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ryanpfw's review
3.0
I hadn't written reviews for the first two books in the series but it's fairly consistent. I recognize I'm reading a young adult novel meant for a younger reader, but I feel like the bar has been set fairly high across the board.
Spoilers.
These stories are cute. Every once in a while I want something a little cheesy and they fit the mood nicely. A lot of science fiction and fantasy bends over backwards to have a coherent, realistic world where there are consistent rules. That's not the case here. If you stop to think about it, it doesn't really make sense. You're not supposed to let it bother you and move on.
We meet Adeline Savoy, or meet her again, as there was a brief meeting between her and Casey in the prior book. It's been a while since I've read the first two, but I do recall the well used plot point of a time traveler from the future turns up at a contemporary's home and is put to work, usually with a line thrown out there about her vanishing the last time, a shrug, and then moving on. I did laugh when Faye quasi-adopts Adeline when she comes into her hair salon.
There were inconsistencies that just didn't make a whole lot of sense to me, even with the understanding that the rules were intentionally convenient. If you time travel from the future to the past, you bring your future clothes with you. No matter how long you remain in the past, you return to the future with your existing clothes, even if you weren't wearing them when the return sequence began. Your hair will change (in all other non-Marilyn cases I take it everyone just has their hair styled the same on the date of return.) At one point, Adeline throws her gym clothes under Faye's bed. When she returns to 2012, do the clothes vanish from beneath the bed? I don't remember specifics from the first two books, but how on earth does Adeline bring the autograph back with her if she wasn't holding it?
Adeline's dad seems to forget all about the time traveling. Even if he didn't buy it, he never mentions it again.
Faye is incredibly trusting. I'm pretty sure Adeline keeps changing her story, from she has a father who is a traveling vacuum salesman, to she doesn't have a father and is dressed like a homeless person, to she has a father again.
The very end acknowledged there would be future returns to 1955, although Adeline seemed well briefed on what happened to everybody, much like Casey, without fanfare, found out when all of her 19th century friends would die. I'd think it would be an awkward meeting, and I give the story credit for me wanting to see a bit more at the end than I got, despite some of it being out of frustration. As compartmentalized as her mind must be, I did enjoy that we were just told, "Oh yeah, I'm a time traveler" a chapter or so into the story. (And how was Adeline planning to pay Faye for that initial haircut?)
The twist with Faye was fairly obvious. One change I did expect early on, before we got Howard's surname was that he was Howard Johnson and would make it big in the hospitality sector. Alas. The other surprising twist was...surprising. Overall, I get that Adeline is a teenager who is upset at her father, probably for good reason, and while I did find her unlikeable, that was probably a correct characterization. Her realization that she likes Marco despite dismissing him until she noticed his body was a bit eye-roll including.
A fun read that you shouldn't think too closely about. If I were 20 years younger, perhaps I'd be enraptured?
Spoilers.
These stories are cute. Every once in a while I want something a little cheesy and they fit the mood nicely. A lot of science fiction and fantasy bends over backwards to have a coherent, realistic world where there are consistent rules. That's not the case here. If you stop to think about it, it doesn't really make sense. You're not supposed to let it bother you and move on.
We meet Adeline Savoy, or meet her again, as there was a brief meeting between her and Casey in the prior book. It's been a while since I've read the first two, but I do recall the well used plot point of a time traveler from the future turns up at a contemporary's home and is put to work, usually with a line thrown out there about her vanishing the last time, a shrug, and then moving on. I did laugh when Faye quasi-adopts Adeline when she comes into her hair salon.
There were inconsistencies that just didn't make a whole lot of sense to me, even with the understanding that the rules were intentionally convenient. If you time travel from the future to the past, you bring your future clothes with you. No matter how long you remain in the past, you return to the future with your existing clothes, even if you weren't wearing them when the return sequence began. Your hair will change (in all other non-Marilyn cases I take it everyone just has their hair styled the same on the date of return.) At one point, Adeline throws her gym clothes under Faye's bed. When she returns to 2012, do the clothes vanish from beneath the bed? I don't remember specifics from the first two books, but how on earth does Adeline bring the autograph back with her if she wasn't holding it?
Adeline's dad seems to forget all about the time traveling. Even if he didn't buy it, he never mentions it again.
Faye is incredibly trusting. I'm pretty sure Adeline keeps changing her story, from she has a father who is a traveling vacuum salesman, to she doesn't have a father and is dressed like a homeless person, to she has a father again.
The very end acknowledged there would be future returns to 1955, although Adeline seemed well briefed on what happened to everybody, much like Casey, without fanfare, found out when all of her 19th century friends would die. I'd think it would be an awkward meeting, and I give the story credit for me wanting to see a bit more at the end than I got, despite some of it being out of frustration. As compartmentalized as her mind must be, I did enjoy that we were just told, "Oh yeah, I'm a time traveler" a chapter or so into the story. (And how was Adeline planning to pay Faye for that initial haircut?)
The twist with Faye was fairly obvious. One change I did expect early on, before we got Howard's surname was that he was Howard Johnson and would make it big in the hospitality sector. Alas. The other surprising twist was...surprising. Overall, I get that Adeline is a teenager who is upset at her father, probably for good reason, and while I did find her unlikeable, that was probably a correct characterization. Her realization that she likes Marco despite dismissing him until she noticed his body was a bit eye-roll including.
A fun read that you shouldn't think too closely about. If I were 20 years younger, perhaps I'd be enraptured?
dorianbookfae's review
4.0
I actually went back and read this book after reading Casey's full story and it was a little irritating you don't really find out what happens to Adeline. She talks to Casey about her relationship but you never really find out what exactly happens. Also wish more had happened between Adeline and her father. spoiler: He finds out she travels but nothing ever comes form it, she goes back into the past and when she comes back he's with another woman and it's never discussed again.
Adeline was a more selfish character than Casey but I still enjoyed her story, I just wish there had been more of her later. Maybe splitting her POV and Casey's POV in the final book just so Adeline's story didn't end with a question. Spoiler: Is she able to reset her timeline after traveling back with Casey? Does she end up staying with Marco and does she ever take him back in time with her?
Adeline was a more selfish character than Casey but I still enjoyed her story, I just wish there had been more of her later. Maybe splitting her POV and Casey's POV in the final book just so Adeline's story didn't end with a question. Spoiler: Is she able to reset her timeline after traveling back with Casey? Does she end up staying with Marco and does she ever take him back in time with her?
slc333's review
2.0
Not as strong as the first 2 books in the series. Possibly because the first 2 feature Casey who aside from a couple of annoying decisions in book 2 is a much stronger and more likeable heroine than Adeline. And the romance between Nate & Casey is much better developed. The main problem with this story is that Adeline comes across as shallow, selfish and self centred. Most of the book is dedicated to her romance with user/loser Howard and not the obvious hero that you know she will end up with which means you are just not that invested in their romance. Also Marco is much too nice a guy for me to want him to end up with such a selfish brat.
mellamaron's review
3.0
The rating is mostly because of the protagonist who is so annoying and selfish. I don't think she ever once thought of anyone but herself in the whole book, except maybe once or twice at the very end. But for some reason everything she said or did had something to do with herself and what she wanted.
Other than her, the book was cool. I liked the other characters quite a bit.
But boy am I glad she's not the MC of the rest of the series!!
Other than her, the book was cool. I liked the other characters quite a bit.
But boy am I glad she's not the MC of the rest of the series!!
sassyread's review
3.0
Honestly this book was a bit of a let down. The theme of this book fits the series but the plot and main character really doesn't. Adeline was engrossingly self absorbed and immature. The way she looked at guys and her situation was very annoying. What happened in the end was very predictable and I saw things coming a mile away. With only one big twist at the end that was a refreshing twist in the series that had not happened yet. I have bigger hopes with the others in the series that will be better.
kell_i2's review
4.0
I really do enjoy this series. It is so light and fun and just easy to follow and read. We've wandered away from Casey and Nate this time though and am instead following around Adeline (Casey and Adeline met very briefly in the past at a gas station. Adeline ran off saying that they were moving to Hollywood. They did move and this is her story - but I really wish they'd get in touch I bet it would do them both good!!). Adeline was a little more risky (?maybe) than Casey with her time traveling gift - she ended up bringing a few people back and forth and also telling quite a few people. But I like the she did that - I'm sure she was definitely less lonely ;) Faye is such a sweet woman to take Adeline in the way that she did and I love how she ends up affecting Adeline in her life in the present as well ;-) Howard is a fun character, but definitely the bad boy type, not what Adeline needs in her life! It was interesting to read the story of another traveler.
rayne's review
3.0
Not as intriguing as the previous two but it was great to get into adeline's head and get her take on her 'gift' (or handicap). I found her not a very approachable character as Casey - and if I can't get close to the main character I do struggle with the story.
leapinglizard's review
4.0
Elle Strauss' first two books of this series were amazing, so I was a little bit worried about the character change. Now I feel kind of stupid about that fear. Let me break down this book.
THE PREMISE
Adeline is always prepared to travel back to the 1950's. She dresses like the 1950's in case she goes back in time suddenly. She has just moved and is totally stressed out. She doesn't know anyone from the 1950's in California. Her dad's too busy to care about her. Adeline has to deal with the annoying nieghbor, a handicapped friend, and a bully.
THE PROS
1. I loved the characters. They were fun and exciting.
2. The story. I loved all the events.
3. Character devlopement was good.
THE CONS
1. I didn't like Adeline and her story as much as I liked Casey and her story. I think Casey was a better developed charcter who I liked more, but whatever this book was good too.
OVERALL
I really liked this book although not as much as the first two books. I didn't feel as connected to the characters.
WOULD I READ THIS BOOK: YEAH IT WAS GOOD
WOULD I BUY THIS BOOK: YEAH
WOULD I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK: FOR PEOPLE LOOKING FOR A LIGHT READ.
WOULD I READ THE NEXT BOOK: YES IT IS A GREAT SERIES
WOULD I READ OTHER BOOKS BY THIS AUTHOR: YEAH, I'VE BEEN MEANING TO READ SEAWEED! It sounds great!
THE PREMISE
Adeline is always prepared to travel back to the 1950's. She dresses like the 1950's in case she goes back in time suddenly. She has just moved and is totally stressed out. She doesn't know anyone from the 1950's in California. Her dad's too busy to care about her. Adeline has to deal with the annoying nieghbor, a handicapped friend, and a bully.
THE PROS
1. I loved the characters. They were fun and exciting.
2. The story. I loved all the events.
3. Character devlopement was good.
THE CONS
1. I didn't like Adeline and her story as much as I liked Casey and her story. I think Casey was a better developed charcter who I liked more, but whatever this book was good too.
OVERALL
I really liked this book although not as much as the first two books. I didn't feel as connected to the characters.
WOULD I READ THIS BOOK: YEAH IT WAS GOOD
WOULD I BUY THIS BOOK: YEAH
WOULD I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK: FOR PEOPLE LOOKING FOR A LIGHT READ.
WOULD I READ THE NEXT BOOK: YES IT IS A GREAT SERIES
WOULD I READ OTHER BOOKS BY THIS AUTHOR: YEAH, I'VE BEEN MEANING TO READ SEAWEED! It sounds great!
tawallah's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
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