In Down, Then Up by Beth Labonte, we meet Lauren Oswald, who is in Vegas for her sister’s bachelorette party. When her sister and her friends need a drunken late night snack, it’s Lauren who gets put on donut duty. Since making the decision to get sober, Lauren is the odd one out at the Vegas bachelorette party and heads to the elevator – where she runs into her ex, Jamie Mullins. Jamie’s cousin is marrying Lauren’s sister, and the guy are also in Vegas for the bachelor party. Lauren has been keen to avoid her old flame, but now, there is no avoiding him. Lauren and Jamie decide to make an adventure out of their late night Vegas run, and the old sparks soon begin to fly. Lauren begins to realize that Jamie was the one who got away – but could she ever possible get him back?
This was such a sweet novella! I have read from Beth Labonte in the past and was excited to try out this novella, and it was fantastic! There was a perfect blend of past and present, giving us enough information that I felt I understood the characters and could make a connection with them, but it wasn’t too much for a short story. Lauren definitely has quite the past from her wild college years, yet I felt like I got just enough information without being overloaded or brought down. I read this in one sitting and highly enjoyed it. Would definitely recommend this short and sweet novella!
4 stars
Reviewed for Readers Favorite
