Kindle Unlimited
Unlimited reading. Over 4 million titles. Learn more
OR
$3.99 with 71 percent savings
Print List Price: $13.95

These promotions will be applied to this item:

Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions.

You've subscribed to ! We will preorder your items within 24 hours of when they become available. When new books are released, we'll charge your default payment method for the lowest price available during the pre-order period.
Update your device or payment method, cancel individual pre-orders or your subscription at
Your Memberships & Subscriptions
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

1996 (90s Flashback Series Book 1) Kindle Edition

3.9 out of 5 stars 1,045 ratings

A magical romantic comedy from bestselling author Kirsty McManus!

When food blogger Anna Matthews takes a vitamin supplement that thrusts her back in time to 1996—and into her sixteen year old body—she is naturally a little shocked. But after a hasty re-assimilation, she decides to take advantage of this amazing second chance to view her teenage years from a more mature perspective.

But with the effectiveness of each dose only lasting twelve hours, and any new actions initiated in the past having no effect on the future, Anna wonders whether taking it again would serve any purpose.

Of course, curiosity gets the better of her, and she soon becomes addicted to travelling back in time to relive what she originally believed to be some of her best memories.

Knowing that her husband grew up in the same area—and with him unwilling to talk about the past—Anna decides to track him down in 1996. But an unexpected discovery forces her to make a heartbreaking decision that will change both her and her husband’s future forever.

Shop this series

 See full series
There are 3 books in this series.
This option includes 3 books.

Customers also bought or read

Loading...

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07JJJDXJW
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 31, 2018
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 515 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 215 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 1 of 3 ‏ : ‎ 90s Flashback Series
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.9 out of 5 stars 1,045 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Kirsty McManus
Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Kirsty McManus is a bestselling romantic comedy author. She started writing while working as an English teacher in Japan in 2004, and her travel blog inspired her first novel, Zen Queen.

In 2023, she began studying a master of creative arts.

She is obsessed with Korean dramas and vampires.

Customer reviews

3.9 out of 5 stars
1,045 global ratings

Review this product

Share your thoughts with other customers

Customers say

Customers find the book a pleasant read with a unique plot and interesting time-travel concept, with one customer noting how events shaped the protagonist's life. They appreciate the characters, with one describing the heroine as very relatable, and find the writing style cute and easy to follow.

33 customers mention "Readability"33 positive0 negative

Customers find the book pleasant and fun to read.

"...Well worth a look." Read more

"...Even so, I enjoyed my time reading this book. I loved the concept of being able to go back and revisit your teen years as a grown adult...." Read more

"I really, really liked this book! In fact, the only way it could have been better is if it had been 1986 (because that is more my era)...." Read more

"I really enjoyed this story! I loved Anna and her family and I loved all the characters...." Read more

15 customers mention "Storyline"15 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the storyline of the book, appreciating its unique plot, with one customer highlighting its realistic portrayal of marriage and another noting how events shaped the character's life.

"...The first jump is emotional, seeing people decades earlier and appreciating them more for the years past...." Read more

"Overall, I enjoyed the story. The flashbacks to 1996 were nostalgic and fun in terms of remembering what it was like in the 90s...." Read more

"...I really liked that Anna was very self-aware and recognized how events shaped her life...." Read more

"...This is just what the doctor ordered. It is a cute and addictive story...." Read more

12 customers mention "Time travel"12 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the time-travel concept in the book, with one customer particularly appreciating how it combines with chick-lit elements, while others mention the nostalgic value of revisiting 1996 through flashbacks and appreciating the 90s references.

"...The first jump is emotional, seeing people decades earlier and appreciating them more for the years past...." Read more

"...I loved the concept of being able to go back and revisit your teen years as a grown adult. I, for one, would love to be able to do that!" Read more

"...I thought the whole premise was interesting. I really liked that Anna was very self-aware and recognized how events shaped her life...." Read more

"...in the realistic underpinnings of marriage (in trouble) and digs into the past that brings Anna a better understanding of herself and the..." Read more

11 customers mention "Character development"11 positive0 negative

Customers love the characters in the book, with one customer finding the heroine very relatable and another noting that the hero is fun to read.

"...The book see saws between past and present, with some character overlap...." Read more

"I really enjoyed this story! I loved Anna and her family and I loved all the characters...." Read more

"I give this book all 5 stars for simply having a minor character in the book that had Chronic Fatigue...." Read more

"...You can read the synopsis, so I won't give you that. The character development was great...." Read more

8 customers mention "Style"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the style of the book cute and nice, with one customer describing it as sweet.

"...This is just what the doctor ordered. It is a cute and addictive story...." Read more

"I really enjoyed this! It was sweet and sentimental. I wish we learned more about Kurt though! But such a good read!" Read more

"This book combines two of my favourite things: time travel and chick lit, so I knew I was going to love it before I even read the first page...." Read more

"This book is too cute. It is refreshing and enjoyable. I love the flashback moments; the clothes, the music, etc...." Read more

5 customers mention "Ease of use"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to use.

"...Anna's character is fun to read. She's real, raw, and intuitive, which makes the journey enjoyable all the way through...." Read more

"...and forward between eras, but this was so wonderfully done that it was seamless...." Read more

"Surprisingly fun read! Light and easy but worth it!" Read more

"...author seems to blend the flashback moments and real time moments, seamlessly. Very good read." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on May 30, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Probably written for younger readers than me but whenever time travel is mentioned I'm in there. I enjoyed this little tome and have just finished the second one, (1997) and I've now purchased 1998, lol. Living here in Brisbane Australia, I recognised (Of course) the suburbs mentioned which put a smile on my face on quite a few occasions. Well worth a look.
  • Reviewed in the United States on March 14, 2019
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I wasn't sure what to expect with this one - time travel all the way back to 1996? Egads! The wonders of the time and the progress between the years have never shone so clearly. Without spoilers - and typing quickly so I can binge read on to the next in the series - here we go.

    The lead character happens upon a magic formula that surprisingly puts her back into her younger self, in 1996. The first jump is emotional, seeing people decades earlier and appreciating them more for the years past. The book see saws between past and present, with some character overlap. It's unique enough to be curious where things are heading next, despite some hunches.

    An example of the writing:

    "I’ve always had a soft spot for long-haired boys who look like they stay up all night playing guitar and drinking scotch on the rocks. Which makes me wonder why I didn’t end up with one. Actually, I know the reason. Guys like that make terrible long-term boyfriends, often being unemployed and depressed artistic types."
    6 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 19, 2022
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Overall, I enjoyed the story. The flashbacks to 1996 were nostalgic and fun in terms of remembering what it was like in the 90s. I feel that the writing was quite simplistic which made it feel as if I was reading a Teen/YA novel. I think the plot of the story would be more appealing to an older adult rather than a young adult or teenager, which makes the simplistic writing style a little disappointing. Even so, I enjoyed my time reading this book. I loved the concept of being able to go back and revisit your teen years as a grown adult. I, for one, would love to be able to do that!
    4 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on March 20, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Some reviews speak of a cliffhanger. I dont agree. What happens in this book plays out in this book. It is part of a series so of course it leaves some for the next book. I am looking forward to reading the next one
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on December 18, 2018
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I really, really liked this book! In fact, the only way it could have been better is if it had been 1986 (because that is more my era). I thought the whole premise was interesting. I really liked that Anna was very self-aware and recognized how events shaped her life. I also like that she was strong and confronted her issue with Ed instead of being wishy washy and letting life just go on. If I had to nitpick anything, I would have liked to have had more vivid descriptions of 1996 when Anna was in that time – just a few more details to take that walk down memory lane. But I loved her assessment of social media and her realization that a simpler time is something to cherish. Anna has some unfinished business, so I can’t wait to read the next book to see what happens. Thank you to the author and Hidden Gems for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
    8 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on February 2, 2019
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I really enjoyed this story! I loved Anna and her family and I loved all the characters. I’m giving it three stars though because it’s not a complete story, Kurt never shows up in the present day narrative and lots of things are left unresolved. I hate that! If i’d realized I was only purchasing part of the story, I wouldn’t have bought this book.
    56 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on July 3, 2020
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I just finished my semester and I needed a brain vacation. This is just what the doctor ordered. It is a cute and addictive story. I didn't really like the dialogue in the first chapter, but I persevered, and I'm glad I did. Fun and nostalgic. Was a little disappointed that the Ed character was so one-dimensional, but just go with the flow and enjoy the ride.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on December 12, 2023
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I give this book all 5 stars for simply having a minor character in the book that had Chronic Fatigue.

    It was not a big part of the story, but it was accurately represented. It also was talked about more than once.

    As someone who has had Chronic Fatigue since 1993, I LOVED this! And it meant more to me than I can possibly say.
    One person found this helpful
    Report

Top reviews from other countries

  • Becca T
    5.0 out of 5 stars I have to give this 5 stars.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 18, 2023
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    The writing is good and the story is good, so it's a 5 star read. Spoiler... I personally didn't like the romantic relationship (albeit still platonic in this book) between a 16 year old girl and a 23 year old bloke. Nothing wrong with a 7 year age gap, but 16 - to me - is a child. So I couldn't engage with the 'love story', but apart from that it was a fun read.
  • Listwriter
    3.0 out of 5 stars Mixed feelings
    Reviewed in Germany on March 2, 2019
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I had such mixed reactions to this book. The premise was fun and interesting. I enjoyed the 90s stuff and the look back at where Anna came from, and her emotions of seeing how her family and hometown used to be. I also liked the unique handling of time travel.

    The first 10% of the story seemed awkward, corny and full of clichés and characters who didn't realistically question the situation. I almost put the book aside. After that, the story turned around and I was hooked. I even read over half the book in one sitting. I wish the ending hadn't been so abrupt though – I literally double-checked my e-reader to see if I was missing chapters. And my final quibble was with the budding relationship with a certain guy. Past Anna is physically 16 and he's 23. Even if she is over 30 "inside", he wouldn't be able to tell that upon meeting her. Not that he does anything bad. It just gave me a strange feeling.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • MArijana
    5.0 out of 5 stars Took me back to the 90’s
    Reviewed in Australia on February 28, 2020
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    A very chill book that was paced well.
    Kind of miss the 90’s now :)
    It’s worth the read and am looking forward to the next one.
  • Rosie
    4.0 out of 5 stars If you could go back...would you? (Book one of a duet)
    Reviewed in Australia on February 4, 2019
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Slightly famous food blogger Anna, discovers that she can travel back to 1996, when she was sixteen.
    Anna is wondering where the spark has gone in her marriage (if there ever was one) and while she is back in time she finds out what might be behind her husband's inability to open up to her.
    She enjoys rekindling a close friendship and is able to relate to her family in a new way.
    But, she also enjoys the company of a certain young man that she seems unable to forget.
    This book has a cliffhanger ending.
    The second book 1997 will hopefully conclude this story in a satisfactory way.
    Hard to put down...now onto the next installment.
    Customer image
    Rosie
    4.0 out of 5 stars
    If you could go back...would you? (Book one of a duet)

    Reviewed in Australia on February 4, 2019
    Slightly famous food blogger Anna, discovers that she can travel back to 1996, when she was sixteen.
    Anna is wondering where the spark has gone in her marriage (if there ever was one) and while she is back in time she finds out what might be behind her husband's inability to open up to her.
    She enjoys rekindling a close friendship and is able to relate to her family in a new way.
    But, she also enjoys the company of a certain young man that she seems unable to forget.
    This book has a cliffhanger ending.
    The second book 1997 will hopefully conclude this story in a satisfactory way.
    Hard to put down...now onto the next installment.
    Images in this review
    Customer image
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • K. A. robinson
    4.0 out of 5 stars 1996
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 29, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    A nice story similar to a few films where people go back in time and see their past lives while being able to return to the present again, nice story, well worth a read.

Report an issue


Does this item contain inappropriate content?
Do you believe that this item violates a copyright?
Does this item contain quality or formatting issues?