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Secret Nights and Northern Lights
Childhood best friends and first loves are reunited on a make-or-break work trip to Iceland, with old feelings coming to the surface in this charming romance from debut author Megan Oliver.
Mona Miller lives her life by she’s just fine, thanks; all good; not a problem! Everything is right as rain—even if it’s all a lie. Everyone at the travel magazine where she works knows her as a team player (in other words, the one who won’t complain about the endless fluff pieces pushed her way). But, feeling snubbed after being passed over for a promotion, Mona jumps at an international assignment to Iceland, even though she’s woefully unprepared.
She’s determined to prove her worth, though, and her can-do attitude will scale any glacier. But the freelance photographer paired with her is none other than Benjamin Carter. Ben, her childhood best friend who understood her even when her family didn’t. Ben, her first love—first everything. And Ben, the boy who ghosted her fourteen years ago and left her brokenhearted.
There is a decade’s worth of resentment Mona needs to ignore if she wants to make it through this trip. She’ll put on her “No worries!” façade and hold Ben at a distance. But the more time they spend together, the more the ice around her heart melts. And as those old feelings spark back to life, Mona must decide if she’s willing to go on the biggest adventure of all.
Mona Miller lives her life by she’s just fine, thanks; all good; not a problem! Everything is right as rain—even if it’s all a lie. Everyone at the travel magazine where she works knows her as a team player (in other words, the one who won’t complain about the endless fluff pieces pushed her way). But, feeling snubbed after being passed over for a promotion, Mona jumps at an international assignment to Iceland, even though she’s woefully unprepared.
She’s determined to prove her worth, though, and her can-do attitude will scale any glacier. But the freelance photographer paired with her is none other than Benjamin Carter. Ben, her childhood best friend who understood her even when her family didn’t. Ben, her first love—first everything. And Ben, the boy who ghosted her fourteen years ago and left her brokenhearted.
There is a decade’s worth of resentment Mona needs to ignore if she wants to make it through this trip. She’ll put on her “No worries!” façade and hold Ben at a distance. But the more time they spend together, the more the ice around her heart melts. And as those old feelings spark back to life, Mona must decide if she’s willing to go on the biggest adventure of all.
378 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 18, 2025
119 people are currently reading
21575 people want to read
About the author
Megan Oliver
1 book104 followersMegan Oliver is a writer, an avid romance reader, and a travel enthusiast whose vacation mishaps provide plenty of inspiration for her characters on page. She lives with her husband, two dogs who refuse to cuddle as much as she’d prefer, and a cat who barely tolerates the presence of any and all above. Secret Nights and Northern Lights is her debut novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 427 reviews
November 20, 2025
જ⁀➴ 2.5 stars (rounded up to 3 stars)
HUGE thank you to Megan Oliver and Berkley Romance for the widget for this free eARC in exchange for an honest review. Secret Nights and Northern Lights is out now!
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁ ᨒ↟ 𖠰 . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁ ᨒ↟ 𖠰 . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁ ᨒ↟ 𖠰 . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁ ᨒ↟ 𖠰 . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁ ᨒ↟ 𖠰 . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁ ᨒ↟ 𖠰
*takes a deep breath* Oookay, I know I'm in unpopular opinion land here, but as much as I loved reading about Iceland, the character development of our two MCs, Ben and Mona, was NOT it.
Mona Miller is quiet, timid, and doesn't let anyone on to the fact that she's worried about....a lot. She's always had dreams of traveling the world, but she's stuck as a Local covering...well, local events at her job at Around the World, a travel magazine, while the Internationals are able to travel around the world and see the best sights and sounds the world has to offer them. When she suddenly gets an opportunity to travel to Iceland after an International breaks her ankle and can't make it through the athletic-heavy travel itinerary of climbing and hiking, Mona jumps at the chance to finally do something she's always dreamed of. The catch? Her travel photographer is Benjamin Carter, her high school teenager who walked out of her life 14 years ago with no explanation. Now a world-renowned photographer, they have to work together across 10 days to explore all Iceland has to offer while also not letting their past get in the way of their work. What could possibly go wrong?
The biggest aspect I loved about this book was how detailed and descriptive the sights and sounds of Iceland were throughout the story. It almost made me feel like I was in Iceland myself, and now I just want to book a flight there and travel around the country by going to all of the different waterfalls and trails and volcanoes and cities that Megan Oliver mentioned throughout the story. I may or may not have screenshotted the itinerary that Mona and Ben followed throughout the book to save for future reference. It was such an atmospheric read, and the setting pulled me in right away.
However, the OTHER biggest aspect that ruined the book for me was Mona. I know she's supposed to be written as this quirky, timid character who's out of her element traveling to a foreign country for the first time with an old flame, but she eventually got on my nerves. I loved her ambition and her desire to make her voice heard in a family that's filled with highly successful doctors and the like, but the way she would constantly complain about everything that came her way in the story, such as a hike being too strenuous—and trust me, there's a LOT of hiking that takes place in the story—and the way she would constantly go back and forth about her feelings with Ben and their past, made it extremely difficult to root for her at times. I know it was played off as her getting out of her comfort zone and how she has this whole Eat, Pray, Love moment of character development where she discovers more about herself and what she's truly capable of, but I feel like those moments were overshadowed by her constant complaining.
When it comes to her and Ben, I couldn't feel any chemistry between them at all. I normally love a good second chance romance, but Mona was so caught up in her own head and constantly pushing Ben away in a poor attempt of wanting to keep things that happened in the past in the past—all while Ben was struggling to get her to talk about what happened 14 years ago so they can clear the air right away and make the trip less awkward between them—that it ruined any chemistry that the author was trying to go for in the book, in my opinion.
There was a lot of push and pull, and the whole "will they or won't they" you get in a lot of second-chance romance stories, but it was mostly Mona ruining any good moment between them, running away from her problems, and then she ultimately apologizes to Ben for her acting out later on. This is basically the first 60-70% of the book, and it was tiring and repetitive to read about. You would think that at some point that Mona, at the age of 31, would want to clear the air between them because Ben has hinted MULTIPLE times throughout the story that he wants to talk about what happened 14 years ago, but NOPE! Mona wants to continue holding a grudge that she's had against him for 14 years. It made Mona come across as childish and immature, in my opinion.
Additionally, I wish we got to read more about Mona's relationship with her family. It seemed very strained and although it's clear she loves them, I would've loved more insight about her relationship with her parents, especially her mom. It's constantly alluded to throughout the story that their relationship isn't the closest, but it's barely touched upon and I would've loved to see that expanded on a bit more.
Overall, this book was a cute debut and I'd LOVE to read more travel romances in the future! This book made me realize that travel romance is a subgenre I definitely need to read more about (especially since I'm going on vacation soon), and I'd love to visit Iceland someday. For now, I'll just look outside at night on occasion to see the northern lights (when they're visible) and listen to Of Monsters and Men (since they're based in Iceland lol).💜🩵💚
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁ ᨒ↟ 𖠰 . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁ ᨒ↟ 𖠰 . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁ ᨒ↟ 𖠰 . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁ ᨒ↟ 𖠰 . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁ ᨒ↟ 𖠰 . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁ ᨒ↟ 𖠰
⋆˙⟡ 𝒫𝓇𝑒-𝓇𝑒𝒶𝒹: I GOT AN eARC WIDGET FOR THIS BOOK FROM BERKLEY! Does that mean I've made it as an ARC reader?😂 In case you're unfamiliar, getting ARCs from Berkley and Ace are notoriously difficult to get (and Tor, but that's a different story for another day). This is one of my most anticipated reads of November 2025, and I took a chance and filled out Berkley's sign-up form for Influencer Review ARCs for this book. The way my jaw DROPPED when I got the email with the widget this past Thursday literally made my entire night!🌌💚🩵💜✨🌙
HUGE thank you to Megan Oliver and Berkley Romance for the widget for this free eARC in exchange for an honest review. Secret Nights and Northern Lights is out now!
"I love you now, I loved you then, and I've loved you the entire time between. I don't know if you ever got over us, but I never did. And I know it's been years."
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁ ᨒ↟ 𖠰 . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁ ᨒ↟ 𖠰 . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁ ᨒ↟ 𖠰 . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁ ᨒ↟ 𖠰 . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁ ᨒ↟ 𖠰 . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁ ᨒ↟ 𖠰
*takes a deep breath* Oookay, I know I'm in unpopular opinion land here, but as much as I loved reading about Iceland, the character development of our two MCs, Ben and Mona, was NOT it.
Mona Miller is quiet, timid, and doesn't let anyone on to the fact that she's worried about....a lot. She's always had dreams of traveling the world, but she's stuck as a Local covering...well, local events at her job at Around the World, a travel magazine, while the Internationals are able to travel around the world and see the best sights and sounds the world has to offer them. When she suddenly gets an opportunity to travel to Iceland after an International breaks her ankle and can't make it through the athletic-heavy travel itinerary of climbing and hiking, Mona jumps at the chance to finally do something she's always dreamed of. The catch? Her travel photographer is Benjamin Carter, her high school teenager who walked out of her life 14 years ago with no explanation. Now a world-renowned photographer, they have to work together across 10 days to explore all Iceland has to offer while also not letting their past get in the way of their work. What could possibly go wrong?
The biggest aspect I loved about this book was how detailed and descriptive the sights and sounds of Iceland were throughout the story. It almost made me feel like I was in Iceland myself, and now I just want to book a flight there and travel around the country by going to all of the different waterfalls and trails and volcanoes and cities that Megan Oliver mentioned throughout the story. I may or may not have screenshotted the itinerary that Mona and Ben followed throughout the book to save for future reference. It was such an atmospheric read, and the setting pulled me in right away.
However, the OTHER biggest aspect that ruined the book for me was Mona. I know she's supposed to be written as this quirky, timid character who's out of her element traveling to a foreign country for the first time with an old flame, but she eventually got on my nerves. I loved her ambition and her desire to make her voice heard in a family that's filled with highly successful doctors and the like, but the way she would constantly complain about everything that came her way in the story, such as a hike being too strenuous—and trust me, there's a LOT of hiking that takes place in the story—and the way she would constantly go back and forth about her feelings with Ben and their past, made it extremely difficult to root for her at times. I know it was played off as her getting out of her comfort zone and how she has this whole Eat, Pray, Love moment of character development where she discovers more about herself and what she's truly capable of, but I feel like those moments were overshadowed by her constant complaining.
When it comes to her and Ben, I couldn't feel any chemistry between them at all. I normally love a good second chance romance, but Mona was so caught up in her own head and constantly pushing Ben away in a poor attempt of wanting to keep things that happened in the past in the past—all while Ben was struggling to get her to talk about what happened 14 years ago so they can clear the air right away and make the trip less awkward between them—that it ruined any chemistry that the author was trying to go for in the book, in my opinion.
There was a lot of push and pull, and the whole "will they or won't they" you get in a lot of second-chance romance stories, but it was mostly Mona ruining any good moment between them, running away from her problems, and then she ultimately apologizes to Ben for her acting out later on. This is basically the first 60-70% of the book, and it was tiring and repetitive to read about. You would think that at some point that Mona, at the age of 31, would want to clear the air between them because Ben has hinted MULTIPLE times throughout the story that he wants to talk about what happened 14 years ago, but NOPE! Mona wants to continue holding a grudge that she's had against him for 14 years. It made Mona come across as childish and immature, in my opinion.
Additionally, I wish we got to read more about Mona's relationship with her family. It seemed very strained and although it's clear she loves them, I would've loved more insight about her relationship with her parents, especially her mom. It's constantly alluded to throughout the story that their relationship isn't the closest, but it's barely touched upon and I would've loved to see that expanded on a bit more.
Overall, this book was a cute debut and I'd LOVE to read more travel romances in the future! This book made me realize that travel romance is a subgenre I definitely need to read more about (especially since I'm going on vacation soon), and I'd love to visit Iceland someday. For now, I'll just look outside at night on occasion to see the northern lights (when they're visible) and listen to Of Monsters and Men (since they're based in Iceland lol).💜🩵💚
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁ ᨒ↟ 𖠰 . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁ ᨒ↟ 𖠰 . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁ ᨒ↟ 𖠰 . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁ ᨒ↟ 𖠰 . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁ ᨒ↟ 𖠰 . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁ ᨒ↟ 𖠰
⋆˙⟡ 𝒫𝓇𝑒-𝓇𝑒𝒶𝒹: I GOT AN eARC WIDGET FOR THIS BOOK FROM BERKLEY! Does that mean I've made it as an ARC reader?😂 In case you're unfamiliar, getting ARCs from Berkley and Ace are notoriously difficult to get (and Tor, but that's a different story for another day). This is one of my most anticipated reads of November 2025, and I took a chance and filled out Berkley's sign-up form for Influencer Review ARCs for this book. The way my jaw DROPPED when I got the email with the widget this past Thursday literally made my entire night!🌌💚🩵💜✨🌙
November 18, 2025
ʜᴀᴘᴘʏ ᴘᴜʙʟɪꜱʜɪɴɢ ᴅᴀʏ! This book is out today—11/18
▹TL;DR Review: A heartfelt and atmospheric debut that perfectly blends travel, culture, and second-chance romance. Though a few timeline and character choices stretched believability, the emotional depth, gorgeous Icelandic setting, and strong writing kept me fully invested from start to finish.
▹My ⭐ Rating: ★★★.5 out of 5
▹Format: 📱 eReader
Thank you to Netgalley, Berkley Publishing Group, and Megan Oliver for this eARC in exchange for my honest review! Secret Nights and Northern Lights comes out November 18, 2025!
─────────────────────────
○★○ What to Expect from This Book: ○★○
– About: Mona Miller wants more out of life, but her “No Worries!” attitude has allowed the people in her life to walk all over her. She’s given an opportunity at the magazine she works for to cover an international travel article—something she’s been working towards for years. But when she finds out that the freelance photographer assigned to follow her around Iceland is someone from her past—someone she was hoping to keep in her past—she has to put on her “No Worries!” façade to prove that she’s the best person for the job. The other hitch? Her boss has made it clear that her future depends on being able to recruit this photographer as a full-time employee…
– FMC: Mona Mildred Miller (aka “Ems”). 31-years old. Doesn’t let on easily that she is in fact worried when she says “No Worries!”. Is driven but insecure about her worth. Haunted by an event with her first love that has stunted her romantically.
– MMC: Benjamin Harrison Carter (aka “Ben”). Uber talented photographer. Sweet but guarded because of his past and the people who raised him. Just wants to be able to explain himself.
– Location: NYC and Iceland
– POV: Single first-person
– Spice: 3-4 open-door spicy scenes (steamy and descriptive, but not overly smutty)
– Tropes: brothers’ best friend, first love/heartbreak, childhood friends to lovers, second-chance, self-discovery, travel
– Content warning: anxiety disorder, panic attacks, toxic parental relationships (discussed), child neglect (discussed), workplace favoritism, being ghosted
– Representation: LGBTQ+ side character
─────────────────────────
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺ 1:00 ──ㅇ────── 4:12
Now Playing: It’s Oh So Quiet by Björk
─────────────────────────
★○ If You Like the Following, You Might Like This Book ○★
➼ Second chance romance that involves travel, like You With A View by Jessica Joyce, People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry, What Happens in Amsterdam by Rachel Lynn Solomon, and PS: I Hate You by Lauren Connolly
➼ Healing through facing the people you love, setting boundaries, and learning that you only have one side of the story
➼ “It’s always been you, but I needed to fix me first”
─────────────────────────
⍟»This or That«⍟
Character Driven———✧————————Plot Driven
Fast Burn———————✧————Slow Burn
Sweet——————✧—————Spicy
Light/Fluffy——————✧—————Heavy/Emotional
─────────────────────────
🎯 My Thoughts:
I love a book that combines my love of travel and culture with romance, and Secret Nights and Northern Lights was a lovely addition to that list.
What I loved:
1. I was especially impressed that this was a debut. The pacing was strong, the dialogue felt natural, the emotional beats were clear and purposeful. It kept me invested from page one.
2. I am a sucker for second-chance romance. This story follows childhood best friends and first loves, Mona and Ben, who are reunited on a work trip years after he ghosted her. So that setup hooked me immediately. The angst was palpable from their first reunion scene. There is a vulnerability of letting someone who hurt you in the past back in your life, and the author captured it well.
3. Mona’s career. Ugh, this made me want to quit my corporate job and become a travel blogger. I loved seeing what goes into setting up something like this.
4. Bonus: I now have an excellent itinerary for any future Iceland trip!
What Didn't Work for Me:
1. The timeline stretched my suspension of disbelief. 14 years is a long time to carry this deep of a grudge from teenage heartbreak, and it was hard to believe that both characters—still single and incredibly attractive—would reconnect and immediately pick up where they left off. Their emotional memory of each other felt too sharp given the time apart.
2. The FMC’s characterization. I related to her early on—ambitious but overlooked, trying to prove herself—but her constant avoidance and self-pity started to wear thin. The main conflict relied on her immaturity and refusal to let Ben explain himself, which made it hard to root for her at times. I know this was meant to be part of her growth arc, but I would have loved to see her confront things sooner and find strength through that process.
3. The chemistry didn’t quite spark for me. Occasionally veered into awkward or forced territory. I could see what the author was aiming for (emotionally charged reconnection), but it didn’t always land.
All that said, I genuinely enjoyed the read. It’s well-paced, atmospheric, and emotionally engaging, even when I didn’t agree with every character choice. For a debut, Megan Oliver delivered a heartfelt story with beautiful settings, and I’ll absolutely pick up whatever she writes next.
▹TL;DR Review: A heartfelt and atmospheric debut that perfectly blends travel, culture, and second-chance romance. Though a few timeline and character choices stretched believability, the emotional depth, gorgeous Icelandic setting, and strong writing kept me fully invested from start to finish.
▹My ⭐ Rating: ★★★.5 out of 5
▹Format: 📱 eReader
Thank you to Netgalley, Berkley Publishing Group, and Megan Oliver for this eARC in exchange for my honest review! Secret Nights and Northern Lights comes out November 18, 2025!
─────────────────────────
○★○ What to Expect from This Book: ○★○
– About: Mona Miller wants more out of life, but her “No Worries!” attitude has allowed the people in her life to walk all over her. She’s given an opportunity at the magazine she works for to cover an international travel article—something she’s been working towards for years. But when she finds out that the freelance photographer assigned to follow her around Iceland is someone from her past—someone she was hoping to keep in her past—she has to put on her “No Worries!” façade to prove that she’s the best person for the job. The other hitch? Her boss has made it clear that her future depends on being able to recruit this photographer as a full-time employee…
– FMC: Mona Mildred Miller (aka “Ems”). 31-years old. Doesn’t let on easily that she is in fact worried when she says “No Worries!”. Is driven but insecure about her worth. Haunted by an event with her first love that has stunted her romantically.
– MMC: Benjamin Harrison Carter (aka “Ben”). Uber talented photographer. Sweet but guarded because of his past and the people who raised him. Just wants to be able to explain himself.
– Location: NYC and Iceland
– POV: Single first-person
– Spice: 3-4 open-door spicy scenes (steamy and descriptive, but not overly smutty)
– Tropes: brothers’ best friend, first love/heartbreak, childhood friends to lovers, second-chance, self-discovery, travel
– Content warning: anxiety disorder, panic attacks, toxic parental relationships (discussed), child neglect (discussed), workplace favoritism, being ghosted
– Representation: LGBTQ+ side character
─────────────────────────
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺ 1:00 ──ㅇ────── 4:12
Now Playing: It’s Oh So Quiet by Björk
╰┈➤ ❝You’ve never been so nuts about a guy; you wanna laugh, you wanna cry; you cross your hearts and hope to die; till it’s over, and then shhh, it’s nice and quiet❞
─────────────────────────
★○ If You Like the Following, You Might Like This Book ○★
➼ Second chance romance that involves travel, like You With A View by Jessica Joyce, People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry, What Happens in Amsterdam by Rachel Lynn Solomon, and PS: I Hate You by Lauren Connolly
➼ Healing through facing the people you love, setting boundaries, and learning that you only have one side of the story
➼ “It’s always been you, but I needed to fix me first”
─────────────────────────
⍟»This or That«⍟
Character Driven———✧————————Plot Driven
Fast Burn———————✧————Slow Burn
Sweet——————✧—————Spicy
Light/Fluffy——————✧—————Heavy/Emotional
─────────────────────────
🎯 My Thoughts:
I love a book that combines my love of travel and culture with romance, and Secret Nights and Northern Lights was a lovely addition to that list.
What I loved:
1. I was especially impressed that this was a debut. The pacing was strong, the dialogue felt natural, the emotional beats were clear and purposeful. It kept me invested from page one.
2. I am a sucker for second-chance romance. This story follows childhood best friends and first loves, Mona and Ben, who are reunited on a work trip years after he ghosted her. So that setup hooked me immediately. The angst was palpable from their first reunion scene. There is a vulnerability of letting someone who hurt you in the past back in your life, and the author captured it well.
3. Mona’s career. Ugh, this made me want to quit my corporate job and become a travel blogger. I loved seeing what goes into setting up something like this.
4. Bonus: I now have an excellent itinerary for any future Iceland trip!
What Didn't Work for Me:
1. The timeline stretched my suspension of disbelief. 14 years is a long time to carry this deep of a grudge from teenage heartbreak, and it was hard to believe that both characters—still single and incredibly attractive—would reconnect and immediately pick up where they left off. Their emotional memory of each other felt too sharp given the time apart.
2. The FMC’s characterization. I related to her early on—ambitious but overlooked, trying to prove herself—but her constant avoidance and self-pity started to wear thin. The main conflict relied on her immaturity and refusal to let Ben explain himself, which made it hard to root for her at times. I know this was meant to be part of her growth arc, but I would have loved to see her confront things sooner and find strength through that process.
3. The chemistry didn’t quite spark for me. Occasionally veered into awkward or forced territory. I could see what the author was aiming for (emotionally charged reconnection), but it didn’t always land.
All that said, I genuinely enjoyed the read. It’s well-paced, atmospheric, and emotionally engaging, even when I didn’t agree with every character choice. For a debut, Megan Oliver delivered a heartfelt story with beautiful settings, and I’ll absolutely pick up whatever she writes next.
November 28, 2025
For a debut, this was fine. I liked that the majority of the story took place in Iceland, which is honestly one of my bucket list places. The author did a great job of making Iceland feel like its own character. I can’t speak to the accuracy of her descriptions, but the attractions and adventures Mona and Ben went on sounded so much fun. It made me excited for the day I hopefully get to visit the country.
Ben was an okay love interest. He didn’t really stand out compared to other MMCs I’ve read about. However, my biggest issue was the female lead Mona. Gosh, this woman really irked me. For a thirty-one year old, she could be very immature. She never wanted to clear the air and talk with Ben about their past. Ben would bring it up and she would constantly avoid or change the subject. I mean just COMMUNICATE!! She’s an adult, it should not be that hard. It was even more frustrating when she would say snide or judgey comments towards Ben pertaining to their teenage years. And this was all because of the miscommunication that she didn’t want to simply resolve. She just came off as whiny and as a big complainer. It was beyond annoying.
All in all, the female lead is really why I couldn’t rate it any higher.
Ben was an okay love interest. He didn’t really stand out compared to other MMCs I’ve read about. However, my biggest issue was the female lead Mona. Gosh, this woman really irked me. For a thirty-one year old, she could be very immature. She never wanted to clear the air and talk with Ben about their past. Ben would bring it up and she would constantly avoid or change the subject. I mean just COMMUNICATE!! She’s an adult, it should not be that hard. It was even more frustrating when she would say snide or judgey comments towards Ben pertaining to their teenage years. And this was all because of the miscommunication that she didn’t want to simply resolve. She just came off as whiny and as a big complainer. It was beyond annoying.
All in all, the female lead is really why I couldn’t rate it any higher.
July 15, 2025
If Iceland’s tourism agency doesn’t pay Megan, I’ll sue!!! This was so charming and steamy (!!), and is exactly what I want when it comes to second chance romances: a dollop of angst, lots of sexual tension (the HOT TUB?? the SHOWER???), and some tough conversations that show me that the couple has really earned their HEA. Megan’s writing has such a beautiful sense of setting, and her love for Iceland jumps off the page. Fans of Heather McBreen, Christina Lauren, and Sarah Grunder Ruiz will want to snap this UP.
November 19, 2025
listen this may be a 4.75 but i've decided to be someone who rounds up for the time being!
being a person who is overrun with anxiety, i am terrified of planes and boats, just like ben, but i have a dream of seeing the northern lights. that is what led me to this book and i am overjoyed that this was a hit! i love reading books from debut authors and them being just perfect! i just feel a sense of pride for these authors even though i don't know them. this romance is about mona and ben, a travel writer and photographer, and i love them. one five star review convinced me to request this arc, and the fact that its a second chance... i was so in!! the story was so, so good, you all need to get excited for next week!
mona is such a real character, yes she is a bit annoying at times but i feel like you can tell it's because she's been hurt and is trying to protect herself. seeing her struggle with seeing how she fits into her family and her job and love life, i get it girl. she made me cry multiple times and i wanna take some of the confidence she claims for herself in the end for myself! ben, ben, ben... he's so sweet. i kinda loved him from his first couple of scenes because he shares my fear of planes but he stole my heart throughout the rest of the story. these two needed to have a fucking conversation about their past for about fifty pages there in the middle and the lack of conversation did drive me up a wall but the author pulled it together and made me root for them so we're ignoring it. the tension was so good and i just want to travel the world with these two forever and ever!!
it is still shocking to me that this is a debut because the talent was shining through these pages for me. i know its too soon to say, since this isn't even released yet, but i will be lining up to read whatever this author writes next! this book really made me contemplate things and i just loved it so much. if you read this and you're annoyed with mona and her back and forth, think about what you would do in iceland with the man who broke your heart... she's just so understandable as a real person to me. that sentence doesn't make sense but i'm leaving it because even my jumbled thoughts are defending mona.
my only complaint... more joseph!!!!!
*thank you to netgalley and berkley for the arc!*
being a person who is overrun with anxiety, i am terrified of planes and boats, just like ben, but i have a dream of seeing the northern lights. that is what led me to this book and i am overjoyed that this was a hit! i love reading books from debut authors and them being just perfect! i just feel a sense of pride for these authors even though i don't know them. this romance is about mona and ben, a travel writer and photographer, and i love them. one five star review convinced me to request this arc, and the fact that its a second chance... i was so in!! the story was so, so good, you all need to get excited for next week!
mona is such a real character, yes she is a bit annoying at times but i feel like you can tell it's because she's been hurt and is trying to protect herself. seeing her struggle with seeing how she fits into her family and her job and love life, i get it girl. she made me cry multiple times and i wanna take some of the confidence she claims for herself in the end for myself! ben, ben, ben... he's so sweet. i kinda loved him from his first couple of scenes because he shares my fear of planes but he stole my heart throughout the rest of the story. these two needed to have a fucking conversation about their past for about fifty pages there in the middle and the lack of conversation did drive me up a wall but the author pulled it together and made me root for them so we're ignoring it. the tension was so good and i just want to travel the world with these two forever and ever!!
it is still shocking to me that this is a debut because the talent was shining through these pages for me. i know its too soon to say, since this isn't even released yet, but i will be lining up to read whatever this author writes next! this book really made me contemplate things and i just loved it so much. if you read this and you're annoyed with mona and her back and forth, think about what you would do in iceland with the man who broke your heart... she's just so understandable as a real person to me. that sentence doesn't make sense but i'm leaving it because even my jumbled thoughts are defending mona.
my only complaint... more joseph!!!!!
*thank you to netgalley and berkley for the arc!*
November 18, 2025
Iceland was recently added to my bucket list. Imagine my delight as I started this one where a travel journalist and photographer take a trip to check out the sights
Everything that has enamored me about Iceland came to life in this second chance romance.
Mona and Ben were childhood friends to lovers, with a romance that fizzled quickly. After years of no contact, they find themselves on a whirlwind trip that rekindles their friendship, and more.
The narration by the unmatched Brittany Pressley was superb of course. She really brought this story to life!
I loved this 2nd chance romance. I cannot believe it's a debut. WOW
This one has the doors open, but is not overly spicy, just a few small scenes.
Everything that has enamored me about Iceland came to life in this second chance romance.
Mona and Ben were childhood friends to lovers, with a romance that fizzled quickly. After years of no contact, they find themselves on a whirlwind trip that rekindles their friendship, and more.
The narration by the unmatched Brittany Pressley was superb of course. She really brought this story to life!
I loved this 2nd chance romance. I cannot believe it's a debut. WOW
This one has the doors open, but is not overly spicy, just a few small scenes.
June 10, 2025
“Travel is incredibly personal. There’s a reason people have bucket lists of places they return to time and time again, why they save up their vacation time and spend their hard-earned money to see the world. Experiences matter”
Crisscrossing Iceland, in Secret Nights and Northern Lights we follow Mona a travel journalist that unexpectedly get assigned to write an article for the travel magazine she works for. But she’s joined by Ben, a travel photographer who happens to be an unrequited love from her teenage years. As the two travel across the picturesque country filled with waterfalls, glaciers, and endless hikes…they reconnect.
This book had such a hold on me. I came across Megan’s book months ago and then the cover reveal came. Some books just pull you in, and this one just kept calling to me. Megan whole heartedly shows love to Iceland and the country becomes a vessel for story progression and character growth. I saw myself in Mona and she’s now one of my top favourites of the year.
I love being in sync with an author and cheering them on. I also picked up some seeds that were planted for a future book and now I need answers. Finally, this book has a free curated itinerary to help with your travel plans. So take your passport and this book and set off on an adventure to Iceland. Secret Nights and Northern Lights is out later this year on November 18th.
Thank you so much Berkley Publishing for the digital arc. Megan Oliver is a debut author to watch.
Crisscrossing Iceland, in Secret Nights and Northern Lights we follow Mona a travel journalist that unexpectedly get assigned to write an article for the travel magazine she works for. But she’s joined by Ben, a travel photographer who happens to be an unrequited love from her teenage years. As the two travel across the picturesque country filled with waterfalls, glaciers, and endless hikes…they reconnect.
This book had such a hold on me. I came across Megan’s book months ago and then the cover reveal came. Some books just pull you in, and this one just kept calling to me. Megan whole heartedly shows love to Iceland and the country becomes a vessel for story progression and character growth. I saw myself in Mona and she’s now one of my top favourites of the year.
I love being in sync with an author and cheering them on. I also picked up some seeds that were planted for a future book and now I need answers. Finally, this book has a free curated itinerary to help with your travel plans. So take your passport and this book and set off on an adventure to Iceland. Secret Nights and Northern Lights is out later this year on November 18th.
Thank you so much Berkley Publishing for the digital arc. Megan Oliver is a debut author to watch.
November 20, 2025
4.25 stars rounded down
thank you to Berkley Romance for the arc and PRH Audio for the ALC. these are my honest thoughts!
A forced proximity work trip with your former childhood best friend and the guy who broke your heart at 17? Say less!
Secret Nights and Northern Lights is a second chance romance for childhood best friends and first loves, Mona Miller and Benjamin Carter. At 17, these two went from first-time loves to strangers overnight, and Mona has carried that heartbreak with her since. Now, she's up for a big promotion at work, if she can go on this scenic trip to Iceland, write an epic article about it, and recruit the hired contracted photographer to join her magazine's full time staff. The catch is... it's Ben. Mona spirals, her bestie packs her bags for her, and they hit the air to hop, skip, and jump onto an epic adventure to Iceland, which is cold, but not as cold as Mona is towards Ben.
This story was so much about secret nights between these two, appropriately named. Mona has long felt like she was the odd ball in her family, and Ben helped her feel included in all areas - at school, at home, and in their relationship. These two being forced to work together brought down some of Mona's barriers ASAP, but she held firmly to the choice to "not talk about their past" (which got a tad annoying after a little while... JUST TALK ABOUT IT ALREADY!). The scenery, imagery (created through photographed shots of their trip, courtesy of Ben), and the challenges they faced together played such an important role in Mona and Ben developing intimacy again.
The audiobook was AMAZING. It sucked me in and made me want to immediately pack my bags to visit Iceland. Brittany Pressley is always stellar, and that was no exception here! It was an emotional and vibrant read + I'd definitely recommend reading this with your ears if you like that!
Read if you love:
- Childhood best friends
- Second chance romance
- Travel adventures
- Travel writer x travel photographer
- Forced proximity
- Only one hot tub
- Creating boundaries
- Breaking down barriers
- Low(ish) spice
OUT NOW!
thank you to Berkley Romance for the arc and PRH Audio for the ALC. these are my honest thoughts!
A forced proximity work trip with your former childhood best friend and the guy who broke your heart at 17? Say less!
Secret Nights and Northern Lights is a second chance romance for childhood best friends and first loves, Mona Miller and Benjamin Carter. At 17, these two went from first-time loves to strangers overnight, and Mona has carried that heartbreak with her since. Now, she's up for a big promotion at work, if she can go on this scenic trip to Iceland, write an epic article about it, and recruit the hired contracted photographer to join her magazine's full time staff. The catch is... it's Ben. Mona spirals, her bestie packs her bags for her, and they hit the air to hop, skip, and jump onto an epic adventure to Iceland, which is cold, but not as cold as Mona is towards Ben.
This story was so much about secret nights between these two, appropriately named. Mona has long felt like she was the odd ball in her family, and Ben helped her feel included in all areas - at school, at home, and in their relationship. These two being forced to work together brought down some of Mona's barriers ASAP, but she held firmly to the choice to "not talk about their past" (which got a tad annoying after a little while... JUST TALK ABOUT IT ALREADY!). The scenery, imagery (created through photographed shots of their trip, courtesy of Ben), and the challenges they faced together played such an important role in Mona and Ben developing intimacy again.
The audiobook was AMAZING. It sucked me in and made me want to immediately pack my bags to visit Iceland. Brittany Pressley is always stellar, and that was no exception here! It was an emotional and vibrant read + I'd definitely recommend reading this with your ears if you like that!
Read if you love:
- Childhood best friends
- Second chance romance
- Travel adventures
- Travel writer x travel photographer
- Forced proximity
- Only one hot tub
- Creating boundaries
- Breaking down barriers
- Low(ish) spice
OUT NOW!
October 13, 2025
This was a moving and emotional second chance romance debut about childhood best friends Nturned lovers, Ben and Mona, who haven't seen each other in years and are forced to work together on a travel assignment touring Iceland.
Mona wants more responsibility at work and to travel the world writing about her adventures and Ben is already an award winning travel photographer. To get the job done they need to figure out a way to deal with their past and figure out if they might have a chance at a future.
I loved the forced proximity, the way Ben had to work for forgiveness after he broke Mona's heart years ago and Mona's journey towards more self-confidence, learning to stop being such a people pleaser and demand what she wants, including the attention from her family she's never gotten as the youngest sibling of three.
There was also great anxiety and panic attack rep (Mona) and overcoming childhood trauma rep (Ben) balanced with some sweet and spicy, only one hot tub moments. The Icelandic descriptions had me wanting to book a trip stat and it was also good on audio narrated by Brittany Pressley! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy and @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review!
Mona wants more responsibility at work and to travel the world writing about her adventures and Ben is already an award winning travel photographer. To get the job done they need to figure out a way to deal with their past and figure out if they might have a chance at a future.
I loved the forced proximity, the way Ben had to work for forgiveness after he broke Mona's heart years ago and Mona's journey towards more self-confidence, learning to stop being such a people pleaser and demand what she wants, including the attention from her family she's never gotten as the youngest sibling of three.
There was also great anxiety and panic attack rep (Mona) and overcoming childhood trauma rep (Ben) balanced with some sweet and spicy, only one hot tub moments. The Icelandic descriptions had me wanting to book a trip stat and it was also good on audio narrated by Brittany Pressley! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy and @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review!
November 18, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the early copy of this book.
Second chance love? Check. Hot photographer? Check. Banter off the rails? Check. Iceland? Check. This book is amazing and has all the things y’all. If you love even one of the things I mentioned, you’ll love this one. Perfect for fall!
Second chance love? Check. Hot photographer? Check. Banter off the rails? Check. Iceland? Check. This book is amazing and has all the things y’all. If you love even one of the things I mentioned, you’ll love this one. Perfect for fall!
October 24, 2025
Second chance romance from childhood friends to lovers featuring workplace forced proximity and JUST ONE HOT TUB. Full of emotion, depth, laughs and swoony romance. My perfect contemporary!
November 17, 2025
Thank you Berkley Romance for my copy! All thoughts are my own.
Alright, bringing back my old review style because it’s been too long. This book has been on my most anticipated list for 2025 since I saw the title. I have an obsession with the Northern Lights even though it’s likely I never see them with my own eyes. But that’s the beauty of books! I enjoyed this second chance romance and I think it’s a great wintry read if you’re not ready for full holiday. Also will be great to read in January!
Synopsis:
“Mona Miller lives her life by platitudes: she’s just fine, thanks; all good; not a problem! Everything is right as rain—even if it’s all a lie. Everyone at the travel magazine where she works knows her as a team player (in other words, the one who won’t complain about the endless fluff pieces pushed her way). But, feeling snubbed after being passed over for a promotion, Mona jumps at an international assignment to Iceland, even though she’s woefully unprepared. She’s determined to prove her worth, though, and her can-do attitude will scale any glacier. But the freelance photographer paired with her is none other than Benjamin Carter. Ben, her childhood best friend who understood her even when her family didn’t. Ben, her first love—first everything. And Ben, the boy who ghosted her fourteen years ago and left her brokenhearted. There is a decade’s worth of resentment Mona needs to ignore if she wants to make it through this trip. She’ll put on her “No worries!” façade and hold Ben at a distance. But the more time they spend together, the more the ice around her heart melts. And as those old feelings spark back to life, Mona must decide if she’s willing to go on the biggest adventure of all.” —NetGalley
What I Liked:
The Setting—Obsessed with Iceland and how it was brought to light with respect to the culture.
The Trope—I am a suck for Second Chance Romance!
The Balance of Fun & Emotion—I’ve been drawn to deeply emotional reads this year and I thought this balanced the aspects that romance readers expect in a romance novel well.
What Didn’t Work for Me:
Pacing—I found the pacing to be a bit off, as it was fast paced at the beginning and then began to drag a bit in the middle for me.
Character Authenticity: 4/5 Spice Rating: 2/5 Overall Rating: 4/5
Content Warnings:
abusive parent, abandonment, panic attacks
Alright, bringing back my old review style because it’s been too long. This book has been on my most anticipated list for 2025 since I saw the title. I have an obsession with the Northern Lights even though it’s likely I never see them with my own eyes. But that’s the beauty of books! I enjoyed this second chance romance and I think it’s a great wintry read if you’re not ready for full holiday. Also will be great to read in January!
Synopsis:
“Mona Miller lives her life by platitudes: she’s just fine, thanks; all good; not a problem! Everything is right as rain—even if it’s all a lie. Everyone at the travel magazine where she works knows her as a team player (in other words, the one who won’t complain about the endless fluff pieces pushed her way). But, feeling snubbed after being passed over for a promotion, Mona jumps at an international assignment to Iceland, even though she’s woefully unprepared. She’s determined to prove her worth, though, and her can-do attitude will scale any glacier. But the freelance photographer paired with her is none other than Benjamin Carter. Ben, her childhood best friend who understood her even when her family didn’t. Ben, her first love—first everything. And Ben, the boy who ghosted her fourteen years ago and left her brokenhearted. There is a decade’s worth of resentment Mona needs to ignore if she wants to make it through this trip. She’ll put on her “No worries!” façade and hold Ben at a distance. But the more time they spend together, the more the ice around her heart melts. And as those old feelings spark back to life, Mona must decide if she’s willing to go on the biggest adventure of all.” —NetGalley
What I Liked:
The Setting—Obsessed with Iceland and how it was brought to light with respect to the culture.
The Trope—I am a suck for Second Chance Romance!
The Balance of Fun & Emotion—I’ve been drawn to deeply emotional reads this year and I thought this balanced the aspects that romance readers expect in a romance novel well.
What Didn’t Work for Me:
Pacing—I found the pacing to be a bit off, as it was fast paced at the beginning and then began to drag a bit in the middle for me.
Character Authenticity: 4/5 Spice Rating: 2/5 Overall Rating: 4/5
Content Warnings:
abusive parent, abandonment, panic attacks
November 2, 2025
(4.5 Stars) hank you, @berkleyromance and @prhaudio for the gifted print and audio copies of this beautiful second chance romance that will make you want to book a trip to Iceland! #berkley #berkleypartner #prhaudioinfluencer
Mona Miller always dreamed of traveling the world and writing about her experiences. In some ways, she is that. She’s got a lock on the local small town fairs and food eating contests for a travel magazine but then she gets her big break to go to Iceland. Then she find out that the star independent photographer booked for the trip, the photographer her horrible boss demands she recruit to the magazine is Ben Carter. Ben Carter. Her first love. The boy that broke her heart. Now they are on a once in a lifetime trip together, and if they can heal their broken hearts, they might just get a second chance.
What a swooony, heartfelt story! Second chance is my favorite and this one is a great addition to the catalog. I loved the slow thawing between two people who have known each other since childhood and even after not seeing each other for so long, had that immediate, magnetic connection. I also really enjoyed how Oliver gave an emotional and believable twist to the third acts reveals that made us feel for both Ems and Ben. They are the kind of characters you can tell were meant to be together from their first meeting and we as readers get to enjoy the ride bumpy, slow-burn ride to their happily ever after. If this book doesn’t make you want to book a life-altering trip to Iceland, then who even are you?
🎧 Audiobook Thoughts: (10h 44m) Brittany Pressley narrates and once again does an absolutely perfect job bringing the characters to life. She poured so much heartfelt love and emotion into Ems and Ben.
Mona Miller always dreamed of traveling the world and writing about her experiences. In some ways, she is that. She’s got a lock on the local small town fairs and food eating contests for a travel magazine but then she gets her big break to go to Iceland. Then she find out that the star independent photographer booked for the trip, the photographer her horrible boss demands she recruit to the magazine is Ben Carter. Ben Carter. Her first love. The boy that broke her heart. Now they are on a once in a lifetime trip together, and if they can heal their broken hearts, they might just get a second chance.
What a swooony, heartfelt story! Second chance is my favorite and this one is a great addition to the catalog. I loved the slow thawing between two people who have known each other since childhood and even after not seeing each other for so long, had that immediate, magnetic connection. I also really enjoyed how Oliver gave an emotional and believable twist to the third acts reveals that made us feel for both Ems and Ben. They are the kind of characters you can tell were meant to be together from their first meeting and we as readers get to enjoy the ride bumpy, slow-burn ride to their happily ever after. If this book doesn’t make you want to book a life-altering trip to Iceland, then who even are you?
🎧 Audiobook Thoughts: (10h 44m) Brittany Pressley narrates and once again does an absolutely perfect job bringing the characters to life. She poured so much heartfelt love and emotion into Ems and Ben.
November 17, 2025
A must read for the Iceland setting alone! Hot springs, snowmobiling up glaciers, exploring Rainbow Street. So dreamy! I always love outdoorsy travel stories, especially when a character comically isn’t outdoorsy themselves, and this one really brought the adventure to life through journalism and photography. I was constantly pausing to look up pictures of the places they visited.
It’s been fourteen years since Mona and Ben last saw each other, and now they’re unexpectedly paired together for a work assignment in Iceland. Even though this isn’t written in a dual timeline, I could really feel the shared history and deep chemistry between them! I really liked Mona’s personal story, too. She starts out feeling like a bit of a background character in her own life, especially within her family, and I loved how her journey through Iceland, combined with Ben’s confidence in her, helped her rediscover her sense of self. It was so satisfying to see her finally get the acknowledgment she deserved.
Of course, with this being a second-chance romance, there are hidden feelings and some lack of communication. I did get frustrated with Mona a few times with her refusal to let Ben explain himself. She kept trying to brush their issues under the rug while still holding them against him. And I wanted to shake her. But really, their reasonings made sense, and I loved seeing these two finally get their long awaited HEA.
(heat level: 3 open-door scenes, mild to explicit details)
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
It’s been fourteen years since Mona and Ben last saw each other, and now they’re unexpectedly paired together for a work assignment in Iceland. Even though this isn’t written in a dual timeline, I could really feel the shared history and deep chemistry between them! I really liked Mona’s personal story, too. She starts out feeling like a bit of a background character in her own life, especially within her family, and I loved how her journey through Iceland, combined with Ben’s confidence in her, helped her rediscover her sense of self. It was so satisfying to see her finally get the acknowledgment she deserved.
Of course, with this being a second-chance romance, there are hidden feelings and some lack of communication. I did get frustrated with Mona a few times with her refusal to let Ben explain himself. She kept trying to brush their issues under the rug while still holding them against him. And I wanted to shake her. But really, their reasonings made sense, and I loved seeing these two finally get their long awaited HEA.
(heat level: 3 open-door scenes, mild to explicit details)
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read
November 29, 2025soft dnf i’ll maybe come back, but rn i just don’t care to finish
June 6, 2025
the second chance story of dreams. beautiful. mona and ben truly have a place in my heart. i admit, I didn't know this book was a debut and i'm absolutely floored. what an amazing story about falling in love with someone in the past and in the present. I loved every part of this story from the romance to the plot, to the characters self discovery journeys. this book was raw, painful and so so beautiful. I related so much to Mona and i'm so proud of her! my girl. ben also owns me. what a caring beautiful mmc. i can't wait for everyone to read this once it's out. thank you to Netgalley and Berkley for this ARC!
November 18, 2025
*googles how to plan a budget friendly trip to Iceland*
Thank you @berkleyromance & @prhaudio for the #gifted copies of "Secret Nights and Northern Lights." Extra thanks to @bookswithnopictures + @just_talking_to_my_shelf for organizing this traveling arc. [PUB DAY: OUT NOW]
I am still living rent-free in Iceland (obviously, in my head while I sweat in Florida) from reading this book. Every single destination that Mona & Ben visited, I immediately got the travel itch. I desperately n e e d to see every single inch of Iceland before I die.
This book really took me to the best places & I loved living in it but I really think a dual narration from Ben and Mona would have made the book *chefs kiss* The miscommunication from the pair & the really high walls Mona had built really kept from the extra swoon I needed. But don't let that sway you, because I adored this couple to pieces.
So, if you want to travel to the coolest places from the comfort of your own home (and on a budget) you should pick up Megan Oliver's debut today!
✨️ Second Chance
🌌 Friends to Lovers
🥾 A Trip to Iceland You'll Want To Go On
✨️ Forced Proximity
🌌 Travel Writer x Photographer
🎧 Brittany Pressley did a great job narrating this book. Her performance really added to the story! I thought she brought Mona's character to life! As I said before, I really think this story would have done well as a dual pov!
Thank you @berkleyromance & @prhaudio for the #gifted copies of "Secret Nights and Northern Lights." Extra thanks to @bookswithnopictures + @just_talking_to_my_shelf for organizing this traveling arc. [PUB DAY: OUT NOW]
I am still living rent-free in Iceland (obviously, in my head while I sweat in Florida) from reading this book. Every single destination that Mona & Ben visited, I immediately got the travel itch. I desperately n e e d to see every single inch of Iceland before I die.
This book really took me to the best places & I loved living in it but I really think a dual narration from Ben and Mona would have made the book *chefs kiss* The miscommunication from the pair & the really high walls Mona had built really kept from the extra swoon I needed. But don't let that sway you, because I adored this couple to pieces.
So, if you want to travel to the coolest places from the comfort of your own home (and on a budget) you should pick up Megan Oliver's debut today!
✨️ Second Chance
🌌 Friends to Lovers
🥾 A Trip to Iceland You'll Want To Go On
✨️ Forced Proximity
🌌 Travel Writer x Photographer
🎧 Brittany Pressley did a great job narrating this book. Her performance really added to the story! I thought she brought Mona's character to life! As I said before, I really think this story would have done well as a dual pov!
November 14, 2025
Secret Nights and Northern Lights is a sweet second-chance romance set against the breathtaking backdrop of Iceland. Megan Oliver beautifully captures the country’s charm, weaving in vivid descriptions of its landscapes that will leave readers itching to add Iceland to their travel wish list. At the heart of the story is an endearing, thoughtful MMC whose presence makes the romance all the more engaging.
Ben was easily my favorite part of this story. He’s attentive and deeply caring toward Mona, consistently showing her respect even through her moments of hot and cold. What made him stand out most, though, was how unafraid he was of his own feelings. You can tell he’s done the work on himself, and that personal growth makes him an incredibly compelling and admirable MMC.
I did, unfortunately have two issues with the story.
First, the 14–year gap between Mona and Ben’s last interaction. I appreciated that the book didn’t use a dual past/present timeline - instead, readers got to watch their relationship unfold in real time with just a few flashbacks, which kept the focus on their present selves. But the sheer length of their separation made it hard for me to buy into how quickly they rekindled their love. A week simply didn’t feel long enough to relearn each other’s nuances and build genuine affection in their current lives, especially when so much of that week was clouded by animosity. At times, their connection felt rooted more in nostalgia than in real compatibility.
My second struggle was with Mona herself. I think I would have enjoyed the story more if her anxiety had been at the forefront of her challenges with Ben. Instead, the conflict often came down to miscommunication and her unwillingness to hear his side of the story. She tended to focus only on her own feelings, and after learning the real reason behind Ben ghosting her years ago, her refusal to engage with him made her come across as selfish. While her behavior could certainly be linked to anxiety, the book only explicitly acknowledges this in the epilogue - by then, her growth felt somewhat abrupt and underdeveloped. Because of this, Mona often read more juvenile than a woman in her early thirties. I would have been more invested if the narrative had leaned into her anxiety as the central hurdle she and Ben needed to work through together.
Overall, this was a solid debut. Though I wasn’t fully engaged with one of the characters, the vivid setting and Oliver’s heartfelt writing make me curious to see what she does next.
Thank you to Netgalley, Megan Oliver and Berkley Publishing Group for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.
Ben was easily my favorite part of this story. He’s attentive and deeply caring toward Mona, consistently showing her respect even through her moments of hot and cold. What made him stand out most, though, was how unafraid he was of his own feelings. You can tell he’s done the work on himself, and that personal growth makes him an incredibly compelling and admirable MMC.
I did, unfortunately have two issues with the story.
First, the 14–year gap between Mona and Ben’s last interaction. I appreciated that the book didn’t use a dual past/present timeline - instead, readers got to watch their relationship unfold in real time with just a few flashbacks, which kept the focus on their present selves. But the sheer length of their separation made it hard for me to buy into how quickly they rekindled their love. A week simply didn’t feel long enough to relearn each other’s nuances and build genuine affection in their current lives, especially when so much of that week was clouded by animosity. At times, their connection felt rooted more in nostalgia than in real compatibility.
My second struggle was with Mona herself. I think I would have enjoyed the story more if her anxiety had been at the forefront of her challenges with Ben. Instead, the conflict often came down to miscommunication and her unwillingness to hear his side of the story. She tended to focus only on her own feelings, and after learning the real reason behind Ben ghosting her years ago, her refusal to engage with him made her come across as selfish. While her behavior could certainly be linked to anxiety, the book only explicitly acknowledges this in the epilogue - by then, her growth felt somewhat abrupt and underdeveloped. Because of this, Mona often read more juvenile than a woman in her early thirties. I would have been more invested if the narrative had leaned into her anxiety as the central hurdle she and Ben needed to work through together.
Overall, this was a solid debut. Though I wasn’t fully engaged with one of the characters, the vivid setting and Oliver’s heartfelt writing make me curious to see what she does next.
Thank you to Netgalley, Megan Oliver and Berkley Publishing Group for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.
December 22, 2025
Mona Miller, a travel magazine writer, has finally been offered the career opportunity of a lifetime, to cover a trip to Iceland. But there's a catch...the photographer is Benjamin Carter, her childhood best friend and first love who ghosted her fourteen years ago.
I wonder what will happen under the northern lights… 😉
My thoughts:
Secret Nights and Northern Lights had me dreaming of Iceland. The setting was absolutely spectacular. The detailed descriptions made me feel like I was exploring the country myself, and it’s now officially at the top of my bucket list! ❄️
That said, the story structure felt a bit like a checklist, hopping from tourist attraction to dialogue repeatedly. I wish it was more cohesive. I also struggled with Mona not letting Ben explain himself. He clearly wants to make amends, but her refusal to listen felt immature and frustrating.
Overall, if you love a dreamy travel destination and second-chance romances, this book has its charms—but the pacing and character choices may not be for everyone.
I wonder what will happen under the northern lights… 😉
My thoughts:
Secret Nights and Northern Lights had me dreaming of Iceland. The setting was absolutely spectacular. The detailed descriptions made me feel like I was exploring the country myself, and it’s now officially at the top of my bucket list! ❄️
That said, the story structure felt a bit like a checklist, hopping from tourist attraction to dialogue repeatedly. I wish it was more cohesive. I also struggled with Mona not letting Ben explain himself. He clearly wants to make amends, but her refusal to listen felt immature and frustrating.
Overall, if you love a dreamy travel destination and second-chance romances, this book has its charms—but the pacing and character choices may not be for everyone.
September 8, 2025
*3.5 stars! Second chance romance with lots of adventure, a cozy Icelandic setting and forced proximity.
Mona works as a journalist and has recently been recruited by her boss to go to Iceland, along with a photographer.
What she doesn’t expect- is that she has met this photographer before.
Ben broke her heart 14 years ago, and she hasn’t seen him since.
Now, she is forced to go on a trip with him, and she discovers he might not be as bad as she’s always thought.
So, I really liked the premise of this book.
And, for the most part, I thought it was executed well. Apart from one thing that I will explain below.
Positives first:
I really liked the location of this!
We get to hear about a ton of icelandic places and scenery, which I thought was so fun.
I personally love a travel-themed story! I think it adds a lot of uniqueness and I feel like I always learn something new.
I thought that Ben was a good character.
He was nice and supportive to Mona, and seemed really open and willing to communicate and wanted to work through their past.
Also, I loved the way that both he and Mona helped each other through their individual anxiety-induced moments.
The writing is another plus here!
Simple, easy to read and engaging. It has a very nice flow and kept me entertained throughout.
Sadly, I think mona really took away from this story.
She spent the majority of the story refusing to communicate.
She also complains a lot. Which in itself, doesn’t bother me that much. But, I couldn’t shake the feeling that all of her complaints revolved around her not being the center of attention.
These are two personality traits that I just struggled to vibe with, and it just made me feel disconnected from her and her role here.
Overall, I thought the story was good, and I liked the setting and plot. Though, I wish Mona’s character was written differently.
I do think it is worth the read though, especially for the super fun and cozy setting!
Huge thank you to Netgalley, Berkley Publishing Group and author Megan Oliver for providing me with the eARC of “Secret Nights and Northern Lights”, in exchange for my honest review!
Publication date: November 18, 2025
Mona works as a journalist and has recently been recruited by her boss to go to Iceland, along with a photographer.
What she doesn’t expect- is that she has met this photographer before.
Ben broke her heart 14 years ago, and she hasn’t seen him since.
Now, she is forced to go on a trip with him, and she discovers he might not be as bad as she’s always thought.
So, I really liked the premise of this book.
And, for the most part, I thought it was executed well. Apart from one thing that I will explain below.
Positives first:
I really liked the location of this!
We get to hear about a ton of icelandic places and scenery, which I thought was so fun.
I personally love a travel-themed story! I think it adds a lot of uniqueness and I feel like I always learn something new.
I thought that Ben was a good character.
He was nice and supportive to Mona, and seemed really open and willing to communicate and wanted to work through their past.
Also, I loved the way that both he and Mona helped each other through their individual anxiety-induced moments.
The writing is another plus here!
Simple, easy to read and engaging. It has a very nice flow and kept me entertained throughout.
Sadly, I think mona really took away from this story.
She spent the majority of the story refusing to communicate.
She also complains a lot. Which in itself, doesn’t bother me that much. But, I couldn’t shake the feeling that all of her complaints revolved around her not being the center of attention.
These are two personality traits that I just struggled to vibe with, and it just made me feel disconnected from her and her role here.
Overall, I thought the story was good, and I liked the setting and plot. Though, I wish Mona’s character was written differently.
I do think it is worth the read though, especially for the super fun and cozy setting!
Huge thank you to Netgalley, Berkley Publishing Group and author Megan Oliver for providing me with the eARC of “Secret Nights and Northern Lights”, in exchange for my honest review!
Publication date: November 18, 2025
December 9, 2025
brb booking a trip to iceland!!!! what a lovely debut!!! the author did such an amazing job making me feel like i was there exploring iceland with mona and ben. i felt really immersed into the setting and culture going on adventures. ben was so sweet and very attentive to mona. i will say mona had some difficulty opening up to her emotions and communicating but as someone with anxiety, i understand that’s not always easy to do. i’m excited to see what megan writes next!
mona lives her life by platitudes: she’s just fine, thanks; all good; not a problem! everyone at the travel magazine where she works knows her as a team player but, feeling snubbed after being passed over for a promotion, she jumps at an international assignment to iceland, even though she’s woefully unprepared. she’s determined to prove her worth, though, and her can-do attitude will scale any glacier. the freelance photographer paired with her is none other than benjamin, her childhood best friend who understood her even when her family didn’t. ben, her first love and the boy who ghosted her fourteen years ago and left her brokenhearted. the more time they spend together, the more the ice around her heart melts.
tropes: former childhood best friends to strangers, 10 days together in iceland, second chance, only one hot tub, forced proximity, work trip, travel magazine writer x photographer, anxiety rep, childhood trauma rep
content warnings: anxiety/panic attack
❄️🏔️🧳🐑📷
mona lives her life by platitudes: she’s just fine, thanks; all good; not a problem! everyone at the travel magazine where she works knows her as a team player but, feeling snubbed after being passed over for a promotion, she jumps at an international assignment to iceland, even though she’s woefully unprepared. she’s determined to prove her worth, though, and her can-do attitude will scale any glacier. the freelance photographer paired with her is none other than benjamin, her childhood best friend who understood her even when her family didn’t. ben, her first love and the boy who ghosted her fourteen years ago and left her brokenhearted. the more time they spend together, the more the ice around her heart melts.
tropes: former childhood best friends to strangers, 10 days together in iceland, second chance, only one hot tub, forced proximity, work trip, travel magazine writer x photographer, anxiety rep, childhood trauma rep
content warnings: anxiety/panic attack
❄️🏔️🧳🐑📷
June 15, 2025
What an incredible debut novel! I am so impressed with Megan Oliver and can’t believe this is her first book. The writing was fantastic, the setting was a dream, and Ben was the perfect love interest. Add this one to your TBR, especially if you’re a fan of a second chance romance.
Iceland is the third main character of this novel and Oliver captures its vast otherworldliness beautifully. Like Mona, Iceland was my first time traveling abroad and I, too, just word vomited “oh my god, oh my god, oh my god” at each new vista. There were times I would laugh hysterically because I couldn’t comprehend its beauty. This book took me right back—which I loved. If you like stories with a strong sense of place, make sure to pick this one up asap.
Another highlight was Ben. A dream of a man! If you want longing, if you want respect and admiration, if you want acts of service in your MMC? Ben! Will! Deliver! Also, thank you, Megan Oliver, for describing him right off the bat as having a Tim Riggins vibe. That is who I pictured the entire book and I was NOT mad about it.
I will say that I wasn’t Mona’s biggest fan in the beginning. But, I do think she showed a lot of growth by the end of the story. Some of the things that annoyed me most in the story were wrapped up in a satisfying way by the end.
I also loved that Oliver winked at the One Bed trope (it’s one of my favorites.)
If this is the first of a series (fingers crossed!), I will definitely be reading the follow ups. Second chance isn’t my favorite trope, so I can’t wait to see what she does with something like say - enemies to lovers? This was a great debut and I can 100% see Oliver becoming a romcom powerhouse!
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Romance for my advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
Iceland is the third main character of this novel and Oliver captures its vast otherworldliness beautifully. Like Mona, Iceland was my first time traveling abroad and I, too, just word vomited “oh my god, oh my god, oh my god” at each new vista. There were times I would laugh hysterically because I couldn’t comprehend its beauty. This book took me right back—which I loved. If you like stories with a strong sense of place, make sure to pick this one up asap.
Another highlight was Ben. A dream of a man! If you want longing, if you want respect and admiration, if you want acts of service in your MMC? Ben! Will! Deliver! Also, thank you, Megan Oliver, for describing him right off the bat as having a Tim Riggins vibe. That is who I pictured the entire book and I was NOT mad about it.
I will say that I wasn’t Mona’s biggest fan in the beginning. But, I do think she showed a lot of growth by the end of the story. Some of the things that annoyed me most in the story were wrapped up in a satisfying way by the end.
I also loved that Oliver winked at the One Bed trope (it’s one of my favorites.)
If this is the first of a series (fingers crossed!), I will definitely be reading the follow ups. Second chance isn’t my favorite trope, so I can’t wait to see what she does with something like say - enemies to lovers? This was a great debut and I can 100% see Oliver becoming a romcom powerhouse!
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Romance for my advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
November 19, 2025
i absolutely ate UP this adorable second chance romance between a travel journalist and a photographer who are forced to travel to iceland together for work!! i loved mona as a character, she was so realistic and i felt that i could really relate to her struggles. i love a good childhood love story turned to heartbreak back to together again!! it just always hits and this was no disappointment. this ending had me tearing up so much it was just so good and the way these characters were written had me SO attached to them i wasn’t ready to say goodbye to their story. this is such a sweet book that i feel like a lot of people will relate to. i highly recommend grabbing this one!
December 9, 2025
Secret Nights and Northern Lights is the perfect blend of travel and romance. Having never been to Iceland, I was amazed by how well Oliver captured the essence of the land and natural beauty. I could envision the treacherous hikes, stunning waterfalls, gurgling lava, and yes, even the aurora!
I loved Ben. It was clear from the jump that he had a troubled past that he had worked hard to overcome. His history with Mona unfolded perfectly and I loved the second-chance romance aspect. Mona was an acquired taste for me but I did come to love her by the end. The mixed signals, emotional warfare, and debilitating anxiety often irked me so I was happy for her growth and character development.
I appreciated that there was a little bit of spice (not too over the top), tension, and oh so much chemistry. Like most romances, Secret Nights gives us a third act breakup though it deviated slightly from what I was expecting which was a nice plus. The travel component is what really made this novel unique and extra special for me so if you love a breathtaking setting coupled with some steam and romance, this is one you won't want to miss.
Thank you to Berkley for the copy. Secret Nights and Northern Lights is available now!
I loved Ben. It was clear from the jump that he had a troubled past that he had worked hard to overcome. His history with Mona unfolded perfectly and I loved the second-chance romance aspect. Mona was an acquired taste for me but I did come to love her by the end. The mixed signals, emotional warfare, and debilitating anxiety often irked me so I was happy for her growth and character development.
I appreciated that there was a little bit of spice (not too over the top), tension, and oh so much chemistry. Like most romances, Secret Nights gives us a third act breakup though it deviated slightly from what I was expecting which was a nice plus. The travel component is what really made this novel unique and extra special for me so if you love a breathtaking setting coupled with some steam and romance, this is one you won't want to miss.
Thank you to Berkley for the copy. Secret Nights and Northern Lights is available now!
Read
October 15, 2025There are two things I want in a travel romance and don’t always get: First, to feel like I’m THERE, fully immersed in the place, whether it’s somewhere I’ve been, a place I dream of visiting, or even a place that wasn’t previously on my radar. And second, for the journey to be as much an emotional one as it is a physical one. Travel can be both life-changing and life-affirming, and I love reading about those experiences. Secret Nights and Northern Lights hit the nail on the head in both of these aspects. I’ve always been curious about Iceland, and the author made me feel like I was really there with Mona and Ben. I could picture the dramatic landscapes, and feel Mona’s awe and delight (and fear) at many of the things she witnessed. I also really appreciated Mona’s emotional journey, how she stepped outside her comfort zone again and again, and learned that she was stronger and more capable than she ever gave herself credit for. These things translated into her real life once she got back home in the way she went after the things she wanted, and spoke up about things that bothered her.
December 8, 2025
Iceland is on my bucket list, especially to see the Northern Lights so when I saw this title, I grabbed it on Netgalley. It is certainly a love letter to Iceland! Mona and Ben are a second chance romance, their past story unfolding s they're together again. Mona drove me a little crazy. She was unwilling to face hard conversations and changed her mind multiple times a day. I did admire the anxiety representation in her and Ben's stories. There's a little spice and good character growth. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy!
November 26, 2025
This was so good I went to check her back catalog, and nothing! This is her debut. Phenomenal
November 8, 2025
Immediately sold me on the mmc by comparing him to Tim Riggins and immediately lost me by having an emotionally immature fmc that completely lacks self awareness and communication skills.
There was some growth in the end, but I really would have liked to see it earlier in the book. I think maybe this would have worked better with younger characters (think college-aged) as this behaviour seemed super unrealistic for people in their 30’s.
I have to say, this one was really disappointing for me. I was super excited to read it because the main characters working in travel journalism seemed really cool. Also, Iceland is an awesome setting for a book. Unfortunately, it fell flat for me with a slow plot and a main character that I couldn’t connect with.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Romance for the ARC. This review is an honest representation of my reading experience.
There was some growth in the end, but I really would have liked to see it earlier in the book. I think maybe this would have worked better with younger characters (think college-aged) as this behaviour seemed super unrealistic for people in their 30’s.
I have to say, this one was really disappointing for me. I was super excited to read it because the main characters working in travel journalism seemed really cool. Also, Iceland is an awesome setting for a book. Unfortunately, it fell flat for me with a slow plot and a main character that I couldn’t connect with.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Romance for the ARC. This review is an honest representation of my reading experience.
November 3, 2025
Secret Nights and Northern Lights is a second chance romance. Mona is a writer for a travel company who has been waiting for her big international break, when it finally comes after her bosses last resort she is paired with freelance photographer Benjamin; who her boss loves. The only problem? Benjamin is Mona’s childhood friend who left her broken hearted. What’s worse? Not only does her job lay on the line but now she’s tasked with recruiting Benjamin for the company all while in international territory she’s not wholly prepared for.
I went into this book not expecting much, just a cute easy romance. However I was unfamiliar with Megan Oliver’s game. From the beginning this drew me in I started three days before my thirty-sixth birthday and let me tell you that first paragraph hit like a truck.
“There’s a cold hard truth no one mentions about turning thirty-one: Nobody cares, yourself included. The youthful romanticism of one’s twenties has passed. The pain of crossing the bridge into “real adulthood” at thirty has faded. And all that’s left is the overwhelming sense that time passes faster and faster, the birthdays less meaningful each year, the individual days of the week racing by in a dulled blur.”
I felt immediate connection to Mona, not just for the birthday thing (granted that was a big part in the beginning) but because she felt so… real. And that’s hard to come by in characters these days, at least for me. Megan Oliver tackles trauma, anxiety and panic attacks, and character growth in a way I did not expect from a contemporary romance. Not only do our characters fight for want they want, they overcome the struggles that have been plaguing them for years. And they do it together.
Our story takes place in Iceland and it’s honestly like another character all together. It is incredibly clear the love Megan Oliver has for the country. There were times when I stopped reading to look up how much flights to Reykjavik were ($600 from NYC). I fell in love with Iceland all over again.
Overall Secret Nights and Northern Lights was a phenomenal end of year read and it’s incredible to realize this was a debut. Mona will stay with me, and I will keep my eye on Megan Oliver as her career continues to flourish.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the arc.
I went into this book not expecting much, just a cute easy romance. However I was unfamiliar with Megan Oliver’s game. From the beginning this drew me in I started three days before my thirty-sixth birthday and let me tell you that first paragraph hit like a truck.
“There’s a cold hard truth no one mentions about turning thirty-one: Nobody cares, yourself included. The youthful romanticism of one’s twenties has passed. The pain of crossing the bridge into “real adulthood” at thirty has faded. And all that’s left is the overwhelming sense that time passes faster and faster, the birthdays less meaningful each year, the individual days of the week racing by in a dulled blur.”
I felt immediate connection to Mona, not just for the birthday thing (granted that was a big part in the beginning) but because she felt so… real. And that’s hard to come by in characters these days, at least for me. Megan Oliver tackles trauma, anxiety and panic attacks, and character growth in a way I did not expect from a contemporary romance. Not only do our characters fight for want they want, they overcome the struggles that have been plaguing them for years. And they do it together.
Our story takes place in Iceland and it’s honestly like another character all together. It is incredibly clear the love Megan Oliver has for the country. There were times when I stopped reading to look up how much flights to Reykjavik were ($600 from NYC). I fell in love with Iceland all over again.
Overall Secret Nights and Northern Lights was a phenomenal end of year read and it’s incredible to realize this was a debut. Mona will stay with me, and I will keep my eye on Megan Oliver as her career continues to flourish.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the arc.
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