Early Reader Review: All-Nighter by Cecilia Vinesse

Source: From the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This in no way alters my opinion or review. 

All-Nighter by Cecilia Vinesse

Publisher: Quill Tree Books

Publication Date:  May 27, 2025

 

Format: Ebook


Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 

Booksmart meets Today, Tonight, Tomorrow in this page-turning romp about two archnemeses—the valedictorian and the class slacker—who band together for a whirlwind night after discovering that they need each other to achieve their very different sunrise goals.  

Autumn Povitsky is a high-achieving, booked and busy, straight-A nightmare. She’s currently having a crisis of self—she needs a fake ID ASAP—but because she’s a total square, she has no idea where to get one.

Enter buzzcut hottie Tara Esposito. She’s a rule breaker and party crasher of the highest degree, and if anyone knows where to get a fake, it’s her. But Tara has hung up her James Dean leather jacket for the night. If she doesn’t finish this godforsaken essay that’s already weeks late, she can kiss her upcoming graduation goodbye.

One brainy girl who needs a fake ID before sundown. One serial rebel who needs to turn in an essay before sunrise. It’s obvious what needs to happen here. But with a years-long feud keeping the girls from working together, this may be a night to forget…or one they’ll remember forever.

With razor-sharp dialogue and fiery tension perfect for fans of Becky Albertalli and Casey McQuiston, All-Nighter is a caffeine-fueled labyrinth of chaotic escapades—from prom after-parties to library séances to underground roller discos—led by two enemies who must decide if working together is better than their worlds falling apart. 

Review: 

A YA story with LGBTQ+ rep featuring high school seniors Autumn and Tara... sworn enemies who torment each other at every opportunity. Autumn is all perfection: top grades, rule-follower, tweed-wearer. Tara is pure chaos: the kind of person who does what she wants, when she wants, and serves as the go-to source for fake IDs, party supplies, and general mischief.

Despite their differences, the two are forced to team up. Autumn needs Tara’s help getting a college ID to visit a girl she’s crushing on, and Tara needs Autumn’s help writing an essay so she can graduate. The story unfolds over one wild night, which was a joyride through their town and its cast of colorful characters.

I enjoyed the premise and give it a solid 3.5/5 stars. Autumn and Tara’s banter was a highlight, both witty and fun. The character development was decent, though I didn’t feel as emotionally invested in them as I wanted to be. Some scenes and interactions felt a little forced, and not just because of the forced-proximity trope; there were moments that seemed thrown in without much context or payoff. A few more connective details could’ve made the story feel more cohesive.

Still, it was a fun ride, even if I didn’t race through it. That said, I’d absolutely read a whole spinoff about Franko and whatever chaos he gets into.