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bookishbcgirl's review
3.0
-friends to lovers
-London & New York city settings
-time jumps and larger time frame
This one just missed the mark for me. I didn't find either Jenny or Nick very likeable. I wanted them to just communicate better and figure their stuff out. This dragged on was longer than necessary. I didn't love the time jumps; all of a sudden we'd be a few years into the future and have to figure out what was going on based on the context. It just seemed messy and disorganized, and not necessarily easy to follow.
That being said, it did give me major "One Day in December" by Josie Silver vibes, and that one I adored. It gets 2.5 stars because I did manage to finish it, and I was happy with how the ending wrapped up.
-London & New York city settings
-time jumps and larger time frame
This one just missed the mark for me. I didn't find either Jenny or Nick very likeable. I wanted them to just communicate better and figure their stuff out. This dragged on was longer than necessary. I didn't love the time jumps; all of a sudden we'd be a few years into the future and have to figure out what was going on based on the context. It just seemed messy and disorganized, and not necessarily easy to follow.
That being said, it did give me major "One Day in December" by Josie Silver vibes, and that one I adored. It gets 2.5 stars because I did manage to finish it, and I was happy with how the ending wrapped up.
laurasbookjourney's review
4.0
I received a free advanced reader copy of London, With Love in return for my honest opinion of this book. Thank you to Hodder & Stoughton and Sarra Manning for allowing me to read this before it’s release date of 5th May 2022.
London, With Love follows the story of Jennifer and Nick over a thirty five year period, encapsulating the highs and lows of life throughout a tumultuous period of history. Manning does not shy away from tackling events such as the tragedy of 9/11, which only serves to add to the depth of her characters as they respond to key historical moments from the past.
Throughout the book we see Jennifer grow up on the streets of London, a city which is portrayed in the most beautiful manner, highlighting the authors love of the city. I found it easy to follow the flow of time throughout, capturing the essence of each decade well as Jennifer and Nick navigated life. Though their relationship was in no way easy, their struggles and development throughout the years made for excellent reading.
I connected well with Jennifer whilst reading and particularly enjoyed the progression of her career, finding it natural and a realistic portrayal, not everyone instantly achieves their ideal career, and it does not always pan out exactly how anyone plans. I enjoyed the friendships she formed over time, and I empathised with her struggles.
For me, I felt Nick had more flaws than endearing characteristics, and while he did grow as a person, I feel it took a long time and I did not fully connect with him. There were moments where I began to warm to him, but he would then make a choice that showed he had not grown as much as I hoped. It takes a drastic decision from Jen for Nick to grow up and stop acting like a teenage boy. However, I enjoyed seeing him progress through the years, even if his actions frustrated me at times!
Unfortunately, the one character I was not struck on was George, I personally found him to be stereotypical and he fell flat compared to the rest of the characters.
I will note, this book does feature M/C’s cheating on their partners at one point in the book, as I know this can be off-putting for some people.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and it was a pleasant read, this was my first book by Sarra Manning and I will definitely be giving some of her other books a try.
London, With Love follows the story of Jennifer and Nick over a thirty five year period, encapsulating the highs and lows of life throughout a tumultuous period of history. Manning does not shy away from tackling events such as the tragedy of 9/11, which only serves to add to the depth of her characters as they respond to key historical moments from the past.
Throughout the book we see Jennifer grow up on the streets of London, a city which is portrayed in the most beautiful manner, highlighting the authors love of the city. I found it easy to follow the flow of time throughout, capturing the essence of each decade well as Jennifer and Nick navigated life. Though their relationship was in no way easy, their struggles and development throughout the years made for excellent reading.
I connected well with Jennifer whilst reading and particularly enjoyed the progression of her career, finding it natural and a realistic portrayal, not everyone instantly achieves their ideal career, and it does not always pan out exactly how anyone plans. I enjoyed the friendships she formed over time, and I empathised with her struggles.
For me, I felt Nick had more flaws than endearing characteristics, and while he did grow as a person, I feel it took a long time and I did not fully connect with him. There were moments where I began to warm to him, but he would then make a choice that showed he had not grown as much as I hoped. It takes a drastic decision from Jen for Nick to grow up and stop acting like a teenage boy. However, I enjoyed seeing him progress through the years, even if his actions frustrated me at times!
Unfortunately, the one character I was not struck on was George, I personally found him to be stereotypical and he fell flat compared to the rest of the characters.
I will note, this book does feature M/C’s cheating on their partners at one point in the book, as I know this can be off-putting for some people.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and it was a pleasant read, this was my first book by Sarra Manning and I will definitely be giving some of her other books a try.
boekengeluk's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
l_ah_c's review against another edition
5.0
This book was an absolute delight. I LOVE a romance where the characters can't get their timing right - so much pining and longing it just makes my heart ache for them in the best possible way.
I loved that both Jen and Nick have their flaws and I also really enjoyed the chapters divided into times and locations. If you're familiar with London it really helps you imagine the scenes and gives context to the situation as you follow the timeline of their lives.
This is a story that is rich in detail and emotion and had me invested from the start.
Big thanks to Netgalley/ Hodder & Stoughton for the ARC.
I loved that both Jen and Nick have their flaws and I also really enjoyed the chapters divided into times and locations. If you're familiar with London it really helps you imagine the scenes and gives context to the situation as you follow the timeline of their lives.
This is a story that is rich in detail and emotion and had me invested from the start.
Big thanks to Netgalley/ Hodder & Stoughton for the ARC.
kristennel's review
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
joym13's review against another edition
5.0
Perfect Slow burn
Friends to lovers, mutual pining and slow burn are all my favorite tropes so this book checked all the right marks for me. The characters living through and dealing with real life events helped bring me into the story but these real life events could be triggering to some readers so definitely pay attention to the dates.
Friends to lovers, mutual pining and slow burn are all my favorite tropes so this book checked all the right marks for me. The characters living through and dealing with real life events helped bring me into the story but these real life events could be triggering to some readers so definitely pay attention to the dates.
carmen_jimenezv's review against another edition
5.0
I had this book sitting on my shelf for a long time and I am not sure why I didn't read it sooner. What a delightful story!
London, With Love revolves around Jennifer and Nick, two completely different people who met when they were teenagers and still have something between them as the years go by. It seems like they never can find the right timing so... are they destined to be together or not?
A great read, funny and tender and incredibly passionate. I loved every minute of it! And let's not forget that the book it's also a love letter to the glorious city of London - what else could you possible want?
London, With Love revolves around Jennifer and Nick, two completely different people who met when they were teenagers and still have something between them as the years go by. It seems like they never can find the right timing so... are they destined to be together or not?
A great read, funny and tender and incredibly passionate. I loved every minute of it! And let's not forget that the book it's also a love letter to the glorious city of London - what else could you possible want?
kirstenellang's review against another edition
2.0
Big London kiss to NetGalley, Sarra Manning and Hodder & Stoughton for an advanced copy of this book !
The miscommunication plot stresses me the hell out, and that is essentially a very large part of this books plot so I remained stressed throughout this book. The premise is cute and the first part showed real promise to me: two indie pretentious kids falling in love `! PLEASE !!!!! The romance (besides the two main characters being slightly insufferable was cute) Did I want more of the two of them happily ever after ? Yes !! But I was pretty happy with how the book was going, and then...
And then I saw the date 9/9/01 and I went no, and then I texted my friend going I know what this book is going to do and then it did what I thought it was going to do. AND THEN I saw the date 7/7/05 and I went not again and yes again it did happen. When I started reading this book did I expect the protagonists to get caught up in 2 (TWO) terrorist attacks? no. Did I like that they got caught up in 2 (TWO) terrorist attacks? no. Did I feel like it was cheesy and there could have been a better and more enjoyable way for these protagonists to sort out their issues? Yes !!!! A terrorist attack should probably be a big thing in a book especially a romance book. To chuck two in there ultimately serving the same purpose lessens the impact and makes me now refer to this book as 'that one romance book with 2 (TWO) terrorist attacks what the fuck I did not see that coming from the description.)
The miscommunication plot stresses me the hell out, and that is essentially a very large part of this books plot so I remained stressed throughout this book. The premise is cute and the first part showed real promise to me: two indie pretentious kids falling in love `! PLEASE !!!!! The romance (besides the two main characters being slightly insufferable was cute) Did I want more of the two of them happily ever after ? Yes !! But I was pretty happy with how the book was going, and then...
And then I saw the date 9/9/01 and I went no, and then I texted my friend going I know what this book is going to do and then it did what I thought it was going to do. AND THEN I saw the date 7/7/05 and I went not again and yes again it did happen. When I started reading this book did I expect the protagonists to get caught up in 2 (TWO) terrorist attacks? no. Did I like that they got caught up in 2 (TWO) terrorist attacks? no. Did I feel like it was cheesy and there could have been a better and more enjoyable way for these protagonists to sort out their issues? Yes !!!! A terrorist attack should probably be a big thing in a book especially a romance book. To chuck two in there ultimately serving the same purpose lessens the impact and makes me now refer to this book as 'that one romance book with 2 (TWO) terrorist attacks what the fuck I did not see that coming from the description.)
scottishlindsay's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0