Aubrey and Grant were married for seven years, the last two were extremely difficult. Now they are divorced and both of them are regretting it. Both are divorce lawyers and often are in opposite sides in the courtroom. When Aubrey miscarried, she lost it and withdrew from Grant. Not knowing how to reach Aubrey, he also withdrew and agreed to the divorce. Two years later and she’s all he can think about. Now he has an opportunity, Drive her from Chicago to her family home in Boston for Thanksgiving. Oh did I mention that Aubrey is afraid to fly, so that’s where I come in to save the day and try to get her back.

Aubrey was brought up in a wealthy life style, and a dysfunctional family. A father that constantly cheated on her mother, and a mother that was cold and distant, raised her to be independent. Instead of working in the family business, she stayed in Chicago after graduating from Northwestern

Grant wants to be there for Aubrey when she visits her parents. They are currently going thru a divorce but neither one wants to move out, making this a category five visit. Knowing this, makes Grant extremely happy he will be there to support Aubrey. Hoping that on their drive they can talk and hopefully start to mend the hurt they went thru.

I love everything Kate Meader writes.. it was a pleasure meeting her at the Romance Writers Conventions in Las Vegas a few years ago.

3.5 stars

Heat Factor: Orgasm central!
Character Chemistry: Irreconcilable emotional differences plus banging sexual compatibility
Plot: Divorced divorce lawyers take a road trip and rehash the demise of their marriage
Overall: Less light-hearted than expected, but still a rewarding read


From the blurb, I expected this to be a zany Fake Relationship slash Seducing My Spouse comedy. There would be witty quips and some steamy seduction scenes, and our protagonists would once again find their sexual mojo through their shared deception as they navigate a road trip and a birthday party.

That is… not exactly how this book goes. Aubrey and Grant never lost their sexual mojo, and not a lot of seduction needs to happen before they’re back in the sack together. Instead, they need to fix the emotional core of their relationship, which means that there’s a lot of introspection and self-flagellation and rehashing of past hurts. In other words, instead of a zany comedy, this book is an angst-fest.

Now, an angst-fest it not necessarily a bad thing, especially if the characters’ anxiety is deserved and if they process it in a thoughtful manner. In this case, Aubrey and Grant hash out some emotionally fraught stuff; specifically, a miscarriage and their dramatically different ways of dealing with the associated grief. Directly after the miscarriage, Aubrey wanted Grant to treat her like things were normal, instead of like she was suddenly delicate, and Grant wanted to talk through things. As Aubrey reflects at one point: “He wanted vivisection, I wanted a burial.” Meader treats both of these ways of grieving with empathy - even if the characters cannot immediately be empathetic to one another. Things get messy, but the reflection and emotional growth that occurs never feels forced or cheap. The conflict feels real.

Grant plays the role of Aubrey’s emotional savior. This gender role reversal made for a refreshing change of pace from the standard trope of the love of a woman fixing her damaged partner. However, Meader keeps things messy (a good thing!) by making the dynamic of Aubrey needing to open up emotionally more complicated. Some of Aubrey’s coping mechanisms are legitimate ways to deal with grief, and having a partner who tries to fix you emotionally seems like the fucking worst; on a related note, Grant definitely has white knight syndrome, and explicitly acknowledges that he has his own shit to work on.

My main criticism of Then Came You is that it felt a bit repetitive. The relationship unfolds through a series of flashbacks. Shortly after a given flashback scene, the characters will rehash whatever issue the flashback portrayed - so we get to read the same fight in the past and in the present. While the dynamic between Aubrey and Grant has shifted over the years that have gone by between past and present, it still felt like too much. And… I never thought I’d say this, but maybe there were too many sex scenes? They were fun to read, but many of them didn’t do much to advance the plot or the readers’ understanding of the characters and their relationship.

While you should only go for this book if you are up for some emotional heavy lifting, please note that there are some extremely funny bits. Aubrey in particular is quite witty (but not in that overly snarky sitcom way), which means that the chapters written from her perspective include little gems of snark. Also, the grumpy old cat says “meow” like this: “M#%@!” Cat Damon for the win!


I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. We disclose this in accordance with 16 CFR §255.

This review is also available at The Smut Report.

This story packed one heck of a punch to the gut. These two characters held the most curiosity for me and I was excited to read their story. The attraction first of all is off the charts and it’s clear Grant and Aubrey were made for each other. Their story is beautifully written with their emotions becoming your own. A tough subject to write and the author captured it perfectly. Love this series and all of the characters.

Aubrey and Grant have slowly been in the same circles since the divorce but you can see the love they have for each other even if they won’t admit it. Aubrey grew up in money with a cheating father and a stepmother who adopted her when her mother died. Grant grew up in Georgia all gentleman and polite but never enough for Aubrey’s stuffy family except for Libby her 90 year old grandmother.
Aubrey and Grant just stopped caring and no one cheated or was mean they just drifted apart but Aubrey broke her arm and she needs a ride to Libby’s birthday party so Grant volunteers. Grant is hoping that he can get through to Aubrey and maybe get her to see that the good out weighs the bad, he must be crazy. Loved how this story was told and how you felt for all the parties involved not just one or the other.

"Then Came You" is a book about the mending of a relationship and the lack of communication that can lead to the demise of it. Aubrey and Grant are divorce lawyers who have been divorced for two years. Without giving too much away, their relationship ended on a sour note due to their inability to get past a miscarriage. The story is heartbreaking and all too common. Meader made me fall in love with both characters. Aubrey and Grant were from two separate tracks of life. Aubrey comes from a high society family and Grant's mother was a single mother who raised him on her own. But those differences were not what led to their failed marriage.

Another solid book by Kate Meader!

Kate Meader concludes her “Laws of Attraction” series with this tale of two divorce lawyers Aubrey Gates and Grant Lincoln.

When Aubrey needs a ride from Boston to Chicago – because she’s afraid of flying and can’t take her cat on a train – and huge favor to boot, who else would she turn to other than the love of her life and ex-husband? Of course the trip will be filled with angst, pain and an undying attraction which doesn’t care if a two year old piece of paper says their marriage is over but if Grant gets his way, he’ll get another saying they contrary. Can they resolve their past hurts and perhaps give love a second chance?

"Don’t get me wrong. It hurts to be around my ex-wife. It hurts knowing she exists in my world but on the periphery. Yet no seeing her at all cuts deeper."

The story is full of the best Kate Meader staples – sizzling dialogue, wit, and independent heroine, a swoony hero and toe-curling sexy times. Naturally Aubrey and Grant have unresolved issues and a truck load of chemistry and the time spent together has them feeling this tenfold.

The banter, love and attraction between Aubrey and Grant was a lovely back and forth that kept me glued to their story. I found myself swooning over Grant in general but especially because of his optimism and southern sexy gentlemanly charm from the very start. I smiled through their history’s flashbacks and fanned myself each time sparks flew between them. I couldn’t help but cheer them on. Even though Aubrey was a bit of an ice-princess due to her origins and upbringing, she certainly recognized Grant’s worth.

Meader pens a sexy, heartwarming story in which the guy gets his perfect girl and weaves in loveable characters from past books, as well as a crusty cat and a hilarious dope consuming grandma who together put a big smile on my face and gave me all the feels especially with that incredibly sweet epilogue.

Then Came You is book #3 of the Laws of Attraction series by author Kate Meader. It is a standalone contemporary romance, told from both points of view with a HEA.

This was a great second-chance romance about two people who were happily married but whose marriage fell apart after a miscarriage. Aubrey has her own problems because of the cold, but wealthy Bostonian family she grew up in. Grant, on the other hand, is a sexy guy who grew up with a poor single mother who worked hard and loved him every moment of his life. So he’s easy-going and she’s uptight. But they somehow fit together perfectly until Aubrey fell apart after they lost their baby.

I enjoyed the alternating viewpoints. These are two good people who need to work through their difficulties beyond just having hot sex together. But Grant is such a great guy that you know it will eventually work out.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

My first read by Kate Meader, and I’m so glad I picked this up. It was a great romance. Nice tension, great chemistry, I’m excited to see what she comes up with next.

The first book from Kate Meader that I read was Illegally Yours, so when I saw this one listed in Netgalley, I knew I had to read it. Her writing in this one is just as good as in the other (except I wish her editor would point out that nor must always follow neither, but that's neither here nor there), but this one is so much more intense. I almost ugly-cried a couple of times.

The story is told in the alternating POVs of Aubree and Grant. Both are likable and empathetic characters and it's impossible to read “their” words and not feel their pain. Their internal musings are raw and loaded with feeling, even as they strive to joke about things, like when Grant thinks to himself, “Barely veiled criticism, come on down!” This personal chastisement from Aubree cracked me up: “If my mother could’ve heard me, she’d have turned over in the coffin she slept in at night.”

I loved these two characters and found myself rooting for their eventual happiness together. The struggles they had to endure were heart-wrenching and told in a way that was sensitive without becoming maudlin. In the end, I think this book addresses the issues and emotions often experienced in the event of a miscarriage admirably — honestly and with compassion, and ultimately, with hope.

This is a voluntary review of an advanced copy.

Wow, there was so much emotion and hurt in Grant and Aubrey that their marriage fell apart after a miscarrage. It is just so hard to find the words to describe how they struggled to overcome their differences and try to finally discuss the problems with their relationship.

It is kind of strange to see the man as the more emotional and wanting to talk things out while the woman is the one who does not want to talk things out.

I get that Aubrey had a pretty bad relationship with her parents and how they put on a false face for the world so it was hard for her to change but she finally got the courage and made a positive step in her life so that she and Grant could start fresh.

Loved the final chapter and their future life!

Holy hotness! I loved this book!
I am a fan of the series so far and the final installment was no exception. Grant and Aubry! If you have read the first 2 you have been chomping at the bit to know their story! Why arent they together and what happened? Obviously you find all of that out and then some. It is a very emotionally charged past that brings them slowly back together. Their journey hasnt been easy but watching it unfold in these pages will have you going through the gamete of emotions. Its was beautifully written and I could really relate to the characters. As always there is humor friendship and love. They are crazy hot togther and to finally see them let it go was AMAZING! I absolutely loved these characters and hearing about the past put everything into perceptive. I hope you enjoy this one as much as I did!

I am a fan of Kate meader, the writing , the story lines in every book. In Then Came you she just hold my heart, how many couples go thru what Aubrey and grant . That love so strong that they couldn’t coup with the lost of something they already loved . Thank god they find a path that help them give their love a second chance, so thank Mrs. Meader for ripping my heart and sowed back together , enjoyed ever second.

I’ve been waiting for Grant and Aubrey’s story from the very beginning and it did not disappoint and was so much more than I could have ever expected.
This story was emotional, it had laughs and it was hot. Grant and Aubrey are two divorce lawyers, who also happened to be married to each other at one point. They’ve been divorced for a while, but there is still a connection between the two of them. Things left unresolved.
When Grant offers to drive Aubrey home for the holidays to visit her family and to celebrate her grandmother’s 90th birthday. Of course, Aubrey told Grant nothing would happen on the trip but with a connection between them it was impossible to ignore and there were able to slowly start to work through what happened at the end of their marriage.
I love Aubrey and Grant, their chemistry and their story broke my heart, but as their worked through their struggles and their past it will slowly mend your heart back together. If you’ve read the previous books in the series we got more of Max and Charlie and Trinity and Lucas, which was fun and led to some laughs throughout the story. Though, this is the third book in the series it can be read as a standalone.

🌟🌟4.5🌟🌟

I will preface that this was my first book from Ms. Meader; in saying that, Then Came You is the third book in a series but I honestly believe can be read as a stand-alone.

Okay, now let me get started.....

Then Came You was a story of two people, Grant and Aubrey, and how their life took a path they hadn’t planned. But, it was also the story of two people who lost so much and how that loss affected them in their marriage and their love for each other.

As I said, this can be read as a stand-alone, I plan on going back and reading the previous two books.

Oh my gosh my heart! It's about a couple , they are divorced divorce lawyers. Road trip type romance, overcoming grief ( Content warning (view spoiler)) and learning marriage is a 2 way street and requires work. It was emotionally satisfying.

The connection between these two could not be denied. While the reconnection timeline was very short, I felt that talked plenty and has some interesting sexual encounters. Aubrey felt she needed to be in control and she had a lot of trust issues to work out.

Grant knew he gave up too soon and found a way to be with her so they could hash it out. He has some issues of his own to work out.

I really enjoyed this one.

3.5 I enjoyed the gender turn-about aspect of this second chance romance, with a female protagonist who is a thinker rather than a feeler, and a male protagonist who is all about the feels and is stymied when his wife can't open up and grieve with him after <spoiler>they experience a miscarriage</spoiler>. But Meader's penchant for matching practically perfect protective alpha men with deeply flawed women who need to change, as well as a somewhat wandering plot, make this less appealing than it might have been.

Grant, smart and sweet white working class southern boy, was instantly smitten with white Beacon Hill Bostonian Aubrey as soon as they met in college. They married soon after law school, but divorced after three years, when they could not reconcile their different emotional styles in the face of the above-mentioned trauma. Aubrey wanted to keep calm and carry on; Grant wanted to talk it out, not bury it. Aubrey wanted to use sex to feel better; Grant felt guilty about having rough sex with his far smaller wife.

Though two years have passed since the divorce, Aubrey's 90-year-old grandmother has never been told about it. And Aubrey has to go to gram's 90th birthday party for Thanksgiving. And she just broke her wrist, so she can't drive. And she's afraid of flying. And she needs to bring her cat, so she can't take the train... White-knight Grant offers to drive Aubrey from Chicago to Boston, hoping all the while that maybe spending two days cooped up in a car together will lead to some emotional breakthroughs for his emotionally repressed ex.

Aubrey's got a ton of family baggage, as well as her own problems with anxiety and control. In contrast, Grant is a perfect guy ("reserved yet so bighearted and patient"), with a supportive family, a man who is deeply in love and willing to do everything he can for Aubrey. Including let her take the lead in everything in their relationship, except in bed. Grant knows he married Aubrey because she needs him; Aubrey fears that if Grant sees what a "hot mess" she really is, he'll be unpleasantly surprised and reject her. Both feel like they are responsible for the <spoiler>miscarriage</spoiler>. Can the two get beyond their (well, mostly Aubrey's) miscommunications to salvage their relationship?

Early on, Grant thinks "I should have pushed back more, taken a firmer hand in managing her grief. Our grief"(Ch. 5). Throughout the story, both characters offer up other possible explanations for their breakup, but this one ends up feeling the closest to the truth by story's end; as Grant thinks to himself during Aubrey's "big gesture" scene (another gender-reverse of the traditional romance convention), "I thought that knowing Aubrey's failings combined with my patience was enough for us to overcome anything. But it wasn't. It isn't. I need to be a little less patient and Aubrey needs to be a little more honest" (Chapter 23). Although Grant does say at book's end that "I can't save you, but I still think we can save us," the "saving" mostly takes the form of Aubrey changing, and Grant just being a little less perfect than he already was.

So, despite the two protagonists' non-gender-conforming career choices in the book's epilogue, Meader's consistent message across this series seems to be that women are the ones who must change, and men are pretty much right about their female lovers' flaws and failures. Which is more than a little annoying.

Grant and Aubrey are divorce lawyers who though not married to each other anymore, still very much have feelings for the other. And those feelings make them take a trip together. A trip that just might give their relationship a second chance.
I have been rooting for Aubrey and Grant to get back together since I read about them in the other books in the series. And this book didn’t disappoint, it was very satisfying to read their HEA. Though the journey takes you though a roller coaster of emotions. Their romance was real, heartbreaking and absolutely beautiful.

THEN CAME YOU is a fabulous read! From the first page I felt every emotion that Aubrey and Grant felt. They were everything to each other. then they are divorced. They are still bitter rivals in the courtroom. Aubrey broke Grant yet now she needs him to go to Boston for her Grammie’s 90th Birthday as her husband.. A lot can happen on a road trip from Chicago to Boston during Christmas. I couldn’t stop turning the pages wanting desperately to know the secret that broke Grant and Aubrey apart. This was my first book by Kate Meader it won’t be my last. I highly recommend!

A fantastic second chance romance. I loved the idea of a divorced couple getting back together again and fixing what was wrong to begin with, It had sweet, sexy and emotional moments.. Love this.

I fell in love with Grant and Aubrey. Everything’s no about these two is special as individuals and together. This is the first book I’ve read of Kate Meaders and it wont be the last.