If She Had Stayed by Diane Byington

If She Had Stayed by Diane Byington

February 17, 2020

BookSirens

251 pages

Red Adept Publishing

ASIN: B084D619KF

ISBN:  978-1948051477

ARC, thriller, suspense, fiction

30 days to read (2/24/20)

3/3/20-3/9/20

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

The story starts out rather uneventful which made me wonder why it was labeled a suspense thriller. Kaley Kline is working hard to make a name for herself and be successful. She feels like the “dud” in her family of successful parents and siblings. Her interest in the research and work of Nikola Tesla leads her to Colorado Springs to conjure donors for the Tesla Museum opening.

Her complete dedication to her job left little time for a her boyfriend Kevin who finally calls it quits. Unaffected by the breakup, Kaley sees this as an opportunity to concentrate on her work. While trying to secure a wealthy donor she is given some artifacts from the Tesla home including an old safe. Thinking that it could be added to the other items relevant to the museum she accepts the kind donation. Once the safe was transferred to the museum Kaley begins to fantasize about the possible contents if any. She does some research about the safe and eventually deciphers a combination which successfully opens the old safe.

Kaley is fascinated with her discovery; an old diary belonging to Tesla regarding his research into time travel. She has thoughts for fame and fortune by attempting to successfully recreate his device for time travel. She begins to reminisce about a college boyfriend she left behind to pursue her dream of being a singer.

Kaley remembers that Scott had been an engineering student in college and decides see if they can reconnect. When Kaley sees Scott again it seems that both their lives had moved in different directions after their split. She felt guilty for not letting him know she was leaving and he felt resentful for being left without explanation.

The two seem to be able to work through issues from their past to work together on this secret project. They each have their own intention for wanting this to succeed. As they prepare for their adventure into the past, Kaley wakes up to discover that Scott has left her behind. She soon realizes that Scott is not the same person she used to know. Kaley goes on a frantic search for him which proves to be dangerous as he seeks revenge for the past.




View all my reviews