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The Time Bubble #4
Splinters In Time
It's bad enough getting lost in time. But when you don't even know if you're in the right universe, you're really in trouble.
When his ex-girlfriend, Lauren, starts having recurring nightmares about a strange alternate reality, Josh becomes interested in proving the existence of other universes. Finding a focal point in the past from which thousands of new universes seem to stem, he travels back in time to find out how they were created. Unfortunately he ends up causing the very event that he went back to investigate.
Cast adrift in the multiverse, he no longer has any control over where and when he will end up. With each jump sending him further and further back in time, he finds himself lurching from one reality to another, some similar to his own, others drastically different. He has but one hope - to find an alter ego in another universe to help him find his way home. But in worlds ravaged by wars and diseases, it becomes a battle just to stay alive.
This story is the fourth part of an epic series exploring the time travel genre in original and innovative ways. The novels follow the main characters from youth to middle age as they jump forwards, backwards, and sideways into alternate worlds.
When his ex-girlfriend, Lauren, starts having recurring nightmares about a strange alternate reality, Josh becomes interested in proving the existence of other universes. Finding a focal point in the past from which thousands of new universes seem to stem, he travels back in time to find out how they were created. Unfortunately he ends up causing the very event that he went back to investigate.
Cast adrift in the multiverse, he no longer has any control over where and when he will end up. With each jump sending him further and further back in time, he finds himself lurching from one reality to another, some similar to his own, others drastically different. He has but one hope - to find an alter ego in another universe to help him find his way home. But in worlds ravaged by wars and diseases, it becomes a battle just to stay alive.
This story is the fourth part of an epic series exploring the time travel genre in original and innovative ways. The novels follow the main characters from youth to middle age as they jump forwards, backwards, and sideways into alternate worlds.
275 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 1, 2021
103 people are currently reading
83 people want to read
About the author
Jason Ayres
39 books114 followersJason Ayres fulfilled his lifelong dream of becoming a full-time author when he left the corporate world behind and published his first novel in 2014. Since then, he has written twenty more books, delighting readers with his signature mix of humour, engaging characters, and imaginative storytelling.
His character-driven tales focus on ordinary people who find themselves in extraordinary situations—whether travelling to an uncertain future, revisiting their past, or exploring alternate timelines. Blending elements of sci-fi, romance, and everyday life, his stories offer something for everyone, with relatable characters at their heart.
Jason’s latest series, set in the 1980s, follows present-day protagonists who, down on their luck, get a chance to relive a pivotal year from their past. 1980, 1981, and 1982 are available now, with more to come.
Want to know more about Jason? - You can find him at:
https://www.jasonayres.co.uk
https://www.facebook.com/TheTimeBubble/
https://twitter.com/TheTimeBubble/
His character-driven tales focus on ordinary people who find themselves in extraordinary situations—whether travelling to an uncertain future, revisiting their past, or exploring alternate timelines. Blending elements of sci-fi, romance, and everyday life, his stories offer something for everyone, with relatable characters at their heart.
Jason’s latest series, set in the 1980s, follows present-day protagonists who, down on their luck, get a chance to relive a pivotal year from their past. 1980, 1981, and 1982 are available now, with more to come.
Want to know more about Jason? - You can find him at:
https://www.jasonayres.co.uk
https://www.facebook.com/TheTimeBubble/
https://twitter.com/TheTimeBubble/
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
September 8, 2017
First of all, if you haven't already make sure to go back and read the other books in the series as they're all connected and this book in particular does a great job of referencing events across the entire series.
If you've gone and done that then you'll enjoy this chapter in the ongoing 'Bubble series. It returns us back to a story with the main characters, rather than the side characters that've featured in the last couple of books.
What's interesting is the author has once again come out with a different sort of time travel story, slightly adjusting things to throw in a parallel universe twist. It keeps things fresh and keeps you thinking.
Being so quick to publish means this has bang up to date real world references that work really well.
My only minor niggle is the ending just came out of nowhere! I won't say what happens, but I will say the author needs to hurry up with the follow up novel ASAP as this is really only half a story.
On the plus side he's been very consistent in putting out this series very quickly so I hope I don't have to wait too long to find out what happens next.
If you've gone and done that then you'll enjoy this chapter in the ongoing 'Bubble series. It returns us back to a story with the main characters, rather than the side characters that've featured in the last couple of books.
What's interesting is the author has once again come out with a different sort of time travel story, slightly adjusting things to throw in a parallel universe twist. It keeps things fresh and keeps you thinking.
Being so quick to publish means this has bang up to date real world references that work really well.
My only minor niggle is the ending just came out of nowhere! I won't say what happens, but I will say the author needs to hurry up with the follow up novel ASAP as this is really only half a story.
On the plus side he's been very consistent in putting out this series very quickly so I hope I don't have to wait too long to find out what happens next.
August 2, 2020
This is the third book I've read by Jason Ayres. The first was My Tomorrow Your Yesterday which I really enjoyed. I then read The Time Bubble which again I enjoyed very much. The themes of the next two didn't appeal to me so I jumped to No. 4 of The Time Bubble series.
I felt a bit confused at the beginning since I'm not very good with science, but once Josh had started his adventures I really enjoyed the story. It was a while ago that I read the first book in the series and I had to acquaint myself with the characters. It seemed strange that Josh was now a middle-aged man and not a teenager, but that didn't spoil my enjoyment.
I thought the story well written and it's full on from the beginning. You really have to hold onto your hat with the speed.
When I came to the end I immediately bought No. 5 in the series. Say no more.
I felt a bit confused at the beginning since I'm not very good with science, but once Josh had started his adventures I really enjoyed the story. It was a while ago that I read the first book in the series and I had to acquaint myself with the characters. It seemed strange that Josh was now a middle-aged man and not a teenager, but that didn't spoil my enjoyment.
I thought the story well written and it's full on from the beginning. You really have to hold onto your hat with the speed.
When I came to the end I immediately bought No. 5 in the series. Say no more.
August 12, 2023
I liked the first three books so much that I jumped into the fourth and regretted it pretty quickly. There was nothing wrong with the book with the exception of some tropes and cliches that I thought were a waste of time. I didn't even mind that Jason Ayres left off on a cliffhanger. When one gets into the weeds of time travel, it loses its appeal. I will read the next book in the series, Class of '92, but not before taking nice, long break from time travel fiction.
September 9, 2017
READ THESE IN ORDER
I have to admit that Jason Ayres books are the only time travel books I read, and this is because I became a fan when I read his earlier books about coping as a stay at home dad and his love of sausages. But what a difference there is now, after several more books. His characters have more depth his use of words more precise and descriptive and the story hangs together well. The idea of multi-universes is well thought out but I had to study the explanations very carefully to fully grasp the concept but it is integral to this story and opens up a very wide range of possibilities for follow on books. Towards the end I was totally engrossed as Josh the hero hopped around in time with some hilarious results. I loved the way the author introduced a character – Kent – from his standalone book into this one and we meet all the familiar people from earlier books. I would recommend reading this series in order to see how the Time Bubble affected them all and how the story goes forward into the future.
I have to admit that Jason Ayres books are the only time travel books I read, and this is because I became a fan when I read his earlier books about coping as a stay at home dad and his love of sausages. But what a difference there is now, after several more books. His characters have more depth his use of words more precise and descriptive and the story hangs together well. The idea of multi-universes is well thought out but I had to study the explanations very carefully to fully grasp the concept but it is integral to this story and opens up a very wide range of possibilities for follow on books. Towards the end I was totally engrossed as Josh the hero hopped around in time with some hilarious results. I loved the way the author introduced a character – Kent – from his standalone book into this one and we meet all the familiar people from earlier books. I would recommend reading this series in order to see how the Time Bubble affected them all and how the story goes forward into the future.
February 18, 2023
Still got steam to it
If you're reading this I can only assume that you must have read the other books that preceded this one. If you haven't I can assure that they are very much worth reading and now go and read those before this review.
If you've read the other books and enjoyed them you should find this one enjoyable. Now we follow Josh himself travelling into the past. Which overall I found rather compelling. I would have thought given the amount of books in this series, that they may have been longer, but they are covered to a good degree.
So another agreeable story. My only complaint, if any, is that there does appear slight bits of padding in the story some sections seem stretched out that are unnecessary to the plot and others that could have been explored more glossed over.
If you're reading this I can only assume that you must have read the other books that preceded this one. If you haven't I can assure that they are very much worth reading and now go and read those before this review.
If you've read the other books and enjoyed them you should find this one enjoyable. Now we follow Josh himself travelling into the past. Which overall I found rather compelling. I would have thought given the amount of books in this series, that they may have been longer, but they are covered to a good degree.
So another agreeable story. My only complaint, if any, is that there does appear slight bits of padding in the story some sections seem stretched out that are unnecessary to the plot and others that could have been explored more glossed over.
August 29, 2017
I've read all 4 time bubble novels and I love them all! This is my first review of any of them though. I give it 71/100 -- that's not as bad as it might sound since I'm harsh with my marking. In fact it's the joint 25th highest score out of the 241 novels I've read since the 1st January 2011.
I think it is possible that all these different Universes where history plays out slightly (or a lot) differently, might be confusing to some people. And maybe it started off a little slow with all the details about how Josh works out how to travel to these different Universes, but all in all an excellent read.
I think it is possible that all these different Universes where history plays out slightly (or a lot) differently, might be confusing to some people. And maybe it started off a little slow with all the details about how Josh works out how to travel to these different Universes, but all in all an excellent read.
August 18, 2025
This 4th book in the series is rather a bit of a placeholder where the author gets to expand his world building -- in this case, into a multiverse -- without moving the story forward that much. This is a bit of a picaresque with Josh jumping from timestream to timestream as he begins to understand the wider consequences of his time travel research. And, it just stops with the advice to go on to the next book to see what happens. Really, the 15 books must be one epic story -- so, on to Class 0f '92.
July 31, 2018
Well, another interesting one, although the focus does seemed to have narrowed to a single character more than in previous titles. I rather enjoyed it, although having a future version of yourself turn up and tell you you'll get through everything that's about to happen does dissipate the tension somewhat. It can't end here of course, I'm assuming Ayre can tie things up in another book or two soon.
June 29, 2020
I love this mini series... really didnt expect much from it, but the story is great with different points of view. I read them all and sad that the story has come to an end. Absolutely brilliant, if you like time travel with a twist this ones for you. Love how the author has pieced it all together, you had me hooked from the start.
Only down side I noticed was there is a couple of errors with in the text. But doesn't affect the story at all, 5 stars from me
Only down side I noticed was there is a couple of errors with in the text. But doesn't affect the story at all, 5 stars from me
July 25, 2024
This is the 4th book in the Time Bubble series and I’m still hooked. However, the whole concept of different universes and various versions of Josh and other main characters splintering off into them blow my mind. But that’s ok, because staying with the main story line and keeping understanding to the basics of the authors complicated theories of time travel, the plot remains intriguing, imaginative and available to all levels of adult readers.
Book 5 here I come!
Book 5 here I come!
October 4, 2017
I have read all these books of the serie. I really enjoy all of them. This one is special good. I grabbed it and I was hooked. It is a book hard to write, I think. There is a lot of comings and goings. The author do chave a good memory to not messed things up. I like the contemporany references. Worth read it
October 19, 2017
I found this one a bit harder to follow
I've really enjoyed Jason Ayres previous books but the thread of this one was shaky, some scenes a bit over described and felt on the edge of offended, certainly felt uncomfortable with some scenes, maybe my expectations based on how I really loved previous books in the series were too high, they definitely weren't met this time.
I've really enjoyed Jason Ayres previous books but the thread of this one was shaky, some scenes a bit over described and felt on the edge of offended, certainly felt uncomfortable with some scenes, maybe my expectations based on how I really loved previous books in the series were too high, they definitely weren't met this time.
March 24, 2018
Another great time traveling book from Jason, this one centres on the problem of going back and not being able to return to the era they've left.
You will need to have read the previous 3 in the series but this is made interesting with the few modern day references.
Would be interested to know if there will be a 5th edition as this finished quickly without a conclusion to the story.
You will need to have read the previous 3 in the series but this is made interesting with the few modern day references.
Would be interested to know if there will be a 5th edition as this finished quickly without a conclusion to the story.
April 6, 2020
Take a great concept, then explode the number of potential possibilities. That is this book, in that series. So many great cultural and historical references, I wanted to follow every link. Instead I read the whole story overnight, then spent the next week doing just that.
For best results: Keep reading.
For best results: Keep reading.
August 3, 2020
Better and better
Complicated? Difficulty in keeping track of characters and events? Mind awash with paradoxes and conflicting events? All of the above. Brilliant. Absolutely the best series I've read in years. This is begging to be made into a TV series. Someone, somewhere needs to do this.
Complicated? Difficulty in keeping track of characters and events? Mind awash with paradoxes and conflicting events? All of the above. Brilliant. Absolutely the best series I've read in years. This is begging to be made into a TV series. Someone, somewhere needs to do this.
May 24, 2021
It's book four in the series and it keeps on delivering
Jason Ayres must be eating a lot of cheese before bedtime as these stories are just getting weirder and weirder - i.e. better and better.
There are jumps, twists and turns that you just cannot predict. Truly brilliant stuff.
On to book five, sadly, I'll be done with the whole series in a couple of weeks.
Jason Ayres must be eating a lot of cheese before bedtime as these stories are just getting weirder and weirder - i.e. better and better.
There are jumps, twists and turns that you just cannot predict. Truly brilliant stuff.
On to book five, sadly, I'll be done with the whole series in a couple of weeks.
December 19, 2023
Getting better and better!
This feels like the first full length novel, and is all the better for it. Like the preceding novelettes, SiT is a compulsive page turner, and completely credible. Yes, the writing style needs more dialogue and less describing (this would’ve been 5 * had it been written in the first person) but thoroughly enjoyable nevertheless.
This feels like the first full length novel, and is all the better for it. Like the preceding novelettes, SiT is a compulsive page turner, and completely credible. Yes, the writing style needs more dialogue and less describing (this would’ve been 5 * had it been written in the first person) but thoroughly enjoyable nevertheless.
May 27, 2024
This book in the series was more disorganised than the initial three. I still like the idea for the series although Josh, moving around a multiverse, is is having to calculate what he will do which is a little less gripping to read. I'm continuing on with book 5 so we'll see if the interest increases.
August 31, 2017
I was privileged to read this in proof form. Another great addition to Jason's time-travelling adventures, tightly written, zips along - and as usual the lovely ironic and humorous references (from the future) to our past and our present. It's a genre that the author is making his own.
July 25, 2021
I like the concept
I really liked the concept on which this novel and the series is based - actions have consequences and in the case if the story, in ways that could not have been expected. A good read.
I really liked the concept on which this novel and the series is based - actions have consequences and in the case if the story, in ways that could not have been expected. A good read.
December 19, 2023
Splinters in my Fingers
Enjoyed this book. The progressive
problems Josh has with being stuck in alternative timeliness is fascinating.
Must admit I'm looking forwards to reading the next book in the series.
Enjoyed this book. The progressive
problems Josh has with being stuck in alternative timeliness is fascinating.
Must admit I'm looking forwards to reading the next book in the series.
January 24, 2024
This is a complex and engaging story to add to the saga. Josh is trying to find a way back to his reality but all the time travelling has made chaos ensue. The parallel universes make for a fast paced read.
February 28, 2019
Another great book in the time bubble series.
June 16, 2019
Great story. A must read if you like time travel books! I love the whole series and how the characters all come together.
October 7, 2019
Brilliant
I’m lost in a Time Bubble world & have read all back to back. If Jason Ayres keeps going with the series & the spin offs my TV will be redundant. 😀
I’m lost in a Time Bubble world & have read all back to back. If Jason Ayres keeps going with the series & the spin offs my TV will be redundant. 😀
December 11, 2020
What a book
Am just about to start book and I must say the books within the series just seem to get better with each one
Am just about to start book and I must say the books within the series just seem to get better with each one
November 9, 2021
I like how the book cleverly go through the problems of time travel. When we fantasize about it, we just focus on the good stuff. We ignore the "what ifs." Here, Josh learned it the hard way.
January 11, 2022
This is a little different than the others in that this book now introduces the multi verse and the protagonist getting stuck in it.
November 1, 2022
Reading the whole series …great time travel story
December 19, 2022
I really liked the first book in the series. The second and third were okay and I was hoping for the series to pick it up again. Well, turns out it didn't 🤷♂️
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews