Tucker Madison’s TOUCH: The Tumbles and Turns of Time Manipulation is a mind-bending, emotional journey that plays with the idea of time in a way that is both deeply personal and scientifically intriguing. The novel follows Cillian Cole, a radiologist whose migraines lead him to an experimental treatment that inadvertently unlocks an ability to manipulate time though not in the traditional sci-fi sense of building a machine. Instead, Cillian experiences a series of déjà vu-like flashes that allow him to send memories back to his younger self. This revelation sets off a cascade of existential questions and moral dilemmas as he tries to use this power to prevent tragedy, particularly for his childhood hero and friend, Shawn. As Cillian navigates shifting realities, the novel asks whether changing the past is truly possible or if fate has a way of course-correcting.

One of the most compelling aspects of the book is its treatment of time not as a rigid sequence but as something malleable through memory and consciousness. Madison crafts some truly arresting moments, like when Cillian suddenly has two versions of the past in his mind: one where his medical school canoe trip photos were ruined, and another where they survived because he subconsciously knew to bring a dry bag. That small ripple effect makes the whole concept feel eerily plausible. The writing during these moments is hypnotic, capturing the surreal quality of memory itself. The novel doesn’t bombard the reader with heavy scientific jargon, but rather plays with the idea in a way that feels instinctive like something we’ve all felt in those weird, uncanny moments of déjà vu.

Where the novel really shines is in its emotional depth. Cillian’s relationships particularly with Shawn and later with Mary ground the sci-fi elements in something deeply human. The football scenes between Young Cillian and Shawn are electric, especially the moment of his first big catch, where time slows to an almost supernatural degree. That moment becomes a portal of sorts, something that Cillian later revisits as he tries to change Shawn’s fate. The novel is laced with nostalgia, regret, and a longing for second chances, making it feel less like a traditional time-travel story and more like a meditation on memory and loss. The relationship between Cillian and Mary, which develops through an altered timeline, is equally compelling, giving the novel a love story that feels both earned and deeply romantic.

As Cillian grapples with the implications of his power, there’s an underlying question of how far he should go. The scene where he visits an older, memory-damaged Shawn is heartbreaking, especially when Shawn fails to recognize his own wife, Peggy. It forces Cillian and the reader to ask whether altering the past is always the right thing to do or if the consequences are too unpredictable. The book is at its best when it wrestles with these questions, making the reader feel the weight of Cillian’s choices. The ethical dilemmas feel real because they’re rooted in personal stakes rather than grand, world-saving missions.

TOUCH is an engrossing, thought-provoking read that blends science fiction with deep emotional resonance. Madison crafts a story that is as much about the physics of time as it is about the fragility of human connection. This book is perfect for anyone who loves time manipulation with a strong emotional core. It makes you wonder: if you could whisper advice to your younger self, would you? And even more importantly, should you?

Pages: 160 | ASIN : B0CX96ZTQQ