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A Welkins Ridge Romance #1
Getting Lucky
A girl’s got to do what a girl’s got to do … And sometimes, a girl’s got to sneak away from her own wedding to get out of an arranged marriage to a mobster.
You know how these things go.
Mafia kids don’t always get to choose, but Lucky Castellano just can’t bring herself to marry the son of her father’s rival, even if it means peace between the families. Ditching her groom at the altar, she hides in a van and wakes up in a small town in the middle of nowhere. With nothing to her name but a designer wedding dress, a tube of Chanel lipstick, and a whole lot of Sicilian attitude, she sets out to reinvent herself—and the driver who unwittingly saved her from a loveless marriage.
Anthony quit a promising career as a musician to raise his younger sisters after their parents died. When a woman in a wedding dress falls out of the back of his van and into his arms, his quiet life is turned upside down. And when Lucky appoints herself his manager and starts getting him gigs, he begins to dream of stardom again … and starts to fall for the brash runaway bride.
But the mob has a long memory, and Lucky's flight has insulted some powerful people. When her groom shows up looking for her, she and Anthony will have to choose between love and stardom—and maybe just staying alive.
You know how these things go.
Mafia kids don’t always get to choose, but Lucky Castellano just can’t bring herself to marry the son of her father’s rival, even if it means peace between the families. Ditching her groom at the altar, she hides in a van and wakes up in a small town in the middle of nowhere. With nothing to her name but a designer wedding dress, a tube of Chanel lipstick, and a whole lot of Sicilian attitude, she sets out to reinvent herself—and the driver who unwittingly saved her from a loveless marriage.
Anthony quit a promising career as a musician to raise his younger sisters after their parents died. When a woman in a wedding dress falls out of the back of his van and into his arms, his quiet life is turned upside down. And when Lucky appoints herself his manager and starts getting him gigs, he begins to dream of stardom again … and starts to fall for the brash runaway bride.
But the mob has a long memory, and Lucky's flight has insulted some powerful people. When her groom shows up looking for her, she and Anthony will have to choose between love and stardom—and maybe just staying alive.
270 pages, ebook
First published May 23, 2022
63 people are currently reading
249 people want to read
About the author
Thea Dawson
17 books133 followersWorld traveler, vegetarian, salsa dancer, film fanatic, lover of happy endings. In an alternate steampunk universe, Thea travels by dirigible and gets in sword fights with dashing villains.
In this one, she lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband/salsa partner, three antic children, and an agenda-driven cat. She writes at the intersection of sweet and steamy, and hopes her stories will melt your heart and brighten your day.
In this one, she lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband/salsa partner, three antic children, and an agenda-driven cat. She writes at the intersection of sweet and steamy, and hopes her stories will melt your heart and brighten your day.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
May 28, 2022
You'll enjoy Lucky and Anthony's story. She's a runaway mafia bride who escaped her arranged marriage by hiding in a van that turned out to be Anthony's. Lucky is entitled and a little hard to like in the beginning but she grows on you. She finds something that she not only likes but is good at when she becomes Anthony's promoter. He's an aspiring musician who gave up his career to raise his siblings after their parents untimely death. What happens when they start having feelings for each other? What happens when the mafia catches up with her? The book is a really fun read and Thea has created a delightful town that a little quirky as are some of the residents. An entertaining story line that will capture your attention right at the beginning. Once you start reading this book is hard to put down. I read a free advance copy via the author and voluntarily chose to review it.
May 29, 2022
I just loved Lucky and Anthony, both are doing what they think they should in life but Lucky is about to take control of hers and drag Anthony along whether he likes it or not lol. For someone in hiding Lucky is happy to let everyone know her name so she is playing mafia roulette every day but I love how she learns who her true self is and gains friends for being her and not a mafia princess. While Anthony is torn about having Lucky around she soon shows him she is not the crazy brideziller he first though and at first gently then forcefully helps his realise the dreams he gave up on to look after his siblings is still a possibility. You get soo many laughs, meet quirky and fun townsfolk as well as see two people who's attraction grows into so much more while awaiting for the other show to drop and Lucky's father or worse her ex fiancé and his family to turn up! Out of all the characters I am soo freaking happy it is Bailey who gets the next book!!!
May 20, 2022
A really fun return from this great author. Instantly I found myself entertained by this story. The writing is relaxed and the characters immediately grab your attention. Lucky is a real firecracker….She is certainly an interesting person and at first I couldn’t decide if I liked her or not….an entitled mafia princess, she certainly has a real city attitude!! Thankfully by the end of the story she had definitely grown on me!!
Anthony’s a genuinely nice guy who put his life on hold for his siblings and is now starting to find his own path….enter a sassy runaway bride, an old guitar, mafia Don drama and some frozen assets and literally anything could happen….!
Looking forward to meeting the rest of the friends in this series.
Anthony’s a genuinely nice guy who put his life on hold for his siblings and is now starting to find his own path….enter a sassy runaway bride, an old guitar, mafia Don drama and some frozen assets and literally anything could happen….!
Looking forward to meeting the rest of the friends in this series.
December 7, 2024
3.5 /5
May 27, 2022
4.5 stars
This was a special book. Even though there is mafia in the background, it's not in your face. Instead, I fell I love with Lucky as she got out of her predicament. It was nice to See her have friends and a life. This town is quirky and I loved it. I hope there will be more of all the characters.
First time reading, that I can remember, and I'm hooked.
This was a special book. Even though there is mafia in the background, it's not in your face. Instead, I fell I love with Lucky as she got out of her predicament. It was nice to See her have friends and a life. This town is quirky and I loved it. I hope there will be more of all the characters.
First time reading, that I can remember, and I'm hooked.
June 1, 2022
Lucky's Adventure . . .
Lucky Castellano, a mobster’s daughter, has to make a decision, and marrying someone she doesn’t love is not going to work out. So she runs from the arranged marriage to the mobster’s son. She hides herself in a van and ends up in a small town somewhere.
Anthony, the unsuspecting “rescue driver”, had been compelled to quit his musical career when his parents died and he had to raise the younger siblings. Now Lucky decides to be his manager and she moves forward like an unstoppable steam roller to get him back into the career he had given up. Anthony is unaware that Lucky is a member of the Castellano mafia family, so he doesn’t see the potential trouble ahead. With the mob looking for vengeance for the insult, what options does that leave for Anthony and Lucky as they are falling for each other?
The story line will capture the reader’s imagination right from the start. And Lucky’s fearless attitude will amuse you as she is ready to take on anything that comes her way. Grab your copy and see if the mob does catch up to her and where the story goes from there.
Lucky Castellano, a mobster’s daughter, has to make a decision, and marrying someone she doesn’t love is not going to work out. So she runs from the arranged marriage to the mobster’s son. She hides herself in a van and ends up in a small town somewhere.
Anthony, the unsuspecting “rescue driver”, had been compelled to quit his musical career when his parents died and he had to raise the younger siblings. Now Lucky decides to be his manager and she moves forward like an unstoppable steam roller to get him back into the career he had given up. Anthony is unaware that Lucky is a member of the Castellano mafia family, so he doesn’t see the potential trouble ahead. With the mob looking for vengeance for the insult, what options does that leave for Anthony and Lucky as they are falling for each other?
The story line will capture the reader’s imagination right from the start. And Lucky’s fearless attitude will amuse you as she is ready to take on anything that comes her way. Grab your copy and see if the mob does catch up to her and where the story goes from there.
May 3, 2022
I love it when Thea Dawson has a new book for us to read and Getting Lucky didn’t disappoint. This is book one in the Tales from the Flying Saucer Cafe. It centers around Lucky, the runaway bride, and Anthony, the getaway driver, but he doesn’t know he has a passenger until he gets back home, lol. I love Lucky and Anthony and their chemistry. Anthony was an up and coming music star, but he gave it up to care for his younger siblings, Min and Freddie, when his parents died. Unknown to Anthony, Lucky is part of the Castellano family and they’re mafia. Lucky was supposed to marry Rafe, part of the Guidice crime family. Will she be able to hide out in Welkin’s Ridge, New York or will the mobsters track her down and make her pay for running away? Please grab your copy and see what happens in this fun read with wonderful characters, fantastic banter, and an overall feel-good story. I can’t wait to read book two.
I received an advance reader copy of this book and this is my voluntary and honest review.
I received an advance reader copy of this book and this is my voluntary and honest review.
July 5, 2022
Unlike anything I’ve ever read; hilarious. Loved it!
This book was so much fun to read and is different than anything I’ve read before. It ticks the following boxes: runaway bride; opposites attract; finding out who you really are and what you want to do with your life; fish out of water; well written characters; quirky small town; interesting plot; mafia but in an entertaining, almost cartoonish way that added to the humour. Somehow the author blends all this together into a believable, cohesive story that had me glued to the page. You just knew things were going to go wrong at certain points but you weren’t quite sure how or if the character would be able to fix the problem later.
I really didn’t like Lucky at all at first but neither did many of the other characters; the author introduced her in a hilarious way that makes everyone take notice. She slowly changed her attitude and really grew as a person and had me cheering her on by the end. I fell in love with the whole town and its inhabitants and can’t wait to return. One of my favourite books this year.
This book was so much fun to read and is different than anything I’ve read before. It ticks the following boxes: runaway bride; opposites attract; finding out who you really are and what you want to do with your life; fish out of water; well written characters; quirky small town; interesting plot; mafia but in an entertaining, almost cartoonish way that added to the humour. Somehow the author blends all this together into a believable, cohesive story that had me glued to the page. You just knew things were going to go wrong at certain points but you weren’t quite sure how or if the character would be able to fix the problem later.
I really didn’t like Lucky at all at first but neither did many of the other characters; the author introduced her in a hilarious way that makes everyone take notice. She slowly changed her attitude and really grew as a person and had me cheering her on by the end. I fell in love with the whole town and its inhabitants and can’t wait to return. One of my favourite books this year.
May 13, 2022
Running Towards Her Forever -
When Lucky run away from her wedding, the last thing on her mind was finding her soulmate and discovering a job that she was really good at and enjoyed doing. After Anthony witnessed the bride-to-be’s temper tantrum towards his sister at the wedding venue, the last thing he expected, was for her to be driving away with him when he left. What they didn’t know, was that it was the beginning of a fun-filled, romantic, life changing and action-packed journey, towards a wonderful happily ever after.
All I could say when I finished reading the book was ‘WoW! I loved the way the story grabbed m6 attention right from the first sentence and kept me hooked on the story, all the way until the end. This isn’t your typical runaway bride romance, as it was deep and meaningful. In my humble opinion, this is a book that you can read over and over, but still can’t get enough.
I received an advanced copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
When Lucky run away from her wedding, the last thing on her mind was finding her soulmate and discovering a job that she was really good at and enjoyed doing. After Anthony witnessed the bride-to-be’s temper tantrum towards his sister at the wedding venue, the last thing he expected, was for her to be driving away with him when he left. What they didn’t know, was that it was the beginning of a fun-filled, romantic, life changing and action-packed journey, towards a wonderful happily ever after.
All I could say when I finished reading the book was ‘WoW! I loved the way the story grabbed m6 attention right from the first sentence and kept me hooked on the story, all the way until the end. This isn’t your typical runaway bride romance, as it was deep and meaningful. In my humble opinion, this is a book that you can read over and over, but still can’t get enough.
I received an advanced copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 8, 2022
Adorable and unconventional!
Of course I didn't like our heroine with her pre-wedding very rude behavior, but the character kept growing on me. Lucky, the runaway bride of a mob boss, is downright feisty and plain ballsy. Although she lived a pampered life, she isn't afraid of hard work and earning her own way in life. The generosity she shared with others is limitless. And our unsuspecting getaway driver Anthony went from curmudgeonly to a stand up guy who had put his dreams on hold to raise his younger siblings. Both of them are charming characters who grow substantially throughout this book.
The writing is really cute and quirky. And the references to the saints for help certainly made me chuckle. I'm Catholic and even I didn't know about all these saints! I enjoyed this book tremendously and eagerly await Bailey's story!
Of course I didn't like our heroine with her pre-wedding very rude behavior, but the character kept growing on me. Lucky, the runaway bride of a mob boss, is downright feisty and plain ballsy. Although she lived a pampered life, she isn't afraid of hard work and earning her own way in life. The generosity she shared with others is limitless. And our unsuspecting getaway driver Anthony went from curmudgeonly to a stand up guy who had put his dreams on hold to raise his younger siblings. Both of them are charming characters who grow substantially throughout this book.
The writing is really cute and quirky. And the references to the saints for help certainly made me chuckle. I'm Catholic and even I didn't know about all these saints! I enjoyed this book tremendously and eagerly await Bailey's story!
May 24, 2022
This book is one you won’t be able to put down! It is fast-paced, funny and very entertaining with quirky and engaging characters that you can’t help but love. One mafia princess/runaway bride meets hardworking, big-hearted guy with a whole lot of responsibilities and a healthy protective streak. Chaos ensues as does a whole lot of hilarity. Who knew that running from an arranged mafia marriage would lead her to the love of her life? Anthony had to give up a lot to raise his siblings, but perhaps his reward is a future with Lucky….the woman who grabbed his heart and turned his life upside down. Hey, at least their life together will never be boring.
I loved the wonderful characters in this book and this quirky, hilarious storyline. This is one book book that will leave you laughing and smiling. I received an ARC of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
I loved the wonderful characters in this book and this quirky, hilarious storyline. This is one book book that will leave you laughing and smiling. I received an ARC of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
May 25, 2022
I have loved a number of Thea Dawson's books, so I was excited when she announced this book.
Lucky is an interesting character with lots of personality. A runaway Mafia bride she finds herself working with the guy who was her inadvertent getaway driver. Anthony put his music on hold to care for his siblings, and I liked how Lucky helped him take steps toward achieving those dreams again. It was fun watching the two of them fall for one another as their relationship developed.
Of course there are a few bumps along the way when Lucky's past comes calling, and I was curious how that would be resolved. Thea did not disappoint with this engaging and entertaining read, and I am looking forward to more in the series!
Thank you to the author for providing an ARC for an honest review.
Lucky is an interesting character with lots of personality. A runaway Mafia bride she finds herself working with the guy who was her inadvertent getaway driver. Anthony put his music on hold to care for his siblings, and I liked how Lucky helped him take steps toward achieving those dreams again. It was fun watching the two of them fall for one another as their relationship developed.
Of course there are a few bumps along the way when Lucky's past comes calling, and I was curious how that would be resolved. Thea did not disappoint with this engaging and entertaining read, and I am looking forward to more in the series!
Thank you to the author for providing an ARC for an honest review.
May 28, 2022
I wasn’t sure about Lucky at first. With her temper tantrum at her own wedding she sounded like a spoiled brat. But her stepmother had tried to control the day and she wasn’t marrying a man she loved. Anthony wasn’t happy to discover the woman who made his sister cry had hidden in back of his truck and he was forced to take her in. But she gives him opportunities to pursue forgotten music dreams. I laughed out loud over her confrontations as his and the teenage band she takes on’s manager. She had a take no prisoners attitude that comes off as a bit scary. I wouldn’t have said been able to say no to her either. But she’s also careless thinking her family and her finance’s family won’t find her in a remote town. I liked the rest of the quirky members of Welkin’s Ridge we meet in this book.
May 8, 2022
Lucky is the daughter of a mafia boss, she's about to get married to the son of another mafia boss, but realises it's not the life she wants, so she runs off, in her wedding gown, hidden in Anthony's truck. She thinks he's going back to town but she ends up miles away.
Poor Anthony doesn't know what's hit him! She doesn't tell him she's hiding out and helps him to get back into the music he wanted to do years ago, before his parents died and he took on the responsibility of his siblings.
Things change though. Are they safe? Would Anthony and her new friends be safer if she disappeared?
A great read from Thea.
Poor Anthony doesn't know what's hit him! She doesn't tell him she's hiding out and helps him to get back into the music he wanted to do years ago, before his parents died and he took on the responsibility of his siblings.
Things change though. Are they safe? Would Anthony and her new friends be safer if she disappeared?
A great read from Thea.
January 31, 2023
I feel like it was missing things.
I did like the idea of this book and I was excited to see what was going to happen, but I feel like some parts fell flat. I wanted more drama, I liked that there wasn't too much drama or craziness, but I feel like it was almost too boring and calm especially for what I expected. Poor Lucky went from a fiance in a wedding dress who didn't want to get married to a girl on the run, but I was surprised people weren't chasing her. Something her dad said at the end made sense why she wasn't chased but, we didn't know that throughout, so I wish there was a little more drama.
I did like the idea of this book and I was excited to see what was going to happen, but I feel like some parts fell flat. I wanted more drama, I liked that there wasn't too much drama or craziness, but I feel like it was almost too boring and calm especially for what I expected. Poor Lucky went from a fiance in a wedding dress who didn't want to get married to a girl on the run, but I was surprised people weren't chasing her. Something her dad said at the end made sense why she wasn't chased but, we didn't know that throughout, so I wish there was a little more drama.
May 27, 2022
An arranged marriage between two children of rival mob bosses that really never connected. The stepmother from hell who has taken all of Lucky’s choices away in the fiasco of a wedding because the wedding is being covered by the Times. Anthony who is in town to get the parents home ready to sell and just helping his sister with the flower delivery. A bridezilla hiding in the back of his truck in a $31,000 wedding gown. The grooms goons on a hunt for the bride. What could go right?
While I received an ARC of the book for honest review, I purchased my own copy to read again.
While I received an ARC of the book for honest review, I purchased my own copy to read again.
May 1, 2022
This story was adorable! I loved the positivity and generosity of the protagonists. And a grumpy musician who’s given up his dream to raise his siblings? Mmmwaah!
The town Thea created is so quirky and the characters so charming. And I love that the confrontations at the end break stereotypes. Great feel-good story. I read an ARC and am happy to write this honest review.
The town Thea created is so quirky and the characters so charming. And I love that the confrontations at the end break stereotypes. Great feel-good story. I read an ARC and am happy to write this honest review.
May 3, 2022
A runaway bride, the mob and a musician who gave up his dreams when his parents were killed and he needed to look after his siblings. You don't run from an arranged marriage when you grow up in the mob, but Lucky does. Anthony is the unsuspecting helper in her escape and the more time they spend together the more the attraction grows. There is lots of growth in the characters in this story.
May 3, 2022
A little bit wacky with a side of mafia.
Yeah. What can I say?
Lucky is a mob bride on the run. Right into Anthony, a stand up guy who gave up his dream to raise his siblings.
Fun, with music and the mob.
Recommend.
Yeah. What can I say?
Lucky is a mob bride on the run. Right into Anthony, a stand up guy who gave up his dream to raise his siblings.
Fun, with music and the mob.
Recommend.
May 3, 2022
4.5☆
Cute and fun
What I liked:
The characters
The writing style
Dual POVs
Part of a series: Tales from the Flying Saucer Café
Standalone
HEA
Epilogue
I look forward to reading the next book in this series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC.
Cute and fun
What I liked:
The characters
The writing style
Dual POVs
Part of a series: Tales from the Flying Saucer Café
Standalone
HEA
Epilogue
I look forward to reading the next book in this series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC.
May 17, 2022
This story pulled me in straight away. The characters are so easy and amazing to read about. The storyline captured my attention and kept me waiting more. I really liked how it all unfolded. A brilliant read.
May 24, 2022
This is such a fun, easy read! Sassy heroine. Jaded hero. What could possibly go wrong?
Well, plenty, obviously. But the charm of Thea's books is how you are seamlessly drawn into the story. You can't help but root for them.
Truly entertaining.
Look forward to the next in the series
Well, plenty, obviously. But the charm of Thea's books is how you are seamlessly drawn into the story. You can't help but root for them.
Truly entertaining.
Look forward to the next in the series
May 26, 2022
Getting Lucky by Thea Dawson was gifted to me. I love this fast-paced book. I truly couldn't put it down. Thea hit it out of the park with this one. It's a great story that is funny and romantic at the same time. You will love it. Also, check out Thea Dawson's other books.
May 31, 2022
This is book one in the Tales from the Flying Saucer Café Series . This book is an small-town opposites attract romantic comedy .
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 29, 2023
Loved, loved, loved this book so had to sit and read all day to the end. Many times a book is described as a comedy but then it isn't funny. This one was funny.
Fortunately, Anthony was a patient guy who let Lucky do her thing, and they ended up together.
Fortunately, Anthony was a patient guy who let Lucky do her thing, and they ended up together.
May 3, 2022
OMG! Lucky and Anthony are something else. A well-written plot. I can't wait for the next book by the author. I volunteered to read an advance copy for an honest review.
May 4, 2022
A cute and fun read. I did have a bit of a different path for Anthony and Lucky, but hey, it is all a HEA!
May 24, 2022
This is a good story. I liked Lucky and Anthony and how they slowly went from enemies to friends.
June 1, 2022
This book was a great read. I was captivated by the storyline and finished it in one night. Can’t wait to read the rest of the characters stories.
June 24, 2022
A great story by Thea I loved it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews