I really struggled to remain engaged in this book. The premise was interesting and I wanted to like it. I finished the book but found it hard to invest in the characters or the plot. Disappointed, because I wanted to like it.

Our main character, Brea, is born as a second, or lower class in this world. She, however, is given a mark showing that she will marry a gatekeeper. The romance in this book is really what kept me reading! I was so excited to see how our characters relationship would turn out in the end. The pacing of the beginning seemed a little slow, but other than that, this was a great book!

Brea had grown up a second and she had been taught to do what you are told and to never fight her destiny. Being a second is looked down upon unless you have a birthmark that matches a Gatekeeper which Brea does. Then you are considered elevated just not first class. The Gatekeepers are to keep the timeline flowing smoothly with no hiccups or disastrous changes. Being controlled has left Brea with a lot of hurt and anger. Brea is resistant to her new husband and his family. The minute Jax saw Brea he knew she was his soulmate and loved her right away but he knew that she didn’t feel the same. He doesn’t understand why Brea won’t complete the bonding ritual but he will not force her. Jax had a high place in society but isn’t a butt or snob. Brea has to accept everything and know without a shadow of a doubt they are meant to be together before she will finish the bonding ritual. The more time Jax and Brea spend together the closer they get.
I really enjoyed this book. I loved how Brea was so determined to do what she thought was right for her for example not finishing the mating bond. I thought this was well written. I liked the plot and the pace. I loved how Brea and Jax would fight for what they believed in. Sometimes things came up that I felt should have been addressed but weren’t. I advise you to read the books in this series in order. I really enjoyed watching Brea’s and Jax’s relationship grow. This was an was an fun read. Although this take a bit to get into. I liked the intrigue. But I lost a lot for this book when it ended in a cliffhanger as anyone who has red any of my reviews I hate cliffhangers. So I couldn’t give this more than a three. With the other things that bothered or annoyed me.

A gripping story of a world so different from our own. Brea is a Second, the class people of the Lexcon society, but born with the mark that shows she will marry a Gatekeeper, one of those who are destined to keep time running smoothly in Lexcon, no matter the cost. This shouldn't happen, but it has, so Brea must navigate a life she was born to in a society she never dreamed of, with a man she shouldn't have. Or should she? Highly recommend!

This book started off great but then slowly lost steam as it progressed (or maybe I just slowly lost interest in the storyline). I loved the premise of this book, a society of time travelers and different classes of people in that society sounded like a great basis for a book. And I enjoyed that story line as it weaved throughout the romance immensely.
If I had to sum up this book very quickly I'd say: Not so average girl. Hot guy. Some irritating family members. Interesting conversations. Time travel. Secrets.
I'd go as far as saying that this is definitely a good read but not so much impact. It's the kind of book that can be easily forgotten even after all the unanswered questions we're left off with after we finish the book (I hope at least some of them get resolved in next installments of the series). Still worth reading though. Besides, it's not slow-paced. In fact, you wouldn't even realize how far you've gotten onto it then, you realize it's already the last chapter.

My final rating: 3.5 stars

Didn't catch my attention. After reading the summary, I was praying that I'd like it but when I started it just felt forced. The characters didn't seem relatable and I found the main characters mostly superficial and not well though out. I though it was an interesting idea but not properly executed.

Have you ever finished a book and felt dissatisfied? Even a little lost and confused? It's no surprise really, like most enthusiastic book lovers, we don't always enjoy everything we read. Some will either love it or dislike it; I for one did not find this book to my liking 100%. I did find myself bored with the characters at times and the story to be dragging. While reading this book I found myself thinking I missed something, a little lost with what was going on in the story. This sometimes happens, its not always a bad book that does this to us, and sometimes its the simple fact that the story just doesn't grab us. Even though this book wasn't completely to my liking I am willing to give this author another chance. I do need to point out this book did have some things that I liked such as the time travel adventure and the heroines sassy attitude. I'm hoping the second book will grab my attention better. If you like time travel books this may or may not be the book for you, but Amazon does have this for free for a limited time. Than you can read it and make judgement for yourself.

***I voluntarily reviewed this ARC for an honest review via NetGalley this is my honest opinion and has not been influenced by the author, Publishers or NetGalley in anyway.***

Winters Rising is the start of a series of books about a hidden (from humans) society of time travelers. The group selected at birth and trained to "repair" changes in time caused by "rogues". Brea and Jax Winters are newly married as pre-determined mates. Jax is a "key" and opens time gates; Brea is a "second" and is expected to be his supportive, but uninformed wife. There is conflict from the start as Brea does not care for a pre-ordained future.
The inner world of this society is complicated and frequently confusing. I found myself wishing for more complete world building, or explanations. I think the basic story is good, but it needs more information about this society, and perhaps less arguing among the main characters.

A brilliant story that will captivate readers! They will be ensnared with the first page!

A truly good romance. Solid plot and characters. Thanks!

This story was truly original, it was about time travel in a way I had never read about before, there were people born with the ability to open "rips" in time and travel through them. It also address sensitive topics like racism and elitism, which are not as inflammatory when read about in a fictional story but still thought provoking.

This is one of those reads where you care less about the characters and more about the subject. I'm still a little confused about the seconds, and unborns, but I want to know more about it all, the Lexicon, their secrets, and their society.
I must also point out that this is not a sizzling or spicy read in any way.

I did not finish very complicated and hard to get into. I did not leave a review anywhere else