This was a reread/relisten for me of DL Orton's fabulous, confusing, invigorating, and captivating tale of people like you and me confronting challenges and predicaments at every turn. It's also a great love story, although I'm sad to say, I've yet to find a happily ever after. Can time be lost? Do parallel universes exist? I have no answers, but I trust D.L. Orton to keep me wondering. I’m grateful to NetGalley for a review copy of this audiobook. The dramatic narration is great. 4.5 stars.

Lost Time (Between Two Evils) by DL Orton is the second book in the series. The first book in the series, Crossing In Time, is the love story between Isabel and Diego. If you did not read the first book, much of the plot will not make sense.

What if you could rewrite the course of your life, change one decision, erase one scar? Lost Time (Between Two Evils) by DL Orton dials into this poignant question through its gripping narrative of time travel, redemption, and the fragile balance of human connection. Set against a dystopian backdrop where time doesn’t just slip—it unravels—the book hooks readers from the first page with its intricate exploration of parallel realities and the consequences of tampering with them.

Are you a fan of science fiction, dystopian worlds, or the mind-bending paradoxes of time travel? This book will feel tailor-made for you. With its sharp blend of speculative exploration and human emotion, it’s a treasure for those who enjoy thought experiments wrapped in a gripping narrative.
If you are looking for a linear continuation of the first book, this is not for you.

At the heart of this novel is Diego, a compelling, flawed character thrown into chaos when a time travel experiment propels him into the future instead of the past. Diego is more than a relatable (and oftentimes heart-wrenching) character—he’s a mirror for our own questions about regret and second chances. Has he learned his lessons about losing Isabel the first time? I think not.

Lani, his healer, she has no formal medical training in a future shaped by strange circumstances, brings warmth and complexity, challenging Diego to accept the fractured pieces of his current life. But does she really? Because, Isabel, though seemingly absent, looms powerfully in his memory and choices, embodying a theme that echoes throughout the book—can we truly move forward bound to the memories to the past? Does Lani even give him a chance to mourn his losses?

When Diego’s failed time travel experiment sends him forward instead of backward, he finds himself in a fractured future where nothing is quite as it seems. The love of his life, Isabel, is presumed dead, and Diego is forced to rebuild his sense of purpose with Lani, a strong yet enigmatic character who challenges his understanding of moving on.

This book hits all the right notes for a fan of speculative fiction—it’s layered, thought-provoking, and filled with moral grey areas that keep you turning pages. I appreciated how DL Orton explores time travel as more than just a sci-fi trope. Instead, it becomes a metaphor for our own what-ifs, regrets, and inability to escape the butterfly effects of our actions.

The concept of parallel realities is particularly compelling—they aren't just divergent paths; they serve as stark reminders that our decisions create ripples across all dimensions of our lives. Orton masterfully raises questions like, even with a second chance, are we destined to repeat our mistakes? Or will we just make the same mistakes in all realities?

Diego is a relatable, imperfect self. His struggles, not only with time but with the weight of his choices, make him feel deeply human. Lani grounds the narrative emotionally, offering a spark of hope amid the despair of dystopia. That said, some readers may find the timeline shifts slightly convoluted at first, but it’s worth sticking with—it all ties together beautifully in the end.

My main criticism of the book is that there is no Isabel. In the first book, it was of the most importance for her to change time. I does not seem to happen.

Lost Time (Between Two Evils) is a must-read for anyone who loves their science fiction served with a hearty dose of existential musings. Are our timelines malleable, or are they as fixed as the stars? Can we truly redeem ourselves, or are our scars and destinies intertwined, inescapable?

If you’re ready for a book that will not only entertain but also linger in your mind long after the final page, this is it. Be prepared to question not only how we perceive time—but how we perceive ourselves.

Thank you to Netgalley and Rocky Mountain Press Audio for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Ok, this book took a direction that I wasnt expecting, I still really like Diego, but I got disappointed with some choices he did… I understand that from his point of view he had lost everything, and after losing everything, where or how should one go on… I was hoping for a miracle and maybe I will have that on the third volume.

Diego was expecting to travel to the past, but was sent into the future, luckily the right people is on his path and manage to help him.

I am a big fan of this audiobook, the voice actors are the same as in the first book, and I must say, they elevate the quality of the story, I love the performance and I highly recommend this audiobook for all fans of time travel.

Thank you NetGalley and Rocky Mountain Press Audio, for the free AAC and this is my honest opinion.

I'm enjoying this series alot I can't wait to find out what happens next the storylines are so fun but also so full of tension it is addictive and gripping

What if time travel and the multiverse are real, and the love of your life is sent on a mission... only to be lost? Now, it’s up to you to save your world—no matter the cost. This book continues the story of Isabela and Diego as she ventures into another universe, and even the past, to try and save her world, fully aware that it could cost her life.

I loved how Isabela got to know a younger version of Diego, using her knowledge of him in the present to shape her interactions with him in the past. It was fascinating to see how these moments deepened her understanding of their relationship and reshaped her perspective. While I wish we had seen more of what Isabela was up to during their brief time apart, this didn’t detract from the story—it simply left me craving more.

The ending had me so hooked that I immediately dove into the third book to see how the series resolves its overarching dilemma.

I received a copy from the publisher via Netgalley for an honest review.

The first novel was an absolute wild ride and so creative and ended with this huge, amazing cliffhanger that I was so excited to find out what happened next! This novel did not answer those questions. Rather, this was more Diego's story that was happening in conjunction with the first novel....and then also ended on a cliffhanger with more questions than answers! A bit frustrating and I am excited to pick up the next novel....because this one wasn't great. But, that often happens in the second book in trilogies! I will still definitely pick up the next though because I need some serious answers!!

WOW! So, I was so excited to read the continuation of Diego and Isabel after the ending in the last book....
But, to my surprise, Isabel remains elusive. =0
I am really hoping that Book #3 will have some closure (for them, and for US!!)

Outline: Diego is in search of Isabel. He enters the Time Machine…(in only his Birthday Suit). It doesn't actually go as planned. He ends up seriously hurt, and needs a lot of time to recover...and meets Lani (the MD who is treating him...). They become very close over the months of healing required.

Of note: Things are NOT the same in this universe/time frame as they were where he is from. And that in itself takes a lot of getting use to.

We meet Shannon (Lani's daughter who is amazing, smart, innocent, and way ahead of her time!) at only 17 years old!

Much of the world is gone... after the last plague wiped out what appears to be about 90-95% of the population. AND...the remaining population can only go OUTDOORS if they are donning a protective BioSuit. However, this does NOT apply to Diego, as he was given a type of blood protection, from his prior universe, in order to deal with the plague from that time...and it seems to protect him NOW as well. This is very strange indeed...in this other universe.

OK...Ending it here. Looking very forward to reading/listening to Book #3 in the series!

5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me!

Thanks so much to #NetGalley and #RockyMountainPressAudio for the GRANTED WISH and permission to read/listen to this ARC! Apparently the book has already been released, so you should be able to find it on shelves already!

#LostTime (Between Two Evils #2) by #D.L.Orton and narrated beautifully once again by #NoahMichaelLevine and #ErindeWard.

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