I absolutely adored this book!
The story was fun, the characters likeable, and the romance... *swoons*

I especially loved how much attention was paid towards Meg’s job. Hand lettering is one of my hobbies, so I really enjoyed reading about that part of her (professional) life.

Something that I’ve liked about Clayborn’s previous books was her writing style, and “Love Lettering” didn’t disappoint in that aspect either.

Overall “Love Lettering” was a highly entertaining read and I can only recommend it to every romcom lover.

I’ve started 2020 with a newfound obsession with planners, stickers, and all of the beautiful calligraphy that goes into them. Then I picked up Kate Clayborn’s Love Lettering to discover that I was reading a romance about a woman who designs custom journals. It was kismet. This book follows Meg, also known as the Planner of Park Slope. Her business is taking off just as her own creative well is beginning to run dry. But that all changes when Reid, a previous client, contacts her about the hidden message she put into his wedding invitations—for a wedding that didn’t happen. I always love an opposites-attract story. Reid and Meg are not alike, but they inspire each other to jump out of their comfort zones. Clayborn created well-developed characters with such nuance that their struggles felt real to me. What truly impressed me was the relationships that Meg had with other women in the novel. Meg and her best friend Sibby aren’t speaking for most of the book. I love that the characters realize they have to do the hard work to fix the friendship and support each other. There were many laugh-out-loud moments, as well as really heartbreaking ones. Fans of rom-coms will love this quirky story of two unlikely characters falling in love despite the mistakes they’ve made in their past.

Love Lettering was a solid contemporary romance. Meg is on the verge of making it big in the planner world, if she could just get over her mental block. Reid is a math wiz who seeks Meg out after he finds a hidden code in the invitations she designed for his doomed wedding. Both are in need of something but they don't know what.

Both characters were quirky and well fleshed out, which I enjoyed. The concept seemed original and fun, but something just fell flat for me. I enjoyed reading Love Lettering and I would definitely recommend to the right patron.

What a slow burn romantic comedy that I just fell in love with. 4 big stars from me.

Meg and Reid met when she was finishing the handlettering of his wedding items. She knew the romance was doomed and penned a secret note in the fancy scrollwork. After the marriage collapses Reid comes back to her and wants to know how she knew. They are both so guarded, can they let each other in and see what happens.

I really enjoyed the back and forth banter between the two. I felt the chemistry was quite good and really just enjoyed reading the novel. Well done.

First I have to say the cover on the book is so pretty and fits the story perfectly. Meg is a designer of planners and journals because of her amazing hand lettering skill. She used to work on wedding invitations and that was how she first encountered Reid. She put little characters secretly into his wedding program that showed the marriage would fail. The wedding ultimately didn’t take place but a year later Reid realized the code she had woven into the program. He seeks her out to find out how and why she has done this. Meg is currently completely blocked artistically and as she develops a bit of a friendship with Reid she hopes he can help her find her inspiration by showing him places around the city. Reid hates NYC and is planning to move away soon so Meg wants to show him that the city has beauty amid what he thinks is dirt and frenetic chaos. I loved the NYC descriptions of places that are well known and also hidden gems. As their romance starts Meg is concerned because Reid is leaving soon. There are also some things about Reid and his job that are a mystery to Meg. As the story evolves and Reid’s secrets are revealed Meg develops a better understanding of him. The characters are great and I really enjoyed this charming story.

My goodness this book, it's such a beautiful ode to love. Everything in the book is precious, from the time that Reid confronts Meg about hidden messages to the long walks they take in the city to chase down signs. The long walks that eventually turn into something more for both Reid and Meg. I loved the beautifully written characters of not only Reid and Meg, who are just fabulous but also Cecelia, Lachelle, Sibby and Lark. It reminded me so much of the loving relationships I have with my own best friends, not perfect but always there for each other. This book will definitely be one of my top favorite romance books.

* I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher for an honest review*

I found this book very original in the premise. This author is new to me.
I really enjoyed her writing style. Meg, the heroine is a custom calligrapher for weddings, special events, etc. She's an introvert that really lives her art/craft.
This is set in NYC. The city is a character of its own. The bustle and hustle, the noises, the crowds, the grittiness - and my favorite-the food.
Reid is a mathematician. His profession/job specifics is kept on the back burner for much of the book.
Little by little, is revealed.
Meg and Reid meet very early in the story. He comes back to confront Meg about a message in his wedding announcement. He's no longer engaged, and wants answers.
This is a slow burn. I enjoyed this relationship growth little by little. I did wish the story would have moved forward a little faster. There were a lot of details that I thought could have been condensed.
Reid is a soft spoken man, but is the strong silent type.
I felt bad that Meg felt isolated from her roommate, long time bff much of the story.
I loved the twist towards the end. I'm on the wait list for the audio -through Overdrive

I really enjoyed this snippet and look forward to purchasing the full novel once it is published. I loved that the main character was a calligrapher as I have never read that type of book before.

I liked this, but didn't LOVE it.

I've always been super into graphic design and typography, so I loved that this was a love letter to typography. I couldn't always get on board with the chemistry between the main couple and picked the book up and put it down multiple times.

A sweet, whimsical and original story that starts slow but has a strong finish. The characters were likable and well developed with relatable feelings. Although the beginning started quickly it slowed down with a bit too much detail about fonts and calligraphy but do not despair it gets so much better. The second half of this book is hard to put down because once things get going you want to know what is going to happen next, I enjoyed the settings and the feelings of angst were strong enough to feel in my own heart. Meg and Reid are characters that you hope in the end can find their happy ending but there is a huge bump in their road to happiness that they must get over first. When I think of these characters and their story it makes me smile the warns my heart. I am grateful to Netgalley and Kensington Publishing for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book in exchange for a honest review.

Our friends are right. This book is special. Love Lettering is a gorgeous, slow burning love story and also a beautifully written meditation on the building blocks and signposts of love. Artist meets analyst in a meet- disaster situation that results in one of the parties calling off their engagement and the other feeling terribly guilty about the role she may have played in the decision. Despite the inauspicious start, these opposites find common ground exploring the city she loves and feels inspired by and he hates. They become friends and eventually lovers and the whole thing is wonderfully romantic, original and believable. There's also a pivotal subplot try that emerges late in the book but is organic and brilliant nonetheless. I'm happy to join the chorus of readers saying Love Lettering is well worth reading and savoring.

4 STARS, aching for a love letter ★★★★✩

This book is for you if… you like quirky romances with a special twist to the usual story. You can feel the awkward in this romance and you'll also learn about friendship.

⤐ Overall.
First of all, I am shocked to see so many of my GR friends have rated this book mediocre or even worse. I honestly liked this book a lot. It is quirky, fun, cute and sexy - everything my bookish heart needs to be satisfied with a romance. Somehow, this book makes me want to reread The Hating Game .

Some of the scenes are so awkward I had to stop reading for a while but also HAD to continue. Know what I mean? Good. Because then you'll love Love Lettering.

There are so many good scenes and dialogues in there, I saved about 10 of them. My favourite is the term men-terrogating, an advancement of mansplaining which was put into context hilariously. I can only think of one man that fits the description and that's my uncle.

The thorough mix of characters with a heavy focus on the MCs is well balanced. This sometimes makes for a tedious reading experience but it fits the overall plot so well. I like how we witness different kinds of relationships develop or fail in this book and learn all the more of what it actually means to lead a happy life.

You know the world(-building) will be easy-peasy lemon-squeezy the minute the setting of the Big Apple is introduced. I love Brooklyn, the part I spent most of my time when I was there almost three years ago. Traffic, noise, people, and - obviously - signs everywhere.

The arch of suspense. Good job on the plot execution although it felt like dragging sometimes. I wasn't always invested 100% but I'm not sure whether that's owed to the fact that I read this throughout the last days of my thesis.

⤐ What’s happening.
What do you do when a guy whose marriage programm you once designed to carry a hidden message turns up at your shop? What do you do when he tells you he figured out your secret code and confronts you? How do you explain that you knew from minute on that the marraige would be a fail? How do you act when you realise that one woman's mistake might be another woman's happy place?
‘Dump him,’ says Lachelle. ‘There’s already a bunch of men out there to be irritated with, and that’s just on the Internet.’

Except that - finally - there's some good irritation in Meg's life. Reid is all the good bad things at once.
Con:
⇢ entire business at threat
⇢ emotional distance to best friend growing
⇢ never seems to find the write words/the wits to keep quiet
Pro:
⇢ everytime Reid ‘swoonshes’
⇢ sign-game gets her back on track
⇢ Reid ‘swoonshed’ a lot

_____________________
writing quality + easy of reading = 4*

pace = 4*

plot/story in general = 4*

plot development = 4*

characters = 4*

enjoyability = 4*

insightfulness = 4*

I know that so many people loved this story, and part of me can understand why. The romance, once it finally gets underway, has swoon-worthy potential, and the writing is almost hypnotic. Unfortunately, both of those things were its downfall for me.

I had a really difficult time getting into the story. I totally appreciate a skilled writer, and I do think Kate Clayborn has a lot of talent, but I felt that the writing got in the way of the storytelling here. It was overly meta, too internalized, and despite the fact that I'm very much into typography (total understatement!) and design, I had a hard time not skimming.

I also struggled with the romance, especially at first, not understanding why the hero agreed to spend time with the heroine. On the other hand, I did like the way the heroine's different friendships rounded out her characterization. In that regard, this had a bit of a women's fiction feel to it, focusing on the heroine's career and relationships and how she changes and grows as a result of them.

This is the second book I've read by this author that hasn't completely connected with me, and I can't decide if I'm just not a good reader match for her storytelling and writing style or if I should keep trying. (Help!)

RATING: C+

This romance novel was okay. It kept my interest but felt a little lacking and slow to me. The characters lacked some depth that I desired, but it was enjoyable. The sexual content was a little too open door for my taste. Had to skip those pages.

Thank you Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for my review!

I was pleasantly surprised by this entire story. This is the first time I have read Kate Clayborn’s work and I will definitely be looking for more.

The pacing of the relationship between Meg and Reid is slow and enjoyable. In a time when literature seems to want to hurry things along, their walks and talks around New York City give the reader time to get to know them each individually, even in a setting known for people who love anonymity.
The story picks up energy with an unexpected twist and carries the reader through to a satisfying finale.

I would be remiss if I did not mention I will never look at signs the same. Thank you, Ms. Clayborn.

Interesting setting and characters. The main characters were quirky and seemed a good match, when they finally took time to get to know each other, but i found myself wishing that Meg would be more sympathetic. I didn't know much about hand lettering, and wish the process itself would have been explained a little bit more. The introduction of the movie star into the plot seemed a bit coincidental. Did enjoy the walks through New York hunting for lettering examples.

The magic realism is what attracted to me this story, but all the angst made me quit reading. I made it through about chapter three then quit and read the end. Even that didn't motivate me to go back and read the rest.

For readers who enjoy living more inside a character's head this book will be more appealing.

Love lettering was a cute, romantic story with lovable characters. The ending was unexpected and took me by pleasant surprise. I loved the stoic and loving manner of Reid and the genuine and honest personality of Meg. A great read to warm you from the inside out this winter.

This was one of my most anticipated reads and it did not disappoint. I mean, how could it since it combines by love of books, romance, pens, paper, and planning! Though I'm not artistic enough to be able to hand letter, my love for pen and paper (and planning) is only second to my love of reading! I fully geeked out over all of the name drops of pen brands I adore, as well as the concept of hidden messages and codes that brought Meg and Reid together. There's even a bit of surprise suspense! I will admit that it took me a while to get into Meg's head and vibe with her peculiar POV, but once I did I was all in. I did also wish that there was a bit more heat, but ah well. Love Lettering is a solid 4 wine glass read for me and I can't wait to read more from the author.

I know a lot of people loved this book but it just wasn’t my thing. I felt that it took a while to get into it and then the rest was just blah. I hate when I don’t like really well reviewed books but I just couldn’t with this one.