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You Met Me There: A Closed Door Contemporary Romance
- GenresRomance
394 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 10, 2026
About the author
Abigail Nadine
3 books67 followersAbigail Nadine is a romance author who started first with the love of reading before turning that passion into a dream of writing her own stories. Her books are full of romance (of course), redemption, and imperfect people who learn and grow along the way. Abigail has two bachelors degrees in teaching math and science, but loved working as an ophthalmic technician for several years before becoming a mother. She resides in Kansas with her husband, children, and dog Calvin.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
August 25, 2026
FULL REVIEW
My Quick Takes:
- 4.25/5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
- Genre 📚 contemporary romance
- Language 🤐 a few mild/moderate
- Spice ❤️🔥 fade to black
- Content 🤔 anxiety attacks, past pregnancy loss
I had to squeeze one final book into my summer reading and this new indie release fit the bill!
This is the third book by Abigail Nadine and I love seeing how her writing has progressed from her first novel. This book truly read like she’s found her writing voice and I can’t wait to see what has in store for readers next! The story felt real and was riddled with imperfect characters striving to do their best.
While this is book two in the Hearts of Maple Lake series I absolutely think it can be read as a stand alone. However, readers will get more depth and character development from reading book one, Meeting Me, Loving You, first!
My Quick Takes:
- 4.25/5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
- Genre 📚 contemporary romance
- Language 🤐 a few mild/moderate
- Spice ❤️🔥 fade to black
- Content 🤔 anxiety attacks, past pregnancy loss
I had to squeeze one final book into my summer reading and this new indie release fit the bill!
This is the third book by Abigail Nadine and I love seeing how her writing has progressed from her first novel. This book truly read like she’s found her writing voice and I can’t wait to see what has in store for readers next! The story felt real and was riddled with imperfect characters striving to do their best.
While this is book two in the Hearts of Maple Lake series I absolutely think it can be read as a stand alone. However, readers will get more depth and character development from reading book one, Meeting Me, Loving You, first!
Read
August 28, 2026Me imaginé algo totalmente diferente. Pensé que me gustaría como el primer libro, pero fue todo lo contrario. Me pareció insatisfactoria la razón por la que Nat desapareció, porque sigo sin entender por qué no confió en su familia y prefirió huir, cuando lo único que tenía que hacer era presentarles a Luke.
¿Qué tenía en la cabeza Natalie? O sea, lo conoció un día y agarró sus cosas para irse con él. No les dijo nada a sus padres ni a sus hermanos, cerró sus redes sociales para que no pudieran encontrarla cuando apenas, tenía apenas 18 años. Nunca volvió a contactarlos durante los siguientes 9 años. A Luke y sus padres les dijo que no tenía familia, luego tiempo después les dijo la verdad y ellos intentaron que se pusiera en contacto.
Cuando Nat tiene problemas con Luke porque ella quiere tener hijos y él no, decide irse y regresar con su familia, esperando que la aceptaran como si nada hubiera pasado. Sus padres estaban de viaje, su hermano vivía en otro lugar y su hermana la recibió, aunque puso sus límites y la verdad, qué bueno. Y Nat no estaba contenta con el recibimiento de Juliet.
Su pelea con Luke tampoco tuvo mucho sentido porque él desde siempre fue muy claro con que no quería tener hijos y aun así, ella decidió casarse.
Me queda la duda: si no hubiera tenido ese desacuerdo con Luke, ¿Natalie habría buscado a sus padres? Lo dudo. Solo los buscó cuando se sintió sola.
Los pobres padres pensaron que le había pasado algo malo o que estaba muerta. Y ella se fue así porque no quería quedarse ahí toda su vida sin conocer algo más. Claro, porque no podía avisarles, y era mejor que ellos pensaran lo peor. Esta es la razón por la que no em cayo bien Nat, lastimo a gente que no se lo merecía y solo porque no creía que alguna vez pudiera salir de su pueblo y cuando le aparecía una oportunidad no la desaprovecho. En Meeting Me, Loving You se ve como la familia era muy cercana y la desaparición los destruyo.
¿Qué tenía en la cabeza Natalie? O sea, lo conoció un día y agarró sus cosas para irse con él. No les dijo nada a sus padres ni a sus hermanos, cerró sus redes sociales para que no pudieran encontrarla cuando apenas, tenía apenas 18 años. Nunca volvió a contactarlos durante los siguientes 9 años. A Luke y sus padres les dijo que no tenía familia, luego tiempo después les dijo la verdad y ellos intentaron que se pusiera en contacto.
Cuando Nat tiene problemas con Luke porque ella quiere tener hijos y él no, decide irse y regresar con su familia, esperando que la aceptaran como si nada hubiera pasado. Sus padres estaban de viaje, su hermano vivía en otro lugar y su hermana la recibió, aunque puso sus límites y la verdad, qué bueno. Y Nat no estaba contenta con el recibimiento de Juliet.
Su pelea con Luke tampoco tuvo mucho sentido porque él desde siempre fue muy claro con que no quería tener hijos y aun así, ella decidió casarse.
Me queda la duda: si no hubiera tenido ese desacuerdo con Luke, ¿Natalie habría buscado a sus padres? Lo dudo. Solo los buscó cuando se sintió sola.
Los pobres padres pensaron que le había pasado algo malo o que estaba muerta. Y ella se fue así porque no quería quedarse ahí toda su vida sin conocer algo más. Claro, porque no podía avisarles, y era mejor que ellos pensaran lo peor. Esta es la razón por la que no em cayo bien Nat, lastimo a gente que no se lo merecía y solo porque no creía que alguna vez pudiera salir de su pueblo y cuando le aparecía una oportunidad no la desaprovecho. En Meeting Me, Loving You se ve como la familia era muy cercana y la desaparición los destruyo.
Review of advance copy received from Author
There's just something about a marriage in crisis story that I love every time. Yes, seeing a couple fall in love for the first time is great, but there's just something so beautiful to me about seeing a couple who has been through the fire fight for their relationship and come out stronger. That is just what we get with Natalie and Luke's story. This story jumps right in with Natalie packing her bags to leave Luke... drawing me right into their story and wondering what had happened between them. And I must admit, there were many times throughout the story that I found myself questioning Natalie's decisions... but the deeper we got into it, the more I felt for her character. These two certainly had some issues they needed to work through, not just within their marriage but within their families to truly be able to move forward. I loved the sense of healing their story brought. I mentioned in my review of the previous book that that was a story that brought a feeling of home, and that was just as true for this one as well. Perhaps even more so with that strong sense of family. If you enjoy small-town vibes and marriage in crisis, this is certainly one worth checking out.
You Met Me There is a closed-door romance with non-detailed fade to black and implied intimacy within marriage. It does have some minor language. This is the second book in the Hearts of Maple Lake series, but I do think it could be enjoyed as a standalone as well. There are a few topics mentioned that could be potentially triggering for some readers, so be sure to check out the author's content note before reading if you have any concerns.
**ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own.
You Met Me There is a closed-door romance with non-detailed fade to black and implied intimacy within marriage. It does have some minor language. This is the second book in the Hearts of Maple Lake series, but I do think it could be enjoyed as a standalone as well. There are a few topics mentioned that could be potentially triggering for some readers, so be sure to check out the author's content note before reading if you have any concerns.
**ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own.
August 7, 2026
You’ll need some tissues for this one.
It’s not a light read. But it’s packed full of healing, and moments that show how tough, but rewarding a good marriage is.
As a lover of babies, and someone who has experienced infertility I could relate to Natalie. I grew up with siblings, and have just always had a passion/love and a gift for working with young children. Which made it hard for me to relate to Luke, because I don’t understand how anyone could not want children.
I did really like how Luke followed Natalie, and he worked hard. He wasn’t going to give up. And he faced him demons for the woman he loved.
Watching Natalie reunite with her family was hard, I wanted to dislike Juliet at times. But I’m so glad that their relationship was able to be mended, and I love the interactions with the nephews for both Luke and Natalie.
If you want a book filled with forgiveness, growth, facing the demons, all while repairing a marriage, this is the book for you! Closed door, and just a few swears.
It’s not a light read. But it’s packed full of healing, and moments that show how tough, but rewarding a good marriage is.
As a lover of babies, and someone who has experienced infertility I could relate to Natalie. I grew up with siblings, and have just always had a passion/love and a gift for working with young children. Which made it hard for me to relate to Luke, because I don’t understand how anyone could not want children.
I did really like how Luke followed Natalie, and he worked hard. He wasn’t going to give up. And he faced him demons for the woman he loved.
Watching Natalie reunite with her family was hard, I wanted to dislike Juliet at times. But I’m so glad that their relationship was able to be mended, and I love the interactions with the nephews for both Luke and Natalie.
If you want a book filled with forgiveness, growth, facing the demons, all while repairing a marriage, this is the book for you! Closed door, and just a few swears.
August 27, 2026
Love, love, loved it! This was my very first marriage in crisis book and it was so well done. Highly recommend!! Ugh, and that ending! Bring your tissues, you’ll need the whole box.
September 11, 2026
This book dealt a lot with things that I personally haven’t experienced in my life. She has a high level of anxiety and her go to reaction to things is running away. Her deepest desire is to be a mother and that fuels her most recent decision to run.
The MMC is dealing with his own childhood trauma in his decision to shy away from having children. However, he is such a redeeming character. He is kind, loving, and forgiving. I appreciated his strength and love in this story.
I loved the first book. This is the second book in the series, and maybe if I connected with it better, I would have enjoyed it even more.
If marriage in peril, some heavier emotional struggles, and a returning home and forgiveness is something you’re looking for. Here’s the book for you.
The MMC is dealing with his own childhood trauma in his decision to shy away from having children. However, he is such a redeeming character. He is kind, loving, and forgiving. I appreciated his strength and love in this story.
I loved the first book. This is the second book in the series, and maybe if I connected with it better, I would have enjoyed it even more.
If marriage in peril, some heavier emotional struggles, and a returning home and forgiveness is something you’re looking for. Here’s the book for you.
August 17, 2026
This book is the second book in this series set in Maple Lake, a beautiful small mountain town.
Plot: The plot was really enjoyable to read.
Characters: New main characters who have things to work through. You get to see the characters from book one and how their life is going. The growth of the characters are realistic and it makes the storyline better.
Plot: The plot was really enjoyable to read.
Characters: New main characters who have things to work through. You get to see the characters from book one and how their life is going. The growth of the characters are realistic and it makes the storyline better.
August 3, 2026
⛰️📸Quote📸⛰️
Oceans are wild, untamed, dangerous things. And yet, they soothe us. We enjoy them. We desire to be where the water is, even though it’s deep and dark and we don’t know what lies under the surface. People are a lot like that sometimes, but only a few will want to stay around to discover our depths and all the oddities that make up who we are.
⛰️📸My Thoughts📸⛰️
📸This is the second book in the Hearts of Maple Lake series. I do think it is best read in order to fully enjoy this story. So start with Meeting Me, Loving You and then this one.
⛰️I really liked the first book in this series but I loved this one! I think Abigail Nadine nailed these characters, they felt so deeply human like they could be real life people. I related some to Natalie and her anxiety and her emotional reactions to it, especially in my late teens early twenties. I did struggle in the beginning learning why she left her family and with just a note. It felt a little childish to be honest but she was essentially a child when she left. I grew to love her when I seen how hard she was working on reconnecting with her sister and family and was willing to do whatever it took to reconnect and prove that she wasn’t gonna just cut them out of her life again.
📸I really loved Luke the way he chased after Natalie and was just there for her and pushing her not to give up on reconnecting with her family and encouraging her to really open up to her sister and be honest about how her life has really been going and the struggles she was going through too. I loved that he was willing to work on what was holding him back from wanting children by communicating to his mom and going to therapy to help work through his issues.
⛰️The Chemistry between Natalie and Luke was off the charts! There is some mild innuendo and this is fade to black but they are married and I don’t know about you but my marriage definitely has some innuendo in it!🤭🤣 I just loved them and I was eating it all up giggling and kicking my feet when they were together on page.
📸They both had things they needed to work through from their past and I loved seeing them put in the work to do that by opening up to each other and going to therapy.
⛰️Overall this was a deeply emotional book about estranged sisters and family reconnecting, a marriage in crisis and seeing them come back together. I just loved it so much and was even staying up late to keep reading because I couldn’t put it down! I think Abigail Nadine is a really good writer and her prose was beautiful! I would recommend this series and I can’t wait to see what she writes next.
📸Thank you so much Abigail for gifting me a copy to read. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Oceans are wild, untamed, dangerous things. And yet, they soothe us. We enjoy them. We desire to be where the water is, even though it’s deep and dark and we don’t know what lies under the surface. People are a lot like that sometimes, but only a few will want to stay around to discover our depths and all the oddities that make up who we are.
⛰️📸My Thoughts📸⛰️
📸This is the second book in the Hearts of Maple Lake series. I do think it is best read in order to fully enjoy this story. So start with Meeting Me, Loving You and then this one.
⛰️I really liked the first book in this series but I loved this one! I think Abigail Nadine nailed these characters, they felt so deeply human like they could be real life people. I related some to Natalie and her anxiety and her emotional reactions to it, especially in my late teens early twenties. I did struggle in the beginning learning why she left her family and with just a note. It felt a little childish to be honest but she was essentially a child when she left. I grew to love her when I seen how hard she was working on reconnecting with her sister and family and was willing to do whatever it took to reconnect and prove that she wasn’t gonna just cut them out of her life again.
📸I really loved Luke the way he chased after Natalie and was just there for her and pushing her not to give up on reconnecting with her family and encouraging her to really open up to her sister and be honest about how her life has really been going and the struggles she was going through too. I loved that he was willing to work on what was holding him back from wanting children by communicating to his mom and going to therapy to help work through his issues.
⛰️The Chemistry between Natalie and Luke was off the charts! There is some mild innuendo and this is fade to black but they are married and I don’t know about you but my marriage definitely has some innuendo in it!🤭🤣 I just loved them and I was eating it all up giggling and kicking my feet when they were together on page.
📸They both had things they needed to work through from their past and I loved seeing them put in the work to do that by opening up to each other and going to therapy.
⛰️Overall this was a deeply emotional book about estranged sisters and family reconnecting, a marriage in crisis and seeing them come back together. I just loved it so much and was even staying up late to keep reading because I couldn’t put it down! I think Abigail Nadine is a really good writer and her prose was beautiful! I would recommend this series and I can’t wait to see what she writes next.
📸Thank you so much Abigail for gifting me a copy to read. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
August 4, 2026
Review of advance reader copy received from the author.
4.75 ⭐️
This book was amazing. I really loved all of the characters and their personal growth. I also loved the family vibes.
The story follows Natalie who had ran away as a teenager to go with her now husband Luke, but is now experiencing some rough patches in their relationship. She wants to have children but he doesn’t want to because he is scared of the unknown variables. So she runs away from her husband in Florida to her estranged family in Maple Lake.
I really loved the way both these characters grew. I found the reason for Nat running away from her family a little childish and immature……. But she redeems herself in the book. I loved the reconciliation between the sisters.
I loved the way Luke encourages Nat to repair her relationship with her sister and also to stop running away when trouble comes. I also liked how Luke faces his fear and talks to his parents about it.
I loved all the kids. They were so adorable. The ending was also so beautiful.
4.75 ⭐️
This book was amazing. I really loved all of the characters and their personal growth. I also loved the family vibes.
The story follows Natalie who had ran away as a teenager to go with her now husband Luke, but is now experiencing some rough patches in their relationship. She wants to have children but he doesn’t want to because he is scared of the unknown variables. So she runs away from her husband in Florida to her estranged family in Maple Lake.
I really loved the way both these characters grew. I found the reason for Nat running away from her family a little childish and immature……. But she redeems herself in the book. I loved the reconciliation between the sisters.
I loved the way Luke encourages Nat to repair her relationship with her sister and also to stop running away when trouble comes. I also liked how Luke faces his fear and talks to his parents about it.
I loved all the kids. They were so adorable. The ending was also so beautiful.
August 12, 2026
This is an emotional book that has so much depth and romance!! This is a marriage in dire/crisis beginning and we're given the opportunity to follow this story of redemption, healing, and growth. Absolutely enjoyed this read! 🫶🏻 it is a closed door book, so definitely romance/hints etc, but nothing on page for us readers. ☺️
Read
July 5, 2026I had the honor of proofreading this one! The release date hasn't been announced yet, but keep your eyes peeled!
July 24, 2026
ARC review 📖
You Met Me There
Book 2 in The Maple Lake Series
By @abigailnadine.author
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Contemporary closed door romance, but with all the chemistry an FMC and MMC need ❤️🔥
Highlights:
💍 marriage in crisis
♥️ two great MCs that need to work through their past and trauma that keeps holding them back
🏔️ return to one of of my favorite fictional mountain towns
😭 I cried so many tears when reading this
Worth mentioning: there is no dielikable character in this whole book! It’s just people that need to heal, forgive and learn to let go and work through past mistakes. That’s a marriage in crisis book you really don’t wanna miss ♥️
You Met Me There
Book 2 in The Maple Lake Series
By @abigailnadine.author
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Contemporary closed door romance, but with all the chemistry an FMC and MMC need ❤️🔥
Highlights:
💍 marriage in crisis
♥️ two great MCs that need to work through their past and trauma that keeps holding them back
🏔️ return to one of of my favorite fictional mountain towns
😭 I cried so many tears when reading this
Worth mentioning: there is no dielikable character in this whole book! It’s just people that need to heal, forgive and learn to let go and work through past mistakes. That’s a marriage in crisis book you really don’t wanna miss ♥️
Review of advance copy received from Author
REVIEW OF ADVANCED COPY given by the author 🫶
✨ 𝙷𝚊𝚟𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍 𝚊 𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚏𝚎𝚕𝚝 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎 𝚒𝚝 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚚𝚞𝚒𝚎𝚝𝚕𝚢 𝚑𝚘𝚕𝚍𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚞𝚙 𝚊 𝚖𝚒𝚛𝚛𝚘𝚛 𝚝𝚘 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚘𝚠𝚗 𝚕𝚒𝚏𝚎? ✨
This story caught me completely off guard in the best way. There were so many moments where I had to stop and think, "How is this so relatable?" The similarities between my own life and these characters made this such an emotional reading experience. It wasn't just about watching their journey unfold, it felt like I was revisiting pieces of my own.
💛 You Met Me There is one of those stories that isn't driven by nonstop action, but by healing, growth, and learning to let people in when life has convinced you it's safer to keep them out.
Abigail Nadine created characters that felt authentic, flawed, and deeply human. Their struggles, growth, and relationships hit close to home, making every chapter feel personal.
𝑨𝒏𝒅 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒘𝒆 𝒑𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒆 𝒕𝒂𝒍𝒌 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝑳𝒖𝒌𝒆?!🥹 I don't care what anyone says—we're protecting Luke at all costs. He completely stole my heart, and every time he was on the page, I found myself rooting for him even harder. He's the kind of character you can't help but want to wrap in a blanket and make sure life treats him kindly.
The reason this landed at 4 ⭐️ instead of 5 for me is that the pacing felt a little slow in parts, and I found myself wishing for just a bit more momentum throughout the middle of the story. Even so, the emotional payoff at the end made the journey worth it.
If you love:
🤍 Emotional romance
🌿 Healing and self-discovery
💕 Slow-burn connection
✨ Characters finding hope after hardship
...then I definitely think this one deserves a spot on your TBR.
✨ 𝙷𝚊𝚟𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍 𝚊 𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚏𝚎𝚕𝚝 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎 𝚒𝚝 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚚𝚞𝚒𝚎𝚝𝚕𝚢 𝚑𝚘𝚕𝚍𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚞𝚙 𝚊 𝚖𝚒𝚛𝚛𝚘𝚛 𝚝𝚘 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚘𝚠𝚗 𝚕𝚒𝚏𝚎? ✨
This story caught me completely off guard in the best way. There were so many moments where I had to stop and think, "How is this so relatable?" The similarities between my own life and these characters made this such an emotional reading experience. It wasn't just about watching their journey unfold, it felt like I was revisiting pieces of my own.
💛 You Met Me There is one of those stories that isn't driven by nonstop action, but by healing, growth, and learning to let people in when life has convinced you it's safer to keep them out.
Abigail Nadine created characters that felt authentic, flawed, and deeply human. Their struggles, growth, and relationships hit close to home, making every chapter feel personal.
𝑨𝒏𝒅 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒘𝒆 𝒑𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒆 𝒕𝒂𝒍𝒌 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝑳𝒖𝒌𝒆?!🥹 I don't care what anyone says—we're protecting Luke at all costs. He completely stole my heart, and every time he was on the page, I found myself rooting for him even harder. He's the kind of character you can't help but want to wrap in a blanket and make sure life treats him kindly.
The reason this landed at 4 ⭐️ instead of 5 for me is that the pacing felt a little slow in parts, and I found myself wishing for just a bit more momentum throughout the middle of the story. Even so, the emotional payoff at the end made the journey worth it.
If you love:
🤍 Emotional romance
🌿 Healing and self-discovery
💕 Slow-burn connection
✨ Characters finding hope after hardship
...then I definitely think this one deserves a spot on your TBR.
August 13, 2026
I love Maple Lake! It is easy to picture in my mind and sounds like so much fun. I’m so glad we got a second book to explore the redemption in this family.
As a photographer, I loved Natalie’s view of people and places!
Content: kisses only, a few married innuendos
Thank you Abigail for the opportunity to read this ARC for my honest review!
As a photographer, I loved Natalie’s view of people and places!
Content: kisses only, a few married innuendos
Thank you Abigail for the opportunity to read this ARC for my honest review!
July 18, 2026
Natalie and Luke, a couple so in love, and perfect for each other in every way, until the one thing they cannot agree on becomes the thing that threatens to tear them apart for good.
Natalie finds herself running back to the place she first left and attempting to reconcile with people she hasn’t seen in years. The growth in her across the story is so good to see, I really loved seeing her become more grounded, with the ones who love her the most. Her healing journey is heartwarming!
Luke has his own growth story here too, and seeing him fight for his wife and their future got me good. He knows he has work to do if he wants to make things right and keep his marriage.
This story was emotional from the beginning and written in such a way that had me eager to see Natalie and Luke reach a place where both can be happy.
I loved Meeting Me, Loving You- the first book in the Maple series and encourage you to read that first, not only to meet the characters that appear in this book, but because it’s a really great read!
Natalie finds herself running back to the place she first left and attempting to reconcile with people she hasn’t seen in years. The growth in her across the story is so good to see, I really loved seeing her become more grounded, with the ones who love her the most. Her healing journey is heartwarming!
Luke has his own growth story here too, and seeing him fight for his wife and their future got me good. He knows he has work to do if he wants to make things right and keep his marriage.
This story was emotional from the beginning and written in such a way that had me eager to see Natalie and Luke reach a place where both can be happy.
I loved Meeting Me, Loving You- the first book in the Maple series and encourage you to read that first, not only to meet the characters that appear in this book, but because it’s a really great read!
September 14, 2026
Wow such a wholesome book. I really wish I could tell the author face to face how much this book was so good. I really love all that marriage is and represents but I know it has its struggles just like every other thing in life does so I appreciate the way the marriage in crisis trope was portrayed in this book and how they worked through it and how it was resolved. It wasn’t cute and quick, it took time, going back and forth, healing, being okay with not having what you’ve always wanted and being content with what you have. This should be the model book for how marriage in crisis trope should be done. It wasn’t cute, more like roughly perfect. I have once again learnt from this book a life lesson, anything a person tells you they don’t want before marriage, don’t think being in the marriage will automatically change their mind, no it won’t. It will serve you to take their words seriously because they mean it.
Now I know there’s a lot of hype about book boyfriends and it’s cute and all but a book husband????? Now that’s a whole new planet. Luke was just out of this planet because why was he so perfect!!!! Literally can not trace a flaw he had. The way he loved Natalie was just mind blowing and the way he always showed her he loved her just took my breath away. I mean even when he said he couldn’t give her what she wanted it came from a place of love and protection for her. He didn’t want anything to harm her so in the long run, do you see how he was a literal dream and I fear he has ruined me for other book husbands. So many moments where he was gentle with Nat, choosing her over himself, being what she needed and more, patient with her and being obsessed with all of her was just top tier husband material for me. When I say I want to read a book about a man obsessed with his wife, this is what I mean🫶🏾I have taken some mental notes😅
I loved the reconciliation, deep conversations and forgiveness that went on in this book. I came in thinking it was all romance but I got healing and that’s why I’ll always love books, they are so much more than one thing, they give you so much more.
As I write this review, I went through all my highlights and my goodness this book was a wonderful journey. I’m going to need the book girlies to pick this one up ASAP and once again Luke is golden and unbelievably out of this planet🥹
Thank you Abigail Nadine for the beautiful book, you are amazing❤️
Now I know there’s a lot of hype about book boyfriends and it’s cute and all but a book husband????? Now that’s a whole new planet. Luke was just out of this planet because why was he so perfect!!!! Literally can not trace a flaw he had. The way he loved Natalie was just mind blowing and the way he always showed her he loved her just took my breath away. I mean even when he said he couldn’t give her what she wanted it came from a place of love and protection for her. He didn’t want anything to harm her so in the long run, do you see how he was a literal dream and I fear he has ruined me for other book husbands. So many moments where he was gentle with Nat, choosing her over himself, being what she needed and more, patient with her and being obsessed with all of her was just top tier husband material for me. When I say I want to read a book about a man obsessed with his wife, this is what I mean🫶🏾I have taken some mental notes😅
I loved the reconciliation, deep conversations and forgiveness that went on in this book. I came in thinking it was all romance but I got healing and that’s why I’ll always love books, they are so much more than one thing, they give you so much more.
As I write this review, I went through all my highlights and my goodness this book was a wonderful journey. I’m going to need the book girlies to pick this one up ASAP and once again Luke is golden and unbelievably out of this planet🥹
Thank you Abigail Nadine for the beautiful book, you are amazing❤️
Review of advance copy received from Author
You Met Me There is a story about re-connecting, healing, and hope. The book follows a married couple, Natalie and Luke, as they work though struggles in their own lives and in their marriage. It is written in alternating chapters, which I really enjoyed - it's nice to hear the story from both of their perspectives.
Natalie runs from home, back to her hometown of Maple Lake, where she had suddenly left 9 years earlier. While she is working though her own struggles, Luke follows her in order to work though things together and prove his love.
As they visit Maple Lake and work though their struggles, the couple grows closer to each other and reconnect in a way they had slowly been losing. This is a closed door romance, so well there are some innuendos and intense kissing scenes, there's nothing beyond that.
I really enjoyed the plot of this book - not many romance books are written about a couple who are already married, so that was a nice change! Their issues in their personal lives and marriage were very relatable, and I thought their healing process was very realistic. I loved reading about Natalie's relationship with her sister and how it evolved throughout the book. The relationships between the family members were fun & cute (I especially loved Tyler as a goofy character!).
The story was easy to get into, as it begins with Natalie leaving Luke - it drew me into the characters and plot instantly. After Natalie arrives in Maple Lake and reconnects with her sister, I thought the plot slowed down a bit, until the big event at the end of the book. However, the middle section shows the slow healing process Natalie (and others) were going through at the time.
The event at the end of the book was unexpected, but I think it was a great way to help Luke move beyond his struggles.
Overall, this book was a great story about a couple's growth in their own lives and in their marriage. It was full of family relationships, romance, and above all, hope!
Also, the playlist was a fun touch at the beginning!
Natalie runs from home, back to her hometown of Maple Lake, where she had suddenly left 9 years earlier. While she is working though her own struggles, Luke follows her in order to work though things together and prove his love.
As they visit Maple Lake and work though their struggles, the couple grows closer to each other and reconnect in a way they had slowly been losing. This is a closed door romance, so well there are some innuendos and intense kissing scenes, there's nothing beyond that.
I really enjoyed the plot of this book - not many romance books are written about a couple who are already married, so that was a nice change! Their issues in their personal lives and marriage were very relatable, and I thought their healing process was very realistic. I loved reading about Natalie's relationship with her sister and how it evolved throughout the book. The relationships between the family members were fun & cute (I especially loved Tyler as a goofy character!).
The story was easy to get into, as it begins with Natalie leaving Luke - it drew me into the characters and plot instantly. After Natalie arrives in Maple Lake and reconnects with her sister, I thought the plot slowed down a bit, until the big event at the end of the book. However, the middle section shows the slow healing process Natalie (and others) were going through at the time.
The event at the end of the book was unexpected, but I think it was a great way to help Luke move beyond his struggles.
Overall, this book was a great story about a couple's growth in their own lives and in their marriage. It was full of family relationships, romance, and above all, hope!
Also, the playlist was a fun touch at the beginning!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Natalie Berns ran away from her hometown of Maple Lake to chase after her first love. With her marriage in crisis, she finds herself running back to the place she never thought she’d go back to. After nearly a decade away, she’s determined to face the choices that led her away and reconnect with the family she left behind. When her husband, Luke, arrives in town, Natalie is forced not just to confront her past but also the problems in her marriage.
After reading Meeting Me, Loving You, the first book in this series, I was curious to see what made Juliet’s younger sister decide to leave Maple Lake at such a young age. I know that young love can be incredibly powerful and lead people to making irrational decisions, but I really struggled with how Natalie left her family with the most generic goodbye note as she completely disappeared from their lives for the next decade. That choice made it really challenging to like her early on, but as she began taking accountability for her past and present decisions, her grace and humility made it hard not to grow to love her character.
Beyond Natalie's personal journey, the heart of this story is her marriage. Despite being at odds with each other, the love between Luke and Natalie was evident from the first page. I adored how they continued to show up for each other, confront the problems they had, and work to better understand where the other was coming from. I really enjoyed Natalie’s efforts to reconnect with her family and how she and Luke fit into the empty space she created after leaving Maple Lake. While Meeting Me, Loving You tells a story about falling in love, You Meet Me There tells a story about choosing the one you love no matter what happens.
This is a beautiful story about emotional growth, healing, and the restoration of what’s been broken, proving that we are more than the mistakes we’ve made. For anyone who's had to face their choices and learn how to restore what's broken, Natalie's story will resonate deeply.
After reading Meeting Me, Loving You, the first book in this series, I was curious to see what made Juliet’s younger sister decide to leave Maple Lake at such a young age. I know that young love can be incredibly powerful and lead people to making irrational decisions, but I really struggled with how Natalie left her family with the most generic goodbye note as she completely disappeared from their lives for the next decade. That choice made it really challenging to like her early on, but as she began taking accountability for her past and present decisions, her grace and humility made it hard not to grow to love her character.
Beyond Natalie's personal journey, the heart of this story is her marriage. Despite being at odds with each other, the love between Luke and Natalie was evident from the first page. I adored how they continued to show up for each other, confront the problems they had, and work to better understand where the other was coming from. I really enjoyed Natalie’s efforts to reconnect with her family and how she and Luke fit into the empty space she created after leaving Maple Lake. While Meeting Me, Loving You tells a story about falling in love, You Meet Me There tells a story about choosing the one you love no matter what happens.
This is a beautiful story about emotional growth, healing, and the restoration of what’s been broken, proving that we are more than the mistakes we’ve made. For anyone who's had to face their choices and learn how to restore what's broken, Natalie's story will resonate deeply.
August 11, 2026
This one hit a little differently for me. ❤️
I really appreciated how real the emotional side of this romance felt. There isn't a neat, uncomplicated version of love here. Instead, there are two people who clearly care deeply about each other while also having needs, fears, and unresolved feelings that can't simply be brushed aside.
Natalie was especially easy for me to empathize with. I liked that her desire for a certain future isn't treated as something silly or selfish. Wanting children, wanting to feel heard, and wanting to know that the life you're building together still looks like the life you hoped for are all incredibly understandable things.
Luke also felt refreshingly human. He's not simply the perfect husband who says all the right things. He has his own fears and hesitations, and I appreciated that the story allows him to have them while still making him accountable for how those choices affect Natalie.
The mental-health representation was another element I appreciated. Anxiety isn't treated like a convenient character flaw that disappears when the romance gets better. It feels like part of Natalie's experience, and I liked the compassion surrounding it.
I also really enjoyed the small-town atmosphere. Maple Lake has that feeling of a place where history follows you around—where coming home means more than simply returning to a physical location. It means facing people, memories, and pieces of yourself you may have left behind.
But the heart of this book for me was the question of what happens when loving someone isn't the same as automatically wanting the same future.
That's such a difficult conversation for a couple to have, and I thought the emotional honesty surrounding it made this romance stand out.
Tender, complicated, heartfelt, and very focused on the messy parts of choosing each other.
I really appreciated how real the emotional side of this romance felt. There isn't a neat, uncomplicated version of love here. Instead, there are two people who clearly care deeply about each other while also having needs, fears, and unresolved feelings that can't simply be brushed aside.
Natalie was especially easy for me to empathize with. I liked that her desire for a certain future isn't treated as something silly or selfish. Wanting children, wanting to feel heard, and wanting to know that the life you're building together still looks like the life you hoped for are all incredibly understandable things.
Luke also felt refreshingly human. He's not simply the perfect husband who says all the right things. He has his own fears and hesitations, and I appreciated that the story allows him to have them while still making him accountable for how those choices affect Natalie.
The mental-health representation was another element I appreciated. Anxiety isn't treated like a convenient character flaw that disappears when the romance gets better. It feels like part of Natalie's experience, and I liked the compassion surrounding it.
I also really enjoyed the small-town atmosphere. Maple Lake has that feeling of a place where history follows you around—where coming home means more than simply returning to a physical location. It means facing people, memories, and pieces of yourself you may have left behind.
But the heart of this book for me was the question of what happens when loving someone isn't the same as automatically wanting the same future.
That's such a difficult conversation for a couple to have, and I thought the emotional honesty surrounding it made this romance stand out.
Tender, complicated, heartfelt, and very focused on the messy parts of choosing each other.
August 5, 2026
A big thank you to @abigailnadine.author for the early copy of this book. 🥰 This was an unexpectedly good journey through hard topics and I am so glad I went on it. I also loved that it was about a married couple working through their relationship instead of a dating couple. What a unique premise!
Natalie and Luke have been together since they were teens. They have been married for almost 7 years now. Natalie wants to become a mom so bad but Luke still isn’t on board. Unfortunately, Natalie deals with this in her usual way - she runs away, literally.
She runs back home to Maple Falls. We met her sister Juliet in book 1 of this series and saw how Natalie running away at 18 affected her. It was wonderful to see that relationship come full circle. Actually, it was great to see how everything is resolved with all of Natalie’s family.
Most of this book is from Natalie’s POV with a little from Luke. I was very frustrated with Natalie throughout the book BUT I know her anxiety was strongly affecting everything she thought and did. I personally don’t struggle with anxiety in that specific way so it was very interesting to see played out and learn from it.
Luke is the biggest green flag on being with Natalie through her anxiety. He is there for her in every way. He even strongly stands up to her at one point but it was still done with so much love and kindness.
Luke was also dealing with his own thoughts and emotions surrounding starting a family. It was very good to see him realize that and how he chose to face it head on at a certain point.
The communication started off poorly in this book BUT the transformation of it was incredible to see. It didn’t just happen between our two main characters. The communication improved in so many relationships that it was beautiful.
Natalie and Luke have been together since they were teens. They have been married for almost 7 years now. Natalie wants to become a mom so bad but Luke still isn’t on board. Unfortunately, Natalie deals with this in her usual way - she runs away, literally.
She runs back home to Maple Falls. We met her sister Juliet in book 1 of this series and saw how Natalie running away at 18 affected her. It was wonderful to see that relationship come full circle. Actually, it was great to see how everything is resolved with all of Natalie’s family.
Most of this book is from Natalie’s POV with a little from Luke. I was very frustrated with Natalie throughout the book BUT I know her anxiety was strongly affecting everything she thought and did. I personally don’t struggle with anxiety in that specific way so it was very interesting to see played out and learn from it.
Luke is the biggest green flag on being with Natalie through her anxiety. He is there for her in every way. He even strongly stands up to her at one point but it was still done with so much love and kindness.
Luke was also dealing with his own thoughts and emotions surrounding starting a family. It was very good to see him realize that and how he chose to face it head on at a certain point.
The communication started off poorly in this book BUT the transformation of it was incredible to see. It didn’t just happen between our two main characters. The communication improved in so many relationships that it was beautiful.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was my first time reading a book about a marriage in crisis, and it was so good! This book has so much character growth, which is something I absolutely love seeing. ☺️
Natalie wasn’t someone I was on board with for a little while, but I also knew that was intentional. She constantly self-sabotages, running away from her problems—or even from situations that aren’t really problems yet because she’s afraid they might become one. There were so many moments when I wanted to throw my Kindle across the room because Natalie just wouldn’t face her fears! 🤣 But honestly, I think all of us have a little bit of Natalie in us, and we can all learn to work through the things we tend to self-sabotage ourselves over.
Luke also had some growing to do when it came to dealing with his feelings about not wanting kids. As a mother, it was heartbreaking to read about how badly Natalie wanted to become a mom and couldn’t. Don’t get me wrong—she should have listened when Luke said he didn’t want children. Thinking you’ll be able to convince someone to suddenly change their mind about something that important is almost always going to lead to problems later. I’m so glad they were able to work through everything in the end. ☺️
At its heart, this story is about two people carrying a lot of baggage who have to face their pasts and grow individually before they can truly build a better future together. ❤️
Thank you Abigail Nadine for letting me be an ARC reader and to watch these two people grow better both as individuals and together 🥰.
Natalie wasn’t someone I was on board with for a little while, but I also knew that was intentional. She constantly self-sabotages, running away from her problems—or even from situations that aren’t really problems yet because she’s afraid they might become one. There were so many moments when I wanted to throw my Kindle across the room because Natalie just wouldn’t face her fears! 🤣 But honestly, I think all of us have a little bit of Natalie in us, and we can all learn to work through the things we tend to self-sabotage ourselves over.
Luke also had some growing to do when it came to dealing with his feelings about not wanting kids. As a mother, it was heartbreaking to read about how badly Natalie wanted to become a mom and couldn’t. Don’t get me wrong—she should have listened when Luke said he didn’t want children. Thinking you’ll be able to convince someone to suddenly change their mind about something that important is almost always going to lead to problems later. I’m so glad they were able to work through everything in the end. ☺️
At its heart, this story is about two people carrying a lot of baggage who have to face their pasts and grow individually before they can truly build a better future together. ❤️
Thank you Abigail Nadine for letting me be an ARC reader and to watch these two people grow better both as individuals and together 🥰.
August 10, 2026
When I heard this book was about an already married couple, I knew I had to read it. It was sooo sooo good!
You Met Me There is my first read by Abigail Nadine. It is Book 2 in the Hearts of Maple Lake series. I read it as a standalone since I did not read Book 1 yet.
This is definitely the perfect summer read filled with summer activities. The plot was so clever too - I don't think I've ever read about a runaway returning home like this before.
This book delved into some hard topics like miscarriage, depression, and a marriage where the couple does not want the same things. There is also mild language, innuendo, and references to marital intimacy, but it remains closed-door.
I’m definitely Team Luke! Even with the struggle about his past, he loved Natalie, and it was so evident in everything he said and did. Cam, his brother-in-law, follows closely behind.
The family reconciliation really touched my heart! It shows the effort of Natalie and her family after years of being estranged. It wasn’t a magic fix, and it was challenging, but the healing was so worth it. Watching the siblings interact later on in this book was just so heartfelt!
Luke and Natalie’s resilience together was also so well written! The past affects our future, and Luke and Natalie both needed to face the difficulties of their past to move forward together and be on the same page. Love them so much!
This book made me laugh and cry - that’s how I know it’s a really good one!
There's also a playlist on Spotify if you like to listen while you read.
If you want to escape to a small lake town, I highly recommend you visit Maple Lake.
You Met Me There is my first read by Abigail Nadine. It is Book 2 in the Hearts of Maple Lake series. I read it as a standalone since I did not read Book 1 yet.
This is definitely the perfect summer read filled with summer activities. The plot was so clever too - I don't think I've ever read about a runaway returning home like this before.
This book delved into some hard topics like miscarriage, depression, and a marriage where the couple does not want the same things. There is also mild language, innuendo, and references to marital intimacy, but it remains closed-door.
I’m definitely Team Luke! Even with the struggle about his past, he loved Natalie, and it was so evident in everything he said and did. Cam, his brother-in-law, follows closely behind.
The family reconciliation really touched my heart! It shows the effort of Natalie and her family after years of being estranged. It wasn’t a magic fix, and it was challenging, but the healing was so worth it. Watching the siblings interact later on in this book was just so heartfelt!
Luke and Natalie’s resilience together was also so well written! The past affects our future, and Luke and Natalie both needed to face the difficulties of their past to move forward together and be on the same page. Love them so much!
This book made me laugh and cry - that’s how I know it’s a really good one!
There's also a playlist on Spotify if you like to listen while you read.
If you want to escape to a small lake town, I highly recommend you visit Maple Lake.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I did in fact have to DNF this book, as horrible as I feel, but it's because I'm not the key demographic so I feel as if I continue this book, my rating will go lower than this. From the 50 percent I did read, I enjoyed, just couldn't relate.
I typically read young adult and new adult because I can relate to the characters and their decisions. They are the age of new adult characters, however they got married very young, and are having a second chance at their marriage, a troupe I have read before but with older characters. However, I don't want them to get back together. Her husband is an asshole and I understand his reasoning for not wanting kids but I feel like she would have so much more character development if she were to just completely leave her husband.
Another thing is it takes her over 10 chapters to travel to her home town, which only takes her 2 days to drive. I personally hate when books do that. I don't need to know about every single thought you're having that day.
If the things I mentioned seem like you're kind of thing, you are the key demographic. I, however, am not. It seems like a great book but is on the older cusp of New Adult (but is more like Young Adult because it is clean). Fair warning though, if you read young adult because you relate to the characters, this is not the book for you.
If you read Young Adult because they are clean but can't relate to the characters, this is book for you.
I typically read young adult and new adult because I can relate to the characters and their decisions. They are the age of new adult characters, however they got married very young, and are having a second chance at their marriage, a troupe I have read before but with older characters. However, I don't want them to get back together. Her husband is an asshole and I understand his reasoning for not wanting kids but I feel like she would have so much more character development if she were to just completely leave her husband.
Another thing is it takes her over 10 chapters to travel to her home town, which only takes her 2 days to drive. I personally hate when books do that. I don't need to know about every single thought you're having that day.
If the things I mentioned seem like you're kind of thing, you are the key demographic. I, however, am not. It seems like a great book but is on the older cusp of New Adult (but is more like Young Adult because it is clean). Fair warning though, if you read young adult because you relate to the characters, this is not the book for you.
If you read Young Adult because they are clean but can't relate to the characters, this is book for you.
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.5 stars rounded up
The marriage-in-crisis trope is quickly becoming a favorite of mine, and You Met Me There by Abigail Nadine sealed the deal! This book sent me on an emotional rollercoaster I didn't want to get off of.
Natalie and Luke are still deeply in love nearly a decade after marrying young, but Natalie is stuck on something she just can't get past. Her default reaction? Run—something she's all too good at. She flees to Maple Lakes, her childhood hometown and the very place she ran from ten years ago.
Between Natalie, Luke, and Natalie's sister, there is a lot of heavy healing to be done, and Abigail Nadine writes that journey brilliantly. It's raw and realistic. Healing isn't an overnight process—it requires time, hard work, and confronting uncomfortable truths. Luke isn't perfect, but his unwavering presence through the hardest moments made my heart ache.
What I loved most is how this story proves that marriage is worth fighting for. The phrase "love is a choice" rings so true here. Having been married for 29 years myself, I know firsthand that it isn't always easy. We are still together because my husband and I continually chose to fight through the hard times rather than give up. I am so grateful we did.
Thank you, Abigail, for writing such a beautiful, authentic love story about marriage.
Thank you to the author for providing a digital copy. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.
The marriage-in-crisis trope is quickly becoming a favorite of mine, and You Met Me There by Abigail Nadine sealed the deal! This book sent me on an emotional rollercoaster I didn't want to get off of.
Natalie and Luke are still deeply in love nearly a decade after marrying young, but Natalie is stuck on something she just can't get past. Her default reaction? Run—something she's all too good at. She flees to Maple Lakes, her childhood hometown and the very place she ran from ten years ago.
Between Natalie, Luke, and Natalie's sister, there is a lot of heavy healing to be done, and Abigail Nadine writes that journey brilliantly. It's raw and realistic. Healing isn't an overnight process—it requires time, hard work, and confronting uncomfortable truths. Luke isn't perfect, but his unwavering presence through the hardest moments made my heart ache.
What I loved most is how this story proves that marriage is worth fighting for. The phrase "love is a choice" rings so true here. Having been married for 29 years myself, I know firsthand that it isn't always easy. We are still together because my husband and I continually chose to fight through the hard times rather than give up. I am so grateful we did.
Thank you, Abigail, for writing such a beautiful, authentic love story about marriage.
Thank you to the author for providing a digital copy. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.
August 10, 2026
This book made me cry, laugh, and crave a mountain cabin and as someone with sisters, that sister bond made me pause and just feel it
The e-book is out today 08/10. The story follows a married couple Natalie and Luke whose relationship hits a breaking point over one specific, deeply personal request and when Natalie leaves to go back to her hometown, Maple Lake, the whole story unfolds from there.
My three highlights of this book
1. The Perfect Summer Setting
this book has everything a summer read needs from hiking, horseback riding, tubing, to mountains and cabins it's packed with summer activity from start to finish.
2. The tension and the bond
The tension between the two leads is so well done that you feel the respect and love underneath everything, even when things are hard. Most of all the sister bond is what got me most. That felt so real and so heartfelt i almost cried out loud. The Parent relationships on both sides also felt just as raw and true.
3. The Healing
Underneath the relationships, this book is really about healing. Instead of holding it all in it’s better to talk it out and express your feelings and this is such a gentle reminder that most wounds start closing the moment you stop bottling things up.
If you want to feel that special relationship and the once-in-a-lifetime sister bond, read this one or tag your sister and tell her you already know she'd cry too
The e-book is out today 08/10. The story follows a married couple Natalie and Luke whose relationship hits a breaking point over one specific, deeply personal request and when Natalie leaves to go back to her hometown, Maple Lake, the whole story unfolds from there.
My three highlights of this book
1. The Perfect Summer Setting
this book has everything a summer read needs from hiking, horseback riding, tubing, to mountains and cabins it's packed with summer activity from start to finish.
2. The tension and the bond
The tension between the two leads is so well done that you feel the respect and love underneath everything, even when things are hard. Most of all the sister bond is what got me most. That felt so real and so heartfelt i almost cried out loud. The Parent relationships on both sides also felt just as raw and true.
3. The Healing
Underneath the relationships, this book is really about healing. Instead of holding it all in it’s better to talk it out and express your feelings and this is such a gentle reminder that most wounds start closing the moment you stop bottling things up.
If you want to feel that special relationship and the once-in-a-lifetime sister bond, read this one or tag your sister and tell her you already know she'd cry too
Review of advance copy received from Author
You Met Me There
Abigail Nadine
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Oh, my heart! I felt this story deep into my bones; the hurt, the betrayal, the lost years, the grief, the anger, and the love - all of the emotions a body can feel. I love a story that makes me feel, and You Met Me There is absolutely a feeling novel.
“Maple Lake is a safe place to fall and a soft spot to land.” - Natalie
“There's healing in its bones and in its people.” - Natalie
I encourage you to pack your bags and take a little reading vacation to Maple Lake, where healing abounds.
Natalie has struggled with her choices for years, although she has had the ‘picture perfect’ life. When she feels like her life is unraveling, she runs home seeking answers. Luke loves his wife. He is determined to win her back, but will she give him the chance?
This story is so beautiful and satisfying. It is a story of a marriage in crisis, but it is also a story of a family in crisis, as well. It is a closed door romance with some kissing scenes; they are married. I loved reading their story and catching up with my favorite characters from Meeting Me, Loving You, Jules, Cam, and Tyler.
If you loved Meeting Me, Loving You Hearts of Maple Lake Book 1, then you are absolutely going to love You Met Me There, which is Natalie's story.
I received an ARC of You Met Me There. All opinions are my own.
Abigail Nadine
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Oh, my heart! I felt this story deep into my bones; the hurt, the betrayal, the lost years, the grief, the anger, and the love - all of the emotions a body can feel. I love a story that makes me feel, and You Met Me There is absolutely a feeling novel.
“Maple Lake is a safe place to fall and a soft spot to land.” - Natalie
“There's healing in its bones and in its people.” - Natalie
I encourage you to pack your bags and take a little reading vacation to Maple Lake, where healing abounds.
Natalie has struggled with her choices for years, although she has had the ‘picture perfect’ life. When she feels like her life is unraveling, she runs home seeking answers. Luke loves his wife. He is determined to win her back, but will she give him the chance?
This story is so beautiful and satisfying. It is a story of a marriage in crisis, but it is also a story of a family in crisis, as well. It is a closed door romance with some kissing scenes; they are married. I loved reading their story and catching up with my favorite characters from Meeting Me, Loving You, Jules, Cam, and Tyler.
If you loved Meeting Me, Loving You Hearts of Maple Lake Book 1, then you are absolutely going to love You Met Me There, which is Natalie's story.
I received an ARC of You Met Me There. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Huge thank you to the author for sending me an ARC copy of her book!
I was so grateful to be a part of the team, and I absolutely loved this story. I related to Natalie on several different levels, and it’s always so fun (and sometimes emotional!) when a book hits home like that.
If you love a marriage in crisis with lots of emotional depth and deep connection, strong love (minus the explicit content) you will love this one!
Ten years after leaving Maple Lake behind with just a note, Natalie and her husband Luke are facing a breaking point over conflicting desires for their future. Dealing with heavy anxiety and emotional baggage, Natalie takes a road trip back home to face the family she left behind. When Luke follows her, they must decide if their love is strong enough to weather the storm.
Set in a gorgeous Pennsylvania mountain town during the summer, this features fantastic mental health representation, wonderful sibling dynamics, and small-town charm at its best.
I really enjoyed coming back to this small town—I seriously want to visit Maple Lake in real life, haha! The reunion, the healing, the forgiveness, and the love just made this book so wonderful. It honestly healed a little something in me. I cried many tears all through out reading this.
Thank you again, Abigail Nadine!
I was so grateful to be a part of the team, and I absolutely loved this story. I related to Natalie on several different levels, and it’s always so fun (and sometimes emotional!) when a book hits home like that.
If you love a marriage in crisis with lots of emotional depth and deep connection, strong love (minus the explicit content) you will love this one!
Ten years after leaving Maple Lake behind with just a note, Natalie and her husband Luke are facing a breaking point over conflicting desires for their future. Dealing with heavy anxiety and emotional baggage, Natalie takes a road trip back home to face the family she left behind. When Luke follows her, they must decide if their love is strong enough to weather the storm.
Set in a gorgeous Pennsylvania mountain town during the summer, this features fantastic mental health representation, wonderful sibling dynamics, and small-town charm at its best.
I really enjoyed coming back to this small town—I seriously want to visit Maple Lake in real life, haha! The reunion, the healing, the forgiveness, and the love just made this book so wonderful. It honestly healed a little something in me. I cried many tears all through out reading this.
Thank you again, Abigail Nadine!
Review of advance copy received from Author
You Met Me There by Abigail Nadine
I think this might be the first romance I have read about an already married couple working through tough topics. I love that this book did that! This book is also no spice, which I’ve been trying to read more of lately.
This story is about Natalie and Luke. Natalie left home when she was young without barely any communication to her family because she fell in love with Luke. He was from another state and she didn’t want to lose him. Now, years later their marriage is being tested because Natalie badly wants children but Luke does not. Natalie decides to return home to clear her head and maybe clear the air with her family.
This story showed real life relationship topics that are hard to navigate like forgiveness, resentment, anxiety, trauma, etc. I loved that these topics were approached and dealt with head on.
Initially I was unsure about Natalie due to I could not imagine ever leaving my family the way she did but she definitely grows a lot by the end of the book and she addresses the mistakes she made in her youth.
Luke also has his own issues to deal with and work through to try and save his marriage. He may be madly in love with his wife but sometimes love is not enough to hold a relationship together.
I liked this book a lot and I can’t wait to read more from this author.
I think this might be the first romance I have read about an already married couple working through tough topics. I love that this book did that! This book is also no spice, which I’ve been trying to read more of lately.
This story is about Natalie and Luke. Natalie left home when she was young without barely any communication to her family because she fell in love with Luke. He was from another state and she didn’t want to lose him. Now, years later their marriage is being tested because Natalie badly wants children but Luke does not. Natalie decides to return home to clear her head and maybe clear the air with her family.
This story showed real life relationship topics that are hard to navigate like forgiveness, resentment, anxiety, trauma, etc. I loved that these topics were approached and dealt with head on.
Initially I was unsure about Natalie due to I could not imagine ever leaving my family the way she did but she definitely grows a lot by the end of the book and she addresses the mistakes she made in her youth.
Luke also has his own issues to deal with and work through to try and save his marriage. He may be madly in love with his wife but sometimes love is not enough to hold a relationship together.
I liked this book a lot and I can’t wait to read more from this author.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I love a good second chance, marriage redemption story and this was no exception. I enjoyed various parts, the summer setting, the healing journey of the Natalie and the dedication of Luke to their marriage.
I will be honest, Natalie was hard to relate to at first. She is rash with her decisions and tends to run away from her problems. But her struggle with anxiety is relatable. Her journey in realizing her mistakes, as well as working towards fixing her marriage and relationship with her family, was very satisfying. Through at times she can come across as immature, the growth was evident.
Luke is a dedicated husband, and the way he loves Natalie is a beautiful thing. I love that he sits with her in her struggles and encourages her through them. Their moments together are sweet, yet deep. As both try to work through their fears and desires.
Natalie and Luke as a couple, was perfection and the chemistry was palpable. I love how crazy they were for each other, but still learning to be open and honest. There some things that didn't work for me in this book, but it didn't take away from my enjoying it and its a very bingeable read.
Thank you Abigail Nadine for the ARC!
🔥 Heat level: Closed-door, kisses only. Intimacy implied between married couple.
🫢 Language: Mild language, no F-words
I will be honest, Natalie was hard to relate to at first. She is rash with her decisions and tends to run away from her problems. But her struggle with anxiety is relatable. Her journey in realizing her mistakes, as well as working towards fixing her marriage and relationship with her family, was very satisfying. Through at times she can come across as immature, the growth was evident.
Luke is a dedicated husband, and the way he loves Natalie is a beautiful thing. I love that he sits with her in her struggles and encourages her through them. Their moments together are sweet, yet deep. As both try to work through their fears and desires.
Natalie and Luke as a couple, was perfection and the chemistry was palpable. I love how crazy they were for each other, but still learning to be open and honest. There some things that didn't work for me in this book, but it didn't take away from my enjoying it and its a very bingeable read.
Thank you Abigail Nadine for the ARC!
🔥 Heat level: Closed-door, kisses only. Intimacy implied between married couple.
🫢 Language: Mild language, no F-words
August 8, 2026
“Maple Lakes is a safe place to fall and a soft place to land. It’s home to me, and I hope it’s home to anyone who needs it, even just for a summer. There’s healing in its bones and love in its people” ❤️🩹
What an amazing book that ties in so well with book 1 😭 I truly loved the sister relationship the most but Abigail does so good with the couple + love 🥲🩷🩷🩷
I will say - the anxiety rep was pretty spot on because I felt a bit anxious reading from Nat’s pov and felt really in her mind. The first half of the book was a little hard only for that aspect lol. I felt a little too close to home with her anxiety but that’s just mean how good it was written and how seen it helps you feel if you struggle with anxiety 😭 Nat’s character development was very good!!
So many amazing moments and I just love Jules, Cam, Natalie & Luke… and Tyler & Sandra 😍
I’d love more of Emma tbh!!
This book will have you laughing, gasping, crying and screaming WHATTTT. It’s a journey. Enjoy the ride 🥰 (I hope your tube doesn’t relate 😜)
Content:
Mental health reps/mentions: panic attacks, anxiety & depression
Spice: 1.2 🔥 I give it a tiny bit of a rating due to the flirty nature and some very small “fade to black” but it’s very subtle yet fun, beautiful and swoony (the moments are confined to being in a marriage, too, which is important to me! 😊)
Language: very very mild. Maybe 2 words!
What an amazing book that ties in so well with book 1 😭 I truly loved the sister relationship the most but Abigail does so good with the couple + love 🥲🩷🩷🩷
I will say - the anxiety rep was pretty spot on because I felt a bit anxious reading from Nat’s pov and felt really in her mind. The first half of the book was a little hard only for that aspect lol. I felt a little too close to home with her anxiety but that’s just mean how good it was written and how seen it helps you feel if you struggle with anxiety 😭 Nat’s character development was very good!!
So many amazing moments and I just love Jules, Cam, Natalie & Luke… and Tyler & Sandra 😍
I’d love more of Emma tbh!!
This book will have you laughing, gasping, crying and screaming WHATTTT. It’s a journey. Enjoy the ride 🥰 (I hope your tube doesn’t relate 😜)
Content:
Mental health reps/mentions: panic attacks, anxiety & depression
Spice: 1.2 🔥 I give it a tiny bit of a rating due to the flirty nature and some very small “fade to black” but it’s very subtle yet fun, beautiful and swoony (the moments are confined to being in a marriage, too, which is important to me! 😊)
Language: very very mild. Maybe 2 words!
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