Two women—Lisavet, trapped in a mystical library of memories in 1938, and Amelia, searching for her missing uncle’s secrets in 1965—navigate a hidden world where government agents erase inconvenient histories and only special watches grant access. Blending historical fiction, fantasy, and romance, the story explores the power of memory, the manipulation of truth, and the sacrifices made to protect love and legacy across generations.

Reader Review Summary

Set across dual timelines in 1938 and 1965, the novel follows Lisavet Levy, an eleven-year-old girl hidden by her watchmaker father in a mysterious library-like realm called the 'time space,' and Amelia Duquesne, a sixteen-year-old in Cold War-era Boston searching for answers about her missing uncle, Ernest. The time space is a vast, magical library where the memories of the dead are stored in books, accessible only through special watches, most of which are now controlled by the government. As Lisavet grows up isolated among memories and specters, she discovers that government agents are erasing inconvenient histories by destroying books, prompting her to preserve what she can. The story weaves together espionage, family secrets, and the manipulation of history, with both protagonists confronting the consequences of memory, loss, and the rewriting of truth. The narrative incorporates elements of historical fiction, fantasy, time travel, romance, and magical realism, and is told through multiple points of view, including those of Lisavet, Amelia, and other key characters such as Ernest and Moira, a CIA agent.

Readers praised the book's immersive worldbuilding, describing the time space as atmospheric and haunting, with vivid descriptions that made the setting feel cinematic. The dual timeline structure and the emotional journeys of Lisavet and Amelia were frequently highlighted, with many noting the depth and relatability of the characters, including secondary figures like Ernest and Moira. The writing style was described as lyrical and descriptive, and the integration of historical events, poetry references, and philosophical reflections on memory and history resonated with many. The romance subplot, particularly between Lisavet and Ernest, was noted for its emotional impact, and several readers appreciated the book's exploration of themes such as censorship, the preservation of truth, and the personal cost of protecting loved ones. The ending and the way the timelines converged were also cited as satisfying and well-executed by a number of reviewers.

Some readers found the mechanics of the time space and its magic system confusing or insufficiently explained, particularly regarding the role of watches and the origins of the timekeepers. The narrative's multiple points of view and timeline jumps led to confusion for some, especially in the early chapters, and a few felt that the pacing lagged in places, with long chapters or a loss of momentum after the midpoint. While many enjoyed both timelines, several readers were more invested in Lisavet's story than Amelia's, and some found the plot twists predictable or the motivations of certain characters unclear. A minority of reviewers did not connect with the writing style, found the plot unrealistic, or struggled with the time travel and romance elements, leading to at least one early DNF (did not finish).

The book has received a high average rating (4.27 out of 5) from over a thousand readers, with hundreds of full reviews, indicating strong engagement. Content warnings mentioned by readers include violence, death, grief, suicide, sexual references (mostly closed-door), and historical trauma such as the Holocaust. The novel has been compared to works like 'The Midnight Library,' 'The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue,' and 'The Book Thief,' and is noted for blending genres including historical fiction, fantasy, science fiction, and romance. Several readers expressed interest in rereading the book or experiencing it in audio format, and some suggested it would adapt well to film or television. The book is Hayley Gelfuso's debut and is scheduled for publication on August 26, 2025.