Step Back in Time

By: Ali McNamara

Narrated by: Katie Scarfe

Length: 11 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's summary

How many lifetimes would you travel to find a love that lasts for ever? When single career girl Jo-Jo steps onto a zebra crossing and gets hit by a car, she awakes to find herself in 1963. The fashion, the music, her job, even her romantic life: everything is different. And then it happens three more times, and Jo-Jo finds herself living a completely new life in the 1970s, 80s and 90s. The only people she can rely on are Harry and Ellie, two companions from 2013, and George, the owner of a second-hand record store.

If she's ever to return from her travels, Jo-Jo must work out why she's jumping through time like this. And if she does make it back, will her old life ever be the same again? Step back in time with this fabulously fun and feed-good comedy of time travel and romance, from the author of From Notting Hill with Love... Actually

©2013 Ali McNamara (P)2013 Hachette Audio

Slow starting, but enjoyable story

Like I already experianced with Aly McNamara's books, the second part is always the better.
With an interesting premise, the first half of the book become a little boring and I wasn't seeing where is was going with those confusing and illogical junps in the timeline. There seemed to be no rule or sense to the time travelling and I started to fear it was all about the Beatles references, and I wasn't enthusiastic. But then around the half or a bit earlier I started to understand and enjoy the story, and the end was sweet and satisfying although not particularly original. If you love beatles and I quick sweet read that's ok, and I was even a little bit moved one time around the end..

A Good Journey

Where does Step Back in Time rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I have a very eclectic reading range, but ranked amongst all the other chick lit books, I'd say it's a very solid read. It's one of the longest chick lit books I've listened to with 11+ hrs but I listened to it all in one sitting. Not necessarily something I'd recommend doing since I was exhausted by bed-time, but it's one of those books you won't mind continuously listening to, or pausing to come back to, since the story is engaging enough.

What other book might you compare Step Back in Time to and why?

The closest other I can think of is Sophie Kinsella - 'Remember Me'. More for the heroine being thrown into the deep end, not knowing what's going on, and having to work out who she is and what her life is about. In 'Step Back In Time' it's time travel vs. memory loss, which makes it a harder sell, but it's handled well enough that it's not hard to suspend your belief and take the journey with Jo-Jo.

What about Katie Scarfe’s performance did you like?

I really enjoyed her performance. There are distinguishable voices for each character and she kept her narration light, to go with the tone of the novel. There were no annoying habits or weird inflections to throw me out of the story. I had no problems whatsoever, listening for hours.

If you could rename Step Back in Time, what would you call it?

If pushed, I would say something that is obvious, yet subtle, Beatles themed. Something like 'That Road Before' (from The Beatles - 'The Long and Winding Road'). But really, I think the current title did all right.

Any additional comments?

As you might have realized, there's a very strong Beatles theme to this book. I think if you're a solid Beatles fan, you'll love picking up all the clues and hidden gems related to the Beatles that are thrown out. You might even want to make a game of it, and see how many you get right. As a regular fan of the Beatles it's a good read, where you'll get some clues but won't feel overwhelmed, and may even laugh when you realize you missed some obvious ones. That being said, this book is about love and friendship. I particularly liked the long and winding road that Jo-Jo takes to finding herself, falling in love, and discovering friendships across the universe, in the sea of time, and in [her] life (okay I'll stop!). Each time she wakes up is an entire story unto itself. You'll forget that you still have hours more to listen to. And once she's down again, you'll be intrigued to know what happens this time. So, a very intriguing story that keeps moving forward. I recommend listening!

BRILLIANT!

What an incredible master weaving of characters, plot line and story development. To say nothing that it was based entirely upon the greatest musical four some of all time. This is hands-down one of the most delightful, intriguing and well-crafted stories I've read in a very, very long time.

This author has an astounding skill to pick up all the threads that she created over a span of time and bring everyone of them back together. I listened to this while on a very long car trip, And was so intrigued and absorbed that before I knew it nearly 9 hours had flown by!

Thank you for the story!!

If you love the Beatles...you will love this book

Take a step back in time...again and again! Jo Jo is living her life on Fast Forward when she is given a chance to go back in time and not on her own accord. She learns some life lessons along the way. Great story and well done by Katie Scarfe! I have read several of Ali McNamara's books and this one I have read a few times over.

A flat finish to a fun book

The end of this story was a little predictable and I thought that that was a let down for what had otherwise been quite a fun book

Wonderfully different, especially for a Beatles’ fan

This book was unusual as it dealt with traveling through time on a voyage of self discovery. It went through many decades. I thoroughly enjoyed it although I at first was concerned about how the author would handle it. She did a fabulous job!