2.5⭐️3🌶️

Contemporary Romance
Dual POV
De Moines Setting
Fake dating
Plus size FMC
Interracial relationship
Opposites attract


Just My Luck by Denise Williams offers a charming premise but left me with mixed feelings. The female main character’s undiagnosed ADHD is central to the story, but I struggled with the portrayal. She lacked coping or masking skills, which made it difficult to fully connect with her. Her behavior seemed more in line with how ADHD manifests in men, which felt somewhat jarring.

While the topic of adult ADHD is important, I felt the exploration of it was underdeveloped. The narrative also skips over significant time gaps, leaving the plot feeling disjointed and less engaging. The setting of Des Moines was barely mentioned until Chapter 11, and even then, it felt interchangeable.

On a positive note, the plus-size representation was refreshing. The FMC’s body type was portrayed in an empowering way without becoming the focal point of the story. Additionally, the interracial relationship was portrayed effortlessly, without focusing on societal judgment, which made their connection feel natural and genuine.

Ultimately, while the premise had potential, the execution lacked depth, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that the story was missing something to truly make it stand out.


Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

3 stars.

"Just Our Luck" by Denise Williams starts out really, really strong! I love a book with a carefree FMC who doesn't know what she wants in life and is down in the dumps and a super-serious, grump of an MMC who gets his ish wrecked by her. Inject it into my veins! What starts out between Sybil and Kieran is a physical relationship that turns into fake-dating when they are embroiled in an "I won the lottery but left the winning ticket on your desk with a note on the back of it after we scr3wed and you were nice enough to give it back to me and now I need you to pretend to be my fake boyfriend so my family doesn't judge me and think I'm being careless with my life again" type of plot. You know, *that* ol' chestnut! It is the type of suspension of disbelief I crave in romance novels, lol. Unfortunately, the longer the story went on, the more annoyed I got. Sybil is very, very immature, especially for her age. She frequently only thinks about herself, and while that is sort of the point of her story, it doesn't really feel like she has changed much by the end of the book. Sybil has virtually no character growth whatsoever. I also think Sybil's potential ADHD diagnosis is thrown into the story for little to no reason, or at least it is disclosed way, way too late in the story. There could have been an exploration of why women feel restless in life and do things a certain way but delay getting diagnosed, which would have tied into the story of her and Kieran's relationship nicely, but it feels like merely an afterthought the way it is. As I mentioned, I love a grump, but Kieran is a bit too broody for me, to the point where he comes off as mean and callous and sometimes even cruel for no reason. While they had some great instant chemistry during their one-night stand, their relationship rubbed me the wrong way by the story's end. This book is also way, way, waaaay too long, especially for the tropes found here. At least a solid 10-15% could have been cut. I love Denise Williams, so I will continue to read her books in the future, but this one was a bit of a miss for me.

Thank you to NetGalley, Denise Williams, and Berkley Publishing Group for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.

When I first heard the premise of this book, I knew I needed to read it. It sounded so fun & whimsical. Plus it's by Denise Williams so it's bound to be a banger.

I am glad to report that my gut feeling was correct. I had a lot of fun reading this one. The characters of Sybil and Kiran were entertaining as heck. I adored Sybil's messiness and how it got her into trouble, and Kiran is just so stinking cute. Their relationship gave classic romcom vibes. It's opposites attract, fake dating and instant chemistry. The steamy scenes were great too (due to all that intense chemistry!). Plus this is an interracial romance, love to see it!

I liked the plotline with the donut shop and the lottery ticket too. I thought the lottery ticket was an interesting twist and made the story feel unique.

Plus look at the stunning cover! It's so cute and pink. Plus their embrace?! Swoon!!

If you're looking for a romcom that will make you swoon & laugh, pick this up.

sad to say this just was not right for me. the FMC, sybil, continuously made poor decisions & then was surprised when she wasn’t happy with life & how it turned out for her. she was a mess in a BAD WAY. had no redemption arc. actually had no redeeming qualities. i had 0 interest in either character, and had to stop myself from DNF’ing multiple times. the MMC, kieran, was actually mean most of the time. i will say i ended up liking him better than the FMC tho. as for the ending… ABSOLUTELY. NOT. GOODBYE.

thank you to the publisher for providing this book for review via netgalley. all opinions are my own <3

I love Denise Williams, so it pains me to DNF this book!! I've tried to pick it up 3 different times, and each time I feel bored and annoyed at the main character. The story comes off incredibly cheesy which makes it hard to connect with the characters. I've also seen several other bad reviews and DNFs, so I feel like I just need to stop reading. Thank you so much for the ARC - I'm so sad this book didn't work for me!

I thought this was super cute. I loved how these two just fit so well into each other's lives. I like that they went from a one-night-stand to a slow progression of lust and like into their next time together. Sometimes I'm iffy about winning the lottery plotlines but this one was good and I enjoyed how Sybil used her money.
The relationship with Sybil's family, her mom mostly, was hard to read I'm glad it came to the outcome it did, and while it was working itself out that Kiran was there for her to back her up and showcase her many bright spots instead of showcasing her downfalls like her mom did so often.
These two just worked together and they brought the best out in each other. I had a great time reading!

I was here for the promising start of the story. Goofy ahh FMC and broody serious MMC is always a hit or miss, but this one missed the mark too much.

FMC is annoying. She doesn't think about anybody, but herself. She can never hold a job, is bad with money, with relationships and even her parents side eye her.

Our MMC is carrying a weight of the donut shop and caring for his ill grandpa. He put everything on the back burner and refuses to see how selling the shop will be more profitable, than try and salvage it.

Their meet-cute is not cute. She's drunk with her friends and he just wants to f0ck her. And he kinda does, but she then pays him for the donuts she STOLE this morning. Real hard side eye from me.

She somehow wins the lottery, and our gentleman of the day, decides to use social media to return it to her. (Also, it's free publicity, so it's a win-win)

Then I fell asleep, so forgive me for not remembering how it all went down, BUT the situation goes viral, they have to pretend they're together now, which is not brought up again, sigh. They grow closer. (Off-page) They have multiple scenes together that show how close they've become, but it feels fake.

The whole relationship feels forced. FMC messes everything she touches up, like MMC's dream to become a doctor. "How?" you ask me. Well, she throws money at the committee and they see it as a bribe. Sur-freaking-prise.

Anyway, I forced myself to finish this and fell asleep 4 times trying. Would recommend if you're fighting insomnia.

Thank you to Berkley and Netgalley for my free eARC!

I was disappointed with this book unfortunately. The FMC was very immature and doesn’t think about how her actions affect other people. I also felt like the chemistry between the MCs was really lacking, which made the transition of them falling in love unbelievable. I really wished there was more I enjoyed about this, but sadly it wasn’t for me.

Denise Williams has this ability to write beautiful, highly relatable and swoon-worthy stories. This book was such a delicious read! We cannot wait to share this with our readers when it comes out!

Just Our Luck is a heartfelt romantic comedy that embraces some of my favorite tropes, fake dating and love at first sight. I was fortunate to receive an ARC courtesy of Berkley Romance and Netgalley. I give this novel 3.5 stars. It has both charming highs and a few missteps along the way.

The story follows Sybil, a woman who finds herself down on her luck after losing her job and returning to her parents’ home. In a spontaneous moment, she buys a lottery ticket and treats herself to a donut after a night of drinking. Enter Kiernan who is also facing his own challenges, as he’s had to put med school on hold to care for his sick grandfather while running the family donut shop. Their chance meeting sparks an instant connection that fuels the novel’s romantic energy.

What I enjoyed most about the book was the way it leverages beloved tropes. The fake dating setup and the idea of love at first sight are woven seamlessly into the narrative, creating moments of genuine warmth and humor. The instant chemistry between Sybil and Kiernan forms the emotional core of the story. However, the romance is not without its bumps; Kiernan’s occasionally mean streak and the sudden introduction of a grumpy-sunshine dynamic can feel jarring, detracting from the otherwise sweet connection.

One of the notable challenges in the book is its pacing. For a stretch spanning roughly chapters 21 to 31, the narrative tone shifts to a more contentious tone that almost led me to DNF. This section, with its heavy-handed moments, disrupted the overall flow, making the wait for the lighter, more affectionate romance feel longer than necessary. It isn’t until around the 75% mark that the story regains its footing, delivering the romcom energy that many readers, including myself, crave.

Beyond the romance, Just Our Luck stands out for its thoughtful treatment of real-life issues. The narrative offers a refreshing message on representation, particularly with the inclusion of an adult diagnosis of ADHD. Sybil’s internal struggles and her journey toward accepting help from a supportive community add depth to her character, resonating with readers who might relate to similar experiences. Additionally, the side characters Lila, Marcus, and Grandad are engaging and intriguing, hinting at potential stories of their own.

Overall, Just Our Luck is a mixed bag of sweet, endearing moments and narrative missteps. Despite the uneven pacing and occasional tonal inconsistencies, the genuine connection between its protagonists and the relatable exploration of personal challenges give it a lasting appeal. For fans of contemporary romcoms that aren’t afraid to tackle real-life issues amid humor and heart, this book is well worth a read even if some sections might test your patience.

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.