Author: Meghan Quinn
Series: Getting Lucky #1
Genre: Adult contemporary romance
Release Date: May 7th, 2019
Publisher: Montlake Romance
Source: E-galley from Pitch Lit PR which did not influence my opinion
My rating: 5 stars
Synopsis:
It
was supposed to be an innocent night, celebrating my brother’s
birthday. Nothing was supposed to go wrong. We’d vowed to be on our best
behavior after all . . .
But
it only took one rowdy night with my brothers to flip my world upside
down. One unlucky encounter saddled us with a family curse and the
promise of doomed relationships. I laughed it off immediately. “Yeah,
right,” I thought. “A love curse. Ha!”
Boy, was I wrong.
Word
spreads quickly in a town like mine; rumors about that night soon made
us the most eligible yet untouchable bachelors in Port Snow, Maine. As a
subject of endless gossip and speculation, I could kiss my dating life
goodbye.
It
would have stayed that way if Ren Winters, the new girl in town, hadn’t
crashed into my life. Brave, beautiful, and smart—her vivacious thirst
for a fresh start has given me hope that maybe, just maybe, I can have
one too.
Everyone wishes for that second chance . . . but could this really be mine?
My Review:
As with every other Meghan Quinn book, I was immediately sucked in and couldn't stop reading. I mean, it definitely helped that the first scene took place in one of my favorite places to visit, New Orleans, and that was such a great start to the story! Now it took me a bit to remember that we'd met these Knightly brothers back in the second book I read by Meghan Quinn, Two Wedding Crashers, with my favorite couple from that series, Rylee and Beck. But I love that Quinn is taking us back to meet some of the other characters we enjoyed from another one of her series. I always love when authors do that. And to know that this is going to be a series now makes me extremely happy, because I really am excited to see what happens to all of the Knightly brothers, because really, it's impossible to not fall in love with all of them. So much so, that I'd probably have been okay at first if our heroine, Ren, fell for one of the other brothers if Griffin hadn't ever come around and given this a chance. Another thing I love is the setting, I want to live in a little town like Port Snow. As a former teacher, and current school librarian, I love the idea of a town actually being the village to help raise the children, help keep them in line and good citizens.
We had all of what you'd expect from Meghan Quinn book, the steam, wit, and the feelings. There was even one line early into the story that made me almost spit my food out when I read it as I laughed! It was a page-turner, I hated when my body was telling me I had to go to sleep, not letting me keep my eyes open when all I wanted to do was finish this last night. But when the dogs woke me up at their usual early morning time to go out and get their breakfast, as soon as I was back in bed, I picked this back up and finished it.
Oh yeah, prepare to crave so many sweet things as you read this. You see the Knightly family runs a shop that sells yummy confections like fudge. And lots of different flavors of fudge. And then there are all the different restaurants and even a food truck in this Northeastern area of the US, I might need some crab cakes soon. And how could I forget the Moose? What a perfect "meet-cute" in all its craziness.
Excerpt:
I’m
counting out our register drawer, trying to stay focused on the numbers
whipping through my head, but it’s difficult with Reid’s constant small
talk. I jot down another tally mark on the paper in front of me and set
aside a stack of bills.
“Hello, are you listening?” Reid asks, sounding annoyed.
“No. I’m counting.”
“Well, I’m talking about you, so you might want to lend me your ear for a second.”
Huffing,
I set the cash on the counter, knowing my very persistent brother won’t
be quiet until I give him my full attention. “What’s up, Reid?”
Satisfied, he smiles. “You should ask her out.”
“Ask who out?”
“Ren.”
Yeah, that’s not going to happen. “No.”
I
go back to counting, but Reid starts snapping his fingers at me. “Hey, I
wasn’t finished.” I look back up at him, not even slightly interested
in this conversation. “I saw the way she was looking at you today. I
think she likes you.”
“You’re
confused. She was probably just being nice, since I’m the guy who
pulled her out of the window of her car after her accident. And even if
she does like me, which I highly doubt, there’s no interest on my end.
So that’s the end of that.”
“Bull,” Reid and Jen both say at the same time.
Christ. My two most nagging siblings are ganging up on me. Just what I need when I’m trying to get home and relax.
“Can
we not make this into a dissection of my personal life, please? I’m not
in the mood, and I want to get this done so I can go home.”
“Griff,
she’s pretty, she’s sweet, and she’s smart. She’s new to town and, I’m
sure, could use a friend,” Jen says just as the door opens, its bell
chiming through the space. Brig pops in, grease all over his shirt and a
smirk on his face.
Uh-oh. There’s only one reason why he’d be smirking at me that way.
“What
are we talking about?” He rubs his hands together and takes a seat on a
barstool near the window. “If it’s about the hot new teacher in town, I
want in on this conversation.”
“We’re trying to convince Griff to ask her out.”
Brig slow claps his appreciation. “Novel idea. I think they’re a perfect match.”
“I’m
not asking her out,” I huff, giving up on the register and leaning
against the wall behind me, arms crossed. There’s no way I’ll be able to
concentrate on counting while these three are yapping in my ear.
“Why
the hell not? She’s perfect for you,” Brig says, a little insulted at
my rejection. “Before you even say no, you should at least get to know
her a little. I told her today she could borrow your truck while her car
is in the shop.”
I
count to five before answering, tamping down my temper. “Why the hell
would you do that?” Okay, maybe I didn’t tamp it down enough.
“Uh,
because she lives three houses down from you?” Brig rolls his eyes as
if I’m the stupid one in this conversation. “She needs some help, so be a
knight in shining armor, dude. Help out the damsel in distress and then
make out with her on the beach. Maybe cop a feel; get some for once.”
“I’m not doing that,” I answer, going back to the money, letting them know this conversation is over.
“And why not?” Jen asks.
“Because
I’m not interested in starting or being in a relationship. I’m happy
with how my life is right now, and I don’t need anything complicating
it.”
“But she has heart eyes for you,” Brig says like a jackass.
“Don’t worry; there are plenty of Knightly brothers to choose from,” I reply.
“Come on, Griff, how fun can going home to an empty, lonely house really be?” Jen chimes in, concern evident in her voice.
I shift on my feet, my voice terse. “I like my house. It’s fine. I’m fine.”
Silence falls between us, an awkward air moving in like a fast-moving cold front.
“Is
this because of New Orleans?” Reid finally asks, taking a seat next to
Brig. Both of my brothers fix their gazes on me, waiting for an answer.
Why
is this a thing whenever we talk about my love life? Can’t they just
let it go? What happened was … hell, I don’t even know how to describe
it. All I know is I don’t foresee love in my future.
Claire was the love of my life, and I lost her; in a blink of an eye she was gone. I’m not going through that again. Not ever.
Shaking my head, I turn away from my family. This conversation is over.
And with that, I take the cash to the back office, where I can get some peace and quiet.
Ask Ren Winters out on a date? Not going to happen.
And she’s not going to drive my truck either. I think that’s evident in the fact that she drove her car in between two trees.
Can’t blame a guy there.
Get To Know Author Meghan Quinn
1. In
the past few years you have written dozens of novels! First off, how do
you find the time? And second, how has becoming a bestselling author
changed your life?
I
have the best partner in life ever that helps out with everything
around the house, including the kids. I also have a very overactive
imagination so when I get into a scene, my fingers fly, giving me high
word counts in a short amount of time. Even though it looks like I’m
working all the time, I make sure to make time for my family, ending
every day at five at night. And hitting the USA Today bestselling list
was a huge goal of mine I had ever since I started writing. It meant
everything to me.
2. What can you tell us about the first time you sat down to write with the goal of completing a novel?
I
was a maniac. I wrote the book in a week. Yes, a week. It was insane. I
had so much to say because I was thinking about it consistently while
commuting an hour and twenty minutes one way to work. When my fingers
hit the keyboard, it al flew out of me.
3. What is the best part about being a romance author? What is the most difficult part?
The
best part is constantly being able to create, break it up, and then
find it again. It’s such an old, classic formula, but it’s my favorite
of all time. The most difficult is trying not to gross people out with
terminology during sex scenes. There are only so many words that are on
the OKAY list. Sometimes it can be restricting.
4. What draws you to writing romance novels? Specifically why is it important that your characters have happily-ever-afters?
Ever
since I can remember, I’ve loved love. Instead of going out in high
school, I would stay at home and watch romantic comedies. I was
fascinated with falling in love and the heartbreak, and then the make
up. I love everything about it. I think we all deserve a HEA, why not
give it to our characters too?
5. Even
though you include realism and heartbreak in your books, the thing
readers really takeaway is sense of fun you pack into the novels. How is
it you (and your characters) are able to find humor in everyday
things?
I’ve
always found myself to live in the clouds, in a land of cupcakes and
fun, it’s just my personality so whenever I’m in a situation, I usually
can find the fun in it and of course, I’m really good at embellishing.
6. Give us a quick snapshot of your newest novel That Second Chance.
Four
brothers, small town romance, all single, all cursed. Will they be able
to find love, even though they’re the most eligible yet untouchable
bachelors in Port Snow, Maine?
7. What makes Ren and Griff’s story special to you?
Their
meet cute is probably one of my most favorite of all time. Wayward
moose, volunteer firefighter, a crazed woman new to town, looking for
help. It’s all charming, funny, and perfect.
8. What’s next for this series?
Rogan!!!
AND OH MY GOD!!! His story is . . . gah! I can’t even tell you how in
love with it I am. There is mystery, intrigue, questions that need to be
answered and so much swoon you might just fall off your chair while
reading.
Author Biography
Social Media Links
Website: https://authormeghanquinn.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorMegQuinn
Giveaway:
- $25 Amazon Gift Card and Digital Copy of THAT SECOND CHANCE by Meghan Quinn
