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The Jinxed Jackpot
Art teacher Maggie Quinn is unlucky in love. Scratch that. She’s just plain unlucky.
Drunk and in bed with a romance novel on her 30th birthday, art teacher Maggie Quinn comes to the realization that she’s never had any good spice in her life, and if she ever wanted to pen her own romance, she’d have to write fade-to-black scenes– the horror!
Thus, she decides to take control of her own fate and head out on a cross country trek in search of a real life book boyfriend. Unfortunately, it turns out that she’s not just unlucky in love, she’s just plain unlucky.
Because that romance novel she wanted to live in? It’s turning into a romantic suspense, just… without the romantic part.
And when she finds herself tied up in a murderer’s apartment, she realizes she doesn’t have a MMC coming to save her…
Enter Agent Ben Capretti.
She’s a disaster. A beautiful disaster, Ben thinks, as he’s saving the girl who literally crashed into his operation.
This was supposed to be an easy case for him. He needed “easy” after his last case went up in flames. He was supposed to clean up this operation, then head back to the Capitol. But this beautiful disaster just complicated things in a big way.
Now he’s assigned to protect the art teacher until she can testify in court.
In order to save his case, he needs to save her.
The only problem– this case feels all too familiar for Ben. But unlike last time, he knows the exact threats against her. And he knows she’s got a snowball's chance in hell at surviving all of this…
Drunk and in bed with a romance novel on her 30th birthday, art teacher Maggie Quinn comes to the realization that she’s never had any good spice in her life, and if she ever wanted to pen her own romance, she’d have to write fade-to-black scenes– the horror!
Thus, she decides to take control of her own fate and head out on a cross country trek in search of a real life book boyfriend. Unfortunately, it turns out that she’s not just unlucky in love, she’s just plain unlucky.
Because that romance novel she wanted to live in? It’s turning into a romantic suspense, just… without the romantic part.
And when she finds herself tied up in a murderer’s apartment, she realizes she doesn’t have a MMC coming to save her…
Enter Agent Ben Capretti.
She’s a disaster. A beautiful disaster, Ben thinks, as he’s saving the girl who literally crashed into his operation.
This was supposed to be an easy case for him. He needed “easy” after his last case went up in flames. He was supposed to clean up this operation, then head back to the Capitol. But this beautiful disaster just complicated things in a big way.
Now he’s assigned to protect the art teacher until she can testify in court.
In order to save his case, he needs to save her.
The only problem– this case feels all too familiar for Ben. But unlike last time, he knows the exact threats against her. And he knows she’s got a snowball's chance in hell at surviving all of this…
334 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 19, 2024
About the author
S.C. Kate
13 books464 followersAs a former competitive figure skater, S.C. Kate grew up in rinks and loves them as settings for her contemporary sports romance stories. She lives in metro-Detroit and still frequents arenas to cheer on her siblings during hockey games.
When not writing, she is obsessed with outdoor skating, iced coffee, and traveling around Northern Michigan.
When not writing, she is obsessed with outdoor skating, iced coffee, and traveling around Northern Michigan.
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September 19, 2024
#Review: *The Jinxed Jackpot* - ARC - S.C. Kate
5/5✨
0/5🌶️
I'm so happy I decided to apply for this book! I didn't know what to expect of it and it completely surprised me in the best way possible!🥰 Thank you so, so much Kate and Greys Promo for this amazing e-ARC!
Maggie is one of the most unluckiest person ever! She always ends up doing something wrong that ruins her day. From simply things, like spilling things on her, to something way dangerous, like seeing someone getting murdered ..This last bad luck was the worst and she was traumatised by it. The situation forced her to be guarded by an FBI agent for 24/7. This man is Ben Capretti, a gorgeous agent, which instantly feels attracted to Maggie, but he cannot make any move on her because of his job.
Only because Maggie wanted to find her love of her life, after she moved to Denver, this traumatizing situation happened and now she is stuck in an apartment with this strict and protective FBI agent. She cannot follow her initial plans to find her soulmate, having to hide to stay alive. But you never know when Cupidon strikes🤭.
I just adooored everything about this book! It was the perfect mix between romance, action and suspense. Maggie and Ben made me fall in love with them. Their interactions were so funny sometimes and I laughed a lot, especially when Ben acted like a cave man🤣. He was super protective of Maggie and hated when anyone came near her. Not to mention touching her. He was the perfect action man too and did everything he could to keep her safe and tried hard not to fall into that spiral of romance. His work peers were awesome too and blended perfectly in the story.
I really, really recommend this book to everyone! I promise you that it will snuck into your heart, the same as it did to me🥰. It hooked me so hard that I read it in just one day🤭.
✨Tropes:
#ForcedProximity
#Bodyguard
#LawEnforcement
#Mafia
#Protector
#RoommatesToLovers
#TorturedLead
#StartingOver
#BandOfBrothers
5/5✨
0/5🌶️
I'm so happy I decided to apply for this book! I didn't know what to expect of it and it completely surprised me in the best way possible!🥰 Thank you so, so much Kate and Greys Promo for this amazing e-ARC!
Maggie is one of the most unluckiest person ever! She always ends up doing something wrong that ruins her day. From simply things, like spilling things on her, to something way dangerous, like seeing someone getting murdered ..This last bad luck was the worst and she was traumatised by it. The situation forced her to be guarded by an FBI agent for 24/7. This man is Ben Capretti, a gorgeous agent, which instantly feels attracted to Maggie, but he cannot make any move on her because of his job.
Only because Maggie wanted to find her love of her life, after she moved to Denver, this traumatizing situation happened and now she is stuck in an apartment with this strict and protective FBI agent. She cannot follow her initial plans to find her soulmate, having to hide to stay alive. But you never know when Cupidon strikes🤭.
I just adooored everything about this book! It was the perfect mix between romance, action and suspense. Maggie and Ben made me fall in love with them. Their interactions were so funny sometimes and I laughed a lot, especially when Ben acted like a cave man🤣. He was super protective of Maggie and hated when anyone came near her. Not to mention touching her. He was the perfect action man too and did everything he could to keep her safe and tried hard not to fall into that spiral of romance. His work peers were awesome too and blended perfectly in the story.
I really, really recommend this book to everyone! I promise you that it will snuck into your heart, the same as it did to me🥰. It hooked me so hard that I read it in just one day🤭.
✨Tropes:
#ForcedProximity
#Bodyguard
#LawEnforcement
#Mafia
#Protector
#RoommatesToLovers
#TorturedLead
#StartingOver
#BandOfBrothers
October 30, 2024
I enjoyed this a lot, not what I expected, but still a nice book. The characters were relatable, and the storyline was easy to follow.
The only thing I didn't like was the mention of tiktok:(
The only thing I didn't like was the mention of tiktok:(
September 27, 2024
3 stars ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
˚˖𓍢ִ໋🌷͙֒✧˚.🎀༘⋆The Jinxed Jackpot˚˖𓍢ִ໋🌷͙֒✧˚.🎀༘⋆
⁺₊★·.´🎧✩°｡ 0:56 ──♡───── 3:32 ⁺₊🎧★·.·´
🎶
Maggie Quinn (h) is unlucky in love and life. Enter Agent Ben Capretti (H), tasked with protecting Maggie until she can testify in court. As he grapples with his own haunted past, Ben realizes that saving her may be more complicated than he anticipated. Together, they must navigate danger and uncover the truth, all while discovering whether they can create their own love story amidst the chaos.
─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: THOUGHTS*.☽ .*:☆ﾟ. ───
Maggie is undeniably unlucky; it seems like something bad happens to her at every turn. Poor girl! All she desires is her fairytale version of love, a longing that resonates deeply as she experiences it through the pages of her romance novels. I found it relatable. Maggie never anticipated meeting Ben, despite her yearning for love. Their encounter felt entirely unintentional, yet it unfolded for a reason . The two are polar opposites—Ben is a bit of a grump, but his protective nature shines through. He’s there for her when she needs support, and it’s those small moments that truly made the book for me. Whether it’s him insisting she eat or making sure she stays hydrated, or scaring off flirtatious men, his devotion to Maggie is 🥰❤️👏🏽.
I adored the banter between them, especially how Maggie playfully provokes him, leaving Ben rattled by how much he enjoys her presence. She brings out a softer side of him. Given his backstory, it’s clear he needs someone like Maggie to introduce him to gentle affection and playful love. Although he may not show his affectionate side to everyone, it’s reserved for those he truly cares about, and that makes it all the more special.
Without spoiling anything, I can say that Ben relentlessly pushes Maggie’s buttons; he’s jealous and in denial about his feelings for her the entire time. She brings out a different side of him, and I honestly loved Ben. Yes, he was a bit harsh and moody, but that’s his version of caring for her. He’s a moody gentle giant, and his nickname for her, "Jinx," was the icing on the cake. He’s there to catch her during her moments of “bad luck.” Ben makes Maggie feel like she is good luck. He makes her feel like she’s won in love and happiness, which is what she finally deserves. Even though she might encounter bad luck here and there, he will always be there to save the day. While her bad luck never truly goes away, with Ben, it’s different; he’s there to clean up the aftermath.
The only potential frustration in the story is Ben’s constant pushing and his reluctance to admit his feelings for Maggie. However, I believe this doesn’t detract from the overall story, as he consistently shows up for her, no matter what. There are several villains who appear throughout the plot, which can take away from the romance. Still, Ben’s presence and his protective nature contribute to a genuinely cute romance. Despite being the broody, grumpy character who wants to stay away from love, Ben can’t help but fall for someone like Maggie, who is a radiant, cheerful presence. She challenges him in ways he doesn’t quite know how to handle at first, but he eventually figures her out. Their connection is so strong that it’s impossible for them not to gravitate toward each other.
─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: OVERALL*.☽ .*:☆ﾟ. ───
This was definitely an interesting read. It was fast-paced, funny, and featured a strong theme of found family. It had all the elements that make a story enjoyable, so I would definitely recommend it. Plus, if you’re dealing with bad luck, it just goes to show that you can still find your person who matches your energy, no matter what.
˚˖𓍢ִ໋🌷͙֒✧˚.🎀༘⋆The Jinxed Jackpot˚˖𓍢ִ໋🌷͙֒✧˚.🎀༘⋆
⁺₊★·.´🎧✩°｡ 0:56 ──♡───── 3:32 ⁺₊🎧★·.·´
🎶
Oh, don't you dare look back. Just keep your eyes on me" · She said, "Shut up and dance with me🎶
Maggie Quinn (h) is unlucky in love and life. Enter Agent Ben Capretti (H), tasked with protecting Maggie until she can testify in court. As he grapples with his own haunted past, Ben realizes that saving her may be more complicated than he anticipated. Together, they must navigate danger and uncover the truth, all while discovering whether they can create their own love story amidst the chaos.
─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: THOUGHTS*.☽ .*:☆ﾟ. ───
“Yes. Jinx is your new code name, every subject gets one. It’s perfect for you.” I stared at the blue mess on my classroom floor.
“Yeah, well, I don’t like it. I am not jinxed,” I said, lifting my chin. “I am… I’m charmed,” I said it like a daily affirmation, like I was trying to believe it.
Maggie is undeniably unlucky; it seems like something bad happens to her at every turn. Poor girl! All she desires is her fairytale version of love, a longing that resonates deeply as she experiences it through the pages of her romance novels. I found it relatable. Maggie never anticipated meeting Ben, despite her yearning for love. Their encounter felt entirely unintentional, yet it unfolded for a reason . The two are polar opposites—Ben is a bit of a grump, but his protective nature shines through. He’s there for her when she needs support, and it’s those small moments that truly made the book for me. Whether it’s him insisting she eat or making sure she stays hydrated, or scaring off flirtatious men, his devotion to Maggie is 🥰❤️👏🏽.
“Aw, did I make you mad, Benny?” He dropped his head for a beat. When he looked back up, he ran his tongue over his teeth in his shut mouth.
“It’s Ben. Now, do we understand each other?”
I adored the banter between them, especially how Maggie playfully provokes him, leaving Ben rattled by how much he enjoys her presence. She brings out a softer side of him. Given his backstory, it’s clear he needs someone like Maggie to introduce him to gentle affection and playful love. Although he may not show his affectionate side to everyone, it’s reserved for those he truly cares about, and that makes it all the more special.
”You’re not letting him do this to you. And he may not care about feeding you, but I do, and I’m not about to let him take that from me.”
Without spoiling anything, I can say that Ben relentlessly pushes Maggie’s buttons; he’s jealous and in denial about his feelings for her the entire time. She brings out a different side of him, and I honestly loved Ben. Yes, he was a bit harsh and moody, but that’s his version of caring for her. He’s a moody gentle giant, and his nickname for her, "Jinx," was the icing on the cake. He’s there to catch her during her moments of “bad luck.” Ben makes Maggie feel like she is good luck. He makes her feel like she’s won in love and happiness, which is what she finally deserves. Even though she might encounter bad luck here and there, he will always be there to save the day. While her bad luck never truly goes away, with Ben, it’s different; he’s there to clean up the aftermath.
I wanted to ask, but stopped myself. I couldn’t cross any more lines with her. I needed to force us back into professional territory.
The only potential frustration in the story is Ben’s constant pushing and his reluctance to admit his feelings for Maggie. However, I believe this doesn’t detract from the overall story, as he consistently shows up for her, no matter what. There are several villains who appear throughout the plot, which can take away from the romance. Still, Ben’s presence and his protective nature contribute to a genuinely cute romance. Despite being the broody, grumpy character who wants to stay away from love, Ben can’t help but fall for someone like Maggie, who is a radiant, cheerful presence. She challenges him in ways he doesn’t quite know how to handle at first, but he eventually figures her out. Their connection is so strong that it’s impossible for them not to gravitate toward each other.
─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: OVERALL*.☽ .*:☆ﾟ. ───
This was definitely an interesting read. It was fast-paced, funny, and featured a strong theme of found family. It had all the elements that make a story enjoyable, so I would definitely recommend it. Plus, if you’re dealing with bad luck, it just goes to show that you can still find your person who matches your energy, no matter what.
September 20, 2024
I really wanted to like this book, and there was a lot of the book that I did like it just wasn't enough. Maggie is an art teach with perpetual bad luck and after moving across the country gets kidnapped just two days after moving in. Ben is an FBI agent who has been working on a case that involves the guy who kidnapped Maggie. Now Ben has to guard Maggie until she can testify in court. Ben doesn't just have to watch out for the organization that wants to take Maggie out, but also her bad luck.
Maggie just was not an easy character to connect with. She was 30 and she walked around in this bubble that the world is this nice place and no one has any ill will towards you. She seemed a little childish to me at times too. Ben is so set against relationships that he has distanced himself from women so that he will never get attached to one. There is plenty of tension and banter between Ben and Maggie and that was great to read. I think these two really brought out the best in each other. Ben was so protective of Maggie even more than his job asked for. It was cute to see him dote on her and to see him get jealous.
I think my main issues with the book is the timeline and I felt like the timing of things just didn't add up. And then my main problem was that it felt so unrealistic. And I get that this is a fiction book, but at least make a contemporary romance book realistic. There were so many times throughout the book that I stopped reading because all I could think about was there is no way this actually would/could have happened. Like all of a sudden Maggie gets a dog and then just decides to take it to her classroom every day. There were plenty other examples of this and they just bothered me while reading.
Rating: 2.5/5
Maggie just was not an easy character to connect with. She was 30 and she walked around in this bubble that the world is this nice place and no one has any ill will towards you. She seemed a little childish to me at times too. Ben is so set against relationships that he has distanced himself from women so that he will never get attached to one. There is plenty of tension and banter between Ben and Maggie and that was great to read. I think these two really brought out the best in each other. Ben was so protective of Maggie even more than his job asked for. It was cute to see him dote on her and to see him get jealous.
I think my main issues with the book is the timeline and I felt like the timing of things just didn't add up. And then my main problem was that it felt so unrealistic. And I get that this is a fiction book, but at least make a contemporary romance book realistic. There were so many times throughout the book that I stopped reading because all I could think about was there is no way this actually would/could have happened. Like all of a sudden Maggie gets a dog and then just decides to take it to her classroom every day. There were plenty other examples of this and they just bothered me while reading.
Rating: 2.5/5
September 29, 2024
I love a good slow burn 😌 they don’t kiss till like 80% in!! The sexual tension was fabulous with the forced proximity. This was a fun read and I’m just going to pretend the word masculine wasn’t overused (“his masculine scent”, “masculine presence”).
Read
October 7, 2024dnf @ 17% and that was with a lot of skimming 😬
March 30, 2025
5 ⭐ - I cannot say enough about this amazing book. The Jinxed Jackpot by S.C Kate was a phenomenal read, one that I would HIGHLY recommend!!
If you are looking for a quirky read, with characters you’ll quickly fall in love with - this is for you. You know the books you wish you could read again for the first time? This is it for me. I laughed, I cried (which is hard to make me do in book form), I couldn’t put it down.
Maggie is an art teacher, who just happens to be the cutest clumsy person you’ll ever read about. She is truly hilarious, and so relatable. This girl is really goes through it, but despite that she is steadfast and remains a compassionate light in her student’s lives. I loved every minute of getting to know her!
Ben on the other hand, is a tattooed FBI agent who is just YES (I have no words…just yes). Getting to read more about Ben was a treat, he is protective, attentive and was absolutely fixated on Maggie (talk about swoon worthy). Watching their dynamic develop while he internally struggled was just perfect. We also get to learn a bit more about his past, which I was so excited for!
Overall this book was everything I wanted and more. I cannot wait for the next book in this series! This is easily one of my favourite reads of the year!
AND THE END?!?! I won’t spoil it, but it was EXACTLY what I was hoping for. You’ll have to read it to find out what I mean ✨
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
2 🌶️🌶️
If you are looking for a quirky read, with characters you’ll quickly fall in love with - this is for you. You know the books you wish you could read again for the first time? This is it for me. I laughed, I cried (which is hard to make me do in book form), I couldn’t put it down.
Maggie is an art teacher, who just happens to be the cutest clumsy person you’ll ever read about. She is truly hilarious, and so relatable. This girl is really goes through it, but despite that she is steadfast and remains a compassionate light in her student’s lives. I loved every minute of getting to know her!
Ben on the other hand, is a tattooed FBI agent who is just YES (I have no words…just yes). Getting to read more about Ben was a treat, he is protective, attentive and was absolutely fixated on Maggie (talk about swoon worthy). Watching their dynamic develop while he internally struggled was just perfect. We also get to learn a bit more about his past, which I was so excited for!
Overall this book was everything I wanted and more. I cannot wait for the next book in this series! This is easily one of my favourite reads of the year!
AND THE END?!?! I won’t spoil it, but it was EXACTLY what I was hoping for. You’ll have to read it to find out what I mean ✨
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
2 🌶️🌶️
September 26, 2024
The Jinxed Jackpot by S.C. Kate, in this story we meet Margaret “Maggie” Quinn, this beautiful woman is a talented art teacher and is on her way to Colorado to begin a new stage of her life, against all odds, since according to her family's beliefs, the Quinn's suffers from bad luck, and although her trip is quite eventful she still refuses to believe that it's because of her family bad luck. But she begins to doubt a little when a few days after arriving at her new apartment she ends up involved in a rather dangerous situation. The person who rescues her makes her feel safe in the midst of chaos, but when this same man is in charge of her safety and becomes her shadow, even though he is very handsome, she cannot help but feel that this is a great inconvenience to the life she wanted to live. Ben Capretti is an FBI agent who, after a case that changed him, finds himself trying to solve a case and take down a drug organization. When a girl gets trapped, he is the one assigned to protect said woman. For Ben it's a great inconvenience, she is not only beautiful, but he is there to take care of her and he should not cross those limits, but this girl is adorably akward and with every gesture and every occurrence she disarms him. Maggie feels that Ben does things for her only because he has to and not because he feels anything for her, and him not knowing how to handle what she makes him feel every time ends up making her angry. But it will be inevitable that friendship will move on to something more, but the threat is still latent and Ben's fear that he will not be able to protect her because he is distracted makS.C. Katees him walk away, putting her at a risk that they did not see coming.
I loved this story!!!! I didn't imagine I was going to laugh so much at this story and I was actually pleasantly surprised. It's a story with tension, danger, drama, but at the same time with laughter and moments full of tenderness, passion and love. I loved the characters. Maggie is simply charming and the things that came out of her mouth when she got nervous or angry were either profound or just for laugh out loud. The fights between Ben and Maggie are charmingly funny, they easily manage to get under each other's skin. Ben is a great teddy bear once he lowers his barriers to let Maggie in, as well as with Hunter, Archie and with his family oh my heart melted for him. This is what I enjoy most about meeting new authors who leave me pleasantly surprised and I know I will come back for more of their stories. Totally, Completely and Absolutely Highly Recommended!
*Thanks to and Grey's Promotions for my ARC. I voluntarily leave my honest review*
The Jinxed Jackpot de S.C. Kate, en esta historia conocemos a Margaret “Maggie” Quinn, esta hermosa mujer es una talentosa profesora de arte y va de camino a Colorado a comenzar una nueva etapa de su vida, contra todo pronóstico, ya que según las creencias de su familia los Quinn sufren de mala suerte, y aunque su viaje es bastante acontecido sigue negándose a creer que sea su mala suerte. Pero comienza a dudar un poco cuando a los pocos días de haber llegado a su nuevo apartamento termina envuelta en una situación bastante peligrosa. Quien la rescata le hace sentir segura en medio del caos, pero cuando sea este mismo hombre el encargado de su seguridad y se convierta en su sombre, aún y cuando es muy guapo no puede evitar sentir que esto es un gran inconveniente para la vida que quería vivir. Ben Capretti es un agente del FBI quien luego de un caso que le cambio se encuentra tratando de resolver un caso y acabar con una organización de drogas, cuando una chica queda atrapada es a él quien le asignan la protección de dicha mujer. Para Ben es un gran inconveniente, ella no solo es hermosa, pero él esta allí para cuidarla y no debe cruzar esos límites, pero esta chica es adorablemente rara y con cada gesto y cada ocurrencia lo va desarmando. Maggie siente que Ben hace las cosas por ella solo porque debe y no porque sienta algo por ella, y a él no saber como manejar lo que ella le hace sentir cada vez termina haciéndola rabiar. Pero será inevitable que de la amistad pasen a algo más, pero la amenaza esta aún latente y el miedo de Ben de que no pueda protegerla por estar distraído hace que se aleje poniéndola en un riesgo que no vieron venir.
¡¡¡¡Esta historia me encantó!!!! No imaginaba que iba a reír tanto con esta historia y en verdad quede gratamente sorprendida. Es una historia con tensión, peligro, drama, pero al mismo tiempo con risas y momentos llenos de ternura, pasión y amor. Me encantaron los personajes Maggie es sencillamente encantadora y las cosas que salían de su boca cuando se ponía nerviosa o cuando rabiaba eran o profundas o simplemente para reír a carcajadas. Las peleas entre Ben y Maggie son encantadoramente graciosas, ellos logran meterse fácilmente bajo la piel del otro. Ben es un gran oso teddy una vez baja sus barreras para dejar entrar a Maggie, al igual que con Hunter, Archie y con su familia oh mi corazón se derritió por él. Esto es lo que mas disfruto de conocer nuevos autores que me dejan gratamente sorprendidas y que se que volveré por mas de sus historias. ¡Total, Completa y Absolutamente Altamente Recomendada!
*Gracias a S.C. Kate y a Grey's Promotions por mi ARC. Dejo voluntariamente mi reseña honesta*
I loved this story!!!! I didn't imagine I was going to laugh so much at this story and I was actually pleasantly surprised. It's a story with tension, danger, drama, but at the same time with laughter and moments full of tenderness, passion and love. I loved the characters. Maggie is simply charming and the things that came out of her mouth when she got nervous or angry were either profound or just for laugh out loud. The fights between Ben and Maggie are charmingly funny, they easily manage to get under each other's skin. Ben is a great teddy bear once he lowers his barriers to let Maggie in, as well as with Hunter, Archie and with his family oh my heart melted for him. This is what I enjoy most about meeting new authors who leave me pleasantly surprised and I know I will come back for more of their stories. Totally, Completely and Absolutely Highly Recommended!
*Thanks to and Grey's Promotions for my ARC. I voluntarily leave my honest review*
The Jinxed Jackpot de S.C. Kate, en esta historia conocemos a Margaret “Maggie” Quinn, esta hermosa mujer es una talentosa profesora de arte y va de camino a Colorado a comenzar una nueva etapa de su vida, contra todo pronóstico, ya que según las creencias de su familia los Quinn sufren de mala suerte, y aunque su viaje es bastante acontecido sigue negándose a creer que sea su mala suerte. Pero comienza a dudar un poco cuando a los pocos días de haber llegado a su nuevo apartamento termina envuelta en una situación bastante peligrosa. Quien la rescata le hace sentir segura en medio del caos, pero cuando sea este mismo hombre el encargado de su seguridad y se convierta en su sombre, aún y cuando es muy guapo no puede evitar sentir que esto es un gran inconveniente para la vida que quería vivir. Ben Capretti es un agente del FBI quien luego de un caso que le cambio se encuentra tratando de resolver un caso y acabar con una organización de drogas, cuando una chica queda atrapada es a él quien le asignan la protección de dicha mujer. Para Ben es un gran inconveniente, ella no solo es hermosa, pero él esta allí para cuidarla y no debe cruzar esos límites, pero esta chica es adorablemente rara y con cada gesto y cada ocurrencia lo va desarmando. Maggie siente que Ben hace las cosas por ella solo porque debe y no porque sienta algo por ella, y a él no saber como manejar lo que ella le hace sentir cada vez termina haciéndola rabiar. Pero será inevitable que de la amistad pasen a algo más, pero la amenaza esta aún latente y el miedo de Ben de que no pueda protegerla por estar distraído hace que se aleje poniéndola en un riesgo que no vieron venir.
¡¡¡¡Esta historia me encantó!!!! No imaginaba que iba a reír tanto con esta historia y en verdad quede gratamente sorprendida. Es una historia con tensión, peligro, drama, pero al mismo tiempo con risas y momentos llenos de ternura, pasión y amor. Me encantaron los personajes Maggie es sencillamente encantadora y las cosas que salían de su boca cuando se ponía nerviosa o cuando rabiaba eran o profundas o simplemente para reír a carcajadas. Las peleas entre Ben y Maggie son encantadoramente graciosas, ellos logran meterse fácilmente bajo la piel del otro. Ben es un gran oso teddy una vez baja sus barreras para dejar entrar a Maggie, al igual que con Hunter, Archie y con su familia oh mi corazón se derritió por él. Esto es lo que mas disfruto de conocer nuevos autores que me dejan gratamente sorprendidas y que se que volveré por mas de sus historias. ¡Total, Completa y Absolutamente Altamente Recomendada!
*Gracias a S.C. Kate y a Grey's Promotions por mi ARC. Dejo voluntariamente mi reseña honesta*
September 23, 2024
This novel is a romantic comedy, so keep that in mind before diving in. While I generally enjoy thrillers and bodyguard romances, this book wasn’t quite that. It felt like it was trying to be one thing but ultimately turned into something else.
One thing that CREEPED me out, right off the bat, was how the MMC started lusting after the FMC immediately after her attack (in the interrogation room, with a black eye, just after escaping death and with broken wrist). It felt off and inconsistent with the tone the story was trying to establish. The plot had a lot of loose ends, and the villains came across as pretty one-dimensional.
There were several abandoned subplots—like her new school friend and pointless crush—which just fizzled out mid-story. The twist at the end also left me puzzled. While it was unexpected, the big reveal of the real villain made no sense and felt anticlimactic.
That being said, the MMC did have moments where he was fun, flawed, and human, which I enjoyed, even if his character didn’t always make sense. However, the love between the two main characters didn’t seem fully developed. I never quite understood why they were drawn to each other, beyond some kind of trauma bond (though that might not be the exact term). The MMC was a rough, introverted FBI agent with unresolved childhood trauma, making him emotionally unavailable. He kept running from his feelings right until the end. Meanwhile, the FMC was a clumsy, almost clownish "damsel in distress" with little depth, constantly getting caught up in ridiculous situations. And don't get me started with how her mind worked.
To its credit, the book did touch on some interesting themes you don’t often see, like someone dying from heartbreak and leaving a child behind. It made so much sense as to why our MMC did not want to turn into that person or turn someone else into that.
I believe this could all had been avoided with *checks notes* Therapy and Communication-yes children, the old and trusty tool on which almost every millenial (or human being in general) relies these days. For heaven’s sake, any emotional processing was nonexistent in this world, which felt completely unrealistic given the issues the characters were dealing with- And that leads me to my next point.
The book felt outdated, like a throwback to 2013, with overused tropes and clichés. It was as if it existed in a parallel universe where all these elements could have worked, but they didn’t. The ending left me unsatisfied, and if the FMC had been a bit smarter and diched the MMC right after he refused, maybe the story could have been more engaging.
Lastly, I couldn’t help but notice a bit of hypocrisy from the author. At one point, the FMC talks about how if she were to write a book, she’d avoid fade-to-black scenes because they lacked spark. Yet, what did we get? Exactly that—a fade-to-black scene with zero spice. It felt like a major letdown.
I only recommend reading this book if you have nothing else to do.
One thing that CREEPED me out, right off the bat, was how the MMC started lusting after the FMC immediately after her attack (in the interrogation room, with a black eye, just after escaping death and with broken wrist). It felt off and inconsistent with the tone the story was trying to establish. The plot had a lot of loose ends, and the villains came across as pretty one-dimensional.
There were several abandoned subplots—like her new school friend and pointless crush—which just fizzled out mid-story. The twist at the end also left me puzzled. While it was unexpected, the big reveal of the real villain made no sense and felt anticlimactic.
That being said, the MMC did have moments where he was fun, flawed, and human, which I enjoyed, even if his character didn’t always make sense. However, the love between the two main characters didn’t seem fully developed. I never quite understood why they were drawn to each other, beyond some kind of trauma bond (though that might not be the exact term). The MMC was a rough, introverted FBI agent with unresolved childhood trauma, making him emotionally unavailable. He kept running from his feelings right until the end. Meanwhile, the FMC was a clumsy, almost clownish "damsel in distress" with little depth, constantly getting caught up in ridiculous situations. And don't get me started with how her mind worked.
To its credit, the book did touch on some interesting themes you don’t often see, like someone dying from heartbreak and leaving a child behind. It made so much sense as to why our MMC did not want to turn into that person or turn someone else into that.
I believe this could all had been avoided with *checks notes* Therapy and Communication-yes children, the old and trusty tool on which almost every millenial (or human being in general) relies these days. For heaven’s sake, any emotional processing was nonexistent in this world, which felt completely unrealistic given the issues the characters were dealing with- And that leads me to my next point.
The book felt outdated, like a throwback to 2013, with overused tropes and clichés. It was as if it existed in a parallel universe where all these elements could have worked, but they didn’t. The ending left me unsatisfied, and if the FMC had been a bit smarter and diched the MMC right after he refused, maybe the story could have been more engaging.
Lastly, I couldn’t help but notice a bit of hypocrisy from the author. At one point, the FMC talks about how if she were to write a book, she’d avoid fade-to-black scenes because they lacked spark. Yet, what did we get? Exactly that—a fade-to-black scene with zero spice. It felt like a major letdown.
I only recommend reading this book if you have nothing else to do.
September 19, 2024
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
If you’re looking for a sweet slice of life romance with a boat load of suspense then look no further because S.C. Kate has written just that book! In Jinxed Jackpot we meet Maggie who at thirty is striking out on her own, away from her families curse and trying to find the love that’s missing from her life. That journey leads her to Denver, to be an art teacher in a little town, that’ll hopefully be the start of a new life. What Maggie didn’t expect was to wrapped up and on the run from The Organization after witnessing a brutal crime. That’s where Ben or Benny comes into the picture after finding out about Maggie and the FBIs plans to make her their star witness he feels there’s no choice but to offer this beautiful woman his protection… what he wasn’t prepared for was a stubborn, smart mouthed, sunshine artist who just so happens to make his heart skip a beat. But while Maggie is desperate for romance, love, a real everlasting connection, Ben is on the run from it, after watching “love” rip people he loved apart he wants nothing to do with it. But with chemistry as off the charts as these twos is… I don’t know how anything other than love could possibly be on the table… and with The Organization lurking right around the corner Maggie and Ben better figure there feelings out and figure them out fast! I really enjoyed this book! The twist and turns kept me in suspense just waiting to see what was going to happen next and the romance was the slowest of slow burns but so sweet! And I really liked reading about our main characters! Now I’ll admit Ben was probably my favorite of our two MCs, I can’t explain it but there was just something real and raw about his character that made him my favorite. From the way he protected Maggie with all he had, to taking care of her and his other loved ones, to just his hilarious zingers I’m not sure how anyone couldn’t love Ben! I also enjoyed Maggie’s characters a lot! I loved how strong and resilient she was, how she refused to let this traumatic moment stop her from living life even if it left some scars! Now there were a few moments where I will admit I had trouble connecting with Maggie because while I understand she came from a small small town sometimes her naivety and immaturity seemed to throw off the growth she was doing. Overall though I really enjoyed this book so if you’re looking for a slow burn romantic suspense, filled with clever one liners, hilarious banter, amazing characters, and just the right amount of twist and turns than be sure to add Jinxed Jackpot to your TBR!
HAPPY READING 📖
If you’re looking for a sweet slice of life romance with a boat load of suspense then look no further because S.C. Kate has written just that book! In Jinxed Jackpot we meet Maggie who at thirty is striking out on her own, away from her families curse and trying to find the love that’s missing from her life. That journey leads her to Denver, to be an art teacher in a little town, that’ll hopefully be the start of a new life. What Maggie didn’t expect was to wrapped up and on the run from The Organization after witnessing a brutal crime. That’s where Ben or Benny comes into the picture after finding out about Maggie and the FBIs plans to make her their star witness he feels there’s no choice but to offer this beautiful woman his protection… what he wasn’t prepared for was a stubborn, smart mouthed, sunshine artist who just so happens to make his heart skip a beat. But while Maggie is desperate for romance, love, a real everlasting connection, Ben is on the run from it, after watching “love” rip people he loved apart he wants nothing to do with it. But with chemistry as off the charts as these twos is… I don’t know how anything other than love could possibly be on the table… and with The Organization lurking right around the corner Maggie and Ben better figure there feelings out and figure them out fast! I really enjoyed this book! The twist and turns kept me in suspense just waiting to see what was going to happen next and the romance was the slowest of slow burns but so sweet! And I really liked reading about our main characters! Now I’ll admit Ben was probably my favorite of our two MCs, I can’t explain it but there was just something real and raw about his character that made him my favorite. From the way he protected Maggie with all he had, to taking care of her and his other loved ones, to just his hilarious zingers I’m not sure how anyone couldn’t love Ben! I also enjoyed Maggie’s characters a lot! I loved how strong and resilient she was, how she refused to let this traumatic moment stop her from living life even if it left some scars! Now there were a few moments where I will admit I had trouble connecting with Maggie because while I understand she came from a small small town sometimes her naivety and immaturity seemed to throw off the growth she was doing. Overall though I really enjoyed this book so if you’re looking for a slow burn romantic suspense, filled with clever one liners, hilarious banter, amazing characters, and just the right amount of twist and turns than be sure to add Jinxed Jackpot to your TBR!
HAPPY READING 📖
October 6, 2024
Maggie is 30…& she hasn’t found love yet.
Maggie has suffered from bad luck all her life, but she decides she’s going to turn it all around & move to Colorado & start fresh. She has a few unlucky bumps along the way but finally makes it there, & hey, her next door neighbor is super cute so maybe her luck is changing after all! Or not…
Maggie witnesses her neighbor commit a murder & is almost killed in the process. Before she knows it, she’s wrapped up in an FBI investigation & placed under protective custody. & that protective custody just so happens to come in the form of a very hot FBI agent named Ben. Ben is smitten with Maggie at first sight, but he can’t show it.
As Maggie attempts to go about her daily life as an art teacher with Ben trailing along, they form a friendship & try to keep their feelings at bay, all while trying to keep Maggie alive until she testifies at trial.
First off, what I appreciated about this book is the fact that our FMC is in her 30’s!!! I need more books with representation of women who are older than 24 please! And, having not found my person myself & not had a lot of dating experience, there was so much I could relate to with Maggie.
Ben & Maggie are an adorable pair. There were multiple laugh out loud moments for me, I loved the mystery & suspense elements, the romance was so sweet & long story short, I ate this book up! There was really no spice, so if you prefer your romance books without it this will be perfect. I personally like spice in books so I really was looking forward to it in this book and felt let down momentarily, but I loved the book so much it didn’t matter much in the end.
Only critique: do I actually believe that a school would allow a teacher who is being targeted for assassination by a criminal organization to teach students while an FBI bodyguard in the classroom as well (putting the students at major risk for harm?!) No. but it’s FICTIONAL so you have to suspend your belief a little bit. But that’s kind of the point anyways so 🤪
Thank you to @greyspromo for the ARC of this book
And thank you @authorsc_kate for writing this wonderful book! 💚
Maggie has suffered from bad luck all her life, but she decides she’s going to turn it all around & move to Colorado & start fresh. She has a few unlucky bumps along the way but finally makes it there, & hey, her next door neighbor is super cute so maybe her luck is changing after all! Or not…
Maggie witnesses her neighbor commit a murder & is almost killed in the process. Before she knows it, she’s wrapped up in an FBI investigation & placed under protective custody. & that protective custody just so happens to come in the form of a very hot FBI agent named Ben. Ben is smitten with Maggie at first sight, but he can’t show it.
As Maggie attempts to go about her daily life as an art teacher with Ben trailing along, they form a friendship & try to keep their feelings at bay, all while trying to keep Maggie alive until she testifies at trial.
First off, what I appreciated about this book is the fact that our FMC is in her 30’s!!! I need more books with representation of women who are older than 24 please! And, having not found my person myself & not had a lot of dating experience, there was so much I could relate to with Maggie.
Ben & Maggie are an adorable pair. There were multiple laugh out loud moments for me, I loved the mystery & suspense elements, the romance was so sweet & long story short, I ate this book up! There was really no spice, so if you prefer your romance books without it this will be perfect. I personally like spice in books so I really was looking forward to it in this book and felt let down momentarily, but I loved the book so much it didn’t matter much in the end.
Only critique: do I actually believe that a school would allow a teacher who is being targeted for assassination by a criminal organization to teach students while an FBI bodyguard in the classroom as well (putting the students at major risk for harm?!) No. but it’s FICTIONAL so you have to suspend your belief a little bit. But that’s kind of the point anyways so 🤪
Thank you to @greyspromo for the ARC of this book
And thank you @authorsc_kate for writing this wonderful book! 💚
September 28, 2024
“The Jinxed Jackpot” by S.C. Kate follows art teacher Maggie Quinn…who just might be the unluckiest woman ever. After a series of unfortunate events prompts 30-year-old Maggie to move across the country for a job at a small school in Colorado, Maggie hopes to begin again and find the romance she’s looking for. Unfortunately…her bad luck follows her and thus begins this romantic suspense story.
Maggie is quite literally dragged into this new plot line by her scheming, murderous neighbor. She’s saved in the nick of time by none other than Agent Ben Capretti. Ben is then tasked with keeping Maggie safe until she can testify against her neighbor in court and bring down the criminal organization that Ben has been working on for some time. The pessimistic, grumpy Ben is immediately drawn to Maggie but is afraid to get too close because of his own bad luck with a previous case.
Being a teacher myself, I was immediately drawn to Maggie and all of her unluckiness. Maggie also suffers from anxiety issues, which I connected with on a deeply personal level. Despite this, she is a kind, compassionate educator who puts others’ needs in front of her own and who cares deeply about the students she teaches. Ben, who’s also dealing with his own past trauma, is a big bundle of grumpy cave man who doesn’t want to admit his feelings for Maggie - but will threaten an entire bar full of men to stay away from her. He’s protective, moody, and sometimes an obtuse jerk…but he also makes Maggie feel like her luck’s on the mend.
This genre of romantic suspense was a new one for me but I thoroughly enjoyed Maggie and Ben’s story - it had the perfect blend of slow burn romance, twists and turns, and was filled with clever one-liners and banter that had me laughing out loud.
[Thank you to S.C. Kate and Grey’s Promotions, for the opportunity to read this ARC, in exchange for my honest review.]
Maggie is quite literally dragged into this new plot line by her scheming, murderous neighbor. She’s saved in the nick of time by none other than Agent Ben Capretti. Ben is then tasked with keeping Maggie safe until she can testify against her neighbor in court and bring down the criminal organization that Ben has been working on for some time. The pessimistic, grumpy Ben is immediately drawn to Maggie but is afraid to get too close because of his own bad luck with a previous case.
Being a teacher myself, I was immediately drawn to Maggie and all of her unluckiness. Maggie also suffers from anxiety issues, which I connected with on a deeply personal level. Despite this, she is a kind, compassionate educator who puts others’ needs in front of her own and who cares deeply about the students she teaches. Ben, who’s also dealing with his own past trauma, is a big bundle of grumpy cave man who doesn’t want to admit his feelings for Maggie - but will threaten an entire bar full of men to stay away from her. He’s protective, moody, and sometimes an obtuse jerk…but he also makes Maggie feel like her luck’s on the mend.
This genre of romantic suspense was a new one for me but I thoroughly enjoyed Maggie and Ben’s story - it had the perfect blend of slow burn romance, twists and turns, and was filled with clever one-liners and banter that had me laughing out loud.
[Thank you to S.C. Kate and Grey’s Promotions, for the opportunity to read this ARC, in exchange for my honest review.]
September 18, 2024
I loved Maggie and Ben's story so much! If you liked Practice Makes Perfect by Sarah Adams, you will adore The Jinxed Jackpot!
Maggie Quinn feels it's time for a change so she finds an art teaching job in Colorado and hits the road. Despite all her good luck charms, the Quinn Curse seems to be following her. She loses her wallet on her road trip and things seem to escalate from there.
When she finally makes it to her new apartment she is so happy to see a friendly face. Tim, the hottie veterinarian across the hall, helps her clean up glass from the mirror she broke. He seems sweet and who knows, maybe they can hang out one day?
When Maggie makes a couple friends at her new school she finally feels like she may just come to love Colorado. Until the attack in her apartment building. Luckily a neighbor heard Maggie screaming for help and called 911. Maggie survives but she has to go into hiding until a court date.
Ben is assigned as her guard and he never thought he would be living with a gorgeous girl as part of his FBI job. Maggie and Ben have the best banter and despite the situation, they find they really enjoy each other's company. Maggie does however trick him at one point to get out of her vehicle and takes off leaving him on the side of the road. Ultimate banter in that scene!
Maggie loves her new job and even Ben has taken to her kids she teaches but he has to remain professional. It's his job to protect Maggie and he can't let any personal feelings get in his way. Maggie keeps telling herself when the case is over he will be gone...but maybe, just maybe he will feel the same as her and stay she hopes.
Thank so much to @authorsc_kate and @greyspromo for my copy in exchange for my honest review. This book definitely makes the list as a favorite of mine in 2024!
Maggie Quinn feels it's time for a change so she finds an art teaching job in Colorado and hits the road. Despite all her good luck charms, the Quinn Curse seems to be following her. She loses her wallet on her road trip and things seem to escalate from there.
When she finally makes it to her new apartment she is so happy to see a friendly face. Tim, the hottie veterinarian across the hall, helps her clean up glass from the mirror she broke. He seems sweet and who knows, maybe they can hang out one day?
When Maggie makes a couple friends at her new school she finally feels like she may just come to love Colorado. Until the attack in her apartment building. Luckily a neighbor heard Maggie screaming for help and called 911. Maggie survives but she has to go into hiding until a court date.
Ben is assigned as her guard and he never thought he would be living with a gorgeous girl as part of his FBI job. Maggie and Ben have the best banter and despite the situation, they find they really enjoy each other's company. Maggie does however trick him at one point to get out of her vehicle and takes off leaving him on the side of the road. Ultimate banter in that scene!
Maggie loves her new job and even Ben has taken to her kids she teaches but he has to remain professional. It's his job to protect Maggie and he can't let any personal feelings get in his way. Maggie keeps telling herself when the case is over he will be gone...but maybe, just maybe he will feel the same as her and stay she hopes.
Thank so much to @authorsc_kate and @greyspromo for my copy in exchange for my honest review. This book definitely makes the list as a favorite of mine in 2024!
September 12, 2024
𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ★★★★★
𝗥𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗘 𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: September 19 2024
𝗔𝗥𝗖 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪:
This book was everything…I mean, everything. Like, I’m still fanning myself over it. The slow burn? Oh. My. God. It was slow. Like, ‘holy shit’ slow. I’m talking snail's pace slow. But you know what? I loved every minute of it. It built up the tension so perfectly.
The way Maggie and Ben's relationship progressed was like watching a slow-motion train wreck. You could see it coming, but you couldn't look away. It was a torturous, beautiful thing. The way they danced around each other, the unspoken feelings, the longing glances...it was killing me. And when they finally kissed? Oh, the swoon. It was like a breath of fresh air.
And can we talk about Maggie’s students? They were adorable. I wanted to adopt them all. They were so sweet and supportive. I loved their little friendships and how they rallied around Maggie. And don't even get me started on the found family trope. I'm a sucker for that, and this book delivered in spades.
The suspenseful elements of the plot kept me on the edge of my seat. Kate does an excellent job of building tension and creating a sense of danger, while also managing to inject moments of humor and lightheartedness. The twists and turns in the story are well-executed and kept me guessing until the very end.
It's got everything you could want in a romance: a slow burn, adorable characters, a found family trope, and a thrilling suspense plot. If you're looking for a book that will keep you up all night, look no further.
Thank you to S.C Kate and Greys promotion for giving me an ARC for this book!!!
𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗦: Bodyguard romance, protector romance, grumpy/sunshine, art teacher fmc/FBI agent mmc, frenemies to lovers, forced proximity, opposite attract
𝗥𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗘 𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: September 19 2024
𝗔𝗥𝗖 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪:
This book was everything…I mean, everything. Like, I’m still fanning myself over it. The slow burn? Oh. My. God. It was slow. Like, ‘holy shit’ slow. I’m talking snail's pace slow. But you know what? I loved every minute of it. It built up the tension so perfectly.
The way Maggie and Ben's relationship progressed was like watching a slow-motion train wreck. You could see it coming, but you couldn't look away. It was a torturous, beautiful thing. The way they danced around each other, the unspoken feelings, the longing glances...it was killing me. And when they finally kissed? Oh, the swoon. It was like a breath of fresh air.
And can we talk about Maggie’s students? They were adorable. I wanted to adopt them all. They were so sweet and supportive. I loved their little friendships and how they rallied around Maggie. And don't even get me started on the found family trope. I'm a sucker for that, and this book delivered in spades.
The suspenseful elements of the plot kept me on the edge of my seat. Kate does an excellent job of building tension and creating a sense of danger, while also managing to inject moments of humor and lightheartedness. The twists and turns in the story are well-executed and kept me guessing until the very end.
It's got everything you could want in a romance: a slow burn, adorable characters, a found family trope, and a thrilling suspense plot. If you're looking for a book that will keep you up all night, look no further.
Thank you to S.C Kate and Greys promotion for giving me an ARC for this book!!!
𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗦: Bodyguard romance, protector romance, grumpy/sunshine, art teacher fmc/FBI agent mmc, frenemies to lovers, forced proximity, opposite attract
September 22, 2024
I am so upset. And its because of this book.
This book started out amazingly. The plot, the pacing, the blend between light and serious was done masterfully. The slow burn was there and it was burning! We love a light enemies-to-lovers trope. Maggie (FMC) and Ben (MMC) were a great couple whose relationship was filled with laughter as well as chemistry. Even the side-characters were memorable such as, Hunter and Alfie and Kelly and Mark. However, it was the beginning of the end when the final part of the book started.
In the chapter 'Whispers of Forever' the story's quality began to drop dramatically. From that moment on, the pacing was rushed, the story held no suspense and don't even get me started on the plot-holes. For example, what happened with Kelly and Mark? What were the repercussions of Ben and Coleson going rogue? What happened to Don, the mastermind behind the drug ring? Not only that, Ben's reaction was soooo dramatised and over the top when he and Maggie finally slept with each other (literally a fade-to-black scene BTW). And Maggie didn't even hold him accountable in my opinion, which is ridiculous because he shamelessly lied to her and left her not even a few hours after it happened.
Hence, why I only gave this review 3 stars and this is purely for the fantastic and well-written first two parts of the story which had me so invested. But, it lost the 2 extra stars because of the horribly unsatisfying conclusion which was rushed and quite sloppy if I must say.
This book started out amazingly. The plot, the pacing, the blend between light and serious was done masterfully. The slow burn was there and it was burning! We love a light enemies-to-lovers trope. Maggie (FMC) and Ben (MMC) were a great couple whose relationship was filled with laughter as well as chemistry. Even the side-characters were memorable such as, Hunter and Alfie and Kelly and Mark. However, it was the beginning of the end when the final part of the book started.
In the chapter 'Whispers of Forever' the story's quality began to drop dramatically. From that moment on, the pacing was rushed, the story held no suspense and don't even get me started on the plot-holes. For example, what happened with Kelly and Mark? What were the repercussions of Ben and Coleson going rogue? What happened to Don, the mastermind behind the drug ring? Not only that, Ben's reaction was soooo dramatised and over the top when he and Maggie finally slept with each other (literally a fade-to-black scene BTW). And Maggie didn't even hold him accountable in my opinion, which is ridiculous because he shamelessly lied to her and left her not even a few hours after it happened.
Hence, why I only gave this review 3 stars and this is purely for the fantastic and well-written first two parts of the story which had me so invested. But, it lost the 2 extra stars because of the horribly unsatisfying conclusion which was rushed and quite sloppy if I must say.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 23, 2024
What an interesting book this was, I started it thinking it was about a woman searching for love and it is but it’s wrapped up in a mystery. Maggie has just turned 30 and has had no real spice in her life and she wants some desperately. So she decides to apply for art teaching positions everywhere. Finally she gets one job offer in Denver. So she packs up her life and travels across country to move to Denver to work in this beautiful, big, well equipped school where her art classroom is a dream. However, her living arrangements are less than desirable. One day while working remotely she hears and sees something she shouldn’t have seen and suddenly she’s in big trouble. Ben the FBI agent on the case becomes her bodyguard watching and protecting her from the organization. Ben and Maggie were forced to spend lots of time together and the dialogue between them was very funny. Maggie although she has the worst luck in the world still maintains a bright optimistic look at life. Ben is a little more jaded but he’s a complete marshmallow for her. The story is interesting with lots of mystery and suspense. I really enjoyed them couple but just a warning it’s a slow burn. As a teacher there were a few things that just were a little too far fetched for me to accept so I just couldn’t give this book 5 stars.
September 14, 2024
Let me just say, Maggie Quinn is my new favorite hot mess! Jinxed Jackpot is an absolute rollercoaster of a read, and I loved every second of it. Maggie, an art teacher who’s down on her luck (seriously, poor girl can’t catch a break!), decides to take control of her romantic destiny, only to end up in more of a thriller than the swoony romance she was hoping for. When she crashes into Agent Ben Capretti’s undercover operation—literally—you can just feel the chaos coming.
Maggie is the kind of heroine who makes you laugh, cringe, and root for her all at once, while Ben’s 'beautiful disaster' comments make for some serious heart-eyes moments. He’s all business, but you know there’s a swoon-worthy book boyfriend hiding under that serious exterior! The suspense kicks in when Maggie finds herself in way over her head, but the chemistry between her and Ben keeps things just as spicy as the danger that’s looming around them.
This book has it all—laughs, danger, romance, and a heroine who’s anything but perfect. If you love a quirky, action-packed rom-com where the leads are just as unlucky as they are lovable, Jinxed Jackpot will steal your heart (and possibly your nerves). Prepare for a wild, adorable, and swoon-worthy ride!
Maggie is the kind of heroine who makes you laugh, cringe, and root for her all at once, while Ben’s 'beautiful disaster' comments make for some serious heart-eyes moments. He’s all business, but you know there’s a swoon-worthy book boyfriend hiding under that serious exterior! The suspense kicks in when Maggie finds herself in way over her head, but the chemistry between her and Ben keeps things just as spicy as the danger that’s looming around them.
This book has it all—laughs, danger, romance, and a heroine who’s anything but perfect. If you love a quirky, action-packed rom-com where the leads are just as unlucky as they are lovable, Jinxed Jackpot will steal your heart (and possibly your nerves). Prepare for a wild, adorable, and swoon-worthy ride!
September 23, 2024
I have very mixed feelings about this book. The main female character, Maggie, is an art teacher plagued by misfortune, with bad luck trailing her as faithfully as a dog follows its master. The main male character, Ben, is an FBI agent thrust into Maggie's life after she witnesses a murder, tasked with protecting her until she can testify in court.
I'm not sure whether it's instant love or lust, but that's precisely what Ben experiences upon meeting Maggie. Despite his immediate attraction, Ben is reluctant to enter a relationship, focusing instead on his duty to safeguard Maggie amidst her continual misfortune. Their enforced proximity gradually draws them closer, and with their undeniable chemistry, it's only a matter of time before it spills over.
Maggie and Ben's journey is a blend of romance, suspense, and danger. Maggie's near ignorance of the perilous situations she encounters is comical, while Ben's seriousness leads to amusing exchanges between them. Regrettably, the story concludes with unresolved plot points, leaving a sense of incompleteness.
I'm not sure whether it's instant love or lust, but that's precisely what Ben experiences upon meeting Maggie. Despite his immediate attraction, Ben is reluctant to enter a relationship, focusing instead on his duty to safeguard Maggie amidst her continual misfortune. Their enforced proximity gradually draws them closer, and with their undeniable chemistry, it's only a matter of time before it spills over.
Maggie and Ben's journey is a blend of romance, suspense, and danger. Maggie's near ignorance of the perilous situations she encounters is comical, while Ben's seriousness leads to amusing exchanges between them. Regrettably, the story concludes with unresolved plot points, leaving a sense of incompleteness.
October 1, 2024
The book wasn't bad per se BUT it took me too long to finish it.
The FMC is JINXED, astg I think I died a little inside for her. She had a level of bad luck that I didn't think was possible... little things like losing her wallet during a move to another state or break a big-sized mirror in tiny little pieces right after buying it... I mean I know I'm clumsy but she was on another level. The culprit was when she witnessed a murder... and, until the trial, the fbi assigned her a bodyguard. A dark tall and handsome bodyguard. The MMC was SO INFURIATING: every time she had those little incidents he laughed hysterically and it didn't sit right with me... I don't know if it was just me but I don't like when people laugh AT you. But at least he had many sweet thoughts about her...
Anyways, the slow burn was almost too slow for my taste and add the fact that the H was pushing the h away and you have a combination I do not like. I mean, less pages would have been perfect because the writing is good and the plot too.
The FMC is JINXED, astg I think I died a little inside for her. She had a level of bad luck that I didn't think was possible... little things like losing her wallet during a move to another state or break a big-sized mirror in tiny little pieces right after buying it... I mean I know I'm clumsy but she was on another level. The culprit was when she witnessed a murder... and, until the trial, the fbi assigned her a bodyguard. A dark tall and handsome bodyguard. The MMC was SO INFURIATING: every time she had those little incidents he laughed hysterically and it didn't sit right with me... I don't know if it was just me but I don't like when people laugh AT you. But at least he had many sweet thoughts about her...
Anyways, the slow burn was almost too slow for my taste and add the fact that the H was pushing the h away and you have a combination I do not like. I mean, less pages would have been perfect because the writing is good and the plot too.
October 23, 2024
This was too damn cute to handle! The Jinxed Jackpot had my laughing, gasping, and yes, a few tears were shed!
Maggie is a 30 year old woman just looking to finally experience her own romance book, but she's also one of the most unlucky people all because of her family's Irish genes. No one makes it out on their own.
We follow her move from small town Ohio to Colorado for a new art teacher position, and from the start poor Mags just goes through it, I mean she almost runs out of gas before her first stop on the move! That can't be good! Right? And once she finally makes it to Colorado? Well... Her neighbor has one BIG secret and it changes her entire life for the foreseeable future.
In comes Ben, an FBI agent who is this calming force for her while also riling her up like a top I swear. 😂 Will he be able to protect her from outside forces? Or even from herself?
If you're looking for a fun and quirky story this is definitely a great place to look. I loved Maggie's journey of self discovery and blossom of confidence!
Maggie is a 30 year old woman just looking to finally experience her own romance book, but she's also one of the most unlucky people all because of her family's Irish genes. No one makes it out on their own.
We follow her move from small town Ohio to Colorado for a new art teacher position, and from the start poor Mags just goes through it, I mean she almost runs out of gas before her first stop on the move! That can't be good! Right? And once she finally makes it to Colorado? Well... Her neighbor has one BIG secret and it changes her entire life for the foreseeable future.
In comes Ben, an FBI agent who is this calming force for her while also riling her up like a top I swear. 😂 Will he be able to protect her from outside forces? Or even from herself?
If you're looking for a fun and quirky story this is definitely a great place to look. I loved Maggie's journey of self discovery and blossom of confidence!
September 18, 2024
This was thoroughly unexpected and a great read.
Full of action, danger, bad luck, excitement, drama, tension, humour, banter, longing and emotion.
Maggie has stumbled and bumbled through a cross country move only to be attacked two days after arriving. Now she has Ben, an FBI agent assigned to protect her and the sparks are charged. Both feel the attraction, but she’s scared and feels trapped, he’s holding back but the longing is obvious.
Great slow burn romance, awesome friendships, cute students, loads of twists and turns, humour, spice and suspense.
I don’t normally mention the cover, but in this instance I feel it just doesn’t match the story. The art is wonderful and cute, don’t get me wrong I think it’s great, but the story is more intense and at times a pinch scary, and I feel the cover just doesn’t convey that. I was prepared for a cute romcom with a little suspense, but this so much more gutsy.
Full of action, danger, bad luck, excitement, drama, tension, humour, banter, longing and emotion.
Maggie has stumbled and bumbled through a cross country move only to be attacked two days after arriving. Now she has Ben, an FBI agent assigned to protect her and the sparks are charged. Both feel the attraction, but she’s scared and feels trapped, he’s holding back but the longing is obvious.
Great slow burn romance, awesome friendships, cute students, loads of twists and turns, humour, spice and suspense.
I don’t normally mention the cover, but in this instance I feel it just doesn’t match the story. The art is wonderful and cute, don’t get me wrong I think it’s great, but the story is more intense and at times a pinch scary, and I feel the cover just doesn’t convey that. I was prepared for a cute romcom with a little suspense, but this so much more gutsy.
September 20, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
One of my favorite authors releases a new book and you know I signed up to try and read it early!
The Jinxed Jackpot is somewhat new genre for S.C. and I definitely enjoyed the story! The book follows Maggie, who is literally the most unlucky person I've ever met and Ben, an FBI agent assigned to protect her in an ongoing case.
As much as Ben and Maggie try to fight their attraction, the forced proximity that the situation has put them in wins out. While this was a slow burn, the tension leading up was great!
I felt that the story wasn't like others I've read before for a somewhat 'bodyguard' romance and I really liked the suspense aspect of the book as well. I'm already excited for the next in the series!
Read if you like:
💚slow burn
💚low spice level
💚bodyguard mmc
💚romantic suspense
"I'd lose myself in her. For her. I'd give everything up just to have her. And that scared the shit out of me."
One of my favorite authors releases a new book and you know I signed up to try and read it early!
The Jinxed Jackpot is somewhat new genre for S.C. and I definitely enjoyed the story! The book follows Maggie, who is literally the most unlucky person I've ever met and Ben, an FBI agent assigned to protect her in an ongoing case.
As much as Ben and Maggie try to fight their attraction, the forced proximity that the situation has put them in wins out. While this was a slow burn, the tension leading up was great!
I felt that the story wasn't like others I've read before for a somewhat 'bodyguard' romance and I really liked the suspense aspect of the book as well. I'm already excited for the next in the series!
Read if you like:
💚slow burn
💚low spice level
💚bodyguard mmc
💚romantic suspense
"I'd lose myself in her. For her. I'd give everything up just to have her. And that scared the shit out of me."
September 27, 2024
It’s a sweet funny book. Think of rom-com 🤭💚
It was my first time reading bodyguards trope romance so I was excited and honestly I was not disappointed.
I immensely enjoyed it. It’s a book that got me giggling and rolling my eyes a couple times while reading!
I like and can related to FMC Maggie clumsiness and holding onto those superstitions (lol) but man is she the unluckiest person! (Also her brother lol)
I love the banters throughout their relationship, it escalated the tension and attraction between them. It’s realistic and playful.
(Still thinking about the scene where Maggie drove off and had poor Benny running 😂)
The suspense was really good too. I didn’t expect it was him at the end. I had a suspicion but I also had suspicions on everyone I encountered throughout the book 😂
The only thing I didn’t like was how quickly Ben wanted to protect her.
The sneak peek though! Ugh I can’t wait already!
It was my first time reading bodyguards trope romance so I was excited and honestly I was not disappointed.
I immensely enjoyed it. It’s a book that got me giggling and rolling my eyes a couple times while reading!
I like and can related to FMC Maggie clumsiness and holding onto those superstitions (lol) but man is she the unluckiest person! (Also her brother lol)
I love the banters throughout their relationship, it escalated the tension and attraction between them. It’s realistic and playful.
(Still thinking about the scene where Maggie drove off and had poor Benny running 😂)
The suspense was really good too. I didn’t expect it was him at the end. I had a suspicion but I also had suspicions on everyone I encountered throughout the book 😂
The only thing I didn’t like was how quickly Ben wanted to protect her.
The sneak peek though! Ugh I can’t wait already!
July 9, 2026
Didn’t think I would like this the first couple of chapters but it became funnier and funnier to me. Dear Ben is a saint & Maggie is a riot. I thought it was overall a good book. A good read.
This was not a fade to black even though it says it is. You very much knew what they were doing. It just wasn’t AS descriptive as a normal open door. Things were coming to attention & the size was described. If you know what I mean. To me that takes out fade to black. It was just one scene, a couple paragraphs, not a whole page, so it was easily skippable. The F bomb was used too many times count, which doesn’t matter to me, but to some it may. As was Jesus as a swearword. I didn’t appreciate that, especially since it’s a running joke in the book about not taking the Lord’s name in vain. “Jeez” is much better even said it in the book. I would definitely rate this like PG-13 for description & R just for the amount of F bombs.
This was not a fade to black even though it says it is. You very much knew what they were doing. It just wasn’t AS descriptive as a normal open door. Things were coming to attention & the size was described. If you know what I mean. To me that takes out fade to black. It was just one scene, a couple paragraphs, not a whole page, so it was easily skippable. The F bomb was used too many times count, which doesn’t matter to me, but to some it may. As was Jesus as a swearword. I didn’t appreciate that, especially since it’s a running joke in the book about not taking the Lord’s name in vain. “Jeez” is much better even said it in the book. I would definitely rate this like PG-13 for description & R just for the amount of F bombs.
September 17, 2024
If I had to use one word to describe this book, it would be “unpredictable”. Maggie leaves Ohio searching for new experiences, specifically romance, in Denver. She ends up with a (jinxed?!) experience that seems right out of her favourite dark romance novel. 😆
Ben, an FBI agent, ends up living with Maggie to keep her safe as she is an important witness to a crime. They drive each other crazy with him being grumpy and Maggie desperately trying to “escape” the restrictions enforced for her own safety.
The hot and cold behaviour from Ben is interesting at first but it becomes repetitive after a while. And I wished they would just get together asap.
Despite the heaviness of the plot, there were multiple scenes or lines which made me laugh such as
- Don’t take the Lord’s name in vain!
- Be silent, shadow!
- And many scenes with Gigi
Ben, an FBI agent, ends up living with Maggie to keep her safe as she is an important witness to a crime. They drive each other crazy with him being grumpy and Maggie desperately trying to “escape” the restrictions enforced for her own safety.
The hot and cold behaviour from Ben is interesting at first but it becomes repetitive after a while. And I wished they would just get together asap.
Despite the heaviness of the plot, there were multiple scenes or lines which made me laugh such as
- Don’t take the Lord’s name in vain!
- Be silent, shadow!
- And many scenes with Gigi
September 19, 2024
The Jinxed Jackpot is the first book i’ve read by S.C. Kate and I loved it!
The Jinxed Jackpot is a romance that starts with a move to Colorado so Maggie could start living her life outside her small town.
Her new life started out with a bang!
Maggie needed to be protected as she is now a witness that needs to be kept safe to testify, which brings in Ben.
Maggie is a mess (jinxed) her antics had me laughing throughout this book.
She’s a little crazy, but never a dull moment that’s for sure.
Ben runs hot and cold around Maggie. He has fears steaming from his previous guard duty as well as his childhood.
This is a sweet love story with some danger, and some sweet school kids as Maggie is an Art teacher. Ben is a pain in the rear but Maggie does get her HEA!
The Jinxed Jackpot is a romance that starts with a move to Colorado so Maggie could start living her life outside her small town.
Her new life started out with a bang!
Maggie needed to be protected as she is now a witness that needs to be kept safe to testify, which brings in Ben.
Maggie is a mess (jinxed) her antics had me laughing throughout this book.
She’s a little crazy, but never a dull moment that’s for sure.
Ben runs hot and cold around Maggie. He has fears steaming from his previous guard duty as well as his childhood.
This is a sweet love story with some danger, and some sweet school kids as Maggie is an Art teacher. Ben is a pain in the rear but Maggie does get her HEA!
September 19, 2024
Never read a book by this author and after finishing this one, I realize I have made a mistake.
This one had suspense, love, banter, spice, etc. Maggie has decided to leave her family and journey to Denver where she becomes an art teacher. After witnessing a crime, Maggie is on the run from the FBI and meets Ben. Ben makes it his mission to protect Maggie.
Maggie is sunshine, stubborn and just the perfect amount of odd. Whereas Ben is protective, tough and the opposite of Maggie. They just fit perfectly together. Their story flowed nicely and the character development was great!
Maggie is a romance lover like all of us and just wants the love she deserves. Definitely will be reading more from this author.
This one had suspense, love, banter, spice, etc. Maggie has decided to leave her family and journey to Denver where she becomes an art teacher. After witnessing a crime, Maggie is on the run from the FBI and meets Ben. Ben makes it his mission to protect Maggie.
Maggie is sunshine, stubborn and just the perfect amount of odd. Whereas Ben is protective, tough and the opposite of Maggie. They just fit perfectly together. Their story flowed nicely and the character development was great!
Maggie is a romance lover like all of us and just wants the love she deserves. Definitely will be reading more from this author.
October 11, 2024
Ben+Maggie=🔥
Loved this book not a dull moment.
Maggie just turned 30 and she's ready to find Mr Right and settle . She moves to a different state to start the new chapter in her life.
She's a Quirky art teacher that's got a bit of bad luck or alot of! On her first week she finds herself in a bad predicament when she witnesses a murder . Enter Ben the FBI agent who saves her life and then gets assigned to protect her till she testifies in court . From the get go the chemistry between these two is sizzling . Loved them together , their bantering, their friendship and their insucurities.
A well written story though it needs a bit of editing there's wrong words used some typos but all and all it's really enjoyable.
Loved this book not a dull moment.
Maggie just turned 30 and she's ready to find Mr Right and settle . She moves to a different state to start the new chapter in her life.
She's a Quirky art teacher that's got a bit of bad luck or alot of! On her first week she finds herself in a bad predicament when she witnesses a murder . Enter Ben the FBI agent who saves her life and then gets assigned to protect her till she testifies in court . From the get go the chemistry between these two is sizzling . Loved them together , their bantering, their friendship and their insucurities.
A well written story though it needs a bit of editing there's wrong words used some typos but all and all it's really enjoyable.
September 17, 2024
This is my first read by this author, and I must say that I quite enjoyed the storyline and the characters. It is a suspenseful romance between art teacher Maggie and FBI agent Ben. These two very different but likeable souls and the unique plot make for an entertaining read. It is a slow burn love story with drama and steam, danger and intrigue, humor and charm, sexual tension and chemistry, and twists and turns, plus appealing secondary characters to keep the reader interested. A page turner.
I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Grey's Promotions and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Grey's Promotions and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
September 17, 2024
📚🌶
S.C. Kate did a great job on writing of this book! It had a plot and tension between characters.
Maggie Quinn has hit the ultimate bad luck jackpot. Maggie trys to do some soul searching and winds up tied up in a murderer's apartment. Here comes the Agent assigned to protecting the hot mess express, Ben Capretti. At this point he is her body guard for the foreseeable future. There was a lot of banter between these two since they are kind of forces to be around each other.
I thought this was still a really good book with some cute moments and some suspense sprinkled in.
*This book includes topics including: drugging, kidnapping, murder, and other related topics.*
S.C. Kate did a great job on writing of this book! It had a plot and tension between characters.
Maggie Quinn has hit the ultimate bad luck jackpot. Maggie trys to do some soul searching and winds up tied up in a murderer's apartment. Here comes the Agent assigned to protecting the hot mess express, Ben Capretti. At this point he is her body guard for the foreseeable future. There was a lot of banter between these two since they are kind of forces to be around each other.
I thought this was still a really good book with some cute moments and some suspense sprinkled in.
*This book includes topics including: drugging, kidnapping, murder, and other related topics.*
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