The Meeting Point is a lighthearted, fast-paced romance between Maya and a mystery ride share driver. After Maya travels across the country to surprise her long-term boyfriend, she finds out that he has been unfaithful to her after he leaves his phone in a Lyft. The driver unknowingly reveals the truth to her when she messages his phone. The driver and Maya continue to message back and forth throughout the day and she finds herself falling for a guy she only knows through texts. While I enjoyed this book, I thought it was kind of predictable. There is supposed to be some mystery surrounding the Lyft driver's identity, but I figured it out quickly. Overall, this one was just okay. I probably wouldn't go out of my way to recommend it to others, even if they were looking for a contemporary romance title.

*** DID NOT FINISH!****

I got to 36% and gave up. This book had such a promising set up but I was just so bored. It felt like it was being dragged out and I felt like the main character was basically stalking Ethan. I mean, I get it’s suppose to be a nice meet cute but who actually goes across the country to ATTEMPT to find their Lyft driver who they had a connection with? It just didn’t do it for me and the main characters had no depth.

Fast-paced RomCom that gives new meaning to the phrase “Blind Date” and is a great summer read.

Here’s the spoiler-free premise: Maya Maas is a journalist in New York. She’s not that happy with her job, but she’s not going to complain too much. Not even when she finally gets a great opportunity but it forces her to change her plans to surprise her boyfriend David in California. Once she arrives in California, though, everything changes. David has left his phone in a rideshare driver’s car, but thankfully, the driver responds to Maya’s texts. Unfortunately though, David was with someone who was very clearly not Maya. Rather than stay in the airport for hours (on her birthday no less!) the driver convinces Maya to take a bus to Carmel by the Sea where he will act as her personal tour guide. The catch? It’s all via text. Maya and the driver never meet – she doesn’t even know his name – but she and “Max” actually have a great time seeing the sights in each other’s virtual company. So great, in fact, that they agree to meet. However, “Max” doesn’t show and a heartbroken Maya returns to New York. A year later, she finds herself pretty much back in the same place where she started. When her best friend Alisa tells her about a new book being published that just happens to be about Maya and “Max” and their day together, Maya decides that she is going to find the author (who is close friends with “Max”) and if nothing else, get some answers. What she doesn’t know is that she’s going to get so much more than that.

Let me start by saying that this is absolutely cheesy and at times predictable, but I still enjoyed every second of it. I thought it was pretty unique too. I mean, come on: not just having a date with someone you’ve never met before, but with someone you don’t even meet while you’re on the date! I loved it.

The characters: I liked Maya in general, although she’s a bit naive. In her heart, she’s a romance writer (she actually writes short stories about people she sees in passing which I think is cool) and yet she did not see the whole David situation coming. I guess it’s all those HEA she gives her characters. Thankfully though, things turn around for her pretty quickly once she goes to California – the second time. David is obviously a jerk and we don’t get to know too much more about him. (And we don’t need to.) Alisa, however, was a difficult character for me to understand; she seemed kind of back and forth to me. Alisa has the role of Maya’s best friend, but she’s long distance so we never really get to meet her and all we know of her relationship with Maya is that they’ve known each other a long time. She’s supposed to know Maya the best, but Maya doesn’t stay stagnant, and it just felt like Alisa wasn’t keeping up. Part of that may have been because Maya was forming a new relationship with Celine, the sister to the author Maya is trying to track down. And, I’m not going to talk much about the author as a character because there’s not way to do that without spoilers so let’s just say that Maya may have hated him but I most certainly did not.

The story: First, this book moved at a fast pace. The chapters are short but a lot happens in each one. Second, while lots of things become obvious to the reader (but not Maya) there are still a few surprises and details in there that aren’t so easily predictable. And some things unfold a little slower than others which I thought gave the story some balance. Third, this was super light and funny and cute which was refreshing for me. But it still had some substance. For example, I loved the questions game Maya and “Max” played! And I thought some of the cafe regulars’ issues added some depth without being too overbearing.

The ending: I thought the ending was a tiny bit abrupt. Cute, but I needed an epilogue. It was like, “Finally! But what happens now?” I don’t think there’s any need for a sequel, but *mini spoiler* I would’ve liked to see the outcome with the novels. *Mini spoiler over.* I would absolutely love for this to be a movie! And if you can’t tell, I 100% recommend this book. I’ll definitely be checking out more from this author.

This book was fun because it was a different concept! I liked the not having met before mixed in with the pretty much insta love and miscommunications.

It’s the sort of story where you as the reader have figured it out long before the character but you’re still on the edge waiting to see when and how they figure it out.

The writing left something to be desired in some parts. I think it’s not necessarily the writing itself but the style of just MC stream of conscience.

This is a cute and fun romance about a bad day turned into a perfect one thanks to the help of a stranger. Maya went to San Francisco to surprise her boyfriend and got a surprise herself. So when the lift driver gives her instructions on what to do/where to go to have a great time on her birthday, she goes for it, even if she doesn't know how name. Fast forward to a year later when she decides she wants to meet the mystery man - after hearing about a book about to be published about that day. Its a fun read and a fun location to explore. You root for Maya to find her mystery man!

This was a heartwarming book about a missed connection. Maya could be frustrating at times since she just settled with what life dealt her in relationships and work, but I enjoyed the romance aspect with the Lift driver. While it’s predictable, it was fun to see the characters initially connect over text before finally meeting in real life. I also enjoyed the descriptive scenes of Carmel -by-the-Sea and would love to visit there now!

I chose this book mainly because of its beautiful cover. I love the pink background with two people and a car, standing on a map.

The main character, Maya, is an aspiring writer who’s been turned down by many publishers because her love stories seem to be too unrealistic. After losing her job, she decides to surprise her boyfriend in San Francisco. After she arrives there, a lift driver informs her, that her boyfriend is cheating on her. Maya is devastated as she is in a foreign city with a broken heart. She then decides to explore a nearby beach town. The lift driver tells her places to visit, showing her around through text messages. Things get worse, when her ex-boyfriend comes back, trying to confuse Maya. So, what will happen to her and the mysterious lift driver?

I liked this book as I got exactly what I was hoping for. The story went on so smoothly. This was an awesome story about two strangers falling in love under strange circumstances. The whole story was told from Maya’s view, so I was able to fully understand her perspective and feelings. „The meeting point“ definitely melt my heart!

– my rating: 5/5 stars –

After several thrillers, heavy hard-core fantasy and historical novels it was lovely to sink into a quick sappy romance.

While obviously you know how things are going to play out and clichés abound, there is just something so satisfying about the predictability.

Not to say that it wasn’t unique. After all, the idea of the Lift driver being the one to answer your cheating boyfriends’ phone is a new one.

But the aura of hopeful romance that perpetuated the book was familiar and comforting. like a warm hug or a huge jumper on a cold morning.

I loved the characters. Maya was just coming into her own and we see her go from strength to strength with the help of her Lift driver, she was even able to step out of a controlling quite toxic relationship with a douchebag.

I adored her habit of jotting down stories about the people that she met and the lives she wanted them to live. Her inner desire to be a writer was a great addition to her character and made us so much more sympathetic to her, especially when that began to translate into her matchmaking.

Ethan was another great character. Although he came off as quite standoffish at times, once you knew his background it was easy to see why and it was nice to see him slowly come out of his shell.

I thought the idea of interweaving the actual book with chapters of the novel within the book was a great way to show the various points of view without long exposition.

As with most romance novels you do have to suspend a bit of disbelief with how oblivious some characters are. All in all, this was an adorable rom-com with nice pacing, engaging characters and a happily ever after.

I really enjoyed this story and it was a little different from the usual meet cutes. Although it did start off in a very expected way and there was a slight concern that in reality this would have been a little creepy but Olivia Lara pulled it off in making the premise cute and sweet. Of course there is a twist with misunderstandings and a happy ever after but for me the real beauty of it was feeling like you were on that day trip with Maya on her birthday.

This book was just what I needed! An interesting romance, engaging characters and plenty going on.

Admittedly, I did get a little bit confused about the plot and where it was heading but — once I got my head around it (it’s not confusing, I’m just stupid sometimes) — it was an enjoyable, but predictable romance.

Great lighthearted fun read. I was hooked from the first page and didn't want it to end! You will love this book! Definitely recommend!

This is such a cute and clever romantic novel and it just gave me all the feels. It’s perfect for an escape to somewhere warm and fluffy (both the physical location and the vibes) and has such a feelgood factor.
Maya loses her job and boyfriend on the same day but a phone call, a Lyft driver and some interesting outcomes set the scene for a perfect romance plot and a wonderful adventure for Maya. A mysterious Lyft driver (known as Max) calls her to track down the owner of a phone (her ex-boyfriend’s) and they strike up a conversation which ends in him recommending she takes a little trip to Carmel by the Sea where she develops new relationships and potentially a new love interest who she has never met or knows very little personal information about. It has a very ‘Sleepless in Seattle’ trope to it.
I love the originality of how Maya meets the Lyft driver and how their relationship is developed through texts. It’s such a quirky idea and it worked so well. Maya is a sweet character and I love how she people watches and turns them into love stories. I love how much she loves the notion of happy ever afters and true love.
Carmel by the Sea is amazing. Once I found it really existed I looked up lots of photographs and it is stunning and perfectly brought to life in the novel . At first glance it has an English charm about it and is idyllic. I’m also a sucker for novels where there is a small community who take care of the main characters and this is certainly a big part of Maya’s adventure.
I adored everything about this book (and I apologise for overusing the word love in my review) and am completely smitten by Maya, Max, Carmel and its inhabitants. The perfect escape.

Rating 3.5/5

This was kind of the perfect dose of escapism for me, I love a light-hearted story that can carry me off to a fabulous setting and the setting in The Meeting Point is fantastic a seaside town full of character. What makes it even better is that it turns out to be a real place so I will be adding it to my list of places I would like to go.

The story is at first kind of an intriguing one, Maya ends up on a day out planned by a stranger but it is actually a brilliant day and has me wishing that I could have a spontaneous day out that I don’t have to plan and if there’s someone cute behind the planning even better. I liked that Maya took a chance on it and that she had a lovely day and didn’t overthink what she was doing too much because it was nice to go along for that journey.

It does in all honesty get a bit too predictable as we venture further into the story, usually that wouldn’t bother me because I find a lot of romance is that way but the enjoyment is the bumps in the road to the happy ever after, however with this book, I think it was the complete ignorance by Maya that really caused the issue. Everyone can see which way the story is going and she didn’t even question it, the fact that it didn’t cross her mind even to be dismissed felt unrealistic and ended up making the dramatic bumps in the road a bit lacklustre for me, I wasn’t as invested by that point.

Having said that I did enjoy Maya’s adventures in Carmel on her second visit, the characters were all lovely, I do wish there were more Celine’s in the world, and I liked that Maya did nudge a few of them in directions they might not have taken. I also enjoyed getting to see the ups and downs of the relationship between Maya and the writer and it was so nice that Maya writes love stories for people, I just loved how much positivity there was radiating from this book it is exactly the kind of thing my cynical wee heart needs now and again.

If you are looking for a fun and uplifting story full of characters that you want to hug and with a gorgeous small-town setting then The Meeting Point is the book for you.

Thank you for the opportunity to review this new novel.

This was a nice surprise! In the beginning it was slow and didn't hooked me at all but I continued and it picked up in pace. From the middle and forward it was a really good romance.

Ethan was swoon worthy but Maya was too much of a doormat to be on her side. In the end I liked her though.

Full of heart and swoon worthy romance, The Meeting Point was a gorgeously sweet read!
Thanks to NetGalley, Aria & Aries, for providing me with the ARC in exchange of an honest review.

Synopsis -

Maya’s surprise visit to her boyfriend in California turns into a nightmare as she finds out about his cheating from a Lift driver and gets stranded on her birthday. Refusing to let him ruin her day, Maya agrees to go along the driver’s plan to visit a small town by the beach as a way of cheering herself up. This day seems to open up a whole new world of possibilities for her.

Review -

For me the spotlight of the book was the beautiful setting in the town of Carmel by the sea. With its scenic beaches, beautiful sunrises, fairy tale houses and the nicest people, I was completely charmed and drawn in.

While I was impressed by Maya’s readiness for spontaneity, adventure and persistence, she wasn’t entirely likeable. Low in confidence and self-esteem, she can be easily persuaded. I wanted to shake her a few times when she lost her focus and clarity, unable to comprehend the obvious. But yet she is a sweet-heart, blending in with the small town folks, going out of her way to help them.

Lara’s writing is fast-paced and has an easy flow. The element of mystery about the driver plays out very well in the story. The plot is well crafted, interweaving Maya’s hunt for this anonymous driver, Celine, a lovely lady and the owner of the café where Maya works and her brother Ethan who is a best-selling author.

Though it was fairly simple to predict how it might all turn out, there is a great sense of anticipation and excitement that is maintained, which I found to be very gripping.
I loved seeing how Maya’s quest, results in a life-changing experience for her, as she confronts her past, reflects on herself, finally realizing her self-worth.

Light-hearted and filled with fun, I highly recommend The Meeting Point if you are in the mood for a breezy, happily ever after romance.

My favorite part about this story was the setting of Carmel, California purely because it’s a wonderful, relaxing town, where everything seems to slow down. The story centers around a town, where the locals know everyone, the story mostly centered in a cozy cafe. I loved strolling around Carmel, checking out the shops, the cafes, the yummy restaurants. It brought back so many wonderful memories of my time there.

I also enjoyed Maya’s love story, as mysterious as it was. She was there to find the Mystery Driver. This easily could have taken a sharp turn toward murderville, but this story kept true to its romantic intrigue, especially when she starts getting feelings for a local with secrets of his own. Nothing like a good love triangle, am I right?

“Love, because it is the only true adventure.” The Meeting Point by Olivia Lara

3.5 stars. This is cute and set in Carmel-by-the-Sea and that place is so very pretty that I wanted to live there too when I visited years ago. This book just made me want to visit again.

This is a meet cute with a happy ending that took a year to develop. Maya’s boyfriend left his phone in a ride share car and she started to have conversations with the ride share driver. He’s the one who basically encouraged her to go to Carmel by the sea and he had the insider info on where to go.

Oh they just weren’t meant to be together then. And 1 year later, a book is coming out about Maya’s story with the ride share guy. How? That’s her story! So I’m an effort to track down the author and discover who gave him that story, she went back to Carmel.

Such a fun and cute read! A lot of misunderstandings and miscommunication but all was well in the end. The selling point for me are the places to visit in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Sigh. Gotta go back soon.

Thank you Aria and NetGalley for the arc of this book. I’m a few days late posting this but I really enjoyed it.

The Meeting Point was lovely from start to finish, and it was the exact type of book that I needed right now. These past few weeks of my life have been absolutely chaotic. I was a bit worried that my poor mental state would stop me from reading this in a timely manner, but I read the entire thing in one sitting! The writing style is both very readable and very light. I easily flew through the pages and never felt like I had to force myself to continue.

In addition to the light and comfortable writing style, the plot itself was also very cozy and nice, which is something my currently-emotional self deeply appreciated. I can definitely see this book becoming one of my go-to comfort reads in the future. Since, like me, you might be confused about what the blurb is about, let me give you a brief non-spoilery summary of the premise. Feel free to skip the next paragraph if you wish.

The Meeting Point follows Maya, an almost thirty year old woman, who has been with her boyfriend for around 5 years. When Maya flies out to try to surprise him for her birthday, her texts are returned by a Lyft driver who has not only recovered her boyfriends lost phone, but has also just seen him in the arms of another woman. In a twist of events, Maya and the driver end up texting throughout the entire day as he leads her on an impromptu text-driven adventure. Maya soon realizes that she’s not as sad about her cheating boyfriend as she should be. In fact, this new and exciting connection with this unknown man is leading her to believe that she’s been missing out on life, love, and happiness. But will she ever find out who he is?

The only real reason I rated this a 4.5 (really a 4.25 I think) instead of a 5 was simply because so much of the plot relied on lack of communication/unnecessary secrets, which is one of my least favorite things. Maya spends basically the entire book not telling people the truth for no good reason. The “plot-twist” was also very predictable and I felt like it should have happened earlier but was once again pushed far back in the timeline because of unnecessary secret-keeping. Regardless, I still found the story to be incredibly captivating and romantic. I’m not even a fan of insta-love, but this book might have actually changed my mind. I read it while my partner was at work and the cuteness level made me miss him immensely. (Rob, can we go on all of the romantic dates now please??)

I received a digital arc for this blog tour (thank you NetGalley and TheWriteReads for providing me this copy in exchange for an honest review!), but you best believe that I am going to get a physical copy as soon as I can. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a light read, as well as fans of outrageously cute rom-coms.

I was HOOKED from the beginning and devoured this book in a day. I don’t want to give anything away. Just read it!!

Thank you NetGalley, author Olivia Lara, and Aria publishing for giving me a free arc copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own!
5 stars
The book was so adorable! The story, setting, and characters were well developed and so relatable! I loved the character development throughout the story! Maya was not the most likeable character at the beginning of the story, but as she seeks out the man she feel in love with over text messaging, she became a character I hoped would get her HEA with the right man. This book was such a light-hearted read that I had a hard time putting it down once the story really took off. The writing and pacing were well done and kept the story moving at a great pace that it was easy to keep reading this book until the very end. I loved the ending! It had me grinning over the pieces falling into place that revealed Max! Overall, if you are looking for a light hearted romance, this book is for you! I can't wait to read more books by this author in the future!