For A Lifetime By Gabrielle Meyer

For a Lifetime

by Gabrielle Meyer

Publisher: Bethany House

Series: Timeless

ISBN: 9780764239762

Oh, this series! It has captured me completely. If you love unique stories that transport you to another place and time, do NOT miss any of these! As part of her launch team, Gabrielle Meyer sent me a copy of her book for review.

Summary:

Grace and Hope are identical twin sisters born with the ability to time-cross together between 1692 Salem, Massachusetts, and 1912 New York City. As their twenty-fifth birthday approaches, they will have to choose one life to keep and one to leave behind forever--no matter the cost.

In 1692, they live and work in their father's tavern, where they must watch helplessly as the witch trials unfold in their village, threatening everyone. With the help of a handsome childhood friend, they search for the truth behind their mother's mysterious death, risking everything to expose a secret that could save their lives--or be their undoing.

In 1912, Hope dreams of becoming one of the first female pilots in America, and Grace works as an investigative journalist, uncovering corruption and injustice. After their parents' orphanage is threatened by an adversary, they enter a contest to complete a perilous cross-country flight under the guidance of a daring French aviator.

The sisters have already decided which timeline they will choose, but an unthinkable tragedy complicates the future they planned for themselves. As their birthday looms, how will they determine the lives--and loves--that are best for both of them?

My Review:

How do you put into words a book that simultaneously wrecked you and made your heart happy? Where to even begin...

The author has done it again. She's pulled me in and beguiled me with her incredible story writing and characters who easily worked their way into my heart. This time we have twin time travelers. HOW is she going to pull this off do you ask? Oh, she does and she does it marvelously. For a Lifetime was more than I could've hoped for!

Hope and Grace do seem different on the surface level. Grace is the typical oldest sibling. She's responsible, thoughtful, selfless, and kind. Hope is feisty, hard-headed, challenging, and gruff. But, both women are passionate about what's important to them, put fear behind them when something needs doing, and loves the other one more deeply than we can ever imagine.

With this set during the Salem witch trials, it's definitely a nail biter! People are being accused of witchcraft left and right. Their father isn't interested in protecting the girls. He isn't interested in them period aside from how they can serve him. Let's just say I have a few choice words for this man, as well as many others in this village. Thank goodness their parents during 1912 are much more pleasant!

In the other timeline they live in, the world is changing so rapidly. Hope is fearless in wanting to be the first woman pilot to set records and help her family. Grace's journalism puts her family in a rough spot so both girls do what they can to help raise the money they need. Hope will do it by attempting flights that have never been done by a woman. Grace will do her part with writing exclusive articles. To say both ladies have their own challenges would be putting it mildly.

There's more to unravel throughout the story than I can possibly mention here, but everything the twins encounter in the months leading up to their 25th birthday, when they must choose which time to live in, you'll have felt like you've lived a lifetime with them.

I had moments where my heart soared with joy. Then there were the times when I was yelling, "NOOOOOOO!" at my book. My heart and mind went through the wringer in the two days it took to read it. I'll admit to being surprised at the tears that flowed at one point in the story as well. I'm telling you, the story captivated me!

Of course, the thread of faith throughout the story is a strong one. I thought it was so interesting comparing the Quakers to the Puritans. What a scary time to live in, but understandable why people like Hope didn't know what or how to believe in God. I appreciated how the author handled it for both women.

About the Author:

Gabrielle Meyer (GabrielleMeyer.com) is an ECPA bestselling author. She has worked for state and local historical societies and loves writing fiction inspired by real people, places, and events. She currently resides along the banks of the Mississippi River in central Minnesota with her husband and four children. By day, she's a busy homeschool mom, and by night she pens fiction and nonfiction filled with hope.