One Last Night by Lauren Ford is a workplace enemies to lovers story between the daughter of the owner, Agnes and the chef, Harrison. The whole book takes place over one night, the last night that the restaurant they work at will be open before closing down. The main characters are always bickering with each other, and while it seems like hate to Agnes, they are always most open and honest with each other.

The night of closing, a crazy storm hits and people in the restaurant take refuse there and it gets wilder the later in the night it gets, and includes a fake relationship due to the presence of an ex and his mother who won’t accept it is over. The FMC is a people pleaser and never wants to upset people for be the bad guy, which is something close friends of mine relate to, while the MMC is brutally honest while also being protective and loving of those he cares for, which is more my speed.

Was a quick and easy read

The Shark Biscuit which has been in Agnes' family for years started by her mum and dad is closing and Agnes can't wait. The chef Harrison and her are always fighting. There's one last night but then a terrible storm hits and they all have to stay and it blows over

This is the first book I have read by Lauren Ford and it DID NOT DISAPPOINT!

Agnes has been running her dad’s restaurant, The Shark Biscuit for the last 6 years. Now that it’s closing for good, she has mixed feelings. She feels like it’s her fault it’s closing, and is just ready for this night to be over! When her ex-boyfriend shows up with his crazy manipulating family and acts like they’re still a couple, Agnes asks the stubborn chef, Harrison to pretend to be her boyfriend for the night. She has no idea how long a night can truly be until a freak storm barricades them all inside The Shark Biscuit until morning.

“One Last Night” was seriously one of the best romance books I’ve read in awhile! Who wouldn’t love to see the soft side to a grumpy, argumentative chef named Harrison?! The romance was open door style, but done in a very tasteful way without being too descriptive.

I think the author actually accomplished a huge feat creating this entire story that happens in the span of about 12 hours. Not once was I bored or felt as if the story was taking too long. It’s definitely a slow burn, but it was fun watching Agnes and Harrison make her emotionally abusive ex-boyfriend jealous. The banter between Agnes and Harrison was always entertaining. I especially loved Harrison’s nickname for Devin, and Agnes’ final parting words to Barbara, Devin’s mother.

This was a very lighthearted read. There is minimal talk of aging parents and the loss of a parent. It’s done in such a way that it serves as a good memory instead of the book taking on a sad aspect.

Definitely check this one out! I rate this book as 5 stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I received this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for my honest unbiased opinion.

One Last Night is a fast paced read with an incredibly short time scale so the action happens quickly. Due to everything taking place in such a short time, the story edges on the unbelievable but the storyline and writing seem to keep it on track. The main characters of Agnes and Harrison have worked together in close proximity for six years in her families restaurant business. Forced to pretend to be a couple on the restaurant last night in the presence of Agnes’ ex and his family forces feelings to the surface. An enjoyable read, perfect escapism.

WOW this book was good, i read it in one sitting. i received this ARC from netgalley/canelo in exchange for an honest review, and i’m so grateful i did!

the entire book (other than the epilogue of course) takes place in 24 hours, and it was so well done. i personally feel like it’s hard to pull off such a short timeline, but the story didn’t feel rushed in any way. the romance was well developed - i love it when main characters realize they’ve actually been in love this entire time. being someone who is a people pleaser and who grew up with a similar family situation to harrison, i deeply related to both characters. i wish i had a better idea of what agnes looks like, especially because i could only picture jeremy allen white in my head when i read about harrison, even though i know that’s really wrong. i just really loved harrison and his love for agnes.

also FUCK barbara, all my homies hate barbara

4.5 rounded up. This was great, and an excellent execution of the "bottle episode" everything happens in one scene version of a novel. The only thing I wish was that we had a little bit better sense of place (it took me until like 90% of the way through the novel to know we were in Australia, this is probably my US bias) and of Agnes, who because the book is from her perspective we often only have her limited (incorrect) perception of herself.

I received a free ARC from NetGalley.

Thank you to NetGalley and Canelo for providing this book, with my honest review below.

One Last Night was an adorable story that appealed to me namely due to the focus on a local restaurant and its locked room nature. Set on the coast we are there to witness The Shark Biscuit, a local and long running restaurant’s last night as a storm hits, stranding the patrons and staff inside. This could easily sound like it was going to thriller territory, but this is actually a sweet romance whose mysteries centered on what our main characters were hiding from each other or running away from, but in terms of emotions and wholesome secrets.

Agnes is the daughter of the current owner who had run the restaurant for eons with his wife, before she passed, when illness strikes him and he can’t keep up. Agnes would be happier talking to no strangers ever (a point that is stressed a bit too much) who doesn’t want the restaurant. During her last night running things, Harrison, the chef and her nemesis, seems to be hiding something from her given some of his passive aggressive comments. What better way to get to the heart of the matter than with a massive storm that locks these two inside, along with a few other staff and patrons, including Agnes’s ex and his scary mother? The cast of characters really created the fun for me, as we strangers and random characteristics drop in as the storm intensifies. Always sweet and sometimes serious, this is brain candy at its finest.

4/5 ( I just wanted more of them so I am so thankful there was an epilogue)

I had so much fun reading this book, I went through all the emotions!

Found family ✅
Enemies to Lovers ( in a way) ✅
Forced proximity ✅
Fake dating ✅
Protective MMC ✅
Strong FMC ✅

This is a must read book! Agnes' growth throughout the book was such a wonderful journey to read. I also loved Agnes and Harrison's dynamic. Their banter was written perfectly. Harrison is there by her side every step of the way. The way he cares for her was beautiful to read. He made sure to care for her in private. He didn't want the praise, he just wanted to make sure she was okay. He made her feel safe and she made him feel safe.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

One Last Night was absolutely adorable. The characters all had such depth to them that you do not often see in a contemporary romance - even with the side characters. The book reads like a black box play - everything occurs within one setting, The Shark Biscuit, the family restaurant. With a storm coming, the main character is forced to spend time with her ex boyfriend and his overbearing mother, but she is faced with resolving her own people pleasing tendencies as well. It was beautifully done and very well written.

This is definitely a new scenario for a romantic almost comedy book. With the creativity of it and the descriptions, it's almost as if the author is writing from personal experience! A great weekend read for anyone who wants to sit and enjoy a quick book.

Wow, this was a really good premise and I really enjoyed this one! I’ve never read a book that takes place in just one night so that was cool. It didn’t feel rushed because is the standing history between the characters, whom I loved. A really fun one!

4 ☆

『 tropes 』
•fake dating
•rom-com
•forced proximity
•rivals-to-lovers
•miscommunication

『 plot 』
this book follows agnes, who runs her family’s seafood restaurant, but her father’s health has declined and her mother passed away so the restaurant is closing. harrison has been the head chef for the past 6 years, much to agnes’ annoyance.

the story follows the last night of the restaurant, nothing is going right, harrison is trying to keep calm and make it the best last night and agnes is spiralling, and just as she thinks it can’t get any worse, her ex boyfriend and his family turn up and she needs harrison’s help, she needs him to pretend that they’re dating, just to get through this one night.

『 my thoughts 』
this really was such a funny, cute little read, it had me laughing out loud, giggling like a little girl and blushing. even though it takes place during just one night, it didn’t feel like it dragged, there was so much happening and so much more to unravel as the story went along that it just flowed. i really enjoyed the dynastic between agnes and harrison, they were rivals and butt heads but they also brought out the best in one another and were always honest.

alongside the fake dating and closing of the store, there’s a storm and they have to close early but a few people can’t get home and so they stay behind. it is just a random, weird, funny group and they all try to make the best of being trapped inside during the storm. it was a really refreshing, unique story. 10/10, would recommend

This book was so good! I haven't read a book like it before, in the context that the whole book was in a timeline of one night! It was so cool to see and I genuinely enjoyed it! the wittiness between Agnes and harrison was so cute to see! loved the book over all 4/5 stars!!!!

One Last Night by Lauren Ford is such a chaotic romance story but so much fun! Forced proximity, enemies to lovers, fake-dating, etc. all in one rainy night with the oddest set of people stuck in a restaurant. A really enjoyable read. Thank you, Netgalley and Canelo, for the ARC. All opinions expressed are mine.

“Date me, Agnes Keegan. Fall in love with me. If fighting is this much fun, imagine how good it will be loving each other.” 🧡

Just finished this beautiful book.
Wow, what a warm, cozy and loving feelgood story! I loved this book from the start and oh my, the ending made me wipe away a tear. So beautiful and heartwarming. 🧡

The FMC Agnes is running her dad’s restaurant The Shark Biscuit. The restaurant is closing soon because Agnes doesn’t want to keep the business open. She’s full of guilt because the restaurant is closing. One last night and she’ll be free.

When her ex boyfriend brings his family to the restaurant, she asks chef Harrison, who she can’t stand, for help and he’s becoming her fake boyfriend. But she didn’t plan the upcoming storm that traps everyone in the restaurant.

You’ll love this book:

- enemies to lovers
- fake dating
- romcom

Anyway, buy this book when you want a beautiful and heartwarming love story! You won’t be disappointed! 🧡

-NetGalley-
Maybe spoilers!!!!

I really loved the book, I liked that troop that all develops in a chaotic night.
I loved the dynamic between the two characters, how he takes care of her all the time but she doesn't realize it until she starts connecting the dots. It was a very nice moment when Aggie realizes that she can trust Harrison because he was always there for her even if not in the "conventional" way.

My only criticism is that I would have liked Aggie to face her ex's mother sooner 😂 I swear, that lady made me angry. Her son is not a baby ma'am anymore!!!! He can make his own decisions (even if they are terrible because he is a spoiled brat).

I loved the ending and how Harrison gives Aggie the option to have a nice experience at the restaurant, although she can't change the past, she can change the future and her relationship with him and her dad.

Thanks to the author and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book.

Enjoyed every second of this book, I read it all in one go! Fantastic characters with an abundance of heart. A dash of chaos and a sprinkle of spice, all packed in to one last night at The Shark Biscuit.

Was delighted to have the chance of reading this story prior to its release date in January 2025, so thank you Canelo for giving me this opportunity, as before I even started to read this book, I knew I was going to love it, from looking at the title, the cover and the description of the story.

Loved the premise of the book - a good Enemies to Lovers story, and it did not disappoint. The main characters were so well written, was very swoon worthy in parts and I couldn't stay away from the story for too long as I needed to know where it would lead to next. Also enjoyed the various levels of banter between the various characters throughout. Like it that the story unfolds around Agnes having to spend one last night in the company of people she likes and in particular hates and then when unexpected events occur throughout the evening how Agnes turns to certain people and begins to see them in a different light.

This is the first book I have read by Lauren, and it was so well written and loved how all the characters interacted with each other and looked out when things started to go downhill, particularly with regards to Harrison who was so caring towards Agnes, in the way he looks out for her, even though she thinks he doesn't like her in any shape or form and this maybe the reason they constantly bicker.

❤️Enemies to Lovers
❤️Slow Burn
❤️Fake Relationship
❤️Work Colleagues
❤️Story from FMC POV
❤️Small Town
❤️Close Proximity

A good read, particularly if you are not a fan of spice, as it is fairly minimal in this story.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this book!!

What a great book!! It had me hooked from page one! I couldn’t put this down. I finished it in one sitting. I enjoyed the storyline and the characters. This was a first for me by this author but it will not be my last!!

This was actually a nice surprise. To begin with, everything happens during (like the title states) one last night and I thought it would be rushed and/or not explored in-depth enough but it worked pretty well.

At first, I was really annoyed by the MCs behavior (MMC in his mid-thirties and FMC freshly thirty) especially since they were working together. The beginning was really repetitive with their arguments going absolutely nowhere but when MMC had to start helping FMC with her ex, they came to a sort of truce that made their relationship more bearable, even pleasant with their banter.

I'm actually relieved it happened during that last night and not over the years because I'm not sure that I would have handled well their bickering the whole time to be honest. But they ended up working well together, I liked the chemistry even though it's still hard to judge a relationship on such short period of time.

I'm not familiar with meteorology, but I was really 'annoyed' at the start of the story when the MMC kept saying that a storm was coming (there was an official warning) but the FMC and her father (are they some kind of climate skeptic?) kept ignoring him saying it would be that important. In 2024, I'm pretty sure we have a better forecast accuracy. But okay, let's say we needed that for the plot. Speaking of plot, I enjoyed the 'big revelation', it was a realistic ending.

What I liked the least though, was the comedy side. It mostly came from the side characters (co-worker, special guest 1...) and I found it heavy-handed, between the nosy friends and the pushy one (Scout ?) but that's something that will always bother me in CR.

Special mention to the FMC (I guess from the dedication that she's one of those people pleasers, so I can relate), yeah, in few hours there's no room for a major character growth but loved her last words to her ex mother-in-law!