Conspiracy theories are the best. Although their biggest adherents often look like crackpots, I’d put a good conspiracy right up there with my fascination for cults. Rachel Carter delves into the Montauk Project with her debut So Close To You, a young adult time travel romance.
So Close To You
Many years ago, main character Lydia Bentley’s great grandfather, Dean, disappeared mysteriously. The army base said it was a combat training accident. Yet, Lydia’s grandfather, Dean’s son, has never believed this explanation and suspects the Montauk Project has something to do with the disappearance. He has never been able to let go of his grief. Flash forward to present day. Lydia, visiting the abandoned army base with her grandfather, comes across an empty and open module. Y’all, long summary short, she travels back in time to the 1940s just before Dean disappears.
There were things I liked and disliked about So Close To You. I suppose I will start out with the things I liked. When Lydia lands in the 1940s, she forms a close bond with Mary who is Dean’s sister. Mary is vivacious and warm. I thought she stole every scene she was in. Also, the mechanics of time travel and the means, the Tesla Machine are fascinating. I also liked how Lydia didn’t immediately fit perfectly and had some awkward moments as a person from the future. So Close To You does a fabulous job in incorporating the Butterfly Effect as well.
Yet, my feelings toward So Close To You are not all positive. The romance Lydia engages in is entirely instalove. There is zero sexual tension or build, which I think really ends up selling the swoons kind of short. There are relatively few scenes with the love interest, Wes. And when he shows up, y’all he is kind of a wet blanket. Also, Lydia is a very mediocre heroine. Like, I don’t remember much about her character and I JUST read the book. OH WAIT. While reading about her I would be like, NO DON’T GO IN THERE, much like when you watch a horror movie and the girl decides to investigate the basement or the hallway like a total idiot. Oh, and the ending is a total cliffhanger which is annoying. I just want books in a series to be able to stand alone with some resolution, is that too much to ask?
At this point I am not sure if I will stick around for the sequel. So Close To You had a ton of potential, but based on mediocre characters and romance, it really fizzled out for me.
Disclosure: Received for review.
Other reviews of So Close To You by Rachel Carter:
Chick Loves Lit – “a fun mix of time travel, romance, and history”
Sash & Em – “an interesting concept but I didn’t really like the book over all”
Once Upon A Prologue – “a fresh look at time-travel and all its various implications”
The Trailer:
Click here to read an excerpt
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I love time travel, but that’s not enough to get past the other stuff.
Am I the only one who thought Lydia Bennet when I heard the name Lydia Bentley?
No sexual tension? Yeah, that’ll sell the swoons short, alright. Eesh. I kind of wanted to read this, but I don’t think I’m going to like one it. I guess I’ll pass. I don’t think I can handle any more instalove.
Eep, insta-love. I don’t really like insta-love (except in rare cases, where I find that the explanation kind of makes sense) so that kind of worries me about this book. But the time travel part sounds fun!
I’ve heard some different reviews of this… some okay, some bad… can’t think of any that were particularly stellar. I love the time travel aspect and the 1940s, and especially the secret military stuff… but I’m really in no hurry to read this. Which is a bummer because I kind of like time-travel!
I read another review of this a few days ago and I have to admit that I didn’t know about the Montauk Project, so I had to google it and check it out. Interesting. And I really think the Butterfly Effect is quite fascinating and stuff, particularly after having just read a huge time-travel book (Outlander) and stuff. But this one just doesn’t intrigue me hugely, although I think the cover IS super pretty. I’ll probably keep it in the back of my mind though.
Love the honest reviews, April. Thank you so much for the info – it’s very helpful!!
I have to be honest, before your review? I didn’t really want to read this book. Now? I need to get my hands on it ASAP! (I hadn’t seen the trailer either, somehow!) This one looks great, and I love conspiracy theories…
-Jac @ For Love and Books
Yikes, the mediocre heroine and instalove portion turns me off at this book. The premise DOES sound really cool and I’m glad the Butterfly Effect was done well in this book. I’ll probably pass on this book. Thanks for your honest review!
meh, looks like Insta-love strikes again, that’s too bad.
also, I get what you mean about not remembering the heroine, that just happened to me. It’s like you sort of know what happened in the story but you don’t register the characters in particular.
The technical stuff of time travel does sound interesting, though.
Agreed. Doubt I’ll stick around either.