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The Very First Night
Have you ever looked back on a choice or a relationship and thought to yourself “if only I could go back, I’d do it all differently”?
To Kat Marritt's amazement, she does exactly that... and it actually works.
When Kat wakes up five years in the past in her college dorm room on the exact day she met the one that got away, she is left with the ultimate second chance: the opportunity to it all differently.
Will she fix things with the one that got away or will she realize that the invisible string was pulling her to someone else all along?
The Very First Night delves very heavily into learning to value one's self worth in a relationship. It also delves into topics such as parental abandonment and complex family dynamics. This story shows some relationship dynamics that may be triggering for some and should be ventured into with care. If this is not something conducive to your mental health, please feel empowered to skip this one.
To Kat Marritt's amazement, she does exactly that... and it actually works.
When Kat wakes up five years in the past in her college dorm room on the exact day she met the one that got away, she is left with the ultimate second chance: the opportunity to it all differently.
Will she fix things with the one that got away or will she realize that the invisible string was pulling her to someone else all along?
The Very First Night delves very heavily into learning to value one's self worth in a relationship. It also delves into topics such as parental abandonment and complex family dynamics. This story shows some relationship dynamics that may be triggering for some and should be ventured into with care. If this is not something conducive to your mental health, please feel empowered to skip this one.
408 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 23, 2024
100 people are currently reading
2770 people want to read
About the author
Nicole Ryan
8 books124 followersHey, I’m Nicole Ryan. I write romance with heart, heat, and just enough emotional wreckage to keep things interesting. My books are for anyone who loves messy characters, slow burns, and maybe shedding a few tears when they least expect it.
I’ve been writing since I was a kid, mostly as an escape, and the one bright spot back then was hanging out with my grandma at the local paper where she worked as a copy editor. She believed in my stories before I did.
My debut, Second Chance Vacation, came out of the kind of grief that reshapes you after losing my youngest sister back in 2022. Since then, I’ve written Mostly Loathing You and The Very First Night, where love gets a second chance and time stops playing by the rules.
I’m a Libra, but let’s be honest, my Virgo moon is the one running the show. I spend an alarming amount of time convincing myself I need just one more book, blaming my moods on the moon or retrograde, and pulling tarot cards I probably wasn’t ready for. If there's a little magic in the air, I’m probably already halfway to plotting a book about it.
Thanks for being here. The story’s just getting started.
I’ve been writing since I was a kid, mostly as an escape, and the one bright spot back then was hanging out with my grandma at the local paper where she worked as a copy editor. She believed in my stories before I did.
My debut, Second Chance Vacation, came out of the kind of grief that reshapes you after losing my youngest sister back in 2022. Since then, I’ve written Mostly Loathing You and The Very First Night, where love gets a second chance and time stops playing by the rules.
I’m a Libra, but let’s be honest, my Virgo moon is the one running the show. I spend an alarming amount of time convincing myself I need just one more book, blaming my moods on the moon or retrograde, and pulling tarot cards I probably wasn’t ready for. If there's a little magic in the air, I’m probably already halfway to plotting a book about it.
Thanks for being here. The story’s just getting started.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 173 reviews
September 1, 2024
Funny, emotional, literally everything that I want. So good for the swifties too
July 12, 2025
ೃ⁀➷ 3.75 stars
┊͙ ˘͈ᵕ˘͈ spoiler free review
oh my GOSH this book was to die for!! the author reached out to me through tiktok to ask to send it to me, and i said yes because taylor swift + romance books = my cup of tea!!
synopsis ¡! ❞
this book is about kat who wishes she could go back in time to when she first met her soulmate, elijah in college. when she makes a wish on the night of her best friend's wedding (after seeing elijah is ENGAGED and she has no chance of winning him back), she wakes up the next morning five years in the past, right back in college. is she going to be able to have her happy ending with elijah, or is an invisible string pulling her to another guy...
writing ¡! ❞
the writing of this book was really enjoyable! her writing is very fast and easy to read, as well as loveable. i loved that she wrote every scene and interaction with such attention, and made everything sound so pretty and magical (especially the locations, they were to die for ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ)
only thing i have to say about the writing was that at times, i entirely forgot that kat was in the past because it felt like it was rarely mentioned. it was mentioned maybe once or twice, but it seemed like we were watching the past instead of reliving it for a second time.
characters ¡! ❞
all of the characters in this book just felt like home to me! ugh i dont know why but i felt so connected to them, especially tanner and jenna.
˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ kat : i LOVED her so much. she reminds me so much of myself (one, she loves taylor swift and two everything she did just reminded me of something i would do). whenelijah (ugh i don't even wanna type his name) was fumbling her, i just wanted to protect her.
˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ tanner : oh em gee! this man reminds me of wes bennett from better than the movies and that's one of my all time favs. he was the typical golden retriever, funny guy but he made the book ten times better. from the first few pages i just knew i was gonna love that man (also i'm obsessed with when the mmc is super sweet + friendly but thena freak in the sheets LOLOL)
˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ kat + tanner : they were such a perfect couple ugh! i feel like they just understood each other so well, like they were each others halves. and tanner was such a good man to her, he just knew her so much better than elijah.
begin again is literally their song .
·˚ ༘₊· ͟͟͞͞꒰➳ when this book is published, i reccomend lovers of taylor swift, romance books, and lynn painter books to read it ! it was so cute and unique, and i can't wait to read another book from nicole ryan soon. and thanks again for sending it to me!̤̮ ˙ᵕ˙
┊͙ ˘͈ᵕ˘͈ spoiler free review
"i want you, kat, more than i think i've ever wanted anyone"
oh my GOSH this book was to die for!! the author reached out to me through tiktok to ask to send it to me, and i said yes because taylor swift + romance books = my cup of tea!!
synopsis ¡! ❞
this book is about kat who wishes she could go back in time to when she first met her soulmate, elijah in college. when she makes a wish on the night of her best friend's wedding (after seeing elijah is ENGAGED and she has no chance of winning him back), she wakes up the next morning five years in the past, right back in college. is she going to be able to have her happy ending with elijah, or is an invisible string pulling her to another guy...
writing ¡! ❞
the writing of this book was really enjoyable! her writing is very fast and easy to read, as well as loveable. i loved that she wrote every scene and interaction with such attention, and made everything sound so pretty and magical (especially the locations, they were to die for ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ)
only thing i have to say about the writing was that at times, i entirely forgot that kat was in the past because it felt like it was rarely mentioned. it was mentioned maybe once or twice, but it seemed like we were watching the past instead of reliving it for a second time.
characters ¡! ❞
all of the characters in this book just felt like home to me! ugh i dont know why but i felt so connected to them, especially tanner and jenna.
˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ kat : i LOVED her so much. she reminds me so much of myself (one, she loves taylor swift and two everything she did just reminded me of something i would do). when
˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ tanner : oh em gee! this man reminds me of wes bennett from better than the movies and that's one of my all time favs. he was the typical golden retriever, funny guy but he made the book ten times better. from the first few pages i just knew i was gonna love that man (also i'm obsessed with when the mmc is super sweet + friendly but then
˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ kat + tanner : they were such a perfect couple ugh! i feel like they just understood each other so well, like they were each others halves. and tanner was such a good man to her, he just knew her so much better than elijah.
𝄞 and you throw you're head back laughing like a little kid
i think it's strange that you think i'm funny cause, he never did ♫
begin again is literally their song .
·˚ ༘₊· ͟͟͞͞꒰➳ when this book is published, i reccomend lovers of taylor swift, romance books, and lynn painter books to read it ! it was so cute and unique, and i can't wait to read another book from nicole ryan soon. and thanks again for sending it to me!̤̮ ˙ᵕ˙
June 9, 2024
I received a copy of this book from the publisher (via Netgalley) in exchange for an honest review.
Awww.... that was such a cute journey! I've been through a lot of emotions but mostly love for the characters and their stories. I loved the writing that was smooth and impactful. The narrative is quite slow but we learn more about the character's history page after page so it's very interesting. The atmosphere is quite light even though there are some subjects that could be triggering...
Awww.... that was such a cute journey! I've been through a lot of emotions but mostly love for the characters and their stories. I loved the writing that was smooth and impactful. The narrative is quite slow but we learn more about the character's history page after page so it's very interesting. The atmosphere is quite light even though there are some subjects that could be triggering...
April 12, 2024
Nicole Ryan did it again!
What happens when you get the chance to go back in time to redo your relationship with the one that got away?
You get an eye opening journey of self worth, people we choose as family,and surrounding yourself with those who love you.
TVFN was a spicy, plot twisty, cathartic ride that I didn’t realize I needed.
What happens when you get the chance to go back in time to redo your relationship with the one that got away?
You get an eye opening journey of self worth, people we choose as family,and surrounding yourself with those who love you.
TVFN was a spicy, plot twisty, cathartic ride that I didn’t realize I needed.
May 24, 2024
3.5 ⭐️
Please read the authors disclaimer before reading, some heavy topics are discussed.
Nicole has a fantastic representation of therapy and self growth. I loved how Nicole represented real messy heart break and working through it.
*** spoiler ***
Sometimes I forgot this book was in the past, and Kat went back in time. It wasn’t acknowledged often and some things that shocked Kat she should have known about.
The ending also felt kind of rushed and there were too many conflicts being forced at the end. Meeting her brother, dad and another conflict with Elijah felt like too much to me.
Please read the authors disclaimer before reading, some heavy topics are discussed.
Nicole has a fantastic representation of therapy and self growth. I loved how Nicole represented real messy heart break and working through it.
*** spoiler ***
Sometimes I forgot this book was in the past, and Kat went back in time. It wasn’t acknowledged often and some things that shocked Kat she should have known about.
The ending also felt kind of rushed and there were too many conflicts being forced at the end. Meeting her brother, dad and another conflict with Elijah felt like too much to me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 16, 2024
this book is so cute. i love tanner and there’s so many swiftie refrences!!
May 25, 2025
[nicole sent me this book]
this book was just okay for me. i did like the therapy rep, the conversations kat had with janet were very reflective of the ones i had with my therapist just last year. the book kept my attention and flowed smoothly, but there wasn’t anything that really stood out to me.
this book was just okay for me. i did like the therapy rep, the conversations kat had with janet were very reflective of the ones i had with my therapist just last year. the book kept my attention and flowed smoothly, but there wasn’t anything that really stood out to me.
April 20, 2025
5 stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
This was such a great read!
I went into this buddy read completely blind, but I have read Nicole's Just Peachy series (& loved it), so I knew I would enjoy this one.
I wasn't aware this was magical realism (which is usually hit or miss for me), but this book completely blew me away.
I knew who I was rooting for right from the beginning. I had moments where I yelled at the book, cried, laughed, and binged ... so overall an amazing read for me.
You get:
• Contemporary Romance
• Spicy
• Magical Realism
• Time Travel
• Best Friends To Lovers
• Toxic Ex
• Mental Health Representation
I highly recommend this one! Available on ebook and paperback.
This was such a great read!
I went into this buddy read completely blind, but I have read Nicole's Just Peachy series (& loved it), so I knew I would enjoy this one.
I wasn't aware this was magical realism (which is usually hit or miss for me), but this book completely blew me away.
I knew who I was rooting for right from the beginning. I had moments where I yelled at the book, cried, laughed, and binged ... so overall an amazing read for me.
You get:
• Contemporary Romance
• Spicy
• Magical Realism
• Time Travel
• Best Friends To Lovers
• Toxic Ex
• Mental Health Representation
I highly recommend this one! Available on ebook and paperback.
July 23, 2024
This is my first book by Nicole and I’m a fan! This story was so cute even though it had some serious topics but I loved the tension build between these two. The writing was easy and enjoyable to read and I loved that this was a unique plot/story I haven’t read before. Definitely recommend giving this book a shot!
May 17, 2024
This book delivers with all the feels from dealing with a toxic relationship, to a deep love of family and friendships, wrapped with a second chance at re connecting and creating new beginning. This is a perfect story of Kat finding herself and realizing her own self worth after being put down.
These characters created a safe space, and provided me with all the feeling of family. The spice hit every marker it needed to so that’s just the added bonus.
This whole book really brought to life emotions I never took the time to digest during the time when they happened to me in my life. This book really creates a safe space, and healthy outlets to deal with all these traumas.
Yet another book I’m OBSESSED with by Nicole. 🫶🏼
These characters created a safe space, and provided me with all the feeling of family. The spice hit every marker it needed to so that’s just the added bonus.
This whole book really brought to life emotions I never took the time to digest during the time when they happened to me in my life. This book really creates a safe space, and healthy outlets to deal with all these traumas.
Yet another book I’m OBSESSED with by Nicole. 🫶🏼
April 3, 2025
A beautiful and whimsical second chance romance.
The nostalgia this book gave me—oh man.
It follows Kat, a wedding photographer who reminisces on her past relationship with Elijah. After glimpsing him with his fiancé at her best friend’s wedding, she falls asleep wishing for a second chance.
The next morning she wakes up hung over in her dorm room at college, thrown back into the past to do things differently.
Because, I’m sure, we all wish for a second chance? And maybe it isn’t always with a partner, but maybe a do-over with family, friends, or what roads we decided to take.
I resonated so much with Kat! I’ve looked back at the past many times wishing I could take a different path.
And I absolutely loved the path Kat takes in her do-over. Especially with ice cream. 🤭
4.5⭐️
🍦Taylor Swift vibes
💛Second chance romance
🍦Light time travel
💛A few twists
🍦Cinnamon roll MMC
The nostalgia this book gave me—oh man.
It follows Kat, a wedding photographer who reminisces on her past relationship with Elijah. After glimpsing him with his fiancé at her best friend’s wedding, she falls asleep wishing for a second chance.
The next morning she wakes up hung over in her dorm room at college, thrown back into the past to do things differently.
Because, I’m sure, we all wish for a second chance? And maybe it isn’t always with a partner, but maybe a do-over with family, friends, or what roads we decided to take.
I resonated so much with Kat! I’ve looked back at the past many times wishing I could take a different path.
And I absolutely loved the path Kat takes in her do-over. Especially with ice cream. 🤭
4.5⭐️
🍦Taylor Swift vibes
💛Second chance romance
🍦Light time travel
💛A few twists
🍦Cinnamon roll MMC
September 28, 2024
I received this book from a bookstore that selected my name from a drawing I entered. It's the first advanced readers copy I've ever had the pleasure of reading, and I'm really glad I selected it from the stack of available ARCs. I've always loved the butterfly effect/sliding doors type of stories where you get to see different paths taken after one decision is made. This book is no exception. While I had an idea of what was to unfold, it didn't ruin anything for me. Everyone should be so lucky to get a do over and to find the type of unconditional love that leaves no room for uncertainty. I would give anything to be so adored and cherished. ♡ It hit me in the feels and helped me understand so things I've been feeling of late.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 24, 2024
ARC Review - 3.5 Stars
For all my fellow Taylor Swift Girlies who love contemporary romance, this ones for you!
Starting the book you meet Kat, FMC, as she's photographing a wedding while simultaneously dreading going to her best friend from College's wedding in a few short hours. While at the wedding she realizes her old situationship is engaged, gets a little too tipsy, and heads to bed shortly after leaving the dance floor to wake up in her dorm room.
At first I was little peeved out when she was aware that she traveled back in time but everyone around her didn't know (obviously) so it felt extra weird when she relived the first night with her situationship. But as the story progressed I did find myself getting into the story and that initial knee jerk reaction of "this is weird" began to fade.
I fell in love with the friend group that Kat surrounded herself with and made me reminisce on my time in college and the friends I used to spend every waking moment with.
As I progressed through the story I found my thoughts wandering how this timeline will tie back into the beginning of the story, which in truth it won't. After a major plot twist I realized that the story won't be coming back to the beginning like true time travel it was actually a do-over of events with the ability to change the outcome. And boy, did Kat change the outcome.
This book really hit home for me when it came to evaluating my college experiences and if I could go back what would I change? In truth, not much because it led to where I am, but I loved how this book opens up that internal dialogue.
For all my fellow Taylor Swift Girlies who love contemporary romance, this ones for you!
Starting the book you meet Kat, FMC, as she's photographing a wedding while simultaneously dreading going to her best friend from College's wedding in a few short hours. While at the wedding she realizes her old situationship is engaged, gets a little too tipsy, and heads to bed shortly after leaving the dance floor to wake up in her dorm room.
At first I was little peeved out when she was aware that she traveled back in time but everyone around her didn't know (obviously) so it felt extra weird when she relived the first night with her situationship. But as the story progressed I did find myself getting into the story and that initial knee jerk reaction of "this is weird" began to fade.
I fell in love with the friend group that Kat surrounded herself with and made me reminisce on my time in college and the friends I used to spend every waking moment with.
As I progressed through the story I found my thoughts wandering how this timeline will tie back into the beginning of the story, which in truth it won't. After a major plot twist I realized that the story won't be coming back to the beginning like true time travel it was actually a do-over of events with the ability to change the outcome. And boy, did Kat change the outcome.
This book really hit home for me when it came to evaluating my college experiences and if I could go back what would I change? In truth, not much because it led to where I am, but I loved how this book opens up that internal dialogue.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 23, 2024
• ARC REVIEW •
This was a fun read! We all have that voice in our head that’s asks “what if”. This story starts with Kat finding out her ex and the one that got away is engaged. She wishes she could go back and fix this. Imagine her surprise when she wakes up and is back in college. She has a chance to change her decisions and rewrite history. I’m so glad with who Kat ends up with. I was going to riot if she found herself in another toxic relationship. And the MMC is the perfect golden retriever and I loved him. How supportive he was and stood up to Kat’s POS father. Swifties will enjoy the little breadcrumbs, but at the same time, if you aren’t a swiftie I won’t take away from the story. It did make me miss my college days and all the good times.
This was a fun read! We all have that voice in our head that’s asks “what if”. This story starts with Kat finding out her ex and the one that got away is engaged. She wishes she could go back and fix this. Imagine her surprise when she wakes up and is back in college. She has a chance to change her decisions and rewrite history. I’m so glad with who Kat ends up with. I was going to riot if she found herself in another toxic relationship. And the MMC is the perfect golden retriever and I loved him. How supportive he was and stood up to Kat’s POS father. Swifties will enjoy the little breadcrumbs, but at the same time, if you aren’t a swiftie I won’t take away from the story. It did make me miss my college days and all the good times.
July 13, 2024
This was a cute quick read and it was very easy to follow. There were a lot of emotions for Kat as she navigated being hurt, loved, a trying to heal, however, at no point was it overwhelming or too hard to follow.
This story is told from two POVs, which I love because it allows us to see the perspective of others in the story. Especially when one of the POVs belongs to the male lead. Jenna and Tanner were great characters as well. Jenna was a perfect best friend, willing to defend her best friend with an iron fist (literally) and Tanner is just an understanding and kind person. Everyone should have a Jenna and a Tanner in their lives.
I do think that the book could have benefited from more descriptive language to describe scenes or people, which would allow the reader to become more immersed in the story. At times I was unable to picture the scene and what was happening due to the lack of description.
I also think at times the premise of the story, of Kat going back in time, was mainly forgotten or not really mentioned again until the end. It seemed as though the first part of the story at the wedding was out of place, when followed by the rest of the story, which was written as if it was happening at the present. In the beginning of the story, it talks about how Elijah and her had broken up, but I don't believe it mentioned why, and Kat didn't seem to reflect on what had caused that break up, and how to avoid it. She just seemed pretty okay with how he was acting until she stopped being okay with it. As if she couldn't rrecognize the red flags in his behavior that she should have known about, but instead she was seeing them for the first time, not re-living the past that she had already been through with him. She should not have been shocked or confused.
I am rating this book 3 stars because while it was a fun, cute, and easy read, the time travel aspect that I had high hopes for was lost.
Thank you to Nicole Ryan, NRC Publishing, and NetGalley for the eARC of this book. This is my honest review.
This story is told from two POVs, which I love because it allows us to see the perspective of others in the story. Especially when one of the POVs belongs to the male lead. Jenna and Tanner were great characters as well. Jenna was a perfect best friend, willing to defend her best friend with an iron fist (literally) and Tanner is just an understanding and kind person. Everyone should have a Jenna and a Tanner in their lives.
I do think that the book could have benefited from more descriptive language to describe scenes or people, which would allow the reader to become more immersed in the story. At times I was unable to picture the scene and what was happening due to the lack of description.
I also think at times the premise of the story, of Kat going back in time, was mainly forgotten or not really mentioned again until the end. It seemed as though the first part of the story at the wedding was out of place, when followed by the rest of the story, which was written as if it was happening at the present. In the beginning of the story, it talks about how Elijah and her had broken up, but I don't believe it mentioned why, and Kat didn't seem to reflect on what had caused that break up, and how to avoid it. She just seemed pretty okay with how he was acting until she stopped being okay with it. As if she couldn't rrecognize the red flags in his behavior that she should have known about, but instead she was seeing them for the first time, not re-living the past that she had already been through with him. She should not have been shocked or confused.
I am rating this book 3 stars because while it was a fun, cute, and easy read, the time travel aspect that I had high hopes for was lost.
Thank you to Nicole Ryan, NRC Publishing, and NetGalley for the eARC of this book. This is my honest review.
April 26, 2025
I have been trying to wrap my head around how to describe my love for this book. I have read all of Nicole’s works and I think this may be my favorite (... no one tell Hannah and Liam).
Kat works through a relationship that she aches to fix, but soon realizes her worth and how toxic it was... but finds love through friendship... with a twist.
This book shows realistic representation of a single mother, therapy, shitty parents, and how friends can become more like family. Plus this work shows how some men are simply idiots and then how others can be emotionally intelligent. Lesson we all need to learn: DO NOT SETTLE.
Kat works through a relationship that she aches to fix, but soon realizes her worth and how toxic it was... but finds love through friendship... with a twist.
This book shows realistic representation of a single mother, therapy, shitty parents, and how friends can become more like family. Plus this work shows how some men are simply idiots and then how others can be emotionally intelligent. Lesson we all need to learn: DO NOT SETTLE.
August 10, 2024
The author is a genius. Watching Kat pine for the one who got away is something most people can relate to in some capacity, and it was very well written. But something a lot of people don’t do is grow and learn from that experience, and watching Kat do the hard work to heal and find love in that journey was so beautifully done and inspirational. My favorite thing though, is the way the author seamlessly parallels Tanners superior way of loving Kat in situations Elijah selfishly fumbled.
Obsessed. That’s all.
Obsessed. That’s all.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 5, 2024
Thank you Nicole for having me on your permanent arc team! I enjoyed reading Kat and Tanner’s story!
Tanner is so sweet and such a walking green flag. Kat’s ex is something else, and not in a good way. I would’ve done a lot more than just a punch in the face 💀🙈
Overall, I had a great time reading this one, I just wish that the ending wasn’t so rushed!
Tanner is so sweet and such a walking green flag. Kat’s ex is something else, and not in a good way. I would’ve done a lot more than just a punch in the face 💀🙈
Overall, I had a great time reading this one, I just wish that the ending wasn’t so rushed!
August 1, 2024
This book is the embodiment of the beautiful reminder of the choices we make in our daily lives and that at the end of the day you cannot stop what is meant to be.
Have you ever looked back on a choice or a relationship and thought to yourself “if only I could go back, I’d do it all differently”?
As always friends be sure to check trigger warnings to ensure this book is right for you.
5/5
Honestly I am taking forever to write this review simply because it is difficult to put into words how important this book is to me. Something I often think about is the simple choices we make on a daily basis and how the stars align to bring you to certain people in your life at the right time. I often think about my close friends and how they can change your life on what seems like a regular wednesday. This book explores this concept very well, especially the idea of time as a static entity, as that is what Kat entangles in to win back her ex-boyfriend. Only along her journey she realizes that sometimes things happened for a reason and the most unexpected people can be the best ones. This is a story of friendship, heartbreak, trauma, parental healing (and not), and all of which encompasses love to create such a meaningful story. We truly do accept the love we think we deserve and this story is about the growth of this and the path to self-love and self-acceptance.
To have someone see the ugly parts of you and not only accept them in stride, but love you for it is truly the goal of any relationship. The MMC knocks it out of the park with that one, he is very golden retriever coded and sets standards so high. This truly is a journey that follows the main characters and their own personal growth and I think the way they find themselves and especially Kat and her confidence again is truly so beautiful and in that way it was very healing. Going back to the idea of choices, I am a strong believer in the fact that everything happens a certain way for a reason and seeing how each choice played out in this story was interesting and also reaffirmed my belief in that (hehe)
This book is so swiftie coded and I seriously cannot recommend Nicole's books enough - she is also SO sweet and I cannot wait to hug you again!
Thank you so so much for having me on your arc team <3
Have you ever looked back on a choice or a relationship and thought to yourself “if only I could go back, I’d do it all differently”?
As always friends be sure to check trigger warnings to ensure this book is right for you.
5/5
Honestly I am taking forever to write this review simply because it is difficult to put into words how important this book is to me. Something I often think about is the simple choices we make on a daily basis and how the stars align to bring you to certain people in your life at the right time. I often think about my close friends and how they can change your life on what seems like a regular wednesday. This book explores this concept very well, especially the idea of time as a static entity, as that is what Kat entangles in to win back her ex-boyfriend. Only along her journey she realizes that sometimes things happened for a reason and the most unexpected people can be the best ones. This is a story of friendship, heartbreak, trauma, parental healing (and not), and all of which encompasses love to create such a meaningful story. We truly do accept the love we think we deserve and this story is about the growth of this and the path to self-love and self-acceptance.
To have someone see the ugly parts of you and not only accept them in stride, but love you for it is truly the goal of any relationship. The MMC knocks it out of the park with that one, he is very golden retriever coded and sets standards so high. This truly is a journey that follows the main characters and their own personal growth and I think the way they find themselves and especially Kat and her confidence again is truly so beautiful and in that way it was very healing. Going back to the idea of choices, I am a strong believer in the fact that everything happens a certain way for a reason and seeing how each choice played out in this story was interesting and also reaffirmed my belief in that (hehe)
This book is so swiftie coded and I seriously cannot recommend Nicole's books enough - she is also SO sweet and I cannot wait to hug you again!
Thank you so so much for having me on your arc team <3
May 31, 2024
I have a confession with this one, I did not fully read the synopsis going in. I think I read the tropes and said, "yeah sure" because I was thoroughly confused when the book went back in time and didn't come out.
The FMC, Kat is at her college best friend's wedding and she's her ex who is now engaged to someone who is obviously not her. She is hurts and wishes she could go back in time and change things....insert the part where she goes back in time. She is trying to get back with Elijah, the engaged man but Tanner, her friend and Elijah's frat brother, is also there...
I tolerate friends to lovers typically. I'm usually the type of girl who needs bully and banter to start rooting for the couple but Tanner had me rooting for him from the beginning. The invisible string theory was so strong in this book and you could see it weaving its way so nicely that I was giggling with every interaction. Tanner just saw Kat for who she was and just let her find out who she was on her own. If someone was to ask me how would you want to find love, this would be it. Mostly because I'm lazy and would rather have it fall into my lap but that's neither here nor there. The chemistry was crazy, the the friendship was done so well it just was perfect.
There was great drama, reminded me of my college days, and you also got to see the couple getting married, Jenna and Marcus, fall in love as well.
For the spice, it was spicy but not as much as the pervious books I've mentioned. It was like a 1.5 according to my scale but I rounded it up because my one might be a five for someone else 🤭 I would feel very comfortable giving this to a friend who wanted to try something spicy without handing them something too wild and crazy
Thank you to nicole ryan for allowing me to ARC read this
The FMC, Kat is at her college best friend's wedding and she's her ex who is now engaged to someone who is obviously not her. She is hurts and wishes she could go back in time and change things....insert the part where she goes back in time. She is trying to get back with Elijah, the engaged man but Tanner, her friend and Elijah's frat brother, is also there...
I tolerate friends to lovers typically. I'm usually the type of girl who needs bully and banter to start rooting for the couple but Tanner had me rooting for him from the beginning. The invisible string theory was so strong in this book and you could see it weaving its way so nicely that I was giggling with every interaction. Tanner just saw Kat for who she was and just let her find out who she was on her own. If someone was to ask me how would you want to find love, this would be it. Mostly because I'm lazy and would rather have it fall into my lap but that's neither here nor there. The chemistry was crazy, the the friendship was done so well it just was perfect.
There was great drama, reminded me of my college days, and you also got to see the couple getting married, Jenna and Marcus, fall in love as well.
For the spice, it was spicy but not as much as the pervious books I've mentioned. It was like a 1.5 according to my scale but I rounded it up because my one might be a five for someone else 🤭 I would feel very comfortable giving this to a friend who wanted to try something spicy without handing them something too wild and crazy
Thank you to nicole ryan for allowing me to ARC read this
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 8, 2025
This book gave me all the feels! If you’re a fan of Taylor Swift and 13 Going on 30, you’re going to fall head over heels for The Very First Night. I was grinning, giggling, and full-on kicking my feet through so many moments—it was everything I wanted and more.
Tanner completely stole my heart. He’s the ultimate golden retriever book boyfriend, and the James Lafferty/Nathan Scott reference? I was DONE. Swooning. He’s hands down my favorite MMC and honestly my favorite character in the book. Straight to my book boyfriend list, no question.
And Kat? I adored her. Her character and the emotions she experiences—regret, hope, love, and self-discovery—make her someone I think all readers will find deeply relatable. Watching her navigate her second chance with heart and vulnerability had me rooting for her the whole way through.
Also, the playlist? It was everything. The music paired so perfectly with the story and totally enhanced my reading experience—I felt even more emotionally connected to the characters and the moments they were living through.
If this were a movie, I’d hit replay the second it ended—I need to see this on screen. This was my first Nicole Ryan book, but definitely not my last. Her storytelling is heartfelt and immersive, and I already know I’ll be devouring everything else she’s written.
Thank you to the author and R&R Book Tours for sending me a physical copy!! 🥰🫶🏼
Tanner completely stole my heart. He’s the ultimate golden retriever book boyfriend, and the James Lafferty/Nathan Scott reference? I was DONE. Swooning. He’s hands down my favorite MMC and honestly my favorite character in the book. Straight to my book boyfriend list, no question.
And Kat? I adored her. Her character and the emotions she experiences—regret, hope, love, and self-discovery—make her someone I think all readers will find deeply relatable. Watching her navigate her second chance with heart and vulnerability had me rooting for her the whole way through.
Also, the playlist? It was everything. The music paired so perfectly with the story and totally enhanced my reading experience—I felt even more emotionally connected to the characters and the moments they were living through.
If this were a movie, I’d hit replay the second it ended—I need to see this on screen. This was my first Nicole Ryan book, but definitely not my last. Her storytelling is heartfelt and immersive, and I already know I’ll be devouring everything else she’s written.
Thank you to the author and R&R Book Tours for sending me a physical copy!! 🥰🫶🏼
April 7, 2025
Have you ever looked back on a choice or a relationship and thought to yourself “if only I could go back, I do it all differently?”
Kat is struggling with a failed relationship and wishes she could go back and fix it…and surprise she ends up going back five years to the day she met The One Who Got Away. This is the ultimate second chance…but where will it lead her?
This book was so good and unique and I couldn’t put it down! I was hooked on this story - the characters were so relatable (minus the time travel 😉) I was rooting for Kat as she relived the past 5 years and we really see her grow and discover her self worth.
She is dealing with some toxic drama and….well I don’t want to give anything away specific away, but she does some soul searching along the way and maybe things weren’t as great aa she thought.
I would suggest going into this blind and going on this journey with Kat. There are some really emotional moments and heartfelt moments and very funny moments too. While Kat’s path is uncertain at times, she definitely ends up in an amazing place.
✨What To Expect:
💖Contemporary Romance
☕️College Romance
❤️🔥Friends to Lovers
⏳Time Travel
✌️Second Chance…With A Twist
❤️It’s Always Been You
🪩Taylor Swift Coded
Kat is struggling with a failed relationship and wishes she could go back and fix it…and surprise she ends up going back five years to the day she met The One Who Got Away. This is the ultimate second chance…but where will it lead her?
This book was so good and unique and I couldn’t put it down! I was hooked on this story - the characters were so relatable (minus the time travel 😉) I was rooting for Kat as she relived the past 5 years and we really see her grow and discover her self worth.
She is dealing with some toxic drama and….well I don’t want to give anything away specific away, but she does some soul searching along the way and maybe things weren’t as great aa she thought.
I would suggest going into this blind and going on this journey with Kat. There are some really emotional moments and heartfelt moments and very funny moments too. While Kat’s path is uncertain at times, she definitely ends up in an amazing place.
✨What To Expect:
💖Contemporary Romance
☕️College Romance
❤️🔥Friends to Lovers
⏳Time Travel
✌️Second Chance…With A Twist
❤️It’s Always Been You
🪩Taylor Swift Coded
July 21, 2024
Thank you Nicole Ryan for the advanced copy!!
This was such a sweet Taylor Swift inspired love story! I loved the Taylor references and the song titles throughout the book.
We follow Kat, who sees her the ex boyfriend at a wedding, she wishes she could go back to the “very first night” that they met. Suddenly she wakes up back in college and on the day that they will meet for the first time. As we watch Kat go through her college years ago, we see that maybe her ex wasn’t the one for her all along.
I really liked the concept of this book and the time aspect. I felt like Kat learned so much about herself by reliving these years.
I adored Tanner, he was so sweet and I loved the friends to lovers aspect.
The friend group was adorable and I really enjoyed all of them and their dynamic.
This was a great read about second chances and self growth that I really recommend!!
Thank you Nicole Ryan for the advanced copy!!
This was such a sweet Taylor Swift inspired love story! I loved the Taylor references and the song titles throughout the book.
We follow Kat, who sees her the ex boyfriend at a wedding, she wishes she could go back to the “very first night” that they met. Suddenly she wakes up back in college and on the day that they will meet for the first time. As we watch Kat go through her college years ago, we see that maybe her ex wasn’t the one for her all along.
I really liked the concept of this book and the time aspect. I felt like Kat learned so much about herself by reliving these years.
I adored Tanner, he was so sweet and I loved the friends to lovers aspect.
The friend group was adorable and I really enjoyed all of them and their dynamic.
This was a great read about second chances and self growth that I really recommend!!
Thank you Nicole Ryan for the advanced copy!!
April 10, 2025
GET IT. END OF REVIEW. 😂🤣
Seriously though~~
You know when a book just hits your soul in a way that makes you feel like you’ll carry it with you forever? That was this book for me. Kat’s journey felt so deeply personal—her growth, her pain, her rediscovery of self-worth—it all just got me. I was rooting for Tanner from the second he stepped on the page, and every sweet, lighthearted moment between them had me full-on happy crying. Actual tears, over a cheesecake conversation (YES. Cheesecake IS appropriate for ALL occasions) and a damn hazelnut latte extra hot 😭😭. Don’t get me started on Elijah. That man had me rage-reading with clenched fists and dramatic sighs.
This story is a whole emotional rollercoaster, and I didn’t want it to stop. It’s got that perfect mix of angst, second chances, and slow-burn feels that’ll have you screaming internally and melting all at once. Also, someone call a production company because this needs to be a TV show yesterday. I was reading it at 2am with the Spotify playlist playing and full-on Swiftie mode activated—it’s basically a must-read for the emotionally wrecked and romantically hopeful among us. If you’ve ever looked back and thought, “what if?”, this book will absolutely wreck you in the best possible way. All the stars, all the tears, and all the love for this gem! PICK IT UP NOW! UGH MY HEART ❤️.
Seriously though~~
You know when a book just hits your soul in a way that makes you feel like you’ll carry it with you forever? That was this book for me. Kat’s journey felt so deeply personal—her growth, her pain, her rediscovery of self-worth—it all just got me. I was rooting for Tanner from the second he stepped on the page, and every sweet, lighthearted moment between them had me full-on happy crying. Actual tears, over a cheesecake conversation (YES. Cheesecake IS appropriate for ALL occasions) and a damn hazelnut latte extra hot 😭😭. Don’t get me started on Elijah. That man had me rage-reading with clenched fists and dramatic sighs.
This story is a whole emotional rollercoaster, and I didn’t want it to stop. It’s got that perfect mix of angst, second chances, and slow-burn feels that’ll have you screaming internally and melting all at once. Also, someone call a production company because this needs to be a TV show yesterday. I was reading it at 2am with the Spotify playlist playing and full-on Swiftie mode activated—it’s basically a must-read for the emotionally wrecked and romantically hopeful among us. If you’ve ever looked back and thought, “what if?”, this book will absolutely wreck you in the best possible way. All the stars, all the tears, and all the love for this gem! PICK IT UP NOW! UGH MY HEART ❤️.
August 23, 2024
I love Nicole Ryan’s writing. She had this way of sucking you in, breaking you apart, and healing your soul. The Very First Night was such an amazing read. I felt so much for Kat (FMC) as she navigates through her relationships and stands up for herself. Watching her character grow was very empowering.
Imagine loving someone so much, seeing them with anyone but you makes you wish to go back to the very first night you met them to redo it.
Well, that’s exactly what Kat does. She sees her ex, Elijah at her best friend’s wedding with another woman. Kat ends up tipsy, missing Elijah and makes a wish. She wakes up, three years into the past. This is her chance to rewrite their history.
But what if history is pulling her a different way? A way that makes her feel loved, important, and wanted?
Imagine loving someone so much, seeing them with anyone but you makes you wish to go back to the very first night you met them to redo it.
Well, that’s exactly what Kat does. She sees her ex, Elijah at her best friend’s wedding with another woman. Kat ends up tipsy, missing Elijah and makes a wish. She wakes up, three years into the past. This is her chance to rewrite their history.
But what if history is pulling her a different way? A way that makes her feel loved, important, and wanted?
July 20, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Reading this book helped me heal some trauma from a toxic relationship. Kat joins her college best friends to celebrate a wedding between two of them. She was so excited for her best friend, but this meant seeing the one that got away. Elijah, her ex, was sat conveniently at her table with his new fiancé. This was her worst nightmare. Her friend Tanner tried to distract her as much as possible, but it was not enough to stop her from crying herself to sleep that night and wishing she could be with Elijah. That wish was granted when she woke in her junior dorm room at Kent State. Would she be able to change the future of her relationship with Elijah? Would there be any reactions to her changing past?
June 16, 2024
I’ve read every Nicole Ryan book and this one has to be my favorite!
Kats relationship with Elijah was something I felt like I could really relate to. It’s so easy to ignore someone’s red flags because you think that is the love you deserve.
Tanner was an absolute dream boat and I loved his friendship with Kat 😍 we love emotionally intelligent men!
This book touched on so many difficult topics that are so important. Normalizing therapy, shitty parents, moms who exceed at being a single mom, friends who turn into family. I couldn’t have asked for a better read that really sucked me in right from the beginning!!
Kats relationship with Elijah was something I felt like I could really relate to. It’s so easy to ignore someone’s red flags because you think that is the love you deserve.
Tanner was an absolute dream boat and I loved his friendship with Kat 😍 we love emotionally intelligent men!
This book touched on so many difficult topics that are so important. Normalizing therapy, shitty parents, moms who exceed at being a single mom, friends who turn into family. I couldn’t have asked for a better read that really sucked me in right from the beginning!!
July 12, 2024
I was so lucky to receive this as an ARC from the author via NetGalley!
This story had me continuously turning pages and I loved the main love interest. He was perfect in every way and I loved their connection throughout the whole story.
The time traveling was a little odd to me and not brought up as much as I would have liked (I kind of forgot about it at times!) but I still very much enjoyed reading this book and the spice was perfect!!
Nicole Ryan always comes through for the spicy scenes!
This story had me continuously turning pages and I loved the main love interest. He was perfect in every way and I loved their connection throughout the whole story.
The time traveling was a little odd to me and not brought up as much as I would have liked (I kind of forgot about it at times!) but I still very much enjoyed reading this book and the spice was perfect!!
Nicole Ryan always comes through for the spicy scenes!
May 19, 2024
This book brought me back to my college days while meeting me in my adult days. The fun of college met with the decisions of growing up and changing your ways. I loved seeing the main character grow and overcome toxic relationships throughout her life. As someone who just left a toxic marriage and found love after… I appreciated this book so much!
There’s major golden retriever energy and I loved every minute of it! Nicole did it again!
There’s major golden retriever energy and I loved every minute of it! Nicole did it again!
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