Review – From Notting Hill to New York…Actually by Ali McNamara

This post was originally published at Novelicious.com and is now at WritingTipsOasis.com. WritingTipsOasis.com acquired Novelicious.com in June 2022.

It’s coming round to that time of year where it’s completely acceptable to cosy up on the sofa and indulge in the Christmassy wonder that is ‘Love Actually’ and become blissfully embroiled in the love stories of each character, joyfully blubbing into our hot chocolate. So the arrival of Ali McNamara’s ‘From Notting Hill to New York Actually’ couldn’t be more perfectly timed.  The follow up to the incredibly popular ‘From Notting Hill with Love Actually’ sees Scarlett O’Brien, utterly addicted to romantic films, finally happy with her leading man….but can romance really be like the movies? Scarlett and Sean are happy. Scarlett is convinced that she’s found Mr.Right, the happy couple are now living together but the reality of day-to-day life isn’t quite as exciting as Scarlett hoped it would be. Sean works away on business a lot and Scarlett is trying to occupy both her time and her addiction to celebrities, even going so far as to join a local gym because she thinks Jude Law works there… When Sean notices that she’s becoming ‘bored’ with her life he suggests going to New York to visit her father. Scarlett  reluctantly agrees (whilst secretly worrying that he seems a little too keen on the idea of her not being around) and before you can say ‘Big Apple’ she’s on a plane on her way to the place itself, flamboyant best friend Oscar by her side. As they float from one famous landmark to another Scarlett and Oscar attract new friends like magnets, including Jamie and Max, a TV reporter and a cameraman. As they spend more time together Scarlett finds herself more and more drawn to Max  But if she’s already found her happy ending, why the twist of fate? Everything about this book screams ‘I am chick-lit HEAVEN!! READ ME!!’ It is packed full of humour that is perfectly characterised in Scarlett. She is both loveable and laughable. Look out for when Scarlett becomes a fitness guru – it’s hilarious. I genuinely enjoyed this story.  The twist and turns in New York are exciting and interesting, I was always eager to read what happened next and I was enchanted by the description of the city, as I always am. Ali even includes her personal guide to New York City at the end of the book which is a nice touch. Here’s where I make a confession….I haven’t actually read the first book in this series ‘From Notting Hill with Love…Actually’. I always felt like I understood the characters and the plot without any struggle so it would also make a great stand-alone book as well as a satisfying follow up to the first for Ali McNamara fans. For a giggle a minute and December in New York this is the perfect book and I am off to read the first one… 8/10 MORE ABOUT THIS BOOK