Written in the Margins

Written in the Margins is part of the fourth book in the Library Love Notes romance series written by various authors.

This is a small-town romance with (surprisingly spicier than expected) scenes where the town's bad boy meets the town's good girl and the townsfolk, who are a very nosy and opinionated bunch and aren't afraid to give their two cents. The series is set in the fictional Ontario small-town of Beaver Creek and with our main characters both being authors who meet at an author event, there's the added bonus of Canadian book nerd joy!!

The main couple: Love isn't always easy. Both Zander and Addie have their own trauma/loss to deal with which muddies the romance waters. I liked Zander and found his past was interesting (if a bit darker than expected) and I was rooting for him right away. He's damaged with a past but he did the crime, did the time and now just wants to start over ... if only the town would let him. And despite the 'reformed felon' not being on my romance bingo card, with him it totally works. 

Addie was the town sweetheart and she was ... fine if a bit predictable and bland. We're told she's sweet but I came away wanting more from her character.

This is sweet small-town read that dives right into the relationship (insta-love alert) and spicy scenes, but brings in deeper/darker themes (abuse, trauma, violence) for some depth and a couple you'll root for as they battle their demons and the pushy townspeople who have a lot of preconceived ideas and prejudices. 

My Rating: 3 stars

Author: Madeline Nixon

Genre: Romance, Spice

Series: Library Love Notes 4

Type and Source: ebook, personal copy

Publisher: self published?

First Published: June 16, 2026

Read: July 21-26, 2026

Book Description from GoodReads: He has a reputation in town. She's determined to give him his second chance. Adelaide Ramsay is a Beaver Creek darling. She’s distantly related to the town’s founders, has a tragic past that was once town gossip, and found success as historical fiction author. The town is happy to claim her as one of their best. But behind her smile is a woman who overcompensates with bright colours and endless hobbies, always feeling like she’s a little too much for anything real.

When Zander Browning gets invited to Beaver Creek’s Festival of Local Authors, he’s anxious to return to his hometown. The first fifteen years of his life were spent in town before everything blew up. He tells himself he’s content being alone and deserves it for what he did in the past. But behind his stony exterior is a man yearning for someone to finally love him. Through a stroke of fate, Adelaide is the first person Zander sees at the event, which they spend flirting through books.

Adelaide’s sunshine-y personality breaks through Zander’s grey skies. They see each other. But a storm is brewing in town that might just break them apart.

Written in the Margins is part of the Library Love Notes series, featuring open-door, small-town romances set in the fictional cozy town of Beaver Creek, Ontario.