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As Luck Would Have It
'A hilarious and charming read that had me turning the pages until I’d devoured the whole book in one sitting… Sweet, heart-warming and full of gorgeously escapist descriptions… A must-read.' Daily Express, 5 stars
Natalie Jackson might keep up appearances on Instagram, but in reality her fiancé has just jilted her after the birth of their baby and she’s moved back in with her mum. Life isn’t exactly going to plan!
So when she enters the village raffle for the holiday of a lifetime, she thinks she has no chance of winning. But her name is pulled out – and, as luck would have it, so is a ticket bought by her childhood nemesis: Will Brimble.
Surely a romantic holiday for two is the worst idea ever…right?
Perfect for fans of Sophie Kinsella, Sophie Ranald and Lindsey Kelk.
Natalie Jackson might keep up appearances on Instagram, but in reality her fiancé has just jilted her after the birth of their baby and she’s moved back in with her mum. Life isn’t exactly going to plan!
So when she enters the village raffle for the holiday of a lifetime, she thinks she has no chance of winning. But her name is pulled out – and, as luck would have it, so is a ticket bought by her childhood nemesis: Will Brimble.
Surely a romantic holiday for two is the worst idea ever…right?
Perfect for fans of Sophie Kinsella, Sophie Ranald and Lindsey Kelk.
384 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 4, 2019
About the author
Zoe May
8 books125 followersZoe May writes romantic comedies published by Harper Collins and is also an indie author. Zoe has dreamt of being a novelist since she was a teenager. She spent her twenties living London, where she worked in journalism and copywriting before writing her debut novel, Perfect Match. Having experienced the London dating scene first hand, Zoe could not resist writing a novel about dating, since it seems to supply endless amounts of weird and wonderful material!
Perfect Match was one of Apple's top-selling books of 2018. It was also shortlisted for the Romantic Novelists' Association's Joan Hessayon Award, with judges describing it as 'a laugh-out-loud look at love and self-discovery - fresh and very funny.'
Zoe is also the author of How (Not) To Date A Prince (May, 2018), When Polly Met Olly (January, 2019) and As Luck Would Have It (July, 2019).
In July 2020, Zoe will be publishing her first self-published romantic comedy, Flying Solo.
As well as writing, Zoe enjoys walking her dog, painting and, of course, reading.
Zoe loves to hear from readers, you can contact her on Twitter and Instagram, where her handle is @zoe_writes.
Or check out her blogs and latest news on her website, www.zoemayauthor.co.uk.
Perfect Match was one of Apple's top-selling books of 2018. It was also shortlisted for the Romantic Novelists' Association's Joan Hessayon Award, with judges describing it as 'a laugh-out-loud look at love and self-discovery - fresh and very funny.'
Zoe is also the author of How (Not) To Date A Prince (May, 2018), When Polly Met Olly (January, 2019) and As Luck Would Have It (July, 2019).
In July 2020, Zoe will be publishing her first self-published romantic comedy, Flying Solo.
As well as writing, Zoe enjoys walking her dog, painting and, of course, reading.
Zoe loves to hear from readers, you can contact her on Twitter and Instagram, where her handle is @zoe_writes.
Or check out her blogs and latest news on her website, www.zoemayauthor.co.uk.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
August 2, 2020
My Rating:
3.5
Favorite Quotes:
I told my friends that he ‘wasn’t really an office person’ which, looking back on it, was just a nice way of saying he was pretty much unemployable.
Rowena picks up her phone and shows me an array of cross-stitch creations in frames on the walls of her book-lined flat… There are a few slightly bizarre but surprisingly life-like portraits of her cat, who she tells me is called Mittens. There’s even a feminist design of a uterus and ovaries with the slogan ‘Grow a pair’.
I glance over at him and there it is. Just out there. In plain sight. And I can see instantly how he got the nickname ‘the cruise ship’. As far as ships go, it’s a big one.
My Review:
This was a sweet and amusing second chance romance/women’s fiction story for a first love couple sixteen years later. I always enjoy Ms. May’s humorous descriptions and wry wit and this book came with the added bonus of an international travel adventure to an exotic land I’ve never ventured to, Morocco. The slowly developing storylines were easy to follow, peppered with humor, and cast with likable and earnest characters. I adored Will Brimble.
3.5
Favorite Quotes:
I told my friends that he ‘wasn’t really an office person’ which, looking back on it, was just a nice way of saying he was pretty much unemployable.
Rowena picks up her phone and shows me an array of cross-stitch creations in frames on the walls of her book-lined flat… There are a few slightly bizarre but surprisingly life-like portraits of her cat, who she tells me is called Mittens. There’s even a feminist design of a uterus and ovaries with the slogan ‘Grow a pair’.
I glance over at him and there it is. Just out there. In plain sight. And I can see instantly how he got the nickname ‘the cruise ship’. As far as ships go, it’s a big one.
My Review:
This was a sweet and amusing second chance romance/women’s fiction story for a first love couple sixteen years later. I always enjoy Ms. May’s humorous descriptions and wry wit and this book came with the added bonus of an international travel adventure to an exotic land I’ve never ventured to, Morocco. The slowly developing storylines were easy to follow, peppered with humor, and cast with likable and earnest characters. I adored Will Brimble.
Read
July 10, 2019DNF 5%
No rating.
I know I didn't read much of this, but I knew this early that the book wasn't for me.
The parts I read was just the main characters inner thoughts, there was too much info dumping about her background, and it just didn't hold my attention. Every time I picked it up, I could only manage a couple of pages before my attention wandered.
I finally decided to DNF this when the main character was debating whether to go to a village fête with her mum...
The writing style and characters were just not my cup of tea ☹️
*Thanks to Netgalley and HQ Digital for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review*
No rating.
I know I didn't read much of this, but I knew this early that the book wasn't for me.
The parts I read was just the main characters inner thoughts, there was too much info dumping about her background, and it just didn't hold my attention. Every time I picked it up, I could only manage a couple of pages before my attention wandered.
I finally decided to DNF this when the main character was debating whether to go to a village fête with her mum...
The writing style and characters were just not my cup of tea ☹️
*Thanks to Netgalley and HQ Digital for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review*
August 8, 2020
When you are cooped up at home hardly venturing outside, the best thing to do is enter into the fictional universe and if the said fiction offers you some travel experience . . . well, its time for a foreign holiday. We are off to Morocco to have some fabulous time in a luxury hotel with Natalie and Will.
Life has offered Nat and Will a second chance to rekindle their first love; both are back at their hometown with enough baggage to last a lifetime. Nat is a single mother and Will a divorcee. So when both their names are picked accidentally in the village raffle, they really need to cooperate for this to work. Things go awry when they are mistaken for a honeymoon couple and the charade starts right from the airport when they are offered an upgrade. The room in the hotel turns out to be a honeymoon suite and trouble starts there for our protagonists offering hilarious moments to us readers.
Marrakesh provides one of the great settings for a romantic getaway with its genuine hospitality and warmth. I would have preferred the story to be slightly longer though. That being said, this was a breezy, funny romance and a perfect cure for the lockdown blues.
Life has offered Nat and Will a second chance to rekindle their first love; both are back at their hometown with enough baggage to last a lifetime. Nat is a single mother and Will a divorcee. So when both their names are picked accidentally in the village raffle, they really need to cooperate for this to work. Things go awry when they are mistaken for a honeymoon couple and the charade starts right from the airport when they are offered an upgrade. The room in the hotel turns out to be a honeymoon suite and trouble starts there for our protagonists offering hilarious moments to us readers.
Marrakesh provides one of the great settings for a romantic getaway with its genuine hospitality and warmth. I would have preferred the story to be slightly longer though. That being said, this was a breezy, funny romance and a perfect cure for the lockdown blues.
July 10, 2019
i found as luck would have it a light, fun summer read, it was sweet and refreshing and i generally did enjoy it. i enjoyed the characters through out the book and found at certain point through the book i ended up laughing out loud. It is an enjoyable romance, a very light easy read, no angst or drama with some moments of humour.
I found the ending to be some what rushed I felt as if the story could of been abit longer but other than that I did enjoy it.
I found the ending to be some what rushed I felt as if the story could of been abit longer but other than that I did enjoy it.
August 19, 2019
I've been meaning to read a book by Zoe May for a while, so when I spotted a trip to Morocco in the blurb of this latest release, I knew i we going to read it, after all I do love a foreign holiday!
Will and Nat were really close as children but then haven't spoken to each other in many years.
When they both manage to win the same romantic holiday for 2, they agree to go together, as the both really need a break.
Where the story really gets going for me, is once they are at the airport and given an upgrade, as they are on their "honeymoon".
Even the luxury hotel seem to think they are newly weds and the lengths they go to to despite the fact that they barely know each other as adults, are really amusing.
I loved getting to see Marrakesh through their eyes we really get a great feel for the city, and the writing really transported me there.
This was feel good rom-com at its very best, and made for a wonderful couple of hours of reading poolside on holiday!
Thoroughly enjoyable, I really do I need to read more from this amusing author.
Thank you to Netgalley and HQ Digital for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
Will and Nat were really close as children but then haven't spoken to each other in many years.
When they both manage to win the same romantic holiday for 2, they agree to go together, as the both really need a break.
Where the story really gets going for me, is once they are at the airport and given an upgrade, as they are on their "honeymoon".
Even the luxury hotel seem to think they are newly weds and the lengths they go to to despite the fact that they barely know each other as adults, are really amusing.
I loved getting to see Marrakesh through their eyes we really get a great feel for the city, and the writing really transported me there.
This was feel good rom-com at its very best, and made for a wonderful couple of hours of reading poolside on holiday!
Thoroughly enjoyable, I really do I need to read more from this amusing author.
Thank you to Netgalley and HQ Digital for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
March 30, 2020
3 stars!
This book was middling, what was supposed to be a second chance romance plus travel adventure gets stuck in between and doesn't do full justice. The description of Marakeech was read worthy but nothing else felt authentic, the author was using the right words probably but it did not make me feel anything. I guess am being harsh on it because I spent more than an average book on Kindle for a book in this genre and it did not live up to the money's worth.
The author's Perfect Match was a far better book with a nice element of surprise, this falls short a bit
This book was middling, what was supposed to be a second chance romance plus travel adventure gets stuck in between and doesn't do full justice. The description of Marakeech was read worthy but nothing else felt authentic, the author was using the right words probably but it did not make me feel anything. I guess am being harsh on it because I spent more than an average book on Kindle for a book in this genre and it did not live up to the money's worth.
The author's Perfect Match was a far better book with a nice element of surprise, this falls short a bit
August 5, 2020
*** Many thanks to Rachel for tour invite and author for providing review copy. ***
As Luck Would Have It was amusing romcom that revolved around Natalie’s holiday romance. It was about letting go of past, second chance at love, enjoying life and taking risk at chance of love and happiness.
I enjoyed first half of the book. It was fun, fast paced and entertaining. Natalie had refreshing voice. Second half was all about Marrakech, their 5 days together and fake relationship along with knowing each other more worked like charm. This part was a bit slow but I loved beautiful description of Marrakech.
Overall, As Luck Would Have It was feel good, entertaining, and enjoyable chick-lit with amazing setting. I recommend this to fans of romcom.
Read full review on my book blog by following this link- http://booksteacupnreviews.com/2020/0...
As Luck Would Have It was amusing romcom that revolved around Natalie’s holiday romance. It was about letting go of past, second chance at love, enjoying life and taking risk at chance of love and happiness.
I enjoyed first half of the book. It was fun, fast paced and entertaining. Natalie had refreshing voice. Second half was all about Marrakech, their 5 days together and fake relationship along with knowing each other more worked like charm. This part was a bit slow but I loved beautiful description of Marrakech.
Overall, As Luck Would Have It was feel good, entertaining, and enjoyable chick-lit with amazing setting. I recommend this to fans of romcom.
Read full review on my book blog by following this link- http://booksteacupnreviews.com/2020/0...
July 19, 2019
This book was just okay. It just did not have enough substance for me leaving the story a little flat. I felt Natalie, the protagonist, was very childish at times. For example, the fundraiser scene where she sees Will for the first time after several years. She acted like she was sixteen all over again. It was so cringe worthy. I felt quite embarrassed for her. I felt the story at times was a bit melodramatic. There was a scene, approximately three pages long, where they could not get over the fact that a tour bus left without them because they were a couple of minutes late, really?
The connection between Natalie and Will was sweet but lacked depth. I did like Will as a character, much more than Natalie, but unfortunately it was not enough to carry the story. I just felt this book was trying too hard to be romantic and funny yet sincere.
The connection between Natalie and Will was sweet but lacked depth. I did like Will as a character, much more than Natalie, but unfortunately it was not enough to carry the story. I just felt this book was trying too hard to be romantic and funny yet sincere.
July 8, 2019
As Luck Would Have It by Zoe May is the most delightful contemporary novel that celebrates love and friendship. It is a light-hearted and extremely amusing read that literally had me laughing out loud.
Zoe May writes stories that warm your heart and leave you smiling and feeling good about life. Her characters have a chemistry that is contagious. The dialogue delightfully bounces between them.
From temperate England to hot Marrakech, the reader is in for a real treat. Comprehensive descriptions enable the reader to ‘walk’ through the narrative with the characters. We ‘experience’ sultry and exotic Marrakech from the confines of our sofa.
United by school day memories the two main characters show what true friendship is – it is being comfortable in the presence of another and caring more for them than for self.
Past hurts mean that hearts are guarded. It is beautiful to witness walls coming down and hearts being set free.
I absolutely adored As Luck Would Have It. It is a beautiful and highly amusing feel-good novel. One that remains long after the last page is read. I love Zoe May’s style of writing where the world is a more beautiful place when viewed through her eyes.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
Zoe May writes stories that warm your heart and leave you smiling and feeling good about life. Her characters have a chemistry that is contagious. The dialogue delightfully bounces between them.
From temperate England to hot Marrakech, the reader is in for a real treat. Comprehensive descriptions enable the reader to ‘walk’ through the narrative with the characters. We ‘experience’ sultry and exotic Marrakech from the confines of our sofa.
United by school day memories the two main characters show what true friendship is – it is being comfortable in the presence of another and caring more for them than for self.
Past hurts mean that hearts are guarded. It is beautiful to witness walls coming down and hearts being set free.
I absolutely adored As Luck Would Have It. It is a beautiful and highly amusing feel-good novel. One that remains long after the last page is read. I love Zoe May’s style of writing where the world is a more beautiful place when viewed through her eyes.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
January 23, 2021
Well, put it this way. I started this late last night. And I finished today.
Usually indicative of a good read, for me!
Natalie is thirty-two and living back at home with her mum, baby in arms. Not the situation she ever imagined herself in, but then again, you don't really imagine your fiancé cheating on you, do you?
Will is also back in town, a failed marriage, and redundancy on his shoulders.
They both meet, or reconnect, at a local fundraiser, where they are involved in a raffle prize mix up and end up on a romantic getaway to Marrakech, together!
I've never been to Marrakech, but I really want to go, now, reading about the colourful markets, the scenery, the delicious food, and the mint tea - well that just sounds delicious.
But let me get back to the story.
It's a second chance romance, in essence, with two people who have a shared past, meeting up in different circumstances, that turn out, this time to be better ones.
Natalie is, or was, a feisty, working woman, who now feels less confident about love and relationships after having her awful experience with her fiancé, Leroy. (Leroy. Hm, I'm sorry but even the description of him made me turn up my nose, and snarl a little. what a git!) As a mother, she has more at stake than your average single woman.
Will is a gem. I loved learning little snippets about him, and he seems like the most wonderful, kind-hearted character until you find out what he did to Natalie during those fragile teenage years.
Thrown together on a romantic break, in a beautiful setting - so much could happen, couldn't it? There are countless gigglesome moments, where confusion reigns, and the lies they have to tell, to justify them being in this beautiful Honeymoon Suite make you cringe, and laugh at the same time.
Will they overcome the past, and embrace the accidental holiday they won?
Well, I'm not telling you, but I put the book down, smiling!
Usually indicative of a good read, for me!
Natalie is thirty-two and living back at home with her mum, baby in arms. Not the situation she ever imagined herself in, but then again, you don't really imagine your fiancé cheating on you, do you?
Will is also back in town, a failed marriage, and redundancy on his shoulders.
They both meet, or reconnect, at a local fundraiser, where they are involved in a raffle prize mix up and end up on a romantic getaway to Marrakech, together!
I've never been to Marrakech, but I really want to go, now, reading about the colourful markets, the scenery, the delicious food, and the mint tea - well that just sounds delicious.
But let me get back to the story.
It's a second chance romance, in essence, with two people who have a shared past, meeting up in different circumstances, that turn out, this time to be better ones.
Natalie is, or was, a feisty, working woman, who now feels less confident about love and relationships after having her awful experience with her fiancé, Leroy. (Leroy. Hm, I'm sorry but even the description of him made me turn up my nose, and snarl a little. what a git!) As a mother, she has more at stake than your average single woman.
Will is a gem. I loved learning little snippets about him, and he seems like the most wonderful, kind-hearted character until you find out what he did to Natalie during those fragile teenage years.
Thrown together on a romantic break, in a beautiful setting - so much could happen, couldn't it? There are countless gigglesome moments, where confusion reigns, and the lies they have to tell, to justify them being in this beautiful Honeymoon Suite make you cringe, and laugh at the same time.
Will they overcome the past, and embrace the accidental holiday they won?
Well, I'm not telling you, but I put the book down, smiling!
May 23, 2020
I didn`t like it. I ended up skimming from 20% on in the book, i really tried to like it. But the main characters were wierd and sometimes both acted like 16 year olds, and not in a good way. Will annoyed me most of the time, but Natalie did it more, she just acted inmature and wierd,..i had really hoped i`d like it. But i didn`t. The storybuilding was alright enough, but i think i`d like the book more if i actually liked the main characters. The Only one i liked was Hera and she was a baby, and didn`t do much. Sadly this one fell through for me.
February 1, 2021
Just a silly inexpensive kindle book to get me through that time in between library books. Nothing special, but a quick silly read!
July 4, 2019
(I received a digital ARC via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.)
To be honest, after 20% progress or so, I skimread the book till the end.
Author spent more than 10% to establish the background of the main character (hello, info dump!) and how she bickered with her mother about whether they'd attend a fundraiser in their village.
Below is my exact note from reading this book:
I tried to count how many times she wrote crackers and cheese (the snack that Natalie, her mother, and her toddler ate during the whole first chapter), wink (Natalie's mother did this a lot), shrug (also this), etc.
Info dump.
Author did tell when it was better to show and vice versa.
Adverbs
More adverbs
Adverbs everywhere
I dislike Natalie as a character and a person
Info dump
Smirk, smirk, wink, smirk
She won the holiday prize
yadda yadda yadda
Honeymoon suite
There was a monkey involved if i'm not mistaken
I forgot to check if she remembered her child even once
I don't think she mentioned her child during the holiday
This passage:
'How about we just get naked, but don't look at each other?' I suggest.
'Okay, I suppose,' Will replies.
' Which one of use is going to get naked first?' I ask, feeling a little anxious.
'Ladies first!'
"Let's both do it.'
'Okay fine,' Will replies.
Another monkey-related incident.
Aaand, I'm done.
To be honest, after 20% progress or so, I skimread the book till the end.
Author spent more than 10% to establish the background of the main character (hello, info dump!) and how she bickered with her mother about whether they'd attend a fundraiser in their village.
Below is my exact note from reading this book:
I tried to count how many times she wrote crackers and cheese (the snack that Natalie, her mother, and her toddler ate during the whole first chapter), wink (Natalie's mother did this a lot), shrug (also this), etc.
Info dump.
Author did tell when it was better to show and vice versa.
Adverbs
More adverbs
Adverbs everywhere
I dislike Natalie as a character and a person
Info dump
Smirk, smirk, wink, smirk
She won the holiday prize
yadda yadda yadda
Honeymoon suite
There was a monkey involved if i'm not mistaken
I forgot to check if she remembered her child even once
I don't think she mentioned her child during the holiday
This passage:
'How about we just get naked, but don't look at each other?' I suggest.
'Okay, I suppose,' Will replies.
' Which one of use is going to get naked first?' I ask, feeling a little anxious.
'Ladies first!'
"Let's both do it.'
'Okay fine,' Will replies.
Another monkey-related incident.
Aaand, I'm done.
October 27, 2019
I was beyond pleasantly surprised by this title - I couldn't get enough of the story or the characters! This was a hate to love trope done so, so, so well. I really enjoyed how realistically and naturally their relationship developed, and was thrilled to see all of the communication that happened between them. I picked it up as a cute summer read and it fit the bill perfectly. Natalie and Will were so great together and the banter was A++. There was also an added bonus with the addition of the storyline regarding Natalie and her little one - I feel like that's a plot that I don't really see in a lot of romantic comedies. I've seen this book compared to Sophie Kinsella and I think it's a perfect descriptor (except this one had a bit more heat than Sophie's!).
July 6, 2019
Thanks for the publisher and NetGalley for Providing me with An ARC in exchange for an honest review .
*****************
” Life Hurts . But life can also be brilliant , thrilling , funny , surprising and joyful. Sometimes you have to risk getting hurt to experience all the other good stuff “
Book : As Luck Would Have It .
Author : Zoe May .
Genre : Romance , Contemporary , Fiction .
Rating : 3/5.
Review in one word : Fine .
*****************
When I always read a romance , I don’t put high expectations as I read it just for fun and good feelings , I don’t mind reading about tropes that I’ve already read about ( second chances , friends to lovers , enemies to lovers ….) , But I like to be able to connect with the characters , to feel the depth of the novel , to actually enjoy it and not feel bored .
As Luck Would Have It was actually a well-written novel , It got all the elements to make it an enjoyable read , the characters with difficult past , Second chance Romance , Vacation Vibes , Humor , great descriptions and amazing writing style .
But for me , I couldn’t enjoy it AT ALL , I couldn’t feel the characters , when they were hurt or feeling sad , I couldn’t feel that , nor when they were happy , and don’t get me start talking about the main couple’s chemistry, the story was so cold , no spark at all between Nat and will .
In my opinion , this story lacks depth and feelings .
I would have loved it more , If we explored their relation more , how they developed feelings for each other the first time I was really interested in their past during high-school period rather than their pasts with their ex-s .
The story mentioned their working fields which are really interesting but we didn’t have one scene where we see them actually work .
This novel wasn’t for me , but it is not a bad one , it’s well-written as I already mentioned , so people who likes fast , easy romance novels will definitely enjoy this book .
Book Summary :
One holiday can change your life forever… Natalie Jackson might keep up appearances on Instagram, but in reality her fiancé has just jilted her after the birth of their baby and she’s moved back in with her mum. Life isn’t exactly going to plan! So when she enters the village raffle for the holiday of a lifetime, she thinks she has no chance of winning. But her name is pulled out – and, as luck would have it, so is a ticket bought by her childhood nemesis: Will Brimble. Surely a romantic holiday for two is the worst idea ever…right?
you can find the full review on my blog : https://bibliomedico.wordpress.com/20...
*****************
” Life Hurts . But life can also be brilliant , thrilling , funny , surprising and joyful. Sometimes you have to risk getting hurt to experience all the other good stuff “
Book : As Luck Would Have It .
Author : Zoe May .
Genre : Romance , Contemporary , Fiction .
Rating : 3/5.
Review in one word : Fine .
*****************
When I always read a romance , I don’t put high expectations as I read it just for fun and good feelings , I don’t mind reading about tropes that I’ve already read about ( second chances , friends to lovers , enemies to lovers ….) , But I like to be able to connect with the characters , to feel the depth of the novel , to actually enjoy it and not feel bored .
As Luck Would Have It was actually a well-written novel , It got all the elements to make it an enjoyable read , the characters with difficult past , Second chance Romance , Vacation Vibes , Humor , great descriptions and amazing writing style .
But for me , I couldn’t enjoy it AT ALL , I couldn’t feel the characters , when they were hurt or feeling sad , I couldn’t feel that , nor when they were happy , and don’t get me start talking about the main couple’s chemistry, the story was so cold , no spark at all between Nat and will .
In my opinion , this story lacks depth and feelings .
I would have loved it more , If we explored their relation more , how they developed feelings for each other the first time I was really interested in their past during high-school period rather than their pasts with their ex-s .
The story mentioned their working fields which are really interesting but we didn’t have one scene where we see them actually work .
This novel wasn’t for me , but it is not a bad one , it’s well-written as I already mentioned , so people who likes fast , easy romance novels will definitely enjoy this book .
Book Summary :
One holiday can change your life forever… Natalie Jackson might keep up appearances on Instagram, but in reality her fiancé has just jilted her after the birth of their baby and she’s moved back in with her mum. Life isn’t exactly going to plan! So when she enters the village raffle for the holiday of a lifetime, she thinks she has no chance of winning. But her name is pulled out – and, as luck would have it, so is a ticket bought by her childhood nemesis: Will Brimble. Surely a romantic holiday for two is the worst idea ever…right?
you can find the full review on my blog : https://bibliomedico.wordpress.com/20...
July 6, 2019
New mother Natalie is licking her wounds. Jilted by her ex fiancé, she's come back to live with Mum. Juggling being a single mother and business owner isn't easy, but she's determined to make it work. There's no time for distractions, though, and Will Brimble, the boy that broke her heart sixteen years ago, well he's certainly that.
When they both end up winning a holiday at the town raffle they decide to be adults about it. They both really need a vacation, surely they can stick together without....er… being together. The more time she spends with him, though, the more she wonders if it might not be worth a second shot.
For the most part this was one of those fluffy, feel good books that just make you smile without being one of the great modern classics. I adored the premise and the fact that May did not shy away from the emotions her characters felt or the fact that they were dealing with some heavier issues, yet the book never felt heavy. It was a quick, fun read with really charming characters. Honestly I loved it- it checked all my modern romance criteria! I will be looking into more of her books.
Our main characters, Will and Natalie, have both been through the ringer and it really shows. Natalie's a little gun shy, insecure and unsure of her footing where dating is concerned- she's a single mum.... does she even want to? Will took the loss of his father hard and started looking at what he wanted from life- but can he have that with Natalie. The issues made a lot of sense and watching them together was nice, it seemed... honest. Even when I wanted to strangle them, I was rooting for them. You get sucked into this story, the misadventures and snappy dialogue. I couldn't put it down. For me, this is a four star book.
On the adult content scale there's some sexual innuendo, very light sexual content and language. It's very tame, really and I would say it's appropriate for most 16+. Let's give it a three.
I was lucky enough to receive an eARC from Netgalley and HQ Digital in exchange for an honest review. My thanks!
When they both end up winning a holiday at the town raffle they decide to be adults about it. They both really need a vacation, surely they can stick together without....er… being together. The more time she spends with him, though, the more she wonders if it might not be worth a second shot.
For the most part this was one of those fluffy, feel good books that just make you smile without being one of the great modern classics. I adored the premise and the fact that May did not shy away from the emotions her characters felt or the fact that they were dealing with some heavier issues, yet the book never felt heavy. It was a quick, fun read with really charming characters. Honestly I loved it- it checked all my modern romance criteria! I will be looking into more of her books.
Our main characters, Will and Natalie, have both been through the ringer and it really shows. Natalie's a little gun shy, insecure and unsure of her footing where dating is concerned- she's a single mum.... does she even want to? Will took the loss of his father hard and started looking at what he wanted from life- but can he have that with Natalie. The issues made a lot of sense and watching them together was nice, it seemed... honest. Even when I wanted to strangle them, I was rooting for them. You get sucked into this story, the misadventures and snappy dialogue. I couldn't put it down. For me, this is a four star book.
On the adult content scale there's some sexual innuendo, very light sexual content and language. It's very tame, really and I would say it's appropriate for most 16+. Let's give it a three.
I was lucky enough to receive an eARC from Netgalley and HQ Digital in exchange for an honest review. My thanks!
September 13, 2020
I have been fortunate enough to read Flying Solo by Zoe May, so I jumped at the chance to read As Luck Would Have It and I wasn't disappointed.
Natalie Jackson thought she had it all: a successful career, a new baby and a fiancé that she loved. What she hadn't realised was that her fiancé did not feel the same way. At all. So when she finds herself back living with her Mum so that she has help with baby Hera, she can't help but feel her life has moved backwards somewhat.
Will Brimble finds himself divorced, having lost his job and back in his home town of Chiddingfold. When he unexpectedly bumps into Natalie at a village charity night after more than a decade, he finds himself competing with her in the raffle for the star prize - a five star trip to Marrakech. He REALLY wants to win that holiday. What he doesn't bank on, is Natalie wanting it as much as he does! When fate unexpectedly throws them together, they find themselves on their way to the luxurious destination - together!
Natalie and Will are both desperate for a holiday, and a five star luxury break is just what they both need. Whilst they hadn't anticipated doing it together, they find themselves reconnecting after such a long time apart. Naturally, their five star luxury break is anything but plain sailing but where would the fun be in that?!
This was a great, light, easy-read novel. I really enjoyed the characters of both Will and Natalie. Both were believable - you could understand their hesitance in a number of situations due to their past experiences. I loved the Marrakech setting, you could really feel the vibrance of the streets and the opulence of the hotel they were staying at. It was actually really great to read a novel not set in a stereotypical romantic location.
I am more than happy to recommend this novel to you all - so grab a copy, a glass of wine and find yourself an outdoor spot to read it and relax in the glorious sunshine!
Natalie Jackson thought she had it all: a successful career, a new baby and a fiancé that she loved. What she hadn't realised was that her fiancé did not feel the same way. At all. So when she finds herself back living with her Mum so that she has help with baby Hera, she can't help but feel her life has moved backwards somewhat.
Will Brimble finds himself divorced, having lost his job and back in his home town of Chiddingfold. When he unexpectedly bumps into Natalie at a village charity night after more than a decade, he finds himself competing with her in the raffle for the star prize - a five star trip to Marrakech. He REALLY wants to win that holiday. What he doesn't bank on, is Natalie wanting it as much as he does! When fate unexpectedly throws them together, they find themselves on their way to the luxurious destination - together!
Natalie and Will are both desperate for a holiday, and a five star luxury break is just what they both need. Whilst they hadn't anticipated doing it together, they find themselves reconnecting after such a long time apart. Naturally, their five star luxury break is anything but plain sailing but where would the fun be in that?!
This was a great, light, easy-read novel. I really enjoyed the characters of both Will and Natalie. Both were believable - you could understand their hesitance in a number of situations due to their past experiences. I loved the Marrakech setting, you could really feel the vibrance of the streets and the opulence of the hotel they were staying at. It was actually really great to read a novel not set in a stereotypical romantic location.
I am more than happy to recommend this novel to you all - so grab a copy, a glass of wine and find yourself an outdoor spot to read it and relax in the glorious sunshine!
August 5, 2019
A delightful story about second chances. Natalie is horrified to find herself at thirty-two - a single mother and back living with her mother in Chiddingfold. Her boyfriend Leroy left her when baby Hera was just two weeks’ old. It works well living with her mother though, Natalie has been able to continue her job as a fashion and beauty PR agent with her mother willing to help look after adorable Hera, and she has sworn off men for ever so no problems from that point of view. It is going to be her and Hera against the world!
Her mother persuades her to go with her to a fund-raising evening, they have both been going to this annual event since she was about twelve. When she arrives she bumps into Will, the boy who had broken her heart when she was sixteen. He has been a real high-flyer in the newspaper world, often seen on the television reporting on crises around the world; he has been married, and divorced, then lost his job when the newspaper group he worked for sold out to a rival, and the entire staff were made redundant.
They both buy a lot of raffle tickets, as the first prize is a luxury holiday in Marrakesh and they could both do with a relaxing holiday. Due to a misunderstanding they both end up winning, and having to share the holiday. To add to their problems the wrong holiday has been provided, they are given a honeymoon, with a luxurious honeymoon suite; and a sharp eyed hotel owner who disapproves of their passports having different surnames ... and shock, horror! Neither of them are wearing a wedding ring!
The tensions involved are amusing to read and feel very real, as is their gradual relaxing with each other, and getting used to being considered a couple. This is a well written story, it is very funny, and very poignant in places, with a very sweet happy ending. Well worth reading
Her mother persuades her to go with her to a fund-raising evening, they have both been going to this annual event since she was about twelve. When she arrives she bumps into Will, the boy who had broken her heart when she was sixteen. He has been a real high-flyer in the newspaper world, often seen on the television reporting on crises around the world; he has been married, and divorced, then lost his job when the newspaper group he worked for sold out to a rival, and the entire staff were made redundant.
They both buy a lot of raffle tickets, as the first prize is a luxury holiday in Marrakesh and they could both do with a relaxing holiday. Due to a misunderstanding they both end up winning, and having to share the holiday. To add to their problems the wrong holiday has been provided, they are given a honeymoon, with a luxurious honeymoon suite; and a sharp eyed hotel owner who disapproves of their passports having different surnames ... and shock, horror! Neither of them are wearing a wedding ring!
The tensions involved are amusing to read and feel very real, as is their gradual relaxing with each other, and getting used to being considered a couple. This is a well written story, it is very funny, and very poignant in places, with a very sweet happy ending. Well worth reading
August 6, 2020
Originally reviewed for Chick Lit Central (www.chicklitcentral.com)
Having read When Polly Met Olly and Perfect Match, I looked forward to seeing what one of Zoe May’s other reads had in store for me. Both Natalie and Will are great additions to the “family” of romantic characters that May has created, complete with their own uniquely challenged issues where matters of the heart are concerned.
There is a lot of backstory for Natalie and Will, a past that has really set the tone for how Natalie feels about relationships, in general. It doesn’t help that her fiance has jilted her, leaving her to take care of their child all on her own. It has placed a gigantic chip on her shoulder and she doesn’t believe in happily-ever-after, tending to side more with a realistic approach to romance. Will doesn’t have a lot of great things to say about love and romance, either. His past hurts are a direct reflection of what he has gone through, and while he appears to be much more of an optimist, that is not the case where relationships are concerned. Even though Natalie and Will have gone through so much in their young lives, all they’re able to see in one another is how they remember themselves to be from high school.
The romantic holiday comes into play, allowing an opportunity for true clarity, not only for the characters, but for the reader, too. I loved how uncomfortable Natalie and Will are, and there’s nothing better than placing two contrasting personalities into a room and seeing what happens. That’s how I felt nearly the entire time I read As Luck Would Have It. Over time, they discover who they are, now, not who they assume themselves to be, and they have to decide if there is potential in that discovery, or not.
Their travels to exotic lands were intricately detailed. I really appreciated that, because it felt like I was right there, too. It was interesting, the vastly different atmospheres between England, then Marrakech, a city in Morocco. I felt as though in Natalie’s descriptions of her time in England, it’s like the calm before the storm, where we see her living a life of expectancy before she travels to someplace unknown for her, which turns out to be an unexpected experience. It opens her up to new possibilities, with Will on that list. While I felt the ending wrapped up too quickly and I wanted to experience more of the story with a bit more pacing, I enjoyed reading about both characters and where they end up.
Having read When Polly Met Olly and Perfect Match, I looked forward to seeing what one of Zoe May’s other reads had in store for me. Both Natalie and Will are great additions to the “family” of romantic characters that May has created, complete with their own uniquely challenged issues where matters of the heart are concerned.
There is a lot of backstory for Natalie and Will, a past that has really set the tone for how Natalie feels about relationships, in general. It doesn’t help that her fiance has jilted her, leaving her to take care of their child all on her own. It has placed a gigantic chip on her shoulder and she doesn’t believe in happily-ever-after, tending to side more with a realistic approach to romance. Will doesn’t have a lot of great things to say about love and romance, either. His past hurts are a direct reflection of what he has gone through, and while he appears to be much more of an optimist, that is not the case where relationships are concerned. Even though Natalie and Will have gone through so much in their young lives, all they’re able to see in one another is how they remember themselves to be from high school.
The romantic holiday comes into play, allowing an opportunity for true clarity, not only for the characters, but for the reader, too. I loved how uncomfortable Natalie and Will are, and there’s nothing better than placing two contrasting personalities into a room and seeing what happens. That’s how I felt nearly the entire time I read As Luck Would Have It. Over time, they discover who they are, now, not who they assume themselves to be, and they have to decide if there is potential in that discovery, or not.
Their travels to exotic lands were intricately detailed. I really appreciated that, because it felt like I was right there, too. It was interesting, the vastly different atmospheres between England, then Marrakech, a city in Morocco. I felt as though in Natalie’s descriptions of her time in England, it’s like the calm before the storm, where we see her living a life of expectancy before she travels to someplace unknown for her, which turns out to be an unexpected experience. It opens her up to new possibilities, with Will on that list. While I felt the ending wrapped up too quickly and I wanted to experience more of the story with a bit more pacing, I enjoyed reading about both characters and where they end up.
August 6, 2020
Zoe May's novels have come to be a staple part of my reading diet and I love them all but this one may just be my favourite.
Natalie is a single mother living in her mum's house and working from home after moving out of London following a break up. To make matters worse, Natalie's first love and first heart-breaker is back in town too and Natalie hasn't quite forgiven him for an incident when they were younger. When a raffle mishap means they both win a prize of a romantic getaway, the have to pretend to be a couple for the duration. Can they keep up the facade or will they be found out?
I cannot stress enough how real life the character of Natalie is (and all Zoe's characters). She's lost her confidence, juggling motherhood with a job and has generally lost her spark. She's such an adorable character and I loved watching her blossom into a more confident and sparky version of herself throughout the book. Will is a little bit of a character, confident but not in a bad way and quite flirty. The chemistry is there from the very beginning and grows throughout the book. Their imperfectness made them perfect (if that makes sense).
The plot was fun and I found myself chuckling at various points throughout the book. Their efforts at trying to appear as a couple were at times hilarious and the spa scene left me really giggling.
I have never been to Marrakesh but Zoe does a great job of bringing this unfamiliar place alive. She describes the sights, smells and atmosphere with a real passion and I felt like I was there. I loved how the setting moved from luxury hotels to unkempt parks and mountains, giving the reader a real taste of the different experiences there.
I loved this novel and had so much fun reading it. Highly, highly recommended for a lazy day of reading that will bring a huge smile to your face.
Natalie is a single mother living in her mum's house and working from home after moving out of London following a break up. To make matters worse, Natalie's first love and first heart-breaker is back in town too and Natalie hasn't quite forgiven him for an incident when they were younger. When a raffle mishap means they both win a prize of a romantic getaway, the have to pretend to be a couple for the duration. Can they keep up the facade or will they be found out?
I cannot stress enough how real life the character of Natalie is (and all Zoe's characters). She's lost her confidence, juggling motherhood with a job and has generally lost her spark. She's such an adorable character and I loved watching her blossom into a more confident and sparky version of herself throughout the book. Will is a little bit of a character, confident but not in a bad way and quite flirty. The chemistry is there from the very beginning and grows throughout the book. Their imperfectness made them perfect (if that makes sense).
The plot was fun and I found myself chuckling at various points throughout the book. Their efforts at trying to appear as a couple were at times hilarious and the spa scene left me really giggling.
I have never been to Marrakesh but Zoe does a great job of bringing this unfamiliar place alive. She describes the sights, smells and atmosphere with a real passion and I felt like I was there. I loved how the setting moved from luxury hotels to unkempt parks and mountains, giving the reader a real taste of the different experiences there.
I loved this novel and had so much fun reading it. Highly, highly recommended for a lazy day of reading that will bring a huge smile to your face.
August 4, 2020
As Luck Would Have It is a quick read with a short timeline. Packed with witty dialogue, Natalie and Will's journey to a happy ending is eventful, as these childhood sweethearts reunite at a local charity fund-raiser!
Told from Natalie Jackson's point of view, we discover how she and Will ended up back in Chiddingfold, the town where they grew up. To the outside world, Will Brimble used to have it all; a dazzling journalistic career and an equally impressive marriage to an heiress. Now he's rebuilding his life, close to where his widowed mother lives. Natalie runs her PR business from her childhood bedroom after the father of her young daughter abandoned them both. As a single parent, she doesn't have time for relationships any more until fate steps in.
The narrative takes off at the charity event, a fun mix of chaotic humour before the focus shifts to Morocco. I admit, I much preferred the latter as Natalie and Will navigate the awkwardness of their situation. Along with the insightful descriptions of the North African backdrop, Ms May highlights the emotions of the former sweethearts and their self-consciousness especially when the trip is far from what they expected.
The epilogue ties everything up with a pleasurable ending but for me, it's the memories of Morocco which will linger.
Anyone looking for an escapist romance will enjoy As Luck Would Have It. It's perfect for a summer day, whether on the beach or in your favourite reading place. Alternatively, I highly recommend you pick up another novel by Ms May.
***Review copy generously received courtesy of the publisher***
Told from Natalie Jackson's point of view, we discover how she and Will ended up back in Chiddingfold, the town where they grew up. To the outside world, Will Brimble used to have it all; a dazzling journalistic career and an equally impressive marriage to an heiress. Now he's rebuilding his life, close to where his widowed mother lives. Natalie runs her PR business from her childhood bedroom after the father of her young daughter abandoned them both. As a single parent, she doesn't have time for relationships any more until fate steps in.
The narrative takes off at the charity event, a fun mix of chaotic humour before the focus shifts to Morocco. I admit, I much preferred the latter as Natalie and Will navigate the awkwardness of their situation. Along with the insightful descriptions of the North African backdrop, Ms May highlights the emotions of the former sweethearts and their self-consciousness especially when the trip is far from what they expected.
The epilogue ties everything up with a pleasurable ending but for me, it's the memories of Morocco which will linger.
Anyone looking for an escapist romance will enjoy As Luck Would Have It. It's perfect for a summer day, whether on the beach or in your favourite reading place. Alternatively, I highly recommend you pick up another novel by Ms May.
***Review copy generously received courtesy of the publisher***
July 6, 2019
I’m back in the flow of reading and am flying through books yet again. 🍀
This is the perfect summer/holiday read. It’s light hearted and an easy laid back read.
🍀
On the surface Natalie gives this impression that everything in life is perfect however the truth is that she is now a single mum and back living with her own mother.
🍀
She is really feeling low and never expected to be back living back with her Mum- her mother is trying to get her out and socialise. She goes out with her mum to the local village fate and bumps into her old boyfriend from her school days Will. 🍀
She enters the raffle with first prize being a holiday for 2- 🍀
Will anything be rekindled between the two old school love birds???
🍀
This book made me smile and is a great read. The story is just fabulous. 🍀
There was however some parts of the story that I did struggle to warm to Natalie but for me it still works as a story.
🍀
Well written ,the characters are well balanced.
🍀
This is a book to pop into your case or to sit out in the sunshine with a cold drink.
🍀
Thank you to @hqstories for inviting me to participate in this blog tour.
Thank you @zoe_writes 🍀
🌟🌟🌟🌟 #bookcommunity #recommendedreads #fortheloveofreading #bookofig #bookofig #bookstragrammer #asluckwouldhaveit #zoemay #hqstories #readerofig #read #bookblogtour #blogger #reviewer #tylwythtegyllyfr #welshbookfairy #summerread #holidayread
This is the perfect summer/holiday read. It’s light hearted and an easy laid back read.
🍀
On the surface Natalie gives this impression that everything in life is perfect however the truth is that she is now a single mum and back living with her own mother.
🍀
She is really feeling low and never expected to be back living back with her Mum- her mother is trying to get her out and socialise. She goes out with her mum to the local village fate and bumps into her old boyfriend from her school days Will. 🍀
She enters the raffle with first prize being a holiday for 2- 🍀
Will anything be rekindled between the two old school love birds???
🍀
This book made me smile and is a great read. The story is just fabulous. 🍀
There was however some parts of the story that I did struggle to warm to Natalie but for me it still works as a story.
🍀
Well written ,the characters are well balanced.
🍀
This is a book to pop into your case or to sit out in the sunshine with a cold drink.
🍀
Thank you to @hqstories for inviting me to participate in this blog tour.
Thank you @zoe_writes 🍀
🌟🌟🌟🌟 #bookcommunity #recommendedreads #fortheloveofreading #bookofig #bookofig #bookstragrammer #asluckwouldhaveit #zoemay #hqstories #readerofig #read #bookblogtour #blogger #reviewer #tylwythtegyllyfr #welshbookfairy #summerread #holidayread
July 7, 2019
In As Luck Would Have It, we follow Natalie who has moved back into her mum’s in the small village she grew up in. Life is not going to plan as her fiance walked out on her two weeks after she had their baby, but thankfully she is still a successful business woman. She attends the village raffle and when her ticket is drawn for a free holiday, she’s thrilled, but then her childhood sweetheart, Will, who broke her heart wins the other ticket.
As Luck Would Have It was the perfect summer read, a fantastic one to read by the pool on holiday. The Marrakesh back drop was beautifully described and it definitely made me want to take a holiday, so it would have been great to already been away when I read it! It was a light, fun and fast paced read.
Fake dating is one of my favourite tropes and I was really pleased to get that. I enjoyed Natalie and Will being forced together, they had both been through a lot and it felt genuine that they needed that push. They grew together and the romance was really sweet (and not explicit!). I enjoyed that they were open and honest with each other, as I’ve read to many romance books full of miscommunication.
I will say that this book could have been longer. If there wasn’t the epilogue/one year later chapter, I would not have been satisfied with the ending. That final insight into where the characters ended up was definitely needed.
As Luck Would Have It was the perfect summer read, a fantastic one to read by the pool on holiday. The Marrakesh back drop was beautifully described and it definitely made me want to take a holiday, so it would have been great to already been away when I read it! It was a light, fun and fast paced read.
Fake dating is one of my favourite tropes and I was really pleased to get that. I enjoyed Natalie and Will being forced together, they had both been through a lot and it felt genuine that they needed that push. They grew together and the romance was really sweet (and not explicit!). I enjoyed that they were open and honest with each other, as I’ve read to many romance books full of miscommunication.
I will say that this book could have been longer. If there wasn’t the epilogue/one year later chapter, I would not have been satisfied with the ending. That final insight into where the characters ended up was definitely needed.
July 1, 2019
This is a sweet story of second chances. Natalie and Will were childhood sweethearts from a small Surrey village until one day they weren't. Fast forward and they have each made a name for themselves in London and each seemed to have it all until one day they didn't. Both end up back in their little village and bump into each other for the first time in years. Do you ever really stop loving your first love? It would seem so, for Nat. Until they end up having to go on a romantic getaway for 2 to Marrakesh after the town raffle prize draw got out of hand. So the question re-opens for Nat - do you ever really stop loving your first love?
I give this 4.75/5 stars. This was a genuinely lovely story and I love a good second chance romance. I really felt like I could relate to this story more than most books. Nat (like myself a few years ago) found herself a single mum and was trying to traverse the work hard mum hard lifestyle and it was mostly set in Marrakesh on Nat and Will's holiday and that's where my husband and I went on our honeymoon so it was just all the feels for me. Zoe May's incredibly accurate descriptions of Marrakesh and the surrounding desert took me right back to my honeymoon and it was so nice to bask in that sun again in my memories whilst reading this story. I think I had a smile plastered on my face the whole time. It's a quick read and absolutely a perfect holiday read.
Thank you NetGalley and HQ Digitial (and Zoe May) for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I give this 4.75/5 stars. This was a genuinely lovely story and I love a good second chance romance. I really felt like I could relate to this story more than most books. Nat (like myself a few years ago) found herself a single mum and was trying to traverse the work hard mum hard lifestyle and it was mostly set in Marrakesh on Nat and Will's holiday and that's where my husband and I went on our honeymoon so it was just all the feels for me. Zoe May's incredibly accurate descriptions of Marrakesh and the surrounding desert took me right back to my honeymoon and it was so nice to bask in that sun again in my memories whilst reading this story. I think I had a smile plastered on my face the whole time. It's a quick read and absolutely a perfect holiday read.
Thank you NetGalley and HQ Digitial (and Zoe May) for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
May 1, 2020
I couldn’t put this book down and managed to devour it in just one day! A perfectly hilarious summer read if what you’re wanting is something fast paced, easy, funny and fabulous.
At thirty-two, Nat finds herself living back at her mother’s house, but this time as a single mum! She is still running a successful PR business, albeit from her childhood bedroom. After winning a dream holiday she is mortified to find out she must go with her high school sweetheart who broke her heart! They arrive at their destination only to discover they’re staying in the honeymoon sweet and must pretend to be married through their entire trip.
The obvious awkward moments (having to get naked together for one!) had me cringing, and possibly blushing wondering how I would feel in that situation! Especially as, like Nat, I too am the same age having given birth in the not too distant past, so bodily insecurities are a definite issue anyway, never mind in front of someone you fancy!
This is the first book of Zoe’s I have read, but it will not be the last 🙂
At thirty-two, Nat finds herself living back at her mother’s house, but this time as a single mum! She is still running a successful PR business, albeit from her childhood bedroom. After winning a dream holiday she is mortified to find out she must go with her high school sweetheart who broke her heart! They arrive at their destination only to discover they’re staying in the honeymoon sweet and must pretend to be married through their entire trip.
The obvious awkward moments (having to get naked together for one!) had me cringing, and possibly blushing wondering how I would feel in that situation! Especially as, like Nat, I too am the same age having given birth in the not too distant past, so bodily insecurities are a definite issue anyway, never mind in front of someone you fancy!
This is the first book of Zoe’s I have read, but it will not be the last 🙂
May 11, 2020
This is such a wonderfully funny book that will have you smiling throughout. In As Luck Would Have It we meet Natalie, a brilliant character who at the beginning of the book is going through a very tough time. Then she goes and wins her local village raffle which takes her on the most incredible journey with a man from her past, Will.
The relationship develops so beautifully between Natalie and Will and they are just made for each other - thank goodness they both won the raffle! The descriptions of their holiday in Marrakesh in Morocco are so vivid that you can imagine being there and it makes me want to go there and visit the charming markets and admire all the shoes, lanterns, and clothing and other wonderful items on sale.
Such a gorgeous read, the perfect book to be read at any time, but especially during lockdown, it brought pages and pages of laughter and sunshine.
With a stunning cover, and a lovely fun romantic story, with great characters, I totally recommend As Luck Would Have It. Always grab opportunities that come your way and that includes reading this book!
The relationship develops so beautifully between Natalie and Will and they are just made for each other - thank goodness they both won the raffle! The descriptions of their holiday in Marrakesh in Morocco are so vivid that you can imagine being there and it makes me want to go there and visit the charming markets and admire all the shoes, lanterns, and clothing and other wonderful items on sale.
Such a gorgeous read, the perfect book to be read at any time, but especially during lockdown, it brought pages and pages of laughter and sunshine.
With a stunning cover, and a lovely fun romantic story, with great characters, I totally recommend As Luck Would Have It. Always grab opportunities that come your way and that includes reading this book!
August 3, 2020
This isn’t the first book I have read of Zoe May, and I enjoyed it.
I love stories that sweet and fun, that have a good amount of romance and humor, because those are the books that are perfect for a sunny day. A good escape from the daily life we are having.
As we follow Natalie through this adventure, we are taken on a journey. Especially with all the hilarious moments and that takes Natalie and Will on the trip. I loved it!
I also loved the interactions. The fact that Natalie and Will already knew one another, gave the story a deeper understanding and the relationship was real. Which is fantastic because I love when there is a background story and have to learn about it as we read page after page.
Overall, it was funny and sweet, a good book for a summer day, and if you enjoy rom-coms this may be a good book for you.
[I want to thank Rachel, at Rachel’s Random Resources, and Zoe May for the eCopy of this book and for allowing me to join in the fun and being a part of the blog tour with my honest review of the book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.]
I love stories that sweet and fun, that have a good amount of romance and humor, because those are the books that are perfect for a sunny day. A good escape from the daily life we are having.
As we follow Natalie through this adventure, we are taken on a journey. Especially with all the hilarious moments and that takes Natalie and Will on the trip. I loved it!
I also loved the interactions. The fact that Natalie and Will already knew one another, gave the story a deeper understanding and the relationship was real. Which is fantastic because I love when there is a background story and have to learn about it as we read page after page.
Overall, it was funny and sweet, a good book for a summer day, and if you enjoy rom-coms this may be a good book for you.
[I want to thank Rachel, at Rachel’s Random Resources, and Zoe May for the eCopy of this book and for allowing me to join in the fun and being a part of the blog tour with my honest review of the book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.]
June 27, 2019
Thank you to NetGalley, Zoe May and HQ Digital for an Arc of as luck would have it. The cover of this book was adorable and I could immediately tell it was most likely going to be a vacation type romance and I was right. It is also kind of an enemy to lovers romance and those are just my favorite.
Natalie's life has been a whirlwind lately. Her fiancé has left her after the birth of their baby and she has had to move back in with her mom. She decides to take a chance on a raffle for a dream vacation and to her astonishment her name is drawn. Her childhood nemesis Will also wins the trip. Will these two who were once enemies be able to come together and have the vacation of a lifetime?
This book was such a light, cute, romantic read. I was smiling almost the entire time I was reading it. I really felt for Natalie's character and all she had been through as it is similar to my story. If you are a fan of happy endings and enemy to lover romances you must check this book out.
Natalie's life has been a whirlwind lately. Her fiancé has left her after the birth of their baby and she has had to move back in with her mom. She decides to take a chance on a raffle for a dream vacation and to her astonishment her name is drawn. Her childhood nemesis Will also wins the trip. Will these two who were once enemies be able to come together and have the vacation of a lifetime?
This book was such a light, cute, romantic read. I was smiling almost the entire time I was reading it. I really felt for Natalie's character and all she had been through as it is similar to my story. If you are a fan of happy endings and enemy to lover romances you must check this book out.
July 9, 2019
'As Luck Would Have It' has, at its heart, a fun and interesting idea. Unfortunately the book left a lot to be desired.
Sixteen years after Natalie and Will ended their teenaged romance before it even began, the two end up on a romantic holiday together. A lot has happened since Natalie ran away to boarding school, she's a single mother and he's a divorcee, and now they are pretending to be newlyweds ultimately leading to those two words nearly every romance novel leads to: true love.
Fun and interesting. There were some funny scenes and even some relatable ones, but overall the execution wasn't great. Moments when the details should've been brief seemed to drag on while other spots felt rushed. Even though a majority of the story is told inside Natalie's head it was still hard to connect to her and of course, because it was mostly in her head it was hard to connect to Will. There would be these interactions where you're finally getting to see them as people then suddenly it's back to the internal dialogue where we get to see those few sentences dissected across three pages.
I think this could've been a four or five star book if it had just gone through another round or two of drafting and edits.
*received free ARC from netgalley
Sixteen years after Natalie and Will ended their teenaged romance before it even began, the two end up on a romantic holiday together. A lot has happened since Natalie ran away to boarding school, she's a single mother and he's a divorcee, and now they are pretending to be newlyweds ultimately leading to those two words nearly every romance novel leads to: true love.
Fun and interesting. There were some funny scenes and even some relatable ones, but overall the execution wasn't great. Moments when the details should've been brief seemed to drag on while other spots felt rushed. Even though a majority of the story is told inside Natalie's head it was still hard to connect to her and of course, because it was mostly in her head it was hard to connect to Will. There would be these interactions where you're finally getting to see them as people then suddenly it's back to the internal dialogue where we get to see those few sentences dissected across three pages.
I think this could've been a four or five star book if it had just gone through another round or two of drafting and edits.
*received free ARC from netgalley
August 2, 2020
This was one of those books which I read with a smile on my face. I loved the deprecating humour between Natalie and Will and the situations they got themselves into. The setting is fantastic. Both the central characters show their true feelings and you feel that you are seeing the essence of the characters which were formed when they were mid teens. If anything, Will seems almost too good to be true, but I am sure that actually he really is this authentic person which Natalie sees.
This is a fairly straightforward story and you kind of guess where the plotvis going to take you but actually you are swept along with the story. I loved this as an escapist read for a weekend and I can say that the story did not let me down. There were enough twists and turns and misunderstandings along the way to keep my interest there.
In short: Second chances
Thanks to the author for a copy of the book
This is a fairly straightforward story and you kind of guess where the plotvis going to take you but actually you are swept along with the story. I loved this as an escapist read for a weekend and I can say that the story did not let me down. There were enough twists and turns and misunderstandings along the way to keep my interest there.
In short: Second chances
Thanks to the author for a copy of the book
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