From Notting Hill With Love...Actually Review

From Notting Hill With Love...Actually

-       Ali McNamara

Publisher: Sphere

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 fiance 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?

It’s been a long time since I read a chick-lit book – over the last year my reading habits have slipped firmly into the Urban Fantasy arena with occasional YA, fantasy and science-fiction. Having decided to expand my reading genres again, I picked this up as I love films and it’s based in London. I’d forgotten how much fun these types of books can be!

So the story may not be the most original – girl torn between a long term but boring boyfriend and an exciting, perfect new guy. Within pages you know who she will choose, but the point of these books isn’t the choice, but the journey to get there. I loved the re-enactment of various film scenes – anyone who has seen even a couple of romantic comedies like Four Weddings and a Funeral and Notting Hill will appreciate the situations Scarlett finds herself in. While Scarlett herself is a typical light hearted heroine – a little superficial but kind hearted, she does have some serious family issues with her mother leaving her and her father when she was six months old. This adds some depth to the story and made it much more moving as a result

My major niggle was actually a language one – Scarlett continually refers to her love of movies. Fair enough. But in the UK people are just as likely – if not more so, to say film as movie. Or at least use both words. Such excessive use of the word movie was really jarring after a while – at least for my British sensibilities! J

Overall, a great romantic comedy in book form – perfect if you’re in the mood for some silly situations and funny one liners. The perfect popcorn book – no calories but filling enough for a few hours!

Recommended for fans of Sophie Kinsella and Hugh Grant. 8 out of 10.