Keith A Pearson's time-travel adventure, 'In Lieu of You', centres on a relationship question many have where would I be today if I hadn't met that one person?
Hypothetically, we might want to know the answer. In reality, though?
Gary and Clare Kirk are set to celebrate their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary … except they’re not. Childless, and with so little in common, the couple finally accept there’s no good reason to remain married.
However, Gary’s idea of an amicable divorce settlement differs significantly from Clare’s, and tensions between the couple soon mount. Money, as is often the case, is at the root of their disagreement.
As Gary explores every avenue to evade his wife’s financial demands, he inadvertently finds himself sitting opposite a relationship resolution advisor by the name of Edith Stimp. The mysterious Mrs Stimp then suggests a solution as unorthodox as it is unbelievable — a brief journey back in time to the day Gary first met Clare.
If he accepts the unlikely trip back to 1996, all Gary has to do is prevent his teenage self from meeting his future wife. If they never meet, they never marry, and there won’t be a financially-crippling divorce — what could be simpler?
For better or for worse, Gary Kirk is about to find out.
Gary Kirk grew up in a poor neighbourhood, the only child of poor but loving parents. He was determined to be a success in life and through hard work and self belief he established himself as a successful entrepreneur. However, one day, his wife of 25 years informs him that their marriage is over and issues him with a series of terrifying financial demands. Gary is eventually offered a possible way out of this mess. Time travel! Go back in time to when he and his wife first met as teenagers and amend the narrative. Unfortunately, when you try and alter the past your future may turn out to be very different from what you had envisaged. This excellent and captivating story brings home the old narrative, "the grass is not always greener on the other side". A superb read that I highly recommend.
I loved this story, it kept my attention all the way through the book, great character development and there was never a boring moment. So glad I read this, I think I just might of found a new favourite author!
There are a lot of time travel books out there—romances, past and future wars, trapped in the prehistoric past or post-apocalyptic future—but not near as many that focus on people, their ambitions, their disappointments, and their lives.
A handful of authors write those well. Keith Pearson is at the top of that list.
Now it may seem strange that someone living in Northern Colorado finds stories set in Southern Britain—a place I’ve never been—so engaging and compelling. But Pearson has that same knack as Stephen King for bringing to life both a place and the people who inhabit it. And like King, once Pearson has you invested in the characters, the challenges (and surprises) begin. Unlike King, Pearson doesn’t crush them into the dirt before the end of the story, but he doesn’t leave them unscathed either. It’s time travel, not horror after all!
Finally, Pearson uses a divorce as the catalyst for much of what happens in the story. If you’ve been through one, you’ll immediately recognize the miasma of anger, resentment, and uncertainty that ending a relationship inevitably conjures up. Three and a half decades after my starter wife and I divorced, I found myself experiencing echoes of those feelings.
All in all, a terrific story—I couldn’t have enjoyed it more!
This is the fourth or fifth Keith A Pearson time-travel novel I've read, and for the most part I've enjoyed his work (anywhere from "pretty solid" to "extremely engaging"). Unfortunately, In Lieu of You failed to grab me because of how little it actually focuses on the time travel aspect of the proceedings.
For a very basic overview, Lieu starts off like most Pearson joints: a young couple drifting apart and on the brink of divorce. In this case, Gary and Clare Kirk are seeing their future plans (romantic and financial) go up in smoke as the divvying begins. Realizing he'll be wiped out when all is said and done, Gary is despondent--until a mysterious woman named Edith Stimp gives him the improbable opportunity to return to 1996 and extricate himself from the relationship with Clare before it begins.
With Pearson's time-travel works, I generally tend to prefer when most of the action takes place in whatever alternative time period is being explored (like, say, the '86 Fix series). Yes, the stories are always about something a little deeper than simply skipping through time, but the timey-wimey aspects always speaks to me best.
That is not the tack taken in Lieu. While readers get the obligatory "astounded by a return to an earlier time period" material, here it comprises a very slim portion of the text. Instead, this is really a novel about relationships and unrequited love with time-travel only the conduit to such character development. A unique approach from this author, to be sure, but one that left this reader a bit disappointed in terms of what I was looking for or enjoy based on previous works.
Gary Kirk has been married to Clare for over twenty-five years. Over time their marriage has evolved into two people living almost entirely separate lives, including separate bedrooms. Gary spends all his time and effort building his used car business and Clare spends all her time building her non-profit shamanistic wellness centre. Gary realises that they should probably separate and make it official but hasn't summoned the energy.
Then, on what should have been one of the happiest days of his life, Clare makes a big scene, causing him embarrassment. So when Clare asks him for some space, and then requests a divorce, Gary isn't surprised. However, when Clare demands half of everything, including half of the business he built from scratch Gary can't believe it. During their marriage he has paid for everything, bought their house outright, amassed decent savings, and subsidised Clare's shamanistic wellness centre, asking for half of the business strikes deeply at Gary's core. So when he is offered the chance to go back in time and prevent the two of them meeting, despite his scepticism, he jumps at the chance.
However, things don't go as he expected. When he returns to the present, having delayed Clare on her journey to the pub where they met, so that she and Gary never meet, Gary discovers his life has radically altered, and not for the better.
Gary is faced with a stark choice, try to build a life in the new present, or risk his life by travelling back in time again to correct his mistake.
This is the second book I have read by Keith Pearson and both of them have been cracking reads. Time travel, but not the usual way. A middle-aged man as the unlikely protagonist. A mundane British setting. Really unusual take and both of them have been very different. Definitely going to look for another book by this author.
I’m always thrilled to see a new release by Keith, I’d go as far to say that he’s my favourite Author. The enthusiasm for his work being fuelled by the first book of his that I read “The 86 fix”.
In lieu of you seemed to combine elements of a few of his genres and sees our protagonist embark on a journey that (no spoilers) threatens everything that he holds dear.
Keith often allows his characters to learn some valuable life lessons during their story and this one is no exception. A good Author is able to create a world and scenario that allows the reader to imagine and experience the situation that a character finds themselves in, Keith excels in doing this and I think that’s his recipe for success.
If you’ve never read any of this Authors work then please take my recommendation to give him a go. If you’re already familiar with Keith’s novels then you won’t be disappointed with this one.
Generally, I've liked the premise of all of this author's stories, but also feel like there's usually problems with execution. Same here. The setup (period before the time travel) was a solid 33% of the story, much too long. The fighting between the soon to be exes was REALLY overemphasized (to the degree I started to suspect the author himself had experienced a marriage breakdown and was using the story as a form of therapy).
These things wouldn't have felt out of place if the story had spent longer than it did on the alternate timeline. And don't blink during the wrap-up, or you'll miss it.
It just felt like the author got an idea for a new story he was excited about, and knew everything about how it started, but wasn't so clear on how the meat of the story should go, or the ending.
***kinda sorta spoilers***
Also...it was never explained why Edith Stimp was traveling in 2023, or what it was she gave up to help Gary. ::shrug::
The first chapter was a cracking start and had me laughing, it felt so personal that I could have written it. But I know there are lots of dishwasher Nazis out there. Although the book took a more serious turn quite early on, the story never failed to keep me reading.
Mr Pearson knows how to construct a time travel tale and this one is as good as any. Some emotional twists and turns along the way, but I had a feeling the ending wouldn't disappoint. And it didn't.
Well written characters and the expected delving into relationships follow. Great entertainment. Read it.
Will this book reveal some deep, dark secret to happiness? Nope.
Will mentioning this book at a party impress people? Nope.
Will reading this book take you away from all your and the world‘s troubles for a few hours. YES! YES! YES!
I used to reserve 5 stars for ‘important’ books. Recently I’ve decided that if, given the current political situation in the US and the general situation in the world, any book that can hold my interest and stop me from doom-scrolling, is a very important book
I read a lot of books. And those that involve time travel are at the top of my list! This one took me by surprise. It engaged me far more than I thought it might. As the author started winding down his story, I had to take a meal and "comfort" break. Little did I suspect how much time he had spent weaving this story and reeling me in. Upon that short time of reflection, It became abundantly clear how much interest I had invested in the characters. I was truly sorry to see it end.
This newest of Keith A. Pearson's books is among his 5 star best. The story is very complicated and I like complicated. It takes many pages to unfold the troubled life of the hero (or non-hero) while he travels from astounding wealth to utter poverty. Yet the financial picture hardly describes his life. Pearson has a talent for describing the way people think. I think that's what makes him a great writer. Time travel features in these books, but I'm not sure it's necessary. He's a super novelist nonetheless.
I fell upon this after receiving an email from Keith A Pearson as I’m a big fan of his books but I must admit this slipped through my net. Read it in 2 sittings and I absolutely loved it! Like all of his books the characters were likeable and it has great humour As a 52 year old woman (In her prime :) I love it when books include 70’s/80’s/90’s (bit of nostalgia never hurt anyone) and Keith’s books never disappoint I’ve just started reading Terrier and I’m so exited to meet Clement again Keep up the great work Keith your books are fantastic
Keith has only gone and did it again! Made me devour a book and cry and laugh at the same time! Where he gets his imagination and amazing skill I have no idea. Again I loved the characters, the surprises and the trips down memory lane. I will definitely be reading this one again. Wish we could give more than 5 stars. Well done Keith. 🥰🥰. I await your next masterpiece.
I love this author and have enjoyed several of his books now. I am completely obsessed with time travel stories like this and this one has not fallen short. I enjoyed it from beginning to end.
Reading the brief acknowledgments at the end, I would also like to congratulate the editing team because I also possess a keen eye for a typo and didn’t come across one! Good work!
The story seemed to be the usual cautionary tale about Gary’s travel back in time turning horribly wrong as he tried to prevent his wife taking away half his assets in a divorce. But things took a turn with Edith Stimp’s seemingly minor intervention, and the book went from very engaging to my being unable to put it down until I finished it. Thanks, Keith Pearson for a great read!
When a man will do anything for a woman that even time cannot stop him, we have an exhilarating, heart thumping story. I was caught up in this adventure right from the start. The reason I love Time Travel stories is for the endless possibilities that have always made life so exciting for me. My life has been one such story, albeit without TT. Enjoy, Forever
I must enjoy British humor and writing in general, as this joins a growing list of things I’ve enjoyed by British authors. Once you adjust to “kerb” instead of “curb”, “sort” rather than “figure out”, “realise” instead of “realize” and driving on the left, I find that I enjoy both the style and humor. This novel is no exception. It’s well-written and enjoyable.
Superbly written and completely addictive. It’s clearly based on Back to the Future - Part 2 but being set in a modern setting with relatable characters makes it all the more ‘real.’ If you’re a BTTF -Part 2 fan, you’ll know where this is going but it’s still just as exciting. Old movie fans might also recognise traits of that old romantic classic, Random Harvest as well!
Best yet. No doubt about it. Confident, elegant, assured writing, plot, characters. Couldn’t put it down until I had finished it. (Which may come to explain why my cat looks a little on the thin side.)
Quite simply — buy it. It’s a fantastic read. Can’t recommend it highly enough!
Who hasn't wished at some point that they could go back in time and do their life over. I'm betting most people in unhappy marriages might contemplate this question. I know I did. Gary Kirk gets to find out and it's not what he expected. A good story with a satisfying ending.
3.5 stars. Well written, but my main problem with the book was that I detested the MC for 85% of it. He was selfish and unethical and deserving of the repeated bad situations in which he found himself. The final 15% consisted of him almost accidentally finding a resolution to his problems via another's actions in order to reach an undeserved HEA.
Another incredible story from the fantastic Keith A Pearson. I was gripped from the first page and was sent on a journey of emotions following the main character. Each of Keith’s books would make fantastic viewing if they were put to screen, this one included.
i have to admit I would not be the biggest time travel bok fan in the world but Mr Pearson produces some great stories, and this book is great ,,,
it's a great story, it is well paced and the characters are well-laid out and believable you almost want a follow up to see what happened after the book
As always, this story was beautifully written by Keith A Pearson. It left me thinking for days as I'm always wishing to go back in time to change things and it shows that this might not be such a good idea! Thanks Keith for these wonderful characters and stories that you keep on creating, looking forward to the next one already 😘
As always i massively enjoy all of Keiths books and stories. Great characters especially the protagonists. Always love the value and morals at the end and how it ties the narrative together. The sci fi elements are always fun and in fact little more than magufgins along the great human stories told by Keith.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Yet another masterpiece from the master of the mysterious
This latest offering twists human nature, warts and all, with the unthinkably possible to create a beguiling tale of love and longing, of frustration and despair and of hope and fulfilment. A great read which pulls the reader along at breakneck speed to the denouement. Brilliant.