Reviewed by Stephen K
TITLE: Out of Time Into You
AUTHOR: Jay Bell
PUBLISHER: Independently published
LENGTH: 397 pages
RELEASE DATE: November 10, 2021
BLURB:
After graduating high school, a freak accident whisks Reggie Valentine back in time to the 1950s where he meets Daniel Parker, a sweet and wholesome guy his grandmother used to date. Reggie learns that Daniel is not only closeted, but unaware that two men can fall in love or even marry. They soon form a bond that is shrouded in secrecy, and as their feelings for each other intensify, leaving becomes unthinkable. But can their relationship survive in a bygone era where attitudes about race and sexuality are so old fashioned?
Out of Time, Into You tells the unforgettable story of two young men and the incredible love they feel for each other as they struggle to find their place in the universe.
REVIEW:
The Time Machine meets Eyes on the Prize? Pleasantville meets Noah’s Arc? Black to the Future?
This new novel by Jay Bell is the best kind of M/M romance. It’s a mixture of many topics; from the civil rights struggle to 50s culture, to women’s rights, to the gay rights movement. Plus there’s making out with grannies “bent” boyfriend. And ya gotta admit 65 years makes for a heck of an age-gap story.
When black and openly gay 18 year old Reggie gets transported from 2021 back to 1950s Chicago, one is immediately struck by the dangers involved. After all, Chicago was the hometown of Emmett Till. Being transported into a land where bigotry was in full flower didn’t exactly work out well for him.
Seeing 21st century Reggie meet and fall for very white, very closeted, Eagle Scout Daniel Parker was sweet to see but knowing that the young man had grown up regularly promising to be “morally straight” had me seeing the potential for catastrophe.
There are several new twists in the time-travel theme that I’ve never thought of before and so many fresh perspectives came up. When Reggie’s talent as a musician comes to the fore, I fully expected to see the book take a familiar turn. When it didn’t I was happy to see that what did follow was much more interesting. As with any really good novel, the author allows the reader to stumble upon some new perspectives without beating them over the head with them. Time travel romances are bittersweet at best. This one certainly had me misting up a time or two. When the “should I stay or should I go” dilemma arises, we get to the real heart of this story.
I loved seeing Daniel’s progressive doctor/father debating Reggie about conversion therapy. Such therapy, and whether or not homosexuality is a psychological disorder would still be cutting edge in some parts of this country. Police raiding a gay dance club is something we hear about. But having the main characters that you’re emotionally invested in, in fear of that very thing, gives the reader a whole new perspective.
I love reading M/M romances and enjoy them. But I do think of them as a guilty pleasure. The truly great books are those with more nutritional value. Here, there’s plenty of food for thought… as well as some sweetness. This is perhaps the best book I’ve read in 2021.
RATING: 
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