Meet Me in Manhattan Book Review *Judith Arnold*

Meet Me in Manhattan is one of three books introducing True Vows, a daring new series from HCI Books — that will rock the romance world and redefine memoir forever. It’s Reality-based, or RB Romance™ where the inspiration of each novel is ripped from the headlines and based on personal interviews with real couples whose love stories read like the best in romantic fiction.

When fantasy meets reality anything can happen. Believe it. It’s true.

I've always found Judith Arnold to write sweet and tender romances, and with Meet Me in Manhattan, she has done just that. What makes this book even sweeter is that it's a reality based romance about two teenage sweethearts from New Jersey, who after seeing each other again after fifteen years, still have sparks between them. The question is, will these two be able to get over the heartache and forgive one another so they can be together as they've always wanted to?

Erika Fredell is nervous about meeting her former teenage sweetheart, Ted Skala after fifteen years. They had a short romance over the summer before Erika headed off to college. Erika didn't really give Ted a second thought during high school because she was into horse competitions and getting good grades so she could get into a good college. Ted, on the other hand, was into wrestling and an average student with no thoughts about the future. Ted had a crush on Erika, but thought he wasn't good enough for her. But then with a push from a friend Ted finally makes his move with surprisingly results.

Ted and Erika spend their entire summer together. Ted is Erika's first boyfriend and the first guy she has ever slept with. Ted doesn't want to lose Erika, but he knows she has plans and that means leaving him behind. He thinks they'll be able to handle a long distance relationship, but as Erika finds a new life in Colorado, Ted feels inadequate and forgotten. The way things end between them is sad for both, and one final move on Ted's part is taken the wrong way by Erika, which leaves so many unresolved things between them.

Now in their early thirties, Ericka and Ted meet for a drink in Manhattan of all places, where they both live and work. They both act calm and friendly, but underneath it all, they want to be with one another. The question is, will they be able to let go of all the hurt they went through so many years before?

Meet Me in Manhattan was a lovely read about former lovers who reunite. Ted and Erika are each others first and only loves even though they seemed to have moved on with their lives. Ted is even in a long term relationship when he sees Erika again. He has never gotten over her and now has a tough decision to make, and that is to throw all caution to the wind and see if there is still something between him and Erika that can become permanent.

I'm the type of reader who loves when the hero knows right from the start that the heroine is the one and only for him. Erika's decisions regarding Ted may have been a bit selfish at the time as a young woman of eighteen, but she had to find herself and couldn't take the chance staying with Ted who had no idea what he wanted for himself. The years these two were separated helped them grow where their love for each other became more mature and sound.

The love scenes are very subtle and there is this undying lack of trust between the two, mainly from Ted's side that has to be worked out. The resolution to their romance will surely leave you with a smile on your face. It did for me.

Tracy over at Tracy's Place has a great question in her review of Meet Me in Manhattan regarding the creative licensing Judith may have taken with this story. As I read, I didn't really think on that aspect so much. But, if this is indeed a true to fact story, without too much embellishing, how nice to know that a romance like this really did occur.

Meet Me in Manhattan has a category feel to it, but with an interesting spin. I enjoyed Erika and Ted's journey for their HEA and would recommend this book to those who are in the mood for an overall comfy read. (HCI)

Final Grade: B