Member Reviews
4.5 stars
I’ve really enjoyed this series! I’ve recommended them to several people, all who’ve come back saying how much they’ve also enjoyed it!
I was a little nervous about the third book in a series, as sequels tend to not live up to the originals. Plus, how much new stories are there with time crossers? Apparently plenty, because this was another hit! And I hope they here are several more to the series because I would definitely read them.
Grace and Hope are identical twin sisters living in both 1692 in Salem during the witch trials, and in 1912 New York when aviation is taking off. ;) The sisters are opposites in personalities and interests. In 1912, Hope is a daredevil, and one of the few women pilots. Grace prefers solid ground, and is a newspaper reporter. In both timelines, she feels like she lives in Hope’s shadow. In 1692, the sisters are basically servants to their father, working very hard for very little in return. Their mother, they’re told, died shortly and mysteriously after their birth. Rumor has it she was hanged for being a witch. Both girls experience unrequited love in different timelines too. The end result of which, was fairly predictable from the start, but a fun ride nonetheless. There is a major plot twist though! I fancy myself able to spot most plot twists coming. I didn’t see this one. Well done, Gabrielle Meyer!
Like I said in the beginning, I’ve loved this series! Like can’t put it down. It’s so creative and fresh, and the way she includes Godly values makes it believable. Whereas other Christian fiction time travel books don’t align well with the Bible. Given, there wasn’t a ton of talk about God and faith, but overall it upholds biblical values.
The only criticism I can say is that I didn’t like Hope. She was quite selfish. Like all the time thinking of herself only and first. All characters undergo some transformation, as does Hope. But she was pretty awful. Which perhaps was the author’s intent—Hope represents hope for change/something better. And Grace deals with Hope very patient and gracefully, even when Hope doesn’t deserve it. Their names are reflective of who they are.
Thank you Library Thing’s Early Reviewer Program, Bethany House Publishers, and NetGalley for the early copy! All reviews and opinions are my own.
For a Lifetime is an intriguing tale of time travel, romance, and history. A fascinating story about twin sisters born with the ability to time-cross and their strong bond to stay together no matter what.
The story revolves around twin sisters named Grace and Hope. It is narrated from the perspectives of both sisters as they face the challenge of choosing which timeline to stay in once they turn 25. The two timelines in question are the Salem witch trials of 1692 and the year 1912 in New York, where Grace works as a journalist, while Hope aspires to become one of the first female pilots in America.
"Life is full of twists and turns. We can't always predict which way it will go, but it's a magnificent journey when we let it take us where it wants."
"That is a valuable lesson. Learning from other people’s mistakes helps us grow. Hardship deepens our faith. Nothing is wasted.”
This captivating and unpredictable story will leave you amazed, spellbound, and a little heartbroken with all the historical elements. It is well-written, well-researched, and fast-paced, although it starts a little slow. The twists and turns are well-placed. And the romance is so sweet. The events happening in both timelines during 1692 were a scary and dark time, with injustice, helplessness, and historical prejudice surrounding the Salem Witch Trials. The year 1912 was interesting with the beginning of modern aviation.
What I loved most was the character development, their personal growth, the uniqueness of the story, the time travel element, our characters, and the faith content throughout and who they were destined to be. Learning about the woman Hope was based on in the historical notes was fun. I highly recommend reading previous books in the series, because they are exciting, romantic, and emotional.
I received a complimentary copy of this book and I'm leaving an honest and voluntary review.
For a Lifetime, the third book in the Timeless series, was full of shocking twist that I’ve come to love in Meyer’s books. As with the previous books, the time travel aspects were exciting and gripping. This book in particular was unique with twin sisters as the main characters. The sisters travel from 1692 in the midst of the Salem witch trials to 1912, a time with aviation was new and exciting.
I absolutely loved the second half of this book. That being said, I did find the first half slightly slow. It was just missing something. But right at the middle, a big twist occurred that had me glued to the pages for the rest of the book! It was intense and I just had to know how it would end.
*That God would love me, that He would call me His child and choose me for this time-crossing gift was amazing to contemplate. It was a burden, to be sure, but it was also a blessing.*
Grace and Hope Eaton are twins with different personalities. But their bond is so strong that they vow to stay together no matter what. Living in two different times is extremely difficult because in one timeframe they live in Salem Village in 1692 during the witch trials. They get a respite in the other timeline in 1912 where Hope is adventurous and learns to fly a Curtis Jenny airplane, while Grace makes strides as a journalist for a New York newspaper.
Their love lives are problematic as each one pines for a man who does not return their affections. But how can they marry before their 25th birthday, when they are to choose which time period to remain in for the rest of their days?
Lots of twists, turns and danger await them as well as unexpected meetings with people who are connected to them. And underlying it all is an abiding faith that knows God is in control of their lives.
This was another fascinating offering in a unique time-crossing setting that will astonish you and at the same time take you captive with its imaginative storylines.
*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Bethany House through Interviews and Reviews via NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*
“1692 is a part of you, Hope, whether you like it or not. God doesn’t make mistakes. He placed us here because it’s supposed to be a part of us- for good or for bad. We are a product of our lives, of the people and events that shape our experiences, our personalities, even our hopes and dreams… That is a valuable lesson. Learning from other people’s mistakes helps us grow. Hardship deepens our faith. Nothing is wasted.”
I continue to be in absolute awe of Gabrielle Meyer’s brilliance in crafting this beautiful series! This story is told in dual perspectives of twin sisters Grace and Hope who live in 1692 and 1912. In the same manner as the two previous novels in the series, Grace and Hope are time crossers who must decide which timeline to remain in when they turn 25.
I could not put this book down and was truly riveted by the suspense and surprising twists. The romance is beautiful and Meyer truly captured the special bond of sisters in a profound way. It’s the sacrificial, selfless love of Grace and Hope that really spoke to me.
In today’s sermon at my church we focused on part of Paul’s message to the Philippians that they would live lives worthy of the gospel of Christ. We are told that in this life we are to take up our crosses and follow Jesus, dying to self, and living for Him alone. In this life we WILL have trouble, but we can take heart for He has overcome the world. I was reminded of a choice that one of the twins has to make in For a Lifetime, in which she faces death if she speaks truth. Meyer’s ability to convey the gospel through her fiction is truly remarkable.
This book is a captivating work of art and I would love to press it into the hands of every reader I know. This is a must read!
Thank you to Gabrielle Meyer and Bethany House for a gifted copy of the book. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Oh.my.word. This absolutely stunning story just stole my heart!!
Twins Grace and Hope are both time-crossers, an ability they inherited from their mother that allows them to each live two lives in two different times until their 25th birthday.
They spend one day in 1692 in Salem Village, the next in 1912 New York City but without time passing while they are in the other place which means they experience both the helplessness of the Salem Witch trials and the wonder of the beginning of modern aviation.
Hope and Grace have already made their final choice of which time they want to live in - months before their birthday - but as they face tragedy, betrayal, and the magic of falling in love, they wonder if perhaps they have made the right choice after all.
What you'll love:
Time-crossing/Dual timeline
Dual POV (Grace & Hope)
Sweet but oh, so swoony romance
Light Christian themes
Aaannnnnd that's it! That's all I dare put in the list for fear of spoiling anything. This is the kind of book you need to pick up knowing as little as possible so you can experience the full range of emotions while reading.
The plot was captivating and unpredictable and the author did a great job weaving together the two storylines. Grace and Hope are such vivid, relatable characters and their interactions, their choices, and their sacrifices kept me turning page after page and left me in tears more than once. This book took me through the entire range of emotions from heartbreak to hope but I loved every minute of it.
This thought-provoking story will stay with me for a long time and is a beautiful reminder of the power of faith, the importance of family, and the enduring power of love.
Another absolute winner in the Timeless series - I cannot recommend this series enough!!
I received a complimentary copy but a positive review was not required.
A CONTINUALLY GOOD SERIES.
I love the exploration of history with each book in this series. This one crossed the birth of aviation and the Salem Witch Trials. I liked seeing the comparisons and differences between the time periods and how each woman, Grace and Hope, interpreted what was happening.
I did think it had a little bit of a slow start. The 1692 chapters didn’t have the same pace as the 1912 ones and I kept wanting to get back to those. After the halfway point I though the plot started moving much better and I wanted to hustle to find out what happens next.
There’s always sweet romances woven in and I loved the way they both played out for the twins. I loved the love interests and the support and care they provided Grace and Hope through their trials. It’s all very sweet and heartfelt and only adds to the story.
I enjoyed many of the moments coming full circle with collision of past and present. I loved the faith aspects and the infused hope and love that was in this book. I can’t wait for more!
Overall audience notes:
Historical Fiction + Romance
Language: none
Romance: kisses
Violence: low-moderate
Trigger/Content Warnings: falsely accused imprisonment, hangings (historical depictions of the trials), plane crashes
For a Lifetime is the third book in the Timeless series. While there are some brief references to characters from the previous books in the series, I do believe this could be enjoyed without having read those previous books too.
This book was quite unique compared to the series as it features not one, but two time-crossers--- twin sisters, Hope and Grace, who time-cross together between their lives 1692 Salem and 1912 New York. Having these two sisters traveling together definitely added a really unique element to the story and the decisions that had to be made. It was beautiful and heartbreaking all the same time. While I have enjoyed every book in this series so far, I think all those emotions really made this one stand out to me and is certainly my new favorite of them.
The Salem witch trials is a point in history that I have always found extremely fascinating, so I'm sure that helped with my love of this story... though admittedly, it's not an easy time to read about! I found the 1912 timeline just as intriguing. Both stories kept me guessing in the best way possible. The love stories were beautifully done, and I couldn't help but love them both. Beyond that though, I really appreciated the messages of faith and reminder of God's plans.
**I received a complimentary copy via Netgalley for consideration. All opinions are my own.
Another incredible book by Gabrielle Meyer!!! I didn't want the story to end. She is a masterful writer and storyteller. Thank you for the opportunity to read and to review this book!
What an absolutely INCREDIBLE book.
I adored the first two books of the Timeless series and was SO excited to dive into For a Lifetime. It did not disappoint! Wow.
Hope and Grace are identical, time-crossing twins. This story is told in Dual POV and set in both 1692 and 1912. The 1962 timeline is set in Salem Village during the Salem Witch trials, while the 1912 timeline gives us a glimpse into Maggie and her husband’s life (name omitted to avoid book #2 spoilers,) and follows Grace as she works as a journalist and Hope as she becomes one of the first female pilots.
This book was surely a tear-jerker, but I loved every minute of it! I found the history to be so fascinating. Grace and Hope were both such wonderful characters. I am always amazed at the depth that Gabrielle Meyer is able to create in her characters. Even writing twins, both of these ladies had their own voices and such distinct personalities. I loved watching Grace and Hope grow as characters, and it was so fun to see who they became, what they chose, and who they both ended up with in the end. There were so many surprising twists and turns to this story, and I was really on the edge of my seat. I could not put this book down!!
Another Timeless book that I won’t be able to recommend enough. I am so looking forward to the fourth book’s release in November!
Thank you to @bethanyhousefiction and @netgalley for my gifted e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
"Life is full of twists and turns. We can't always predict which way it will go, but it's a magnificent journey when we let it take us where it wants."
Gabrielle Meyer's imagination and beautiful storytelling never cease to amaze me. I did not think she could invent more twists and turns in this time-crossing saga but she absolutely has! Traveling between 1692 Salem and 1912 Florida/California/NY, Hope and Grace take turns in first person narration with seamless transition. Their halves truly make a whole as the story unfolds. There are plenty of gasp-inducing surprises in the plot as well as sigh-inducing romance. The way the first three books of the series follows three generations of time-crossing women is extraordinary and unforgettable.
Hope is vibrant, impulsive, adventurous, and outspoken. Grace is compassionate, kind, thoughtful and passionate in righting injustices. Hope thrives in the fast-changing world of 1912 whereas Grace finds purpose and contentment in both timelines. I loved their twin connection and that they held onto their love for each other even when things kept going terribly wrong in both places and times. Isaac in 1692 and Luc in 1912 are both patient, generous, loyal, and resourceful. Both men know both sisters in their timelines and how the romance plays out for each sister is exquisitely tender and infinitely fulfilling. There are many tear-inducing bittersweet moments as well as heartbreaking moments, especially in Salem during the trials.
This book is a must read. It is the perfect blend of history, romance, and a bit of sci fi. It is one of my favorite reads of 2024. I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Bethany House via Interviews & Reviews and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.
In Salem, the twins live with their father, an innkeeper. As the community begins making accusations of witchcraft, the sisters must walk a careful balance between biding time and survival. In New York, Hope dreams of becoming a female pilot while Grace works as a journalist. When the financial security of their parents orphanage is threatened, the two do everything they can to raise money.
I really enjoy this series. It is well written, the time periods are meticulously researched, and the characters are fun. I particularly enjoyed reading the twins alternating viewpoints. It added an extra dimension to the story. I was a bit more interested in the Salem witch trials than the aviation storyline but both were very well written. I can’t wait to read the next story in the series!
March 30, 2024
Oh, the heady, satisfying feeling that warms you at the end of a magnificently crafted tale! Disappointment tinges the warm satisfaction as you must bid the characters adieu whose lives you stepped into from the first page. Though the back cover eclipses our view into their lives, they live on in my mind through the vivid life breathed into them by the author.
The unusual setting in Puritan Massachusetts was fresh for me and crackled with all the tension of the time. I felt the starkness of life there. The counterpart setting in 1912 was bright and full of possibilities. The transitions between the two were seamless, and the cadence of the writing smooth. The characters came to life in the pages, were multidimensional, and showed depth and growth. The romances were so tender and sweet! One in particular quite swoon worthy. The message, a poignant portrayal that God controls our “times”, even when it feels like our world is crashing down around us.
For a Lifetime was time very well spent, although perhaps not spent very well since I couldn’t put it down and devoured it in 24 hours, to the neglect of many other tasks and sleep! I thoroughly enjoyed it and was sorry to see it end. I’m highly anticipating the next volume of the timeless series in November, even as this story continues to linger in my thoughts. Each volume has been better than the last. I also have an exciting theory about an element in the end of this book, that I’m anxious to see if I’m right about in the next.
In conclusion, I really can’t tell you everything I loved about it in a review. You just don’t want to miss out on this book or this series!
Warm thanks to Bethany House and Netgalley through Interviews and Reviews for the opportunity to review a complimentary copy of the book. It was my pleasure.
If you get to having a third book in a series then you know the author is on to something great and the talent is very much real. This book held true to all of those principles, it was FANTASTIC. The balance to juggle two mfc who happen to be twin time-crossers was very well done. I felt genuine concern and care to both Grace and Hope even though their personality types were polar opposite. I honestly cannot pick a favorite in the series, they are all that good! Thank you netgalley for the ARC, this is my honest review on this book. I so look forward to book four!
FOR A LIFETIME by is the third novel in the Timeless series by GABRIELLE MEYER. It is an interesting read as we follow the time-crossing twins, Hope and Grace, who live simultaneously between 1692 in Salem, Massachusetts and 1912 in New York.
Their life in Salem is fraught with danger as it is during the horrific witch trials and their lives are ruled by their harsh father who owns the Eaton ordinary where they work, and the unbending and unjust rules of the Puritans. They are longing for their twenty-fifth birthday when they will be able to cross over to 1912 and leave 1692 forever.
In 1912 the twins have loving parents and fulfilling jobs, Grace as a reporter and Hope as an aviator. The girls have very different characters although thry look practically identical. I like to see the strong bond between them.
The author manages the dual time story very well and we are kept guessing right to the end as to what their choices will be.
I am not going to tell you any more for fear of spoiling the read for you.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bethany House Publishers. The opinions in this review arecompletely my own.
The much anticipated third book in this series didn’t disappoint. I was a bit surprised how difficult it was to read about their experiences during the the Salem Witch Trials portion. It was hard to read about because of its historical accuracy and yet interesting because it brought a personal perspective to the entire situation. The aviation time period was also new to me and the farther I got along the in the book the more interesting and difficult that became to me as well. Learning how so many people suffered for something we take for granted today was inspiring. The thing that made this book so special was the relationship between the two sisters. It was heartfelt and emotional, and more than once I found myself misty-eyed over where their choices led them. I can’t wait for the next one!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Wow. Gabrielle Meyer's writing is always a thrilling read. I adored continuing this family's story in the Timeless Series. The twists and turns! The deep emotions, realistic characters, and historical context all make the perfect ingredients in her writing. This is another must-read, and I can't wait for Across the Ages next!
I will forever read gabrielle myers timeless series-they are incredible! This books follows time crossers, two twin sisters whose consciousness travel between two times while they sleep, one being exciting, bustling 1912, and one Salem MA 1692, a little less exciting due to the witch hunts. Grace and Hope are very different but love each other dearly, and their journeys are so beautiful! These books are so well researched and I love diving into these historical time periods with the characters! Read this if you like:
-time travel done uniquely and so well
-sweet, beautifully written romances
-lovely relationships and faith
-historical time periods you might not be familiar with
-heroines you can root for
“It’s important to be honest with ourselves so we know who we are and who we are not. Only then do we become the best version of ourselves.”
Dare I say that this was the best of the three wonderful Timeless stories?
I’m not surprised seeing as I loved Graydon and Maggie Cooper from In This Moment (book 2). The twins in For A Lifetime (book 3), Hope and Grace Eaton, are Graydon and Maggie’s girls. Each girl was born with a mark on the back of her head which allows her to time travel between 1912 and 1692.
This was a particularly interesting book for me because I knew very little about (1) Salem Village and the witch trials and (3) the views of the Puritans and Quakers and the differences between them. My heart ached to hear about how the strict Puritan laws affected those being raised in this way and how, according to one character, this harsh lifestyle “only taught me how to hide my sinful heart and defy my elders. It had made me afraid to do the wrong thing instead of longing to do the right thing.” It made me glad to see that she was brought to the place where she questioned the Puritans’ God of strict rules and regulations and compared Him with the God of her parents who offered grace and mercy.
The sections featuring the American aviatrix made my historical fiction-loving heart happy and the swoon-worthy utterances of Lucas Voland made me weak at the knees!
This book may be about risks and sacrifice, but it’s also about:
✔️Living with the timeless adversary, fear, and how it arises when we lose control
✔️Sacrificial love
✔️Brokenness and how we choose to respond
✔️Overcoming differences
✔️Stealing joy
✔️ What we do when we discover our life is built on a lie
✔️How God turns disappointment into gratitude
✔️Growth that comes from learning from another's mistake
✔️Hardship deepening our faith
✔️Difference between living with guilt vs conviction
✔️Trusting in God’s plan
✔️Second chances; gift of time
✔️Finding the truth
✔️Encouragement to listen instead of judge; honoring another's wishes
As always, Meyer’s work encouraged me to Google and I was happy to come across Harriet Quimby and discover why she was lost to history. I also spent quite a bit of time investigating the Church of England and the breakaway factions.
I’m thrilled to be welcoming book 4, ‘Across The Ages,’ in Meyer’s launch team this Fall!
I was gifted this copy by Bethany House and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
I’m absolutely obsessed with this writer and her Timeless series! I couldn’t believe I got an advanced copy of her new book, thanks to Netgalley, last week!
This book centers on twins with the gift that is passed on from their family. I love the history that was very well researched. I have definitely heard of the Salem Witch Trials but this story puts you in the middle of it and how everyone wonders if they will be accused or afflicted next. If you want a good book then definitely put this on your TBR! Releasing on May 7th 2024.