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With Love from London: A Novel Kindle Edition
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.
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherBallantine Books
- Publication dateFebruary 8, 2022
- File size5548 KB
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From the Publisher
Editorial Reviews
Review
“Jio (All the Flowers in Paris) unfurls an extraordinary and heartfelt tale that will stay with readers long after the final page is turned . . . her masterful plotting will keep readers guessing until the end. This is sure to tug on readers’ heartstrings.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
About the Author
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
Valentina
London, England
November 3, 2013
“There are far better things ahead than any we leave behind,” says the stranger sitting next to me on the airplane—a sixtysomething woman with feathered bangs and a hair tie clinging so tightly to her left wrist that I’ve spent most of the flight worried it might turn into a medical emergency.
In my years of assorted travel, I’ve had a long history of questionable airplane seatmates: the ninety-year-old man who touched my leg 3,781 times, then lapsed into a flatulence-fueled nap; the crying baby of all crying babies; the woman who drank too many mini bottles of rum and passed out on my shoulder, drooling.
However, on this particular flight, it seems I’ve been graced by the “Sentimental Orator.” We’d barely cleared the runway, and Chatty in seat 26B had already quoted Shakespeare, Marilyn Monroe, and, if I remember correctly, Muhammad Ali.
My tired, blank stare obviously troubles her, because the corners of her mouth plummet into a disappointed frown. “You poor child,” she says, shaking her head. “You don’t know C. S. Lewis? A shame.”
“Yes,” I say, closing my eyes as I press my head against the seat back, attempting sleep—or, at least, pretending to. “It’s . . . very sad.”
And it is. I’ve just been accused of not knowing a quote by one of my favorite authors, though I’m presently too exhausted to defend myself. But what’s sadder? The very quote itself.
“There are better things ahead than any we leave behind.”
My eyes shoot open as the plane begins to descend over London and a burst of turbulence jostles me against the Sentimental Orator who, I predict, will soon start reciting Gandhi, or maybe Mother Teresa.
My mind churns. What if C. S. Lewis was wrong? What if there aren’t better things to come? What if . . . ?
The plane rattles again as it slips beneath a cloud, landing gear deployed. A moment later, we’re touching down at Heathrow with a thud.
I peer out the window. So, this is London.
The Sentimental Orator gasps and fumbles for her inhaler as I take in my first view of England and its seemingly endless gray. A thick layer of fog and dark clouds blend like a muddled watercolor painting—and my own gray mood. Gray on gray on gray.
I sigh as I collect my bag from the overhead compartment and walk numbly ahead. I’m thirty-five years old. This should be chapter thirteen of my life—maybe even chapter sixteen. But somehow, I feel as if I’ve been catapulted back to the very beginning, or worst, thrust into a laborious rewrite.
“Chapter 1: An American Divorcee in London.”
“Miss,” the Sentimental Orator says, tapping my shoulder. “I think you forgot . . . your book.”
She hands it to me and I eye the cover with equal parts humiliation and denial. How to Get Divorced and Not Lose Your Mind. I’d only read two chapters, as covertly as possible, but quickly lost interest and tucked it into the seat pocket for the next passenger’s guaranteed delight. I mean, what therapist in their right mind would title a chapter: “The Best Way to Get Over Someone Is to Get Under Someone”?
“You poor thing,” the Sentimental Orator says, smiling to herself.
Give this model citizen a gold star!
“Are you going through a divorce?”
Is it just me, or did she say the word “divorce” several decibels louder? The pair of women to our left look over, their faces beaming pity—for me.
I nod. “Yeah—recently.” More nearby eyes descend on me. I might as well have a sticker on my back that reads: recently divorced.
“Remember, dear,” my transatlantic seatmate says, “that it takes six months for every year you were together to get over someone.”
I’d heard this before—from other well-meaning people—but it always left me feeling confused and, well, a bit terrified. Nick and I were married for twelve years, so by those calculations, will I wallow in sadness and self-loathing for . . . six more? Who made up this ridiculous statistic, and can we all agree that it’s completely bogus?
It has to be, right?
I sidestep a couple in front of me to avoid the Sentimental Orator’s inevitable, forthcoming question: “Do you mind my asking . . . what happened?” And then I’d be backed into that awful corner, where I’m required to explain that my husband, an attorney, left me for the twenty-three-year-old paralegal he’d been secretly seeing for months. And yes, I actually believed he was working late all those nights. Her name? Oh, it’s Missy, who shows off her endless legs and fake eyelashes on Instagram.
My own account is booksbyval. When I should have been posting inspiration from the novels on my nightstand, I stalked Missy. Guilty as charged. You’re wondering: Is she . . . attractive? Smart? Yes, on both counts, though don’t you think it should be illegal for someone with perennially pink, pouty lips to also graduate summa cum laude?
They’re a couple now. Missy and Nicky. MadeForEachOther, or so read one of her recent posts, where she casually hinted at the new love in her life: my husband, or rather, soon-to-be ex-husband.
I feel like a zombie as I walk to the passport control area, grateful to have parted ways with the Orator. I scan my passport into a machine, and it begins flashing red and beeping. A moment later, a customs officer appears to tell me I’ve been randomly selected for further screening.
Of course I have.
“Miss, I’ll need you to come with me,” he says, leading me to a nearby room, where I hand him my passport. “Here for a holiday?”
“Uh—” I stammer as he fumbles through my bag, my underwear right on top of my jeans, and the old ratty AC/DC sweatshirt I can’t seem to part with, even if Nick did give it to me the year we first started dating. “A holiday?” I shake my head. “No.”
“Business then?” he continues, as he searches through my carry-on bag with gloved hands.
“No,” I say, rubbing my forehead. “Not business.”
“Well, then, what is it, miss?”
I swallow hard, deflecting his intense gaze, which feels as if it’s piercing into me. “My mother died,” I finally blurt.
A tinge of humanity appears in his eyes—only a glimmer, but it’s there. Perhaps that’s the only good thing about death—that it softens the hardest edges.
“I’m very sorry,” he says, returning my passport, then pausing briefly. “You’re all clear. Welcome to England.”
I nod as he leads me out a separate entrance, then follow the signs to baggage claim, where I collect my two large suitcases on carousel 11 and make my way outside to find a cab. I wave at a waiting driver, who’s leaning against his car, smoking a cigarette.
“Where to?” he asks, loading my luggage.
“Primrose Hill,” I say.
He nods. “Coming home?”
Now that the divorce is nearly final and the Seattle house sold, Primrose Hill will be my landing place. Still, it’s foreign to me.
I shrug. “Sort of.”
Product details
- ASIN : B08JKNFT4R
- Publisher : Ballantine Books (February 8, 2022)
- Publication date : February 8, 2022
- Language : English
- File size : 5548 KB
- Text-to-Speech : Enabled
- Screen Reader : Supported
- Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
- X-Ray : Enabled
- Word Wise : Enabled
- Print length : 381 pages
- Page numbers source ISBN : 1101885084
- Best Sellers Rank: #121,663 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #1,246 in Mothers & Children Fiction
- #1,843 in Women's Friendship Fiction
- #2,942 in Contemporary Women's Fiction
- Customer Reviews:
About the author
Sarah Jio is the #1 international, New York Times bestselling author of ALWAYS, in addition to THE VIOLETS OF MARCH (a Library Journal Best Book of 2011 and a USA Today bestseller), THE BUNGALOW, BLACKBERRY WINTER (an instant New York Times and USA Today bestseller, as well as an international bestseller), THE LAST CAMELLIA (a Kirkus Books Most Anticipated Book of 2012), MORNING GLORY, and GOODNIGHT JUNE (to be published in June 2014). To date, Sarah's novels are published in more than 30 countries, including Italy, France, Brazil, Turkey, Slovenia, Russia, China, Norway, Germany, Lithuania, Poland, Spain, and many others.
A magazine writer and the former founding health and fitness blogger for Glamour magazine, Sarah has contributed to The New York Times, Redbook, O, The Oprah Magazine, Cooking Light, Glamour, SELF, Real Simple, Fitness, Marie Claire, Hallmark magazine, Seventeen, BRIDES, Health, Bon Appetit, Gourmet, The Seattle Times, Parents, Woman's Day, Parenting, and many others. She has also appeared as a commentator on NPR's Morning Edition.
Sarah lives in Seattle and is the mother of three young sons.
The slightly more informal bio:
1978-1983: The blissful childhood years. Pigtails. French braids. Bunny rabbits. Warm, chocolate chip cookies. Blackberry picking. Saltwater sandals. Magical Christmases. Trips to Disneyland. Dress up. Swingsets. Bossing around younger siblings. Slip 'n Slides and kiddie pools. Shenanigans.
1983-1988: The jelly bracelet and Keds years. Wrote first book, titled "A Tug Boat's Dream." Leggings with long sweaters and belts. Hypercolor T-shirts. Pink boom boxes. Monarch butterflies. Norwegian dancing. Sleepovers. Cabbage Patch dolls. Lisa Frank stickers. Rollerskating at the rink. Little House on the Prairie. Experimental hairstyles, including feathered bangs and the poodle perm. Best friend moves away. Wishing on stars. First crushes. All details recorded in diary, read by little brother.
1988-1993: The hair-flipping years. Boys. Gap sale rack. Junior high angst. Rollerblading. Tennis. More bad hair. Survive California earthquake. Find a message in a bottle. Ate a lot of fettuccine alfredo. Move into new house. Babysitters Club. Italian sodas at the mall.
1993-1996: The band groupie years. Mohawked boyfriend. Broken heart. Cut hair to a short pixie and dye platinum blond. Church camps. Boys. Private school. Grounded. Tennis. Mexico. Debate team. Green 1969 Volkswagen Beetle. Grounded. Nancy Drew. Safeway. Banana Boat suntan lotion. Starbucks. Daydreaming.
1996-2000: The college years. Journalism. Character-building. Deadlines. Expeditions to Canada. Three part-time jobs. Date football player, Calvin Klein underwear model. Summers in Alaska. First apartment in Seattle. IKEA. Stan Getz. Soul searching.
2000-2005: The busy years. Get married (finish a magazine deadline the night before wedding). Honeymoon in Tahiti. Buy house. Remodel house. Become fanatical about gardening. Become doggie mama to Paisley the golden retriever who digs up prized garden. Go to a cooking class in Provence and spend two nights solo in Paris. Write a zillion magazine articles. Open a bottle of champagne when I see my name in O, The Oprah Magazine. Write first book. Do not sell first book (blessing in disguise). Beloved grandfather dies. Baby fever. Nesting.
2005-and beyond: The babies and books years. Buy another house. Remodel kitchen. Wash dishes in bathtub. Became a regular contributor to Glamour. First baby born. Colic. No sleep. Crying. Organic baby food. Balance. Magazines deadlines. Second baby arrives. Write new novel. Beloved grandma dies. Sign with literary agent. Sell novel at auction in U.S., and later in 14 countries. Sell second novel. Third baby arrives. Level of chaos in home explodes. Sign with film agent. Interview Gwyneth Paltrow (on the phone, while nursing a baby), Maya Angelou, and others. Sell third and fourth novels. Go on book tour. With a baby. Three boys under the age of six. Drink a lot of coffee, and sometimes wine. Buy new house. Dream of huge refrigerator and office with doors that lock. Write fifth novel, sixth and seventh. Take boys to Disneyland. Long runs. Big dreams. Health. New chapters. Grateful.
Customer reviews
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers enjoyed the book's engaging story and characters. They found the story heartwarming and touching, with a slice-of-life style and interesting interactions between people. The writing quality was described as excellent and beautifully told. Readers appreciated the vivid descriptions of the setting, including the bookstore and quaint London village.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the book engaging and enjoyable to read. They describe it as a must-read, lovely, and entertaining. Readers mention that the story is touching and has mixed emotions. The book takes place in an appealing bookstore and neighborhood.
"This is a good book. As expected it doesn't disappoint. Interesting to read about intersecting lives...." Read more
"I love Sarah Jio and this book was long awaited!..." Read more
"It is a good book." Read more
"...It's definitely a book to treasure - and share with my mom. Thanks #Netgalley for the complimentary electronic version...." Read more
Customers enjoy the story quality. They find it interesting to read about intersecting lives told from both points of view in a captivating way. Readers appreciate the touching moments and dual timelines that always come together seamlessly. The book is described as an engaging slice of life with excellent writing.
"...As expected it doesn't disappoint. Interesting to read about intersecting lives. A reader can in how life continues for these people." Read more
"...I love these characters and their complicated history. I love reading about characters who love books. The bookstore setting was magical...." Read more
"...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..." Read more
"...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..." Read more
Customers find the book heartwarming and emotional. They describe it as a cozy read that makes them feel nostalgic. The story explores love and forgiveness between a mother and child.
"...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..." Read more
"...The lives of the 2 main characters are filled with beauty, tragedy, and love...." Read more
"...It’s a cozy read, and my only real problem was with Eloise - she seemed far more passive than she should have been, given how her personality was..." Read more
"...of book that is hard to put down, satisfying while reading, and sad when it ends. Can't wait for the next one!" Read more
Customers enjoy the book's character development. They find the characters wonderful and human, with nice descriptions of people and places they visit.
"...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!" Read more
"...and endearing picture of the setting as well as created a memorable cast of characters you wish you could meet. Charming and impactful." Read more
"I loved this book. It was sad. It was happy. It is filled with wonderful characters and stories. Sarah Bio is a wonderful author. Its a must read." Read more
"...It is warm and sad and happy with complicated characters that you can fall in love with...." Read more
Customers find the writing quality excellent and beautifully told. They appreciate the gifted writer.
"This is a well written and addictive book...." Read more
"...She has such a way of writing you feel like these characters are your friends and you are right there in the story with them...." Read more
"Well written novel about a mother and daughter estranged for many years and the story of what led up to it...." Read more
"My first read by Sarah Jio. With Love From London was so well written I felt like I was at all locations in London...." Read more
Customers enjoy the book's setting in a quaint London village. They appreciate the vivid and endearing portrayal of the setting by the author.
"...The lives of the 2 main characters are filled with beauty, tragedy, and love...." Read more
"...I especially loved the setting since I’ve been to London and I absolutely love it! Plus it takes place at a wonderful bookstore and neighborhood...." Read more
"...Beautifully described setting in a quaint London village surrounded by beautiful characters...." Read more
"simply beautiful..." Read more
Customers enjoy the book store setting. They mention it's magical and comfortable. The book is about a small community bookstore in London.
"...I love reading about characters who love books. The bookstore setting was magical. The multiple timelines tied together seamlessly...." Read more
"...And it involves a small community bookstore which is a comfortable space that many in the community have special memories of...." Read more
"I just love this book, all about London, book stores and wonderful people. The characters are amazing, and I want to know them in person...." Read more
Customers enjoy the book's detailed descriptions of London and its setting. They appreciate the book stores and characters.
"I just love this book, all about London, book stores and wonderful people. The characters are amazing, and I want to know them in person...." Read more
"What a great story. I fell in love with characters. I also loved all the details of London...." Read more
"...Beautifully described setting in a quaint London village surrounded by beautiful characters...." Read more
Reviews with images
Now I HAVE to read all Sarah Jio books!
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on November 21, 2024This is a good book. As expected it doesn't disappoint. Interesting to read about intersecting lives. A reader can in how life continues for these people.
- Reviewed in the United States on March 1, 2022I 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.
- Reviewed in the United States on January 15, 2023I 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!
- Reviewed in the United States on November 12, 2022Here’s the secret to enjoying this book: suspend belief and don’t expect too much. The premise of this book is both sad and unlikely. Valentina believes that her mother, Eloise, voluntarily left her and returned to London without a word then or in the years after. She was only 11. After her mother’s death she receives word that she has inherited a bookstore and its building in London. The bookstore is struggling, and Valentina is still holding her feelings of abandonment close to her heart. The story begins when Valentina goes to London and plunges into running the bookstore and living in her mother’s flat. There are two timelines: the life of Eloise and the contemporary life of Valentina. By the time it’s done, the disappearance of her mother is explained, the bookstore is saved, and every single person is in a happy romantic relationship. I would apologize for the spoilers, but really you know what’s coming when you begin on page one in a book like this. Bottomline: not bad, just not my kind of book. Even the view of London on these pages is unrecognizable because it is so saccharine.
- Reviewed in the United States on November 9, 2024It is a good book.
- Reviewed in the United States on February 27, 2022I 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.
- Reviewed in the United States on January 7, 2023This is a well written and addictive book. Like so many books set in London and going back a few decades, it get the odd fact incorrect, when written by someone who didn't live there then. London also gets bad press on rain. Having lived and worked there for three decades, I would be the first to agree about grey cloudy days, but drizzle is more likely than heavy rainfall. Has anyone checked annual rainfall compared to Paris, New York and Rome?
Top reviews from other countries
- RhondaReviewed in Canada on May 27, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Best story
You must pick this up and read it! Fantastic! Beautifully written story of love and loss!! Highly recommend!
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AnnaReviewed in Brazil on May 5, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Envolvente
Adorei o livro, a história prende muito a atenção e te deixa querendo saber o final do livro! Recomendo também “violetas de março” e “bangalô”, que eu li no Kindle unlimited e que prenderam muito a minha atenção!!
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CaterinaReviewed in Italy on April 19, 2022
5.0 out of 5 stars Che bella scoperta
Non conoscevo Sarah Jio e devo dire che con questo libro mi ha conquistata. Mi aspettavo un libro pesante e invece ho trovato una storia agrodolce scorrevolissma e non " affezionarsi " a certi personaggi è impossibile. Consigliatissimo!!!
- Bronwen E FairbrotherReviewed in Canada on July 19, 2022
4.0 out of 5 stars Thoughtful and heartfelt, just when you think you know someone they may surprise you
I am really enjoying the emotional and physical journeys both Eloise and Valentina go on to learn more about themselves and how to live the good life with purpose, belonging, friendship and love.
- bjnReviewed in Canada on April 14, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars good story
excellent writing