I sadly did not like this book as much as I had wanted to. It certainly wasn't bad, it just wasn't my cup of tea. The plot synopsis sounded very intriguing with the secret time travel government project. I rarely read time travel books and I surprisingly enjoyed this aspect of the novel. On the other hand, the romance of the book did not appeal to me. I would've enjoyed the book just as much without the love interests (there is a minor love triangle, but it's not a colossal part of the plot). One of the reasons I didn't love it as much as I was hoping was probably because I read it when I had free time in small increments. This caused the flow of the story to be ruined and the more choppy the plot of a book is for me, the more I have to focus to get reengaged with the story which is also why I didn't connect to the characters very well. But overall it wasn't a bad read, just not the book for me. I will still read the second one though since I own it. ( )

I started reading this book and didn't like the first few chapters and I couldn't skip them because things were being explained so I could only skip parts here and there. I think it would have been ok if I had gotten past like 5 chapters, but I disliked the book as soon as I opened it.
I will not read the rest of the series. ( )

I have been WAITING (im)patiently for that book that sets me on the edge of my seat. The one that puts all my senses on overdrive and dives me head first into a world that I can’t get enough of. This book did it. And it hit me with the force of a 18-wheeler. I feel that the universe is back in my favor. And I thank you for that, Rachel Carter.

I’ve been in a bit of a reading slump, and was disappointed in the last few novels I had read. I looked to So Close to You as the changing point to that. It had a lot to live up to, and I didn’t want my expectations to be let down.
But I’ll be damned if this book just did it for me. Over and over.

The time traveling! Frickin’ awesome. I had no idea the book was even about this!
The romance! Oh my God, Wes is adorable. There is just something about a mysterious guy that gets me. Yeah, I am that girl.
The mystery!
The suspense!

I found myself tearing up at times, because Lydia’s relationship with her grandpa is just too sweet.

So yeah. I don’t know how long the sequel to this will be out (tell me it’s soon!), but the ending left me in pieces.
I want more, Mrs. Carter. The world you created is awesome.
( )

First Impressions: I never read time travel books because usually they are uninteresting, and I just can't wrap my head around the concept. With the exception of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, I can't think of a single time travel book I've read and enjoyed. Until now. SO CLOSE TO YOU was gripping, intense, but most of all, fun. Lydia and Wes were spectacular main characters. Also, I grew up in New Jersey, and while it wasn't a totally hot topic that no one could get away from, The Montauk Project was definitely speculated upon in my teenage years sitting around bonfires and enjoying not-so-choice substances. Whatever, I was a kid.

What I liked: Damn near everything! Obviously the Montauk Project as a subject matter. The time travel, and the idea of the government doing crazy, history-altering things right in our backyards. Lydia was a fantastic protagonist. I loved how she basically disregarded the butterfly effect in favor of gathering information to either save or at least know what happened to her great-grandfather. The only thing she really cared about in terms of altering history was her great-aunt Mary's relationship with smoking hot Luke, a soldier from Camp Hero who becomes her husband later in life.

I really liked Wes, though I couldn't exactly figure out why they liked each other. But he was an amazing, rich character, having traveled to all these different eras, and with his dark past, and broody good looks, he made for the perfect YA love interest, without being shallow or overdone.

Finally, I loved seeing the everyday lives of these people living through World War II. I've never been exactly interested in the era, so I steered clear of those books until now. The Bentley family (who funnily enough, Lydia stays with on her trip to the 1940s) are sweet, and lovable, and obviously care deeply for their clan. What was most interesting was seeing how each character dealt with the war and its ramifications, from the doctor who hated it, but wanted to heal people anyway, to the soldier who knew his duties and never asked questions. It was beautiful.

What I didn't like: Basically nothing! There were points in the story where it kind of dragged, and I was like 'how are we ever going to conclude this?' But besides that I loved SO CLOSE TO YOU.

In conclusion: I was simply wowed by this book. I honestly never thought I'd enjoy a time travel story, but this definitely opened my eyes. Lydia and her family were great, and I loved the richness of the setting. And that ending! Blew my mind. I sure hope there's going to be a sequel! ( )

First Impressions: I never read time travel books because usually they are uninteresting, and I just can't wrap my head around the concept. With the exception of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, I can't think of a single time travel book I've read and enjoyed. Until now. SO CLOSE TO YOU was gripping, intense, but most of all, fun. Lydia and Wes were spectacular main characters. Also, I grew up in New Jersey, and while it wasn't a totally hot topic that no one could get away from, The Montauk Project was definitely speculated upon in my teenage years sitting around bonfires and enjoying not-so-choice substances. Whatever, I was a kid.

What I liked: Damn near everything! Obviously the Montauk Project as a subject matter. The time travel, and the idea of the government doing crazy, history-altering things right in our backyards. Lydia was a fantastic protagonist. I loved how she basically disregarded the butterfly effect in favor of gathering information to either save or at least know what happened to her great-grandfather. The only thing she really cared about in terms of altering history was her great-aunt Mary's relationship with smoking hot Luke, a soldier from Camp Hero who becomes her husband later in life.

I really liked Wes, though I couldn't exactly figure out why they liked each other. But he was an amazing, rich character, having traveled to all these different eras, and with his dark past, and broody good looks, he made for the perfect YA love interest, without being shallow or overdone.

Finally, I loved seeing the everyday lives of these people living through World War II. I've never been exactly interested in the era, so I steered clear of those books until now. The Bentley family (who funnily enough, Lydia stays with on her trip to the 1940s) are sweet, and lovable, and obviously care deeply for their clan. What was most interesting was seeing how each character dealt with the war and its ramifications, from the doctor who hated it, but wanted to heal people anyway, to the soldier who knew his duties and never asked questions. It was beautiful.

What I didn't like: Basically nothing! There were points in the story where it kind of dragged, and I was like 'how are we ever going to conclude this?' But besides that I loved SO CLOSE TO YOU.

In conclusion: I was simply wowed by this book. I honestly never thought I'd enjoy a time travel story, but this definitely opened my eyes. Lydia and her family were great, and I loved the richness of the setting. And that ending! Blew my mind. I sure hope there's going to be a sequel! ( )