Bob is not a nice person, even he knows that. However, he blames himself and how he turned out on his brother's death as a child. So when he finds a phone to contact his family in the past and finds he can change events for himself and others, he ends up with some unexpected results. Could have had a few more fun elements in, like the lotto numbers, etc. It is more a story of one man coming to terms with his past and himself.

It started off slow, and at first I didn’t really take to Bob Bloomfield as a character but as the book progressed, I did really enjoy Bob’s story and escapades.
I really enjoyed the premise of the book, the story was very interesting and well told, and really anything that includes a nod to Doctor Who and most especially my favourite Doctor- Tom Baker is a sure fire winner.
I have to disagree with another reviewer who tried to say the book was aimed at men? Surely books, like music are universal?
I didn’t gel with the violence but it wasn’t too gratuitous and it didn’t hamper the narrative in any meaningful way.
I think that Steve Jones’ book will appeal to everyone, even if you don’t have an interest in time travel. Time travel in fiction when done really well, actually enhances the enjoyment and reading experience. With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me the chance to read it.
#CallTime #SteveJones #Netgalley

This book had a lot of potential but had a slow start which was hard to get into. It was a good read overall but the slow start made it tough to get into

This was sadly DNF’s about 5 minutes in.

I highly question a decent editors involvement.

Whilst the intro attempted to employ a few ‘show, don’t tell tactics’, the exposition was painfully dull.

The paragraph beginning ‘Imagine an institution…’ was possibly the most cringeworthy attempt to set a workplace scene I’ve encountered.

I struggled through a few pages but was met with a litany of metaphors such as ‘cut-throat detachment that could throw a duffel bag of kittens into a canal without breaking stride’ along with ‘the intimidating impression of being in the captain’s quarters on a whaling vessel’ and ’the wind took the voice out of both of their sales’ this combined with OTT descriptions of characters and personalities was just too much for me.

Scanning the synopsis, it appeared to be a decent concept with the promise of introspective subjects such as regret and finding happiness after despair.

Such a shame.

A book about a small group of people where changes in their behaviour result in changes in their lives. I liked the writing style, at first it seemed a bit macho (drinking, drugs, partying etc) but once I got into the story it really started to grip me and kept my interest throughout. The premise of contacting your younger self sounds like science fiction, but in this book it is done in a fairly believable way.... if that makes sense ! The possibilities that this throws up certainly provide an interesting read and plenty of food for thought
Descriptions of places and people are well done . I enjoyed this book more than I expected when I started to read it and will look out for more from this author

Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

This is the story of Bob. He is not a very good friend. He is career driven and has no interest in forming any relationships especially romantic ones. Bob is weighed down from guilt after his brother died when he was a teenager. Bob feels responsible. Whilst at a fancy dress shop he buys a phone which he finds enables him to contact his younger self. Bob makes it his mission to save his brother but finds that it is not as simple as he thinks.

This was an interesting story but it took a little while to get going. There was certain parts that left me a little confused. On the whole I really enjoyed it and will definitely look out for more releases from this author.

Well I've just finished reading Call Time and I'm left wondering if either myself or the author, Steve Jones was on the magic mushrooms! This was a slow burner and then it got a little bit weird and I considered giving up. I persevered and it got more and more weird and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
This story would make great television. I couldn't begin to tell you what the storyline was because it's just so... yes, you've got it, weird!

Bob is 49 -and not the nicest of people really. When he was a child his youngest brother Tom died in a cycling accident which he blamed himself for and has put up a barrier against all relationships since.
One night -he needs a outfit for a party and quite by chance -he comes across an old fancy dress shop . Deciding on a Knight Rider theme he gets a typical 80's outfit along with a big old mobile phone . Days later he finds that he can actually use the phone to speak to people in the past -could he actually speak to someone to warn Tom about the accident and change the course of his and Tom's future ???
This was so much fun I loved it !

Thankyou NetGalley for an ARC in return for an honest review

I’d describe this book as realistic fiction. The author has done an amazing job of creating imaginary characters and situations that depict the world and society. The characters focus on themes of growing, self-discovery and confronting personal and social problems.

The E-Book could be improved and more user-friendly, such as links to the chapters, no significant gaps between words some text written has been typed in red and a cover for the book would be better. It is very document-like instead of a book. A star has been deducted because of this.

This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and I would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you very much to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

I have a feeling that if you enjoy time travel in your books or when watching a movie, think About Time or This Time Tomorrow, then you will want to pick this up.
Even though it starts off exceptionally slow, I would push through as what comes is a fun book that isn't dull from that point onwards.
It's a bit of a weird book but in a good way, if that makes sense. And there are lots of twists and turns to keep you entertained.
This would make a great holiday or beach read and I look forward to seeing what Steve Jones does next after this.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this book. A great idea for a story with a brilliant twist at the end. I particularly liked the character of Scotty. Recommended.

I was a bit on/off with this book. It didn't take me that long to read it once I'd got into it, but so many times I've been left scratching my head in total confusion at the back and forth in time.

I won't go into the plot too much because it would spoil it for any potential readers. Basically Bob is 49 and is CEO of an entertainments business, I think he's like an agent/promoter, that kind of thing. He's single and keeps himself pretty much to himself. He's brash, unfriendly and over the years has grown a thick skin, keeping people very much at arms length. Why? Because he can never come to terms with the guilt he feels for the death of his brother when they were kids. He still, after all these years, firmly believes it was his fault.

He then stumbles upon what he sees as the means to put things right. Can he bring his brother back? Can he go back to the past and stop the accident from happening. Well you can't can you? What's happened in the past has happened and I don't know of anyone who has ever been brought back from the dead. Therefore, I was intrigued to see how this story would actually end. How would the author get round this obvious fact. I know it's fiction, but it's not a fairy tale, so this is what spurred me on to keep reading. To be honest, even at the end of the book, I was still a little mystified, but no matter, it was the content that mattered and overall I did enjoy the book. It certainly kept me on my toes reading it anyway.

It does have a fair bit of humour, if a little dark, which suits me. The dialogue between characters was good and there's a lot of it, which I also like. It did get a little violent at one point which I didn't like very much, too graphic and unpleasant for my sensitive soul, but it's only in one bit and doesn't run all the way through the book, thankfully.

All in all, a good read, with a plot that's just that little bit different, and it does have a softer side to it too.

Steve Jones is a British TV presenter. I've never seen him, but apparently he's good natured. Call Time starts slow then charges towards several genre cliches, so I was looking for reasons to to file it under DNF. Unfortunately, that good nature comes across in his writing, giving it just enough momentum to keep you interested. This isn't complex literary fiction, but as a silly but fun poolside read, you could do a lot worse.

Call Time by Steve Jones is perfect for fans of books like This Time Tomorrow by Emma Straub or the film About Time.

A thin story spread too long and with an unbelievably slow start.

When a phone is found to link to the 1980s it throws up multiple complications. Who wouldn't want to restore a beloved sibling to life?

One parrt I found really clever involves martial arts but I can't say more without spoiling the surprise.

I think a male reader would enjoy it more than I did because the fighting, cars etc are so lovingly detailed

Really enjoyed this book and how it was light hearted yet also covering a tough subject of reviving loved ones. Really easy to read.

If you could make a phone call into your past, who would you call? What would you change if you could? Bob Bloomfield in the present day wears titanium armour so nothing can pierce his interior. His exterior persona especially working at FitzSimmons and Bloomfield Entertainment is ruthless, detached, cutthroat and professional. Oh boy, is Bob ever in for some shocks and major surprises. Can there be redemption or is it a case of just desserts?

Although I think the premise is clever it does take a while to get going, being initially slow paced and lacking some cohesion. Once we get into the call time scenario it becomes way more interesting. It is marketed as Sliding Doors meets High Fidelity which I totally get but I also see shades of Christmas Carol but with way more twists! These can get a bit dizzying because you keep getting socked with them but it’s certainly entertaining and a never a dull moment experience! The plot contains bit of mystery, with a large element of fantasy which definitely requires those disbelief suspenders and is peppered with dark humour.

The characterisation is good although with the exception of Scotty most are not very likeable and I especially like how Scotty’s wife Kirsty certainly has the measure of Bob! Some of the best dialogue is between those two! Bob is, well, you’ll just have to meet him and make your own mind up!

So, if you’re wanting to read something a bit different then this may fit the bill. There’s irony, sharp sarcasm and humour which contrasts with fear, guilt, there are some conundrums to figure out, some violent encounters, it gets a bit strange and weird and there’s the occasional bit of cheese! A varied and compelling read!

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Michael Joseph for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

This debut from Steve Jones was one I felt compelled to read after checking out the blurb.
I'll be honest, it didn't grab me from the off.
Not the kind of hook that 'they' all say is needed for a brilliant book. In fact, it took me a little while to get into the swing of the story, but when the phone appeared, I became more invested in it all.
Our main character, Bob (Rob/Robert), is an older, driven, successful and somewhat selfish man with a huge block of guilt on his shoulder from a tragedy in his past. It's driven him to be a person that is not likeable.
When something rather mystical happens, and he is handed a phone that could change the past, he grabs the chance but doesn't consider the butterfly effects of that one change in the past and what happens, because of it, in the future.
There is a lot to grip you once the story begins to flow. An interesting read.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Penguin Random House and Michael Joseph for an ARC.

An interesting first attempt into the world of writing from a likeable presenter, worth giving time to (although it may not be everyone’s cup of tea)

The debut novel by the popular tv presenter had an interesting premise. However, I was not taken by the style of writing and failed to finish.