A new twist on time travel. I absolutely love time travel and historical novels. As soon as I heard the synopsis of this book, I knew I needed to read it. It was a fresh new take on time travel and I loved that both settings were historical. I enjoyed the back and forth between the two time periods and thought it worked very well for this book. A must for fans of time travel or historical's in general that love a bit of a plot twist.

This book is incredibly unique. Not many authors can write different genres as well as this one does. But she writes books that are done equally well in each genre she writes.
This book has a unique look at time traveling. When our main character goes to sleep in one time period she'll wake up in another time period without any time having passed.
She splits her time between 1774 Colonial Williamsburg and the other in 1914 Gilded Age New York City. There are positives and negatives in each time period and she lives a very different life in each one. I enjoyed reading the rich historical details about each time period.
There comes a time when she must make a very important decision about which time period she will stay in as she will not be able to return to the other.
I never thought I would enjoy time travel books but the author draws you into the story and makes it so fascinating that you can't help but love it!

Pub Date 03 May 2022
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Even though it is still early in the year, When the Day Comes by Gabrielle Meyer has definitely found a place on my list of favorite books of 2022. This time-crossing novel has such a unique premise unlike any I have ever read before, with Libby living simultaneously in two different time periods and having to decide on her 21st birthday which path she will remain in forever. When she goes to sleep in one time period, she wakes up the next day in the other time period, and vice versa. I had never read any books by Gabrielle Meyer before, but after reading the synopsis, I knew this was a novel that I had to read.

This time-crossing novel will appeal to a wide range of readers, with storylines taking place in both 1774 Colonial Williamsburg and 1914 in New York City and England. Gabrielle Meyer created a fascinating story that kept me reading until the late hours of the night. Both storylines are rich with historical details, beautiful messages of faith, and characters who the readers will deeply care about. Even if you do not think you are a fan of time-crossing novels, you will be after reading this novel! The romantic storyline in one of Libby’s paths kept me rooting for a happy ending even when I did not see how it could be possible.

When the Day Comes is highly recommended for fans of time-crossing novels and historical romance. Luckily for Gabrielle Meyer’s readers, this novel is book one in her Timeless series, and there will be more time-crossing novels to look forward to in the future!

I received a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.

From the moment I saw the synopsis for When the Day Comes, I was completely intrigued and immediately added it to my TBR. I’m happy to say it didn’t disappoint and left me speechless! This is one of the most original stories I’ve ever read in this genre. It was so compelling and very hard to put down! It just kept surprising me at every turn. I thought I had it figured out but no, there were still plot twists I didn’t see coming. It wasn’t predictable and I loved that!

The whole concept of the plot intrigued me so, so much! It was so interesting, not only because of the time-travel factor but also because of the two different time periods. I loved how much real history was woven in too. It was seriously so neat. It was like getting two historical fiction novels in one book with the same MC. I loved it!

I quickly liked the MC, Libby. I love that it was told in first person because I feel like I was able to connect with Libby so much better. I felt her pain, her joy, her heartache.
I fell in love with Henry just as she did.

The love story was one of the sweetest love stories I’ve read in a long while. *sighs* It was one of those love stories that pulled me in and broke my heart but also made me smile. One of my favorite tropes is childhood friends to lovers and this one was soo sweet and beautiful.

The faith and the themes was the highlight of this novel for me. It was such an essential part of the story and it really added so much to the story. I found myself tearing up several times. The message of trusting God with our future was one I always need to be reminded of and it was beautifully done!

Content notes *minor spoilers ahead*- As for romance, there’s a few semi-detailed kisses. *spoiler* In one time period, the MC is forced to marry and at some point her husband takes advantage of her against her will. It is not detailed and only briefly mentioned. I think it was handled well and delicately as it had a reason to be apart of the plot.
I would recommend to older teens and up.

In conclusion, this story was emotional and beautiful! I loved it! The history, the faith, the time-travel, the love story, the writing… it all made for an amazing read! You don’t even know how happy the ending made me!🥰 I want more! I’m so excited to see what this author writes in the future!💗

*Thank you to the publisher for an ARC in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.

We couldn’t change history, but we did know how it played out.

Libby Conant, like her mother before her, along with generations before them, had a unique birthmark that set them aside from those around them. They were known as time-crossers — at least among themselves. After all, who would believe that you could fall asleep in one year, wake up in another and not have missed any time? Perhaps the hardest part was the fact that you knew some of how history would unfold when you returned to the earlier time but you couldn’t stop those things from happening.

The author has done a fabulous job of taking us between 1774 and the beginning of the revolutionary war and 1914 with the beginning of WWI. The well developed characters give us a look into what it must have been like back in 1774 when the colonists were tired of more and more restrictions coming from Britain. One has to wonder which side we would have joined… Learning to take what was given and make the best of it, was a lesson that was hard to learn.

This ARC of the first Timeless book was received through Baker Publishing Group, Bethany House Publishers and NetGalley. These thoughts and impressions are my own and were in no way solicited.

#BookRevew: WHEN THE DAY COMES by Gabrielle Meyer

"His perfect plan would still be in place, and even if it didn’t turn out how I hoped, I could trust Him."

Split time, speculative and time travel genres rolled into one amazing story. I knew going in that Libby would lead two lives, one in 1774 Virginia and one in 1914 New York. I wasn’t sure how that would play out but I was hooked as the story unfolded.

The contrast of Libby’s two lives was interesting. I liked how Libby had strong convictions and loved her family and country. In 1774, I was invested in Henry and the mystery around him. Henry and Libby didn’t have a lot of chemistry in my opinion but I still rooted for them. The paper and it’s role in history was great. Then I was frustrated with her mother in 1914 and the events in Cumberland Hall.

The story was fictional with well researched historical details but it was relatable. I understood Libby’s doubt and confusion despite her faith. We have to make decisions every day, some bigger than others. Libby had to make a life altering decision on her 21st birthday. It was hard. Her heart was in turmoil. The twist at the end was surreal.

I liked that the story highlighted the miracle and value of life, God sacrificing His son to save us and to keep on trusting God’s plan in our lives.

If you like historical fiction with faith elements and time travel, this one’s for you. I look forward to the next one.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫
Series: Timeless Book 1
Pub date: 03 May 2022

Thank you Bethany House Publishers and #netgalley for the complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

Gabrielle Meyer gives the "time-slip" genre a brand-new meaning in her very unique Bethany House debut When the Day Comes. I thought the premise of the novel was absolutely fascinating, and I could not put it down once I started. Libby lives two lives-one as a printer's daughter in 1774 Williamsburg, and the other as a reluctant socialite in NYC 1914. She lives parallel lives in each timeline, waking up in the alternate year each morning, and is faced with the upcoming choice she will make on her 21st birthday as to which period she will commit to for the rest of her life. I had a lot of thoughts about this book and am really interested to hear what other people think. At first, I thought the story was too predictable, but then about halfway through the book, I realized I was COMPLETELY wrong about the direction the story was going, and it continued to be delightfully unpredictable all the way to the ending. Without giving too much away, the main issue I had with the book is that the way a character's assault is dealt with and discussed didn't really sit right with me and in general is a storyline that some readers may wish to be aware of ahead of time. That said, I really liked the ending, and I believe Meyer is bringing something new and exciting to the genre if not creating her own new genre entirely. I will definitely keep an eye out for her future releases!

When I first read the description for this book I was very curious how it was going to be told. And I was very anxious to be able to read it! I knew from reading previous books by the authors it would be well done and it did not disappoint. Both time lines were so well researched. The transition from one to another was not confusing at all to me. I didn’t find myself trying to figure out what period of time it was. What a unique story idea. It’s historical, fantasy, and time travel all in one book! I’m really hoping we can get more books like this from the author. I also like that I never guessed the ending of the book. I was completely surprised! That always is a huge plus when the author is able to do that to the reader. Definitely a must read and one I would read again! I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All views stated here are my own.

Book Blurb: *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. On her twenty-first birthday, Libby must choose one path and forfeit the other forever. *

This book will be on my mind for a long time. This is a historical with immersive prose of the author. I felt like I was in Colonial and Edwardian America. And the explanation of the time travel between the two time periods feels plausible. There was a lot of great faith content. Lots of discussion about trusting God, following His will, and prayer. There was gut wrenching decisions that Libby has to make. And it made me wonder what I would have done if it had been me. I took a chance on this new to me author and on a plot that I've never seen the likes of. I give it 5 stars. One of the best I've read so far in 2022. Highly recommend!!

I received a complimentary copy from Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Oh my goodness! What a fantastic story! I was so intrigued by the cover but the story really drew me in. Libby lives two lives simultaneously. One day she lives in 1774 (beginning of the American Revolution). The next day she walked up in 1914 (beginning of WWI). When she turns 21 she gets to decide which path to live permanently. Her mother is 1774 is also a "time-crosser" who's other path was in 1990. She longs to be with Henry in 1774 but is beneath him in social standings. In 1914 she is an American heiress with a manipulative mother who wants to raise their standings with a good marriage to British nobility. I loved learning about the different historical points in history and the story was riveting! (Think about a cross between Outlander, Downton Abbey and Hamilton). I received an advanced copy from the publisher through Netgalley.

This book is stunning and beautiful and utterly unique! Oh my goodness, I couldn’t put it down- and I’m grateful I didn’t actually have to! New-to-me author Gabrielle Meyer introduces us in the pages of When the Day Comes to Libby- a young lady with a fascinating gift. She lives two lives simultaneously- one in 1774 Colonial Williamsburg and the other in 1914 Gilded Age New York City. Closing her eyes each night she transitions to her other life, knowing as the days draw nearer to her 21st birthday the day will come where she gets to choose which life will be hers for the rest of it.

On the surface, the choice is simple. Her mother in 1774 was a time-crosser herself. Libby can share everything with her fully, and finds herself in a life she loves with a family who counts on her and a cause she believes in- not to mention a man she loves. On the other hand, in 1914, her mother is manipulative and overly ambitious- pushing Libby into a marriage for an English title- the very country 1774 Libby is coming to view as the enemy. 1774 Libby is preparing to join the fight for freedom, while 1914 Libby is poised to lose it.

But as the pages turn, the suspense grows, and Libby’s “easy” choice is muddied by circumstance. Two developing wars vie for her servant’s heart and she struggles to determine God’s purpose and plans for her.

I won’t say more for risk of potential spoilers, but let me just say WOW! This is full of twists and turns I never expected. There was joy, tears, speed reading, excitement, more tears, and ultimately, more joy! Libby’s trust in God through her circumstances was such an enjoyable aspect of the story- trust not misplaced, despite the times of frustration and doubt.

I truly don’t know if I’ve read anything as delightfully unique in a long time. It’s not really time travel with practically no syfy feel and it had none of the things I dislike about dual-timeline stories (primarily feeling jerked from story to story) because we are with Libby the whole time, and she obviously thinks about the life she’s not in while in the other. It was a continuous and enjoyable read. I agree with the author in her note where she describes it as historical fiction x2! Woven together, the two time periods present an enjoyable contrast that gave me things to consider and comparisons to unpack.

I simply can’t wait to see what Gabrielle Meyer does next with this series. I know I’ll be one of the first in line to grab book two. Don’t hesitate to give this story a try. I was captivated from start to finish.

Huge thanks to Bethany House and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book for review. My opinions are my own.

With thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for an early copy in exchange for a honest review.

Where do I even start?! Gabrielle Meyer did an amazing job at combining a historically accurate fictional story involving time travel and living a double life.

I more recently have fallen in love with historical fiction, especially the American Colonial era (thanks to Hamilton).
I absolutely loved the references of historical figures, places, and events being mentioned throughout the story.

Such a riveting plot and I never expected how it would end.

“My life was not meaningless. God had an expected end in mind. He had marked out all my days. […] All I could do was beseech Him to lead me on the right path and trust that He would”.

The sovereignty of God is spread throughout the entire story line and the unwavering faith of characters is inspiring. When I ended this book, my heart was happy.

“I will not become bitter or angry, and I will choose to trust God. I will live to see His goodness”.

I really hope Meyer plans to make this into a series because I need to know the lives of more sunburst marked characters.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bethany House Publishers for allowing me to read this ARC of When the Day Comes. My thoughts are my own.

Introduction
One of my new favorite genres is speculative fiction. I love that this genre is making a debut in the world of Christian fiction.

But, what is speculative fiction? Speculative fiction is fiction not based in reality. This includes time travel.
Gabrielle Meyer is the latest speculative fiction author to hit the Christian market. Her predecessors include C.S. Lewis, Lisa T. Bergren, Jody Hedlund and others.

Why Is This Genre Having Such a Big Impact?
Speculative fiction has largely been a derivative of science fiction. And in many cases, these books are geared to male readers. Outlander changed all of that. Yet, not all of us like the series. I actually found it quite boring. Plus, there are elements of that series that I would rather not read.

Readers like Gabrielle Meyer have discovered a new way to market to Christian readers.

Is When the Day Comes good?
Uh,YES. I’m slowly but surely creating my list of favorite books of 2022. Gabrielle Meyer’s latest novel When the Day Comes joins Nicole Deese’s All That It Takes as my favorites so far this year.

So let’s get into why it’s such a good book.

Dual Settings
Meyer does an excellent job of creating two distinctive settings while maintaining the integrity of her main characters, storyline and purpose. This novel begins in 1774 Revolutionary America. Libby works with her mother on their family printing press. She becomes enmeshed in the cause of the Patriots when asked to print treasonous articles in their press.

In chapter two (and alternating every other chapter after), Libby time jumps to 1914 Great Britain. Now, in my opinion, “the how” and “the why” of her time travel is a spoiler. So I won’t give that element away. Libby’s life in 1914 is much different. She is a socialite from America whose mother wants to make the best match for her daughter. Unfortunately, there is not much love between mother and daughter in this setting. Through a series of unfortunate events, Libby becomes engaged to a marquess, a manipulative move by her mother.
With the depth of description Meyers uses, I found myself living and breathing revolutionary America and the Great Britain of 1914. I walked the streets of Williamsburg with Libby and danced beside her in the ballrooms of London.

Originality
I’ve read several speculative fiction novels, including Lisa T. Bergren’s River of Time Series, Amy Harmon’s What the Wind Knows and Jody Hedlund’s Never Leave Me. Gabrielle Meyer joins a growing genre with her book When the Day Comes.

Originality flows throughout the pages of this wonderful novel. I can’t say too much without giving the plotline or key elements away. However, let me say that I’ve never read anything like it. One original idea is how Libby gets to choose which time period she continues in after her 21st birthday. Most books in this genre feature a magic portal that transports the characters back and forth between time periods. Not When the Day Comes.
Plus, there are a few plot twists towards the end of the book I never saw coming. I hope there are plans for additional books in this series, because I.cant.wait.to.read.more!!!

God’s Sovereignty
You might think that it would be difficult to portray a Christian message in a speculative novel. But Meyer handles this brilliantly. While Libby will choose her fate, so to speak, on her 21st birthday, she is reminded time and again throughout the book that she can’t change history. Changing history will forfeit her life in one of her two lives. Although the book is not based in reality, so to speak, Meyer does an exceptional job at reminding us of God’s sovereignty in our own lives. We can trust him with our lives. We can trust that he has our best interests in mind.

The Title When the Day Comes
Having read When the Day Comes, I now know what the title refers to. It refers to the day she will have to choose where to stay for the rest of her life. I love that it’s abstract enough that you don’t know what it references until you read it. It’s a brilliant title and brilliant way to market the book.

As You Read When the Day Comes
I’ll be honest, When the Day Comes begins a little abruptly. You are brought into the middle of the action in the 1770s. I almost felt like I was playing catch up for the first few pages. But this feeling doesn’t last long. Once I understood the plotline’s cadence, I found myself falling in love with this novel.

If you are a literal person, you might have a difficult time getting into this novel. I tend to be literal, but I absolutely love speculative fiction. Especially if it is done well. There were a few times that found myself wondering at the logistics of Meyer’s time travel mode, yet this never detracted from my enjoyment reading.

Bottom Line
If you like speculative fiction and specifically time travel novels, you will love When the Day Comes. Like I said, When the Day Comes tops my list of favorites reads for 2022.

When the Day Comes will release May 3.

Happy reading!

I have been so excited to read this book since the moment Gabrielle Meyer announced she had signed a contract with Bethany House — the premise was totally unique and instantly grabbed my attention. When the Day Comes will enrapture readers from the start and never let them go, even when the final pages have been read.

I’ve enjoyed Meyer’s novellas, and I was very excited to finally read a full-length novel from her. Like I said before, the story kept me captivated from beginning to end. There were times when I was more interested in her other life’s plot line, but the two time periods complemented each other very well. Towards the end I was starting to feel very depressed about it all, but I think that may have been Meyer’s goal: to mirror Libby’s feelings in the reader. I can promise my bookish friends that you receive a satisfying conclusion to Libby’s story, and a set up to the next book that I absolutely can’t wait to get my hands on! 4.5/5 stars

Content warning: rape, sexual assault, death of close friends and family

SPOILERS AHEAD

There are two things that kept me from giving this book a full five stars. To start, I really wish there had been a content warning for rape and sexual assault. Libby is raped twice by her husband, the second rape resulting in pregnancy, and there are several moments where Libby seems to almost forget what he has done and tries to only see the good in him. Now, I am certainly not advocating that people shouldn’t forgive others for their own sake, but I found it difficult to read passages where her husband was romanticized and kept telling her he did it because he loved her. This didn’t seem like mere manipulation; it began to feel like a commentary on how women should forgive their rapists and try to make the best of things. I may not be explaining my feelings toward this mindset well, but it rubbed me the wrong way.

The second thing was that at times, Libby felt almost unrealistically selfless. She always quickly came to the conclusion that she had to give more of herself to others—I wanted to shake her and say, “You were assaulted last night! Take a breath and take care of you instead of worrying about ruining everyone else’s Christmas.” This happened several times throughout the story in different situations, and it got to the point where I just didn’t believe anyone could be so completely altruistic. So I had some issues with characterization and the way sexual assault and its consequences were portrayed, but I would still give this book a very solid 4.5 stars.

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

When The Day Comes is the story of Libby, a public printer in Colonial Williamsburg, who lives a simultaneous life as a wealthy debutant in 1914. Each night when Libby goes to sleep, she wakes the alternate time. She is the same person, living two very different lives in two very different yet similar periods. Two periods of history, both on the brink of war. Different, yet the same. On the eve of her 21st birthday, Libby will be able to choose the time she wishes to remain in forever. Or will she?

I absolutely loved this book! I thought it would be challenging to have two storylines simultaneously, but Gabrielle Meyer did a fantastic job weaving the two timelines together. I found myself rooting for both timelines, having fallen for characters in each. Just about the time, I thought I had it all figured out, Meyer came up with an ending that was even better than I could have imagined.

I did not want to put this book down. I love a good, well-researched historical fiction novel, but I also love a good mystery. While When The Day Comes, would not be considered a mystery, the suspense of what would happen to Libby each time she woke up was captivating and kept me thinking long after I finished the book. I’m still thinking about what could be happening to Libby.

This book is also filled with faith, redemption, and stories of trust. How many of us think we might change our path if we had all the information? If we knew the hard times ahead of us, would we make a different choice? Libby is faced with many hard decisions throughout this book. Again, she is reminded that God is in control and that His plans are best.

“But I also know that our hopes and dreams are not always God’s. Sometimes He has a plan that looks different from ours.” “But how can that be?” My voice was filled with anger and despair. “Why would He allow me to want this life when He didn’t intend for me to keep it?” “I won’t pretend to have all of the answers. God is concerned with the state of your heart more than where you live or what time you occupy.”

“Only God is in control of our destiny. He alone is sovereign. When we try to control the people and events around us, we are telling Him He doesn’t know what is best for us. We’re setting ourselves up as our own gods, elevating ourselves above Him. It’s a dangerous game, Libby.”

“Freedom isn’t stagnant or guaranteed. It lives and breaths and must be defended constantly. Don’t take it for granted. Fight for it, both in the public and private spheres of your life. And always look for help,” she continued, almost feverish in her instructions. “That is one of our greatest purposes upon this earth. To be the helpers.”

“I didn’t deserve this favor from God, but I was confident He loved me and would do what was best. Yet I had learned that what was best wasn’t always what was easy.”

I cannot wait for the next time crossing novel from Gabrielle Meyer!!

My sincere thanks to the author, publisher, and Net Galley for allowing me to read an early copy. All opinions are my own.

This is easily one of the best books I've read in a few years! I rarely give out five-star reviews, but for this book, that rating is well-deserved! I had a hard time putting this one down.

"When the Day Comes" is unlike any other book I've read (and I've read plenty of time-slip/historical novels). The premise is so unique, as Libby lives in two time periods simultaneously, unlike standard time-slip novels. And I loved both time periods: colonial Williamsburg (1774) and The Gilded Age (1914, America and England). Dialogue and detailing makes the reader feel like they're right there with Libby. The "time travel" element is done in a way to make it "believable." And you can't help but love Libby (and root for her in both time periods). The story kept me riveted from the first page to the final word. I can not wait to read the rest of this series!

Some of my favorite quotes:
- "Our days are never guaranteed. Our paths are never certain."
- "I had to trust that God had a better plan."
- "Only God is in control of our destiny. He alone is sovereign. When we try to control the people and events around us, we are telling Him He doesn't know what's best for us. We're setting ourselves up as our own gods, elevating ourselves above Him."
- "Freedom isn't free, Libby. The price is far greater than anyone realizes."
- "We must take whatever joy can be found from each day and not borrow tomorrow's sorrow."
- "God is concerned with the state of your heart more than where you live or what time you occupy. He wants to know that He has your heart, Libby. All of it. He wants to know that you trust Him no matter what happens."

When the Day Comes by debut author Gabrielle Meyer has the most awesome synopsis ever! Our protagonist, Libby, lives in two timelines at once, 1774 and 1914. When she goes to sleep in one time line, she wakes up in the other. Her motherin 1774 was a time traveler too, and she has explained that Libby will have to choose a life time on her 21st birthday, or when she tries to alter one of her time lines, she will forfeit that one immediately. Libby already knows which one she’s gonna choose and can’t wait to start her real life, the one she wants with her mom and the man she loves in 1774, even though she lived in poverty while her 1914 life is filled with luxury but has another mother that’s trying to mold her into something she doesn’t want. With only one year to go, everything seems to go as she plans…

So you can see why this is awesome, right? Two stories for the price of one! And not only that, we get a protagonist who knows what’s going to happen in 1774, has a mom in that time that was half raised in the 1980s, and two timelines at once, so there is never a boring moment. I loved how the same person has very different struggles in different time lines, and to see her compare her lives. Her 1914 life where she gets bullied into courtship with English royalty by her mom made me feel so bad, her mom there is the real antagonist. Also being a Patriot she kinda despises English men which I totally get lol, but mom wants a title. In 1774 things are precarious too, after the death of her dad she and her mom try to run a printing press but it’s hard as a woman to get taken seriously, and she has siblings to care for too.

I absolutely loved this book! The slow burn romance was very cute, and the different time lines are so interesting! This entire concept is epic and honestly I haven’t stopped thinking about it, how it would work exactly (like what is the earliest and latest one would go and what if you have to grow up bilingual etc), creating possible scenarios in my head. But this version already pretty much nailed it. There was so much depth, and you grow to care about characters in both time lines and realize you’re gonna lose some either way… I was very invested. And I have to say, I was also mad for a while I wanted to fling the book across the room (as I read it on a kindle this was not a good idea). I just couldn’t believe this was happening and felt like it was in no way a closure but I could not think of a single way to fix it. But there is an EPIC plot twist and it was amazing and yes I am very happy now and all the feels.

If you’re like my mom and think like “this sounds very unrealistic and weird” please know it is definitely worth trying, because it feels very natural and faith doesn’t get neglected either. It’s just a very balanced mix all in all. I really recommend this book!

When the Day Comes is a novel of historical fiction with sweet characters, poignant lessons on trusting God, and an interesting time travel element.

The premise of the story—Libby’s existence in two timelines—is a unique one. There are plenty of novels about time travel, but the idea of a time-crosser is something I’ve never read before. Libby’s two lives are both wonderfully crafted, and I thoroughly enjoyed each timeline. Meyer has put a lot of detail into each time period, and having settings and attitudes that are accurate really show the differences between Libby’s two lives.

Libby herself is a great character. I could definitely understand her desire to stay in 1770s Williamsburg where she felt loved and as if she had a purpose. It was hard to read about her life in 1910s New York and England when it was so different from what she had in Williamsburg, and not in a good way. Libby’s paths twist and stray from what she expected and dreamed, but she ultimately trusts in God and His plan for her life. That lesson is one of which I often need to be reminded, especially as my situation is far less drastic than Libby’s (albeit less fictional).

The supporting characters are also very well written. Mama is so incredibly sweet and caring, and her love for Libby is evident in her every word. Henry also is a passionate character, and I love his determination to do what is right for his country regardless of the cost. In the 20th century, Mother Wells is the sort of character you love to hate, and she makes the perfect foil to Mama.

The drama increases more and more as the story continues, and I really felt for Libby as she was continually faced with hard, completely life-altering decisions. However, while those choices may seem forced, the ending clearly shows God’s hand in Libby’s fate and brings a sweet and satisfying end to the story.

When the Day Comes is a wonderful work of historical fiction with a fun twist on time travel, genuinely likeable characters, and a strong reminder that God is always working for your good. I’m looking forward to the next book in this series!

This story is quite different from other time traveler books. Libby's life is unique as she wakes up each morning either in colonial America 1774 or the Gilded age of 1914. The author creatively spun this story filled with historical facts and figures in which the time-crossers were fully engaged. Faith in God was an important part of this story even as the characters went back and forth through time. I enjoyed the historical aspects of the story more than the time traveling.

Filled with rich historical detail, this story has a fascinating premise. As a reader, I was sucked into both timelines of Libby's life and fully invested in her struggle with the decision of which path to choose when the day came. I appreciated the wisdom shared between generations and the faith that sustained the characters in the story. Although it can be difficult to not see the end from the beginning, the message of trusting that all will work out for the best in the end is echoed and rings true in this story!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are completely my own.