I have to be honest and say I didn't LOVE The Meeting Point. It dragged from the very beginning for me.
When Maya decides to surprise her boyfriend, she's mad when he doesn't answer her calls/texts. Until he finally does - only it isn't him. Someone has found his phone that he left in the Lyft while he was busy making out with another woman. From that point on, Maya and the Lyft driver text back and forth and she follows his directions to go on a birthday adventure.

It all seems very unrealistic, and quite frankly - dangerous. No one knew where this woman was (she was out of town when it happened) and she was following the directions of a complete stranger. Um.... RED FLAG.
Not to mention that her boyfriend gaslighted her for years. Maya seemed to have zero backbone and would lie, omit, and sneak around instead of just being upfront and truthful.

When she finally meets Ethan and hopes to find out more about the mystery Lyft driver, their relationship is odd. It goes from 0 to 60 in no time flat. They go from being awkward to working together and having this inside relationship. It felt very forced.

There were some sweet moments, but overall I found the story (and the writing) to be choppy and slow.
Thank you to NetGalley and Head of Zeus, Aria for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

"Sparks fly around us. Invisible sparks, but I see them. Does he"

I had high hopes from this one because the plot just seemed to be interesting but the author was new to me so it was a bit difficult to adjust to the writing style. I enjoyed the story and the side characters but it was pretty cliche and predictable. It was light and creative but I failed to like Maya. She was a bit judgemental and impulsive. The first few chapters were just too quick and I felt disconnected with the storyline because of that tbh. But the character growth was commendable and I enjoyed reading the second half. I loved the friendships with the side characters, the scenery was perfectly described and Maya & Max were cute together! It was a comfortable and easygoing read, you can definitely pick it up if you need some unwinding from reading books with heavy topics.

Thank you Netgalley & Aria Publishing for the ARC

(Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for a honest review)

Publication date: 01 April 2022
Publisher: Aria and Aries

3.5 ⭐

This book is one of the fastest ARC I've read.

Plot

Maya Maas is an aspiring writer who works as a journalist, with many of her drafts inspired by the people she meet on the streets. Maya despises her job and is in a deteriorating relationship with her long-term lover, David. Her life then falls apart when she receives a text message from a Mystery Man, the Lift driver. When the mystery texter suggests a spontaneous schedule to celebrate her birthday, Maya finds herself enjoying the connection through their texts which makes her think of the chances of having more.

Thoughts

I loved the plot because of how refreshing it sounded. It was a very light and quick read.

The entire plot is predictable but the book was written in such a way that it is hard for you to put it down. I guess this book would fit into the insta-love and slow burn trope even though it was pretty much one sided initially. I liked the imagery the book gave: the beaches or the sunsets, the bonfire and everything was beautiful to imagine as I read the book. With how the book was going, I did think it could become a thriller suddenly (because of the anonymity and the planning by the mystery man) but it is truly a romance book. Maya had this cute habit of people watching and matchmaking those she know which gave her the inspiration to write. There's also no spice in this book at all so if you're a lover of clean romances, this is for you.

Why I gave this 3.5⭐ is because I felt like Maya wasn't taking responsibility to fix her own solutions. She was so ignorant and instead was happy uniting others' around her instead. It kind of showed her in an immature light. It also felt pretty one sided because most of the POVs from were Maya and when I compared the chapter to the previous, the settings and timeline didn't seem to match which was a little confusing at times. I honestly think 88 chapters are not necessary for this book when some of the chapters were only 1-2 pages long. The ending also felt a little rushed which decreased the charm of the book.

Overall, a cute and soft read. I like the illustrated cover too.

Olivia Lara, you have written a great book!

I binged it in one late-night sitting because I couldn't stop until Maya found Max!

The writing style was easy the read, the chapters nice and short, the plot was well thought out, the characters felt like actual people and the setting, Carmel by the Sea was super sweet.

I loved it. The only thing I would have loved more is if there was an epilogue!

I recommend adding it to your TBR.

Thank you NetGalley and Head of Zeus for the opportunity to offer my honest review in exchange for an advanced copy.

Please see my Goodreads and IG account for further reviews.

This was a quick and fun read. Reading this felt like travelling in different places while joining Maya on her adventure in search for Max.

Getting on the story was a bit slow at first, but once I continued reading it, I found myself enjoying every chapters. While I loved that this book is a slow burn, I was not a fan of the trope, but the chemistry between Maya and Ethan is really charming and cute.

If you're looking for a quick summer read, you need to read this book!

𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘎𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘈𝘳𝘪𝘢 & 𝘈𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘙𝘊 𝘪𝘯 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘺 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸.

I'm not sure where to start. This is my first book by this author and I'm speechless and spellbound. I felt that something was different about this book when I read the first chapter. But what I didn't know was that I would be hooked on to the book so much that I would finish it overnight and wish it hadn't gotten over so soon both at the same time. Beautiful work, awesome narration, and touching romance. I expected that it will have a happy ending but never thought it would be smooth, seamless, natural and so well-executed. A well-deserved 5 star. Hats off to the author.

Maya Maas is a writer she works for a hellish boss and has been with David for 5 years. On her birthday weekend she decides to surprise her boyfriend who is on a business trip in San Francisco. When she gets there and tries calling him on his cellphone the lift driver answers. The lift driver tells her her boyfriend was with another woman. She's devastated but the lift driver decides to help and sets her up with a magical time in Carmel. They continue to text and share a wonderful day together via text.

I, at first really disliked Maya. Until she went on her trip to Carmel and got to know Max the lift driver. This had You've got Mail vibes. Which I really enjoyed. I loved the ending and the characters. I'm really glad to have found this book.

Definitely a very cute, must-read - this was a sweet novel, even though there are a couple of triggers that need to be known before diving in. It is a clean romance (some kissing), so as long as it's known that there is a cheating, gaslighting boyfriend at the start that catalyzes the majority of what occurs in the book, you'll be all set to go!

Maya has an extremely rough go of it at the start of this book - she has a difficult boss, a toxic work environment, and a tough time in her relationship, and she does seem to struggle with self-esteem and self-worth. She gets fired after something out of her control from this job she was never too crazy about, gets on a plane to fly across the country to surprise her boyfriend while he's on a business trip for her birthday weekend, just to land and text him that she had arrived, and get a text back from someone who had found his phone. Turns out to be the Lyft driver that had dropped him and his "girlfriend" off - one who he had been all over in the car... so not only was it HER birthday, she had flown out to surprise him and she had just been fired, but he was also cheating on her.

Maya and the Lyft driver exchange a few messages, and he comes up with a plan that instead of her getting back on the next plane home to NYC, she gets on a shuttle bus to Carmel by the Sea, to spend the day and actually enjoy herself. They keep messaging and she finds that she really does have a fun day, while he gives her tips on what to see and do, since he knows the area. She discovers she is having fun, and by the end of 24 hours, thinks she might actually be having feelings for this stranger. Unfortunately, at the end of the day, the gaslighting boyfriend gets his phone back, finds her and takes her home, just to keep her under his thumb.

Maya had a knack for story writing, so she writes about her experience - but the joy in writing other stories (which she had always done, write about the people she sees in her day) is gone. One day, her friend in publishing tells her that someone has written a book and it's about to be published that sounds awfully familiar - it's Maya's story about her day in Carmel. In fact, the blurb of the book is exactly Maya's story, and the Lyft driver she named Max. She has to check this out, so she leaves behind her life in NYC again to go back and find out who this unknown author is, track down his source - that Lyft driver, and why he spilled about their magical day to this best-selling author.


This book was a magical story the entire way through, learning Maya and Max's story from the day she landed in San Francisco and took the bus to Carmel, until the day she discovered his true identity, and all of the friends she made along the way and the stories she wrote and the people she paired up in her stories and in her real life. Olivia Lara is truly a talented new writer and I can't wait to go back and pick up her debut novel "Someday In Paris", and I eagerly await future releases! I loved it the whole way through, I read it in one sitting it was so good, I recommend it to everybody, and it's a very solid 4.5-star rating!

Thank you Netgalley, Aria and Head of Zeus for this advance review copy. This is my very honest review of this amazing book!

this book was frustrating in the best way possible...

Do you believe in love at first sight, do you believe everything happens for a reason because this book made me say absolutely yes.

Maya is an aspiring writer who never seems to make her publishing debut so she is stuck working at a job that underpays and undervalues her. She decides one day to surprise her boyfriend in San Francisco for her birthday only to learn from a mysterious stranger of his infidelity.

Maya is absolutely shocked and feels hopeless in the situation when this mysterious stranger, Max, the name in which she decides to call him, leads her on an adventure of activities and experiences she had never or would have ever decided to do.

After this whirlwind adventure they both decide it’s time to meet, it will be at sunset, at 6 on the beach but what neither of them know is that fate has a funny way of meddling in their lives.

A year later Maya is back in the same place wondering where her life went wrong, and the worst part is that someone she barely knows in publishing her story, their love story! Will Maya find out who Max is and why is this mysterious author the one to share their love story?

I absolutely loved this book so much and it frustrated me to no end how blind Maya was and how stubborn. I wish we could have seen more of her happy ending but in the end it was bittersweet and I love every second of this adventure.

Thank you to NetGalley, Head of Zeus, and Olivia Lara for giving me the opportunity to read this absolutely amazing book!!!

This was a cute, summery read, but I admit I struggled with Maya’s naïveté. While the ending wasn’t unexpected, it also concluded too quickly in a way. It was an easy read for a lazy Sunday spent inside.

The Meeting Point by Olivia Lara is such a great book. Maya Maas goes to San Francisco to surprise her boyfriend, only to discover he has left his phone in his rideshare car on his way to a dinner date with another woman. She and the rideshare driver begin a day of exploring Carmel-on-the-Sea, California and getting to know each other on a deep level, besides important things like names and faces. However, all seems to have been lost when the boyfriend and his phone are reunited the following day and he finds his way to Maya. He deceives her into believing he never cheated and so she goes back home with him. Flash forward a year, said boyfriend is still a cheating scumbag and Maya finds the inner strength to leave the man and see if, just maybe, the man she was supposed to be with could still be a rideshare driver in the Bay Area.

I really really enjoyed this book. The way these two characters interacted on their magical day was lovely but that doesn't hold a candle to the journey of self-discovery Maya undergoes the following year.

Is it too late to discover yourself when you're almost thirty? A question that Maya asks at one point and I've gotta say, I sure hope not because I'm 36 and still trying to discover myself.

4.75 stars for this beautiful read! Can't wait to read her other book, Someday in Paris now!!

2.5 stars. I got tired of reading Maya’s every single thought about everything. A lot of them were unnecessary detailed. I also didn’t feel the connection between Ethan and Maya. I could see the plot twist coming from a mile away and although Ethan is a nice love interest (kinda flat but he’s alright) I just wasn’t rooting for them both as much as I should’ve. It felt like their chemistry was lacking. I do however like finding out that Carmel is a real town! Looks very pretty too.

Thank you NetGalley for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.

The Meeting Point is a sweet reminder that when one door closes, another door opens. When Maya flies from New York to California to surprise her boyfriend for her birthday, she finds herself devastated when her boyfriend’s lift driver has his phone and finds out she’s being cheated on. After a whirlwind day of exploring Carmel at the Lift driver’s suggestion, her boyfriend apologizes and whisks her back to NYC. A year later, when Maya finds herself unable to forget her day in Carmel, she finds out a famous author has written a book about his side of that day’s experience. A spontaneous trip back to Carmel to find her dream man leads to new friendships as she finds her stride on life.
While this is a sweet book about falling in love and second chances, I had a hard time falling in love with the characters myself. A quick, feel-good read but not one that left me sucked in until it was over.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to Netgalley & Aria!

Maya Maas flies to San Francisco to surprise her boyfriend. As soon as she arrives she finds out through a stranger’s text that her boyfriend is cheating on her and has left his phone in the back of a ride-share. Unsure of what to do next, Maya strikes up a conversation through text with the ride-share driver who suggests she go to a beach town, a few hours away to enjoy her birthday weekend. When she gets there, he sends her on a tour around the small town all while playing an AMA type of game, all through text.

The Meeting Point is a fun twist on a second-chance romance. The plot sounded so interesting and it did not disappoint. The storyline is well paced and engaging from the very beginning. While the plot is a little predictable, it’s such a fun journey. (I may have shed a few tears.) I do think the main characters needed some more background info. Some of the secondary characters are given more history than the main two.

This is the first book that I have read from author Olivia Lara but I found it really delightful and I look forward to reading more of her work in the future.

Maya decides to surprise her boyfriend, on her birthday, with a trip but ends up being the surprised one. David left his phone inside a Lift he took and the nice driver, Max, answers the many messages Maya has been sending. He explains that David forgot his phone and ends up telling Maya that she's being cheated on. Confused, alone, and with nowhere to go, Maya accepts Max's suggestion and spends her birthday visiting Carmel by the Sea while exchanging messages with him all day.

Some people say that they knew early on who Max was. To this, I just say that sometimes what matters is not the destination but the journey - all the twists and turns the story has that lead us to the end. It wasn't knowing who Max was that made me like this book any less.

This was a lovely, endearing story that got me glued to it. I enjoyed this reading very much.

Light, funny, sweet, and engaging. I recommend it.

Some notes:
- I would like to know more about Celine;
- Marcel never appeared;
- This book has one of my favorite dedications.

I'm crying this was so PERFECT😭❤️

It's a cute heartwarming and the perfect comfort read.

Tropes- Second chance, small town, hidden identity and HEA.
TW- Infidelity⚠️

The plot revolves around our main character - Maya Maas, who is working as a journalist and wants to be a writer. Maya hates her job, and has a rocky relationship with her long term boyfriend. She soon finds her life falling apart, until she recieves a text form our Mystery Man- the Lyft driver. She proceeds to find that Mystery Man and we see her on a life changing adventure.

Honestly, it's just so well written. I couldn't help but devour it. Maya though a bit oblivious is a very likable lead. Our Mystery Man is pretty good himself and is full of charm. He's reserved, opinionated and a total romantic. The chemistry between the two is amazing. The supporting characters are great as well, I immediately took a liking to them.

While the book is amazing, I did feel the Mystery Man could've revealed himself a bit earlier and the ending was slightly rushed (but the whole story makes up for it). I wanted to see more of the two together.

Would totally recommend it if you need a nice comforting and a quick romance read. There's no spice in it, it's clean.

eARC provided by Netgalley for an honest review.

I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book was so unexpected and I really enjoyed it! The author did a great job of converting how Maya was doing based on her observations. Also, I really want to visit Carmel now.

Chatacters: Maya spends one amazing day in Carmel for her birthday, led by a new and mysterious friend. One year later, she is determined to track him down. Celine is an angel and I want her for my best friend. Ethan is the attractive enigma. Does he like people? Does he actually know who Maya is?

Plot: My mind was spinning to connect the little clues and I thoroughly enjoyed following Maya's adventures and was glad to see her leave NYC. Things moved very nicely, especially once she and Ethan went to the little Broadway show.

Setting: if you want to the perfect friendly small town coastal destination, Carmel by the Sea is your gal. I really want to to see all those fairy houses.

I was genuinely thrilled with this book and can't wait to reread it. I appreciated the clean language and easygoing characters who weren't presumptuous or over the top. It was a delight and I can't wait to see what the author releases next now!

The Meeting Point is a charming, heartwarming romantic comedy with such a unique meet-cute premise!

When Maya Maas’ plans a trip from New York to California to surprise her longtime boyfriend on his business trip, she’s the one who’s surprised when she learns that he’s been cheating on her - and worse, she hears it from the car share driver that finds her boyfriend’s lost phone. On her birthday no less. The mystery driver feels terrible about inadvertently breaking bad news and ruining her birthday, so he offers to give her some travel tips while she’s in an unfamiliar beach town. She takes his advice to distract herself from her heartbreak, not expecting to receive a personalized itinerary or this new virtual companion. But their awkward conversation turns into a seemingly real connection, and Maya realizes that maybe she isn’t so broken-hearted after all, because otherwise she wouldn’t so quickly feel so comfortable with the mystery driver she nicknamed Max. After what feels like a magical day together, they make plans to finally meet in person, only for her to show up and him to stand her up.

A year later, Maya's still thinking about the connection she has for this nameless and faceless person even though she's also frustrated with knowing he didn't show at their meeting point. One day she gets a call from a publisher friend who's reading a blurb from a new book that's about to be published that sounds EXACTLY like her California story from last year. She's fueled by her rage at this author and confused why he's telling her story from Max's point of view, she summons to courage to follow her heart across the country to track them both down. What follows is the story of a woman trying to follow her heart and passion, all while building a new life for herself in a new place.

To say that this book was a joy to read would be an understatement. I found all the characters to be relatable and well-developed, and the friction and sexual tension between Maya and Ethan were palpable. The reveal and resolution at the end weren't a shock exactly, but definitely were satisfying. If you love Emily Henry or the secret identity and enemies-to-lovers tropes, this one is for you!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Head of Zeus for the advance reader copy - this was such a delightful read!

I was given an ARC of this book by NetGalley and Independent Publishers Group. in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

There were times where I didn’t think I was going to like this book, but it ended up being a really cute RomCom. This was a totally cute concept and it was a really easy read. There could’ve been a little more character development, and I would’ve really LOVED a bit more after the big reveal, but in general I really enjoyed it. It also DESPERATELY made me want to visit Carmel by the Sea-I love books that are a love letter to a location!

I did not expect to love this book so much, but it is the perfect cheesy rom-com.

When the book started, I questioned where it would be headed because a lot happens in the first few chapters. Maya travels to California to surprise her boyfriend David, who is on a work trip. Unfortunately, she receives a text from a lift driver explaining that David left his cell phone in his car. From the book's description:

"'Who are you and why do you have my boyfriend's phone?
He left it in my car. You must be the blonde in the red dress? I'm the Lift driver who dropped you two off earlier."

After that bombshell, the book flows really well and keeps you sucked in for the entire duration. There are a few predictable parts (I guessed the twist very early on), but I don't think they take away from the story; they just make it more exciting to see how everything plays out. I will say I'm inspired to write more after reading about two main characters who are writers that are inspired by the world around them!


Note: Thank you to Netgalley & publishers for allowing me access to this book in exchange for an honest review! Please note that all opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.