Review: I Heart New York (I Heart #1)

I Heart New York (I Heart #1)
By Lindsey Kelk

Published By: Harper
Publication Date: June 25, 2009
Date Read: July 20, 2023
Genre: Adult – Romance
Source: Bought
Format: Paperback
Pages: 307

From Goodreads:
Perfect for fans of Sophie Kinsella, get ready for the summer debut of the year…When you’re running away from a broken heart, there’s only one place to go…Adjusting tiaras at the foot of the aisle, Angela and her best friend prepare for the wedding of the year. But events don’t go as planned. And when a girl is in possession of a crumpled bridesmaid dress – and can’t go home – New York (for the very first time) seems like an excellent idea. Angela’s new friend Jenny Lopez gives Angela a whirlwind tour of the city that never sleeps, and a makeover. Who hasn’t dreamed of starting afresh with a sassy New York wardrobe, a new haircut and a trip to the make-up counter? Before she knows it, the new Angela is getting over her broken heart by having dinner with two different boys. And, best of all, she gets to write about it in her fabulous new blog. But it’s one thing telling readers all about your romantic dilemmas. It’s another trying to figure them out for yourself! Warm, funny and unputdownable, I Heart New York is an unforgettable debut.

“I’ve got a great career and fantastic friends. I think it just took me too long to realise I don’t need a man to validate me.”

Lindsey Kelk is an author that has been on my radar for such a long time, but one that I didn’t read until recently. I remember buying I Heart New York about ten years ago when it first released, and it sat on my shelf unread for years before I unhauled it, thinking I would never read it. Fast forward ten years, and I meet one of my best friends whose favourite author is Lindsey Kelk so I re-bought this series and promised her I would give it a go. I am definitely kicking myself and cursing past me for getting rid of this book because it is such a fun ride.

I Heart New York follows the story of Angela. An aspiring writer who, after finding her fiance in a compromising position with another woman in the back of their car, decides to fly off to New York to get away from everything. While here she reinvents herself, with the help of her new friend Jenny Lopez, and finds herself dating two new men. But will she be able to keep it up, and when will she have to go home?

I Heart New York is honestly just good fun. I really enjoyed every moment of it. Lindsey Kelk’s writing is just so easy to read, and you find yourself sucked in and just binge reading for hours. This is just perfect escapism. Don’t we all wish we could just head off to a different country and escape when things go wrong? I just loved diving into this book and living it all out with Angela. It’s truly just a super fun romcom kind of book. I found myself feeling so many emotions one minute and snort-laughing the next. If you need a good pick me up… this book is a must!

It’s not the best contemporary romance book I have ever read, but it’s just so fun and enjoyable that I can’t wait to read the next book. I’m not sure I’ve read a romcom series before, most books like this that I have picked up are standalones, so I am excited to see what is going to happen to Angela next. I’ll definitely be picking up book 2 soon. I cannot wait! If you’re after a fun summery read, I urge you to pick up I Heart New York. You won’t be disappointed.

“Sometimes we get so used to not really feeling anything, just going with the flow, that we forget how it feels to be really happy or sad.”