I've been reading Sarra Manning's books for a long time now - ever since I picked up 'Unsticky', I've been hooked. London, with Love is no exception.

We meet Nick and Jen/Jenny/Jennifer (depending on the decade and her mood) and follow them through some nostalgia of the late 80's to the early noughties. I imagine this will definitely appeal to the millennial and before generation (Gen Z might be baffled by references to a Walkman!). There's lots of pop culture references alongside some inside knowledge of London transport (plus the whole North/South split which is a decidedly London thing, unless looking at the whole of the UK...).

There's definite notes of One Day by David Nicholls in thid. We jump from year to year, sometimes more than that, but they work - it shows how friendships can fracture and break, be healed and then put back together in new ways. I liked that Nick and Jen/Jenny/Jennifer were flawed characters and made the same mistakes that any of us do.

Overall, a devourable read which will appeal to any 70s, 80s and 90s kids with a sense of nostalgia and an understanding that, well, life happens.

This was a simple and quick read, prefe t for fans of a rom-com. I haven't read anything by, this author before, but I'm absolutely going to go back and read their work. The cover is exactly what I look for in a romance book, easy on the eye and very cutesy. I'd definitely recommend to those who just want love.

What a brilliant book! Whilst yes it was technically a romance novel it was also a brilliantly told story of growth as we follow Jen from her early teens, where what people think of you is everything, to her early twenties where you think you know everything but in actual fact know very little, to mid twenties where you do actually start to have a clue, but would be shocked at how much you still have to learn - all the way through to the end in her 50s. It was so relatable as you can think of doesn't of experiences that would match up.
As well as circumstances the brilliant descriptions of the 80s, 90s, 00s brought memories flashing back. And obviously there is the unspoken character throughout which is that of London itself, and the authors obvious love of the city.
On this backdrop add a cast of multi-layered characters and great tale, you have an unputdownable read.
I received an ARC from NetGalley, however I loved it so much I've pre-ordered the hardcopy.

This was a simple, easy and quick read. The perfect type of book for your holiday, beach, pool kind of read. This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you very much to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

3.5/5.

I started this book and read the whole thing in one sitting - I was so invested in the story and what happened.

Maybe because it closely mirrored my own memories being a teenager in the late 80/early90s, I was totally caught up in this delicious will-they, won’t-they story of missed connections and bad timing. As much a love story to London and being young, I loved this book. Sarra Manning captures the time, the places and the heady heartbreak of unrequited love.

I’ve read most of her other adult novels and always eagerly await the next one. Easy to read but still emotionally satisfying - grab this book as soon as you can!

Firstly I’d like to thank the publisher and Netgalley for the e-arc 🥰🥰

This book was a joy to read, Jen and Nicks story is a loving and emotional one that I love so much. I particularly enjoyed the beginning of London with Love. The teenage years of Jen and Nicks lives were brilliantly told and I really felt a connection with both of them in this part as I felt like a little bit of an outsider when I was a teenager.

I definitely felt more of a connection to Nick rather than Jen, though she’s an amazing MC, she’s a resilient and strong female but I felt that he was easier to identify with. Nick and Jens tenacious relationship is very addictive and I did cry quite a lot. I loved travelling through time with them and crying with them as well. Sarah Mannings writing really got me 🥺❤️

My only reason for giving 4 stars instead of 5 (I really enjoyed the book) is all of the tube references!! I fully understand why there are so many and I’m not saying that they shouldn’t be there but I feel that they’re too involved. I just want to know what’s going on when they’re there not how long the tube is going to be😅❤️

I really enjoy the book and I loved Nick a lot!! He’s a brilliantly written, Smiths obsessed, hopeless romantic. Perfect for me ❤️❤️

I was swept along by this book. I really enjoyed the portrayal of Nick and Jen’s interwoven journey through the familiar London settings. They were interesting characters that developed with age and felt really emotionally invested in them by the end. The descriptions of London felt genuine and captured the essence of the people and places.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy of this book.

I have to admit, I wasn’t entirely convinced to begin with. I didn’t find the characters of Nick or Jen very likeable and I felt like I was seeing the worst side of being young.

But as the story progressed I became more and more wrapped up in their lives. I found the amount of drugs during the 90’s a little disturbing, but from then on I was just sucked into the emotion.

I felt like I was back in time thinking about the labour government coming into power and the Brit pop scene. The description and horror of 9/11 and the London bombings were handled sensitively and well.

Then the way lockdown and the pressures on a family came to life at the end - perfect.

A great book, I definitely recommend

It felt like there’s a lot of Sarra Manning in Jennifer/Jen/Jenny and whether this is true or not it makes for a special book when you come away feeling you’ve had a little window into someone else.

This is a ‘will she, won’t he’ romance that spans decades of Nick and Jen’s lives. Both of them flawed individuals but captivatingly so. After all, aren’t all the best humans flawed?

A book of finding each other, perseverance and of course, Love. Thoroughly enjoyed. Thanks to Netgalley for providing an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Manning is an author who I have not encountered before, but reading this book has encouraged me to follow her publications.
London, with Love is a beautiful story of the ups and downs to love and life and contains very real and relatable characters, and follows the life of Jen Richards, a smart, sensitive and occasionally aloof woman.
This book is very well written, with sophisticated but clear vocabulary and is therefore suitable for all interested in this style of romance novel. However, as a reviewer born within the 2000s, I felt a lot of the 1980s references were lost on me, as Jen grows up and vividly describes details from this era.
It is clear that the author is reminiscent of this time, as she writes with warmth of 'Wimpy's,'NME,' and 'The Smiths.' Despite this change of upbringing, I believe the characters come across as raw and complex to many readers and therefore while it is most ideal for those who were teens in the 80s, anyone can enjoy this book.

Oh I loved this - perfectly captures the feeling of being a teenager in love with a boy and obsessing about every detail of him, in a world where no one has mobiles or has heard of the internet. 'London in Love' took me right back to my sixth form days in the early 90s.
Jen is in love with her sixth form class mate Nick, who is all floppy hair and army jackets! Nick is one of the cool kids - he and Jen start hanging out as mates when they meet up unexpectedly at Brixton academy to see The Smiths and they quickly become close. One night Jen overhears Nick's girlfriend talking about her and how she obviously fancies him but will never get him, she explodes in a rage of embarrassment and angst and walks away from him for ever.
The two of them move on with their young adult lives, occasionally spotting each other and then drifting back into friendship, they kiss sometimes but it never develops. The connection between them is strong but is it enough to make a relationship work?
Gorgeous friendships, a real sense of London in the 1990s and 2000s, it was a joy to immerse myself in

I loved the twists and turns in this story of friends for whom the timing was never quite right...........funny, at points sad and a lovely representation of the complexities of relationships with your 'one'.

Well, the title of this book couldn’t be more apt. Yes, it’s the story of Jen and Nick, but really it’s a love letter to London. And for me, someone the exact same age as Jen, born and bred in one of the suburbs of London, just a little too far from a Tube station, who vowed that every other home would be within walking distance of one, this novel was a joy.

We see Jen and Nick’s relationship evolve from the age of sixteen through to fifty and it’s a long, messy, painful, joyous ride through Tube stations and buses, with a brief but significant sojourn in New York with the best possible soundtrack.

I raced through it, soaking up London, laughing and crying in places. A truly wonderful book and a fitting love letter to my city..

This is the love story of Jennifer and Nick who meet as teenagers in the 1980s, and over the next two decades, fall in and out of love with each other. I loved this book! It's structure is very much like One Day, in that we dip in and out of their lives to see what's happening and at what point in the will they, won't they relationship they're currently in.

I liked how London was part of the story, and woven in as much as a character as a setting. It also makes it very relatable to anyone who has ever travelled around London, as there are plenty of references to tube stations, back streets and various landmarks.

There was something about this which really hooked me. I don't want to give any spoilers, but both characters are the right side of likeable but flawed, without being irritating. I would say that the cover is a bit misleading. I was worried it was going to be a bit of a predictable romance, but it was far more complex than that.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

London, with Love by Sarah Manning
Rating: 4.8 ⭐️

The way I was expecting to not like this book… well that turned out to be a complete lie. I binged this within a day because it was that good and I am definitely buying it when it comes out and once it does I will be happily re-reading.

The plot follows best friends Nick and Jen in their love story from when they were teenagers to throughout their adult life. Sometimes they’re friends, sometimes more, sometimes less. But one thing that’s always true: their timing is never right.

All the key elements that make a good romance were here: the tension, the heart warming moments, the one-liners that make you burst into tears. Some parts were slightly cliché but it wasn’t overwhelming or cheesy, which is exactly what you need.

But this was so much more than a romance.

Firstly the characters had background and depth which is something lots of romance books lack. Character development was literal perfection. Growing up with Jen, felt so real and brutally honest. She starts off as this awkward, timid teenager to a young adult that’s struggling with the route life seems to be taking her and finally develops into a determined, independent adult, who knows what she wants. And Nick… let’s just say he’s pretentious 😂

Even when they make very questionable choices, I’m still out here rooting for them. Sarah Manning really explores ideas of second chance, how the world will shape you and the realities of growing up.

Sarah Manning’s writing was incredible throughout the whole thing. As the characters develop, so does her writing which was incredible because it just gave you a better feel of the characters. Her descriptions of London were perfect and the detail she goes into really sets the scene. Even as we move through decades of time, and yes the book does talk about real events, the pace, plot and characters kept me all hooked.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read this book!

Having read and tremendously enjoyed Sarra Mannings’ previous novels, I had high hopes for this one and it did not disappoint! Romantic and enticing!

When I first started reading this book I was dismayed that it appeared to be a YA novel and at 17% I was seriously wondering if I should continue. Fortunately, at 20% the story really gets going and as you progress through the book you see the relevance of the initial 20%. The remaining 80% was an absolute delight to read - with zany characters and a perfect portrayal of London from a diehard, born and bred Londoners' perspective. The book spans the timeline of several historic events; the death of Princess Diana, 9/11, 7/7 bombings in London and finishing with the current Pandemic - all touched on thoughtfully and bringing depth to the Characters as they reacted to these key historical moments. I would say this is a 'growing up' story with characters you can really relate to and become invested in. And although it at first appears to be a YA novel, you quickly appreciate that's not the case and I'm not sure the YA audience would feel the nostalgia, or the impact of living through most of the historic events covered either. Highly recommended.

A huge thanks to NetGallery and Hodder & Stoughton for approving my request to read this latest book by Sarra Manning.

I loved the dynamic between Jen and Nick throughout this book. It was nice to see how their relationship evolved over the years.

The writing is amazing and I love how Sarra captured the excitement of Jen attending her first gig as a teen. It reminded me of the nervous excitement I felt when I first saw my favourite band.

However I felt as though including two terrorist attacks in the book was a bit much. I felt that these events were only included to progress the characters relationship and in turn it lessened the impact of the events on the characters.

If you enjoy romance books with the miscommunication trope and slow burn then this is for you!

This book was a joy to read. As someone who loves London a lot and plans to live there one day, it was perfect for me. Finding love in London - who wouldn’t want it? The cover is also stunning and I love the artwork. All in all, I recommend this book to whoever needs a good cheesy read!

This is gorgeous!!! What a beautiful read!!! I was hooked from the start and loved the will they won’t they vibe!!! A wonderful read!!