Travel Muse Magazine

Iconic double-decker red buses pass by, the tube rattles the underground, and charming accents float into your ears. London is a city that steals your heart, and if you aren’t careful, you won’t even want it back.

From the very first page, I was hooked on Elle Kennedy’s 432 page novel Girl Abroad (2024), and it had taken permanent residency in my hands as soon as it came in the mail. As a long-time fan of her novels, I consistently stalk her social media for updates on her newest releases. When I saw she was writing a book about a college girl studying in London, England–the very same thing I was about to do in a few months time–I knew it would take the top spot as my new favorite. And it did!

There’s a million reasons to love Girl Abroad, and here’s just one of mine: the historical subplot. Being thrown into the world of England’s most scandalous (fictional) noble families kept the book moving at a fast pace. The main plot is excellent too… Embarking on a year-long study abroad program, Abbey Bly arrives in London only to realize her three flatmates are not girls, but guys (with gender neutral names). During her stay she finds herself tangled in a historical mystery, and a love triangle, where on any given day, either one could be Mr. Right. 

Abbey was in London for a full year, so she visits plenty of spots. I’ve made a guide (with map) to places you can see during a short trip across the pond and embark on an adventure not only through the pages but also through the city. Some of the stops take you to the gorgeous countryside, where you may even stumble upon your own mystery painting. 

Abbey Rd

Get to know Abbey by taking the journey over to her namesake; the road made famous by The Beatles. Take in this iconic site (while of course snapping the infamous photo) and walk the road gives our heroine her name! (“Nope. Just Abbey. Named after Abbey Road.” -p. 89) You can also visit Abbey Road Studios, and while the interior is mainly a private space, you can view the famous building from the outside and hopefully spot your favorite artist on their way to their next top hit.

Notting Hill

Little Egypt Lounge 

Kensington Gardens 

One of the most gorgeous gardens in London is one Abbey passed by each day to her classes at Pembridge. Visit a royal residence, walk along the trails, and contemplate who it will be–Nate or Jack? The gardens are a must-see on anyone’s trip to London, their beauty holding its own against any tourist spot. “I shuffle along the north end of iron-fenced Kensington Gardens among tourists and joggers and moms with strollers,” Abbey says in the novel (p. 29). During my time in London, this was a favorite place of mine. While Kensington Palace does require a ticket, the gardens and Princess Diana’s memorial are free for all.

The Maughan Library 

While Pembridge is a fictional uni with a fictional library, Kings College offers a similar restricted section where students can research topics, just like Abbey did with her art history project. Here you may even find a surly Mr. Baxley, the guardian of all books restricted. (Fingers crossed for you!) While the library is primarily restricted to students of King’s College, independent researchers can request access, and the library also participates in the Open House Festifall, where it opens its doors to the public. 

Mary Stanford Lifeboat House

Walk the beach where Nate and Abbey had their first unofficial date. Just 1.7 miles away from the house is The Ship Winchelsea, a local restaurant that features daily specials–one of which being fish and chips. While you’re in East Sussex, take a look at the lifeboat house, a small hut where you can eat fish and chips just like they did. While there you can think about Josephine and her life with the Tulleys. Love this quote about this area from the book: “Nate and I order lunch to go before driving south along the river’s edge to a pebble beach where the river meets the ocean. There, a tiny black hut with a red roof stands alone on the shore.” (p. 105)

Twickenham Stadium 

With rugby having originated in England in the 19th century, and it being Australian Jack’s game of choice, a stop at a rugby game is a must while you’re living this novel’s plot points. Just 10 miles outside the city center, Twickenham is the world’s largest rugby stadium, a perfect outing for any Team Jacks. You could also catch a live show at this venue, with it having held artists such as Rihanna, Lady Gaga, and The Rolling Stones. 

YORI Korean Restaurant

Here you can find authentic Korean food, similar to the meal Abbey and Celeste (Lee’s sister) had on their first meetup outside the group. Yori serves a variety of traditional Korean dishes with a modern twist, featuring items like Korean BBQ, stews, and stir frys. Located nearby is the Royal Ballet school, where you might be able to find Celeste teaching a class.

Rye Art Gallery 

During Abbey’s search for inspiration on her research project, she stumbles upon a painting of a mysterious woman at an estate sale held by the fallen fictional noble Tulley family and sets out to discover her identity. Find paintings similar to Abbey’s painting of Josephine, and get to know more of the town she frequented in her research. While the true museum she visited exists only in the pages of the novel, the Rye Art Gallery will still blow you away, with pieces that could rival the one that started Abbey’s look into the Tulleys. The gallery holds around 650 pieces, with works by mainly national and regional artists. 

Electrowerkz

Finally free of your overbearing father’s watchful eye? In the mood to be out all night? You might not be, but Abbey certainly was. She was living out her nightlife dream–getting a taste of that rock and roll lifestyle her dad had filled countless stories with. Here in the city she was making her own memories, and what better way to do it than stumbling into a midnight rave with the resident bad boy (and yes, of course he drives a motorcycle). With the thumping of the beat coursing through your veins, to the bright flashing lights that shine before your eyes, you can experience the rave through the pages. Experience that same feeling here at Electrowerkz, a 19th century industrial warehouse that hosts parties and raves you too could be out all night at.

Why you Should read this book

I’ve read all of Elle Kennedy’s books, but there is something about Girl Abroad that keeps me coming back every time. The mystery of the Tulley family and their own historical love triangle was a captivating page-turner, and while I was rooting for one guy to win the battle of Abbey’s love triangle, I loved how on any given chapter I could see her with either one. What I loved even more was that the true focus of the novel was Abbey’s growth, where we see her step out of her shell, and push herself to make her own memories. Kirkus Reviews shares the same sentiment: “Abbey is a relatable character who yearns to stand outside her father’s shadow, and though the love triangle is a focal point, it never outshines the heroine’s growth.“

Compared to other love triangles, such as Conrad and Jeremiah from The Summer I Turned Pretty, or Edward and Jacob from Twilight, there was no one clear winner of the romantic battle. Till the end of the novel I was unsure which one she would choose, even if I had my hopes. With the mystery of a noble family connected to the crown as the main subplot, what better place to host this story than London? Girl Abroad takes the reader to more than just the city center, it also explores the countryside of England, the perfect way to leave the book feeling like you saw everything possible. Without the backdrop of London, the idea of uncovering a royal mystery doesn’t hold as much allure.  

With my personal rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars, the novel as a whole kept me on the edge of my seat, but I have to admit I was rooting for the losing team of the love triangle. Elle Kennedy is able to combine fiction with real life, with the very real London now being home to fictional noble families and universities. Even if you have no desire to head to London, I still recommend this book to any reader. As someone who lived in London for a short period of time, it felt completely authentic–from the locations to the way you just never want to leave. If you enjoyed Girl Abroad, be sure to pick up the Barnes and Noble or Indigo Books special editions, both of them carrying something irresistible–a bonus scene. And, rumor has it, a TV show is currently in development to bring Abbey’s story to the big screen, so be sure to stalk Kennedy’s Instagram for more info. 

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