M-I-S-T-A-K-E

That was the code Meg snuck into the wedding program for Reid Sutherland. meg is an artist who focuses on hand lettering - she is much in demand for her skills particularly in making custom planners. Her life took off after the New York Times profiled her as the "Planner of Park Slope." Reid Sutherland is a quantitative analyst on wall street who was set to marry his boss's daughter. Reid is quiet and very focused on math. He comes across as formal and maybe a little snobbish. I think of him very much as a Mr. Darcy type - but maybe without the arrogance and condescension. When Meg met Reid and his former fiance to go over the final version of the program - she knew this was not a match made in heaven. One year later, Reid comes to find Meg and ask her about the coded message in the program. This sets the two of them on a path to finding each other - and maybe themselves.

Meg is a really amazing woman. She moved to NYC after a personal trauma - to restart her life. In the course of that she manages to overcome her fears and build a successful business. When Reid re-enters her life she is at a crossroads - her roommate and best friend is moving out, after months of gradual distance between them and she has a strong artistic block. Meeting Reid and looking at things from a new perspective helps her unblock creatively - and emotionally. Meg starts out the book as extremely non-confrontational and avoids any and all arguments. With Reid she learns to let go and finds herself as a person and an artist.

Reid has been keeping a pretty major secret through all of this. His secret complicates their lives in ways Meg could have never envisioned.

The writing and story here are beyond wonderful. It is a beautiful, honest look at personal growth with an incredible side of romance and love. I also adored the descriptive elements about Meg's lettering. Can I buy one of her planners, like yesterday??

Reading this on an e-reader may have done the overall book a disservice, however. I am guessing the print edition may have more beautiful lettering elements that weren't present in the e version, but I wish they were!

A fabulous read.

I received this as an ARC for free, but these opinions are all my own!

This book was clearly meant for me. I mean, signs and letters and stationary and allll of it was precisely my jam. It was, as Reid might say, “quite” perfect. The two main characters were so DAMN relatable that I can’t even figure out how to write about them. I loved Meg and her internal doubts and the part about her always going along with everyone and her desperate fear of confrontations - I adored her. And Reid. My goodness, what can I even say about Reid, beyond the fact that he was also relatable and incredibly charming and really, I adored them both. This is basically exactly what I want in a contemporary romance novel. The games they played, the dialogue, all of it was just brilliant. I do hope this is the beginning of a series because the side characters are also amazing and I basically want to live in this world she has created for much longer than just one book.

Have you ever reached 15, 20% in a “romance” book and thought “there’s nothing here for me. I don’t understand these characters. I don’t see myself anywhere?” That happens to me - over and over again. Sometimes a book is just a book - and sometimes it’s more. It sends a message about relationships and how we feel about ourselves and What an author thinks about women and love.

In 2018 I read 253 books. In 2017 I read 299. 2018 had 31 “best of the year” books. 2017 had 36. So about 12% of my reads made it to my “best of” list. This is my 118th book this year. And it’ll be my 35th “best of 2019” book. My rate of awesome book is growing.

I used to devour shifter romances. Vampires. Men who felt it was okay to answer a serious inquire with “babe.” But I grew uncomfortable. I read some articles about reading. I found this cadre of reviewers who wrote reviews that made me feel smart. And heard. And understood. And I started picking different books to read.

Kate Clayborn is the current apex of my reading metamorphosis. An author who clearly likes women - she makes my awkward, worried, 39 year old self feel seen. And loved. Represented.

Meg was quirky. Making bad decisions - mistakes even. She struggled with some ghosts of her past. She was also adorable. Believable. Compelling and smart. I rode every high and every low in this book with her - breath held or grinning ear to ear. There’s something magical about a heroine I can respect - they are scarce on the ground in contemporary romance.

And Reid. Stoic awkwardness is a big fat turn on. Reid had me making heart eyes early on with his rudeness and his discomfort and his tics. Reid was authentic and real and a joy to read.

This is one of the best slow burns I’ve ever read. And also likely the best book I read in 2019. An ode to self-respect and real conversations and doing the right thing and the hard thing and not running away. A book that celebrates intelligence and consent partnership and all the best things about relationships.

I couldn’t put this book down, and I am ecstatic about watching your reviews roll in. I think you all are going to love this.
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Meg Mackworth currently designs custom journals and planners for New York City's elite...but she used to design custom wedding stationary. Sometimes, as she draws out beautiful words, she lets herself hide secret messages and signs in her work. On one such occasion, she let a couple know she thought they were making a mistake, right there in their wedding program. No one has ever noticed Meg's unusual habit...until the groom from said wedding program visits Meg a year after his wedding-that-never-was, wanting to know how she noticed the signs of impending doom before he did. Frustrated with her lack of current inspiration, Meg looks to Reid (the doomed groom) to rekindle her former creativity. What follows is an unlikely friendship as Meg and math-wizard Reid seek hidden signs, patterns, and inspiration throughout New York.

Oh man this book is gold. I love how Kate Clayborn describes Meg's lettering, giving each font a story and personality. This isn't the sort of book you can really rush through mindlessly because the beauty is really in these smaller details.

Meg and Reid are such a fun pair, and I love how much of the story focuses on Meg's friendships - Lark, Sibby, Lachelle, and Cecilia have as much face time with the heroine as Reid does. And I love how Clayborn handled Reid's ex-fiancee, Avery. She is never portrayed as the villain.

I will say that the beginning was slightly hard to really get into and the steamy bits in the middle seemed really out of place (I mean, I am not the author, so who am I to say, but they were distracting to me). That is why I couldn't go all out for a 5 star rating.

But this book is so charming and enjoyable and I am so glad I read it.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC.

I prefer my fonts with serifs, thank you—an elegant Garamond or, if I’m feeling more informal, a simple Palatino.
In Kate Clayborn’s charming, witty romance LOVE LETTERING, there is meaning in the swooshes of letters—they tell a story. Clayborn’s characters are funny & real and their sign-fueled romps through New York add spark to a heartwarming love story.

Meg Mackworth has a special relationship with letters. Hand -lettering is what gave her the nickname Planner of Park Slope. Meg is the person who designs all those lovely planners, calendars and invitations in the most lovely and appropriate fonts. She sees the hidden meaning in signs, and even sneaks some into her work. And that is what will get her in trouble.

A year after Meg customized wedding invitations for Reid and Avery, Reid has tracked her down wanting to know the meaning of the word he found hidden in the invitation.

You see, Reid is a numbers guy. Seeing patterns in numbers. He has questions and Meg doesn't have time for them. But maybe she could help him and maybe he could help Meg unblock her creative brain before her huge deadline.

He seems very uptight and regimented. Which he is, but he is also a genius who graduated from college at 15. Little by little he and Meg form a bond. Just when everything is looking up she and Reid encounter Avery, the former fiance' and daughter to Reid's boss. It's at that point that Meg believes Reid isn't over Avery and she backs off. 

In an explosive turn of events, Meg could lose everything she has worked so hard to achieve and her chance at love. But everything is not what it seems and Meg and Reid both will have to step way out of their comfort zones to have any chance of a life together.

A romance with a bit of a kick at the end. I wanted to read this book because of the lettering. And it did not disappoint.

Well Done!

NetGalley/ December 31st, 2019 by Kensington Books

I really enjoyed my time with this sweet story. The blurb tells you most of the plot of the book. Meg's a letterer and Reid and his wife-to-be are her clients. A year later, Reid finds her and asks about the message she'd hidden in their wedding announcements.

I don't want to give away too much of the plot since there is a bit of a twist towards the end of the book (which I guessed somehow) but this isn't a mystery novel so it's not really about the plot. The characters are fun and each uniquely interesting and the main character was developed enough to make the story enjoyable for me. In many romances, the characters seem to be cardboard versions of themselves, with the author not feeling the need to develop the characters fully in favor of developing the romance/electricity. In this novel, I felt both of the characters were developed enough that they felt real to me. Even the secondary characters like Meg's roommate, the client Lark, and the women at the store were all fun additions to the story without seeming completely one-dimensional.

I love lettering and I love numbers so the extra layers of Meg's job and Reid's job were an added bonus for me. If romance is your genre, I am pretty sure you'll enjoy this one.

thank you to netgalley and Kensington Books for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Ms. Clayborn has a talent for creating characters that are so full of life and approachable that you want to be their best friends. Her books are also centered around friendships and this one is no different. As such, this one is less about romance and more about growth and change in relationships.

I didn't think Ms. Clayborn would be able to write a better book than "Best of Luck". At the beginning, I was right. The introduction was quite charming but it also tries too hard to show us how frolicsome our heroine is. And then I was wrong.

The middle of the book is fantastic, once Meg and Reid start walking around New York City together. Ms. Clayborn shows us the beauty of life - and her writing - in the details. In particular, I loved how new relationships are full of hesitations and sometimes misunderstanding because both people bring their own prejudice. And long-time friendships also have their own difficulties because of different prejudice on established roles. This is done extremely well.

There are also all the small details: Meg is the one asking Reid out and initiating their meetings. Reid asks what Meg likes without taking over.

So why not a five-star rating? Because sensationalism does not make a story sensational.

This book through the evolution of the love between Reid and Meg made me picture NYC in a whole different way. This city does exist according to a numerical system but never before would I interpret the letters of signs and the symbolism behind them in this way. In playing games with each other, the winner was love. I also enjoyed how strong Meg became even in the face of total adversity that allowed her to accept only what best suited her and what she needed and deserved. A truly heartwarming story.

This book makes me want to visit New York and walk around all day perusing old signs. And find a vendor that sells naughty ice cream. And also take up calligraphy. Which is hilarious considering I have all the artistic ability of a hamster.

The descriptions of the fonts and handwriting were so gorgeous throughout. What Meg sees in letters, Reid sees in numbers. These two quirky characters may not fit a typical mold, but they fit each other perfectly. This was a lovely read from an author of whom I had no previous knowledge. But I'm so looking forward to more! 5 stars

Meg is a successful lettering artist working out of a friend’s shop in Brooklyn. Her career making custom hand-lettered planners for busy New Yorkers is taking off, so she should be happy, but she’s also drifting apart from her best friend, estranged from her parents, creatively blocked, and holding several big secrets. When Reid, the quietly handsome ex-fiancé of a former client, comes to see her because of a secret message she hid in his wedding program, she knows she shouldn’t be drawn to him (no pun intended), but she still is.

Reid has some big secrets of his own, but the two start a tentative friendship of long neighborhood walks, helping Meg look for inspiration, and they grow closer...until some of the secrets between them threaten their new connection.

This was an adorable book. The characters are facing some real stakes, but they find time for whimsy and companionship and joy. There are some lovely, complicated female friendships portrayed here, too. I can’t wait to see what the author does next!

I cannot say enough good things about this book! Kate's writing is lyrical, witty, and full of perfectly executed twists and turns!

DNF 57% - 3 stars for decent writing

While I loved the unique plot and the author's descriptive style of writing, I found the story dull, drawn out, and the characters completely lacking in chemistry. When I got to the world's most cringe-worthy sex scene, one filled with too much talking and lots of awkward instructional dialogue, I called it quits. I think this book will be a best seller based on the premise and lovely cover, but it just wasn't for me.

***Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an advanced reader's copy.***

This contemporary romance/romcom had such an interesting premise and I wasn't quite sure I would like it - letters? Signs? But like it I did. A lot. The author is a beautiful writer, but more than that, the characters were so easy to root for. Reid and Meg were an adorable couple with realistic backstories and conflicts. It was a slow burn with a steamy payoff. I also really enjoyed the subplot between Meg and her BFF Sibby. I will definitely read more from this author.

When I first requested this title it did not emphasise that I would receive the first chapter only, and once I read to the end of that first chapter, I was hooked. The balm to that wound was the note that those who had read the first chapter would receive and email telling them how to get hold of the full book once it was available. I had expected to fall head first into this book, but I didn't. The first half to three quarters of this story were very slow and difficult to get through. I found myself distracted by something else every ten pages or so. I carried on though, and one morning woke up at 8:30, opened up the book and the next time I looked at the clock it was 11:30 - I'd hit *that* point. Hurray.
Meg and Reid's story is not a conventional one, but at its heart has some very important plot points, arguably these are better than the central romance. I never quite felt the connection between Meg and Reid as deeply as they seemed to. There is an interesting twist that does somehow explain that, and does lead to one of the lovelier moments in the book. The link between love lettering and that moment is very clever. I felt the hurt between Meg and Sibby quite deeply, experiencing something similarly painful myself. I thought the development of the relationship between Meg and Lark was also quite lovely and had a natural feel to how certain things were resolved.
Overall, I am glad to have persevered and I did enjoy the last quarter of the book once the plots truly started to unravel. There were times I felt the author was trying to be too clever with the way things were written and as such I lost sight of important notes. The whimsical and poetic tones were a bit too much for me, and I think that's why I struggled so much at the beginning of the book. This definitely improves towards the end,
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Kate Clayborn is a new author to me and I am mesmerized by her writing style. Her characters are complex and their evolution is realistic and well-paced. Her writing, with wonderful descriptions of calligraphy that add to the narrative and mirror Meg's feelings and thoughts, felt poetic, artistic like the calligraphy she describes. Reid's clothes and appearance are also a reflection of his inner states. I experienced this book, and it was wonderful.

Having read a couple of other books by Ms. Clayborn before, I knew going in that her writing style is a bit different: more like taking an introspective stroll through the park than a fast ride on a highway. Thus, I expected it might seem a bit slow at first, but I knew if I hung in there, the story would pick up, grab ahold of me, and not let go. And that's exactly what happened. Once Meg and Reid's friendship/relationship took off, I could not put this one down. I was anxious to see how things would play out for them and what the angst would be. I wasn't expecting what it was, and kudos to the author for the unexpected twist. I don't see many of those anymore. The background story between Meg and Sibby added an interesting dynamic as well. I very much enjoyed the book overall, and I know that the unique story will be one I remember for a long time.

A sincere thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for providing an ARC for review.

Kate Clayborn really wow’ed me with Love Lettering! This isn’t your average romance novel- it’s quirky, unique, and absolutely captivating! I found the premise of this book very fresh and original and I loved the fact that this novel played out like like a movie in my mind! Kate Clayborn surprised me with some well placed twists and turns—great pacing! Love Lettering is a 4.5 star read that would make a fantastic way to ring in the New Year! I haven’t read Kate prior, but I am so excited to read more from her! Love Lettering is most definitely a MUST READ!

Not quite a four but much better than a simple three stars. This book is all about serifs and sans serifs and more importantly growing as a person, standing up for yourself, and learning how to forgive. I thought the couple in question, Meg and Reid, both developed as characters and both dealt with some real, real-life challenges. Meg's fractured relationship with her best friend particularly made me anxious (I might still be a bit mad at Sibby) and I thought the reason for their estrangement was excellent and felt true. Additionally, the uncertainty in Meg and Reid's relationship made total sense. Love a love story where the people are actual adults and grapple with realistic problems rather than manufactured ones.

The twist toward the end was also well-done and unexpected. Love a good and not conventional surprise. Sometimes the handlettering details felt a bit heavy-handed but that might just be me. The love story was pretty well developed, and I appreciated how Reid started to soften up the more he got to know Meg.

From start to finish this book just BLEW ME AWAY. The emotional depth. The learning to be brave and the raw honesty. The connection and INTIMACY… an intimacy that starts long before anyone’s clothes come off. (But don’t worry. Clothes do come off !) Love Lettering is creative writing at its best and a legitimate work of art.

*blows dusts off Eng Lit degree/expired Language Arts license*

Really though. Really. From a Literature with a big L perspective this book is so impressive. I think it moves the bar for romance as a genre and pushes the limits for what it can be and where it can go. The way she uses the letters and font like living things, like characters themselves…it is CAPTIVATING. Like book magic.

And the way KC uses POV… I’m trying to put my finger on it…she crafts this story if we are literally watching Meg’s thoughts. It’s sometimes not entirely linear (just like actual human thought) but it’s never for a moment disjointed or awkward or confusing. It’s wonderful. Such unique, skillful storytelling.

Also. I’m grateful for the psoriasis rep. I was recently diagnosed with a form of psoriasis so this was nice to see.

Do not miss Love Lettering. I am officially seeing the world in whimsically swirling letters and fonts. And it’s a glorious, happy thing, indeed.

Thank you to Kensington Books and Netgalley for the chance to review an advanced copy. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book and all thoughts and opinions are my own.