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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
Very little of this story is realistic but it's an easy read in a lovely London village and the two timelines are clearly identified by time and place. When the author finally reveals all, however, it's frustrating because so much of the story would never need to happen the way it does. Some elements are unnecessarily complex and others are overly simplified. The audiobook narration is not to my liking - the lead American accent is sing-songy, the English accents not English enough, and only one male character sounds like a man, but the characterization is also at fault because none of the male characters ring true.
I enjoyed this story and audiobook, but don't think it was anything to rave about.
3/5
Valentina is Recently divorced and her mother has recently passed away. She is contacted and finds out that she inherited the bookstore her mother, Eloise, owned. Valentina and her mother were estranged after her mother left her in LA when she was only 12. When Valentina gets to her mother's store in Primrose Hill, she finds a note that leads her on a scavenger hunt that helps Valentina learn to love the bookstore, the town, and revealing the real reason why she left all those years ago.
While reading this book you get to see the current timeline of Valentina in London, and the past timeline of Eloise's love story and what happened with Valentina's father. The audiobook was great since it did have two narrators. This story of Valentina in London was really enjoyable. I did find Eloise's story a little unbelievable and sad. I wanted to yell at her to stand up for herself so many times. The setting of Primrose Hill was beautiful and I did love the bookstore, but I just wanted more from Eloise.
3/5
Valentina is Recently divorced and her mother has recently passed away. She is contacted and finds out that she inherited the bookstore her mother, Eloise, owned. Valentina and her mother were estranged after her mother left her in LA when she was only 12. When Valentina gets to her mother's store in Primrose Hill, she finds a note that leads her on a scavenger hunt that helps Valentina learn to love the bookstore, the town, and revealing the real reason why she left all those years ago.
While reading this book you get to see the current timeline of Valentina in London, and the past timeline of Eloise's love story and what happened with Valentina's father. The audiobook was great since it did have two narrators. This story of Valentina in London was really enjoyable. I did find Eloise's story a little unbelievable and sad. I wanted to yell at her to stand up for herself so many times. The setting of Primrose Hill was beautiful and I did love the bookstore, but I just wanted more from Eloise.
I liked this one, but it’s a bit deeper than your average rom-com.
Valentina, a librarian going through a divorce (in her early 30s) moves to London from Seattle when she receives word that her mom (not in the picture since she was 12) has bequeathed her a bookstore in London. She falls in love with the store (as well as the community of Primrose Hill) but must find a way to save it from taxes while she tries to make sense of her mom’s abandonment.
Two things I loved most from this story, her mom’s use of a scavenger hunt (through letters left with clues) to explain the past, and the characters in the neighborhood who loved the store as well as her mom. It is told from the perspective of both Valentina and her mom (Eloise), and it’s not all sunshine and roses. But it was a pleasure to read (even with shedding a few tears).
My sincere thanks to #NetGalley, #BallantineBooks, and #SarahJio for providing me the free early arc of #WithLoveFromLondon for review. The opinions are strictly my own.
Valentina, a librarian going through a divorce (in her early 30s) moves to London from Seattle when she receives word that her mom (not in the picture since she was 12) has bequeathed her a bookstore in London. She falls in love with the store (as well as the community of Primrose Hill) but must find a way to save it from taxes while she tries to make sense of her mom’s abandonment.
Two things I loved most from this story, her mom’s use of a scavenger hunt (through letters left with clues) to explain the past, and the characters in the neighborhood who loved the store as well as her mom. It is told from the perspective of both Valentina and her mom (Eloise), and it’s not all sunshine and roses. But it was a pleasure to read (even with shedding a few tears).
My sincere thanks to #NetGalley, #BallantineBooks, and #SarahJio for providing me the free early arc of #WithLoveFromLondon for review. The opinions are strictly my own.
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Läs min recension på bloggen: https://www.fiktiviteter.se/2022/11/10/boktradgarden-i-primrose-hill-av-sarah-jio/
I really enjoyed this book. Was surprised the story was told from 2 points of view. However it was interesting moving between present day to past.Will try another book by this author.
“What makes books more special than, say, a movie, is that you can hold them. When your own world feels bleak, a book is a portal to anywhere. You can hide within the pages, linger there for comfort or protection.”
Valentina’s mother, Eloise, takes a trip to London when Val is eleven and never returns. Now in her thirties, reeling from a recent divorce, Valentina travels to London after learning that her mother left her the deed to her Primrose Hill apartment and the Book Garden. Having felt abandoned since childhood, Val is not sure what awaits her when she arrives. She soon discovers that Eloise left a scavenger hunt for her and as Valentina searches for the clues, she learns her mother is not the woman she thought she was. As pieces of a layered, complicated, heart wrenching puzzle come together, Valentina learns about the woman her mother was and the impact she had on her community through a magical local bookstore. A bookstore Val is determined to save from financial ruin. Such a fun, sweet read. Devoured in one night.
Valentina’s mother, Eloise, takes a trip to London when Val is eleven and never returns. Now in her thirties, reeling from a recent divorce, Valentina travels to London after learning that her mother left her the deed to her Primrose Hill apartment and the Book Garden. Having felt abandoned since childhood, Val is not sure what awaits her when she arrives. She soon discovers that Eloise left a scavenger hunt for her and as Valentina searches for the clues, she learns her mother is not the woman she thought she was. As pieces of a layered, complicated, heart wrenching puzzle come together, Valentina learns about the woman her mother was and the impact she had on her community through a magical local bookstore. A bookstore Val is determined to save from financial ruin. Such a fun, sweet read. Devoured in one night.
2.75. Almost DNF’ed it multiple times… probably would have if I wasn’t listening to the audiobook. I’m too cynical and jaded to enjoy romance novels, and didn’t realize that’s what this would be when I started it. Meh.
medium-paced