Tasnia Shahrin
Ali McNamara is not only popular for her cozy romances that are set in spectacular locations, but also for the stunning covers of her books. I was beyond thrilled when I first purchased one of her books (which was From Notting Hill With Love . . . Actually). Not going to lie, it was the cover that attracted my interest at first, but boy, oh boy! When I finally read the book, I was overwhelmed by her dreamy narrative and was quickly drived to read her other books as well.
Here are the top five books written by Ali McNamara that you should definitely give a try.
I was absolutely captivated by this book. It is set in the uninhabited island of Tara, just off the west coast of Ireland. It’s about the lives of the future inhabitants of Tara but it has the most beautiful background setting and there were certainly enough descriptions for the readers to be transported to this beautiful place whilst they read. The main character Darcy inherits this island, however, only after fulfilling a condition—Darcy must stay there for twelve months in order to fully inherit. And she needs to persuade a village full of people to settle there, too. With Darcy’s fascinating journey from a city life to an island, McNamara has created a beautiful love story that will provide you with a light escape.
From Notting Hill With Love . . . Actually
If you are someone who loves everything British, then you are going to love this book. The author’s debut book is a fun tale that has a movie-obsessed heroine who dreams of her life being like a film. There are many fun movie references – Sleepless in Seattle, Pretty Woman, Notting Hill, Bridget Jones’s Diary, etc. The story was well written. Our protagonist, Scarlett, is trying to find what is missing in her life and she goes on a month-long break to house-sit in Notting Hill. She meets some new friends and these new experiences begin to change her perception of her life. Overall, this story was a clever and sparkly romantic read that is perfect for a cozy escape.
Step Back In Time follows the story of Jo-Jo McKenzie, who is a thirty-year-old accountant in 2013, but when she crosses the zebra crossing on King’s Road one day, she gets hit by a car, and wakes up in the 60’s, followed by the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s and up to the present day. Time travelling through London by decades, she must figure out how to get back to 2013, but it isn’t as easy as it sounds. So, she has to rely on the only constants in her life throughout her time travels, her friends Ellie and Harry as well as the wise owl, George. In short, this book is a magical love story which you will love, undoubtedly.
Letters from Lighthouse Cottage
Letters from Lighthouse Cottage is a magical, warm story of childhood friendships, first love and future dreams. The protagonist, Grace, lives in a quiet coastal village called Sandybridge and grows up with Charlie and Danny. Her parents run an antique shop and she helps out with house clearances, but she has dreams to travel and see more of the world. This book really would make the perfect holiday read—giving a really warm glow and a feeling that you want to join them all in Sandybridge.
Secrets and Seashells at Rainbow Bay
With a part time job and a less than satisfactory housing situation, it’s a struggle for single mother Amelia to care for her son, Charlie. Money is tight and times are tough. Until out of nowhere it seems, she finds that as she is the last descendant of the Chesterford family, she had inherited a castle in Northumberland. Despite some difficulties, Amelia settles into running the day to day business of the castle, while trying to bring it back to being a desired tourist destination. To help her, she has a small group of staff, some of whom have been at the castle all their lives. But it is not just the staff who help her when she needs it most, but some otherworldly creatures help as well.
To conclude, almost all of Ali McNamara’s books are light fun reads that will put a smile on your face. They are recommended for all the romance lovers as they bring with them a warmth of happiness, and they are as beautiful on the inside as their covers.
Tasnia is a proud Slytherin who loves binging on poetry and graphic novels in her free time.