Secret Nights and Northern Lights by Megan Oliver: Book Review

Secret Nights and Northern Lights is the debut novel from Megan Oliver. With an anticipated release date of November 18, 2025, it takes readers on a road trip around Iceland. Mona is a travel writer who has never really traveled anywhere. When offered the chance of a lifetime, she’s excited until Ben walks in. Ben is a travel photographer, and broke Mona’s heart on her 17th birthday. What could go wrong?

I want to thank Berkley and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Secret Nights and Northern Lights. All opinions presented here are my own.

Synopsis from Goodreads

Mona Miller lives her life by she’s just fine, thanks; all good; not a problem! Everything is right as rain—even if it’s all a lie. Everyone at the travel magazine where she works knows her as a team player (in other words, the one who won’t complain about the endless fluff pieces pushed her way). But, feeling snubbed after being passed over for a promotion, Mona jumps at an international assignment to Iceland, even though she’s woefully unprepared. 

She’s determined to prove her worth, though, and her can-do attitude will scale any glacier. But the freelance photographer paired with her is none other than Benjamin Carter. Ben, her childhood best friend, who understood her even when her family didn’t. Ben, her first love—first everything. And Ben, the boy who ghosted her fourteen years ago and left her brokenhearted. 

There is a decade’s worth of resentment Mona needs to ignore if she wants to make it through this trip. She’ll put on her “No worries!” façade and hold Ben at a distance. But the more time they spend together, the more the ice around her heart melts. And as those old feelings spark back to life, Mona must decide if she’s willing to go on the biggest adventure of all.

My Opinions

I wanted to read this book because of the setting. Iceland is a location I have always wanted to visit, and reading Secret Nights and Northern Lights has made me want to go even more. The descriptions of the landscape help make it easier to imagine what they look like in real life. I will admit, there were parts, though, that didn’t feel real, like Oliver had never seen Iceland outside of photos. So, imagine my surprise when I read the author’s notes and she explains that the trip Mona and Ben take is very similar to one she took with her partner.

Mona and Ben have known each other since they were kids. Starting as friends in kindergarten, and becoming more as they grew older. They have a lot of history between them. But then he suddenly broke her heart and disappeared from her life. Fourteen years later, he reappeared at her office after she had been offered a dream project. Then they find themself on a trip to Iceland for work.

Throughout their trip, communication has been their most significant issue. Whether it was about their past, or even the reason they’re on the trip. Ben kept trying to talk about their past, and Mona kept saying no. Girl, why not? How are you supposed to move ahead if you can’t understand the past? And what about being truthful about the reason for the trip? Another stumbling block in the communication is Mona’s limited or absent communication with her family.

Overall, Secret Nights and Northern Lights is a fun read and a great glimpse into Iceland. There are some intense and intimate scenes, so consider those if you’re interested in reading Secret Nights and Northern Lights. It is a fun read, and I believe it’s a book that most people would enjoy.

Are you looking for some more books to read? Check out my bookish lists, book reviews, and monthly reading wrap-ups.