Author: Kelley Vitollo
Published: January 14th 2013
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Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Rowan McKinley isn’t looking for one wild night while vacationing in Vegas, but she gets it anyway when she meets professional poker player—and professional ladies’ man—Breck Wilder. Breck’s easygoing charm and lighthearted banter draw in the reserved Rowan, and though she’s always dreamed of the kind of forever love her best friends Sidney and Kade share, she’ll settle for one night with the charismatic player.
After their crazy one-night stand, Breck never expected to see the mysterious redhead again. So when he shows up at a Shamrock Falls B&B looking to get away for a few weeks and Rowan answers the door, he’s floored. Breck’s rolling-stone lifestyle and ill-fated history with women means he’s not interested in anything long-term. But the longer he stays at the B&B, the more he considers dropping the poker face and putting all his cards on the table…for Rowan.
I have read most of Nyrae Dawn’s Young Adult books, but so far I hadn’t tried any of her adult books that she writes under the name of Kelley Vitollo. I saw the synopsis for Luck of the Draw and I instantly knew it was something I wanted to read. I still haven’t read the first book, but since they’re companion novels, I’m sure it’s okay. (Side note: I will read the first one when I have time.) This book was so much fun and so adorable that I read it in mere hours and felt all bubbly inside afterwards.
“You’re not that good looking.”
“I beg to differ and how many fingers?” Her eyes looked normal, but a little glassy. A smile tilted her lips, but he didn’t think she realized it. No, this woman wanted to be pissed at him, but she couldn’t—which should be his first clue to get the hell out of there. A feisty woman like her would be nothing but trouble. A losing hand, if you will, and Breck didn’t lose anymore.
“I mean, maybe a seven out of ten.”
“Nope. Only three fingers out of five. Looks like I’m going to have to carry you.”
With this, her eyes widened. She didn’t want to be in his arms and he somehow had a feeling it was because she’d enjoyed it there last time too much.
“No! I was rating you.”
This time Breck held up ten fingers. “Ten,” she said.
He winked at her. “That’s more like it. I knew you thought I was sexy.”
The story follows the life of Rowan McKinley in Shamrock Falls. She is surrounded by friends, but hasn’t got a family she can rely on. She dreams about one, though – a life with her future husband and children. At the beginning of the novel Row does something completely out of her element: she has a one night stand with a sexy poker player in Las Vegas. Or so she thinks, because no less than a month Breck Wilder arrives on her doorstep to stay in her Bed and Breakfast for whole six weeks. How can she survive this? She has no idea.
The concept was fun fun fun, but the characters were what really made the story. I liked Rowans stubbornness and even though I don’t have that kind of life experience, I could still relate to her. She takes BS from no one and wants to do everything on her own. I love that independence factor about her. Breck, on the other hand, is really great with people, charming, oh-so-sexy. However, Breck is a player and he has no plans for settling down. The chemistry between them was so enjoyable that I couldn’t help but root for them and sometimes even out loud, lol.
I really, really loved that even though it was an adult book, it felt like a family movie of two adults. I took this book, cuddled with it in front of a fire place, drank hot chocolate and smiled practically the whole way through. It wasn’t all erotica and sex, which seems to be the trend of adult books these days. No, it was a story about two unlikely people meeting their match and trying to deal with their inner issues. It’s a pretty short book with great pacing, enjoyable characters and a meaningful story. If you want an adorable fast read that makes you feel all warm and giggly inside, pick this one up!
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
OMG what a story. I would die if a one night stand showed up! LOL This sounds like a fun read, I had no idea that this author was Nyrae ( You DO learn something new everyday.) I think I will have to give this one a go. I am always looking for more adult books to add to my shelf. Great review, Siiri!
ReplyDeleteBhahahaha! Yeah, that was a funny scene when she realized who the first guest in her B&B was. It was really entertaining. I was afraid it'd be a bit underdeveloped, because it's a short read, but it was really well written:)
DeleteSo happy you enjoyed Luck of the Draw! I thought it was so funny and sweet. You must read Lucky Break. I loved it even more.
ReplyDelete:O Really? I certainly must then!!
DeleteI like being warm and giggly inside Siiri! Especially when it's cold and snowy outside like it is now. I know you've adored Nyrae Dawn's YA/NA books (I still need to read CHARADE - I KNOW! I'll get to it I promise), so I'm glad to know her adult books are equally fabulous. She's on my list of must reads!
ReplyDeleteHaha, take your time, girl! She's a really talented writer and I'm so extatic that a big publisher finally realized it and took her under their wing. Yay! I hope you'll enjoy her books as much as I do:)
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