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dempseykincade's review
5.0
Short stories are NOT my thing, BUT time-travel and romance stories _are_. So when I saw this available, with some writers I love, some writers I wondered about, and some writers I'd only heard of, I desperately wanted to read it. I so appreciate having this chance.
This is- as you may have guessed, an anthology of time-travel romance short stories. There are 16 in all, 14 are brand-new. What I loved about this collection is that each story is so different, and yet they all fit together. There were, obviously, some I liked more than others, but none I that I disliked... although a couple were hard for me to follow, as I'm not as into sci-fi as others. But that was ok! Most (all?) of these stories had LGBTQ+ main characters, and I loved that, as I have been specifically broadening my reading over the last few years to stories that are NOT mine (as a straight, cis, white woman).
The first and last stories were my favorites overall, one by an author I already love, the other by an author I'd never heard of. But I'll be checking out books and stories by nearly all the authors in this book.
This is- as you may have guessed, an anthology of time-travel romance short stories. There are 16 in all, 14 are brand-new. What I loved about this collection is that each story is so different, and yet they all fit together. There were, obviously, some I liked more than others, but none I that I disliked... although a couple were hard for me to follow, as I'm not as into sci-fi as others. But that was ok! Most (all?) of these stories had LGBTQ+ main characters, and I loved that, as I have been specifically broadening my reading over the last few years to stories that are NOT mine (as a straight, cis, white woman).
The first and last stories were my favorites overall, one by an author I already love, the other by an author I'd never heard of. But I'll be checking out books and stories by nearly all the authors in this book.
displacedcactus's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
I wouldn't call this a collection of capital R Romance stories, because they don't all have happy endings. Mostly a very good collection with a couple real duds. Mostly new stories, but the final story in the collection is from 1998, has the g-slur in the title, and suggests that time travel would be possible in 2008... which is close enough to modern time to feel dated rather than quaint.
I was impressed by the way most of the authors made me believe in the romantic connections in their stories in just a dozen or so pages. Romantic short fiction is such a challenge, you don't really have the time to build a whole relationship, especially not if you're also adding time travel into the mix!
I read this across just a few days and I do think it would be better to spread it out if you can, reading no more than a story a day, otherwise the similar themes in some of the stories can start to feel repetitive, as is the nature of an anthology with such a narrow and specific focus!
I was impressed by the way most of the authors made me believe in the romantic connections in their stories in just a dozen or so pages. Romantic short fiction is such a challenge, you don't really have the time to build a whole relationship, especially not if you're also adding time travel into the mix!
I read this across just a few days and I do think it would be better to spread it out if you can, reading no more than a story a day, otherwise the similar themes in some of the stories can start to feel repetitive, as is the nature of an anthology with such a narrow and specific focus!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Sexual content, Racial slurs, and Homophobia
decembera's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Favorite stories, ranked:
- Time Gypsy
- Roadside Attraction
- Bergamot and Vetiver
- First Aid
- A Letter to Merlin
- Romance: Historical
roytoo's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
An interesting set of short stories about time travel and love/relationships.
I particularly enjoyed Timed Obsolescence.
I particularly enjoyed Timed Obsolescence.
sarahreadsromance's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
On the whole, I enjoyed listening to these short stories about time travel - some more so than others. I Remember Satellites reminded me of This Is How You Lose The Time War. Romance: Historical was sweet and cozy. A Letter To Merlin and Dead Poets were both intriguing. It was very interesting to listen to the different takes that each author had on time travel, and how their characters could find love in those circumstances.
emmettspot's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
xalrynne's review
2.5
I only read one story from this collection, and I don’t have any intention to read any others.
“Roadside Attraction” by Alix E. Harrow—2.5/5 stars
This time travel story was very mid. It’s a short queer story about finding your destiny, and how maybe you don’t need to travel back in time to find it because it’s right here in your present all along. I read this story solely because I am trying to read everything Alix Harrow has published, but this one is rather forgettable, unfortunately. I’m also not a short story fan in general though. I don’t really recommend it, but if you enjoy time travel short fiction then you may still enjoy this story and possibly this collection as a whole.
“Roadside Attraction” by Alix E. Harrow—2.5/5 stars
This time travel story was very mid. It’s a short queer story about finding your destiny, and how maybe you don’t need to travel back in time to find it because it’s right here in your present all along. I read this story solely because I am trying to read everything Alix Harrow has published, but this one is rather forgettable, unfortunately. I’m also not a short story fan in general though. I don’t really recommend it, but if you enjoy time travel short fiction then you may still enjoy this story and possibly this collection as a whole.
mssarahmorgan's review
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75