The festive season crystallises memories good and bad for most people and Christmas 2020 proves to be a memorable one for Ben. At a low point in his life, he has a serendipitous meeting with a man who gives him a watch and food for thought. What follows, defies belief but at such a magical time of year, anything is possible, right?

Ben, his wife Daff, best friend Harv and Alice the what-if lover are all well-described, relatable characters in this engaging story. The festive twist comes from the December time frame and the contemporary interpretation of Dicken's A Christmas Carol.

This story focuses on the turning points of Ben's life when he makes life-changing decisions. Given the opportunity, should he change them? Revisiting the past forces Ben to see things differently, not everything is as he remembers it, and this is important for his future actions.

There's a new adult romance, coming of age, loss, love and magical time travel in this reflective story.

I received a copy of this book from HQ via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Aaah, this was such a satisfying story. I knew from the first few pages that I was really going to like this book and Ellen did not disappoint. It is sad, it is emotional, but the Christmas theme makes it warm-hearted as well.

It makes a change for me to read a book by a male author and one that features a male protagonist. Having recently analysed the books I read, I am painfully aware that it is female-dominated. Maybe this added to my enjoyment of the story.

Using Dickens’s 'A Christmas Carol', Ellen’s novel follows a similar story. After meeting a quirky watch-seller in a pub on Christmas Eve, Ben finds himself hurtling back in time and re-living significant moments of his life. He is disappointed, discouraged and questioning in present day and, with his broken watch, has the opportunity to see whether the choices he made were the correct ones. Occasionally, Ben meets with the watch-seller but, as Ben soon discovers, it is down to himself to find out the true answers.

I loved the fact that the premise of this story is based on Dickens. It is a familiar story to many and I think Ellen creates a fresh, new approach. Indeed, it took me a while to make the connection, even though references are made from the very beginning when we are with Ben in the early 2000s when he is at university, acting in a play that is a re-working of this festive tale.

The times when Ben was at university were particularly significant to me. Being of a similar age to Ben, I completely picked up on the cultural references throughout the novel. I think this meant the novel had an even more of a special connection with me. Coupled with the fact that 'Back to the Future' remains one of the best films ever, and that I used to watch a children’s program about a magic, time-shifting watch then, well, this was always going to be a success, right?!

I could not really foresee how the story was going to conclude. Sharing Ben’s bitterest and lowest moments over the years meant that I felt like I genuinely knew him. Ellen’s characterisation of Ben, Daphne and even Alice is precise and vivid: it makes them seem like they are part of your own group of friends.

I loved this festive novel. It has so many highs and lows that I think this could be read quite a distance before Christmas! Yes, there is a satisfying ending but, the emotional elements of the story does mean it has more of an edge that typical “slushy” stories. As a debut novel from Ellen, I am really excited to see what he produces next.

With thanks to HQ stories and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

An interesting take on A Christmas Carol, it was really good to read a story about regret that focuses so much on true love from a male perspective. The lead character is on the cusp of making some life changing decisions, when he is given the opportunity to relive some key moments in his life. I really enjoyed this, there were some great characters and also some really unpleasant ones. Nicely written and well balanced.

A brilliant easy read about what would you do if you had the chance to relive certain parts of your life over to show how things might have been. If you could do it differently, would you?
A chance encounter on Christmas Eve leads Ben on the journey of a lifetime, where one moment in time can change everything.
Cleverly written, the time travelling aspect works really well in a fun, unbelievable and emotional way, and I loved Ben and Daphne from the start.
A clever spin on A Christmas Carol and a great fun read.

What a beautiful book! I loved following the story of Ben as he journeyed around revisiting key moments in his life. The characters were developed really well as the story progressed. I felt like I got to know Ben, Daff (his wife) Alice (the one who got away) and Harv his long-standing friend really well.

Parts of the story I found profoundly moving, particularly the scenes involving his mother. I could empathise with his emotional confusion and was envious of some of the opportunities afforded to him.

I was totally gripped by Ben’s world and found myself sharing his frustrations & emotions. This story cleverly portrays a unique opportunity to reflect on previous behaviours and the lessons which that can offer us as well as the dangers. I would highly recommend this.

If you could turn back the clock, would you choose a different path in life?

Ben’s relationship with Daphne is on the rocks so when Alice, the one who got away, gets back in touch with him one December, he can’t help but wonder: what if he’d done things differently all those years ago? He never imagines that he might actually find out… but when a mysterious man gives him a broken watch in the pub, he’s astonished to wake up the next morning on 5th December 2005: the day he first kissed Daphne, leaving Alice behind.

This magical, festive read is inspired by A Christmas Carol. It is warm, properly romantic and a tearjerker. I really cared about Ben and how things would turn out for him and I loved that the characters and relationships were fallible and complex.

The book explores toxic masculinity and how many men struggle to share and deal with their feelings: “But I suddenly, desperately want to find a way to actually talk to him. Because it’s too much, keeping all this stuff locked up in my head. It feels like a dam is about to burst somewhere inside me, and fifteen years’ worth of suppressed emotions are about to stream out onto the table between us.” Ben’s friendship with Harv is a friendship built on “ripping the piss out of each other”, banter and film trivia, not on openness and honesty about their feelings.

It also looks at regret and our human tendency to always wonder if the grass would be greener on the other side. Interestingly, there seem to be a whole host of male authors exploring the themes of regret and fate through time travel and alternate lives at the moment, such as Matt Haig’s The Midnight Library and Robert Webb’s Come Again (which interestingly also sees the protagonist unexpectedly waking up in their first year university bedroom!) You’d also love this book if you enjoyed Richard Curtis’ film About Time.

All About Us also explores grief and loss. It’s worth warning anyone who is separated from family at the moment, worried about their parents’ health or has experienced a bereavement, that this might be a difficult read. Personally, I found reading about Ben being separated from family at Christmas to be particularly tough given the current uncertainty caused by COVID-19. It’s the exploration of grief, though, that drew me even closer to the character of Ben – it was an emotional whirlwind through the highs and lows of his life.

At its heart though, All About Us is a love story and one that I would highly recommend. It is Tom Ellen’s adult debut (having previously written some brilliant YA with Lucy Ivison – I’d particularly recommend Lobsters and Freshers) and I’ll definitely pick up anything he writes in the future.

If you’ve ever been caught up in the magic of A Christmas Carol this magical time-travelling love story is for you! Tissues are advised!

Ben and Daphne have been together for over a decade and there are evident signs that their marriage is on the rocks. We first meet the pair on Christmas Eve after having an argument about Ben’s lack of involvement in the festivities. As Daphne attends drinks with her work colleagues, a sulking Ben is asked to put the decorations up but instead meets his friend Harv in the pub. Although Ben is about to get a lot more than he bargained for when he engages in a chat with an old watch seller...

I don’t want to give any spoilers away but this book is just beautiful and so engaging. While reading I found myself reflecting on the ‘big moments’ of my life and how they have shaped me. At times we can all be guilty of wanting to change the past and have ‘what if’ moments when things haven’t always gone to plan. Tom Ellen describes these moments beautifully through Ben and the sense that we can sometimes remember things without all the facts.

This story made me laugh, cry and hold out hope for a happy ending. A magical festive read!

A depressing story about the choices we make and the many consequences we live with. About life and love and how neither should be taken for granted.

A bit like Christmas Carol, without Scrooge and with more time travel.

If you could go back in time, what is it you would change? For Ben it is his choice of wife! Definitely interesting...

I received this book, from NetGalley, for review consideration.

A heartwarming take of a Christmas Carol told from the point of view of Ben. Who is having a few what if moments about the way his lift has turned out.

Ben is married to Daphne, but after seeing another girl from uni at a wedding is making him think that the grass is greener and wonders if he made a mistake choosing Daff.

He has a pint with his friend Harv and wanted to talk to him about it, but is instead over heard by an older man who gives him a watch. This watch makes him timetravel to different times in his life, past present and future.

Really good story written from a mans point and view. An enjoyable read.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

All About Us - Tom Ellen

This is the story of Benjamin & Daphne - and how their paths crossed. I don’t know how to review this without spoiling anything.
I’ve never read anything by Tom Ellen before, and I was pleasantly surprised by this story. It is told from Ben’s point of view - and it was actually nice to have an entire book set from a man’s viewpoint.
Ben isn’t the most likeable character, but my opinion changed as we got to know him. At first I thought it was going to be a predictable read, and I wasn’t sure I wanted to continue. But I soon found myself hooked.
So I would definitely recommend this book & will look out for books by Tom in the future. Thanks to @netgalley for this copy.

What would you do differently if you had the chance?

A lovely romantic Christmas Carol inspired tale perfect for curling up on an autumn/ winter afternoon.

I enjoyed reading a romance novel with a male protagonist and found this an easy read.

Well this was a wonderful Christmas Carol retelling. If you like the many movie versions of A Christmas Carol that are out there or you like a Love actually style of Christmas film then this is going to be for you. I have to admit that going into this book I didn't know it was going to be set at Christmas time so if you're not in the mood for festive, don't worry it's not too in your face Christmas!

It's always interesting to have a romcom like this with a male lead and I like the fact that we can see a romcom written by a male author starring a male main character and still have all the wonderful romance and humour of what is normally deemed to be chick-lit. I really enjoyed getting to know Ben and all of the questionable choices he made throughout his life! He really doesn't have it all together but he is given a second chance to relive some of the moments in his life that are pivotal to where he is today!

There are a couple of love interests in Ben's life as well as his best friend and his family and most characters appear in every Christmas Ben relives. I loved getting to know the other characters particularly Ben's possible future wives. I will freely admit that I started off the book definitely siding with one woman in particular but then changes my tune towards the end of the story, and not just because one of them decides to criticise teaching as a life choice!

I'm not much one for magic in a novel but I totally believed Ben's time travelling and so if you think this one is going to be too 'unreal' for you, rest assured I was happy to jump from Christmas to Christmas with Ben and Co. I also really loved how much heart was in this book. We have some pretty sad moments throughout the novel mixed in with the humour and the romance and to me it really just felt like Tom Ellen got the balance right. Highly recommend.

Tom Ellis has surely done what most of us want - traveled back in time to see where we went wrong? I really enjoyed finding out what year Ben will wake up in. Brilliantly lighthearted read

I have no idea why I have left All About Us languishing on my bookshelf for so long. This is the kind of novel perfect for cozy armchair reading so prepare to get comfortable and I’ll begin.

Ben and Daphne first meet at university when they are both part of a rather experimental amateur dramatic type of theatre production. Up until this point, Ben is convinced that on this night after the curtains have come down, his friendship with Alice will take a romantic turn. Psychologically geared up for this turn of events, he is literally struck by Cupid’s arrow when Daphne makes a last minute appearance to help out backstage. The rest as they say is history. Now married for four years and in a relationship for fifteen, Ben is at a crossroads in his life. Whilst his career and desire to become a novelist have stalled, wife Daphne’s career as a literary agent is continually on the up. However, their relationship is very much on the rocks, their constant arguing and bickering causing Ben to seriously contemplate his future with a woman he fell madly in love with upon first sight.

Christmas Eve 2020 is when the narrative really begins. Daphne attends her work’s party alone, with Ben opting to drown his sorrows in the pub with best friend Harvey, instead of putting up the festive decorations. Trying in vain to have an open and honest discussion with his friend about his current state of mind, Ben is approached by a stranger flogging watches. Unable to extricate himself from an unwanted dialogue with this man, Ben is left with a wristwatch which has bizarrely stopped at one minute to midnight. It’s at this point the narrative comes into its own with the seemingly useless watch acting as a time hopping device transporting Ben back into various points in his past, offering him the chance to experience second hand these pivotal moments, alter how they play out and glimpse his future self. With this watch seller, curiously resembling his grandad Jack, magically reappearing during these time hops, this is a book about second chances and realising that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. Never sure of what year or the situations he will be forced to relive, some of which are excruciating and would be best left in the past, Ben has to confront his former and future self. Rather like holding a mirror up to reflect your worst traits this is a time for introspection and contemplation but with no control over his time travelling adventures, will Ben like what he sees? Will he even be able to find his way back to Christmas Eve 2020??

For Ben this is also an opportunity to debunk some of his long held beliefs about his life leading up to the moment when he encounters the odd stranger in the pub. His image of his absent father, a famous playwright, may not prove to be a true representation of the man Patrick Hazeley really is. Why does Ben believe that maybe Alice was the girl who should have found him in the maze during that game of sardines at uni? Why does the last conversation before his mother’s sudden death cause him so much anguish? These are all crucial questions relating to his current mindset. Ben’s marital disharmony is leading him to view that first term at uni as Alice’s friend and potential lover through rose tinted spectacles. It’s almost as if Ben has immortalised the memory of Alice, forever stuck in that one moment of time. Does his future lie with Daphne or with Alice?

In some ways I didn’t have a lot of sympathy for this man child who seems incapable of growing up and is definitely not someone worthy of Daphne’s love. His reliance on her to be the adult in the relationship, whilst he procrastinates over writing a novel, jumping from one ill paid job to another I found rather irksome. Also his inability to communicate his feelings and emotions coherently means he’s been cast as a stereotypical male character, a feeling further entrenched by Ben’s relationship with best friend Harvey. Chatting over pints in the pub their conversations are dominated by football and not much else, giving an impression to the reader that their behaviour is still rather laddish for men in their thirties. However, scratch the surface of Ben’s boyish exterior and you’ll find a depth to his character previously hidden. I found myself hoping his time travelling experiences would see him mature into the responsible adult he’s meant to be.

The concept of time travel is a useful and effective device for the author to relay Ben’s past as well as providing this character with the chance to alter important conversations with the key people in his life, a chance to rectify his past mistakes, even though he is the only one to experience these pivotal moments differently. Ben’s grief over the death of his mother affects his life thereafter, casting a shadow over his marriage, which gives the author plenty of opportunity to explore the subject of death and bereavement.

The storyline might not be original but it still manages to satisfy the reader’s desire for a healthy dose of true romance and possible happy ever afters. I defy anyone to read this and not wish they could have the opportunity to relive important moments in their lives and see how their decisions will affect their future. I wonder how many of us would relish the chance to change some our biggest life decisions and how many would be completely happy with the direction we chose to take. After all, everyone reaches crossroads at various times in their lives but what is interesting is what compels us to follow certain paths. The idea that we could all have our own guardian angel, like Ben, to guide us through the rough patches is of course fanciful but to me a wonderful concept.

Essentially this storyline explores the often messy nature of relationships and how we deal with turbulence along the way. Not intending to sound sexist but fearing I do, because the narrative is written from a male perspective by a male author, it loses (not necessarily a criticism!) emotional heat and sentimentality. I approached this novel with the thought that I could end up bawling my eyes out but that’s definitely not the case. Instead I was charmed, at times frustrated, surprised, delighted and ultimately left feeling hopeful that all will be well in this fictional world. All About Us no doubt will appeal to fans of David Nichols, Josie Silver to name but two and I would happily recommend this novel to others. My thanks as always to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read in exchange for an honest review.

Ben is at uni, he cannot decide whether to pursue a relationship with Alice or Daphne. Years later, he is married to Daphne, but unhappy, and meets up with Alice once more. Should he restart their uni friendship ? A chance meeting with an old man transports him back in time to relive memories, and forwards in time to see his future relationship with Alice. Brilliantly written, I could not put the book down ,wanting to know how it ended.

It made a refreshing change to read from a male voice. Usually, when reading romantic fiction, it’s from a female perspective so this was a wonderful switch.
There’s no mistaking the similarities between Ben and Daphne meeting during a retelling of A Christmas Carol and the way this story progresses. Whilst Ben doesn’t necessarily revisit previous Christmas celebrations, he does relive some key and poignant moments from his past.
The appearances of the watch seller, throughout Ben’s journey became a special part of the story. His cryptic answers added to the mystery of where the story would end up.
In particular, the time he got to spend with his Mum brought a volume of emotions and some heavy tears. I think many of us would change the way we spoke to our parents, on varying occasions, if we could.
Seeing Ben fall in love with Daphne again was joyous. Each nuanced moment that he shared with her was perfect and it was hard to understand how his relationship had become so stale. That said, his own soul searching answered that question as he reflected on his selfish, self-absorbed behaviour.
Alice is the temptress type that most people have encountered at some point. Whilst avoiding spoilers, I will admit to willing him to make better decisions and I felt some real disappointment in his actions. Perhaps the opportunity to visit an alternative future was the antidote to his treacherous dreams.
This book was totally absorbing and one that I simply couldn’t put down.
I wholeheartedly recommend this book but would suggest a few hankies on stand-by.

All About Us is a retelling, or at least a variation on the theme, of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.

Ben’s marriage to Daphne is on the rocks and he’s tempted by the one that got away, Alice. On Christmas Eve he goes to the pub to meet an old friend, Harv. He’s about to spill his thoughts but Harv would rather talk about football than emotions. A mysterious man in the pub gives him a watch, which has stopped at one minute to midnight. The next morning he wakes up in his first year student bedroom, the day he first gets together with Daphne which is also the day when he could have begun a relationship with Alice. What will he do?

Well what would you do? This was such an engaging story as Ben jumps to various significant and pivotal days in his life getting a glimpse to relive his past, see a slightly different present and yes experience his potential future too. Does he have the power to change the way his life turns out? Perhaps not but he does have the chance to remember more and to appreciate what he has. The important thing Ben comes to realise is that he needs to work out why the times he experiences again are important and whether they might give him the opportunity to change himself rather than his life.

All About Us reminded me a bit of the films It’s A Wonderful Life, and Sliding Doors and of course the book A Christmas Carol. I loved the whole ‘what if’ aspect to the book and the sense that we all need to take time to appreciate what we have and the important things in life. I thought this was a wonderful heart-warming book and highly recommend it, whether it’s Christmas time or not!

A modern remake of A Christmas Carol, All About Us explores "what could have been" which we can all relate to.

On Christmas Eve 2020, Ben is feeling nostalgic and is not happy in his marriage and is having a major case of "what could have been" blues. What if his wife hadn't kissed him first, what if his friend Alice who Ben got on so well with during the first team at university found him first? What if he hadn't bumped into her again at a friend's wedding? In the pub with his best friend he meets a mysterious watch seller who sells him a watch that is stuck on one minute to midnight.

From then on Ben goes back in time, reliving some very painful moments and hopes that his new actions will affect the real life present. An interesting and thought provoking story which does make you think, be careful what you wish for!

Lucky, lucky Ben has a chance to right the wrongs in his life, to undo his regrets. But what will he do - will he make the same mistakes all over again?
We see that we have far more control over our lives than we sometimes imagine, if we only open our eyes and our ears, and pay attention.
A lovely, modern rewrite of the Christmas Carol, and I particularly liked the story being told from the man’s perspective - unusual in a romance!

First let me say, as a romance reader, I often feel let down by my favourite genre. On top of that there are tropes I usually despise (cheating, male protagonist, love triangle) and yet, I bloody loved this book! For a debut author Tom Ellen sucked me right into Bens world and I was totally consumed by the story. I loved the way this story was told. I wasn't expecting the time travel aspect, but to me this had vibes of a christmas carol, mixed with one of my favourite films Sliding Doors.

I am excited to see what else this author does.