Meet Me in the Margins: A Sweet Workplace Rom-Com for People Who Love Books

"Meet Me in the Margins is a delightfully charming jewel of a book that fans of romantic comedy won't be able to put down!" --Kristy Woodson Harvey, New York Times bestselling author of A Happier Life

You've Got Mail meets The Proposal--this romance is one for the books.

Savannah Cade's dreams are coming true. The Claire Donovan, editor-in-chief of the most successful romance publishing company in the country, has requested to see the manuscript Savannah's been secretly writing. The only problem: she's an editor for a different company, and their philosophy is only highbrow works are worth printing and romance should be reserved for the lowest level of Dante's inferno.

But when Savannah drops her manuscript during a staff meeting and nearly exposes herself to the whole company--including William Pennington, the new boss and son of the romance-despising CEO herself--she has no choice but to hide the manuscript in a hidden room.

When she returns, she's dismayed to discover that someone has not only been in her hidden nook but has written notes in the margins--quite critical ones. But when Claire's own reaction turns out to be nearly identical to the scribbled remarks, and, worse, Claire announces that Savannah has six weeks to resubmit before she retires, Savannah finds herself forced to seek the help of the shadowy editor after all.

As their notes back and forth start to fill up the pages, however, Savannah finds him becoming pivotal not just to her work but her life. There's no doubt about it: she's falling for her mystery editor. If she only knew who he was.

Meet Me in the Margins is a delightful rom-com that combines the witty banter and tension of You've Got Mail with the clean and heartwarming romance found in Katherine Center's novels. With its fun premise and charming characters, this book is perfect for book clubs and girls' nights. Plus, it includes discussion questions to spark engaging conversations about love, literature, and the power of second chances.

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Published Feb 15, 2022

320 pages

Average rating: 6.81

57 RATINGS

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Community Reviews

raeallic
Oct 09, 2025
8/10 stars
What an absolutely adorable read! Savannah and William's life is full of complications, expectations, and reality checks. Savannah wants nothing more than to become an accomplished romance author, she wants her story out there for the masses. She wants to show women everywhere they are treasured for who they are faults and all. William on the other hand is trying to save his mother's business. As a former editor to a posh New York company, he's returned home to help breathe life back into Pennington Publishing. Trying to right the wrongs, keep the business and its employees together. This isn't stressful enough for these two, enter Fergus - Savannah's ex and future brother-in-law, a mystery editor, a budding friendship, and that god-awful thing known as misunderstandings and you have yourself a truly enchanting story. I loved this meet-cute, from the very beginning. From the moment William meets Savannah, I am rooting for them, and as their budding relationship grows into something, you are blessed with their growth, as individuals, and as a pair. Really loved it, and know you will too.

Thank you @NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the opportunity to read the advanced copy!

#MeetMeInTheMargins #NetGalley
abookwanderer
Oct 09, 2025
8/10 stars
I always find it hard to resist books about books. Especially ones set in the publishing world. I love the glimpse behind closed doors, getting even a fictionalized version of how a book is born. Throw in a love story and I’m in my happy place.

Meet Me in the Margins is a heart-warming, light read, perfect for when we need a romance with an uplifting and positive experience.

Savannah Cade is a people pleaser. Which makes her good at her job keeping authors happy at Pennington, the selective publishing house where she works. She’s also loyal. To her friends and her family. Even the younger sister (and her roommate) who is currently engaged to Savannah’s ex-boyfriend. But she’s also secretly writing a romance novel, a genre that is not allowed by Mrs. Pennington, the CEO at her publishing house.

After an unfortunate first meeting with the new VP, Mrs. Pennington’s son Will, Savannah stashes her secret manuscript in a hidden room at the publishing house she thought only she knew about, then discovers it the next day with notes in the margins. After initially being outraged, she realizes she could use the help and a clandestine editing exchange begins.

I enjoyed the witty exchanges on the manuscript and how Savannah and her secret editor grow more confident in their exchanges, revealing more and more about their personal lives to each other. And as Savannah’s confidence in her story grows so does her confidence in her personal life.

This first person, single point of view romance is a quick read and could easily be finished in one day. It’s set in Nashville, Tennessee, mostly through the month of February, which means a cute Valentine’s Day addition to the story, as well. And if you prefer your romances less steamy, this one is a solid PG.

Meet Me in the Margins had me smiling, loving the peek into the publishing world, with the secret editing exchanges and the hidden room being the cherries on top. I was rooting for lovable Savannah to find her footing at work and in her family, to finally get the recognition she deserved. A bookish romance guaranteed to warm your heart!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to Thomas Nelson Fiction and Netgalley for providing me with an advance copy.

Check out my reviews and playlists at A Book Wanderer

#popsugarreadingchallenge2022 (prompt #25 - A book about a secret)
TJDee
Jul 12, 2024
10/10 stars
Loved this - Cute, light hearted and a joy to go back to each chapter!!
LMahoney
Jan 26, 2024
8/10 stars
Predictable but very cute.
Leeafish
Nov 04, 2023
8/10 stars
I’m giving this an 8 because it was funny, cute and CLEAN!!!!! Thank you Melissa Ferguson for realizing your readers can use their own imagination!

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