Title: ⟫ Lost in the Past
Author: ⟫ Trent Allen
Rating: ⟫ 4/5
Blurb: ⟫ Why am I alive?
Cody Callahan has asked that question every day for the last ten years, ever since that psycho kidnapped two boys, him and his best friend, but only one survived.
Cody opens a doorway that leads him back to that nightmare. Shock that he’s traveled to his past sparks his resolve to change the outcome. Can he remember anything to help save his younger self and the boy who he will always love? Or, will the clock run out for both boys this time around?
Cody’s arrival derails Detective Jack Vance’s carefully crafted life, causing Jack to question everything he thought he wanted for himself. If they don't get to the boys in time, will Cody disappear from Jack's life forever? Why does that thought suddenly terrify Jack?
Cody’s pendant might be part of the reason. It looks exactly like the one hanging around Jack’s own neck, even down to the blue glow. Jack’s grandmother said it was magical. She even promised it would bring him love. He scoffed at the idea, but it never once glowed before Cody appeared. Could Cody possibly be that love? Jack wouldn’t be foolish enough to fall for a guy that isn’t from his own time… Would he?
This novel contains non-consensual m/m sex. It also has supernatural time-travel, consensual m/m sex, suspense, and lots of love!
Review: ⟫ This book surprised me in many ways and, to be honest, I’m still not sure how I feel about it. There is a lot that is good about the book – the pacing is good, the storyline is fascinating, and the thriller works well in itself.
My likes:
* Jack’s initial disbelief was well written – anyone would question someone telling them they were from the future, no matter what proof they provided;
* The mystery behind what has happened to Cody and Ricky was well written, with enough red herrings without going overboard;
* some pretty solid detective work by the police department rather than taking the easy way out and having future-Cody conveniently remember/recognise things;
* the twist took me by surprise and I was impressed with how it was handled.
My dislikes:
* I know the blurb warns about non-consensual sex but it gave me the serious ick factor just how often we were seeing things from Benji’s perspective. It began to feel a little over-the-top and unnecessary and I came close to skipping quite a few of those scenes;
* regardless of the time travel perspective, I think it possibly took too much suspension of disbelief that so many people noticed the similarities between future-Cody and past-Cody and nothing more was said/done;
* Cody was a little too ‘together’ for me considering he’d travelled through time and was faced with such an incredibly stressful time in his life. I think I would have liked to see just a bit more freaking out from him;
* the number of times the word ‘gawd’ was used jumped into my head and wouldn’t leave and I found myself flinching every time I read it. Other exclamations could be used!
* The style of writing was hard to describe – sometimes it felt a little too ‘simple’ and a bit immature, but that is most likely just my feelings on it. Other reviews I have seen have raved about the book so it’s probably my personal preference.
I really did enjoy reading this book and I will definitely be looking out for more from this author. I understand that this is their debut novel and I am impressed with their achievement.
I received an ARC from GRR.
