Name: Lucky
ISBN: 9781635555103

Kris Bryant

Was Serena Evans's luck really about winning the lottery, or is she about to get even luckier in love?

Lucky

Izza

Lucia Correa

Four Stars for this pleasant, easy reading romance by Kris Bryant. The two main characters are Serena Evans and Gabrielle Barnes. Serena has had a difficult life but through it all, she has remained a caring, generous, and kind person. Since she was a teenager, Serena has cared for her younger half-sister, Faith because their Mother was addicted to alcohol and drugs. She lives paycheck to paycheck working at a bookstore, having given up on her dream to be a veterinarian. The day before payday, she used her last four dollars on a hot dog and on a whim, a lottery ticket. The pot is 42 million dollars.

Gabrielle is a workaholic and talented architect who is in line for partnership at her firm. All she has to do is impress her bosses on her next project to beat out another architect, who has the advantage of being male. Not being a pet person (she especially has an aversion to dogs), she is less than thrilled that she has been assigned to design a pet daycare (Pet Posh Inn) for the latest lottery winner – yes, you guessed it – Serena. This is definitely a slow burn romance. Bryant excels as she navigates the two becoming friends and eventually more. 

I really liked the supportive group of friends they each have and eventually share. Serena’s BFF, Chloe who would regularly drop off leftovers at Serena’s before her windfall and lending moral support especially when Serena had to deal with her mother. Gabrielle has a larger support group, including her family and her circle of friends. Her BFF is Rosie and also in her circle is Piper and Shaylie, from Bryant’s book, Falling. You get an update on the couple. I haven’t read Falling yet, but I wouldn’t call it a spoiler. If anything, it makes me want to read more about the couple. Piper befriends Serena, who seeks Piper out for advice.

I really enjoyed this romance. As to be expected there are a few bumps in the road for the couple, but have no fear, they do get an HEA. That’s not a spoiler? A spoiler would reveal that they don’t get an HEA.

An advanced reading copy was sent to me by the publisher, Bold Strokes Books through Netgalley for my honest review.

Jude Silberfeld

It’s funny how some things I always notice in books while others don’t really register. I’ve read quite a few books by Kris Bryant and never paid attention to the fact they were all written in first person. I probably never would have realised this one was different if other reviewers hadn’t pointed it out or if the author hadn’t mentioned it in the acknowledgements, crediting Melissa Brayden for pushing her. Lucky is such a smooth read, it never felt like Kris Bryant was challenging herself. So yeah, Ms Bryant, not only can you say you did it, you can also say you did it remarkably well.

Serena Evans’s life so far has been really tough. She grew up with an alcoholic mother, had to forget about higher studies so she could be there for her half-sister and is still reeling from breaking up with her toxic girlfriend. On a whim, she buys a lottery ticket with the money she would usually spend on a Diet Coke and promptly forgets about it. Then wins an insane amount of money.

Gabrielle Barnes is in the running to become the new partner at the Denver architect firm she’s worked for for a decade. The pet hotel project she’s been assigned in Vail is her chance to prove herself. She won’t let anything get in the way of her dream, neither her dog phobia nor the phenomenal chemistry with her sweet and sexy client. Until said chemistry turns into irresistible attraction.

I’m going to keep this review short: this book is delightful. I don’t have much else to write about it. It’s a pretty straightforward story told very efficiently, evoking pretty straightforward feelings. It’s well-written as are all Kris Bryant’s books. The characters – both main and secondary, including the furry ones – are wonderful (I loved coming across Piper and Shaylie from  Falling), there’s just the right amount of angst and the sexy scenes are really hot. It’s Kris Bryant, you guys, no surprise there.

So be kind to yourself, buy this book, get a cold drink or a mug of tea depending on the weather where you are and let yourself enjoy the warm, tender and fluffy bubble you’ll be surrounded by in no time.

I received a copy from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving a review.