Book Reviews of Love Walked In

If you are getting this book based on the back cover, expect more...much more. I would not say this book is about romance, though it's in there. I'd say it's about love. Real love. Messy love. The kind that breaks your heart and lifts you up at the same time.

Parts of the book were a bit wordy for me, but overall, it is a wonderful story that is, for the most part, beautifully written.

One of the best books I've read in a long time. It took me a chapter or two to get engaged in the book, but soon I was hooked. One thing that set this book apart is that the characters are all interesting AND likeable. There isn't a villian, but there is still interest and tension.

what an excellent book...I really cared for Cornelia, the main character. Cornelia's references to movie characters and movie scenes to explain how she is feeling is an interesting way to convey her emotions. I think this book reflects what we all hope...that love will walk into our lives and we'll be ready and able to accept it when it does. A great book...highly recommend it.

Surprisingly moving. Starts off slightly irritating and chick-lit lite but ends up with a moving discussion about family relationships, ties that truly bind and if blood is thicker than water. Engaging characters, easy writing and a satisfying ending.

This is a wonderful story that redefines "heartwarming." It revolves around a tiny 31 yo lady named Cornelia, a precocious 11 yo named Clare, several movie-star-handsome 30-40 yo males, a cafe, a home in a neighborhood everyone would love to be raised in and various and sundry more or less lovable characters. There are lots of plot surprises but most of all everyone comes of age and survives whatever plot nuances in which they might fing themselves. The ending is mostly happy~~depending upon who you are rooting for. More of a "she" than "he" book. Chances are you will love it!

Well written..well developed characters...a moving story line with witty dialogue. Well worth the wait on the wish list. You won't be disappointed.

Loved the story- just one of those books you look forward to reading but don't want to end.

I LOVED this great story about love and life. I hope Marisa de los Santos becomes a prolific writer!

Great read! Charming and heartwarming. Didn't want to put it down, didn't want the book to end.

This was a wonderful book about relationships that aren't only biological. The first couple of chapters are dry, but well worth sticking through it to read the entire book. This story made me hungry for more news about the characters of the book. A sequel would be greatly appreciated.

"My life - my real life - started when a man walked into it, a handsome stranger in a perfectly cut suit, and, yes, I know how that sounds."

At first glance, "Love Walked In" has all the right ingredients for a sappy, conventional love story - at 31 years old, Cornelia Brown is a hopeless romantic, unmarried, yet dreaming wistfully of the kind of love that's fit for the movies and fostering an intense infatuation with Cary Grant. So when a tall, dark and handsome man - one who very much resembles Mr. Grant himself, if you ask her - walks into her Philadelphia cafe one Saturday afternoon, Cornelia psyches herself up for a happily-ever-after relationship with her very own Mr. Right.

In order to make up for a self-described "ordinary" existence, Cornelia uses classic movie references to paint the picture of her life and budding love with the charming Martin Grace, lighting her modern-day fairy tale in a haze of nostalgia. "It was one of those dropped-from-the-sky silvery moments when you stand there believing that every last thing in the world is delicate, lovely and precise, including and especially you," she gushes, describing a scene from one of their first dates.

But Cornelia's life is not a movie and these silver screen moments with Martin never materialize into the kind of love that transcends Hollywood grandeur. No matter how much she longs for the happy ending, Cornelia's Prince Charming comes with some serious baggage and a major character flaw that makes her realize love is not blind after all, but rather the world's most clear-eyed state of being. No, it is not Martin himself who marks the beginning of Cornelia's life - her real life. While his presence is integral to the changes that are to come, his role in the novel ultimately takes a back seat to the real love that walks into Cornelia's cafe in the form of 11-year-old Clare Hobbs.

Though Cornelia and Clare do not cross paths for the first 100 pages or so, the characters are immediately linked as the narration alternates between the two; at times, the similarities are so strong that Clare seems like a younger version of Cornelia herself. Both are compulsive organizers, making lists in attempts to construct a sense of control, and both are dreamers trying to compensate for what they do not have. As Cornelia clings to her movies, particularly "The Philadelphia Story," Clare turns to storybook characters like Anne of Green Gables to fill the voids of her isolated life. When extreme circumstances land the all but orphaned Clare in Cornelia's care, it is not simply a matter of adult rescuing child; rather, they become each other's salvation.

"Holding Clare, whispering soothing words, this seemed to make her feel better. Maybe that's just how children are. But, what was more amazing is that it felt pretty good to me, too. Twelve hours ago, I'd never seen this girl. I could count the number of words we had said to each other. She did not belong to me. But she fit inside my arms; she fit. I didn't love her. But, I suddenly understood, to my bewilderment, it wouldn't take much."

As Cornelia becomes the one steady figure in Clare's upturned world, her maternal instincts for the girl are automatic. And though Clare has been given every reason to mistrust the adults in her life, she clings to Cornelia instinctively as well, until neither adult nor child can imagine life without the other.

With her conversational tone and clever quips, author Marisa de los Santos creates an instant friend in Cornelia, a loveable character who becomes all the more endearing as the story progresses. It is, after all, Cornelia and not Clare who finally grows up along the way.

"My life - my real life - started when a man walked into it, a handsome stranger in a perfectly cut suit, and yes, I know how that sounds. Or I know how it might sound to the kind of person I used to be, one who spent her day skirting around the edges of adulthood, commitment, responsibility, accomplishment - whatever words you use to describe diving into the deepest part of a human being.

Breaking from the traditional mold of boy-meets-girl, "Love Walked In" offers readers a different kind of love story, one that is heartwarming, refreshing and anything but conventional.

maybe it was me but I couldn't get into this book. each chapter flips between 2 characters and it just didn't seem to flow and it didn't hold my interest. It is rare that I don't like a book but this was one of them.

Oh my goodness, I cannot believe how much I loved this book. I couldn't put it down, laughed, cried and read it over two days time, to the exclusion of just about everything else.

Cornelia Brown is a tiny sprite of a woman who loves old classic movies; in particular The Philadelphia Story. When Martin Grace walks into her coffee shop one day, looking so much like Cary Grant it's unbelievable, Cornelia goes out with him and begins to fall in love. What she doesn't know is that Martin has a few secrets he has yet to share, and when one is revealed to be is eleven year old daughter, Clare, Cornelia begins a journey that changes her entire life.

This book was pitch perfect, with two amazing characters in Cornelia and Clare, people you just wish you really had in your life. The secondary characters were all wonderful, and fleshed out people. The movie and poetry references were so clever and I was completely bewitched by this book. I was also very pleased to know there is a sequel, entitled Belong to Me, and I have it and have already devoured half of it. I'll be back with that review shortly. My first 5***** book of the year (I'm cheap with that rating)

I enjoyed this story. It is very moving and realistic at the same time. Not typical "chick-lit", where everything is predictable and tied in a pretty bow. My only two complaints are that the font is too small and that sometimes the sentences are two wordy (where the author tries to include too much detail, imagery and references in one long sentence). However, with that said, I really liked the story. Took a little while to become totally engrossed, but after the first chapter or two, I was completely hooked. Would highly recommend this book.

I liked this book, but I wanted more from it. The characters felt... plastic? At times my heart just screamed for them and the situations they were in, but the characters themselves... it was an odd read for me in that respect. The writing and the situations were wonderful, but the characters felt hollow and, well, made up. Yes, it's a fiction book, but I like to forget that while I'm reading.

It's definitely worth a read and might make a good Summer read for a book club. There was a lot of different issues you could talk about, just ignore the characters - they needed something more...

Not one of my favorites

Heartwarming and witty. About finding and defining love and family in the most touching of ways.

A breath of fressh air-heartwarming story of a coffee shop owner who befriends a troubled girl, and their adventure together.

This is a witty, beautifully written fun novel. Scenes from old classic movies inspire our heroine and add a visual component to her narrative. I look forward to reading more from Marisa de Los Santos.

What a fabulous book. A simply delightful read. Love and romance and idendities all wrapped up in delicious writing.

This was a great read, lyrical in style, nice story.

I almost put it down after the first 50 pages. De Los Santos uses a voice that can be on the verge of annoying. But I powered through and am so glad that I did! The plot (and voice) panned out to be exciting, charming, and intriguing.

This book is SO good that I'm taking my copy out of PBS circulation and bestowing it on all of the people in my life whom I love with the kind of effusive, unabashed love felt and expressed by the captivating main character of this book.

Normally, my reviews are a little more detailed, but I don't dare reveal even one illuminating, heartfelt moment of this twisting and turning saga through the sorrows and joys of every kind of love - romantic, familial, and parent/child. Get into your jammies, grab a box of tissues and a glass of wine or cup of cocoa, sit under a blanket next to a fire, if possible, and settle in for a few hours to let the emotions of "Love Walked In" wash over you.

I also cannot WAIT to read the next novel by Marisa de los Santos, "Belong to Me."

This is a story of love. Cornelia manages a coffee shop. She has a college degree but never knew what to do with her life and just settled in. A handsome stranger walks in one day and her life is changed. She WANTS to be in love with him - but cannot. But one day he brings his daughter, who's mother has disappeared, with him. And Cornelia falls in love - with the child - who returns the love. This is their story, Cornelia's and Clare's. And of love in many forms - the love of friends, romantic love, and of the love of family. Beautiful story.

I enjoyed this book so much that I looked for others by the same author. When I read the other book, which was not as well written as this one, I realized that it was the first and Love Walked In was the sequel.
I am actually glad I read this one first (although it was a bit confusing), since the other book wouldn't have prodded me into reading more by this author.
Basically: families and marriages are confusing and have their ups and downs. Having a sense of community... and others to depend on is the way to make it through life.
It's a GOOD read.

This was a WONDERFUL book. I got it based on a friend saying it was good, but didn't know much about it other than it was on the NY Times Bestseller list. The summary on the back of the book doesn't do it justice either... Yes, it sort of gets to the general gist of the story, but there's so much more here.

I was pulled in immediately at the first page. I couldn't put it down! The author's writing style is a little off beat, but I truly enjoyed it. I loved her word choice at times... Great vocabulary! There are also quite a few references to classic movies and movie stars, but even if you're not a movie buff, you'll enjoy it... None are obscure, so you'll be able to follow the train of thought.

This is the story of a few people, who become entwined in each other's lives through a couple of unusual events. It's about growing up, finding a purpose for one's life, falling in love, and coming to learn what love really is... and what it isn't.

I will definitely read more books by this author!

This was not one of my favorite books. Maybe I was just expecting more because of all the good reviews, but I found this book kind of boring and hard to get through.

I really enjoyed this book! A sweet story/quick read with interesting and likable characters. I loved how the chapters alternated between characters and their points of view.I also liked the informal tone of the book, and really felt connected to the storyline. I would definitely recommend this book to my friends

Touching novel about what love really can be. Heartfelt story about a young girl looking for family and a single woman looking for love and how their lives fit together. I truly enjoyed this book.

I loved this book, more than loved it. The writing is lyrical, you can tell the author is a poet. Charming story and great characters. The sequal is "Belong to Me". Enjoy!

ok- i must be one of the few.
i did like the plot but i hated the authors style... it took a few chapters to become interesting. i did skim most of it to cut out the fluff.
imagine this- you know how you have that one friend who just will not shut up. you know they have something important to say and you are trying to listen but they just go on and on and on. that is this book. the author uses lots of words when just a few would do.
but- like i said- the premise is good, i just wish the author (and her editor) would learn that most times less is more. i will not seek this author out in the future- but if i happen to come across another book by her- i would read it if i had nothing else to do- ok- i would skim it if i had nothing else to read and nothing i wanted to watch was on tv...

Wonderful and Heartwarming Story about Love.

This book had so many unexpected twist it keeps your nose pinned into it. Such a fun read.

This author writes a complex and compelling story - I loved it.

This is an excellent author, a truly good book. There's another book that is in this series. Humor, love, real life............what could be better?!

Fabulous read - I can't believe I didn't read it sooner. Marisa is awesome. I inquired about the movie list on her website, and she emailed me back in just a few hours! I have that list if anyone is interested.

Great book - very heartwarming and heartwrenching! Easy & quick read.

It was an interested book about relationships and how unexpected love can be. I liked it.

This novel manages to be both predictable and unbelievable at the same time. Especially early on, the dialogue is like a weak episode of Gilmore Girls. It's okay for the beach, but it's pretty bleh, even for chick lit.

Absolutely fantastic! I fell in love with each and every character in the book. Definitely a worth-while read and should be made into a movie. Fabulous writer!

A beautiful story, lyrical writing and characters that grab you by the heart and pull you into the pages until the very last word, where you're left grateful for having had these people and this book in your life. Absolutely entrancing.

this was an amazing book. it reads like a conversation between old friends. it moves along quickly and the relationships in it are genuine, something you could imagine actually happening.

Marisa de los Santos really has a way with words. Her writing style is so unique and refreshing. That alone had me compelled by this book. But I was also drawn in by the story--you fall in love with the characters and can't seem to put this book down.

Lyrically written book, with entertaining literary references flying off the tongue of the main character mixed with entertaining introspection and emotion. The plot is just a little too improbable but it still makes you feel good. The protagonist, a thirty-something who is wryly witty and very likeable, shines.

A really enjoyable read with good character development, warmth and emotional depth. My favorite kind of book.

Lovely heartwarming story that took me by suprise. It wasn't what I expected (from reading the jacket) but it does have the feel goodness of Jennifer Wiener. Definetly worth reading.

loved this book. easy read, very identifible characters that you really get to know and love

A good book about love, what it is and where it can and can't be found. I enjoyed the read a lot.

very good story!

Delicious. You can't help falling in love with the unsettled Cordelia and young, wounded Clare. To quote one of the jacket blurbs: "A touching, triumphant story"...and then some.

definitely a fantasy--but fun

I enjoyed this story of a girl with no future working in a coffee shop, and having it all change when someone walks in the door.

Very cute story. Fast read, fiction story.

Characters were a little hard to believe in, but a good book anyways

nice story. uplifting.

Cornelia is a dreamy underachiever who is drifting through life managing a small coffee shop. Martin is the Cary Grant look-alike who walks through the door one day and begins to look and sound as though he could be Mr. Right. But after three months Martin still hasn't mentioned the real star of this book, Clare, his eleven-year-old daughter. And when Clare shows up at his door after the disappearance of her disturbed mother, the story really begins. The true love story turns out to be the relationship that develops between Clare and Cornelia, and the lengths they will go to, to cherish and protect one another.

A very well written book with an interesting and moving plot. The only part that I found a bit tiresome was the fact the every single character in this book has a much-touted and descriptively overdone deep physical beauty. There is no ugliness or plainness in this book at all. I kind of felt that took away from the message in the book. Only movie-star beautiful people can love and be loved?

Otherwise, the story is very nice, well-presented, and speaks to the heart. The characters are likeable and have a lot of insight and introspection. A very quick read. Hope the author writes more books soon.

Very enjoyable. thanks for sending.

Great story!

I very much enjoyed this book. I t was odd to get into at first for some reason but the effort paid off. Just a really good read better than average in my opinion.

Fantastically written wonderful book.

This is a delightful book. It reminded me of so many people I know I had a hard time deciding who to pass it on to.

I absolutely struggled to finish this book. The overall theme was good, but I found it to be slow. I thought it would never end.

I am so in love with this book! It is such a wonderful story of real love. I would recommend it to anyone!

Beautifully written, great characters. I LOVE this book!

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