Tour Review & Giveaway - - Just Our Luck

Just Our Luck

by Denise Williams

Publisher: Berkley

Release Date: March 25, 2025

Reviewed by Santa

Sybil Sweet has always been lucky, but lately she can’t catch a break. After years of bouncing from job to job in search of something that feels right and from man to man in search of something special, Sybil is worried that she’s the directionless, floundering daughter her family thinks she is. All she really wants now is a little financial stability and carb comfort. Lucky for her, she’s got just enough in the bank to buy a lottery ticket, and the late-night donut store is open.

Kieran Anderson put his dreams of becoming a doctor on hold to take over running his family’s bakery, and after fighting a losing battle to save the place, he’s exhausted, broke, and no closer to getting back to school. But when a whirlwind of a woman sweeps in late one night, flirty energy gives way to more…until she runs out the next morning, leaving behind her winning lottery ticket.

Lucky for Kieran, his attempt to return the ticket looks like a grand romantic gesture and goes viral, sending sales through the roof. In an effort to keep the store afloat and to convince Sybil’s family she can make good relationship choices, they agree to fake a relationship for three months. Even with hundreds of millions of dollars, finding each other might end up being the sweetest bit of luck for both of them.

Santa Says: 

I am fast becoming a Denise Williams fan. I enjoy her books immensely and Just Our Luck does not disappoint. I happily give it five stars because that's what this book makes me feel. Happy.

The book brings Sybil Sweet and Kieran Anderson together when she goes into his family's donut shop after going out with her friends. Sybil has found that her luckiness is not working for her. She’s lost yet another job, her car is held together by duct tape and a prayer and her love life, well the less said about that the better. She lives with her mother who is quietly disappointed in her not reaching her full potential like her successful, soon to be married sister. Always the optimist, she buys a lottery ticket. It could be her lucky draw. 

Kieran is stepping in to help save his family’s donut shop while his grandfather recuperates from a heart attack. It is an uphill battle that he hopes will take a good turn so he can get back to school to complete his medical degree. His sister and grandfather do what they can. Kieran doesn’t believe in luck or chance but that all changes when Sybil walks into his world late one night. 

He reluctantly gets swept up by Sybil's positive attitude and flirtiness. It also helps that he is wildly attracted to her. They flirt and more over his luscious donuts. His sister accidentally walks in on them and Sybil runs out the door. More bad luck for Kieran when he finds the bakery ransacked because the front door was left unlocked. While cleaning up he discovers she left her WINNING lottery ticket behind. His sister suggests he post on line that he has her winning ticket. The post goes viral. 

When Sybil comes to collect she suggests that he take a portion of it to let her know it was there. Kieran is too proud to accept any money. She offers to loan him the money to get the bakery up and running since she feels it was her fault the door was left open. This second meet plays out as customers clamor to the bakery to see who comes to claim the ticket. The public also thinks that the ticket has brought two lovebirds together. Sybil plays this, convincing a reluctant Kiernan to go along with the idea of a fake relationship. It also works to her benefit if she has a steady, live boyfriend at least for the three months leading up to her sister’s wedding. 

Kieran tries his best to keep a clear head about Sybil but her positivity, good vibes and beauty reel him in. This makes his quirky and loveable grandfather very happy. Sybil finds herself falling deep and hard for Kieran. And I was there for every minute of it. 

 ~~~~~~~~~~

Readers, have you read Denise Williams yet?

Do you enjoy fake relationship romances?

Do you ever play the lottery? Ever dreamed about how you would spend the money if you won?

One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, March 30 will receive a print copy of Just Our Luck.

*U.S. only

*Must be 18

 

Today's Special - - Moonshine and Magnolias by Abigail Sharpe

Moonshine and Magnolias
by Abigail Sharpe
Just Add Peaches - Book 1
Publisher: Abigail Sharpe
Release Date: June 20, 2019
Reviewed by PJ
 

Hotel executive Wendy Marsh puts her career on hold when she inherits half of her family’s inn. Her to-do list? It’s simple: teach her spoiled cousin how to manage Fountenoy Hall, then hightail it back to her structured, careful life in Atlanta. Romance has never been part of Wendy's plan – so what is it about the sexy history professor researching the inn that she finds so tempting?

Rob Upshaw would be enjoying his time at the Inn at Fountenoy Hall if he wasn’t secretly hunting for a family treasure lost during Prohibition. Only a few minor inconveniences stand in his way. His uncle’s old journals are cryptic, he has only a vague description of the loot, and the beautiful, uptight innkeeper with a subtle sense of humor might hold the key to his quest. Even though Rob’s career is built on facts, he accepts he might have to lie to Wendy. But falling for her? That’s out of the question.

Moonshine and Magnolias is a Just Add Peaches novel. Each book in the series is a stand-alone, passionate and playful contemporary romance, but you'll want more than one juicy bite.

My thoughts:

Looking for a fun, light contemporary romance, filled with southern hospitality, complicated family dynamics, a touch of mystery, and a sweet romance to add to your summer reading list? Abigail Sharpe's Moonshine and Magnolias could be just what you're looking for.

As this is the first book in Sharpe's Just Add Peaches series, there's an extended cast of characters to be introduced and I enjoyed getting to know all of them. Granted, I found a few of them annoying (not the hero and heroine) but isn't it the flaws that keep things interesting? The author is adept at bringing her characters to life and I'm looking forward to discovering more about several of them in future books. 

Sharpe also excels at bringing the peaches for which her series is named to life on the pages of her book. I found myself drooling over several passages that feature delicious-sounding dishes conjured up in the kitchen of the family inn. They've made me more eager than ever for peach season to hit its peak where I live. 

One of the facets I most enjoyed about Moonshine and Magnolias is the author's ability to "set the scene." Through her words, she pulled me into her world and the lives of her characters. I could smell the sweet aroma of fresh peaches in the orchard, share the hopes, dreams, fears, and frustrations of characters, lose myself in the rich history of the inn, and feel the strong, loving legacy of the generations of women in Wendy's family who had come before. 

I'm looking forward to returning to Fountenoy Hall for book two, Cupcake of the Month and excited that I only have to wait another month for it to be released! 

~~~~~~~~~~~

Q&A with Abigail Sharpe

Welcome to The Romance Dish, Abigail! Thank you for taking the time to visit with us today.

Thanks, PJ.  I’ve been following the Romance Dish for a few years and I’m all giddy that I get to be a part of it.

Congratulations on the release of Moonshine and Magnolias, the first book in your new Just Add Peaches series. It’s such a fun read! Please tell our readers what they can expect from this book and series.

I like to write passionate, playful contemporary romance. So you’ll read Just Add Peaches to laugh and have a good time. I’ve always preferred to read light and fun, so writing it made sense.

I’m already intrigued with various secondary characters in this first book and hoping they’ll get their own stories. How many books are planned for the series? Are you able to share anything about future books/characters?

You won’t have to wait long for the second book, Cupcake of the Month – it releases in July! Jordan meets an old flame and together they heat up the kitchen.  The third book is half done, and I do have more planned.  In my head, at least.  I love these characters and the setting and their world, so I plan on staying here for a while.

Your bio mentions a love of stage musicals (that I share!). What musical production do you most enjoy watching? For what musical would you most like to be a member of the cast? Is there a dream role you’re aching to fill?

Oh, you’re going to get me started now. I love musicals!  Some folks go bar hopping – we should go musical hopping.

I love performing, but now it has to be something I really want to do, because rehearsals take a dent out of writing time. Aside from my performances every year with my singing wench group at the medieval faire, the last time I was on stage was in 2010 for Singin’ in the Rain. I played the radio announcer, and got to sing and dance in the chorus.  My favorite role ever was Meg from Brigadoon.  She was a trip.

As for watching—that’s a really tough question.  Every musical has something to offer that makes me want to see it over and over. I’d love to be in Rent.  Even the chorus characters have full stories that can make me cry.  As for my dream role – the Witch in Into the Woods.  Hands down.  Oh – and there’s my answer for which one I can watch over and over.  Bernadette Peters was amazing.  Joanna Gleason (The Baker’s Wife) was amazing.  Stephen Sondheim was amazing.  I’d also like to be Florence in Chess (more realistic – I can sing her songs without my voice squeaking) and the Lady of the Lake from Spamalot.

I could go on and on about this, so I’ll stop before I run out of column space.

Peaches are one of my favorite fruits and the delicious peach dishes they whip up in the Fountenoy Hall kitchen in Moonshine and Magnolias had me drooling. What’s your favorite way to eat peaches? Do you do any cooking with them? Have a favorite recipe to share?

Cupcake of the Month is going to come with a peach cupcake recipe that my wonderfully creative cousin whipped up for me.  You’ll have to wait for that.  Of course it has whiskey in it, too, to get that moonshine in there. I’m drooling just thinking about it.

Caramelized peaches are soooo good.  Serve them warm over some vanilla ice cream and OMG.  But, really, nothing’s better than the sweet juiciness of a fresh peach – the kind that makes you use twenty napkins while you eat it. 

Moonshine and Magnolias is a great summer read. What books are on your summer must-read list?

I’m sure it will shock you to know I read a lot of romance. Jill Shalvis is great for summer reads!  I’m also a fan of Kat Latham.  Anything fun and lighthearted that brings to mind the carefree summer mindset.

For this summer in particular, I’m about to start Kresley Cole’s Immortals After Dark.  Not sure how summery they are, but I’m excited to read them.  I’m also part of a book club that reads books that are going to be movies, so on my list are "Lies My Teacher Told Me" by James W. Loewen, "Artemis Fowl" by Eoin Colfer, and "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss.  (Shhhh – don’t tell my people I already read this one. It was crazy good.  But fair warning – it’s the first of three.)  I like being part of a book club that makes me read outside the romance genre, since there are so many good romances to read! 

I’ll probably also read “Outliers” by Malcolm Gladwell.  Both kids had to read it for school and hubby read it as well, so I’ve got book FOMO.

Will you be attending any book signings or events this year where readers will have an opportunity to meet you?

I’m so glad you asked.  On August 17, I’ll be participating in a multi-romance author book signing at the Jacksonville Public Library in Jacksonville, FL.  My original plan was to wait until at least three Just Add Peaches books were published, but I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to be a part of a signing so close to home.

Look for me in 2020, though I’ll probably stay in the southeast.  Travel costs, you know.  Unless I win the lottery, and then all bets are off.

Where can readers find you online?

I mostly hang out on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/AbigailSharpeBooks

And I’ve been dipping my cyber toes into Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abigailsharpeauthor/

I also have an extremely outdated webpage (I’m working on it!) at www.abigailsharpe.com

Thanks so much, Abigail!  Do you have anything else to add? Would you like to ask our readers a question?

I keep dreaming about being the witch in Into the Woods, so let’s all play pretend.  What fictional character’s life would you like to take over for a day and why? And not just because they’re married to Jamie Fraser. 

One randomly chosen person posting a comment before 11:00 PM, June 27 will receive a $5 Amazon or Barnes and Noble gift card.