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Magia dragostei
Uneori magia dragostei te cuprinde atunci când te aștepți cel mai puțin...
Lisa Biel a visat dintotdeauna să plece din Vermont, să călătorească și să vadă lumea. Însă când totul se năruie pe neașteptate și în viața ei se petrece o schimbare majoră, Lana apelează la singurul om pe ai cărui umeri știe că poate să lase orice povară: cel mai bun prieten, Eli Ward.
Eli a fost mereu alături de Lana – prietenia lor durează de zece ani și doar o singură dată, în colegiu, au trecut granița care desparte prietenia de dragoste, într-o noapte magică, pe care nici unul din ei nu a putut să o uite. De atunci, în pofida atracției de netăgăduit dintre ei, Lana și-a înfrânat sentimentele; acum însă ea are un secret pe care îi e teamă să îl împărtășească cuiva și care pune în pericol relația ei cu cei dragi. Pe măsură ce iarna cuprinde ținuturile din Vermont și Crăciunul se apropie, Eli și Lana primesc șansa să trăiască o aventură mai profundă decât ar fi visat vreodată... o iubire care poate dura pentru totdeauna, dacă vor ști s-o păstreze.
„O poveste de dragoste cum fiecare dintre noi și-ar dori să trăiască. Lisa Dale reușește să te cucerească la fiecare pagină și, deși ai vrea să afli deznodământul, regreți totodată că astfel ajungi la finalul unui excelent roman.“ – Romantic Times Book Reviews
Lisa Biel a visat dintotdeauna să plece din Vermont, să călătorească și să vadă lumea. Însă când totul se năruie pe neașteptate și în viața ei se petrece o schimbare majoră, Lana apelează la singurul om pe ai cărui umeri știe că poate să lase orice povară: cel mai bun prieten, Eli Ward.
Eli a fost mereu alături de Lana – prietenia lor durează de zece ani și doar o singură dată, în colegiu, au trecut granița care desparte prietenia de dragoste, într-o noapte magică, pe care nici unul din ei nu a putut să o uite. De atunci, în pofida atracției de netăgăduit dintre ei, Lana și-a înfrânat sentimentele; acum însă ea are un secret pe care îi e teamă să îl împărtășească cuiva și care pune în pericol relația ei cu cei dragi. Pe măsură ce iarna cuprinde ținuturile din Vermont și Crăciunul se apropie, Eli și Lana primesc șansa să trăiască o aventură mai profundă decât ar fi visat vreodată... o iubire care poate dura pentru totdeauna, dacă vor ști s-o păstreze.
„O poveste de dragoste cum fiecare dintre noi și-ar dori să trăiască. Lisa Dale reușește să te cucerească la fiecare pagină și, deși ai vrea să afli deznodământul, regreți totodată că astfel ajungi la finalul unui excelent roman.“ – Romantic Times Book Reviews
Kindle Edition
First published October 13, 2009
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About the author
Lisa Dale
6 books27 followersA lifelong bookworm, Lisa Dale is a firm believer that there are few things in life better than curling up with a novel and a cup of tea. Lisa Dale grew up in rural Northwestern New Jersey before attending McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland. She worked briefly in publishing before going back to school to get an MFA in fiction at Fairleigh Dickinson University. A nominee for Best New American Voices and the Pushcart Prize, her writing appears in many literary magazines, such as The Writer, Fourth Genre, Flyway, Fugue, Sou’wester, The Southeast Review, The MacGuffin, Many Mountains Moving, and more.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
November 10, 2009
I received this book for review and didn’t know a thing about it. For some reason, I thought it was a historical romance, maybe because of the font on the cover. Of course, the couple wearing blue jeans should have tipped me off. When I read Lana taking a pregnancy test on the first page, I said Smexy, we are not in the 19th century. I did a little nose wrinkle, because a contemporary about a pregnant woman did not appeal to me. However, like any person obsessed with books, I persevered and I if I could, I would yell this from the rooftops – this book is adorable. ADORABLE. Let’s get into it.
The blurb does a good job summarizing but it needs to be stressed that Lana and Eli have been best friends for ten years. The absolute best of friends, having only stepped over the friendship line once in college. That night they gave into temptation and slept together, however, Lana is so terrified to lose Eli, the next night she pretends to seduce someone else to scare Eli away. Their friendship survives that night, however and since then, Lana has gone through many boyfriends, most recently Ron, who accidently gets her pregnant. Ron is the type of boyfriend who stops by on a whim when he is in town, and he doesn’t show up again. Lana confides in Eli, terrified to tell her sister who is desperate herself to have a baby. Lana herself is terrified to have a baby and doesn't think she will make a good mother. Eli is in love with Lana and has been for a long time but now that she is pregnant, he doesn’t know if this is the time to tell her.
I rarely read straight-up contemporaries but I have to say It Happened One Night was a nice change of pace. Lana had a rough childhood – her mother died when she was young and Lana and her sister, Karin, move into the boarding house her father owned. Karin ends up raising her, since her father bascially makes sure they were fed and clothed and that is it. Except for her sister, who is extremly overbearing, Lana has been left by everyone she thought loved her. Now as an adult, deep down she still has that fear. She has stayed at her sister’s farm more out of feeling she owes her sister something while all Lana wants to do is explore the world and go on an adventure. Ironically, she pushed Eli away in college and now Eli travels the world.
Let’s talk about Eli for a moment. I love my alpha men, but I have a special place in my heart for betas. I made Marcus Worth from Kate Noble’s Revealed, and Harry Valentine from Julia Quinn’s What Happens In London scoot over to make room for Eli. He is such a cute beta hero and I totally fell in love with him. He is the sweetest person – so in love with Lana but never finding the courage to tell her. His internal emotional turmoil when he finds out Lana is pregnant by another man is so raw, but he holds it all in to make Lana’s life easier. He is there as a shoulder for Lana to cry on, when all he wants to do is give her a happily ever after. When he does admit his feelings– when the romance between them has a chance to grow, it is some of the sweetest pages I have read. His love for her was so intense, you just want to push Lana towards him knowing he will make her happy for the rest of his life.
There were a few times Lana overplayed the “friend” card and I wish she would have given in to her feelings for Eli sooner. However, her not giving in gave the book a build up of tension and I found myself sneaking peeks ahead to see when they would finally be together. Yes, I peek, and I’m not ashamed! Not only do Eli and Lana have to sort out their friends vs. lovers feelings, but they also have to deal with the fact that Lana is pregnant with another man's baby. My favorite moment from the book is when Eli confesses his love to Lana, and she realizes it is not just her and Eli in this equation, but the baby inside of her too:
Oh Eli.
The secondary story of Lana sister, Karin also added to the emotions in this book. You could feel the panic coming off of Karin to get pregnant. I thought her desperation to have a baby, which leads to thoughts of adopting Lana’s baby for herself was a little much though. Her character is a wonderfully written flawed character– controlling with bursts of rage and I felt that was enough to bring to the story. I loved that Karin stays consistent throughout the story, almost a character you don’t want to like, but works it works really well in this setting.
The addition of Lana and Karin’s father who comes back to town didn’t do a lot of me either. At first he acts very creepy and I wasn’t sure as a reader where his path was going. He turns out to be just a lonely father, but I didn’t ever feel a connection with him and his daughters. He wronged them in the past, and I think he would have been better staying there.
Lisa Dale is a new author to me, but I am definitely sticking with her. It Happened One Night is a delightful, romantic story that I highly recommend.
The blurb does a good job summarizing but it needs to be stressed that Lana and Eli have been best friends for ten years. The absolute best of friends, having only stepped over the friendship line once in college. That night they gave into temptation and slept together, however, Lana is so terrified to lose Eli, the next night she pretends to seduce someone else to scare Eli away. Their friendship survives that night, however and since then, Lana has gone through many boyfriends, most recently Ron, who accidently gets her pregnant. Ron is the type of boyfriend who stops by on a whim when he is in town, and he doesn’t show up again. Lana confides in Eli, terrified to tell her sister who is desperate herself to have a baby. Lana herself is terrified to have a baby and doesn't think she will make a good mother. Eli is in love with Lana and has been for a long time but now that she is pregnant, he doesn’t know if this is the time to tell her.
I rarely read straight-up contemporaries but I have to say It Happened One Night was a nice change of pace. Lana had a rough childhood – her mother died when she was young and Lana and her sister, Karin, move into the boarding house her father owned. Karin ends up raising her, since her father bascially makes sure they were fed and clothed and that is it. Except for her sister, who is extremly overbearing, Lana has been left by everyone she thought loved her. Now as an adult, deep down she still has that fear. She has stayed at her sister’s farm more out of feeling she owes her sister something while all Lana wants to do is explore the world and go on an adventure. Ironically, she pushed Eli away in college and now Eli travels the world.
Let’s talk about Eli for a moment. I love my alpha men, but I have a special place in my heart for betas. I made Marcus Worth from Kate Noble’s Revealed, and Harry Valentine from Julia Quinn’s What Happens In London scoot over to make room for Eli. He is such a cute beta hero and I totally fell in love with him. He is the sweetest person – so in love with Lana but never finding the courage to tell her. His internal emotional turmoil when he finds out Lana is pregnant by another man is so raw, but he holds it all in to make Lana’s life easier. He is there as a shoulder for Lana to cry on, when all he wants to do is give her a happily ever after. When he does admit his feelings– when the romance between them has a chance to grow, it is some of the sweetest pages I have read. His love for her was so intense, you just want to push Lana towards him knowing he will make her happy for the rest of his life.
There were a few times Lana overplayed the “friend” card and I wish she would have given in to her feelings for Eli sooner. However, her not giving in gave the book a build up of tension and I found myself sneaking peeks ahead to see when they would finally be together. Yes, I peek, and I’m not ashamed! Not only do Eli and Lana have to sort out their friends vs. lovers feelings, but they also have to deal with the fact that Lana is pregnant with another man's baby. My favorite moment from the book is when Eli confesses his love to Lana, and she realizes it is not just her and Eli in this equation, but the baby inside of her too:
She stepped away from him, got her bearings. As she looked down-to make some distance between them if only for a moment-the curve of her belly was there, round as the curve of the overhead sky. It came as a surprise to remember reality. She put a hand on the crest of the half-sphere, felt the warmth coming from her own skin.
She looked up at him, the question on her lips far too complicated to speak.
"I know," he said.
Oh Eli.
The secondary story of Lana sister, Karin also added to the emotions in this book. You could feel the panic coming off of Karin to get pregnant. I thought her desperation to have a baby, which leads to thoughts of adopting Lana’s baby for herself was a little much though. Her character is a wonderfully written flawed character– controlling with bursts of rage and I felt that was enough to bring to the story. I loved that Karin stays consistent throughout the story, almost a character you don’t want to like, but works it works really well in this setting.
The addition of Lana and Karin’s father who comes back to town didn’t do a lot of me either. At first he acts very creepy and I wasn’t sure as a reader where his path was going. He turns out to be just a lonely father, but I didn’t ever feel a connection with him and his daughters. He wronged them in the past, and I think he would have been better staying there.
Lisa Dale is a new author to me, but I am definitely sticking with her. It Happened One Night is a delightful, romantic story that I highly recommend.
August 29, 2010
I don't usually read the softer romance; softer being the lovey dovey baby kind of romance, so I wasn't one hundred percent sure what rating to give this book. I don't like giving bad reviews but, I have to be honest here or nothing I ever review can be trusted, and like everything else, its all about individual preferences. Anyway, I had to force myself to get even 3/4 of the way through this book. I don't get how two people who are supposed to be best friends can't talk to each other about anything and everything. I think the sister (Karin) in this story is a selfish (insert curse word for female dog here) and all she does is think about how she feels, not about how anyone else feels. Also, how in the world does Eli just "decide" that he is going to go after Lana right after he gets his butt kicked by Lana's baby daddy. Nothing made sense to me and the whole time I was reading this book, I honestly wished I wasn't. On that note...the reason for my undecided rating was because I don't think I like this sort of genre to begin with so maybe I am allowing that to color my opinion just a little bit. I don't know. It is what it is. This book did have one redeeming quality...it had beautiful alliterations, very beautiful and creative.
January 12, 2010
Not as gripping as I hoped from all the hype. Felt like these characters could've resolved things with much less naval gazing in about 100 less pages.
August 11, 2014
It was very slow-paced with a melancholy feel to it that just made me feel sad whenever I read it.
December 24, 2025
What I thought I was getting: a swoony romance with the piney guy stepping in to be there for his pregnant best friend after she gets ghosted, effectively becoming her boyfriend without the intimacy part, until things naturally develop further.
What I got:
* 100+ pages in which the guy is still dating someone else, albeit in a very lukewarm way.
* Even more pages of Lana insisting that trying to be a couple will Irrevocably Change And Ruin The Friendship, so she refuses to try even after their mutual feelings are apparent.
* A main character who is incredibly wishy-washy about the pregnancy, vaguely intending to give the baby up for adoption because she's always wanted to travel the world and has never wanted to be a mom.
* A completely left-field subplot of Lana's older sister having fertility struggles and a rough patch in her marriage because of it, which we know because sections are devoted to her perception in the same way Lana and Eli are.
* Another boring subplot of their emotionally deadbeat and now semi-homeless dad trying to make amends after ten years of no-contact and a childhood of doing the bare minimum to raise them after their mom (who previously had full custody) died. This is relevant to Lana's issues about being a parent herself, I guess, but I did not care.
-------------
What I actually liked: The Wildflower Barn (a seed & flower shop attached to a bit of land that the sisters run); how each month of the story opened with an brief paragraph describing a particular kind of flower's traits & trivia; and Eli.
His whole personality is so sweet - I'm remembering now that I added this to the TBR specifically while searching for "beta male" romances. I loved that he was so into astronomy; I loved that his job alternates between teaching college classes and going out into the field on geology/meteorite digs. His thoughts about Lana are everything I was looking for, and every moment they are actually together is pure joy....there just aren't enough of those moments.
2.5 stars is more accurate; this isn't a bad book, but for me it was bland. I give a lot of 3 stars that genuinely mean "I enjoyed this, just didn't have strong feelings about it," and I can't say that's true for this one.
What I got:
* 100+ pages in which the guy is still dating someone else, albeit in a very lukewarm way.
* Even more pages of Lana insisting that trying to be a couple will Irrevocably Change And Ruin The Friendship, so she refuses to try even after their mutual feelings are apparent.
* A main character who is incredibly wishy-washy about the pregnancy, vaguely intending to give the baby up for adoption because she's always wanted to travel the world and has never wanted to be a mom.
* A completely left-field subplot of Lana's older sister having fertility struggles and a rough patch in her marriage because of it, which we know because sections are devoted to her perception in the same way Lana and Eli are.
* Another boring subplot of their emotionally deadbeat and now semi-homeless dad trying to make amends after ten years of no-contact and a childhood of doing the bare minimum to raise them after their mom (who previously had full custody) died. This is relevant to Lana's issues about being a parent herself, I guess, but I did not care.
-------------
What I actually liked: The Wildflower Barn (a seed & flower shop attached to a bit of land that the sisters run); how each month of the story opened with an brief paragraph describing a particular kind of flower's traits & trivia; and Eli.
His whole personality is so sweet - I'm remembering now that I added this to the TBR specifically while searching for "beta male" romances. I loved that he was so into astronomy; I loved that his job alternates between teaching college classes and going out into the field on geology/meteorite digs. His thoughts about Lana are everything I was looking for, and every moment they are actually together is pure joy....there just aren't enough of those moments.
2.5 stars is more accurate; this isn't a bad book, but for me it was bland. I give a lot of 3 stars that genuinely mean "I enjoyed this, just didn't have strong feelings about it," and I can't say that's true for this one.
February 20, 2018
2 1/2 stars
First, you need to know that this book spends most of its time describing the main character Lana's feelings about being pregnant & not wanting to be a mother... the romance takes second place to this part of the story. If I had known this to start with, I would not have chosen this book. (I don't like babies in my romance novels.) The description mentions nothing about pregnancy or babies at all.
That said, I'm undecided about this book. I disliked the first book by this author (Simple Wishes), but I'd already ordered this one before I found that out. I was undecided as to whether to read this one or not, but finally decided to give Lisa Dale one more try.
I really wished that at times I could have written myself onto the pages of this book, merely to be able to step in and give each of the main characters a good smack or a shoulder shake when they truly needed one... I found myself talking out loud to them as I was reading- they got me so annoyed sometimes.
I found Lana to be quite flaky, one minute wanting Eli, the next not... wanting to be a mother, then on the next page she doesn't again, but for some reason I was feeling sympathetic towards her at the end.
Eli was my favorite character, but even he does some really lame things towards the end of the story... not really fighting for the woman he's loved for half of his life!
I guess the character that really most needed to be smacked was Lana's sister Karen... she was the ultimate in selfishness... demanding that her sister give her the baby after she changed her mind was horrible!
The story does wind up happily, (conveniently), but I can't truly say if I liked this one or not... it was just something I read. Would I try another book by this author? Probably not...
First, you need to know that this book spends most of its time describing the main character Lana's feelings about being pregnant & not wanting to be a mother... the romance takes second place to this part of the story. If I had known this to start with, I would not have chosen this book. (I don't like babies in my romance novels.) The description mentions nothing about pregnancy or babies at all.
That said, I'm undecided about this book. I disliked the first book by this author (Simple Wishes), but I'd already ordered this one before I found that out. I was undecided as to whether to read this one or not, but finally decided to give Lisa Dale one more try.
I really wished that at times I could have written myself onto the pages of this book, merely to be able to step in and give each of the main characters a good smack or a shoulder shake when they truly needed one... I found myself talking out loud to them as I was reading- they got me so annoyed sometimes.
I found Lana to be quite flaky, one minute wanting Eli, the next not... wanting to be a mother, then on the next page she doesn't again, but for some reason I was feeling sympathetic towards her at the end.
Eli was my favorite character, but even he does some really lame things towards the end of the story... not really fighting for the woman he's loved for half of his life!
I guess the character that really most needed to be smacked was Lana's sister Karen... she was the ultimate in selfishness... demanding that her sister give her the baby after she changed her mind was horrible!
The story does wind up happily, (conveniently), but I can't truly say if I liked this one or not... it was just something I read. Would I try another book by this author? Probably not...
December 24, 2020
O carte draguta, relaxanta, o poveste credibila, cu nu foarte multe artificii.
Recomand chiar daca nu e o capodopera.
Pe mine m-a atras povestea in sine si coperta, fiind citita in Decembrie, insa nu are foarte multa legatura cu aceasta luna.. Dar cum lucrurile importante se intampla in decembrie, ca de altfel si in aceasta carte, finalul poate fi luat ca o carte de sezon.
Recomand chiar daca nu e o capodopera.
Pe mine m-a atras povestea in sine si coperta, fiind citita in Decembrie, insa nu are foarte multa legatura cu aceasta luna.. Dar cum lucrurile importante se intampla in decembrie, ca de altfel si in aceasta carte, finalul poate fi luat ca o carte de sezon.
July 29, 2017
The first half of the book was entertaining, but the story went on far too long. I felt the character's personalities changed part way through the story which made a "hallmark movie" type story even more unbelievable.
March 26, 2018
A great and easy to read book, a lot of confusions.
March 17, 2019
Nice beach read.
November 29, 2024
O poveste de dragoste frumoasa și plină de emoție.
May 11, 2012
Back in June I read and reviewed Simple Wishes by Lisa Dale, it was her first book and one of my random picks. Although I found that story a bit unbalanced, I really enjoyed Ms. Dale's writing and thorough character development. At the time I said I would look for Ms. Dale's next release and I'm so glad I did.
In It Happened One Night, I found the beautiful turn of phrase that I liked so much in Lisa Dale's first book, the thorough characterization I enjoyed, interesting and arresting secondary characters that contribute to the story, and a romance worth reading. The balance is there in this book. All these ingredients make for a story that pulled me in as it unfolded and ended with a beautiful, sweet epilogue that ties up all the loose ends.
When we first meet Lana we get the sense we're meeting a free spirited woman trapped in a small town by the love she feels for her only family, her sister Karin. Lana almost seems like an airy, flighty woman whom everyone loves for her positive, cheerful spirit. She loves two people: her sister Karin and her very best friend of ten years, Eli Ward. Lana has been waiting for Karin to start her own family, so she can begin to realize her dreams of traveling.
Karin's insight on Lana (page 32)
Some people thought Lana said kind things because she was angelic. But Karin knew better. Kindness was Lana's way of rearranging reality so it became more bearable. It was always sunny in Lana-land.
Lana's plans are thrown for a loop when she accidentally gets pregnant after a fling with a mountain biker. She doesn't want a child and doesn't feel prepared for motherhood. In the meantime, her sister Karin is trying to start her own family but can't. This makes Karin not only a desperate woman but also an obsessed one. Their estranged father Calvert, a man neither one of them wants to ever see again, shows up in town and all these events place the sisters on a collision course with each other. This is where Dale excels again in characterization by letting us discover these women -- peeling back layers one at a time until we reach the true Lana and the real Karin.
Lana's thoughts about her life (page 35)
And now even as an adult who lived among flowers, she still felt humbled to think that a wild flower could coax the most iridescent purples or fierce magentas from the most inhospitable soils. She wanted her own life to be like that, to grow something worthy from hardship and strife.
But this story would be nothing without Eli. Two days after I finished the book, I'm still thinking about Eli, so his is the character that seems to have impacted me the most. I think it's because of the way he loved so persistently and without reservation.
Eli (page 42)
Sometimes, you hit the jackpot.
And sometimes, you got a woman who was perfectly nice, pretty, and conversational, but who, in the end, was little more than a diversion -- not a fireball that turns night into day, and certainly not the wish of someone's heart, hidden in Kansas farmland, deep underground.
Lana and Eli have been best friends for 10 years. He is a teacher and meteorite hunter for the local museum, so he travels around the country quite a bit. When we first meet him, Eli is coming home from one of his trips after being away for 8 months. While away, he came to the realization that he loves and wants Lana, not as a friend but as a lover. He arrives home to heartbreak, and believe me my heart broke for him. Dale then takes us on a journey as Eli goes from doubts to self-confidence and from despair to elation.
This is a beautiful story of two friends who have been there for each other and on the surface know one another well, but who have allowed their true selves to be buried by fear and self-deception. They are joined by Karin on their journey and struggle to self-awareness and joy. A journey where dreams can still come true.
Dreams (page 99)
"Dreams are tricky things. They ebb and flow. They change as we change, you know? It's not... it's not a matter of right dreams and wrong dreams. I mean, sure, choosing one sacrifices another. But it's not about what you give up. It's about what you get."
The story begins when Lana gets pregnant and ends after she has the child with a beautiful epilogue, so expect some lovemaking while she is pregnant in this book. This didn't bother me at all, as I thought it was very well done. There's a combination of the predictable and unpredictable in the storyline, but enough of a combination to keep it interesting. I truly enjoyed Lana and Eli's romance, it took a while to get there but I thought it was worth the wait. I loved their love scenes and I even bookmarked the page where they kiss. Eli's internal dialogues, where he thinks about Lana and his love for her, were just beautiful.
This is a lovely book by Ms. Dale and I'll be looking for her next release.
In It Happened One Night, I found the beautiful turn of phrase that I liked so much in Lisa Dale's first book, the thorough characterization I enjoyed, interesting and arresting secondary characters that contribute to the story, and a romance worth reading. The balance is there in this book. All these ingredients make for a story that pulled me in as it unfolded and ended with a beautiful, sweet epilogue that ties up all the loose ends.
When we first meet Lana we get the sense we're meeting a free spirited woman trapped in a small town by the love she feels for her only family, her sister Karin. Lana almost seems like an airy, flighty woman whom everyone loves for her positive, cheerful spirit. She loves two people: her sister Karin and her very best friend of ten years, Eli Ward. Lana has been waiting for Karin to start her own family, so she can begin to realize her dreams of traveling.
Karin's insight on Lana (page 32)
Some people thought Lana said kind things because she was angelic. But Karin knew better. Kindness was Lana's way of rearranging reality so it became more bearable. It was always sunny in Lana-land.
Lana's plans are thrown for a loop when she accidentally gets pregnant after a fling with a mountain biker. She doesn't want a child and doesn't feel prepared for motherhood. In the meantime, her sister Karin is trying to start her own family but can't. This makes Karin not only a desperate woman but also an obsessed one. Their estranged father Calvert, a man neither one of them wants to ever see again, shows up in town and all these events place the sisters on a collision course with each other. This is where Dale excels again in characterization by letting us discover these women -- peeling back layers one at a time until we reach the true Lana and the real Karin.
Lana's thoughts about her life (page 35)
And now even as an adult who lived among flowers, she still felt humbled to think that a wild flower could coax the most iridescent purples or fierce magentas from the most inhospitable soils. She wanted her own life to be like that, to grow something worthy from hardship and strife.
But this story would be nothing without Eli. Two days after I finished the book, I'm still thinking about Eli, so his is the character that seems to have impacted me the most. I think it's because of the way he loved so persistently and without reservation.
Eli (page 42)
Sometimes, you hit the jackpot.
And sometimes, you got a woman who was perfectly nice, pretty, and conversational, but who, in the end, was little more than a diversion -- not a fireball that turns night into day, and certainly not the wish of someone's heart, hidden in Kansas farmland, deep underground.
Lana and Eli have been best friends for 10 years. He is a teacher and meteorite hunter for the local museum, so he travels around the country quite a bit. When we first meet him, Eli is coming home from one of his trips after being away for 8 months. While away, he came to the realization that he loves and wants Lana, not as a friend but as a lover. He arrives home to heartbreak, and believe me my heart broke for him. Dale then takes us on a journey as Eli goes from doubts to self-confidence and from despair to elation.
This is a beautiful story of two friends who have been there for each other and on the surface know one another well, but who have allowed their true selves to be buried by fear and self-deception. They are joined by Karin on their journey and struggle to self-awareness and joy. A journey where dreams can still come true.
Dreams (page 99)
"Dreams are tricky things. They ebb and flow. They change as we change, you know? It's not... it's not a matter of right dreams and wrong dreams. I mean, sure, choosing one sacrifices another. But it's not about what you give up. It's about what you get."
The story begins when Lana gets pregnant and ends after she has the child with a beautiful epilogue, so expect some lovemaking while she is pregnant in this book. This didn't bother me at all, as I thought it was very well done. There's a combination of the predictable and unpredictable in the storyline, but enough of a combination to keep it interesting. I truly enjoyed Lana and Eli's romance, it took a while to get there but I thought it was worth the wait. I loved their love scenes and I even bookmarked the page where they kiss. Eli's internal dialogues, where he thinks about Lana and his love for her, were just beautiful.
This is a lovely book by Ms. Dale and I'll be looking for her next release.
March 20, 2011
This book was very frustrating to get through, but at the end it became very satisfying. A good portion of the book was spent with Eli and Lana both brooding over their feelings for one another and the repurcussions of what could happen if they explored those feelings. I was nervous that they (especially Lana) wouldn't admit that they loved each other. I was really happy when Eli finally took the initiative to go for what he wanted and give it a try. I was glad that he knew Lana well enough to understand how she would react, but still not back down. That's when he really became an interesting character.
Oddly enough, even though Lana and Eli's lack of taking action was at times irritating, I could see where both of them were coming from with their apprehensions. Lana was scared by her past living in a boarding house with her sister, a father who didn't care for them, and many random undesirable tenants coming in and out of their lives. This made Lana scared of changing things with Eli because she had such constant change in her adolescence she thought she would lose Eli in the long run. In turn, Eli was untrusting of Lana to a certain extent because she had put him through so much throughout the years. I could understand / sympathize with where they were both coming from in this regard.
I didn't really understand the brief reappearance of Ron. He was so adamant about not taking responsibility and letting Lana know that he wanted nothing to do with her or the baby, that his apprearance seemed random. I mean the few times that we saw him he never seemed the honorable type. I was preparing to find out some ulterior motive in regards to his change of heart. I found it strange that Lana didn't seem so aprehensive about his return. Although she was so pregnant by then she probably didn't have the strength to be aprehensive. I was really worried that she would take Ron up on his offer of marriage thereby putting her into the situation her parents created for her and Karin when they were young. I guess that's why Eli's actions in this instance (although frustrating) were understandable because I was having them myself.
The one thing about Eli's actions after Ron returned was that at that moment he gave up. All of his confidence and determination to finally make himself and Lana face their feelings was gone. He was at the end of his rope which I can understand after everything that he and Lana have been through, but to not even call her and talk to her rationally about it was the worst. I almost felt their opportunity with each other being lost by the pages, and for a while I was worried that they really wouldn't end up together or we would cut to ten more years later when they would finally figure out they could be together. Their "reunion" of sorts was quick and to the point, but all Lana needed to know was that Eli still loved her and (to paraphrase) with that "we can get through anything". So it was short, sweet, but to the point.
Karin, who's other voice we get to hear in this story, was a very irritating character. She got lost in her own determination to have a baby. And while I believe it was obvious to the reader that her actions were slowly ruining her relationships in life apparently she didn't stop to think about her actions at all. I just kept wanting her to tell her husband what she was doing and why. Even though things for them were tense by not talking to him it was just making things worse. In regards to Lana I was completely angry with the way she handled giving her sister advice. Instead of really listening to her sister and consoling her, she manipulated her in order to get her own way. She told her anything that would get her the baby. And her advice concerning Eli was equally as irritating. Everyone else around Lana and Eli could tell that they had more than friendship feelings for each other, and her sister tells her to back off and let Eli try to be happy. It didn't seem that she knew her sister at all where her feelings were concerned instead of urging her to be honest with Eli. I did like the fact that Eli could see her manipulation when Lana was in the hospital being that no one else seemed to be able to see it. I did feel bad everything that ends of happening to her because of her actions, but even after she's apologized I still felt wary towards her, as though she would never truly change, but I guess that's where she has to work on herself.
Overall, while frustating to read at times, making it through to the end was worth it. I've not read a story where the love developes during a pregnancy before so I thought that was an interesting road to take. It may be interesting to go back and re-read this story again knowing the outcome and focus more on the characters' actions instead of the relationships.
Oddly enough, even though Lana and Eli's lack of taking action was at times irritating, I could see where both of them were coming from with their apprehensions. Lana was scared by her past living in a boarding house with her sister, a father who didn't care for them, and many random undesirable tenants coming in and out of their lives. This made Lana scared of changing things with Eli because she had such constant change in her adolescence she thought she would lose Eli in the long run. In turn, Eli was untrusting of Lana to a certain extent because she had put him through so much throughout the years. I could understand / sympathize with where they were both coming from in this regard.
I didn't really understand the brief reappearance of Ron. He was so adamant about not taking responsibility and letting Lana know that he wanted nothing to do with her or the baby, that his apprearance seemed random. I mean the few times that we saw him he never seemed the honorable type. I was preparing to find out some ulterior motive in regards to his change of heart. I found it strange that Lana didn't seem so aprehensive about his return. Although she was so pregnant by then she probably didn't have the strength to be aprehensive. I was really worried that she would take Ron up on his offer of marriage thereby putting her into the situation her parents created for her and Karin when they were young. I guess that's why Eli's actions in this instance (although frustrating) were understandable because I was having them myself.
The one thing about Eli's actions after Ron returned was that at that moment he gave up. All of his confidence and determination to finally make himself and Lana face their feelings was gone. He was at the end of his rope which I can understand after everything that he and Lana have been through, but to not even call her and talk to her rationally about it was the worst. I almost felt their opportunity with each other being lost by the pages, and for a while I was worried that they really wouldn't end up together or we would cut to ten more years later when they would finally figure out they could be together. Their "reunion" of sorts was quick and to the point, but all Lana needed to know was that Eli still loved her and (to paraphrase) with that "we can get through anything". So it was short, sweet, but to the point.
Karin, who's other voice we get to hear in this story, was a very irritating character. She got lost in her own determination to have a baby. And while I believe it was obvious to the reader that her actions were slowly ruining her relationships in life apparently she didn't stop to think about her actions at all. I just kept wanting her to tell her husband what she was doing and why. Even though things for them were tense by not talking to him it was just making things worse. In regards to Lana I was completely angry with the way she handled giving her sister advice. Instead of really listening to her sister and consoling her, she manipulated her in order to get her own way. She told her anything that would get her the baby. And her advice concerning Eli was equally as irritating. Everyone else around Lana and Eli could tell that they had more than friendship feelings for each other, and her sister tells her to back off and let Eli try to be happy. It didn't seem that she knew her sister at all where her feelings were concerned instead of urging her to be honest with Eli. I did like the fact that Eli could see her manipulation when Lana was in the hospital being that no one else seemed to be able to see it. I did feel bad everything that ends of happening to her because of her actions, but even after she's apologized I still felt wary towards her, as though she would never truly change, but I guess that's where she has to work on herself.
Overall, while frustating to read at times, making it through to the end was worth it. I've not read a story where the love developes during a pregnancy before so I thought that was an interesting road to take. It may be interesting to go back and re-read this story again knowing the outcome and focus more on the characters' actions instead of the relationships.
January 13, 2010
After reading the synopsis of It Happened One Night by Lisa Dale, I knew immediately that I had to read it. Not only did it sound like a fun read, but a perfect story of love, laughter and, of course, tortured hearts. I wasn't let down.
Lana and Eli have been best friends forever. They have a special bond and connection that has carried them through years of friendship - not to mention a memorable night in college, where friendship was taken passionately to the next level. Afraid of losing her best friend forever, Lana puts an end to any further thoughts of romance between to two. Though Eli's heart is broken, he cherishes Lana and settles into the roll of best friend and confidante.
Fast forward a few years and all seems to go well, though neither Lana nor Eli can settle into a relationship and when one is dating, the other is not thrilled with the fact. Then, one day Lana comes to realize that she is pregnant with the child of a short lived affair. What is she going to do with a baby? All Lana has ever wanted is to have a life of adventure, to travel and see things far and wide. A baby definitely does not fit into that plan. Lana confesses to Eli that she is carrying a small life within her and doesn't know what she is going to do. She asks Eli to help her find the father of the baby to tell him what has happened. Reluctantly, he agrees.
Eli would do anything to be the father of the baby growing within Lana. He comes to discover that his love and devotion runs even deeper than he even thought possible. The chemistry between the two of them is undeniable, but can Lana learn to trust her heart and believe that their friendship is worth taking the risk to bring it to the next level? The level of forever?
Within the story, readers also get to know Lana's sister, Karin, who has been struggling desperately to have a baby of her own. Her husband and her have been trying for some time and the stress and tunnel vision that Karin has devoted to achieving this bliss, has put a tremendous strain on their marriage. Just how far and to what extremes is Karin willing to go to have a baby of her very own?
I absolutely adored the characters of Eli and Lana. Eli is the perfect example of a wonderful and devoted man. He is kind, intelligent, loving, caring and ambitious - (Wait a minute, does such a man exist in reality?! Well, this is fiction, after all, lol) Lana is an intelligent, caring, ambitious woman, though a bit on the flighty side. There are times where I wanted to reach out and smack her to tell her to wake up and see the greatness she has right in front of her, but that would have shortened the story considerably. The push and pull between these two are wonderful and the reader is easily able to fall within their lives and struggles.
On the flip side, I really did not care for Lana's sister, Karin. To me, she was very self-focused and self-centered. Though to be fair, I don't think she actually saw herself in this way. She tried to be helpful and thought she was doing the best for others, however being an observer on the outside, as the reader is, they may want to just put their foot down and tell her to get over herself, as I wanted to.
With the combination of personalities, situations and past, present and future tensions, It Happened One Night is a story that is easily absorbing and complex enough to keep the readers attention until the very end. Lisa Dale shows an extreme talent for storytelling and quickly and easily brings the reader into the world that she has created. When I read the last line of the last page, I felt completely satisfied and thrilled. I cannot wait to read more by this wonderfully delightful author and highly recommend It Happened One Night for a great read!
Lana and Eli have been best friends forever. They have a special bond and connection that has carried them through years of friendship - not to mention a memorable night in college, where friendship was taken passionately to the next level. Afraid of losing her best friend forever, Lana puts an end to any further thoughts of romance between to two. Though Eli's heart is broken, he cherishes Lana and settles into the roll of best friend and confidante.
Fast forward a few years and all seems to go well, though neither Lana nor Eli can settle into a relationship and when one is dating, the other is not thrilled with the fact. Then, one day Lana comes to realize that she is pregnant with the child of a short lived affair. What is she going to do with a baby? All Lana has ever wanted is to have a life of adventure, to travel and see things far and wide. A baby definitely does not fit into that plan. Lana confesses to Eli that she is carrying a small life within her and doesn't know what she is going to do. She asks Eli to help her find the father of the baby to tell him what has happened. Reluctantly, he agrees.
Eli would do anything to be the father of the baby growing within Lana. He comes to discover that his love and devotion runs even deeper than he even thought possible. The chemistry between the two of them is undeniable, but can Lana learn to trust her heart and believe that their friendship is worth taking the risk to bring it to the next level? The level of forever?
Within the story, readers also get to know Lana's sister, Karin, who has been struggling desperately to have a baby of her own. Her husband and her have been trying for some time and the stress and tunnel vision that Karin has devoted to achieving this bliss, has put a tremendous strain on their marriage. Just how far and to what extremes is Karin willing to go to have a baby of her very own?
I absolutely adored the characters of Eli and Lana. Eli is the perfect example of a wonderful and devoted man. He is kind, intelligent, loving, caring and ambitious - (Wait a minute, does such a man exist in reality?! Well, this is fiction, after all, lol) Lana is an intelligent, caring, ambitious woman, though a bit on the flighty side. There are times where I wanted to reach out and smack her to tell her to wake up and see the greatness she has right in front of her, but that would have shortened the story considerably. The push and pull between these two are wonderful and the reader is easily able to fall within their lives and struggles.
On the flip side, I really did not care for Lana's sister, Karin. To me, she was very self-focused and self-centered. Though to be fair, I don't think she actually saw herself in this way. She tried to be helpful and thought she was doing the best for others, however being an observer on the outside, as the reader is, they may want to just put their foot down and tell her to get over herself, as I wanted to.
With the combination of personalities, situations and past, present and future tensions, It Happened One Night is a story that is easily absorbing and complex enough to keep the readers attention until the very end. Lisa Dale shows an extreme talent for storytelling and quickly and easily brings the reader into the world that she has created. When I read the last line of the last page, I felt completely satisfied and thrilled. I cannot wait to read more by this wonderfully delightful author and highly recommend It Happened One Night for a great read!
December 14, 2009
IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT by Lisa Dale
Genre: Romance
Rating: 3.5/5
Summary (From Goodreads): Lana Biel has always wanted to shake the dust of Vermont off her feet and see the world, one exotic country after another. But when a lighthearted spring fling changes her life forever, she turns to the one man whose strong shoulders can lighten any burden: her best friend, Eli Ward.
Eli has always been there for Lana--after all, that's what best friends do. But Lana isn't the only one hiding something. Eli is keeping secrets of his own that threaten their relationship. Yet as summer turns to fall, new desires awaken between them, even as old fears tear them apart. Then, when another Vermont winter fills the valleys with snow, Eli and Lana are given the chance for an adventure greater than they ever dreamed possible...and a love that will last for all time.
Review:
It was really hard for me to give this book time, I felt like putting it down and giving up after the first few chapters. It wasn’t written particularly well, and I didn’t like the characters a whole lot. I still don’t. However, the story ended up being pretty good.
It was hard for me personally to look beyond the bottom line of the story: Lana had sex, got pregnant with a baby from a man she didn’t love, then she fell in love with her best friend. Her sister desperately wanted her to put her baby up for adoption so she could have it, and her father who never fathered them came back in the middle of it all and caused nothing but problems.
There were a few parts that just seemed out of place—Ron (the baby’s father) coming back and proposing, Gene (sister’s husband) walking out, and the apologies from the father. It just didn’t feel realistic. I’m not quite sure why.
But when I did look beyond that, I saw a very realistic story with good strong characters and the choices and words that they make and speak.
I got into the story about a quarter of the way through, and couldn’t put the book down. The events that happened lined up well, the pacing was good, and it was very original.
I really did like this book, I’m just not particularly sure why I liked it. Maybe it was the fact that the characters acted like real people, they weren't just characters. There were no “happily ever after” moments, although the ending was very good. I think, taking into consideration that in real life or fiction, it’s not really going to get better than it did, it was a very good story.
I’ve read a lot of really good reviews for this book, so don’t let my pessimism discourage you. Again, I liked it, but I’m not sure why. I doubt I’ll ever read it again, but then very few books make it to my “repeat” pile.
Content: For a romance book, this was free of details. There were some scenes, but they weren’t described. There was very very little language (I think there was one bad word total).
Recommendation: Ages 15+
Genre: Romance
Rating: 3.5/5
Summary (From Goodreads): Lana Biel has always wanted to shake the dust of Vermont off her feet and see the world, one exotic country after another. But when a lighthearted spring fling changes her life forever, she turns to the one man whose strong shoulders can lighten any burden: her best friend, Eli Ward.
Eli has always been there for Lana--after all, that's what best friends do. But Lana isn't the only one hiding something. Eli is keeping secrets of his own that threaten their relationship. Yet as summer turns to fall, new desires awaken between them, even as old fears tear them apart. Then, when another Vermont winter fills the valleys with snow, Eli and Lana are given the chance for an adventure greater than they ever dreamed possible...and a love that will last for all time.
Review:
It was really hard for me to give this book time, I felt like putting it down and giving up after the first few chapters. It wasn’t written particularly well, and I didn’t like the characters a whole lot. I still don’t. However, the story ended up being pretty good.
It was hard for me personally to look beyond the bottom line of the story: Lana had sex, got pregnant with a baby from a man she didn’t love, then she fell in love with her best friend. Her sister desperately wanted her to put her baby up for adoption so she could have it, and her father who never fathered them came back in the middle of it all and caused nothing but problems.
There were a few parts that just seemed out of place—Ron (the baby’s father) coming back and proposing, Gene (sister’s husband) walking out, and the apologies from the father. It just didn’t feel realistic. I’m not quite sure why.
But when I did look beyond that, I saw a very realistic story with good strong characters and the choices and words that they make and speak.
I got into the story about a quarter of the way through, and couldn’t put the book down. The events that happened lined up well, the pacing was good, and it was very original.
I really did like this book, I’m just not particularly sure why I liked it. Maybe it was the fact that the characters acted like real people, they weren't just characters. There were no “happily ever after” moments, although the ending was very good. I think, taking into consideration that in real life or fiction, it’s not really going to get better than it did, it was a very good story.
I’ve read a lot of really good reviews for this book, so don’t let my pessimism discourage you. Again, I liked it, but I’m not sure why. I doubt I’ll ever read it again, but then very few books make it to my “repeat” pile.
Content: For a romance book, this was free of details. There were some scenes, but they weren’t described. There was very very little language (I think there was one bad word total).
Recommendation: Ages 15+
March 2, 2017
Slow start, get better toward the end.
November 4, 2009
Author Lisa Dale grew up in rural Northwestern New Jersey before attending McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland. She worked briefly in publishing before going back to school to get an MFA in fiction at Fairleigh Dickinson University. Other titles include: Simple Wishes. Lisa resides in New Jersey with her fiancé, Matt.
Lana Biel has always had dreams of traveling the world and leaving Vermont behind. After a rocky and lonely childhood, because it was her sister that got her through, Lana has stayed at home until she feels her sister will have all her dreams too. But when a brief romantic fling ends in pregnancy, she finds it not only changing her life plans, but her relationship with her best friend Eli too. Eli Ward has always been there for Lana, but what started out as friendship years ago is turning into something more, something neither of them is prepared for. Eli and Lana must find a way to move past their insecurities and doubts before true love passes them by, because sometimes, love finds you when you least expect it.
Typically I don’t comment on cover design, but I must say that I was impressed with this one. At the beginning of every chapter there is a little blurb fact about a flower, since the main character owns her own nursery, which I found clever. The only flaw I have for the book was Lana’s sister, Karin. I found her utterly grating, which I believe was intentional, even despite her past and partly understand her reasoning.
I had the great pleasure of reviewing Lisa’s other book, Simple Wishes, and was very much looking forward to this one. Lisa has an astute and perceptive way with characterization that makes her books not only stand out from the rest, but leave you feeling as if you’ve been put through an emotional ringer. Going beyond friendship and family, this insightful story beautifully illustrates why people are the way they are. Very attuned to human nature and her surroundingss, this book reads like bittersweet poetry. From the setting, to dialog, to the characters- readers will wish that the story never ends. I love the way that Vermont is depicted here, not only in spring and summer, but winter as well. An engaging and bittersweet story- not to be missed!
Kelly Moran,
Author and Reviewer
Lana Biel has always had dreams of traveling the world and leaving Vermont behind. After a rocky and lonely childhood, because it was her sister that got her through, Lana has stayed at home until she feels her sister will have all her dreams too. But when a brief romantic fling ends in pregnancy, she finds it not only changing her life plans, but her relationship with her best friend Eli too. Eli Ward has always been there for Lana, but what started out as friendship years ago is turning into something more, something neither of them is prepared for. Eli and Lana must find a way to move past their insecurities and doubts before true love passes them by, because sometimes, love finds you when you least expect it.
Typically I don’t comment on cover design, but I must say that I was impressed with this one. At the beginning of every chapter there is a little blurb fact about a flower, since the main character owns her own nursery, which I found clever. The only flaw I have for the book was Lana’s sister, Karin. I found her utterly grating, which I believe was intentional, even despite her past and partly understand her reasoning.
I had the great pleasure of reviewing Lisa’s other book, Simple Wishes, and was very much looking forward to this one. Lisa has an astute and perceptive way with characterization that makes her books not only stand out from the rest, but leave you feeling as if you’ve been put through an emotional ringer. Going beyond friendship and family, this insightful story beautifully illustrates why people are the way they are. Very attuned to human nature and her surroundingss, this book reads like bittersweet poetry. From the setting, to dialog, to the characters- readers will wish that the story never ends. I love the way that Vermont is depicted here, not only in spring and summer, but winter as well. An engaging and bittersweet story- not to be missed!
Kelly Moran,
Author and Reviewer
December 11, 2009
This novel really disappointed me. I don't know if the story was slow or if it was just the characters. Or maybe the author tried to put too much in this one novel or overcomplicated the story. Overall the novel was just not that great. However, I had two major issues with this story. Firstly, in my opinion, the female characters were really annoying, especially the main female character, Lana Biel. She was portrayed as oblivious because she did not know that Eli loved her until everyone started telling her. Nevermind, that she and Eli supposedly made "passionate" love while in college and she intentionally went out of her way to break it off with Eli. The second major female character, Karin, tried to manipulate her sister Lana into giving away her baby to Karin and her husband. In fact Karin became so obsessed with having a baby, anyone's baby, that she tried to convince Lana that she would make a bad mother so that Lana would give her the baby. These female characters were living in their own worlds where their significant others did not even figure in.
Secondly, the fact that the author glossed over the third mini story in the novel. The novel contained three stories, (1) the romance story between Eli and Lana, (2) Karin and Gene's quest to have a baby and (3) the suspicious appearance of Lana and Karin's father. Their father had never really been there for them during their childhood. In fact Karin and Lana left him as soon as Lana finished high school. Yet the author made it so easy and simple for Lana and Karin to forgive and forget all the ways their father had disappointed them. Especially Karin who was initially portrayed as being scarred by her relationship with her father, in fact she appeared to hate her father. Yet she was the first one to forgive him and quickly forget, that even her husband did not understand what had facilitated this change in her. I believe that this story needed more explanation. What caused the father to seek them out now? Was it just losing his house? Wouldn't he have to make it up to them somehow before he was forgiven?
Secondly, the fact that the author glossed over the third mini story in the novel. The novel contained three stories, (1) the romance story between Eli and Lana, (2) Karin and Gene's quest to have a baby and (3) the suspicious appearance of Lana and Karin's father. Their father had never really been there for them during their childhood. In fact Karin and Lana left him as soon as Lana finished high school. Yet the author made it so easy and simple for Lana and Karin to forgive and forget all the ways their father had disappointed them. Especially Karin who was initially portrayed as being scarred by her relationship with her father, in fact she appeared to hate her father. Yet she was the first one to forgive him and quickly forget, that even her husband did not understand what had facilitated this change in her. I believe that this story needed more explanation. What caused the father to seek them out now? Was it just losing his house? Wouldn't he have to make it up to them somehow before he was forgiven?
January 14, 2010
I'd seen a lot of buzz around the internet about this book and even though it's got a pregnancy plotline (which I usually RUN away from) I wanted to read it. I'm glad I did.
Lana Biel co-owns a flower and seed store with her sister, Karin. Lana is a free spirit, she's always wanted to travel the world and plans to, as soon as her sister is settled in with her husband. Karin and her husband want a baby but so far have been unsuccessful in their atempts to conceive naturally. Lana's best friend Eli is a meteorite hunter and teacher; he travels often with his job. Eli loves Lana but hasn't told her - recently. Lana wants their friendship to stay platonic because she's afraid if they become romantically involved he'll eventually leave her and she doesn't think she could live without him.
As the book opens, Lana is taking a home pregnancy test with Eli there for emotional support. Lena had been casually dating Ron but hadn't seen him in months - the last time they'd had sex, actually.
From that point, the story goes back to the night Lana and Ron had sex, and the events leading up to the moment Lana takes the pregnancy test, which is positive. Lana is devastated - she doesn't want kids, she wants to travel. She knows she'll have to tell her sister, Karin, who is desperate for a child. Her relationship with Eli is becoming rocky, as he wants a romantic relationship and Lana keeps fighting it.
This book has several twists that are heartbreaking yet hopeful. There are no easy answers for Lana, Eli, or Karin's problems. Ms. Dale does a very good job of showing each side of the story and I was unsure of the outcome until the end. There were a few slow spots involving Lana's father where I wished she'd move the plot along, but I really enjoyed this book and give it 4 stars.
Lana Biel co-owns a flower and seed store with her sister, Karin. Lana is a free spirit, she's always wanted to travel the world and plans to, as soon as her sister is settled in with her husband. Karin and her husband want a baby but so far have been unsuccessful in their atempts to conceive naturally. Lana's best friend Eli is a meteorite hunter and teacher; he travels often with his job. Eli loves Lana but hasn't told her - recently. Lana wants their friendship to stay platonic because she's afraid if they become romantically involved he'll eventually leave her and she doesn't think she could live without him.
As the book opens, Lana is taking a home pregnancy test with Eli there for emotional support. Lena had been casually dating Ron but hadn't seen him in months - the last time they'd had sex, actually.
From that point, the story goes back to the night Lana and Ron had sex, and the events leading up to the moment Lana takes the pregnancy test, which is positive. Lana is devastated - she doesn't want kids, she wants to travel. She knows she'll have to tell her sister, Karin, who is desperate for a child. Her relationship with Eli is becoming rocky, as he wants a romantic relationship and Lana keeps fighting it.
This book has several twists that are heartbreaking yet hopeful. There are no easy answers for Lana, Eli, or Karin's problems. Ms. Dale does a very good job of showing each side of the story and I was unsure of the outcome until the end. There were a few slow spots involving Lana's father where I wished she'd move the plot along, but I really enjoyed this book and give it 4 stars.
February 28, 2016
This took me a while to read, because there were days I had to force myself to pick it up. It's not that it's dull, exactly, though the date subheadings did make it feel like a real slog, for some reason. So, somewhat dull, perhaps, but the biggest issue for me is that it feels... gloomy? Depressing. All the way through, it made me feel so damned blue, even when it came to the HEA.
It's a dour, humourless book, full of sadness, misery, and poor mental health.
The older sister is so controlling and rage-fueled that she's willing to abusively gaslight her own sister into giving up her baby so she can have it for herself by making the younger sister feel inadequate to keep it. The younger sister is barely awake for most of the book, floating through life, as if in a willful coma of despair, coming out of it only periodically to take some horrible risk and/or seemingly express a death-wish. Depression seeped from her, constantly.
The men in here are all fairly useless, with some of them being downright awful. Gene, the older sister's husband, was somewhat reasonable, but ineffective. The baby's father was foul, and his turn around made no sense at all. The sisters' father was a black cloud of menace, when he wasn't whining and panhandling. The "hero" was merely there, and all of this could have been much shorter if he could just open his damned mouth and tell the truth once in a while.
This book made me sad, which is not what I expected from the attractive premise and the somewhat-Christmassy look to the cover. I also felt it was longer than it needed to be, and no where near the light, happy read I wanted.
Side Note: It was also way more religious than I expected, and had a lot more religious content than seemed right for a book filled with such awful, depressed people. I can live with that, but some readers might find it surprising.
It's a dour, humourless book, full of sadness, misery, and poor mental health.
The older sister is so controlling and rage-fueled that she's willing to abusively gaslight her own sister into giving up her baby so she can have it for herself by making the younger sister feel inadequate to keep it. The younger sister is barely awake for most of the book, floating through life, as if in a willful coma of despair, coming out of it only periodically to take some horrible risk and/or seemingly express a death-wish. Depression seeped from her, constantly.
The men in here are all fairly useless, with some of them being downright awful. Gene, the older sister's husband, was somewhat reasonable, but ineffective. The baby's father was foul, and his turn around made no sense at all. The sisters' father was a black cloud of menace, when he wasn't whining and panhandling. The "hero" was merely there, and all of this could have been much shorter if he could just open his damned mouth and tell the truth once in a while.
This book made me sad, which is not what I expected from the attractive premise and the somewhat-Christmassy look to the cover. I also felt it was longer than it needed to be, and no where near the light, happy read I wanted.
Side Note: It was also way more religious than I expected, and had a lot more religious content than seemed right for a book filled with such awful, depressed people. I can live with that, but some readers might find it surprising.
September 5, 2011
review courtesy of Romance Junkies (rated 3.5 BR):
Lana Biel is ready to leave Vermont behind and see the world. The only thing holding her back is her sister and Lana wants to be there for her when she is finally able to start a family of her own. So for now, Lana will be content to be near her only family, her good friend Eli, and working at the place she loves. After a date, Lana heads home and is more than surprised when she discovers Eli waiting up for her. Eli has been gone on a trip and has just caught Lana at an inopportune time.
Eli Ward realizes he just cannot go on any longer with the way things are between him and Lana. He wants to take their relationship to the next level, but Lana is afraid it will ruin their friendship forever. Somehow Eli must convince Lana that they are perfect for one another, but complications soon arise that force them apart. Will Lana and Eli be able to put aside their problems and express their true feelings for each other before it is too late?
IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT is the second book by newcomer Lisa Dale. This riveting story contains lots of humor, passion, and is thoroughly entertaining. The characters are very believable and have amazing obstacles that they have to overcome. IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT made me cry more than once, but not always in sadness. Ms. Dale is a talented author that I intend to keep up with. I plan on checking out her debut book, SIMPLE WISHES, as I have not read it yet.
Lana Biel is ready to leave Vermont behind and see the world. The only thing holding her back is her sister and Lana wants to be there for her when she is finally able to start a family of her own. So for now, Lana will be content to be near her only family, her good friend Eli, and working at the place she loves. After a date, Lana heads home and is more than surprised when she discovers Eli waiting up for her. Eli has been gone on a trip and has just caught Lana at an inopportune time.
Eli Ward realizes he just cannot go on any longer with the way things are between him and Lana. He wants to take their relationship to the next level, but Lana is afraid it will ruin their friendship forever. Somehow Eli must convince Lana that they are perfect for one another, but complications soon arise that force them apart. Will Lana and Eli be able to put aside their problems and express their true feelings for each other before it is too late?
IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT is the second book by newcomer Lisa Dale. This riveting story contains lots of humor, passion, and is thoroughly entertaining. The characters are very believable and have amazing obstacles that they have to overcome. IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT made me cry more than once, but not always in sadness. Ms. Dale is a talented author that I intend to keep up with. I plan on checking out her debut book, SIMPLE WISHES, as I have not read it yet.
January 13, 2010
It Happened One Night raises many of questions that I'd spent hours debating with my college roommates and single friends. Can men and women be friends or will attraction get in the way? Is it better to stay best friends with a guy than risk losing that special closeness? Lana and Eli face these questions in detail in It Happened One Night.
The novel contains the elements of a good romantic comedy - a shifting love triangle, beautiful people completely unaware of their appeal, and best friends that are on the verge of dating don't want to risk their friendship.
Aside from dealing with friendship and love, Lisa Dale delves into the pushes and pulls of family relationships. It Happened One Night is rich with emotion. I am sure that this book will appeal to many people, but it just didn't speak to me. I had a hard time connecting with free spirited Lana and was often frustrated by her response to difficult situations. Lana's responses to her crises were likely honest and realistic, but I prefer lead characters to be assertive, funny, and savvy or to have the story be wholly unrealistic and funny. Having said that, I can see many other readers will find It Happened One Night a satisfying read.
ISBN-10: 0446406902
Publisher: Forever (November 1, 2009), 368 pages.
Review copy provided by the publisher.
The novel contains the elements of a good romantic comedy - a shifting love triangle, beautiful people completely unaware of their appeal, and best friends that are on the verge of dating don't want to risk their friendship.
Aside from dealing with friendship and love, Lisa Dale delves into the pushes and pulls of family relationships. It Happened One Night is rich with emotion. I am sure that this book will appeal to many people, but it just didn't speak to me. I had a hard time connecting with free spirited Lana and was often frustrated by her response to difficult situations. Lana's responses to her crises were likely honest and realistic, but I prefer lead characters to be assertive, funny, and savvy or to have the story be wholly unrealistic and funny. Having said that, I can see many other readers will find It Happened One Night a satisfying read.
ISBN-10: 0446406902
Publisher: Forever (November 1, 2009), 368 pages.
Review copy provided by the publisher.
December 15, 2009
I wasn't sure what I thought about Lana at the beginning, I couldn't understand her way of thinking and her behaviour. But after few pages, things started to make sense to me and I could connect with her and understand her. I loved Eli from the beginning, I could empathize with him. He was so in love and didn't know what to do with his relationship with Lana. Lana's sister Karin was everything you expect from the person that cannot have a child. Although her husband suffered as well I don't think he could understand her hurt. She tried to be supportive to her sister but just couldn't overcome her wish for her own baby. I didn't like Lana and Karin's father and I just couldn't fathom his change of attitude towards his daughters. Relationship between Lana and Karin is a real sister love but since Karin was the older and had to take care of Lana during their childhood she did have an attitude of a mother. I think she was too nosy for my taste and didn’t understand Lana’s way of life.
As I said, it really is a story about family, friendship and love. I recommend it to anyone who wants an emotional read with obligatory (but resonable) happy ending.
As I said, it really is a story about family, friendship and love. I recommend it to anyone who wants an emotional read with obligatory (but resonable) happy ending.
October 24, 2010
This book had such a wonderful premise but fell short of living up to its potential. Eli and Lana have been best friends forever, but they both have their secrets. Eli loves Lana (and not in just a friendly way). Lana wants out of her hometown and the chance to explore, but stays at the family business to support her sister, Karin. Karin is smart, driven, and looking to be a mother, but it isn't happening. Eli is wonderful - smart, well-traveled, and slightly wacky. Lana is family-oriented and quirky - and he loves her for all her perceived "flaws." But Lana ends up pregnant - and Eli isn't the father. Here is where Lana (and Dale) loses me - she is so flaky. It isn't until just before the baby is born that she really gets that she is having a baby. She spends so much time hiding her pregnancy from everyone but Eli, but even then she doesn't open up. Her indecision is really a large part of the plot, and she ends up hurting the people around her. Lana and Karin are polar opposites regarding motherhood, but while the opposites had great potential, the characters felt one dimensional. *first posted on LivingSocial
February 7, 2010
If you're looking for an unpredictable romance, this is the book for you. I was captivated from page one. This is one of those 'can't put down' books, so make sure you have time to read it when you start.
This was my first book of Lisa Dale's, and I can tell you that it won't be my last! Lisa Dale's writing style is beautiful and the characters in this book are very believable - they seem so real. You get to know each of them on a personal level and you feel as if you've known them forever. I felt like I was right there with Lana, experiencing everything that she experienced throughout the book. My heart hurt for Eli but was filled with so much hope too. I honestly didn't like Karin (Lana's sister) at first, but throughout the book, I began to understand her pain and suffering, and by the end, I came to like her.
This is a very real, moving, and compelling story. I recommend this book to anyone who is a romance fan.
This was my first book of Lisa Dale's, and I can tell you that it won't be my last! Lisa Dale's writing style is beautiful and the characters in this book are very believable - they seem so real. You get to know each of them on a personal level and you feel as if you've known them forever. I felt like I was right there with Lana, experiencing everything that she experienced throughout the book. My heart hurt for Eli but was filled with so much hope too. I honestly didn't like Karin (Lana's sister) at first, but throughout the book, I began to understand her pain and suffering, and by the end, I came to like her.
This is a very real, moving, and compelling story. I recommend this book to anyone who is a romance fan.
December 12, 2009
Lana and her sister have survived this crazy thing we call life by depending on no one but each other. Lana's best friend Eli has just come home from a long trip and has returned to tell Lana he loves her, only can Lana open up her heart enough to let him in as more than a cherished friend? After he finds her in a relationship with another guy on the night of his return will he even tell her he is in love with her?
Lana has an affinity for plants and all things green and growing. This book has inspired me to grow a little garden. The store that Lana and her sister own, which sells things related to plants and country living is a place I would love to spend my time. I believe the setting of the store is what drew me to the book in the first place but what kept me hooked was the little twist Dale threw in about midway through. Life might get a little more complicate for Lana now. . .
Lana has an affinity for plants and all things green and growing. This book has inspired me to grow a little garden. The store that Lana and her sister own, which sells things related to plants and country living is a place I would love to spend my time. I believe the setting of the store is what drew me to the book in the first place but what kept me hooked was the little twist Dale threw in about midway through. Life might get a little more complicate for Lana now. . .
April 4, 2021
Another win from First Reads...can't wait to read it!
ETA: I received this book this week, just as I was finding myself in a reading rut, and it was the perfect thing to drag me out of that rut. It was an easy-to-read, nicely flowing story that didn't require me to think too hard. Sometimes, that is exactly the kind of book I need!
I really liked the characters in this book and found them very believable. While there were times that the main character, Lana, annoyed me, everything she did was in keeping with who she was. The story had a great ending that made me happy, and I was glad to spend a few days in these characters' lives. I will definitely look forward to reading more from Lisa Dale in the future!
ETA: I received this book this week, just as I was finding myself in a reading rut, and it was the perfect thing to drag me out of that rut. It was an easy-to-read, nicely flowing story that didn't require me to think too hard. Sometimes, that is exactly the kind of book I need!
I really liked the characters in this book and found them very believable. While there were times that the main character, Lana, annoyed me, everything she did was in keeping with who she was. The story had a great ending that made me happy, and I was glad to spend a few days in these characters' lives. I will definitely look forward to reading more from Lisa Dale in the future!
Read
December 23, 2009I recieved this book as a giveaway from Goodreads that I signed up for. The book is about relationships - sister/sister and those sisters with a father who comes back into their lives; it is about best friends who have been in love with each other for years but have denied it for various reasons; and its about infertility and what women struggle with; an unexpected pregnancy and what happens when dreams change. Also it takes place in Burlington Vermont which is a wonderful setting as I grew up across Lake Champlain in New York. I enjoy Lisa Dale as writer and I will now pick up her first book.
December 22, 2009
I received a copy of this book through FirstReads. The characters really seemed real which made me sympathize with them; their feelings, thoughts, and actions could have happened in my town. I was especially drawn to Karin--her intentions were sincere and even though she could have become really despising of Lana's easiness in life (or so it seemed to me), she was always there doing the right thing. I don't think this would be a book I would have picked up at a store/library, but it still ended up being a good read.
October 5, 2011
It took me forever to get through this book. I can usually go through a romance in one to two days. It took me two weeks to get through this book. I felt like I was just plodding along. You just want to tell Lana (the protagonist) to get on with it already. The book could have been about half as long and the story would have been tighter and would have had a better flow.
The story line was good but typical and you knew what was going to happen from pretty much the beginning but that isn't what the problem was. It was just too long and drawn out.
The story line was good but typical and you knew what was going to happen from pretty much the beginning but that isn't what the problem was. It was just too long and drawn out.
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