A quick, easy and adorable read that is well written with a riveting storyline and well developed characters that I took to my heart. It was an emotive read that is both heart- wrenching and heart-warming at times. I couldn't put it down and read it in one very short sitting.

I did not expect to love this book as much as I did! This was beautiful. I love Sawyer and Elle. I love Jonah and Madden. This story was easy to get sucked into and ended up being such a quick read. I think I was grinning for 70% of the time and towards the end I even teared up a bit. This story focuses heavily on Sawyers late wife and all of the inner turmoil of moving on after the death of a partner as well as focusing on Elle’s failed marriage and the insecurity and distrust that comes from being cheated on by your partner. I was definitely frustrated at times, but I think that’s the beauty of it because it had to be incredibly frustrating and confusing for the characters as well.

This story has sold me on Serena Bell and the second I finish writing this, I plan to start working my way through all of her books because I just loved this that much.


Thank you #Netgalley for providing me with an arc of #Sleepover for my honest review

This was an adorable single dad next door romance that had me giggling or crying most of the way through. What do you do when the hot one night stand moves in next door, and you’re both getting over someone else? You fall in love of course! This book deals with the loss of a spouse as well as divorce in a way that highlights the difficulties but doesn’t focus on them, and it was able to remain relatively light hearted. It was fast-paced in just the right way. Occasionally the MC’s seemed a little immature for their ages, and some board game references had me lost, but otherwise a very cute and worthwhile read!

I liked the premise of this book and thought the characters were relatively well-thought through but I felt like so much of this needed to be better considered. I also didn’t enjoy the ending and it felt a little immature at times.

Where has this book been all my life?...absolutely adored the whole love story. This would be a single dad and trope. I usually don't like kids in books but I didn't mind these kids p. I loved the honesty between Sawyer and Elle is amazing. Loved p! These two are both healing with her getting over her husband cheating and him over his grieving of his wife. The chemistry and sex were spicy like I love. I have already purchased the previous two books and ill be ready for Serena's next book. Awesome

The story
When Sawyer and his young son move in next door to Elle and her young son, she realises that this is was her unforgettable hot one night stand outside a bar. Elle is recently divorced as her ex and his first girlfriend got back together. Sawyer is reeling after the death of his wife two years ago. Will they be able to re-kindle the fireworks that they enjoyed? Even when Sawyer made it clear it was a one-time-only deal?

My thoughts
I really wasn’t expecting the depth of emotion from both Elle and Sawyer’s perspectives that are shared in this beautiful story. It’s particularly spicy, and even though both are recovering from heartache, they find the physical compatibility very present. I loved how the two boys found insta-love and acceptance much quicker than their parents did. It’s such a cute read!

Thank you NetGalley and Jelsba Media Group for this new and improved copy of Sleepover in exchange for an honest review.

⭐️3.5 🌶3

This was my first read by Serena Bell, I wasn’t lucky enough to get read this book the first time around, but I definitely enjoyed this story. In my opinion, the plot was very original.

Sleepover includes a super cute storyline about a one night stand which results in a second chance meet cute when Elle and Sawyer become neighbors. Their instant attraction is everything. I was loving the banter and how the start and continuation to their relationship was very unconventional. Don’t get me started on Jonah and Madden - they were the most adorable (and emotionally mature) little 8 year olds ever.

The few things I did not like in this book were the characters inner dialogue and the plots pace. Their dialogue/inner monologue was always very sexualized. The plot sometimes felt a little rushed in my opinion, but I was ultimately able to get past it since it was such a cute story.

I think this book is perfect for someone who loves a single parent or blended family romantic comedy with lots (and I mean lots) of spice. The bonus epilogue is also 10/10!

Thank you NetGalley and Jelsba Media Group for this new and improved copy of Sleepover in exchange for an honest review.

"This book was previously released in 2018 by another publisher. It has been lightly revised and re-edited."

Fortunately I did not have the chance to read the original published copy, so I was happy to go into this one with a blank slate. Unfortunately this felt a little cringy to me. I also feel as if the description was a bit misleading. While yes, Sawyer and Elle are neighbours and yes their boys become instant best friends, the description made it seem like Sawyer was a bit more stand off ish but that's not the case.

This was a LOT steamier than I was anticipating. Like a "I'm blushing while reading in public" kinda steam. I didn't hate it, but just thought I should leave a note about it to prepare the next reader.

I liked the dual POV, and while there was a little miscommunication it wasn't frustrating like I usually find. Mainly because both of them were fairly rational about their situation. I don't know if it was because I just watched Safe Haven but I couldn't stop picturing Julianne Hough as Elle and a young Josh Duhamal as Sawyer. Both characters were super likeable right from the beginning which was a nice switch up.

I just feel like this was too sex-based to be the second chance love story I had pictured in my head. We got to see what Elle found attractive about Sawyer (his parenting, his quietness, his ability to listen etc) but we never really learn what he finds attractive about Elle other than physical attraction and that peeved me a little.

This was a good middle of the road book, but was a bit too cringe to be one of my top reads.

PS - there is a bonus chapter available to read that was a really sweet ending. 10/10 recommend looking into for some extra serotonin.

Sleepover follows widower and single dad Sawyer is moving into a new home with the promised of reduced rent if he fixes up the house, when he moves in his son Jonah makes fast friends with the little boy next door. But when he meets that boy's mom, Elle, and It turns out that she's the woman he had a 1NS with a 2 months before. And not any old 1NS, but an alley wallbanger outside of a bar.. Elle is recently divorced from a cheating ex and is wary of being 2nd best again, and Sawyer still loves with his deceased wife.

This book was well written and the characters were well developed.
The two main characters, Elle and Sawyer, are mature adults who put the needs of their children first, which I found refreshing. Elle, a woman who has been wronged and who is doing an amazing job of making a new life for herself and her eight year old son. Sawyer has experienced a crushing loss, and is also trying to raise his eight year old son alone.

Elle and Sawyer had one night together, and he was clear that one night is all it would be. but now he is living next door and their sons are best friends. Can they both move on from the past and be together? A great read - hope his brother gets his own book!

A new cover and a plot that includes a lot I am drawn to had me requesting a book I have already read and reviewed. I am glad it did because who knows when I would have gotten around to reading it again and this is a book worth rereading. It was every bit as engrossing the second time around with a relationship that develops on the page as two characters grow and heal together. Hopefully I will remember to read this one again sooner rather than later.

Sleepover
by Serena Bell
Pub Date: 29 Mar 2022
3.5/5 Stars

This book is about Sawyer, a widower of two years with a young son and Elle, a recently divorced mom of a young son. The main characters meet up in a bar and have a one-night stand. It’s understood that this was a one-time only hook-up. Soon Sawyer moves into a home he will be renovating that just happens to be next door to Elle, the one-night stand he can’t forget.

The narrative of Sawyer’s journey to move on from his loss is heart wrenching. The boys are adorable, and Elle and Sawyer generate a lot of heat throughout the book. I enjoyed this quick read, especially the sweet ending.

Thank you to NetGalley and Jelsba Media Group for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Sawyer Paulson is a widower. He moves to a new place with his son Jonah. When he meets his new neighbor, Elle. He's met her before as a one night stand. He told her he doesn't hook up twice with the same woman. Elle is a divorcee with a son, Madden. She has major PTSD from her ex-husband.

This book was fantastic. It's spicy and heartwarming. I laughed with the characters and cried happy tears and some sad tears. This was first Serena Bell book and definitely not my last. I also found that this book is third in a series. Which is fantastic news. I enjoyed the writing immensely.

Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for an ARC of this book. I have not been compensated for this voluntary review.

This is the second book of Serena Bell's I have read, and she is quickly becoming a favourite. This very sweet and funny story about a grieving widower and a woman whose ex-husband did a number on her have a one-night fling and then realise they are next door neighbours is a very satisfying read.

I loved Sawyer and Elle's instant connection just as much as their awkward subsequent encounters and the way their love develops. Elle's verbal diarrhoea is very endearing. The kids are super cute as well. I loved Elle's girlfriends who helped her to grieve the end of her relationship with her ex-husband.

I hope there's more to this group of friends - I think they are hilarious and this book warmed my heart.