Review: HLB Reviews Just One Night
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 04 30, 2014
I’ve always enjoyed the whole dating-my-brothers-best-friend-forbidden-romance storyline. I don’t know why. But at the end of the day I would pick that storyline over a family feud romance (sorry Romeo and Juliet). So I was excited when this book came my way and I read the synopsis. Totally a book up my alley.First things first, the chemistry between Riley and Sam worked for me. They had a lot of heat built up between the two of them, which I really did enjoy, especially watching Sam try to combat that heat and talk him out of having any feeling for Riley. I like that they knew each other so well, it was more than just a romantic interest in each other, the two were actually friends for a long time, they knew all the little things about a person that develop over years of friendship. Plus they had a great back and forth banter between the two of them.So the whole catalyst for Riley finally going for it with Sam is the anniversary issue of the magazine she works for, the editor wants the stories they write for this issue to have a more personal aspect to them. So, since Riley is a write who writes about sex, she sees this as the perfect opportunity to get what she has wanted all along. Of course nothing is that easy. Turns out Riley is not as sexually experiences as people think she is, close to not at all experienced. Oh and the little hiccup of Sam not wanting to lose the friendship with Riley’s older brother Liam, or well losing being a part of Liam and Riley’s family. So there are definitely some obstacles along the way for these too.I liked Riley a lot more than I liked Sam. She has a good head on her shoulders, is a good friend, a good sister, and she is kind and loyal. She puts herself out there to Sam even though it’s one of the hardest things for her to do. And when things don’t work out the way she thought they would, she doesn’t break down and go into a depression and never leave her apartment, that totally wouldn’t be Riley’s style. Riley picks herself up (with the help of some awesome friends) and moves forward. I really like that about her.Sam on the other hand is a bit more complex for me. He’s a good guy, don’t get me wrong, and he’s a good match for Riley in my opinion. But the man has more self-doubt then you would think possible. And it’s not just that he doubts himself with relationship (be them friendship or romantic), he doubts himself in everything. He is completely unwilling to put himself out there, and shuts down at the first sign of things not being 100% perfect. This gets kind of annoying for me. There are some instances where his self-doubt totally works for the story line and it’s understandable, and I don’t mind, but I do wish there had been just a little less there.Overall, I really do like this book. There were some nuances I noticed along the way, somethings that reminded me of other pop culture thing (Sex & the City, How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days) but they weren’t so over the top that it felt like a knock off. I would easily recommend this book to anyone looking for a good romance, this could easily be your book.