Who would’ve thought a wrong-number text could lead to everything you never knew you needed? Emmy is living her dream as a baseball stat analyst, thriving in a male-dominated field and perfectly content with her single life—despite the looming chaos of her younger sister’s upcoming wedding. But everything changes with one unexpected text message from a stranger, cheekily saved in her phone as “Axe Murderer.”

What starts as a curious and funny back-and-forth turns into something deeper, and Emmy finds herself catching feelings for a man she’s never even met. When she finally decides to meet him—partly out of curiosity, partly because she’s in desperate need of a wedding date—she’s stunned (and horrified) to discover that “Axe Murderer” is none other than her professional nemesis, Gabe.

Despite her better judgment, Emmy invites Gabe to the lavish destination wedding in Cancun. What follows is a magical weekend full of laughter, unexpected connection, and sizzling chemistry. But reality hits hard once they’re back in California, especially when the promotion they’ve both been chasing is suddenly in jeopardy due to their newfound relationship.

Faced with a difficult decision, Emmy and Gabe must ask themselves: is a shot at love worth risking everything they’ve worked for?

Last Night Was Fun is exactly that—fun, heartfelt, and utterly charming. With sparkling wit and emotional depth, this story explores love, ambition, and the vulnerability of opening up after past heartbreak. Emmy and Gabe’s journey had me laughing, swooning, and tearing up in equal measure. It’s a feel-good romance with substance, and I have no doubt it will be a breakout hit for Summer 2025.

This book had me excited after reading the synopsis, but DAMN! Holly Michelle hit this one out of the park! *pun totally intended* From the sweet and funny texts between Emmy and her mystery man to the backdrop of San Diego this book had me hooked from page 1. And the story was so beautifully executed! I saw it all in the my head as if it were a hilarious (and finally steamy) rom-com. If you like sports romance, good banter, enemies-to-lovers and a good slow burn you'll definitely want to pick this one up for a great summer read. 5 stars all the way. Thank you to Avon and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Publishing June 10

I found this to be pretty adorable. And I'll admit that as a native San Diegan, I freaking LOVED this absolutely true (paraphrased) passage:

"...if willingly driving from San Diego to Los Angeles on a weekday isn't a profession of love, I don't know what is"

Enjoyed the low-angst lighthearted banter and their backstories, even though I wasn't sure the long-term affection was believable.

Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

Had such a fun time with this read! A refreshing take on a sports romance - instead of a romance with a pro athlete, it was between rival data analysts (and it truly did give The Hating Game vibes). I do wish there was a liiiitle more of that rivalry dynamic, what we got was fun, but it leaned more toward insta-love than slow-burn tension. That said, it still felt believable, which I appreciated.

I surprisingly, loved the MMC despite him being golden retriever coded. I think it worked for him here and made him a good match for Emmy, who I also loved and found very easy to root for. I also really liked that both characters had real emotional baggage to work through because it added depth to their relationship and made their connection feel earned.

Also want to say that I really appreciated how the third-act breakup was handled. Normally that’s a trope I don’t love, but the conflict here felt believable and the resolution wasn’t overly drawn out and the groveling was done in a fun way.

What stood out to me the most was the focus on the math/science of the game. It might be the baseball nerd in me, but I do think it gave the book a grounded, STEM-y feel that totally reminded me an Ali Hazelwood novel.

PS: Bonus points for mixed media!!! Always love it in a romance novel.

*will post on instagram closer to pub date* LAST NIGHT WAS FUN by Holly Michelle ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A lighthearted, FUN, sexy romcom that will make your cheeks hurt from smiling. I would say this book is You’ve Got Mail, meet The Hating Game, meets, Never Been Kissed... FUN. I flew through it (binged in a day), stayed up way too late reading, and was giddy the entire time. It was a bit predictable, but that didn’t make it any less enjoyable. If you want a quick, fun binge… pick this up!

Emmy gets a text from a wrong number, and ends up striking up a conversation. They click and end up texting for weeks! When she needs a date to her sisters wedding, she asks her mystery man. Unfortunately, when they meet, mystery man ends up being her work nemesis.

Perfect if you like:
•Enemies to lovers.
•Forced proximity.
•Workplace romance.
•Fake dating.
•10/10 banter and chemistry!

Pub. Date: 6/10/25

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Mood: 🍩🌮

🚪: chapters 15, 16, 18.

I absolutely loved everything about this romcom-esque book! Emmy and Gabe had the perfect mix of rivalry, tension, and chemistry, and I was hooked from the very first wrong-number text Emmy receives.

I was a little nervous going in because I’m not big on sports reads, but honestly, the baseball backdrop was not overwhelming to the story at all. It never got too detailed or overbearing, and it added just enough to the story without taking over. The real magic was in the banter and the slow-burn tension between these two. Their work rivalry was witty and competitive, but their texting relationship was so sweet and charming. I loved watching it all unfold.

Also, the Mexico wedding trip added a super fresh element partway through to really make everything more exciting and so it never got stale. I was smiling the whole time, and I already want to read it again.

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon for the eARC!

4.5 Stars rounded up!

If a book blurb mentions You've Got Mail, I'm in!! This was a cute rom com that felt like a more modern take on that beloved movie, trading emails for texts and rival bookstore owners for rival coworkers. I was hooked instantly and absolutely loved it. Our main characters, Emmy and Gabe, are both data analysts for a professional baseball team in San Diego. They are very snarky towards each other and you could cut the tension with a knife! But one morning Gabe texts Emmy thinking it was the gal he met the night before at a bar. But actually, he was given a fake number. Quite the texting relationship blooms and they decide to meet after a few weeks.. well let's just say it didn't go as either of them planned. I'll leave you with that as I don't want to spoil anything else! Ahhh this book had everything I love in a rom com. Witty dialogue (and shoutouts to Mrs. Doubtfire and A League of their Own), swoony main characters, lovely supporting side characters, some spice, and a story filled with depth, love, growth, and forgiveness. If you are a You've Got Mail fan like myself or just love the enemies to lovers trope, this one's for you. This author also writes under the name Holly James and has 4 other books, which I will promptly be adding to my never ending TBR. Thank you Avon, Harper Voyager, and NetGalley for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest review. Pub day is June 10th.

Thank you to Avon, Harper Voyager | Avon, and Holly Michelle for the gifted eARC of Last Night Was Fun, all opinions are my own!

Reading Last Night Was Fun gave me the same serotonin boost as watching How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days for the first time. Ugh, I live for the enemies-to-lovers trope and the stakes are so much higher here because they’re co workers fighting for the same promotion.

The chemistry? Absolutely electric. There were so many almost-reveals where they should have figured out their secret identities, but each near miss just made the final unmasking that much more satisfying. Holly Michelle nailed the tension.

The romance is swoony, the pacing is spot-on, and the emotional payoff hit all the right notes. There was just enough conflict and longing to keep me hooked until they finally gave in—and when they did, it was amazing. I already can’t wait to see what Holly Michelle writes next!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

My review was posted to Goodreads on 5/24/25.
My Instagram review will be posted on 6/2/25.
My Amazon review will be posted on 6/10/25.

Enemies to lovers plus baseball with a You've Got Mail story line? What's not to like!

Emmy and Gabe are both snarky and funny and very obvious a perfect fit, no matter what they want to think. Beyond the fun romance, there is some depth to both people and watching them grow brings this above a normal romance book.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

When I saw the cover of Last Night Was Fun, the bright colors and cute image caught my eye. Holly Michelle is the author, and she has also written novels with the name Holly James. I’m so glad I gave this book a shot. I loved it! So many fun tropes in this book - enemies-to-lovers, rivals-to-lovers, workplace romance, blind dating over text, forced proximity, only one bed. I loved Emmy, the proud feminist female main character working successfully as an analyst for a professional baseball team who unknowingly finds her perfect match in her co-worker Gabe.

Emmy and Gabe have worked together for several years on the same team as analysts. Gabe has a secret crush on Emmy, but Emmy loathes Gabe as she feels that he is always one-upping her at work. She is determined to beat Gabe and win the promotion both are vying for. As the story begins, Emmy receives a random text from an unknown number. She and her mystery man continue texting and form a strong connection. They pour out their worries, work issues, and hopes to each other, not having any idea that Emmy and Gabe are actually texting each other. The author creates a flirty and sweet text exchange between the characters that is so much fun to read. The text banter had chemistry, humor, and really moved the story forward.

When their identities are revealed, Emmy is overwhelmed and panics. She invites Gabe last-minute to be her plus-one to her sister’s wedding in Mexico, and they have a wonderful romantic weekend together. When they return home, real life comes crashing down and they have to decide whether to continue dating, and how to handle working together.

I really enjoyed both main characters of the book. At the beginning of the story, Emmy describes Gabe as her arch-nemesis and she can’t stand him. As the book progresses, and they start texting, then get to know each other in Mexico, everything changes. Both characters evolve so much during the book, and the author does a terrific job showing their attraction and feelings towards each other, but also their inner struggles. Emmy and Gabe are a wonderful match in many ways, as the reader sees throughout the book.

I didn’t really enjoy the character of Piper, Emmy’s sister. She is an important part of the story since her wedding takes place during the book, but I found her annoying. She is self-centered and dramatic, and I didn’t enjoy the parts of the book that she was featured in. Piper’s shallow nature didn’t really fit in with Emmy or their parents either.

This is a wonderful contemporary romance about finding love where and how you least expect it. Emmy was worried that the unknown guy she was texting was an Axe Murderer, but he ended up being her work colleague who has secretly liked her for years. I read this book over two days and just could not put it down. I was on the edge of my seat when Emmy and Gabe are revealed to each other. I look forward to reading more from Holly Michelle in the future.

Thanks to Holly Michelle, Avon, Harper Voyager and NetGalley for an advance reader’s copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

A fun rom-com, perfect for summer reading!

Enemies to lovers, only one bed, some of my favorite tropes on this one.

These characters are well developed and you care about both of them, deeply.

Definitely will be recommending to friends who are looking for a fun romance read!

Talk about a home run romance! ⚾ Last Night Was Fun is a swoony, sun-soaked, You’ve Got Mail-style workplace romance with a side of nerdiness that makes it oh-so-adorable. Emmy Jameson and Gabe Olson are rivals on the field—er, in the office—competing for the same promotion on the San Diego team’s analytics staff. Emmy’s used to being underestimated as the only woman in her department, and Gabe is the annoyingly attractive coworker who is constantly trying to out-stat her.

When Emmy receives a flirty “last night was fun” text from an unknown number and keeps texting the sender, she never expects it to be him. But when text guy turns out to be Gabe, she’s already invited him to a destination wedding as her plus one… and now they’re sharing a hotel room in Cancun. Forced proximity, sizzling chemistry, a one-bed situation, and a beachside wedding? Game on.

This book is a fun, flirty read that hits all the right bases with laugh-out-loud banter, strong character development, and the kind of rivals-to-lovers tension that makes the crown go wild. Emmy is a smart, determined heroine, and Gabe? A total MVP. If you're into punny, heartwarming romances with big summer energy, you’ll want this one in your starting lineup.

📚 Read if you like:
• Workplace rivals
• Forced proximity + one bed
• Cancun weddings
• Secret texting with a twist
• Baseball and banter

I love the present aspect of texting in books with this day and age dating experiences.
It was a little predictable right off the bat (get it? The book has baseball in it) however, it is a cool concept. The idea of a wrong number message going further. The relationship the MMC and the FMC has is super fun.

I have picked up this book several times and have not been able to get into it. I'm DNF'ing, unfortunately. The writing style is not for me. I couldn't connect to the characters.

Okay, it takes a lot for me to give a romance novel 5 stars. Maybe it's because I'm a cynic. If the plot is too far-fetched, I have trouble going with it. But Holly Michelle...I LOVED this book!!! This book has such a fun plot! I loved the author's writing style. I loved Emmy. I can relate to her as I also work in a male-dominated field. And we all know a Gabe, or at least on the outside. Good looking, so we assume he has no depth. So I love the clever and funny plot line. I love the build-up. And I loved the ending (no spoilers). Just a really good read for anyone, and this book makes me want to seek out more by the author. Thank you, Holly Michelle, Avon, and NetGalley for the ARC.

This book drew me in with billing it as the love child of “You’ve Got Mail” and “The Hating Game.” Based on that description alone I could not resist wanting to read more! Sports data analyst Emmy receives a wrong number text and replies, thinking it’s her annoying neighbor. Instead, she begins a text exchange with a stranger she dubs “Axe Murderer” who becomes an anonymous confidante and friend. Emmy welcomes this escape from her nagging family and her workplace rival with her coworker and fellow baseball analyst Gabe. Thanks to their budding friendship and growing feelings, Emmy takes a leap and invites her anonymous texting friend to be her plus one to her sister’s wedding. Only after meeting does she find out that her confidant and crush is none other than Gabe!

After a lot of debate and discussion, they decide to go ahead with the wedding date, despite them vying for the same promotion at work. The more time they spend together, the more they realize that they actually like each other. A lot. But long ago Emmy promised herself that she would never again allow a man to upturn her goals and career plans.

This book had so many of my favorite tropes: enemies to lovers, workplace rivals, slow burn, forced proximity, mistaken identity, only one bed. Their interactions as rivals never was so acrimonious that you didn’t root for them getting together. Emmy and Gabe not only had such good romantic chemistry together, but more importantly they had good communication. Maybe it’s because their true connection began anonymously via text, where they can be honest and vulnerable with each other. Despite being rivals, they were mature adults and talked about their issues, which is a breath of fresh air in the rom com world. This was such a fun and fast read and perfect for summer! Publishes June 10th so mark it on your calendars and don’t miss it!

When Emmy receives a random “wrong number” text the essence of her life is changed. This total stranger becomes her confidant, telling them her thoughts, her secrets and her daily affairs. Emmy is at total ease with this person and desperately needs this distraction because of her work place nemesis, Gabe Olson. Gabe is a good-looking ex baseball player who is competing for the same promotion as Emmy. Not only does Emmy feel the pressure at work, her family wants her to find a date to take to her sister’s destination wedding.
Taking a bold step Emmy decides to ask the stranger (a.k.a. “Axe Murderer”) to be her date. What follows is a sweet, funny romcom that will warm your heart. Read this one to find out what happens to Emmy.
Thank you NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for my ARC.

Thank you Holly Michelle, Avon and NetGalley for the chance to arc read this book. 💕

What can I say besides I love seeing text changes? Like it honestly makes it feel so relatable because we all know the way we text on a daily. But not only do we get adorable texts, we get that whole chance stand each other relationship that turns into lovers with that oh so yummy slow burn. Plus the forced proximity of it all just is the icing on top! This was such an adorable romcom with the perfect slow burn build up. 💕

This was super cute! The premise was unique and kept me entertained throughout. It hits on quite a few tropes but it does work. I loved their text exchanges especially. Characters were very easy to like. The chemistry between Gabe and Emmy was amazing. Pace was perfect. Overall, it was a fun, enjoyable romance and I would recommend it.

I absolutely loved Last Night Was Fun by Holly Michelle. If you’re a fan of enemies to lovers with a dash of sports romance, this is for you. Emmy is a data analyst for a San Diego baseball team who doesn’t date and constantly has to prove herself to the men at work that she belongs. Gabe is her extremely attractive coworker who makes her life hell, one-upping her at every turn. She’s all work and no play so when she gets a random text message that says “Last night was fun,” she starts texting the person initially just to tell them they have the wrong number and then ends up hitting it off with the nameless/faceless guy on the other end. In a moment of desperation, she asks him to be her date to her sister’s wedding in Cancun but when they show up to meet in advance, she’s shocked to discover it’s Gabe. When they go ahead with it (after a lot of debate), she’s even more shocked to realize that she actually likes Gabe. Like really likes Gabe and he really likes her but they’re up for the same promotion at work and Emmy swore she would never let a guy dictate her career after a particularly bad instance with a previous boyfriend.

I loved Emmy and Gabe. I loved that the book was based in San Diego, a personal favorite. I loved the amusement factor before they realize who the other person is on the end of the phone. And I really loved their chemistry and what a good guy Gabe ended up being. This was such a great quick read that perfectly balanced fun and emotion and I can’t recommend it enough!