Lucky Enough

Lucky O'Toole #11

by Deborah Coonts

Lucky’s story comes full circle in the conclusion of the Lucky O’Toole Vegas Adventures. “Evanovich…with a dash of CSI.” – Publishers Weekly (review of Lucky Stiff) A refuge. An escape. Where the heart is. After a high-body count trip through Europe, Lucky O’Toole, the Chief Problem Solver for the Babylon, Las Vegas’s most over the top Strip casino, is home and searching for peace, quiet and a quick fix for a broken heart. She should know better. Her father is failing in his fight to regain his health after taking a bullet to the chest. Her mother, Mona, is increasingly desperate to be “useful” which usually results in her being anything but. Her love life is in shambles. The DEA is after her, but not giving a hint as to why. The NBA is in town for their All-Star break extravaganza highlighting the new rookies. Somebody got cute and put a Bugatti on top of her hotel. And a dead guy turns up in delivery bay seven with his skull bashed in. Not exactly the soft reentry Lucky had hoped for. But she can handle it. Until her father, after checking himself out of the hospital, summons Lucky for a “family” meeting. A secret from his past puts the future of the Babylon and the family in jeopardy. And he expects Lucky to fix it. Worse, a financier who played cat-and-mouse with Lucky around the globe, striving to leave her holding the bag, could hold the key to her saving it all. Can she trust him? Does she have a choice? Find out by getting your copy of this light, funny, romantic mystery today!
AN INTERVIEW WITH DEBORAH COONTS Why did you decide to write humor? I’m not sure I decided to add snark to the Lucky books, specifically to Lucky’s own voice, it just happened that way. When I was a kid, my mouth always got me into trouble. Finally, I’ve found a way to harness the sarcasm for the Forces of Good—or at least in a way not to anger my grandmother. And when Lucky started talking to me, she had a strong dose of sass in her. The Lucky O'Toole Vegas Adventure series is hard to categorize. Is that by design? When I set out to write Wanna Get Lucky? , I knew I wanted to write a romp through Las Vegas. I had the characters and the setting but no real understanding of narrative drive. So, I threw a young woman out of a tour helicopter into the middle of the Pirate Show and let the story unfold. A bit of murder to keep the plot moving, some wisecracking and Vegas mischief to make you laugh, and some romance to keep it interesting. A bit of a mash up, but it works.
PRAISE FOR THE LUCKY O’TOOLE VEGAS ADVENTURE SERIES “Lucky’s story is funny, fast-paced, exuberant and brilliantly realized .” - Susan Wiggs, #1 New York Times bestselling author “Get ready to win big--with a novel that will keep you glued to the pages all the way to the end.” - Brenda Novak, New York Times & USA Today bestselling author " More fun than a winning streak in Vegas . Lucky O’Toole is a character with brains, beauty, and a wry sense of humor. Readers will want to meet her again—and soon." - Diane Mott Davidson, New York Times bestselling author "Deborah Coonts... entrusts the sleuthing to a brainy beauty who sees the lighter side of human folly ." - New York Times Book Review "Las Vegas is the perfect setting for this witty tale of misdirection and larger-than-life characters. Fans of J. A. Konrath's Jack Daniels series will love this ." - Library Journal, starred review “ A whirlwind of a kooky crime novel , and readers will enjoy every minute of it. Coonts provides the perfect solution for readers waiting for the next Stephanie Plum book .” - Booklist

Genres: Mystery

494 pages, Paperback

First published May 10, 2020

About the author

Get a free bundle of novellas ripped from the headlines of Lucky O'Toole's world: http://deborahcoonts.com/lucky-offer/

Deborah Coonts swears she was switched at birth. Coming from a family of homebodies, Deborah is the odd woman out, happiest with a passport, a high-limit credit card, her computer, and changing scenery outside her window. Goaded by an insatiable curiosity, she flies airplanes, rides motorcycles, travels the world, and pretends to be more of a badass than she probably is. Deborah is the author of the Lucky O’Toole Vegas Adventure series, a romantic mystery romp through Sin City. Wanna Get Lucky?, the first in the series, was a New York Times Notable Crime Novel and a double RITA™ Award Finalist. She has also penned the Kate Sawyer Medical Thriller series, the Brinda Rose Humorous Mystery series, as well as a couple of standalones. Although often on an adventure, you can always track her down at www.deborahcoonts.com.

Reviews

[Michaela Shannon-sank · Rating 1 out of 5]

Huge letdown

Warning! Spoilers ahead!!
Soooooooo disappointed in this, the last of the Lucky O’Toole Adventures. It felt like the author was phoning it in. I mean, wow, barely any effort. And predictable. Who didn’t know that Sinjin was in love with her? Like every other guy she meets, except Romeo thank god. But seriously, loose ends galore, Mona is just dropping her campaign? Just like that? What about Jean Charles’s father? Um, hello, some other guy might be Lucky’s father? And we’re left hanging??? And Lucky just walks away from Jean Charles, just like that, so easy, and little Christophe. What a B! So she and Teddie are friends again, maybe-who-knows-it-could-lead-somewhere-else-but-then-again-so-could-it-with-Sinjin. And did she lose her hotel or not? Pretty vague on that. And with the bad guy who we spent (wasted) so much time on being built up as the bad guy and left hanging. I was really sad when the author announced that this would be the final book in this series but now I think it should have ended several books ago, this one is (and I hate to say it) pretty bad. Sorry, not sorry. Just sorry I bought it.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disappointing Ending

I have loved this series. However, I find myself really disappointed with such an open ending for Lucky's love life. With that said I would still highly recommend this series.

[Julie Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, in fact the whole series. It is sad that there won't be anymore adventures in Lucky's unique world. With so much going on it is hard to find what I liked best. It was just a good book with great characters and a twisty mystery. The book continues from when the last adventure left off, it isn't necessarily to have read the previous book but reading a Lucky adventure is like catching up with old friends, with so many recurring characters it feels like you know them or have at the very least watched them on the tv, so I would recommend reading the previous books first.
Lucky has finally made it home, back to Las Vegas and just in time. With her father's health continuing to decline and Mona launching another one of her stunts, it is just another day in Vegas. What isn't another day is the dead body found in the delivery bay and a car placed in the middle of the restaurant at the top of the casino and Lucky has to hit the tarmac running to get ahead of it all as head problem solver for the Babylon. But someone is cleaning up there own mess and all Lucky finds is bodies. The casino didn't stop spinning with Lucky gone but now she is back she will have to find a blackmailer as well as a killer because this time she is fighting to save the Las Vegas she calls home as well as the big bosses life. Oh it's good to be back!
It might be the end of the Lucky O'Toole series but I can't wait to see what adventure the author will take us on next.

[Lisa Malmquist · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series. Very sharp and fast paced. Mystery with a bit of humor and romance. But lots of adventure!
This is the last in the Lucky O'Toole series. Lucky is a problem solver for one of the biggest hotels in Vegas. He father is in ill health and Lucky may have to take over for him. Her mother is always trying to be useful but creates more problems that Lucky has to solve.
Her love life is a mess, the DEA is after something. The NBA is in town.
And somebody put a Bugatti on top of her hotel. Not as funny of a prank as it seems when. dead guy is found inside.
Meanwhile, there is trouble with the hotel someone is making a grab for it on a weak technicality and her father is on the warpath.
And a financier she met in Hong Kong, a modern day pirate is the one who might save her or finish her off.
Wild ride and lots of fun!

[Bobbi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not sure why so many people were disappointed with this book. I enjoyed it. And Lucky’s love life has been so screwed up through all these 11 books that I really, at this point, had no problems with who she did or didn’t end up with. Still an enjoyable book and I’m going to miss everything Las Vegas!

[Sharon Grow · Rating 5 out of 5]

The final book in the Lucky O’Toole series does not disappoint! If you have not read the series, this might not be the book to start with as there is so much “Lucky” history that you will have missed. She is going out with a bang as there is a murder during a convention, a car is on the roof, the Babylon may be in trouble, her father’s health is in jeopardy, her mother is…well her mother, and the DEA need to talk to her. In other words, a typical day in the life of Lucky. Lucky is the Vice President of Customer Relations for the Babylon Casino, in her words, a “fixer.” The story is full of action, mystery, and humor as Lucky moves from one problem to the next. A wonderful series and an amazing and sad farewell to Lucky. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation from the author. (by paytonpuppy)

[Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lucky O'Toole arrives back in Las Vegas to find her dad's health has not improved and he drops a bomb on her shoulders which puts the future of the casino in jeopardy, not to mention the dead body in a loading dock bay and a very expensive luxury car sitting atop the pool on the rooftop bar. All of the men in and out of her life are around. This is the final entry in the Lucky books, but it does not go out on a smooth easy ride. You will be caught up in all the action, and if you have a favorite love interest of Lucky's...well, we won't go there. My favorite was there at the end, but there are no final resolutions. If you have ready all the Lucky O'Toole stories this one is a tripy story going in so many directions. To be honest, some of the regular characters are not used much. They make an appearance and serve their purpose, but they are a little short on involvement. But it is still a good final chapter.

[Jenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

*audiobook version*

Ugh! I didn't like this one. It's because of where the narrative took the characters' various story arcs and not b/c of the writing.
I've been doing this on audio & it's been entertaining. I've enjoyed listening. The narrator Patricia Santomasso does a good job.
My issue is that after several books, as a fan/reader, I get invested in my characters. And you want things to go a certain way so when it doesn't, I get upset.
But I realize I'm not the writer. A writer has some responsibility to their fans (b/c hey, w/out us..there wouldn't be..) but it is ultimately their creation. And while it was a logical progression for the characters, I'm still frustrated. For me, I've invested all this time into these stories so it's annoying when it seems like that was a waste.
Now am I peeved enough to stop? Nah..I'd do the next book in the series. I want to see what happens next in Lucky's world.

[Jack Hawkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have read all Deborah Coonts books, The Lucky series for me started to lose a little interest with the inclusion of the French characters. I would like to see much more involvement of the local characters. Much more Teddie, install him in the piano bar, developed as a hero type love interest and soul mate for Lucky. Less JC send him back to Paris. Keep Lucky at Las Vegas, now as the owner of Babylon. Keep Mona build stories around her and her previous life as a madam come back to haunt her. More stories of the shady people who are attracted to Vegas for gambling and other excesses. Competition from Maybe Macau or UK casinos, develop Teddy with skills to handle such people who want to muscle in on the Babylon. No more French who are utterly boring.

[Patricia Moran · Rating 4 out of 5]

It didn’t actually end

When purchased I knew this was the last book and I’ve saved it , because it was the final story in an enjoyable series. I’ve yet to really enjoy the final book or tv show in any series. I still haven’t. This didn’t end , it’s more of a commercial break. I have a feeling that Lucky will start clamoring to be let out of Deborah Coonts’ imagination and Lucky will win. There are too many loose ends and Wu isn’t finished. I waited to leave a review because I wanted to think about the story. I’m still unsettled and I’m not satisfied. This has some funny scenes but it really felt as if the author needed a break from the character. Lucky wasn’t as much fun, she’s cranky, angry and “pitchy”.( change a letter)

[Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

As sad as I am that the series has come to an end, at least Lucky came back to Las Vegas and we get to see among her family again — not just her father and mother, but her family at the Babylon, and so we get a little bit of closure with each of them, even if we don’t spend as much time with each of them as we’d like to. Lucky’s just as bad-ass as she’s always been even as she struggles with the toll it takes on her and with what she wants her life to be now. It’s not a slam-bang finish to a decade-long journey with Lucky, but at the end of the book there could be the start of a beautiful friendship for her.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book eleven and the final book in this series. I'm so happy I found this series. I've enjoyed every book and wish there were more. Speaking of more, it seems like the ending was left open, kind of, to where maybe the author might, someday, write more. At least I hope so. I'm not done with Lucky and her band of fix it friends. Maybe if the author takes a few years break, she will be inspired to give us an "update" as to what Lucky and family are up to.
Until then, there are four novella's I've yet to read. So......

[Lili · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, how lovely! Ms Coonts decided to let us imagine how Lucky will get lucky with the next (and last) man of her life! Just a hint here and there and a suspicious mind...

Very well done, this wrapping up of the series. I love the writing, the unexpected, the unassuming, the courage, the heart and everything else by this author.

I can't help but miss Lucky already, even though I know such is life and I have to let go. My only consolation is the next book I expect is coming!

[Cindy Rippentrop · Rating 5 out of 5]

Series Ender

I can't believe this is the last book of this series. Another great Vegas mystery solved, wonderfully unique characters, over the top shenanigans and the men. This book left me with more questions than answers,wrap up did not seem like an ending but more like a new beginning. I highly recommend this book and while the books are stand alone they are best read in order. Enjoy! Enjoy! Enjoy!

[Dolly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an incredible saga really, following the intrepid Lucky O'Toole through many adventures. This book is the last in the series, though many of us secretly hope there could be others later on.... never say never, right? This is the crowning gem of the series, bringing things around to where they belong. Such a good read, so well done you KNOW Lucky and you FEEL her distress. I recommend it very very highly. Thank you Ms Coonts for a wonderful series.

[Nancy Gibson · Rating 4 out of 5]

After a trip around the globe, Lucky lands back in her beloved Las Vegas only to hit the ground running at her usual frenetic pace – and the people in her life continue to create complications that no mere mortal should be able handle. But, as usual, Lucky is up to the task – or is she? Deborah Coonts is a skilled wordsmith, and she is deftly able to keep us on the edge of our seat breathlessly following Lucky through the maze that is her life.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

The end of an era?

Sad to see that this is the final Lucky O’Toole book. However, I do agree that this poor gal needs a rest. It’s been nonstop since book 1. A fantastic series. Hard to watch as life beat Lucky down. I’m glad it ended the way it began, but would have been happier seeing a final chapter with Brandy, Romeo, Mrs P, Jeremy, and the rest of the crew having a good time with Lucky slipping off to home at the end.

[Debbiebooknerdyoung · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved my read!
Lucky has so much going on in her life, and she's struggling with her Dads poor health.
I've read every book in the series, and this one was just as amazing as the ones leading up to it.
I will miss reading about Lucky and her adventures.
An outstanding story to finish off the series.
The whole series is 5 star worthy!
I look forward to whatever D. Coonts writes next.

[Cherokee1642 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love them all

Just can't wait for the next lucky o Toole book to come out. I order as soon as it hits my notification list. Such a fun ride. Their Wii great reads and your sure to enjoy them all, but do yourself a favor and start with the first one, that way you are along for the ride as Luckys story grows. Enjoy

[Daryl Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another exciting adventure for Lucky with her families amazing hotel/casino in jeopardy. I am a little sad after reading this book as it is the last of the Lucky books, I have read them all including the one written with the Housewife Assassin. I can only hope that someday Lucky will appear to Deborah Coonts and we will have another Lucky O'Toole book!

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lucky enough

This can't be the last one! We have to know who she ends up with. I've been with Lucky since the beginning. She has grown up. Each are stand alone but you really do want to start with first one. You won't be sorry.

[Sharleen Wells · Rating 5 out of 5]

Luck be a Lady

The adventures of Lucky She can get a man, but can she keep him. Love, Vegas and mystery. I am always thoroughly entertained by Lucky's tales. Great characters and fun stories.

[Penny Christmas · Rating 5 out of 5]

How dare you say this the last?

Loved this as all the previous in the series but maybe, not wanting to give anything away, in the future a novella just to really finish Lucky's story.

[Glenda Thedens · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book didn't disappoint. As good as the rest of the series, only disappoint is that it's the last one. Would like to see more develope between Lucky and
Teddie, Romeo and Brandy, and Jeremy and Miss P.
Also keep Lucky 's father, Mona and the twins I future stories.

[Jeff J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 11th (and final?) book in the Lucky O’Toole series. Good resolution of the many storylines yet still leaving openings for more. I hope Coonts can find a way to continue the series, Las Vegas is a great setting for a mystery series.

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

love Lucky

I love the Lucky O’Toole series. The characters are fun and the adventures they have are entertaining. I would love to see this series continue with Lucky as the owner of the Babylon.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid one to end the series on. It wrapped up many side stories and best of all did not do a false ending of teasing a sequel that will never come. Still all in all it ended a bit too neatly for my taste. But a fun series overall. Glad i stuck it out for 11 books

[Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well told story that really puts Lucky through the wringer both physically and mentally.
It's a great ending to the series that wraps up most of the questions left behind in the previous books.

[Betsy☘️Boo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it. I’m sad to say goodbye to Lucky but I think she ended up exactly where she should have.

[Susan Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thing up loose ends

I am so sad to say goodbye to Lucky and the gang. The final book of the series is the same high quality read as the previous books. Thanks for the ride!