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Having grown up in the time and places brought to life in this book it seemed as if, just for me, Rick Reil gathered together characterizations and a sense of the 1950s and 60s, and helped me roll back my memories. It was a marvelous visit.Across the decades, and from eastern Washington State to the town of Snohomish, Washington on the west side of the Cascade Mountain Range a widower struggles to regain control of his life. The loss of his wife to cancer left Peter Greer searching for a future. With his purchase of a Victorian era house his search uncovers a path forward out of grief. Peter and his fifteen-year-old granddaughter decide it would be a wonderful adventure for Emily to attend school at Snohomish High in 1958. To both of them the past offers a means to understanding who they are and where they are going.Dealing with time travel issues can be incredibly fun for both writers and their readers. While some authors can mire down in the vein of “The Physics of Doctor Who,” Rick has avoided any over-exertion of techno-babble. He provides just enough background on the technicalities, and gives some recognition to the classic paradoxes of time travel. He has my sincere gratitude for avoiding any desire to expound upon the dire implications of crushing butterflies while traipsing through the past. And, in the end, his approach is far and away better than what is found in some of the classic literature. I will avoid sharing any spoilers here about the workings of time portals and the mysteries they reveal. They are eloquently described by the author (trust me, you'll love his weaving of science and fantasy).Rick Reil developed rich backgrounds for each of his characters and the places in his story. Despite their facing the unique challenges and paradoxes of time travel, the folks you come to know in his story take the fantasy elements in stride and remain realistic in nature. Many of the local characters are based upon real people that that lived in the story locations - I have learned that each person and place has a very real meaning in the author’s own past.The characters and locales are not only real, but the historical contexts from the time period, as described in the story, are factual. Many events actually took place, and are woven into the story. Rick Reil followed, with great care, a primary rule for authors: “write about what you know.” The authenticity of the backgrounds rings true throughout the book.The story reminded me of what screenwriter Bill Wheeler said about authors: “Good writing is clear thinking made visible.” Rick Reil crafted a story that brings a small part of the past into focus, and leaves the reader to wonder what they would choose to change in their own past, if given the opportunity.