If I Had My Time Again
Linda Green
338 pages
Boldwood Books
Published March 13, 2026
🎬🎬🎬🎬🎬
Amazon | GoodReads
If I Had My Time Again is a bittersweet contemporary fiction story set in Halifax, England, about three very different people who have the misfortune to die on the same day. They find themselves in a strange type of purgatory where they are required to direct the movie of their lives to help them come to terms with it, before they get to pass on for good, with the enticement that they get to make one change that fixes their biggest regret. I was invited to read this by the publisher because I had enjoyed the author’s previous novel last year – The Woman with All the Answers, and I loved the premise of this one. There’s a wonderful mix of humour, some hilariously quirky side characters and thought-provoking questions. I thought the empathetic way the three leads bond together to help each other come to terms with the tragedies in their lives was done very well.
After deciding she cannot bear to continue living, 50 year old Jules jumps off a bridge, and is shocked to wake up in an ordinary-looking motel – not her idea of heaven, or hell! She’s even more bemused when she is introduced to Emily, a teenager who died of leukaemia, and Carl, who came off his motorbike, and told why they are there. Bolshy film producer Suzi explains that together, they will each direct their life story, and decide on their Director’s Cut – but they are not allowed to prevent their own deaths. Watching their final scenes and visiting their grieving families, the three learn way more about each other than strangers would ever share normally. As judgement gives way to sympathy, they must each decide – what would they change, if they had their time again?
While this does cover some sensitive topics, including addiction, the death of a minor, stillbirth & suicide, it’s sensitively done, and balanced by the comedic moments – some are laugh-out-loud funny.
Those who are very religious may not approve of the author’s take on the afterlife though! I really wasn’t sure how she would give us a happy ending without spoiling it, but was delighted with how she managed it. There’s even a list of suggested questions for Book Club readers at the end.
I’m keen to read more by Linda Green so will be looking out for her older books and curious to see what she comes up with next. Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC. If I Had My Time Again is available now.
Leave a Reply