Clara’s Verdict
Time-travel fiction is a genre where the scaffolding tends to show — the mechanics of the device can easily overwhelm the story it is supposed to serve. Rosalind Tate avoids this trap in The Shorten Chronicles, a three-book series that begins with a university student accidentally transported to 1925 England and builds, over the course of the boxset, into something considerably more complex and emotionally invested than that premise initially suggests. Narrated by Katy Sobey over 30 hours and 33 minutes, this is the kind of series that inspires genuinely devoted readers — the sort who start the second book the moment the first ends.
Tate is good at character, which is what ultimately determines whether a time-travel story works. Sophie Arundel is a protagonist worth spending 30 hours with: stubborn, resourceful, funny, and capable of surprising herself. Hugo is deliberately introduced as the kind of person she would normally dismiss — privileged, slightly annoying, wrong in all the obvious ways — and the slow revision of that judgement is one of the series’ most satisfying elements.
About the Audiobook
Sophie Arundel is a first-year university student who accidentally time-travels to 1925 England, along with her faithful dog and the irritating Hugo, a fellow student she has been successfully avoiding. They find themselves in a grand house in a version of the 1920s that is, disconcertingly, not quite the 1920s of the history books — mobs rule the streets, revolution is in the air, and anyone living in a manor house is in considerable danger.
The three books collected here — Stranded, Escape, and Exile — follow Sophie and Hugo’s attempts to find their way back to the 21st century, working through a series of clues about a hidden portal while navigating the social rules of a world they barely understand and the escalating danger of a society coming apart. The romance between Sophie and Hugo is developed with patience — it is not the engine of the plot but a consequence of their shared experience, which makes it more convincing than most YA romantic pairings.
Tate’s version of 1925 is interestingly dystopian — the historical setting destabilised by fictional events in a way that creates genuine tension about who can be trusted and how the rules of the world operate. This is stronger than straightforward historical fiction, because the uncertainty applies to the reader as well as to the characters.
The Narration
Katy Sobey is a natural fit for Sophie’s voice — energetic, slightly exasperated, capable of conveying both the character’s humour and her vulnerability. She handles the period dialogue and the modern character voices with equal ease, and she sustains energy over the 30-hour runtime without ever sounding tired or mechanical. Hugo’s slightly stiff privilege is rendered with affection rather than mockery, which is the right call — we need to believe in the warmth beneath it. A very strong performance.
What Readers Say
With a 4.3 rating from 96 reviews, the series has developed a devoted following. « Absolutely loving these books — I’m on my second time of reading them and enjoying them more as I pick up small details I missed the first time, » wrote one reader. Another described it as « a thoroughly compelling, page-turner of an adventure — romance, mystery, and an adorable dog. » Reviewers consistently praise the pacing (the series end propels readers immediately into the next instalment) and the character work. Comparisons to Deborah Harkness and Cassandra Clare appear frequently. Several readers describe it as ideal binge listening.
Who Should Listen?
Perfect for fans of time-travel romance and YA fantasy with strong historical elements. Readers who have enjoyed Deborah Harkness’s All Souls trilogy, or who were drawn to the blend of romance and adventure in Outlander, will find much to enjoy here. The boxset format rewards binge listening — having all three books available from the start means you can follow the story at whatever pace feels right without waiting.
Listen to The Shorten Chronicles: Books 1–3 on Audible UK — a time-travel series with genuine heart.
