Lettie Carlton is a rich girl from the city whose parents have high standards and even higher expectations. They have her entire life planned out– down to the last detail– but there was one thing even they couldn’t have seen coming…
Tuck.
Tuck Anderson is beloved by his small town of Aveline despite his broken home and father. He has plans to get out of town and join the army so he can make something of himself, but when he sees a girl with red hair peeking into his truck one afternoon, he is awestruck by her fire and beauty.
The two of them have a whirlwind summer, secretly falling in love, and changing the trajectory of their life to include each other in any way they can.
But what happens when their worlds collide and everything comes to a crashing halt?
And what happens when twelve years later they meet again?
Meet Me In Aveline by Lindsey Cord is a perfectly paced novel of small town and romantic comedy with a superbly realized cast of characters that underscores the importance in life of family and friends! . It's a story told through dual perspectives and timelines, tracing the love story of Lettie, a city girl with stifled dreams, and Tuck, a small-town boy with big aspirations. Their paths collide one idyllic summer, sparking a whirlwind romance that's shattered by the realities of their different worlds. . The author navigates the tropes of the story, weaving in witty banter, steamy (but closed-door) romance, and heartwarming found family moments. The then/now timeline offers a poignant perspective on how time changes us, yet how some feelings linger beneath the surface. The inclusion of quirky characters like Gilbert, the adorable Irish wolfhound, and Anne of Green Gables references adds a layer of charm that truly brings the story to life. . Lettie and Tuck are well-developed characters, each grappling with their own demons and ambitions. Lettie's journey of self-discovery as she embraces her inner veterinarian is inspiring, while Tuck's struggle to reconcile his past with his dreams of becoming a baker resonates deeply. Their twelve-year separation fuels the anticipation, leading to a satisfying reunion that feels both earned and emotionally charged. . Lindsey Cord's writing is engaging, sprinkled with humor and genuine emotion. She captures the small-town atmosphere beautifully, making Aveline a place you'll long to visit. "Meet Me in Aveline" is a book you won't want to miss. Just grab a cup of coffee (or a plate of pastries) and settle in for a sweet treat for the soul.
This book felt like a love letter to Anne of Green Gables, with elements of The Notebook and a dash of Gilmore Girls. Reading another LM Montgomery book right now just made be enjoy the many quotes and endless Anne “nods” and references in this story even more. I really loved it 🥰 Also, despite there being a good amount of angst it was never overwhelming - you knew they were going to get back together as soon as they reconnected. I also never got frustrated with the characters - I understood their decisions and it was more just due to life circumstances, rather their own idiocy that they couldn’t be together for so long.
My only complaints were that the writing felt a bit inexperienced at times. Also, given that the story was a bit angsty, having some amount of spice when they reconnected would’ve been nice - but that’s obviously up to the author’s preference and writing comfort.
If you read no other book from Lindsey Cord, read this one. What a book!
Meet Me in Aveline is a small town, second-chance romance that will have you laughing, crying, cheering, swooning, and raging, all in one sitting. I’m usually hesitant about second chance romances because of the inevitable miscommunication, but Lindsey handled it perfectly IMO!
🍩 dual POV 🐾 then/now timeline 🍩 rich girl, small town boy 🐾 veteran/baker MMC 🍩 veterinarian FMC 🐾 letter writing 🍩 self growth 🐾 witty, tongue-in-cheek humor 🍩 steamy scenes with closed door spice and tons of feelings 🐾 lovable side characters 🍩 Anne of Green Gables references 🐾 a super cute Irish wolfhound named Gilbert 🍩 found family 🐾the sweetest HEA
Trigger Warnings: . . . Contains spoilers . . . . . . . . . . Alcoholic and physically abusive father Death of mother during childhood (cancer) Restricted eating of a teen Miscarriage Animal Childbirth (detailed)
Move over Gilmore girls..it’s ✨Tuck&Lettie season ✨
I knew this book was going to be amazing when the dedication was made out to The Vampire Diaries (also #TeamDamon)
This book was so amazingly written. The dual POV in Meet Me In Aveline may be one of my favorites. I loved how Cord gave us multiple chapters in both past and present and made it so easy to keep track of where we were in each part!
I wish i could find something bad about this book to say, aside from that no good back stabbing Theo 🙄, but it was such a cute story that i did not want to end. Some parts were a little “dark” (Tuck’s father, Ranger, and controlling parents) but not dark enough to deter someone from reading the book! The situations were handled so well!
I wish we could have had more to the year skip ahead because hello…i NEED more tuck and Lettie and tuck and Lettie babies..but I’m also glad it wasn’t over done at the end.
Overall i will be recommending this book to any and everybody that i can! Also YESSS EARLY RELEASE DATE! 🙌🏻
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Lindsey Cord’s Meet Me in Aveline is a captivating love story that seamlessly weaves together the charm of a small town with the complexities of adult life. Cord’s ability to create characters that feel like old friends is truly remarkable. Lettie and Tuck, two childhood sweethearts separated by fate, are brought back together in a way that feels both inevitable and heartwarming.
Aveline, the fictional town, is a character in its own right. Cord’s vivid descriptions paint a picture of a place where everyone knows everyone, and the rhythm of life is slower, more intentional. The author masterfully captures the essence of small-town living, filled with friendly neighbors, cozy shops, and the comforting familiarity of home.
The romance between Lettie and Tuck is a slow burn that builds with a satisfying intensity. Their chemistry is palpable, and their journey to rekindle their connection is both tender and realistic. The author skillfully explores the challenges and complexities of second-chance love, making their relationship feel authentic and relatable.
Beyond the central love story, Meet Me in Aveline offers a delightful exploration of friendship, family, and the enduring power of home. The supporting characters are well-developed and add depth to the narrative. The novel's pacing is perfect, with a balance of heartwarming moments, emotional depth, and lighthearted humor.
Cord’s writing is both lyrical and engaging, drawing readers into the world of Aveline and making it difficult to put the book down. Meet Me in Aveline is a truly special novel that leaves a lasting impression. It’s a story that celebrates love, hope, and the magic of finding your way home, both physically and emotionally.
This book is an absolute must-read for fans of contemporary romance and anyone seeking a heartwarming escape.
It’s really a 2.5 star for me. I had really high hopes for it because I love the notebook and I’m a huge fan of Gilmore girls. However, this was almost too much like those works instead of a compliment to them for me to rate the story any higher. I still thought the story was very sweet and there were parts that really gripped my heart. I think this story would very much appeal to a younger version of me. Overall, it’s not a bad story I just felt the plot could’ve been stronger.
“Just because things won’t be the same doesn’t mean it can’t be good. It may end up even better”.
🍩 The vibes: - dual timeline/dual pov - Military veteran Rep - Small town - Second Chance - Found family
🍩 My thoughts: Lindsey’s book just make me giddy. They pull me in and I get so freaking invested in the romance that I just swoooooon at top tier levels.
🍩 Lettie comes from a rich and controlling (while extremely absent) family with nannys , tutors, private school, and debutante balls. The dynamic very much reminded me of Emily Gilmore and Lorelei (or the mom and daughter on the Notebook). Lettie doesn’t want this life. She just wants the freedom to be who she is and do what she wants. So when she stumbles across the small town of Aveline, she finds a safe haven with all the things she has longed for.
🍩 The town of Aveline feels just like Stars Hollow but also Mystic Falls sans vampires. It oozes cozy charm. The entire plot line of Tuck and Lettie when they’re 17/18 just captured the magic of your first young love so accurately. I FELT it completely; that all encompassing, unstoppable feeling. I think Lindsey captured that perfectly for me. (Also- I was getting Jess Mariano vibes from Tuck and Lorelei Gilmore vibes from Lettie. This was the personality combo I never knew I needed).
🐶 Theres a lovely giant dog named Gilbert (which Lettie calls Gilly - which is what we call my kitten- and I squeeled).
🍩 The baking was wonderful. The found family was lovely. The communication of Lettie and Tuck in the present timeline just gave me all the good vibes. Also- there’s a lot of Anne of Green Gables references and quotes which I thought was very sweet.
🖤 Things I loved with no context: The first kiss 🥵 🔥😭 The cigarette conversations The donuts The tattoo Gilbert and Anne Aveline Puppies
🖤Lindsey Cord’s books give me all the energy of a person who loves Gilmore Girls, the Vampire Diaries, romcoms, and Anne of Green Gables; and I’m here for all of it.
If you really wanted to like Part of Your World but couldn’t stand Alexis- READ THIS ONE RIGHT NOW. 😇 It was everything that a social class gap romance should be, in my opinion 😻😻😻.
💬 What is your current read and how are you feeling about it ???
I absolutely love this sweet, cute, and heartfelt love story! I was hooked from the very beginning. I couldn’t put it down! But, I didn’t want it to end. The teenage Tuck & Lettie will forever be with me. I enjoyed reading their love letters. I also loved all the characters from Aveline. They were all so likable. The storyline, was well written and easy to follow through. The author did an amazing job with the characters and descriptions. It all felt so real!!
Here’s what to expect:
- Small Town - Second Chance Romance - Dual POV/Dual Timeline - Veteran/Veterinarian - Strangers-To-Lovers
A huge thank you, to Rachel & Lindsey Cord for this wonderful opportunity. Being able to read an advance copy of, Meet Me In Aveline, was an honor!!
Oh! The Baking Tin. Gosh! How, I wished, I had one of those pistachios donuts.
I’ve never read anything by this author before, but I kept seeing videos on TikTok and I was intrigued. Intrigued in the way she described it and that it sounded so good. And man, am I glad I picked this book up! The past, the present, its all weaved so perfectly to fit together so perfectly. Tuck and Lettie have been through a lot but their journey is just that, their journey. I fell in love with these two and I have another author added to my list of reading everything she has written. 2024 has been kind of fun. The first 4 books I’ve read are by authors o haven’t read before. And I’m super glad I found this one!
“I’m convinced there was an invisible string that connected us from the moment we met”
All I could picture as I read this was Lorelei Gilmore from Gilmore Girls. It took a while to see The Notebook aspect, but it’s definitely there. If you like either of these shows/movies you need to read this book. High school lovers from different sides of the track, let’s say, meet by chance and have a summer full of fun and love.
Lettie feels out of place in her home full of wealth and superiority. Tuck has gone through a traumatic childhood and feels lost in a town full of love and warmth, despite the lack of it in his own home. But when he meets Lettie, everything changes and yet nothing at all. Tuck leaves Lettie a letter with the hope of the future but a no for the present.
Dual timeline and dual POV, small town romance, high school sweethearts
What a great read!!! I can’t think of anything that I didn’t like about this book…okay maybe Lettie’s snotty, rich parents and “friends”…but everything else was wonderful. Lettie and Tuck were both relatable, and the way Cord described them, I wanted to know what happened to them. I was invested in them both throughout the whole story. Cord did a great job with the dual timeline and two POVs. I was able to follow the plot with no problem. My favorite part(s) were Lettie’s interjections! “Fracking shortcakes!” Gotta love it! Disclaimer: I received this book as a free advanced copy. All opinions are my own. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Romance isn’t usually my thing, but the author is my coworker and i have to support local writers! I was pleasantly surprised and it held my attention (which is saying something for a romance novel!) It was cute and hallmark-y and i enjoyed it! It was a great light hearted read in between my usual thriller/horror genre. Also i must admit i did shed a tear or two 🥹
SO CUTE. I’m not normally a closed door, flashbacks, and present day timeline kind of person, but this was so good. I saw the author’s video on Tik Tok and preordered it, so that I could read on release day. I could NOT put this down. Lettie and Tuck were everything I didn’t know I needed!!!
This book was so good! I love how it was written and the characters. This author wrote this book so well I definitely got sucked in and felt very strong emotions. You connect with the characters and have hope for an ending that they deserve. Definitely a shelf trophy book. 🥰
had so much fun reading this, it made me laugh, while also making my heart beat so fast needing to know what happen next I couldn’t put this book down I truly adore Lettie and Tuck so darn much !!
It was a slow start. But I love knowing we’re going to find out something if you keep reading. Once I really started, I couldn’t put it down. Major Gilmore Girl vibes which I really liked. Cute romance && worth the quick read.
Everyone stop what you are doing and read this book. I mean it!!!
So cute, truly so wholesome and feel good-sy. I loved the Gilmore girls vibes more than anything. I loved the references to other movies and shows. I pictured Luke’s diner and Taylor Doose at town meetings, the infamous gazebo and all other things Gilmore girls as I read this book. Cannot recommend enough!!!
Anyone who knows me knows I LOATHE cartoon human covers. BUT. This book was an amazing exception. So worth it. It was a cute fluffy romance that I needed. Reminded me of Gilmore Girls + The Notebook, but I also loved other little details that the author included. Such a cute read!!!
Holy Cow Bookish Peeps! I loved this novel! Congratulations to Lindsey! This was such a sweet and romantic read! I highly recommend! Who couldn’t love and vet and her military man!
Such a cute book. Definitely had the Notebook vibe which I loved the spin on it. Would love to read more about Lettie and Tuck. I could never get enough.
I read this as a beta reader, and this is a beautiful second chance romance story! Lettie has been raised in a household where her life has been planned out for her. She finds the small town of Aveline and it becomes her secret escape. She meets Tuck and they have a summer full of love. Twelve years later, their paths cross again. This story feels like Stars Hollow from Gilmore Girls, The Notebook, and Taylor Swift wrapped up into one story. I laughed and cried throughout the story. I highly recommend this book!
Read if you like: ▫️dual POV ▫️dual timeline ▫️small town ▫️second chance
This book had a dedication to The Vampire Diaries and an opening quote from Anne of Green Gables, both of which I love, so I was immediately drawn in. It felt like The Notebook set in modern day Star’s Hollow from Gilmore Girls. It was cozy, cute, and very sweet.
Lettie was a strong heroine who knew what she wanted out of her life and went after it. She was spunky and fun. I loved the town of Aveline. It was charming, just quirky enough, and added a great element of found family. Tuck was a damaged and tattooed Army hero who was emotionally unavailable and loved to bake. It sounds like the recipe for a perfect book.
I usually love dual timeline, but it was disappointing here. Too much time was spent on their past relationship as teenagers, and that’s not why I was reading this book. I wanted to know about them now as adults, not focus on their teenage, opposites attract, forbidden insta-love.
When they did reconnect as adults, there was no groveling, tension, or pining for the second chance romance. They immediately got back together, and it was a letdown.
Also, I didn’t love the time jumps in the present. Every chapter was a new month and it felt rushed to the happily ever after. I wanted them to take their time getting to know each other again and build their trust, but we didn’t get that. Honestly I think the book should’ve been longer.
Overall, it was cute, but left me wanting more.
Thank you to Lindsey Cord for the ARC. I received an advanced copy for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.
This is a new to me author and book! I was scrolling Bookstagram and seen someone mention it, and thought hmm better read that before there is a bunch of hype. I went into this novel pretty blind and I am so glad I did.
This novel focuses on Lettie, a wealthy girl from the city whose parents have high expectations for her. Tuck, is a small town boy with a broken home and a less than great father figure. Ticks plans are to escape his home and join the Army. Tucks plans change immediately when he spits a red haired girl peeking into his truck.
This novel was fun, engaging, and very easy to follow. This book encompasses all the emotions and feels I love surrounding small town and second chance. This novel was sweet and clean with no spice. This book is definitely one of the best novels that I have read this year. Lindsey is so talented in the way she connects characters to the plot. I cannot wait to read other books by her as well!
I love all of Lindsey's work. Each time she publishes a new book, I think there is no way it can be better than the last one. Yet, somehow, she continues to impress me with her gift for writing.
Meet Me in Aveline would make a fantastic movie. One of this author's gifts is that she does a phenomenal job describing the characters in a way that makes you feel like they are real people. You become fully immersed in their world and fully invested in their welfare. You're laughing, smiling, cheering for and crying with the characters. Because of this, you get pulled into the book and don't want to stop reading until you're finished.
Lindsey skillfully weaves a dual timeline and dual points-of-view into a beautiful love story. It flows seamlessly and is very easy to follow. Lindsey also weaves subtleties and humor into the story, which pulls you into a deeper connection with the characters. You sometimes feel like you're being let in on an inside joke amongst the characters.
This is an easy read, one you want to cozy up with and read straight through, but that doesn't mean it's without conflict. You will encounter heavy topics (Lindsey is fabulous and denotes all trigger warnings for her books), but they are handled gracefully and they aren't overdone. The conflicts further invest you in the character development and make the happy ending that much better as you've been rooting for certain characters throughout the story.
This is a closed-door romance, but don't let that fool you into thinking you won't be deeply in your feelings. Because the characters are so well-developed, I feel like you aren't left needing more details during these parts of the book. Your imagination fills in the gaps just fine and you are still left feeling tingly inside.
It's impossible for you to not fall in love with Lettie & Tuck!
Let me spill the tea on "Meet Me in Aveline" because this book just left me swooning and clutching my heart in pure bliss! First off, can we talk about Lindsey Cord's prose? It's like she waved a magic wand over every word, and suddenly I'm transported into this enchanting world of love, drama, and steamy scenes that had me fanning myself. Seriously, her writing is pure magic, and I'm living for it! . Now, the characters? Lettie and Tuck are giving me ALL the feels! 🥰 Rich girl, small-town boy? Yes, please! Tuck being a veteran and a baker, and Lettie, the veterinarian – could they be any more perfect? I'm shipping them so hard, I practically need a captain's hat. And can we talk about the Irish wolfhound named Gilbert? ADORABLE! I'm officially in love with a fictional dog, and I'm not even sorry. . The dual POV and then/now timeline had me hooked from the start. It's like Cord was playing a wicked game of storytelling Jenga, and she pulled out the perfect blocks to keep me on the edge of my seat. The way she weaved their past and present – it's like literary magic! The witty, tongue-in-cheek humor had me cracking up. I felt like I was in on some secret inside jokes with the characters, and it made the whole reading experience feel like a girl's night in with your besties. . "Meet Me in Aveline" is a total page-turner, a love story that will make your heart skip a beat, and a journey that you'll want to relive again and again. Lindsey Cord, you've officially earned a spot on my auto-buy author list.
This was a cute, quick read. The book reminded me a lot of Gilmore Girls meets The Notebook. There were a handful of parts where the author was making it almost too obvious on where she got her ideas from, mimicking Lorelai’s lifestyle in Gilmore Girls (down to the running away part), and referencing Nick and Allie’s relationship compared to Violet and Tuck’s. I like stories that are inspired by other pieces of literature, but not when it’s so obvious it almost feels like a knock-off.
I also wasn’t a big fan of Violet’s goody-goody behaviors. “Son-of-a-nutcracker” or spelling out “hell” as “H-E-Double-Hockey-Sticks” at nearly 30 was a bit awkward and cringey.
Many of these chapters went by too quickly. I think the plot would’ve made more sense had the author broke it up into three parts, the meeting, the leaving, the returning. It jumps back and forth too quickly with too many time changes. I would’ve loved to read about Tuck being in the Army, writing Violet those letters, and about his injury. More depth. Concurrently, reading about Violet finding out she was pregnant, struggling with whether to tell Tuck or not, then losing the baby all would’ve been nice to actually experience as a reader rather than getting it secondhand in conversation.
“I needed to memorize her, to carry every single detail about her with me so that when I felt like I would die without her, I could remember.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.