Publication Date: June 18, 2026
Your next travel read or Book Club pick, this compelling story about belonging will resonate long after you’ve finished. Perfect for fans of Normal People, One Day, and Thunder in My Heart.
It’s 2003, and Margo is reeling from a bad breakup. She’s looking forward to a drama-free semester abroad at the University of Edinburgh, in Scotland. When she meets Ren, her beautiful and mysterious downstairs neighbor, her plans to keep things uncomplicated suddenly vanish. Struggling with the pace of her courses, and unsure of how to nurture her new friendships, Margo’s brain works overtime to make sense of her environment. She longs for Ren, but she’s unwilling to pine away while he figures out his complicated feelings. Constantly trying to rise above her anxious nature, Margo throws herself into the social – and sensual – opportunities that studying abroad offers. She discovers that her happiness is made up of small but significant moments. She revels in cappuccinos with fluffy foam, long runs past ancient stone buildings, museums with friends, and surprising, spicy encounters. Despite the low rumble of an existential crisis nipping at her feet, Margo is determined to find her place in the world.
All formats include a Reader’s Guide, which is also available on the author’s website.
Meet Me At the Ruins brings an American UNC student to Edinburgh, Scotland, for a semester abroad. Margo is happy to make this change since, without knowing why, she decides weeks prior that it is time to break off the relationship with her boyfriend.
Author Luna Westish sets us up right away, realizing the lead character’s insecurities as she overthinks every decision and personal interaction.
Margo is already halfway through her degree program when she arrives in Scotland, so she isn’t new to the stresses of college. However, she quickly realizes that being a university student outside the US comes with different expectations. On arrival at her new flat, one roommate is very chatty whilst the other is quiet. Here begins Margo’s assumptions about those she meets. Quickly, Margo begins to amass a group of acquaintances, friends, and lovers. Since the character’s anxiety manifests as overthinking and as assuming others’ motives and feelings, it is easy to see how she narrows her love interest to Ren.
Ren is also coming from a recent place of hurt, so their relationship will need patience. Yet Margo’s time at the university is limited, and the looming timeline will put pressure on their precarious love for each other.
Meet Me At the Ruins would be a story of connection for young adults who dream of studying abroad, with the hope of finding love.
Luna Westish is a pen name for a traveling, coffee drinking, politically active writer currently traveling the world. Luna identifies as non-binary, queer, and disabled. Luna also writes non-fiction articles and essays on cults, chronic illness, business, and sustainability
