Title: Meet Me in the Margins
Author: Melissa Ferguson
Genre: Romance
Published On: February 15, 2022
Publisher: Thomas Nelson Fiction
Source: digital
Pages: 336
Synopsis:
Savannah Cade is a low-level editor at Pennington Publishing, a prestigious publisher producing only the highest of highbrow titles. And while editing the latest edition of The Anthology of Medieval Didactic Poetry may be her day job, she has two secrets she’s hiding.
One: She’s writing a romance novel.
Two: She’s discovered the Book Nook—a secret room in the publishing house where she finds inspiration for her “lowbrow” hobby.
After leaving her manuscript behind one afternoon, she returns to the nook only to discover someone has written notes in the margins. Savannah’s first response to the criticism is defensive, but events transpire that force her to admit that she needs the help of this shadowy editor after all. As the notes take a turn for the romantic, and as Savannah’s madcap life gets more complicated than ever, she uses the process of elimination to identify her mysterious editor—only to discover that what she truly wants and what she should want just might not be the same.
Melissa Ferguson’s latest—a love letter to books, readers, and romance—will leave fans laughing out loud and swooning in the same breath.
My thoughts
(Spoiler free)
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.
“I don’t really need this job, do I? Really? I could just squat in my sister’s spare bedroom forever, wallowing in self-loathing while Mom and Dad tell Olivia, ‘Your sister just can’t cut it in the real world like you, honey. But remember, you do for family.'”
Melissa Ferguson, Meet Me in the Margins
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.
(All quotes are taken from the advance copy and are subject to change in final print.)
Rating:
Barnes and Noble | Kobo | Indiebound | Amazon
Levels inspired by The Well-Read Librarian from Sourcebooks
About the Author
Melissa Ferguson
Bestselling author Melissa Ferguson lives in Tennessee, where she enjoys chasing her children and writing romantic comedies full of humor and heart. Her favorite hobby is taking friends and acquaintances and turning them into characters in her books without their knowledge.
Connect with her (and prepare for the possibility of becoming her next character) at:
Instagram: @our_friendly_farmhouse
TikTok: @ourfriendlyfarmhouse
A Song For A Book
Melissa Ferguson mentions a few songs in Meet Me in the Margins. Country songs, of course, since our setting is in Nashville. I’ve chosen to highlight one of them, “Just Another Woman in Love” by Anne Murray.
I’m strong
I’m sure
I’m in control
A lady with a plan
Believing that life
Is a neat little package
I hold in my hand
I’ve got it together
They call me the girl
Who knows just what to say and do
Still, I fumble and fall
Run into the wall
‘Cause when it comes to you
I’m just another woman in love
Have you read Meet Me in the Margins? Or did you add it to your tbr? Let me know in the comments!
Happy Wandering!
I love that this is in first person! I might need to read it. Sounds good,
Yes! First person works great in this one!
This sounds like such a fun book. Can’t wait to read it. Great review as always.
Thank you! I hope you get to pick it up. <3
This sounds so cute! Now I just need to find the time (make the time) to read my preorder. 🙂
Yes! I would love to hear your thoughts on it!
I must look for this one, I think.
Yay! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.