Louise Bay's An American in London is swoony, charming and absolute fun!

Ben and Tuesday are an absolute joy! Tuesday's been through it and trying to prove herself at work while dealing with a breakup and Ben needs her help with a deal he's trying to make and their chemistry is off the charts. They shouldn't work on paper but they do because after all opposites attract all the time! It is lighthearted fun and romantic ands swoony and seeing them fall for each other was so sweet. I loved the way Louise Bay paints the scene romantically and the perfect setting to fall in love. Its cheesy, romantic, charming and fun!

Another beautiful romance from Louise Bay. Something about her story telling always takes me away, even in cases like this one which seem very far from real life. I actually think that may be my favorite thing about them.

Tuesday was not the sort of character I liked at first, not at all the strong female lead I prefer. But her character development through the book, much of which was encouraged by Ben, made her grow on me. Ben, on the other hand, was the perfect male lead. Gruff, handsome, rich, and a complete cinnamon roll underneath.

Their fake romance didn’t stay fake for long, and their chemistry was perfectly believable. But if you are looking for spice, this is not the book for you since the bedroom scenes all fade to black.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book early! I would have read it the instant it was released!

A very enjoyable book set in one of the places I most want to visit, London. Meeting someone accidentally once in a city like London is nothing to think about, running into him twice, well maybe, that he looks just like her favorite actor, well now we’re talking. Louise has given us Ben and Tuesday’s story that brought a smile and a few laughs as the two find themselves faked engaged. What happens then is the story of fairy tales, which brings me back to earth a few times while reading their story. A truly enjoyable Sunday afternoon read that brightened up my dreary weekend.

Generally, I enjoyed the book. The plot was nice but the execution wasn’t really what I expected and hoped would happen. There were some developments that felt unrealistic to me. For example, Tuesday basically harassing Ben and not leaving him be after he didn’t want to talk to her. His business associate discussing an important and confidential business deal with her (a total stranger) present. Ben not wanting to engage with Tuesday and then offering her a huge sum if she agreed to play his fake fiancé. Tuesday flat out refusing because she felt immoral for accepting money, being bought for her time, and then not only accepting but asking for even more money? For me it made the characters less credible and made it a bit harder to connect to the story or see the chemistry between the two leads.
The Daniel De Luca mentions and references didn't really add to the book...
I do have hope that some of these issues will be sorted out before it is released, but as of right now it isn’t really selling the romance and that is a shame because this book has a lot of potential. I did like the fact that everything took place in London, the duke and duchess were nice and the plot could be great.
Thank you to publisher, Netgalley and author for providing an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Some good stuff in this book and some not-so-good elements that marred what could've been a better story. One key driving force of the book was the heroine's obsession of Daniel De Luca movies and the combination with the romance story seemed forced, as did the hero and heroine matching up all the tropes they accomplished in this story. The calling out of every trope was hitting us on the head so obviously over the top unnecessary. I know the author probably meant it as a cute moment, but it cheapened this reader's experience. Sharing the checklist of what the author accomplished took me out of the possible organic, magic of the story and showed me how calculated she was in hitting her tropes.

The other driving force the author "told" us about but I didn't catch onto it because it wasn't clearly demonstrated was the heroine's need to please. That kind of annoyed me because I wondered if I missed it in the storytelling.

Overall, the few Louise Bay books I've managed to read have mostly been enjoyable. Unfortunately, this one didn't flow as smoothly.

Thanks @netgalley , the author and publishers for the ARC.

This is a sweetly written, cheesy chick-lit story about an American woman who comes over to London in a bid to save her job, who then has a meet-cute with a billionaire that she advertently mistook as a famous Hollywood actor she had a teen crush on, he then asks her to be his fake fiancee, she gets the job, she has to leave and then they can't live without each other. In a nutshell🤣.
It was cute and easy to read, perfect if you wanted something easy!

Louise Bay is one of my favourite authors and An American in London is one of her best romances.

I fell for Ben straight away even when he was just a scowly stranger that Tuesday mistook for her favourite actor, Daniel De Luca in Green Park. There’s something about those tiny smiles a Grump (Ben) reserves for his Sunshine (Tuesday) that really melts my heart.

Tuesday is such a sweetheart who became a people-pleaser after her Mum passed away so she wasn’t considered a burden and I like how Ben encourages her to go after what she wants. I loved all the references to the Daniel De Luca movies that Tuesday watched with her Mum.

The Duke and Duchess are great supporting characters and I’d happily read a book just about them.

In the blurb, it says that Tuesday’s life has been hijacked by a rom-com scriptwriter and An American in London is like one of your all-time favourite rom-coms that it doesn’t matter how many times you’ve seen it, it still leaves you feeling all warm and fuzzy inside when the credits roll.

Wait I actually really really loved this book. It's 4.5 stars for me and that was so unexpected! I've read quite a few Louise Bay books now, I'd guess maybe 3-4 before this? I liked them all, but this one was really great.

First of all, the MMC of this book is kind of my dream man in terms of his personality. Some people might say he's grumpy but he's really not! He's a huge softie and very shy and borderline awkward at times. He's so gentle with the FMC and apologetic and just everything that is the antithesis to the typical "billionaire" and these kinds of books. I loooooooved his character more than anything on the planet, which is saying a lot since we had such a lovely FMC.

I also want to give a shoutout to Louise Bay's writing. I sometimes think romance books don't get appreciated for the writing - especially books with covers like this one. Now I love these books, but these types of covers with hot guys in suits on the front or bodice rippers get a real bad rep for basically being cheap smut. But this book was surprisingly beautiful in a really soft way. She had such lovely similes and symbolism.

My only complaint is that these two didn't get it together sooner, but even that can be explained with plot reasons (MMC's hesitance in sharing his feelings due to a history of FMC people pleasing) and actually was a really selfish, patient, and beautiful act by the MMC. There was no cheap drama or villains in this book, just really lovely people at every turn.

I'd love to just break down all the ways Louise Bay defied typical tropes or storytelling cliches in this book:

- Billionaire MMC who's a bit quiet and at times socially awkward, not an asshole playboy
- A male boss in his 50's (not the MMC) in the world of banking who... isn't a total creep or a jerk. He's not ridiculously nice and grandfatherly either. He's just, like, a normal boss in his 50s that most people in the world have.
- Duke and Duchess who are both really lovely people and not at all stuffy or rude
- A fake dating plot that doesn't unnecessarily result in them informing everyone it was a ploy out of guilt. I haaaate when fake dating books do this! I think it's fine for them to feel guilty about lying, but it feels like such an unnecessary third act conflict for them to just come clean to everyone they were lying to just to assuage their guilt. Just fake break up or start actually dating! Why are we causing problems? Thankfully Louise Bay felt the same way, because she did not fall into these cliches at all and I still felt the tension throughout the book and coming up on the FMC's "return" to America.

Lastly, I love a male main character who unapologetically repeatedly tells the FMC that he really likes her in the softest sweetest way.

Simple dialogue that made my heart clench every time because it was so sweet:
"I think you're lovely."
"I think you're wonderful."

Louise Bay - I think YOU'RE lovely

Let me just I love me a cozy romance! I was obsessed with the banter and connection between the two MCs and was kicking my feet like a school girl the whole book. This was truly just a great romance, no miscommunication, no third act breakup, no nothing and it was so nice to read. Definitely a good palette cleanser when you just want to take a step back and just enjoy the moment!

Thank you again for the ARC!

Tuesday and Ben's story is a sweet and charming, semi-low angst romance. They're a couple that's easy to root for and the plot is pure escapist fantasy: he richer than rich, they fake an engagement to impress a Duke and Duchess (who turn out to be super down-to-earth and not stuffy at all), she's a fan of a famous actor, Daniel de Luca, and happens to end up in a hotel where there's a convention for, guess who: famous actor Daniel de Luca (who happens to look a lot like Ben). So, it's a bit of wild ride with a lot going on and a few too many tropes competing with each other, but if you're in the mood for pure romantic escapism, this book is it.

An American in London
I loved this book with its two brilliant characters Ben and Tuesday plus a great supporting cast, sparkling dialogue and a heart warming fast paced story.
Tuesday has had a tough time now in London she has to prove herself to her employers in a New York Wall Street bank by working with a new CEO. As well as this her boyfriend of 10 years has run off with a ballerina.
The first meeting between her and billionaire Ben is really amusing and the story continues with taciturn Ben needing Tuesday’s help with a deal he is trying to make with a Duke.
Their relationship gathers momentum and is wonderfully described with lovely emotional moments.
A throughly heartwarming romance that leaves you feeling upbeat and happy.
My thanks to netgalley and publisher for the opportunity to review this book honestly.

I loved this book so much that I simultaneously couldn't wait to read it and was sad it was finished so soon - it was just that good! I am a huge fan of Louise Bay's books and whenever she has a new one published it is automatically on my TBR list but this book is one of my favorite ever. The characters were wonderful and completely likable and the story was fast-paced and very entertaining while at the same time just so romantic. I rooted for Tuesday from the start and Ben turned out to be the perfect book-boyfriend. For me an excellent romance that I will be sure to reread more than once.

Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for the ARC!

An American in London was a fun and lighthearted read! Tuesday is such an outgoing and lively FMC, the complete opposite of the more reserved and serious Ben. Their dynamic made for an entertaining contrast, especially as their paths cross during Tuesday’s work trip to London. The twist? Ben is a doppelgänger for the famous actor Daniel De Luca—someone Tuesday was absolutely obsessed with growing up. And to top it off, there’s a convention for the actor happening right at her hotel, making for some hilarious and over-the-top moments.

While the book leans heavily into the cheesy side—maybe a little too much for me—I can see how others might enjoy it more. The banter was fun, the premise was unique, and the romance had its swoon-worthy moments. If you’re looking for a lighthearted escape with an opposites-attract romance, this one is worth picking up!

The chemistry between them is electric, with every bickering exchange somehow dripping with tension. And when that fake fiancée act starts to blur into something a little too real, it’s pure magic. The writing sparkles with humor, but it also sneaks in moments of vulnerability that make you feel everything. It’s the perfect read for anyone who loves a grumpy-sunshine romance with a side of swoon-worthy banter and just the right amount of emotional chaos. Absolutely obsessed.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed it although I don’t like first person POV. I much prefer third person which allows the writer to let us inside the head of the hero as well as the heroine.

Tuesday (seriously?) and Ben are a perfect couple and for the entire book there is absolutely no reason why they can’t be together. The fake engagement was well done and probably the best part of the book.

Ben is a sweetie - a total hero. Everyone was nice. London was neglected. The Duke and Duchess were like no Duke and Duchess I’ve ever met, but hey - it’s fiction so that doesn’t really matter.

It was a nice story, but it took forever to reach the happy ending that was heralded from the beginning. I just expected … more.

A good 3 star read.