Book Chat - Luck of the Draw

[Kathy]

This was the first book I read by Rachael Anderson, and I was hooked. I knew I had to keep an eye out for her future books. I haven’t been disappointed, I’ve enjoyed all her books and look forward to reading whatever she publishes. She has definitely become an autobuy author for me, I usually buy her books without even reading the synopsis first. I know I’ll love it.

I really enjoyed Luck of the Draw. The beginning draws you in with the fun chick lit feel, but the story evolves and the characters grow and the second half is something deeper. I liked our hero Brighton. He has some great lines and moments. You can see why it was easy for the girls to fall for him. I also liked Dani, especially in the second half. I thinks he really grows the most in the story and it was fun to see her progress. I thought they had great chemistry together. I liked that they were open with each other and communicated well. I liked that they discussed their future and plans, it drives me nuts when characters never think or talk about the future.
So, what were your thoughts? Could you forgive someone who met and dated you on a bet?

My kid are attacking me, so I’ll have to try and log on when they are napping and can actually write.

[Deborah]

I just re-read this book for our bookclub and I have to say I liked it even more the second time. For some reason the first time I read it, I felt like I was reading two different books. I think I set myself up to think that is was just going to be a "silly, fun" book. Which it kind of was a the beginning but then the book kind of changes. The first time I read it, this annoyed me. But since I knew this already going into it this time, I actually enjoyed the book so much more. I liked the fact that the book was like this and I liked the fact that we got to see actual maturity happen instead of hormones. I like the fact that there was really life situations in there with out being too depressing. Granted I did skim a little bit of the parts be tweens her parents and when her Grandma died(I couldn't handle that). But, over-all I loved how they got together. I loved the fact that they were flawed and I loved the fact that they took their time. As I have gotten older I have come to realize that this splash in the pan romances aren't as believable as they use to be. I need more. I need there to be a stronger connection and one that I can actually buy into.

I bought into theirs. I guess my only real critique was the end. I would of loved a romantic proposal and even an epilogue of where they ended up in life(is anyone else curious). I would love a little novella about how things turned out for them! Also, what was up with her Mom? I have no words to describe that women. Was it just me?

Over-all really glad I picked this one up again.

[Katie]

Yes, I too, loved this one a lot the second time around. Of course, I loved it the first time too. :)

I found myself groaning in places about how in the world Brighton could go through with this bet and not realize the girls (being girls AND roommates) would find out. But seriously--he wasn't expecting to fall for one of the girls and he was a guy wanting to avoid a tedious chore (ie. laundry).

It would be tough to get together with a guy who pulled that on me, so I really liked how it took her a good, long while to get to the point where she could laugh about it. That's the point when she was ready to meet up with him again and thanks to her grandma, she could.

I thought Joy (the sister) was kind of mean, but I could understand why--to an extent. It was funny when she brought up the hole in the wall. The mom--wow. She was crazy obsessed with wealth and keeping herself young. That would be hard to deal with too.

I thought this was a very believable relationship but I agree--an epilogue would have been a great bonus!!

LOVED IT!!! Another great pick. :) Thanks!

[Tiffany]

I first liked the story but had an idea of how things were going to go. I knew that eventually everything would blow up in Brighton's face. I loved that there was a space in time for them to grow.

I found Dani a little spiteful when it came to Brighton's career choice. I would think in life you would have figured out that good and bad occurs with all classes. I was hoping her parents would turn around. When her mom came in to help her with the scholarship forms I thought things might take a turn for the good. But then she made some kind of vainful comment and left. I was disappointed in that.

I loved Dani's nana. I loved how even without all this money to do charity work with she found ways to help families who needed help. But I did love when she inherited the money and them providing miracles for other people.

I also would have liked a better proposal. It didn't even say he got on his knees or anything like that. I wanted more.

I also believe an epilogue would have been fantastic. Where did they end up? What happened to Joy? Did she finally come around? Did she realize her brother was right? What happened to the Rutledge family? I was always hoping there was a single guy helping with the house so that she could get some help.

My absolutely favorite part in the story was the hole in the wall discussion. I absolutely loved it! Joy may have been annoying but I loved that she mentioned the hole in the wall and the discussion that occured later. I loved Dani asking him if he would "renovate" if she were to walk out right then. I found that scene really hot.

Thanks for the great pick!

[Teryn]

Not much left to say :) This too was my second time. Lots of fun! I really couldn't remember that much about it, so it was fun to revisit. Thank you for choosing it.

[Katie]

I was going to mention that I was reading late one night and a typo struck me as super funny--on page 82 (print version)-- Dani is wondering why Jeff hasn't called her for awhile and Katherine says that he probably didn't lose interest, to which Dani replies, "Maybe he's in a comma or has some form of amnesia." The thought of him being trapped in a comma and unable to call or make contact really had me laughing, but then again, I was pretty tired. :) Yes, I'm still thinking about this book. :)

[Teryn]

Katie, you are soooo funny!!! :D I just love this group. You girls are so good for my soul. Thank you!!

[Katie]

This is the best group!!! I was reading somewhere (I think on one of the other groups on here) that a book is considered edited if it has fewer than 10 mistakes. Unless it's really bad, I usually just overlook them, but this one struck me as hilarious for some reason!!!

[Deborah]

I really enjoyed all of your comments. THANK YOU for taking the time to give your opinions. That's what makes reading a book even more fun for me. :)

[Valerie]

Funny thing.... I finally read the book club book and tried to wait and read it close to the discussion date so I could actually remember it....I ended up reading 2 books after it and before the discussion so all my thoughts were gone by then! I did love this book though! And I think (THINK) I would forgive the guy...back then it probably would have mattered how hot he was, or how much he tried to apologize... I was kind of shallow in College :)

[Kathy]

Lol. I actually didn't think his bet was that bad. I probably would have just laughed about it. I guess I just didn't think it was mean spirited.

[Jessie]

I think I would have been hurt a little by the bet, but the fact that he apologized, had picked me, and hadn't been taking advantage of my roommates and made out with them or anything, would have made me forgive him pretty easily.
I have to say I love that her Grandma knew her well enough to find a plastic surgery charity for the money to go to if they didn't decide to work together. Very devious!