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snbarnett's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
tony21's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
pam2375's review
5.0
WOW, what can I say about this wonderful book? Let me start by saying that I love Sarah Jio books and it has been a while since I've read one by her. When I sat down with this one, it simply felt like I was sitting down with an old friend. So if you have a few hours to spend with an old friend, preorder this one today.
This is a story of love, friendship, books, heart break, books, mystery, lost love, books, and everything in between. I whole heartedly recommend this to just about anyone.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Ballantine Books for this advanced readers copy. This book is scheduled for release February 8, 2022.
This is a story of love, friendship, books, heart break, books, mystery, lost love, books, and everything in between. I whole heartedly recommend this to just about anyone.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Ballantine Books for this advanced readers copy. This book is scheduled for release February 8, 2022.
booksadoodle's review
4.0
This was an adorable read. A bit of a slow build for me, but once going, I quickly became engrossed with the characters and story, and found myself trying to guess the ending until a phrase in the book literally said that there was no point in guessing at the ending, and to turn each page and let the story unfold! Fabulous advice!
babeard's review
4.0
4.1⭐️ I really only read this book because my MIL gave it to me, I was pleasantly surprised! I didn’t love these characters journeys because it was a little sad, but I enjoyed the read!
kaos127's review
adventurous
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
pazley's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
mbkarapcik's review
4.0
For anyone looking for a romance with heart, Sarah Jio's latest book, With Love from London, provides plenty. Valentina inherits her estranged mother Eloise's apartment and bookstore in the quaint Primrose Hill neighborhood.
With her mother's death and a gut-wrenching divorce behind her, she finds no other choice but to fly to England and discover what's awaiting her overseas. She's hoping to find answers about why her mother disappeared from their California home when Val was merely 12 years old and if a new life in London could be the answer to her woes.
I've read all of Jio's books and even remember her articles from Glamour magazine way back when. I love her writing style and the stories she comes up with, many times about lost love and finding new love along the way. This story provides two plotlines, one about Eloise and what led up to her leaving Val, and Val's current story. You'll meet a range of different characters with Val's new neighborhood and bookstore the shining stars of the book.
Although at times I could predict where the plot was going, I found this story entertaining. Sometimes, the book feels sad, but it's really a love story between a mother and a daughter. In fact, this book encompasses many love stories including the love of bookstores, which is right up my alley. One of the major plot points is about the bookstore, a dream of Eloise's that threatens to be stolen away from librarian Val.
This is perfect for the upcoming Valentine's Day (could this be why Valentina is named as such?), book lovers, and will renew your faith that love is alive in many forms and in unexpected ways. Despite some sad or tragic circumstances, the story will warm your heart. Like I said, I've read all of Jio's books, so I was eager to read this, and I was not disappointed. Maybe it's my great love of a good bookstore and books in general, but I think this is one of her best.
Thank you Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine Books for an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! It was a pleasure!
With her mother's death and a gut-wrenching divorce behind her, she finds no other choice but to fly to England and discover what's awaiting her overseas. She's hoping to find answers about why her mother disappeared from their California home when Val was merely 12 years old and if a new life in London could be the answer to her woes.
I've read all of Jio's books and even remember her articles from Glamour magazine way back when. I love her writing style and the stories she comes up with, many times about lost love and finding new love along the way. This story provides two plotlines, one about Eloise and what led up to her leaving Val, and Val's current story. You'll meet a range of different characters with Val's new neighborhood and bookstore the shining stars of the book.
Although at times I could predict where the plot was going, I found this story entertaining. Sometimes, the book feels sad, but it's really a love story between a mother and a daughter. In fact, this book encompasses many love stories including the love of bookstores, which is right up my alley. One of the major plot points is about the bookstore, a dream of Eloise's that threatens to be stolen away from librarian Val.
This is perfect for the upcoming Valentine's Day (could this be why Valentina is named as such?), book lovers, and will renew your faith that love is alive in many forms and in unexpected ways. Despite some sad or tragic circumstances, the story will warm your heart. Like I said, I've read all of Jio's books, so I was eager to read this, and I was not disappointed. Maybe it's my great love of a good bookstore and books in general, but I think this is one of her best.
Thank you Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine Books for an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! It was a pleasure!
irareads's review
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This novel was inspired by Maeve Binchy’s books and as someone who read and loved Maeve Binchy’s warm and endearing novels, I can say this is not it.
- It was a caricature of cringey characters and tropes dressed in a trench coat of cozy romance.
- All the characters were dull and two dimensional. Eloise’s pov wasn’t even necessary to the story and felt like very much a filler.
- The motivations and plot were just so predictable and unrealistic. Like you’re really going to pine for 30 years for a guy you spent 3 seconds with and do absolutely nothing about it?
- The love interests were as swooney as a soggy 2 days in the fridge fried eggplant (this is for the British people reading this haha)
- Also can we retire the hating on the love interest current gf trope as an excuse to shove him into the arms of the much more suitable not like other girls main character? It’s getting real old.
As evident from this review, I didn’t enjoy this book. Save yourself the time and go read an actual Maeve Binchy novel to see how it’s properly done.
- It was a caricature of cringey characters and tropes dressed in a trench coat of cozy romance.
- All the characters were dull and two dimensional. Eloise’s pov wasn’t even necessary to the story and felt like very much a filler.
- The motivations and plot were just so predictable and unrealistic. Like you’re really going to pine for 30 years for a guy you spent 3 seconds with and do absolutely nothing about it?
- The love interests were as swooney as a soggy 2 days in the fridge fried eggplant (this is for the British people reading this haha)
- Also can we retire the hating on the love interest current gf trope as an excuse to shove him into the arms of the much more suitable not like other girls main character? It’s getting real old.
As evident from this review, I didn’t enjoy this book. Save yourself the time and go read an actual Maeve Binchy novel to see how it’s properly done.
lesendeslebens's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75