For a Lifetime Book Review
About the Book
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 Thoughts
WOW – how does one even BEGIN to review this masterpiece of a novel?! I have been a fan of this series since the very first book, and now I hope it never ends! The possibilities of timelines for time-crossers to experience seems infinite, and I just hope we get at least one more past the 4th book that’s on the heels of this book – For a Lifetime.
It’s so hard to review this book without giving spoilers, but I shall endeavor to do my best! First and foremost, Gabrielle has woven two incredibly exciting eras of history – the Salem Witch Trials occurring in 1692 alongside the introduction of female aviators in 1912. If you know 1912, you also know that the maiden voyage and subsequent sinking of the Titanic occurs then, too, and it is included in the storyline (that’s all I will say about that!). While I have yet to research female aviators since finishing (on the to-do list!), I have started reading more about Puritan Massachusetts, the Quakers, and the real truth about the Salem Witch Trials that I have woefully misunderstood up to this point. While there’s nothing overtly gory described in the book, there’s no question that the results of the Trials were painful to read. It is hard not to draw a comparison between how people were easily influenced by the mainstream then vs. now, and discernment is harder to come by than it should be.
Second, I didn’t think Gabrielle could top the romantic tension from book two, but it is OVERFLOWING in For a Lifetime! Isaac and Luc are the male counterparts to Hope and Grace, and until I read the very last page, I honestly had zero clue how these relationships would end. One minute, I thought I had figured it out, but the next chapter would have me guessing once again. Pure agony, but the good kind!
Third, it’s hard not to notice the spiritual themes in this story, and I’m so thankful for authors that do not shy away from that. God’s purpose for our lives, forgiveness, extending mercy to those who need it most – each one flowed through this story as easily as a breath.
While I could certainly go on and on and risk spoiling all the great things about this story, I will leave you with this – just get your hands on this book. Not just this one, but the whole series. You will scarcely find time to do anything else because they are all that engrossing. And then when you finish, you won’t be able to stop yourself from telling everyone you know HOW GOOD THEY ARE like I have (hopefully) done just now!
Here’s hoping that this author and publisher keep this series going for as long as possible!
5 Stars
**Many thanks for the author and publisher for providing a copy for review.
