A Love Letter to London by Courtney Giardina: A Guest Post

I have to admit, it was my love of the fairy tale romance between Prince William and Kate Middleton that prompted me to vote for London when my now husband asked where I might want to go on our first overseas trip together. There was so much more once we arrived that helped to mold a permanent place in my heart for London and inspire me to write my latest romantic comedy.

We stayed near Kensington Gardens our first two nights in London. Both mornings, I woke up and took a stroll through the serenity of the park and took in the magic of the golden leaves underneath my feet. I watched dogs fetch their tennis balls and people run along the pond. Then, I ordered a chai latte from the stand near Diana Memorial Playground. It was there that the idea to write Falling in London came to be. In fact, there is a scene in the book where my main character, Tate, sits at the very same bench I did after she runs into a very handsome stranger.

There was so much to take in of London in the short time we were there. We took a photo in front of Royal Albert Hall, ate at a cozy, farm-to-table restaurant in Notting Hill and explored the nightlife in Piccadilly Circus. I loved Piccadilly Circus. It was lively and diverse. The crowds, quaint cafes and bustling streets made this the perfect location for another one of my characters, Brooks, to live.

Primrose May is a staple location throughout Falling in London. It’s a coffee shop that sits over in Westminster. I was so fortunate when I went to London to have been able to tour Westminster Abbey. Like I said, I am infatuated by the life of William and Kate and getting to step foot inside Westminster Abbey was a dream come true. There is so much history and beauty captured between its walls.

I’ve always been fascinated with historical cities and cobblestone streets. Charleston is one of my all-time favorite places to visit here in the U.S. I think that’s why I fell in love with London immediately. The buildings and streets hold so much history. Every little detail has a story.

So, I guess you could say that Falling in London is more than a romantic comedy about a girl chasing her dreams. It’s more than a witty, feel good story about letting love in. Falling in London is my official love letter to London.

I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I loved writing it.