A while ago I ended up on mermaid-tok and became kind of obsessed, so jumped at the chance to read a book looking into mermaid careers! It definitely hit that spot and I think I enjoyed that side of it more than the romance.

I think the characters were developed nicely, but the ending was a little frustrating for me.

Thank you so much to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the arc. 🫶🏻

Boston real estate developer Jamie Standard is about to close one of the most important deals of his life when a gossip rag releases an article painting him as a modern day rake. The bad press threatens to torpedo the deal and tank the largest green building project his company has ever undertaken. With the deal circling the drain, his business partners advise him to escape the limelight and visit his sister, Jocelyn. She happens to be the hospitality manager of L ’Atelier, a hot new resort hotel on the Vegas Strip, so as exiles go, it’s top tier. Especially when he runs into a gorgeous redhead at the airport.

Coral Triton has reached the pinnacle of her career as a professional mermaid by landing a new job at L ’Atelier. Not just to headline a live action mermaid show, but also help create a vision for everything from set design to choreography. Things are on a definite up-swim for her, and only get better when the hot blond guy she bumped into at the airport turns up at her hotel. But, she’s in Vegas for a job – the job – not a guy, so anything beyond one night is out of the question. With a brief note and one last look, she bails the next morning. An interesting romance book filled with sweet and spicy moments!

Couldn’t get into this book…it was a bit odd but overall a quick simple read. I did love the aspects of the mermaid career.

This was my first adult read with a mermaid. Coral finally lands a spot in her career after years of pursuing what she loves. No strings attached, no names, nothing…and accidental run in to one night with Standard. Coral & Jamie’s first time catching the love bug, they couldn’t even fake it if they wanted to.

4 stars because I felt some parts towards the end were a drag.

oral is headed to Las Vegas to star in a mermaid show. At the airport, she meets Jamie who is in town to lay low from an article that paints him as a playboy. they meet again when he saves her from a bar fly. It leads to a night of passion.

E.F. Dodd is a great author who brings a lot of passion and spice to the writing but also gives the characters depth. Coral has a history that makes her not want to be in a relationship. Jamie seems more about work than wanting to commit to a relationship. They unlock something in each other that is very nice.

This book has a ton of spice and a little conflict in the end but not a real break up since they were really just faking.

Thank you to NetGalley, Sugar Beaver Books and EF Dodd for the e-ARC. This review is my own opinion.

"One Night Standard" by E.F. Dodd is a delightful and steamy romance that blends humor, charm, and a touch of Vegas glitz. Jamie and Coral's chemistry is undeniable, and their journey from a one-night stand to a fake relationship is filled with witty banter and heartfelt moments. Dodd's engaging writing and the unique premise of a professional mermaid add a refreshing twist to the romance genre. This book is a must-read for fans of fake dating tropes and feel-good love stories. Highly recommended!

This book is a captivating blend of romance, humor, and unexpected twists that kept me hooked from the very first page.

Dodd has a remarkable talent for creating characters that feel so real and relatable. The chemistry between the leads is off the charts, and their banter had me laughing out loud! I loved how their one-night encounter spiraled into something much deeper, exploring themes of love, trust, and vulnerability in such a refreshing way.

The writing is sharp and engaging, with a perfect balance of heartfelt moments and witty dialogue. I found myself completely immersed in their journey, cheering for them as they navigated the ups and downs of their relationship. The plot twists were unexpected and kept me on my toes, making it a thrilling read!

It was going smooth for me in the first few chapters but got lost interest and struggled as I went along the middle part of the book. The characters fell flat for me, but the story has a good concept and I was stunned at the spicy chapters—which I didn’t expect! It was so hot and I loved it!

Thank you Netgalley for giving me an advance reading copy of this book.

The characters are so fun and make you feel really invested in them. The fake dating trope works really well in this story and the spice is perfect! You won’t regret reading this book!

Love how the female character stays true to herself and doesn't sacrifice her dreams for a relationship, which is a refreshing and empowering narrative! I appreciate the story for how it respects both characters’ autonomy and personal goals. When characters don’t conform to traditional expectations—like women giving up their ambitions for a partner—it leads to a more satisfying and authentic story.

In One Night Standard, Coral just arrived in Las Vegas to start her dream job as a professional mermaid. She (quite literally) runs into Jamie Standard in the airport, smacking him with her mermaid tail bag and making a huge first impression. When they see each other again in the hotel bar later that night, they decide one amazing night together is the perfect way to kick off their stays in Vegas. What they don’t yet know is that Jamie is Coral’s new boss’s brother… and that they just might be the key to each other’s professional success.

I just genuinely enjoyed every second of this book. The premise is so fun - a professional mermaid? Business bad boy? Vegas? Sign me up! And (as always), E.F. Dodd’s writing is so witty and smart. The dialogue and banter had me laughing out loud from the very beginning! I adored Coral. She’s driven, feisty, and intelligent while genuinely caring for those around her. And Jamie ended up being an MMC I could really root for. Their chemistry jumped off the page and gave us such good tension. (That photoshoot scene? Wowza.) And if you’re looking for some good spice, this one has it in spades!

Though this is the second in E.F. Dodd’s Standard of Love series, it can absolutely be read as a standalone romance. Give One Night Standard a try if you love :
-One night stand
-Fake dating
-Great banter
-Lots of spice
-”What happens in Vegas…” vibes

One Night Standard by E F Dodd
Contemporary romance.
Coral Triton is a professional mermaid at the pinnacle of her career. Ever since she saw a mermaid movie as a child, she knew that’s what she wanted. She’s been hired to create a new live action mermaid show in Las Vegas including set design and choreography. Coral arrives in Las Vegas ready and excited to start her new life. Being rescued from a handsy creep by a devastatingly handsome man in the bar is just the adventure she needs for the night. And bonus, he’s taller than her six feet in heels and seems just as interested. Coral needs to keep this to only one night. Tomorrow is the start of her new job and there can’t be any distractions.

Boston real estate developer Jamie Standard was caught in a salacious gossip article rather than a column about including green space in his projects. His partners advise two weeks vacation would be timely so he goes to visit his sister as the hospitality manager at the newest resort in Las Vegas. He re-meets an amazing woman he had traded quips with at the airport. They go out for a fancy dessert, then share a night of passion with champagne. He’s enthralled and wants more but she’s gone by morning.
Walking through the lobby of the hotel that afternoon, he spots her swimming in a humongous tank in the lobby. As a mermaid. He’s mesmerized and is caught on social media trying to reach out to her. Not exactly the low profile he’s supposed to be keeping on his vacation. His sister comes up with a plan that puts Coral and Jamie together in a relationship to restore his reputation and at the same time advertising the upcoming unique show at the hotel.
What could go wrong?

A flirty romcom with plenty of heat, attraction and humor for a sensational story. Great banter and timing between passion, relationship building and business interests. With a few behind the scene sneak peaks of creating entertainment for a world tourist destination.
I liked both Coral and Jamie from the start and got the impression they’d be one of those perfect couples that everyone would watch and envy. Just like their favorites.
A joyful reading experience.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley.

https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/6ab82e25-e4c7-4fdd-82bb-7f4f911ddccf

Stories about mermaids usually hook me but this one was just too much of a slow burn for me. I unfortunately DNF’d this one. It was too slow for me.

Cute unique read. The main fmc is feisty and knows what she wants, while the mmc is confident and supportive while also knowing who he is and what he wants. I loved the mermaid aspect of this book and the chemistry between the characters

For Coral, a chance meeting in a Vegas airport leads to a chance meeting in the same hotel bar, which leads to the perfect one night stand. Or so she thinks. The excellent writing brings this spicy rom/com to life and gives a modern feel to the story. A proposed fake dating scenario has both Coral and Jamie telling themselves that it’s just a publicity stunt and won’t continue past the 2 weeks that he is in town. See what happens when sparks fly and fake becomes feelings.

Spicy, male female, dual point of view, contemporary romance. This is the second standalone book in the series Standard of Love. The first book is A Higher Standard; I haven't read it yet but plan to. The main leads had great chemistry and go from a one night stand to a fake relationship. It was an interesting premise (I've never read about a professional mermaid) with a happy ending. I found it well written with humor and heart. A fun cozy read.

This was such a cute book. It really gave the Rom Com vibes I was expecting! I enjoyed the dual points of view and the romance between our two lead characters. This was an easy read and I would recommend it to others.

Thank you to NetGalley, Sugar Beaver Books and author E.F. Dodd for this eARC

This was such a fun read! It's a new take on the fake-dating trope, the characters are loveable and well fleshed out and I loved the mermaids - it was so much fun!
The ending felt slightly rushed to me, but nothing to dampen my enjoyment of this book!
Recommend for people who like fluffy romance, good storytelling and a little bit of whimsey

𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ★★★★
𝗔𝗥𝗖 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪:

I am absolutely thrilled to share my thoughts on this book. From the very first page, Dodd’s storytelling has a way of drawing you in, and I felt as though I was flipping through the pages with a heart full of hope and excitement. The chemistry between Jamie and Coral is electric and wonderfully depicted.

Jamie, the dashing Boston real estate developer, is not just a typical leading man; he’s a genuine sweetheart even before he officially becomes Coral's boyfriend. His attention to her celiac disease and the measures he took to accommodate her dietary needs were not only touching but revealed his genuine character.
It’s rare to see a character so willing to fully embrace another’s needs, especially when they’ve only just met. Jamie’s willingness to adapt for Coral's sake speaks volumes about his character.

Coral is equally captivating as a character. As a professional mermaid, she embodies the spirit of ambition and creativity. It's inspiring to see a woman so confident in her career, and Coral's journey is not just about love but also about professional growth.

Every moment between these two characters felt charged with possibility. From stolen glances to their shared laughter, I found myself giggling and sighing with every twist and turn in their journey. Their relationship felt realistic and grounded, with a sweetness that made me long for more of their story. I loved how the complications of their lives outside the romance—Jamie’s business challenges and Coral’s desire to succeed—add depth to the plot and keep you engaged.

I finished the book with a warm feeling inside, as if I had just experienced a wonderful journey with friends I’d miss dearly.

𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗦: Billionaire romance, fake dating, age gap, one night stand, forced proximity, opposite attract

Coral and Jamie 🔥🔥🔥
I honestly did not think I would love this book as much as I did. I inhaled this amazing book in 2 sittings.
Coral is a professional mermaid who gets hired for amazing career/life changing position at a new upscale hotel in Vegas. Jamie is a real estate developer from Boston.
I honestly loved how Jamie and Coral came together. Their one night stand was obviously hotttttt and 2 days later when they realize his sister is Corals boss, the story only gets better!
This book was everything I love! There was plot, spicy AF scenes and hilarious banter. I’m not going to spoil anymore of the book but it’s a MUST read!