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natkimko's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
shannonigans322's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-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
4.5
A time loop romance, but make it cosmic and complicated! I really enjoyed the flashback chapters and the real research that went into them. The only thing keeping this from a full 5-star rating for me is the fact that I don't see myself returning to it in the future, now that the mystery has been solved.
fischereads's review against another edition
2.0
really liked a couple of the timelines (1920s, present day mostly) but i wish there were fewer timelines that were more fleshed out as opposed to a bunch of unrelated ones. wasn’t a big fan of the third quarter of this book and everything felt disconnected approaching the end. didn’t mind this type of ending tho and was still cute in some parts
nataliealane's review against another edition
3.0
In For All Time, Tamar is facing a tough decision, thinking her life is pretty much over. Fayard, her boyfriend is always optimistic, believing they’re fated to be together and that even her illness can’t stop their love. But strange visions haunt both of them—-visions of other lives, in other times. As the visions become more frequent, they must delve into both their past and future to find out why, and the deeper they go, the more questions they uncover.
~
The story overall was really gripping! Whenever I read it, I was rarely bored or wanting to put it down or “take a break.” As a white ablebodied woman, I can’t comment on the quality of representation, but both of the main characters are Black, Fay is disabled (chronic injury to his leg in every reincarnation), and Tamar has a chronic illness that could turn terminal. There were some really well developed elements, and others that were really lacking, even if they were important to the story. For example, the present day storyline with Fayard and Tamar was well developed, with fully realized characters you understand and want to root for. One of the other timelines, in the future/space, takes the stage a lot in the later half of the book, so we get to know those reincarnations of Fay and Tamar well, but the other versions, not so much. However, the skips between timelines were smooth and made sense. There were sci fi, ancient archeology, and religious aspects that ended up playing a central role in the story, but they were rushed and sometimes confusing. I’m still not 100% sure if I understand how/why Fayard and Tamar have all these different realities. I wish it had delved a little more into the family dynamics , too. However, For All Time is a promising book, a tender, heartfelt story of young love, and it was what I needed at the time that I read it.
~
CW: pandemic (implied to be Covid-19, or a similar disease affecting the respiratory system), chronic/potentially terminal illness, mentions of pregnancy, racism, colonization, suicide, mention of a terrorist attack
~
The story overall was really gripping! Whenever I read it, I was rarely bored or wanting to put it down or “take a break.” As a white ablebodied woman, I can’t comment on the quality of representation, but both of the main characters are Black, Fay is disabled (chronic injury to his leg in every reincarnation), and Tamar has a chronic illness that could turn terminal. There were some really well developed elements, and others that were really lacking, even if they were important to the story. For example, the present day storyline with Fayard and Tamar was well developed, with fully realized characters you understand and want to root for. One of the other timelines, in the future/space, takes the stage a lot in the later half of the book, so we get to know those reincarnations of Fay and Tamar well, but the other versions, not so much. However, the skips between timelines were smooth and made sense. There were sci fi, ancient archeology, and religious aspects that ended up playing a central role in the story, but they were rushed and sometimes confusing. I’m still not 100% sure if I understand how/why Fayard and Tamar have all these different realities. I wish it had delved a little more into the family dynamics , too. However, For All Time is a promising book, a tender, heartfelt story of young love, and it was what I needed at the time that I read it.
~
CW: pandemic (implied to be Covid-19, or a similar disease affecting the respiratory system), chronic/potentially terminal illness, mentions of pregnancy, racism, colonization, suicide, mention of a terrorist attack
authorjasminecartwright's review against another edition
4.0
Beautifully written and crosses genres well! Loveable characters with a natural love that doesn't feel forced or overwhelming. It was hard to follow the story via audible, and some timelines were more entertaining than other, but definitely an interesting read. I love when Black literature branches off and gives us stories like this!
specialk3782's review against another edition
2.0
As soon as I heard the synopsis I immediately knew I wanted to read this book. Recommended for fans of Outlander and reincarnation and love throughout time; sign me up! Unfortunately it didn't match my expectations. I found the story to be quite choppy and I had a hard time following some of the storylines. As soon as I would start getting invested then it moved onto something else. The ending felt abrupt and everything didn't tie up as well as I would have hoped. It wasn't bad per say, it was just ok. 2.5*
ginnypig's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
4.0
sarahjordan4's review against another edition
4.0
Love the premise, the entwining of old souls with a twist. It got better and better as more versions of their love unfolds.
caylieratzlaff's review against another edition
2.0
Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this novel. 2/5 stars.
Look, I really really REALLY wanted to like this. I love the idea of starcrossed lovers, the possible relations I could do to R&J, but I just couldn't get into it. At all. Yes, I finished it...but I wanted the ending to come ASAP and it took me almost 2 weeks to read it. Tamar and Fayid's love story is unique and so is the concept...but it just wasn't good? I would have preferred 2-3 stories of the timeline more in-depth, and the sudden science fiction element just felt thrown in there to serve as the plot point. Oh no, fancy space egg! Like...yes it's cool and I think people will like it, but it just wasn't for me. I don't think it meshed well together, and I don't think the explanation of why it kept happening to them was explained well at all, nor does the ending make sense in regards to the 'prophecy.'
This had SO much potential and it just fell flat.
Look, I really really REALLY wanted to like this. I love the idea of starcrossed lovers, the possible relations I could do to R&J, but I just couldn't get into it. At all. Yes, I finished it...but I wanted the ending to come ASAP and it took me almost 2 weeks to read it. Tamar and Fayid's love story is unique and so is the concept...but it just wasn't good? I would have preferred 2-3 stories of the timeline more in-depth, and the sudden science fiction element just felt thrown in there to serve as the plot point. Oh no, fancy space egg! Like...yes it's cool and I think people will like it, but it just wasn't for me. I don't think it meshed well together, and I don't think the explanation of why it kept happening to them was explained well at all, nor does the ending make sense in regards to the 'prophecy.'
This had SO much potential and it just fell flat.