Description
When a woman inherits her estranged mother’s bookstore in London’s Primrose Hill, she finds herself thrust into the pages of a new story—hers—filled with long-held family secrets, the possibility of new love, and, perhaps, the single greatest challenge of her life. When Valentina Baker was only eleven years old, her mother, Eloise, unexpectedly fled to her native London, leaving Val and her father on their own in California. Now a librarian in her thirties, fresh out of a failed marriage and still at odds with her mother’s abandonment, Val feels disenchanted with her life. In a bittersweet twist of fate, she receives word that Eloise has died, leaving Val the deed to her mother’s Primrose Hill apartment and the Book Garden, the storied bookshop she opened almost two decades prior. Though the news is devastating, Val jumps at the chance for a new beginning and jets across the Atlantic, hoping to learn who her mother truly was while mourning the relationship they never had. As Val begins to piece together Eloise’s life in the U.K., she finds herself falling in love with the pastel-colored third-floor flat and the cozy, treasure-filled bookshop, soon realizing that her mother’s life was much more complicated than she ever imagined. When Val stumbles across a series of intriguing notes left in a beloved old novel, she sets out to locate the book’s mysterious former owner, though her efforts are challenged from the start, as is the Book Garden’s future. In order to save the store from financial ruin and preserve her mother’s legacy, she must rally its eccentric staff and journey deep into her mother’s secrets. With Love from London is a story about healing and loss, revealing the emotional, relatable truths about love, family, and forgiveness.
Lacey Hautzinger –
I have a special place in my heart for Sarah Jio books – and this latest one did not disappoint! Coincidentally, my mother and I share a love of her books and we’ve swapped all of her books back and forth over the years. All that said, this book – which is essentially an ode to mother/daughter relationships is one I can’t wait to share with my own mom. :), Valentina Baker is only 11 years old when her mother Eloise unexpectedly leaves Val and her father on their own in California and flees back to her native London. Now an adult in her 30s, Val – a librarian who is fresh out of a failed marriage – still hasn’t reconciled with her estranged mother. However, Val soon learns that her mother Eloise has died and left her a Primrose Hill apartment in London along with the Book Garden, the storied bookshop she opened nearly 20 year ago. Stunned this news yet still reeling from her own failed personal life, Val jets across the pond to London hoping for a fresh start and the chance to learn more about the mother that she barely knew., Told in alternating storylines between present day Valentina in London and past Eloise (her mother), this lovely novel is about healing and loss, and asks the question, how well do you really know your parents and their past struggles, grief and sacrifice? It’s definitely a book to treasure – and share with my mom. Thanks #Netgalley for the complimentary electronic version. I recently purchased the paperback for my bookshelf too.
Lacey Hautzinger –
I have a special place in my heart for Sarah Jio books – and this latest one did not disappoint! Coincidentally, my mother and I share a love of her books and we’ve swapped all of her books back and forth over the years. All that said, this book – which is essentially an ode to mother/daughter relationships is one I can’t wait to share with my own mom. :), Valentina Baker is only 11 years old when her mother Eloise unexpectedly leaves Val and her father on their own in California and flees back to her native London. Now an adult in her 30s, Val – a librarian who is fresh out of a failed marriage – still hasn’t reconciled with her estranged mother. However, Val soon learns that her mother Eloise has died and left her a Primrose Hill apartment in London along with the Book Garden, the storied bookshop she opened nearly 20 year ago. Stunned this news yet still reeling from her own failed personal life, Val jets across the pond to London hoping for a fresh start and the chance to learn more about the mother that she barely knew., Told in alternating storylines between present day Valentina in London and past Eloise (her mother), this lovely novel is about healing and loss, and asks the question, how well do you really know your parents and their past struggles, grief and sacrifice? It’s definitely a book to treasure – and share with my mom. Thanks #Netgalley for the complimentary electronic version. I recently purchased the paperback for my bookshelf too.
Lacey Hautzinger –
I have a special place in my heart for Sarah Jio books – and this latest one did not disappoint! Coincidentally, my mother and I share a love of her books and we’ve swapped all of her books back and forth over the years. All that said, this book – which is essentially an ode to mother/daughter relationships is one I can’t wait to share with my own mom. :), Valentina Baker is only 11 years old when her mother Eloise unexpectedly leaves Val and her father on their own in California and flees back to her native London. Now an adult in her 30s, Val – a librarian who is fresh out of a failed marriage – still hasn’t reconciled with her estranged mother. However, Val soon learns that her mother Eloise has died and left her a Primrose Hill apartment in London along with the Book Garden, the storied bookshop she opened nearly 20 year ago. Stunned this news yet still reeling from her own failed personal life, Val jets across the pond to London hoping for a fresh start and the chance to learn more about the mother that she barely knew., Told in alternating storylines between present day Valentina in London and past Eloise (her mother), this lovely novel is about healing and loss, and asks the question, how well do you really know your parents and their past struggles, grief and sacrifice? It’s definitely a book to treasure – and share with my mom. Thanks #Netgalley for the complimentary electronic version. I recently purchased the paperback for my bookshelf too.
Becca Buncie –
I love Sarah Jio and this book was long awaited! She is a master at constructing a story in two different timelines that always come together seamlessly., Valentina hasn’t seen her mother since she was a child. Her parents got divorced and her mother moved back to London, while Valentina remained in the US with her father. Her mother returned home to London, and to her dream of owning a bookstore with her friend Millie. Many years later, Valentina learns that her mother is deceased and that she has inherited her mother’s bookstore. Valentina is a recently divorced librarian, so she decides she will move to London to try and save her mother’s bookstore., Little does Valentina know, her mother has planned all kinds of surprises for her. She has left behind clues that take Valentina on a scavenger hunt throughout Primrose Hill. She is able to meet many of the people who her mother loved the most, and who loved her mother as well. She is able to learn about her mother’s life in London, her bookstore, and her friends., I love these characters and their complicated history. I love reading about characters who love books. The bookstore setting was magical. The multiple timelines tied together seamlessly. I was heartbroken for Valentina and her mother – for all the time they missed together. The sense of community in Primrose Hill was palpable and all of the characters came together as important parts of Valentina’s story., Valentina and her mother have a complicated past. Now that her mother is deceased, it is time for Valentina to learn the truth about her mother and her reasoning for leaving Valentina behind. many years ago.
Becca Buncie –
I love Sarah Jio and this book was long awaited! She is a master at constructing a story in two different timelines that always come together seamlessly., Valentina hasn’t seen her mother since she was a child. Her parents got divorced and her mother moved back to London, while Valentina remained in the US with her father. Her mother returned home to London, and to her dream of owning a bookstore with her friend Millie. Many years later, Valentina learns that her mother is deceased and that she has inherited her mother’s bookstore. Valentina is a recently divorced librarian, so she decides she will move to London to try and save her mother’s bookstore., Little does Valentina know, her mother has planned all kinds of surprises for her. She has left behind clues that take Valentina on a scavenger hunt throughout Primrose Hill. She is able to meet many of the people who her mother loved the most, and who loved her mother as well. She is able to learn about her mother’s life in London, her bookstore, and her friends., I love these characters and their complicated history. I love reading about characters who love books. The bookstore setting was magical. The multiple timelines tied together seamlessly. I was heartbroken for Valentina and her mother – for all the time they missed together. The sense of community in Primrose Hill was palpable and all of the characters came together as important parts of Valentina’s story., Valentina and her mother have a complicated past. Now that her mother is deceased, it is time for Valentina to learn the truth about her mother and her reasoning for leaving Valentina behind. many years ago.
Becca Buncie –
I love Sarah Jio and this book was long awaited! She is a master at constructing a story in two different timelines that always come together seamlessly., Valentina hasn’t seen her mother since she was a child. Her parents got divorced and her mother moved back to London, while Valentina remained in the US with her father. Her mother returned home to London, and to her dream of owning a bookstore with her friend Millie. Many years later, Valentina learns that her mother is deceased and that she has inherited her mother’s bookstore. Valentina is a recently divorced librarian, so she decides she will move to London to try and save her mother’s bookstore., Little does Valentina know, her mother has planned all kinds of surprises for her. She has left behind clues that take Valentina on a scavenger hunt throughout Primrose Hill. She is able to meet many of the people who her mother loved the most, and who loved her mother as well. She is able to learn about her mother’s life in London, her bookstore, and her friends., I love these characters and their complicated history. I love reading about characters who love books. The bookstore setting was magical. The multiple timelines tied together seamlessly. I was heartbroken for Valentina and her mother – for all the time they missed together. The sense of community in Primrose Hill was palpable and all of the characters came together as important parts of Valentina’s story., Valentina and her mother have a complicated past. Now that her mother is deceased, it is time for Valentina to learn the truth about her mother and her reasoning for leaving Valentina behind. many years ago.
Olivia –
I bought this book on a whim before a 9-hour flight. I liked the premise of it, and thought it would be an easy “beach read” type. I was not prepared for how invested I got in the characters. I actually cried at several points throughout the book – from touching moments/prose or from devasting ones. This book reminded me of past mistakes, losses, love, and great memories, and allowed me to mourn and appreciate all of the future ones in my own life. Long story short – this book hit a nerve in a good way!, Sarah Jio weaves a beautifully vivid story together that explores love, loss, and the deep feelings of our inner children working their way into our adult lives. Some may find the eventual happy ending a bit predictable, but honestly I wanted some joy and happiness at the end. Sarah Jio finds a way to make you understand each character deeply, and she makes them jump off the page in a very human way. 10/10 recommendation!
Olivia –
I bought this book on a whim before a 9-hour flight. I liked the premise of it, and thought it would be an easy “beach read” type. I was not prepared for how invested I got in the characters. I actually cried at several points throughout the book – from touching moments/prose or from devasting ones. This book reminded me of past mistakes, losses, love, and great memories, and allowed me to mourn and appreciate all of the future ones in my own life. Long story short – this book hit a nerve in a good way!, Sarah Jio weaves a beautifully vivid story together that explores love, loss, and the deep feelings of our inner children working their way into our adult lives. Some may find the eventual happy ending a bit predictable, but honestly I wanted some joy and happiness at the end. Sarah Jio finds a way to make you understand each character deeply, and she makes them jump off the page in a very human way. 10/10 recommendation!
Olivia –
I bought this book on a whim before a 9-hour flight. I liked the premise of it, and thought it would be an easy “beach read” type. I was not prepared for how invested I got in the characters. I actually cried at several points throughout the book – from touching moments/prose or from devasting ones. This book reminded me of past mistakes, losses, love, and great memories, and allowed me to mourn and appreciate all of the future ones in my own life. Long story short – this book hit a nerve in a good way!, Sarah Jio weaves a beautifully vivid story together that explores love, loss, and the deep feelings of our inner children working their way into our adult lives. Some may find the eventual happy ending a bit predictable, but honestly I wanted some joy and happiness at the end. Sarah Jio finds a way to make you understand each character deeply, and she makes them jump off the page in a very human way. 10/10 recommendation!
Karen –
With Love From London is a snapshot of a mother and her daughter under unusual conditions over a period of 20-30 years. I can’t do the book justice without giving away too much. I read it because it was the book for a Book Club I recently joined. Trust me, this book is really one of my favorites, I will even gift it to a few of my friends. I cannot imagine anyone not enjoying this wonderful book. I will also look at some other books from this Author.
Karen –
With Love From London is a snapshot of a mother and her daughter under unusual conditions over a period of 20-30 years. I can’t do the book justice without giving away too much. I read it because it was the book for a Book Club I recently joined. Trust me, this book is really one of my favorites, I will even gift it to a few of my friends. I cannot imagine anyone not enjoying this wonderful book. I will also look at some other books from this Author.
Karen –
With Love From London is a snapshot of a mother and her daughter under unusual conditions over a period of 20-30 years. I can’t do the book justice without giving away too much. I read it because it was the book for a Book Club I recently joined. Trust me, this book is really one of my favorites, I will even gift it to a few of my friends. I cannot imagine anyone not enjoying this wonderful book. I will also look at some other books from this Author.
Brianna –
Haven’t loved a book like this in quite some time, the ending brought me to tears. Literally. Instantly brought it to my best friend to read and next will be going to me mother. Love, love, loved it.
Brianna –
Haven’t loved a book like this in quite some time, the ending brought me to tears. Literally. Instantly brought it to my best friend to read and next will be going to me mother. Love, love, loved it.
Brianna –
Haven’t loved a book like this in quite some time, the ending brought me to tears. Literally. Instantly brought it to my best friend to read and next will be going to me mother. Love, love, loved it.