Meet Me Back Here

by Kim Swizz

Camilla Viottolo and Forrest Dane were never supposed to like each other, at least according to 10-year-old Cam, but with time, Forrest weaseled his way into Cam’s heart, eventually claiming his place as her best friend. They grew up together, sharing secrets, fears, and wishes in the treehouse built between their homes. Always finding their way back to that little house, high above the troubles of the world below.

When they started dating their freshman year of college, it seemed like all the pieces of their lives had finally fallen into place. But when things go sideways, Cam leaves Forrest for Arizona with only a single line scrawled on a scrap of paper.

After six years apart, they found their way back to a tentative friendship, and Cam is called back to the place they never talk about where she has to face her floundering writing career. When Forrest asks to go with her to Arizona to finally learn about the years they lost, it’s unclear whether they’ll mend old fences or shatter what they have for good.

Meet Me Back Here is a dual timeline, open-door, second-chance, childhood friends-to-lovers romance where they take a trip across the country together.

302 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 26, 2026

About the author

After nearly half a decade of practicing law, Kim Swizz is now a recovering attorney, living her best life writing small-town romance. Kim has always had a passion for creative writing but has never published a novel (unless you count the book she wrote and had bound in first grade, a titillating story entitled “The Cat is Eating”) — until now. She is excited to leave behind the days of drafting contracts and start this new chapter.

A forever Jersey girl turned former Arizona resident, Kim now calls Boston home with her husband, though they love to travel together.

When she is not writing spicy scenes or making her readers cry, you can find her crocheting tiny things, knitting, embroidering, cross-stitching, bullet journaling — you get the point.

Kim is never without her emotional support Kindle and is an avid F1 fan, keeping up with news on all of the drivers, but mostly Carlos Sainz.

Kim is an unapologetic Disney adult who loves the smell of fall, small animals, and dancing her heart out (and Carlos Sainz).

Reviews

[Jennifer]

This was a sweet childhood friends to lovers but unfortunately there were parts of the story that hit the mark for myself.

I really enjoyed Kim Swizz’s Wilcox Grove series so I was excited for this standalone. I’ll start with what I did like: I really like the setting being in Arizona as it brought a whole new place for us to visit through her words. I liked when Camilla and Forrest spent time with her friends while on her visit. I really liked how Camilla learned how to pivot and really grow into herself.

Here are the parts that missed the mark for me: the romance and the fluidity of going back and forth in time. A lot of it was more telling than showing and it made the characters feel more surface level and I needed more depth from them. While the romance was cute, I felt like I was missing a huge chunk of them. Like how did their feelings grow while they were trying to just stay friends? How were they able to navigate seeing each other after so many years apart? I think we could have benefited from seeing more from his POV. They had many cute moments together and it did get mildly spicy. I rate it 2🌶️ out of 5. The miscommunication while they were young killed me. I know their frontal lobes weren’t fully developed but wtf. The way she ghosted was crazy.

Overall, it’s a cute story that I think many will enjoy! Thank you so much Kim Swizz for the eARC!

[Sydney Frankenfield]

Read this in less than 12hrs 😅 I recently discovered Kim Swizz and love the writing style. This book was another hit! With just the right amount of spicy to go along with all the tender moments.

[Brittany Bell]

ARC REVIEW: 5 ⭐️

Meet Me Back Here was such a feel good romance! It had this fantastic reminder that the best relationships start out as friendships.

Forrest and Cam truly were a perfect match! I love how they calmed, encouraged, and supported one another. Watching them grow up and continue to fight for each other felt so sweet to witness. Don’t get me started on the tree house nostalgia either! My heart.

Kim’s writing never ceases to amaze me! She sucks you into her world of characters and makes you feel like you’re right there with them, rooting them on. Feeling extra blessed to be given the opportunity to read this advanced copy.

And if no one told you yet, it’s time to book that trip to Arizona 🌵🤍

[Lindsey]

ARC Review!

So thankful to have had the chance to read and review this newest book from Kim Swizz. Having devoured the Wilcox Grove trilogy, I was eager to see where we go next!

I was curious to see if I’d feel as attached to the Arizona setting as I was to the small town vibe, but quickly was won over, especially seeing it through Camilla’s eyes. It didn’t hurt that her and Forrest’s roots were New England!

I loved so many parts of this one - second chance, friends to lovers (probably my favorite of all), one bed - but especially the fact that this man was down bad for her pretty much forever. The treehouse scenes gave me nostalgia for childhood innocence and friendships, and their growth as a couple and as individuals was beautiful to read.

Love love love!

[Tori]

I received an Arc in exchange for an honest review!

This story was amazing.
It was the perfect balance of plot building compared to the romance aspect. Cam and Forrest are so cute together! I love how we see them grow into adults, and how they face their challenges as a couple who are reuniting. I am a huge fa of Kim Swizz's writing. I loved her previous books in the Wilcox Grove series, and this book made its way into my favorite books of 2026! I highly recommend this book for anyone who loves a friends to lovers from childhood, second change, and dual timeline! Also.... I squeeled at the secret tattoo's.

[Bree]

*Review of advanced copy!!*
& she does it again, Kim Swizz with another adorable romance. Vibes include; second chance, childhood friends to lovers, he’s down bad & she’s a dumb dumb who doesn’t realize it. 😆 In typical Kim fashion, you can’t not love these characters, you’re routing for them to succeed the whole time! I loved the dual time line, and anyways now I need a trip to Arizona!
Add this one to your TBR.

[Bekah]

I love this book so much!

Cam and Forrest have such an amazing story and I love how we get to see the past and the present. Their initial meeting to being friends to falling in love and then out and now another chance at it. Dual timeline, single POV was the perfect choice for this story.

MMBH is funny, charming, and so incredible. Thank you Kim for letting me beta read and then ARC read this book. I can’t wait to see what comes next :)

[Lizs.book.nook ||Elizabeth||]

Kim Swizz...you have done it again! I absolutely loved this story. Forrest and Camilla were adorable and everything I could have wanted. Their story made me swoon, laugh, cry, and so much more. But I genuinely adored their friendship and how it blossomed into so much more. Seeing them grow together, be there for each other through the good and the bad, it was beautiful. I loved every moment of this story!

[Daisy J Stone]

ARC review ✨

4.5🌟

This was my first read of a book by the author and I LOVED it, I was expecting it to be spicier however I loved the plot and the second chance romance x childhood friends trope along with the treehouse practically being a main character too😭

[Lotti Ziervogel]

Childhood friends to lovers at it’s finest ✨

[Faith Sheldon]

I absolutely loved this!!!
This is friends to lovers at its finest.
Kim’s writing is tight, hilarious, romantic and utterly believable.
I cannot wait to read more from her!

[Steph]

ARC review to come.

This book is spectacular!

[Kay Hersh]

4.75⭐️

I am not typically a big fan of second chance romances, but Kim Swizz made me a believer. Not to mention I binged it in a day.

Cam and Forrest have the sweetest friendship and I absolutely loved getting glimpses into the past of how that friendship blossomed. You could genuinely feel the deep love they had for each other, and then it only made sense for them to end up as a couple (who broke up suddenly shortly after).

Fast forward to when they’re reunited and their friendship picks up right where they left off, without talking about the reason they broke up with of course. The way Cam and Forrest just KNOW, love and support each other, and how they are perfect pieces of a puzzle fitting together was so endearing.

I highly recommend checking out not only Meet Me Back Here, but also read Wilcox Grove series by Kim Swizz as well. Just read all of her books. You won’t regret it. And if you haven’t figured it out yet, if Kim Swizz writes it - imma read it. Always.

Thank you Kim and team for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.