A book which explores the decisions we make and what life would be like if we made different ones. 

A really sweet and satisfying story, full of the magic of love and just what everyone needs as a pick me up

All About Us is an unusual time-travel novel that raises the intriguing question of whether past decisions were the right ones. In this modern interpretation of A Christmas Carol, Ben is at a crossroads in his life, and contemplating action that will destroy his marriage. 
As a university student Ben thought his future was with Alice. Then, while taking part in a Christmas drama production, he met Daphne. The story opens fifteen years later – he and Daphne have been together ever since, but are currently going through a rough patch, and Ben is wondering whether he made the right decision all those years ago. In the pub on Christmas Eve, Ben meets a mysterious old man who insists on giving him a watch that is stopped at 23.59.
He wakes up in his old room at university, on the day of the play, and relives the experience, with the benefit of hindsight, and realises that everything did not happen exactly as he remembered it. He then goes on to relive several other days around Christmas time, causing him to reassess what he previously thought had happened, and his own behaviour; he also gets a tantalizing glimpse of what his future might hold.
It is unusual for me to read a book in this genre by a male writer – a story about love, grief and second chances. Written from the point of view of Ben, we get an insight into his struggles with his mental health and self-esteem; also the long-term effects of his non-existent relationship with his absent father. Although he can’t alter anything that previously happened, he can change what he does next. 
I really enjoyed this well-written, thought-provoking story, and will certainly be on the lookout for other books by Tom Ellen. 
Thanks to HQ and NetGalley for a digital copy to review.

I was slightly worried about this book when I first started it, I’ll be completely honest. Our protagonist Ben is unhappy with many aspects of his life - his job is unfulfilling and his marriage isn’t in a great place. He finds himself thinking back to his uni days when he first met and kissed his wife Daphne, and wonders if he made a mistake all along. Was his friend Alice really the one for him instead? On Christmas Eve, 2020, a mysterious stranger gives him the chance to relive moments from his past so he can find out.

I worried that Ben was going to whizz back in time and choose someone else instead of Daphne just because he was feeling stuck in a rut, however I needn’t have worried because that’s not what happens at all. It’s more like a modern retelling of A Christmas Carol - Ben revisits important moments that have shaped who he’s become, sometimes seeing more than he did at the time it actually happened.

I enjoyed this book. It was nice and festive without feeling too twee, and who doesn’t love a bit of time travel? I doooo! Ben’s growth as a character was good to see, and I found myself really rooting for him as I got to the end of the book. I also really loved Daphne as a character as well. Despite the fact the book is purely told from Ben’s perspective, she really came to life on the page during his interactions with her.

A solid, sweet Christmassy love story that I’d recommend if you’re looking for something light to read.

I reviewed this title as part of my December Reading Wrap Up https://youtu.be/xv5loSXMv-U

I enjoyed this so much! The storytelling was a lot of fun and I found the male perspective of this novel really refreshing. I don't read many romcoms from a male pov! It was also wonderfully festive, which is always a plus

All About Us by Tom Ellen

For those of us who wish the holiday season lasted just a wee bit longer, might I suggest All About Us by Tom Ellen? In addition to the cozy holiday feel, this story weaves together second chances, mystical elements, and a heartwarming Happily Ever After.
It’s been fifteen years since Ben and Daphne’s first kiss. However, the flame is gone, their relationship is on the brink of disaster, and even worse, their drive to “fix” their marriage has stalled. This leaves Ben wondering if he should have chosen Alice all those years ago. The more his relationship with Daphne crumbles, the more he regrets leaving Alice. Lo and behold, Alice reaches out to Ben.
Enter the magic. Ben purchases a watch from a gentleman (who seems to pop in throughout the story) and finds himself as a first year at university. The year? 2005. The day? The day he and Daphne met and kissed. Here’s Ben’s chance to start all over again. To make different choices. Does he stay with Daphne? Does he give Alice a chance?
All About Us jumps from present to past to present. Each time he makes deliberate changes in the past, he’s back in the present. And then he jumps back in time again, though each subsequent journey into the past finds him closer to the present. And, even more frustrating, the changes he makes in the past don’t seem to change the outcome of his present relationship. A relationship still on the precipice of ruin. 
But our dear hero has many lessons to learn. Besides figuring out his love life, Ben is given a gift to reconnect with his best friend and his mother. And while the magic of altering the past doesn’t necessarily change the future, it does teach him a most important lesson. He still has the ability affect the present and ergo, the future.  
Without giving away spoilers, I am happy to say the book ended how I hoped it would. The pacing is swift, and our hero’s personal journey is satisfying, like a fresh baked chocolate chip cookie. As a romance, this brought me warm fuzzies in the end, though getting there wasn’t always smooth. But then again, a relationship where our protagonist evolves, and the couple overcomes obstacles? To me, this makes the very best of romances.

Such a powerful love story. Loved every part off this book from start to finish. I can't wait to read from more off this author. This book stole my heart

I knew that I would love this book from the beginning 

It explores decision making and the consequences of how we choose 

Highly recommended

What a wonderful read! An emotional but funny read that is utterly captivating.  Full of real characters that you can relate to.  I absolutely loved it!

On the books you definitely need to read! This was fun, serious and just had the perfect balance. Must be added to your tbr if it isn’t already!!

Everyone had regrets and makes mistakes and wishes they could change certain actions and this book shows exactly what happened to Ben had that been allowed to happen.
Couldn't put it down, what an absolute belter. Will remember this forever!

I really enjoyed this book. It was warm, fuzzy and cosy, the characters were lovable and fantastically thought out. Wonderfully written. Would recommend.

All About Us was featured in Pretty Books' blogpost on 8 festive books to take you back to Christmas.

Quite a fun read with an original mechanism for chaos and a good bit of dilemma thrown in there! Really good popcorn story

I couldn’t put this book down! Ok, probably best to read around Christmas, but I will re-read this book every time I doubt any decisions I have made! Such a feel-good book and at the same time thought provoking. Just loved it!

A wonderful festive tale based on Dickens Christmas Carol. I really enjoyed this gorgeous feel good story and felt it had a nice moral and a warm and fuzzy ending. I haven't read anything by Tom Ellen before, but will definitely be looking out for future reads.

A Christmas book like no other I’ve read. Not a ‘chick lit’ book of happiness and light romances, which whilst are enjoyable and festive, can be somewhat predictable. 

I loved the concept of re-experiencing moments throughout our lives to reconnect with the most important ones to us. 

I grew to really like Ben, I wanted him to be happy and was willing him to wake up to the true love in front of him.

I laughed a lot reading this. Anyone who loves a Bridget Jones book will love this. 
Love and humour is always a great read.

I really enjoyed this modern day twist on A Christmas Carol by Tom Ellen. It was charming, uplifting and easy to read. I enjoyed reading the main characters dialogue. The concept of ‘what if’ is always a good one, if you could would you go back in time to change what’s happened, would you make different choices? Even if that meant you weren’t the person you were today. I think especially with the year we have just had, everyone is focusing on kindness, being a community and supporting one another. All About Us is a great example of how we often take things for granted but with a second look we see what we needed was right in front of us all along. Love, family and friendships. Its a book that is perfect for the holiday season, a good book to read this time of year!

This book is stunning and I very much enjoyed this one. The novel is a retelling of A Christmas Carol and it really is a brilliant story. Ben is unhappy in his marriage and as Christmas is approaching he’s thinking about an old flame and what could have been. The novel then follows Ben as he gets thrown back to the past numerous times and discovers that his memories of how things happened were perhaps skewed or even inaccurate and while what he learns won’t change the future he can change himself and his approach to life. I adored this book, it kept me engrossed at a time when reading has been a struggle and I’m sure I’ll revisit it again in the future. I definitely recommend this one!

This book reminded me a lot of Bernard's watch inised to watch from childhood. But instead of being able to stop time, Ben went back in time and then forward.
There was something likeable and unlikeable about him all at the same time. 
I really enjoyed this book. I wouldn't have said its a feel good Christmas book as i think you could read it any time of the year.  It was a nice book to snuggle down with