i really adore this author. she writes with such realness and heart. i usually dont like second chance romance but i felt for these characters after meeting them in previous books. i liked how the hero was the emotional one. his white knight complex was kind of annoying but i at least understood it. the roadtrip aspect of it was a nice change of pace. i liked how they still incorporated their lawyerly tendencies

I do have a soft spot for a second-chance story between a divorced couple (some personal conditions attached for it to be a palatable read for me) and Grant/Aubrey is what Kate Meader brings to the end (?) of this series of cynical, commitment-free divorce lawyers who ironically find their HEA. But Grant/Aubrey buck this trend in ‘Then Came You’ where a miscarriage tore them apart and after some time, find their way back to each other.

Meader can write, undoubtedly, and that’s what draws me back again and again. I’ve always enjoyed her prose, the nifty handling of characters, the emotions and plot. The feels, generally, is what good writing gives. But the past is piled on and tucked into the present, as both Grant and Aubrey recount the past in their own interior monologues—the scenes aren’t quite flashbacks per se, but the slide into years before left me somewhat disconcerted when the present suddenly disconnects from the narrative you’ve been soaking in.

But ‘Then Came You’ left me flailing in deep water, not because of the traumatic loss that both Grant and Aubrey had suffered, but how for the longest time, Grant seemed to be the only one interested in patching the holes left in the aftermath—while Aubrey merely looked at him as an afterthought, entertaining ideas that she’d be moving onto other men and saying it straight to his face.

I definitely understood and felt their loss, but it was hard to root for a couple who weren’t even on the same page when it came to reconciliation. That it took just a few days worth of holidaying to erase the years of pent-up hurt and guilt made it unbelievable.

I thought Aubrey was too paralysed to move on, stuck as she was on her inability to overcome her distant, aloof self, while Grant’s white-knight complex made him seem like the poster-child for talking things through, moving on and healing. In fact, Aubrey came across as self-absorbed to see beyond her own grief to the burden Grant was carrying on his own…essentially she shaped up to be a frustrating ‘heroine’ who never rose up to the level I expected and wanted her to be. Her simultaneous defence and castigation of her own behaviour made her bottomline argument “I don’t deserve him” the ultimate, self-defeating coward’s way out without any showing intention of fighting for them at all.

In short, a whole lot of push and pull, with so much frustration and emotion (and not all of it good) thrown in. I wish this could have been a more satisfying read—angsty but with less of a roundabout way of rehashing the same issues that come again and again and earlier character growth perhaps—but ultimately, ’Then Came You’ turned out more of a disappointment than I thought.

The reason they are not together is so not right. And I’m tired of this being the reason. I would like to read a second chance that makes sense and not the same trope overdone.

I finished reading Then Came You a few hours ago but I didn't want to write my review until I got my thoughts in order because this book deserves a 5+ star review as far as I'm concerned. Wow, I knew after reading the first 2 books in this series that I would love Grant & Aubrey's story and I was not wrong. Fair warning--you will need tissues for this one, especially the epilogue! After reading some of their back story in Down With Love & Illegally Yours, I had a feeling that this would be an emotional, heartbreaking read. This author certainly knows how to write heartfelt words. It's written in dual POV's which makes it so easy to get into the minds and hearts of Grant and Aubrey. All the character are well developed and I don't know anyone who wouldn't want to be friends with this crazy group! Even though this was an emotional read, there was also witty banter, LOL moments and sexy times. As much as I loved the other 2 books, I have to say that Kate saved the best for last -- this is most definitely my favorite of this entire series. These characters will stay with me for some time. Can't wait for more from her! I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC for NetGalley.

Grant and Aubrey used to be much more than fellow divorce attorneys. For nearly three years they were happily married and before that they were together through law school. About a year and a half ago their marriage fell apart for reasons even their closest friends don't understand. They've just started to get to the point where they don't run the other way the moment they're in the same room together, but talking about what happened to their marriage is impossible. It doesn't mean the feelings aren't there anymore though.

That's also why when Aubrey needs him, Grant it there for her. It's nearing Thanksgiving and Aubrey is headed home for the first time since the divorce, and she's somehow failed to mention the fact that Grant and Aubrey are no longer married to her grandmother. Grant decides to help Aubrey out, but with the ulterior motive that he's decided it's time for them to fix what broke between them and find out if their relationship can move forward.

I'm a real sucker for a second-chance romance story and Grant and Aubrey's certainly hit all the points for second-chance. They fill that role typically reserved for characters who have been built up in the background throughout the series so already I was highly anticipating this story.

I'll say I'm not too surprised when we learn what happens that kind of preamble to the downfall of their relationship, but I liked how Kate Meader shows that oftentimes it's not just one thing that can cause problems in a relationship, it's an inciting event that spirals into opening up other problems that are beneath the surface. Kate Meader also did a great job of highlighting the fact that it's not just one person's problem, both partners are contributing factors.

Taking place during the holiday season definitely pulls the narrative away from Chicago and friends and work and the road trip to Aubrey's family's home certainly puts the focus squarely on Grant and Aubrey which was something I really enjoyed. I loved seeing these people who obviously love each other desperately still dealing with the grief of things that they've lost and how they each deal differently. Aubrey, growing up in a very closed-off family, is very stoic. She wants to move forward and keep going. Grant, growing up in a single-parent household with a very young mother that he helped take care of as he got older, he likes to be the savior and he thinks if Aubrey just talks about what she's feeling then they'll be able to finally move past their issues. I love how Kate Meader veils this as Grant needing Aubrey to talk because that's how he'll get past the issues.

Then Came You is a very layered look at grief and loss and how everyone heals differently, but the give and takes of relationships are two-sided. I honestly couldn't have asked for a better story for Grant and Aubrey. It's one I wish I could read over again for the first time.

I absolutely love Aubrey and Grant's story. It's fun and sexy full of great banter, while at the same time being tragic, heartfelt and beautiful. This whole series has been wonderful! I feel like I've been waiting to find out what happened with Aubrey and Grant for forever. I just love what the author did with their journey; it felt so real and emotional. Sometimes love, compatibility and attraction really isn't enough, not if important feelings aren't shared and discussions aren't had when they mean the most. I felt so many different emotions reading this amazing story but mostly I simply adored it!

Thanks to the publisher/Netgalley for the ARC of this book.

This is a second chance romance between Grant (a partner in the firm with Lucas and Max, the 2 previous heroes), and Aubrey, another divorce lawyer. Their past has been hinted at throughout the 2 previous books, but there were scant details given. It turns out that Grant and Aubrey met in law school, were together for about 7 yrs, including 3 as a married couple, but got divorced and now can barely stand to be near each other. It's obvious that there are still deep emotions between them and plenty of issues unresolved. As the story progresses and the incident at the heart of their divorce is revealed, my heart broke for both of them. They were both still hurting so much and desperately needed a reboot of their relationship if they were ever going to move forward.

Grant was amazing, my favorite type of hero, a true caretaker alpha with a heart of gold who wanted nothing more than to take care of Aubrey, smooth her way through life, and provide her with all of the love that she had lacked growing up in a brittle, cold, upper crust Boston family. Aubrey was much harder to warm up to. Fiercely independent, she was completely closed off emotionally, to Grant and to everyone else. She never felt like she was good enough for her family or for Grant and routinely pushed away any attempts to help her and get her to open up. It was very clear, though, that the reason she acted the way she did was because of her upbringing, so throughout the story, I was rooting for her. The author did a great job in making me care deeply about both of them and I was completely invested in their happy ending.

My only criticism of the book is that whenever there was a flashback to an earlier time in their relationship, it wasn't immediately clear that we were now in the past rather than the present. I thought that could have been handled better with some kind of formatting or something but that doesn't change my overall feeling about the book.

My thanks to the publisher for providing me an advance copy to review through NetGalley.

This story was a very surprising one.

We follow Grant and Aubrey who are two divorce lawyers that used to be married. They come together again during a cross country road trip and have to face their lingering feelings and attraction. Based on that premise I thought this story would be so funny and steamy with all kinds of angst. Second chance romance road trip where there will probably be the “oops theres one bed” trope? SOLD. However, this story at its core was much more emotional and heartfelt than anticipated. Our main characters are both dealing with the consequences of their split in different ways and I enjoyed seeing things from both perspectives. It was a different relationship dynamic than we usually see in romance and it was refreshing to see that.

However, my main gripe with this novel is the dialogue and character interactions. So much was cringey and immature sounding almost? I understand using humor to lighten up the heavy topic this book explored, but it was almost overcompensating. Also a lot of the explanations of the past and main reveals were told in inner dialogue and made the storytelling a bit disjointed. Maybe if I had read the other books in the series and gotten more of a feel for the writing it wouldn't have bothered me so much.

Having said that though, I think that this was a steamy read with plenty of emotion and romance. If you’re looking for a romance that handles heavy topics, look no further.

It was great to finally see Aubrey and Grant's story. They had a lot of issues to unpack together, and individually. I think that made this book have a different tone than the previous two. At times. I found myself getting frustrated with Aubrey's back and forth feelings because it seemed to drag on a bit; however, it just happened to fit her character's issues. I appreciated that this book did not have a the characters fix all of their insecurities by the end of the story, but instead showed that growth and healing is a slow process that doesn't always get fixed as quickly as a novel sometimes portrays. It is possible to have an HEA while being aware that you still have certain insecurities and triggers. The epilogue was really wonderful because it showed this honest and real outcome for Aubrey and Grant. Of course, the epilogue was also wonderful because it showed all our characters' HEAs. I loved seeing them with their partners and kids. I think this was a great ending to the series. I really enjoyed reading Aubrey and Grant's second chance at love.

Kate Meader writes another great book in this awesome series. Aubrey and Grant’s story is relatable to many couples. They are both attorneys and they have friends in the same circles. They got divorced due to a tragic situation that occurred during their marriage and instead of dealing with it, they got divorced. This story is sad but can Aubrey and Grant be there for each other as friends. Aubrey hasn’t told her 90 year old grandma and doesn’t fly and has no way back home. This story has funny moments and sad moments but is so relatable in so many ways. You will be rooting for them the whole time. When they have so many things against them, can they even be friends? This is a must read. I really liked the writing in this book and how easy it was to read. I have loved this series a lot.

A couple of pages in I knew this was going to be the epic read that the series had been building up to. I wanted to devour it whole, yet at the same time make it last forever to stave off The End. Then Came You lived up to everything I’d imagined and all I’d longed for. It’s Kate Meader at her finest.



What starts out as a simple favor turns into so much more. Kate Meader brings Aubrey and Grant to life in ways she’d only hinted at in books one and two. She lays bare their souls on an emotional journey to overcome the pain of the past. They expose the excruciating circumstances that tore them apart, and face truths about themselves and each other that they had avoided for far too long. It’s gripping and raw, and I felt their every emotion as if they were my own.

While relationships are dissected, angry words hurled, and tears shed, there’s also much laughter, the bonds of close friendship, and Lawd-have-merceh-is-it-hot-in-here sexxy times. After all, this is a Kate Meader story, and she leaves it all on the page, forcing you through a gamut of emotions. Throughout, I laughed; I cried; and I burned.

Then Came You is by far my favorite Laws of Attraction novel. It may well be my favorite Kate Meader novel overall. So many are 5-star reads it’s hard to choose number one. If you haven’t read Kate or this series, I urge you to treat yourself.

While I have this book on preorder, I was given an advance copy by the publisher via NetGalley, and chose to write a review.

(Review to be shared on Twitter and posted Amazon & other retail sites when book goes live.)

A fun second chance story. sweet, sexy...funny and smart. It kind of hits all the notes and the characters are mostly relatable and engaging.

This was such a good book. Two people who loved each other, married and divorced but still cared. A tragedy ripped them apart and both blamed themselves. I loved the explanation we finally got on how Aubrey broke her arm. Very funny. This story told of two families that could not be more different - yet these two people were perfect for each other. The characters were strong and very likeable. Every Kate Meader book is told so you can really relate to the people in the book. Loved it

I could not put this book down ( read it until 02h00 in the morning and then reread the last chapters the next morning). It is an exceptional and beautiful story and a great addition to the series( I loved Max’ story, the first book in the series) but this one, really grabs you by the heart and does not let go ( there are scenes and dialogue that are touching, funny, aggravating, annoying and then there are the ones that have all those emotions and more) (the one with the tissues in his Grant's mom’s kitchen was a well needed chuckle). This really a must read.

I imagine that losing something can make you feel so sad you also lose the love of your life. This book talks about in a very sad and yet good way. The protagonists are an exmarried couple that will go on a roatrip. That is the formula for “this will happen again”. And I loved it!

Kate saved the best for last with this series. Then Came You hits all the right notes for me in terms of story, characterization, and dialogue. Plus Cat Damon. When even a sexytime makes me cry, I know I’m reading a winner.

I’m not going to enumerate what I liked and appreciated about this book. Suffice it to say that I love everything about Aubrey and Grant’s journey back into each other. They reminded me that happy-ever-after doesn’t happen when a couple weds. That love and lust are not enough. We need to keep working on it because we’ll never get it right.

Kate Meader never fails to make my day, folks. With each new release, she gives me another reason to fall in love all over again, thanks to each new engaging romantic storyline and main couples I can’t help but root for. Then Came You was no exception. Having met Aubrey and Lincoln in the previous two books, I was well acquainted with the smoldering, unspoken chemistry and heated “I dare you to even look me in the eye” tension each time those two destined to reconcile knuckleheads were in the same room. What I wasn’t expecting was their painful, emotional rollercoaster past and the river of relationship angst that soon engulfed them.

Grant Lincoln is a straight shooter. He may come across as a strong, silent type, southern gentleman, with broad shoulders sturdy enough to carry the weight of the world, but he also still has a secret, super soft spot for Aubrey. Considering his calm, cool, collected demeanor in the past, I was surprised yet delighted to see him become very emotional and wear his heart on his sleeve when push came to shove. Fortunately for Aubrey, he is also very patient and determined once he made up his mind to give love a second chance.

Aubrey is a fixer. She’s the go to person who can make things happen, especially in the courtroom. However, she’s walking around feeling like a shell of person. Thanks to her hot mess of a complicated family, she’s always looking over her shoulder expecting the worst. In order for Grant to win this war of words and her heart back, he’s got his work cut out for him. Knowing Aubrey even better than herself is half the battle, but it will take both of them lowering the walls around their heart and surrendering to a vulnerability and pain they’ve tried to bury for years. It will be the only way healing and forgiveness of themselves can finally begin.

I don’t know what will come next, but rest assured, this reviewer can’t wait for the next romantic journey Ms. Meader has planned for us. She remains one of my favorite all time romance authors. Whether it be in the kitchen, hockey rink, fire station, or courtroom, she knows how to serve up hot sizzly romance with real couple connections that lead to romantic HEAs.

Title: Then Came You, Series: Laws of Attraction (Book 3), Author: Kate Meader, Pages: NL, stand-alone but part of a series, cameos of previous book characters, ex-spouses to back together again, both divorce lawyers, both stayed celibate during long separation, lots of relationship angst, shared silent secret heartache, HEA.

Book 1 - Down With Love (Charlotte & Max), Pages: 237
Book 2 - Illegally Yours (Trinity & Lucas), Pages: 228
Book 3 - Then Came You (Aubrey & Grant), releases 5/7/19

Other series: Hot in the Kitchen (chef backdrop), Hot in Chicago (firefighter based), Chicago Rebels (hockey theme)

(I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not given any payment or compensation for this review, nor is there any affiliation or relationship between this reviewer and the author/publisher/NetGalley.)

I’ve read the two previous books in this “Laws of Attraction” series and I’ve been waiting for this storyline for like…. EVER!
Aubrey Gates and Grant Lincoln have history…. history like they were married. They chalk it up to “irreconcilable differences” but no one really buys it. Their attraction and reaction to each other is too intense. Not even their closest friends know the real reason behind their split. All they know is when these two are anywhere near each other sparks fly and threaten to burn down whatever building they are in.
There couldn’t be two people more different than Boston Blue Blood Aubrey Gates and Atlanta Good-ole Country Boy Grant Lincoln but from the moment they met they were inseparable, until something in their marriage tore them apart.
With Aubrey’s Grandmother’s ninetieth birthday coming up, Grant is making the two/three-day road trip with Aubrey because 1-She hates flying and 2-She’s got a broken arm. Not to mention, Aubrey hasn’t mentioned to her grandmother (who happens to adore Grant), that they’ve divorced. They have to put on an act pretending to still be in love so her grandmother won’t suspect a thing. The love part really isn’t an act because they both admit that they’ve never stopped loving each other.
The trip forces them to come to terms with what went wrong and how they both handled the situation. It also forces Aubrey to take a deeper look at herself, her family and her life in general.
I was so happy that Grant was finally getting his story and I wasn’t disappointed. From the minute he was introduced in the other books I wanted to know more about him. It took me a while to warm up to Aubrey but in the end, I liked her.
They two of them played off each other brilliantly. Even though they were divorced and there was tension between them, it melted almost instantly. There was no telling that these two were head over heels in love with each other and definitely belonged together.
This is one of those rare occasions when I say you don’t really have to read the other books in the series but to get the full Grant and Aubrey feel…. I would suggest it.

2.5 stars

Then Came You was a solid chick-lit romance with appealing characters that suffered somewhat from a lack of plot. Using the first person tense and dual POV between ex-spouses, Aubrey ‘Bean’ and Grant ‘Georgia’ were the protagonists in the third story of a trilogy but I had no issues reading it as a stand-alone.

The couple had a deep history. It was not hard to see they still loved each other but we’re burdened by a personal hurdle in their marriage. The lack of communication challenged this intimacy and caused emotional vulnerability. As attorneys, they should have learned a lesson. Instead, they were divorced.

The defying moment arrived in the form of a mini road trip. It was the holidays and Aubrey was going home. She recently had an accident and Grant offered to drive.

At first, it was entertaining. However, I took exception that the romance ultimately went nowhere until the very end. Yes, there was lots of sex and some internal dialogue by both characters. But the weight or purpose of their divorce was set aside numerous times because of the lovemaking. And it was immediate with no buildup which challenged their reason for the divorce in the first place. I sincerely believe it would have been better if the author wrote about this couple in the form of a novella.

*If you like previously married couples that are given a second chance and enjoy deep thinkers with a heavier plot consider Theresa Weir’s One Fine Day, Kristan Higgins’ My One and Only, Alina Adam’s Annie's Wild Ride or Barbara Delisky’s Coast Road. But be prepared for moments of intense feelings and angst.*

Thank you to Net Galley for allowing me to read this ARC. It was given to me for an honest review.

———-I will post this review on Amazon in May when it is receptive.———

When I saw this book on NetGalley I had no idea it was the third book in a series. At no point did I feel like I was missing anything. I connected with these two characters and loved sharing in their journey. What a journey this book took us on. I felt like my heart was ripped out and then placed back then tugged on again. I had all the feels while reading. It only took me two days to read and that was only because I had to go to work. This was the first book I read by this author and I would absolutely read more of her books! I will definately go back and read the first two books as well. I want to thank Kate Meader for writing such a raw and truthful story.