Believable characters who develop throughout the plot.
A plot that was, although slow at times, never boring.
I appreciated the details about, and hence research into, lettering. Made the main character so much more real to me.

Wonderful writing! I'm sure I'll read more from this author.

A solid 4 on the steam-o-meter, Love Lettering by Kate Clayborn was also a tender stranger-to-friendship=to-lover romance. To be honest, Love Lettering surprised me. I wasn't sure about how a book about a professional hand-lettering artist would read, since it's such a visual medium and books are just...words. But to my delight, it worked incredibly well, due in large part to Clayborn's wonderful descriptions.

I liked the two main characters--Meg and Reid--a lot, and I found the progression of their friendship relatable. (I fell in love with my husband quickly, feeling things much sooner than I thought I "should.") I loved the walks they would take--Meg showing Reid how to love NYC, Reid helping Meg break through her creative block by making her search into a game.

The idea of "signs" features heavily in the book--physical signs around the city, but also signs that a relationship is doomed or signs that its time to move on or fight harder. Despite it feeling a bit repetitive, I liked how the signs were woven throughout the narrative.

There were elements that felt a bit far fetched--like the whole FBI thing--but they were used as plot devices to move the main relationship along, so I understood their purpose. I appreciated how the hurt and the need for forgiveness were not simply glossed over but addressed instead. It felt like they were building an honest, healthy relationship. And the female friendships were also 100% relatable.

Overall, I would definitely recommend Love Lettering to my contemporary romance friends. Now I'm going to go teach myself how to draw pretty letters.

Love Lettering is a wonderful romance for any fan of the genre. The characters are well-rounded and fun while the storyline offers up a unique twist to the typical romantic situations. The author provides plenty of details that are specific to a career field and it allows readers to engage and enjoy what is happening in the novel. The main characters are adorably likable and easy to pull for. Kate Clayborn is a talented novelist, and I will be reading her novels future to come.

Thank you Netgalley and Kensington Publishing for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I was provided a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review.

I haven’t read anything by this author but I’ve heard so many wonderful things about her novels from the podcasts I listen to. And I’m very glad I was able to read this one first specifically. This book was a love letter to journaling, art, and calligraphy all tied into one wonderful love story about a mathematician and an artist. Meg was so wonderfully endearing and charismatic. Her journey to self-empowerment in this novel was wonderful to see first hand. And Reid was so vulnerable and heart-wrenchingly perfect as a hero, his devotion and love for Meg was evident in the novel as it progressed and their relationship and chemistry really leaped off the page. Their love story and how it developed by walking the streets of New York and looking at hand-painted signs was a great idea. The writing is so beautifully done, it’s almost lyrical in how the characters and their stories are written. And decorative journaling is very on trend right now so the book is very well timed. Some pieces of the book weren’t an exact right fit for me. Overall though I really enjoyed this book a lot, it was extremely swoon-worthy and a wonderful read. I would definitely recommend it!

Love Lettering. Hard to get into the story. I didn't binge the book but still worth reading (check out the other reviews). Just hard to connect with the content.

Kate Clayborn's books are not light and fluffy. They take me a while to read and I usually cry at least once. They are, however, the sort of book that makes me think a lot about how we connect as humans and what it means to start over, to stand still for a moment, to redirect the trajectory of a relationship or a life.

Love Lettering is beautifully written, which means that the pervasive sense of loneliness that marks the first half of the book had me thinking "yes, I too miss having close relationships with other humans. I, too, am struggling to connect to the art I once loved." And I sat and felt lonely until Meg, the main character and POV character, started to connect and regain hope. It's the best and worst part of a good book, sharing emotions with a character.

As I said in my interview with the author, Love Lettering feels like three love stories in one - love of a passion turned career, love of a place (Brooklyn), and love of a person. It's an opposites-attract romance between two people at turning points in their lives. They're on very different paths, but when they intersect, it's fascinating to read. The main characters literally walk the streets of Brooklyn, playing games with letters and signs, finding tiny places to eat delicious food, sitting on a bench when Meg has debilitating cramps. (Reid is a considerate human with strong morals and I loved how he just gave her ibuprofen and kept her company.)

One note - there are several repeated phrases throughout which will either make you smile or irritate you. I'm in the former category, but repeated callbacks are something I know isn't for everyone, so I figured I'd mention it. Reid has a "triple take face," looks like he's from Masterpiece Theatre, has a facial expression Meg deems a "swoonsh," and people are described with font attributes.

I could describe this book for hours, but instead I'll leave you with a favorite passage, which takes place the first time the two have sex. Reid is a numbers person, he graduated at 15 and went to college and grad school for math. He still works in numbers. Meg is a letters person, think of words and phrases and the  lines and curves of letters as she moves about in the world. In this scene, she's just told Reid how she has a difficult time reaching climax with a partner. He asks her to show him what she likes, so she does.

"He watches, his tongue darting out to lick at the corner of his mouth, his eyes hot and focused, and I know he's seeing me, reading me, cracking this code I'm leaving, letters on this page for him alone, and suddenly I have a new, powerful rush of feeling, a different sort of passion: I hate every man who ever made me feel I shouldn't say what felt right. I hate the way they didn't try to understand. I hate the way they made me feel demanding and difficult for asking them to do something they hadn't figured out on their own; I hate the way they got frustrated and impatient and wounded."

Reid, studious and intense, watches and learns. Meg, careful and cautious, lets herself be vulnerable.

It's lovely, just like the rest of the book.




Suzanne received a copy of this book from the publisher for review.

I received an advanced read chapter of this book, which I loved, and I was so glad that I was also granted the full ARC from Kensington Books via Netgalley. This is a very creative story about Meg Mackworth, a woman who has turned her lettering skills into a business. Meg hand letters signs, journals and has just started hand lettering wedding invitations and programs. When she first meets Reid and his fiance to plan their wedding paperwork, Meg has a feeling that this wedding will not last. As she weaves the beautiful swirls and artistic touches into each letter she also weaves a secret message into the program- a message she is confident no one will ever notice, but she is wrong. The one person who shouldn't notice the hidden message, the groom Reid, does figure out the coded signs of a doomed marriage and now-a year later-he is back in Meg's shop wanting to know how she knew his marriage wouldn't work. Meg and Reid may have had an awkward start to their friendship, but are their signs that this friendship might turn into something more? This is a really creative story with more depth than a traditional "meet cute" romance. This is a must read!

Meg Mackworth does lettering for a living. It's amazing how she thinks in font styles and associates feelings with her doodles. She has this habit of putting hidden messages in her output and is currently facing an artist's block. Reid Sutherland is a numbers guy. To say that he is good with patterns and codes is definitely an understatement. They first met when Meg did the wedding program for Reid and his fiancée, Avery. Fast forward to almost a year, Reid is back in the shop where Meg works and confronts her about something. This confrontation leads to a series of meetings between a girl who breathes letters and a guy who sees numbers.

This book is everything I wanted. Everything is on point - the romance, the humor, the conflicts. All the characters are relatable even when a few of them are not likable. I like that the book is feminist and LGBT-friendly. Love Lettering is indeed a fit title because this is a story about different kinds of love (passion for what you do, attraction to and falling in love with your partner, solid friendships, and even self-love) and how you make these relationships work. I enjoyed reading this in Meg's point-of-view because she gives life to each letter and each word. I was touched by how this book was written and I can honestly say that Meg and Reid are #relationshipgoals. Trigger warnings include cheating, divorce, sex.

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for a copy of this wonderful book in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley and publisher for the ARC.

I liked it but I can’t say I loved it. It took a really long time into the book to get invested into it. But I liked what was happening in the last 30% of the book as that part had all the amazing stuff, secrets, scandals, etc. For those heavily into lettering and numbers, it is an interesting backdrop throughout the entirety of the book. For those not into it, the settings can be a bit too much. Meg’s characters is a really interesting one especially how she builds her career is impressive. This one is a slow quiet story. Overall a decent read for those looking for contemporary romance.

4.5 stars!

Love Lettering is a quiet kind of love story - the kind that starts slow and uncertain but will ultimately sneak up on you and catch you in the feels. Meg and Reid are an unlikely pair (probably partially attributed to the fact that she designed the wedding program for his now cancelled wedding) but their differences compliment one another beautifully in this story. Love Lettering is about finding yourself and someone who loves you for that, while navigating career paths and friendships that don't always make life an easy ride.

For those who like a fast-paced steamy novel, this may not be the romance for you - but it grabbed a hold on me and didn't let go. There are one or two red hot scenes but this one is fairly tame in this regard!

4.5 beautiful stars

Summary
Meg is a New York famous calligraphist. She also has a knack for reading people and seeing signs most people miss. And sometimes, she secretly hides these codes into her art - like she did with Reid Sutherland's wedding invitations.
But Reid is good with codes and numbers. A year after his non-wedding, he shows up at Meg's store wanting to know how she knew his relationship would fail. The two of them turn on each other for companionship, creative inspiration, and an escape from their stressful lives. During their walks around the city, they open up to each other and discover they may be developing feelings. But there may be signs even Meg is missing...

Overview
➸ POV - 1st Person, Meg's POV

➸ Meg Mackworth - Calligraphy artist, New Yorker, Creatively blocked, Hides codes/messages into her art, Hate confrontation

➸ Reid Sutherland - Wall street, Good with math and number, Previously engaged, Hates New York

➸ Content Warnings: Anxiety, Cheating (off page and in past)

My Thoughts
This book is the perfect case of a story coming at the most perfect time. I connected with this story so quickly and became completely lost in these characters. Around the 40% I never wanted to put this down.

This is a story that really took it's time. The romance bloomed slowly and I loved watching the characters slowly grow to trust and open up. As someone who personally can't relate to a whirlwind romance, I really appreciated this slow burn connection.

I really loved Reid's character and related to him a lot. He was such a layered character and watching his development throughout the story was really special. He's definitely not your typical romance male hero, he's soft spoken and gentle, reserved, and respectful. He felt like a breath of fresh air in a seemingly endless sea of alpha heroes.

I loved the commentary on friendships and trust. Meg's strained relationship with her best friend felt so real and relatable. I think it's something many people will be able to connect with. And Meg's struggle with standing up for herself or asking for what she wants/needs is a struggle I think many woman (and men!) can relate to.

I just found everything about this book to hit so close to home for me. It was characters and message that I didn't even know I needed. This book will definitely stay with me for a long time. I can't wait to read what this author writes next!

My review is live on Goodreads and will be posted to my blog on 12/29/19

Clayborn delivers another emotionally satisfying story. I enjoyed the push/pull relationship of Meg and Reid. It's a slow burn for sure. I did feel like the book got bogged down a bit in all the design swooning and the "dark" twist at the end seemed kind of out of place. At any rate, it's a solid enjoyable read.

Thank you netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Lovely and beautifully written romance. I enjoyed the creative narrative of utilizing calligraphy to connect to unlikely-to-meet-characters. Meg meets Reid after secretly imbedding a word in his wedding invitations. He later comes back to confront Meg and instead leaves feeling inspired. A tentative friendship builds between them as they embark on a journey to find creative inspiration for Meg's potential client.
Reid is a tense, complicated man with the weight of the world on his shoulders but his friendship and blossoming romance allows him to feel alive again.
The letter he writes to Meg at the end is both touching and romantic. Many times we need a sign to show us our purpose again. Loved it.

Listen: I don’t give a shit about stationary, calligraphy, or hand lettering. I don’t do bullet journals or really anything to do with paper at all (sorry to all my horrified friends right now! It’s just...if I’m going to work so hard on something, I just really want to eat it at the end 😆). When I started reading this book, I got a little niggling worry that I was not going to be able to deal with the level of artist-y detail that would be included (all you folks out there that aren’t obsessed with food like I am, I now understand your lack of interest in foodie romance!). However! I WAS WRONG!

Despite not knowing (or really caring that much) about Meg’s occupation, this book completely won me over. It captured me with its timid, unsure, dating. It captured me with its vulnerability, its miscommunications that were real (and not just that the characters weren’t talking to each other). It’s sweet, it’s sexy, there’s a tiny bit of mystery. I loved the female friendships portrayed here, too, they were just fabulous.

If you like place-based romances (this is a love letter to New York), if you like women working hard to find themselves, if you like awkward but adorable male love interests, and yes, I guess, if you like journaling and all that stationary business, you should definitely check this out. But love of stationary is absolutely not required. ;)

Love Lettering by Kate Clayborn is a contemporary romance set in New York.

Meg is an artist who designs among other things wedding invitations. Reid has been her client whose wedding invitation she designed a year ago. One night he shows up demanding that Meg tell him how she knew that his marriage will fail as he found the secret message in the invitation.
Meg explains how she observed certain things between him and his former fiancee and why she knew that the relationship will fail.
She has always felt a certain attraction for him and she has an idea for a special job opportunity that she wants Reid to help her with and it turns into wonderful game.
They are completely different and so shy that it is hard for them to say the words and show the feelings.

I must admit that I found the writing style a bit unusual, an inner monologue was in my opinion too strenuous and the beginning a bit muddled as some characters are mentioned but not clearly explained who they are and what the current relationship with Meg is.
I also found the ending a bit overrated.
I really liked the premise and the hidden message but the execution was lacking.

It pains me to write this review, I expected to love this book as much as i have loved all of the previous books of Kate Clayborn but this one didn't quite work for me and this made me sad. I have mixed feelings, loved the first half, was confused and unhappy with the second half, so my rating is 3 stars overall.

I will start with the good - lovely, engaging writing, deep first-person POV, great rep of an young woman finding her place personally and professionally in the big city. I loved seeing so much her professional life and how it shapes/reflects who she is. Much of the first half of he story is focused almost completely on Meg and it reads a lot like women’s fiction.

Reid, unlike Meg, remained mysterious and unfamiliar to the reader until late in the novel. We were getting to know him slowly and we saw a shy and somewhat awkward guy, not very open about himself and his job.


I loved the idea of the games they played and how the whole games things featured in the story. I also very much liked that we so much of Meg's and Reid's relationships with other people - family, friends, colleagues, clients. They all served to reveal more of their character.

The romance itself was slow burn, starting with a tentative emotional connection, gradually building up to intimacy. I appreciate the scene with her period which we rarely see in romance, and how supporting and understanding of her discomfort during her period.


I was not very happy with the first sex scene and the implication that he is given her the best experience she has ever had. It had these strong not-like-other men vibes, presenting her as someone which either picked only the wrong guys before or didn't know/care much of her own desire and pleasure, either of which is not flattering to her. At the same time I do appreciate the openness in discussing their desires and preferences.

The second half had a completely different vibe, more dynamic, full of action/things happening, verging on too much drama. Reid lying to her and thus putting her whole career in danger was a huge issue, not an unforgivable one but I feel he didn't grovel nearly enough and she forgave him far too easily. I wanted her to be angry with him, to fight with him (something we have seen her learning to do through the story btw), instead she was angry for a minute or so and then she was worried, concerned and ultimately reading his letter, showing full understanding of his thinking and actions, and forgiving him. His apology/explanation with a letter might appear as tender, romantic gesture but I felt like a cope-out to me, stealing her chance to express her POV. It was all unilateral and she just accepted it and they moved on.

I am happy that things worked out in the end and that Meg an Reid ended together but I didn't like how the main conflict was handled.


Overall, this is a very difficult book for me to review, it had some great elements, i loved bits of it so much but also i was angry and disappointed with other bits. The different tone and pacing of the first and second half made me feel like i was reading two different books, the first one being far superior to the second one.

I still absolutely love Kate Clayborn’s writing, the amazing female MCs she creates and despite this story not working for me the way I expected, I am still looking forward to reading more by this author.

I had no idea what to expect from this book.
Let me tell you though, it’s everything a romcom should be. I can’t tell you how many times I highlighted the funniest phrases, the most accurate and hilarious descriptions, and said out loud to myself, “THAT IS SO TRUE!” I don’t think I’ve read a book with more vivid descriptions of what’s happening or where Meg is at any given time. Whether it was the shop she mostly works out of, the streets or neighborhoods of New York she’s walking, the restaurants she’s eating at...I felt like I was right there with her smelling all the smells and taking in the sights.

That’s not to say that it isn’t without drama and surprises. I’ve never read anything by Kate Clayborn before (going to remedy that in 2020 though, let me tell you), but she has the recipe down for a perfect blend of laughter, swooning, drama, and tears in this romance.

Meg is a bit quirky, but very lovable, heroine. I took to her right away, and loved how she thinks and sees the world in different fonts. She doesn’t like to ruffle feathers, even to her own detriment.

Reid is a picture of stoic honesty, and he sees the world through numbers. He’s tall, *quite* handsome, quiet (which makes you truly listen when he does speak), and misjudged by most. Not by Meg, though. She senses something in him the first day they meet, no matter that it was a brief encounter involving his upcoming nuptials for which Meg was designing the invitations. The result of said encounter throws them back in each others’ paths about a year later, and we get to watch their story unfold from there.

Meg discovering that confrontation can be a helpful tool in her relationships, after only seeing it as a weapon growing up, was important and necessary growth on her part.
Reid also learns a few lessons of his own, for example, blunt honesty isn’t synonymous with having communication skills.

This book is very much a romance, but I appreciate how much it touches on the evolution of friendship as well. There are two side characters whose stories I would especially love to know more about.

I can’t say enough about how much I enjoyed this book. It was exactly what I needed. Even though the plots are not similar, reading this book felt like curling up with my coziest blanket and watching my favorite movie, You’ve Got Mail.

Thanks to NetGalley & Kensington Books for the ARC, but I promise this review is entirely my own.

[Also, Meg gets her period! I always like to mention when this happens in a book, because most heroines seem to magically never have to deal with a uterus who takes revenge on them every single month.]

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.

Honestly this book was a bit draggy and boring. The inner monologues went on and on and on, and it bored me to death. I didn’t enjoy it, so sad to say.

Just a lot of mixed feelings about the book. I felt like too many story lines were written that just didn’t mesh well together.
The cover is so pretty. But I just didn’t connect with the story at all.
I appreciate the author’s effort and putting her work out there.
Just not for me.

An unexpectedly fun and whimsical read from start to finish. I started reading this book in the morning, and stayed up late at night to finish because I was so invested in Meg and Reid's story.

Meg is a calligrapher who becomes famous for her whimsy and intricate wedding invitations. When she is designing Reid and Avery's wedding suite, she sees something amiss in their relationship. Following her gut, she leaves a message in their wedding program. And Reid is a straight-laced numbers guy. He analyzes patterns and numbers for a living. A year after the wedding, Reid tracks down Meg to find out why she left the message. And from their .... the sparks start to slowly fly.

I think it's best to go into this book without knowing much about it. I LOVED the descriptive writing style, and story flow. It was an incredibly original and well-thought out plot. Personally, I love planners, pens, and writing, so this was write up my alley.

I could vividly picture Meg and Reid as they learn about each other, and the intricacies of New York. At times, the book felt a little slow and meandered through some side stories. There was also an unexpectedly steamy part that came out of nowhere, but overall, it was an original, quirky, and charming read. 4.5 stars.

Thank you to Netgalley and Kensington Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a super sweet story. I loved the characters of Meg and Reid. Reid evolves so well over the course of the book. The reader is exposed to what Meg “sees” with her lettering - and it is mirrored in Reid’s numbers. Sexy and heartwarming, this was definitely a winner in my book!