A second chance to build the family of their dreams… for a fresh start?
2)Does he want a do-over with Grant too?
3)Why else would Leo be hanging around Grant’s hospital so much anyway?
The attraction between Grant and Leo is undeniable, and soon their affection reignites as well. But will their luck hold out through health scares and family drama so they can find their happy ending at last?
This book is a single dad, opposites attract, second chance, hurt/comfort, medical romance by Smoky Mountain Dreams author Leta Blake, featuring over 60,000 words of an emotional, moving m/m romance with a happy ending you’ll love!
Originally published in 2018 under the same title using the pen-name, Halsey Harlow.
more
Holy cow did Grant come across as a jerk! Blunt, rude, arrogant, and high-handed are his calling cards. Watching him slowly crumble under Leo’s sunny demeanor and Lucky’s adoration was satisfying. Leo has a broken body and wounds from his ex but his devotion to his daughter gave him strength and determination that I admired. While he leans on Grant he doesn’t depend on him to fight his battles, he’s fully capable. I liked that while he drew definite boundaries with his ex he doesn’t make him out to be a bad guy with his daughter. Lucky is an essential element in the storyline but she doesn’t dominate it or come over as a caricature.
Audiobook: Great narrator
Stay Lucky is both a contemporary, second-chance romance between ex-boyfriends, and a medical drama. Leo left Grant years ago to dash off to L.A. with his new movie star boyfriend. Now, Leo is back with his adopted daughter and he is in a dire state – he needs a kidney transplant. This sets up the story for tense roller-coaster of emotions as Leo and Grant rekindle their prior romance and navigate the rough waters of Leo’s health issues. I don’t work in the medical field so I have no idea if any of the medical procedures were accurate or not, but they felt real. Especially the emotional turmoil Grant goes through as he watches his boyfriend’s pain. Fear not! This book does have a happy ending for both Grant and Leo. Despite the drama and angst, there was humor, snark, and some super steamy moments.
The audiobook was narrated by Darcy Stark who did a great job. Darcy voiced Grant so perfectly – he got his gruffness and snark down pat. The audiobook production was well done and I enjoyed listening to this book.
I love Leta Blake, but this story was a bit of a miss for me. I’m used to Leta’s stories being unique and a bit of a journey, but this one was very predictable/Hallmark-esque.
I am giving it 3 stars because I liked it well enough. I never felt like I was forcing myself to keep reading nor did I skim anything. The best part, for me, was the relationship between Lucky and Grant. Lucky calls him out on his crap from the beginning and they are able to relate to each other in ways that develops a close bond.
I’m usually not crazy about flashback/flash forward type writing, but it didn’t bother me in this story so much. I think it’s because there is no unnecessary intense drama or suspense and it’s easy to follow along with the time jumps and what’s happening.
There is great chemistry between Grant and Leo and they are hot together! Grant can be so rude in general, but he’s a generous lover. I just wish the two of them had talked through various things, like how Leo comes back into Grant’s life and the change in their relationship, and that’s where this one fell flat for me. I didn’t really like Leo and I felt he was a bit selfish, especially with Grant. The story is only told from Grant’s POV so we don’t have a chance to get Leo’s thoughts/perspective/feelings. And his character is so not relatable, at least not for me.
I think if the story was a bit longer, more was fleshed out and Grant and Leo worked through the things that went unsaid, then this would have been an easy 4 star for me. I will recommend this to others, but I will give them a heads up of what to expect so they can better enjoy the story. And I of course will continue to read Leta Blake. Even my favorite author has written stories that I wasn’t crazy about, but plenty of others loved.
This second chance, hurt/comfort, medically themed book features Grant, a curmudgeonly doctor, Leo, a man who left Grant for his ex and has now returned and is in dire need of a kidney transplant and Lucky, Leo’s 5-year-old precocious daughter. Frankly, Lucky is the most likeable one in the book.
It’s a bit hard to get into this book as Grant is truly an unrepentant a-hole and Leo is a whiny blah. Grant’s jerkishness is a real barrier to forming any kind of bond to the characters early and that really impaired my ability to enjoy the story or root for the characters. I stuck with the story though and it did improve and capture my interest after it was quite a ways in.
The story arc moves too slowly yet I never felt like I really got to know the MCs. The slow pace was not as a result of character development background or detail which I think the story needed. We see much more growth in Grant’s character than in Leo’s and part of that is a “diamond in the rough” trope that doesn’t really work.
The story keeps flashing back and forth to different time periods and it’s a bit disorienting. When the big crisis moment hits it is truly heart wrenching. That whole section is very well done and you can really feel Grant’s emotion. It made me wish that we had seen that level of connection throughout the book.
The story is a unique set up and I wish I could have enjoyed it more. I have enjoyed a lot of this author’s work but this outing just didn’t hit me as well as others have. Having said that I don’t discourage you from reading it. You may connect more with the characters than I did, in which case you will no doubt enjoy the book quite a bit.
4.5 rounded up.
I loved the characters and plot in this second chance romance. Grant and Leo are sweet together in a definite opposites attract story. Leo’s also a great dad to Lucky, and I loved the way her relationship with Grant grew alongside the main story to the point he’s acting like her 2nd dad, even if he’s not consciously realised he’d already in that role. The scenes between her and Grant are very sweet.
I thought the author used the time shifts well to cause tension, as it’s not whether they get together but if one of them survives a major health scare. As the backstory builds along with the tension by the time it got the crunch time of the latter, I was very invested in the characters. I also liked that Grant is realistic at the end of the story, knowing they have their happy ending but that are also on borrowed time.
The supporting cast is well written. I loved Marie, Leo’s memaw, and Alex, Grant’s friend. Curtis comes across as the self-centred jerk he is. I also like the sibling relationship between Leo and Hannah, which was very layered and added a lot of depth to the overall plot of the story.
I thought this was a very sweet story with plenty of hurt/comfort. The author has a very easy to writing style and although it’s the first story of hers I’ve read it won’t be the last.
Why did I wait so long to read this?
Stay Lucky was originally published in 2018 under Leta Blake’s Halsey Harlow pen name, which she has now discontinued using. I bought a copy back in June 2018 but never got around to reading it – shame on me!
Second chance stories are one of my favorite romance tropes. Doesn’t matter if it’s a MM or MF romance, I just love the thought of two people in love getting a second chance if one, or both, of them messed up the first time around.
Leo Garner and Dr. Grant Anderson were forming a relationship when Leo’s former boyfriend came back into the picture and swept him away. Now, several years later, Leo has returned to his hometown, with a daughter, and Grant doesn’t want to be attracted to him again.
Once I started reading Stay Lucky I couldn’t put it down. Grant Anderson is a bit of a jerk but I soon realized it’s pretty much a cover; a way for him to pretend to the world that he doesn’t care about things, when just the opposite is true.
A lot has happened to Leo in the years that he’s been gone. He doesn’t really want to admit that he made a mistake when he left town with up and coming movie star, Curtis Banks. When he meets Grant again the attraction he felt for him before is still there.
There really is a lot going on in this story and to say too much would be to give away spoilers. Several reviewers commented that this book was too similar to the popular Will & Patrick stories. I noticed the similarities pretty quickly but it definitely didn’t diminish my enjoyment of Stay Lucky. In fact, if anything, it makes me want to read more about Leo and Grant. Leta has also published a book of short stories about them called Stay Sexy that I fully intent to read next.
***Reviewed for Xtreme-Delusions dot com***
5 heartbreaking & emotional stars!
Heat Rating: 4
On my goodness, that was intense, emotional, uplifting and raw!
I love Leta’s writing and this story is no exception.
This story is so emotionally wrought and real, with complex (and a little broken) characters that are so very real they will worm their way into your heart and hold up residence. Now, grumpy Grant & optimistic and strong Leo are in my heart but I think the adorable, smart and witty little Lucky has stolen it! These three characters form a wonderful made family in a small town of second chances and their story is one of fear, sickness, healing, and happiness. There are tears and fear along the way but Grant and Leo are meant to be together and they won’t stop fighting until they can live happily (& healthily) ever after.
A beautiful story of hope, luck and real love. I loved it and would definitely recommend it!!
Thanks for reading! For great stories, reviews and more please visit https://bookstattoosandtea.wordpress.com !
When Grant’s ex, Leo, comes back into his life, he isn’t sure he wants him there. After all, the man left him for a movie star! Now suddenly he’s back?!
While this story ultimately ended up being sweet and Lucky is adorable, I found myself skimming a lot, especially in the middle where the pace lagged quite a bit. I really liked Grant, but Leo did nothing for me aside from feeling sorry for him because of his health issues. I wondered why Leo’s leaving Grant wasn’t really made much of because if it had been myself who’d been left, I’d have demanded at the very least, an explanation, then some serious rear end kissing and groveling at my feet!
Grant and Leo had dated six years ago, until Leo leaves Grant and the town to follow his high school sweetheart in California. Six years later, Leo is back with a little girl, Lucky, and a critical health state.
Grant doesn’t want to see Leo, to talk to Leo, not after what he did to him before, but fate decides otherwise, and Grant will have to decides if he wants to give Leo another chance.
I adored this book. It was so sweet, beautiful and funny.
Leo is sick, very sick, but he tries to be strong for his daughter Lucky, for his family and for Grant. He doesn’t want to be a burden despite his health. I loved him, I loved how strong he was.
Grant is my crush; I want a real Grant in real life. He’s hilarious, funny, sarcastic and can be a real class A a****hole. I loved him so much, I was rooting for him from the beginning.
And then, we have Lucky, a 5 yrs old little girl, very smart for his age and brilliant. The relationship between Grant and Lucky was the sweetest that I’ve read.
The story is told from Grant’s POV and the timeline his between past (9 month ago) and present.
I loved this little jump between the beginning of their rebound story, and the present.
I can only encourage you to read this book. Really, it was a very beautiful story.
This is an emotional, second-chance MM romance & I enjoyed reading it, although I will admit that I found it heartbreaking to read in some places. The story-line & plot is interesting, well-written & intriguing with unique characters that have opposing personalities & they defy the odds that seem to be against them while continuing to develop throughout the story-line to ultimately complement each other.
There is: A Medical Doctor (Grant Anderson) discovers that a old boyfriend (Leo Garner) is back in town with his precocious daughter (Lucky) & seems to be hanging around & then Grant discovers the reason why, Grant’s caring friend (Alec), Leo’s Ex-husband (Curtis Banks), drama, some intrigue, mild twists, family issues, memories, insecurities, a judgmental attitude, medical issues, rudeness, opinions, attractions, hope, concern, emotional turmoil, fear, explanations, trust, declarations, contentment, love, happiness, steamy scenes & a delightful well-deserved conclusion.
The reason I like second chances stories is that I find captivating the way broken connections get fixed and made better thanks to experience.
I was intrigued by Leo and Grant,curious to see if they’ve learned from past mistakes. At times it seemed like they did learn, other times they make new ones,they stumble and falter,to the point I feared they wouldn’t make it,despite how strongly they feel for each other or how hot their chemistry.
Stay Lucky is a charming, touching book. It’s a sweet,heart- warming romance with the adorable addition of the most amazing little girl and I can’t recommend it enough.
Lovely, moving, romantic and steamy: the full package minus a cute pet!
4.5stars
I adored this MM romance. The author is new to me but she’s got a great writing style that flows well and kept me engaged. Grant and his old flame Leo are an adorable couple and Leo’s precocious adopted daughter Lucky is terrific. The way she interacts with the ever-hungry, grumpy yet compassionate Dr. Grant adds so much humor and heart to the couple’s story. They all have plenty of heartache and obstacles to push through, but the ending is fairytale-perfect.
So glad I read this story.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
4 ½ stars
Stay Lucky is the first I’ve read by this author.
I enjoyed this. It took a little while to get used to the back and forth from past to present, but once I did, I ate it up.
The subject matter is not easy to read. The constant presence of health issues was always in my mind. It makes for some heavy reading at times, but the author gives lightness to the piece in the form of a precious, intelligent little girl and a boyfriend with zero clues of how to deal with either relationship. Having a character with medical problems have such a positive outlook on life helped tremendously. I don’t know how accurate that aspect of the piece is, but it made sense to me, and that’s all that I needed from it. I’m glad it wasn’t filled with loads of medical terminology that would bog it down.
There were a couple of secondary characters that I really enjoyed, but I was a bit stymied when, out of all of Leo’s relatives in town, he often had a problem finding someone to watch his daughter. It just seemed strange to me. That is the only reason this isn’t five stars for me.
Grant and Leo and their second chance romance progressed in a way that made me confident in their HEA. This isn’t insta-love, but a growing into each other that allows them to learn to trust and lean into each other no matter the situation. And the spicy times? Mmmmmm, very hot.
I look forward to more by this author.
More than bacon
At the beginning of this book, I wasn’t a Grant fan; however, the more I read about him, the more he and his bluntness grew on me (kinda like his appetite). I realized his outward personality hid someone who cares a lot. It was a combo of his interactions with Lucky and his honesty with Leo that won me over.
Speaking of, Lucky may be the most fascinating and intuitive child ever. I adore her. I really love all things Leo, especially his sneakiness and his personality. He’s so wholesome and sweet with amazing inner strength. There were a few times he frustrated me because of his thought processes but really I just wanted to hug him all the time.
“I like you better than bacon.” If that’s not a statement expressing the depth of their love, I don’t know what is. A wonderful second-chance romance that will make you smile, laugh, cry and fall in love.
Stay Lucky by Leta Blake is a wonderful Second Chance, Single Dad, contemporary m/m romance that drew me right in with its adorable character of Lucky… and Leo and Grant are great too. The story has drama, humor and romance…. it had me rooting for the two main characters to figure it out and get their Happily Ever After.
I received an advanced reader’s copy of the book and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review and recommendation.
Grant with his prickly and straightforward attitude desperately needed Leo’s loving and relaxed personality to balance him out. Grant also needed Lucky, Leo’s adorable daughter to ground him when Grant’s emotions get too high. This was a lovable story with a happily ever after.