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Wishful #0.5
Once Upon A Coffee
After a long series of stinkers, when a respectful match from an online dating site asks to meet Avery Cahill in real life, she agrees. Invoking her favorite romantic comedy, they arrange to meet in a local coffee shop with a flower and a book.
Under a serious deadline to finish a group project for his MBA--solo--the only thing Dillon Lange wants is peace and quiet. When a beautiful stranger sits down in his booth at the coffee shop, he knows he ought to say something about not being who she thinks he is, but he can't resist her smile or her engaging conversation.
How long can he keep up the charade? And what will happen when her real date shows up?
A short story of approximately 7,500 words. This story is a crossover with the Wishful series.
"Meet cute" is a term used to describe a situation in which a future romantic couple meets for the first time. Meet Cute Romance is a series of romantic shorts celebrating the possibilities of that first meeting.
Under a serious deadline to finish a group project for his MBA--solo--the only thing Dillon Lange wants is peace and quiet. When a beautiful stranger sits down in his booth at the coffee shop, he knows he ought to say something about not being who she thinks he is, but he can't resist her smile or her engaging conversation.
How long can he keep up the charade? And what will happen when her real date shows up?
A short story of approximately 7,500 words. This story is a crossover with the Wishful series.
"Meet cute" is a term used to describe a situation in which a future romantic couple meets for the first time. Meet Cute Romance is a series of romantic shorts celebrating the possibilities of that first meeting.
53 pages, ebook
First published July 17, 2014
726 people are currently reading
733 people want to read
About the author
Kait Nolan
136 books1,358 followersKait Nolan is a RITA® Award-winning Mississippi author who calls everyone sugar, honey, or darlin', and can wield a 'Bless your heart' like a Snuggie or a saber, depending on requirements. She believes in love, laughter, and that tacos are the world's most perfect food. When she's not writing, reading, working the evil day job, or wrangling family (both the two-legged and the four-), you can find her obsessively watching The Great British Bake Off.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 183 reviews
August 24, 2016
Professor Hendricks was a certifiable asshole. As Dillon Lange climbed the stairs to his second floor apartment, he ran through a number of other less than flattering descriptions for the man who didn’t give a damn that Dillon’s project partner had a ruptured appendix, thus blowing their chances of finishing the midterm project on time. At least if they expected to finish it together.
“You should’ve planned for this,” Hendricks had said when Dillon met with him to plead for leniency since Noelle was still in the hospital.
Right, because a ruptured organ was so easy to predict.
---
Avery Cahill parked her faithful Toyota beside the town green and resisted the urge to wipe her damp palms on the legs of her capris. Stupid to be nervous, she thought. It was just coffee. And a more or less blind date with a guy she’d been matched up with on Perfect Chemistry. A guy with no profile picture.
He’d said he was camera shy— which could mean… anything. Actually shy. Physically deformed. Homely. Axe murderer. Her friends hadn’t even thought she should talk to a guy not willing to put his picture up, but he’d seemed nice in their admittedly non-personal conversations. Respectful, which was something in astoundingly short supply in online dating.
----
Sweet, cute, and adorable story:)
“You should’ve planned for this,” Hendricks had said when Dillon met with him to plead for leniency since Noelle was still in the hospital.
Right, because a ruptured organ was so easy to predict.
---
Avery Cahill parked her faithful Toyota beside the town green and resisted the urge to wipe her damp palms on the legs of her capris. Stupid to be nervous, she thought. It was just coffee. And a more or less blind date with a guy she’d been matched up with on Perfect Chemistry. A guy with no profile picture.
He’d said he was camera shy— which could mean… anything. Actually shy. Physically deformed. Homely. Axe murderer. Her friends hadn’t even thought she should talk to a guy not willing to put his picture up, but he’d seemed nice in their admittedly non-personal conversations. Respectful, which was something in astoundingly short supply in online dating.
----
Sweet, cute, and adorable story:)
March 24, 2019
I really enjoyed this quick read short story. This is the first time I've read this author and I'm definitely interested in reading more.
March 7, 2024
Enjoyable, "happy for now," G-rated, New Adult, romantic short story
Avery is a recent college graduate with an English degree who obtained a job working in the mayor's office in Wishful, a small Mississippi town. Because there are only 5,000 residents, the dating pool is quite shallow, and Avery has resorted to trying out online dating. She is a bit leery about the architectural graduate student she has scheduled a meeting with today at the local coffee shop, because he did not provide his picture on the dating site. But when she arrives at the coffee shop, the man working at the main counter directs her upstairs with a gleeful wink, informing her the man she's there to meet has already arrived. Mia is delightfully surprised at the handsome graduate student who is the lone person in that seating area.
Dillon is facing an immediate, crucial deadline for an important class for his MBA and has left the nearby college town where he lives to come to tiny Wishful to find a quiet place to study. He is startled when a beautiful young woman sits down at his table and begins talking to him. It is immediately apparent that she is there to meet someone else, but he is so attracted to her, he can't bring himself to let her know that he's not the man she thinks he is.
This is an adorable short story with two highly sympathetic protagonists. It has a lovely, "happy for now" resolution. I listened to it as an audiobook, and the narrator does an excellent job.
Avery is a recent college graduate with an English degree who obtained a job working in the mayor's office in Wishful, a small Mississippi town. Because there are only 5,000 residents, the dating pool is quite shallow, and Avery has resorted to trying out online dating. She is a bit leery about the architectural graduate student she has scheduled a meeting with today at the local coffee shop, because he did not provide his picture on the dating site. But when she arrives at the coffee shop, the man working at the main counter directs her upstairs with a gleeful wink, informing her the man she's there to meet has already arrived. Mia is delightfully surprised at the handsome graduate student who is the lone person in that seating area.
Dillon is facing an immediate, crucial deadline for an important class for his MBA and has left the nearby college town where he lives to come to tiny Wishful to find a quiet place to study. He is startled when a beautiful young woman sits down at his table and begins talking to him. It is immediately apparent that she is there to meet someone else, but he is so attracted to her, he can't bring himself to let her know that he's not the man she thinks he is.
This is an adorable short story with two highly sympathetic protagonists. It has a lovely, "happy for now" resolution. I listened to it as an audiobook, and the narrator does an excellent job.
August 27, 2014
I absolutely loved this book. I enjoyed the other cute meet books but this one was the best thus far ( in my opinion). A quick but definite must read.
January 3, 2017
Super quick and super cute.
March 15, 2019
3 1/2 stars
June 12, 2022
Classic Kait Nolan - sweet, cute, humorous. I really enjoy the Wishful series (of which this novella is sorta part of), and I enjoyed this quick audiobook. Can’t wait to read (or listen) to more of this Once Upon series!
February 20, 2018
As others have mentioned this story is very short. It almost feels like set up to a fuller-length book, however that's not the case. The ending is rather abrupt. Yes, the H/h have a cute moment but the story ends before it can become anything substantial. Really, you're just reading this for the encounter and I guess, what? You use your imagination for the rest? But there's not really much to go on.
March 8, 2024
Cute novella. I really liked the MMC. And the FMC was likable, too.
Basically this is a meet cute and then it ends, so be prepared that that’s all it is. I was super surprised when the audiobook ended, actually! Ha! Probably the shortest novella I’ve ever listened to: 49 minutes long (if you listen at 1x speed which I don’t).
Dual male/female narration. I liked the male performance. The female narrator affected a Southern twang which was hard to listen to.
Cover is super cute!
Basically this is a meet cute and then it ends, so be prepared that that’s all it is. I was super surprised when the audiobook ended, actually! Ha! Probably the shortest novella I’ve ever listened to: 49 minutes long (if you listen at 1x speed which I don’t).
Dual male/female narration. I liked the male performance. The female narrator affected a Southern twang which was hard to listen to.
Cover is super cute!
October 8, 2019
Very cute mistake In identity meet-cute.
This is the first meet-cute I have read and I have to say it’s a wonderful way to introduce you to a couple before getting their full story or even as a filler for town couples in a series that you wouldn’t ordinarily find out anything about.
Free audiobook on bookfunnel
Free ebook on Amazon - https://amzn.to/2oYgGye
This is the first meet-cute I have read and I have to say it’s a wonderful way to introduce you to a couple before getting their full story or even as a filler for town couples in a series that you wouldn’t ordinarily find out anything about.
Free audiobook on bookfunnel
Free ebook on Amazon - https://amzn.to/2oYgGye
September 27, 2017
Hmm, I thought this was a preview for a larger novel about these characters. It's not and I'm disappointed.
That aside, this is a cute, short read.
That aside, this is a cute, short read.
March 1, 2019
Charming
Definitely a sweet, southern first meet by two people who have a spark and connection. Dillion and Avery have a solid start at something truly special.
Definitely a sweet, southern first meet by two people who have a spark and connection. Dillion and Avery have a solid start at something truly special.
December 30, 2022
Super cute short story about a blind date mix-up. I enjoyed this a lot! Enough that I'll be looking for the rest of the books in this series. Kait Nolan has a way with Romances that works for my reading tastes, and I'm sorry it took me so long to pick this one up. Highly recommended for a short, cute dose of happy.
May 3, 2019
This was really cute!
I actually wish this was longer - it works as a short story, but I really want to see how the relationship evolves over time...
I actually wish this was longer - it works as a short story, but I really want to see how the relationship evolves over time...
November 27, 2019
Short & sweet
A sweet lunch time read. It was funny how they manage to carry on a conversation without her realizing the guy she was with is not her blind date.
A sweet lunch time read. It was funny how they manage to carry on a conversation without her realizing the guy she was with is not her blind date.
October 12, 2021
*Sugary Sweet*
Imagine going on a date via a dating app and arranging to meet in a coffee bar. There is one issue your date has not uploaded a profile photo. Avery turns up at the coffee shop and approaches the only single guy she sees sitting alone.
Meanwhile Dillon is knee deep in paperwork for an assignment when a beautiful stranger approaches to sit down at his table. He likes what he sees and they get stuck into easy conversation. He gathers she is here to meet someone but doesn’t correct her and he doesn’t give her his name. All is going well until her actual date approaches….
Will Avery’s actual date go well…. Has Dillon lost his chance…..
A quick and cute easy read.
Imagine going on a date via a dating app and arranging to meet in a coffee bar. There is one issue your date has not uploaded a profile photo. Avery turns up at the coffee shop and approaches the only single guy she sees sitting alone.
Meanwhile Dillon is knee deep in paperwork for an assignment when a beautiful stranger approaches to sit down at his table. He likes what he sees and they get stuck into easy conversation. He gathers she is here to meet someone but doesn’t correct her and he doesn’t give her his name. All is going well until her actual date approaches….
Will Avery’s actual date go well…. Has Dillon lost his chance…..
A quick and cute easy read.
January 13, 2015
A light hearted, bite-sized read about mistaken identities in a coffee shop. This is a cute, well written story which serves as an ideal speedy pick me up for anyone feeling a little blue.
August 25, 2015
very short -___- but it helps with nice cover >_<
August 13, 2017
There was no point to this story.
June 18, 2021
This book describes itself as a “meet cute romance” and that is exactly what it is. Every good romance story has a “meet cute”, where the two main characters chance upon each other in a way which defies expectation. For readers this is the jewel which entices us into the story and the lives of the people who have met. We know that they are destined to be together, and want to see them get there in the end. Most romance storylines follow this meeting with the rest of the plot: It looks like they are feeling something for each other, but life and other factors get in the way with lies, misunderstandings and unfortunate circumstances acting to keep them apart.
This one is a little different. It’s certainly a romance, in this case between City Hall worker Avery and grad student Dillon, but it is very short. The whole book comes in at about 11,000 words, but much of that is previews of later books, so this story is only around 7,000 words in length. That gives us plenty to set up the initial meeting between Avery and Dillon and show us their obvious compatibility, but only leaves enough words for the briefest of challenges. A misunderstanding is revealed, they go their separate ways, then they meet up again for apologies and reconciliation.
As a short story, or perhaps a novelette, this was an enjoyable and refreshing read. I do wonder, though, if such stories could be a bit too sweet to read more than a few. In a full romance story the satisfaction comes with the eventual happy ending after all the trials which threatened to prevent it. By the end of the story you feel that the characters have earned each other and their happiness. This story is so short that there is no room to really show any kind of character growth or development, and the wonder is there if the two really have what it takes to stick together despite all obstacles.
On the other hand, I like the author’s writing style, and would happily read more. Maybe a bit longer next time, though.
This one is a little different. It’s certainly a romance, in this case between City Hall worker Avery and grad student Dillon, but it is very short. The whole book comes in at about 11,000 words, but much of that is previews of later books, so this story is only around 7,000 words in length. That gives us plenty to set up the initial meeting between Avery and Dillon and show us their obvious compatibility, but only leaves enough words for the briefest of challenges. A misunderstanding is revealed, they go their separate ways, then they meet up again for apologies and reconciliation.
As a short story, or perhaps a novelette, this was an enjoyable and refreshing read. I do wonder, though, if such stories could be a bit too sweet to read more than a few. In a full romance story the satisfaction comes with the eventual happy ending after all the trials which threatened to prevent it. By the end of the story you feel that the characters have earned each other and their happiness. This story is so short that there is no room to really show any kind of character growth or development, and the wonder is there if the two really have what it takes to stick together despite all obstacles.
On the other hand, I like the author’s writing style, and would happily read more. Maybe a bit longer next time, though.
July 1, 2020
This was a cute and quick to read book involving Dillion and Avery and a misunderstanding. Dillion is an MBA student looking for a quiet place to work on his midterm project so he makes his way to the coffee shop in the near by town of Wishful. The barista tells him that things will be quieter upstairs and so Dillion sets up shop there.
Avery is hoping to meet a very nice guy that she met on a dating app at the coffee house the only problem is that she has no idea what he looks like so he is supposed to recognize her by the book and flower she is carrying. She decides to arrive quite early to scope things out and when she tells the barista that she is there to meet someone he informs her that the guy is already there and waiting upstairs. Avery arrives at Dillion's table bringing him a refill on his coffee and proceeds to start talking to him as if she knows him. Dillion soon realizes that she has mistaken him for someone else, but he is loathe to put an end to their discussion.
What happens when the real date shows up? Will Dillion give up on Avery? Will Avery realize that the wrong guy might just be the right guy? I'm sure you will enjoy reading this short read to find out.
Avery is hoping to meet a very nice guy that she met on a dating app at the coffee house the only problem is that she has no idea what he looks like so he is supposed to recognize her by the book and flower she is carrying. She decides to arrive quite early to scope things out and when she tells the barista that she is there to meet someone he informs her that the guy is already there and waiting upstairs. Avery arrives at Dillion's table bringing him a refill on his coffee and proceeds to start talking to him as if she knows him. Dillion soon realizes that she has mistaken him for someone else, but he is loathe to put an end to their discussion.
What happens when the real date shows up? Will Dillion give up on Avery? Will Avery realize that the wrong guy might just be the right guy? I'm sure you will enjoy reading this short read to find out.
December 29, 2017
Cute short story!! I definitely enjoyed this book and actually wished it was longer. I wanted to continue reading about Avery and Dillon!
Dillon is a grad student with an impossible deadline for his macroeconomics midterm because of his partners emergency illness. His prof refuses to extend the deadline even though his poor partner is in the hospital needing emergency surgery. There’s no way he can work on it at home and the local coffee shop is filled to the brim.
Travelling to a small town he remembered from a drive he took, he sets himself up at the local coffee house.
Avery, a local, has set up a date with someone she was matched up with on a dating site at the same coffee house. One problem, she has no idea what the guy looks like because he claimed to be camera shy. When she gets to there, the barista sends her upstairs where she sees Dillon and assumes he’s her date.
I’m not telling you any more about this story, but I highly recommend this story if you’re looking for a quick, cute read. The story flows and for the amount of pages, the characters are fleshed out and not one dimensional. There’s a lot of information packed in and you’re not disappointed.
Dillon is a grad student with an impossible deadline for his macroeconomics midterm because of his partners emergency illness. His prof refuses to extend the deadline even though his poor partner is in the hospital needing emergency surgery. There’s no way he can work on it at home and the local coffee shop is filled to the brim.
Travelling to a small town he remembered from a drive he took, he sets himself up at the local coffee house.
Avery, a local, has set up a date with someone she was matched up with on a dating site at the same coffee house. One problem, she has no idea what the guy looks like because he claimed to be camera shy. When she gets to there, the barista sends her upstairs where she sees Dillon and assumes he’s her date.
I’m not telling you any more about this story, but I highly recommend this story if you’re looking for a quick, cute read. The story flows and for the amount of pages, the characters are fleshed out and not one dimensional. There’s a lot of information packed in and you’re not disappointed.
August 19, 2019
It's cute and charming and an excellent example of Nolan's easy-to-read narrative style. I fell right into this short story about a blind date mix-up, and I liked the characters enough to wish we were getting a whole novel out of it--the ever-present danger with short stories and novellas, that they're good enough to make the reader want more.
And there is plenty more to be had in the Wishful series, though I don't particularly think this is a good entry point, despite that #0.5 label--it's set in Wishful, sure, but no major characters make an appearance (which is fine, considering the context) but also these characters, to my memory, don't show up at all in the three Wishful novels I've already read.
So it's cute and charming, but it's also isolated and left feeling both hopeful and unfinished.
And there is plenty more to be had in the Wishful series, though I don't particularly think this is a good entry point, despite that #0.5 label--it's set in Wishful, sure, but no major characters make an appearance (which is fine, considering the context) but also these characters, to my memory, don't show up at all in the three Wishful novels I've already read.
So it's cute and charming, but it's also isolated and left feeling both hopeful and unfinished.
April 20, 2020
Audible. ebook available. (ebook free on Amazon at the time of this review)
Continuing my regular Kait Nolan and Amy McFadden fix...
Adorable meet-cute short story (Nolan calls it a novelette in the book intro) that kicks off the Wishful series. At 45 minutes, this really is just a short and sweet intro to the Wishful Romance series. I loved the accidental circumstances that brought Dillon & Avery together as well as their witty banter.
I do hope that I'll see more of them as the series continues.
Also, what *is* the recipe for the Zombie Killer coffee? I think I need that in my life.
Amy McFadden is fantastic as always. I appreciate her ability to give all the characters their own unique voices and keep the southern accents in tact without being overdone.
Continuing my regular Kait Nolan and Amy McFadden fix...
Adorable meet-cute short story (Nolan calls it a novelette in the book intro) that kicks off the Wishful series. At 45 minutes, this really is just a short and sweet intro to the Wishful Romance series. I loved the accidental circumstances that brought Dillon & Avery together as well as their witty banter.
I do hope that I'll see more of them as the series continues.
Also, what *is* the recipe for the Zombie Killer coffee? I think I need that in my life.
Amy McFadden is fantastic as always. I appreciate her ability to give all the characters their own unique voices and keep the southern accents in tact without being overdone.
June 25, 2021
I read this entire series of six Meet Cute romances in one day.
This one was the first that drew me in. It's sweet but very short, there's a foreword so the actual tale begins on page 7 and it ends at page 30 (54%) . I think the series should have been published as a story collection and not individually, because none of them are long enough for a book of their own IMO.
The foreword is rather a waste of pages, the author lists a number of things that might make you not like this book and suggests other books you might enjoy in case this one is not your cup of tea and decide not to read it. But that's not really useful if you can only read it once you've already bought the book...
Steam level: not really.
This one was the first that drew me in. It's sweet but very short, there's a foreword so the actual tale begins on page 7 and it ends at page 30 (54%) . I think the series should have been published as a story collection and not individually, because none of them are long enough for a book of their own IMO.
The foreword is rather a waste of pages, the author lists a number of things that might make you not like this book and suggests other books you might enjoy in case this one is not your cup of tea and decide not to read it. But that's not really useful if you can only read it once you've already bought the book...
Steam level: not really.
March 6, 2018
Avery Cahill has a date. She’s meeting him in the coffee shop in the small town of Wishful where she works, but she doesn’t know what he looks like. When the barista says he’s already arrived and he’s upstairs, she plonks herself down at the table of Dillon Lange.
But… Dillon isn’t her date. He knows this, but he likes her and they got on immediately.
Of course, her proper date eventually arrives.
***
An intro to the town of Wistful and another romance series from the author.
Cute. Lots of pop culture references. Amusing and really, Dillon is the better choice. He even got the You’ve Got Mail reference AND loved Veronica Mars. He’s a keeper.
4 stars
But… Dillon isn’t her date. He knows this, but he likes her and they got on immediately.
Of course, her proper date eventually arrives.
***
An intro to the town of Wistful and another romance series from the author.
Cute. Lots of pop culture references. Amusing and really, Dillon is the better choice. He even got the You’ve Got Mail reference AND loved Veronica Mars. He’s a keeper.
4 stars
January 2, 2020
“I’m pretty sure they make up at least half of all the hidden meanings. I really don’t give a damn what the author supposedly meant by the curtains being blue. Sometimes, the curtains are just blue.”
🦄🦄🦄
Once Upon A Coffee by Kait Nolan is a short and cute romance novel about Dillon and Avery who meet at a coffee shop by chance when she mistakes him as her blind date.
The conversation is great, almost natural before her actual date interrupts them.
It's an adorable little read but the ending left me unsatisfied.
The characters are decent enough, we don't too much about them to make a complete judgement.
🦄🦄🦄
Rated 90/100.
Melina L.
🦄🦄🦄
Once Upon A Coffee by Kait Nolan is a short and cute romance novel about Dillon and Avery who meet at a coffee shop by chance when she mistakes him as her blind date.
The conversation is great, almost natural before her actual date interrupts them.
It's an adorable little read but the ending left me unsatisfied.
The characters are decent enough, we don't too much about them to make a complete judgement.
🦄🦄🦄
Rated 90/100.
Melina L.
December 31, 2021
When Avery Cahill shows up to a blind date arrange through a dating platform, she assumes the guy studying in the coffee shop is the fella she’s supposed to meet. Dillon Lange instantly feels the chemistry and isn’t about to tell her he isn’t her date. They enjoy each other’s company, but what will happen when Avery discovers he isn’t the man she’s supposed to be with?
This was a fun, quick read. It draws you in and has you rooting for this couple. Dillon comes across as a great guy. I’d love to see more of this pairing.
I enjoyed this short story. It was perfect for reading at a busy time of year.
This was a fun, quick read. It draws you in and has you rooting for this couple. Dillon comes across as a great guy. I’d love to see more of this pairing.
I enjoyed this short story. It was perfect for reading at a busy time of year.
June 12, 2017
I was sorry that it was such a short book. I became sympathetic for Dillon from the start. I could visualise it happening, mistaken identity can and does happen not usually with such heart warming results.I enjoyed Kait's writing style, her personalitites were clearly etched on paper and in my heart. I read the 33 pages in one sitting and have put her name on my list of authors to read again in the future. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a light romantic read and characters that ring true.
March 24, 2018
I want more! Avery and Dillon are so utterly adorable together – no matter what case of mistaken identity brought them together – that I just need to see more of the relationship between and what it becomes. This story is cute and fun, and we get to see the charm of Wishful in action. My only complaint is that it’s so short. I will happily read many hundreds of words more about this pair. Having read several of the later Wishful books, I know Avery and Dillon are mentioned, but I don’t think we’ve got their true love story yet.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 183 reviews