When Martin Grace enters the hip Philadelphia coffee shop Cornelia Brown manages, her life changes forever. But little does she know that her newfound love is only the harbinger of greater changes to come. Meanwhile, across town, Clare Hobbs-eleven years old and abandoned by her erratic mother-goes looking for her lost father. She crosses paths with Cornelia while meeting with him at the cafE, and the two women form an improbable friendship that carries them through the unpredictable currents of love and life.
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"Any book that has a heroine who loves The Philadelphia Story and objects to people's misuse of the word "literally" grabs my attention right away. The conversational tone of Cornelia's parts of the book also drew me in and I loved the way it seemed like Cornelia was telling us her story as well as living it. I didn't LOVE the book, though, and I think part of it was the way the chapters bounced between Cornelia and Clare's point of view. It became a little tedious and confusing at times, even though Cornelia's chapters were in first person and Clare's in third person. I also would have liked more physical description. Sometimes I found the characters and setting hard to picture--especially Martin, but perhaps the author made him deliberately vague. But some physical details of the setting would have been nice since I'm not entirely sure where the latter part of the novel took place. I'm sure the author told us where Cornelia is from, and I could have flipped back to the beginning to find it, but I think it might have been nice to remind us when the story moved to Cornelia's hometown, just where that hometown was. I also might ding the ending for being a little too tidy--despite Cornelia's assurances that it was untidy--but overall, I enjoyed the book very much."
— Sophie (4 out of 5 stars)
“A touching, triumphant story.”
— Karen Joy Fowler, author of The Jane Austin Book Club“Love Walked In by Marisa de los Santos, is the kind of book that makes you want to hunker down on a chilly day in a comfy chair and read straight through 'til dark. The beginning is light, entertaining and inviting, the middle grows more serious, and then, toward the end, the violins really start to play in this poignant, heart-tugging story about a single woman and a little girl who develop an unlikely bond.”
— Washington Post“A sweet story about knowing what you love and why.”
— Booklist“De los Santos's writing engages throughout this powerful story. It's impossible not to cheer for these characters as they search for happiness. A timeless gem.”
— Kirkus Reviews" One of my all time favorites. Characters so well developed. I still miss them. "
— Tawnya, 2/9/2014" Great story-especially if you are an old black and white movie buff. Lot's of reference to old film romance movies and actors. Fun and easy read. "
— Suzie, 2/6/2014" I would give this book 3 1/2 stars. I really enjoyed reading this book. I once heard a lady describe her grandmother as one who's eyes twinkled in delight every time her grandmother saw her. Not only that but she continued to say that she did this to everyone. She made everyone feel loved and welcomed. I thought this was the best compliment one could ask for and inspire to have said about you. What better characteristic to have and let others feel. I think it is having Christ-like love for everyone. What a wonderful thing! I felt that Cornelia had this for Clare, a girl she just met. Clare desperately needed to be loved and have someone delight in her and she found that in Cornelia. Don't we all need to have someone to delight in us? I loved the relationship they had. I also love old movies and books so I really enjoyed lots of the lines in the book. My sister is an old movie junkie so Cornelia reminded me a lot of her. I enjoy books that you can relate to the characters. I could make a list of who each character reminded me of. What a fast reading delightful book! "
— Martianngray, 2/1/2014" I had very mixed thoughts about this novel. I thoroughly enjoyed the first few chapters, but then the amount of references made to movies was totally overdone and annoying, and I came very close to putting the book down. I was definitely plodding my way through when it began to capture my interest again. There were also times I felt Clare was way too sophisticated to be an 11-year old, although I loved her resiliency. And how could one not love Teo? I was pleased I read all the way to the end which was incredibly poignant. So, 2 or 3 stars? I'll go with 3 for now. "
— Ida, 1/29/2014" Maybe I'll come back to this story later, but this story just didn't do it for me. It was very confusing in parts, rambling in others, and I didn't feel any connection to any of the characters. I felt as if I were reading in a bubble. I had such high expectations since everyone and their mother sees to LOVE this book, but it's one of the first books in a long time I've had to just stop reading. "
— Stephany, 1/22/2014" I loved this book! (I promise I won't say that about everyone I read)It was like listening to one of my best girlfriends telling me a good, juicy, funny story. I love that it grabbed me from the first sentence. I will read it again! "
— Amy, 1/15/2014" I really liked this book. The writing was fun and I enjoyed the characters. The only down side is that you could see how events were going to develop in a way you weren't looking forward to (being cryptic to avoid spoilers) - but the twists and turns were worth it. "
— Mary-Frances, 1/2/2014" Not much into the chic lit but it was ok...still finished it quick "
— Rita, 1/2/2014" What can I say? This book was lovely; silly as it sounds there is no better way to describe it. I love the way the author really gets in and portrays emotion so beautifully. This book is the precursor to Belong To Me (which I adored). "
— Misty, 12/26/2013" I thought that this was a vibrantly written soothing style of a love story. The characters were easy to fall in love with. The vivid descriptions put me right in the heart of Cornelia's neighborhood. Also, I am such a sucker for happy endings! "
— Helen, 12/11/2013" Oh, I loved this book! Clare, you brave, brave girl. Such beautiful characters, a great story about families and love. Loved the references to all the old songs and movies, too. "
— Robbin, 10/15/2013" Possibly the most beautiful, perfect book I have read. Lyrical writing, heart-twisting story. Happy/Bittersweet ending. "
— April, 9/21/2013" Enjoyable book. Thought I had the plot figured out (I had it partially right), but there was a twist I did not see coming which made it a bit more interesting. LIked the characters and the premise... "
— Joni, 9/16/2013" A very beautifully written book, especially the second half. "
— Sydney, 9/10/2013" Maybe I'll give this a higher score if I ever go pick it up and finish it. Boring, non compelling..... "
— Linda, 8/3/2013" Jeff and I stumbled on boxes of books outside the Friends of the Library in Hermosa last week. This one told Jeff that I would be reading her soon :) "
— Lauren, 7/22/2013" I really identified with Cornelia (I'm RIDICULOUSLY short too) and she was such a great character, and I loved her eccentricity. And Clare was so smart and cute, she makes you want to love her foreve, exactly what she did to Cornelia. A very cute book :) "
— Pooja, 4/3/2013" i enjoyed the beautiful writing of this book. i wonder if any 12 year old really has it that together. "
— Margaret, 11/20/2012" This was a pretty good book. It ended really suddenly which I didn't like. However it was a quick read. "
— Mikhaila, 5/27/2012" OK book, took me forever to get into. It wasn't until the last part is started to pick up a bit. "
— Meghan, 2/9/2012" Great read. Good writing, interesting characters, love story, happy ending. Sigh. "
— Betty, 12/22/2011" I was given this book---chick lit, an airplane worthy read... "
— Jayna, 11/3/2011" Made it 3/4 way through the book - didn't hook me at all. was disappointing and I didn't have the interest to finish it. "
— Geraldine, 10/29/2011" Loved. This. Book. Loved the story, LOVED the poetry and the words the author used, loved Clare and Cornelia ... I'm starting Belong To Me this weekend! "
— Lindsay, 9/5/2011" Somewhat predictable, but a quick carefree read. "
— Beth, 6/29/2011" I could easily see this as a Lifetime movie. I do not say this as a compliment. I will save the rest of my thoughts for our book club meeting. "
— Shana, 6/29/2011" Chick lit. Or better yet, a soap opera in book form. I found the plot turns too unrealistic to be believed and most of the characters overdrawn. "
— Ann, 5/24/2011" this book was intresting at times but had a very disapointing end =/<br/> "
— Lisa, 5/21/2011" Beautiful stories with characters I wanted to hug, throw things at and sit down and have a good cry with. "
— Laura, 5/15/2011" I enjoyed this book and it really kept my interest. I wanted to see what happened to the characters so I was inspired to keep reading. I read the prequel, Love Walked In, last summer and enjoyed that one as well. One thing, why is there no mention of Teo's ex-wife (I won't give more away)? "
— Laurie, 5/15/2011" I loved this book - but I read it a while ago, so I don't really remember what I loved about it. "
— Katie, 5/13/2011" Enjoyed it! Wasn't too serious or sentimental. An honest female voice. It was good. "
— Marikka, 5/12/2011" Easy Read. Great Story. Emotional, but not too overwhelming. Good book. "
— Rachel, 5/12/2011" Oh my God.... What a book.... I was crying my eyes out as If I was one of the members of the story in describtion of the death of Elizabeth.... So true.... Be prepared to sob your eyes out... A definite must read.... "
— Carolin, 5/12/2011" This was just okay. It reminded me of the television show Desperate Housewives. Unlikely and unbelievable, but it was a fun, breezy read. "
— Carrie, 5/3/2011" I loved the character development and the unexpected friendships that grew among the characters. I thought it was well written, however there were a few parts of the book I was uncomfortable with (language being one - some of the words once in awhile). "
— Becky, 5/2/2011" I enjoyed this book, but I did not like the ending that much. Hard to say why, but it started off so well and then it fizzled into something that was similar to some other book that I have read in some other year. Same old, same old. "
— Lisa, 4/28/2011" A very nice story of a group of people who become friends and family. An interesting mystery thrown in the mix made this book an enjoyable read. "
— Amy, 4/28/2011" Listened to this on audio book, and I kept wishing it would end so I could move on to something better.<br/> "
— Iris, 4/20/2011" Was apprehensive about this book in the beginning. Not a fan of some woman in our society. The story drew me right in after the 1/3 of the book. I loved the writing and the characters. "
— Dani, 4/16/2011Marisa de los Santos is the New York Times bestselling author of Love Walked In, Belong to Me, and Falling Together. She has also published a poetry collection called From the Bones Out.
Alma Cuervo is an Earphones Award–winning narrator and a stage actress and singer who has also performed in film and television. She holds an MFA in acting from the Yale School of Drama, from which she graduated in 1976 alongside Meryl Streep. She starred in the role of Madame Morrible in the first national tour of Wicked.
Jennifer Ikeda has been narrating audiobooks since 2002. Among her readings are When My Name Was Keoko by Linda Sue Park; Just Listen by Sarah Dessen; and After the Wreck, I Picked Myself Up, Spread My Wings, and Flew Away by Joyce Carol Oates. She has won six AudioFile Earphones Awards.