Come Again

Kate, a computer security specialist, wakes up one morning to find her husband Luke has been dead for over a year. She has no memory of the past 16 months since his death from a brain tumor and must piece together what happened during this lost time. The story takes an unexpected turn when Kate discovers she can travel back in time to 1992, the year she first met Luke at university. She's given a chance to prevent his death by identifying the tumor decades earlier, but changing the past proves more complex than anticipated. The narrative moves between past and present as Kate navigates both timeframes, dealing with grief and loss while racing against time to save the love of her life. The plot combines elements of romance, mystery, and science fiction with moments of humor throughout. This debut novel explores themes of memory, grief, and the question of whether we would choose to change our past if given the chance. The story examines how people cope with loss and what lengths they might go to for love, while questioning if some things are meant to remain unchanged.

Readers note the book struggles to find its genre identity, shifting between romance, sci-fi, grief narrative, and thriller. Many describe it as uneven but entertaining. Readers appreciated: - The authentic portrayal of grief and loss - Sharp, witty dialogue reminiscent of Webb's comedy - The London setting details - The unconventional take on time travel - Clear, readable prose style Common criticisms: - Plot becomes convoluted in final third - Secondary characters lack depth - Romance elements feel forced - Time travel rules are inconsistent - Marketing misrepresented the book's tone Ratings: Goodreads: 3.6/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon UK: 4/5 (850+ ratings) Amazon US: 3.7/5 (150+ ratings) One reader called it "a grief story disguised as science fiction." Another noted it's "more melancholic than the cover suggests." Multiple reviews mentioned expecting a lighter comedy based on Webb's background but getting a darker, more complex story.

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🔹 Robert Webb first gained fame as a comedian, particularly for his role in the British sitcom "Peep Show" alongside David Mitchell, making Come Again his debut work of fiction. 🔹 The novel's setting in York University draws from Webb's own experiences there, where he was a member of the Footlights drama club and met his future comedy partner David Mitchell. 🔹 The time travel element in Come Again was partly inspired by Webb's own reflections on mortality following his emergency heart surgery in 2019. 🔹 Despite being primarily known for comedy, Webb had previously written a memoir titled "How Not To Be a Boy" (2017), which dealt with serious themes of gender roles and masculinity. 🔹 The book was released during the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown, with Webb conducting his entire book tour virtually through online platforms.