What do you think?
Rate this book
London Romance #5
London, Actually
Rules Are Made To Be Broken…
Two years after her marriage implodes, event-planner Cleo Nightingale is ready to get back in the dating game. However, she has one key no younger women.
How hard can it be?
Fresh out of uni, Becca Cramer is single and ready to embrace her new career. She’s not looking for a relationship, but then fate steps in and introduces her to Cleo.
Mix in two weddings & a festival, a jilted brother and a pregnant best friend, and you’ve got all the ingredients for a hilarious page-turner featuring the unlikely love-match of the year!
Book five in the London Romance series features favourite characters from previous novels, and is another uplifting, sparky romantic comedy from best-selling author Clare Lydon.
London, Actually is a standalone novel.
342 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2018
38 people are currently reading
470 people want to read
About the author
Clare Lydon
43 books1,579 followersClare Lydon is a London-based writer of contemporary lesbian romance. She's a No.1 best-seller on lesbian fiction charts around the globe with five full-length novels to her name, as well as writing the All I Want series, set to continue throughout 2016. If you love romantic comedies, prepare to fall head over heels in love.
If you like books shot through with witty dialogue, 3D characters and sharp observations of modern lesbian life, why not give Clare's books a try?
More at: www.clarelydon.co.uk
Get a copy of my free Christmas novella 'It Had To Be You' by signing up to my mailing list here:
www.clarelydon.co.uk/it-had-to-be-you
If you like books shot through with witty dialogue, 3D characters and sharp observations of modern lesbian life, why not give Clare's books a try?
More at: www.clarelydon.co.uk
Get a copy of my free Christmas novella 'It Had To Be You' by signing up to my mailing list here:
www.clarelydon.co.uk/it-had-to-be-you
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
March 26, 2019
Plays Faith Hill's
🎶This kiss, this kiss (Unstoppable, Unsinkable, It's criminal) 🎶
Meeting someone during a wedding reception + not being under pressure to find someone during it, is one of the best thing that can happen to anyone. Once you feel the 'zing' (thanks Dracula) and continues the after party some place else, talk, drink, eat fried chicken at 3am and end the night by doing what Faith Hill is singing up there. Another song will come to mind.
🎶
I didn't know that I was starving till I tasted you.
Don't need no butterflies when you give me the whole damn zoo🎶
I read the 4th book, The London Of Us, it is still my absolute favorite and London Actually is good enough to be in the 2nd spot.
Becca and Cleo have two issues blocking from their happily ever after. Not going to lie, there are a few times, I want to throttle both of them. With the help of The Queen, no, not Elizabeth, Madonna and one of the best love song ever! - Crazy For You, Cleo and Becca reward my patience by being amazingly beautiful together with endless swoonworthy scenes and dialogues.
Perfect blend of heat, heart, and humor. London, Actually have me flipping pages so quickly I could barely control myself. Not only do I love the scenes between Cleo and Becca but I find myself laughing out loud and loving the scenes between the leads with Heidi, Tracey, Rachel, Duncan, Jess, Lucy and Martha, the family and friends.
Family and Friends, the best element in this book. Hard to live in this era without them even if they treat your place like Seinfeld's apartment, expect their favorite cereals / ice creams readily available and have the sixth sense when to interrupt your nightstand inventory sessions
🎶This kiss, this kiss (Unstoppable, Unsinkable, It's criminal) 🎶
Meeting someone during a wedding reception + not being under pressure to find someone during it, is one of the best thing that can happen to anyone. Once you feel the 'zing' (thanks Dracula) and continues the after party some place else, talk, drink, eat fried chicken at 3am and end the night by doing what Faith Hill is singing up there. Another song will come to mind.
🎶
I didn't know that I was starving till I tasted you.
Don't need no butterflies when you give me the whole damn zoo🎶
I read the 4th book, The London Of Us, it is still my absolute favorite and London Actually is good enough to be in the 2nd spot.
Becca and Cleo have two issues blocking from their happily ever after. Not going to lie, there are a few times, I want to throttle both of them. With the help of The Queen, no, not Elizabeth, Madonna and one of the best love song ever! - Crazy For You, Cleo and Becca reward my patience by being amazingly beautiful together with endless swoonworthy scenes and dialogues.
Perfect blend of heat, heart, and humor. London, Actually have me flipping pages so quickly I could barely control myself. Not only do I love the scenes between Cleo and Becca but I find myself laughing out loud and loving the scenes between the leads with Heidi, Tracey, Rachel, Duncan, Jess, Lucy and Martha, the family and friends.
Family and Friends, the best element in this book. Hard to live in this era without them even if they treat your place like Seinfeld's apartment, expect their favorite cereals / ice creams readily available and have the sixth sense when to interrupt your nightstand inventory sessions
July 3, 2024
4 Stars for London, Actually (audiobook) by Clare Lydon read by Lucy Price-Lewis.
Life gets complicated for Cleo after she hooks up with Becca after a wedding and then finds out the next day that she is the new young recruit that she was planning on hiring. Cleo has sworn off younger women but she definitely feels a connection with Becca. Should they try and make it work?
Life gets complicated for Cleo after she hooks up with Becca after a wedding and then finds out the next day that she is the new young recruit that she was planning on hiring. Cleo has sworn off younger women but she definitely feels a connection with Becca. Should they try and make it work?
November 2, 2018
Detailed score: 4.5 rounded up
If I didn’t know better, I would have sworn Mellisa Brayden wrote this. It has the same balance of humour, swoon, pwoar and sass with a strong supporting task (including callbacks to previous couple from the author’s earlier works.
I find Lydon one of the most frustratingly inconsistent lesfic authors. I really haven’t jelled at all with some of her offerings of late. This book reminded me what she’s like at her best; one of those reads where I wanted to read ahead because I was so invested but at the same time, deliberately slowing my reading at certain points because it was so so good I wanted to savour it (and because you can only read a book for the first time once).
Overall - avoid if you’re not a Brayden fan as this has many of the same qualities. Otherwise just hand over your credit card and be done with it - it’s a no brainer
If I didn’t know better, I would have sworn Mellisa Brayden wrote this. It has the same balance of humour, swoon, pwoar and sass with a strong supporting task (including callbacks to previous couple from the author’s earlier works.
I find Lydon one of the most frustratingly inconsistent lesfic authors. I really haven’t jelled at all with some of her offerings of late. This book reminded me what she’s like at her best; one of those reads where I wanted to read ahead because I was so invested but at the same time, deliberately slowing my reading at certain points because it was so so good I wanted to savour it (and because you can only read a book for the first time once).
Overall - avoid if you’re not a Brayden fan as this has many of the same qualities. Otherwise just hand over your credit card and be done with it - it’s a no brainer
December 6, 2018
Loved it!
A beautiful uplifting story. Easy to read and hard to put down. If you are looking for a fun romantic series then this London series is the one for you.
A beautiful uplifting story. Easy to read and hard to put down. If you are looking for a fun romantic series then this London series is the one for you.
July 20, 2025
Reading Clare Lyndon is like lieing in bed with a warm duvet and a glass of red wine. Bliss. Love it. So easy to read, real pathos amoungst the humour and old fashioned story telling. Thank you.
October 24, 2018
Event planner Cleo Nightingale is 39 and recovering from a divorce two years ago. Her only rule for dating again is to avoid younger women. Becca Cramer is 23, exactly what Cleo doesn't need. But she's also gorgeous, mature and hard working, a combination difficult to resist. Will they have their happily ever after?
Clare Lydon's novels are the epitome of lesbian rom-coms, full of romance, hot chemistry and feel good moments. Her books are funny, witty and quintessentially British, but not overwhelmingly so. The plots are tightly woven, the characters are well rounded and the dialogues are humorous and engaging. 'London, actually' is no exception. As is often the case with Lydon's books, the readers just have to sit comfortably and enjoy the read.
This is book five in the 'London Romance' series and can be read as a standalone novel. 'London, actually' is an age gap romance with the stunning setting of London which the author describes beautifully. Even the weather is realistic. Both characters are very well portrayed and convincing. Becca seems quite mature for her age but, as the youngest of five siblings, is a credible trait. On the other hand, 39 year old Cleo comes with a baggage, though her resistance to younger women is justified. Their chemistry together is hot from the beginning and increases several notches as the story moves forward. Some of the scenes of Cleo and Becca together are incredibly cinematographic in the descriptions and, at the same time, intimate and evocative. My favorite is the scene at the Boston hotel bar drinking vodka-martinis with blue cheese olives. It will stay in my memory for a long time.
The secondary characters bring the whole story to life, specially Cleo's best friend, and very pregnant, Heidi and Tracey, Becca's pansexual flatmate. I wonder if Ms. Lydon is planning a story with them as leads (or maybe it's my wishful thinking). Some of the couples from the previous books in the series appear in this one but there aren't any major spoilers so there's no need to read the series chronologically.
Overall, an entertaining, funny, hot and feel-good romance. Clare Lydon at her best. 5 stars.
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
See all my reviews at www.lezreviewbooks.com
Clare Lydon's novels are the epitome of lesbian rom-coms, full of romance, hot chemistry and feel good moments. Her books are funny, witty and quintessentially British, but not overwhelmingly so. The plots are tightly woven, the characters are well rounded and the dialogues are humorous and engaging. 'London, actually' is no exception. As is often the case with Lydon's books, the readers just have to sit comfortably and enjoy the read.
This is book five in the 'London Romance' series and can be read as a standalone novel. 'London, actually' is an age gap romance with the stunning setting of London which the author describes beautifully. Even the weather is realistic. Both characters are very well portrayed and convincing. Becca seems quite mature for her age but, as the youngest of five siblings, is a credible trait. On the other hand, 39 year old Cleo comes with a baggage, though her resistance to younger women is justified. Their chemistry together is hot from the beginning and increases several notches as the story moves forward. Some of the scenes of Cleo and Becca together are incredibly cinematographic in the descriptions and, at the same time, intimate and evocative. My favorite is the scene at the Boston hotel bar drinking vodka-martinis with blue cheese olives. It will stay in my memory for a long time.
The secondary characters bring the whole story to life, specially Cleo's best friend, and very pregnant, Heidi and Tracey, Becca's pansexual flatmate. I wonder if Ms. Lydon is planning a story with them as leads (or maybe it's my wishful thinking). Some of the couples from the previous books in the series appear in this one but there aren't any major spoilers so there's no need to read the series chronologically.
Overall, an entertaining, funny, hot and feel-good romance. Clare Lydon at her best. 5 stars.
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
See all my reviews at www.lezreviewbooks.com
January 20, 2019
It’s a romantic comedy from Clare Lydon, so of course it’s written well! It’s funny and sexy with a touch of angst to keep things interesting, but not so much that it’s ever difficult to read. Comfort reading at its finest.
Full review: https://www.thelesbianreview.com/lond...
Full review: https://www.thelesbianreview.com/lond...
December 10, 2018
London, Actually is book 5 in Clare Lydon’s the 'London Romance' series. This one takes us to a corporate setting involving Rachel’s younger sister, Becca. Becca has landed her first job since graduating from college working for an event planning firm. One big problem for Becca upon starting her dream job is that she just made out with her new boss Saturday night.
Cleo Nightingale is a 39 year old is the head of events for Workplace as global office space company. On Monday morning she is reeling from an unexpected yet amazing Saturday evening. Saturday, Cleo and her brother Duncan attended the wedding of their childhood neighbor. At the wedding, Cleo met the most amazing woman, 23 year old hottie, Becca. They enjoyed each other’s company went out after the nuptials for drinks and had a fabulous drunken goodnight kiss. One she was still thinking about later.
Becca and Cleo are caught up in a workplace romance neither expected. They both try like hell to put their kiss behind them but as they learn more about each other the attraction only intensifies. As much as Cleo does not want to date a younger woman she just cannot deny the sexual chemistry.
Clare Lydon’s always writes a clever, fun-loving story with well-defined characters. Overall, London, Actually is a very good addition to this wonderful series. A good romance to unwind with after a long week! 3.25 stars
Cleo Nightingale is a 39 year old is the head of events for Workplace as global office space company. On Monday morning she is reeling from an unexpected yet amazing Saturday evening. Saturday, Cleo and her brother Duncan attended the wedding of their childhood neighbor. At the wedding, Cleo met the most amazing woman, 23 year old hottie, Becca. They enjoyed each other’s company went out after the nuptials for drinks and had a fabulous drunken goodnight kiss. One she was still thinking about later.
Becca and Cleo are caught up in a workplace romance neither expected. They both try like hell to put their kiss behind them but as they learn more about each other the attraction only intensifies. As much as Cleo does not want to date a younger woman she just cannot deny the sexual chemistry.
Clare Lydon’s always writes a clever, fun-loving story with well-defined characters. Overall, London, Actually is a very good addition to this wonderful series. A good romance to unwind with after a long week! 3.25 stars
October 29, 2018
Lovely book, enjoyed the characters, the jokes and the writing. A solid 4 stars for me. Not 5 because I like a slower build up of the love better, so for me this was a bit fast.
But I can certainly recommend this book if you’re in the mood for some light reading.
But I can certainly recommend this book if you’re in the mood for some light reading.
November 22, 2018
I’ll admit that I didn’t love some of the previous books in the series. I’m a little bit or miss with the author. This one though, I really liked. Probably my favorite in the series so far. I love age gap stories so this one was a real treat.
March 26, 2019
I started this romance book along with a Netflix series and a history book (?), because I was supposed to diversify my interests a bit and I was going to stop procrastinating. I was supposed to read a chapter of the other book, one of this, watch an episode of Netflix, and then an hour of research and writing for the thesis, because I'm 7 years old and I have to bribe myself to work. I couldn't put it down! I tried! The Netflix show is really good, and the other book is interesting enough, but this had me hook!
Cleo is almost 40 and not looking for love, but she is a romantic that after 2 years is still suffering for the end of her marriage. Becca is 23, full of life, starting her new job, and taking a year long break on her love life. They end up sitting in the same table at a wedding, the attraction is instantaneous, and after a few drinks in a lesbian club the age gap is forgotten and they have a really great night an a bittersweet kiss. Come monday turns out Cleo is Becca's new boss, the age gap is not so forgotten and both are relieve the didn't slept together, or so they say.
It wasn't at the edge of my seat waiting to change the page, but I was invested in them, I wanted to know how they where gonna end up together, I liked them, and that's what got me hooked.
Cleo is almost 40 and not looking for love, but she is a romantic that after 2 years is still suffering for the end of her marriage. Becca is 23, full of life, starting her new job, and taking a year long break on her love life. They end up sitting in the same table at a wedding, the attraction is instantaneous, and after a few drinks in a lesbian club the age gap is forgotten and they have a really great night an a bittersweet kiss. Come monday turns out Cleo is Becca's new boss, the age gap is not so forgotten and both are relieve the didn't slept together, or so they say.
It wasn't at the edge of my seat waiting to change the page, but I was invested in them, I wanted to know how they where gonna end up together, I liked them, and that's what got me hooked.
July 26, 2019
Whenever I get bored with reading, I jump on my local library app and see what new has been added to the list of lesbian romances. The pickings could be better but sometimes something that I have been interested in reading shows up. London, Actually showed up as a Audio book and I jumped on it. I thought it was a cute romance but not exceptional. I find that Lydon normally is a dependable writer and puts out stuff that I normally enjoy. I liked both MCs but towards the end I was a bit bored. I do really like that the angst is really low in this one so that made it better for me.
I will rate this one 3.5 stars
I will rate this one 3.5 stars
August 7, 2021
The focus on the boss/subordinate relationship made me really uncomfortable, especially when one of the characters claims that because Cleo and Becca are (hot) women, workplace harassment rules shouldn't apply to them. Also the emphasis on love as destiny (out of one's control, can't be fought, must be submitted to)was repetitive and irritating, especially as communication and work in relationships was downplayed.
I kept expecting the book to end once the workplace stuff was resolved but it kept going on...
I kept expecting the book to end once the workplace stuff was resolved but it kept going on...
June 6, 2019
Having read the book and loved it I was hoping for the same result when listening to the audiobook. Wow, if only Lucy Price-Lewis could narrate every audiobook. Well, i think I would be broke but have the cleanest house in the Southern Hemisphere.
Of course it does help to have a fantastically written story by Lydon so the words just roll off her tongue. But she does make it come alive even more. I love this series and it’s like returning to old friends.
So if you like age gap,work place rom coms look no further. A fantastic story of love.
Of course it does help to have a fantastically written story by Lydon so the words just roll off her tongue. But she does make it come alive even more. I love this series and it’s like returning to old friends.
So if you like age gap,work place rom coms look no further. A fantastic story of love.
August 4, 2022
When Becca meets Cleo at a wedding, they think their after-wedding flirting is nothing more than a fun distraction. However, when fate throw them together again, it looks like it might be something more. Unfortunately, neither one is looking for a romance that might get in the way of their career plans. With likable characters and amusing situations, this is just the ticket for when you want to be entertained. One nit. Fenway Park is famous for its delicious Fenway Franks. If the characters had a terrible hot dog, it was not at Fenway.
November 18, 2018
Amazing
I love this series it never disappoints. I devour everything by this author. This is a age gap romance. I can't get enough. I would definitely recommend this book and series.
I love this series it never disappoints. I devour everything by this author. This is a age gap romance. I can't get enough. I would definitely recommend this book and series.
November 14, 2018
Another fantastic addition to the London Series by Clare Lydon.
Clio is finally over the disaster that was her marriage when she meets Becca at a family friends wedding. Becca is smart, feisty and incredibly beautiful with her funky style and fun personality. They share a kiss but Clio thinks Becca is too young so she puts it down to a moment of madness and moves on. That is, until one of her new intern turns out to be… Becca.
They try to hide their growing feelings but it’s undeniable and the sexual chemistry is clear but for Clio, between the age difference and working together, there are just too many reasons for them not to work out.
What a fantastic story. Loved it! If you are a subscriber to my reviews you will know I love work romances but I love Age-gap romances even more.
Becca made me swoon big time. She was amazing and I couldn’t understand how Clio could resist her… like the girl has some serious restraint. The chemistry between these two is evident from the moment they meet. There were moments the tension between both Becca and Clio is so palpable I thought they might combust if they didn’t jump each other. The sex scenes (as with most Clare Lydon books) were extremely hot and left me blushing… I love when authors make me blush.
Best part of any Clare Lydon book, and this book is no acceptation, is the British banter and comedy that is laced all the way through. I can’t wait for the next London book!!
5 stars
Clio is finally over the disaster that was her marriage when she meets Becca at a family friends wedding. Becca is smart, feisty and incredibly beautiful with her funky style and fun personality. They share a kiss but Clio thinks Becca is too young so she puts it down to a moment of madness and moves on. That is, until one of her new intern turns out to be… Becca.
They try to hide their growing feelings but it’s undeniable and the sexual chemistry is clear but for Clio, between the age difference and working together, there are just too many reasons for them not to work out.
What a fantastic story. Loved it! If you are a subscriber to my reviews you will know I love work romances but I love Age-gap romances even more.
Becca made me swoon big time. She was amazing and I couldn’t understand how Clio could resist her… like the girl has some serious restraint. The chemistry between these two is evident from the moment they meet. There were moments the tension between both Becca and Clio is so palpable I thought they might combust if they didn’t jump each other. The sex scenes (as with most Clare Lydon books) were extremely hot and left me blushing… I love when authors make me blush.
Best part of any Clare Lydon book, and this book is no acceptation, is the British banter and comedy that is laced all the way through. I can’t wait for the next London book!!
5 stars
October 7, 2020
2.5 stars rounded up to 3. I wanted to like this. I really did, but I didn't. It was repetitive, it went a little something like "Oh is that an alcoholic beverage I just had, let's make out/have sex and regret it tomorrow." I didn't like Cleo at all. I wish that Becca would've just dated her best friend and said "F**k off" to Cleo. I wish after Becca was jilted a couple of times that the story would have fast forwarded like 3 years and the story would jump to Becca in a relationship/going out on dates and Cleo regretting letting Becca go. I just think Becca deserved better.
August 3, 2025
Becca & Cleo leren elkaar kennen op een bruiloft. De maandag daarop blijkt Becca op het werk van Cleo te beginnen. Ze proberen hun connectie te ontkennen maar wanneer ze samen voor werk naar Boston gaan, beleven ze een nacht samen. Dit gebeurt daarna nog 1x tijdens een werk event die ze samen hebben georganiseerd. Daar worden ze betrapt door Cleo's baas. Cleo krijgt een promotie & Becca neemt een andere baan zodat ze hun relatie echt kunnen starten samen. It's very cute.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 31, 2018
The London series is a favourite of mine and London, Actually doesn’t disappoint. This is feel good age gap romance, with some very sexy times, a little angst and of course humour. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
October 30, 2020
Delightful read. May (23)/September (39) romance and one of Lydon’s better books. This is number 5 in her London series. The whole series is good.
January 6, 2023
This book will make any lesbian propose to their partner instantly, 10/10 cuteness
October 26, 2018
The best of the series! No, seriously. All the things that are good in a Lydon romcom, dialed up to the max. There's the usual gallery of main characters who are sweet but far from perfect, quirky friends and relatives (and of course, old acquaintances from previous books), and a plot that will keep you entertained to the end.
Cleo and Becca meet at a wedding, and while neither is looking for a relationship with the other, they hit it off and become friends. Friends who can't seem to stay away from each other, no matter how hard they try to convince themselves.
Loads of snappy dialogue, funny (and sometimes embarrassing) situations, and London as the backdrop.. this was pretty much the perfect romcom. I also loved how it sometimes made fun of itself.
I started this book the same day it was released (some time in the evening) and couldn't stop reading until the end, which was in the small hours of the next morning. My eyes were double-bagged the next day but it was so worth it!
Cleo and Becca meet at a wedding, and while neither is looking for a relationship with the other, they hit it off and become friends. Friends who can't seem to stay away from each other, no matter how hard they try to convince themselves.
Loads of snappy dialogue, funny (and sometimes embarrassing) situations, and London as the backdrop.. this was pretty much the perfect romcom. I also loved how it sometimes made fun of itself.
I started this book the same day it was released (some time in the evening) and couldn't stop reading until the end, which was in the small hours of the next morning. My eyes were double-bagged the next day but it was so worth it!
December 9, 2019
I particularly enjoy love stories where the characters have an inequity: older, younger; boss, employee, etc. LONDON, ACTUALLY has both. Cleo is the boss, and she's older by several years; Bree is the new employee, who is younger by more than a decade. Some of this is unknown to them when they first meet and share an exciting night together. BUT when they discover the truth, they try to play by the rules and avoid a personal relationship. This avoidance actually slows down the plot a bit (I was able to read a chapter and put down the book for a few days), UNTIL they give in a second time to their passion and get caught, and then the plot picks up marvelously! I could no longer put the book down. By the end, I was quite entranced and satisfied.
October 25, 2018
In the fifth instalment of the London series we meet Becca and Cleo…..and of course some old friends from the previous books.
As usual I won’t do a synopsis as I believe that Clare is best placed to do that. If you have read any of Clare’s other books (if you haven’t why not? You really don’t know what you are missing!) Then you pretty much know what you are in for, a brilliantly written lesfic romance.
You can read this as a stand-alone but why would you want to when there are four more in the series.
In London Actually Clare adeptly shows her finesse for building up the ‘will they won’t they’ tension to the point where you think ‘at last they are going to get it together’ and then life intervenes. Then she builds up the tension again and calamity strikes.
As we have come to expect of Clare, all of her characters are credible and people who resemble people you know or are people you would love to know. Clare’s books often remind me of the TV series ‘Cold Feet’. The connection and relationship of the characters to each other is sublimely crafted.
The dialogue as always is authentic, real and funny and it wouldn’t be a Clare Lydon novel without a smattering of great one liners or perfect descriptions …… ‘She smelt his breath a heady mix of spite and battery acid’.
My favourite of the London series will always be London Calling but this is so close on its heels they are sharing the same inner sole!!
Without hesitation this is a five star read
As usual I won’t do a synopsis as I believe that Clare is best placed to do that. If you have read any of Clare’s other books (if you haven’t why not? You really don’t know what you are missing!) Then you pretty much know what you are in for, a brilliantly written lesfic romance.
You can read this as a stand-alone but why would you want to when there are four more in the series.
In London Actually Clare adeptly shows her finesse for building up the ‘will they won’t they’ tension to the point where you think ‘at last they are going to get it together’ and then life intervenes. Then she builds up the tension again and calamity strikes.
As we have come to expect of Clare, all of her characters are credible and people who resemble people you know or are people you would love to know. Clare’s books often remind me of the TV series ‘Cold Feet’. The connection and relationship of the characters to each other is sublimely crafted.
The dialogue as always is authentic, real and funny and it wouldn’t be a Clare Lydon novel without a smattering of great one liners or perfect descriptions …… ‘She smelt his breath a heady mix of spite and battery acid’.
My favourite of the London series will always be London Calling but this is so close on its heels they are sharing the same inner sole!!
Without hesitation this is a five star read
November 1, 2018
This was brilliantly funny and a great addition to The London Series.
Cleo and Becca are the perfect conflicted couple! Each with their own hang ups holding them back, they meet at a wedding by coincidence with no idea what the future has in store for them…….and it literally is right around the corner.
When they discover they will be working together. Cleo’s many inner conflicts cause a tension that feeds the story in an intriguing way that captured me as a reader and had me rooting for the two of them, even though I could tell they were hiding back.
As usual, Clare has perfectly balanced the humour in this book, in a way only she can. Her comedic timing in her writing really brings the main characters, and those that support to life, creating an interesting and heart-warmingly funny romance for the perfect romcom!
I just adored the story and can’t wait for more of this brilliant series!!! (and to read those that came before!)
Cleo and Becca are the perfect conflicted couple! Each with their own hang ups holding them back, they meet at a wedding by coincidence with no idea what the future has in store for them…….and it literally is right around the corner.
When they discover they will be working together. Cleo’s many inner conflicts cause a tension that feeds the story in an intriguing way that captured me as a reader and had me rooting for the two of them, even though I could tell they were hiding back.
As usual, Clare has perfectly balanced the humour in this book, in a way only she can. Her comedic timing in her writing really brings the main characters, and those that support to life, creating an interesting and heart-warmingly funny romance for the perfect romcom!
I just adored the story and can’t wait for more of this brilliant series!!! (and to read those that came before!)
May 25, 2019
London Actually is a cute workplace age gap romance. Cleo and Becca are both smart, driven women, Becca just out of university and Cleo 39. I enjoyed the story quite a bit. Each woman has reasons for not getting involved, but of course they can’t resist. I like that they never let the personal relationship interfere with getting the job done. The narrator was very good. I liked her voice quite a lot. There were a few minor annoyances: she called Cleo “Chloe” several times, and she kept saying the word ‘pause’ when one of the characters paused while speaking. I think she could have just paused instead of saying the word. I found it a bit distracting. Overall, this is another solid story from Clare. A bit of angst, some getting caught in the act drama, and a satisfying ending.
(I was provided a free audible copy by the author in exchange for an honest review)
(I was provided a free audible copy by the author in exchange for an honest review)
April 13, 2023
So book five in this series is just as good as the previous four or even an edge better!
Clare Lydon continues to astound me with her style and never ending humor and sensitivity. I shared pages of this one with my sister as I was howling in laughter, and she joined me! With tears in my eyes and great guffaws I read passages. Honestly, she is an extraordinary writer. The charm and candor can not be overlooked. She developed such rich and colorful characters and pits them together effortlessly. The story is not contrived but rather just real everyday folks going on with a few situations that not everyone faces. The trials are faced and overcome graciously often with humor giving strength to the characters. With the class of the supporting cast of characters Ms Lydon creates she can’t go wrong. Start to finish I loved this book!
Clare Lydon continues to astound me with her style and never ending humor and sensitivity. I shared pages of this one with my sister as I was howling in laughter, and she joined me! With tears in my eyes and great guffaws I read passages. Honestly, she is an extraordinary writer. The charm and candor can not be overlooked. She developed such rich and colorful characters and pits them together effortlessly. The story is not contrived but rather just real everyday folks going on with a few situations that not everyone faces. The trials are faced and overcome graciously often with humor giving strength to the characters. With the class of the supporting cast of characters Ms Lydon creates she can’t go wrong. Start to finish I loved this book!
May 18, 2023
I fucking love this book. For me, I'm more focused on characters than plot in most books. Romance needs complications, so I completely understand why lots of romance novels have trauma as part of their formula. It gives the author/reader a clear complication and growth path.
That said, I find it absolutely delightful that this isn't a book about trauma, and...even better both MC's are strong women. The complication is age and working together.
What I really loved about this book was I didn't suffer (no trauma) and yet there was enough tension/complication to make me feel invested in what happened next.
And again, I loved the MCs. Becca is young, but wise, and brave, and competent, and hardworking. She's amazing. Clare is competent and empathetic. I love both of them and root for their happiness!
That said, I find it absolutely delightful that this isn't a book about trauma, and...even better both MC's are strong women. The complication is age and working together.
What I really loved about this book was I didn't suffer (no trauma) and yet there was enough tension/complication to make me feel invested in what happened next.
And again, I loved the MCs. Becca is young, but wise, and brave, and competent, and hardworking. She's amazing. Clare is competent and empathetic. I love both of them and root for their happiness!
November 2, 2018
I love the women of London
I so enjoy reading Ms. Lydon’s London love series! Each one better than the last, they welcome even me, an American, into their circle of lovers, friends and family! London, Actually was especially touching to me. The theme of allowing love in, even when you’ve been hurt before, even when the odds seem against you, and even when logic and reason no longer seem applicable, ring true in my life. My wife gave up her job, and her Brooklyn apartment. I gave up on pretending to be straight. Like Cleo and Becca, we learned that as long as you have love, all the rest is just details.
I so enjoy reading Ms. Lydon’s London love series! Each one better than the last, they welcome even me, an American, into their circle of lovers, friends and family! London, Actually was especially touching to me. The theme of allowing love in, even when you’ve been hurt before, even when the odds seem against you, and even when logic and reason no longer seem applicable, ring true in my life. My wife gave up her job, and her Brooklyn apartment. I gave up on pretending to be straight. Like Cleo and Becca, we learned that as long as you have love, all the rest is just details.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews