Meet Me in London has the kind of vibe that I was going for – charming leading man with his family’s burdens on his shoulder meets creative independent woman with a big dream and an ever bigger heart. It’s love at first sight for Oliver but Victoria is used to random men declaring their love for her. She’s just not used to a man sticking around. Since Oliver needs a way to get his meddling but well-meaning mum off his back, he proposes an arrangement with Victoria: pretend to be his fiance until December, only so that he can provide some happiness to his mum and ailing father around the launch of the family’s new flagship store. And she gets … actually she doesn’t really get much in return from that itself. However, since he’s the man responsible for the new department store opening in their neighborhood, he offers to provide space for the local vendors, and provide Victoria’s fashion design students a chance to showcase their designs on the catwalk.

Despite the reservations that keep eating at her, Victoria goes with the plan. She recognizes Oliver’s good heart and also learns how much it means to him to see his parents well. She also sees how much the responsibility of carrying on the family business and being the one to fix all his cousin’s mistakes take a toll on him. See Victoria’s perspective on life is rather simple – do what makes you happy. Ever since she and her friends survived a car accident, she’s all about being authentic, which is why the pretending to his parents does weigh on her. Oliver senses that Victoria’s been through a trauma and though she doesn’t reveal all to him, he builds trust with her.

One of the things Meet Me in London does is address the idea of what constitutes a ‘happily ever after’. Oliver’s of the thinking that nothing can match what his parents have so he’s not even sure if marriage is for him. Victoria knows that to most, happily ever after means marriage then kids. However, that dream of having kids cannot be realized for her due to the accident and it’s something that’s so hard, and personal, and painful to face every day much less bring up to Oliver. I was sad for Victoria because that choice to have kids was taken from her, but I also admire her for finding her way to make peace with it. It has left her with scars – physical and emotional – especially since her ex dumped her because of the no kids thing. So one can’t blame her for being cautious about relationships or even being hesitant about when and how to reveal such a personal secret.

While Meet Me in London had those heavy moments, it was overall a delight to read. I enjoyed getting to know Oliver and Victoria. Their chemistry was beautiful and intimate in the way that you could feel their bond deepening below all the pretense. I loved certain descriptions of their intimate moments like how he touched her throat slightly, or her lips before they kissed. Those little details got to me. I know Victoria’s personal situation might be upsetting to some readers, and I did think Toffolo wrote that with sensitivity. Keeping that in mind, it makes Meets Me in London all the more charming because Oliver and Victoria got to redefine their own "happily ever after'.

[Received an ARC]

Rating 5/5
Plot 5/5
Spice 2/5
Character Development 5/5

“Meet Me in London” is the first book in Georgia Toffolo’s “Meet Me” series. It is a heartwarming love story between Victoria and Oliver who find themselves in a fake engagement situation that soon evolves into something more.

I love the fake dating trope and Georgia did an amazing job bringing this trope to life in “Meet Me in London”. I loved how Victoria and Oliver met and I loved reading how their relationship played out regardless of their busy lives. The chemistry between Victoria and Oliver is off the charts and the pace of the book was perfect. I can’t wait for the rest of Toffolo’s series.

This was a sweet romance following Victoria, a bartender and aspiring fashion designer, and Oliver, a billionaire opening a large retail store in Victoria's neighborhood. Oliver's mother is desperate for Oliver to settle down which is the last thing on his to-do list. But when he meets Victoria, he suggests a fake romance to appease his mother's wishes for a few weeks until he can get past the opening of his store. In return, Victoria gets to put on a fashion show with her own designs and showcase her students' designs. It's a win-win...at least until real feelings become involved.

The plot was predictable but this has the elements of a fairy tale romance and readers looking for a feel-good, happily-ever-after story will enjoy this book.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and it was an easy escape during the busy Christmas season.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the e-arc of this book in exchange for my honest review.

3.5 stars.

‘Meet Me in London’ by Georgia Toffolo was a light yet thought-proving holiday read with both heartbreaking and heartwarming moments. Overall, it was cute, moving, and recommended.

This book sounded like the perfect holiday read. Victoria dreams of becoming a successful clothing designer and Oliver can provide her an opportunity that could make all the difference. He needs someone to bring home to his parents so that his Mom stops trying to play matchmaker. So Victoria and Oliver make a deal to fake date until after Christmas.

Overall, this story was a good read with the cute interactions between Victoria and Oliver. I really liked that Victoria wasn’t afraid to be herself and how kind she was, especially her classes teaching local girls to sew and design their own clothing. Oliver was a great match for her but for some reason I just didn’t find myself getting fully invested in this story. I think many people will enjoy this one but it left me wanting a bit more.

I was provided a free copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Victoria is bartending on the side as she tries to establish her clothing design business. Oliver is having a drink at the bar as he prepares to open his family’s next department store, when he sees Victoria. There is an instant attraction, and when he runs into her on the street, knocking her over, their relationship starts as a pretend engagement to satisfy his pushy parents. This romance is a pleasure to read, as both Oliver and Victoria fight against the walls they have put up to avoid relationships. I recommend this book as a heartfelt, well written story and thank NetGalley for the ARC.

A fake girlfriend. But make it look real. Will Oliver Russell be able to appease his interfering but well-meaning mother? He is soon to find out when he meets Victoria Scott. WIll she pretend to be his girlfriend during the holiday season?

Perhaps she will but what will she get in return? What Victoria wants more than anything is to own her own boutique. Things are not going well on that end as a new department store soon to open might just wipe away all of her dreams.

Perhaps this story is light on substance but it was a true delight. Tropes work for me and this one definitely did just that. Strangers to fake dating to love in an enjoyable ride in this debut. I hope to read the other three books in this series.

Many thanks to HQN and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

An enjoyable read! I am so glad I found this author. I'd love to read many more by her in the near future!

Victoria Scott is an aspiring fashion designer who works in a bar in Chelsea. She’s worried that her neighbourhood will be under threat from the big department store moving onto the street. Oliver Russell is the CEO of that department store. When he meets Victoria, he realizes she can help solve his major problem: she can pretend to be his fiancé at their opening night so his mother will stop asking him about his nonexistent girlfriend. Victoria agrees when Oliver offers to showcase some of her designs at the opening of the store. However, things get more complicated when they start to fall in love. Victoria has to keep the secrets of her past, which would ruin any possibility of a relationship with Oliver.

This was a fun holiday romance. I was rooting for Victoria and Oliver the whole time. Though they had many differences in their lives, they had powerful chemistry. There were some serious moments in this romance. Victoria had been in an accident when she was younger that left her with physical and emotional scars. Oliver also had to deal with his sick father, who could no longer work like he used to.

I would have liked to see more of an explanation of Victoria’s past. Also, Oliver’s family was very present in the story, but Victoria’s wasn’t, though they didn’t live that far away. I also would have liked to see a bigger conclusion or even an epilogue. I’m curious to see what other characters would have thought of the ending.

Meet Me in London is a sweet holiday romance!

Thank you HarperCollins for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Sweet London based love story, It seemed like a story that would fit well in Love Actually and the author must agree because the movie itself is mentioned, TW—fertility concerns, depiction of a serious accident, sick parents.

“Meet Me In London” has all the elements of a delightful rom-com story much like the films of Richard Curtis. Likeable characters, memorable meet-cute moment, and a problem to resolve climax that will make hearts swoon.

Unfortunately, I found the first half of this book very slow moving and difficult to get into. My desire for a festive romantic rads in the weeks leading up to Christmas was the only initiative to push through. But I’m glad I did as the back end of the story held a much better pace and some lovely cinematic moments.

Thank you to NetGalley and HARLEQUIN for providing a free ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is a lovely wintery read that will help you get in the holiday spirit! Oliver and Chelsea's relationship is not without its challenges, but it is an absolutely enjoyable experience watching them work through all that life throws at them. The characters are relatable, and I especially enjoyed Chelsea's heartwarming relationships with her close friends. This book is highly recommended for anyone wanting a bit of Christmas spirit this holiday season!

Took a bit to pick up but once it did it was fabulous! I loved how the characters grew individually and through their circumstances together. Well done romance that gives you what you'd expect and hope from a Christmas romance.

This book was a lot more fun than I was expecting. I went into this thinking it would be more fiction than romance, even if it’s market as a romance. Thankfully the romance was ever present and quite fun. I love a good fake dating trope and felt like this one was done quite well. I would have loved a bit more angst between the two since they were strangers, but having a friendship off the bat was nice as well. While this wasn’t super Christmassy, it’s set over the holiday season so it’s a perfect December read. The conflict was mostly miscommunication which isn’t necessarily my favourite, but I’m glad it was resolved relatively quickly and wasn’t drawn out. It was heartfelt, warm and comforting. I loved the friendship Victoria had with her friends, I liked her dynamic with Oliver’s family, and I thought Oliver and Victoria’s romance was sweet. Overall it was enjoyable and definitely lighter than I expected.

TW: car accident, infertility

Unknown to me, Georgia Toffolo is a celebrity in England from what I saw. Interesting that she has time to pen novels but indeed she did.

Have you ever known someone whose parent constantly wanted to know about the state of their romantic life? How would you feel as an adult male to receive continuous messages (signed “from your mother,” as if he didn’t know!) on this very topic?

Next, imagine you are a young woman who loves fashion and wants to make a difference. Could you envision the man noted above who, by the way, has a department store that sells clothing, possibly helping you?

What will happen when these two come together? Read this light, easy novel to find out. It is a good one for when a person needs a little escape.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Meet Me in London fell flat for me. Though the description sounded promising, I just didn't connect with the characters. And some of the content was heavier than I was expecting.

If you like Christmas romances that take place during all of the hoopla, but aren't holiday-centric, then Georgia Toffolo's Meet Me in London should go on your TBR (to-be-read) list! This story features a "fake relationship," and yep, you know where this one is headed ... the characters begin to develop feelings for each other, but everything is not coming up roses because there are plenty of obstacles in the way.

Oliver Russell is the heir to the Russell and Co. department store fortune, and his family is opening another store in Chelsea. Oliver is heading the project while also battling his mother's attempts to get him settled down with a suitable woman. When Oliver tells his mom that he has a new girlfriend, she insists that she meet the love of his life over the holidays. The only problem is that this new girlfriend doesn't exist.

Victoria Scott wants to be a fashion designer, but until that day happens, she is working as a barmaid in Chelsea while dreaming of the clothes she wants to create. Oliver patrons her bar one night, and struck by her stunning good looks, asks her to be his fake fiancée. Victoria agrees under one condition - that she get to stage a fashion show at the Russell and Co. department store opening.

Thus begins Oliver and Victoria's fake relationship! The "couple" will have to battle disapproving relatives, secret pasts, and career expectations as they try to make their engagement believable to the world. Can they pull it off without getting their very real feelings tangled up in the midst?

As a person who is obsessed with dresses, I really enjoyed the department store and fashion aspects of this novel. The behind the scenes business workings of this book were especially intriguing, and I enjoyed seeing how the opening of Russell and Co. all came together.

However, the main focus of this novel - the fake relationship between Oliver and Victoria - was just okay to me. Nothing really stood out to make it memorable, thus I have no strong feelings about it. The romance in this novel felt rather vanilla, which isn't my cup of tea considering I read over 100 books a year - I need stories that stand out in the crowd!

That said, this story isn't bad and will absolutely be loved by many - it just didn't feel fresh and compelling to me personally.

Meet Me in London was so enjoyable that I finished it in 24 hours. All of the characters felt realistic and you couldn't help but love all of them as they were introduced. Additionally, the plot of a big department store invading a small community was excellent when combine with the background of the holidays.

A fake dating theme, with a light-hearted feel, and a British closed door romance. Perfect if you are looking for a light read around the holidays (not the entire theme of this book, but incorporated). I thought Victoria and Oliver were very likeable and the theme of women friendship was strong in this book. I liked that this book had elements of fashion, and is set in London. My only negative feedback was how long it took to communicate that issue between the characters. Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Collins Canada for my review copy.

Meet Me in London by Georgia Toffolo is the first book in the Meet Me series. A heartwarming romance about two people, not looking for romance, but agreed to a fake engagement to appease the hero’s parents.

 I thought the romance was well done. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and hoped the things would work out for them. The story hooked me from the first page. It took me longer than usual to finish reading. I was burned out from a stint of binge reading in the days prior to picking up this title. The story tackled interesting issues, including dealing with a family member illness and issues with infertility. 

The romance featured here was cute and heartwarming. Their engagement may have started out as a fake, but soon they wanted it to be real. However, secrets and unresolved issues from the past threatened their happily ever after.

Victoria was such a caring character. Her kindhearted nature came to light in her interaction with everyone she came in contact with. The one exception, of course, being her ex-fiancée who was a douche bag. She is a person who willingly gives of her time every chance she gets. She suffered so much in the past and I hoped she would let go of the hurt and cease blaming herself for something she had no control over. I liked her, but she made me mad with her refusal to come clean with Oliver about her infertility issues. She never gave him the chance to decide for himself. Instead, believing she was acting in his best interest, took that opportunity from him.

Oliver, a billionaire, took over the family business after his father fell ill. It’s not his dream, but out of loyalty to his family, he took up the mantle amidst hostility from a particular relative. I loved how he treated everyone with respect, especially Victoria. Despite his growing feelings for he respected her boundaries.

Oliver and Victoria were so good together. I loved their chemistry and how they brought out the best in each other. It pleased me to see how Oliver’s parents embraced her and made her feel welcome. She treated them with respect and compassion.

I loved the friendships portrayed in the story. Victoria shared a special bond with three other ladies. A bond which started in high school and grew throughout the years. They always have each other's backs, no matter the distance. 

Meet in London is the perfect story to get you into the holiday spirit. It was pretty much conflict free until near the end, but that was easily resolved.

Overall, I had a wonderful time with this story. Perfect for fans of the fake engagement trope.