Meet Me at the Drive-In

by C.P. Cabaniss

She’s chasing memories.
All he wants is someone to stay.

Six years ago, Kara spent a beautiful summer with her family in Mountain Ridge, Arkansas. Five years ago, she lost them in an accident. Returning to the small mountain town in hopes of finding healing, she reconnects with Lee, the first boy she ever kissed.

Lee is tired of everyone leaving. After spending his formative years moving from place to place with nomadic parents who had big dreams, he settled in the only place that ever felt like home: Mountain Ridge. His quiet life is unsettled by Kara, who blows into town like the perfect storm.

As spring turns to summer and the two spend more time together, their connection over shared memories and movies at the drive-in strengthens their bond, pulling them closer together.

Can Kara move beyond the memories that hold her in the past and find a home in Mountain Ridge? Will Lee finally convince someone he’s worth staying for?


This is a saucy new adult romance which means you'll find high physical attraction, more descriptive kissing scenes, and innuendo but with no explicit content. It also contains a moderate amount of mild language.

ebook

Expected publication April 14, 2026

About the author

C. P. Cabaniss lives in a small town in the southern United States where she teaches math, imagines—and sometimes writes—stories, and reads too many books at once. She is most inspired while with her horses, meditating in a historic cemetery, or exploring retired naval ships. She loves to travel and has long dreamed of adopting a nomadic lifestyle—though she has yet to determine what this would mean for her collection of books, which seems to grow by the day.

You can find her on Instagram @cpcabaniss_author

Reviews

[C.P. Cabaniss]

I don't rate my own work, but I like to use this space to give updates.

Update February 16, 2026
ARCs have gone out early! Release is set for April 14 (with paperback releasing a week before, and audio coming sometime around this as well).

It's up for preorder now, so be sure to grab a copy!

Update February 7, 2026
I've gotten edits back and am waiting for the printed proof. I'll do a final read through to look for typos, and then it's ready to go!

Update January 7, 2026
The third draft is complete and has been sent to my editor and a final round of beta readers. Release date is April 14, 2026! I can't wait for you to have this one.

Update December 3, 2025
I am in the midst of revisions for the third draft. This one should be releasing in April, 2026! Once this draft is complete, it will go to my editor and a final round of beta reading.

Update November 5, 2025
The book is with alpha readers. As feedback comes in, I am beginning the third draft.

Update October 7, 2025
The second draft is complete! It came in right at 50k words. It will go through another round of reading/revisions before going to beta readers this December.

Update September 2025
I am close to completing the second draft of this novel. It's been a bit of a long process, but I can't wait for this story to come out!

[Alexis Elder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where do I start? I’m writing this as I cry with joy! I had to slow myself down reading this because I didn’t want it to end. Lee and Kara’s story brought me so much joy, happiness, sadness and anger. I found myself laughing so much. My heart absolutely shattered for Kara after her family passing and for Lee’s upbringing. I appreciated the forgiveness he modeled towards his parents. I was so mad at him for not reading the letter asap, but I also understand that trauma behind it. Mitts is amazing!! I absolutely loved Helen! She reminded me of myself in many ways. This book was well paced and tugged at all the emotions. TY so much C.P. For writing this wonderful book! TY for allowing me to be an ARC reader!

[Ryleigh JS King · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gave me everything I was expecting and more!
I wasn't expecting to read it in one sitting 😂

Everything from the characters to the plot to the storytelling was exceptional. I was hooked from the first page.

I'm not going to lie, though, the characters are the main reason I loved this book so much. They were each well written with hidden layers you uncovered the more you read. I loved the dynamics between the main characters, Kara and Liam, so much. Their banter always made me smile or laugh. Not only that, but their struggles were explored in depth and not brushed aside.
What makes this book even better is that the "side characters" were well-written, too. They were each given histories, backstories, and struggles they dealt with throughout the story. I cannot wait for the next book so that I can stay with these characters and the community of Mountain Ridge. I'm excited to see where C.P. Cabaniss takes this next story.

I'm highly against spoilers, but if you want a sweet read with banter that will make you laugh, characters you'll fall in love with, and an adorable town you'll want to move to, then this is a book for you. Don't hesitate to grab a copy.

My only warning is that you WILL love the characters and will be stuck desperately waiting for the next book with me 😉😂

I would like to thank the amazing author C.P. Cabaniss for allowing me the opportunity to be an ARC reader for this book. It was truly my honor. I couldn't get enough of the characters! I can't wait to read the next book.

[Amanda Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lee and Kara 😍

You two have captured my heart and this book will be a comfort read for me. 💕

Kara is returning a town that holds many memories for her, the last Summer she spent with her family and her first kiss 👀 Will she find what she's looking for in Mountain Ridge?

Lee is a mechanic who has had a crush on a girl who kissed him and then left, now she's back, but for how long. Will Lee be able to open himself up and trust them to stay when no one else ever has?

You'll love the story of Kara and Lee, you'll adore the town of Mountain Ridge and the people who live there. You'll be able to smell those movie nachos, feel like your visiting the waterfall, and want to revisit over and over again.

💕 This is a closed door book with some saucy scenes - all PG-13 or less, there is some light language to fit a couple of the characters personalities, but no G-D or f*

🚨 Both main characters have experienced some major 'loss' - one lost their family in a car accident and the other has parents chasing fame and fortune and leaving the child behind.

Be sure to read this amazing book, the first of a series, AND support an incredible Indie Author!!


Thank you C.P. Cabaniss for allowing me to alpha, beta and then ARC read! It's been a pleasure seeing this story develop! 💕

[Rachel Gruber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kara and Lee were so good in the book their back and forth in the book made it interesting .

Lee is a mechanic in mountain Ridge and he kisses Kara and she leaves ,but suddenly she’s back again and stirs up feelings that maybe these two don’t want stirred up again .
They have both had loss and worn through that loss together . I love the side characters (which I think are going to be in later books main ones)

This is the first book in the series so I can’t wait to see what the second book holds , it’s going to be good too.
Thank you to C.P. Cabanas for having me on the arc team
This is a clean book but some scenes that are rated PG 13 some light language but closed door

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is my new favourite book by C. P. Cabaniss. I loved that I was invested from the very beginning! These characters are very real and loveable and if it doesn't make you want to move to this part of the world I don't know what your reading!
I cannot wait for the next book in the series.
This book is
❤️ Sweet
💙 Found family
💛 Small town
💜 Lots of kisses
💚 Funny