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Before Matt, Ella had a plan. Get over a no-good ex-boyfriend. Graduate from high school without any more distractions. Move away from Orlando, Florida, where she’s lived her entire life. But Matt—the cute, shy, bespectacled bass player who just moved to town—was never part of that plan. And neither was attending a party that was crashed by the cops just minutes after they arrived. Or spending an entire night saying “yes” to every crazy, fun thing they could think of. Then Matt abruptly left town, and he broke not only Ella’s heart but those of their best friends, too. So when he shows up a year later with a plan of his own—to relive the night that brought them together—Ella isn’t sure whether Matt’s worth a second chance. Or if re-creating the past can help them create a different future. In alternating then and now chapters, debut author Lauren Gibaldi crafts a charming, romantic story of first loves, lifelong friendships, uncovered secrets, and, ultimately, finding out how to be brave.
I was in the mood for a light, sweet romance and The Night We Said Yes by Lauren Gibaldi really hit the spot. Fun, realistic, and set in balmy Orlando Florida I quickly became swept up in the then, and now romance of Matt and Ella.
Five reasons to grab The Night We Said Yes and head to the beach
- The Night We Said Yes is a second chance romance that includes fleshed out secondary characters, and a summer night reliving the night, they said yes. The tale is realistic but be warned it portrays underage drinking and is filled with dorky, sweet moments and friendship.
- I loved how the tale unfolded using alternate chapters of then and now. The “then” tells the story of the first night Matt and Ella or “El” met. Gibaldi shows us those first moments of a budding romance, of the getting to know that special someone. She gives us all a glimpse at the chemistry, that awkwardness and adorableness as it unfolds. We also met El’s best friend Meg and her volatile relationship with Jake. The “now” chapters take place almost a year later. Matt moved away six months early without any closure and has returned hoping for a second chance not just with El but their friends too. He tries to recapture that first night. It was sweet and had me shaking my head, feeling for both of them and laughing aloud.
- While I certainly cannot condone some of their behavior from trespassing to underage drinking, Gibaldi kept it realistic and still managed to impart common sense such as not drinking and driving or vandalism. It evoked memories of high school years.
- Matt and El’s romance is adorkable and reminded me of first love. I became a caught up in wondering whether El would forgive Matt and take chance. Surprisingly mature and low on angst the “now” chapters filled us in on everything that happen between “then” and “now”. We get a secondary romance between Jake and Meg. It is volatile and exposes their rocky relationship.
- The friendship between Meg and El was perhaps my favorite part of the story from memory bracelets to having each other’s back it truly captured those magical friendships that are a part of our childhood.
The Night We Said Yes was a refreshing second chance romance. It is a standalone and offers an ending that will make readers smile.
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
Bruna
Sounds like the perfect beach read! Your review made me really want to pick this one up.
kimbacaffeinate
Glad you liked my review, this was different and I had fun with it
Olivia
This generally just sounds like a wonderful book! I feel like I am going to enjoy it because I am someone who takes great pleasure in a book if the secondary characters are realistic and just as fleshed out as the main one. Which is the impression I get after this review!
kimbacaffeinate
I loved the friendships in this one, and felt it was realistic.
Jennifer Bielman
I love that first love feeling in books. Sounds adorable.
kimbacaffeinate
It was Jennifer, I hope you try it.
Julia Anne
This book has been on my Summer TBR List ever since its release. Thanks for the great review, Kimberly! Hopefully I’ll have the chance to read the book soon.
kimbacaffeinate
I hope you enjoy it Julia!
Michelle
I really liked this one too. I’m glad you enjoyed it as well. The only thing I didn’t really like was the reason that matt left, but that was minor compared to the overall story, which was really easy for me to get absorbed in.
Great review!
kimbacaffeinate
Yeah, but it did feel real, and lord knows most kids his age don’t do well sharing problems like that especially boys
Christina T
This sounds really cute! I will have to add it to my TBR list. Thanks for your review!
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks. I enjoyed it and felt it was realistic
Cyn
Definitely sounds like a cute read! Summer time is my favourite time for reading adorable contemporaries, I’ll definitely keep my eyes open for this one!
Lovely review, Kim!
kimbacaffeinate
I enjoyed this from the sweet romance to the friendships
Felicia The Geeky Blogger
2nd chance romance is the best. It just makes me swoon 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
I agree Felicia and this felt realistic. Not to mention I loved the friendship
Trish
Sounds like a lovely summer read. I love dorky sweet moments and books about friendships too 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
You will love the girls friendship.
Lorna
Added it to my wish list on Amazon-hopefully the price will go down sooner than later! It sounds like something I would really enjoy 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
fingers-crossed for a price drop
ShootingStarsMag
Thanks for sharing – this sounds like a cute, summer read. I like the idea of saying Yes to things – well, CERTAIN things. haha
kimbacaffeinate
Yes..within limits
Christy
I just started this. At 13%… so far so good. I’m definitely loving the friendship.
kimbacaffeinate
Meg rocks and you will adore her
Katherine
This sounds like a good read and I especially like the part about low-angst. I know teenagers are generally high angst but even though it can be realistic I don’t enjoy reading it! Definitely adding this to my TBR.
kimbacaffeinate
This was good, because these were basically good kids.
Angela Adams
“…offers an ending that will make readers smile.” That’s good enough for me! Thanks for the post!!
kimbacaffeinate
Yes, we need smiles
Braine Talk Supe
Awww, I love second chance romances! Also the flashbacks I guess gives it a YA vibe so this is has a crossover feel to it?
kimbacaffeinate
This is totally YA Braine, although I would say on the older end simply because of some of their activities.
Lanie
This one sounds great, it reminds me a lot of Dessens books I use to read as a teen. I’m glad you liked it, great review. I’m gonna see if my library has it now^^
kimbacaffeinate
Right. It was different and I don’t normally dabble in this genre but I am glad I did
Laurel-Rain Snow
Sounds cute! Loved the idea of an “adorkable” romance….thanks for sharing.
kimbacaffeinate
Anytime Laurel, I had fun with this one
Ramona
I was so curious about your review:) I’ve been on the fence about this one, but it sounds like I should take the plunge. Love second chance romances! And I enjoy laughing behind my palm at all things dorky or awkward 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
I thought it was realistic, with good kids.
Heidi
I caved and got a copy of this as I am reading some brilly reviews. Nick totally loved this one, and Ilike the sound of the romance.
kimbacaffeinate
I hope you like it Heidi. I know Christy is loving Meg
Jenny
Adorkable. *snort* I love that description Kim! This sounds like the perfect read for me at the moment – something fun and entertaining with little angst. Must add this to the list!
kimbacaffeinate
hehe…they, it was adorkable 🙂
kindlemom1
I’m glad you liked this Kim, it really was a fun read and for whatever reason, totally pulled me out of my YA contem funk.
kimbacaffeinate
So glad it pulled you out. This isn’t a genre I normally dabble in, but I am glad this one spoke to me
Candace
I enjoy contemporaries like this, especially in the summer time. It sounds like this would bring back some of my own teen memories and stupid decisions. 😉
kimbacaffeinate
I think about the things I did and wonder if I was crazy..lol
Emma
Like the idea of saying yes…think we should all do that more.
kimbacaffeinate
yes. (tehehe)
Sophia Rose
Ahhh, yes, this does have that special tone of teenage summer love that I enjoy on occasion. Didn’t know about it so thanks for the engaging review, Kimberly.
kimbacaffeinate
Yeah, this was sweet and different Sophia
Keionda
I’m usually not a fan of “then and nows” I think it’s because I had a bad reading experience with one but I’m interested to see how this one will be. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
These were done by chapters and worked out well. I know sometimes it results in an epic fail though so I understand your concern
Bookworm Brandee
This sounds like a nice read, Kim. The “dorky and sweet” moments remind me of my ‘romance’ with my hubs. 🙂 And I like that the story is mature and low on angst, too. Glad you enjoyed it!
kimbacaffeinate
We all know teens are going t push limits, but it was nice seeing them be somewhat level headed as well.
Nick
Kim, I’m so happy you loved this one as much as I did! 🙂 It was such a cute story. Definitely one of my favorites!
And yes! ADORKABLE is the perfect word to describe the romance.
I hope this means you’ll give more YA contemporaries a chance.
Lovely review!
kimbacaffeinate
I will probably pick them up from time to time when one piques my interest. Glad you think my description fits
Melissa's Eclectic Bookshelf
That sort of past/present storytelling can be hit or miss…glad this one worked.
kimbacaffeinate
It was done well by chapter which helped keep the reader straight and the more you learned the more you wanted to know how now would work out,
Anna
I love the sounds of this one, putting it on my TBR pile. 🙂
Anna from Elements of Writing
kimbacaffeinate
Enjoy Anna!
Tyler H Jolley
I love the idea of doing “now” and “then” chapters. Very cool. Thanks for sharing, Kimba!
kimbacaffeinate
It really worked for this story Tyler. Breaking it up into chapters made it easy to follow.
Grace
I am always in for an adorkable romance 🙂 I also appreciate a realistic view even if I don’t condone it. I will have to check this one out – Great review!
kimbacaffeinate
Exactly Grace. Hope you get a chance to try it
Red Iza
Looks like a sweet romance perfect for a summer read 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
It was, thanks and enjoy your day!
Silvia
Sometimes a light, sweet romance is all we need . . . I didn’t know about this book, but I’m noting it down! 😉
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Silvia
Lindy
The Night We Said Yes sounds like a story that I would enjoy. I like when an author came keep their plot realistic in a Y.A. contemporary. It’s fun to read stories that bring me back to my high school years, and remembering first love. Great Review Kim 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Lindy and I agree. I am glad I read this one 🙂
blodeuedd
Now I wonder why he left
kimbacaffeinate
spoilers darling 🙂
Melliane
You’re right, sometimes it’s nice to have a realistic romance like that even if you don’t agree with all the behavior.
kimbacaffeinate
Exactly Melliane