When the Day Comes by Gabrielle Meyer

 When the Day Comes

Book Summary

How will she choose, knowing all she must sacrifice?

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. While she's the same person at her core in both times, she's leading two vastly different lives.

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 English marquess. The growing talk of war in Europe only complicates matters.

But Libby knows she's not destined to live two lives forever. On her twenty-first birthday, she must choose one path and forfeit the other--but how can she choose when she has so much to lose in each life?

My Thoughts

When the Day Comes by Gabrielle Meyer is the first Timeless Book.  I thought this historical novel was creative and well-written.  It contained realistic characters and situations.  Libby lives two different lives:  one in 1774 and one in 1914.  In one she is the managing editor of her deceased father’s newspaper.  Libby and her mother work hard to provide a living for their family and pay off their father’s debt.  Libby is in love with Henry Montgomery, but he is about to betrothed to the Royal Governor’s fourteen-year-old daughter.  

Consuelo Vanderbilt (Libby's 1914 character based on her)

In 1914, her mother is determined to marry her off to a titled Englishman.  When Libby turns twenty-one, she will need to decide which life she will live for the rest of her life.  The story is told in alternating chapters (back and forth between 1774 and 1914).  I can tell the author did her research for both time periods and locations.  She captured the grandeur of London Society, the beginning of the Great War, and the fashions (especially the tight-fitting hobble skirt that ladies had trouble walking in).  We get to experience Colonial Williamsburg on the brink of the Revolutionary War.  I like the time travel concept (unique).  When Libby goes to sleep in 1774, she awakens in 1914.  She lives both lives simultaneously.  I enjoyed reading both time periods with their vivid descriptions.  The author managed to strike a balance between too little and too much detail.  

Lady Padget--orchestrated introductions to titled bachelors for American Heiresses 

The faith elements are prominent and beautifully incorporated into the story.  We see the importance of faith and relying on God.  When the Day Comes is a fascinating and emotional split time novel.  I loved the ending and appreciated the epilogue that gives us a hint of who will be featured in the next Timeless Book.  When the Day Comes is a captivating tale with patriot printers, a bevy of balls, a merciless mother, a raging war, a sympathetic mum, an approaching revolution, and a critical choice.

Raspberry Velvet Hobble Skirt Gown

When the Day Comes is available from Amazon*.  You can find Gabrielle Meyer's other novels here.  I appreciate you stopping by today and reading my review.  I will return on Monday with Threads of Hope by Leslie Gould.  It is the third novel in the Plain Patterns series. I hope that you have a fun weekend.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

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