Emma sits down in a quiet rose garden in her local park, and from nowhere a handsome man sits next to her and turns her world upside down.
Over the weeks, she and Nick meet regularly, always in the same place, always at the same time. They discover they have a lot in common – shared heartbreak, and shared dreams. They tell each other stories about the people they’ve lost – things they’ve never told anyone else. Bit by bit, they get to know each other, and fall in love.
But there’s a catch, because however much they have in common, they have one big thing keeping them apart… twenty years apart. Because when Nick is sitting in the garden it’s 1999 – two decades before Emma is there.
Emma never expected to fall in love again, but now she has, she’s not going to give up on it without a fight. But how do you turn something impossible into a happy ever after?
About The Author
My Review
This is a tender, imaginative timeslip romance that blends emotional depth with a wonderfully original premise. Clare Swatman delivers a heartfelt story about grief, healing, and the unexpected ways love can find us—even across time. Emma and Nick, both mourning the loss of their spouses, meet by chance at a bandstand and immediately feel a spark, only to later discover an astonishing truth: they’re living in the same house, but twenty years apart.
The time-slip element is handled with such charm and creativity. Nick’s awe at modern technology is delightful, and the pair’s research into their bizarre connection adds a fun, speculative thread that balances the heavier emotions. Swatman sensitively portrays grief, allowing Emma and Nick’s journey to feel authentic as they cautiously open their hearts again.
The supporting cast—friends and family rallying around them—adds warmth, humour, and grounding moments, especially as they react to the impossible situation. Moving, hopeful, and deeply romantic, this story beautifully shows that love can bloom again, even when life seems irrevocably broken. A truly touching, memorable read.
My Rating
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