Jody Hedlund has been a favorite author of mine for a while, but she’s just out done herself with this latest book and proved again why she’s such a great author!! Come Back to Me, the first installment in her brand new time-crossing (AKA time travel) series, will easily be one of my top reads of the year!
The ultimate cure that could heal any disease? Crazy.
That’s exactly what research scientist Marian Creighton has always believed about her father’s quest, even if it does stem from a desire to save her sister Ellen from the genetic disease that stole their mother from them. But when her father falls into a coma after drinking a vial of holy water believed to contain traces of residue from the Tree of Life, Marian must question all of her assumptions. He’s left behind tantalizing clues that suggest he’s crossed back in time. Insane. Until Marian tests his theories and finds herself in the Middle Ages during a dangerous peasant uprising.
William Durham, a valiant knight comes to Marian’s rescue and offers her protection . . . as his wife. The longer Marian stays in the past, the more she cares about William. Can she ever find her father and make it back to the present to heal her sister? And when the time comes to leave, will she want to?
Bestselling author Jody Hedlund is your guide down the twisting waters of time to a volatile era of superstition, revolts, and chivalry in this suspenseful story.
I’ll admit, I wasn’t sold on the whole “Tree of Life” and “holy water” idea at first, but I was eager to read this book anyway because I just LOVE time travel stories. But Jody really surprised me–and impressed me–with how well she explained this unique time travel theory and made it actually feel plausible. Within the first couple chapters I was officially sold on the concept and totally invested in the story. I didn’t expect this book to have so much drama, action, and intrigue surrounding Marian’s dad’s research and the holy water itself, nor did I expect the plot to have quite so many layers to it; so when I realized this book was a lot more complex than even your typical time travel read, I became even more impressed.
The characters in this book are some of Jody’s best, I believe. They easily came to life for me and made me fall in love with them–especially William Durham! Goodness gracious, I think I have a new book boyfriend! **heart eyes for days** His broodiness, his strength and determination, and then his fierce passion and underlying tenderness… **sigh** He’s a classic example of a swoon-worthy hero!
The action and romance in this story had me on the edge of my seat the entire time! I was fortunate to be able to read half of the book on the way home from vacation without interruptions (the fact that I read for that long without wanting to take a break and do something else really speaks to how great this book is, because I rarely do that these days!) and once I got home and back to reality, I was dying to pick up the book again every day and find out what happened next. If only one didn’t have to do such boring adult things like work and clean house and could just read all day every day, right? 😉
A couple times later on in the book I was left scratching my head about some of the time-travel elements, but it might have just been because Jody’s version of time travel is so different from anything I’ve read or watched before. Regardless, at least 95% of the time I was able to believe the story and stay rooted in it, and any little complaints weren’t enough to diminish my overall love for the book. So if you’re a fan of time travel stories, or are curious to give one a try, then RUN to your nearest book retailer and GET. THIS. BOOK! It’s seriously one of my favorite things I’ve read this year, and for sure my favorite book by Jody yet! 5/5 Stars!
PS: I am absolutely dying for book two to come out! Why can’t I just time travel to January 2022 and get my hands on it now? 😉
**I received a copy of this book from the publisher for review. All thoughts and opinions are completely my own.**
