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Meet Cute Romance #2
Once Upon A New Year's Eve
It should have been the perfect New Year's Eve date. But when Gemma Forester gets called to bail her older brother out of trouble, she comes face to face with some of her own. Aaron Hendricks never forgot his best friend's little sister, but ten years wasn't enough to prepare him for the woman she's become. Will a chance meeting allow them to overcome the past?
Once Upon A New Year's Eve is a novelette of approximately 8,500 words.
“Meet cute” is a term used to describe a situation in which a future romantic couple meets for the first time. Meet Cute Romance is a series of romantic shorts celebrating the possibilities of that first meeting.
Once Upon A New Year's Eve is a novelette of approximately 8,500 words.
“Meet cute” is a term used to describe a situation in which a future romantic couple meets for the first time. Meet Cute Romance is a series of romantic shorts celebrating the possibilities of that first meeting.
Kindle Edition
First published January 23, 2014
149 people are currently reading
312 people want to read
About the author
Kait Nolan
154 books1,363 followersKait Nolan is a RITA® Award-winning Mississippi author who calls everyone sugar, honey, or darlin', and can wield a 'Bless your heart' like a Snuggie or a saber, depending on requirements. She believes in love, laughter, and that tacos are the world's most perfect food. When she's not writing, reading, working the evil day job, or wrangling family (both the two-legged and the four-), you can find her obsessively watching The Great British Bake Off.
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
March 6, 2022
4.5 stars. Cute, funny little meet-cute story.
January 21, 2022
Well written
This book is a quick and easy read. The story line is good. I thought it was a nice touch that the author added a warning for readers at the beginning of the book too.
This book is a quick and easy read. The story line is good. I thought it was a nice touch that the author added a warning for readers at the beginning of the book too.
May 25, 2021
Honesty Leads to a Dream Come True on New Year's Eve
First time reading a Kait Nolan book even though I have a few of her works in my electronic library. I am glad that I purchased this book as it was a quick and sweet read! This book is the second installment of the Meet Cute Romance series.
This is the tale of confident and smart Gemma Forester, who has to abandon her date on New Year's Eve, to save her older brother Rick from a drunken karaoke singing state at a honkytonk bar all dressed to the nines. During her mission, she runs into her teenage crush and Rick's best friend, Aaron Hendricks, who she hasn't crossed paths with in over a decade. The story then continues with the events of New Year's Eve between these two characters.
I did enjoy the embarrassing honesty between Gemma and Aaron. The romance was alright and didn't leap out of the pages. Both protagonists are responsible and seem to be weighing the repercussions of their futuristic romance. However, I did enjoy the details and the events that continued.
It is a rather quick read where the reader is left to their own devices to imagine an ending but it is satisfying nevertheless. I liked the fact there were excerpts of the next Meet Cute Romance series book and another full length novel.
I look forward to reading other books by this author. If you are looking for fast and sugary read with a big-brother-friend-little-sister trope, you will like this one!
First time reading a Kait Nolan book even though I have a few of her works in my electronic library. I am glad that I purchased this book as it was a quick and sweet read! This book is the second installment of the Meet Cute Romance series.
This is the tale of confident and smart Gemma Forester, who has to abandon her date on New Year's Eve, to save her older brother Rick from a drunken karaoke singing state at a honkytonk bar all dressed to the nines. During her mission, she runs into her teenage crush and Rick's best friend, Aaron Hendricks, who she hasn't crossed paths with in over a decade. The story then continues with the events of New Year's Eve between these two characters.
I did enjoy the embarrassing honesty between Gemma and Aaron. The romance was alright and didn't leap out of the pages. Both protagonists are responsible and seem to be weighing the repercussions of their futuristic romance. However, I did enjoy the details and the events that continued.
It is a rather quick read where the reader is left to their own devices to imagine an ending but it is satisfying nevertheless. I liked the fact there were excerpts of the next Meet Cute Romance series book and another full length novel.
I look forward to reading other books by this author. If you are looking for fast and sugary read with a big-brother-friend-little-sister trope, you will like this one!
April 1, 2014
(This is a short story/novella. This review is not based on story length but story content as length has very little to do with how much I enjoy a book.)
A lovely little story about Gemma and Aaron who see each other for the first time in ten years at a bar because both are there to pick Gemma's drunk brother.
Their history is interesting and timeless: Gemma crushed on Aaron, her older brother's best friend. A little harmless flirting was the only hint of attraction between them...until Gemma threw the game changer and everything crashed. Because it didn't matter how hot Aaron thought Gemma was. She was jailbait at fifteen years old to his twenty, a fact he took seriously despite how much he wanted her.
I like that they spend the rest of that night together, not in bed but hanging out, going to dinner, talking, getting to know each other adults. I love that they move past their "mutual embarrassment" and realize that the attraction that started so long ago is still there.
Not quite a friends to lovers story, but not quite a strangers to lovers story either. I guess it's more of a revisited attraction kind of story. Still, it's a fun, quick read that's not lacking for anything.
A lovely little story about Gemma and Aaron who see each other for the first time in ten years at a bar because both are there to pick Gemma's drunk brother.
Their history is interesting and timeless: Gemma crushed on Aaron, her older brother's best friend. A little harmless flirting was the only hint of attraction between them...until Gemma threw the game changer and everything crashed. Because it didn't matter how hot Aaron thought Gemma was. She was jailbait at fifteen years old to his twenty, a fact he took seriously despite how much he wanted her.
I like that they spend the rest of that night together, not in bed but hanging out, going to dinner, talking, getting to know each other adults. I love that they move past their "mutual embarrassment" and realize that the attraction that started so long ago is still there.
Not quite a friends to lovers story, but not quite a strangers to lovers story either. I guess it's more of a revisited attraction kind of story. Still, it's a fun, quick read that's not lacking for anything.
March 14, 2014
This is the second "Meet Cute Romance" book that I have read by Kait Nolan. I believe there is three in this series of quick reads but I am not totally positive on that.
I thought this book was fun to read and that it had a really sweet storyline. It is hard to post a detailed review on such a short book without giving to much of the story away. Ten years ago Gemma & Aaron had a big misunderstanding about something but there was also the fact that Gemma was 15 and Aaron was 20(he was also Gemma's older brother's best friend) caused them to not see each other for 10 years.
Fast forward ten years and the two meet up again when they both come to the "rescue" of Gemma's brother at a bar. They both realize that they still have the same feelings for each other and they are both much older so the age difference does not make a difference anymore. The question is "can they and do they wan to pursue what could be something between them?"
If you have a busy life and not a lot of time to read, this short story is perfect for you
I thought this book was fun to read and that it had a really sweet storyline. It is hard to post a detailed review on such a short book without giving to much of the story away. Ten years ago Gemma & Aaron had a big misunderstanding about something but there was also the fact that Gemma was 15 and Aaron was 20(he was also Gemma's older brother's best friend) caused them to not see each other for 10 years.
Fast forward ten years and the two meet up again when they both come to the "rescue" of Gemma's brother at a bar. They both realize that they still have the same feelings for each other and they are both much older so the age difference does not make a difference anymore. The question is "can they and do they wan to pursue what could be something between them?"
If you have a busy life and not a lot of time to read, this short story is perfect for you
January 1, 2021
Major plot spoilers ahead. Read at your own risk.
This was closer to a 3.5 stars than a 4 stars, but I decided to give it a four because I did enjoy the story for what it was.
After reading the author’s note in the beginning of the story, I was prepared that this was going to be on the shorter side of things, and that I would probably wishing that it was longer by book’s end. Guess what? That was exactly what I thought as soon as i was finished, however it wasn’t a feeling of “Oh, that was it?” And more of a feeling of “Oh, I wish there was a little bit more to the story.” It had that HFN feeling where they agreed to try to make things work between them by dating. For me personally, I like more the HEA than the HFN, but in this case it didn’t bother me as much as I thought it would have. It worked in this instance because otherwise I think it would have felt very rushed and unrealistic. Then it would have been more insta lovey, which I care for even less than the HFN. So, I was okay with the ending but I still wanted more.
The big reason that I picked up was that this romance was set during New Year’s Eve, which was a perfect read for New Year’s Eve. I don’t think I have read many or any New Year’s Eve romances. So I would be the perfect chance to do so. It definitely gave me those New Year’s Eve vibes that I was looking for.
What I liked the most was the fact that German and Aaron have a history together. In fact it had one of my favorite trope of brother’s best friend, which I appreciated. What was more though was the fact that they had a little incident ten years prior that they both deemed.a little embarrassing especially for Gemma who set to avoid him these past ten years. So when she encountered him again, she wasn’t all that welcoming. That caused some friction and tension between them that really drew the story forward.
Then they have a really sweet date night together where things were put on the table and the wire was clean between both of them as misunderstandings were put to rest. After that they just enjoyed spending time together and getting to know each other while embracing the chemistry that they seemed to have around them. It caused them to want more than just that night on New Year’s Eve together. They decided to give things a shot between them.
This was a short and sweet story of two people reuniting after ten years apart and embracing the attraction that had been denied ten years previously, mainly because she was fifteen and he was twenty. Now they were adults that could explore what still was between them. It was sweet see them have their date night together on New Year’s Eve as they got to know each other all over again. It was lovely even though it was on the shorter side. I did want more, yet it was still an enjoyable read.
This was closer to a 3.5 stars than a 4 stars, but I decided to give it a four because I did enjoy the story for what it was.
After reading the author’s note in the beginning of the story, I was prepared that this was going to be on the shorter side of things, and that I would probably wishing that it was longer by book’s end. Guess what? That was exactly what I thought as soon as i was finished, however it wasn’t a feeling of “Oh, that was it?” And more of a feeling of “Oh, I wish there was a little bit more to the story.” It had that HFN feeling where they agreed to try to make things work between them by dating. For me personally, I like more the HEA than the HFN, but in this case it didn’t bother me as much as I thought it would have. It worked in this instance because otherwise I think it would have felt very rushed and unrealistic. Then it would have been more insta lovey, which I care for even less than the HFN. So, I was okay with the ending but I still wanted more.
The big reason that I picked up was that this romance was set during New Year’s Eve, which was a perfect read for New Year’s Eve. I don’t think I have read many or any New Year’s Eve romances. So I would be the perfect chance to do so. It definitely gave me those New Year’s Eve vibes that I was looking for.
What I liked the most was the fact that German and Aaron have a history together. In fact it had one of my favorite trope of brother’s best friend, which I appreciated. What was more though was the fact that they had a little incident ten years prior that they both deemed.a little embarrassing especially for Gemma who set to avoid him these past ten years. So when she encountered him again, she wasn’t all that welcoming. That caused some friction and tension between them that really drew the story forward.
Then they have a really sweet date night together where things were put on the table and the wire was clean between both of them as misunderstandings were put to rest. After that they just enjoyed spending time together and getting to know each other while embracing the chemistry that they seemed to have around them. It caused them to want more than just that night on New Year’s Eve together. They decided to give things a shot between them.
This was a short and sweet story of two people reuniting after ten years apart and embracing the attraction that had been denied ten years previously, mainly because she was fifteen and he was twenty. Now they were adults that could explore what still was between them. It was sweet see them have their date night together on New Year’s Eve as they got to know each other all over again. It was lovely even though it was on the shorter side. I did want more, yet it was still an enjoyable read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 17, 2017
Reviewed at Romance Is Ageless
Once Upon A New Year’s Eve is a very short story of the first meeting between future partners… or In Gemma and Aaron’s case a re-meeting that shows the possibilities that youth could not or would not take advantage of the bad timing. Because of the briefness of these stories, this review must also be brief to avoid telling you the entire story.
Gemma and Aaron once were attracted to each other, but the gap between their ages was simply too great… at that time. Gemma was Aaron’s best friend’s little sister and her 15 years to his 20 something was far too much for him to act on. He’d fully intended to wait out the time until she was, let’s say, “legal” to start a romance with but Gemma disappeared from his life. Now we come to New Year’s Eve present day, and one lovesick, drunk brother and a bartender who isn’t afraid to call every contact on a customer’s phone to avoid the police call. Gemma and Aaron answer the call… only to discover that finding each other again comes with some far different memories of what almost was between them all those years ago.
This story is charming, funny and gives hope to those long ago connections that just might pop up again. I had fun with this one, and I believe you would as well. We leave each couple to sort out their love lives behind closed doors, but the glimpse into their beginnings is full of hope, possibilities and that magic called love. Indulge yourself and enjoy.
I own an e-book of this story.
Once Upon A New Year’s Eve is a very short story of the first meeting between future partners… or In Gemma and Aaron’s case a re-meeting that shows the possibilities that youth could not or would not take advantage of the bad timing. Because of the briefness of these stories, this review must also be brief to avoid telling you the entire story.
Gemma and Aaron once were attracted to each other, but the gap between their ages was simply too great… at that time. Gemma was Aaron’s best friend’s little sister and her 15 years to his 20 something was far too much for him to act on. He’d fully intended to wait out the time until she was, let’s say, “legal” to start a romance with but Gemma disappeared from his life. Now we come to New Year’s Eve present day, and one lovesick, drunk brother and a bartender who isn’t afraid to call every contact on a customer’s phone to avoid the police call. Gemma and Aaron answer the call… only to discover that finding each other again comes with some far different memories of what almost was between them all those years ago.
This story is charming, funny and gives hope to those long ago connections that just might pop up again. I had fun with this one, and I believe you would as well. We leave each couple to sort out their love lives behind closed doors, but the glimpse into their beginnings is full of hope, possibilities and that magic called love. Indulge yourself and enjoy.
I own an e-book of this story.
December 31, 2021
Gemma Forester walks out on her New Year’s Eve date to go rescue her brother, Rick, who’s nursing a broken heart and doing his usual dumb thing and getting drunk. As she’s struggling to help him out of the bar, Aaron, her brother’s best friend, appears. As a teenager, Gemma was head over heels for Aaron, but she’s not a teenager any longer.
Aaron was twenty when Gemma was fifteen. He was attracted to her, but it wouldn’t have been right to act on that attraction. Instead, he treated her like a little sister. But she isn’t little now; she’s all grown up.
There’s chemistry between them, but Gemma’s embarrassed by actions she took ten years ago. Can they talk it through? Will anything come from this reintroduction? It’s Kait Nolan; you know it will.
This is short story, easy to read, and will keep you turning pages. I enjoyed it very much. It was perfect quick read as the New Year approaches.
Aaron was twenty when Gemma was fifteen. He was attracted to her, but it wouldn’t have been right to act on that attraction. Instead, he treated her like a little sister. But she isn’t little now; she’s all grown up.
There’s chemistry between them, but Gemma’s embarrassed by actions she took ten years ago. Can they talk it through? Will anything come from this reintroduction? It’s Kait Nolan; you know it will.
This is short story, easy to read, and will keep you turning pages. I enjoyed it very much. It was perfect quick read as the New Year approaches.
February 2, 2023
Thoroughly enjoyed this super-short story! The best part? The couple actually had an honest conversation about how they felt in the past and what they were feeling at the moment. My big issue with Kait Nolan used to be that she used non-communication/miscommunication to create drama and conflict in her stories, but that is NOT the issue here and I am SO happy!
Do I wish this story was much longer? Yes. But the synopsis tells you exactly what you are going to get so there's no chance for readers to mismanage their expectations. It's good to know if I need something short and sweet to read, there are four more of these Meet Cute Romance stories in this series for me to read!
Do I wish this story was much longer? Yes. But the synopsis tells you exactly what you are going to get so there's no chance for readers to mismanage their expectations. It's good to know if I need something short and sweet to read, there are four more of these Meet Cute Romance stories in this series for me to read!
July 18, 2017
This was a second chance (sorta) romance. They knew each other when younger (she 15, him 20) but the age difference made him shy away from her brother's best friend. They later meet up again, and now they're both old enough that age isn't a problem. I loved how cute the two were and how easily they talked the night away. Short and sweet, it was a great little escape read.
January 3, 2020
Cute novella.
I enjoyed this book. It’s a great way to get to know the characters in this series. Aaron and Gemma have great chemistry. Will they try for a relationship? He’s her brother’s friend and there’s an age gap that no longer seems too big. I’d recommend reading this.
I enjoyed this book. It’s a great way to get to know the characters in this series. Aaron and Gemma have great chemistry. Will they try for a relationship? He’s her brother’s friend and there’s an age gap that no longer seems too big. I’d recommend reading this.
February 29, 2020
This was a short book, at first I wasn’t sure it was about New Years Eve but it did later on in the book. Sweet story, Gemma has been in love with her brothers best friend Aaron for as long as she can remember. So when her brother gets drunk she’s called to come pick him up and take him home only Aaron was called too.
December 27, 2021
So the author's note through me off. It was defensive and unnecessary in my opinion. I almost didn't read the book based on that alone.
However, I felt that would have been petty. This story is super cute. No there isn't any sex but there is chemistry and anticipation. That kiss is worth the wait. I enjoyed the connection and communication the main characters had for one another.
However, I felt that would have been petty. This story is super cute. No there isn't any sex but there is chemistry and anticipation. That kiss is worth the wait. I enjoyed the connection and communication the main characters had for one another.
January 3, 2023
feel good short
I am thankful for the authors note before the book because it would have frustrated me other wise. Going into the it with the mindset it’s not really a whole story allowed me to enjoy it and the sweetness. More like an episode in a series with hints of the future. Would love to see a full novel of this couple though. I enjoyed their chemistry.
I am thankful for the authors note before the book because it would have frustrated me other wise. Going into the it with the mindset it’s not really a whole story allowed me to enjoy it and the sweetness. More like an episode in a series with hints of the future. Would love to see a full novel of this couple though. I enjoyed their chemistry.
January 6, 2025
36 pages of yummy!!!! (Plus a second novella)
Gemma and Aaron meet up again after 10 years. They clear up a huge misunderstanding. She was hurt that he rejected her crush on him. She was 15 back then and he was 20 and not about to go to jail!!!!! Unfortunately, the story ends there. Could have used another 70 or so pages!
January 21, 2021
Fantastic Quick Read
This novelette is the perfect quick read for anyone. Loved this story and the characters. Marietta is always a win location for me. My only problem is that now that I’ve had a taste of this meet cute shortie, I’d love a little more!
This novelette is the perfect quick read for anyone. Loved this story and the characters. Marietta is always a win location for me. My only problem is that now that I’ve had a taste of this meet cute shortie, I’d love a little more!
February 4, 2021
Spoiler free review
This is a super short little story, but I adore a good meet cute. I was surprised to realize this wasn't part of the Wishful series like I thought. Even still it was a nice little bit of romance to read during my lunch break
This is a super short little story, but I adore a good meet cute. I was surprised to realize this wasn't part of the Wishful series like I thought. Even still it was a nice little bit of romance to read during my lunch break
January 2, 2022
This is a cute little novella, warm and sweet, and gives enough back story that it doesn’t feel rushed. It’s also intriguing enough to want to look up this series and read the rest as the characters seem interesting and the story leaves you invested enough to want to continue learning about them.
July 19, 2022
The story is only roughly 30 pages--not a complaint, but a comment how this author can give her readers two likeable characters and their HFN in that short amount of text. There is a tease, maybe half of Once Upon an Heirloom, which I'll read next
August 14, 2022
Great short read
I'm really enjoying this series of short stories. I always enjoy Kait Nolan's books and she doesn't disappoint with these. This one is a great second chance romance.
I'm really enjoying this series of short stories. I always enjoy Kait Nolan's books and she doesn't disappoint with these. This one is a great second chance romance.
January 30, 2023
Cute
Good start for a prequel to the actual book. Cute story of sister with crush on her brother's best friend. Looks like KN is writing a series of these novelettes before she writes the complete story.
Good start for a prequel to the actual book. Cute story of sister with crush on her brother's best friend. Looks like KN is writing a series of these novelettes before she writes the complete story.
April 11, 2023
A really cute, quick story with sweet characters. Perfect for a quick read while I made / ate supper.
Now if this author wanted to lengthen it into a novella, I'd love to know what Rick's take on the situation would be!
I for one, enjoy little quick stories! Yea for Author Kait Nolan!
Now if this author wanted to lengthen it into a novella, I'd love to know what Rick's take on the situation would be!
I for one, enjoy little quick stories! Yea for Author Kait Nolan!
December 29, 2024
A cute New Year's story of two individuals reuniting and starting a romance. Although this is labeled as being a Meet Cute "book," it's more of a short story length; as a result, while it was nicely wrapped up, I did want to read more about the two characters and their developing romance.
January 5, 2017
This was a really cute short story about Gemma and Aaron. This was well written and a good, quick read!
December 3, 2017
Cute and short.
October 29, 2018
What a swoon-worthy "second chance meet cute" (is this a thing?) by one of my favorite small-town romance writers. <3
February 6, 2019
Love this holiday read!!!
March 22, 2019
Sweet!
Charming, sweet, and the perfect palate cleanser between big books! I loved it!
Charming, sweet, and the perfect palate cleanser between big books! I loved it!
January 3, 2020
Meet cute
I have to say I really enjoy these short looks into the characters before their actual book. Definitely a fun quick read
I have to say I really enjoy these short looks into the characters before their actual book. Definitely a fun quick read
March 8, 2020
Short, cute and more of a re-meet than a meet cute :)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews