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Once Upon a Time in Edinburgh
What would you do if you were given the impossible second chance with the one who got away?
Ryan is approaching middle age and feeling unhappy living a life filled with regrets and missed opportunities. So when he tragically dies in a plane crash over the North Sea then bizarrely reawakens on an Edinburgh bus, seated beside a familiar, beautiful, lost tourist girl from five years earlier, he quickly realizes that he has been granted a second chance at spending one day with the one who got away.
The main story takes place over one day and one night in the awe-inspiring, beautiful, Gothic city of Edinburgh.
When Ryan finally gathers the courage to speak to Alex, a feisty, lost tourist girl from Prague, after a series of humorous mishaps, they embark upon a magical adventure around the city together. Only the more time Ryan spends with his new love interest, the more her hidden secrets and real intentions for being in his city slowly surface.
Ryan has secrets of his own, though. And with time running out, can he really change the fate of his future-self back onboard that plane, with this new chance encounter?
Once Upon A Time in Edinburgh is a love story about passion, romance, fate, adventure, and second chances. It's a story for everyone who has ever had a 'What If' moment in their lives and regretted not striking up a conversation with someone whom they shared an instant attraction with.
Ryan is approaching middle age and feeling unhappy living a life filled with regrets and missed opportunities. So when he tragically dies in a plane crash over the North Sea then bizarrely reawakens on an Edinburgh bus, seated beside a familiar, beautiful, lost tourist girl from five years earlier, he quickly realizes that he has been granted a second chance at spending one day with the one who got away.
The main story takes place over one day and one night in the awe-inspiring, beautiful, Gothic city of Edinburgh.
When Ryan finally gathers the courage to speak to Alex, a feisty, lost tourist girl from Prague, after a series of humorous mishaps, they embark upon a magical adventure around the city together. Only the more time Ryan spends with his new love interest, the more her hidden secrets and real intentions for being in his city slowly surface.
Ryan has secrets of his own, though. And with time running out, can he really change the fate of his future-self back onboard that plane, with this new chance encounter?
Once Upon A Time in Edinburgh is a love story about passion, romance, fate, adventure, and second chances. It's a story for everyone who has ever had a 'What If' moment in their lives and regretted not striking up a conversation with someone whom they shared an instant attraction with.
- GenresRomance
200 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2013
13 people are currently reading
1532 people want to read
About the author
Sean-Paul Thomas
20 books501 followersScottish Author/Screenwriter.
Best Selling Kindle Author of 'The Old Man and The Princess'
A new book just out - Audrey -
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
Sean is an author from Scotland. He is the best-selling Kindle Author of 'The Old Man and The Princess' which was recently optioned to be a major motion picture.
Sean spent most of his childhood and teenage years on the move with his Scottish and Irish army Parents growing up in the likes of Cyprus, Germany, Wales, and England, as an army brat.
With a keen interest in both reading and writing, he was diagnosed with travel and writing bugs very early in life. Now, writing, travelling, reading, cinema, meditation, yoga and Scottish football (Supporting the mighty Hibernian for his sins) are his main passions in life.
So far Sean has 16 self-published works of fiction including his best selling kindle ebook 'My Sister and I' and 'The Old Man and The Princess'
Ask me any questions and be kept up to date about new books, and forthcoming releases by joining my Facebook and Instagram page below.
Screenwriting Accolades to date -
Winner of the Inroads Screenwriting Fellowship 2020 for his horror/thriller screenplay - Ugly Beautiful.
A finalist at the 2018 Nashville Film Festival Screenwriting competition for his road trip/fantasy/thriller screenplay 'The Old Man and The Princess.'
A finalist at Cinequest 2022 for my historical fantasy screenplay - The Pict.
A Finalist at the 2021 Bluecat Screenwriting competition for his horror/thriller screenplay - My Sister and I.
One of ten writers selected for the 2020 Nostos Screenwriting Retreat Scholarship in October for his latest Sci-Fi/Mystery screenplay - Sagarmatha
A finalist at the Filmatic Thriller Awards 2020 for his Action/Thriller screenplay - Cold Heart.
A finalist at the Filmatic TV Pilot Awards 2019 for his Action/Thriller screenplay - Cold Heart.
So far Sean has 16 self-published works of fiction including his best-selling Kindle ebooks 'My Sister and I' and 'The Old Man and The Princess'
Ask me any questions and be kept up to date about new books, and forthcoming releases by joining my Facebook and Instagram page below.
https://www.instagram.com/seanpaultho...
Best Selling Kindle Author of 'The Old Man and The Princess'
A new book just out - Audrey -
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
Sean is an author from Scotland. He is the best-selling Kindle Author of 'The Old Man and The Princess' which was recently optioned to be a major motion picture.
Sean spent most of his childhood and teenage years on the move with his Scottish and Irish army Parents growing up in the likes of Cyprus, Germany, Wales, and England, as an army brat.
With a keen interest in both reading and writing, he was diagnosed with travel and writing bugs very early in life. Now, writing, travelling, reading, cinema, meditation, yoga and Scottish football (Supporting the mighty Hibernian for his sins) are his main passions in life.
So far Sean has 16 self-published works of fiction including his best selling kindle ebook 'My Sister and I' and 'The Old Man and The Princess'
Ask me any questions and be kept up to date about new books, and forthcoming releases by joining my Facebook and Instagram page below.
Screenwriting Accolades to date -
Winner of the Inroads Screenwriting Fellowship 2020 for his horror/thriller screenplay - Ugly Beautiful.
A finalist at the 2018 Nashville Film Festival Screenwriting competition for his road trip/fantasy/thriller screenplay 'The Old Man and The Princess.'
A finalist at Cinequest 2022 for my historical fantasy screenplay - The Pict.
A Finalist at the 2021 Bluecat Screenwriting competition for his horror/thriller screenplay - My Sister and I.
One of ten writers selected for the 2020 Nostos Screenwriting Retreat Scholarship in October for his latest Sci-Fi/Mystery screenplay - Sagarmatha
A finalist at the Filmatic Thriller Awards 2020 for his Action/Thriller screenplay - Cold Heart.
A finalist at the Filmatic TV Pilot Awards 2019 for his Action/Thriller screenplay - Cold Heart.
So far Sean has 16 self-published works of fiction including his best-selling Kindle ebooks 'My Sister and I' and 'The Old Man and The Princess'
Ask me any questions and be kept up to date about new books, and forthcoming releases by joining my Facebook and Instagram page below.
https://www.instagram.com/seanpaultho...
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 26, 2019
***** This is a book kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. *****
This is a beautiful story about love, trust, the courage to take the chance and the stunning Edinburgh. Is very clear from all Sean books that he love his city. He describes it with such attention to important details, without boring you, he appreciates the history and the people who inhabit it. I find in Sean the best Edinburgh ambassador.
The book is written so well that you find yourself lost in the story, laughing at the jokes, empathizing with the characters, with emotion to discover what happens next.
The explication of the difference between sneaky and cheeky was in my opinion the most intelligent move to kiss a girl.
Thank you Sean for trusting me with your work!!!
This is a beautiful story about love, trust, the courage to take the chance and the stunning Edinburgh. Is very clear from all Sean books that he love his city. He describes it with such attention to important details, without boring you, he appreciates the history and the people who inhabit it. I find in Sean the best Edinburgh ambassador.
The book is written so well that you find yourself lost in the story, laughing at the jokes, empathizing with the characters, with emotion to discover what happens next.
The explication of the difference between sneaky and cheeky was in my opinion the most intelligent move to kiss a girl.
Thank you Sean for trusting me with your work!!!
January 9, 2018
NOW AVAILABLE AT $0.99!
Amazon Kindle Link
Sean-Paul Thomas's Once Upon A Time In Edinburgh is a stunning novella about second chances and choices.
This is not my usual cup of tea due to the type of romance the protagonists had between them, but it was stunningly earnest and delicate.
Even though almost the entirety of the book occured only in one day, both characters were able to express themselves gradually and thoroughly as they explored breath-taking Edinburgh. The book is very short but it had enough twists and revelations to make it interesting. There were even a lot of intriguing facts about the city that would make readers want to take a plane straight to Scotland.
If you're looking for a quick but beautiful read, then definitely check it out!
Amazon Kindle Link
Sean-Paul Thomas's Once Upon A Time In Edinburgh is a stunning novella about second chances and choices.
This is not my usual cup of tea due to the type of romance the protagonists had between them, but it was stunningly earnest and delicate.
Even though almost the entirety of the book occured only in one day, both characters were able to express themselves gradually and thoroughly as they explored breath-taking Edinburgh. The book is very short but it had enough twists and revelations to make it interesting. There were even a lot of intriguing facts about the city that would make readers want to take a plane straight to Scotland.
If you're looking for a quick but beautiful read, then definitely check it out!
April 16, 2016
Unique, Sweet & Intriguing! A Fascinating Read! I Loved It!
November 25, 2013
‘The Universe Doesn't Do Second Chances’ is a story which emphasizes living in the now, so while you may have regrets at least you've tried. Liam’s last day on Earth has him getting on a plane which ends up crashing. As it is going down, his thoughts are of the risks he never took in love throughout his lifetime. Liam wakes up back in 2004 and spends the day with Cheeky Czech Alex, a beautiful tourist whom he was hesitant to speak to the first time around. When his day with Alex is over, he wakes up and is back in high school on Cyprus with Sarah. Sarah is a pretty tomboy with family troubles and they quickly become close after a rocky start. Liam is an endearing character, with his flaws and foibles, who has lived a life unfulfilled in love. ‘The Universe Doesn't Do Second Chances’ is a sweet story of what might have been. I think it will appeal to most readers, especially considering we all have events in our love life where we wish we’d taken a risk.
Did not finish
March 24, 2018DNF @ 29%. This book had great potential. Seriously. The plot line had me like WOW but I just can’t click with the characters. I went to university in Scotland and one of my best friends as well as my cousin and his wife are from Edinburgh and I can safely tell you they do no talk like this character does. I’m pretty sure if they called me Missy at the end of every sentence I’d have stopped talking to them. Maybe I’ll try it again or maybe I won’t?
Did not finish
September 25, 2018This 'didnae' grab me - not awful just... moving on
i-tried
January 8, 2018It's about guy who gets a second chance with his whole life. For a change there's a guy who is not hot or cocky (my recent reads). He is quite insecure.
But the book failed to hold my attention. I may read it later but not now.
But the book failed to hold my attention. I may read it later but not now.
September 23, 2013
“For as long as I could remember I was never really that great with women…they were my stumbling blocks…Better to have tried and failed than never to have tried at all. Whoever came up with that phrase, I wanted his greasy head on a silver platter.” (3) Right from the start, our main protagonists lures the reader into a world of self-deprecating humor.
“My final thoughts weren't of my loving mother, my proud but stubborn father, my jolly cheery match maker sister or my average life and few friends back home in Edinburgh. Nor had I any thoughts of my dead end job, never ending bills, mortgages or my good health, my fitness, the places I'd always dreamed about travelling to and visiting one day but never found the time to do so…Instead, I found myself thinking about all those missed opportunities I'd had throughout my life with [girls].” (11)
This story is all about regret and resentment. There are no second chances in life, but what if…suddenly there were?
We follow the journey of Liam, a lonely and lovesick man, as he attempts to recapture those lost chances in fumbling ways. In part 1, we begin with Alexandra, the blonde on the bus. The two spend the day touring the Scottland landmarks while exchanging dry (and sometimes horrific) pleasantries. It was odd that so much was divulged in such a short time, like virginity loss and family death. The bulk of this segment was mainly focused on the constant togetherness of Liam and Alex, until finally their love combusts into a passionate night. Then…it’s over.
In part 2, Liam re-awakens in his 13-year old body. Re-living his innocent days of burrowing through caves and sorting through nudie magazines, Liam reacquaints himself with his old crush, Sarah—a brave, little tomboy. Together, they experience some wild adventures.
Written in reverse mode, this tale answers the “what if” questions in Liam’s life. I couldn’t help but enjoy Liam’s witty and naïve nature. His endearing gullibility, especially when it came to girls, was present throughout his lifespan. It was funny!
Although, at times, the various accents and expressions were difficult to comprehend, the characters were quirky and somewhat fascinating.
As I was reading, I couldn’t help but question how our hero was able to get this “second chance.” And how many was he getting? Was it just a dream? And why does he have trouble remembering?
What I liked best was the unique story line of time travel and re-living past moments. The writer definitely has a knack for stories.
The great message of the story was: No Regrets. Just go for it right NOW—not LATER—because you just never know... “That's what happens though when you sit back and don't go after what you want. You just never know what the hell might happen and what kind of adventures might pan out over that whole day in front of you, if you decide to take a risk.” (282)
Note: A few typos could’ve been corrected here and there. And then, of course, there’s…….the cliffhanger. Grrrrr!
“My final thoughts weren't of my loving mother, my proud but stubborn father, my jolly cheery match maker sister or my average life and few friends back home in Edinburgh. Nor had I any thoughts of my dead end job, never ending bills, mortgages or my good health, my fitness, the places I'd always dreamed about travelling to and visiting one day but never found the time to do so…Instead, I found myself thinking about all those missed opportunities I'd had throughout my life with [girls].” (11)
This story is all about regret and resentment. There are no second chances in life, but what if…suddenly there were?
We follow the journey of Liam, a lonely and lovesick man, as he attempts to recapture those lost chances in fumbling ways. In part 1, we begin with Alexandra, the blonde on the bus. The two spend the day touring the Scottland landmarks while exchanging dry (and sometimes horrific) pleasantries. It was odd that so much was divulged in such a short time, like virginity loss and family death. The bulk of this segment was mainly focused on the constant togetherness of Liam and Alex, until finally their love combusts into a passionate night. Then…it’s over.
In part 2, Liam re-awakens in his 13-year old body. Re-living his innocent days of burrowing through caves and sorting through nudie magazines, Liam reacquaints himself with his old crush, Sarah—a brave, little tomboy. Together, they experience some wild adventures.
Written in reverse mode, this tale answers the “what if” questions in Liam’s life. I couldn’t help but enjoy Liam’s witty and naïve nature. His endearing gullibility, especially when it came to girls, was present throughout his lifespan. It was funny!
Although, at times, the various accents and expressions were difficult to comprehend, the characters were quirky and somewhat fascinating.
As I was reading, I couldn’t help but question how our hero was able to get this “second chance.” And how many was he getting? Was it just a dream? And why does he have trouble remembering?
What I liked best was the unique story line of time travel and re-living past moments. The writer definitely has a knack for stories.
The great message of the story was: No Regrets. Just go for it right NOW—not LATER—because you just never know... “That's what happens though when you sit back and don't go after what you want. You just never know what the hell might happen and what kind of adventures might pan out over that whole day in front of you, if you decide to take a risk.” (282)
Note: A few typos could’ve been corrected here and there. And then, of course, there’s…….the cliffhanger. Grrrrr!
October 7, 2013
The unnamed narrator of our story spends the initial pages ranting about what a loser he is with women. He has lots of things he plans to say but never says them. He admires two particular women on a plane, both of whom he describes as very attractive, sexy gals but he seems paralyzed to act on his best intentions. Then things change quite dramatically. As the plane plunges the narrator to his death, he’s not doing the “life in a flash” routine but thinking about all those regrets about women he failed to embrace wholly.
No death descriptions follow, just a surrealistic awakening in a daze as Liam, our narrator, begins to describe a lovely story about a woman named Alexandra whom Liam meets on a bus. Is it real, a dream, a fantasy? You the reader must decide. Liam is on his game with Alexandra. Yes, he almost blows this chance as well but finally in a fortuitous moment they connect and Liam describes how he woos her. First they travel to all the loveliest, historic, and cultural places in Edinburgh, Scotland that make the reader want to visit there because of Liam’s short but intriguing descriptions. Their conversation is witty, sarcastic, intellectual, sad, and finally endearing. They’ve both made their mistakes in love and both have enough differences to spark the interest of the other. This budding relationship goes where we think it will and then something occurs that the reader may think inevitable, contrived, or excruciating – depending on one’s own propensities and beliefs about true, undying love!
We then read about one of Liam’s first real teenage love, Sarah. We share their wild, daring adventures as Sarah is a feisty, tomboyish girl who thinks nothing of scaring the daylights out of Liam, looking out for worms and other creatures, discovering a stash of wine, enjoying a playful yet titillating kiss, and more. But the stories that they share are sad indeed in between the child-like scenes. The balance is perfect and quite memorable! After they lose each other through a violent battle involving Sarah’s father, they meet again later and part.
We all learn to love; it’s not an innate skill that automatically blossoms! It’s mixed with the ups and downs of gritty life and to be eagerly anticipated and embraced at each opportunity that appears. This is Sean-Paul Thomas’s motif told in roller-coaster fashion at times and others like a smooth, graceful ride down a Viennese canal, true romance! But who’s to say what’s true and what’s all wrong? This unusual novel will entertain you but also leave you reflecting about your own love journeys that didn’t happen but happened. It’s a reflection on making sense out of what seems impossible – it’s love!
Very nicely crafted contemporary fiction, Sean-Paul Thomas!
No death descriptions follow, just a surrealistic awakening in a daze as Liam, our narrator, begins to describe a lovely story about a woman named Alexandra whom Liam meets on a bus. Is it real, a dream, a fantasy? You the reader must decide. Liam is on his game with Alexandra. Yes, he almost blows this chance as well but finally in a fortuitous moment they connect and Liam describes how he woos her. First they travel to all the loveliest, historic, and cultural places in Edinburgh, Scotland that make the reader want to visit there because of Liam’s short but intriguing descriptions. Their conversation is witty, sarcastic, intellectual, sad, and finally endearing. They’ve both made their mistakes in love and both have enough differences to spark the interest of the other. This budding relationship goes where we think it will and then something occurs that the reader may think inevitable, contrived, or excruciating – depending on one’s own propensities and beliefs about true, undying love!
We then read about one of Liam’s first real teenage love, Sarah. We share their wild, daring adventures as Sarah is a feisty, tomboyish girl who thinks nothing of scaring the daylights out of Liam, looking out for worms and other creatures, discovering a stash of wine, enjoying a playful yet titillating kiss, and more. But the stories that they share are sad indeed in between the child-like scenes. The balance is perfect and quite memorable! After they lose each other through a violent battle involving Sarah’s father, they meet again later and part.
We all learn to love; it’s not an innate skill that automatically blossoms! It’s mixed with the ups and downs of gritty life and to be eagerly anticipated and embraced at each opportunity that appears. This is Sean-Paul Thomas’s motif told in roller-coaster fashion at times and others like a smooth, graceful ride down a Viennese canal, true romance! But who’s to say what’s true and what’s all wrong? This unusual novel will entertain you but also leave you reflecting about your own love journeys that didn’t happen but happened. It’s a reflection on making sense out of what seems impossible – it’s love!
Very nicely crafted contemporary fiction, Sean-Paul Thomas!
August 9, 2014
The spiel was promising but the book did not live up to it. The part with Alex especially is a bit unbelievable. A Slovak visiting britain for the first time, learnt English form films and Aged teachers yet can flirt, use sarcasm, witty rejoinders etc. Neither of the stories feel was if they are going anywhere. To top it all I HATE books that finish without really knowing what has happened. Did he choose to stay on or go off the plane, did he dream or really undergo the plane crash. It says he died in the plane crash in the blurb but ......
September 2, 2013
A heartbreaking yet endearing tale of love.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews