REVIEWED by Jay V.

TITLE: Just My Luck

AUTHOR: Alice Winters

PUBLISHER: Self Published

LENGTH: 342 pages

RELEASE DATE: June 16, 2020

BLURB:

When I’m tossed into the trunk of a car, I realize that what little luck I have has finally run out—especially when I find that Tony, the man who’d abducted me, is planning on using me to get back at my father. My chances for escape look pretty bleak when I’m handcuffed to Tony’s bodyguard, an intimidating man named Shepherd who apparently loves tight shirts and seems to be amused by making my life miserable. Soon, though, I learn that Shepherd has a heart and a brain. And sometimes, those two things can be a bigger weapon than anything in a time like this. I just have to learn how to wield them.

After Shepherd gets me away from Tony’s men, I discover that he’s a survivor, a fighter, and the only person who seems willing to help me when it feels like the whole world is against me. At first, I’m not sure if I can trust the man, but the more we get to know each other, the more I realize that he’s funny and kind of sweet. He’s determined to protect me, but he doesn’t know all of my secrets. He doesn’t know that Tony isn’t the only one looking for me. But together, as we face betrayal and taking down the worst monster of all, we’re determined that we will be the lucky ones after all.

REVIEW:

Killian isn’t having much luck. Going about his business and now he’s been kidnapped. And his captures are not very nice people including the bodyguard, Shepard, with whom he gets handcuffed to.  But there’s a bit of hope as the bodyguard might be warming up to Killian. The situation is dire and escape happens, but at what cost?

Alice Winters has found her stride. A mixture of humor, drama, and mystery, this book has a great balance of all these factors. In some of Winters’ past books the humor has gotten downright silly, which I love, but isn’t always to everyone’s taste. This brings a more nuanced sense of humor mixed with some pretty horrific behavior on many characters. The writing is sharp and the story line has good direction, unfolding like an onion, with so many layers to each character.

Killian isn’t so much a smartass, trying to use humor to deflect, but is just inherently funny. And Shepard may eventually be worn down by him.  Sometimes an author will write variations on the same characters, but Winters has managed to create people that are distinctly different from her others and the banter feels unique between these two, which is refreshing since we all don’t want to read the same book over and over.

There are several flashbacks to fill out Killian’s youth and much of it is not very pleasant. Not light and fluffy in any sense, his growing up is filled with subtle horror. And the two villains in this book are truly terrible people, especially one who is likely one of the best written twisted characters I’ve read in quite some time. There is no moral center and he could be seen as an interesting character study in itself.  He’s just bad to the core and Winters paints a pretty clear picture of the horrific actions of this villain.

As Winters’ writing continues, it has been blossoming more and more to create some really memorable books. And like many of you, I can’t wait for each new book she releases.

RATING:  

BUY LINK: 

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