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An Echo in Time
A woman delves into a centuries-old murder to find the truth behind her self-destructive behavior in a powerful novel about love, loss, and healing by the bestselling author of An Unfinished Story and The Stars Don’t Lie.
Unable to catch a break in life or love as she approaches thirty, Charli Thurman sees red lights at every crossroads. And given the Thurman family’s tumultuous history, she knows things will only get worse, unless she can break the cycle and figure out where—and when—it all went wrong.
Charli is skeptical when her best friend introduces her to a “soul reader” who specializes in generational trauma. But during family constellation therapy with the guru, Charli experiences an inexplicable memory of terrible violence. Whatever happened in the past, it created an imbalance that’s still in the Thurman blood.
When Charli’s research leads her to Winchester, England, she meets a charming pub owner named Noah, whose own family history is similarly twisted. As the mystery deepens around a damaged inheritance and a tragic death, Charli is resolved to find the truth—and create the fresh start she has been hoping for her whole life.
Unable to catch a break in life or love as she approaches thirty, Charli Thurman sees red lights at every crossroads. And given the Thurman family’s tumultuous history, she knows things will only get worse, unless she can break the cycle and figure out where—and when—it all went wrong.
Charli is skeptical when her best friend introduces her to a “soul reader” who specializes in generational trauma. But during family constellation therapy with the guru, Charli experiences an inexplicable memory of terrible violence. Whatever happened in the past, it created an imbalance that’s still in the Thurman blood.
When Charli’s research leads her to Winchester, England, she meets a charming pub owner named Noah, whose own family history is similarly twisted. As the mystery deepens around a damaged inheritance and a tragic death, Charli is resolved to find the truth—and create the fresh start she has been hoping for her whole life.
387 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 20, 2024
About the author
Boo Walker
15 books999 followersBestselling author Boo Walker initially tapped his creative muse as a songwriter and banjoist in Nashville before working his way west to Washington State, where he bought a gentleman’s farm on the Yakima River. It was there amongst the grapevines and wine barrels that he fell in love with telling stories that now resonate with book clubs around the world. Rich with colorful characters and boundless soul, his novels will leave you with an open heart and a lifted spirit.
Always a wanderer, Boo currently lives in Valencia, Spain with his wife and son. He also writes thrillers under the pen name Benjamin Blackmore. You can find him at boowalker.com and benjaminblackmore.com.
For a free copy of his Red Mountain cookbook, updates, and other goodies, sign up for his newsletter at boowalker.com.
Always a wanderer, Boo currently lives in Valencia, Spain with his wife and son. He also writes thrillers under the pen name Benjamin Blackmore. You can find him at boowalker.com and benjaminblackmore.com.
For a free copy of his Red Mountain cookbook, updates, and other goodies, sign up for his newsletter at boowalker.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 272 reviews
April 28, 2024
I received this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Speechless;. Lost for words, but alas, I must find my words in order to give a review.
I must confess that I was bored in the first chapter. There were many grammatical errors and spelling mistakes, that I didn't think I would be able to continue reading (I am aware that this ARC was an unedited copy). I am so glad that I stuck with it thought, because chapter 2 was the one that made me want to continue reading.
This book was beautifully written. The characters were amazing, and the descriptive factors used throughout the story allowed me to picture each scene taking place in my mind.
The reason why I am lost for words is because of how much I resonated with the main character, Charli. Her thoughts and feelings towards herself, and the way she was constantly self-sabotaging to the point where she was convinced she was living a life full of bad luck, or she was cursed. It was incredibly painful to read because of this.
The author, Boo Walker, has certainly given me a lot to think about, and I have already decided to follow some of the advice that Charli was given, in order to rectify my own life.
I find it difficult to write praise as high as what I feel that this book deserves, but I can honestly stand up, place my hand n my heart and proclaim that this has to be the best book I have ever read in my life.
Speechless;. Lost for words, but alas, I must find my words in order to give a review.
I must confess that I was bored in the first chapter. There were many grammatical errors and spelling mistakes, that I didn't think I would be able to continue reading (I am aware that this ARC was an unedited copy). I am so glad that I stuck with it thought, because chapter 2 was the one that made me want to continue reading.
This book was beautifully written. The characters were amazing, and the descriptive factors used throughout the story allowed me to picture each scene taking place in my mind.
The reason why I am lost for words is because of how much I resonated with the main character, Charli. Her thoughts and feelings towards herself, and the way she was constantly self-sabotaging to the point where she was convinced she was living a life full of bad luck, or she was cursed. It was incredibly painful to read because of this.
The author, Boo Walker, has certainly given me a lot to think about, and I have already decided to follow some of the advice that Charli was given, in order to rectify my own life.
I find it difficult to write praise as high as what I feel that this book deserves, but I can honestly stand up, place my hand n my heart and proclaim that this has to be the best book I have ever read in my life.
August 20, 2024
This is a wonderful story on generational trauma and changing your own destiny. Charli Thurman has known nothing but "red lights" in her life, both obstacles in relationships and career progress. When she learns about constellation therapy, she decides to see if something in her family's past could have caused the upset in her own life. From Boston to Costa Rica to England, Charli pursues answers to a violent event that occurred several decades before she was born. Her proactivity teaches her more about herself, her family, and her potential. A unique story of sacrifice and redemption that will resonate on many levels.
Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union for the advanced copy!
Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union for the advanced copy!
July 27, 2024
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
This book was very interesting. It's about generational trauma and how terrible things that happen can continue to negatively affect families for years and years if they're never processed or worked through the traumatic event. I've heard of this before but I've never read a book with the theme and I love how thoroughly it was explained in this novel!
The main character, Charli, has had lots of bad luck.. She believes it all started because her toxic mother abused her as a child. Charli's best friend tells her about a therapist she's working with to deal with her generational trauma, and this piqued Charli's interest. Charli ends up contacting Frances (the therapist) and decides to do some digging into her ancestry. When some questions remain unanswered, she decides to go to England to do more research for herself.
The was a great book. The romantic aspect of it was a bonus in my opinion, as the entire story was very well written and kept my attention the entire time. Highly recommended!
This book was very interesting. It's about generational trauma and how terrible things that happen can continue to negatively affect families for years and years if they're never processed or worked through the traumatic event. I've heard of this before but I've never read a book with the theme and I love how thoroughly it was explained in this novel!
The main character, Charli, has had lots of bad luck.. She believes it all started because her toxic mother abused her as a child. Charli's best friend tells her about a therapist she's working with to deal with her generational trauma, and this piqued Charli's interest. Charli ends up contacting Frances (the therapist) and decides to do some digging into her ancestry. When some questions remain unanswered, she decides to go to England to do more research for herself.
The was a great book. The romantic aspect of it was a bonus in my opinion, as the entire story was very well written and kept my attention the entire time. Highly recommended!
December 7, 2024
Boo to Boo and boo to Charli
December 13, 2024
“An Echo in Time” by Boo Walker more than echoed something inside of me! This story captivated me and resonated deeply within my soul for many of the revelations I have been trying to connect in my life. I have been exploring my connections, my own meaning of life even more so over the past three years after losing first, my Mom, and more recently my younger sister to a 4 year battle with colon cancer. The main character, Charli is having her early mid-life crisis at just 30 years old because she has been unlucky in love, career, and family. She takes some time to explore why and after much thought and research into generational healing, she first attends a transformative retreat in Costa Rico which brings her to further research her family. She continues her research to fill in the holes in her genealogy, She travels back in time metaphorically and physically to England in 1861 and in the present time to track down a 3rd Great Grandfather. She finds not only many answers in her research, but also finds love. Not any love. She finds love at first sight, head over heels love that she knows she will never be able to let it go. I know this feeling. It’s how I met my husband 40 years ago at just 16 years old. I have been very blessed in love. Charli meets her love at 30. Their meeting began with first a look and then wanting to know each other’s name and from there, they didn’t stop talking and listening to each other. This is the love I have been blessed to have experienced. I 100% believe in true love and there are relationships written in the stars. My husband and I were destined to be together both from all of the times our paths crossed in the 16 years before we met, but also in my grandmother’s love story in Shelburne, Vermont which connected with my husband’s family and a classmate of 12 years hundreds of miles away on Staten Island and 50 years later in time. Charli’s love story begins much the same.
Boo Walker writes of their first encounter, “Charli stares him down, thinking she does need to eat. He finally turns. Poof, her whole world goes numb for a moment. She doesn’t know what is happening, but she likes it. He’s handsome—no, gorgeous—and she’s never seen anyone like him before and why is she feeling this way? and her brain is starting to come back to life when he steps forward. “Hello.” “Hi.” His voice is calming and low, resonant. Her nerves settle, and she says again, looking up to find his eyes this time, “Hi.””
Their meeting continues much like mine did in 1985! Walker further writes, “What’s your name?” “Charli,” she blurts. “Charli. I’m Noah. A pleasure to meet you.” He sticks out his hand. She takes it and feels the ceiling bend as a surge of energy rushes through her. It’s so powerful that she has to step away. But she does so with all the cool in the world. Well, now that she’d already given up her name and blushed a bit. “I’m right over here.” She points to the table. “I think I’ll find you.”
I have never read much about generational healing, but I believe in Charli’s journey and discoveries. I have mirrored parts of her journey through experience, journaling, and piecing together parts of my own memoir and how and why my mother was always the main thread in my life preparing and championing me to do anything. My father believes in me too and cheered me on. He and I have had many conversations these past 3 years especially where he has filled in pieces for me in realizing all the ways I knew my Mom encouraged me and many more ways I didn’t know she supported me to chase my dreams.
There are so many layers to Charli’s story which I identified with greatly that I felt her heart connect with mine on a deep, emotional level and some of my search was recognized in her’s. I cried several times just from being seen at every corner when Charli first sees herself!.
I loved the writing and all of the descriptive similes and metaphors. I have 117 highlights from this book! I will go back and mine the wisdom within the fictional story many times over!
I love Charli’s redemptive arc. She is one of the few protagonists who has done the work behind her character’s growth and had multiple, huge “Ah Ha moments!”
I fell in love with Noah right alongside Charlie. He is almost too real to be true when he and Charli have the first of many discussions about books and authors when he quotes Yeats to her!
“Moving along again, Noah glances at her. “You know John Keats, right? The poet.” “Sure.” “He used to make this walk every day. Wrote one of his most famous poems here, ‘To Autumn.’ ‘Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness, close bosom-friend of the maturing sun; conspiring with him how to load and bless with fruits the vines that round the thatch-eves run . . .’” He stops. “Something like that.” Charli bites her bottom lip. “Did you just quote Keats to me as we walk through the Winchester countryside?” “What’s wrong with that?” “You’re good,” she says. “You realize it’s in iambic pentameter.”
This is important because she just told him the name of her bookstore was going to be Iambic Inkspot named after Shakespeare’s famous writing rhythm.
This book is rich with language, connections, and Charli’s story which can show you the way through your own story. I have about a million reasons to love it and know it will be one I re-read. I am also happy for my fellow LiterALLy BOOKiSh friend, Kristie Cooley who is not only one of Boo Walker’s Beta readers, but she is also personally thanked i the author’s acknowledgments! I am so happy for her to have worked on such an amazing project with an author I know she admires!
This is definitely a 5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read and I recommend it to each of you!
#bookreviewmaureenvandusky
Boo Walker writes of their first encounter, “Charli stares him down, thinking she does need to eat. He finally turns. Poof, her whole world goes numb for a moment. She doesn’t know what is happening, but she likes it. He’s handsome—no, gorgeous—and she’s never seen anyone like him before and why is she feeling this way? and her brain is starting to come back to life when he steps forward. “Hello.” “Hi.” His voice is calming and low, resonant. Her nerves settle, and she says again, looking up to find his eyes this time, “Hi.””
Their meeting continues much like mine did in 1985! Walker further writes, “What’s your name?” “Charli,” she blurts. “Charli. I’m Noah. A pleasure to meet you.” He sticks out his hand. She takes it and feels the ceiling bend as a surge of energy rushes through her. It’s so powerful that she has to step away. But she does so with all the cool in the world. Well, now that she’d already given up her name and blushed a bit. “I’m right over here.” She points to the table. “I think I’ll find you.”
I have never read much about generational healing, but I believe in Charli’s journey and discoveries. I have mirrored parts of her journey through experience, journaling, and piecing together parts of my own memoir and how and why my mother was always the main thread in my life preparing and championing me to do anything. My father believes in me too and cheered me on. He and I have had many conversations these past 3 years especially where he has filled in pieces for me in realizing all the ways I knew my Mom encouraged me and many more ways I didn’t know she supported me to chase my dreams.
There are so many layers to Charli’s story which I identified with greatly that I felt her heart connect with mine on a deep, emotional level and some of my search was recognized in her’s. I cried several times just from being seen at every corner when Charli first sees herself!.
I loved the writing and all of the descriptive similes and metaphors. I have 117 highlights from this book! I will go back and mine the wisdom within the fictional story many times over!
I love Charli’s redemptive arc. She is one of the few protagonists who has done the work behind her character’s growth and had multiple, huge “Ah Ha moments!”
I fell in love with Noah right alongside Charlie. He is almost too real to be true when he and Charli have the first of many discussions about books and authors when he quotes Yeats to her!
“Moving along again, Noah glances at her. “You know John Keats, right? The poet.” “Sure.” “He used to make this walk every day. Wrote one of his most famous poems here, ‘To Autumn.’ ‘Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness, close bosom-friend of the maturing sun; conspiring with him how to load and bless with fruits the vines that round the thatch-eves run . . .’” He stops. “Something like that.” Charli bites her bottom lip. “Did you just quote Keats to me as we walk through the Winchester countryside?” “What’s wrong with that?” “You’re good,” she says. “You realize it’s in iambic pentameter.”
This is important because she just told him the name of her bookstore was going to be Iambic Inkspot named after Shakespeare’s famous writing rhythm.
This book is rich with language, connections, and Charli’s story which can show you the way through your own story. I have about a million reasons to love it and know it will be one I re-read. I am also happy for my fellow LiterALLy BOOKiSh friend, Kristie Cooley who is not only one of Boo Walker’s Beta readers, but she is also personally thanked i the author’s acknowledgments! I am so happy for her to have worked on such an amazing project with an author I know she admires!
This is definitely a 5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read and I recommend it to each of you!
#bookreviewmaureenvandusky
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 17, 2024
3.5 ⭐️
I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.
A multigenerational tale that tells the story of a families inter generational trauma related to an unknown event in Charlis family history. This book straddles England and the USA as Charli tries to break the “curse” of her family.
I really enjoyed the mystery and intrigue as Charli searches to find the source of her families pain, it was thrilling to read.
I did find it a bit cheesy in some parts, but if you love romance and spiritually mixed with historical mystery this is definitely a book you should check out!
I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.
A multigenerational tale that tells the story of a families inter generational trauma related to an unknown event in Charlis family history. This book straddles England and the USA as Charli tries to break the “curse” of her family.
I really enjoyed the mystery and intrigue as Charli searches to find the source of her families pain, it was thrilling to read.
I did find it a bit cheesy in some parts, but if you love romance and spiritually mixed with historical mystery this is definitely a book you should check out!
October 25, 2024
I have lost track of the amount of times I've rolled my eyes during this book.
September 16, 2024
An Echo in Time is an interesting take on generational trauma and the legacy it leaves behind. I was both skeptical and intrigued by Charla’s journey and her work with a healer to delve into and heal from her past.
Tim Campbell and Mia Hutchinson-Shaw did an excellent job narrating the audiobook.
Thank you Boo Walker, Lake Union Publishing, Brilliance Audio, and NetGalley for providing this ARC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.
Tim Campbell and Mia Hutchinson-Shaw did an excellent job narrating the audiobook.
Thank you Boo Walker, Lake Union Publishing, Brilliance Audio, and NetGalley for providing this ARC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.
September 27, 2024
An Echo in Time by Boo Walker
Charli can’t catch a break and when her friend suggests a soul reader to break what feels like a family curse… she isn’t convinced but after a session brings up a violent past memory, she realizes that this could be the reason the family has had issues for decades and goes about setting her family's legacy back on the right path.
The synopsis didn’t inspire me to read the book. It didn’t sound like my kind of book but I saw a review from another reader and I knew I had to read it. I am so glad I did. It starts off a little wobbly for me, like it is finding its footing but once Charli goes to the UK to figure out her family history, the story explodes for me. I got chills, like actual chills from the story.
The characters were amazing and I loved how all the elements of the book came together.
I do not want to spoil this book for you so just go grab a copy and thank me later.
4.5 stars
March 26, 2024
I loved this book! I'd never read anything by Boo Walker, but this one hit just the spot. I'm very interested in generational trauma, and this book shows us that it can affect the current generation. Charli felt that her whole life has been difficult...one thing after another happening. To protect herself, she breaks off any relationships that even start to get serious. Charli sets off to England to get some answers in a genealogy search that she couldn't quite figure out in the US. The way everyone comes together, and we see the alternate timelines was so well done.
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for a digital copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
#NetGalley #LakeUnionPublishing #AnEchoInTime
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for a digital copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
#NetGalley #LakeUnionPublishing #AnEchoInTime
November 8, 2024
Gave this one a go on a whim because it was available on Kindle Unlimited.
Did not care for the writing; characters did not grab me in the slightest; dialogue felt like it was out of a made-for-TV film. Marked as "finished," but I did not actually finish it - I gave it 13 chapters (which I think is more than fair!) and then gave up, because I was having a hard time caring about the plot.
Seems to have good reviews, so maybe it's just me. But this didn't appeal to me at all.
Did not care for the writing; characters did not grab me in the slightest; dialogue felt like it was out of a made-for-TV film. Marked as "finished," but I did not actually finish it - I gave it 13 chapters (which I think is more than fair!) and then gave up, because I was having a hard time caring about the plot.
Seems to have good reviews, so maybe it's just me. But this didn't appeal to me at all.
November 7, 2024
Started off kind of interesting talking about generational trauma but then took a weird turn into a cliche hallmark movie type of storyline. This one was not for me.
March 24, 2024
An Echo In Time. Boo Walker has written an interesting story dealing with how something that happened generations ago is still affecting family members. Charli long has felt that the universe is working against her. Pushed by her bestie she attends a workshop that sends her on a genealogy search to nineteenth century England with surprising results. This story will make you wonder about the possibility of karma in your own life. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book from NetGalley. Highly recommend.
December 1, 2024
Finished it, it was a struggle. I liked the overall plot and I do like the twists with how the families intertwined, I like the two distinct stories told in each time period.
The main character had to have been the most irritating person created. She’s selfish and self sabotaging (even though she admits to that). She plays “the victim” card the whole book only to have her “come to” moment just watching a family in the park like “oh, maybe I’m the problem, I can change and it isn’t the generational trauma that has plagued me and my family for doom”. 400 pages to figure that shit out. Ugh.
The main character had to have been the most irritating person created. She’s selfish and self sabotaging (even though she admits to that). She plays “the victim” card the whole book only to have her “come to” moment just watching a family in the park like “oh, maybe I’m the problem, I can change and it isn’t the generational trauma that has plagued me and my family for doom”. 400 pages to figure that shit out. Ugh.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 6, 2024
Boo Has Done it Again!
I loved this story of a woman researching her past in order to learn about herself. And I enjoyed reading the historical parts that lead her to know how to secure her future.
I loved this story of a woman researching her past in order to learn about herself. And I enjoyed reading the historical parts that lead her to know how to secure her future.
October 1, 2024
To say I devoured this book would be an understatement. I am so impressed with the author's writing style, and the way she was able to take a complex subject and make it digestible.
Highly recommended and there's also a cute love story!!
Highly recommended and there's also a cute love story!!
August 7, 2024
I would like to thank NetGalley, Boo Walker and Lake Union Publishing for an ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
4⭐ - Charli Thurman hasn't had the best luck in life, from an abusive mom to failing relationship and a boring job. Her friend decides to introduce Charli to a soul reader who might help her with her generational trauma.
Charli's research leads her to England, where she learns more about her family's past before they moved to the US.
I really enjoyed reading this story, from the dual timeline as well as the mystery. This was my first time reading a Boo Walker novel and I look forward to reading more.
4⭐ - Charli Thurman hasn't had the best luck in life, from an abusive mom to failing relationship and a boring job. Her friend decides to introduce Charli to a soul reader who might help her with her generational trauma.
Charli's research leads her to England, where she learns more about her family's past before they moved to the US.
I really enjoyed reading this story, from the dual timeline as well as the mystery. This was my first time reading a Boo Walker novel and I look forward to reading more.
September 12, 2024
Great story
This was a really nice story. Well-written. Difficult to put down. Stayed up late reading. Read in the car on the way to, and after, a great concert!
This was a really nice story. Well-written. Difficult to put down. Stayed up late reading. Read in the car on the way to, and after, a great concert!
December 12, 2024
History changes life!
Great story and the characters were very engaging. Ancestry can show you so much about who you are and what you can become. Loved this!!!
Great story and the characters were very engaging. Ancestry can show you so much about who you are and what you can become. Loved this!!!
December 15, 2024
4.5 stars!! I loved this book!!
October 6, 2024
I didn’t love it… until I did. Sometimes you stumble upon a book that gives you the exact message you need to dig into your own experiences. This one did that for me.
June 25, 2024
Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union publishers for this opportunity to read an ARC of this novel.
Boo Walker has established a following for his gentle-but-emotional novels about identity and relationships. Considering that this novel centres on a young woman and her attempts to come to terms with her self-sabotaging tendencies, he does a good job of imagining a woman’s perspective. Curiously, Charli comes off more ‘real’ than any of the male characters, present and past, who seem prototypes of the sensitive, wounded man (her dad and Noah) or the impetuous, driven, aggressive type (Charles/Miles, Edward, their father) in this dual timeline story.
In the present, Charli is depressed by her recent abandonment of both her life’s dream (her own bookstore) and a promising relationship, one of many that ended due to her seeming indifference. She has only a nominal relationship with her emotionally abusive, unstable mother, who left her beloved father, and ruined him emotionally and financially, while she was too young to take care of them both but was forced to do so. Nearly 20 years later, father and daughter are still unable to get on with their lives. Persuaded by her best friend Viv, Charli impulsively flies to Costa Rica for a quickie ‘past lives’ retreat organized by a ‘soul reader’ who directs participants in a form of ‘modelling’ their family relationships to get at the intergenerational roots of their personal identity crises. This is ‘family constellations’ theory, which is real, though disputed. The previously sceptical Charli is motivated to put together her family tree, about which she knows nothing. She flies to England, where she spends her time digging in archives famous and obscure, poring through reams of mid 19th century newspapers, interviewing family members she didn’t know she had. What she uncovers, having to do with the tribulations of her maternal third great grandfather and his flight to the United States, is interspersed with her present-time ‘too good (and too weird) to be true’ sudden love affair with a local pub-owner. And all that is interspersed with long distance calls to her depressed father at home, mostly begging him to ‘hold on’ while she tries to straighten out their troubled family history. After a few very lucky breaks, her historical detective work pays off.
Much of this stretches belief, and leaves a few holes that beg to be filled, starting with the question of whether the truth really does set you free. She finds the family villains of old and can suddenly explain away her mother’s abuses, her father’s willingness to be abused, her own inability to bond, and her bad choices in life, love, and even livelihood.
Without denying intergenerational impacts, just knowing what happened to an ancestral branch of your family is not going to bring about miraculous changes in the present. This is nonetheless a breezy, uncomplicated story, best taken as a cozy mystery with some historical episodes. You can’t help wishing family trauma could be healed by genealogy. Who doesn’t like a happy ending?
April 17, 2024
Charli just can't seem to get her life together. At the slightest obstacle, she convinces herself bad things happen because (as her mother's voice tell us) she is not meant to be happy. One day, Charli's best friend tells her about this constellation therapy retreat. Constellations are a way of stepping outside of your life and looking in, looking at the past trauma and seeing where the "red lights" are in your family tree. Out of pure desperation and concern for her self and her father (who is seemingly more and more depressed) she decided she needs to do something, anything, to help save her father. The information unveiled at the constellation retreat lead Charli to England, to chase the missing branch of her family tree. There, she find confirmation of the murder that was felt by all in her constellation group. What else will Charli learn about her family? Will Charli finally be able to start to heal? Can she save her dad?
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The term "epigenetics" seems to be a hot new topic; Though generational trauma is not a new concept, how we heal and break the cycle is (thankfully, IMO) having its moment. The whole concept of this book spoke to me immediately, which is why I was sad it was so difficult to get into. I could not stand Charli and her self-sabotaging behaviors. Now, that being said, at about 100 pages in, I came around. I enjoyed the split time perspective - Knowing small things about Charli's constellation and seeing the events unfold that created her family's "red lights". There was a little mystery, a little love story, and hopefully, a little healing. I did find myself rolling my eyes a fair number of times. I did not care for the author's unnecessary mention of himself in the book (it was so weird!) and however predictable it was, I found myself thinking about it for a few days after I finished it. I will say, I believe this book hit the nail on the head for me, when we think of the quote from Hamlet "To hold as 'twere the mirror up to nature..." I was annoyed at Charli, because I saw so much of her in me, or me in her. And that is how I also realized I should be more compassionate with her, and in turn myself.
Thank you, NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for this advance copy in return for an honest review.
///
The term "epigenetics" seems to be a hot new topic; Though generational trauma is not a new concept, how we heal and break the cycle is (thankfully, IMO) having its moment. The whole concept of this book spoke to me immediately, which is why I was sad it was so difficult to get into. I could not stand Charli and her self-sabotaging behaviors. Now, that being said, at about 100 pages in, I came around. I enjoyed the split time perspective - Knowing small things about Charli's constellation and seeing the events unfold that created her family's "red lights". There was a little mystery, a little love story, and hopefully, a little healing. I did find myself rolling my eyes a fair number of times. I did not care for the author's unnecessary mention of himself in the book (it was so weird!) and however predictable it was, I found myself thinking about it for a few days after I finished it. I will say, I believe this book hit the nail on the head for me, when we think of the quote from Hamlet "To hold as 'twere the mirror up to nature..." I was annoyed at Charli, because I saw so much of her in me, or me in her. And that is how I also realized I should be more compassionate with her, and in turn myself.
Thank you, NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for this advance copy in return for an honest review.
March 28, 2024
An Echo in Time is a heartfelt soulful read about ancestral healing, transgenerational trauma, and the redemptive power of forgiveness.
Charli's life is in a rut. Everything she tries fails and the baggage from her terrible upbringing isn't helping either. Obstructed by her own negative thinking, her best friend Viv recommends family constellation therapy to help break her out of the vicious circle she finds herself trapped in. With nothing to lose, Charli tries the therapy which brings up a devastating memory from long before she was born that has left an imprint on every subsequent generation in her family. With no other choice but to solve the family mystery, Charli heads to Winchester England to research her family history and to hopefully and finally put an end to the inherited trauma of her bloodline.
I was delighted to read a book about family constellation therapy as it is gaining popularity. I enjoyed the whole concept of this story, how the mistakes, pain, and trauma from our ancestors can be passed down through the generations. For some readers, this might be a little woo woo, but for myself and many others, it's a fascinating and thought provoking concept. As per usual with Boo Walker stories, the characters in this book were emotionally complex and their feelings so well articulated that you could feel their heartache emanating from the pages. Charli was an interesting character, a victim of abuse whose unresolved pain affected every aspect of her life. I'm glad that she was written with bravery and open mindedness since she was as much of a victim of her own self limiting behaviors as she was of her ancestral trauma.
The dual timeline was a great addition to this story as you could see the similarities between Charli and her ancestor and the ways in which the universe will conspire to bring you to your healing.
An Echo in Time is a story that will make you think, make you cry, and make you believe in the power to forgive, release the past, and choose a better tomorrow.
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a free arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Charli's life is in a rut. Everything she tries fails and the baggage from her terrible upbringing isn't helping either. Obstructed by her own negative thinking, her best friend Viv recommends family constellation therapy to help break her out of the vicious circle she finds herself trapped in. With nothing to lose, Charli tries the therapy which brings up a devastating memory from long before she was born that has left an imprint on every subsequent generation in her family. With no other choice but to solve the family mystery, Charli heads to Winchester England to research her family history and to hopefully and finally put an end to the inherited trauma of her bloodline.
I was delighted to read a book about family constellation therapy as it is gaining popularity. I enjoyed the whole concept of this story, how the mistakes, pain, and trauma from our ancestors can be passed down through the generations. For some readers, this might be a little woo woo, but for myself and many others, it's a fascinating and thought provoking concept. As per usual with Boo Walker stories, the characters in this book were emotionally complex and their feelings so well articulated that you could feel their heartache emanating from the pages. Charli was an interesting character, a victim of abuse whose unresolved pain affected every aspect of her life. I'm glad that she was written with bravery and open mindedness since she was as much of a victim of her own self limiting behaviors as she was of her ancestral trauma.
The dual timeline was a great addition to this story as you could see the similarities between Charli and her ancestor and the ways in which the universe will conspire to bring you to your healing.
An Echo in Time is a story that will make you think, make you cry, and make you believe in the power to forgive, release the past, and choose a better tomorrow.
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a free arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 29, 2024
After this beautiful book, I will read every book of his!
September 11, 2024
an interesting premise
I believe in the power of positive thinking. My glass is always half full. If you smile, your whole attitude changes. So, the premise of this book is interesting to me. I look at the photographs of my grandmothers sisters walking down a tree lined street in Poland, all of them with huge smiles on their faces, arms around each others shoulders. Then I look at the photos of my father’s family. No one is smiling and everyone has their arms wrapped tightly around themselves. Standing outside the closed door of their cottage, not touching. Wow, such telling body language. None of these people were able to choose their futures. A world war was looming.
Does milk make you sick when you drink it? Maybe it started with one of your forebears just disliking the taste and refusing to drink it. Cause and effect.
Food for thought.
I enjoy Boo Walkers novels. Read this. It might make you consider your own family’s characteristics.
I believe in the power of positive thinking. My glass is always half full. If you smile, your whole attitude changes. So, the premise of this book is interesting to me. I look at the photographs of my grandmothers sisters walking down a tree lined street in Poland, all of them with huge smiles on their faces, arms around each others shoulders. Then I look at the photos of my father’s family. No one is smiling and everyone has their arms wrapped tightly around themselves. Standing outside the closed door of their cottage, not touching. Wow, such telling body language. None of these people were able to choose their futures. A world war was looming.
Does milk make you sick when you drink it? Maybe it started with one of your forebears just disliking the taste and refusing to drink it. Cause and effect.
Food for thought.
I enjoy Boo Walkers novels. Read this. It might make you consider your own family’s characteristics.
August 16, 2024
AN ECHO IN TIME
By: Boo Walker
Historical Fiction
Lake Union Publ. 2024
The title of this book is perfect for the story as it unfolds. We follow Charli, a twenty something single woman, who just can’t catch a break from life. In fact, she comes from a family in Boston that just seems cursed and they don’t know why. As a child, when her younger brother was born and doesn’t survive, her mother falls apart and becomes emotionally not available for Charli or Charli’s dad. In fact, she becomes verbally abusive, even driven to violence when she smashes Charli’s dolls when Charli was 10. Her mother’s daily verbal abuse puts down and discounts Charli’s interests and needs. This trauma for Charli made her mother’s voice became the voice in Charli’s head. Charli’s dad has a job that takes him traveling a lot, and so he is not there for Charli either. Books became her world, her escape into the words and stories she reads. They are her best friends.
Growing up she watches as her friends establish families and/or careers and become successful. In her early 20s she tries to open her own bookstore, but the lease falls through just before she would move into the property, and she gives up. She’s currently working at a dead-end job which bring her no pleasure, and has broken up with her latest boyfriend, but doesn’t feel like she deserves anything more.
In fact, she gives up on a lot of things because she really believes she and her family are cursed and so when things don’t go smoothly, she quits. She won’t allow herself to love anyone, so has relationships that she believes she’ll ruin. She keeps them at a distance, which of course ruins the relationship. She just doesn’t know how to break the cycle of destruction.
One day, her best friend, Viv, tells her about this specialist in Costa Rica who does generational trauma therapy, called ‘constellation therapy. Charli is desperate enough to figure out how to try this for herself. She manages to use her savings, gets time off from her job, and goes to Costa Rica to see what this therapy is all about. Her experience here leads her to try to figure out what happened in her family generations ago to have caused such hard luck for her family.
On her journey to discover her family’s history, she travels to Winchester England where her mom’s family originates. Things fall into place, opportunities and serendipitous events occur. Next thing she knows, she’s trying to find the truth about a tragedy that happened generations ago. Her journey is compelling as we watch her grow as more and more is revealed to her. We learn what the echo in time is about as we learn about the event in her ancestry family. We have the present-day story of Charli and her family in Boston, and the story in the 1800s of her ancestor’s family in Winchester. It all comes together in amazing ways. I don’t want to reveal how Charli resolves the troubling issues of her family. It is worth your time to read it and discover for yourself. I’ve left out some of the best parts.
I’ve read most all of Boo’s books, (not the early detective ones) and I love his story telling. This is one of my favorites of his. The Red Mountain series is what introduced me to his writing, (loved them) and he writes and tells stories well. Wisdoms and insights appear throughout the book, and the characters are very interesting and relatable. I also love reading books that take me to places around the world, and Boo makes his environments part of the story. I get to do my arm-chair traveling through his stories. It’s all very satisfying for me and I’m a picky reader! Even after I finished this story, the characters live on with me.
By: Boo Walker
Historical Fiction
Lake Union Publ. 2024
The title of this book is perfect for the story as it unfolds. We follow Charli, a twenty something single woman, who just can’t catch a break from life. In fact, she comes from a family in Boston that just seems cursed and they don’t know why. As a child, when her younger brother was born and doesn’t survive, her mother falls apart and becomes emotionally not available for Charli or Charli’s dad. In fact, she becomes verbally abusive, even driven to violence when she smashes Charli’s dolls when Charli was 10. Her mother’s daily verbal abuse puts down and discounts Charli’s interests and needs. This trauma for Charli made her mother’s voice became the voice in Charli’s head. Charli’s dad has a job that takes him traveling a lot, and so he is not there for Charli either. Books became her world, her escape into the words and stories she reads. They are her best friends.
Growing up she watches as her friends establish families and/or careers and become successful. In her early 20s she tries to open her own bookstore, but the lease falls through just before she would move into the property, and she gives up. She’s currently working at a dead-end job which bring her no pleasure, and has broken up with her latest boyfriend, but doesn’t feel like she deserves anything more.
In fact, she gives up on a lot of things because she really believes she and her family are cursed and so when things don’t go smoothly, she quits. She won’t allow herself to love anyone, so has relationships that she believes she’ll ruin. She keeps them at a distance, which of course ruins the relationship. She just doesn’t know how to break the cycle of destruction.
One day, her best friend, Viv, tells her about this specialist in Costa Rica who does generational trauma therapy, called ‘constellation therapy. Charli is desperate enough to figure out how to try this for herself. She manages to use her savings, gets time off from her job, and goes to Costa Rica to see what this therapy is all about. Her experience here leads her to try to figure out what happened in her family generations ago to have caused such hard luck for her family.
On her journey to discover her family’s history, she travels to Winchester England where her mom’s family originates. Things fall into place, opportunities and serendipitous events occur. Next thing she knows, she’s trying to find the truth about a tragedy that happened generations ago. Her journey is compelling as we watch her grow as more and more is revealed to her. We learn what the echo in time is about as we learn about the event in her ancestry family. We have the present-day story of Charli and her family in Boston, and the story in the 1800s of her ancestor’s family in Winchester. It all comes together in amazing ways. I don’t want to reveal how Charli resolves the troubling issues of her family. It is worth your time to read it and discover for yourself. I’ve left out some of the best parts.
I’ve read most all of Boo’s books, (not the early detective ones) and I love his story telling. This is one of my favorites of his. The Red Mountain series is what introduced me to his writing, (loved them) and he writes and tells stories well. Wisdoms and insights appear throughout the book, and the characters are very interesting and relatable. I also love reading books that take me to places around the world, and Boo makes his environments part of the story. I get to do my arm-chair traveling through his stories. It’s all very satisfying for me and I’m a picky reader! Even after I finished this story, the characters live on with me.
September 15, 2024
I am going to be an outlier here and say I just did not like this book at all. I won't give it one star but I did consider it.
Is your life a mess? Never seem to be able to do anything right? Can't even make it on time to a dinner with your boyfriend and his mother? Hey, it's totally not your fault. You are probably the victim of intergenerational trauma. Something happened in the past to your family that was so horrible it basically cursed you all and that's why everyone is totally messed up.
Charli has had a tough life with a mother who was extremely emotionally abusive and a father who let it happen. All her life Charli has been told she's a good for nothing. When her plans to open a bookstore fall apart, it's just another sign she's a waste of space. And relationships are a disaster because she's been told no one would ever want her. OK, that sucks.
But then her friend tells her about this amazing woman who can help her find what happened in the family past that might be causing all this trauma. And lo and behold, when she goes on a retreat with this woman she uncovers a death in the past that may hold a key! Instantly she's off on a plane to London with the world's weakest excuse to her boss - where - of course! - all the pieces of the puzzle start to - amazingly! - fall into place. And we begin to get the story for the other timeline, a love story that ends in tragedy back in 1880. So once Charli gets the full story of what happens back then - and falls in love with a descendant of the other family involved in the story - everything has been healed and all is right with the world. To quote Hemingway, "Isn't it pretty to think so."
Problems:
Charli lives in what seems like a very nice South End apartment in Boston in modern time. This is a VERY expensive place to live - certainly way above what she's probably making in a dead end job editing marketing reports. But money seems to be no object as she books immediate flights to London, extends her visit multiple times (I think the original 3-4 day trip turned into close to two weeks), and most surprisingly - doesn't get fired! And while her father appears to be somewhat "comfortable" it's also made clear that he's lost a lot of money and it doesn't seem like he's supporting Charli.
The mother is such a horrible person, but we never find out why. We never she what happened with her parents that made her the way she is. And the closure on this is really weak.
The relationship with Noah is almost cringeworthy. I would have dumped her and not looked bad. But of course, it's in their stars.
It's always weird when you have a protagonist who has to find all this historical information that would take a researcher months if not years to find, if they can find it at all, but for the books purposes all needs to be revealed in a matter of days.
Finally, the author mentions all kinds of trademarked things throughout the book, so I have to wonder whether it was intentional or just a bad editing miss that the book mentions the nearby "Northwestern University" (which is in Illinois) instead of the school right down the street from Charli in Boston, Northeastern University.
Yeah, did not like it at all.
Is your life a mess? Never seem to be able to do anything right? Can't even make it on time to a dinner with your boyfriend and his mother? Hey, it's totally not your fault. You are probably the victim of intergenerational trauma. Something happened in the past to your family that was so horrible it basically cursed you all and that's why everyone is totally messed up.
Charli has had a tough life with a mother who was extremely emotionally abusive and a father who let it happen. All her life Charli has been told she's a good for nothing. When her plans to open a bookstore fall apart, it's just another sign she's a waste of space. And relationships are a disaster because she's been told no one would ever want her. OK, that sucks.
But then her friend tells her about this amazing woman who can help her find what happened in the family past that might be causing all this trauma. And lo and behold, when she goes on a retreat with this woman she uncovers a death in the past that may hold a key! Instantly she's off on a plane to London with the world's weakest excuse to her boss - where - of course! - all the pieces of the puzzle start to - amazingly! - fall into place. And we begin to get the story for the other timeline, a love story that ends in tragedy back in 1880. So once Charli gets the full story of what happens back then - and falls in love with a descendant of the other family involved in the story - everything has been healed and all is right with the world. To quote Hemingway, "Isn't it pretty to think so."
Problems:
Charli lives in what seems like a very nice South End apartment in Boston in modern time. This is a VERY expensive place to live - certainly way above what she's probably making in a dead end job editing marketing reports. But money seems to be no object as she books immediate flights to London, extends her visit multiple times (I think the original 3-4 day trip turned into close to two weeks), and most surprisingly - doesn't get fired! And while her father appears to be somewhat "comfortable" it's also made clear that he's lost a lot of money and it doesn't seem like he's supporting Charli.
The mother is such a horrible person, but we never find out why. We never she what happened with her parents that made her the way she is. And the closure on this is really weak.
The relationship with Noah is almost cringeworthy. I would have dumped her and not looked bad. But of course, it's in their stars.
It's always weird when you have a protagonist who has to find all this historical information that would take a researcher months if not years to find, if they can find it at all, but for the books purposes all needs to be revealed in a matter of days.
Finally, the author mentions all kinds of trademarked things throughout the book, so I have to wonder whether it was intentional or just a bad editing miss that the book mentions the nearby "Northwestern University" (which is in Illinois) instead of the school right down the street from Charli in Boston, Northeastern University.
Yeah, did not like it at all.
August 14, 2024
I LOVED this book!!
Except of course, for the parts that I hated...but those were few and far between.
For those of you who follow me, you know that I recently discovered that I LOVE dual timeline books and I love time travel books too! This one FEELS like a time travel, but it is not, and it is definitely a dual timeline. Present day and late 1800's.
Charli is the present day MFC. She is working at a job she does not love, and missed the opportunity of a lifetime...one where she would be the owner of her own bookshop.
Her life is one big ball of turmoil...and a mess. She feels like anything that CAN go wrong, WILL go wrong, if it has to do with her. She did not have an idyllic childhood, and her Mom was not nice or kind to her... at all. Her Dad on the other hand was, but always stood down from her Mom.
She feels like her life is just falling apart.
One day a friend suggests that she go to see someone who might be able to help her. She deals with transgenerational feelings... things that will cross lifespans to other members in your family...many years (or centuries) later. She thinks her friend is crazy! But, being as she feels like she has NOTHING left to lose, she goes to meet the woman. They are having a 'class' where the 'students' act out a scene from their lives. When Charli does this, nothing seems to make any sense...until it does.
This leads her to Winchester (Europe) where she believes her ancestors came from. Hoping to get to the bottom of her problems, she arrives here full of hope. Pretty much as soon as she gets there she goes to a pub to eat, and meets Noah, the owner. They start talking and seem to hit it off. But she's going back to the states in a few days and does NOT want to start anything. But once again, the best laid plans...yada yada...
As she begins meeting people who may be able to help her, the picture starts to get clearer for her... and her life is about to change!
4 1/2 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 💫 for me, rounded up to 5!
Thanks to #NetGalley and #BrillianceAudio for an ARC of the audiobook which is due to be released in about a week…on 8/20/24!
#AnEchoInTime by #BooWalker and narrated beautifully by #TimCampbell and #MiaHutchinsonShaw.
Love. Family...what you have, and what you'd like to have.... Friendships. Community. Camaraderie...and love!
Feel free to like, follow and friend me on: Goodreads,
Insta @ #BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine.
Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, and click ‘LIKE’ below!! 📚⭐️
Except of course, for the parts that I hated...but those were few and far between.
For those of you who follow me, you know that I recently discovered that I LOVE dual timeline books and I love time travel books too! This one FEELS like a time travel, but it is not, and it is definitely a dual timeline. Present day and late 1800's.
Charli is the present day MFC. She is working at a job she does not love, and missed the opportunity of a lifetime...one where she would be the owner of her own bookshop.
Her life is one big ball of turmoil...and a mess. She feels like anything that CAN go wrong, WILL go wrong, if it has to do with her. She did not have an idyllic childhood, and her Mom was not nice or kind to her... at all. Her Dad on the other hand was, but always stood down from her Mom.
She feels like her life is just falling apart.
One day a friend suggests that she go to see someone who might be able to help her. She deals with transgenerational feelings... things that will cross lifespans to other members in your family...many years (or centuries) later. She thinks her friend is crazy! But, being as she feels like she has NOTHING left to lose, she goes to meet the woman. They are having a 'class' where the 'students' act out a scene from their lives. When Charli does this, nothing seems to make any sense...until it does.
This leads her to Winchester (Europe) where she believes her ancestors came from. Hoping to get to the bottom of her problems, she arrives here full of hope. Pretty much as soon as she gets there she goes to a pub to eat, and meets Noah, the owner. They start talking and seem to hit it off. But she's going back to the states in a few days and does NOT want to start anything. But once again, the best laid plans...yada yada...
As she begins meeting people who may be able to help her, the picture starts to get clearer for her... and her life is about to change!
4 1/2 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 💫 for me, rounded up to 5!
Thanks to #NetGalley and #BrillianceAudio for an ARC of the audiobook which is due to be released in about a week…on 8/20/24!
#AnEchoInTime by #BooWalker and narrated beautifully by #TimCampbell and #MiaHutchinsonShaw.
Love. Family...what you have, and what you'd like to have.... Friendships. Community. Camaraderie...and love!
Feel free to like, follow and friend me on: Goodreads,
Insta @ #BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine.
Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, and click ‘LIKE’ below!! 📚⭐️
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