Synopsis:

When Ashley’s conventional 21st century life falls apart, she returns to England to write the book she shelved years ago, determined to take control of her life.

Meanwhile, in 1377 Wiltshire, Thomas fights his family’s desire that he become a priest and plots to chase his dream of knighthood instead. While Ashley and Thomas search for answers, Thomas suddenly appears in the modern day.

Unable to communicate, his first encounter with Ashley ends with the police demanding his immigration papers. All Thomas wants is to return to the world he understands, but he and Ashley are drawn together again and again. How will they find the answers Thomas needs before the authorities close in without losing each other forever?

Favorite Lines:

“Except for Thomas. It would be the two of them against the world from now on.”

“I can’t go back to the same way I was before I came here. Before I met you.”

My Opinion:

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

When I received the review request for this book, I knew that I had to read it. As a major fan of Outlander, this sounded like the reverse with him coming to modern times and having to adjust to life there.

This story follows Ashley and Thomas. Ashley, reeling from the collapse of her 21st-century life, returns to England with the intention of finishing a book she had abandoned years ago. This return to a familiar yet emotionally distant place serves as both a retreat and a moment of self-discovery. While working through her personal turmoil, Ashley becomes caught up in the mystery of Thomas’s sudden and inexplicable appearance in the modern world. Thomas, who had been living in 1377 Wiltshire, is thrust into the bewildering realities of contemporary England, unable to communicate effectively and unaware of the world around him. His first encounter with Ashley, which leads to a close brush with law enforcement over his lack of immigration papers, sets the stage for a partnership neither of them could have anticipated.

Ford does a masterful job of weaving the two timelines together, contrasting Ashley’s 21st-century world with the 14th-century backdrop in which Thomas originally lived. Thomas’s life is steeped in medieval social expectations—particularly the pressure to follow in his family’s footsteps and become a priest. However, his heart is set on the dream of becoming a knight, a calling that feels both impossible and tantalizingly out of reach. As the story unfolds, both Ashley and Thomas find themselves in the position of fighting for their dreams, confronting societal expectations, and navigating the complexities of identity, purpose, and love.

The strength of Love Between Times lies in its characters. Ashley’s personal growth is both relatable and inspiring—her journey of reclaiming agency over her life and reconnecting with her creative passion is empowering, especially for readers familiar with the struggles of modern-day women balancing personal and professional aspirations. Thomas, on the other hand, is an intriguing character whose culture shock and naivety in the modern world bring both humor and poignancy to the story. As he struggles to make sense of his surroundings and understand his place in the world, his determination to return to the past in order to fulfill his destiny as a knight adds a layer of tension to the plot. One thing that I understand but still found myself wishing was otherwise was the language barrier. While I completely understand it, I found that after some time it was a bit tiresome and I just wanted them to communicate well with one another. Perhaps this is just because I am an impatient romantic and Ford truly intended for this to be a major plot point. I do want to highlight that it did not take away from the enjoyment of the book as a whole.

The pacing of this book is steady, with just enough intrigue to keep readers turning pages, eager to see how Ashley and Thomas will overcome the barriers between their worlds (and their languages). The novel also touches on important themes such as self-discovery, the conflict between duty and desire, and the search for belonging.

While the novel does feature moments of suspense and tension—particularly around the authorities’ pursuit of Thomas—Love Between Times is ultimately a story about love, second chances, and the uncharted territory of new beginnings. It’s an engaging, sweet, and often emotional read, perfect for fans of historical fiction, time-travel narratives, and character-driven romance. 

Ford leaves us on a bit of a cliffhanger and leaves the ending open ended enough that there is room for more in this series, which I personally hope there is as I haven’t gotten enough of Ashley and Thomas and I would love to see where Ford takes this next.

Summary:

Overall, Love Between Times is an imaginative and heartwarming time-travel romance that blends historical fiction with contemporary drama. With strong character development, an intriguing plot, and a heartwarming romance, it will resonate with readers who enjoy stories of personal transformation and love that transcends time. Happy reading!

Check out Love Between Times here!