I was definitely caught off guard for the opening of this book, maybe unprepared for the first date of Oliver and Margot? But all in I really enjoyed this book. I thought the growing friendship between the main characters was sweet, naturally evolving from a shared history of a bad date to helping each other through bad dates with other people, to real friendship in person instead of online.

Margot and Oliver swipe right on each other and have a terrible date, he is rude to the waitress, and talks about fonts, they are both bored to tears, however they share possibly the best make out session ever in his car after. Now three years later, they find themselves constantly getting matched again. Instead of dating they message each other and form a friendship, bonding over bad dates and failed pick up lines. As Margots life starts to fall apart, quitting her job, struggles with her perfect sister, and starting her own company Oliver is there for her. He helps her with her website, and encourages her, and drives her on a research trip. They become friends, and possibly more. But it can never be as easy as that. Oliver has a past of cheating girlfriends that have left him scared, and possibly a secret that could tear them apart.

I really enjoyed the audio version of this book, finished it in two days. It was fun, happy and had me laughing out loud numerous times. If you are looking for a lighthearted rom com with a meet cute obsessed book lover with some pen pal friendship this is the book for you!

Margot's life is a bit of a mess. According to her perfect and successful older sister, she's been nothing but a glorified intern for a really long time. Her love life is a disaster thanks to the dating apps. All she wants is a meet-cute like in a romance novel, which doesn't seem like too much to ask! When the guy she keeps matching with on the apps shows up again on the day her dream career comes crashing down around her, Margot is forced to face the reality that maybe a meet-cute isn't in her future after all. Just because their first date was terrible, not counting the hot hookup in the car afterwards, doesn't mean they shouldn't give it another try.

Like Margot's life, this story felt scattered but I couldn't help but find it endearing. Some parts could have been tighter and there were parts that were definitely frustrating, but it's also a cute story and worth a read if you enjoy romcoms. I definitely figured out what was going on well before it was revealed (being purposely vague to avoid spoilers) and for a large part of the story I just wanted Margot and Oliver to have a real conversation already! Katie Bloomwood gave a great performance as the narrator.

3.5 stars, rounded up

A delightful rom com full of sparkling banter and banter, I was immediately hooked from the first spicy but funny prologue. I adored Margot and Oliver with their sizzling chemistry and funny banter. The perfect listening experience.

Margot is a bit messy, but she's mature, sharp and funny. She's excellent at her job but lacking in confidence to go after what she wants, in part due to her sister undermining her under the guise of being helpful. I loved watching her com into her own power in huge part to Oliver and her awesome best friend Sloane. Oliver keeps a schedule, only has to hit the snooze button once, and is a sweetheart who reads books and watches movies she recommends and helped her to chase her professional dreams. I loved how their relationship developed naturally, he was clear he wanted a second chance with her so there'd be no ambiguity about his feelings.

I also appreciated the well-paced plot that also delves into Margot's struggling professional life stuck as an assistant instead of a long-promised promotion, complicated relationship with her golden child influencer sister Audrey, and a surprising development that, while was part ick, was still well-executed and resolved realistically.

Narrator Katie Bloomwood captures Margot's sass, the banter and her vulnerability perfectly with her vocal tone and pace. Importantly she sounds like she could be 27, she reminded me of Karissa Vacker/Vanessa Edwin who I am a big fan of.

Such a charming gem of that left me with a smile on my face.

Thanks to Macmillan Audio for the ALC.

I received an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

I recommend this novel for readers seeking a thoughtful, contemporary romance that offers genuine emotional connection without excess drama.

"We Met Like This" by Kasie West delivers a charming friends-to-lovers story set in the world of online dating. After an unsuccessful first date initiated through a dating app, Margot and Oliver go their separate ways. Three years later, they match online again, but opt to remain friends. After all, Margot’s laid-back Type B approach to life would never suit Oliver's meticulous Type A personality. However, as their friendship deepens, Margot discovers that their contrasting personalities don’t clash the way she once predicted.

I couldn’t help but love Margot. She handles conflicts like a mature adult and makes thoughtful choices! Very refreshing. She’s funny and down to earth, just living her life in a way that feels authentic rather than exaggerated for dramatic effect. Margot really made this book. Following Margot and Oliver's developing relationship felt natural. I wish there was more yearning from Oliver, though I understand the audience is limited by one perspective. The story moves at a medium pace and focuses more on character development than plot. This novel is unexpectedly comforting.

The narrator, Katie Bloomwood, captured Margot's character perfectly. She skillfully portrays the wide range of emotions Margot experiences throughout the story.

I’m eager to hear more from the author and narrator in the future.

Absolutely loved this one. This is such a unique, heartfelt, hilarious story with some of the best inner dialogue. This is very much a self-discovery journey, focused on the FMC Margot as she navigates stepping into her life the way she wants. The romance here is almost second to Margot's life-changing decisions & I absolutely did not mind it one bit. Her story is relatable, her vulnerabilities are truly felt through such wonderful writing, & listening to this one, narrated by Katie Bloomwood, brought Margot's story to life.

Margot is a bit lost in life & in love, & this journey revolves around her missteps into finding the path she truly wants for herself. On that journey, she continuously comes across Oliver, a man she went on one disastrous date with via a dating app three years ago, but their chemistry is one she can't forget. She forms a friendship with Oliver that helps her break free of a dead-end job & horrible boss that has been holding her back. Oliver is a bit hesitant himself when it comes to relationships, but his connection with Margot is undeniable - that is, until his past throws their potential into a tailspin.

Margot is so incredibly funny, self-deprecating, & someone who is so relatable in trying to find herself. And then she meets Oliver, who helps give her the confidence to do what she truly wants (alongside her best friend Sloane, who is truly the best friend. We all need a Sloane). I loved seeing her come out of her shell & Oliver's unabashed determination to win that second chance at more with Margot is chef's kiss perfection. The romance is a slow burn with a bit of a twist, & the chemistry between them drips off the page. You just can't help but root for these two. It’s a friends-to-lovers scenario that just builds until it explodes. This is such a surprise, but one of my favorite recent reads.

This is my first Kasie West read & now that she's on my radar, it definitely won't be my last....

💕 Friends to Lovers
💋 Second Chance
💬 Dating App Adventures
🔥 Slow Burn
💖 Self-Discovery Journey
❣️ Family Drama
☝🏻 Single FMC POV

We Met Like This - Audiobook review

This book was a 4 ⭐️ read for me and includes themes of friends-to-lovers, second chance romance, and even forced proximity in some scenes😉

Margot and Oliver had a terrible first date and Margot wants to have a meet-cute that is one for the romance books she reads. They constantly run into each other after scrolling through dating apps and become friends. Through different workplace and social interactions, these two find their groove and realize that the connection they have may be more than a simple meet-cute can create.

This book had me laughing and gasping throughout listening to the narrator. I loved the chemistry that these two characters had and the ending? Completely unexpected and added so much more depth to the book than I originally thought it had!

Overall, this was a 4/5 ⭐️ read with 3 🌶️ for the spicy scenes toward the end 🤭

I’ve read some of Kacie’s YA books before and really enjoyed them, so I was excited to check out her debut adult rom-com. Thanks to NetGalley for the ALC!

I loved how the story started and ended, though the middle felt a bit uneven in places. The main conflict didn’t totally work for me, and I think it could have gone in a different direction, but overall this was a fun, light read. I’m definitely looking forward to seeing what she writes next in the adult space!

This book sucked me in so fast—I couldn’t put it down. The chemistry between the characters was amazing, electric even, and every moment felt real. The ending came too fast, with twists that rushed past, but I didn’t care—I was hooked the whole time.

The flashbacks were the best part. They made the second chance feel real and gave me a reason to care about the characters, even though I’ve never experienced anything like their story myself.

I kept thinking about them after I finished. I smiled, got nervous for what would happen, and wished it didn’t end so soon. Reading it felt like stepping into their world and living it with them, right until the last page.

I could not put this one down. For approximately sixteen hours, my life had exactly one purpose: devour this book. And devour I did. I love any banter and witty repartee. The humor in this book has me cackling—CACKLING—in public. Read in public at your own risk.

Margot is a hopeless romantic. Oliver is not. She thrives in organized chaos, while he lives by a strict routine. On paper, they should clash. In reality? Sizzling chemistry. For three years, they’ve been orbiting each other through dating apps, swiping right again and again, building a friendship out of flirty banter and late night chats. The tension in those conversations alone had me giddy. Add in their real-life encounters, the simmering attraction, and the *spice*, and suddenly I’m as invested in this relationship as if it’s my own.

I did spot the big reveal early (I saw those breadcrumbs, Kasie, and ate them happily), but I actually appreciated having time to brace myself for The Moment—the culmination of Margot’s questionable life choices.

If you’re an audiobook lover, I’d recommend this one! It is not a duet, but Katie’s narration is funny, heartfelt, and perfectly tuned to the characters. I listened whenever I couldn’t physically be reading because stopping simply wasn’t an option.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, Saturday Books, Macmillan Audio, and Kasie West for the advanced copies. This review is voluntary, and all opinions are entirely my own.

4.5⭐️

First I’d like to extend a thank you to Macmillian Audio, NetGalley and the author for the advanced audio copy of this book. My thoughts are my own.

I was pleasantly surprised by this cute, heartfelt story. It was entertaining, witty and layered. I also found this to be a well structured, even paced story that was definitely spicier than I had anticipated. This was fine by me but keep this in mind if you are someone that isn’t a fan of spice. The audiobook was well done- I found myself laughing along and fully immersed in the story and even binged it in one sitting.

Every single character really added to the book and I found myself enjoying all of them. The lovable best friend, problematic boss and frustrating sister were all well done and of course I loved the MMC and FMC. Oliver was sweet and thoughtful- at times his lack of communication irked me but overall, he was a doll. I loved that Margot was confident and strong and only grew more so throughout the story. I’m also usually pretty good with picking up on the twists before they happen but this one escaped me and left me feeling surprised.

Overall, this was a fun, quick rom-com and perfect for when you’re in the mood for a cute story with great banter and just the right amount of spice! 🔥

We Met Like This is SUCH a fantastic audiobook!!

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from this, but the premise of meeting someone on the dating apps over and over again was so fun I had to give it a listen, and I’m so glad I did!

Margot and Oliver keep rematching over the years on dating apps, and since Margot is really in search of her perfect ‘meet cute’, has written him off. But when Margot quits(ish) her job, Oliver is one of her strongest relationships to lean on.

Once I started listening to this, I could not stop! The narrator was fantastic and gave so much personality to Margot and everyone else in the book.

Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan audio for this ALC, all opinions are my own!

I am a murder, psychological thriller, dark fantasy girl.... and after listening to this, now I a romance girl...

This is just the sweetest, light-hearted, slow-burn romance with a little bit of spice. Oliver and Margo met for a disastrous date after meeting on an online website three years before. As the app continues to try matching them, they start some easy texts back and forth about giving dating tips. Soon this grows into a friendship. They find ways to support each other in life and it grows. Soon a ghost from the past reappears though.

This made me laugh, gave me sweet feelings, and all the gross stuff.

Thank you Netgalley, Kasie West, and Macmillian Audio for this advanced listening copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Seriously so good! I loved Oliver and Margo, but definitely Oliver! This book makes me interested in checking out more from Kasie West. Perfect romcom for lovers of second chance romance with a good storyline to keep you hooked.

in terms of the audiobook narrator, I had no issue. The rest of the story however? I have never been more aggravated by a female main character ever before in my life.

Our female lead is in the pursuit of a sexual relationship with her boss while also at the same time letting that determine where she stands within the company, keeping that low status of assistant when anyone else in their right mind (who hadn't been kanoodling with the boss) would have asked for a promotion ages before.
Oliver, the love interest, was the only redeemable character. He was open and communicative and driven, interested in a romantic relationship when our female protagonist was horny and thinking about everyone in the most sexual way possible.

She lets herself get dragged for years before asking for a promotion, not realizing that she'll Never get it all because of her previous relationship with her boss and the thought that everyone will believe its favoritism if he does give this promotion. Quitting was the best thing she could have done- and something she should have done sooner.

The overly lust filled thoughts took a lot of the romance out of the story for me as well, it was hardly even a medium burn. They go from seeing each other in person again after 3 years to immediately making out.

We Met Like This
Kasie West
Publish Date Sep 16, 2025 
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing me with an advance listening copy. All thoughts and opinions are completely my own.
Margot Hart dreams of becoming a literary agent so she can share love stories with the world, but her own love life feels far from romantic. After years of bad luck with dating apps and one unforgettable kiss with Oliver, a guy she keeps running into online, Margot insists she wants something that feels more like a real-life storybook romance. When she loses her job and unexpectedly crosses paths with Oliver again, their connection proves hard to ignore. As she works to rebuild her career, Margot begins to realize Oliver may be more than just a fling, though he has secrets that could stand in their way.
The story kicks off with a spicy and fun start, and the chemistry between Margot and Oliver is strong throughout. The romance is enjoyable to follow, but the story itself feels a little predictable at times. I wasn’t a fan of the twist with Oliver being Margot’s sister’s ex—it came across as more icky than compelling, and it didn’t feel entirely believable. Even if Oliver didn’t realize right away, it’s hard to imagine he wouldn’t recognize Margot at some point, especially given how much his past relationship with her sister shaped his life. While the book has its sweet moments, the twist pulled me out of the story.

the way I DEVOURED this means it has to be a 5⭐️ from me. I LAUGHED so much. The banter and chemistry between the two characters was incredible!! this wasn’t a book I would’ve picked up on my own, but I am so happy I read this and was able to read an early copy!!! HUGE THANKS!! I will be screaming about this book to anyone who will listen. Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for the opportunity to listen in exchange for a review!!

This was an easy to read romcom that got a little spicy. I didn't love the female main character. She came off as a pushover to me, which is a turn off for me on a novel like this. This was a quick read, but as her first adult debut, it still read a little YA to me.

4.5 stars. I did a combo of the digital and audio versions of this book. The audio was narrated by Katie Bloomwood. I really enjoyed the narration. It was light and fun and still made my heart beat faster.

The story is about a woman who's life has kind of blown up around her. Her sister is badgering her about asking for a promotion at work. Margot finally got the guts to ask her boss (whom she has been sleeping with) for a promotion that should have happened a long time ago. It didn't go so well.

In the middle of all the chaos, she reconnects with Oliver, a guy she had a really bad first date with years ago. They ever so slowly, with much humor and heat, work their way back together.

The banter in this book is great. There are lots of s... innuendos that were very funny and Oliver was pretty perfect. He's described as a golden retriever guy. I really think these characters are perfect for each other. I know they were perfect for me!

Thanks to St. Martin's Press, Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the copies. All thoughts are my own.

This was a new to me author and i really enjoyed her writing style. This was the type of romance book I'm always on the hunt for. it's easy to read, effortlessly funny, and has a great cast of characters.

I was drawn into the story immediately, which is always a good thing. I think Margot is a great FMC and I absolutely loved her. It actually took me finishing the book and sitting down to write this review to realize this book was only one POV, which I think speaks to the strength of Margot as a character. I didn't miss not having our MMC's POV at all.

I think this story was perfectly paced. The plot just moved along so well, and I didn't feel any lulls in the story. The third act conflict did make me mad (sister conflicts always hit close to home!) but I did end up happy enough with the resolution between our FMC and her sister (and with the MMC) and overall this was just such a nice read. I was originally drawn in by the cover of this one, but the story is what kept me.

Narration: the narration on this was perfect. I have not listened to Katie Bloomwood prior to this book, but she nailed it. She has a wonderful narrating style and injected so much life into her performance, without being over the top. She has a very smooth voice that is really just so pleasant to listen to. She actually reminded me of Karissa Vacker/Vanessa Edwin - so any fans of her narration would absolutely love this performance!

I will definitely be checking out more work from this author.

This book is perfect for anyone looking for a romance book that has good humor and low angst, who wants to just sit and binge a book that will make you kick your feet.

✨ ALC Review: We Met Like This by Kasie West ✨

🎧 Audiobook provided by NetGalley | Releases September 16, 2025
Rating: 3.5/5

Narrated by Katie Bloomwood — her voice is so easy to listen to, even at a faster speed. She brought Margot’s story to life in such a charming way!

From the very first page, this book surprised me spicy prologue? Yes please! 🔥 Not overly spicy, but definitely unexpected for a Kasie West novel, and I was hooked.

Margot Hart is a hopeless romantic who dreams of meet-cutes and literary love stories not dating apps. But fate keeps throwing Oliver, her app match turned steamy first date, back into her life. When she loses her job and decides to start her own agency, Oliver shows up with golden retriever energy and unexpected support. Their banter, chemistry, and emotional growth made this story so adorable, funny, and relatable.

I really enjoyed this one — it’s lighthearted with just enough depth to tug at your heart. And that twist?! I saw it coming but was still hoping I was wrong. 😅

Kasie West’s adult debut is full of witty banter, meet-cutes gone awry, and the kind of romance that makes you believe in love again. 💖