this was such a fun read! I love time travel books so much so I had to read this one! The way Sam tried to navigate this new world and find her own voice ws really interesting. The topics of survival and harfship were portrayed really well thanks to Frey‘s lyrical and vivid writing.

My heart needed this time travel sapphic romance. After reading Outlander I have consistently felt that time-travel is an underused trope. The action presented in TIme and Tide is truly non-stop. I was carried away but the characters as well as the situational and interpersonal drama. The only complaint I have is that there were "fun facts" dropped throughout the story and at least one was inaccurate. The one I looked up, because I found is wildly interesting, I discovered was false after talking to an expert on the topic (aviation).

Thank you J. M. Frey, W by Wattpad Books, and NetGalley for my advanced digital copy. My opinions are my own.

Time and Tide is out now!

Plot - 5
Writing and Editing - 3
Character Development - 4
Personal Bias - 4
Final Score - 4

unfortunately this just didn't hit the chords for me but did hit a bunch of my triggers. I wasn't able to finish the book and therefore do not feel it would be right for me publish any reviews on public formats. I hope that this book finds its audience, I am just not going to be in that crowd.

Unfortunately a DNF for me. I thought the idea was great but the execution wasn’t for me. I think may other people would enjoy it, seems like it would be a fun palette cleanser book

“Time and Tide” sends a modern disaster bi back in time to meet an authoress bound by the homophobic social taboos of Austen’s England. Bradley’s book is sci-fi dystopia, while Frey’s curtsies to the bonkers, bodice-ripping yarns of Johanna Lindsey and Bertrice Small. But both stories fascinate by committing to the idea that chronological dislocation is a kind of violence, and not being afraid to get a little messy about it.

Hehehe, What if I went back in time and smooched my favorite author. The book that I didn't know I needed. cannot recommend this enough.

If you tell me a book has Outlander vibes, I’m in. I may not know which vibes in particular you mean, since there are MANY to choose from in that series, but I’m still in. Time and Tide by J.M. Frey is one such book and the Outlander vibes it has are a dash of historical mixed with time travel. And it was a fun read!

Here’s the book’s description:

Just a twenty-first century gal with nineteenth-century problems…

When Sam’s plane crashes catastrophically over the Atlantic, it defies all odds for Sam to be the sole survivor. But it seems impossible that she’s rescued by a warship in 1805. With a dashing sea captain as her guide, she begins to find her footing in a world she’d only seen in movies.

Then Sam is betrayed. At the mercy of the men and morals of the time, and without the means to survive on her own, she’s left with no choice but to throw herself on the charity of the captain's sisters. She resigns herself to a quiet life of forever hiding her true self. What she doesn't expect is that her new landlady is Margaret Goodenough—the world-famous author whose yet-to-be-completed novel will contain the first lesbian kiss in the history of British Literature, and a clever woman. Clever enough to know her new companion has a secret.

As the two women grow ever closer, Sam must tread the tenuous line between finding her own happiness in a place where she doesn’t think she’ll ever fit in, and possibly (accidentally) changing the course of history.

Time travel is the only sci-fi element I really enjoy reading and the way Frey approached it was pretty interesting. One minute Sam was in an airplane that’s about to crash, the next she’s been plucked out of the sea by a Captain in 1805. Like with most time travel books, the exact “science” of it was never fully explained and, unlike Outlander, you never know what kind of hole Sam left behind in the present day. Did she ever exist? Did her parents just assume she did die in a plane crash? Plus, the telling of the time travel is always a fraught experience for the traveler. Sam was lucky that the people she told believed her, or, at the very least, didn’t not believe her. I’m not quite sure that her strange manners and way of speaking actually would have been accepted by the people she encountered but humans are a strange species.

I loved the Happily Ever After. It was tied up so well and I really appreciated knowing how the characters ended up, especially after all the hardship they had encountered. I mean, come on, Sam survived a plane crash and almost drowning, of course I wanted her to find her HEA in the end and know she was ok! (This is a romance. There is going to be a HEA. This is not a spoiler.)

It took forever for the other shoe to drop in this story. I knew where things were going but it took Sam ages to realize how she fit into history. I almost wonder if the book could have been a lot shorter (it clocks in at just over 400 pages) and if that could have helped.

I was also *this* close to not even reading this one as I was so enraged at the novel’s epigraph. It quoted Persuasion but not only did it misspell Jane Austen’s name (it’s Austen, not Austin) but it also spelled the book’s title as Persuassion. That’s not even a word! This was a finished copy, not an ARC, so it should have been fixed. AND Austen is quoted at the start of every. Single. Chapter. All spelled correctly! Be better, copy editors.

Important content warnings: there are a few instances of sexual assault, including attempted rape. Things are interrupted right at the last second but I am sure the scenes will be hard for some people to read. There’s also the plane crash and almost drowning. Sam’s PTSD is discussed and there are flashbacks. Be kind to yourselves.

On the whole, though, Time and Tide was fun to read. A sapphic time travel novel with a character who will eventually be a famous author? Delightful! JM Frey’s novel is far from perfect, and the imperfections sometimes hurt my enjoyment, but it was still a good story to spend some time with.

*A copy of this novel was provided by the publisher, Wattpad Books, in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own*

Unfortunately time lapsed on this and I was unable to fit it into my reading schedule so I will have to refrain from commenting and reviewing on it.

I really enjoyed this book, but it lost a star due to its lack of content warnings at the beginning. It has some very graphic scenes (see my warning below). I thought Samantha’s emotional journey was really interesting and following her character arc was really rewarding. It’s one of those books where you just have to keep reading to find out what happens! I loved the way everything she knew about the past got pieced together as she continued living in it. It was like watching a puzzle get its final pieces! This was an exciting read!

Content warnings: abuse and attempted rape, PTSD, historical misogyny and homophobia

*Time and Tide* by J.M. Frey is an engrossing, imaginative blend of science fiction and romance that takes readers on a journey through time, space, and the complexities of relationships. The story follows Dr. Alex Reynolds, a brilliant but emotionally distant scientist, who becomes embroiled in a time travel adventure that forces him to confront his past, his future, and the delicate balance between love and duty. As Alex navigates the intricacies of time travel, he discovers the consequences of his choices and the impact they have on the people he loves.

Frey’s writing is both captivating and thought-provoking, with a strong focus on world-building and complex character development. The book does a fantastic job of blending speculative elements, such as time travel and alternate timelines, with emotional depth. The science fiction aspects are handled with a careful attention to detail, making the world-building feel immersive and grounded, even when dealing with such an outlandish concept as time travel.

The relationship at the heart of the story is one of the most compelling aspects of the book. The romance between Alex and his love interest unfolds gradually, with Frey skillfully exploring themes of love, loss, and personal growth. Their dynamic is rich and nuanced, with both characters undergoing significant development as they navigate their feelings for each other amid the chaos of time travel. The emotional stakes are high, and the relationship adds a layer of depth to the overall narrative, making the sci-fi elements feel even more personal.

One of the strongest elements of *Time and Tide* is its exploration of the ripple effects of time travel. Frey does a wonderful job of illustrating how small changes can have significant impacts on both personal relationships and the larger world, giving the novel an air of tension and consequence. This theme adds a layer of urgency to the story, as Alex must come to terms with the consequences of his actions in ways that feel both surprising and inevitable.

While the pacing is generally solid, some readers may find the more introspective moments slow, especially in comparison to the fast-paced action sequences. However, the character-driven nature of the story ensures that these quieter moments are still engaging, as they provide valuable insight into the inner workings of the characters’ minds and motivations.

Overall, *Time and Tide* is a beautifully crafted novel that combines the best of science fiction with a deep, emotional narrative about love, loss, and the passage of time. J.M. Frey’s ability to weave together speculative elements with heart and humanity makes this book a standout for fans of both science fiction and romance. If you enjoy thought-provoking stories that explore the complexities of time travel and the relationships that shape our lives, *Time and Tide* is definitely worth reading.

Sigh. This was a 2.5 star letdown. It is unfair because the premise seemed so promising. But the book dragged on and on, the MC was frankly unbearable, and the payoff of the last third of the book wasn't worth the painful build up. The book starts in the present day, which was the weakest part of the story. We then hit the high seas in early 1800s, which had some interesting moments but Sam throwing herself at the captain ruined the vibes. Returning to London we meet the most vile character of all time and have to endure scenes that really should come with multiple content warnings. It isn't until Sam escapes London to the countryside (we're at maybe 50-60% at this point?) that this book finally becomes enjoyable. Daisy is a delight, a treasure, and their flirting was real cute.

I'm sure some outlander fans will really enjoy the whole tormented journey in the past parts of this book, but I was not into them. And I never got over Sam refusing to adapt to the past and continuing to speak with modern jargon. Those two elements made it hard for me to recommend this one.

Thank you to Wattpad and netgalley for a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

Content Trigger Warnings - As this is a time travel book, there are some instances of assault and harassment. Any a-la-Outlander time travel historical romance comes out = it goes on the TBR. Time and Tide by JM Frey was a fun spin on the historical time travel plot - our lead fair lady is bi and romantic hijinks ensues.

Thanks, Wattpad Books, for the arc!

I was excited about this book, but the beginning had a lot of ups and downs for me. It definitely should have had trigger warnings! By halfway, I just became bored, and I had no desire to keep reading. I was at page 194 and would pick it up and put it down without any care to know what happened to the characters. I didn't even want to read the end! I think it was the unnerving beginning. I didn't connect with it; it wasn't the story I expected.

Trigger Warnings (up until where I read): physical abuse, plane crash, injury and injury detail, sexual assault, PTSD, misogyny

Sam, the FMC, travels back in time to give us a time traveling historical romance. It does give an excellent representation of managing life with trauma and PTSD. Traveling to that time period also shows how Sam has to adjust to women having even fewer rights, having to deal with men in that time, Not exactly the vacation she was wanting….

I love seeing bi representation in a book. I especially love the tie in of her meeting an author she adores in her future life. The writing by J.M. Frey is wonderfully done, and it was interesting watching how the changes to how things were written seemed to change as Sam moved through and adjusted to her life in the past. Dark themes are addressed, just like any woman would have faced back in the 1800’s. So, this isn’t a fluffy historical romance at all. You are going to face a lot.

Make sure you read the content warnings. Attempted r*pe is something that is definitely seen multiple times, along with abuse. I just feel that should be noted. I don’t think I realized how much was to be expected.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC to review, and asking for my honest opinion.

Thank you NetGalley for the Arc! I could not put this book down! I loved every single thing about this book and I truly enjoyed reading! The plot before reading had me hooked and after finishing I just wish there was more of Sam and Daisy I could read. I fell in love with them and their relationship and I can’t wait for the book to be out so I can buy a physical copy!

This one started off strong but quickly fell into predictablity. The premise: jilted Samantha's plane crashes and she time jumps to the 1800s (the science/magic is never explained). She must learn to survive as a self-proclaimed "chaotic bisexual" in a time when being a queer woman is unacceptable.
I really enjoyed the writing style, the descriptions were clever and engaging. Some of the characters motives felt contrived and forced, however. The evil Judge Lewis was a charactature of every slimy, sleezy Regency man. I could have done without the SA and abuse scenes.
Sam's romance with Daisy was sweet and the build up was well done. Ultimately, I predicted the ending about half way through. Still, a decent enough read and a good fit for Regency lovers.

I received this ARC from @netgalley and publisher @wattpadbooks. The opinions are my own.
Time and Tide was released on November 12, 2024.

I was kind of aware of what the final "twist" may be, throughout the whole book, but it was still worth the wait! I only wish we could've known what happened with Sam's family and how her disappearance was taken, but I know it wouldn't have fit in the book at all. Overall, highly recommend!

3.5 stars rounded up. This book started out strong and grabbed my attention right away. I lost interest a bit as it went on, but it was a mostly entertaining read. The villain was really villainous and might be triggering for some readers.

The romance was cute but quick. I didn't really feel the connection as much as I would've liked, but it was sweet. I felt like there was something missing from the time travel aspect of the story. I would've liked to see more of a conclusion there. That didn't really matter too much though because this was more a character-based story and it (mostly) worked in that sense.

I read an ARC of this book from NetGalley. All comments are my own.

I thought this was good - I did find that, like a lot of the wattpad ARCs I've been reading, this could have benefitted from at least one more round of edits