Lola Ellis has a picture-perfect life. Until she doesn’t.
Successful, engaged to the man of her dreams, and focused. Until suddenly she’s questioning her position in the family company, her fiancé’s fidelity, and everything she thought she knew about life.
On her way to Florida to open a new branch of the family business and meet her fiancé Owen, she unexpectedly detours to visit her best friend in Durham, North Carolina. What was meant to be a week of rest and relaxation as she gets her mind right stretches into a permanent TBD. She can’t face the future waiting for her in Destin, Florida. And the longer she stays in Durham, the less she wants to.
Will English is an uptight, arrogant bartender who keeps scaring away waitresses. Too busy micromanaging his co-owning siblings, his patience is thin when it comes to the rest of the business. When Lola takes a job at his bar to fill her time while she decides what to do about the mess her life has suddenly become, he decides not to engage with the clearly underqualified new waitress. She’s clumsy, clueless, and costing him too much money every time she gives away another round of drinks because she’s messed up again. And yet… there’s something about her that keeps him from dismissing her.
Together, after the bar closes every night, they forge a friendship that doesn’t fit into either of their lives. Lola’s stay in Durham is only temporary. And Will’s roots in the city are deeply established. A relationship doesn’t make sense. But sometime after midnight one night… they decide they don’t care.
MY REVIEW
“All I wanted to do was hold his again. And again. And maybe keep holding it until my world was right side up again. Because somehow, I knew, I just knew, that he would be the one to help me get everything in order again if I let him.”
“It was like I’d been frolicking along this sidewalk of easy and fun, totally carefree. And then this black hole had just opened in front of me, and I’d fallen in without missing a step. Suddenly I was swallowed whole by emotions that were so much bigger. So much grater than I was ready for.”
Decisions We Make After Midnight is the exciting new release from author Rachel Higginson. I don’t know about you guys, but I have been anxiously waiting for something new from this author, and she does not disappoint!
Set in Durham, North Carolina, Decisions We Make After Midnight follows the story of Lola and Will. Lola lived the picture perfect life until one day it all came crashing down. Now she finds herself questioning her family’s motives and her life decisions. Unsure of her next move, Lola seeks refuge with her bestie in North Carolina. Lola had hoped that her last minute detour would provide her with some much needed clarity and a handle on her future. But what Lola hadn’t planned on was Will….
Decisions We Make After Midnight pulled me in from the very first page. I felt an instant connection with Lola and was excited to see where her story would go. You see, when we first meet up with Lola, she’s in a bit of a personal crisis. Her life has been turned upside down and the only thing she knows is that she needs time before making any big decisions. Her trip to North Carolina ended up being more than just a soul searching journey for her and I enjoyed every moment of it. Lola grew a lot as a character and learned to stand up for herself, but to live the life she wants to live. I enjoyed her banter with Will and how she didn’t put up with his broodiness. Speaking of Will, I knew he was going to be amazing right from the get go. He was broody and seemed like one mean dude. But there was so much more to him than meets the eye. Will has a heart of gold, he just need the right person to bring it out.
The tension and banter between Will and Lola was off the charts. I loved how they took things slow and really got to know one another. I appreciated how Will didn’t try to rush Lola into anything or make any life altering decisions. They met at the absolute wrong time in Lola’s life, but I loved how Will opened her eyes to a world of possibilities and made her see didn’t need perfect to live a happily life. Will and Lola were an undeniable force and I was definitely rooting for them to get their happily ever after.
The Decisions We Make After Midnight is an enjoyable read from beginning to end. Will and Lola captivated my heart from page one and I couldn’t help but devour their story. The Decisions We Make After Midnight is well written and entertaining. It’s filled with love and second chances. It’s got a sweet, slow burning romance. It’s got just the right amount of drama. And is a story of finding oneself, learning to stand up for yourself, and recognizing real love when you find it. I fell in love with every aspect of this story and am so excited to dive further into this series. This book checked off all of my boxes and all I can say is “Give Me More!!”.
*I was provided an ARC copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review*
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