Many of us have fantasized what it would be like to meet our teenage tv/movie crush ~ what we would say, what we would do, how we would throw ourselves at them. I was one of those lucky girls that got to meet a few of the members of very popular boy band in the early 1990’s during my freshman year of college, when they wandered in to our Boston dorm (still don’t have any idea who they were there to see). I didn’t do anything embarrassing (thankfully this was way before social media).

Daxton was the lead in a very popular tv series as a teenager. Kailyn and her best friend, Holly, used to make sure they were home for the show every week without fail. They also use to binge-watch marathons of the show on the weekends after it was over before binge-watching was a thing. When Kailyn ran smack dab into Dax on her way to her first class in law school (and I mean right in to him), it was more than slightly embarrassing, in a cute kind of a way. Then to find out that not only was her teenage crush a student, but in most of her classes, it led to a very unlikely friendship… until it didn’t.

Years later, they meet again when his parents are setting up a trust for Emme, his 13 year-old sister. Kailyn is having trouble seeing past the hurt of their final days of law school. But when Dax and Emme’s life is turned upside down less than six months later, Kailyn is thrust in to their lives, for better or for worse. Together, Dax and Kailyn try to navigate the waters of his teenage sister, while trying to fight Dax’s Aunt Linda so Dax can keep custody of Emme. While sparks fly between them, Kailyn has to make the choice of what’s the right path for her future ~ get Dax to sign on with her law firm and she makes partner or does she take a step back from her career to have a relationship that she’s always wanted.

This is no means my first book by Helena Hunting. I love when authors tackle something newish to them and give us something good. Now don’t get me wrong, this book may not be for everyone. But I thoroughly enjoyed it. It has everything I’m looking for in an escape ~ humor, drama, intrigue, cute banter, angst, heartbreak, misunderstandings and heat. It may be just what you’re looking for.

Meet Cute is so cute!

It follows Kailyn and Daxton as they reconnect after law school. Well...Kailyn is Daxton's biggest fan until after law school. Tragedy happens when Daxton's parents tragically killed in a car accident leaving Daxton to take care of his thirteen year old sister. Kailyn is appointed the conservator of his sister's trust and they are forced to reconnect.

As Daxton is navigating trying to figure out a teenager, Kailyn creeps back into his life and they have a "meet cute" moment.

This is a great rom com and is so stinking cute. Will Kailyn become Daxton's biggest fan again? Will Daxton figure out how to take care of a teenager?

I guess you will just have to read it! It comes out April 9th.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the advance e-galley.

Meet Cute was even better than I had expected.

Having never read anything by Helena Hunting before I didn’t know what kind of book she writes. I was sort of expecting something super fluffy and light and a bit silly. This was SO much more than that.

It was moving and emotional as well as laugh-out-loud funny and completely swoony. Hunting can definitely add me to her list of readers because I need to hunt down more of her books! I loved every minute of this and will shove this book at all of my fellow contemporary readers.

This book turned out much different than I expected. I love Helena Hunting's writing and her rom-coms are some of my absolute favorites in the genre. That being said, this one surprised me because I was expecting some of the same based on the blurb and the cover. There were definitely some fun moments, but it actually ended up being much more emotional to me. That being said, it did not make me like the story any less. I was definitely intrigued to see where the story was going and it definitely had me hooked. I enjoyed the characters and I always look forward to more from Helena.

This wasn’t cute as the title would have you believe. Instead we have two bland characters and a book where the author tells us everything that happens instead of showing us. I’m very disappointed because the blurb sounded promising. But looks can be deceiving.

I think this was the most complex of Helena's books I have read. It's still the cute, sexy, and funny book I have come to expect from her, but this plot was more heavy from previous that I have read.

The banter, enemy to friends to enemies to friends to lovers theme in this book is spot on. I enjoyed every last minute of it. These characters made the book. They are so well developed, I couldn't not connect to them in a way that made the book so mesmerising I almost didn't want it to end.

The protagonist in this story added that extra layer to this story. It added a little kind of side plot that enriched the main plot of the book. It added angst and longing between Dax and Kailyn that was so palpable, I could feel all of their emotions.

This book is an overall extremely enjoyable read. I couldn't put it down. If you haven't picked up one of Helena's books yet, there is no better time than now to start.

So this is a really cute family life book if that is your jam. The best parts of this book are the relationship between Daxton and his 13 year old sister, Emme. They are both trying to figure out life after their parents have died. I loved watching the two of them learn to rely on each other and figure out their new situation. The romance was a little predictable for me and just okay. Great book for anyone that wants more family life in their romance.

I must admit i have not read a Helena Hunting book for a long time and oh how i have missed her amazing writing and story telling this book was so freaking good I’m still trying to wrap my head around how good it was.

This had everything you wanted in a book it was funny to the point i would laugh out loud, i had tears of heartbreak, i was like noooooo and just rushing through the book to get to the end i needed this ending so much.

In this book there were 3 characters who stole my heart Daxton and Emme who were hit with a tradgey that they had to work through together with Emme being only 13 and DAX pretty much becoming her dad overnight these two had a lot to learn. I loved DAX from the start and thought he was funny and just a typical male that is married to his job. I loved his relationship with Emme and how close they were considering there age gap.

Kailyn i really loved as well and the chemistry between her and DAX was hot and you could feel the chemistry off the pages. I really loved the bond that Emme and Kailyn had pretty quickly. Even though Kailyn was also married to her job and wanted to succeed but she also had a heart of gold.

This story was everything from second chance, to lies and deceit, to heartbreak and an emotional story that brings all these characters together. I love how Dax and Kailyn met and I really loved their story and how it evolved and the banter they had

I absolutely loved everything about this book and it’s one of my favs of 2019 loved loved it i wish i could give it more but 5 fangirling stars has to go to this book.

What I loved about this book was the friendships, the banter, the whole storyline got caught in my heart and I found myself feeling like I was a fly on the wall! The characters really drew me in not only because of the sad moments but because of the devoted caring side of Daxton as well as Kailyn!!
These two characters had absolute hearts of gold! No word of a lie and I would gladly have both of them as friends!
Kailyns drive was amazing and the way she was with those close to her was just wonderful!
Daxton has a huge responsibility now and although hes making considerable effort is it enough??
Well you most definitely need to read this heartwarming story for yourself!
One of the best heartfelt stories of this year! Can’t wait to see what the author writes next!!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The title is totally accurate because their "Meet Cute" is adorable. I like the way that the way their relationship progressed. It was believable and respectful to the plot. Kailyn and Dax are super cute together, but it's the moments that both of them interact with his sister when the book really shines.
Definitely a great read. I couldn't stop reading and finished it in one sitting.

The Story

This was surprisingly my first Helena Hunting book and I anticipated it so much! Maybe that's why it was such a letdown for me... Anyway, when I saw the cover of this book, I thought it was just the light fluffy rom-com I needed at the moment. I've been on a contemporary binge at the moment and the blurb to this as well as the few advance reviews seemed to set it up really well.

Meet Cute follows Kailyn's almost-like-fate romance with Daxton. If you've had the chance to read the blurb and you're like me, you'll see that there are elements to this story that have been done before repeatedly. The trope, the second-chance romance, the cute little kid that wins all the hearts... has been done. Yet still, I wanted to read this badly! I find that it isn't the tropes and the overdone characters that fail, it's the execution, and while I find this book wasn't bad at all... It lies somewhere in the 'eh' scale for me.

But still, I think if you want to give this a chance when it releases; forget my review and just go into it blind. This was just personal preference and my opinion is one of many :)

"Sometimes the darkest tragedies bring us the brightest lights."




The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

I thought that this was a cute read and I flew through it in one sitting. It definitely didn't require any hard thinking and I sunk myself in the romance just like I wanted.

That being said, as soon as I started reading I knew the writing style was not for me. It was not descriptive, rather explanatory writing. I found it hard to flesh out the characters and bring them through life because there wasn't a lot of emotion shown in the writing. I really do lean on descriptive prose when reading, especially a romance when the feelings of the characters matter so much. After this, I noticed that a lot of the dialogue seemed off to me. It was unrealistic and uncomfortable at times. Then other times, it was cliche and the lines were cringey;


1)
"I like her even more than I did back then. I wonder if she has any idea how sexy she is. Probably not. Which makes her even hotter."

(It's 2019, many women should know they are beautiful without the whole "you don't know you are and that's what makes it better." please get rid of this mindset. self love is beautiful.)

2)
"I sometimes bandaged so many years ago. But I can’t cover this wound with a Band-Aid. It’s just too deep."

(I wanted more substance to the writing? A lot of the lines felt overdone)

3)
"He makes a gagging sound, and his horrified expression returns. This is far more fun than it should be for a Friday night at the CVS in the Aisle of Red."

(Menstruation is not disgusting, and although this was tackled slightly - I feel like it should have been made more explicit.)

Then came my set of unlikeable characters. I really didn't like Kailyn and Daxton was okay but the only character I was really rooting for was Emme. Even the main antagonist in this story was very predictable. Lastly, the rhythm of this book was jarring at times, often fragmented. This, again is a personal issue and I'm sure many will not pick up on something so simple, but I found that the flow of the plot and the story itself was very unclear.

Overall, I really wish I liked this more. Especially because of how much I anticipated it. This does not go to say I will not read Helena Hunting in the future, I just think this one was not my cuppa.

3.5 stars.

This was an okay book. I liked Daxton and Kailey was a strong, solid character.
This was more somber, serious, than Helena’s usual stuff I feel. I also felt like it was lacking a bit of life, something to spice it up a little.
Overall, it was a solid book but I don’t feel like it added something new to me, sorry.

I adored this book. It felt like a close friend, where I just wanted to stay forever and sit and drink a cup of tea with them.

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you look at the cover and title of Meet Cute?  Is it adorable romantic comedy? That's what came to my mind when I looked at it. As amazing and adorable as the Meet Cute cover and title are, I feel like they did a disservice to the story inside. Meet Cute isn't a romantic comedy. It's an emotional contemporary romance with a couple of funny moments. I guess the blurb kind of lends itself to that, but based on the cover I was expecting a more upbeat story. I'm writing all of this because I think a lot of Helena Hunting fans are going to be surprised (and maybe slightly disappointed) like I was. Not that there weren't some great things about this story. I was just expecting something happier.Meet Cute started off funny and cute enough.

I loved how Kailyn met Dax. I would have loved more of the start of their friendship-ish relationship in college. Things took a turn quickly and fast forwarded to their adult lives, which became complicated and entwined with the death of Dax's parents. At this point, things became sad and depressing. Dax and his teenage sister were left behind. The things they had to go through were tough -- like I would expect. Even though there was a sadness, I actually really enjoyed this scenario. I loved seeing Dax become a father figure to his sister and realign his priorities. Their bond was very sweet. I liked how Kailyn fit into this as well, but that also kind of leads to my biggest issue with this book...Kailyn and Dax are supposed to be lawyers at the top of their law school class. Both have shown in their fields. They are smart adults who should know how and strive to make ethical choices. They don't in this book. I was shocked and frustrated by the choices Kailyn and Dax made. I was shocked that both would make decisions that could have and should have affected what was going on with custody of Dax's sister. It all made me so mad and irritated. I was especially frustrated with how Kailyn handled the situation. I was so irritated that I just wanted to be done reading the book at times.I want to say I loved Kailyn and Dax together, but I didn't care about their relationship that much. I loved what made Kailyn truly start to fall for Dax and some of the moments they had together, but Kailyn's actions drove me nuts. Their relationship was also overshadowed by other relationships in this book. I loved the supportive relationship Kailyn formed with Emme. I loved Emme and Dax's relationship. I loved how the three of them made a family at times.

Those relationships put Kailyn and Dax on the back burner for me.One of the things I loved about Meet Cute was the custody dispute between Dax and his aunt Linda. I knew where it was going, but that didn't bother me. I thought it was well written and executed.

As you can probably tell, Meet Cute had a lot of ups and downs. By the time I got to the end of it, I was ready for it to be over. Then, came the epilogue. It was like being transported back to the beginning of the story where all the cute and fun stuff happened. The ending was adorable, but it didn't fit. To be honest, it felt like an entirely different book was wrapping up. It was a shock to the system. One that I enjoyed, but felt out-of-place. It made me wish the entire book had been like the beginning and the end. Which is sad because while I wouldn't say I loved Meet Cute, I felt the emotional story of Dax and Emme was important. I don't know. I guess I just wish Helena Hunting had decided which direction to go with this novel and stuck with it. Emotional and funny can go together, but they need to be better infused for that to work.

I can’t find anything wrong with this book in particular. I am, however, very disconnected from the characters and find it difficult to muster any kind of interest for the story to reach it’s climax and for the couple to have their HEA. 64% and choosing not to finish.

Thank you to Netgalley for the Arc.

Fun and charming story, but nothing memorable about it. Unfortunately it didn't keep my interest and wasn't invested in it.
I wasn't big fan of her last book either. I think this author's style of writing might just not be for me.

I really enjoyed this very entertaining story of Kailyn and Daxton! Daxton was a teen heartthrob on a TV show years ago and teen Kailyn was a big fan. Then, they meet in law school, and although there are some sparks Kailyn is trying to overcome being such a fangirl around him. They meet again years later when Kailyn is creating a trust for Dax's little sister. Kailyn has held a grudge against Dax since law school due to a misunderstanding. Gradually as Dax's situation changes and Kailyn has to get more involved in his sister's life they realize how they feel about each other. Fun, entertaining romance with a great storyline.

I initially picked this book up because the cover is adorable and it’s written by Helena Hunting who writes some amazing rom-coms. I didn’t expect it to be so emotional, but I really enjoyed it nonetheless.

Kailyn and Dax have an interesting relationship. The first time they meet, it’s in law school. Kailyn runs into Dax and very much fan girls all over him. He is the star of one of her favorite teenage tv series. Then they become law school rivals. At the end of law school, Kailyn kind of hates him.

When Kailyn and Dax meet again, 8 years later, Kailyn is still holding a grudge. And Dax isn’t quite sure why. They develop a professional relationship even though Kailyn is leery at first. When Dax suffers a huge loss and has a life changing moment where he’s now the guardian of his teenage sister, Kailyn is there for him. They quickly go from enemies to friends and then it starts to develop into so much more.

I loved Kailyn’s obsession with Dax’s show. Even when she hated him, she loved that show. It made me smile. One of my favorite parts of this book was the relationship both Kailyn and Dax had with Dax’s little sister, Emme. Kailyn was so great with her and the type of female influence she needed. And Dax only wanted what was best for Emme and loved her so much.

The banter between these two was great. And the sexual tension... I’m always here for that. As I said, this was much more emotional than I initially thought it would be and a slow burn for sure, but it did have some moments that made me laugh and smile and some steam as well. If you’re looking for an enemies to lovers type romance that will give you some feels, pick this one up!

Meet Cute had all the trappings of a good romcom, childhood crush, enemies to friends to lovers. It wouldn't be titled meet cute if there wasn't one right? That's where it started for Dax and Kailyn, one run in and college rivals. Years later they meet again as Kailyn now successful trust fund lawyer takes care of Dax's sister's. After a tragic event happens it brings Dax qnd his sister Emme closer, now Kailyn is part of that too.

I like that there's that conflict that made things unsure whether Dax and Kailyn get together for the real deal or cause Kailyn needs something from him. Also there is that baggage that Dax is his sister's legal guardian. Seeing these three together is sweet and emotional at times, the siblings getting used to their loss and all the changes that come with.

It had heart warming and sweet moments between Dax and Emme, Emme and Kailyn and all three together. Kailyn fell for the brother seeing beyond her initial impressions of him. It was natural how it flowed with the sister too, like a big sister mom figure. Helena Hunting did a good job with all the lawyer legal stuff, that I know of anyway, it was right to the point and added good conflict. I had fun with this and it was entertaining. The author does romcom well, this had a feel good way about it.

3.5 Cute Meet Meets Real Stars
* * * 1/2 Spoiler Free
For those who love RomComs, the traditional opening scene is a "Cute Meet"... a mistaken identity, bumping into the hottest guy only to have him be your (insert) boss, professor, neighbor, science partner, and or slamming into "The One" with a huge drink or hand full of files go all over the person who was bumped. Chemistry is hidden by the confusion of the event and any other circumstances thrown in. This first meeting will set the tone, the foundation for what will be the thrust of the relationship for the two who meet.

As a movie lover and romance reader, these opening moments can make or break the following story. When done well, you are carried away with the wish fulfillment of a connection or interest to see where all this ends up because we all are there for the guaranteed happily ever after. In Helen Hunting's Cute Meet has a very funny, embarrassing and sweet meeting between the two main characters.

Kailyn Flowers is a repeating her positive mantras as she approaches her first class for law school. As an adopted daughter loved by her father and healing from the loss of her mom, she is determined to be on the path of achievement. She is visualizing all of the steps for success...perfect grades, winning debates, graduating top of her class and eventually becoming a partner before thirty. She is focused crossing the campus, determined on not being late and clearing all nerves, she isn't paying attention to what is going on around her...

Which is why she is in the exact position where a guy is running full tilt to capture the freebie heading for Katlin's head. Well, the freebie doesn't hit Katlin but the guy does end up taking her down with him on top of her and all of her stuff. As Katlin and the guy sort themselves out, she mutters sorry and then she takes a real look at him. Yes, he is built and yes, he is handsome but there is something more about him...and then it hits Katlin...

O.M.G. IT'S DAXTON HUGHES...The Daxton Hughes of It's My Life!!!

What happens next is something Katlin couldn't stop no matter how hard she tried...Massive Fangirling to the point of almost being that cray-cray girl. This show was her safe place growing up after her mom's passing and Dax was her girl crush. The importance of that show and Dax was something which had real importance in her life. So here she was...babbling about the show, episodes and how this accident was exactly from which season with the appropriate characters.

Dax untangles himself from this woman who has sparkling eyes flashing before him. Even though she is going on and on about the show he was part of for most of his life, she seems to be quite logical and cute. Dax settles her down and quietly says how he was trying to keep a low profile here at college, so if she could stop with the It's My Life stuff that would be cool...When Katlin hears that she starts to nod and apologize again. Dax checks to see if she is ok says he was sorry for running into her and gives her a goodbye wink.

Katlin still stunned by meeting her crush from her youth and is annoyed she is getting to the class only just in time rather than early as she had planned. There are almost no seats left so she has to climb over others to get to one. As she is almost there, her foot hooks onto a bag's strap on the floor causing her once again to fall...and into the seat near Dax and his pals.

Dying...

These two end up challenging each other during their law school years and a friendship of sorts was established. Unfortunately, things happened which left an awful taste in Katlin's mouth causing her to never think of Dax without remembering the sour results.

Fast forward eight years to now. Katlin is an established attorney who specializes in trusts. She likes her firm and hopes to achieve the goal she had set with her dad, make partner by the time she turned thirty. Her dad passed before he could see all of her success and when she lost him, working nonstop was the only way to get through her pain. She also assists her best friend who handles family situations. She pushes her boss to do pro bono work with foster cases. Katlin is a prized part of the firm; she has a very strong reputation.

When she has an appointment with a new couple to establish a trust for their daughter, Katlin never expected for it to be anything but the usual...and it would have been except sitting in the conference room with the couple is their son, Daxton Hughes.

Damn, he sure grew up and became even hotter than he was before. Well, Katlin was not the law school student he knew before...and she was a professional. She put her game face on and handled everything perfectly. Dax had become an entertainment lawyer and was there to support his parents. Katlin got through it, was distant but pleasant and arranged the trust.

What happens next is the way life works... it never is fair when our loved ones are taken in a moment. Katlin knows all to well this type of pain so when Dax needs assistance to understand the trust and how it works with him becoming his sister's guardian, Katlin is there for him.

This tale is more than a romance between two people. It is focused on Dax, his sister Emma and the way they now have to figure out what their lives are like now...how to handle it all and deal with the pain. How Katlin's boss presents a partnership to her with strings attached and then the conflicts of trying to handle her feelings for Dax and her obligations to Emma.

It's Complicated.

And because it is complicated, there were things which were part of this tale which caused me to question Katlin's reasoning. Although Dax was everything she had wanted and more...the attorney/client questions took me a bit out of the story. I also had a strong sense of where everything was going from the start, however, it didn't stop me from enjoying most of my time with Emma and Dax.

What was so touching was Emma, Dax's sister and the way she bonded with Katlin. The two of them together was lovely. Dax also took on being Emma's guardian with all his heart. So this was a win for the family angle.

Cute Meet had the cute, had angst and had the Happily Ever After...

A gifted copy was provided by Forever (Grand Central Publishing) via NetGalley for an honest review.