I was kind of aware of what the final "twist" may be, throughout the whole book, but it was still worth the wait! I only wish we could've known what happened with Sam's family and how her disappearance was taken, but I know it wouldn't have fit in the book at all. Overall, highly recommend!

3.5 stars rounded up. This book started out strong and grabbed my attention right away. I lost interest a bit as it went on, but it was a mostly entertaining read. The villain was really villainous and might be triggering for some readers.

The romance was cute but quick. I didn't really feel the connection as much as I would've liked, but it was sweet. I felt like there was something missing from the time travel aspect of the story. I would've liked to see more of a conclusion there. That didn't really matter too much though because this was more a character-based story and it (mostly) worked in that sense.

I read an ARC of this book from NetGalley. All comments are my own.

I thought this was good - I did find that, like a lot of the wattpad ARCs I've been reading, this could have benefitted from at least one more round of edits

I love a good time travel story, and this book gave me that in all forms. I had a hard time liking Samantha, one of the main characters, but she did grow on me as the book went along. The book begins in current times, with Sam and her girlfriend Dahlia breaking up moments before they were to board a plane for what Samantha thought was going to a sweet romantic trip. Dahlia gifts Sam the book The Welshman's Daughter which is a queer regency novel that was hugely popular as well as her gf's favorite book. Sam boards the plane, the plane explodes and in comes the time travel portion of the book. Sam is thrown into the ocean of Gilbralter directly into the year of 1805. The story that follows is a typical story of the time, where female surely cannot function without a male. Abuse, attempted rape, drowning ptsd and high levels of anxiety ensue. Sam finds herself entangled with Daisy, the author of The Welshman's Daughter. It's a challenge for Sam living in 1805 knowing how wildly popular Daisy's book is going to be. My most enjoyed aspect of the book was how Sam managed to function in a world she knew nothing about, coming from 2024 thrown into the 1800's would be full of challenges that we know nothing about.

I started this book majorly embarrassed. How had I, an Austen obsessed English teacher turned librarian never heard of Margaret Goodenough, queer authoress extraordinaire? 

10 minutes into a deep dive later, I found an author interview where J.M. Frey informs us as readers that MG is NOT real. Which made me feel a lot better. BUT, our real author’s ability to write about MG while comparing her to other famous writers from the time period, like Jane Austen, truly gives the reader the impression that MG is real and adds a LOT to the story.

That immediate ability to convince me to research something when starting a novel: looking up another author, a song I’ve never heard, a historical figure I’m unfamiliar with, is always a green flag for me that I’m going to enjoy a book. 

The main characters are in their mid twenties and there are some spicy scenes, so while not appropriate for my high school shelves, I will definitely recommend this to my friends at the public library for their collections and to all my other friends who love Bridgerton, but also kissing other women.

Thank you to NetGalley and Wattpad Book Group for the ARC of Time and Tide!

A mixed bag of feelings on this one, resulting in a 3 out of 5. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

When it comes to the time travel trope, you generally expect that at some point the characters will mask, temper, and adapt their modern outlook on the world to better fit in to the historical era they find themselves in. Sam absolutely, 100% NEVER. DOES. THIS.

While I did finish the book, waiting for Sam to emotionally grow up or have any kind of character development was pulling teeth. While I can appreciate a loud and proud bisexual woman, she expects those around her to just accept her eccentrics carte Blanche, even though the other folks are decades to centuries from knowing or understanding her perspective.

I just... Could not get myself to like Sam and there are a lot of instances of SA like behavior that just felt unnecessary.

This book was a DNF for me--I will echo what some other reviewers have said that the style of the writing along with time travel made it a bit complicated to follow.

I'm not sure what I think about this book. On the one hand, its a chaotic time travel story, but on the other it needs heavy trigger warnings and deals with very sensitive subject matter in a crass way.

This is unfortunately a DNF. The premise sounds really, really great but ultimately it reads incredibly juvenile. There was a specific line about the main character "pulling up the sheet for decency" that gave me serious ick.

I'm always intrigued by the notion of time travel in a book and how characters adapt to being in a new situation. Samantha Franklin doesn't really do well with this but she ends up figuring it out. She comes across as a very flawed character, and there were many times I found her heard to relate to. Being bisexual, it would have been really hard to try to live your truth during the Georgian era, especially as someone who iwas living very openly as a queer person. As she gets to know the Goodenough family, she sort of starts to appreciate it more. J.M. Frey writes a story that is both a coming-of-age and romance novel. I enjoyed seeing Daisy and Sam's relationship grow and honestly I wasn't sure how they would figure out their HEA. I thought though that the book felt a big too long. It wasn't meandering but there were certain parts that stayed for too long, and then the ending felt a bit rushed (though very gratifying).

Steam: 🔥
Heart flutters: ❤️❤️

DNF at 10%

I really wanted to love this since it's sapphic, but the prose style definitely isn't for me. This is a time travel and so far has only been from the modern character's POV, which as someone who prefers historical romance to contemporary, this didn't work for me. I also didn't understand how the time travel part worked. Not for me, but hopefully for someone out there!

While the premise seemed promising, the opening pages failed to hook me. The protagonist seemed like an insensitive jerk, with no “save the cat” moment to suggest any redeeming qualities, and their introduction was immediately followed by a very long and dry info dump of exposition. I DNF at 3% since it’s clear this book isn't my cup of tea.

I’ll refrain from reviewing on Goodreads & Amazon since I DNF so early in the story, and it’s possible the character and writing improves later on.

I received an advanced copy from the publisher and am voluntarily leaving this review.

Sam is bi, queer, and proud of it. So she's a little blindsided when her closeted girlfriend breaks up with her just as she's about to get on a plane for their dream European vacation. She doesn't have long to dwell on that because the plane crashes and she's the sole survivor. Except she didn't just land in the middle of the Atlantic, she landed in 1805 and she needs to quickly figure out how to navigate life in early 19th century England.

I'm giving this one a tentative 3.5 stars because I had a hard time figuring out how I feel about it and I'm still deciding almost a day later. I like Sam and think Frey did a great job with the queer representation and the deep thoughts issues the story touches on. However, it drags in places when there really isn't any reason for it to do so. There is always something happening, even when it's just Sam talking about how time drags, so I can't figure out why it feels like it shouldn't be taking so long to get from one point to another.
It's a time travel story with a very well-done queer love plot that has a very clear villain and some excellent exploration of the topic of coming out and living an authentic life when it isn't even safe to do so. The characters are interesting and Sam finds herself in one captivating situation after another. There are things that are a little hard to believe people of the era would be so calm about, but I'm giving artistic license because they make sense for the story.

Happy thanks to NetGalley and W by Wattpad Books for the read!

This is like Outlander but instead of the Scottish Highlands, make it Regency England and make it WLW. Its not necessarily a new premise but still one I usually enjoy and Time and Tide fell right into that group, as well. I think anyone who enjoys regency romance and queer romance would love this mash-up (and lets be so for real - it should be mashed up more often!)

I do get that its likely historically accurate, but I wasn't prepared for the SA attempt. It didn't feel gratuitous, so it can have a pass but a content warning might should be added.

I love historical romance, I love time travel and I love sapphic books, so needless to say, this was very much up my alley! Thanks to NetGalley and W by Wattpad Books for the advanced copy. Time and Tide is out November 12!

Unfortunately, obnoxious bisexual characters are not my speed as a bisexual reader. Bisexual characters are too often written to be so annoying and its tied to their bisexuality and I absolutely hate it.

Time and Tide by J.M. Frey is a beautifully woven time-travel tale that explores the intricacies of survival, adaptation, and personal transformation. This magical novel took me on an emotional rollercoaster, pulling me into the world of Sam, a modern-day woman who is abruptly thrust into the past after a plane crash leaves her stranded in a time centuries before her own.

From the very start, we meet Sam as a carefree, adventurous soul, content in her present life without any desire to settle down. Her life, however, is upended in a dramatic twist, and she finds herself in a bygone era, far removed from the conveniences and luxuries of the modern world. As she faces the harsh realities of this new time period, Sam must navigate not only the practical challenges of survival but also the emotional turmoil of being ripped from everything she knows and loves.

What makes *Time and Tide* particularly striking is Frey’s ability to capture the raw, emotional journey of adaptation. Sam’s struggle to fit into a world where societal norms, technology, and language are all unfamiliar is portrayed with authenticity and depth. The reader is right there with her, experiencing the highs and lows of her journey as she attempts to build a new life while grappling with the constant tension of longing for the life she lost. This emotional depth is one of the book’s most compelling aspects, as it explores themes of identity, survival, and resilience.

Frey’s prose is both lyrical and rich, evoking a vivid sense of time and place that is evocative and immersive. The descriptions of Sam's surroundings and the people she encounters are lush without feeling overbearing. The way Frey handles Sam’s emotional development, too, is deft and subtle, allowing us to see her grow, adapt, and mature with each page.

In terms of tone, *Time and Tide* has an almost cinematic quality, which made me think of the Apple TV series *Dickinson*. Like the show, Frey’s novel captures the spirit of a different time while simultaneously giving it a modern sensibility. There’s a sense of anachronistic beauty in how Sam processes her new world—an intriguing mix of contemporary thought against the backdrop of historical struggles.

One of the novel’s strengths is its exploration of the emotional complexity of time travel. Sam isn’t just learning how to survive in a different time; she’s also learning to reconcile the person she was with the person she’s becoming. As she faces love, loss, and the unpredictability of fate, Frey crafts a poignant meditation on the personal transformations that come from being displaced in time.

*Time and Tide* is, at its heart, a story about how the tides of time shape us, how we can find resilience in the most unexpected places, and how, no matter where or when we are, the human spirit has a remarkable capacity to adapt and thrive. Frey’s storytelling is both emotionally resonant and thoughtfully introspective, making this novel a timeless read.

Whether you're a fan of historical fiction, time travel, or simply well-crafted character-driven narratives, *Time and Tide* is a must-read. It’s a novel that lingers long after the last page is turned, echoing with the universal truth that no matter what era we inhabit, the complexities of the human heart remain timeless.

Time and Tide is the sapphic love child of Outlander and Bridgerton with a dash of Jane Austen thrown into the mix. I loved reading along with Sam’s adventures as she navigated Rengency era England. I laughed at all the faux pas and fun facts while I cried for the life Sam left behind. This was a beautifully written love story between a girl from our time, and a queer Jane Austen type authoress. I loved the story and I can’t wait to read all of J.M. Frey’s other works!

Thank you to Wattpad and JM Frey for this ARC.

The premise of this book sounded like a blend of Outlander, Pride & Prejudice, and Bridgerton. As a queer historical romance, Time and Tide follows Samantha after a plane crash leaves her stranded in the 1800s.

💜 What did you love the most?
The concept was incredible, and I loved leaning into Sam’s out and proud voice in this narrative. She understands the historical era she is in, yet remains rooted in her identity, and slowly realizes that her actions may have irreversible consequences for her entire community as she becomes fast friends with her famed literary hero. Her voice is funny and wonderfully sarcastic, and I truly enjoyed some of the banter between her and the other characters in this novel.

However, there were some parts where our FMC really annoyed me, and she didn’t really show any character growth by the end of the novel.

🔥Steam level: open-door

💜 How was the romance?
The romance in this book is very believable, which was one of the aspects I loved about it. Sometimes, Samantha’s forthrightness made me cringe a bit, but overall, the romance is sweet.

💜 Do you recommend this book?
Do you want a book that is both queer romance and f*ck the patriarchy all in one…well, I present Time and Tide as the book you’ve been waiting for. I had some issues with the pacing and the rushed relationship development, so my rating is not higher for this one. However, I know that many readers will enjoy this twist of a regency romance tale.
3.5/5

Not part of the review I posted elsewhere-could use one last run through for grammar. There were some missing words or bad grammar here and there.

After a massive breakup right before a couple's trip, Sam finds her plane crashing. Into the 1800s. Saved by a ship after the crash, she finds herself struggling to survive in this new time period, and, after accidentally pursuing an engaged man and escaping the abuser she was almost stuck marrying, she finds herself in the household of the writer credited, in this world, with the first wlw kiss, the author of her ex-girlfriend's favorite novel. Sam spends her first year there trying not to mess up the future, while keeping herself safe.

This was both a sweet and at times stressful story (see the aforementioned abuser) and I had a really good time reading it. I like watching Sam grow out of her bad habits, both real and ones she'd been accused of, and struggling to navigate a safe path in this time before realizing how she fits into this world. It was a fun sapphic tale featuring some great bi rep. I had a really good time with it.