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From Finland with Love
Thirty-three-year-old Alina Eskala’s life is on the skids. She is mired in grief for her lost parents, her uber passionate lover has moved on to her best friend, and her last refuge—a high tech job she loves and excels at—is about to be cut. Even her determined attempt to make over her mousy hairstyle is a full-on disaster. What’s the upside? Hilarity. No matter what Alina does, it is funny, engaging and memorable. Her savior? A loose cannon cousin from Finland who barges into her quiet world with his hot Finnish buddy. Soon her life has steamed up like a Finnish sauna with love triangles and quadrangles. Full of unforgettable characters, always engaging, and laugh-out-loud funny, From Finland with Love is an award-winning book you will read greedily and be eager to pass on to a friend.
"From Finland with Love swept me away. I was on board and fully engaged from the very first scene to its satisfying ending. Alanko writes with humor and grace, deftly weaving moments of poignancy and longing with madcap antics and sparkling dialogue. Alina is an unforgettable character and the supporting cast of characters is rich, varied and utterly original. I highly recommend this book."
--Vicky Mlyniec, Award-winning writer and editor
*From Finland with Love: A Novel won 1st Place Novel in the Jack London Contest, 2009, sponsored by the California Writers Club.
"From Finland with Love swept me away. I was on board and fully engaged from the very first scene to its satisfying ending. Alanko writes with humor and grace, deftly weaving moments of poignancy and longing with madcap antics and sparkling dialogue. Alina is an unforgettable character and the supporting cast of characters is rich, varied and utterly original. I highly recommend this book."
--Vicky Mlyniec, Award-winning writer and editor
*From Finland with Love: A Novel won 1st Place Novel in the Jack London Contest, 2009, sponsored by the California Writers Club.
400 pages, Paperback
First published July 22, 2013
21 people are currently reading
103 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 5, 2023
This book had me laughing out loud so many times! It started out as a hilarious rom com and turned a bit more serious further on, lending the story layers of emotional depth. I loved following Alina's inner and outer explorations and learning about Finnish culture.
Fantastic debut novel by Ellie Alanko!
Fantastic debut novel by Ellie Alanko!
March 12, 2017
A novel about people
Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: From Finland with Love: A Novel (Kindle Edition)
I am interested in Finland & the Finns so I read this even though I think it would appeal more to women - a sort of book version of a chick flick? Any way it is well written and makes the reader care about the characters. It does delve into Finnish character & attitudes in an entertaining manner. I suppose it is a humorous romance novel with wry comments on life. The only real flaw I noticed is that the author seems to have the Russians occupying Finnish Karelia in 1933. Some years before that actually occurred. Though the way that section of the novel is written, I may be misinterpreting the physical position of the Russians.
Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: From Finland with Love: A Novel (Kindle Edition)
I am interested in Finland & the Finns so I read this even though I think it would appeal more to women - a sort of book version of a chick flick? Any way it is well written and makes the reader care about the characters. It does delve into Finnish character & attitudes in an entertaining manner. I suppose it is a humorous romance novel with wry comments on life. The only real flaw I noticed is that the author seems to have the Russians occupying Finnish Karelia in 1933. Some years before that actually occurred. Though the way that section of the novel is written, I may be misinterpreting the physical position of the Russians.
February 24, 2018
I wanted to like this, I really did but for some reason I could not find myself liking it. I enjoyed it but it was not amazing for me.
I will say it's a quick and easy book to read which helped me finish it quickly.
The writing was good and provides readers with several moments of humor. But like others my major issue with the book is how predictable the story was. I wish the author would have made some part of the book less predictable.
I will say it's a quick and easy book to read which helped me finish it quickly.
The writing was good and provides readers with several moments of humor. But like others my major issue with the book is how predictable the story was. I wish the author would have made some part of the book less predictable.
March 14, 2014
Alanko gets the tone of this, somewhat lengthy, self-discovery story spot on from the beginning. The disasters start brewing as soon as we are introduced to our exceedingly likeable but somewhat cautious narrator as she is bullied into getting a horrendous haircut – the start of a slippery slope.
Alina is a quiet Finnish-American woman who is trying to get over a devastating few years: both her adored parents have died, her best friend and ex-boyfriend Steffan have had a child together (OK, she did introduce them and now she’s totally fine with it) and since she has closed off her heart everyone and lost all sense of fun. And she truly has closed her heart to Steffan. Oh, yes siree.
Proud of her Finnish heritage but never having visited the country she is excited to learn she has distant relative and his friend coming to stay and hopes she can reconnect with her roots and feel less alone. And she can’t help but notice the friend is very handsome in the photos they send over…
From Finland with Love is studded with stunning descriptive prose about the American and Finnish landscape which had me yearning to go. I also loved learning about the Finnish culture which is described so beautifully. The inevitable disasters had me cringing and giggling in equal measures and despite her numerous mistakes, I never stopped rooting for Alina.
Reviewed by Nikki Mason on behalf of BestChickLit.com
Alina is a quiet Finnish-American woman who is trying to get over a devastating few years: both her adored parents have died, her best friend and ex-boyfriend Steffan have had a child together (OK, she did introduce them and now she’s totally fine with it) and since she has closed off her heart everyone and lost all sense of fun. And she truly has closed her heart to Steffan. Oh, yes siree.
Proud of her Finnish heritage but never having visited the country she is excited to learn she has distant relative and his friend coming to stay and hopes she can reconnect with her roots and feel less alone. And she can’t help but notice the friend is very handsome in the photos they send over…
From Finland with Love is studded with stunning descriptive prose about the American and Finnish landscape which had me yearning to go. I also loved learning about the Finnish culture which is described so beautifully. The inevitable disasters had me cringing and giggling in equal measures and despite her numerous mistakes, I never stopped rooting for Alina.
Reviewed by Nikki Mason on behalf of BestChickLit.com
September 19, 2013
So glad I found this book--Alanko is my candidate for the female Nick Hornby. I wouldn't write this off as a cookie-cutter "beach read" or "chick-lit" (which seems a way of diminishing a novel written by a female that has humor). It's full of quirky characters, witty dialog, and a fast, engaging plot that keeps you reading. Some scenes are sad, since she's dealing with (or avoiding) grief, while others made me laugh out loud. There's also the Finnish angle, and I enjoy learning about other cultures/people.
I think men would enjoy this too--just as Nick Hornby draws you into the "male psyche," Alanko exposes the inner thoughts of a 'lusty' young woman who's ready for love, commitment, and family (though a little clueless about how to find them).
Potential readers may want to check out Amazon's "Look Inside" feature to see if they relate to the humor. If yes, you are going to LOVE this book. If you don't find the opening pages fun, then you probably won't love it as much as I did. I think this author is a skilled writer--I can't believe this is her first book. Waiting for more...
I think men would enjoy this too--just as Nick Hornby draws you into the "male psyche," Alanko exposes the inner thoughts of a 'lusty' young woman who's ready for love, commitment, and family (though a little clueless about how to find them).
Potential readers may want to check out Amazon's "Look Inside" feature to see if they relate to the humor. If yes, you are going to LOVE this book. If you don't find the opening pages fun, then you probably won't love it as much as I did. I think this author is a skilled writer--I can't believe this is her first book. Waiting for more...
January 17, 2014
There is nothing better than being consumed by a good book. I always know it's a really good book if I don't want it to end, and that was the case for me with From Finland With Love. I set the book aside overnight with 20 pages to go because I wasn't ready to leave Alina and the cast of characters on their journeys. I savored the last pages the next day. Alanko is a very skilled writer. I love how she leaves hints of things to come in the story but leaves you guessing as to exactly where the story is headed. All of the characters come to life in the story and you feel like you are on the adventure with them, especially the main character, Alina. Alanko's humor shines through in this book with some of the scenes being very memorable in how they are depicted. Even though I was at first intimidated by the length of the book, it felt like a quick read because I was so engaged. I would highly recommend this book and I hope to see another novel soon by this author so that I can go on another fun ride with a new cast of characters.
March 23, 2014
I purchased a pile of books at this year's San Francisco Writers' Conference. This was one of them. Overall, it was pretty good. Loved the many descriptions of nature and landscapes; and of the Finnish culture and language. The characters were fun and interesting. The plot flowed well but it was predictable. I also felt like this book could have been shorter. It took too long for Alina, the main character, to realize the truth about her feelings, even though we in the audience know right away how things are going to play out. There were no real surprises.
Finally I didn't like how the one black woman in this book comes across as a stereotyped caricature of a black lady. This book describes people of many cultures, yes. But white characters are described as a rainbow of different cultures and nationalities, while the one black character seems to represent her entire race. I don't know if that was the author's intention, but that's how it came across to me.
Finally I didn't like how the one black woman in this book comes across as a stereotyped caricature of a black lady. This book describes people of many cultures, yes. But white characters are described as a rainbow of different cultures and nationalities, while the one black character seems to represent her entire race. I don't know if that was the author's intention, but that's how it came across to me.
April 22, 2014
I borrowed this from the Kindle lending library knowing that most books available for free are free for a reason.
I will say I found the writing to be better than expected and did find myself chuckling and enjoying the humor. I loved the glimpse into Finnish customs and history (something I know nothing about) BUT my main beef was the plot was so predictable. SO SO SO SO SO predictable. I think there were parts where the reader is supposed to be able to get hints of what's actually happening as opposed to what the narrator thinks is happening, but it wound up being so much that I was rolling my eyes and waiting waiting waiting for the shoe to drop.
I will say I found the writing to be better than expected and did find myself chuckling and enjoying the humor. I loved the glimpse into Finnish customs and history (something I know nothing about) BUT my main beef was the plot was so predictable. SO SO SO SO SO predictable. I think there were parts where the reader is supposed to be able to get hints of what's actually happening as opposed to what the narrator thinks is happening, but it wound up being so much that I was rolling my eyes and waiting waiting waiting for the shoe to drop.
March 12, 2014
I liked this book. It was a quick read, lighthearted and entertaining, with a couple well-placed emotional zingers. I thought the writing was strong with vivid descriptions. I cared about the characters, and especially with the Finns, could "hear" them throughout - great job with the dialogue. My only complaints: plot was a little predictable and (SPOILER ALERT), I was disappointed that Steffen & Alina didn't get together before the very last bit of the book. I feel like I left the story not really understanding exactly why they're together...
October 6, 2014
Having a 100% Finnish ancestry, I was interested in reading this book to learn more about the characteristics of Finnish peoples. This book did not disappoint. Author born and raised in California. Interested in her parents roots.
The novel which also dealt with relationships, good and failing, was of little interest to me.
Good reading if you are interested in reading a novel which deals with Finnish peoples.
The novel which also dealt with relationships, good and failing, was of little interest to me.
Good reading if you are interested in reading a novel which deals with Finnish peoples.
May 14, 2014
As others have said, it's an extremely predictable story but can be a welcome reprieve from heavier reads and a decent addition to the Kindle owner's lender's library. Alina was relate-able at times, but I truly disliked her inner naive teen girl that came out around potential romance. You're supposed to be thirty, I don't buy that you're that clueless. Otherwise, a nice, light read.
October 4, 2015
As someone who grew up in a Finnish culture, I loved all the little touches of Finland in the book. As a Northern Californian, I loved knowing where Alina was. But what I loved most had nothing to do with either of these. It was Alina's growing up, her story of abandoning her "sisu" to truly find herself, and finding happiness.
April 21, 2014
Alina is such a space cadet. The writer did a really good job with this character's voice.
April 23, 2015
Great fun! As a Finn, I really enjoyed all the references to what Finns are like from an American persective.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews