This is a really sweet romance set in London, which feels relatable and raw, and is nicely written with characters that have depth to them and a plot that doesn't shy away from hard topics.

Elephant and Castle is such a cute story! It is a little spin-off of a second-chance romance. I loved quirky, fun Nora and the quiet, nerdy Julian. The two explored London while Nora was writing for a travel book and had lots of fun getting to know each other better. It definitely made me want to tour the streets of London with a Julian of my own
Thank you, NetGalley and City Owl Press, for an advanced readers copy of Elephant and Castle in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed it!

Couldn’t put it down! The book was well written and the story felt real and fresh with very relatable characters. Highly recommend!

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

This is a delightful read for fans of contemporary romance and witty banter, who will appreciate the charming London setting, the swoon-worthy love triangle, and the relatable themes of self-discovery, second chances, and the complexities of relationships.

I loved this book. Very cute second chance romance with a twist. I used to live in London and it took me right back. I read the ebook and loved it so much, I will likely purchase the physical copy.

What a lovely read! At first you think it’s going to be a second chance romance, but turns out it’s an exes best friend!

Nora leaves London and goes back to London for a job and finds out that her ex, Hugh, who she had a fling with at 19, is now in a famous band and also engaged!! She wonders what could have been with Hugh. She goes to a gig in the pub they play at and she meets him and his friend Julian again.

She has to review places in London for her job and she takes Hugh’s best friend Julian along, just as friends. The more she spends time with him, the more she realises she is falling for Julian!

I loved Nora as a character, she is funny and relatable. It’s emotional at times, as her mum is struggling with cancer and has to fly back home when she gets ill. Her mum is a funny character and it’s lovely to see their relationship.

When Nora flys back home, she is in a mad panic, so Julian gets tickets on the flight just to be with her, as he can see her struggling! I also enjoyed Nora’s friendship build with her boss Darcy, who is very stand offish at first, but they end up with a great friendship.

Overall I loved this story, especially being set in London and seeing Nora have her happily ever after.

Nora is a writer who has just moved to London. She stayed in London when she was 19 and met her first love Hugh . Nora agree to go to with her boss where she meets her ex boyfriend Hugh. Hugh’s best friend Julian has been in love with Nora since they first met. As part of Nora’s job she has to write about restaurants in London.The book is a nice easy romance. It’s a slow burn story of who will Nora end up with . Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a fun and lovely read!
This romance plays in London and it was such a roller coaster of emotions.
You think the book is going one way but you’ll be surprised! If you’ve ever thought about a former relationship that ended and what would have been then this book is for you!

EAC tells the sentimental & romantic story (triple POV) of a travel writer who moves to London for her dream job, & reconnects with a summer fling, Hugh, and his BFF, Julian, who she met in London when she was 19 (7 years ago).

THE GREAT PARTS

- Lovable & relatable characters who make mistakes (especially Julian 😍)
- Intimate moments and interactions that made my heart grow 3 sizes (& tear up) 🥹
- Artfully-written nostalgia and witty banter

THE NOT-SO-GOOD PARTS

- Only that I wanted the epilogue to be longer to see *THAT* final undisclosed event occur lol and get more closure 😩 😂

DEFINITELY RECOMMEND FOR LOVERS OF CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE WHO DON’T NEED MUCH SPICE!

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This review is scheduled to be posted on Instagram on June 10, along with some pretty graphics!

Elephant and castle was a cute fun London read but it fell just a little flat for me. I didn't feel any chemistry between Nora and Julian. Or even Nora and Hugh. So much pining but no angst.
I did love the London setting though and wish we would have seen more of it outside of all the pubs.

What a beautifully written book by Hannah! This has been one of my faves so far and I'm rooting for the characters, this could totally be a series, I hope it becomes one if not! I love Nora, her no nonsense attitude makes me smile, her love triangle with Hugh and Julian is entertaining to say the least but they all go on a journey of discovery to see their true feelings. What they want out of life and what they don't. Even if they go the long way round to find it!

Nora's mum's story is a poignant one, reminds me of my parents' attitude when they were in hospital. I feel a connection to Nora and Julian with the hospital scenes with memories of the time.

We all need a boss like Darcy, one that comes across with a hard shell but can be mushy at times, one that can take the mick out of you but also be motherly at the same time but one you don't want to get on the wrong side of. I like how Nora and Darcy hit it off straight away, the interview and first day where it all began to unfold with Nora, Hugh and Julian.

Love how Hannah has created characters I relate to, feel for and feel like I know! Will look forward to others from Hannah in future!

Love lost and found, self discovery and chasing your dreams. A rollercoaster of emotions in a fast paced and delightful read. More substance than the usual rom-com, and a lot of feels floating about.

American Nora spent a year in London when she was 19. She fell in love with musician Hugh and things ended only because she had to return to the U.S. Now 26 Nora returns to London for a job. She fantasizes about meeting Hugh again and wonders what would have happened when they didn't break up back when. And then she really does meet him again - but things are more complicated than in her fantasies and then there is Hugh's best friend Julian with whom Nora just always has so much fun...
This was such a fun read. I liked all the characters and I loved how the story unfolded. And of course all Nora's touristy adventures made me wanna go to London and go on a Jack-the-Ripper-Pub-Tour asap.

“Elephant and Castle” by Hannah Ledford is a charming and whimsical journey through the heart of London, filled with romance and the magic of second chances. The story’s protagonist, Nora Shrapsan, is a delightful guide to the city’s wonders, from murder tours to magic shows, all while navigating the complexities of love.

What I loved most about this novel is the vibrant setting and the engaging love triangle that keeps you guessing. The chemistry between the characters is palpable, and the emotional rollercoaster they ride is both entertaining and heartfelt. Ledford’s writing is flirty and fun, making “Elephant and Castle” the perfect summer beach read. It’s a story that stays with you long after the last page.

So in the mood for a good London love story! I cannot wait to dive 8 to this. I’ve been in a similar situation and I find things often work out for the better. I will be sharing more thoughts and a full review very soon.

At 19, Nora spent a summer in London where she met Hugh, her first everything. When she had to go back to New York though, she spent a lot of time thinking about how great her time with Hugh was, and how great their love story would have been if only she had stayed.

Now, seven years later, Nora goes back to London for work, and finds out her ex is now a well known rock star who wrote a very famous song about her, and who's now engaged with someone else. Nora needs to focus on her job though, she's writing a book on London and she finds herself navigating the city with Hugh's best friends, Julian, who has been in love with Nora since the first time he ever saw her, seven years before.

Hugh, has been thinking a lot about Nora in the past seven years. Yes, he wrote a song about her that made him known in the music industry, but that was it. He's engaged to Rose, he loves her. He wouldn't jeopardise his relationship for a woman who left him broken when she had to go back home. He no longer feels such intense feelings to Nora. He shouldn't.

Surely, nothing will go wrong, right? Hugh is happily engaged to his fiancée. Julian will keep seing Nora as his best friend's ex, the most important relationship he's ever had before meeting his fiancée. Nora will keep pining for her second-chance romance with her ex. She spending a lot of time with Julian, but she won't be falling for her ex's best friend. He's just helping her for her book right. Right?

To find out how it develops, make sure to read Elephant and Castle when it comes out, on May 28th. You won't regret reading about Nora struggling in this love triangle. I couldn't help myself rooting for Julian, he's the sweetest guy, who knows if I supported the right man, though. Because, how could Nora not fall in love again with her ex, a known musician, when the other choice is a professor who overthinks about everything?

Thank you NetGalley and City Owl press for sending me the eARC for an honest review