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Jason Apsley #2
Ahead of His Time
Jason is living a perfect life forty years in the past, but will another time traveller and the evil Colney family destroy his new life?
Five months through his new life forty-two years in the past - Jason's world in 1977 is simply perfect. After taking his second chance, he's now no longer the miserable, opinionated bugger of his previous existence in 2019 - can life get any better?
But will that one fateful day turn his new awesome life upside down? Jason's travelling companion on the day he died in 2019 appears on his doorstep in 1977 - how could this happen?
Will the arrival of Martin cause Jason's new life to unravel? As the chaos ensues, his new loved ones start to question his very existence.
And why has Martin travelled back?
Jason desperately tries to hold his new life together as the complications mount, whilst the evil Colney family continue their reign of terror in Fairfield - a family which Jason discovers he's inexplicably entwined with.
Will Jason prevail? Or will the demons of his future destroy his new past?
Ahead of his Time is the second novel in the Jason Apsley series. If you like time travel, entwined with mystery and humour, then you'll love the fast-paced time travel series by Adrian Cousins.
Five months through his new life forty-two years in the past - Jason's world in 1977 is simply perfect. After taking his second chance, he's now no longer the miserable, opinionated bugger of his previous existence in 2019 - can life get any better?
But will that one fateful day turn his new awesome life upside down? Jason's travelling companion on the day he died in 2019 appears on his doorstep in 1977 - how could this happen?
Will the arrival of Martin cause Jason's new life to unravel? As the chaos ensues, his new loved ones start to question his very existence.
And why has Martin travelled back?
Jason desperately tries to hold his new life together as the complications mount, whilst the evil Colney family continue their reign of terror in Fairfield - a family which Jason discovers he's inexplicably entwined with.
Will Jason prevail? Or will the demons of his future destroy his new past?
Ahead of his Time is the second novel in the Jason Apsley series. If you like time travel, entwined with mystery and humour, then you'll love the fast-paced time travel series by Adrian Cousins.
398 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 21, 2021
284 people are currently reading
118 people want to read
About the author
Adrian Cousins
36 books91 followersHello ...
I'm a self-confessed time-travel fan. So, unsurprisingly, my books fit into the time-travel genre.
My third book, Eye of Time, will be published in October 2021.
Please drop onto my website for updates.
I'm a self-confessed time-travel fan. So, unsurprisingly, my books fit into the time-travel genre.
My third book, Eye of Time, will be published in October 2021.
Please drop onto my website for updates.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews
February 4, 2022
I’m a bit torn on this book. On the one hand, it was enjoyable. But on the other hand, it seemed like nothing significant-enough happened. The arrival of Martin at the beginning was a great twist, but it didn’t seem to really go anywhere.
Like the first book, it’s not really a time-travel book per se. It’s a “person got stuck in another era” book. In my review to the first book, I mentioned that there didn’t seem to be a big buildup to any climax. I figured that maybe this book held that climax. Well, I suppose it did, but I thought it was kind of underwhelming. There were some interesting twists and surprises, but there were also some very unresolved minor conflicts. For example, the police take a typewriter Jason used, as evidence, but nothing ever happens and that plot line just disappears. As another example, a character threatens Jason saying “your time is almost up” - implying that maybe she knows something about the time traveling? Is this foreshadowing for a possible return to 2019? But then this character just disappears and nothing comes of it.
The main plot is about the evil family of the Colneys. But the whole book, I was assuming this was really just a subplot. I mean, if in Back To The Future, the whole story just revolved around Marty trying to stop Biff from being a jerk, there wouldn’t be much of a story. BTTF is a great movie because Biff is really a side villain to the main problem, that of getting back to 1985. In this book, there is no real overarching goal like that.
And if I thought the first book had a lot of terms and references that I didn’t get, wow, this second book totally exceeded that. Seemingly every paragraph had some British slang or reference that I, as a U.S. reader, did not recognize. Perhaps books written by U.S. authors are the same for British readers, but it was really noticeable here.
Like the first book, it’s not really a time-travel book per se. It’s a “person got stuck in another era” book. In my review to the first book, I mentioned that there didn’t seem to be a big buildup to any climax. I figured that maybe this book held that climax. Well, I suppose it did, but I thought it was kind of underwhelming. There were some interesting twists and surprises, but there were also some very unresolved minor conflicts. For example, the police take a typewriter Jason used, as evidence, but nothing ever happens and that plot line just disappears. As another example, a character threatens Jason saying “your time is almost up” - implying that maybe she knows something about the time traveling? Is this foreshadowing for a possible return to 2019? But then this character just disappears and nothing comes of it.
The main plot is about the evil family of the Colneys. But the whole book, I was assuming this was really just a subplot. I mean, if in Back To The Future, the whole story just revolved around Marty trying to stop Biff from being a jerk, there wouldn’t be much of a story. BTTF is a great movie because Biff is really a side villain to the main problem, that of getting back to 1985. In this book, there is no real overarching goal like that.
And if I thought the first book had a lot of terms and references that I didn’t get, wow, this second book totally exceeded that. Seemingly every paragraph had some British slang or reference that I, as a U.S. reader, did not recognize. Perhaps books written by U.S. authors are the same for British readers, but it was really noticeable here.
April 22, 2024
A sequel just as good as the first book. I really enjoyed reading this Time Travel adventure as much as the first book.
Jason Apsley has settled in the past and has the perfect life. He has taken his second chance. Then, in 1977 the passenger in his car crash arrives back in time. His friend Martin.
After the events of the first book the local criminal family Colney become more and more involved with Jason.
Just like the first book this book is full of very English slang and words with referrals to English culture in the 70’s.
It’s a different world, a different era.
As in my previous book review……Being born in the 70’s I loved the nostalgia.
Jason Apsley has settled in the past and has the perfect life. He has taken his second chance. Then, in 1977 the passenger in his car crash arrives back in time. His friend Martin.
After the events of the first book the local criminal family Colney become more and more involved with Jason.
Just like the first book this book is full of very English slang and words with referrals to English culture in the 70’s.
It’s a different world, a different era.
As in my previous book review……Being born in the 70’s I loved the nostalgia.
September 16, 2021
Just as Jason Apsley appears to have got his new life sorted out a friend from his first life turns up, the both of them having been in the car crash which resulted in the time jump. The reason for Martin jumping back a few months after Jason appears to be him dying in hospital that car crash. Clever writing and I suspect we shall see more of this from Adrian Cousins.
June 18, 2024
I gave the first book in the series 4 stars and this book probably deserves the same. However it is six months since I read "second chance" and in that time I had forgotten some of the complex relationships given it is set in three different time periods. This book is really just a continuation of that book, but I felt it needed more reminders of how the main characters lives were connected. I should have just started this when I finished the first book and to avoid the same problem I am going to read the next "force of time" straight away.
May 28, 2021
Wow....what a great time travel book
This is the second book in this series and is jyst as good as the first. What an interesting take on the possibly of time travel to die and find yourself still alive but forty years in the past. So many opportunities to right old wrongs before they happen. Excellent story and warm, believable characters. I got to know, and care about them all. I can truthfully say this is one of the best books I've read lately.
This is the second book in this series and is jyst as good as the first. What an interesting take on the possibly of time travel to die and find yourself still alive but forty years in the past. So many opportunities to right old wrongs before they happen. Excellent story and warm, believable characters. I got to know, and care about them all. I can truthfully say this is one of the best books I've read lately.
April 20, 2023
Another nostalgic journey down memory lane, Britain in the 70s, when, funnily enough, I was in my teens. So, I remember a lot of these references, which unfortunately reminded me of my age.
It seems that Jason's life is getting a little more complicated as he finds himself in the centre of a variation of the grandfather paradox. Paradoxes, by their very nature, are complex, and navigating them is a difficult task, keeping a lot of balls in the air, so to speak.
His one-man vigilante crusade to stop a crime family from hurting the people he loves is cascading out of control. Can he pull it together in time to save the day? More importantly, how is he going to do it?
At times, it felt like I was reading an episode of Ever Decreasing Circles, where Martin, Ann, Howard, Hilda, and Paul were in the pub having a chat, planning, and conspiring. This also brought back some fond memories of my youth. Overall a worthwhile entertaining read.
It seems that Jason's life is getting a little more complicated as he finds himself in the centre of a variation of the grandfather paradox. Paradoxes, by their very nature, are complex, and navigating them is a difficult task, keeping a lot of balls in the air, so to speak.
His one-man vigilante crusade to stop a crime family from hurting the people he loves is cascading out of control. Can he pull it together in time to save the day? More importantly, how is he going to do it?
At times, it felt like I was reading an episode of Ever Decreasing Circles, where Martin, Ann, Howard, Hilda, and Paul were in the pub having a chat, planning, and conspiring. This also brought back some fond memories of my youth. Overall a worthwhile entertaining read.
January 17, 2022
Another EPIC Adventure Awaits...
WoW, I am still gobsmacked at the talent that is Adrian Cousins. I seriously don't understand how people can read thrillers. My health would suffer from my weird sleeping and eating regime that comes hand in hand with reading stories you just CAN'T PUT DOWN.
I'm a romance reader mainly but I adore time travel adventures. I read every day but I don't think I could digest thrillers too frequently. This story was brilliant. I'm going to read a few love stories before I tackle 'Eye of Time', but it's most definitely going to be read in a few weeks time.
Everyone who loves time travel content needs to read this series. It's extremely well written.
WoW, I am still gobsmacked at the talent that is Adrian Cousins. I seriously don't understand how people can read thrillers. My health would suffer from my weird sleeping and eating regime that comes hand in hand with reading stories you just CAN'T PUT DOWN.
I'm a romance reader mainly but I adore time travel adventures. I read every day but I don't think I could digest thrillers too frequently. This story was brilliant. I'm going to read a few love stories before I tackle 'Eye of Time', but it's most definitely going to be read in a few weeks time.
Everyone who loves time travel content needs to read this series. It's extremely well written.
July 19, 2022
Apsley knows things
This is a continuation of that raunchy book about second chances. You'll see a couple of new words in this book that I dare not say because of Amazon's sensitivities, but overall, the raunchy stuff is toned down. In this book we're trying to make good on our ability to change the time line but we're being mostly unsuccessful. That's not to say that there aren't some successful transactions. It seems God does not like the Colney boys since most successful, although inadvertent actions are successful against them. There is an ick factor in this success which I think everyone will agree could have been done differently, but it does involve a Colney so it's legitimate. Overall, the book is entertaining.
This is a continuation of that raunchy book about second chances. You'll see a couple of new words in this book that I dare not say because of Amazon's sensitivities, but overall, the raunchy stuff is toned down. In this book we're trying to make good on our ability to change the time line but we're being mostly unsuccessful. That's not to say that there aren't some successful transactions. It seems God does not like the Colney boys since most successful, although inadvertent actions are successful against them. There is an ick factor in this success which I think everyone will agree could have been done differently, but it does involve a Colney so it's legitimate. Overall, the book is entertaining.
July 21, 2025
This book delivers another story of nostalgia and intrigue where the stakes rise and the clock reminds Jason that time’s running out. I read the first book and adored it. This is my favourite series of the year, and probably ever. The sequel peels back the intrigue of a great life in 1977, opening a dilemma of identity crisis and consequence. Only one other person knows he’s a time traveller, after Jason convinced his grandad in book one—believe me, it was no easy feat. His perfect life is unravelling fast when a new time-traveller arrives to stir up trouble, and Jason's downfall plays out like a puzzle with pieces that don't fit. And of course, there’s a crime to solve and a baddie to stop.
I love, love, love Martin.
This second book rides on the success of the first, but it doesn’t stop there. It builds and enriches the story with new energy from Martin and sharper emotional entanglement for Jason and the people he’s come to love in the 5 months he’s been living in 1977. The blend of decades and unexpected confrontation makes the story thrilling. The writing’s tone is fast-paced and thoughtful, capturing the era’s atmosphere.
Time travel fascinates me; it makes this one of my favourite series ever, and I’m looking forward to the next one.
I love, love, love Martin.
This second book rides on the success of the first, but it doesn’t stop there. It builds and enriches the story with new energy from Martin and sharper emotional entanglement for Jason and the people he’s come to love in the 5 months he’s been living in 1977. The blend of decades and unexpected confrontation makes the story thrilling. The writing’s tone is fast-paced and thoughtful, capturing the era’s atmosphere.
Time travel fascinates me; it makes this one of my favourite series ever, and I’m looking forward to the next one.
June 16, 2021
Well, on to book number 2. I read this over two pickup's as I was in fact almost glued to it. The story proceeds from the end of the first book and then three quarters of the way into this next one you're still wondering how the heck is Jason going to dig himself out of the hole he's found himself in. And it's quite a large hole, so, does he do it or doesn't he. There's only one way to find out and that's by acquiring "Ahead of his Time" as you'll get no spoilers from me. I love Adrian's style of writing and can't wait for his next novel to land on my Kindle.
August 16, 2021
Time tangle tastic!!
Second in the series, follows on from the first book and adds a new twist and character to the storyline. The characters and their twisted tangled timelines all come to blows as the pieces call together and clarity is given, to an extent 😉 there's still some wonder left in there! A nice finish to the initial characters in the main storyline but leaves the doors open for other twists and turns in any further books.
Well written with a touch of humour and packed of memory revoking items from the 80's. A light hearted read that's not your norm...
Second in the series, follows on from the first book and adds a new twist and character to the storyline. The characters and their twisted tangled timelines all come to blows as the pieces call together and clarity is given, to an extent 😉 there's still some wonder left in there! A nice finish to the initial characters in the main storyline but leaves the doors open for other twists and turns in any further books.
Well written with a touch of humour and packed of memory revoking items from the 80's. A light hearted read that's not your norm...
September 13, 2021
Time travel with a touch of suspense
Know the future can help make or break what can happen. Living in a era where criminal enterprises are a given way of life can making being a good guy a challenge. Jason Alley finds himself tossed back to a point in his past but can adjust to the situation. Later he finds a work colleague in the same situation and tries help him assimilate to him new locale. This was a new concept for this gendre. Be aware of rough language and situations.
Know the future can help make or break what can happen. Living in a era where criminal enterprises are a given way of life can making being a good guy a challenge. Jason Alley finds himself tossed back to a point in his past but can adjust to the situation. Later he finds a work colleague in the same situation and tries help him assimilate to him new locale. This was a new concept for this gendre. Be aware of rough language and situations.
July 6, 2021
now, I like a good time travel book and this was a good one. the series was well written and captured what could be the reality of any man catapulted back 40 years. what do you do, how can you affect or change things, if at all?
I did like the wrinkle about the Yorkshire Ripper and would like to have seen that explored more, but all in all it was a good book and I enjoyed reading it and the one before it.
I did like the wrinkle about the Yorkshire Ripper and would like to have seen that explored more, but all in all it was a good book and I enjoyed reading it and the one before it.
September 14, 2021
Who needs to 1.21 Giga wattts or a bolt of lightning.
Fantastic. Definitely in the top 3 of any time travel books I've read. The attention to detail regarding the late 70's is extraordinary. Born in 1973, some of the things were a bit before my memory but others ( the first car i can remember owned by my Dad was a Hilman Hunter) brought back amazing memories of my childhood. Thank You so much Adrian for a brilliant book series.
Fantastic. Definitely in the top 3 of any time travel books I've read. The attention to detail regarding the late 70's is extraordinary. Born in 1973, some of the things were a bit before my memory but others ( the first car i can remember owned by my Dad was a Hilman Hunter) brought back amazing memories of my childhood. Thank You so much Adrian for a brilliant book series.
April 23, 2022
excellent reading!
Having read book 1 and now book 2 I can’t wait to get started on the next, this story was exciting from the first few pages of book 1 a definite page turner, the storyline was well constructed and detailed with details of the 70s that jogged my memory right down to the everyday items and costs i remember. I am look forward to reading the next book in the series.
Having read book 1 and now book 2 I can’t wait to get started on the next, this story was exciting from the first few pages of book 1 a definite page turner, the storyline was well constructed and detailed with details of the 70s that jogged my memory right down to the everyday items and costs i remember. I am look forward to reading the next book in the series.
March 26, 2024
An interesting premise not quite rescued by average narration (on the audiobook) and some really poor writing. At times it really felt like the author was just trying to pad out chapters with little or no progression in either character development or plot. The overarching story kept me with it though as I like the idea. Not sure whether it will be enough to tempt me back for the third book though.
May 29, 2021
Another great read!
Being born in the UK in 1970 it probably helped me enjoy this a little more as I lived through this timeline and it would certainly be interesting to jump back to that era. The author captures the era really well and the story is well paced and a good sequel to the original book. Definitely worth grabbing this book, you will not regret it!
Being born in the UK in 1970 it probably helped me enjoy this a little more as I lived through this timeline and it would certainly be interesting to jump back to that era. The author captures the era really well and the story is well paced and a good sequel to the original book. Definitely worth grabbing this book, you will not regret it!
June 30, 2021
A great follow up with twists on traditional time travel books
I really enjoyed this and it follows on with some truly horrible and unexpected twists. When you think that it can't get any worse - no spoilers......
I recommend this whether you like Life on Mars style storylines or more lightweight traditional time travel fare. This one has it all.
I really enjoyed this and it follows on with some truly horrible and unexpected twists. When you think that it can't get any worse - no spoilers......
I recommend this whether you like Life on Mars style storylines or more lightweight traditional time travel fare. This one has it all.
October 18, 2021
Another stunning book
I've read these two books back to back and would carry on if there were another. Absolutely love the nostalgia element - these were the years I grew up in. Great concept, story and characters. Hate that I've finished and have to rejoin the real world for a while.
I've read these two books back to back and would carry on if there were another. Absolutely love the nostalgia element - these were the years I grew up in. Great concept, story and characters. Hate that I've finished and have to rejoin the real world for a while.
November 29, 2021
Another humorous story following the continued adventures of Jason Apsley. As with the first, fully rounded characters and some surprises - with the odd red herring mixed in. I’m eagerly awaiting the third instalment and have placed a bet with myself regarding one of the characters. In the meantime, I have just started Adrian’s third book!
January 8, 2022
Great read
I enjoyed this book as much as I had the first in the series.
The main characters are very likeable and the story line is good.
It has been lovely to relive the 70's again too and Adrians descriptions of the period and the attitudes of the time are very accurate.
Looking forward to reading book 3.
I enjoyed this book as much as I had the first in the series.
The main characters are very likeable and the story line is good.
It has been lovely to relive the 70's again too and Adrians descriptions of the period and the attitudes of the time are very accurate.
Looking forward to reading book 3.
February 24, 2022
fabulous sequel
It’s not often that a sequel surpasses the original book. I really enjoyed second chance, but this book was like the icing on the cake. Loved the characters and the plot. Only complaint is I sometimes had to do a little family tree calculation to remember who was who, but what a great book.
Can’t wait for more of Jason’s adventures
It’s not often that a sequel surpasses the original book. I really enjoyed second chance, but this book was like the icing on the cake. Loved the characters and the plot. Only complaint is I sometimes had to do a little family tree calculation to remember who was who, but what a great book.
Can’t wait for more of Jason’s adventures
March 6, 2022
Wow!
What a great book and a great time to be alive. Our hero definitely wound up in a better place after he died. He gets the girl, saves a few friends and reduces the world of bad guys. What more could anyone want. But to get there he will have to jump in and use the advice of a few friends along the way. Exciting and entertaining at its' best. Thanks 😎 !
What a great book and a great time to be alive. Our hero definitely wound up in a better place after he died. He gets the girl, saves a few friends and reduces the world of bad guys. What more could anyone want. But to get there he will have to jump in and use the advice of a few friends along the way. Exciting and entertaining at its' best. Thanks 😎 !
June 12, 2022
Well thought out time travel ideas.
I enjoyed the author bringing the time travel idea down to a mom and pop level. In that sentence I gave a rather simple explanation of a sometimes complex feeling that time travel stories sometimes seem overly complicated. Thankfully it was a great read.
I enjoyed the author bringing the time travel idea down to a mom and pop level. In that sentence I gave a rather simple explanation of a sometimes complex feeling that time travel stories sometimes seem overly complicated. Thankfully it was a great read.
July 13, 2022
Having read the first book in the series was really looking forward to this and it did not disappoint. Adrian kept the story momentum going superbly, building on all the original characters and introducing a few new ones. A mixture of intrigue, comedy and wonderful nostalgia. Looking forward to book number 3. Well done Adrian!
December 21, 2022
Enjoyed this time travel book, the second in the series. It's a fun ride and it was interesting to see how some of the potential paradoxes were solved. Some of the locations were realistically grim and it was good when characters were moved away from them. I'll probably read number three some time in the future. Recommended to time travel enthusiasts.
December 22, 2022
This story just gets better
I have never read a book so quickly, in fact I'm wasting reading time writing this review. Book 3 downloaded. Great story, and characters. Love the reflection back to the 70's, like going down memory lane. If you have read this book, I'm with the author here, I don't like wagon wheels, and nice biscuits either!! Buy it, enjoy it.
I have never read a book so quickly, in fact I'm wasting reading time writing this review. Book 3 downloaded. Great story, and characters. Love the reflection back to the 70's, like going down memory lane. If you have read this book, I'm with the author here, I don't like wagon wheels, and nice biscuits either!! Buy it, enjoy it.
June 26, 2023
Terrific time travel twists
Funny in a tongue in cheek way, and hard to put down, I’m really enjoying this series, taking me down memory Lane to the 70s of my childhood. The characters are well rounded and believable. The plot is great with a number of twists that you wouldn’t see coming.
Funny in a tongue in cheek way, and hard to put down, I’m really enjoying this series, taking me down memory Lane to the 70s of my childhood. The characters are well rounded and believable. The plot is great with a number of twists that you wouldn’t see coming.
February 29, 2024
This first book in this series ended as more or less a pleasant love story. The beginning of this one offers the arrival of Martin and it all slowly falls apart. I think the first book should have stood as a stand alone minus the Martin ending. I don't intend to read through the rest of the series.
June 6, 2021
Well I was waiting for this book and once it arrived I could not put it down. Adrian tells a compelling story and I was drawn into the dilemmas the hero faced. Having lived through the years covered I was fascinated by the events described.
I can hardly wait for the next book!
I can hardly wait for the next book!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews