Libby has been given a powerful gift: to live one life in 1774 colonial Williamsburg and the other in 1914 Gilded Age New York City. When she falls asleep in one life, she wakes up in the other without any time passing. She has one conscious mind but two very different lives and bodies.
In colonial Williamsburg, Libby is a public printer for the House of Burgesses and the royal governor, trying to provide for her family and support the Patriot cause. The man she loves, Henry Montgomery, has his own secrets. As the revolution draws near, both their lives—and any hope of love—are put in jeopardy.
Libby's life in 1914 New York is filled with wealth, drawing-room conversations, and bachelors. But the only work she cares about—women's suffrage—is discouraged, and her mother is intent on marrying her off to an undesirable English marquess. The growing talk of war in Europe further complicates matters and forces her to make sacrifices she never imagined. On her 21st birthday, Libby must choose one path and forfeit the other forever—but how can she possibly choose when she has so much to lose in each life?
I can't believe that it took me until this week to discover this series! It is phenomenal. Also, fair warning, there may or may not be spoilers ahead. I'm not sure how to write this review without spoilers. I'll try... To begin with, the narrator was absolutely perfect. I'm super picky about narrators, and I'd just as soon turn off an audiobook rather than listen to someone who makes me crazy. The story itself? I couldn't get away from it. I listened in my free time, during my lunch break, late at night, doing dishes. The story had a grip on me that I just can't explain. Usually, I don't care too much for Revolutionary War settings, but this one was just lovely. It may have been Mama that made it so great. Even I didn't know how I wanted to story to end. And Henry... oh, Henry. This is where it might contain spoilers so just skip the rest if you don't want to know why I love Henry and also how I feel about the ending. Seriously, though, I thought. I had one flash of a thought about halfway through, and then I dismissed it. It was ludicrous. Except that it wasn't. And I also am amazed that somehow I went from only loving 1774 to slowly wanting more and more of 1914. It was marvelous craftmanship there. I want you to know that the last two chapters, I lay abed sobbing through the whole bit. I couldn't stop. It may be one of the most touching stories I have read this year. (And yes, I already read book 2. It is also amazing, but will get it's own review later. And yes, I have also pre-ordered book 3.) Highly highly highly recommend to lovers of historical fiction. One of the best uses of a dual timeline that I have ever seen.
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