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Being dumped at the airport on the cusp of a European vacation with her girlfriend is bad enough, but for Sam, the chaos is only beginning. Refusing to let heartbreak ruin her plans, she boards the plane anyway—only to find herself crash-landing in 1805 after a bizarre rip in space and time. The sole survivor, Sam is rescued by the charming and dashing naval captain Fenton “Finch” Goodenough. Stranded in the Regency era, Sam decides that clinging to Finch for protection (or what she cheekily calls a “safety bang”) is her best bet for survival. But things take a sharp turn when Sam discovers Finch is not only engaged but also deeply in debt. To settle his finances, Finch has promised her hand in marriage to a loathsome nobleman.
True to her 21st-century spirit, Sam rebels. Fleeing the unwanted engagement, she finds sanctuary with Finch’s sisters and resigns herself to a quiet life as a tutor. Yet one of these sisters, Margaret Goodenough—an aspiring writer destined to pen the first-ever lesbian kiss in British literature—begins to capture Sam’s attention in ways even Finch never could.
J.M. Frey’s Time and Tide revels in the delightful absurdity of the time-traveling romance genre, throwing historical accuracy overboard in favor of a refreshingly queer twist. Sam is a resourceful and determined heroine, navigating the unimaginable with sharp wit and modern bravado. Her brashness often lands her in trouble, but it also makes her a vibrant and relatable character. Watching her stumble through Regency England—oversharing, overstepping, and occasionally offending—provides plenty of humor and charm.
Yet, for all its promise, the romantic dynamics at the heart of the novel feel uneven. Sam and Finch share undeniable chemistry, their connection sparking with tension and excitement, even as Finch’s betrayal looms. In contrast, the relationship between Sam and Margaret, the pairing readers are meant to root for, feels underdeveloped. Margaret’s allure as a trailblazing writer is intriguing, but the passion between her and Sam remains disappointingly muted. While Sam and Finch’s moments are explicit and vivid, the shift to Margaret is marked by a frustrating lack of detail and emotional depth, leaving readers craving a deeper exploration of their bond.
Despite its flaws, Time and Tide is an entertaining romp that pushes the boundaries of its genre with playful irreverence and a welcome embrace of queer love. Though it doesn’t fully deliver on its central romance, the novel offers plenty of fun and creativity, making it a worthwhile read for fans of time-travel adventures and unconventional historical tales.
