4.5/5 stars! This book had me hooked from the start. Maya finds out from a lift driver that her boyfriend is cheating on her. The Lift driver sends her on a birthday adventure, rather than letting her wallow and she has the best day of her life. A year later she returns to Caramel by the Sea to find out the identity of her secret lift driver.

I didn't know that this was the book I needed, but this light, fluffy romance kept me reading. The Meeting Point is a quick read, with short chapters and was happy and uplifting to read. I didn't want to put the book down, but I forced myself to, just so I could savour it a bit more.

The author did a great job setting the scene of the book in Caramel by the Sea. I felt like I could see myself there and it now has me itching to visit Northern California and Caramel by the Sea to see the beauty itself.

Olivia Lara did a great job building characters Maya, Ethan and "Max" so well that I felt for all of them. I loved Maya creating the stories of happily ever after for the people in her life and it was so sweet to hear these stories and really added to the romantic nature of the book. Maya is a person I could picture being friends with and seemed very endearing and likeable. I also enjoyed reading about Maya's friendships with both Alisa and Celine and how they were there for her when she needed them.

I liked the writing of a "secret pen pals" type of trope (sort of) and felt that Olivia really pulled it off in her writing. Some parts of the book did feel like it was starting to drag a bit, but the pay off was totally worth it for a cute, slow-burn romance.

Another interesting part of the book is that you read "Max's" perspective through small chapters of Ethan's book, which I found a unique way to add a perspective, rather than a back and forth dual perspective of many current romances.

All in all this was a light, contemporary romance and was super sweet. I am going to read Olivia's other book, and I look forward to her future novels! I received a copy of this from NetGalley and the publisher for an open and honest review. All opinions are 100% mine.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The Meeting Point was such an enjoyable and heartfelt read filled with a chance encounter, an unforgettable connection, and starting over. This was a fast and easy read as well, as the chapters were short and quick.

The setting in this book was absolutely magical. The description of Carmel by the Sea and the surrounding area was beautiful and just gave that small town beach feel. The storyline and plot were also well written and developed even though it was fairly predictable.

The main characters, Maya and Ethan were really likable. Maya had great character development and journey. I will say however, I would have liked just a bit more development for Ethan.

The romance between them was definitely a slow burn but their instant connection was just so beautiful and heartwarming. I thoroughly enjoyed their development and how their relationship progressed via text and in person.

One thing I would have liked was a bit more in the ending. An afterwards or epilogue would have been nice. Overall, just a sweet and quick romance with an enjoyable storyline and characters.

The Meeting Point is an adorable romcom! I loved the plot and the main characters were super cute and very relatable.

Such a wonderful book!! I loved the story of Maya Maas and her wonderful birthday. What a great meet cute! The story was somewhat predictable in the middle but when Maya returns to Carmel, it doesn't quite go the way I thought it would. And it was very interesting to read about her birthday from his perspective. Get this book - you will enjoy it! I can't wait to read more from this author.

I'm so very very thankful to NetGalley for allowing me to read an ARC. Truly loved this book!

Sometimes I forget that I love a good romance story. Especially if it's told well and if the characters feel human and real. Add a place as gorgeous as Carmel? Near perfection!

Thanks to the wonderful folk at NetGalley for an advanced copy to read.

This was a cute story. And in a cute place. I love reading romances from small towns. And it gave all that. Small town setting. Authors falling in Love. Talking about books. Everything that I love was there. So I would totally recommend it to someone who is in the mood for something romantic and cute.

Also thank you NetGalley for helping me fulfill one of my list.

“Everything worth something is always a little bit sad.”

Maya arrives in sunny California to surprise her boyfriend, David. But when she calls him, she finds out that a Lift driver has his forgotten phone. “Are you the blonde in the red dress who was with him?” ….Maya is a t-shirt-wearing brunette. Worst. Birthday. Ever… or is it? Maya starts texting the Lift driver (Max) and ends up having the BEST day, discovering the local beach town of Carmel with a text itinerary from Max. But can this relationship develop into something more, or will Maya go back to her familiar life in New York?

I could NOT put this book down! The story was fast-paced, and I couldn’t wait to find out what would happen between Maya and Max. I loved the friendships in this story, side relationship with supporting characters, setting in Carmel, and main characters (helloooo tattooed author male lead 😍). The insta-love trope worked really well here. This is SUCH a cute story and I highly recommend checking it out!

Thanks to NetGalley and Aria for this ARC!

This was super cute! Short chapters to keep you reading in one sitting. An epic meet-cute to end all meet-cutes (with an awesome walking tour of Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA). And twists and turns that you’ll totally see coming, but you’re so invested in the characters that you keep reading anyway.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

3.5 stars

The Meeting Point had such a cute premise. When Maya goes to California to surprise her long term boyfriend, she discovers his phone was lost in a ride share driver’s car…when he was busy sucking face with someone else. The driver and Maya keep conversing and it leads to her taking a day trip to Carmel-by-the-sea and following “Max’s” detailed itinerary.

I began to start worrying when there was so many pages left to read. And alas, it happened. A SEPARATION.

Some time later, Maya is back in Carmel on a quest to find Max. She’s there to stalk a local author after she hears about an upcoming novel that seems to be telling her and Max’s story. This is where The Meeting Point becomes a bit predictable. The secret/twist was easy to guess, yet the story dragged on. The love story between Maya and her hero was a little too insta-love-y and their connection didn’t feel genuine.

I wanted to enjoy it more than I did. It was a fast and light read, and there were definitely parts I loved, but overall I felt like something was missing.

Thank you to NetGalley for the review copy.

I really enjoyed this book. The characters were fun, the descriptions made you feel like you could see it or that you were there, and the writing was well done and easy to follow. This was a great, light hearted read that anyone could read in less than a day!

Thank you NetGalley and Aria Fiction for the ARC for the exchange for a honest review!

This was an adorable read! While the outcome is obvious, the story is really heartwarming & I loved seeing Maya get back to being herself after a crappy year. This book made me smile & left me feeling happy - I couldn't put it down!

This book needs to be on your radar! I love it so much.

Maya is having the worst day. She gets fired. She flies out to visit her boyfriend only to find out by his Lift driver that he is cheating on her. And oh yeah, it’s her birthday. At text suggestion of the Lift driver’s, she begins to explore. And is it possible to fall for someone only over text messages?

This book was SUPER predictable. But goodness I couldn’t put it down! I was smiling throughout the whole book. It’s a cute, light romance.

This was a very good story. I was initially worried when I saw it had 88 chapters because I am not a fan of long books.

The pacing was easy to get into and well written.

The only thing I didn't like is in the last few chapters they called the "Max" character him or he and kind of left us hanging and open ended. I had one main guess who it was and hope I am right though.

This was a four star rating. Thank you Netgalley and publishers!

This is a thoroughly enjoyable read! I had my hang ups, as I often do with semi-unrealistic romance novels, but overall, it was super sweet.

Maya made me want to bang my head against the wall a few times. Her ability to go from the end of a 5 year relationship and falling in love via text in the same day? I mean, come on now.

But as a lover of love, I continued on. Again, if Maya and Ethan had just communicated with one another this mess would’ve been sorted out about 68% of the way in, but also would’ve been much shorter. So again, despite banging my head on the wall a few more times, I kept on.

I’m certainly glad I did! In the end it was a sweet, heartwarming read and despite my annoyance at times, I devoured in a couple days. Would definitely recommend to romance lovers and I’d definitely read on to see some of the other characters quest to find love and hear more from our main characters in The Meeting Point.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. Pub date: September 2, 2021

A blindingly quick start. It felt like a fast forward through some required moments to get to the actual start of the book but once we arrived at the real story, it leveled out.

There are some familiar tropes and mistakes made by our main character and the reader is told everything the characters are thinking and feeling right on the page without the need for any inference. Our main character Maya is a bit oblivious and repeatedly has conversations and reactions that seem unwarranted and end up getting her into situations that are frustrating to read through.

Almost DNF at 30% but hung on for a few more chapters and we finally hit a rhythm and started really moving forward in the book once Celine was introduced. Unfortunately at 60% the book takes a turn I wasn’t sure I could get past—I eventually read on at breakneck speed to reach a hopeful HEA and was not disappointed!

This is a unique (although kinda creepy) idea, so if you’re looking for a mindless, questionably plausible romance…this could be for you!

Let me start by saying what an adorable story this is. Maya, a writer in search of her own HEA has been dealt a crappy hand, simultaneously loosing her job and discovering from a lift driver that her boyfriend is cheating on her.
Communicating only via text, driver Max send her on a trip to lift her spirits. The rest I’ll leave purposely vague, but let’s just say fun and romance ensues.

What I loved:
The romance was sweet and like all good comfort reads, the HEA never felt in danger. I loved the small town of Carmel that as it turns out is a real place.

If felt a little slow at times and I could have done with less of Maya’s internal monologue. That aside I would definitely recommend this perfect holiday romance novel.

The Meeting Point is an adorably cute book. Was it a bit cliche and predictable? Yes. But I loved it. And sometimes that’s the kind of book we need. Just something light and guaranteed to have a happy ending.
Although it doesn’t start that way for Maya.
Trying to surprise her boyfriend (on her birthday- yup hers!), she flys up to see him and excitedly texts him that she’s at the airport, surprise! But it isn’t her boyfriend who texts back. Just his Lift driver who found his phone and took pity on her and reveals the worst news, her boyfriend of four years is cheating on her. To top the day off- she just lost her job.
This begins a very odd but much needed adventure for Maya. Her and the lift driver begin texting and he directs her to various sights in a cute little beach town. She has the most incredible day, getting to know this mystery man and just sightseeing. It was cute and fun. And definitely could have been the makings of a creepy stalker/ thriller book. But no fear, this one has a HEA.

If you like light, fun reads, albeit with a fair lack of communication, but sappy romance and an adorable chemistry. Give it a read! I loved it and even though I knew the direction the story was going in, I liked the surprises along the way. And you’ll have fun learning who is on the other side of those text messages.


Thankyou NetGalley, Aria & Aries, and the author for the complimentary ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Content: clean
Romance: kissing.
Language: none.
Violence: none.

I really enjoyed this book. The beginning felt a little slow and I was worried that I was not going to like the main character, but she proved me wrong by taking charge of her life and going on a wild adventure. Although I felt the ending was predictable, I really enjoyed the journey along the way. The main character sure did get wooed.

You guys - this book was so freaking cute! Maya decides to surprise her boyfriend while he’s on a business trip in California.. When she gets there she finds out he left his phone in a lift and the lift driver tells her that her boyfriend is cheating on her. In hopes to cheer her up the lift driver plans a day for her in a town a little outside of San Francisco via text. When they’re finally set to meet, Maya’s boyfriend picks her up and ruins the whole thing. She ultimately goes back a year later to try and find him again!

I seriously loved this book so much! I thought the way the story unfolded was so unique and well done. I was smiling pretty much the whole time i read the book. i loved watching Maya drop everything and go and find her mans. I think the only thing keeping this from being a 5 star read was that it felt just a little bit too dragged out. I felt we could have gotten to the end just a little bit sooner! BUT when we did get to it - it was SO worth the wait! I highly recommend!

A special thank you to NetGalley, Aria Fiction, and Olivia Lara for a copy of this arc in exchange for an honest review!

When Maya finishes up her work project early, she decides to fly from New York to San Francisco to surprise her boyfriend. When she calls his phone, a stranger answers, revealing that her boyfriend was in a Lift with another woman where he left his phone. Maya is resigned to spend her birthday in the airport but after texting with the Lift driver for a bit, he insists that she leave the airport to explore. He gives her an itinerary of a tour of Carmel by the Sea via text and she follows his instructions, soaking in the beauty of the town. The mysterious stranger keeps her company via text all day and Maya feels silly for wanting to meet him. Is it possible to fall in love with someone that you've never met?

First of all - did I give a four star rating to a level one steam romance??? WHO DIS??? I like my romance novels to be steamy but this one had such an engrossing story that I didn't even think twice about the lack of steam. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book despite the fact that there wasn't one sex scene in it!

Being a romance fan, I was hooked into this book from the start, where Maya talks about her dreams of becoming a published romance novelist. She thinks of everything in terms of romance stories and she is constantly cooking up storylines based on little tidbits from her real life experiences. I loved this about her!

I am going to try to keep my thoughts on the male main character vague so that I don't spoil the plot, but just know that he stole my heart from that first day they "met" via text. Then as the story progressed and as I learned more about him, he made me swoon over and over again!

I read this book in four hours in one sitting! I needed to know how the book would pan out, even though I predicted pretty early on who the mystery man was going to be. I just NEEDED to see how they would fall for each other in person.

This is a very sweet and quick romance read set in a small town that I really enjoyed!

Steam level: 🔥
⚠️: infidelity