Her fresh start? Cute. Until my ducks made her their emotional support human, and now I’m starring in a small-town romance novel I never agreed to.
Frankie showed up with too many boxes, a smart mouth, and the kind of laugh that settles somewhere uncomfortable in my chest. She runs a pink, overly cheerful bookstore next door. I run from the past I’d rather forget. And yet somehow, my damn ducks—traitors, the lot of them—have decided she’s their new emotional support human.
We started with a busted fence and a battle of wills. We spiraled into late-night arguments, slow-burn tension, and a kiss that nearly unraveled the careful distance I’ve spent years building.
She’s chaos in lipstick and Converse. I’m a man still clawing his way out of a mess no one knows the full truth about.
The smart thing would be to stay away.
The problem is, I’ve never been great at doing the smart thing—especially when she’s standing on my porch with fire in her eyes and my duck tucked under her arm.
This was supposed to be her clean slate. Too bad I’m the dirt she can’t quite scrub off.
One woman I shouldn’t want. One past I can’t outrun.
"Grab me a shot of whiskey. These books are about tattooed men and guns!"
Welcome to the world of LC Taylor. An International and USA Today best-selling author, who's an unapologetic down-home southern gal, with a bit of a dirty mouth. But... she's never met a brooding hero she didn't love. She writes her men cut, tattooed and tender, for their down, but-not-out ladies, who just need a little love from the right man. When she's not writing her Crossroads Heroes series or indulging her darker desires as her alter ego Dori P, she curls up with a glass of peach crown and her very own sexy tattooed cop on the couch watching reruns of Chicago Fire.
I just finished reading Just My Ducking Luck by LC Taylor and I truly adored every bit of it!
First of all, the humor is elite. LC Taylor’s sarcastic tone and sharp, witty banter make this story so genuinely funny. Not the forced kind of funny. The kind that has you taken off guard and sending you into a fit of giggles.
We get animal companions which automatically wins points because these ducks are everything. The FMC is a fierce, tattooed bookstore owner and I loved her immediately. And then there’s our grumpy, broody duck daddy MMC (Beckett) who is soooo swoon-worthy and perfect for our amazing Frankie. Their chemistry is truly undeniable. They both have real life obstacles and personal struggles, but their pull toward each other feels so natural and so intense. The tension had me giggling and kicking my feet.
I also loved the nod to the bookstore being called Shelf Love, just like the author’s actual bookstore in Atlanta. That detail made it feel even more special and let LC Taylor fans feel like they’re in on a little secret.
This romantic comedy balances humor, tension, and spice so well. And yes, the spice is SO good. You do not just fall for the main characters either. The side characters are iconic and add so much heart and personality to the story.
This was such a fun, addictive read and I am already counting down to book two. LC Taylor absolutely nailed this one.
An odd comedic romance that hits in your soft places. Frankie is not running, so much as stomping, away from a nasty ex-husband and an unsupportive family. For her, escape is freedom to be who and what she wants to be. She defiantly paints her new digs in pink which is a real annoyance to her restrained, withdrawn neighbor. Beckett lived in a contained world of his own, shared only by his annoying ducks and his brothers. That is, until the pink bomb arrives and shakes him up. While she is bound and determined to stand her new ground against all odds, she can’t stop her heart from beating faster around him. Then Beckett is compelled to show his alpha side to defend Frankie and after that, with uncanny perception and leadership, the ducks take over and hearts tumble. I’ll admit when I first started reading the ducks left me cold, but as the story unraveled, they became adorable and the quixotic story kept me reading without wanting it to end. So fun this book!
ARC REVIEW I am doing my very first ARC review, so this is exciting. The (FMC) Frankie was a complicated character there were parts of her that resinated with me, and parts that made me extremely frustrated. I loved the strength and the determination of the (FMC). I do feel like the author did ensure that Frankie stayed true to her over all character, and that was refreshing. I enjoyed the banter between the FMC and the MMC. Love romcom that make the extended member for you group feel comfortable to interact with the main characters. This is a romance that let you know that love is possible even when you think that you no longer want love. It also lets you know that it is important to resolve you issue because they will follow you no matter where you are. The ducks were a refreshing addition to the story line. Overall, I loved this book and was so happy to be given the chance to read the ARC. I can wait for the next novel.
Just My Ducking Luck - Love Gone Wild - Book 1 - By LC Taylor.
This is the first writing by this new to me author that was recommended in Giulia Lagomarsino's newsletter that I have read and I am delighted I did. Before the story even begins, the contents, chapter titles had me laughing before I even started the story. This story had me laughing out loud from beginning to end. Absolute comedy gold throughout. When Frankie/Francesca Bellamy-Monroe decides to start fresh after two years of therapy and a nasty divorce, she moves to Peachtree Bluff from Atlanta. She has her heart set on bringing her own book store, Shelf Love, dreams to life and is determined to succeed but slightly distracted and frustrated by her grumpy but gorgeous neighbour Beckett Ford who has secrets of his own along with a group of Ducks that do whatever they damn well please with hilarious outcomes much to our delicious Duck Daddy's frustration. Ducks Bob and Willow are legends and definitely need their own merch! The path to true love never runs smoothly as our Duck Whisperer Beckett and Alien Tenticle Pirate romance reading Frankie soon learn but nothing will deter our matchmaking ducks and the chemistry that continues to bubble and burn brighter with the turn of every page in this great book. Frankie has amazing support in her best friends Tess and Oz who encourage the crazy and positively thrive on it as they try to persuade our Frankie to explore things with Beckett. Whilst Beckett is being supported and encouraged by his sinfully delicious brothers Hank, Nate, Caleb and Jaime who all need stories of their own along with Tess and Oz as Peachtree Bluff really is the place to be. We definitely need to see more of Ruth and Edna they are iconic no question and I am looking forward to Nate and Piper Jameson's story their book looks like fireworks will be headed their way! Overall this was an engaging story from beginning to end and had well developed and hilarious characters and moments in time, with twists and turns along the way. I am now eager to read more of this authors work and consider myself a fan and know you will be too! Happy Reading! 5 out of 5 Stars.
This book was such a cute and compelling read! Just My Ducking Luck by LC Taylor had me cackling almost the entire time!
Frankie storms into town determined to rebuild her life after a toxic past, and her colorful personality immediately clashes with her quiet, grumpy neighbor Beckett.
Frankie is fierce, independent, and impossible not to root for, while Beckett's grumpy exterior slowly softening was very satisfying.
Their dynamic is hilariously entertaining. The banter is sharp, the tension builds perfectly, and the chemistry between them makes the slow burn completely worth it.
I loved the mix of humor, heart, and small town charm. The ducks added such a quirky element to the story, and the side characters also added to this romcom.
If you enjoy enemies to lovers, forced proximity, grumpy/sunshine, some spice, slow burn with romcom vibes, then this one is definitely worth picking up.
Such a cute, funny romance book and I can't wait to see more from this author!
A Refreshing and Heartfelt Grumpy/Sunshine Romance
This book is a delightful mix of small-town charm and personal reinvention. The story follows Frankie as she "stomps" away from a toxic past to find freedom, bringing a "pink bomb" of chaos that is exactly what her withdrawn neighbor, Beckett, needs to heal. Their banter is sharp, and the grumpy/sunshine chemistry is executed perfectly. What truly sets this story apart is the strong character development; Frankie remains true to her determined, complex self throughout. The addition of the Ford brothers and a surprisingly endearing flock of ducks adds a unique layer of humor and heart. It is a poignant, entertaining read that proves love can find you even when you’ve stopped looking for it. I am officially a fan of this author and hope to see the Ford brothers get their own books soon!
I thought I was picking up a cute rom com. What I got was elite banter, criminally slow burn tension, and Bob the duck… who is absolute chaos and 100% trying to steal the show. I’m obsessed. I need a Bob.
Frankie is a sarcastic menace with zero hesitation and even less restraint. She barrels straight into Beckett’s carefully guarded world and starts lighting matches.
And Beckett? Everything. Protective. Steady. Quietly wrecked behind walls built from hurt. Watching Frankie tear those walls down piece by piece is the real romance.
The banter crackles. The tension builds until it’s unbearable. The spice is earned and lands exactly when it should and when it does it… you get why the Author made you wait for it… delicious!
Giggles. Swoons. Feet kicked.
10/10. I would absolutely spiral over them again..
This is my first LC Taylor book. I actually know her in real life, so it is super cool getting to ARC read for her.
I would actually give this closer to 4 1/2 stars. Spice is around 2.5 chili peppers. Definitely not too much and perfectly timed within the story.
Great storyline with drama, enemies-to-lovers, ducks, romance, and tons of comedy. This book had me laughing out loud several times. I loved the two main characters as well as Tess and all of Beckett's brothers. It looks like LC has set this up for a series which I am all in for!
I think this book would make a fabulous audiobook.
Recent divorcee and bookstore owner Francesca “Frankie” Bellamy Monroe & brooding Duck Daddy Billionaire Tech genius Beckett Ford. Romcom at its finest. Laugh. Swoon. Sass and sexy scenes. Drama with the ex. Drama with former business. Bob and Willow. Best friends are essential. Brothers are a nuisance but required. The title alone should clue you in but reading is an entire delight. Segue into next book with fireman Nate and his old love Piper Jameson. A series worth reading. I received a BookFunnel copy and voluntarily leave an honest review.
Fans of Lucy Score will fall hard over this charming small-town romance!
Never have I fallen so hard for a grumpy/sunshine romance! Frankie and Bennett are romantic comedy gold. Sleep was gladly given to the reader Gods as I devoured every page of this book!
The ducks were a charming and adorable addition, the banter was off the charts, and the devastatingly romantic moments tore at my heartstrings, making this couple one of my all-time favorites!
Just My Ducking Luck is on the Read Again pile, along with anything else Ms. Taylor writes!
loved this book and the cover is prefect for the story
Ok i’m not gonna lie I bought the book for the cover partly, for I do follow him on Instagram and for the description I mean come on who doesn’t love a book with domestic ducks this is fantastic I like the depth to the story I liked the interaction I cannot wait for the second book to see what all carries over into it the dynamics between the brothers is wonderful the friendships are wonderful I really enjoyed the book and I’m very excited for the next one plus this was my first book by this author
This was a 4.5 🌟 for me. It was such a great read. It had me laughing out loud so many times. The humor and banter between the characters were a chef’s kiss! The gruff billionaire MMC and his pet ducks had me absolutely falling in love with them. The MFC was a recently divorced bookstore owner that was a bit of a smart ass. The chemistry between these two along with their family and friends was refreshing, hilarious and kept me wanting more of the story.
Hilarious. I loved everything about this book. Beckett was the grumpy duck loving neighbor. Frankie left her town of Atlanta after her divorce. She bought a house next to Beckett. She opened a book store in the front portion of her house. They were basically having neighbor wars. But they each had their own issues dealing with. Frankie’s past kept coming to her door. Beckett and his siblings all lived in the town except one who was in the military.
Ducking Amazing!!! I am brand new to this author and if all her books are even half as good as this one I am in!! This book had me hooked instantly and was entertaining throughout. Frankie is starting over and finally finding who she truly is. Beckett is hiding in his home town after finding success and betrayal in New York. The grumpy/sunshine vibes are absolutely perfect and Frankie's level of chaos is just what Beckett needs to heal and move on. The Ford brothers are phenomenal and I really hope that we get more of them soon!
Our main characters in this book is Frankie and Beckett and about the cutest ducks. Bob and Willow.
This was such a cute book. I really loved it. Made me laugh, I loved Beckett. He was so grumpy, and Frankie was a pistol. I loved her personality. I definitely recommend this book.
Side note. I live in Georgia and have been to this book store Shelf Love. Its such a cute bookstore.
Frankie. Beckett. Bob. Willow. What can I say? This book was so sweet and the banter and duck interactions were superb! I loved the storyline and always love some quirky pets who have minds of their own! I’m hoping this turns into a series, because Beckett has a few brothers who need their own books!
I had the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Just My Ducking Luck by L.C. Taylor. This is book one in the Love Gone Wild Series which will contain interconnected standalone novels. This book had me giggling and kicking my feet, and then wanting to dive into the pages and kick some of the characters. L.C. does a great job pulling you into the story and making the story relatable. I loved the cross over of using the name of her real life bookstore as the name of the bookstore in the book! If you love grumpy/sunshine, and adorable duck’s, I would highly recommend giving this book a read.
This quickly became one of my favorite books I've ever read. I, laughed out loud so many times. Beckett and Frankie were great, but.....Bob....top tier character.
Like Tess I can't wait to know more about the hot brother buffet. Please continue this as a series.
Just My Ducking Luck is a quirky rom-com that blends humor, heart-ache and self-healing into a fun storyline that really elevates the enemies to lovers trope. As new neighbors, the push and pull chemistry between these two is instant, hilarious and full of tender sweet moments.
Frankie, the FMC, is a recent divorcee trying to start over and open her own romance bookshop to fill with spicy indie books to share with the world and spread her love of romance novels. Her bubbly, sassy attitude is something I immediately loved and a character that I could instantly connect with. The growth she overcame was heart-felt, enduring and brought me to tears. Beckett, the MMC, is the secret billionaire, running from his hurtful past. He may start off gruff & grumpy but he’s an absolute cinnamon-roll that was victimized by people he trusted and deserves so much happiness. The fact that he runs back home, after his trauma, and takes in ducks for his emotional support animals should say it all!!
I loved all the references to some of the smutty indie romance authors, their books and a local indie bookstore (which is actually close to my house). It made me so giddy to see these included and made the book feel more real to me.
These ducks, especially Bob, steal the show. Their antics & involvement in this couple's relationship will have you laughing so hard!!
I received this as an Advanced Readers Copy from Shelf Love Atlanta so thank you! A great small town rom-com. Great pallet cleanser. Just enough spice. The characters were funny and relatable and the ducks were adorable. I hope this becomes a series.
I absolutely love this book. There were moments that I laughed out loud and could not even contain it. Bob totally stole the show. This is my first time reading this author and this book was amazing.
The chemistry between Beckett and Frankie is volatile but quirky. Love the sass that Frankie shows. Absolutely fell in love with the bookstore and support of indie authors. But the real star of the whole book of course is Bob! He just steals the limelight.
💬 Favorite Quote: “ i’m not saying I want him, I’m saying if he asked, I wouldn’t exactly file a complaint” Not exactly a quote but the authors note- “For the smut readers: may your batteries stay charged, your pages stay sticky(from snacks, obviously), and you one-handed Kindle grip stay strong.” 😂
💭 My Thoughts: This was such a fun read! It follows Frankie, a recently divorced woman who moves into an old house to renovate and start fresh — only to meet her grumpy, duck daddy, Beckett.
The humor in this book was everything. Frankie’s sarcastic inner monologue and the witty banter had me laughing out loud more than once. The chemistry between Frankie and Beckett is so good — the tension is undeniable and had me kicking my feet the whole way through. Their dynamic just works. And the ducks? Obviously a highlight.
✨ Tropes & Vibes: 💞 grumpy/sunshine 🔥 slow burn 🥹 found family
Overall: A funny, flirty, feel-good romance with great banter and lovable characters. Frankie and Beckett completely won me over.
Just My Ducking Luck is an absolute delight - a romantic comedy that blends humor, heartache, and healing into one unforgettable story. The grumpy-and-sunshine dynamic shines here, with a broody, duck-obsessed hero carrying a tragic past and a warm, resilient heroine who owns the town’s smuttiest little bookstore. As new neighbors, their clash-and-spark chemistry is instant, hilarious, and unexpectedly tender.
The book balances laugh-out-loud moments with beautifully emotional ones, creating a story that feels both comforting and fresh. The characters are lovable, the banter is sharp, and the journey from guarded hearts to genuine connection is incredibly satisfying. It’s sweet, it’s funny, it��s tragic in all the right ways, and it leaves you smiling long after the last page. Period.