Member Reviews

I follow Louise on social media – so when I saw she had a new book coming out, I requested a copy from NetGalley. Having just given up on a ‘literary-type’ book as I just couldn’t get into it – I fancied what I suspected to be an easier read – and as this is out on 21 July 2022, it was perfect timing.

Here’s the blurb:

“Sometimes you have to go back, to move forwards.
Tabby is stuck. She still lives in the small town she grew up in . . . the town she’s barely ever left.
So, when her dad drops a bombshell over their weekly Sunday dinner, Tabby takes a look at her own life. She lives firmly in her comfort zone and doesn’t know how to break out. Sometimes she wishes she could go back and start all over again.
When she meets Bea, a free spirit like no one else she’s ever known with an ‘interesting’ sense of style, Tabby quickly befriends her, recognising in Bea the change she’s been craving. But soon it becomes clear that more has changed than her new friend. Somehow Tabby has been transported back to the 1980s.
With the chance to reinvent herself in another time, will Tabby finally manage to move forward?“

I enjoyed this from the start – liking Tabby as a ‘main character’. Her relationship with her parents, best friend (and best friend’s daughter) were all lovely – as was her developing friendship with her new mate Bea. Her crumbling relationship with her boyfriend was less good – but that was kind of the point. David was a dick!

The book runs through the two time lines – the present day, and back in the 1980s. I have to say I guessed some of the twists – but not all of them – so enough to feel smug but still entertained!

I felt like a secret squirrel for recognising that the shop that Tabby works in, ‘Pearls and Doodles’ – is what Louise calls her daughters in real life – gold star to me!! I also thought that Louise would have drawn on her own personal experiences to write some of the emotional scenes – but I can’t explain more without giving away plotlines – and I 100% won’t do that in a review.

The descriptions of the ‘vintage’ clothes – be that 80s or earlier – were great. Equally the night out chapter in the 80s was a reminiscent of my teenage nights out (albeit very early 90s for me!)

Overall it’s a lovely read – perfect for a sun lounger on holiday where you want to be entertained but not too mentally challenged whilst drinking cocktails at the same time.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my advance review copy.

Was this review helpful?

What a wonderful and emotional read.
I grew up in the 80's and 90's , Louise set the right amount of nostalgia to both make me smile and cry in equal measure.

Tabitha the main character in the book comes across beautifully and even though the book comes across as a light hearted read there is definitely some bigger meaning to the book.
How to be happy in oneself and to own your own destiny.

Was this review helpful?

Wow, traveling back from the present day to the 1980's, that brought back memories of the day. Tabby was a character that you could really understand and get to know her well. No more spoilers but I am sure that you will enjoy this book as much as I have done. Worth 5 stars.

Thanks to Netgalley and publisher for this ARC

Was this review helpful?

I signed up for this expecting a book about time travel, and this did feature however it was surprisingly underplayed. This was more a story about understanding who you are, what makes you happy and going for it. This is not a problem for me and I enjoyed following Tabby's growth and experiences.
I struggled a little with the narrative - the voice, although in first person seem distant and as a result I found it difficult to empathise with the MC at times. I also worked out the twists early on and felt I was just waiting for the big reveal.
This would make a pleasant beach read, nice story that doesn't require too much concentration.

Was this review helpful?

Tabby is stuck. She still lives in the small town she grew up in . . . the town she's barely ever left.

So, when her dad drops a bombshell over their weekly Sunday dinner, Tabby takes a look at her own life. She lives firmly in her comfort zone and doesn't know how to break out. Sometimes she wishes she could go back and start all over again.

When she meets Bea, a free spirit like no one else she's ever known with an 'interesting' sense of style, Tabby quickly befriends her, recognising in Bea the change she's been craving. But soon it becomes clear that more has changed than her new friend. Somehow Tabby has been transported back to the 1980s.
Really enjoyable read totally recommend
Thank You NetGalley and Bonnier Books Uk
I just reviewed Time After Time by Louise Pentland. #TimeAfterTime #NetGalley

Was this review helpful?

I really wanted to love this book as I quote fancied the idea of the book but ultimately it wasn't for me . I didn’t warm to the characters or Tabatha’s narration of the story.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the opportunity to review this ARC.

Was this review helpful?

This was a really interesting and at time, moving read. This is my first by this author and I have to say I was drawn in with the idea of time travelling. It wasn’t quite what I initially thought, but I was, in its own rights quite wonderful. Tabitha is a fantastic character and I could easily relate to her, her need to please others, to confirm to what the want, to think she is only meant for a quiet, predictable life, and then she has an adventure that truly changes her life. Wonderful! The added twists and turns in there were brilliant and very cleverly woven in to keep you guessing until the end.

Was this review helpful?

This was a great book and. Very unusual in its theme. It was funny and entertaining and read like a breath of fresh air.. I read it very quickly as I enjoyed it so much. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Time travel to the 1980's seemed rather like a memory to me; make up, fashion, brand names, nights out and videos!
Thank you for the memories. I enjoyed this book, not just for the memories, but for the insightful way in which it tackled the many issues which arose. Tabitha learnt not only to speak up for herself but to believe in herself too.
Other characters learnt to live their own lives and to accept change.
This is a lovely way to look back in time for those who remember and also for those who were not around then.

Was this review helpful?

When I saw this book pop on NetGalley I thought it sounded like it would be a really fun read, because who doesn’t love a bit of the 80’s?

Having never read anything by Pentland before I didn’t have any prior expectations. I was pleased to find that I enjoyed her writing style straight off the bat, and I am now heavily considering taking a peak at her other works.

But, back to this novel, it definitely wasn’t what I was imagining it would be. It seemed to take a long time to get going and the time spent 3 decades earlier in 1989 wasn’t the big-haired, neon-wearing, cheesy pop filled good times I had been hoping for.

However, that aside, this book touched on some poignant subjects such as bereavement, gaslighting and homosexuality. I felt these were dealt with very cleverly and although these are hard matters they didn’t weigh down the overall lightness of the story.

I would recommend if you are looking for an easy read for the sun lounger this summer but perhaps not if you’re wanting to get whimsical for the bygone days!

Was this review helpful?

Ah what a journey this book was! I love Louise’s writing style and how she crafts her characters. This was wonderfully romantic, poignant and crammed full of emotions. Just WOW!

Was this review helpful?

Well this was such a fun book!
If, like me, you love the 80s then this is a brilliant window in to them via a magical antique ring, sounds bonkers and it is to be fair, but a brilliant, unique plot that was empowering and heartfelt. I adored the character transformations of Tabby and her mum Barbara, as well as Bea who was just such a fabulous character that I could have read more and more about. The plotline naturally has its holes which did leave me questioning a fair bit, but that aside if you love vibrant, strong, positive characters, fashion & upcycling, you're going to love this.

Was this review helpful?

Firstly a big thank to the publishers for my copy to review on netgalley. I have been looking forward to a new Louise book . I loved her wilde series which really earned Louise the respect deserved as a writer.

I have just finished this in one sitting… it’s so good.

Life affirming uplifting and packed with magical moments.

Reminds you life is fragile and special.

Cleverly written as the dots are connected.. as a whovian this really hit the spot unlike anything else out there.

I could relate to having a difficult partner and reading her journey of finding her voice was amazing .

The retro 80s vibes , the layers of secrets and a excellent best friend are all the ingredients for a great book.

I absolutely can’t wait to meet Louise on her publication day.

Published 21st July and I wish her every success with this.

Was this review helpful?

I really wanted to love this book but ultimately it was a big disappointment. I liked the characters and I wanted to love the story but there were just too many ideas that didn’t seem to flow together and ultimately I ended up DNF this book.

Was this review helpful?

Oh what a fabulous story, and how wonderful to visit the eighties again, I laughed and cried my way through this book but I will definitely read it again and what a place to leave it? Fantastic!

Was this review helpful?

A bombshell dropped at Sunday lunch is the catalyst for lots of changes. Family secrets are uncovered and a time travelling ring connects family members.
A delightful and enchanting tale. Enjoy I did

Was this review helpful?

I've never read any of Louise Pentland's novels but I've come across her name several times on my social media accounts, so when NetGalley sent me a promo email for her new book, about a young woman time travelling back to the year I was born, I decided to give her a go.

I really enjoyed the book. It took a while for me to wrap my head around where the plot was headed, as it started off a little meandering, but I got there quickly enough for it to not detract from the reading experience. I spent most of the story feeling like the plot was fairly predictable, but was pleasantly surprised by the twist in the ending - it lifted a 3 star experience to a 4 star one.

Tabitha was a mostly likeable character to read; she was kind and strong and I was rooting for her to do well, but at times she felt a little overly self-absorbed. In opposition, her friend Vivienne felt like Marmite in a way. At times I really enjoyed her individuality and her boldness, but I also saw sparks of character traits that weren't so palatable - Tabitha even called some of them out herself in the narrative. What I enjoyed about the characterisation throughout the novel was that the focus was very much on the females in the book - Tabitha, Vivienne, Barbara and Bea were front and centre, with everyone else just filling in the gaps around them.

The time travel element was, for the most part, well executed. It didn't feel out of place or over-done, but it was a bit lacking in description at times, with most of the focus being on the fashion and make-up elements of the time. That being said, I would have liked for the author to have spent more time in 1989 with the characters, rather than the fleeting moments that were captured in an otherwise modern story.

My favourite parts of the book were the family dynamics and the exploration of what it means to have a comfortable life. The family that surrounded Tabitha - biological or chosen - felt real and endearing. The drama that followed them around didn't seem to dampen their affection or respect for each other at any moment, and that's a truly lovely thing to read when books tend to go for the melodramatics most of the time. The theme of comfort and safety zones was very prominent in the plot, and I appreciated the exploration of the fact that it's not always a bad thing to live a slow and peaceful life, despite what social media pressures can have us believe.

Worth a read and I'd be willing to try anything else by the author in the future.

Was this review helpful?

ess then one week to go until Time after Time by @louisepentland is published.

I was lucky to be able to read an advanced copy via @netgalley

I really enjoyed this book. I found Tabby to be likeable and familiar, someone who I just wanted the best for and her relationship with Bea was funny and realistic.

Louise writes character who you can’t help want to be friends with, in a way which you forget your reading a book and not there in the moment.

Transporting between the present and 1980s got me thinking, ‘if it were me, what era would I want to go back to, to help reinvent myself?’ And I still don’t know!

Was this review helpful?

I read this in one day! A super cute and touching story following Tabby as she finds her strength and her passion. A beautiful story about motherly love, self love and time travel!

Was this review helpful?

I got unexpectedly quite emotional reading this book. I guessed the main twist quite early on in the book but I was surprised by few other things that happened throughout. The story flows really well and Tabby is a likeable and relatable character. The anger I felt towards David, what an awful character. Overall its quite a good read.

Was this review helpful?