Time Squared

Time-travel madness maybe romance? Sign me the hell up, I thought after reading the synopsis. To say this book disappointed me might be the understatement of the year and it's only February!
The romance is a real ouroboros. There's much to admire about this ancient symbol, but it's not what I want in a romance. Eleanor and Robin like each other because they like each other because it has been said that they like each other. This might have been acceptable except this is supposed to be the engine of the story, and I didn't particularly care.

Half formed plot lines that I was far more curious about that the Eleanor/Robin romance are sprinkled through the book, but unfortunately our lurching through the timeline means they're often lost (Aunt Clara's dealing with the difficulties on the restrictions that came with being female) or resolved in a timeline where the resolutions are kind of uninteresting (Catherine's elopement with David. I don't want to see that resolution in Vietnam era America where the worst thing that happens are hurt feelings and Lady Ann getting to say I told you so.)

The Reveal.
A number of reviewers said this part of the novel of confusing or overly complicated, but I think Krueger actually did a good job laying it all out clearly.This was my favorite part of the novel, and if I had actually any of the slightest attachment to any of the characters I probably would have gotten choked up reading about Eleanor pleading for her life and her loved ones. Unfortunately I don't, so I was mostly left saying "wow this really could have been something." Like the rest of the novel.

I did like Krueger's writing for the most part though. The sole exception being whenever Elizabeth would show up and for some reason she'd forget every bit of vocabulary and the page would be filled with endless permutations of ‘burble.' (Brits, is this one of those British/Queen's English words that is much more popular over there than in America? Anyway hate it. It's going on my least favorite word list along with moist and giblets.)

Really enjoyed this story, though it was slow.
Also, as a note to those who chose to listen to it, I think it would have flowed better for me if I read it. The back and forth nature of the time travel left me slightly confused until I got the hang of it, but if I had read the print version, a flip of the pages would have quickly set things right in my mind.

I enjoyed the portrayal of women's roles through time. It was an interesting historical progression and thought provoking as the MC dealt with her own emotions and thoughts during different eras.

I'll admit the ending was a bit of a disappointment - so very Matrix like, and I believe the main character even mentions that at one point.