ONE OF THESE NIGHTS is Book 3 in Kendra Leigh Castle's superb Harvest Cove series. ONE OF THESE NIGHTS works as a standalone novel, even though it's part of a series. I adore this series and always devour one when they come out. ONE OF THESE NIGHTS is perfect for fans of character-driven, fun, and sexy contemporary romances.

The teasing and good-natured grumbling that has gone on between Zoe Watson and park ranger Jason Evans in the previous two books has been delicious foreplay. There has always been an attraction between them that they wouldn't readily admit to. I have been looking forward to Zoe's story because she is such a cool character -- sophisticated yet grounded, and a fun friend. Jason -- or "Treebeard" as Zoe first refers to him -- is not quite the grumpy, though sexy, troublemaker she had first supposed. Instead, she finds him to be shy, low-key, and just a little shell-shocked from the experience with his ex-wife and his imposing mother. I like that although Jason has a little emotional baggage from women in his past, he never lashes out at Zoe.

I love how Kendra Leigh Castle gets Zoe and Jason together. The threat of his mother's imminent arrival spurs Jason to beg Zoe to pretend to be his girlfriend as a way of getting his mother off his back. Jason's mother makes them work together and gives them something to bond over. Kendra Leigh Castle takes a classic and favorite romance trope and spins a delightful story. The chemistry between Zoe and Jason feels real and the sexiness increases as they get to know each other more. Kendra Leigh Castle excels at creating interesting, complex characters you like and want to know more about and see happy. The emotional impact of ONE OF THESE NIGHTS is so strong because of how well-written the characters are.

ONE OF THESE NIGHTS is everything I want in a romance -- fun, romance that sizzles, and great characters. If you like Susan Mallery's Fool's Gold series and the Lucky Harbor series by Jill Shalvis, you'll love Kendra Leigh Castle's Harvest Cove series. I look forward to reading about Jason's friend and town enigma, Fitz, in future books. I can't wait for the next book in this Harvest Cove series!