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Bad Luck Club: Spicy Version #1
Love at First Hate
She wants his story. He wants his secrecy. Too bad he can’t stay away from her.
Molly
Blogging about bad dates used to be fun, but a girl can only take so much foolishness. So I broke up with my job.
Okay, full disclosure, I was fired. It’s a long, sordid tale, involving my sourdough starter—RIP, Fred!—and my ex-boss’s serious lack of humor.
Newly funemployed and in need of a break, I go to Asheville to dogsit for my sister…and stumble onto a scoop big enough to put my fake-dating days behind me forever.
Augusta Glower, local success story, wrote a bestseller about the self-help group she started. People think her system works, and copycat Bad Luck Clubs have sprung up nationwide. Something feels off, though, and a little poking around by yours truly suggests she stole the idea.
There’s one problem. I have to prove it, and the guy she ripped off—super-hot house flipper Caleb Reynolds—seems to…well, hate me. Which is too bad since his secrets aren’t the only thing I’d like to peel away.
* * *
Cal
Molly O’Shea is my worst nightmare.
Is she sexy as sin? Well…yeah. Does she smell like honeysuckle and trouble? No doubt. Is she determined to dig up my secrets with a backhoe? I’m pretty sure she got a two-week rental. But I’ll never talk. If the reason I started the club gets out, my whole life will implode.
So why is she so damn irresistible?
Molly
Blogging about bad dates used to be fun, but a girl can only take so much foolishness. So I broke up with my job.
Okay, full disclosure, I was fired. It’s a long, sordid tale, involving my sourdough starter—RIP, Fred!—and my ex-boss’s serious lack of humor.
Newly funemployed and in need of a break, I go to Asheville to dogsit for my sister…and stumble onto a scoop big enough to put my fake-dating days behind me forever.
Augusta Glower, local success story, wrote a bestseller about the self-help group she started. People think her system works, and copycat Bad Luck Clubs have sprung up nationwide. Something feels off, though, and a little poking around by yours truly suggests she stole the idea.
There’s one problem. I have to prove it, and the guy she ripped off—super-hot house flipper Caleb Reynolds—seems to…well, hate me. Which is too bad since his secrets aren’t the only thing I’d like to peel away.
* * *
Cal
Molly O’Shea is my worst nightmare.
Is she sexy as sin? Well…yeah. Does she smell like honeysuckle and trouble? No doubt. Is she determined to dig up my secrets with a backhoe? I’m pretty sure she got a two-week rental. But I’ll never talk. If the reason I started the club gets out, my whole life will implode.
So why is she so damn irresistible?
306 pages, ebook
First published August 9, 2021
919 people are currently reading
1571 people want to read
About the author
Angela Casella
46 books770 followersANGELA CASELLA lives in Asheville, North Carolina with her husband, her daughter, and their ill-behaved corgi in an extremely small bungalow. She spends her days writing and pretending to market. She writes solo romcoms and also has three co-written series with Denise Grover Swank.
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August 29, 2021Just a note why this book isn’t for me: Dead Wife Doom.
I dig the FMC outta the gate. She’s a writer… writing shit that doesn’t fulfill her. She’s ready to move on, and a three week break to dog sit for her sister is just what she needs to plan her next job.
The MMC is some kind of contractor/house flipper, and he’s a founder of the top secret Bad Luck Club. He’s a daddy’s boy, and I immediately note that his tone and speech voice is rather feminine. No, it’s not fem… it’s just not masculine. Def not an alpha male character.
The MMC’s Bad Luck Club is on the FMC’s radar thanks to a book written by an imposter and info from one of her sister’s friends.
The FMC and MMC meet at a dog park at 7%, and that’s when the reader finds out the MMC is a widower.
I really wish the widower fact would have been in the blurb. I personally don’t do widow second chance at love books, and that info would have saved me 20 minutes.
I’ll always wonder what woman is/was most loved. I want my romance all consuming… I’m a greedy mofo like that. I give the book another minute to see if the widow thing has some twist I can work with.
At 13%, he visits an elderly neighbor next door to the house he shared with his wife, and the convo turns to the new owners using the “same” baby room with the same colors. Don’t know if he had a baby, wanted a baby or what, but this whole past love has already ruined any HEA for this MMC and FMC as far as I’m concerned.
DNF. Not for me.
I dig the FMC outta the gate. She’s a writer… writing shit that doesn’t fulfill her. She’s ready to move on, and a three week break to dog sit for her sister is just what she needs to plan her next job.
The MMC is some kind of contractor/house flipper, and he’s a founder of the top secret Bad Luck Club. He’s a daddy’s boy, and I immediately note that his tone and speech voice is rather feminine. No, it’s not fem… it’s just not masculine. Def not an alpha male character.
The MMC’s Bad Luck Club is on the FMC’s radar thanks to a book written by an imposter and info from one of her sister’s friends.
The FMC and MMC meet at a dog park at 7%, and that’s when the reader finds out the MMC is a widower.
I really wish the widower fact would have been in the blurb. I personally don’t do widow second chance at love books, and that info would have saved me 20 minutes.
I’ll always wonder what woman is/was most loved. I want my romance all consuming… I’m a greedy mofo like that. I give the book another minute to see if the widow thing has some twist I can work with.
At 13%, he visits an elderly neighbor next door to the house he shared with his wife, and the convo turns to the new owners using the “same” baby room with the same colors. Don’t know if he had a baby, wanted a baby or what, but this whole past love has already ruined any HEA for this MMC and FMC as far as I’m concerned.
DNF. Not for me.
July 28, 2021
What a treat it was, reading this book!
I have loved the previous books of these authors so my expectations were high.
And I absolutely love this one too.
It’s a romcom, so you know from the start that things will work out in the end, but they don’t fall in any of the obvious plot traps. It’s a story with both joy and pain, love and heartache, and though it’s fiction it’s perfectly believable.
One of my favourite things about the books by these authors is the character descriptions. They are never flat or cliché, the persons feel real. Not always loveable, or even likeable, but real.
Sometimes my heart ached for the small hints of repressed sorrow in Cal, then it soared in joy over the newfound happiness in just being able to connect to another person again. I liked Cal and Bear the first time they showed up in the Asherville Brewing series, now I love them both.
In an earlier review of this series I wrote that reading the book was like coming home. And that’s it really. I want to live in this Asherville, I want the people in the books to be my friends and neighbours. And I want to read about their life stories again and again.
In a passage Molly, who’s a writer, says ”This is what I’ve always loved about writing, telling people’s stories, trying to tap into the marrow of what motivates them”. This is what Denise Grover Swank and A.R. Casella has successfully done.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I have loved the previous books of these authors so my expectations were high.
And I absolutely love this one too.
It’s a romcom, so you know from the start that things will work out in the end, but they don’t fall in any of the obvious plot traps. It’s a story with both joy and pain, love and heartache, and though it’s fiction it’s perfectly believable.
One of my favourite things about the books by these authors is the character descriptions. They are never flat or cliché, the persons feel real. Not always loveable, or even likeable, but real.
Sometimes my heart ached for the small hints of repressed sorrow in Cal, then it soared in joy over the newfound happiness in just being able to connect to another person again. I liked Cal and Bear the first time they showed up in the Asherville Brewing series, now I love them both.
In an earlier review of this series I wrote that reading the book was like coming home. And that’s it really. I want to live in this Asherville, I want the people in the books to be my friends and neighbours. And I want to read about their life stories again and again.
In a passage Molly, who’s a writer, says ”This is what I’ve always loved about writing, telling people’s stories, trying to tap into the marrow of what motivates them”. This is what Denise Grover Swank and A.R. Casella has successfully done.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 18, 2021
I loved, loved, loved this book! Now it's my new favorite in all Asheville brewing and Bad Luck Club series though it's like I'm cheating because I loved each one of the previous books so much.
Molly and Cal's story touches my heart and soul in so much deeper levels, and though it's still a romcom with a lot of funny moments and you know it will end with HEA, there's a lot of pain, heaviness of guilt and sorrow too which makes this story more interesting and real as it's for those believable realistic characters too because their description/appearances make you feel they live there for real and your emotions toward them just flow instantly -like, love, disgust, hate - they bring it out of you!
This story is about healing, learning to trust and love again. Authors done an incredibly amazing job writing and telling us Molly and Cal's love story. I highly recommend it for those romance lovers, just it has steamy sexy scenes, just so you know.
Molly and Cal's story touches my heart and soul in so much deeper levels, and though it's still a romcom with a lot of funny moments and you know it will end with HEA, there's a lot of pain, heaviness of guilt and sorrow too which makes this story more interesting and real as it's for those believable realistic characters too because their description/appearances make you feel they live there for real and your emotions toward them just flow instantly -like, love, disgust, hate - they bring it out of you!
This story is about healing, learning to trust and love again. Authors done an incredibly amazing job writing and telling us Molly and Cal's love story. I highly recommend it for those romance lovers, just it has steamy sexy scenes, just so you know.
August 12, 2021
5 star review of Love At First Hate (Bad Luck Club #1) by A.R. Casella & Denise Grover-Swank
This may be my first book by this writing duo A.R. Casella & Denise Grover-Swank but it will not be my last. From the first chapter I was hooked on the story these authors wove and had no idea who wrote what or where one finished and the other took over; such was their seamlessness of their storytelling.
When I read the blurb for this book I was intrigued and knowing that this was book one in a new series I jumped at the opportunity to read and review. I fell hard and fast for Caleb (Cal) Reynolds and Molly O’Shea who the authors brought to life for me; they were easy to relate to and I rally liked them.
Although a Romcom, there is also more to this story than just fun and romance. There were moments where, sadness, pain and guilt were palpable and I was moved to tears. However the authors counted this with humour, love and romance, of learning to love and trust again and to heal.
Love At First Hate is a well written story that will draw you in hook, line and sinker; a little gem that I thoroughly enjoyed.
This may be my first book by this writing duo A.R. Casella & Denise Grover-Swank but it will not be my last. From the first chapter I was hooked on the story these authors wove and had no idea who wrote what or where one finished and the other took over; such was their seamlessness of their storytelling.
When I read the blurb for this book I was intrigued and knowing that this was book one in a new series I jumped at the opportunity to read and review. I fell hard and fast for Caleb (Cal) Reynolds and Molly O’Shea who the authors brought to life for me; they were easy to relate to and I rally liked them.
Although a Romcom, there is also more to this story than just fun and romance. There were moments where, sadness, pain and guilt were palpable and I was moved to tears. However the authors counted this with humour, love and romance, of learning to love and trust again and to heal.
Love At First Hate is a well written story that will draw you in hook, line and sinker; a little gem that I thoroughly enjoyed.
July 27, 2021
Love at First Hate was the perfect introduction to the new Bad Luck Club series. It’s been a while since a book has so thoroughly reeled me in and I’ve completely fallen in love with the characters! I had been hoping for Cal’s story since he was introduced in the Asheville Brewing series, and I was not disappointed. The chemistry between Cal and Molly was so perfectly written. It was a rollercoaster of emotions, even if I knew it would end in a HEA. The authors did such a fantastic job creating this world with so much laughter, love, steamy moments, heartbreak and finally forgiveness. I can’t wait to see where the rest of the series goes!
October 20, 2021
I liked that this one was spun off the Ashville Brewing series, also liked that we got more with the Bad Luck Club. I was intrigued by it when reading Blue and Lee's book. The more that I learned about the club, the more that I liked it. I really hated how it had been bastardized by one bad member, was really glad that Molly exposed things and did so in a way that was mindful of the current members.
It was easy to see why Cal was wary of Molly at the start, even as he was intrigued by her. I liked that they talked about things and seemed to work things out until the one person that was a known liar threw a wrench into things. I wished that Cal could have been a bit more calm when that happened, but he was facing years of repressed feelings coming out and Molly got it all. It was a good thing that Molly is such a forgiving person, she was able to listen to Cal when he came to his senses.
I liked how this one ended liked seeing that Cal and Molly have happiness ahead of them.
It was easy to see why Cal was wary of Molly at the start, even as he was intrigued by her. I liked that they talked about things and seemed to work things out until the one person that was a known liar threw a wrench into things. I wished that Cal could have been a bit more calm when that happened, but he was facing years of repressed feelings coming out and Molly got it all. It was a good thing that Molly is such a forgiving person, she was able to listen to Cal when he came to his senses.
I liked how this one ended liked seeing that Cal and Molly have happiness ahead of them.
July 28, 2021
I really loved this book, so much in fact, that I barely slept so I could finish it in one day! It’s funny and heartfelt and I found myself getting lost in the characters and what they were going through. The characters were relatable in so many ways and I could easily see some of my own friends in them. I can’t wait for the next book in the series!
May 15, 2022
Love and hate
Hmm, that may be a fun mix with these two since neither of them are perfect and both have their secrets that they don't want anyone to know. Its just a bit ridiculous but in a way I can understand why they are keeping them. It also makes for an interesting story.
Cal is definitely having a hard time moving on but yet can manage to help others move on. The deathletes of his wife is a major issue for him but the guilt he holds onto isn't something he should have. Things happen and we can't change what happened and I believe excepting the guilt is misplaced and he needs to do what he's told others to do and let it go. Molly is another one that needs to let her sister know what she knows but also come to except what she really wants. These two together are a mess but what fun the banter between them is and the make up can be fun too. First they need to be honest with each other and their loved ones.
Hmm, that may be a fun mix with these two since neither of them are perfect and both have their secrets that they don't want anyone to know. Its just a bit ridiculous but in a way I can understand why they are keeping them. It also makes for an interesting story.
Cal is definitely having a hard time moving on but yet can manage to help others move on. The deathletes of his wife is a major issue for him but the guilt he holds onto isn't something he should have. Things happen and we can't change what happened and I believe excepting the guilt is misplaced and he needs to do what he's told others to do and let it go. Molly is another one that needs to let her sister know what she knows but also come to except what she really wants. These two together are a mess but what fun the banter between them is and the make up can be fun too. First they need to be honest with each other and their loved ones.
July 20, 2021
Be ready to Laugh! I honestly do not remember laughing as hard or as much while reading a book in some time. Love at First Hate exceeded any expectation I may have had. While extremely entertaining the characters are well developed. Each concern, desire and motivation not only advances the story, but involves the reader in their journey as well.
A.R. Casella and Denise Grover Swank are a dynamic duo! Love at First Hate is the first book of the Bad Luck Club series is an off-shoot from their hit Asheville Brewing RomCom series. Love at First Hate is a fantastic read!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A.R. Casella and Denise Grover Swank are a dynamic duo! Love at First Hate is the first book of the Bad Luck Club series is an off-shoot from their hit Asheville Brewing RomCom series. Love at First Hate is a fantastic read!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 19, 2021
Get ready to laugh out loud! Bad Luck Club is the first book in a new rom-com series by the writing duo of Denise Grover Swank and AR Casella. The best part of this book is the characters. Not only the main characters, who have wonderful chemistry but also the side characters. I can't even decide who is my favorite from Harry to Mrs. Dahl. The writing is seamless and I love the dialogue, I was laughing out loud throughout this story and I can't wait for the next in the series!
August 12, 2021
You know that feeling you get when you see that your favorite movie franchise is adding yet another sequel or spin-off and you're like "Okay, I get it. I love this. But we can stop now."? Yeah, that's not what happened here AT ALL. Love At First Hate had the potential to be just a weird flop of a spin-off but, as always, A.R. Casella and Denise Grover Swank just full on hit it out of the park.
Cal (co-founder of the Bad Luck Club from the original series - Asheville Brewery) has had credit stolen from him for founding the club and he has no intention of setting the record straight in case anyone found out his secret. Molly is in town dog-sitting for her sister Maisie and out of boredom, starts investigating the Bad Luck Club to try to break into official investigative journaling. As you can probably guess, man-who-doesn't-want-his-secrets-spilled and investigative-journalist-set-on-finding-the-whole-truth don't really mesh. But *spoiler* (only not really, because look at the title and the fact that this is a romance book) this definitely fits the enemies-to-lovers trope in the best way.
Enemies-to-lovers isn't necessarily a trope I go looking for, so I don't have a ton of history with them, but I really did love reading about Cal and Molly. This book, like many of the others, is written through dual-perspective between our two main characters. It was so frustrating reading both of their thoughts when if they would just talk to each other, things would have been solved faster! And when I say frustrating, I mean I was like "Just tell her!" and kept reading to see if he did. I will absolutely read more of this series. I fell in love with all the quirky characters that were only just mentioned in the Asheville Brewery series. Definite 4.5 stars. These two are incredible co-authors.
Cal (co-founder of the Bad Luck Club from the original series - Asheville Brewery) has had credit stolen from him for founding the club and he has no intention of setting the record straight in case anyone found out his secret. Molly is in town dog-sitting for her sister Maisie and out of boredom, starts investigating the Bad Luck Club to try to break into official investigative journaling. As you can probably guess, man-who-doesn't-want-his-secrets-spilled and investigative-journalist-set-on-finding-the-whole-truth don't really mesh. But *spoiler* (only not really, because look at the title and the fact that this is a romance book) this definitely fits the enemies-to-lovers trope in the best way.
Enemies-to-lovers isn't necessarily a trope I go looking for, so I don't have a ton of history with them, but I really did love reading about Cal and Molly. This book, like many of the others, is written through dual-perspective between our two main characters. It was so frustrating reading both of their thoughts when if they would just talk to each other, things would have been solved faster! And when I say frustrating, I mean I was like "Just tell her!" and kept reading to see if he did. I will absolutely read more of this series. I fell in love with all the quirky characters that were only just mentioned in the Asheville Brewery series. Definite 4.5 stars. These two are incredible co-authors.
August 12, 2021
Amazon / Amazon Worldwide / Apple Books / Kobo / Nook / Google Play
Molly's a reporter and Cal's a man with a secret. The two should not be anywhere near each other, especially if he wants to keep his secret a secret, but their bodies don't agree. But is Cal really ready for the force that is Molly when she's pursuing a story? Is his heart ready to give into her, and is he ready to finally let go of his ill-placed guilt?
Rom-coms run the risk of being too humorous and not substantial enough in the areas of story and character growth, but these two authors can always be counted on to give the reader real, layered, and likable characters who have great chemistry with each other. I loved Cal and Molly, and their whole crew of family and friends.
ARC via Social Butterfly PR for an honest review.
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August 29, 2021
Based on the overwhelming positive reviews for this one, this seems to be a case of this book just not being a match for me. It just didn't hold my interest and I found myself easily putting it down and somewhat reluctantly picking it up. That's when I know it's time to cut my losses and move on to something else.
Some of the things that I think contributed to my loss of interest:
1. keeping the Bad Luck Club and the lady who stole it so mysterious all the way up to the halfway point in the book, where I stopped reading. A little mystery that unfolds as the story progresses is fine, but at a certain point, you have to reveal things or it becomes frustrating.
2. Cal continuing to beat himself up over his wife's death and not allow himself any level of real happiness. He blames himself because .
3. The job offer with the new mag based on this "exposé" that Molly is working on feels contrived. She is not a reporter, she's a writer/blogger.
4. Speaking of, what is with all of these "is this off the record?" questions? It's like watching someone play the part of a journalist based on what they've seen in the movies.
5. All of the people in this club seem to need therapy not some club. Some like Harry in particular need way more help than Cal could ever hope to provide.
Some of the things that I think contributed to my loss of interest:
1. keeping the Bad Luck Club and the lady who stole it so mysterious all the way up to the halfway point in the book, where I stopped reading. A little mystery that unfolds as the story progresses is fine, but at a certain point, you have to reveal things or it becomes frustrating.
2. Cal continuing to beat himself up over his wife's death and not allow himself any level of real happiness. He blames himself because .
3. The job offer with the new mag based on this "exposé" that Molly is working on feels contrived. She is not a reporter, she's a writer/blogger.
4. Speaking of, what is with all of these "is this off the record?" questions? It's like watching someone play the part of a journalist based on what they've seen in the movies.
5. All of the people in this club seem to need therapy not some club. Some like Harry in particular need way more help than Cal could ever hope to provide.
August 14, 2021
When Molly finds herself with some free time due to her employment status, she returns to her hometown to pet sit for her sister and brother in-law. Being there inspires her to revisit her dream of being an investigative reporter and she believes that looking into the background about the book surrounding the Bad Luck Club is the perfect place to start.
Cal may have inside knowledge about the Bad Luck Club, but he isn’t about to share what he knows when it could jeopardize his secrets. Molly is enticing and the first woman to make him feel since the passing of his wife which only makes the situation between them that much more complicated.
The characters of Molly and Cal have you invested in their story and the intriguing secondary characters enhance the experience. Witty banter and hot chemistry combined with the emotional pull only makes it that much better.
Cal may have inside knowledge about the Bad Luck Club, but he isn’t about to share what he knows when it could jeopardize his secrets. Molly is enticing and the first woman to make him feel since the passing of his wife which only makes the situation between them that much more complicated.
The characters of Molly and Cal have you invested in their story and the intriguing secondary characters enhance the experience. Witty banter and hot chemistry combined with the emotional pull only makes it that much better.
September 17, 2022
This book started off great. I was ready to see Cal get his HEA because he was a seemingly dark and mysterious character that apparently had a big heart based on the Asheville Brewing series. He wasn't exactly dark or mysterious once we come to know him in this book though. He was still dealing with guilt and grief over his wife's death 3 years ago, but he was still kind to most people. He started the Bad Luck Club with his dad, but a former member has taken credit for the club, written a book about it, and has some rules that could harm people in her version of the club. Yet Cal doesn't want to set the record straight since he doesn't want his 'secret' to get out.
Molly is the younger sister of Maisey (from the Asheville Brewing series series). She's just lost her job as a blogger and is now back home pet sitting for her sister and trying to figure out what to do with her life. She sees a perfect opportunity to right the wrongs of Augusta by publishing an expose on her lies. But getting the inside scoop means befriending Cal and getting him to talk, which is easier said than done.
Molly & Cal get along well enough, but she does push his buttons. At first he doesn't like her, but she grows on him with her persistency. I liked the push and pull they had and I liked that Molly was able to get him to loosen up some and live life. But his 'secret' was still hovering over them until the end.
I'll admit that I liked the first half of the book better than the last. After a while I was just tired of Cal keeping his secret from Molly and was tired of Molly's inner dialogue of what she'll do with her life. I admired her willingness for doing something different, but if it made her happy, why was it so hard to figure out what she should do? Life is too short, as they both should know, to be unhappy. The last half was also depressing at times with regards to their past and that brought the upbeat tone down.
Oh and I loved Harry in this one! It was wonderful to see him staying away from his tin-foil hat wearing ways...mostly.
If you didn't read the Asheville Brewing series before this book, then you'll probably find yourself lost or uninterested in the Bad Luck Club that's the basis of this series. So if you're picking this one up to read and having read the previous series, do that first. Or at least read Blue's book to get an idea of what exactly the club is about. Otherwise you'll find the whole club part secretive until the end.
Molly is the younger sister of Maisey (from the Asheville Brewing series series). She's just lost her job as a blogger and is now back home pet sitting for her sister and trying to figure out what to do with her life. She sees a perfect opportunity to right the wrongs of Augusta by publishing an expose on her lies. But getting the inside scoop means befriending Cal and getting him to talk, which is easier said than done.
Molly & Cal get along well enough, but she does push his buttons. At first he doesn't like her, but she grows on him with her persistency. I liked the push and pull they had and I liked that Molly was able to get him to loosen up some and live life. But his 'secret' was still hovering over them until the end.
I'll admit that I liked the first half of the book better than the last. After a while I was just tired of Cal keeping his secret from Molly and was tired of Molly's inner dialogue of what she'll do with her life. I admired her willingness for doing something different, but if it made her happy, why was it so hard to figure out what she should do? Life is too short, as they both should know, to be unhappy. The last half was also depressing at times with regards to their past and that brought the upbeat tone down.
Oh and I loved Harry in this one! It was wonderful to see him staying away from his tin-foil hat wearing ways...mostly.
If you didn't read the Asheville Brewing series before this book, then you'll probably find yourself lost or uninterested in the Bad Luck Club that's the basis of this series. So if you're picking this one up to read and having read the previous series, do that first. Or at least read Blue's book to get an idea of what exactly the club is about. Otherwise you'll find the whole club part secretive until the end.
August 15, 2021
Loving the continuation of the Bad Luck Club! After learning about the club in previous books, I was so excited that we were going to get to know more about Cal and the reasoning behind the club and his past. When Molly’s sister calls to ask if she can come home to babysit her dogs, she jumps at the opportunity after having the time since she just got fired. Unsure of what she is going to do for work next, she decides to take the time at home to find a new story that will put her on the map for a new job, and when she finds a book based on the Bad Luck Club, she instantly knows it’s the story for her. Cal is still extremely jaded by how he lost his wife along with the author of the book, as she was the only other person he confided in about the day that changed his entire life. Cal is adamant about keeping the course about the club and not talking to any press, but Molly doesn’t take no for an answer and continues to try to go around him to get the answers she needs to write her story. Somehow along the way, these two fall in love, but Cal’s past comes back to haunt them, and the author of the original book threatens their budding relationship, but thankfully the club is more like family than strangers and with their help they get the HEA they both deserve. I can’t wait to see who’s next in this series!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
July 25, 2021
Nothing to hate about this book, only love. And I loved it! I received an early copy in exchange for a review. I started reading as soon as I got it and I stayed up most of the night to finish it and the bonus chapter, too. It's one of those books you can't put down, just one more chapter and one more chapter and you just keep reading!
It's the hate, love story of Cal and Molly. The author's have fleshed out each character so well that you can "see" the story happening while you read. You'll laugh out loud and maybe shed a few tears, as well.
Cal started the Bad Luck Club with his Dad, Bear. He doesn't want his personal secrets to become public knowledge. Molly is a writer and Maisie's younger sister. She doesn't understand why Cal is so secretive, even tho she has her own secret.
I love that the book revisits some of the characters from the Ashville Brewing series and updates us on their lives a little bit.
I identify with senior citizen, Mrs. Dahl and her husbands but, also Molly and her tree. I was young once, too. And the steamy sexy scenes... Well, I'm pretty sure my ovaries rehydrated!
It's the hate, love story of Cal and Molly. The author's have fleshed out each character so well that you can "see" the story happening while you read. You'll laugh out loud and maybe shed a few tears, as well.
Cal started the Bad Luck Club with his Dad, Bear. He doesn't want his personal secrets to become public knowledge. Molly is a writer and Maisie's younger sister. She doesn't understand why Cal is so secretive, even tho she has her own secret.
I love that the book revisits some of the characters from the Ashville Brewing series and updates us on their lives a little bit.
I identify with senior citizen, Mrs. Dahl and her husbands but, also Molly and her tree. I was young once, too. And the steamy sexy scenes... Well, I'm pretty sure my ovaries rehydrated!
August 9, 2021
I loved Love at First Hate. Molly is fun and very witty. I love her personality and humor. Cal is great and deep. Denise Grover Swank and AR Casella do a wonderful job writing the characters emotions and thoughts. I feel like I am going through everything with them as a close friend. Love at First Hate had a lot of heartfelt moments and inner-struggle but there were so many laugh out loud moments and definitely steam, heat, and chemistry. I am ready to read more books in the Bad Luck Club series!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 5, 2021
I knew when we met Molly O’Shea in Getting Lucky from the Asheville Brewing series that she was going to be SO much fun! Her spunk and moxie are just the beginning. She is a spitfire and I love it!
Quiet and broody, poor Cal never stood a chance. My heart broke for him and the burden he carried. So when he opened himself up to Molly I legit cried.
When the book goddesses smile down on you, you get cameos of your favorite characters from crossover storylines! This is my lucky day because we not only get Tina BUT we’re graced by Harry too! This is the makings of a best friend trio I could live for!
I highly recommend this book! It has everything you want and never knew you needed!
Quiet and broody, poor Cal never stood a chance. My heart broke for him and the burden he carried. So when he opened himself up to Molly I legit cried.
When the book goddesses smile down on you, you get cameos of your favorite characters from crossover storylines! This is my lucky day because we not only get Tina BUT we’re graced by Harry too! This is the makings of a best friend trio I could live for!
I highly recommend this book! It has everything you want and never knew you needed!
August 11, 2021
Fun. Fresh. Fashionably entertaining. Swank and Casella are a match made in rom-com heaven. Love at First Hate takes irony and runs away with it. Molly and Cal are a sassy, unpredictable, irresistible match made in humor and I loved every minute of their back and forth banter.
December 19, 2025
Some fun banter but just a bit more spice than I prefer. Nicely narrated by dual readers.
January 9, 2023
3.5 Stars
August 10, 2021
This book ticked all the checks for me. It’s sweet and sexy, paced well and has just the right amount of angst to keep you turning the page to see what’s happening next.
Molly and Cal’s story has a lot of funny moments but there’s some deeper moments that add an extra edge to make it more… real. It’s helped by the characters being so believable too.
This duo of authors are going from strength to strength with their books and long may they continue to do so. Grab your copy today and find out for yourself.
Molly and Cal’s story has a lot of funny moments but there’s some deeper moments that add an extra edge to make it more… real. It’s helped by the characters being so believable too.
This duo of authors are going from strength to strength with their books and long may they continue to do so. Grab your copy today and find out for yourself.
September 3, 2021
With out a doubt Aunt Dotty adds her laugh out loud quirkiness to this fantastic story. Cal is on my top 10 list of sexy, hot men. Molly has a personality that will make you want to be her best friend. Make sure you have plenty of time to read this because you won't want to put it down. Looking forward to Jingle Bell Hell next in series.
August 7, 2021
Cal and Molly are definitely the hottest couple yet! Though I loved the Asheville Brewing series, I definitely love the sexier feel in A.R. Casella and Denise Grover Swank’s spinoff series, the Bad Luck Club series. In this first installment, we see Cal, who you will remember from the book “Bad Luck Club” (Lee and Blue’s story) and also from “Luck of the Draw” (Dee and Dylan’s book). We didn’t get to see much of Cal in those books, but we knew there was a deep secret he was carrying around. In this book, we finally find out that secret, and it is not what I expected at all. We also met Molly in “Getting Lucky,” as the younger sister of its heroine, Maisie. I adored her in that book, and it was so satisfying for her to find her HEA. But it is a bumpy ride! Just as the title predicts, Molly and Cal do not see eye to eye when they first meet. Molly wants to write a story about Cal and the Bad Luck Club, and he is vehemently against it. And though he tries to stay away from Molly, fate keeps throwing them back together. I truly enjoyed their journey from hate, to acceptance, to love, and I love Cal! He is that perfect strong, silent, and sexy type. Tough on the exterior, but a mush inside. Simply delicious!
July 6, 2025
great spin off !
I love these people! I wish I could be friends with them in real life . Can’t wait to see what happens next I love these people! I wish they were real and I could be friends with them all ! It’s so crazy it could be real 🤣 trust me life is nuts.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I love these people! I wish I could be friends with them in real life . Can’t wait to see what happens next I love these people! I wish they were real and I could be friends with them all ! It’s so crazy it could be real 🤣 trust me life is nuts.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 14, 2022
I did like it but I thought it was a little drawn out and thus a bit boring in the beginning because it didn't hold my interest is reading it quickly. But I am interested in Mary's story to continue in this series.
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November 20, 2023🎁 FREE on Amazon today (11/30/2021)! 🎁
July 31, 2021
Love at First Hate is the first book in the Bad Luck Club series, which is a spinoff from the Asheville Brewing series. I LOVED the Asheville Brewing series so I'm glad the story continues when we ran out of Buchanan siblings. The Bad Luck Club (actual club) was pretty intriguing in the story for Lee and Blue. Augusta, one of the former members (and I believe only one who was kicked out), has written a book about the Bad Luck Club and claims she was the creator. Now other clubs are popping up around the country and using her rules. Some of her rules are harmful and could be used to take advantage of people who are down on their luck. A lot of the members of the real Bad Luck Club are not happy about her book, but haven't come forward because Cal (one of the real creators) doesn't want them to and, well, rules #1 and #2 are don't talk about the club with non-members. Molly has lost her job as a writer in Seattle (she'd go on fake dates with incredibly douchey guys and then write about how awful they were) and her sister Maisie has asked her to come home to Asheville to dog sit while she goes on her babymoon. Maisie is one of Blue's best friends so she knows Blue is upset about Augusta's book but doesn't really know why. What she does know if that Molly can't turn down a scoop so she manages to plant the seed of checking into this story. Molly finds Cal, who really just wants to be left alone with anything regarding outsiders trying to find out information about the club. Because Cal has a really big secret that he's been holding onto since his wife's death and Augusta is the only one who knows it so he's willing to ignore what she's doing to keep his secret safe. It turns out that Molly has also been holding onto a secret for a long time as well.
The chemistry between Molly and Cal is fantastic. I think they've had the steamiest relationship in Asheville so far, but I really appreciated that their story was more than just sex. It's also about learning to trust again and realizing you don't have to carry the burdens of your life alone. I loved that we got to know Tina and Harry better and hope they each get their own novels soon. The friendship the three of them developed made me so happy. All of the characters are extremely well written and bring their whole personalities with them wherever they pop up in the two series/bonus novellas. The only tiny complaint I have is that it would be nice if the chapters were labeled with the POV - it flips back and forth between Cal and Molly, which is easy to remember when I was reading it straight, but when I (unfortunately) had to put it down, I didn't always remember whose turn it was when I came back to it. Obviously, it was easy to figure out within the first paragraph or so but sometimes I felt a little disoriented when I first got back into it. I highly recommend reading the books by these two authors. While it isn't necessary to start at the beginning, they're all such happy reads, why wouldn't you?
Thanks to Angela and Denise, I won an ARC of this from Angela and Denise's Laughing Hearts Facebook group. All opinions are my own.
The chemistry between Molly and Cal is fantastic. I think they've had the steamiest relationship in Asheville so far, but I really appreciated that their story was more than just sex. It's also about learning to trust again and realizing you don't have to carry the burdens of your life alone. I loved that we got to know Tina and Harry better and hope they each get their own novels soon. The friendship the three of them developed made me so happy. All of the characters are extremely well written and bring their whole personalities with them wherever they pop up in the two series/bonus novellas. The only tiny complaint I have is that it would be nice if the chapters were labeled with the POV - it flips back and forth between Cal and Molly, which is easy to remember when I was reading it straight, but when I (unfortunately) had to put it down, I didn't always remember whose turn it was when I came back to it. Obviously, it was easy to figure out within the first paragraph or so but sometimes I felt a little disoriented when I first got back into it. I highly recommend reading the books by these two authors. While it isn't necessary to start at the beginning, they're all such happy reads, why wouldn't you?
Thanks to Angela and Denise, I won an ARC of this from Angela and Denise's Laughing Hearts Facebook group. All opinions are my own.
September 13, 2021
Love at First Hate is the first book in the authors new Bad Luck Club series, a spinoff of their Ashville Brewing Series that all take place in the imaginary town of Ashville North Carolina.
There was an awful lot I enjoyed about this book. It was fun, sexy had a reasonable amount of angst or drama as our two lovers Molly O’Shea and Cal Reynolds work through their personal demons to find their happily ever after. And there is an extra epilogue you can download but I’ll be damned if I could figure out how to do it.
We met Molly as the younger sister of Maisie O’Shea in the last book in the Ashville Brewing series. This story picks up a few years after that one. Maisy and Jack are now married and Maisy is very pregnant. One thing I found disappointing about this book is that other than Jack none of the other Bucannons from the earlier series make an appearance in this book or are even mentioned by name. Even Jack’s little sister who was a big part of his and Maisy’s story isn’t included in this book. In fact other than Dottie and a few members we met in Blue’s book along with Blue none of the characters from that series make an appearance. Although we’re told that most of the couples from that series like Maisy are now married and having children.
Molly has been living in Seattle since college graduation writing for a internet magazine that specializes in mindless dating stories. Now at 28 she wants to do more. She wants to be a real journalist writing stories with some depth and social import. When her editor calls her on the carpet for writing pieces that don’t excite the blog’s readers Molly more or leas forces the editor to fire her to force a change in her life. She no sooner arrives back at her tiny studio apartment when her sister Maisy calls her flustered because she and her husband Jack are scheduled to go on a three week babymoon and they can’t find a dog sitter for their two dogs. Since Molly is currently unemployed and tired of hanging out in her tiny apartment she volunteers to come back to Ashville to help her sister and her husband out. Soon after arriving she finds a book on her sister’s nightstand purporting to be the story of the Bad Luck Club as told by the woman Agatha who claims to have founded the club. Molly having met Blue who is now Maisy’s sister-in-law and had her curiosity peaked about the secretive Bad Luck Club decides something doesn’t add up about this book and what little she knows about the club. She sets out to uncover the truth. Which is how she meets the enigmatic and extremely handsome Cal Reynolds, one of the real founders of the club. But Cal doesn’t want to talk about the club. Even though many of its members are furious with Agatha the author for her false claims and misrepresentations, Cal refuses to come forward and refute her story. You see Agatha knows Cal’s deepest darkest secret. In the dedication she subtly threatens to reveal it if Cal calls her out on her lies. Molly and Cal are powerfully attracted to one another but are at odds as Molly continues to investigate the real story of the Bad Luck Club while Cal refuses to talk about it.
Molly has her own dark secret that not only drove her away from Ashville after high school but has also prevented her from ever having a serious relationship with a man. Both Cal and Molly have serious trust issues that stand in the way of them having a happily ever after.
Along with Molly and Cal and a few other characters from the earlier books like Blue, Harry Dottie and Nicole we meet some new characters who will undoubtedly get their own books. Next up is sister Mary O’Shea’s book a Christmas book due out in late October.
There was an awful lot I enjoyed about this book. It was fun, sexy had a reasonable amount of angst or drama as our two lovers Molly O’Shea and Cal Reynolds work through their personal demons to find their happily ever after. And there is an extra epilogue you can download but I’ll be damned if I could figure out how to do it.
We met Molly as the younger sister of Maisie O’Shea in the last book in the Ashville Brewing series. This story picks up a few years after that one. Maisy and Jack are now married and Maisy is very pregnant. One thing I found disappointing about this book is that other than Jack none of the other Bucannons from the earlier series make an appearance in this book or are even mentioned by name. Even Jack’s little sister who was a big part of his and Maisy’s story isn’t included in this book. In fact other than Dottie and a few members we met in Blue’s book along with Blue none of the characters from that series make an appearance. Although we’re told that most of the couples from that series like Maisy are now married and having children.
Molly has been living in Seattle since college graduation writing for a internet magazine that specializes in mindless dating stories. Now at 28 she wants to do more. She wants to be a real journalist writing stories with some depth and social import. When her editor calls her on the carpet for writing pieces that don’t excite the blog’s readers Molly more or leas forces the editor to fire her to force a change in her life. She no sooner arrives back at her tiny studio apartment when her sister Maisy calls her flustered because she and her husband Jack are scheduled to go on a three week babymoon and they can’t find a dog sitter for their two dogs. Since Molly is currently unemployed and tired of hanging out in her tiny apartment she volunteers to come back to Ashville to help her sister and her husband out. Soon after arriving she finds a book on her sister’s nightstand purporting to be the story of the Bad Luck Club as told by the woman Agatha who claims to have founded the club. Molly having met Blue who is now Maisy’s sister-in-law and had her curiosity peaked about the secretive Bad Luck Club decides something doesn’t add up about this book and what little she knows about the club. She sets out to uncover the truth. Which is how she meets the enigmatic and extremely handsome Cal Reynolds, one of the real founders of the club. But Cal doesn’t want to talk about the club. Even though many of its members are furious with Agatha the author for her false claims and misrepresentations, Cal refuses to come forward and refute her story. You see Agatha knows Cal’s deepest darkest secret. In the dedication she subtly threatens to reveal it if Cal calls her out on her lies. Molly and Cal are powerfully attracted to one another but are at odds as Molly continues to investigate the real story of the Bad Luck Club while Cal refuses to talk about it.
Molly has her own dark secret that not only drove her away from Ashville after high school but has also prevented her from ever having a serious relationship with a man. Both Cal and Molly have serious trust issues that stand in the way of them having a happily ever after.
Along with Molly and Cal and a few other characters from the earlier books like Blue, Harry Dottie and Nicole we meet some new characters who will undoubtedly get their own books. Next up is sister Mary O’Shea’s book a Christmas book due out in late October.
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