Out Of Luck

by Olivia Linden

Gino ‘Luck’ Melo Jr. is known as “The Man” in his hood, separate from his father’s legend as one of the most notorious drug lords in Queens. Successful at almost anything he touches, Luck’s name is synonymous with winning. By all outward appearances, he has money, reputation, respect, and the baddest chick. On the inside, he wants more. Having his childhood stolen from him, he yearns for a different type of life. A quiet life away from the streets and drama. So when he meets down-to-earth and ambitious Mia Nolan, his focus shifts to making his dream a reality with her part of it. Before Mia, love was transactional to Luck, and for the first time, he understands what it means to have your heart beat for someone else. He isn’t perfect, though, and the few mistakes he does make threaten to destroy all his hard work for a better future.

Vic DeLucca wants to be a legend. Everything that Luck is ready to walk away from is what he thrives on. Best friends from childhood, the two had a plan to get rich and go legit while staying alive and out of jail. Now that they had accomplished that, Vic realizes he wants more. He wants it all, and Luck walking away while they were on top isn’t an option.

Luck does his best to navigate a smooth transition into the man he wants to be, but there are too many ties to the life he wants to leave behind. He refuses to let anything block his goals, and anyone who gets in his way will become a casualty of war.

287 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 4, 2022

About the author

Olivia Linden, a native New Yorker, was raised between Queens and San Antonio, TX. Her creative itch began when her elementary school principal posted one of her stories in the halls of her school. She was only eight at the time, but old enough to understand how integral writing would be to her future. From that moment on, reading and writing became her two greatest passions.

Olivia hasn’t stopped writing since she found her literary voice all those years ago. Jaded Hearts, her first published novel, mixes her big personality, with a sexy yet humorous tone. It is her philosophy that laughter is essential to making it through even the toughest situations.

Find your passion with Olivia Linden stories.


Website: queenofvibez.com
IG : @Vialinden
Twitter: @olivialinden2u
TikTok: @olivialindenauthor

Reviews

[Charmy Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

I gave this 3.5. It seemed like no matter how much Luck wanted to better himself, most of the people around him were determined to keep him in the streets. Knowing the fate of his father and the lifestyle they were into impacted his mother you'd think that the people around him that claimed to love him would want to see him go legit. Especially when he had a plan in place to still earn the money he was earning before. It seemed that his supposed best friend and their associates were addicted to the power they got from their current lifestyle.

I wasn't the biggest fan of Mia. She was young and with her age came childishness. She didn't really seem too much different than Stacia (to me). She was still materialistic and a little selfish...just not as forward as Stacia was about it. The first time she met Luck was at a hood party. She asked about him and knew what the people he hung around were into. She knew how high ranking he was in the circle of people he kept around. She even suspected that he may be into more than something than his celeb salon and investments. She didn't seem to mind much when she was getting gifts and her benefitting from his contacts with her show. The only time she seemed to have an issue is when things got dangerous. She bailed on him and didn't look back. And then came around at the last minute hinting at maybe or possibly.

With friends like Vic, who really needs enemies? He was so sloppy and naive to think he would be able to take control of anything. And to still want to bring Rob back in after he knew Rob had been been hanging out with their opps was even further proof of his stupidity.

I definitely want to see where Luck's next chapter takes him and whether or not he's able to execute his plans.

[JazzReads · Rating 3 out of 5]

luck and Mia

Both GIno and Mia were immature and childish to me for different reasons. Gino was immature because I felt that he was not handling his business like the man in the street. I feel like Gino and Vic were never friends from the beginning because why is Vic getting high on his own supply. Gino was doing business with a person that has been using and that was wild. Gino and his issues with the many women he was dealing was another thing that made him childish and immature. Gino and Mia was basically playing house and her parents was not having that type of arrangement. Mia was immature because she was being naive about the things that Luck did for his money. I understand that she was a college student so I will give her some grace with her way of thinking however, Luck needed to get his business and personal life together so he can walk away from the game. Luck exit plan with his best friend left so many mistakes I felt like he could of asked Vic to buy him out and walk away from the business or took care of Vic and have the business go legit. I feel like Luck needed to focus more on his enemies.

[Anaya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poor Luck. He was dealt a bad hand and continued to strive for the betterment of not only himself but the people he loved. Mia, naive but knowing didn’t do anything to help herself or the situation she was put in. Halfway through the book I just wanted to scream at her! But her age definitely played a factor into her naivety (and d*ck!). Hopefully things get better for the both of them. Can’t wait to see what’s next.

[Books & Locs · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
Mia is extremely immature and needs to be at her parents house! Since they still control her, I get it she still in school but baby girl date one of them lol boys from your school so y’all can be on the same page , I hope and pray Luck find a grown woman ready and willing to meet him half way 😒

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lights, Cameras, Action

Street life comes with some consequences. The rules of the game concerning exiting the game are that there are only two exits: jail or the grave. Luck and Vic have been friends since childhood, but now that they are older, their friendship and the streets are changing. This story is loaded with action, and romance. Pick up your copy today.

[Leah the Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

more please!

I usually find third person a little difficult to connect with when it comes to feeling a deep connection with the characters. I cared about what happened to Luck and the people he surrounded himself on and wanted to smack him upside the head like a little brother. Phenomenal job, Olivia.

[whateverpsays · Rating 5 out of 5]

GIRLLLLLL!! Olivia come to the front miss girl because this book was IT! Loved it from the beginning to the end. The storyline, plot, characters, and their development was well written! Luck just could not seem to get ahead..Mia just can’t find her own voice with dealing with her parents. SMH. Can’t wait to read the next book.

[LaToya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read!

Girl this one got me hooked! I love the twist and turns in this story. But I’m so mad with Mia ughhhhhh. How could Vic not know??? And then Rob secrets. Yeah you did your thing with this story can’t wait til the next book comes out. Thanks for your hard work.

[Yolanda M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book, it kept me entertained and the characters were believable.

[Jasmine Cartwright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Out of Luck

Ms. Linden can do no wrong! Luck and Mia have such a beautiful and realistic love, and the drama and spice were everything!