Paris Adrift follows a young woman called Hallie making a new life for herself in Paris, France, and ends up figuring out that in particular places in the city, she’s able to time travel. But the future of the world may depend on things Hallie can change in the past - she just has no idea.

This book is pretty strange, and at times complex and it’s one that when I initially started it, I was afraid I may have had to DNF it but it actually completely gripped me and even though not everything made sense to me, I really enjoyed the ride it took me on.

I don’t think will be a book for everyone but if you’re a reader willing to take a chance on a twisting, strange tale with a science fiction element (aka time travel!) then I would say to give it a go. But also don’t be too surprised if for the first quarter you have no idea what’s going on.

I actually genuinely would have been able to read this book without the opening chapter showing a very horrible future, and people discussing incumbents, anomalies and time travel. It left me feeling really confused but once I was in Hallie’s POV, I was able to follow the story and what was happening to her. I think Leon’s connection with Hallie would have even been better if it was a surprise for us, the readers.

I liked the ending and how things wrapped up though I wasn’t mad about Hallie and Leon’s relationship because I felt no chemistry between the two of them. It kind of felt like the author put them together just because she should, and they didn’t have enough real moments for me to really love them together. They always seemed more like close friends than two people in love to me.

I really enjoyed Hallie’s time travel and would have liked more sections like when she traveled to 1875 and we could really see what she was doing. It felt like we got a good look at 1875, a simpler look at WW2 Paris and then pretty much nothing of her other time travel adventures. I would have liked more of them and less of Hallie’s time in Millies.

I did really enjoy this book though and it’s one I’d tentatively recommend to others with a warning to just give it a fair chance.

I love myself a time travel story, and both the premise as well as the cover here caught my eye. Unfortunately, even though ultimately it was a quick an easy read (as opposed to a book I trudged through), I wasn’t sold on the story or the characters.

I think this is due to the prologue letting me expect a more ‘targetted’ time travel story: a group of time travellers (called ‘incumbents’) holed up in a bunker in Prague, the world dying around them due to a nuclear apocalypse. This war having been triggered by a speech made at the Sacre-Coeur in Paris, the group decides to send one of them back in time in order to prevent that man’s lineage from ever starting. But there’s a catch here: these incumbents can only travel using ‘anomalies’ to which they’re attuned, and since they can’t use someone else’s Anomaly, in this case they need to send someone with an Anomaly in Paris. Which turns out to be Léon, an incumbent with too many travels under his belt, who may or may not be able to perform -all- the time jumps needed to alter the past. Léon does jump, but his aim tis to find a budding traveller in 2017 Paris, and guide them to discover their Anomaly, then to perform the required jumps while they’re still ‘fresh’, so to speak. Along with Léon comes the chronometrist, a former traveller who lost her body (and probably her sanity, too), and whose task is to guide the new incumbent.

…And that’s where it started to turn wrong, because for most of the book, the plot felt only remotely touched, with our new incumbent, Hallie, being guided in such a circumvented way that from beginning to end, I’m not sure she really got what she was doing. And I’m not sure why that was, considering one of Léon’s directives (stated in the prologue, no spoiler here) was to guide her once her ‘mission’ was accomplished, but that… didn’t happen? It was weird. It mostly consisted of Hallie stumbling through her Anomaly, ending up in a different period, bumbling around trying not to get in trouble, with the chronometrist taunting her now and then. It tied up in the end, yet I never got rid of the feeling that plot-wise, the book was plodding rather than making progress.

Character-wise, too, I believe that time spent on stumbling around was meant for character development, but in the end, I didn’t get that much of a feel for Hallie and the people around her, and they end up rather boring to me.

Now, to be fair, I really liked the way the novel approached solutions to ‘prevent a person from being born’. In a lot of time travel stories, the usual approach is to kill them (the Sarah Connor effect), which obviously raises its lot of ethical questions. Here, Hallie found (well, was pushed to) other ways, and that was refreshing to see.

Interesting slant on time travel. Well written with an interesting choice of eras with an ethereal time anomaly and a warning of the consequences of messing with past and future events. I liked the character of Haille but would have liked a little more information about her episodes before she arrived in Paris.. I felt there was more to that than was hinted at in the book. The other characters were well rounded and the chronometrist was slightly creepy. Time travel can be a minefield full of pitfalls when used as a plot line and I think the author did extremely well fusing it all together. The cover was amazing which is what caught my attention first. I would certainly recommend this to people who appreciate this genre. Interested to see what the author tackles next

I DNFed this book at 26%.

This book feels like it’s going nowhere. It doesn’t feel like it has a plot, and it’s pretty boring. The descriptions are pretty good, and it does give a nice feel to the novel but that doesn’t help with the boring characters. Even the main character isn’t particularly great.

I received a free copy of this for review from NetGalley **

Not for me. The story sounded interesting and I wanted to give it a shot but I couldn't seem to get past the first 40 pages. I'm not sure what it was. Might pick this up and try again later. I'll update if I do

First, thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book to review.

This book is very weird, especially in the beginning. At first, I had a hard time following what was going on and I did kind of want to DNF if at first but since it was sent to me by the publisher I figured that I should try and finish it. And I am glad that I did because I did actually end up liking it in the end.

Of the things that I liked about the story the best, I loved how Swift wrote about Hallie's time traveling. I loved all the easter eggs that she left and how Hallie formed relationships with the best that she met on her travels. Especially Millie! Minor spoiler, but I loved how Swift kept bringing them back together time and time again, pun totally intended. Then there is the crew that Hallie works with at Millie's where and Hallie's relationship with Leon. These relationships were great and they did make me feel compassion for the characters. 

Now for the whole premise of the book. I am not going to try and explain it because, to be honest, I don't really grasp it totally myself (I blame the beginning). I finished the book still confused about the Chronometrist and how exactly one gets to time travel. But the end I did enjoy and I was tempted to give the book 4 stars but the beginning prevented that. I liked the plot twist with Leon, which I totally did not see coming even though it was right there!

Overall, if you do end up reading this book, just go with the story. It is weird but it is not completely worth abandoning because of that. I would encourage you to give it a shot and see what you think.

Time travel novels are relatively rare. It's too easy to get caught up in a knot of grandfather paradoxes and endless self-referential loops. Plus Doctor Who has pretty much sewn up the market. Time travel stories work best when the stories told are small, and personal. That's what E J Swift gives us with Paris, Adrift (review copy from Rebellion).

Hallie is a teenager escaping from a difficult family home by putting off university, travelling to Paris and working in a bar. Nudged towards a bar called Millie's by a mysterious stranger, she finds a new family in the transient community of Paris bar staff. She also finds an anomaly in the keg room beneath the bar that enables her to travel through time. Unbeknownst to Hallie, she's been selected as the person most likely to be able to avert a dystopian, apocalyptic future by making small changes to the course of events.

Hallie's story is a coming of age tale. She grows in confidence and maturity as she comes to terms with her challenging family upbringing. It's a love song to that time in our life when we first move away from home and discover self-reliance. Hallie has the chance to reinvent herself in Paris, connecting with a diverse group of likeable people, both in her contemporary Paris, and the city throughout time.

The world-building has a pleasing sense of mystery, with the anomaly left unexplained, and the plot moves along swiftly. Paris, Adrift is an enjoyable story told with pace and skill.

Goodreads rating: 3*

A strangely lyrical sci-fi novel about time travel and free will. I imagine some readers might find this a bit slow because the time travel plot is really a vehicle for character examination rather than an end its own right, but I really enjoyed it. The tableaus of Paris at different times were very engaging, backed by the very dark cost of time travel itself. Hallie was a great character, flawed and lost as she was. Above all I felt that this was a novel about choices and what those choices cost, even if we don’t know in advance what we will be paying. Thoroughly enjoyable.

I stopped reading this book at around 30% - the plot didn't grab my attention and I found what I read to be a little confusing. It's written well but could do with more description on what is actually happening and why it flits back and forth.

I'm honestly still trying to wrap my head around how I felt about this book! I loved the cover, the artwork is gorgeous and draws the eye. The book itself was enjoyable to read and I found myself coming back to it intrigued to see what would happen next, but more often than not I was also a bit confused by certain key elements to the plot.

Paris Adrift is a time travel story, with a dystopian tinge mixed into it. Hallie's Paris is remarkably similar to our own Paris; however, in Hallie's world time travel exists via the anomalies (a sort of portal?) and the incumbents who are capable of using their specific anomaly. When she acquires a job at a bar called Millie's, Hallie soon discovers her anomaly and her identity as an incumbent. At the behest of the body-swapping chronometrist Hallie is sent back in time to alter something and the subsequent repercussions change her life and the lives of those around her in interesting ways.

I found the descriptions of time travel lacking in something. There were never any real descriptions of what exactly the anomalies were and how they worked. I did like that the anomaly itself was considered it's own entity and functioned almost as a separate being rather than simply being a conduit. The addition of the wacky, and scary chronometrist was a great touch, but I would have liked to learn more about her. There were a lot of threads in this story that just didn't get neatly tied away for me by the end of things. I don't know if it was because Hallie traveled so often to so many different time periods, or if it was just the writing style, but something about this aspect of the story just didn't work for me. I did find the descriptions of the character's time in the alternate history interesting, I liked the dystopian feel of it and the way the author tied in Hallie's connection to that change in history.

I loved the concept of this book and the unique way the author took on time-travel, but I think some of the elements could have used just a bit more fleshing out. I enjoyed the characters in this story and especially loved the found family Hallie developed as she continued at Millie's. Overall, it was an enjoyable and unique read!

Not for me, too random and couldn't get into it at all

Brilliant. I read this book in one day. I got totally caught up in the story from the beginning. The idea of a time portal was the reason I read this book. Hallie taking trips back in time to save the world is a fascinating totally immersing story. I have been to Paris and I could imagine Hallie and Leon there. This book is very cleverly written and tells a wonderful and incredible story. I will be recommending and talking about this book for a long time.

This was SO WEIRD and SO GOOD.

I loved the setup: a glimpse into a terrifying dystopian future, then we tumble head first into modern-day Paris with Hallie who finds a job in a nightclub near the Moulin Rouge. It’s a book about time travel and the logistics aren’t ever really explained but that just puts us in Hallie’s Dr Martens and makes the reader just as flustered and shocked as she is. This book is full of lovely moments, like her friendship with Millie, and a memorable conversation about whose country is the most messed up. I loved Paris Adrift and I can’t wait to look out EJ Swift’s other novels.

(I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review)

First off, I love the cover! It's so evocative and perfect for the story, which was very easy to read and entertaining. Reading the scenes in Paris almost makes you feel like you're there with the characters. I love time travel stories, but I especially liked how this one wasn't all sci-fi ish and hard to imagine. I would've liked to know more about Hallie and her estranged family, and the real reason why Gabriela can't leave. All in all, this was a very fun read with a nice mix of romance, adventure and suspense!

The world of Paris Adrift was superb. The aesthetics and world building were really great. The sci-fi elements were not detailed with technicalities which for me was a bit of a let down as I was expecting more from a story involving time travelling. I would recommend Paris Adrift more to fans of fantastic characters and setting than to hardcore sci-fi fans.

https://lynns-books.com/2018/02/22/paris-adrift-by-e-j-swift/
Paris Adrift is a book that I’m conflicted over. I liked the idea of it, I love Paris so the setting is perfect and the cover is just captivating. As it is I liked it but it didn’t wow me.

The story starts off with a post apocalyptic setting at some point in the not too distant future where the world is literally coming to an end. A group of time travellers make the difficult decision that somebody must travel back to change things before this possible future becomes a reality.

Jump to current day Paris where Hallie is desperate for a job and is having a trial run at a busy bar known as Millie’s. From here is a journey of exploration really where Hallie will find her feet, find friends, find a portal to travel through time and possibly find love. It all sounds perfect really.

I’m going to change my format for this review and tell you what I liked and what I didn’t like all in one go – like a good vs bad scenario. Overall it evens out to be honest and I can’t deny that this was an easy read and well written – I suppose I just wanted a little bit more.

Paris. I don’t really think I need to elaborate – but obviously I will anyway. I love Paris, it’s just an amazing city and I would happily read many more books where Paris is the location. So many iconic sites, beautiful language, just the full shebang. But, whilst I love this city, the story felt a little like a tourist one stop guide. I don’t know why but I think I was hoping for more of a few off the beaten track places and it feels a little like a missed opportunity. That being said, visiting the catacombs and other sites through the pages of a book was still great for reminiscing.

The city of love – and love in Paris Adrift. For once, I kind of applaud the plot involving a love story – it’s kind of expected really, this is the city of love after all. But, on the flip side it felt rushed. It was like reading a synopsis of a relationship. It’s obvious that the two characters are going to become a ‘thing’ but no sooner have they discovered each other than they grow apart. If you’re looking for a love story from the City of Love this is lacking a little.

The time travel. The time travel here is not really explained – and I can totally live with that, in fact sometimes I think it’s the best way forward. Don’t over complicate things unless you’ve got a completely stellar idea that you can write about with absolute confidence. Basically, there are portals, not everyone can use them, and ultimately there is a price to pay. I liked this idea and it also brings us to a very curious, and in my opinion one of the best, characters of the story – the chronomoterist. I won’t elaborate further on that but I thought it was a really good aspect to the story and it has some interesting links to immortality in a strange and creepy way and makes me wonder if future books could be planned.

The plot. It becomes very fuzzy if I’m going to be honest. Partly because I was enjoying some of the time travel and the places it took me to. I almost forgot the main purpose of the story. And that leads me onto the way in which Hallie eventually changes the future. I didn’t buy it. I’m sorry but it just gave me a total jaw dropping moment of wtf. That being said, some of the places visited during the time travel were brilliant and I loved reading about them – I really wanted to spend more time in post revolution France – that storyline was so good to read not to mention the whole set up for how Millie’s potentially came about. It was just excellent and I loved that aspect to the story.

The tropes. Well, we had the rather tired trope of the uncaring family – of course it gave Hallie a reason to run away (or upsticks and leave if you prefer) in the first place – but, when we eventually discover the full extent it felt very flimsy by way of excuse. Then there’s the everything falling into place too easily cliche. Let’s be honest here, Hallie has run away to a massive city – where she doesn’t even speak the language. Of course the story makes this all seem very easy and before you know it she has a job, friends and a place to stay. In reality Hallie is very lucky that the City didn’t simpy swallow her up. That being said I loved reading about Millie’s and the people. Hallie managed to really find herself a place at Millie’s and the bar itself just played a really good role in the story.

So, overall. This is an easy read. The writing is good. The pace is consistent and there are some very good ideas particularly those that look at current politics and how they could play out in the future. Unfortunately, I didn’t find myself falling in love with the characters and the plot became almost a non entity. On the positive side, this isn’t the sort of time travelling story that gives you a headache but if you’re going to pick it up then you need to be happy with the fact that the detail is a little lacking.

I had no trouble reading this. It was a fast paced story but personally I was hoping for more. That being said I certainly wouldn’t discourage others from reading this as it’s definitely fun and fast paced. So, conflicted. Good and bad. I actually feel like I’m having an argument with myself in this review.

I received a copy courtesy of the publisher, through Netgalley, for which my thanks. The above is my thanks.

Paris Adrift is the kind of story that sneaks up on you.  At first you are intrigued but slightly distracted by Hallie’s whirlwind of experience - then you find yourself caught in a web of possibilities, thinking about the issues raised long after you’ve closed the book.  The title is Paris Adrift, but in reality is it is Hallie, addicted to traveling through the time portal who is adrift.  Each trip she makes changes the world, but what type of world will it become?  And who is she becoming?

Paris Adrift is a unique novel.  When I read it, I liked it, but wasn’t astounded. Then, I found myself thinking about the contents more and more, reconsidering the issues. That is what I meant by Paris Adrift sneaking up on you.  It is the type of novel that affects you after it is finished.  

5 / 5

I received a copy of Paris Adrift from the publisher and Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.

— Crittermom

I enjoyed EJ Swift's Osiris books a lot, so I was excited to see this one arrive. Turns out it was bit of a mixed bag. I did like the sense of place of Paris through the ages, and the camaraderie of Hallie's colleagues.
On the downside, everything comes a bit too easily. I never really bought that Hallie was in any real danger, or that her missions might fail. Although I'm normally a fan of standalone stories over series books, I wouldn't have minded this one being split over a couple of instalments, with more time given to each trip through time so that the we could have more development of each incident and location. This is almost really good, but doesn't quite make it. It's still a decent read, but it could have been brilliant.

Determined to escape her old life,  Hallie packs up her life in England and heads to Paris. She falls in with the eclectic expat community as a bartender at the notorious Millie’s, located next to the Moulin Rouge. Here she meets Gabriela, a bartender who guides her through this strange nocturnal world, and begins to find a new family. But Millie’s is not all that it seems: a bird warns Hallie to get her feathers in order, a mysterious woman shows up claiming to be a chronometrist, and Gabriela is inexplicably unable to leave Paris. Then Hallie discovers a time portal located in the keg room. Over the next nine months, irate customers will be the least of her concerns, as she navigates time-faring through the city’s turbulent past and future, falling in love, and coming to terms with her own precarious sense of self. 



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Paris Adrift
E.J. Swift

At first Paris Adrift is extremely difficult to understand. We are thrown straight into the time travel element as Leon is sent back in time to fix the timeline so there's no war. There's a lot of terminology which I eventually got my head around, but it was quite disorientating as you're trying to figure everything out. For example time portals are called anomalies. 

This books feels like a Parisian romance novel, and then a time travel plot has been shoe horned into it to make it a more marketable book. I personally felt that if the romance was removed or it was a purely platonic relationship, this book would have read a lot better. The romance aspects often slowed the pace right down as we're shown Hallie being a girlfriend rather than working out what's happening with the time portal. The actual time travel to the past wasn't that interesting either. In 2017, it could have been a great coming of age style read as Hallie navigates Paris. But then she goes back in time and it falls apart. The problem with time travel as well is that at one point this book just mentions that Hallie goes to all these different times, and meets the same friend over and over again but we don't actually see this. I'm at a loss as to why the author would spend time in a time travel book adding a unnecessary romance when she could be time travelling. 

The places around France are 'name-dropped' a lot, which may be helpful for world building if you're in Paris, but for someone who's has limited knowledge, that world building needs to be done through the books text. I also thought that the characters took on the very stereotypical french smoker persona, which I found frustrating. It makes me wonder whether the author has extensive knowledge or limited stereotypical knowledge of the city. The  characters do seem to be one dimensional, so it could just be poor character writing as to why this stereotype is used. 

By 70% into the book, I was really hoping it would just end. I was bored, I'm the kind of reader who will just finish a book because I've already spent X amount of time on it. Luckily it did pick up in the last 10% but by this point, people who DNF would have dropped it and it just showed the promise that this book had. This then highlighted even more how dull the rest of the book was. As beautiful as the cover is, and I'm sure so many people will cover buy this - it just wasn't as good as it could have been, which left me feeling disappointed. 

POSITIVES
+ Picks up in the last 10%

NEGATIVES
– Stereotypes

– Romance wasn't needed

– One dimensional characters

I received Paris Adrift by E.J. Swift from the publisher via Netgalley. This is an unbiased and honest review