“But I couldn’t remember ever feeling such an instant and overwhelming desire for another human being. I wanted to climb on his back, sniff his head, then have him lie on top of me while he read everything he’d ever posted on Facebook aloud.”
This book is an absolute laugh riot from start to finish.
Within days of wishing she could change her life, Fran Cooper is acting assistant to a celebrity, on a yacht in the Mediterranean, and en route to a tiny Italian island and the glittering Crystal Ball, along with the world’s rich and famous.
When she – quite literally – bumps into a handsome American called Evan, a man able to keep his cool in the face of chaos, the magic really begins.
Evan makes her a promise: no last names, no life stories, just one unforgettable night. Yet Evan belongs at the Crystal Ball and Fran is a gatecrasher. They may be soulmates, but their homes are an ocean apart, and their lives a world apart. They’ll never meet again – unless, on a night like this, everything can change forever…
Right from page one I was hooked on this book. The main character Fran is so terrific, I loved her instantly. Fran starts off by being relatively okay with her mediocre life even though she is stuck in her small town of Sheffield and going through a “quiet patch” with her average fiancé Stew. That’s just life right? When she is thrust into a new challenge being the personal assistant to a celebrity and sailing around the Mediterranean on a 350 foot yacht, her life changes overnight, albeit temporarily, and it forces her to rethink everything. Watching Fran as she grows and changes as a person is a wonderful journey for the reader and I found myself inspired.
Fran is helped along in her adventure by several awesome ladies. The underlying theme of female friendship wasn’t lost on this reader. Her best friend Jess, her celebrity boss, the celebrity’s manager Sarah and even a well timed visit from a make-up artist, all help push Fran out of her comfort zone and contribute something valuable to her journey.
This book is funny. Like the kind of funny where you accidentally snort because you are laughing so hard. Beware of hot liquids while reading this book, they may end up coming out your nose! Fran has an amazing sense of humour and Lindsey’s writing is genuinely witty. There were too many hilarious moments to count. If you need a good belly laugh (and who couldn’t?), definitely pick up this book.
Evan makes for a very dreamy book boyfriend. Mysterious, smart and clever, as he helps Fran navigate the wonders that are the Crystal Ball, you can’t help but fall for him. The chemistry between him and Fran is my favourite kind – full of witty banter. They are absolutely great together.
I loved living vicariously through Fran’s experiences in this book. Lindsey really nails all the details and you will feel like you are really there with Fran. From the description of the yacht, to the fashions, to the food, to the islands of Italy, to the magic of the Crystal Ball, this book feels like a great escape.
On A Night Like This is an absolute must read! Already I can tell it will be one of my favourite reads of 2022.
Thank you, HarperCollins Canada for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
