I’ve always been the person that does whatever someone tells me I can’t. Can’t graduate with a four-point-oh? Check.Can’t win a modeling contract without trying? Did it. Check.Can’t make it in the pro football league? Triple check with an MVP Award on top.When my best friend told me to stay away from his little sister, Layla, it didn’t sound like a challenge. Then again, I’d never seen her before. again, I’d never seen her before.
He obviously wasn’t thinking about who he was talking to if he believed I could ignore her. I obviously wasn’t thinking of him at all when I fell in love with her either.
Fact of the matter is: I not only fell harder than a quarterback sack on a Sunday night game, but I did us one better. Kind of like that MVP award, only not so shiny. Sort of like my Player of the Year title, except the only thing I’m walking away with is an ex-best friend and a woman that hates my guts.
It’s okay. Just tell me I can’t win her back.
I’m Branch “Lucky” Best and today’s my lucky day.
*This is a STANDALONE ROMANCE.
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I loved this book by Adriana Locke,,,, I think this is the first time I’ve read her work,,,,
This book is about Layla James Miller whose brother Finn plays pro football with his best friend Branch “Lucky” Best,,,, she has a best friend who is always there for her, her name is Poppy,,,,, Layla is the ex girlfriend of Quarterback Callum Worthington, who is on “Layla’s intended” trip to Tahiti, with Ares Cosmetics model, Carly Mathewson,,, Layla had planned that whole trip out and now she wasn’t even there,,,, she and Poppy went to her and her brother’s cabin outside of Chicago on Lake Michigan af the same time her brother was up there with his friend, Branch ” Lucky” Best,,,,, and while Poppy and Finn can smooch and carry on with some hot and heavy kind of romance,,,,,, Finn has made it perfectly clear that Layla and Branch shall have NO hanky panky going on between them,,,,, he’s made Best promise on their friendship,,,,, Well, we all know how those things turn out, now, don’t we,,,,
So, now you really need to wander out and get this book,,, I absolutely loved reading this story,,,, it had a little of this and that,,,, some up and down,,,,, a very little secret that’s not going to be hidden for long,,, and of course some steamy scenes in between,,,,, I would totally recommend this book to anyone,,,,,
I got this ARC voluntarily to do an honest review
This was such a great book, I didn’t want it to end! I absolutely loved Layla & Branch’s story I love a good sports romance and this is so much more. It’s also a best friend’s little sister story. I have read a few others in that troupe. This is one of my favorites I’m a football fan & really enjoyed a look into the ins and outs of being a sports star. I really liked the detail Adriana put into this book. It’s a great book to read anytime of the year Especially in the Fall, when football season is starting I loved that Branch was a Southern boy; the charm and the manners, etc. I really enjoyed the friendly/sizzling banter between these two characters I loved that Layla was a strong, smart girl that knew what she did & did not want. Branch was a great alpha-male that also had a sweet & tender side. I love that combination I also loved that this story was told in dual POV. Those books are my absolute favorite I love getting to know what both characters think. This is the fifth book of Adriana Locke’s that I’ve read. She is an awesome storyteller and I love her books. I will definitely be reading more of them Lucky Number Eleven is a Must Read for any fans of her books. It is also a great first book to start with, for new readers for her work.
**I was fortunate enough to have received an ARC of this book for an honest & voluntary review**
When I started reading this book, it reminded me, immediately, why I love reading sports romance. Adriana Locke has this uncanny ability to let the characters connect while also making you laugh and grin and smirk as you read. Within the first few chapters, I was giggling and felt like I was right in the story. That feeling is one of the reasons I love to read.
Layla and Branch meet one weekend, when Layla and her friend, Poppy, show up to a family cabin in Illinois. Unbeknownst to them, Finn, Layla’s brother, and Branch also went to the cabin for a weekend break. Finn and Poppy have an off and on again thing happening. But Finn tells Branch that his sister is strictly off limits. But the chemistry between Branch and Layla is undeniable.
Layla is really spectacular and I loved the way her character was written. As a reader, it was easy for me to see why Branch was attracted to her. I don’t mean that just through looks, but from her actual personality. She’s funny, intelligent, and isn’t afraid to push Branch back a bit. But I also loved seeing the side of her that was serious, that had stresses. I feel like in a lot of sports romances, the heroine can be a bit sharp, in terms of fighting the relationship or thinking the guy is just a playboy athlete. I felt like the author kept a really good balance going, where we see Layla’s caution but we also see her still being carefree and letting herself fall for Branch.
Branch’s character was just…I don’t even know. I loved him so much. Again, you can see why people fell in love with him. He’s hilariously funny, charismatic, but yet when his serious side comes out, he really shines. Branch has been a star for awhile, and he knows immediately what people see when they look at him, especially women. He might seem like a jerk in some instances, but he’s incredibly self-aware and thoughtful.
I’ve been a big fan of this author for awhile now. One of my favorite parts of this book are the little nuggets from her other books. They are really subtle and thrown in inconspicuously. If you just opened this book and had never read anything from the author, you’d be none the wiser. But if you’ve been a longtime fan, you get treats from a past character popping in, or a sports team showing up. I appreciate the way this author does this for a few reasons. First, I love seeing past characters. When you really love a book, you start to miss those characters. But I like that the author brings them in so subtly. Do you ever read a book and there are so many characters swirling around and you can’t keep track of them, and then you start to feel like you’re missing something? This doesn’t happen here. The author keeps it casual and the longtime reader is delighted to see their favorite characters pop in, but it never ends up being a big production where you’re trying to keep track of a zillion people.
If you love sports romance, you should definitely read this book. If you’re also looking to laugh, and maybe cry, and feel like you’ve never felt, then you should pick this book up.
Reviewing for A Published Romance
He considers this as we walk along. “Will it make you happy?” “Yeah, but I don’t need it.”
“My job isn’t to decide what you need. It’s to make you happy.”
Branch Best … this man, although a typical football guy, totally nabbed my heart. He’s definitely the arrogant, obnoxious, entitled superstar type, but if you look just a little deeper … there’s so much more to him. When circumstances swirl around him & Layla, most would just run away and ignore the issue. Branch doesn’t.
Layla meets Branch because of her brother, Finn, who is also a football star. These guys are bros and decide to retreat away from the limelight for a bit (mostly to keep out of trouble ). Layla has been burned enough to know that she can’t trust men, especially football men. Unfortunately, Branch gets the best of her and they end up in a bit of a … predicament.
Let me just say, I’m not usually a huge fan of sports guys. I enjoy the story, but when I want to read about a man it’s usually A MAN — more blue collar, dirt under your nails, harder worker type. But I absolutely enjoyed Branch. This was a guy who didn’t give me what I expected, and that made the story for me. He gave me depth, which is what many a-sports star seems to lack (for me). He was so wise & intuitive, it went against every stereotype I place upon these sports types.
“There’s still twenty percent that make it. The smart twenty, the twenty that has something so good at home they don’t want to risk it. And you, Sunshine, are so worth it.”
Between the laughs, love, and let’s say … accidents, I totally enjoyed this story. If you’re a fan of Adriana Locke, you’ll see SO MANY references to other characters and events in her other works. I love whenever a little familiarity crosses my path. Definitely a must read!
5 Lucky Stars!
This forbidden romance was so sweet and charming and so much more than I expected! It captured my heart right from the start making me laugh and swoon till the very end! Branch “Lucky” Best went to his best friend, Finn Miller’s cabin, for a long weekend before training camp begins. Finn’s sister, Layla James Miller, and her bff, Poppy Quinn, are there as well. This foursome are so perfect together. Their rapport is easy, and their banter is hilarious. Branch tries to stay away from Layla but their chemistry is off the charts. He likes how smart, sexy, and easygoing she is. He especially likes that she doesn’t care about his status. Layla has been burned by athletes before, and isn’t interested in going there again. But she can’t deny the attraction she has to his stupid sense of humor, his kindness, and especially his dangerous and filthy side. They agree to have a passionate secret affair just for the weekend. But when it’s over and go back to their lives in the real world, secrets can never be kept secrets for long. Branch and Layla are great together and I was cheering for them all along. I also love Poppy and Finn. They add so much depth, charm, and honesty to this story. Ms. Locke expertly creates characters that you really care for in heartfelt and sexy stories. I really need more of all of these characters and hope we will get a book about Finn and Poppy! This is a funny, sweet, sexy and moving story that I couldn’t put down.
Mr. “Lucky” might not be feeling so lucky after all..
A relaxing weekend away at the family lake house turns into a much more Sunny affair than Layla had originally planned.
This was the first Expose book and first Adriana Locke book that I’ve read. I’ll be looking into reading more. This book gives all the ups and downs and relatable feels that are in a really good story. I definitely recommend.
I love best friend’s little sister stories!!
Layla James Miller is the younger sister of football player Finn Miller. She’s had nothing but bad luck when it comes to dating athletes. She decides to take her best friend Poppy to her families cabin for a weekend getaway. What she didn’t plan on was her brother being there with his best friend and teammate, Branch Best.
Branch is a player and loves a challenge. When Finn tells him to stay away from Layla, he views it as a challenge and game on. Branch and Layla have intense chemistry from the moment they meet. She’s sworn off athletes, but Branch is so easy for her to be around and talk to. He makes her laugh and she sees the soft side of him that most don’t. What is supposed to be a weekend fling turns into so much more.
I love the best friend’s little sister trope and Adriana Locke didn’t disappoint with this story. Layla and Branch were amazing. Finn and Poppy were great supporting characters and I loved their relationship too. A great story all together!
5 Lucky Stars
I started this book on a whim at about 8:30 this morning and I haven’t done anything else since I started… That’s right, not a thing, except sit and read, highly unusual for me, but it was such a good book and I got lost in the story so everything else just had to wait….
I loved Branch and Layla together, I loved how they met, I loved how they tried to avoid their chemistry until they couldn’t. I loved how both of them were flawed and not perfect. He was a player never before tamed and she was certainly no innocent, but together they brought out the best in each other. I loved the addition of Poppy and Finn, they were hysterical. The relationships between the four of them was so realistic and I think just really added to the story.
This was a great read and I am so glad I randomly picked it from my from my TBR today, it was a day well spent!!!
NO SPOILERS!
Lucky Number Eleven was amazing and one of the best sports romances that I’ve ever read! It was my first novel by Adriana Locke and it certainly won’t be the last. I loved her writing style and the storyline and characters she created. I love sports, especially football, so it was a no brainer that I loved Lucky Number Eleven so much.
Branch and Layla were awesome characters. I’ll admit it took me a little while to warm up to them and get invested in the story, but once I did I was hooked. I quickly fell in love with Branch and Layla, and couldn’t have been happier to read their story. I loved their personalities and chemistry together, and I enjoyed how their relationship progressed throughout. They certainly had their up and down moments, but all of the heartache was completely worth it in the end. I loved reading the story from both Branch and Layla’s POV, and I immensely enjoyed their banter and interactions with each other. There was no shortage of laugh-out-loud moments in this book, and most of the characters had me smiling quite often. Branch and Layla’s story took a few surprising and unexpected turns, but I loved all of them and truly enjoyed reading every single page from beginning to end. Most of the secondary characters were wonderful as well, especially Finn and Poppy. They definitely added an entertaining element to the story, to say the least. I’m hoping that maybe Finn and Poppy will get their own book, but I’m not sure if that’s in the cards for Adriana Locke or not.
Lucky Number Eleven was sweet, sexy, humorous, and addicting, and I absolutely loved it. It completely exceeded my expectations and I couldn’t have loved it more if I tried. It was amazing from start to finish, and I loved the conclusion to Branch and Layla’s story. It was perfect and I couldn’t have been more thrilled for them. Adriana Locke truly won me over with Lucky Number Eleven, and I honestly can’t wait to read the rest of her books, starting with the Landry Family series!
If you can say only one thing about Adriana Locke, it would be that that woman can make anyone swoon. I may or may not have noticed her “healthy” obsession with a certain NFLer and I found it highly amusing that her out of control admiring led to a book.
What I didn’t expect was the way this storyline went! I liked it more because of that. Real life isn’t all rainbows and unicorns but sometimes you get a double rainbow.
Lucky Number Eleven is the faint double rainbow hiding behind the bright, sexy as sin cover. It’s more than you thought you were seeing and that much better!
Layla and Branch are blindsided in more ways than one in this steamy, fun, and heartwarming HEA! Layla is done done done with swarmy good for nothing jocks that think just because they have a little ability on the field they can run roughshod over her. Her latest ex has once again proven that this whole subsect of men should just be written off as players and liars. Trying to decompress she decides to get away to her family’s lake house for a spell. She wasn’t counting on her brother being there or him bring one of his teammates with him. Branch “Lucky” Best really thinks he is God’s gift and makes no bones about it and just like all the others he assumes that a smile and his looks will be all he needs to get her panties to hit the deck. His charm and looks make it easy to fall into his clutches, but surprisingly his personality and smarts make him impossible to resist as far as Layla is concerned. Branch knows he should steer well clear of Layla. Finn is his best friend and his teammate and the rules of bro code clearly apply, but there is just something about her. He is helpless to ignore the pull and he in the end he happily he charges right over the line. Only problem is after their amazing weekend he is left wanting more, something that has never happened to him before. He is reeling, Mr love’em and leave’em, is pining away. But when he finally catches up with the beauty that is haunting him she has some big news to share…Prepare to be sigh like you have never sighed before as you partake in the in sexy and sweet Miller/Best love feat!
I voluntarily read an advance copy of this book.
Oh oh oh!! Branch is the bomb!! Seriously, how perfect are these two. Layla is way too strong to deal with the bad boy, playboy football Star. With her brother Finn being Branch’s best friend and the star tight end, she knows how to deal with guys like that. However what happens when you fall in love with one?
Branch does some stupid stuff, which was required right? But I never expected to feel for him so much. He’s a great guy, and he falls for Layla harder than you’d expect. It was great to see.
I love love love how sneak characters show up randomly, if you pay attention. Nothing that makes a change in the story, but makes you miss our favorite baseball player, or a Quinn here and there?? I loved that. SQUEEEEEE.
I promise you will love this book. It’s so so great and I cannot wait to read the rest of the exposé books too. I voluntarily reviewed this book given to me by the author. I know this will be a reread for me.
From the lickable cover and every sexy word in between, I devoured and inhaled this book!!! Incredibly sexy, with my favorite kind of alpha….perfect characters and an amazing escape from the real world. Not to be missed!!! I thank the Author for providing a copy to review!!
~~~Erika, Book Haven Book Blog
Lucky Number Eleven by Adriana Locke is a captivating football romance. Ms. Locke has given us a well-written book populated with outstanding characters. After being dumped by her boyfriend, Layla and her friend Poppy drive to the family cabin for a long weekend. They weren’t aware Layla’s brother and his friend Branch had the same idea. Branch and Layla’s story is a fast-paced romp, full of drama, lots of humor and sizzlin’ hot sex. I enjoyed reading Lucky Number Eleven, even though it’s in first person, alternating point of view format…which I hate. Kudos to Ms. Locke for making this story so enjoyable I didn’t mind the first person…much. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.
I voluntarily read a complimentary copy of this book that I received from Bookfunnel. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I loved these characters. It felt like I was listening to or learning about a “real” friend’s life/story rather than just reading a book. I absolutely loved the Sam Elliot references! (My mom’s been hot for Sam for as long as I can remember – her third husband even favored him.)
Lucky Number Eleven …Adriana Locke is certainly one of my go too authors and she has once again knocked it out of the park!
Layla has just come off a bad breakup with her football boyfriend. She knew that he wasn’t “The One” but cheating is a definite deal breaker. She decides to take her best friend and head to the family cabin in the mountains for a bit of regrouping
Branch has lived his life in the spotlight . He is one of the bad boys of football. He is a player on an off the field. His best friend Finn decides they need to get out of the spotlight for a long weekend and head to his parents cabin in the mountains. A bit of R & R to sooth the savage beast! What Finn didn’t know is that his sister Layla had planned the same adventure!
The moment that Layla and Branch meet the attraction is obvious immediate but when she opens that sassy mouth and continuously puts him in his place ..he wants her even more.
Layla knows that she should steer clear of Branch but their is more to this bad boy that meets the eye. The more she gets to know him …the more she likes him?
A wild and crazy getaway is all they have and all they can have! They both will end up taking more away from this getaway than they expected!!
Loved it !!
~~Michele McMullen ~~
Oh be still my soul. Branch Best is the definition of a sexy jock with a cocky attitude that you can’t help but give into. He is irresistible and he knows it. The back and forth banter between Layla and Branch’s banter paired with Poppy’s sass had me laughing out loud throughout their story. These characters were all truly endearing. Adriana’s writing had me hooked from the first page and left me hoping to see Finn get his own book.
I voluntarily received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Multiple touchdowns were scored with this standalone book that is part of the Expose Collection of Romances Kindle World. Layla and Branch’s chemistry was off the charts hot and their teasing, back and forth banter was a really great touch.
I loved the comparisons between football positions and plays to their relationship. As for the secondary characters Poppy and Finn, I’m hoping to see them in the future in their own book. I was pleasantly surprised with a few cameo appearances of some of the author’s characters from her previous works.
Of course, as with all of her books, she makes the reader “feel all the feels” and I did cry at different parts in the book. Not any major angst, mind you, just little tiny tugs on the heartstrings. This is definitely a must read and a re-read book.
I love the story!
Sexy alpha and strong female characters are my favorites! I loved Branch and Layla! Lucky Number Eleven was very entertaining. I always enjoy whatever book I pick up by Adriana Locke. I can’t believe I waited so long to read this, but I’m glad I finally did.