Just Our Luck by Denise Williams is a delightful and heartwarming story that mixes romance, personal growth, and a dash of luck 🍀. The chemistry between the main characters, is undeniable, and their banter had me smiling throughout the book 😊. I loved watching them grow together in ways that felt real and relatable.

The story is filled with laugh-out-loud moments, and the way the author weaves in deeper themes like vulnerability and facing fears gave the romance depth. Williams’ writing is witty, sweet, and just the right amount of swoon-worthy 💕.

Though some parts felt a little predictable, the charm and warmth of the characters more than made up for it. Overall, this is a fun, feel-good read that will leave you grinning from ear to ear! 🌟🌟🌟🌟

AHHHHHHH WAS OBSESSED. Denise Williams has become one of my favorite authors, I can't wait for more!

Overall I enjoyed this story. It was cute.
Love the donut shop vibes. Give me a glazed any day and I will be happy lol

Sybil & Kieran were definitely not the love at first sight at all. This was a definition of opposite attracts.
Fake dating and the banter was the highlight.

I guess money can change things though too
Guess who hit the lottery, read the book and find out..

I was more interested in Sybil growth and her relationship with her mother than the fake dating troupe with Kieran. Even though he truly helped her a lot. I love the growth between Sybil and her mother. Came a long way. I felt so defensive for her.
I didn’t care for how Kieran felt forced. I will say I wish they had better communication for certain parts in the book.

Also this book could have been shorter lol

It was a great romance for the month of February.

Thank you NetGalley & Berkley for the arc!

A story about two people who are down on their luck and trying to get their lives on track when a winning lottery ticket changes everything. If you are looking for a sweet, unproblematic opposites attract romance with fake dating and plus-size rep, this book is for you.

Free spirit and aptly named Sybil Sweet and uptight baker Kieran, two total opposites, have a meet cute that *almost* leads to a one night stand at his donut shop. Sybil ends up leaving without giving him her contact information, but she does leave behind what ends up being a winning lotto ticket. In the cutest move to ever exist, Kieran makes a public plea on the local news to find Sybil so he can return the ticket. They use their newfound fame to fake date and drum publicity for his struggling donut shop and to get Sybil's family off her back (it makes somewhat sense).

I liked that this story focused more on Sybil learning to accept herself and grow than let her winning the lottery complete change her. At the start of the story Sybil is viewed as being all over the place and having no purpose, something which is heavily criticized by her family. The newfound money doesn't make Sybil alter her vibrant self but instead helps her to figure out how to focus her energies without changing her. Kieran was a bit closed off at first carrying so much burden on his shoulders related to his family and taking care of his Grandpa's donut shop, but Sybil really helped open him up and I do love a 'he falls first' romance. Cute and sweet like a chocolate glazed donut!

Thank you Netgalley and Berkley for the earc in exchange for my honest opinion.

I loved this book! I knew I was going to the second I saw the cover! I preordered a signed copy the second Denise sent an email about it, and the fact that I got to read it a little makes my heart so happy! I loved seeing a plus sized woman just existing in her body, at no point was it something Sybil needed to get over or work through. And I also really loved watching her figure out her neurodivergence and accepting that, and it wasn’t without struggle. And Kieran accepted her, all of her, without question. Their almost one night stand to fake dating to lovers was such a fun story!! I was seriously rooting for both of them the entire time!!

While the main part of this book, the fact that Sybil won the lottery and now has literally so much money, seems so out of this world. I think so many of the little things felt SO real. Both Kieran and Sybil are flawed and struggling but also just trying their best. Sybil’s family was so harsh and she just wanted to make them proud. Kieran was also struggling with family obligations but in a different way. But watching them come together, with the help of her money, and really figure things out was so sweet. Their opposites attract relationship really worked in their favor!

I also really loved the secondary characters! Sybil’s friend group really showed up for her, always, no matter what! And I’m hoping that means Deacon’s going to get his own book??! Maybe??

Thank you so much to Berkley for the ARC in exchange for a honest review!

Despite the fact that Sybil can't catch a break lately, she still considers herself lucky. When a date goes wrong, she decides to drown her sorrows with donuts and a lottery ticket. It helps that the employee at the store is cute AF and seems into her. When they're interrupted mid-fun, Sybil does what she does best: she runs away. But she leaves the lottery ticket as a thank you for the fun. What Sybil doesn't know is that it's a winning lottery ticket. Kieran takes his responsibilities very seriously, so despite the fact that he's annoyed with Sybil for numerous reasons, he uses social media to find Sybil and get her lottery ticket back to her. When she finally comes to collect her ticket, she makes him an offer he can't refuse: pretend to be her boyfriend, and she'll give him some of her winnings to help with his grandfather's medical debt and the failing donut shop.

Denise Williams is an instant read for me, and I was excited to dive into Sybil and Kieran's love story. Despite being total opposites, they were lovely together. I do wish Sybil has learned about ADHD in women a little bit sooner because it was hard to watch her struggle and watch her family treat her some type of way, but I suppose the point of the story was to love someone because of their differences. I can't say this was my favorite Denise Williams book, but she's already top-tier, so even her less-than-favorite work is still very good.

Add JUST OUR LUCK by Denise Williams to your TBRs if you love one-night-stand-turns-fake-dating, lottery wins, doughnuts!, and sweet characters with lots of spice.

Just Our Luck by Denise Williams is the kind of romance that sneaks up on you—warm and sweet but with enough depth to keep you hooked. The characters are layered, their chemistry feels natural, and the emotional stakes hit just right. Williams delivers a story about luck, timing, and taking chances, with a romance that feels both swoony and real. If you love smart, heartfelt rom-coms with characters you genuinely root for, this one is worth picking up.

3.5 stars rounded up

I liked this book a decent amount and it was a very easy read for me. I think the storyline was super cute.
I liked the FMC a lot- she was very relatable, her mom and sister were lowkey (high key) super judgy which a lot of people have dealt with. The FMC was also very annoying at times but it felt real. Sometimes we’re all a little annoying. As for her losing her jobs etc I thought it was realistic. Sometimes people need to find their thing- which she did.
The MMC was so great. I loved how much he loved his family. I also loved how into her he was and the way he tried to hide his feelings. It had me kicking my feet when they finally did admit their feelings.

It was missing *something for me* I wanted to reread so I can tell exactly what.

This was cute I suppose. Nothing really stood out for me. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for gifting me this arc.

I’m a big fan of Denise Williams and this book was sweet but isn’t a new favorite. It started off strong for me but as the book went on I liked the characters less.

I did really liked the premise of the book! A one night stand turns into fake dating in attempts to save Kieran’s family bakery and Sybil’s reputation with her family.

At the beginning of the book I was enjoying the characters and liked how they interacted with each other but once the fake dating started they changed up out of nowhere. I found Kieran to be way too moody and Sybil had no growth. I was hoping Sybil would win the lottery and learn how to manage money or be more responsible but she constantly messes up.

I adore Denise Williams so even though this book didn’t work completely for me I’m excited to see what she writes next.

Just Our Luck brings us Sybil and Kieran—two total opposites who almost have a one-night stand at his donut shop… until a forgotten winning lottery ticket changes everything! 🍩🎟️ Fate (and some serious bad luck) keep throwing them together, and I was so here for it!

I was beyond excited to dive into a story featuring a plus-size, neurodivergent FMC—and even more thrilled to see Sybil’s body celebrated rather than treated as something to "overcome." 🙌💖 Watching her journey toward self-acceptance, especially in embracing her late-in-life ADHD diagnosis, felt so powerful and deeply relatable. Denise Williams does an amazing job portraying the highs and struggles of ADHD while making it clear that Sybil’s neurodivergence is a superpower, not a flaw. 🧠✨

And let’s talk about the side characters—because wow, they shine! 🌟 I honestly wish this book was longer just so I could spend more time with them (and, of course, soak up even more of Sybil and Kieran’s romance). Fingers crossed we get to see some of these characters again in future books! 🤞📖

This romcom delivers the perfect mix of fun, heart, and heat—it’s funny, poignant, and sexy all at once! 😍🔥 Definitely a solid 4⭐️ read!

I really love Denise Williams but this book was not for me, I just couldn’t connect with the story and the FMC and I didn’t like how rude the mmc was towards the FMC. The book just felt flat and it was just fine, I definitely see others enjoying this story.
Thank you Berkeley for this arc

Thank you for giving me the chance to read this arc ! I was so excited to read this . I gave it a 3/5 stars , I really liked the plus size representation with the female main character however I felt like she was a hot mess throughout the book . I also thought there was going to be more romance between the two .

I was excited to read Just Our Luck, but unfortunately, it didn’t fully work for me. The premise of a surprise lottery win and the potential for a fun, heartfelt romance had so much promise, but I struggled with the execution.

The biggest hurdle for me was the FMC. After winning the lottery, I expected her to show some drive or ambition, but she seemed aimless, which made it hard to connect with her or root for her journey. Meanwhile, the MMC’s behavior toward her felt off, like he wasn’t genuinely interested in her at times, which made the romance less compelling. Their chemistry never fully clicked for me, and I found myself wanting more depth in their connection.

That said, Denise Williams’ writing is always engaging, and I appreciate the themes of change and self-discovery she explores. While this one wasn’t my favorite, I know other readers might connect with the story in ways I didn’t.

You’re telling me I can get fake dating AND donuts AND a baker love interest AND lottery tickets all in one book?! Just Our Luck is such a sweet (pun intended) love story and I adored every bite! Kiran and Sybil’s love story is highly adorable and had me feeling like I won the lottery just being able to experience their HEA :)

Everything about this book is the best thing ever. It's a breath of fresh air, a palate cleanser from THE WORLD, and restores a belief in miracles and fated love.

On paper, Sybil is not having a good time. Her family sees her as an unserious person, she can't hold a job, and therefore an apartment of her own. But Sybil is perpetually a glass half full kind of person. Which is why she plays lotto.

Kiran is not having a good time and he knows it. He's on leave from medical school and helping to run his aging grandfather's donut shop. It's not the future he had envisioned for himself but it's the one he has. Complete with stacks of bills likely in the six figure range.

In an effort to increase the donut shop revenue, he keeps the shop open late and in strolls Sybil. One thing leads to another and with sparks flying over the confectionary delights, Sybil and Kiran get a little naughty in the back office. Until they get interrupted and Sybil scoots out, leaving her most recent lotto ticket as payment for a bill she ran out on earlier in the day (which may or may not have led to her most recent firing!).

Only, the ticket is a winner and Kiran refuses to keep it. Instead, he launches a search for Sybil, finds her, and they concoct a plan to help her look like a "serious person" to her family. In exchange, Kiran gets to take care of all his debt. And spend time with the really hot woman who also thinks he's really hot.

It is HOT ... maybe hot and ready? This book puts the COM in romcom. It's steamy, full of donut puns, and so much fun. It's the perfect book for an afternoon reading at the park, or your local donut shop.

⭐️⭐️⭐️.💫/🌶️🌶️

Thank you to NetGalley and berkley for an early copy of Just Our Luck by Denise Williams!

This was such a fun and fluffy read. I highly recommend for people who are looking for an easy digestible palette cleanser.

Just Our Luck features Sybil, a chaotic FMC who stumbles in on a donut shop and meets Kiran, our strait laced MMC. Their dynamic at first is very much insta love but you could feel the chemistry through the pages.

However, once Sybil wins the lottery and Kiran learns some unsavory sides of Sybil they enter into a push and pull dynamic. It almost became frustrating at times since their first meeting was pretty steamy!

I really enjoyed all the side characters in this novel and watching both Sybil and Kiran grow to love and understand one another.

If you love:
💗 romcoms
💗 electric meet cutes
💗neurodivergent FMC
💗opposites attract
💗found family

Thank you again to NetGalley and Berkeley for the opportunity to read and provide an honest review!

I love a swoony fake dating romance!! This was my first book by this author and I can’t wait to read more from her!

this was an absolute delight to read. Sybil was such a fun character to read about (and pretty relatable, for me). and Kieran was hot! also, so sweet and smart. loved watching them fall in love! 🤧

Characters: 9
Atmosphere: 7
Writing: 10
Plot: 10
Intrigue: 9
Logic: 9
Enjoyment: 9