Member Reviews
I really enjoyed One in A Million by Lindsey Kelk so I was very excited to pick up this title too.
Really fun spin on Cinderella! It was over the top, and unrealistic of course...but still fun! Loved the personal assistant plot line, and I was really curious how'd it work out that she'd end up at the Ball. The first part of the book is solid, but it sort of fell flat for me in the 4th quarter. I think it's because it starts off so big, with her new job on a yacht and a grand celebrity Ball, and then the ending is sort of more 'real life'. The PA plotline ended perfectly, in my opinion, it was the rest of it that was lackluster to me. Regardless, I devoured this in basically one sitting, and I think it'd make a great movie.
On a Night Like This is a hilarious and heartwarming rom-com loosely based on Cinderella that proves that you just need a little helping hand from your fairy godmother (or favorite pop star) in manifesting your best life! I wanted this book to go on a few more chapters, which is so rare - I needed to see how things worked out for Fran in both her work and love lives!
Francesca "Fran" Cooper is just your average girl - working as a executive assistant for a temp agency and engaged to her childhood sweetheart. Happy but not satisfied with her life. She needs a new gig and she's beginning to suspect that her fiancé might be a little too cozy with his ex. A pointed comment from her best friend Jess leads her to make an impulsive call to one of her former temp agency contacts, who happens to need a last minute assistant for a celebrity. Knowing that her fiancé won't like that she needs to travel to London for the job (but not particularly caring since she can see him across the street at his ex's beauty salon), she agrees to the interview. When she's offered the job, she's automatically given a new wardrobe and the client "bible" and sent to the airport for a flight to Italy...
...Where she boards a yacht bound for the exclusive island hosting the famed Crystal Ball, the world's most uber-private and glamorous charity event. On board with her celebrity client Juliette, a famous singer known for her temper tantrums, she finds that Juliette is not the monster she's made out to be but is instead a lonely, heartbroken girl who needs a friend more than an assistant. Honest conversation between the couldn't-be-different-but-really-are-similar women makes Fran to realize that she isn't as happy and satisfied with her life as she pretends to be. Hilarious drunken hijinks ensue... it's all fun and games until Fran gets stranded on island....
...Where a soda-and-grumpy cat incident leads to an unexpected encounter with a mysterious and magnetic stranger. When the stylist shows up to get ready the absent Juliette for the ball, Fran decides to take a crazy opportunity, stop playing safe and playing by the rules, and crashes the ball... where she runs into that same magnetic stranger again - the tall, dark and handsome Evan, a man able to keep his cool in the face of Fran's chaos. They decide to keep it simple - first names only, no personal details, just one night... But will just one night be enough for these people who are clearly drawn together by fate?
Many thanks to Lindsey Kelk, Harper 360/HarperCollins, and NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review. This is such a wonderful Cinderella story that downplays the fairygodmother aspect in favor of a lending hand in making your own fate. Favorite line of the book: "Is that a glass slipper in your pocket or are you just pleased to see me?" Absolutely dead 🤣
On A Night Like This follows Fran, an admin assistant, who is stuck in a bit of a rut. After moving from London into in a house in a town that is dominated by her fiancé's former life, Fran's life is slowly slipping into a routine the she is not sure she wants. Fran receives a call offering her the opportunity to work for a mysterious client for a week. She takes the job and literally sets sail on a trip that will change her life!
This Cinderella story was captivating, the characters quirky and the Fran that starts the book is nowhere to be found towards the end of the book. Fran quite literally bumps into a handsome stranger with whom she has an instant connection with. Lindsey Kelk writes them in a wonderful endearing and delightful way making me want to meet them in real life. On a Night Like This is an adorable, sweet read that's perfect for the holidays!
ARC provided by Netgalley for an honest review.
On A Night Like This follows Fran who works as a personal assistant. She receives a job offer to assist a high profile celebrity for one week. Within the week abroad with her client, she discovers new friends, battles her own thoughts on her relationship and meets a potential love interest. I found this to be a sweet and charming story about a woman that faces quite a few struggles before realizing it's okay to be herself and want things her way for a change. Fran was likable and entertaining. The story was decently paced and held my attention.
Four Stars
If you are looking for a cute, easy to ready rom-com with a main character that you will love, this book is for you.
On a Night Like This follows Fran, an admin assistant whose life is a bit of a mess. She's been with her (less than desirable) boyfriend, Stu for 12 years and is currently unemployed, picking up temp jobs as able. That is until she gets the opportunity of a life time - being a PA for an iconic pop star. This is when Fran gets an invite to the illusive Crystal Ball, where she will be changed forever.
My favorite part about this book was not watching Fran fall in love (although, enjoyable), it was watching Fran grow as an individual. Without giving too much away, I love that she prioritized herself, figuring herself out as a person and growing more so than being in a relationship.
Thanks, @netgalley, for another great book!
Okay, so I was interested in the Cinderella theme of the story, which was why I wanted to read it. Though it had some elements of Cinderella, I didn’t see much of it to my satisfaction. And I know I will be in the minority in my opinion but I thought the story was a bit boring. The first half was really slow to pick up and Prince Charming doesn’t show up into mid way through the book. I liked the main characters enough to convince me to finish it. I loved the locations (Italy and London) described in the book. Overall, it was a cute romance story but not enough to hold my attention for long.
I received this ARC from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
omg my cuties!!!! can we all have an evan in our life PLEASE!!
fran thinks she knows exactly what she wants. she has a mildly successful assistant career, she’s engaged to her very long term boyfriend, and she just accepted the job of a lifetime working for a veryyyyy famous singer as she performs at the most exclusive party in hollywood - well, more so the world. that is, until she starts to question everything in her life. how happy is fran really?
I absolutely adored all of the characters in this one. they were so unique and well rounded that I felt like I could reach into my e-book and grab their hands. it was gorgeously written.
if there’s one thing I can’t stand, it’s a woman who doesn’t know her own worth. and that is fran to a tee. the fact that it took a celebrity, a very hot billionaire, her best friend for years, even her boyfriend’s ex-girlfriend - I was so angry at her. she deserved so much better, and the gaslighting boyfriend?! absolutely not.
EITHER WAY. it was so so cute, even though I’m definitely not an insta love person, and perfect for the holiday season.
thank you to netgalley and harper publishing for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
I can’t wait for y’all to read this one!!
wine pairing: champagne
rating: 4.5 stars
Get ready for a night like no other. When Francesca Cooper accepts a temp role, she never dreamed that it would change her life.
After 12 years together, Fran and Stew's relationship has gone cold. She's left stewing about the state of their affairs as well as current profession. When she's contacted about a short stint as a PA for a famous singer, Fran leaves her everyday life behind and heads to London.
Signing an NDA, she's on board with the arrangement especially after being whisked away to Italy. Will the adventure unlock a new future or break the fragile chain that's tethered their lives?
Thank you to #NetGalley and the publisher for the early edition of #OnaNightLikeThis in exchange for an honest review. I loved Lindsey Kelk's 'I Heart' series and eagerly awaited her new romcom escape read. Kelk's biting wit and flawed but endearing characters have readers eagerly paging through the novel to discover their next shenanigans.
Francesca lives with her fiance' in his hometown, trying to find temp work as the holiday season begins. When her best friend challenges her to do something to change her life, she reaches out to an agency that tends to have jobs out of town, something she promised her fiance' she would never take. When a big, top secret, but financially lucrative position becomes available, even though it involves traveling, Fran decides to take it. Acting as an assistant to a famous singer, and escorting her to the biggest celebrity party of the season, the Crystal Ball, With a few bumps along the way, Fran ends up at the ball and meets Evan. They decide they have 1 night... no last names, no personal details, just one amazing night. But what if it should be more than that?
A story that gains some inspiration from the Cinderella story, On a Night Like This has heart and humor and so much relatability. You really feel Fran's battle of being stuck and trying to decide if it's better to start over or stay with the comfortable. This was a perfect, light-hearted story, with a bit of romance thrown in.
I love a good Cinderella story! I loved every minute of t this book. The story was not a direct Cinderella story, but had enough of the core aspects to make it one. I personally loved how Fran had her transformation on more of a personal level rather than just the surface level. And the fact that her "prince charming", Evan, was also working to make himself better, which is so rare in these stories. And Evan saw her for her, rather than the pretty version of after she was made up for the ball. I wish all stories had messages like this.
This book was not at all like what I was anticipating but I was still utterly charmed!
Forever temp & PA professional Fran gets offered the opportunity of a lifetime to work for the world famous Juliette, who is performing at the most exclusive event of the year. In this real-life Cinderella story, she ends up at the event herself as a guest where she meets Evan, the tall, dark, mystery man who acts as her Ball guide.
Even more wonderful than the insta-chemistry between Fran and Evan is transformation of Fran, who begins to realize she's been sacrificing her own hopes and dreams for the sake of a stalemated relationship. Through her tenuous friendship with Juliette and her magical night with Evan, she begins to find the confidence and the focus she's been missing to take the reins of her own life.
This book will have you smiling & rooting for Fran the entire time! A perfect fluffy rom-com!
Thank you HarperCollins and Netgalley for sending me this absolutely perfect arc.
Lindsey Kelk has outdone herself with this story. This is by far one of the best romance stories I have read in the longest time. I read this book in a total of six hours, I just couldn't put it down. Maybe its the fact that me and the character relate so much by both being a libra and an ISFJ, or maybe its Lindsey Kelks absolutely perfect writing.
On a Night Like This is an unabashed, cheeky, modern Cinderella retelling that will charm the glass slipper (or sneaker, in this case) off of the reader. The protagonist, Fran, is an altogether lovely character who, despite this novel being a fairytale retelling, never behaves like a damsel in distress. She's funny, sweet, and feisty. Her Prince Charming, Evan, is equally sweet, if a little static when all is said and done (as are many of the secondary characters; I wish we'd seen more development from them).
The best character, however, is Juliette. For a someone that's not even named in the blurb, she plays a deeply influential role on the story. Her romantic and emotional arcs are deeply compelling, even more so than Fran's or Evan's, and I wish there had been more resolution and time given to her. As one Goodreads reviewer opined, this story could've been so much better if the romance had been between Fran and Juliette.
While the characters are certainly charming and relatable, what shines the most in this novel is Kelk's writing. Kelk's wittiness, up-to-date humor, and detailed descriptions make On a Night Like This immersive and utter fun to read. On a Night Like This is the perfect pick-me-up if you've been reading heavier books lately, or if you've been mourning the hour of sunlight lost to Daylight Savings.
Thank you to Harper360, HarperCollins and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
This was a delightful and fun story with just the right amount of sparkle! Per usual Lindsey Kelk, there is some self reflection and growth needing to happen with the main character who cannot see herself as others do and is trying to force a dead end relationship to please others. I enjoyed that there is no cheating from the main character as that happens in this scenario sometimes and cheapens the love story. The settings were almost tangible with beautiful descriptions and I really want to find this yacht bathroom. The sense of humor of Fran was relatable and kept the book light hearted, even when tougher subjects are being discussed. I also loved the character of Juliette and thought it was an interesting perspective to get to know a celebrity through their assistants point of view.
Forget Book Boyfriends, Fran is my new Book Best Friend. I loved her. She was quick and funny and had such a heart. Every time things went badly for her my stomach knotted I cared so much about her, This book is her cinderella experience as she goes from unhappy and neglected to self empowered and adored, complete with a ball and seemingly the perfect prince. It may be a familiar journey but, like Fran, this version was special and just plain fun.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
When Fran takes a temp job for a celebrity, she somehow finds herself at an exclusive ball, dressed in a beautiful gown, and staring at a gotgeous man! But she’s in a pretty unhappy engagement, and stressing over her identity being uncovered. What a Cinderella situation 😍 Fran must decide whether to let go for the night, or stay true to her self expectations.
This was a hella cute, sweet romance + womens fiction book. But I loved the banter, and Fran was super sweet and relatable. I had so much fun reading this book!
Thank you Harper 360 and NetGalley for an eARC access to this book for an honest review!
Thanks to NetGalley and Harper 360 for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for an honest review.
Fran Cooper is 30-something, engaged to Stew (no offense to any Stews or Stewarts out there, but I hated him immediately just from his name), and in between temporary assistant jobs. Then she lands a once in a lifetime temporary job as an assistant for a world-famous pop star, and accompanies her to an event that seems Met Gala-ish in Italy.
I started this book at around 11:00pm while trying to unwind before bed. I ended up completing the book, and going to sleep at 2:30am. Everything about this was just enjoyable. I immensely enjoyed Fran's relationships with the other female characters, and I appreciated the lack of (too much) drama. While there is a romantic aspect of this book, that and the friendships take a backseat to Fran's relationship with herself. She starts the book living a life she doesn't really like, but has settled for, and her journey to something better was immensely enjoyable.
I'll admit it's been awhile since I read this book, and I remember liking it a lot. I liked Fran as a character, and I found myself relating to her dulling her shine and not living up to her potential to keep her fiance happy. I liked her growing friendship with Juliette, even when I wanted to push Juliette over the yacht several times. This escapism rom-com, was more escapism friendship comedy than anything as the romance was very much a minor part of the story. This was Fran's story of how she came to terms with her dying relationship as well as her dying light. By the end of it, she shines and gets to live life on her own terms. This was incredibly funny and charming, and would make a very great summer read.
This was such a cute and heart warming read. I really loved Fran's character and how she found herself and her strength to fight for her own happiness. The background of an enormous yacht, Sicilian islands and fancy parties certainly helped add to the romantic and exciting feel of this book. It had a very Cinderella like feel to it, which I really loved. Evan was quite dreamy too. Thank you to Netgalley and Harper 360 for the ARC.
I really enjoyed this book! Fran was amazing! Loved the development of the characters, overall a good book. I would totally recommend On a Night Like This.
I want to thank NetGalley for an ARC of On a Night Like This by Lindsey Kelk.