Getting Lucky

intrigued and ready for the next book.

The first of a new series, Getting Lucky by Jennifer Seasons is a contemporary romance with a decided small town feel. Just the sort of story laden with characters and potential stories to come that will reel readers in and keep them waiting for more. Particularly if the writing and characters continue to defy conventionally expected norms that I want in my romances.

Starting off with a plot that requires some deception, I was wondering if Seasons would be able to pull a romance off with two characters who are actively deceiving one another. I understood the reasons for it, and could even empathize with Shannon’s position, as the people-pleaser of her family, she will do what it takes for approval. But that doesn’t excuse her purpose, even if her intentions were not necessarily her own.

But let me back up: Shanon is a Charlemagne, daughter of a very successful Thoroughbred racing stable in Colorado. Racing is not always a pretty game – it’s far darker and more cutthroat on the backside (the stables) than going to the races would indicate. But Shannon has the skills, talent and experience to manage a racing stable, and that is what her father demands she do: infiltrate the stables of Sean Muldoon to discover just what he is doing to achieve such success, often to the detriment of her own family’s endeavors.

Sean Muldoon had a hard life growing up in Ireland, and has worked both on the legal and illegal side of racecourses for years. His experience has enabled him to settle in Fortune and build his own stable of winners. It’s just difficult finding help. When a friend in town suggests that he run an advert and start interviewing, he turns down several candidates until meeting Shannon.

These two are point / counterpoint: Sean is tall and dark, Black Irish with coal black hair, green eyes and an accent that charms the moss of the Blarney Stone. Shannon is fair and red-haired, a tad on the timid and shy side.

These two are really fun together: Shannon is slowly getting to be more comfortable in her own skin, and she wants that skin near Sean. Sean is as sexy as can be, and he likes Shannon, well, perhaps more than likes her. But his past is a dangerous place with deadly people, and he knows that his success with racing just may bring that danger to his door.

From some angsty moments to high drama, softer times slipped in that allowed the two to get closer and soon their secrets are revealed. Far from being a stumbling block, Shannon’s impetus for invading Sean’s stables gave her a purpose, and showed her that she can survive while making her own decisions. Sean’s confidence in Shannon’s regard for him and that just may be worth taking big chance.

Fun and light with just enough angst from past issues and the current threat of Sean’s past returning to endanger his new life this story flew by. Plenty of characters from the town are introduced and presented with the start of their own HEA’s has me intrigued and ready for the next book.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via Edelweiss for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.