This was a fresh take on a romance. I am always looking for those an really enjoyed the "lettering" portion and details of a hobby.

I am fairly new to the romance genre and I am still trying to find my niche, but I have to say I loved this book! The characters were engaging (I really like Meg, I see a lot of me in her, which is always fun when you read a book because you can connect with the characters better!), and the story had a great flow and didn't lag anywhere for me, with really great writing. This is a great book for when you need to put a book down and come back to easily, which is ideal for me!

This is my first book by Kate Clayborn but I will definitely be checking out more by her!

I received and ARC of this book on NetGalley for my honest feedback.

Thanks to Netgalley for my complimentary ARC of this book which I used for my review & to Kensington Publishing for my complimentary hard-copy; all opinions provided are my own.

Kate Clayborn’s Love Lettering is unapologetically modern but oh my gosh, if it doesn’t give me some of those 90s Meg Ryan movie vibes (read: peak cinematic rom com period as far as I’m concerned). See the checklist below:

⭐️A quirky heroine who’s confronted with the where-do-I-go-now-when-the-artistic-space-I’ve-created-for-myself-is-threatened question. (spoiler alert: have no fear! She’ll figure it out!)

⭐️A corporate hero (in Clayborn's case--and in a lot of rom com cases--hero maybe doesn’t always take the time to stop and appreciate what’s around him…literally).

⭐️A big city, where fresh things and old things sit side by side on crowded streets, and it’s all chaotic and beautiful and alive (note: it might require the right person to show you how to see it).

There’s so much goodness in Love Lettering, from its sunshine-y heroine and reserved hero with a “double-take face” to its treatment of female friendship (necessary! Also complicated! Also salvageable, changeable, and forgiving); from its premise to its Epilogue, which is put-a-smile-upon-your-face delightful.

But let’s start with the plot.

Meg Mackworth has made a name for herself as a designer of largely “whimsical” wedding invitations, planners, etc. But she’s got a little problem: sometimes she puts hidden messages in her work, and it comes back to bite her when one of her previous clients, a Wall Street type named Reid Sutherland, confronts her about his wedding invitation which she created almost one year before.

Reid’s confrontation comes at a moment when Meg’s experiencing a crisis of faith about her abilities, inspiration, and overall career, and after an awkward reunion—where it’s clear that they’re both at a crossroads of sorts—they make an arrangement to walk around NYC together, looking at the hand-lettered “signs” (literal and metaphorical) that surround them.

When I describe Clayborn’s books, I feel like I constantly rely on adjectives like “lovely” but that’s because they are. They’re emotionally sensitive and astute, and the moments when the characters reveal the tender, secret parts of themselves are so beautifully done that you feel it in every word. In a lot of ways, Clayborn’s books themselves feel full of “signs”—they’re full of little details that make them special, that can be savored again and again.

Here, she writes a heroine who’s passionate and emotional and utterly distinctive, and a hero who will capture your heart with his sensitivity and willingness to be vulnerable. (Don’t let the suit fool you.) But despite their general amazingness, neither character is capable of fully fixing every problem facing them by the novel’s conclusion, and that’s part of what makes this love story extra admirable and sweet. Because you know, life isn’t really like that; all problems aren't magically solved by falling in love.

Love Lettering doesn’t feel flashy to me. In fact, there were times when the book felt understated in a way that I mostly enjoyed but that occasionally mildly disconcerted. (I blame the string of romantic suspense books I've been reading lately for this response.)

​But maybe the best part of my reading experience (and a sign of a great book)? I’m confident that—as much as I enjoyed it this time around—and did I ever—this feels like one that’ll only become richer with re-reads, when I’ll pick up on those “signs” I missed the first time around, and when I can luxuriate again in the world—the love story—that Clayborn puts on the page.

4.5 ⭐️

Love Lettering is basically a love letter to the hand-painted signs of New York, or perhaps to New York itself. Or maybe just to fonts. It really is a gorgeous, gorgeous book that will make you want to go outside and really look at the signs and even the graffiti on the streets around you, and it will also make you really notice beautiful lettering wherever you see it. I love the games Meg and Reid play, and the way they use the signs of New York to express the things that they can't say directly to each other – and I also love the way that eventually this isn't enough and they do need to work out how to converse and even argue usefully.
The story is told entirely from Meg's perspective (there are plot reasons why this has to be so), and this can sometimes make it difficult to sell a romantic story, but in this case it works. Reid may be buttoned up, but he is quite direct in his communication when he needs to be, and the mysterious parts of his life are mysterious for very good reasons.
Altogether, I found this to be a sweet, playful and charming romance that has made me want to visit New York. I feel like this one might stay on my shelves as a comfort read for years to come.

I really liked the concept of this book and loved Meg's job but the letters got to be a lot, as I wanted pictures which I know its a novel but I had a hard time with all the writing around letters. I did love the games they played and I feel like now I will look at signs in a whole new light. I liked the writing of the first half of the book better and felt like some of the passion was lost in the second half. Meg's relationship with Sib was a little hard once Sib amitted why she was not so around anymore. I don't like women on women hate, so this bugged me. But I love Meg and Lark's friendship and all that means for them both!

I enjoyed Meg and Reid's characters and wondered how it would all play out in the end. There are some nice surprises and twists which I always enjoy! Reid is such a nice lead with his math skills, how he sees Meg, loves her work, protects, her and let her be her. Needless to say, Then you will love him even more in the end for just being him! Reid is one great #bookboyfriend material!

Overall, I give it 4 stars! Its a great book and makes me want to wander around NYC with a camera and a man on my arm looking at art, shops, and signs!

Note: I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

It's not easy to write a new and original meet-cute, but Clayborn does it with Meg and Reid, who meet after Meg places what she thought was a well-hidden message in Reid's wedding program. But Reid, a numbers prodigy, sees the pattern and confronts Meg about her m-i-s-t-a-k-e.

What follows is a more typical love story where the main characters slowly start to realize that they are falling for one another and have to overcome a series of obstacles. Reid's hiding a secret, something that becomes apparent to the reader - at least this reader - as the story continues. But Meg is so likable, so creative, and surrounded by a such a strong cast of supporting characters, that the less-than-original story line does not take away any of the enjoyment of the book, or their story. This novel is also a love letter to New York City, the food and the art and = yes - the letters on the signs that each tell their own tale.

This is a warm and cozy read and, although it takes place mostly in the summer, a perfect holiday pick.

Thanks to Netgalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own.

This book started out agonizingly slow for me. There was way too much description of fonts and lettering. Although the story and dialog were well written, I just didn't care about the characters and the plot just plodded along. I almost didn't finish the book, but I'm glad I did finish it because the pace picked up and the story became more interesting.

Overall, the book was uneven but it did have high points. 3 stars.

In Love Lettering, Meg Mackworth is famous for her hand lettering skills. She creates beautiful custom planners, wedding stationery, etc., but she also has a secret. She hides messages in her work when she notices something is off in her clients’ relationships. Like that time she weaved a little word in Reid Sutherland’s wedding program when she realized his marriage would fail. She doesn’t think anyone would notice, but brilliant Reid does and he reaches out a year later to ask her about it. Soon they strike up a friendship and maybe something more.

I LOVE hand lettering. Sometimes I watch IG videos of people writing calligraphy and it relaxes me. Anyone else do that? So when I heard about this book featuring hand lettering I knew I had to read it. It was definitely very cute. I liked how Meg and Reid came to be and their relationship felt very real and a perfect NYC romance. Their “conflict” was unexpected and a little out of nowhere but well done. I loved the strong female friendships! Unfortunately, I did find the font and lettering talk a little too much so I just skimmed those. Overall, it started off a little slow for me but still a good read. 3.5/5 ⭐️

I loved this book! It has universal appeal and the characters are so relate-able. The descriptions and language used to describe the lettering was an art form in and of itself.

Meg first met Reid while designing his wedding stationary and couldn't hep but sneak a little message into the wedding program - MISTAKE. Over a year later he appears in the shop where she works demanding to know how she knew his marriage would be a mistake? Feeling guilty and awkward Meg tries her best to apologise and explain herself. Once Reid has left she can't shake him from her mind and when she finds his card on the floor of the shop she takes in as a sign - a sign she should reach out to him …

I really enjoyed this romance novel. It has it all, great characters, a steady build up to the romance (not too fast, not too slow) and then as things are all looking great the drama kicks in - the event the couple must overcome to be together. It was all well put together, although I think they overcame the obstacle a little too quickly. I think I would I have liked a bit more of a battle but that maybe because I was enjoying Meg and Reid so much and wasn't ready for the story to be over. I think I would have been quite happy with a sequel to deal with the obstacle - it could have been a whole story in itself.

My only real annoyance with the writing was the use of the word 'swoonsh'. I'm not sure what it means and felt it was over used. Other than that the writing was great and the descriptions fantastic - I found myself wanting one of Meg's hand lettered planners or even to be a hand letterer myself! A great romantic read - I will definitely be on the lookout for other novels by Kate Clayborn.

This book was written in an unexpected manner, so it took me a couple chapters to really get into this story. Meg and Reid are such fascinating characters. Their awkward interactions seems so realistic and the growth they make as the story progresses seems authentic and this pulled me into their story. The descriptions of New York and the signs and symbols were fascinating and make me long to visit the city. Something that I really connected with was Meg's thinking when meeting new people and her self-doubt about where she fit in friend circles and social circles. Family dynamics and friendships are also prominent. I would recommend this story!

I received an advanced copy of this book through Netgalley.com. Initially only the first chapter was released. It was wonderful and I kept my fingers crossed I would be be granted access to get the rest of the book. I was and am so glad. I adored this book. Meg is an artist who loves her work and is quite sought after by locals and celebrities. She is trying to build her business, find love and get through life unscathed while dealing with emotional fallout from her parents later in life revelations about how she came to be. She also has the uncanny ability to know how exactly long each couple will last. She is shy and emotionally damaged, but also very hopeful. Basically she is everyone. Reid is a good man. An honest to goodness good man who is brilliant, painfully shy and doesn’t really know how to fit in with the world and oh he HATES everything about the city in which he lives except for the food. I honestly thought how am I going to get through a book when one of the two main characters hates my beloved city?? And yet I committed to reading so gave Reid a break and continued reading and could not put this book down. They meet when Meg is designing Reids wedding invitations to who Meg knows is the wrong person and it is doomed. Flash forward and Reid shows up in her office to ask “how she knew”. And so begins the development of a friendship and eventual loving, fun, kind sweet fun romance. If you’re looking for major explosions and knock you off your chair kind of kind of action, this is not for you. If you want to join to lovely people who are figuring out how to navigate learn to be comfortable in their own skin, live life, find love and get through it mostly unscathed then you will absolutely adore this book. The writing is fabulous, the character development perfect and it captures the reality of good normal people finding their way to love. Do yourself a favor and head out to your favorite bookstore and get a copy of this book NOW!! Actually, get multiple copies to share with your friends. You will thank the author for bringing such a wonderful read into your life.

As it turns out, my favorite book this year is an arc for 2020. I've enjoyed all of Kate Clayborn's books and she just keeps getting better and better with each one. <i>Love Lettering</i> is my favorite for many reasons, and not least because it is elegantly and intricately written, with each piece of the story falling perfectly into place to illuminate key themes of the life of an artist, of how we navigate our way in the world through visual images, and of how much we rely on visual cues to communicate effectively with loved ones. While the book is at heart as romantic as romance novels get, the romance unfolds slowly and visually and at times made me feel as if I was watching a film -- perhaps just on an aesthetic level, Woody Allen's <i>Manhattan</i> in its ode to falling in love in the great city itself.

In Clayborn's novels I've noticed that the main characters often revere a medium of art and find their way to each other through it, an extended metaphor of art is love and love is art. In <i>Beginner's Luck</i> the main couple discover each other as they restore an old home, taking mutual pleasure in the hunt for the perfect antique knob for a cabinet door. In <i>Best of Luck</i>, the couple fall in love while working together on a photography project. The process of taking the perfect photo leads them deeper into love with each other. Here though in <i>Love Lettering</i> I do think Clayborn interweaves the art and artistic world of calligraphy so thoroughly with the romance that it's impossible to separate the two.

Meg's unique creative work as a calligrapher and Reid's impending marriage and need for a wedding program initially bring them together. They see things in each other in their first meeting that haunt them and haunt much of the plot of the story. Everything, even numbers, become a sign that keeps them continually in each other's orbit as they slowly attempt to build on moments together. At times, especially early in the novel, their interactions range from painfully awkward, hesitant, and even hostile, but it is hard to shake the sense that fascination, attraction, simpatico, ultimately love, and maybe even fate undergird all of their interactions. I felt riveted by each encounter. Each scene builds on the previous on, creating a complex relationship to show us how perfectly Meg and Reid suit each other, even as the characters themselves struggle to understand their connection.

As a former resident of Manhattan, I felt pleasure in the many walks the couple took taking photos of signs and graphic images to try to articulate their feelings and their lives to each other, and yet I also sympathized with Reid's sensory overload living in the city entails. Falling in love with the city ends up becoming as complicated as falling in love with the person. And yet, can I just say how happy I am to read a contemporary urban romance. And in keeping with Clayborn's view of the world, this novel, like all of her books, is peopled with diversity. It's also wonderfully filled with stories of acceptance and forgiveness. She creates a world where women are kind to other women and flaws do not end relationships. She is very much an author who likes and respects women. And finally, many romance authors today are creating wonderfully respectful and loving men. Reid Sutherland is right up there as one of the best. We meet him and get to know him through Meg's eyes, and so we learn along with her how to read all of his signs that make him such a wonderful hero.

In keeping with the theme of this book, I hope my first reading experience of 2020 is a sign & harbinger for what's to come in the new year.💞

Do you ever see something as a sign of what is to come?

Meg Mackworth has become quite renowned in her hand-lettering skills in New York. She also has become quite good at reading people. So when Avery and Reid come into her shop to select a wedding program, she determines that this couple were not meant to be together. She cleverly weaves a secret message within the program denoting her thoughts - a message that presents itself as a theme throughout the book.

Reid appears in her shop a year later and confronts Meg about this message. The two embark in a mutually beneficial relationship encased in words that are perceived, but not always said. Additionally, there are secrets throughout which are not revealed until the last chapters of the book.

The first twenty percent of this book was a little lack-lustre for me because of its detailed descriptions of hand-lettering, but soon thereafter the storyline became much clearer and more engaging. The characters are well-developed and charming. The theme of the book is brilliant. A well-written book and one that I certainly recommend.

Thank you to Netgalley and Kensington Publishing for the ARC of this book in exchange for the honest review provided here.

I had the chance to preview this book back in August and was over the moon to get the full book from the publisher. That said, it took me a few days to read this book because I relished every single word and this story is all about details. I didn't want to miss a single thing.
Meg is a talented calligrapher who is in high demand. Her beautiful work is admired by many and Meg's penchant is walking though the streets of New York looking at old signs, admiring the letters and taking every detail in. She also has a hidden talent of putting messages, that are unseen by most coded into her lovely work. She no longer does wedding work. A decision she made when she became too busy and her goal now is to get a contract with a large company that would put her work out to the masses. She works part time for her friend at her bookstore that also has classes in calligraphy, she is long time friends with the owner Cecilia and we also meet another friend who frequents there, Sibby. Sibby is quite the character.
This amazing story opens when Meg is working for Cecelia while she's away, and close to closing time someone she recognizes from the past walks in, his greeting formal, he's stiff and standoffish. That's Reid. The groom to be from one of the last wedding gigs that Meg did. Meg worked a lot with the bride to give her the perfect theme for her wedding but Reid was never involved until the final meet where he showed up late and his reserved reticent self. Meg had hidden a message in their wedding program. Invisible to everyone but her. So she thought. Reid standing in the middle of the store asks Meg how she knew? Meg decides to play innocent, trying to draw Reid out and more direct. Yet he remains silent waiting for her response. Finally after this little stand off, he asks her how she knew that their marriage, that never happened by the way, was a MISTAKE, the word she'd hidden among the art and lettering of that wedding program. Reid is a numbers man, all he knows is math, it's his world. He's highly intelligent, rigid and very closed off. His character draws you in and makes you want to know him better as much as Meg's character. Reid standing there with that wedding program in his hand, Meg is at a loss for words. She protests of course, but he leaves her with that and unknowingly his card which she later finds.
Meg wants to draw him out, she contacts him and challenges him to a little game she's devised to look for signs, old hand lettered signs that Meg loves so much. You're unsure of these two and how they're going to work as Reid does agree to meet her for a walk. He doesn't engage much, she compares him to a stiff British TV show in her mind. He's courteous, quiet and a man of few words.
Meg is fascinated with him, her inner dialogue is stellar her thoughts about Reid along with trying to decipher him while she also describes her craft in lovely detail. Reid begins to soften toward her, begins to enjoy the games they play and as they slowly get to know each other he's also made clear he's not staying in NYC, his distain for the city is clear. Meg is trying to change his point of view by using these games they play. Reid works in the Wall Street area, cold and unsettling to him. Meg lives and works in Brooklyn, worlds apart yet the same city. Meg knows every street, sign and takes walks, she's got a built in GPS for where she's going. Places of comfort, always watching and observing. Running concurrently with Reid, she gets a new client who is famous and after much ado she meets with her. The two hit it off well, Lark is new to the city coming from California with her famous director boyfriend who is an obnoxious ass. Lark has a vision of what she wants and working with Meg the two develop a friendship. Lark adds much to this wonderful story as things unfold.
We watch as Meg interacts with Sibby who is total comic relief, Cecilia and then Lark as things continue to unfold with Reid. Meg's told them of Reid, but not the history nor the fact of what she's done. Reid has his own secret as well, which we see explode toward the end of the book. This separates the two and Meg is in the pit of despair. Her world has imploded as well.
I have to say I seldom highlight, but there was a line from Reid that says it all about himself and Meg

"Letters, numbers. The perfect code. "Reid" I whisper to him. "It wasn't a mistake."
"No," he says resting his forehead against mine. "It was a sign."

This is my first book by Kate Clayborn and you can bet I'll be reading more from her. There aren't enough good things to say about this beautiful, intense story that will capture you from the very first pages. Enamored, I was totally enamored by this story. It's more than 5 stars. It's a book you'll read again and again. The devil is in the details. Absolute perfection.

My thanks to the publisher for the advanced copy to relish with delight. The book releases late December, add this amazing read to your TBR list.

This book was a delight. I read the first chapter as a galley and was hooked so quickly, I’d been wanting to find out what was going to happen! It’s a quickly moving, lighter read and I think it’s good for someone looking for a story to get invested in because they care about the characters.

I didn't love this but I don't really know why. I think maybe I had quite high expectations for it based on the summary and was a little dossapointed with how it was written and the way it played out. Again, mostly because I'm not a massive fan of first person.
Would definitely try another by this author but, sadly, this one is not for me. 2 stars.

I love the theme, it’s unique and refreshing. There are many whimsical moments mixed with subtle, dry humour.

Meg and Reid navigate New York City with all their insecurities, hurt, buried dreams, and hope. Each one is different in his or her approach but when their worlds collide, the result is a careful blend that leads to different hopes.

Kate Clayborn’s writing is quirky and entertaining. I love how she weaves Meg’s work and inspiration into her (Meg’s) interactions with and thoughts about Reid. The result is delightful.

Love Lettering is such a difficult book to review. I initially received an advanced copy of just the first chapter. It was amazing, I was drawn in and immediately gave it 5 stars. I felt so fortunate that the rest of the book was released just a few books later for me to read. This book with so much potential, where you're cheering on Meg and Reid because you've fallen in love with both of them after just one chapter - it fizzled out. Right away. I toughed it out, and the book picked back up at about the 60-70% mark. There was nothing before that, just pages and pages of them not really speaking to each other and feeling no chemistry at all as a reader. The rest of the book was entertaining, but sadly did not redeem itself fully.

Sorry but this was so hard to read. It was all telling, hardly any showing and at some points I couldn't make head nor tales out of the plot. The publisher and editor must have seen something in the work I just didn't. Disappointed because the premise sounded great and when I read the teaser that came out months ago I was intrigued to read more.