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katekate_reads_'s review
5.0
What I knew going into this book:
- 1930s/1940s NYC
- Grand Central Station
- something to do with Manhattanhenge
- maybe something to do with time travel?
That was enough to draw me in and make me want to give it a shot.
Wow. Reading this book was an experience that transported me fully into the story. I sat down intending to read a few chapters - and quickly became so absorbed I could barely put it down other than to occasionally turn to Google images for some references.
This is a beautiful story - I loved spending time in Joe and Nora’s lives. I loved seeing all the different glimpses of Grand Central and this time period.
I recommend going into this without reading the plot description and just let it unfold for you as it does for Joe. I also highly recommend reading the author q&a at the end - I often skip them but this one adds even more to an already beautiful story.
Thank you so much to Random House and Netgalley for the free review copy.
- 1930s/1940s NYC
- Grand Central Station
- something to do with Manhattanhenge
- maybe something to do with time travel?
That was enough to draw me in and make me want to give it a shot.
Wow. Reading this book was an experience that transported me fully into the story. I sat down intending to read a few chapters - and quickly became so absorbed I could barely put it down other than to occasionally turn to Google images for some references.
This is a beautiful story - I loved spending time in Joe and Nora’s lives. I loved seeing all the different glimpses of Grand Central and this time period.
I recommend going into this without reading the plot description and just let it unfold for you as it does for Joe. I also highly recommend reading the author q&a at the end - I often skip them but this one adds even more to an already beautiful story.
Thank you so much to Random House and Netgalley for the free review copy.
mtreads719's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.0
livrad's review
3.0
I’m disappointed I didn’t like this as much as I hoped. The historical details were rich and wonderful, but the story dragged. This is exactly the type of plot I would love, but the pacing took too much away. I’m still glad I read it, but at 75 percent of the way through, I needed to start skimming.
trishellis's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
clairebartholomew549's review
4.0
This book was exactly what I needed in such a weird and stressful time (i.e. COVID-19). Whimsical, romantic, and escapist, it immersed me in the 1930s and 1940s of New York City. The love story was believable and enchanting, and I LOVED how well-researched it was. I know very little about Grand Central Station, and I really enjoyed learning all about its nooks and crannies. The storyline was such a creative way to interpret Manhattanhenge, and I loved that the romance was fully contained within the station. The choices the characters made also made sense and carried real consequences. I won't spoil the ending, but it felt very fitting. I love how much the two characters love each other, and how much they want each other to have a fulfilling life. I recommend this book when you need an escape from your real life.
findyourgoldenhour's review
3.0
(2.5 rounded up) Meh. I feel kind of let down. This had quite a bit of hype and the premise seemed good, but it fell flat for me.
First, the good: I loved the setting. 1920s-1940s Grand Central Station in NYC. I loved the idea of playing with “Manhattanhenge,” when the sunrise and sunset aligns with the city’s street grid. I loved the idea of a time travel novel, having loved “The Time Traveler’s Wife” and other books that play with this set-up to tell an original story.
What I didn’t love: The length. I was into the first third of the book as she sets up the story, but then it really stalls out, for way too many pages. Also, the characters weren’t really fleshed out with any real depth, despite the book having nearly 400 pages to do so. And without giving spoilers, I didn’t love the way the time travel “worked” in this story. It essentially left the female character trapped in a physical space; it was like she was a beautiful princess who was locked away in a tower for the man to visit and enjoy, but she couldn’t have her own life. Her whole existence was just waiting for him to return her space, because she was trapped. And of course, she never ages, so she remains young and beautiful forever. It just kept making me angry. No thank you.
First, the good: I loved the setting. 1920s-1940s Grand Central Station in NYC. I loved the idea of playing with “Manhattanhenge,” when the sunrise and sunset aligns with the city’s street grid. I loved the idea of a time travel novel, having loved “The Time Traveler’s Wife” and other books that play with this set-up to tell an original story.
What I didn’t love: The length. I was into the first third of the book as she sets up the story, but then it really stalls out, for way too many pages. Also, the characters weren’t really fleshed out with any real depth, despite the book having nearly 400 pages to do so. And without giving spoilers, I didn’t love the way the time travel “worked” in this story. It essentially left the female character trapped in a physical space; it was like she was a beautiful princess who was locked away in a tower for the man to visit and enjoy, but she couldn’t have her own life. Her whole existence was just waiting for him to return her space, because she was trapped. And of course, she never ages, so she remains young and beautiful forever. It just kept making me angry. No thank you.
agirlsnightbookbash's review
1.0
1.5
Wow. What to say about this book? It had potential.
It missed. I'm not going to lie but I was suspicious that the author was a pen name for a male who really hated women. It looks like that is not the case. Based on the narrow stereotypes that the female characters fit (including Nora, the exception to the rule, the special girl who stood out among the "whores" of her time period) I'd still say the author hates women.
Joe is one of the most misogynistic and toxic love interests I've crossed in a while but he is written sympathetically. Like as a reader I see he is a pos but the author doesn't see him that way.
The plot and how Nora got stuck seemed like there were multiple ideas and rather than deciding on a path for the story, a couple got thrown together to "make it work". It didn't.
And the ending. Gag. Don't waste your time.
Wow. What to say about this book? It had potential.
It missed. I'm not going to lie but I was suspicious that the author was a pen name for a male who really hated women. It looks like that is not the case. Based on the narrow stereotypes that the female characters fit (including Nora, the exception to the rule, the special girl who stood out among the "whores"
Joe is one of the most misogynistic and toxic love interests I've crossed in a while but he is written sympathetically. Like as a reader I see he is a pos but the author doesn't see him that way.
The plot and how Nora got stuck seemed like there were multiple ideas and rather than deciding on a path for the story, a couple got thrown together to "make it work". It didn't.
And the ending. Gag. Don't waste your time.
olivia76's review against another edition
2.0
I so wanted to love this book but it had some serious problems. But first, the setting of this book is spectacular—both time and place came alive for me in this book. But the characters and the plot 👎🏽. Joe is selfish and incredibly boring. He seems to think that Nora is his everything, but then leaves her, treats her poorly and wants to have it both ways. Nora is a more interesting character, although still fairly simple. Twice she does the most unselfish thing for love. Her love for Joe and Grand Central Station are the reasons I kept reading. Also other than the major “came back to life” part of this book not much else happens.
rachbreads's review
3.0
So this is one of those 3-star books that's almost possible to review because it didn't really strike me in any sort of way. It was just a book - not terrible, but not fantastic. I think it had a lot of potential because the premise was really interesting, but it was not executed particularly well. The romantic relationship was really tiring, and the best part of the book was learning more about Grand Central in the 20s-50s.