About Books #86: As Luck Would Have It

Do you know that thing where the premise of a book sounds so good – but then, that basically just means that you’re setting yourself up for disappointment? That’s kind of what happened with As Luck Would Have It, I feel like.

I was offered an ARC by Netgalley in exchange for a review. All opinions are strictly my own.

The story

Natalie Jackson might keep up appearances on Instagram, but in reality her fiancé has just jilted her after the birth of their baby and she’s moved back in with her mum. Life isn’t exactly going to plan!

So when she enters the village raffle for the holiday of a lifetime, she thinks she has no chance of winning. But her name is pulled out – and, as luck would have it, so is a ticket bought by her childhood nemesis: Will Brimble.

Surely a romantic holiday for two is the worst idea ever…right?

The opinion

First of all, I probably need the disclaimer that, in general, I don’t really tend to like books that are narrated in the first story. Sure, it can be done, but it has to be done brilliantly – and I just didn’t feel like that is quite what was done here.

I mean, I literally just had to look up what the main character was called again – it’s Natalie, by the way. All I really remember of her, is that she spent the first bit of the book kind of obsessed with loving her daughter and disliking Will, to then move on to not really think of her daughter, and obsessing over Will. (For some reason, I did remember his name, and I don’t know what that says about either character, but there you have it none the less).

In general, I just felt as if this entire story was a bit forced – from the lying about being married, to the sudden change of hearts and oh we love each other completely and we’ll stay together forever. The plot felt rushed – which is a pity, because, as I mentioned in the beginning: I really liked the concept!

The rating: 2.25/5

Look, I can imagine that many people will like this book and the escapism it offers. However, I’m afraid it just wasn’t really for me… It was okay, and, as I’ve said a couple of times now: I liked the idea. The actual execution? Just not my thing… (Goodreads)

-Saar