A London Affair by Jan Ellis

A London Affair by Jan Ellis.
Published: 12th April 2016 by Endeavour Press.
Available to buy on Amazon UK and Amazon US in Kindle format.

‘Turning her back on university, Kate hopes to find an exciting opportunity that will take her away from wellies and wet sheep in the English countryside to the glitz and glamour of London.
However, after a year selling chutney on a chilly market stall, the prospects for a glittering career in the capital are looking increasingly unlikely.
All that changes when Ned, the intriguing buyer from a smart London deli, brings a welcome chance to follow her dream, and Kate finally embarks on a new chapter, leaving behind rural life and ex-boyfriend, Steve, in exchange for six months in the hectic café scene.
In Chelsea, Kate finds a bunch of ready-made friends in her flat-mates and grows close to Clare, Imogen, Freddy and the glamorous Russian heiress, Valentina. Imogen’s many comical attempts to find Kate a boyfriend backfire for Kate, but result in a twist in Immy and Freddy’s relationship.
Friendships deepen and secrets are revealed when Kate accepts an invitation to spend Christmas at the coast with Ned.
Back from the holidays, the flat-mates receive news that changes everything and forces Kate to make some big decisions: stay in London, return home or follow her heart to Cornwall?’

Do you remember what it’s like to have a choice about your life looming over your head? Remember making the big decision to begin your adult life as you choose, regardless of the hurdles, or begin your life the way that someone else wants you to? To be honest though, how many teens/twenty-something actually knew what they wanted to do when they grew up? A plan? I did, but life threw me curveballs. Just like Kate actually. She makes the decision to start her new found freedom the way that she wants, and not what her parents wanted her to do. Risky move? Probably, considering Kate has no idea what she is letting herself in for. She could find herself landing on her feet, or she could find herself regretting every single choice that she makes. Hopefully her new friends she finds herself bonding with, are good influences on her….

A London Affair was only the second novella (short story) that I have read, and it’s the first book of Jan’s that I have read as well! Huge thank you to Jan for giving me the opportunity to read her book! The first half of the book, I found myself realising that I was incredibly nosy as I wanted the characters and their pasts to be delved into a bit more, HOWEVER, as it is a novella, and you’re not going to find out what they had for breakfast in 1994, my nosiness doesn’t make the book bad at all. It just makes me realise that I am infact…..incredibly nosy and curious! By the second half of the book, I didn’t want it to end. I loved following Kate’s life in the story, finding out what choices she made and how her life turned out in the end. Several times whilst reading the book, I found myself feeling rather sorry for a couple of the characters because of the cards that they were dealt! Are people really that ignorant as to who’s around them? A London Affair is very romantic in multiple parts, there is always something that will make you go ‘awwwww!’. Well, if you’re a slush puppy like me that is. You never know! The story was also such a light and refreshing read, full of good intentions, bad choices and a girl trying to live her dream. What’s not to enjoy?