One Summer Night Paperback – December 1, 2004

Johanna was betrayed by her lover three years before this story begins. She has strenously guarded her heart since then - telling herself that she was content, even happy. Then, one summer night, she met and fell for Kelly only to be told that Kelly is a womanizer much like the woman who hurt her so badly.While the characters in this book both teach college, one is a jock, the other not. How they come together is the theme of this story.The plotting on this book is thin - paper thin. But the characters, even the secondary characters, are people the reader would like to know. But after a while, you just want to shake Johanna and tell her to get over herself or find a counselor to help her resolve her fears.Hill has the talent to bring her setting - almost a character in itself - to life for the reader - in her descriptions of the heat of an Austin, Texas summer, you can almost feel the sweat beginning to form on your forehead. She can also bring you to tears in her descriptions of a dying relative.If you're new to Hill's books, do start with this one - you'll have the enjoyment of watching Hill's talents grow with each new book so that by the time you get to, say, The Killing Room, she will knock your socks off. But regardless of where you start, do not judge this writer by her early books.

I am huge Gerri Hill fan and have read most of her books. This one though, falls a little short in my opinion. The story revolves around two charcters, Jo and Kelly, both in their mid-30s and both professors at a college. Jo has been cheated on and left by her long time lover and refuses to let anyone get close to her. Kelly is an athlete, writer, who has a reputation of being a player. Easy markings for typical yet enjoyable story.The reason I didn't love this was that Jo got on my nerves with her insecurity and her possesiveness. And Kelly, well she just kept taking the beatings. I get it, love and wanting and all that but really...it was little more that I think as a reader I could take. And then there was the lack of display of the said reputation of Kelly. I would have liked to see more happen as in Jo going out on a date, something more with Deb perhaps. I don't really know, I just know something was missing to really tie the story of the two characters together.I didn't hate the book...but it's not one of my favorites and probably not one that I read again in the future any time.

Well written and romantic as always. Had the usual mix of humor which I very much enjoy. Would recommend this offering. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars was because of some believability at least for me. Not going to spoil anything but sometimes (and it's happened in other of Gerri's wonderful novels) the reader has to believe the characters are either naïve, stubborn as i'll get out or just plain foolish. In this case, I think when you are hurt badly it takes time to trust. But the length of time is what makes me wonder. As well as believing everyone but the one you are trying so hard to fall in love with.

This review contains spoilers.Reading this was painful, it may be my least favourite Hill book ever. I'll save you reading it. Here's what happens. Jo meets Kelly, they're instantly attracted to each other, they have a one night stand. A friend of Jo's, who also wants to sleep with her, tells her Kelly is a player. Jo believes this based on the fact that her ex cheated on her. She pushes Kelly away, Kelly protests her innocence. Jo gets upset when Kelly goes out with someone else, even though she doesn't want Kelly. Kelly is nice to Jo even though Jo's a bitch. From this point on we just revisit these plot points over and over and over again, (seriously a good 3/4 of this book is spent endlessly rehashing this crap) until Jo sort of comes around. But just when Jo decides she can kinda be with Kelly, she doesn't want Kelly to be in love with her and pushes her away some more. I didn't even care when they got together for good (on the last freaking page).I wanted to hit Jo with this book. Her character is so annoyingly judgemental that I can't work out why Kelly kept coming back. This also made Kelly seem like a doormat for putting up with Jo's abuse. Save your time and money.

Joanne was never going to trust her heart to another woman. She had been lied to and cheated on and would never let it happen again. Then she met Kelly, an author and creative writing instructor. The attraction between them is magnetic and hard to resist. Great story and author. Recommend.

I did like this one but the suffering that the main character drug herself through seemed a little prolonged which is why it got a 4. Gerri Hill is, by far, the best lesbian author I have found to date.

This is my first time reading a book by this author. I enjoyed it immensely. One of the characters, Jo, had insecurity and trust issues. After a previous bad relationship that is understandable. She found someone who was patient enough to hang in there with her and help her overcome those issues. Sometimes, that happens in real life. That would be wonderful if everyone was blessed like that. A very good read! I can't wait to read other works by this author.

Really enjoyed this one, despite how frustrating it was at times because of the characters. I fell in love with Sambino, she was just amazing and I felt so badly for her.

…as her writing has matured immeasurably since. This book may only have recently been released on Kindle but it was first published in 2005.Have to largely agree with the other two star reviewers of this book (although my star rating is a bit higher). It is definitely quite annoying that Jo always believes gossip about Kelly over Kelly herself and pushes her away again and again and again. However, having lost everyone she’s ever loved and got close to, Jo’s trust issues were at least slightly understandable, to me at least. I also liked some of the banter between her and Kelly. Lots of sex as well, probably too much, as I felt it detracted from the story.Can’t agree at all that you should start here with Gerri Hill. If you like pure romance, I think The Rainbow Cedar is far better, and Midnight Moon, and Snow Falls…and so many others, before this!

The main character Jo made me want to throw this book across the room on more than one occasion. How on earth could her behaviour be remotely attractive? Her insecurities just did not feel justified, and when her granddad dies her demands of Kelly are just not believable. I persevered in hope of her changing, but she was just as whiny and jealous at the end. Not a patch on Gerri's 'Midnight Moon'

I love the characters in Gerri’s books. I’ve been re-reading books lately and having read a few at once I now know why I don’t give 5 stars, I find they end a bit abruptly, I’d love a bit more of them being happy! And maybe an epilogue now and again!

I generally enjoy Gerri's books, but with this I was too angry with the main protagonist to enjoy the story; the relationships irritated me and too many "passion" moments, to the detriment of plot development. Decidedly average and rushed, I felt. But, it's all subjective.

At first it was a slow start but the middle of the plot was great and the connection between the characters grew, but the end 40 pages were very slow and not much happened between Kelly and Jo. The sex scenes were also very detailed but could seem a bit repetitive.But over all it was a very interesting book, one i'd recommend.