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.

Samantha is a 24 year old bi woman living in present day Canada. When her planned trip to Barcelona with her girlfriend ends up as a solo trip after a breakup, her plane runs into a storm off the coast of Spain. Everyone on the plane dies, except Sam, who is rescued by a British ship's captain in the year 1806. Traumatized and disoriented, Sam first tries to deny what's happened, but eventually she is reconciled to her fate, especially after she's introduced to the captain's sister, Margaret, an author just beginning her trade but destined to write the first queer novel.

This time travel book is wonderful; completely engaging and well plotted. Sam can be a bit tiresome at times, but she usually owns up to her impulsivity and stubbornness. The research appears to be well done. Overall a fun and really wonderful book.

Highly recommended.

Thanks to the publisher for an ARC via NetGalley.

Not for me did not finish, and did not review on social media. The female FMC in the first chapter curses her current girlfriend because she doesn't want to come out of the closet. The said girlfriend curses her back, and I just did not find that I wanted to read any more about either of these characters. So, I DNFed it.

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Time and Tide by J.M. Frey is a first person-POV Sapphic speculative romantic historical involving time travel. When Sam’s girlfriend breaks up with her right before their trip to Barcelona, Sam still goes on the trip solo. However, she falls through time and winds up in the early nineteenth century and sees the side of the Regency period that is often not shown on TV.

Sam is very stubborn and fits the meme of a Bi woman who talks about being Bi all the time, something that is played for laughs and is also meant to play into her character arc. Like many young people, she’s passionate about social justice issues and how history has harmed so many, but being in the Regency period, she needs to learn how to talk to others about her opinions in a way that they can not only understand, but won’t immediately feel like she’s belittling them. We definitely see different worldviews that were common during the nineteenth century on display and how normalized those ideas were.

A large part of the story is a gothic romantic novel featuring the first Sapphic kiss in British literature, The Welshman’s Daughters. Sam’s love interest is the author, Margaret, and a lot of their story is Sam trying to support Margaret while also being aware of how important this novel was to generations of Sapphic women. I really appreciated how this was handled because I fully believe that someone in Sam’s position, who is as passionate about Queer history as she is, would have a constant internal monologue revolving around making sure this novel was written and still contains the material that made it so important. If anything, I think I would find it unrealistic given Sam’s characterization if it wasn’t there.

Content warning for depictions of abuse, sexual assault, and sexism

I would recommend this to fans of romantic historicals involving time travel and readers looking for a Bi lead in this historical fiction

Outlander meets queer regency era historical fantasy.

While parts of it were fun and sweet, this book does not shy away from the PTSD of a plane crash and time travel to the past, or other dark and uncomfortable realities of the early 1800's such as attempted SA and misogyny.

There is a cute sapphic romance, and thankfully the love interest Daisy is more likable than the MC, Samantha. I had a tough time with her personality and actions at some points. I would have liked to meet Daisy earlier in the book.

The ending was kind of unexpected for me, not what happened, but I was surprised about what didn't happen. The writing is engaging and it's a quick read!

3.5 rounded down because it's just not quite there to give 4 stars to for me.

Thank you Wattpad books for the ARC!

I am extremely disappointed this book didn't have any trigger warnings. I have given trigger warnings to many books this year, but nothing like this. Toss out all previous ones if it meant the publisher would actually add one to the book. MAJOR TRIGGER WARNINGS for attempted rape, physical abuse, and PTSD. The scenes are detailed and go one for many pages. Thankfully, it wasn't meant to glorify it, but to show struggles women went through during the time period (and unfortunately still do today). Although it was necessary for the plot, I really don't think all the detail was needed.

Truly did enjoy the book, though. I started out hating the Samantha. Actually, so much that, even though I had only read less than 10 pages, I thought she may get up to Ross Gellar levels of hatred. One scene in an airport and a few references to the past, and I loathed her. But, apparently, all that she needed to change was get in a plane crash and get flung back into the past. Shoved back into the closet. Etc etc. So I did end up liking her.

Thanks to NetGalley for the free kindle book. My review is left voluntarily.

*Received as a free ARC*
I probably wouldn't have requested this book if I'd realized it was being published by Wattpad. The premise is solid but it is in desperate need of an editor. It was clunky and there were a LOT of typos. The third act break up was enraging (what's new) and I guessed the "twist" of who Sam turned out to be. But for every book it's reader, so I'm sure lots of people will enjoy this much more than me. I will say, I enjoyed the ending. After all they were put through, at least they were happy.

"Historical fiction with a touch of time travel, for fans of Diana Gabaldon, Alexis Hall, and Olivia Waite's Feminine Pursuits series, where a modern bisexual woman is thrown into Regency England and must figure out how to survive, while she falls in love with a woman who will become a famous author.

Just a twenty-first century gal with nineteenth-century problems...

When Sam's plane crashes catastrophically over the Atlantic, it defies all odds for Sam to be the sole survivor. But it seems impossible that she's rescued by a warship in 1805. With a dashing sea captain as her guide, she begins to find her footing in a world she'd only seen in movies.

Then Sam is betrayed. At the mercy of the men and morals of the time, and without the means to survive on her own, she's left with no choice but to throw herself on the charity of the captain's sisters. She resigns herself to a quiet life of forever hiding her true self. What she doesn't expect is that her new landlady is Margaret Goodenough - the world-famous author whose yet-to-be-completed novel will contain the first lesbian kiss in the history of British Literature, and a clever woman. Clever enough to know her new companion has a secret.

As the two women grow ever closer, Sam must tread the tenuous line between finding her own happiness in a place where she doesn't think she'll ever fit in, and possibly (accidentally) changing the course of history."

Perhaps Sam is the one who inspired the kiss? Hmm...