Review of Touching Time

Acwoolet · Post by **Acwoolet** » 28 Nov 2021, 21:47

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Touching Time" by B. W. Haggart.]

3 out of 4 stars

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Touching Time by B. W. Haggart is a fantastical story of time travel, love, and finding oneself. Victory Covington lives a very comfortable life in England in 1818, she’s adored by her family, has treasured friends, and is happy with her life. She had become content with the fact that she would probably remain unmarried, living at her familial estate for the rest of her life, when her entire world spins out of control forcing her into a completely foreign world of 2019. There she meets a handsome but very ungentlemanly American businessman, Sam Dalton. While trying to figure out why she traveled into the future, she must also attempt to master the use of toilets, showers, and ballpoint pens. Life may not have been perfect for Victoria in 1818, but at least it was safe and familiar from the unexpected dangers of 2019.

I have read many time travel books through the years, although this one is pretty unique compared to them. Generally, the ones that I have read had the main characters traveling back in time instead of forward. I enjoyed viewing this modern world through Victoria’s historical eyes. Not only was she completely displaced from her era, but she had to relearn how to function in everyday life with appliances, modern-day vehicles, and bizarre items such as computers and airplanes. The author's descriptions of Victoria’s estate throughout time were exquisite. I could feel myself viewing everything through Victoria’s eyes, smelling her beloved roses, and feeling the sun upon my face in her magnificent garden. I enjoyed a couple of plot twists that were well-placed and kept me on my toes. The characters were well-thought out and had plenty of backstories to make them interesting and well-rounded.

There are many good things to recommend Touching Time, it’s well-written and has a professionally edited feel to it, there’s excitement, drama, and of course love. Unfortunately, my biggest complaint was that it took me a while to connect with the book. The book had very few if any mistakes, but a lot of the dialogue in the first part of the book felt stilted. I think it was supposed to feel more formal due to the historical setting, but it didn’t have a flow that could sweep me away. Some of the phrases or slang that Victoria and her friend Kitty used felt unnatural and further kept me from completely immersing myself in the first part of the book. As the story went on, I found myself being able to connect a little better.

All in all, I give Touching Time 3 out of 4 stars. The characters are genuine, the premise is fun, and there is plenty of drama. If I hadn’t had such a hard time getting into the first part of the book, I would have wholeheartedly given it four stars.

I think that this book is good for most age ranges, at least teens through adults. There are only a handful of swear words, kissing, and some slight innuendo. But it lacks anything vulgar that would be off-putting or inappropriate for younger audiences. I think anyone looking for a dramatic time-travel novel should give this one a try.

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Touching Time
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Alexander C Schmoock · Post by **Alexander C Schmoock** » 11 Dec 2021, 07:48

Time travel stories are usually interesting to read. I'd love to know more about Victory's life. Great review.

Brett Linette · Post by **Brett Linette** » 11 Dec 2021, 15:32

It's funny how the protagonist has to learn how to write with ballpoint pens, though I must say, if I knew how to write with feather pens, I'd never stop.