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

This was an interracial couple but I’m not sure if I was a target audience. I didn’t like how the mmc was mean and the fmc was all over the place.
I love the author so I’ll continue to read her work.

Neurodiversity
Adult Diagnosis
Abandonment
Finding Passion
Oh my nerves were being grated! Her decision making wasn’t the best and I was trying to be understanding knowing she’s neurodiverse! It was hurtful to see how she was treated and seen though, especially at the times when she was really trying to do something for her family. Kieran… he was so mean in the beginning! Like sir why?! They started out chill, half night stand!
Please remember these are my OWN opinions! I was close to dnf’ing. It was getting frustrating reading about Sybil’s mistakes and decision making. Her mother was terrible to her, I’m surprised she (nor anyone else in her family) thought to have her diagnosed or bring it up when she was a child. Then again, different times.
Kieran is still navigating having been abandoned by his mom. His grandfather did step in and he has a sister. Grandpa Joe is hilarious! Might I say my fav character, him and Tom. The premise of the book is cute! Trying to save a donut shop, Sybil wins the lottery, Kieran made a viral video to find her. A few of their issues did come up throughout the book. The ending was really nice HOWEVER getting to the ending. The big mistake, the third act breakup. I feel like it would’ve took longer to forgive her because that was detrimental. Along the way, Sybil does have a good group of friends and Kieran has his sister. They both have major issues to navigate through and their relationship (fake to real) highlighted it.

Denise Williams delivers a deliciously fun and heartfelt fake dating romance in Just Our Luck! From the moment Sybil Sweet and Kieran Anderson meet over late-night donuts and a lucky lottery ticket, their chemistry is undeniable. Sybil is searching for direction, while Kieran is struggling to keep his family’s bakery afloat after putting medical school on hold. When a lost (and winning!) lottery ticket forces them together in a viral moment, their fake relationship turns into something much sweeter than either expected.

This book is a visual delight—from the charming donut and heart chapter headings to that gorgeous cover. Williams crafts a romance filled with fantastic banter, emotional depth, and a compelling exploration of self-worth and ambition. Sybil and Kieran’s journey is full of swoon-worthy moments, small but meaningful gestures (like finding the same lucky penny), and genuine emotional connection.

While the fake dating trope shines, the third-act breakup was tough. Sybil had already shown growth, and Kieran’s reaction felt a little harsh. That said, their happily ever after is still satisfying, and the journey there is worth every page. If you love a romance with heart, humor, and a dash of fate, this book is a must-read!

Public review (will post closer to the publication date):

So cute!! I appreciate a theme, and this book stuck with that theme. Donuts will forever make me think of wildly joyous Sybil and the color hot pink.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

The characters were richly developed, especially Sybil’s cool family and Grandpa Joe. I felt like I could walk into the donut shop it was so well-described. This book made me proud to live in Des Moines!

Three stars because I wanted more tension and higher stakes. Some of the dialogue didn’t feel natural and was repetitive which pulled me out of the story.

Overall, this book has the best vibes. It’s an instant cozy comfort read.

……….

I have already preordered this book and am looking forward to attending an event in Iowa promoting this book alongside Ali Hazelwood. I’m excited! As mentioned above, I LOOVE the vibe of this book. I am local to Des Moines so I plan to keep an eye on future events as well. Denise Williams definitely has a new fan!


Private feedback for NetGalley:

Some of the dialogue doesn’t feel natural. Or felt repetitive. Ex from chapter 16: “‘Probably ask ‘em to turn down the music.’ Tom laughed at his admittedly solid dig.” As a reader, it feels like overexplaining the joke(s.) There are quite a few examples of this throughout the book. The word “chuckle” came up a lot next to dialogue. After reading it a few times, it started to annoy me and pull me out of the story.

Here is another example of overexplaining a joke: “‘Don’t worry,’” [Keiran] said with a wink. ‘I’ll leave you a note letting you know I took it.’ He flashed me a quick smile as three callback to the day we met hit me.” I caught the joke so explaining it made me feel like the author thinks I am dumb (which I know isn’t the case—it just feels like it.) In general with the dialogue, I felt like there was a lot of telling vs. showing. Instead of using dialogue as a tool to explain, she doubled up the explanations in dialogue and in the person’s thoughts which is partly why it feels repetitive.

I loooooove the entire storyline! I was invested in the characters. I was the edge of my seat for the will-they-won’t-they chapters. I would’ve liked to see more of that tension and yearning before they got together for real. Keiran was too easy to get. I love that for our girl Sybil, but I got bored as a reader.

The only character I did not like at all was Tom. I don’t feel like he added anything to the story except annoyed me. Also, I like the idea of Syb’s friend group, but I think it was too big to keep track of everyone. They’re described in the beginning, but then most of them don’t come up again until the end so I forgot who everyone was except Marcus.

I hope this feedback comes across with the understanding I overall adored the book. I forget book plots as soon as I’m done with them, but I don’t forget the vibe. This book is sprinkled donuts, the Des Moines skyline, lucky pennies and hot pink. What a treat to finish it on Valentine’s Day Eve! ❤️

Just Our Luck has a really fun premise. Sybil is a whirlwind--she's all over the place, believes in luck, and acts on a whim. One whim, was buying a lottery ticket. After a chance encounter with Kieran, the man running a donut shop Sybil technically stole from that morning, she leaves him the lottery ticket as an apology. When he discovers that the ticket is a 350 million jackpot winner, he attempts to go viral to find her and return in. Sybil offers him some money for a mutually beneficial fake-dating scenario, and shenanigans ensue.

I liked this a lot! I appreciated the ADHD representation, especially from a woman's perspective. I thought the premise was fun, but the foundation for the fake dating was pretty weak. It felt like all of their goals could be accomplished through just actually dating, because it was clear from their first encounter they were interested in each other. I didn't really feel the stakes of what was holding them back from just being together.

All in all this was fun!

3./5,

Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing for an early copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Standard romantic fare with a cute couple. It moves steadily and offers a lighthearted look at a couple you wish the best for.

This was my first read from Denise Williams, and it definitely won't be my last! I absolutely adored this book and related to the way Denise wrote about the late-in life ADHD, as someone who's experiencing just that. Sybil’s journey was inspiring above it all and I can't wait to read more.

It was a slow book that I couldn’t really get into. The story had an interesting premise, but the execution felt too slow for me to stay engaged. The pacing dragged, making it difficult to connect with the characters or feel invested in the plot. While the writing was well-crafted, it lacked the momentum needed to keep me turning the pages. Overall, it just didn’t hold my interest, and I found myself struggling to finish.

Obsessed with Sybil and Kiren!!!!! This is my first book by this author and I absolutely loved this story. It was so happy and as the story progressed I loved how realistic it seemed. I loved Sybil and Kiren’s chemistry.

Can’t wait to read more books by this author!!!!

Fake dating, donuts, and a winning lottery ticket?? Yeah, I devoured this one. It’s fun, flirty, and filled with big feelings, second chances, fake dating, donuts, and a cinnamon roll hero?? Perfection. I was hooked from page one, and by the end, I wanted to wrap this story up in a warm hug. Sybil Sweet is messy, chaotic, and constantly feeling like the disappointment of her family. After years of bad decisions and dead-end jobs, she just wants a win. So, naturally, she buys a lottery ticket and drowns her existential crisis in donuts. (Relatable). Kieran Anderson is a former med student turned exhausted but hot bakery owner. He’s carrying the weight of keeping his family’s legacy alive, and the last thing he expects is Sybil to storm into his shop and flip his world upside down.

The Twist? Sybil wins the lottery—and accidentally leaves the ticket at his bakery (kind of). When Kieran returns it (publicly), it goes viral, boosting his struggling business. And what better way to capitalize on the buzz? FAKE DATE, obviously. Kieran gets good PR, Sybil gets to prove to her family she’s finally stable and we get peak romantic tension. This book was fake dating perfection! The banter?? The slow-burn tension?? I lived for it.
I also really liked Sybil’s story, she’s flawed, messy, and so real. Watching her step into her own power was everything. Kieran is what book boyfriends are made of – soft, swoony, cinnamon roll hero who listens, supports, and just gets her?? Where do I find a Kieran...not to mention the humor, the awkward moments, the chaos of their fake relationship? 10/10.

Final Verdict? THIS BOOK. IS. EVERYTHING. If you love fake dating, foodie romances, small-town charm, and characters who steal your heart, Just Our Luck will make you swoon, laugh, and begin the search for your own bakery book boyfriend.