Review: London Bound

Title: London Bound (Heart of the City #3)

Author: C J Duggan

Publisher: 26 March 2017 by Hachette Australia

Pages: 320 pages

How I Read It: ARC book

Genre: womens fiction, chick lit, romance

My Rating: 3.5 cups

Synopsis:

London Bound is third standalone novel in CJ Duggan's HEART OF THE CITY series.

Like so many of her university friends, Kate Brown is London bound, but unlike her friends - who had the chance to enjoy the beer, sights and attractions of the UK - Kate is instead visiting her grandmother (who may or may not be the devil).

Wanting nothing more than to be a normal, independent twenty-something living it up in ol' London town, Kate finds herself a prisoner in her grandmother's Kensington terrace, daydreaming about the holiday that could have been. But when Kate is almost run over by the ridiculously good looking Jack Baker, it leaves her wondering if being out and about is such a good idea after all, especially when she catches herself laughing at his jokes.

One thing Kate knows for sure is that she has to avoid Jack at all costs. But with her balcony facing his, you can pretty much guarantee Kate's London adventure is going to be anything but boring . . .

Paris Lights and New York Nights are books 1 and 2 in the series respectively. Each book can be read as a stand alone novel.

My Thoughts

“This was what Tom Hanks must have felt like in that movie Castaway, but if I painted a face on one of Nana’s designer bags and called it Wilson I suspect that would mean I had reached my limit.”

When I came across the first of CJ Duggan’s ‘Heart of the City’ series, I did not realise the fun reads I would be in for. With a common theme of an Aussie girl overseas in a big city coming across local suave guy, it was bound to be amusing. Each book is unique and definitely a standalone with Duggan providing you with many laugh out loud moments.

“I let the anger fuel my steps, though Lord knows running in a ball gown was no easy feat –no wonder Cinderella had lost her bloody shoe.”

I thought Paris Lights was hysterical, New York Nights great and although this latest entry, London Bound was good, it was not up to the level of the other two in my opinion. It just did not seem to flow as well as the other two - perhaps a little more detail on why Jack liked Kate so much or why Nanna Joy was so grumpy would have helped create a deeper understanding. What I loved about the first two books was how Australian the girls were - that unique voice seemed not to be so prevalent here. In fact it was hard to believe Kate was mid twenties. From the way she acted she appeared more adolescent.

However, if I set those issues aside, I was still engaged enough to recommend this book. These books are about witty banter, burning chemistry, hilarious and sexy encounters. I have enjoyed each trip around the world so far and can’t wait to see where CJ Duggan takes us next.

“I was about to go from a nearly contented recluse to living the life of a Golden Girl.”

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release