THE REASON 
 I chose to read TIME BETWEEN US by Tamara Ireland Stone because it sounded almost like a lighter teenage version of THE TIME TRAVELER'S WIFE, which is one of my *all time* favorite novels. Since I love YA fiction and I love romantic tales that throw in the aspect of time traveling as a road block in the path towards true love... 
 THE PLOT 
 The first time that Anna ever saw Bennett, he was watching her run -- at the crack of dawn -- at a local University. She felt spooked by this quick encounter, especially when she was unable to determine the identity of this young man or his purpose in watching her so intently... 
 Then, at school, Anna encounters a new student who will be in the area, temporarily, while he lives with his grandmother. She is shocked and intrigued to discover that the new kid is none other than her early morning stalker... Bennett. 
 Of course, Bennett swears that he's never seen Anna and promises that he was not, indeed, the man in the stands at the University. He reminds her that he's completely new to town and that he would have no purpose in stalking a complete and utter stranger. Except, Anna notices that Bennett is visibly shaken when he first hears her name -- as if there *is* some degree of recognition despite his previous claims. 
 As curiosity blossoms into something more, Anna learns that Bennett has a number of secrets that he feels forced to hide from the world. First, he has a unique ability that allows him to travel in space and time -- although, he is limited to the span of his own lifetime and he feels forbidden from making any change or impact when he ventures into his own past. Bennett is desperately aware of the horrors that can be created by just one slight alteration to the scene, which is his motivation behind his current trip to his own future. Bennett lives seventeen years in Anna's future but has pushed himself back to an earlier period of his life in order to find someone close to him that he tragically lost in the midst of his experimentation with time travel. 
 Bennett reveals a shocking event from Anna's future that leaves her feeling confused and betrayed -- and also puts her at a crossroads in which she is faced to make the most important decision of her life. Problem is, she's not quite sure of her options. All she does know is that no matter how strongly she feels herself falling for Bennett, she has to remember that he is not able to stay in her present location forever. 
 MY THOUGHTS 
 I absolutely, positively ADORED this novel from start to finish and I' completely amazed by what *amazing* reads I've discovered so far in 2013. The author did a wonderful job of creating an engaging atmosphere with two characters that felt real enough to me that I was really invested in their future. Unlike many teenage love stories that grow tired by the final chapter, the theme of time travel was creatively woven into this relationship in a way that really made the story much more intricate and dynamic. 
 I especially liked the way that Bennett brought up issues relating to the question of predestination, in that he was questioning whether any changes he made to prevent tragedies from the past could really deter events that might still be destined to occur. On the other hand, he has seen himself that attempts to tweak the present can create an unstoppable domino effect that may drastically alter both positive and negative occurrences, from the mundane to the profound. On the one hand, Bennett was able at one point to prevent a tragic accident that previously claimed the life and well being of a young teenager, which was undoubtedly for the good. Yet, on the other hand, this single alteration to the past also eliminated a moment that led to a key bond in a couple's relationship -- one that may end up dissolving a teenage romance in an entirely new way. These little explorations were just so interesting and entertaining that it added a whole new dimension to a beautiful love story. 
 THE VERDICT 
 Beautiful, wonderful, five stars, hooray! This one *deserves* to be read, discussed, and adored!