Reviews

With Love from London by Sarah Jio

vlreid's review

5.0

With Love from London included many of my favorite things in a book: a librarian, a charming bookshop, the story set in London, and mother/daughter relationships. I love how the alternating chapters slowly unfold the individual stories of Eloise (the mother) and Valentina (the daughter). We gradually understand the events and rationale behind the choices that Eloise made. Even though Primrose Hill is a section of London, it has a delightful small-town, neighborhood feel to it. The book evokes a wide range of emotions, and is beautifully written. This is my first book by Sarah Jio, but you can be sure that I will be reading many more!!

I received an ARC from NetGalley -- thank you so much!!

Read more of my reviews at https://thegoodreader13.blogspot.com/.

bookwormmelissa's review against another edition

4.0

Thank you to Netgalley and Ballantine Books for the opportunity to read and review this book prior to publication.

I picked this up as a bit of an escape from the heavier books I am reading at the moment, and I was immediately sucked in. Valentina is a librarian in the US and she inherits her estranged mother's bookshop (and the two flats above it) in London upon her mother's passing. Recovering from her own failed marriage, she sees it as an opportunity to escape and to try to understand why her mother left so long ago. This is a dual timeline story with alternating chapters from her mother's POV. Valentina follows the scavenger hunt her mother prepared, which takes her to meet many in the neighborhood and get to know important people in her mother's life. This book is a book-lover's dream, with so many references to the power of books, favorite books, the importance of a bookstore in a community, etc. But it is also heartbreaking as Jio explores Eloise's and Valentina's grief. I had a couple little issues with things in the text, but overall this was a huggable book! 4.5 stars.

asreadbycourtney's review

slow-paced

2.25

tmyers3's review

funny hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

erins11's review

emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

aziazebryna's review

3.0

The book was just okay! It was definitely a cute, and heart warming story but nothing to write home about.

coveredbychristine's review

3.0

Definitely a 3.5 ⭐️ The story was sweet with all the ingredients of a tragic romance.

juliamikhno's review

5.0

5

erinbrook's review against another edition

4.0

I'm soooo glad I picked this up. There was so much about it that angered me (I can't discuss without spoiling) but when I immersed myself in the book and read it for what it is--a story--I absolutely fell in love. Now please give me a sequel because I LOVE these people!

theavidreaderandbibliophile's review

4.0

After being dumped by her husband of twelve years, Valentina learns that her mother has passed. Valentina has not seen nor heard from her mother since she was twelve years old. Valentina is told that she has inherited a building in the Primrose Hill neighborhood of London, England that contains two apartments and a bookshop. As a librarian, Valentina finds the idea of owning a bookshop appealing. Books have always helped her through the rough moments of her life. Valentine arrives at the Book Garden and meets Millie, her mother’s best friends and Liza, a tenant. When Valentina finds her favorite book in the shop, she opens it to find an envelope with her name on it. Her mother has left her one last scavenger hunt. Valentina hopes this will allow her to learn more about her mother and why she left all those years ago without a word. Valentina receives word for the solicitors that the death taxes are higher than expected. If she wants to keep the Book Garden, Valentina along with Millie and Liza must find a way to raise the funds. Can Valentina save the bookshop, and will she learn what she needs to know about her elusive mother? With Love from London by Sarah Jio is a dual timeline novel. We get Valentina’s story which is set in 2013 and Eloise’s story that begins in 1968. I normally have a hard time with novels that have multiple timelines, but Sarah Jio made it flow beautifully. I was able to go from one section to the other without difficulty. I thought With Love from London was well-written with realistic characters. I enjoyed the vivid descriptions of London’s Primrose Hill neighborhood. I loved how Valentina and other characters just loved books. It is always wonderful when you meet a fellow reader and booklover. My favorite quote is, “There’s absolutely nothing wrong with having too many books.” Another delightful quote is “…a favorite book is like an old friend, waiting for you with open arms.” With Love from London is a poignant novel. There are a couple of scenes where you will want to ensure that you have a tissue handy. The romances were touching, and one was amusing. I enjoyed the humor sprinkled throughout the story. There was, though, some predictability to the tale. There were a couple of items that I figured out early on and then waited to see if my guesses would come to fruition. The ending left me with a smile on my face. I look forward to reading each new Sarah Jio novel and she did not disappoint with this one. If you love romance, books, and people who love books, then With Love from London is the right novel for you.