Exit Lane

by Erika Veurink

"The best of When Harry Met Sally, Normal People, and Lady Bird all wrapped up in a vintage button-down and sprinkled with Midwestern charm." —Joanna Goddard, Cup of Jo

The debut novel from beloved writer Erika Veurink, this is a deeply personal and propulsive romance laced with humor, heat, and high-octane yearning. Perfect for fans of You, Again, One Day, and People We Meet on Vacation.

After a postgraduation drive from Iowa City to NYC, Teddy and Marin have both had enough of each other to last the rest of their lives. But that doesn't stop their paths from crossing over eight rocky years, punctuated by chance encounters and transatlantic visits, on a journey that eventually brings them right back to where it all started.

"You are going to stay up way past your bedtime devouring this novella." —Molly Prentiss, author of Tuesday Nights in 1980 and Old Flame

"Erika Veurink pulls off a fun, charming read with just enough scandalous young-people behavior to remind you that we are all a mess and that falling in love is a journey that's well worth the adventure and the many detours." —Aminatou Sow, coauthor of the NYT bestseller Big Friendship

"I've already read it twice." —Caro Claire Burke, author of the forthcoming Yesteryear

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Audiobook, Contemporary Romance, Novella, Contemporary, New York

222 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 16, 2025

Reviews

[Zoë · Rating 5 out of 5]

i hate these midwest idiots (lovingly)

[Julia (Shakespeare and Such) · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.8/5 stars -- let me start off by saying that erika veurink can clearly write... the words themselves were not my problem here. there was the most beautiful line to the effect of her feeling being "more than a crush but more tender than desire" and i was like oh :') that's lovely. my issue, instead, is that marin makes me want to rip my entire head of hair out and it's really hard to root for a romance when half of the couple drives you up the wall. the concept of this romance- the missed connections, the will-they-won't-they- is strong, but the third act breakup ACTUALLY offends me to my core. like if i was in teddy's position, no spoilers, marin could have groveled for the rest of her life and i still never would have forgiven her. she was so selfish fr. i had some smaller issues as well, like there being too large of time gaps in the beginning for them to still be obsessed with each other for no reason, but that truly pales in comparison to the pressing issue of marin being a really shitty girlfriend. and in the end they're not even going to move back to iowa??? my shayla :'(

thank you to netgalley and 831 stories for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Plot: 3/5
Characters: 3/5
Pacing: 2/5
Writing: 4/5
Enjoyment: 2/5

[Jan Agaton · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're a Sally Rooney fan, this is a must-read♡

[mood_reading_maya · Rating 1 out of 5]

There is a formula to romance, no question about it. However, to the novice reader of the genre, it’s far more complex than one would think. Romance is a layered, nuanced equation. You’ve got to be able to think about character, plot, and emotional intersections as you work through your calculations to achieve a desired outcome (the HEA). It’s not “plug and chug” drivel. Exit Lane took very little of this into consideration.

The characters are bland. The plot is woefully uninteresting. There is zero chemistry between Teddy and Maren. Don’t tell me this male main character is a yearning, aching, lovesick fool when these two have barely had a conversation together on page that would merit a 7+ year tendre. Maren is tall, confident, smokes cigarettes, and dresses like Annie Hall—so alluring! So aloof! Writing a novella—especially a romance novella—is a careful art. You have to set the scene, develop the personas, build the emotional intimacy, sneak in a hot bang, and ensure that the relationship is believable. And that, is absolutely not what you will find here.

Is this a new sub-genre being marketed to women who are Penguin Classics devotees? Is this for a niche reader who couldn’t be bothered to carry a paperback with an illustrated cover? Moreover, what is this cover? Outside of that, the sales pitch at the end of the audiobook set this straight into one star territory. Thank you but I do not have any interest in reading an epilogue or revisiting this “book universe” or purchasing merch inspired by these paper thin characters.

[Maren’s Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️ I am really invested in this new collection of romance from 831 Stories, and have been slowly but surely making my way through them. So as soon as I saw one that sounded a whole lot like a modern-day retelling of When Harry Met Sally, I knew I needed to get my hands on a copy.

Overall, I found this bite-sized romance, set over quite a few years, charming and enjoyable, so much so, I was able to read it in a sitting. What I loved about it is how closely it follows the movie, but with such unique fresh takes on the characters and situations. I found both Teddy and Marin (pronounced the same as my name LOL) to be interesting and engaging, and while I of course could kind of predict where they would end up by the end of the story, I still had fun along the way.

I will caveat this by saying I enjoyed all but one decision Marin made that made me want to throw my book at the wall. While this packs a pretty heft punch at only 224 pages, including some heavier topics, I wish we had more time in each year we visit with them, but given the shortened nature of this story, I can see why we didn’t.

🎧 This is fantastic on audio narrated by Kellen Boyle and Hallie Ricardo who both did an outstanding job making these characters feel so real. In many ways, listening to the audio felt like watching an adaptation and I was there for every minute of it.

Read if you like:
▪️retellings
▪️friends to lovers
▪️road trips
▪️open door romance
▪️overcoming grief
▪️second chances
▪️bisexual rep
▪️When Harry Met Sally

Thank you 831 Stories and S&S Audio for the advanced copies.

[sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

watching people waste the time they could have had together for stupid reasons will always feel like a waste of time to me

[Kari · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the concept of this one. Missed connections, chance encounters, two people never getting the timing quite right. All of that is up my alley and really intrigued me. Sadly something didn’t quite work for me with the execution. A lot of the time, it felt like there was just surface level, physical attraction between the two main characters, so I struggled to buy their relationship in the end. And the ending wrapped up a bit too quick for me. The quick resolution after the seriousness of the 3rd act breakup didn't sit well with me.

That said, it wasn't bad, just probably not a fit for me.

I do love these novella-length books though, so will definitely continue to pick up 831Stories books.

I received a free copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Marta · Rating 2 out of 5]

was baited by this book being a When Harry Met Sally retelling but ended up reading the most romance-less romance story i think i’ve ever read.

this was all horny-ness, 1% smut, and 0% actual connection and love. this was a disservice to the iconic rom-com it was trying to ride the coattails of.

[DianaRose · Rating 5 out of 5]

firstly, thank you to the publisher for an alc!!

4.5 stars

i will always gravitate towards any form of media that touts similar vibes/premise of when harry met sally (the non-negotiable best romcom).

while exit lane certainly had when harry met sally vibes, erika veurink added her own special twists and emotional circumstances that make it unique!

as for the audio, there were dual narrators and i always love that for a romance novel!

[mimi (depression slump) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Imagine you FALL IN LOVE with someone who doesn't want any strings attached, spend YEARS thinking about her and then, fast forward five years, you meet her out of the blue in one of the biggest metropolises in the world.

Fast forward five more years, you end up working in the same company — because, fate — and friendship becomes situationship. But you find out you're SICK and she kick your ass out of the door like it was on fire.

Fast forward five more lonely, wasted years, you end up IN THE SAME CAR during a blizzard — to your best friends’ wedding, who aren't as ridiculous as you two — and, why not, you love her more than how you resent her — and it must have been fate, right?!

Hope you'll be happy guys, I wouldn't last a month.

↠ 2.5 stars

Thanks to 831 Stories and NetGalley, who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion.

[KiKi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not ok. Every time I think I have my favorite title from this imprint pegged, another story comes and my top spot changes instantly. What an intricate, complicated, and realistic little love story this was. Taking course over EIGHT years, a random road trip develops into a love story where the two main characters fall prey to the universe and it's ill timing. Ugh- the longing, lust, and battles with lifelong grief interwoven into the "will they won't they?"? Chef's kiss.

[Zoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

midwest (romance) is best

[Kailee · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and 831 Stories for an arc of this book!

I will be honest, I really did not enjoy this story. The pacing and timeline was all over the place. There was both insta-love and an incredibly annoying and unnecessary slow-burn. The back and forth felt childish, and I couldn't understand how Teddy could become so obsessed with a woman who truly gave him nothing to obsess about. The kiss might have been good, but Marin seemed absolutely uninterested in him, at least from his point of view. I liked the idea of Teddy having cancer being used as a way to make Marin confront her own trauma, but it didn't play out in a way that made sense at all. Maybe if that idea was explored a little sooner, and we didn't have strange multiple year time skips, this story could have panned out the way I know the author was going for, but I really thought it was the weakest 831 Stories has had so far.

[Kelly • Kell of a Read · Rating 2 out of 5]

2⭐️ started out fun but woof.

[juliette · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

every romance cliche you’ve ever read or watched except you also have to hear about iowa 10,000 times

[Lynn Peterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast read. Short novella and it was a fun read. I really didn’t love Marin, the FMC, but I did like that the author made her “stick to her independence.” This was all about her growing up. Teddy already knew what he wanted. I’m not sure I could forgive Marin.

[Gisele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to NetGalley and 831 for letting me read this arc! I'm so honored to be given this opportunity and I had so much fun, thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

Oh man, this was good. I'm convinced anyone who doesn't rate this as a 4 star or higher is either lying or hates romance. I remember watching Anne Hathaway in "One Day" and being so disappointed in the movie's outcome because the premise of it had so much potential. This story is exactly what "One Day" should have been. Actually no, it's not even comparable because it's 10x better than the premise for One Day.

Teddy is such a lovable character. Some might say he's a golden retriever. But he's not really a golden retriever In the sense that he's energetic or happy all the time, but rather that he's a good man. He's kind, strong, Is willing to put up a fight for what he wants, is protective, and perceptive. Teddy is an (imperfect) perfect man who, as a reader, you can't help but fall in love with.

Marin is a character that is relatable for me. She's been through some hardship and has her guards up. She's scared of falling in love and having something that lasts. Seeing her grow throughout this story was enjoyable to read. Sometimes these stories can be irritating because the heroine is too stubborn and stuck in her ways, but I didn't feel like that here. I liked going on this journey with her and watching her grow.

If you like other 831 stories you should check this one out.
If you're Interested in reading 831 for the first time, you should also check this out. It's a beautifully imperfect cozy read.

[maddie's reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to 831 Stories and NetGalley for the arc!

3.85 stars

I really can't decide if I loved this book or if I hated it. For the first third, both of the main characters really annoyed me (Marin more than Teddy), and for the second third of the book, I was sympathetic towards Teddy and indifferent about Marin. It honestly just seemed like Marin didn't like Teddy at all, and like Teddy just liked some idea of Marin in his head. I did, however, like the ending, and I thought it was a good conclusion. There was certainly a lot of emotion in this, I just didn't buy the relationship or like the characters. It reminded me a lot of You, Again, by Kate Goldbeck (which is one of the comps, which I also enjoyed), but with less emotional impact. Overall, I have a lot of mixed feelings about this book. I would, however, recommend checking out other 831 Stories romances, as I've enjoyed the others that I've read so far!

[Katherine E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a native Nebraskan with a strong avoidant attachment who moved to Los Angeles, fell in love with her college friend-turned-boyfriend-turned-ex-turned-situationship, only to meet again in their shared home state and get back together, this book means everything to me. This pays homage to the slow burn romance and the midwest (I-80, show choir, Jimmy Johns?? I love the Italian nightclub girl) that I need to see more of in my lit.

This also reminds me why I appreciate a slow burn. We only get 1.5 sex scenes, but they're well deserved thanks to a timeline that spans close to a decade. Pretty prose that doesn't get in the way of its other good elements, relatively fleshed out characters that don't feel too much like archetypes, a man who works tirelessly for a woman's love. It's got all the good things.

[Ruby Yassen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This wasn’t very good but I was SAT nonetheless. Conceptually was awesome but the writing really wasn’t very good. The comparisons to Sally Rooney need to stop.

Why and how are they both making such an obscene amount of money in post grad?? My biggest issue with the book. JK but I forgot how nice reading romance is and gotta love all the tropes and the ability to turn off my brain 😍😍🙏🏼🙏🏼

[Jessica Gregory · Rating 5 out of 5]

Petition to have 6 more novellas of Marin and Teddy’s love story. Thank youuuuu

[mackenzie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thank god it’s over. I have never read about two protagonists who are as insufferable, idiotic, and self-sabotaging as these two. Only redeeming parts of this book is the 100% true midwest rep.

[Amanda Belcher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listen, I love a man who yearns but this didn’t quite do it for me. Brb, gonna rewatch When Harry Met Sally.

[Paris Kemeny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was incredible! Super quick read to get me out of my reading rut. The story. Like cmon. On my way to rewatch When Harry Met Sally because this is basically the modern take on it

[Sara Fikse · Rating 4 out of 5]

when harry met sally is the comp title and he thinks about her every time it snows i’m going to like it

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded up! I really enjoyed the concept of a road trip romance x friendship spread out over the years! Teddy and Marin were both interesting characters who were making hard choices with complex emotions. Getting the timing right is everything, and it took a few time jumps to do so! I got emotional in the middle (IYKYK) but it also felt really raw and real and I liked how the author dealt with it.

The will they/won’t they pulled at my heartstrings the entire time, I read the book in one sitting. Marin is trying hard to run from the past and prevent heartbreak that you know she’s going to end up hurting herself by missing something great. She is stubborn yet relatable for the average woman and anyone who has gone through loss. Teddy is truly a teddy bear who fell hard and fast, and totally in a totally “he fell first” way.

A very “what if we gave into the chemistry x the timings not right” story that I would’ve read as a longer fleshed out novel.

TW: cancer but no death, prior death of the parent

[Julia Rosenthal · Rating 2 out of 5]

these ppl had no right having a love story span 10 years. this book was a waste of my time, but it was short so, 2 stars.

[Cordelia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like candy for the thinking woman

[Devan (devsday) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This destroyed me yet I couldn’t put it down. The writing was fantastic.

This novella follows Marin and Teddy who are connected via a mutual friend at Iowa. They’re both moving to NYC after graduation, and Teddy ends up bringing Marin on the cross country drive. They both keep running into each other over an eight year timespan, and it’s no secret that there is something between them. Teddy is a sweet and charming midwesterner, and Marin is a bisexual cool girl who feels out of reach.

These characters are messy and complicated— Marin has spent her life overcoming the deep dark grief of losing her father, and Teddy can’t let go of the “what if” between them. I found both characters to be relatable, and despite some truly bad decisions (that made me want to scream), I still ended up rooting for them, caring for them and wanting the best for them. Their chemistry was palpable.

[Bia Goulart · Rating 5 out of 5]

a história de amor mais íntima que já li, por vezes senti que eu estava invadindo a privacidade deles de tão real que parecia

Não quero nem comentar muito sobre porque estou extremamente afetada…de forma que há anos não acontecia comigo

Cada capítulo que passava, cada interação que eu lia eu ficava mais boquiaberta, pensando em como a autora retirou tudo de dentro da minha mente 🤯

O tanto que eles anseiam um pelo outro por tanto tempo, foi ao mesmo tempo angustiante e viciante de acompanhar. Uma das histórias mais lindas já escritas e um dos melhores livros que já li, com toda certeza