When Time Falls Still by Brenda Margriet
Romance Contemporary
April 4, 2016
Self Published

Reviewed by Tori

Favorite Quote: “His cock was going to be disappointed this morning. It thought it was going to get sex.”

Professor Charlotte Girardet is currently teaching at a small university in British Columbia while working on her book in an effort to secure a position at a larger more prestigious university. She has no time for relationships until a sexy, rugged security guard invades her class and her life.

Justice Cooper leads a relatively quiet life. A former hockey player, he now works security at the university, occasionally auditing classes that strike his fancy, and spends his days off with his son. Charlotte appeals to him on a sexual and an intellectual level. He recognizes the loneliness inside of her and he pushes for them to spend more personal time together.

Charlotte struggles to balance her professional obligations with her deepening relationship with Justice. She was badly betrayed by a previous lover and is wary of allowing someone the chance to hurt her again. Justice also struggles with trust issues. His ex-wife divorced him out of the blue and is now pushing for a reconciliation. Their attempts to heal their wounds together and move forward is interrupted when a series of attacks on campus places Charlotte in danger

When Time Falls Still was a pleasant surprise. A woman set on path to which there is no deviation from finds herself questioning her life goals when an enigma of a man enters her life with every intention of becoming a permanent resident. Margriet’s voice produces a smooth flowing narrative, intriguing sexual tension, and a well-plotted romance that takes it’s time developing as Margriet sets out to address and resolve the internal issues of the protagonists while flirting with a light suspense filled subplot.

There is a quietness to the story that contrasts perfectly with the emerging emotional undertones and intense passion that envelops the protagonists. Charlotte and Justice are well matched, likable characters whose still waters run deep. Both are intelligent, loyal people who have been hurt in life by love. It was interesting to see how similar they choose to live their lives yet with such different results. Charlotte chose to leave her family and put all her energies towards her goals while Justice gave up his goals and choose to adapt his life around his family who need him.

Charlotte has a life plan that ends with her achieving tenure at a prestigious university. All her work and education have been stepping stones towards this goal. When she first meets Justice, she is both annoyed and confused. He is not part of her plan and is a distraction she doesn’t want or need but his attention flatters her and his intelligence calls to her. Still reeling from a broken relationship where her trust was used against her, she finds herself unable to accept Justice’s motives as completely pure. So she offers him a friends with benefits affair that is to end when she leaves the university in a year.

“I thought English professors were suppose to be romantic.”

Romance. Love. That’s what hurt you. Sex, on the other hand, was just sex. “Not all of us, “Charlotte said.

Justice agrees to her proposal though he is looking for much more than that with her. He too has been hurt in the past though he is more than willing to take a chance with Charlotte. His reaction to her is deafening and he wants to further explore the feelings she invokes in him. Though some may think him unambitious, Justice knows exactly what he wants and what he doesn’t. His hockey career was more of his father’s dream then his and he doesn’t need a degree to define his intelligence. His divorce sent him into a tailspin and the only thing that matters to him now is being there for his son. He is a proverbial rock in a storm; dependable and stalwart and that suits him just fine.

As they begin their delicate dance, the sexual tension between them is a tangible force that demands frequent indulgence as they seek to learn more about each other outside of the bedroom. A friendship develops between them, almost reluctantly. Old fears begin to rear their ugly heads, leaving our lovers wondering if this relationship stands a chance at all.  Margriet defines these fears, allowing readers to hear Charlotte and Justice’s internal thoughts, so that we can understand the reasons behind some of their actions. Both fear the strength of their attraction-each wondering if they can afford to become this attached to someone after what has happened to them in the past. I liked that communication was at a premium for this couple. Misunderstandings were cleared up in an adult manner.

The suspense plot line was interesting though it becomes evident early on it is merely a plot device to help push Justice and Charlotte together. Margriet spoils the story herself in the blurb so we know what will happen to Charlotte. I wish she would have left us in the dark on that aspect to build up the suspense and mystery.

The ending wraps up the storyline in a pleasurable climatic manner, leaving readers secure that this couple has all the necessary ingredients for a long lasting relationship. Though this is my first time reading Margriet, it won’t be my last. I enjoyed her voice and the blending of the sensual romance with the realistic issues facing a new relationship.

This is currently available in paperback. The ebook version releases April 4, 2016.

Grade: B

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