Hot London Nights by Clare Lydon is a friends to lovers romance set in London during the months leading up to Pride Week. It illustrates it’s never too late to fall in love.
Smarting from a recent heartbreak, business mogul and sometimes television host, India Contelli is in the market for an upscale rooftop flat to call her own. It’s time for her to put down roots in a home she can truly call her own. The one catch is she doesn’t know a thing about property sales.
Gina Gupta is moving up in the world of high-end property sales. She’s been putting all her energy into her business because her last lackluster relationship left her wondering if she and love are simply incompatible. She came out late in life and with her 41st birthday looming on the horizon she’s beginning to think she’ll be a singleton for the rest of her life.
When she meets India, she’s wowed by the rich, gorgeous, and successful woman. She’s certainly out of Gina’s league. She should start buying cats now. As they search London for the perfect rooftop dream house, India and Gina start looking forward to seeing each other and begin coming up with new reasons to spend time together.
India is helping organize some of the events for Pride Week. The theme this year is: It’s Never Too Late. She’s tasked with reuniting two long-lost lovers and she enlists Gina’s. As they spend more together, they realize maybe it’s not too late for them.
The Characters
It seems like after Lydon writes a new book, I have a new favorite main character. India Contelli definitely caught my eye and captured my heart. She’s smart, strong, sensual, and generous with her time and attention. It would be terribly hard not to fall in love with her. I loved that she had finally reached a point in her life where she was done with all the cash and prizes associated with her high-powered career. Her quiet resolve to find a more authentic life is super sexy.
Gina Gupta is someone I could picture sitting down with for a cuppa. She’s solid, gentle, sharp, and she too has reached that point where she’s tired of dating. She’s never known real passion, so when she sees everything she could have with India, it frightens her. Her character arc was the most compelling for me because she not only had to deal with her own insecurities, but she had to contend with her family’s less than accepting feelings about her lifestyle.
The Writing Style
This may not be the deepest analysis, but Ms. Lydon is the queen of the first kiss. Goodness, she should be teaching a master class on it. She goes about building up a wonderful tension between India and Gina, and when they finally share that first kiss it’s like watching a sunset with the woman of your dreams.
As always, Lydon peppers the story with the wittiest banter. Sometimes it pops up during awkward moments between the main characters, and I love that. Don’t we all go for humor when we’re lost for words and on the brink of utter embarrassment? (Maybe it’s just me and a testament to my own extreme awkwardness.)
Pros And My Favourite Parts
I’ve read every book in this series (not necessary to do so, this is a great stand-alone) and, Lydon always includes cameos from other characters in the London Romance series. I love seeing what everyone’s up to. Who’s moved in together, who’s had a baby, I need to know. Just about everyone from the series makes an appearance and it’s like being surrounded by old friends.
Cons And Heads Up
Absolutely none.
The Conclusion
I never pass up an opportunity to read Lydon’s latest book and neither should you. She’s about as dependable as you can get when it comes to fashioning a romance full of humor with sexy main characters. There’s always that moment when it seems like love has gone sideways, but Lydon manages to bring the characters together for a satisfying happily ever after. If I’m ever in a funk, I usually turn to one of her books for a quick pick me up. Hot London Nights is one more reason why Lydon continues to be one of my favorite authors.
TLDR (too long didn’t read)
Hot London nights is a friends to lovers romance set against the world of upscale property sales. When India Contelli hires Gina Gupta to help her find a new home, they discover they have much more in common than their shared love of rooftop terraces.
Excerpt from Hot London Nights by Clare Lydon
My parents, being first-generation Indian, aren’t so keen on me being gay. They’re slowly coming around to the idea, but it’s like moving an oil tanker. The fact I turned 40 and nothing’s changed might have influenced their decision.”
“Mine were a little flummoxed when both my brother and I came out, but they’re fine with it now. They have to be. There’s no other choice.” India gave a small laugh. “Did your parents meet your ex-girlfriend?”
Before Gina had a chance to reply, India shook her head. “What is it about us and rooftops? We start pouring out our life stories to each other. Just wait until I move into my flat. Although, perhaps that’ll get it out of our systems, then we can just have light-hearted chats and drink coffee and wine.”
Now it was Gina’s turn to laugh. “And biscuits I hope.” She paused. “But no, Sara never met my family, she was never that interested.”
India furrowed her brow. “You were going out for how long?”
“Eighteen months.”
“That’s a statement.”
“I never pushed it, but yes, you’re right. I think if my parents met someone, it might crystallise it in their heads, make it more real. Right now, my being gay is imaginary if I don’t have someone to be gay with.”
India shook her head. “Straight people never have to go through this, do they? It annoys the fuck out of me.”
“I gave up being annoyed at things I can’t change a while ago.”
India held Gina with her gaze. “I’m getting that about you. You have good energy.” She smiled. “If you’re ever pressed by a reporter, don’t tell them I said that. It sounds a bit woo-woo. They’ll paint me as a hippy.”
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Series
Hot London Nights
Bits and Bobs
- ISBN number: 9781912019489
- Publisher: Custard Books
- Clare Lydon Online
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