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Time Travel Romance
Meant To Be
While on a train heading west, Ted Jacob and Megan Crane are thrown back into the past with no idea of how or why they got there. They get off the train at Fargo, North Dakota and learn they are in April 1898. As if that isn't bad enough, the people insist that Ted and Megan marry at once! But Ted and Megan don't even know each other, and despite their protests, the preacher announces them man and wife. The only way out of this mess is to return to the future. But between figuring that out and Megan's showdown with the men, they may discover that some things are meant to be. And love may be one of them.
258 pages, Kindle Edition
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About the author
Ruth Ann Nordin
172 books715 followersWhat's to say? I write a lot. I read often. I sleep little. Once in awhile, I've been known to clean the house. A number of kids live in my house and there's this guy they call dad and I call husband. All in all, it's a pretty good life. :-)
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
August 13, 2016
++Spoilers++
3.5 stars
Good, but not as good as her other books, mainly due to my personal preference.
This one was different in that the H & h didn't fall in love until about 70% AND the heroine was a bit unlikeable until that point as well. Granted, she had good reasons for acting like she did, but I prefer a romance where there is sweet tenderness opposed to conflict within the love building.
There are a few things that bothered me which I will list:
1. It was hard to swallow the "forced marriage" bit. Not the idea of them being forced, but how they were forced. It just didn't seem logical or probable.
2. I had a hard time believing how the H loved the heroine. She had little in her personality to be desired.
3. It also didn't sit right with me how she so easily went from being determined not to change the past to tossing it all aside and "forgetting" her reasons, and having sex with the hero.
Overall, I still enjoyed it, especially when the H & h finally resolved their differences and fell in love.
I don't particularly care for time travel romance, and only read this because I wanted to see more about Cole and Penelope by reading book 0.5 of the Native American series ( a reviewer commented that I needed to read this one first, and they were right). Cole and Penelpoe's romance starts here so it was important to read this one first.
What I liked was the surprise of seeing that both the H & h were virgins.. which I love, and I also liked the way the author demonstrated how different things were "back in the day."
Now I am on to the last in the series..0.5
Safety:
Hero-Virgin (but we don't find out till later in the book)
Heroine-Virgin
Cheating-No
OM/OM- Both H & h were with other people in the beginning before they met. Neither had sexual relations with them.
Violence-Mild
Adultery-No
Cursing-No
Insta love-No
Separation-No
HEA/ILY's Yes to both
Marriage/baby-Yes to both
3.5 stars
Good, but not as good as her other books, mainly due to my personal preference.
This one was different in that the H & h didn't fall in love until about 70% AND the heroine was a bit unlikeable until that point as well. Granted, she had good reasons for acting like she did, but I prefer a romance where there is sweet tenderness opposed to conflict within the love building.
There are a few things that bothered me which I will list:
1. It was hard to swallow the "forced marriage" bit. Not the idea of them being forced, but how they were forced. It just didn't seem logical or probable.
2. I had a hard time believing how the H loved the heroine. She had little in her personality to be desired.
3. It also didn't sit right with me how she so easily went from being determined not to change the past to tossing it all aside and "forgetting" her reasons, and having sex with the hero.
Overall, I still enjoyed it, especially when the H & h finally resolved their differences and fell in love.
I don't particularly care for time travel romance, and only read this because I wanted to see more about Cole and Penelope by reading book 0.5 of the Native American series ( a reviewer commented that I needed to read this one first, and they were right). Cole and Penelpoe's romance starts here so it was important to read this one first.
What I liked was the surprise of seeing that both the H & h were virgins.. which I love, and I also liked the way the author demonstrated how different things were "back in the day."
Now I am on to the last in the series..0.5
Safety:
Hero-Virgin (but we don't find out till later in the book)
Heroine-Virgin
Cheating-No
OM/OM- Both H & h were with other people in the beginning before they met. Neither had sexual relations with them.
Violence-Mild
Adultery-No
Cursing-No
Insta love-No
Separation-No
HEA/ILY's Yes to both
Marriage/baby-Yes to both
September 20, 2009
Author Ruth Ann Nordin’s latest book, “Meant To Be” is a fun, quick read. The tale centers around strangers Ted Jacob and Megan Crane, who, while headed on a west-bound train, find themselves trapped in Fargo, North Dakota in April 1898 after the theft of a time travel device.
Needless to say, those in 1898’s Fargo are just as surprised at the sight of Ted and Megan as Ted and Megan are to see them. Unfortunately, Megan is thought to be a prostitute; a local preacher is called to wed the couple immediately and “make things right.”
The story has many positive aspects. One of the most important ones I think is making the reader take a break, sit back and reflect on our own lives and what is important to us. In 2009 we take so many things for granted. Despite so many inventions to ease our existence, we still spend most of our days rushing around to get things done. This story helps us to focus on the importance of ethics, friendship, love, and our world, and has a wonderful ending. Great job, Mrs. Nordin – I look forward to reading more of your work.
J.R. Reardon
Author, “Confidential Communications”
Needless to say, those in 1898’s Fargo are just as surprised at the sight of Ted and Megan as Ted and Megan are to see them. Unfortunately, Megan is thought to be a prostitute; a local preacher is called to wed the couple immediately and “make things right.”
The story has many positive aspects. One of the most important ones I think is making the reader take a break, sit back and reflect on our own lives and what is important to us. In 2009 we take so many things for granted. Despite so many inventions to ease our existence, we still spend most of our days rushing around to get things done. This story helps us to focus on the importance of ethics, friendship, love, and our world, and has a wonderful ending. Great job, Mrs. Nordin – I look forward to reading more of your work.
J.R. Reardon
Author, “Confidential Communications”
September 28, 2010
"Meant To Be" is a warm, sensitive and enjoyable read. I was hooked from the beginning. Ruth Ann Nordin has an undeniable wit, along with a deep, sincere understanding of human nature, that she successfully weaves through her stories, both short and long. I like the way she places her characters in specific situations and let's them work it out. A time travel romance, what I liked most about this book, was how the author showed the difference in men and women's attitude towards each other in the the mid-west in 1898 as compared to today. And why marriages actually lasted lifetimes as compared to many that don't make it today. Those were simpler times, albeit harder times, but there were less distractions and more time to learn to care for each other, as happens to Ruth's main characters, Ted and Megan, pulled from the modern world back to the old one, at times bringing tears to my eyes, and other times laughter. Mrs. Nordin's subordinate characters are as fully developed and interesting as her main characters and often form couples in subsequent books, as is the case with Cole and Penelope who will have their own tale told in "A Chance in Time".
I'm looking forward to reading more of this fine author's works.
I'm looking forward to reading more of this fine author's works.
February 20, 2022
2.5 stars 🌟 This review has a lot of complaints but I swear I did actually enjoy the book LOL.
I actually REALLY disagree with the other reviews here-- I thought the heroine was very relatable and the reasons for her behavior made sense! To me the way she acted was totally justified. I never found myself annoyed with her; she was trying to do what she thought was best. Our hero, on the other hand........
Okay, he was likeable in some aspects. But he wasn't understanding or compassionate enough for me. He seemed to only be concerned for his own interests most of the time. Over and over again he acted like she was crazy for thinking their actions in the past could impact the future. And overall he just seemed annoyed by the fact that she, unlike him, didn't enjoy living in 1898 right away. Sorry we can't all be so quick to adapt, Ted.
(spoilers from here on)
What really ruined him for me was the part where he left her in jail as some kind of lesson??? I about lost my mind lol. I don't care how good this man's peach cobbler is, or how good he looks in a skirt. That's not how you treat your wifey who you're sorta kinda falling in love with maybe.
Also the way he like... pestered her for sex throughout the second half or so was giving me the ick. And when he brought it up in the first place, completely out of the blue, they hadn't even kissed or shown any affection yet! It totally blindsided me lol. If I was her I would have been like... dude, what?? I didn't even know you were attracted to me! But it somehow wasn't news to her. 🤷♀️
Then later, when she thinks they might impact the future by potential pregnancy and that they shouldn't have sex again, him saying he'd "handle her quirks" in the relationship but wouldn't accept her not having sex was Really Gross. Like ummm okay then leave!! She asked for an annulment like 5 times, so get one then! It doesn't matter if she's your "wife" dude, she's allowed to not have sex if she doesn't want to. 🙄
What would have saved this book for me (because honestly even with the H's flaws, it's a FUN book) was if there was more of a spark between them. 😕 The only times I really felt something between them was when the H got jealous of her dancing with another man. All other mentions of attraction were kind of bland and very quick-- mentioned one paragraph and seemingly forgotten about the next.
Their first kiss and the love declaration left a truckload to be desired for me lol. Like?? It almost seemed as if she didn't even hear him say it; she didn't even react!
And with all the build up to them sleeping together, especially since it was both of their first times, it fell pretty flat for me. Like they just kinda did the damn thing. There was very little passion.
I know I'm ragging on it a lot but overall I did have fun!! It made me laugh, it made me talk to the characters as if they could hear me, and I really did feel for them (again, mostly the heroine). Plus, I enjoyed the subplot romance and all the side characters. The sisters especially were memorable and very likeable.
It made for a nice, quick binge-read!
I actually REALLY disagree with the other reviews here-- I thought the heroine was very relatable and the reasons for her behavior made sense! To me the way she acted was totally justified. I never found myself annoyed with her; she was trying to do what she thought was best. Our hero, on the other hand........
Okay, he was likeable in some aspects. But he wasn't understanding or compassionate enough for me. He seemed to only be concerned for his own interests most of the time. Over and over again he acted like she was crazy for thinking their actions in the past could impact the future. And overall he just seemed annoyed by the fact that she, unlike him, didn't enjoy living in 1898 right away. Sorry we can't all be so quick to adapt, Ted.
(spoilers from here on)
What really ruined him for me was the part where he left her in jail as some kind of lesson??? I about lost my mind lol. I don't care how good this man's peach cobbler is, or how good he looks in a skirt. That's not how you treat your wifey who you're sorta kinda falling in love with maybe.
Also the way he like... pestered her for sex throughout the second half or so was giving me the ick. And when he brought it up in the first place, completely out of the blue, they hadn't even kissed or shown any affection yet! It totally blindsided me lol. If I was her I would have been like... dude, what?? I didn't even know you were attracted to me! But it somehow wasn't news to her. 🤷♀️
Then later, when she thinks they might impact the future by potential pregnancy and that they shouldn't have sex again, him saying he'd "handle her quirks" in the relationship but wouldn't accept her not having sex was Really Gross. Like ummm okay then leave!! She asked for an annulment like 5 times, so get one then! It doesn't matter if she's your "wife" dude, she's allowed to not have sex if she doesn't want to. 🙄
What would have saved this book for me (because honestly even with the H's flaws, it's a FUN book) was if there was more of a spark between them. 😕 The only times I really felt something between them was when the H got jealous of her dancing with another man. All other mentions of attraction were kind of bland and very quick-- mentioned one paragraph and seemingly forgotten about the next.
Their first kiss and the love declaration left a truckload to be desired for me lol. Like?? It almost seemed as if she didn't even hear him say it; she didn't even react!
And with all the build up to them sleeping together, especially since it was both of their first times, it fell pretty flat for me. Like they just kinda did the damn thing. There was very little passion.
I know I'm ragging on it a lot but overall I did have fun!! It made me laugh, it made me talk to the characters as if they could hear me, and I really did feel for them (again, mostly the heroine). Plus, I enjoyed the subplot romance and all the side characters. The sisters especially were memorable and very likeable.
It made for a nice, quick binge-read!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 10, 2017
My favorite couple that Ruth Ann Nordin has ever created have another book I can die with this happiness!!!
January 2, 2012
Meant to Be by Ruth Ann Nordin
Time Travel Series Book 1
Ted Jacob works for Jacob Innovative Creations. He answers the phone and helps disgruntled customers. As soon as someone hears his name, they assume he is related. He's not. Ted is getting ready to go on a trip with his friend Amanda. Well they were friends, ever since they started dating it don't seem like they are as close. He is seeing how needy she is. At thirty-three he is starting to feel the pressure to be married.
Megan Crane is on the train to Seattle, to meet her fiance's family. She don't really love Mike but he makes enough money to be a supportive husband and her mother likes him. She has found that the fun loving guys who usually attract her, are not good for her.
Cole Hunter was involved in the making of the time travel device at JIC. He decides to “borrow” it for the week-end, go make some money in the past, and live it up in the future. Blake Landon figures out Cole took the device and is after him. When they all end up on the same Amtrak it only takes a moment for Megan to Get pushed into Ted as Blake runs into Cole and pushes him into Megan. And suddenly the four of them are in Fargo, North Dakota 1898.
One thing leads to another in Ruth's humorous storytelling ways. From Megan being considered a whore because she has shorts and short sleeves on to Ted and Megan thrown in jail because of their odd ways and weird currency. Cole continues to run from Blake, not realizing he brought others along with him. Unique story.
**Sensual situations within marriage.
http://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com/...
Time Travel Series Book 1
Ted Jacob works for Jacob Innovative Creations. He answers the phone and helps disgruntled customers. As soon as someone hears his name, they assume he is related. He's not. Ted is getting ready to go on a trip with his friend Amanda. Well they were friends, ever since they started dating it don't seem like they are as close. He is seeing how needy she is. At thirty-three he is starting to feel the pressure to be married.
Megan Crane is on the train to Seattle, to meet her fiance's family. She don't really love Mike but he makes enough money to be a supportive husband and her mother likes him. She has found that the fun loving guys who usually attract her, are not good for her.
Cole Hunter was involved in the making of the time travel device at JIC. He decides to “borrow” it for the week-end, go make some money in the past, and live it up in the future. Blake Landon figures out Cole took the device and is after him. When they all end up on the same Amtrak it only takes a moment for Megan to Get pushed into Ted as Blake runs into Cole and pushes him into Megan. And suddenly the four of them are in Fargo, North Dakota 1898.
One thing leads to another in Ruth's humorous storytelling ways. From Megan being considered a whore because she has shorts and short sleeves on to Ted and Megan thrown in jail because of their odd ways and weird currency. Cole continues to run from Blake, not realizing he brought others along with him. Unique story.
**Sensual situations within marriage.
http://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com/...
September 27, 2009
Cole Hunter and Blake Landon created the TLC Time Machine. They have just signed a contract with Jacob Innovative Creations. Cole has other plans. Why let someone else make all the money when it should be him. Cole steals the LC time machine device and makes off with it.
Ted Jacob and his fiance, Amanda were travelling by train to Montana. On the same train was Megan Crane and her fiance, Mike. Megan gets sperated from Mike. She heads off to find him in the arms of another woman. Megan is walking back to her seat when she gets knocked down bt Cole. She falls and takes Ted down with her. Ted and Megan recover to learn that they have been transported back to Fargo, North Dakota. The problem is the year is 1898. Ted and Megan are forced into marriage. These two will have to work together if they hold any hope of getting back to the present. Along the way, they just may realize they were Meant to Be.
The thing I like the most about Mrs. Nordin’s books are that the characters are all full of life. I have read many of this author’s books now and I have to say that I am really enjoying her historical romantic comedies. They make me laugh, which is always a postitive thing. To be honest, I wasn’t sure about Ted and Megan at first and if they would work well with each other. It took me longer to warm up to them. Though as the story progressed my heart melted for them. I did like that even Cole tuend out to be a pretty decent guy.
Ted Jacob and his fiance, Amanda were travelling by train to Montana. On the same train was Megan Crane and her fiance, Mike. Megan gets sperated from Mike. She heads off to find him in the arms of another woman. Megan is walking back to her seat when she gets knocked down bt Cole. She falls and takes Ted down with her. Ted and Megan recover to learn that they have been transported back to Fargo, North Dakota. The problem is the year is 1898. Ted and Megan are forced into marriage. These two will have to work together if they hold any hope of getting back to the present. Along the way, they just may realize they were Meant to Be.
The thing I like the most about Mrs. Nordin’s books are that the characters are all full of life. I have read many of this author’s books now and I have to say that I am really enjoying her historical romantic comedies. They make me laugh, which is always a postitive thing. To be honest, I wasn’t sure about Ted and Megan at first and if they would work well with each other. It took me longer to warm up to them. Though as the story progressed my heart melted for them. I did like that even Cole tuend out to be a pretty decent guy.
January 4, 2010
Not bad. It took me awhile to warm up to the heroine Megan. Very self centered and foolish but as I read, I tried to put myself in her place. She's been somehow sent back to the past with a stranger, accused of being a prostitute and then forced to marry him by the puritanical matriarchs of the town they land in. She doesn't know how to cook, let alone cook on a primitive wood stove. She's a pampered modern woman who misses her Starbucks and internet. I can see how she'd freak out just a little, especially when she didn't know when/if they would ever get back to the future.
Ted is a great hero. Definitely a beta male, which I don't normally like, but in this story it works. He's fascinated with the time they have landed in, even though he's not crazy about being stuck there, but he's making the most of it. When he's forced to marry Megan, he does, thinking "its only temporary and it won't count once we get back home". He treats her as best as can be expected when forced to marry a stranger, but he slowly starts to fall in love with her, despite her craziness.
I liked the ending so I won't give it away. My only complaint was that the style of writing didn't flow for me. It felt a little choppy. But then again, I'm not a writer and I can't fault anyone who puts their talent and hard work out there for the world to criticize.
B-
Ted is a great hero. Definitely a beta male, which I don't normally like, but in this story it works. He's fascinated with the time they have landed in, even though he's not crazy about being stuck there, but he's making the most of it. When he's forced to marry Megan, he does, thinking "its only temporary and it won't count once we get back home". He treats her as best as can be expected when forced to marry a stranger, but he slowly starts to fall in love with her, despite her craziness.
I liked the ending so I won't give it away. My only complaint was that the style of writing didn't flow for me. It felt a little choppy. But then again, I'm not a writer and I can't fault anyone who puts their talent and hard work out there for the world to criticize.
B-
September 22, 2011
Meant to be had some enjoyable characters that you could relate to. I personally loved Megan's character and though at times I felt she overreacted I realized that if I was in her position I probably would have been freaking out a lot worse. This book brought a lot of smiles to my face and plenty of laughter. There were also a few sweet moments, but mostly there was a lot of frustrated characters and one chuckling reader.
The author used time travel as a means to bring two people, who otherwise would have probably never met, and brought them together into another century with foreign customs and no modern luxuries. This forced them to come to rely on one another and eventually build a new life together discovering what they had been missing in their old life, love. For the price of 99 cents you can own this beautiful story filled with love and laughter.
The author used time travel as a means to bring two people, who otherwise would have probably never met, and brought them together into another century with foreign customs and no modern luxuries. This forced them to come to rely on one another and eventually build a new life together discovering what they had been missing in their old life, love. For the price of 99 cents you can own this beautiful story filled with love and laughter.
January 1, 2023
Seems to be one of her early books. Typos, and Megan just has too many personalities that I just am not a fan. Really wish she had written this and Chance In Time as one book. Doesn’t make sense to have them separate…
What I really liked about this book was that it made you question how you would react if you went back in time. Otherwise, I like Ted, but not sure what to do with Megan. And so many cringey moments that just make you think why would Ted love her…
2020 notes:
Have read this book maybe 3+ times. I love time travel & the romance is great, too.
There are 3 stories that touch this one, but start with this book!
I would recommend
1 - Meant to be
2 - Chance in Time
3 - Restoring Hope (1st in a series - you will meet “Martha” / Woape)
4 - Brave Beginnings
5 - Bound by Honor Bound By Love
What I really liked about this book was that it made you question how you would react if you went back in time. Otherwise, I like Ted, but not sure what to do with Megan. And so many cringey moments that just make you think why would Ted love her…
2020 notes:
Have read this book maybe 3+ times. I love time travel & the romance is great, too.
There are 3 stories that touch this one, but start with this book!
I would recommend
1 - Meant to be
2 - Chance in Time
3 - Restoring Hope (1st in a series - you will meet “Martha” / Woape)
4 - Brave Beginnings
5 - Bound by Honor Bound By Love
January 2, 2011
Time travel. What's not to love? Oh, I know. A town of people who believe the worst of a woman because she's wearing shorts. A village who condemns a man to marriage because the lady is wearing shorts.
November 11, 2012
Really was ready to k!ll Esther omg she was driving me crazy all through the story. I like the over all plot but could have lived without all the marriage is good and a woman duty is this or that over and over again.
November 4, 2010
I give this one a 3.5.
November 28, 2010
suka bgt deh sama novel ini. Ada SAM, MoC, ada time travelnya segala.
bagian yang palig lucu itu, pas Megan disangka prostitute cuma gara2 pake short sama kalo ga salah tanktop apa kaos ya?
bagian yang palig lucu itu, pas Megan disangka prostitute cuma gara2 pake short sama kalo ga salah tanktop apa kaos ya?
July 15, 2011
Another extremely enjoyable book by Ms.Norton. It was a fun and fast read.
June 16, 2016
Sweet and funny. The characters are likable. The story line holds your attention. Great for a rainy weekend or vacation read. A couple of romantic scenes make this an adult read.
August 11, 2012
I love this book
January 1, 2013
A time travel destiny story that mixs in the old west. Very MacFly!
March 19, 2014
A fun easy time travel book. Another hit for Ms Nordin.
April 3, 2017
Not my cup of tea
Of all the books I've been reading in the past six months, this one just wasn't my cup of tea. The character development was slow and I disliked the female lead character up until the last few pages of the book. If you like Americana, this book might be more your style.
Of all the books I've been reading in the past six months, this one just wasn't my cup of tea. The character development was slow and I disliked the female lead character up until the last few pages of the book. If you like Americana, this book might be more your style.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews