I actually feel a little guilty of only giving this book 3*, perhaps I should have given it 4* as I would definately re-read this book.
This book is based in history and involves time travel, only in this story the time-traveller is a man. Most other books I have read with time-travel as a theme involve women travelling, although I guess the ultimate time-travellers are Dr Who and that guy from Back to the Future.
Anyway back to a Chance in Time; Penelope (the main character) was widowed about a year previously and had been living off the small farm that her and her husband owned. She was a mail-bride and left a wealthy family to pursue a marriage for love, or rather a marriage where her being unable to have children would be an issue.
One day, whilst going to the near-by town to purchase the goods she needs, she finds a man laying on the side of the track. He is unconscious. With somewhat more strength than youd imagine she would possess, she manages to secure the man to her horse and take him back to her cottage. She nurses him back to health and in the process falls in love with him. He also, reluctantly, falls in love with her; however he knows he must leave her.
Distraught by the knowledge of his leaving, he does what he can to improve the farm so she can survive. He vows to time-travel, find some gold and bring it back to her, leaving it somewhere she will find it.
You could really sense the feelings growing between Penelope and the man – it was a gentle and very moving progression of emotion under circumsatnces that had been forced on them both.
I found myself caught up in their emotions and really felt their pain and love for each other.
To find out whether he succeeds in returning with gold, leaving her for good for his own time or remaining with her dispite everything you’ll just have to read the book for yourself and find out.
jdaviesx 