Àm Acevedo

Have you ever felt time slipping through your fingers? What if a past love became the ghost in your every moment, and time wasn’t just passing, but actively consuming you?

When Time Devours is a profound and hauntingly lyrical work of fiction that explores the relentless passage of time and the enduring quest for authentic love. Meet Xavier Vivar, a man adrift between two worlds, caught between the sensual nostalgia of his Caribbean past and the post-industrial reality of his present in Dayton, Ohio. Tormented by the parting words of Gloria, a lost love who prophesied, “You will think of me,” Xavier carries the weight of memory and a chilling awareness: time is not a passive river, but a voracious beast. He has witnessed its appetite firsthand.

From the colonial plazas of Old San Juan to the vibrant artsy Oregon District of Dayton, Xavier’s journey is a meditation on mortality and memory. He wanders as both observer and participant, seeking solace in the Dayton Art Institute, the Schuster Center, and the Oregon District pubs. He encounters fleeting connections —a mysterious woman before a painting, a compelling stranger at a concert, a server with a pendulum ponytail, the intriguing Delia— each echoing the ghost of what he left behind. His is a search for meaning in a world that feels ephemeral, a struggle to reconcile the passionate man he was with the solitary figure he is becoming.

As past and present collide, Xavier is forced to confront a consuming question: Is he merely a victim of time’s appetite, or can he discover the secret to stopping its feast? Guided by unexpected wisdom —from a grieving priest to a profound letter from the past— he begins to unravel a startling truth: the only force potent enough to challenge time’s devouring nature is the transformative, all-consuming power of true love.

Perfect for readers of literary fiction who enjoy the poetic introspection of Gabriel García Márquez, the existential depth of Paul Auster, and the emotional intensity of Alice Walker, When Time Devours is more than a story —it’s an experience. It’s for anyone who has ever felt the weight of a memory, the ache of unfinished history, or the quiet desperation of watching years slip away.

Immerse yourself in a tale where every second counts, every glance holds a universe, and love is the only force that might just be timeless. Step into Xavier’s world. Discover if love can ultimately triumph when time devours.

Bonus: This book also contains an additional short story.