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Time Lost

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In 1953, a mother's routine drive home is transformed into a time-travel odyssey, when the light from a mysterious spacecraft hurls her and her car to 2023, setting in motion a series of extraordinary events and a life-and-death decision.On a serene night in 1953, Sally Mason, a dedicated wife and mother of two, drives a twisting road on her way home from night school. Suddenly, a mysterious bluish-white light descends over the road.

Terrified, Sally slams on the brakes. After a flash of bright light nearly blinds her, she passes out, awakening to the persistent knock of a police officer on her car window. When she sees the officer and remembers her frightening experience, she screams and faints, and is rushed to the hospital.

What Sally does not know, and what the police eventually and reluctantly conclude, is that Sally and her car have been hurled ahead in time from 1953 to 2023.

Driven by the urgency to reunite with her children, Sally is forced to confront the reason for her time leap journey, and to grapple with a life-and-death decision.

368 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 26, 2024

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About the author

Elyse Douglas

40 books283 followers
Elyse Douglas is the pen name for the husband and wife writing team of Elyse Parmentier and Douglas Pennington. Elyse began writing poems and short stories at an early age and graduated with a Master's Degree in English Literature. Douglas grew up in a family of musicians, astrologers, and avid readers. Some of Elyse Douglas' novels include: "Time Change," The Summer Letters," "Daring Summer," The Christmas Eve Series" and "Time Stranger." They reside in New York City.

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5 stars
808 (64%)
4 stars
294 (23%)
3 stars
112 (9%)
2 stars
21 (1%)
1 star
9 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
Profile Image for Linda.
358 reviews
May 26, 2024
Great time travel book. Really liked Sally and the happy ending. Will read more of this author's time travel books. She is a good writer. And the book was well edited.
Profile Image for Angela.
309 reviews4 followers
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July 14, 2024
Seems like an interesting premise. I felt the writing was a bit too formal, as in kinda stilted and 3rd person as if it was written by a reporter. Just not being pulled in enough by chapter 3, so I am going to put it down and move on.
Profile Image for Jayne.
953 reviews10 followers
April 8, 2024
4.5 stars

I'll admit, time travel is my favourite and it would be difficult to find a time travel book I would not enjoy. That being said, this was a gripping read and different from others I have read. The time travel being instigated by aliens added an extra dimension to this story as did the choice Sally had to make. Sally really grabbed your heart and made you care about her past/future. All the characters were well written and well rounded, making you interested in them all.
A wonderful story. I am looking forward to reading more of this author's time travel novels.
Profile Image for Mrs Susan Bickerton.
251 reviews2 followers
March 17, 2024
Lovely story

Lovely little story, a first time read from this author. Sally time travels from 1953 forward to 2023. Meeting the lovely kind bert, who helps her in her new world. Well worth a read.
Profile Image for Aleesha.
659 reviews17 followers
August 27, 2024
Does anyone remember that Sci-Fi show that first aired in 2004 called the 4400? The plot, briefly, involves what appears to be a comet, but instead of plowing into the ground, it slows, stops, and then spits out 4400 people that were presumed missing or dead over the past 50 years but were really abducted. What follows is trying to get these people (some missing for only a year or two, others from literally half a century before) adjusted to modern life. Later, we find out these people all had mysterious powers supposedly designed to help humanity avoid some terrible world-ending disaster.

I was obsessed with that show back in the day.

That last bit about the powers aside, the beginning of this is straight out of that TV show. So naturally, I was primed to enjoy the crap out of this book.

And I did, even if it didn't quite go the way I expected it to.

Sally's journey 70 years into the future fundamentally shifts her perspectives. We're treated to a bit of a feminist revelation as Sally comes to terms with the fact that her little life with her husband Ronnie isn't what she wants for herself. She recognizes his abusive controlling nature for what it is having been given literal time and space distance in order to reevaluate her situation.

In 2023, Sally goes on a bit of a road trip with a kindly older artist and gentleman to try and find her adult son. In Florida, she encounters a man who agrees to conjure up fake identification documents if she'll marry him, and she asks him if he has the ability to find out about her kids and the lives they led. Once she learns that their lives were somewhat troubled following her disappearance, she rejects the proposal (which was shady, let's be honest) and finally meets up with representatives from the CIA.

Ultimately, Sally's given the choice to stay in 2023 and build a new life, or to return to 1953 and be with her kids and everyone and everything she knows. She chooses to return for the sake of her children. She doesn't return to 1953, but 1955. Her husband Ronnie's already remarried with a baby on the way, but that's just fine by Sally, who isn't the same woman who left 1953 behind.

Returned to a time she knows, but free from the oppressive marriage she didn't want, she goes after and gets her dream job, changing the course of history in the process by becoming a famous and well-respected journalist. She also gets a chance a real and true love, too, which is super cute.

And, this is the real story, buried under secret government agencies, aliens, time-travel phenomena and even a little romance. It's about a woman finding herself, and the gaining strength to follow her dreams.

The book wasn't perfect, and I think it took a bit too long to get to the point sometimes. I also think the book could have done a better job of showing Sally's disorientation and unfamiliarity with a lot of the modern conveniences she encounters. She takes to the new and strange shockingly well after she leaves the hospital, with only a couple of moments where the author idly informs us that she thinks technology is weird and magical and maybe a little scary.

Still, I really liked how the story tied itself up. With the people Sally meets and made friends with in 2023 still being in her life as she got older. This story maybe wasn't quite what I was anticipating, but it certainly satisfied.
9 reviews
March 12, 2024
a beautiful story.

I wish I could write like Elyse because then I could write a review that gives this book justice. All I can manage is: I enjoyed the book immensely. It’s been a while since I have read a book with such a good plot, heart warming through and most of all absent any villains.





94 reviews1 follower
April 10, 2024
Fun time travel book with the added bonus of aliens. Nothing life changing, just a fun fast read.
Profile Image for Donadee's Corner.
2,211 reviews57 followers
February 26, 2024
Hello, time travel lovers! I'm thrilled to share a book by Elyse Douglas called 'Time Lost.'

'Time Lost' is a captivating story that transports us from 1953 to 2023 with Sally Mason. Sally is a young wife and mother who attends a night class for shorthand in 1953. On her way home, she encounters a mysterious light and a face that appears in front of her car. The next thing she knows, she wakes up in a 2023 hospital surrounded by unfamiliar people and technology. The sheriff is baffled by her car and driver's license, which are both from 1953. He calls in a psychiatrist to help Sally cope with her situation. But Sally is not ready to give up on her past life and her family.

Join Sally on her incredible journey as she tries to find a way to cope with the loss of her life in 1953 while also adapting to the changes and challenges of 2023. 'Time Lost' is a moving and mesmerizing book filled with twists, turns, and surprises that will keep you hooked until the end.

• ASIN: B0CRS84W36
• Publisher: Broadback
• Publication Date: 2/26/2024
• File Size: 1894 KB
• Print Length: 301 pages
• Genre: Time Travel Science Fiction, Time Travel Romance, Time Travel Romances
Profile Image for Quartknee.
201 reviews51 followers
July 21, 2024
Poor execution of a nice premise. If you read the prologue you'll have to re-read it all over again. Perhaps the author understands that a majority of readers skip such things to begin at chapter one.

The protagonist is a selfish, egotistical feminist fantasy, hell-bent on having her own way regardless of the long-term consequences to her children, her marriage, or her family in general.

She puts herself before her family as most modern women do and no matter how many "take one for the team" moments her husband has for the greater good of the family, she can't do likewise. While she can't or won't fully explain herself is proof of poor writing. We never learn why the night class is so urgent/important to do right away rather than until her youngest is a bit older so all we're left with is the idea that this selfish woman would rather work for a boss in an office than continue working for her family. DNF - contemporary fiction is already overflowing with delusional feminist tropes. IDk why the author felt so compelled to spoil a 'fish out of water' trope like this.
643 reviews1 follower
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May 29, 2024
EXCELLENT!!!

An excellent read. Moves quickly, I read it in two days. It's mysterious, enthralling and curious. Just the way I think most folks will like it. Our hero Sally is plunged into the future, from 1953 to 2023. 70 yrs is a lifetime for many people and Sally has to deal with it once she is finally told what year it actually is. She is amazed and confused and upset that she can't see her children or husband. As the book moves along she has to learn how to trust people she doesn't know in order to figure out what to do with herself. How does she trust two women who work with and for the government? How does she deal with never seeing her husband and children again. Who should she trust? All the answers are here in the book. Be sure to pick it up and find out the answers. Many thanks to the authors Elyse and Douglas. I look forward to reading more of their books.
12 reviews1 follower
March 11, 2024
I am one who watches Ancient Aliens. I read Erich Von Daniken when I was a kid. We've all watched the news about the government being SLIGHTLY more open about UAP's (UFO'S) but I'm pretty sure they haven't told us all they know. WHY they think it will freak us out when a lot of us are actually DYING to know the truth and would not be freaked out, is a mystery. We are as smart as they are and probably a lot more willing to accept it if it turns out to be true than they think. Anyway, Elyse Douglas' book takes on that issue brilliantly. Not only does she "humanize" an alien, (the reason this entire thing happens hinges on this), but she also doesn't make a boogie man out of the CIA. That's new. I felt as though I was reading a news story that might actually have happened. Hey, it might have! Even if you don't like the idea of time travel or extraterrestrials, you'll still enjoy the book because the characters are engaging. I really liked this book and I've read almost every other book from Elyse and Doug.
13 reviews
July 5, 2024
This book shares similarities with events that took place in Roswell, New Mexico. Perhaps that was somewhat of an inspiration for it. I was surprised by a few things in the book. One, I knew Bert would turn up when Sally went back, but I didn't think that it would be immediately or in the way that he did. I was a little sad that Jon and Molly's story was so brief. The way it was left, it can be assumed they got together, but I would've liked to know a little more about them. Finally, I loved the necklace and note that StrallVoss left Sally. This was a good book that I was able to finish in a few days.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Denise .
236 reviews
March 15, 2024
I love this book

Time Lost portrays aliens just as I do. They know about us humans and are positive we are not ready as a race to interact with them. I also feel that Sally's thoughts about life in 1953 vs 2023 were dead on. Living in 1953 was much quieter, slower, relaxed, and easier than 2023. I have always thought that I was born too late.

For me, Time Lost was the best book I have read in years. I will recommend this book to family and friends and all readers through this review.
296 reviews4 followers
March 16, 2024
Most enjoyable!

I read a lot of time travel books but never where the heroin goes to the future. Quite an experience! It was so difficult for Sally. What would happen to us if we had no identity whatsoever? And not just identity theft. There were answers and possibilities to consider. She was alone in a strange world with no-one and no finances at all.
The author gave us so many twist and turns and unimaginable ideas. I highly recommend you read it especially if you like the idea of time travel.
13 reviews
April 1, 2024
Time Lost is very interesting and the first of Ms. Douglas' books to send someone into the future, which I enjoyed. I like her vision of who had sent her there and the way that she wrapped her novel up at the end. I don't feel that this was her best book as it was very slow and there were aspects that I felt were not explored enough. Still fun overall to imagine what would happen if you were sent forward into the future. I've read quite a few of her books that I've rated 4 or 5 stars so still a fan of Elyse Douglas.
June 18, 2024
East to read,I liked the plot.

If you are a fan of science fiction, I believe you will find this book to be an enjoyable read. While some science fiction novels can be complex and challenging to follow, this particular book is easy to understand and can be completed in a single day. If you have a day off and are looking for a compelling book that you can finish in one sitting, I highly recommend this one. Furthermore, if this book were ever adapted into a movie, I would certainly be interested in seeing it.
38 reviews1 follower
July 12, 2024
💞Please, READ THIS BOOK💞

Is what a great read!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and this author who is new to me. The idea of time travel is exciting and this book had it all.
I especially loved the characters, the family, the love, the friendship and the possibilities of life dynamics of possibilities and a second chance. I am an avid book reader And I've had my eye on this book for a while. After reading it I was thrilled with the story and with this new author. I'm off to find any books that she's written.
💞READ THE BOOK💞
Profile Image for John.
499 reviews14 followers
March 23, 2024
I enjoyed this story immensely. Their books usually involve going back in time. In this one, the heroine is thrown from the 1950s to the present day. Although I wasn't sure how well she would handle the situation, but she does remarkably well. Another difference between their other books and this one, there is indeed a reason behind the time travel. It's an explanation we don't get from most of their other stories. I loved this book and especially enjoyed the twist at the end.
Profile Image for John.
46 reviews7 followers
May 25, 2024
I’m really enjoyed this book very much. I have read several time travel books. This one has a different angle of perspective which draws me into it. Sally happened to be ripped into the future and came back to her time. She understood what’s stake in the future and became a better person and helped others. Great feelings at the end of book. I definitely will read other time travel books from Elyse Douglas
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Sree.
54 reviews1 follower
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September 27, 2024
Not sure if I want to rate this one. It has such a promising premise and could have gone a number of different ways. It did go down a number of different path (for very short stretches) only to come back to one of the most predictable storyline possible. That disappointed me. But I guess that is a problem with my expectation rather than the book itself.

But I believe there is a film in there waiting to happen.
March 13, 2024
Time Lost Time Gain

This was an enjoyable read. The title is Tine Lost. But it is really about what the main characters gain from the experience.

If you were suddenly plunged into the future, what would you do first? How would you live your life with the secrets?

This book is a wonderful read that answers those questions.
Profile Image for Paul Madsen.
417 reviews3 followers
March 28, 2024
Another wonderful tale that feels like I'm there with characters themselves

I love time travel stories. This one does not disappoint at all. Having time travel mixed with aliens, CIA combined with many other plots and mystery brought together seamlessly has me begging for more. Well done.
477 reviews
Read
May 24, 2024
The worse thing about this book was all the cursing. I almost quit reading it. So unnecessary. The story itself was good. This was definitely a very different time travel tale. It was nice for a change, to know the reason the main character traveled in time. It felt like I really a sense of who many of the characters were.
1 review
June 8, 2024
a fabulous read!

Whether you like sci fi or just can appreciate a good story, this one is well worth your time. So very creative and satisfying, it makes you think about all sorts of things in personal, poignant ways. Such a great read - just make sure you read it through to the end!
Profile Image for Don.
832 reviews4 followers
June 8, 2024
She tells an interesting tale that has some twists, I enjoyed it. It was nice to read something different where someone wasn’t getting murder and who done it. I thought for a moment that Sally would marry someone from 2023 but that wasn’t the marriage that was supposed to be. Douglas surprised me with who she married. Excellent 5
201 reviews
June 24, 2024
Very Amazing Story

Extremely difficult book to put down. Book is filled with suspense and very well developed characters as well as a very intricately weaved Time Travel tale written by two remarkable authors. I wait with anxious anticipation for their Upcoming novel, Time Parallel, due to be released on July 27, 2024. Very Recommended Reading!!!
Profile Image for Wendy Byle.
1 review
July 7, 2024
Wow, just wow!

This is one of the best books I have read in a very long time. I loved the characters. I loved the time travel, and honestly, it takes a lot to bring tears to my eyes. And this book did. Highly, highly recommended. Don’t hesitate. Get this book. And someone, please, make this into a movie!
1 review
March 1, 2024
A little different time travel is

I like Elyse Douglas and this story did not disappoint. It’s a quick read and held my interest. If you’re a fan of time travel, I’m sure you’ll like it.
Profile Image for Michael.
12 reviews4 followers
March 1, 2024
A feel-good time travel experience.

This would make a good streaming service series. It would need a little context to fill in spots here and there. But it would be a good story to tell.
334 reviews
March 2, 2024
Not my cup of tea!

I usually love this author(s) work, but the full on sci-fi element threw me. I realise that time travel in itself is fantastical, but this was a step too far for this "romance with a touch of fantasy" reader.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews

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