Reviews

Lucky Bounce by Cait Nary

why_erin's review

funny lighthearted fast-paced

3.75

weweresotired's review

lighthearted fast-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

I found this very charming and readable! I'm pretty sure I went and bought this before I was even halfway done with the library's version of it, it's a book I'd gladly reread when I'm looking for that right mix of cozy and steamy. I am not usually a kidfic person but I think the single dad angle here was worked really well and without becoming too annoying or focused on the kid. What I appreciated most about this book though was that it was just a simple story about two awkward dudes falling in love. While there's some heavier themes - Zeke's poor relationship with his family, Spencer's health issues, the challenges of a normal person being in a relationship with a millionaire professional athlete - none of that stuff takes over the story or turns it into an Issues Book. I am so glad this didn't turn into "Spencer/Zeke get outed" or "third act breakup for stupid reason" or "homophobic teammate is homophobic" or whatever. I don't mind when romance introduces those more serious angles, but sometimes you just want something cute and easy, and this hit the mark spectacularly. 

jelam0721's review

emotional hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

r_santabarbara's review

adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

jprody's review

lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

cjwitch's review

funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No

4.0

I greatly enjoyed this book. It's not quite "slice of life" cozy, but it's something adjacent to the genre. Life and love and enjoyment take precedence over any kind of plot, which does give it a bit of a "slice of life" vibe. It's low stakes, adorable, with great banter that had me laughing out loud and grinning wide enough to make my cheeks hurt. 

There are aspects that I wish that the book delved deeper into and I definitely wish we had gotten to see more of Spencer's personality (his aversion to talking made him a difficult character to really get to know)...but that aside, this book was just an easy and enjoyable read that left me feeling happy.

I was invested in the characters and the way they interacted and the little family they were creating and I enjoyed every minute of the time I spent with them. 

badhorsebinks's review

fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

melanysocorro's review

3.0

Lucky Bounce was a lighthearted, tender read about an elementary school teacher and his budding relationship with his favorite hockey player.

If you're looking for any kind of angst or a structured plot, this is not it. Lucky Bounce is 100% in the "vibes over plot" category, be warned. Usually, if the vibes prove to be immaculate, I can get down with a single-character POV that leans hard into a stream-of-consciousness writing style. And to be honest, I was enthralled by the first 60% of the book. I love a relationship that develops from weirdly coincidental, semi-embarrassing roots.

Plus, Spencer bodying a player into the glass just because Zeke told him to, brought on a visceral reaction.

After the first 60%, I got progressively more disengaged. Issues between the characters seem to gloss themselves over. The same goes for Zeke's internal turmoil which dissolved the second Spencer looked his way. I wish we saw Spencer's supposed moodiness in more than just him saying "whatever" every time he spoke. The ending was rather abrupt but it came after a couple chapters of aimless wandering so I can forgive it.

I think these tidbits can be looked over, especially considering it's meant to be a lighthearted read (and it definitely is). I would put this novel next to Rachel Reid's Time to Shine because it's undeniably a warm, light, holiday read.

djm_chal's review

hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

3.5

gkepps's review

emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5