I was pretty disappointed by this book. The characters were flat and stereotypical, and the writing fairly juvenile. It definitely wasn't my taste, but I wouldn't not recommend it to someone looking for women's fiction set in London or about a librarian/bookseller.

*ARC for honest review*
loved loved loved loved!!! took me awhile to come on here and review but this was a really good read and would recommend

Wow this book is so amazing and by far my favorite of Sarah Jio's books!!!!!!! I loved reading this book and getting to know Valentina and her mother Eloise and seeing how this heartbreaking but beautiful story unfolds.

"𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘴 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯, 𝘴𝘢𝘺, 𝘢 𝘮𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘦, 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮. 𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘴 𝘣𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘬, 𝘢 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘢𝘭 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦. 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘴, 𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘰𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵? 𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶'𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘰𝘳 𝘴𝘪𝘹𝘵𝘺-𝘴𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯, 𝘢 𝘧𝘢𝘷𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘪𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘢𝘯 𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥, 𝘸𝘢𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘯 𝘢𝘳𝘮𝘴."

Yes, there is romance in this novel but it isn't a romcom. It's a story of second acts, of complicated relationships and of found family. That books play a huge role is an added bonus! With a cast of wonderful characters and some surprising plot twists, I found myself completely absorbed into this delight of a story, which reminds us it's never too late to re-write the next chapter our own.

"𝘔𝘺 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘤 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭 𝘐'𝘥 𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘶𝘮𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘥𝘪𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵 - 𝘢 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦, 𝘢 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘳, 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘢𝘺𝘣𝘦, 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘺𝘣𝘦, 𝘢 𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺."

This was my first read by Sarah Jio and won't be my last. Thanks to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for the copy to review.

Valentina Baker, 35, has recently divorced Nick after 12 years of marriage. He is an attorney and left her for his 23-year-old paralegal, Missy.

Valentina then learns that her mother, Eloisa, has passed away in London. Eloisa left her and her father back when she was 12-years-old and Valentina never saw her again.

Eloisa owned a home in Primrose Hill in London along with a bookstore. Valentina is a total book nerd and a librarian, and now she heads to London as Eloisa left all this to her.

Eloisa and her best friend, Millie, lived in London in 1968 and were enjoying meeting new people and having great experiences.

In London, Valentina is delighted to meet Millie and loves the bookshop. However, she is worried that she may lose it all as there is a huge tax bill due and she needs to find a way to pay it. She also finds notes and a scavenger hunt her mother left her.

The book is such a warm, cozy read. The characters are perfectly portrayed and the plot is charming. I didn’t want to give away too much of the story, but suffice to say I really enjoyed it and hope others will as well.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I loved this book. Just as the author promised in the forward, this book delivered me to a safe place where I could just enjoy the story. And now I am itching to see London. I never really thought about it before but the descriptions were so vivid. Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read the ARC. I thoroughly enjoyed the book!

A heartwarming story about long lost loves, friendships, and the love between a mother and daughter. I loved the dual POV between Valentina and Eloise and felt that it helped readers really get to know both characters better. Such a great storyline! I can't wait to read more from Sarah Jio. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC.

Valentina Baker is having a bad day. She woke up and found out that her husband has left. He left a note that was short, but she knew immediately what it meant, even before she found his new girlfriend on Instagram with her #madeforeachother posts. But she wasn’t completely devastated until she got the call from London. An attorney was calling to tell her that her mother had died.

Val hadn’t spoken to her mother in a long time, not since she had left Val and her father when Val was only 12. She had spent years trying to understand how her mother could have left like that, but she could never wrap her head around it, or her heart. Val stayed in L.A. with her father and their housekeeper Bonnie, and grew up to become a librarian. She got married and moved to Seattle. And that’s where it all fell apart.

Her mother had moved back to London, and now Val is following in her footsteps. She left Val the building that she owned, and Val isn’t at all sure that it’s something she wants until she learns that there are a couple of apartments on the second and third floors but the bottom floor is a bookstore. Learning that, Val is in and soon finds herself flying over the ocean, to the part of London known as Primrose Hill.

In her mother’s apartment, Val finds a first edition of A Room of One’s Own by her mother’s bed. She had always wanted a first edition of it, so she immediately reaches out for it. As she picks it up, a letter falls out. It’s for her, from her mother. Along with a lovely connection to her mother, the letter is the start to a scavenger hunt, something that she had done for Val often when she’d been a kid. Now, her mother has left a trail for Val around her favorite part of the city, and she has to figure out her mother’s clues to find out where to go next.

She meets her lodger Liza and her mother’s best friend and partner in the bookstore Millie when she finally goes into the bookstore. Immediately she falls in love with the tall shelves of books and comfortable chairs throughout the store. And then she sees it, a book that she had loved when she first read it. She pulls it off the shelf and takes it to read later. And she finds the next letter of her scavenger hunt. But there is more to the book than just that letter. There are annotations throughout that echo Val’s own feelings about the book, thoughtful comments that resonate with her. And there is a name, Daniel, and a phone number in the front of the book.

As Val walks the sidewalks her mother walked on, meet her mother’s friends, read her books, and solve the puzzles she left behind, Val finds herself healing. She finds that she’s learning to accept that her mother had reasons for what she chose to do. She finds that she may be open to finding love again, and even tries to track down the man who wrote those notes in her book.

But then she finds out that she has 6 months to come up with enough money to pay off the estate taxes on the building. Val can’t afford the payment on her own. But maybe, with the help of some new friends and the book community that her mother had grown, maybe Val can figure out a way to earn the money to stay in the lovely life her mother left her.

With Love from London is a beautifully crafted story of love lost and found, of second chances, and of the power of stories to heal the spirit. Told in alternating viewpoints of Val and her mother, this story unfolds in layers of understanding, of challenges, of creating dreams. Author Sarah Jio has brought these characters to life with a vivid grace, and each page sings with warmth and sweetness.

I was so moved by this book. There are so many layers of love that it is just simply restorative. If you feel like you’re losing your faith in humanity or need healing from a bad relationship, you can turn to With Love from London and find so many moments that will repair your soul. As you get deeper into the story, the warmth blooms like spices being warmed for a comfort dish. This is the book version of comfort food, and I loved every page of it. It’s the perfect read to give to a friend going through a hard time or just to curl up with yourself to restore your soul. Highly recommended!

Egalleys for With Love from London were provided by Ballentine Books through NetGalley, with many thanks.

I'm soooo glad I picked this up. There was so much about it that angered me (I can't discuss without spoiling) but when I immersed myself in the book and read it for what it is--a story--I absolutely fell in love. Now please give me a sequel!

This is my kind of romance novel! WITH LOVE FROM LONDON is a great read for readers who want an escape. Of course, I live in London so am I biased? I was entranced from start to finish and was so happy when I read the last page. This book is inspirational, heartbreaking, and thought-provoking. It takes place in Primrose Hill - the fancy smancy area :)

When a librarian inherits a bookshop from her estranged mother, she moves halfway across the world and embarks on a journey of self-discovery. If you want a feel-good read - this is for you!

For anyone looking for a romance with heart, Sarah Jio's latest book, With Love from London, provides plenty. Valentina inherits her estranged mother Eloise's apartment and bookstore in the quaint Primrose Hill neighborhood.

With her mother's death and a gut-wrenching divorce behind her, she finds no other choice but to fly to England and discover what's awaiting her overseas. She's hoping to find answers about why her mother disappeared from their California home when Val was merely 12 years old and if a new life in London could be the answer to her woes.

I've read all of Jio's books and even remember her articles from Glamour magazine way back when. I love her writing style and the stories she comes up with, many times about lost love and finding new love along the way. This story provides two plotlines, one about Eloise and what led up to her leaving Val, and Val's current story. You'll meet a range of different characters with Val's new neighborhood and bookstore the shining stars of the book.

Although at times I could predict where the plot was going, I found this story entertaining. Sometimes, the book feels sad, but it's really a love story between a mother and a daughter. In fact, this book encompasses many love stories including the love of bookstores, which is right up my alley. One of the major plot points is about the bookstore, a dream of Eloise's that threatens to be stolen away from librarian Val.

This is perfect for the upcoming Valentine's Day (could this be why Valentina is named as such?), book lovers, and will renew your faith that love is alive in many forms and in unexpected ways. Despite some sad or tragic circumstances, the story will warm your heart. Like I said, I've read all of Jio's books, so I was eager to read this, and I was not disappointed. Maybe it's my great love of a good bookstore and books in general, but I think this is one of her best.

Eggplant. She kept using the word eggplant...in England. I would be be able to let it go if it was the American saying it but a bore and raised British citizen said "I know this place know for it's eggplant". Ma'am the word you are looking for is aubergine. It was small things like this that made you realize the author is an American trying to write British characters but didn't do much research into the language of the British. (She had a professor mention an "end of semester paper"....the don't call them semesters in England.
This book was a little too unrealistic for me. The reason why her mom wasn't in her life, just doesn't really make sense. And the magic last minute hail Mary that saved the shop? I mean really

The story was cute, but just not done well I guess.

In WITH LOVE FROM LONDON, Sarah Jio has crafted a sweeping tale that is as every bit romantic as it is life-affirming. When the recently divorced Valentina Baker inherits a mysterious bookstore in London after her estranged mother's passing, she decides to take the chance and fly halfway around the world to Primrose Hill. There, she embarks on a journey to learn more about her mother (through a very charming scavenger hunt via clues left behind from her mom that will charm any literary lover), while learning more about herself. The dual timeline alternation between Valentina in present day and her mother Eloise's story allows us to piece together a mystery about these two women, watching with eagerly baited-breath as Valentina realizes she has more in common with her mother than she'd have ever thought. With gorgeous prose and utterly transportive scenery, reading WITH LOVE FROM LONDON feels as though you're strolling the charming Primrose Hill streets yourself - you'll never want to leave. Highly recommend!

This book in 3 words: Wonderful. Sincere. Beautiful. 

Valentina, librarian and bookstagram enthusiast, inherits a bookstore (and much more) due to her mother passing away. Dealing with a recent split from her husband, Valentina heads to London to learn more about the mother who left her behind at the age of 12. 

I 100% recommend this book. The writing is stunning, the characters are interesting and have you invested from the start, and it's just so swoon. With Love from London will end up being one of my favorite reads of the year... I don't care how early it is. SUCH A BEAUTIFUL BOOK!

Told from 2 different timelines and POV's, Sarah Jio weaves them together like a queen, creating such a touching story about love, family ties, loss, and changing priorities. At times, I feel like the 2 POV style is a bit overdone and unoriginal, but that isn't the case here. I loved the writing style. 

After this book, I couldn't help but start thinking about taking a trip to London. The setting and description is strong and entices the reader throughout. I could go on and on about how good this story is... but you'll have to find out for yourself. 

Big thanks to NetGalley, Sarah Jio, and Ballantine Books. I was given an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Sweet novel about forgiveness and second chances. I had the story line figured out and was delighted to be incorrect.

"A Literary Work of Art!"

Master storyteller Sarah Jio's latest enchanting masterpiece, WITH LOVE FROM LONDON, is exquisite!

If you are a lover of books, handwritten letters, literature, quaint bookshops, vintage, and the charm of London, this magical treasure is a "must-read" for Valentines.

5 Stars +++ and my favorite of the year. An ideal book club pick from a journey of love, loss, hope, and forgiveness! This novel would make a fabulous movie or TV series.

Told from POV: We meet Valentina (daughter-2013) and Eloise (mother-1968) with dual timelines from California/Seattle to London, England.

Eloise is living in London in the sixties. A dreamer, a lover of literature and life. She and Millie are best friends living in London, and both dream of opening a bookstore one day.

Valentine, a librarian, and lover of books (like her mom), is currently getting a divorce from her attorney husband in Seattle (his affair). She experiences two sudden tragedies: Her marriage is over, and the mother who abandoned her has died.

She receives the news her mother has passed away and left her property in the charming Primrose Hill, London (who doesn't love this area)? Two flats and a quaint bookstore, The Book Garden. New beginnings sometimes come with facing the past.

When Val was twelve years old, Eloise left California. Valentine has not seen her since. However, Valentine has no idea how much her mother loved her and what happened.

She decides she will move to London for a new start; however, she has no idea how this will change her life in so many ways. From getting to know her real mom, what happened, new friendships, and a new love interest.

Eloise takes Val on a creative, fun, and mysterious scavenger (handwritten letters and cards) hunt to London's favorite spots. Along the way, she shares her story hoping that Val will understand her better.

There is also another scavenger hunt trying to locate a mystery book lover with two separate journeys and the importance of each for Val.

Her mother had met a wonderful man Edward in the past and immediately is smitten and he will ultimately change her life. However, it was not their time due to circumstances you will discover later in the book.

Instead, she marries a man she does not love and leaves London for California. She longs for London and her friends and life. She finds joy in estate sales and finding rare book collections and beautiful vintage jewelry and imagines the lives of its former owners.

When she gets pregnant with Valentine, a baby girl, she decides she will make sure her little girl is loved and teaches her about the love of books. Eloise still dreams of that book store, and Frank refuses.

Frank is a wealthy man, very controlling, and does not have anything in common with sweet Eloise. Later, he forces her to leave and go back to London, gives her nothing, and does not allow her to see her daughter again. The letters she writes daily have been intercepted.

There is mystery and intrigue as the author keeps you glued to the pages to see what will happen on this adventure of life. I read this one in two sittings and was glued to this story. I could not wait to return.

I have told so many people about this book. Bittersweet, words cannot adequately express my sincere love for this book. Heartfelt and thought-provoking WITH LOVE FROM LONDON is one which you will bookmark many pages and refer to often. This gem is one you will repeatedly read when you need a smile and a little hope.

MESMERIZING AND SPELLBINDING.

It is a love letter to the literary world, booksellers, mothers/daughters, friendships, and lost loves just in time for Valentine's. If you love London, quaint villages, bookshops, flower shops, vintage shops, and rare collections and believe in dreams and second chances, it has it all.

What a great cast of fully developed characters! My favorite guys are Edward and Eric!

Since her first book, I have been an avid Sarah Jio fan and have read all her books. This is my absolute favorite. Highly recommend it to anyone no matter the genre. Thank me later.

A special thank you to #randomhouse for an ARC. I also purchased the beautiful paperback copy and the audiobook narrated by my (favorite-Brittany Pressley) and Gabrielle Glaister.

Blog Review posted:
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My Rating: 5 hearts 💙💙💙💙💙
Pub Date: Feb 8, 2022

Sarah Jio wrote a book that is as heartwarming as it is heartbreaking. Every book lover should pick this one up.

With Love from London focuses on the estranged relationship between Valentina and her late mother Eloise in the most unique way. When Valentina finds out that her mother left her the most beautiful bookshop underneath an apartment, she is confused and overwhelmed to say the least. However , with the help of a revealing scavenger hunt her mother created for her before passing way and the support of her new found family, she discovers that happiness can be found in the most unusual of places.

I loved seeing Valentina mold into an independent and vivacious woman throughout this book. I adored all the friendships especially of course with Liza and Millie. There was so many twists and turns in this book, Sarah Jio truly made everything go into a full circle. This will definitely be a book that I reread in the future. I absolutely LOVED every part of it.

There are two timelines, one which is Valentinas present day and the other which is Eloise from the 60s until her death. I promise you, this is such a reward and fulfilling book that will although leave you emotional, will also give you so much closure.

PLEASE. read this!

5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

WIth Love from London felt like a vacation in a book! It was a special treat given travel is not prevalent due to the pandemic. The more I read this book, the more I enjoyed it. Sarah Jio did a great job of creating multi-dimensional characters and a moving story that had me laughing at times and crying at others. It felt very real and I think this is a book many will enjoy.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I love anything by Sarah Jio! With Love from London is so good! I loved the story line. Sarah's writing is amazing. Her story telling drags you in and you can't stop reading

Are there words to describe how this book made me feel? Not really, but I'll try. When I opened this book, I found a letter that Sarah Jio wrote to the reader about writing books that feel cozy, and that's exactly what this book is. A heart-twisting story about a mother's love and following your heart no matter how painful it can be, With Love from London had me captivated from the first page. I was enraptured with the dual perspectives of Valentina in current day, and her mother, Eloise, in the 1960s, and how both her intrinsically intertwined with each other. This book quickly became a comfort read of mine, and one that I will want to have on my shelf!