DNF @20%

I unfortunately really didn’t like writing style and struggled with the main character. I also expected something different after reading the synopsis.

This book was such a sweet read! I really did enjoy it! From an awful situation to a fun adventure! I really did enjoy this book!

The relationship was almost *too* cute the ending was predictable. I call these kinds of books palate cleansers. Solid reads that keep you reading but aren't all that memorable.

Really liked this story and had it all the things you would want with a book. My first book from Olivia Lara and will read more of them.

This was a fast read. A sweet romance that is a bit predictable but not in a bad way, if that makes sense. It definitely made me want to visit Carmel.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to review a temporary digital ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

The first half of this book was incredibly cute with a sweet premise, the idea of meeting people and imagining a happy ending for them is something I know personally all too well. My issue lies with the second half in which she tries to track down her mans the lyft driver and to me it came across as deceitful and a little borderline stalkerish. I think overall it was a cute premise, but my issue is the fact that it was not really executed properly. Their miscommunication/lying put me off and it was a little predictable so although it had all the spots and makings of a good romance novel in my opinion it was a little frustrating.

This book isn't my usual cup of tea read and unfortunately it didn't quite work for me. Interesting premise.

Life isn't exactly going well for Maya who has managed to fail a work assignment which has left her fired. Before jumping on a late flight to San Francisco to surprise her long-term boyfriend David who is there for work to celebrate her birthday together. But he doesn't answer his phone and she is left sitting in the airport. Finally, she gets a text back from his phone, although it is not David, but the Lift driver who just had him and a blonde in the car where he left his phone!

What a birthday! The texts between her and the driver who she calls Max (no personal details shared) continue and he manages to convince her to take a trip to Carmel. Asking each other questions throughout the journey and he navigates her through the gorgeous seaside town. Making her birthday memorable but when David turns up she gets pulled back into his atmosphere and never gets to meet Max as planned for the sunrise.

A year later and she realises that life has not improved and ends things with David for good. Finding out from a friend that an author has written a story about her trip to Carmel she goes in search of him to find out who his friend Max is, in the hope, that she can reignite the connection they had previously. But she gets drawn into Carmel's life and finds that the author both infuriates her and makes her feel things she shouldn't. Will she ever find Max again?

This one took me a really long time to get through. The story was really cute, but I felt like it was too long and dragged out. And it was a ton of dialogue that I felt was sometimes confusing. But overall I liked the plot! Thank you Netgalley for letting me read it!

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4050636575

Loved this from start to finish and read it in one sitting! The characters were amazing and i was rooting for ‘max’ from the start. Despite knowing how the book would end i still enjoyed reading it

I enjoyed this story quite a bit. It’s a lot to take into it from the beginning to the end but the settings and how she heals and the friendship really made up for a great time reading this story.
Not sure if I actually got to love the characters but I did feel sad for her at times. And also happy for that ending.

In The Meeting Point Olivia Lara delivers a sweet, summery book about unexpected companionship and rebuilding. Set in a quaint beach town, we follow main character Maya as she recovers from a devastating blow to her relationship. In a unique twist, the Lift driver who originally broke the news to her plays an integral role in her healing process and becomes an amazing friend through the ordeal.

I really enjoyed both the characters and the setting. As we’re nearing the end of summer it’s nice to harken back to warm summer days by the water, sand between your toes. There’s a lot of great nostalgia and comfort that comes from a beach setting for me! Maya was very likeable and easy to be sympathetic towards. Her journey through the book was enjoyable to follow, and interactions with Max were sweet.

The insta-love rebound style romantic interest is something I struggled with, but it’s a known plot progression decision I have trouble with in many books so it’s not entirely surprising. For many this may not be a problem, and even for myself it was more a dislike than a real issue.

Overall I found The Meeting Point to be a light summer romance with all the tingly feel-good emotions you’d expect. The setting and Lift-driver plot mechanics were real selling points for me and didn’t disappoint. Consider picking this up for a beachy heartwarming romance

I loved the style of this book. A book about a writer. Although I saw who Max was from pretty much the beginning I still enjoyed the book. The writing was excellent, it made it easy to keep wanting to read it.
Maya goes to California to surprise her boyfriend. Only to end up very disappointed and alone. She starts texting her boyfriends phone but he left it in the lift drivers car. The driver starts texting him back and he makes sure she has the best birthday ever. A year later she returns and is hoping to find out who the mysterious Max is.

i couldn't really get into this, i couldn't connect at all with the characters and the writing didn't speak to me.

I loved the descriptions in this book, Olivia is clearly a very descriptive writer. But the insta love aspect wasn't a hit with me and I found that hard to look past.

DNF - Did not finish. I did not connect with the writing style or plot and will not be finishing this title. Thank you, NetGalley and Publisher for the early copy!

Loved this book!! It gave me an all over fuzzy feeling. Swoony romance and a second chance made this an amazing read.

I’m really picky about my romance and I’m still learning the tropes and themes that I enjoy. This one is cute but didn’t make me feel some type of way

This book was a refreshing change for me. It’s been a while since I read a light-hearted and funny romance, and this one was such a treat!

I liked Maya immediately, and as soon as her adventure in Carmel began, I found myself absolutely captivated by it. It was so much fun, and such a clever plot, and I raced through the pages.

Apart from the sparkling wit and clever plot in this gorgeous book, I really enjoyed the relatable and realistic characters, and the lovely setting.

I have to admit, from about halfway through the book I had an inkling as to the identity of our mystery man, but it didn’t spoil it at all, or make the ending any less touching, in fact it quite enhanced it, as I willed Maya to get it too.

A really funny, touching and thoroughly enjoyable read, I found it uplifting and so readable. Guaranteed to totally absorb you and to leave you with a smile on your face.

A new tropes for me probably?
It's pretty good even it's a bit dragging in the middle. I like their chemistry and the angst all over the book!
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'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 personalised 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...