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Listening Length: 6 hours and 10 minutes

Four years ago, firefighter Caleb Romero saved a child and met the woman of his dreams. But trauma killed the timing, so he’s contented himself with being the friend she needed as she navigated sudden parenthood.

Four years ago, Emerson Aldridge became a mom in the worst possible way. Without qualm, she abandoned her own dreams to shepherd her teenage daughter through their shared grief. Her number one priority has been to raise Fiona the way her best friend would have wanted.

Now Fi’s headed off to college and Emerson has no idea how to feel about her suddenly empty nest. She barely even remembers life before motherhood, but Caleb’s right next door to give her a reminder—along with a toe-curling kiss that catapults them past friends and into something more. The life she wanted before the accident is still within reach. He just has to convince her that their age difference means nothing.

Piece of cake. Right?

7 pages, Audible Audio

First published January 8, 2021

811 people are currently reading
1425 people want to read

About the author

Kait Nolan

136 books1,357 followers
Kait Nolan is a RITA® Award-winning Mississippi author who calls everyone sugar, honey, or darlin', and can wield a 'Bless your heart' like a Snuggie or a saber, depending on requirements. She believes in love, laughter, and that tacos are the world's most perfect food. When she's not writing, reading, working the evil day job, or wrangling family (both the two-legged and the four-), you can find her obsessively watching The Great British Bake Off.

Sign up for her newsletter! rebrand.ly/kaitsnewsletter

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5 stars
1,270 (47%)
4 stars
888 (32%)
3 stars
440 (16%)
2 stars
72 (2%)
1 star
27 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 334 reviews
Profile Image for Amy [Book Addict Reviews].
2,644 reviews178 followers
December 30, 2020
Kait Nolan is a new to me author and I absolutely loved this story! I plan on going back and reading some of the siblings books now.

Emerson’s life completely changed in a single moment, she was now responsible for taking car of a teenage girl and that became her main focus. Caleb was the firefighter to break the news to Emerson, but also quickly became a person she can lean on for support.

I loved the friendship that Emerson and Caleb had and the bond that Caleb formed with Fiona, too. They made their own family. Emerson and Caleb had amazing chemistry. Though Emerson had some concerns about exploring something more with Caleb, especially when it came to their eight year age difference, but now that she was back to living alone, she needed to learn to live a life she didn’t get before she took in Fiona. Caleb has felt something more for Emerson for years and finally has the chance to explore their feelings.

Let It Be Me is a romance that has depth and is not only about love, but about family and about living your life. This one is a MUST READ and I can’t wait for more in this series!
Profile Image for Jessica.
854 reviews24 followers
January 8, 2021
Well this was adorable! I picked this up, because I love seeing how authors do the older woman in an age gap romance. Emerson and Caleb meet the night her best friend dies in a fire. Caleb ends up being the firefighter that saves her goddaughter. The actual romance doesn't start until four years later when Fiona leaves to college. Caleb has been harboring a crush, but Emerson wasn't aware because with him being younger, she didn't think of him like that. She definitely has a bit of a hangup when it comes to him being 8 years younger. When she first find out about said crush it's a little awkward, but super cute. Caleb is a great male lead! Even his relationship with Fiona is cute. If you want a fluffy read that'll make you swoon, this one is for you.

Thank you to Kait Nolan and Wildfire Marketing Solutions for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!
Profile Image for Rellim.
1,676 reviews43 followers
May 10, 2023
5/8/2023 - updated for audio. Also as of 4/2023 - it’s included in KoboPlus

1/12/2021 - As the beginning of 2021 has left a lot to be desired so far, I was thrilled to have Let It Be Me carry me away. I admit it – I’m a huge fan of Kait Nolan’s writing. Her style clicks for me and she has become one of my buy-it-immediately authors.

Men of the Misfit Inn is a spin-off of Nolan’s Misfit Inn series. What I really appreciated is that while the main character, Caleb, is one of Joan’s many foster children (the MC’s of Misfit Inn were either her foster or adopted children) and there is one chapter that gives us a little heads up of their lives – the references to the previous series do not dominate the book or require having read it to appreciate Caleb’s world.

This was an emotional yet funny friends-to-lovers story. Caleb has waited four years for the timing to be right to woo his best friend and neighbor, Emerson. This also includes some of my favorite themes of a sweet and snarky teen as well as a dog described as “the result of an unholy union between the cat from Shrek and a pit bull.” I don’t think the 8 year difference between the sexy firefighter and beautiful audiobook narrator technically qualifies as “age gap” – but the older woman/younger man was done really well without belaboring the topic.

What I love about Nolan’s writing is that while there is some tension and usually a “big event” (or two, or three!) that conspire to keep her characters from their HEA a little while longer – it isn’t dragged out. We get plenty of time to know Caleb & Emerson, enjoy a burgeoning relationship, relish steamy scenes, laugh at their banter, and can fervently believe in their love story.

Note: I loved Nolan’s dedication in the book, “For Amy, narrator extraordinaire, Thank you for giving life to all the people in my head”. I can’t wait to experience Caleb & Emerson’s story again with Amy McFadden in my ears.

Narration:
I love Amy McFadden’s narrations and especially her pairing with Nolan’s writing. Emerson being an audiobook narrator was a lot of fun. This story has all the emotions and McFadden makes them pack an extra punch. Fantastic listen.
Profile Image for Flavs is Mrs David Gandy♥~♥’.
3,414 reviews2 followers
January 8, 2021
Emerson’s life changes in a blink of an eye. One minute she is out with her best friend meeting the new guy and the next she catches her boyfriend cheating and her other best friend dies and she becomes a single parent to a teenage girl.

Caleb is the fire fighter who has to break the news to Emerson about the accident, but he also becomes a very good friend that she and Fiona can lean on for support during this terrible time. Unknows to Emerson he is also seriously attracted to her but hasn’t done anything because he knows that Emerson is totally devoted to raising Fiona. Now its four years later and Fiona is off to college, and he knows now is his time to make her see that he wants so much more than friendship.

He also knows its going to be a bit of a battle especially as he is a bit younger than her, but Caleb knows she feels something for him he just has to make her see that she is the one for him.
This was just a pure romantic story. It was sweet and a bit heartbreaking but also about living your best life. Caleb was sweet and sexy and knew exactly what he wanted. And Emerson was just a down to earth single mom wanting the best for her little family. The chemistry between these two were so good and you knew they were going to be HOT together. This is definitely a series that I wont want to miss out on 😊 ♥

Read on behalf of
Fay’s Corner
Profile Image for Kari.
4,001 reviews95 followers
October 2, 2022
This was an adorable friends to lovers/age gap romance. I really enjoyed this couple. I was happy that they got over the age gap issue fairly quickly. I also enjoyed the relationship between Emerson and her daughter. This is a part of a larger series, so I'll probably go back and read the books before this one.
Profile Image for Dani.
1,688 reviews140 followers
May 31, 2022
Short and a little smutty. Just the way I like it.

Some parts got to be a smidge repetitive and holy cow there were a lot of names in the reunion chapter but this was cute.
Profile Image for World Of Books 65.
3,211 reviews60 followers
December 31, 2020
'Men of the Misfit Inn' is going to be one hell of a series - believe me you won't want to miss it!

The series has gotten off to the best of starts with 'Let It Be Me'. I am a sucker for an older woman younger man romance, in my opinion we don't get enough good ones of these Genre but Kait Nolan has produced one of the best I have read in ages and is worthy of the 5 star's I have given it. You won't do any better than start your reading in 2021 with this book!

"You're unapologetically you, flaws and all - and I find those pretty charming. That kind of confidence is sexy as hell."

Caleb and Emerson met when tragedy struck and Emerson lost her best friend in a car accident and became an instant mom to her 14 year god daughter Fiona. Caleb was at the scene of the accident and from that moment and for the next 4 years he has stayed close to Emerson and Fiona, but although Caleb's feelings for Emerson have grown over that time Emerson clearly put Caleb in the friends zone as she was 34 to his 24 when they meet.

Now with Fiona of to college Caleb thinks it's time to show his true feelings, but he knows Emerson inside out and knows this isn't going to easy. Emerson can't deny that Firefighter Caleb is not only one hell of fine man but he is caring and she doesn't know what she would have done without him over the years but she can't wrap her head around why someone as great as Caleb would want a woman 10 years older who hasn't even had a date in 4 years.

Kait Nolan tracked Emerson's and Caleb's rocky path to perfection she cleverly brought out all the insecurities that any woman would have and through Caleb dealt with them perfectly. The chemistry is off the charts but not tacky, the story flawless.

Well done - I can't wait for book 2.
Profile Image for Becky Claxon.
2,199 reviews18 followers
December 16, 2020
I have missed the siblings of the misfit inn. It was so good getting to know Caleb and reunite with some of the past characters. This book was so good. It had to be so hard for Emerson to raise her best friend’s teenager after the tragedy. I know the good part was that she met Caleb who was always there to help her. He made my heart melt with how wonderful he always was to Emerson and Fiona. The hard part for Caleb was loving Emerson, but just being there as a good friend. I am sure he was afraid to take the friendship to the next level when Fiona went off to college. I don’t know how I would feel if the man that wants to date me was eight years younger than me. I know Emerson had a problem with it. I would think it would have to be hard to stay away from him with how handsome he was and how attentive he was to Emerson. There are definitely some heart breaking scenes that broke my heart. This is such a wonderful romance. I strongly encourage you to read the book. I was given a copy and voluntarily wrote a review.
Profile Image for Kari Hansen.
12.2k reviews92 followers
January 8, 2021
Emerson and Caleb’s worlds collided on one of the most traumatic days of her life when not only did she lose to best friend but she is now a mother to her grieving teenage daughter Fiona. Caleb was not only the fireman who delivered the tragic news, but they have become good friends along the way.

Four years later Fiona is about to start the next stage of her life and Caleb is determined to show Emerson that they are destined to be more than friends. He has patiently waited as she needed to focus on Fiona, but he isn’t about to let her concerns about their age different and how she believes they are at different places in their life derail the future they could have together.

This is a heartwarming story about love, family and following your heart.
Profile Image for Lisa Benison.
567 reviews16 followers
December 30, 2020
Yum! Slow Burn - First of a new great new series...

Caleb and Emerson meet during the worst possible circumstances - yet he is there for her, and stays there for her for the next four years as she raises her best friend's orphaned daughter - as a friend. But of course they develop feelings for each other which slow burn as Fiona goes off the college and Emerson's nest empties. We even get to catch up with some old friends from the Misfit Inn series! Caleb, Emerson and Fiona are all wonderful characters with depth and made for a wonderful story. I can't wait for more in the series!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Jennie Fortna.
2,520 reviews29 followers
January 8, 2021
ARC for honest review with no compensation Received from BookSprout

Let it be Me is book 1 in the Men of Misfit Inn series by Kait Nolan and what a well written, older woman/younger man romance that takes us on a ride you don’t see coming!

The book starts with a tragedy that brings Caleb, Emerson and Fiona together, how the friendship develops then leads to more between Caleb and Emerson. He shows her that May/December relationships can work out. We also get to see some old friends from the Misfit Inn and catch upon their lives too.

Life changing events, tears, laughter, friendship, sexy times that lead you to finding your soulmate and your HEA!
Profile Image for Fierce Heroine.
416 reviews57 followers
November 6, 2022
2.5 🌟

I picked this one to read because I love age gap when the woman is older and also the hero is a firefighter...but idk...it was overly unrealistic, predictable and too sugary and at times very unnerving because the heroine was extra annoying with her insecurities. The hero is what they call them now a "golden retriever" and even though I love them good, he needed some backbone. The ending was rushed.

• age gap (she's 36 and he's 28)
• single mom ( foster parent)
• heroine is narrator for Romance audiobooks
• hero is a firefighter
• neighbors/friends to lovers
• secret pining & he falls first
• surprise baby
Profile Image for Maggie Robinson.
203 reviews18 followers
January 10, 2021
I don’t think I’ve read a Kait Nolan book before now, and I feel like I’ve missed out.

Let it be Me was a bit of a tear jerker that wound itself into one of the best warm and fuzzy reads I’ve had in my Kindle for a while.

Let it be Me is the first book in a new series for Ms. Nolan. This story introduces us to Emerson, Caleb and Fiona.

Emerson is a voice over actress in her late twenties. Her best friend, Paisley, is a vivacious romance writer. Our story starts off with Paisley pulling Emerson out of her shell for a night of socialization. Within the space of a few hours of being out, Emerson’s life is radically rearranged.

A heart breaking emergency brings Caleb into Fiona and Emerson’s lives. Meeting these two women at their lowest points sticks with Caleb, eventually changing his life as well.

Fiona the young teen who reminds Caleb of himself and Emerson the young woman who becomes a mom in an instant dig themselves into his heart.

Caleb starts off as a friend who stops by to make sure the ladies are surviving and slowly winds up being a huge support to both of these women as they grow and heal.

The main plot movement begins with Fiona reluctantly moving out to attend college. Emerson is back to being just Emerson for the first time in years. Suddenly Caleb isn’t just that support person, he’s that good looking younger man who lives next door and may want more than friendship with Emerson.

Ms. Nolan takes on a lot in this book. For all that it is a slow burn friends to lovers it is also a delayed coming of age story for Emerson. A life that was stalled in her twenties is now open to her again. Emerson tries to remember what it was that younger Emerson wanted out of life and why she wanted it. She also needs the reminder that while she’s raised a teen - she isn’t the same as her teen’s friends parents. Maybe dating a younger man isn’t as reality TV plot line creepy as she thinks it is.

Caleb’s story arc helps Ms. Nolan continue her theme of “family is what and who we make it to be”. Caleb was orphaned as a teen. Shoved into the foster system, he landed with an unicorn of a foster mother. The warm loving gem who nurtured and cared for all the kids under her roof. Adopting those who needed it or wanted it. His foster mom left a legacy of love, acceptance, and looking outside of the norm for your people and for love.

Through Caleb, Emerson meets his large extended family which includes a famous singer of a brother, a YouTube star, a sister who married a close friend in order for the sister could finish an adoption for her mom and many others. These characters are all intriguing and all give little glimpses into their back stories. Particularly the country music star with way too much stubbornness. I hope there’s a book for that story in the future.

Caleb and Emerson are likable, flawed, individuals who the reader can immediately relate to and hopefully fall in love with.

Caleb with his quiet ways of making sure his girls are cared for - by forming a friendship with Fiona. Allowing her to know that she isn’t the only one in the world to face her losses and issues. To seeing Emerson as a determined woman set on being the best mother she can be. He makes sure she has outlets for stress, helps coparent in the small and big ways. He also reminds her that she is a person outside of being Fiona’s mom. He builds himself into their worlds so that when the shift from neighbor Caleb to lover Caleb occurs it occurs almost seamlessly.

Caleb and Emerson don’t fall into the “perfect” romantic relationship easily. Emerson has her insecurities regarding dating a “younger” man. Caleb has worries that Emerson will give up on them too easily. They both worry about what they want from life and if the other can live up to those wants.

Combined with an absolute riot of a rescue dog, a universe intent to undo any and all grand romantic plans in the most epic of ways there is the perfect amount of laugh to go with the tears and make the steamy in the story even better.

Based on this book I’ve added Ms. Nolan to my Goodreads. I don’t want to say goodbye to the Misfits and I really want to know more about Caleb’s family. I’ll be reading through the books I’ve been missing.

I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a feel good, yet realistic, romance with engaging characters. The plot moves well without any dragging or arc issues. It naturally introduces both past characters and potential new ones. I left this book with a smile on my face, a warm feeling in my chest, and a hope that there will be more from this series. Well done Ms. Nolan!
Profile Image for Kirsty & Erin Muir.
1,388 reviews75 followers
January 8, 2021
Emerson finds herself Mum to her goddaughter after her best friend loses her life in a tragic car accident. With support from her neighbour, sexy Firefighter Caleb, she's raised Fiona and now she's off to college and it's time for Emerson to get her life back. From the word go this was an emotional rollercoaster. I really enjoyed the dynamics of so many aspects of this. I loved the age-gap between Emerson and Caleb. The way it was handled and Emerson coming to terms with the gap and how irrelevant it was, was really sweet.

I loved Caleb's character and how he'd really committed to playing the long game with Emerson. He was mature enough to put his feelings on the back burner until the timing was right for everyone.

This was the first I've read by Kait Nolan but I'm really intrigued by some of the siblings stories so I'll definitely be looking in to some of her others.
Profile Image for Jen.
2,153 reviews155 followers
November 30, 2022
This is Romance Light. Kind of like Diet Coke - you get all the flavor but none of the real weight or steam. I liked it for that very reason. Nothing was too much, too over the top, or put in there just for shock value.

It's just a nice May-December romance (she's 8 years older than him) about friends who discover that they're in love. No big angst thing - ok well there is a little angst but it doesn't take over the story - nothing that digs into your heart and wrenches it out. Just a sweet story about two people finding their way.

Amy McFadden was fantastic on the audio. I loved the dedication.
Profile Image for Coco.V.
50k reviews124 followers
Want to read
January 2, 2022
🎁 FREE on Amazon & on Apple iBooks today (1/2/2022)! 🎁
Profile Image for Linda.
2,309 reviews58 followers
August 25, 2023
So sweet

This is just the sweetest romance. I enjoyed the characters and reading their story. Some predictable spots along the way and a happy ending.
Profile Image for Susan Marie Ballain.
621 reviews
September 29, 2025
Let it Be Me

This is a swoon worthy small town romance that is an age gap that has all the feels you need!
I love Kait Nolan books! She never disappoints me!
Profile Image for Books on Stereo.
1,391 reviews171 followers
April 15, 2022
Let It Be Me is guilty of recycling plot points to either further the characters' development or add tension. Overall, this is a perfectly fine small town romance with well rounded characters.
168 reviews
August 1, 2022
This is the first of Kait Nolan's that I read - and she had me hooked! Caleb and Emerson's story starts out tragically but turns into a love story that only Caleb knows about. He's hidden behind his love for Emerson and Fi in order to help them get past tragedy and growing pains. Love the link to the Misfits!
Profile Image for Jamie Mezei.
5 reviews
February 3, 2022
Good for college aged romance, but very unrealistic and cringy moments at times.
1 review
July 11, 2022
great read

The book was so enticing I couldn’t put the book down. Had me on the edge of my seat the entire time.
Profile Image for Aaly.
1,358 reviews56 followers
August 7, 2021
This story was an emotional and heartwarming journey for sure!

Emerson’s world changed in a blink of an eye when she became the guardian of her best friend’s daughter, Micah. Fiona became her priority and raised her like her own daughter. Little did she know that the man who was there from the first time who would be more than just a friend.

This story melted my heart. As a single mother, Emerson was only focused on her daughter, her job as a book narrator and putting at distance the man who was naturally a constant in their lives, the one who was there the first time, the one who hold her in his arms when she lost her best friend, and always there for them in spite of his job.

Caleb has developed strong feelings for them, more like a big brother to Fiona and a best friend for Emerson. Four years ago he met the woman of his dreams but knowing definitely she wasn’t at the same place yet. Waiting for her to finally see him more than a friend and that man was willing to take his time.
Damn my heart…Devoted to Emerson and Fiona, caring, supportive and showing every day how much he cared. I appreciated his sensibility and loyalty.

Emerson has always felt that something when he was around. He was easily to talk to, to rely on but Caleb was friendzoned from the beginning. Their age difference was an issue, what people would think about their relationship. Well it was almost doomed from the start. When raising a teenager as a single mom didn’t leave much space for anything else. As much as I could understand her struggles and her devotion, it seemed like she lost a little of herself in the way, as a woman.

Their story wasn’t filled with tons of drama, but just about two people who endured a lot and learned to trust again. I adored Caleb’s persistence and determination to win the girl for the long haul. Letting her settle the pace, to let him in. I’m gonna say that this one was a challenge for both. Things were going to happen in a natural way, with ups and downs, with relatable characters. It was effortless to fall for them and the supportive characters as well.

It was a story filled with so much love, plenty of emotions and great storytelling. I was rooting for Caleb from the first pages to get the HEA they deserved.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 334 reviews

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