Amazing. I LOVED IT, I hated it at the same time but in a good way! Meet cute, with an enemies to lovers twist. Honestly this book was refreshing and the plot kept my interest. I have no clue why I kept putting off reading it for so long.

3.5 stars
Maya isn't having a good time. Her birthday was a disaster and her cheating boyfriend was exposed by his Lift driver. The positives? She finds a friend in the Lift driver through her ex-boyfriend's phone.

An unexpected bond was formed between Maya and the driver - I appreciated the uniqueness of their encounter and how we watched their chemistry grow and a relationship form via texting, however, I did find myself skimming these parts and I didn't really get into the plot until Maya made the big decision to find the mysterious Lift driver.

We all knew the driver's identity - Maya was the only one with her head buried in the sand, but I kind of liked the obvious mystery, but when the time came and his identity was revealed, I felt slightly robbed, you know? It ended so soon after the big reveal and I wanted more. I think this is a golden opportunity for some bonus content!

Overall, The Meeting Point was an easy read - a cute romance that is hard not to love. All of the characters were incredibly likeable and I thoroughly enjoyed this journey.

I honestly have mixed feelings about this book. There are some points in the book that I would give 5 STARS and some parts that I would rather... not. I was very intrigued by the synopsis, but as I started reading the book I felt bored. The beginning dragged and I almost DNF'ed. I was at 19% and felt as if I had already read a whole textbook. There was defiantly a lot of FLUBBER that could have been removed. I didn't start to get interested until Maya decided to move to Carmel. But once she was there she decided to make her life complicated. UGHHH She kept lying and making her situation very difficult for herself. As well as the presence of the miscommunication trope *insert vomit emoji here*

I believe the only thing that saved this book was the interesting concept of the book. As well as Maya's and Celine's friendship, the mini-stories Maya writes, the side characters, and the male love interest's care for Maya. The ending (view spoiler) was very underwhelming and did not sit right with me.

*I received an ARC from NetGalley for an unbiased review*

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC for an exchange for an honest review.

Such a good book, highly recommend it.

This was such a heartwarming read! Yes, it was predictable and I found myself wondering how in the world she hadn’t figured out who the real Max is yet, but I LOVED her journey. I’m a sucker for a happy ending and this one did not disappoint! Now, where is my Max?! Thank you: NetGalley, Olivia Lara, and Aria books for the ARC approval.

"The Meeting Point" is a new adult romance following Maya who after finding out her boyfriend was cheating on her, has an unexpected meeting with a stranger that has his phone. The book had quite short chapters and is easy to read, as well as the book not being to long. I do however feel that the chapters could be fewer since there 's 88 chapters.

The book follows Maya, who decides to fly out to meet her boyfriend, but after a stranger she calls Max started answering her messages to him, she finds out that he's cheating on her. But instead of staying at the airport, sulking, the stranger starts writing to her and telling her where she should go. Even though she haven't met this stranger, she feels this connection between them and she starts to fall for him. But before they can meet, Daniel, her boyfriend shows up and she goes back to her normal life without knowing who the stranger was.
A year later, she decides to return to the same city to find him.

This book was a nice read. I really liked Maya and all of the characters in the book. You definately feel for these characters and you just want them to be happy. They were all very developed characters and it really complimented eachother. I especially loved Maya's and Celine'd friendship.

I did however wish that she would figure out who Max was quicker, since I spent more than half of the book knowing who it was.

It was so easy to feel for and to like these characters, and the story was really good too. I would definitely recommend this book, especially if you like these types of stories.

I really enjoyed this book, I love anything that includes anonymous getting to know you. I love the idea of Carmel too and I want to move there immediately and work in a cafe and spend my evenings at the beach!

This book was unputdownable and I loved every minute of it!

Rating: 4,5
I did enjoy this book a lot, it was fun, and an easy read. The story was an ususal love sotry, which was even more appealing as I never heard of a story like this. Throughout the book, i had several suspicions about who Max is, but that changed quite frequently. This made me want to keep reading as I wanted to know whether my assumption was correct. Although, I am not the biggest fan of misunderstanding communication trope, because this was unusual setting, itdid not bother me as much. However, I did not like the way she broke up with David, but some part of me could understand her. Nevertheless, I feel like she should have had a talk with him directly and not run away from it. All in all, it was very refreshing and a new, sweet romance book. I also loved that the characters were writers.

Thank you #Netgalley for the advanced copy!

This was a cute story about Maya, a young woman who goes to visit her boyfriend in SF to surprise him on her birthday weekend. But it does not go as planned, Maya inadvertently uncovers something that will change her relationships. She ends up making the most of her brief visit and has an experience she cannot shed...it haunts her for a year ultimately leads her back there a year later. A fun rom com read for writers and those who love a cute story.

Actual rating is 3.5 stars, but I bumped it up for the star rating.

The synopsis of this book was intriguing to me. The idea you could fall in love with someone under the unfortunate circumstances of them telling you your significant other is cheating on you (on your birthday no less) is interesting. I had to read it. And I did.

the first bit was plagued with classic romance clichés. Now at first I thought "ugh, insta-love trope," and kept slogging through it. BUT it was also kind of a nice twist to the cliché of the 'perfect' date. They aren't even on this 'date' together. But then I was thinking "hmm, we are only 10% of the way through this book. How is the author going to keep this up?" The answer? She isn't.

Despite the instant connection via text texting, Maya ends up going back to her cheating boyfriend (read, expert liar) and resumes her old life. Only, she isn't happy with it anymore as the book then fast forwards a year and we catch up with Maya, who is regretting many of her live choices over the past year. So roughly 46% (I forget because I forgot to write it down. Oops!) of the way through the book Maya is back in Carmel trying to find her mysterious texter only to be blocked at ever turn by an infuriating man.

Now I know some people had the exact opposite reaction I did, but I really think this is where the book picks up and shines. All the clichés romance stuff at the beginning was a bit over the top, but as soon as we got to the part where Maya starting thinking about her own happiness and goes out to find her one-true-love-texter things improve significantly from my point of view. I liked it. She goes back to Carmel and is going to find her 'true love' and is prepared to whatever she needs to to do so. She even makes friends and starts playing matchmaker at her temporary job. Even if a certain man stands between her and her end goal, she's determined. BUT I don't want to give too much away so I will stop at that.

It's pretty well written with segments of text messages and chapters of the books involved in this actual book. (Did that make sense?)

Conclusion?

Though it was pretty obvious who her love interest actually is, it was still a pretty good read. Again, I particularly enjoyed it AFTER the initial romance, when she has to struggle to reconnect with her mystery man...and all the relationships she builds within the town. It kinda goes from an insta-love to a slow burn, which I personally prefer.

So. I have thoughts about The Meeting Point.
I am giving it four stars rounded up. It's probably rather 3.5 and here is why.
I absolutely LOVE a storyline where a girl is going out on her own discovering new things. I LOVE a good tiny town setting. Connection via text? GIMME. All characters were really dreamy and I loved all of them. Including "Max". However, and here is where my 1,5 star minus comes in, I was a bit (read: a lot) creeped out, when I read about him following her for a whole day. It just made me shiver and very uncomfortable. The guy we see on the page and whose texts we read are absolutely lovely and the development of the romance was beautiful. If it hadn't been for the... well, let's call it stalking? I would've been in L O V E with this book.

If you don't mind a guy following a woman for a day without her knowledge, you will love this book! It's so well written and adorable! If it makes you somewhat uncomfortable... either skip the pages, or the book I guess?

This book should be a movie. I hope that someone picks it up and turns it in to a blockbuster. It is heartfelt and emotional. You feel like you are on the journey along with the characters. Great writing!
ARC provided by NetGalley

This book was super cute and I loved the characters. I was cheering them on, laughing with them, crying for them. Loved every second of it!

"I feel more in charge of my destiny than I’ve ever felt. I’m taking the reins, albeit awkwardly, but I am. Truth be told, I’ve never wanted anything that strongly or passionately to fight for it. Coming back to Carmel is the first time. And now that I’m here, I feel this is where I belong."

thank you Netgalley, Aria, and Oliva Lara for the arc!!

getting into this book was so easy to do because of how fast it went, but i somewhat saw the excessive problems happening unnecessary and hard to follow. we jump right into maya's story and how much it changes. even later on many things are hard to understand because of how fast they were happening. throughout the book i tended to see lots of extra details that didn't contribute to the plotline if not only to show time passing, finding it hard to stay interested.

from the beginning, i had really bad feelings about each love interest and really did not like how the they came off as. so creepy to me and honestly thought she was not safe at all. overtime, i learned to love "max" and who he is and how he brings out a different side in her. the adventure aspect of this book is probably my favorite thing about him and the book. i felt like i was really seeing throughout her eyes so many props to the author !!

maya, the main character, seems like such a sweet woman who gives her all into seeing the best into people, which didn't always work out for her. writing her own stories on the people she observed was soso cute. she deserved a lot more than what she got and im so glad she starts to really come back to her best self. she shows so much courage and strength its crazy.

her two closest friends also!! celine had to be my favorite character. seeing the little snippets of her own story is killing me to have more to read about her. such a supporting person who did not have one bad moment. always had everyone's best interest as her first priority and i do hope she continues doing things for herself.

however, i feel like i saw the love interest coming from miles and miles away. the moment they were brought up or something of his was mentioned i just knew it. maybe it was intentional, but waiting and waiting for something to actually happen wasn't even granted until incredibly late into the book. it's almost as if the last 10 pages were just to rush through the reveal and explore nothing into it. a good tactic to get readers to want more, but i personally did not enjoy that.

thinking of it all as a whole, i did enjoy this book and think many others will too!! the description honestly should be enough of a unique way to get you to want to read it. did think more than just a few things could've been better, but i was completely interested none the less. literally finished in two sittings....whoops.

addictiveness: 4/5
sadness: 1.5/5
characters: 4/5
setting: 4.5/5
plot: 4/5
plot execution: 3/5
writing: 4/5
romance: 3/5
comedy/banter: 3.75/5
smut: 1/5

overall: 3.75/5 rounded to a 4/5 ! did not have as much of a romance aspect that i wanted but i was hooked to see what would finally happen between them :)

This book was super sweet, and I think that a wide variety of people would find it enjoyable. It especially resonated with me as someone who identifies as a hopeless romantic, and who wants to believe in true love! However, I think this book handled the somewhat problematic concept of a fairytale romance really well, and the relationship between these main characters felt authentic to read about, and not at all contrived. I really recommend this one!

A charming romance involving lots of texting and phone calls, cheating, books, coffee, a bit of match-making and sunny California!

This is the book to read while you are planning a beach holiday, or when you feel down and lost. I couldn't stop smiling all through the novel, and this book has really good vibes. The story is refreshing, even though the ending is rather sugary to my taste.

Thank you to NetGalley and Head of Zeus for an Advance Review Copy.

LOVED IT. This was a super refreshing romance read that did not feel too copy and paste. Somehow the author managed to wrap so much good stuff into this book that I was dying for more by the time I finished. While the book is written from a single POV (and I do prefer those multiple POV romance reads), it works perfectly because at some points throughout the book you get a glimpse into the love interest's head through a book that was written within the book. This was very cleverly done and allowed for a single POV, but still insight into what the other character was thinking. This book also managed to pull off a bit of enemies-to-lovers which is ALWAYS appreciated. Finally, one of the dreaded romance tropes. The third act breakup. I don't think that this book falls under that category. Yay! While there is conflict in this book, it is throughout the book and adds to each character's personality and arc. Overall, a really well written book that I really enjoyed.

The Meeting Point is so much more than the book description lead me to believe. Yes, Maya does find out her boyfriend is cheating on her thanks to an Uber driver, but that's only the beginning. This book is about friendships, real, true friendships. It's about taking risks on life and love, about standing up for yourself, and about doing what you know is best in your heart and your head.

Maya builds fabulous relationships in her mind, for other people. Yes, she has friends, but it's not until her California journey that she discovers more about herself and what she really wants. She makes deep connections while helping others (even if it is for her secret potential romance).

5/5 Stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Head of Zeus, Aria for providing me with an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Meeting Point starts with poor Maya Maas losing her job. Not willing to let this ruin her birthday, she decides to take advantage of the time off to fly out and surprise her boyfriend. In an unfortunate twist, it turns out her boyfriend had accidentally left his cell phone in the Lift and the Lift driver responds to her texts letting her know the boyfriend is cheating. While this would ruin a trip for most of us, the Mystery Lift driver surprises Maya by giving her a fun itinerary to enjoy her time in the beautiful Carmel by the Sea. After a brief flash forward, Maya spends the rest of the book trying to figure out the identity of her Mystery Man.

I was ALL IN on the romance and the sweet gestures from Mystery Man in helping Maya have a good time despite her boyfriend’s infidelity. The book has such beautiful imagery throughout, it really made me want to take a visit to Carmel by the Sea myself.


Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Netgalley and Head of Zeus for the advance copy of The Meeting Point by Olivia Laura.

Can one chance encounter prove that there is a happily ever after?

What if the Lift driver who finds your cheating boyfriend's phone holds the directions to true love? '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.' And with these words, the life of the brunette and t-shirt wearing Maya Maas is turned upside down. Having planned to surprise her boyfriend, she finds herself single and stranded in an unknown city on her birthday. So when the mystery driver rescues Maya with the suggestion that she cheers herself up at a nearby beach town, she jumps at the chance to get things back on track. She wasn't expecting a personalized itinerary or the easy companionship that comes from opening up to a stranger via text, let alone the possibility it might grow into something more...

While The Meeting Point did not have any steam, the book was the perfect story between Maya and her lift driver. I don’t want to talk too much about anything without spoiling the story.

Maya Maas was a character you learned to love. She really struggled with her life, and I have a feeling a big part of that was due to her boyfriend (ex-boyfriend). But when she visits Carmel-by-the-Sea she transforms into a different person. A person that wants to make everyone else’s life better. I felt for Maya when she struggled with what to do about someone, she thought she loved after a chance encounter, I have been there. I loved seeing Maya’s transformation to someone so much happier.

I loved the supporting characters in this book. Each one (minus Maya’s friend in London), was also struggling like Maya and she helped them through their struggles.

The setting for this book transformed the story. I fell in love with Carmel just like Maya did. I even sent pictures of it to my husband and told him I wanted to visit as soon as possible.

While, I wish Maya would have figured out some things a bit sooner and would not be as naïve, I felt like that made her character even more likable. Overall, this was a delightful, quick read about finding love after a chance encounter. I highly recommend it.