
Title: The Diary
Author: Sarah D Gordon
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Time Travel Romance
Book Blurb:
When Sophie Harris is drawn back in time through the pages of an old diary, she lives the life of Emma McLeod in 1865 Western Australia. As Sophie moves back and forth between her own time and Emma’s, she finds that Emma is about to lose her family, her love, and her life to one man's greed. While in her own time, Sophie realizes there is a way to change Emma’s fate, unaware that changes she makes in the past will also alter her own future, as well as that of a man she has yet to meet.
My Review:
The Diary by Sarah D. Gordon is a captivating time travel romance that seamlessly blends historical fiction with modern-day intrigue. The story follows Sophie Harris, who is transported back in time through the pages of an old diary to live the life of Emma McLeod in 1865 Western Australia. Sophie moves between her own time and Emma’s, discovering that Emma is on the brink of losing her family, her love, and her life to one man’s greed. Unbeknownst to Sophie, the changes she makes in the past will also alter her own future and that of a man she has yet to meet.
Emma McLeod is a fabulous heroine—strong, likable, and feisty, yet realistic. Unlike many portrayals of “strong independent women” that can often come across as clichéd or unlikable, Emma’s character exemplifies how to achieve this balance perfectly. Her strength and independence are portrayed with nuance and authenticity, making her one of my favorite heroines ever. Her trials and tribulations tugged at my heartstrings, showcasing a well-rounded character who is both resilient and relatable.
The entire cast of characters is first-rate, from the formidable William Rideout, who caused my own heart to flutter, to Emma’s adorable little brother, Daniel. I found myself wanting to protect Daniel as much as Emma did, illustrating the depth of connection Gordon has crafted. Without giving anything away, the villain is wonderfully evil, creating genuine fear and tension each time he appears. I was incredibly invested in these characters, shedding happy tears by the time I reached the perfect ending.
The dialogue in The Diary is well done, enhancing the authenticity of the characters and their interactions. It adds depth to the relationships and helps bring the historical setting to life, making each conversation feel genuine and engaging. The meticulous historical research supporting the novel enriches the narrative, making the setting of 1865 Western Australia feel vividly real and immersive.
The concept in The Diary feels more like stepping into a past life or experiencing reincarnation rather than traditional time travel, which I absolutely loved. It has a supernatural quality that feels both unique and relatable, tapping into a sense of déjà vu or familiarity that many of us have experienced at some point in our lives. This approach added depth and intrigue to the story, giving me goosebumps and enhancing the suspense and emotional impact.
Sarah D. Gordon’s writing style is beautiful and immersive. The story gripped me from the start and held me captive until the very end. I highly recommend The Diary to fans of time travel romances and those who enjoy stories with strong, independent heroines done right. This book is an absolutely wonderful read that had me glued to the pages and left me smiling at the end.
My Rating: 5+ stars
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Author Biography:
Sarah D Gordon fell in love with reading and story writing at the age of six when she first took a book from the library, from then on words and stories became an important part of her life. She not only spends her days creating fictional worlds for both adults and children, but she also passes this love and knowledge on to her students as a tutor for children with learning differences. Sarah previously worked for the police but was happiest at her job in a public library while she finished her degree in Legal Studies. Sarah enjoys teaching and travelling but writing is her first love.
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Reviewed by: Lana