One Autumn Night by Isla Dean
Contemporary novella
Released: September 29, 2015
Self Published
Reviewed by Mandi
When this review request came in, the author provided an excerpt from the first chapter and it really drew me in. Abigail has a ton of spirit and spunk and I enjoyed her. After her mother ran off, Abigail as a young adult had to make sure her two teenage brothers grew up to be decent people. She succeeded but money has always been an issue. Opening a pub and living above it, she loves her work but still aches for more money. After a health inspector told her she would be shut down if repairs were not made, she is desperate, and the bank just denied a loan. Enter our hero.
Declan comes from lots and lots of money. Declan and Abigail had a passionate love affair as teens, but then without warning, Abigail stopped speaking to Declan. He left for college and law school and they haven’t seen each other in eight years. But then he shows up on her door step and she is none too pleased. Her exasperation of seeing him and their banter made me laugh.
Declan’s mother is having a super fancy party and their caterer cancelled last minute. Declan wants Abigail to cater with her pub food – which she firmly declines – but then money. Oh the money – he is offering a lot. So she gives in, gathers the troops and prepares to confront her old lover and the shame to take money from his family.
This being about 100 pages, it’s a quick read. I’ve mentioned the strengths above, but I did find some things that didn’t work so well for me either. Declan and Abigail have great chemistry when they reunite – but when he drags her up the stairs to her bedroom for a hot dirty dancing (in the bed) it was super quick and kind of a let down. I needed to see/read their passion more after being reunited in the naked form after eight years.
I also didn’t enjoy the conflict as it plays out with Declan’s parents at the end. I would have preferred reading more about Declan and Abigail together than what turns out to be a kind of crazy scenario.
Cute novella, but a weaker second half in my opinion.
Grade: C+
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