Meet You in the Middle by Devon Daniels

Publisher: Berkley Books
Publication Date: February 2, 2021
Genres: Contemporary Romance
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Book Review

Would you ever date someone outside of your chosen political party? That is the question at the center of Meet You in the Middle. Liberal Kate thinks the answer is no. She views her cohorts across the aisle as incompatible opponents. That is until she meets Ben, a fiscally conservative Republican. The two have instant chemistry. But can two political opposites ever be compatible?

I’ve seen several terrible reviews for this novel because of the political nature. First of all, this is first and foremost a romance and an excellently written one at that. Second, you do not need to enjoy politics to enjoy this book. Meet You in the Middle is about just that, finding the things that we all have in common that unite us, even across seemingly uncrossable lines. It’s about the values that we all share, a commonality for all of us. In the author’s note at the back, Devon Daniels discusses the derision after the 2016 election and the desire to only date within one’s political party. She wanted to explore that and see how it would play out between two rivals. The result: a thoroughly well-written romance riddled with sexual tension and tender moments.

Simply put: I loved this book. I loved the chemistry between Kate and Ben. The story is filled with sexual tension and steam. It’s told entirely in the first person from Kate’s perspective as she struggles to rationalize her feelings for Ben with her morals and professional reputation. Ben is the perfect male lead. He’s charming, attractive, intelligent, respectful, and funny. You can tell how deeply he respects Kate. He brings out the best in her and challenges her in all the right ways. 

Thank you to Berkley and Netgalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

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Synopsis from Goodreads

What happens when the person you find MOST impossible becomes impossible to resist? Opposites distract in this hilarious romantic comedy about America’s least likely couple.

There’s just one thing standing between liberal Senate staffer Kate Adams and passage of the landmark legislation she’s been fighting for all year: Ben Mackenzie, intimidating gatekeeper for one of DC’s most powerful conservative senators. After Kate and Ben lock horns in a meet-not-so-cute, they vow to take each other down–by any means necessary.

She thinks he’s arrogant (and doesn’t deserve those gorgeous green eyes). He thinks she’s too quick to judge (and irresistibly distracting). But as their endless game of one-upmanship becomes Kate’s favorite part of the day, she starts to wonder if her feelings for Ben are closer to attraction than animosity…and maybe their sparring is flirting. And when Kate realizes there’s more to Ben than meets the eye, she’s forced her to confront her biggest fear: In her sworn enemy, she may have found her perfect match.

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About the Author