I really enjoyed this. I didn't actually realize it was a retelling of a classic story and was expecting something different, although it's hard to describe what I thought it would be without giving too much info about what it really is. For what it is, it's quite believable. It was nice to read a rom-com from a make character's POV; and another surprise was that he was still relatable.

It did feel a little rushed near the end-I wish there had been one more jump in the possible future, and maybe a little more detailed at the very end.

This was rather a slog to get through. Perhaps this is due to the lack of dialogue and amount of exposition. The male point of view was a little wearying. It probably would have been just as successful a book if the character travelled to one less past Christmas. I found it funny that no mention of "A Christmas Carol" was made besides to total homage to the book. Overall, the main character (though annoying when wallowing in self-pity) was entertaining. The side characters were well drawn. I wish I knew more about Daphne and that more was revealed about her besides that the main character loved her. People should enjoy this read, even if I didn't like it all that much.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper 360 for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Based on the write up I knew this was A Christmas Carol retelling, but I struggled with this one. It was darker for a lot longer in the book than I was expecting since it was also advertised as a romance. I think that was where I got held up. Had I gone in blind I would not have expected more of a romance plot.

I really struggled with the male MC. He was clearly struggling in his life, but I am not a fan of cheating story lines and this one kept going on. I'll be honest I felt Daphne deserved better. He struggled with wondering if he wanted a new life without her for a lot longer than I was expecting.

The parts in the book that I enjoyed were the parts with his mother. That story line should have been the emphasis in the book. Ben clearly struggled with his father's abandonment and his mother was his best friend.

A darker retelling that is more of a fiction book I would recommend for someone looking for a British read, that is darker on the holiday fare and lighter on the romance. It is completely closed door.

Rating: 2.5/3

All About Us
By: Tom Ellen
Harper 360
@harpercollins360

All About Us is a British fiction, retelling of Charles Dickens: A Christmas Carol, both of which are right up my alley! Then, when I saw this book was recommended for fans of Josie Silver, I couldn’t click the request button on NetGalley fast enough!

Our story begins in December, nearly Christmastime, with Ben and Daphne’s marriage on the rocks; The usual spark is missing. Ben receives an email from his old friend Alice saying she’s in town and wondering if they could meet up. Ben always thought of Alice as the girl that got away. He starts wondering what his life would be like if he never met Daphne and ended up with Alice...

He pushes this passing thought aside and meets a friend for a drink at the pub. That same evening a stranger sells him a mysterious watch and when he wakes up the next morning he’s shocked to see that it is 15 years earlier. The exact day he first kissed Daphne, leaving Alice in the friend zone!

This book zig and zags from present, past, and future with Ben reliving important and deciding moments of his life. Would he do everything the same again?

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This book gave me all the feels. I literally read it in one sitting. It deals with love, loss, and friendship all tied up in a pretty little christmas bow. I also enjoyed that this book was from a male POV. My favorite parts were when he got to go back in the past and be with his Mom, who had passed away.

Thank you @netgalley and @harper360 for this eARC in exchange for my honest opinion. Out today 10/13 . . . Put this one on your holiday to be read list!

Rich characters, a great story and Christmastime setting made this book a treat to read. It took me an embarrassingly long time to realize this is a take on A Christmas Carol because the story felt very much like Ellen's own. Though I'm sure the story would be the perfect accompaniment to a cozy evening spent in the glow of Christmas tree lights, this story is one you can enjoy all year round. This was my first Tom Ellen book but I'm eager to read more.

I loved All About US. It is a poignant, profound, and lonely modern day love story. I found myself unable to put out down and stayed up way too late to finish it. Beautifully written, with well developed characters and a lovely plot.

I would like to thank Tom Ellen, Harper 360 and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Hard to follow, undeveloped characters and no storyline. Give thIs a pass or get it from your library. Not worth the cost

This felt like a perfect mix between the Time Traveler’s Wife and Hallmark and I really liked it! This was a fast and enjoyable read. I am a sucker for “what if” tropes at Christmas time when there is more magic and nostalgia involved, so All About Us was totally up my alley and Ellen’s latest did not disappoint.

I thought this was really well done. It was a mix between a Christmas Carol and a time travel. I really liked the point of view and how it was written. Thank you to netgalley for the arc.

Once upon a time, Ben chose Daphne over Alice. He was happy with his choice, but with his marriage seemingly over, he began to wonder what-if? Faced with a choice from which his relationship would never recover, Ben met a mysterious stranger with a magical watch, and got an opportunity to revisit some important events in his history. When faced with this decision again, who would he choose?

When I saw Tom Ellen was writing a new book, I knew I had to read it. I had enjoyed his previous co-writes and was eager to check out his solo work. This book was something really special. I had no idea it would consume me the way it did, nor did I expect it to steal my heart.

At first, I thought this was simply a time-travel type story, but as the tale continued, I realized it was A Christmas Carol retelling. Can I just say, I absolutely loved Ellen's spin on the classic. The parallels to the original story were there, but it was different in that there was a focus on the romance. Christmas warm-fuzzies plus romance -- I was a very happy camper.

This book wasn't simply read by me, it was inhaled. I was sneaking in pages, here and there, and fighting sleep, because I was so invested in what path Ben would take. I liked getting to see Christmas Present and Christmas Yet-to-Come, but I LOVED watching Christmas Past unfold.

The moments in the past hit me with quite a punch. I really appreciated seeing how differently Ben began to view events from his past. We tend to grow as we age, and hopefully, we acquire some wisdom, and I really think Ben had. He needed to be reminded of the things that had transpired and seeing them through a different lens was just what he needed. There were many beautiful and touching moments shared between him and Daphne during their long relationship, and this trip down memory lane was what he needed to remember why he chose her in the first place.

I am such a sucker for stories like this! Taking this journey with Ben was utterly heartwarming. This was an emotional roller coaster for me, but it was a phenomenal ride. This book put a smile on my face, happy tears in my eyes, and an abundance of joy in my heart.

Four solid stars-- the "sliding doors" storyline and the holiday setting combination made for an incredible reading experience! I enjoyed following Ben and rooting for he and Alice while also appreciating how the author wove in a better understanding of how he and Daphne evolved to their relationship at present. An absolute delight!

A modern-day reworking of A Christmas Carol? Yes please!

I absolutely love this type of book, romantic time travel, and getting the story from the man's point of view was so refreshing! The characters are utterly relatable, with the main character jumping through the years and learning about himself along the way. He also gets a second chance to say and do what he couldn't or wouldn't in the past.

The settings (strip club anyone?) are perfectly and wonderfully described, and I love how the story unfolds over the space of fifteen years instead of being a rushed off your feet romance. The characters are true to life as love isn’t all hearts and rainbows, and it isn’t always about the epic romance – and All About Us reflects this beautifully. I know every Christmas I’ll still remember this book and feel gratitude. Because that’s what this book is ultimately all about. Being grateful for the people who love you and living every moment and to hot take anything for granted.

It was such a great book I didn’t want to put it down. I thought it was well written with some very likable characters. A great story of friendships and relationships, romantic and otherwise. The parts about Ben's mum made me cry and I love books that make me feel all the feels.

Bottom Line:
Such a brilliant holiday read. Definitely gonna be reading more from this author in the future. I loved this book. The characters are real and relatable and the chemistry is perfect. An absolute delight.

This was not the time traveling story I expected it to be about and I was pleasantly surprised about how glad I ended up so wrong. All About Us, is a mix between a time traveling story and A Christmas Carole. The main character Ben, through a watch can go back into his past and even see his future without worrying about changing his present, no butterfly effects here. I loved how original the story felt even though the plot was borrowed from other stories. I also absolutely loved Ben, even though he really is a big idiot. He made me laugh and smack my forehead at the same time. This would be an awesome story to read on a rainy or snowy night while drinking hot cocoa.

Ben Hazeley is dreading Christmas this year. He is still grieving for the loss of his mother two years ago, his wife seems more distant and disappointed in him than ever, and now he has to pretend to be happy at his wife's office party. So, he decides not to go and meets up with a friend at the pub instead, and while there a mysterious old man with twinkling blue yes gives him a watch that seems to be stuck at 11:59 pm. When Ben wakes up the next morning, he finds himself in the past, reliving his old college days that led to him making a choice between the woman would become his wife and the other woman that might be "the one that got away". The next several mornings are the same as Ben relives Christmases in the past, and also some in the present and possible future. Throughout we learn why Ben is the way he is, and he discovers what he's missed along the way and what he really wants in life. Ben is likable and flawed and this is a fun, tender read for anyone that loves holiday romances and/or anything Christmas Carol adjacent! Advanced copy read courtesy of NetGalley and HarperCollins.

A beautiful and romantic drama! The characters were well drawn and sympathetic, and the storyline flowed seamlessly. Highly recommended!

I read an advanced copy of, All About Us, by Tom Ellen. I did not care for the main characters, Daphne, Ben, and Alice, at all. This was not a great love story for me, at all.

Well, another great story by Tom Ellen I can't say I'm surprised. With great characters and an amazing story, All About Us is a hit. Can't wait to read another book by Tom!!!