I really enjoyed the dual points of view and fake dating aspect of this book. There was a lot of chemistry between the characters, although I felt some of the storyline was a little bit corny. If you’re looking for a lighthearted, yet spicy read, I feel like this book is for you.

4.5 Astroglide Stars ⭐️
Spicy Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

I had such a good time with this! Oh my gosh! Just HAPPPY SQUEALS!

𝙎𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙥𝙨𝙞𝙨:
Coral Triton (yes, I did roll my eyes a little at her name because it's REALLY FISHY) is a professional mermaid who has landed a job at a hotel in Las Vegas to star in and direct an upcoming Mermaid Extravaganza show. This is a critical make-or-break phase in her life, so she doesn’t want to mess it up. When she arrives in Vegas, she bumps into a stranger and has an embarrassingly adorable meet-cute involving a jumbo bottle of lube. Later, she runs into him again at a bar, and the two have a wonderful, steamy, glorious night together. BUT it turns out this man is Jamie Standard, her boss’s brother, who’s dealing with a PR nightmare that’s hindering his ability to close the biggest deal of his life. So, his baby sister suggests the two should fake date to improve his image after a video of them (with her as a mermaid) goes viral. And fake relationships always stay fake, right?

𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙁𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨:
What I loved about Coral is how incredibly genuine and straightforward she is. She’s super passionate about what she wants to achieve, and nothing will stand in her way. She’s brave, says what’s on her mind, and has this magnetic energy that draws people to her. She’s undeniably beautiful but not vain, and she has this wholesome, sweet, caring nature that makes you want to love her.

Jamie is the perfect example of what I love seeing in an MMC. Jamie is the perfect example of what I love in a male main character. He’s incredibly self-aware, speaks his mind, and doesn’t shy away from confrontation or awkward conversations. He’s obviously ridiculously handsome and confident in the boardroom, successful, but also an utter gentleman—sweet and generous. What makes him even better is that HE’S NOT PERFECT. He knows when he’s made a mistake, owns up to it, and if it’s his fault—HE APOLOGISES! You don’t always see that in men...

I absolutely ate up the banter in this book. It was epic. The connection and chemistry between these two are spectacular. Their interactions, their conversations, their quirky little exchanges—it all just kept me hooked. They make you wish that you were that smart to be able to respond like that, but not in a way that makes you feel stupid. It’s just two people with undeniable chemistry, and everyone around them can see it too.

I also loved that Jamie’s sister was supportive of the relationship. I didn’t want to see any “forbidden drama” related to that, and it made me happy that it never happened. She wanted Jamie and Coral to be happy and was so supportive of their relationship!

My one concern with this and why it wasn't a full five stars for me is that that initial first night went on a little bit long. I love smut. I read a lot of smut. I read a lot of different smut. And whilst the smut in this was refreshing and had some of the best micro tropes that I absolutely adore! It just felt like that first evening went on and on and on and on and on and I was skimming the smut. The story stagnated for a while before the big reveal of who Jamie was...

Other than that, this was such a wholesome story. It was just a cute and sweet romance that had elements of being fairytale-esque but still feeling real. There was really good representation of Coral's chronic illness, and I appreciated the way that Jamie respected and considered her celiac disease before eating certain foods. He was the MVP and he challenged those who thought it was no big deal. It's WHY HE IS JUST A STANDOUT GENTLEMAN AND PERFECT MC...

𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▶ Dual POV
▶ Forced Proximity
▶ Strangers to Lovers
▶ Boss's Brother
▶ Age Gap (She is 32, he is 39)
▶ One Night Stand
▶ Mermaids
▶ Rich Boy X Poor Girl
▶ Fake Dating

𝙈𝙞𝙘𝙧𝙤 𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▷ Good Girl
▷ Under Table Touching
▷ Grey Sweatpants
▷ Suit Daddy
▷ Dirty Talk
▷ Mirror Sex
▷ "Out of our systems"
▷ Forehead Kisses

Overall, if you're looking for a cute little romance to do with a mermaid with two characters that have excellent banter and chemistry, I would highly recommend you pick this up.

Coral Triton is a mermaid who just booked her biggest gig ever. But a one night stand threatens to ruin it when she realizes the man she spent the night with is her bosses brother. A PR stunt and lots of feelings later, can she keep the job and the man?

I have to be honest. I wanted to love this one, but it fell a little flat. The story was cute, but a little corny. There wasn’t any big twist either so I kept finding myself getting bored with it. The spice was good, and the ending wrapped up nicely but I don't have a lot of things to hit on here.

4/5

Coral is a performer who dresses as a mermaid, who got her own show in a hotel. MMC, a real estate developer is in trouble because of an interview. He's smitten with her since the moment they've met at the airport.

I enjoyed the book. The writing was a little corny at times, but it wasn't horrible. I liked the relationship between Coral and Jamie, even if the insta-love/insta-lust made my eyes roll. But I liked their banter. And the fact that the main character is a mermaid-performer? My inner child was screeching with excitement.

Honestly I was afraid this would have an open ending, since they didn't start to fake date until 52%, but I'm glad they figured their shit out and this book has a happy ending.

Thank you, NetGalley and Sugar Beaver Books for providing me the ARC for an honest review.

One Night Standard kicks off when Boston real estate developer Jamie Standard’s reputation takes a nosedive due to a scandalous article. To lay low, he heads to Vegas, where he meets Coral Triton—a professional mermaid with her own career ambitions. After a one-night fling, they find themselves fake dating to salvage Jamie’s business deal and boost Coral’s visibility. But as their connection deepens, they struggle to keep it strictly professional. As fake starts feeling all too real, they must decide if they can turn this pretend romance into something lasting.

I picked One Night Standard because I was intrigued by the professional mermaid angle, and I wasn’t disappointed! I was laughing out loud 2% into the book, so you know it's going to be a good one just based on that alone.

The chemistry between Coral and Jamie is undeniable, with plenty of swoony moments and a spicy photoshoot that had me fanning myself.

What I loved most is how sure of themselves both Coral and Jamie are as characters, which meant limited drama and actual communication between the characters. Coral set clear boundaries early on in the fake dating scheme, which felt mature and realistic, and the way they handled their relationship was so adult and refreshing.

The banter between them added a fun, flirty touch to the book, making this more than just a romance with the fake dating trope. All the mermaid culture tidbits and mermaid puns gave it a sprinkle of lighthearted humor. And it was just the right amount of spicy.

Plus, there was no dreaded third-act breakup which I always love in a book!

Jamie’s support of Coral, especially in dealing with her mom and her celiac disease, was incredibly touching and sweet. And the ending had a great twist (that I totally didn't see coming), which only brought them closer.

This book is total merfection (pun completely intended) with its blend of swoony romance, humor, and the perfect amount of steam. Highly recommend!

Tropes:
-fake dating/fake relationship
-opposites attract
-one-night stand
-spicy
-my girl/my man
-celiac disease rep
-a tiny bit of miscommunication
-HEA
-he swims in his expensive suit for her

Thanks, NetGalley, for the chance to read the ARC!

Coral is starting her dream job in Vegas as a professional mermaid at a swanky hotel. At the airport surrounding by slot machines she bumps into a suit clad blonde Adonis and her lube (to get into her silicon tail) falls on the floor interrupting their heated flirting. She moves on from this embarrassing first encounter knowing that Vegas is a big city. But this is a smutty romance book and no city is too big for them to meet up again.

Open door romance with HEA. Enjoyed the story and will they won’t they sexual tension throughout.

As someone who loves the water just as much as Coral does, I might be a little bit biased in loving all the mer-mentions in this book.

Spice:🌶️🌶️🌶️

Honestly, it's the perfect mix for me as it kept me focused on the romance between Jamie and Coral.

+1 for dual POV
+1 for supportive partners
+1 for awesome sisters

I enjoyed how social media also played a part in this story, many authors forget how big social media is now and how it can impact people.

It's also the first time I've read a book with mermaid as a profession (I actually know people who do this for work, swimming in aquariums etc)

Want the perfect cocktail of Vegas glitz, real estate drama, and...mermaids? Yes, you read that right! Toss in a fake dating scheme, a sizzling one night stand gone wrong (or oh-so-right?), and you’ve got a romance that’ll leave you swimming in feels. This is the book for you!

Jamie Standard, a Boston real estate mogul with a slightly tarnished reputation, is in hot water after a gossip rag paints him as a modern day rake. With his biggest green building project circling the drain thanks to bad press, his business partners suggest a low-key escape to Vegas, where his sister Jocelyn runs the hottest new resort, L’Atelier. Sounds like a solid plan...until he bumps into Coral Triton, a gorgeous redhead who’s just landed her dream gig as a professional mermaid (yes, a mermaid) at the very same hotel.

Sparks fly at the airport, and one steamy night later, they part ways...only to awkwardly meet again a few days later when Coral is introduced as……surprise!—Jamie’s sister’s new star employee.

Things get even more interesting when Jocelyn pitches the ultimate “fix”: fake a relationship with Jamie to rehab his image and save his business deal. And oh, it’ll also boost Coral’s public profile, which is great for her career. Fake dating and a PR stunt? Totally foolproof...until feelings start to bubble to the surface.

Coral is focused on making her mermaid career dreams come true, while Jamie is trying to salvage his. But as they navigate Vegas paparazzi and each other’s growing feelings, what happens when “fake” starts to feel way too real? Can they keep it professional, or will love dive bomb their carefully crafted plans?

E.F. Dodd delivers a swimmingly fun, quirky romance with plenty of banter, chemistry, and just the right amount of splashy drama. Coral is a fiery, ambitious heroine who’s more focused on her dream gig than romance, and Jamie is the ultimate swoon-worthy hero trying to prove he’s more than just a headline.

Their chemistry is undeniable, and the slow burn tension of their fake dating arrangement will keep you flipping pages.

If you love Vegas glitz, fake dating shenanigans, and a romance that makes a splash (pun fully intended), One Night Standard is a must read.

dual pov. dual pov. repeat after me...DUAL POV THANK YOU EF DODD. Never take a dual pov for granted guys, I missed you baby

Ok wow, that was intense and holy moly I loved it. Jamie and Coral, you guys just did it for me. When I needed a book like this, I was NOT disappointed at all! The vibes...VIBING!

Ok that was a very Gen Z thing for me to say, but honestly I cannot even describe how much I loved this book. Whenever I had to put it down, I was sad. I could have read this entire book in one day had it not been for having to charge my phone in the car- thanks Hurricane Helene 🙄

The plot was so good and original. I really had never read about professional mermaids before, but I saw a video of one the other week and when I saw this book, I though, "This is the perfect chance to see a romantic spin on it" and MAN I WAS NOT DISAPPOINTED. Not in the least.

Never thought dirty mermaid talk would do it for me...will neither confirm nor deny 🤭

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Sugar Beaver Books for the eARC!

This was a cute Rom Com. I liked the setting and the job as a professional mermaid was a new element I hadn't seen in a romcom before, Both characters were a little too perfect already; they didn't have much to learn, and most of the story came from the fake-to-real, dating-for-convenience romance trope. The romance is sweet and the characters have a good spark. I wanted more from the secondary characters-- Jocelyn was fun, and I liked Coral's co-workers as well.

Overall, I had fun reading the book, but it didn't particularly stand out for any one trait. The writing was fluid and Dodd knows how to get out of the way of her characters and her story.

Thank you to NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.


One Night Standard was a cute romcom. It takes place in Las Vegas after a chance meeting between our two MCs in the Vegas airport. While they never exchanged names at that point, the ridiculous circumstances surrounding their meeting led to some witty banter after they reconnected later on. We really do have a slightly damaged FMC, due to her upbringing. Coral never had a father, her mother moved her all over the country while she looked for any man who would take her, and wasn't trusting of males in general because of that. She never believed anything could be real and lasting. MMC Jamie tries to let her see that even though they eventually agree to a fake dating relationship for the press, that Coral could really lean on him and try to give them a real shot. And while fake dating is not my favorite trope, thankfully, it doesn't last long in this book. This would also be considered to be an open door romance, and I'd rate it a 1.5/5 on the spice scale.

This book has me wanting to watch mermaid movies again! I was addicted to this book and rightly so. The detail of everything from the layout of a room down to how to properly put on a mermaid tail made me feel like I was right in the room. Coral and Jamie started out as a little seed in the ground but my god did that flower bloom quickly and beautifully. Their relationship was something that got me hooked and I didn't want to put this book down! I would totally recommend this book because who doesn't want to feel like they saw a mermaid in Vegas AND witness a love of a lifetime?!

This book is really amazing! I'm not even sure what to say because it was just so good and fun. I love the mermaid twist, and I really appreciate the details about the mermaid performances. If E.F. Dodd doesn't have personal experience putting on a mermaid tail, they did great research!

This story is funny and sweet and spicy and I really recommend it to anyone looking for a romance or a light read. It's sooooooo yummy

This review is also available on my GoodReads account.

Esay, funny and sexy. What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas?

Sometimes it can be a bit too much with all the popcultura references but it totally worked in this one!
Banter and spice, and everything nice.
Fake-dating and oh yes, she works as a mermaid!

Post on IG 8.Oct. 2024 (one_fairy_tale_at_the_time)

My interest was peaked when I saw this book had a mermaid performer as the fmc as I've never read a book with one before.
I really enjoyed the story, it was funny (loved all the puns) and had great banter & spice.
Fingers crossed for book on Jocelyn & Xavier's story next.

Jamie and Coral need to fix their problems. When they bump into each other, they make a plan to fix them together. Fake dating is always the solution!

This was a fun and fast read!

Read this if you like:
- spice (🌶️🌶️)
- fake dating
- cute characters

I loved this super fun book! I loved the premise of a professional mermaid. It was unique but not unbelievable. I enjoyed the fake dating and fun that ensued. A different, but fun read!

“Shoving down my cavewoman response to link myself to the strongest hunter and procreate, I focused on his question.”

This one was just not for me. I’m not a big fan of the alpha male thing, and it just made me cringe whenever Jamie and Coral talked about their “animal instincts.” This book has a large demographic, and unfortunately I just am not a member of it. When Jamie assaulted the guy at the bar, I was just wondering why he would make himself liable for a physical assault charge when the guy was basically just being a creep.

After the 60% mark, I physically could not focus on the words and basically skimmed everything to get to the end. The ending was super cute and honestly made reading this a lot more worthwhile. I loved Jocelyn, and the premise of being an occupational mermaid was so interesting. I liked that the fmc was tall, because I feel like theyre typically portrayed as small and petite and short.

Basically, this book would be good for anybody who enjoys the alpha male thing, and I’m certain that there are many people who would’ve eaten this up.

I didn’t know I needed a mermaid romance until now. Coral is a professional mermaid, in Vegas to create her own show. She has a wild night with a dreamboat her first night in town, only to find out the next day that it’s her boss’s brother. She convinces them to fake date for publicity, and so it begins!

One thing about me is that I adore mermaids and always wanted to be a professional mermaid and this was just so fun. I had some criticism of the writing style not being my favorite, but that’s on me not the author.