Member Reviews

Meet Cute was such an effortless read. It played out like a movie in my head. It's a sweet, feel good story with the most endearing characters. Their story grabs a hold of you and doesn’t let you go. I did not want to put this book down and walk away from Dax and Kailyn for even a minute! It's heart warming and a bit emotional. I adored it! My family had to eat cereal for almost 2 days straight and it was worth it!

♥ Review by Lys

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Kailyn and Daxton are such a good match up. She is the shy but sassy type and Daxton is the smooth sexy thoughtful child/teen star. Kailyn has always had a crush on Daxton from her favorite tv show. She has a embarrassing chance meeting with him that starts off a set of events that will have Daxton not only in her life through law school but years after that as well. These two really bring the story to life. It is a story that you just get lost in. I fell in love with these characters. I am a HUGE fan of anything Helena Hunting writes and these unforgettable books like Meet Cute are why. I loved it and would recommend it to anyone looking for a heartwarming love story with all the feels.i loved this book so much I purchased my own copy, but I am also voluntarily leaving my honest review after reading this arc.

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***ARC Provided by the Author***

4.5 Stars

When you read a novel by Helena Hunting, or at least when I do, there is a certain expectation that it is going to be quirky, and fun, and there will be a couple of moments that make you cringe in agony and sympathy for at least one of the characters.

Kailyn and Daxton's story had all of the above, but it also had heart. You really believe in the characters, and in the story. And, you believe in the fact that they want to be the best for each of them and for Emme, his sister. There was something about this book that felt different from the other titles I have read by Helena, and I am not actually sure why...I think, though, that with a lot of her titles, it feels like the humor is as much a focus as the romance, but in this one, it felt like the romance was front and center.

The pacing of this was also strong, and really consistent. I thought the focus of the scenes moved logically, and they moved in a way that I believed. The stresses in the relationship, both internal and external, worked and there were no parts of the story with the main characters that felt contrived.

There was a secondary character that I thought the resolution of was a little off. Not enough to ruin the story, but I felt that it was a little tossed in, and that the character and the resolution of the story could have been handled without the addition of the "drama" and that the character would have potentially acted as she did without the additional motivation.

That said, I really enjoyed this title and I recommend it.

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Kailyn and Dax had a meet cute in college that led to a fast friendship that led to a betrayal that Kailyn couldn’t forget or forgive. Eight years later, Dax is back in her office forcing her to face what she ran from just before graduation.

Kailyn was driven at work. Her goals included fulfilling a promise she made to her father, which only served to drive her motivation. She never backed down from a challenge, and when her boss dangles her ultimate goal in front of her just for convincing Dax to join the law firm, it seemed like all Kailyn’s dreams were within reach.

I loved Dax as he fumbled through becoming a single parent. He wanted to be what his sister needed, but also knew that he had a disconnect between his experiences and hers. I loved how he was never afraid to call Kailyn for help or advice as he navigated parenting a teenager with no warning.

Together, these two were fun. They had some past grievances to air, but they also had great chemistry together. Their chemistry picked up quickly, and without the betrayal hanging between them, would have combusted much more quickly than it did. As it was, Kailyn struggled to remember why she was so upset with him. Her teenage crush on him became an inside joke, providing several humorous moments and an easy spot for her to give him a hard time in jest.

This was a fun, sweet, emotional story of growing up, creating family, and fighting for love. It wasn’t what I was expecting, not having read the blurb closely, deciding to read the book based on the cover, title, and author alone, but when I realized it wasn’t going to be the rom-com I anticipated from my own conclusions, I quickly settled into the story and fell in love with the characters. I hurt when they hurt, and cheered for them to sort out the challenges they were facing. I also figured there was more to the initial story that it seemed, and my predictions were correct. But all in all, this was an enjoyable, dynamic story!

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I really liked this one. So much so, that I think it is going in my to-be-reread pile. It kind of took me by surprise — not the fact that I liked it, I enjoyed Hunting’s THE GOOD LUCK CHARM, so I wasn’t worried about liking it — but the story itself really quite surprised me.

The cover is adorable, but maybe a little deceiving? It makes it seem as though this will be a cute little rom-com, when in reality it is so full of depth and emotion it had me crying multiple times by chapter six. Maybe I wasn’t prepared. I think I read the synopsis once, last year when it first appeared, but not again before starting the book like I usually do. So all I remembered was that it was about a woman who has an awkward run-in with the celebrity who was her teenage crush.

To get to the point —> I liked it. I really really liked it. It’s just one of those books that hits you right in the feels and makes you happy there are talented writers like Hunting in the world, who can make you feel so incredibly much in so few pages and make you connect and empathize with fictional characters.

I’m honestly finding this book difficult to review, partly because things I want to talk about would give away too much of what happens. So I’ll make this short and simple.

This book is about family, loyalty, sacrifice, grief, and unconditional love.
It’s romantic, heartbreaking, funny, steamy, devastating, and hopeful.
This story is so many things, all of them equalling a captivating and unputdownable read.

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Meet Cute by Helena Hunting

“She opens her mouth to speak but I stop her again with my lips. And she responds, like I want her to, softening against me, letting me get lost in her. When I pull away this time, I stroke her cheek.”


This was one of my most anticipated reads of the year. Meet Cute is a surprising book that captured my attention from the beginning. It was a surprising turn of events. It had heavier topics than anticipated and the main characters pulled at my heartstrings.

Like its name suggests meet cute has the epitome of a meet cute. Kailyn is running across campus for law class when she runs straight into THE Daxton Hughes. He was the hearthrob on her favorite show growing up and she just rammed into him. From that moment on, a frenemy relationship is spawned, their competitive natures have led them to face off not just in the classroom. When he turns up in his office years after their final encounter in extraordinarily sad conditions, it’s a no holds barred showdown.

I loved the slow pace of Dax and Kailyn’s romance. They come together years later and Dax isn’t prepared for the feisty, sexy side of Kailyn. Not only that but she unexpectedly becomes the rock he needs during a turbulent time. Dax is confident in his lawyer skills but being the sole guardian to a teenager?! That’s a completely different story. Juxtapositioned with the romance is the relationship with Dax and his sister evolving. Dax was always the older brother who dropped in when it was a good time, now he’s there all the time. Their relationship was some of the best moments of the book.

Dax and Kailyn had a hard time getting their relationship started but once it did it was hot! Their chemistry was evident from the beginning and time allowed it to mature into a healthy, loving relationship of course after some pitfalls. I loved the push and pull of their banter, their romance was also playful and it added some fun moments to what was some very heavy topics. I hope there’s more in this series and if not, I can’t wait to read more Helena Hunting books.

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A series of coincidence and tragic events have thrust Kailyn and Dax into each other’s life, years after they both graduated law school. Dax has become guardian of his sister, Emme, while Kailyn manages his sister’s trust.

Like many romance novels, there were many predictable aspects to this book. There were some things I would have liked for the author to offer more details about. One of them was Kailyn's interest in family law. It is clear she is passionate about it. There were mentions of a few of her cases and just a bit about her own adoption, but nothing beyond offering a few details. Her grudge against Dax, while silly, seemed to have resolved rather quickly that I almost forgot she was holding something against him. Overall, it was a nice, easy feel good read. I give this book 3.5 stars and I'll round up to 4 stars.

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I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.

Meet Cute - definitely one for the books. HA! See, I can be funny. (looks at you sideways) Okay, okay. I digress. So we have Kailyn and Daxton - both attorneys who knew each other in law school. Kailyn has a serious grudge again Daxton over something that happened during their last days in law school, and doesn't care to see him again. Too bad for her since he's walking into her office as a client instead of a colleague.

In an unfortunate accident Daxton's parents are killed in an accident he's now the guardian of his 13 year old sister. There's a family member trying to get custody of his sister, though, and he needs Kailyn's help to make sure she stays right where she belongs - with her brother.

Insuring this happens means Kailyn and Dax are spending a lot of time together. Ultimately leading to getting to know one another and dating. Of course there's secrets at play y'all. Did you expect anything less?

This story is definitely cute. The author has done a great job at pointing out different scenarios that are possible in real life as well. Just because you think you know something - doesn't mean you do. Older family members aren't always what's best. Communication is key. (Duh, I say this often.)

Anyway - this happy ever after is one you'll enjoy reading. As I said before, it's a cute story.

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This was a DNF for me. I got to the third or fourth chapter, when the supposed hero of the book (although he starts out as kind of a jerk; I’m assuming he softens as the book progresses), is asked by a male friend if he’d like to watch a marathon of the show the hero starred in when he was a teenager. “I don’t want to watch it with you and let my vagina hang out,” says the hero. It’s not the crassness of that that turned me off of this book (that I don’t mind, in the right setting); it’s that I found that a horribly sexist thing for a male character to say in 2019. Maybe he redeems himself as the book goes on, but I wasn’t interested in sticking around to find out. I’d rather my protagonists start from a more progressive place and not worry about seeming too feminine.

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I enjoyed almost everything about this new romance from Helena Hunting.

Almost everything, with the exception of the train wreck you can see coming a mile away that derails their relationship. It’s one of those things where honesty and open communication would have negated the need for drama, so of course the issue at hand doesn’t get discussed. I never discount a person’s ability to make bad choices. However, the character who chooses to conceal information is generally described as level-headed enough that it seems to be atypical behavior, and it didn’t quite ring true, in my opinion. At least the drama gets resolved fairly quickly, though.

Other than that, the book worked for me. The meet cute of the title is exactly that; I could definitely see it on film. The two narrators, Kailyn and Dax, are both likeable, and I bought the chemistry between them. The sadness of the situation that brings them together—the death of Dax’s parents, which allows Kailyn into his life as conservator for Dax’s sister, Emme—is lightened by moments of humor, mostly revolving around Dax’s attempts to parent a thirteen-year-old. (Spoiler: He struggles, particularly with Aunt Flo.)

If the story sounds interesting to you, I’d recommend this book. But I might give it a miss if communication issues as a plot point really annoy you.

A copy of this book was provided through NetGalley for review; all opinions expressed are my own.

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Meet Cute by Helena Hunting was cute romantic comedy. Kailyn meets her high school celebrity crush, Dax, in law school, when she walks into his Frisbee game while listening to a podcast. Their initial meeting ends with him falling on top of her. This meet-cute turns into a friendly rivalry that pushes them through their classes until he unexpectedly betrays her shortly before graduation. Fast forward eight years and Dax shows up in her office and Kailyn ends up becoming involved in his life and the life of his thirteen-year-old sister, for whom he is now the legal guardian. Though Kailyn still resents his betrayal, she finds herself falling for both Dax and his sweet sister.

I was first introduced to the term “meet cute” in the movie The Holiday. Seeing as I am a huge fan of old films, I was surprised I had never heard the term before. Kailyn and Dax’s meeting definitely qualifies as a meet cute, and it this film could easily be made into a film along the lines of Bridget Jone’s Diary or Love Actually. In fact, I would guess this novel was inspired by those types of movies.

This novel was a super quick read. It was definitely a romantic comedy, but it did have some pretty heavy moments, which I was not expecting. Overall I think it was an average read. A pleasant enough way to spend a few hours, but nothing stood out to me to make it memorable. Fans of Helen Hoang, Sally Thorne and Sophie Kinsella will enjoy this light, charming romance.

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Meet Cute was an adorable romance. The characters have depth and there are several plot points that are dark but not over the top. Several comical misunderstandings drive this hate to love romance. Overall I enjoyed the plot and characters. It is a great summer read.

4 out of 5 Stars.

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Cailyn and Daxton are a joy to watch grow. From the first page their meeting is hilarious. When they reconnect the show just gets better.

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Helena Huntings’ story of a #fangirl turned into a law school crush by said object of her obsession makes for a promising read. Especially when the two meet five years later. With Helena Hunting writing their story, there was no doubt that she would deliver. The promise is achieved with a funny, sweet, smart, and at times a slightly somber story.

Kailyn Flowers is a young woman driven by her desire for success. Her measure – making Partner. When she’s offered a fast track to it, she has no way of know the price that she may have to pay. Kailyn and Daxton Hughes “meet again” as professionals. Now at competing law firms, Kailyn assists Dax’s parents in a matter of family law. Six months later they are thrown together in circumstances that and set the stage for the situation that promises to help Kailyn’s career. But something much more happens between them putting a lot at risk, things much bigger than her career.

There’s some drama brought about by the situation that Dax is in, it’s a part of that pushes Dax and Kailyn together, giving them a second chance at growing the something that is between them. They are fabulous together but it’s Dax’s sister Emme that stole the spotlight. Despite all that she is going through, she is charming and endearing, a really bright spot of the book. Meet Cute is a highly enjoyable read perfect for anyone who loves contemporary romance.

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This story had me feeling all kinds of emotions.
First, I loved the push-pull between Kailyn and Daxton. After a chance meeting in college, they find that they are in the same law classes which leads to some competition between them.
Years later, they run into each other again after Kailyn feels as though Daxton had betrayed her and you get a little of the enemies to lovers feel. I was cruising along enjoying a sure to be funny rom com from Helena Hunting and then BAM! She totally hits me with all the emotions and feels. This story has so much depth and ultimately turns into a bit of a mystery. There is almost nothing sexier than a protective older brother. I could really feel genuine emotion amongst all of the characters, they completely tugged at my heartstrings. I couldn't put this book down!

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I have only read a few books by Helena Hunting. I never really found my connection with her until I read The Good Luck Charm. I really enjoyed that one more than the first book I read by her. Because of my success reading The Good Luck Charm I was interested in reading Meet Cute and seeing if that one would be a hit as well. I’m happy to say that Meet Cute was not only a hit with me, but it is also my current favorite book by this author.

Meet Cute is a fun rom-com(ish) book about Kailyn and Daxton. Kailyn is just starting law school when she meets Daxton, a former TV heartthrob (and crush), who is also a law school student. After their awkward meeting, they become friendly rivals. That is until something happens and Kailyn wants nothing to do with him. Now years later they meet again with Daxton needs Kailyn’s help with a family matter. Soon the banter is back and old feelings are once again sparked. Only this time it is Kailyn that may be pulling the wool over Dax’s eyes when he needs her the most.

The thing about Meet Cute is once I started it, I had to finish it that day. To me, it was one of those books that it was so easy to fall into, to be invested in these characters and their lives and stories. Both Dax and Kailyn were such complex characters with great background stories that sucked me in. Plus I loved their chemistry, not to mention Dax’s sister Emme. Everything just clicked and worked even with some heavier subject matter for a romance. I do admit everything could have been easier if they just talked, but there also wouldn’t have been a book if they did so there is that.

All in all, Meet Cute is what I call a fun book! Sure the subject matter was heavier but the personalities of the two main characters and Emme made it an easier pill to swallow. Plus you can’t go wrong with a book you can read in a day. Kudos to you Helena Hunting. Curious to see what you have for us next.

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I did not finish this book. It was unrealistic and not witty banter between two extremely unloveable characters. I couldn’t force my way through it.

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Y'all, Meet Cute did things to my heart. Lots of things. Now, I'll be the first to admit I totally thought this was a rom com. It's not. It has some cute and funny moments — and plenty of swoons — but it's a much deeper story than you might expect based on the cover or blurb. So while it wasn't exactly the book I thought I was getting, it was absolutely perfect.

I think I've mentioned before I have a bad (is it bad?) habit of not reading blurbs before I jump into a book, particularly when it's from an author I love. Chances are I've read the blurb at some point, probably when the book first came to my attention. But for whatever reason, I kinda like to go in blind. I did that with Meet Cute and I was pretty much wrecked early in. I did not see the situation with Dax's parents coming and it pretty much destroyed me. There were tears. And they weren't the only tears I shed while reading Meet Cute either.

Kailyn, Dax and Emme gave me all the feels. Sure, there was the delightful slow burn of the friends to enemies to friends to more romance between Kailyn and Dax. I was here for their pairing. But, there was so much more to this story. The tragedy with Dax and Emme's parents, the way his life changed when he became her guardian and everything else about that storyline made this book absolutely unputdownable. The connection Kailyn and Dax had — as well as the one that developed between her and Emme — warmed my heart. They all needed each other. It was that simple. Kailyn had her own share of tough situations growing up, so she could relate to Dax and Emme. They made quite the team.

There are so many layers to Meet Cute that I could spend forever talking about them. But, I'm not going to. It was the total package. I swooned, laughed and cried. I felt SO MUCH for these characters and everything they were going through. It was charming and heartwarming, even through the sad stuff. Kailyn was amazing. Dax was no slouch either. And Emme? Well, I just wanted to give her a hug. If you're looking for a rom com, this isn't it. But if you're in the mood for an amazing book with characters who will find their way into your heart, look no further. It's easily one of my favorite Helena Hunting books to date.

Favorite Quotes:

"Boyfriends are too much work. They want things, like time and energy."

"You know, generally when a man is close enough that I feel his breath on my face, he's looking to rip my clothes off, not my head."

Sometimes the darkest tragedies bring us the brightest lights. I'm lucky enough to have found not one, but two.

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Who knew being a fangirl could lead to HEA? Kailyn meets Daxton in college in a fantastic meet cute moment. Not only is he a hot guy but he is her teenage Hollywood crush. Her fangirl moments are awkwardly adorable. Despite the heartbreaking event that brings them back into each others lives, they flourish around each other. I FLOVED THIS BOOK!! Heartwarming, tender, witty, sad, full of family (both by blood and by choice), heat, a touch of drama, and a whole lot of love. I feel all warm and happy after reading it! I almost read this in one sitting (sleep forced me to stop). I want to start at the beginning and re-read and feel it all over again! All the feels!! I received an advance copy. I am voluntarily leaving an honest review

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4.5 Stars for this cute funy read from Helena Hunting. If you love romantic comedy Meet Cute should certainly be on your radar and I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.
Kailyn is on a mission she is determined to make partner at the law firn where she works and when an opportunity presents itself and which also means she gets to spend time with her childhood crush she doesn’t hesitate to take on the job of convincing Dax to join the firm.
Dax a former child TV Star is now a lawyer but it’s not all about work for him because he is also the legal guardian for his teenage sister and that’s his priority but what happens when Kailyn and Dax start spending time together when she is ordered by a judge to oversee all formalities and monies spent by Dax while it’s decided if he is a fit guardian for the teenager......
I loved Dax he stole a piece of my heart with his kindness and selflessness, his sister was always his priority even when she acted like a spoiled teenager and she tried to push all his buttons. The chemistry between Kailyn and Dax was sizzling and banter was witty and it flowed but this book is not all fun and games there are some moments that will tear at your heartstrings as Dax fights to keep his sister with him. This book was an easy read with all the feels you expect in a great read.

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