I was so in to this book at first — I love the concept and the first scene between Kendall and Vincent. However, I could tell from the get go that the writing was a little rough, pretty YA, and a bit cheesy. My feelings didn’t change as I kept reading so I will be DNFing at 20%. It just seems kind of childish, I guess I expect college students to be a bit more mature and secure in themselves than how Kendall is. The writing is also not the best — it’s pretty choppy — and I thought Kendall’s roommates were incredibly immature and annoying. I’m not hooked enough to wait for the spicy scenes, but thanks anyway for the ARC! I know this took Booktok by storm so clearly there are some fans out there :)

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!

A quick stress buster of a romance. I don’t love Insta-Romance so I rated it a tad low for me. I did like that the female MC is a fellow romance reader though! Pick this up for a quick, easy read.

Honestly i don’t have much to say since this was a damn good time. All i’m gonna say is all the girlies were right.
This felt like a nostalgic reading experience for some reason.
The cute cover delivers a cute romance.
I had min expectations and enjoyed my time reading it.

Kendall doesn’t like parties. Lucky for her someone needs to work the overnight shift at her college’s 24hr library on Fridays.
Vincent is the captain for the school’s basketball team and needs help with a poetry assignment. After a flash in the pan flirtation between the shelves Kendall can’t stop thinking of him. But really what could he want from her?
~~~~~
I’m going to be honest. This is insta love, heavy miscommunication, light porn with plot type of book.

All of that to say this is the perfect pallet cleanser. I went in with no expectations and got a really fun read out it. The book is self-aware in a way that could be cringy but (to me) was always still funny. Kendall and Vincent are incredibly cute and while everything plays into what are usually annoying tropes this book is setting out to give you a good time and it delivers. I’m not going to tote it as a literary masterpiece but if you need a low stakes read with some fun (vanilla) spicy scenes this is a good option to turn to.

This ARC review is a touch late so good news for you it’s already out!

Night Shift is a new adult romance read. I'm not sure if it's technically a "novella" but it's a short and quick read.

Kendall Holiday is a book loving introvert who works at the college's 24 hour library. Vincent Knight is a handsome star basketball player on campus. The two cross paths when Knight comes to the library needing help with a poetry assignment. From there, the reader follows the duo as they both awkwardly stumble towards the beginning of a relationship.

This story has insta-lust, miscommunication (but with quick resolution), and FMC virgin tropes. My favorite part was Kendall's love of romance novels and how it both hindered, and empowered, her own romance journey.

Night Shift was a satirical at times, and quick witted throughout. Overall, a very quick and enjoyable new adult read with hints of spice throughout.

Thank you NetGalley and Wattpad Books for the free digital ARC in exchange for an honest, and unbiased, review.

Absolutely loved every part of this book. Great storyline great characters and the writing was outstanding

Things you should know about this book going in:

— it is not YA (I thought it was based on the cover). It’s actually NA and set in college.
— it is VERY steamy! Seriously, be prepared.

I’m very picky about books set in college because I feel like the way college is depicted isn’t realistic. The characters never attend class or study but somehow everyone has a 4.0, that kind of stuff. This was one of the better depictions, since both of the main characters do homework and read books and study. There’s also not a ton of partying which I also found refreshing.

Night Shift follows Kendall, an English major who has a work study job at the campus library. She doesn’t like wild parties so she volunteers to take the Friday night shift. One night, Vincent, star of the basketball team, walks in and asks her for help and the story goes on from there.

This is definitely very instalovey on both their ends, but I really liked both of the characters. I was worried Vincent would be just another meathead, but he was actually very sweet and considerate of Kendall. It was refreshing how open they were with each other.

I also found the book to be very well written and snappy. This is the author’s first book, so I was impressed by that.

Overall I really enjoyed this one, though it was a LOT steamier than I was expecting given that cute cover.

I devoured this book to the point that I didn’t want to go to sleep because I needed to see what happened between Kendell and Vincent. Annie Crown killed it writing Night Shift and I am still obsessed with it. Kendell, our lovable, smutty bookworm works the Friday night shift at the 24-hour library on campus because she doesn’t like people only to have the star basketball player come to her during her shift and ask for help with a poetry assignment. Naturally, they have to go to the stacks away from prying eyes and things get heated against the bookshelves.

Both Kendell and Vincent brought personality and amazing witty banter to the table. I loved the romance trope nods throughout the book getting called out in a way that felt funny and organic and not forced. I could honestly go on for ages about how much I love Night Shift, but I think romance lovers who like their spice should just enjoy it for themselves.

Thank you to Netgalley and Wattpad Webtoon Book Group for the advanced copy of Night Shift. I adored reading this book so much.

i read this book when it was on wattpad and i loved it, so when i saw it was turned into a published book i was thrilled! i reread this and loved it just the same. it was adorable and romantic and steamy and i was obsessed. can't wait to eventually get a physical copy!

I SWOONED SO HARD. Really. This book played out every fantasy I've had about finding a man in a library. God, Kendall and Vincent are amazing and their chemistry is through the damn roof. I cannot stop thinking about this book, it has consumed every romantic fibre of my body. I NEED MORE.

This is a book about two fundamentally nice people who meet each other, immediately get along, immediately find each other attractive and immediately act on that attraction.

I guess you can see the problem.

There was no reason the book couldn't end on page 30, so the entire plot was increasingly contrived, the conflict resting on the fragile foundation of the protagonist being so obsessed with romance novels she can't distinguish them from real life and so assumes that her love interest must be plotting something nefarious behind her back despite there being zero evidence for this.

The book lampshades and pokes fun at annoying romance novel tropes, but telling me that the author realizes that the (badly done) miscommunication trope is bad doesn't make it ok to use it in the book, it just shows that the author should have known better.

I'm rating this two stars instead of one because I like what the author was going in terms of deconstructing the standard NA tropes (the "not-like-other-girls" shy bookworm who doesn't look down on other women and is just doing her own thing, the brooding sports star who is actually just shy and is a really nice person...), but the execution really left something to be desired.

I absolutely adored this book.
Yes, it was written in a more wattpad style but I think that really brought me back to my youth of reading Wattpad books!
The story follows an english major who works the friday night shift and a star basketball player who is currently out on an arm injury. They meet in the library while Kendall is working because Vincent needs English poetry for his class. But when they get to the stacks, Vincent dares her to kiss him and it truly changes her.
But with classic miscommmunication, Vincent and Kendall are unsure where they really stand. With the help of some pushing from their friends, they may be able to put it all aside and make this relationship work!

It was very cute and mildly spicy. Some parts felt rushed. but overall the pacing was pretty good. The book could have been shorter in concept than it was in length but it was very enjoyable nonetheless.


TAGS: College sports, miscommunication, virgin, basketball player, college basketball, library, college romance

book review 🧸🩷🪩✨🧁

Night Shift (arc) by Annie Crown | 09.14.23 - pub date

🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀/ 5

5 ✰

· bookworm x basketball captain · strangers to lovers · slow burn · library meet cute · she tutors him · book tropes
· girl gang ·grand gestures· love languages ·college sports romance

"Then for the sake of being direct,” he says, “I can’t stop being thinking about you, Kendall. And I’ve read every goddamned poem Elizabeth Barrett Browning ever wrote. In three weeks. For fun.”

"You’re not grand gesturing me, Holiday. Not on my watch.”

This checked all the boxes in every way. First off the bookworm vibes and book talk was everything I needed and Kendall was such a relatable character. I felt like my thoughts lined up with hers perfectly. Vincent freaking Knight! He was a top tier book boyfriend and I couldn’t ask for anyone better. He validated Kendall’s feelings and he could see right through her. Like he is everything I need and want in a man. Also Kendall’s friends Nina and Harper — I seriously wanted to be friends with them! They have a bond like no other and they had their moments but them making up made my heart melt. The ending was absolutely perfect and I will always hold it close to my heart

Thank you netgalley & Annie Crown for the arc! One of my new favorites!

4.5/5 stars.
Such a good book. I didn’t want to put it down. I did think the constant mention of books and book tropes got a bit cringy at times. But definitely not enough to take away the quality of the book.
I think it would’ve been a 5/5 if it had been a dual POV.

This book was really cute & adorable, with a dash of spice.

Vincent met Kendall on her Friday night shift at the library. One thing led to another, and they are kissing in the stacks.

There was definitely some instant attraction/love happening between the two. I liked their banter and the way they interacted, but their miscommunication was definitely frustrating. Kendall liked to assume, and she was rarely right, which was annoying but also endearing.

While I loved the overall story and the characters, they basically saw each other four times throughout the book. That just isn't enough. Call me greedy, but I want more. I don't understand why the story didn't stretch out and give the couple more time together.

I could also have done without all the romance book references. I am a book lover, and I don't reference aspects of books, like tropes, character flaws, etc., when comparing it to my real life. I think this is a personal pet peeve of mine when authors overplay the FMC being a book lover.

Overall it was a quick read full of banter, tension, and also really sweet. I enjoyed the book and read it in one sitting.

Thank you NetGalley for giving me the chance to read Night Shift! This was a totally adorable book! It was so easy to relate to Kendall for me, quiet nights at home and books are my hobby. I’m not a fan of characters falling in love so early but it totally worked and Kendall’s friends are so funny! Vincent came across as grumpy and rude in the beginning but by the end of the book was giving off book boyfriend vibes. Quick and easy read and would definitely recommend!

"Night Shift" by Annie Crown is an enchanting and steamy romance that combines the charm of a quiet library with the allure of an unexpected encounter.

Kendall Holiday is a relatable bookworm who finds solace in the quiet corners of a college library during her Friday night shift. Her love for romance novels is palpable, and her desire for a peaceful escape from the noisy weekend sets the stage for this engaging story. Readers who appreciate the comfort of books and the enchantment of libraries will instantly connect with Kendall's character.

Vincent Knight, the star basketball player, introduces an exciting twist to Kendall's serene library shift. Vincent's character, though popular and confident on the basketball court, is adorably out of his element in the library. The chemistry between Kendall and Vincent is electric, and their encounter quickly transforms from an accidental meeting to a passionate exploration.

Annie Crown expertly weaves a tale of opposites attracting and explores the challenge of translating a passionate connection into a meaningful relationship. The emotions run deep, and the sensuality of their interactions is beautifully portrayed.

The writing in "Night Shift" is captivating, drawing readers into the whirlwind romance that unfolds in the library stacks. The story is filled with longing, desire, and the excitement of discovering unexpected love. It successfully blends the magic of literature with the intensity of an intimate encounter.

"Night Shift" is a heartwarming and steamy romance that reminds us of the enchanting possibilities that can arise in the most ordinary of places. It's a story that will leave you with a smile on your face and a belief in the power of love's unpredictability.

Kendall isn’t exactly a recluse, she just enjoys spending her Friday nights reading smut while working the overnight shift at her University’s library! So when the star of the basketball team shows up one Friday, interrupts her mafia romance, and reads her a little poetry, life begins to imitate art and things steam up in the stacks! Except, bookworm Kendall can’t quite get her head OUT of the romance narrative and begins to question everything and get in her own way over and over.

This is a book for the Booktok girlies, but not in an overtly obvious way like some of these meta-romances. It was a definite good time read and I started it at 9 one evening and read until it was done. I don’t love the “virgin who needs to be taught things” trope, but since Kendal was s*x positive it wasn’t too overplayed.

Overall, enjoyable read with a touch of spice.

⭐⭐⭐.5
🌶️🌶️

Not my favorite just compared to other sports/ contemporary romances. I did enjoy the characters, but it felt very quick and not much of a plot.

Thank you to @netgalley and the publisher for providing me an E-ARC of the book in exchange for an honest review.
A shy college who spends her nights working at the library instead of partying meets the hunky star basketball player and they have a very memorable encounter; what more could you want?
Night Shift is full of fun banter, miscommunication, mutual attraction and lots of spice!
I really enjoyed the story, I just felt like it needed something more.....lots of spice, but I think I wanted a little more "getting to know you" stage. The attraction was a little quick for me, I like a slow burn!