Luck Be a Lady

"Ice Queen" Catherine Everleigh has inherited the family auction house with her brother, but to have any rights at all she needs to marry - and quickly to stop her brother stealing more funds and driving the business into the ground. Crime lord Nicholas O’Shea has built himself up from a childhood of poverty and is now "King" of his part of London. A marriage of convenience to Catherine would give him legitimacy - she is not to know that he has been infatuated with her for some time now. Catherine's brother will stop at nothing to keep Catherine out of the business, however, and things turn more dangerous than the couple would ever guess. Will the "Ice Queen" ever melt enough to give them a chance at love and when Catherine is show more kidnapped, will Nick be able to find and rescue her? show less

This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review. Also my tags may have spoilers in them so be forewarned before checking out full review.

Book Evaluation:
Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️
World Building:🌎🌎🌎🌎🌎
Cover:📔📔📔📔📔
Hero: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻
Heroine:🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️ .5
Intimacy Level: 🔥🔥🔥
Relationship Building: 💒💒💒
Heart & Feels:💞💞💞💞
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂😂
Page Turner Level:📖📖📖📖
Ending:🧧🧧🧧🧧🧧
Overall View: ✨✨✨✨

First Impressions
Luck Be A Lady is a story I read due to it being a romanceopoly pick but I also had seen some positive show more reviews for it on Instagram and I definitely was curious. And as this was published before 2020 I figured I was going to be safe on the modernism crap lol And while it had some themes that felt modern (a woman in the 1800's trying to own a business lol) at times, it wasn't a modern romance. It does have a heroine type that isn't going to work for everyone however, it does have a hero type that will work for most historical romance readers. But what made this book sing was the chemistry and the heroine redemption in the third act.....the grovel was amazing and loved seeing a heroine being accountable for being in the wrong. (We NEED so much more of that so if you know of this happening in other books .....GIVE ME THAT REC HAHAHAHA)

First Line
Across the street, in the little park they called No-Man's-Land, two girls were skipping rope.

The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Nicholas O Shea
The Heroine: Catherine Everleigh

Summary
Catherine, while a lady of society is more focused on making sure her father's business survives than being in society. But her brother holds control of the auction house her father ran and the only way she can take over is through marriage. Her brother is trying to force her into an arranged marriage with a man she despises. So she goes to a man that will be a middle finger to her brother's plans but also give her the independence she is looking for. But Nick isn't one to be easily controlled and she will have her hands full trying to combat both the man and the feelings that keep getting in the way of her plans....but will the love burning in her for Nick show her truths of what brings true fulfillment?

What I Loved
WHEW!!! This couple is on FIRE!!! Their chemistry literally had my whole body curling in such fun delights. Every single interaction between them was perfection. They have both such strong personalities and you see how they see the world in a certain viewpoint which can really cause fireworks when they get near each other. They have an attraction and sensual desire that is building between them. But Catherine is known to the the "ice queen" for a reason and we see how she slowly melts to Nick. Nick has had a rough life but created his own wealth and empire. And he will do whatever he can to protect it. But Catherine is a woman he didn't expect or see but will fight for their love even if it means giving her some tough love. Seeing these two battle their wills out was a pure delight. The hero was sex on a stick and then some. He has this aura about him that he will protect his no matter the cost. So if you love a good die for you theme, this is him. I also found it so refreshing the ways in which he was willing to stand up to her. She really needed the humbling he gave to her. And when she does a grovel (because she does wrong him and hurts him) it was hilarious cause it just doesn't go according to plan ....like literally she makes a grand gesture and it DOESNT EVEN WORK!!!!! LOL But seeing these two together and finding their way was magnificent and I can't wait to read more of this author.

What I Struggled With
The heroine ...she was hard at times to really like. She is prickly and a ice queen and only sees the auction house and not much else. She is also full of pride and arrogance and not caring who she hurts. Now we see with Nick and how he stands up to her that part of her softens and she grows and learns and its not always easy for her. I didn't like how she hurts him in the end there but at least she did a grovel. Too many authors let that slide. So I appreciated it so much and can't wait to read more from this author.

Overall View
Luck Be A Lady was a true joy.....it captures the morally grey with a ice queen toa thrilling sensual match up that will have you all tied up and deliciously so!!!

Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Victorian Era Historical Romance
Character Types: Morally Grey Hero, Ice Queen/Prickly Heroine, Business Owner, Gambling Hell
Themes: Auction/Antiques, Class Difference, Witty Banter
Tropes: Marriage of Convenience

Book Perspective
3rd POV

Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
Both

If you like these authors, I recommend This Book
Eloisa James
Elisa Braden
Lisa Kleypas

Song This Book Inspires
Please Don't Go-Kris Bowers

Recommendation For Reading Order
Yes, after reading this one I would say read in order if possible.

Steam/Spice Explanations

Warmin' by the fire- a medium level of sexual tension, a balance of sexual and emotional intimacy, lighter on the details in the sexual moments. show less

goodreads ate my review. thanks, goodreads.

Duran is a marvelous author, self-assured and clear and discerning. But she almost always seems to be holding back, as if getting at the bones of her characters is too painful. Well, isn't that sort of the point?

4.5 stars

Loved Nick, his Irish-ness, his rebel side, his heart, his vulnerability, his gruffness, his humor, his well, EVERYTHING. Loved how Catherine and him interacted, fell in love. Loved this book :)

The characters in this book were uninteresting.