Gah! This book! Actually this entire series! They have each been 5 stars for me, and clearly this author knows how to get to me. I put off reading this book, even though I've had it for quite a while. I have a love/hate relationship with second chance romance, and how it makes me feel. THE ANGST! It's just not my favorite. But, I should have known to trust this author, and her awesome words. This book made me feel so much, and I am so glad I read it.

Aubrey Gates is a mess. She has a complicated, stiff-upper-lip type family, and she is just not very in touch with expressing her emotions. She's a great divorce lawyer, but her own marriage failed when she couldn't open up about a devastating loss. She never told her grandmother, her most beloved and favorite family member, about the divorce, and now Libby's turning 90 over Thanksgiving weekend, and Aubrey has to go back to Boston. But, Aubrey's broken her arm, and can't drive. She also has an older cat who doesn't like to be left alone. And Aubrey's afraid of flying. So, what's a girl to do? Apparently, allow her ex-husband to drive her to Boston from Chicago, and attend her gram's birthday, as if they never split. Surely that will all work out fine, right??

Grant Lincoln is a great divorce lawyer. He is partners with Max and Lucas (the heroes of books 1 & 2, respectively) in their own firm, and he loves his job. He was always top of his class, and the law has always come easy to him. He's from Georgia, but he came to Chicago for law school and never left. He was raised by a teenage single mom, and she loves him fiercely, as he does her. He doesn't understand acting like feelings aren't there, or leaving things unsaid. He never wanted a divorce, but he didn't see any other way. Aubrey was always his dream, and when the hurt was too much, he didn't know what to do, except for let go. It's been 2 years since they first separated, and it has only just started to get a little easier to see her, in the courtroom, or out socially. When the opportunity arises for him to be alone in the car with her, and her crazy cat, for 3 days, he jumps at it. He just knows with a little time, and forced proximity, he can make her see that they can still heal things.

Grant and Aubrey's loss weighed heavily on me, as I've had a pregnancy loss myself. It was early on, but it still hurts, just as theirs did. But, they had different ways of dealing with their grief. And they both felt guilt over the loss, and if there was something they could've done differently to prevent it. They didn't know how to be around the other, and Grant wanted to talk through it, and go to counseling, while Aubrey wanted to act like it never happened. Neither of them could participate in the other's process the way they wanted to, due to the differences, and finally it caused them to break. Aubrey always felt she didn't deserve Grant, and their loss just seemed to reinforce that idea for her. Grant only ever wanted Aubrey, and when she pulled away emotionally after the miscarriage, he kept trying to reel her back in, only to feel her slipping through his fingers. Finally, he wanted to stop more pain for her, so he walked away.

Grant and Aubrey still had chemistry like whoa (that was never their problem), and watching them reconnect was bittersweet. They really needed to be talking, but sex opened up their emotional connection again, which led to some big revelations. Their connection was hard to deny, and when they finally opened up fully, some things were revealed that hurt them even more, but healed them too. I loved watching them come back together, even when it hurt.

Aubrey's family was a hot mess. Her mother cold, her father a serial philanderer, her older brothers entitled brats. But her grandmother was her saving grace growing up, and still is. Grant's mother was his biggest supporter, and raised him alone. When she finally met and married her husband, and had a daughter, now 8, Grant was thrilled to have her settled and happy. Grant and Aubrey were both a product of their environment growing up, good and bad. They loved each other so much, and that sometimes led to them making choices for the other, thinking they were doing what was best. They really had to find a way to be completely honest and open with each other, to blow everything up, before it could get better. It was painful to witness, but there were some magic moments too, and I loved it so much.

While this story was painful, it was also sweet, and sexy, and fulfilling. I laughed, and cried, and sighed, and felt ALL THE FEELS. Kate Meader always brings me all the feels, and I'll never put off reading one of her books again! I highly recommend this entire series. Each book was different, but at their heart, they were the same, and I adored them all.

Loved, loved, loved! Grant and Aubrey's story hit all the emotional buttons. For these two high powered attorneys not only is divorce their profession but it's what they are personally. They hold no punches in the courtroom but in private communication is a real problem. It's clear that the fire between them still burns brightly but they have no idea how to get back what they once had. I thought the author did a great job of keeping their story light and fun while dealing with some pretty heavy baggage from their past. A hilarious road trip, a meddling grandmother, and a crazy cat is enough to drive these two together and force them to deal with each other. You will want to read this one to see exactly how things work out. I definitely recommend it.

Finally! I have been waiting to hear Grant's story since we first met him in Down With Love, book #1 in the Laws of Attraction series. I knew his relationship with his ex had a story behind it, and what a story it is!

We are given the chance to witness hulking Southern gentleman Grant meeting petite Bostonian Aubrey, and their blossoming relationship. The struggles that they each went through before meeting, and the ones that continued through the marriage. It's not linear, so some may have an issue with that, but I liked the way the moments from past mirrored events in the present. For all that they loved banter, flirting, and debating - making their careers in the courts of law, where words are weapons sharper than knives - the two sadly weren't always good at communicating their every day thoughts and feelings.

The pain that Grant and Aubrey went through - are still going through - is heartbreaking. No one should have to go through what this couple did. And I did have some issues with the way Aubrey handled things, even knowing her background and familial relationships. (Interestingly enough, although women are known as the more emotional sex, this is the second book I've read this year where the woman stuffs her emotions away rather than dealing with the issue. The cause of the relationship dissolving is the exact same, as well.)

Once again Meader captures the anguish of the cause of their breakup, and the suffering that they continue to deal with years later, with much skill and authenticity. Two people who relied on each other for everything, now have to go it alone. My heart ached for them. At times I wanted to in turns rage against their stubbornness, and weep for them. Especially Aubrey and the feelings of inadequacy that were instilled in her by her dysfunctional family.

I loved the way familiarity between Grant and Aubrey, and the way they slowly opened up to one another. I loved the humour that was sprinkled throughout, from Max and Lucas on down to Grandma Libby. I was not a fan of the subplot with her father (so cliche, and hurtful), but I liked how her mother tried to make small amends.

Was I happy with the secrets that were kept from one another? No, certainly not. But I could see where the decisions came with good intentions. Was I happy with the predictability of some situations? No, definitely not. But in this genre it's often hard to avoid all cliches; it's how each author chooses to deal with them that indicates skill and talent. Meader definitely has both.

While I'm sad that this trilogy is complete, I have thoroughly enjoyed each and every book. I am looking forward to what the author has in store for us next.

This was my first book by this author. That being said, I didn't know what to expect, but I loved the blurb and decided I wanted to give it a try. I am so glad I did. I absolutely loved it. It was emotional and sweet and so much fun. I was completely pulled into this journey with these characters and I am so looking forward to going back and reading more from this author. Beautiful story.

As a relatively new author to me, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Wow, even if my expectations were high, this story would have exceeded any limit! I was not prepared for the intense emotions from this story. While it is a story of second chances, it is also a story of the importance of communication between lovers and friends. As lawyers, they have learned not to always share everything they know and that became the reason for their split. But perseverance is also a trait they share and it brings them back together. Not having read the previous two books in the trilogy did not matter with this story. Get out the box of tissues for this one!

I received an ARC from the publisher for an honest and unbiased review. No compensation was promised or received for this review.

Title Then Came You
Author: Kate Meader
Publisher: Loveswept
Series: Law Of Attraction # 3
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:

"Then Came You: A Laws of Attraction" by Kate Meader

My Rationalization:

'Then Came You' was quite an interesting read from the first page till the end. We find Aubrey Gates and Grant Lincoln who at one time meant everything to each other, now divorced, but till clashed in the courtroom. Due to Aubrey injury to her arm and her not being able to drive, a trip will cause these two [Aubrey & Grant] to be thrown together along with her cat Damon, due to Aubrey's grandmother's 90th birthday which was during Thanksgiving. All I can say is a lot will go on during that trip from Chicago to Boston where lots of secrets will come out from these two. Will this get these two be able to talk and get back together again? Be ready for a roller coaster of emotions, with some witty banter, aggravation, and annoying moments that will come out from this well-written story with some complexed characters especially from Aubrey's family. You will find this a beautiful romance that was somewhat heartbreaking but in the end giving the reader a beautiful ending for these two in this second chance romance.

Thanks, NetGalley. I voluntarily reviewed this book in exchange for an honest review.

I have read from Kate Meader once before and loved the book, so when I got the opportunity to read another I couldn't wait to start Then Came You.

In this book you meet Aubrey and Grant, who are both top attorneys in Chicago. Working at top tier firms they both go up against each other regularly. The only exception in their case, is that they used to be married. Two years early their relationship took a turn and they both threw in the towel.

In a twist of events, Grant volunteers to drive Aubrey home for Thanksgiving. This sets the book up for the rest of the story. Aubrey grew up with money but shes always felt she wasn't good enough for Grant. But with that said she hasn't had the best upbringing, that carried over into adulthood and ultimately into her relationships. And the events from their past still sticks in her mind everyday.

But Grant is an optimist and vows to get his wife back. For all intents and purposes, he is very attentive and kind of a bad-ass. I loved his view on life and their relationship. Just when you think all hope is lost there is a little light in the darkness. And that was Grant.

In a nutshell, I love the writing and the flow of the story. I do recommend this book if you love books that delve into the backstories of the main characters and what makes them tick.


4 Stars From Me

ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest, voluntary review.

I've been waiting for Grant and Aubrey's story since the beginning of the series, and not so patiently waiting for their secrets about what lay behind the divorce. Boy, did they ever deliver! I felt like this pair had my heart in their hands and would alternately squeeze and stroke depending on where I was in their story. Dramatic much? Definitely, when it comes to these two, but it's hard not to be as they make their journey toward that second chance. I'm a sucker for second chance love stories anyway, so this one had me from the get-go. Add in Grant's Southern boy charm and I was a goner. I won't say that this one is more emotional than the others in the series, but it's a different type of emotion, and if you've ever been through what Grant and Aubrey have, you'll understand what I mean. With that said, I spent a good deal of this book wanting to hug Grant while itching to shake Aubrey til her teeth rattled. Not that she was solely at fault, but I so wanted her to see what was right in front of her, or better yet, to say so. In the end, both were to blame for the break-up and both had to come to grips with that to get the relationship back. In essence, some meeting in the middle was required, and when these two met, the chemistry would knock your socks off. In addition to the emotional storm of Then Came You, we also get loads of Kate Meader's wit and humor to temper the angst, plus a cranky feline who causes his own bit of trouble along the way. I've loved each couple in this terrific series, but Grant and Aubrey are my faves by far, and just one more reason this author is a must read for me.

3 stars. This book was pretty good, but I didn't like the end as much as the beginning. Then Came You is Grant and Aubrey's story. Grant and Aubrey are a divorced couple. They are both lawyers working at different firms in the same building and they share mutual friends, so they see each other often but are not friendly. But, despite the fact it's been several years since they broke up, Grant learns that Aubrey's grandmother doesn't know they are divorced and expects them both to attend her birthday party across the country. He knows Aubrey is very afraid to fly so he volunteers to help her out by driving her to Boston and pretending they are still together. Also, he secretly wants to clear the air between them and discover what really happened to their marriage. As the two spend time together on their road trip, they discover their feelings haven't gone away and they manage to heal together so they can begin their relationship again.

I liked the premise of this book and the story. I started out liking Grant and Aubrey, but grew to not like him in the end. As the book goes on, we come know what happened to end their marriage in the first place. Grant blamed the ending of the marriage on Aubrey and held a grudge against her for it. But, to me, it was very much Grant's fault . Aubrey did not give up on the marriage, Grant did. But he blames it on her for the whole book and she accepts the blame. It made me so mad at him and I ended up hating him. I felt so bad for Aubrey. I felt she deserved an apology and some grovel. I wasn't sure I believed that their relationship might not fall apart again for the similar reasons (like Grant giving up). That all pretty much ruined my enjoyment of the book, which was a shame because up until all of what happened in the past came to light (and we can see it's not all Aubrey's fault), the book was really good to me and would have been a 4 star read.

So, while this book kind of went downhill on the enjoyment scale for me as it went on, I still enjoyed most of it. What didn't work for me may still work for you. I still enjoy Ms. Meador's work and I will give her books another try in the future.

*scroll to the bottom for content warnings*
Trope: second chance
Cover rating: 4 stars
Book description accuracy: accurate to the point I got *see below*
General review:
I absolutely love Kate Meader- her Chicago Rebels series is a must-read IMO. I love her writing style and how she gets you to care about all the characters. That said, this book was a DNF for me. Not because it was bad, but the topics were too much of a trigger for me. I don't typically get triggered so that speaks to the level of writing by Meader! Second chance stories are not usually my cup of tea, but I gave it a shot because I'm such a fan. If you don't mind a bit of heart wrenching with your romance, give this a shot. But if the content warnings speak to any personal experience you may want to pass this one up and go pick up another Meader title instead.

POV: 1st, both H & h
Content warnings: divorce, miscarriage
I received an ARC in exchange for my fair and honest review.
#ThenCameYou #NetGalley

If you've read other books in this series, you know Aubrey and Grant. Once married, they've been divorced for about a year but the air still sizzles when they're together. At the end of "Illegally Yours," Aubrey showed up to a wedding with her arm in a cast refusing to explain what had happened to her. Grant is understandably worried about how she's going to get back to her parents for Thanksgiving. She can't drive, she doesn't like to fly, and the aging cat Aubrey refuses to leave behind won't be allowed on the train. So he does what any sane person would do, he offers to drive her over to Boston himself and then pretend to still be married for her nearly ninety-year-old grandmother's benefit. It works... a little too well.
This book would have benefitted a LOT from more growth on Grant's part. Dude was unbending and uncompromising the entire book. Everything that happened was Aubrey's fault and they couldn't get back together until she was "healed." He was the white knight there to rescue her rather than helping her figure it out on her own and he wasn't really able to step back enough to allow her to figure it out her way, it all had to be his.
I really like Meader's books in general but this one was just okay. Only the writing saved it from being a two star book for me.

Three stars
This book comes out May 7
ARC kindly provided by publisher and NetGalley
Opinions are my own

This was an entertaining, well-written contemporary romance. Aubrey is a successful divorce lawyer - and so is her ex-husband, Grant. She needs to go home for her grandmother's birthday party, but hasn't told her grandmother about her divorce. Aubrey and Grant drive from Chicago to Boston together, and everything boils over. These two were so great together! There was a full range of emotions from sadness, to heartbreak, to grief, to lust, to fun, to love. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more books by this author.

Heart Wrenching & Heartwarming ! This brought all the emotions! This story. will break you, melt you and inspire you. You will become wrapped up in Aubrey and Grant’s story like no other. There dialogue is sassy, endearing, sarcastic and full of animosity. These two have a history that led to a divorce, but their love for each other is still evident in their actions and words.

Grant’s southern gentlemen ways and demeanor is just so charming you really wonder what went down between them. I loved Grant! Still so in love and lust for Aubrey. Aubrey was so fierce and independent that she still didn’t want to face what happened as she chases perfection in everything. But what emotions this story brings. Loved it! May have triggers for some.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I haven't read anything by this author before, but the synopsis was intriguing.  And now, I'm kicking myself, because I've clearly been missing out!

I found myself really enjoying this book.  There were humorous elements to the tale, but they were interspersed with a strongly emotional narrative which gave the book added depth and heart.  

And as for this couple?  OK, Aubrey is a far more frustrating character than I expected her to be, and yet, in the context of the story, it works.  

I'll definitely be looking out for more books from this author.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.

Then Came You is the third in a set of interconnected stand alone books featuring Chicago based divorce lawyers. This installment features Grant and Aubrey, two secondary characters that we have been following - and that were once married to each other.
Ms Meader does an excellent job of setting Grant and Aubrey’s story up so that their book truly is independent in the series (but reading the other books does make this a stronger read.)
This is probably the most emotional book of the series, as would be expected from two divorced people who actually still love each other. I appreciated the care that went into unpacking the issue (s) that caused Grant and Aubrey’s separation and the work they were willing to do once they decided to fix things.
Families played a large part in the secondary cast, as well as Max and Lincoln from the first two books. Not only did I truly enjoy the story encapsulated in Then Came You, it was also an excellent conclusion to the series.

Incredible journey for an amazing couple that found love but then the challenges of marriage got in the way. Aubrey constantly strives for perfection, not letting emotion show, always trying to live up to some expectation set by her family. When she meets Grant, his open affection and ability to make her feel cherished shocks her. These two are true opposites but together they complement each other. But when life throws them a curveball, she doesn’t want to talk about it and Grant does which pushes them apart. Grant takes a chance and forces his way back into Aubrey’s orbit to drive her to Boston for her Grandmother’s birthday celebration. Will they be able to build back what they had? Or has love truly left them? A truly fabulous look at what it takes to make a marriage work and the hardships that many couples face along the way. I voluntarily read an ARC of this book and this is my honest review.

Loved this one...this is filled with sooooo many feelings. I am not even sure where to start. If you have read the previous two stories then you know that Grant and Aubrey are two divorce attorneys who were married to each other and are now divorced, the irony, right? Well, this is a great second chance romance story filled with anguish and misunderstanding all over the place. Most people would think that these two having seen and witnessed the pitfalls of divorce would know to get it right but all it proved, is that both Aubrey and Grant are human and much more susceptible to realizing that things often more than not, are harder to get through. I do not want to give away the reason why their marriage fell apart, suffice it to say, that it takes a lot of hard work to come from that place and I felt every emotion that they were going through. I am glad that, though filled with some angst, both of them were adult enough to realize the mistakes made and worked on getting it right the second time around. I totally adored Grant Roosevelt Lincoln, he is the true hero in my eyes and never really gave up, He set his course and he was wonderfully and totally in love with his wife. (awwwww). I loved seeing Charlie and Max, and laughed at Lucas and Trinity. This is a wonderful read. Kudos for a fantastic epilogue! 4.5 stars for Georgia and Bean*****

******I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book provided by NetGalley*****

A raw and poignant love story filled with second chances and steamy sex scenes. This is a story that will have you constantly flipping pages until it's all over.

It's been a while since I have read a Kate Meader book, and now I'm wondering why that is. THEN CAME YOU is such an amazing story. This book is unprofound, and so real.

These characters have stolen my heart and touched me deeply. I'm off to binge more of Kate Meader's amazing words!

One of my favorite tropes is a second chance romance. Meader does not disappoint with Aubrey and Grant. I liked both Aubrey and Grant and even though they are now divorced you could still see the attraction between them. As you move through the story Aubrey and Grant's past slowly unfolds as to what happened and why it fell apart. It was quite emotional.

Aubrey and Grant take a road trip from Chicago to Boston, but not without a few mishaps (and a crazy cat). Grant wants nothing more than to get back together with Aubrey. Aubrey wants Grant, but has a lot more issues she has to overcome in her way.

I was a little frustrated with everything that went down with Grant and Aubrey's grandmother, I don't want to say due to spoilers but honesty is the best policy and he should have come clean way sooner.

If you enjoyed the other books in this series you will definitely enjoy Then Came You.

I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley but all opinions provided are my own.

I’m going to put my cards on the table: I was nervous about reading Kate Meader’s THEN CAME YOU because I sometimes have a hard time with the second chance romance trope. There’s just something really sad to me about a once-happy-couple-splitting-up, especially if they were in love and something—usually major, and usually painful—just didn’t work out.

So I knew that this book would be hard to read. I also knew that Kate Meader is a beautiful writer.

Both of those things were true in this book’s case.

Then Came You features a strong heroine who is afraid of being vulnerable, and a southern lawyer who is determined to win said woman back over the course of a road trip to visit her grandmother—who happens to believe they are still married.

This is no cotton-candy-confection road trip. As they head closer to Boston, they excavate their painful past, none of their admissions coming lightly. Will it be enough to bring Aubrey and Grant back together? Or to drive them apart forever?

There’s some humor in this book; basically any scene with Aubrey’s cat is hilarious. But while the book is really well-written, with Meader’s trademark passion, depth, and sensitivity, the book felt more emotionally-devastating than her previous books, and that’s just not quite my thing when it comes to romance reading.

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Excluding my reading preferences, I also just felt that there was at least one instance at the end of the book when Aubrey took on/was given too much blame for the break-up of their marriage, and I didn’t feel like Grant quite did enough to acknowledge his own culpability. Without giving too much away, he gets mad that she didn’t reveal something—which to be fair, she should have—but at the same time, he doesn’t seem to acknowledge that had he shared his own secret, she probably would have shared hers.
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But the book ended on a high note for me, with a beautiful Epilogue that gave me all the feels.