Meet Me in the Margins was a solid 4 star read for me that I thoroughly enjoyed! First off - I love the cover!! Is there anything more exciting for an avid reader, than reading books about books, book stores, librarians, or editors/writers?

Meet Me in the Margins is a charming book about an assistant editor who dreams of writing her own book. She finds a secret room at her publishing house where she leaves a copy of her manuscript, to find that somebody else is using this secret room and has offered her advice by writing notes in the margins. You watch the back and forth discussion and sometimes banter as they take turns visiting the room and getting her manuscript ready to re-submit. She goes thru the guessing game, trying to figure out who her "secret" editor is as she falls for him.

It was very well written with great, likeable characters! Even the fitness obsessed sisters was likeable! It made me want to write a book and have a secret reading room and a secret editor! The descriptions were wonderful and I could picture this hidden room - especially as it was "jazzed up" with rugs, lights, etc. I also appreciated that this was a love story - but super clean! It would be great for all ages. I wouldn't be embarrassed to pass this one on to my grandma or recommend it to a friend's teenage daughter! :)

Thank you to Thomas Nelson Fiction & NetGalley for providing an ARC of Meet Me in the Margins.

***I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

3.5 stars

Very cute premise about an author, Savannah Cade, writing a debut novel in between her duties as an acquisitions editor at a publishing house. There's a subplot about an exercise obsessed sister who is engaged to Savannah's ex-fiance, Ferris. Savannah's family is pretty dismissive of her and dotes totally on the sister. Then, suddenly, at about the 90% mark, everything is wrapped up with a tidy bow. The HEA is just way too rushed. The epilogue wasn't very satisfying - very vague and for a "romance", not very romantic.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson-Fiction for the oppotunity to read a digital ARC in return for an honest review.

This story was just so sweet! I loved Savannah and was rooting for her from the beginning. The concept of having a mystery editor and forming a friendship through the margins of her manuscript was just so cute. I thought the secondary characters were all so fun and eclectic and really complimented the story and the development of Savannah and Will.

I really enjoyed this! I've had a tough run with romance novels and this completely changed that! It was nice to read a romance that didn't rely on cliches- rather I felt that it actively worked against them! The metafictive elements were also really interesting and could have been developed further (especially when the protagonist tries to publish her work). I felt Felix was a little underdeveloped as a character, but all the other characters were great.

Actual rating: 3.5 stars

For a romance book, there was a clear lack of actual romance. Nothing really happens until roughly 75% (and even then it’s mere hand-holding), and in fact I would even go so far as to say that the romance could’ve been a secondary plot. Mostly the book concentrates on Sav’s journey to becoming a published author, and it deals with family, a sister betrayal, and general lighthearted comedy. I think Sav’s voice was very strong and enjoyed reading from her POV.

This was such a cute, fun read! For literary lovers all around, this cute romance fit all the categories of a great romcom.

Savannah works at a publishing house known for it's aversion to romance and commercial fiction. When her new boss, Will, arrives to change things up, she starts to grow close to him, but she harbors a secret. She's been leaving her ROMANCE manuscript in a room for her secret, mysterious editor to help her finish and revise.

I really loved how the author went through all the possibilities of who the editor could be in Savannah's head so it wasn't like the main character was so clueless. It was really well-done, and I finished the whole book in one night!

I received a copy of this story from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a sweet, light romance for book lovers everywhere. Savannah and Will both work at a publishing house and there's a secret ARC room! I would love to visit that magical ARC room with a wheelbarrow.

The characters are great. They are solid and distinct and sometimes unlikeable, which is huge in my book. They're REAL. Will, Lyla, Olivia, Ferris, Giselle and Ms Pennington all add realistic elements to Savannah's story. They enhance it without distracting from Savannah herself.

The plot is simple and fairly predictable in the larger picture. Sure, certain scenes/events were unique and pleasantly surprising but on the whole, there was no mystery for me (even though it tries). It can be a bit preachy at times, too. It's enjoyable but definitely a mental sorbet kind of story for me. The combination of attempted mystery and an almost epistolary relationship meant that the romantic tension was very low. I didn't have much of an emotional connection to Savannah's romantic woes. I wanted to see her succeed professionally but that's it.

This isn't my favorite type of story but if you're the kind of reader who enjoys a sweet, fluffy, PG romance, this will be a perfect read for you.

What a delightful read this was! It'd be easy to say that it's predictable... which it kinda is, but I went into it expecting that. Wanting that. I needed a happily ever after.

The blurb suggests it's You've Got Mail meets The Proposal. I'm not entirely sure how it relates to the latter other than being about the book industry but it also reminded me of The Flatshare by Beth O'Leary, in which love grows from notes left between two people sharing a an apartment - albeit at different times so never meeting.

I think the thing I love about this book is that it's a reminder that (apparently) love can grow from non-physical attraction... via a meeting of the minds. I suspect I've always liked this idea and secretly hoped someone would be attracted to my personality and that the physical me wouldn't impede their growing affections. (Although a brighter and shinier personality probably would have helped! *grimaces*)

I mean, surely that means as you grow older and fatter and saggier, the love remains. Rather than fade along with the physical traits that attracted you in the first place.

I still remember being in my mid-late twenties before realising I could be attracted to someone because of their intellect when their physical self did nothing for me at all. (I should mention I didn't spend time with that person, rather they were running a workshop and I was very much drawn to them which was a bit of a change from the boofhead sporty types I'd liked until then!)

But, enough about me.

Although (a wee bit more about me)... as someone who potentially thinks about 'writing' a novel one day I liked that Ferguson didn't have Savannah offer up an amazing manuscript from the beginning. I liked that it's flawed and needs work. (And don't we all, really?!)

Which of course is where her mystery editor comes in. Although affronted initially, when they offer similar comments to the potential publisher she realises she needs help.

And in the background there's other stuff happening. Savannah's been determined to make her lead character 'normal' because that's just what she feels she is. Her sister and parents (and their parents) were / are all overachievers and Savannah feels as if she's the family disappointment. Even worse her long-term boyfriend actually left her for her little sister who's now a fitness influencer and constantly at Savannah to meet her exacting 'step' targets. (I initially wondered why Savannah was so anxious about the number of steps she'd done during the day until I met Olivia!)

I could easily point out that the improvements to the hiding spot Savannah and her mystery editor use are sure-fire indications as to their identity, or that colleague Lyla's introduction is a bit confusing as Savannah's just referenced her sister so I assumed Lyla was the sister.

But... all of that aside I ripped through this book in one contented sitting. It hovers somewhere between a 3.5 and 4 star read for me. I could see its flaws but enjoyed it nonetheless. And I felt at ease as I <del>turned the last page</del> closed the reading app on my iPad.

It was also a timely read as the Savannah's publishing company is one of those that prefers non-fiction (and probably dead Russian authors) and so there's a bit of commentary on genre fiction and commercial fiction. Which comes at a time when there's been controversy over a Sunday Times / The Times listing of the '33 best books of 2021' that includes various genres but not romance. The genre responsible for half of all books sold over the period that has seen the world beleaguered and beset by Covid.

As a complete aside, one of the things I love most about all of the new streaming services is that so many books are being adapted into movies or television series and I cannot help but think this would make a fabulous TV movie. (Assuming it's well-done of course!)

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Meet Me in the Margins by Melissa Ferguson

This was such an easy, quick rom com to read! I finished it in a few hours 😅 I loved some of the witty banter between Savannah and her “mystery editor”; I even cackled a few times. I enjoyed the mystery around the secret room and Savannah’s endeavor to write a romance novel. Furthermore, there were themes of acceptance and family that played out well throughout this book.

I liked seeing how the friendship between Savannah and Will progressed, but I do wish the ending wasn’t so abrupt and we got to see more of our love interests as a couple!

Thank you @netgalley and @thomasnelson for the #gifted e-ARC. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

(3.5/5 stars) Savannah is an assistant editor at a snooty publishing company (think: literary fiction and non-fiction ONLY, don't even THINK about mentioning romance or any other sort of lowbrow genre). Her secret? That she's been working on a romance novel, which she had to hurriedly leave in a secret room in the publishing company's mansion. Savannah comes back to find that a mysterious editor knows both her secrets, and has added notes to her manuscript.

What I liked: I enjoyed reading this novel! I thought the pace was good and the main character was endearing. I love a hidden room, and thought that the way that the author kept things interesting/mysterious was well done. I normally hate miscommunication tropes but I think it was alright in this situation to maintain the mystery. There was one scene (at the courthouse) that I loved (loved!) and wish that there had been more of that in the latter half of the book.

What I missed out on: I think any romance novel can be improved with a dual point of view, and this one is no exception. I wanted to know more about the love interest!! I also felt like the side story with Savannah's family was a little distracting; it should have either been wound in more, especially near the end of the book, or left out. It added to her character but also added in a lot of extra plot for me that was only partially resolved.

Thank you Netgalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for allowing me to read this ARC. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I wanted to read this book because the concept immediately spoke to me. The idea of editing a book and sending notes back and forth? Incredibly romantic... especially to a book lover.
However, I felt the idea fell flat. Our male protagonist was perfect in every way, which came off very unbelievable to me. The only drama we faced was our female protagonist guessed wrong on who her secret writer was. And that didn't fit with the smart and quick woman we had been introduced to.

Another thing I couldn't get past was how cringe-y it was for the male lead to fire/hire someone and her command. This is very unprofessional in the work place and could never happen in real life.

In all, I would recommend this to someone who was simply interested in a clean, perfect world romance. However, I couldn't overlook plot holes, lack of character development, instant love without knowing each other, everything balancing perfectly, etc. This novel was more hallmark move than realistic romance.

Thank you again for allowing me to read and give my comments.

This is the first book I've read by this author and I loved it! The underlying You've Got Mail vibes were familiar and fresh at the same time. Savannah and her struggles were relatable on many levels and her relationship with Will was perfect.

Meet Me in the Margins is a charming romantic comedy with a slow but steady plot and interesting main characters. I will definitely seek out more books by this author.

I adored the bookish themes (there is a secret book room! Fun!) This book is set in a publishing house and the character is writing her own manuscript. It was super engaging to “listen in” on how the character writes her book and the inner workings of a publishing company. I was worried the “writing about writing” would come off cloying but instead was one of my favorite parts of the book.

The romance is a super slow burn. I personally wouldn’t have minded a little more spice but to each their own! There is plenty of witty banter and a few laugh-out-loud moments. I’d love to read more about main characters, Savannah and Will.

Thank you to Net Galley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for a complimentary digital copy is this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Reading an advanced copy of an as yet unpublished romance novel that revolves around the attempt by the MC to get her romance novel published while working in publishing was, oddly, gratifying. Sure, it felt a little meta, but that’s what made it cool. I also really liked the fact that the romances within the novel were real…not perfect and shiny. And I always love when some of the love story is about family. Sisters and their folks. I dug it. 💜💜📚

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.


My favourite type of book is a book with a book in it. This didn't do it for me but it also wasn't bad. Meet Me in the Margins follows assistant editor, Savannah Cade as she works in the worlds most pretentious publishing house. Aside from editing books on gardening and the history of words she harbours a secret dream of becoming a published romance author. Skip a few things and now somehow, as if by magic, someone at work stumbles upon her manuscript in the hiding place she left it. They edit it and the rest is history.

The start was a bit rough. That could just be because I hate second-hand embarrassment so ill give it a pass.

Other than that this book was cute. I enjoyed the writing style as well as savannah's interaction with the love interest but I feel like the book ended right when they were getting good.

The secondary characters were lacking. I felt like they could have been developed much better instead of just fitting an archetype and leaving the reader to assume why they are the way they are. I'm fine without secondary characters not having conclusions to their story but I dislike when they are just there for shock value. For example, we briefly addressed how problematic her family was and then never addressed it again. I don't even know if Savannah grew or learnt from that because like I said we never circle back to that.


P.S: The book Savannah was writing was such trash im sorry I have to say it. Like every snippet we got was terrible. I don't even know what the editors saw in it.

This was a cute, very slow burn romance. Savannah is an editor at a publishing house that absolutely does not deal with commercial fiction, so when her brand new publisher, William Pennington, sees the first page of her secret romance manuscript she's certain she's about to be fired. Instead she finds a secret editor at the company who helps her polish her manuscript in secret all while the two get closer together over their notes.

So, this book is percepted as a Christian story about a writer's journey. At least, that was how my friends percepted it to me.
I enjoyed Melissa's writing a lot, her writing is really fun and fluid, which makes us read the books the Speedy way.
However, the characters felt a little flat to me. I did enjoy how they were normal, clean and tried having fun. But I feel like they needed more development.
Even so, if you love a gentle romance, this book is definitely for you!

Dreams come true. Dreams of a common person like you and me come true. Book devotees, and beautiful messages. This is in a few words what I found in this book

I felt so related to the main character that made me realize I have to keep going, I can not stop, I can not give up, no matter how harsh this long road has been.

In the beginning, I wasn't sure it was the right book for me but it turned out it had a lot to give. It made me feel I still have the right to dream and dream big, why not? Oh I know is fiction, but I also know is not impossible.

This was my welcome-to-2022-book, that simple. I hope I have the chance to read more books by this author, she gave me that one little kick that I needed.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

I loooooooooooooved this concept!!!!
Maybe it is because my husband is a writer and I leave notes on his manuscript 🤣Any book that has to do with authors/writers or that lifestyle always get me because of him.

Okay--to the romance! I enjoyed the chemistry between Savannah and Will is slooooow burn, but I enjoyed that. I also enjoyed the element of it being a mystery who was writing her notes on the manuscript for a bit.

If anything, this book could have been longer and I would have loved it more.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Expected Publication: February 15th 2022

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.
Meet Me in the Margins was my first book to read by this author and now I'm hooked. What a delightfully cozy romcom! The characters are entertaining and the conclusion held a bit of a surprise in the way she chose to wrap it all up. If you're looking for a fast read and a sweet little romance with humor, this book will do it.