That First Night

by Estie Enders

Moving in with a hot stranger wasn’t how Nell Chatham thought she’d start her senior year at Sonnet University. But, when her roommates unexpectedly boot her from their dorm, and there’s an untimely mold-induced housing crisis on campus, she’s left with one option: to call the barely legible number that Bob from Housing found lodged under a stack of papers.

A month ago, Corbin McCann was in his hometown, mowing his high school ex-girlfriend’s grandmother's lawn (for free) when he caught his girlfriend kissing a man across the street. Suddenly realizing he’d been played on multiple fronts, he applied to a college in Sonnet, Virginia, to finish his graduate degree, bought a house on the Chetta River, and moved for a fresh start.

Focusing on himself seemed like a brilliant idea, but that was before he laid eyes on his new roommate.

Accidental cuddling during movie night, dancing in the dark, and listening as Nell spills her secrets become Corbin's favorite hobbies. Just as their friendship blooms and their chemistry intensifies, a class assignment thrusts Corbin as the lead in a campus-wide dating show while Nell works behind the scenes.

Corbin can’t be the man Nell deserves while fake-dating other women, but with Nell sticking around after the botched dates, lines get blurred.

306 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 11, 2025

Reviews

[Claire Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

That First Night is book two in the Chetta River Series and follows Corbin and Nell’s story—and honestly, it gave me total guilty pleasure vibes. Think college setting, a bachelor-style competition, and a whole lot of mean girl IE drama.

I really enjoyed this book as a whole. Nell and Corbin’s loyalty to each other was such a standout—they had amazing chemistry, witty banter, and a slowww burn that kept me hooked from start to finish. It was fun, refreshing, and exactly the kind of story you can just sink into and enjoy. Thank you for the ARC Estie Enders!

[Ashly · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️/5 [The spice was veryminimal, and not detailed]
📚 Book #2 in the "Chetta River" series of interconnected standalones
📕 Book 1 If You're Ready
🗣️ Dual POV
🖤 M/F

We meet Corbin in his sister Fallon's book "If You're Ready", and we get to fall in love a little with his protectiveness and willingness to help anyone who asks him. His people pleasing characteristics actually cause him a lot of stress and heartbreak which is where "That First Night" picks up!

We actually start out with meeting Nell, and are thrust into her getting dumped out of her dorm by her so called friends. She is forced then to find another room asap, but the only room that could be avail is Corbin's room in the house he purchased after he leaves Jubilee for a fresh start.

Obviously Corbin and Nell hit it off, and there is a lot of cute roommate banter, and a sweet love story that beings to form through hand written post it notes [cause he's obviously not a killer who would attack her while she sleeps]. There is a sub plot of "The Batchelor" that is also going on that complicates things for Corbin & Nell but you'll need to read the story to understand cause no spoilers here!!

Please be officially warned that this is a slow burn romance, and when I say slow burn...I mean freaking glacial pace...like literally no actual spice until 95% in the book...Its also not detailed, but its not closed door it just quick and not descriptive. So if you are here for 50/50 spice to plot, or anything more than that, skip this book or just set your expectations. I was expecting more, as this wasnt the same ratio that we got in "If You're Ready" but I still liked the story non the less.

I also like how we were setup in the Epilogue for Oak & Olive's story, and while I did see that coming a mile away, I did not see the bomb that was dropped...Im here for their second chance romance.


Tropes:
🖤 Small Town Romance
🎀 Glacial slow burn
🖤 Secret Romance
🎀 Roommates to Friends to Lovers
🖤 Banter

[FA5TI · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a total emotional rollercoaster! From shy moments to pure charm, cuteness, love, and even hate—you feel everything in the funniest way possible.

Honestly, I really loved reading about Nell and Corbin. They are imo one of the most real couples I’ve come across in a while. They both have their own share of baggage and insecurities. Watching them figure it all out, fall in love, and work through their problems together was... beautiful. They were so sweet, and kinda relatable.

I was rooting for them the whole time, and the way they grow to love each other was everything. It made the whole journey feel so genuine and good.

Thank you to Grey’s Promotions and the author for the e-arc.

[Alexia Gauthier · Rating 4 out of 5]

It started with a housing crisis 🏡…

4 ⭐️ | 1.75 🌶️

When a housing disaster and a barely legible phone number throw Nell Chatham into the orbit of Corbin McCann, sparks eventually fly (emphasis on eventually).

That First Night by Estie Enders is the second installment in the Chetta River Series, and my first foray into her world of sweet, small-town chaos. It’s got all the warm-and-fuzzy comfort of a college rom-com: late-night movie cuddles, whispered confessions, and that delicious “oh no, I caught feelings for my roommate” tension, but it’s definitely more about emotional growth than steamy encounters.

Corbin is the definition of a cinnamon-roll MMC: disciplined, a little bruised by love, and completely undone by the sunshine that is Nell. Nell, on the other hand, is navigating the messy side of early adulthood: finding her footing, her worth, and her voice. Together, they stumble (adorably) through awkward roommate moments and heart-swooping chemistry that builds at a snail’s pace but feels real.

Tropes on the menu? Roommates-to-lovers ✅ Small town charm ✅ Secret romance ✅ Slow burn (like… glacially slow) ✅

While the story had me hooked with its cozy pacing and heartfelt connection, I have to mention the editing hiccups: wrong names, misplaced punctuation, and typos that occasionally pulled me out of the moment. Hopefully those get tidied up before release, because the story itself deserves it.

A comforting, feel-good romance that leaves you rooting for both characters to not just find love, but also themselves.

Thank you to Grey’s Promotions for the e-ARC, and best of luck to Estie Enders on her upcoming release (November 11th)!

[Amber - Mood Readers Anonymous · Rating 4 out of 5]

Last night I saw a shooting star, and not knowing what else to say, I wished for something I didn’t know I needed. Nell just might be that.

Nell has just been unceremoniously dumped by her roommates—on move-in day of her senior year, no less. Scrambling to find last-minute housing, she’s given the number of Corbin, a grad student looking for a roommate off campus. From their very first meeting, you could feel the tension. And after that first night? You’ll be screaming for them to finally give in!

The slow burn in this book was so good. Sure, the characters could be a little immature at times, but it totally fits their age and where they’re at in life. The dual POV worked perfectly here—without it, you’d draw completely different conclusions about what’s really going on.

And the callbacks to Estie’s previous book, If You’re Ready? I ate those up. Just like that one, this story completely hooked me from start to finish.

Big thanks to Grey’s Promotions and Estie Enders for the ARC. All thoughts expressed in this review are my own.

[Imogen Dior · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked That First Night. Nell and Corbin were good characters who had chemistry and connection from the start. I like Corbin quite a bit and thought he was a good character who had a good head on his shoulders and was very caring to those who meant something to him. I also enjoyed how he tried a lot of different things and was a bit of a jack of all trades. I liked getting to know Nell and you could see how badly she wanted connections with people. Personally, i felt their communication could’ve been better and it would’ve resolved a lot of issues and found them a bit immature at times. I also feel like more character development was needed.

[Sweet treats and Smutty reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

That First Night by Estie Enders transports us to Sonnet University along the Chetta River.

In book two of the Chetta River series, we meet Nell and Corbin. After a housing situation gone wrong, Nell reaches out to a stranger to look for a place to stay for the semester. When Corbin answers the call for a wanted roommate, he has no idea the pull Nell will have on them.

The plot of this book takes place during the fall semester as he two share a class where they create a Bachelor style competition. Except when Corbin, is done with his fake dates, it’s Nell he seeks comfort in.

With tropes like age gap (27-22), forced proximity, fake dating and friends to lovers, you will absolutely fall for Nell and Corbin.

[Amber Sutton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: That First Night (Chetta River #2) by Estie Enders

Genre: Romance

Tropes:
- Small Town
- Slow Burn
- Secret Romance
- Roommates to Lovers
- University setting

Spice Level: 🌶️ (Light on spice level, emotionally charged)

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐



⸻



✨ Summary:

"If you wreck me one day, it will all be worth it."
Can two strangers, possibly at rock bottom, find the one thing they weren't look for.....love?

Nell Chatham is unceremoniously kicked to the curb by her roommates of the last 3 years. It's her senior year and she has nowhere to live! After obtaining possibly her last option, she meets Corbin McCann.

Corbin left his small town after watching his girlfriend (at the time) making out with someone....that was not him. He went to Chetta to start over. Maybe as someone who is a doormat to everyone around town. Even though he is a jack of all trades, so to say, he wants something different. He put an ad out there for the extra space he had in his new house. Maybe he would get a cool, fun, male roommate he can become friends with. Then Nell calls....

Will the close proximity and underlying electricity be another problem for both of them.....or something more?

⸻

💫 My Thoughts:

Plot / Storyline: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ – The plot was fun. I feel good romance where you can see the gradual build between the roommates. Stolen touches, secret looks. We love a man who stands up for the girl in his life, too. I was kicking my feet and smiling through out the book. It was truly a romantic comedy at it's finest.

Worldbuilding: ⭐⭐⭐ - The detail was excellent. You could feel the scenes Estie betrayed through out the book and it felt real. I'm always a fan of a book I can easily illustrate in my mind, and Estie did that.

Romance & Chemistry: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – OMG! The tension, longing, lusting, all of the above was impeccable. What is a slow burn without the hair pulling build up!

Characters: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – I loved Nell. She was funny and smart. A total bad-ass that just needed a push and some confidence to be herself. Corbin.....swoooooonnnnn!

Ending: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Very sweet. Maybe slightly expected, but everything I wanted it to be. There were some shocking moments at the end that threw me for a loop, but everything came together.

Not going to lie.... I'm EXTREMELY excited for book # 3. It better be Olive and Oak's story!!

⸻

❤️ What I Loved:

• The friendship Nell and Corbin created felt extremely genuine. The relationship wasn't just lust. They actually got to know each other. It felt real.

• The friendship between Corbin and Oak. Total bromance. I couldn't decide who I was more in love with

• Nice change from the "total alphahole playboy vibe"


⚠️ Content Warnings: mild bullying, sexually explicit scenes



📖 Read If You Love:

Meghan Quinn, Rebecca Jenshak, Jennifer Sucevic, Anne-Marie Meyer

[Erin Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nell x Corbin 🤍

3.5⭐️ 1.5🌶️
The second book in the Chetta River series, this story follows Corbin (Fallon’s brother from book 1) and Nell, a senior at Sonnet University.

This was a cute and wholesome story. Nell was super relatable to me. She just wants to be accepted and make friends, but finds herself with the wrong people over and over (I so badly wanted to throat punch the IE’s).
Corbin is new to town after he needed a fresh start and is working toward an internship through the University. He has a room for rent and she desperately needs a place to stay.

So much tension, awkward roommate situations, sweet little moments, and the sloooooowest burn ever. Can I mention he calls her baby when he thinks she’s asleep just to see how it feels? 🥹 I adored how they became friends and were loyal to each other, especially during the whole Bachelor style project they get assigned in their social media class (and guess who gets forced into being Bachelor, having to fake date other girls)…

𝘠𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘦𝘤𝘵. 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘮𝘦 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘯𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵.

Corbin’s bff Oak is hilarious and I love that we got to meet him and spend more time with him. I also loved Bugg. That guy was such an interesting character lol

You don’t need to read the first book to understand this one, although I highly recommend it because it’s really good!

Ma’am, the second epilogue?! I am SO EXCITED for book 3 already!

Thank you to Estie Enders and Grey’s Promo for the opportunity to read this ARC.

🗓️ ℝ𝕖𝕝𝕖𝕒𝕤𝕖 𝕕𝕒𝕥𝕖: 𝟙𝟙.𝟙𝟙.𝟚𝟘𝟚𝟝

[Susan (Purplegalaxyreads94) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Huge thank you to greys promo and to Estie Enders for the gifted eARC copy in exchange for my honest and spoiler free review.

That First Night follows the story of Nell, a girl who finds herself without a place to live during her last year of college. Her friends replaced her with someone else and she ends up getting the contact information of a man named Corbin who was renting the upstairs part of his home. The two of them become roommates and along the way end up having a class together and sparks start to fly. (That’s as much as I’m willing to give without spoiling anything for anyone!)

I absolutely adored this book. It was such a feel good, cute little romance book that honestly had me smiling the entire time. Corbin and Nell are the epitome of being the perfect match for each other and witnessing all of their cute moments is something I’ll never forget. The slow burn romance was so satisfying even with the reality tv show trope that is involved (you will learn more about that when you read this book for yourself!). I loved pretty much all of the characters except for the IE’s as they are referred to in this story. Oak, Livvy, Bugg, Nell’s parents and even Corbin’s parents were all amazing people and I loved the little found family that they all managed to create together. If you are looking for a sweet, slow burn that will have you cheering for the main couple, then look no further! That First Night is definitely the book for you!

[Sílvia [ silviasbooknook ] · Rating 5 out of 5]

Back to Chetta River 🥰

I had been eagerly waiting for this book ever since finishing the first one.
And what a lovely surprise it was to discover that the protagonist would be Corbin, our Fallon’s brother.

I absolutely loved 'If You Break', such an emotional, painful, and yet beautiful romance. ❤️‍🩹
This one? Equally wonderful.

Corbin has a broken heart after his girlfriend’s betrayal.
At the same time, he feels the need to please everyone, always putting himself second.

Nell, on the other hand, was betrayed by the people she called “friends,” which left her feeling lonely and incapable of maintaining friendships because she didn’t quite fit in.

I adored their dynamic right from the start, both fun, enthusiastic, and full of love to give. 😍

As their friendship evolves, we see each of their insecurities come to the surface, and yes… it made me shed a few tears.🥹

This book arrived at exactly the right time. 🥹

A charming, simple, drama-free love story. ❤️

Two people, afraid of being abandoned again, who found in each other a safe place where they can truly be themselves.

The author conveys this love so beautifully and delicately.
I often found myself smiling while reading. 🤭

I laughed, I cried, and I fell in love with the whole family created in this book. 🥰

Estie, thank you for another warm hug for the heart ❤️

I know the next one will be tougher and will probably break my heart, but I can’t wait to read Livvy and Oak’s story. ❤️‍🩹

[Tara Bowen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute story about Nell and Corbin. Nell shows up to college for another year to find out her roommates had replaced her with someone else. She couldn't get into another dorm or find other roommates because of how late it was and there was a waiting list. She was able to get a number from her advisor for someone with a house that was looking for a roommate. The person with the house, is Corbin.
They have an immediate attraction and flirtation going on. They connect hard and fast, but things get drawn out because of a class they have together. The class has to do a project and ends up doing a version of the bachelor. Corbin, being the only male in the class, ends up being the bachelor. Nell's old roommates are involved, and it carries on for far too long, in my opinion. Things finally come to an end when the class project is complete, and he has to pick his final girl for the end of the project.
It was a good read, but for me, it was a little fast of a love story considering these two had been strangers when they first met. The school project was weird to me and seemed a bit far-fetched.
Thanks to Grey's promotions and the author, Estie Enders, for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC.

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was entertaining from the start, with characters you enjoyed and some you wanted to throat punch. The IEs were evil and petty mean girls. Corbin, Nell, Livvy, Oak, and Bugg were the highlights of this story. The banter between Nell and Corbin, their half dates, and chemistry 😍🤌🏽.

The only thing I can complain about was how they finally got together felt rushed to me. The pace was just different from everything that lead up to it. But! I loved reading the story of the college bachelor that didn't really want to be on the dating show because he secretly fell for his roomie. Watching their relationship develop felt authentic. The taste testing recipes, dancing in the kitchen, movie nights, and post it's....I adored it all.

🫶🏾 Lines I Loved:
I wore New Balances today, for f---s sake. I'm getting old. And I don't give a f--- about it.

Sometimes being a girl sucks. So many feelings, so many questions, and no explanations.

People arent cookie cutters, remember? Life has a way of figuring itself out.

I'm too old for this sh--. I didn't like high school pettiness when I was in high school.

If moonshine can make a boy a man, then moonshine can make a man a smart one...God's a smart one. He must've had a lot of moonshine

[Sarah Marshall · Rating 3 out of 5]

For the most part, I really enjoyed this story.
I loved how the relationship developed. I love that it wasn’t built on lust/sex/ attraction. They were kind, open and caring towards each other and really leaned into their friendship. It was so sweet and very fun to read. I love a good post-it note exchange! And Margarita Mondays was so cute!

But: there were just so many unrelated elements to the story that did not work for me.
- their ages… I don’t even know. They acted so young at times but then… too old too…
- the whole Bachelor SM game was so awkward. I didn’t enjoy this at all. There are so many other ways to get them to fake date or to get him to fake date other while she watches… not my favorite
- his random red neck friends. Was this to show the differences between their lives / upbringing (she’s very rich but not riding daddy’s bank account)? The names bothered me so much (Bugg/ Buggy, Oak)
- him randomly getting hurt to end the TA break up

I really enjoy how this author writes but this story was so chaotic and while I enjoyed a lot of it, overall it didn’t work for me.

Corbin and Nell

[Margaret Hejmanowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never read anything by Estie Enders before, OMG this is fantastic!! This is part of The Chetta River series. Nell is a senior in college, but her "friends" kick her out of the dorm on move in day. She is given Corbin's name as the only available housing left; so she ends up moving into his upstairs bedroom. She is apprehensive at first, but they hit it off right away. Nell is an early childhood education major, with a minor in business. Corbin has a degree in cybersecurity, and is finishing up his masters; wanting to intern at The Sonnet Airforce Base in the spring. They have a social media class together, along with her old cheerleader roommates. Nell tells her old dorm mates that she is living with her boyfriend, to try to impress them. The social media class is doing a take on The Bachelor tv show, with Corbin being the bachelor; since he is the only male in the class. Of course the cheerleaders want a date with hot Corbin. How does this make Nell feel, when she and Corbin are developing feelings for each other? Love the plot, great setting, and strong intense interesting characters. I look forward to reading more from Ms. Estie Enders!!!

[Jenn Ann H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my 2nd read by Estie Enders and I enjoyed it just as much as the first. While this is the 2nd in the Chetta River series, it is an interconnected standalone and can be read first!

What starts as a housing crisis for Nell, throws her in the orbit of Corbin, our cinnamon roll MMC. While this is a slowwwww burn, we immediately get cozy movie nights, late night confessions, and that will they/won’t they feeling. I found Nell and Corbin to be extremely relatable. They’re navigating early adulthood friendships, feelings, and awkward moments. These two become so loyal to each other, even as friends from the start. They have such fun, witty banter and the roommates-to-lovers vibe totally worked for them.

While at times I thought the characters and communication was slightly immature, it fit the college age that was being portrayed. I thought Corbin’s friends were great and enjoyed their incorporation into the story! Also – that epilogue?? Yes. Give me book 3!!

Thank you to Grey’s Promotions and author Estie Enders for the opportunity to read this eARC! All opinions are my own.

[Bibliophile Foodie · Rating 5 out of 5]

After enjoying book one in the Chetta River series, I was really excited to dive into this one.

Nell is thrown into chaos when her roommates ditch her right before the school year starts. She ends up moving in with Corbin, a grad student who’s new to town and looking for someone to share his place. Their first meeting was awkward but kind of adorable, and I could already feel the tension building.

I really enjoyed watching their friendship grow. They’re both dealing with their own stuff Nell trying to find her place and Corbin working through past hurts but they slowly start leaning on each other.

Estie Enders really knows how to write characters you care about.

The class project they get involved in added a fun twist to the story. It was like a fake dating reality show setup, and it gave them even more chances to be around each other. I also loved seeing familiar faces from book one pop up again it made the world feel even more connected.

Corbin was such a sweet character. He’s thoughtful, protective. Nell was easy to relate to, especially with how she handled being let down by people she trusted. Together, they made a great pair.

[the.belgian.bookworm · Rating 3 out of 5]

This adorable romance follows Nell, who’s kicked out of her dorm by her so-called friends (rude!), and ends up finding a new place - and an unexpected connection - with Corbin. He’s renting out a room in his house, and from the moment they meet, it’s instant friendship. Think cozy couch cuddles, kitchen dance parties, and the kind of slow-burn chemistry that sneaks up on you. But then Corbin has to play The Bachelor for a social media class, going on dates with other girls while Nell works behind the scenes. Spoiler: after every date, it’s clear his heart is already spoken for. 🫶🏻

💭 If you’re looking for a fun, easy comfort read, this one’s for you. I loved the banter and the friendships, and how Nell grows more confident because of that new friendship with Livvy. And Corbin? Certified cinnamon roll. I’m obsessed with sweet, people-pleasing male leads. Was it the best book I’ve ever read? No. But did it deliver on the roommate/forced proximity trope I adore? Absolutely.

Thank you Grey’s Promotion and Estie Enders for the ARC! Happy release day 💕

[Kristen A · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review -

Earlier this year I was one of the lucky individuals to be picked for an ARC of the first book in this series (which I loved) so when this ARC became available, I raced to apply. Book 2 in the Chetta River series focused on Nell and Corbin (Fallon's brother from the first book). Corbin has recently moved to town to attend graduate school and Nell is in her senior year of college. She is kicked out of her assigned dorm room by her "friends" as she is moving in and has to scramble to find housing. She gets the information about the spare room in Corbin's house from college housing department and ends up renting it from him. They also discover they are in a class together (social media marketing!) where Corbin stumbles into being the star on a campus-wide Bachelor type show.

Throughout the show, Corbin starts to fall for one of the people involved and Nell has to watch. At the same time, their friendship grows as they learn more about each other.

This book had all of the slow-burn romance feels with slow spice. So cute!

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adored this book! It is sweet, drama-filled swoony perfection. What began as a dorm room nightmare with fake friends, quickly transformed into a housing dream with the perfect roommate.

This story follows Nell and Corbin. Nell is a sweet college senior who was kicked out of her dorm by her fake friends. She is beautiful, smart, and thoughtful but has trouble making friends. Corbin is a grad student who moved to Sonnet for school and to get a fresh start. Little did he know he wouldn't just find himself but a sweet roommate who lives rent free in his head and lots of drama when he was thrust into a bachelor situation for a class project.

Nell and Corbin have good chemistry, sweet, swoony moments that melt your heart and witty banter. This book is definitely a slow burn but once the flame ignites it quickly becomes a raging fire. I loved everything about this book. I highly recommend it!

[Jill Kerich · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nell is back to college and finds that she had been replaced by her roommates and there is a shortage of campus housing. When the housing office gives her the name of someone renting a room, she doesn’t have much choice.
Corbin is new to town and is offering the room in the hopes of meeting g a new friend.
Sparks are pretty instant with these two although it’s pretty innocent, some cuddling on the couch and sharing a dance. Soon they fall into a rhythm and become friends in addition to roommates.
When a social media class they share decides to run a campus Bachelor with Corbin as the bachelor, Nell has to face the fact that she doesn’t enjoy seeing Corbin dating other women. Corbin, meanwhile, has a hard time connecting with any of his dates, always thinking of Nell on the sideline.
This is my first book from this author and I don’t think it will be my last. Love the small town cast!

[Brandy Huckaby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love love loved this story. It was SUCH a sweet, quick, romantic read. Love the roommates to lovers story, love the tension and chemistry and pining, the little bits of spice were SO well done and honestly unexpected because the read is so sweet. But 🥵 they were spicing in alllll the right ways!
I absolutely adore Corbin. What a sweetheart and he was just an instant goner for his girl Nell. I loved their mini-dates and their friendship. I loved how silly they could be and all the tender moments in between. I relate to Nell & Corbin in a lot of ways and especially in their struggle for finding authentic friendship relationships. I enjoyed the first book of this series, but this one is easily my favorite of the two. And I’m excited for book 3 and the bomb dropped in the Epilogue. Wow. It’s gonna be so good!!

[Sal’s life · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book from Estie.
Nell has found ger roommates have replaced her with someone cooler and more like them, they just didn’t tell her until she arrived back at college.
She gets the number for a room to rent and Corbin who owns the place immediately offers her it. One because he owns the building and two because he thinks she is gorgeous and is in need of somewhere immediately.
They discover soon after they are in the same social media class and as Corbinis the only male finds himself as the main character in the class’ bachelor show. This story follows both Nell and Corbin’s roles in the class and their blossoming relationship as roommates and maybe something more.
Estie has a great way of writing relationships and genuinely kind main male characters and you really root for them from the very beginning.

[Chelsey Ulrich · Rating 4 out of 5]

**ARC REVIEW** This was one of my most anticipated reads for the fall. I loved the first book of this series so much, and this one was so good too!

Nell's roommates basically kick her out of their dorm for no reason, so she is desperate for somewhere to live and ends up moving in with a random stranger who needed a roommate. Corbin is the new roommate - he's hot, a little older than her but in grad school at the same college. The first night as roommates, they end up watching a movie together, cuddled up on the couch, and they develop a pretty quick friendship. They also have undeniable chemistry together. They end up being in the same social media class and one of their assignments is basically to come up with a realty tv show on their college campus. Corbin ends up being "the bachelor" for their assignment. He's not very happy about this. He ends up having to "date" all these other girls right in front of Nell - even though she is the one he can't stop thinking about.

[Mayra Flores · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Estie and Grey’s Promotion for this arc. I had a great time learning about Nell and Corbin. It follows Nell after she gets kicked out of her dorm (by her supposed friends) to let someone else into her spot. Fue to some mold issues, there is no other housing location for her but she’s in luck! Her housing advisor has a note from a corbin letting them know that he has a place to rent out.

I LOVED the slow burn between them. I love them taking a class together and learning more about each other little by little. I love the whole class project they had to do. I loved how they were flawed characters with insecurities and did their best to be better for each other.

I did feel sometimes that they were a bit immature for their ages. especially corbin being 27, but i was able to overlook in most of the book. Highly recommend, if you want a cozy cute, college romance.

[Marsha Graniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

That First Night is a roommate and college romance. This is Nell and Corbin’s story filled with a social media dating project and pining for your roommate. Nell was having trouble with her old roommate’s and Corbin had a place she could rent. When they found out they had a class together things got more interesting. I love how they worked together with the dating project and still help each other when things got tough. They became fast friends and I love the post it notes they leave for each other. Their interaction is hilarious and swoon worthy. I love their chemistry and when they finally tell their true feeling things just fell into place for the both of them. I really enjoyed their story and can’t wait to read more!!

I voluntarily leave an honest review of this gifted advance readers copy.

[Jocelyn | jocey_reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Grey’s Promotion and the author for the ARC of this book.

I was drawn to this roommates to lovers romance because that’s how I met my husband. I loved how Nell and Corbin’s story unfolded. Estie Enders creates such realistic and relatable characters - I can’t help but get swept up in the tale. I felt for Nell and her struggle to find true connection with others. I was so happy she had Corbin to help her repair her trust in others (and vice versa).

You do not have to read the first in the series at all - but I recommend you do just to further acquaint yourself with Estie’s writing. And to get an early glimpse at Corbin before you read his story. I’m excited for the third to come out - it sounds like it’s going to be a tearjerker.

[Brandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, big thanks to Grey’s Promotions and Estie Enders for allowing me to do an ARC review of this book!

I absolutely loved this book! It’s the second one in the series, and if you didn’t read the first one, it’s completely okay! This book follows Nell, a senior in college, who suddenly finds herself without a place to live. She rents a room from Corbin, a grad student, and of course, both are instantly attracted to each other 😉😉. They find themselves in the same social media class, where they are re-creating a Bachelor style social media campaign.


I really enjoyed the banter between the two, and the sloooow burn relationship building. In fact, I enjoyed it so much, I read it in one day! Very much looking forward to the third book in the series!

[Sarah Landis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book completely captured my heart! 💕 The chemistry between Nell and Corbin practically leapt off the page, and I loved watching their friendship slowly turn into something deeper.

After losing her roommates, Nell finds herself living with Corbin, a grad student trying to start over. What begins as an awkward situation quickly becomes a story full of laughter, warmth, and quiet connection. Between movie nights, heartfelt conversations, and a touch of found family, That First Night is everything I love in a slow-burn romance.

Estie Enders delivered such a sweet, genuine story, and I’m already counting down the days for Oak's book!

[Leisha 💗📚 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a sweet and wholesome feel good read and it is exactly what I needed!
This is book 2 of the Chetta River series, and being my first book I have read of Estie Enders, I am now needing to go back and read book 1!
Nell is such a relatable FMC, dealing with the struggles of fitting in and trying to find close friends.
Then you have Corbin who was such a green flag MMC, it was honestly like he was covered in a green highlighter. The perfect book boyfriend if I ever read one!
If you love slowwwwww burn, and I mean SLOW, you feel the tension and yearning on the pages then definitely give this book a read!
It’s an amazing palette cleanser between heavier content books!