| Title | : | One Night Only |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 1800195648 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9781800195646 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | 400 |
| Publication | : | First published July 30, 2021 |
Sarah Anderson has never been more excited about anything in her life. She’s going to her best friend’s wedding. And not just any wedding. An Irish wedding. Goodbye New York, hello rolling green hills and men with beautiful accents and twinkling eyes.
But Sarah should have known that not all guests are fairy-tale princes…
There’s the chinless Uncle Trevor, whose idea of small talk is to claim climate change is a conspiracy.
Then there’s Great Aunt Eileen, who doesn’t talk at all (she’s too busy replacing the hotel cutlery with her own set).
Worst of all, there’s Declan Murphy. Best man. Brother of the groom. And the man Sarah last saw naked.
Is there anything more mortifying than bumping into a one-night stand halfway across the world? Especially as Declan seems determined to embarrass Sarah at every turn. At least when the wedding’s over she’ll never have to see him again.
But, back in New York, Sarah finds the more she tries to forget Declan, the more she can’t shake the thought of that infuriatingly charming smile and the way he wears a tux…
Was he really just for one night only, or might Declan Murphy be The One?
Prepare to laugh until you cry with this perfect feel-good romantic comedy about taking a chance on love. Fans of Sophie Ranald, Sophie Kinsella and Marian Keyes won’t be able to put this down!
One Night Only Reviews
-
Happy pub day to this entertaining, sweet, angsty romcom!
🥰💞🎈
This is witty, entertaining, one night standers to lovers ( a brand new premise I invented) premise with balanced angst, heartbreak and sizzling chemistry between MCs putting chapters on fire!
Sarah Anderson, 31, astonishing architect, made an oath not to have a serious relationship after Josh incident. Her parents’ marriage was not great role model for her to believe in happily ever after sad well.
She is sharpening her one night stand skills as her bestie Annie’s wedding date approaching.
After flying to Ireland to attend the wedding of Annie as maid of honor, only thing she wanted was not thinking of her stressful job, the customer account taken away from her even though she worked too hard for and the charming man she had one night stand who forgot his watch at her apartment and who insisted to have a breakfast with her. No, she cannot think about that magical night or things they did together.
But holly hell! Did her dirty fantasies summon him? The same man is Declan Murphy who is the brother of the groom and the best man who is sharing the same table with her and it seems like his mother Mary tries so hard to matchmake them.
Nope, she cannot think any serious relationship at this stage of her life. But attraction is hard to resist. She does everything not to fall for him. And when she realizes she is not the only one carrying a huge baggage from past relationship.
Could they pass through the obstacles by learning to deal with trust issues? Could they have a chance to open their hearts to true love?
I enjoyed this book a lot. At the beginning I found Sarah a little stubborn and her self sabotaging way to find her happiness pissed me but as I learn more about her past I kinda understand her reasoning. Declan also deals much heavier emotional and messy stuff but I liked their undeniably attractions, their hot and smart banters.
Supporting characters were so much fun including auntie Eileen who is great cutlery designer and Uncle Trevor who is big worrier about the future of the planet.
Annie and Mary were also my favorite ones. And all those batshit crazy, lovable Irish people made me smile so big!
I’m looking forward to read more works of Catherine Walsh.
This is a great feel good, have fun, popcorn romcom reading I highly recommend!
Special thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions -
I did not finish this book due to a line joking about the fact that a 17 year old lost their virginity to a 20 year old.
This is frankly really gross to me, and the way it was handled made me uncomfortable.
(It’s worth noting that this takes place in Ireland, so while technically legal it is still morally apprehensible). -
"I trust you. You don't have to drop everything to see me if you're busy."
"Does it ever occur to you that I want to see you?"
This book is one I have a pleasure reading despite few shortcomings. It's witty, humorous and overall enjoyable. One Night Only is about learning to trust in love again, stemming from our heroine, Sarah who has a very strict "one night only' rule when it comes to men, due in part to a prior relationship and her family history.
I savoured the romance between Sarah and Declan. The chemistry was ahead of the curve with their banter and corny jokes. Given that this is Walsh's debut novel, it was a pleasant surprise to find how well-written the characters were.
Declan isn't perfect but definitely my most favourite in the book. He is charming, hardworking, and pioneering despite the rough past. Even so, it takes me quite some time to come around with Sarah and that has a lot to do with her trust issue; which is very hypocritical for me to say since Sarah is a spitting image of me. However, her lack of trust is frequently exploited to carry the conflict and is inadequate to support the entire plot. The book is very conflict-driven and sometimes gets too difficult and frustrating with Sarah's assumptions and insecurity.
Despite the rocky start, Sarah and Declan's relationship developed maturely and turned into something more genuine, which I have a whale of a time reading. Both the characters grow steadily throughout the book. Be that as it may, I wished we would have more open-door love scenes since I believe it would offer an emotional turning point for the characters, especially given that their relationship began with a one-night stand encounter. If closing the door means tightening the plot, then by all means kick it shut and barricade it. But I still want to know how Sarah and Declan interacted during those times, what were their feelings and thoughts that may help in building up the tension afterwards.
Nevertheless, the book is still delightful. I liked the setting between New York and Ireland, and I liked how the extended family and all the awkwardness that comes with that. You will not want to put this book down because it has a heartwarming push-pull summer romance that's exquisite for you to try!
[3.75/5] -
thanks to netgalley and bookouture for the arc!
"You've got a suit thing?"
"A tuxedo thing," I correct."
So do I, Sarah, and I'm not ashamed to say it, lmao.
Sarah Anderson has to go to the wedding of her best friend, Annie, in Ireland and there, she finds that the best man of the groom is the guy who she slept with a few nights ago, and who kicked out of her bed.
What are the chances?
oK, HOLY SHIT. THIS WAS AMAZING!!!
A wedding in Ireland? My dream. A hot Ireland guy who I pictured the whole time as Tom Hiddleston (I know he's English lmao)? I'm totally in.
I loved this book, from the beginning to the end. And I found myself at 12:34 am craving for more, lmao, I don't recognize myself.
I liked Sarah's character. She's not so complex and she knows she's beautiful and that she likes sex."I am a woman who likes sex and who isn't afraid to seek it out."
yAS, QUEEN, YOU GO AND ENJOY YOURSELF, BUT BE CAREFUL.
The pacing, the writing, the characters, the development, the romance, the humror... Everything was really great. Y'all know (because I've said it enough times) that I don't read much romance novels because I'm a hopeless romantic bitch who thinks that something like THIS is never gonna happen to her, which is sad.
Claire has been secretly in love with Mark for 3 years and honestly, I can relate because she never made any moves on him, lmao, that was me.
Declan's family is really cool and comfy, tho I wanted to kick some of them, lmao. I really loved Declan, he's funny, charming, lovely, has a big ass heart and looks so fucking good in a tuxedo. Yeah, I want someone like him.
Taylor Swift's London Boy raised my expectations on men, you know? But One Night Only slapped me in the face and said "yeah, well, now you want an Irish dude", and tbh, I agree. I'm not taking less, hahaha jk.
The only weird thing about this book was the smut. Usually, romance novels tend to describe a little bit more of sex, but this one didn't, which is cool. But, the weird thing is that I found myself almost screaming because I wanted more, lmaooooo.
When this book gets published, you must read it.
Delicate by Taylor Swift suits perfectly, yesssss.
previous review
a wEDDING IN IRELAND?!?!?!? my expectations on mEn are growing higher, yes, lmao -
One Night Only is an adorable rom-com! I loved this book. It left me with feel good, happy vibes! The one night stand to lovers storyline felt fun and fresh. I enjoyed the Ireland setting and the fun Irish family! I had a hard time putting this one down. My mind was blown when I found out this was Catherine Walsh’s debut book. It’s so good! I can’t wait to read more from her in the future.
Thank you to Net Galley and Bookouture for an ARC of this book in return for my honest review. -
Guys, let me tell you, this book felt like getting an unexpected package. I'm not sure what the correlation is between the two, but it definitely felt the same.
subjective grade- 98%
Plot - 95%
Writing & dialogue- 99%
Character development - 100%
Character relationships - 100%
One Night Only follows Sarah, an architect living in New York, who goes to Ireland for her best friends wedding. What she wasn’t expecting was to see her latest hookup at the wedding as the grooms best man, no less.“I am a woman who likes sex and who isn’t afraid to seek it out”
Sarah was just so real, I liked it. And I liked her. All she wanted was that job promoting and to spend more time with her bestie. I loved how the book didn’t just ignore Sarah’s trauma around relationships. Instead, we the readers, got to see Sarah open up to Declan and realise that not all relationships end in heartache.
I think my favourite part of this book was the characters. Each character's actions match their intentions and there are no out-of-character scenes that many contemporary romances tend to be filled with. Instead, we got realistic characters that I now love very much.
Declan made me ask myself some big questions. One being
‘what’s your type, Aliyah? And why is it Declan?’
THIS MAN IS HILARIOUS IS WHY! But also, very serious when he needs to be. And an entrepreneur?? Yes pLzZ
Now, Declan and Sarah were made for each other. Declan’s that carefree, jack of all trades, jokester who puts his whole in relationships. Whereas Sarah is more serious and does not do relationships at all. Perfect match, right?
No sarcasm here, I meant that.
This by far has to be one of my favourite interactions between Declan and Sarah:“I’m a realist.”
“A Pisces,” Declan says, snapping his finger “I knew it.”
“I’m a Scorpio.”
“Pisces is the only one I know.”
Overall, this book was gorgeous. I loved it and definitely recommend it to anyone who wants a cute, fluffy read!
5 stars!⭐️
Thank you to Bookouture & NetGalley for an arc copy!
~~~~
I knew this was going to be good the second I read ‘Ireland’ and ‘wedding’ in the same sentence but oh my god, this was happiness in book form.
Rtc tomorrow! -
3.5 stars. This was a lot of fun! From page 1, I was totally hooked and could not put it down. I was obsessed with the humor of our main character Sarah and I LOVEDDDDDD the chemistry between her and Declan right from the start. With that being said, I will say this did drag a little bit in the middle during a chunk of the story when the characters were apart, but once they were back together I was all in again and this was an all around blast. Overall I was just really impressed by this debut from Catherine Walsh and I am very much looking forward to reading more from her in the future!
Also, unrelated to my review, this currently only 99 cents to pre-order on the US Kindle store if you're interested in checking it out! I did receive a copy from the publisher in exchange for a review but I'm not at all affiliated with them or the author! Just thought I would mention a good deal on a debut novel while it's still cheap lol
CW: sexual assault, divorce -
5 stars. A hidden gem of a book.
"Is she alright?" a waiter asks as he passes.
"She's fine," Declan says. "It's just drugs."
One night only? More like one day only, because that's how long it took for me to devour this book.
This book was the most flawless & charming rom-com I've read in a while. It was absolutely hilarious & had me full-on cackling several times.
Sarah Anderson is a woman who loves sex, & she's not at all ashamed about it nor should she ever be. With past baggage haunting her every time she is with a man, she vows that her interactions with men last one night only. Until, one of her one night stands shows up at her bestfriend's wedding. With the chaos of new family, bride jitters, overall wedding-craziness & Sarah on the verge of losing her job, anything could happen. This book was a captivating whirlwind of slow-burn, angsty romance that had me invested until the very last page.
I loved Sarah. She was effortlessly hilarious & had so much personality. She was blunt & straightforward, yet still harbouring a baggage-filled backstory(which is something I can relate to, ofc). It was written extremely well, how her past subtly affected her perspective & the way she treated herself & the people around her. I absolutely LOVED how self-aware & unapologetic she was. Never afraid to speak her mind. She was also charming & delightful so reading from her perspective was super refreshing.
Declan. Declan is the epitome of a bad boy exterior but good boy interior. He was so witty & attractive like look, Sarah, if you're not gonna marry this guy, I will.
Not only that, he was realistic! He wasn't perfect to the point where I'd think, wow, guys like this only exist in storybooks. No. He had very real problems & very real flaws but he really was the definition of someone who was trying. Trying to do better. Trying to be better. And that was perfect for me. He was also funny & sarcastic as hell. That man needs to give flirting lessons. I'd be the first to sign up.
Obviously, as is in all low-concept, contemporary rom-coms, it has a character-driven plot. But if you're someone who has to have a plot, I promise you
it won't matter because all the characters are SO lovable & funny that you won't even realise you've flown through half the book. Even the side characters had me cracking up!
The side characters definitely played a role in how much I enjoyed the book. Will & Sarah's interactions were extraordinarily hilarious I truly could not stop laughing & smiling like an idiot. They literally did not even feel like plot-devices & I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to read spin-off standalones on these side characters because they ALL had personality & were very 3D.
You know how rom-coms make the mistake of using miscommunication/not-talking-to-each-other-like-adults as a source for angst/slow-burn but it just ends up dragging out the entire book because the book could've lost 100 pages if they just talked to each other?
This book did NOT make that mistake. There was no drag. Literally. That's why I finished it in one day because I truly was hooked from the first page up until the end. The characters were so likeable & charming, it was hard not to turn the page.
Lastly. The ANGST. The SLOW-BURN. 
I haven't read a slow-burn this well done in a while. You love a good slow-burn? Pick up this one or you'll regret it.
As far as rom-coms go, this book is The One for me. Highly highly recommend. This deserves so much hype.
〖 Follow me on
Instagram (@shashaybooks)! 〗
So grateful to Bookouture for providing this free e-ARC in exchange for an honest review! -
This is a very heartfelt, enjoyable debut romantic comedy. It honestly doesn't read as if it's a debut novel, because the characters are well-developed, the plot flows smoothly, and there's an amazing amount of romantic tension, broken by hilarious moments.
I loved the idea of a one night stand turning into something more, and once the reader finds out the whole story of the one night stand, there's a definite "awwww" moment. I also loved the idea that Sarah is the one who shuns relationships, she's the one who doesn't want to get involved. It is Declan doing the pursuing and Sarah doing the pushing away. It is such a refreshing turn of events to have the typical romance story turned around with the female being the impediment to the relationship. It made the book much more engaging and interesting to me.
I did get to a point where I thought Sarah maybe needed some therapy or some other type of help to be able to move forward towards a loving healthy relationship. I applauded Declan and his boundaries with Sarah at that point.
For all of the back and forth, it's a truly heartwarming novel that hit just the right spot during the hot summer months. Some humor, some heart, and some swoon-worthy Irish men make for a thoroughly enjoyable reading experience. Highly recommended for romance readers.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own. -
I needed a pick-me-up rom-com after the charlie, love and clichéx fiasco, and Catherine Walsh delivered.
This was super cute and fun. A bit boring and dragging in some parts, but I enjoyed this clean yet steamy little book and the relationship between Sarah and Declan 😊
ACTUAL RATINGS 3,5/5 -
4 ⭐️ An absolutely charming rom-com ❤️
"Don't give up on your happiness just because you're scared it won't last forever."
Summary:
Sarah Anderson is excited to go to her best friend's wedding in Ireland. However, that excitement turns to mortification when she discovers that the best man is her last one-night stand, who she not so graciously kicked out the next morning. What's worse is Declan seems to be hellbent on embarrassing Sarah at every turn. At least when the wedding’s over, she’ll never have to see him again. Right?
However, back in New York City, the more Sarah tries to forget about Declan, the more she can't stop thinking about his charming smile or the way he wears a tux. Maybe Sarah was meant to have Declan for more than one night only.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
✨ New York City / Small Irish town settings
✨ Irish wedding shenanigans
✨ one night stand to lovers
✨ stressed-out, sweet, loyal architect FMC
✨ witty, hard-working, secret romantic bar owner/travel company owner MMC
✨ both have PTSD from their last relationships
✨ hilarious banter
✨ denial of feelings
✨ slight miscommunication and secret-keeping
✨ .5/5 spice
✨ HEA
My Thoughts:
Catherine Walsh is easily one of my favorite contemporary romance authors! I started with The Rebound, then Holiday Romance, and now One Night Only, and every single book has made me laugh and swoon. Her MCs are always loveable and genuine, and the stories are entertaining and relatable. One Night Only was no exception!
The MCs, Sarah and Declan are both so genuine, relatable, and hilarious. I literally have nothing negative to say about them. I LOVE Sarah's sass and Declan's teasing. Together, they were so f*cking funny, I seriously laughed out loud so much! Plus, their character arcs were done beautifully. Both Sarah and Declan have reservations about relationships since their last ones ended terribly. So to see them work through their traumas and start to trust and love again was beautiful.
The romance was so sweet. I love a story where the guy falls first and the push and pull that happens when the girl resists. And oh boy did Sarah resist. 🤣 She did NOT want to admit that she was falling for this sexy Irish man. But slowly Declan charms his way into her heart. Even though this is a rom-com (which tends to be a tad ridiculous) the progression of their relationship felt incredibly natural and believable.
The flirty teasing and humor had me laughing so much! But it's more than just a couple of one-liners. Sometimes it would be an entire interaction between Sarah and Declan. They both say things sarcastically and in a deadpan tone which surprises and charms the hell out of the other (and me).
I adore Sarah and Annie's friendship. They are best friends but sisters at heart. The amount of love, care, and support these two have for one another are truly the ingredients of a perfect friendship.
Sarah's work husband, Will, was an absolute delight. He is the grumpy co-worker who hates everyone, but he hates Sarah less than everyone else. I loved whenever he showed up and honestly, would love a book about him finding someone to thaw his cold heart.
I wish Matthias got what he deserved. We all hate him, but I will say, even though I was hoping he'd pay for totally screwing over Sarah, I think him getting away with everything is incredibly realistic. And in the end, Sarah was fine and much happier elsewhere, but still . . . I hope karma gets him back in whatever fictional world he's a part of.
Overall, One Night Only was a fantastic debut novel and an amazing 'one-night stand to lovers' story! I truly love how Catherine Walsh writes. Her stories are always easy to follow, not overly descriptive, and entertaining as hell; the MCs feel incredibly real; and there are no out-of-character or overly dramatic moments to create unnecessary angst or drama. Even though this is a rom-com, there's just enough depth that made me emotionally attached.
----------
Reviews for books by Catherine Walsh:
One Night Only - ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
The Rebound - ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Holiday Romance - ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
The Matchmaker - ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Snowed In - ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
---------- -
I had written several paragraphs before I closed this app out on my phone now I have to rewrite it :/
There should be a save draft option.
My review: This was hilarious, Comedy Central with hint of romance, moments filled with flirtatious conversations, and overall satisfying to read. There are no smutty scenes!!! The closest things we get is them kissing and mention that they did it, that’s it.
I need to mention my favorite side character: Will
Will is Sarah’s co-worker and is hilarious, a good friend and sarcastic. He made me laugh so much I had to put my phone down.
The entire book is in Sarah’s POV.
Exhibit A: an interaction between Will and Sarah whilst being at a meeting
“One time in a meeting she saw me put an office pen into my bag and she told me to put it back in front of everyone. Why is Matthias staring at you?”
“Huh?” I glance to where Matthias stands, talking to Harvey. “He hasn’t looked at me once.”
“Yeah, I lied.”
Mother of— “Are you having fun?” I ask sharply. “Annoying me like this?”
“It’s the only thing that gets me through the day. What are the odds she’ll invite Harvey to the wedding? She’s the type of person who’ll invite her boss and no one else.” He raises a brow. “Twenty?”
“Ten,” I mutter. “I’m broke after Ireland.”
“Deal. You’re no fun tonight.”
“Then why don’t you talk to someone else?”
“Because you’re the only one I can stand.”
Exhibit B:
“I don’t care,” he whispers back. “Go away.”
“You don’t think Matthias asking me out is interesting?”
“I think if he asked Harvey out, it would be interesting. Do I think one of the three good-looking guys in the office asking out one of four good-looking girls is? No.”
“You think I’m good-looking?”
“I think you have that striking thing going for you,” he says. “But your eyes are too far apart. And you need to start—”
I push myself away from his desk, knocking his pencil holder over as I go and open a new email to Annie.
Now Declan, Sarah’s love interest. I have a major crush on him. He has been crushing on her looong before she knew he existed. He owns several bar given to him by his Uncle Harry. O’Shea is Sarah’s favorite bar which Declan owns so that’s how they met. He worked the courage to strike a conversation with her and it worked!
Annie is Sarah's best friend getting married in Ireland to Paul. The story starts out with Declan in Sarah's bed and soon, she kicks him out. They meet again in Ireland and turns out Paul is Declan's older brother.
Their flirting is so endearingly sweet. He’s always teasing her. Declan is working on becoming a successful entrepreneur and Sarah is an architect which the company she works at is completely sexist.
I love Sarah and Declan together.
“Sarah?” he whispers.
My mouth runs dry. “Yes?”
He’s inches from me now. I could probably count his eyelashes if I wasn’t staring at his mouth.
“I’m going to have to kick you out.”
My eyes shoot to his and I scowl. “Why do you always ruin things?”
He only laughs. I reach out blindly to hit him, but my fist gets tangled in the sheet. He catches it easily and before I can move, he’s on top of me.
“Go away.”
“No,” he says. And he kisses me. -
this book started off great, the first chapter immediately drew me in, but then as the story progress i had a hard time staying engaged with the book.
the middle part felt so long and dragged, the back and forth between Sarah and Declan felt a bit repetitive like same thing happened over and over again, and i found myself struggling to get through the book.
overall, this is a good read. the writing was good, the characters were interesting, and there were some funny moments, but nothing remarkable. -
One Night Only is a delightfully funny and charming romantic comedy that had me bursting out in laughter so many times that it earned me bewildered looks from my sister.
Sarah is shocked to find out that her latest one-night stand is none other than Declan, her best friend’s new brother-in-law and best man at their wedding. This book follows a commitment phobe Sarah, as she overcomes her trust issues so as to find love with the man she hasn’t been able to stop thinking about.
This fast paced story is full of messy characters, hilarious banter and gasp-worthy twists. Declan and Sarah are far from perfect. Probably the most satisfying aspect of the book is that the author makes Sarah work for her happily ever after. Declan is a little bit of a mystery probably because the narrative is solely from Sarah’s perspective. Nonetheless, his laidback, bubbly character brings a load of humor to this tale. The secondary characters also provide some great rom-com moments and funny dialogues to the story. Another thing that I loved were the author’s vivid descriptions of Ireland.
One Night Only is a story narrated with love and perfection. It is hard to believe that this is Catherine’s debut novel. I’m certainly going to pick up whatever she releases next.
I recommend this feel good story for readers who like a sweet, somewhat realistic romantic comedy that is sure to have them laughing out loud.
Special thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.
One Night Only is out on 30th July.
Find me on :
INSTAGRAM -
Big thank you to NetGalley for providing this free e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
I need to go to an Irish wedding!
If you thought there is anything worse bumping into a one night stand in the street, imagine doing so in a wedding a continent away. Very awkward! How will Sarah deal with it? Is Declan only a One Night Only kind of guy, or might he be the one?
I saw others' Goodreads reviews so when I saw that the ARC is still out, I was very excited to read it. Thankfully, the author did not disappoint. This romantic comedy is sweet and amusing story about love and trust. Thankfully, this story is full of handsome Irish men. Every time they spoke, I could hear their Irish accent in my head and honestly, it was a giant plus to the whole story.
This sweet story certainly deserves 4.75 out of 5 stars. -
2.5 stars
“On paper” I feel like this should’ve worked for me. I tried. I tried to stay open to the possibility it could turn around. Unfortunately, it was a miss for me almost all around. I trudged along & somehow found a way to the end - with a little light skimming the last handful of chapters I confess -.
The first problem, ONO was a single POV & that POV only being the heroine/Sarah. I could not connect with her. I just couldn’t find anything favorable to latch onto with her. She was…unsympathetic? I guess. I don’t really get what the hero/Declan saw in her, what charmed him.
Declan’s POV is sorely missed. I don’t consider dual POV an absolute necessity to enjoy a book, but Declan’s character felt unfinished. I don’t feel like I have much more of a sense of him at the end than when the book began. It also might’ve helped to flesh Sarah out as well if I knew what he found so appealing about her besides looking good in a LBD.
As a result, I couldn’t feel chemistry between them sadly. I just didn’t feel any sparks. There was too much time spent beating around the bush by both. I’m afraid with the lack of connection to either character(more so the heroine), the “humor” was largely a miss, except for a quip or two from her co-worker, Will.
There were stretches (some more lengthy than others) I felt the plot lost focus & veered off towards unnecessary several times.
I think on a basic level there’s something about Ms. Walsh’s writing in her debut that could be good eventually. Which is why I chose to rate ONO the way I did. As problematic as this book was for me, I think it’s because her writing presently read pretty green imho. With a few more books under her belt, I could see coming back & giving another one of her books a try down the road a ways.
**This arc was provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review** -
where do i get my own declan from?
-
arc kindly provided by netgalley and bookouture.
this book was a damn rollercoaster and i absolutely loved every minute of it. do i now need me a beautiful irishman to kiss my temple and stay up until sunrise with? yes, yes i do.
honestly i’m just a sucker for chemistry and banter and interactions that bounce so easily and this book had exactly that and i’m just glad i wasn’t reading this in public because i was GRINNING
also, have i mentioned the small trope of running-into-a-one-night-stand-at-your-best-friends-wedding-where-he’s-the-best-man-and-pretending-like-you’re-not-completely-in-love-with-each-other? yes please -
it was a cute read but I don't think this book did it for me, I guess I went in with high expectations. I liked the trope and but not how the story went. it felt like the plot was dragged out too long and some of it felt unnecessary. I also didn't connect well with the main characters they seemed too bland, but the side characters Claire, Annie and her husband along with her whole family seemed great. I liked the banter between the MC's but the romance felt too repetitive and the only person that was entertaining was Will, Sarah's colleague. Sarah kept denying and then accepting, denying and then accepting her attraction towards Delcan it was fine in the beginning but got really annoying as the story proceeded. overall it was fun at times but it was not for me.
thank you netgalley and bookouture for providing the arc in exchange of honest review. -
I was thrilled by this, and then bummed when I realized it's a debut!!
She does a great job with sexual tension and I loved the annoying yet charming and maybe a bit of a dick hero and the completely relatable loves sex a bit standoffish heroine.
Warning for lotsa vomit talk. -
So grateful to Netgalley and Bookouture for providing a free e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!
4.5/5 ⭐ for this amazing contemporary romance book
I believe this was the author's debut novel, and it was honestly AMAZING
One night only (pretty much the time it took me to complete this book) is one of the best romance books I've read in a while. It was a fast-paced, funny and charming rom-com, which I devoured in less than a day!
The plot:
Who could have predicted this? Being at the same wedding. In Ireland. There’s a reason one-night stands are one-night stands. You’re not supposed to see each other again, especially not when you’re the maid of honor, and he’s the groom’s brother…
Sarah Anderson has never been more excited about anything in her life. She’s going to her best friend’s wedding. And not just any wedding. An Irish wedding. Goodbye New York, hello rolling green hills and men with beautiful accents and twinkling eyes.
But Sarah should have known that not all guests are fairy-tale princes…
There’s the chinless Uncle Trevor, whose idea of small talk is to claim climate change is a conspiracy.
Then there’s Great Aunt Eileen, who doesn’t talk at all (she’s too busy replacing the hotel cutlery with her own set).
Worst of all, there’s Declan Murphy. Best man. Brother of the groom. And the man Sarah last saw naked.
Is there anything more mortifying than bumping into a one-night stand halfway across the world? Especially as Declan seems determined to embarrass Sarah at every turn. At least when the wedding’s over she’ll never have to see him again.
But, back in New York, Sarah finds the more she tries to forget Declan, the more she can’t shake the thought of that infuriatingly charming smile and the way he wears a tux…
Was he really just for one night only, or might Declan Murphy be The One?
Tell me now, doesn't this sound so interesting? I was in love with the book just by reading the blurb <3
So basically, Sarah Anderson is a woman who loves sex and is not embarassed about it. After her tragic breakup with her ex Josh, her relationships with men do not last more than one night only.
But then, when she goes to her best friend's wedding, she realises the her latest one night stand is the groom's brother!!
if you want to know more about their story, READ THIS BOOK!! IT IS WORTH IT TRUST ME!!
The characters:
Sarah
I loved our main character <3 She was really funny and, I would say, realistic. She was very well written and I loved how the author expressed her past, as the reason for the way she treats the people around her. Reading from her pov was really delightful and I loved how she was never afraid to express her honest opinion 😂
Declan
I loved him as well <3 He was sarcastic, and realistic too, which means he wasn't the perfect guy. He had his flaws and that's okay!!
Now for side characters:
Will
Loved him so much, his friendship with Sarah was everything!!!
Sarah's other friends were also really interesting. Bsically all of the caracters were great and that's a thing i really love in books!!
The romance:
It was simply perfect!! The author has written the romance story extremely well. The slow burn, the ANGST, I was seriously hooked from the beginning!!
This is my review for "One night only", one of my new favourite romances!! Everyone should definitely check this out, once it's out, especially people who love a good contemporary romance :D
-----------------------------------
I'll write a review about this one soon :)
Loved it <3
-----------------------------------
Starting this today, I'm so excited after reading some great reviews!!! -
Ne düşünmem gerektiğini bilmiyorum.Konusu, kapağı, verdiği his tamamen rom-com içeriğine sahip olduğunu düşündürdü. Aklımda yer eden düşünce , ateşli çiftimiz tek bir gece geçirir, başka bir yerde karşılaştıklarında önce soğukluk, sonra yeniden bir ateş alev alır.Bunu bünyelerinden atabilmek için çıkar arkadaşlığına soyunup, akabinde etkilenme, aşk ve mutlu son bekledim.Klasik bir tema...Ama pek beklediğim gibi değildi.
Yan karakterler ilgi çekiciydi.En merak ettiğim ve ayrı bir kitapta ofis romansı yazsa okuyacağım Mark ve Claire oldu.Soraya ve erkek arkadaşı da yine aklımıza takılan bir detaydı.
Erkek karakterimiz Declan iyi, hoş, neşeli ve bir tık dertli iken kadın karakterimiz Sarah huysuz, aşka inancını kaybetmiş, kendi çevresinde-kabuğunda yaşayan taraftı.Bir araya geldiklerinde Declan ileri, Sarah geri adım atma taraftarıydı.Bunda bir sorun yok.Sorun sanırım hikayenin aktarım şekliydi.Beni çok fazla etkilemedi sanırım.Ve bir tık durgunluk hissi vardı.Akıcılık kısmı benim için yeterli değildi.
Birde Vi'nin kitabında da okuyup sevmediğim benzer bir olay vardı.O detay beni hepten arada bırakmış olabilir.Öyle yani... -
One Night Only by Catherine Walsh is a fun, delightful book about a woman’s struggle to learn to trust again. The book takes place in New York City and Ireland, with fun characters and charming side characters.
Sarah Anderson has one rule about dating, and that rule is one-night stands only! So, when she travels to Ireland for her best friend’s wedding, she was shocked to find her most recent one-night stand at the wedding, and the brother of the groom. Can she keep to her rule, or will Declan Murphy charm her into more than just one night?
This fast-paced book was charming and fun. Sarah has a lot of baggage, and she has to learn to trust again. The author added quite a few quirky characters to make this emotional journey fun and light while allowing Sarah to suffer while she figures out her issues and dig out from the emotional baggage that is keeping her from living her best life.
You can tell the author has a love of Ireland, as her descriptions of the village were vivid and heartfelt. I highly recommend this book. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. -
3.5 stars. Entertaining read, but nothing remarkable, which makes so many other romances stand out (a la Emily Henry and Casey McQuiston.) If you're gonna read, definitely listen to the audiobook. The accents make the book easier to understand and adds to the ~scottish vibe~ and hotness of the love interest
-
Favorite Quotes:
We have a very comfortable relationship with death in this country. A good funeral is the only entertainment a lot of people get in these parts.
That’s the problem with vacations. Once you take one all you want is another.
My Review:
This amusing and original romantic comedy was laced with delightfully clever snark, complex and intriguing characters, and crisp and witty banter that kept me smirking. I occasionally lost patience with the main character of Sarah as she was rather abrasive and self-consumed, but I enjoyed her bumbling encounters and comical misadventures.
The writing was fresh and humorously irreverent while featuring generous servings of enticing, endearingly quirky, and well-etched characters as well as snide Sarah’s cynical and caustic observations and inner musings. I adored the bride and Sarah’s best friend Annie, whose storylines provided a considerable share of the comedy.
I was amazed in noticing this smoothly polished tale was this up-and-coming author's first published book. Impressive to say the least! -
This right here is a perfect summer novel. I absolutely loved it, and I don't think there's anything negative I would need to point out. The author created a set of funny, charming and loveable characters. Especially the protagonists, Declan and Sarah, are so sweet; there's no chance you could not root for them. And it's because they are written as being genuine and human, which makes them relatable.
This book really had me cracking up from the first pages, and I couldn't put it down until I turned the last one. It's nicely written, from the storyline to the little details and thoughts put into everything. Of course, you might be able to tell at some point where the plot is heading, but it didn't diminish the reading experience. I loved how some elements reappeared later on in the story, closing an arc. It made it an altogether enjoyable read.
[I kindly received an eARC via NetGalley and Bookouture in exchange for an honest review.] -
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review
(4.5*) Wow. Holy cow this was amazing. I'm not embarrassed to say with my whole heart that I loved this book. This, this right here is the perfect debut novel and summer romance read.
One Night Only is a humorous, adorable and thoroughly enjoyable read, filled with witty banter, angst and tension along with a dose of heartbreak, that once picked up, is hard to put down.
It follows our main character Sarah, an architect sworn against forming any kind of romantic attachment. That is, until she finds out that the man she recently had a one night stand with, Declan, is in fact her best friend's husbands brother, who she meets again at the wedding.
I absolutely adored the dynamic between our two main characters, with there being the perfect balance of the push/pull relationship between them and not to mention their undeniable chemistry. The plotline is pretty straightforward and predictable at times but I still found myself eager to read on.
I love how both the characters are flawed in each their own ways with obstacles they both need to overcome. I can definitely see how people could be frustrated at Sarah for pushing Declan away so many times, I found myself in that position from time to time, but I have to admit, I appreciate and like how she doesn't give in so easily, it makes her that much more real.
Overall, this book was addictive to say the least and I 100% recommend it, especially for people looking for a fun, quick romcom read, and I can definitely say I'm looking forward to reading more from Catherine Walsh! -
arc provided by netgalley & bookouture.
okey, first of all, wow. i really didn’t expect to like this as much as i did.
after a some stressful weeks, i have had trouble finding books that give me that buzz, but this one absolutely did it for me.
this book follows sarah, who had a one night stand with an irish man, she kicks him out of her apartment the morning after expecting to never see him again, to then find out he is the brother of her best friend's future husband, and they meet again a few days before their wedding.
declan & sarah are so cute & funny, and i absolutely loved them together.
i also think it’s important for me to say that this book kept me up until 4 am, and, as unoriginal as it is, i really wasn’t able to put it down.
overall, i think this is a great rom-com. i had a lot of fun reading it and i’ll be sure checking thus author's new releases.
