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The Improbable Meet-Cute #1
The Exception to the Rule
On February 14, an accidental email to a stranger opens the door to an unexpected relationship in a captivating short story by the New York Times bestselling authors of The Unhoneymooners.
One typo, and a boy and girl connect by chance. Wishing each other a happy Valentine’s Day isn’t the end. In fact, it becomes a friendly annual tradition—with rules: no pics, no real names, nothing too personal. As years pass, the rules for their email “dates” are breaking, and they’re sharing more than they imagined—including the urge to ask…what if we actually met?
Christina Lauren’s The Exception to the Rule is part of The Improbable Meet-Cute, irresistibly romantic stories about finding love when and where you least expect it. They can be read or listened to in one sitting.
One typo, and a boy and girl connect by chance. Wishing each other a happy Valentine’s Day isn’t the end. In fact, it becomes a friendly annual tradition—with rules: no pics, no real names, nothing too personal. As years pass, the rules for their email “dates” are breaking, and they’re sharing more than they imagined—including the urge to ask…what if we actually met?
Christina Lauren’s The Exception to the Rule is part of The Improbable Meet-Cute, irresistibly romantic stories about finding love when and where you least expect it. They can be read or listened to in one sitting.
101 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 23, 2024
About the author
Christina Lauren
85 books86.2k followersChristina Lauren is the combined pen name of long-time writing partners/best friends Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings. The coauthor duo writes both Young Adult and Adult Fiction, and together has produced twenty New York Times bestselling novels. Their books have been translated into 30+ languages. (Some of these books have kissing. Some of these books have A LOT of kissing.)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 14,617 reviews
February 14, 2024
“you’d come back just to see me?”
“without question.”
this story straight out kicked me to the floor and called me single in 100 different languages!! 🕳️👩🏻🦯
“without question.”
this story straight out kicked me to the floor and called me single in 100 different languages!! 🕳️👩🏻🦯
February 13, 2024
4/5
ME WHEN?
ME WHENN??
ME WHENNNNN????
ME WHEN?
ME WHENN??
ME WHENNNNN????
January 25, 2024
4/5 ⭐️ This was a really cute and fun novella. The first 50% is told entirely via emails and I thought that was a pretty cool concept.
T and C were so cute! I really enjoyed it! I honestly wish that they would write a whole book about them 🥹❤️. And this was less than 100 pages but we also got a cute epilogue of them in the future and it was perfect!! ❤️
T and C were so cute! I really enjoyed it! I honestly wish that they would write a whole book about them 🥹❤️. And this was less than 100 pages but we also got a cute epilogue of them in the future and it was perfect!! ❤️
January 24, 2024
5 ✨…without question.
I’m going to sleep with the biggest smile on my face. This novella was too adorable. 🥰
Despite being 100 pages, it was the right amount of slow burn. I particularly enjoyed their communication over the years via emails - delayed gratification!
I’m going to sleep with the biggest smile on my face. This novella was too adorable. 🥰
Despite being 100 pages, it was the right amount of slow burn. I particularly enjoyed their communication over the years via emails - delayed gratification!
February 11, 2024
psa: don’t read this! it’ll make you feel exceptionally single.
addendum 1:
the way i feel so empty. what the fuck am i supposed to do now.watch me change my rating to 5 stars 😭 for a 100 page novella 😭 you’re joking 😭
addendum 2:
visual representation of how i feel:
addendum 1:
the way i feel so empty. what the fuck am i supposed to do now.
addendum 2:
visual representation of how i feel:
February 9, 2024
“𝙸 𝚍𝚘𝚗’𝚝 𝚗𝚘𝚛𝚖𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚢 𝚔𝚒𝚜𝚜 𝚋𝚎𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚏𝚒𝚛𝚜𝚝 𝚍𝚊𝚝𝚎,” 𝙸 𝚝𝚎𝚕𝚕 𝚑𝚒𝚖. “𝙱𝚞𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞’𝚛𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚎𝚡𝚌𝚎𝚙𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗 𝚝𝚘 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚛𝚞𝚕𝚎.”
Aahhhh omg I loved this so much!! 💖💕
Aahhhh omg I loved this so much!! 💖💕
February 10, 2024
Valentine’s Day 2014
“One typo, and a boy and girl connect by chance”
When “T” is kind enough to let “C” know that he has sent his email to the wrong address, he thanks her and wishes her a happy Valentine’s Day.
But, “C” is the “exception to the rule” so this email exchange isn’t the end, instead becoming an annual tradition, albeit a few rules: no pics, no real names, and nothing too personal-to keep things fun!
But as TEN years go by, they realize that they have actually become friends.
Is 2024 the year that they might finally meet in person?
“Christina Lauren’s The Exception to the Rule is part of The Improbable Meet-Cute, irresistibly romantic stories about finding love when and where you least expect it. They can be read or listened to in one sitting and are included with your Amazon Prime subscription.”
I have tried this extremely popular writing duo before, but their writing was too YA for me. But this Valentine’s Day novella, with its two narrators reading aloud the annual emails was an almost perfect “meet cute” despite some YA dialogue, and it was definitely one of my favorites in this delightful holiday series! 💘
“One typo, and a boy and girl connect by chance”
When “T” is kind enough to let “C” know that he has sent his email to the wrong address, he thanks her and wishes her a happy Valentine’s Day.
But, “C” is the “exception to the rule” so this email exchange isn’t the end, instead becoming an annual tradition, albeit a few rules: no pics, no real names, and nothing too personal-to keep things fun!
But as TEN years go by, they realize that they have actually become friends.
Is 2024 the year that they might finally meet in person?
“Christina Lauren’s The Exception to the Rule is part of The Improbable Meet-Cute, irresistibly romantic stories about finding love when and where you least expect it. They can be read or listened to in one sitting and are included with your Amazon Prime subscription.”
I have tried this extremely popular writing duo before, but their writing was too YA for me. But this Valentine’s Day novella, with its two narrators reading aloud the annual emails was an almost perfect “meet cute” despite some YA dialogue, and it was definitely one of my favorites in this delightful holiday series! 💘
January 29, 2024
3.5 stars
It’s been so long since I’ve read a Christina Lauren book. This was just a cute fun novella. The trope of two people making a deal about emailing/talking/meeting each other once per year has always felt strange to me tho. Like life is too short guys to stick to that freakin rule!!! On the other hand I enjoyed their email exchange. Those two were so adorable and cute, I wish they get the chance of having a full novel. I wanted more time of them together in person.
It’s been so long since I’ve read a Christina Lauren book. This was just a cute fun novella. The trope of two people making a deal about emailing/talking/meeting each other once per year has always felt strange to me tho. Like life is too short guys to stick to that freakin rule!!! On the other hand I enjoyed their email exchange. Those two were so adorable and cute, I wish they get the chance of having a full novel. I wanted more time of them together in person.
January 28, 2024
So cute 🥹
I need Callum in my life 😭
I need Callum in my life 😭
July 15, 2024
⁀➷ ★★★★★
🩰
✦ Disgusting book 🤢🤮! I was gagging and I genuinely wanted to throw up because of how fucking cute and adorable this was.
”You’d come back just to see me?” “Without question...”
🩰
✦ Disgusting book 🤢🤮! I was gagging and I genuinely wanted to throw up because of how fucking cute and adorable this was.
”You’d come back just to see me?” “Without question...”
February 6, 2024
★4 stars
Holy soup dumplings this was so cute!!!! This 100-page novella had me so engrossed I never wanted it to end! 🥰 I desperately needed something light and short to get me out of a slump, and Christina Lauren delivered! T & C were adorable leads–their 10 year exchanges ranged from cute anecdotes, to hilarious drunken word vomits, to surprisingly deep conversations. I honestly loved the email format, as the short snippets kept my eyes from straying.
Also didn’t know high schoolers had school-given email addresses nowadays? But now here I am wishing I could’ve had a similar HEA email mistake like Terra lol. Pen pals will never not be cute to me 📝💕
-----------
Pre-Review:
PLEASE HELP WITH MY SLUMP 🙏😫🙏
Holy soup dumplings this was so cute!!!! This 100-page novella had me so engrossed I never wanted it to end! 🥰 I desperately needed something light and short to get me out of a slump, and Christina Lauren delivered! T & C were adorable leads–their 10 year exchanges ranged from cute anecdotes, to hilarious drunken word vomits, to surprisingly deep conversations. I honestly loved the email format, as the short snippets kept my eyes from straying.
Also didn’t know high schoolers had school-given email addresses nowadays? But now here I am wishing I could’ve had a similar HEA email mistake like Terra lol. Pen pals will never not be cute to me 📝💕
-----------
Pre-Review:
PLEASE HELP WITH MY SLUMP 🙏😫🙏
February 7, 2024
Omg!!! This was the cutest! Way too short! I just gobbled it up in no time at all! Love this for Valentines Day! 😍💛
₊˚ ‿︵‿︵‿︵୨୧ · · ♡ · · ୨୧‿︵‿︵‿︵ ˚₊
Obviously I need to jump on this train now. It sounds sooo cute! 🥰🤭💕
₊˚ ‿︵‿︵‿︵୨୧ · · ♡ · · ୨୧‿︵‿︵‿︵ ˚₊
Obviously I need to jump on this train now. It sounds sooo cute! 🥰🤭💕
August 29, 2024
This book was such a fun and cute read—exactly what I needed to pull me out of a reading slump! I found myself wishing, “WHEN WILL IT BE MY TURN??? This story also made me feel single in so many ways.😭😭😭😭
January 24, 2024
the first 42% of this book is solely written in email format 😣
February 21, 2024
Omigosh! Cute ➕ hot!
A Pennsylvania college backdrop and a wrong email address lead to a delightful short story.
I'm happy I came back to this one and did not return it after my irritation with the email exchange format in the beginning which didn't work well for me on audio. Sometimes the sender, receiver, and subject line were longer than their actual email.
So far this collection is a winner. Both book 1 and 2 are adorable!!!🥰❤️⭐
101 pages/1H 56M
Free with Prime.
A Pennsylvania college backdrop and a wrong email address lead to a delightful short story.
I'm happy I came back to this one and did not return it after my irritation with the email exchange format in the beginning which didn't work well for me on audio. Sometimes the sender, receiver, and subject line were longer than their actual email.
So far this collection is a winner. Both book 1 and 2 are adorable!!!🥰❤️⭐
101 pages/1H 56M
Free with Prime.
February 3, 2024
I ❤️LOVED❤️ this short Valentines story!! 😍🤗 Penpal meet cuteness 🥰
February 4, 2024
the butterflies in my stomach are going crazy. oh my god, i loved this 😭💌
January 24, 2024
OHHHHH MY GODDDDDDD DUDE WHAT
WHY ARE THE SHORTEST BOOKS THE ONES THAT WOULD BE THE BEST FULL LENGTHS EVER 😭😭😭😭😭
DO URSELF A FAVOR AND DROP WHAT UR DOING TO LISTEN OR READ THIS BC THE CUTENESS IS INSANEEEEEEE 😭😭😭😭
CL WHY WOULD YOU NOT MAKE THIS FULL LENGTH THIS IS UR BEST PREMISE IVE READ YET
BYE GONNA LISTEN TO INVISIBLE STRING ON REPEAT AND THINK OF THESE TWO IN A PUDDLE OF MY OWN TEARS
WHY ARE THE SHORTEST BOOKS THE ONES THAT WOULD BE THE BEST FULL LENGTHS EVER 😭😭😭😭😭
DO URSELF A FAVOR AND DROP WHAT UR DOING TO LISTEN OR READ THIS BC THE CUTENESS IS INSANEEEEEEE 😭😭😭😭
CL WHY WOULD YOU NOT MAKE THIS FULL LENGTH THIS IS UR BEST PREMISE IVE READ YET
BYE GONNA LISTEN TO INVISIBLE STRING ON REPEAT AND THINK OF THESE TWO IN A PUDDLE OF MY OWN TEARS
February 1, 2024
4.5🌟
It’s been quite a while since I picked up anything resembling a romance book. Just needed a break I suppose. But after continually seeing this audio pop up in my GR feed I felt this was the perfect time to jump back into the genre. And at under 2 hours…I had nothing to lose!
It did start with a bit of a YA vibe which did give me (a very brief) pause. But after recently finishing a YA audio I knew it wasn’t going to deter me.
Absolutely sweet and heartwarming! I may have even misted up at the end…just a little!😉
The two narrators did an amazing job!
Can’t wait to dig into the next in the series.
It’s been quite a while since I picked up anything resembling a romance book. Just needed a break I suppose. But after continually seeing this audio pop up in my GR feed I felt this was the perfect time to jump back into the genre. And at under 2 hours…I had nothing to lose!
It did start with a bit of a YA vibe which did give me (a very brief) pause. But after recently finishing a YA audio I knew it wasn’t going to deter me.
Absolutely sweet and heartwarming! I may have even misted up at the end…just a little!😉
The two narrators did an amazing job!
Can’t wait to dig into the next in the series.
May 22, 2024
Its like reading punk 57 but without the smut. How many times has this plot/ trope been used??? oh and the only description of the guy was that hes 6'3 and has an "underwear shredding smile"
January 26, 2024
4 stars
I enjoyed this one so much! It started off with an email to the wrong address and stemmed into an online friendship for many years. I loved when these two finally got to meet in person. Super cute.
I enjoyed this one so much! It started off with an email to the wrong address and stemmed into an online friendship for many years. I loved when these two finally got to meet in person. Super cute.
Audio book source: Audible
Story Rating: 4 stars
Narrators: Marli Watson & Andrew Gibson
Narration Rating: 4 stars
Genre: Romance
Length: 1h 56m
February 10, 2024
•| ⊱✿⊰ |• 3,7 Stars •| ⊱✿⊰ |•
I love this short story, pity is so small.
Terra and Callum exchange emails since she is 16 years old, and he sends one, by mistake, to her instead of a teacher.
After that, they always exchange emails only on Valentine's Day.
Through the years, on that day, they tell each other what happen during the year, without revealing any personal details.
They start to talking about meeting each other, but in one year he's got a girlfriend, the next is Terra with a boyfriend and the years are passing…
Until 2024, they finally are in sync…
January 27, 2024
the setup…
It started ten years ago when C. accidentally sent T. an email meant for his calculus teacher on Valentine’s Day. They got a little chatty about it with T. admitting that the email was the only one she’d received from a guy. One year later on February 14, C. sent T. a Happy Valentine’s Day email greeting and that began an annual tradition. Their “rules” didn’t allow the reveal of names, locations or much personal identifying information.
the heart of the story…
I wasn’t going to bother with this short story but it’s hard for me to pass up anything by this writing team. Despite the “You’ve Got Mail” similarity, I knew their angle would have some interesting distinctions and it does! Imagine going ten years, beginning in high school, keeping up this kind of communication. Loved it.
the narration…
Loved that two narrators were used, especially given the form of dialogue and communication. Both sounded youthful in the beginning but more mature as the story progressed. I enjoyed their performance.
the bottom line…
My instincts were right and I had a good time with this fun “meet-cute.” I loved what brought them face to face and everything in between.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
It started ten years ago when C. accidentally sent T. an email meant for his calculus teacher on Valentine’s Day. They got a little chatty about it with T. admitting that the email was the only one she’d received from a guy. One year later on February 14, C. sent T. a Happy Valentine’s Day email greeting and that began an annual tradition. Their “rules” didn’t allow the reveal of names, locations or much personal identifying information.
the heart of the story…
I wasn’t going to bother with this short story but it’s hard for me to pass up anything by this writing team. Despite the “You’ve Got Mail” similarity, I knew their angle would have some interesting distinctions and it does! Imagine going ten years, beginning in high school, keeping up this kind of communication. Loved it.
the narration…
Loved that two narrators were used, especially given the form of dialogue and communication. Both sounded youthful in the beginning but more mature as the story progressed. I enjoyed their performance.
the bottom line…
My instincts were right and I had a good time with this fun “meet-cute.” I loved what brought them face to face and everything in between.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
March 18, 2024
“without question.” 🥟
a super cute novella that starts via accidental valentines day emails
christina lauren managed to pack quite a punch in this. i just think the “secret identity” bit went on a biiit too long for my liking. & we deserved a full spice scene .. but fun nonetheless !
a super cute novella that starts via accidental valentines day emails
christina lauren managed to pack quite a punch in this. i just think the “secret identity” bit went on a biiit too long for my liking. & we deserved a full spice scene .. but fun nonetheless !
July 22, 2024
✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ 5/5 stars ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯
okay, i LOVED this book. it was so short but quite literally one of the cutest books i’ve ever read 🥹💗 it was so fun to read and perfecttt after having just finished a dark romance book. If you need a cutesy short love story to make you giggle and kick your feet for a little while, this is the one ✨
okay, i LOVED this book. it was so short but quite literally one of the cutest books i’ve ever read 🥹💗 it was so fun to read and perfecttt after having just finished a dark romance book. If you need a cutesy short love story to make you giggle and kick your feet for a little while, this is the one ✨
February 16, 2024
⊹˚. ౨ৎ→“Do you ever have a feeling about someone? Like they’re your safe space and, I don’t know, like someday it could be more?” I swallow, nodding. “Yeah. Of course.”
I’m looking right at her.
“I have a feeling about him.” But the thing is, when she looks up at me and our eyes lock, I’m pretty sure she has a feeling about me, too.
I’m looking right at her.
“I have a feeling about him.” But the thing is, when she looks up at me and our eyes lock, I’m pretty sure she has a feeling about me, too.
February 5, 2024
ugh the last line >>>
April 21, 2024
This is the type of book that you will completely forget out until there's these random types of moments in your day where all you can do is nothing but think about the characters in this book. So will I forget this book? Yes. Will I obsess over it when I remember a snippet of it? "Without question."
July 13, 2024
4.5 Stars
CLo writing an epistolary romance novella for Valentine’s Day!? Be still my fangirl heart!! 😍
Two strangers, ten years, and countless soulmate-defining email exchanges, The Exception to the Rule will give you an instant mood-boost and leave you with a face-aching smile that’s hard to shake.
This story was short in length but absolutely irresistible in its telling, making MCs Terra and Callum swiftly rise in the ranks as two of the best, most darling characters Christina and Lauren have ever gifted us.
This 101-page banger is among the best this dynamic author duo have delivered in recent years, reminding me so clearly why their brand of banter and swoon is still hard to beat in the contemporary romance genre.
The Exception to the Rule is charming, funny, and so classically romantic, and is the first in the multi-author Valentine’s Day themed series, The Improbable Meet-Cute.
CLo writing an epistolary romance novella for Valentine’s Day!? Be still my fangirl heart!! 😍
Two strangers, ten years, and countless soulmate-defining email exchanges, The Exception to the Rule will give you an instant mood-boost and leave you with a face-aching smile that’s hard to shake.
This story was short in length but absolutely irresistible in its telling, making MCs Terra and Callum swiftly rise in the ranks as two of the best, most darling characters Christina and Lauren have ever gifted us.
This 101-page banger is among the best this dynamic author duo have delivered in recent years, reminding me so clearly why their brand of banter and swoon is still hard to beat in the contemporary romance genre.
The Exception to the Rule is charming, funny, and so classically romantic, and is the first in the multi-author Valentine’s Day themed series, The Improbable Meet-Cute.
January 20, 2024
The Exception to the Rule by Christina Lauren
The Improbable Meet Cute Collection. Contemporary romance novella.
A chance mail to the wrong address has two students emailing each other the next ten years, wishing each other Happy Valentine’s Day, but not sharing specific details that might identify them. Ten years to get to know each other just a bit. Working adults now, maybe it’s time to meet?
So stinking adorable! Loved this cute romance. He remembers to bring her a cupcake instead of flowers. Swooning! A romance lovers gem!
I received a copy of this from NetGalley. I’ve already preordered ebooks and audiobooks.
The Improbable Meet Cute Collection. Contemporary romance novella.
A chance mail to the wrong address has two students emailing each other the next ten years, wishing each other Happy Valentine’s Day, but not sharing specific details that might identify them. Ten years to get to know each other just a bit. Working adults now, maybe it’s time to meet?
So stinking adorable! Loved this cute romance. He remembers to bring her a cupcake instead of flowers. Swooning! A romance lovers gem!
I received a copy of this from NetGalley. I’ve already preordered ebooks and audiobooks.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 14,617 reviews