In This Moment

Author: Gabrielle Meyer
Genre: Time Travel Romance
Series: Timeless #2
Pages: 400
Release Date: May 2, 2023
Publisher: Bethany House

Maggie inherited a gift from her time-crossing parents that allows her to live three separate lives in 1861, 1941, and 2001. Each night, she goes to sleep in one time period and wakes up in another. Until she turns twenty-one, when she will have to forfeit two of those lives--and everyone she knows in them--forever.

In 1861, Maggie is the daughter of a senator at the outbreak of the Civil War, navigating a capital full of Southern spies and wounded soldiers. In 1941, she is a navy nurse, grappling with her knowledge of the future when she joins a hospital ship going to Pearl Harbor. And in 2001, she's a brilliant young medical student, fulfilling her dream of becoming a surgeon.

While Maggie has sworn off romance until she makes her final choice, an intriguing man tugs at her heart in each era, only complicating the impossible decision she must make, which looms ever closer. With so much on the line, how can Maggie choose just one life to keep and the rest to lose?

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Reviewer: Ewurabena Wilson

In This Moment is a beautifully written novel that explores the complexity of the element called time.

Set in the backdrop of three different periods in American history, Gabrielle Meyer’s In This Moment is a story that has challenged my understanding of time. Not only that, but it has given me a deeper knowledge and appreciation of three pivotal periods in American history, the Civil War, the Pearl Harbor attack, and the September 11th attack.

Margaret, a young woman living in three periods of history, 1861, 1941, and 2001, must decide to choose one period to live in, forfeiting the others. Things are further complicated when she meets three different men in each era. I wondered which time Margaret would choose throughout reading this novel, and I was not disappointed.   

The characters of this novel are well-developed and likeable, making one empathize with Margaret in making such a monumental decision. This novel explores the themes of trust, faith, and love, which makes it a must-read for those struggling with trust and faith in God.

For those interested in reading something different that mixes love, faith, and dual time perfectly, this novel is worth looking at.

I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Bethany House through NetGalley and Interviews & Reviews for my honest review.

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Reviewer: Juanita Varela

I like that the title “In This Moment” was used quite frequently.

Not going to lie. I was so wrong. When I got the book, I wanted it to go a certain way. Then as the story progressed, I wanted it to go another way. And well, it went the only other way left that I hadn’t chosen. I was a little disappointed with what she chose, but I get it. Looking back on it after I had finished reading it, I could see why she made the choice. And I now totally agree and like the way the author, Gabrielle Meyer, took it.

To the men that were with her in every life, they were all lovable and had faults. One had enormous faults that irked me. The other two were very difficult for me to give “my loyalty” to. But as the story progressed, it became more apparent which guy would best suit and love Maggie to the fullest. 

Not going to lie. I laughed when she kissed a certain guy, and she wasn’t into it. I was cheering!

The thing that I got out of this was that there are different kinds of love that we can feel. And Maggie had to figure out who she was and figure out the love that she felt for the men in her lives. 

There was a certain young fellow that had me squealing. Even though I tried not to like him because I wanted Maggie to choose a certain path, that guy was just so darn lovable. So sweet and kind and just…perfect!

Disclaimer: I requested and received a copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers through Interviews and Reviews. All opinions are my own. 

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Reviewer: Emily Stephens

In This Moment is an excellent multi-timeline Christian historical novel. Although it's the second book in the series, it works perfectly fine as a standalone. I believe the first book deals with a different set of characters and is only linked to this one by the time-jumping concept.

The story centers on Maggie, a young woman who lives in three unique time periods: the 1860s, 1940s, and 2000s. She has to select one (thereby forfeiting the others) by her 21st birthday. This decision is complicated by a new love interest in each period.

I enjoyed each timeline on its own, and even more while reading with the knowledge of what's happening to Maggie in the others. The author did her research, and each period is depicted with plenty of detail, both about everyday life (fashion, social expectations, women's roles) and the historical context, including some historical figures. (As an added bonus, the author's notes at the end clarify who was an actual historical person, who was generally based on a historical person or role, and who was completely fictional.)

The characters are all unique, despite there being so many across all three storylines. Maggie herself is delightful, and I liked seeing how her same personality fits in during three different periods. As a reader, I knew exactly which time period I thought she should choose in the end. I won't say more to avoid spoilers, but I will mention that her decision made sense and ended up being the right one for her.

Another great aspect of this book is Maggie's faith, which she relies on both in day-to-day life and in trying to make her big decision. I found some good advice on these pages about seeking God's guidance (and actually finding it).

5 stars!

I received a review copy courtesy of Bethany House Publishers through Interviews & Reviews for my honest opinion.

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Reviewer: Katelyn Sponaugle

I took a departure from my usual genre when I requested In This Moment, and I was pleasantly surprised. I typically only read historical fiction and never modern-day because I love immersing myself in a time gone by. I don’t usually gravitate toward time slip novels because I find being jarred between time periods tiresome, especially when I prefer not to leave an exciting historical setting to jump back to the modern day. But the premise of this book really intrigued me, so I decided to try it, especially since 2/3 of the setting should still be my preferred historical. I’m glad I branched out! It was a very fun read.

It is written in the first person, which I sometimes find distracting and difficult, but for this novel, it just worked. The author kept me guessing a good way through the book, and I was pleased with how things wrapped up. Great plot twist midway through. Fun to see the comparisons in relationships, dress, entertainment, etc., in the eras all in the same story.

I won’t mention the character’s name to avoid a spoiler, but when one of the male characters was introduced, it was initially unclear to me that he was meant to be that era’s love interest. I was somewhat confused to find him as such in her thoughts later. I was never quite invested in their relationship, although he was certainly in the running. But I think if the author has caused a little angst in their reader, then they’ve done a good job! And as mentioned, things wrap up in a satisfying matter.

While it was a light and fun read, there was still food for thought scattered throughout. I genuinely appreciate the faith element throughout, the message that God directs our path even when we don’t see or feel that, and the message that love seeks not its own. I encourage the author never to shy from including those elements. It elevates a story from simply entertaining to enriching.

Overall, I really enjoyed In This Moment and I will likely seek out the first installment in this series next.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House through Interviews & Reviews in exchange for my honest opinion.

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Reviewer: Mindy Houng

"Suffering is not the worst thing in this world. We all suffer. Letting your grief hold you back from living is the true travesty."
 
The premise of the first book was fascinating and innovative, but Gabrielle Meyer takes it up a notch in this sequel. Maggie lives not just two lives but three during three different periods. In 1861, she was Margaret, the daughter of a Senator. In 1941, she was Maggie, a Naval nurse, granddaughter of a Congressman, and daughter of two time-crossers. In 2001, she was Meg, a medical student and daughter of the President's social secretary. Each period has a war looming, and the political activity and environment at our capitol during these periods are fascinating. I loved seeing the changes in Washington DC and The White House through Maggie's eyes. It's truly amazing how the author writes so clearly and reveals each subplot so coherently that there is no confusion as the reader moves through the periods with Maggie in every chapter. 

The first-person narrative is fresh, honest, raw, and true to a twenty-year-old struggling with the biggest decision of her life. And those plot twists! There are quite a few, so be prepared for some jaw drops and going back several pages to make sure you read the words correctly. The faith lesson of learning to let go and leaving God in control is a good reminder for all of us.
 
What a fun journey this has been! Will there be a third book in the series? I sure hope so.
 
I received the book from Bethany House via Interviews & Reviews. I was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.

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Reviewer: Kristina Hall

An intriguing tale of time travel, romance, and history!

I found Maggie to be a sympathetic main character who drew me into In This Moment. I enjoyed her sister Anna and her parents (the 1941 ones and her 1861 father especially). I struggled with her three love interests a bit, but some grew on me, and others disappointed me. I would’ve liked Zechariah (the 1941 love interest) better if he hadn’t been a love interest. I just don’t like the whole age gap trope, especially given that Maggie was so young.

The plot kept my attention, and I loved the time-crossing parts. I also liked how the Civil War part of the story was handled. Gabrielle Meyer didn’t focus on the angle so many authors of Civil War fiction do. I appreciated that she kept the romance and the language clean, and I was glad that Maggie acknowledged the complications and dangers of having three different love interests spread throughout history. I didn’t agree with some of the advice Maggie received from her father on falling in love, though.

Overall, In This Moment was an engaging read I’d recommend to those who enjoy Christian fiction, historical romance, and time travel novels. I’m looking forward to reading the third book in this series!

I received this book courtesy of Bethany House through Interviews & Reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

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Reviewer: Laura J. Davis

This is how time-travel romance should be done! Gabrielle Meyer has outdone herself with In This Moment, the second book in the Timeless series.

I wondered how she would carry on the time-travelling story of Libby's and Henry's daughter, Maggie. I love time-travel stories or dual-time fiction, so I assumed this would be the same story as the first book. She would have to choose which timeline she wanted to live in by her 21st birthday. But instead of travelling to two different points in time, Maggie travels to three. Making her decision on where to spend the rest of her life much more difficult. Plus, three different timelines mean three different sets of parents for Maggie and three possible love interests.

I loved everything about this book, and while I knew what would happen when Maggie travelled to 2001, it was still a moving, heartfelt story. I needed tissues by the end. I loved how the author also kept me guessing which love interest was trustworthy.

If you didn't read When the Day Comes, the first book, don't worry. This can be read as a standalone. But you would be depriving yourself of an excellent series, so I highly recommend reading both.

I received a complimentary copy from Bethany House through NetGalley for my honest review.

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