Title: Just One Night
Author: Lauren Layne
First published January 1, 2014
240 pages, ebook
ISBN: 9780345547279 (ISBN10: 0345547276)
Rating: 3.83
Overview
In Lauren Layne’s captivating novel Just One Night, Riley McKenna is a renowned sex columnist, but she’s been living a lie. Her writing may be scandalous, but her personal life is anything but.
When her editor requests a personal piece for the magazine’s anniversary issue, Riley turns to her longtime friend Sam Compton for help. Sam has always been there for her, but he’s not willing to be her experimental sex toy.
Until Riley gives him an ultimatum that he can’t refuse. Reluctantly, Sam agrees to one night of meaningless sex in the name of research.
But what starts as an experiment quickly turns into something more. As they navigate their newfound feelings for each other, Riley and Sam discover that one night may not be enough.
In this unforgettable tale of love and friendship, Lauren Layne proves that sometimes all it takes is just one night to change everything.
About the Author
With over twenty novels under her belt, Lauren Layne has become a bestselling author on both the New York Times and USA Today lists. Her works include the popular 21 Wall Street series which features titles like Hot Asset, Hard Sell, and Huge Deal, as well as the Central Park Pact series.
Her books have sold over a million copies and have been translated into nine different languages. Lauren’s writing has been recognized in various media outlets such as Publishers Weekly, Glamour, the Wall Street Journal, and Inside Edition.
She is based out of New York City.
Editoral Review
Just One Night is a captivating novel by Lauren Layne that takes readers through a one-night stand that blossoms into something more. Published on January 1, 2014, this book follows the romance genre’s typical style, but its storyline is unique and intriguing.
The novel focuses on the struggles of two people finding love, dealing with past baggage, and what happens after a casual hookup. The book starts with a chance meeting between the characters, who, after a few drinks, end up in a hotel room together.
It quickly becomes clear that this is more than just a hookup for both of them, but they both have their reservations and little time before they must go their separate ways. The dynamic between the two main characters, Riley and Oliver, is electric, and the dialogue between them is sharp and witty.
Riley and Oliver have vastly different backgrounds and personalities, and their differences cause some obstacles. However, as they navigate their way through their one-night stand, they discover that they have more in common than they initially thought.
Their chemistry is undeniable, and as the night wears on, they both begin to realize that their connection is more than just physical. One of Layne’s strengths is character development.
She crafts well-rounded and relatable characters that are easy to root for. Even the side characters in the novel play a crucial role in the story’s progression.
Layne’s writing style is engaging, and her descriptions make it easy to visualize the settings in the book. Just One Night explores themes such as self-discovery, trust, and the fear of vulnerability.
It also tackles the effects of past trauma and how it can impact one’s ability to open up to others. These themes make the story both relatable and thought-provoking.
The book is not without its flaws, as the storyline feels a bit rushed at times. The events leading up to, and after the one-night stand, could have been fleshed out a little more.
However, Layne’s writing style and character development more than make up for any shortcomings. Overall, Just One Night is an entertaining and heartwarming read that leaves readers feeling satisfied and content.
Fans of romance and realistic fiction will thoroughly enjoy this book. I give it four out of five stars and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a lighthearted read with a bit of depth.
