Joan Baez Smith – Baezy for short – lives in the year 2101 in a place called Unity. Technology has eradicated disease and prolonged the human life span. Meals are optimized for nutrition, and everyone’s schedule includes the perfect amount of exercise, education, socializing, and leisure. For her birthday this year, Baezy’s mother has arranged for a special trip back in time. She will travel back to the year 1969 to attend Woodstock, where she plans to meet her great-great-great-grandmother Kelly Jean Adams. During that time, Kelly was on the brink of a groundbreaking career in AI, paving the way for the world that Baezy lives in. And she spends the festival weekend working on her equations and sulking over misogyny at her work. So when Baezy shows up fronting as Sarah, a runaway with a mysterious past, everyone is skeptical about befriending her. Expect for Jack, a fellow graduate and friend of the group. Jack is naturally drawn to Sarah’s good looks and charm. But since the draft for Vietnam is approaching, Jack doesn’t plan to return home and risk being sent to war. But Baezy/Sarah knows what the future holds. And the closer she gets to the group, the harder it is for her to let events play out. What starts off as a once-in-a-lifetime event ends up changing their lives forever. Anywhen by Beth Duke is a dual timeline, dual POV historical fiction that explores the trouble with meeting your heroes and meddling with events, not knowing the risks that lie ahead.
Book
At first, Baezy attempts to tell Kelly the truth. That she’s her descendant from the future, come back in time to meet her. Naturally, the logical Kelly doesn’t believe a word. Baezy back peddles to try to save face and get back on track with building a friendship. But Baezy’s carefree spirit catches the attention of their friend Jack. While Kelly had harbored feelings for him, things didn’t quite work out. And she has to watch him fawn over this new mystery girl. Convinced that “Sarah” must be on drugs, Kelly tries to get involved. But she only makes things worse. And the events that follow over the remainder of the weekend only further isolate Kelly from the rest of the group.
Jack, on the other hand, is preparing to leave for Canada to avoid the draft to Vietnam. So he wants to make this last weekend worth while. Only Sarah/Baezy’s involvement shakes things up. And the harder he falls for her, the more he dreads having to leave his life behind. They both know there can be no future for them. Because she has to return home too. But she can’t stand by knowing what happens to him. So she interferes. Thus diverting the original path their lives should have taken. And when it’s time for her to return to the future, she isn’t prepared for the consequences of her actions.
Review
Duke delivers an interesting and heartwarming concept with Anywhen. Readers will feel like they are at Woodstock themselves with the author’s description of events and overall vibe during the festival. The insight into Baezy’s Unity in 2101 offers a hint of sci-fi as well. While the original premise of the story had potential, the delivery could have been better. Some of the dialogue dragged on and felt unnatural. And I wasn’t quite expecting the love triangle between Jack and the two women. The situation offered an entertaining dynamic, though. And the story does have some memorable quotes and takeaways regarding motherhood, forgiveness, and the more important things in life. I enjoyed reading about the unusual meeting at Woodstock and wanted to know how the events would play out. Readers who enjoy historical fiction, time travel, and an unexpected love story will want to check this one out.
Beth Duke joins the Cantina Book Club Podcast to talk about her research into the past and plans for more books. Keep an ear out for the interview and pick up a copy of Anywhen, available now.
