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The London Leap
What if everything turns out better than expected?
Olivia McAlister has her life all planned out: go to college in Boston with her two best friends, graduate with an architecture degree, and return to her hometown to be near her family. But when she's offered a scholarship to complete her freshman year abroad in London, her plan falls apart. Beginning college an ocean away from her friends, family, and hometown was not what she envisioned.
In London, Olivia decides to simply put in her time there. But even her year at London City University doesn't go to plan. In Olivia's year long Walking History of London class, she gets partnered up with quiet and withdrawn Finn Abbott. As they're forced to explore the city together for class, Olivia finds herself getting more attached to London...and Finn. With her life plan completely derailed, Olivia doesn't know what to do. Is London just a temporary place for her, or the start of something great?
Olivia McAlister has her life all planned out: go to college in Boston with her two best friends, graduate with an architecture degree, and return to her hometown to be near her family. But when she's offered a scholarship to complete her freshman year abroad in London, her plan falls apart. Beginning college an ocean away from her friends, family, and hometown was not what she envisioned.
In London, Olivia decides to simply put in her time there. But even her year at London City University doesn't go to plan. In Olivia's year long Walking History of London class, she gets partnered up with quiet and withdrawn Finn Abbott. As they're forced to explore the city together for class, Olivia finds herself getting more attached to London...and Finn. With her life plan completely derailed, Olivia doesn't know what to do. Is London just a temporary place for her, or the start of something great?
286 pages, Paperback
First published March 20, 2025
3 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
About the author
Samantha Kramer
1 book7 followersSamantha Kramer is an author from Charleston, South Carolina. She loves a good romance story, the city of London, and anything crafty/creative. Find her on Instagram and TikTok @samanthakramerwrites
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
August 7, 2025
In her brilliant maiden novel, Samantha Kramer gives readers Olivia, a sharp and quirky heroine determined to explore a new city. In so doing, she explores herself. Olivia’s trials are perfectly awkward, angsty, and hilarious, and they remind me of a time or two from my own travels. I can’t wait to see what Kramer delivers next.
April 4, 2025
This book is the perfect read! It is light hearted, romantic, and keeps you intrigued from the beginning. It’s the perfect story about how change can be scary and good at the same time!
March 9, 2025
Thank you Samantha Kramer and BookSirens for this ARC and the opportunity to give my honest review. Goodreads does not allow half-stars, but my rating is 3.5 stars.
“The London Leap” is a sweet story about growing up and dealing with change. The main character, Olivia McAlister, had always planned on going to college with her two best friends in their hometown of Boston; yet, Olivia’s acceptance letter offers her a scholarship to spend her freshman year abroad at the university’s partner school in London, England. Olivia has a very difficult time leaving her friends and family behind and adjusting to her new life in London.
I personally have been out of college for a while now, but reading Olivia’s story brought back memories of all the changes you go through, especially your first year away from home. Olivia is such a relatable character and there were so many times I wanted to jump into the book and give her a hug, letting her know everything would be okay. Her fear that her childhood friends would move on without her and replace her with someone is heartfelt and genuine. I think everyone can relate to friend groups changing, simply due to proximity and values changing as you grow up, and this book does a great job showcasing that.
The main male lead in the story, Finn Abbott, is a quiet and reserved second year at London City University. He and Olivia get partnered up for an assignment in one of their classes and form a beautiful friendship. Finn has his own issues that he is dealing with, and Olivia seems to be the only person to bring out the best in him and guide him through his struggles. I absolutely LOVE their friendship and every time Finn calls her Livy. 🥰
What I love most about this book is the personal growth Olivia and Finn make as their friendship develops. They both realize that change isn’t always a bad thing and you need to make the best of the hand you’re dealt. To quote one of Olivia’s new friends: “Remember, you always have a choice in your outcome.”
The reason this book is not a 5-star read for me is because I felt the theme was a bit too on the nose at times, and some lines and plot points felt repetitive.
Overall, I enjoyed reading “The London Leap” and was rooting for Olivia and Finn the entire way! I recommend this book to readers who love:
💕 slow burn / sweet romance
💕 friends to lovers
💕 found family
💕 travel
💕 finding yourself
“The London Leap” is a sweet story about growing up and dealing with change. The main character, Olivia McAlister, had always planned on going to college with her two best friends in their hometown of Boston; yet, Olivia’s acceptance letter offers her a scholarship to spend her freshman year abroad at the university’s partner school in London, England. Olivia has a very difficult time leaving her friends and family behind and adjusting to her new life in London.
I personally have been out of college for a while now, but reading Olivia’s story brought back memories of all the changes you go through, especially your first year away from home. Olivia is such a relatable character and there were so many times I wanted to jump into the book and give her a hug, letting her know everything would be okay. Her fear that her childhood friends would move on without her and replace her with someone is heartfelt and genuine. I think everyone can relate to friend groups changing, simply due to proximity and values changing as you grow up, and this book does a great job showcasing that.
The main male lead in the story, Finn Abbott, is a quiet and reserved second year at London City University. He and Olivia get partnered up for an assignment in one of their classes and form a beautiful friendship. Finn has his own issues that he is dealing with, and Olivia seems to be the only person to bring out the best in him and guide him through his struggles. I absolutely LOVE their friendship and every time Finn calls her Livy. 🥰
What I love most about this book is the personal growth Olivia and Finn make as their friendship develops. They both realize that change isn’t always a bad thing and you need to make the best of the hand you’re dealt. To quote one of Olivia’s new friends: “Remember, you always have a choice in your outcome.”
The reason this book is not a 5-star read for me is because I felt the theme was a bit too on the nose at times, and some lines and plot points felt repetitive.
Overall, I enjoyed reading “The London Leap” and was rooting for Olivia and Finn the entire way! I recommend this book to readers who love:
💕 slow burn / sweet romance
💕 friends to lovers
💕 found family
💕 travel
💕 finding yourself
March 20, 2025
What a great debut novel. Olivia gets accepted into a college program in London and has to start her life from scratch in a new place with no friends. She isn’t even in the freshman dorm with the rest of the people in her program, she is in with the second years who all have established relationships. Finn becomes her partner in a class that explores the city, but they slowly become friends.
As an introvert, I felt this terror of being in new situations. I completely understood the panic of having to make new friends, trying to get around a new place and dealing with the feelings of watching friends move on without you. I thought it was well written, a great story and very realistic. I was hoping the epilogue was a little further out to see if Olivia got her happy ending, but that is just a personal preference.
I would say this is really more of a fiction book than romance. The relationship is not the focus, living life is the focus. No spice. Very PG-13. I really enjoyed it and now I want to go back to London!
As an introvert, I felt this terror of being in new situations. I completely understood the panic of having to make new friends, trying to get around a new place and dealing with the feelings of watching friends move on without you. I thought it was well written, a great story and very realistic. I was hoping the epilogue was a little further out to see if Olivia got her happy ending, but that is just a personal preference.
I would say this is really more of a fiction book than romance. The relationship is not the focus, living life is the focus. No spice. Very PG-13. I really enjoyed it and now I want to go back to London!
May 8, 2025
A really engaging YA book that even adults can enjoy!
From the first chapter, I felt that I knew the main character, and I enjoyed coming to know her new friends, as SHE came to know them.
The author did such a good job of describing the setting as the plot developed that I felt as though I could walk along with her to her dorm room. The way she described the many landmarks in London was clever, via the invention of a university class that assigned the students to visit them and learn the city. I've been to London, yet I learned some new things about the city from reading The London Leap.
The relationship challenges that evolved when Olivia left her old group of friends are universal ones faced by people of all ages, and the lessons learned can be helpful to readers in all stages of life. If I were still a school counselor, (retired now) I'd recommend this book to teen students as a resource for learning some life lessons about relationships, risk taking, loss and self discovery.
I'm now a grandmother to 4 teens, and I'd say that they would enjoy reading The London Leap, but I would also recommend it to my adult friends. (I'm also going to recommend it to the Young Adult librarian at my local library, and hope that she will add it to the extensive collection there)
Having finished it a week or so ago, I find myself thinking about and wondering how Olivia’s life is going!
It may come as a surprise to readers that this is the author’s first book, and I hope there might be a sequel so that I can find that out!
More than just a sequel though, I hope that it will be simply the first of many more books by Samantha Kramer.
From the first chapter, I felt that I knew the main character, and I enjoyed coming to know her new friends, as SHE came to know them.
The author did such a good job of describing the setting as the plot developed that I felt as though I could walk along with her to her dorm room. The way she described the many landmarks in London was clever, via the invention of a university class that assigned the students to visit them and learn the city. I've been to London, yet I learned some new things about the city from reading The London Leap.
The relationship challenges that evolved when Olivia left her old group of friends are universal ones faced by people of all ages, and the lessons learned can be helpful to readers in all stages of life. If I were still a school counselor, (retired now) I'd recommend this book to teen students as a resource for learning some life lessons about relationships, risk taking, loss and self discovery.
I'm now a grandmother to 4 teens, and I'd say that they would enjoy reading The London Leap, but I would also recommend it to my adult friends. (I'm also going to recommend it to the Young Adult librarian at my local library, and hope that she will add it to the extensive collection there)
Having finished it a week or so ago, I find myself thinking about and wondering how Olivia’s life is going!
It may come as a surprise to readers that this is the author’s first book, and I hope there might be a sequel so that I can find that out!
More than just a sequel though, I hope that it will be simply the first of many more books by Samantha Kramer.
March 1, 2025
The London Leap
Olivia was supposed to start her freshman year of college off at her dream school, with her best friends, in Boston. Life had other plans. She earned an amazing scholarship which entailed her attending her freshman year of college in London, through a study abroad program. For many of us, this is the opportunity of a lifetime. But for Olivia, it’s her worst nightmare.
Enter Finn, her broody assigned partner for one of her classes. He seems as excited about life as Olivia is to be in London.
Throughout the book, they both go through their own personal struggles alongside each other. Their chemistry is clearly undeniable, but they’re both so miserable will they snap out of it before the year ends & Olivia goes back to Boston?
The character growth in this book made it for me. Both Olivia & Finn both started out as pretty insufferable characters, but the author brought the story together in a journey of change, finding ones self, and personal growth.
The book was a solid 3.5/5 for me. It was a quick, fun read, but the angst at the beginning was more irritating than a slow burn. Once Olivia started finding herself in London, I was hooked.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you to Samantha Kramer & Booksirens!
Olivia was supposed to start her freshman year of college off at her dream school, with her best friends, in Boston. Life had other plans. She earned an amazing scholarship which entailed her attending her freshman year of college in London, through a study abroad program. For many of us, this is the opportunity of a lifetime. But for Olivia, it’s her worst nightmare.
Enter Finn, her broody assigned partner for one of her classes. He seems as excited about life as Olivia is to be in London.
Throughout the book, they both go through their own personal struggles alongside each other. Their chemistry is clearly undeniable, but they’re both so miserable will they snap out of it before the year ends & Olivia goes back to Boston?
The character growth in this book made it for me. Both Olivia & Finn both started out as pretty insufferable characters, but the author brought the story together in a journey of change, finding ones self, and personal growth.
The book was a solid 3.5/5 for me. It was a quick, fun read, but the angst at the beginning was more irritating than a slow burn. Once Olivia started finding herself in London, I was hooked.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you to Samantha Kramer & Booksirens!
February 4, 2025
I appreciate getting the opportunity to receive and read this ARC, so thank you to BookSirens & author, Samantha Kramer.
Olivia and Finn’s story made me feel nostalgic for many experiences in my life and gave me the opportunity to reflect on those moments as well. These characters emotions and experiences were truly so relatable- adjusting to a new place and getting to know new people while clinging to the past and having a hard time letting go.
The writing in this book showcases many different issues and emotions that people deal with when adapting to change and I think it was conveyed well.
This wasn’t a five star read for me because a lot of the dialogue and plot seemed so repetitive and I found it quite cut and dry at some points. Although I empathized with each individual character, I struggled to connect with them and found there was little to no chemistry between our MFC and FMC.
Sharing my favourite quote from the book:
“So does he always read and ignore people?”
“Pretty much”
^ ME lol
Olivia and Finn’s story made me feel nostalgic for many experiences in my life and gave me the opportunity to reflect on those moments as well. These characters emotions and experiences were truly so relatable- adjusting to a new place and getting to know new people while clinging to the past and having a hard time letting go.
The writing in this book showcases many different issues and emotions that people deal with when adapting to change and I think it was conveyed well.
This wasn’t a five star read for me because a lot of the dialogue and plot seemed so repetitive and I found it quite cut and dry at some points. Although I empathized with each individual character, I struggled to connect with them and found there was little to no chemistry between our MFC and FMC.
Sharing my favourite quote from the book:
“So does he always read and ignore people?”
“Pretty much”
^ ME lol
March 17, 2025
This was my first ARC, and it was so beautiful! Kramer writes with such wonderful detail; I’ve never been to London, but with the way she describes settings surrounding Livvy and Finn’s college experience, I truly felt like I was there and could see everything unfolding. These characters each have such complex pasts and undergo grief, feelings of abandonment, and more. The way that the friendships Livvy makes help her adjust to her new lifestyle was so moving, and truly revealed the importance that the connections we make with those around us have in our lives. I would highly recommend this book to any and everyone! Even if you aren’t a big romance reader, the complex relationships and deep character developments are strong enough to make the book extremely engaging (but, as an avid romance reader, I adored that side of it too!).
** I received an advanced reader copy for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily!
** I received an advanced reader copy for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily!
March 20, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Olivia has her life planned out. She wants to go to college in Boston and stay close to her two best friends and her family. But her plan falls apart when she accepts a scholarship to study in London for a year. In her Walking History class she is partnered with Finn, the quiet and angsty guy that sleeps two doors away. They are forced to explore the city together to pass the class and Olivia finds herself becoming attached to London as well as Finn.
This was a cute, quick, and fun read. Olivia battles so many obstacles including feeling lost, loneliness, and longing. If you have ever felt left out or stuck on the “what ifs” of life you will relate to Olivia 100%. Finn made me want to shake him sometimes but in the end I understood why. He is also relatable for those who are/have struggled with the loss of a parent.
Thank you Samantha for this advanced reader’s copy of your debut novel! Thank you BookSirens!
Olivia has her life planned out. She wants to go to college in Boston and stay close to her two best friends and her family. But her plan falls apart when she accepts a scholarship to study in London for a year. In her Walking History class she is partnered with Finn, the quiet and angsty guy that sleeps two doors away. They are forced to explore the city together to pass the class and Olivia finds herself becoming attached to London as well as Finn.
This was a cute, quick, and fun read. Olivia battles so many obstacles including feeling lost, loneliness, and longing. If you have ever felt left out or stuck on the “what ifs” of life you will relate to Olivia 100%. Finn made me want to shake him sometimes but in the end I understood why. He is also relatable for those who are/have struggled with the loss of a parent.
Thank you Samantha for this advanced reader’s copy of your debut novel! Thank you BookSirens!
March 9, 2025
The London Leap by Samantha Kramer is a captivating college romance that was hard for me to put down.
Olivia, the protagonist, leaves her home in Massachusetts to start her freshman year in London, embarking on a new chapter away from her friends and family. Along the way, she discovers more about herself, her friendships, and the joys of young love. 💕
The story is light, engaging, and free of spice, making it a great pick for a YA audience. I highly recommend this sweet and uplifting read and can’t wait for Samantha Kramer’s next book!
Thank you BookSirens and Samantha Kramer for allowing me the opportunity to read this book!
Olivia, the protagonist, leaves her home in Massachusetts to start her freshman year in London, embarking on a new chapter away from her friends and family. Along the way, she discovers more about herself, her friendships, and the joys of young love. 💕
The story is light, engaging, and free of spice, making it a great pick for a YA audience. I highly recommend this sweet and uplifting read and can’t wait for Samantha Kramer’s next book!
Thank you BookSirens and Samantha Kramer for allowing me the opportunity to read this book!
February 15, 2025
ARC Review: I would give this a 3.75. This was a cute, close door, college romance. Change can be hard, and this book did a great job with describing it in our two main characters. Both Olivia and Finn went through some tough changes in their life, and what I loved was that I could totally relate. But at the end, change can bring a lot of good and also growth as we see in the story. Loved it. Don’t know the authors plans on this story, but would totally love a sequel to know what comes next for Olivia and Finn! 💕
August 21, 2025
An absolutely terrific debut novel from Samantha Kramer - a real fish out of water / coming-of-age novel that follows college freshman Olivia as she navigates life and love as a study-abroad student in London.
I loved Samantha's attention to detail as she writes Livvy's story - really makes you feel like you are wandering the streets of London as she describes scenes and settings with meticulous precision.
A real novel with real heart - something here for everyone! You won't regret "hopping across the pond" to read this tale of life and love as Livvy makes "The London Leap"!
I loved Samantha's attention to detail as she writes Livvy's story - really makes you feel like you are wandering the streets of London as she describes scenes and settings with meticulous precision.
A real novel with real heart - something here for everyone! You won't regret "hopping across the pond" to read this tale of life and love as Livvy makes "The London Leap"!
March 10, 2025
I was able to read the London Leap as an ARC and absolutely loved it. A sweet romance about a girl who is resistant to accepting her new life in London and her classmate that she becomes partners with. It was a slow burn that was worth the payoff in the end! I couldn’t put it down once I started it, and I would highly recommend this book.
September 24, 2025
I absolutely loved this book! It was such an easy read and had the best vibes! If you love London this one is for you! I also really loved the characters and related a lot to how they felt about change and people/the world moving on without you. Their love story was just so sweet, I didn’t want it to end!
January 25, 2026
Cute & sweet little love story that felt sooooo nostalgic of my time abroad in London :) loved it simply for the London vibes and appreciated the character growth for Olivia & Finn. 3.5 rounded to 4 ⭐️
March 28, 2025
A cute, feel-good story about change and growth. I’d say it’s more of a coming of age story than a romance but the slow burn, friends to lovers romance is definitely there!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews