I enjoyed the story. But i thought it was a romance. I didn’t even see a hint of one 70% through. It was more about her rediscovering herself and what she is capable of. It was a good story. I think it was cute and very encouraging.
 i enjoyed it. I liked how it ended. I like the message that is basically you can find happiness in the unlikeliest of places. That home isn’t always where you grew up and home is the place where you feel happiest and gives you a feeling of belonging. And love can follow when you’ve found your own happiness within yourself.

I think it is just personal opinion and preference, but this book was just lacking something for me.  I liked the way it was written and I liked the overall writing, but it just didn't get a full 5-stars for me.  I did enjoy the cover art; it really pulled me in and made me want to read this book.  Surely, other people did love it and I am very thankful to have read it.  Trust me, I really wanted to love this one because the premise sounds great!

"Meet Me on Love Lane" succeeds as a book about growth, self-discovery, and going back to your roots. Because of the title and the cover, I was under the impression it would be a romance. Even though there is some romance, it is not the focus of the book and coming in with that expectation dulled the experience just a bit; but setting aside its category, it is charming, well-written and very heart-warming. The characters are very likable as well. The pacing was a bit slow at times and I felt I had to suspend disbelief with the main the main character's memory issues and the fact that no one ever thought to press on conversations that would help her remember. It seemed like every time a conversation would get to the point were an issue could be resolved, someone would conveniently be distracted or jus change the subject for no apparent reason. It felt a bit contrived and unnecessary since the characters and the backstory were strong enough to carry an interesting, engaging story without going around in circles about easily solvable issues. 

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

When I requested this novel I was into the idea of reading this novel but I discovered that I was unable to provide feedback on this book due to the series being archived prior to download and file/download issues. Again, I am sorry for the inconvenience of not being to review and thank you for taking the time to provide me an ARC of this novel.

I absolutely adore this series. The author is so gifted with the slowburn, relationship build up. I found myself completely immersed in this story and on pins and needles waiting for their HEA.

I loved the wit and energy of this book. From page 1, I was sucked in and I couldn't get enough. The characters stole my heart and I didn't want the book to end. The wit, energy, small town vibes were just what I needed when I read it.

I don’t think this was the right story for me. I tried it shortly after reading (and not really liking) Bocci’s first book in this series. If you like small towns and slow burn (with no steamy scenes), this book may work well for you. Unfortunately I didn’t feel attached to the storyline and decided to DNF at 20%

This book was so cute! If you are a fan of romance you need to get your hands on this series. Charlotte, the protagonist, is a strong woman who returns to her hometown after a series of failures in her professional life. Throughout the story, she becomes reacquainted with her childhood friends and the town she was forced to leave after her parents’ divorce. I adored this story and all the characters in it. I don’t think there is enough room in this review to even begin to describe GiGi, Charlotte’s sassy grandmother, but she was my favorite of the bunch! Add this one to your reading list if you are need of something light and easy to read, but still well written.

Oh, what took me so long to read this one! I so enjoyed it and downloaded the next one this morning (YAY!).  Charlotte comes back to Hope Lake, the first time in two decades, after losing her job. She comes back at her lowest point and doesn't remember much of anything from her time there including most of the people there but after some time there she finds she has really come home. This one is filled with all the feels and even if you have not read the first book you will not be lost with this one. Can best friends at 10 turn into more at 3o?  Charlotte doesn't remember who Henry is, he is caught in her memories but once those memories flood back there is no stopping the joy. Definitely a recommendation from me!

**Received this ARC for review from the publisher via NetGalley**

Traveling With T’s Thoughts:

I’m going to be totally honest- the cover is what made me check this book out. And then when I got to reading the back cover summary- well, I just had to have it. I didn’t realize (at first) that this was a second book in the series and I am SO glad there will also be a third book to look forward to- now I gotta go back and read book 1!

What I Liked:

Well the cover (obviously!)

The whole setting- girl goes back to her home town after suffering some professional life rejection and finds herself getting back to her roots and making friends and living her best life….. all in a town that she was not sure she would enjoy.

The two men in Charlotte’s life- both complement her in ways- but will either be able to convince her to stay and make a go at love and life on Love Lane?

 

Bottom line: Perfect for Hallmark movie fans- it’s got some sweetness, some life lessons and leaves you with a good and warm feeling. Recommended beverage to enjoy while reading- hot chocolate!

this book was adorable and gave me some gilmore girls/stars hollows vibes.  the friends to lovers trope is one of my favorites.  this book taught us that, even with all of the hurt/trauma that charlotte expereinced, you can always go home again.  will definitely be recommending this book to other people.

I loved this second book in this fun Heartless Romantics series! Charlotte is my perfect leading female character: strong, smart, sassy, a little bit insecure, and an all around wonderful person. She's bound and determined to get her life back in order--temporary setback and all that. But she didn't count on love. Falling in love that is. 

And Henry is the perfect balance for Charlotte. Steady, steadfast, reliable. Awesome. Sexy AF. I loved how he managed to irritate the hell out of Charlotte, but also show her that she's amazing and enough. 

Can't wait for more in this series!

At ten years old Charlotte and Henry were best friends torn apart by Charlotte's parents bitter divorce.  Due to her mothers efforts to erase their life in Hope Lake and as a means of coping, Charlotte shuts away memories of her childhood, especially those of Henry who she loved most next to her father and grandmother.  Twenty years later after her mother as died, Charlotte finds herself back in Hope Lake living with her grandmother,  Memories of her childhood try to make a reappearance as Charlotte looks for her next path in life.  Will the path stop in Hope Lake, or will it lead her back to New York?

I enjoyed reading Meet Me on Love Lane.  The characters were fun and I loved the homey small town feel the story gave me.  The friendship between Emma, Cooper, Nick, Henry and Charlotte was something to admire.  A life long bond that was written beautifully with love and humor.  There were a few sections that I thought moved a little too slowly, but I was satisfied with the conclusion.  

My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book and offer my unbiased opinion.

I was not able to get through this book. 
Shh Moms Reading is a blog about book we enjoy so no review ran for this book.
Thank you for the opportunity

This one was so much better, in my opinion, than the first in the Hope Lake/Hopeless Romantics series. The romance made a lot more sense and the man in question was way more appealing.

Charlotte returns to her hometown jobless after 20 years away and can’t believe how much it’s changed or how different it is from what her now deceased mother told her. She beats herself up about not coming home all that time, especially when her dad and grandmother (who is not in the best of health) have been there and have been a constant support for her all these years. Still, even as she reconnects with her best friends from childhood and everything falls into place, she stubbornly holds on to the idea that Hope Lake is a temporary stopover before she returns to her “real life” in NYC.

Making her rethink that is Henry, the childhood best friend she can’t seem to remember but with whom she clearly still has a strong bond, the perfect job, her family, and her renewed friendship with Emma, who we met in On the Corner of Love and Hate (book 1). I loved Henry, the sweet, bookish, sensitive guy who wears his heart on his sleeve, Charlotte’s feisty grandmother Gigi, and picking up with characters
from the previous book, particularly Emma. Hoping the series keeps on the upswing for the third book!

Meet me on Love Lane was a very sweet story, full of swoony moments. Charlotte is a young woman who is really fighting the idea of coming back to her hometown, but she does not have a choice. Her reticence will begin to fade once she starts remembering what is like to live In Hope Lake and how its people is.
I liked Charlotte; she was determined, awkward and funny. I loved Gigi and I have a huge crush on Henry (can I have one, please?), he was so sweet. It was a nice and easy to read story, it got me distracted from all the terrible news around us nowadays and it was the perfect distraction, a very enjoyable read. 
I also liked the way things ended up and now I am curious about Parker. 
This is the first book by Nina Bocci that I read and I can definitely say that I will keep an eye on her. I admit I did not read the first book in this series and even when it does not affect the story, I wish I had read it to know the story about Emma and Cooper

This book took me a while to read due to personal reasons so I am EXTREMELY late in posting a review. All that aside...

I was utterly enamored with the first book in the series and thus was excited to get my hands on this book. I wouldn't classify it as a contemporary romance, though there is a romance and the couple does figure things out later on in the book. The focus seems to be on Charlotte and figuring out who she is not that she's back in town after being gone for so long.

I think if we could have seen more evolution between Henry and Charlotte earlier on, I would have been able to give this book a higher rating. Or, if the book were actually a chick lit (the premise being on Charlotte rather than her romance with Henry), that would have made more sense to me. 

Regardless, I continue to enjoy Bocci's writing. It is very distinct and she has a knack for details.

Meet Me on Love Lane is the second book in the Hopeless Romantics series by Nina Bocci. It can be read as standalone, however each book is set in the town of Hope Lake. Three best friends finding love in small town, USA. If you read On the Corner of Love and Hate then you will remember Henry, the nerdy-hot high school teacher. Well, this is his story! 

Twenty-one years. It’s been twenty one years since Charlotte Bishop was in her hometown. She didn’t consider it as “coming home” when she decided to go to Hope Lake for the summer. She was visiting. She was working out what her next step was before going back to New York. There was no way she was going to be staying, her mom warned her to never go back. That it would suck her in and keep her in a bubble. Well, now her mother was gone and she was broke and desperate. It was time to see the town she called home until she was ten. Except when she got there...she didn’t recognize any of it. The buildings. The homes. The people. She knew three people. Her dad. Her Gigi. And Emma.

Henry couldn’t believe she was back. Even if only for a day. A week. A year. They were best friends from the moment they held hands into kindergarten until the day she left. It should had been an exciting reunion except she didn’t remember him. At all. He didn’t want to push her. He wanted her to remember their times together on her own. Not just his side of the past. He also didn’t want to be hurt all over again when she walked away. And he really didn’t enjoy the looks Dr. Max was giving her. 

Max had heard of Charlotte of course since her father was his partner in their practice but he had no idea how beautiful she really was. And funny. And spunky. He was smitten from the moment he saw her. He wanted to get to know her. If only, she had a minute of two to relax after Emma offered her a deal she couldn’t refuse. A flower shop to run. 

Charlotte was overwhelmed. She had no idea how much she would enjoy the small town life and the people in it. She was torn between her past and her present. She didn’t even think she would date while she was figuring out what was up next. And now, two men were vying for her attention. Will she fall for the one she grew up with or the one she is just learning about? And will she stay past August? 

I thought this was an absolutely treat. I do love small town romances and this was an adorable and inspirational one. I loved the characters. All of them. Friendship is amazing, isn’t it? Even after going two decades without speaking. I am excited about The Ingredients of You and Me. It’s going to be a crazy-fun ride. 

P.S. I ♥️ Gigi!! 

Quotes: 

“You sound more like a hipster than a grandma,” I teased, brushing some of her icy-white hair from her forehead. 
“I’m not a fan of the almond milk, so they took my hipster badge away,” she said quickly. 
I was glad that her wit and wits were still sharp as a tack.

“You keep doubting the power of Hope Lake. I can’t wait to prove you wrong.”

Gigi was waiting in the foyer for us. “I made dinner,” she announced just as we crossed the threshold. 
“Oh God, Mother, why?” 
“Dad!” I yelled. “Not nice.” 
“You’ll say the same thing once you eat it.” 
“For that comment, Andrew, you’ll get seconds and like it.” “Shit.”

nina bocci is a cute one. i enoyed this one but i do wish i that i knew it was a second book in a series. i wanted to know that beforehand.

Back in October, I read On the Corner of Love and Hate, the first in Nina Bocci’s Hopeless Romantics series. Unfortunately, I just wasn’t crazy about it. But when I saw this new novel in the series, Meet Me on Love Lane, I just knew I wanted to read it – and I’m so glad! Once again, we are back in the adorable, yet progressive small town of Hope Lake where we first met Emma, Cooper, Henry, and Nick. This story is about their childhood friend Charlotte that moved away when they were ten years old. After her career taking a nose-dive in NYC, Charlotte returns to Hope Lake to stay with her Dad and her grandmother, Gigi in order to save money, regroup and get back to the city to start again. When she gets to Hope Lake, she not only doesn’t recognize anything but realizes she has very few memories of her best friends and her time spent growing up there. Although she plans on returning to New York and her best friend Parker as soon as possible, she soon finds herself torn between two men, running a new flower shop, and falling in love with her home town. 

Like On the Corner of Love and Hate, this is a long book. However, I really loved reading this one. Charlotte is a likable and relatable protagonist and I found myself very quickly invested in her story. Her grandmother Gigi is one of the best characters that I have encountered while reading in quite some time. Dear Lord, please let me be just like her when I’m ninety! Then there is the absolutely wonderful, hot, sexy specimen of perfection – Henry. I fell in love with him instantly and it did nothing but deepen throughout the novel. The other love interest, Dr. Max, was great too, but oh my goodness – Henry… 

Anyway, the plot and subplots to this novel held my interest, were entertaining, and kept me engaged. I was rooting for Charlotte the entire time, although, like Charlotte, I wasn’t quite sure what I was rooting for at first. But about halfway through I thought to myself, “how wonderful would it be to return to such an amazing home town and start over with friends and family from your childhood?”

This ended up being a 4-star read for me and there was only one reason that I am not rating this 5-stars. Like the previous book in the series, I found it to be too long. It definitely was not as long and tedious as On the Corner of Love and Hate, but there were several times I found myself starting to skim over the pages when things became yawn-worthy and arduous. One minute everything would be exciting, interesting, and so on. But then there would be pages of a conversation that seemed very unimportant or pages of situations that could have been resolved much earlier. It reminded me of when I used to be grading essays by my high-school English students and I would realize that they used every word possible to meet the word-count and/or page requirement, regardless of whether it was relevant or enriched the paper in any way. If not for that, this would be a perfect, 5-star read. 

Nevertheless, I certainly recommend Meet Me on Love Lane to fans of small-town romance and friends-to lover romance. The setting is amazing and the characters are well-developed and extremely likable. Now I just have to muster the patience to wait for the 3rd in the series about Parker and Nick!

*Thanks to NetGalley and Gallery Books for providing this review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.