On a Night Like This was a wonderful reminder of what happens when you let the magic in and possibilities flourish. With the intertwining theme of a modern day Cinderella, we get to see what happens if “today’s” woman told Prince Charming she could handle herself and finally decided to give life a run for its money.
Meet Fran Cooper, Executive Assistant Extraordinaire (i.e. world class people pleasure). Her super power, to put everyone’s needs in front of her own, no matter the cost. Whether it’s not taking a job out of the area to make her fiancée happy, staying with said fiancée because she believes it would make her mother happy, or doing the bidding of her latest client – she aims to please. Frustrated with the limitations her life choices are currently offering, Fran decides to take the leap when a once in a lifetime opportunity is presented to her. One NDA and a terrifying interview later, she finds herself face to face with the challenge outside of her element, she has to play babysitter to a celebrity that goes through assistants quicker than a can of Pringles. Determined to prove she can handle the job of getting Cinderella to the ball, she goes above and beyond to appease her client, to the point that she finds herself stranded on an island when she was tasked to search for a desired item. No money, no passport, and royally ticked off, she receives instructions from her boss to go to the hotel, abide by her NDA, interact with no one, and they will send a helicopter for her in the morning. Frustrated to within an inch of her life, Fran’s very own version of a fairy godmother shows up and convinces her to stop playing it safe (as it has worked out so well for her so far in life) and take a chance – attending the most coveted event in the world. Her plan was simple – get in, get out. She didn’t expect Prince Charming would sweep her off her feet, giving her a night she would never forget and setting in motion a chain of events that would forever change how Fran sees the world.
The one thing I always enjoy in a Kinsella or Kelk book is the evolution of the female protagonist. Witnessing the journey of finding inner strength, self-worth, and personal definition is always empowering.
Another thing I love about this book (and clean, wholesome contemporary romances in general) are the sweet moments and romantic connections. It isn’t always about the heat, spice, or open door moments (or even close door moments for that matter).