Blogging by Liza: AS LONG AS I HAVE YOU (LONDON SULLIVANS #1)

Wednesday, October 16, 2019

AS LONG AS I HAVE YOU (LONDON SULLIVANS #1)

All Mari Everett’s life, she’s had two secret dreams: To own a bookstore, and to reunite with her long lost father. But when he passes away unexpectedly and she inherits his home and business, the only way she can learn about his life—especially why he abandoned her when she was three and never came back—is by leaving California to take over his bookstore in London.

Owen Sullivan lives and works on Elderflower Island, a close knit community in London where it’s impossible to keep a secret. It turns out, however, that Charlie Forsythe kept his daughter a secret from everyone for nearly thirty years. When Mari comes to London, Owen immediately falls for her. He’s never met a woman so intelligent, determined and honest. Not to mention so beautiful that she takes his breath away.

Soon, everyone on the island—including Owen’s four siblings, parents and grandmother—is pitching in to help give the bookstore a fresh start. But as insatiable passion develops into love, will Mari and Owen be able to grab hold of their fresh start? Or will their pasts continue to cast a dark shadow over their chance at a brilliant future together in London?

Release Date: October 16, 2019

Oak Press

London Sullivans #1

Contemporary Romance

Review copy provided by publisher

Liza's Review:

When I found out there were more Sullivans in London, I was over the moon to meet the newest part of the family. I loved As Long As I Have You from beginning to end and have to say Bella Andre gave her readers another winner is the first London Sullivan's book.

Mari Everett's life is turned upside down when she is notified her biological father Charlie Forsythe has passed away and she is set to inherit his flat and bookshop on Elderflower Island. Mari has wanted to know more about her father since her mother kicked him out when Mari was 3 years old for not keeping watch over Mari as he was passed out drunk. My heart absolutely broke for Mari and Charlie for not having any contact all those years, and also broke for her mom for not letting go of her anger at Charlie even though she remarried a wonderful man.

Mari has always wanted to own her own bookstore and when she arrives in London, she is super excited to have the chance to run the shop she inherited from Charlie. The fact that he had let everything go while sick put Mari in an uphill battle to get everything in order. Thankfully Owen Sullivan, a friend of Charlie's, steps up to help Mari along the way. The attraction between Owen and Mari is pretty apparent from the very first moment they meet, and I fell in love with them as a couple just as quickly as they fell for one another.

I also loved how all of Owen's family stepped up to help out in any way Mari needed to get the shop up and running again. Mari had such amazing plans and dreams for her shop, and really needs all the help she can get to make it happen. While I loved each of Owen's family members, I adored his grandmother most of all. Mathilda Westcott is a famous mystery writer and was one of Charlie's closest friends. She is such a source of wisdom and love in this book.

The romance between Owen and Mari was so wonderful. I seriously loved Owen and Mari truly were friends first before becoming lovers. Yes their romance was fast, but I totally loved every moment they spent together. My only concern with the entire story was how Mari's mother would react to any choices Mari made about staying in London or returning home to California. I really loved how strong Mari was when she talked to her family and her new friends about her choices.

As Long As I Have You was such an amazing story. Fans of Bella Andre will fall in love with the newest branch of the Sullivan clan. I have loved each and every one of the Sullivan books to date, and already can't wait to see each member of the London Sullivan clan get their own stories.

Rating: 5 Stars (A)