In the ever-expanding universe of sports romance, Holly Michelle’s Last Night Was Fun slides gracefully into home base with a story that is at once competitive and compassionate, smartly structured yet emotionally messy in the best way. At the heart of the novel lies a premise that flirts with serendipity—a mistaken text message that leads to a digital intimacy neither party saw coming.
With themes of ambition, identity, and unexpected vulnerability, this book does more than just tick the romance boxes. It explores how modern connection, particularly in anonymous spaces, can feel more authentic than face-to-face interactions. Michelle delivers a delightfully layered slow-burn where romantic comedy meets real emotional stakes—and yes, there’s baseball, but this is more than just a love story on the field.
The Author’s Signature: Emotional Warmth Meets Modern Quirk
Holly Michelle has a distinct storytelling style: she creates emotional intimacy through sharp dialogue and layered characters without sacrificing the charm that makes rom-coms so beloved. In her earlier works, like Meet Me in the Middle and The S’more the Merrier, Michelle has proven her talent for writing warm, self-aware heroines and flawed but redeemable love interests.
Last Night Was Fun marks a continuation of this style—but with added grit. This novel is grounded more deeply in workplace politics, gender expectations, and the cost of emotional guardedness, while still delivering all the fun and flirty trappings of the genre.
Plot Snapshot: Rules, Rivals, and a Mysterious Texter
Emmy Jameson has three personal rules—don’t date coworkers, don’t overshare, and always put baseball first. As the only female data analyst for a major league team, she has clawed her way into a male-dominated industry and isn’t about to risk her hard-won professional standing.
That’s why the last person she wants to be up against for a promotion is Gabe Olson—her workplace nemesis. Gabe is a former baseball star, beloved by the team for his charisma and innate sports instinct. Emmy, by contrast, works twice as hard for half the recognition. Their tension is as much about unresolved attraction as it is about professional rivalry.
Then a misdirected text changes everything: Last night was fun. Emmy knows it’s not for her, but instead of deleting it, she replies. Thus begins a faceless but emotionally potent exchange with a stranger—someone who listens, supports, and understands her in ways Gabe never seems to.
Until, of course, Emmy discovers her mystery texter and real-life nemesis are the same man.
A Closer Look at the Characters
Emmy Jameson: Ambition With Armor
Emmy is portrayed with admirable complexity. She’s not simply a career-driven woman with a chip on her shoulder; she’s a fully fleshed-out person who has learned—through countless subtle exclusions and outright dismissals—that to survive in her world, she must armor herself with rules.
Michelle writes Emmy’s inner monologue with sensitivity, capturing the delicate balance between wanting to be vulnerable and needing to stay strong. Her growth arc, from a woman who protects her heart behind professionalism to someone willing to risk real emotional honesty, is one of the book’s most rewarding elements.
Gabe Olson: The Charm Offensive Meets Emotional Depth
Gabe could have easily fallen into the “golden boy with hidden feelings” stereotype, but Michelle writes him with surprising nuance. His past as a player informs his understanding of the sport, but not his people skills. He struggles with communication, especially when it comes to Emmy, who challenges his comfort zone.
As the anonymous texter, however, Gabe shines. Removed from face-to-face tension, he expresses warmth, humor, and even insecurity. Watching him try to reconcile these two versions of himself—one who flirts from behind a screen, the other who fumbles in person—is both entertaining and touching.
Writing Style and Pacing: Breezy, Smart, and Well-Structured
Holly Michelle writes with rhythm and purpose. Her chapters move quickly without sacrificing character moments, and she knows when to inject levity into heavier scenes. The alternating pace of the witty texting threads and the tension-filled real-life interactions keeps the story engaging from start to finish.
Michelle also excels at subtle foreshadowing. Readers will likely suspect the mystery texter’s identity early on, but the book isn’t about the reveal—it’s about how characters handle the truth once it arrives. That emotional aftermath is where Michelle’s storytelling really shines.
Emotional and Thematic Underpinnings
1. The Disparity Between Digital and Physical Intimacy
The texting subplot in Last Night Was Fun allows Michelle to explore how people often reveal more of themselves when disembodied. Through their anonymous messages, Emmy and Gabe express emotional truths that their in-person personas can’t navigate.
This theme resonates in a digital world where vulnerability often feels safer behind a screen.
2. Gender Politics in the Workplace
Michelle doesn’t shy away from the challenges Emmy faces as the lone woman in her department. The sexism isn’t overt or cartoonish—it’s quiet, persistent, and believable. Emmy’s guardedness, her work ethic, and her need to constantly prove herself all stem from this environment.
Her struggle is not just against Gabe, but against a system that views her presence as exceptional instead of normal.
3. Familial Pressure and Emotional Distance
The subplot of Emmy’s sister’s destination wedding adds emotional layers to the story. It’s more than a setup for forced proximity; it highlights Emmy’s discomfort with vulnerability and her tendency to compartmentalize emotions.
The juxtaposition of a celebratory wedding and Emmy’s internal emotional gridlock adds depth to what could have been a cliché rom-com device.
Where the Book Truly Scores
- Innovative trope execution: The wrong-number text setup evolves into something far more emotionally meaningful.
- Workplace realism: The rivalry feels grounded in authentic workplace dynamics, especially in sports and tech.
- Emotional intelligence: Characters aren’t just attracted—they’re emotionally affected by each other.
- Gradual transformation: Both Emmy and Gabe evolve in ways that feel earned and personal.
What Could Have Been Stronger
- Supporting cast depth: Characters like Emmy’s sister and a few co-workers serve the plot but aren’t as well-developed as the leads.
- Late-stage conflict resolution: The climax surrounding the texting revelation resolves a bit too smoothly. More emotional messiness could have made it more powerful.
- Internal dialogue repetition: At times, Emmy’s inner conflict circles the same points, especially during the middle act. A bit more narrative economy would improve pacing.
Comparison with Similar Titles
Fans of contemporary romance with sports elements, workplace tension, and tech-age twists will appreciate Last Night Was Fun. If you loved:
- Angelika Frankenstein Makes Her Match by Sally Thorne
- Problematic Summer Romance by Ali Hazelwood
- The Wish Switch by Lynn Painter
- Hook, Line, and Sinker by Tessa Bailey
…then Holly Michelle’s novel will feel right at home on your bookshelf.
Final Thoughts: A Subtle Power Play in Romance Fiction
Last Night Was Fun is more than a charming rom-com. It’s a thoughtful reflection on how we present ourselves in different spaces—at work, with family, and behind the veil of anonymity. Holly Michelle blends warmth with intellect, creating a romance that feels modern without sacrificing emotional honesty.
What begins as playful texting and sharp-edged rivalry evolves into something tender, surprising, and deeply satisfying. This is a book that respects its characters’ complexities and its readers’ intelligence.
A heartfelt romance that shows sometimes the biggest risks are the ones we take with our hearts.