Such a fun read! Loved this one!

Many thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for my ARC.

Paula Brackston's fourth installment in her beloved Found Things series, "City of Time and Magic," takes readers on another spellbinding journey through time and space. Xanthe, the gifted Spinner at the heart of the saga, faces her greatest challenges yet as she navigates the treacherous currents of love, loyalty, and the immutable laws that govern the universe.
When her lover Liam is spirited away by the nefarious Mistress Flyte, Xanthe must embark on a daring quest through past and present to rescue him. But her mission becomes infinitely more complex as she uncovers a shadowy group known as the Visionary Society - renegade Spinners warping the fabric of time for profit and power.
Brackston masterfully balances high-stakes adventure with tender character exploration. Xanthe's evolution from a woman out-of-time to a formidable guardian of the universe's natural order is both exhilarating and heartbreaking to witness. Her found family of endearing allies face dire costs in confronting the Visionary Society's diabolical machinations.
While steeped in the author's trademark antiquarian magic, "City of Time and Magic" also reckons with weighty themes about the ripple effects of our choices. Brackston melds fantasy and philosophical inquiry seamlessly, making this a gratifying read for both historical fiction fans and those craving metaphysical thrills. An imaginative, emotional tour-de-force.

The Lost Things series shares the unique experience with time travel for Xanthe Westlake. She moved from London with her mother Flora to Marlborough following the divorce from her father, Philip. As they attempt to start their new life and renovate the old antique shop left in disarray after the death of Mr. Morris, a ghost from the past hones in on Xanthe for help. Margaret Merton, a spirit from the past, senses Xanthe's unique sensitivity to "hear singing" when she held certain items from the past. Through the years it has served well discovering the history and unresolved issues left with the items. This time Xanthe buys a silver chatelaine, made in Bristol, at an auction which desperately made it known it needed her help. Little does she realize that the chatelaine is connected to the ghost, Margaret Merton, who haunts and threatens her to help her save her daughter, Alice. Of course, the problem is that Alice lives in 17th century Marlborough accused of a crime to which is she due to be hanged.

They each tell stories following the challenging adventures Xanthe endures to hopefully save people and solve mysteries. Trying to maintain discretion to avoid stressing her ailing mother, Flora, Xanthe develops a friendship with Liam Adams, a local mechanic who agrees to check on her mother when she has to "visit a friend". Her dedication to her mother, Flora, who ails with often disabling arthritis, is admirable but she soon finds herself "lost" between the past and present trying to solve a mystery for a spirit who presents a danger to her mother should she fail. In the process, Xanthe meets and confuses many people as she seeks help and information which leaves many with unresolved feelings and unanswered questions.

Xanthe's time travel eventually leads her to discovering there's a deeper purpose for her special abilities when she meets Mistress Flyte on one of her missions. She also encounters another time traveler who becomes her nemesis by trying to derail her missions. She initially shares her secret with Harley who runs The Feathers pub with his wife Annie. Soon her travels become more dangerous so she needs to inform her mother in case something should happen to her. Although each story focuses on a specific mission, I would not recommend reading these as standalone. This addition to the series introduces a character from the author's The Witches' Daughter series, Elizabeth Hawksmith. Her travels begin to involve other people and she learns more about the history of the Spinners and the moral responsibilities.

I'm going to be honest. I was so dang confused for the first 20% and thats because I realized it was the 4th in a series I never started. I was intrigued though and will be going back and reading the 1st 3 books. It sounds like an amazing series and definitely worth a shot!! Seems like it will be found family and coming of age. But that is an assumption from someone only 20% in a series in the middle of it LOL

Probably my favorite book of the series thus far. Paula Brackston is a meticulous story teller in the best way. All of the historical detail seems to unfold around the story, creating this completely consuming world. If I didn't know better, I would think I had genuinely time travelled or maybe Ms. Brackston has some secrets of her own? Either way, The Found Things is a magical series.

Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Paula Brackston for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are 100% my own and independent of receiving an advance copy.

Xanthe has an ability to time travel based on old objects she finds that “sing” to her. When an object speaks to her, she can go back in time and there is usually someone in trouble that she has to help, a wrong to right. Now Xanthe has more confidence in her abilities and is learning that there is a whole group of Spinners, people who can travel back in time. But there are always unscrupulous people who want to take advantage of this gift to ensure their success. People who want to use Xanthe. Can Xanthe find Liam and dismantle this group or will she be forced to do their bidding in order to get him back.

Finally, the conclusion to this series. I would recommend for this series it is better if you read each book in order, especially this one. The last book ends on a cliffhanger where Liam is taken in the past and Xanthe must complete her mission before they will give him back. Xanthe has decided to take on the Visionary Society. This book contains the usual danger, intrigue, while affording us a look into the past. Throughout the series Xanthe has gained confidence and seems to be taking on the danger herself, rather than have things happen to her. You have the usual group of characters that accompany her on her mission that always lend flavour to the story.

This was a satisfying conclusion to the series and I enjoyed it. There are always lots of elements in these stories including family, friendship, personal growth, love, with the added elements of danger, action, suspense and of course, history. I’m glad I stuck it out and read the whole series.

As always, Paula Brackston writes an incredible book that transports the reader much like she transports her characters. Enjoyable read!

I fell into this series after the second book was out. I love historical time travel novels. I am hooked and I wait anxiously for the next book in the series.

I have enjoyed Paula Brackston novels! They are a mix of romance, fantasy, and historical fiction! This novel is a crossover with her other series. I have to say that this was a delight to read! I was glad to revisit many of my favorite characters. The writing is very lyrical and every word she writes is like magic! Overall, I recommend this for fans of Luanne G. Smith, Louisa Morgan, and Nancy Smith Gibson!

When I requested this book I didn't know it was a series. So I read the series they were all great including this one. I could not put it down. It was well written and I felt realistic. I will definitely read this again!

City of Time and Magic is the fourth book in the Found Things historical time travel fantasy romance series by Paula Brackston. Released 23rd Nov 2021 by Macmillan on their St. Martin's imprint, it's 320 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback format due out 4th quarter 2022. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats, it makes it so easy to find info with the search function.

The book has a complex and nuanced plot with well written, often lyrical prose. The books are sequential, with major plot turning events which are difficult to puzzle out if read out of order, so it would be much better read as part of the series. If binge reading the entire series from the start, readers should be aware that the author has a real thing for appalling "cliff-hanger" endings. I generally feel put out by cliffhangers (especially since there's usually a minimum year wait between series books). This installment's denouement and resolution didn't annoy me at all, which was a relief. It strongly foreshadows future stories in the series which I'm sure will be well written and worth a look.

The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 10 hours and 44 minutes and is capably narrated by Marisa Calin. She has a well modulated voice with a breathy, whispery aspect which suits the writing. I had no trouble at all following what she read. She does struggle somewhat with the character Harley's Scots brogue, but it's not a major problem. The sound and production quality are high throughout the recording.

It's an easy and fun read. It's more of a YA/NA story, but I enjoyed it very much and am certainly some decades outside the target audience age range. The language is PG with a few "damns" and nothing worse. There are some descriptions of bloodshed and violence, but they're very much in context in the story and not so very graphic.

Four and a half stars. This is a charming and well written book and series.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

When I went into this book I was not aware it was part of a series but I still read it anyway. I quickly caught up on enough prom previous stories to appreciate the authors characters and world building and may even go back and read what has been previously published. Recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this!

I was unaware that this was a series when I first started so I had to go back and read the other books first. Well, I just fell in love with Xanthe's story! This book continues Xanthe's adventures as she has to rescue her friend Liam from the past. This book does not disappoint! I can't wait to continue reading to see what Xanthe is up to next!

I definitely recommend this book.

City of Time and Magic is the much awaited fourth book in the Found Things series by Paula Brackston. Everything Brackston writes is engaging and she draws you in with the continuation of Xanthe’s story. She takes you through a wild journey through time where Xanthe must rescue her friend Liam who has been taken hostage in the past. I enjoyed this story just as much as the previous three and am looking forward to reading more in this series in the future if it continues. . The conclusion wasn’t clear to me either way if there will be a fifth book or if Brackston will move on to something new. However it’s a series I have loved and will definitely go back and re-read either way.

Thank s to NetGalley for the opportunity to read City of Time and Magic!

In the fourth installment of the Found Things series, Xanthe crosses paths with Elizabeth Hawksmith. Elizabeth is a character from a different series by Paula Brackston in which Elizabeth is a witch. The story begins with Xanthe trying to figure out how to save Liam from being stuck in time; being held captive by Mistress Flyte. She must find the right object to sing to her and take her back to rescue Liam. However, along the way Xanthe learns of the Visionary Society; a group of Spinners who use their talents to perform tasks for wealthy clients. In order to prevent the Visionary Society from permanently disrupting the order of time, Xanthe enlists the help of Elizabeth Hawksmith in order to take them down.

I absolutely love the Found Things series and it's only of the very few series that I keep current with as the books are released. I adore Xanthe; she has so much strength and I can see some of myself in her at times. It was so exciting to see Xanthe and Elizabeth meet each other! I loved The Witch's Daughter (the first book introducing Elizabeth) and I had hoped that somehow these two series would cross over at some point. I can't wait to see what adventures await Xanthe next!

The City of Time and Magic, Book #4 in the sequence of "Found Things" is a welcome and great addition to this magical time travel, adventure and romance series. It covers all three genres spectacularly seamlessly integrating the new with the old. New characters and the them of the protectress are introduced in ways that will continue to move the plots forward in future books. This book follows directly after Book #3 with Xanthe heading back to the past in order to rescue Liam from Lydia Flythe and bring him home...to the present. But, people are not always what they seem to be and Xanthe is forced to learn new lessons in time traveling and relationships. All the subplots took another step forward as the stories of Xanthe, Flora, Liam, Harley and the steppers advance in their journies both past, present and future. The author creates characters and scenes with an attention to detail and emotions so the reader is transported to another time with the characters. Even the characters left in the past are ones that the reader will want to see again and perhaps may as little open tibits are left behind the author. I encourage readers that are not normally drawn to time traveling and fantastical books to give this series a try. It's well worth it.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publishing house and the author for the opportunity to read a comlimentary copy of tis book in return for a review based upon my honest opinion.

This is the fourth book in the Found Things series, but could easily be read as a stand alone book. Reading the previous books is recommended though as they were very enjoyable and make the story more complete.

Xanthe is a time-spinner, special items from the past call to her and there is always a quest to be completed to quiet these items. Xanthe can travel to the time and place of the item and can always return with her gold locket. The end of the last book was quite the cliff-hanger leaving her reeling, trying to find items that will take her to rescue her possible love interest, Liam, who was stolen from her o their return "flight" home. The problem is that even though Xanthe knows who took Liam, she is another timespinner and could be anywhere at any time.

Xanthe, with the help of friends, new and old, takes on the task of rescuing Liam and trying to avert other timespinners, who are using their powers ro benefit themslves, not to assist others. It was a good book, great pace and storyline. I enjoyed the interaction between the characters nd look forward to the next book in the series.

The City of Time and Magic is the fourth book in the Found Things series.) While you can definitely read it as a stand alone, I think it would be much better to start at the beginning and read through the series.

It’s going to be hard for me to describe what happened in this book without giving away the ending of book three.

So, let me just encourage you to read the series! They are built around the main character, Xanthe, who can travel back in time. She is considered a “Time Spinner.” Her and her mother run an antique shop and sometimes she finds old items that “sing” to her. She follows these items back in time to find out why they need her.

With each book, her skills grow and her missions become more complicated. This one involved other time spinners misusing their power. It also changes the scope of Xanthe’s power.

I love everything about this series, the charming towns, the details of the antique store, her friend who loves vintage clothes and runs a tea shop…it’s all good!

Looking forward to the next book in the series!

I was totally confused at the beginning of the novel. Perhaps that’s why it didn’t just grip me from the start. I later heard that this is book 4…but I could be wrong, so maybe I missed something by not reading the previous books in the series. Is this a series?

City of Time and Magic is the highly anticipated fourth book in Paula Brackston’s Found Things series as book 3 (The Garden of Promises and Lies) ended with a dramatic cliffhanger. This 4th book did not disappoint! The story picks up where The Garden of Promises and Lies ended with Xanthe frantically trying to find an object which will take her back in time so she can rescue her friend. She finds three items that speak to her and is unsure which to choose. She must choose the correct one. She travels to Victorian London where she meets people who can help her with her quest.

As is usual for this series, this book is beautifully written. Brackston provides many descriptive details of the time period which transport the reader back in time. The characters are well-developed. The plot has many twists and turns to keep the reader engaged. I could not put it down. I love this series! It is a mixture of historical fiction, time travel, fantasy, and magic. I recommend that new readers of the series start with the first book. I can hardly wait for the next book in the series!

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing me the opportunity to read an advanced review copy of this book.