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How Soon Is Now?
A mysterious invitation leads to a secret club for time travellers and a perilous mission into the past in this poignant and powerful new novel – a must-read for lovers of 'The Midnight Library', 'Before the Coffee Gets Cold' and 'The Time Traveler's Wife'.
Troubled ex-journalist Luke Seymour discovers an incredible untapped talent after being recruited by The Nostalgia Club – an eccentric band of time travellers who meet in the back room of an Edinburgh pub.
Honing his newly discovered – and dangerously addictive – time travel skills, Luke learns the secrets of the club's members, battles to solve the mystery of their missing leader, and plunges ever deeper into his own history – where the terrible mistake that scarred his life is waiting ...
Set in Glasgow and Edinburgh in the 1980s, 1990s and near-present, 'How Soon Is Now?' is loaded with love stories of every kind, and packed with unforgettable characters, intricate storytelling, dark humour and a uniquely human twist on the mechanics of time travel – all moving towards a powerful and emotional climax.
Combining a gripping narrative and a thoughtful exploration of complex themes, 'How Soon Is Now?' adds a literary edge to high-concept genre ideas, creating a subtle and moving meditation on love, loss and the dangerous pull of the past. Read it today ... remember it forever!
'I love time travel novels, and I loved the twist in this one. The pace was perfect, the characters distinct and memorable ... I highly recommend this book.' – Donna Spencer, Reedsy Discovery
What readers are saying:
'Touching, thoughtful, well-written … do yourself a favour and read this uplifting story.’ ✭✭✭✭✭
‘Beautifully written ... gripping ... sophisticated. A beautiful, life-affirming book. Everyone should read it! ✭✭✭✭✭
'Insanely good for a debut ... poignant and empathetic.' ✭✭✭✭✭
‘Exceptional. A fantastic read.' ✭✭✭✭✭
'Loved it! Well-told and refreshingly different.' ✭✭✭✭✭
'Entertaining, funny and wise.' ✭✭✭✭✭
Troubled ex-journalist Luke Seymour discovers an incredible untapped talent after being recruited by The Nostalgia Club – an eccentric band of time travellers who meet in the back room of an Edinburgh pub.
Honing his newly discovered – and dangerously addictive – time travel skills, Luke learns the secrets of the club's members, battles to solve the mystery of their missing leader, and plunges ever deeper into his own history – where the terrible mistake that scarred his life is waiting ...
Set in Glasgow and Edinburgh in the 1980s, 1990s and near-present, 'How Soon Is Now?' is loaded with love stories of every kind, and packed with unforgettable characters, intricate storytelling, dark humour and a uniquely human twist on the mechanics of time travel – all moving towards a powerful and emotional climax.
Combining a gripping narrative and a thoughtful exploration of complex themes, 'How Soon Is Now?' adds a literary edge to high-concept genre ideas, creating a subtle and moving meditation on love, loss and the dangerous pull of the past. Read it today ... remember it forever!
'I love time travel novels, and I loved the twist in this one. The pace was perfect, the characters distinct and memorable ... I highly recommend this book.' – Donna Spencer, Reedsy Discovery
What readers are saying:
'Touching, thoughtful, well-written … do yourself a favour and read this uplifting story.’ ✭✭✭✭✭
‘Beautifully written ... gripping ... sophisticated. A beautiful, life-affirming book. Everyone should read it! ✭✭✭✭✭
'Insanely good for a debut ... poignant and empathetic.' ✭✭✭✭✭
‘Exceptional. A fantastic read.' ✭✭✭✭✭
'Loved it! Well-told and refreshingly different.' ✭✭✭✭✭
'Entertaining, funny and wise.' ✭✭✭✭✭
440 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 10, 2024
49 people are currently reading
98 people want to read
About the author
Paul Carnahan
2 books9 followersPaul Carnahan was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and grew up in the new town of Cumbernauld. After studying journalism in Edinburgh, he began a decades-long career in local and national newspapers.
His first novel, ‘How Soon Is Now?’, is a subtle and complex time-travel tale which has been taken to the hearts of readers with a taste for thoughtful genre fiction full of big ideas, strong characters and intricate plotting.
‘Beautifully written ... gripping ... sophisticated. A beautiful, life-affirming book. Everyone should read it!' declared one reviewer.
A complete change of pace, his second novel, 'End of a Century', is a warm and witty Britpop-era romantic comedy set in Glasgow and London in 1995. It has been hailed as 'truly delightful', 'nostalgic, witty and full of heart' and 'beautiful, poignant and romantic'.
Paul's third novel, a return to some of the characters and themes featured in 'How Soon Is Now?', is a work in progress.
His first novel, ‘How Soon Is Now?’, is a subtle and complex time-travel tale which has been taken to the hearts of readers with a taste for thoughtful genre fiction full of big ideas, strong characters and intricate plotting.
‘Beautifully written ... gripping ... sophisticated. A beautiful, life-affirming book. Everyone should read it!' declared one reviewer.
A complete change of pace, his second novel, 'End of a Century', is a warm and witty Britpop-era romantic comedy set in Glasgow and London in 1995. It has been hailed as 'truly delightful', 'nostalgic, witty and full of heart' and 'beautiful, poignant and romantic'.
Paul's third novel, a return to some of the characters and themes featured in 'How Soon Is Now?', is a work in progress.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
April 22, 2025
A surprisingly gentle and delicate account of several lives and relationships at specific points in the past, well told and refreshingly different.
Slow to get started but I really did enjoy this.
Slow to get started but I really did enjoy this.
June 22, 2024
Anyone who knows me knows I'm a fan of wibbly wobbly timey wimey stuff. Especially if it involves David Tennant. Which this book doesn't. But it is set in Scotland so that's close enough.
And I'm sure most people know that the most important rules when time travelling are that you mustn't meet your past or future self, and you absolutely must not change anything. Well this book flips that on its head!
Luke is invited to a meeting of "oddballs" who teach him how to tap into his power to travel back in time and potentially right his wrongs. This book had nostalgia, friendships, love, heartbreak. You name it, it's there. I feel like I went on a journey of discovery with Luke.
The book is so well written it's hard to believe it's a debut novel. I could imagine the scenes, the smells, the sounds that were being described. I could feel Luke's emotions with him. And it got me thinking, if I could time travel would I change anything? Would you?
And I'm sure most people know that the most important rules when time travelling are that you mustn't meet your past or future self, and you absolutely must not change anything. Well this book flips that on its head!
Luke is invited to a meeting of "oddballs" who teach him how to tap into his power to travel back in time and potentially right his wrongs. This book had nostalgia, friendships, love, heartbreak. You name it, it's there. I feel like I went on a journey of discovery with Luke.
The book is so well written it's hard to believe it's a debut novel. I could imagine the scenes, the smells, the sounds that were being described. I could feel Luke's emotions with him. And it got me thinking, if I could time travel would I change anything? Would you?
June 17, 2024
How Soon Is Now? is inventive and a super enjoyable, engaging read. It gives Jasper Fforde or Edgar Wright style vibes; a little absurd, a lot of dry humor, and an enjoyable sci-fi setting.
June 27, 2024
An emotional, urban fantasy that reads like a slice-of-life deep dive into a guy’s recovery from trauma and tragedy, you won’t be able to put down this “time-travel” book.
While this is absolutely a book about time travel, if you’re looking for an action-packed, fantasy adventure, look elsewhere. This is not the book you’re looking for. And yes, I did use my Jedi voice for that. Instead, this is packed full of gut-wrenching, emotional scenes that test your tear ducts and tissue supplies one after another.
The quirky group dubbed “The Nostalgia Club,” helps our main character Luke explore his newly discovered ability to time travel. They meet each week to travel back in time along their own timelines and visit past memories – hence their clever name. But do they want something more from Luke? And how did they even know he had these abilities he didn’t himself?
As we explore these mysteries and unravel Luke’s painful and traumatic past, we find a man longing to change his worst decisions. Something I think we can all relate to. And it really makes you wonder what you would do if you could go back in time and change things, even if they were very small instances. Or, even, who you would visit.
This book continues the tradition of exploring the good and bad sides of time travel, something that has long fascinated us as a people. While it’s something that doesn’t seem likely to be cracked anytime soon, we continue to explore the ethical, legal, and literal issues that would plague us if it was developed.
I enjoyed the book immensely. The historical and modern pieces were fused seamlessly, the characters all had distinct voices and stories, and the twists were surprising and heartbreaking – which is appropriate for this situation.
If you’re a fan of time travel books and movies, such as “The Time Traveler’s Wife,” “Doctor Who,” or even the “Bill and Ted” series, you might enjoy this. If you enjoy slice-of-life stories, you may also enjoy this one. Because of the time travel format, individual stories and flashbacks featured prominently throughout the story giving it a very slice-of-life feel at times.
Content Warnings: Violence, Adult Situations, Adult Language, War References, Drug Abuse, Alcohol Abuse, Infidelity, Child Loss, Medical Trauma
While this is absolutely a book about time travel, if you’re looking for an action-packed, fantasy adventure, look elsewhere. This is not the book you’re looking for. And yes, I did use my Jedi voice for that. Instead, this is packed full of gut-wrenching, emotional scenes that test your tear ducts and tissue supplies one after another.
The quirky group dubbed “The Nostalgia Club,” helps our main character Luke explore his newly discovered ability to time travel. They meet each week to travel back in time along their own timelines and visit past memories – hence their clever name. But do they want something more from Luke? And how did they even know he had these abilities he didn’t himself?
As we explore these mysteries and unravel Luke’s painful and traumatic past, we find a man longing to change his worst decisions. Something I think we can all relate to. And it really makes you wonder what you would do if you could go back in time and change things, even if they were very small instances. Or, even, who you would visit.
This book continues the tradition of exploring the good and bad sides of time travel, something that has long fascinated us as a people. While it’s something that doesn’t seem likely to be cracked anytime soon, we continue to explore the ethical, legal, and literal issues that would plague us if it was developed.
I enjoyed the book immensely. The historical and modern pieces were fused seamlessly, the characters all had distinct voices and stories, and the twists were surprising and heartbreaking – which is appropriate for this situation.
If you’re a fan of time travel books and movies, such as “The Time Traveler’s Wife,” “Doctor Who,” or even the “Bill and Ted” series, you might enjoy this. If you enjoy slice-of-life stories, you may also enjoy this one. Because of the time travel format, individual stories and flashbacks featured prominently throughout the story giving it a very slice-of-life feel at times.
Content Warnings: Violence, Adult Situations, Adult Language, War References, Drug Abuse, Alcohol Abuse, Infidelity, Child Loss, Medical Trauma
June 18, 2024
This is insanely good for a debut novel! ‘How Soon Is Now?’ is a a poignant and empathetic look at the trials and tribulations of life, our friendships and our loves. Fans of time travel will come here for that but will leave with a sense of satisfaction from reading a complex and beautifully nuanced piece of writing. Packed full of nostalgia from the 80s and 90s - stuffy bars and clubs, the music and the relationships you form whilst at university.
When Luke finds a note in his pocket inviting him to a random pub in Edinburgh on a Wednesday night he is confused but intrigued. It says they can help and Luke is a man in need of help. What he finds is The Nostalgia Club, a group of time travellers and is told that he also has this gift. What follows is a jaunt through time and a desperate attempt to help somebody.
I like that the author has moved away from the canon of the ‘don't change time and don't meet yourself’ version of time travel as it makes for a much more interesting and introspective read. It allows the characters especially Luke to evaluate their past and right some wrongs. However, the majority of the ‘club’ has dark pasts and the author tackles some difficult topics. But it is done with a bucketload of empathy and kindness.
This is a very easy book to visualise, although it probably helped that Luke literally lives at the bottom of my street! it's the writing that makes this easy as it's accomplished but yet not overdone if you get what I mean. I devoured this in a day as I was engrossed from the get-go! This deserves all the rave reviews as its cracking.
Let me know if you pick this one up!
When Luke finds a note in his pocket inviting him to a random pub in Edinburgh on a Wednesday night he is confused but intrigued. It says they can help and Luke is a man in need of help. What he finds is The Nostalgia Club, a group of time travellers and is told that he also has this gift. What follows is a jaunt through time and a desperate attempt to help somebody.
I like that the author has moved away from the canon of the ‘don't change time and don't meet yourself’ version of time travel as it makes for a much more interesting and introspective read. It allows the characters especially Luke to evaluate their past and right some wrongs. However, the majority of the ‘club’ has dark pasts and the author tackles some difficult topics. But it is done with a bucketload of empathy and kindness.
This is a very easy book to visualise, although it probably helped that Luke literally lives at the bottom of my street! it's the writing that makes this easy as it's accomplished but yet not overdone if you get what I mean. I devoured this in a day as I was engrossed from the get-go! This deserves all the rave reviews as its cracking.
Let me know if you pick this one up!
June 11, 2024
First of all, I have to apologise!
I just cannot look at this book without instantly thinking of The Smiths - I hope, given that this is set around the 80's that maybe this was the inspiration for the title? Or a fellow fan?
If not, I'm truly sorry!
This is obviously what initially drew me to this book, but I knew, once I'd read the blurb, that I was going to love this!
Being a fan (also) of Dr Who, the whole time travel theme had me intrigued from the start!
We begin our journey in the back room of an Edinburgh pub with The Nostalgia Club - a group of time travellers - and our newly recruited main character, ex-journalist, Luke.
Now, we all know the first rule of time travel!? - never meet yourself and never change a thing!
But this group seems to have a knack of tweaking the tiniest little things.
The characters really made this for me. All totally different and with their own interesting and dark tales to tell.
As Luke delves further into his own past, he finds it harder to confront the mistakes that changed his life.
This was brilliantly written, especially for a debut. The character presentation and development was faultless and the storyline flowed smoothly - even with us flipping around in time!
I raced through this and was completely hooked - even desperate for more once I'd finished!
Definitely a series I'm keen to continue and am excited to see that book 2 is on its way!!
I just cannot look at this book without instantly thinking of The Smiths - I hope, given that this is set around the 80's that maybe this was the inspiration for the title? Or a fellow fan?
If not, I'm truly sorry!
This is obviously what initially drew me to this book, but I knew, once I'd read the blurb, that I was going to love this!
Being a fan (also) of Dr Who, the whole time travel theme had me intrigued from the start!
We begin our journey in the back room of an Edinburgh pub with The Nostalgia Club - a group of time travellers - and our newly recruited main character, ex-journalist, Luke.
Now, we all know the first rule of time travel!? - never meet yourself and never change a thing!
But this group seems to have a knack of tweaking the tiniest little things.
The characters really made this for me. All totally different and with their own interesting and dark tales to tell.
As Luke delves further into his own past, he finds it harder to confront the mistakes that changed his life.
This was brilliantly written, especially for a debut. The character presentation and development was faultless and the storyline flowed smoothly - even with us flipping around in time!
I raced through this and was completely hooked - even desperate for more once I'd finished!
Definitely a series I'm keen to continue and am excited to see that book 2 is on its way!!
June 17, 2024
I was instantly drawn to this book not only for the very clever and striking cover but because I was a college student in the late 1980s and lover of The Smiths. I was really looking forward to revisiting those times—reminiscing about the music, the drinks, and those boozy, chilled college nights out and was not disappointed!
I had great fun reading this book; it's not what I expected—it's far more.
I loved exploring time with newly recruited time-traveller Luke and his new time-travelling friends from the Nostalgia Club, which meets in the back room of a pub in Edinburgh, as well as his mates from college in the past and present in Edinburgh and Glasgow..
📃 The well-known time travel rules of not meeting yourself or changing anything don't quite apply here. A tweak here or there should be okay, shouldn't it?
As you would expect, the story jumps around between different times, but it's very cleverly written so you don't lose track. There were plenty of unexpected twists and turns that kept me wanting to turn page after page.
There are some difficult subjects from various characters' pasts they experience again while they travel back in time, which I found very emotional but cathartic at the same time. These were written sensitively and realistically.
I can't believe this is a debut. The characters, setting and plot are so well researched, planned and written. I loved the references much loved music of the 90s and the street names, which I could Google and fully picture. I thoroughly enjoyed the depictions of the various senses, how they evoke memories and how Duncan and Marcus incorporated them into their fellow members time travels were fascinating to me.
If you're a fan of time travel stories with emotional depth and a touch of nostalgia, "How Soon Is Now" by Paul Carnahan is definitely worth a read. I am waiting on anticipation to hear what Paul will write next.
I had great fun reading this book; it's not what I expected—it's far more.
I loved exploring time with newly recruited time-traveller Luke and his new time-travelling friends from the Nostalgia Club, which meets in the back room of a pub in Edinburgh, as well as his mates from college in the past and present in Edinburgh and Glasgow..
📃 The well-known time travel rules of not meeting yourself or changing anything don't quite apply here. A tweak here or there should be okay, shouldn't it?
As you would expect, the story jumps around between different times, but it's very cleverly written so you don't lose track. There were plenty of unexpected twists and turns that kept me wanting to turn page after page.
There are some difficult subjects from various characters' pasts they experience again while they travel back in time, which I found very emotional but cathartic at the same time. These were written sensitively and realistically.
I can't believe this is a debut. The characters, setting and plot are so well researched, planned and written. I loved the references much loved music of the 90s and the street names, which I could Google and fully picture. I thoroughly enjoyed the depictions of the various senses, how they evoke memories and how Duncan and Marcus incorporated them into their fellow members time travels were fascinating to me.
If you're a fan of time travel stories with emotional depth and a touch of nostalgia, "How Soon Is Now" by Paul Carnahan is definitely worth a read. I am waiting on anticipation to hear what Paul will write next.
June 11, 2024
"Memory is where time travel begins" -- and somewhere along the way it meets death, and memory becomes the bystander watching it all unfold. But what if we could do more? What if we could change things?
And alternatively, what if we could let ourselves move on?
This book treats time travel with a level of nuance that takes it past the simplified idea of paradoxes, cosmic certainty, etc. that I usually dislike in other media. And at the end of the day, what I took from the dilemma of this story ("what if I can save someone - what if I can fix things") is that we create our own idea of the universe-as-it-should-be, the idea of fate, yet even in a world where time travel is possible, we're still be as clueless about the future we usually are. It's trial and error, and a battle of wills, and then it's about moving forward, knowing when you've done all you could.
And it's about letting people choose their own path, even if it's not what you'd choose for yourself! And that's what love is all about to me.
It's refreshing to read a time travel-related book without banging my head in frustration over contrived sci-fi mechanics and time clones and bla bla bla, it's just not my thing. At the end of the day this feels like a story about people just trying to help themselves and each other live, learn, love (sorry for the corny alliteration) - and that's something I can get behind.
And alternatively, what if we could let ourselves move on?
This book treats time travel with a level of nuance that takes it past the simplified idea of paradoxes, cosmic certainty, etc. that I usually dislike in other media. And at the end of the day, what I took from the dilemma of this story ("what if I can save someone - what if I can fix things") is that we create our own idea of the universe-as-it-should-be, the idea of fate, yet even in a world where time travel is possible, we're still be as clueless about the future we usually are. It's trial and error, and a battle of wills, and then it's about moving forward, knowing when you've done all you could.
And it's about letting people choose their own path, even if it's not what you'd choose for yourself! And that's what love is all about to me.
It's refreshing to read a time travel-related book without banging my head in frustration over contrived sci-fi mechanics and time clones and bla bla bla, it's just not my thing. At the end of the day this feels like a story about people just trying to help themselves and each other live, learn, love (sorry for the corny alliteration) - and that's something I can get behind.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 31, 2025
A beautiful, heartfelt book about friendships that span a lifetime and the small moments that only reveal their significance in hindsight. I laughed out loud so many times – the banter between Luke and his pals was hilarious – but there were also moments of real sadness that stayed with me.
Carnahan has such a gift for writing characters that feel alive and utterly real. I especially loved the touching little details from the nostalgia club members’ stories, each seeing their own memories as pivotal moments in their lives. While there are sci‑fi elements, at its heart this is a story about love, friendship, loss, and what you’d do to relive the moments that made you who you are.
One quote that stayed with me: if you look back on something and cringe, that’s good – it means you’ve grown. A wonderful, moving, funny, and bittersweet read. I loved it.
Carnahan has such a gift for writing characters that feel alive and utterly real. I especially loved the touching little details from the nostalgia club members’ stories, each seeing their own memories as pivotal moments in their lives. While there are sci‑fi elements, at its heart this is a story about love, friendship, loss, and what you’d do to relive the moments that made you who you are.
One quote that stayed with me: if you look back on something and cringe, that’s good – it means you’ve grown. A wonderful, moving, funny, and bittersweet read. I loved it.
September 18, 2024
In this book from debut novelist Paul Carnahan, we follow Luke as he joins the Nostalgia Club and discovers he has the rare ability to travel back into his body at different times in his past.
Time travel is used as a way to explore the passing of time, from the path not taken to living in the present. The characters all have distinct voices and stories, and our flawed main character feels very human. The writing perfectly conveys the nostalgia from the 80s and 90s, particularly the music and the relationships formed at university.
A recommended read for fans of the film About Time and introspective slice-of-life stories.
Thank you to Random Things Tours for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Time travel is used as a way to explore the passing of time, from the path not taken to living in the present. The characters all have distinct voices and stories, and our flawed main character feels very human. The writing perfectly conveys the nostalgia from the 80s and 90s, particularly the music and the relationships formed at university.
A recommended read for fans of the film About Time and introspective slice-of-life stories.
Thank you to Random Things Tours for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 22, 2024
What would you do...
...if you had the power to go back and relive moments from your past? Would you leave history well alone, or would you change things? Attempt to put right what once went wrong?
This book excels at taking the reader along on the character's journeys. The sights, sounds, smells and little details of the various eras feel achingly real. As do the characters' motivations. I was very invested in what each character chose to do and why. The book delivered a strong nostalogia hit, more than one emotional gut punch and a tear or two. Looking forward to his second book.
...if you had the power to go back and relive moments from your past? Would you leave history well alone, or would you change things? Attempt to put right what once went wrong?
This book excels at taking the reader along on the character's journeys. The sights, sounds, smells and little details of the various eras feel achingly real. As do the characters' motivations. I was very invested in what each character chose to do and why. The book delivered a strong nostalogia hit, more than one emotional gut punch and a tear or two. Looking forward to his second book.
January 4, 2026
An extremely clever, although sometimes confusing, time travel story.
What if you could go back in time? Only as far as your own birthday though, no killing Hitler in this story. What would you change? Is it even possible? A thought provoking and touching read with just the right amount of humour. I also enjoyed the fact that I was a college student in the late 80's so it was particularly relevant to me.
What if you could go back in time? Only as far as your own birthday though, no killing Hitler in this story. What would you change? Is it even possible? A thought provoking and touching read with just the right amount of humour. I also enjoyed the fact that I was a college student in the late 80's so it was particularly relevant to me.
January 11, 2025
Real Page-turner!
What an excellent twist to a time travel novel. I read it in one sitting and enjoyed it thoroughly. Some parts could have been developed and explained further but overall you could see, hear and smell the various locations. Well, being of the same age as the protagonists, I could.
An excellent first book and I’ll be following for further ones.
What an excellent twist to a time travel novel. I read it in one sitting and enjoyed it thoroughly. Some parts could have been developed and explained further but overall you could see, hear and smell the various locations. Well, being of the same age as the protagonists, I could.
An excellent first book and I’ll be following for further ones.
January 31, 2025
I found this book really tedious, it took me weeks to get through. I just couldn’t engage with it and found the incidental stories of everyone a boring distraction. It all seemed rather pointless. I made myself finish it, but never longed for it. I really like time travel stories but alas, not this one.
July 10, 2025
What a fantastic book. It is certainly one of the best time travel books I have ever read. As someone who was born in Edinburgh and was a student in Glasgow, this book brought back memories of familiar streets and venues I used to frequent. I found the story original and engaging and highly recommend it to all lovers of time travel stories.
March 25, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. It has a different twist to the usual time travel genre. Although it's got a tag of a love story, it's more of a love of a group of people rather than just the main character. Great read
August 12, 2025
A very enjoyable book about time travel and facing up to our pasts. There are lots of books with this story style, however, this one was a good read with some interesting characters and sliding door moments thrown into the mix.
January 14, 2025
A time travel story that avoids the usual confusion and conundrums of time travel. Great story with some memorable references from the past that took me back too!
January 6, 2026
I really liked this book and the plot, its twisty and engaging, tricky to keep up with but in another sense easy.
Read it and you'll see!
Read it and you'll see!
December 31, 2024
A light new year holiday read. Very enjoyable. 😊
June 19, 2024
The story’s main character discovers that he has the ability to not only travel back in time, but also influence his life and those others he encounters. The author tells us more about the backstory of the main characters as they travel back into their own history as students in the 1980s in Edinburgh and Glasgow.
When I first read the blurb I expected the time travel to have a more significant part in the story however it is quite subtle and really this is a story of a group of friends growing up to adulthood and how their lives of intermingled. Because of this it has more more in common with a novel such as us or One day by David Nichols then it has to Star Trek.
The poignancy of wanting to return to live with your lover before they had the Alzheimer’s was raised with sensitivity in this novel as was the issue of child loss and marriage breakdown
The author has an easily read flowing writing style which was a pleasure to read. his characters feel real and develop as the story unfolds. The story is set in Glasgow both modern day and 20 years ago. I particularly loved the way that the meetings were set in the back room of a pub. I could imagine easily what this might be like.
The first chapter has a sort of Japanese novel feel to it think before the coffee gets cold by Toshizu Kawaguchi .At the same time it’s very British and it’s setting the combination of these two elements made an interesting novel
I understand that there is a second novel in the series due for publication in 2024 and I look forward to reading that
I read an early electronic copy of the novel which I was sent as part of a blog tour organised by love book tours.The book was published in the uk on the 10th June 2024 by Tobasmus Ink
This review will appear on Goodreads and my book blog bionicsarahsbooks.Wordpress.com and on Amazon Uk
When I first read the blurb I expected the time travel to have a more significant part in the story however it is quite subtle and really this is a story of a group of friends growing up to adulthood and how their lives of intermingled. Because of this it has more more in common with a novel such as us or One day by David Nichols then it has to Star Trek.
The poignancy of wanting to return to live with your lover before they had the Alzheimer’s was raised with sensitivity in this novel as was the issue of child loss and marriage breakdown
The author has an easily read flowing writing style which was a pleasure to read. his characters feel real and develop as the story unfolds. The story is set in Glasgow both modern day and 20 years ago. I particularly loved the way that the meetings were set in the back room of a pub. I could imagine easily what this might be like.
The first chapter has a sort of Japanese novel feel to it think before the coffee gets cold by Toshizu Kawaguchi .At the same time it’s very British and it’s setting the combination of these two elements made an interesting novel
I understand that there is a second novel in the series due for publication in 2024 and I look forward to reading that
I read an early electronic copy of the novel which I was sent as part of a blog tour organised by love book tours.The book was published in the uk on the 10th June 2024 by Tobasmus Ink
This review will appear on Goodreads and my book blog bionicsarahsbooks.Wordpress.com and on Amazon Uk
December 2, 2024
This is a fantastic read! So much thought and detail has gone into every single character and their backstory that you are completely transported into their lives.
With an intense main plot line and all the additional characters woven in makes for a compelling read.
Sometimes time travel novels can seem quite bland and generic but this is a breath of fresh air.
With a sense of urgency to find the answers you’ll be hooked and willing them to succeed!
The personalities of each character are so varied but yet beautifully connected. A story that although is about time travel- doesn’t appear to “far-fetched”.
Recommended read if you’re looking for a fresh take on time travel novels!
With an intense main plot line and all the additional characters woven in makes for a compelling read.
Sometimes time travel novels can seem quite bland and generic but this is a breath of fresh air.
With a sense of urgency to find the answers you’ll be hooked and willing them to succeed!
The personalities of each character are so varied but yet beautifully connected. A story that although is about time travel- doesn’t appear to “far-fetched”.
Recommended read if you’re looking for a fresh take on time travel novels!
August 4, 2024
Well, that was a great read. I liked the setting (especially Edinburgh, I fell in love with the city a year ago 🏴), the writing style, and tge characters (I have to say, Lauren took me a little while though 🤷♀️).
I'm always intrigued when I read stories about time travel and the rules that will apply: will it be considered a loop and everything you do was already done by yourself, or can you actually alter anything and what will be tge consequences?
It's always mind-boggling (at least to me) and needs to be done right.
While there were times I was briefly lost in what was happening (same as Luke, the MMC 😬), I was still enjoying the ride. All the characters, despite their gifts (NOT powers) were relatable and my heart was a little bit breaking with them.
I'm always intrigued when I read stories about time travel and the rules that will apply: will it be considered a loop and everything you do was already done by yourself, or can you actually alter anything and what will be tge consequences?
It's always mind-boggling (at least to me) and needs to be done right.
While there were times I was briefly lost in what was happening (same as Luke, the MMC 😬), I was still enjoying the ride. All the characters, despite their gifts (NOT powers) were relatable and my heart was a little bit breaking with them.
June 12, 2025
Enjoyable!
I like a book written in 'first person'. The little backstory chapters of some of the characters seemed a bit unnecessary to me, so apart from Adam's at the end, I admit I skipped over those bits. I read this book in one sitting - it does keep your attention.
I like a book written in 'first person'. The little backstory chapters of some of the characters seemed a bit unnecessary to me, so apart from Adam's at the end, I admit I skipped over those bits. I read this book in one sitting - it does keep your attention.
August 12, 2024
Luke Seymour is having a moment of reflection - recently made redundant, pottering around trying to figure out what's next, he finds a mysterious invitation in his pocket ‘We know. We can help. Come to the Thrawn Laddie, Edinburgh, 7.30pm Wednesday.’ Of course, he goes (it wouldn't make much of a book if he just tossed it, would it? Though given the book's premise, I'm sure it still would have happened).
At the Thrawn Laddie, he meets the Nostalgia Club - a group of odd people who, with only a small amount of persuasion, introduce him to the fact that he can time travel - but only backwards and only within his own experiences.
I love time travel novels. And I loved the twist in this one of only being able to go back in your own time.
Luke takes a number of journeys, with and without the Nostalgia Club, mostly visiting events from his university days, though also some painful events of adulthood. Eventually the Nostalgia Club ask him for help investigating something that happened to one of their beloved members. It's this investigation that makes up the bulk of the narrative, involving quite a few trips and some help from an old friend.
Without spoilers, the events of this investigation explore how we might live our lives if we could have a re-do. What would we change, what would we revisit, who would we be? The various characters made a range of decisions, each with interesting ethical implications and consequences that still have me thinking about whether they did what was right for them and the people they loved.
Overall the book was an easy read. The pace was perfect, the characters were distinct and memorable (and mostly likeable), I always knew who was who and what their current motivations were. Peppered throughout the main narrative were short chapters that filled out the back stories on the Nostalgia Club members (who otherwise are just deliverers of a quest), and were an interesting way to pause the main narrative and reflect on what was happening.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes time travel, or who likes to think about our decisions and the way they set our path through life.
(read via Reedsy Discovery in exchange for an honest review)
At the Thrawn Laddie, he meets the Nostalgia Club - a group of odd people who, with only a small amount of persuasion, introduce him to the fact that he can time travel - but only backwards and only within his own experiences.
I love time travel novels. And I loved the twist in this one of only being able to go back in your own time.
Luke takes a number of journeys, with and without the Nostalgia Club, mostly visiting events from his university days, though also some painful events of adulthood. Eventually the Nostalgia Club ask him for help investigating something that happened to one of their beloved members. It's this investigation that makes up the bulk of the narrative, involving quite a few trips and some help from an old friend.
Without spoilers, the events of this investigation explore how we might live our lives if we could have a re-do. What would we change, what would we revisit, who would we be? The various characters made a range of decisions, each with interesting ethical implications and consequences that still have me thinking about whether they did what was right for them and the people they loved.
Overall the book was an easy read. The pace was perfect, the characters were distinct and memorable (and mostly likeable), I always knew who was who and what their current motivations were. Peppered throughout the main narrative were short chapters that filled out the back stories on the Nostalgia Club members (who otherwise are just deliverers of a quest), and were an interesting way to pause the main narrative and reflect on what was happening.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes time travel, or who likes to think about our decisions and the way they set our path through life.
(read via Reedsy Discovery in exchange for an honest review)
June 13, 2024
Here is my review for How Soon Is Now by Paul Carnaham
This book is a fantastic read if you like to use your imagination a bit, like to read about time travel and how it could possibly be done and some great characters with a good storyline. Luke Seymour is one of the main characters and he is recruited to The Nostalgia Club as he has a quality that none of the other members has. He is a natural and soon is trying it on his own although not recommended. He says it explains some things that have been happening to him. The story is a mix of time travelling experiences and the present. It is set in Edinburgh and Glasgow. It is well written, well planned out and plotted, It is very descriptive writing and the characters are totally different people. The author has used his imagination and done some research for this book which is commendable. I really enjoyed it and couldn’t put it down.
Blurb :
It's the trip of a lifetime - a one-of-a-kind time travel tale from Scotland, with a heart as big as Glasgow.
Troubled ex-journalist Luke Seymour embarks on a perilous mission into his own past after being recruited into the ranks of the mysterious Nostalgia Club, an eccentric group of time travellers who meet in the back room of an Edinburgh pub.
As he hones his newly discovered - and dangerously addictive - talent for time travel, Luke learns the stories of the club's members and plunges ever deeper into his own personal history, where the terrible mistake that scarred his life is waiting...
Set in Glasgow and Edinburgh in the 1980s, 1990s and near-present, 'How Soon Is Now?' is a gripping new novel brimming with unforgettable characters, intricate storytelling and dark secrets - all moving towards a powerful and moving climax.
This book is a fantastic read if you like to use your imagination a bit, like to read about time travel and how it could possibly be done and some great characters with a good storyline. Luke Seymour is one of the main characters and he is recruited to The Nostalgia Club as he has a quality that none of the other members has. He is a natural and soon is trying it on his own although not recommended. He says it explains some things that have been happening to him. The story is a mix of time travelling experiences and the present. It is set in Edinburgh and Glasgow. It is well written, well planned out and plotted, It is very descriptive writing and the characters are totally different people. The author has used his imagination and done some research for this book which is commendable. I really enjoyed it and couldn’t put it down.
Blurb :
It's the trip of a lifetime - a one-of-a-kind time travel tale from Scotland, with a heart as big as Glasgow.
Troubled ex-journalist Luke Seymour embarks on a perilous mission into his own past after being recruited into the ranks of the mysterious Nostalgia Club, an eccentric group of time travellers who meet in the back room of an Edinburgh pub.
As he hones his newly discovered - and dangerously addictive - talent for time travel, Luke learns the stories of the club's members and plunges ever deeper into his own personal history, where the terrible mistake that scarred his life is waiting...
Set in Glasgow and Edinburgh in the 1980s, 1990s and near-present, 'How Soon Is Now?' is a gripping new novel brimming with unforgettable characters, intricate storytelling and dark secrets - all moving towards a powerful and moving climax.
June 12, 2024
This was a book which spoke to my heart being Scottish, going being Edinburgh, Glasgow and the surrounding areas. This was a twisty turvy timey whimy book which led us through the aspect of being able to go back to previous times in an individuals life and make small adjustments. However you feel about the concept of this element the book had a really easy to read writing style and this helped me propel through it. I loved the characters and their diverseness - in terms of their backgrounds and their histories. We meet some enigmatic characters who interact with each other in a seamless way even with people trying to stop them achieving their goals.
September 23, 2024
received this book as a gift and not being a huge reader, I thought it would be a chore to read it, however once I started, I couldn't put it down.
The characters are believable and likeable. The plot moves at just the right pace to hold your interest and the story is fascinating, without being too outlandish.
I would recommend.
The characters are believable and likeable. The plot moves at just the right pace to hold your interest and the story is fascinating, without being too outlandish.
I would recommend.
September 29, 2025
It was overall a decent read, but definitely too long with lots of unnecessary details. I found myself wanting to get through it, rather than enjoying the process of reading it. Also, the time travel logic just didn’t seem well thought-through enough to make it interesting, it just seemed to be moulded to fit the plot.
July 8, 2024
Simultaneously entertaining, funny & wise, this isn't a hackneyed time-travel novel. A nuanced, touching reflection on the nature of memory, place, fate and accident and how we respond to that in our lives. Intertwines human stories, places and time brilliantly. As someone who studied in Scotland in the 90s and who knows both Edinburgh and Glasgow reasonably well, there was some personal nostalgia too.
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