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Down, Then Up
**A novella from the author of What Stays In Vegas and Summer at Sea**
Lauren Oswald doesn’t expect to ever see her college love again. She certainly doesn’t expect to see him ten years later at her sister’s bachelorette party in Vegas. But there he is, Jamie Mullins—the first person to love her for the Lord of the Rings watching, Comic Con attending, closet nerd that she is—leaning against the back of a hotel elevator. Slightly older. Different haircut. No wedding ring. Same eyes. As the pair embark on a late night errand around the Vegas Strip, Lauren is flooded with memories of how Jamie became the one that got away—and the realization that this one night could be their last chance at making things right.
Lauren Oswald doesn’t expect to ever see her college love again. She certainly doesn’t expect to see him ten years later at her sister’s bachelorette party in Vegas. But there he is, Jamie Mullins—the first person to love her for the Lord of the Rings watching, Comic Con attending, closet nerd that she is—leaning against the back of a hotel elevator. Slightly older. Different haircut. No wedding ring. Same eyes. As the pair embark on a late night errand around the Vegas Strip, Lauren is flooded with memories of how Jamie became the one that got away—and the realization that this one night could be their last chance at making things right.
64 pages, Paperback
First published November 6, 2016
53 people are currently reading
146 people want to read
About the author
Beth Labonte
14 books366 followersBeth Labonte received a B.A. in Sociology from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She worked as an administrative assistant for fourteen years, turning to writing as her creative outlet in an excruciatingly mundane corporate world. Beth now writes full-time and resides in Massachusetts.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
November 27, 2016
I recently read and loved Beth Labonte's book, Summer at Sea, and have been waiting not-so-patiently for its sequel to be released. So, I was delighted when I saw that the author had a novella out. Down, Then Up was the perfect treadmill read for me as I was able to finish it in one session and it kept me totally entertained the whole time! This novella was filled with all the things I now expect from the author—great storytelling, snappy dialogue, and multi-faceted relationships.
Down, Then Up is a story about redemption and second chances. When Lauren Oswald encounters her college sweetheart, Jamie, on an elevator in Vegas (where they've both gone to celebrate the impending nuptials of her sister and his cousin), things are awkward because their relationship did not end well and they haven't spoken in many years. Lauren has regrets about her behavior, which the reader learns more about via flashbacks, and she wants to make amends. Can she prove to Jamie she's changed for the better? Is he still carrying a torch for her? Will these two crazy kids be able to work things out?
There is some serious subject matter in this book (Lauren's issues), but I thought the author balanced those well with the humorous and romantic aspects of the story (Lauren and Jamie originally bonded over a love of geeky things like Lord of the Rings). I was amazed at the depth of characterization the author was able to achieve for Lauren in just 49 pages. Even the mentions of the bestselling middle grade sci-fi series Lauren writes were very detailed and clever. (In fact, if The Red Elevator Chronicles existed, I would LOVE to read them!)
I was very satisfied with the ending of the novella and felt like the heroine had successfully completed her story arc. If you're looking for a fast-paced, well-written romantic read, do yourself a favor and pick up this novella.
Down, Then Up is a story about redemption and second chances. When Lauren Oswald encounters her college sweetheart, Jamie, on an elevator in Vegas (where they've both gone to celebrate the impending nuptials of her sister and his cousin), things are awkward because their relationship did not end well and they haven't spoken in many years. Lauren has regrets about her behavior, which the reader learns more about via flashbacks, and she wants to make amends. Can she prove to Jamie she's changed for the better? Is he still carrying a torch for her? Will these two crazy kids be able to work things out?
There is some serious subject matter in this book (Lauren's issues), but I thought the author balanced those well with the humorous and romantic aspects of the story (Lauren and Jamie originally bonded over a love of geeky things like Lord of the Rings). I was amazed at the depth of characterization the author was able to achieve for Lauren in just 49 pages. Even the mentions of the bestselling middle grade sci-fi series Lauren writes were very detailed and clever. (In fact, if The Red Elevator Chronicles existed, I would LOVE to read them!)
I was very satisfied with the ending of the novella and felt like the heroine had successfully completed her story arc. If you're looking for a fast-paced, well-written romantic read, do yourself a favor and pick up this novella.
November 21, 2016
This review was originally posted on karaneleni.com
I read Down, Then Up before Beth Labonte's two novels, but you're getting this review last. Because #ShortStorySaturday, and all. This short took about an hour to read and I was able to start and finish before drifting off into a restless slumber. Novellas are never long enough for this bookworm, but Beth was able to write and wrap up the story of a "romance in the making" quite well, completely whetting my appetite causing me to binge read (or listen to) What Stays in Vegas and Summer at Sea. And again, she's referenced several things that this nerd loved to see in a story! I'm now out of Beth Labonte books and am trying to fill the void until her next book releases. #bookwormproblems
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July 21, 2019
3+ I think the only thing that kept this from being 4 stars was the length (and subsequent lack of depth). I'd have loved to read a bit more about these two.
It's a true second-chance romance. What didn't work out in college is getting a second chance as adults, when both have matured a bit. I really liked that what broke them up was fairly realistic - just their choices.
Clean, in that the sex is all behind closed door, off camera. Even the college drunken-morning-afters are all truly after. There's no detailed action, but at the same time, sex is implied, plus lots of drinking to excess. So not totally clean, either.
All from Lauren's POV, alternating between present day and at different points in their past. No angst or OW/OM drama. No cliffhangers, and while no HEA, they are getting their second chance. So HFN? Like I said, my biggest problem was the lack of depth due to the constraints of the length. I'd love to see more of their background, coping with being so 'different' in school, and see where they go from here. But, for a short story is was still a good read.
It's a true second-chance romance. What didn't work out in college is getting a second chance as adults, when both have matured a bit. I really liked that what broke them up was fairly realistic - just their choices.
Clean, in that the sex is all behind closed door, off camera. Even the college drunken-morning-afters are all truly after. There's no detailed action, but at the same time, sex is implied, plus lots of drinking to excess. So not totally clean, either.
All from Lauren's POV, alternating between present day and at different points in their past. No angst or OW/OM drama. No cliffhangers, and while no HEA, they are getting their second chance. So HFN? Like I said, my biggest problem was the lack of depth due to the constraints of the length. I'd love to see more of their background, coping with being so 'different' in school, and see where they go from here. But, for a short story is was still a good read.
March 1, 2017
In Down, Then Up by Beth Labonte, we meet Lauren Oswald, who is in Vegas for her sister’s bachelorette party. When her sister and her friends need a drunken late night snack, it’s Lauren who gets put on donut duty. Since making the decision to get sober, Lauren is the odd one out at the Vegas bachelorette party and heads to the elevator – where she runs into her ex, Jamie Mullins. Jamie’s cousin is marrying Lauren’s sister, and the guy are also in Vegas for the bachelor party. Lauren has been keen to avoid her old flame, but now, there is no avoiding him. Lauren and Jamie decide to make an adventure out of their late night Vegas run, and the old sparks soon begin to fly. Lauren begins to realize that Jamie was the one who got away – but could she ever possible get him back?
This was such a sweet novella! I have read from Beth Labonte in the past and was excited to try out this novella, and it was fantastic! There was a perfect blend of past and present, giving us enough information that I felt I understood the characters and could make a connection with them, but it wasn’t too much for a short story. Lauren definitely has quite the past from her wild college years, yet I felt like I got just enough information without being overloaded or brought down. I read this in one sitting and highly enjoyed it. Would definitely recommend this short and sweet novella!
Reviewed for Readers Favorite
This was such a sweet novella! I have read from Beth Labonte in the past and was excited to try out this novella, and it was fantastic! There was a perfect blend of past and present, giving us enough information that I felt I understood the characters and could make a connection with them, but it wasn’t too much for a short story. Lauren definitely has quite the past from her wild college years, yet I felt like I got just enough information without being overloaded or brought down. I read this in one sitting and highly enjoyed it. Would definitely recommend this short and sweet novella!
Reviewed for Readers Favorite
February 18, 2019
If you want a great romance author that is great then Beth Labonte is for you! I have only read two of her books but I am hooked! This story does not disappoint. Lauren takes her sister and friends to Vegas for a bachelorette party and runs into her ex on the elevator, she has changed her ways (drinking) and is embarrassed about how they ended things. What a great read, I could not put it down. The past and present stories mesh well together and keep the book flowing. Read it, love it! Now!
April 19, 2021
Thought I could take it for an hour or so
I was wrong. I couldn’t take it 20 minutes. ‘Now...This many years earlier...now this many years earlier’....
That’s it. I’m done.
I’ve been looking for ages now, for a really good, well written romance.
Guess I’ll keep looking. Insert saddy face here.
I was wrong. I couldn’t take it 20 minutes. ‘Now...This many years earlier...now this many years earlier’....
That’s it. I’m done.
I’ve been looking for ages now, for a really good, well written romance.
Guess I’ll keep looking. Insert saddy face here.
May 5, 2017
Fun quick read! I enjoy Beth's writing style and look forward to reading more of her novellas.
November 19, 2017
I really wish this book had more pages as in more story... I really liked it, but I wish there was more (I know I've already said it... sorry...)
July 5, 2018
Cute read :) I like Jamie, oh and Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Garden sounds so beautiful!
October 10, 2018
This was a cute quick short read
May 30, 2021
Good, but the ending was disappointing. I felt like the ending left me wanting.
May 15, 2023
So cute!
Such a sweet, nerdy, second chance romance novella.
Such a sweet, nerdy, second chance romance novella.
March 16, 2017
This was a new author for me and I’m sorry to say I’d never heard of her before. Thankfully that changed now that I’ve read her story of Lauren and Jamie. Lauren runs into her old college boyfriend, of all places on a crazy bachelorette weekend in Las Vegas. They both have accomplished a lot since their college years, but could it be that neither of them ever moved on from their failed relationship?
November 25, 2017
I have been a fan of Beth Labonte’s books since reading her 2011 release What Stays in Vegas. Her novella Down, Then Up brings her readers back to “Sin City” in another humorous story, that didn’t disappoint.
Lauren’s former boyfriend Jamie is every nerdy girl’s dream. The popular culture references, especially those of the sci-fi variety are so current and will appeal to a lot of readers. I especially enjoyed how the title of this novella: Down, Then Up and its cover picture tied into the story.
I would definitely recommend Beth Labonte to fans of humorous contemporary fiction and I look forward to reading more from her in the future.
Lauren’s former boyfriend Jamie is every nerdy girl’s dream. The popular culture references, especially those of the sci-fi variety are so current and will appeal to a lot of readers. I especially enjoyed how the title of this novella: Down, Then Up and its cover picture tied into the story.
I would definitely recommend Beth Labonte to fans of humorous contemporary fiction and I look forward to reading more from her in the future.
November 26, 2016
The only thing I didn't like about Beth Labonte's book, Down, Then Up: A Novella, was its length. It is just too short! This book is a second chance romance that happens in Las Vegas during pre-wedding celebrations. Jamie is there with his cousin and the groom's friends; Lauren is there for her sister, Anna. They meet again in an elevator after not seeing each other for many years. This book is a fun read because it goes back and gives us a look at their college days thirteen years ago and how their days as a couple ended. Then we get to see them interact in the present. I enjoyed reading this book and recommend it to readers who like a feel good romance!
February 23, 2017
nice second chance romance short story
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews