I enjoy book. It was a Quik read, but it was a feel good read. The characters had a great story and a good romance. I enjoyed how each of them have their own past and how they overcame obstacles to be together. The author really did well on creating a whole Ness at the end. And I also enjoyed the other characters that added to the friendships and found family in the book.

This is the second book in the Bluebird Sky series but it's not necessary to have read the first one. This book follows Cass, a costume designer for films and theatre productions and Josh, an assistant director who wants to direct his own adapted screenplay.

They first meet in Vancouver at a film festival where Josh entered his film Oblivion. I think it was a horror film but the book wasn't entirely clear on that. Cass loves it and due to her knowledge of movies and how they're made she gave him some insightful feedback without realising he was the director of the film. They're both captivated by each other and spend an explosive night together before she returns to Calgary thinking they would never see each other again, despite them exchanging numbers and texting back and forth for a few weeks.

But then Josh gets his adapted screenplay picked up and he gets to direct it, leaving the rest of the team to be decided by his producer. He doesn't realise that Cass would be the one picked to do the costume designed until he sees her at their first in person meeting. They agree to keep things professional and form a friendship but it's pretty clear there is more on both sides. But Josh has been unlucky in love before and refuses to open himself up to something more, while Cass has had her heartbroken multiple times but still puts herself out there.

This is a slow burn romance that really gets into the angst of each character and they way they're drawn to each other. Josh tries (and fails) to keep Cass at arms length but he struggles to resist her. It sort of feels like an insta-love connection but at the same time, they spend so many months working together and spending time together as friends without going any further that it's actually more than that. They fall in love with each other without the physical side of things getting in the way.

And of course we have a third act break-up! The pace of the story is quite quick but I think they're apart for a few months before Cass gets her grand gesture and they live happily ever after. There is an epilogue but it's set 26 years after the end of the story which I actually quite liked. It shows that they've built a life together and made a name for themselves in movies while still being as in love with each other and obsessed with each other as they were when they first met.

I thought the story was well-written and I liked watching Libby and Stephen reunite in the background as well. It's told in a 3rd person POV which worked well but I think it would have been better in 1st person - I like getting the thoughts and feelings of each character and I think that translates better as a 1st person narrative.

Thanks to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

Arc Review:
Overall Rating: 4 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice Rating: 3 🔥🔥🔥
Cover Rating: 3 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Tropes:
- Curvy Costume Designer
- F&ckboy Director
- Grumpy x Sunshine
- One Night Stand
- Insta-Lust x Slowburn Love
- Film Set Romance
- Dual POV
- Drunken Caretaking
- Pining (And Grovelling)

I enjoyed reading this book. The tension and banter was top notch and I just enjoyed this book a lot more then I thought I was going to.

Thank you NetGalley, the publishers and the author Ellory Douglas for letting me be a part of the arc team for this book.

Oh, this book is adorable!

Cassidy St James is unlucky in love, always picking the wrong guys and falling for the emotionally unavailable. Until one night, she meets a stranger named Josh, and sparks fly after an assumed one night stand turns into something more.

I loved the grumpy/sunshine/coworkers/lovers/friends angles in this book. The characters have a depth that far exceeded my expectations. The plot is well fleshed out, and the chemistry is there right from the first pages.

The spice was well done, apart from the occasional cringey line, but it was so cute that these are more than forgiven.

I must admit that I can be a bit of a cover snob and nearly bypassed this book because of that, but I am honestly glad I didn't 'judge this book by its cover'.

I'll be keeping an eye out for more books by this author.

Thank you to the publisher for allowing me to read this book via Netgalley.

˚₊‧ ୨୧ ‧₊˚𝗔𝗥𝗖 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪⋅˚₊‧ ୨୧ ‧₊˚
📖 A Lucky Shot @authorellorydouglas
⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

Thanks to @netgalley , the publishers and the author for this review copy 💕

My thoughts 💌

A Lucky Shot by Ellory Douglas is the second book in the series, offering a perfect blend of humor, heart, and heat that kept me thoroughly engaged from the first page to the last. The novel follows Cassidy St. Claire, a talented costume designer with a history of tumultuous relationships, who decides to focus on her career after swearing off dating. Her determination is tested when she crosses paths with the charming and irresistible Josh Graham during a girls' weekend, leading to a one-night stand that takes an unexpected turn when Josh turns out to be the director of the film Cassidy is working on.

The characters are wonderfully crafted, evoking empathy and genuine emotional investment from the readers. Cassidy's relatable struggles and vulnerabilities make her a compelling protagonist, while Josh's journey from grumpy and closed-off to emotionally open and affectionate adds depth to his character. The chemistry between Cassidy and Josh is electric, and their gradual transition from a casual fling to a deeper connection is beautifully depicted.

The playful banter and steamy scenes are expertly balanced, adding to the allure of the narrative without overshadowing the emotional depth of the characters' experiences.

The supporting characters enrich the story with their unwavering support and friendship, enhancing the overall reading experience. This book is a testament to the power of love and second chances, showcasing the transformative and healing nature of genuine affection.

Overall, this was a captivating slow-burn romance that skillfully navigates the complexities of relationships while delivering a heartfelt and engaging narrative. Fans of the genre will undoubtedly appreciate it 🫶

A fun, sexy romp, from two points of view. Both main characters were fun and engaging. Will definitely look out for more from this author.

Months ago, Cassidy and Josh spent an amazing night together with the understanding that they would go their separate ways. Until they unexpectedly end up working on the same movie set. Despite their attempts to keep their one night stand as just that, they can't seem to stay away from each other.

thanks to netgalley for an arc!!!

ellory douglas’ sophomore novel did not disappoint. i found it to be much funnier than her debut, which i also enjoyed. cass was quite relatable to me, even though certain aspects of her character overlapped with a lot of characters i’ve read in other books. the mcs were quite good together, in my opinion. the third act conflict was CRAZY! it came out of nowhere, but that made it compelling

While a slow burn, Josh & Cass had amazing chemistry that jumped from the page! Could not put it down!

In a whirlwind weekend, Cass meets Josh at a film festival and they instantly hit it off. This led to Cass doing something she never does… she hooked up with Josh all weekend. She needed a little fun and she’d never see Josh again. Right?

When Cass gets specially requested to be the lead costume designer of a film, she can’t say no to the opportunity, even if it means meeting the crew over zoom while drinking on a beach in Mexico. Everything changes when Cass realizes the director of the film is Josh. Film festival, one night stand Josh.

After agreeing to keep things professional, Josh decides to help Cass and challenges her to go on 20 dates with 20 different men that Josh chooses for her. This teaching moment for Cass extends to Josh in the best slow burn way.

I absolutely devoured this book! Josh and Cass’ chemistry leaped off the pages and I could feel it myself. The undeniable connection between Josh and Cass unfolds slowly and keeps you wanting to read to see what will happen. The spice was off the charts and so good!

if you need a quick, spicy and fun read, this is the book for you!

This book started slow, opening with a one-night stand that didn't immediately grab my attention. However, things improved once the two main characters met again and started working together. Their friendship felt genuine and lighthearted, and it was easy to see their connection growing into something more as they fell for each other. This middle portion was the highlight of the book, filled with fun, chemistry, and a steady development of their relationship.

But then, a plot twist hit—and I didn’t see it coming at all. The twist was shocking, leaving me confused and changing my entire view of the male lead. His actions, while understandable to some degree, felt unfair and left a bitter taste. No matter what he did afterwards to make up for it, I couldn’t rekindle my initial fondness for him.

It’s a decent read with moments of enjoyment, but the ending didn’t leave me with the sense of closure I hoped for.

Cassidy St. Claire's has sworn of data, until she meets Josh Grahm, who is irresistible. After a one-night stand, she believes that she will never see him again until he shows up on the film set that she is working on. It appears that she is working for Josh as his movie is going into production and the studio is allowing him a chance to direct. When he arrives to see Cassidy, his head is in a spin. Soon they find their attraction growing exponentially.
Josh and Cassidy are two complex characters and I enjoyed watching them grow throughout the book. Josh was extremely frustrating at times, where he was reluctant to admit his feelings for Cassidy. Consequently, Cassidy wants this romance to work having had her heart broken before. It was so lovely to see this romance play out. An enjoyable read.
This book I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A Lucky Shot by Ellory Douglas is a sweet grumpy/sunshine and curvy girl romance!
This was absolutely delightful. The plot was well-paced and captivating from start to finish. The characters were charming and witty. I highly recommend this fun and quick read.

Enjoyed Ellory’s storytelling! Cass, Josh, and co. are relatable, loveable characters with perfectly developed complexities and imperfections.

I have to say I am so glad that Cass got her own story! I am very pleasantly surprised that Josh was her matched and how well their story played out.

I can’t tell you how many times I wanted to yell at Josh through my kindle lol. His ‘idea’ of how he could help Cass get over her long-time hook-up was just hilariously infuriating. It was obvious time and time again that they were meant to be!

Without spoiling the ending, I will tell you this! This ending was absolute perfection. Chef’s kiss. Watching Cass struggle through constantly getting her heart crushed, it was nice to see she finally gets put first.

This book is:
* Curvy girl romance
* Over 30 and wanting love
* Forced proximity
* Put yourself first, feel-good vibes

I definitely recommend this book and now need to go back and read book one because I like this writing style! Thank you NetGalley! I am happily sharing this review by my own choice.

I really enjoyed this book. I thought it was a nice chilled read. Could put down and pick up easily. I loved the chemistry between the characters and jobs the characters have. It was something different for me tonread but I'd definitely recommend

How couldn't I not like this book, Cass never had luck with dating and men until Josh but she wasn't expecting their work to be connected after she made an exception which is something she rarely does and the one time she actually decided to risk, she never imagined she would also had to work with him... Can they take their hands off each other after that one night that blow their mind?

I love when a one night stand keeps showing up in your life. Cass meets Josh and their attraction leads to a night of passion. Then they keep running into each other. Can they make this work?

This book is a whole vibe. I loved the fmc and the fact that she was closer to my age as opposed someone in their 20s. I'm always a fan of grumpy x sunshine. This was such a cute read, and I loved the playlist as well!!

4.5 ⭐️

“Just once, I want someone to make an effort.” She blinked hard and turned a brittle smile to him. “Do you think I’m asking too much?” An emotion she couldn’t identify hid behind the shadow that crossed his face. “I don’t think you’re asking for enough.”

I devoured this book and I fell for Cass right away. She is so relatable and you just want to root for her.

I wasn’t sure what to make of Josh at first. An MMC who labels women by physical attributes and rates them on sexual positions in his phone is going to have to work really hard to win me over. But somehow it worked.

I can’t wait to read more by this author. Thank you NetGalley for giving me an ARC, all my opinions are my own.