Isn't It Romantic? - The One-Night Stand Edition

I love reading romances, and I love sharing them with you! These two were both fabulous, and I guess you could say both these romances started with a one-night stand. What happened after was vastly different, but I was amused when I realized that there was this similarity in the plot lines.

Sleepover
Sarina Bell
Series: n/a
Age/Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Loveswept
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Goodreads

A brand-new contemporary romance from the USA Today bestselling author of Head Over Heels.

Elle and Sawyer just look so happy. Which is, of course, exactly how they end up.

But it's not an easy trip.

It was just supposed to be once.

It was just supposed to be sex.

But now they're next-door neighbors. And before they can put up their fences—or defenses—their eight-year-old sons have forged an unstoppable friendship.

They're still reeling—Elle, from a Facebook message she was never supposed to see, Sawyer, from the kind of death it's hard to live through. A relationship seems like a terrible idea. So they make a deal. One more blazing hot night, at Elle's ex-husband's wedding.

You know, because the "just once" thing has worked out so well for them ...

After her divorce to her cheating ex was finalized, Elle was looking for a one-night fling. She thought she found it, until tall, dark, and broody ended up being her new neighbor and the father of her son's new best friend. With both Elle and Sawyer not quite ready to embark on new relationships, and both trying, but failing, at fighting their mutual attraction, things were bound to get complicated.

I pretty much inhaled this book. Bell did such a great job helping me understand what was keeping Sawyer and Elle from taking the plunge. She clearly painted a picture of their grief and anguish as it related to their past relationships, and though I was still really frustrated at times by the two of them, I understood why they made the decisions they did.

Sawyer's story was sad. As a man, who didn't open up to people easily, he believed he deceased wife could never be replaced. He loved her, and always would, and his struggle with finding there was something beyond attraction between him and Elle was a little painful. But Elle's story broke my heart in half. The betrayal was bad enough, but the fact that she still had to interact with her ex on some level due to their shared custody made it that much worse. I found myself wanting to reach out and hug her time and time again.

But you know what? I found solace in the fact, that she had Sawyer, who was a pretty amazing man. Maybe he didn't pour his heart out 24/7, but when he did reveal part of himself or share anything at all, it was really meaningful, honest, and pure. Elle also had two amazing friends in her corner, who gave her so much support, as well as some nudges to move her in the right direction.

Speaking of those friends, I loved Elle's besties and Sawyer's brother so much, I am hoping Bell stays in this world a little longer, and gives them their own books. The ending of Sleepover certainly set up a story for Brooks quite nicely, and I know I would love to read it.

This book was fun, sweet, sexy, and adorable. It made me laugh, swoon, rage, cry. But in the end, it left me warm and fuzzy with a big smile on my face.

Knocked-Up Cinderella
Julie Hammerle
Series: n/a
Age/Genre: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Publisher: Entangled
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Goodreads

I’m a walking contradiction. School principal who liberally drops the F bomb. Fiercely independent yet willing to auction myself off for charity. Serial monogamist who’s down for a no-strings one-night stand.

Except now I’ve gone from one-working-ovary to co-parent in the time it took a stick to turn blue.

F. Bomb.

Ian Donovan may be a richer-than-hell venture capitalist, but he’s no Prince Charming ready to sweep me off my feet. Good thing I don’t need him. I’ve been doing fine on my own for forty years, and I’m not about to start changing that now.

Ultrasounds, swollen feet, midnight cravings? Bring. It. On.

But why is it when you finally swear off men, you meet one who’s too sexy—and determined we can make it work?

F. Bomb.

I have previously read some of Hammerle's YA romances, and jumped at the chance to read an adult contemporary by her. Well, the results are in, and I loved this book!

Five Things I Loved About Knocked-Up Cinderella

1. Erin was a stupendous heroine. Her first appearance on page had me laughing, but she wasn't just funny. She was smart, witty, driven, and independent too. I could totally see myself being friends with her. 
2. I had zero problems shipping Erin and Ian. I enjoyed seeing them together, because they had it all. They had great chemistry, but they also really talked to each other. They could let loose, and it was obvious how much they enjoyed their time together. Talk about relationship goals. 
3. I love a good rom-com, and this was a great rom-com. I laughed so much while reading this book. Hammerle did a great job maintaining the tone of the story, while putting in just enough drama, and never forgetting to give us a good dose of heart. 
4. Let's hear it for heroes and heroines in their 40s! I so rarely read romances with older characters, and it's nice to see people near my age finding love. 
5. That ending was so, so precious! I love when a book ends on a high note, and this one just had me wiping those happy tears out of my eyes. 

My first adult romance from Julie Hammerle was a hit, and I look forward to reading many more. 

**ARC received in exchange for an honest review.

Are you a fan of one-night stand to HEA romances?

Let us know in the comments!