I’m Back! And I’m Kicking Things Off With My Review of Fathoms by Lisa T. Bergren
It’s been a whole year since I pressed pause on book reviews to finish my own manuscript (totally worth it!). While I was away, I never stopped mentally taking notes on every book I read. So, let’s dive back in to the world of book reviewing and kick it off with Fathoms, the newest release (April 22, 2025) in Bergren’s Christian time-travel Oceans of Time series.
If you followed our Literature Ladies blog for any length of time, you would’ve seen Bergren’s name come up more than once before. I’ve talked about her River of Time series in our Young Adult Kick Off in 2021 and in our book list for vacation reads.
A Spoiler-Light Summary
Fathoms is the third novel in the spin-off historical time-travel trilogy Oceans of Time. Picking up where Rip Tide leaves off, readers are thrust back into 14th century Italy and to Castello Forelli:
- Luciana is reeling from being blinded in battle and trying to understand where her place in this new world.
- Lady Tiliani volunteers to leave her home and act as governess to protect a child in a neighboring castello from the treacherous Lord Ercole.
- Together, these She-Wolves of Siena fight to take down this foe and to return to the men who hold their hearts.
If you need deeper plot context, check out my earlier reviews of Estuary and Rip Tide.
What Makes Fathoms Stand Out in Christian Time-Travel Romance
Fathoms has everything the prior novels do and everything that makes the series beloved by readers like me.
- Strong heroines and swoon-worthy heroes: Bergren’s couples are authentic and inspirational. Readers are left rooting for them and wanting more of their relationships.
- Clan culture: The family ties, bonds, and the loyalty amongst the group at Castello Forelli are heartwarming and demonstrates authentic relationships that modern readers often crave.
- Medieval Italy brought to life: Bergren does an excellent job bringing 14th century Italy to life. Even though she takes some liberties, readers will be completely immersed in the setting.
- Faith-based without preaching: Faith is woven throughout the story as characters face trials and loss, but it is written in a way that does not feel overwhelming or distracting from the overall story.
Where the Story Fell Short (for Me)
After seven novels (five Rivers of Time and two Oceans of Time), Fathoms lacks originality. Certain twists and plot points were predictable, and (full disclosure) I’m no longer the target audience I was at fourteen. However, it’s the series’ familiarity that draws me back.
Bergren has proven herself to be an author that I like and trust in terms of her content, and I will read her books simply because I appreciate her and enjoy them. Reading them feels like coming back home; and that’s a pretty good reason to read a book, in my opinion.
Who Should Read Fathoms?
- Fans of clean, no-spice romance and time-travel
- Readers who love a medieval setting
- Anyone needing a comfort-read and a rapid-moving plot with action and high stakes
- Those looking for an easy-to-read, multi-book series to get lost in for a while
Reading Order & Where to Buy
| #1 | Waterfall | 2011 |
| #2 | Cascade | 2011 |
| #3 | Torrent | 2011 |
| #4 | Bourne & Tributary | 2012 |
| #5 | Deluge | 2014 |
| #6 | Estuary | 2023 |
| #7 | Rip Tide | 2024 |
| #8 | Fathoms | 2025 |
My Final Rating
Despite its predictability, Fathoms delivers everything I want and expect from Bergren: a clean romance and an adventure full of faith and family.
Content Rating: Mild
for (non-gory) fighting and (not explicit) romance
Let Me Know!
Will you be adding Fathoms to your To-Read list? What other time-travel romances have you read?
Copyright Lisa T. Bergren and Enclave Publishing. Image from Amazon.