Kate Clayborn - Best of Luck

Greer Hawthorne’s winning lottery ticket doesn’t just bring her wealth, it also means her chance at a long-postponed education. She’s finally on the cusp of proving to her big, overprotective family that she’s independent—until a careless mistake jeopardizes her plan to graduate. Lucky for her, there’s someone in town who may be able to help . . .
Alex Averin plans to show up for his sister’s wedding, then quickly get back to his job as a world-renowned photojournalist. But when gorgeous, good-hearted Greer needs an assist with a photography project, he’s powerless to say no. Showing Greer his professional passion ignites a new one, and rouses instincts in Alex he thought he’d long set aside.
Can a ceaseless wanderer find a stopping place alongside a woman determined to set out on her own . . . or are Alex and Greer both pushing their luck too far?

Comment: This is the third book in the Chance of a Lifetime trilogy by author Kate Clayborn. I have read and liked the previous novels and, of course, I'd want to read this one too, and now I can know I have completed this trilogy.

In this story we finally have Greer as protagonist. Of the three friends, she has been the most discreet one, shy, and now we get to understand why her personality is more reserved. Greer has gone through a terrible time, she has a medical condition and this affected much of her experiences and relationships with her family and others. Winning the lottery with her friends helped her to give back to the family who supported her, yes, but is also the way for her to graduate and finally have independence.

Alex is the older brother of Kit and he is a modern nomad, never in the same place for long, going everywhere his job and his interest takes him. He is back in town for Kit's wedding and since Greer has a college task she has to fulfill, he is the right person to ask for help, considering his wonderful career as a photojournalist, But Alex has had some issues lately and Greer sees right though them. As they spend time together for her project they become friends, but can they be more than that?

I think the intention of writing about three friends winning the lottery wasn't as predictable in this trilogy as one would imagine. In reality, the girls don't place themselves in situations in which winning the lottery could be a motif for conversation or serious change in their lives, and they acted as I imagine many people who don't win ridiculous amounts probably do, meaning they solve the most pressing worries in their financial life but they don't become vain or glamorous or different overnight.

Greer uses part of the money to help her family - how not to respect that - and part to go to college, so she can graduate, be able to apply to a job already waiting for her. She has everything planned and she is taking care of herself, health wise, she has everlasting friends, what else is there? Obviously, a romance and Kit's brother does appeal to her, but she is aware he is not the settling down type, so she doesn't dream high. However, spending time with him shows her there's more to him and his choices than simply selfishness or a need to not compromise, and I liked this in the novel, this notion they got to know each other at a slow pace while talking and dealing with one another without second intentions.

I say this because while we can expect the romance to deepen, their connection to become stronger, it isn't obvious the path for them has to be a sexual one. This isn't a story where the secondary details about their lives exist just to present a conflict. This story does feel - perhaps a bit more than the others - as a mature, solid read about two people who have had certain experiences in life, how they shaped their perspective and by pure chance they seem attracted. I kind of liked that the author didn't write this in a glaring way where we would only needed to wait until they had sex. 

Well, their relationship does get intimate but I never tog the feeling that was the most important part of why they were good together. I think the story focused more on what else is necessary for a couple to succeed, namely peace of mind and finding pleasure in simple things, while trusting someone to be there for you. At the same time, they for each other so well, especially with all the support and friendship and understanding between them, that I also felt they could have been simply friends, you know, that while is cute they are a couple, if not, no harm done.

There are certain conflicts they need to deal with, certain things from their pasts are now front stage in their lives and in how they connect with others - mainly Alex and his need for therapy and to deal with panic attacks he has had - is key for us to see how they improve and why they should evolve or be "worthy" of a romantic HEA. I liked how the story progressed, because despite being a bit predictable in how things went, it was still cute to see. I also think there's this sense of competency in how the author included certain information and how much more realistic some things were. I'd say, perhaps, the books - this one in particular - miss a bit of a lighter tone here and there and most of the stories feel too intense, more dramatic than balanced.

Despite the things I'd like to see a bit different, I liked reading the book and seeing what the characters would do next. To be fair, perhaps i won't re-read these books much but I certainly appreciate the professionalism of the writing, of the content, of the presentation. I'll certainly read other books by the author at some point.

Grade: 7/10