Kate Clayborn is a gifted author and I loved her books about the 3 women winning the lottery together. So it pains me a bit to admit I had a really hard time getting into the book. Meg is an artist; she uses calligraphy and such (hand lettering) and has become quite well known for it in New York. This has caused a bit of a rift between her and her best friend/roommate.

One year ago Meg inbedded a message in a wedding program, she thought only she could see it. But one day Reid Sutherland (the intended groom) appears at her work, asking her how she knew the relationship would fail. As a mathematician he discovered the code. In short: Meg and Reid start to discover the signs of New York together. For Meg, as a way to get over het creative block and for Reid to look differently at the City he is intending to leave in just a couple of months (so, no time for love).

The first part of the book fell flat for me. There was a lot explaining about Meg's work which did not engage me and so it took a while to enjoy the story. The story does get more interesting later on and the author has a way with words, but for me this is not her best work, unfortunately. I will however be on the lookout for her next book(s).

Kate Clayborn is at the top of her game with this one. Spectacular writing, with deep, deep POV in the first person (if first person isn't your favourite, don't worry; you feel so much that you're in Meg's head that you don't even notice that you are), really beautiful metaphors about lettering and signs, the opposites-attract (letters/numbers) romance, the struggles around friendship and connection. Because we only get Meg's perspective, Reid is a bit of an enigma, but it works, especially as Meg's keen observations (which Clayborn does so well in her other books, and here as well) peel back the layers and reveal who he is. It starts a bit slow, but it's laying the foundation for...not a slow burn, but a gradual deepening of feelings between Meg and Reid before they admit them. This is next-level romance writing.

I couldn’t believe that I’m giving three romantic story with full of signs, shining with its bright lights of big city but unfortunately full of conspiracy and action parts, unexpected twisty turn of the story shattered my soft, swoony plot stars!

When I read the excerpt of this book I cursed a few times, because it ended with a sweet cliffhanger and I thought I had to read this book ASAP.I wanted to devour it so passionately!!! I couldn’t give my soul as a payment method(most of my reviewer readers already know I sold it to Tom Ellis, later I learned he was not even real Lucifer, he was a bloody fictional, six-packed character!) but finally my waiting was over, I got my hands into this precious thing.

Meg is a skilled artist, designing innovative, original custom journals and one day one of her client’s fiancée stops by at her office and shows her the wedding program she’d designed for them. He insists there was a secret code written there says: “MISTAKE” (He is a mathematician so he loves to crack codes or maybe he is a crack-head!)

As it seems like it is an obnoxious, weird claim, Meg confesses him he is right and after that she explains him about the things she observed about he and his fiancee’s attitudes throughout their meeting. Before they say their goodbyes, Meg finds out Reid is about to live the city because he hates NY.

Meg’s guilt feelings and her undeniable attraction to Reid helps her to form an idea on her mind. She needs an inspiration to design a special project for a job opportunity and Reid could help her with his logical, realistic, direct approach. She could also convince him to discover the city and the things he may love about big apple.

Reid reluctantly accepts her offer and their big journey turns into an enjoyable game to find the signs and form different letters into meaningful words. So far the book seems like a delicious, different, entertaining rom-com, right?

Meg is the representative of right part of the brain, creativity, artistic skills, dreaming, optimism are her strongest virtues. And Reid is a quiet representative of left part: mathematics, logic, reasoning, analytic thought.
They complete each other so perfectly and of course their shyness towards each, the words they didn’t tell, the feeling they didn’t share, make you want to scream at them: “come on guys, you’re perfect for each other!”

Of course I was waiting for the angst but the final surprising twist was a little overrated and exaggerated for me. I felt like I wasn’t reading a soft, sweet, swoony book and I started to read a thriller with its big schemes and conspiracy theories. That part of the book didn’t fit all the letterings, magical signs, finding the glamorous love in the middle of the chaotic, crowded, dirty, cosmopolitan city of the earth! So I got really disappointed and I wished the author found another solution or big surprise that can be easily recovered from.

Still I loved those characters and next visit at my NYC, I’ll start to take photos of the signs and play the game as like the characters did. I loved the concept and inspirational feelings that book gave me. If I could ignore the last third part of the book, I can give my four stars without thinking. So I still want to read more books of the author because she knows how to write about pure feelings and pour them down with proper, lyrical, soul brushing words.

Special thanks to Netgalley and Kensington Books for sharing this romantic ARC COPY with me in exchange my honest review.

A good book is the one that keeps me up at night. And I did spend two nights reading this one, not being able to put it down! I enjoyed it a lot, almost until the end. I wish it had a more elaborate ending, as I feel it was quite abrupt. Or maybe this was just me, not wanting to part with the characters. All in all, I look forward to reading more books by this author.
Thank you to Net Galley and Kensington Books for providing me with an e-book copy in exchange for my honest review!

A 5-star review- I'd call that a sign.

Meg knew something about Reid even before he knew it. But Reid read her sign, and now wants answers. Meg is at crossroads of her own and on a whim decides to give Reid a chance. That chance is what leads them down an unexpected journey, that is equal parts fun and insightful.

There were so many instances in this book that made me reflect on life as a whole. The complexity of relationships and the evolutions that the protagonists went through made the story realistic. None of them did things that were out of character and they stayed true to themselves even when that was difficult to do. Of course, this doesn't mean the book was predictable, it was quite the opposite and after a long time, I couldn't see the twist coming. The book spoke a lot about signs and reading it truly felt like a sign.

I received a copy of this book via Netgalley, all opinions are my own. Thank you to the author and publishers for providing me with an ARC of this book.

Luanna

When I first got approved for the book, it turned out to just be an excerpt. But, just from that excerpt, I realised that I really wanted to read the full book. Imagine my surprise when I received an email saying I was approved to read the book! And it was good! I really enjoyed this book, and not just because I’m a font nerd. I enjoyed that the characters are all a little zany and that they turned the mundane into something fun. Already pre-ordered for a few of my friends as their holiday gift!

Publisher's description: Meg Mackworth’s hand-lettering skill has made her famous as the Planner of Park Slope, designing custom journals for New York City’s elite. She has another skill too: reading signs that other people miss. Knowing the upcoming marriage of Reid Sutherland and his gorgeous fiancée was doomed to fail is one thing, but weaving a secret word of warning into their wedding program is another. Meg may have thought no one would spot it, but she hadn’t counted on sharp-eyed, pattern-obsessed Reid . . .

A year later, Reid has tracked Meg down to find out how she knew that his meticulously planned future was about to implode. But with a looming deadline and a bad case of creative block, Meg doesn’t have time for Reid’s questions—unless he can help her find her missing inspiration. As they gradually open up to each other, both try to ignore deepening connection between them. But the signs are there—irresistible, indisputable, urging Meg to heed the messages Reid is sending her, before it’s too late . . .

*********
I requested Kate Clayborn's "Love Lettering" from NetGalley a while back and I was disappointed when I realized what I requested was only an excerpt. I was hooked with the first line: "On Sunday I work in sans serif." And by the end of the first chapter, I wanted to keep going. I will admit that I might have been biased in part because I'm kind of a print geek. I was a journalism major, worked with a magazine, love all facets of printing (especially the smell of a press room), so even though Meg does hand-lettering as opposed to machine printing, her artist brain really appealed to me. She experiences the world in fonts, and I kinda love that.

Reid, on the other hand, sees the world in numbers, and although you wouldn't think that Reid's factual world and Meg's whimsical world would mesh, they seem to come together so perfectly.

This book is a romance, and it follows the standard pattern of a romance novel. What's important to make something like this stand out is the execution - the character development, the back stories, the interaction between the leads - and I really didn't think there was anything not to like about this. This story made me smile -- a lot.

I would recommend this to my friends. I would buy this for my friends. And I would read it again. Swoonsh!

When I received the 1st chapter of Love Lettering a couple of months ago, I absolutely couldn't wait to read the whole book! The 1st chapter got me HOOKED! Unfortunately, the whole novel didn't completely live up to the hype for me.

I would say the first 60% got a tad boring and I was ready to give up. 60-80% had me intrigued with some great chemistry between the main characters and the final 20% was a very pleasant surprise!! I would give it a solid 3.5 stars based on the interesting and unexpected ending.

Although this wasn't my favourite book, I really liked Kate Clayborn's writing style and will definitely pick up more of her books!

Thank you to Kensington Books, NetGalley, and Kate Clayborn for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Such a great read.

I loved the main two characters Meg and Reid, each with their own quirks and issues. She loves letters and he loves numbers, and between the they play a series of games with hidden messages. Some unexpected twists in the story keep in entertaining.

NetGalley shared the first chapter of this book a couple months ago. I was so sad when I realized it was only a chapter, and immediately pre-ordered the full book (release date is 12/31/19). NetGalley and Kensington just released the full length book on NetGalley (in exchange for an honest review- thank you!) and I immediately bumped this the top of my TBR list. It was worth it!

I love the romance genre with the guaranteed HEA. And, more importantly, I enjoyed Meg and Reid's story. It's hard to explain Meg's career, but I will try- she hand-letters all kinds of items for people. She used to do wedding invitations and now does personalized date books and calendars for people. She stopped doing weddings because sometimes her decorations/calligraphy didn't go as planned. Reid's wedding invitations were one of those times. Reid finds Meg a year after his she worked for him and his fiancée. He is hoping for some answers.

Meg sees signs wherever she goes- both actual signs with all kinds of lettering and more metaphorical signs about her life. As she and Reid spend time together, we get to explore with them. I liked the new perspective on signs and fonts; I will definitely be a little more aware of signage now. This was a fun read. I will definitely look into Clayborn's backlist.

This is a very thoughtful story that firmly straddles the chick-lit/contemporary romance line for me. The author does a fantastic job of painting letter pictures for the reader, and using that device to introduce and then draw us into the lives of the main characters, Meg and Reid. Honestly, I don’t think I’ll ever look at a sign again without trying to appreciate it, for more than its face value, even if it’s just a little.

If you’re like me, more of a contemporary romance fan, you get your first and greatest dose of sexy times around the 57% mark. It was at lot longer wait than I prefer, but it was a doozy and probably worth the wait! It’s never said, but I think Reid may have Asperger’s or something similar. There is a fair amount of sexy innuendo but not as much putting-out (actually narrated) as I like to read, hence the 4 stars. In every other way possible this book is perfection -/ seriously a master class on character development, setting the scene and full-on story immersion. There was also a twist or two that I didn’t see coming. I always like that!

I liked this one and would recommend it to a friend.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

My twitter feed has been full of anticipation for Love Lettering by Kate Clayborn. I received an arc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Meg hand letters planners, invitations, wedding programs and such for clients. Her profile has recently gone up after being featured in the New York Times as The Planner of Park Slope. But as her professional profile has grown, she is losing her best friend for reasons she doesn’t understand and becoming blocked creatively. Reid Sutherland arrives at the stationary shop where she bases her business and confronts her about the code she included in his wedding program. The code spells out MISTAKE. Because of the code, the wedding never happened. Reid wants to know what Meg saw that made her send the message. Reid is a numbers guy. He sees patterns in numbers the way Meg sees signs in letters.

"I keep walking, head up, and I feel as if I’m counting, noticing signs I’ve never looked at before, and that’s saying something. It soothes me in the same way it did back then, when I learned the city by walking it, by paying attention. I learned neighborhoods letter by letter, sign by sign. It’s how I got inspired; it’s how I fell in love with the city but also how I learned to make it here. …There are signs, I’m thinking, to the invisible Reid who won’t get out of my head. You just don’t know how to read them."

They cautiously start spending time together, her looking for a way out of her creative block, him for distraction, both because they feel lonely and isolated. They begin exploring New York City together. Meg starts in a place where she is feeling adrift, but she takes responsibility for fixing what is wrong in her life and actively works to make her life the one she wants to live. Meg is the main focus here and the other characters, her best friend, Reid, her work friends and clients all start out a bit fuzzy around the edges but come into greater focus as Meg learns how to connect as herself without the polite cheerful mask she has worn. I loved that Meg had the experience of undermining herself and taking ownership of her actions and the consequences. Through taking off the mask of politeness she becomes happier and the people in her life become more real. It has taken me years of therapy to get anywhere close to this level of self awareness.

I had an unusual experience while I was reading, I started seeing the story in panels as if it were a graphic novel or an animation that was unfolding. I don’t usually see stories (this is why I love a good film or tv adaptation), I feel them but I don’t see them. Love Lettering comes out on December 31, and will be a lovely gift to yourself as you move out of the holiday season.

I love this book! Kate Clayborn is an author I trust to take me on an emotional journey and she does it again with Love Lettering. I wanted to wrap this book around me like a big warm blanket, curl up on the couch and live there forever.

The heroine, Meg, is so charming and made me laugh out loud with her inner dialogue. When I wasn't laughing I was smiling in anticipation of her next witty quip. Her personal journey through the book is so relatable and makes you want to stand up and cheer for each success.

This book is so many perfect things: a slow burn, a story of a woman coming into her own, and a study of relationships, especially female friendship. I was blown away by the depth of feeling the author communicated through humor. Anyone looking for a sign for what book to read next, consider this a flashing neon one.

Many thanks to #NetGalley and #KensingtonPublishing for the ARC.
#LoveLettering #KateClayborn

Just received a taste of this book and I absolutely can not wait for more . The characters are alive and I can see the scene play out so well. This chapter was graciously provided by the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Edited 10/29
Received the complete book once again from the publisher and could not put it down . The sample chapter was the perfect tease for this fabulous book . Highly recommend!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for letting me read Love Lettering.
This book is so different to every romance I've read. Meg, the main character, expresses herself through her writing. Not only with what she writes, but also the way it's written. How the script is formed has meaning to her. She's a gentle soul who avoids drama and lives a fairly quiet life.
One day she takes a chance, and what follows is a reflective journey through New York with an unexpected guest. Meg is able to use this time to confront her feelings about her talent, friends and family, and the man she is learning about.
A beautiful, unpredictable story about life and love. A lovely reminder that everyone is different.
4.5 stars

I received a free copy of the complete book LOVE LETTERING by Kate Clayborn in exchange for an honest review. Meg Mackworth is an artist with letters; she’s famous for her hand-drawn custom journals and day planners. A year ago, Meg couldn’t resist hiding a message in a client’s wedding program. When the groom, Reid Sutherland, shows up on just prior to his one-year anniversary, Meg believes he’s there to purchase his wife a gift for their paper anniversary. He’s not. Reid found the message Meg couldn’t resist hiding in the wedding program and he wants to know how Meg knew his marriage would be a mistake. Meg is flustered and thrilled simultaneously. Though she never expected anyone to decode the message, Meg’s thrilled to find someone who understands her. As it turns out, Reid cancelled the wedding before it ever happened; he’s unhappy in New York and plans to leave as soon as he wraps up a project at work. Meg, who loves New York, offers to show Reid what she enjoys most about the city. Through a series of rocky dates where both Meg and Reid struggle with being honest with each other in a way that does not hurt the other, the pair come to understand each other in a way very few others can or do. This is a properly nerdy romance that will resonate with anyone who has struggled to connect to, interact with, and form emotional attachments to other human beings.

#LoveLettering #NetGalley

I was so excited to read this book, and it lived up to my expectations! I loved Meg and Reid, and the juxtaposition of letters vs. numbers as a way of showing how opposites can sometimes attract. Their games were fun, their relationship was swoon-worthy, and there were some twists and turns I didn't expect. I definitely recommend this book and can't wait to read more from Kate Clayborn.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!

I had to DNF this book about 25% of the way through. I understood what the author was trying to do in terms of the stationary and calligraphy admiration of the main character. However, I just was struggling to care and the plot was just not as interesting as the author wanted it to be. Maybe I’ll give it another chance someday, but for now I have to sadly DNF.

Oh. This book. THIS. BOOK.

I adored Clayborn's last series, CHANCE OF A LIFETIME. I thought the premise was incredibly clever and the execution was brilliant. So when she announced that she was writing this one, I thought, "She's outdone herself." Hidden messages in hand-lettered programs, planners, and invitations? What an intriguing concept.

The book more than lives up to the concept. It's heartfelt, wise, and clever. Our heroine, Meg, is such a real person in all her talents and insecurities. She's experiencing success but somehow not feeling it, which is so very relatable. And Reid is a classic Clayborn hero. Reserved and guarded, but so tender underneath it all. Watching his walls come down brick by brick is so swoon-worthy.

The surprises in the book are the best: the type where in the midst of your shock you think, "But that makes SO MUCH SENSE!" I don't want to get into spoiler territory, so I'll leave that there.

The best compliment I can give a book is to say that I finished it and wanted to start it all over again. And I may do just that.

I was given an advance reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.

Love Lettering was a lovely story, and I felt like I went through this life journey with Meg. She starts off in the novel feeling isolated from the people around her (especially her best friend who has become distant), and struggling with an artistic block. She's been trying to come up with a new idea for an upcoming work opportunity, but hasn't had any luck. That's when Reid Sutherland comes back into her life asking about a secret message Meg left on his and his ex-fiancé's wedding program.
After a rocky meeting, Meg and Reid soon find themselves hanging out and exploring New York together and looking for hand-lettered signs in hopes of getting Reid to hate the city a little less, and getting some inspiration for Meg.

It started off a bit slow for me, but Meg was a very likable character, and she grew on me fairly quickly. I have to say that one of the highlights of this novel was watching Meg open herself up to new friendships after years of keeping people at a distance. Also, seeing her and Sibby confront the issues of their friendship was such an important plot point. I thought it was so realistic. Sometimes people forget that as they grow, their friendships and relationships need to evolve as well if they have any hope in continuing them. I just really enjoyed the female friendships that were explored here.

Reid was a sweetheart. There were times when it felt like he wasn't a big presence in the novel. He was pretty reserved throughout, and we didn't get to see a lot of his personality until the second half of the novel. Of course, once we get to the main event, it all makes so much sense. And there was still enough shown of his personality to find him completely endearing. Reid held his cards very close, but he showed signs of being shy, nervous, and having a sense of humor that looked like it was dying to come out.

My only complaint would just be that I would've loved to have seen more of Reid after everything calmed down in the end. We got a small glimpse, but I'm greedy and wanted more lol.

Overall, another fantastic novel by Kate Clayborn that contains realistic and relatable characters.