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| Tour Hosted by A Tale of Many Reviews |
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| Clockwise (Clockwise #1) by Elle Strauss Publish Date: November 21, 2011 My Source: review copy from the author |
Nate is your typical high school hottie – plays tons of sports, dates the most beautiful girl in school, and is at the top of every girl’s wish list. Casey can’t believe her good fortune when he asks her dance but is humiliated when she finds out it was a dare. She’s further humiliated when she brings Nate back in time, but she doesn’t really have time to dwell on this as Nate is NOT cut out to live in the past. He doesn’t know the things to say, the way to act, or to stay out of the political discussions of the time – which, coincidentally, happen to be hot-button issues like slavery. Their dynamic is often hilarious as Casey teaches Nate the ways of 1860 and often has to get him out of little messes that he gets himself into when he says the wrong thing or acts inappropriately for the time period.
It is fun to read Nate and Casey together – for the most part. What I mean is that while they are in the past, Nate is not such a bad guy. He and Casey actually get to know each other and could – gasp! – even be called friends. But when they travel back to present time, Nate forgets that Casey exists. This is hard for Casey and stings a little for us because – let’s face it, if you’re a gal and you’re reading this – you KNOW that feeling. Still, Nate is super likable. Also…Nate and Casey actually travel back to 1860 several times and while Casey doesn’t necessarily realize it, readers can tell that Nate is kinda-maybe-pretty much-definitely falling for her. This happens, of course, over the course of all of these trips and is cute. Overall, the romance aspect of Clockwise is a little bit predictable but I’m absolutely okay with that because it’s really lovable and fun to read. PLUS the time-traveling factor adds twists and turns to this romance that make it unique and I love it when an author puts a fresh spin on things.
Sidenote: The nerd in me really loves American History. Like, I REALLY love American History…so to be able to read pieces of the 1860’s and even the 1960’s in Clockwise without feeling like I was reading a textbook is pretty awesome. I love the characters from these times and I think they represented their respective eras well. I love the descriptions of the clothing, homes, and culture-norms. I loved reading about Nate and Casey facing important cultural issues during the past (slavery, segregation, etc.) and then seeing how they responded and thought-processed the changes that have been made/are being made in the present. This was under-the-surface of the main story enough to know that it was there but not enough that it overshadowed the time-traveling and romance.
Overall, you guys, I think Clockwise was fun and read-worthy. It was light and easy and fun and quick. Even though the romance was a tad bit cliche, sometimes this gal likes that! I found myself reading faster and pulling for the duo when they found themselves in troubling situations and I loved the ending. I would recommend this book for readers of all ages and am excited to soon see where Elle Strauss takes Casey’s story in the next book, Clockwiser.
THE COTS CREAKED WHEN we sat on them. We faced each other across the small room like two combatants before the gun blows. And it was worse than that. Despite the grueling hike and the baggy trousers and the tense expression on his face, Nate was still adorable. How would I manage sharing a room with Nate? This was so awkward!
“Start talking,” he said.
“What do you want me to say?”
His left eyebrow inched up.
“Okay. I told you from the beginning, I did some time traveling.”
“Yeah, an unusual hobby.”
“Do you want me to talk or what?”
I took it by his silence and dark shade of his blue-eyed stare that he did. “Sometimes, I travel, but,” I lightened my voice, “I always go back.”
“Back to when?”
“Right back to where I left. No one will even notice you’ve been gone.”
“That’s good. Jessica would be so ticked if I took off without telling her.”
I winced. Evil Jessica Fuller. I’d forgotten about her here. The one good thing about traveling is that I don’t have to deal with her.
one eBook copy of CLOCKWISE
You must be at least 13 years old to enter.Deadline for entry is Wednesday, May 2, 2012.This contest is open to Everyone.Following this blog is not required, but appreciated!Fill out this form to enter:
Each tour stop is hosting a Giveaway this week!
Every stop is giving away a different title from
Elle’s writing group, The Indelibles.
I’ve read some of these books and they are AWESOME.
See the Blog Tour Schedule HERE
to enter to win each a different book at each site!
About Asheley
Asheley is a Southern girl. She loves Carolina blue skies, Ben & Jerry's ice cream, and NC craft beer. She loves all things history but prefers books over everything.
You can find her somewhere in North Carolina, daydreaming about the ocean.
Find Asheley on Litsy @intothehallofbooks!
I love time travel books so Clockwise was made for me! Thanks for the chance to win it. My Kindle will appreciate it.
This book sounds like a good young adult read – and no love triangles!
time traveling has always fascinated me, especially since i study physics, which some people think it might limit your hopes of time traveling but on the contrary, it gives me more thoughts about it 😀 i love how there is no love triangles, since i m not a big fan of them 😀
i would surly enjoy to see how the author portrays what she think of time traveling and how it is done 😀
thanks for the giveaway, i cant wait to read all these books 😀
Congrats to Elle on her release! I wish her oh-so-much success!
I like time traveling books. This book sounds like a good read.
Asheley, I am SO glad that you reviewed this one! I actually picked this one up a while back when it was a Kindle deal, and promptly forgot that it existed let alone that I owned it (it's much easier to do this with Kindle books, you know?). I love historical settings, and time travel, and this sounds totally fun and cute! I'm going to keep it in might next time I'm in the mood for that type of read. I don't mind predictable either under the right circumstances!
I think that this book sounds really cute!!! I love romantic books and the time period that it takes place so I would love to win this one!!! Thanks
I shouldn't as I have too many book but I grabbed a copy from Amazon after hearing about the low price! This book sounds great, thanks for letting me know about it!
ComaCalm's Corner
Nice post ,thanks sharing…..
I love reading books about time travel. I'm really looking forward to reading this. Thanks for the giveaway! 🙂
I thought the time travel was very inventive-I don't think I've read a book with that particular concept.
CLOCKWISE is a smart, engaging read, a sure hit for lovers of time travel or the occasional history buff. I immediately liked Casey, her awkwardness, and felt like she could be a close friend. Casey's story doesn't disappoint. It refreshingly lacks the overzealous angst common to some YA reads and packs in the values of honest friendships and family relationships with a heart-warming, twist-at-the-end punch. Elle Strauss is a writer to watch.
I highly recommend this warm tale.