I requested the ARC for An Echo in Time because the synopsis said it dealt with generational trauma which is a topic I've been interested in ever since I read about it on Tumblr (years ago). The book started on a slow note, and I found the beginning a bit boring. It took some effort to stay reading, but once I reached Chapter 6, I was completely engrossed.

An Echo in Time revolves around trauma being passed down through generations, which is a unique and intriguing concept, and I must say, it was executed very well. We follow Charli as she researches her family tree which has broken off abruptly at her mother's side, which leads her to believe a tragic event in the past might have cursed her family.

At about the 20% mark, the narrative shifts to a dual-timeline format, which I feel was a clever way to maintain the mystery while also keeping the reader engaged.

I loved the character development - Charli is a well-rounded protagonist, and her journey is emotional. The romance subplot added a light touch to the otherwise heavy themes. The only aspect of the story that didn’t sit well with me was Charli’s decision to go back and talk to her mother. Given the trauma she experienced, I felt that cutting ties would have been a better and more realistic choice for her character.

If you're interested in stories that delve into the darker aspects of family history and how the past can haunt the present, this book is worth checking out.

I found the whole generational trauma idea an interesting concept. If you can share genes why not trauma too. I enjoyed the mystery that Charli was exploring. I did think it started a bit slow and Charli’s destructive relationship techniques bothered me.
Overall it’s another good book by this author.

"An Echo in Time" by Boo Walker is a compelling and emotionally charged novel that delves into the intricate web of family history, trauma, and the quest for healing. The protagonist, Charli Thurman, is a relatable and sympathetic character who finds herself at a crossroads in life, grappling with unresolved issues from her past and a string of disappointments in her present. Walker expertly weaves a narrative that combines elements of mystery, romance, and the supernatural, keeping readers engaged from start to finish.

The introduction of family constellation therapy as a central plot device adds a unique and intriguing layer to the story. Through this, Charli is transported into an inexplicable memory, uncovering a violent event that has cast a long shadow over the Thurman family for generations. This exploration of generational trauma is handled with sensitivity and depth, making Charli’s journey toward understanding and healing feel authentic and powerful.

The setting of Winchester, England, adds an atmospheric backdrop to the unfolding mystery, and the introduction of Noah, the charming pub owner with his own complex family history, brings a delightful romantic element to the story. Their relationship is well-developed and provides a hopeful counterbalance to the darker themes of the novel.

However, while the book excels in character development and thematic depth, there are moments where the pacing falters. Some readers might find the unraveling of the mystery a bit slow, and the transitions between the present and past can occasionally feel jarring. Additionally, the supernatural elements, though intriguing, might not appeal to everyone, depending on their expectations going into the book.

Overall, "An Echo in Time" is a richly layered and thought-provoking novel that will resonate with readers interested in stories about family, healing, and the enduring impact of the past. Boo Walker’s skillful storytelling and the emotional journey of Charli Thurman make this book a worthwhile read, earning it a solid four stars.

I’ve had this one waiting to be read for a while now, and I’m so glad I finally made time for it! I loved how it went from modern day to the past throughout the story, and as you are finding things out with Charli today, you are then getting snippets of what really happened with her relative Miles in the past. It was very well done, and I have even quoted it to a few people. This was my first book by Boo Walker, and I’d like to explore more after reading this 5⭐️ gem.

Charli and her family have horrible luck. Suicide, cancer, abuse, business failings, you name it. She is about at her whits end when she gets an opportunity to go to Costa Rica and participate in a group “class” that will look into your constellations and see if there is past trauma that is affecting generations in your family. She’s sceptical, but willing to do whatever it takes to save her family. This causes her to scour her family tree, and leads her to England to research one branch that just ends. Is this mysterious relative the cause of all their problems?

3.5/5 Stars
An Echo in Time by Boo Walker had me intrigued with its time-travel premise and the promise of a gripping story. The plot follows a character who finds themselves unexpectedly thrust into different eras, unraveling mysteries and confronting personal demons along the way. The concept is fascinating, and there are moments where the tension really ramps up, making for a page-turner at times.

That said, the pacing felt uneven, with some parts dragging a bit, and I found myself wanting more depth in the character development. The time travel aspect is cool, but it sometimes overshadows the emotional stakes. Still, there are some great twists and turns, and it’s a decent read if you’re into time-travel stories. I just wish it had a bit more to offer in terms of connecting with the characters and their journeys.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Boo Walker and Lake Union Publishing for an ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

4⭐ - Charli Thurman hasn't had the best luck in life, from an abusive mom to failing relationship and a boring job. Her friend decides to introduce Charli to a soul reader who might help her with her generational trauma.

Charli's research leads her to England, where she learns more about her family's past before they moved to the US.

I really enjoyed reading this story, from the dual timeline as well as the mystery. This was my first time reading a Boo Walker novel and I look forward to reading more.

An excellent read created by author/novelist/storyteller Boo Walker. An Echo in Time has everything - family drama, relationship drama, work drama, generational drama, and coming into your own drama. Each of these complex situations are deftly handled by the unique characters brilliantly written by Mr. Walker.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading "Echo." Its story is well balanced and kept me wanting to know what's next? how will they resolve this? will they end up together? resolve their family and generational differences? And the addition of a special character added an extra layer that brought the story together beautifully and seamlessly without any awkwardness.

Additionally because of reading Echo, I've added "visit Winchester England" to my travel list. I may not meet Noah, but I have no doubt adventures and fun found will be found there.

Echos is a lovely story that provokes many ideas to think about while enjoying the adventures of some great characters.

This moves back and forth in time and between the US and the UK as Charli looks for answers about her frustrations in life. It's very much about generational trauma and at times feels a little manipulative. But there's a good mystery and Charli is an appealing character. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

This was my first Boo Walker book and it definitely won’t be my last. I really enjoyed this story of Charlie and her struggles with life. Her adventure following after answers to her family’s past was very interesting and full of so many intersections with people and places that drew her to the answers she needed. The author really did well getting me absorbed in the characters and I loved the chemistry between the couples in both timeline. I love a dual timeline with a good mystery and this book had both. I would definitely recommend.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing, and the author for an ARC of this book which I had the pleasure of reading. All opinions are my own. Publication date: August 20, 2024

Life is tough for Charli. A traumatic childhood has given her all she needs to know about love and disappointment. After another failed relationship, Charli’s best friend Viv tells her about a therapist who she’s been seeing who introduces her to constellation therapy. She learns about generational trauma and finds out about a murder that happened in her family’s past that she needs to make amends for. Her journey leads her to England and her quest for answers could quite possibly change her life.

This book has it all! Historical fiction, mystery, romance. Dual timelines help bring the past and the present together in this inspiring novel.

A 3.75 🌟 if I could give it!

I find the impact of intergenerational trauma interesting, so the synopsis of this book made me think it would be a 5 star read for me. Unfortunately, it didn’t quite hit how I thought it would.
I found the dialogue to be very cheesy during parts, Charli was frustrating and I found her romantic relationship to be a little unbelievable. The book felt much longer than it needed to be; chapters were drawn out due to lots of unnecessary fluff - I couldn’t stay ‘hooked’ during these parts as much as I’d hoped.

Overall, I did enjoy the writing style, Charli’s healing and redemption arc. The dual timeline POVs worked well together and I liked the mystery.

I really enjoyed this story. Going back and forth in the story was easy to follow. Most stories are confusing when going from one era to another. Author did a great job. Loved the characters and how the main character followed her heart and finished her mission... In the back of my mind I kept singing, Winchester Cathedral. 1966 song. LOL.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
This book was very interesting. It's about generational trauma and how terrible things that happen can continue to negatively affect families for years and years if they're never processed or worked through the traumatic event. I've heard of this before but I've never read a book with the theme and I love how thoroughly it was explained in this novel!
The main character, Charli, has had lots of bad luck.. She believes it all started because her toxic mother abused her as a child. Charli's best friend tells her about a therapist she's working with to deal with her generational trauma, and this piqued Charli's interest. Charli ends up contacting Frances (the therapist) and decides to do some digging into her ancestry. When some questions remain unanswered, she decides to go to England to do more research for herself.
The was a great book. The romantic aspect of it was a bonus in my opinion, as the entire story was very well written and kept my attention the entire time. Highly recommended!

Thank you to NetGalley, Boo Walker, and Lake Union Publishing for this arc of An Echo in Time, out on shelves August 20, 2024!

📜Quick Summary: Charli is suffering from generational trauma, and it's showing up in many different forms. When her best friend Viv talks about healing this trauma through her therapist who uses constellations to break down family barriers, Charli thinks her friend is mad. After a little while though, she feels like she has no choice but to explore this option. What happens after this, is really the start of a journey in truly healing oneself.

💡Thoughts and Feelings: For me personally, the main character Charli was hard to relate to. The way she bashed herself and talked down to herself was repetitive, but I understand it was needed to really nail down the way she felt about herself. She suffered a lot at the hand of her mom, and even though I do not have this relationship with my mother at all, I think about how our words as moms have such VALUE, and can be so impactful. **After getting through the first 20, 30% of the book, I really ended up getting into the plot and wanting to read more. I almost walked away from it, but I’m glad I didn’t!**

🙋🏼‍♀️Moving Character: I don’t know if I had one character that I really loved or felt moved me, but enjoyed watching the growth through all the relationships.

👍🏻or 👎🏻: This is a moving book about finding strength, breaking through barriers, and really reclaiming yourself. Charli did the work, found out so much about her family, and came out a different person. Her relationship with Noah was really a driving force for her. If this type of trama relates to you personally, I think you will resonate with it a lot deeper than a different reader. If family dramas and traumas are up your alley, I would say check it out!

🌟Overall Rating: I started out at a 3 stars, but after finishing it, I gave it 4 stars!

This novel was provided by the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review.

The premise sounded so good I was really intrigued and wanted to see how everything unfolded. I realized very early on it was going to be a struggle for me to continue, as I was having a hard time liking the main character. I think the writing is fine, this book may just not be for me.

I enjoyed this Boo Walker novel dealing with generational trauma and it may affect future generations. It was an interesting idea and exposed me to constellation therapy which was new to me. We have a young Charli Thermon who feels stuck in life and seems to sabotage anything that is going well for her. Her friend recommends constellation therapy and Charli takes a chance. The session seemed to expose a dark secret in her family's past.

Charli searches and follows clues to get answers to the mystery. Along the way she grows and starts healing. Charli is a relatable character who one hopes finds what she wants in life! Thank you Netgalley for the chance to review this book.

3.5 ⭐️

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.

A multigenerational tale that tells the story of a families inter generational trauma related to an unknown event in Charlis family history. This book straddles England and the USA as Charli tries to break the “curse” of her family.

I really enjoyed the mystery and intrigue as Charli searches to find the source of her families pain, it was thrilling to read.

I did find it a bit cheesy in some parts, but if you love romance and spiritually mixed with historical mystery this is definitely a book you should check out!

Charli doesn’t think she deserves happiness. She sees ‘red lights’ wherever she goes. Mentally abused by her own mother as a child after the death of her baby brother, she is not giving love a chance. Is her whole family cursed? Her best friend Viv is telling her about a ‘soul reader’ who offers family constellation therapy and, even though she is skeptical at first, Charli decides to attend. During her first session, Charli experiences a life-like memory from the past that may be the cause of her family’s trauma and bad luck. Charli decides to dig deeper. Her subsequent research brings her to England where she meets Noah. Will she be able to turn her luck?
I really loved this book, and the only reason I’m giving it ‘only’ 4 ⭐️ is that it got a little repetitive in the middle. The dual timelines had me hooked, and I enjoyed the glimpses into a family’s history and fate. Reading about transgenerational memories and following Charli on her journey was exciting and quite fascinating. I have to say that, in the beginning, her negativity and self-loathing were annoying at times, but how can you not root for a girl who watches the Bachelor, listens to the Zac Brown Band and reads Louise Penny? And what a journey it is!
I want to thank Netgalley, Lake Inion Publishing and the author for giving me the opportunity to enjoy this advance copy. It was a delight, and the above is my honest opinion.

This was the second time I tried to read a book by this author. The first time I DNFed the book. Yet, I wanted to try this author again.
And now I come to realise that Boo Walker's novels are simply not for me.
Nothing wrong with the writing style or the characters' storylines. The setting was interesting and I dare say well written, but overall this book is not for me. And it's fine. I'm pretty sure it will please Walker's loyal fans.

Boo Walker’s “An Echo in Time” is a nice escape from a hot summer day, although it doesn’t have the same emotional pull as Walker’s previous books. It’s a love story through time, with a bit of mysticism thrown in for good measure. The historical touches are well-written and transform the reader to an earlier time.

Boo Walker has a way with words, tying the story together like a weaver and pulling you in. It’s an entertaining read.