Precious Time

by Erica James

In order to spend more time with her four-year-old son Ned, Clara Costello trades in her secure, well-paid job and sports car for a camper van called Winnie, and the three of them set off on a mystery tour of England. Of course, her friends and family think she's gone mad. But when they arrive in Deaconsbridge, a small market town on the edge of the Peak District, Clara and Ned become drawn into the lives of the locals. Two in particular seem destined to get under Clara's skin—Gabriel Liberty, a cranky widower who terrifies his family, and Archie Merryman, a local dealer in second-hand furniture, who possesses a heart of gold. Then Clara finds herself having to confront a problem much closer to home, and one she had hoped she would never have to face.

Genres: Fiction, Romance, Chick Lit, Book Club, Ebooks, Roman, British Literature

485 pages, Paperback

First published October 18, 2001

About the author

With an insatiable appetite for other people's business, Erica James will readily strike up conversation with strangers in the hope of unearthing a useful gem for her writing. She finds it the best way to write authentic characters for her novels, although her two grown-up sons claim they will never recover from a childhood spent in a perpetual state of embarrassment at their mother's compulsion.

The author of nineteen bestselling novels, and the winner of the 2006 Romantic Novel of the Year Award, Erica divides her time between Suffolk and Lake Como in Italy.

Reviews

[Mary G · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book.... felt satisfied when finished and appreciated the escape...

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my recent reads and I absolutely loved it! Very well written and a heart warming story line. I felt like I was back home in the Peak District myself when I read her descriptions of the area. This is one I couldn't put down and would highly recommend! I have since read other Erica James books, but none have touched me like this one.

[Marion · Rating 5 out of 5]

Precious Time is an excellent story. Loved the main character, Clara, and her forthright way of managing work and relationships, and her no holds barred way of speaking. This girl can stand her ground! I enjoyed every moment of this story, and couldn't put it down. If you are an Erica James fan, you will love this story.

[Janine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another lovely book by Erica James.

[Rianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Een echte Erica James, leest lekker weg, goed te volgen verhaal lijnen en een schrijfstijl waardoor je blijft lezen. Feelgood roman.

[Gwendolyn Broadmore · Rating 3 out of 5]

Precious Time, by Erica James, is a wonderfully written, big-hearted novel with compelling characterization. Clara Costello is a single mom with a secure well-paying job. However, in Clara's estimation, she is far too busy. Long hours, and chore packed weeks, leave precious little time for her cherished 4-year-old son Ned. Methodical, organized, yet, brave Clara, startles friends and family by trading in her two-seater sports car for a camper-van called Winnie. She sets off with Ned in search of quality together time (and adventure) while they still can. When they arrive in Deaconsbridge, in the Peak District, Clara and Ned become drawn into the lives of the locals. In particular, there's an elder cranky widower, Gabriel Liberty, badly in need of help who alienates everyone in his vicinity. But before their months are up, Clara, unexpectedly needs to confront a dilemma closer to home, something important she left undone. "Precious Time," will make you laugh, make you cry, and it just may leave you having a closer look at the value of your precious time. Gwendolyn Broadmore, author, Life Came to a Standstill

[Bethanie Popple · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very pleasing and inspirational book. It is just what everybody really wants to do. I love the characters and the setting it's all so perfect. However this seems to be the only good book Erica James wrote as I have read a couple of others including 'Love and Devotion' and that was terrible, stupid romance and very depressing. But Precious Times is wonderful.

[Helen Stafford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written with such emotion, you can't help but feel for the characters which became friends whilst reading it. I truely didn't want it to end. This book will always remain on my book shelf to be re-read, a personal favourite, evoking fond memories of the past.

[Ingrid · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ongecompliceerd en aardig om te lezen

[Dorothy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like many other readers, I loved this book. It is a light read, and very engaging. I had not read anything by this author before, but I think I will now look for other books by her. The story is set in the Peak District of England. Clara Costello has given up her high-flying job with an international pharmaceutical company to spend more time with her 4 year old son. She gives up her sports car for a second hand camper van and heads off for adventure. The son is a bright boy and I enjoyed his conversations with others. The pair meet several eccentric characters on the way and becomes involved in their lives. I particularly enjoyed the repartee between Clara and the elderly and grumpy man who lives in a large house and pushes away anyone who tries to get near him.

[Tracey · Rating 2 out of 5]

The idea of this book did catch my attention as the main character Clara and her son Ned trading her job and a sports car for a camper van that they called Winnie and the chance to go off on a mystery of England.
As they drive through, they come to DeaconsBridge a small market town in the Peak District and they become drawn into the lives of the locals and Clara meets Gabriel cranky widower and Archie a local dealer and secondhand furniture.
Unfortunately, for me, this is not my favourite story that Erica James has written. I found it to be sluggish and the characters are not really interesting enough to keep my attention.

[Katie's Book Haven · Rating 4 out of 5]

"For every sixty seconds of anger you experience, you deny yourself a minute of happiness"

This book... I loved it!
It had a slow beginning, that made me wonder where it was going, but once the characters started meeting each other, it really kicked off.
The chapters were short and easy to read. The writing was lovely, and the humor as well as quick comebacks were top notch.
My heart went out to each of the characters, and I couldn't help but fall in love with them.

One thing that I didn't like in this novel, was how Clara handled the situation with her son's father. Yes, it was a main factor in this story, but honestly I would have preferred if the father stayed out of the picture.

Once again, I loved the "happily ever after" ending!

[Jennie Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite simply put, I love this book 📖
I have read it more times than I care to count and each time I’m guaranteed to find something new within the book.
It is so descriptive and the landscapes and characters are formed so solidly in my mind, that I think if someone suggested anything differently I would strongly object! 😁
I am a huge fan of Erica James’s writing style. I find it comforting. Like I know where I stand with it and what quality of story I will get.

[Surya Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

💠I grabbed this book at a bookfair and never heard of this author before!But it's a worthy read!
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🔷Reading this book kinda felt like a cool breeze on a autumn evening!
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💠A fantastic story and a perfect holiday read. It's easy, light and refreshing.
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🔷The story is about a single mom and her 4 year old kid, on a trip in a camper van! The ups and downs of their trip and the experiences they've gained, friends they've made and above everything Life lessons they've learnt!

[Mrs J M Hawkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Uplifting and thoughtful

I have read this book so many times and lent it to so many friends since it was published that the paperback fell apart. It is my go-to book when I need to just shut off the world and get involved in Clara and Ned’s adventures. I cannot recommend it highly enough, probably the favourite book of all time.

[Nurul Rabat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this book. I finished reading it in just 1 week, each night before going to bed. It is like an escape & i love the fact that it teaches the importance of spending more quality time your loved ones.

[Helen Sharrock · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and the characters, the disfunctional family relationships and how a stranger can turn everything around to influence people to be more loving and caring towards each other in a rural setting.

[Debb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and have rated it four stars as a light reading book. The personalities and interactions between the characters made me laugh and I liked the good messages about relationships.

[Donna Wellard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great characters in crotchety Gabriel, single mum Clara and her adorable son Ned. Heartfelt, sad, funny and romantic. Maybe I needed a wee cry today cos the ups and downs in this lovely story did the trick.

[Hjwoodward · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed it a lot, only it felt a bit like eating candyfloss - no real substance. However, I liked the villains and heroines, and that the cranky old man had a heart of gold underneath and all that stuff - fun to read something where everything turns out pretty well in the end!

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five stars! Clara takes a long break from her everyday life to live and travel in a camper van with her young son. Her life will never be the same once she meets cranky, old man Gabriel. This was such a lovely and entertaining story.

[Catherine Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book and wonder how I missed it when it was published!
Once started I read it within a day, just couldn’t put it down. Loved the relationship between Mr Liberty and Miss Costello, plus the friendship between Mr Liberty and Ned. Would definitely recommend.

[Kim Hayes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another I have read before but I luckily didn’t remember too much! A truly beautiful story with fantastic characters. It does stray into “chick lit by numbers” territory on occasions but I didn’t really care! Erica James at her best.

[Joan Morin · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy read book. Clara gives up good job to travel in a trailer with her 4-year-son. Their lives become entangled with a cranky old man and many others in a chance unexpected stop in a small town. Good story and all ends are tied up by the end of the book!

[Ally · Rating 3 out of 5]

Always enjoy Ericas books

[Carolyn (in SC) C234D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don’t remember it now, but when I read it in 2003, I gave it an 8 out of 10 rating.

[Marijke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ideale zomerliteratuur.

[Sandra Preston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read, thank you Erica

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

My first Erica James, I liked it and it would be perfect for a holiday read. At one point I really liked it but it went on a bit and I was bored towards the end.

[Frieda · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5⭐ Sublime storytelling.