All About Us by Tom Ellen is a Christmas romance novel that is an updated spin on an old classic. The characters are lots of fun, and the story will definitely put you in the Christmas spirit. If you enjoy a time-travel novel that has a holiday theme, this is one for your to-be-read list.
Author: Tom Ellen
Publisher: HQ
Genres: Adult Fiction, Contemporary, Romance
Publication Date: October 13, 2020
Rating:
A chance encounter leads to the journey of a lifetime in this powerful and emotional love story, perfect for fans of One Day, Me Before You and In Five Years.
If you could turn back the clock, would you choose a different life?
Ben’s always loved the month of December, but this year, with his relationship with Daphne on the rocks, it’s missing its usual magic. And then his old friend Alice gets back in touch. Ben’s always thought of Alice as the one that got away, and he can’t help but wonder: what if he’d done things differently all those years ago?
He never imagines he might get to find out… but when a stranger sells Ben a mysterious watch one freezing winter’s night, he’s astonished to wake up the next morning on 5th December 2005: the day he first kissed Daphne, leaving Alice behind.
Now Ben must make the biggest decision of his life, all over again. But this time around, will he finally find the courage to follow his heart?
All About Us is a captivating novel of heartbreak and loss, friendship and hope – and how the choices we make throughout our lives will shape our destiny.
❃ I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. ❃
Review: All About Us by Tom Ellen
The book has a similar feel to Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, however there are some modern improvements to the original that make this retelling fresh and entertaining. The main character, Ben, is an interesting man who has lost sight of what’s important and good in his life. A mysterious encounter with a bar patron on Christmas Eve sets off a whole chain of events that has Ben revisiting how he got to the place he is today.
❀ Ben becomes easy to root for
Ben is a character that is not entirely dislikable, but he is definitely one that needs some sense knocked into him. He has had some tragedies in his life that have set him back emotionally and he just can’t seem to get it together. As more of his past is revealed, it becomes easy to root for him as he becomes more self aware.
❀ A Heartwarming Romance
At the heart of the story is the romance between Ben and his wife Daphne. It is a thread that weaves throughout the novel and I really enjoyed reading about the ups and downs of their relationship. Also, it is so heartwarming to watch Ben discover how much Daphne really means to him.
❀ A Perfect Holiday Read
All About Us by Tom Ellen is one that I highly recommend if you enjoy a Christmas-themed love story with a time travel element. The characters are interesting and the story will lift your spirits. It is a perfect holiday read.
About Tom Ellen
Tom is an author and journalist from London, England. He is the co-writer of three critically acclaimed Young Adult novels: LOBSTERS (which was shortlisted for The Bookseller's inaugural YA Book Prize), NEVER EVERS and FRESHERS. His solo adult debut novel is the romantic comedy ALL ABOUT US (HQ/HarperCollins, published October 2020). His books have been widely translated and are published in 20 countries. He is a regular contributor to Viz magazine, and has also written for Cosmopolitan, Empire, Evening Standard Magazine, The Daily Mash, Glamour, NME, ESPN, ShortList, Time Out London, Vice, Stylist and many more.
About Lori
Avid reader. Contributor to The Candid Cover. Educator.