One Week 'Til Christmas by Belinda Missen: Romantic and Delightful

One Week 'Til Christmas by Belinda Missen
Published: November 1st, 2019
Publisher: HQ Digital
Genre: Romantic comedy
# of pages: 179
My rating: 5 stars
Acquired this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for honest consideration
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Two people. One chance meeting. Seven days to Christmas.

Isobel Bennett is waiting for the number 11 bus when a man quite literally falls into her lap. Snow is falling, Christmas lights are twinkling, and a gorgeous man with dark brown hair has just slipped on ice and is now pressed against Isobel.

Isobel knows she’s not imagining the chemistry between them. But then his ride arrives and, embarrassed, he beats a hasty retreat, murmuring apologies – and Isobel realises only too late that she didn’t manage to catch his name…

When she runs into him again the next morning, she decides it’s fate.

It’s a second chance for Isobel and Tom – but there’s only one week until she’s leaving London for good. Seven days of enjoying all the festive delights the city has to offer: ice-skating at Somerset House, mulled wine on the Southbank, Christmas shopping at Liberty.

There’s magic in the air and mistletoe in the trees – but what will happen when the week is over?

I came across One Week ’Til Christmas one day while browsing Netgalley for Christmas titles, and I requested it immediately. I’m so glad I did because I devoured this book and it soared right onto my list of favourite festive reads. It was witty, charming, and gave me the warm fuzzies. I basically had a big cheesy grin on my face through most of the book.

I’ve always wanted to visit London around Christmastime, so the setting drew me in and made me completely starry eyed. I felt like I was there with Isobel and Tom as they explored the city, and it all felt so wonderfully magical and festive. I loved Tom and Isobel together. Their banter was hilarious, as was a lot of Isobel’s inner dialogue. Tom was so swoony, and I loved that he turned out to be completely different from what I initially expected. {MILD SPOILER}: I think it’s a fantasy for a lot of people to meet, spend time with, and maybe even fall in love with a celebrity. I know I’d certainly like to spend a few days hanging out with Richard Madden! That bit of the story felt different from the other celeb-dates-normal-person story for a lot of reasons, but mostly because Tom really felt like a real person. He never used his celebrity to get his way or try to impress anyone. He was passionate about his job and enjoyed talking about it, but he was humble and charming, and I adored him. {END SPOILER}

I absolutely loved this magical, whirlwind of a romance and I know I’ll be recommending it a lot this holiday season and for many more to come.

Have you read One Week 'Til Christmas? Is there somewhere you've always wished you could visit at Christmastime? If you could spend the day with any celebrity, who would it be?

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Our Stop by Laura Jane Williams: A Delightful Fairytale for the Modern Age

Our Stop by Laura Jane Williams
Published: June 13th, 2019 (August 8th in North America) Publisher: Avon Genre: Romantic comedy # of pages: 368
My rating: 5 stars Acquired this book via Netgalley in exchange for honest consideration. All opinions are my own. Goodreads Buy now: Amazon Canada || Amazon US || Amazon UK || Chapters/Indigo What if you almost missed the love of your life?
Nadia gets the 7.30 train every morning without fail. Well, except if she oversleeps or wakes up at her friend Emma’s after too much wine.
Daniel really does get the 7.30 train every morning, which is easy because he hasn’t been able to sleep properly since his dad died.
One morning, Nadia’s eye catches sight of a post in the daily paper: To the cute girl with the coffee stains on her dress. I’m the guy who’s always standing near the doors… Drink sometime?
So begins a not-quite-romance of near-misses, true love, and the power of the written word.

Do you ever pick up a book at what feels like the exact right time? By that I mean the story and characters resonate with you and where you’re at in your life, it feels like it’s riddled with messages that are for you, and it just feels like you were meant to read this book? That’s what Our Stop felt like for me. I was on Goodreads one day and happened to see a friend was reading it and had got an eARC from Netgalley. I checked Netgalley, surprised to find it still available, requested it without much expectation, and was ecstatic when I was approved. And then I started reading and I had that rare and wonderful feeling of ‘Ohh, okay. This book was meant for me.’ Talk of things happening for a reason, being meant to be, and mentions of the Law of Attraction will always catch my attention, and when they’re paired with a story that’s witty, thought-provoking, romantic, and engaging, it’s a clear winner for me. This book was different from a lot of the British romcoms/chick lit I’ve read. Most of the ones I’ve read can be described as sweet and light, with little to no swearing, no sex, and while they may tackle some heavier real-life topics, they tend to remain mostly fluffy (which is in no way a bad thing - I’m here for the fluff!). But Our Stop was the opposite of the books I’m used to and what I expected this book to be. The characters were smart, modern, and complex, and not only dealt with real issues but talked about them too. Among other things, this book touched on topics like feminism, consent, grief, how men and ‘masculinity’ are perceived, and the female characters talked about things you rarely see talked about, like periods, body hair, and honest discussions about sex. Every time I came to those sections, I would just stop and think ‘Wow. Yes. This is what I want to see more of in books.’

Our Stop was a charming, delightful, hopeful read. It was witty, honest, emotional, and so romantic. By the time I finished reading, I had a big dopey smile on my face and tears in my eyes. It was exactly what I needed exactly when I needed it. I look forward to reading more from Laura Jane Williams!

Have you read Our Stop? What's the last book that pleasantly surprised you?

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Review: London, Can You Wait? by Jacquelyn Middleton

London, Can You Wait? by Jacquelyn Middleton

Series: London Belongs to Me #2

Published: October 26th, 2017

Publisher: Kirkwall Books

425 pages (paperback)

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Acquired this book: From the publisher in exchange for honest consideration

Rating: 5 stars

Warning: May contain spoilers

GoodReads || Buy the book: Amazon US ~ Canada || Chapters

Alex loves Mark. Mark loves Alex. But is love enough?

Since moving to London from the US, twenty-four-year-old Alex Sinclair seems to have it all: a coveted job writing for the theatre, supportive friends, and the man of her dreams—gorgeous Irish actor, Mark Keegan. But in the year since the acclaimed debut of her play, Alex and Mark’s lives have been turned upside down.

Thanks to his role on a smash-hit British TV show, Mark is catapulted to stardom. Alex couldn’t be happier—until her boyfriend’s popularity and insatiable drive to succeed means they’re apart more than they’re together. Forced to share Mark with showbiz heavy-hitters, intrusive press, and unrelenting fangirls, Alex’s hopes for a stable and committed life with him start to fade. Her struggles with panic attacks, career uncertainty, and Mark’s increasingly worrisome behaviour make her wonder: how much more can she bend before she breaks?

It’s no secret I loved London Belongs to Me. All you have to do is look at my bookstagram account and the dozens of pictures I’ve posted featuring this beautiful book. I was excited when I learned there would be a sequel, and yet also nervous because while I was curious where Alex’s story would go, sequels can be so hit or miss. I shouldn’t have doubted Jacquelyn Middleton, though; I loved the continuation of Alex’s story.  

London Can You Wait picks up a year after where London Belongs to Me left off. Alex is settled in her life in London and in a committed relationship with Mark. While she still loves the city and her hot Irish boyfriend, things aren’t perfect. Mark’s work schedule, paired with his people-pleasing personality, plus Alex’s own personal issues, create a lot of tension and anxiety for the young playwright, and just as much strain on Alex and Mark's relationship.

This book was an emotional rollercoaster. There were so many twist and turns and unexpected events. It dealt a lot with secrets, half-truths, lies, and omissions, and the repercussions that come with all those things. Several really upsetting things happened that made parts of the book difficult to read. Certain things made me angry, but I also had to appreciate how those things were realistic. Middleton took a gutsy risk and it paid off. Life can be messy and complicated. Unexpected things happen all the time, and they’re not always good things. People sometimes make bad, stupid, destructive decisions, or even decisions that seem right in the moment. These things are all part of life, and especially part of growing up. Alex experienced a lot of growing pains, but her struggles made her a stronger person, and I loved seeing her find her way. I also appreciated that Alex’s anxiety, which was a big part of London Belongs to Me, was still a big part of London Can You Wait.

Many of the things I loved about London Belongs to Me were present in London Can You Wait, like the nerdy references and the strong friendships. I loved Lucy and Freddie just as much in this book, and I loved how they each had their own storylines, too. I also enjoyed getting to see more of London and Manchester, as well as a few new settings. It’s obvious Middleton did her research when it comes to locations because I always feel like I was right there with Alex and the others.

My favourite type of books are ones with a strong emphasis on character growth and development, which is part of why I love London Belongs to Me and London Can You Wait so much. They focus on Alex’s journey - as an artist, as a woman, as someone with anxiety, as someone falling in love and learning it’s not always sunshine and roses. I love the romance between Alex and Mark, but it’s Alex’s personal journey that resonates most with me.

London Can You Wait is full of heart and humour. It’s a must-read for all the nerdy Anglophiles out there, as well as lovers of romance and women’s fiction. I’d love to see these books made into a TV show featuring a diverse cast of twenty-somethings.

Read my review of London Belongs to Me

Buy: Amazon US ~ Canada || Chapters

Have you read London Belongs to Me or London Can You Wait? What did you think? What's your favourite place to read about? Do you like coming-of-age books?

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Review: A Brit Complicated by Brenda St John Brown

A Brit Complicated by Brenda St John Brown

Series: Castle Calder #3

Published: October 11th, 2017

Publisher: Self-published

273 pages (ebook)

Genre: Contemporary Romance/Romantic Comedy

Acquired this book: From the author in exchange for honest consideration

Rating: 5 stars

Warning: May contain spoilers

GoodReads || Buy the book: Amazon US ~ Canada || Kobo

Scarlett St Julien likes her job well enough. Her boss? Total wanker. Even if he is sexy AF. After all, they don’t call him Bradley Walking-Sex for nothing.

When Bradley asks her to show him around London, it’s another thing on Scarlett’s task list. At least until the spark between them ignites. And it is H-O-T.

It turns out Bradley Walking-Sex is smart and funny, as well as — you guessed it — oh-so-sexy. But he’s still the boss. A fling with him is one thing. Falling for him? Well, that’s not an option. Is it?

I absolutely loved the first two books in the Castle Calder series, A Brit on the Side and A Brit Unexpected. I was sure I’d enjoy A Brit Complicated, but I wasn’t sure if Brenda St John Brown could top A Brit Unexpected. She did. Each book in this series is better than the last, and as a whole, it’s now one of my favourite series.

I’ve been anxiously awaiting Scarlett’s story since the first Castle Calder book. I knew there was more to her than what we saw then, and I loved how complex she was. St John Brown has this completely refreshing writing style that makes her characters easy to connect to and makes you feel like you’re part of the story. Each of her books has surprised me in some way, and A Brit Complicated was no different. I loved that Scarlett was aware of her faults, and if she had something pointed out to her, she was willing to work on it and try to better herself. Bradley was the same way, which was what made them such a great match. Well, that and their electric chemistry! These two were so hot together and it was fun watching how they played off each other, flirted, stumbled over misunderstandings, and slowly fell for each other.  

The side characters in the story were great, too. I especially loved Tom. I also loved getting to see Bea, Jasper, Claire, and Greyson, and see what they were up to. I was fascinated by Scarlett’s job, and as someone who loves London, I appreciated the tribute that was worked in honouring the recent terror attacks. It was woven in so perfectly and made me really emotional (not going to lie, I cried, and I’ve teared up since whenever I think about it). It was beautiful and touching, and Scarlett’s passion not only for her job, but also for her city, made me connect to her even more.   

Brenda St John Brown has outdone herself with A Brit Complicated. This series is romantic comedy gold. Each of the stories can easily be read as standalones, but I highly recommend reading the whole series, especially if you like complex characters, hilarious situations and dialogue, and sexytimes that will leave you fanning yourself.

A Brit on the Side: Amazon US ~ Canada || Chapters || My review

A Brit Unexpected: Amazon US ~ Canada || Chapters || My review

Have you read any of the Castle Calder books? What did you think? Do you have a favourite romantic comedy?

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RomCom Friday: Notting Hill

RomCom Friday is a new weekly feature here at Ramblings of a Daydreamer. I’ve always been a romantic comedy addict, and since I’m currently writing a romcom, I thought it would be fun to feature a favourite romantic comedy every week and talk about why I love it. Please note, there will be spoilers for each movie.

I started my RomCom Friday feature last week with what is probably my all-time favourite romantic comedy movie: Bridget Jones’s Diary. This week I’m featuring another top favourite: Notting Hill. In the next few weeks, you’ll likely notice I have a particular fondness for British movies and certain actors (whether British or not, but in this case, since I'm featuring two movies in a row with Hugh Grant, you can see there's going to be a pattern here!).

Notting Hill, starring Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant encompasses so many aspects of what makes a romcom great: a fantastic cast (like with Bridget Jones’s Diary, you get a wonderfully eccentric and eclectic group of friends who you come to love and root for as much as the main characters), hilarious scenes and dialogue, a romance to root for, and countless quotable lines.

One of the things I love about Notting Hill is how it’s completely different from everything else Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant (two of my favourite actors, by the way) have done in their careers. The role of Anna Scott is an interesting choice Julia Roberts because the character is quite subdued and understated. I’m used to seeing Roberts in roles where she’s a lot more expressive and quirky. Anna is a bit jaded by Hollywood and wary of who she lets into her life. She’s used to dealing with fans, the paparazzi spreading rumours and taking unflattering pictures, and she’s been forced to try to remain to look young in order to keep her job. Her romances have been with fellow celebrities who know what the Hollywood lifestyle encompasses, so meeting and developing feelings for William really threw her for a loop.  

“And don't forget...I'm also just a girl standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her.” ~ Anna  

Hugh Grant as William Thacker, the bumbling, floppy-haired travel bookshop owner is just about the cutest thing ever. Grant tends to be cast as the insufferable jackass who says and does the wrong thing, offends at every turn, and yet still manages to somehow be charming. In Notting Hill, he’s purely charming.

“You are lovelier this morning than you have ever been.” ~ William

Not only are the roles different for Roberts and Grant, the movie itself is refreshingly different; the majority of celebrity-falls-for-normal-person movies and books I’ve encountered feature a famous guy and a ‘regular’ girl, so Notting Hill is a fun spin on that. I also like how they portray the passage of time (the scene where Grant walks down Portobello Road in Notting Hill with the seasons and people changing all around him while ‘Ain’t No Sunshine’ plays is a clever way to show time passing, unlike a lot of other movies that just skip ahead and expect you to keep up) and that things weren’t easy or immediate for Anna and William.

Anna: “Can I stay for awhile?”William: “You can stay forever.”

For me, Notting Hill is a quintessential feel-good movie. It’s always made me run the gamut of emotions - even 18 years later (god, that makes me feel old!) I still giggle and get teary at all the same parts. I’d love to have a group of friends like William’s (I’d pass on a roommate like Spike, although you'd never be bored having him as a friend). This is one of those movies that seems to have an almost cult-like following, with people who will hear something like ‘whoopsidaisies’ or ‘love isn’t love without a violin-playing goat’ and know immediately not only what movie it’s from, but also the exact scene and what was happening.

Side note: there aren't many songs on it, but I love the Notting Hill soundtrack. To this day, I can't hear She by Elvis Costello, Ain't No Sunshine by Bill Withers, or When You Say Nothing At All by Ronan Keating without thinking of Notting Hill (and knowing exactly what scenes they're from).

Do you like Notting Hill? Who's your favourite character? Do you have a favourite quote? Have you been to Notting Hill? I've wanted to go since the first time I saw this movie and was so excited to finally venture there two years ago when I went to London, but we just didn't have time. Next time!

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Wanderlust Wednesday: Books Set in England

Since June marks the 2-year anniversary of my big UK/European adventure, I'm feeling nostalgic...and I'm also feeling the need to read alllll the books with settings of places I love. For the next three weeks, I'll be recommending books set in each of the countries I visited: England, France, and Italy. I love travelling vicariously through stories when I can't actually travel myself, and I know I'm not the only one, so I hope you'll enjoy these lists!

First up: England. If you know me at all, you'll know I'm obsessed with London. If I find out a book is set there, I can't wait to get my grabby little hands on it!

• A Brit on the Side (Castle Calder #1) and A Brit Unexpected (Castle Calder #2) by Brenda St John Brown ~Set at Castle Calder (which is, sadly, fictional), these books are so much fun. I especially love the second book since the main character is British and uses some hilariously creative 'Britishisms'. Brenda revealed recently in her Facebook reader group that the third book in the series takes place mostly in London - as if I wasn't excited enough to read it, now I'm doubly excited!  

• London Belongs to Me by Jacquelyn Middleton ~ From the moment I heard about this book and saw the beautiful cover, I knew it was meant for me. People on Instagram even kept recommending it to me, knowing I love London and I'm a total nerd. I loved Alex's journey - both her physical one through London, and her mental and emotional one. As someone with anxiety, I appreciated seeing Alex's realistic struggles with anxiety and panic attacks, but the story was so much more than that. It was about friendship, finding yourself, and learning to stand up for yourself and be strong. It was also super nerdy and made my little fangirl heart very happy. I can't wait for the sequel, London, Can You Wait?

• London Belongs to Us by Sarra Manning ~ I actually just finished this book last night and it became an instant favourite. From early on, I could see why it was dubbed 'a love letter to London'. This book is a whirlwind ride through the city, taking place in the span of twelve action-packed hours. I laughed so much through this book, and fell even more in love with London.

• Every Word (Every #2) by Ellie Marney ~ The Every trilogy (one of my favourite series ever, a modern-day Sherlock tale) is set in Australia, but in the second book, Every Word, they travel to London and spend most of the book there, which I loved. I read this book shortly after I came back from Europe, and there's one scene in particular where Rachel goes out into the city, and I knew exactly where she was going before she said. I was so thrilled! 

• Falling in Love With English Boys by Melissa Jensen ~ I read this book ages ago and loved it. It's one of those books I have a feeling I'd feel differently about now (mostly because my reading tastes have changed and I've become a more critical reader), so I'd like to reread it and see if it holds up to my memories of it.

• Meant to Be by Lauren Morrill ~ This is actually the opposite of the previous book. I read it ages ago and was fairly meh about it. So many of my reader friends loved it, so I wondered if it was a case of the right book at the wrong time (plus I read an ARC and it was riddled with mistakes, which turned me off a bit). This is another book I'd like to reread, but in the hopes of enjoying it more the second time around.  

• Londontown: A Photographic Tour of the City's Delights by Susannah Conway ~ A lovely photo book by photographer/blogger/creative person extraordinaire Susannah Conway, which divides the city into North, South, East, and West, and showcases some of the lesser-known parts of London as well as famous attractions. Besides the beautiful photographs, it also includes a handy little guide of the closest tube stops to the areas Susannah photographs.   

• Never Kiss a Man in Christmas Jumper by Debbie Johnson ~ I read this book this past winter and it was just as cute and funny as I hoped it would be. Set in Oxford, this one is a change of pace from the London-set books, but just as enjoyable. 

• I See London (International School #1) by Chanel Cleeton ~ A story about a young woman who leaves her ordinary life in the US to attend a university in London where most of the students are children of rich and powerful people. 

• Coming Down (Love in London #1) by Carrie Elks ~ This is a really intense second-chance romance that deals with some serious issues. 

• Unwrapping Her Perfect Match (London Legends #3.5) by Kat Latham ~ This is a novella in the London Lads series, about a team of rugby players. I haven't read the other books in this series, but after reading this funny, sexy story, I have the others on my TBR.

Speaking of my TBR...here are a few books set in London that I hope to read soon:

• Act Like It (London Celebrities #1) by Lucy Parker

• For Both Are Infinite (Hearts in London #1) by Stephanie Alba

• Penny in London by Fisher Amelie

• Broken Chords (Love in London #2) by Carrie Elks

• Knowing the Score (London Legends #1) by Kat Latham

• Lovestruck in London (Lovestruck) by Rachel Schurig

• Kiss of Steel (London Steampunk #1) by Bec McMaster

• Firelight (Darkest London #1) by Kristen Callihan

• The Den of Iniquity (Bastards of London #1) by Anabelle Bryant

Be sure to check back next week because I'll be sharing recommendations for books set in France!

What are some of your favourite books set in England? Have you read any of the books on my TBR and think I should bump them up? Have any recommendations for books set in England (especially London)?

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