KillianWhen I’m tossed into the trunk of a car, I realize that what little luck I have has finally run out—especially when I find that Tony, the man who’d abducted me, is planning on using me to get back at my father. My chances for escape look pretty bleak when I’m handcuffed to Tony’s bodyguard, an intimidating man named Shepherd who apparently loves tight shirts and seems to be amused by … amused by making my life miserable. Soon, though, I learn that Shepherd has a heart and a brain. And sometimes, those two things can be a bigger weapon than anything in a time like this. I just have to learn how to wield them.
After Shepherd gets me away from Tony’s men, I discover that he’s a survivor, a fighter, and the only person who seems willing to help me when it feels like the whole world is against me. At first, I’m not sure if I can trust the man, but the more we get to know each other, the more I realize that he’s funny and kind of sweet. He’s determined to protect me, but he doesn’t know all of my secrets. He doesn’t know that Tony isn’t the only one looking for me. But together, as we face betrayal and taking down the worst monster of all, we’re determined that we will be the lucky ones after all.
Just My Luck is a 101k word book that includes a dog that wants to eat Killian’s face off (or maybe just play with his shoe), handcuffs used in a disappointing way, far too much running, a hero that can’t hit the broad side of a barn with a gun, a game of strip checkers that doesn’t go as planned, and two broken souls who find peace in each other.
more
Killian is kidnapped. Does his best to get away but is eventually handcuffed to Shepherd of the tight shirt. Very nice tight shirt too.
Typical Alice Winters book, snark galore, sexy men, running, much running, shooting, the bestest monster dog ever, and finding that maybe the heroes can run right into a future together.
I am becoming a huge fan of Ms Winters’ books, so every new release of hers is a “must have” for me. Now the story of Shepherd and Killian is amazing. The plot is complex and interesting and the author wrote the story with flashbacks that put a little piece in the puzzle to get it complete until the very end. The way you slowly discovered each piece and how it fell into the plot while witness how the MCs got together is brilliant. Of course with all the hilarious dialogues and funny bantering between the characters while everything Is happening you couldn’t stop reading for fear of missing a detail. A wonderful book
Fun
Such a great story. With strong voices, slick humor, and a creative plot, Just My Luck is a really enjoyable read. The banter at times was on the cusp of becoming tiresome, which took away some of the impact of the wit between characters. But still a highly entertaining story.
I totally loved this story. I was hooked from page one and I just love when that happens. I loved both Killian and Shepard. These two have both been through hell in their childhoods but in very different ways. The story is full of twists and turns as well as some of the best angst and humor which is not an easy combination. Then there is the surprise that blew my mind and is a brilliant piece of writing. Im not going to give away any of the story but it got a well deserved five star plus plus plus plus plus from me. I very highly recommend reading this!!
A simply hilarious story full of action, snark, and adorable “face-eating” pets. It starts straight off with Killian being kidnapped and from there, I was immediately hooked. We also meet the mysterious Shepherd, one of the bad guy’s bodyguards who keeps thwarting Killian’s escape attempts. He also proves remarkably immune to Killian’s never-ending chatter, and when he starts to dish it back just as good, this makes for a wonderfully interesting dynamic. The banter never lets up and their connection only gets more intense as Killian and Shep become emotionally invested. I like that we gradually learn more about each of their pasts; it definitely builds up so that when we do find out about what they had to face, it guts you so much more. Killian and Shep are so well-suited though and I was glad they had each other. In particular, the way Killian respects going at Shepherd’s pace, is extremely heartfelt and tender it almost had me in tears.
The writing and pacing are very well-done and the slow reveal of just what happened to put them in this situation had a tantalising build up. It’s most certainly tear-through-the pages-in-one-sitting material!
Just My Luck is a bit different from most of her books in the sense that both Shepherd and Killian both have darker backgrounds, together these two find light and love while facing their mutual demons together.
The banter between these two is amazing and what I’ve come to love about this author. Ms. Winters is known for her sarcasm and wit and even in the face of “monsters ” she still brings it out with these two.
3.5 rounded up
This is yet another hilarious story by Ms. Winters. However, I do have to admit that although I enjoyed the premise of the story, the only way I can describe my hesitation is that I felt a kind of character dysphoria. The characters are well developed, it’s not that. It’s just that for some reason my mind wanted Killian to have Shepherd’s personality and vice versa. I think part of the problem was that each of these characters reminded me so much of the other recent banter slinging couples that it never felt like the right fit.
The plot initially starts out with what you might expect: well-to-do police chief’s kid gets kidnapped by a bad guy and his thugs. But, despite the comedic situations and the snarky comments, the reader starts to pick up bits and pieces of something more sinister at play.
I did enjoy watching Shepherd change his treatment of Killian throughout the story. Both men hold horrible secrets, but they eventually start to work together. As the plot thickens, the skeletons are trying to force their way out of their closets, but fear and desperation keep them locked tight.
I felt for both of the MCs, and eventually even one of the monsters to a point. But, no matter how funny, sentimental, smart, or stealthy, I just couldn’t get it through my head that Shepherd was the more silly, smart-alec, playful character most of the time. For whatever reason, it just messed with my head.
But, I absolutely loved the slow burn romance. Due to past experiences, the budding relationship had some hard limits for a long time. Trust and confidence had to be built and earned, and that comes with a healthy dose of patience and understanding. So, even though I had issues with my confusion about their personalities, the relationship was just right.
Overall, the book is entertaining, suspenseful, laugh out loud funny, deeply disturbing in regards to the lives the MCs have lived, and although not very physical, an extremely intimate slow burn love story. Oh! I almost forgot about Bear, the face-eating monster dog. Bear was awesome.
Happy reading!
* I received an ARC of this book and I am leaving my honest opinion. *
Just My Luck started out with a bang- 3% in and I was laughing out loud. But then it took a turn and I was on the edge of my seat, wondering what the heck I was in for! This book reminded me of Ms. Winters’s In Darkness series, in that there are a lot of laughs, but there’s also darkness to the story that took me by surprise.
Although Killian and Shepherd are so fun together- we get the typical Alice Winters’s humor, they’re both broken in ways that made my heart ache for them. But the more time they spent together- running from the bad good guys, they more they start to heal. The book is told solely in Killian’s point of view, and while I did like being in his head, I wish we had been privy to seeing things from Shepherd’s pov as well, especially to learn a little more about his past.
This story is full of twists and turns, lies and secrets, I wasn’t sure who to trust or who to believe from one page to the next. It’s mysterious and suspenseful, with a whole lot of action. There’s murder and mayhem, and a sweet slow, slow burn of a romance.
There’s a reason I am such a huge fan of Alice Winters. I know that every time I begin a new book of hers I am in for a wonderful read. She has such a talent for creating characters that grab your attention and then steal your heart!
Shepard and Killian are smart, snarky survivors. They have each lived a painful, violent life with any choices taken out of their hands. When they come together it is like they have found their missing puzzle piece.
As they go on the run they begin to open up to and trust each other. This is a slow burn romance that really builds on the emotional intimacy more than the physical, and I’m there for that. These two men have never been shown love before and watching them open up to loves possibilities is beautiful. I loved seeing the humor these two share. I can’t forget about Bear! He is an essential part of their journey and a scene stealer!
Just My Luck will take you on quite the ride but the heart of this story is Shepard and Killian and the chance of love that they grab onto with both hands!
Alice Winters never fails to make me laugh out loud. While most of this story is really supposed to be pretty darned serious — murder, mayhem, kidnapping — the constant banter between Killian and Shepherd made me smile throughout. Is it Stockholm’s syndrome that makes Killian think that Shep is the one? Or does his kidnapper really want to help him and to change. Good guys versus bad guys and sometimes the good guys ARE the bad guys…a few twists along the way to keep you riveted.
This is a beautiful slow burn written from Killian’s POV. It did take me a while to really fall for Shepherd because of that but yes you will adore these two.
Learning about both of their pasts hurts so much. They have survived a lot. I really like the use of flashbacks.
There are some good twists, witty banter and an adventure filled with love, secrets and lies. And Bear, their dog, who is just waiting to eat Killian!
Another winner by this author! It is a standalone. Loved the epilogue and I want to read the bonus so badly!
*ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest and unbiased review
This book never gave a moment to completely relax, because there was always something going on, some twist and turn, a new development in the plot that kept me fearful and excited, waiting to see what might happen next.
This is Alice Winters, though, so there’s been plenty of this author’s trademark hilarious banter and shameless, outrageous flirting. But the humor was weaven with heartbreak and fear, in a way that had me going from holding my breath during the suspenseful scenes, to crying or choking with laughter…and, on varied occasions, all at the same time.
Just My Luck is a brilliant, thrilling romance and I can’t recommend it enough.
Bears & Branches
Who needs luck when you have a Shepherd—even if his shirts are tight? I really love snarky, smart, clever and funny protagonists. There’s something so deliciously sexy about them and I’d like a triple helping of Killian and Shepherd, please. Their verbal ripostes had me in stitches but their honest conversations had me falling in love. I hurt for their pasts but their tenacity and strength left me in awe. “I once thought I had no luck, but it’s now clear that my luck just hadn’t arrived yet.” Killian and Shepherd are the missing piece from the other’s life. They have an amazing flow, a seamless connection, and best of all know how to cherish what they’ve found. Always a delight, you’ll find your luck when you read an Alice Winter’s book.