‪One of the things I felt so connected to was the honesty of the main character, Meg, and her loneliness...the ache of loneliness, despite her current professional success. I’m about to start what should be a dream job in a new town, and I relate to this ache. ‬

‪The story is also a love letter to New York. The way the city is written feels so intimate and accurate and I can smell, and taste, and hear, and see everything so clearly. Leaving NY in December left me broken-hearted and this book was like a balm‬.

‪It gave me permission to be creatively blocked and hope that I won’t remain this way for long. That the world around us offers inspiration and I need to get out there and find it. Also, I need to take more walks! (Even in LA!)‬

‪I learned that I am a lot like the main character, Meg. I retreat from conflict and run when things get heated. I want to learn to fight...fight for things worth keeping and staying for. It’s ok, in fact, often necessary, to FIGHT for and with those you love. ‬

‪And...I’ll just put it out there........REID is the sexiest character I’ve read in so long. Integrity is sexy. Honesty is sexy. Saying I’m sorry is sexy. Consent is sexy. Numbers are sexy. Masterpiece Theater is sexy. Whoooo wheeee...this guy... *fans self*‬

‪In closing, this thread is my love letter to LOVE LETTERING. ❤️❤️❤️ I’ve read it twice now and both times I want to hug my kindle and scream at @kateclayborn for being so amazing and talent. :)

I actually read this months ago but just waited to talk about it. I didn’t love this book. It was a good but not great read for me. It felt more like women’s fiction, but that is fine with me because I enjoy WF too. There was a lot of emphasis on the Meg’s work and it felt like too much at times. There is a subplot where Meg and her roommate/former best friend work on repairing their relationship but it also felt like this was a more important relationship to Meg than the romantic one with Reid. And I am not opposed to that, female friendships are incredibly important and I wish that we as a culture talked more about healing from broken friendships. All that to say, this book was fine but was missing something for me as a reader. Something that I find hard to describe. I think if you’ve read and enjoyed Kate’s previous books, you will enjoy this one as well.

I found myself relating so much to the romantic relationship in this book, to the point where it almost became too painful to read and I had to put the book down a few times. I loved the quiet moments between the characters, how they noticed the little nuances about each other, and found common ground despite coming from different backgrounds. The elaborate but never gratuitous descriptions of the hand-lettered signs, the way New York City was a character in itself, and the delightful supporting characters all gave me so much joy. I would definitely recommend this book for fans of NYC, creative types, and anyone who can relate to feeling blocked or feels like they're always "going along" with other people's plans in life.

This book was so enjoyable and fun. It was unpredictable and unique and I really enjoyed reading it.

Strong writing and a unique career and story-line for the heroine, Meg [and hero, Reid, for that matter] makes this book a standout. I really enjoyed the originality and characters in this one. The growth of Meg throughout the story was believable and well done. The pacing of the romance was a nice steady slow-burn. A great way to start 2020, definitely recommended for contemporary romance readers.

This love story of a lettering artist and a financial numbers analyst is one of the strongest contemporary romances I’ve seen this year.
Meg is supposed to be hand-lettering Reid Sutherland’s wedding program. She’s *not* supposed to be slipping in secret messages about how she thinks the match is doomed. And Reid’s *definitely* not supposed to pick up on those, call off the wedding, and one year later show up to ask Meg what the hell she’s up to. It’s an excruciatingly awkward beginning, which makes the richness of the emotional payoff all the more satisfying.
This is the first Kate Clayborn I’ve read. It won’t be the last—this book is utterly captivating, with a voice that leaps forward and then back on itself, like a series of curling loops inked a blank page. Dizzying, in the way of good champagne.
A new year is a blank page, too, and this story has so much to say about blank pages. Planners, agendas, weddings, fresh starts, new relationships, creative blocks, new upheavals in old relationships—what words and pictures and numbers we use to fill the spaces in our lives. To draw connections where once was nothing. Friendships, romances, family, the relationship with one’s own self. It’s a bit like New York, to which this book is very much a love letter: the epic shapes you see from faraway are full of secret details and revelations when you go look up close.
Highly recommended for anyone who has strong opinions about secret codes, typefaces, planners, or pens.

This book was so adorable, just as expected! I loved the unique approach to this contemporary romance by tying in calligraphy aspects. I loved seeing how Meg and Reid saw things and how creative Meg was. Kate Clayborn was able perfectly maintain the theme throughout the book and it made it that much better. This romance is a slow burn, friends to lovers, and it was worth the build-up!! I loved seeing little glimpses of Reid’s soft side and how much Meg grew throughout the book. Kate Clayborn beautifully tied in a lot of fun, impactful friendship elements into this book, making it way more than a romance novel. I genuinely felt like I learned things from this book and was able to view things from a different perspective, which I am really grateful for. If you’re looking for an adorable, whimsical, completely unique, slow-burn romance, or even just a good book about friendships and growth...go grab a copy of this book! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Thank you so much to Kensington Books for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I am so grateful!

This was such a fun original idea with a unique meet cute. Reid and Meg started out as near total strangers who built a tentative friendship despite being so different from one another. This made for a very slow burn where Meg slowly revealed subtle layers in Reid's personality, and also opened up to him as they spent more time together. I loved the descriptions of all the artistry with the lettering as I am always captivated watching someone who can pen a gorgeous word in one confident try. I'll definitely be more aware of the handwritten signs around me. This was a very nice read.

“Love Lettering” has a little bit of mystery weaved into a heartwarming romance. The romance between Meg and Reid was difficult and emotional at times but the way they worked through situations was always profound and thought-provoking. I often found myself asking if I would have done the same things.

It did have a bit of a slow start for me but I was turning pages soon enough once it grabbed me and never put it down after that.

I felt like I learned a lot about The “Lettering” profession, which I knew nothing of prior. It has definitely left a mark with me as I catch myself looking around at signs and writing.

This was my first Kate Clayborn novel and I am excited to read future works.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for fair and honest review.

I absolutely loved this book. I will admit that the very beginning of the book I was confused as Meg a talented hand writing artist described the thoughts in her head.

Meg has built a brand around her hand writing and she has a huge business opportunity but she is dragging around Brooklyn in a creative slump. While working at her friend's shop, she is surprised when a man from her past walks in, Ried. Over a year ago Meg worked for Reid and his fiance when she hand drew their wedding program. But she secretly hid the word MISTAKE between the letters.

Ried confronts Meg about the word. As he tells her how much he hates New York she decides to take a chance and ask Ried to help her with her creative block. Ried helps Meg by creating games that entice her letter love and his numbers love.

This book has it all! A beautiful creative romantic comedy with plot twists, drama and some unexpected action! I absolutely loved all the different ways this book took.

Oh, GOSH. Where to even start with how much I loved this book. Such a gorgeous story and it made me miss New York fiercely with its visual prose. I loved everything about Meg and Reid’s journey and the end was immensely satisfying, but the build to get to that point made me just as happy. This might be my favorite of Clayborn’s books yet.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

3 stars!

Love Lettering ends its first chapter perfectly. Like, it's been a while since a first chapter hit me with full impact. It gets doozy in the middle, and picked up the plot again after 80% mark. The ending was suitable and satisfying. Overall, it is not your average funny romance (it has its moment), but it deserves your time if you do love romance.

This is easily one of my top 5 books of 2019 (and I read over 200). In a word, it’s lovely…a beautiful, slow-burning contemporary urban romance that is both a love letter to New York City and a love story that defies the common tropes found in most books of its genre.

It all begins with a M-I-S-T-A-K-E, secretly incorporated in a wedding program designed by Meg, an uber-talented calligrapher and artist. One year later, Reid, the groom (who has a gift for numbers and deciphers the code) seeks her out to ask how she knew that his relationship was doomed. Since she’s experiencing a creative block and could use a friend, and he hates NYC and is eager to finish up a work project so he can move away, she invites him to seek out literal signs throughout the city in the hopes that she’ll find inspiration and he’ll come to appreciate her adopted home. He suggests making it a game, and, in the process, they go from awkward encounters to thoughtful conversations, resulting in a love that embraces their differences and celebrates their respect for and loyalty to each other. Although there is angst, conflict, and a surprising twist that tests the strength of that loyalty and their feelings for each other, Clayborn doesn’t rely on manufactured miscommunication and lies to create drama. Reid is a flawed, but lovely, respectful, swoon-worthy hero, the antithesis of the controlling alpha males prevalent in popular romance. Meg has a successful business and a clear vision for her future, so her feelings for Reid aren’t based on a need for him to direct her life. The female friendships in which women celebrate and support each other, even the way that Meg and Sibby painfully navigate their evolving relationship, are another refreshing element in this enchanting novel.

It is clear that Clayborn respects the intelligence of her readers by creating a story that celebrates the relationship between the imagery of hand-lettered signs and the patterns found in numbers. In a field dominated by books that feature explosive or sexually-loaded relationships, it is refreshing and comforting to witness a romance that builds slowly and acknowledges the complexity of emotions involved. Highly recommended!


I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Kensington Books through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

When I first came across Love Lettering a few months ago, I wasn't sure it was going to be for me but eventually let myself get swept up in the excitement and wonderful early reviews. I'm disappointed that I haven't enjoyed this as much as other readers seem to have. I found the writing really difficult to get through: between each single line of dialogue there were often three or four paragraphs of exposition, meaning that two line exchanges took actual pages to get through. It left me with the feeling not that it was beautifully written, but that it was trying really, really hard to be beautifully written. I felt as though I was dragging myself through it, continuously waiting to feel as blown away by Love Lettering as others were.

Kate Clayborn does it again! I loved everything about this book. Ms. Clayborn's books make my heart ache and my mouth smile and my eyes cry. She makes me feel all the feels and then squeezes me just a little more. Her books have something extra, something other books are unable to make me feel. I think it's maybe joy in the actual reading of the words. Her words, in the order she puts them, are lovely and sharp and tender and full.

Wow! Love Lettering by Kate Clayborn was definitely a book worth reading. The whole plot was unique. Different than my usual romance titles, this book hit a spot others didn't. There was this huge emotional rollercoaster. Happy, shy, intense, fear, sad, and romantic that I was hooked. I was deeply into the characters' lives. Their thoughts and feelings excited me. Their actions were just as entertaining.

Inside this book, a young woman is very good with letters and letter codes. She hasn't exactly found her exact career yet until a particular man steps into her life. This man is just as good at numbers and codes as she is with letters. I found it interesting. The pair was a perfect setup. But I kept wondering what would become of them.

The raw emotions and tensions rolled into this epic thunderstorm. I was not sure of the outcome. However, Kate Clayborn caught my attention and kept it. The plot was a bit slow in the beginning and then sped up gradually. Like a new learner to driving. It doesn't happen over night. The story was charming, warm, and realistic.

Love Lettering is the type of novel that kept me constantly on the edge wondering what next. I enjoyed it.

Now that I’ve read the full book, I can honestly give this the 5 star rating it deserves. I absolutely loved this romance and agree with every praise it’s received. Yes, this novel is about a romance between two characters, but it’s so much more. It’s about mistakes made, about friendships falling apart, but most of all it’s about staying and sorting things out.
Meg and Reid are in every sense opposites of each other, yet they compliment each other so well. I loved how we got to see them go from awkward strangers to kind of friends to something. I loved how they came to understand each other despite their difference, how they embraced each other’s quirks instead of trying to change them. Most of all, I loved how they encouraged and supported each other. They’re definitely relationship goals!
I like to also mention Meg’s growing distance with her friend Sibby. I love how the plot weaves that thread through the story and I genuinely liked how the conclusion wasn’t what I thought it’d be. It was refreshing and satisfying.
All in all, this is a must read!

I really enjoyed Love Lettering. It is a really sophisticated and elegant romance that had me completely invested in the characters. Meg was this super talented artist who just sort of existed in a life where she avoids all conflict. Reid is a man who lives by numbers and rules but not emotion. Life is very black & white for him while Meg sees art in everything. They shouldn’t fit but they have more in common than you would ever think. I liked how flawed they both were because they were real and so relatable. Of course the circumstances of how they meet and begin their relationship make you wonder when everything is going to blow up in their faces.
I liked the steam of this book and definitely liked the little bit of intrigue/drama that I never saw coming. Overall, it was a beautiful, sensual and heartwarming story that had many layers. The writing is incredible elegant and you will be pulled into this story. As a native New Yorker, it even made me love NYC a little bit more when I think of all the hidden gems and history there that I will pay a little more attention to next time I’m navigating the city streets.
I highly recommend Love Lettering.
I received an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I am not really sure how to describe this book, exactly. I just know that I loved it.

The author has done a wonderful job with these characters, the two main characters are very different people on the surface but they actually have a lot in common. Meg who had the tough family situation, who was always struggling so hard for everything; Reid who was misunderstood by so many. Somehow, these two just work. And even as a cranky middle-aged woman, I was charmed by their romance.

I also liked the secondary characters; Sibby who played such a large part in Meg's life, until she didn't. Lark, the lady who looked like she had everything you could want in life, but didn't. And I loved Reid's family, so much. Cecelia and Lachelle - good friends, both.

So much warmth and love; it shines through, even through the hard and bad bits. This is not some sort of sappy romantic book, at all. It is gritty, it is real and yet it is so beautiful too.

Highly recommended read.

5 unreserved stars from me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books.

Unique New York City romance

This is a different type of romance, at least it is to me. The protagonists are unusual and the setting of New York City is handled beautifully.

Meg Mackworth is a consultant that does hand lettering and calligraphy, primarily on custom planners and journals, but she's done wedding work in the past, too.

Reid Sutherland was a child math prodigy who is now a quantitative analyst (still not quite sure what that is) at a large Wall Street firm.

They initially meet as Reid and his then fiance come into the shop that Meg works out of to go over the wedding package she's designed for them. Reid comes back at a later date to confront Meg about a code he found in the wedding program.

This is a tale of two very different people falling in love and the trials and tribulations they go through.

I recommend this romance highly.

I received this book from Kensington Books through Net Galley in the hopes that I would read it and leave an unbiased review.