Eve loves working in her antiques shop in Cambridge and when she meets Adam who needs her expertise for his Grandfathers house clearance everything begins to fall in to place.
This book was excellent and I loved how the story just fitted together so well as the book progressed.
The setting was lovely and the characters were well written and began to feel like friends.
Without giving away any spoilers when I started reading this book I had no idea what was in store and the ending was excellent and everything happened as it was always meant to be.
Thanks to NetGalley, Ali McNamara and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury Publishing for this ARC.

Eve Sinclair, 36, is a leap year baby. She lives in Cambridge and runs Rainy Day Antiques on Clockmaker Court, an old family business inherited from her grandparents. She loves her job and finding out about the history of objects in her care.

Adam Darcy, 40, is also a leap year baby. He's a roadie who hires Eve on behalf of his grandfather on their joint birthday to do a house clearance of his grandfather's property. He ends up buying the old bookshop next to Eve's shop and they start spending a lot of time together.

But far from this being a straightforward romance, we unravel a mystery to do with Adam's great grandfather Archie, Eve's great grandmother Dotty and a hidden space behind a metal door where the 12th building on the court should be. What have certain books, letters, a painting and a grandfather clock to do with them both, their birthdate and biblical names? Has someone set them up to meet at the right time and place?

This captivating book grabbed me from the first page. I like reading about time travel even though it always hurts my brain thinking about it. I loved all the characters of Clockmaker Court, from Orla and Harriet to Luca, Ben and Barney, who all turned out to have a fascinating history. Most of them have survived trauma and bad accidents which have shaped their lives.

This is a beautiful, uniquely interesting, warmhearted story combining romance with mystery, history and a dash of magic about timing being everything. I love all of Ali McNamara's books and her use of magical realism but this felt really special. I am giving it all the stars because I could seriously see this as a movie which I would love to watch. Just lovely.

Big fan of the magical elements of Ali McNamara books, I have read them all. This one was just as enjoyable, great characters lovely setting in Cambridge couldn't put it down. Ending slightly confusing but maybe that's just me, I needed a bit more information as to what they were doing. I felt it just finished. I would still recommend it whole heartedly

Book Review: Right Place, Right Time by Ali McNamara
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)

“Right Place, Right Time” by Ali McNamara is an intriguing blend of romance, mystery, and a dash of nostalgia, perfect for readers seeking both charm and suspense. The story is a refreshing take on fate and timing, with a deep dive into the world of antiques and the secrets they hold.

The novel follows Eve, the owner of a quaint antiques shop in Cambridge, who has a passion for uncovering the stories behind the treasures she sells. Her meticulous research into each item’s history is as much about honoring the past as it is about connecting with people. Enter Adam, a man focused solely on the future, who arrives in town to settle his late grandfather’s affairs. Initially skeptical of Eve's methods, Adam soon finds himself entwined in a mystery far deeper than he anticipated.

What really drew me into this book was the fascinating dynamic between Eve and Adam. Both characters are dealing with their own personal journeys—Eve, who’s in love with the past, and Adam, who is disconnected from it. Their relationship is built on curiosity, and as they navigate their growing connection, the slow burn of their romance is tempered with a sense of suspense and discovery that kept me eagerly turning the pages.

The real intrigue lies in the mystery surrounding Adam’s grandfather, who hired Eve for a house clearance with a clear purpose. As they uncover layers of the past, a captivating web of secrets begins to unravel. The pacing of this mystery is expertly handled, with just the right amount of tension to keep you invested without overwhelming the romance.

The backdrop of the antique shop adds a unique touch to the story. McNamara does a beautiful job of weaving the history and charm of the items with the evolving relationship between Eve and Adam. The antiques feel like silent characters themselves, each item holding a story that pulls the protagonists—and the reader—deeper into a world of memories and hidden motives.

That said, while the story is filled with intrigue, the romance occasionally leans a bit into the predictable territory, and I would have liked a little more complexity in Adam’s character development. The buildup to the reveal of the mystery also felt slightly drawn out, and some readers may see the conclusion coming a little too early.

Final Thoughts:
“Right Place, Right Time” is an engaging, feel-good read that masterfully blends romance with mystery. Ali McNamara’s ability to create an atmosphere filled with intrigue while balancing a blossoming relationship is truly captivating. It’s a perfect summer read for fans of cozy mysteries with a romantic twist, offering a delightful escape into a world of forgotten treasures and unexpected connections. Whether you’re drawn to the charm of antiques or the allure of fate, this novel is an enjoyable and thought-provoking ride.

What I love the most about all Ali’s books is the mystery. Taking us Judy beyond the realms of reality and possibility. Another amazing story that does just that. Incorporating history and even religious elements of Adam and Eve with apples and Eden. I wasn’t quite sure where this story was going to lead and did leave le a bit confused at times. Great story of love, loss, families and friendships

I love Ali’s books and the way they are written with such mystery around them. This one didn’t disappoint. I loved the host of characters in it and the part each played. The roles in which the characters played (past and present) made the fantasy element in the book more believable. The warmth of Adam and Eve added to their chemistry and there was a perfect balance of fantasy and romance shrouded in mystery.

Ali’s writing in this was as always addictive and I was hooked. It’s one not to be missed.
If you are already a fan of Ali you will love this one and if you haven’t read any by her this is a fantastic starting point. Out on
19th June.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

What an amazing book! I really didn’t want it to end. I love everything Ali McNamara writes, but this book is outstanding and possibly my favourite of hers so far. I loved the subject of this book, I’m a bit of a science geek so I really enjoyed the theme., but this would appeal to many people. So beautifully written and some of the emotional subject matters were dealt with in such an empathic way. I would highly recommend this book to a wide range of readers. It is a book that strongly exceeds its genre. A literal hug to your soul in book form.

This is a captivating read featuring remarkable characters such as Eve, Adam and the shopkeepers of the Clockmaker Court. While the story incorporates fantastical elements it remains believable due to the depth of the characters' pasts and, as well as its profoundly human aspects. The chemistry between Eve and Adam is delightful, and the narrative is meticulously crafted with an intriguing mystery woven throughout. Overall, it is a heart-warming enchanting read, perfect for relaxation.

As an avid admirer of Ali McNamara's work and having read all her books I consider this to one of favourites

My thanks to Bloomsbury Publishing and NetGalley for. Copy of “Right Time , Right Place “ for an honest review.

I loved this book and I was hooked to it from the beginning .
Ive been a fan of Ali McNamara since her first book and she never disappoints..I loved the various characters and as someone who has been tracing their family history for years I loved this aspect of the story.
There was just the right blend of fantasy and romance and it was a joy from start to finish.
Only sad I’ve finished it so quickly!

This is a magical read with great characters in Eve, Adam and the Clockmaker Court shopkeepers. Although there are fantastical elements to the story there’s a believability thanks to the characters past and present and a very human element to the story too. There’s lovely chemistry between Eve and Adam and the story has been really well planned with a great mystery to it all. Overall it’s a very warm-hearted and enchanted relaxing read.

I could not wait to start reading this book, I love Ali's writing, and this book was brilliant. It is all about Eve who owns Rainy Day Antiques, she loves her shop, but the unique thing about Eve is that she takes pride in her shop and will research into every item she stocks in her shop. It is hard work for Eve but I found it fascinating reading about the Antique world. Ali has clearly researched into this world and it shows. Eve has a job to clear a house but she is greeted with a less than friendly man who just wants everything gone so he can go back to London and move on but Eve has other ideas, can they both help mend their ways? It was a story that made me feel warm inside, I loved Eve and how she brought to life the different items she sells. A wonderful story.

Eve has inherited her grandparents antiques shop in a queint part of cambridge called clockmakers court.
It contains 11 old shops run by lovley people.

Adam has inherited his grandfathers house and is in cambridge to sort it out and get it on the market for sale and has had spercific instructions to get Rainy day antiques at clockmakers court to clear the house.

When eve turns up to clear the house they start to go through old boxes of photos that don't really add up.
Theres definatley something not right about the time they were took and the people in them.

I absolutely love it when someone in a wheelchair or a person of color is casually mentioned! Yay for diversity (while I actually shouldn't be cheering about this, people are people, there shouldn't be a difference, but hey unfortunately that is not they the world works).

And indeed, we are all supposed to make up our own minds, be conscious of what is important to us personally. Like someone in the book telling Eve she is her own woman, to make her own decisions in life, and to not let anyone tell her what is right or not.

That said, I have to admit I struggled with the storyline that is about overcoming trauma and being perceived as strong. Why can't we just be? Every single one of us, as we're all in this together – hopefully similar to the shopkeepers of the Clockmaker Court. Society is already demanding quite a bit of us these days, and this aspect of the book isn't helping in my humble opinion.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book.

Oh my this is an amazing story. Set in a quaint Cambridge shopping centre. The main characters are Adam and Eve, you follow how they meet and then what the world has in store for them. It is magical and clever. I loved Ben , Barney and Dotty as characters. It is so well written. You won’t be able to put it down. My review is not doing it justice. I would love a Chelsea bun . The ending is perfect. Read it