Meet Me In San Francisco

Girls Weekend Away #2

by Shana Gray

The Single Mom...

When Celia Fox's ex-husband serves her with custody papers during the same weekend he's getting remarried, she expects things to go downhill from there. So when her best friends show up to whisk her away for a girls' getaway to San Francisco, it's just what the doctor ordered. Add in the chance to see Landon Bryant again, and she can't wait for the weekend to begin...

And the Playboy Millionaire...

Landon and Celia shared stolen moments of passion in Vegas, and Landon hasn't been able to stop thinking about her since. He knows she's under pressure to hold her family together, but he's determined to prove he's there for her - and that she deserves some fun of her own.

Are about to get Wild.

As Celia rediscovers who she used to be and her relationship with Landon deepens, she begins to believe he's someone she can rely on. But Celia has been keeping a secret from everyone - if the truth comes out, will they play it safe or take a leap of faith?

Genres: Romance, Audiobook, Chick Lit, Fiction

257 pages, Paperback

Published September 25, 2018

About the author

Shana Gray writes contemporary romance and women’s fiction that just might make you laugh. With 35+ books behind her, some translated into multiple languages, she’s always eyeing the next story line. Usually she can be found daydreaming about life, and making travel plans to far off lands to feed her wanderlust.

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Shana is represented by Louise Fury of The Fury Agency.
Visit her online at shanagray.com
Twitter @shanagray_
Facebook: Shana Gray

Reviews

[Sara Oxton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Meet me in San Francisco a five-star read that will whisk you away. This was my first read by this author, it’s the second book in the Girls weekend away series, but I read it as stand alone and plan to go back and read the first book and hopefully the rest of the series as I adored this book, you can imagine yourself on the Golden Gate bridge in the fog and having seafood in Fisherman’s Wharf. You want to throat punch the stupid ex and while away the hours in the arms of a lovely man like Landon. This is a read where you have to suspend reality as its not everyday a playboy millionaire falls in love with you and whisks you away after your friends have kidnapped you, but if you do, the you will be rewarded with a great story that suck you in and while away your time reading.

[Madison Warner Fairbanks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meet Me in San Francisco by Shana Gray

Four friends escape to San Francisco for a short vacation.
2nd in the Girls Weekend Away series. Contemporary romance.
Celia had a brief encounter with Landon in Vegas when the women had their first vacation together. But life has gotten overwhelming for Celia and she’s let the potential relationship lag. The other women arrange the vacation in San Francisco for girl time, making sure that Landon and Celia have time together as well.

I listened to the audio version narrated by Muffy Newtown. Her voices between male and female tended to blend and then sped up in times of excitement and passion. Overall pleasant to listen to.

Enjoyable and romantic. I loved the friend time together and how much they support each other.

[Dolorianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This sequel was just as cute as the first one. It was a nice mix of friendship and romance. The conflict was something I personally don't understand, because it isn't something I feel should be a "thing", but I've seen reports of this very thing make national news, so I applaud the author for introducing such a clever "real world" moment into the story. I think readers looking for romance and strong female friendships will enjoy this book.

[Silvia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Who wants to be “kidnapped” by their friends for a trip that could change your life—for the best—and make you re-connect with that part of yourself you thought it was lost?

Although I admit I felt a bit disconnected with the group during some of their conversations—too juvenile for me at times—I can’t help but loving these girls’ bond and how supportive they are in every circumstance. A strong and heartwarming friendship that this time brings them to San Francisco, my fave US city! While reading, I suddenly travelled back there, and all the memories made me enjoy Celia and Landon’s time together even more. Indeed, the author does an outstanding job with the descriptions of this lovely city, and Landon sure makes Celia have quite the fun adventures. Honestly, every girl dreams of a ‘Landon’ in shining armour and the happily every after that could come with him . . .

Another enjoyable read in the Girls’ Weekend Away series, with some life problems that single mums can relate to, true friends, and a city to fall for. Not to mention the man showing it to you!

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley for an honest review. This does not affect in any way my opinion of the book nor the content of my review—originally posted on Darkest Sins.

[Melenareads · Rating 2 out of 5]

After checking out the blurb, I was looking forward to reading Meet Me In San Francisco.

Unfortunately, it did not live up to my expectations. The bones for a good story are there, but I had a hard time liking the characters. Celia and her group of girlfriends especially felt immature. I do appreciate that the author featured their strong female friendship, though. It was nice to see women building each other up.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an ARC for an honest review.

[J_McA 251 · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second in the “Girls Weekend Away” series, this book is as breezy as the first one. Half girlfriend road-trip, half wonderful guy sweeps woman off of her feet, there is plenty for everyone to like. Celia is the focus of this one, and moms of all types will definitely be able to relate to her desire to re-discover herself after a divorce. The only thing that disappointed me a little bit about this book is that there was too much focus on Landon impressing Celia. These scenes came at the expense of detailing other events. I understand the author’s focus for Celia, but I would have liked to have had a little more of the girl-talk between the four friends (because the author does it well), and a little less of the inner monologues of Celia and Landon. As in the first book, the conflict is fleeting, although I do hope the author follows Celia’s story through the next two books because the storyline with the ex is interesting. The ending was also a little abrupt; it almost seemed like an afterthought. I will give the author credit for doing her research on San Francisco and the California Coast. I’m a born and raised California girl (SF Bay Area), and reading the descriptions of Northern California brought me to the beautiful parts of the state that I miss the most. Looking forward to seeing what happens with Fredi and Ava! 3.5 stars, but bumped to 4 for the nostalgia that the scenes in Monterey and Napa Valley invoked. Thank you to NetGalley, Entangled Publishing LLC, and the author for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Pennie Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second installment in this series and we delve into the life of Celia Fox, the single mom who had a fling in Vegas with Landon Bryant. We are treated with a splash of text messages which are fun and flirty until they aren't and then the girls are at Celia's door to kidnap her. These girls climb into a sports car for a drive up the California coast towards Napa Valley and the Bryant vineyard for an extended weekend and after a fun day and overnight in San Francisco, Landon sweeps in the next morning for Celia for a wild day to bring her back to her wild ways. These two are perfect for each other. They have spent a lot of time getting to know each other over texts and Skype and Landon has met her kids over Skype and now with them together it is clear those feelings are true. Celia has a lot going on in her life though with her ex-husband fighting dirty for custody and Celia trying to handle everything on her own. Such a fun and carefree story with great characters. I am so glad I have the complete series and can go on to the next one!

[Karla Andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg!! Landon is truly sexy beast, I mean, he is a knight in shining amour. He is so sweet and in tune with Celia’s needs. He is so romantic. Everything that Celia needs right now after her ex husbands being a dickhead. Loved this book.

My favorite quote (laughed so hard reading this one)
Tears pricked her eyes. “Oh my God, I’m going to cry…and over condoms.” Celia couldn’t believe how wildly her emotions were swinging.

[J Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 2nd book in Shana Gray's Girl's Weekend Away series, and I just loved it! The characters are just a vibrant and fun as they were in the first book What Happens in Vegas. This could easily be read as a stand alone, but if I hand't read the first one already, I'd be hunting for it.
The author takes Celia and Landon on such a fun adventure that I wish I had my own Landon. It really makes you believe in love and happily ever afters. And it's pretty darn sexy too! Can't wait for the next books in this series to come out. (received ARC for honest review)

[S Jonathon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. The story of the girlfriends and their fun continues in this one. Just as good, if not better than the 1st book set in Vegas. If you didn't read Vegas though, you are not lost if you read this one first - I liked that. There is some seriously sexy times with this hero and he sure knows how to show a girl a good time. It's good too, making her forget about her jerk of an ex. Highly recommended.

[Ophelia Rass · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read especially if you like romance journeys.

[Cheryl Basile · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've always wanted to a Shana Gray book, so was excited to receive an ARC copy from Netgalley.

It is a fun, lighthearted read about Celia, a divorced woman in her 30s. Her ex-husband is getting remarried, so to help her forget, her four friends "kidnap" her and take her to a northern California vineyard for a few days. But along the way she meets up with with Landon, a man whom she met in Las Vegas (and had a brief fling with while there). She and Landon have been corresponding (mostly via text) since meeting. He meets them in San Francisco and "kidnaps" Celia from her friends (with their agreement) for a day and a night. They spend time together, and he woos her with adventures like skydiving, spelunking and ziplining, then they hop in his Bugatti and drive the rest of the way to the vineyard, which his family owns. Celia divides her time then between Landon and her friends. The more time she and Landon spend together, the more they gradually begin to realize their strong feelings for each other.

But she's hiding a secret -- from her friends and Landon, and when they mistakenly find out the secret at the party, Celia is afraid her friends and Landon will never forgive her for sharing her secret.

It's a fun read, but at times I felt the book didn't move forward fast enough. I like books that keep me at the edge of my seat, and this one really didn't. But, if you prefer books with less angst, this might be a good read for you.

I wish the author had opened with the scene where Celia and Landon first met in Las Vegas, rather than skipping over that and referring back to it throughout the story. I yearned to understand this instant attraction from their point of view, but we didn't experience that with them. We only saw it through fragments of flashbacks. I think this made it more difficult for me to understand the characters and relate to them.

I also wish the book was a little less predictable--Landon's wealthy, and sometimes the author (in almost an omniscient point of view) indicates that, but it doesn't make me feel closer to understanding him. It comes across as arrogance at times. One example: near the end of the book, Landon tells Celia he's been talking with his lawyers to determine whether their relationship might prevent her from gaining custody of her kids. He says "They said, in the politest and most professional way possible, that being with a man like me can only help you." A man like him? It was almost too arrogant and didn't fit his personality through much of the book -- thoughtful, considerate, kind.

I also wish the author had stated (perhaps in the front inside cover), that this was book 2 in a series, following up her book "What Happens in Vegas." I think if I had realized that, I would have read "What Happens in Vegas" first to get a better understanding of Celia and her friends, who were the main characters in that book. (Might have also helped me understand the instantaneous attraction between Celia and Landon.)

But all in all, it is a fun read!

[Bree · Rating 2 out of 5]

Yesterday Was Release Day!
Make sure you add it to your Want to Read shelf!

Meet Me in San Francisco is about Celia Fox a single mother who falls into a bit of a rut when problems arise with her ex-husband. Her friends end up surprising her with a weekend away, and it is exactly what the doctor ordered. What follows is a lot of laughter, tons of new adventures, and a chance to remind herself she is more than just a mom. This book is also about Landon Bryant playboy millionaire who shared a few passionate moments with Celia during a fling in Vegas, and since then neither have been able to forget each other. Landon knew Celia was in need of a getaway and helps orchestrate this whole thing. As Landon and Celia spend more time together feelings grow, but with the problems still looming in the shadows, will Landon and Celia’s relationship make it in the real world or what was it all just a vacation fling?

Right from the start, I had a hard time getting into the book. I do not know if it just felt a little slow to me or if it was how adult this book felt. I personally tend to read more NA/College Romances so this is not exactly my comfort genre. Another thing I noticed pretty early on is that this book is a second in a series. I did not know that going in and I kept finding myself being like “wait am I missing something?” well I was… the first book. In the end, it did not seem to make or break the book, but I definitely could tell I should have known the characters better. I really enjoyed the dynamic of the friends they really brought a humor and joy to the story. I loved how normal Celia was she felt like a real mom with real problems. There was no shine over her character she was very relatable. I could understand that struggle of losing your identity in your kids and feeling guilty of wanting a life outside of being a mom. I could feel her wrestling with the decision of receiving help every time. Her character is some truly wonderful honest writing. For me the struggle really was the storyline. It is all just too quick, this passion to love story. It just did not feel as honest as her character did. I mean they met two different times and then it is supposed to be forever. I just could not believe that.

I think this book had a lot of potential and in some ways, it was really well done but in others, it fell short for me. It really was a mixed bag. I don’t know if it was just my lack of enthusiasm reading about a time in life I have not lived, or if it was the quickness I could not get down on, but something put me off. I recommend like I always do to check it out for yourself. Maybe for you it will connect with you in a way it did not for me.

I received this ARC from Entangled Publishing and Netgalley

[Jo ReadsRomance · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book so much. Landon and Celia’s romance was so much more than I had expected. It was passionate, exciting and so dreamy. It took me completely by surprise, because after meeting Landon in “What Happens In Vegas”, I presumed that he was going to be a bit of a bad boy. Someone that would be almost impossible to tame. However, I got it so wrong as in this story, I saw a new swoon-worthy side to him that made my heart flip. Landon turned out to be a bit of a romantic after all. I just loved how he always wore his heart on his sleeve for Celia.

"All of Celia's troubles faded into nothingness. There was only this moment with Landon."

As well as enjoying getting to know Landon, I also loved finding out more about Celia. Celia turned out to be such a fab heroine. She was strong and selfless, and having to put up with so much and determined to do it all on her own. I loved her determination to be independent, but I also adored how Landon could be the one person who she needed the most. The relationship that I saw growing between Celia and Landon held so much promise and I was excited to discover what lay ahead for the couple.

"He was drowning in her, and he didn't want to be saved."

What continued from then on was a romance that full of both sweet and sizzling moments. Their blossoming love made me so happy and I enjoyed everything that I was reading. From start to finish, there wasn’t one thing that I didn’t enjoy. Now I’m itching to start the next book in this hot and sexy series. I can’t wait to see which of the girls are up next.

"You, Landon Bryant, are re-establishing my faith in men.
Loving you, I might not just be a lost cause after all."

“Meet Me In San Francisco” was well worth the read.

[Leanne Crabtree · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the group of friends and their adventure to San Francisco. I too, explored the city, when I went there a few years ago and it reminded me of a lot of what I got up to down at Fisherman's Wharf. I also liked Landon and his wanting to help Celia however he could in relationship to her ex and money wise and how you could see how much he really liked/loved her.

It was just a little too much chick-lit--focusing a lot more on the friends and their relationship than her romance with Landon--for my liking. Not that I didn't enjoy what they got up to, and her adventures with Landon, of course, but I like my books to concentrate more on the romance than anything else.

I wish I'd read the first book in the series so I could see Bonni and Quinn's romance and how Landon's and Celia's romance started. I'm sure that things will be continued in the next book with these two and figuring out what's going to happen with her ex-husband but I'm not sure if I'll continue the series at this point.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best thing about this book is the friendship between Celia and her friends. They are super supportive, have each others' backs, brutally honest, and hilarious together. Do not get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoyed Landon and Celia's story, but the girls were magic. On to Landon and Celia. They had some serious chemistry. I need to go back to the first book in this series to see how they met. I could easily follow along and did not feel like I was missing anything, but it seems their first encounters were scorching. They appeared to be made from the same cloth, with their love of adventure. He brought her back to life, treated her like a queen, and wanted to slay all her demons. She settled him and made him rethink of what he truly wanted out of life. And his interactions with her kids was so cute. Truly a perfect couple. I am looking forward to the next book in this series.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review from the publisher through Netgalley.

[Siobhan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I quite enjoyed the first in this series but wasn't as overly thrilled with this one.
I liked the romantic story between Celia and Landon and held onto the real messages around life struggles and the support systems needed to get through! I also semi-enjoyed the strong bond that Celia had with her girlfriends. Their circle of support really warmed my heart.

However, I found some of their language and actions quite immature for their age group and found myself sighing and eye-rolling at the cliche moments and #comments. I also felt bitterness at the flippant use of money throughout - unsure if this was intentionally put in. Regardless, it annoyed me and left me shaking my head at the ridiculousness of it.

I enjoyed it to some extent, as an easy read, but I certainly wasn't blown away and didn't feel attached with much in the book...

[Miriam Wolfe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a voluntary review of an advanced copy.

Loved Celia and her group of girlfriends, and that they knew she needed to get away on the weekend that her ex-husband was getting remarried (to the woman that he was cheating on her)!

When her friends "kidnapped" her, they took off for San Francisco, and she was then "kidnapped" by her Vegas fling, Landon.

There was always some something going on, and they were all over the place so never a dull moment with Celia.

I wish there was a bit more at the ending as it was kind of a fast ending and the custody problem was not really resolved - just mentioned that Landon's lawyers would be there is things became really bad.

It was fun to hear about some of the places we visited in San Francisco,it felt like I was there again!

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

These are my favourite kind of reads! Single mom and playboy millionaire. I just adored it! These are the books I just love to read on a cosy evening. Celia is of for a girls weekend, after her ex-husband serves her with papers on the weekend he is getting remarried so, this getaway can't come soon enough.
A chance meeting Landon again may change everything.
These characters where so fun, interesting and I couldn't stop rooting for them since the very beginning. Celia is trying to do everything she can and when she meets Landon again she might actually put herself first for once and forget all the bad things that have happened.

I adored this book and it has to be my favourite by Shana!

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an entertaining, fun read. Landon and Celia are fun, interesting, complex, intriguing, entertaining, relatable characters. I enjoyed their romance and the path it took. I love both the friendship and the family aspects of this book and series. Once again we get to see a lot of the heroine’s girlfriends and the shenanigans they get up to. The secondary characters added to the fabric of the story and my enjoyment. I wish we had gotten more from the ending of the story than we did. I’m looking forward to reading next two books in the series.

I enjoyed the audio version of this book and the narrator.

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

After I read the first book in the Girls Weekend Away series ‘What Happens In Vegas’, I totally fell in love with these four best friends. So I couldn’t wait to start reading the second book. Especially since we already got a little taste of Celia and Landon’s romance in the first book. And it promised to be good.

In ‘Meet Me In San Francisco’ single mom Celia is having a very hard time. Her ex is serving her with custody papers on the weekend he is getting re-married. Miserable and alone, since her kids are with her ex for the weekend Celia is trying to think of something else. But nothing seems to work. But then her best friends kidnap her for the weekend and take her on a road trip. As if that wasn’t the best already, Landon, the guy she can’t seem to get out of her head after meeting him months ago in Vegas also stops by. And he is determined to win Celia’s heart.

I really enjoyed the first book in the series, but I honestly think I loved this second book even more. There was just something about Celia and Landon I really liked. Landon was this supposed ‘player’ but after he met Celia all those months ago he is determined to make Celia want him just as much as he wants her. I loved reading about these too. There interactions where often really funny, and I could easily picture them together.

Although the moments between Celia and Landon are very good, the moments Celia spends with her friends are just as amazing. Wouldn’t we all like to have friends like them? All four of them are there for each other and their friendship is just so fun. And just like with the first book, this book makes me want to read the next book in the series.

The only minor down part about this book was that it left me with a lot of questions about Celia’s kids. I wish we got to know how the custody thing ended. I totally get that it wasn’t important to this particular part of Celia and Landon’s story.. But still.. Finding out how it ended would have made me believe in Landon’s Knight in Shining armor part even more. If that is possible..

Shana Gray’s writing is fun and makes for an easy read. Reading this series just makes me feel very relaxed. I definitely love this series, and can’t wait to read the next book.

[Holly Pemberton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book, picked it up on a whim thinking the blurb sounded interesting and so glad that I did. I really enjoyed the the main characters story as it is very relatable to so many people. Relationships, custody battles and a city break all roles into one book was so intriguing to read, I just wish the book was longer. The writing was funny, serious and well thought out and has made me want to read the rest of the books in the series. Would recommend to anyone who enjoys a romance story as this book is filled with love, loss and lots and lots of flirting.

[Suzette · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book definitely falls into my top five list of contemporary romance series. Shana Gray has made these characters so “real”. She makes them, hormonal, snarky, and funny, but best of all she makes them friends. Celia and Landon share a lot of sentimental moments. The interaction between Landon and Celia’s kids makes your heart melt. Their love evolves like ripples from a rock thrown in a pond, ever widening to their happily ever after.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review featured at www.books-n-kisses.com

I am on the fence about this story. Some of it was cute and funny but the story was also slow and a bit draggy.

Being from SF I thought it would be fun to read. And like I said part of it was. There was a whole thing about a secret which actually seemed a bit overly dramatic.

This is the second in the series but I am not sure if I will pick up the next one.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book two of the ‘Girl’s Weekend Away’ series, but you absolutely do not have to read book one to thoroughly enjoy Celia and Landon’s story.
Set in San Francisco, it was vibrant and adventure packed. The girls didn’t feature as heavily in this book and I missed their banter.
I did feel that the book needed an epilogue as I wanted more- but I’m guessing I’ll have to read book three to find out if Celia’s ex gets what he deserves.
A fun, romantic read.

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was, I thought, a better book than its predecessor.  Celia and Landon's relationship had time to develop and strengthen, so the progression to more simply wasn't as jarring.  It felt more believable.

Once again, the author has created likeable characters, and this time, I felt invested in the outcome.

Don't come to this expecting any surprises, but it is a light, enjoyable read.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

[Cariadne · Rating 2 out of 5]

This e-read from NetGalley could've been soooo much better. Some minor editing and better writing (yeesh, some of those scenes and dull dialogue bogged this story down from getting to the point) could've elevated this story from its ok-pretty good.

[Sak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Really enjoyed this book, bought the first one of the series and have just finished that! Now I need to buy the last two, and find out what happens with the other two girls love lives!!! Worth a read. Fun and easy! 👍🏼❤️

[Lynnda Worsnop · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series
I did struggled with was her not sharing about her book with her friends, her not wanting to get all the help and advice she could and just how much they crammed into that first day together.
But still I love this series and it has a feel good factor

[Tomi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun read. But seriously, how many improbable reasons can you find to mix a relationship before it starts? Her books definitely have a formula..you meet the perfect guy but spend agonizing amounts of time thinking of reasons it will never work out. Then, guess what? It all works out perfectly!