Thanks Netgalley for the copy of this fun-filled book. I chose to read this book for its funny description that's mostly centered on wandering around the streets of London. I can picture myself doing that myself, and just reading through the plot teleports you to the very spot. Lovely read, indeed.

After having read "Falling for London" I could easily imagine Sean Mallen on the top of a mountain wielding a sword as he simultaneously fights three battles, his job as a journalist, his family and his landlord. (I suspect the landlord was his fiercest opponent).

As a Canadian journalist, it was Sean Mallen's lifelong dream to live the life of an expat in London. The museums, the pageantry, the travel and the food were irresistibly luring him to the other side of the pond.

Battle No. 1 - wife and daughter. Not amused. Isabella, his wife was not going to give up their friends, newly renovated kitchen and successful career. Julia, his daughter ditto (except for the kitchen and career).

Battle No. 2 - Frequent travel to assignments to other countries would inevitably lead to an emotional tug of war and threats of "don't expect to find us when you come back". Trying to find a balance between work and family proved to be a greater challenge than he expected. (don't ask about Ryanair)

Battle No. 3 - The landlord (aided and abetted by lying real-estate agents and inept repairmen) pretty much held the family hostage through intimidation and bureaucracy.

Was it worth it all? Though there were plenty of tears of frustration, eventually the family would come to terms with London. Sean Mallen seems to find humour even in the dourest of situations. You really had to feel for a guy who seemed to be always trying to do his best to keep his life on an even keel. I really enjoyed reading the accounts of his trips to different countries while reporting the news. His writing style is both informative and entertaining.

As a fellow Canadian, I could sympathize with the Mallen family travails as they slowly navigated the waters of living the life of an expat. Well done, eh!

This author feels about London as I do. Too many people, overpriced housing, streets which never lead to where you expect - Brent Cross station is no where close to Brent Cross shopping centre etc and so I did enjoy his moaning. And the use of "mate" haha. But I did find him a bit negative! There was a stark diffrence to him having tried to get to London before, the city he always wanted to work and his lack of knowledge of the basic things you would need to know. His poor family! This moving abroad is hard enough when you're single but doing it and uprooting yoru family must be tricky so that was an interesting angle to see. Reading this as an English person, through the eyes of a Canadian was an eye-opener. Two weeks to prepare though? Not sure an international company should be forgetting to do that. And as for the places outside of London....Sean doesn't like much in the UK it seems. But it starts to grow on him and as he gets assignments outside the city he sees it through new eyes. London has quite the effect on people and to see the view through the eyes of an international correspondant was interesting!

I am guilty as charged... I judge books by their covers... especially the ones I request for reviewing...

This book is not what I expected from it's cover... I'm not sure why... or even what I expected... it just wasn't what I thought it would be :c)

This is not just a travel memoir-there is a lot of information about the history and culture of London and Great Britain that is very interesting to read. There is also humor and family drama as Sean and his wife and daughter begin living in London and learn to love it.

I liked this book, because I love travel and London. I did not like the author's wife! His life must be miserable! I certainly recommend it to other readers who like travel experience books.