Time-Stopper: Interludes in Time

by James Young

The “perfect life” is an impossible dream—or is it?

Aided by an ability to stop time at will, David Preston intends to find out. David is obsessed with making his world perfect: career, love life—everything. Most people settle for less because they know perfection is impossible. But David has a problem: He believes perfection is not just possible but attainable. At least, for someone with his extraordinary gift.

David can stop time at will for everyone but himself. The world freezes around him, giving him “time” to complete tasks on impossible deadlines, compose brilliant answers to sudden questions, and dodge the otherwise unavoidable disasters we can see coming but are powerless to stop.

But life is messier than it appears, and reality is not easily dissuaded—especially when there may be someone else out there, stopping time...

376 pages, Paperback

Published June 2, 2026

Reviews

[Jenni · Rating 3 out of 5]

From the very first page, David Preston radiates the energy of a man who alphabetises his spices, irons his socks, and would absolutely have a meltdown if someone moved his stapler half an inch to the left. And then you find out he can stop time. Oh, darling. Giving that man a superpower is like handing a flamethrower to a raccoon.

David is obsessed with perfection—career, romance, life, the whole glittering package. Most people accept that perfection is a myth. David looks that myth dead in the eye and says, “Hold my beer.” And with his ability to freeze the world around him, he actually tries to brute force his way into the perfect existence.

At first, it’s almost funny. He’s out here pausing time to craft flawless answers, dodge disasters, and basically cheat his way through life like a man speed running adulthood. But the longer it goes on, the more you feel the cracks forming. Because perfection isn’t just impossible—it’s a trap. And David is sprinting straight into it with the enthusiasm of a golden retriever chasing a laser pointer.

And then comes the twist: He might not be the only one who can stop time.

That’s when the story shifts from “quirky sci fi self improvement fantasy” to “oh no, someone else is playing on the same chessboard, and they’re better at it.” Suddenly, David’s carefully curated world starts wobbling like a Jenga tower.

The book is clever, introspective, and occasionally maddening—much like David himself. It’s a slow burn, a character study wrapped in a speculative premise, and it pokes at the uncomfortable truth that chasing perfection often leads straight into chaos.

Your 3–3.5 star rating fits perfectly. It’s intriguing, it’s thoughtful, but it’s also the kind of story where you occasionally want to grab David by the shoulders and yell, “Sir, therapy exists.”

[John Langley · Rating 2 out of 5]

About 2.75 stars.

This is a low rating for me to give.


I am sorry to say that on the whole I did not much enjoy reading this book and I was glad to finish it. At one point, somewhere around the middle, when David had just met Julia, I was on the verge of putting it aside as a Did Not Finish. However, something happened between those two characters that gave me some hope… however I think the hope turned out to be false.

I am wondering if I started reading under false pretences. I enjoy science fiction very much and I am a bit of a specialist reader of time-travel novels and stories. I enjoy this sub-genre for the tricks that can be played with paradoxes and the distractions of bells, whistles, wormholes and strange theories of time. I enjoy the mechanisms employed to effect such travel and the convolutions that authors have to go through to make it all seem feasible. If that’s all done well, we’ll at least have a fun story. On another level, an author of a time story can use all this superstructure to explore part of history, perhaps to examine some tricky “what ifs” or to examine the ethical questions posed by killing off very bad dictators before they get to be bad… on a yet higher level there is also scope to look at the questions of self-identity, context and persona that a traveller in time might have to confront. Fascinating stuff.

Time-stopping is a form of time-travel (I thought). It’s a mechanism that we’ve seen on TV and in B-Movies. Something to look forward to (I thought).

To my disappointment the description of the ‘mechanism’ to travel in time was missing! Half the potential fun had already gone! I wanted to know how David discovered he had this amazing power. How had it affected his childhood? What effect did it have on his body when he stopped time? Would he heal quicker, or would he just live an objectively shorter life? What were the rules - could he move objects or people around while ‘stopped’? How long could he maintain the state? None of this is available. Just the bald statement of fact, that David can do this.

David seems to be a bland, fairly uninteresting person - a bit of a perfectionist - who has a connection to The Hill in Washington DC which he’s seeking to keep alive somehow while he actually works somewhere else. I think maybe he works for political lobbyists - I was unclear about that. They live a bland, uninspiring working life trying to keep some distance from ‘Corporate’ who turn out to be in some sense ‘the enemy’ to all that is joyful. So David uses his amazing superpower to get more work done quickly and then catch up on his sleep. Hmmm. He uses it to arrange the perfect date to impress his girlfriend. So he’s basically using it to ‘cheat’… but just within the confines of his own humdrum circumstances.

He has an amazing idea that will help his company, but it needs government to pass it into law. Something to do with tax (yawn). A very long series of sections detail how David gets this to happen. Apart from one scene where David spots a malicious typo - a comma has been inserted which will change ‘his’ law detrimentally - the superpower is largely irrelevant.

I was asking myself “couldn’t David insert a few commas in other laws, and bring about World Peace?..’

This far into the book, I found myself very unhappy with it. Perhaps I had started the book under false pretences. Perhaps it’s not SF. The superpower is unexplored - all it’s there for is to amplify what we already know, that David is a workaholic perfectionist who needs to let go a bit, at least now and then. His power might just as well be that ability of being able to take a refreshing nap whenever he feels like it. He seems to have no vision beyond the mundane. A person in his position could get into the Oval Office and change history, but he seems unaware of such possibilities, and offers no explanation for his narrowness of scope.

I found myself thinking things like “what if he’s not the only one with the power to stop time?” - that could be interesting…

Enter Julia, and I narrowly avoid putting the book aside. I am hopeful… hurrah! She can also stop time, and they meet, quite magically during a simultaneous timestop (ie they have both stopped time at the same ..er time). Is it a metaphor? Good stuff, anyway, and for me the best part of the book apart from the end. It’s all very romantic, if a bit on the prim side. David, ever conventional and ever perfectionist goes in search of engagement rings and perfect days.

Julia is an architect and uses her Power to knock out beautiful designs and drawings at a speed unavailable to ordinary mortals. She’s a sort of female David. Obviously, more graceful, a lot prettier and nearly as clever as he is (in her own field)… and she gets to wear a dress.

David habitually stops time when he feels strong emotion. Nobody can hear you scream… Julia seems much the same (surprised? - no). What’s wrong with these people? She spends a lot of her life in these “interludes”… that’s the sort of thing that could come back to bite you. We don’t know the rules of time-stopping though, so that’s just a hostage to fortune…

David and Julia extend their perfect moments together by something called ‘sequential time-stopping’. They had never been able to stop time for the both of them together except on that one magical occasion. That is quite intriguing, but unexplored. Sequential time-stopping is apparently the next best thing. I could not understand this: I have to assume it means they take turns to stop time. But what’s the point of this for a loving couple? Going to bed a bit earlier would be a lot easier.

Also what would happen if David stopped time while Julia was stopping time? Hmm.

Fast-forward (haha - there’s an idea) to the end. I read every word, I really did. I thought perhaps there was at last something new in the final scenes, when David finally has the good sense to use his power to help him let go of the joyless existence he has imprisoned himself in. The final encounters with Julia and with Sailor are quite moving… (Sailor is a statue in whom David confides). Could this all have been a big philosophical metaphor that I had missed? Perhaps it’s Zen… here and now, boys… here and now. Pay attention!

I noticed the egregious Ayn Rand pop up at one point when David gives Julia a copy of The Fountainhead. No discussion - foundational right-wing texts extolling the value of rational self-interest and individualism pass without comment in their world. Could this be what was irking me? That these people are just completely self-interested and that explains their lack of curiosity and vision? Makes me glad somehow to be a social conformist…

I’ve been poking fun, but I also have to say that the book is very well-written, if a little long, and I sense that it may have sprung from some deeply personal parts of the author’s lived experience.

This is an honest review of the book in exchange for a readers copy from Net Galley. So I have to be honest - it wasn’t for me, but it’s made me think a bit about why not.

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you Amplify Publishing for providing an ARC for review consideration via NetGalley! All opinions are my own.

There is great potential in the premise of this book - conquering deadlines at work and achieving perfection in relationships, all through using a superhuman ability to stop time. Unfortunately, the story veered well away from this plot. A more accurate synopsis would be “a man navigating a demanding job in politics while trying to find love and meaning in his life.”

The authors own experience in D.C., and a clear passion for writing about the Hill, is evident by how much of the book focuses on political and corporate minutiae. However, rather than it creating an interesting backdrop, it inevitably overtook the story and relegated time stopping to be an afterthought. Great length and detail went into explaining the corporate speak and dynamics. Whereas, pivotal moments with the time stopping were given a single sentence or a short chapter, almost in passing. The story sadly never delves into anything exciting related to time stopping, with the power primarily used just to get more sleep. Meandering chapters on seemingly unimportant things take even more emphasis from the time stopping - the hotel preferences of David and his co-workers, what type of room they got, and what the hotel looks like were described in detail, for example. Fragments of connection to the time stopping were mentioned, but never expanded upon. Many chapters concluded with statements as if to guide the reader along in David’s struggles and his path forward, such as “he finally had something” and “Tonight, it was exhaustion, at the onset of which came his decision on what he was determined to do.” And, “Now seeing through to the next step, he redoubled his work efforts.” However, these just led to more confusion from the readers perspective since the chapters these statements concluded did not make clear, tie to, or resolve these statements at all.

Throughout the book, both narrative and dialogue were used solely to “tell.” Reading the book in its entirety in this way felt very flat and missed the ability to punctuate to the reader what they should pay attention to, as well as to create depth and nuance.

Depictions of the female characters are problematic. David comes off as overbearing and honestly creepy, yet the woman are still adoring, giggling, and eager for him. If he’s not mentioning their beauty, he’s mentioning their faults, despite not at all necessary for the story. Even Julia’s mom can’t escape from a judgement on her looks - “Delia clearly had been a beauty. But now, she tried too hard to retain its remnants when age’s natural weathering would have been more flattering.” It was off-putting to have woman portrayed so negatively, especially when the reader is supposed to be relating to a romantic relationship with a main character who becomes unlikable with this constant portrayal of woman. “The men looked liked themselves - only different ties. The woman cleaned up real good. Others, not so much. But all had made a genuine effort.”

Irrespective of these views of women, the relationships themselves are not believable or relatable either. David is bumbling and immature in the beginning, yet with Julia he is suddenly talking about philosophy, art, and God, without any growth shown or use of the time stopping to improve his connection or contributions to a relationship in the span of time since Kristin. The relationships, like the rest of the story are all “telling,” nothing draws the reader in to root for them. Unrealistic banter fails to craft meaningful and deep relationships for the reader to align their own experiences with - “regrettably, the lemming species” “We architects are, I would say, ants or beavers.” “I need some time to research cheetahs.” Yet, David calls the conversation challenging and enthralling. Similar unappealing dialogue come from David’s co-workers, often in David’s condescending manner - “You either settle or you’re single. There ain’t no perfect, David.” “All I know about love is that it’s something that happens before kids.” “ Don’t shit where you eat.”

Ultimately, this book tried to take on too many ideas, had a hard time sticking to the plot promised, and missed the mark on this group of characters. Due to this, I am unsure which genre reader will feel wholly engaged and fulfilled. This may have landed better if one path was taken and fully explored, ideally the avenue the author was most familiar with.

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

The most interesting thing about this book was the premise: “What would you do with the ability to stop time?” Time-Stopper: Interludes in Time by James Young opens with a premise that immediately caught my attention. David is a man trying to balance work, relationships, ambition, and exhaustion who uses his ability to pause time to cope with his life and make it “perfect.” On the surface, that setup has so much possibility. It could become a story about power, temptation, loneliness, romance, ethics, or the consequences of bending reality to meet ordinary human desires. The idea of using stopped time to escape pressure, gain control, or simply exist without being rushed is genuinely compelling.

The book is at its strongest when it leans into that question: if you could step outside the clock, would you use that gift to become better, avoid pain, chase love, or just survive one more overwhelming day?

Pluses: The Washington, D.C. setting is clearly written from a place of familiarity. The political and corporate world feels specific, and readers who enjoy lobbying, workplace dynamics, Hill-adjacent maneuvering, and policy-heavy environments may appreciate how grounded the setting is and how accurate the backdrop is. There is a procedural quality to the story that gives it a different feel from a typical speculative thriller.

That said, this book did not fully deliver on what I hoped for from its premise. I wanted the time-stopping ability to drive the story, complicate David’s choices, and create emotional or moral stakes. Instead, the speculative element often feels secondary to the political workplace plot. There are long stretches focused on meetings, travel details, professional dynamics, and D.C. minutiae, while the time-stopping itself is used more sparingly than expected. For a concept with so much built-in tension, I kept waiting for it to become more central.

I also struggled with the emotional distance in the writing. Major moments that should have felt tense, romantic, heartbreaking, or transformative often came across as more explanations than lived experiences. The narrative tends to tell the reader what David is realizing or deciding rather than letting those changes unfold through action, dialogue, or emotional texture. Because of that, I had a hard time feeling fully connected to him or the other characters. This goes back to the inherent rule of storytelling, “show don’t tell.”

Time-Stopper is thoughtful in concept, but uneven in execution. I appreciated what it was aiming for, especially its interest in time, ambition, and consequences, but I wanted the story to make me feel more: more wonder, more tension, more heartbreak, and more connection to David’s journey.

I gave this 2.5 stars but rounded it up to 3 stars (⭐⭐⭐). Thank you to NetGalley and Amplify Publishing for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion. I appreciate the opportunity to read and review this interesting and thought-provoking premise.

[Dani · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.8 Stars

I thought this was a really well-written and original read, with some interesting ideas that were partially explored. Obviously, there have been lots of stories about time travel and controlling time, but I thought time-stopping was an interesting way of approaching this story device. However, I think I would have liked a little bit more explanation as to how the time-stopping actually worked, and how it came to be. While I can concede that some things in life simply are, without any real explanation, it might have been nice to explore, at least, how his powers manifested for the first time and what happened. Also, there is at some point a suggestion that using his powers takes its toll. I would have liked a little bit more about that.
I thought the writing was pretty good. It had a smart, sophisticated air to it that still had moments of self-awareness and humanity. In this way, the story felt less fantastical and more like something that could actually happen.
I thought the characters were so well crafted, although there did seem to be some small inconsistencies, especially with David. When with his girlfriend, he seems quite normal, utilising his powers to the perfect version of himself and presenting the perfect relationship. Whereas with Julia, he feels like a different person. Now this could be showing that when he is in normal time, striving for perfection, he is not truly himself, but a carefully crafted version that he believes is what will lead to success. However, when he is with Julia, he is finally able to embrace all that he is without fear of ruining anything. I believe this point would have been made a bit clearer if we had seen some hints of this before he saw Julia.
I did think the writing was immaculate. Descriptions were absolutely stunning, and I found myself re-reading passages just to savour them. However, there was quite a lot of time given to his political role and the day-to-day maintenance of this role. While it could be said that getting a look into how his powers could be used for the mundane and the progression of his career is interesting, I just felt it lingered on a little too long. I did quite like how Young presented an entirely selfish use of the power. All of David's actions sought to highlight, at least for me, all the opportunities he could have used for a greater good, and all the times he instead used them for his own personal idea of perfection. I think it was an interesting look at society and how those who end up with power tend to wield it in a way that serves only themselves, sometimes seemingly without malicious reasoning, but the effect ends up hurting others.
I would recommend this to anyone who loves themselves a good thought-provoking sci-fi that is more human-focused than specifically sci-fi-focused. Because while this book has sci-fi elements, it is definitely one that focuses on what it means to be human.

[Ariel Jensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Time Stopper is a thoughtful sci-fi novel that approaches the speculative premise of “What if I could stop time?” through the lens of an otherwise ordinary life. Written in a limited third-person perspective, the story adopts the understated tone of its protagonist, David, whose everyday experiences are shaped as much by the people around him as by the extraordinary gift he possesses (Character 8/10). The setting of modern-day Washington, D.C. plays a significant role throughout the novel and is clearly informed by the author’s own lived experiences, grounding the story in a realistic world that often feels intentionally mundane. This choice reinforces the book’s larger themes, even when it occasionally slows the pacing (Atmosphere 7/10).

The writing is clear and well-executed, allowing the story to unfold naturally without drawing attention away from its ideas (Writing 7/10). While the novel centers on a science-fiction concept, its true focus lies in exploring the “what if?” in practice rather than the mechanics behind it. The result is a story that raises thought-provoking questions about time, perfection, and the value of ordinary moments. What initially seems like an opportunity to improve life by controlling it gradually becomes an examination of why life imperfections may be what make it meaningful in the first place (Plot 9/10, Intrigue 7/10).

The narrative remains consistent and believable throughout, allowing the themes to take center stage without distraction (Logic 10/10). While this ultimately wasn’t a perfect fit for my personal reading preferences, that has more to do with my taste than the quality of the book itself. Readers who enjoy contemporary settings, reflective story telling, and character-driven explorations of self will likely connect with this novel far more than I did. In the end, it left me with plenty to think about, which may be its greatest success (Enjoyment 6/10, Genre-specific 7/10).

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Stars

Time Stopper: Interludes in Time is the debut novel by James Young. The books premise immediately sparked my curiosity - a man who can freeze time at will – so I happily snapped up a copy and plunged in.
The story starts off pretty strong, blending intrigue with a sense of wonder as the protagonist explores his ‘ability’. There’s a quiet thrill in watching him navigate a world where he alone can pause the clock, and Mr. Young captures that sensation quite well.
Mr. Young doesn’t just rely on the ‘time-stopping’ attention grabbing element for his story, he also explores deeper questions about control, perfectionism, and the bittersweet impermanence of life.
As the story unfolds, the tale shifts from the novelty of time manipulation to more of David’s (MC) struggles with loss, missed opportunities, and the temptation to “fix” every imperfection --- which was quite relatable and, at times, moving.
Unfortunately, I found that there were parts that were quite wordy, and the pacing seemed to waver in parts – which drew me out of the story. There were certain scenes that seemed to linger too long without adding too much to character development or the plots momentum, which gave the story a choppy, uneven feel.
Overall, I did enjoy the premise and certain parts of the story, and so I will keep an eye out for more of this author’s work in future, just to see what else he may have in store for us.
Happy Reading…

[Emma Samways · Rating 4 out of 5]

I usually like sci-fi reads and while I did enjoy this, it's very different to what I'm used to reading. It is very thought provoking. What would you do if you had the power to stop time? Would you use your ability to excel at work? Catch up on that extra sleep you missed with the kids? Read that book that's been on your bookshelf for nearly a year?

David can stop time; he works in Washington DC and is a lobbyist. He uses his time stops to excel at work, to be the best he can be. He enjoys his work despite it being described as mind numbingly boring. I didn't really understand the parts about his job, being a non American I don't really care about the senators and all that jazz but David loves his job and he's successful at what he does.

He meets Julia who has the same gift as him and they quickly fall in love. It's a beautiful love story and they are happy together. They quickly realise that you can't stop time forever and that time will always keep moving forward even if you have the ability to pause it.

This book teaches us that life isn't perfect and we can't hold onto those perfect moments but we can cherish them and we can create more. But more importantly it teaches us that there's more to life than work. There's the people we love who we sometimes take for granted, who we think will always be there but they won't. So hug your loved ones tight, live every moment to the fullest and enjoy life because life is too short.

[Roxsanne Lesieur · Rating 4 out of 5]

David has a unique talent, the ability to stop and restart time whenever he wants to, he has done this all his life and has used it to mould this into something perfect, or as perfect as he can make it. He started off with a career on Capitol Hill in politics, but one mistake cost him dearly and now he works as a lobbying for a well thought of company and has used his talent to build a reputation of doing the impossible.

The only thing he cannot control is people, they throw chaos into his perfect creation and when they do it breaks him and he has to rebuild what has broken. He does this through stopping time to work through feeling, work out the difficult answers, research and prepare thoroughly and ensure that his perfection is not disturbed.

One day, he is travelling on his usual commute home when he meets someone he is struck down with and it creates a distraction for him which comes at the most inopportune time, but one he used his gift for, but when he discovered that he might not be the only one with this gift, his world is thrown into disarray and he has to figure out how destiny will work out and what it means for his perfect existence.

This is an interesting take on paranormal abilities and asks the questions of what is perfection and can it be attained, all while exploring the morality of it in the first place, leaving a very intriguing storyline winding through it.

[Santana · Rating 3 out of 5]

David Preston is the kind of person who would stress over a slightly crooked frame. So when he discovers he can stop time, it feels like chaos meeting control.

At first, it is fun. He uses it to fix mistakes, prep for life, and basically try to make everything perfect. It plays like a clever idea at the start, but the focus quickly shifts away from the time stopping itself.

Most of the book ends up centered on his job, politics, meetings, and daily life. The ability is often in the background, which was disappointing because I kept waiting for more exploration of how it works and what its limits are.

Things improve when Julia is introduced. The idea that someone else can also stop time adds real tension and gives the story its most interesting moments.

David himself is not always easy to connect with. His perfectionism is central to the story, but it can also make him frustrating. Some of the dialogue also felt a bit stiff. Still, the book does explore strong themes like control, burnout, and the pressure to be perfect. Those ideas come through clearly even when the sci fi side takes a backseat.

This was a solid concept that did not fully deliver on its premise for me. I wanted more focus on the time stopping and what it could do.

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I typically do not read Sci-Fi novels, but Time-Stopper: Interludes in Time felt vastly different from other Sci-Fi novels I have read in the past. The premise is deliciously simple: David can stop time for everyone but himself. What starts as a productivity dream quickly spirals into a meditation on control, loss, and the bittersweet chaos of living. Young’s writing is sharp without being showy, and he balances the sci-fi hook with a surprisingly tender emotional core. The protagonist’s journey feels deeply personal, as each “interlude” in frozen time becomes a mirror reflecting his fears, regrets, and longing for control. Young’s prose is measured yet evocative, painting moments of stillness with a kind of aching clarity. The pacing is deliberate, allowing readers to linger in the quiet spaces between action—though at times, this restraint may test the patience of those seeking a more plot-driven narrative. What lingers after the final page is not the mechanics of time-stopping, but the emotional resonance of letting go. Young reminds us that no matter how much we wish to pause, rewind, or perfect our lives, the most meaningful moments often come from embracing the messiness of the present.

[Danielle Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Time-Stopper: Interludes in Time takes a familiar “what if you could stop time?” concept and turns it into something much deeper than I expected. Rather than focusing solely on the superpower itself, James Young explores how the pursuit of perfection can shape, and sometimes complicate, every part of a person’s life.

David Preston is a compelling protagonist whose extraordinary ability creates just as many challenges as opportunities. The story blends science fiction, political intrigue, mystery, and romance in a way that keeps the pages turning while still leaving room for thoughtful moments about control, ambition, grief, and accepting life’s imperfections.

The pacing is steady, with enough twists to keep me invested, and I especially appreciated that the time-stopping ability had meaningful consequences instead of serving as an easy solution. The world feels believable despite the fantastical premise, and the character relationships give the story emotional weight.

If you enjoy character-driven science fiction with a unique premise, plenty of suspense, and thought-provoking themes, this is definitely worth picking up. James Young delivers an engaging debut that offers both entertainment and something to reflect on long after the final chapter.

[Eva Edge · Rating 3 out of 5]

Time-Stopper: Interludes in Time by James Young begins with a captivating premise and a strong opening, but unfortunately struggles to maintain its emotional depth and narrative momentum.

While the story's concept is inherently interesting, the execution grows increasingly flat as the chapters progress. Even during moments that should be heart-wrenching or high-stakes, there is a noticeable lack of palpable excitement or genuine emotion. This emotional distance is compounded by a confusing portrayal of the main character, David; his inconsistent age and maturity levels make it difficult to pin down who he is or to form a meaningful connection with his journey.

The heavy inclusion of political subplots further slows the narrative, offering a steady but ultimately dry storyline that may appeal to fans of procedural sci-fi but will likely leave thriller enthusiasts wanting more. If you are looking for a story with high action and a strong emotional core, this may feel like a missed opportunity. A solid 3 "confused" stars for a great idea that just needed a bit more heart and a lot more energy.

[Book.Athlete · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Time-Stopper: Interludes in Time. The premise immediately grabbed my attention, and what began as an intriguing time-bending story quickly became a thoughtful exploration of perfection, ambition, and the choices that shape our lives.

David is a compelling protagonist, and I found myself wondering what I would do if I could stop time. James Young does a wonderful job balancing science fiction with believable characters, suspense, romance, and just the right amount of humor. The political backdrop added an extra layer of realism without ever overshadowing the heart of the story.

What I appreciated most was that this wasn't just a book about an extraordinary ability—it was about being human. It explores the temptation to control every aspect of life while reminding us that our imperfections often make life meaningful.

This was an engaging, thought-provoking debut that kept me turning the pages. If you enjoy science fiction with strong character development, clever twists, and deeper themes to reflect on long after you've finished reading, I highly recommend giving this one a read.

[Brandy Jo Rymer · Rating 5 out of 5]

James Young has written a story that was quite intriguing; it really made me ponder life and what I would do if I could stop time. "Time-Stopper: Interludes in Time" was a great thought-provoking story about a guy named David who has a special talent: he can stop time at his will. At first, David stops time to make it so that he can have the "perfect life," but as he continues to stop time, he realizes that there is less joy in his life, and he starts to stop time to run away from the world, rather than to perfect his life. David, as our story's protagonist, must navigate through the pros and cons of his gift and find the perfect balance in his life. At times, we realize we must lose what we want the most before we can appreciate what we had in the first place. I loved how this story had so many unexpected twists and turns and the fact that it makes you ponder what you would do if you were in David's place. I highly recommend this story; it was an excellent read, and definitely a different twist on the norm for time-altering storylines.
@Brandy Rymer
07/2026

[Bobbi Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this paranormal story. This is a newer author for me in which I enjoyed their attention to details that not only made the characters come to life but pulled me into the story from the beginning. This is a story about what happens if someone could stop time. This is a story about David. He has an obsession with making his life perfect but his problem is that he can stop time for everyone but himself. Life can be a little bit messy but can reality really be changed? I enjoyed the characters in this story. They are strong, well developed and had me wanting to know more about what would happen to them. I enjoyed the growth of not only the plot but of the characters as well. I found this story easy and entertaining to read. A fast paced story and one you don’t want to miss what happens with David as he stops time. I look forward to seeing what is next for this author. I highly recommend this story.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Time-Stopper: Interludes in Time by James Young.
4 of 5 Stars.

This thought provoking novel is a story of time travel, romance and fantasy, which kept me hooked throughout. David has been gifted with an extraordinary ability to stop time at will, for everyone but himself. David is obsessed with creating a “perfect” life, and uses his gift to freeze the world around him. He can then meet impossible deadlines, avoid disasters, and have time to think about an answer to a sudden question. Things become complicated for David when he discovers that he may not be the only one who can stop time. Although I’m not a big Sci-Fi fan the intriguing storyline drew me in, and I’m glad I picked up this book. David is a realistically complex character who is looking for happiness by creating a “perfect” life, which is relatable to many. I felt fully immersed in the story as the descriptive narrative brings both the characters and the setting vividly to life.

[Jennifer Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

The most interesting thing about this book was the premise: “What would you do with the ability to stop time?” Time-Stopper: Interludes in Time by James Young opens with a premise that immediately caught my attention. David is a man trying to balance work, relationships, ambition, and exhaustion who uses his ability to pause time to cope with his life and make it “perfect.” On the surface, that setup has so much possibility. It could become a story about power, temptation, loneliness, romance, ethics, or the consequences of bending reality to meet ordinary human desires. The idea of using stopped time to escape pressure, gain control, or simply exist without being rushed is genuinely compelling. This is the first time I have read a book like this and it took me a bit to get into the book. I do like the idea and ponder all the things you could do if you could stop time anytime you wanted.

[Dawn Daughenbaugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars
Time-Stopper: Interludes in Time By James Young

Time-Stopper: Interludes in Time is a Sci-fi/Romance/Fantasy that intrigued me from the beginning. I wasn’t real sure what to expect going in, I’ve read several “time travel “ books and most don’t hit the mark. This definitely checked all the boxes. If you could stop time,what would you do? What would you change? I’m sure I’m not the only one that has had these thoughts at one time or another. David has the ability to stop time for everyone but himself. David wants his life to be perfect. I’ve learned over the years it’s not supposed to be perfect, without trials and tribulations what kind of person would you be? In my opinion boring because you haven’t really lived. I enjoyed this story and will definitely be checking what other books they have written. I highly recommend reading this book to find out what happens next.

[Tausha Treadway · Rating 5 out of 5]

Time-Stopper: Interludes in Time by James Young. This is a very good book. Its the story of David who is a lobbyist in Washington D.C. and he also has a hidden talent, He can stop time. He uses his time stops to do well at work so everyone is envious of him. His job is described as mind numbing but he loves it. He has built a reputation of doing the impossible but he couldn't do that without his ability to start and stop time. The only thing David can not be in control of is people and people throw a wrench in his life daily. He uses his time stopping ability to process his emotions and ensure his perfection is not messed up. When he meets someone who has the same hidden talent he has he is afraid its going to mess up his perfect system he has down. Will love be worth the wrench it throws into his life? This is such a different read but I really enjoyed it. I would love to be able to stop time!

[Jenique'S Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

James Young’s Time-Stopper is a clever and thought-provoking exploration of perfection, obsession, and the limits of control. The premise—David Preston’s ability to stop time at will—is instantly gripping, and Young uses it to raise fascinating questions about ambition and human frailty. Watching David chase the “perfect life” with his extraordinary gift makes for compelling reading, especially as reality pushes back in unexpected ways.

The novel shines in its pacing and originality, with tension building as David realizes he may not be the only one wielding this power. While some character moments could have been fleshed out more deeply, the central concept and its execution are strong enough to keep readers hooked.

Overall, Time-Stopper is an engaging blend of sci-fi and psychological drama—an inventive story that earns a solid four stars for its originality and thought-provoking themes.

[Ayla Phipps · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I have read a decent number of sci-fi books in my day this one was unique in that it posed a question that had me interested. If you could stop time for everyone but yourself, what would you do? Extra time to solve a problem or just some peace and quiet uninterrupted sounds like a dream but stopping time to change everything to be “perfect”? David wishes to achieve the ultimate goal, a perfect life. But what makes life perfect? As humans the thrill of life is the unpredictability of what will happen next. Twists and turns lead David to believe that he’s not the only one with his “gift”. Could there be another and what could it mean for his theory of the perfect life? James Young was a new author to me, and I was thoroughly pleased with the questions posed throughout this book and the conversations it led to, if you could, what would you do?

[Shannen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew I couldn’t pass this book up once I saw the cover. After I read the synopsis, I had to dive right in. I read the entire book in one day because I couldn’t find a point to put it down at all. I may or may not have ignored all the errands I needed to complete, but it was well worth it! I feel like this is a very interesting premise because who hasn’t thought about what they would change if they could stop time? How much would you try to perfect your life if you could pause time? I think this was a truly engrossing and unique book that explores how the pursuit of perfection can really ruin the experience itself. If you want to dive into a phenomenal sci-fi book that will keep you turning pages long into the night, your search ends here! I can’t wait to see what else this author has in store for us.

[Francis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Time-Stopper is a thought-provoking story about a man who can pause time for everyone but himself. This provides a welcome escape when he needs to pause for a moment, but it's also a constant temptation.

Time-Stopper explores the ways in which pausing time might be used to improve your life and solve problems. Much of it is trivial, like pausing time when you're running late for work! But we also see in David someone who has become addicted to using his powers on a regular basis. He struggles to stop, often thinking about how he might be overusing them but it is such a habit for him.

Time-Stopper gets four stars from me. I'd recommend it to fans of time travel stories like the film About Time.

[Charlisa Wahtomy-Alba · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our main character, David, is a perfectionist to say the least. He wonders if a perfect life really can be created? What seemed unattainable seems to be within reach. David had a unique ability, he can stop time. While time stands still for those around him, he is still able to go at the normal speed and do things in a normal manner. While David tries to sort through the chaos of life and achieve true happiness he finds that he may not be the only one that is able to stop time. Is this person working against him? If they were to cross paths would they be willing to work with him? There are a lot of what ifs in this story and they are all thought provoking. It took a few chapters before I truly got into the story but once it picked up I was hooked.

[Kerry carr · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting read. I was intrigued by the concept of the story and I wasn’t disappointed. Our main character David is someone who demands perfection of himself and his life and with his ability to stop time he is determined to create the perfect existence. Every answer, every step he makes, every decision is thought out carefully before he takes action. The perfect life he wants seems within his reach until he realises that someone else has the ability to stop time and they are better at it than David. How will he react when he realises that his perfect creation may not be as perfect as he first thought?
This is the authors first book and it was a story that was unique and I really enjoyed it and look forward to reading more of this authors work.

[Candice · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a very interesting concept. I enjoyed the scifi aspects of the world James Young has created.

David once worked on the Hill in Washington DC, helping advise a Congressman, until he got tired of another Congress person lying and set about trying to prove it. He was able to do so, by using an ability that nobody but him seems to have, the ability to stop time. The unfortunate part is, he gained information this way that he shouldn't have had, and used it. This caused him to change jobs, and work off the Hill, but still affecting policy. David is trying to find a balance in his life between personal and professional goals and time. I truly found David's life to be interesting and engaging.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fantastic novel, and I am so excited I decided to check out this book! David Preston is such an intricate character, and he just cracked me up with his need for perfection. He is stopping time in order to craft genius responses, pause situations so he can adjust things so when he unfreezes, he seems like he is the hero. The author creates a world that you can easily imagine and see as David’s pursuit of not just happiness, but perfection. As we watch this unfolding, something new emerges, someone else who might have the same ability to stop time. I don’t want to spoil anything, so I will leave it as a can’t miss story.

[Rhonda Pulk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Time-Stopper: Interludes in time by James Young
5 Star Review
David has a rare gift that allows him to stop time. It stops everyone and everything around him enabling him to take his time with decisions, projects, to have the best outcome. This seems great but there are consequences to messing with time and sometimes destiny has other ideas.
This book is absolutely the type of book I have been waiting to read. I have always had questions about time and time travel and the idea of stopping time is fascinating to me. James Young has done an amazing job with the scenes and usage of time in this book. This was a great read!

[Jayme Raffauf · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a solid and interesting read for me. I don’t often read sci-fi style books, but found this one to be a good one. The main character David has the ability to stop time and uses it to try to make everything perfect, but what he finds is that life doesn’t always work out that way and striving for and creating that level of perfection eliminates the opportunity for authentic happiness. David also does not realize that there could be the chance that others might possess the same time-stopping ability. I found the writing to be good and the story kept my attention. Overall, it was a good book.