Step Back in Time by Ali McNamara

Published by Sphere, November 2013

In 2013, JoJo runs an accountancy firm. She’s a workaholic who is pretty much letting life pass her by. However, when a car hits her, she finds herself transported back to 1963. She has travelled through time and she has to figure out why before she can get home again. From the 60’s she travels to the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s.

The concept of this book intrigued me before I even started reading it. I am fascinated by time travel (and yes, I have watched Back To The Future and Quantum Leap a few times.)

I loved this book. I liked how elements of JoJo’s 2013 were ever-present when she travelled but were in different guises and I liked how each time zone found her in a slightly different circumstance.

The references to the years which she travelled to, are one of the things I liked the most. I loved the 60’s era – that’s the era I would go to if I could travel and I adored all the Beatles references. It was also a nice trip down my memory lane with all the Take That references in the 1990’s.

Ali captures the era’s well and I felt a different atmosphere to JoJo’s surroundings every time she moved through the different decades. The plot is well thought out and elements of all the different time zones tie together which is something I always love in a story.

JoJo is developed well as a character. Harry is a great hero and Ellie and George are great supporting characters too. I wanted to know what happened to them all at the end. There was a nice if somewhat bittersweet ending to this book. There were surprises, which were great for me, especially when I thought I had the ending figured out.

I couldn’t put this book down. This book, a comfy chair and a nice cup of tea are a lovely antidote to the cold, horrible weather. 

by

Laura

I'm Laura. I started Novel Kicks back in 2009 as I wanted a place to discuss books and writing - two loves of my life. As someone who has anxiety, these two things give me, and I am sure countless others, a much needed escape.
There is a monthly book club, writing exercises, prompts, reviews, author interviews, competitions and guest posts. I cover many genres and I hope there is something for everyone.
I grew up by the sea in Dorset and currently live in Poole with my husband, Chris and three cats. I love writing and have a BA (Hons) in Creative Writing from Falmouth University. I am writing my first book. If only I could stop pressing delete. Chris has threatened to stop it from working. Haha.
I have always loved creative writing since I was in first school and would very much like to meet my teacher, Miss Sayers, to say thank you for all the encouragement she gave me then.
When not writing, I love reading, cats, Disney, singing (I can't sing but this doesn't stop me,) and falling into a good TV show or film. If I could step into any fictional world, it would be amongst the characters in ABC's Once Upon a Time.
I love reading many genres and discovering new authors.