This was such an emotional read. A multiple timeline book (which I love), you will also travel through Long Island, New York and Ireland and Vietnam. The story of Grace, Anh, and Bao will work its way into your heart and you will experience so many emotions. I appreciated the bond that develops between Grace and Anh as well as seeing how normal everyday people could make a difference in the lives of others. A nice historical fiction book that took a different approach than those I typically read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Union Square and Co. for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!

Historical Fiction

A heartfelt and moving story that weaves together love, loss, and resilience with a rich historical backdrop. The characters are written with such humanity—they feel deeply flawed but also achingly real. The dual timeline adds a depth that kept me engaged, and the way the story explores the long shadow of the Vietnam War is both eye-opening and deeply emotional.

The audiobook narration by Caroline Lennon is a standout; her voice brings warmth and nuance that perfectly complement the tone of the story. While the pacing could have been tighter at times, the emotional impact of the ending more than made up for it.

Thank you to NetGalley and RB Media/Recorded Books for this audiobook ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Inspired by the true story of a Vietnamese refugee who told the story of her escape to the author. As well as stories from a wounded veteran about how lives are forever impacted by the devastation of the Vietnam war.
An unforgettable story that transports us from 1979 New York to war-torn Vietnam showing that sometimes the most unexpected friendships are what get us through.
A wonderfully diverse cast of characters in this powerful and emotional saga.
Superb narration by Caroline Lennon.

Thank you to NetGalley and RB Media/Recorded Books for an arc of this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

Two women from different worlds, Grace and Anh, are indelibly changed when a runaway boy is found on a street in their small Long Island town. Brought together by the love of this child displaced by war, the women find friendship and healing from their own painful pasts when their lives intersect with a mysterious wounded Vietnam vet. The vet, Jack, works at the Golden Hours, a watch store that mends timepieces—and might even mend damaged souls.

I almost always love a dual timeline. And this one is no exception. The Vietnam war era…oh Lordy…it will break your heart.

Anh’s tale is tragic and as she struggles to overcome and make her way in America, you truly see her strength. And same for Grace, except in a different way. She has such a good heart and she is not going to let anything stop her! These two ladies develop a bond that changes both their lives!

Oh, I so loved this narrator, Caroline Lennon. She had such warmth to her voice.

Need a story of love and loss…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

Long Island 1979. A beautiful story about a wounded Vietnam vet, a recent Vietnam refugee and her nephew, and a caring Irish immigrant. Having just arrived to the US after a dangerous and life-altering journey from Vietnam, Ahn and her nephew Bao meet Grace. Jack, an emotionally and physically scarred Vietnam vet, works for Grace’s husband, Tom, who owns a shop called the Golden Hours, where timepieces and repaired and restored. Jack’s story is told in flashbacks of before and during the war. Beautiful, heartbreaking and heartwarming.

4.5 stars.

I was really excited to start this one. The plot sounded phenomenal.

It was a really emotional novel but there are too many stories going on and its all surface and no depth. I needed more but it basically only scrached the surface of all the over complex stories and it was done really slowly.

It was such a busy book and considering how slow the pace was, the ending was so rushed! It was exasperating.

The ending was beautiful though so its a real shame that this book didn't do it for me.

3 stars

Thank you NetGalley and RBmedia for the ARC of this audiobook for my honest review

Wow this was a really good book, it made me cry a lot, it was sad but also happy sad and I was so happy with the ending. The writing was really well done - though it did take me a little to get into it. Also funny story when I was listening to this I did some dumb stuff with a chemical cleaning spray that was in a gas canister and it exploded onto my face and it burnt so bad and I thought I was going to turn out just like Jack, but I didn’t I’m fine it’s been 9 hours and it burns a bit and is swollen but the chemicals didn’t eat to the bone so it’s definitely different to jacks situation. But now I have a forever link to this book haha as long as I remember not to stab a spray cleaning canister

I'll be publishing my review on Goodreads and StoryGraph 8th November and on Tik tok most likely will add to a monthly wrap up post with review the beginning of December.

I kind of love that this book ended in a place I didn’t expect, wrapping up one of the interwoven story lines but not the others.

The book transported me from Ireland to Vietnam to the US, between characters and time periods. The story coheres through (mostly) good, kind, regular people living the lot they were given in their respective times and places, navigating love and loss and acceptance and coming together into one community.

The stories were vivid and I’m sure parts will stay with me for a while. Ultimately, I think it’s about opening your heart to know and love people from different backgrounds, and the richness that brings to everyone’s lives when it happens.

Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy of the audiobook.

I have only just started reading books about the Vietnam War. I was honestly pretty ignorant until I read The Women earlier this year. This novel was also super eye opening to what it may have been like during that time in our history.

Expect —> Vietnam War, Historical Fiction, Multiple POV’s, Non-linear Timeline, Heartbreaking

This tragic look at love, loss, and life is was an important reminder about perspective and grief. There were many characters and all were very human. With good thoughts and bad. With positive intentions and selfish actions. Even with this many characters, I never felt lost or overwhelmed. The shift between characters happened seamlessly.

I both loved and hated leaning more about the war and how people were treated at such a dark time and in the years following. It’s not a book that will keep you smiling but it will make you think and bring forth emotions.

The narrator’s beautiful Irish lilt was so soothing.

For lovers of history and of humans, this one is for us.

Thank you RB Media for the review copy

While this is a very emotional read, I appreciated that it was based in truth and real life scenarios. People deserve to have their stories told, especially those effected by the Vietnam War.

Happy release day @alysonrichman 🫶🏻
And thank you @getredprbooks @unionsqandco for the gifted ARC & @recordedbooks for the the ALC!
This was a beautifully written story. Heavily focused on the Vietnam war during several time periods, across many different characters. Some factual information weaved into a fictional story about grief, love, loss, new friends, new homes, after effects of war, PTSD, etc.

I adored so many characters. My heart literally broke seeing the journey and heartache many of them faced. The perseverance they had and the open arms extended to them made my heart in turn so happy.

The audio drew me into the time period and characters personalities. I felt immersed in their grief and trials right along with them. A fantastic historical fiction read and one I feel like I learned so much from.

This book is full of big life changing tragedies. It follows different characters and their journeys through these tragedies. It is a powerful historical fiction and I learned a lot about the Vietnam War that I won’t soon forget. I enjoyed seeing how strong and resilient people are and that love is truly a powerful and strong motivator. This book brought me to tears, it brought me joy and everything in between. The author really illustrated how the consequences of war affected so many in Vietnam and in the United States. It was so well written and a lot of research clearly went into it. I would recommend this book.

Description:
Two women from different worlds, Grace and Anh, are indelibly changed when a runaway boy is found on a street in their small Long Island town. Brought together by the love of this child displaced by war, the women find friendship and healing from their own painful pasts when their lives intersect with a mysterious wounded Vietnam vet. The vet, Jack, works at the Golden Hours, a watch store that mends timepieces-and might even mend damaged souls.

Very enjoyable read.. each character was engaging and kept me right there to learn more. Good discussions can be made by many topics. Recommend to all

The Time Keepers takes place at the time of the Vietnam War with multiple point of views. From a soldier in the war, to Vietnam refugees- they all have experienced great pain. The book is gut wrenching but also beautiful. There is sound family and immense kindness. I would recommend this book!!

Let me start by saying that this is NOT the first book I've read of hers, and I've loved each and every one of them. So, by the time I am about 1/3 through, and I am NOT loving it, I'm really surprised! So, I go on, thinking that maybe it will turn around...AND IT ABSOLUTELY DID!!

This is a kind of dual timeline, in that one story takes place DURING the Vietnam War, and the other takes place, several years later (1979), right here on Long Island, NY...where I live now.

The Vietnam timeline is mostly disheartening, as it gives you crystal clear insight as to what exactly was going on back then, and how horrifically terrible it was for our young soldiers. The deaths. The uncertainty. The fact that MANY of them were just 18 years old! 🥺 BUT, at the same time, it also gives insight as to how much they tried to take care of each other, form friendships...and family type bonds...during a time of war.... 🙏🏼🫣

The 1979 timeline brings into account several people, kind of displaced from the war, and trying to make their way through to see the light again... and how they received help…sometimes from the most unlikely sources…

It really lightened my heart to read about a normal, everyday housewife and mother who took so kindly to a Vietnamese boy, and his aunt when they came to NY.
Also brightened my spirits reading about Jack, a soldier who almost died in the war...but is now working at a Clock Repair Shop...and what a beautiful soul he is! ❤️

And the line towards the end 'it's like seeing the sunlight at midnight...in the darkness'...
Well, definitely make sure you have some tissues on hand. It is a true heartstring puller and one that touches on so many raw emotions!

Thanks so much to #NetGalley, #RBMedia and #RecordedBooks for an ARC of the audiobook which is being released on 10/15/24...TOMORROW!

4 1/2 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 for me, happily rounded up to 5!

#TheTimeKeepers by #AlysonRichman and narrated beautifully by #CarolineLennon.

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What a sweet tale of heartbreak and connection. Richman takes readers on a journey to learn about how love and devastation can go hand in hand while those experiencing it must decide what is enough and what is too much.

An inspiring and uplifting story, I absolutely loved it! A Vietnamese child, a war veteran and a clock shop are the main themes of this dual timeline historical fiction story.

The characters felt completely real, especially Jack, who I was really rooting for and I loved the way that Tom impacted Jack's life, then Jack impacted Tom's father's life - it really warmed my heart!

I wasn't too keen on the narrator; she was ok, but it felt like she did just narrate, where other narrators I have enjoyed listening to have really brought the characters to life with warmth and expression. I think a different narrator or had I read the book, it would be a 5 star.

4 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Alyson Richman and RB Media for an ARC in return for an honest review.