come together. It was one of the best romances I have read. It felt so real like it could happen to anyone.
If you like westerns, romance, and time travel, you have hit the trifecta.
This is the 2nd book of Jackie North’s Love Across Time Story featuring Zach and Layton.
Zach received a letter from 1892 from his best friend who had disappeared months ago. He was devastated and kept looking for him when a freak storm sent him back to 1892, the year Laurie sent the letter.
Layton was a young man who was an unwilling part of the Ketchum Gang. He was sweet boy who just wanted a house to stay in and a permanent place to rest his head.
When Zach interrupts Tom Ketchum’s poker game, he is abducted and threatened to be sold to a brothel to make up for the lost money.
The story is a sweet slide into true love. It’s not a easy ride to the finish line. Layton has been programmed to rely only on Tom and Tom holds all the cards.
Zach refuses to back down and constantly fights against the bully Tom.
But like recognizes like and soon Zach sees the sweetness in Layton and he works on getting Layton out from under Tom’s thumb.
This book was intense. I spent a long time dreading the next chapter because I knew that Tom would be there. But I also wanted to see what happened.
Jackie North takes the time period and creates a plausible believable world. She doesn’t shoehorn modern day into the past. She lets it mingle and cooperate. I loved the pace of the story and I loved seeing Zach and Layton come together. It was one of the best romances I have read. It felt so real like it could happen to anyone.
If you like westerns, romance, and time travel, you have hit the trifecta.
reading_rainy's review
3.0
"There were shooting stars that night. I wished for a home, and someone to share it with. Someone to light the lamp. Someone like you."
I skipped book one, absolutely loved book 2, and probably went in with my expectations too high on book 3.
The first part of this story set the focus for the story very well. However, it was S. L. O. W. It took until a good 50% in before I was really invested in these two characters. No real conversations, just a few sneaking glances and internal dialogue.
What worked:
Time travel
Atmospheric, lyrical, and heart melting
The old west slower pace of life
Layton talking to his horse like she was his therapist
Zach and his skittle underdrawers
What didn't work:
The achingly slow paste the first half of the story
Intimate scenes, needed more
More communication
Asshole bad guy that SPANKED his men?
I really don't understand how these men keep their time travel a secret. It felt jarring at the end of the story when Zach and Laurie have this conversation.
"Wait," said Laurie, holding up his hand. "Don't forget. John doesn't know about time travel. I don't know how to tell him, so we can't ever, ever talk about it in front of him, okay?"
Never? You're going to go through your entire life keeping this massive secret from the person you love the most?
I skipped book one, absolutely loved book 2, and probably went in with my expectations too high on book 3.
The first part of this story set the focus for the story very well. However, it was S. L. O. W. It took until a good 50% in before I was really invested in these two characters. No real conversations, just a few sneaking glances and internal dialogue.
What worked:
Time travel
Atmospheric, lyrical, and heart melting
The old west slower pace of life
Layton talking to his horse like she was his therapist
Zach and his skittle underdrawers
What didn't work:
The achingly slow paste the first half of the story
Intimate scenes, needed more
More communication
Asshole bad guy that SPANKED his men?
I really don't understand how these men keep their time travel a secret. It felt jarring at the end of the story when Zach and Laurie have this conversation.
"Wait," said Laurie, holding up his hand. "Don't forget. John doesn't know about time travel. I don't know how to tell him, so we can't ever, ever talk about it in front of him, okay?"
Never? You're going to go through your entire life keeping this massive secret from the person you love the most?
hugo001's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
delphiabaisden's review
5.0
Another amazing read! Jackie’s beautiful language paints the perfect picture of outlaw life in the late 1800s. I absolutely fell in love with Layton, even when he was frustrating. I adored Zach, even when he was adorably insufferable. I cried, I swore, I had the time of my life. And I cannot wait for the next installment!
haletostilinski1's review
4.0
3.5 stars
This was same rating for me as the last book, for a different and same reason at the same time. This was a LOT more fast paced than the second book, a lot more exciting, with high stakes and a much more interesting plot. So it wasn't a slow story at all, which was a plus.
But I didn't quite feel as big a connection between Zach and Layton as I had with John and Laurie. While their story was SO slow, at least we got a ton of scenes of them connecting and watching them fall in love.
For Zach and Layton, there were little moments sprinkled here and there, but a lot of time was spent with the other outlaws - and Zach was basically being tortured by Tom Ketchum - and then Zach getting sick and recovering at the ranch with Layton, but then he was pissed at Layton and thought the worst of him for going along with Tom Ketchum and not doing anything to help Zach escape. It was only near the end of their stay at the ranch that they really started to connect.
So it took too long to get that connection between them, and then there was soooo little steam - even less then the last two books - and then shit was happening at the end and then they barely have a chance to catch their breath and agree to be together before it was just...over. That bothered me.
Also, yes, this a spoiler, but Zach doesn't tell Layton about the time travel either. Like, why the fuck??? My ONLY guess is that it will all come out in Maxton's book - which, I believe there will be one, if I'm not mistaken - and I will read that just to hope that all of them will tell their guys about the time travel (I think Maxton will go back in time too...and I bet his LI will be the Sheriff of the town Laurie and John live in) because this is just ridiculous.
We get to see Laurie and John at the end of this, but of COURSE Laurie still hasn't told John and it's just...pissing me off. Now Zach with Layton too. You. Are. Keeping. Something. From. Your. Boyfriends!!! That's not okay!
And I cannot tell you how much it annoyed me that Zach would say all these modern things and Layton wouldn't understand and Zach wouldn't explain shit and then Layton would shrug it off and ignore it. The SAME thing happened with Laurie and John in the last book. It was beyond frustrating.
But why did I round up to 4 stars with this? Well, the action was exciting, I was so happy this wasn't as slow and boring at times as the last book, and while Zach and Layton could have connected a lot more, I still enjoyed their connection at times (although I didn't quite feel the love once they got to confessing it. There just wasn't enough between them.) At times I wonder if Zach even liked Layton with how pissed he was at him. But then at times I could clearly see how Zach liked Layton. But it was up and down, and I just wanted more from Zach's side, and just more connection overall.
And yes yes, sex isn't everything, especially penetrative sex...but I was expecting it, not gonna lie. Instead all we got was one handjob scene and one blowjob scene that was over pretty quickly, on both ends. I wanted more heat and passion, and yeah, more romance. The lack of romance - compared to the last two books - left the sex scenes lacking.
Also, while I very much enjoyed the plot in this over the last one, I was happy that Zach made it to Laurie and they were able to reunite. Their friendship is pretty great. *cough*wish more depth had been given to Zach and Layton*cough*
So, this definitely earned points for me with a good, wild plot that kept me guessing and on my feet as well and a MUCH faster pace but lost points for me with the not telling about the time travel, once again, and less of a connection for the romantic couple then I've come to expect from this author. The first two were SO good at the romance.
Which, the first book feels SO disconnected from these two, almost like a different series. It was just so different with the going in the future and knowing about the time travel and the level of romance and everything. That is still far and beyond my fave in this series.
Here's hoping Maxton's book will be amazing (and will also bring out the truth to all the boyfriends. If not, I'll be pissed, ngl.)
This was same rating for me as the last book, for a different and same reason at the same time. This was a LOT more fast paced than the second book, a lot more exciting, with high stakes and a much more interesting plot. So it wasn't a slow story at all, which was a plus.
But I didn't quite feel as big a connection between Zach and Layton as I had with John and Laurie. While their story was SO slow, at least we got a ton of scenes of them connecting and watching them fall in love.
For Zach and Layton, there were little moments sprinkled here and there, but a lot of time was spent with the other outlaws - and Zach was basically being tortured by Tom Ketchum - and then Zach getting sick and recovering at the ranch with Layton, but then he was pissed at Layton and thought the worst of him for going along with Tom Ketchum and not doing anything to help Zach escape. It was only near the end of their stay at the ranch that they really started to connect.
So it took too long to get that connection between them, and then there was soooo little steam - even less then the last two books - and then shit was happening at the end and then they barely have a chance to catch their breath and agree to be together before it was just...over. That bothered me.
Also, yes, this a spoiler, but Zach doesn't tell Layton about the time travel either. Like, why the fuck??? My ONLY guess is that it will all come out in Maxton's book - which, I believe there will be one, if I'm not mistaken - and I will read that just to hope that all of them will tell their guys about the time travel (I think Maxton will go back in time too...and I bet his LI will be the Sheriff of the town Laurie and John live in) because this is just ridiculous.
We get to see Laurie and John at the end of this, but of COURSE Laurie still hasn't told John and it's just...pissing me off. Now Zach with Layton too. You. Are. Keeping. Something. From. Your. Boyfriends!!! That's not okay!
And I cannot tell you how much it annoyed me that Zach would say all these modern things and Layton wouldn't understand and Zach wouldn't explain shit and then Layton would shrug it off and ignore it. The SAME thing happened with Laurie and John in the last book. It was beyond frustrating.
But why did I round up to 4 stars with this? Well, the action was exciting, I was so happy this wasn't as slow and boring at times as the last book, and while Zach and Layton could have connected a lot more, I still enjoyed their connection at times (although I didn't quite feel the love once they got to confessing it. There just wasn't enough between them.) At times I wonder if Zach even liked Layton with how pissed he was at him. But then at times I could clearly see how Zach liked Layton. But it was up and down, and I just wanted more from Zach's side, and just more connection overall.
And yes yes, sex isn't everything, especially penetrative sex...but I was expecting it, not gonna lie. Instead all we got was one handjob scene and one blowjob scene that was over pretty quickly, on both ends. I wanted more heat and passion, and yeah, more romance. The lack of romance - compared to the last two books - left the sex scenes lacking.
Also, while I very much enjoyed the plot in this over the last one, I was happy that Zach made it to Laurie and they were able to reunite. Their friendship is pretty great. *cough*wish more depth had been given to Zach and Layton*cough*
So, this definitely earned points for me with a good, wild plot that kept me guessing and on my feet as well and a MUCH faster pace but lost points for me with the not telling about the time travel, once again, and less of a connection for the romantic couple then I've come to expect from this author. The first two were SO good at the romance.
Which, the first book feels SO disconnected from these two, almost like a different series. It was just so different with the going in the future and knowing about the time travel and the level of romance and everything. That is still far and beyond my fave in this series.
Here's hoping Maxton's book will be amazing (and will also bring out the truth to all the boyfriends. If not, I'll be pissed, ngl.)