Misfortune. Bad luck. Heartache. Devon Thorpe is no stranger to any of them.After devastating news, Devon’s life becomes a prison of responsibility, heartbreak, and hardship. All her dreams to leave her small town vanish. A prisoner of circumstance.At her breaking point, Devon has a reckless moment in a diner bathroom with a blue-eyed sexy stranger. A single encounter with him leaves a deep mark … with him leaves a deep mark on Devon, giving her only a memory of his touch when nights are lonely, and her life becomes too much to take.
Years later a terrifying incident takes her and her family to Albuquerque NM, where she finds work as a server at a bar to support her mother.
Tattooed, moody, rough, brown-eyed, sexy as hell, Lincoln Kessler, the mysterious owner of the saloon, instantly draws Devon in. She can’t let go of the feeling there is some strange connection between them.
But the more Lincoln tries to push her away, the more determined she is to figure out the enigmatic man. One fiery kiss and Devon realizes she should have stayed away because when their worlds collide and tragedy strikes, she recognizes they are not each other’s savior, but each other’s misfortune.
A tear-jerking, novel about ill-fated love, heartache, loss, and finding your way through the pain.
And a lot of bad luck.
*An NA/Adult Sexy and heartbreaking Contemporary Romance. Deeply emotional with sensitive subject matter of dealing with a crippling mind disease.
more
When I read this book, there was a part where I LITERALLY dropped the kindle and my hand went over my mouth with the OMG moment. I was invested in these words from the first chapter. The author seriously did an amazing job with her storytelling of two souls who were destined to meet. The mystery and suspense about KILLED me. I group read this with my friend on a girls weekend and we gasped and swooned and just really enjoyed reading this sizzling page turned. This book was steamy, intense, all the feels and emotions I love in a great read. I love reading anything from Stacey! Stacey Marie Brown The Unlucky Ones
THE UNLUCKY ONES by Stacey Marie Brown is the story of Lincoln Kessler and Devon Thorpe.
Devon from her early teens where her father was killed, to her mother being diagnose with a rare Alzheimer to her sister making bad decisions. To add to the hurt of that time her boyfriend had been cheating on her…so in a weak moment she has a hot encounter with a man in a diner. Then only to see him getting arrested by her Uncle. Now all these years later she is 22 years old with her mother getting worse that they need to move to find a better living arrangement for her. Now Devon is working in a bar where she meets Lincoln who seem to hate her on site. They rub each other wrong but with that rub is some sparks.
Hot dark read.
What an amazing 5 star story this was. I have never read any books from this author and trust me that will be rectified soon by reading more. I was hooked from the blurb itself.
Devon has had to grow up fast. At 17 years old, she has responsibilities that should never be. She deals with it the best she can. Now 5 years later, she meets a surly, broody man. The only problem he’s her boss.
This story had an highly unique storyline that sucked me in deep in the heart of these amazing characters. They made me feel so much for them. It was a whirlwind of emotions. An intriguing and captivating masterpiece.
Standalone told in Devon’s POV only. I strongly recommend this story with an amazing HEA that I never expected.
***5 Stars***
Oh, hello, FEELS.
Like the whole frickin’ messy ball of wax of feels, even the ones that have liquid wanting to spill out of my eyes when I don’t want them too…twice, not once but twice…kind of feels that leave you with a massive book hangover, but your soul is oddly rejuvenated at the same time…
I have no clue if any of that *points up* makes sense, but I devoured this book. I couldn’t/wouldn’t stop reading it. It really was everything and may just go down as my fav by the author ~ which is saying a lot…
But…on to the review.
I adored Devon. ADORED this girl. There were times when I wanted to reach out and shake some sense into her, but it was hard not to see just how strong and just good she was. The weight of the world was on her shoulders, but she picked herself, worked hard and did the best she could to do the right thing, all while still being a sassy little thing and showing just how fiery her spirit was. Lincoln. He was all kinds of grumpy, broody and something of an asshat, but underneath all of that was a good man who was more about actions than words, though to be honest when words (not the asshattery kind) did come out of his mouth, they definitely made my heart swoon a little.
Devon and Lincoln’s journey was definitely an interesting one, but what was obvious from the first time they collided was that they had that zing, that chemistry between them that made no sense at all but felt right. There were alot of ups and downs and the push/pull was real, but it was all so worth it to see how good they were for each other and I loved how it all worked out for them when everything was said and done.
As I said, this one may just go down as my absolute fav book of the authors. I was hooked from the start and though the emotional roller coaster was so real, it only made me want to keep turning the pages to see what would happen next. And as for the secondary cast of characters, they were all very well written and added a lot of depth to the story, but my favs were Nat and Skylar and I definitely wouldn’t mind if they got their own books down the road!
~ Copy provided by The Next Step PR & voluntarily reviewed ~
This is the first book I have read by this writer. It was intense gripping and enjoyable.Devon is dealing with far more than a 17 year old should deal with. She has a quick doing with a sexy male in a bathroom than he is arrested. Flash forward Devon has moved to another city and is working at a bar to take care of her mother’s needs. There she runs into quite the surprise. I loved this storyline. It was intense gripping full of amazing characters and a little suspense. I enjoyed reading about Devon. Her character is so very strong through everything she is dealing with. More strong than she needs to be sometimes. I love the chemistry between her and Lincoln. Even when they aren’t getting along there is a strong spark. Just an amazing storyline. Well written book. I can’t wait to read more from Stacey.
Gah! The Unlucky Ones was such a great book. It sucked me in and wouldn’t let go. I literally missed chunks of time because I was so involved in the story I had no clue what was going on around me. The emotions were off the charts, Devon is such a strong woman. She needed the exact kind of man that Lincoln is. And Lincoln… holy hotness! I want one 😉
I loved every second of this book, finished it in less than 12 hours because I couldn’t stop reading. Highly recommend to any and everyone!
Devon Thorpe at only 17 is being handed a really unlucky hand at life. After losing her father only a year ago she finds out her mother has early onset Alzheimer’s, her older sister is pregnant and irresponsible, and her boyfriend of 3 years is currently sleeping with her best friend.
After one reckless moment in a diner bathroom she can’t forget about the blue eyed, sexy, tattooed stranger that has ruined her for every other male out there. After 5 long years she still sees his eyes staring back at her.
When her mother’s disease has become too much for her to handle by herself, she moves to Albuquerque, NM with her sister and niece. While trying to find a job she stumbles into a bar and meets a HOT, SEXY, BEAST of a guy, Lincoln Kessler. Lincoln is a brooding, mysterious stranger that she finds herself attracted to.
So unexpected!! This story will grab your heart and twist it until the very end! From grief, heartbreak, love, and mystery, this story has it all! Stacey Marie Brown does it AGAIN!! Bringing two characters together that have had a very unlucky life and intertwining a real life disease with trials and tribulations will have the tears flowing but will leave an impression on your heart! This is one you won’t be able to put down and leaves you wanting more!
4.5 stars. I could not put this book down! The Unlucky Ones is a gritty, emotional read with a great storyline and remarkable characters. Devon is one of the strongest heroines that I have ever seen in a book. She experiences such heartbreak and grief, yet she perseveres. She is a responsible girl who is loyal and loving to her family, but be continually puts everyone else before her. Lincoln is an interesting hero. He blows hot and cold when it comes to Devon and he has secrets that he keeps hidden from everyone, including Devon. His story is full of grief and heartbreak as well. The two of them seem to be the unluckiest of people – fighting through a series of tragedies that have greatly shaped them as adults. This book is told entirely from Devon’s POV, which I think was fitting, but I would have liked a just few chapters told from Lincoln’s. I loved the secondary characters of Skylar and Nat as well. The Unlucky Ones is a beautifully written novel that puts you through all the emotional feels and has a HEA and no cliffhanger. I received this book for free.
This book took me by surprised but I really did enjoy it. There were times I wanted to smack the characters and tell them to smarten up but I also sympathized with them. I may not have agreed with their decisions but I understood sometimes you have to make a really hard decision for someone you love.
OMG! It took me days to write this review. This book is everything I love about a great story! This is a beautiful story! Devon is so unlucky! Her story is heartbreaking, but also hopeful, and heartwarming. The storyline is intriguing, and absolutely captivating, filled with twists and turns, and a lot of bad luck! At some point, all I wanted was a happy ending for Devon. I wanted to take her in my arms, and tell her that all was going to be alright, even if it wasn’t. Lincoln is handsome! This was an emotional reading. I love Devon and Lincoln’s story! They share a wonderful and strong chemistry, totally outstanding. The secondary characters are also really great. The story is told with Devon’s POV only, and if I could change one thing about this story it will be to have Lincoln’s POV. I wanted so much to know what he was thinking all along this story! But I understand the choice made by the author. It was Devon’s story to tell. I LOVE Stacey Marie Brown’s writing. She can write steamy scenes, as well as heartbreaking scenes, with an equally realism and emotion. This story is really beautifully written, and I totally recommend it. Now, I just hope we will get The Unlucky Ones in audiobook! This story is one of my favorites, and it will last on my heart for a long time
Audiobook Review: Erin Mallon did an outstanding job with the narration. I love how she brings this story to life. I enjoyed my listening and highly recommend it.
Can I give this book a zillion stars? Because that’s how I feel right now.
As with every single book that I read by Stacey I’m super exited to read it and then I’m sad that it’s over so suddenly. She’s that amazing!
From the first line in the book that Lincoln says he’ll suck you in.
“Open your eyes, Freckles,”he demanded, his voice making every nerve in me quake. “I want those eyes on me.” In the bathroom of a diner right before he took her.
After hearing horrible news about her mom’s illness and also having her boyfriend and her best friend screwing around behind her back on her anniversary no less Devon ends up in the bathroom in the diner where she works having sex with a stranger. A stranger that o less gets arrested as soon as he leaves the diner.
She can’t shake him off and for the next five years that all she thinks is about. That special boy with the blue eyes.
This girl goes through so much! Her dad being shot in the line of duty. Then her mom getting sick with advanced Alzheimer’s and her idiot older sister that can’t even take care of herself let alone her daughter. Oh and let’s not forget the handsome Uncle Gavin! Wish he’d have his own story!
Devon finds a job at the saloon near her place and when she meets her boss Lincoln she seems to have a strong reaction to him. Despite him being rude to her she cannot help be drawn to him. She needs to know why he runs hot and cold with her.
Amazing once again!
Yet again, Stacey Marie Brown hit it out of the park. Holy hanna, this book was amazing. It has everything. Family dysfunction, romance, a little mystery, and full of all of the feels. Your heart goes through a roller coaster with this one. My chest physically ached at one point during this book. My tears streaming down my face through most of it.
Stacey Marie Brown did a great job with this story. She brought us two characters who have had extremely bad luck at such an early age. They are fighters. And somehow, they cross paths. Boy, do those paths lead us readers into a grey territory of push and pull. As the reader, you really pull for these characters even though there is a reason to be wary. Stacey Marie Brown writes this plot so beautifully that you forget about the fact there is a reason you might not be so keen on Lincoln. Lincoln is hard to describe without giving away too much but boy, oh, boy is he sexy. Lincoln has been through so much. Same with Devon.
Let me tell you, Devon is a saint. I could relate so well with Devon. Devon is the yes girl. She’ll do anything to help another person or take the load off another person. I can definitely relate to that.
A good quote from the book about Devon (and myself):
“I always stayed quiet, letting things build up, then I exploded. It took people back because they had no idea I was so upset.”
Here are a couple more quotes that stuck out to me:
“You have completely f*cked me, Freckles.”
“sometimes the precise thing you hate about someone is because you’re so much alike.”
“Life was gray.”
I cannot stay enough good things about this book. The writing is top notch, the character development is on point, and the steamy factor is scaled to about 10. You don’t want to miss out on this book. On sale on April 1st! This is not an April Fool’s joke! 🙂
Heartbreaking! This story was so hard to read. I had to take pauses. I was hurting for Devon.
Devon..oh my goodness. She went through so much.
I cried…more than once.
The realism deeply effected me. Lincoln was absolutely amazing.
Truly tragic but also so full of hope.
Must Read for 2019
~BREAKDOWN OF RATINGS~
Plot~ 5/5
Main Characters~ 5/5
Secondary Characters~ 5/5
The Feels~ 5/5
Pacing~ 5/5
Addictiveness~5/5
Theme or Tone~ 5/5
Flow (Writing Style)~ 5/5
Backdrop (World Building)~ 5/5
Originality~ 5/5
Ending~ 5/5
Book Cover~ Fantastic
Series~ Standalone
Source~ Kindle eBook – ARC provided through Netgalley
Would I read more from this author? Yes
Would I recommend this book? Yes
Tragic yet full of hope, The Unlucky Ones captured me from the first page and kept me hooked until the end. A love story with a twist; it is not only a love story between a man and a woman, but one that also explores the love between a mother and daughter. Stacey Marie Brown is a gifted and talented author. My top read of the year!
I recently finished reading The Unlucky Ones by Stacey Marie Brown. When it was done, I had to pause a moment and reflect. This book was not only brilliantly written and breathtaking, it was heartbreaking. The Unlucky Ones is one of her Contemporary books and I knew it was going to be good. Hell, I knew it was going to be great. But I didn’t know it would affect me the way it did. I didn’t expect the tears that quietly fell. I didn’t expect my heart to clog my throat. I didn’t expect to feel the deep pain the characters felt. Yet there it was. From the first chapter until the last I was drawn into one of the most heart-stopping, gut wrenching, palpable stories I’d read in a very long time. The emotional roller coaster felt like I was seeing every emotion for the very first time and I had to take a moment to appreciate it. I’m sure you’ve read her books and screamed out “Stacey, you’ve killed me!” just like I have. But I never realized that until this book, she hadn’t even come close. Every time I think back to the pages, to the experiences written, the poignant tapestry that is this story, my eyes cloud with emotion. I won’t even give you a recap because I don’t know that I could do it justice. I’ll just tell you that you NEED to pick this book up. You won’t regret it, I promise. 10 stars, 2 thumbs.
This is usually not my type of book, I tend to stay away from anything with younger characters but I really like this narrator and I was intrigued when I read the blurb and was asked to review so gave it a go and I am really glad I did. Devon is having the worst day, first her mom is diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s and her older sister is pregnant and not helping and then her boyfriend sends her texts (or sexts) meant for her friend which means he has been cheating on her. Slipping into the bathroom she is confronted by a sexy blue-eyed man and seduces him. Turns out he is arrested immediately after leaving. Years later she moves her family to the city so her mom can be moved into a home for better care and when she gets a job at a saloon the owner intrigues her and wants to fire her…hmm…why…Lots of questions and Devon is a lot like her dad who was the town Sheriff before he was killed in the line of duty. There is so much anguish but there is also so much redemption. I’m glad I had this on audio, not sure I would have given it a read on kindle but on audio it was perfect.
Holy crap! Everything about this book was emotional. The heartache and pain. I could NOT walk away. The narrator did a wonderful job from start to finish.
4.5 Stars. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this. It kept my attention the entire time. It just missed 5 stars because of the resolution to Lincoln’s issue. I can’t imagine how he and Devon would ever feel secure since James knows the truth and had already proven to be volatile and shellfish. He would definitely use his knowledge to blackmail and get Lincoln to do what he wanted. Despite that, it was a very intriguing book.
Wow ! Pulled in from page one and couldn’t put it down. The strength of Devon’s character is amazing. I can not say enough good things about this book. Stacey’s ability to make you feel what the character does is amazing……..Keep writing !! LOVED it.
The Unlucky Ones
By: Stacey Marie Brown
Narrated by: Erin Mallon, Narrator
Sometimes you can listen to a book and become so engrossed in it that you are in the story with the characters. Stacy Marie Brown did that to me with this one. I am not sure what it is about the characters. Maybe it’s the storyline of the dementia that I can relate to that I lived through with my grandmother. Or maybe it’s the attributes of independence that Devon has, but I felt this kindred spirit from the beginning. Devon at the age of 17 has taken on the world. Her father gone, her mother with early onset dementia and her younger sister left her as the adult, supporting the family, and holding it all together. Who would have thought that the one time she does something reckless, like have a quickie in the bathroom with a stranger, would change her life? Now 5 years later, she is working in a restaurant for a man that reminds her so much of that night. Lincoln is a man of mystery. He runs the restaurant but does his best to steer clear of Devon. But why, and how long will he be able to? This love story is above and beyond. We experience the brokenness of both Devon and Lincoln and just hope they can piece each other back together. Brown lets us live through these two, with life’s tragedies. We worry and grieve, feel frustration and anger, hurt and anguish and find love and passion and hope. It takes us through everything and resonates long after the book is over. What a listen this one is!
Erin Mallon is a narrator that I love. I will usually write about her comedic timing and how she brings a book to life. But with this book, I found a new side to this talent. She draws out all the emotions in this story, makes them so real that I could feel it all. She delves into each character and brings their feelings to the surface. I loved this performance. Kudos to Erin!
https://adbl.co/2Kj7qwx