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amlibera's review against another edition
4.0
I think I managed to read this entire series in three days. As I've said before, there is something more happening in Kate Clayborn's romance novels - an extra layer. And I think that part of that is a recognition of trauma and the ways that it manifests every day, over time and isn't solved by a happily ever after. The depiction of chronic illness and how it affects families here got me in the gut.
I find myself mildly impatient with some of the romance tropes (which genuinely don't bother me) but mostly because the book itself seems to have outgrown them like a pair of too short pants on a gangly kid. Looking forward to reading her newest when it is released.
I find myself mildly impatient with some of the romance tropes (which genuinely don't bother me) but mostly because the book itself seems to have outgrown them like a pair of too short pants on a gangly kid. Looking forward to reading her newest when it is released.
rainey_'s review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jackiehorne's review against another edition
4.0
In this third installment of her CHANCE OF A LIFETIME series, focusing on three female friends who banded together on a lark to play the lottery and ended up winning the jackpot, Clayborn focuses on the shy, reserved member of the trio, twenty-seven-year-old Greer. Greer's using her portion of the money to pay for her undergrad degree, as well as to pay off her parents' debts, debts incurred treating the rare illness with which she was diagnosed as a teen. Because of that illness, Greer often had trouble participating fully in the things everyone else around her took for granted ("but all of a sudden I feel like the Greer who's never been able to see things through, who's been too tired or too sick to finish what I start, the Greer who needs help with even the smallest tasks" [Kindle Loc 200]). But now that she's on a more even-keel, health-wise, she's growing increasingly resentful of family and friends still treating her with kid gloves, telling her to take it easy and not push herself too much, expecting her to not be able to finish things she's started. Because of this, Greer is more than a little frustrated to discover that an unmet art requirement might keep her from finally graduating from college as she intended.
But Greer is a fighter, and convinces the college to allow her to sign up for a summer class in photography, a class that her professor will only let her add if Greer's friend, thirty-four year-old Alex Averin (the brother of one of the previous heroines of the series), a world-famous news photographer, will help her make up the classes she missed, and will give a guest lecture to the class and agree to display some of his photos in the class's culminating exhibition.
Greer turns the situation from one in which she is yet again dependent on the help of a friend into one which will help Alex, too: she'll only allow him to instruct her in photography and participate in her class if he agrees to get help himself for the panic attacks only Greer knows he's been suffering from since returning from his latest trip.
Clayborn does deft, sensitive work portraying the difficulties both of dealing with a chronic, sometimes debilitating, physical illness and those that stem from more psychological traumas. Her book's dual message— to prioritize self-care AND to allow the ill autonomy and control over themselves and their dreams—plays out against the slow-burn romance between Greer and Alex, while simultaneously exploring the many different interpretations of "luck," the subject of Greer's photographic project.
Clayborn is particularly strong at pointing to the sexism undergirding some of the more common of romance novel tropes, in BEST OF LUCK the self-sacrificing big final gesture that is supposed to prove a hero's love for the heroine. Instead, Clayborn gives us this:
"I love you. I don't need you, but I want you, and that's—that's even better. For me, that's—that's the best thing" (Loc 4247).
But Greer is a fighter, and convinces the college to allow her to sign up for a summer class in photography, a class that her professor will only let her add if Greer's friend, thirty-four year-old Alex Averin (the brother of one of the previous heroines of the series), a world-famous news photographer, will help her make up the classes she missed, and will give a guest lecture to the class and agree to display some of his photos in the class's culminating exhibition.
Greer turns the situation from one in which she is yet again dependent on the help of a friend into one which will help Alex, too: she'll only allow him to instruct her in photography and participate in her class if he agrees to get help himself for the panic attacks only Greer knows he's been suffering from since returning from his latest trip.
Clayborn does deft, sensitive work portraying the difficulties both of dealing with a chronic, sometimes debilitating, physical illness and those that stem from more psychological traumas. Her book's dual message— to prioritize self-care AND to allow the ill autonomy and control over themselves and their dreams—plays out against the slow-burn romance between Greer and Alex, while simultaneously exploring the many different interpretations of "luck," the subject of Greer's photographic project.
Clayborn is particularly strong at pointing to the sexism undergirding some of the more common of romance novel tropes, in BEST OF LUCK the self-sacrificing big final gesture that is supposed to prove a hero's love for the heroine. Instead, Clayborn gives us this:
"I love you. I don't need you, but I want you, and that's—that's even better. For me, that's—that's the best thing" (Loc 4247).
clangton's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
kmbates24342's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
laksita's review
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Now THIS was the perfect book to end the series.
Also, this book was the best out of all the 3 in the series in terms of everything: characterization, romance aspect, dialogue, plot, storytelling, character development, conclusion. And the fact that this book actually delved into the theme of the book, which was ‘luck’ and how it was seen through Greer’s eyes and Alex’s eyes. How the idea of ‘freedom’ differs from person to person.
And I also loved how the topic of mental health was handled here. How it was emphasized that love doesn’t automatically make your mental health problems disappear.
It was just a great book overall.
Also, this book was the best out of all the 3 in the series in terms of everything: characterization, romance aspect, dialogue, plot, storytelling, character development, conclusion. And the fact that this book actually delved into the theme of the book, which was ‘luck’ and how it was seen through Greer’s eyes and Alex’s eyes. How the idea of ‘freedom’ differs from person to person.
And I also loved how the topic of mental health was handled here. How it was emphasized that love doesn’t automatically make your mental health problems disappear.
It was just a great book overall.
rmarcin's review against another edition
3.0
Greer met Alex, her friend Kit's brother, a few years earlier. But, Alex was a world famous photographer and traveled the world. Now 2 years later, at Kit's wedding, Alex returns to walk his sister down the aisle. Greer is stressed because she just found out that she is missing an art class required for her graduation. When she sees Alex having a panic attack, she goes to help him.
Alex agrees to help Greer with her photography class, and to stay in town for a while.
Greer is hiding that she suffers from an illness which causes her pain. She finally opens up to Alex about it, but fears that he will feel obligated to stay with her vs. doing the job he loves.
OK ending to the trilogy of 3 friends who won the lottery, and later find love.
Alex agrees to help Greer with her photography class, and to stay in town for a while.
Greer is hiding that she suffers from an illness which causes her pain. She finally opens up to Alex about it, but fears that he will feel obligated to stay with her vs. doing the job he loves.
OK ending to the trilogy of 3 friends who won the lottery, and later find love.
sara_machado's review against another edition
4.0
Third and last book of the Chance of a lifetime series and it was my favorite one.
This book follows Greer story after the lottery prize. We already know she returned to school because she wanted to find freedom, we just didn’t understand yet why was it the only way to get where she needed. Both MC are complex and have experienced challenging and difficult times and their relationship help them navigate through their issues and find a balance between what they enjoy and dislike on themselves.
I wanted to read Alex POV since the first book and it definitely didn’t disappoint.
I was rooting for Greer and Alex since the beginning of the book and, despite knowing there was obviously an HEA, I was aching to see them happy as I couldn’t picture two characters who deserved it more.
With Georgie all along and this serie Kate settled herself as one of my favorite romance authors.
This book follows Greer story after the lottery prize. We already know she returned to school because she wanted to find freedom, we just didn’t understand yet why was it the only way to get where she needed. Both MC are complex and have experienced challenging and difficult times and their relationship help them navigate through their issues and find a balance between what they enjoy and dislike on themselves.
I wanted to read Alex POV since the first book and it definitely didn’t disappoint.
I was rooting for Greer and Alex since the beginning of the book and, despite knowing there was obviously an HEA, I was aching to see them happy as I couldn’t picture two characters who deserved it more.
With Georgie all along and this serie Kate settled herself as one of my favorite romance authors.
guk's review against another edition
5.0
This final book in the series was my favorite because it didn't rely on the usual tropes. Alex (Kit's brother from the first book) is attracted to Greer and their relationship develops in the face of his anxiety issues and her medical concerns. I enjoyed the reappearance of the past characters and like how the partners of Kit and Zoe are present to provide support to Greer and Alex. The family of 3 young women is turning into a support network of 3 fun couples. This series was very enjoyable.