Member Reviews
This was a book that I read about 2-10 chapters, liked it, but never picked it back up.
Do I remember why I put it down? No. It didn’t grab me enough to keep going, but I do remember it was enjoyable.
It’s a DNFN (did not finish for now) just because one day I’ll start back at page one, but today is not that day.
I enjoyed the story of a woman not only discovering her mother but herself. The main character as well as the supporting characters were well written and I felt close to them. I would recommend this book to others.
Eloise and Valentina's story is a must read, the cross between the two times and everything in between.
I love reading books where the characters also have a love for reading. I enjoyed uncovering Eloises life with Valentina and discovering the truth about why she left. Though Eloise did not get her happy ending in a way she expected, it seems Valentina did that for her by discovering her love for her bookstore and Primrose Hill.
This is the perfect book for a rainy day cuddled up with some coffee.
This was a charming and heartwarming tale that centers around Valentina, who inherits a bookshop in London from her estranged mother, Eloise. Amidst her painful divorce, Valentina discovers her mother's hidden secrets through a scavenger hunt, uncovering the reasons behind Eloise's abrupt departure years ago. Set against the backdrop of a beloved bookstore and a supportive community, Jio crafts a story that resonates with book lovers and explores themes of family, forgiveness, and new beginnings. This was a delightful introduction to Sarah Jio's writing, leaving me eager to explore more of her books!! Also, such a cute title and cover.
A fun sweet read! Highly recommend.
Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for my ARC.
This is the first book I have read by this author! I really enjoyed it and definitely will recommend this book! I felt connected to the characters and went on the journey with them.
I’m not sure how I feel about this one still. I liked it while I was reading it but I found it very forgettable. I did really like the characters and the story line.
With Love from London by Sarah Jio was quite a pleasant surprise. I really enjoyed this story of love, loss, family dynamics and family secrets. I also love books set in London and this one was fantastic. A bookstagrammer owning a book shop in London, there could not be a more perfect setting for a book for me!
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for this gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
This was a beautiful story of the love between a mother and daughter. It was equally heartbreaking and hopeful as most of Sarah Jio's books are. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced readers copy of this book. All words are my own.
If you’re a fan of Rebecca Serle books, specifically One Italian Summer, then you’ll love this book. Told in alternating timelines, this book focuses on a mother/daughter duo - the mother (Eloise) in the 60s-80s falling in love and starting a new life and the daughter (Val) in present day after learning her mother, who abandoned her at age 12, has died and left her a bookshop and flat in London, there she decided to start over. This book was heartbreaking and heartwarming!
The only thing keeping it from a 5⭐️ is so nitpicky but as a bookstagrammer and someone with a PR/Marketing background, I feel justified. Val has a bookstagram account and mentions it A LOT…like A LOT A LOT, why didn’t the marketing team for this book create an account with this handle? They didn’t even have to post as the Val but at least reserve it so no one else can have it?
Sarah Jio is a beautiful writer, and this read did not disappoint. A very sweet, cozy story about Valentina and her mother, Eloise, who left her when she was 11 years old. Valentina always felt that her mother abandoned her, however, we get to follow along the stories of both characters in this lovely story, and learn so much about each character.
This is definitely a beautiful read, and one that I would recommend to anyone who loves cozy books! 4.5 stars easily - rounded up for this review!
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley, but opted to listen to a copy of this book from my library after it was published. It took me a while to read this because every time I went back to read the summary I felt like I had read it before. It just wasn't pulling me in. I'm glad I finally gave this a chance.
First I love that the main character is in her 30s. I feel like this is something we need to see more of. My favorite part of this story is honestly the connections and relationships Valentina built along the way. The mystery of her mother's passing kept me intrigued. The part that I did feel like I've read before was the failing bookstore. It did flow well, but that just felt common and predictable to me.
Overall, this is beautifully written and fairly low angst. I would recommend if that's what you are looking for. I would give this 3.5 stars.
Cozy, sweet, and escapist. A recommended purchase for collections where lighter women's fic is popular.
This was a fun one for me. As someone studying library and information sciences that also happens to spend a lot of time in book stores, this book filled me up. A story about self discovery, an estranged mother, an inherited book store, while also taking place in London? Sign me up.
Sarah Jio is one of my favorite authors and I will read every single book that comes my way...My first was about ten years ago and I have not stopped since then :) For this particular one, I have to thank Netgalley and the publisher for my digital copy in exchange for an honest review...I am always excited when I get approved to read a book and especially when I get approved to read a book by a favorite of mine...it doesn't happen very often but I walk away from every single one feeling like a winner. I absolutely loved everything about this one...I loved the story line (one of my favorite plots), I loved the characters and I loved the setting...so much I actually gave thought to going there. I 100% recommend this one to anyone that likes reading contemporary romance.
I loved the flow of this book. The back-and-forth switching between mother and daughter was done so naturally and the bittersweet romance tied into the scavenger hunt made it a subtle but emotional read.
The characters are easy to love, except for the dad. And I wished things had turned out differently for the mom, but all in all a lovely, hopeful book to pick up and just read at the beach or just to relax.
I've never read anything by Jio, so I was intrigued to give this a shot.
Valentina inherits her estranged mother's bookshop in Primrose Hill and learns not only of her mother's love post-death, but also of her dedication to show it.
Crap, this made me cry so many times. I wasn't sure about the dual narrative in this when it first began, but as we went through the story of the two women, I realized it was vital. Without seeing things through Eloise's eyes, you would miss so much. The struggles of her walking away from London, her problems in her marriage, her devastation at losing her daughter. There's only so much her letters would tell us.
I think between the two women, they had a very strong voice, more so in Eloise. It really helped move the narrative along and gave credence to the plot.
Overall, I really enjoyed this heartfelt story. Thank you for the ARC!
This was a very sweet and heartwarming story. I think book lovers will really enjoy this!
While going through a painful divorce, Valentina receives the news that her estranged mother has passed away and left everything to her. Valentina travels to London to see the bookstore her mother left her for. What she finds is — an accepting community, her mothers best friend, and a scavenger hunt her mother made before she died.
This is definitely a story from the heart. It’s raw, and real and heartbreaking. It’s funny and sweet. I think this is a book that many people would enjoy!
With Love From London by Sarah Jio. This is a sweet novel about mothers and daughters, love and books. It sounded like it would be a super book for this book nerd who adored her mother, but it was a bit too saccharine for me. Valentina, an American librarian, inherits a bookstore in London from the mother who abandoned her when she was 12. She heads across the pond to settle her mother’s affairs and while she is there, Valentina learns more about her mother and what truly happened all those years ago. Of course, there’s some romance thrown in as well. Easy and quick read! Try All The Flowers in Paris by this author instead. That was a 5 star one.
"With Love from London" is a captivating tale that takes readers on an emotional journey filled with love, family, and forgiveness. Valentina Baker, a disillusioned librarian, inherits her estranged mother's bookstore in the charming neighborhood of Primrose Hill. This unexpected turn of events thrusts Val into a new chapter of her life, where she unravels long-held family secrets and discovers the possibility of new love.
Sarah Jio beautifully crafts a bittersweet narrative that explores the complexities of mother-daughter relationships. Val's own struggle with her mother's abandonment resonates deeply, adding depth and authenticity to her character. The story's backdrop of London's Primrose Hill, with its pastel-colored apartments and enchanting bookshop, provides a delightful setting that immerses readers into Val's world.
As Val delves into her mother's past, she uncovers intriguing notes left in an old novel, leading her on a quest to find its mysterious former owner. This journey not only sheds light on her mother's true nature but also becomes a catalyst for personal growth and understanding. The book skillfully intertwines Val's pursuit of the truth with the challenges she faces in saving the Book Garden from financial ruin, giving the story an added layer of tension and urgency.
The supporting characters, particularly the eccentric staff of the Book Garden, bring the story to life with their quirks and idiosyncrasies. Their unwavering loyalty to the bookstore and their determination to preserve Eloise's legacy create a sense of camaraderie that warms the heart. Additionally, the possibility of new love that emerges in Val's life adds a touch of romance and hope, providing a well-rounded narrative.
"With Love from London" explores themes of healing, loss, and the power of forgiveness. The author's prose is evocative and lyrical, drawing readers into Val's emotional journey and allowing them to empathize with her experiences. The book masterfully captures the essence of family dynamics, reminding us of the universal desire to understand and reconcile with our past.
Overall, "With Love from London" is a heartfelt and engaging novel that beautifully captures the complexities of relationships and the transformative power of love. Through Valentina's story, readers will be moved, inspired, and reminded of the importance of forgiveness in finding true healing.