I Met Him at the Library

Maple Creek #1

by Jayne Katway

Ryan

My crush on Emily began the day she first stepped into my library. She’d use the library as a quiet place to work, and I would find ways to look busy that would keep her in my line of sight. I lived each day for her “good morning” greetings, until one day I finally found the courage to talk to her - too bad I’ll never live down the embarrassing way that I went about it.

Now, as the corrupt leaders in our small town are trying to strip away my library’s funding, I need Emily’s help to save it, otherwise I will lose my job and might be forced to leave Maple Creek - and her - behind. I can’t let that happen.

Emily

Every boyfriend I’ve ever had has left this town after our break up, and the town gossips love to talk about it. As a result, I keep quite a few secrets. So, the last thing I need is everyone in our small town talking about my crush on Ryan, the library director. If word of my interest in him got out, it would only be bad. Helping Ryan save the library, however, gives us cover to be seen together in public without raising suspicion.

Though, in order to save the library and keep Ryan in town, I may have to reveal my most guarded secret and risk the town’s religious folk coming after me with torches and pitchforks.

**Unlike my other series (which is dark romance,) Maple Creek is a romantic comedy series based in a small town, filled with quirky characters, and has a HEA but can touch on sensitive topics which are listed in the beginning of the book.

Genres: Romance

340 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 4, 2024

Reviews

[Puyeipawa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book started off slow—a real slow burn. At certain points, it lost my interest, veering off in ways that made me wonder where it was going. Still, it was interesting enough to keep me reading. Everything felt mild, just moving along with the flow, and then out of nowhere, we hit the first sex scene. There was no warning! The interaction between Emily and Ryan gave us nothing to suggest what was coming. Ryan, who had been sweet-talking Emily, suddenly turned into a freak in the sheets, going from zero to a hundred real quick—I'm talking "sit on my face" territory. I was shocked, and I mean shocked, by the sudden switch.

I would have loved to see more buildup between Emily and Ryan because while the love scene was hot, it felt disconnected. Their relationship was mild, almost fancy, but when it came to the bedroom, it was like fire and brimstone. The transition from sweet to spicy was jarring. I struggled to connect their relationship outside the bedroom with what was happening inside it. If their chemistry in the sheets had matched their relationship dynamic, it would have made for a more compelling read. Overall, it was a nice book, but I felt there was a disconnect between the attraction and how it translated to the bedroom. Ryan was dominant in bed but let Emily take the reins everywhere else, which didn’t bother me, but I wanted a stronger connection.

[Johanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

So Cute and Fun!

I really enjoyed this story and am seriously looking forward to more from the world!

Ryan is a nerdy librarian who is a transplant to the town and Emily is a full time romance author who grew up here. They meet and chat and EVENTUALLY (in their world) finally get up the courage to express their mutual feelings lol

They are both shy in certain ways and both have some minor hurts in their past. Emily let her fester and it plays a big part in the storyline and is interesting now it’s handled.

Now my feelings on these two is GAH!! 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰 they are so cute and so fun! I loved it when Ryan let his caveman side out in the good and safe times lol

So much fun!

[LZReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this!

I always really enjoy small town romcoms but I loved how Katway included the small town politics and dynamics in this book. I've read the small novella that is also part of this world and between the two I cannot wait to see how she develops and explains the founding families compared to the rest of the town.

I loved the main characters despite their insecurities. They helped each other figure out how to move past those and accept love and become the best versions of themselves.

I am excited for more in this series!!

[Cristian Clemente · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s a small town romance, where both of the main characters have a crush on the other. It’s a funny cutie story that deals with past trama, after math of lies. Self isolation, anxiety, emotional trauma. It had funny moments and little bit of spice

[M · Rating 3 out of 5]

The beginning was slow but it ended up being a really cute read. I especially liked the first bedroom scene when he encourages her to sit on top of him 😈