The Kiss Lottery was a fun Valentine-themed book and was perfect to read in February. This is a story about childhood friends, now adults enemies to lovers, and Everly and Beckett, which is told from both of their points of view.

Everly is back in her hometown after receiving a mysterious invitation to cover The Kiss Lottery and write a story on it. While back she runs into Beckett repeatedly, we learn what happened to them in the past, and how they are the way they are today.

This book was so cute, and I enjoyed seeing how both characters dealt with the conflict of the past, and how they are each feeling now. Will Beckett and Everly get their happy ending? I enjoyed this book, and would love more about other holidays!

Beckett needed to grovel a bit more, even though ten years had passed, he did her dirty.

This was a cute little Valentine’s Day novella though - thank you to Netgalley for the ARC!

Cute and sometimes silly, The Kiss Lottery is a sweet second chance romance novella, perfect for those in need of a palate cleanser.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ and 1/2

The Kiss Lottery by Ilsa Madden Mills is a sweet second chance frenemies to lovers romance set in a very pretty small town named Rose. Everly came back to her home town after a long time after receiving an anonymous invitation to the town's biggest event, The Kiss Lottery on Valentines Day. Beckett was her everything but he broke her heart in high school due to their complicated circumstances but is this their second chance?

I love the small town with all the cute features. Everly is so adorable and she carries a wounded heart. Even when she ran away to New York, Beckett left a gaping hole. She is witty and smart and beautiful. She cares deeply. Beckett feels like a grumpy and brooding one when you first meet him but as time goes, you see the romantic in heart of the thriller writer! They were both young when he had to make a choice. They always had a special place in each other's heart but the time was never right. They were best friends but then she became his friend's girl. Talk about messy! But now Beckett is ready to face all the mistakes and hurt and regrets and claim his other part. The small town definitely rallied behind. It was so swoony that Beckett planned it all to bring Everly back. The Invitation, the gifts, making her a character in his book. It was a pretty mix of sweet and angsty.

I reviewed an early copy voluntarily

Great read!! Everly returns home after ten years away. She fled town after a humiliating experience but never forgot her childhood friend, Beckett. Beckett, now a famous thriller author has, likewise, never forgotten Everly. Throw in a ghost story and some crazy friends (love Tabby) and it all equals an enjoyable read.

The Kiss Lottery by Ilsa Madden-Mills

Everly Davis received and unexpected invite to the annual Kiss Lottery in Rose, Tennessee, and she's taking the chance returning to her hometown after ten years. To say her exit was memorable would be an understatement. But now she's coming back with a successful podcast to focus on. Too bad her past is eaiting to swallow her in the memories and uncover some truths And she has a bone to pick with that old heartbreak anyway.

Beckett Whitfield has harbored secrets. He still hasn't forgotten Everly and his attempts to exercise her from his thoughts have failed. Now he'll take whatever steps he can to undo the harsh words said when they were teens and the even bigger hurts he tried to protect her from. Sometimes all you need is a little push to find your second chance.

Beckett and Everly shared an unbreakable bond during their high school years, a friendship that hinted at a deeper connection just waiting to be explored. But just as their feelings began to blossom, a storm of secrets swept in, tearing them apart for an agonizing decade.
Now, Everly finds herself back in the charming town of Rose, mysteriously drawn by a Valentine's Day invitation from an anonymous admirer. As she clutches the elegantly handwritten note, her heart races with the hope that it’s from Beckett. Yet, the weight of their unresolved past hangs heavily over her, casting dark shadows on their long-awaited reunion and threatening to unravel the fragile thread of their rekindled relationship.
I enjoyed this story, though I hated what Beckett said and did to drive Everly away when they were teens. I'm not sure I could have let it go.

Everly Davie has decided to come back to her home town after ten years, she had left on not good terms. She came back because of an invitation and she continues to receive them while she is back. She talks about it on her popular podcast. She also runs into Beckett Whitfield who they left on not-so-good terms, though Beckett wrote his Villan character with the name of Everly, and she now wonders why which only adds to the story. Many different characters and an excellent story that is very much worth the read.

I had high hopes for this story, but it ultimately left me conflicted. On one hand, I found it engaging and enjoyed the premise; on the other, I couldn’t get behind Beckett, the love interest, and the rushed pacing took away from the overall experience.
The story starts strong—Everly receives a mysterious letter inviting her to the Kiss Lottery, which lures her back to her hometown despite vowing never to return after a drama-filled senior year. Once there, she begins receiving anonymous gifts from a secret admirer. Is it her ex or her old best friend?
While the setup was intriguing and kept me hooked, the novella format made it hard to fully explore the characters and their relationships. What started as animosity quickly turned into longing and pining, but the transition felt underdeveloped. I also struggled with Beckett as a love interest, which made it harder to root for the romance. I wish the story had been longer to allow for deeper character growth and a more fleshed-out mystery. As it stands, it was a quick, engaging read but ultimately felt like a missed opportunity.

I enjoy reading books by Ilsa Madden-Mills and The Kiss Lottery is another great offering by this author. The Kiss Lottery is a really sweet, second chance romance and you will like both Everly and Beckett (and their group of friends). This book, in my opinion, was very low on the angst factor. and laugh out loud funny a couple of times. Thank you NetGalley and Ilsa Madden-Mills for an advanced copy.

3.5⭐️

Honestly this was a cute little valentines novella, and I loved the backstory, but I struggled with the structure, the chapters and the actions didn’t feel seamless in terms of timelines, it kinda felt like I was bouncing back and forth between emotions, conversations, and everything else that I wasn’t able to fully enjoy this book. However, I did like it, loved the little of the kiss lottery and how it played out, but the rest, specifically Beckett and Everly’s feelings and actions just didn’t feel like planned out as well.

This is also a novella and I rarely write long reviews for those so I’ll stop there.

I love how Everly and Beckett got their second chance!

Podcaster Everly Jean Davis hadn’t been back home to Rose, Tennessee since she left ten years ago. Ever was back to cover the Valentine’s Day Kiss Lottery after she received an invitation to attend. Now she was wondering who sent the initiation and why because she had left on bad terms from her high school ex Carson and former best friend Beckett Whitfield whose used her as the inspiration the villain in his latest book.

Beckett never forgot Everly but being matched with her in the Kiss Lottery was going to either solve their issues or it was going to make them mortal enemies forever.

I love the anonymous invitations to Everly that pique her interest to return to Rose even though she needed to work through all of their problems with Beckett to get a second chance!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the author and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This romance kind of seems to be a cutesy Hallmark movie, and kind of a young adult drama. I liked that they were friends when they were younger, but there wasn't enough time in the novella to really bring on the emotion for me. I think this story would have made me feel a bit more if it was a full length novel and there was time to fill out the storyline and more character development. The audiobook is well done and I enjoyed the narrators.

This was such a sweet little Novella. Beckett and Everly are so clearly meant for one another. I love the secret little Valentines note that she gets and gifts and her reconnecting with her hometown. Beckett comes off as silent and broody, but he might be the biggest teddy bear ever (yes, this is a pun and It is totally intended.) if you were looking for a sweet Valentine’s Day, Novella, this is definitely it.

This novel is an ideal choice for readers who delight in heartwarming small-town romances, where the familiarity of close-knit communities and shared histories sets the stage for stories of rekindled love and second chances. It will also deeply resonate with those who enjoy the slow burn and delicious tension of friends-to-lovers tropes, as the narrative skillfully explores the complexities and nuances of transforming a deep-rooted friendship into a passionate romance.

The story unfolds in a charming small town, where the protagonist finds themselves drawn back into the orbit of a former friend, igniting a spark that had perhaps always been dormant. As unresolved feelings resurface and hidden desires come to light, the characters must navigate the delicate balance between their past and their potential future, all while surrounded by the watchful eyes and well-intentioned meddling of their fellow townsfolk.

With its evocative setting, relatable characters, and emotionally resonant plot, this book is sure to capture the hearts of readers who believe in the enduring power of love and the possibility of second chances, even in the most unexpected of circumstances.

Everly gets a mysterious invitation for The Kiss Lottery in Rose. Her hometown. The town she left after a huge fiasco where her diary was involved.
Now, years later, she's ready to go back and find out who's the mysterious one... but she also has to see him again. Beckett.

Oh my. The Kiss Lottery by Ilsa Madden-Mills is just the perfect story for the upcoming Valentine's Day for sure.

I really enjoyed the story of Everly and Beckett! Both were friends in the past, and then things happened that changed their relationship. Now that she's back in Rose, things could change. 😉
With her hilarious friends, Everly tries to find out who sent her the invitation for the Kiss Lottery and also all the other gifts.
But besides all that, she also has to deal with HIM. The guy from her past. 🙌
Oh my, and Beckett? This cute guy with a heart of gold. Of course, he has to deal with the fact that Everly is back in town, after all this time!
I really liked them a lot and was such a fun journey with them!
I don't wanna spoil you! Just read the book!

The Kiss Lottery is such a heartwarming, funny, and emotional novella and the perfect lovestory if you wanna laugh and swoon a lot!

Thanks a lot to Ilsa Madden-Mills and Montlake for this ARC via NetGalley.
This is my honest review in my own words.

I am a huge fan of mixed-genre books, so the touches of mystery and adventure tied with the romance were fantastic. What first caught my attention about this book was the description of the mystery portion of the invitation to attend the Kiss Lottery in her hometown. It was a lighthearted feelgood story and was a great afternoon read!

Overall, The Kiss Lottery is a delightful mix of romance, mystery, and small-town adventure. If you’re someone who loves a good blend of genres, this book is a perfect pick. The tender moments, the thrilling mystery, and the well-rounded characters all come together for a rewarding reading experience. I wish the book was longer so I could stay immersed in the story longer!

Thank you to Ilsa Madden-Mills and NetGallery for the eARC!

Everly y Beckett fueron mejores amigos hasta que ella reveló algo que los dejó a ambos en una situación comprometedora. En lugar de apoyarla, él se alejó de ella, y ella pasó a ser vista como una paria social. Eventualmente, se fue del pueblo y permaneció alejada durante 10 años, hasta que recibió una invitación para ir a la cabina de besos, a la que decidió asistir por curiosidad.



Me gustó la novela y creo que podría haberse desarrollado en un libro completo. Me pareció muy injusto que ella fuera quien recibiera todo el odio, y que Beckett la dejara sola, aunque entiendo por qué lo hizo; con semejante secreto, no era fácil seguir cerca de ella y en el presente la defendía si alguien le decía algo sobre el pasado.


Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I love Ilsa’s books! I’ve been reading her books since 2016 and she is one of the first authors I read when I was getting into romance! Adding this to my new list of favorites! Her books are so fun and this was the perfect read for February!!

A pleasant and light read perfect for this month of love and friendship. I don't read a lot of second chance romances, but this one was definitely fun and enjoyable to read.

If you like The kissing booth vibes this book is for you.