I loved this book. The characters are well developed yet not at all typical, and I never really knew what the outcome was going to be.
The voice of the narrator, Neil, is still in my head. He is so well written and fleshed out I feel like I know him and his innermost thoughts. He is witty, charming, and disarmingly frank. I was thoroughly on board with his journey, and writer John Meyer definitely takes the reader on that journey, from Toronto to London and Pamplona. I read this book on a beach in Mexico, and actually yearned to travel back to London as I read his vivid descriptions, full of unknown facts on the area.
I highly recommend this book, especially to travel aficionados and those who want a great story about true, warts and all characters that you can't forget.

Why do people travel overseas? To experience a different culture, have an adventure or new experiences? Neil Jarvis’ reason is to pursue his girlfriend, Jordon, after she takes off to London to experience the Britpop scene following their fight.

Bulls, Bands and London is an action packed, fun filled fictional travel memoir.

Neil is a young man who, because of circumstances dealt him, is a little unworldly, awkward and lacking experience in love. You may choose to like the characters or be frustrated by them. I tended to go one way then the next.

However you feel about the characters Meyer’s writing is fun, chatty and witty.

I particularly enjoyed Neil’s first person travelogues, light-hearted and humorous history lessons, fun guided tour of tourist highlights and comparisons to his home country of Canada.

I loved the ending but you won’t get a spoiler here and beneath the fun there is a lesson to be learned but you’ll have to read the book.

I’m not terribly interested in or knowledgeable about modern Britpop (60s and 70s yes, but not anything more recent than that) but this music genre proves to be a perfect background for Meyer’s fictional travel story. I discussed this music genre with my son who gave me a better understanding of the bands and the backdrop to the story.

If you find it doesn’t grab you in the first few pages push on at least to you arrive in London with Neil after that you won’t want to put it down.

This review is also available on my website www.pam.id.au