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The Ex Lottery
A WOMAN WITH A POT OF GOLD.
AN IRISHMAN WITH A DRAGON'S CASTLE.
AND THREE EX-BOYFRIENDS.
THE EX LOTTERY, winner of three 1st Place Contemporary Romance Awards, is a modern fairy tale about a lonely art teacher who is unlucky in love, but lucky in numbers. Three times Tory Adams has loved, and three times her heart has been broken. On a whim, she buys a lottery ticket using the dates her ex-boyfriends dumped her. And wins. Wins $600 million dollars.
All Tory has ever wanted is love, a home, and a family. With her newfound pot of gold, she decides that though she may never have love, she can have the home of her dreams—an Irish castle where her grandparents met and fell in love.
Tory travels to Ireland to purchase the Castle on Dragon's Isle. But with money comes complications and a new chance at love. Tory soon discovers romance at every turn. First, a handsome Irishman appears followed by a trio of men all vying for her love. Now she must decide—do the men love her or are they simply romancing the numbers?
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THE EX LOTTERY honors include the follow award in contemporary romance: the Chanticleer Reviews Chatelaine Award, the NEC-RWA™ Readers' Choice Award, and the Chick Lit Get Your Stiletto in the Door Award.
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Also available on Kindle.
AN IRISHMAN WITH A DRAGON'S CASTLE.
AND THREE EX-BOYFRIENDS.
THE EX LOTTERY, winner of three 1st Place Contemporary Romance Awards, is a modern fairy tale about a lonely art teacher who is unlucky in love, but lucky in numbers. Three times Tory Adams has loved, and three times her heart has been broken. On a whim, she buys a lottery ticket using the dates her ex-boyfriends dumped her. And wins. Wins $600 million dollars.
All Tory has ever wanted is love, a home, and a family. With her newfound pot of gold, she decides that though she may never have love, she can have the home of her dreams—an Irish castle where her grandparents met and fell in love.
Tory travels to Ireland to purchase the Castle on Dragon's Isle. But with money comes complications and a new chance at love. Tory soon discovers romance at every turn. First, a handsome Irishman appears followed by a trio of men all vying for her love. Now she must decide—do the men love her or are they simply romancing the numbers?
————————
THE EX LOTTERY honors include the follow award in contemporary romance: the Chanticleer Reviews Chatelaine Award, the NEC-RWA™ Readers' Choice Award, and the Chick Lit Get Your Stiletto in the Door Award.
—————————
Also available on Kindle.
334 pages, Paperback
First published May 19, 2014
7 people are currently reading
948 people want to read
About the author
Kim Sanders
2 books18 followersKim Sanders was born and raised in the South and currently lives in South Carolina with her husband. Sanders received a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of North Carolina and a doctor of law degree from Emory University. Over the years, she has worked as a journalist, a photographer, an editor, and an attorney. After winning sixth place in a Writer’s Digest short story contest, she decided to pursue yet another career as a fiction writer. Her debut novel SHADES OF GRAY became an Amazon bestseller. THE EX LOTTERY was released on May 19, 2014.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
June 16, 2015
So sweet...nice easy romantic read
3.5 stars
Ok this book did not feel realistic. It was pretty far fetched. Also.the sex scenes were quite PG...still I liked this book a lot. It had an insta-love feel sure, but if you are looking for a charming, easy going light romance this one certainly do the trick. Perfect.beach read
3.5 stars
Ok this book did not feel realistic. It was pretty far fetched. Also.the sex scenes were quite PG...still I liked this book a lot. It had an insta-love feel sure, but if you are looking for a charming, easy going light romance this one certainly do the trick. Perfect.beach read
September 12, 2016
4.5
I really liked this story. It was fun and magical and a very easy read.
I enjoyed all of the characters, even if the exes did start to get on my nerves a little, but overall, I really liked everyone.
Tory was great. She had moments where she seemed a bit wishy-washy, but for the most part, I really liked her. I enjoyed how she picked her numbers, I loved how she was a real character who just because she got lucky in finances, she didn't just change who she was overnight. She was still learning to not be so scared of life, of love, and adventure. I enjoyed her journey and all the little signs she saw. I loved her dedication to her grandmother, the journey to find the "blue dragon," and how she found her real home, just like her grandmother had once upon a time.
Shane was a great character too. He's supposed to be a playboy type, but you never deal with any of his past conquests or have him really focusing on any of them. I loved that. Other than Cate (who I also enjoyed, especially the way she tormented Shane) mentioning previous flings, Shane was an amazing leading man. While I understood why he was "playing" Tory, I was sad he played the game so long, and didn't listen to reason about how what he was doing would not only hurt Tory, but himself. Thankfully, he didn't need long to realise his mistake.
The secondary characters were a hoot! Even though grams had passed on, it felt like she was constantly around Tory. And I loved Mags and Molli. They were loyal and funny and adorable. I knew the twist halfway through but it didn't diminish the reveal for me at all. Ken and Jack seemed very immature and I kind of wondered what Tory saw in them. Not to say they were bad, just I didn't understand how she ever ended up with either of them. Carter was a different story. It was sad and while I felt bad for him in some instances, for the most part, I couldn't help but think he made his own bed, he had to deal with the consequences of it.
While it wasn't instalove, it was instalust. And though only a week really passes in the story, it didn't feel like Shane and Tory went from strangers to being in love. There was enough story in the middle before the "l" word came out that I didn't feel the rush (though in reality, a week is pretty quick). Still, I loved their relationship. I liked that though again, he was seen as a playboy, Shane wooed Tory. He liked her, enjoyed her company and not just to get in her panties. Having Mags and Molli around helped too!
There is a reason I couldn't give 5 stars. Or a couple reasons. For starters, the resolution, while good, was too fast. I looked at the amount of story left and saw I was already at 97% of the book and there was still the conflict to be dealt with. It was so quick how one minute Tory and Shane were at odds and the next . There needed to be a bit more groveling, in my opinion before we reached that point. Especially since almost right after that . I liked the epilogue, though I wished it were longer. Still, it was sweet and made me happy. So again, I really liked this story and even though I felt the ending was rushed, this was a fun light, magical read I would definitely recommend it.
I really liked this story. It was fun and magical and a very easy read.
I enjoyed all of the characters, even if the exes did start to get on my nerves a little, but overall, I really liked everyone.
Tory was great. She had moments where she seemed a bit wishy-washy, but for the most part, I really liked her. I enjoyed how she picked her numbers, I loved how she was a real character who just because she got lucky in finances, she didn't just change who she was overnight. She was still learning to not be so scared of life, of love, and adventure. I enjoyed her journey and all the little signs she saw. I loved her dedication to her grandmother, the journey to find the "blue dragon," and how she found her real home, just like her grandmother had once upon a time.
Shane was a great character too. He's supposed to be a playboy type, but you never deal with any of his past conquests or have him really focusing on any of them. I loved that. Other than Cate (who I also enjoyed, especially the way she tormented Shane) mentioning previous flings, Shane was an amazing leading man. While I understood why he was "playing" Tory, I was sad he played the game so long, and didn't listen to reason about how what he was doing would not only hurt Tory, but himself. Thankfully, he didn't need long to realise his mistake.
The secondary characters were a hoot! Even though grams had passed on, it felt like she was constantly around Tory. And I loved Mags and Molli. They were loyal and funny and adorable. I knew the twist halfway through but it didn't diminish the reveal for me at all. Ken and Jack seemed very immature and I kind of wondered what Tory saw in them. Not to say they were bad, just I didn't understand how she ever ended up with either of them. Carter was a different story. It was sad and while I felt bad for him in some instances, for the most part, I couldn't help but think he made his own bed, he had to deal with the consequences of it.
While it wasn't instalove, it was instalust. And though only a week really passes in the story, it didn't feel like Shane and Tory went from strangers to being in love. There was enough story in the middle before the "l" word came out that I didn't feel the rush (though in reality, a week is pretty quick). Still, I loved their relationship. I liked that though again, he was seen as a playboy, Shane wooed Tory. He liked her, enjoyed her company and not just to get in her panties. Having Mags and Molli around helped too!
There is a reason I couldn't give 5 stars. Or a couple reasons. For starters, the resolution, while good, was too fast. I looked at the amount of story left and saw I was already at 97% of the book and there was still the conflict to be dealt with. It was so quick how one minute Tory and Shane were at odds and the next . There needed to be a bit more groveling, in my opinion before we reached that point. Especially since almost right after that . I liked the epilogue, though I wished it were longer. Still, it was sweet and made me happy. So again, I really liked this story and even though I felt the ending was rushed, this was a fun light, magical read I would definitely recommend it.
December 3, 2017
4.5 ★ Audiobook⎮Three things drew me to The Ex Lottery: 1) The cover. This looks like the cover of a NYT Bestseller. 2) The narrator. Eva Kaminsky is ahh-mazing, but I’ll tell you more about that later. 3) The premise. This was the biggest draw. Kim Sanders has thought up an entirely original basis for a story. It was one that I couldn’t resist, even though I’m not typically that fond of the romance genre.
The Ex Lottery wound up being just the lighthearted adventure that I needed after all of the spook-tacular audios I heard in October. The story was definitely fun, but it wasn’t shallow. It had real substance. I was surprised to find such a well-woven plot underneath all of the fun.
One of my biggest complaints with Romance, and with all genres, is predictability. Sanders’ cleverness extended beyond the basic premise of the story. As someone who listens to a lots of stories, I love being surprised. Alas, it is becoming harder and harder to surprise me. However, Sanders was able to catch me offguard several times with unexpected, but welcomed, plot twists. With true skill, she was able to tie each of these seemingly random twists into the larger story, leaving no loose ends.
Many authors are capable of developing ideas clever enough to serve as the foundation of a good story, but far fewer are able to execute those ideas and follow them up with a story of worth. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve read a promising synopsis, only to be let down by the plot execution, character development, quality of writing, or all of the above. The Ex Lottery was well written, narrated, and produced.
The Ex Lottery did not disappoint me in any respect. It made me laugh, made me swoon, and kept me guessing. If only all Contemporary Romance novels were written with as much ingenuity and heart as The Ex Lottery, I might become a regular romance listener. At the very least, I’m interested in hearing more from Kim Sanders.
Narration review: Eva Kaminsky was a huge part of why I decided to listen to The Ex Lottery. I hadn’t heard her before, but I’d heard of her enough to know that this would be worth a listen. And it sure was! Kaminsky added so much to the telling of this story. She was perfectly tuned into the characters’ personalities and the overall tone of the tale. The characterization she provided, particularly to the exes and other background characters, went a long way toward helping me navigate the story and connect with its characters. Less than an hour into the audiobook, I had already begun searching through her other titles. I plan on hearing The Gilded Age Mysteries very soon. ♣︎
➜ This audiobook was graciously gifted to me by its author, Kim Sanders, in exchange for a review containing my honest thoughts and opinions. Thanks, Kim!
The Ex Lottery wound up being just the lighthearted adventure that I needed after all of the spook-tacular audios I heard in October. The story was definitely fun, but it wasn’t shallow. It had real substance. I was surprised to find such a well-woven plot underneath all of the fun.
One of my biggest complaints with Romance, and with all genres, is predictability. Sanders’ cleverness extended beyond the basic premise of the story. As someone who listens to a lots of stories, I love being surprised. Alas, it is becoming harder and harder to surprise me. However, Sanders was able to catch me offguard several times with unexpected, but welcomed, plot twists. With true skill, she was able to tie each of these seemingly random twists into the larger story, leaving no loose ends.
Many authors are capable of developing ideas clever enough to serve as the foundation of a good story, but far fewer are able to execute those ideas and follow them up with a story of worth. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve read a promising synopsis, only to be let down by the plot execution, character development, quality of writing, or all of the above. The Ex Lottery was well written, narrated, and produced.
The Ex Lottery did not disappoint me in any respect. It made me laugh, made me swoon, and kept me guessing. If only all Contemporary Romance novels were written with as much ingenuity and heart as The Ex Lottery, I might become a regular romance listener. At the very least, I’m interested in hearing more from Kim Sanders.
Narration review: Eva Kaminsky was a huge part of why I decided to listen to The Ex Lottery. I hadn’t heard her before, but I’d heard of her enough to know that this would be worth a listen. And it sure was! Kaminsky added so much to the telling of this story. She was perfectly tuned into the characters’ personalities and the overall tone of the tale. The characterization she provided, particularly to the exes and other background characters, went a long way toward helping me navigate the story and connect with its characters. Less than an hour into the audiobook, I had already begun searching through her other titles. I plan on hearing The Gilded Age Mysteries very soon. ♣︎
➜ This audiobook was graciously gifted to me by its author, Kim Sanders, in exchange for a review containing my honest thoughts and opinions. Thanks, Kim!
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August 21, 2017Y'all that cover is totally kick a**.
And now I want to go to Ireland.
And win the lottery.
And now I want to go to Ireland.
And win the lottery.
February 25, 2018
What else can I say, except that I LOVED this book! I mean, it has been a dream of mine for a while to run away to Ireland, to meet the man of my dreams. And that isn't exactly what the plot of this story is, but it definitely has some aspects that are along that same idea. At first it took me a bit to get into, just because the character was getting ready to go to Ireland, and hadn't left yet. I know that set-up was needed, but if I'd been reading instead of listening, I'd have skimmed through that bit much quicker than I did when I was listening. However, once Tori got to Ireland, the story really picked up. In fact, I was only a little over a third of the way through when I was at a point that I did not want to stop listening in my car when I'd arrived at work that morning. The coincidences that I predicted did come out, but in a good way, one that kept the story going, and definitely weren't the kind that made you think the story was too much of a usual one.
You can read my full review on Lisa Loves Literature.
You can read my full review on Lisa Loves Literature.
February 24, 2018
Visit me at https://smadasbooksmack.blogspot.com/
After being fed up with getting her heart broken, on a whim Tori plays the lottery using the days she has been broken up with- and wins! She becomes a hermit to avoid all the attention, especially the marriage proposals, a result of the interview she unknowingly gave where she confessed how she picked her numbers. Due to a promise made with her beloved dying grandmother, she is now on her way to Ireland, the place where her grandmother found love.
This was so cute, while listening I felt like I was watching a romantic chick flick with all the ups and downs and feels. There was humor, heart, fate and love and it made me just want to buy a physical copy to hold to my chest. I loved the charm and magic that was interwoven in the story, making Ireland feel magical as if anything is possible, and signs and fate that were everywhere. It was a modern day Irish fairytale about finding yourself and true love and who doesn't want one of those?
The story was dual narrated by Tori and Shane, the two love interests. Tori did have a habit of assuming the worst about a person or a casual comment and totally overreact- there were so many times she could have avoided painful situations if she thought less with her tender emotions. There were so many times that the biggest problem between the two characters were due to incorrect information or inadvertent misleading and it really made me want to scream! If I could have just shaken some sense into the characters, maybe I would have had a happy ending sooner...
The narrator was so good, I would gladly listen to her read me more books in the future- and remember, I am a super picky listener! She brought all the characters to life, not just the two main characters but all the side characters were bursting with personality. Her Irish accent was just perfect and charming. I do think that she is up there with one of my favorite narrators and I would love to listen to more stories read by her- I have now added all her narrated books to my wishlist!
I really enjoyed being swept up in the story, be it the swoony romantic moments, the heartfelt truths, or the ridiculous comedy provided by three unwelcome suitors. I did read somewhere that there will be another book focused on Carter and that will 100% be on my wish-list as soon as it exists! I highly recommend this book and I can't wait for more from this author.
I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Kim Sanders. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.
After being fed up with getting her heart broken, on a whim Tori plays the lottery using the days she has been broken up with- and wins! She becomes a hermit to avoid all the attention, especially the marriage proposals, a result of the interview she unknowingly gave where she confessed how she picked her numbers. Due to a promise made with her beloved dying grandmother, she is now on her way to Ireland, the place where her grandmother found love.
This was so cute, while listening I felt like I was watching a romantic chick flick with all the ups and downs and feels. There was humor, heart, fate and love and it made me just want to buy a physical copy to hold to my chest. I loved the charm and magic that was interwoven in the story, making Ireland feel magical as if anything is possible, and signs and fate that were everywhere. It was a modern day Irish fairytale about finding yourself and true love and who doesn't want one of those?
The story was dual narrated by Tori and Shane, the two love interests. Tori did have a habit of assuming the worst about a person or a casual comment and totally overreact- there were so many times she could have avoided painful situations if she thought less with her tender emotions. There were so many times that the biggest problem between the two characters were due to incorrect information or inadvertent misleading and it really made me want to scream! If I could have just shaken some sense into the characters, maybe I would have had a happy ending sooner...
The narrator was so good, I would gladly listen to her read me more books in the future- and remember, I am a super picky listener! She brought all the characters to life, not just the two main characters but all the side characters were bursting with personality. Her Irish accent was just perfect and charming. I do think that she is up there with one of my favorite narrators and I would love to listen to more stories read by her- I have now added all her narrated books to my wishlist!
I really enjoyed being swept up in the story, be it the swoony romantic moments, the heartfelt truths, or the ridiculous comedy provided by three unwelcome suitors. I did read somewhere that there will be another book focused on Carter and that will 100% be on my wish-list as soon as it exists! I highly recommend this book and I can't wait for more from this author.
I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Kim Sanders. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.
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February 19, 2018I was drawn to this book for several reasons. The Description of the book sounded amazing. The cover is gorgeous. The author is new to me, which is always a plus in my book. I love discovering new authors works! I felt that the romance in this book was intense and Tory and Shane were great characters! The descriptions of Ireland and Dublin really made me want to go there, in a bad way. I've always wanted to go to Ireland, but more so now after reading this authors descriptions of the book! Eva Kaminsky did a great job with the narration. She has a clear voice that was easy to follow.
February 6, 2018
One unlucky in love art school teacher, $600 millions dollars, Ireland, a castle, a dragon, and a story that gave her hope there was something more for her and her dreams. Tory never dreamed that her bad luck with men would be the key to her future and her fortune. She never dreamed that her grandmother would sell the only home she had ever known and loved. She never expected to be truly going across the world, to a castle that had been a part of her life since she could remember. She never expected that her journey home would start with meeting a man that makes her feel more than every. Tory never dreamed that all her exs would follow her across the world.
I was very much invested in this story from the start all the way to the end. There were few parts that felt like something was missing, but I could piece things together. I loved Tory's best friends. I would have loved to have seen more of her. I really liked Tory. I could relate to her. She felt real.
Narration gave this read a little something extra. Eva Kaminsky did a good job giving each character there own identity and uniqueness. The audio was smooth, hiccup free and kept pacing with the speed changes.
I was very much invested in this story from the start all the way to the end. There were few parts that felt like something was missing, but I could piece things together. I loved Tory's best friends. I would have loved to have seen more of her. I really liked Tory. I could relate to her. She felt real.
Narration gave this read a little something extra. Eva Kaminsky did a good job giving each character there own identity and uniqueness. The audio was smooth, hiccup free and kept pacing with the speed changes.
February 11, 2018
A witty and entertaining story!
The Ex Lottery was an enjoyable, fun and easy to read romantic adventure. An entertaining plot that will have you laughing aloud while cheering on the main characters. The characters are relatable and realistic. Kim Sanders has a creative style of writing that is easy to follow and enjoy. A fresh and unique plot that forms an enjoyable book!
Eva Kaminsky did a great job with the narration. She has a clear and crisp voice that was easy to follow.
The Ex Lottery was an enjoyable, fun and easy to read romantic adventure. An entertaining plot that will have you laughing aloud while cheering on the main characters. The characters are relatable and realistic. Kim Sanders has a creative style of writing that is easy to follow and enjoy. A fresh and unique plot that forms an enjoyable book!
Eva Kaminsky did a great job with the narration. She has a clear and crisp voice that was easy to follow.
February 21, 2018
The Story
Unlucky in love, Tori Adams finds herself lucky with numbers and walks away with a $600 million lottery jackpot. Now she has admirers and proposals swarming at an alarming rate. She needs a break from all the unwanted attention and so her best friend Emma persuades her to stick to the plan of taking a trip to Ireland and buying the castle of her dreams.
Although she's never visited, Ireland has always been a part of Tori. Her grandmother met and fell in love with her grandfather there. He was her blue dragon. The tale of Tori's grandparents' whirlwind romance has left her desperately searching for her own happily ever after. On her way to the castle of her dreams, Tori meets handsome Irish businessman Shane. But he's not the only one who's enchanted by the former kindergarten teacher. Past loves Jack, Ken and Carter make the trek across the Atlantic after her too. Who loves her? And who's just looking to cash in?
I liked this story. The plot is well-laid out. The complications are clear. The resolutions are satisfying. There are also a couple of secondary plots to keep the reader's interest and tickle their heart. The main characters are well-developed and their growth is shown as the story progresses. Although the story opens well after the passing of Tori's grandmother, she is still very much a part of the book and her story is just as captivating.
This tale is billed as a fairy tale and you should understand that up front. It's very romantic and at times whimsical. Everything is romanticized through Tori's eyes from infants, to the dramatically beautiful setting and even to an old sea captain's gnarled hands.
I listened to the audiobook version of this story.
Narration: For the most part the narration was well-done for this audiobook. Eva Kaminsky speaks clearly and at a good pace. Tori's voice was distinct from other females. I found there was excellent distinction of Jack's voice and Shane's voice in particular. Kaminsky's attempt at the Irish accent was commendable. While it started off a bit rough, I found she steadily improved her attempted Irish brogue as the narration progressed. (4/5)
Production: Sound quality was good overall. The audio was clear and sound levels were consistent. Spacing between chapters was very good. However, the spacing between POV shifts was too short and I often had to rewind a tiny bit to get my bearings, especially when the changed POV started with dialogue as opposed to setting. I think I detected a little 'blip' in the audio just about two times. (4/5)
Overall Experience: Overall this story translated to audio quite well. I enjoyed listening. The Irish accents were cute and added a nice flair to the storytelling. (4/5)
If you are looking for a cute fairy tale with an ending to make you smile; if you love the fantasy of the Irish; if you're in love with falling in love… this is the book for you.
Unlucky in love, Tori Adams finds herself lucky with numbers and walks away with a $600 million lottery jackpot. Now she has admirers and proposals swarming at an alarming rate. She needs a break from all the unwanted attention and so her best friend Emma persuades her to stick to the plan of taking a trip to Ireland and buying the castle of her dreams.
Although she's never visited, Ireland has always been a part of Tori. Her grandmother met and fell in love with her grandfather there. He was her blue dragon. The tale of Tori's grandparents' whirlwind romance has left her desperately searching for her own happily ever after. On her way to the castle of her dreams, Tori meets handsome Irish businessman Shane. But he's not the only one who's enchanted by the former kindergarten teacher. Past loves Jack, Ken and Carter make the trek across the Atlantic after her too. Who loves her? And who's just looking to cash in?
I liked this story. The plot is well-laid out. The complications are clear. The resolutions are satisfying. There are also a couple of secondary plots to keep the reader's interest and tickle their heart. The main characters are well-developed and their growth is shown as the story progresses. Although the story opens well after the passing of Tori's grandmother, she is still very much a part of the book and her story is just as captivating.
This tale is billed as a fairy tale and you should understand that up front. It's very romantic and at times whimsical. Everything is romanticized through Tori's eyes from infants, to the dramatically beautiful setting and even to an old sea captain's gnarled hands.
I listened to the audiobook version of this story.
Narration: For the most part the narration was well-done for this audiobook. Eva Kaminsky speaks clearly and at a good pace. Tori's voice was distinct from other females. I found there was excellent distinction of Jack's voice and Shane's voice in particular. Kaminsky's attempt at the Irish accent was commendable. While it started off a bit rough, I found she steadily improved her attempted Irish brogue as the narration progressed. (4/5)
Production: Sound quality was good overall. The audio was clear and sound levels were consistent. Spacing between chapters was very good. However, the spacing between POV shifts was too short and I often had to rewind a tiny bit to get my bearings, especially when the changed POV started with dialogue as opposed to setting. I think I detected a little 'blip' in the audio just about two times. (4/5)
Overall Experience: Overall this story translated to audio quite well. I enjoyed listening. The Irish accents were cute and added a nice flair to the storytelling. (4/5)
If you are looking for a cute fairy tale with an ending to make you smile; if you love the fantasy of the Irish; if you're in love with falling in love… this is the book for you.
November 28, 2014
Imagine a woman who looks for romantic signs in everything, and uses these for the basis of a relationship. The result, she is excellent at getting dumped and in the most abrupt and most painful ways. Now imagine this woman, an elementary school teacher and artist, who is genuinely a great person, winning upwards of $250 million dollars in the lottery. Turns out, men no longer want to dump her; she's receiving proposals out of the woodwork and cyberspace. Kim Sanders creates a wonderful story about Victoria Adams whose grandmother "Gran" convinced her that dragons are real, that castles in Ireland are forever and to trust in the signs.
I absolutely loved Ms. Sanders description of Ireland, the Irish brogue and dialogue, and the characters. Blending old with new into Dublin and then the surrounding country, I felt I had been there. Naturally men still are coming out of the woodwork when Tori arrives, determined to buy a castle, but Shane MacKenzie a man she met on the plane has fallen instantly in love. So why not a happily ever right then and there? Because Tori's been pretty badly bruised and doesn't trust easily, and the castle she wants to buy, Shane's brother has put up for sale unbeknownst to Shane and he's not happy about it.
A brilliant love story full or romance, I highly recommend!
I absolutely loved Ms. Sanders description of Ireland, the Irish brogue and dialogue, and the characters. Blending old with new into Dublin and then the surrounding country, I felt I had been there. Naturally men still are coming out of the woodwork when Tori arrives, determined to buy a castle, but Shane MacKenzie a man she met on the plane has fallen instantly in love. So why not a happily ever right then and there? Because Tori's been pretty badly bruised and doesn't trust easily, and the castle she wants to buy, Shane's brother has put up for sale unbeknownst to Shane and he's not happy about it.
A brilliant love story full or romance, I highly recommend!
December 6, 2014
Well written, well edited stand-alone story, although one of the four men in the story doesn't seem to get his happy ending, and I'm really rooting for another story about him.
This was an original story about a Southern girl who decides to use the worst three days of her life as the inspiration for her lottery ticket selections -- and wins. That, combined with a promise to her grandmother sets her journey to Ireland on a quest for dragons, faeries, castles, and so much more.
The author has a unique ability to make even the most unlikeable of the ex-boyfriends exasperating, but not hate-able. Maybe that's the gift of Southern-niceness, but it was unique and sweet and really contributed to the upbeat feel of the story. The exes, along with a cast of charming Irish friends and family make this a rich, satisfying story. Although it's very sweet, the author does a great job of balance the sweet with the heat.
Strongly recommended to fans of hot Irish Guys, Irish magic, karma, and chick lit.
This was an original story about a Southern girl who decides to use the worst three days of her life as the inspiration for her lottery ticket selections -- and wins. That, combined with a promise to her grandmother sets her journey to Ireland on a quest for dragons, faeries, castles, and so much more.
The author has a unique ability to make even the most unlikeable of the ex-boyfriends exasperating, but not hate-able. Maybe that's the gift of Southern-niceness, but it was unique and sweet and really contributed to the upbeat feel of the story. The exes, along with a cast of charming Irish friends and family make this a rich, satisfying story. Although it's very sweet, the author does a great job of balance the sweet with the heat.
Strongly recommended to fans of hot Irish Guys, Irish magic, karma, and chick lit.
July 14, 2014
Received through Goodreads First Reads
A lighthearted & fun read with just a hint of paranormal.
This is the first book I've read about a hot Irishman since forever that wasn't a historical romance. I forgot how sexy an Irish brogue sounds when reading. This is one of the things I fell in love with when I started reading romances.
Before I started reading this I thought the heroine was going to have to decide which ex she ended up with until I read Shane was added to the mix. So out of all the exes, I did find myself pulling for Carter (protective alpha). Just like Tory, I didn't like how he did her but he seemed to genuinely care about her. I would be interested in seeing if he gets his HEA.
All in all, a great read!!
A lighthearted & fun read with just a hint of paranormal.
This is the first book I've read about a hot Irishman since forever that wasn't a historical romance. I forgot how sexy an Irish brogue sounds when reading. This is one of the things I fell in love with when I started reading romances.
Before I started reading this I thought the heroine was going to have to decide which ex she ended up with until I read Shane was added to the mix. So out of all the exes, I did find myself pulling for Carter (protective alpha). Just like Tory, I didn't like how he did her but he seemed to genuinely care about her. I would be interested in seeing if he gets his HEA.
All in all, a great read!!
September 4, 2016
A wonderfully romantic book.
I just loved this book. I read it at a recommendation of a friend and I'm so glad I did. The heroine was delightful, smart, vulnerable and southern. So many of us dream of castles on far away shores. The book had just the right amount of spice too. There were twists and turns and you just kept rooting for Tory. I loved the "ex's" too. I think we can all remember at least one of them from our past. I'm so glad I read this book and look forward to more.
I just loved this book. I read it at a recommendation of a friend and I'm so glad I did. The heroine was delightful, smart, vulnerable and southern. So many of us dream of castles on far away shores. The book had just the right amount of spice too. There were twists and turns and you just kept rooting for Tory. I loved the "ex's" too. I think we can all remember at least one of them from our past. I'm so glad I read this book and look forward to more.
October 13, 2014
I received a copy of this book for free via a Goodreads giveaway.
The Ex Lottery was a light hearted read that offered some great, entertaining moments. Tory is a wonderful character, a woman who embodies some of the things that all of us would like to do...follow our hearts and just go for it! I really enjoyed the twists and turns of who the characters were at the ned of the book. Perfect way to close off this story!
The Ex Lottery was a light hearted read that offered some great, entertaining moments. Tory is a wonderful character, a woman who embodies some of the things that all of us would like to do...follow our hearts and just go for it! I really enjoyed the twists and turns of who the characters were at the ned of the book. Perfect way to close off this story!
October 29, 2014
This is a well-written very enjoyable story. I can't say when I have enjoyed a contemporary romance so much. The story flows from the writers hand with
fun, confusion, adventure and love that make the story shine. I love the premise of this book but you will have to read it to find out what I mean. I highly recommend this book for a great summer read.
fun, confusion, adventure and love that make the story shine. I love the premise of this book but you will have to read it to find out what I mean. I highly recommend this book for a great summer read.
August 20, 2014
This book was a very enjoyable read. :) The characters were appealing and the story had a great flow to it. It was fun, adventurous, and romantic. I won this book from a Good Reads First Reads giveaway and I was sooo excited to have won! Thanks for the great book!!
November 18, 2014
This book was awesome. I loved how it weaved different aspects in and out of the book and the ending was just phenomenal. I will be thinking about this book and how much I loved it every time that I see it come up and I will be looking forward to reading more by Kim Sanders.
September 4, 2016
What a wonderful story!
5 stars all the way! This was an excellent book. I loved the characters, the premise, and the romance. I was up until 2am reading to the end and I don't regret a moment!
5 stars all the way! This was an excellent book. I loved the characters, the premise, and the romance. I was up until 2am reading to the end and I don't regret a moment!
May 26, 2014
I loved this book. It's a lighthearted, fun read that's so easy to get lost in. The characters are engaging and fun, and the plot is every girl's dream. I'd recommend it to everyone!
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June 17, 2014I really enjoyed this romance novel. Kim is an excellent author!
July 29, 2014
What an interesting story. She uses the dates she broke up with her
boyfriends and wins the lottery. Good story.
boyfriends and wins the lottery. Good story.
November 17, 2014
True love
this was a simple story about Destiny. True love in its most significant role in a women's life. A quick read that warms your heart.
this was a simple story about Destiny. True love in its most significant role in a women's life. A quick read that warms your heart.
March 5, 2015
I was pleasantly surprised by this book! The setting was absolutely beautiful.
April 26, 2015
4.75 stars!! Loved this story!Magic, tragedy, comedy and underneath it all love!
November 1, 2015
Two wealthy but lonely people find love on the Emerald Isle. Very well written, with engaging protagonists and some delightful supporting actors. The exes are a hoot!
September 10, 2017
This was a fun book. I really liked the story and look forward to reading more by this author.
March 25, 2019
I really enjoyed this book - it had great characters and a fresh angle. Tory Adams has won a bit lottery and has bought an Irish castle that her grandmother told her stories about. She's anxious to get out of the country after a reporter publishes a story about how Tory used the dates her ex-boyfriends broke up with her to pick the winning numbers. And, when she arrives in Ireland, she finds all three of those said exes looking for her! Shane McKenzie is intrigued by the beautiful woman sitting near him on the plane to Ireland, and even more intrigued when he finds out she's bought a castle. His castle! Which isn't for sale! Shane and Tory find themselves attracted to each other, but neither is telling everything, so there is a lot of miscommunication. The characters were fun, there were some hot sexy times and some other surprises in this book!
March 13, 2022
It had a lot going on but I'd recommend it. The heroine wins the lottery by using the dates her 3 serious boyfriends broke up with her and goes to Ireland to buy the castle where her grandmother met her grandfather. But the three exes find out about the money and feel like they have a shot getting her back. It's not a comedy (it sounds like a rom com, tho, right?), but it's a lot about finding out what you want, being true to yourself, and finding your place in the world.
January 12, 2021
An interesting read
Not quite sure how I feel about this book. It was good enough for me to read it in one day but some parts of it were a bit too sugary. The dynamics between the main characters was contusing and unclear. One minute they're madly in love and the next they're all about casual.
Not quite sure how I feel about this book. It was good enough for me to read it in one day but some parts of it were a bit too sugary. The dynamics between the main characters was contusing and unclear. One minute they're madly in love and the next they're all about casual.
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