Review: From Notting Hill with Love... Actually

From Notting Hill with Love... Actually by Ali McNamara

Format: Trade Paperback
Pages: 449
Published: November 25, 2012
Publisher: Hachette Book Group
Genre: Fiction, Chick Lit

My Rating: 4/5

Summary (from amazon.com):

She was just a girl, standing in front of a boy . . . wishing he looked more like Hugh Grant. Scarlett loves the movies. But does she love sensible fiancé David just as much?

 

With a big white wedding on the horizon, Scarlett really should have decided by now . . . When she has the chance to house-sit in Notting Hill, the setting of one of her favourite movies? Scarlett jumps at the chance. But living life like a movie is trickier than it seems, especially when her new neighbour Sean is so irritating. And so irritatingly handsome, too. Scarlett soon finds herself starring in a romantic comedy of her very own: but who will end up as the leading man?

 

Review:

 

Ever watch a movie and want to live the life of the main character?  If you really looked around, it's possible you already are...

 

Being a huge rom-com movie fan, the title of this book alone drew me in and made me want to read it... I mean, Notting Hill and Love Actually?!  Yes, please!!  Those are not the only two movies that are talked about either... Bridget Jones Diary, Pretty Woman, Four Wedding and a Funeral and many more.  I love it and as I read, it became a game to see if I could figure out which movies were going to come to life next.

 

Ali McNamara is able to bring to life so many of the characters that I love through Scarlett that you can't help but love her as the main character.  Sure, her head can be in the clouds more than most and her ideals are wrapped in twinkle lights but is that so wrong?  I like to think that life isn't always so drab and that you really can make fairy tales come true.

 

Being a typical chick lit book, there is the usual battle of the heart.  Scarlett spends a great deal of time debating between her Mark Darcy and her Daniel Cleaver.  Who would you choose?  While I knew where my heart wanted her to go, I was sitting on the edge of my seat until the very last page waiting to see what would happen. 

 

Overall, a well written story that makes my heart swoon in all the right places.  I cannot wait to read the sequel, From Notting Hill to New York... Actually.