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A London Affair
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?
A funny and heart-warming contemporary romance, A London Affair will strike a chord with anyone who has ever daydreamed about choosing an unconventional career path, or who simply enjoys cheese and fine delis…
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?
A funny and heart-warming contemporary romance, A London Affair will strike a chord with anyone who has ever daydreamed about choosing an unconventional career path, or who simply enjoys cheese and fine delis…
133 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 12, 2016
2 people are currently reading
12 people want to read
About the author
Jan Ellis
7 books30 followersHello readers! My background is in non-fiction publishing and An Unexpected Affair was the first fiction I had written since the age of about seven. Fortunately people enjoyed it, so I wrote A Summer of Surprises, which continues the adventures of my bookselling heroine, Eleanor Mace. Now these novellas are available to enjoy in one luscious, paperback volume! I'm also thrilled to present a brand-new title – The Bookshop Detective – in which Eleanor ends up doing some sleuthing from her quiet corner of rural England.
As if that wasn't excitement enough, my stories French Kisses and A London Affair are now published in one gorgeous paperback book. NB Amazon has removed most of the reviews for the ebook versions of these stories, but you can still find them on here.
To discover more, please visit my website www.janelliswriter.com or follow me on Twitter @JanEllis_writer and Facebook. I look forward to sharing gossip with you there!
If you have read and enjoyed my stories, please tell your friends and consider putting a short review on Amazon. Thank you!
GERMAN EDITIONS
Three of my books are available in German and you can read reviews on amazon.de.
As if that wasn't excitement enough, my stories French Kisses and A London Affair are now published in one gorgeous paperback book. NB Amazon has removed most of the reviews for the ebook versions of these stories, but you can still find them on here.
To discover more, please visit my website www.janelliswriter.com or follow me on Twitter @JanEllis_writer and Facebook. I look forward to sharing gossip with you there!
If you have read and enjoyed my stories, please tell your friends and consider putting a short review on Amazon. Thank you!
GERMAN EDITIONS
Three of my books are available in German and you can read reviews on amazon.de.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
April 25, 2019
This is a lovely story following Kate and her new adventure, as she takes the plunge to drop out of Uni and try something new, finding a job in a trendy London deli.
Kate makes new friendships, discovers the pitfalls of online dating and even has to fend off her bullying ex-boyfriend, all in the search of a romance that's right under her nose.
I love the author's voice. Easy, light reading, with enough detail and flavour to make you feel you're in the heart of London. Perfect escapism.
Kate makes new friendships, discovers the pitfalls of online dating and even has to fend off her bullying ex-boyfriend, all in the search of a romance that's right under her nose.
I love the author's voice. Easy, light reading, with enough detail and flavour to make you feel you're in the heart of London. Perfect escapism.
April 30, 2016
Unfortunately, I can't rate this book higher than 2 stars. A London Affair by Jan Ellis was a light read, maybe too light as not much happened.
In a nutshell: The main character was a girl who lived in a small town and decided not go to university. Instead, she found a job in London in a place called "Delish Organics". There, encouraged by her co-worker, she started going on dates and that was pretty much all that her life in London consisted of. Well, that and lusting for her friend's boyfriend.
I would've liked this book more if something actually happened. Instead, all we saw were the dates and then the romance that came completely out of the blue. It was poorly developed and I didn't feel anything between the couple that eventually ended up together.
All in all, for a chick-lit, it wasn't a bad book, but it was kind of dull and the romance didn't have the spark that it should've had.
In a nutshell: The main character was a girl who lived in a small town and decided not go to university. Instead, she found a job in London in a place called "Delish Organics". There, encouraged by her co-worker, she started going on dates and that was pretty much all that her life in London consisted of. Well, that and lusting for her friend's boyfriend.
I would've liked this book more if something actually happened. Instead, all we saw were the dates and then the romance that came completely out of the blue. It was poorly developed and I didn't feel anything between the couple that eventually ended up together.
All in all, for a chick-lit, it wasn't a bad book, but it was kind of dull and the romance didn't have the spark that it should've had.
August 4, 2018
I read this as apart of the French Kisses and a London Affair collection.
What a wonderfully uplifting book this is! This is the first I have read by Jan Ellis and I can say without a doubt that it will not be the last. French Kisses and a London Affair are two heart-warming stories about two completely different women, both at different stages of their lives who find love without looking for it in the most unexpected places.
The first part follows Rachel’s story, after years of happy marriage which resulted in two children and a glorious house in a rural France, Rachel is happy and content with her life and she thought Michael her husband was too. That is until one day he drop’s a bombshell on her; he is leaving her for a younger woman, Rachel is left in a bit of a rut. She is an accomplished artist but after the break-up of her marriage she is feeling rather down trodden, she tries to keep up appearances for the sake of her children but deep down she is unsettled. Then one day her friend gives her the idea to open up a guesthouse, which results in some quite unexpected turns in Rachel’s life. One of which could mean love, but who will be the one to sweep her off her feet?
The second part is all about Kate who after defying her parent’s and deciding against going to university as she doesn’t believe that spending another four years studying is the best thing for her, she wants something more than just classes and exams and she doesn’t want to be weighed down with a degree that may not even get her anywhere in life. So, she takes a job in a high-end London Delicatessen where she is coerced into the dating game by her lovely but slightly pushy new flat mates. Along the way she meets some very interesting people, but is her soul mate amongst them, or is he right before her eyes?
I loved both of these stories, they are warm, sentimental and loving. Showing that no matter where you are in life that love can present itself in the most unexpected places. Ms Ellis has created two brilliantly romantic and very realistic stories both of the heroines develop steadily throughout which keeps you engaged throughout. I particularly like the backing characters in both, each one is well crafted and very likable.
Thoroughly enjoyed this, it is an easy to read and warm-hearted book, that leaves the reader feeling inspired
What a wonderfully uplifting book this is! This is the first I have read by Jan Ellis and I can say without a doubt that it will not be the last. French Kisses and a London Affair are two heart-warming stories about two completely different women, both at different stages of their lives who find love without looking for it in the most unexpected places.
The first part follows Rachel’s story, after years of happy marriage which resulted in two children and a glorious house in a rural France, Rachel is happy and content with her life and she thought Michael her husband was too. That is until one day he drop’s a bombshell on her; he is leaving her for a younger woman, Rachel is left in a bit of a rut. She is an accomplished artist but after the break-up of her marriage she is feeling rather down trodden, she tries to keep up appearances for the sake of her children but deep down she is unsettled. Then one day her friend gives her the idea to open up a guesthouse, which results in some quite unexpected turns in Rachel’s life. One of which could mean love, but who will be the one to sweep her off her feet?
The second part is all about Kate who after defying her parent’s and deciding against going to university as she doesn’t believe that spending another four years studying is the best thing for her, she wants something more than just classes and exams and she doesn’t want to be weighed down with a degree that may not even get her anywhere in life. So, she takes a job in a high-end London Delicatessen where she is coerced into the dating game by her lovely but slightly pushy new flat mates. Along the way she meets some very interesting people, but is her soul mate amongst them, or is he right before her eyes?
I loved both of these stories, they are warm, sentimental and loving. Showing that no matter where you are in life that love can present itself in the most unexpected places. Ms Ellis has created two brilliantly romantic and very realistic stories both of the heroines develop steadily throughout which keeps you engaged throughout. I particularly like the backing characters in both, each one is well crafted and very likable.
Thoroughly enjoyed this, it is an easy to read and warm-hearted book, that leaves the reader feeling inspired
May 3, 2016
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?
Book review also found on my blog at https://thewritinggarnet.wordpress.com
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?
Book review also found on my blog at https://thewritinggarnet.wordpress.com
October 8, 2016
In A London Affair we meet Kate, a country girl living at home with her parents, who has decided not to go to university and has taken a job working for a local cheesemaker, but despite enjoying her job her ultimate dream is to live and work in London. So when she finds out about a job in a trendy bistro in Chelsea with live in accommodation she jumps at the chance.
At first Kate feels a little out of place, labelling herself as the country bumpkin within her sophisticated flatmates Clare, Imogen, Freddie and Valentina but people aren't always what they seem and first impressions aren't always right.
Freddie and Imogen are a couple but it soon becomes clear to Kate that although Freddie would do anything to make Imogen happy the feelings aren't always mutual and it seems like Imogen would rather be single like Kate and this hits home when the two girls go to a singles night.
Following the adventures of Kate as she finds her feet in her new surroundings makes for an absorbing read. The story flows easily and is sprinkled with humour and situations that I'm sure many of us have found ourselves in. A London Affair is another enchanting novella from Jan Ellis and it makes for a great afternoon read while curled up on the sofa or lounging by the pool.
I really enjoy Jan's books and I hope that there's another one on its way soon.
At first Kate feels a little out of place, labelling herself as the country bumpkin within her sophisticated flatmates Clare, Imogen, Freddie and Valentina but people aren't always what they seem and first impressions aren't always right.
Freddie and Imogen are a couple but it soon becomes clear to Kate that although Freddie would do anything to make Imogen happy the feelings aren't always mutual and it seems like Imogen would rather be single like Kate and this hits home when the two girls go to a singles night.
Following the adventures of Kate as she finds her feet in her new surroundings makes for an absorbing read. The story flows easily and is sprinkled with humour and situations that I'm sure many of us have found ourselves in. A London Affair is another enchanting novella from Jan Ellis and it makes for a great afternoon read while curled up on the sofa or lounging by the pool.
I really enjoy Jan's books and I hope that there's another one on its way soon.
April 28, 2016
Here we have Kate, she lives with her mum and dad out in the country. She has never really liked living out there, prefering to be a city girl. After deciding not to go to uni, she leaves her job working for a cheesemaker's market stall in the local town and heads off to the bright city lights of London to work in a classy deli in Chelsea. Kate's new job sees her sharing a flat with Imogen, Clare, Valentina and Freddy. As Kate spends Christmas on the beach with Ned and Imogen is nowhere to be seen. Can Kate keep her feelings in check?. With a surprise on returning home, the decision could already be made for Kate.
This is the first book i have read by Jan Ellis, and i was pleasently surprised. Although its only 133 pages long its just enough to get you into the story and grow fond of the characters. It was nicely set out and i liked that we could easily read this. The end was perfect and this would be a great story to read on the beach or sitting by a pool sipping that all important cocktail.
This is the first book i have read by Jan Ellis, and i was pleasently surprised. Although its only 133 pages long its just enough to get you into the story and grow fond of the characters. It was nicely set out and i liked that we could easily read this. The end was perfect and this would be a great story to read on the beach or sitting by a pool sipping that all important cocktail.
May 10, 2016
It's a while since I've read anything like this book and it was a breath of fresh air after reading quite a few heavy and dark crime fiction titles.
A young twenty year old girl moves from Hertfordshire to London to work and live in at a trendy Chelsea bistro. The generous Russian owner provides a flat above the premises for some of the employees to share. They all become friends and some of them decide to explore the dodgy dating scene in London with some very comical results.
Altogether an enjoyable easy read that held my interest right until the end. Light, entertaining and funny.
I didn't realise this was a novella until I went to Amazon to review. Felt about the right book length to me for a light read. An ideal holiday read.
(Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for ARC in exchange for an honest review)
A young twenty year old girl moves from Hertfordshire to London to work and live in at a trendy Chelsea bistro. The generous Russian owner provides a flat above the premises for some of the employees to share. They all become friends and some of them decide to explore the dodgy dating scene in London with some very comical results.
Altogether an enjoyable easy read that held my interest right until the end. Light, entertaining and funny.
I didn't realise this was a novella until I went to Amazon to review. Felt about the right book length to me for a light read. An ideal holiday read.
(Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for ARC in exchange for an honest review)
September 25, 2016
I was asked to review this book by Jan Ellis the author herself, she asked me a she knew how much I had loved her previous books. I didn't waste too much time and managed to read it within a day and a half, it was brilliant. I felt as though I was transported into the places where Jan takes us in her stories. I liked Kate the main character and her story. It was a really interesting but light read. I loved it. I look forward to reading the next book.
May 3, 2016
Kate has never liked country life and has always longed to move to London, so when she gets the opportunity to work in a smart Chelsea deli she jumps at the chance, leaving behind her boyfriend and family without a second thought.
Sharing a flat she soon becomes part of the crowd with Clare, Imogen, Freddie and Valentina and is loving the life but can things stay that good for her and will she find the love of her life?
A good lighthearted read - very short - easily a one sitting read
Sharing a flat she soon becomes part of the crowd with Clare, Imogen, Freddie and Valentina and is loving the life but can things stay that good for her and will she find the love of her life?
A good lighthearted read - very short - easily a one sitting read
May 22, 2016
awesome!! I loved reading this book! From the very beginning this author grabbed my attention and didn't let go until the very end.. I highly recommend this book to everyone! You won't be disappointed...
November 2, 2017
I was quite pleased with the way this story turned out and I'm very fond of my young heroine Kate. For this reason I'm giving myself a fab four.
May 13, 2016
An nice light read. Chic lit boy meets girl story ideal for the beach or an afternoon in the garden
May 6, 2017
I love London, so of course I picked up this book with London in the title. This book just didn't really do anything for me. I never really connected with Kate or much cared what happened.
**I received a copy from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for a review**
**I received a copy from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for a review**
May 1, 2016
This is the 4th Novella I read by Ellis. I loved her previous stories, I really did. I thought she is just getting better and better with every story she writes. The stories are always a joy to read. Light, heart-warming with lots of humor. Unfortunately A London Affair was not for me. It was not something I expected from Ellis. The story is quite different compared to what she has written so far. In A London Affair we get introduced to Kate. She is a simply country girl, living in Herefordshire. When Kate decides University is not an option for her, she leaves her small town life and her job as a salesgirl in a cheesemaker's market stall behind to work in Chelsea at Delish Organics. Kate is very excited to take new paths in her life and take a leap up on her career. She enjoys her new life in Chelsea with her workmates Imogen, Freddy, Clare and Valentina. When Christmas is around the corner Kates joins her friends for a road trip to the seaside, spending Christmas in a cozy house with bonfire and champagne. Kate secretly developed feelings for Freddy, who is Imogens boyfriend. Trouble is here sure to follow. How does the story ends?
It’s not easy to rate this book for me. I was missing a lot of things in this story: depth, substance, real romance and likeable characters. I enjoyed the basic idea of the plot and the story is not bad written, not at all actually. I always enjoyed Ellis writing style. Although in this story there are many things that could have been improved. There was no spark, no romance, no development of the feelings between the couple that eventually ended up together. Many situations were cut off too soon. I wished the story had been more developed I found some situations happened out of the blue without any explanations which made it sometimes unbelievable. It was hard for me to relate to any of the characters. Kate was not an outstanding heroin for me. As she described herself, she was simple, also quite dull for me. Imogen was the worst. Sorry to say that but she was a bitch, so annoying and utterly ridiculous. I hated her behavior towards her boyfriend Freddy. Freddy was the character I liked the most. He was such a sweet and generous guy. I was sorry for him how bad Imogen treated him.
For all those reasons, I unfortunately can’t rate this novella more than two stars.
It’s not easy to rate this book for me. I was missing a lot of things in this story: depth, substance, real romance and likeable characters. I enjoyed the basic idea of the plot and the story is not bad written, not at all actually. I always enjoyed Ellis writing style. Although in this story there are many things that could have been improved. There was no spark, no romance, no development of the feelings between the couple that eventually ended up together. Many situations were cut off too soon. I wished the story had been more developed I found some situations happened out of the blue without any explanations which made it sometimes unbelievable. It was hard for me to relate to any of the characters. Kate was not an outstanding heroin for me. As she described herself, she was simple, also quite dull for me. Imogen was the worst. Sorry to say that but she was a bitch, so annoying and utterly ridiculous. I hated her behavior towards her boyfriend Freddy. Freddy was the character I liked the most. He was such a sweet and generous guy. I was sorry for him how bad Imogen treated him.
For all those reasons, I unfortunately can’t rate this novella more than two stars.
April 20, 2016
A very light, enjoyable romance novel. A London Affair follows Kate as she leaves her small town to pursue love and a career in London. More of a novella than a true novel, none of the characters are really flushed out and you never really become emotionally involved in their outcomes. However, this book is well written, which makes up for its lack of substance. If you would like to lose yourself for an afternoon (certainly this is a one seating read), then this is a great book for you.
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