In theory I should have been the target demographic for this - two yearning idiots who have a fateful Before Sunrise-esque encounter that just can't get their timing right...until finally it all clicks into place? Immaculate vibes, give me fourteen of 'em. In practice however, the meet cute didn't wow me & the novella format did this "time jump long game love story" a disservice. If you're going to make two people have one snapshot in time together capped off by a single kiss that serves as a lynchpin for years of pining, it has to be a gooood kiss. Unfortunately, I just didn't buy it! The physical chemistry on the fateful roadtrip wasn't as all-consuming and palpable as it need to be, and the emotional chemistry wasn't driven home much better.

The real nail in the coffin for me though was the big moment where someone walks away in a critical moment. This was a huge betrayal, and a near deadly blow to any relationship, let alone one largely built on fantasy and "what if". I just didn't find that the endpoint felt earned after such a foundation-shaking misstep.

To be clear, I would read the shit out of this story in an expanded novel format, but the novella form felt like a hinderance here, as the story never gets off the ground.

"Exit Lane" by Erika Veurink is a character-driven novel that delves deeply into the complexities of human connection and the bittersweet reality of missed opportunities. Following Teddy and Marin over eight years, from a tense post-graduation road trip to a series of serendipitous reunions, the narrative deftly explores the push and pull of their evolving relationship. Veurink is praised for her ability to bring emotional rawness and authenticity to even the quietest moments, capturing heartbreak and tenderness with impressive subtlety.

The book stands out for its understated yet emotionally resonant writing style—described as “razor-sharp and quietly devastating” by advanced readers. Rather than relying on dramatic twists, Veurink’s prose lingers, leaving a lasting impression and evoking the ache of what could have been. Some readers liken it to a “millennial When Harry Met Sally,” appreciating the nuanced chemistry and the flawed, deeply human characters at its core. While the plot is relatively simple, it’s the intricacies of Teddy and Marin’s emotional journey—and the weight of miscommunication and forgiveness—that drive the story forward.

However, not all readers agreed on the book’s strengths. A few felt the romance leaned too heavily on “insta-love” and wished for more development in the latter stages, expressing difficulty connecting with the main characters’ choices. Still, Exit Lane is largely celebrated as a moving, delicately written examination of chance, connection, and the endurance of feeling across years. Ideal for fans of quiet, reflective literary romance, it lingers long after the last page.

Thanks to Netgalley & 831 Stories for the ARC.

I read this book outside in the sun in one sitting (how all 831 stories should be read) and was astounded. I laughed, I cried, and I couldn't believe it was over so soon. Each time I read a story from this publisher I can't believe the quality they are putting out. I would recommend this book to anyone who is fatigued by long romances, needs a quick pick-me-up, loves classic rom-coms, misses yearning in books, or needs to break a reading rut. I look forward to reading more books by this author and from this publisher.

This destroyed me yet I couldn’t put it down. The writing was fantastic.

This novella follows Marin and Teddy who are connected via a mutual friend at Iowa. They’re both moving to NYC after graduation, and Teddy ends up bringing Marin on the cross country drive. They both keep running into each other over an eight year timespan, and it’s no secret that there is something between them. Teddy is a sweet and charming midwesterner, and Marin is a bisexual cool girl who feels out of reach.

These characters are messy and complicated— Marin has spent her life overcoming the deep dark grief of losing her father, and Teddy can’t let go of the “what if” between them. I found both characters to be relatable, and despite some truly bad decisions (that made me want to scream), I still ended up rooting for them, caring for them and wanting the best for them. Their chemistry was palpable.

Apparently you can execute a slow burn in a novella? And done well, too.

The love story of Marin and Teddy, only set up by a friend for a 20hour road trip to begin completely separate lives after college graduation, however, the drive reveals to both that they might be able to forget about each other as quickly as they thought… Spanning a total of 8 years the two keep re-meeting and complicating the definition of “strangers”, “friends” and “lovers” even more. They are flawed and definitely moral grey characters, that make bad and harmful choices but ultimately are very loveable and growing emotionally - together and separately. Writing was lovely and the story had such good pacing.

[special thanks to Netgalley and 831 Stories for providing me with an arc]

To start, I really, really enjoyed this book and its characters. The storyline felt so real — almost like something I could have lived myself. In fact, the way the story unfolded made me wish this was how I’d met the one great love of my life. I finished it feeling wistful and carrying this soft, aching sense of longing.

One of the only reasons this wasn’t a five-star read for me is incredibly specific, so take this with a grain of salt: the dating app Raya is mentioned repeatedly, and it pulled me out of the story every time. I always find that references to super-specific, very contemporary things — like Instagram, Facebook, Tinder — tend to age quickly and break the spell a little for me. I think it wouldn’t have bothered me as much if it had just been described more generally as “a dating app.” But again, that’s just my personal quirk. Overall, this is an excellent book.

Exit Lanes by Erika Veurink is a love story about two people, Teddy and Marin, who meet once and then keep finding each other again. They run in the same circles but only truly cross paths every few years — whether in New York or Denmark — and each time, their timing is never quite right. Both carry a touch of unresolved daddy issues that creep in when they least expect it, unraveling whatever fragile progress they’ve made. In one final twist of fate, they run into each other at an airport on their way to Iowa, and everything they’ve left unsaid surfaces during a cross-country road trip neither of them saw coming.

Thank you to NetGalley and 831 Stories for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I had never read a book from 831 and this was a pleasant surprise!
In Exit Lane, Marin and Teddy gravitate towards each other immediately, but personal and situational circumstances seem determined to keep them apart.
The writing was observant and matter of fact, with a nice attention to the small details of day-to-day life, and while the plot of Exit Lane isn’t particularly surprising, it felt so HONEST. It was a relatable love story, aided by a few convenient coincidences. I will say both characters are both a little « too cool » or « too good » to feel like people I know IRL but I was rooting for them anyway.
I’d recommend this if you want something that feels like your friend telling you a story.

I read this novella in a day and I want more! There was so much passion and intrigue in such a short book. The writing was poetic and the pacing was perfect. I love the time jumps, it felt a lot like when Harry meant sally with the will they won’t they, which I loved! This was much a gut punch, but in a good way? Would highly recommend for fans of second chance romance, relationship nuances and complexities, and anyone who loves a real and raw romance!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.
I haven't read a 'When Harry Met Salley' esq book that I didn't like. Really quick read and I enjoyed every second of it :)

As a "When Harry Met Sally" enthusiast, I absolutely loved this modern retelling of the classic dilemma faced in the movie: can men and women truly be friends? Marin and Teddy felt so genuine and fallible to me, which made me feel like I could relate to their shortcomings, and see the reasons they initially thought it would be better to stay apart rather than being friends. My favorite books make me feel deeply when the characters can't help but sabotage themselves - it's a pattern that is all too human when life becomes too good to be true. I will shout from the rooftops how much I love this book. Teddy + Marin 4L <3

Sadly not the one for me! I have enjoyed all of the 831 Stories but couldn't connect with this one. I will still read more from this imprint but bummed this one wasn't great.

Thank you NetGalley and 831 Stories for an arc of this book!

I have love almost every book I have read from 831 stories, however this did not do it for me and ended up DNF it at 40%
The story was insta-lust but I just didn't get the feeling that Marin even liked Teddy, and both of them were so insufferable that I just could do it anymore. I also did not like the plot, and while I know that it was inspired from "when Harry meet Sally", and there were some easter eggs as far as I know it was not entertaining. So, I sadly do not recommend this book, but I do think you should check out other book from 831 Stories!

Thank you NetGalley and 831 Stories for an arc of this book!

I have love almost every book I have read from 831 stories, however this did not do it for me and ended up DNF it at 40%
The story was insta-lust but I just didn't get the feeling that Marin even liked Teddy, and both of them were so insufferable that I just could do it anymore. I also did not like the plot, and while I know that it was inspired from "when Harry meet Sally", and there were some easter eggs as far as I know it was not entertaining. So, I sadly do not recommend this book, but I do think you should check out other book from 831 Stories!

3.5 stars. I posted earlier today about how I had just started this book earlier and it was giving me when Harry Met Sally Vibes, with a large dash of Marin, our bisexual FMC. Same vibe, men and women can't be friends, going to New York together after graduation. And the falling in love thing. But that's where I found the similarities end.

This one was heavy and heart wrenching for being under 200 pages. A lot of heart but also pain. It was both beautiful and hard to read at times. This is a book where I could have used an epilogue to...ease my mind? That may just be me.

This releases in September, pick it up if you need a big emotional release.

Received an ARC of this from the publisher and NetGalley, all emotional ramblings are my own.

Two people, eight years, two continents, two road trips, and so many twists and turns for Teddy and Marin! I normally love a love story told through time jumps and this one hits at the top of my list! I throughly enjoyed the characters and their development as they grew up from young college grads to professionals dealing with the hurdles life throws at you!

The ending had me unexpectedly crying, in part because of their story but also because of the way her late father’s advice is weaved throughout the storyline!

Thank you 831 Stories and Net Galley for the ARC!

4.5 stars

My favorite to come out of 831 stories so far. I think what really makes these silly little romances work for me is that they take me back to being 17 years old reading wattpad my-mom-sold-me-to-One-Direction fanfic. They’re spicy without being cringy, they make me giddy, and in Exit Lane’s case, they YEARN. Oh boy, do they YEARN!

This cutie little softy romance novel has worn away at my tough outer shell and now I have to go kiss my husband. 831, you’ve done it again. And Erika, I can’t wait to read what comes next.

Thanks to NetGalley and 831 Stories for the ARC.

This book had me at the "People We Meet At Vacation" comp and it DELIVERED. Teddy and Marin and their love story that spans years and years and years. I love when we have time jumps. I love that this story developed over time for them and that their relationship started as a friendship (but even that took time to get to). I love the right person wrong time vibes of this. I love that they both lived so much life between meeting and finally getting together and how, even when they didn't mean to, they could not escape each other's orbit.

Erika Veurink wrote such a beautiful story with two incredibly strong characters that I couldn't help but root for. This was my introduction to 831 Stories and immediately started my binge era - absolutely obsessed.

The highest compliment I can give Exit Lane by Erika Veurink is that it felt like a fully fleshed-out story rather than a novella.

The two main characters meet on a road trip from Iowa to New York after college, reminiscent of When Harry Met Sally, and their paths continue to cross over many years of almost-connections. The more I reflect on this book, the more I appreciate it, particularly because Marin is so messy and complex. Their time in Copenhagen felt deeply lived in, and processing Marin’s decision with Teddy was a unique experience. That is what I enjoyed most about the story. Marin feels real; she makes mistakes.

This is another great release from 831.

Thank you to NetGalley, 831 Stories, and Erika Veurink for the opportunity to review an arc of Exit Lane.

The story felt very “When Harry Met Sally” and had some great Easter eggs from that movie. From the start, I was all-in on the slow burn romance, messy characters, and funny banter. And the spice was fantastic.

However, about halfway through, it was tough for me to finish. I found myself getting to frustrated with the characters and felt like even as years passed, they had zero emotional development. I also transparently was a bit triggered by one of the MCs getting sick - a content warning at the beginning would be great to include in the final printing.

Overall, this book was just not for me. I think many people would enjoy it but I cannot personally recommend it.

"This book really surprised me in the best way. I went into it not knowing exactly what to expect, and by the end, I found myself thinking about it way more than I thought I would. There’s something so real and relatable about the way Teddy and Marin’s story unfolds—it’s not flashy or over-the-top, but that’s kind of what makes it hit harder. The way their lives drift together and apart over the years feels incredibly human, and the moments they share (even the messy ones) feel honest. It’s one of those books that’s more about the quiet shifts—the kind of emotional changes you don’t always notice until you look back. Really glad I picked this up."