I was invited by the publisher to review this book. Margot has dreams and aspirations, and is a romantic at heart. She wants to bring romance to the world via books, and despises dating apps because swiping right is certainly not a romantic story to tell when relaying how she met someone. That isn't to say she is not on the apps - indeed she is, and keeps getting matched with the same guy, Oliver. They went on one date, had some great chemistry, but overall the date itself didn't work out. But since they keep getting matched, they stay in touch through the apps, and still have good intellectual chemistry. Then everything for Margot comes crashing down when she loses her job and things with Oliver turn sour when he questions her motives with him. But as the two get closer through her revamped career, she begins to wonder if she should look beyond compatibility lists and give app love a chance. Except, maybe the balking at more romance is not really coming from her, but from Oliver?

There is a level of relatability here, with Margot's need for a meet-cute; it certainly factored in a lot with her desires, and I desperately wished she would move on from that and let her life pan out as it may. I can't say I found Oliver likeable, particularly with his past - I feel he should have been more open about it sooner than he was. That being said, the chemistry between Margot and Oliver was believable, and I felt this was a good book about modern romance. Also, kudos to the very inviting cover!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/Saturday Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Everyone loves a good rom-com, and after stumbling into this debut (to the genre) author, I cannot wait to see future releases.

The voice of Kasie West hits so close to some of my favorite well-known and loved authors and I just know this novel will be a hit. From the witty banter to the jaw-on-the-floor twists in Margot’s story, I was hooked.

Put this one on your TBR and pre-order for the September pub date because you do not want to miss this gem!

Margot and Oliver have a disastrous first date after matching on a dating app - the restaurant part of the date is a bust but there is a chemistry that is undeniable. For the next 3 years they often rematch on dating apps and continue a light-hearted banter. Then Margot and Oliver connect again in person and the sparks continue to fly as Margot's business life implodes. I'm not doing this book justice - it has fun banter, slow burning romance, family drama, and self reflection and growth. I really enjoyed it and breezed through it in 2 days which is a sign of a good book!

This was somehow both cute and romantic yet also bonkers and a roller coaster. I felt that I didn't understand half the plot but the romance was cute.

Kasie West’s adult romance debut, A Cute Meet, is a charming and witty exploration of modern love, meet-cute expectations, and the unpredictable nature of true connection. With her signature humor and engaging dialogue, West crafts a fun, banter-filled romance that keeps you hooked from start to finish.

Margot Hart is a hopeless romantic in every sense. She dreams of literary success, working as a romance-focused literary agent, and believes in grand, serendipitous love stories—none of which include swiping right on a shirtless dating app profile. That’s why she refuses to take Oliver seriously, despite their long-standing app banter and the undeniable chemistry they shared during their one (disastrous) date years ago. When Margot unexpectedly loses her job and is forced to start her own agency, Oliver, with his golden-retriever energy, becomes an unlikely source of support. Though they seem mismatched—he’s structured and logical, she’s all about spontaneity and passion—their relationship slowly develops into something neither of them expected.

The romance between Margot and Oliver is full of electric banter and swoon-worthy moments. Margot’s quirks, meet-cute obsession, and career ambitions make her a relatable and lovable protagonist. Oliver, on the other hand, is the perfect balance to her chaotic energy—steady, reliable, and subtly charming. Their dynamic is delightful, and the push-pull tension between them keeps things interesting.

While the story is entertaining, the final conflict—without revealing spoilers—felt somewhat rushed. The “big reveal” was a surprising twist that, in hindsight, seemed obvious, but its placement so late in the book left little room for deeper resolution. Margot handled it gracefully, but some well-earned groveling from certain characters would have made the ending feel more satisfying.

Overall, A Cute Meet is a fun, engaging romance with fantastic chemistry, lovable characters, and an inside-joke premise that romance readers will appreciate. Though the final conflict could have been handled with more depth, the journey itself is well worth the read. Fans of witty banter, slow-burn romance, and unexpected love stories will enjoy this book!

What happens when a hopeless romantic literary agent (or agent's assistant) struggles to find her own happily ever after? She pessimistically turns to the dating apps of course. What happens when she reconnects with a past fling on said apps and the banter is even better than before? They fall in love of course.

This adult romance debut from Kacie West was such a fun read. It seems like she took the Emily Henry masterclass on banter, and this book perfectly intertwined Margots personal journey of self growth and her romance with too-good-to-be-true Oliver. I am excited to read more adult titles from Kasie!

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I love when the premise of a book caters to the audience. A romance reader who dreams of a meet cute she can’t have on a dating app and the man she keeps crossing paths with. I was invested in the characters, the romance, the personal goals and ambition. I had an issue with the major factor conflict which occurred almost at the end of the book (which I won’t mention here because of spoilers) but that didn’t fully detract from my enjoyment. In summary, I had fun and enjoyed this one!

Thank you NetGalley and st martins press for this gifted copy! This was a super cute and bingeable romance! I read it in a day and really enjoyed it!

Ngl I was a little bit worried before starting this. Fortunately for me, Kasie West can write an adult rom com. And she writes it so well.

The banter was 100% bantering from start to finish. I love Margot and her imperfect quirks and love for meet-cutes and for being the kind of heroine I will root for. Oliver I absolutely adore as well. I love how much chemistry Margot and Oliver have. They brought so much swoon.

I actually finished the book a few days ago but didn't write a review because I was sick. I've forgotten most of what happened to be honest. But I still remember feeling 'eeh' about that big reveal. (You'll know what I'm talking about when you read it.) I don't know how I didn't guess it. It's so obvious now that I think about it. But I probably would have DNFed if I knew about it sooner.

Three stars because although I enjoyed the book in its entirety, the end felt rushed. I think Margot handled the "big reveal" so much better than I ever will if put in the same situation. I wanted some hardcore grovelling. From everyone involved.

So I totally read this book on a whim and I am SO glad that I did. I absolutely adored it and devoured it in about 6 hours. I loved that the very first chapter was a flashback to Margot and Oliver on their first date only for them to go their separate ways but continue to match on dating apps for the next 3 years. This book is sweet and funny and heartfelt. I laughed, teared up and even raged a bit at some of the side characters. But through it all, I just loved Margot and Oliver and wanted them to get a happily ever after. I’m so glad that my whim paid off because this book was wonderful.

I love Kasie West's YA books and I was excited to receive an ARC of her adult debut. Her writing style is easy to read and totally enjoyable. I loved the book until the BIG REVEAL of the betrayal/conflict between Oliver and Margot. I'm so conflicted because it really soured my experience and I don't know how to rate it now. Read more for spoilers...

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I HATED that Oliver dated Audrey in college. I hated that Audrey cheating on him was glossed over (Audrey was a judgmental bitch, and she got off so easy in the end. I wanted a huge reckoning). And I understand Margot kept saying their pasts didn't matter, but I hated that Oliver slept with her before telling her about Audrey.


Thank you to the publisher for the eARC in exchange for my review.

Ohk this one has me from page 1, also because it legit opens with a somewhat intense make out scene. The premise is so fun, but ultimately I think it got a bit too lusty/focused a lot on the characters wanting to make out/sleep together a majority of the time that I just felt it lost the plot a little bit for me. But that being said, I also read it in two days. It was fun, not my favorite but I'll 100% read any more adult books she writes as I think it was definitely a fun unique plot!
3.5 stars - rounded up to 4 for socials

I'm sorry I couldn't even make it past the prologue. The way it starts off being all about sex and not even being romantic at all. I could see where this was going and it wasn't for me which is sad cause I love her YA books. But I'm sorry that's not the way to grab me into a book.

An adult romance debut from beloved YA romance author KW!
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Margot Hart wants her meet cute. Her beautiful moment where she is united with the one she will love. Too bad all she has are lame dating app meet ups and an affair with her boss. But years ago she did match with a guy who she had great chemistry with, but a horrible date. He keeps popping up over the years on the same app. And there Oliver is again on the day she quits her job and decides to finally go all-in on her dream of being a literary agent. Oliver continues to have golden retriever energy and this time their dates aren’t bad at all, but Oliver is keeping a big secret. Will Margot be able to get past it when all is revealed?
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When I heard at #LibPlza24 from Kasie that she was writing an adult romance book I about lost it. I have loved her YA titles for years and knew she would absolutely ace a shot at the 18 crowd and boy did she! This was fresh, unique, timely second chance romance and a super sweet & spicy novel that will appeal to lovers of that genre. Also, I hated Margot’s sister! ?? This book releases September 16!

CW: adultery, cheating, toxic relationship

4.5 rounded up!