The Luck Bucket Paperback – October 22, 2019

Actual rating 4.25.I really enjoyed this collection and will likely read it again when the weather is more conducive to reading on the beach or by the pool. There were a few things that kept me from loving this collection, but I still really liked it. I admit the delicate nature of an anthology with so many contributing factors such as various authors and possible editors can result in semi-satisfaction more often than not, but I think this team did a great job.So first, here’s what I loved. I loved the collaborative feel of the collection. All the stories can easily stand alone, but I adore how they were all so connected, and not just by the Luck Bucket. I enjoyed reading about stories that take place close to my home town with references to cities in my area. I enjoyed the diversity of the characters without each cultural or racial difference being made into an issue unnecessarily. The approach to cultural and racial diversity was handled realistically and practically, and I really appreciated that. And lastly, I enjoyed the genre blending that seemed to happens seamlessly from one story to the next. While they were all romance first, it was nice to see subtle touches of suspense, paranormal, and fantasy, here and there.Now, what I had trouble with was the unrealistic abundance of gorgeous blondes. At least they were mostly men. In one of the stories, I felt that the ending was a bit cliche considering the build-up seemed to suggest something more progressive and dramatic. A woman finds a way to fit herself into a man’s life because he refuses to inconvenience himself. I just felt like the great love this man was feeling wasn’t so great. He never even considers going to track her down or make any sacrifice to be with the woman he supposedly loves; yet, she has no problem altering her life-long dream to be with him. It was disappointing. And while I enjoyed the last story, the timing of the delivery seemed off. Characters were introduced and began development without physical descriptions, only for physical descriptions to be added later. I did that once in a story and I was glad that someone called me out on it.Still, despite the few things that kept me from loving this collection, I liked the experience of reading it and will likely read it again. There is some mature content in this collection, though nothing that I feel warrants a strict warning; however, it’s definitely for adult or mature young adult readers (with parent permission).Recommended to fans of short fiction, romance, and stories from the OBX region of Virginia and North Carolina.

I really liked all the stories except the last one. All the others fit well together and went seamlessly from one to the next. The last one was so totally different and didn't seem to fit with the rest. All in all, I still give the book a 5 star rating.

Took me a while from start to finish but once I got into it it was pretty ok. Considering I'm not s fan of paranormal stories.A mixture of both

Loved the stories in this book except for the last one. It was totally different from the theme that was through the others. Good quick reads before bedtime. This was an ARC from Voracious Readers Only.

What a fun collection of short stories that take place in a quaint town on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Five authors have written short stories that are all very different from each other, and can be read as stand alones, but more fun to read in this collection because they all interconnect their characters. Every story has some connection to the same lovely three story beach home rental. When the luck bucket jingles and vibrates, the reader knows that person will be lucky in a lasting relationship of love. Wonderful book to curl up with on a cold winter night, wrapped in a cozy blanket.