I’m trying a brand new review format, complete with writing my own summaries and new graphics, so please let me know what you think of the new style! ♥
TITLE: My Favorite Half-Night Stand
AUTHOR: Christina Lauren
RELEASES: December 4th, 2018; Gallery Books
GENRE: Contemporary
AGE RANGE: Adult
I am such a sucker for the friends-to-lovers trope it’s not even funny, so when I heard that the writer duo Christina Lauren was putting out this story about best-friends/colleagues turned friends-with-benefits turned lovers? I was all over it! This is only the second Christina Lauren title I’d read, the first being Autoboyography, which I enjoyed, but had high hopes that I—like many of my friends—would like their adult novels even more.
“Our half-night stand?” he asks, and his smile is an adorable concoction of self-deprecating and sweet. I shake my head. Must resist the cute nerd.
Millie Morris, a professor at UC Santa Barbara, has accepted her perma-single status and place as “one of the guys”, but things get shaken up a bit when a drunken celebration ends in a “half-night stand” between herself and her colleague/best friend in the world, the handsome and charming Reid Campbell.
Despite sharing a great night together, the two of them decide to stay friends, and even more, to create online dating profiles! When Millie can’t find a way to be honest with her own name and picture, she creates a fake profile, but has no idea how to respond when Reid unknowingly “matches” with her and begins to fall for both the real Millie and the fake account.
Luckily, my suspicions were right, because I was obsessed with this read and could not put it down once while reading it. It was one of those things where I started it right before bed one night, planning to read “just a few chapters”, and the next thing I knew, it was 5am and I was finished it. That’s when you know a book sucked you in, right?
I don’t think I’ve ever been normal. Me? I was obsessed with serial killers.
First of all, the writing in this is absolutely fantastic. I find that a lot of adult contemporary authors are great at writing emotions and feelings, but not amazing at the actual verbiage; that’s not an issue with this duo at all. Millie and Reid both felt like these wonderfully complex, three-dimensional characters. Also, can we talk for a second about how freaking awesome it is that Millie’s main character arc (besides her closed-off nature) is an obsession with female serial killers? Hello, can we be friends?
“I only have one emotion, and it’s hunger.”
Another thing Christina Lauren has going for them is that they are just so damn good at making me smile, because the story is so cute and charming and fun. If I wasn’t cheesing over the cuteness, I was cringing out of my skin from secondhand embarrassment (in a good way, if that makes sense) because some of the interactions are so perfectly awkward.
Trying to be cool about banging your best friend is a lot harder than I would have anticipated.
Of course, there’s also the steam factor, and while Half-Night isn’t what I would consider the most sexual adult contemporary read, it definitely has a healthy dose of steamy scenes and they’re really well written—I don’t recall ever grimacing at any phrases or thinking that anything felt corny or unrealistic, which is a pretty common issue I have with sex scenes from lesser authors.
Honestly, I don’t have a single complaint about this book—great writing, fun characters, cute story, and perfect pacing.
All in all, My Favorite Half-Night Stand is such a delightful and heart-warming read. Whether you like your romance stories sexy, funny, or just sweet, there’s a little bit of something for everyone here.
I’d happily recommend this story to anyone who’s a fan of adult contemporary romances, but I also think it would be a great introduction to the adult contemporary genre if you’re someone who’s more accustomed to YA contemporary and is looking to branch out into an older age range!
All quotes come from an advance copy and may not match the final release. Thank you so much to Gallery Books for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
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beccaleighanne
November 7, 2018This looks like such a fun read! I added it to my TBR! & also, I absolutely adore this new layout!
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
November 8, 2018It was so much fun! Please feel free to come yell in my DMS if/when you read it lmao! And thank you so much!! ♥
justonemorepaige
November 7, 2018I’m am falling in love hard with Christina Lauren’s books… glad this one stands up and that you loved it!
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
November 8, 2018Same, I can’t wait to read more from them!!
anovelglimpse
November 7, 2018Nice review! I read this one, too. I thought it was a lot of fun. I did have some frustrations with Millie and her catfishing.
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
November 8, 2018Thank you! It really was so much fun. I struggled a little with the catfishing too, but I loved how it all came together in the end. I appreciated that it genuinely felt like she felt terrible for lying to him and it wasn’t like she brushed it under the rug or anything!
mall3tg1rl
November 7, 2018a) love the new graphics
b) this sounds so good! might be one of my winter reads if it gets super gross up here!!
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
November 8, 2018Thank youuuu! It would honestly make such a good cozy stuck-inside-because-of-bad-weather read, if that makes sense, lmao.
Kayla @ Books and Blends
November 7, 2018I love the new graphics Destiny!
Also, great review. I read this one a few months back but I sadly didn’t love it as much as you.
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
November 8, 2018Thank you! ♥ Aww, I’m sorry you didn’t love it as much!
Kayla @ Books and Blends
November 8, 2018I just think it was the main characters for me and the catfishing.
Meredith Ritter
November 7, 2018Ah, Destiny! You are soo good at this stuff. I love it!
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
November 8, 2018Awww, thank you so much, you are so sweet!!
insidemylibrarymind
November 7, 2018Great review, I am excited to pick this one up now! And I love your new graphics, they look super cool!
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
November 8, 2018Thank you! ♥♥ I hope you enjoy it!!
Shalini
November 7, 2018Ooooh I loved your graphics and new way of writing fabulous
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
November 8, 2018Thank you so much!!
Flavia
November 7, 2018Sounds like I need to add this to my TBR! Loving the new review layout, Destiny!
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
November 8, 2018Ooooh I REALLY recommend it because I think we have some pretty similar tastes in adult contemporary from past discussions we’ve had? So, YES. 😀 And thank you! ♥
Priyasha
November 7, 2018The cover is Yellow ?and I love it ?
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
November 8, 2018Yesss! It’s so bright and fun haha. 🙂 Thanks!
Stephanie
November 7, 2018Great review and I love your new format
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
November 8, 2018Thank you so much! ♥
ambsreads
November 7, 2018omg i’m so jealous you got to read this one but i’m so glad you enjoyed it! i also adore your new layout ? love the colours in your new graphics!
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
November 8, 2018It was so good and I wish I could share it with you ?? I hope you get to read it soon!! And THANK YOU!
Kaleena @ Reader Voracious
November 7, 2018Nice review, Destiny!
I like the new format as well, it’s funny because I have been thinking about doing something similar but didn’t want to feel confined into a box. I’d be interested to hear how this affects your review writing process!
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
November 8, 2018Thank you so much! <3 I feel like I don't really want to rush and judge the new layout off of just one review, but I honestly had more fun writing this review than I've had writing any review since… probably my bullet review of ACOFAS back in… whatever month that released lmao. March? Something like that. Anyways, having this sort of layout planned out in advance just made it really fun and easy!
sammers65
November 7, 2018Absolutely ADORE Christina Lauren! So happy that you enjoyed this book! I’m currently waiting for it to arrive from amazon, but your review has me literally HYPED to get into this bad boi!
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
November 8, 2018They are sooo talented! Thank you, and I hope you love it!!
Samantha Duffy
November 7, 2018I love the new format and graphics! I might need to add this to my list, it sounds like something I would really enjoy!
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
November 8, 2018Thank you so much! 🙂 It was so much fun and I really do recommend it if you’re into this type of book at all.
Heather @ The Sassy Book Geek
November 7, 2018Amazing review as always Destiny and love the new set up! Hopefully you enjoy it as well, I know we already discussed it on Twitter but AHHHHHH it’s just so much easier to write and to read, I feel! 🙂
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
November 8, 2018Thank you! I had SO much fun writing up this review, honestly it just felt so EASY and efficient!
trufflereads
November 7, 2018omg I really autoboyography and I LOVE the friends to lovers trope as well as serial killers T_T this sounds so perfect to meee. great new format and great review <3
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
November 8, 2018Okay, based on those three things, you NEED this book in your life ?? Aww thank you so much!!
trufflereads
November 8, 2018I DO! haha you’re so welcome ❤️
rayasreads
November 8, 2018Yaay! I’ve been excited for this novel and your review makes me positive about it! 😀
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
November 8, 2018Aww, thank you! 😀
yarnowlreads
November 8, 2018Love love love your new graphics! Also, I’m starting to think I should pick up some of Christina Lauren’s other work. I loved Autoboyography but when I heard that none of their other books were queer I sort of wrote them off. ? Definitely rethinking this decision now!
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
November 8, 2018Thank you! <3 Oh, their writing was so much fun in this one. I can only speak for Autoboyography and this book but I just love the characters they create.
emmareadstoomuch
November 8, 2018oh my god i’m going to read the hell out of this book.
also: i LOVE this format!!
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
November 9, 2018Thank you!!! <3 <3
Malka @ Paper Procrastinators
November 8, 2018I was wondering how this book was! I just recently read Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating and loved it! I also really loved Autoboyography. But I’ve had a few misses with Christina Lauren as well, so I’m so glad to hear what you thought about this book! I’m gonna have to check it out now!
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
November 9, 2018I think Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating is going to be my next read of theirs! What did you think of the ending of that one? I don’t know any spoilers or anything but I keep seeing people on booktube say they loved it until the end lol!
Lauren @ Wonderless Reviews
November 8, 2018This definitely isn’t a genre/book for me, but I’m really glad you had fun reading it! I mostly just wanted to leave a comment and say that I absolutely love the review format and all the graphics you’ve used! I feel like these kinds of reviews are so much easier and fun to not only write but also read!!
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
November 9, 2018Awww, thank you so much Lauren! <3 <3 Your comment just made my morning haha, I was really hoping this review style would be easier for people to read so that makes me feel like I made the right choice by changing my formatting!
Kathy @ Books & Munches
November 9, 2018This sounds SO GOOD. Added it to my Goodreads TBR!
I remember reading some of Christina Lauren’s adult work way before I started my blog and I loved Autoboyography. Pretty sure I have Roomies on my TBR on Goodreads as well.. I guess this means I should really get a move on reading more of their work, right? 😛
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
November 9, 2018It’s soooo goooooood! I hope you like it. 😀 I still want to read Roomies soon, too. I got it in a kindle sale a while back for $2 but I just always forget I have it.
Kathy @ Books & Munches
November 11, 2018I went on NG.com and wished for it. Like. You never know, right? :’) Wanted to order it, but since it isn’t releasing for almost a month yet, there’s not really any point, haha.
Like.. Have you added your ebooks to your TBR-list? :3
thecritiquesofafangirl
November 9, 2018Amazing review
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
November 9, 2018Thank you!
Sarah
November 19, 2018First of all, I adore the new review format! Second of all, you have SOLD this book to me and I am officially adding it to my TBR. It sounds so cute!!
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
November 19, 2018Thank you!! <3 It was adorable. I hope you love it!!
devouringbooks2017
June 7, 2019I really don’t read many contemporary romances, but somehow wound up with a copy of this. It looks pretty funny and entertaining and after reading your review I’m thinking of reading it in between some dense fantasy novels for something light. It sounds like the perfect read for me when I am looking for a change of pace.