The only downside of Best of Luck is the fact that it is the last book in this series. I'm simultaneously sad that the series is over and happy that I managed to find and read the perfect romance trilogy. As with the stories of Kit and Zoe, Clayborn takes Greer's story from lottery fueled wish fulfillment to a deep dive into the complexities of the human heart.
For Greer, her share of the lottery winnings spells f-r-e-e-d-o-m. The money buys her a college education that will ultimately provide her with a place of her own, a good job, and a life independent of her loving yet somewhat smothering family. While this statement accurately sums up Greer's goals, it is an over-simplification, just as her friends' wishes for home and adventure were. What makes each of these books so compelling is the way the main characters' heart's desire alters as they pursue it. There is no straight path, and the HEA is never precisely what the protagonists first visualize.
Greer's story opens two years after the first book, as friends and family gather to celebrate the marriage of Kit and Ben. Greer herself is within spitting distance of her diploma when she discovers that she's missing a required art credit and must jump through bureaucratic hoops to obtain an exception that is in no way guaranteed. I could hardly suppress a sympathy groan while reading, having been a nontraditional student myself and having dealt with those speedbumps on the road to a degree. Greer's appeal to the Art Department Head is bolstered by the very artful support of Kit's brother Alex, a well known photographer. Greer agrees to take a short adult photography course in lieu of a standard full credit course in order to be recommended for an exception. At the same time, Alex commits himself to providing support to the Art Department's end of year photography event.
Alex and Greer meet briefly in Beginner's Luck, but Alex's nomadic life and abrupt departure cause their initial attraction to flare and then subside. Greer's first loyalty is to Kit, and when Alex's unwillingness to put down roots causes friction between the siblings, Greer's shyness doesn't keep her from calling Alex out on his BS. Two years later, in spite of old hostility, there is still a distinct pull between the two when they meet again.
When Greer discovers Alex suffering through a panic attack on the eve of his sister's wedding, she offers support rooted in her own history of both physical and emotional health challenges. Both Greer and Alex have ongoing struggles with childhood trauma to deal with as they sort out their relationship. Greer survived a life threatening condition as a kid that still affects her health as an adult. Though she is mostly ok, she still dreads any admission of weakness. Alex grew up with a problem parent and basically raised his little sister. Once Kit was launched safely into adulthood, he embraced a wandering lifestyle following his camera around the globe. In the weeks following the wedding, Alex reluctantly settles into his sister's empty house, begins to see a therapist, and offers his insight to Greer as she tackles photography for the first time.
All of the above is a lot to unpack. If the tale of Greer and Alex seems complicated, it's because it is. Yet none of this is even spoilery because it happens so early, and it's where these complications take us that make the book so worthwhile. Clayborn is an absolute queen of dual first person present tense. Alex and Greer have wonderful, distinctive voices; they unfurl their backstories gradually and weave those stories seamlessly with ongoing events. There are no shocking revelations, no excess of drama, but rather an organic growth in understanding, both of themselves and each other. This is the big reason this book works for me, but there are a million little reasons as well.
I love the photography competence pr0n and Greer finding her artistic vision. I love the way therapy is handled. Alex is not a manbaby about getting help, nor is the therapy itself treated like some magic bullet. Oh, and can I have Patricia's number, so I can make an appointment, cuz I kinda loved her too. I loved the various minor characters, even when they weren't particularly lovable. Drama momma is annoying yet sympathetic. Even Greer's photography professor, who is actually described as smarmy at one point, turns out to be o.k., not because of a plot twist or change of heart, but because Clayborn is just so good at conveying that a real human can be more than one thing at a time.
More than anything else, I loved Greer and Alex together. There is sooo much angst--his, hers, & theirs--yet their relationship is full of smolder. There is scene where Greer is setting up a photograph of Alex. She carefully positions a hat on the rumpled bed, and I was locked in on the tiniest details. She has him remove his shoes, and I was fanning myself. The description is mostly free of explicit language, yet it is suffused with eroticism. To me this is the best kind of chemistry, because the writing is about these two specific people whose happiness the reader cares about, not a generic account of sex.
I think Best of Luck is one of my favorite romances ever. It's definitely a keeper and a prime comfort read. I'll probably be looking for it in hard copy as well. So, a heartfelt five stars, and I'd recommend it to any one.
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Customers say
Customers love this book as the final installment of the trilogy, appreciating how the stories weave seamlessly with ongoing events. The book features well-developed characters who have a lot to overcome, and customers find it thoroughly enjoyable with great chemistry between the main characters. Customers describe it as an emotional read with vulnerability, and one review highlights the detailed portrayal of professions and life. The book receives positive feedback for its strong female friendships, and customers consider it a sweet love story.
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28 customers mention series quality, 27 positive, 1 negative
...This was my favorite book of the series, though I really enjoyed Luck of the Draw also....Read more
...Alex and Greer have wonderful, distinctive voices; they unfurl their backstories gradually and weave those stories seamlessly with ongoing events....Read more
A Great SeriesRead more
I loved every book in this series! Every character. I hated for it to end and wished somehow there was a fourth. I’m a new Kate Clayborn fan!!Read more
24 customers mention character development, 22 positive, 2 negative
...The characters were realistic and the therapist was delightful and a great addition to the story.Read more
Decent story, excellent character development, but lots of repetition....Read more
...I love the well rounded characters, both men & women....Read more
...I absolutely love her writing style and storylines. Her strong heroines and heros who adore them are a big part of why I enjoyed these books so...Read more
23 customers mention story, 22 positive, 1 negative
...'s issues was drawn out a bit too long, but otherwise, this is a lovely story about two lonely people who find each other.Read more
I have given this book a 5 star rating because I enjoyed the story without being distracted by a lot of grammar errors....Read more
What an amazing story....Read more
Decent story, excellent character development, but lots of repetition....Read more
20 customers mention readability, 20 positive, 0 negative
I really enjoyed this book. I made the mistake of reading book 3 before I'd read the others, but I didn't feel lost or confused at all....Read more
...earth shatteringly good but because it was sweet and light and an enjoyable read.Read more
...Despite my questions and qualms, this was a thoroughly enjoyable read. Alex and Greer take such good care of one another....Read more
I loved this book. Whole series was great. New to me author. Very impressed.Read more
16 customers mention content, 15 positive, 1 negative
...I loved Clayborn’s gorgeous writing, the symbolism of photography, great sex scenes, and of course the friendship between Greer, Kit, and Zoe....Read more
...Best of Luck was emotional, swoon-worthy, poignant, romantic, and deeply layered....Read more
...I loved Alex and Greer. Their chemistry was amazing and kept me wanting to keep on reading....Read more
...This was a very sweet love story. There are some deep and real issues that real people go through....Read more
16 customers mention emotional, 15 positive, 1 negative
...It's an emotional read in every sense of the word, but could not recommend more highly!Read more
...Best of Luck was emotional, swoon-worthy, poignant, romantic, and deeply layered....Read more
...This book made me laugh, cry, and just feel happy....Read more
...So much depth, complexity, vulnerability, and relatability. It gave me honesty, and heart, and humor, and heat....Read more
12 customers mention friendship, 11 positive, 1 negative
...So much depth, complexity, vulnerability, and relatability. It gave me honesty, and heart, and humor, and heat....Read more
...And again, we see strong female friendships and characters dealing with serious issues.Read more
...conversations, the stories of not just love but friendship and family and life....Read more
...More than anything else, I loved Greer and Alex together. There is sooo much angst--his, hers, & theirs--yet their relationship is full of smolder....Read more
11 customers mention romance, 11 positive, 0 negative
...Both Greer and Alex are people you want to root for. This is a sweet love story that you will long remember.Read more
...This was a very sweet love story. There are some deep and real issues that real people go through....Read more
...have parked my butt on my couch and read this book in one amazing, full of feels, sitting. "......Read more
...while thematically reflecting on how individuality, independence, romantic love, and dependence intersect....Read more
Lucky to have read this book!
My gosh, this series. Kate Clayborn is on my auto-buy list now. I basically ignored my family all morning so I could absorb myself in Greer and Alex's romance. The way Clayborn can build tension is just masterful. I couldn't put it down. I mean, a scene involving a basically chaste photography lesson with a ladybug gave me real pants-feelings to borrow a fab phrase from Greer. Alex is a dreamboat and I loved seeing his mental health journey which is kicked off by Greer's urging but isn't solved by their relationship. And wow, I wish I could have a Patricia for my therapist! The relationship between the three women is also just standout and exemplary. I'm also blessed with a core crew of women who are my own Zoe and Kit. Can't recommend these books enough!
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Top reviews from other countries
- BarbarinaSReviewed in Australia on April 8, 2024
Another lovely read by this author
- Hal LReviewed in Spain on October 9, 2020
This whole series is amazing
Format: KindleVerified Purchase - IzzyReviewed in the United Kingdom on February 13, 2019
Read the whole series.
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
