Review: From Notting Hill to New York... Actually (Notting Hill #2)

From Notting Hill to New York... Actually by Ali McNamara

Format: Trade Paperback
Pages: 448
Published: November 22, 2012
Publisher: Sphere
Genre: Fiction, Chick Lit

My Rating: 4.5/5

Summary (from amazon.co.uk):

Scarlett O'Brien, utterly addicted to romantic films, has found her leading man. She's convinced Sean is Mr Right, but the day-to-day reality of a relationship isn't quite like the movies. With Sean constantly away on business, Scarlett and her new best friend Oscar decide to head to New York for the holiday of a lifetime.

From one famous landmark to the next, Scarlett and Oscar make many new friends during their adventure - including sailors in town for Fleet Week, a famous film star, and Jamie & Max, a TV reporter and cameraman. Scarlett finds herself strangely drawn to Jamie, they appear to have much in common: a love of films and Jamie's search for a parent he never knew. But Scarlett has to ask herself why she is reacting like this to another man when she's so in love with Sean . . .

Review:

**NOTE: A copy of this book was provided by the publisher.  However, no compensations were made and this review reflects my honest thoughts and feelings.**

Just a head's up, this review could contain spoliers if you have not read the first book in the Notting Hill series (you can read my review here).

When Sleepless in Seattle meets Sex in the City, it is nothing short of a miracle that New York survives the ensuing chaos.

Once again, with every turn of the page, Ali McNamara had me reliving some of my all-time favourite movies - Serendipity, When Harry Met Sally, Home Alone.  Being able to read a book and live in a movie really sets my heart-a-glow!

I loved being back in Scarlett's chaotic life and was even happier that the adventure was in America this time around because I could actually picture so many of the scenes that she was living with Oscar.  The fact that there were so many supporting characters playing important roles in this book really worked well for me.  I enjoyed learning more about the very outgoing Oscar as he added some seriously funny parts to the story.  Jamie and Max were also top-notch in my books and I really hope that if there is a third book in the series that they are front and centre as well.  As for the 'England' crew, they weren't as involved but you were able to keep up with that side of the story so I felt that it worked.

The romantic aspect of this book had me swooooooning for days after I finished reading it.  I actually had that gushing feeling when I finished reading and that doesn't happen often so I know that there is something special about this particular story.  Ali McNamara has a true gift of speaking directly to the hearts of her readers.  Her ability to encorporate so many romantic movies and scenarios into a story and yet be able to do it without being obvious, is pure genious.  She knows her audience and is able to focus on what will keep them happy and more importantly, keep them coming back.

Overall, I have to say that book two actually surpassed book one... and that is really hard to say because I absolutely loved the start of this story.  If you are a fan of romance, you cannot miss this one!