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10 Romantic Time Travel Movies to Binge Watch: I’ll Love You to the End of Time

These are some of the best time travel romance movies!

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Time travel as a genre is always fascinating in any medium, whether a book, movie, TV show or comic. The possibility of meeting anyone in existence, going to places long forgotten, and uncovering secrets of well-loved icons of the past and maybe even the future gives a special allure to time travel romance movies.

romantic time travel movies list with image of Somewhere in Time.

The fantastical direction this genre takes adds elements of magic, naivete, and touches of illusion, appealing to older and younger viewers alike. Add into this the sprinkle of romance, and you have me hooked.

If I get the chance to watch Shakespeare wooing a girl from the 21st century using poems that have become cult classics, I’m grabbing the popcorn and switching my phone off.

RELATED: 80 OF THE BEST ENTERTAINING TIME TRAVEL TV SHOWS YOU NEED TO WATCH

Like most people, I grew up watching time travel movies. Consequently, they have become my favorites. For example, we can all appreciate Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure or watching Hermione travel back in time to see herself punch Draco in the face. (Not only a win for Harry Potter fans but for girls all around.)

Meanwhile, Doctor Who (2005) is my first exposure to real romance and time travel. With the Doctor’s companions all falling for him, he initially only falls for Rose (Nine and Ten).

RELATED: 7 FUN AND ROMANTIC TIME TRAVEL ASIAN DRAMAS

As a result, it had millions of us hoping he would appear in our living rooms, ready to take us on our own adventure. Since then, there was no going back. There are just so many romantic time travel movies calling out to be binged.

Here is a list of my personal favorite romantic time travel movies that have thus far survived the test of time. However, I will admit this list is not exhaustive (limiting the films to 10 was difficult).

10 ROMANTIC TIME TRAVEL MOVIES TO BINGE WATCH

(In No Particular Order)

the lake house still with Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves

#1: ABOUT TIME (2013)

About Time

Without a doubt, this is a humorous and engaging retelling of a classic boy trying to win over a girl story. Tim wishes to change his life and get a girlfriend. With this intention, enter Mary.

Tom falls for her and is relentless and tenacious in his pursuit, all thanks to a family secret. The men in his family can travel through time! What a secret to have, and at 21, your options are endless.

About Time beautifully captures the fun-loving side of romance. And, as viewers, we see the benefits of having such a gift and just how painful the gift can be.

For this reason, we see the love between a man and woman and the close relationship between Tim and his father, played by the talented Bill Nighy . Have tissues ready, as poignant scenes will get you teary-eyed.

Content Note: This film is rated 12A in the UK for mild profanity, nudity, violence, and moderate love scenes. For the same reason, About Time is a mild rated R in the United States.

#2: THE TIME TRAVELER’S WIFE (2009)

Romantic Time Travel Movies - The Time Traveler's Wife

This falls quite high on my list of must-watch romance films in general as it has sweeping romance and not to mention swoon-worthy Eric Bana as the protagonist. The film beautifully interweaves through different phases of time, keeping the viewer enthralled.

It follows the life of Clare (Rachel McAdams) and how she meets Henry (Eric Bana), or rather how he encounters her. Clare and Henry ‘meet’ in a library. Soon, they both know what Henry is and what he can do, which is being involuntarily thrown through time, forwards or backward.

The movie’s most interesting aspect is that, despite Henry being the traveler, Clare knows more about him. She’s even aware of their relationship during their ‘first meeting’.

You can assume this is not their first meeting without giving too much away. The story follows them through their life together, how his continued absence becomes a toll on Clare, and over time, it delves into the life of living with a time traveler.

Could you live with someone who knows your future? They will know exactly where your life together could end up. Instead of going for the fated lovers’ angle, this looks at how fate may have brought them together, but should they have walked away?

Content Note: This film is rated 12A in the UK for mild sensuality, nudity, and profanity. In the US, the film is rated PG-13.

#3: SOMEWHERE IN TIME (1980)

Somewhere in Time

If you prefer sweet innocent love stories with classic romance, Somewhere in Time will be perfect for you.

Set in 1972, Christopher Reeve stars as student Richard Collier who travels to Mackinac Island to stay at the Grand Hotel, where he sees a portrait of a woman who he becomes enamored with.

He finds out she was a famous stage actress who has passed away. In this obsession with the picture, he finds a way to go back in time to meet her.

Using methods of self-hypnosis, he is able to get back to 1900 and meet Elise McKenna, but what fate is in store for two people with such a big ‘time’ difference? Get ready to fall in love with the characters, cinematography, music, and love stories all over again.

Fun tidbit: Somewhere in Time was nominated for an Oscar for best costume design.

Content Note : This film is rated PG for mild profanity and sensuality.

#4: THE LAKE HOUSE (2006) AND IL MARE (2002)

The Lake House

The Lake House is a somber story, showing love with a facet of yearning, similar to Somewhere in Time . Both have protagonists who are trapped in different times.

Kate Forrester (Sandra Bullock) moves to a new house, leaving behind a letter for the next tenant. The person who reads the letter, Alex Wyler (Keanu Reeves), realizes some unusual things are happening.

Events mentioned in the letter have yet to occur. They come to the realization that they are exactly two years apart, writing from different times.

This charming movie weaves a beautiful story that will appeal to anyone in a long-distance relationship. You will be able to relate to the dates they attempt to go on and how they try and share experiences with each other.

It will make you appreciate that you are at least a phone call away. The ending of the movie will have you on the edge of your seats, and the revelations revealed will make you want to believe in fate and kismet take your pick.

Special mention to the original movie Il Mare (2002), a Korean production and equally a must-watch if you don’t mind subtitles.

Content Note: This film is rated PG with mild profanity, alcohol, and drugs.

#5: BACK TO THE FUTURE PART III (1990)

10 Romantic Time Travel Movies to Binge Watch: I'll Love You to the End of...Err...Time: Back to the Future Part III

If you are not familiar with this series, what are you doing? Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) and the iconic DeLorean made a generation of kids dream about hoverboards and Nike trainers.

This is the third installment of the series, giving more focus to the ‘Doc’ Emmett Brown (Christopher Lloyd).

Set against the backdrop of the 1885 old west (and true to the name), we get standoffs, brawls, and romance. Meanwhile, Marty travels to 1885 and is stuck because his car breaks down.

Of course, he has a run-in with ‘Mad Dog’ Biff Tannen and his unruly gang. (Trying to send Marty back with their limited resources makes you appreciate a lot of amenities we take for granted.)

In this process, Emmett meets a school teacher, Clara Clayton (Mary Steenburgen), who is a science geek just like him, and soon a romance blossoms.

It is surreal and sweet to see Doc so enamored and unable to figure out how to act. Furthermore, the romance breathes new life into his character and shows an angle we never thought we needed.

In the climax of the movie, there is a race against time to get the DeLorean fixed and Marty back to the present day. Ultimately, even as a sequel, Back to the Future Part III is brilliant.

Content Note: This film is rated PG with moderate profanity, mild sensuality, nudity, and violence.

#6: MIDNIGHT IN PARIS (2011)

midnight in paris; romantic time travel movies

‘ You’re in love with a fantasy.’ ‘I’m in love with you.’

Woody Allen does it again, giving us a spellbinding movie with sophisticated and witty characters. He portrays Paris in a way that will make you want to go there and explore.

Winner of an Oscar, Midnight in Paris follows Gil (Owen Wilson) and Inez (Rachel McAdams) on vacation in Paris, where he wishes to move after they marry.

However, his wife-to-be doesn’t see the magic of the city, hoping to settle in America instead. In the meantime, Gil struggles to write his first novel and takes a strange late-night stroll through Paris, getting an invite to a party that includes guests such as Fitzgerald, Hemingway, Gertrude, and many others who frequented the famous salon of Stein.

It is up to the audience to decide if this is time travel or just the fantasy of a desperate writer who is in love with the golden era of the ’20s. I thoroughly enjoyed this movie because it gave a glimpse of how some of my favorite writers would interact.

This is what other genres cannot do, transport and introduce characters and figures who we would love to meet. This charming film will have you falling in love with the characters and the dialogue.

The superb acting by Wilson portrays an awe-struck, enthusiastic writer who meets his heroes. There is no real story to follow, but rather more events that unfold and how the characters react to them. But life is like this sometimes: we don’t know where things are going until later on.

Content Note: This film is rated 12A  in the UK and PG-13 in the U.S. for mild profanity, sensuality, and nudity.

#7: 13 GOING ON 30 (2004)

13 Going on 30

13 Going on 30 is a reverse-coming-of-age time travel romantic comedy. Jenna (Jennifer Garner) makes a wish on her thirteenth birthday, wanting to be older after going through an embarrassing ordeal.

Jenna wishes to make her older, and it is fulfilled magically. She wakes up the next day to find she is weeks from her thirtieth birthday, has a dream job as a magazine editor, a car, and a very attractive boyfriend.

Everything that anyone could want, but she is still not happy, which pushes the story toward what she truly desires.

This approach is always fun to watch, including hilarious scenes where the protagonist tries to understand the new circumstances and her new body. I admit it’s nothing new in terms of what we can expect, but Garner portrays the character’s innocence and naivete so well.

We see beautiful shots of New York City, which will make you want to book your flight and get over there. However, the surprise in this movie is Mark Ruffalo, who plays Matt, the high school best friend.

Seeing him in this role will be new and a fresh take for fans of the Marvel world. One of the best moments in the movie is the Michael Jackson ‘Thriller’ dance which will leave you astounded and get you on your feet.

Content Note: This film is rated 12A in the UK and PG-13 in the U.S. for mild profanity and suggestive content.

#8: WINTER’S TALE (2014)

Winter's Tale - Romantic Time Travel Movies

Winter’s Tale is set in 1895 on the streets of New York and is based on the novel of the same name. Peter Lake (Colin Farrell) is a seasoned thief who enters the home of Beverly Penn (Jessica Brown Findlay). Beverly catches him in the act.

They both fall in love, and she tells Peter a story about how everyone is born with a miracle inside them. This is the theme for the whole movie so keep this in mind while watching.

The movie boasts a lot of big stars: Russell Crowe, Will Smith, and William Hurt, who all play fantastical characters brilliantly. The story jumps to modern times showing us Peter again. But he has amnesia, setting the story for the rest of the movie. The search for his memories and lost story.

Romance like this is always beautiful to watch, even though the audience and characters know it will not be the happy ending we all hope for.

Fans of Downton Abbey will recognize Findlay as Lady Sybil Crawley, carrying off the character of Beverly competently, with a timeless beauty that is only enhanced because we know the fate of the character.

Farrell is exquisite as always, playing his role as an Irish thief so convincingly. There are many twists and turns to keep you entertained during the second half, which is worth the effort.

Content Note: This film is rated 12A in the UK and PG-13 in the U.S. for violence and sensuality.

#9: IF ONLY (2004)

If Only

If Only uses the winning formula that led Groundhog Day (1993) to success, where the day is on repeat. We have Samantha (Jennifer Love Hewitt) and Ian (Paul Nichols), who are a typical couple, showing the relationship and fights.

Tragedy strikes when Samantha has a car accident leaving a heartbroken and grief-stricken Ian. But fate gives him another chance to back in time to try and change events. He lives the same day again and, like any sensible hero, tries to alter the events leading up to her accident.

It’s a sweet story showing the importance of cherishing the people close to you. The film further makes you wonder about how you would react in this situation. Would you be able to change anything?

The story moves at a good pace, keeping audiences on edge as to whether Ian will succeed. Very beautiful moments occur between the two as Ian knows what will come.

He tries his hardest to make everything perfect (and take notes, guys – ahem, ahem). Tissues may be needed; you have been warned.

Content Note: This film is rated PG-13 for some sensual material.

#10: KATE & LEOPOLD (2001)

kate and leopold - Romantic Time Travel Movies

‘I’m not very good with men.’ ‘ Perhaps you haven’t found the right one.’

This time travel romance movie captures everyone’s heart because Leopold (Hugh Jackman) comes from 1876 and has a romantic, classic approach to love.

He has purity dripping from every glance and every word he speaks. It would make any girl fall head over heels for the chivalrous Leopold.

So, what chance does Kate (Meg Ryan) have? Leopold needs to marry someone for wealth, with a dwindling purse and big dreams to pursue. He enters a portal transporting him to modern times. This blows him away to see the sights and progress.

He meets Kate, a market researcher who is cynical but ambitious. They get close but inevitable differences arise, and he returns back to his time.

Kate & Leopold also provides well-written comedic scenes with Kate’s brother, an actor assuming Leopold is deep in character. For fans of epic romantic movies from the ’90s, this 2001 film is equally awesome. Plus, any fan of Jackman will enjoy seeing him in this swoony role.

Content Note: Rated PG-13 for brief strong language.

Did you find one of your favorite movies about time travel and love? If you had the chance to have one of these romances, which one would it be?

Top Photo Credit: Somewhere in Time (Universal Pictures)

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Book lover – reader and writer. Being a bookworm from an early age introduced me to all wonderful worlds, travelling from Narnia to Hogwarts. This became my hobby and passion leading me to pursue avenues where I can write not just for my enjoyment but also to progress my career. Some of my current obsessions include K-dramas, all things period - any BBC original adaptation. I am currently reading Dan Brown's new novel as well as "All men are Mortal" and re-reading "North and South" because you can never read enough about Mr.Thornton and Margaret!

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12 thoughts on “10 Romantic Time Travel Movies to Binge Watch: I’ll Love You to the End of Time”

Found some new ones for my list, so thanks! I love Hugh Jackson in Kate and Leopold – he plays it so straight it makes the whole thing so much funnier.

Though I haven’t seen it in a while now, I remember that I liked “Lake House,” and I just started to watch “About Time” last night. It’s nothing like I expected, but so far I quite like it! 🙂

Man, Rachel McAdams is all about that time travel life!

Oh, I hoped I’d find a new romantic time travel movie to add to my watched list, but I’m afraid I’ve already seen them all. Lovely curated list, tho!

A long time ago there lived a scientist who would hardly ever venture outside. His life was a lonely one, with long days of research and experiments. It was his ambition to create a potion to see into the future. He had over years collected hundreds of herbs and combined them in various ways until eventually, he was on the brink of a breakthrough…

Where am I able to find the remainder of this story? One mustn’t dangle a carrot expecting no one to bite! Rachel

All these are lovely —- another good one is “1994 Timecop” with Jean-Claude Van Damme and Mia Sara — thriller & romance

I can’t seem to find the movie which was based on a short story “ Christopher Frame “ a photo restorer who time travels ,.falls in love and stays there , tried to lookup but there is no information about it ,I can’t remember the name of the movie or episode either for the love of God ,If anyone knows about it please let me know ,thanks

Another outstanding time travel movie is the 1998 Hallmark Hall of Fame production “The Love Letter”, starring Campbell Scott and Jennifer Jason Leigh. Aired in the late 90s, it’s about an engaged civil war buff who finds hidden letters in an old desk which were written by an unmarried woman in 1863. He is compelled to respond to her and even though he lives in the late 20th century she receives his letters and they begin a correspondence through time. This obviously causes a big problem for his life with his fiance. It’s an excellent movie based on a short story by Jack Finney. Finney is the author of two great time travel novels, Time And Again and From Time to Time.

Hi Everybody, I read through the candidates for best time travel romance, all of which I have seen. I agree with your choices, but not exactly in that order. Although they were all great movies, it is “Somewhere in Time” that takes the number one spot. I was happy to see that at least you gave them the 3rd spot, but, in reality, it was the one movie that expressed so beautifully the concept that love transcends time and in the end, true love brings them together as they slip off into eternity.

There is one more movie to which I would give honorable mention. That is the 1979 movie “Time After Time” where the prolific writer HG Wells pursues Jack the Ripper into the future where Hubert (Malcolm Mcdowell) meets Mary Steenburgen and falls in love. This is another great movie. Thanks, DAD

Hi Dad! I agree with you that Somewhere in Time is the best time-travel romance movie. 🙂 Such a beautiful film!

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love story with time travel

Time Travel Romance Novels Beyond Outlander

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Jessica Pryde

Jessica Pryde is a member of that (some might call) rare breed that grew up in Washington, DC, but is happily enjoying the warmer weather of the desert Southwest. While she is still working on what she wants to be when she grows up, she’s enjoying dabbling in librarianship and writing all the things. She can be found drowning in her ever-growing TBR and exclaiming about romance in the Book Riot podcast ( When in Romance ), as well as on social media. Find her exclamations about books and pho on twitter ( JessIsReading ) and instagram ( jess_is_reading ).

View All posts by Jessica Pryde

I love time travel. I will consume it in almost any format: prose, poetry, comics, film, television, radio drama. You name it, I’m there . I don’t know where my interest originally started, but it’s probably no coincidence that the earliest two adult books I recall reading were both time travel romance novels. To this day, a good time travel romance is a thing of beauty that I always find myself keeping an eye out for. 

There are several elements that play into making a time-travel romance successful. The biggest element is how the author establishes the HEA. Does the time-traveling protagonist elect to stay in their new time? Does the one who was traveled to somehow find their way to the other’s time period? Does the one who lives in the present find the soul of the one they met in the past? Or maybe something completely different?

Let’s look at a few to start with:

1. A Knight in Shining Armor by Jude Deveraux

If you want a good example of an old-school time travel romance, you can’t go wrong with Deveraux. In A Knight in Shining Armor , we find out what happens when a young woman, abandoned and crying in a churchyard far from home, comes face to face with a real-ass knight, who is rightfully confused. Trying to keep the poor man alive is hard enough, but then there’s the whole being incredibly attracted to him thing.

If you enjoy that one, you might also find other books of hers interesting, including Legend , Remembrance , and Return to Summerhouse .

2. Love, Eternally by Morgan O’Neill

A flautist playing in an ancient ruin finds herself in the middle of the Roman empire. The Emperor is terrible, but a young senator catches her eye. Also, there’s a rebellion brewing, and Gigi is there to help fan the flames to dethrone a tyrant.

3. Beautiful Wreck by Larissa Brown

A woman from the future ends up in the past. Sounds pretty cool, right? In a world built on VR, Ginn, a VR designer, accidentally ends up in the 10th century. Multiple people have recommended this to me, and someone even said their husband told them “you didn’t tell me it was a romance—with the setting!” So yeah, if you’re into a lush depiction of a time period and a beautiful love story, this one’s for you.

4. The Duke and the Domina by Jenn LeBlanc

A reluctant duke marries a switch from the twenty-first century. That’s a hook. Grayson has been trying to escape his desire to submit, but that all goes to pot when he marries a woman who has awakened in a new body and a new time. Lulu is a professional dominatrix and she doesn’t want to be where she is, and isn’t sure she can trust her new husband. But it’s a romance, so they’ll figure it out.

5. Everything for Love by Marilyn Vix

Deidre is a Timeanaut. She travels through time using sex to power her travels.

Yeah, you read that right.

When she sees the same man in multiple time periods (I’m guessing unchanged? Because they’re not that far apart), she discovers that he, too, is a time traveler, and has been sent to save her life. They have adventures and make enemies and do all those things you’d expect people screwing with the timeline to do, including fall in love. But there are some complications with that, too.

6. Timeless and Timekeeper by Alexandra Monir

These are technically YA, but I loved Timeless so much. This book features an uncommon element in time-travel romance: the ability to go into and out of the specified time period. Usually, in one of these (thanks probably in part to Diana Gabaldon, NGL), the heroine (because it’s almost always the heroine) finds herself in a moment in history, and one of the most important plot elements is how to get her back to her own time (if, in the end, she even decides to do so). But Michele uses a journal to bounce back and forth between her own time and that of Philip, the boy she will eventually fall in love with. Also, it’s fun to get all the historical tidbits.

There are also some really, great, memorable, and iconic books that are more “time travel novels with romance in them” instead of the other way around. The love story isn’t always the focus, but these are definitely romantic love stories within the time travel story.

7. The Night Mark by Tiffany Reisz

No matter if it’s more general fiction or four alarm fire erotic kinky romance, Tiffany Reisz is an amazing storyteller. Here, Faye falls into the ocean and breaks the surface in 1921, where the spitting image of her now-dead husband is staring back at her. Part love story, part supernatural, part mystery, this book is all the things.  

Also: If you want to become completely obsessed with the history of lighthouses on the Eastern Seaboard of the United States, this book is the starting off point.

8. The Firebird   by Susanna Kearsley

Nicola has a gift that allows her to see the pasts of objects she touches. Working at a gallery, this is a cool gift to have, for obvious reasons. When she touches a small carving and discovers its intriguing history, she follows a girl into the past.

9. The River of No Return by Bee Ridg way

A man about to die in the Napoleonic Wars wakes up in the modern day. There is a guild of time lords masters travelers who tell him he can’t go back. But he longs for his lady love, and long after he expected to be able to return, he is sent back in time. There is adventure and intrigue in this one, but people also appreciate the love story.

10. Somewhere in Time by Richard Matheson

When I was a kid, I was obsessed with this movie. Superman and Dr. Quinn fell in love but couldn’t be together. That sucked. But then it didn’t. I loved it. It wasn’t until years later that I discovered it was a book. The book was a little different, but in essence was the same. A young man “falls in love” with a woman in a portrait and then finds a way to get to her time period in order to meet her. Things ensue.

If there’s one thing you might notice about this list of time travel romance novels, it’s that with the exception of Alexandra Monir, the authors are all white. Non-white authors are indeed writing about time travel, but if they are writing time-travel romance , I have not yet heard about it. In fact, I wrote an entire essay about why (in my opinion) it is difficult for black women in particular to write about a modern black character traveling backwards into any era (except maybe prehistoric). The same can probably be said of members of other races who have dealt with Western oppression, whether it was slavery, genocide, ethnic cleansing, colonization, or anything else on the massive list of sins our European ancestors dealt onto our ancestors from Africa, the Americas, the entire continent of Asia, and the majority of Oceania and the Pacific Islands. I would love to see someone successfully write a believable Outlander-style romance featuring a protagonist of color. Or even a modern-day story in the style of The Time Traveler’s Wife , but, you know, happy.

Give me About Time with people of color in book form. I’ll love you forever.

(Okay, so Courtney Milan  did  write a story in which Adam Fucking Reynolds travels in time and encounters Frederica “Free” Marshal, but it doesn’t really count, right?)

The other thing about this particular list is that it’s pretty damn straight. Do you have any favorite time travel romance novels featuring queer protagonists? I want to hear about that too.

Or just tell me your favorite time travel romance novels. I want to know. (Give me moooooore.)

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14 Titillating Time Travel Romance Novels

Discover love stories that transcend time.

time travel romance novels

Are you the kind of reader who thinks nothing could possibly be better than a historical romance? Time travel romance combines the historic romance tropes you know and love with elements of science fiction and fantasy, daring adventure, and the steamy tension of a culture clash. 

These temporal tales deliver the ultimate escapist fantasy! Whether you love second chance fiction or a modern fish out of water heroine, these 14 time travel romances novels will leave you swooning.

A Time to Change

A Time to Change

By Callie Langridge

As a young girl, Louisa Arnold was fascinated by Hill House and the tragic tale of its owners, the Mandeville family. When she experiences a tragedy of her own, Louisa decides to roam the ruined corridors of Hill House, and finds herself transported 100 years into the past. 

Now a houseguest of the Mandevilles, Louisa becomes friends with Captain Thomas Mandeville, the eldest son. She knows he is fated to die during World War I—but can't help falling in love with him anyway. And now, she'll do everything she can to save him.

A Stitch in Time

A Stitch in Time

By Amanda James

If you’re looking for an exciting and out of the box time travel romance sprinkled with humor, A Stitch in Time is a must-read. Disillusioned divorcée Sarah Yates is working as a history teacher when the mysterious John Needler breezes into her life. The handsome stranger tells Sarah that she’s a “stitch”—someone with the power to travel back in time to guide the path of history. As Sarah bounces from World War II era England to the Old American West to help historical couples find their happily ever afters, a romance of her own begins to stir.

If you find you can’t get enough of Sarah and John’s temporal romps, check out the sequel, Cross Stitch .

RELATED: 14 Paranormal Romance Books That Give Us Chills in All the Right Places  

Hungry for more romance books? No need to beg! Sign up for our free newsletter and get titillating tales delivered right to your inbox.

For All Eternity

For All Eternity

By Linda Lael Miller

For All Eternity blends the excitement of time travel with the dark sensuality of paranormal romance. After a painful personal loss, vampire Maeve Tremayne uses her powers to travel back in time to the American Civil War. As she stalks the bloody, misery-laden battlefields freeing the suffering soldiers from the agony of war with her deadly bite, Maeve meets the kindhearted and mortal Doctor Calder Holbrook.

As a larger, darker war brews amongst the vampires, Maeve must resist as her hunger for the tempting doctor grows. Will she leave human worries behind her, or lure Calder into an eternal romance?

RELATED: 18 Vampire Romance Books with Serious Bite

The Medievalist

The Medievalist

By Anne-Marie Lacy

According to family legend, PhD student Jayne Lyons believes she is a descendant of King Richard III—and she's determined to prove that Shakespeare unnecessarily vilified him, and wrongfully depicted him murdering the Princes.

While searching for Richard III's lost grave, she finds a silver boar pendant that magically transports her back to the 15th century. There, she finally meets Richard III for herself, and finds herself even more drawn to him than she ever could have imagined.

Christmas Moon

Christmas Moon

By Elizabeth Lane

Dramatic, gripping, and sensual, Christmas Moon follows the pregnant and unwed history teacher, Emma Carlyle. On Christmas Eve, Emma ventures out to Wyoming on a research expedition for her master’s thesis about the lawman of legend, J.D. McNulty. A snow storm swallows her car on her return trip home, and before she knows it she’s transported back in time to 1870—and going into labor.

Searching for help at a remote cabin, Emma finds the man of her research on the other side of the door. The two of them strike up a sizzling romance, but Emma knows something J.D. doesn’t—J.D. is supposed to die in a matter of weeks.

RELATED: 19 Holiday Romance Books to Light You Up This Christmas  

Anywhere You Are

Anywhere You Are

By Constance O'Day-Flannery

New York Times bestselling author Constance O’Day-Flannery—the “Queen of Time Travel Romance”—strikes gold again with this romance between Mairie Callahan and Jack Delaney. In modern day Las Vegas, Mairie is getting some excitement out of her life by jumping from an airplane. However, this expedition puts other skydiving jaunts to shame when Mairie lands a hundred and twenty-two years in the past. From recent Civil War veteran Jack’s perspective, it just looks like an angel is falling out of the sky.

Jack thinks Mairie is crazy, and Jack just plain drives Mairie crazy. However, as the two navigate danger and race to find a plant that might save Mairie’s ailing brother’s life, a bond beyond friendship starts to blossom. But is it a love that can withstand the test of time travel?

RELATED: The 24 Best Historical Romance Novels That Will Steal Your Heart

The Repeat Year Andrea Lochen

The Repeat Year

By Andrea Lochen

One of the staples of time travel romance novels is the “second chance” trope , which Andrea Lochen’s The Repeat Year takes by storm. After a terrible year stuffed with a harrowing breakup, her mother’s infuriating love life, losing touch with her best friend, and the loss of patients at the hospital where she works as an intensive care nurse, Olive Watson is looking for a fresh start in the New Year. However, when she goes to sleep on New Year’s Eve expecting to wake up in 2012, she opens her eyes instead to the bedroom of her supposedly ex-boyfriend on the first day of 2011.

With the help of another more experienced “repeater,” Olive is given the chance to right all the wrongs in the past year which have led her down a path she’s not proud of. But will this opportunity give her the future she’s been dreaming of, or just cause new problems?

The Repeat Year Andrea Lochen

The Sterkarm Handshake

By Susan Price

The sci-fi romance Sterkarm trilogy starts out strong with The Sterkarm Handshake , laying the groundwork for a mega-corporation’s business plans for the resources of 16th Century Scotland. When the corporation—FUP—opens up the Time Tube to the past, anthropologist Andrea Mitchell is sent to live with the brutal Sterkarm clan to act as a translator and informant. Andrea is surprised by the warm welcome of the clansmen, and even more surprised to kindle a romance with the supposedly barbaric man, Per.

As tensions rise on both sides of the Time Tube, Andrea is stuck in the middle of the budding war. Will she remain loyal to her modern employers, or will she stay by the side of her anachronistic lover?

RELATED: Kilty Pleasures: 8 Scottish Romance Novels  

marriage_of_convenience_books

By Diana Gabaldon

Diana Gabaldon’s ongoing Outlander series is not only one of the best-selling book series of all time, but it was also adapted into a Starz television series in 2014. In the first novel, Claire Randall is a combat nurse fresh out of World War II. While on a second honeymoon in Scotland with her husband Frank, the brush of an ancient stone transports Claire back in time to 1743.

Caught in a dangerous game of politics and spycraft, Claire finds herself drawn to the Scottish warrior Jamie Fraser. The undeniable passion of Claire’s life in the past is at odds with the settled life she’s built for herself in her own time. As the series weaves history, romance, adventure, mystery, and fantasy together, Claire must decide which time period holds her future.

RELATED: 10 Books like Outlander That’ll Make You Want a Scot of Your Own

marriage_of_convenience_books

Whispers in Time

By Becky Lee Weyrich

Renowned psychic Carol Marlowe has been summoned to New Orleans on police business, but winds up on a wild adventure when a boat ride through the bayou transports her to the past. She's in someone else's body—someone who has a very handsome lover—and she's quickly caught up in a life of scandal and intrigue.

Ruby Red Kerstin Gier

By Kerstin Gier

This internationally bestselling YA romance series, the Ruby Red Trilogy, was originally written in German. Now, it has been translated into English by Anthea Bell. Gwen Shepherd is a mostly normal sixteen-year-old girl living in present day London. The other women in her family are the unusual ones—gifted with the ability to travel through time. However, Gwen’s perfectly typical life goes awry when the time travel gene that was supposed to have skipped over her starts making her take abrupt and unplanned leaps into the past.

With no training on how to handle these jarring journeys, Gwen stumbles through fashion, manners, and secret societies. Not to mention her frustrating run-ins with her fellow time traveller, Gideon, who’s annoying, arrogant, and too handsome for Gwen’s sanity.

RELATED: 10 Young Adult Romance Books Readers of All Ages Will Love

Ruby Red Kerstin Gier

Must Love Breeches

By Angela Quarles

When Isabelle Rochon stumbles upon a mysterious artifact from the Victorian era, she’s transported back in time to 1834 London. Lord Montagu plots a dastardly scheme of vengeance, but he needs a respectable woman on his arm to pull it off. While Isabelle works overtime to protect the truth of her origins and hunt down the time traveling artifact that’s been stolen from her, Montagu convinces her to feign a romance and act as his fiancée. However, the two find themselves battling not just their foes, but their growing and irresistible attraction to one another.

For readers who enjoy Angela Quarles’s work, she has three more books in the time traveling romance Must Love series: Must Love Chainmail , Must Love Kilts , and Must Love More Kilts .

RELATED: 15 Tantalizing Victorian Romance Novels

Must Love Breeches Angela Quarles

What the Wind Knows

By Amy Harmon

Amy Harmon’s most recent Irish romance novel , What the Wind Knows , brings intricate historical knowledge to a touching and passionate romance. When Anne Gallagher’s beloved grandfather passes away, she travels to Ireland to spread his ashes in his homeland. Overwhelmed by the man she adored and the wonderful stories he told her of his past, Anne is physically pulled back in time to 1921.

The Ireland of the early twentieth century is on the brink of war, surrounding the disoriented Anne with inevitable danger. When Dr. Thomas Smith takes Anne under his care, a misunderstanding leads him to believe that she is the missing mother of the young boy he’s been acting as the guardian for. Anne slips into the role of this vanished woman, caring for the child and falling hard for the doctor. However, as the war looms closer Thomas and Anne find themselves drawn into the conflict.

RELATED: 9 Must-Read Historical Romance Authors

What the Wind Knows Amy Harmon

By Alexandra Monir

High schooler Michelle Windsor moves to her estranged grandparents’ home in New York City after the fallout of a family tragedy. In the attic, Michelle discovers a diary from 1910 full of not only secrets, but the magical ability to transport her back in time. Thrown into a decadent masquerade ball, Michelle sets eyes on a mysterious young man who has danced through her dreams for as long as she can remember.

Michelle has her hands full trying to find a balance between her normal, modern life and her wonderful jaunts to the past. Things don’t get easier when she starts to fall hard for the boy of her dreams. Worse still, Michelle discovers that his fate is in her hands.

RELATED: 12 Teen Romance Books That Will Make You Fall in Love  

Timeless Alexandra Monir

Keep Reading: 

9 Stellar Sci-Fi Romance Books

The 8 Best Fantasy Romance Movies That Make Us Believe in Magic  

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15 Fantastical Time Travel Romance Books

Last Updated on November 29, 2023 by Louisa

Time travel has always been something that’s both fascinated me and intrigued me. Paired with romance, and you’re on to a winning romance trope!

Time travel love stories can be truly enthralling as love is explored between characters across different periods and places. 

As readers, we have often been whisked away to faraway moments in history beyond our imagination and knowledge, whether in the past to 17th-century Scotland or the future when Martians have conquered the earth.

And this makes time travel romance books so gripping for me; it’s not just the romance story but what I learn about history and cultures in a time beyond the one I know.

If you’re looking for a special time travel romance book that combines creative imagination, history, and love, then you’re going to love these 15 books… 

Affiliate Disclosure : This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through any of these links. 

What To Expect From Time Travel Romance Books?

Time travel romance books are known to combine elements of science fiction, adventure, and romance.

What I love about this genre is there are no limits. You can soar into a dystopian future, or back in time to a regency period.

Wherever your time travel plot takes you, you can expect to be taken on an imaginative journey where love transcends time and space.

These books often feature strong-willed characters from different eras or dimensions, who find themselves drawn to each other even though they are separated by time or circumstance.

Being from different generations and time periods, there are often cultural clashes, and different opinions on values, morals, or ways of courtship.

The character dynamics are one of the biggest reasons to read a time travel romance book, and they will be sure to have you questioning your own values and morals in today’s world.

Best Time Travel Romance Books

Now you know a little bit about the main features of the genre, it’s time to show you my favorite fantastic time travel romance books to leave you wishing time travel was real. 

1. A Highlander For Hannah – Mary Warren 

A Highlander for Hannah (Mystic Falls)

A Highlander for Hannah is a warm and easy-going, time-travel book with a slow burn romance story.

As the title suggests, the story is about the heroine Hannah and her budding relationship with Graham. Graham is a Highlander from the 1700s. 

Hannah summons Graham with a love spell purchased at a Renaissance Fair. Eventually, Hannah has to listen to her heart and decide if she wants to send Graham back to his own time at the next equinox.

Many readers describe this book as charming. Where many time travel stories can be action-packed, this story is more light-hearted and a book to cozy up with. 

View it on:

2. The River of No Return – Bee Ridgway

The River of No Return: A Novel

The River of No Return is an action-packed read. The story tells of Nick Devanant, who was set to die during the Napoleonic Wars but finds himself in London in 2003.

He eventually settles down as a farmer in Vermont. 

Nick is also a part of a time-traveling organization that is involved in intrigue and spying across different eras.

Previously a Lord, Nick navigates his new life while shadowed by The Guild (a guild of time lords), who want him on an assignment in the past. 

Nick also meets Julia, a woman from a neighboring estate.

Their romance is explored through all the action and mystery of Nick’s life as a spy and time traveler for the Guild. The mystery and romance are sure to leave you curious. 

3. The Winter Sea – Susanna Kearsley 

The Winter Sea (The Scottish series, 1)

The Winter Sea tells the story of Scottish author Carrie, who treads the fine line between fiction and reality.

As a writer, Carrie starts recounting memories of her characters’ lives. A more imaginative way to explore time travel, this book transports you back to 17th-century Scotland. 

The time travel is done as Carrie recollects vivid memories of her book’s fictional characters. However, the reader is left curious as to what memory is, what imagination is, and what reality is.

The book also explores a secretive and tense romance between Carrie and her landlord’s son, Graham.

A more unconventional way to explore time travel, this story jumps back and forth through the visions of the heroine. A book that will spark your curiosity and leave you guessing til the end. 

4. Beautiful Wreck – Larissa Brown

Beautiful Wreck

Beautiful Wreck is about a girl who travels back in time and falls in love. Though it’s not anything new in terms of plot, it has been well written and the world-building is excellent.

Ginn is a virtual reality designer who surprisingly finds herself in 10th-century Iceland. Ginn’s current reality is dull as she exists in a future that is desolate and void of the romance she is craving. 

The book tells the story of how Ginn surprisingly finds herself in Viking Iceland!

She starts to enjoy the simple and homely life of the village she finds herself in and meets and falls in love with a native Icelandic Viking named Heirik. 

Although she finally finds the romance she has always wanted, she learns that love is much more complicated than expected. Henrik is reserved and tormented by what he believes is a curse. 

Penetrating his heart and also fighting against forces that try to tear them apart, this time travel romance lives up to the name of its title, a beautiful wreck.

5. A Knight in Shining Armour – Jude Devereux

A Knight in Shining Armor

A Knight in Shining Armour is a classic time travel romance book by author Jude Devereux .

It tells the story of a young woman who falls in love with a real knight from the Elizabethan age in England.

The book unpacks the love between the heroine Douglass, a young teacher, and a medieval knight, Nicholas.

Douglass is in a dating relationship with a doctor who treats her poorly, and only when meeting Nicholas can she experience true love. 

Although the book is about finding true love, it also shows that love between people from different decades can be challenging. Nicholas and Douglass are tested when they are separated from each other to go back to their times. 

This book will captivate your heart as you become invested in the fight for love between the two main characters.

They fight to discover why Nicholas has come to the current day and how to save his life in the past. 

This is a must-read for fans of time travel, romance and adventure genres, as it combines all three in an unforgettable story.

6. What the Wind Knows – Amy Harmon

What the Wind Knows

What the Wind Knows follows the protagonist Anne as she surprisingly finds herself in Ireland in 1921.

The context is war, and we also glimpse Anne’s inner turmoil as she struggles with hurt and navigates the past.

You are introduced to the history of The Irish Revolution in the 1920s and also to a mysterious doctor named Thomas Smith.

The book explores Anne’s struggles as she begins to fall in love with a man who becomes involved in the war.

Readers are mesmerized by Amy Harmon’s poetic writing and ability to capture the love and heartbreak between Anne and Thomas. 

What the Wind Knows brilliantly weaves history, love, and social commentary into one book.

7. In A Holidaze – Christina Lauren

In a Holidaze

In A Holidaze is a different take on time travel where the main character Maelyn (Mae) is stuck in a time loop.

She travels back in time, but again and again. She is given a chance to re-live the past as she sees fit.

The book’s romance is not too heavy as it’s about Mae’s budding crush on her friend Andrew. Reliving the past gives her the courage to express how she feels about him finally. 

Set during the Christmas season, it is also festive. This is a friends to lovers romance book with a story that is great for a casual, fun, and upbeat read.

8. Before the Coffee Gets Cold – Toshikazu Kawaguchi

Before the Coffee Gets Cold: A Novel (Before the Coffee Gets Cold Series Book 1)

This is a charming story about a coffee house in Tokyo that allows people to travel back in time.

It follows the story of four people who want to travel back in time.

Examining the reasons we love Before the Coffee Gets Cold provides insight into the motives behind love.

One story follows a wife as she travels to the past to meet her husband again and explores love with sincerity and honesty. 

Time travel in this book is not without its rules. Time travelers must return to the present in a stipulated time, and their journeys prove interesting. 

A moving and emotional read, Toshikazu Kawaguchi’s novel is for those who want to dive deeper into time travel and deeper into love. 

9. Time and Again – Jack Finney

Time and Again

Time and Again is not only a love story between the main character Simon and Julia but a love story about New York…

The story tells of a 1970s man Simon traveling back to 1882 to solve a mystery plaguing his heart. 

This is one of the historical time travel love stories that is also an ode to the city in which it is set. New York is the third love in this book, with the author Jack Kinney capturing the city in its early years. 

His writing is gripping and makes it feel like you have been transported back to New York.

The romance is also a tale of choosing to follow the head or the heart, as Simon is torn between the present and the past.

10. Ruby Red – Kerstin Gier 

Ruby Red (The Ruby Red Trilogy, 1)

Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier is a witty and lively story of young Gwen who lives in London but soon learns that she can time travel.

A time travel gene runs through her family, although she does not expect to be someone who can time travel.

Soon she is catapulted into time travel suddenly and an unexpected romance. To tell you who the romance is with would spoil the book. You would have to find out by yourself. 

The book is fun and an excellent read for younger readers.

The heroine is 16 years old, and we see the world through her eyes. Described as a clever story, Ruby Red is the easy-going read for your next pick-me-up book.

11. In Five Years – Rebecca Serle

In Five Years: A Novel

In Five Years is a time-travel romance that fast-forwards to the future!

The main character Dannie finds herself 5 years in the future (through a vision, or is it a reality?), living a life she did not anticipate. She is living with a random man who is not her current fiance.

The book follows Dannie as she unpacks her life 5 years in the future.

A future she is not familiar with but one with desirable possibilities. In this book, time travel is a tool that helps her to ask, what does she want?

It leaves the reader also wondering, what if I could get a picture of my future? Would I change anything?

The author’s writing style is poetic and evocative, with descriptions that transport you to different times and dimensions.

12. Somewhere in Time – Richard Matheson

Somewhere In Time

Somewhere in Time is a beautiful story of love that lasts the test of time and different periods.

It explores the complications that exist for a modern man as he falls in love with a famous actress in San Francisco in 1896.

The author, Richard Matheson, writes this book intricately and can describe the love between the two characters with warmth.

We learn about love at first sight and are taken away by the chemistry between the two main characters. 

The time travel aspect is a unique and interesting vehicle that drives the plot, but at its core the story is about love, sacrifice, and second chances.

This book is also excellent for anyone who loves reading books about historical America and San Francisco. 

13. More of Us to The West – Trinity Dunn

More of Us to the West (The Adrift Series)

More of Us to The West tells of heroine Alaina’s budding romance with Jack as they are both stranded on an island after their plane crashes.

The only problem is that Alaina is already married to Chris. 

She struggles to make sense of her new romance and how Jack and she ended up stranded on an island, along with 11 other strangers.

The reader is torn between the past and the future as Alaina tries to make sense of her heart as she is torn between Chris and Jack. 

The book also lures you with a mystery you will be dying to solve, making it hard to put it down.  

14. Return Once More – Trisha Leigh

Return Once More

Return Once More tells of 16-year-old Kaia, part of a time-traveling group known as the Historians.

Set in the future where humans live on other planets, Kaia grows up quickly as she is taught to be a Historian.

She is tasked with going back in time to witness important events. 

Young and brave, Kaia is lucky enough to be told who her “True One” is. Learning that her true one is her soulmate, she is eager to meet him. 

This story explores Kaia’s relationship with her “True One,” Caesarion. Caesarion happens to be Cleopatra and Caesar’s son from the past! 

Expect nothing less than a creative and original narrative set in the future but also an exotic past.

This book does a great job of depicting a romance across two different cultures and timelines.

15. A Thousand Pieces of You – Claudia Gray

A Thousand Pieces of You (Firebird, 1)

A Thousand Pieces of You joins heroine Marguerite as she travels through time and a different universe. Marguerite is on the hunt to solve a mystery close to her heart. 

Marguerite’s parents are the inventors of the Firebird, the machine that allows her to jump from one exciting universe to another.

While focused on her mission, she finds love along the way in the most unexpected places!

This book does a great job of exploring the heart of a young girl keen on an adventure but also open to love.

Part mystery, part romance, this book is a fast-paced and action-packed book that is great for younger readers. 

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time travel romance books

Final Word on Time Travel Romance Books

So there you have it, those are the best time travel romance books. As you can see, there are a lot of great novels to choose from!

I hope you found something on this list that sparks your interest. If you have any more suggestions, let me know in the comments.

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About Louisa Smith

Editor/Founder - Epic Book Society

Louisa is the Founder, Editor, and Head Honcho of Epic Book Society. She was born and raised in the United Kingdom and graduated from the University for the Creative Arts with a degree in Journalism. Louisa began her writing career at the age of 7 when her poetry was published in an anthology of poems to celebrate the Queen's Jubilee. Upon graduating university, she spent several years working as a journalist writing about books before transitioning to become a Primary School Teacher. Louisa loves all genres of books, but her favorites are Sci-Fi, Romance, Fantasy, and Young Adult Fiction. Read more Louisa's story here .

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  • The Inventory

The Greatest Time-Travel Romances of All Time

The greatest romances face the test of time — but what happens when two lovers are adrift in time and space? About Time is just the latest in a long line of time-travel love stories, and tales of time-crossed lovers. Here are the greatest time-travel romances of all timelines.

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The Girl Who Leapt Through Time

Teenage love is a tricky thing, and in the 2006 adaptation of The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, Makoto messes it up over and over again. After she discovers that she can literally leap through time, Makoto uses her power to play cupid not only with her friends, but with her own love life. She learns that relationships are complicated, even when you can arrange it so that certain conversations never happened. This beautiful anime film expands on the stories told in other adaptations of Yasutaka Tsutsui's novel. Makoto's aunt in the film is the protagonist of the original novel, and we see some of the ramifications of her own time traveling romance.

The Time Traveler's Wife

Throughout The time Traveler's Wife, Audrey Niffenegger compares her main characters' relationship to that between a sailor and his wife. The description is apt as we see Henry and Clare torn apart again and again, never knowing if the storms of life will keep them apart forever. Henry suffers from a genetic condition similar to epilepsy, but instead of having seizures he travels through time. He and Clare struggle to lead normal lives despite his frequent disappearances. In 2009 Robert Schwentke adapted this into a film starring Rachel McAdams, the actress most type-cast as a time traveler's love interest .

Just after World War II, British army nurse Claire Randall is vacationing with her husband in Scotland when she stumbles through a group of standing stones into the year 1743. She wins the trust of a clan of Scotsmen after using her medical knowledge to relocate the arm of Jamie MacKenzie. One thing leads to another and Claire ends up being forced to marry Jamie, breaking her marriage vows to her husband in the future. The situation becomes further complicated when Claire realizes she is falling in love with Jamie. She must choose between trying to find a way back to her present and her husband, or staying with the man she now believes to be the love of her life. This sexy tale has gripped readers for over a decade. The eighth book in the series will be released in March 2014, and Ronald D. Moore is producing a television series based on the books set to come out in Spring 2014.

Somewhere in Time

The course of a life can turn on a penny as we learn in the 1980 film Somewhere In Time. The movie was based on Richard Matheson's beloved sci/fi book Bid Time Return. The story begins with Richard Collier having a strange encounter with an old woman who begs him to "come back to me" and gives him a pocket watch. Shortly later, Collier learns that she was Elise McKenna, an actress from the early 1900s. He grows enamored with her photograph and becomes determined to find a way to travel back in time to meet her. His former professor, who believes he has self-hypnotised himself back to the year 1571, teaches him how to will himself into 1912. When he finds Elise, their whirlwind romance lights up the screen.

Amy and Rory's storyline on Doctor Who

Amy Pond and Rory Williams are among the most popular companions in Doctor Who, and their romance stands out as one of the new series' best storylines. They have rocky moments, but seeing their struggles only makes their relationship stronger and more believable to the viewer. We get to see their relationship develop from Rory's one-sided teenage crush to Amy's willingness to sacrifice everything for him. It's difficult to pick one episode to represent their love story, but the tenth episode of the sixth series is a good place to start. The Girl Who Waited deals with some of the more complex issues with time travel and it's fascinating to watch these characters navigate a messy situation involving both a younger and older Amy.

Back to the Future

Oh Back to the Future, we will never get tired of your time travel hijinks. Marty McFly travels back in time to the 1950s, and in doing so, stops his parents from meeting for the first time. Instead of falling in love with George McFly when her father hits him with her car, Lorraine Baines starts falling for her time traveling son. Hilarity ensues as Marty must play cupid and get his parents to the Enchantment Under the Sea dance before he and his siblings disappear forever. Spoiler, he succeeds, and his parents fall madly in love. As George tells Lorraine, "I'm your density. I mean, your destiny."

Safety Not Guaranteed

A man named Kenneth posts an ad seeking: "Someone to go back in time with me. This is not a joke. You'll get paid after we get back. Must bring your own weapons. I have only done this once before. Safety not guaranteed." Darius, a young reporter, is sent out with a group to investigate his claims and see what he's really after, or if he's just insane. After winning his trust, the two begin to bond. What follows is a beautiful story about two people learning to accept and trust each other's weirdness. They build a time machine, train, and do everything they can to prepare themselves for the future. Spoiler: The ending is subjective and we never learn for certain if Kenneth can successfully time travel.

Only Backwards

This short story explores the sweetness of a first kiss, and the sacrifices made for loved ones. Mason invents a time machine so he can revisit the most important moment in his life, but not everything goes according to plan. When he returns, every memory after that moment is gone. He is a teenager trapped in a 40 year old body, with no recollection of his beloved wife. They touchingly console each other as they navigate this strange situation. She tells him, "Don't worry...You won't be alone. I'll be here."

Midnight in Paris

Gil Pender doesn't have the best of luck with his time traveling romances, unless you count his love affair with the city of Paris. In Midnight in Paris, he is on vacation with his fiancee when he discovers that every night at midnight, he travels back in time. He finds himself in the 1920s and he encounters all of his favorite writers and artists from that time period. With his present-day romance going poorly, he falls in love with Picasso's mistress Adriana. They begin a relationship, but the present is always there, calling Gil back. This nostalgic movie is romantic, funny, and full of fantasy.

Sense of the Past

When Henry James died, he left an unfinished time travel romance novel behind. It was published in 1917 and spawned a play and two movies. In the novel, Ralph Pendrel discovers that by going into his ancestor's London home, he is also transported to their time. In this time period, he is engaged to a woman named Molly Midmore, although he finds himself more attracted to her sister, Nan. The notes Henry James left outlining the rest of the novel make it clear that Nan reciprocate his love, and eventually realizes that he is a time traveler. If the novel had been finished, Ralph would have had to choose between returning to his own time and another woman or staying with Nan in the past.

The Dancers at the Edge of Time

The universe is about to end, but that doesn't stop Jherek Carnelian from having love on the brain. From the moment he sees Amelia Underwood, a Victorian time traveler, he knows that they will fall in love. Michael Moorecock's series which includes An Alien Heat, The Hollow Lands, and the End of All Songs, follows the lovers as they bounce back and forth through time. As the series goes on we see that their relationship is more important than even they could have imagined.

Quantum Leap: Star Crossed

Sam Beckett's wife left him at the altar, but it didn't happen in every timeline. In Star Crossed Sam leaps back to Donna's college days long before their marriage is set to begin. He theorized that she couldn't commit to him due to issues with her father, and he sets out to fix them before it's too late. Al repeatedly warns him against this plan, but Sam loves her and will do anything to give their relationship a second chance.

Star Trek: City on the Edge of Forever

Kirk, Spock, and McCoy are transported to New York City during the Great Depression — and I bet you can guess which ones falls in love. McCoy saves Edith Keeler's life, and Kirk falls in love with her. Edith is an impressive pacifist who would have gone on to delay WWII and indirectly lead to an Axis victory. Lovestruck Kirk must make a terrible decision—to set the timeline right with Edith's death, or change the course of history forever.

Time and Again

At the heart of Jack Finney's classic time travel novel is the romance between Simon Morley and Julia Charbonneau. The book has a complex plot full of action, mystery, and adventure, but the love story holds it all together. Simon Morley travels back to the 1882 New York City in order to solve a mystery. While in the past he falls in love with Julia, although she doesn't immediately reciprocate his feelings. Their sweet relationship has many memorable moments, but none as fun as the scenes of 1882 Julia experiencing 1970 NYC.

The Man Who Folded Himself

David Gerrold's The Man Who Folded himself gives a whole new meaning to the phrase "self love." Daniel Eakins is a college student who inherits a Timebelt, and with it the ability to travel through time. He uses it to travel to his future where he meets alternate versions of himself, and eventually having a sexual relationship with himself. He eventually meets a female version of himself, Diane, and they attempt to have a more traditional relationship, even having a child together. It's a strange sort of love story, but that doesn't make the book any less powerful.

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Roadside Attraction - Alix E. Harrow - 🌟🌟🌟🌟💫 What becomes of the broken-hearted when they find a time-travel stone? Do they go back to rectify matters with their ex or do they search for a new direction in life? Enjoyed this sweet tale. First Aid - Seanan McGuire - 🌟🌟🌟🌟 This is the story that made me look at time travel in a very realistic and practical manner. I didn’t like the romance element in this tale, otherwise it would have been a straight 5 star. I Remember Satellites - Sarah Gailey - 🌟🌟🌟🌟 What happens when you are the chosen one for an assignment that forces you to bid adieu to all you know and love in order to do your duty? Loved the feelings in this one. The Golden Hour – Jeffrey Ford - 🌟🌟🌟🌟 A very unusual tale of love across time. Had a few loopholes in logic, but I still liked it for balancing both the main themes of the anthology well. Unbashed - Sam Miller - 🌟🌟🌟🌟 Such a poignant tale! The writing style made it a bit tricky to read but I loved the overall story. Romance: Historical - Rowan Coleman - 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Think of the best romances and the best time travel tales. Bring the best features of these in a story. This is the result. Loved every single bit about it. (Would have gladly give it ten stars if I could.) Time Gypsy - Ellen Klages - 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 This was written in 1999 but feels as fresh as the rest of the collection. An innovative and intriguing plotline that will keep you hooked from start to end.

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“Did you find your destiny?”
“Your dream won’t affect anyone or anything else. The most it can do is change the world inside you.”
There was no going back. There never had been.
Everybody draws the short straw in the end.
“Past or future?” I asked. “Where the clues lead, young man. Where else?”
So you know about lichens?
Unrecognized: I never knew you.
“To thirst is to be alive, but to devour is to be monstrous.”
Be my wife forever, limited puddle-being.
“Walk me home?”
Beth steadied herself; after all she had spent her whole life in training for this moment, preparing unreservedly to believe in the impossible.
Whatever came of the discovery, there was at least a moment’s peace to be enjoyed, now that she knew.
“Was discovering random historical factoids what drew you into this line of work?”
“You’re going to be dead in twenty-four hours. Would you like to save the world?”
The study of literature is the process of continually falling in love with dead people.
“I’m offering you a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

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The Best Time Travel Books That Are Dripping With Romance

Out of the many time travel books to choose from, time travel romance stories are some of the more popular examples.

Successful time travel romance stories are often emotional, beautiful, and incredibly moving.

Reading one of these books can whisk you away to an entirely different land, time, or even dimension.

These can vary from traveling back centuries back in time, or forward to a future dystopian landscape.

Many fans of the genre love these romance tales as they depict how love can beat adversity, along with time.

You may love reading about how two characters fall in love with each other, but it’s especially beautiful when they are both from completely different worlds.

If you’re interested in giving time travel romance novels a go, you’ll find some of the best examples of the genre below. These all touch on various themes, including science fiction, fantasy, and YA fiction.

If you’re ready to be whisked away into an entirely different world and explore some moving romantic stories, try one of these time travel romance novels on this list!

In Five Years By Rebecca Serle

This time-travel romance novel revolves around lawyer Dannie Kohan. At an interview, Dannie is asked where she sees and is prepared with a well-thought-out answer.

After acing her interview and accepting a marriage proposal, Dannie falls asleep and awakens five years in the future. Her apartment, ring, and man are all different from the ones she knew.

A memorable hour passes and Dannie wakes up back in the present. She tries to ignore the event and moves on with her life.

Four and a half years pass and Dannie comes into contact with the same man from her time travel experience.

This time travel romance novel is different from traditional ones as the time travel event only lasts for an hour.

The plot is full of fun moments and heartbreak, reminding readers about female friendships, loyalty, and the uncertainty of fate.

If you’re looking for a more modern time-travel romance story, you should give In Five Years a try.

  • Time travel only lasts an hour, which makes for an interesting read
  • Set in the modern era, differs from mainstream time travel romance novels
  • Plot centers on friendship more than romance.

The Two Lives Of Lydia Bird By Josie Silver

This moving novel depicts grief, love, and overcoming adversity in an incredibly moving manner.

Lydia Bird and Freddie, her fiance, have been in love ever since they were teenagers. As adults, they are preparing for their wedding and to spend the rest of their lives with one another.

All of their dreams are shattered when Freddie dies in a car accident, leaving Lydia broken and alone. Lydia’s family tries to comfort her, but she struggles with day-to-day life.

Her bond with her oldest friend Jonah, who was also Freddies best friend, has also changed.

Jonah was in the accident with Freddie, so the survivors’ guilt, along with Lydia’s agony, is distressing for both characters.

Lydia starts taking pills to help her sleep, but they seem to transport her into a different universe where Freddie still lives.

Amazed at these transportive effects, Lydia starts to take the pills more often, escaping into a world with Freddie by her side.

Lydia soon finds out that things aren’t amazing in the ‘sleeping’ world.

People still experience loss here, and there are also delights to enjoy in the waking world, though it’s difficult to accept this following Freddie’s loss.

Silver’s novel is an incredible depiction of a flawed woman who after so much loss, is trying to find herself again.

The Two Lives Of Lydia Bird is a perfect book for those looking for a somber, yet poignant story.

  • Depicts the devastation surrounding grief in a vivid, believable way
  • All characters are developed well and add to the story
  • Though the story is moving, some may find the plot predictable.

Charming The Highlander By Janet Chapman

The first book in Chapman’s Pine Creek Highlanders series is a unique and delightful tale.

The plot centers around Grace Stutter, a woman who, as her sister died, is responsible for delivering her sister’s baby to the father.

She waits several weeks before getting on a plane, with the belief that she’d be making a fresh start.

Grace’s plane then crashes on a glacial mountain in Maine, leaving her, the baby, and handsome fighter Greylen, as the sole survivors.

Greylen is a medieval warrior who has traveled through time to find the woman he’s destined to be with.

Pushed together to battle the dangerous, icy setting, neither Grace nor Greylen expect the deep passion that awakens within them.

Grace, with her logical scientist background, isn’t used to letting her heart rule, but Greylen is committed to doing whatever it takes to be with her forever.

Chapman draws readers in with classic romance elements, like passion, a feisty heroine, and devotion to love. The writing is very vivid, you’ll feel like you’re right there in the story!

If you’re after a time travel romance that’s simultaneously amusing and moving, Charming the Highlander is the book for you!

  • An entertaining plot that keeps the reader engaged
  • The connection between the two develops believably
  • The story is far-fetched, though that is often the case with time-travel romance novels

A Knight In Shining Armor By Jude Deveraux

Known all over the globe as one of the best romance stories ever written, A Knight In Shining Armour fully deserves a place on this list.

The plot features Dougless Montgomery, a woman who has been left by her boyfriend and is crying on a tombstone for her savior.

The man from the tombstone, Nicholas Stafford, Earl of Thornwyck, suddenly appears. However, his tombstone states that he died in 1564.

Dougless is amazed at Nicholas, someone who finds her as captivating and perfect just the way she is.

Unfortunately, Douglas is unprepared for the shackles that keep them in the past, or the eventful experiences that they are yet to discover.

Deveraux’s novel does a wonderful job of depicting the two characters’ connection, as well as how strange the modern world looks in Nicholas’ eyes.

Readers will note the air of desperation and tension with every page, understanding why Nicholas wants to go back to his time.

One of the most well-known time travel romance novels ever written, A Knight In Shining Armor is definitely worth a look.

  • The historical setting is authentic and vivid
  • Heroine grows a lot throughout the story
  • Other than the heroine, female characters aren’t represented in a positive light.

Time After Time By Tamara Ireland Stone

Time After Time features a swoon-worthy romance, exotic travel destinations, and a beautiful and believable connection.

This is the second book in Stone’s series which delves into more of Bennett and Anna’s story.

The time distance between the central characters, Anna and Bennett, only spans 17 years. Anna is from 1995 Chicago, while Bennet time travels back from San Francisco in 2012.

The two weren’t supposed to fall in love, but they did, finding a way to be with each other despite everything. However, this relationship isn’t without its problems.

Bennet cannot stay in the past for long, so all visits are temporary. He misses large pieces of his present life to remain in Anna’s world.

Things change when Bennett is the eyewitness to an incident he wasn’t supposed to see. He has to work out if his choices from then on will create a future that he doesn’t want.

Bennett is the narrator, so we see more about his world in 2012. Stone does a great job of showcasing the difficulties he faced as he came to terms with his love for Anna.

The characters are also realistic, as they act maturely about the troubles their connection causes them.

Readers will certainly feel the love that Bennett and Anna share and will be rooting for the couple throughout this story.

  • The author portrays the relationship between the couple well
  • The plot wraps up nicely at the end
  • Part of a series, so you’ll have to read the first story to understand the couple’s connection.

Anywhere You Are By Constance O’Day Flannery

This charming story is ideal for those looking for some light reading. Like a lot of time travel romance novels, the plot is far-fetched, but entertaining nonetheless.

The story starts with Mairie Callahan. She is skydiving and jumps out of her plane above Nevada, but has no idea that she’s about to land 122 years in the past.

The plot also features Jack Delaney, a man who in 1877, has returned home after fighting in the Civil War.

Jack takes on a vision quest with his adoptive Paiute Indian brothers in the hopes that he will discover peace, only to see a peculiar, yet beautiful woman falling from the heavens.

Jack finds Mairie’s ramblings about the future weird, but he still feels attracted to her. He’s never met a woman like her before.

As the plot unfolds, the two characters are trying to send Mairie back to her time, hoping to save her dying brother with an extinct plant that may heal him.

O’Day Flannery’s writing will make you feel that you’re right there with the characters, thanks to her descriptive and vivid prose.

You’ll be turning the pages to find out if Mairie can get back in time, if the two can fight the dangers that are before them, and whether their connection is something deeper than friendship.

Anywhere You Are is great for readers looking for a lighthearted, yet touching tale about a connection that defies time.

  • The plot is easy to follow without being sluggish
  • Characters and scenery are boldly descriptive
  • The far-fetched plot, though the story is entertaining.

Outlander By Diana Gabaldon

We couldn’t put this list together without mentioning Outlander, a book that is arguably the most popular romance novel ever written.

This is the first of six books from Gabaldon’s Outlander series. The plot begins in 1945. Claire Randall has come back home from the war where she worked as a combat nurse.

She’s enjoying a second honeymoon with her husband when she walks through a monolith in one of the historical circles around the British Isles.

Unexpectedly, Claire finds herself in a Scotland affected by war and marauding border clans in 1743, almost two centuries in the past.

Thrown back in time, Claire is a Sassenach, or ‘outlander’ in this world. She’s thrust into the plots of spies and lords that put her life at risk, as well as her heart.

James Fraser, a courageous Scottish warrior, shows Claire a love so true that she becomes trapped between loyalty and desire.

Outlander is very well written. Gabaldon has done her research into 18th-century life, as you notice the details of castles and Scottish Highland estates.

Readers soon notice that the characters Claire and Jamie are meant to be together, as their friendship develops into something deeper.

The connection between the two sends life into every page, making it incredibly tough to put down.

This is the perfect book for anyone looking for a moving tale about a love that transcends time itself.

  • The historic setting and details are vivid and realistic
  • A mix of romance, history, and adventure
  • The story does contain gory elements and vivid descriptions of violence.

For All Eternity By Linda Lael Miller

If you’re a fan of vampire stories, this is the book for you.

For All Eternity is Miller’s second book in her Vampire series. It does the job of mixing the thrilling aspects of time travel with the darker elements of supernatural romance .

The plot centers on Maeve Tremayne, a vampire who is struggling to deal with life after loss. Maeve uses her powers to go back in time to the American Civil War.

While she walks across the gloomy, bloody fields of battle, she uses her lethal bite to liberate dying soldiers from the anguish of war.

It’s here where Maeve meets the compassionate and human doctor, Calder Holbrook.

A greater war starts to form amongst the vampires and Maeve needs to fight her instincts as her thirst for the doctor grows.

For All Eternity’s story is very enthralling. Both Maeve and Calder care about humanity, which makes you root for their relationship throughout the book.

Miller’s writing makes you feel like you’re reading this book for the first time, no matter how many times you’ve read it before.

This is a great example of a vampire romance that’s sure to get you hooked on the Miller’s Vampire series!

  • The second book in the series features an engaging plot
  • The heroine is simultaneously powerful and realistically flawed
  • Not the best tale for those that aren’t interested in vampire novels.

Transcendence By Shay Savage

Transcendence is certainly a love-hate book, but if you like it, it’s a great addition to a time-travel romance collection!

This prehistoric romance centers on Ehd, a caveman who lives alone in a rough wilderness.

Ehd is bright and strong but is lonely without anyone around him. Ehd finds a gorgeous young woman in his pit trap and believes that she is destined to be his mate.

The woman, Elizabeth, doesn’t understand where she is or how she got there. She’s perplexed and upset about her plight, and to top everything off, there’s a caveman carrying her back to his home.

Elizabeth isn’t interested in Ehd’s advances and struggles to communicate with this primitive, yet attractive man.

Soon, the winter months and dangers of the wild push the two together, as they have to rely on each other to survive.

Both Ehd and Elizabeth start to develop a connection and resolve their cultural differences. Even though the plot is far-fetched, the characters are innovative and refreshing.

Funny, warming, and certainly unique, Transcendence is certainly a time travel romance you won’t forget!

  • Fun, lighthearted read
  • The story becomes very engaging once the reader adapts to the narration style
  • A love-hate tale, some may find the plot too contrived.

Silent Vows By Catherine Bybee

A blend between time travel romance and fantasy, this book has the protagonist traveling to the future.

Our heroine, Myra, is a medieval druidess from a powerful family. She has lived a sheltered life so far but finds herself in danger from a cursed witch.

Attempting to escape, she travels 500 years into the future but finds herself confronted by a skeptical, yet attractive 21st-century cop.

Officer Todd Blakely believes Myra is hiding something but is taken aback by her innocent allure.

Fate throws both characters into a mysterious and fascinating world. We’re left wondering whether Todd can be the savior Myra needs, or if the obstacle of time will keep them apart.

Both of the characters are believable. Myra is hardly a feisty heroine, but we admire her resilience to face a new world, despite her sheltered upbringing.

Todd’s hard exterior and fear of commitment are understandable when you read more about his past. It’s hard not to feel sorry for our hero in this story.

The pages in this story are dripping with tension and danger, which makes for a gripping read.

If you’re looking for a book that successfully interweaves the past with modern society, you can’t go wrong with Silent Vows.

  • Suspense and tension keep the reader turning the pages
  • The heroine is courageous, despite a sheltered past
  • The second book in a series, some readers may want to read the first one to understand the characters in this novel.

The River Of No Return By Bee Ridgway

Ridgway’s debut novel features an imaginative plot and a romance that makes you root for the characters throughout.

The plot begins in 1815, as Julia Percy sits with her grandfather as he’s taking his final breaths. Julia thinks that her grandfather’s power to manipulate time has died with him.

The plot then jumps 200 years in the future, where Lord Nicholas Falcott, who was just about to die in battle, awakens in 21st-century London.

The Guild, a secret society of time travelers, tells Nick that he cannot return to the past, but Nick still longs for Julia who remains in 1815.

As destiny pulls Julia and Nick together, the two characters need to be smart and risk heartbreak as they fight the laws of time.

All of the characters in this story are fleshed out well. Each person has a life they left behind without being able to decide for themselves, which makes it easy to empathize with each character.

This book explores how our actions, no matter how insignificant they seem, can affect the future.

The River of No Return is an intriguing novel that will have you hooked on its pages, from beginning to end.

  • The multi-layered story gives the book depth
  • Thriller, adventure, and romance in one
  • Stereotypical use of some female characters

The Time Traveler’s Wife By Audrey Niffenegger

A classic novel that cannot be left out of a time travel romance list, The Time Traveler’s Wife will have you enthralled in its story from the very beginning.

The plot covers the remarkable romance between Henry and Clare. They met when Clare was six and Henry was thirty-six but married when Henry was thirty and Clare was twenty-two.

This inconceivable reality is possible due to Henry’s rare condition. His genetic clock resets from time to time, pulling him into his future or his past.

Neither Clare nor Henry can prevent this force from occurring, which makes it difficult for the two characters to live regular lives.

Despite every obstacle they face, the deep love and passion the two feel for each other never dies.

This unique love story is incredibly captivating. Readers soon understand that Clare and Henry weren’t just compatible, they were real soulmates fated to be with each other.

If you haven’t read The Time Traveler’s Wife yet, this heartbreaking story should be the next one on your list.

  • A strong visual tale helps the story seem more moving
  • Told from two sides, helps the reader understand the couple’s predicament
  • The concept of various time periods may feel too complex and confusing.

The Repeat Year By Andrea Lochen

Many of us have wished for a chance to travel back in time and undo things, which is what this novel explores.

Olive, our main character, awakens on New Year’s Day in 2011, but it should be New Year’s Day 2012. She is distressed by the thought of reliving a year full of rock-bottom events.

Olive soon finds out that she isn’t the only one who has gone back in time, as she meets Sherry Witan, a proficient ‘repeater’.

Olive discovers that she can rewrite her future, which means that she has to figure out what she really desires.

One of Olive’s many regrets is ending things with her partner, Phil.

Once Phil realizes why the 2012 breakup occurred in the first place, the question remains if Olive and Phil will be able to sustain their relationship once more.

Gifted with a miraculous opportunity, Olive needs to decide if she should make different decisions, or accept life as she once lived it, regardless of its pros and cons.

Lochen’s writing makes the characters leap to life with every page.

Readers will notice how much each character influences Olive’s life, as well as how each little decision, action, and choice changes the events of Olive’s year.

The Repeat Year will have you thinking about the ways a slight moment can change your destiny long after you read it, as well as whether or not you would want to experience a ‘repeat year’ for yourself.

  • Set in the ‘modern’ world, makes it different from mainstream time travel romance novels
  • The heroine is described vividly and comes to life on every page
  • The book contains several storylines that may make the tale too complex

In A Holidaze By Christina Lauren

This contemporary romance has a festive feel, but you can read it throughout the year as Christmas isn’t the plot’s main focus.

Our protagonist Maelyn is visiting a cabin in Utah to celebrate the holidays with her friends and family.

To her dismay, she awakens the morning after Christmas having kissed her best friend, instead of his brother, the person she’s been crushing on since her teenage years.

As she drives away, Mae asks the universe to show her what will make her happy.

The sounds of metal and screeching metal ensue, which starts a Groundhog Day-reminiscent time loop.

Maelyn is stuck living the same holiday over and over again. However, this gives her the chance to change the past and tell her real true love how she feels, once and for all.

Full of holiday magic, a range of noteworthy characters, and romance galore, In A Holidaze will have you laughing out loud with every page you turn.

  • A lighthearted tale that’s easy to read
  • Amusing characters that add humor to the story
  • The story may not interest you if you find ‘Groundhog Day’ style plots tedious

One Last Stop By Casey McQuiston

This charming LGBT love story will have you engrossed in its story from the first page!

We begin with August, a cynical young adult who has just moved to NYC. She isn’t interested in the magic of the big city and doesn’t believe that the love stories you see in the movies are real.

Everything changes when August sees a beautiful girl on the train. Jane is the epitome of rock n roll, but there’s a huge problem.

Jane is from the 1970s but has found herself lost in time in the future. August needs to start confronting the darker elements she left in her past to help Jane.

Time travel romance novels, for the most part, center on white, heterosexual stories.

It’s incredibly refreshing to find an example that has a queer storyline and an ethnic minority love interest.

One Last Stop is packed with the antics of young adulthood, authentic characters, and classic New York charm.

It’s the perfect read for anyone interested in a romance novel that explores deeper themes, like loneliness, queer identity, and the importance of friendship.

  • LGBT storyline is a nice change from mainstream time travel novels
  • Explores friendship, loneliness, and queer identity in addition to romance
  • Secondary characters seem more vibrant than the main protagonist.

The Rose Garden By Susanna Kearsley

This novel blends romance, time travel, and historical fiction , along with a hint of the supernatural.

Our heroine, Eva, leaves California after her movie star sister passes. She heads back to Cornwall where the two enjoyed summer breaks in childhood.

Eva soon discovers that her childhood home isn’t just where her old friends live now, but people who lived there in the eighteenth century.

Eva figures out that she can move between different periods and communicate with people many years in the past.

She then meets and starts developing feelings for Daniel Butler, a man who lived hundreds of years before she was even born.

After laying her sister to rest, Eva starts to wonder whether she belongs in her time, as the one person she loved was no longer in her life.

The question remains, will Eva choose her life in the present or the past that she feels a deep connection with?

The time travel elements deliver enough tension and suspense to make this story an incredible read.

Readers are left wondering whether Eva can make her relationship with Daniel survive when she cannot control the time travel.

With fleshed-out characters, well-researched prose, and an incredibly moving story, The Rose Garden is a book that will speak to your heart each time you read it.

  • Many surprises keep the reader invested
  • The historical setting is vivid and authentic
  • The story loses pace in the middle but does pick up again for an engaging end.

Trapped In Time By Denise Daye

Emma Washington is a Ph.D. student that has returned to her education after a tough start in life.

The day that she and her mother escaped the clutches of her brutal father, Emma decided that she would never let herself fall in love.

As Emma walks back home from a party, the lights of a car come speeding toward her. When she wakes, it isn’t in a modern-day hospital, but in London, England in 1881.

Everything Emma once held dear is considered witchcraft. Victorian London is a tough environment for women that don’t hold status or wealth.

Her only chance of surviving here involves the thing she never wanted to do – marry.

Emma needs to betroth herself to Lord William Blackwell, the influential duke of England. However, her heart wants a different man, Lord John Evergreen.

Can Emma find her way back home before she has to marry Lord Blackwell, and will she ever act on her feelings for John?

Trapped In Time contains all the elements of a fantastic time travel romance – emotions, history, and surprise events that keep the suspense running throughout the whole novel.

With drama, tension, and an undeniable chemistry between characters, you can’t go wrong with this historical romance .

  • Entertaining story with a fast pace
  • A well-written book that brings characters to life
  • The depiction of 19th-century English dialogue isn’t very realistic.

What The Wind Knows By Amy Harmon

Anne Gallagher’s childhood years were spent listening to her grandfather’s delightful tales of Ireland. Broken after he passes away, Anne journeys to his family home to lay him to rest.

Overwhelmed by the memories of a man she loved so much, she finds herself transported to a different time.

Ireland in 1921, on the brink of war, is a dangerous place to find herself in.

Anne, injured and confused, finds herself under the care of Dr. Thomas Smith. Thomas is the guardian of a boy who is strangely peculiar.

People mistake Anne for the boy’s missing mother, which leads Anne to take on her identity, as she believes the woman’s disappearance is linked to her predicament.

Thomas becomes part of the fight for Ireland’s independence and Anne is pulled into the struggle with him.

Trapped between her feelings and history, Anne needs to choose between her life in the present for a connection she never believed she’d discover.

This beautiful story explores survival, love, and the magic of Ireland in an incredibly moving way. What the Wind Knows will tug at your heartstrings and will remain with you long after you read it.

  • A great depiction of Ireland’s historical struggles
  • The tale is romantic without including excessive emotional prose
  • Some readers may find the novel’s historical elements tedious.

Voyager By Diana Gabaldon

Warning: Spoilers

This is the third book in Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series, continuing the relationship between Claire and Jamie.

After Claire Randall traveled back in time to fall in love with Jamie Fraser, she returned to her own time to give birth to their child.

Claire believes that Jamie has died in the battle of Culloden, but she longs for him still, unable to get over her loss.

She then finds out Jamie survived. Claire has to choose between returning to the love of her life and staying in her own time with their daughter.

Voyager is one of the best books in the Outlander series as it fully depicts the love that Jamie and Claire have for each other.

With twists, turns, and suspense that electrifies every page, Voyager is a book that will find yourself losing track of time while you read it.

  • Characters and historical events blend well into the plot
  • The connection between the two characters is still dynamic from the last two books
  • The third book in the series, readers will have to read the first two novels to understand the story.

Christmas Moon By Elizabeth Lane

Striking, riveting, and incredibly romantic, Christmas Moon explores the life of pregnant and unmarried history teacher, Emma Carlyle.

On Christmas Eve, Emma travels to Wyoming on an expedition for her thesis. The topic is the well-known legend, J.D. McNulty.

Her car is lost in a snowstorm as she tries to get back home, but this transports her back in time to 1870, when she goes into labor.

Trying to find help at a remote lodge, Emma finds J.D. himself answering the door. J.D. and Emma begin a burning romantic relationship, but as Emma is from the future, she knows a secret – J.D. is meant to die a few weeks down the line.

The setting and cold weather drive the two characters together, but readers soon discover that there is more between them than simply physical attraction.

Knowing that J.D. is meant to die will have you riveting through the pages to see if things work out for the couple.

With a fantastic blend of time travel, sensuality, and humor, Christmas Moon will have you falling in love with its very pages.

  • The suspense keeps the reader turning the pages to reach the story’s conclusion
  • The connection between characters becomes realistic and believable
  • The plot is entertaining but contains a few holes.

The Sterkarm Handshake By Susan Price

This is the first book in the Sterkam series, a science fiction romance trilogy that will please fantasy fans and time travel enthusiasts alike.

When a 21st-century enterprise creates a Time Tube back to the 16th century, the CEO aims to exploit the tourism opportunities and minerals from the English-Scottish border.

His plans are obstructed by the Sterkams, a clan he believes is savage and primitive.

Anthropologist Andrea Mitchell is sent to live with the Sterkams to be an informant and translator.

She is subsequently shocked by the clansmen’s warm nature and even more astonished when she develops a connection with the allegedly barbarous man, Per.

Pressure rises on either side of the Time Tube, which puts Andrea in the center of the developing war.

Will she remain faithful to her employers and life in the present, or remain in the past to be with her archaic lover?

Price vividly depicts the conflict between different cultures in a believable and occasionally amusing way.

Other than the time travel elements, the plot, characters, and prose seem definitively real.

The impending war between each side has a sense of danger running through the book, which makes you wonder whether Andrea and Per will last until the end.

Overall, The Sterkarm Handshake is a great start to a series that will have you rushing to read the sequel.

  • Full of danger and suspense to keep the reader invested
  • Different mindsets of main characters help us understand the ‘villain’s’ point of view
  • The female protagonist’s appearance and size are constantly referred to.

Buyers Guide: What To Look For In Time Travel Romance Books

Here are a few things to consider before choosing a time-travel romance novel:

Time Period

Time travel novels will have a plot that involves traveling to the future, traveling to the past or both.

Several examples also include the present-day period, though this setting may vary depending on when the novel was written.

If you are finding it difficult to choose a time travel romance novel, think about the time period which interests you.

For instance, would you prefer to read about an 18th-century historical romance or an imaginative vision of the future?

There are even books like The Repeat Year, which only travel forward a year in time.

If the idea of reading about women in corsets and petticoats fills your heart with dread, you may find a modern setting more appealing, and vice versa.

Sequel Or Standalone Novel

It’s also a good idea to think about whether your novel is part of a book series or a standalone book.

Consider the stories you currently like to read. Do you prefer when a story is wrapped up concisely at the end, or like reading a plot that spans a few books in length?

Novels like One Last Stop are great if you want a story that finishes in a single book.

If you’d like a few novels to whisk you away to a different world, the Outlander series may be more to your taste.

If you do prefer book series, remember to start with the beginning novel, as this prevents the time travel elements from being confusing!

Multiple Narration

Many time travel novels involve multiple perspectives. In the case of time travel romance novels, a couple’s story may be told in dual narration, depicting both sides of the relationship.

Multiple narrative books do have an advantage, as they help you get into the head of different characters.

This can help give you an unbiased view of the story, but keep in mind you may end up liking one point of view a lot more than the other.

If you find the idea of multiple narrations interesting, the Time Between Us series starts with Anna’s perspective in the first book, then switches to Bennetts in the second.

However, if you are prone to taking sides, you may want to stick to single-narration novels.

Multiple perspectives also give a story depth, but they can make a story too complex.

If you think that you may find it hard to navigate several points of view, there are lots of single-narrative novels from the genre to choose from.

Final Thoughts

Though there are some common themes between each story, you’ll find a range of enjoyable stories in the list above.

These gripping tales will take you to an entirely different world while you read them.

If you’ve never tried time travel romance novels before, try one of our recommendations out for yourself. Who knows, it may just become your new favorite book genre !

We hope you enjoy reading some of these enchanting time-travel romance novels!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the oldest story about time travel.

Edward Page Mitchell’s ‘The Clock That Went Backward’ is one of the first stories that involved time travel. The story was first published in 1881 in the New York Sun.

Is Time Travel A Paradox?

Time travel involves several paradoxes. One example is that If a person travels back in time, they will become a part of the past, and may end up causing the actions they wanted to prevent.

Who Is The Number 1 Romance Author?

Daniel Steel is a romance author that has sold nearly a billion copies of her work. Steel is also known as the no 4. best-selling fiction author of all time.

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Must-Read Time Travel Romance Books

love story with time travel

Feature image @bookish.hayden

When it comes to love, crossing the boundaries of time matters very little. Time travel romance novels remind us of that very thing, as we witness characters who have fallen into the past or sprung forth into the future. No matter the case, true love shines through and conquers all. That said, check out these time travel romance reads that will have you falling in love with every generation.

Here’s our favorite romance novels where characters travel far and wide>>

love story with time travel

Opposite of Always by Justin A. Reynolds

Jack and Kate meet at a party, where they spend the entire time bonding over cereal and their favorite movies. Soon the two are in love, and Jack is over the moon—but then tragedy strikes, and Kate dies. Only instead of losing her, Jack is thrown back in time, back to the beginning where they first met, where Kate is whole and happy again. Is this a chance for Jack to save Kate, or will playing with fate and destiny cause Jack to put someone else’s life on the line?

love story with time travel

One Last Stop   by Casey McQuiston

August doesn’t believe in magic and cinematic love stories. She’s a cynical twenty-three year old living in New York City, waiting tables at a 24-hour pancake diner and living with too many weird roommates. But then, one day on her subway commute, she meets Jane, a charming old-school punk rocker. Now August has a subway crush that has become the best part of her day. There is only one problem that August soon learns: Jane isn’t just a mysterious girl who dresses from a different era, she was uprooted from the 1970s. Now August will do everything she can to save the girl lost in time.

Here are the best books for Casey McQuiston fans>>

love story with time travel

Intersect   by Elle O’Roark

In this second installment of the parallel series, Nick and Quinn are working to piece together the truth about the life they once shared. At first, Nick feels like something is missing from his past, but he isn’t sure what until he meets Quinn for the first time—or so he thinks. Quinn has dreams and memories of a life she shared with Nick. But this time, in this new era, if she wants to prevent history from repeating itself, she’ll have to use her unusual gifts and come clean to Nick about everything.

love story with time travel

The Portrait by B.D. Anderson

Marleigh Winters thought she’d be bored at another yard sale her mother dragged her to. Yet she is thoroughly surprised when she discovers a portrait of a soldier, Winston Spencer, for sale. The painting seems like it’s almost alive, and when Marleigh takes it home, she realizes that the man inside is very much trapped in another era under a spell from a witch. Now that she is the owner of the painting, she can communicate with Winston who enlists her to help him break the spell. The attraction Marleigh feels for him is instant—but is Winston only using her to free himself, or could this love truly be real?

Here’s our favorite steamy historical romances>>

love story with time travel

Out of Time, Into You by Jay Bell

Reggie Valentine just graduated high school. But instead of celebrating, he’s thrown into a freak accident where he lands in the 1950s. There he meets Daniel Parker, a man his grandmother used to date. Daniel is secretly gay, but he’s in an era that wouldn’t allow him to date or marry another man. When Reggie and Daniel fall in love, Reggie soon forgets any plans he has of leaving this generation. But can their relationship handle the constant secrecy and the intensity of an era that despises them?

love story with time travel

A Highlander for Hannah by Mary Warren

Hannah Glenn wants something different from her life. Breaking up with her boyfriend and moving into her family’s farm seems to do the trick. Listening to her best friend, Hannah finds herself buying a love potion and casting a spell in the middle of the night. When she wakes the next morning, to her surprise, an undeniably handsome Scotsman from 1745 has landed in her barn. Graham MacNeil fell asleep in his uncle’s stable and woke up two hundred years later in a strange land. At first the two are shocked beyond belief, but as time passes and they await their only chance to reverse the spell, their attraction grows until neither is sure they want the spring equinox to come.

Don’t miss these novels set in Scotland>>

love story with time travel

Yesterday Is History by Kosoko Jackson

Andre Cobb thought his new liver transplant would be the start of his life. Instead, when he wakes up, he finds himself in 1969. Once he gains his bearings, he meets the charming and magnetic Michael. Only just as soon as he gets to know him, Andre slips back into the future, present-day Boston. There the family of his new liver explains the side effects of the transplant: time travel. Now Andre has to learn how to use these gifts from Blake, his donor’s brother, while slipping back into the past where Michael is. When he begins to fall for them both, Andre must soon determine if the love he wants is in the future or the past.

love story with time travel

Spin Me Right Round by David Valdes

Luis Gonzalez just wants to spend his prom with his boyfriend. Yet his high school is still too progressive in thinking after an incident in the 80s with one Chaz Wilson. When a hit to the head knocks Luis back to that exact moment in 1985, he gets to meet Chaz and change history by giving Chaz his first kiss. But it turns out their conservative school isn’t the safest place for either boy, especially when Luis’s estranged and homophobic father rules the campus. Will Luis make it back to his era, or will his actions only make things worse?

love story with time travel

Borrowed Time   by Russell Dean

Tom Jacob thinks life in England is too mundane. His job is boring, and his love life is nonexistent. Convinced to spend the night partying, Tom agrees, but when he wakes up in Wales in 1889, a century in the past, he regrets listening to his twin brother. Now stuck in Cwm Newydd, a small village near Aberystwyth, Tom must overcome a few things like the language barrier and the suspicion of the town’s people. As he tries to figure out a way to get home, Tom begins to form bonds with a few residents, including a young boy who becomes more than he expected.

love story with time travel

Before Time Runs Out   by Amy Matayo

Bree Sanders is failing the last graduate class that she needs to graduate. To ace her dissertation, she creates a Ghost Club similar to the one Charles Dickens made centuries ago. When she finds the original copy of Dickens’ work and gets instantly transported into his actual ghost club in 1870 England, everything she knows changes. Women wearing jeans and t-shirts are forbidden, so she’s forced to hide—but soon she finds Theodore Keyes, who was also transported to this era from Dickens’ old book three months ago. Together they agree to search for the book that will take them home. Yet as their attraction for each other grows, they’ll have to decide to stay in England where their love is blooming or leave and never see each other again.

Don’t miss these must-read historical romance novels>>

Recommend These Reads:

About the author: shavantay minnis.

love story with time travel

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Beyond the Bookends

A Book Blog for Women and Moms who Love to Read

8 Tantalizing Time Travel Romance Books

time travel romance

Star-crossed lovers have nothing on these couples who are separated by time. Time travel romance books are really the epitome of fighting for the one you love. There is nothing more romantic than crossing the boundaries of time to find a way to be with the one you love.

These tantalizing love stories will make you swoon or at least they will make you look at love in a whole new way.

*Time Travel Romance books Post contains affiliate links. Purchases made through links result in a small commission to us at no cost to you. Some Books have been gifted. All opinions are our own

Table of Contents

Best Time Travel Romance Books of 2023

The Seven Year Slip

The Seven-Year Slip by Ashley Poston

Clementine has had her heart broken one too many times. She has inherited her beloved aunt’s apartment and is constantly mourning her loss. When she comes home one day and finds a man sitting there, she realizes that he exists seven years in the past.

And, the more time they spend together, the more she realizes she is falling for him. But she can never figure out when their paths will collide! This is a fantastic pick if you are looking for romantic comedy books.

Dead Romantics ( GMA Book Club Pick July 2022 ) was one of my favorite books last year and this book did not disappoint! This is such an adorable time travel romance book and is perfect for our ultimate beach reads 2023. I needed to include it in our list of adult fantasy novels as well! And if you are not a fantasy lover, you can definitely call this a magical realism book!

The Deja Glitch

The Deja Glitch by Holly James

Jack has been reliving the same day for months and believes the only way out of this circle is to get Gemma Peters to fall in love with him. The Problem? Gemma has a feeling of deja vu, but she cannot remember Jack and has made a vow not to date musicians again (after her last boyfriend used her).

I had high hopes for this time travel romance and it did not let me down. Do not be worried that you will have to read the same things over and over. This book has a refreshing spin that was utterly enjoyable. Thank you for my gifted copy of this book.

The Invisible Hour

The Invisible Hour by Alice Hoffman

Alice Hoffman has a place in our hearts with all of her books, including Practical Magic (one of our favorite series). So it is no surprise that her newest book is on our list of time travel romance books. This is the newest Alice Hoffman book and it is a book lover’s dream come true.

This fantasy is a story of love, heartbreak, and the magic of books. Mia Jacob is on the verge of sinking herself into a river when the book The Scarlet Letter saves her. The words seem to tell her story of growing up in an oppressive cult where contact with the outside world is forbidden and reading books is a heinous crime.

Even more daunting is the inscription on the inside of the book that is inscribed to her. This is a time travel romance book as only Hoffman could do it. I loved the audio version of the book- it brought life and depth to this story.

Best Time Travel Romance Books

outlander

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon (Outlander #1)

How do we love Outlander? We cannot count the ways. There is a reason this is one of my favorite books of all time .

This epic story begins in 1945 when Claire Randall and her husband take a second honeymoon to the Scottish Highlands to celebrate being reunited after the war. When Claire touches one of the standing stones, she is transported to 1743.

This is when the real story begins. In order to stay safe as an English woman in Scotland, she must depend on Jamie Frasier for protection. This book is definitely at the top of our list of best romance novels of all time but you will love it equally if you love historical fiction , magical realism , romance , or witches . This is one of the iconic and epic time travel romance books that has it all and is perfect for a list of books like A Discovery of Witches . It was easy to include this on the best fantasy books for adults as well.

The Time Traveler's Wife and other books about libraries

The Time Traveler’s Wife By Audrey Niffenegger

Clare and Henry have an unusual love story. They’ve known each other since Clare was six and Henry was thirty-six, but got married when Clare was twenty-three and Henry was thirty-one. You see, Henry is an adventurous librarian who inadvertently travels through time.  

Why We Love This Book : I adore how this story explores very real challenges that any couple faces. With the added time travel element, it becomes an unforgettable pick from our list of romance books. The way that they fight for their love gives this book its clear spot on our list of best romance novels of all time. But be warned, this book may emotionally wreck you. Find This Book in Best Time Travel Books Like the Time Traveler’s Wife / Time Travel Books /

One Last Stop and other May 2021 Novel Ideas books.

One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston

I absolutely loved Casey’s first book and had very high hopes for this one.

August moves to NYC and into a house filled with weird roommates. When she meets Jane on the subway, sparks fly immediately, and riding the subway becomes the best part of her day. The twist? Jane is displaced from the 1970s and cannot get off the train. As paranormal romance books go, this one is not to be missed.

I enjoyed this book but, I felt that there were some parts that dragged on a bit. It is very hard to find new ways to talk about a relationship that can only take place on the train. I loved the premise of this time travel romance book.

in a holidaze and more Christmas romance books

In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren

Do you love Christmas movies? Are you obsessed with Christmas Romance books? Do you need to swoon? ⁣ If you answered yes to any of those questions, stop everything and order In a Holidaze. This is possibly my favorite Christmas novel of all time and was a must for best holiday books. ⁣

I adored Mae and Andrew’s love story. It’s set up like Groundhog’s Day with Mae repeating the same Christmas vacation until she gets it right. Time travel romance at its best. And man… does she get it right.⁣ Peppermint kisses, sexy sledding, snowball fights, Christmas Tree trimming… this book oozes cheer-filled holiday goodness with a few scenes that are steamier than a cup of cocoa.⁣

There is a reason this time travel book made our Best Books of 2020 list! This is an adorable magical realism book and a real must-read.

Some Like it Plaid

Some Like It Plaid by Angela Quarles

In this story, our hunky future chieftain leaves 1st century Scotland for 2019 San Francisco to catch himself a wifey, whom he promptly teleports back to Scotland (Druid magic IDK) and shenanigans ensue.

This book set in Scotland is funny, romantic, and totally cute. I loved it! This is one of the time travel romance novels you will want to read again and again.

the rose garden

The Rose Garden by Susanna Kearsley

I read this book set in Cornwall in only a few days because I loved it so much.  This is another book that I read this month that is the perfect pick for books like Outlander .

After Eva’s sister dies, she heads back to Cornwall England to find peace and rest.  What she discovers is more than she expects when she finds herself inexplicably back in time.  As her heart begins to feel again, can she find a way to heal her broken heart and find love? This is a wonderful time travel romance book that you will want to read again and again.

A Knight in Shining Armor

A Knight in Shining Armor by Jude Deveraux

This setup of this time travel romance is the same as Outlander but in reverse! In the first part of the book, Douglass accidentally summons an Earl from the 16th century to modern England!

Dougless vowels to help return Nicholas to his own time, but not before trying to help him figure out who framed him for treason in his own era. But when he’s sent back and nothing changes, Dougless needs to head back to his time and try to save his life.

The attention to detail in the 16th century was reminiscent of Diana Gabaldon’s work. It’s a total must-read for fans of Jamie and Claire’s love story. You can find this one on our list of Time Travel Romance Books as well as 29 Books like Outlander for Fans of the Hit Series .

A love story that spans time is an easy pick for the best romance novels of all time

What are your favorite Time Travel Romance Books?

For more books like these, check out our complete list of time travel books.

ultimate list of romance

Ultimate List of Romances

If you love time travel romance books, then this is the list for you! We have this list carefully divided by sub-genre.

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For the love of books

Love Stories for The Ages: A History of Time Travel Romance

Looking for some romance that spans across time? Fall in love and through time with this deep dive into the time travel romance subgenre.

heart clock on pink background

Have you ever wanted to get swept up in the beauty of the Scottish Highlands with your true love or run through a medieval castle in a ball gown, searching for your knight in shining armor? In time travel romance novels, you can do just that.

Today, we’re taking a closer look at the time travel romance subgenre. We’re covering everything from its history and classic tropes to famous depictions of the subgenre (and even a few book recommendations!). Keep reading to learn more about this timeless subgenre that we just can’t get enough of.

What Is Time Travel Romance?

The premise of time travel romance is pretty self-explanatory. In them, at least one character is miraculously transported to a different time period that’s unfamiliar to them. In the wake of trying to blend in, get their bearings, and find a way home, a love interest catches their eye, and the main character fully immerses themselves in this new time period. But will the main character remain in this new time period with their true love, or will they be forced to return home with only the memory of what they experienced?

Claire and Jamie in 'Outlander' TV adaptation; time travel romance

The most popular tropes within time travel romances include a female main character going back in time and landing in the medieval age or 18th-century Scotland. Once there, they cross paths with a sexy knight or kilted Scotsman, and the steamy love story ensues.

Time Travel Romance: A Brief History

The time travel romance subgenre is a facet of supernatural romance , both of which get their roots from Gothic fiction. The Gothic era was an incredibly transformative time for literature female authors. During this era, women had something else to write about that wasn’t the traditional marriage plot. Societal obligations and desires, female sexuality, and the critique of male power took center stage in female Gothic novels. From there, the supernatural or paranormal subgenre emerged, and with it, time travel romances.

Time Travel Romance on Screen

Henry and Clare in 'The Time Traveler's Wife' movie adaptation; time travel romance

Love stories that span across time aren’t just for books— time travel romance has been depicted on TV and in movies for years. One of the most famous depictions on TV is, of course, Outlander . Adapted from Diana Gabaldon’s bestselling books, the popular Starz series is coming on its seventh season. Though the series will end after its eighth season, it’s already got a prequel series in the works.

On the big screen, audiences have fallen through time and in love with movies like The Time Traveler’s Wife (also adapted from a bestselling novel), About Time , and The Lake House . So, whether you’re more into watching a love story that spans ages unfold in one sitting via a movie, or want to savor the romance through a TV series, you’ve got plenty of options.

Fall in Love With These Time Travel Romance Recommendations

Outlander by diana gabaldon.

time travel romance; cover of 'Outlander' by Diana Gabaldon

In 1945, Claire Randall is a former British combat nurse. But when she walks through a standing stone in one of the ancient circles that dot the British Isles, she’s transported to war-torn Scotland… in the year 1743. Here, she’s a Sassenach, an “outlander.” Catapulted into an unfamiliar world full of violence and danger, Claire’s only chance of safety lies in young Scots warrior Jamie Fraser. Soon, a passion ignites between them that could change the course of history.

The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

time travel romance; cover of 'The Time Traveler's Wife' by Audrey Niffenegger

Audrey Niffenegger’s The Time Traveler’s Wife follows the love story of Henry DeTamble and Clare Abshire. Henry can involuntarily travel through time while Clare’s life continues its natural, sequential course. Despite this, their love affair endures oceans of time in this tale of fate and belief in the unbreakable bonds of love.

One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston

time travel romance; cover of 'One Last Stop' by Casey McQuiston

23-year-old August is convinced the only smart way to go through life is alone. There’s no such thing as magical, cinematic love stories, right? But when August gets swept away by Jane, a charming, mysterious woman on the train August takes every day to work, she begins to rethink that sentiment. The only problem? Jane is displaced in time. To get Jane back to the 1970s, August will have to use everything she tried to leave in her past to help her.

A Knight in Shining Armor by Jude Deveraux

cover of 'A Knight in Shining Armor' by Jude Deveraux; time travel romance

When Dougless Montgomery lies weeping upon a tombstone in an old English church, the most extraordinary thing happens: a man appears. His name is Nicholas Stafford, Earl of Thornwyck… but according to his tombstone, he died in 1564. Drawn to Nicholas, Dougless knows that he’s nothing less than a miracle. As their passion for each other grows, so do the ties that bind them to the past.

Beyond the Highland Mist by Karen Marie Moning

cover of 'Beyond the Highland Mist' by Karen Marie Moning; time travel romance

Hawk is known throughout the kingdom as a legendary predator on the battlefield… and the boudoir. No woman can resist his charms. That is until Adrienne de Simone tumbles out of modern-day Seattle and into medieval Scotland. Here, Adrienne is entirely too bold and outspoken, and Hawk is drawn to her. Forced into a marriage with Hawk, Adrienne is determined to keep him at arm’s length, but for Hawk, not even the barriers of time could keep him from winning her love.

Time travel romance is just a tease of what you can expect with supernatural romance. Learn more about supernatural romance in our deep dive into the spicy subgenre that’s captivated readers since the Gothic era. While you’re at it, check out our coverage of other crazy, oddly-specific romance subgenres.

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Of All the “Rachel McAdams Loves a Time-Traveler” Movies, This Is the Best One

This romantic sci-fi uses time travel to tell a profound story of self-improvement and serves as McAdams’ best entry into the genre.

The Big Picture

  • About Time uses time travel to tell a profound story of self-improvement.
  • The film examines the challenge of making the right decisions, even with the ability to reverse consequences.
  • Rachel McAdams shines in her role, showcasing her evolution as a performer in a heartwarming and funny love story.

Time travel is an inherently challenging concept to convey in any medium, as it's hard for a story to establish a firm set of rules that are logically satisfying. While time travel itself is an interesting concept , it can often be used as a crutch to tie together unrelated plot points or make a radical shift in setting. Rachel McAdams oddly has more experience with time travel than most performers of her generation, as she appeared in time-bending projects like The Time Traveler’s Wife, Midnight in Paris, and Doctor Strange . However, the 2013 science fiction romance About Time uses time travel to tell a profound story of self-improvement and serves as McAdams’ best entry into the genre.

At the age of 21, Tim discovers he can travel in time and change what happens and has happened in his own life. His decision to make his world a better place by getting a girlfriend turns out not to be as easy as you might think.

What Is 'About Time' About?

About Time follows the young bachelor Tim Lake ( Domhnall Gleeson ), who lives in Cornwall, England with his sister Katherine ( Lydia Wilson ), his mother Mary ( Lindsay Duncan ), and his father James ( Bill Nighy ). As Tim prepares to move forward on a path of independence, his father takes him aside to reveal to him a secret: he has the power to travel back in time and relive key memories. The context of time travel as a family secret makes About Time a more interesting spin on the concept , as the stakes are entirely personal. Rather than using time travel as the inciting incident of a conflict , About Time examines the idea of different lived experiences. The tension of the story revolves entirely around whether Tim will be able to find his “perfect” life somewhere within the multitude of possibilities that he has at his disposal.

Tim is a great protagonist because he immediately takes his father’s words to heart ; instead of using time travel to amass fame or fortune, he decides to use his unique gift to become the best version of himself possible. About Time examines how challenging it can be to make the right decisions , even if the consequences can be reversed. Tim approaches happiness like a puzzle that he needs to solve instead of simply enjoying the moments he has at his disposal. While Gleeson’s performance is quite captivating , the film shows that Tim has not yet given himself the freedom to live out each of his potential paths to their fullest potential. He’s been so hyper-focused on “getting it right” that he’s ignored the possibilities that mistakes may lead him to.

The Best, Most Realistic Movie About Time Travel Cost $7,000

While filmmaker Richard Curtis has been criticized for the schmaltzy tone he brought to films like Love Actually and Notting Hill, About Time is as genuinely funny as it is sincere . The film’s portrayal of relationships, family disagreements, and the existentialism of youth feel so authentic that it’s easy to forget that the story is grounded in science fiction. In this sense, About Time examines how an “ordinary” person like Tim can lead an extraordinary life. While he doesn’t use his gift to make great travels or make significant breakthroughs, the gift of time allows him to celebrate the things that are in front of him. It’s quite profound to see how even the most seemingly inessential moments in his life become cherished memories that he can relive.

Domhnall Gleeson and Rachel McAdams Have Great Chemistry in 'About Time'

While Tim uses his abilities to test out different possibilities within his future, he finds what he was searching for when he meets the American immigrant Mary (Rachel McAdams). McAdams inserts a burst of charismatic energy that transforms About Time from a quirky comedy into an endearing love story . It immediately becomes clear to Tim that he doesn’t need time travel to know that Mary is “the one.” This makes for an effective change in his motivation for the rest of the film; instead of searching for the person he wants to spend the rest of his life with, Tim wants to protect the precious moments that he has with Mary. Unlike other romantic comedies , About Time shows that happiness isn’t directly tied to memory; even though Mary won’t remember the alternative routes that their relationship could have gone, Tim thinks that making her happy is fulfilling in its own right.

McAdams is given one of her most challenging roles , as Mary lacks any knowledge of Tim’s powers for much of the story. While Tim can go into each interaction with preordained foresight into how she may react, Mary essentially returns to the status quo every time that their relationship is reset. McAdams’ performance is perfect because she retains the same sensitive, empathetic nature within each divergent timeline. While Tim may say the wrong thing or screw up a big moment at some points, she gives him the same love and forgiveness. Seeing the consistency of integrity Mary has within different versions of reality enforces why Tim is so desperate to give her the life that she deserves.

Why 'About Time' Is the Best of Rachel McAdams' Time Travel Movies

About Time is the perfect use of Rachel McAdams , as it allows her to showcase an earnest, realistic character who just so happens to be thrust in a science fiction scenario. Comparatively, McAdams’ other time-travel roles failed to live up to these expectations. The Time Traveler’s Wife grounded her in a dull melodrama, Doctor Strange did not involve her directly in the story’s climax, and Midnight in Paris saw her cast against type as an aggressive, nasty character. The brilliance of About Time is that it's a story about human relationships first, and a time travel adventure second.

About Time highlights McAdams’ evolution as a performer , as she has certainly appeared in many different subgenres of comedy. While she earned her breakout role as Regina George in Mean Girls , McAdams has gone on to play more mature comedic leads in films like Game Night and Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga that put a greater emphasis on their romantic elements. About Time embodies this shift in her career, as it's the type of heartwarming story that can evoke both laughter and tears from its audience.

About Time is available to rent on Prime Video in the U.S.

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10 Best Time Travel Movies to Stream in Your Past, Present, and Future - Netflix Tudum

love story with time travel

10 Time-Travel Movies to Stream in Your Past, Present, and Future

When you turn on the TV, it’s because you’re often looking for an escape. And there’s no greater trip than leaving your time entirely. Movies about time travel transport you to another reality, one far in the future — or far in the past. 

Here, we’ve compiled 10 films on Netflix that will have you watching the clock (or not). From comedies to sci-fi to Christmas flicks, these movies are worth your time... today. 

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Richard Gadd as Donny Dunn wears a plaid suit and shows a stressed expression in 'Baby Reindeer'

This 2012 sci-fi action-thriller from director Rian Johnson puts a slick twist on a classic time-travel story: a hitman whose latest target is himself. In 2074, time travel is invented and a criminal syndicate utilizes it to dispose of its enemies — the person is sent back 30 years, to 2044, where they’re taken out by a hired gun, or “looper.” But eventually, when those contract killers grow older… well, they get sent back too, thereby “closing the loop.” Which is how an assassin named Joe (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) comes to be staring down his older self (Bruce Willis). The action-packed film received wide critical acclaim for its inventive premise and starry cast, which also includes Emily Blunt, Paul Dano, and Jeff Daniels. Your future self will thank you for hitting play.

love story with time travel

2012   R   1h 58m

Hot Tub Time Machine

love story with time travel

Not every time-travel movie needs to be a deeply serious meditation on the moral implications of meddling with the past or future, right? Case in point: This 2010 comedy about estranged friends Adam (John Cusack), Lou (Rob Corddry), and Nick (Craig Robinson), who travel to a ski lodge together, with Adam’s dorky nephew Jacob (Clark Duke) in tow. After a night of partying, the four of them wind up being sent back in time via… a hot tub. (The title is not a metaphor!) Now in 1986, the four men must figure out how to return to the present, an endeavor filled with both chaotic mishaps and ’80s-era fashion. 

love story with time travel

2010   R   1h 38m

See You Yesterday

love story with time travel

Eden Duncan-Smith stars in  See You Yesterday  as C.J., a teenage science prodigy who works with her best friend, Sebastian (Danté Crichlow), to develop time travel. When C.J.’s brother is murdered by the police for carrying a cellphone — which the cops mistook for a weapon — C.J. decides to fix the past. As with most time-travel movies, her changes to the timeline complicate the future. The 2019 film was written by Stefon Bristol and Fredrica Bailey and earned them an Independent Spirit Award for best first screenplay. (Also, for an extra time-travel treat, keep your eyes peeled for a cameo from a certain  Back to the Future  star.) 

love story with time travel

2019   TV-MA   1h 27m

The Adam Project

love story with time travel

Many time-travel movies center around the main character losing a loved one, and that’s exactly the case with  The Adam Project . In a dystopian future, Adam Reed (played by Ryan Reynolds) discovers his wife has gone missing, and tries to travel back to the past to rescue her. When he crash-lands into the present, he’s forced to work with his 12-year-old self to save their future. The fun action-comedy also stars Mark Ruffalo, Jennifer Garner, Catherine Keener, and Zoe Saldaña.

love story with time travel

2022   PG-13   1h 46m

Long Story Short

love story with time travel

What would you do if you only had a short time left with your significant other? That’s the predicament Teddy (Rafe Spall) finds himself facing in Long Story Short . A woman overhears Teddy stalling on setting a wedding date with his fiancée, Leanne (Zahra Newman), and puts a sort of hex on him, fast-forwarding time so that he only experiences one day each year. He misses his wedding, the birth of his daughter, and many other small and memorable moments in between. This Australian rom-com will have you laughing while also hoping for a happy ending.

love story with time travel

2021   R   1h 34m

Captain Nova

The world is on the verge of environmental collapse , so a woman must travel back in time to save it. The only problem is, the time-travel process causes her to age backwards to her teenage self. This 2021 Dutch sci-fi film is also family friendly — and was even selected as the opening film for the 35th Cinekid Festival in the Netherlands, where it won best children’s film and best Dutch children’s film.

love story with time travel

2021   TV-14   1h 25m

In the Shadow of the Moon

love story with time travel

This sci-fi thriller is a whodunit spread over decades. Philadelphia police officers Thomas Lockhart (Boyd Holbrook) and Winston Maddox (Bokeem Woodbine) first investigate a string of murders in 1998. Nine years later, Lockhart investigates what is assumed to be copycat murders. A suspect emerges — but she appears not to age. The film, which also stars Michael C. Hall, Cleopatra Coleman, and Rudi Dharmalingam, twists and turns throughout Lockhart’s life as he becomes obsessed with finding the truth.

love story with time travel

2019   TV-MA   1h 55m

When We First Met

love story with time travel

In this rom-com , Adam Devine stars as Noah Ashby, a man who will go to great lengths not to be friend-zoned — even if it means time-traveling. He first meets Avery Martin (Alexandra Daddario) at a 2014 Halloween party. Avery sees Noah as a friend, and as luck would have it, she meets her future fiancé the next day. At their engagement party, Noah drunkenly passes out in a photo booth, which was also at the Halloween party. What ensues is part time travel, part  Groundhog Day : Noah keeps traveling back to the day he met Avery, and takes new approaches to steal her heart.

love story with time travel

2018   TV-14   1h 37m

What would you do if you woke up and your husband is married to someone else and your daughter was never born? That’s what Vera (Adriana Ugarte) must figure out in  Mirage , a 2018 Spanish mystery . It all starts when they move into a new apartment and find a film that was recorded on VHS during an electrical storm in 1989, when a young boy was tragically killed. When they decide to watch it, a similar electrical storm hits. Vera discovers she’s able to interact with the boy in the video, which has drastic implications for both of them. She must figure out a way to save the boy in 1989 — and her family in the present day.

2018   TV-MA   2h 9m

The Knight Before Christmas

love story with time travel

A squire from 1334 England and a high school teacher from present-day Ohio — it’s a match made in Christmas movie heaven! Vanessa Hudgens stars as Brooke Winters, the teacher, who meets a strange man named Cole (Josh Whitehouse) around Christmas time. He’s been sent to the future to complete a quest and earn a knighthood. But will he choose knighthood or true love? We suspect you can predict the ending, but that doesn’t make the watching of this Christmas flick any less fun. 

love story with time travel

2019   TV-14   1h 32m

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10 Great Love Stories In Sci-Fi Movies

  • Sci-fi movies often incorporate romance as an emotional layer to their stories, providing realistic love stories in fantastical settings.
  • These movies showcase diverse and fascinating relationships, including those between humans and non-humans, but many end tragically.
  • Iconic sci-fi couples like Neo and Trinity, Han Solo and Leia, and WALL-E and EVE demonstrate the power of love in saving the world and overcoming obstacles.

Although the sci-fi genre is mostly focused on action and even suspense, many sci-fi movies have made way for some interesting (and many times heartbreaking) love stories. Due to its fantasy elements, sci-fi stories can take place pretty much anywhere, offering the audience stories that feel more realistic and adventures in places that don’t exist or haven’t been fully explored yet. While this makes way for exciting adventures and suspenseful stories, most sci-fi movies also make way for some romance, even if not all of them have happy endings.

It’s not uncommon for the sci-fi genre to mix with the genres of romance and drama, though some movies end up relying more on one genre than the other, but this allows sci-fi movies to add a layer of emotion to the stories of their characters. The world of science fiction has seen romances in space, underwater, in parallel realities, fantasy worlds, and more, and not all of them have been between humans, which makes these couples even more interesting and fascinating, though many of them are doomed to tragic endings.

Related: 10 Most Horrifying Deaths In Sci-Fi Movies

Jake & Neytiri in Avatar

Jake & neytiri’s relationship broke many barriers.

James Cameron’s Avatar follows Jake (Sam Worthington), a paraplegic marine who replaces his brother on the Alpha Centauri moon of Pandora for a mission. Pandora is inhabited by the Na’vi, blue-skinned sapient humanoids that live in harmony with nature, and as Pandora is inhospitable to humans, humans use “avatars” to explore it. Jake meets Neytiri after he’s attacked by Pandoran wildlife, and though she is initially suspicious of him, they end up falling in love. Jake and Neytiri’s love overcomes the reveal of his identity and a deadly attack on Pandora, and at the end of Avatar , he’s permanently transferred into his avatar.

Tim & Mary In About Time

Tim uses his time travel abilities to be with mary.

About Time is the story of Tim Lake (Domhnall Gleeson), a young man with the ability to time travel. Tim uses it to change his past in hopes of improving his future, and this includes making sure that his romance with Mary (Rachel McAdams) happens. Tim and Mary’s relationship is one that can be considered as “meant to be”, but Tim’s travels back in time are also key to not only making their relationship happen, but also making him realize what’s truly important to him and what he doesn’t want nor need to change in order to be truly happy, even if that means making some heartbreaking sacrifices.

Seth & Ronnie In The Fly

A short-lived & tragic relationship.

David Cronenberg’s The Fly is the story of Seth Brundle (Jeff Goldblum), a brilliant but eccentric scientist who meets science journalist Veronica “Ronnie” Quaife (Geena Davis) at a press event. Seth shows her his latest experiment: a teleportation machine. As he keeps working on it and Ronnie documents the process, Seth and Ronnie fall in love, but their relationship takes a tragic turn when Seth, drunk and believing Ronnie is getting back with her ex-boyfriend, teleports himself alone but doesn’t notice a housefly has entered the pod with him. This results in Seth and the fly fusing at the molecular-genetic level, making him slowly transform into a grotesque, giant fly. At the end of The Fly , Seth, now fully transformed, begs Ronnie to kill him , and so she does.

Neo & Trinity In The Matrix

Neo & trinity saved the world.

Neo (Keanu Reeves) and Trinity’s (Carrie-Anne Moss) romance took some time to develop, but in the end, they saved the world together, which made their bond even stronger. Trinity and Neo meet in The Matrix , where it’s apparent that Trinity falls in love with Neo. Throughout the rest of the movies in The Matrix franchise , Neo and Trinity work together and rescue each other on different occasions, and in The Matrix Resurrections , their connection is a lot deeper and stronger than before, and together they save the world before flying off together, holding hands.

Vincent & Irene In Gattaca

Vincent & irene’s relationship was almost stopped by genetics.

Gattaca centers on Vincent Freeman (Ethan Hawke), a man who, in a world where babies are engineered, was conceived naturally, but that meant a high chance of several health issues, giving him an estimated lifespan of 30.2 years. However, eager to live life, Vincent takes the identity of a “Valid” (an engineered human) named Jerome (Jude Law) in order to join the Gattaca Aerospace Corporation. There, he meets Irene (Uma Thurman) and they fall in love, but Irene tests his DNA to make sure he’s as good as he claims. Although Vincent gives her one of the real Jerome’s hair, the truth about him is eventually revealed , but by then, Irene was too in love with him, and she didn’t care about testing his DNA anymore when Vincent gave him a strand of his real hair.

Zoe & Wash in Serenity

Firefly’s favorite couple had a heartbreaking ending.

The TV series Firefly introduced viewers to Zoe (Gina Torres), second-in-command onboard the Serenity, and Hoban “Wash” Washburne (Alan Tudyk), the Serenity’s pilot and Zoe’s husband. Although Zoe and Wash were very different, they perfectly complemented each other, and they were a big part of the heart of Serenity and the series. Unfortunately, their love had a tragic ending, as in the movie Serenity , Wash was fatally impaled by a Reaver spear after crash landing the ship. Still, and even though Firefly and Serenity saw other romances, Zoe and Wash’s remains the strongest, funniest, and most memorable one.

Sarah & Kyle In The Terminator

Without them, there would be no john connor.

Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton) and Kyle Reese’s (Michael Biehn) romance in The Terminator is what makes the whole franchise possible. Sarah and Kyle meet when the latter is sent back in time to protect the former from the Terminator (Arnold Schwarzenegger), who is sent to kill her to prevent the birth of John Connor. During this whole experience, Sarah and John fell in love, and they conceived John Connor , thus being responsible for the events of the whole Terminator saga .

Lady Jessica & Duke Leto In Dune

Lady jessica & duke leto were a powerful couple.

Duke Leto (Oscar Isaac) was the leader of House Atreides and Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson) was his Bene Gesserit consort, and together they had Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet). Together, Duke and Lady Jessica were one of the most powerful couples in the world of Dune , and they overcame many obstacles and faced various political enemies that attempted to break them. Like many other couples on this list, Duke and Lady Jessica’s relationship ended in tragedy , but their love continued living thanks to their son.

WALL-E & EVE in WALL-E

A one-of-a-kind-romance in a post-apocalyptic world.

Pixar’s WALL-E took the audience to the 29th century, when Earth had become a garbage-strewn wasteland, forcing humanity to evacuate to space on giant starliners. Humans left trash compacting robots to clean up Earth, but the plan failed and the only remaining active robot is WALL-E. When a robot known as EVE arrives to scan the planet for signs of sustainable life, WALL-E is smitten by her, and in addition to ther love story, together they are key to humankind’s future . What makes WALL-E and EVE’s love so memorable is how Pixar managed to make the robots expressive without giving them human-like physical traits.

Han Solo & Leia In Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back

The greatest love story in the galaxy.

The ultimate sci-fi couple is, arguably, Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher), who finally confess their feelings for each other in Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back , in a very unique way. Like other couples on this list, Han Solo and Leia seem incompatible , but they actually complement each other perfectly, and what makes them so different is what makes their relationship work. Although Han and Leia separated after having Ben Solo a.k.a. Kylo Ren, they never stopped loving each other and deeply cared about each other.

10 Great Love Stories In Sci-Fi Movies

Screen Rant

The 20 best time travel k-dramas, ranked.

Time travel is a common trope used in K-dramas to solve mysteries, add intrigue and propel love stories. Here are the best time travel K-dramas.

  • Many of the best K-dramas involving time travel use the concept to enhance romantic stories with a sci-fi or fantasy twist.
  • Some K-dramas creatively use time travel to solve crimes or uncover conspiracies, adding intrigue to the storyline.
  • Time travel in K-dramas is often used as a narrative catalyst for epic romance stories of lovers separated by centuries, creating unique and captivating narratives.

The idea of traveling through time is a powerful storytelling tool popularized by Hollywood movies, anime series, and the best time travel K-dramas . For K-dramas, the past often involves the Joseon era, riddled with political distress, turmoil, and drama. In some cases, K-dramas get creative and use time travel to solve crimes, like a heinous murder from the past, or with clues unraveling through time. In others, time travel is the narrative catalyst for an epic romance story of lovers separated by centuries.

Not surprisingly, many of the best K-dramas involving time travel use the concept to elevate romantic stories with a sci-fi or fantasy twist. In fact, this happens so much that K-drama audiences largely agree that it's become an overused plot device. That said, whether they are mainly romantic, detective, or historical K-dramas , there are dozens that cleverly use time travel to continue telling captivating stories, and the best time travel K-dramas use the trope to tell some of the most unique stories on the small screen.

20 My Perfect Stranger (2023)

  • Available to stream on Rakuten Viki

While most Korean dramas involving time traveling only see one character do the time traveling, My Perfect Stranger takes a risk in making both of its main characters time travelers. One does so on purpose though, while the other does not. Hae Jun (Kim Dong Wook) is a journalist investigating a serial murder case who discovers a time machine and uses it to follow his own investigation. Yoon Young (Jin Ki Joo) discovers her mother dead and is then struck by a car, waking up in the same time that Hae Jun traveled to. When the two cross paths, they find that maybe their time traveling, and their lives, are actually linked to one another.

19 Tunnel (2017)

  • Available to stream on Roku

Instead of traveling to the past, Tunnel is a time travel K-drama that takes the audience to the future - in a manner of speaking. The present-day of the story is actually 1985 in which a string of murders are being investigated. When the detective (Choi Jin Hyuk) pursuing a lead runs after a suspect through a tunnel, he’s hit in the head and ends up 30 years in the future. While the show presents itself as a murder mystery with a time-travel element, there’s also a romantic subplot and a family at the center of the story that makes it a drama that really shines.

10 Must Watch K-Dramas That Aren’t Romances (& Where To Stream Them)

18 familiar wife (2018).

  • Currently unavailable to stream

A married man (Ji-Sung) with two kids is unhappy in his life. He’s depressed, hates his wife, and is unsatisfied at work. If he had only made different choices in his youth, he might have had a happier life. After traveling through a toll booth and losing control of his car, he winds up in the past and is able to change some of those decisions. Able to travel back and forth between the past and the present, he’s able to see how his different decisions have big outcomes later in life. It’s a similar concept to something like Sliding Doors but with many small changes to help someone understand their path in life.

17 Times (2021)

Times isn’t a traditional time travel K-drama in which one character is transported to another time period completely. Instead, the time travel is a result of a phone line that is able to traverse timelines. Two journalists, one in 2015 and one in 2020, connect over the use of the same phone line. Initially, they work together to prevent the death of one of their fathers, but while investigating, they uncover a conspiracy that involves time travel and corrupt politicians. The series is definitely a unique take among the time travel shows created for Korean television, which usually focus on history and a romantic subplot.

16 Tomorrow With You (2017)

While Tomorrow With You does use romance like most time travel K-dramas do, it also has a unique idea for the time travel itself. While most Korean time travel shows involve time traveling by accident, the main character in Tomorrow With You can decide to travel in time. It’s also done so while traveling the subway instead of falling through a portal or suffering a life-threatening injury in order to do it. Yoo So-Joon (Lee Je-Hoon) takes on time-traveling adventures when he discovers that Ma-Rin (Shin Min-A) is about to have a tragic accident. Intrigued by her, he tries to save her, and they become linked.

15 The Best Hit (2017)

In The Best Hit, 1993 K-pop idol Yoo Hyun-Jae (Yoon Shi-yoon) gets accidentally transported to 2017, discovers how he is presumed dead after he disappeared in 1994, and investigates why he traveled through time while struggling with living in the future. Meanwhile, Hyun-Jae's biological son, Lee Ji-Hoon (Kim Min-jae), is secretly training to become an idol himself and is even enrolled in Star Punch Entertainment's program - while making his parents believe that he's studying for the civil service exams. Also known as Hit the Top , The Best Hit is an underrated gem in the world of the best time travel K-dramas.

14 Sisyphus: The Myth (2021)

  • Available to stream on Netflix

This 2021 Netflix K-drama has some serious Terminator vibes to it, but it's full of good laughs, color, and drama. Han Tae-Sul (Cho Seung-woo) is a talented engineer who is determined to uncover the real reason behind his older brother's murder. If that wasn't enough, the storyline introduces a character who travels from the future to his current time. In the future, the world is dominated by gangs and military cliques. Survival entails serious combat skills, and Gang Seo-Hae (Park Shin-Hye) is just the right warrior. She travels back in time to help Tae-Sul on his dangerous journey after learning key evidence about his brother's death.

13 Splash Splash Love (2015)

  • Available to stream on KOCOWA

Splash Splash Love is one of those K-dramas that combine time travel with romance . In the television series, a high-school student gets transported to 15th-century Korea. She soon meets the young king of the kingdom who wants to learn more about mathematics. Thankfully, the heroine of the show is a patient teacher who is more than willing to tutor the King. Splash Splash Love is a quick and easy watch as it is one of the shortest K-dramas out there, with only 2 episodes. This is part of why the show has near-perfect pacing and ranks among the best time travel K-dramas.

12 Rooftop Prince (2012)

Rooftop Prince has a lot of storylines to process, but they're well worth it. The titular protagonist a prince who wakes up in present-day 2012, even though he's actually from the Korean Joseon dynasty/era . The crown prince and his two confidants find themselves on the rooftop of Park-ha's (Han Ji-min) home. After the prince realizes he's time-traveled 300 years into the future, he also sees the long-lost sister of Park-ha - who is the spitting image of his late wife who drowned. He's convinced he will find the answers to his past in 2012 and poses as the grandson of a powerful CEO, who in reality was killed by another family member.

15 Steamy K-Dramas You Should Watch Today

11 the king: eternal monarch (2020).

Not only does The King: Eternal Monarch have a phenomenal female lead in Jeong Tae-eul (Kim Go-eun), it's also full of riveting action, features a unique story of parallel worlds, and is also one of the unique time travel K-Dramas available on Netflix. In the show, there are two co-existing realities: present-day South Korea and the Kingdom of Corea. The now king witnessed his father's murder as a child at the hands of his uncle. He discovers a doorway to the parallel world and uses it to stop his uncle from raising an army. Along the way, he learns who the mysterious figure was that saved his life, but the only way to keep the timeline intact is by traveling back to that exact moment in time.

10 Queen In-Hyun's Man (2012)

A Joseon Dynasty scholar meets an aspiring actress in the year 2012 in the political and romantic Korean drama , Queen In-Hyun's Man, one of the best time travel K-dramas. In 1694, a noble-born scholar is the only survivor after his family was murdered, but there's a bigger story at play, as it might be a conspiracy going on as he supports the reinstatement of the deposed queen. Due to a talisman, he time travels 300 years into the future and meets an actress. The actress lands her big break posing as the queen from his era in a new drama. They soon meet, and he just might fall in love.

9 Faith (2012)

The time travel K-drama Faith follows the story of a plastic surgeon who gets transported to 14th-century Goryeo. She soon learns that a royal guard warrior was the reason why she was brought back more than 600 years into the past. The royal guard begs the plastic surgeon to help their injured queen. However, the plastic surgeon has actually caught feelings for her kidnapper. Faith is considered one of the better time travel and fantasy-themed romance K-dramas thanks to the stellar performances of the actors, as well as the detailed story that shines a light on Korean history and mythology.

8 Nine: Nine Time Travels (2013)

In the time travel K-drama Nine: Nine Time Travels , Park Sun-woo discovers nine incense sticks that could take him back 20 years in time. He uses his time in the past to save his family, who have been victims of a terrible tragedy. However, he needs to be extra careful when he goes back in time, as he can only do it nine times - the twist that makes Nine: Nine one of the best time travel K-dramas. Park soon finds out that whatever he changes in the past also resonates and affects his present life. The K-drama won plenty of awards in Korea for its great cast and romantic storyline.

10 K-Dramas With Heartbreaking Plot Twists

7 go back couple (2017).

Go Back Couple is a Korean miniseries where a couple wishes that they never met each other as they're both unhappy and exhausted with their marriage. The couple soon finds that they've reverted to their 20-year-old selves, faced with trying to make decisions that will make their future selves happy and satisfied. The show features plenty of funny and heartwarming moments that will make viewers swoon — and an ending that will surely tug at the heartstrings of every long-time K-drama viewer.

6 Chicago Typewriter (2017)

Out of the most compelling and best time travel K-dramas (as well as general fantasy K-Dramas ), Chicago Typewriter is the only one that's about reincarnation. Three resistance fighters from the 1930s Japanese occupation of Korea find themselves in a new time period in which they are reincarnated as a writer, a fan, and a ghostwriter. Switching between the 1930s and the 21st century, these three characters start to see parallels between both time periods. As they start to uncover the truth behind their pasts, they worry how it might affect their present. K-drama fans tired of the same old romantic fare will love Chicago Typewriter.

5 Signal (2016)

  • Available to stream on Paramount+

Signal has a storyline that not many shows have explored, but it works wonders in enthralling its audience. The outstanding police procedural K-drama is also a thriller, as it was inspired by real-life crime stories and a murder case, and the show interweaves two different timelines. While investigating a case, a cold case profiler discovers a walkie-talkie from the year 1989. He deduces that the walkie-talkie transcends time and allows him to communicate with a detective from 1989 for a short period of time. Together, they use their knowledge to stop heinous crimes from ever occurring — a unique concept that cements Signal 's status among the best time travel K-dramas.

4 Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo (2016)

Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo is inarguably one of the most talked-about time travel K-dramas (as well as being a remake) as it has everything from time travel and romance to drama and political intrigue, not to mention some of the most heart-wrenching scenes. Be wary of total solar eclipses, as it is responsible for a 25-year-old woman living in the 21st century to be transported back to the Goryeo Dynasty. Waking up in a new identity, she is among the royal princes of the Wang family - initially falling for a kind-hearted prince, but is soon pulled in by the brooding and dark fourth prince, and the dynasty's political bickering.

10 Times Female K-Drama Characters Were Total Bosses

3 life on mars (2018).

As seen on this list of the best time travel K-dramas, the use of time anomalies is a common trope among crime stories, but the detective drama Life on Mars stands out for being truly unpredictable. Adapted from a British drama, Life on Mars follows the cop Han Tae-Joo (Jung Kyoung-Ho), who is investigating what seems to be an ordinary murder case in 2018 — until he wakes up in 1987. In order to get back to 2018, he needs to solve a murder in 1987 first. Life on Mars ' premise is simple enough, but its hilarious script, fast-paced mysteries, and astounding reveals make it a well-rounded series that's equally enjoyable for both first-time and long-time K-drama viewers.

2 Live Up To Your Name (2017)

Some of the best K-dramas don't really offer anything new to the genre - but instead build on traditional tropes to arrive at a truly compelling, inspiring, and relatable story. This is the case with Live Up To Your Name , in which the greatest male acupuncturist of the Joseon era travels 400 years into the future, striking a tense and sometimes clashing romance with a brilliant and gorgeous female doctor from 2017. True to its title, Live Up To Your Name leverages its romance and fantasy elements to craft the ultimate comedic time travel medical K-drama about destiny.

1 Mr. Queen (2020)

In Mr. Queen , a hotshot male chef finds himself transported to the Joseon era — not as himself, but in the body of the Queen Cheorin (Shin Hye-sun) — inadvertently unraveling the mystery behind the queen's supposed attempt at taking her own life. While trying to conform to the Joseon era as a woman, he gets caught in the political turmoil of the kingdom, and the king isn't the goofy and undermined ruler everyone assumes. In reality, he's cunning, mysterious, and seeking the truth behind those who wish to dethrone him. Shin Hye-sun's performance as Queen Cheorin is largely why Mr. Queen is regarded by many as the best time travel K-dramas of all time.

‘The Greatest Hits’: Save your time

A time-travel romance falls victim to generic characters and clunky dialogue.

You know how a pop song from a moment in your past can bring that moment back to life in colors, smells, memories and emotions? “The Greatest Hits” takes that idea and literalizes it right into the ground.

The film is one of those romantic fantasies that enlists time travel as the primary obstacle keeping two people from getting together. Make that one of the obstacles; the others in “The Greatest Hits” are the heroine’s growing collection of vinyl records and her habit of wearing noise-canceling headphones wherever she goes. The course of true love never did run smooth.

Harriet (Lucy Boynton) is mourning the loss of her boyfriend Max (David Corenswet) in a car crash that also delivered a bonk to her noggin that allows her to whoosh back in time — but only when she hears a song that triggers a moment the couple had together. Thus the headphones; otherwise, the tunes streaming from supermarket speakers and other people’s car radios would have her constantly yo-yoing back and forth between then and now. The records she’s obsessively collecting are an effort to find the one song that might give her a chance to alter events and keep Max alive.

Does any of this make sense? Of course not. Time-travel romantic fantasy movies never make sense, and when they’re done right, that’s the source of their idiot charm. 2006’s “The Lake House,” which involves Keanu Reeves, Sandra Bullock and a magic mailbox, is a personal gold standard in this regard.

Complicating matters is that Harriet has met a cute guy at a grief counseling support group — that sentence alone announces we’re in Los Angeles — and is hesitant to open up and tell him about the whole trying-to-change-the-flow-of-history thing. David, who has lost both parents to either separate illnesses or just plain carelessness, is played by Justin H. Min, a likable actor who was the sensitive android of the little-seen “After Yang” (2022), a movie that you would be strongly advised to watch instead of this one.

What would it take to make “The Greatest Hits” work? For one thing, a music-rights budget that allowed for songs an average filmgoer might recognize, rather than tracks from the back 40 of Spotify or a disco remix of Roxy Music’s “To Turn You On.” For another, a script that avoids dialogue clunkers like “There’s a reason that in some languages, the word for love and the word for suffering is the same.” (I Googled it — didn’t find any.) Shopworn supporting stereotypes like the heroine’s sassy gay Black friend (Austin Crute) don’t help.

The prime offender, though, is writer-director Ned Benson’s inability to create three-dimensional characters, or even believable two-dimensional ones. Harriet is apparently a record producer, but we only know that from one dated reference to Alan Parsons and a brief scene of her telling singer Nelly Furtado to “add a little more compression on the drums”; otherwise, she’s an attractive blank space that Boynton strains too hard to fill in. The dead boyfriend, Max, is even more generic — a genial himbo with all the flavor of a catalogue model.

Benson made a stir with his debut, a three-film project called “The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby” (2014) that looked at a relationship from his, her and their points of view. His belated follow-up, by contrast, has barely enough personality for one. But he gets points for including the dreadful Kars4Kids jingle as one of the audio jogs that sends Harriet tumbling back in time — for a brief moment, the rest of “The Greatest Hits” seems much less irritating in comparison.

PG-13. Streaming on Hulu. Drug use, strong language and suggestive material. 94 minutes.

Ty Burr is the author of the movie recommendation newsletter Ty Burr’s Watch List at tyburrswatchlist.com .

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love story with time travel

The Greatest Hits is a simple and sweet look at grief and romance

The greatest hits, m, 94 minutes, disney+, three stars.

You know how you can hear a particular song and immediately be taken back to some moment in your past?

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The Greatest Hits takes that idea of auditory nostalgia and turns it into a literal thing, to sweet effect.

Lucy Boynton ( Bohemian Rhapsody ) plays lead character Harriet who, after being involved in a car accident which killed her boyfriend and left her in a coma for a week, finds she literally travels back in time whenever she hears a song that played during her relationship.

But try as she might, she's unable to prevent her boyfriend Max (David Corenswet, who will be the next big-screen Superman under DC's new head honcho James Gunn) from making the fateful decisions that lead to their fatal accident.

Justin H Min and Lucy Boynton in The Greatest Hits. Picture Searchlight Pictures

She spends every day wearing headphones, avoiding encountering songs that will send her back (and make her pass out in the present, freaking out those around her), and every night playing records at home that will allow her to spend more time with her lost love.

This little time-travel quirk leaves Harriet in a constant state of grief, never able to move on, always hoping that she can change the past.

She's content to go on this way forever, never really engaged in life, until she meets David (Justin H Min, best known as Ben from The Umbrella Academy ) at a grief support group, and the two share an immediate connection.

David is funny, caring and has a love for music like she does - he's an all-round catch.

But, much to the annoyance of Harriet's best bud Morris (Austin Crute, playing less of a character and more of a stereotype in this underdeveloped role), she finds herself reluctant to dive into what seems like a healthy relationship with David because the pull of Max is still so real.

What this film lacks in subtlety it makes up for in accessibility.

There's no great skill or depth to the metaphor we're dealing with here, but that does open up the story to even the most inattentive viewers. There's something comforting in the broad appeal of a story like this, making it an easy watch that still tugs on the heartstrings just a bit.

There are a few light laughs in The Greatest Hits , but not enough to consider this a romantic comedy, and there's also not enough in the way of real stakes to make it a true romantic drama.

It's an easy Sunday afternoon watch, good with a cup of tea and a biscuit. Fans of somewhat similar, yet superior, films like Sliding Doors , Yesterday or About Time should also like The Greatest Hits .

Boynton is solid in the lead without being particularly memorable (her native British accent only creeping into her character's Californian speech in a couple of moments), doing what she can with a character whose description seems to be little more than "likes music a lot, misses dead boyfriend, has a slight sense of humour".

Min is very charming but his character also suffers from underdevelopment.

Pleasingly, the pair have good chemistry and you get the sense that they would make an excellent couple if they could just sort through their little (and big) problems.

Strangely for a film that hasn't made that big of a splash, there are a couple of very well-known musicians who appear as themselves at the end of the film in quite short scenes that aren't played up like big cameo moments.

The selection of music - such a pivotal part of the plot - throughout the film is a bit of a let-down.

The songs sound fine, but there doesn't seem to be enough universally recognised tracks to really elevate the film the way the best soundtracks can.

Hi! I'm a pop culture obsessive and write film and TV content across ACM.

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Tiny Love Stories: ‘The One-Liners Kept Coming’

Modern Love in miniature, featuring reader-submitted stories of no more than 100 words.

love story with time travel

A Final Catchphrase

“I’ll gladly pay you Tuesday for a Coke today.” The last words my father said to me. I had just brought him a Coke, fulfilling a raspy request from his deathbed. At first, I thought his offer was gibberish spurting from his rapidly progressing neurodegenerative disease. When I told my mom, she immediately understood — he was riffing on Wimpy’s catchphrase from the “Popeye” cartoon. In those final days, the one-liners kept coming: Could I get him anything? A winning lottery ticket. Anyone he wanted to see? Bob Dylan. He didn’t make it to Tuesday, but his debt had been repaid. — Susannah Clark Matt

Breaking From Expectation

Our love story sounds straightforward: Meet at a Bible study in rural Missouri, fall in love on a service trip and marry after college graduation. The plot twist? We’re both women. Before we met, Alison and I had exclusively dated men. Our relationship moved quickly from friendship to love, so many around us thought it was a passing fling. We faced a mountain of skepticism from religious family members, but it melted into understanding over time. Now, 15 years and a child later, we choose each other time and again. To us, that’s the definition of a happy ending. — Sarah Shebek

Baby Gladys

“It’s not just a car!” our 7-year-old daughter, Addie, wailed from inside her room. “It’s Baby Gladys.” No one could remember how our car got its name, but Addie had ridden in its cluttered back seat since she was a baby. She had laughed, cried and shared the types of inner thoughts that are easier to say aloud when you’re peering out a window. She had created inside jokes and imaginary worlds with her brother that no one else understood. When we traded it in, she left a note inside the glove compartment: “Please take good care of Baby Gladys.” — Genevieve Quist Green

Fully Stocked

My mother kept saying, “I haven’t done enough for you.” I kept telling her that traveling from West Virginia for over a week was plenty. The exchanges took place while she was preparing me food — a peanut butter sandwich, masala chai, my favorite lamb curry — in my tiny deathtrap of a New York studio kitchen. I had just had surgery, and although not rendered helpless, daily chores and cooking weren’t possible. When she left, I still had aches and pains. However, my biggest dilemma was ensuring the contents of my now well-stocked freezer didn’t pour out at each opening. — Anupama Chakravartti

See more Tiny Love Stories at nytimes.com/modernlove . Submit yours at nytimes.com/tinylovestories .

Want more from Modern Love? Watch the TV series ; sign up for the newsletter ; or listen to the podcast on iTunes , Spotify or Google Play . We also have swag at the NYT Store and two books, “ Modern Love: True Stories of Love, Loss, and Redemption ” and “ Tiny Love Stories: True Tales of Love in 100 Words or Less .”

Tales About Love to Nourish Your Soul

The Cost of the American Dream:   A physical relationship is nearly impossible  for a hard-working Bangladeshi taxi driver and his wife, who longed for each other.

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A Fetish for a Second Skin: As a gay Korean American, he yearned for the privilege of being heterosexual or white. So he began wearing latex , a new skin.

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Marisa Abela in Back to Black (2024)

The life and music of Amy Winehouse, through the journey of adolescence to adulthood and the creation of one of the best-selling albums of our time. The life and music of Amy Winehouse, through the journey of adolescence to adulthood and the creation of one of the best-selling albums of our time. The life and music of Amy Winehouse, through the journey of adolescence to adulthood and the creation of one of the best-selling albums of our time.

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Sydney Sweeney Shares Her Love for Her Hometown — and Her Favorite Places to Enjoy the Great Outdoors on the Washington-Idaho Border

“What's so beautiful about the Pacific Northwest is everything that you can do outdoors,” the Spokane-area native told Travel + Leisure.

love story with time travel

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From Italian convents and catacombs around Rome for the new horror flick Immaculate to the iconic Sydney Opera House for the rom-com Anything But You and Four Seasons Maui at Wailea for the dark comedy series White Lotus , Sydney Sweeney’s best-known projects have taken her around the world and cemented her status as Hollywood royalty as a two-time Emmy nominee. 

While her career has gone the distance ever since her breakout role on Euphoria in 2019, there has been one big constant in her life: home. The 26-year-old actress’ early stomping grounds growing up outside of Spokane near the Washington and Idaho border continues to root her with a magnetic draw.

“I go home all the time,” Sweeney told Travel + Leisure at an event for Bai Daily Hydration in New York City in March. “What's so beautiful about the Pacific Northwest is everything that you can do outdoors.”

One of her favorite memories was always going berry picking out in the wild with her mom and brother “If you go a little bit north of Spokane, right next to the border, there's like all these hidden little waterfalls,” she said of the region, adding that “you just go everywhere.”

Courtesy of Bai® daily hydration

Those memories etched such delightful childhood memories that Sweeney used them as inspiration to create her own Bai flavor, Raspberry Lemon Lime , available in stores now. Along with the brand’s trademark antioxidants, this refreshing new drink also comes with electrolytes for the first time.

Sweeney looks forward to sharing that a sweet taste of her Washington-Idaho area roots. And for travelers who are then inspired to experience the region, she the highlight is that "there are so many mountains and lakes.”

With Sydney Sweeney

Window or aisle? Window.

Plane or train? You know, I've always wanted to go on a train ride.

Carry-on or check-in? Carry-on.

First thing you pack for a trip? The first thing is always my skincare.

Best road trip game? We used to play the license plate game where we'd have to find A, B, C, D, E, and keep ourselves busy!

Celeb Check-in

Some of the most popular mountain resorts include Mt. Spokane , Silver Mountain , 49 Degrees North , and Lookout Pass , but her pick is Schweitzer , the largest ski and snowboard destination in Idaho, located about 80 miles northwest of Spokane. 

“During the winter, it’s a beautiful ski resort and during the summer you can mountain bike and hike,” she said. 

Those who prefer waterfront adventures also have no shortage of choices, with 14 lakes in Spokane County and another nine in surrounding areas . “ Coeur d'Alene's really beautiful,” Sweeney said of Idaho’s second largest lake with 135 miles of shoreline. 

No matter which you choose, “There's just hikes and nature, and you're outdoors all the time,” she raved. 

Of course, those settings are a long way from Los Angeles, which meant extremely long road trips when she first started trying to break into the industry, after convincing her parents that she was destined for Hollywood. 

“We would listen to audiobooks and do homework,” she said of making the best use of her long drive — about 19 hours between Spokane and Los Angeles. 

Nowadays, she may be jet setting more, but when it comes to her own travels, Sweeney still pours her heart into every choice. Though she played a tongue-in-cheek Airbnb home designer while hosting Saturday Night Live , she said she does have a particular criteria when looking for her own vacation home rentals.

“I try to find really interesting, cool, unique Airbnbs,” she told T+L . “Just ones that are random and fun.”

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