Friday, September 9, 2011

Tempus by Tyra Lynn

Tempus by Tyra Lynn
Reviewed by: Honorary sister Beth
Sister says: Swoon-worthy, Sweet, and Secretive

Summary from goodreads.com

According to Albert Einstein, the distinction between past, present and future is only a stubbornly persistent illusion. He might have been right.

Seventeen-year-old Jessie McLeod is used to getting glimpses of the past when she touches objects in her dads antique shop, but she's not used to the past looking back. Especially when the past is a gorgeous guy and she is dressed like a slob.

Shocked and intrigued, Jessie becomes obsessed with trying to catch another glimpse of that perfect face. When thoughts of him invade her sleep, the dreams seem so real that she wakes with the feel of his lips lingering on her skin. Soon after, however, the one guy she thought she’d never date suddenly asks her out. Either something strange is going on, or all those years of using furniture cleaner finally caused brain damage.

Brain damage is easy enough to believe—until the day she turns around and looks straight into the face from her dreams. Completely unaware, Jessie is now in a race against time to remember something important, something life-changing, and the one person who can tell her the truth doesn’t dare to—she must remember on her own.

With only a week before senior year, the once self-assured Jessie is now sure of nothing. Well, maybe one thing. Everything’s been turned upside down, and it's all because of that stupid mirror she found in the shop on Monday and the glimpse that changed her future—maybe even her past.


Wow! What a great book! There are so many things that I liked about this book that it is difficult to know where to begin. Let me just say that Tempus had me from page one. The quote in the preface says it all:
"Succumb tempor adiuvat." He said quietly, almost to himself.
"What does that Mean?"
"Who yields to time finds time on his side - loosely translated."
"You'll come back? I asked
"Pro te, milies aeterno." He place my hand on his heart.
"And that means?"
"For you, a thousand times eternity."
I think I just passed out!

I loved Tyra Lynn's idea of uses "glimpses" for Jessie, the main character, to view people and situations from the past. Although she knows she is different, she does not seem bothered by this ability. Working in a antique store her father own makes convenient for Jessie to explore this phenomenon whenever she wants. This is a new a refreshing way to read about time travel and get "glimpses" of the way people lived. I wish that we were able to see more of her "glimpses" throughout the book and examine her ability more closely, but there was so much going on it would have been difficult to accomplish.

Jessie is a transforms throughout the book. As a reader, you really connect with her and feel her "grow up". She has lived through tragedy and is trying her best to help her dad who is a major hoarder. Speaking of, I really wanted to sign him up for the "Hoarders" show on TLC after hearing what his house looked like.....it seriously creeped me out!!!! But, I really liked her dad and felt so much love and compassion for him through Jessie.

When one of the "glimpses" Jessie sees interacts with her, it puts a new spin on her ability. The book easily transitioned into time travel. I really find the concept of time interesting and love to read books that involve time travel and people interacting from different time periods. So this book was perfect for me!

Then, there are the boys.....oh, the boys!!! Let me just say there are two HOT guys in this book! There is Steve, the all-American boy next door who is every girls' dream. Translation: a total Hunk!

And, then there is Gabriel who Jessie says looks like an angel. Everything about him is old-fashion....his speech, his manners, and even his clothes. He is the Mr. Darcy of 2011, ladies! I am serious! I was totally smitten by him from the minute Jessie saw him. Gabriel is mysterious, gorgeous, sexy, and just the total package....oh, I almost forgot, and he cooks!!!! Sign me up for one of him!

I don't want to be too spoilery, but I will say there are some twists and turns that I did not see coming (I guess that's why they are twists and turns, huh?). This book made me smile and feel good about love and life and at the same time kept me guessing and even made me shed some tears. All in all, it is one of my favorite books I've read this year.

Let me just say one more thing.....I can't wait until the next book comes out!!! This was such a fun, endearing, sweet book that is definitely worth reading!

Buy it......Read it.....Love it!!!! (especially Gabriel, but he's all mine!)