When the Day Comes (Timeless #1) by Gabrielle Meyer

 

Summary (from the publisher): Libby has been given a powerful gift: to live one life in 1774 colonial Williamsburg and the other in 1914 Gilded Age New York City. When she falls asleep in one life, she wakes up in the other without any time passing. She has one conscious mind but two very different lives and bodies.

In colonial Williamsburg, Libby is a public printer for the House of Burgesses and the Royal Governor, trying to provide for her family and support the Patriot cause. The man she loves, Henry Montgomery, has his own secrets. As the revolution draws near, both their lives--and any hope of love--are put in jeopardy.

Libby's life in 1914 New York is filled with wealth, drawing room conversations, and bachelors. But the only work she cares about--women's suffrage--is discouraged, and her mother is intent on marrying her off to an undesirable English marquess. The growing talk of war in Europe further complicates matters and forces her to make sacrifices she never imagined.

On her twenty-first birthday, Libby must choose one path and forfeit the other forever--but how can she possibly choose when she has so much to lose in each life?

Review: Twenty-year-old Libby was born with a special gift: she lives dual lives in two time periods. In one life, she lives in 1774 colonial Williamsburg and is a public printer working to support her family and support the cause of the Patriots. In the other, she lives in the Gilded Age world of 1914 New York City and is slowly being forced into an arranged mother by her status-driven mother. Libby knows that when she turns 21, she will be forced to choose one of her lives to become her permanent path. Libby has always felt certain about which path she will choose, but circumstances beyond her control may alter what she believes to be her destiny. 

I loved this book so much! It was the most unique take on a dual narrative plotline that I have ever read. Unlike many dual narratives, both storylines were equally compelling to me because they were all the same character. Essentially, the time travel element of this book allows the reader to get two historical fiction novels in one. It was so fun to see colonial Williamsburg but also New York City and then England at the start of the first world war. Early in the novel, the conclusion of Libby's story seemed so obvious, but Meyer surprised me and took Libby in a very different direction! And yet the ending was so wholly satisfactory. 

This is a Christian novel, and a major theme of the book was bowing to God's will for our lives rather than what we personally desire. Libby feels this keenly, as she yearns for options and paths that she knows she ultimately cannot have. The relationship with her 1774 mother was a beautiful one, as her mother is wise in the guidance she gives her daughter and also understands Libby well, having also formerly lived in dual timelines before turning 21. It is this mother who constantly reminds her, despite her unique ability, that she cannot change history but must surrender to God's will.  

Along the same lines of the Christian themes of this book, I was a little put off by the overtly pro-life implicit messaging. I don't want to give away spoilers but suffice it to say that the main characters believe pregnancy, even unwanted ones, trump any other obligation, desire, or dream someone may have had for their life. Ultimately this plot choice led to a beautiful conclusion but unwanted pregnancy that results from marital rape was deeply problematic for me. However, this was my one and only qualm with this otherwise absolutely stellar book!!

I enjoyed this book so much and would absolutely recommend it. Not only was it a very unique premise, but I was very drawn in by the story and the characters and stayed up too late reading this. I am greatly looking forward to the sequel. 

Stars: 5