Nights with Him

A Steamy Listen with a Side of HeartThis is the first book in Lauren Blakely’s Joy Delivered series, and while it ties into the Seductive Nights world, it focuses on a new couple, psychiatrist Michelle Milo and Jack Sullivan, the CEO of a luxury adult toy company. Fans of Clay and Julia will recognize Michelle as Clay’s longtime best friend, so it was really satisfying to see her finally take center stage.I listened to this on audio (thank you to Lauren Blakely for the opportunity to enjoy this as an ARC!), and one great bonus is the inclusion of the prequel short story One Night with Her. It sets up Michelle and Jack’s first meeting, a spontaneous, off-the-charts night together before they realize he’s actually her new patient. Awkward, but handled with maturity and mutual respect, which I appreciated.The full story, Nights with Him, picks up from there. Michelle and Jack enter into a 30-night physical arrangement as a way to help them both heal, her from past heartbreak, and him from grief after losing his fiancée. Of course, emotions don’t stay out of it for long. Their relationship deepens gradually, and I liked the way their vulnerabilities were explored alongside the chemistry.There’s a political campaign subplot woven in that felt a little out of place and didn’t hit quite as naturally as the rest of the story. It served its purpose narratively but didn’t feel as strong or necessary.Michelle and Jack have solid chemistry...maybe not quite the fire Clay and Julia had, but they’re still compelling and easy to root for. Narration by Sebastian York was, as always, smooth, emotive, and engaging. He really brings Jack to life and makes even the quieter moments feel meaningful.Overall, this was a warm, spicy, and low-stress listen, perfect for fans of emotionally grounded romance with some steam. I’m glad I experienced it through the Audible Romance package, and extra grateful for the ARC opportunity.