When I first received a copy of Megan Crane's I Love the 80s, I was quite excited; I'd heard of this book previously and it seemed like a fun read - after all, who doesn't sometimes think about what it would be like to go back in time? I have yet to read Megan's previous novels, which include English as a Second Language, Names My Sisters Call Me and Frenemies, so this recent release introduced me to her work - and after reading this, I'll be heading back for more.In I Love the 80s, heroine Jenna Jenkins is obsessed with times past. Well, the era of legwarmers and big hair, to be exact. When Jenna's fiancee Adam leaves her for a young yoga instructor, she immerses herself in her teenage music obsessions, mainly top 80s star Tommy Seer. Tommy was the heart-throb singer of Jenna's time, until he was tragically killed in a car carsh in 1987, when Jenna was just twelve. Working at an 80s music TV station doesn't help much either - it makes her get even more lost in the 80s. Literally.
After a freakish accident in a closet at Jenna's New York workplace, she wakes up the following morning to realise that she's not herself anymore. Well, she is...just not in the right time. Upon further inspection, it seems that Jenna has time-travelled right back to the 80s...and is working as an assistant for the legendary Tommy Seer himself. Sadly, the real Tommy is hardly the charmer of Jenna's teenage dreams - instead, he's nasty and rude and his 'fiancee' isn't exactly an angel, either. Couple this with an arrogant bully of a manager, and Jenna has plenty on her plate to deal with until she can find her way back to the present day.
But maybe she was sent back for a reason...and pretty soon, it becomes clear. It's a matter of months until Tommy Seer is due to die, and when he secretly tells Jenna that he thinks someone is planning to kill him, she can't help but investigate. Even though, despite his arrogance, Jenna still has a soft spot for Tommy, but is trying not to let it get in the way of the fact that he's going to die if she doesn't find out who's behind it.
Will she be able to save Tommy's life in time, especially without telling him who she really is? Is living in the 80s as an adult what she imagined it to be?
Without giving too much away, I have to say that I couldn't put this book down. It's not the usual chick-lit novel but I loved Jenna and her escape to the past. I Love The 80s is a wonderfully-written mystery that you'll find hard to put down. I was only born in the mid-80s so didn't fully experience the fashions and music (always thought that was a good thing! Especially with THOSE perms...but hey.) though thoroughly enjoyed reading about it all. After reading this book I'm a little annoyed at myself for not having read Megan Crane's books before, but I'll definitely be catching up now!
Rating: 5/5
Like this? Try The Accidental Time Traveller by Sharon Griffiths