Feature book: Time After Time

Time After Time by Karly Lane
Subgenre: rural romance
Release date: 2 May 2023
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Format: ebook and print
Length: 401 pages
RRP: $14.99 (ebook); $29.99 (print)
Karly’s theme for her latest book touches such a tender spot: making difficult life choices. Do you follow your dreams when they unfold right in front of you, or do you stay for love? How do you know which one is right?
Alice Croydon is faced with that exact dilemma. She lives in the small town of Gunnindi, her large family all close by. The Croydons are founding members of the township, and there are a lot of them. Family is only a few houses away if you need someone. Her fiancé Finn is a farmer, working his parents’ farm with his brother. He lives with Alice in town but stays at his family home if the chores pile up. Which of course happens a lot. Alice and Finn have been together since high school. They love each other deeply but lately, with the wedding only four weeks away, Alice is getting the jitters and Finn is spending more and more time at the farm.
Alice has dreams that are frustrated by life in Gunnindi. She’s an extremely talented dress designer—and the descriptions of her creations sound divine, especially her wedding dress. A year ago, she turned down the offer of a promising internship in London with one of the great fashion designers, Frankie Esquire. It just didn’t seem possible for her to go because Finn proposed at the same time. She thought she’d be able to sell some of her designs in the local couture dress shop where she works, but no, that hasn’t worked out. The proprietor won’t accept them, turning Alice down flat. Alice sews for herself and her family, but her dreams of fashion design are slipping away.
Out of the blue Frankie Esquire offers her another chance to come to London for a year and work for him. But the wedding’s four weeks away … What’s a girl to do? How can Alice possibly choose between the two great loves of her life? What follows is a complicated turn of events that unfold over a ten-year period. It’s quite the story, so engrossing! (And watch for a cameo with our beloved Queen of Pop, Kylie. I did enjoy that.)
It’s always terrific to read another Karly Lane book. She transplants you into her book world so easily, you feel you’re there. So, pick this one up, settle back, and enjoy a splendid, heart-warming read.
reviewed by Malvina
A review copy of this book was provided by the publisher.