There’s something powerful about an author who can make you feel an immediate connection to a character and their circumstances. That is exactly how I felt towards Allison. Something just took hold of my heart and I found myself crying through the first four chapters. Allison returns to her childhood home after finding out her foster father is dying. What was supposed to be a quick goodbye turns into far more. While at The Dragon (the name of their home) she reconnects with her father and siblings. She also begins putting the pieces together of a mysterious fall she had that facilitated her being removed from the home thirteen years ago. I truly enjoyed The Lucky Ones. It was a story of loss, reconnection and realizing what you could be capable of to help and protect those you love. This was very different than any of the other books I’ve read from Ms. Reisz and would love to read more from her in this genre. While the ending left a bit to be desired IMO it was true to Allison and who she was. I liked that the author didn’t have to wrap it up with a pretty bow just for the sake of it.

oh my goodness... this book! so good!! great characters with an ending you won't see coming. i love the way it was written and got so caught up in this story, not knowing what was going to happen next. i will be looking out for more by this author.

The Lucky Ones is the newest work from author Tiffany Reisz and from the synopsis alone, I knew I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this book. Well, I was NOT disappointed. From start to finish I was glued to each page and riveted until the very end. Just fabulous!

This story follows a now twenty-something Allison as she returns to the only home she ever remembered loving when she was an orphaned child. She only spent a brief time in the home with a foster parent, Dr. Capello, and the other children who lived in the beautiful, almost magical home, but the time she did spend there have left an indelible mark on her life. Her time spent there was too short and ended in quite a tumultuous way, also leaving an indelible mark on her life. Now, as Dr. Capello nears his final days, she decides to return and try to recapture some of the love she felt back then and also to try to put the pieces of her sudden departure together.

This is also a trip not only to revisit the past, but to try to find a new purpose in her life after her six-year relationship ended. Almost as if fate had something to do with the timing, Allison embarks on a trip that will also leave its own indelible mark…

From the very beginning, the mystery surrounding Allison and her past was beyond intriguing. Once we arrive back at that childhood home, pieces of a very strange puzzle start to come into play and the reader is left to piece them together as the story progresses. Meeting the other children who lived with Allison at the time, all now adults, and picking up on little clues here and there had me convinced there had been something sinister going on in those earlier years of Allison’s life. Sinister but not necessarily evil. It’s that lingering perception as I read that had me glued to every page and not wanting to put this book down. I wanted to know more about these characters, their backgrounds, what the mystery about all of them was. I kept getting the feeling that the saying “if it seems to good to be true, it usually is” was going to be a theme for this book, and was it ever!

I don’t want to give anything away, so if this review seems vague, I apologize, but this is a journey every reader needs to experience without having any moment spoiled!

If you’re looking for a totally consuming mystery with interesting characters and a story line you won’t forget, this needs to be on your shelf! Thank you, Ms. Reisz, for a phenomenal read!

I saw on an Instagram post someone described this book as creepy and steamy and it is just that! A neurosurgeon takes kids in from the worst of situations and gives them a home and maybe most wouldn't question the motives, but in a fiction story, you are wondering when something will jump out and the truth will be revealed! I loved having the creepy feeling from beginning to ending, made me read this one so fast!

Allison was the perfect character to take you back into this home after she had been gone for 13 years. From the beginning you felt her innocence and trusted her to a fault. I loved her and was so ready to take the journey with her and I love a book even more when I love the main character quickly and easily.

Be forewarned that the steamy word is absolute. There was a full chapter and some scenes throughout that were very hot and heavy. I would still recommend this to you and would say just skim this because the creepiness of the book is too good not to read it!

This was my first Tiffany Reisz read and I am interested in reading some of her backlist but it is long - where would you recommend I go from here? Does she have another stand alone that is full of the creepy crawlies?!

It's been a long time since I read something this dark and twisty, apparently too long judging by the way I completely gobbled this book up and completely lost myself in it. This is my first book by this author and I am blown away by how captivating it was, how well written, how utterly mind-bending, and yet somehow completely satisfying.

The storyline wanders a bit into taboo territory. I mean, if you are sensitive to things that are taboo in nature, this one may not be for you. I consider myself to be a fairly vanilla reader - I'm not usually lured in by taboo tropes or super erotic storylines - and this didn't bother me. I didn't feel like it was over the top or done for shock value. I felt like there was a compelling story here, and all the pieces fit where they were supposed to. Some of those pieces were shocking, but not in a way that felt like it was trying too hard.

There's a trick to this. I know there is. Here we have a story that should not be lighthearted and romantic, and yet much of the time, that's exactly how it felt. There's an eeriness to the storytelling, but as a reader I couldn't quite put my finger on the problem because on its face, everything seemed so wonderful, idyllic, beautiful. The Lucky Ones is a deceptively dark story - laced with a sort of sly wit, a whole bunch of sweetness. And then...dollops of horror are dropped throughout.

This is the kind of story that doesn't let you go easily. It's still buzzing around my brain and I imagine I'll be sorting through my feelings about it for quite some time. It's part mystery, part psychological thriller, and part romance - these things all mashed together into some kind of perfect reading experience for me. I was on the edge of my seat, constantly hungry for more, and never quite knowing who to trust. And it was phenomenal I loved it. I couldn't get enough.

Allison felt lucky when Dr. Vincent Capello rescued her from the foster home nightmare she was in at the age of seven. Living in a big beautiful home right on the Oregon Coast with a built family of brothers and sisters felt like a dream come true. Until that dream came crashing down when she was pushed, or fell down the stairs and woke up in the hospital. Her elderly aunt came and whisked her away and she hadn’t seen or heard from her “family” for thirteen years until her foster brother, Roland, writes to tell her Dr. Capello is dying. She knows she must go back and find the answers to questions that’ve haunted her for years. Did one of her “family” actually push her down the stairs, and if so, why?

When Allison first comes onto the page, I was so very put out for her after discovering the details of her relationship with Cooper McQueen, a character from The Bourbon Thief. I quite liked him in that book, but here I wanted to strangle the man! At any rate, his appearance is short-lived, and I wasn’t so mad at him by the end. Still…grr!!!

But never mind McQueen, because Roland is the guy you want to sit up and take notice of, anyhow. The minute Roland and Allison reunite after thirteen years it’s like they never separated. They had a fast, and natural connection (if you can call a romance between an ex-foster brother and sister natural, lol); so very electric and passionate.

Deacon and Thora, her other brother and sister fell right back into Allison’s life and she into theirs, and once again it feels like a big happy family, no matter there’s a prevailing sadness over Dr. Capello’s nearing death. But as Allison stays it’s quickly apparent there are a lot of secrets and lies and uncovering them could be very dangerous. And it is dangerous, because Allison can’t let the search for the truth go.

It wasn’t hard to piece together a lot of the mystery right off the bat, but some of it was a surprise and the whole story was captivating even with knowing what was going on. Usually, once I start reading one of Ms. Reisz’s stories I can hardly put it down, and that was certainly the case with The Lucky Ones. There was a lot of moral gray areas here, where you could see both sides of the story, understand why a person would take the actions that they did, but at the same time you couldn’t help but think of the violations those actions incurred, and some of the consequences were truly horrible.

Once again Tiffany Reisz weaves and atmospheric tale of love, betrayal, and mystery with the Oregon Coast and its broody weather there to provide an even more haunting quality to the tale. Loved the setting; it and the house almost felt like secondary characters here. The Lucky Ones is the kind of story that’ll linger in your mind long after you finish the last page.

When I read the description for The Lucky Ones, I was so excited because it reminded me of the old gothic romantic suspense. I mean, a house called "The Dragon" says it all!

The story starts with Allison being dumped by her boyfriend, Cooper McQueen. A mysterious letter and a request to come home has her considering going back to where she grew up in the home of Dr. Capella. Allison doesn't quite remember everything that happened there.

The first sixty percent of the book had Allison recovering her memories in bits and pieces as she wades through lies and suspicions. The problem I had with this part of the book was that it was excruciatingly slow.

The story picks up somewhat toward the end, but by then, I was able to put the pieces together on my own and figure out who did what. I personally found the circumstances horrific and sad, and it made it hard to even sort out my feelings for these characters. Cooper McQueen was the most likable character in the book for me, so there you go. It's not that I disliked the other characters, it's going to take a while (if ever) to sort out how I feel about them, which made it hard to get invested in this story.

Overall, a story with great potential that just didn't hit the mark for me. You may have a different experience.

An ARC was provided for review.

What a great story, it surprised me a lot and I enjoy reading it!The Lucky Ones is a fast paced, atmospheric, dark and interesting story!I was intrigued from the first pages!I loved the plot and the setting, the characters were well developed!

“Sometimes you slay a dragon. Sometimes you cut off its head and three more grow in its place.”

This book had it all!A sweet romance, a mystery, great characters and it was atmospheric!Like all her books this is another unique story from Tiffany Reisz!There wasn't a moment I felt bored I didn't know what to expect in each page!If you are looking for a refreshing story with suspense,romance and dark in some ways this is perfect!

Favorite Quote: “The girl in the tower is a romantic image to anybody but the girl in the tower.”

They were called “The Lucky Ones; ” the foster children who were chosen to live with the wealthy Dr. Vincent Capello at his beach house, nicknamed the Dragon, in Clark Beach, OR.

Allison Lamarque looks back on those idyllic days fondly, except for the part where she almost died and was whisked away to live with her aunt, never to see her foster siblings or the good doctor again. That is until she receives a letter thirteen years later from Roland Capello, the oldest lucky one. Dr. Capello is dying and Roland asks Allison to come home and make a dying man’s wish come true.

Allison heads to Oregon with a thousand and one questions. What really happened that night? Was it an accident or did someone try to kill her? And why didn’t Dr. Capello fight to keep her?

Allison reconnects with her foster siblings and tries to figure out what happened that night, using her own fragmented memories and those of everyone who was there. The deeper she digs, the more she realizes that no one is who they really seem and the truth is far more horrific than she could have ever imagined.

Reisz starts her latest adventure with a breakup. Allison Lamarque has been the secret mistress of a very rich man since she was nineteen. Her lover, Conner McQueen from The Bourbon Thief, reveals he has gotten another woman pregnant and he chooses them over her, effectively ending their six-year relationship. She is angry, hurt, and unsure what to do after she has literally been at McQueen’s beck and call for so long. When she receives a letter from her past, she decides a change of scenery is just what she needs and packs her things to head home. She is determined to understand exactly what happened all those years ago and finally lay it all to rest.

“Too many secrets in this house. So many that they were beginning to sound like…lies.”

Love, betrayal, secrets, and most importantly, family, are the ingredients in the potent cocktail Reisz mixes as she sits down to tell us the story of The Lucky Ones. This psychological thriller enthralls with suspense and intrigue as Reisz takes readers deep into the human psyche and shows us all the wonders and horrors it contains. The steady pace and smooth storyline are heavily influenced by the narrative as the reader becomes instantly captivated by the strong elements of love and mystery that surround this cast of exceptionally flawed characters.

“You know what they say…ours is not to wonder why. Ours is but to drink bourbon and rye.”

Allison is an intelligent and independent woman who was orphaned at a very young age. She briefly found happiness afterward until that too was snatched from her. Stubborn with pride and in possession of a very dry wit, there is a faint sense of melancholy that surrounds her. Hints in her narrative show that her life hasn’t progressed as she has hoped. She has been let down by almost everyone in her life through either fate and choice. Yet, she takes it on the chin like a champ and gets right back up swinging.

“You weren’t my mistress. It’s so…”

“True?”

“Melodramatic. This was always a friendly business arrangement.”

“I see. So you’re not dumping me, then. You’re firing me.”

[…]

“You don’t make it easy on a man…you could say thank you. Most girlfriends don’t get severance pay after a break up.”

“I’m not your girlfriend, remember?”

Heading back to the Capello household is the first thing she has done for herself in years and she is determined to pay her respects, get some answers, and continue on her way along the coast. Seeing Roland Capello opens a floodgate of memories, reminding her of things she forgot in her “accident.” How much she loved him as a brother and how those feeling gradually changed into something more potent and forbidden.

Roland kissed her like he’d spent the last thirteen years waiting to have a chance again…In an instant, she was that twelve-year-old girl again, feeling those strange terrifying desires for the first time. Her heart raced, her blood pumped; she ached between her legs.

Roland is quite an enigma and upon meeting him, you instantly get the feeling something’s not quite right. Gorgeous and charming, he is now a monk though on sabbatical to care for their father. His need to atone is felt and you are instantly left to wonder why. The focus is strong on Allison and Roland as Reisz builds their story in layers, flashing between the past and present to give us the background and clues we need to get to know the two people whom fate seems destined to bring together. Their whimsical banter and intense sexual chemistry delightfully contrast with the growing feelings of horror and disbelief along the edges the further along you get into the story.

“We have a rule in this house, if you don’t remember, and it’s a good rule. We don’t talk about the past.”

Overly verbose at times as Reisz repeatedly hammers certain details into our psyche, the basis of her story, the human mind and the many horrific treatments used to try and fix mental illnesses, punch you straight into the gut. Especially when you realize these treatments and instruments of torture were used on real people well into the 20th century. Reisz addresses the different medical attitudes revolving about sociopathy and its derivatives, providing an interesting history lesson.

An interestingly eclectic cast of characters offer help or try to hinder Allison’s investigation. Chameleon like, we aren’t really sure what their role in the previous events are though each person’s background and connection to Allison is dissected and expanded on, providing answers to the questions plaguing the story.

The mystery behind Dr. Capello, the various foster children who lived with him, and Allison’s accident is altogether a dramatically horrific tale that left me shocked and saddened but hopefully for the future. A person’s ability to rise above their circumstances is astounding as is what the human mind can do to protect itself from certain events. What you expect and what you eventually get are two very different things and they create a moral dilemma of sorts that stays with you long after you close the book.

Grade: B

What a great story, it surprised me a lot and I enjoy reading it!The Lucky Ones is a fast paced, atmospheric, dark and interesting story!I was intrigued from the first pages!I loved the plot and the setting, the characters were well developed!

“Sometimes you slay a dragon. Sometimes you cut off its head and three more grow in its place.”

This book had it all!A sweet romance, a mystery, great characters and it was atmospheric!Like all her books this is another unique story from Tiffany Reisz!There wasn't a moment I felt bored I didn't know what to expect in each page!If you are looking for a refreshing story with suspense,romance and dark in some ways this is perfect!

The Lucky Ones was an utterly intriguing read. I loved the sassy main female character - which seems to be a recurring theme in Reisz's books. As we follow along on her journey, we're led through twists and turns, and every time you think you've got it sussed out, you find out you're wrong. This was a gripping read that kept me up way past my bedtime, packed full of Gothic storytelling, unusual family ties, romance, and more. Yet another corker of a read from Reisz, and one I'd recommend for those looking for a mystery novel with a difference.

(I have added my review to Amazon UK and US, and Goodreads)

Every so often you stumble across a novel that doesn't look all that amazing, and then you get into it and you find out it's compelling, interesting, and really satisfying, and pretty amazing after all.

That was my experience with The Lucky Ones. I was part of the excerpt tour in January, but hadn't read the book at the time I posted my excerpt. When I finally sat down to start it and read the opening scenes with Allison with her ten-lover McQueen, I was half-convinced I was reading the wrong novel.

But then the story unfolded. Allison read the letter from Roland, and dashed back to the Oregon coast, and not only did I fall in love with the house - The Dragon (I want a house like that, in a place like that) - but I was hooked on the story.

I really liked the way the author, Tiffany Reisz, crafted this novel like a romance, until it became a thriller disguised as a family drama with romantic interludes. I loved all the characters, flawed and human as they were. The layers of secrets, peeling away like onions, kept me intrigued til the very end.

Reisz's use of language is really effective. Allison was the point of view character, so her voice was the clearest, but each character had his or her own distinct voice - Roland was suitably introspective. Dr. Capello reminded me of an older, gritter version of Alan Alda, and Thora was someone I'd have loved to hang out with.

Overall, it's we, the readers, who are lucky, because we get to read The Lucky Ones.

The Lucky Ones is one of those thrillers that will give you goose bumps, and make you question your own beliefs. Set in picturesque Oregon, this beautifully written book complete with its cast of flawed characters will have you guessing until you get to the shocking conclusion.

There is so much to this book that is hard to discuss without revealing too much much of the plot. However, I will tell you that its contents will disturb you and give you many opportunities to ask yourself about your own moral compass. It is definitely eye-opening to read and gives the reader many sides of the story that bring these “Lucky Ones” together.

Having never read a Tiffany Reisz novel, I had no idea what to expect from these characters that are deemed “The Lucky Ones.” Every single one of them is as imperfect as they come, and have so many layers to them. The main character, Allison, is one that is highly intelligent, has a huge heart, and a love for books and poetry. However, her life choices are so poor that it is what propels the story forward. I found Allison to be dislikable, but I did empathize with her, which is something to be said for the writing.

The one thing that I love most about books is their ability to transport the reader to its setting. Reisz’s ability to describe the Oregon coast has left me with a strong desire to travel to the region myself. The setting is actually a character of sorts, as the climate and the surroundings have a profound effect on its characters.

The Lucky Ones is one to add to your reading list if you are looking for a thrilling book that makes you think. It is packed with interesting characters, and the writing is quite descriptive. Reisz will have you packing your bags for Oregon, for sure.

The Lucky Ones is a riveting romance with a dark mystery to unravel. With its cast of odd and eccentric characters, there is never a moment where the draw to understand them, to read their secrets and find answers, dulls or diminishes in any capacity. I've never read a story with a plot like this, one that is as sinister as it is intriguing as it is eerie.

Allison's journey to discovering the mysteries of her past is convoluted and wrought with pieces of a puzzle to decipher. I enjoyed her personality, how she was unshakable and bighearted, but also very much naive in her experiences and her trust in others. Her unwavering character, despite her inability to remember what happened to her, shone through repeatedly, and she was someone to root for. Without speaking to the plot in order to not spoil it, I'll say that I adored her re-connecting to this long-ago family and the love affair that blossomed amidst it all. It was perfectly portrayed, not overdone or too explicit as to overshadow the suspense/mystery aspect of the story. Both went hand in hand very well.

One reason why this is not a 5-star read is that somewhere around midpoint of the story, I feel like the author sort of lost her way a bit. The first half had such draw and power to it, easily capturing my attention and exciting me every step of the way, but then it faded in its intensity and I couldn't help but feel a disconnect. I'm not sure why or how or what could have changed, but there was something missing or lacking to keep that same feel continuously to the end.

All of that to say, regardless of the aforementioned paragraph, the deeper you go into unraveling this story and its secrets, the more conflicted you will feel about the morality of the characters you have grown to love and adore in this story. The writing is beguiling and captures the gothic nature of its atmosphere and characters with ease. The Lucky Ones is truly a fascinating read, one that still has me reeling.

What made you pick up The Lucky Ones?

Angie Elle: In a roundabout way, it was Shanna that made me pick up the book. She told me a long time ago she didn’t think the Original Sinners (one of her favorite series of all time,) was for me. Could there be a bigger challenge? I, of course, immediately read the first book on the down low. And I loved it. It threw me down the Tiffany Reisz rabbit hole, and the rest, as they say, is history. Also, the word ‘gothic’ kept being thrown around with this book, and I love books with that spooky feel.

Shanna: Did I really say that? I think i tell everyone that so I could keep Søren, Kings and Nora all to myself. But how the tables have turned because it was Angie who told me about this book. And Yes for me seeing the name of the author was enough for me to read the blurb, and one I did I was ready to pick it up and devour.

What did you think of Allison’s relationship with McQueen?

Angie Elle: From a reader standpoint, I was able to romanticize it and love it. There was really something about McQueen that I liked from the get-go anyway. But it’s not a place I’d ever want to be. Not for six years.

Shanna: Yeah I didn’t like it at all, he just seemed to me to be so entitled and out right privileged I had real issues with the whole thing, but about halfway through the book, I realized that he was an important part of Allison’s life, and that was what allowed me to be able to deal with him.

Angie Elle: I saw it as an arrangement that suited them both. Everything was consensual, and if she didn’t like it, Allison could have left at any time. And I think, like you said, we saw more of him as the book went on, and it was clear he genuinely cared about Allison. But I will say, the flower deliver at the end threw me for a bit. I think it was a bit overboard to put that in the book.

What was your impression of The Dragon House?

Angie Elle: I thought the idea of how Dragon House became The Dragon House was interesting and quirky. But the more I got to know, the creepier the house became. You could just tell there were some terrible things that took place behind those doors.

Shanna: I was scared of the house from the time the name was revealed. How could good things be happening inside a dragon? It just gave the impression that there was something very strange happening. That said the imagery that was affiliated with the house was beautiful, and I did like that part.

How did you feel about the poetry woven throughout the book?

Angie Elle: To be honest, I am not a fan of poetry. It reminds me too much of forced reading in school, and I was more the gal who had a paperback hidden in her textbook reading while poetry was being read around me. But I do like the idea of why Allison felt the need to memorize poetry. It broke my heart.

Shanna: Yeah the reason why she was memorizing was heartbreaking. But though I am not a big fan of poetry, I really like how TR was able to weave classical poetry into this story. I think that having these little bits of other books that have made an impression on an author is wonderful.

Did you feel the pacing of this book was consistent?

Angie Elle: Oh my word. The pacing of this book, and the way the plot was written kept me glued to the pages. I kept thinking ‘just one more chapter, just one more chapter.’ I found the plot relentless until the very end, and I couldn’t put the book down.

I do want to mention, though, that I think there were times the banter went on for too long. I found this with the last series I read by this author, too, and I feel like it takes a bit away from the conciseness of the story-telling. It’s almost like she just can’t resist putting it in there. I think there could have been a heavier hand editing wise.

Shanna: Yeah I was glued as well, I just couldn’t put down the book. Every chapter was deliberately written to make you want to read just one more, and so much was being said and at the same time not said. It was really good for this book.

What did you think of Roland?

Angie Elle: I really liked Roland. There was a genuineness to him I appreciated, and it made me sad to think he was spending his life trying to atone for something.

Shanna: I fell so hard for Roland from the get go, the fact that he had blamed himself for Alison leaving was just so heartbreaking, and all those years later the fact that he was still willing to try to get her to come back, it was sweet in so many ways. My biggest issue with him was the secrets that he was holding, that was the only thing, but I think by the end of the book all was forgiven.

What did you think of the rest of the constants of Dragon House - Deacon, Thora, and Dr. Capello?

Angie Elle: You know, throughout the entire story, the dynamic in the house was just odd. It seemed people were just a bit too comfortable with each other, and the jokes sometimes went a bit too far. But I thought it fit the story.

Shanna: For me I liked the balance in the house. I will say that there was something so relaxing and cool about Deacon, I thought we could definitely be friends maybe something more :::wink wink::: Thora felt like I just didn't really get to know her even at the end I had some questions about her still, she was just not there as much. And Dr. Capello, he was the biggest surprise for me, I won’t say why but I will say that he was the most memorable of the characters for me.

Angie Elle: I didn’t realize until you mentioned it, but I agree. The book closed with Thora being as much a mystery as she was when we first met her.

How did you feel about the ending of this story?

Angie Elle: I thought the ending of this story was pretty tame, but I think that’s how it needed to be. There were so many shocking moments throughout this book that I think the ending made it more even-keeled. And I like the way closure for the kids of Dragon House came about in a gentle way.

Shanna: I have to say I agree. Although everything came at me in the rapidfire succession, I thought the end was kind. It was good to all The Lucky Ones. (That final scene brought tears to my eyes for sure.)

This is the first book of Tiffany Reisz's I have read, although I own a few of her past books. After reading this one, I will be picking up more without doubt.

This story pulled me in from the very start. Secrets. Lies. Betrayal. All in this book and delivered in the most perfect way.

I love when both the plot and characters grow from start to finish, leaving me left with a sense of fulfillment by the end. This book did just that. As the plot moved forward, I got pieces of each character, which wove with the changing and growing plot.

I can't say I didn't see all of the twists coming. I might have suspected a couple before they happened, but they still had an effect that was exactly how it should have been. Tiffany is definitely a great story teller. 

Love. Loss. And healing. After all is said and done, I was happy to get an ending that suited each character in this book. If you are looking for your next read, you should definitely consider this one.

Growing up in a foster home is never easy. For Allison – it was a memory that she tried desperately to put in the past. Until a package arrived that would bring her past back into her life. With a long term relationship biting the dust, Allison finds herself at a crossroads. So much time devoted to a man who never placed her above a ‘sex on demand’ status. Now – with the past knocking on her door, Allison decides that opening that door is the only way she can put things to rest.
As she heads back to Oregon to say ‘goodbye’ to her former foster father, Allison is brought face to face with the siblings that she came to adore during her time in the ‘Dragon House’. It was so hard to believe that thirteen years had passed since the tragedy that forced Allison from Dr. Capello’s home. A memory that Allison can’t recall.
Upon arriving in Oregon, Allison catches up with her former siblings. A welcome and confusing change. Many things have happened since Allison left Dr. Capello and his children. One thing however remains….what happened to Allison that night? Who would want her to leave the house so badly? Secrets surround all of the members of Dr. Capello’s brood. The only question is what will Allison find when the secrets become truth??
Are you read for the latest Gothic Suspense from Tiffany Reisz? This novel is full of questions that will taunt the characters contained within the plot of this book. A secret that will uncover a lifetime of tainted love and truth. The Lucky Ones will dive into a truly bizarre relationship between Allison, her siblings, and Dr. Capello. The family tests the bounds of what is traditional, and what is accepted by the public.
While the story plot weaves a tale of mystery so bizarre you will not want to put it down, it also tests some situations that some will find a bit disturbing or out of the norm. We have a crossover from a character that many have come to love, but it was presented in a way that left me wondering at times if I ‘missed’ a big chunk of the plot. This disarray caused me to reread several chapters again, and constantly refer back to past chapters to make certain I was taking in the full spectrum of the plot of this book.
One thing is certain, you can always count on Reisz to write about subject matter that tests what is acceptable in the world of words. Even with the unique plot surrounding this book, I didn’t feel that heart sweeping connection that I love to experience when diving into a book by the author. The Lucky Ones will definitely get you thinking about what is acceptable in the family dynamic.
Let me know what you think about The Lucky Ones…..

They called themselves “the lucky ones.” They were seven children either orphaned or abandoned by their parents and chosen by legendary philanthropist and brain surgeon Dr. Vincent Capello to live in The Dragon, his almost magical beach house on the Oregon Coast. Allison was the youngest of the lucky ones living an idyllic life with her newfound family…until the night she almost died, and was then whisked away from the house and her adopted family forever.

Now, thirteen years later, Allison receives a letter from Roland, Dr. Capello’s oldest son, warning her that their father is ill and in his final days. Allison determines she must go home again and confront the ghosts of her past. She's determined to find out what really happened that fateful night--was it an accident or, as she's always suspected, did one of her beloved family members try to kill her?

But digging into the past can reveal horrific truths, and when Allison pieces together the story of her life, she'll learns the terrible secret at the heart of the family she once loved but never really knew.

A vivid and suspenseful tale of family, grief, love—and the dark secrets that bind everything together—Tiffany Reisz’s latest is enthralling to the final page.

Review:

I know that Ms. Reisz is known for her erotica in the Original Sinners series, but I have to say I love these one time, stand alone novels more. To me they are more interesting to read. I love that they are sometimes a little paranormal, a little mystery and always have a good romance.

I love how the one brother throws out that they are like the book "The Flowers in the Attic" and in a weird way this does remind me of that. But none of these kids/adults are related. Just under certain circumstances people brought together fall in love no matter what is happening to them or around them. For a lot of the story I really was not sure what was going on ( a good thing in my book). Anyone could have pushed Allison down the stairs. Then little by little the truth is revealed and I don't know how she came to such quick grip with it. The romance between Allison and Roland really does have that forbidden twist to it. From when they are living in the house together as kids and even when they come back together as adults. It adds a delicious little twist.

I won't give away anymore of the story, it should be read to appreciate it. I will say if you are looking for a great Gothic, Mystery Romance I would highly recommend this book.

4.5Stars
*I voluntarily red an advance reader copy of this book provided by the publisher.*

Allison has been living in the shadows for the last six years. She's been selling herself - body and soul - to a rich older man who keeps her hidden away until it's convenient to show her the light. Now that's coming to an end and she can hardly find it in herself to be sad. But it's the letter that arrives from a familiar Oregon address that sends her into emotional overdrive.

The Dragon was a house where she once felt safe and loved. She lived there surrounded by the grey clouds of the coast as one of the lucky children adopted by Dr. Vincent Capello. His brood consisted of boys and girls that no one else wanted and it was here where he proved to them that no one was hopeless.
When lines start to blur between Allison and her foster brother Roland, it sets in motion a chain of events that ends with her leaving them all behind and maybe after all of these years she can finally discover why.

"I want you to know I never forgot about you," Allison said. "I would have come back if I hadn't been too scared to. Sometimes I dreamed about..."
Roland took her hand again and twined his fingers within hers, hers within his, and rested their joined hands on his chest.
"Tell me what you dreamed of," Roland said.
She smiled and looked up at the gray late-evening sky. The first stars were peeking out from behind the dark curtain of night, and she was alone on the beach with the first boy she ever loved, holding his hand with no witness but the ocean.
"I dreamed you'd come and find me," she said.
"Why me?"
"Wishful thinking," she said. "You were always my favorite."
"Favorite sibling?"
"Favorite person. Ever. On earth. I was a little in love with you. And maybe a little in lust..."
Roland did a double take.
"What?" she said. "Twelve-year-old girls think about sex. News at eleven."

Roland Capello never could forget Allison. She was the innocent young girl that made his blood sizzle in his veins and all it took was one kiss to change the trajectory of his life forever. Now with death creeping ever closer, will they be able to solve the mystery that The Dragon hides and finally find happiness together or will they all be doomed to haunt its empty hallways alone?

"Too many secrets in this house.
So many they were starting to feel like...
Lies."

The Lucky Ones is by far the edgiest departure from Tiffany to date! Part gothic romance and part psychological thriller, she seduces you with her atmospheric prose only to send a megawatt jolt of electricity with every unexpected twist. Just when you think you have all of the answers, you slip even further under the spell of her wildly complex characters.

With an ending that is both shocking and gratifying, it's an odd kind of fairy tale that dares you to find the beauty that lies beneath…

Mystery, suspense, and romance masterfully written!!
The Lucky Ones features the story of Allison and her return to the house she thought as her home when she was a child and teenager. After ending a long relationship, she receives a letter from her former foster brother where he announces her former foster father is dying and ask her to go visit before it’s too late, and she decided to go there and… what exactly is she going to do there? The last time she was there she was almost murdered and she’s very afraid of what she’ll find now…. Or maybe she can find out what really happened because she refused to believe any of her foster family members would do something bad to her… or would they? There was only one way to find out….

She’s welcomed with open arms by her former foster siblings and despite they were her family once, they now felt different. So much time has passed and so much has changed… Except for one thing or two, and she isn’t afraid to stay with the Costellos and explore some of her old feelings… Well, that and the fact that she can investigate what really happened 14 years ago when she was taken away from the Dragon and her precious foster family.

"I almost wish I hadn’t been so happy here. Maybe I wouldn’t have missed you all so much."

This book was absolutely amazing. Tiffany’s writing is always poetic, meaningful and beautiful. Her characters so well constructed and the plot amazingly developed, made me get into the story and wonder what really happened all those years ago to Allison and how that would affect the path her life was taking now that she is back in The Dragon.

The story is told switching from present to past and back to present, adding more hints about the truth behind the Costellos and how and why it affected Allison’s life in the past and the present.

The characters are all amazing. Allison is determined and strong, but sometimes she’s vulnerable but she never ever gives up or shows weakness and I love her for that. Roland Costello is thoughtful and loving and a great sibling, but also a great lover—He caught my eye with his wood chopping skills, I mean, that’s a very manly view ;) —Deacon and Thora are great secondary characters, adding more suspense and entertaining moments to the story.

“You want to know a secret?” she asked.
“Of course.”
“I was never afraid of the rain.”
“You want to know my secret?” Roland asked.
“Sure.”
“I always knew that.”

All in all, The Lucky Ones is P.E.R.F.E.C.T.I.O.N. Seriously, I loved it all. The descriptions—the house that reflected in the lake looked like a dragon has had my mind flying for months now—the truths and lies found in the story, the relationship of Allison and Roland was beautiful, the Costello siblings were the best, and the connection of this story with The Bourbon Thief is a great touch from Tiffany… Maybe she’ll consider writing more about Cooper McQueen? Who knows, maybe she will.

Now you go and read this book and fall in love with everything about The Lucky Ones.