Lucky Breakdown

Lovestruck Calendar #3

by Constantina Cristi

I never expected her to walk into my bar, let alone turn my world upside down. Isa just needed a phone to call a mechanic, but a broken-down car led to a weekend neither of us saw coming—one filled with laughter, cheesy pickup lines, and steamy nights. But then she went back to her normal life, and suddenly, nothing felt the same. I know I should move on, but the truth is, I don’t want to. Because now that I’ve met Isa, I can’t imagine life without her.

Short Story, Small Town Romance, Insta-love, St. Patrick's Day

51 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 28, 2025

Reviews

[Cheryl Roth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is story three in the LoveStruck Calendar series. Each story I get hooked even more wanting to know what is happening with everyone.


Isa is down on her luck and on her way to see her parents. Unfortunately her car breaks down and she ends up having to walk to a local bar to find a phone to use because her phone died on the way.

Marco the owner of the bar offers to let her use his phone to call for help but then offers to call his friend to have him look at her car for her.

Isa ends up being stuck in town for a few days while her car is being fixed. She ends up helping around the bar for the St. Patrick’s Day celebration as they are short a bartender. Isa and Marco find themselves playing a cute game between them over the few days. During this game they find themselves falling for each other but they don’t want to admit to each other.

Isa’s car is fixed and she heads off to her parents.

They both find themselves missing each other but neither has the courage to text the other.

Isa’s sister shows up to visit her at their parent’s house after hearing how sad and lonely she is. They go out for a night on the town and her sister talked her into going to Marco’s bar. They were both happy to see each other and end up admitting some of their feelings to each other.


Once again another lovely short story that keeps you wanting more.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lucky Breakdown is the March short story in the Lovestruck Calendar series. When Isa’s car breaks down in a small town, she walks into Marco’s bar with a dead cell phone, needing to call a mechanic. Marco immediately gets his friend to tow it in and take a look. It’s a busy night at the bar, being the St Patrick’s Day celebration and the bar tender is out sick, so Isa pitches in. Told over the course of a few days, this is a not quite insta-love romance with a fun pick up line contest between the main characters. I love how the Lovestruck Calendar stories are building on themselves, with glimpses into previous couples a month or two later. I say that, but you could absolutely pick this story up without having read the previous two in the series.

[kaitlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

ONE MILLION PERCENT - My favorite thus far in the Lovestruck Calendar series. Marco baby. He holds a special place in my book heart. Player turned lover trope is so cute because it shows he can commit to just one person rather than be a heartbreaker or hit it & quit it type. Isa showing up and just being the one for him is so cute - and I definitely enjoyed that both her and her sister have similar names! The only itsy bitsy downside I wanted for this story is that I just wanted for a girl to try and flirt and him just to knock her away and go to his girl. Show the player has officially stopped playing and started settling. I don't think another can top Marco though for his love to Isa.

5000/5 <3

[Lauren C · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third story in the Lovestruck Calendar series by Constantina Cristi. I don't know what I was expecting from a March themed romance but car trouble and pickup lines is what I received. Our main character is someone we've already met from Sunflower Springs and getting into our MMC, Marco's head was definitely fun. Not every author can make miscommunication feel realistic but we've all put our foot in our mouth or failed to say what we needed when our courage failed us. Seeing our self-doubting leads find luck on St.Patrick's day was sweet. Hoping to see their relationship blossom in the background in future stories.

[Marsha Graniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lucky Breakdown is a cute meet cute for a St. Patty’s short story. This is Marco and Isa’s story that is a fun love at first sight story with humor and spice. I love their chemistry and banter from the beginning, the whole pickup lines and competitive personalities really brought the characters together. I really enjoyed their story. Also, I love that each story in the Lovestruck Calendar series has a holiday type theme. I can’t get enough of it!

I voluntarily leave an honest review of this advanced reader copy.

[sycokittykat - Stefanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cheesy pickup line central

This story was super cheesy with all the terrible pickup lines but I also loved it.

Marco owns the local bar and was feeling the absence of a woman in his life. Suddenly a stranger appears that he is captivated by. Their instant chemistry and pickup lines were fantastc.

[Jennifer Bollnow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another sweet love story in Sunflower Springs. 🌻 Marco, bar owner is ready for a relationship when Isa walks in his bar. Isa’s car broke down on her way to visit her parents after loosing her job. This has funny banter, romance, and some spice. Just as fun as the other books in the Lovestruck series.

[Vivien Richards · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Marco and Isa's love story. This novella is part of the author's calendar series. This story takes place in March around St. Patrick's Day and is a really sweet insta love story. The banter is witty, the characters' chemistry and vibe together is great. If you are looking for a good story that is a quick read, I recommend.

[Brittany T · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 3 of The Lovestruck Calendar
Lucky Breakdown

So, just like the previous two books, this one is just as cute! This one is about Isa and Marco. Could a breakdown be good luck? Seems like it is for Isa, with her life in sort of a mess, She is on her way home to recoup and figure things out, who knew figuring things out with come with a tall, dark, and handsome man.
This book again was written beautifully, short and sweet, and a perfect little romance. Definitely a must-read along with the rest of The Lovestruck Calendar!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series. It’s just long enough to keep us engaged and wanting more. We get to meet new characters and revisit old ones. I love the little love themes that flow throughout and that each story has some additional tropes to explore. This is a great quick read. No background of the other series is needed to enjoy it, but it definitely enhances the smaller parts of the story.

[Jane Mitch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cheesy lines ..

What a cute story! Isa and Marco are so alike. I absolutely loved the cheesy lines throughout the book! They made me chuckle, or cringe lol. I love reading the Spanish language throughout the book, and the translation. So far, this has been my favorite in the series!

[Jenessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Feeling extra "Lucky" to grab this ARC from Constantina Cristi's Lovestruck calendar short stories! This one was super cute, quick and was a perfect palette cleanser from the thrillers I've been immersed in lately.

[Jordan Fiest · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lucky Breakdown is book three of the A Lovestruck Calendar Series.

We get to experience St. Patrick's Day with this story. Isa and Marco hit it off immediately. I loved the banter between these two characters. They were perfect together. It was a fun, quick read.

[Monique Westwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick and sweet short story. Marco and Isa spend a weekend together and then go their separate ways, but neither are happy. Well written and well developed characters for a short story. It's nice that the other characters are all interwoven through the series.

[Kristina Schurmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite so far in this series. This book is so damn cute. The whole pick up line game was so cheesy and amazing at the same time. Isa and Marco has great chemistry. It was short and sweet and easy to read. I highly recommend.

[Courtney Reads Smut · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a cute & sweet story. What happens when your car breaks down? You have to walk to the local bar to make a call. When you walk in, the bartender offers to help you. And he’s a tall drink!

❤️ Small town
🩷 Bartender
❤️ Employee
🌶️🌶️
📖 51 pages

[Michele Del Rey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this small town love story. These two had an instant spark that was so nice to see. I enjoyed reading about their love growing and changing.

[Jessica Crome · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an adorable meet cute. I loved all the cheesy pick up lines through the book and look forward to sharing them. I loved all of it!

[Mylene Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good calendar story for this series. It's Marco and Isa.

[Frances Packingham · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a super cute short story. My favorite part is all the cheesy pick-up lines. It's very fast, Hallmark like. Definitely recommend.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good addition to the Calendar story series. Throughly enjoyed Isa and Marco's short story

[Charmed Chapters - Tash · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five stars for this short read because WOW , this is officially my favorite in the series so far.

Give me pining, inner turmoil, and emotional tension in a romance and I’m instantly seated. This delivered all of that and gave us banter, chemistry, and that delicious “say it already” energy that I eat up every time.

For a short story, it packs a punch — no wasted moments, just feelings, tension, and payoff. It’s quick, satisfying, and proof that you don’t need a long book to make a romance hit hard.

Perfect little read. No notes. Obsessed.

[Vanessa Hilario Mata · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cute short read with the cheesy pickup lines! Isa car broke down in a small town and walked into Marco’s bar to use the phone. It was insta-love for this lovely couple on St.Patrick’s Day. A must read!

[Angela Alardo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Isa and Marco are so good together! I loved the pick-up line game they played. Marco would 100% win if I was playing against him.
I would share my favorite quote but I think thats the reason why my first review was removed lol Let's just say 🥵🥵🥵🥵