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Meet Me at Moonlight
What would you do if your childhood sweetheart left without a word ten long years ago?
And what would you do if they suddenly came back?
When Millie Silverstone was eighteen, she believed in forever. Forever dreams, forever love, forever friendships—especially with the boy who had been her safe place since they were toddlers. He was the centre of her entire universe…until one fateful day when everything changed. After being left heartbroken without so much as a wave goodbye, Millie had to put on a brave face and do everything in her power to forget what they’d once had.
Now twenty-eight, she finally feels like she might be getting the hang of it. That is, until the one person who knows her heart better than herself walks through the door after ten agonisingly silent years—Duke Lyndon.
No one in the sleepy town of Lakewood has heard from Duke since he hopped on a plane to become one of the biggest names in professional football. But now he’s back, it’s clear that Duke never forgot Millie—and he sure as hell never got over her.
Flipping between the innocence of their teenage summers—moon-drenched nights spent stargazing in their favourite lavender field, secret handwritten letters, the confessions that changed everything—and the slow burn of their rekindled connection, Millie must decide whether she can forgive the ultimate betrayal and heal past wounds for the sake of their potential future.
And what would you do if they suddenly came back?
When Millie Silverstone was eighteen, she believed in forever. Forever dreams, forever love, forever friendships—especially with the boy who had been her safe place since they were toddlers. He was the centre of her entire universe…until one fateful day when everything changed. After being left heartbroken without so much as a wave goodbye, Millie had to put on a brave face and do everything in her power to forget what they’d once had.
Now twenty-eight, she finally feels like she might be getting the hang of it. That is, until the one person who knows her heart better than herself walks through the door after ten agonisingly silent years—Duke Lyndon.
No one in the sleepy town of Lakewood has heard from Duke since he hopped on a plane to become one of the biggest names in professional football. But now he’s back, it’s clear that Duke never forgot Millie—and he sure as hell never got over her.
Flipping between the innocence of their teenage summers—moon-drenched nights spent stargazing in their favourite lavender field, secret handwritten letters, the confessions that changed everything—and the slow burn of their rekindled connection, Millie must decide whether she can forgive the ultimate betrayal and heal past wounds for the sake of their potential future.
396 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 9, 2025
46 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
June 3, 2025
જ⁀➴ 4.5 stars ⋆⭒˚.⋆
arc review
release date: may 9 💌
⤿ 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘥 may 7
⤿ 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘥 may 8
⁀➴ 𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬
🌙 british football romance
⚽️ second chance
🌙 best friends to lovers to strangers to lovers
⚽️ dual timeline
🌙 he writes her letters
⚽️ fluffy, closed door
🌙 football pro x writer
⚽️ he falls first and harder
🌙 low angst
𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠: this love by taylor swift‧₊˚♪ 𝄞₊˚⊹
⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚ 𝐦𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬
my first impression was literally at how cute and easy the writing was, like the pacing was 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁 and the narration was so beautiful. i found gemma a few months ago on instagram and wanted to check out her closed door romcoms because they seemed so adorable, and then i had a chance to arc read her latest novel so i knew it was the perfect opportunity!!!
the speed at which i read this should make the story feel rushed, but it was done perfectly, i don’t think it dragged or was too fast.
﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏
⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚ 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬
𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐞 𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐞
so basically millie is like this really sweet girl who runs this christmas decor shop her grandparents left for her. she's kind of been lonely all these years, she does have a really good circle of friends and they're all really close but she has never really moved on from childhood best friend turned lover, who is now a really big hotshot football player in spain.
𝐝𝐮𝐤𝐞 𝐥𝐲𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐧
he's such a golden retriever and he's the boy who broke her heart 10 years ago. he's a football player in spain and he's never not been in love with millie silverstone. like he literally worshiped the ground she walks on since childhood and is so obsessed with her. he regrets it so much what happened 10 years ago but he's here and he's back to make things right. I loved all the symbolism here and his nickname for her was so sweet.
my guy was literally like down bad for her. like duke literally yapped about her to his friends since like high school or even before that. they're in the same front group so all their friends knew this and were like so sick of her not realizing. when she did date someone else he was like so jealous and it was so sad to see them draw apart but eventually date.
the first chapter and epilogue are in his perspective which I loved, I want to see more of his perspective. gemma give us some bonus content or something because i love seeing a guy yearning for a girl!!!
not so nice mention for 𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐞, whatever his name is because I never liked him because what do you mean after one day that you came to a new school, you're literally claiming millie and being like oh we're dating and literally kissed her with no consent - which is disgusting. and then all these rumors that he spread, duke should have beat him up and caused serious damage. also him and bella? how did duke approve of this crap oh my days.
super special mention for these two characters that I love: 𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐥𝐢 - oli is her twin brother and evie is one of the girls in their friend group. they're literally enemies to lovers, I love their banter, their vibes. gemma write them a novella where we see them together!!!! (if u want or i’ll just be delusional over here hardcore shipping them)
﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏
⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚ 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐞 ⟢ 𝐝𝐮𝐤𝐞
live laugh 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 them.
the cutest people belong together !!!
im so happy they found their way back to each other and how pure their relationship is, one of the most healthy fictional couples ever.
﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏
⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚ 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥
100% recommend this book.
it’s such a sweet, soft, romance novel and i’d say to give it a shot. the writing style is so easy and fun to read. so so thankful for gemma for sending me an e-arc of this, will defo be checking out her other books soon 💘
mwah,
joni 🤍
🤍┆‧₊˚ ⋅* 𝐩𝐫𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 ౨ৎ
this looks adorable and i can't wait to read this!!! childhood friends to lovers to strangers is always full of yearning so i'm really excited + second chance is one of my favorite tropes so i hope this delivers
thank you to gemma for sending me an arc of your book!!
arc review
release date: may 9 💌
⤿ 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘥 may 7
⤿ 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘥 may 8
⁀➴ 𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬
🌙 british football romance
⚽️ second chance
🌙 best friends to lovers to strangers to lovers
⚽️ dual timeline
🌙 he writes her letters
⚽️ fluffy, closed door
🌙 football pro x writer
⚽️ he falls first and harder
🌙 low angst
𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠: this love by taylor swift‧₊˚♪ 𝄞₊˚⊹
⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚ 𝐦𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬
my first impression was literally at how cute and easy the writing was, like the pacing was 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁 and the narration was so beautiful. i found gemma a few months ago on instagram and wanted to check out her closed door romcoms because they seemed so adorable, and then i had a chance to arc read her latest novel so i knew it was the perfect opportunity!!!
the speed at which i read this should make the story feel rushed, but it was done perfectly, i don’t think it dragged or was too fast.
﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏
⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚ 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬
𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐞 𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐞
so basically millie is like this really sweet girl who runs this christmas decor shop her grandparents left for her. she's kind of been lonely all these years, she does have a really good circle of friends and they're all really close but she has never really moved on from childhood best friend turned lover, who is now a really big hotshot football player in spain.
𝐝𝐮𝐤𝐞 𝐥𝐲𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐧
he's such a golden retriever and he's the boy who broke her heart 10 years ago. he's a football player in spain and he's never not been in love with millie silverstone. like he literally worshiped the ground she walks on since childhood and is so obsessed with her. he regrets it so much what happened 10 years ago but he's here and he's back to make things right. I loved all the symbolism here and his nickname for her was so sweet.
my guy was literally like down bad for her. like duke literally yapped about her to his friends since like high school or even before that. they're in the same front group so all their friends knew this and were like so sick of her not realizing. when she did date someone else he was like so jealous and it was so sad to see them draw apart but eventually date.
the first chapter and epilogue are in his perspective which I loved, I want to see more of his perspective. gemma give us some bonus content or something because i love seeing a guy yearning for a girl!!!
not so nice mention for 𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐞, whatever his name is because I never liked him because what do you mean after one day that you came to a new school, you're literally claiming millie and being like oh we're dating and literally kissed her with no consent - which is disgusting. and then all these rumors that he spread, duke should have beat him up and caused serious damage. also him and bella? how did duke approve of this crap oh my days.
super special mention for these two characters that I love: 𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐥𝐢 - oli is her twin brother and evie is one of the girls in their friend group. they're literally enemies to lovers, I love their banter, their vibes. gemma write them a novella where we see them together!!!! (if u want or i’ll just be delusional over here hardcore shipping them)
﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏
⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚ 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐞 ⟢ 𝐝𝐮𝐤𝐞
live laugh 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 them.
the cutest people belong together !!!
im so happy they found their way back to each other and how pure their relationship is, one of the most healthy fictional couples ever.
﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏
⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚ 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥
100% recommend this book.
it’s such a sweet, soft, romance novel and i’d say to give it a shot. the writing style is so easy and fun to read. so so thankful for gemma for sending me an e-arc of this, will defo be checking out her other books soon 💘
mwah,
joni 🤍
🤍┆‧₊˚ ⋅* 𝐩𝐫𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 ౨ৎ
this looks adorable and i can't wait to read this!!! childhood friends to lovers to strangers is always full of yearning so i'm really excited + second chance is one of my favorite tropes so i hope this delivers
thank you to gemma for sending me an arc of your book!!
May 12, 2025
My thoughts: 🌙✨️🌙
As childhood best friends, lovers and then strangers, Millie and Duke have a long history together. Fleeting between childhood summers and present day, we get to know their whole story. I wasn't sure about Duke to start with to be honest, I felt he could have been more vocal about his feelings for Millie, as she was so oblivious to him liking her. As the story went on, I adored both main characters and the relationship between them. Another character I didn't like was Freddie, I just didn't vibe with his whole demeanour. The girl vibes were everything, Millie has a great group of girl friends.
Duke leaves Lakewood for Spain once they finish high school, to follow his dream of professional football, which he has been working towards since he was young. Millie and Duke always intended to go in different directions, but they planned to stay in regular contact. Duke breaks Millies heart as he leaves without any communication and doesn't make any contact at all. Ten whole years pass and he returns, but not everyone is pleased to see him. Millie runs a christmas decor shop and he turns up one day out of the blue. There are a lot of unanswered questions and a lot of mixed feelings from the whole group of friends, but especially for Millie.
I really enjoyed the closed door, cute cosiness of this book. It was an absolute delight to read and I look forward to reading more of Nicholls' work!
As childhood best friends, lovers and then strangers, Millie and Duke have a long history together. Fleeting between childhood summers and present day, we get to know their whole story. I wasn't sure about Duke to start with to be honest, I felt he could have been more vocal about his feelings for Millie, as she was so oblivious to him liking her. As the story went on, I adored both main characters and the relationship between them. Another character I didn't like was Freddie, I just didn't vibe with his whole demeanour. The girl vibes were everything, Millie has a great group of girl friends.
Duke leaves Lakewood for Spain once they finish high school, to follow his dream of professional football, which he has been working towards since he was young. Millie and Duke always intended to go in different directions, but they planned to stay in regular contact. Duke breaks Millies heart as he leaves without any communication and doesn't make any contact at all. Ten whole years pass and he returns, but not everyone is pleased to see him. Millie runs a christmas decor shop and he turns up one day out of the blue. There are a lot of unanswered questions and a lot of mixed feelings from the whole group of friends, but especially for Millie.
I really enjoyed the closed door, cute cosiness of this book. It was an absolute delight to read and I look forward to reading more of Nicholls' work!
June 8, 2025
Duke and Millie stole my entire heart oh my god! The unfolding of their love prevailing despite everything they had fighting against them had me crying, laughing, and leaping for joy. They say when you miss someone and can’t be with them to look to the moon because it’s the same one everyone else sees and it ties you together in that moment. Just like Duke and Millie I will always find my other half in the moon!
May 9, 2025
A.R.C. recieved & this is my HONEST review.
I loved and hated this book. Very torn on how to rate it because it pulled me in, I was up til 3 am reading because I felt the chemistry / pull between characters. The friend group had me yearning I grew up In a small town. HOWEVER, just because I enjoyed the story didn’t mean I loved the characters.
Millie Silverstone
I can appreciate her strength and belief in the connection between her and Duke. [Even if she was oblivious for 18 years how deep that connection went]. But I HATED how she forgave Duke so easily and fell into rhythm with him without an explanation. Going toe to toe with the friends who picked her up off the floor when Duke was trying to sweep everything under the rug and not even properly apologize. THAT got me mad and made me dislike her; her trying to force a bond between others that Duke severed on his own. He’s a grown man that can rectify his own mistakes. Not to mention their friends have a right to their own feelings without being coerced just because MILLIE decided she wanted to “enjoy” summer with Duke.
Duke Lyndon
He’s a coward in every sense of the word. As a teen he didn’t admit / fight for his feelings with Millie. Just kept his distance [Again, insert Millie’s ignorance] He didn’t stand up to his dad, to try to SEE Millie. 18 years of friendship / romantic feelings and he just went along with things? With no way to contact ANYONE, let alone get a message to Mille???? He was 18, he wasn’t a child. How am I supposed to believe Millie was his Moonlight when he didn’t TRY? [And no, the letter doesn’t count.] Third, the ending he still didn’t confront his father.
But even with my perception of Duke, his character was written eloquently. I may not have liked his decisions, but before the betrayal, his actions had me SWOONING.
Freddie
How did ANYONE in the group let Freddie the new kid cause so much havoc??? He deserved more consequences for his actions. Thephysical kind, I mean Sam, Duke & Oli ….
Again, overall it was a GREAT book I felt like it needed a bigger explanation / grovel from Duke. Or even throw in his POV every few chapters would have helped me accept / forgive him easier. But boy did I feel everything . I'd recommend this book to anyone looking for a small town, second chance romance. Just be prepared for betrayal and a roller coaster of emotions.
I loved and hated this book. Very torn on how to rate it because it pulled me in, I was up til 3 am reading because I felt the chemistry / pull between characters. The friend group had me yearning I grew up In a small town. HOWEVER, just because I enjoyed the story didn’t mean I loved the characters.
Millie Silverstone
I can appreciate her strength and belief in the connection between her and Duke. [Even if she was oblivious for 18 years how deep that connection went]. But I HATED how she forgave Duke so easily and fell into rhythm with him without an explanation. Going toe to toe with the friends who picked her up off the floor when Duke was trying to sweep everything under the rug and not even properly apologize. THAT got me mad and made me dislike her; her trying to force a bond between others that Duke severed on his own. He’s a grown man that can rectify his own mistakes. Not to mention their friends have a right to their own feelings without being coerced just because MILLIE decided she wanted to “enjoy” summer with Duke.
Duke Lyndon
He’s a coward in every sense of the word. As a teen he didn’t admit / fight for his feelings with Millie. Just kept his distance [Again, insert Millie’s ignorance] He didn’t stand up to his dad, to try to SEE Millie. 18 years of friendship / romantic feelings and he just went along with things? With no way to contact ANYONE, let alone get a message to Mille???? He was 18, he wasn’t a child. How am I supposed to believe Millie was his Moonlight when he didn’t TRY? [And no, the letter doesn’t count.] Third, the ending he still didn’t confront his father.
But even with my perception of Duke, his character was written eloquently. I may not have liked his decisions, but before the betrayal, his actions had me SWOONING.
Freddie
How did ANYONE in the group let Freddie the new kid cause so much havoc??? He deserved more consequences for his actions. The
Again, overall it was a GREAT book I felt like it needed a bigger explanation / grovel from Duke. Or even throw in his POV every few chapters would have helped me accept / forgive him easier. But boy did I feel everything . I'd recommend this book to anyone looking for a small town, second chance romance. Just be prepared for betrayal and a roller coaster of emotions.
April 27, 2025
Meet Me at Moonlight is second chance romance featuring Millie Silverstone and Duke Lyndon.
Millie and Duke grew up together. As their parents were friends, the two spent all their time together, becoming best friends. Millie and Duke were inseparable. One didn't know where one ended and the other began. As they got older, they were teased about being more than friends, but their relationship was steadfast. Duke adored Millie and as he often told her, he would do anything for her. When she started dating Freddie Hatcham, even though he hated it, he tried to keep his distance so as not to adversely affect their relationship. He was always there for her, lifting her up, supporting her, leaving her handwritten notes. She was his everything.
At the end of high school, the two were headed in different directions. Millie was going to school in Scotland, while Duke was off to pursue his football career that his father had been pushing and cultivating since he was a young child. They weren't looking forward to being apart for the first time, but Duke promised to be in regular contact, calling, messaging, etc... Unfortunately, when Millie returned from a family vacation one day late, she learned that not only had Duke left, but he didn't take his phone with him. Duke's father refused to pass on his information saying it was time for the two to focus on their own, individual futures. She was absolutely heartbroken and devastated.
This book flips back and forth between the past and the present. Readers learn about Millie and Duke's relationship in the past, how he left her in pieces, as well as ten years in the future when Duke mysteriously shows up at Millie's shop, Yuletide Treasures. Millie is both confused at his showing up out of the blue, angry for him disappearing all those years ago without a word, and absolutely elated to see him again. We learn more about what happened, and why Duke disappeared, and we see how his love for her never wavered. It was always, and will always be, Millie.
Theirs is a beautiful and emotional love story. At the foundation, miscommunication, or lack thereof, led to misunderstanding, but in the long run, the two were meant to be and find their way back to one another.
This was the first book I've read by Nicholls but I thoroughly enjoyed it and hope to explore more of her works.
Millie and Duke grew up together. As their parents were friends, the two spent all their time together, becoming best friends. Millie and Duke were inseparable. One didn't know where one ended and the other began. As they got older, they were teased about being more than friends, but their relationship was steadfast. Duke adored Millie and as he often told her, he would do anything for her. When she started dating Freddie Hatcham, even though he hated it, he tried to keep his distance so as not to adversely affect their relationship. He was always there for her, lifting her up, supporting her, leaving her handwritten notes. She was his everything.
At the end of high school, the two were headed in different directions. Millie was going to school in Scotland, while Duke was off to pursue his football career that his father had been pushing and cultivating since he was a young child. They weren't looking forward to being apart for the first time, but Duke promised to be in regular contact, calling, messaging, etc... Unfortunately, when Millie returned from a family vacation one day late, she learned that not only had Duke left, but he didn't take his phone with him. Duke's father refused to pass on his information saying it was time for the two to focus on their own, individual futures. She was absolutely heartbroken and devastated.
This book flips back and forth between the past and the present. Readers learn about Millie and Duke's relationship in the past, how he left her in pieces, as well as ten years in the future when Duke mysteriously shows up at Millie's shop, Yuletide Treasures. Millie is both confused at his showing up out of the blue, angry for him disappearing all those years ago without a word, and absolutely elated to see him again. We learn more about what happened, and why Duke disappeared, and we see how his love for her never wavered. It was always, and will always be, Millie.
Theirs is a beautiful and emotional love story. At the foundation, miscommunication, or lack thereof, led to misunderstanding, but in the long run, the two were meant to be and find their way back to one another.
This was the first book I've read by Nicholls but I thoroughly enjoyed it and hope to explore more of her works.
May 14, 2025
I want to begin by thanking Gemma Nicholls for my ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
My review will start with an overview of the tropes/themes I find to be important to the story. The following tropes/themes truly made the novel very special to me:
Grumpy heroine x sunshine lover
He falls first and she falls harder
She never forgets him
Love endures even with distance
Found family & sibling banter
Small town store owner x famous football star
In my heart, I hold Mille, the main lead female character, close because she is confronted with a decision: what to do when her childhood love shows up out of the blue and crashes into her life. Like Millie, I would fall in love all over again. With this novel, you as a reader get the opportunity to see both the past (i.e. where Millie and Duke’s relationship began) and its ties to the present (i.e. where Millie and Duke are now). The transition between these time shifts are seamless and had me never wanting to put down my Kindle as I needed to know what happened next – what had this memory done to Millie’s next step? How would Duke respond to Millie referring to that previous event? So many thoughts and I had to keep reading.
Gemma is a genius and has written a novel that brings together both a love story and a story of friendship. Duke, a big football player, and Millie, a small town Christmas store owner, combat the fears of long distance, family perception, and the persistent cameras to live the love story they desire – as they should! From the cover to the very first page, I was hooked and will be recommending this book to everyone I know when it comes out!!
My review will start with an overview of the tropes/themes I find to be important to the story. The following tropes/themes truly made the novel very special to me:
Grumpy heroine x sunshine lover
He falls first and she falls harder
She never forgets him
Love endures even with distance
Found family & sibling banter
Small town store owner x famous football star
In my heart, I hold Mille, the main lead female character, close because she is confronted with a decision: what to do when her childhood love shows up out of the blue and crashes into her life. Like Millie, I would fall in love all over again. With this novel, you as a reader get the opportunity to see both the past (i.e. where Millie and Duke’s relationship began) and its ties to the present (i.e. where Millie and Duke are now). The transition between these time shifts are seamless and had me never wanting to put down my Kindle as I needed to know what happened next – what had this memory done to Millie’s next step? How would Duke respond to Millie referring to that previous event? So many thoughts and I had to keep reading.
Gemma is a genius and has written a novel that brings together both a love story and a story of friendship. Duke, a big football player, and Millie, a small town Christmas store owner, combat the fears of long distance, family perception, and the persistent cameras to live the love story they desire – as they should! From the cover to the very first page, I was hooked and will be recommending this book to everyone I know when it comes out!!
May 6, 2025
MEET ME AT MOONLIGHT @authorgemmanicholls
“He was her forever—until he disappeared. Now he’s back, and everything they buried is rising again…”
Meet Me at Moonlight is the kind of second-chance romance that tugs on every heartstring. Millie and Duke grew up together—best friends, soulmates, with late-night stargazing in lavender fields and handwritten notes that made you believe in love.
But at eighteen, Duke vanished without a goodbye, leaving Millie to face heartbreak, manipulation, and pressure from a father who never saw her for who she truly was.
Now, ten years later, he's back—not just as a football star, but as the boy who never stopped loving her. Their chemistry? Still electric. Their connection? Almost telepathic. And their journey? A beautiful, emotional mess of old wounds, fierce loyalty, and the kind of love you never quite shake.
This book is adorable, swoon-worthy, and deeply emotional. You’ll fall for the entire friend group (seriously, they’re hilarious and ride-or-die), rage at the villains, and wish you could reach through the pages to hug Duke and shake Millie. And yes—I need more of Maryam and Sam’s story too!
Meet Me at Moonlight was my first time reading anything by Gemma Nicholls, and I’m officially hooked.
I went in expecting a sweet second-chance romance—and got so much more.
The emotional depth, the lyrical writing, the unforgettable characters—I felt like I was living inside the story.
Millie and Duke’s love felt real, raw, and incredibly tender, and the side characters made me laugh, cry, and want a whole spin-off series.
“He was her forever—until he disappeared. Now he’s back, and everything they buried is rising again…”
Meet Me at Moonlight is the kind of second-chance romance that tugs on every heartstring. Millie and Duke grew up together—best friends, soulmates, with late-night stargazing in lavender fields and handwritten notes that made you believe in love.
But at eighteen, Duke vanished without a goodbye, leaving Millie to face heartbreak, manipulation, and pressure from a father who never saw her for who she truly was.
Now, ten years later, he's back—not just as a football star, but as the boy who never stopped loving her. Their chemistry? Still electric. Their connection? Almost telepathic. And their journey? A beautiful, emotional mess of old wounds, fierce loyalty, and the kind of love you never quite shake.
This book is adorable, swoon-worthy, and deeply emotional. You’ll fall for the entire friend group (seriously, they’re hilarious and ride-or-die), rage at the villains, and wish you could reach through the pages to hug Duke and shake Millie. And yes—I need more of Maryam and Sam’s story too!
Meet Me at Moonlight was my first time reading anything by Gemma Nicholls, and I’m officially hooked.
I went in expecting a sweet second-chance romance—and got so much more.
The emotional depth, the lyrical writing, the unforgettable characters—I felt like I was living inside the story.
Millie and Duke’s love felt real, raw, and incredibly tender, and the side characters made me laugh, cry, and want a whole spin-off series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 4, 2025
Meet me at moonlight 🌙 By @authorgemmanicholls
Oh, the letters, little notes... Those were absolutely adorable and sweet. Duke truly worshipped the ground Millie walked on. I thought it was incredible sweet that they both had a telepathy way of knowing how interact together in their group of friends. Whom are just also really cool and funny. They all have been through alot together.
I can say damn Millie, I wished you truly opened your eyes and saw what was in front of you. Before you met that jerk ( first boyfriend, darn he was manipulative and made her feel like she weren't good enough. Belittling her )
Duke truly just want to give you a hug. Your father is just a controlling person dictating your life. That pressure is never good and I wish someone would have stuck up for you.
This story is about redemption, second chances at love. Rebuilding what trust, long love which was lost and alot of miscommunication in the wrong people.
It's definitely swoony worthy and very cute second chance romance.
Do I get to learn more of the love story of Maryam and Sam. They were so good together...
Oh, the letters, little notes... Those were absolutely adorable and sweet. Duke truly worshipped the ground Millie walked on. I thought it was incredible sweet that they both had a telepathy way of knowing how interact together in their group of friends. Whom are just also really cool and funny. They all have been through alot together.
I can say damn Millie, I wished you truly opened your eyes and saw what was in front of you. Before you met that jerk ( first boyfriend, darn he was manipulative and made her feel like she weren't good enough. Belittling her )
Duke truly just want to give you a hug. Your father is just a controlling person dictating your life. That pressure is never good and I wish someone would have stuck up for you.
This story is about redemption, second chances at love. Rebuilding what trust, long love which was lost and alot of miscommunication in the wrong people.
It's definitely swoony worthy and very cute second chance romance.
Do I get to learn more of the love story of Maryam and Sam. They were so good together...
April 30, 2025
This book was amazing, it is a second chance romance! the childhood friendship between Millie and Duke that grows into something more before being snatched away for 10 years. Duke’s complete love and obsession for her in the most healthy way possible. Dukes complete devotion to Millie is such a sweet refreshing read, this man truly believes that she hung the moon itself!
The romance that is this book is such an easy read, there was no dragging points that you wish to be over, it was such an easy read and I am so HONORED that I was chosen as an ARC on this
The writing is absolutely amazing and I love that you get context on their relationship as teenagers and children throughout. It makes each chapter a little sweeter to have some insight into their past.
ALSO. I love that this romance isn’t filled with graphic scenes, it is a nice change of pace to read an adult romance that is just that. Romance. Such a nice change of pace!
Definitely worth adding to your TBR. And will be suggesting it to everyone I talk to !
The romance that is this book is such an easy read, there was no dragging points that you wish to be over, it was such an easy read and I am so HONORED that I was chosen as an ARC on this
The writing is absolutely amazing and I love that you get context on their relationship as teenagers and children throughout. It makes each chapter a little sweeter to have some insight into their past.
ALSO. I love that this romance isn’t filled with graphic scenes, it is a nice change of pace to read an adult romance that is just that. Romance. Such a nice change of pace!
Definitely worth adding to your TBR. And will be suggesting it to everyone I talk to !
May 9, 2025
Thank you for this opportunity to be on your arc team to review this book! This is the first book I’ve read by Nicholls and it didn’t disappoint! It’s a sweet, second chance romance full of fluff and sentiment. Not my usual type of read but I did really enjoy it!
We follow Duke- top class footballer, and Millie- all year round Christmas shop owner- in their story from going to best friends all through school, to lovers (finally!), to strangers- after Duke got whisked away overseas to be a hot shot football star, and finally back to lovers after a 10 year hiatus in their friendship!
The writing style is mainly from the FMCs POV, flip flopping between past and present day. I think this is an interesting concept as it gave a full back ground into their blossoming friendship and love, and the events leading to Dukes departure and the 10 years of radio silence! I enjoyed the epilogue as it brought everything together and was a lovely ending!
This is a closed door romance book, so the intimate scenes just fade to black, making it a cosy little read!
I think I would’ve liked a little more of Dukes POV in this book to round everything off! But overall it was a sweet and easy read, and I’m looking forward to reading more from this author!
Overall ratings:
🌟 4/5
🌶️ 0/5 (closed door romance)
We follow Duke- top class footballer, and Millie- all year round Christmas shop owner- in their story from going to best friends all through school, to lovers (finally!), to strangers- after Duke got whisked away overseas to be a hot shot football star, and finally back to lovers after a 10 year hiatus in their friendship!
The writing style is mainly from the FMCs POV, flip flopping between past and present day. I think this is an interesting concept as it gave a full back ground into their blossoming friendship and love, and the events leading to Dukes departure and the 10 years of radio silence! I enjoyed the epilogue as it brought everything together and was a lovely ending!
This is a closed door romance book, so the intimate scenes just fade to black, making it a cosy little read!
I think I would’ve liked a little more of Dukes POV in this book to round everything off! But overall it was a sweet and easy read, and I’m looking forward to reading more from this author!
Overall ratings:
🌟 4/5
🌶️ 0/5 (closed door romance)
May 6, 2025
Cuteness overload.
I've loved all of Gemma's books but this one is such a feel good, heartwarming book.
I loved the way its written and we got to see Millie and Duke's friendship literally from when they just started walking to the beautiful relationship it becomes.
If you want a green flag walking boyfriend, Duke ticks every single box. Wow, is he perfect!
I think my favourite part has to be the handwritten notes at the end of each chapter and how much he has been pinning after Millie his whole life.
⚽️ Friends to lovers
⚽️ Dual timeline
⚽️ Small town
⚽️ Sport romance
⚽️ Dound family
⚽️ He falls first
⚽️ closed door
I've loved all of Gemma's books but this one is such a feel good, heartwarming book.
I loved the way its written and we got to see Millie and Duke's friendship literally from when they just started walking to the beautiful relationship it becomes.
If you want a green flag walking boyfriend, Duke ticks every single box. Wow, is he perfect!
I think my favourite part has to be the handwritten notes at the end of each chapter and how much he has been pinning after Millie his whole life.
⚽️ Friends to lovers
⚽️ Dual timeline
⚽️ Small town
⚽️ Sport romance
⚽️ Dound family
⚽️ He falls first
⚽️ closed door
May 8, 2025
I fell in love with this book from the start. It’s a book that most of us can relate to. It has strong friendships, love, conflict, and relationship troubles. It follows a group of friends that started as young kids going through adults. You will fall in love with them and you will love the small town romance they bring.
April 29, 2025
I LOVE every second of this book!! Millie and Duke I adore them so much <3 full review to come but just to note, go pre order this book!!
May 9, 2025
Kindle Arc review
May 9, 2025
one of the best books I've read ,love it so much
June 14, 2025
Meet Me At Moonlight is a cute second chance romance perfect for fans of friends to lovers to strangers to lovers and for people who love books that feel like movies!
It follows Millie and Duke as they start to reconnect after Duke disappeared without a trace a decade ago to pursue his football career abroad. Sparks fly and long histories are revisited, but will Millie forgive him?
One of the things I absolutely loved about this book was the dual timeline. It honestly felt like I was able to watch them grow up together and see their friendship evolve into something more which was so sweet and magical. I also felt this made the element of friendship so much more important and showed how Millie and Duke’s friends were more like found family and how this had carried on into adulthood. This also made Duke’s departure so heartbreaking, particularly seeing both past and present perspectives intertwined. I also think that seeing both timelines made the main setting of Lakewood so immersive and made me feel like I lived there alongside them. (I would love to visit the upstairs of Yuletide treasures particularly!)
I also loved Duke. I know I have said this for many a book boyfriend but to quote Taylor “in a world of boys, he’s a gentleman” Duke is so so sweet and considerate and was, and always has been so down bad for Millie!! (I wish she could’ve seen this sooner instead of dating that jerk who was so manipulative and cruel to her)
Dotted between each chapter are short, heartfelt handwritten letters that Duke wrote to Millie throughout their childhood - this has to be my favourite element about this book, I loved reading each one!!
There was no third-act breakup which made this book easy to enjoy and read and as with all of Gemma’s books the romance is closed-door, but the chemistry between characters is still very clear and beautifully written.
The amount of detail was also so beautiful and really created a sense of depth in the book. I loved the meaning behind the title and the beauty it added to Millie and Duke’s romance. I loved how involved in the story all of their friends were - I would definitely love a spin off on one of them!! Also, as a swiftie, I loved their ‘The Alchemy’ moment (it felt so Taylor and Travis coded)
I personally didn’t enjoy this book as much as Gemma’s others - I just didn't connect as well with the characters (my favourite is still You and Me Honeybee) but I would still recommend it!
thank you to Gemma for the ARC 🌟💜⚽️ I loved the opportunity to read this pre-release!!
It follows Millie and Duke as they start to reconnect after Duke disappeared without a trace a decade ago to pursue his football career abroad. Sparks fly and long histories are revisited, but will Millie forgive him?
One of the things I absolutely loved about this book was the dual timeline. It honestly felt like I was able to watch them grow up together and see their friendship evolve into something more which was so sweet and magical. I also felt this made the element of friendship so much more important and showed how Millie and Duke’s friends were more like found family and how this had carried on into adulthood. This also made Duke’s departure so heartbreaking, particularly seeing both past and present perspectives intertwined. I also think that seeing both timelines made the main setting of Lakewood so immersive and made me feel like I lived there alongside them. (I would love to visit the upstairs of Yuletide treasures particularly!)
I also loved Duke. I know I have said this for many a book boyfriend but to quote Taylor “in a world of boys, he’s a gentleman” Duke is so so sweet and considerate and was, and always has been so down bad for Millie!! (I wish she could’ve seen this sooner instead of dating that jerk who was so manipulative and cruel to her)
Dotted between each chapter are short, heartfelt handwritten letters that Duke wrote to Millie throughout their childhood - this has to be my favourite element about this book, I loved reading each one!!
There was no third-act breakup which made this book easy to enjoy and read and as with all of Gemma’s books the romance is closed-door, but the chemistry between characters is still very clear and beautifully written.
The amount of detail was also so beautiful and really created a sense of depth in the book. I loved the meaning behind the title and the beauty it added to Millie and Duke’s romance. I loved how involved in the story all of their friends were - I would definitely love a spin off on one of them!! Also, as a swiftie, I loved their ‘The Alchemy’ moment (it felt so Taylor and Travis coded)
I personally didn’t enjoy this book as much as Gemma’s others - I just didn't connect as well with the characters (my favourite is still You and Me Honeybee) but I would still recommend it!
thank you to Gemma for the ARC 🌟💜⚽️ I loved the opportunity to read this pre-release!!
June 23, 2025
•ARC READ•
Starring Millie & Duke in a second chance, football romance. They were best friends, always had been and they were always going to be. She way always there to support him at his football matches. There special place was always going to be theirs. Until one day he was scouted to play professionally abroad and with any notice, not even as much as a goodbye, he’s gone. Leaving behind his friends and family in pursuit of his dream. However, life has a funny way of being people back together. But life changes people, can the Millie and Duke of the present fix their relationship after the years apart.
The found family aspect of this book is amazing. They are such good friends and to see that they are still such amazing friends after all the years, the move away to university and they have all found their way back and are still such good friends. They are all so protective of each other as well. You hurt one of them … you hurt all of them, and good luck regaining the love of the group, you’re going to need it.
Starring Millie & Duke in a second chance, football romance. They were best friends, always had been and they were always going to be. She way always there to support him at his football matches. There special place was always going to be theirs. Until one day he was scouted to play professionally abroad and with any notice, not even as much as a goodbye, he’s gone. Leaving behind his friends and family in pursuit of his dream. However, life has a funny way of being people back together. But life changes people, can the Millie and Duke of the present fix their relationship after the years apart.
The found family aspect of this book is amazing. They are such good friends and to see that they are still such amazing friends after all the years, the move away to university and they have all found their way back and are still such good friends. They are all so protective of each other as well. You hurt one of them … you hurt all of them, and good luck regaining the love of the group, you’re going to need it.
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