Guest Review: From Notting Hill With Four Weddings Actually by Ali

Movie addict Scarlett O'Brien is finally living the jet-setting life she's dreamed of - but it all hangs by a shiny, golden thread.

Flying between London and New York, running two businesses, planning her wedding to handsome fiancé, Sean, with best friends Oscar and Maddie - life couldn't be better.

But then Scarlett meets paparazzi darling, Gabriella Romero, and life suddenly becomes even more extravagant and glamorous. As she begins to experience the other side to being rich and famous, it's not only Scarlett's perfect wedding that's put in jeopardy, but her whole world.

Review: I have to admit from the outset that I had no idea that this was, in fact, the third book in a series about Scarlett O'Brien, the heroine of the tale. I didn't find that out until after I had finished reading. Therefore, I can attest to the fact that story stands perfectly well on its own. However, I liked it so much that I wish I had read the others. This was a book that I literally couldn't put down. Luckily I was on holiday when I read it or I possibly wouldn't have got any work done for a few days!

In addition to Scarlett, the story includes a cast of really strong, interesting and colourful characters, all of whom are likeable and entertaining, with one notable exception. This last character introduces a dark note of danger into the story. Ali McNamara cleverly keeps us guessing all along if good is going to triumph over evil, but you really hope it will.

I found Scarlett to be an amazing person, with many strings to her bow. She is a successful business woman living a transatlantic existence that we can all envy, although where she gets the energy to keep up her pace of life is a mystery to me. Despite being so busy with work interests, poor Scarlett is trying really hard to find the perfect venue for her wedding to her fiancée, Sean, but is struggling due to lack of free time. Sean is also busy with work and travels a lot, so they don't have much opportunity to explore venues together. All very frustrating.

As you can probably tell, I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone. I think it is story-telling at its best. It stands alone well, but it might be fun to read all three in the series.