A review by ellelainey
Only One Nightstand by Bradley Scott

emotional hopeful inspiring fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

 

 ** I WAS GIVEN THIS BOOK FOR MY READING PLEASURE ** 

 ~ 

 Only One Nightstand, by Bradley Scott 

★★★★★ 

 1st person, past tense, single character POV 

 This is Scott's first book, and I was lucky enough to be given an ARC for review. I loved the concept, the title and Scott has been a lovely, positive presence in my feed ever since we were first in contact. I'll admit, all of that made me nervous. I always get nervous reading a debut book for review, but it's worse when the author is such a nice person and everything about the book seems ideal to my reading preferences. 

 I was NOT disappointed. 

 First off, I really want to thank Scott for the Content Notice. Too many authors who use “please see my website for more details” are hiding serious triggers that readers really need to be aware of. Not this time. Scott tells us everything we need in the content notice, and graciously elaborates on the website about the extent of those warnings without adding more. THANK YOU! This is the kind of warnings book need: letting the reader go into the story fully informed. 

 For a short story, listed as only 39 pages!, it packed A LOT of story into a small space, which is something I love. Although it was spicy and hot and full of one night-stand romance, I loved that it had heart and depth to the storyline. It wasn't just about two people hooking up – which is fine too – but it was a kind of affirmation, the beginning of a journey that I look forward to following into the novel. 

 Quick context rundown: 

 Jerry's husband left six months – not quite in the night, but doing a sudden flit without warning, taking all the stuff from their apartment “that he paid for” *insert side-eye* – leaving Jerry in limbo, with barely anything to furnish his home, and feeling like a failure, but also a little bit confused because they're separated but not quite divorced. His husband – he who shall not be graced with a name, because he's a controlling, gaslight ass – just took off, leaving his life behind, which has left Jerry floundering and lost. 

 One rainy night, he spots a vaguely familiar face in the rain, and offers Dax a warm place to wait until his tow truck arrives, not realising that won't happen until morning. Dax is porn-star gorgeous, golden retriever energy, who goes with the flow. He's also engaged, but on “a break”, a routine occurrence with his girlfriend/fiancee. 

 Together, they have one night of mutual attraction and freedom to explore. 

 ~ 

 Only One Nightstand is a super cute one night-stand, forced proximity, only one bed short story. It has cute, relatable, loveable characters, a solid background plot, and holds a lot of promise for there to be a strong romance in the future. Although it was short, the story was full of depth and hope, showing what promises to be the beginning of a long but meaningful and important journey of self exploration and rediscovery. I can't wait to read Please Like and Subscribe, and more of Bradley Scott's work in the future. 

 ~ 

 Favourite Quote 

 “It was amazing to be touched again, but this was like crawling out of the desert and landing in a pool of champagne.”