Audiobook Review: Love Lettering

Author: Kate Clayborn

Narrator: Nicol Zanzarella

Audiobook Length: 11 hours 30 minutes

Meg Mackworth’s hand-lettering skill has made her famous as the Planner of Park Slope, designing custom journals for her New York City clientele. She has another skill too: reading signs that other people miss. Knowing the upcoming marriage of Reid Sutherland and his gorgeous fiancée was doomed to fail is one thing, but weaving a secret word of warning into their wedding program is another. Meg may have thought no one would spot it, but she hadn’t counted on sharp-eyed, pattern-obsessed Reid….

A year later, Reid has tracked Meg down to find out how she knew that his meticulously planned future was about to implode. But with a looming deadline and a bad case of creative block, Meg doesn’t have time for Reid’s questions — unless he can help her find her missing inspiration. As they gradually open up to each other, both try to ignore a deepening connection between them. But the signs are there — irresistible, indisputable, urging Meg to heed the messages Reid is sending her, before it’s too late…. 

Love Lettering is my third story by Kate Clayborn. This novel follows Meg Mackworth who is a 26-years-old stationary designer/calligrapher in Brooklyn. She possesses a talent for inserting secret messages in her letters, which I found to be a very fun concept and made me curious what would be hidden in my order if I went to her. One day Reid Sutherland and his fiancée receive one of Meg’s works, which included the secret ‘M-I-S-T-A-K-E.” A year later Reid shows up to confront Meg about the secret message.

Reid hates New York whereas Meg loves it and since she needs inspiration for a big upcoming pitch the two of them explore the city together. The build up to this portion, for me, needed a little more as it felt forced for the sake of the plot. While this happens in pretty much every novel, I needed a little more just to make it seem a little more realistic. The two of them spend time together and show each other another view as Reid is the numbers guy and Meg is the creative letters girl. There are moments where I can see the slow-burn and others where I needed more. One element that needed more was their conversations as there are many moments where Meg would ask questions and there would not be too much to Reid’s responses. It just did not seem enough on his side to build that connection.

Sibby, Meg’s friend, and her go through a lot in this story with some ups and downs. I do wish that this was expanded on as some of it just did not make sense and I could not connect to these two being friends. It just seemed at times that they were forced together for the sake of the story rather than the two of them seeming like real friends. Other readers may see their ups and downs as well-written and enjoyable; however, I just found it toxic where Meg would be better off with no friends rather than have Sibby in her life.

Meg’s character was interesting, and I enjoyed that the novel explored all aspects of her life rather than have every moment surround the romance, however, there was still more that I wish was included. Meg’s inner thoughts may not be for every reader as she does picture fonts and letters to describe everything. For me, they were cute and unique at first, but it became a bit much over time. As for Reid’s character, I enjoyed that he was more reserved and a new take on a usual lead. The two did work together, but I just wanted a little more. Overall, this was not my favorite read, but I can definitely see others loving it!