Assessment:
Plot/Idea: Beth Easton, a newcomer to the social London season, must choose between staying true to her new friend, Willa Balfour, the daughter of a marquis whom she has agreed to impersonate, and her own heart, which belongs to the intriguing man she has sworn to push away.
Prose: Rich with period detail, witty dialogue, and a historical setting grounded in research, Beth Through Time draws readers into an immersive world of maritime intrigue and Regency etiquette.
Originality: The third installment in Harmke Buursma’s A Magical Bookshop Novel series returns with its signature mix of romance, time travel, and intrigue that is sure to charm fans of hard-won love. An interesting twist on how love can introduce us to our true selves.
Character Development/Execution: Buursma builds her fast-paced, historically informed narrative on appealing characters, engaging relationships, and a variety of settings that are sure to hold readers’ attention. Fans will root for Beth as she wrestles with the true identity of her paramour as well as who she wishes to be.
Blurb: A fated fantasy romance set in Regency England marked by social charms, secrets, and hidden identities.
Date Submitted: August 18, 2022
"The characters were well written and entertaining and I really enjoyed the way they created their relationship. Certainly worth a read and I'm excited for the next one in the series. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review."
"Beth Through Time is a fantasy romance novel, the third book in the Magical Bookshop Novel series by Harmke Buursma. Having persuaded her somewhat overbearing brother John to let her join the London season, Beth Easton is excited to finally attend balls and parties as an adult alongside her friend and chaperone, Anne Blakeley. In a twist of fate, she meets Willa Balfour, the daughter of a marquis, who wants to avoid meeting the man her father has set her up with at any cost. Beth agrees to switch identities with her and meets the Duke of Cashel, Edmund Humphries. But despite herself, she finds herself falling for the man she is supposed to dissuade. However, Edmund has a secret of his own that will have them run foul of the Bow Street Runners. Will Beth find her love?
Harmke Buursma adds a bit of time travel flavor to an engaging romance story that keeps you hooked until the end. Set in the Regency era in London, Beth Through Time is simply a treat that readers will relish. In this installment of the series, Beth Easton, John Easton's sister, is the main protagonist who must get over her broken heart and navigate the London season with a sense of renewed vigor and adventure. Beth and Edmund are both hiding their true identities, adding drama and spice to the narrative that is delicious to consume. Anne continues her path toward redemption by providing loyal support to Beth as a friend. An entertaining romance odyssey I will gladly recommend."
- Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite
