Matt and Emily were created for a specific job. Raised and trained as the ultimate angel/warrior team, they are sent down to save, defend, judge and forgive, depending on the 'life' they've been assigned. What they don't realize is that the power of human emotions, such as love, anger, passion and fear can take over even the best of souls, causing them to make mistakes and follow paths that lead to confusion and heartache.
Until Next Time is the heart warming story of an angel, Emily, and her partner warrior, Matt, as they undergo their first angelic mission as information gatherers for the archangels. The two teens are bound to one another with an innate relationship that runs deeper than most. However, when entering the world as humans, Emily, now an Irish bar owner, begins to wander with her feelings after meeting the traveler, Jason. With no recollection that she is an angel and bound to her partner Matt, Emily must accept her humanity and uphold her unknown duties.
I found the concept of this book to be very well thought out. The reader bounces back and forth between Emily in her angelic form and in her human form as Lizzie while she completes her first mission. The switching of perspectives is well crafted and doesn't leave the reader confused or boggled. I loved that when Emily is Lizzie she has no memory of being an angel or that she loves Matt which creates some very stick situations.
My favorite part of this book is the archangels. Gabriel, Matt, and Mark are all hilarious! The comedic light that they are portrayed in provided the perfect amount of relief during the seriousness of the situations Emily is put in. Between gambling for kit kat bars and coming up with cliche sayings I was cracking up!
I do wish that the relationship between Emily and Matt was more developed. There is the pretense that they are innately bound to one another as partners, but I never really felt the fire in their relationship. This may be due to the fact that there aren't a lot of scenes between Matt and Emily and so we never get a true feeling of love between the two of them. Therefore, when Emily (as Lizzie) meets Jason, I didn't feel the intensity of a love triangle. I immediately rooted for Jason and their relationship.
My biggest complaint about this book however was the inconsistency with the time period. The story takes place in Ireland during the 1800's. However, the dialogue was very modern. At one point, Jason refers to Lizzie as "damn sexy". I'm pretty sure that type of language wasn't used back then.
If you don't mind a strong religious undertone in your stories, then Until Next Time is the book for you. There are some amazingly developed characters and some sweet romance that will melt anyone's heart. The book itself is a fast read and has opened up the potential for future books. If you can look past some minor inconsistencies then you will be sure to enjoy this angelic read!
Kristan. Just wanted to stop by and say thank you for having Until Next Time on your site. I love the archangels and saints too. I do primise you and all readers there was a reason for the Matt and Emily relationship to be a 'starter' in this book which will be much more flushed out in Book II. Thank you again for taking the time!
ReplyDeleteKristan, thanks for mentioning how much care Amy took in crafting the structure of the book. You're right, we do bounce between heaven and 19th century Ireland, but as a reader you always know where you are and what's going on. I'm glad the transitioning was smooth and easy for your reading enjoyment :)
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