A delicious new romance novel featuring a strong, protective bodyguard and the beautiful, brilliant hotel heiress he protects… won’t happen again, we say the next day.
Besides, my mission is singular — pull off the event of a lifetime — a one-night only concert with one of the world’s biggest rock stars.
A man my bodyguard happens to know. And a good bodyguard knows all sorts of things about his client. Turns out he knows my secret wishes, and he wants to make them come true. Including a VIP engagement so I can experience both men at the same time…
I want to say yes, but what if I fall even more in love with the man whose mission is to keep me safe?
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Holy hotness Batman! The steam was coming off my tablet! This book was incredibly entertaining, with hot, steamy bodyguards, a smart and sassy heroine, and a sexy as all get out story line.
Ivy Carmichael is co-CEO and the public face of The Extravagant Hotel on the Las Vegas strip. After a frightening stalker got too close last year she has relied on her bodyguard Callum Blackwell to keep her safe. She just never expected him to be able to read her so well. And, oh, hell, does he ever read her desires well.
Callum prides himself on keeping his clients safe and he’s extremely observant. He knows what a client needs and wants before they do, and Ivy is definitely no exception. Yet, the flirty banter between he and Ivy can never cross the line, no matter how much he wants her. Except his best friend isn’t willing to watch these two dance around their feelings any longer, finally giving them just the push they need.
This was a freebie series starter, and I am seriously thinking about pre-ordering the rest of the series! New rule: find the old books in my hoard. Starting a series that I can’t even finish if I want to is gonna kill me. Or teach me delayed gratification. Happy Reading!
This is the first book in the After Dark series from Lauren Blakely that I’ve listened to and what a way to kick things off. It’s like Lauren Blakely on steroids. What I mean by that is it’s pure Lauren goodness; you have a fun, heartwarming story filled with wit and awesome characters, but she’s upped the sexy factor. Like she cranked that bad boy to 10! I loved Callum and Stone, I thought they were fantastic characters, Callum’s all business and Stone’s party boy personas really worked well for their friendship, I loved that they were so different but that it worked for them. Ivy, I wasn’t too keen on to begin with, her inability to reconcile her professional side with her sexual side annoyed me, but at the same time, without it, would there have been a story? And as the story progressed, she did grow on me. I loved her with Callum though. Match made in heaven. His ability to read her and know what she wanted and needed was great and wanting to give her the fantasy in a safe way really made me fall hard for him.
This is a MFM story. Callum and Stone don’t touch, much to my disappointment (I know, I know, it says it on the label – a girl can still dream!) and the story is Ivy and Callum’s, it’s about their relationship and self-discovery, Stone is an added bonus, you guessed it, for one night. So if you’re looking for a book with three way full-time relationship, this book isn’t for you. Just like if sexy times aren’t your thing, this isn’t the book for you either. But if you love stories about couples expressing their sexuality and fantasy exploration, you will love this book.
About the performances. Well, what can I say, Emma Wilder and Joe Arden are just fabulous as Ivy and Callum, add in a handful of chapters from Jacob Morgan as Stone, which was just fantastic, and lastly, sprinkle in a surprise, outstanding Teddy Hamilton chapter as Jackson, Stone’s bodyguard, to whet the appetite for a future book and you’ve got audiobook perfection right there. It was such a joy to listen to, these voice actors are at the top of their game and it shows. The performances were a joy to listen to. The transition from each narrator and character was smooth with very little issue – it’s performed in dual narration, and sometimes the change in the different voices can be distracting but that isn’t the case here, the voices were well matched and complemented each other. In the book, Callum describes Ivy’s voice as honey and whiskey, and I thought I’d never heard a more perfect description of Emma Wilder’s voice. The audio also includes a sneak peek of Dear Sexy Ex-Boyfriend, which is available now, performed in duet narration by Andi Arndt and Shane East. With additional cameos by Kit Swann & Joe Arden.
There nothing like a quick, light hearted read to recover from those deep, and angsty reads.
I love how two characters can make you fall in love with them easily and become completely invested in their story. The chemistry is there from the start. Fireworks explode with every turn of the pages. Ivy and Callum will have you excited about reading their story as fast as possible, as they’ll have you fanning yourself with their sexy ways.
Amazing, sweet and addictive.
I had the intense pleasure of listening to this book on Audible!! Emma Wilder is the perfect Ivy! Joe Arden is Callum and omg Jacob Morgan is Stone!!
Great fast paced romance, tastefully detailed, addictive romance. This storyline may be short, but so richly filled!!
This is a long novella is written in first person from multiple POV.
“One Night Only” is a romance between a bodyguard and the heiress he is protecting and it is super hot. They have developed a relationship as friends over the past year, but it was very enjoyable to read as they admit they both have deeper feelings for each other. The attraction between them is scorching and lead to scenes that could set your Kindle on fire. I love Callum’s nature to protect Ivy while still making sure she has everything she needs. I love that Ivy is able to be 100% herself with Callum. I also really enjoyed Callum’s friendship with Stone and I look forward to Stone’s story when it comes out.
Lauren Blakely does dirty very well. I was worried that this would be a bit repetitive since the first book in her After Dark series also revolved around an MFM arrangement, and while there were some bits were similar, I found it to be different enough that I think I may have liked it more than The Engagement Gift (which I may need to go revisit because apparently Mrs. Blakely has expanded the story quite a bit). I really liked Callum and I enjoyed the dynamic/chemistry between him and Ivy. I also am super stoked about Stone’s upcoming book – and I think you will be too once you read the book (and you should). It’s really exciting to have an author that I’ve loved for a long time broaden her horizons and offer readers and brand new experience with her. 3.75 out of 5 wine glasses.
***AUDIOBOOK REVIEW***
I am loving these after dark novellas by Lauren Blakely! They are delicious, steamy and about discovering your deepest desires after dark. Ivy Carmichael is a Co CEO at a lavish hotel. She is super driven, focused and committed to her hotel and making it a success after it was left to her by her family. Callum Blackwell is Ivy’s bodyguard. He is mysterious and attractive and is insanely attracted to Ivy. But she should be off limits to him as he can not get distracted and loose focus of his job to protect her. Eventually he gives into his desires and the chemistry and connection was off the charts! Explosive and so addicting. Stone is Callum’s best friend who is a successful musician. He has come to town for a visit just in time to play a part in Ivy’s desire for a threesome.
The narration done by Emma Wilder, Joe Arden and Zachary Webber as always was perfection. Their delicious voices really being these characters to life! Also loved the cameo by Teddy Hamilton at the end!
A strong independent woman who knows what she wants, and the man that protects her. Ivy and Callum have chemistry, but neither will act on it. Well, maybe for only one night. The problem is that they each want to go for more than one night. What happens when the bodyguard falls for the heiress. Will he make all her dreams come true? Loved it. Hot and steamy in all the right place
Ivy and Callum’s story is sweet, fun, steamy, and fast-paced. They share a sizzling hot chemistry. Ivy is smart, adventurous, independent, and confident. Callum, Ivy’s bodyguard, is handsome, strong, protective, and supportive. The MFM scene is hot! I love the ending. Emma Wilder, Joe Arden and Jacob Morgan did an outstanding job with the narration. This is a great team author/narrators. I enjoyed it! Looking forward to listen to the next books in the Series, Only One Touch, and One Time Only.
I enjoyed Callum & Ivy’s story. I’m looking forward to more of these characters & their amazing chemistry.
One Night Only (The Extravagant #1) by Lauren Blakely is part of her After Dark series. Ivy Carmichael is working to make her hotel everything it can be. In public she has to be a certain person, in private she is another. Callum Blackwell is her bodyguard and sees more than she lets others see. A relationship between them is a no-no, but can they resist? Enter Callum’s best friend and rockstar Stone Zenith, and the push into the abyss of what Ivy and Callum can be becomes inevitable.
This story was hot, steamy and showcased some amazing characters reaching for more of what they want in life and together. I very much enjoyed and recommend and cannot wait for more stories about the other characters.
One Night Only was a delicious story. Ivy and Callum were straight fire. These two had more than just a bodyguard and client relationship. They became friends but there was a potential for more. And they needed just the right push for their secret desires to rise to the forefront. And that is when the story gets good. This novella was a steamy and fun read. And ushers in new additions to the After Dark series. Can’t wait for the rest in the series.
Thank goodness I picked a cooler day to read this one, because OMG was it HOT. 😉
Ivy and Callum’s story is a bodyguard romance–with a little extra. Callum is relatively new to Ivy’s world–before the story began she had a stalker, and replaced her security–but it appears that their attraction has been going on since the beginning. They haven’t acted on it, for those reasons we all know, but they have become friends, of sorts. But then there’s some major flirting going on, and…why not just one night?
We all know where that’s going, right?
Except their more than one night ends up having something extra–and this will end up being the “one night only” of the title. Probably 😉
Will their night lead to more? For how many of them? 😉 Read One Night Only to find out!
(Can be read in a single sitting…but you may want to have a fan and cool drink handy, because reasons. 😉 )
One Night Only is a prequel novella–Ivy’s twin sister Jade will have her own book (we don’t see a lot of her here, since this is a novella and needs to focus on our MCs) as will Stone and Jackson (they were in here a bit more, since Stone participates in the “one night only” activities and Jackson has…feelings about it ;)) and it definitely does its job of whetting the readers appetite for more from this world! Can’t wait… 🙂
Rating: 4 stars / B+
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
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I like that Lauren Blakely has been spreading her creative wings as of late. Case in point: her After Dark collection of novellas. They’ve still got that Blakely feel to them but with far more steam, not that her usual books are lacking. And now she’s got a new series entitled The Extravagant under the collection and One Night Only is the first book. Labeling it a bodyguard romance would be limiting it since there’s more to the story than a bodyguard and client falling for each other.
Ivy Carmichael and Callum Blackwell’s story was quick-paced and easy-to-read, with the added bonus of Stone Zenith to spice things up. There isn’t any unnecessary drama and I enjoyed seeing Callum and Ivy’s relationship transition from bodyguard and client slash friends to lovers who were into it for more than just the physical. I’m also looking forward to reading more about the notable supporting characters here as the series continues. One Night Only get four stars.
Oh my, Ivy and Callum were on . This couple’s story nearly caused my Kindle to melt and nearly singed my fingertips. (Fanning myself urgently here!)
Ivy Carmichael was no stranger to fame or hard work. And currently she was bringing her parents hotel back to the forefront of the industry. And watching her six was her delectable bodyguard, Callum Blackwell. What that man made her think was beyond naughty. But he was off limits.
Callum saw Ivy, felt Ivy, wanted her in every way possible. But she was a job, one he took far more serious than anyone else ever could. But that didn’t stop how he felt. He was by her side every day and that meant he could never cross the line. But their chemistry couldn’t be denied nor embraced. Even after a moment of weakness, Callum knew what he had to do.
But Ivy refuses to leave his thoughts. He knew her inside and out and that meant he wanted to fulfill her every desire. Luckily, his best friend was all in as well. She wanted more and he was willing to give it.
Without a doubt Callum is an undeniable force of a man paired to a confident and sassy woman. This couple will light up your world!
Audio Review
We get another hot fantasy come to life with One Night Only which is part of the After Dark series. This gives us Ivy and Callum who have had hot fantasies about each other for a while now but neither will act on them because Ivy is the hotel heiress and Callum is her body guard, sworn to protect her. When the hot rock star, Stone joins them it finally pushes the two to act on their feelings and their love for one another shines through.
This is a great story and has lots and lots of heat. It is short and it is sweet but it is packed full of heat as well. I enjoyed these two and also getting a glimpse of what’s to come in the future with Stone. Sin City gives us lots of heat.
The all star cast of Joe Arden, Emma Wilder, Jacob Morgan and a brief appearance of Teddy Hamilton gives us all the aural pleasures. They did a great job of bringing this book to life.
I loved it and highly recommend it.
4 Holy Fantasy Stars! A sexy forbidden storyline that you will devour. Scorching hot chemistry and flirty banter that hooks you from beginning to the end. A definite must read in this series!
Lauren Blakely sure knows how to write a steamy novella packed with romance and sexiness! This author wastes no time in hitting the accelerator on setting the scene between our heroine, Ivy, and her handsome bodyguard, Callum, as we hear the lustful thoughts each has for one another. Add in a sexy rock star and the intensity rises several more notches!