This debut novella follows Marin and Teddy from a spontaneous post-college road trip through years of missed chances and magnetic reunions. Veurink captures the ache of grief, the fear of commitment, and the slow work of healing with sharp, tender prose.
A quick read but emotionally layered, Exit Lane delivers a realistic love story that is messy, bittersweet, and ultimately hopeful. Perfect for readers who enjoy romance with depth and imperfect timing.
4/5 – A striking exploration of love, loss, and second chances.

🎧ALC review🎧
📚EXIT LANE by Erika Veering
🎤Dual narration Kellen Boyle & Hallie Ricardo
💘 Thank you Netgalley and S&S Audio for this ALC


I really love the 831 stories - I normally avoid novellas or audiobooks under 7 hours as I never feel like I get enough. However, you get it all here with Exit Lane and it was such a rollercoaster of emotions. I listened to this in one sitting, sobbed, got mad, and happy all over again. You get the -toxic- love story of Marin and Teddy. For Teddy, it’s always been Marin. For Marin, she’s afraid of any serious relationships and getting attached. Told in periods of time jumps (few years apart) they run into each other in different parts of their lives. It’s my favorite type of love story, where two people who have spent just a handful of moments together over the years fall in love harder than anything ever. I love that kind of push and pull of life taking you in directions but you always find your way back to one person.

Now let me say, the conflict and third act break up were really tough to stomach. Marin is.. toxic. But in my head, I support women’s rights and wrongs. Heavy on the wrongs in this case. And that’s okay, it’s fiction but also scarily real and relatable. We are human and we make horrible mistakes, but I think what’s special about this in a romance is that it’s not always sunshine and butterflies.. people mess up. And I can sit here and judge Marin for acting out of fear, but I’d be a liar if I acted like I haven’t made regrettable choices in life. I think everyone warrants the opportunity to grow and learn from those mistakes. And I still finished the story happy, it was a journey to get there but that’s what made it so good for me.

Now unfortunately I will say the audio was not my favorite. The narrators are talented, of course - I just didn’t feel they were great fits for the characters. It’s just not for me -their narration sounded a bit too much like a children’s story. I don’t mean that in a bad way, it just felt off as a romance. The dual narration is fine - but had a hard time differentiating the voices the female narrator did for male characters, which is always a tough hurdle to overcome. It wasn’t that I couldn’t finish the audio (it is a short one afterall) but I would probably pick up a print or digital copy.

I’ve already pre-ordered this to gift to a friend who I know will love it as much as I did. Looking forward to more 831 stories!

Also - love the name “Exit Lane”, it really ties into the story which always gets extra points in my book.

Exit Lane is a short and sweet read with a solid story and a swoon-worthy romance. Perfect for anyone looking for a quick pick-me-up—I definitely recommend it!

I adored Exit Lane. Erika Veurink’s writing is sharp, funny, and full of heart — the kind of book that makes you want to savor every line. I especially loved the When Harry Met Sally references, which gave it that perfect fall, cozy-New-York feeling. It felt like slipping into one of my favorite movies, but with its own unique voice and story.

Such a thoughtful, charming read. Easily a new favorite and one I’ll be recommending all season long.

I really loved this story from Erika Veurink. The characters were so real and not without flaws, which I loved. For such a short story, there was a lot of depth. Definitely would read more from this author!

(3.75 rounded up)

A guy and girl….caught in a snow storm….

This book is reminiscent of some 90’s romcoms. Marin and Teddy have the on and off relationship. The story spans numerous years of their life in a will they/wont they format. The first half took a bit to get going but the second half I enjoyed much more. I suppose there is a bit of a lesson too with the book on not letting a good thing pass you by and don’t jump ship at the first sign of distress.

I did like the narrators however the audio in the beginning was a bit muffled or robotic sounding. It got better.

Overall, a cute quick read

Thank you, NetGalley, AE Titles, S&S Audio, and 831 Stories for this ARC.

Rounding up from 3.5. I really did love the characters in the end, but it wasn't my favorite 831 romance. I do think it will be a favorite for the right audience. If you are an Emily Henry reader, for example, you either loved TPWMOV or, like me, it was your least favorite. And if you are in the former category, this is probably perfect for you. Also there is some trauma in my current life that just didn't put me in the best spot for this--I can't think of any way to say it that wouldn't be a huge spoiler--but I was so mad at the FMC that I thought my head was going to explode. These are great romances overall, and I hope this one finds the right audience.Thank you to AE Titles, S&S Audio and NetGalley for an advanced copy and the opportunity to share my review.

Thank you, NetGalley, AE Titles, S&S Audio, and 831 Stories for this ARC.

The Narration:
I love a dual narration, and this was no exception. The female narrator starts robotically and gets better as the story progresses. I eventually thought she came to complement and flesh out how the author was writing Marin.
The Male narrator for Teddi: Oof, I wish I had something nice to say, but this was not the right narrator for a lovable, all-American guy that college women would have trouble not falling for. His voice was too nerdy and high-pitched at times. It never got better. I had a hard time believing he was attractive and midwestern magnetic as the author describes.

The Actual Novella:
I really liked the writing. I got to the About the Author section and realized why-- her credentials would mean she's a fantastic writer. The story was a little angsty for me, but I enjoyed it. It was a great quick read.

831 Stories
I've read a bunch of these from Claire and Erica and love that they're in the romance novel business now. It is annoying to have to go to the website to read the final bits of the story. (In a case like this ARC, the conclusion of Marin and Teddi's story isn't posted yet. Annoying.) The merchandise is a cute idea, but I haven't loved any of the stories/couples enough to buy something.

After a post-graduation drive to New York, Teddy and Marin both think they are done with each other, but their paths keep crossing over the course of the following eight years.

As someone who absolutely adores When Harry Met Sally, I was incredibly excited to get to this retelling. And that aspect, I really enjoyed; it stays very true to the movie, while also having an interesting fresh take on the characters and situations. The story itself is just as charming and engaging, and the characters are fascinating enough to keep you interested. While I definitely had a great time with this overall. I did find it to be a little superficial at times, and the ending felt a too rushed for such a big issue, which made it a little harder to buy they would work as a couple.

I really loved the narration on this one; both narrators did such a great job, and brought these characters to life in a way that made it so easy to picture what I was listening to, and almost made it feel like a movie instead.

I loved the first half more than the second I will say.

The beginning of the story had me so intrigued. I love me a good road trip story, especially when the characters start to develop feelings for one another on the journey. Forced proximity will never fail me. However, this story just felt all over the place after a while..
Our two lovebirds felt instant attraction to one another on the road trip and after a steamy electric kiss, never spoke to each other again. The story then continues on this pattern of them running into each other and reconnecting time and time again over the course of almost 10 years until they finally decide to go all in for one another. Unfortunately, something is discovered that makes them one again separate. And I don't mind reading about flawed characters (it just feels more real that way), but I just didn't like how the main female character handled things. And how the resolution wrapped up everything in a pretty little bow at the end.
I understand the pacing was due to it being a novella, but I just felt disappointed by the resolution at that point.
Since I thoroughly enjoyed the first half I will leave it at 3 stars. And I know this is truly a lovable book and understand why it's a lot of people's faves, it just was not mine. I did enjoy the audiobook a lot, and both narrators did a great job with the story.

Exit Lane by Erika Veurink is one of those deceptively short novellas that manages to carry far more emotional weight than you’d expect from its size. Listening on audio made the experience even better — the narrators brought so much depth to Marin and Teddy’s complicated love story that I found myself fully absorbed.
Veurink’s writing is clever and sharp, especially in how she uses time jumps to trace the evolving connection between the two characters. At times, though, those leaps made me want to shake them both — so much heartache could have been avoided if they had just communicated honestly. Still, their flaws and hesitations felt true to life, which made their stops and starts believable, if frustrating.
Marin, in particular, at times tested my patience. Her tendency to run when things got hard — especially during Teddy’s illness — was difficult to watch unfold. Yet, I also understood the instinct to flee, and I appreciated how Veurink painted her contradictions with honesty. Teddy, meanwhile, is equally flawed, carrying scars from his past that bleed into his relationships. Their mistakes mirror each other, which is both maddening and oddly touching.
The romance itself is messy but tender, full of yearning, bad timing, and unexpected second chances. I was invested in their journey.
The side characters, especially Sloane and Carter, added warmth and dimension, and I loved how the bisexual representation felt authentic and thoughtfully woven into the story.
Overall, Exit Lane is an emotional, character-driven novella that will resonate with readers who enjoy complicated love stories, imperfect people, and the ache of “almosts” that keep circling back to fate. It’s frustrating in the best way—because you actually care about what happens to them.

Thanks to NetGalley for the alc.

This was a quick audio novella that followed two young people who met by chance, traveling to NYC after grad school to continue their studies and start their careers in the big city. Little did they know that their lives would keep coming back to each other unexpectedly, as if fate wanted them to be together.

It just took a very long time! The banter was cute, the story was pretty fast-paced, but the couple's hesitation to admit to each other how they felt was slightly maddening. It has some LGBTQ representation, which is nice to see in the mix; however, probably not needed. I suppose that the situation in this story does happen, though. Especially now, with people not hiding how they feel like they did many years ago. Can't hurt to experiment, right?

Overall, the story kept me interested and had a satisfying ending. It seems like their story is still continuing in another book.

Thanks to Netgalley and AE Titles / S&S Audio for the ALC of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review. If you enjoy short romance with tension and a bit of heartache, you will enjoy this story. It has a pub date of 9/16/2025

This was my favorite 831 Stories to date! It was such an amazing slow burn and did remind me of When Harry Met Sally in the best possible way. I was dying for Teddy and Marin to get together the entire book and this definitely went unexpected but delicious places. So swoony and so hot! Definitely add this to your TBR -- excellent narration but I'm sure it's just as good a read as it was a listen!

I absolutely loved this book, and I give it my highest recommendation. Exit Lane comes out next week on September 16, 2025, you can purchase HERE.

Exit Lane is one of those books that sneaks up on you emotionally. It’s short but manages to pack in a surprising amount of depth and feeling in such a small space. The story follows Marin and Teddy, who meet in college and share a spontaneous road trip that ends up shaping the next eight years of their lives in quiet, powerful ways.

I loved how restrained and reflective the writing was. Nothing about this book is loud or overly dramatic, it’s soft, almost muted, but that’s what makes it feel so real. The romance builds slowly, with long stretches of time and space between Marin and Teddy, and you really feel the weight of what’s unsaid between them. It's not about grand gestures; it's about timing, grief, vulnerability, and how hard it can be to let someone in.

Marin, in particular, is such a complex character. She’s guarded and hesitant, often pulling away just when things might get real. At times I wanted to shake her, but I also understood he, the fear of loss, the way grief changes how we approach love. Teddy, on the other hand, is so steady and patient. Their dynamic felt honest, sometimes frustrating, but always believable.

I listened to the audiobook, and I have to say, it added a lot. The narration is split between two voices, which really helped distinguish Marin and Teddy’s perspectives. Both narrators had a calm, expressive style that matched the tone of the story perfectly. Nothing overacted or overly performative, just thoughtful, low-key delivery that let the emotions come through naturally. It really enhanced the intimacy of the story.

Overall, Exit Lane is a quiet, intimate story about missed chances, longings that don’t go away, and the courage it takes to love someone when the timing has never quite been right. It’s the kind of book you think about long after you finish, wondering what might’ve happened in all those in-between moments. I really enjoyed it.

Thanks for the ALC 831 and NetGalley.
I loved the author's writing style, in particular the way the characters were described and all the nuanced anecdotes and history that helped build the characters personality and quirks. Also hooray for healthy male friendships that go beyond surface level.
My one issue with novellas (combined with a love interest characters who has their walls up) is the "falling in love" bit seems to almost happen overnight, like a switch is flipped, as does the conflict and resolution. And for me as a reader it makes it seem like a piece of the puzzle is missing and rushed over. It feels particularly less believable when one of the character's falling in love is painted as the antithesis to a "hopeless romantic who regularly throws caution to the wind", not prone to going all in all of a sudden.
With that aside, I enjoyed following Teddy and Marin from city to city and across several years, as they learn new things about themselves and each other and come full circle in the end.

The premise was great but the execution fell flat for me. I wasn't convinced that the two main characters were truly meant to be/soulmates so the emotional moments didn't hit and didn't hold the weight they were supposed to. They go on a road trip together which ends in a kiss and then they don't see or talk to each other for years but somehow we're supposed to feel this big emotional moment when they run into each other again, then again then again. This book is also guilty of using the miscommunication/lack of communication trope simply for creating conflict which I absolutely hate. This kind of story does much better when it has more time to be fleshed out (not in a novella) and when the conflict is not lack of communication!

Exit Lane by Erika Veurink, with narration performed by Kellen Boyle and Hallie Ricardo is a friend's-to-lovers, second chance romance with definite When Harry Met Sally vibes. Marin and Teddy meet after college graduation when a mutual friend arranges for them to ride together from Iowa to New York City. They have chemistry, however they each have very specific plans for the future that vary differently. This novel takes place over 8 years and is told in dual POV. I loved the characters and development of their relationship over the years. Additionally, I thought the author tackled how a person's previous trauma affects them deeply in a realistic and poignant way. I really would have loved an epilogue to hear more about their HEA!

Thank you Netgalley, AE Titles, S&S Audio, and the author for this ALC in exchange for an honest review.

Exit Lane was another beautiful novella in the 831 Stories world. Reminiscent of When Harry Met Sally and the underlying question if men and women can ever just be friends, Erika Veurink managed to fit a 8 years worth of longing and character into such a short book. There is exploration of grief, trauma, and fear of intimacy and losing everything all over again. My only criticism is that I could have read a full length novel of Marin and Teddy.

3.5 stars, rounded up. For a novella, this was pretty well developed. I enjoyed the realistic passage of time between encounters of the characters, and the ways in which they seemed to grow and change towards their true selves in the meantime, while also maintaining their sense of who they truly were. The story was fun, but had a few oddly timed mentions of sexual things that didn’t really seem relevant, and were slightly jarring for the reader.

This book is incredible! It packs a serious emotional punch—I sobbed through the last 25% while clutching at a deep ache in my chest.

The story itself spans eight years, so that combined with the emotional depth of the writing and character development, performs some sort of temporal wizardry and makes you forget that its probably close to a novella in length.

The narration was fantastic, overall I highly recommend this excellent contemporary romance. Do check your content warnings as it deals with some heavy and heartbreaking themes.