It Happened One Night

Nov 24, 2009 Emma rated it 4 of 5 stars

It was difficult for me to rate this book. Honestly, it's agood book. Lisa Dale really has a beautiful writing. The way the story was told was original and very emotional. Eli, the main character, was amazing. A solid beta hero with just a hint of caveman attitude... the best ;-).
He really was perfect, both in and out. Heck, every woman should have an Eli in her life !
And there stands part of the problem for me. Truth is, I really didn't like Lana (at all). Half the time I couldn't even underst...more

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May 11, 2012 Hilcia rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2009, contemporary, romance, women-s-fiction

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 c...more

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Sep 05, 2011 Pamela rated it 3 of 5 stars

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 h...more

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Aug 28, 2010 Monica rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviewed

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 any...more

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Jan 14, 2010 Patti Loves FAB Romance rated it 4 of 5 stars

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 El...more

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Dec 15, 2009 Frana rated it 5 of 5 stars

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 thin...more

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Nov 17, 2009 Lynda Coker rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2009-reads

My Thoughts

Complicated family relationships entangled with an even more complicated love interest kept me reading to see how Lana would resolve her mostly self-imposed problems. This book is definitely character driven, and while romance is not the focal issue, it’s an important part of the whole.

While beta males are not my favorite, Eli proves his manly worth by his unswerving devotion to Lana. Lana, on the other hand, sometimes infuriated me with her torturous treatment of Eli. I must confess...more

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Jan 13, 2010 Gaby rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: chicklit, contemporary-romance

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 th...more

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Nov 04, 2009 Kelly Moran rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: my-reviews

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...more 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
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Dec 10, 2009 Danielle rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: modern-romance

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...more 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?(less)

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Dec 13, 2009 Haley Mathiot rated it 3 of 5 stars

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...more 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+
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Dec 16, 2009 Rane rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads-arcs-netgallery, contemporary-romance, inspirational-romance

A single event can shape and change’s someone’s life forever..when a spring fling results with a surprise pregnancy, Lana Biel is faced with many changes in her life, with the outcome not only effecting her but her sister Karin who craves a child of her own and the man who has loved Lana for so long her best friend Eli Ward. With this single event changing and touching each of their lives leading them on a path of understanding, forgiveness and love........

It Happened One Night is a mix on con...more A single event can shape and change’s someone’s life forever..when a spring fling results with a surprise pregnancy, Lana Biel is faced with many changes in her life, with the outcome not only effecting her but her sister Karin who craves a child of her own and the man who has loved Lana for so long her best friend Eli Ward. With this single event changing and touching each of their lives leading them on a path of understanding, forgiveness and love........

It Happened One Night is a mix on contemporary romance and inspirational romance with the author Lisa Dale leaving the reader with some great food for thought through it’s pages. The story centers around Lana, her sister Karin and her BF Eli as they deal with Lana’s pregnancy, their feelings of the past and how it shaped their lives today. The book is broken up in months not chapters with each month followed with a little info on a wildflower that foreshadows the events to come and further broken down to days as it follows the events leading to Lana’s due date.

Lana and her sister Karin had a hard childhood with a uncaring father who ran a boarding house and never gave the girls a second thought unless he needed them to help clean or cook. Growing up in the uncaring environment Karin and Lana stick close to together, with Karin acting more at times like a mother then a sister to Lana. Lana and Karin set up the Wildflower Barn which they sell wildflowers and art. But Lana craves more, being free-spirited, Lana dreams of traveling, but feels tied down by her sister whom craves roots. Not wanting to hurt her sister by leaving her, Lana stays, but when one night leaves her pregnant. Lana must makes the choice of giving up her dreams of being free or being tried down or pushing away the man whose loves her so many long years......
Eli Ward has been in love with Lana since college even after a magical night, Lana made it clear with a hurtful event they could only be friends. Because of this Eli has always hide his feelings for Lana tightly in his heart. But with her sudden pregnancy, Eli finally opens his eyes that he can’t just give up on Lana with the pull between the as great as ever and keep being her friend, he decides that he’ll either have her by his side or let her go once and for all......
Karin has married a wonderful man and has a good life, but she craves more, she wants a child, but no matter how she tried, she can’t seem to get pregnant because of this she starts to slowly hurt the ones she loves with anger. When she learns of her sister’s pregnancy, she hurt beyond words, but sees this as her chance to finally have the child she wants, but in process she starts to lose sight of everyone around her and their feelings in her quest to have a child of her own.

The book doesn’t only center around the building romance of Lana and Eli, but the relationships of everyone involved. The pace of the book at times can become down right boring with everyday happenings, but the pace is very easy going and doesn’t leave you wondering if you missed anything. The characters are really the greatness point in all of the book, showing something we all must go through as each comes to his or her own decision about their feelings and choices.
With Lana you can either love her or hate her or become indifferent. At times you wonder where her head was at and other times you wanted to give her a big hug and other times she just didn’t know. Lana showed something we all deal with in our lives “the crossroads”. Do we go this way: carefree and trouble free or do we take the other road where we chose love and become the mature adult. The author showed this in Lana as she must decide to give up her baby or finally put down roots and raise her baby but also finally accept the love Eli has had been carrying for her. Lana at times was pretty selfish in the way she acted toward Eli but due to her childhood was scared of putting down roots and risking her friendship and have it blow it her face and lose Eli and the deep fear of her becoming like her father scared her to think of giving up her baby. Lana does chose the road she must travel and as she does she becomes not only a stronger mature woman, but someone willing to accept the love of another a child and let go of her fears, forgive and take a leap of faith.

I loved Eli, he was a true beta hero with small bit of gamma in him, Eli as a meteor. hunter/teacher, he loves the stars but loves Lana even more. Eli at first is a push-over period. Loving Lana for years but staying as her friend is almost close to self inflicting torture, and I wonder how he could have stayed around so long with Lana kinda always messing up relationships. I just couldn’t but cheer for him as he finally stood his ground and started to win Lana over and calm her fears. Eli was sweet and the love scenes him and Lana were just as sweet, but he never pushed Lana to do his bidding, but coaching and gentle told her his feelings and where he stood without coming across like an a-hole. His words of love to Lana brought tears to my eyes, even though there was a misunderstanding between him and Lana, Lana and him still had some of trust issues to work through, but after getting through that hurdle it’s clear sailing for both of them.

Karin was the hardest of the three to understand. Her craving for a child started to put a wedge between not on her husband but her sister as well, as she started to push the issue of letting her take Lana’s child. Karin wanted the family she always wanted as a child, but because of this she became blinded to everyone and became selfish. No one can understand the need of a child then a woman whom wants one. But her need became to great, that she had to lose everything to see what she was doing. Karin was ruled by her past more then Lana, her wounds ran deep but through her understanding and forgiveness of her father and her childhood Karin comes to terms as she helps Lana deliver the baby.

Many of the leads face their own crossroads some that many us of face everyday, but through their trails they find peace they sought.

Overall: a beautiful written story with a deep depth to each character as they chose their road in the crossroad of life, and find peace in their souls through love and a some faith.
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Nov 10, 2009 Mandi Schreiner rated it 4 of 5 stars

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...more 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:

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.(less)

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Dec 12, 2009 Katrina rated it 4 of 5 stars

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 in...more

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Mar 20, 2011 Amy A rated it 4 of 5 stars

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 u...more 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. (less)

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Dec 23, 2009 Lori added it

I 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 a...more

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May 17, 2011 Sarah (The Brazen Bookworm) rated it 2 of 5 stars

It seemed like so many of the reviews that I read here and on other sites were positive, so I was really looking forward to reading it. I love the idea of best friends realizing they're in love. Unfortunately, I couldn't get into this book that much because I just didn't like the heroine. The hero was great, and it bugged me how she treated him. Also, the heroine's sister was distinctly unlikable, and I was really unsympathetic toward her based on the way she treated others. Overall, I would rea...more

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Oct 24, 2010 Heather rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporaryromance

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 q...more

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Jan 13, 2010 April rated it 4 of 5 stars

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 be...more 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!(less)

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Oct 04, 2011 Denise rated it 2 of 5 stars

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 th...more

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Feb 07, 2010 Erin rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-i-own

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 fe...more

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Feb 17, 2010 Becca rated it 4 of 5 stars

This book was very captivating. It tells the story of two best friends and their morphing relationship as they go through the trial and errors of life. An unplanned situation occurs that the female, Lana must deal with which alters the life of not only her, but also the lives of her sister Karin and her best friend Eli. This romance is a haunting read of friendship, family, and romance that will stay with you the rest of your life.

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Dec 11, 2009 Mary (MrsBrownsFan) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads, 2009

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 k...more

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Jan 30, 2010 Carrie rated it 2 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Sep 14, 2012 Annette rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-2012

My first book of Lisa Dale. I have to say I'm not disappointed at all. The story is amazing, very emotional and very REAL.
Women should have an Eli Ward in their lives. He was beautiful inside and out. Lana, the main charatcer, was a bit stressful for me. I wanted to slap some sense into her.
At the end, the book got me shedding a few tears. It was a lovely ending!
I so want to read more book by this author.

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Mar 31, 2012 Laura rated it 3 of 5 stars

Although in the beginning this wasn't a book I had to have in my hands at all times, I couldn't wait to find out how the characters ended up. This book tugged at many different emotions. Overall the book is an okay read-it's not on my list of books that will be re read many times over-but it's wasn't a waste of my time either.

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Dec 21, 2009 Aksana rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: firstreads, drama

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...more

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Mar 31, 2011 Heidi rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-2011

Thanks to Martha's Review for giving me this book. As I'm not usually a reader of romance, I was pleasantly surprised to enjoy the book. Yes, it followed the formula of friends having deeper feelings toward one another, one pushing the other away, then the inevitable outcome. But I liked it! Might even turn me into a romance reader after all!

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Jan 20, 2012 Erin rated it 1 of 5 stars

I skimmed through the last half of the book as it was so hard to continue to read about whether or not they should tell eachother their feelings. I should have just stopped reading it.

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Dec 31, 2012 Heidi rated it 1 of 5 stars

So so boring! I only finished it because I can't stand to not finish books, but the last chapters were so predictable I really just skimmed them. ugh!

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