Review: The Night We Said Yes by Lauren Gibaldi

Title: The Night We Said Yes
Author: Lauren Gibaldi
Series: Stand Alone
Published By: Harper Teen (June 16, 2015)
Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: YA Contemporary
My Rating: 4.5 Stars!


Book Description:
A fun, romantic read, perfect for fans of Sarah Dessen and Susane Colasanti!

Before Matt, Ella had a plan. Get over a no-good ex-boyfriend. Graduate from high school without any more distractions. Move away from Orlando, Florida, where she’s lived her entire life. 

But Matt—the cute, shy, bespectacled bass player who just moved to town—was never part of that plan.

And neither was attending a party that was crashed by the cops just minutes after they arrived. Or spending an entire night saying “yes” to every crazy, fun thing they could think of.

Then Matt abruptly left town, and he broke not only Ella’s heart but those of their best friends, too. So when he shows up a year later with a plan of his own—to relive the night that brought them together—Ella isn’t sure whether Matt’s worth a second chance. Or if re-creating the past can help them create a different future. 

In alternating then and now chapters, debut author Lauren Gibaldi crafts a charming, romantic story of first loves, lifelong friendships, uncovered secrets, and, ultimately, finding out how to be brave.

*Amazon*B&N*

I hate to admit this, but when I picked this up, I was in a sort of YA contemporary funk. I was so tired of the same old, same old and I really wasn't all that excited to start this. But, the synopsis looked original and fun and I was hoping like crazy that this debut novel would blow me away, get me out of my own head and most of all be fun. Something I seriously needed in order to get back into the groove of this genre.

Wonderfully written as it goes back and forth from the “now” to the “then” this novel was exactly what I needed and was looking for. A true breath of fresh air in the contemporary genre. 

Matt and Ella were two characters that I instantly liked, felt for, and later, fell in love with.

So many moments in this made me stop and think and most of all smile as Matt and El told their story, the story of their past, and their future.

This truly was just what I needed. With amazing side characters that had a story to share every bit as much as Matt and El did, I loved every minute of this read and tried to savor it so it would never end.

A wonderful tale of first love, heart break, growing up, staying strong, and finally becoming that person you are meant to be with the help of those that love you, this was a great coming of age story that will be sure to please even those that are burnt out on the genre, The Night We Said Yes was a stand out novel that I'm so happy I took a chance on.

*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review*