For fans of The Ministry of Time and The Midnight Library, a sweeping, unforgettable novel moving from pre-WWII Germany to Cold War-era America to the mysterious time space, a library filled with books containing the memories of those who bore witness to history.
Nuremberg, 1938: On the night of Kristallnacht, 11-year-old Lisavet Levy is hidden by her father from approaching forces in a mysterious place called the time space, a library where all the memories of the past are stored inside of books. When her father doesn’t return for her, she becomes trapped, spending her adolescence walking through the memories of those who lived before. When she discovers that living timekeepers are entering the time space to destroy memories and maintain their preferred version of history, Lisavet sets about trying to salvage the past, creating her own book of lost memories. Until one day in 1949, when she meets an American timekeeper named Ernest Duquesne, who is intent on keeping her from her task. What ensues sets her on a course to change history and the time space itself forever.
Boston, 1965: Amelia Duquesne is mourning the death of her uncle and guardian, Ernest, when she’s approached by Moira, the enigmatic head of the CIA’s highly secretive Temporal Reconnaissance Program. Moira tells her about the existence of the time space – accessed only by specially designed watches whose intricate mechanisms have been lost to time – and enlists her help in recovering a strange book her uncle had once sought. But Amelia quickly realises that the past – and the truth – are not as straightforward as Moira would like her to believe.
A sweeping, cinematic love story, this feat of imagination explores memory, time, and the lengths we will go to in order to protect the existence of those we love.
(4/5)
The Book of Lost Hours by Hayley Gelfuso was an entertaining and engaging read that explored some thought-provoking concepts of erasing history.
The novel weaves a beautiful love story throughout its narrative and the author’s creativity is commendable, even though there are areas that feel incomplete. I was a bit confused about the time-travel setup.
The blend of fantasy and historical fiction is nicely done. There was a few good twists adding some mystery to the story.
Overall, a compelling and engaging read.
(2/5)
Firstly, I will admit that the fantasy/time travel genre is not usually my preferred reading. However I was very open to try and enjoy this book when I started. Unfortunately it didn’t pan out that way.
I felt the book was trying to be too many for things for too many people – fantasy, time travel, mystery, spies, romance etc and didn’t really achieve any of them well. I found it hard to like many of the characters, with the exception of Ernest and Amelia, and I downright disliked quite a few of them. The storyline pull me in as I hoped it would, and the twist about 2/3 through was obvious way before the reveal.
On a positive note, it did set me wondering about memories and how the recollections of a particular event can differ person to person, depending on their perspective and role.
Overall, not a book I enjoyed, but I did persevere to the end.
(5/5)
The Book of Lost Hours is set in two parallel universes: the world in which we live, and in Time Space. This book explores the possibility of our memories being stored in for people to roam through.
The story follows Lizavet as she escapes reality into the halls of Time Space, hoping to save the memories of her father, the watchmaker Ezekiel Levy. Along the way she meets Ernest and a romance begins, with many ups and downs. The plot is complex as the story moves from Time Space to our world and back many times. Both text and characters are beautifully crafted, and the story has its moments of joy and its times of darkness. Although I must admit I felt a few of the allegories in this story were a little tongue in cheek.
A really good novel not only entertains, but it takes you on an unexpected journey, it contains ideas that challenge, it has characters you are reluctant to leave behind and finally when you put back on the bookshelf you look forward to returning to read it again. The Book of Lost Hours meets all of these characteristics and does not disappoint.
(4/5)
Compelling, heart-breaking and tear-inducing, The Book of Lost Hours is a fabulous debut novel.
Honestly, not the normal genre that I am attracted to but I think that is what made it so addictive. I loved the pace of the writing, and seriously what could be better than a book set in a library!
A really interesting way to write a story—jumping between timelines was really easy to follow. I enjoyed the character growth, and I absolutely recommend this book as a binge read. I look forward to future works from Hayley
(3/5)
Hayley Gelfuso has created a text that crosses the boundaries of a number of genres, including time-travel, romance and spies/suspense. On reading, however, I felt frustrated that none of the writing styles seemed fully fleshed out. The book felt stretched, and unable to give enough story to make any writing style feel complete. For example, snippets of historical events were alluded to, but without the reader holding prior knowledge they would be meaningless, which could distract from the storyline.
Gelfuso tracks the life memories of its key character across different time periods. These leads were well fleshed out, and this made the second half of the book easier to enjoy. Others seemed quite two-dimensional and, in some cases, most unpleasant.
For the patient reader, there may be some moments to enjoy in this book. Certainly, the importance of memories and how the memories of individuals shape the future of the world was very interesting to me as a reader.
(4/5)
This is the first book I’ve read by Hayley Gelfuso. After a couple of chapters, I started to really enjoy the plot, and wonder what would happen to Lisavet Levy and Ernest as the story unfolded between different decades and even centuries.
The ability to move between time, and enter and even save memories of people through history was very well realised. It took me on a wonderful journey, with challenged from outsiders who wanted to hijack and destroy history. Explaining the difference between time and memories and the intricate reasoning behind the Time Space was done well without complicating the intent in the story.
I will definitely read the next book from Hayley, as I found The Book of Lost Hours well-written and a story that makes you think about the consequences of choices.
(4/5)
The Book of Lost Hours captures the essence of soul connection—a memoir of memory, love, and the unseen spaces between moments. The book begins with a bedtime story—a magical pocket watch that speaks to time itself and unfolds into a tale that feels both mystical and deeply human.
This is a book for those who believe that memories are the most precious things we carry, whispers of who we’ve been and what we’ve become. The Time Space feels like a library of shared experiences, a place to store, retrieve, and reawaken memories. Like magnets drawn together across lifetimes, I found that the beautiful bond between Ernest and Lisavet reminds us that love, once etched into the soul, resists forgetting.
With echoes of The Midnight Library, The Lost Bookshop, and The Giver, this novel is not just a story, but a soulful journey into the heart of time and memory itself,
(4/5)
The Book of Lost Hours is a magical and fascinating storyline, with the memory library and time space being incredible concepts. Through their strong character development, Lisavet, Ernest, Moira, and Amelia are unforgettable. I enjoyed the way their stories intertwined across time.
This book has mystery, emotion, romance and just enough intrigue to keep you guessing and I loved the powerful underlying message of preserving history. Definitely a book I’ll be recommending.
(3/5)
A thoroughly engrossing story of a young woman caught within the terror of a war and the constructs of time. The story weaves around the possibilities attached to the altering of time and memory and with that, the altering of history.
The main protagonist within the story creates a disturbing picture of when a governments justification crosses the line into being corrupt or self serving. Our main character stays true to her best self even while learning about the realities of the life she was thrust into. Learning to live in a vacuum while surrounded by all of the memories of the world seems almost a juxtaposition. She is a brave and wise little girl who grew into a brave and wise woman.
A modern day story for a world that has selective memory around war and a timely reminder that love has the purest form of memory.
(4/5)
The Book of Lost Hours by Hayley Gelfuso is a captivating blend of historical fiction, fantasy, and sci-fi that had me hooked from the very first page. This novel completely won me over with its imaginative world-building and emotional depth. If you prefer more speculative fiction but wish to broaden your horizons this novel is definitely an excellent first step.
Lisavet’s resilience and Amelia’s rebellious curiosity make them unforgettable characters, and the concept of the “time space”, a library of living memories, was as breath-taking as it was original. The writing is vivid and cinematic, the stakes feel urgent, and the story strikes the perfect balance between heart-breaking and hopeful. The concept of memories and preserving them speaks volumes in today’s world and this novel helps remind us of the dangers of forgetting.
An immersive and beautifully written novel filled with unforgettable characters and intricate world-building. It is one of those rare books that will appeal to fans of multiple genres (fantasy and historical fiction alike) and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to friends, family, or book clubs.
(4/5)
The Book of Lost Hours follows two ordinary girls from different times who are thrown into a world unlike any other. What begins as a tale of wonder and fantasy soon transforms into a moving story of love, memory, and the lengths people will go to in order to protect the truth and those they care about.
This book will leave you reflecting on your own morality, the role governments play in manipulating history, and the choices we all face when preserving the past.
A thought-provoking and beautifully layered read, it’s perfect for anyone who enjoys a mix of fantasy, reflection, and big questions about what is really “true.”
(4/5)
We have all, at some point in our lives, wanted to turn back time – just a fraction, to take back a harsh word or unkind action – if you could, would you? Lisavet has that opportunity due to a unique watch her grandfather made that allows the wearer to travel through time. Lisavet is pushed into Time Space where she saves and stores memories and she soon learns that she has a unique gift. Should she meddle with the past and change the outcome?
The Book of Lost Hours has moments of love, anguish, drama and danger. The reader will enjoy the journey that two very different woman take through time space and how their paths will eventually cross and connect with people that have had a huge influence on their lives thirty years apart.
(4/5)
At first I was unsure about the idea of the Time Space, but the further I read the more I became hooked. There were so many elements to love, the characters were enchanting and I loved the movement between time periods. The unfolding story was captivating and the surprises unexpected. Such a strong sense of sacrifice and the lengths that individuals are prepared to go to protect their loved ones. The story ended beautifully.
I highly recommend it for lovers of fantasy, romance and mystery. The Book of Lost Hours had it all!