An Echo in Time

by Boo Walker

A woman delves into a centuries-old murder to find the truth behind her self-destructive behavior in a powerful novel about love, loss, and healing by the bestselling author of An Unfinished Story and The Stars Don’t Lie.

Unable to catch a break in life or love as she approaches thirty, Charli Thurman sees red lights at every crossroads. And given the Thurman family’s tumultuous history, she knows things will only get worse, unless she can break the cycle and figure out where—and when—it all went wrong.

Charli is skeptical when her best friend introduces her to a “soul reader” who specializes in generational trauma. But during family constellation therapy with the guru, Charli experiences an inexplicable memory of terrible violence. Whatever happened in the past, it created an imbalance that’s still in the Thurman blood.

When Charli’s research leads her to Winchester, England, she meets a charming pub owner named Noah, whose own family history is similarly twisted. As the mystery deepens around a damaged inheritance and a tragic death, Charli is resolved to find the truth—and create the fresh start she has been hoping for her whole life.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Historical, Audiobook, Book Club

387 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 20, 2024

About the author

Bestselling author Boo Walker initially tapped his creative muse as a songwriter and banjoist in Nashville before working his way west to Washington State, where he bought a gentleman’s farm on the Yakima River. It was there amongst the grapevines and wine barrels that he fell in love with telling stories that now resonate with book clubs around the world. Rich with colorful characters and boundless soul, his novels will leave you with an open heart and a lifted spirit.

Always a wanderer, Boo currently lives in Valencia, Spain with his wife and son. He also writes thrillers under the pen name Benjamin Blackmore. You can find him at boowalker.com and benjaminblackmore.com.

For a free copy of his Red Mountain cookbook, updates, and other goodies, sign up for his newsletter at boowalker.com.

Reviews

[Tiffany Seifert · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have lost track of the amount of times I've rolled my eyes during this book.

[k mandra · Rating 2 out of 5]

Charli is one of the most irritating characters...ever. I am fine with there being unlikeable characters (even when it is the main character) as there are unlikeable people in real life. Charli was just far too conflicted and there were far too many traits and events that were at war with each other. She laments money but darts off on a trip that promises to be whimsical. Whilst on her adventure, she chooses to hop on and off trains and the Tube without concern for cost, multiple times. She has a hotel room in London but takes on the expense of an additional room at an Inn during one of her journeys--she doesn't have clothing with her so she just pops out to buy clothes. Then when it comes to Noah....ugh. Leave him, go back; rinse and repeat. All this drama back and forth, ad nauseum, with a man she knew for a couple of days!!! The thing that, for me, was most irritating was Charli's derisive and rude attitude and remarks. Here are few that took place within only about ten pages: 1. referring to Noah: he "might get lucky" 2. referring to Noah: "he's like a dog that needs to be corrected". REALLY? Who the hell does this character think she is? 3. She chooses to jump into bed with Noah and finds him "nestling up against her. It's slightly invasive but she allows it". Allows it!! 4. "Like a judge might say 'I'll allow it but this will be your last warning." 5. And since this angst-filled person is such a gift: "she let's him have her." Aside from the Noah connection, the situation with her father is far too vague. He apparently has some deep-seated issues but the back-story is never shared with the reader. While Charli is away in another country, she fears her father could be suicidal. Oh, but do continue your adventure, Charli. Regardless, it was a situation that was so lacking in connection that the reader is left with that 'huh?' sensation when that phone call with her father takes place. If you think your father is so depressed that suicide might be possible, why would ask him to hang in there until you get home while you pursue facts about your ancestry--relatives you never met, let alone even knew about. It was too long, too much back and forth. The only thing that gave this book 2 stars was the break from Charli while the Miles story was being told. I have no idea how on earth this book got 4 and 5 stars. I have read 77 books so far this year and this one was the second worst. The worst one was
a DNF; this one was almost a DNF....several times. I really hate giving up on a book but this one probably should have been a DNF. Charlie ruined it by being a study in contradictions as well as her disgustingly repulsive manner of handling human relationships. She really overestimated her value. I usually have a hardcopy and a kindle book going at the same time and average finishing a book every 5 days or so. This one took ten days.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Speechless;. Lost for words, but alas, I must find my words in order to give a review.

I must confess that I was bored in the first chapter. There were many grammatical errors and spelling mistakes, that I didn't think I would be able to continue reading (I am aware that this ARC was an unedited copy). I am so glad that I stuck with it thought, because chapter 2 was the one that made me want to continue reading.

This book was beautifully written. The characters were amazing, and the descriptive factors used throughout the story allowed me to picture each scene taking place in my mind.

The reason why I am lost for words is because of how much I resonated with the main character, Charli. Her thoughts and feelings towards herself, and the way she was constantly self-sabotaging to the point where she was convinced she was living a life full of bad luck, or she was cursed. It was incredibly painful to read because of this.

The author, Boo Walker, has certainly given me a lot to think about, and I have already decided to follow some of the advice that Charli was given, in order to rectify my own life.

I find it difficult to write praise as high as what I feel that this book deserves, but I can honestly stand up, place my hand n my heart and proclaim that this has to be the best book I have ever read in my life.

[Katelyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Started off kind of interesting talking about generational trauma but then took a weird turn into a cliche hallmark movie type of storyline. This one was not for me.

[Kristie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful story on generational trauma and changing your own destiny. Charli Thurman has known nothing but "red lights" in her life, both obstacles in relationships and career progress. When she learns about constellation therapy, she decides to see if something in her family's past could have caused the upset in her own life. From Boston to Costa Rica to England, Charli pursues answers to a violent event that occurred several decades before she was born. Her proactivity teaches her more about herself, her family, and her potential. A unique story of sacrifice and redemption that will resonate on many levels.

Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union for the advanced copy!

[Vma · Rating 1 out of 5]

Gave this one a go on a whim because it was available on Kindle Unlimited.

Did not care for the writing; characters did not grab me in the slightest; dialogue felt like it was out of a made-for-TV film. Marked as "finished," but I did not actually finish it - I gave it 13 chapters (which I think is more than fair!) and then gave up, because I was having a hard time caring about the plot.

Seems to have good reviews, so maybe it's just me. But this didn't appeal to me at all.

[Dwon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
This book was very interesting. It's about generational trauma and how terrible things that happen can continue to negatively affect families for years and years if they're never processed or worked through the traumatic event. I've heard of this before but I've never read a book with the theme and I love how thoroughly it was explained in this novel!
The main character, Charli, has had lots of bad luck.. She believes it all started because her toxic mother abused her as a child. Charli's best friend tells her about a therapist she's working with to deal with her generational trauma, and this piqued Charli's interest. Charli ends up contacting Frances (the therapist) and decides to do some digging into her ancestry. When some questions remain unanswered, she decides to go to England to do more research for herself.
The was a great book. The romantic aspect of it was a bonus in my opinion, as the entire story was very well written and kept my attention the entire time. Highly recommended!

[kelsey · Rating 1 out of 5]

Boo to Boo and boo to Charli

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

Loved the general premise and storyline; however, the woe-is-me mentality of the main character wore me down eventually which created some lulls during her self-loathing episodes.

[Sarah Ginsberg · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really, really hated Charli. This made the whole book pretty difficult to read and I would not have finished if I wasn’t reading it for a book club.

[Kelly Blackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.

A multigenerational tale that tells the story of a families inter generational trauma related to an unknown event in Charlis family history. This book straddles England and the USA as Charli tries to break the “curse” of her family.

I really enjoyed the mystery and intrigue as Charli searches to find the source of her families pain, it was thrilling to read.

I did find it a bit cheesy in some parts, but if you love romance and spiritually mixed with historical mystery this is definitely a book you should check out!

[Ellie Nicole · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really did try my best to finish this. I got to chapter 9 and just couldn't keep going. When it comes to main characters, who doesn't love unlikeable quirks? But Charli was insufferable. I get that generational trauma is a thing, but her "red lights" just kept sounding so whiny and unrelatable. She complains about money and then goes on not one but TWO trips in a matter of weeks. That's not being hard on cash. And her "trauma" just didn't feel THAT bad to me? -- I get it; everyone's trauma is different, and people handle it differently. I just couldn't relate to her when I felt like my own trauma overshadowed hers. I think maybe I am just not the target audience for this kind of book, which is fine, but this will be one of the first books I'm dfn-ing. Sorry!

[Kait · Rating 2 out of 5]

um where do i begin. *spoilers*

well, from the moment charli lied about her mother having cancer so she could go on her kooky retreat i could not take this bitch seriously. the constellation mapping was just so out there i couldn’t even picture it or figure out what was happening and whenever she would reference it later on i was confused.

this book felt like it didn’t know what it wanted to be — spiritual guide, romance, historical fiction, mystery. i have no idea what i just read but i didn’t like it. the romance scenes were always jarring and they fell in “love” way too fast.

also i think it’s so tacky that the author name dropped himself in the middle of the book as a character in the book. it reminded me of when stephanie meyer was an extra in one scene in twilight for 5 seconds.

okay next, i could just not keep track of all the characters that were name dropped and tbh i didn’t want to so maybe that’s partially on me.

lastly, was there not a better way for charli to leave her job than getting sexually assaulted ??? talk about a trigger.

basically, couldn’t tell what this book was and i don’t care to. i probably won’t even remember this book in a week.

one last thing, it reminded me of a sicilian inheritance that i read a few months ago and disliked so if you love it read this and if you hate it don’t

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

“An Echo in Time” by Boo Walker more than echoed something inside of me! This story captivated me and resonated deeply within my soul for many of the revelations I have been trying to connect in my life. I have been exploring my connections, my own meaning of life even more so over the past three years after losing first, my Mom, and more recently my younger sister to a 4 year battle with colon cancer. The main character, Charli is having her early mid-life crisis at just 30 years old because she has been unlucky in love, career, and family. She takes some time to explore why and after much thought and research into generational healing, she first attends a transformative retreat in Costa Rico which brings her to further research her family. She continues her research to fill in the holes in her genealogy, She travels back in time metaphorically and physically to England in 1861 and in the present time to track down a 3rd Great Grandfather. She finds not only many answers in her research, but also finds love. Not any love. She finds love at first sight, head over heels love that she knows she will never be able to let it go. I know this feeling. It’s how I met my husband 40 years ago at just 16 years old. I have been very blessed in love. Charli meets her love at 30. Their meeting began with first a look and then wanting to know each other’s name and from there, they didn’t stop talking and listening to each other. This is the love I have been blessed to have experienced. I 100% believe in true love and there are relationships written in the stars. My husband and I were destined to be together both from all of the times our paths crossed in the 16 years before we met, but also in my grandmother’s love story in Shelburne, Vermont which connected with my husband’s family and a classmate of 12 years hundreds of miles away on Staten Island and 50 years later in time. Charli’s love story begins much the same.
Boo Walker writes of their first encounter, “Charli stares him down, thinking she does need to eat. He finally turns. Poof, her whole world goes numb for a moment. She doesn’t know what is happening, but she likes it. He’s handsome—no, gorgeous—and she’s never seen anyone like him before and why is she feeling this way? and her brain is starting to come back to life when he steps forward. “Hello.” “Hi.” His voice is calming and low, resonant. Her nerves settle, and she says again, looking up to find his eyes this time, “Hi.””
Their meeting continues much like mine did in 1985! Walker further writes, “What’s your name?” “Charli,” she blurts. “Charli. I’m Noah. A pleasure to meet you.” He sticks out his hand. She takes it and feels the ceiling bend as a surge of energy rushes through her. It’s so powerful that she has to step away. But she does so with all the cool in the world. Well, now that she’d already given up her name and blushed a bit. “I’m right over here.” She points to the table. “I think I’ll find you.”
I have never read much about generational healing, but I believe in Charli’s journey and discoveries. I have mirrored parts of her journey through experience, journaling, and piecing together parts of my own memoir and how and why my mother was always the main thread in my life preparing and championing me to do anything. My father believes in me too and cheered me on. He and I have had many conversations these past 3 years especially where he has filled in pieces for me in realizing all the ways I knew my Mom encouraged me and many more ways I didn’t know she supported me to chase my dreams.
There are so many layers to Charli’s story which I identified with greatly that I felt her heart connect with mine on a deep, emotional level and some of my search was recognized in her’s. I cried several times just from being seen at every corner when Charli first sees herself!.
I loved the writing and all of the descriptive similes and metaphors. I have 117 highlights from this book! I will go back and mine the wisdom within the fictional story many times over!
I love Charli’s redemptive arc. She is one of the few protagonists who has done the work behind her character’s growth and had multiple, huge “Ah Ha moments!”
I fell in love with Noah right alongside Charlie. He is almost too real to be true when he and Charli have the first of many discussions about books and authors when he quotes Yeats to her!

“Moving along again, Noah glances at her. “You know John Keats, right? The poet.” “Sure.” “He used to make this walk every day. Wrote one of his most famous poems here, ‘To Autumn.’ ‘Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness, close bosom-friend of the maturing sun; conspiring with him how to load and bless with fruits the vines that round the thatch-eves run . . .’” He stops. “Something like that.” Charli bites her bottom lip. “Did you just quote Keats to me as we walk through the Winchester countryside?” “What’s wrong with that?” “You’re good,” she says. “You realize it’s in iambic pentameter.”

This is important because she just told him the name of her bookstore was going to be Iambic Inkspot named after Shakespeare’s famous writing rhythm.

This book is rich with language, connections, and Charli’s story which can show you the way through your own story. I have about a million reasons to love it and know it will be one I re-read. I am also happy for my fellow LiterALLy BOOKiSh friend, Kristie Cooley who is not only one of Boo Walker’s Beta readers, but she is also personally thanked i the author’s acknowledgments! I am so happy for her to have worked on such an amazing project with an author I know she admires!

This is definitely a 5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read and I recommend it to each of you!

#bookreviewmaureenvandusky

[Stacey (Bookalorian) · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Echo in Time by Boo Walker

Charli can’t catch a break and when her friend suggests a soul reader to break what feels like a family curse… she isn’t convinced but after a session brings up a violent past memory, she realizes that this could be the reason the family has had issues for decades and goes about setting her family's legacy back on the right path.

The synopsis didn’t inspire me to read the book. It didn’t sound like my kind of book but I saw a review from another reader and I knew I had to read it. I am so glad I did. It starts off a little wobbly for me, like it is finding its footing but once Charli goes to the UK to figure out her family history, the story explodes for me. I got chills, like actual chills from the story.

The characters were amazing and I loved how all the elements of the book came together.
I do not want to spoil this book for you so just go grab a copy and thank me later.

4.5 stars

[Renee Plummer · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was my first audiobook as it was free on KU and it was so bad. Was the narrator making Charlie that whiney and self-depreciating, or was it the writing? Ugh, idk. It took me 5 MONTHS to get through half of this book. I had no motivation to listen to it…ever. I DNF’d it.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely the perfect palate cleanser read! This was such a cozy and wholesome story that I really needed at this point in my life.

“So we move on and find people that we love and that love us, and we do our best to be our best. But we’re not always going to be. Love is about being there for someone at their worst. It’s easy to be there when things are good.”

[Morgan Becker · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first third of the book felt rough—the writing and narrative didn’t flow well and felt a bit forced. There was also some noticeable repetition and fluff throughout. This knocked a star rating for me.

I liked the idea of the dual timeline POVs between Miles and Charli, but Miles’s perspective gave away too much. It made it pretty clear what was going to happen, so Charli’s journey to figuring it out lost some of its impact.

That said, I really enjoyed the overall themes of family healing, redemption, and not letting others stand in the way of your dreams.

One quote that stood out to me: “I think there’s no doubt that when you’re doing the right things, the world seems to open up for you.”

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

An Echo in Time is an interesting take on generational trauma and the legacy it leaves behind. I was both skeptical and intrigued by Charla’s journey and her work with a healer to delve into and heal from her past.

Tim Campbell and Mia Hutchinson-Shaw did an excellent job narrating the audiobook.

Thank you Boo Walker, Lake Union Publishing, Brilliance Audio, and NetGalley for providing this ARC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Sue Fernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I'd never read anything by Boo Walker, but this one hit just the spot. I'm very interested in generational trauma, and this book shows us that it can affect the current generation. Charli felt that her whole life has been difficult...one thing after another happening. To protect herself, she breaks off any relationships that even start to get serious. Charli sets off to England to get some answers in a genealogy search that she couldn't quite figure out in the US. The way everyone comes together, and we see the alternate timelines was so well done.

Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for a digital copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

#NetGalley #LakeUnionPublishing #AnEchoInTime

[Sarah H · Rating 3 out of 5]

A 3.75 🌟 if I could give it! I received this ARC in return for an honest review.

I find the impact of intergenerational trauma interesting, so the synopsis of this book made me think it would be a 5 star read for me. Unfortunately, it didn’t quite hit how I thought it would.
I found the dialogue to be very cheesy during parts, Charli was frustrating and I found her romantic relationship to be a little unbelievable. The book felt much longer than it needed to be; chapters were drawn out due to lots of unnecessary fluff - I couldn’t stay ‘hooked’ during these parts as much as I’d hoped.

Overall, I did enjoy the writing style, Charli’s healing and redemption arc. The dual timeline POVs worked well together and I liked the mystery.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finished it, it was a struggle. I liked the overall plot and I do like the twists with how the families intertwined, I like the two distinct stories told in each time period.

The main character had to have been the most irritating person created. She’s selfish and self sabotaging (even though she admits to that). She plays “the victim” card the whole book only to have her “come to” moment just watching a family in the park like “oh, maybe I’m the problem, I can change and it isn’t the generational trauma that has plagued me and my family for doom”. 400 pages to figure that shit out. Ugh.

[Gwen · Rating 1 out of 5]

So terrible. I must’ve rolled my eyes a hundred times. There’s not much to like at all but the protagonist was the worst. Charli is self absorbed, callous, rude, miserable, egocentric, disrespectful, sooo negative, selfish and just downright detestable, what a horrible, horrible character, she treated the boyfriend like a complete doormat, in what world would he give her the time of day? I wouldn’t recommend this book to anyone.

[Rae · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this! I loved the idea of generational trauma and how past actions impact descendants. It’s a really cool concept. I loved the parts in Winchester and Mike’s’ story was sooo heart wrenching.
One issue I had was Charli, her character was tough to love. I think her character growth was a little rushed and hard to feel genuine. I also felt like the important parts of the story were rushed too. I think more time could have been spent developing things. Overall a good read though!

[Monika · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF. I felt like the writing is bland, characters irritating, lacking depth. The repetitive narrative about Charli's life being a dump was too much – fine, we get it, let's move on with the show.

The idea behind the story itself might be intriguing, but with a different execution.

I surely hope it's just me.

[Madelyn Zednick · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don’t think I’ve ever encountered a whinier, more annoying character. Made it even more unbearable listening to the audiobook. The main character is supposed to be 29 yet thinks and acts like someone more than 10 years younger.

[Corrine · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had such high hopes for this book. All the things I find interesting; intergenerational trauma, romance, and fun sci-fi (ish) ideas. In reality the FMC was so annoying. Not like quirky fun annoying, she is just a walking contradiction. There were many many eye rolls throughout this book. Bleh

[hayley · Rating 5 out of 5]

“you’re trying to fix all these things to reach
a point of healing, but the healing is already taking place by you being on the journey.”

i loved this book!!!! 4.5/5 rounded up ⭐️⭐️

the style reminded me of definitely better now by ava robinson, one of my favorite books of 2024. i especially loved the dual POVs between miles and charli. even with the 100-year difference between them, the narrative was surprisingly easy to follow and kept me hooked. miles in particular i loved, his relationship with lilian absolutely left my heart tattered.

plus, watching charli come to terms with the ‘red lights’ she’s been hitting :,) we love self progress!!!!!!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was a well written and captivating tale of a woman down on her luck who is given a new path. This book alternates chapters from present day to 1881 England. POV of Charli and her ancestor Miles. I really enjoyed the sweet romance and the mystery. I like to end the year with a book about time and this was a great choice.

[Miranda · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐ The narrator was kind of annoying at times but overall an interesting story concept and a good read