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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I am loving these new steamy novellas from Lauren Blakely! Don’t get me wrong, I love her romcoms, but sometimes I just need something short and sexy and this one is perfect for that! Ivy and Callum are a perfect bodyguard romance, the connection and chemistry they had was off the charts… you could seriously cut that sexual tension with a knife! Throw Callum’s best friend to the mix and things became HOT real fast! I cannot wait for Stone to get his own bodyguard romance!
Ivy Carmichael is co-CEO of her family’s hotel. She’s doing a total rework of it and always has her trusty body guard Callum by her side, after she had a stalker. He takes his job very seriously and although she’s appreciative of that, she has desire deep within her soul for Callum. She would never cross that line with him, but at night when she’s alone….he’s her every fantasy.
Callum is Ivy Carmichael’s body guard. She a hotel heiress, smart and beautiful! He guards her with his life. He has fantasies about her every night. They go out for drinks (he’s on duty so he has iced tea), and he notices her watching the two men and a woman near their table. He can see the desire in her eyes and would love to make her every fantasy come true. Even though he fights his desire for her, in the end they are together for one night. But, will that be enough? Can he fulfill all her fantasies?
I loved this story! The characters were amazing!
4.25 stars!
Oh my! Lauren Blakely’s After Dark series has been scorching and One Night Only was a great addition to the series. The boss/bodyguard dynamic is a bit blurred because Ivy and Callum have developed such a great friendship during their time together and trust each other so much. It makes for some great chemistry and they are both so likable and great together. Loved this short and passionate read!
Yes, this is a novella, but don’t let the length fool you! One Night Only is packed to the brim with hot, steamy, sexy scenes!
Ivy is a hard-working hotel owner who takes care of pretty much everyone and everything, and Callum is her dependable, protective bodyguard who wants to take care of her. There’s a bit of push and pull as Ivy tries to balance her public image with her private desires and Callum is on the fence about mixing business with pleasure. Their chemistry is downright explosive!
We also get a glimpse of Ivy’s sister Sage, and Callum’s best friend, Stone, both of whom will be featured in future books.
One Night Only is a forbidden contemporary romance written in dual first-person POV. It’s a standalone that ends with a HEA. No cliffhanger, no cheating.
I received this book at my request and have voluntarily left this unbiased review.
3.75 stars-ONE NIGHT ONLY is a contemporary, adult novella in Lauren Blakely’s AFTER DARK erotic, romance series. This is bodyguard Callum Blackwell, and hotelier Ivy Carmichael’s story line.
Told from four first person perspectives (Callum, Ivy, Stone, Jackson) ONE NIGHT ONLY follows the building relationship between bodyguard Callum Blackwell, and hotelier Ivy Carmichael.Ivy Carmichael has a stalker and one year earlier said stalker broke through the casino security and threatened our heroine’s life. Firing her personal security, Ivy then hired the firm owned by Callum Blackwell, and one year together found Ivy and Callum acting on their attraction to one another, giving into carnal desires and acting out fantasies including a threesome with Callum’s best friend Stone. Stone is a musician Ivy then hires for a one-night only appearance at the Carmichael Casino, a one-night appearance that culminates in a three-some with our story line couple.
ONE NIGHT ONLY is a story of eroticism and one-woman’s desire for a three-some. A sexy, seductive and provocative novella that quickly pulls the reader into a sensual and imaginative fantasy world of lust and longing.
It only takes one night to love this book! 4 stars
I love how this author pulls me into the story right away and makes me feel for these characters so quickly. Ivy is a hotel heiress/owner who runs it with her twin sister, and she is smart and loyal which I respected. She needs a bodyguard because of a stalker who got too close to her. Callum has been Ivy’s bodyguard for a year when this book starts. They have become friends and confidants. They feel more for each other but don’t say anything. Callum is a by-the-book professional who takes his job seriously, and I admired that about him. He may have become her friend and confidant, but he has wanted her for awhile. Ivy can’t reconcile the professional she is in the daylight with the woman who has naughty desires at nighttime. I loved her personal journey in this book to reconcile both parts of herself into one whole woman. Ivy has felt a pull towards and longed for Callum from the beginning. Callum and Ivy give in to each other one night because of prompting from Callum’s friend Stone who is visiting him. I must say Stone was a delight! Once they give in and have one night together, more feelings develop for both Callum and Ivy. Will they admit their feelings and become more that just one night together? Read this mesmerizing, steamy novella that I read and loved in one sitting and find out! I recommend it!
*I received an advanced copy of this ebook for my honest review.*
This ‘After Dark’ offering is almost too hot to handle!!!
One Night Only, part of the ‘After Dark’ series by Lauren Blakely is a scorching hot novella, full of all the steamy connotations and risque encounters you can only dream of. That’s exactly what Ivy does, she fantasizes about the bodyguard she’s hard looking after her security for the last year. He’s hot, oh, so sexy and has muscles for miles.
Callum takes his job as Ivy’s bodyguard extremely seriously. He’s also head over heels in love with her but doesn’t want to break his own rules about getting intimate with her.
Neither are prepared for how they will feel once they succumb. Add in a sexy rock star for some extra zing and you have one boiling hot story.
Callum and Ivy were intense by themselves, but Stone knocked the scenes into next week. I’m still feeling the effects now.
You might need some fire-proof gloves when reading this, lol, but it’ll be worth every volcanic second.
Holy wow! One Night Only is one of the hottest books I’ve read in a while! This novella is part of the After Dark series and can be read as a standalone. I think this series just continues to gain heat!
Ivy Carmichael is the co-CEO of her family’s flagship hotel on the Vegas strip. She and her twin sister have restored it and they are getting ready to have a grand reopening. Ivy is sharp, focused and while she is all business while at work, she prefers to let loose in the bedroom.
Callum Blackwell is Ivy’s bodyguard and has been for the past year. He’s strong, smart, loyal and protective. Not only is she his client, but she’s become his friend. Because of his strong observation skills, Callum tends to see more of Ivy than most.
Ivy and Callum have wicked chemistry and it’s evident from the start. They both know that since they work together they shouldn’t cross that line, but will the temptation end up being too much? And will a well-placed visit by one of Callum’s best friends help to propel things forward between the two?
I really enjoyed this book and all the things that came with it. It was about trust, finding out who you really are and want to be and embracing that and also that risking your heart is sometimes the very best thing you can do. I look forward to the upcoming books in this series!
One Night Only by Lauren Blakely was a scintillating and sinfully sexy romance. Lauren Blakely is really going two hundred percent dark and delicious and dirty in this series!
Ivy Carmichael is a successful businesswoman. A true boss lady. She run one of the most exclusive and successful hotel in Las Vegas. But behind this confident and bold woman lies a vixen. A naughty heart that fantasises about being taken and dominated in the most filthy a d rough way possible. And her bodyguard Callum stars in all her sexy dreams. Is Callum willing to cross the line? Can he resist the woman haunting his dreams?
These stories are short and steamy read for your guilty pleasure. But the story also has some sweet and intense emotions. Callum and Ivy’s connection is so much more than insane physical chemistry. Callum cares about her deeply and wants to protect her from everything. He is so amazing from every aspect. His charm, his arrogant confidence, his possessiveness, his ability to respect Ivy as a fierce woman- he is really the full pacakage. He put Ivy’s need first always as Ivy needs a man who will worship her in real life and defile her in bed. I love Ivy’s personality. She has this balance of proper and dirty. I am in love with Rockstar Stone too! What a fantastic man with wit, sex appeal and love. I cannot wait to read more about him.
One Night Only by Lauren Blakely is a sensational story of irresistible attraction and heartwarming love! If you are looking for a fast yet satisfying story, this is perfect for you!
Received ARC for honest review
is a quick, easy and enjoyable read. It’s the first in a series of novellas. One Night Only is about a Las Vegas hotel heiress and her bodyguard, Callum. They’re both secretly in love with one another but haven’t disclosed this to the other because, ya know, “professionalism”. His job and goal is to protect her but he finds himself wrestling between his duty and his ability to fulfill her dreams/fantasies.
The chemistry between these two is unreal! The story is solely about their attraction and feelings and Lauren Blakely doesn’t allow any unnecessary, over the top drama get in the way of the reader appreciation of their relationship and passion.
I have read a lot of reader reviews for Lauren’s books which is why I felt like I knew her style despite not reading anything prior. If you’ve loved some of her previous releases that have had a high steam factor, you’ll love this!
I did receive this novella in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own!
A short novella that’s so hot and angtsy. This was definitely different than what I’m used to reading from Lauren.
I feel all the tension between Callum and Ivy right from the start. The desire between these two couldn’t be ignored and denied anymore. They’ve gotten really close while him playing as her bodyguard. They’ve been dancing around each other, it’s about time they give in to their desires. It kind of get weird for me starting from here, but not going to spoil it. I just didn’t realise it was a dark romance, because it didn’t feel dark for me..
This was a very sexy read, I liked it.
One Night Only is a sexy and delicious forbidden/bodyguard novella. It’s part of Lauren Blakely’s After Dark series, so readers shouldn’t go in expecting her usual light romcoms. You can feel the sexual tension between Callum and Ivy right from the start, and I loved the build up between these two. Watching them toe the line between their working relationship and more was so fun. I appreciated how Ivy embraced her sexual desires and really came into her own and how Callum was always so supportive and encouraging. Ivy’s happiness was always the most important thing in his mind. There’s a smoking hot MFM scene that might melt your kindle and have you fanning yourself and it also sets up a future story line very well.
I always love the Easter eggs that Lauren Blakely throws into her books – nods to previous characters and even some real life mentions too (ahem, Candi Kane). One Night Only was just the sexy read I was looking for!
*I voluntarily read an advance review copy of this book*
Holy hotness!! Ivy and Callum set the pages on fire. Callum knows Ivy better than anyone and he wishes he knew her better, only he’s all business when it comes to protecting her. It’s his job after all. Callum is the star in all of Ivy’s secret fantasies. Get ready to watch what happens when a fantasy becomes a reality!
One Night Only was a sizzling red hot addition to the steamy After Dark series. With each new addition the stories just seem to get hotter and hotter. I enjoy how each amazing woman explored her fantasies throughout this series and this book was by far my favorite to date. Watching Ivy learn to embrace her desires with Callum’s support was amazing to see especially when she began to own just who she was and what she wanted. Callum’s protective nature, huge heart and dirty mouth had me falling hard and fast for him. I adored these two together. Funny, steamy, and sinfully decadent One Night Only was a captivating read that left me eagerly awaiting the next addition to this series.
Holy hotness!
As a book in Lauren Blakely’s After Dark series, the heat is off the charts. Callum and Ivy are definitely an adventurous couple. But they are friends first, and it takes some serious interference from Callum’s friend Stone to get them to make the move. Callum and Ivy have a connection, mutual respect and affection, and they are both afraid to move out of the friend-zone. As it is, Callum is worried that even their friendship crosses the line since he’s technically Ivy’s employee – her body guard.
This is a quick read, but just because it’s quick doesn’t mean their emotional connection gets lost. That’s what I love about a Lauren Blakely novella – it has all of the hallmarks of a good book even though it’s condensed.
An heiress, her bodyguard and a rockstar could be the opening of a joke. But in this case it’s the perfect ingredients for a quick, steamy story about finding the one that loves and knows you on the deepest levels. Have a little time and need something to uh, warm you up? This scorching novella can help.
4.5 Stars for One Night Only
If you are looking for a fast paced steamy read look no further than One Night Only, this may be a quick read but that doesn’t mean its lacking in substance in fact it still packs a mighty punch with great characters who share many things one of which being lots of witty banter. It’s enjoyable and entertaining from the first page to the last line and i found myself smiling like a Cheshire Cat as I got involved in Ivy Carmichael and Callum Blackwall’s story.
This book certainly ticks lots of boxes, it’s hot and steamy, it’s funny and it has a hero who swoon worthy but let’s not forget the heroine who is also easy to love, all in all a great read from the very talented Ms Blakely.
4.5 star Review of One Night Only by Lauren Blakely
If you are looking for a fast, spicy hot read then One Night Only is the book for you.
This is Ivy Carmichael and Callum Blackwell’s story and is an entertaining read that had me invested from the first to the last chapter.
As I have come to expect from Ms. Blakely, the story was funny with characters you cannot help but fall for and who are easy to relate too.
The chemistry between Ivy and Callum sizzles and as the intensity of their feelings build it almost bursts into flames.
I fell hard and fast for Callum and was intrigued by the way he drew Ivy out from behind her public persona. A steamy story that ticked the boxes for me.
4.5 stars
Ivy Carmichael is a Co-CEO and hotel owner working on revamping her family’s flagship hotel. She is intelligent, focused, and tightly wound. She has her proper public facade that hides her baser wants and needs.
Callum Blackwell has been her bodyguard for over a year. He is honest, dependable, intuitive, and very protective. He has become her friend, sounding board, and confidante. But he is also highly attractive, sexy, and intense. Callum is used to being observant and watching Ivy closely. But he also would love to get even closer to her.
They both know it should be off-limits. Their working relationship is important. They have a deep level of trust and a close bond. Callum is especially professional and trying hard to resist temptation. But they are finally near their breaking point.
His best friend, rock star Stone Zenith is determined to push them towards the point of no return. He just wants his friend to get what he wants. And he has a good feeling about Ivy too. But none of them could anticipate the ripple effect that Stone was about to set off.
I loved this after dark novella about risks, rewards, trust, and embracing your true self. It can be read as a total stand-alone but LB fans will see a few familiar names dropped and cameos.
Callum is amazing. The perfect combination of a tough manly man with a vulnerable heart. I loved how he could instinctively read Ivy’s needs and do his best to take care of her in all ways. And Ivy is trying to reconcile all the parts of herself to feel whole and accepted. She is not sure if it is smart to explore some of her wants, but Callum makes every situation a safe place for her. They just have this electricity between them and a connection that is more than physical. It is ridiculously hot! And they are also good friends that share fun banter and camaraderie. I just loved them together.
And Stone. Gah! He is cocky, pushy, unfiltered, and sexy in his own right. I also loved his bodyguard, Jackson. They also have a witty rapport. I loved getting all of their points of view. I am hoping to see more of Stone and Jackson in the future.