The first book by Broom that I've read and I was disappointed. I thought this would be just what I needed to read over the holiday period after my usual choice of psychological thrillers but the story just didn't get to me at all and I found both female characters a bit weak. I did enjoy reading the descriptions of Lake Como though.

A good story with wonderful descriptions of Como . Worth a read.

I absolutely loved Isabelle Broom's novel, My map of you so I was so excited to start this novel. New year's eve in Lake Como, Italy. This was just what I needed after reading so many psychological thrillers. This novel is about two women, Lucy and Taggie. Both Lucy and Taggie have special memories of Lake Como when they were children. Both stories slowly unfold with surprising twist then slowly weave together. This was a lovely heartwarming tale.
Thank you to Netgalley for this ARC.

This is the first book by Broom that has disappointed me unfortunately. Usually the stories are enchanting, romantic, a bit cliche, but lovely and with a surprising twist. This story didn't touch me as usual and I found both female characters a bit weak. The description of Lake Como were enchanting, as her travel descriptions usually are.

As always, Isabelle’s beautifully descriptive writing enables us to become a part of the scene as the characters unfold so cleverly that they soon feel as if they are lifelong friends who regularly share their intimate confidences and heartbreak. Anticipating the intrigue, that Isabelle crafts so beautifully, the pivotal point is still so very unexpected!! Lake Como is definitely now on my ‘go to’ list.

Both Taggie and Lucy used to visit Lake Como in Italy when they were children and now they are back, but for different reasons. After five years together, Taggie’s boyfriend has announced that he doesn’t love her anymore, so a heart-broken Taggie leaves behind London and her PR job to move to the place she has been the happiest. In Como, she finds a new job, new friends, and a possible new love in the shape of charming Marco.

Meanwhile, Lucy has organised her first holiday with her new boyfriend Pete and they are going to celebrate the New Year in Como. Lucy hopes that this holiday will bring them closer and overcome her jealousies and fears about their relationship. But when Taggie and Lucy meet, it is not only a childhood in the lake that they have in common.

This enjoyable and charming novel has everything: well-crafted characters, an intriguing plot, and a beautiful setting. The main characters are two different women: Lucy is insecure and paranoid, while Taggie is determined and obstinate. I enjoyed how the author developed their characters and how both women come out stronger and more mature by the end of the novel. The setting of Lake Como during Christmas time is atmospheric and romantic. A novel about second chances and going after your dreams, this is my first Isabelle Broom’s novel and I am planning to read all her previous novels.

The Place We Met by Isabelle Broom is a wonderful contemporary novel about love, life and loss. It is a compulsive read. With comprehensive descriptions, the reader 'experiences' the heat and delights of Italy's Lake Como at Christmas and New Year.
Life is a series of meetings and partings. Some partings are harder than others but we cannot wallow in our hurtful past. "There can be no going back, so I have no choice but to move forwards." Neither can we live in our childhood memories. No matter how wonderful, they will not keep us warm at night.
We all need good friends - friends who know us inside and out, who know the good and bad about us and love us anyway.
Running from the past is futile. If we do not deal with and face our hurts, we will never move forwards.
Chance meetings and coincidences mean the past collides with the present. Forgiveness needs to be given, especially to ourselves. "I just want to go back to being me again... I miss her." Somewhere in our hurt, we lose sight of who we are.
The novel explores our obsession with body image. "There's more to a person than the way they look." We should never try to be others or compare ourselves to others. Each of us is a unique creation.
There is the difficult topic of miscarriage. We mourn for what never was but should have been. The pain consumes. We will never forget but we need to grasp hold of hope and step into the future.
The Place We Met is a gripping read. I empathised with the characters - their insecurities and their love. It was a wonderful read, perfect for any time of year.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

I couldn’t resist reading this latest addition from this author after reading ‘A Year and a Day’ which ‘forced’ me to visit Prague. I actually waited until I had been paid before starting this book as I know that Broom writes so evocatively about a specific place that I would have to be able to book a holiday there once I’d finished her next book. Low and behold, I’m now on my way to Lake Como next year.

What I love about Broom’s writing is that she uses the setting to enhance her writing, it becomes as much a part of the story as the characters are. But she does it so subtly that you don’t find your attention waning because of too much description. I’m not sure how she does it but Lake Como came alive in this book. She gives you snippets of life at Lake Como and it’s the vibrancy of the people and the beauty of the seating that hooks you.

I loved the two intertwining stories in this book. I did figure out the connection early on but I was still surprised at the nature of one of the characters. I liked that there were no ‘baddies’ in this book like I thought there may have been. There were just flawed people dealing with the complexities of life. This is what Broom does best she takes a beautiful place and weaves it into her narrative to the extent it is like a character, like the fairy godmother. A tool for people to work out their issues. I can’t wait to see where Broom takes me next.

I was looking for something different to read when I decided to get this book. One thing that definitely stood out was the setting. Lake Como is in northern Italy. It is the type of beautiful, dramatic setting that is usually perfect for books with themes of romance. Isabelle Broom ensured that Lake Como was a key feature in the story. Her vivid descriptions of the setting made me wish that I could visit the place. The setting definitely made the story even more intense.

This story is narrated through two POVs. Taggie and Lucy are two women who both end up at Lake Como for different reasons. At first, the two stories run concurrently until they eventually merged. I kept trying to guess how the two were connected and was only able to accurately do so just before the reveal.

Although this book can be described as romance, it has a lot of suspense. I couldn’t have guessed the twists. There were also secrets that were hinted at right from the first page and so I found myself eagerly turning pages trying to figure out what the characters were hiding. Surprisingly, this book was also a bit emotional.

The Place We Met by Isabelle Broom is a wonderful story. It is set around Christmas and New Year and so I think that it’s a perfect read for this season especially for readers who enjoy this genre.

This is my first time reading the author.

The Place We Met is okay. Romantic Fiction isn’t usually my thing so I was pleasantly surprised. A change can be a good thing.

I loved the setting. I’ve never been to Italy so have no idea how accurate the author is but Lake Como is created in vivid, beautiful descriptions. I felt like I really was there. Broom does an impressive job of creating a sense of place.

The characters are well-written. I liked Taggie and Lucy even though they are both very different. I found them compelling characters and I did want to know where their stories would connect and end.

The book is let down by plot. Or lack of it. The book is very slow at times and too much time is spent developing the setting and characters. There are a lot of hints that Taggie’s secret and her reason for fleeing to Lake Como is much more dramatic than it actually is so I felt a bit let-down.

The Place We Met is a decent book and an example that Romantic Fiction has more depth than I expected.

I've always fancied going to Lake Comp and this book made me feel that I should do it soon. Easy read, maybe a bit obvious in the plot but still enjoyable., Especially if it is cold miserable winter weather

Agatha (Taggie) Torres had been heartbroken and decides to spent some time with her friend Elsie in Lake Como, they had met many years before when Taggie and her parents were there on holiday. While in Bellagio Elsie helps Taggie get a job in Casa Alta Hotel where she works as a tour guide she is working hard in hope of showing her boss Sal she’s capable of being an events planner.
Having a few hours before her shift begins she goes to her thinking place where everything comes together for her on her special beach. The beach is beautiful the scenery exclusive the water is tranquil it’s the perfect place. While walking along she spots an abandoned rowing boat in that moment she wants to feel the paint disintegrate beneath her fingers. Crouching down then leaping she misses her target landing face down in the lake as she tries to get up her knee catches a sharp edge causing her to lose balance again. Starting to panic as it could be days before anyone found her she’s relieved to hear a shout then a few seconds later she feels strong arms scoop her out of the water as she stands back she bangs the back of her head on a stone wall. Her rescuer laughs she is so embarrassed runs off.
Her friend and colleague Shelley persuades her to go out they visit a bar when the waiter turns around Taggie is mortified to realise it’s her knight in leather armour, Shelley introduces him as Marco.
We also have Lucy who is an overworked nurse in the early stages of a new relationship with Pete. She finds a photo of Pete with his ex she is beautiful she can’t understand why Pete would want to be with her. After being cheated on she’s unsure where the relationship is going and decides to book a holiday to Lake Como where she also spend family holidays as a child. Hoping the holiday will bring them closer as a couple.
Again Isabelle Broom brings out my romantic side she tells an amazing story her descriptions make it seem like you’re in paradise. Great read would definitely recommend it.

Back of the book :



Lake Como, Italy, New Year’s Eve.

The perfect place to fall in love? Or the perfect place for everything to fall apart . . .

Lucy may have suffered her fair share of bad men, but now she has Pete.

Finally, a man worth sharing her favourite place with, Lake Como.

That’s if she can put mysterious phone calls and glamorous ex-girlfriends out of her mind.

Taggie is rushed off her feet, but distraction is exactly what she needs to forget why she fled England and the

sadness she left behind.

She certainly doesn’t have time for infuriating stranger Marco. A man is the last thing she needs right now.

Lucy and Taggie might not know it, but their lives are about to collide.

The New Year might begin with fireworks – but how will it end?





What I think :

I really loved this book. But then I really loved Isabelle’s other books, so I was really looking forward to this one, and I’ve got to say that it is fabulous, I wasn’t disappointed at all.

I really felt as if i was in Italy on New Year’s Eve, drinking hot wine wrapped up in my big coat, wandering through the Christmas markets looking for that special gift.

I have been having a really bad reading slump lately and have been having a lot of trouble getting into a book. Right from the minute I picked this novel up it had me hooked. I couldn’t put it down until the last page.

I liked both of the girls characters and I thought Marco sounded gorgeous ! Shouldn’t everyone have a Marco in their lives ? (If only to look at !)

What I really liked was the way the all twists, turns and revelations intertwined the two couples.

This book made me reach for the tissue box a couple of times but they were happy tears – mostly. This is a beautiful book with love, loss and betrayal all mixed up into a brilliantly written book.

I give this book a well earned 9/10. (5 stars )

Published on 30/11/17 by Penguin, Random House.

A huge Thankyou to Sarah Harwood at Penguin Random House and to Isabelle Broom for the Review copy of the book.

I was looking forward to this as I am a love4 of all things Italian but I just couldn’t connect with the characters in this book

A lovely read. Set around Como Lake in Italy. The descriptions of this area are so evocative I have actually googled how to get there as I want to go for a long weekend now. I also want to go in Winter following the descriptions from this story. Well.... back to the story.... Great characters, most with their own flaws. However, such great characters that I feel I would like to meet them! Some lovely humour throughout and a good satisfying ending.

Another lovely story from Isabelle Broom, as always so descriptive about the place the book is set, in this case Lake Como, it makes me want to go there she describes it in so much detail. The story is heartwarming but also tinged with sadness. A definite must read.

The beautiful, evocative settings in this novel are the highlight for me. The author obviously knows the area around Lake Como in Italy very well and brings it all to light in the readers’ imagination with her superb descriptions as we explore the area with the two female leading characters, Taggie and Lucy, both of whom have returned to the area which they’d loved as children though with very different reasons.

Wanting to escape from heartbreak and tragedy, Taggie has gone to visit her family friend, Elsie, and to work in a local hotel as a tour guide. Still struggling to accept what happened, she’s reluctant to consider the possibility of forming a new relationship, though the handsome, infuriating Marco keeps turning up, like a bad penny! She’s too busy and too damaged by the past to risk her heart again . . . .

Lucy, however, has a poor history with men but hopes the burgeoning relationship with Pete will prove more long lasting - that’s why she’s brought him on holiday with her to celebrate the New Year in her favourite place, Lake Como. However, there’s an unsettling number of phone calls, photographs of his ex-girlfriend and other worries to keep this quiet nurse unsure of what will happen in their relationship.

As the old year ends, festivities are planned that will end with fireworks to start the New Year. Will they be the start of a sparkling future or an explosive demise for romance?

This story started slowly and it isn’t until the two story threads combine that they weave together to create the bigger, intriguing picture. It is a story filled with uncertainty - you don’t learn the main backstory until some significant way into the story. It keeps you guessing and turning the pages, just hoping that someone will find their HEA but never certain that’s a possibility!

I requested and received a copy of this novel, via NetGalley. This is my honest review after choosing to read it.

Taggie is trying desperately to recover from a broken heart working as a tour guide in Italy. She’s sworn off all men and even though her best friend is forever trying to set her up, she’s managed to stick to her resolve until a tall dark Italian man called Marco, rescues her from the mud.

Lucy, an emergency room nurse, has booked a holiday for her and her boyfriend of five months to Italy. It’s a big step considering how new the relationship is. She’s been cheated on before and is very insecure in her relationships.

Unbeknown to Taggie and Lucy, they have something in common and their worlds collide in Italy. This is a brilliant story of heartbreak, the twists and turns that makes lives messy and yet fulfilling, and of acceptance and forgiveness in order to move forward. All in all a great read and highly recommended.

*Book provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

Isabelle Broom has fast become one of my fave authors. I adore her books and was obviously very excited for this book. The fact that it is set at the Lake of Como just added to it.

The story follows two women: Lucy and Taggie. Taggie moved to Como to heal her broken heart. Lucy decides to take her boyfriend Pete to her beloved Como. Their lives collide and they actually have something in common.

I loved following both storylines and when they come together it gets of course more interesting. Taggie is also surrounded by a nice Italian man called Marco. Both women have their mysteries and secrets in the plot and some unexpected twists make this story unputdownable.

The highlight for me was the setting, because I knew all the places and I think Isabelle Broom captured it beautifully.

The characters are great and very authentic. A heart-warming and romantic read!

Rating: 4.5/5

I really felt in the need for something light to read, and this novel by Isabelle Broom fit the bill. Taggie and Lucy are women for whom Lake Como in Italy holds a special place in their heart, they spent time there as children. Taggie has returned to live there, a friend of her grandmother's, Elsie lives in Bellagio with her three little dogs, all named after her husbands! Taggie has found employment at the Casa Alto hotel, organising and leading tourist trips around the area. Lucy is a nurse, in a relationship with Peter Samuels, who wants to introduce Pete to the wonder of Lake Como. The two of them come for a holiday break. The real star of this book is the detailed descriptions, and the feel and atmosphere of Lake Como, an area that the author obviously knows well. It is the festive period, and Taggie wants to impress her boss, Sal, by organising the best New Year's Eve party at the hotel, she has her eye on being promoted to Events Manager.

Taggie is a broken woman, whose last relationship ended badly leaving her hostile to the idea of getting involved with any man whatsoever. Her friend, Shelley, keeps pushing Marco, a good looking man, at Taggie, but Taggie sees him as a womaniser who is only interested in her because she is not open to his charm. Lucy is feeling vulnerable and full of insecurities regarding Pete, and willing to overlook anything to ensure that Pete stays with her. They have been together for five months, but she is jealous of his beautiful ex-girlfriend when she sees a photograph of her. She has low self esteem, fails to see how attractive she is, and carries baggage from a lifetime of relationship mishaps. She knows all is not right with the way she panders to Pete in their relationship, letting him get away with lies and secrets, but she is terrified of rocking the boat. We learn that there are connections between Lucy and Taggie, a backstory of emotional pain, bitterness, resentment and anger.

Broom provides the awe inspiring background of Lake Como, making it come alive in the reader's mind, where Taggie and Lucy find the past cannot be swept under the carpet and relationship problems have to addressed. The road to a fulfilling relationship is strewn with numerous obstacles and a lifetime of pain. Their search for an identity that allows them to cope and grow as women is a rewarding experience to read about in the hands of the skillful Broom. If you are looking for a lighthearted and entertaining read, then I recommend this book. Many thanks to Penguin Michael Joseph for an ARC.