Jessie Hearts NYC [Kindle Edition]

Jessie Hearts NYC is a simple story of boy meets girl but this is almost secondary to the love affair Jessie has with the city. This fabulous novel is chocked full of contemporary cultural New York references and descriptions of The Big Apple along with the complexities of parental relationships and the plain excitement and joy of two best friends. It sweeps you away with enthusiasm and before you know it you've finished the book and the day has gone!

After being stuck in a rut of three really disappointing books, Jessie Hearts NYC was the perfect next read for me. It was sweet, funny and fluffy in all the right places and I nearly cried when I finished it. Nearly!

The idea of Jessie and Finn nearly bumping into each was inspired - and rather frustrating at times! Both have their own problems to solve before they finally meet though - Jessie needs to reconcile with her mother and Finn needs to get over his obsession with Sam - his best friend's girlfriend. It was a lot of fun reading about all the places Jessie and Finn visit on their emotional journeys, knowing they were in the same places! Plus the added excitement that I discovered today that I'll be visiting New York myself next year!

Relationships is the main thing in this - Finn and Sam's relationship is in danger if Finn's obsession causes him to do something stupid, Jessie's mum, Natalie and Jessie tend to avoid each other instead of dealing with their problems, Finn is worried about yelling his Dad he doesn't want to work in insurance, Emma, Jessie's best friend, is helping Jessie get over a difficult relationship, you get the idea. I loved Emma best in this, she's the ultimate best friend! Really supportive and she's alway giving Jessie a push in the right direction.

Although I've never visited New York, I really did feel as if I was there too and I can tell the Author loves New York and must have visited a lot of places there! My favourite scene was in the revolving restaurant, which is my favourite restaurant in the world. Unfortunately I've never had the opportunity to visit. Maybe next year?

I would have loved to have read more about Jessie and Finn, I think that's my only complaint! A 1000 page book would be more than fine by me! I think a sequel would be nice but I don't think there will be one. *sob*

'New York, New York, a wonderful town' is the memorable refrain from one of my favourite songs, as sung in 'On The Town' by Gene Kelly and co. It's one of my favourite songs because I've always been obsessed with everything about New York. It's such a huge and vibrant city, full of culture and excitement and holds the promise of adventures and new beginnings. Although I haven't actually been to the land of dreams yet I'm determined to get there one day and in the meantime I get to live vicariously through wonderful books like 'Jessie Hearts NYC' by Keris Stainton.

Part of the reason I loved this book was obviously the fact that it's set in NYC and features frequent references to iconic landmarks such as the Empire State Building, Central Park Zoo and Broadway. It also explores all the sights, sounds and smells of the city from the all-American deli breakfast which I could practically taste, to the speeding yellow cabs which whiz around at death-defying speeds. Then there are the nods to memorable pop culture such as 'An Affair to Remember', 'Sex and the City. (and the Magnolia Bakery), plus 'When Harry Met Sally'. Although 'Jessie Hearts NYC' is a fiction title and not a guidebook to the city, it does embrace wholeheartedly the wonder of NYC and the fact that anything is possible in a place where dreams really can come true.

Jessie and her best friend Emma are spending the summer in New York, with Jessie's divorced mother. This is an opportunity to leave boy troubles behind and to explore the city and have a carefree summer. Native New Yorker Finn, is having troubles of his own, including being in love with his best friend's girlfriend and attempting to come to a decision about what he wants to do with the rest of his life. Their stories unfold in alternating chapters throughout, as they come closer and closer to meeting. As we learn more about their characters it becomes increasingly clear that they're made for each other but will they ever get to meet!

I loved, loved, loved this book! It was funny and lighthearted which makes it a perfect summer book but it was also absorbing and a real treat to read. There was a good balance between some really laugh-out-loud moments and some more serious parts which dealt with Jessie trying to rebuild her relationship with her mother. I thought that the way in which their relationship was revealed and developed worked really well and added some extra depth to the story.

'Jessie Hearts NYC' is a super book! The story is as shiny and sparkly as the gorgeous front cover and I enjoyed every second of reading it. Fingers crossed that maybe my dream will come true one day like Jessie and I'll get to go to New York!