Christina Lauren
Publication date: December 4, 2018
Genres: Adult, Contemporary Romance
Format: Trade Paperback
Source: Purchased
GOODREADS * AMAZON
S Y N O P S I S
Millie Morris has always been one of the guys. A UC Santa
Barbara professor, she’s a female-serial-killer expert who’s quick with a
deflection joke and terrible at getting personal. And she, just like her four
best guy friends and fellow professors, is perma-single.
So when a routine university function turns into a black tie gala, Millie and her circle make a pact that they’ll join an online dating service to find plus-ones for the event. There’s only one hitch: after making the pact, Millie and one of the guys, Reid Campbell, secretly spend the sexiest half-night of their lives together, but mutually decide the friendship would be better off strictly platonic.
But online dating isn’t for the faint of heart. While the guys are inundated with quality matches and potential dates, Millie’s first profile attempt garners nothing but dick pics and creepers. Enter “Catherine”—Millie’s fictional profile persona, in whose make-believe shoes she can be more vulnerable than she’s ever been in person. Soon “Catherine” and Reid strike up a digital pen-pal-ship...but Millie can’t resist temptation in real life, either. Soon, Millie will have to face her worst fear—intimacy—or risk losing her best friend, forever.
So when a routine university function turns into a black tie gala, Millie and her circle make a pact that they’ll join an online dating service to find plus-ones for the event. There’s only one hitch: after making the pact, Millie and one of the guys, Reid Campbell, secretly spend the sexiest half-night of their lives together, but mutually decide the friendship would be better off strictly platonic.
But online dating isn’t for the faint of heart. While the guys are inundated with quality matches and potential dates, Millie’s first profile attempt garners nothing but dick pics and creepers. Enter “Catherine”—Millie’s fictional profile persona, in whose make-believe shoes she can be more vulnerable than she’s ever been in person. Soon “Catherine” and Reid strike up a digital pen-pal-ship...but Millie can’t resist temptation in real life, either. Soon, Millie will have to face her worst fear—intimacy—or risk losing her best friend, forever.
M Y T H O U G H T S
Christina Lauren have become go-to authors over the last
year or so and they consistently deliver swoony romances full of humor and
heart. And while this wasn’t my favorite from the writing duo, it was still an
enjoyable read.
Millie and her four best guy pals are all single and in
need of plus-ones for a formal work event. They all agree to try a dating app,
with varying degrees of success. In the midst of this, Millie and Reid hook up
and have a fantastic (half) night together. But instead of taking a moment and
seeing where this might go, they agree to put it behind them and remain just
friends. Best friends. But going back to the way things were is easier said
than done. And when Millie changes her dating app profile and is matched with
Reid… things really get interesting.
I know a lot of readers took issue with the “catfishing”
aspect but that wasn’t really a stumbling block for me. What I struggled with
was Millie herself. I just couldn’t connect with her and I found her closed-off
nature so frustrating. She was aware of it, her friends were aware of, they
called her out on it… and yet she continued to keep everyone (including BFF Reid) at arm’s length.
Beyond that I really enjoyed the friend group, in all
their hilarious nerdiness. I’d love to be friends with those guys. And Reid was
a total sweetheart. Despite my (lack of) feelings for Millie, I still pulled for
her and Reid – because I’m a sucker for romance and can’t help myself.
3.5/5 STARS
Have you read My Favorite Half-Night Stand?
Have you read My Favorite Half-Night Stand?
I've heard similar reactions to this CL. Fans say it was fun, but not their favorite. I think I'll pass on this one. Great review, Tanya! :)
ReplyDeleteI still enjoyed it, but I wish I'd been able to feel for Millie more.
DeleteI've heard such mixed reviews about this one, but I think I'll still try it for myself!
ReplyDeleteDeanna Reads Books
I hope you will, Deanna! Who knows, it could become a new favorite!
DeleteYup I felt similar with this one. I didn't love it but still ok. I liked Reid a lot.
ReplyDeleteReid was so funny and sweet. :)
DeleteThis is one Christina Lauren book I acutlaly don't want to read. I just can't get behind a book which involves catfishing. If they connected and neither realise that's one thing but she knew... can't support catfishing so it's put me off reading this one altogether I thinl. but the clsoed off nature of the MC would definitely put me off even more, you want to feel like you can connect with your MC and if she isn't connecting with anyone else how are you meant to grow to like her?
ReplyDeleteReaders are really divided over this one, for sure. And it’s best to know in advance if you’d take issue with something so you can just skip it altogether. Goodness knows the author(s) have so many others to read and love! :)
DeleteMillie had a lot of layers for me, and I enjoyed seeing them pulled away. I thought she experiences a lot of growth over the course of the book. I felt this was more a book about Millie finding herself and the romance was the extra something. I was also obsessed with this group of friends, and would love to see the others get their own books.
ReplyDeleteMaybe if I had gone into it more for Millie finding herself I would have been more understanding and on-board with the way she was. But wanting the straight-on romance and getting Millie’s issues left me a little disappointed. I sure did love that friend group, though! It’d be fun to see them get their own books. I’d so be up for that. :)
DeleteI haven't read this novel yet. CL is a hit or miss for me. So far, the only book by them I've completely loved has been Beautiful Player. The rest has been okay. The Unhoneymooners was good but not memorable. I've seen so many mixed reviews for this one that I'll probably skip it. Great review, though!
ReplyDeleteGenesis @ Whispering Chapters
I’ve actually never read any one their earlier series. I jumped in when they came out with Autoboyography and Love and Other Words. Those two (plus Josh & Hazel) were such total hits for me. I guess that’s why I was a little disappointed with this one... because up til now I’d loved them all. :)
DeleteSorry to hear you didn't love Millie. I have heard this isn't a favorite of many, but I'm glad you liked it okay!
ReplyDelete-Lauren
www.shootingstarsmag.net
This one really seems pretty decisive. And it really wasn’t my favorite by CLo, but still a fun read.
DeleteThe catfishing wouldn't have bothered me as much if Millie didn't spiral out of control! I can understand rash decisions, but her desperation made it uncomfortable!
ReplyDeleteBingo! You really nailed it. Had Millie been more open and more up-front I would have totally enjoyed this one more.
DeleteYeah, the catfishing didn't bother me nearly as much as how long it took Millie to come clean about it but in the end, the way that she really put herself out there made me feel better and spiked my enjoyment of this one right up. Great review!
ReplyDeleteI wish I could have been on board with Millie more because I really enjoyed the story and the rest of the friend group. But her being so closed off with Reid... gah, so frustrating.
DeleteThis one does seem to be the one that splits peoples opinion. Christina Lauren is definitely one I need to read this year (and I know I keep saying that but I will read one! Josh and Hazel is one my kindle, lol.)
ReplyDeleteJosh & Hazel would be such a perfect one to start with... I loved it. :)
DeleteI love the review. I would get frustrated to with her not moving past being closed off. After a while in the book I would be rolling my eyes and wanting to smack her. I am glad in the end you enjoyed the book.
ReplyDeleteMary
LOL Yes, there were times during the book that I wanted to smack her. :)
Delete