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Review: Meet Me in Virginia - Far and Away #1

Meet Me in Virginia book cover on blue background

I love that Elizabeth Camden has been venturing into contemporary stories as her meticulous research is a delight to encounter in more recent plots. The first book in the Far and Away series, Meet Me in Virginia, introduces us to the Chadwick family, with Alice kicking things off as our resident history professor with a penchant for Jane Austen.

Being a woman of precision and refinement, it's quite fun to see her encounter a swashbuckling hero. I'm excited about what's next in the series as the Chadwick family has its own eccentricities, with the next book coming in spring 2026.

Content to be aware of: yoga, a gym scene that readers may be sensitive to

Book Synopsis

She believes in elegance and tradition. He’s all about grit and smashing through obstacles. Together, they’re a disaster waiting to happen—or the perfect match.

Alice Chadwick, a history professor devoted to the genteel values of Jane Austen’s world, has spent her career championing kindness and mannerly comportment in a cutthroat academic environment. But her dream of elevating Austen’s ideals is on the brink of collapse—her colleagues want her fired, and a scandal threatens to ruin her completely.

Enter Jack Latimer, a world-renowned golf course architect with zero patience for old-world charm. He’s brash, bold, and determined to build his masterpiece on a valuable stretch of Virginia property—even if it means demolishing the historic building Alice hopes could save her career.

When their clashing goals spark fiery confrontations, neither is prepared for the unexpected discovery hidden on the property—a find that could save them both if they can stop bickering long enough to work together. As their partnership deepens, so does the inconvenient attraction simmering between them. Will their undeniable chemistry lead to a happily-ever-after—or will their differences derail them both?

Source: Amazon

Book Thoughts

To say that this book kept my attention rapt is an understatement after completing it in one sitting without breaks. From first getting to know Alice Chadwick as a professor of Jane Austen to encountering rough-around-the-edges Jack Latimer, their story in Virginia had me wanting to discover the plight of a historical building and its possible connections to old wives’ tales. This is a romance between true opposites, with Elizabeth Camden dazzling us in how she brings Alice and Jack together. 

After reading all of her novels, I contend that she writes some of the best male characters I've had the pleasure of encountering where they leap off the pages, flaws and all. It is these very flaws that make for a compelling journey as mysteries are unravelled and glimpses into history are on full display. Faith is lightly presented as Alice and Jack exhibit tenacity, forgiveness, and hope while discovering the cost of following Christ throughout history. If you're a fan of well-crafted puzzles requiring research as well as magnetic chemistry between the lead characters, Meet Me in Virginia is an absorbing look into two professionals who infuse passion into their work and life.

Book Summary

  • Format of book: 📖
  • Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
  • Recommendation: 👍
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