Today’s review features a new series-starting novel by Elizabeth Camden: Meet Me in Virginia. Her second foray into a contemporary novel world, this book enchants and captivates as it weaves a contemporary romance that will appeal to fans of Courtney Walsh and Becky Wade.

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?

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Meet Me in Virginia by Elizabeth Camden is an enchanting contemporary romance story with a remarkable Williamsburg setting. Its pairing of Alice and Jack, true opposites in background and personality, is captivating from the start. A subtle historical thread influences the story, a regional mystery of sorts that Alice seeks to solve. Its presence is an apt feature for the author, who is already established as a historical fiction storyteller. I always appreciate her stories for her portrayal of and respect for history — evident in *this* tale in the echoes and influence history has on the present.

One of the things I appreciate the most about this story is Camden’s unique characterization approach. Alice and Jack have nontypical, fascinating careers: academics with a penchant for history, and golf course architecture & design. They are well established on the page with depth and vibrancy, making me (as a reader) feel like I know their personal preferences and demeanors by the end of the story. His no-nonsense approach to life and her penchant for nostalgia and cooking are two such characteristics.

I love how this romantic pairing explores how Jack and Alice challenge each other to see the world differently — to be better versions of themselves. Their moments in the story together are marked by sharp banter and romantic chemistry, unfolding in a way that proves their intellectual match. Jack is undeniably hero material and totally my type. I appreciate and respect how Camden can write beta and alpha heroes with such complexity and realness to them, making me fictionally fall for both in different stories (I’m referencing Count Dimitri Sokolov, king of the beta heroes).

Meet Me in Virginia is very much a romance, but it also has deep themes of reconciliation, legacy, and hope. The historical element and family influences play into these themes to make this story to get caught up in. This is Camden’s second foray into a contemporary novel world, and the promising start of a series I am anticipating! Book 2 is set to feature Alice’s intriguing brother, whom we meet briefly in this one. I think this contemporary romance will appeal to fans of Courtney Walsh and Becky Wade.

For part of my reading, I listened to the audiobook production via my local library’s app. It is highly recommended! The narrator does a fantastic job embodying the characters and a few southern accents.

My thanks to the publisher for the ebook review copy. I purchased a finalized copy for my collection. This is my honest review.