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Time, for a Change

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Terry's dead-end IT job is about as much fun as an internal cavity search with a shovel and no lube.

Chances of a promotion? None. Chances of a raise? Forget it. Chances of romance? Don't go there! Social life? No thanks! The height of his entertainment is playing a prank on his sleeping colleague while 'mile high'.

It's definitely time for a change. But how?

Enter:
A reluctant work trip to Ohio A gorgeous young girl who inexplicably finds him interesting - don't jinx it! And a mysterious wooden box he finds hidden in his late-fathers workshop. The girl believes they are together for a reason.

Terry can't imagine why...

Life as he knows it is about to change, BIG TIME!

432 pages, Paperback

First published June 26, 2018

135 people are currently reading
86 people want to read

About the author

Adam Eccles

9 books73 followers
Cynical tech nerd author of romcoms and the like.

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5 stars
257 (42%)
4 stars
193 (32%)
3 stars
96 (16%)
2 stars
40 (6%)
1 star
14 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
Profile Image for Tony.
615 reviews49 followers
February 27, 2021
This one thoroughly deserves the 5 stars. Wonderfully fresh and well written tale across time. Gentle and nicely crafted, I thoroughly recommend it.
Profile Image for Paul Blake.
Author 5 books25 followers
September 2, 2018
A very interesting and enjoyable story about the life of an IT Manager and how his life changes after discovering a mysterious box when clearing his father's workshop. I liked the main character Terry and his anti-social ways - the leaving of salt packets to stop the slug people touching his stuff made me laugh.
I thought the novel flowed really well, the IT stuff seemed very realistic, and the relationships between Terry and the other characters very genuine. The story ended before I wanted it to, so I cannot wait for the sequel.
Profile Image for Jennifer Dege.
Author 4 books2 followers
July 21, 2018
WOW...just bloody WOW!

Pen in hand, or in this case smart phone with keyboard, to write a review, and I'm not sure I will do justice by this incredible novel.

Style and voice both playful and engrossing. An entirely refreshing story with a main character more than made real by excellent word craft.

As you read it, you live it. I could not put it down, yet never wanted it to end. I sincerely hope to read more by this new author. Adam Eccles, hats off to you, sir!
Profile Image for Nancy Uliano.
Author 4 books6 followers
September 29, 2018
Funny and lighthearted!

I haven't read anything like this before. It was hilarious and had a quick, but casual pacing. The main character, Terry is incredibly relatable with his cynicism, wit, and boredom with the monotony of his job. The other characters, Rachel, Sean, and even Eoghan had a sense of realism to them, distinct personalities and quirks. The ending left enough unanswered that I'm already looking forward to a sequel.
28 reviews1 follower
December 9, 2018
A decent book but not quite a great book. The writing is flawless although I`m not of huge fan of novels in the present tense. Still, the storyline was original and enjoyable.

I really enjoyed the insights into how employees work in desfunctional companies: so accurate and true.

Next book and I hope there is a next one, I suggest less description of the processes and proceedures at work. The book would have been better without them.

Anyhow, congratulations to the writer; you have real talent.
16 reviews1 follower
February 27, 2019
This book takes you on a journey.

Reading the book certainly takes you to another level, with some familiar feelings in a place you've never been before. A truly moving (pardon the pun) experience. Jump on board now!
Profile Image for Tim Hopkins.
56 reviews1 follower
October 15, 2018
Amazing

I read this in a couple of days. I could really believe the characters. I can’t wait for the next instalment. Thanks
20 reviews
January 16, 2019
Really surprised how good this book is.

Likeable characters. I know a few IT nerds so 'got' the uniqueness of certain personalities.
I was impressed with the scientific aspect of the story also. I love a book that teaches as well.as entertains.
The relationship of father and son made me yearn for my childhood, and wish I had listened talked and observed more than I did.
An out of the ordinary book for me to read. Not my usual crime thriller genre. I am intrigued to find out what happens,
Edited previous review, as I felt I rushed it and didn't give you the time or credit your writing deserved.
Profile Image for Kerri Davidson.
Author 19 books26 followers
October 11, 2019
One of my favorite authors, is all I have to say. Bring on the next book, please.
Also, thank you for writing it!
Seriously, more.
89 reviews
August 23, 2019
Quirky read

Different style but very written .
I’m still trying to fathom it out but feel I understand the story
Terry sweet nerdy guy plodding along in life ...
until a business trip to Ohio he meets sassy nerdy Rachel
Terry struggled losing his father this is obvious throughout the book , but with some unreal experiences
I enjoyed this book heaps
Profile Image for Gavin McCallion.
Author 6 books11 followers
August 26, 2018
Time for a change follows the grumpiest, most run-down, beat-up son-of-a-gun this side of Anger from Inside Out, hating on his job, life and anything in either of them. He’s stubborn to change, but the universe has bigger plans for him. Whether he likes it or not, his life is going backwards.

The Ups
A master-class in write-what-you-know fiction
A well-balanced tone.
Terrific character development from cynicism to optimism, executed with a deft hand. You won’t even notice it happening
A genuinely heart-warming love story

The Downs
The time-travelling box mentioned in the bio (and on the cover) probably doesn’t get the time it deserves.
A touch too dreary at the start
About a third too long
It’s a Hard Read for an Office Worker (at first)
The Nitty-Gritty Down and Dirty
(What?)

I struggle to watch the first act of The Incredibles (this is relevant, I swear). The reason I struggle to watch it is because Mr Incredible has to give up his passion, his love, his heart and soul to work for an insurance company, telling little old ladies he can’t cover them. As a writer making pennies, working for an insurance company to pay the rent, the first act of The Incredibles felt too real.

I had a similar issue with the first act of Time, for a Change.

The main character of the piece is a project manager for an IT firm that doesn’t care. The cynicism leaked from the page. The monotony smacked me in the face as he – quite literally, because of the chapter-per-day formatting – did the same dead-end crap, every day for the first few chapters.

For me, it was hard to read. For others, maybe mysterious people happy with their day-jobs, it might be a breeze. It was angry and cynical, and I had fears that the whole book would be a semi-autobiographical DOWN WITH THE MAN, WRECK THE SYSTEM, WE ARE COGS IN THE MACHINE journal.

But a Trip to America Triggers Change
Once the plot kicked off, however, it picked up. Terry, our main character, gets to visit the states and immediately starts a delightful relationship with a young woman named Rachel: a bit gothic, a bit reserved, a bit spunky. In the relationship between these two, Eccles shines. The whole tone of the book lifts, this is where it’s hardest to put down. Their banter is funny and weird and believable, and it’s clear – from the moment they first meet – that this is the girl to help Terry centrally locate his excrement.

It’s a beautiful piece of contrast-play by the writer. Without Rachel, the writing sinks into a pattern of ‘today I went to work, then here’s all the dull stuff I did, then I went to my depressing home and had a depressing dinner and went to sleep – or not – at a depressing hour and repeat. However, when Rachel’s involved, it’s all top class restaurants and hotels and life-changing sex and love with someone way out of his league. There were points where I couldn’t stomach the idea of picking the book up purely because I was at a part where Terry was going to work and not getting up to much. These parts of the book were designed to make you feel like Terry. Terry’s miserable, so you will be too. It was a risky move. It paid off.

This is a love story. It’s a change-your-life story. It’s a feel-good story, even if the main character is trying to rebel against it. Eccles knows how to make two characters dig one another. These two people are years apart, and I never thought I’d believe in their relationship the way I did towards the end.

It Doesn’t Spend Enough Time With A Key Selling Point
The front cover boasts a mysterious box that could help Terry change his life. The box – while playing a touching link to the main character’s past – could be removed entirely and the plot would remain mostly intact. This is a downer for a time-travel fan. I was sure the book was going one way (as it strongly hints that it will, with some delicate thread-pulling of time-travel tropes) and then it… didn’t.

Moreover, had he removed these aspects, it would have helped the length of the book. The story could have been told in two-thirds of the time – there was fat Eccles could have cut, easily. Better yet, he could have rebalanced it: less office work, more mysterious box.

It’s Written Well
Because it’s an Indie book, there needs to be some prodding aimed at the spelling, grammar and formatting. Editors are expensive. Being an indie writer is either get rich or get good as self-editing.

Fortunately, Eccles knows what he’s doing.

In other reviews, I’ve seen chatter of glaring errors in editing. They are not glaring, because I didn’t find them. At points, the formatting was a touch confusing, but the book isn’t littered with mistakes as these reviews suggest.

It’s first-person present tense. I’m always a little wary of this because it can go badly. Eccles knows its limits, though, and keeps a tight leash on his point-of-view to limit any shaky narration.

There’s To Be a Sequel
I’m excited for a sequel (even though THE END…? is a bad way to go about such a revelation) and I’m looking forward to seeing what Terry does next.

The tagline for this book was “Can a mysterious wooden box help an IT project manager with his dead-end life?” and I feel it should have been “Can a gothic red-hot spiritualist babe help an IT project manager with his dead-end life?” While I understand it’s a much-less mysterious tagline (and the answer was always going to be WELL DUH), but it would undoubtedly have been more honest. There’s nothing wrong with a good love story.
Profile Image for Richard Tubb.
Author 5 books30 followers
October 3, 2020
A touching, character-driven story

I read author Adam Eccles second book before I read this, his first book. I was expecting more time-travel shenanigans, and while there is a loose time-travelesque sub-plot, this book is more a romance based around a life worn forty something IT loner and a lovely young lady he meets via his work.

As a fellow IT geek with a background in corporates, I empathised with our protagonist, and found myself smiling at some of the scenarios he found himself in at work.

The sub-plot with the time device and the protagonists late father was touching, but didn’t seem to lead anywhere.

The story was slow to build, but charming throughout.

I did end the book with a sense of “Is that it?” but overall, I enjoyed this and will read more of the authors work.
Profile Image for Shelley Trickett.
47 reviews4 followers
August 17, 2021
Beautiful,funny,loving,mystery,it has it all!

First of all,I don't generally do love stories,or anything that has that as a major element...but this book is one of the few exceptions to that rule. Not that this is a love story as such, because it's not. It's a man's journey into himself as his life is transformed by 2 major things. A works vacation where he tried to get a contract for the IT from he works at ,and a small wooden box. A simple wooden box that holds mystery and allures him with its enchantment of time travel but not time travel,confused?! Yes,so was he!!
A beautiful story and set in a beautiful place with highs,lows,and plenty of laughter and anecdotes
#life is like an Amazon review

Nightly recommend this book, I'm seriously hooked on the characters so now going searching to see if there's a number 2......and 3......and 4......
310 reviews3 followers
March 11, 2023
For the past two years I've had a thing for books about time-travel. I was reintroduced to the genre by the excellent books written by Connie Willis although I read and enjoyed Jack Finney's 'Time and Again' books years ago. I believe I read 'Time and Again' three times. This current book being reviewed is about time travel...sort of. How does the machine work? DOES it even work? Something of a mystery. This book about Terry is essentially a love story with a trans-Atlantic voyage and a Tarot reading thrown in. It's quite humourous, taking place primarily in rural western Ireland at a run-of-the-mill IT company where Terry works as a project manager. This company has nothing to do with the time-travel which seemed to originate with Terry's father's handyman projects. Interesting, I recommend this book. Be careful if you're squeamish about language, it's not your tame Jack Finney.
Profile Image for Robert Cubitt.
Author 59 books22 followers
July 21, 2019
Why? Just why?

What could have been a good idea for a book ended up as a 250 mins about work.

Terry doesn't like his job and boy, does he make that clear. In real like that can be a problem, but it isn't the basis for a book, especially one that is supposed to be about time travel.

The thing is that the time travel elements themselves are unexciting. The whole story ends up meandering to a predictable but uninteresting lack of a conclusion. The little mystery there is remains unexplained.

It makes me wonder what a depressing life the author must live if he thinks this story is entertainment.
6 reviews
July 28, 2024
Original Take on “Time Travel “

Adam’s books always have an interesting and original storyline that keeps you entertained and not wanting to put the book down. Having worked in the IT world his descriptions in this book of what happens during a software/hardware upgrade were spot on. I liked that the characters were diverse and believable. If you are looking for a quick, fun read with a bit of love, laughter and thought provoking time travel ideas get this book. And any of Adam’s books will keep you thinking from start to finish.
Profile Image for Mike.
188 reviews2 followers
August 10, 2018
It loses a star for its disappointing 'nothing' (open?) of an ending, but otherwise this is a thrilling debut - the voice is compelling, the narrative intriguing. There's some middle-aged wish fulfilment going on, but that's okay and I'm fully bought into further Terry Ward adventures, stuffed with ice dry, sardonic wit, boredom at work and some genuinely poignant insights into his regretted past.
Profile Image for Gary Mazin.
12 reviews
January 17, 2020
A slow burner

Some people will hate this book. It promises time travel and never really delivers. However, I really enjoyed the banality of Terry's life and was drawn into his world. Those looking for an all action adventure then you won't find it here. What you will find us an interesting and heart warming story with some great characters and intriguing story. I enjoyed it and will look for more...
27 reviews
May 31, 2022
I really struggled with this book nothing happens in it you could read the first paragraph the first chapter terms of the last page read the first chapter last page all the bits in the middle nothing really happens there’s no real character development I have no sympathy with any of the characters I couldn’t see the point of the book I’m not sure what it was supposed to be about it certainly wasn’t about time travel
Profile Image for Simon.
106 reviews
December 12, 2023
Not as gripping as Adam's usual books but not quite a slog, so readable enough. He absolutely nails somebody working in IT who has lost the magic and realises they are just a nerd - I've 10 years on the main character but know the feeling well.
Basically, an OK read, but if you've already read some of the other books by Adam then you may (or may not) find this a little predictable and, dare I say it, verging on a little boring at times.
520 reviews1 follower
May 4, 2020
when terry finds a weird box in his departed fathers workshop life changes for him
his life as an IT bod changes , he goes back to important parts of his life
he goes to the states and meets a strange young lady...
can he save the project from failing
will he get the girl
its a brillaint story and i would love to see part 2 being written
16 reviews
March 14, 2021
Great read , heart warming and funny A+++++

Great read , really believable , romantic , funny and still quite edge of the seat stuff , you buy into the characters straight away , and it shows there is hope for all us middle aged men there is a twenty something hotty out there for all of us 😁
91 reviews
August 2, 2022
Not my usual sort of book, but I really enjoyed it.

Charming, quirky, easy read......

Probably a 4.5* really, as I found the Terry to be a wee bit annoying with his, initially, constant negativity, then his questioning of Rachel liking him. Perhaps because I'm not like him? But as a first novel Adam has done good:)
3 reviews
June 11, 2023
Overall, I enjoyed the story.

I would like to have had more delving into the box in the shed. I didn’t quite understand the affect it had on Terry. I was disappointed that Rachel and he didn’t explore it together!
Are we to expect a sequel? I do hope so, perhaps it will answer some of my questions.
245 reviews1 follower
October 6, 2018
Compelling

I wasn’t sure I’d like this book. But I did. I’m the same age as the main character and I work in the same industry. It was like reading an alternate life story. Except for the hot girlfriend! I hope the sequel comes out soon!
Profile Image for Hisham El-far.
452 reviews11 followers
April 30, 2019
A pleasant and enjoyable read. (Very different to my usual picks)

Romance beckons for a near burned out IT nerd. There are also strange things afoot.

Ends on a bit of a question mark, but the author says there will be a sequel - If so I will definitely pick it up.
1 review
May 28, 2019
Loved it but so many unanswered questions :(

Really loved this book, actually read it in 3 days, couldn’t put it down, however only gave it two stars because there are so many unanswered questions that I really can’t stop thinking about! Would love to ask the author about them 😊
Profile Image for jacqui jeromson.
29 reviews
March 8, 2021
Awesome

Stayed up till dawn reading this story, couldn’t go to sleep until I found out how the likeable, true to life characters got through the project and, thank goodness, the final paragraph leaves the door wide open for a sequel.......please?
294 reviews1 follower
March 21, 2021
Only read this if you enjoy being entertained.

This is my third Adam Eccles book and all have been hugely entertaining.
Characters and story all live up to the standard of prior books and they don't go on too long or have plot holes.
Great escapism.
368 reviews
October 12, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed this story!

The characters are odd, but likeable. I didn't want it to end, could not see a proper ending. (For some reason, it reminded me of an old '80's movie, "Brazil").
So, is there more to this, Mr. Eccles?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews

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