Rendez-vous à Manhattan

by Judith Arnold

Ted Skala and Erika Fredell were the perfect New Jersey high school sweethearts. Like many teens, Ted and Erika spent plenty of time in parked cars under the stars, but there was so much more between them than the chemistry that ignited their courtship, and Ted couldn't imagine a life without Erika. By graduation he was ready to get engaged. Erika, however, was ready to spread her wings, and faraway she flew to college. She broke his heart. She sailed the world.
Fast forward fifteen years. Living in Manhattan, Erika successfully climbs the corporate ladder but her love life stinks. Ted is also living the life of a successful businessman in Manhattan, and he's involved in a serious relationship. Problem is, he still cannot get Erika out of his system. When fate intervenes and their paths cross, the result is emotionally explosive and that old black magic is back with the force of a super nova. But Erika once ravaged his heart: How can Ted ever trust her again? And now that he's seriously involved with another woman, how can Erika hope for a second chance with the man she never should have let go?
Meet Me in Manhattan is a classic love story that is told as only Judith Arnold can tell it. With a deep grasp of the complexities of the human heart, this acclaimed author explores Ted Skala and Ericka Fredell's compelling true story of a lost love unexpectedly found again.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Audiobook

334 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Barbara Keiler
aka Ariel Berk, Thea Frederick, Judith Arnold

Barbara Keiler was born on April 7th. She started telling stories before shecould write. She was four when her sister, Carolyn, stuffed a crayon intoher hand and taught her the alphabet, and she's been writing ever since.

Barbara is a graduate of Smith College, where she learned to aim for thestars, and she received a master's degree in creative writing from BrownUniversity, where she took aim at a good-looking graduate student in thechemistry department and wound up marrying him. She says: "Before myhusband and I were married, I had a job in California and he was working onhis Ph.D. in Rhode Island. I became ill, and he hopped on a plane and flewacross the country to be with me. Neither of us had any money, but he saidhe simply couldn't concentrate on his research, knowing I was three thousandmiles away and facing a serious health problem all by myself. He stayed fortwo weeks, until I was pretty well recovered. That he would just drop whathe was doing, put his life on hold and race to my side told me how much heloved me. After that, I knew this was the man I wanted to marry."

Barbara has received writing fellowships from the Shubert Foundation and theNational Endowment for the Arts, and has taught at colleges and universitiesaround the country. She has also written several plays that have beenprofessionally staged at regional theaters in San Francisco, Washington, D.C.,Connecticut and off-off-Broadway.

Since her first romance novel's publication in 1983 as Ariel Berk. Shewrote one novel as Thea Frederick, and since 1985 she writes asJudith Arnold. Barbara has sold more than 70 novels, with eight millioncopies in print worldwide. She has recently signed a contract with MIRABooks. Her first MIRA novel will appear in 2001. She has received severalawards from Romantic Times Magazine, including awards for the Best HarlequinAmerican Romance of the Year, Best Harlequin Superromance of the Year, BestSeries Romantic Novel of the Year and a Lifetime Achievement Certificate ofMerit for Innovative Series Romance. She has also been a finalist for theGolden Medallion Award and the RITA Award for Romance Writer of America. Hernovel Barefoot in the Grass has appeared on the recommended reading listsdistributed by cancer support services at several hospitals.

Barbara lives in a small town not far from Boston, Massachusetts, New England with her husband, two teenage sons, and a guinea pig named Wilbur. Her sister Carolyn died of breast cancer in 1998.

Reviews

[Jackie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've never read any Judith Arnold, and decided to give one of her recent books a try. But when I got a copy of MEET ME IN MANHATTAN from the library, I discovered that the book was part of a series in which all the stories are based on actual, real-life, contemporary couples. Something about being inside of the head of real life people, when you know they aren't the ones who wrote the book, had a strong "ick" factor for me. Will have to try a different Arnold book to free myself from the bad taste of this one...

[Brianna (The Book Vixen) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review copy provided by publisher

When I was given the opportunity to review a Reality-Based Romance™ novel (also know as RB Romance™), I was a bit hesitant at first. The first thought that came to my mind was reality TV, which I do not like. There are only crazy people making complete fools of themselves on reality TV. But once I read the blurb for Meet Me in Manhattan, and found out that it was about a lost love between two people and their journey trying to rekindle that love, I knew I had to read it. I love nothing better than a finding a lost love story. And now that I’ve read a Reality-Based Romance™ novel, I have to admit, I’m ready for some more of this new genre!

I love reading a romance novel that stirs up my emotions and Meet Me in Manhattan did just that. It was funny at times, where I’d find myself grinning ear to ear or even laughing out loud. At other times it was heart-achingly sad where I’d find my eyes filling with tears. And then there were tears of joy.

One thing that keep going on in the back of my mind while reading this book was that I kept wondering how much of this story was real. Did *this* really happen? Or was it added in for effect? I found myself wondering how much of the book is fact and how much was embellished by the talents of Judith Arnold. I tried not to dwell on it but I couldn’t help but wonder.

I really liked that the author took the time to bring the reader back to where it all got started. I got to see how Ted and Erika meet and got together, what split them apart, who wanted to end the relationship and who tried everything to keep it going. Told from third narrative from both Erika’s POV and Ted’s POV, the story was easy to follow and fall in love with. I couldn’t help but root for their love to go on. But at the same time I understand why Erika didn’t want to settle down at such a young age and I applaud her for pursuing her dreams.

The ending seemed a bit rushed. Where the rest of the book was cruising at a steady speed of 35 mph, the ending seemed to be going 65. I would have like to read more about the resolution between the two main characters. Other than that, Meet Me in Manhattan was a great romance story!

Meet Me in Manhattan was a fun, fast read that I couldn’t put down. I stayed up until midnight reading because I wanted to know how everything would end between Ted and Erika. I didn’t make it to the finish line that night but I did finish the book the next morning. I will definitely check out Judith Arnold’s backlist! She’s a new-to-me author and I can’t wait to see what other goodies she has written.

I really like the idea of these Reality-Based Romance™ novels. Not only is it nice to read a true love story but it’s also a fresh of breath away to get away from the world of fantasy once in a while.

[Trang Nguyen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had saw this book at CVS and I decided to order it through PBS. After receiving it yesterday I figured I would get back on the book bandwagon and start off with this book. I wish I could say it was a great book, however, it just fell flat to me.

Summary: Ted and Erika are high school sweethearts who are totally in love with each other. But after graduation, Erika knows she must follow the path she as always set for herself, which was to go to college and experience new things. Ted on the other hand didn't have set path, he just wanted to be with Erika. The breakup between Ted and Erika is a devastating for both of them but Ted takes it much harder. Fifteen years later they cross paths and attempt to make their relationship work.

I think I would have definitely enjoyed this book more if Arnold didn't focus so much on telling the tale of how they felt as teenagers and what they went through but focused on them trying to get back together. I ended up skimming after the first 5 chapters and gave it a 2 star rating because there was some quotes that got me misty eyed.

[wanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was okay.

[Katie(babs) · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

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.

[Jessica]

Jessica richey
English 4
3ed six weeks

Book review

Meet Me IN Manhattan was written by Judith Arnold. She has written more than eighty –five novels. She has been a, multiple finalist for romance writers of American’s RITA award and numerous awards of romantic times awards. She has wrote other books such as Barefoot in the grass, The Fixture Upper, and Love in Blooms.
In this book Ted and Erika are the perfect high school sweet hearts and ted has there whole life planned before them. He is ready to propose and everything. But Erika is not she is ready to go to college and live her life. So that is exactly what she did she went to college and left him heart broken. Later in life it just happens that they are both living in Manhattan now. Both successful but ted is now in a serious relationship. But because of some odd reason there paths cross in Manhattan. They both know they feel something but ted is taken and Erika is married to her work. They just start talking as friends its a little awkward at first. But the more they hung out the closer and closer they become.
The author wrote this book to show how lost love can be rekindled and found again. No matter how old. And how if it is true love it can service anything. Judith Arnold shows the real relationship site. How relationships have problems and how they get threw them.
I loved this book. Had an amazing story line kept my attention the whole way through. The ending was just the perfect way to wrap up the whole story. The way she just reflects a real relationship keeps me hung on every word. It’s not a fairy tale its real.
I would recommend this book to anyone that likes romance books. But they would have to understand that this is not a fairy tale it is a real relationship. But it has something for everyone sappy, heart break, everything.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meet Me in Manhattan is part of a new line of reality-based romances from Health Communications, Inc. As a fan of Harlequin and other fictional romances, I was intrigued by the True Vows line and immediately requested a review copy.

I thought that Meet Me in Manhattan was really well-written. Arnold's style was smooth and the story she told was compelling. Choosing to start the book with the scene of Ted and Erika's reunion, before circling back to tell of their original relationship was a fantastic decision. Erika's nervousness at seeing Ted again and her sorrow after they part ways, really hooked me and made me curious as to what went wrong the first time.

My main complaint with the book were the sections written in the second-person point of view. The change distracted from the overall story and most of the information could probably have been worked into the rest of the book without losing anything important.

The characterizations of Erika and Ted were interesting, though admittedly I have no idea how they compare to the real Erika and Ted (or how the story compares as a whole). They were well-rounded, with talents and flaws and insecurities. They seemed more real than a lot of characters in your run-of-the-mill romance novels, which makes sense as Arnold was trying to stay true to the actual individuals. And while this story seems a little less dramatic than many of those other romances, you've got to love a story where people not only get a second chance, but true love wins out in the end.

Overall, I really enjoyed Meet Me in Manhattan and I think it's a lovely and quick read that any romance fan would appreciate. Or anyone who loves a happy ending.

Thanks to Health Communications, Inc. for the review copy of Meet Me in Manhattan. The views expressed above are my own. For more information on Meet Me in Manhattan, check out the True Vows website.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I sat down to read this book by Judith Arnold today after putting all my books away from my recent trip to RomCon. Combined between the free books, the books I won and the books I received from a friend I met while in Denver, I basically received a large box full of books that I haven’t read yet. This book was one that was free and I was intrigued because it was titled “reality-based romance.” I went into reading this book not really knowing what to expect, but the first page drew me in so well that I thought I’d give it a chance.

I think this book might have spoke to me more because it had an element of reality in it–I could really feel the emotions that Ted and Erika went through. The story was a very believable, and I’m sure a common, one. The book takes you through the relationship of Erika Fredell and Ted Skala, high school sweethearts who parted ways when Erika went off to college. The book begins with the two of them meeting for drinks 16 years later and the remaining and renewed emotions the meeting sparks. I had to finish this book once I started it because I needed to find out what happened next or have some closure.

What I read was an advanced copy, but once this is out, I highly recommend checking it out if you see it. I was a little turned off by the publisher. It’s published under “Health Communications, Inc.” I’m not sure why that bothered me, just that I thought they might have been trying to sell me something I didn’t want to buy. No ideas or beliefs were sold in the book, so don’t let the publisher concern you. If I can, I’ll try to check out the other books that are part of this genre.

[Lesley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book. I think it was a bit slow in the middle, and I would have liked to see more about what Ted did with his life in the 16 years that he and Erika were apart, other than pining over her. There was much more detail about how she spent those 16 years than there was about him, and I have to wonder why. Apart from that, I think it was a well-told story. It was clear from the beginning that these two were meant for each other, but that the timing was wrong the first time around.

I think the concept of a romance novel based on a true love story is interesting, but it has its pros and cons. I liked being able to go to the True Vows website and read more about this couple, see a picture of them, etc., and it is neat to read a story that is about real people. On the other hand, I think the fact that it is about real people places limits on what is included in the story (things about their lives or past that they may choose to keep private), which leaves the reader feeling like something is missing. The sketchy details about Ted during the 16 year separation is an example of this.

I liked this book enough that I'd like to read other True Vows books.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first novel I've read by Judith Arnold. She did an excellent job of taking us through a romance that spanned 16 years. I was totally caught up in Ted and Ericka's relationship in both the past and present.

I really enjoyed the journey both characters took, though I have to say Ericka's attitude bothered me at times. Maybe because I sympathized so much with Ted? She was right that they were probably too young to get married, but she seemed almost selfish at times. She didn't consider him and his feelings, only herself. Which, really, is pretty typical of a high school girl.

I loved that Ted loved her so completely. Maybe her love for him was a puppy love, but his was true and lasting.

Overall a sweet novel. Arnold really captured the teen/high school angst, but still made this a fresh, lovely story.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

So this new line is "based" on real life stories and Meet Me In Manhattan features the story of Ted Skala and Erika Fredell. I wasn't to sure about this being "reality based" and all, but it was a nice story.

At times I felt really bad for Ted and got a little teary-eyed, maybe it was because second chance/reunited is one of my most favorite themes in a romance and to have the ticker in my brain say "this really happened" had me more into the story. I know they say reality is real but IMO reality on TV is mostly staged and even though I'm sure their story wasn't 100% accurate with the book I didn't feel it was forced or made up.

All in all it was a well written, fast pace story.

3.5 stars!

[Lovetoread47 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novel is a reality based love story about high school sweethearts who find love the second time as mature adults with each other. Great history via flashbacks. I admire the fact that Erika Fredell knew what she wanted and went for it. She wanted to go to college, get a degree, and have a career;whereas, Ted Skala let her go and moved on with his life. This story gives some credence to the old adage, "If you love something, set it free and if it comes back to you, it was meant to be."
I admire the two people it was based on to have their love story published. Great book. Easy to read.

[Imogen Woods · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just read the first five chapters for free, and am finding it hard to want to continue. I think part of the charm of the book for me was the fact that it was based on a real relationship. Beyond that, I found the dialogue stilted and the chemistry rather lacklustre. The narrative read like reported speech. It might get better as the story continues but I don't think I'll be rushing out to buy the book. Even after 5 chapters as a hook.

[Karine · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy enjoyable romance that is based on a true life event is something different and one I was interested to see how it would go. I was generally surprised and liked the flow of the story and the characters.
An pleasure journey, and I good way to pass a few hours.

[Tracy's Place · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 out of 5

[Kirsten · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting concept ...

[Sherri · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book! Great love story!!!

[Mayra · Rating 4 out of 5]

....says its based on a true story. I enjoyed the flow of the relationship and loved the fact that true Love never dies. :)