Review: Just Our Luck by Denise Williams
Just Our Luck is a charming fake-dating romance that serves up sweetness, angst, and donuts with a side of financial irresponsibility.
We follow Sybil, who’s basically down to her last $20, last nerve, and last ounce of hope when she buys a lottery ticket that (spoiler alert) changes everything. Kiran, the reluctant cinnamon roll hero with a stethoscope in his rearview mirror and a donut shop dragging him down, is just trying to keep it together—for his grandad, for the shop, and for his own sanity. When their lives collide via winning ticket and viral fame, they fake a relationship to save face… and end up catching feelings. As one does.
Sybil and Kiran’s chemistry is soft, sweet, and just shy of sticky—like a good donut. Kiran, our reluctant romantic, is smitten early on, and it’s genuinely adorable to see him try (and fail) not to fall for Sybil. Their dynamic is opposites attract with a dash of “he falls first,” and it works.
That said, I’m conflicted. Sybil’s character? Whew. She is vibes-only. She’s floating through life, can’t hold down a job or a man, and when she does win the lottery? She basically says “neat” and then proceeds to buy her family a bunch of flashy, impractical jewelry and keeps sleeping on someone’s couch. No financial planner in sight. It’s giving “chaotic good,” but also “girl, what are we doing??” Her lack of direction, even after the win, was a bit maddening.
And let’s talk about Sybil’s mom: Ice Queen Supreme. She’s critical to the point of cruelty, and while some of her frustrations are understandable (Sybil really is lost), the complete lack of maternal warmth made their relationship painful to watch. The weight of that dynamic hangs over the book like a thundercloud that never quite breaks.
The fake dating premise had potential but didn’t fully deliver for me—it felt underdeveloped, and the resolution came in a hurry, like the book hit the 90% mark and realized it had places to be.
Still, there’s a lot to love here: delightful side characters, a sprinkle of humor, plus-size rep, slow burn romance, and a truly good-hearted hero. It’s a cozy, feel-good story that tries to balance rom-com hijinks with deeper emotional beats—even if the follow-through wobbles a bit.
Final Verdict: 3.25 stars. A sweet read with lovable moments, but the execution left me wanting more depth, more follow-through… and maybe a financial advisor for Sybil.
Read if you like: 🍩 Fake Dating Shenanigans
🍩 He Falls First
🍩 Opposites Attract
🍩 Plus-Size, Directionless Heroines
🍩 Slow Burn Sweetness
🍩 A Hero Who Deserves a Nap and a Break
