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Meeting Me, Loving You
She dreams of leaving Maple Lake. His greatest desire has always been to come back. Can their hearts cross somewhere in the middle?
When her family moves away from Maple Lake, Juliet buries her loneliness under grad school studies and hospital shifts. Fun and games are the last thing on her mind when Cameron Dunne suddenly enters her life.
The handsome, bearded teacher—resembling a lumberjack, rather than a math nerd—is determined to be the friend Juliet needs, encouraging her to let loose despite the schedule that consumes her life. The two of them soon embark on a mission to experience their hometown through fresh eyes.
Together, they rediscover Maple Lake as if seeing it for the first time, embracing its beauty in the same way as the tourists who visit. From hiking through the mountains, to studying for Juliet's nursing exams, their attraction is undeniable.
Will they surrender to love, or let old wounds dictate their future?
When her family moves away from Maple Lake, Juliet buries her loneliness under grad school studies and hospital shifts. Fun and games are the last thing on her mind when Cameron Dunne suddenly enters her life.
The handsome, bearded teacher—resembling a lumberjack, rather than a math nerd—is determined to be the friend Juliet needs, encouraging her to let loose despite the schedule that consumes her life. The two of them soon embark on a mission to experience their hometown through fresh eyes.
Together, they rediscover Maple Lake as if seeing it for the first time, embracing its beauty in the same way as the tourists who visit. From hiking through the mountains, to studying for Juliet's nursing exams, their attraction is undeniable.
Will they surrender to love, or let old wounds dictate their future?
322 pages, Paperback
Published July 9, 2025
55 people are currently reading
613 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews
December 31, 2025
My Quick Takes:
- 4/5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Language 🤐 mild
- Spice ❤️🔥 none/kisses only
- Content 🤔 toxic family relationship
Meeting Me, Loving You is a swoony, small town romance DEBUT! I loved the year long timeline and detailed writing.
This is a fun and lighthearted read that’s balanced by real life scenarios and lots of flirting. With the timeline, it’s perfect to read anytime of the year! It’s in the details with one and the author provides lots of description and attention to detail throughout the plot that I enjoyed and appreciated.
I loved dual point of view, and the thoughtfulness of the male main character. If you are a trope reader, this one has a lot of fun tropes: friends to more, brother’s best friend, and slow burn just to name a few.
- 4/5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Language 🤐 mild
- Spice ❤️🔥 none/kisses only
- Content 🤔 toxic family relationship
Meeting Me, Loving You is a swoony, small town romance DEBUT! I loved the year long timeline and detailed writing.
This is a fun and lighthearted read that’s balanced by real life scenarios and lots of flirting. With the timeline, it’s perfect to read anytime of the year! It’s in the details with one and the author provides lots of description and attention to detail throughout the plot that I enjoyed and appreciated.
I loved dual point of view, and the thoughtfulness of the male main character. If you are a trope reader, this one has a lot of fun tropes: friends to more, brother’s best friend, and slow burn just to name a few.
January 4, 2026
Meeting Me, Loving You by Abigail Nadine is a gentle contemporary romance about two people from the same small mountain town finding their way back to each other, rediscovering love, themselves, and the beauty of Maple Lake along the way. Juliet has stayed behind to juggle grad school and long hospital shifts, while Cameron, her older brother’s former best friend, returns years later as a beloved local teacher, sparking a slow, connection that grows from friendship into something deeper.
From the moment I settled into this story I could feel its warmth like a cozy autumn afternoon, with vivid descriptions of mountain hikes, coffee shop chats, and whispered confessions beneath changing leaves. The dual perspectives of Juliet and Cameron gave me tender access to their inner worlds, their hopes and hesitations weaving together with a sweetness that felt authentic and earned. Their bond unfolds with the ease of old friends learning to see each other anew, and each “field trip” around their hometown becomes a gentle reminder that love often grows quietly in the spaces we least expect. This novel beautifully captures healing from past wounds, the joy of small town rhythms, and the courage to open your heart again, and I found myself smiling long after I turned the last page.
Rating: 3 out of 5
I loved the sincere character growth and the scenic setting that felt like a character in its own right. While the slow burn might ask for patience, the rich emotional journey and the genuine friendship‑to‑love arc made this such a satisfying debut. If you cherish clean, comfortable romances full of heart and hope, this one will likely leave you feeling warm and content.
From the moment I settled into this story I could feel its warmth like a cozy autumn afternoon, with vivid descriptions of mountain hikes, coffee shop chats, and whispered confessions beneath changing leaves. The dual perspectives of Juliet and Cameron gave me tender access to their inner worlds, their hopes and hesitations weaving together with a sweetness that felt authentic and earned. Their bond unfolds with the ease of old friends learning to see each other anew, and each “field trip” around their hometown becomes a gentle reminder that love often grows quietly in the spaces we least expect. This novel beautifully captures healing from past wounds, the joy of small town rhythms, and the courage to open your heart again, and I found myself smiling long after I turned the last page.
Rating: 3 out of 5
I loved the sincere character growth and the scenic setting that felt like a character in its own right. While the slow burn might ask for patience, the rich emotional journey and the genuine friendship‑to‑love arc made this such a satisfying debut. If you cherish clean, comfortable romances full of heart and hope, this one will likely leave you feeling warm and content.
July 15, 2025
Meeting Me, Loving You is Abigail Nadine’s debut novel, and she absolutely smashes it out of the ballpark! This cozy, kisses-only contemporary romance is the kind of story that wraps you up like your favorite blanket—sweet, heartfelt, and full of romantic tension.
Juliet and Cameron share a childhood connection—he’s her older brother’s best friend—but they haven’t seen each other in over a decade, not since Cameron moved away in high school. When he returns to their charming, touristy Pennsylvania hometown, the two reconnect in the most unexpected way. Their relationship grows slowly and naturally, and the tension between them builds with every page.
I loved how active and outdoorsy the story felt—full of hiking, kayaking, bike rides, and cozy camping scenes. These shared adventures not only made the setting come alive, but also gave Juliet and Cameron space to really bond and open up.
What really set this story apart for me was the emotional depth. Cameron is working through years of pain and emotional baggage tied to his parents, and with the help of Juliet and his supportive coworkers, he begins to find healing. At the same time, Juliet is on her own path of growth. With encouragement from Cameron and her brother Tyler, she finds the strength to confront her past and forgive the person who hurt her the most. Their personal growth adds a powerful layer to an already tender romance.
With strong found-family vibes, a swoony slow-burn romance, and rich emotional journeys, Meeting Me, Loving You is a heartfelt debut full of hope, healing, and second chances. I absolutely adored it and can’t wait to read more from Abigail Nadine!
Juliet and Cameron share a childhood connection—he’s her older brother’s best friend—but they haven’t seen each other in over a decade, not since Cameron moved away in high school. When he returns to their charming, touristy Pennsylvania hometown, the two reconnect in the most unexpected way. Their relationship grows slowly and naturally, and the tension between them builds with every page.
I loved how active and outdoorsy the story felt—full of hiking, kayaking, bike rides, and cozy camping scenes. These shared adventures not only made the setting come alive, but also gave Juliet and Cameron space to really bond and open up.
What really set this story apart for me was the emotional depth. Cameron is working through years of pain and emotional baggage tied to his parents, and with the help of Juliet and his supportive coworkers, he begins to find healing. At the same time, Juliet is on her own path of growth. With encouragement from Cameron and her brother Tyler, she finds the strength to confront her past and forgive the person who hurt her the most. Their personal growth adds a powerful layer to an already tender romance.
With strong found-family vibes, a swoony slow-burn romance, and rich emotional journeys, Meeting Me, Loving You is a heartfelt debut full of hope, healing, and second chances. I absolutely adored it and can’t wait to read more from Abigail Nadine!
July 11, 2025
This was such a sweet story! I immediately felt transported to Maple Lake, what a great setting. It reminded me why I love to hike and spend time outside, especially with my favorite people. Juliet and Cameron reunite after years, and go on a mission to rediscover Maple Lake seeing as if they were tourists. She is busy studying for her nurses exam, and he is on a mission to bring joy back to her life.
July 11, 2025
This was my first time reading a book with the trope “brother’s best friend” and it was SO good! I loved Dax, the “re-meet” cute, and the outdoorsy adventures! This book was a great read, with well developed characters. I love how the author resolved all the “problems” between the characters or what they were feeling in their hearts! The epilogue too - was the cherry on top of this sweet story!❤️
July 11, 2025
Meeting Me, Loving You
by: Abigail Nadine
@abigailnadine.author
••I give 5 stars!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Life is short and there should never be room for regrets.”
~She dreams of leaving Maple Lake. His greatest desire has always been to come back. Can their hearts cross somewhere in the middle?
-Meeting Me, Loving You, is a heartwarming debut novel full of hope, healing, second chances, humor, and depth. It’s a dear story that centers around finding love exactly where you are. I thoroughly enjoyed the strong found-family vibes, a swoony slow-burn romance, and rich emotional journeys and character growth. I also enjoyed the beautiful and vivid descriptions that immediately transported me and made feel part of the story and the beauty and freedom that forgiveness brings. This is a dear story worth reading!📚🙌🏻❤️
“You came home and you found me, because this is what I was meant for. I was meant for you.”
•Content: toxic parent relationships, mention of a runaway teen, family disownment, an accident that occurs on page with the mention of blood, one swear word mentioned, kisses only.
“Life is worth living, the potential it holds!”
-I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
“I revel in the realization that my wish has been granted. I’ve finally come home to where I belong.”
#meetingmelovingyou
“Just remember, you also deserve to find your own happiness.”
#abigailnadineauthor
“If you never try anything different, you might miss out and never know. Trying new things
is how we learn who we are and what we want in life.”
#allaboutthebestreads
by: Abigail Nadine
@abigailnadine.author
••I give 5 stars!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Life is short and there should never be room for regrets.”
~She dreams of leaving Maple Lake. His greatest desire has always been to come back. Can their hearts cross somewhere in the middle?
-Meeting Me, Loving You, is a heartwarming debut novel full of hope, healing, second chances, humor, and depth. It’s a dear story that centers around finding love exactly where you are. I thoroughly enjoyed the strong found-family vibes, a swoony slow-burn romance, and rich emotional journeys and character growth. I also enjoyed the beautiful and vivid descriptions that immediately transported me and made feel part of the story and the beauty and freedom that forgiveness brings. This is a dear story worth reading!📚🙌🏻❤️
“You came home and you found me, because this is what I was meant for. I was meant for you.”
•Content: toxic parent relationships, mention of a runaway teen, family disownment, an accident that occurs on page with the mention of blood, one swear word mentioned, kisses only.
“Life is worth living, the potential it holds!”
-I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
“I revel in the realization that my wish has been granted. I’ve finally come home to where I belong.”
#meetingmelovingyou
“Just remember, you also deserve to find your own happiness.”
#abigailnadineauthor
“If you never try anything different, you might miss out and never know. Trying new things
is how we learn who we are and what we want in life.”
#allaboutthebestreads
July 8, 2025
A heartfelt, slow-burn romance that will have you itching to do some outdoor activities with someone you love!
Juliet has lived in the small mountain town of Maple Lake all her life. Her older brother's best friend, Cameron, moved away over a decade ago, but now he's back - with a beard, a betta fish, and a determination to add some joy to Juliet's life.
The setting of the story is so picturesque. It was easy to imagine myself dropped into the cozy town, enjoying all kinds of outdoorsy activities throughout each of the seasons. Juliet and Cameron are both such likeable and caring people, despite the emotional traumas they are both working through. I love that they develop a strong and true friendship first, before it grows into something more. But WOOOWEEE the romantic tension! 🤌🏼🔥 When that first kiss finally came, I was cheesing so hard! 😁
More to Love:
✌🏼 Dual POV
😎 Brother's Best Friend
🩺 She's a Nurse
✏️ He's a Teacher
☕ Coffee Shop
🛶 Outdoorsy Vibes
📝 Studying Together
🤒 He Takes Care of Her
🫶🏼 "Thank You"
🔥 That First Kiss, Though!
🥰 Found Family Vibes
"I couldn't exactly say I have butterflies in my stomach; it's probably better described as a caffeinated leprechaun doing a jig. But the feeling is the same."
"You're the home I was craving..."
Content:
💕: kisses
⚠️: strained family relationships
Juliet has lived in the small mountain town of Maple Lake all her life. Her older brother's best friend, Cameron, moved away over a decade ago, but now he's back - with a beard, a betta fish, and a determination to add some joy to Juliet's life.
The setting of the story is so picturesque. It was easy to imagine myself dropped into the cozy town, enjoying all kinds of outdoorsy activities throughout each of the seasons. Juliet and Cameron are both such likeable and caring people, despite the emotional traumas they are both working through. I love that they develop a strong and true friendship first, before it grows into something more. But WOOOWEEE the romantic tension! 🤌🏼🔥 When that first kiss finally came, I was cheesing so hard! 😁
More to Love:
✌🏼 Dual POV
😎 Brother's Best Friend
🩺 She's a Nurse
✏️ He's a Teacher
☕ Coffee Shop
🛶 Outdoorsy Vibes
📝 Studying Together
🤒 He Takes Care of Her
🫶🏼 "Thank You"
🔥 That First Kiss, Though!
🥰 Found Family Vibes
"I couldn't exactly say I have butterflies in my stomach; it's probably better described as a caffeinated leprechaun doing a jig. But the feeling is the same."
"You're the home I was craving..."
Content:
💕: kisses
⚠️: strained family relationships
June 28, 2025
I had the honor of being apart of Abigail Nadine’s ARC team! This was my first time receiving an ARC, so I’m very thankful! Okay, so wow! What a debut! 🤩 This story was AMAZING in every way! This was a cozy, kisses-only contemporary romance that made me feel all the feels! 🤭
I loved the characters in this, main and even the side characters. Cameron and Juliet’s relationship was so nice to see develop. I loved seeing how much they grew together, and tried to heal from their past. I loved Dax, Juliet’s dog! He was so cute. 🥹🐶 This is book ONE in this series, so I’m excited to know that there’s another one coming at some point! This book releases on July 11, 2025 and I definitely suggest that you all check it out on release day! ❤️
- Small mountain-town vibes ⛰️
- Healing from the past
- He’s a teacher, she’s a nurse
- Brother’s best friend 🤭
- Cute banter
- He takes care of her 🥹
I loved the characters in this, main and even the side characters. Cameron and Juliet’s relationship was so nice to see develop. I loved seeing how much they grew together, and tried to heal from their past. I loved Dax, Juliet’s dog! He was so cute. 🥹🐶 This is book ONE in this series, so I’m excited to know that there’s another one coming at some point! This book releases on July 11, 2025 and I definitely suggest that you all check it out on release day! ❤️
- Small mountain-town vibes ⛰️
- Healing from the past
- He’s a teacher, she’s a nurse
- Brother’s best friend 🤭
- Cute banter
- He takes care of her 🥹
June 24, 2025
I had the honor of being part of Abigail Nadine’s ARC team. And I am so happy I got to chance to read her debut novel!
The book switches pov between Cam and Jules, who both come from this small touristic town in the mountains. When Cam (who had just returned after having moved away as a teenager) saves Jules an instant friendship (mixed with all kinds of chemistry) starts and they decide to explore the touristic sides of their hometown together. Together they learn to enjoy life and friendship and we get to be along for the ride ♥️
This story was so sweet. We see the highs and lows of an honest friendship and what it means to truly be there for the other. We see how both mcs grow together and support each other. And we see how love slowly grows.
Things I loved:
♥️ how honesty, fun and trust were emphasized
♥️ the focus on personal growth, forgiveness and second chances
♥️ the fmcs dog 🐶
♥️ the many little details like funky coffee orders and country music playlists
♥️ how outdoorsy this story is - made we yearn for my next hike
♥️ how not everything is happily ever after and it’s okay (I am hoping for this to become a series though)
♥️ how both the mmc and fmc are just genuinely good and likable people
♥️ how they were (best) friends before it grew into something more
If you like closed door romances that you can read outdoors, this is it!
But be warned, it is a frustratingly slow burn 🔥
The book switches pov between Cam and Jules, who both come from this small touristic town in the mountains. When Cam (who had just returned after having moved away as a teenager) saves Jules an instant friendship (mixed with all kinds of chemistry) starts and they decide to explore the touristic sides of their hometown together. Together they learn to enjoy life and friendship and we get to be along for the ride ♥️
This story was so sweet. We see the highs and lows of an honest friendship and what it means to truly be there for the other. We see how both mcs grow together and support each other. And we see how love slowly grows.
Things I loved:
♥️ how honesty, fun and trust were emphasized
♥️ the focus on personal growth, forgiveness and second chances
♥️ the fmcs dog 🐶
♥️ the many little details like funky coffee orders and country music playlists
♥️ how outdoorsy this story is - made we yearn for my next hike
♥️ how not everything is happily ever after and it’s okay (I am hoping for this to become a series though)
♥️ how both the mmc and fmc are just genuinely good and likable people
♥️ how they were (best) friends before it grew into something more
If you like closed door romances that you can read outdoors, this is it!
But be warned, it is a frustratingly slow burn 🔥
June 24, 2025
What a beautiful debut! If you love a romance that is beautifully tender and leaves you feeling a sense of home, this is one you're absolutely not going to want to miss. From their rather unfortunate reintroduction, I was absolutely drawn into Cam and Jules' stories. They both had some difficult struggles in their pasts that keep them from letting their guard down in relationships. I loved seeing those more vulnerable moments and watching the growth and healing throughout the story for both of them. Their story wasn't all serious though, there were plenty of fun moments throughout that balanced it out well. I loved how he tried to push her out of her comfort zone. Their story was definitely a super slow burn...covering all the seasons... but the chemistry between them was undeniable right from the very start and my goodness, was the payoff absolutely worth it when we finally get to that first kiss (and the second one too-wow!). I just absolutely loved every moment spent with these two. With a debut like this, I absolutely cannot wait to see what Abigail Nadine does next!
Meeting Me, Loving You is a closed-door romance with kisses only. It does have just one minor swear.
**ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own.
Meeting Me, Loving You is a closed-door romance with kisses only. It does have just one minor swear.
**ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own.
July 12, 2025
The cover of this story is so cute. The book timeline actually spans from winter to fall, which was pretty fun.
I had a bit of a hard time really getting in to this book and couldn't really find myself attaching to the characters. I could appreciate that they both had their own things to work through, and I liked their friendship.
I did think it was a little weird how much Cam seemed to remember Juliet as a child - I don't think most fifteen year old boys would have so many memories of their friends ten year old sister. I get that the point of it was to give them a shared background, I just didn't love that particular emphasis personally.
I did like the character growth both of them went through though, and the ending was very sweet.
While this book wasn't completely my cup of tea, I still liked aspects of it and appreciate the opportunity I had to read it!
I had a bit of a hard time really getting in to this book and couldn't really find myself attaching to the characters. I could appreciate that they both had their own things to work through, and I liked their friendship.
I did think it was a little weird how much Cam seemed to remember Juliet as a child - I don't think most fifteen year old boys would have so many memories of their friends ten year old sister. I get that the point of it was to give them a shared background, I just didn't love that particular emphasis personally.
I did like the character growth both of them went through though, and the ending was very sweet.
While this book wasn't completely my cup of tea, I still liked aspects of it and appreciate the opportunity I had to read it!
September 12, 2025
Sweetest Couple!
🌷This is just so sweet! Their growth from friends to more is adorable.
🌷I loved their trips, adventures and how they helped each other grow. They both came with a lot of baggage that held them from moving foward but when they pushed through it was well worth it.
🌷Highly recommend if you are looking for sweet banter, high friendship vibes, and scenic travel locations.
🌷Spice: 0
🌷Language: 0
🌷This is just so sweet! Their growth from friends to more is adorable.
🌷I loved their trips, adventures and how they helped each other grow. They both came with a lot of baggage that held them from moving foward but when they pushed through it was well worth it.
🌷Highly recommend if you are looking for sweet banter, high friendship vibes, and scenic travel locations.
🌷Spice: 0
🌷Language: 0
September 14, 2025
3.5 stars rounded up to 4
What I loved:
I really enjoyed this author’s writing. I truly could picture everything well. The attention to atmosphere and setting was a reader’s dream, in my opinion. There was an overall sense of familiarity and small mountain town coziness. The main characters have plenty of interaction that supports the progression of their love story. Both Juliet’s and Cameron’s POVs were consistent. Their character portraits were well thought out. They felt perfect for each other and like people you could know irl. I also loved the “be a tourist in your hometown” idea.
What I didn’t love:
I love a slow burn and I don’t mind a character-driven slow burn, but the plot and the conflict were pretty light. It felt like low angst trying to be high angst and the plot/premise sorta fell away in the second half. Cam and Jules each had their own reasonable family-related conflicts but the conflict between them felt forced and was resolved so easily. I needed a little more in the second half. I definitely raised my eyebrows at Cam remembering so much about Jules as a 10 year old girl when he was 15. He had too many memories of her that no normal 15 year old boy would ever remember about their best friend’s 10 year old sister, later in life in their late 20’s. I think the author was simply trying to establish the brother’s ex-best-friend trope from a shared history perspective, but the execution of it missed the mark for me. It wasn’t weird necessarily, just pretty unrealistic and could have made more sense. One last thing, the 2 kissing scenes were a little much for me along with some of the physical attraction based thoughts, but this is definitely a clean romance.
Note:
This is an all-seasons story despite the cover, which I knew going in. But winter and summer dominate over spring and fall.
This is the author’s debut I think? Definitely interested in reading more from her.
In this book:
-slow burn
-brother’s best friend (reunited)
-5 year age gap
-math teacher MMC
-nurse FMC
-small mountain town
-dual POV
-he takes care of her
-healing from the past
Content guide:
romance - clean but see my caveat above
language - one use of “damn” and one use of “douchey”
violence - clean
Potential content warnings:
-family estrangement
What I loved:
I really enjoyed this author’s writing. I truly could picture everything well. The attention to atmosphere and setting was a reader’s dream, in my opinion. There was an overall sense of familiarity and small mountain town coziness. The main characters have plenty of interaction that supports the progression of their love story. Both Juliet’s and Cameron’s POVs were consistent. Their character portraits were well thought out. They felt perfect for each other and like people you could know irl. I also loved the “be a tourist in your hometown” idea.
What I didn’t love:
I love a slow burn and I don’t mind a character-driven slow burn, but the plot and the conflict were pretty light. It felt like low angst trying to be high angst and the plot/premise sorta fell away in the second half. Cam and Jules each had their own reasonable family-related conflicts but the conflict between them felt forced and was resolved so easily. I needed a little more in the second half. I definitely raised my eyebrows at Cam remembering so much about Jules as a 10 year old girl when he was 15. He had too many memories of her that no normal 15 year old boy would ever remember about their best friend’s 10 year old sister, later in life in their late 20’s. I think the author was simply trying to establish the brother’s ex-best-friend trope from a shared history perspective, but the execution of it missed the mark for me. It wasn’t weird necessarily, just pretty unrealistic and could have made more sense. One last thing, the 2 kissing scenes were a little much for me along with some of the physical attraction based thoughts, but this is definitely a clean romance.
Note:
This is an all-seasons story despite the cover, which I knew going in. But winter and summer dominate over spring and fall.
This is the author’s debut I think? Definitely interested in reading more from her.
In this book:
-slow burn
-brother’s best friend (reunited)
-5 year age gap
-math teacher MMC
-nurse FMC
-small mountain town
-dual POV
-he takes care of her
-healing from the past
Content guide:
romance - clean but see my caveat above
language - one use of “damn” and one use of “douchey”
violence - clean
Potential content warnings:
-family estrangement
July 15, 2025
Do you like HEAs? How about characters with depth, relatable struggles, and growth? How do you feel about furry companions?
Then look no further for your next read, because this book has all that and more.
This is more than a romance novel. It's a journey of healing from past trauma, finding joy where you are, and learning to open up to the ones you love/care for.
This book was such a journey and my heart went out to both MCs so many times.
Cam has trouble overcoming what was engrained in him as a little kid with how he was treated by family.
Jules struggles with being alone and the feeling that everyone she loves leaves at some point.
Cam and Jules get reacquainted after Cam moves back to Maple Lake after being gone for 12 years. What starts out as a chance encounter on the roadside, strengthens into a deep friendship and evolves over time.
I love that Cam and Jules take time to develope and good foundation of friendship. What starts out as "field trips" and study sessions quickly starts to grow into more. But our MCs struggle, with their own circumstances, to tell the other person how they feel. But as the story goes on you learn why they each struggle to do so and you are sitting there rooting for them to take a leap of faith.
And don't get me started on how Cam takes care of her trope of Jules. swoon. Worthy. You won't want to miss it!
This is Abigail's debut novel, and I can't wait to read the next installments of the Hearts of Maple Lake series.
Tropes:
🍁 Brother's best friend
🥾 Small mountain-town vibes
🍁 Healing from the past
🥾 Teacher/nurse
🍁 Age gap
🥾 He takes care of her
🍁 Slow burn
🥾 Closed door romance
Thank you to the author for providing me with an advanced copy of your book in exchange for my honest review.
Then look no further for your next read, because this book has all that and more.
This is more than a romance novel. It's a journey of healing from past trauma, finding joy where you are, and learning to open up to the ones you love/care for.
This book was such a journey and my heart went out to both MCs so many times.
Cam has trouble overcoming what was engrained in him as a little kid with how he was treated by family.
Jules struggles with being alone and the feeling that everyone she loves leaves at some point.
Cam and Jules get reacquainted after Cam moves back to Maple Lake after being gone for 12 years. What starts out as a chance encounter on the roadside, strengthens into a deep friendship and evolves over time.
I love that Cam and Jules take time to develope and good foundation of friendship. What starts out as "field trips" and study sessions quickly starts to grow into more. But our MCs struggle, with their own circumstances, to tell the other person how they feel. But as the story goes on you learn why they each struggle to do so and you are sitting there rooting for them to take a leap of faith.
And don't get me started on how Cam takes care of her trope of Jules. swoon. Worthy. You won't want to miss it!
This is Abigail's debut novel, and I can't wait to read the next installments of the Hearts of Maple Lake series.
Tropes:
🍁 Brother's best friend
🥾 Small mountain-town vibes
🍁 Healing from the past
🥾 Teacher/nurse
🍁 Age gap
🥾 He takes care of her
🍁 Slow burn
🥾 Closed door romance
Thank you to the author for providing me with an advanced copy of your book in exchange for my honest review.
November 4, 2025
3.5 stars rounded up. This is a debut novel and I’m pleasantly happy with it!
The characters were well written and the story was cute. I loved the meet cute in the beginning.
The exchange of tourist outings for help with studying felt a bit forced at first. Jules didn’t seem all that in to it; especially when they went on the gondola type adventure. That definitely threw me off of the story for a bit there.
But, overall it was cute and well done for a debut, imo.
I’ll also say, Cameron’s story of his past and how he had a bad childhood and his parents were too hard on him, etc was a bit repetitive and I was tired of hearing about it after a couple of times! 🙃
Jules was sweet, but I think my favorite characters were Ali and Dax.
The characters were well written and the story was cute. I loved the meet cute in the beginning.
The exchange of tourist outings for help with studying felt a bit forced at first. Jules didn’t seem all that in to it; especially when they went on the gondola type adventure. That definitely threw me off of the story for a bit there.
But, overall it was cute and well done for a debut, imo.
I’ll also say, Cameron’s story of his past and how he had a bad childhood and his parents were too hard on him, etc was a bit repetitive and I was tired of hearing about it after a couple of times! 🙃
Jules was sweet, but I think my favorite characters were Ali and Dax.
August 4, 2025
A beautiful debut novel. While this is definitely a romance, it is so much more. It is truly a story of personal growth.. dealing with insecurities and fear.. being willing to take a risk (emotionally).. of letting go past hurts and forgiveness.. of healing and friendship and ultimately love. I will add this is a slow moving story… not in a dragging way but in a patient taking time to work through all the emotions kind of way. It ebbs and flows gently with occasional surges that threaten to overturn everything. If you read this one, give yourself the time to savor the author’s words and all that is happening in the characters' lives without rushing things along. It is so worth the journey.
September 2, 2025
This story has very strong Hallmark/Lifetime vibes, so if that's what you're looking for, this is 100% it. It has a small town, a bubbly FMC, a tall MMC, a love-crazy best friend, an occasionally-present-but-generally-supportive brother, old ladies that try to matchmake the main couple, a misunderstanding-fueled third-act breakup, and a no-spice slow burn. I could see this playing out on the Hallmark channel as a sort of autumn special.
Unfortunately, I'm not very fond of Hallmark films. I'll be discussing my thoughts down below, with specific plot thoughts in spoiler tags.
The characters and their careers were my first pull on choosing this read. I'm a teacher, and one of my best friends is a nurse, so I'm personally invested in these careers, as well as how they shape our personalities, opinions, priorities, etc. I didn't get much of a sense of how these characters' careers were part of their character outside of being the conceits of their flirting (such as Jules calling their dates "field trips" and referring to Cam as "Mr. Dunne", Cam telling Jules that she's the best nurse ever without really seeming to connect with what she does, offering to help her study but without really exploring how he helps her with her homework as an adult). We see some backstory as to why Cam chose his career, but it feels a little flimsy -- more on that later.
I didn't sense much chemistry between the main couple, which is a bummer because I was hoping to. Part of the problem was that they didn't get a lot of very natural exposition. Most of the pertinent backstory information is written out in long stretches of prose (Chapter 2 is almost entirely Cam's backstory), rather than being subtly (operative word) revealed through dialogues and scenes. I did see where some of the dialogue was trying to accomplish this, but it didn't come across that way. There are some flashbacks, but there doesn't seem to be much structure or strategy as to when/why/how they're used in the script.
The dates between the main couple, while they're on theme for being tourist-y, are often described in Cam or Jules' inner monologue, rather than letting the reader participate within the date itself. One date (a pizza and movie night) takes place over two paragraphs, bookended by texts of planning said date and then immediately planning the next one. It felt like the author had an idea, but wasn't willing to commit to it, if that makes sense?
The character arcs didn't seem to follow for me either. There are some themes of forgiveness, trying new things, letting go of the past, etc. but they're not reinforced in the text in a very meaningful way outside of very unnatural dialogue/inner monologue. I can see what the author was trying to accomplish, but it fell a little short. The resolution with the FMC's younger sister wasn't very satisfying, and Cam's forgiveness for his parents'... behavior? I guess? felt unnaturally quick/unsupported by the text.
The extended cast in this story is rather flat to me. Everyone in the story is really invested in the main couples' lives, to the point where it seems as if they don't have any existence outside of being side characters in a romance novel. It's very Hallmark, at least, but I can't help but think of Drew Gooden's YT video on Little Italy (which is hilarious and insightful).
Now, for very specific and spoiler-y thoughts...
SPOILERS BELOW
Unfortunately, I'm not very fond of Hallmark films. I'll be discussing my thoughts down below, with specific plot thoughts in spoiler tags.
The characters and their careers were my first pull on choosing this read. I'm a teacher, and one of my best friends is a nurse, so I'm personally invested in these careers, as well as how they shape our personalities, opinions, priorities, etc. I didn't get much of a sense of how these characters' careers were part of their character outside of being the conceits of their flirting (such as Jules calling their dates "field trips" and referring to Cam as "Mr. Dunne", Cam telling Jules that she's the best nurse ever without really seeming to connect with what she does, offering to help her study but without really exploring how he helps her with her homework as an adult). We see some backstory as to why Cam chose his career, but it feels a little flimsy -- more on that later.
I didn't sense much chemistry between the main couple, which is a bummer because I was hoping to. Part of the problem was that they didn't get a lot of very natural exposition. Most of the pertinent backstory information is written out in long stretches of prose (Chapter 2 is almost entirely Cam's backstory), rather than being subtly (operative word) revealed through dialogues and scenes. I did see where some of the dialogue was trying to accomplish this, but it didn't come across that way. There are some flashbacks, but there doesn't seem to be much structure or strategy as to when/why/how they're used in the script.
The dates between the main couple, while they're on theme for being tourist-y, are often described in Cam or Jules' inner monologue, rather than letting the reader participate within the date itself. One date (a pizza and movie night) takes place over two paragraphs, bookended by texts of planning said date and then immediately planning the next one. It felt like the author had an idea, but wasn't willing to commit to it, if that makes sense?
The character arcs didn't seem to follow for me either. There are some themes of forgiveness, trying new things, letting go of the past, etc. but they're not reinforced in the text in a very meaningful way outside of very unnatural dialogue/inner monologue. I can see what the author was trying to accomplish, but it fell a little short. The resolution with the FMC's younger sister wasn't very satisfying, and Cam's forgiveness for his parents'... behavior? I guess? felt unnaturally quick/unsupported by the text.
The extended cast in this story is rather flat to me. Everyone in the story is really invested in the main couples' lives, to the point where it seems as if they don't have any existence outside of being side characters in a romance novel. It's very Hallmark, at least, but I can't help but think of Drew Gooden's YT video on Little Italy (which is hilarious and insightful).
Now, for very specific and spoiler-y thoughts...
SPOILERS BELOW
July 12, 2025
This was a fun and cute romance book about finding out who you are and your place in life.
Jules has stayed in Maple Lake for her sister just in case she ever came back home. Jules keeps herself occupied with school and work without have any free time for fun. She’s gotten into a routine and the other townspeople can definitely tell something is wrong. She wasn’t expecting to run into Cameron after she slips and falls on the ice outside of the coffee shop.
Cameron returned to Maple Lake 6 months prior to running into Jules but he likes to keep to himself and stay by his cabin in the mountains. Once her runs into Jules it all changes and he was to make her happy and show her that she can have fun. What he doesn’t realize that spending so much time with Jules will lower both of their guards around their hearts.
I had a great time with this book but I did find it repeated a lot of the same issues throughout the book in-depth every time.
Jules has stayed in Maple Lake for her sister just in case she ever came back home. Jules keeps herself occupied with school and work without have any free time for fun. She’s gotten into a routine and the other townspeople can definitely tell something is wrong. She wasn’t expecting to run into Cameron after she slips and falls on the ice outside of the coffee shop.
Cameron returned to Maple Lake 6 months prior to running into Jules but he likes to keep to himself and stay by his cabin in the mountains. Once her runs into Jules it all changes and he was to make her happy and show her that she can have fun. What he doesn’t realize that spending so much time with Jules will lower both of their guards around their hearts.
I had a great time with this book but I did find it repeated a lot of the same issues throughout the book in-depth every time.
July 16, 2025
*Debut novel
Juliet + Cameron
I enjoyed this one. Juliet & Cameron have known each other a long time. He moves back to town to become a school teacher in Maple Lake - the place he has always felt at home. They reconnect and begin spending time together. Cameron is determined to make Juliet happy on all of their adventures. She spends a lot of time making other people happy but never herself. Cameron has a lot of things he has to work through to be able to accept love. I was happy to see both MC’s in a healthy place by the end of the book!
This one offers -
Brother’s best friend
Slow burn
Small town
Healing
Forgiveness
Quotes -
Juliet’s laugh bursts out of her. It’s sunshine on a dreary day, warmth when I’m left numb, and I feel myself getting pieced back together.
Hey,” she says, gently guiding my face with her hand until I’m looking into her eyes. “I love the rain. And when it comes, I’ll be here. I’ll dance with you in the rain, I can promise you that.”
Content -
1 use of foul language (da**)
Steamy kissing towards the end
Strained parent relationship
Mentions of runaway sibling
Juliet + Cameron
I enjoyed this one. Juliet & Cameron have known each other a long time. He moves back to town to become a school teacher in Maple Lake - the place he has always felt at home. They reconnect and begin spending time together. Cameron is determined to make Juliet happy on all of their adventures. She spends a lot of time making other people happy but never herself. Cameron has a lot of things he has to work through to be able to accept love. I was happy to see both MC’s in a healthy place by the end of the book!
This one offers -
Brother’s best friend
Slow burn
Small town
Healing
Forgiveness
Quotes -
Juliet’s laugh bursts out of her. It’s sunshine on a dreary day, warmth when I’m left numb, and I feel myself getting pieced back together.
Hey,” she says, gently guiding my face with her hand until I’m looking into her eyes. “I love the rain. And when it comes, I’ll be here. I’ll dance with you in the rain, I can promise you that.”
Content -
1 use of foul language (da**)
Steamy kissing towards the end
Strained parent relationship
Mentions of runaway sibling
July 3, 2025
4.5 rounded up
When you need a book that's sweet, cozy, and low spice to pull you out of a reading slump, try this one! Once I managed to start reading, I couldn't put it down! I adore Juliet and Cameron and seeing their relationship grow and change through the seasons in Maple Lake. Also Dax, the cutest dog!
Seeing the struggles that Cam and Jules had and how those struggles shaped them and their responses to change and love was so touching. They had such real struggles and had to find a way through them, and it was so encouraging to see them make it through!
I'm so excited to see what comes next in Maple Lake and can't wait to come back!
When you need a book that's sweet, cozy, and low spice to pull you out of a reading slump, try this one! Once I managed to start reading, I couldn't put it down! I adore Juliet and Cameron and seeing their relationship grow and change through the seasons in Maple Lake. Also Dax, the cutest dog!
Seeing the struggles that Cam and Jules had and how those struggles shaped them and their responses to change and love was so touching. They had such real struggles and had to find a way through them, and it was so encouraging to see them make it through!
I'm so excited to see what comes next in Maple Lake and can't wait to come back!
July 3, 2025
I was fortunate enough to be on Abigail Nadine’s ARC team, and I’m so glad I got the chance to read her debut novel — what a sweet and charming story!
This one follows Cam and Jules, two people from the same small mountain town. Cam’s just moved back after being away for years, and when he ends up saving Jules (yes, saving!), they instantly click. There’s friendship, some undeniable chemistry, and they start exploring all the touristy, charming parts of their hometown together. Watching them grow, enjoy life, and build something real was such a cozy, feel-good ride 💜
This book just felt like a warm hug on a cold day. It shows the ups and downs of true friendship, the kind where you’re really there for each other. I loved watching both characters grow, support each other, and slowly fall in love. It wasn’t rushed at all just honest and steady.
✅ Things I loved: 💜💜
💜The way honesty, fun, and trust were at the heart of it all
💜That focus on their own personal growth, second chances, and forgiveness
💜The adorable dog 🐕
💜loved all the coffee shop vibes of a small town
💜I loved how their past was weaved into their stories and finding redemption and love amongst it all
💜How down to earth and likable both Cam & Jules were
💜And how the friendship came first before the romance even started ( even though she thought he was a little hottie 🤣
This one’s for anyone who loves a slow-burn friendship-to-more, with all the heart and a little hometown charm.
This one follows Cam and Jules, two people from the same small mountain town. Cam’s just moved back after being away for years, and when he ends up saving Jules (yes, saving!), they instantly click. There’s friendship, some undeniable chemistry, and they start exploring all the touristy, charming parts of their hometown together. Watching them grow, enjoy life, and build something real was such a cozy, feel-good ride 💜
This book just felt like a warm hug on a cold day. It shows the ups and downs of true friendship, the kind where you’re really there for each other. I loved watching both characters grow, support each other, and slowly fall in love. It wasn’t rushed at all just honest and steady.
✅ Things I loved: 💜💜
💜The way honesty, fun, and trust were at the heart of it all
💜That focus on their own personal growth, second chances, and forgiveness
💜The adorable dog 🐕
💜loved all the coffee shop vibes of a small town
💜I loved how their past was weaved into their stories and finding redemption and love amongst it all
💜How down to earth and likable both Cam & Jules were
💜And how the friendship came first before the romance even started ( even though she thought he was a little hottie 🤣
This one’s for anyone who loves a slow-burn friendship-to-more, with all the heart and a little hometown charm.
February 3, 2026
If you’re in the mood for a sweet romance with a green flag MMC and an adorable FMC, all set in a small town that sounds like an absolute dream, then look no further. Lovable characters with relatable arcs made this for a quick and enjoyable read!
July 20, 2025
Heartfelt and serene, an enjoyable little romance story which has the added bonus of being spice-free!
It does feel a little rough around the edges in terms of editing. For example, Chapter 17 keeps switching the spelling of duffel/duffle bag, and the very first time the BFF character is introduced, you get the impression she's old: "My sweet friend isn't a gossip like the older folk tend to be". This, and a few other awkwardly-worded sentences dim some of the magic of the cozy town of Maple Lake Overall a pleasant story, but a bit unpolished.
It does feel a little rough around the edges in terms of editing. For example, Chapter 17 keeps switching the spelling of duffel/duffle bag, and the very first time the BFF character is introduced, you get the impression she's old: "My sweet friend isn't a gossip like the older folk tend to be". This, and a few other awkwardly-worded sentences dim some of the magic of the cozy town of Maple Lake Overall a pleasant story, but a bit unpolished.
Read
January 7, 2026I had the privilege of proofreading this one! It's available now :)
July 12, 2025
A soft, slower contemporary romance. I especially loved their beginning & history together and the small mountain town setting. Read this if you want a gentle, comforting read with heartfelt moments! 🤍
July 20, 2025
ARC Book Review!
Meeting Me, Loving You
Available now on Kindle Unlimited, Ebook, and in paperback!
From someone who does not usually enjoy romance books, reading this book turned out to be such a sweet and fun time! I was surprised at how much I ended up enjoying this story. It’s the perfect, lighthearted read for reading by the fire, on the beach, or while enjoying the mountain air.
Cam and Jules developed the sweetest relationship, and I loved Nadine’s portrayal of a healthy couple who works on their own healing and their communication with each other. 🫶🏻 Also loved that this was a clean read!!
Other favorite moments included literally anything Dax (y’all know I love cute dogs!!), Jules’s best friend Ali’s bubbly personality, and Jules and Cam’s meet cute outside the coffee shop.
In the end, I gave this book 3.75 stars. Meeting Me, Loving You is perfect for fans of Gilmore Girls, the hallmark channel, and sweet, swoon-worthy romances. Thank you Abigail for allowing me to be part of your ARC team! 🧡 Honored to have gotten a front row seat to Cam and Jules’s story.
Meeting Me, Loving You
Available now on Kindle Unlimited, Ebook, and in paperback!
From someone who does not usually enjoy romance books, reading this book turned out to be such a sweet and fun time! I was surprised at how much I ended up enjoying this story. It’s the perfect, lighthearted read for reading by the fire, on the beach, or while enjoying the mountain air.
Cam and Jules developed the sweetest relationship, and I loved Nadine’s portrayal of a healthy couple who works on their own healing and their communication with each other. 🫶🏻 Also loved that this was a clean read!!
Other favorite moments included literally anything Dax (y’all know I love cute dogs!!), Jules’s best friend Ali’s bubbly personality, and Jules and Cam’s meet cute outside the coffee shop.
In the end, I gave this book 3.75 stars. Meeting Me, Loving You is perfect for fans of Gilmore Girls, the hallmark channel, and sweet, swoon-worthy romances. Thank you Abigail for allowing me to be part of your ARC team! 🧡 Honored to have gotten a front row seat to Cam and Jules’s story.
July 19, 2025
What can I say about this book? Well… from the very first moment I heard that Abigail was writing a book, I was SO excited and knew I just had to read it as soon as possible. I’m just so thankful to be a part of her street team and having the honor of reading an ARC copy. Let me just tell you- this book did not disappoint. You’re 100% going to want to read it.
First of all, the meeting of the two main characters was perfection.👌🏼 Something involving snow, slick sidewalks, spilled coffee- how could it get any better?😏
I really appreciated the communication between the two main characters. There was a lot of conversation and sharing, and working through issues- real life stuff.
Cameron seemed as though he had it all together on the outside, but inside he was falling apart. I loved seeing the growth of his character and how he worked through the issues to become a better person, and that it didn’t just happen overnight.
Juliet has been struggling since the day her sister left years ago. She hasn’t been able to let go of the past and let herself just be genuinely happy, or move on. Cameron’s arrival in her life is the start of a painful but good beginning for her as she learns to work through her problems and face them head on, instead of pushing them away.
🔥 The romance is really good in this book, such a sweet slow burn, but also the real life lessons are there and make this story so much deeper.
•brother’s best friend
•age gap
•he takes care of her
•opposites attract
•slow burn
•closed-door romance
I can’t say enough good things about this book. I definitely plan to read this one again at some point and I look forward to more books by this author in the future.
I received an advanced reader’s copy of this book for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.
First of all, the meeting of the two main characters was perfection.👌🏼 Something involving snow, slick sidewalks, spilled coffee- how could it get any better?😏
I really appreciated the communication between the two main characters. There was a lot of conversation and sharing, and working through issues- real life stuff.
Cameron seemed as though he had it all together on the outside, but inside he was falling apart. I loved seeing the growth of his character and how he worked through the issues to become a better person, and that it didn’t just happen overnight.
Juliet has been struggling since the day her sister left years ago. She hasn’t been able to let go of the past and let herself just be genuinely happy, or move on. Cameron’s arrival in her life is the start of a painful but good beginning for her as she learns to work through her problems and face them head on, instead of pushing them away.
🔥 The romance is really good in this book, such a sweet slow burn, but also the real life lessons are there and make this story so much deeper.
•brother’s best friend
•age gap
•he takes care of her
•opposites attract
•slow burn
•closed-door romance
I can’t say enough good things about this book. I definitely plan to read this one again at some point and I look forward to more books by this author in the future.
I received an advanced reader’s copy of this book for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 19, 2025
Sweet pediatric nurse + passionate math teacher = one perfect romance.
The vibes are immaculate in this small, mountain town love story! Jules and Cam reunite after years apart and reconnect through becoming tourists in the Pennsylvania tourist town they live and work in.
I loved all the flashbacks to memories they shared as children (he was her brother's best friend) and how their lives impacted each other long before adulthood.
The dual perspective story contrasts both of their internal conflicts on how they feel about each other, giving a slow burn that kept me waiting and waiting!
Congrats to Abigail Nadine on this debut novel, and thank you for the ARC copy! I cannot wait to read more from this series!
The vibes are immaculate in this small, mountain town love story! Jules and Cam reunite after years apart and reconnect through becoming tourists in the Pennsylvania tourist town they live and work in.
I loved all the flashbacks to memories they shared as children (he was her brother's best friend) and how their lives impacted each other long before adulthood.
The dual perspective story contrasts both of their internal conflicts on how they feel about each other, giving a slow burn that kept me waiting and waiting!
Congrats to Abigail Nadine on this debut novel, and thank you for the ARC copy! I cannot wait to read more from this series!
July 11, 2025
This is such a cute book and I love that it jumps straight into the story from the get go! Don't let the autumn vibes on the cover fool you, this is an all year round book so perfect for a summer read 🔆
I love how the characters are written and Cam is deffo cute as hell, I love a teacher vibe (especially seeing as I have my own maths degree), and I adore Mrs Simons, everyone needs someone like her in their lives ❤️ Dax is a lovely addition to the book and Abigail has written his excited energy perfectly as he reminds me so much of my own golden retriever 🥰
Just overall, this a really lovely light-hearted romance with a lot of complicated feelings which makes everything all the more worth it!
I love how the characters are written and Cam is deffo cute as hell, I love a teacher vibe (especially seeing as I have my own maths degree), and I adore Mrs Simons, everyone needs someone like her in their lives ❤️ Dax is a lovely addition to the book and Abigail has written his excited energy perfectly as he reminds me so much of my own golden retriever 🥰
Just overall, this a really lovely light-hearted romance with a lot of complicated feelings which makes everything all the more worth it!
July 10, 2025
This was a sweet debut by this authors. It is a very slow burn, but I really enjoyed the dynamic between Cam and Jules. The dog was such a fun addition and I was so happy to see the love between dog and owner.
I love how there was a strong familial relationship between Jules and her brother Tyler. I loved that even thought there were some hard things in their family their relationship stayed strong and he cared about her so much.
I loved the hiking and outdoor experiences that there was in this book also.
CW: minor cursing, closed door (make-outs only)
I love how there was a strong familial relationship between Jules and her brother Tyler. I loved that even thought there were some hard things in their family their relationship stayed strong and he cared about her so much.
I loved the hiking and outdoor experiences that there was in this book also.
CW: minor cursing, closed door (make-outs only)
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