This was such a good book. Again my favorite tropes of WW2 fiction and dual timelines. I have yet to read one of these types of books that doesn’t draw me in from the first page. The main thing I noticed, which made it a bit different from the usual of this trope I have seen, is that it involves a grandfather and granddaughter. But again it was so good.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by NetGalley

An emotional dual time-line novel from a talented new voice in the genre, Marina McCarron’s The Time Between Us is sure to tug at the heartstrings and have readers reaching for their tissues.

Normandy, 1937 and sixteen year old Elise’s life is one of duty, sacrifice and drudgery. Looking after her mother does not leave Elise with much time to dream – until she meets a young American man called William who makes her feel alive for the first time in a very long while. Elise thinks that in William she has found her Prince Charming and somebody she will spend the rest of her life with, but the gathering clouds of war are fast approaching leaving her future with William in jeopardy…

Boston, 2009 and Lucy is heartbroken about the death of her beloved grandfather. Lucy had been looking forward to going to France with her granddad after her college graduation and she is devastated that she will have to go to this beautiful part of the world alone. Determined to honour her grandfather and his legacy, her trip to France will help her to feel closer to him. But as she retraces the steps he had taken through the French countryside while serving as a GI, Lucy unearths a story of love, loss and bravery that will help heal her broken heart and unlock her future.

It’s hard to believe that The Time Between Us is Marina McCarron’s first novel. She is a very gifted and talented writer who has written an emotional, captivating and heartfelt novel readers cannot help but be invested in. The Time Between Us is a tale of secrets, redemption, healing and hope that is so brilliantly written readers will feel every single emotion the characters in this book go through.

Heart-wrenching, enthralling and wonderfully satisfying, Marina McCarron’s The Time Between Us will go down a treat with fans of Lorna Cook and Suzanne Fortin.

I was completely drawn in from the first page tot he last. Beautifully told triple-narrative between present day and war-torn France. Evocative and sad, I would highly recommend this novel. My thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Netgalley, Aria & Aries, Aria and Marina McCarron for free e-ARC in return of my honest review.

Two story lines. Two different centuries. In 1937 in Normandy 16 years old Elise finds herself in a midst of coming war. She is young and full of hopes. She meets a perfect guy and she falls in love. Shame, it was the worst time to fell in love with a soldier. In 2009 Lucy mourns her beloved grandfather. She is lost in her life and decides to take a trip to France, country her grandfather fought in and seemed to want to return there one day. Unfortunately, he passed away to early to make that happen and in his memory Lucy decides to take the trip and learn more of his War years. Surprises awaits her.

As a fan of historical fiction, I appreciated the two story line format. I was not sure about the narrators and their connection, though the author gave little clues along the novel. I felt like I connected more with Lucy, my contemporary, and I found Elise's chapters cute and enjoyable too.

It was an ok book, nothing really special for me. At parts in was tedious, especially during Lucy's internal monologue and Elise's constant sadness. I wish I enjoyed it more.

Both haunting and enchanting at the same time a story that will stay with you! Normandy, 1937. Sixteen-year-old Elise embarks on a whirlwind romance with a young American man, which transports her from the drudgery of her everyday life caring for her mother. But neither she nor William is prepared for the war that will threaten to tear them apart...

Boston, 2009. Lucy has been left reeling by the death of her beloved grandfather. They had always planned to visit France together after her college graduation; now, still aching from his loss, Lucy decides to take the trip alone. As Lucy traces the steps of her grandfather through the French countryside where he once served as a GI, a powerful story of love, loss and destiny emerges – but can the truth about her family's past unlock her future? Or are some scars too deep to heal?

A beautifully written dual timeline novel about loss and love and war. Historical fiction is a favorite of mine and this debut author did not disappoint!

A fascinating dual timeline story from 1937 and 2009 bringing history to life. The book was obviously well researched and had great characters, especially in Lucy and Elise, and is an emotional rollercoaster that will stay with you. Definitely recommended for lovers of historical fiction.

This is a knock-out debut of a novel. The duel timeline was very well done, not every author can pull it off. The descriptions of D-Day, one of the most senseless wastes of human life, was very well described. It will rip you apart. And as you become invested in the characters from BOTH timelines you will continue to feel all of it. devastation, lonilness, a little hope, and maybe eventually some closure.
I look forward to seeing if this author keeps writing historical fiction, my favorite. If you love the novels of Sarah Jio you will love Marina McCarron

A interesting story sharing the consequences of D-Day on a family.
The story covers two centuries, 1937-2009.
At times a very heartbreaking read of love and loss.
The authors description of D-Day invasion was phenomenal and incredible. The historical information was amazing, just so much to take in and visualize.
Overall, a well written story that will make you feel so many emotions.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest opinion. All opinions expressed are my own.

A beautiful story with a strong and courageous heroine. I couldn't put this down! Beautiful writing kept me turning the pages!

The Time Between Us by Marina McCarron is one of the saddest books I've read in a long time.

In Normandy in 1937 Elise meets William, a friend of her brother's, who takes her out of the ho=hum existence of her life caring for her widowed mother. In Boston, In 2009 Lucy is grieving over the death of her grandfather, William's best friend. She is sad they never travelled to France to see where he fought on D-Day and where her grandmother was born. After graduation from college, Lucy goes to see the places her grandfather wanted to see. Can she overcome her losses and face the future with hope?

I loved this book, it was so interesting as well as sad at times. I loved the historical references. The descriptions of Omaha beach were incredible. What a wonderful book. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

A very satisfying read. A dual timeline story that follows the stories of Hank and his best friend, William, who stormed the beach of Normandy. The first chapter was exceedingly well told with the horrors of war present in each step they took. Loved the line, “One of the bullets was singing for him after all.” This chapter was so very very powerful and moving. My father in law was one of those brave men at Normandy and reading this chapter really hit home. William unfortunately dies and his girlfriend, Elise, is devastated. Fast forward ten years and Hank continues to feel responsible for her even though he is in the US and she is in France. The story of Elise and Hank is so heartbreaking. I was surprised at Edith’s love for her dog.
Many years later Lucy, who lives with her grandfather, travels to France and there the storylines merge together. Lucy was a breath of fresh air after reading about Elise.
Many many thanks to Marina McCarron, Aria & Aries, and NetGalley for affording me the pleasure of reading an arc of this just published book.

The Time Between Us by Marina McCarron is a charming story about the lasting effects of war, often on generations down the line. Lucy is in France, visiting the town from which her grandmother came and the Normandy beach on which her grandfather had lost his best friend. She meets Rob, an American who is working as a tour guide to the beaches and becomes her friend. She doesn't even know her grandmother's last name, but she is hoping intuition will kick in and she will learn more about her as she explores. She also didn't know the name of her grandfather's friend and there were so many graves . . .

This is a book based solely on coincidences, and probably would never happen, but all the pieces could and it sends a message about how long things can have an influence on other things. Lucy was a terrific character and her back-story was totally believable and heart-wrenching. Her grandmother was a broken person and that affected her grandfather and his parents, as well as her own father. It was such a shame when modern medicine could probably have helped if it had happened today. Rob was a nice guy, but not a well-rounded character, really. The story of WWII reaches out and touches every family in Europe and a great many in America. It is an amazing concept. This was a good book. Poignant and beautiful in many ways.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of The Time Between Us by Aria, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #netgalley #aria #marinamccarron #thetimebetweenus

After the devastating loss of her grandfather…the man who raised her, her hero…Lucy takes a pilgrimage to Normandy, France to stand where he once stood during WWII. Normandy is also the home of her grandmother, who died when her father was just a little boy. Who was her grandmother? Will this trip help her find the answers to her own life questions? In WWII Normandy, Elise has fallen in love with a young American. It’s her love for him that helps her survive the occupation and it’s her love for him that takes a hold of her and won’t let go as she grieves his death on D-Day. While one finds strength in her grief, the other slips further into darkness in this coming of age story with dual timelines.

I loved this story. I love how the characters are beautiful interwoven. Your heart breaks for both leading ladies but in different ways. It also touches on grief and how everyone copes with it differently. You can feel the emotion flow from page to page. I gave four stars because I was left with a few questions that I didn’t feel the story addressed or tied up the loose ends.

Thank you to NetGalley, Aria & Aries and Marina McCarron for early access to this wonderful story.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

It’s 2009 in Boston, Lucy is reeling by the death of her beloved grandfather. Both of them had planned going to France, after she’d graduated. But now, she’s not as yet got over the big loss, Lucy, decides to go to France.

1937, in Normandy, Elsie, whose sixteen begin to fall in love with an American. This takes her away from caring for her mother everyday.

But, neither of them are ready for the war, which will tear her apart from William.

The story was told from Elsie, Lucy and Hanks viewpoints. It was a story of two different women growing up in different period of time.

Two stories that started separately but later became one, the story of war was beautifully written, had me engrossed from the start.

A fabulous debut novel.

Highly Recommend This Book.

Boston, 2009. Lucy has been left reeling by the death of her beloved grandfather. They had always planned to visit France together after her college graduation. Now, still aching from his loss, Lucy decides to take the trip alone.

Normandy, 1937. Sixteen year old Elsie embarks on a whirlwind romance with a young American man, which transports her from the drudgery of her everyday life caring for her mother. But neither she, or William, is prepared for the ar that will threaten to tear them apart.

The story is told from the perspectives of Elsie, Hank and Lucy. A coming of age story about two young women in two different time periods. Both stories in the dual timeline are separate to begin with then they join together seamlessly. A story of the war that's well written. I was hooked from the first few pages. It's very good for a debut novel.

I would like to thank #NetGalley #AriaAries and the author #MarinaMcCarron for my ARC of #TheTimeBetweenUs in exchange for an honest review.

From the cover to the gorgeous writing and stupendous descriptions, this stunning book left me breathless. My emotions were crushed and revived and tangled. Marina McCarron writes with such clarity, skill and talent which really caused the story to enmesh itself deeply into my heart, so much so that I cried and felt heartbreak for the characters. Time stood still and supper cooled while I finished living it.

Told in three perspectives, this multi-timeline story mostly takes place in 1937 Normandy (and subsequent years) and 2009 Boston. In 1937 sixteen-year-old Elise who lives with her mother meets William, a friend of her brother's. Their friendship grows and strengthens as war ramps up and rages. War details and consequences are horrifying including dreadful PTSD. Relationships, honour and loyalty are crucial. One of my favourite relationships of many is between Elise and Monsieur Allard.

In 2009, Lucy is unsure whether to study medicine or not. She was to travel to Normandy with her beloved grandfather to learn about his war connections but he has died. She goes on her own and discovers far more than she had ever dreamed, including a kind tour guide, Rob.

The third perspective is that of Hank who was a soldier in the war and a friend of William's. His promises to William lead him to unexpected places.

The words are written with an electric raw quality and the historical details are captured with such intelligence and knowledge it is as though the author had endured the war herself! The physical and mental journeys of the characters reveal so much about human nature, painful and lovely simultaneously. In spite of everything, there is always hope.

This unmissable book is so good I feel like pleading for Historical Fiction, Women's Fiction and General Fiction fans to read it. I cannot stop thinking about it.

My sincere thank you to Aria & Aries and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this immersive book; far beyond entertaining, it was an experience.

A wonderful dual timeline story. A coming of age tale of two different young women at two different time periods in history. An emotional rollercoaster of love and loss.

Sixteen year old Elise in Normandy, just before the outbreak of World War II, is introduced to her brother’s American friend William. As war is declared and he becomes involved in the fighting, they fall in love.

In present day we meet Lucy. She has been raised by her grandfather, following the death of her parents. She never knew her grandmother. Her grandfather never talks about her or his time during the war. Lucy had the chance to go to France with him, but her studies and romance made it difficult.

Following the death of her grandfather, she realises what she should have done while he was alive and decides on a trip to Normandy, hoping to trace something of his past life.

A well balanced and enjoyable read. I enjoy dual timelines, and this was an excellent read which kept my interest right through to the last page. While Elise's story takes place in war torn Europe, Lucy's tells of the close bond shared between her and her grandfather. Her journey to France will open up a new chapter of her life, discovering secrets previously unknown to her.

Thanks to Marina McCarron, Aria & Aries, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a complimentary copy of the book for my honest review.

The Time Between Us by Marina McCarron

This is historical fiction wrapped up in a love story. Several main characters carry their stories, which all tie together by the ending.

A young French girl, Elise, pines for her lost love William in a WWII story which jumps back and forth between Normandy, France and the USA. Another protagonist, Lucy, an American girl, travels to France many years later looking for her roots. You may guess what happens.

This is a nice, but rather predictable story with some surprises. It leans toward the mature YA genre, in my opinion.