You Met Me There by Abigail Nadine: Book Review

 **ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own. 

The Book

Ten years ago, Natalie felt trapped living in Maple Lake. When love at first sight became her opportunity to be whisked away, she took it, leaving behind a simple note for her parents, but nothing more. No real goodbye. No explanation. Just a tight hold on the thread that tied her to Luke.

Now, that thread is fraying. While the pillars of their love still hold strong, his constant dismissal of her one request can no longer be ignored. Natalie is desperate to chase her heart’s desire no matter what it takes, even if it’s a road trip home where she doesn’t know if she’ll be welcome.

Escaping back to Maple Lake after all these years, with emotional baggage under each arm and anxiety a constant companion, Natalie has more than just her own heart to mend. She must face the family she abandoned and the choices that haunt her. And when Luke follows her home, it’s the choices she makes now that will keep them together or push them farther apart.

Natalie wants a future that includes kids, and Luke isn’t sure he can give it to her. Is their love strong enough to keep them together for better or worse?

This is a small town, marriage in crisis romance that can be read as a standalone. Otherwise, it is best read as book 2 in the Hearts of Maple Lake series. It's set in a Pennsylvania mountain town during the summer and features strong sibling bonds, mental health representation, and steamy kisses with no spice.

The Author

Abigail Nadine learned of her love for reading in the early years of middle school, but never imagined she’d write a book of her own. She graduated in 2016 with two Bachelor’s of Science degrees in math and science education, then worked as an ophthalmic technician for several years. Although she doesn’t teach in the classroom or work in the medical

field now, she enjoys reading and writing about those who do. Originally from Pennsylvania, she began writing in 2024 after moving to Kansas with her husband and two children.

Abigail is an author of swoon-filled, closed-door romance books that are full of heart, struggle, and happily ever afters. When she’s not writing, she can most likely be found reading a romance or fantasy book, sipping coffee, playing with her kids, cuddling her dog, Calvin, and most certainly always avoiding the laundry.

Book Review

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. 

You can purchase your copy here: https://amzn.to/44nDhVk