Golden Blood by Melissa Pearl

Golden Blood (Time Spirit Trilogy)
Synopsis:

Gemma Hart never knows when her father is going to whisk her back in time. Her toes start tingling and she has a few minutes to find a secret haven where she can disintegrate and appear in another time and place. While “across the line,” her training and skills are put to the test as she completes a mission that will change history for the lucky few her father has selected. 

Gemma's parents are adamant that secrecy is paramount to her family’s safety. If people knew what they were capable of, they could be "used and abused", as her mother always says. Afraid she might accidentally utter the truth and break the ancient oath of her people, Gemma spends her school days as a loner. Only one thing can throw her sheltered life askew... Harrison Granger.

Harrison never expected to talk to the strange Hart girl, but after a brief encounter he can't stop thinking about her. He begins a campaign to chisel away her icy veneer and is met with unexpected consequences. As he slowly wins this girl over, he enters a surreal world that has him fighting to keep his newfound love and his life.

Review:

Overall I enjoyed this story. Did I have some issues with it? Yes. Did I still like it and want to read the next book? Yes. So things I did like? I thought Gemma and Harrison were cute together. They were good for each other. Harrison helped Gemma make some friends, something she has been trying not to do since it would mean lying to them and disappearing suddenly on them for a few minutes (good thing time is different when they travel or else the disappearing thing could have been quite awkward). I know they had an insta-love kind of things going for them, but in this case I bought it and enjoyed it. I like that they seem to be meant for each other, two halved of a whole. I didn't mind that Gemma wanted to keep everything quiet for so long.  I understood her reasoning so I was fine with it. I just was happy they were together. 

So what are some things I didn't like about this book? Well a lot of it had to do with the time travel. So if the dad is in charge of pulling them into the past, and it is imperative that no one knows what they are, then why can the dad not give the kids a heads up? I mean they have cell phones - why not send a quick text so the kids can get somewhere safe to disappear? And why not tell them about the mission before they get there and have two seconds to do whatever they need to do? Maybe that part I can understand as something is up with the parents by the end. So maybe not telling them what they are doing is so they won't ask any questions and just do what they want. But not telling them when they will be pulled back in time? That doesn't make any sense. If they gave them at least a few minute warning at least they could make sure to get somewhere safe and not have to panic. It just didn't make sense. 

The other thing I didn't like is just a minor gripe. At the beginning of the chapter they had the place and year. Why not add the date? All the present chapters I wanted dates on so I could see how long it had been since the last chapter. Sometimes it was hard to tell how much time had passed and it would have been nice to just add a little more to the date. I mean why not? 

The other issue is the time travel itself. I mean I expected more for a time travel book. That and when the one person questions whether they should really be changing the past it is just brushed off. I would have expected way more ramifications to the present after their time travel expeditions. I mean it seemed like nothing much changed, like after saving the pianist there was a famous song by her. Okay...that is all that changed? It just seems like there should be more consequences. I guess this is why I usually don't read time travel things....I have a hard time just going with it even if it makes no sense. 

My last gripe was that the kids in their school really don't understand the meaning of the word no. I mean look at Jordan who is constantly invading Gemma's space and making her really uncomfortable with his come ons. She keeps saying no, and fighting him, and yet he is still persistant. She tries not to do anything, but come on! That and his sister always fondling Harrison even though he repeatedly tells her no? Then nothing really happens to them. I mean I would have been worried if either of them, Jordan or his sister, ever was alone with Gemma or Harrison. I can see Jordan getting Gemma in a back alley and not taking no for an answer, even though Gemma could take care of herself and make him stop it is still not cool. They do this stuff in front of other people and no one ever says anything...it just bothered me. 

So even though this seems like an awful lot I didn't like, I did enjoy the book overall. There were just a lot of things related to the time travel aspect that I had to try and overlook. I did really like Gemma and Harrison which is probably why I didn't hate the story and would read the next book just to see what happens and what is up with the guy at the end. 

Rating: ★ ★ ★