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From Notting Hill with Love... Actually

(Actually #1)

Ali McNamara (Goodreads Author)

3.63 · Rating details · 11,147 ratings · 1,049 reviews

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 j ...more

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Paperback, 431 pages

Published November 1st 2010 by Sphere (first published 2010)

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Community Reviews

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3.63 ·

Rating details

· 11,147 ratings · 1,049 reviews

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Nov 10, 2013 Katrina Passick Lumsden rated it did not like it · review of another edition

Shelves: run-away-quickly

I'm at an almost total loss here. I feel like Ali McNamara raped my brain. I feel...insulted. This book. Wow, this book. It's difficult to put into words just how awful this is. First of all, the stereotypes are embarrassing. Perhaps not 'naked in front of strangers' embarrassing, but maybe 'tripping at a job interview' embarrassing. The stereotypical homosexual shows up like, four pages in. Oscar owns a designer clothing boutique, a tiny dog named Delilah, says things like, "honey" and "darlin ...more

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Feb 26, 2014 Love Fool rated it it was amazing

What you need to know about me is I love everything British (I should have been born in London instead of Long Island, New York) so this book was made for me! The main character loves movies like me (British movies!) and the romance of it all. I'm a dreamer like her as well. Basically, this was me in a nutshell and I loved it. While reading this I would be skipping down tha halls of my office and apartment, singing Disney songs. So if you want to be jolly like I was then read this book!
Also, thi ...more

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Mar 19, 2012 Lisa rated it liked it

Shelves: charity-shop-buy, chick-lit, 2012, cute

This started out pretty great. I was immediately drawn in and found it enjoyable and cute. At some point, it just got a little bit too cute, if you know what I mean.

I guess all the movie references were adorable for maybe the first half of the book but after a while, I wanted to scream. It's not even the movie references that bothered me; it was the way the main character had to explain them. I think most people who will read this book will know the references. We don't need to be told what situ ...more

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Jul 05, 2017 Meredith (Austenesque Reviews) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Romantic Comedy Adventures in London!

Rating: 4.5 stars

I was drawn to this book by two things, the title and its dual movie references, and the fact that is was published by Sourcebooks (who published quite a bit of Jane Austen works years ago.)

I immediately fell in love with this fun tale that has a movie-obsessed heroine who dreams of her life being like in the movies. I loved all the fun movie references and nods - Sleepless in Seattle, Pretty Woman, Notting Hill, and Bridget Jones's Diary a ...more

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Jan 15, 2012 Helen rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I really enjoyed this book - a lot! I read chick lit because it is light, fluffy and entertaining - this book was all that and more. It was fun and funny, yet the characters really drew you in. The movie references had me laughing out loud and nodding my head. Great job for its genre!

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Jul 30, 2011 Swissmiss rated it it was ok

Cliched, shallow, cringingly embarrassing, and trite, with cardboard characters, unbelievable coincidences, and a questionable moral message.

In its defense, it was meant to be cliched, with the entire premise being that the protagonist was trying to live out various moments from romantic comedies. I found that a clever enough gimmick. One flaw in this plan, though, was that the author relied on too few films: Pretty Woman, Sleepless in Seattle, Pride & Prejudice (not exactly a romantic come ...more

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Jan 17, 2013 Scout J rated it did not like it

Books don't make me angry often, but this did. I am furious I paid seven quid for it and it took up space in my suitcase that could have been filled with another book.

This is why Rom Coms have a bad name. Bad, dull, cliched writing: a protagonist so unbearable it's like being stuck in the corner of the xmas party with the office bore, except in your own house, and you're paying for it. The author has stumbled across the GENIUS strategy of interjecting terrible, insanely pointless monologues with ...more

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Jan 03, 2013 patrycja polczyk rated it it was amazing

I'm giving this book 5 stars not because it's some kind of groundbreaking masterpiece, but because it's absolutely adorable and perfect read for romantic comedies sucker. I have to admit - I got it as a freebie on Amazon and wasn't hoping for much, but I was nicely surprised. It's good to read book like that from time to time and be completely charmed by the story. It's well written, page-turner about girl, who reminded me of myself a bit. I love romantic comedies, movies in general. I sometimes ...more

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Jan 04, 2012 Amanda rated it really liked it

From Notting Hill with Love...Actually is a VERY sweet book. It wraps you up like a warm hug, with brilliant characters and a lovely plot (especially the last few scenes). I adored it. Of course, it was very obvious, very cliched and didn't hold any surprises - but that was the point, to me, in a way. It was certainly part of the charm. I am not going to say much more than this - anyone who loved movies like Pretty Woman, Notting Hill, Love Actually and Sleepless in Seattle will just love this, ...more

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Dec 01, 2010 Vanessa rated it did not like it

Shelves: chick-lit, books-read-in-2010, did-not-finish

In the beginning this book was really cute and funny, even though Scarlett's obsession with movies and re-creating movie moments in real life could be a tad annoying. However, as the story progressed I liked the book less and less, until I got to the point where it really made me angry!

I liked the whole idea of the book, and the writing was not all bad. Basically, there were good parts, and there were bad parts, but the further the story got the worse the plot (and the writing) became.

Scarlett In the beginning this book was really cute and funny, even though Scarlett's obsession with movies and re-creating movie moments in real life could be a tad annoying. However, as the story progressed I liked the book less and less, until I got to the point where it really made me angry!

I liked the whole idea of the book, and the writing was not all bad. Basically, there were good parts, and there were bad parts, but the further the story got the worse the plot (and the writing) became.

Scarlett was likable at first, but sometimes I found her to be too immature and out of touch with reality. Her fiancé, David, is painted as an impatient, self-absorbed control freak, and I wondered from the start why she would be engaged to him.

Sean, now him I actually liked. However, considering the fact that we learn pretty early on that he owns a successful company I was actually a bit surprised that he never really seemed to be working. He was certainly able to jet off with Scarlett anywhere and everywhere at all hours of the day.

Fair warning --- there are spoilers ahead!!!

There were parts in the story that were just completely implausible and unbelievable. For example, when Scarlett goes to Paris for her best friend's wedding she spontaneously invites Sean along --- even though she knows that her fiancé will be there. Now, how would you explain to your fiancé that you invited your temporary neighbor - whom you have known for maybe two weeks, and who is really handsome - to go to Paris with you to attend the wedding of someone he has never met?

And that's another thing --- Scarlett keeps dreading meeting David at the wedding, yet while she is there she promises David that she has no feelings for Sean, and that she is still looking forward to marrying him (David) a few weeks later. But she has no qualms about spending the next day - which happens to be Valentine's Day - with Sean in Paris instead of going back to England with David. Also, it is already clear at this point that Scarlett is in love with Sean, and he with her.

What really made me roll my eyes in disgust and quit reading was this:

There is a scene after about 270 pages in which Sean and Scarlett are together in his hotel room in Paris, and are talking about her upcoming marriage to David. Sean is trying to figure out why she is so set upon marrying David even though they are not really compatible.

Suddenly Sean asks her if the reason why she wants to marry David could possibly be to merge his family's chain of cinemas with her father's popcorn machine business, and after hesitating a moment she tells him that yes, that is a big part of it.

So, the author actually expects her readers to believe that a 23-year-old woman who is completely obsessed with romantic movies would get married for a business opportunity????

I'm sorry, but for me that was just the last straw, and I quit reading at that point. ...more

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Dec 20, 2014 Paige rated it it was amazing

This book is so hilarious, people looked at me odd when I read it in public. The characters are so loveable and ahh just everything about this book I loved!! I didn't have any expectations for this book and it blew me away!

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Jun 09, 2010 Leah rated it it was amazing

Shelves: books-read-2010, for-review, favorites

Scarlett O’Brien lives her life as if she’s in one big movie production but often finds herself in trouble for indulging in such fantasies. When Scarlett is given the chance to house-sit a mansion in Notting Hill, she jumps at the chance to live out her life-long film fantasies. As she gets comfy in her Notting Hill mansion and finds herself re-creating many famous film scenes, she also realises that there may be more to life than the one she was leading prior to her house-sitting expedition. As Scarlett O’Brien lives her life as if she’s in one big movie production but often finds herself in trouble for indulging in such fantasies. When Scarlett is given the chance to house-sit a mansion in Notting Hill, she jumps at the chance to live out her life-long film fantasies. As she gets comfy in her Notting Hill mansion and finds herself re-creating many famous film scenes, she also realises that there may be more to life than the one she was leading prior to her house-sitting expedition. As Scarlett spends more time in Notting Hill, she finds herself strangely attracted to neighbour Sean, but what of her fiance David? Could it be that Scarlett O’Brien has inadvertently found herself in her very own romantic comedy?

When I first heard about From Notting Hill With Love… Actually, I was split in two; on the one hand, I thought it sounded fantastic and right up my street but on the other, it could so easily be a homage to all things movies but it might not have managed to pull off an actual credible plot. However, I received a proof copy and after admiring the beautiful cover I was taken in immediately. My curiosity about the book finally reached fever point and I decided to give it a read. I’m so glad I did as it’s one of my favourite books of 2010.

From Notting Hill With Love… Actually is an incredibly interesting book. It’s main focus is on the movies, absolutely, but there were plenty of other plots to keep the book moving along. For one, there’s Scarlett’s move to Notting Hill to house-sit for a month, I thought that was such an interesting way to begin the book that I was instantly intrigued and although I hadn’t planned to continue reading the book I was soon hooked. There are many other sub-plots, Scarlett’s desire to prove that it is possible to find yourself in the middle of movie scenes in real life, Scarlett’s issues with her mother, but most of all there’s Scarlett deciding if David, her fiance, is the man she wants to marry. Made even harder after Sean, her next door neighbour in Notting Hill, comes along and they become ever friendlier.

The movies, though, what can I say about the movies featured throughout the book? A book that references the creme de la creme of romance films is always going to be a hit with me. I love Notting Hill, Pretty Woman, Runaway Bride et al and I vaguely remember Love Actually although I wasn’t a huge fan of that film bar that one scene with Keira Knightley. What From Notting Hill With Love… Actually does is, it meshes all of those films together to create one big romance-film-fest. I absolutely adored all of the movie references within the book and I kept getting excited every single time I remembered a scene that was playing out from any given film throughout the book. It was completely cheesy, how the scenes played out, but it was goofy-grin cheesy; the kind of cheesy that’s acceptable and is actually really good.

The best thing about the book though is the characterisation. Scarlett is mirrored on Vivien Leigh, of whom I’ve never heard of but was in Gone With The Wind, meaning her name isn’t just irony, and I loved her immediately. She is a bit of a dreamer, don’t get me wrong, but who doesn’t want to live in a world where you want your life to be like a movie scene? Unlike her father, best friend and fiance, I found Scarlett’s movie obsession endearing. I warmed to Scarlett immediately and she’s become one of my favourite heroines ever. She is someone I would want to be friends with. I also found Sean, the neighbour in Notting Hill, very intriguing. Although he and Scarlett don’t get off to the best start, I could see there was something there, some kind of spark and I loved seeing their relationship go from strength to strength as they got to know each other better. Never in my life have I wanted two characters to get together as much as Sean and Scarlett, making it annoying that Scarlett had a fiance, David. David. I didn’t like him, he never really caught my attention and he seemed a bit too controlling for me. Whilst in Notting Hill Scarlett makes friends with Oscar and Ursula, both of whom I loved and would have liked to have seen more of!

The book is told entirely from Scarlett’s point of view and once I’d started the book I found it very difficult to put down as I just wanted to know what was going to happen next. It was infectious. The movies, the characters, the setting, it all added up to a really fantastic book. I have no qualms whatsoever saying that it is one of my favourite books of 2010 and I cannot believe that it’s only Ali McNamara’s first novel. I sincerely hope she’s on writing her second because I cannot wait for it. But do you want to know what my favourite scene was of the entire book? The ending. If you’re the type of person to skip to the ending because you’re a cheater (like me usually) and can’t wait to read all the pages to get there, I recommend you don’t do it, because you will completely ruin the best book ending I have ever come across. It is cheesy, it is romantic and it had me grinning like a complete and utter loon. I knew it was coming – or rather, I hoped it was coming, and I wasn’t disappointed at all. From Notting Hill With Love… Actually will be a huge hit with any rom-com film fan, particularly if, like Scarlett, you’re hankering after your own fairytale ending. ...more

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Jun 21, 2017 Marina rated it liked it

3,5/5 lovely read!!! If you love London and movies, you will enjoy this light read. :)

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Oct 19, 2013 Simona rated it it was amazing

Shelves: bought-not-read

I have been wanting to read this for ages! I heard so many great things about Ali's writing and especially that s ries, so I was really excuted to read it! Now I finally got round to it and all I can say is taht it is just FABULOUS!!! And the cover is gorgeous ��

Scarlett O'Brien is a big movie fan, she co-owns a business with her father, they sell, install etc. popcorn machines, so it's all connected to the movies. She lives the think about mivie scenes and alsi connects them to her real life. T
I have been wanting to read this for ages! I heard so many great things about Ali's writing and especially that s ries, so I was really excuted to read it! Now I finally got round to it and all I can say is taht it is just FABULOUS!!! And the cover is gorgeous ��

Scarlett O'Brien is a big movie fan, she co-owns a business with her father, they sell, install etc. popcorn machines, so it's all connected to the movies. She lives the think about mivie scenes and alsi connects them to her real life. This gets her in "trouble" with her fiancé David and also her gest friend Maddie and her fatherr. They all think dhe is more than ibsessed with films and thhat she thinks life is a movie. To prove them wrong Scarlett takes a break and goes to Notting Hill to house-sit. Even arriving there and then spending time in Notting Hill she sees herself in several movie scenes. I lived all the movie references, ur was great to read about Scarlett imagining herself and the people around her in the characters. From Nitting Hill, to Pretty Woman iver the Four Weddings and A Funeral, so many awesome movie refernces.

The book stars spot in and I was hooked immediately. They way Scarlet meets Oscar and then tells him why she is here is just awesome, so well described and full if spark and energy!

Reading about Scarlett's life with David made me dislike him, he seemed boring and just not the right type for Scarlett. She's full of life and passion and they didn't have anything in common.

Now let's talk about the house-sitting, or should I rather say the neighbozr that comes with it. He's called Sean Bond, he is his own boss and he is drop dead gorgeous. He and Scarlett are off on a rocky start, but they get along really well after a while. I felt that they had a special chemistry from the start.

Meeting Oscar opens a lot of doors for Scarlett and they form a . great friendship. Next to him she also gets to know Sean's sister Ursula (so funny why they have the names they have ��). Them knowing about Scarlett's mivie obsession, a lot of movie scnes come up and Scarlett suddenly finds herself traveling to Glasgow with Sean to go to a wedding (Four Weddings and a Funeral). On the train ride the two if them get to know each other better and it gets personel really fast. I enjoyed reading about their lives and I lived their teasing. Meeting Sean's dad and his step mon Diana opens a possibility for Scarlett to find her mom.
She starts looking for her, but it's harder than she thought. Sean encourages her and starts helping her, I really loved that about him! I also really liked how he reacted to all her movie mentions.

Her best friend Maddie's wedding comes up, Sacrlett invites Sean and they gave a great time at the joint hen night/stag do, in the wedding day David arrives and trouble is ahead. Let's just say it really gets intense and dramatic here! Sean also has news about Scarlett's mother and she finds herself looking for her in Paris with Sean. Their chemistry gets more magical and I have to say that I just lived their scenes together, but what about David?!

Back in London Scarlett is confused and doesn't really kniw what she wants! Her father and irher people don't make the situation easier. When Scarlett finds her mother the stiry gets even more interesting, we later find out what was behind it all and just ��

It comes to a huge showdown when everybidy meets and Scarlett thinks she has made a decision, especially after talking to her mum and also her dad! Scarlett really had me worried until the end, I couldn't bare the uncertainty and I was scared that she might make the wrong decision. The end though was just brilliant, fabulous and everything great out together, I LOVED it!!! And the connection to some movies was fantastic. I couldn't stop smiling, it's so romantic!

I'm so glad I finally picked up an Ali McNamara book, because she is a brilliant writer that has her own unique voice and so much spark!
The storyline is perfectly well lined out, the scenes are authentic, vivid, I literally felt like watching a movie. It has many LOL moments and memorable scenes, the characters are awesome and it's also very touching and emotional. It's the perfect chick-lit! I couldn't put ut down and I can't wait to read book 2 and 3 of this fabulous series!!!!! ...more

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Feb 07, 2013 Angela rated it really liked it

Shelves: chick-lit

I think I'm one of the last people on earth that would qualify as a romantic. I hated Titanic, didn't cry during P.S. I Love You, have no desire to see most of Hugh Grant's movies, and I've never seen Pretty Woman. I'm still trying to understand why that movie is popular or romantic. Not that hookers don't deserve love, but all I can ever think of is if Richard Gere's character was ever tested for anything he could've caught from Julia Roberts' character. So, yeah, not a romantic.

This book kinda ...more

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Jul 13, 2013 QNPoohBear rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: clean-romance, women-s-fiction

This is one of the best books I've ever read. Like Scarlett, I like the escapism of a good romantic comedy, especially British director Richard Curtis's movies (Notting Hill, Love Actually, Bridget Jones). This book blends the plots of several well-known romantic comedies with a dash of real life to create a whole new romantic comedy. I was torn about how I wanted the story to turn out; I felt like Scarlett needed to get her head out of the clouds but I also really wanted her to have her movie m ...more

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Sep 22, 2014 Abby rated it it was ok · review of another edition

No. No, no, no. A story about a girl obsessed with movies trying to reenact her favorites in real life sounds cute. I love Hugh Grant movies as much as anyone. But Scarlett's obsession got old very quickly. How can you live day to day with your head constantly in the clouds?

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Feb 27, 2015 Tammy rated it really liked it

Shelves: nook-archived, 4-star-liked

I really enjoyed this book.

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Mar 07, 2013 Marissa rated it it was ok

Well, I'm happy to have at least one book finished in 2013; I'm also glad I got it for free on my Nook. There is something irresistible to me about a good boy meets girl story. Chalk it up to that stingy extra "X" chromosome or the monthly hormone imbalance, but I've always been a fan of a decent meet-cute, and a satisfactory happy ending. While this book does actually have both of those, it's the pesky in-between that gets tedious.
From the outset, the premise is, at best highly questionable. A Well, I'm happy to have at least one book finished in 2013; I'm also glad I got it for free on my Nook. There is something irresistible to me about a good boy meets girl story. Chalk it up to that stingy extra "X" chromosome or the monthly hormone imbalance, but I've always been a fan of a decent meet-cute, and a satisfactory happy ending. While this book does actually have both of those, it's the pesky in-between that gets tedious.
From the outset, the premise is, at best highly questionable. A girl wants to housesit at her wealthy friend of a friend's home because she wants to prove that the same scenarios that happen in the movies she loves, also happen in real life. I know what you're thinking right now. It's something along the lines of "WHAAAAAA...?" Yeah, it took me a couple of minutes for my eyes to refocus after rolling so far back in my head as well. In today's digitially addicted, pop-culture saturated world, this notion seems just, well, silly. The fact that this would be the thesis statement of this book, if this book were, say a research paper, is not even on the road to Plausible Town. However, there are moments when Ms. McNamara forgets about this idea and focuses just on telling the story. The problem is that, it's not often enough. Just when you're getting into a chapter, enjoying the will they, won't they aspect that's part of every great romantic comedy, an actual admission of "another movie moment to add to my list" is uttered from the heroine's subconscious, snapping the reader jarringly back to the real world.
The pop culture references while, on point, are pervasive to the point of distraction. Anyone who is going to pick up a book titled "From Notting Hill to Love Actually" knows exactly what they're looking to read. This isn't going to be a murderous thriller or a novel about surviving the apocalypse; it's going to be a book that we read in bubble baths, on beaches, or after terrible days of dealing with even more horrible bosses, an escape. We probably won't need to be reminded what EVERY SINGLE reference is from. It's kind of like explaining a joke after you realize the audience was already laughing. It's just excessive. While it's clear that all of the references are coming from a place of charm and homage, it's almost too explanatory. A paint-by-numbers of adorable coupling. I mean I wasn't necessarily looking for anything astoundingly original, but I was looking for something that didn't insult my excessive knowledge of Julia Roberts movies or make me feel even a little dirty for owning Sleepless in Seattle.
If you can carry on through the bits where you'd rather just say "DUH!" out loud and you enjoy your (insert favorite cheesy chick flick movie title here) well then, it's not an overly long book to finish and it does have all of the components that any good romance would, the main of which is making sure the answer to the "will they/won't they" question is "they will". However, it may also make you think "if this were a romantic comedy, I wish there were more comedy". While cinema benefits from the visuals and the allowances it can make for physical comedy, with that dimension removed, the banter should be wittier than is mostly found here.
I liked it well enough, but wouldn't necessarily recommend it across the board. The two star rating is mainly earned from the nostalgia garnered from the constant reminders about the movies that I did, in fact, love. However, if all you're looking for is that beach read, tub read, or that book to make you forget about the fact that you're sitting next to the guy who's hogging the armrest and is in constant threat of snoring, well then, this will probably get you through. But if Love Actually is the homemade bacon macaroni and cheese of the movie world, this book is the stale Kraft equivalent. It'll do, but it won't satisfy as much as you wish it would. ...more

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Oct 06, 2012 Cocktails and Books rated it really liked it

Shelves: cnb-reviewers

"Everyone who’s seen a romantic comedy at least once in their life knows the story. Boy meets girl. They fall in love. Something happens that separates the two of them. This is followed by a swoon-worthy, grand romantic gesture that sweeps the girl off her feet. We’ve seen them, and we love them. Some of us even wish for one of those grand romantic gestures at least once in our lifetime. I know I do! And so does Scarlett O’Brien.

The spitting image of Vivien Leigh, Scarlett is madly in love with ...more

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Feb 28, 2013 Dana Marie rated it it was ok

Recommends it for: People who love rom-com so much that they'll ignore everything else

Recommended to Dana Marie by: Chick-lit is not dead

I won a copy of this book and was very excited to receive it in the mail. I love romantic comedies and adore Hugh Grant and Colin Firth. I sigh like crazy over Notting Hill and Love...Actually so I thought this would really speak to me.

The problem was that I just had a hard time getting into this book. I see nothing wrong with having a hobby (I'm addicted to Pinterest and drive my roommate crazy with my "ooh, that looks delicious" or "Wow, I can't believe they did that from cardboard" but this o ...more

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Nov 26, 2010 Carol W rated it it was amazing

Grab your popcorn and soft drink.....or a glass of wine and the chocolate box for the Rom-Com of the year!

This story has all the elements of a great romantic comedy just like the films Notting Hill, Bridget Jones, Pretty Woman, Sleepless in Seattle and more. It is all there and you won't be disappointed.

I loved all the characters...
Scarlett the movie fantic who wants life to be like the movies -sometimes we all wish it could be more like the movies, eh girls?
Sean, the neighbour who befriends S ...more

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Aug 23, 2012 Dani C. (Paulette's Papers) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

What a wonderful British Chick Lit story! This totally quirky, romantic comedy will leave a smile on your face. Now the first chapter was just a bit cheesy for me but once I got past it then I couldn’t put it down.

I loved all the movie references! I did think that Scarlett was a bit extreme in how much she loved movies but that really is what made her personality interesting. I really didn’t like her fiancé David though. I didn’t get the feel that he really loved her and that he just wanted Scar ...more

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Jan 25, 2011 Laura rated it it was amazing

This book has everything I love. There's a wonderful love story and it involves all my favourite films (I adore romantic comedies.)
Scarlett lives her life in films (something I would like to do) but it's not always appreciated by the people around her. When she gets the opportunity to house sit in Notting Hill she jumps at it. Her life becomes more like a film when she meets Sean.

This book was one I couldn't put down. If you love your romantic comedies and know your Mark Darcy from your Willia ...more

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Apr 02, 2011 Agi rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2011

I couldn't warm to this book for the first pages. I thought it's totally not my climate, all those things about films, films, films... I am not a big fan of films, actually, I prefer reading. But fortunately I have seen more of the films that were mentioned in this book.
But when I was reading, I found this book more and more interesting. There are not boring moments at all, it's pure and funny action, and I was really curious what happens next. Was not sure of happy ending at all for example, th ...more

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Nov 26, 2011 Desa rated it liked it

Shelves: series, chick-lit, read-in-2015, english

This book was cute and charming and the ending ♡♡♡

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Sep 15, 2018 Marie rated it really liked it

To read full review at mariesbookboutique.wordpress.com/2018...

As soon as I spotted this front cover and realised it was one of Ali Mc Namara stories; I just new I had to buy it. The cover is wistful and romantic. From the big theatre cinema on the corner of a busy street. The night sky is full of stars, there are silver coloured snowflakes fall all around and shimmer's in the light adding to its romantic feel. Silhouettes of people are walking past the theatre going about their life's. Across t To read full review at mariesbookboutique.wordpress.com/2018...

As soon as I spotted this front cover and realised it was one of Ali Mc Namara stories; I just new I had to buy it. The cover is wistful and romantic. From the big theatre cinema on the corner of a busy street. The night sky is full of stars, there are silver coloured snowflakes fall all around and shimmer's in the light adding to its romantic feel. Silhouettes of people are walking past the theatre going about their life's. Across the road standing under a street light a couple are embracing, she is holding popcorn which the gentle man is trying and she pulls it away from him playfully. The title is coloured in black and red which is housed in the cinema theatre board above the entrance. Ali's name is at the top left hand corner and is coloured in white, I would have liked to have seen her name a bit bigger. But a lovely romantic cover.
Scarlett love's nothing better than a good romantic comedy film's! She co-owns a popcorn machine bussines with her father. They let their machines out to cinema theatre across London. Scarlett in engaged to bland David, and their wedding day is looming closer and closer. David's family own a chain of cinema's and are planning to use Scarlett and her father's popcorn machines in their theatres; which would inject a big cash into their business. They have just brought a run down house; that they want to do up and are currently living on a building site. She see's little progress in the house all because David want's to try do it himself; only he's not that good at DIY or parting with his cash. Scarlett is dreaming of a wistful romance like the movies and is always off in her own world in her head; which David gets annoyed with. But does she really want to marry boring and tight with his money, David?
Scarlett is getting bogged down with her thought's and need's to take some time away, her father agrees, but also thinks she need's to stop day dreaming of life being like it is in the movies. And her father is not alone David and her best friend Maddie thinks the same. Scarlett doesn't agree, so when Maddy get's her a month's house ( a luxury pad) sitting in non other than the setting of her one of her favourite movie's; Notting Hill and she jumps at the chance. Scarlett intends to proved to her nearest and dearest that life can happen like it does in the movies and she sets out on a mission to do so.
Scarlett has a bit of drama when she arrives in Notting Hill; which just so happens to get her, the first scene and meet's Oscar how helps her in her time of need. Oscar is an older gentleman and is as camp as they come; and thinks her life is better than the movies. He invites her to a dinner party to meet his friends because they will just love her! On getting to her new home for a month, she comes across her extremely annoying and irritating new neighbour; Sean.
As Scarlett makes her way to Oscars dinner party it appears Sean is also heading that way. He knows Oscar, but how? Will Scarlett finally prove to her family and friends life is like it is in the movie's? Will Sean and Scarlett get past irritating each other? Is David really the one for her? Will Sean become more than a friend? Will he open up to her about his past love?
From Notting Hill With Love...Actually is a charming, story surrounded by the romance of films. I enjoyed being remined of some of my favourite movies through out the story and made me want to watch them again!!!!! Scarlett does seem to find drama when going about her mission which was very comical at times, and I had a giggle or two! The story line flow's at a lovely rate, which keeps the reader entertained through every chapter. As I've said before Ali's writing style is lovely, very comical and always romantic! Love her book's so far and can't wait to discover more very soon!!!! ...more

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Dec 25, 2011 Susanne rated it liked it

Recommends it for: Bridget Jones fans

Shelves: genre-chicklit

I don't really know how to wrap my head around this one. I think the best word to describe this book was uneven.

At times I laughed and felt that this was a great book, other times it was almost boring and dragged out and particularly towards the end I just wanted to throw my kindle into the wall because the characters was so stupid. Everyone (except Sean) just gave her crappy advice all the time. And she was just to weak to make any decisions by herself - not even in the end. I would say that t I don't really know how to wrap my head around this one. I think the best word to describe this book was uneven.

At times I laughed and felt that this was a great book, other times it was almost boring and dragged out and particularly towards the end I just wanted to throw my kindle into the wall because the characters was so stupid. Everyone (except Sean) just gave her crappy advice all the time. And she was just to weak to make any decisions by herself - not even in the end. I would say that the first half was really enjoyable and I could really see the chemistry between Scarlett and Sean but in the last part of the book she was just so stupid that it became completely unbelievable that she should get her HEA. I would also imagine that some people have trouble with the movie references since they are dominating the book - it was over the top but I could have overlooked that if the rest of the book been up to par.

My main issue with this book was that it wasn't a love triangle. In the beginning we get this quote by David:

I'm not tight. I'm just careful. That is one of the finest rules of good business, Scarlett. Look after the pennies and the pounds will look after themselves. You should take a note of that and then maybe one day you little business might be as big as ours.

I just wanted to punch him right there. Am I suppose to believe that this is a man she wants to marry? To me, it was clear that she should break up with David no matter the outcome with Sean. It was no bloody choice - but in this book no one acknowledge this possibility. Either she stays with secure David and are unhappy or she risks her heart with Sean and may be heartbroken. What about living a content single life - and maybe meet the right guy for her (which could or could not be Sean).

It sounds as if I should knock of another star, but overall it had it's moments so I guess I round up to a three anyway. One of the better:

'Not hungry' I asked, picking up a plate and placing one of the cakes on it. 'Can't persuade you into something a little bit naughty but nice?'
I blushed when I realized what I said. Sean grinned.
'You almost did, Scarlett,' he said, coming over to the table and picking up a bottle of champagne. 'And I'm sure it would have been an awful lot nicer than any of these cream cakes ever going to be'. ...more

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Jun 26, 2011 Shaz Goodwin rated it really liked it

I’ve had this book for some time on my bookshelf. Having just finished ‘Agent 6’ by Tom Rob Smith (review coming soon) I was looking for a read that would be fun …… as I was browsing, Katie Fforde’s quote on the front cover caught my eye ‘Sparky, fun and endearing’ so I thought From Notting Hill with Love … Actually would be just what I needed.

I did have fun reading about Scarlett – but the story is much more than a romantic comedy - with a plot-line running alongside that deals with the issue o I’ve had this book for some time on my bookshelf. Having just finished ‘Agent 6’ by Tom Rob Smith (review coming soon) I was looking for a read that would be fun …… as I was browsing, Katie Fforde’s quote on the front cover caught my eye ‘Sparky, fun and endearing’ so I thought From Notting Hill with Love … Actually would be just what I needed.

I did have fun reading about Scarlett – but the story is much more than a romantic comedy - with a plot-line running alongside that deals with the issue of parenthood, obligations Vs freedom and perceived debts owing.

The story is written in the first person (from Scarlett’s point of view), which works really well. It begins in a rather unique way. The understanding of what has happened before and why Scarlett is house-sitting is portrayed by a conversation with a stranger (Oscar) that she bumps into as she is making her way to the house. This hooked me in straight away. It’s not as dull as it may sound - the re-telling by Scarlett is interspersed with Oscar’s endearing mannerisms!

Scarlett’s journey of trying to find her ‘happy ever after’ movie moment is so action packed I didn’t have time to be bored. Everything begins to fall into place as the story unfolds making you want to read on to find out where you will be led to next.

I loved Maddie’s (Scarlett’s best friend) wedding in Disneyland, Paris. It was such fun despite the accident and head-to-head between David and Sean (or in fact maybe because of it!).

I thought the way the author compared Scarlett’s emotions with a physical thing was unique and fun in helping her readers understand Scarlett’s feelings.

Another unique part of the story, which threads its way through everything, is Scarlett trying to find her movie moments in real life. This was quite funny but also poignant at the end.

The characters are brilliant – I loved Scarlett, Oscar and Sean all for different reasons. I probably shouldn’t slate David but he is one of the most boring characters I’ve yet to meet (which is what he IS supposed to be by the way).

I would recommend this book if you were looking for something to lift your spirits and wanted more than a light summer read. In my opinion, it is such a feel-good book it has the power to lift any gloom (which I’ve needed on these gloomy and grey summer days!).
...more

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Nov 16, 2014 Jocelyn Khor rated it it was ok

I love chick lit. I love Korean dramas. I love to read cheesy romance stories sometimes. But this book was too much for me to bear. Why? Too much unbelievable dramas. Plus, an annoying main character is one of the reasons why I dislike this book.

The premise of the story, a main character who is obsessed with movies and cinemas, is a pretty good idea, but the way it turned out was not as good as I expected. Just a few pages in, there's this guy who accidentally spilled orange juice on Scarlett, t I love chick lit. I love Korean dramas. I love to read cheesy romance stories sometimes. But this book was too much for me to bear. Why? Too much unbelievable dramas. Plus, an annoying main character is one of the reasons why I dislike this book.

The premise of the story, a main character who is obsessed with movies and cinemas, is a pretty good idea, but the way it turned out was not as good as I expected. Just a few pages in, there's this guy who accidentally spilled orange juice on Scarlett, the stupid main character, and obviously, this guy is super kind and is GAY. A few pages later, Scarlett got to meet some cool new friends. So not cliched, right? (please note the sarcasm)

Since this is a chick lit book, I don't expect much character developments, but the characters were really flat especially Sean and Scarlett's friends. Sean seemed like a character who's just there to play the rich-and-nice-guy role. The characters were definitely likable but not ones that I will remember as they're not very memorable nor interesting characters.

Let's now talk about our dear Scarlett, shall we? She's by far my least favourite main character in books because of her childish personality and her dumbness. Despite the fact that she's a twenty-four-year-old adult, she behaved as if she's a fifteen-year-old teenager. I hated her for she always tried to recreate movie scenes in real life. It's a relief that I was able to stand her throughout the whole novel. I'd probably give this one star if Scarlett was more unbearably annoying than she already is.

To be honest, I felt bad for Sean and David for falling in love with Scarlett. Even though David is quite a jerk, but I pity him for having to put up with Scarlett's foolish daydreaming and everything she does. I feel you, David, I feel you.

As for the writing style, it's very easy to get into. Although I was annoyed with the main character, I was still able to read this fast because of the simple writing style. The story was well-paced too. I just hated the plot and the main character though.

Not a book I'd recommend to everyone. But if you're a huge chick lit fan, there's a possibility you might like it. Unfortunately, this book didn't click with me. ...more

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topics	posts	views	last activity
Crazy for Young A...: From Notting Hill with Love...Actually, by Ali McNamara → Start Date: December 24, 2016	26	14	Dec 30, 2016 07:53AM
Chick Lit Book Club: 8/2013: From Notting Hill with Love... Actually: Chit Chat	13	69	Sep 04, 2013 03:31PM
Chick Lit Book Club: 8/2013: From Notting Hill w/ Love: Chapters 31 - 40	4	13	Sep 01, 2013 06:40AM
Chick Lit Book Club: 8/2013: From Notting Hill w/ Love: Chapters 21 - 30	4	20	Aug 31, 2013 07:22PM
Goodreads Librari...: Ali Mcnamara Kindle edition	2	21	Nov 25, 2012 01:14PM

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About Ali McNamara

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Other books in the series

Actually (3 books)

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Quotes from From Notting Hill...

“There’s something very comforting about watching a Hugh Grant movie. You know no one’s head will be blown off in the first three minutes, no one will be tortured, and the worst thing that might happen is seeing a lanky Welshman eating mayonnaise in his underpants” — 29 likes

“Oh God, my stomach must have won a medal- it's doing a lap of honour now.” — 10 likes

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