This is new to me. A dual timeline, both historical, both of the same POV and person. This is a perfect book for someone that likes Christian fiction and historical fiction. There is a TW though to be aware of, rape.

I have to say that this is an intriguing story and I am loving it. This has been quite a treat to read. I have teared up quite a few times so make sure you have tissues on hand. Also the concept of time travel has been unique and intriguing and I am all here for it. I definitely recommend you add this to your TBR list and I promise you won't regret it!!

I received a copy of this book for review from Just Read. I was not required to post a positive review. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

First sentence: For as long as I could remember, my mama had told me that my life was a gift. But at the age of nineteen, I had yet to see how this life I was living--or rather the lives I was living--could be anything other than a burden.

Premise/plot: When the Day Comes is a "timeslip" novel I believe. The premise is that there are a select number of human beings gifted/blessed by God with an unusual ability. They live two lives. When they fall asleep in one life, they wake up in the other. That's the keeping it simple summary. On her twenty-first birthday, the individual--in this case, Libby--must choose between her two lives and commit to living in one time period. Libby lives in Colonial Williamsburg in 1774--so essentially the country is on the verge of the war--and New York in 1914--again, Libby is living on the verge of war, though she probably doesn't know that bit. Her mother is also a "time traveler" (her lives were Colonial America and the 1990s).

Libby is 100000000% certain that she knows her choice already. She is going to stay with her widowed mother and siblings in Colonial America, and, above all she is going to stay with her much beloved sweetheart, Henry. She hates almost every moment of her "modern" life in 1914. She doesn't hate her father, she might miss him a little bit. But she has no bond or connection with anyone else. Everything is a drudge.

But God may have different plans for her life. Will He work all things out for good?

My thoughts: I don't hate the premise. I don't. I actually think it has a LOT of potential. I do. I think it could be done really well. There could be great characterization, immersion into different time periods, and genuine tension and conflict. Like what if she *equally* enjoyed/loved both lives. What if she actually cared about both families. What if she actually lived life to the fullest in both lives. What if she authentically belonged to both timelines. But as it is, the characterization just isn't there. The characters lack fleshing out. The relationships feel flat, for the most part. The book does not read historical for either time period because the main character doesn't really 'belong' anywhere. She knows too much about Colonial America [and American history up through 1914 at least]. And through conversations with her mother, she has hints of even more. At one point her mother gives her a brief overview of the twentieth century.

I think the biggest problem for me was the NON love triangle. We have one of the weakest love triangles ever. Which is fine, completely fine. Many people hate love triangles. But when you've got the main character in relationships in both timelines, but she loves one madly and despises the other...then it is just wearisome. The modern timeline depicts S.A.

I take back what I said about the biggest problem. The solution tie-a-bow-on-it-ending was 1000000% convenient and felt cheater-pants.

This story is part historical fiction and part fantasy in which Libby falls asleep and lives one life in Colonial Williamsburg time, and another in the Gilded Age of NYC. Each life and circumstance is vastly different with the love of one man in one and the lingering societal arranged marriage in the other, not to mention the political and pivotal events of the time periods. When she turns 21y, she must choose which life to continue. This was interesting and a bit unique with the dual timelines but differing stories entirely. I enjoyed the background settings and descriptions of the different time periods, and I think the author did a fabulous job at blending together to keep you invested in both times. Definitely unique and would recommend to fans of historical fiction and time travel! Thanks so much to Gabrielle Meyer, the publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this e-arc.

This was a thoroughly enjoyable read. Main character, Libby is a time crosser, living 2 lives in two separate time periods until her 21st birthday when she must choose one time period to remain. Although Libby knows exactly when she wants to live, she experiences difficult choices and circumstances in both time periods that may influence her ultimate decision. Questioning God about why she was given this life, is very understandable as she is forced to give up one life/world; however, God proves that He is working all things for her good. Great message, interesting characters, and vivid settings drive the story to a satisfying ending.

When the Day Comes is such a unique and exciting twist to historical fiction. It is written in a dual timeline, 1774 colonial Virginia and 1914 New York. It felt like reading two books at once.

Libby has been given a unique gift; she is able to live in two different places. When she goes to sleep in one, she wakes in the other. This continues from the day she is born until her twenty-first birthday, when she gets to choose where she wants to stay.

Libby has always known where she will choose to stay, but when she is faced with an unexpected challenge, she may have to forfeit her plans. Can she trust in God’s plan or will she take matters into her own hands?

It is clear the author did a lot of research! I thought it was an excellent story and I can’t wait for the next book. I truly enjoyed it and couldn’t put it down. It will definitely be one of my top reads this year.

I received a complimentary digital copy of the book from the publisher. A positive review was not required. All views and opinions are my

When the Time Comes by @gabrielle_meyer was such a unique read! I absolutely loved the concept of living two different lives, on two different timelines, at the same time. It was so fascinating! The author did really well explaining how everything worked, while still keeping just a little bit of mystery.

Libby was such a great character. Sometimes when there are books with dual timelines, I find myself engaged more with one timeline/set of characters over the other. However, for this book, I genuinely enjoyed reading about both times. As the story progressed, I really didn’t know which path Libby would ultimately choose, and what would happen.

This book kept me engaged all the way through and I absolutely need the sequel! If you like time travel and historical fiction, you need this book!

A very interesting approach to this story which I very much enjoyed. Thank you for a complimentary copy of this book!

“He had known the end from the beginning.”

Before I say anything else about When the Day Comes, I have to gush over Gabrielle Meyer’s worldbuilding skills when it comes to the time crossing concept. I absolutely loved this aspect of the book and the way it was presented and developed. Born a time crosser, like her 1774 mother before her, Libby lives two life paths simultaneously – one in 1774 Williamsburg at the cusp of the American Revolution and one in 1914 at the cusp of the Great War. The two paths are worlds apart, not just decades, in terms of family dynamics, class, and expectations, though Libby herself has the same personality & core beliefs in each one. I really loved Libby, as well as a few other characters I can’t say much about lest I spoil the adventure for you. When she turns 21, she will have to choose one path for good and cease to exist in the second one. The author does such a great job of layering both paths and keeping readers emotionally invested in each one, not to mention the history that unfolds for us through Libby’s perspective.

Additionally, and still related to my first point, Meyer sets up the time crossing parameters with plausibility and creativity, while also keeping this supernatural ability in line with Scriptural truths. It’s always a tricky thing when you mix a Biblical worldview with fantasy, magical realism, or science fiction, but the way this is presented is absolutely pitch perfect. The theme of God’s will, of His sovereignty – both in giving the gift and in directing it – and trusting Him is one of my favorite parts of When The Day Comes, and I love the opportunities for discussion that could be found in a buddy read or book club.

In fact, this is actually mirrored in my own reading experiences for it. You see, at one point in the story, things shift in the narrative from where I thought it was going and honestly I was ready to throw the book a time or ten. But because I trust the author, I knew that somehow when all was said and done I would be satisfied with the ending, even if it didn’t go how I wanted it to. And oh, y’all. If I hadn’t been worried about waking up my husband, I would have climbed out of bed and given this book & its author a standing ovation in the last couple of chapters. As we are reminded in this entertaining story “…in the end, God’s will always prevails,” and, “He had known the end from the beginning.” I don’t know if Gabrielle Meyer knew the end of Libby’s story as she began writing it, but whether she did or didn’t, the final result is simply breathtaking in every way.

Bottom Line: Oh my goodness. THIS. This book is why I love reading fiction. When the Day Comes by Gabrielle Meyer is so unique, a masterpiece of plotting, worldbuilding, history, and romance – along with faith themes that wrestle with God’s sovereignty and our purpose. To say that I loved every bit of it still seems like the understatement of the century… or two centuries, as the case may be. Reading book two now and loving it just as much!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

Ahhhh! I'm fan-girling over here. I LOVED this book! I was supposed to read it and then review it.... but instead I read it, then read it again, then re-read my favourite parts, and just now am finally sitting down to review it.
To be truthful I had a hard time starting this book. The concept didn't sound that intriuging and I've never been a fan of time travel novels. However, I was literally hooked one page in. So hooked, in fact, that I made myself sick. Let me explain. I can not read in the car. I get car sick in minutes.... but I literally could not put this book down and ended up struggling to read as my husband drove us to town. I was (and truthfully, still am) that addicted. It was worth getting car sick for.

If you've read a lot, then you will understand when I say that most books you read you've read before in one form or another. True, the plots are slightly different and the characters have different names, but most premises of books are replicas of many before them. That doesn't mean they aren't fun to read - quite the contrary! - but it does make finding something fresh an illusive treat. "When the Day Comes" is just that kind of treat. The concept of this book was so well thought out, totally feasable, exciting, and made for a brilliant adventure. Gabrielle Meyer did a brilliant job writing this story and I was literally swept away into both of Libby's adventures. I just.... my word, did I love this book. It was so so good. Everything from the concept, to the setting, to the incredible twisting plot, to the amazing characters were just a real gift.

I 100% recommend this book.

Wow, what a beautifully imaginative tale of a girl who lives in TWO time periods and in two completely separate locations. My daughter and I listened to this while we took long walks in the summer and we LOVED it. We couldn't wait to get back. Compelling and so original! Looking forward to book two!

I can't tell you how much I enjoyed this book!! I mean, come on! Dual timeline, romance, a girl who lives two lives? I'm in love 😍.

Libby lives two separate lives, one in 1775 and one in 1914. By the age of 21 she must choose which life to remain in and lose the other one. She knows what she wants, but what does God have planned for her?

I really love a good time travel book, and this one just checked all of the boxes for me. It kept me on my toes, and by the end of the book I didn't want it to end. (Thankfully there is a sequel coming soon). It's one of those books where you just enjoy the journey.

*trigger warning: there is mention of marriage rape twice, but it is not in detail.

Thank you to #netgalley for a previous copy of this book to read and review.

Sweet. Lovely. Enjoyable. Interesting. A nice look at Colonial Williamsburg. Seems to be very well researched. A fascinating new idea in the time slip vein. Well done!

I'm definitely late to the party on this one. When the Day Comes is highly praised around these parts, so I was so thankful to get an advanced copy from @netgalley and @bethanyhousefiction
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🌺 It's been a long time since I've read anything with time travel, and I realized I've missed it! This was a really interesting take on it and I loved that it was Christian fiction AND historical fiction as well! If you're new here, you'll soon find that I'm pretty picky about my Christian fiction reads. I despise cheesy dialogue, and for a while, enjoyable books in the genre were hard to find. I have since realized that I just didn't know the authors that wrote books I like!
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🌺 Gabrielle Meyer is now one of those authors for me! This was so thoughtfully written and thought provoking. There are two timelines, as the cover suggests. I found myself more drawn to one of them and had trouble figuring out how I wanted the story to turn out. The author really kept me guessing as to how Libby's story would end (in this book, anyway)
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🌺 I also found myself really bummed by the time I was 90% through...I thought for sure I knew where it was going, and I wasn't happy about it. If you haven't read this yet, please take my advice and JUST KEEP READING! If you do, you'll see why this book is so widely praised. The ending caught me completely by surprise and that is my FAVORITE thing ever!
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🌺 The epilogue left me SO excited for the next book. Can't wait!
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🌺 This book does not have any bedroom scenes, though please be aware that there is rape. It is not described, but it is present. No profanity!

Several years ago, I read Dreamlander by KM Weiland, a novel about a man who went to sleep in our world and woke up in another time and place. It was a fascinating concept, and I enjoyed the whole novel except for the end (which had exactly the same problem as the end of the Divergent trilogy).

So when I read that When The Day Comes had a similar premise, I had to read it. The book description gave me the impression Meyer had thought through the concept better than Weiland had, and gave me hope of a more satisfying ending:

Libby comes from a long line of time-crossers, identified by a sunburst birthmark over their heart. They live in two times at once, crossing between times when they fall asleep at night (with the added bonus of never being tired). Time-crossers live in two times until they turn twenty-one, when they have to choose one time to live in for the rest of their lives.

This means that at the age of almost twenty, Libby (aka Anne Elizabeth) has lived for almost forty years: nineteen in Colonial Williamsburg, shortly before the War of Independence, and nineteen years in the Gilded Age. As such, she’s more mature than most teenagers, because she has literally lived longer.

I found the whole idea fascinating, especially as it was clear from the beginning that Libby intended to stay in Colonial times, because her 1774 mother is also a time-crosser. This is the mother Libby loves, and the mother with whom she shares all the trials of her privileged life in Gilded Age New York and London. My first thought would be that she’d stay in 1914 because her family is financially stable, and because she’d want to miss the war she knows is coming in America (and because I figured she wouldn’t know about the war due to start in Europe).

But I was wrong. She actually had a lot more freedom in 1774, as well as not having a manipulative mother determined to marry her off to the most titled gentleman she can find. Of course, it helps that 1774 Libby is in love, even though she knows the difference in their stations means she’ll never be allowed to marry him.

As modern readers who know history (or who have access to the internet), there is always a sense of knowing where the story might be going in historical fiction. As such, it was fascinating to read a historical novel where the characters also knew some of what was coming—Libby and her mother both knew which side to choose in America’s upcoming War of Independence, and Libby’s time-crosser mother was from 1994, so also knew some twentieth century history.

The whole story is told in first person, from Libby’s point of view. But it flips between the two times and two families and two sets of supporting characters. As such, it reads a lot like a split time novel, but with the main character being the connecting factor between the two times.

A novel that’s effectively told from one point of view needs a strong and compelling narrator. When the Day Comes definitely has that. There are a few times when Libby’s beliefs and attitudes seem very modern, perhaps too modern for 1774. But that’s explained by the fact she also lives in 1914 and was raised by a woman who was born in 1973. As such, it’s not surprising that Libby and her mother have modern ideas about women’s rights and equal rights.

I thought When the Day Comes was excellent, particularly the ending. It definitely didn’t suffer from a weak or unbelievable ending. Even better, the ending hints at the possibility of a sequel. I suspect so, because the cover says “Timeless Book 1” which surely indicates there will be a Book 2.

Recommended for fans of historical fiction and especially split time. Thanks to Bethany House and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.

Really enjoyable dual-time novel! Both time periods were very interesting, and I really appreciated the ending. Highly recommend this title.

I was really intrigued by the premise for this story, as I’ve never read anything quite like it! And the book is just as fascinating as its description. This author is new to me, but I promise it will not be my last book by her! She has a creative mind and a great talent for writing fiction. I really liked the dual lives Libby lives; it was interesting to read about the most historical time period and to read then about the connections to the 1914 time period. Once I started this book, I had a really hard time putting it down, as I wanted to know more about the character and her ultimate decision on her twenty-first birthday. The author did a great job of making me really care about the characters and their romance. I loved their development and their headaches and their growth in their faith journey. There is a sensitive subject in one of the time periods, but I do think the author handles it well. I would recommend this book to adult readers for that reason. A must read!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

When the Day Comes was very thought-provoking. I love split-time, and I liked seeing these two different time periods in history come alive in Meyer's writing. The 1700s time-line did feel modern to me at times, mainly when the love interests were alone together with no thought for the standards of popriety at the time, but it was interesting to explore all the same.

The fact that the main character had love interests in both time periods seemed a bit off to me, especially given the nature of those relationships. And I was rooting for a redemption at a point I can't really say because of spoilers. One of the love interests seemed a bit flat to me as well, because we didn't get a good idea of his goals, values, and things he held dear outside of the main character. I would have liked more depth there. There was another character who I think we got to get to know better, and I think that was part of why I wanted a redemption. There was potential, and there was pain, but there was also the potential for a new life. And I really wanted that for them.

There is marital rape in this book, so I don't recommend it for people who avoid books with that. Those who enjoy split-time, exploring historical time periods, and strong main characters would be more likely to enjoy this one.

I received a complimentary copy of this book for review. A positive review was not required.

When the Day Comes took me by total surprise and completely swept me off my feet. What an absolutely beautiful story! On a personal level, the overarching, heartfelt message of trusting in God at all costs, even when it doesn't make sense was incredibly timely for me in the season of life I'm walking through and it struck a cord in my heart. At times it was a very emotional read and I definitely suggest keeping some tissues at hand. (Side note: be sure not to miss the author's note at the end which explains a bit of her own life circumstances while writing the pages of this stunning book.)

Where do I begin in possibly explaining what I so enjoyed about this book. First, I feel it's important to mention that I am not a reader who gravitates towards time travel. In fact, I tend to avoid it at all costs. But with that in mind, I am SO glad that I took a chance here with this book, because what I had expected couldn't have been further from what I actually got here. Yes, the main characters lives between two time periods here as a "traveler", but the book read as two distinct timelines, like a dual-timeline historical fiction. There wasn't any messy crossover and I 100% applaud Gabrille Meyer on what she was able to accomplish here within these pages. With two strong settings and vastly different times in history, alternating between 1914 NYC and 1774 Williamsburg to begin with, I became so immersed in each and this is all owed to the atmospheric writing. I felt as if I was living in each place right alongside Libby. Who, speaking of our main character, she was an absolute delight and a major highlight to the story for me. In fact, the entire cast of characters that we meet along the way were so compelling and wonderfully written. There was a unique depth and realness to them that caused me to be all the more invested in the story. All of these elements combined... beautifully storytelling, compelling characters, and atmospheric settings paired with rich historical detail made this book unputdownable for me and has given me the book hangover of a lifetime.

Altogether this has become such a memorable read for me and is one that I will be recommending to all who will listen. The way that this book wrapped up lends me to believe there may be more to follow here and if that is the case, I absolutely cannot wait! I truly was so sad to turn the last page here and part with this story and the characters, though also left with my heart brimming and a huge smile on my face upon its conclusion. This book and the hope and truth it holds is simply a treasure. All the love, hearts, and stars for this historical fiction masterpiece!

Many thanks to Bethany House and NetGalley for the gifted e-copy!

Book 163 of 2022

I must say, this was completely different from anything else I’ve ever read. It was highly engaging and had me questioning what it would do if I were Libby.

In this story, we meet Libby, who is living two separate lives—one in colonial Williamsburg in 1774 and one in NYC/England in 1914. She lives one day at a time in each timeline. Each year/timeline is frozen while she is gone. This continues until her 21st birthday, when she must choose the year in which she wants to stay. Her heart is set in colonial Williamsburg in 1774, but circumstances begin to change, and she may not be able to stay where her heart desires. In 1774, she has a loving mother, a man she secretly loves, and sisters & a brother whom she adores. In 1914, she has a gruff and manipulative mother who only wishes to see her married into English aristocracy. Libby’s forced to choose between living in a time where Americans are fighting for their freedom from England and a time where she’s forced to become a part of British aristocracy. Which will she choose?

I have truly never read a book like this before. Is it time travel? Historical fiction? Christian historical fiction? All three? The author says she likes to think of it as two historical fiction stories in one. She wove the stories together beautifully, every part of the story well planned. I don’t think I’ve ever read historical fiction set in colonial Williamsburg before, so I loved all the added historical details added to this story. Be sure to read the Author’s Note at the end to see where she draws her inspiration for this story. I also loved reading how she incorporated the lessons she learned from God during the pandemic into the story. So beautifully done.

I loved both timelines equally & was genuinely enamored with the story, anxious to see how it all came together. I ate this up in under 24 hours!

Thanks to NetGalley and Baker Publishing Group for the copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This book was released in May 2022, so go grab it!