Disclaimer: I received an ebook copy of this from the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.

Book: Beyond the Moon

Author: Catherine Taylor

Book Series: Standalone

Rating: 4/5

Publication Date: June 25, 2019

Genre: Romance

Recommended Age: 18+ (sex, mature love scenes, violence, war, what is it good for, absolutely nothing, and language)

Publisher: The Cameo Press LTD

Pages: 496

Amazon Link

Synopsis: In 1916 1st Lieutenant Robert Lovett is a patient at Coldbrook Hall military hospital in Sussex, England. A gifted artist, he’s been wounded fighting in the Great War. Shell shocked and suffering from hysterical blindness he can no longer see his own face, let alone paint, and life seems increasingly hopeless.

A century later in 2017, medical student Louisa Casson has just lost her beloved grandmother – her only family. Heartbroken, she drowns her sorrows in alcohol on the South Downs cliffs – only to fall accidentally part-way down. Doctors fear she may have attempted suicide, and Louisa finds herself involuntarily admitted to Coldbrook Hall – now a psychiatric hospital, an unfriendly and chaotic place.

Then one day, while secretly exploring the old Victorian hospital’s ruined, abandoned wing, Louisa hears a voice calling for help, and stumbles across a dark, old-fashioned hospital room. Inside, lying on the floor, is a mysterious, sightless young man, who tells her he was hurt at the Battle of the Somme, a WW1 battle a century ago. And that his name is Lieutenant Robert Lovett…

Two people, two battles: one against the invading Germans on the battlefields of 1916 France, the other against a substandard, uncaring mental health facility in modern-day England. Two journeys begun a century apart, but somehow destined to coincide - and become one desperate struggle to be together.

Part WW1 historical fiction, part timeslip love story - and at the same time a meditation on the themes of war, mental illness, identity and art - Beyond The Moon sweeps the reader on an unforgettable journey through time. An intelligent read, perfect for book clubs.

For fans of Diana Gabaldon, Amy Harmon, Beatriz Williams, Kate Quinn, Kristin Hannah, Kate Morton, Susanna Kearsley and Paullina Simons.

*NB This novel contains graphic descriptions of war violence and injuries, as well as profanity and mild sex.

Review: This book is very addictive. I loved the time travel aspect (I’m a sucker for those) and I loved how the book was written. The characters were very developed and the world building was amazing. The book is a little like Outlander, Louisa finds a portal to the past and meets a guy she falls for. The romance is super cute and steamy in some places and the depictions of the events are very realistic.

However, I did feel like it was a bit slower than what I normally like, but it fits a romance book perfectly.

Verdict: Highly recommend for romance lovers who like historical romance with twists.