I was so excited to see that another book in Georgia Toffolo's series was being released. I adored Meet Me in London and had high hopes for this one.
I love the friendships that have been built up over the 3 books that have been released so far. Friends who were bonded before an accident, but who are even more so now. Despite the fact that they are hundreds of miles apart, they are always there for each other. The conversations between these 4 friends and their banter and love for each other is one of my favorite things. Also, loved the setting. I am now dreaming of far off sandy beaches, wishing I was currently on one. And last but not least, I appreciate Georgia and her ability to bring certain aspects forward. couldn't tell you the last time I read a book where the main character was in a wheel chair. That representation is important, and I feel like she did here research into it well.
The rest fell flat for me though. By the mid point I was over the assumed feelings. 'He did this, so he must feel this way...' 'She did that, so she obviously feels this way...' It became so repetitive. So much could have been cleared up with a single conversation. Granted, that's most books, but still, this was a bit over the top. Also wasn't a huge fan of Finn. Despite his few shining moments, as a whole, most of what he did was a giant red flag. It was really hard to connect and fall in love with this one.
Even though this one wasn't my favorite, I will continue with the series. Like I said, the friendships of the girls are my favorite part and I want to see how it all plays out for them.
Thank you to Harlequin for the opportunity to read Meet Me in Tahiti. All thoughts and opinions are my own. A review will also be posted to my Goodreads & Instagram page in the coming days.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t really sold by the disability representation. I have been a big fan of Taffolo’s work but thought this particular one could use more attention to the nuances of disability representation, not just for wheelchair use but as a whole. For example, the narrative is riddled with ableist language. This type of content makes it clear that the work hasn’t been put into write out of their lane. There are some stereotypes that are perpetrated and unfortunately I just can’t recommend that as a disabled person myself. I hope that before it’s published it will be given a sharp eye to this matter.

A second chance romance on vacation?! Yes please. I was very happy to see a MFC with paraplegia because it is not something we often get to see and experience in main stream reading. Thank you for this!

I thought this book was okay. I did not know that this book was a part of a series. This was just a typical romance book. I also realized this book already was published.

I was so excited for this and I thought the cover was adorable. Unfortunately, this one just didn’t hit for me. I felt like the miscommunication on this book was way too much. It didn’t make much sense as to why the issues weren’t getting resolved. Also, I just didn’t connect with the characters the way I wanted to.

I was excited when I got approved this one, as I love to see disability represention in books. I liked the relationship that the main character has with her childhood friends. However, I felt that the FMC acted juvenile at times and there were times when I forgot she was in her late 20's. In addition, it took too long to get to the characters coming together.

Okay, when I first started this I wasn't sure I was going to like it. There was nothing in the blurb to indicate that this wasn't a standalone but the exposition of this book is a lot of back and forth between a core friend group I felt like I should have already known about. But then we got to the main love story and setting and I started to really enjoy it.

The second chance set up was well done. Our FMC is a last minute replacement on a travel reporting assignment to the MMC's resort, which she had no idea he owned and he didn't know about the replacement until they meet again after 10+ years apart at the welcome event. The tropical resort setting was amazing!! I really felt like I was there soaking up the sun. And local culture and information is important to the FMC so that was tied in as well, also a small side plot moment of indigenous lore as well.

The two aspects that I still struggled with were the constant miscommunications and the repetition. Zoe and Finn at times read as like 20 years old because of how much they left unsaid. And I get that that may happen at first contact, but they would literally sit down with the intention of talking things out and really dig deep but then one of them would misunderstand something and instead of having a single follow up clarifying question would get up and walk away. I was internally screaming as a reader like please be an adult ONCE. Also, there is decent character growth for both characters in this and that is absolutely a credit to this book. But I definitely skimmed through some internal monologue because I had absolutely already heard it before. The MMC's past insecurities, etc. I definitely understood it the first 3 times.

I can't personally comment on the disability rep of the FMC but do want to include in my review that it is a direct and indirect part of the plot. The FMC is a paraplegic as a result of a car accident (original accident is reflected on in a flashback/memory in moderate detail) and she experiences moments of ableism, particularly the "well meaning" commentary from others but also references just the realities of life and accommodations made. Based on my searching the author does not have this particular disability but did utilize an organization WhizzKids for guidance on accurate representation.

This is closed door but is what I would consider "steamy" as the characters are spice positive, have discussions about it, and the FMC does reflect lightly on intimate moments after the fact. There is an ex-wife that first felt a bit anti-romance vibes to me but their relationship is quickly clarified and never really felt like other woman drama to me with everything else going on.

Thank you to Harlequin for the eARC!

The constant miscommunication between Finn and Zoe was just too much for me, and I ended up DNFing. So bummed that I didn't like this more

I was surprised to learn that this was a revised version part way through my reading. I would have liked if there was some explanation of what was revised. Given the level of disability representation I have to assume it was an edit with more accurate references or sensitivity, but it wasn’t clear. I quite enjoyed that pace of the story until the end when it started chugging along at such a pace that it wrapped up too neatly and without a lot of the action occurring on the page but explained by the character after they got where they were going.

I enjoyed this book. It was fun to read and romantic. I love the characters in the book. The ending was really good. This is the first book I have read by Georgia Toffolo, I look forward to read more by her. I am grateful that netgalley and the publishers let me read this in exchange for an honest review.

The melodrama in this book is really hard to stomach. I wanted to like the main characters, Finn and Zoe, but their constant miscommunications, defensiveness, and overreactions that comprised the main conflict of the book were incredibly inane. I did appreciate the disability representation in this book, but that was where the positives started and ended for me.

A well executed story centering around a woman who uses a wheelchair, something I haven't seen before in popular romances. The challenges Zoe faces were handled honestly and sensitively, and the overall romance was sweet.

I love me a good second chance romance and this book did not disappoint. I loved their story and to be able to hear both perspectives was amazing. I also loved the disability rep it was perfect.

n Georgia Toffolo's captivating novel, "Meet Me in Tahiti," readers are transported to the idyllic shores of the South Pacific, where two former lovers, Zoe Tayler and Finn Doherty, reunite under unexpected circumstances. Zoe, a successful travel writer, is on assignment to review Finn's new luxury hotel, while Finn, haunted by past mistakes, struggles to reconcile with his past. Toffolo paints a vivid picture of the breathtaking scenery of Tahiti, making it a character in its own right. The lush landscapes, crystal-clear waters, and vibrant culture provide a backdrop for Zoe and Finn's emotional journey. Zoe and Finn are well-developed characters with complex emotions and motivations. Zoe's resilience and determination in the face of adversity are inspiring, while Finn's struggle for redemption is both poignant and relatable. Their interactions are charged with tension and chemistry, keeping readers engaged throughout the story. One of the strengths of the novel is Toffolo's exploration of second chances and the power of forgiveness. Zoe and Finn are forced to confront their past mistakes and learn from them, ultimately finding a path towards healing and reconciliation. The pacing of the novel is steady, allowing readers to fully immerse themselves in the story and connect with the characters. The plot unfolds naturally, with twists and turns that keep readers engaged until the very end. Overall, "Meet Me in Tahiti" is a well-written and engaging novel that explores themes of love, forgiveness, and second chances. Toffolo's vivid descriptions and well-developed characters make this book a must-read for fans of contemporary romance and women's fiction.

3.5 stars

I liked the concept of this book but the execution left me wanting more. The whole book felt like the characters were hinting at something that happened in the past but it took so long to actually piece it together. Maybe context is given in the previous book, which I haven’t read, but I feel like the point of an interconnected standalone is that each book should… stand on its own.
Other things I enjoyed:
-the tropical setting and the descriptions of all the activities the characters did there
- the disability rep (it’s not my place to say whether or not it was done well but I liked that it was addressed)
-the way Finn showed Zoe that he cared about her

Things i didn’t enjoy
-the lack of a clearly defined plot/backstory
-the character inability to JUST COMMUNICATE
-it felt like there were a lot of loose ends left unresolved
-I wanted more backstory on how Finn became as successful as he did

Overall this was a light, fun read with some tragic backstory but I felt like the plot was a little underdeveloped

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin for the ARC!!

thanks to netgalley for my arc!

i haven't read the other books in this series, but it was such a fun, fast-paced read with lots of witty banter and lovable characters. i didn't relate to the characters as much as i wanted to, and the writing style was a bit too bland for my taste, but i did thoroughly enjoy this & would still recommend!!

I was so excited to see the cover of this book. As a wheelchair user, I never see myself on a cover, especially not in a romance. I really think the author did a great job portraying the life experience of someone who uses a wheelchair. Things that might seem small to non-mobility aide users were treated with care (like touching someone's wheelchair without permission, doorway sizes, and navigating beaches). While the constant attention on Zoe's fragility felt tiring at times, I know it was to hammer the point to readers that Zoe is an independent woman. It was very clear that the author did her research and it absolutely showed. I wanted to go to this property so bad — traveling can be a horrendous experience in general and add in a mobility issue, it can be a nightmare. I am willing this hotel into existence. I really am thankful that I could picture myself in Zoe through this book.

If you love unrequited love, pining, closed door and second-chance romances, this book is for you. I would recommend reading the earlier books first. I picked this up because of the cover, not realizing there were previous books in the series. That became abundantly clear in the beginning of the book as names were mentioned that I had very little context to. It's not impossible to read this as a stand-alone but I do think I missed out on the relationship building between the core four group of women.

I really did enjoy the tension between Finn and Zoe. Their miscommunication felt a bit tedious at times but I couldn't help but root for these two. I loved the ending, especially with its many callbacks, but it did leave me wanting more. Some of it was in the way that I got attached to characters but also in a way that I felt things were wrapped up a little quickly.

Overall, a, enjoyable, quick romantic story with great representation.

Thank you NetGalley and Canary Street Press for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

First of thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the Arc

Unfortunately I DNFed this book. It was such a good second chance plot with recognition on the physically disabled being able to still be independent but they diminished that with keeping her mentally in her teens and it just became very frustrating. And someone just name her nipples as a character please because my lord!

I admit i requested this book more for the cover but the story didnt quite hold up to my expectations. Maybe others will find this to their liking.

"Meet me in Tahiti" invites us into Zoe's world, a journalist who's constantly traveling around the works. Little does she know, the owner of Poerava Resort, where her story unfolds, is none other than her past love, Finn Doherty. In a race against time, Finn has five days to prove he's the one for Zoe, mending past mistakes and reigniting a connection that spans a decade.

One standout feature of the story is the thoughtful portrayal of Zoe's disability. Georgia Toffolo weaves this aspect seamlessly into the narrative, not just as part of the plot but also as a way to shed light on the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities.

On a personal note, my main struggle with the book stems from a difficulty in connecting with the characters. This disconnect posed a bit of a challenge in fully immersing myself in the story. While the romantic thread is satisfactory, it doesn't reach extraordinary heights, serving as a pleasant but not overly remarkable element of the narrative.

In summary, "Meet me in Tahiti" offers a distinctive blend of romance and self-discovery set against the beautiful backdrop of Tahiti. The portrayal of disability adds a layer of depth and it's a well enough read to pass the time.