Friday, January 8, 2010

Book Review of Lisa Dale's It Happened One Night

It Happened One Night
The blurb:
Sometimes love finds you when you least expect it. '

Lana Biel has always wanted to shake the dust of Vermont off her feet and see the world, one exotic country after another. But when a lighthearted spring fling changes her life forever, she turns to the one man whose strong shoulders can lighten any burden: her best friend, Eli Ward.

Eli has always been there for Lana - after all, that's what best friends are do. But Lana isn't the only one hiding something. Eli is keeping secrets of his own that threaten their relationship. Yet as summer turns to fall, new desires awaken between them, even as old fears tear them apart. Then, when another Vermont winter fills the valleys with snow, Eli and Lana are given the chance for an adventure greater than they ever dreamed possible. . . and a love that will last for all time.

Review:
It Happened One Night raises many of questions that I'd spent hours debating with my college roommates and single friends. Can men and women be friends or will attraction get in the way? Is it better to stay best friends with a guy than risk losing that special closeness? Lana and Eli face these questions in detail in It Happened One Night.

The novel contains the elements of a good romantic comedy - a shifting love triangle, beautiful people completely unaware of their appeal, and best friends that are on the verge of dating don't want to risk their friendship.

Aside from dealing with friendship and love, Lisa Dale delves into the pushes and pulls of family relationships. It Happened One Night is rich with emotion. I am sure that this book will appeal to many people, but it just didn't speak to me. I had a hard time connecting with free spirited Lana and was often frustrated by her response to difficult situations. Lana's responses to her crises were likely honest and realistic, but I prefer lead characters to be assertive, funny, and savvy or to have the story be wholly unrealistic and funny. Having said that, I can see many other readers will find It Happened One Night a satisfying read.

ISBN-10: 0446406902
Publisher: Forever (November 1, 2009), 368 pages.
Review copy provided by the publisher.

Thank you so much to Anna and Hatchette Book Group for this review opportunity!

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