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Call Time
Sliding Doors meets High Fidelity in the enthralling debut novel from Channel 4 F1 presenter Steve Jones
Bob Bloomfield is, in the words of his best friend's wife, a 'selfish, arrogant a*sehole', who hasn't spent a great deal of time making friends in his 49 years on earth.
But what if he could change? What if Bob could stop the very thing that has made him the man he is, the death of his younger brother, Tom in 1986.
If he could save Tom, could he save himself?
. . . And what if all it took was a phone call - to his childhood self?
Bob Bloomfield is, in the words of his best friend's wife, a 'selfish, arrogant a*sehole', who hasn't spent a great deal of time making friends in his 49 years on earth.
But what if he could change? What if Bob could stop the very thing that has made him the man he is, the death of his younger brother, Tom in 1986.
If he could save Tom, could he save himself?
. . . And what if all it took was a phone call - to his childhood self?
306 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 11, 2023
15 people are currently reading
175 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
January 9, 2023
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.
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.
March 23, 2024
3.5 <3
i was a bit confused at times, some scenes felt rushed and underdeveloped but character arcs such as this one bring me immense joy. i loved the epilogue (which- wow, never thought i'd ever say that) and remembered how easily and thoroughly amused i am by british humor.
i was a bit confused at times, some scenes felt rushed and underdeveloped but character arcs such as this one bring me immense joy. i loved the epilogue (which- wow, never thought i'd ever say that) and remembered how easily and thoroughly amused i am by british humor.
April 2, 2025
Steve Jones has smashed it with this one, what a great story of self discovery.
This book has a clever plot and interesting angle, lot's of heart and wit which made it a joy to consume.
I loved going on this journey with Bob and really rooted for him. The concept was great too, it really brought an interesting perspective to a personal journey.
I can't wait to read more by Steve Jones (and I'm not being biased just because he's Welsh).
This book has a clever plot and interesting angle, lot's of heart and wit which made it a joy to consume.
I loved going on this journey with Bob and really rooted for him. The concept was great too, it really brought an interesting perspective to a personal journey.
I can't wait to read more by Steve Jones (and I'm not being biased just because he's Welsh).
May 10, 2023
3.5 stars
Such an interesting concept.
Would you go back and change a moment in your life if you were able to ? What about any implications as a result ? The intrigue of this story was a major grab for me - it kept me thinking what would I do in those circumstances?
I found Bob a challenging character- obnoxious and crass he was plagued with demons due to actions in his childhood, but there was also a different side to him.
The dark humour in this story kept it alive for me and I was intrigued to see how it would pan out as we learnt more about Bob.
Such an interesting concept.
Would you go back and change a moment in your life if you were able to ? What about any implications as a result ? The intrigue of this story was a major grab for me - it kept me thinking what would I do in those circumstances?
I found Bob a challenging character- obnoxious and crass he was plagued with demons due to actions in his childhood, but there was also a different side to him.
The dark humour in this story kept it alive for me and I was intrigued to see how it would pan out as we learnt more about Bob.
December 30, 2022
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.
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.
April 24, 2023
Call Time by Steve Jones is an entertaining and engaging read. I admit, I was a bit, 'oh another celebrity novel,'' but I do love Steve Jones as a presenter, and the premise was interesting, so I thought, 'why not.' And I'm so pleased I did.
Our main character, Bob, is not a pleasant individual. His best friend's wife is correct when she labels him an arsehole, and for much of the first 40% of the book, the reader only knows about Bob the arsehole. We don't really know what makes him tick other than being a bit of a dick. But then, something changes, and from then on, the book is fast-paced and somewhat of a rollercoaster.
I really enjoyed the cultural nods to films I might have watched from the 80s, and while some might argue that the pretext of some of the ripples from changing the past is a bit flimsy, this is a story of redemption in the most unusual of ways. I don't want to give anything away, so it's quite hard to explain all the bits I liked, but yes, this is a film for fans of time-altering novels, and I think the last 20% of the novel is unexpected, and all the more enjoyable for that.
A fun novel that contends with that age-old issue of, 'Would you change the past if you could?'
My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher of my review copy.
Our main character, Bob, is not a pleasant individual. His best friend's wife is correct when she labels him an arsehole, and for much of the first 40% of the book, the reader only knows about Bob the arsehole. We don't really know what makes him tick other than being a bit of a dick. But then, something changes, and from then on, the book is fast-paced and somewhat of a rollercoaster.
I really enjoyed the cultural nods to films I might have watched from the 80s, and while some might argue that the pretext of some of the ripples from changing the past is a bit flimsy, this is a story of redemption in the most unusual of ways. I don't want to give anything away, so it's quite hard to explain all the bits I liked, but yes, this is a film for fans of time-altering novels, and I think the last 20% of the novel is unexpected, and all the more enjoyable for that.
A fun novel that contends with that age-old issue of, 'Would you change the past if you could?'
My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher of my review copy.
May 16, 2023
I really loved the concept of this book, there’s more than one moment in my life that if given the chance I’d absolutely go back and change and so it was fun to see this one come to life.
I’m still not sure if I I like Bob or not, my mind keep changing throughout the book as we learnt more about him and what happened in his childhood. It’s definitely an interesting read that should be on peoples lists. I found it was a bit slow up until I was around 1/3 of the way through but it soon picked up the pace after that.
Thank you to Michael Joseph for sending me a proof of this one.
I’m still not sure if I I like Bob or not, my mind keep changing throughout the book as we learnt more about him and what happened in his childhood. It’s definitely an interesting read that should be on peoples lists. I found it was a bit slow up until I was around 1/3 of the way through but it soon picked up the pace after that.
Thank you to Michael Joseph for sending me a proof of this one.
December 21, 2022
Sadly, I think this has quite possibly the worst first line in a book I've ever read and it switched me off..
This does pick up a bit, but wasn't for me.
This does pick up a bit, but wasn't for me.
October 13, 2023
Such a shame that I've seen some low rated reviews for this book as I absolutely LOVED it! I'd seen the author promoting his book on TV a few months ago, and made a mental note to check it out when it was released. From what I remember, the author loosely wrote it from personal experiences with the death of his brother as a child. Without giving away too much of the plot, we meet Bob who, to put it in no uncertain terms, is a bit of a knob. Whilst at a fancy dress party, he magically uses his costume "Knight Rider" phone to ring his younger self and basically tells him to sort his life out. Impossible you would think, but what Bob did changed not just his life but everyone he knew...but was it really for the better?
This was such a fantastic read. I finished it in less than a day and couldn't put it down until I'd finished it. I loved Bob, well maybe not when we first meet him, but he definitely grew on me as the book moved on. I found it to be a cross between Sliding Doors and A Christmas Carol, with Bob being able to see what would happen if he did this or didn't do that! The time-jumps throughout the book were done without any complications and it was easy to understand as we worked our way through Bob's life. I have to admit to crying my eyes out towards the end, which really surprised me, and I loved the twists and turns the author scattered throughout the story.
This had to be one of my favourite books in a long while. So impressed for the author's first outing and if he's this good with the first book, I'll wait with anticipation for further ones! Would definitely recommend!
This was such a fantastic read. I finished it in less than a day and couldn't put it down until I'd finished it. I loved Bob, well maybe not when we first meet him, but he definitely grew on me as the book moved on. I found it to be a cross between Sliding Doors and A Christmas Carol, with Bob being able to see what would happen if he did this or didn't do that! The time-jumps throughout the book were done without any complications and it was easy to understand as we worked our way through Bob's life. I have to admit to crying my eyes out towards the end, which really surprised me, and I loved the twists and turns the author scattered throughout the story.
This had to be one of my favourite books in a long while. So impressed for the author's first outing and if he's this good with the first book, I'll wait with anticipation for further ones! Would definitely recommend!
January 31, 2024
Great read, that I stormed through, so different from anything I've ever read before, funny and thought provoking. If you had the chance what would you change from your past but be careful what you wish for, it's the domino effect that one change has!
May 3, 2023
If you could go back in time and change something in your life, would you do it? Would you still do it if that one change, no matter how simple it may be, would change the course of your life forever?
Bob Bloomfield is a career driven bachelor that pulls away from women when they get too close. His best friend from childhood, Scotty, is married and has 3 children with the girl Bob used to bully at school, Kirsty. Bob is ruthless and cutthroat, you have to be in the Entertainment business, but also due to the death of his brother, Thomas, when they were younger. This death Bob blames himself for and has made him detach from his emotions.
One of the ladies who works for Bob is hosting a fancy dress party and Bob gets himself invited. He decides to call Scotty and to go as a pair. As the night progresses, they get to a fancy dress shop where Bob finds a mobile telephone looking device that still works despite the age of it! At the party he decides to give his old family home landline number a ring, and when he does he is shocked at what happens next.
I find it so interesting how one decision you make can impact the rest of your life, even something as simple as going to the shops. For example, if I hadn't said yes to a date with a man on Hinge, I wouldn’t be where I am now - a year and a half into our relationship, living in our own flat, and now I can’t imagine my life without him. That is why Sliding Doors and The Butterfly effect are two of my favourite films. I often think about the impact each decision makes on our lives.
I do think that Call Time could have got going a bit quicker, the beginning was a bit drawn out compared to the rest of the book. I saw another review that also likened it to Christmas Carol which I also agree with! I really disliked Bob to begin with due to his attitude, but as the story progressed I really started to like him and saw how he changed his thinking. I also loved Scotty, who I think carried the book. Without him it would have been a bit boring! That brings me onto his wife, Kirsty, who had the best interaction with Bob and had me laughing.
If you enjoyed Sliding Doors, I would really recommend this book!
Thank you NetGalley, Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House, and Steve Jones for letting me read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Bob Bloomfield is a career driven bachelor that pulls away from women when they get too close. His best friend from childhood, Scotty, is married and has 3 children with the girl Bob used to bully at school, Kirsty. Bob is ruthless and cutthroat, you have to be in the Entertainment business, but also due to the death of his brother, Thomas, when they were younger. This death Bob blames himself for and has made him detach from his emotions.
One of the ladies who works for Bob is hosting a fancy dress party and Bob gets himself invited. He decides to call Scotty and to go as a pair. As the night progresses, they get to a fancy dress shop where Bob finds a mobile telephone looking device that still works despite the age of it! At the party he decides to give his old family home landline number a ring, and when he does he is shocked at what happens next.
I find it so interesting how one decision you make can impact the rest of your life, even something as simple as going to the shops. For example, if I hadn't said yes to a date with a man on Hinge, I wouldn’t be where I am now - a year and a half into our relationship, living in our own flat, and now I can’t imagine my life without him. That is why Sliding Doors and The Butterfly effect are two of my favourite films. I often think about the impact each decision makes on our lives.
I do think that Call Time could have got going a bit quicker, the beginning was a bit drawn out compared to the rest of the book. I saw another review that also likened it to Christmas Carol which I also agree with! I really disliked Bob to begin with due to his attitude, but as the story progressed I really started to like him and saw how he changed his thinking. I also loved Scotty, who I think carried the book. Without him it would have been a bit boring! That brings me onto his wife, Kirsty, who had the best interaction with Bob and had me laughing.
If you enjoyed Sliding Doors, I would really recommend this book!
Thank you NetGalley, Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House, and Steve Jones for letting me read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
January 20, 2023
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.
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.
April 26, 2024
What would you do if you could turn back time on your past? Is there anything you could change? For Bob Bloomfield it would be to stop his younger brother dying as a child he has felt guilty over the death for the whole of his life. It’s made him into an arrogant, selfish man, who is ruthless, detached and professional at his job, he likes a drink, when he goes home to his penthouse flat he is alone. But what if underneath all that arrogance there lies a nicer person who cares about others?
When he goes to get a fancy dress outfit with his best friend Scotty little did he know that that outfit will include something that may change his life forever without home even knowing.
I could not put this book down, there are some really funny parts, with some great dialogue between Bob and Kirsty, Scotty’s wife. Bob has no idea what is going to happen but the following day he has a bit of an awakening.
The thing is though if you change the past what impact can it have on your life and that of everyone you know? The characters are well written and believable, I loved Scotty he is quite a character. Some of the story is obviously a little bit of fantasy, you have to use your imagination a bit, but because of the way it is written that’s not difficult.
There is a bit of mystery involved, sarcasm which is razor sharp, along with learning of Bob’s guilt, and at one stage fear. A couple of violent encounters. But for me personally it all worked well. The timeline runs from now back to 1986.
I would like to thank @MichaelJBooks for sending me an ARC this week, all thoughts and opinions are my own and have not been influenced in any way. I look forward to seeing what the author writes next.
When he goes to get a fancy dress outfit with his best friend Scotty little did he know that that outfit will include something that may change his life forever without home even knowing.
I could not put this book down, there are some really funny parts, with some great dialogue between Bob and Kirsty, Scotty’s wife. Bob has no idea what is going to happen but the following day he has a bit of an awakening.
The thing is though if you change the past what impact can it have on your life and that of everyone you know? The characters are well written and believable, I loved Scotty he is quite a character. Some of the story is obviously a little bit of fantasy, you have to use your imagination a bit, but because of the way it is written that’s not difficult.
There is a bit of mystery involved, sarcasm which is razor sharp, along with learning of Bob’s guilt, and at one stage fear. A couple of violent encounters. But for me personally it all worked well. The timeline runs from now back to 1986.
I would like to thank @MichaelJBooks for sending me an ARC this week, all thoughts and opinions are my own and have not been influenced in any way. I look forward to seeing what the author writes next.
May 3, 2023
This book was such a wild ride! Especially that ending! Bob Bloomfield starts out as an unlikeable, pretty grumpy, almost old man. I've seen a couple of people complaining that he's unlikeable but that's the whole point of the book. How does a grumpy old man undergo a Scrooge-esque transformation if he's nice to begin with? It really makes the story work and I loved the learning to appreciate what you've got message. And the others characters are likeable enough at the beginning to make up for it, I loved Scotty (in all timelines)!
I loved the "how" of the time-altering/changing the past thing with the phone, I thought that was really cool. The way it then worked in the present made me feel a little uneasy at the start in the same way that The Midnight Library did for me with the whole memory issue but not as bad. It definitely worked for this book though and the story wouldn't have worked if it had been done differently. There was only one little bit that seemed like it didn't fit with the way the time change mechanic worked the rest of the way through the book.
The ending though, was absolutely insane! I kept thinking it was over and I'd turn the page (or well, scroll it) and BAM another chapter that's also crazy and surely now it's over but NOPE here's another chapter! Totally crazy ending, I thought it was great and definitely no one will see that coming!
Thank you to NetGalley, Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House and the author for an ARC copy of the book so I could write this honest review.
I loved the "how" of the time-altering/changing the past thing with the phone, I thought that was really cool. The way it then worked in the present made me feel a little uneasy at the start in the same way that The Midnight Library did for me with the whole memory issue but not as bad. It definitely worked for this book though and the story wouldn't have worked if it had been done differently. There was only one little bit that seemed like it didn't fit with the way the time change mechanic worked the rest of the way through the book.
The ending though, was absolutely insane! I kept thinking it was over and I'd turn the page (or well, scroll it) and BAM another chapter that's also crazy and surely now it's over but NOPE here's another chapter! Totally crazy ending, I thought it was great and definitely no one will see that coming!
Thank you to NetGalley, Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House and the author for an ARC copy of the book so I could write this honest review.
May 10, 2023
3.5 stars
If, and it's a big IF, you can get past the first quarter or so of this book then it's not a bad story at all... Sadly it did nearly lose me as it is a bit all over the place, and slow, but I popped over to read a couple trusted reviews and the general census was to keep going. So I did. And it did get better. Way better.
I guess what doesn't help is that initially Bob (other names may apply) is a bit of an unlikable chappie so I took an instant dislike to him and tbh didn't really care much about what happened to him. Maybe part of that too is that I actually know a Bobbie Bloomfield in real life and he is just the nicest bloke ever...
But as soon as the phone came into play the whole book changed for me an it actually became interesting. Change the past to make something different in the present... seems easy enough, until... well... unforeseen repercussions. An interesting trope that is delivered quite well here, but way better in many other books and indeed films...
One thing I really did enjoy, and it nearly tipped the one star to being rounded up, was the wonderful trip back to the 80s that the book took me on. And despite my misgivings there was also some quite neat humour to be found herein. Oh, and Scotty, he pretty much stole the book.
So yeah, bit hit and miss for me but I did finish and the ending was mostly worth the slog...
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
If, and it's a big IF, you can get past the first quarter or so of this book then it's not a bad story at all... Sadly it did nearly lose me as it is a bit all over the place, and slow, but I popped over to read a couple trusted reviews and the general census was to keep going. So I did. And it did get better. Way better.
I guess what doesn't help is that initially Bob (other names may apply) is a bit of an unlikable chappie so I took an instant dislike to him and tbh didn't really care much about what happened to him. Maybe part of that too is that I actually know a Bobbie Bloomfield in real life and he is just the nicest bloke ever...
But as soon as the phone came into play the whole book changed for me an it actually became interesting. Change the past to make something different in the present... seems easy enough, until... well... unforeseen repercussions. An interesting trope that is delivered quite well here, but way better in many other books and indeed films...
One thing I really did enjoy, and it nearly tipped the one star to being rounded up, was the wonderful trip back to the 80s that the book took me on. And despite my misgivings there was also some quite neat humour to be found herein. Oh, and Scotty, he pretty much stole the book.
So yeah, bit hit and miss for me but I did finish and the ending was mostly worth the slog...
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
May 12, 2023
Alright gang, I know we’re always a bit cynical when a celeb writes a novel, but turns out this one is incredibly funny and heartwarming!
This almost gave me a bit of a Scrooge vibe, with our horrible main character Bob revisiting the past and realising he’s made a mess of his life. Obviously it’s told in a very different way though, with a magical phone that allows him to call his family back in 1986 (a great year, if I may say so myself 😉) and try to prevent a tragedy which he’s spent years feeling guilty about. But the words ‘be careful what you wish for’ are very apt. here!
I thought this got off to a great start, with witty dialogue, plenty of laughs and that exciting sliding doors element. I loved Bob’s friendship with Scotty and the way he slowly became a better person as the story progressed, plus the 80s nostalgia! However, I must admit the last third of the story did feel a bit outlandish - although I certainly didn’t see it coming, so points for the surprise element! Certainly didn’t ruin my enjoyment though, and I’d still happily recommend this as a joyful, lighthearted, single sitting kind of read 🙌
This almost gave me a bit of a Scrooge vibe, with our horrible main character Bob revisiting the past and realising he’s made a mess of his life. Obviously it’s told in a very different way though, with a magical phone that allows him to call his family back in 1986 (a great year, if I may say so myself 😉) and try to prevent a tragedy which he’s spent years feeling guilty about. But the words ‘be careful what you wish for’ are very apt. here!
I thought this got off to a great start, with witty dialogue, plenty of laughs and that exciting sliding doors element. I loved Bob’s friendship with Scotty and the way he slowly became a better person as the story progressed, plus the 80s nostalgia! However, I must admit the last third of the story did feel a bit outlandish - although I certainly didn’t see it coming, so points for the surprise element! Certainly didn’t ruin my enjoyment though, and I’d still happily recommend this as a joyful, lighthearted, single sitting kind of read 🙌
May 25, 2023
I really loved Call Time and it was one of those books that I just couldn't put down, I kept saying one more chapter until I'd finished it in one day! Bob was a distinctly unlikeable character in the beginning, but also we understand why he became so cold and closed off. Guilt over his brother's death has always haunted him. On a night out with best friend Scotty, they rock up to a fancy dress shop where Bob becomes Michael from Knightrider, complete with what he thinks is an early cell phone. Except it's actually a device that changes everything when Bob realises he can call up the past.
Giving his younger self advice, then revisiting the past to give his parents a warning, he believes he's changed the hand of fate for the better.
But be careful what you wish for has never been more true in this case.
And now, it seems it's too late to change anything.
Except, well... there's a few more delicious twists to come which I'm not going to reveal.
A really smart and entertaining debut novel which I thoroughly enjoyed.
Giving his younger self advice, then revisiting the past to give his parents a warning, he believes he's changed the hand of fate for the better.
But be careful what you wish for has never been more true in this case.
And now, it seems it's too late to change anything.
Except, well... there's a few more delicious twists to come which I'm not going to reveal.
A really smart and entertaining debut novel which I thoroughly enjoyed.
February 8, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley for my advanced reader copy.
This was sadly DNF’s about 5 minutes in.
I highly question a decent editor's involvement.
The intro attempted to employ a few ‘show, don’t tell' tactics, but 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’, these combined with OTT descriptions of the characters were 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.
This was sadly DNF’s about 5 minutes in.
I highly question a decent editor's involvement.
The intro attempted to employ a few ‘show, don’t tell' tactics, but 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’, these combined with OTT descriptions of the characters were 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.
April 17, 2023
Reading this I realised how many female lead and authored books I read. This was a really nice departure from that, although I did have a few reservations because it was a very different style and character that I'm used to.
To begin with I noticed that there was a lack of descriptions of things but it actually helped speed through the book, I read this in one sitting and couldn't stop. I did enjoy that it was almost like watching a movie, really fast paced. I could see this being adapted for the screen.
I think the only downside, for me, was I would've loved to see either a couple more timelines or some more time spent with the timelines.
It's such a cool concept with some amazing twists and turns, the main character Bob/Rob/Robert redeemed himself throughout the book that the final few pages had me on the edge of my seat!
I really can't wait to read more from Steve and although it was a quick read it's a book I'll be thinking about for a long time, and I really hope it gets developed into something else.
I can't do half stars but this is def 4.5 stars
To begin with I noticed that there was a lack of descriptions of things but it actually helped speed through the book, I read this in one sitting and couldn't stop. I did enjoy that it was almost like watching a movie, really fast paced. I could see this being adapted for the screen.
I think the only downside, for me, was I would've loved to see either a couple more timelines or some more time spent with the timelines.
It's such a cool concept with some amazing twists and turns, the main character Bob/Rob/Robert redeemed himself throughout the book that the final few pages had me on the edge of my seat!
I really can't wait to read more from Steve and although it was a quick read it's a book I'll be thinking about for a long time, and I really hope it gets developed into something else.
I can't do half stars but this is def 4.5 stars
May 30, 2023
Bob Bloomfield is middle-aged, successful and still has his hair, unlike his friend Scotty, who is bald and has a rather predictable suburban life, married to childhood sweetheart Kirsty with young children. However, Bob is also a bit grumpy, a tad lonely and has just been dumped by his girlfriend. Could he be slightly envious of Scotty?
When Bob chances upon an old mobile phone in a second hand shop he discovers that he can dial back to his family, 35 years in the past! Can he influence them to do things differently and, perhaps, change his present for the better?
I found this book a bit hard to get into at first as Bob isn't a very likeable character. However, as the story progresses and we learn more about his past we can start to understand why he is like he is.
The time travel aspect is slightly bizarre, but once I got a few chapters in i was invested in the storyline. A fun read!
When Bob chances upon an old mobile phone in a second hand shop he discovers that he can dial back to his family, 35 years in the past! Can he influence them to do things differently and, perhaps, change his present for the better?
I found this book a bit hard to get into at first as Bob isn't a very likeable character. However, as the story progresses and we learn more about his past we can start to understand why he is like he is.
The time travel aspect is slightly bizarre, but once I got a few chapters in i was invested in the storyline. A fun read!
May 3, 2024
I received a copy of the book for a free and unbiased opinion.
I found the first few chapters a bit slow, the book seems keen to paint Bob as horrid person with very little to redeem him but then story develops into something special when Bob makes a call to his younger self.
I found Bob hard to warm to the those few chapters- a terrible friend, employer, brother but then it becomes clear he is a man dealing with childhood trauma and man who wants to be better. There is good dose of nostalgia that Gen X readers will relate to.
After the slow start, the plot moves quickly with plenty of humour with each call Bob makes to the past and the consequences he has to deal with. Especially when the calls not only change his life but also the people he cares about too. I think Mrs PennyPacker, the perfect PA, deserves her own book.
I loved the ending and yes, the book ends happily for Bob ( and the others) but not in the way I thought it would.
I found the first few chapters a bit slow, the book seems keen to paint Bob as horrid person with very little to redeem him but then story develops into something special when Bob makes a call to his younger self.
I found Bob hard to warm to the those few chapters- a terrible friend, employer, brother but then it becomes clear he is a man dealing with childhood trauma and man who wants to be better. There is good dose of nostalgia that Gen X readers will relate to.
After the slow start, the plot moves quickly with plenty of humour with each call Bob makes to the past and the consequences he has to deal with. Especially when the calls not only change his life but also the people he cares about too. I think Mrs PennyPacker, the perfect PA, deserves her own book.
I loved the ending and yes, the book ends happily for Bob ( and the others) but not in the way I thought it would.
July 2, 2025
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. I have chosen to write this honest review voluntarily and it reflects my personal opinion.
This is an usual time travel story as an old mobile phone allows conversations with people in the past, rather than whole body travel. Bob is given the opportunity for improvement through the knowledge he gains and actions he can take.
There were things about this book I didn't like: the unlikeable characters (Bob is truly awful), the use of bad language, the horrible specifics of the fight scene and the never-ending American spellings, even using 'faucet' instead of 'tap' although the book is set in London. There was even mention of the Millennium Wheel which has been called the London Eye for many years. The story twists are clever and well thought-out, so I've given an average rating but I didn't really enjoy it and wouldn't read anything else by this author.
This is an usual time travel story as an old mobile phone allows conversations with people in the past, rather than whole body travel. Bob is given the opportunity for improvement through the knowledge he gains and actions he can take.
There were things about this book I didn't like: the unlikeable characters (Bob is truly awful), the use of bad language, the horrible specifics of the fight scene and the never-ending American spellings, even using 'faucet' instead of 'tap' although the book is set in London. There was even mention of the Millennium Wheel which has been called the London Eye for many years. The story twists are clever and well thought-out, so I've given an average rating but I didn't really enjoy it and wouldn't read anything else by this author.
February 12, 2023
I love a good time travel novel but found this one rather superficial and not very satisfying
The idea is that the narrator finds a telephone which allows him to talk to family members in the past and thus influence things that were about to happen in particular the accidental death of the narrators brother
One of the aspects I found failed for me was that by using the phone the author was not really able to see what was happening at the other end of the phone .Despite this there was description of things like what they were wearing
I got a bit confused at times about what was happening
I suppose I would describe the book as quite blokey ,it might appeal best to the summer holiday readership people who like to read on holiday and want something light and fun to read
I read a copy of this book on NetGalley Uk the book is published in the Uk 11 May 2023 by Michael Joseph Penguin Random house .This review will be published on NetGalley and goodreads and my book blog on Wordpress Bionic Sarah’s Books
The idea is that the narrator finds a telephone which allows him to talk to family members in the past and thus influence things that were about to happen in particular the accidental death of the narrators brother
One of the aspects I found failed for me was that by using the phone the author was not really able to see what was happening at the other end of the phone .Despite this there was description of things like what they were wearing
I got a bit confused at times about what was happening
I suppose I would describe the book as quite blokey ,it might appeal best to the summer holiday readership people who like to read on holiday and want something light and fun to read
I read a copy of this book on NetGalley Uk the book is published in the Uk 11 May 2023 by Michael Joseph Penguin Random house .This review will be published on NetGalley and goodreads and my book blog on Wordpress Bionic Sarah’s Books
May 11, 2023
I really like watching Steve on the TV as a presenter especially on F1, so when I heard he was releasing a book, I was ecstatic. It is a quirky and original idea that he has come up with for a book but it works so well. I knew I was going to enjoy this book as the first sentence is quite amusing and I couldn't wait to get started. Bob likes to keep himself to himself, he has not really done much with his life but what if he could change all of it and become a better man? changing his past when his brother was alive would change his life dramatically. All it takes is a phone call to his younger self. If your wondering what I am going on about, read it for yourself. It is such a brilliant and emotional read that I want to re-read it over and over again. It was just too good. It is up there in my ten reads of this year so far.
May 14, 2023
An interest concept - would you go back and change a moment in your life.
Bob Bloomfield is a high powered executive, who thinks he’s God’s gift, ruthless with no scruples.
But he carries a trauma from his childhood “a moment never to be forgotten, a moment that would come to define his entire life”
What if he could stop the very thing that made him the man he is today - the death of his younger brother in 1986, and all it took was a seemingly ordinary phone allowing him to connect to his past.
Reminded of the film Sliding Doors - where one moment in time done differently could change your future, and also Scrooge, in A Christmas Carol, in how Bob was transformed.
An entertaining read, loved the 80s nostalgia, took me right back.
Such an emotional rollercoaster story, perfect for any fans of time travel novels.
Thanks @stevenashtonjones @michaeljbooks & @netgalley for the eARC
Bob Bloomfield is a high powered executive, who thinks he’s God’s gift, ruthless with no scruples.
But he carries a trauma from his childhood “a moment never to be forgotten, a moment that would come to define his entire life”
What if he could stop the very thing that made him the man he is today - the death of his younger brother in 1986, and all it took was a seemingly ordinary phone allowing him to connect to his past.
Reminded of the film Sliding Doors - where one moment in time done differently could change your future, and also Scrooge, in A Christmas Carol, in how Bob was transformed.
An entertaining read, loved the 80s nostalgia, took me right back.
Such an emotional rollercoaster story, perfect for any fans of time travel novels.
Thanks @stevenashtonjones @michaeljbooks & @netgalley for the eARC
January 30, 2023
I received a copy of this book via Netgalley 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.
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.
January 30, 2023
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
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
February 5, 2023
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
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
May 10, 2023
I’m going to admit - when I first started reading this one, I didn’t like Bob or the writing style. It starts off as brash, very unlikeable and unrelatable. Very much like Bob’s character when he’s first introduced. But then the clever bit - the tone and style changes as the story and his character develops.
I loved the premise of this one; if you could undo a trauma from your past - would you do it. The way the maguffin is introduced had that whimsical vibe from classic 80s mystical films - really up my street. After I got over brash Bob, I really enjoyed this one - it didn’t go the way I was expecting. (Not necessarily a fluffy ending!) A great debut from Jones! Call Time is out tomorrow!
I loved the premise of this one; if you could undo a trauma from your past - would you do it. The way the maguffin is introduced had that whimsical vibe from classic 80s mystical films - really up my street. After I got over brash Bob, I really enjoyed this one - it didn’t go the way I was expecting. (Not necessarily a fluffy ending!) A great debut from Jones! Call Time is out tomorrow!
September 6, 2023
Thank you for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I picked this book up but I absolutely loved it. The story follows Bob as he finds an old phone which allows him to talk to his family in the 80s and effectively influence his timeline. The characters in this story were well developed and the plot worked really well. I think it can be difficult to get time travel books right but it all worked in a clever and satisfying way in this story. I was immediately gripped by the story and the characters and could not put it down. A brilliant debut novel by Steve Jones and I look forward to reading more by him in the future!
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I picked this book up but I absolutely loved it. The story follows Bob as he finds an old phone which allows him to talk to his family in the 80s and effectively influence his timeline. The characters in this story were well developed and the plot worked really well. I think it can be difficult to get time travel books right but it all worked in a clever and satisfying way in this story. I was immediately gripped by the story and the characters and could not put it down. A brilliant debut novel by Steve Jones and I look forward to reading more by him in the future!
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