London Calling (London Romance Series) Paperback – 24 Feb. 2014

Loved this so much!!!Jess is back home in London after breaking up with her ex Karen in Australia. Starting again after the devastation of the break up, Jess is finding her feet with a new job and a new love interest but there are few people standing in her way of happiness. Bumping her way through disaster, Jess has to get some perspective and make choices about what she really wants from life and the happiness she has dreamed of.I loved this first book in the London Romance series! I had read the last three books in the series and knew I needed to read it all and can honestly say that although this was Clare’s debut novel and the first of the series, it is my favourite so far. It had all the elements of Clare’s writing we know and love and was the perfect rom-com. Every minute was exciting, especially with all that kept turning up and changing in Jess’ life and you couldn’t have predicted some of the awkward moments she managed to get herself caught up in.I was laughing and crying with this book and Jess. Oh Jess, what to do with you! There were moments when she was a complete dork and your heart went out to her, and other’s where you wanted to shake her out of her own destructiveness. Purely brilliant. Such a rollercoaster with Jess as she was literally unpredictable with what she would say and do. She really was one of those characters who infuriates you because you can’t help loving her and her disastrous nature.I had so much fun reading this and couldn’t put it down. It really is filled with fantastic moments from cute and funny, to romantic and sweet, to full on carnage and it was fantastic. Can’t wait to read more of this fabulous series.

Jess Sharp has been in Oz for 3 years, trying to live her dream of an adventurous life. But when she finds herself bored with her job and losing her girlfriend London is calling her home.Single, jobless and living in her parent's spare room wasn't part of her life plan. But as she starts to re-establish herself a new Jess emerges. A change of careers, a friends spare room and a whole heap of matchmakers make for an interesting life.When she meets the woman of her dreams her heart is smitten, but a series of events involving one night stands, tequila shots, hen nights and ex-girlfriends may be too much for their fledgling romance. Can they work through the chaos or will Jess drive her away with silly mistakes?-----------------London Calling - what an apt title. Clare Lydon's first novel is a wonderful Rom-Com that follows a traditional romance plot, but is far better than the average LesFic fare.The plot is full of comedic opportunities. It is well thought through and works well as a coherent storyline, creating a fast moving page-turner where we soon wonder what could possibly go wrong next. The sup-plots are clever, weaving in and out of Jess's life, adding variety, and building her characters, but always adding to the main story.Ms Lydon's descriptions of London are excellent. Just enough to build up a scene around the plot, but not too heavy handed or long winded. For those of us who know London it hits all the right buttons for recognition. For those who don't it will give you an excellent taste - Clare has caught the tone of the city perfectly.The characters are people we would recognize on the street. From the self-centered girlfriend to the angry one night stand, the drunken best friend to the manic bride to be, Ms Lydon has an amazing talent for capturing the essence of a personae with light brush strokes. Jess's constant self-doubt is something we will all empathize with, and Lucy is just adorable.In among all the chaos is a lovely tale of a hot crush and new love, starting with a wistful hope and building into a life changing want. There is a great sexual tension and the sex is hot and steamy, but without being unrealistic - for once the heroine doesn't morph into a porn star in the bedroom... or the lounge.. or the hall.But for me what makes this stand out head and shoulders is the comedy. It is quintessentially British, a tale of minor disasters which constantly derail Jess's hopes without being too heavy. Our heroine has to work to get out from one thing after another. The farce is clever and witty - hugely entertaining and a joyous read.And for our American cousins this will be a great adventure. British wit, London geography, and English idioms that might be a challenge, but are well worth the effort.Altogether a top-notch Rom-Com that will keep you rooted to your seat, a page-turner without any unnecessarily dramatic twists, but realistic characters which make you want to know what happens next. Well crafted, well written - well done!

My wife brought me the nothing to lose book as a gift and I read it in a few days. I decided t search to see other books written by this author and was extremely happy to find tonnes! I brought this one for myself and I’m absolutely obsessed! I can see my flying through these books extremely quickly! I can safely say I have a new favourite author! I want to read the books as fast as possible but also have them last forever!!

This is the first of Clare Lyndon’s books I’ve read. It definitely won’t be the last.The writing style is, for me, relaxed and natural without the starchy forced expressions that to often seem to be a typical part of this genre. I liked the story line, too. Jess’s anguish and frustration when things went wrong came across strongly and I couldn’t help sharing her pain. The affection, in the key relationship, was clearly full on love from the early days and just wonderfully described without being tempted into flowery and sugary ott yuck.....Thank you, Clare, I’m ready for more.

Disclaimer: I am not a ‘just romance’ genre fan. I usually like a bit of mystery / supernatural / adventure to my romance stories. However, I saw this advertised loads on the The Lesbian Review pages and when it was on offer on Amazon I couldn’t resist!I enjoyed this romance - it had a nice story to it with the main character getting over heartache and finding out who she’s wants to be. I was definitely rooting for the love interest which always makes me happy. I found myself getting very tense and worried when the main character made a few mistake / hurdles. But always love a happy romance.