Thank you Netgalley and Wattpad WEBTOON Book Group for the ARC copy of the book!

While this story wasn't groundbreaking, I was super intrigued by the premise of shy librarian and star basketball player falling in love. And while we got that, I felt like something was missing for me to really enjoy this book the way I expected to. I felt like their love story wasn't flashed out enough and was more tell that show in a way, so I felt it was a bit too rushed for my liking and a bit unbelievable. That's why I couldn't fully connect to characters ( who I felt I didn't know enough by the end of the book ) and I couldn't fully root for them.

All that aside, there were some really beautiful moments between them that I really enjoyed reading about and I think love interest was really nice and sweet. Also I related to the daydreamer and romantic side of our main character, which is always a plus and great thing to encounter while reading. And even though I wish we got more slower burn romance and less smut, I really enjoyed the scenes we got and felt like they were nicely written.

All in all, this was enjoyable read and even though I'll probably won't remember it for a long time, I still had fun time and would recommend it to anyone who's looking for a fast romance collage read.

"Night Shift" kicks off with the prospect of a promising youthful romance, tapping into the charm of Wattpad teenage years. However, as the story unfolds, the flirtatious and sweet moments become borderline cringy. Also the excessive use of bookish analogies ruined the story's credibility. One of the most significant drawbacks of "Night Shift" is its pacing, where both the narrative and character development feel rushed and underdeveloped.


Thank you to the Wattpad Books and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book! The whole premise and characters really drew me in and kept me entertained. I loved the friendship between Kendall, Harper and Nina. I do wish we got more time with Vincent and Kendall. I felt like the book moved so fast and I just wanted to enjoy it a little longer. I’m glad that the miscommunication that went on between Kendall and Vincent was resolved fairly quick and we got to hear both sides communicate clearly! Overall, this was a cute and fun read. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

If you’re looking for a sweet contemporary romance to give you the warm & fuzzies, this is it. Kendall is a bookworm trying to navigate her new fling with the captain of the basketball team with only the experience of her romance novels to guide her. The banter in this book had me giggling and kicking my feet and the mouth on Vincent had me sweating. All of Kendall’s romance novel comments and comparisons to life made her even more relatable and the character development between her and Vincent was great.

However, it could have used more relationship building. It very much had an “insta love” vibe to it and I didn’t feel the characters had really developed a connection until the epilogue. It started off really fast paced and plateaued but picked back up at the end. Not a ton of spice but there is a bit and Vincent somehow knew how to make the spice so sweet at the same time.

It is a fast paced plotline with strangers to lovers. Kendall Holiday is assigned with night shift to work in the campus library. She is a reader and loves to read spicy romance book. One Friday, during her night shift while she was reading and enjoying her spicy romance book, Vincent Knight comes to library asking for recommendations for poetry book. One interaction leading to another and these two keep on meeting and becoming close to eachother.
It's a super quick and cute romance.

Great dialogue between all characters, looking forward to see who's story is next for this universe!

Highly recommend! Very addicting and hard to put down. Loved Kendall's bookworm energy, very relatable. Vincent was very swoon-worthy. I can't wait to read more from this author!

I completely devoured the book in two days maybe even less. It was wholesome and easy to read. I enjoyed all of the characters even though the self awareness was a little too close to home. Kendall reminded me so much of myself. Her introversion and lack of confidence leads her to create scenarios in which she feels she's being defensive or preparing for the worst to happen, when in reality she is shutting down before trying. I loved seeing her come out of her shell and go after what she wanted.
I appreciated not being dragged through the miscommunication trope. Sometimes the dialogue was little, TINY bit corny for my taste. I can't wait to see more books from this author! Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this ARC

I’m somewhere between three and four stars on this one. It was pretty cute, and I thought Vincent was really sweet and adorable, although I definitely got frustrated with Kendall. I do wish there was more build-up, that we actually got to see Kendall and Vincent get to know each other before they went all heart-eyes at each other, since that would’ve made the story more convincing and ultimately stronger as a romance.

I appreciated the tongue-in-cheek references to the romance genre, and I agree with Kendall (and also the author’s views I’m sure) on why romance is important and what’s so beautiful about this genre. I thought it was adorable that Vincent went and memorized so many poems and read poems because he liked Kendall so much, but this very much felt like a love at first sight kind of thing. Which, fine, I’m okay with insta-love in some circumstances, but it’s hard to feel particularly emotionally attached to any of the characters when even we, as the readers, don’t get to know them well before they’re falling for each other. It made it hard to believe that they’re that invested in things working out and that heartbroken by the misunderstanding when their three interactions probably totaled three hours together.

It also made it hard for me to not be super annoyed with Kendall; having anxiety is one thing, but not having the proper coping mechanisms and making shitty assumptions and lashing out because of that doesn’t make it acceptable. Vincent’s a sweetheart, but it still felt like he forgave her with no issues, which I was skeptical about. I guess he’s just a lot less of a grudge holder than I am because I would’ve been pissed lmao.

I did think the communication Kendall and Vincent did have in the latter third of the book was good though and a healthy portrayal of consent and having fun with sex, which I liked. The way Vincent checked in with Kendall and followed her lead about what she wanted was sweet. The sunflower doodles are pretty cute. The romance novel and movie metaphors were fun (albeit a bit too on the nose sometimes, since there were a lot of them…), and I thought there were some clever lines. I also appreciated that I actually found some of the dialogue pretty funny (I did laugh a few times, more so in the first half of the book).

It’s like Kendall says in the book, though, that romance novels can only show so many hand-picked moments of these characters’ lives. I think some of the moments in the book were pretty well-chosen, but it also feels like others that would’ve strengthened the emotional impact are off the pages. I did enjoy this read for the most part, though; it’s a quick read, with a very easy to read style, and though my frustration with Kendall had me wanting to smack some sense into her, I found her romantic tendencies relatable and could mostly understand her fears. I’d definitely check out future books from Annie Crown to see how her writing evolves.

Also, the cover is so cute!!!

Thank you to Netgalley and Wattpad Books for this ARC!

this book!!! i finished it one sitting. i seriously could not put it down. when i tell you i was blushing and full on laughing oh my god. i love books about people who love books and this just took it to the next level. i loved their banter, the smut, the side characters, the character development was all wonderful. vincent was genuinely the sweetest ever. seriously so so swoon worthy!!! i related so heavily to kendall. honestly, my only complaint was that we didn't get an in depth seen of her at one of his games. i preordered this half way through the book because i knew i was going to love it.

Thanks to NetGalley I received an advanced electronic copy of the book to read and provide a review.

Oh boy, this book - I loved it. I’m pretty sure it was written for my enjoyment like if NetGalley had a FYP as accurate as TikTok.

A contemporary college romance with a slow burn, endearing lovable characters with fun friends, wholesome but explicit spice, and an author/FMC POV who is cheeky enough to reference tropes while doing said trope. The writing style made it easy to read and easy to get lost in the story. I’m sure this isn’t for everyone, but I also LOVED all the bookish references.

All in all, this was a good time.

Ahhh this was adorable and I loved every second of it! The characters were so lovable and the chemistry was spicy!

I had not heard anything about this book until I saw it pop up on NetGalley. The cover is so sweet looking and the synopsis was intriguing to me. I was not prepared for this book. This is such a sweet story between Vincent and Kendall. While I love a good story of self acceptance and gaining confidence I will say Kendall kinda got on my nerves. In one moment she’s saying she hates the miscommunication trope and that they are gonna be up front with each other then the next thing you know she’s going back to the same miscommunication. That is my ONLY gripe about this book and I still devoured it. Smut was good 3/5🌶️ and it was very sweet too which I don’t see often and actually enjoyed more that I was expecting to. Also the banter is amazing like I actually laughed out loud while reading it. Don’t even get me started on the chemistry🥵🥵. I desperately want more!! In conclusion, READ THIS BOOK!

I did not expect to finish this in one sitting, but this deliciously spicy meet-cute had me by the throat. Our main character Kendall is a bookworm and dreams of romance, but is afraid to put herself out there. At times, her insecurity and assumptions gets infuriating to read, but that's the whole point of the book. She's like the other female main characters we read about in romance novels who are shy and sweet, and also afraid to have their hearts broken.

Her love interest, Vincent, is a little too perfect to be true: he's caring and kind, but also the hottest guy on campus that has enough experience to get Kendall off but all of his previous expertise has been drunk so they don't count (yeah that's *highly* unrealistic). But in this story, he coaxes Kendall out of her shell enough for them to get past their miscommunication trope (which is called out how tropey their relationship is, drawing attention to the fact that this book was definitely written for romance readers).

This was a fun and quick-paced read that gets rather explicit at times, but we know what we're signing up for when reading a romance book.

The Night Shift by Annie Crown
5 stars

This book is one of the cutest books I've read this year. Kendall Holiday our main female character, is a hopeless romantic who loves romance books except for the miscommunication tropes ( honestly same) I was hooked on the story as soon as the first chapter ended.
The book is fast-paced and a quick read. The main characters are both new to relationships which brings out a different side to both the characters and the romance book. Which makes the book feel a bit more realistic. I love how they both worked on their miscommunication to understand each other and to create the right relationship that works for them both.

Annie Crown has written a beautiful story, it was well written and an easier book to read that has you feeling ALL the feels with the characters. The intimate scenes had me laughing, giggling, blushing, and smiling hard at the cuteness and spiciness! The character growth was good for the short timeframe the book takes place. Kendall going for the things she wants ( what I wish to do as well) showed how she truly thought about herself and wanted to fix her flaws.

In the end, I thought the book was really cute, well-written, and perfect for anyone who loves romance or is new to reading romance. I can't wait to see what else comes from this author.

I picked this one up because it was recommended by a fellow ARC reader. I'm not a huge fan of college romance, or much of a Wattpad reader, but I figured I'd give it a shot (mostly because of the adorable illustrated cover).

Kendall is a relatable FMC, definitely flawed, but endearing because everyone's had one or more of her messy, confusing thoughts at some point in their lives. Her ability to read about love and see it in everyone else, but completely miss it in her own life is very realistic.

Vincent was quite confusing at first, but the more that you learned about him, the more you learned to love him. He's the confident, yet shy MMC, who is so smitten by a girl, that he's doing everything in his power to keep her in his life.

The progression of their... relationship (?) was quicker than what I'm used to reading, but executed well. There were ups and downs, confusion and assumptions, but they nipped and addressed that pesky "miscommunication trope" right in the bud. Their best friends are the true heroes of this story. Between Harper, Nina and Jabari, they form the perfect support system for the almost-couple. They're the ones defending their best friends and pointing out when they're wrong. The story wouldn't stand on its own without these three important characters.

3 ⭐️ because while the plot progressed for maybe first 60% of the story, the last ~40% seemed like one extended scene.

I DEVOURED this book. Seriously. I read this in five hours (and I was supposed to be working). It is mostly smut? Yes. Is that a bad thing? No. It's the point of the book--one Kendall makes herself. I loved the narrative of Kendall being a romance reader and how much pressure there is to compare real life to fictional ideals. Big win. It could have used maybe a few subplots, if only to lengthen it. I didn't want it to be over.

And, that being said, I read this as an ARC, but immediately preordered a physical copy to add to my collection.

Thanks to NetGalley and W by Wattpad Books

Thank you Wattpad WEBTOON Book Group for the ARC for my honest review. It was hard to get into this book and feel swoony for the characters. The writing felt juvenile and the smexy times got a little awkward.

* arc review *
2.5 ⭐️
The premise of the shy librarian and the basketball player was what attracted me the most about this book( and the tropes, definitely the tropes). The first 25% were incredibly good but it went pretty much downhill from there.
Miscommunication, lack of character development, by the end of the book i felt like I barely knew anything about the MMC.
The FMC was supposed to be this librarian who loves to read smutty books and works the Night Shift at the library. Her Pov s on the other hand felt like i was reading a 14 years old journal.
It was a mess i fought so hard not to dnf it.
I’m happy to see writers from wattpad making their way into the publishing world but the next book needs a little more of everything or maybe it wasn’t the right book for me😩
Thank you Netgalley for the arc 🫶🏻

Quick Summary: A fast-paced, first love NA romance

My Review: Night Shift by Annie Crown was a super sweet, super cute, super quick read about two college students who meet under extraordinary circumstances and explore the possibility of more.

About the Book: When an English major and a basketball jock meet in the stacks, intense fireworks occur. Who knew a bit of EBB could stir up such insane chemistry? Maybe there is something to the saying about opposites attract. Vincent and Kendall were certainly open to seeing what they could have together.

About the Characters:

Kendall was a likable character. She was incredibly intelligent. She was a loyal friend. She could be counted on. She kept her nose clean. She was very much a late bloomer. She was insecure and untutored in the language of flirting, etc. Still, she was learning, albeit reluctantly, about taking a chance on following her heart.

Vincent was a nice guy with an interesting good-bad boy vibe. He was decent and honorable, with just the right amount of arrogance. He was confident yet insecure. He was athletic and smart. He was responsible but willing to take risks. He gave off an experienced energy, while at the same time, he came across as a step or two away from inexperienced.

My Final Say: This was oddly reminiscent of the college experience that many young people go through. Finding the hidden spots of the library in an effort to make out, coming together in a worked up state in order to push the limits of appropriateness, getting seriously hot and heavy with someone you're really in to and seeing how far things can go in a relationship -- it was all very realistic. Readers who enjoy romances with strong first everything situations will really like this story.

Other: The ending wraps up with a "you decide" approach. It's the type of conclusion that leaves you wanting to know more about the couple. I liked being able to walk away thinking that this couple would make things work and that they could have a future together.

Rating: 4/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: NA (This book will likely resonate very strongly with this age group.)
Status/Level: 🌶🍬💞

Appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher (Wattpad WEBTOON Book Group), and to NetGalley, who provided access to this title in exchange for an honest review. The words I have voluntarily shared are my own thoughts and opinions.