Living in the Past

by Jane Lovering

Do you ever wish you could turn back time?

Grace Nicholls has a few reasons for wanting to turn back the clock … although an archaeological dig at a Bronze Age settlement on the Yorkshire moors is not what she had in mind. But encouraged by her best friend Tabitha, that’s exactly where she finds herself. Professor Duncan McDonald is the site director and his earnest pursuit of digging up the past makes him appear distant and unreachable. But when a woman on the site goes missing, it seems that his own past might be coming back to haunt him once again. As they dig deeper, Duncan and Grace get more than they bargained for – and come to realise that the past is much closer than either of them ever imagined …

Genres: Time Travel, Fiction, Archaeology, Historical Fiction, Romance

311 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 14, 2018

About the author

Jane Lovering was born in Devon, England but, following extradition procedures, now lives in Yorkshire. She has five children, four cats, two dogs and doesn't believe in housework so the bacteria and dust are approaching sentience and now rank among the pets. Incidentally, she doesn’t believe in ironing either, and the children all learned self-defensive cookery at early ages. She works in a local school and also teaches creative writing, which are extreme ways of avoiding the washing up.

Published since 2008, she writes romantic comedies which are often described as ‘quirky’. One day she's going to find out what that means. Jane is a member of the Romantic Novelists' Association and has a first class honours degree in creative writing. In 2012, her novel Please Don't Stop the Music won the Romantic Novel of the Year Award by the RNA.

Reviews

[Kirsty ❤️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Choc Lit books and I enjoy time travel stories so this was just the perfect book for me. 

I loved the characters, really well written and the story interwove past and present seamlessly and with great pace. I enjoyed the twists as well. I've read enough books to have seen the main one a mile away but nope still managed to fall for it. 

There's redemption in place for crabby archaeologist Duncan, the end of the grieving period for Grace as the two come together on a dig in Yorkshire. There's even a bit of detective work in here too.

It's a lovely warm read for the winter days that just don't seem to be going. Thoroghly enjoyed it. 

Thanks to Choc Lit & netgalley for the ARC

[Karen Mace · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are looking for a way to escape the miserable world we seem to be living in at the moment, then look no further! This is the perfect time-slip novel to disappear into as Jane Lovering, once again, creates a wonderful story full of extremely likeable characters in a wonderful setting - well, a muddy one at least!!
Grace has her friend Tabitha to thank as she finds herself dragged along on an archeological dig as a volunteer. Grace is normally found in a classroom as a history teacher, so she's always fascinated by the past. And she is also looking to get over has past as it is 2 years since her beloved Jamie passed away and she has found living without him extremely tough.

Duncan is in charge of the dig, and he has a rather prickly reputation, so many are wary of him. He is determined that the site they are in is the perfect location for finding a link to history, but so far it is proving a fruitless quest.
His past might also be coming back to haunt him too though with the disappearance of one of those on the dig, and that brings back very unhappy memories for him and even gets the police breathing down his neck. Just what is he hiding?

While on the dig, Grace finds herself watching over a separate camp that she finds fascinating - the simplicity of the people there and it really inspires her and she begins to find some peace.

I loved the pure escapism of this story, alongside the historical elements. The author creates yet more characters that you sympathise with and want to find out more about, and the relationship between Grace and Duncan is incredibly powerful. It shows the lengths that people will go to for those that they love.

This is a book that covers a number of subjects including time travel, romance, grief and the art of moving on, and even had me laughing out loud at some of the phrases included! A really enjoyable read and highly recommended!!

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic novel by Jane Lovering - as always, couldn't put it down!

[Els · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fluently written and heartfelt story that takes you on a journey to the Bronze Age and back. Can answers be found a few hundred years ago on questions still being asked today? And if so, who will be able to find them? And will proof be needed in order to be believed? Can love find its way into the hearts of two people who are afraid to love and being loved? Are we in for a happy ending or will all be lost?

The answers to these questions and much more will be revealed in this wonderfull book. And then there was that last sentence ... I truely hope the author wrote it with a sequel in mind, because all I could think was : please, give me more. I want more ...

[Misfits farm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Think Time Team crossed with the Time Traveller’s Wife, a little romance and a little humour. Oh and a bit of detective work thrown in the mix. Don’t get me wrong - this is wonderful mix of a book that works really well. Nothing if not unique! Grace lost the love of her life two years ago. Her friend has asked her on an archeological dig to try and get her back in the real world. Duncan McDonald has a reputation for being grumpy to say the least, and Grace stands up for herself, much to Duncan’s surprise and admiration. When one of the group go missing, Duncan turns as white as the proverbial sheet when the police arrive-apparently he was there when a similar thing happened years beforehand. In 2000 BC a young boy is being treated by Hen, the healer of the tribe who with her necklace and insights helps the tribe whilst loving her man and boy from a distance. This is a brilliantly written book that kept me turning and I really took to both Grace and Duncan. He turns from grouch to an understanding man who has been through the mill and then some. Both realising that they are forever looking over their shoulders. A wonderfully uplifting unusual read.

[Saarah Niña · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very entertaining!

This is a very wonderful choc-lit novel. It's hilarious while still quite serious in its exploration of grief, family, and moving on. A valid defence for giving this book some of your time.

I tend to read choc lit when I want to give myself a little bit of a break, these books always give you that! I was, however, pleasantly surprised with this one. I am a huge history fan, and archaeology is something I've always wanted to become involved in. That, and time-travel. Alas, I'm not quite ready but getting there, I think (talking about the archaeology, obviously!) Though this book deals in both ;) but isn't sci-fi, thankfully. I reserve that for the TV as my imagination has its limits.

About the story: Grace is a teacher and a widow. Ever since she lost her husband to cancer, she's only seemed to drift through life. But all this is set to change when her friend signs both of them up as volunteers for an archaeological dig... Can she move on from her past, maybe find someone else?

I related to some of the themes in this book, particularly the subject of moving on. I feel Jane Lovering did a commendable job in writing about this. It can be difficult to deal with people who don't allow you time and space or even an environment where you can just speak about it. Murky waters definitely, for both sides. You have no idea how many times I've heard "there's no manual for this sort of thing, dear." I suppose that's why people join support groups.

Anyway, this book is definitely for those who love verbal sparring. It's very much a light hearted novel, well written and, one I do recommend.

I received this book through Netgalley.

[Silke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Living in the Past was for me one of the most predictable novels I have ever read. I was only 22% into the book when I texted my best friend the whole plotline and all the details of how everything was going to play out. (She had read the book previously.) I was bang on with my prediction, even the big plot twist was so incredibly obvious so soon in the book that I felt a little deflated. I wished the author would have had a more original twist on the whole story.

That being said, did it influence my overall reading experience? It would be silly to say it didn’t. Nothing new came my way and I knew what was going to happen. But that being said, I have to admit that I flew through the story. Jane has a very fluent reading style (although she has a tendency to read overly long sentences.) that sucks you in from the very beginning. The main character Grace was really a breath of fresh air throughout most of the story. I absolutely fell in love with her sense of humor. Especially when it was enforced with Duncan’s character. I loved their witty banter.

To be completely honest Duncan grew on my pretty fast. I know most of the other characters describe him as cold and distant, but all I could see was Duncan trough Grace her eyes. A warm, ambitious men with his heart in the wrong place. But a heart that was afraid of being hurt again. Such a shame that his character lost some of his credibility towards the end of the story. During the last few chapters I wanted to yell at him that it was time to men up.

I also had some pretty mixed feelings regarding the grieve of Grace. Although the first part of the story we heard Grace constantly talking about her grieve. Very understandable, because losing the love of your life to a horrible sickness must be heartbreaking. I really felt for her. But then all of a sudden everything happens really fast and that felt a bit out of balance for me. It would have felt much more realistic if Grace wouldn’t have been buried so deep in grief at the beginning of the book. If she was already on the road to recovering from her loss. Now she goes from a really dark place right into the arms of a hansom Scotsman. It seemed that she could only give her grieving a place because she found new love. It felt so out of character for Grace. She was portrayed as a strong, independent woman throughout the story. I understand that the story needed some romance, but it felt a little bit forced. But that might be because I am someone how loves the principle of “the princess saves herself”.

Living in the Past is a quick, enjoyable read. Too predictable and very cliché, but with a lot of humor.

[Suze · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grace needs a change of scenery. She lost the love of her life and after two years she's still unable to start living a little again. That's why her best friend takes her to an archaeological dig for the summer, to work as a volunteer. Grace is a history teacher and digging up remains of a Bronze Age settlement is exactly what her friend thinks she needs. Is she right and will Grace's new surroundings have a healing effect?

Duncan can finally start digging where he's always wanted to. He's a professor and the site director. Being on the Yorkshire Moors brings back a lot of memories of the past. Because of a traumatic experience Duncan has the reputation to be gruff and unapproachable, but when he meets Grace something inside him changes. He wants to be kind to this brave, but broken woman. They understand each other's pain and together they can turn the summer into something interesting. When a missing person makes everything Duncan has been through come to the surface once more, it's Grace who can save him. What will they uncover while digging together?

Living in the Past is a fabulous story about time, grief, hope and love. I was intrigued by the setting straight away, an archaeological site is a wonderful place for a story and I could easily picture every part of it because of Jane Lovering's fantastic detailed descriptions. Being part of Duncan's project suits Grace and soon she discovers she can play a key part in revealing the past. I was curious to find out where that would lead and couldn't stop reading and really loved that Living in the Past managed to captivate me so much that I forgot everything and everyone around me.

Grace and Duncan are both damaged and sad. They deserve happier times and meeting one another is the beginning of something good. I liked the way they slowly form a connection. It's clear from the start that they find comfort with each other. They talk and are honest about their feelings, which was beautiful to witness. I admired their bravery to risk getting hurt again, while they already went through much pain because of their pasts. They have a precious bond, which made the story incredibly special for me.

Jane Lovering has a mesmerizing writing style. She skillfully makes people, settings and emotions come to life. I love how enchanting her stories are. She has the amazing ability to make everything she writes about feel real. I felt like I was on the Yorkshire Moors, watching the dig. She also transported me to another time and place just as effortlessly. I admire this gorgeous ability, which turns every story she writes into a treasure. Living in the Past is a wonderful novel filled with mysteries, history and love. I highly recommend this terrific book.

[Joanna Lambert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jane Lovering is a very unique voice and brings both drama and humour to the romantic fiction she writes. Living in the Past centres on a dig which takes place in North Yorkshire during the summer holidays. Young widowed history teacher Grace still mourns the loss of husband Jamie who died of cancer two years ago. Her friend Tabitha suggests a break away but the thought of working on an archaeological dig – somewhere which conjures up images of heavy rain and plentiful amounts of mud – holds little appeal. Despite her initial reservations Grace joins Tabitha at the dig. When Tabitha’s partner Millie arrives on site and she has to move out of their tent she is offered a room with Professor Duncan McDonald, the dig leader; a large, scruffy unapproachable man. When one of the dig members goes missing and the police arrive to interview Duncan, Grace learns she is not the only one with a troubled past. Despite still mourning husband Jamie, Grace has her witty moments. She’s also a strong, compassionate character. Discovering her ability to move between present day and the past she uses it to help Duncan find closure on a situation that has haunted him for fifteen years. An incident he has never stopped blaming himself for. It has a bit of a domino effect too. As Grace becomes more involved with helping Duncan so her preoccupation with Jamie and the past gradually begins to fade. Duncan is not your usual Choc Lit hero either. In fact he’s anything but. Scruffy and more often than not covered in mud, at the beginning of the story he’s distant and unapproachable. But meeting Grace causes a shift in his attitude and begins to mellow him. And when all that mud is showered away, Grace discovers underneath his worn jacket, baggy jumpers and faded jeans there’s quite an attractive man lurking… The title Living in the Past has been well chosen. It not only relates to the fact the story centres around an archaeological dig, both characters are also in some way tied to previous events in their lives. Well deserving of five stars…

[Deborah Cleaves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable romp through history and the unpredictable course of grief. Supporting characters are nicely drawn. The author has a deft hand with her topic introducing character driven complexity and humor which temper the seriousness of the topic - how grief can drive us from our expected life trajectories into new and rewarding paths.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anyone who knows me and knows my taste in books will know I’m a huge fan of a time slip novel, I love going between two different time periods throughout a book. I loved this time slip read however it was slightly different which I thought was great.

Grace has been made to go on an archaeological dig with her friends as they feel it would be perfect for Grace to escape real life for a while. Grace has been mourning the loss of her husband for the last two years and seems to be stuck in a rut however she’s not overly exciting about standing in a muddy field looking in holes. Duncan is in charge of the whole dig but he has a history – the police don’t like him and he’s also lost someone close to him. Grace becomes fascinated with a camp on the other side of a hill but all is not as it seems there.

I have to admit the Bronze era is a time in which I know nothing about however Jane wrote about it in such detail I could really imagine what it was like in that time and the smells that would be present. I adored Jane’s writing style, within the first few pages I was sucked in to the story and I knew it was something special.

I admired Grace, she went diving in to the dig with no experience and she really made a go of it. I loved learning about all the different aspects of the dig with Grace, having seen many episodes of Time Team I could really imagine what it was like.

I loved the other characters but especially Duncan and Tabitha, I really wanted to be a part of the dig with them all!

There were a few twists in the story that I wasn’t expecting and the added mystery element made this a fab book to read. I don’t want to say too much as it’ll spoil the read for you but if you love history and Time Team, go read this book!

This was my first book by Jane that I’ve read but I’m excited to read more – this was a brilliant read and really took me by surprise, it was everything I expected it to be and then some.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book.  Grace has been persuaded by her friend Tabitha to join an archaeological dig for a couple of weeks. Duncan is the gruff Scots professor in charge of the dig. The two make a connection and both seem to be able to understand the other really well. Alongside the contemporary story, we are transported back to 2000BC and the lives of the people who lived on the site where the dig is taking place. 

The author has brilliantly conveyed the emotions in this book particularly Grace’s case as she copes with her husband's death. There was such sadness as we hear about how much in love they were and how awful it was as he was ill. It’s not a massive part of the book but made quite an impression on me, probably as I was thinking what it would be like to go through that. I was also moved reading about Grace’s growing friendship with Duncan and her realisation that she could perhaps love and be loved once again.

Duncan was also an interesting character. You start to see as the story goes on why he is quite so reserved. He has been badly hurt when his girlfriend literally vanished. No trace was ever found and he was suspected of being involved in her disappearance. Again, it was good to see that Grace could reach through the defensive shield he had built around himself as he begins to thaw a little too. I do like a hero who seems unlovable at first but turns out to have a heart of gold! Duncan fitted that criteria perfectly.

There’s more than a hint of the mystical in the story as well, as the two storylines overlap and it turns out there is quite a connection between past and present. I’m not usually into stories with paranormal goings on but I do like a bit of time-slip and it worked perfectly here for me.

[Cathy Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5*
Grace Nicholls lost her beloved husband two years ago and is still struggling to cope and come to terms with her loss. Her best friend, Tabitha, has been a huge support, even cajoling her to go on an archaeological dig in Yorkshire, believing it will do her good, where Grace is allocated the unenviable and very mucky task of wet sieving.

Duncan MacDonald is the director of the dig and has a reputation for being grumpy and distant. Despite the initial appearances to the contrary, Duncan believes there was once a Bronze Age settlement in the area and is desperate to find something to prove he’s not a wild goose chase. When one of the older students goes missing and the police arrive, Duncan has a horrible sinking feeling of dejà vu.

This is my introduction to Jane Lovering’s writing and I enjoyed the book very much. It’s a well written time slip story, with short chapters from 2000 BC interspersed throughout the contemporary, present time narrative. The characters are realistic and sympathetic and the author expresses their emotions extremely well, particularly Grace’s conflicted feelings about the trauma of her husband’s illness and subsequent death. Flashes of humour enhance the drama and romance of the story and a vividly described setting makes it easy to imagine the cold, the mud and basic tent living. The Bronze Age sections with Tor and Lady Hen are brought to life and depicted realistically, giving a real sense of people who lived then, and what their lives could have been like. Very easy to read, with a solid structure, smooth flow and well drawn, interesting characters. It’s a compelling, engaging tale which encompasses the present, the distant and near past.

[Donna Maguire · Rating 5 out of 5]

https://donnasbookblog.wordpress.com/...

This was such a good story - very unique in the content but that makes it all the more exciting and it is most definitely a book I am going to be recommending!

It is a very well woven plot that really works, the characters are great and you can tell the planning that has gone in to the book when you read it - it has twists and plot turns that all work really well.

Brilliant characters, excellent writing style and great pace - five stars from me - I really enjoyed it!

[Bev · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was unsure when first starting Living in the Past and began to wonder if I would enjoy this book. However, I preserved and gave it the usual few chapters I allow myself to read, to see if I would like it and if not, it was one of those DNF books for me. I am pleased to say that I did finish it and due to this book being completely different to my usual read actually found myself quite enjoying reading this different genre for a change.

We meet Grace who we learn lost her husband Jamie to cancer two years previously and after a really tough time coming to terms with her bereavement, reluctantly decided to go on an archaeological dig with her friend Tabitha and her partner Millie.

Grace is a teacher and currently on summer break and initially it is Tabitha and Grace that arrive on the site in North Yorkshire with Millie due to follow behind in a week or so. They are assigned jobs with Tabitha in the kitchen or mess area feeding the troops and Grace allocated work on the wet sieves section. Grace is really not keen on being there but her friend Tabitha asks her to stick it out as she thinks it will do her good. Little does she realise what is about to happen.

Millie, Tabitha’s girlfriend then comes out and joins the dig and it transpires that Millie is well respected in the field of archelogy and on Millie joining the camp, Grace realises that the two girls need some privacy and space and she finds herself ending up sharing a tent with Duncan.

Duncan MacDonald is the head of the dig and also a professor at the university. He has bit of a reputation of being a moody man, and not very socialable and often can come across as quite snappy. He also has a bit of a troubled past.

During the course of the dig, a dig member goes missing and the police become involved and Duncan is interviewed. It transpires that the police officer and Duncan have a bit of history. Through this investigation it becomes apparent that Duncan seems to have a bit of a past with the police officer investigating this missing student and Grace comes to learn that another dig member went missing over 15 years ago who happened to also have been his then current girlfriend.

We see the group going through the daily routine of digging certain areas and seeing if there is anything of historical value and Grace not really enjoying herself at all and wanting to go home. We learn that Grace doesn’t really sleep at night as that is when she is left alone with her memories and thoughts and she finds the only comfort she can which is wandering round the site and some days watching the sun rise at the top of the dig overlooking another camp. It is through these late night visits that we realise Grace seems to be able to move between past and present.

Using her senses and the fact that she can move between past and present, she uncovers where Duncan’s girlfriend of 15 years has gone and tries to bring him closure and let him know that it wasn’t his fault. We see a different side to Duncan, a softer and much more caring side buried deep underneath all that mud, dirt and baggy clothes he wears whilst on the site.

As this book wasn’t my usual read, I must admit to thoroughly enjoying it and read this quite quickly on my commute to and from work, taking me just over a week to read), even managing to read at lunchtime on a few occasions. This isn’t bad for me considering I would only be reading for about an hour a day some days. I look forward to seeing what else Jane Lovering has written / will be writing shortly.

[Jeannie Zelos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Living in the Past,  Jane Lovering

Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre: Women's Fiction

Well, I'll start with that genre category, women's fiction. Why? I so hate that we alienate men from stories that they could well enjoy, splitting books into Women's and Men's is so dated, harks back to the fifties or so and has no place in literacy today. Well, that's my take.

Anyway, to the book. I love Jane Lovering's stories, find ChocLit delivers books I almost always love, and this one was another perfect read. A story that's got that bit extra, not a cut and paste romance but one where there's a fascinating story line running through.
I'm kind of open minded about time travel, just because we don't understand it, if its possible, doesn't mean it isn't. After all years back what's common place now was thought impossible, but science and technology brings leaping progress in what was thought impossible. I think of it as sort of parallel worlds, existing at the same time and maybe parts are thinner, maybe its some bloodlines, maybe time of year etc that allow people to pass through.

I love Grace, she's been a widow for two years, and talks still to Jamie. I talk daily to my late husband to, so her feelings resonated with me. She has some great friends and they have been a solid support and as part of that Grace gets dragged off on an archaeology dig.
Duncan, the dig leader is a terrific character. He appears abrupt, abrasive and grumpy, yet his colleagues and students follow him avidly, knowing he's very skilled at his career. This dig is personal for him though, and through it Grace discovers some of why he appears so unapproachable. I so felt for him, what an awful thing to happen, and the repercussions have shadowed his whole life.

Its kind of not hard to see where the story goes, but that didn't matter, its delivered in such a fascinating way. I really felt there with Grace, out in the mud of the 21st century with the dig, and then back with Lady Hen. I love the way the two stories worked seamlessly, how they fitted together, and how we gained insights of the characters, saw how events can shape us. Life happens and we react to it, and what happens to us affects us as people.

Stars:Five, another great read from Jane, one I was really absorbed in and enjoyed thoroughly.

ARC supplied for review purposes by Netgalley and Publishers

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grace Nicholls is a school teacher whose husband Jamie tragically died of cancer two years ago, ever since she's (understandably) been sad and living life in a zombie-like fashion (although less brains for dinner, naturally). When her BFF Tabitha drags her to volunteer at an archaeological dig in Yorkshire during the school holidays Grace can't think of anything less fun. But despite herself Grace finds the monotony of the work soothing and her run-ins with the site director Duncan McDonald have a certain ascerbic charm, as does the bizarre group of people living over the hill, she can't decide if they are hippies or some austere religious group but Grace enjoys watching their 'back-to-nature' lifestyles.

Professor Duncan McDonald is very familiar with the dig site, his family has a holiday home close by, but his return is tinged with sadness and when one of the students goes missing it seems as though history is repeating itself, but the truth is so much more bizarre than he could ever imagine.

I bought this book over six months ago because I like Jane Lovering's books, read a couple of chapters and thought, 'nah' and put it aside. In a bit of a reading funk last night I picked it up again and raced all the way through it - which just goes to show that its often as much about how you are feeling when you read a book as it is about the book that you are reading.

I thought the premise of this book was made clear in the blurb, but obviously not, so I'm not going to spoil the plot by revealing it ahead of time. If your idea of a romance is a grieving widow trading snark with a dour Scotsman with no interpersonal skills then this is definitely the book for you, their insults made me chuckle out loud. Also I have recently seen the film The Dig about the finding of an Anglo-Saxon Burial Ship at Sutton Hoo, so this story of looking for a bronze-age settlement in Yorkshire was right up my alley, add in a little suspense and it was another page-turner from Jane Lovering.

[Ilse · Rating 2 out of 5]

Where to start with this review? Maybe with the short summary.
Grace and Tabitha are at an archeological dig at a Bronze Age settlement. Although Grace doesn’t really want to be there, she agrees to stay anyway and make the best out of it. Duncan is the site director and always digging in the sand. Barely has time for anything else. He truely believes they’re up to find something and when Grace tells them to move the dig a bit, things get into gear. And the past may be closer then they think.
I’ve never read anything by Jane Lovering before. When I read the blurb, it looked like an interesting story because I like history a lot. On the net, they compared this story with the Outlander series of Diana Gabaldon. I can’t compare because I’ve never read a Diana Gabaldon either. (It’s on my tbr though.)
It took me over 90 pages to really get into the story. And I have to be honest, I almost gave up. But I am no quitter, so I really stuggled through the first 96 or so pages. In my honest opinion, not much was happening before that. I had trouble with the change of point of view. It was Grace talking, next chapter someone else and that got me confused. But… then it happened.
I really got into the story and I am so glad I did not give up on this book. From somewhere around page 100 the action started to pick up, lots of stuff was happening. I wanted to continue reading because I wanted to know how these things were possible and what would come next.
I can not tell too much about the story in itself, because that would spoil everything for people who still want to read it. But since, I think, everyone will see this coming from the beginning ayway i twill be no spoiler when I say that I saw the Duncan and Grace storyline from the very beginning. That was predictable. But apart from that, I enjoyed this read, despite my struggle with the first 90 pages.

[Chasing Dreams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Living in the Past is a lovely story about grief and healing from loss, as well as the impact we have on other people’s lives, often without realising it.

I thoroughly enjoyed the humour woven throughout the story, often giggling out loud at the wordplay between the characters.

For a change, the romantic hero in the story was actually not a complete jerk to begin with, and even when Duncan was being a bit “crabbit” as he referred to himself, he actually wasn’t running anyone down or being condescending.

Grace Nicholls, as the leading lady, was a bit of an odd one. On the one hand, I could understand and sympathise with her grief. On the other, the way she expected everyone who cared about her, to leave her alone to wallow in misery, was mildly painful. Her understanding and acceptance of Duncan’s past and the way it impacted on his present was lovely.

Tabitha and Millie, as supporting characters, were absolutely delightful, although I was a bit bewildered by Grace not sharing her experience with Tabitha, when they’d been friends for so long and she’d relied on her so heavily during her grieving process. The pair of them sort of just dropped out of sight once the relationship between Duncan and Grace established itself, and that was mildly disappointing.

The interludes in the past were wonderful, and I loved seeing Hen’s story unfold, though the reality of who she was, wasn’t hard to guess, so don’t expect too much of a mystery. I enjoyed the way Lovering dealt with time travel, how it all came together at the end, and that everything was neatly wrapped up. It almost felt like there should have been a bow wrapped round the final page.

All in all, Living in the Past dealt with some difficult topics in a poignant and hopeful manner, and it richly deserves its rating of four out of five.

[Pam Robertson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a slightly quirky, at times humorous, romance which like all Choc Lit novels, gives you both the man and woman's point of view. I was going to say 'hero' and 'heroine' but that didn't quite fit with the two central characters, Grace and Duncan, for me. Given that Grace indulges in quite a bit of time travel between the 21st and the Bronze Age, I'm not too sure why I think that. She certainly has courage. I suppose it may be because they fight their demons in their minds and have to come to terms with tragedies in their past whilst the rest of the world carries on regardless. They are quite down to earth (in Duncan's case, literally) with definite spikey edges. Having said this, I liked them both. They are certainly not stereotypical but individuals.

I enjoyed the fact that this was set in an archeological dig- it was really very interesting, if not a trifle muddy and I learnt quite a lot!. Taken away from normal lives to a tented encampment, barriers were broken down. There are some warm and sympathetic characters who are also there, observing and encouraging. Grace has relied on her friend, Tabitha since the death of her husband but realises that she has to find a way to move on. You find yourself rooting for both Grace and Duncan. It's a great read.

In short: a touch of romance haunted by ghosts from the past.

Thanks to the author for a copy of the book

[Rhoda Baxter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grace is grieving, two years after her husband died. Her friend Tabitha persuades her to volunteer at an archaeological dig in North Yorkshire. When going for a walk in the area, she finds herself in a bronze age settlement. The very settlement that grumpy Scot and dig director Duncan McDonald is looking for with this dig. But Duncan has his own ghosts from the past - years ago, his girlfriend disappeared in this area and the police suspect him of having something to do with it.

The Bronze age storyline is about Tor and Hen. Tor is the leader of the small settlement, a man who protects the women and children in his care. Lady Hen is the medicine woman, who protects the same people, but in a different way. When Grace wanders into their time frame, things start to go wrong.

This book is ostensibly about a time slip (and mud, there's a lot about mud), but it's also about grief and letting go of the things that nag at you over the years. It's about the importance of knowing and understanding what happened (Closure, if you like).

Grace is brilliantly prickly. I love how sarcastic she is. Duncan is grumpy and muddy and out of touch with social niceties. He's quite sweet. You wouldn't think a book about two prickly people sliding around on a muddy hillside would be this absorbing and entertaining, but it is.

I really enjoyed this book. I even liked the mud.

[Rachel (Rae) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really didn't know what to expect when I first started reading Living in the Past but after a couple of chapters I was hooked. I enjoyed everything from the story to the characters it all just worked so well together. Jane Lovering brought this story to life with some fantastic descriptions of the archaeological dig and the friendships and romance that feature in the book. I have to admit that I'm really trying to be vague about the plot as I would hate to ruin the surprises that feature in this story.

Grace has such a sad back story but she is also a resilient and likeable person that made me instantly take to her character. Duncan and Grace make such a great pairing but the question is will there be any romance? I loved Duncan's gruff personality and as the story develops you also see how his past still affects his life. There is humour in their interactions that always had me smiling!

The story moves at a really good pace and is perfect for reading over a couple of evenings or on a lazy afternoon. There are lots of themes coming together in this story that just made it so engaging. Living in the Past has a brilliant mystery, a dash of romance then add in some history to the mix which creates a perfect combination!

Five stars from me!

With thanks to Rachel at Rachel's Random Resources for my copy. This s my honest and unbiased opinion.

[Isabella · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this novel! I enjoyed everything about it, from the plot to the characters, from the writing style down to the witty dialogues! It had me hooked from the word go, and it got better and better while the story was unfolding. I enjoyed the twists and a few unexpected turns.
All characters are amazing, and they have a past, and it’s impossible not to be wanting to know more. Although he male protagonist is not my type, I definitely liked his intelligence and witty remarks, that are so well managed in the exchange between him and Grace. Theirs is a story that I loved being able to witness. I’d be honoured to have them both as friends!
I really appreciated the surprises of the plot, too; every detail is extremely well woven, and far from being soap-opera, is compelling and fascinating.
As a great fan of The Time Traveller’s Wife I am not easily impressionable, but this book managed to have me reading on and on. It’s one of those books that keeps living inside the reader’s head (at least mine) even after the last page.
I love those stories where there’s so much potential and novel material for more!
What I keep thinking about is a prequel or a whole series?

[Christie72 (Devilishly Delicious Book Reviews) · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an incredibly unique story! It’s a mystery, romance, and time travel all wrapped up into one to create an AMAZING read!
Grace finds herself at a Bronze settlement dig site in the Yorkshire Moors. She is a history teacher, but this isn’t where she wants to be, but she came at the urging of her best friend, Tabitha. Life dealt grace a hard blow a couple of years ago, and it’s been difficult for her to move on. Tabitha thinks this is just the thing to help her.

Duncan is overseeing the dig. He is grouchy and moody. Grace finds that out in their first meeting, but she isn’t one to back down. He admires that in a way. As the two work together, they will find out that their fates are intertwined with one another. I am not going into too much detail as you need to discovers the gems hidden within the pages of this wonderful book!

Duncan and Grace are two individuals who have become trapped in the past but in very different ways. They are both intelligent and independent spirits, and their journey to love and lasting happiness is one you don’t want to miss! Read this treasure by Jane Lovering today!!!!

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s always rather a good sign when you find yourself laughing out loud within a few pages of a book’s beginning, as Tabitha contemplates telling her parents about her relationship with Millie: “I’m not sure that they’re going to get the hang of bisexual – they haven’t come to terms with the labradoodle yet”. As always, the author achieves the perfect balance between the wise-cracking of Tabitha, the sparky exchanges between Grace and Duncan, the sharp observation and the immense sadness surrounding Grace and the issues overshadowing Duncan’s life.

The writing is as wonderful as ever, the characters so well drawn, the setting so vivid that you shiver with cold as Grace gets on with her wet-sieving of Bronze Age archaeological remains, mud oozing from every pore. But this is a story with a bit of a difference – the past, both recent and very distant, is indeed closer than any of them imagine – and it’s handled just wonderfully, originally and cleverly done. The blurb doesn’t go into detail, so I won’t either – but this is such a cracking story, with chills, thrills and an edge of danger, and a great story twist that took me entirely by surprise.

I’m only being a bit cagy about the story because I don’t want to spoil this book for anyone – suspend your disbelief, set aside a few uninterrupted hours for the reading, and I hope you’ll love it every bit as much as I did.

[Isobel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fabulous...I admit to being a Jane Lovering fan and this book shows why. Exceptional characters, atmospheric settings and definitely the best book I have read for a while. You will be able to smell the damp tents and to share the discomforts of camping almost first hand. Even the best 'time-slip' author cannot do much with the basic premise - people in different times meet - but this is fresh, clever and convincing. Again, Jane shows insights into some of the serious things in life with a deft touch that means they shape the story unobtrusively. And of course throughout is the vein of humour which is never forced or staged but creeps up on you and suddenly you are laughing. I'm sure this will move seamlessly from your to-be-read pile ( don't leave it there long) to your keep-to-read-again pile.

[Janet Gogerty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have never been on an archeological dig and I'm sure I would be as lacking in enthusiasm as Grace... This is an enjoyable read, as you would expect of a Choc Lit. Time Travel? Why not, people do disappear off the face of the earth and who's to say they haven't gone back in time? What would we find if we arrived in the past and how would we get on?
Duncan's life has been blighted by his girlfriend going missing without trace and never being able to prove his innocence.
Grace has had her happiness cut cruelly short.
Two people who have nothing in common are brought together on the muddy Yorkshire Moors and dislike each other as soon as they meet; the stage is set for an unusual romance.

[Stephanie Hartley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really surprised me. After a bit of a slow start in the first couple of chapters, I found myself absolutely hooked on this story.

Grace, our protagonist, is still struggling with the loss of her husband two years down the line. In a desperate bid to help her get her life on track, Grace's best friend takes her to a muddy archaeological dig.

Grace soon finds herself enjoying it more than she expected, especially as she's found some new people that she really gets on with. Sultry, brooding Duncan is a guy most of the campers steer clear of, but Grace cracks into his tough outer shell and they bond over dealing with trauma and a desire to make the dig successful.

I would definitely recommend this to chick lit fans, especially those who enjoy a bit of magical realism.

[Janette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love time-slip novels and this was a great one. I was immediately drawn into the story and wanted to find out more. It is well written from a number of perspectives and in the present day and Bronze Age - the stories were intertwined beautifully. It is a story of mystery, loss, grief, friendship, love, trust and time travelling. Interesting characters and an interesting location as the book is set in an archaeological dig. Beautifully atmospheric I couldn't wait to find out what was going to happen next. I was engrossed throughout and couldn't put this book down.

Highly recommended - as are the other Jane Lovering novels, all fantastic reads.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

History teacher Grace is still trying to get back on her feet two years after experiencing a personal tragedy. Her friend Tabitha invites her on an archeological dig over break to distract her from her pain. Grace gets more than she bargained for when she meets Duncan, the director of the dig, and learns of his tragic past that may not be completely in the past.

I enjoyed this novel very much – it has romance, it flows well, has interesting characters, and a good dose of mystery.

I was provided a free advance copy of this book in return for an honest review and I have to say, I really enjoyed reading this novel.