I found this book—this story, these characters—absolutely captivating. I don't typically go for this kind of story, and the blurb didn't sell me, but for some reason, I decided to read the excerpt since one was provided, and I was enthralled very quickly. I usually prefer fast-paced action and find my attention waning when I read books with a lot of character self-reflection, like this one has, but I never once got bored with this; I devoured every single word. I'm still shaking my head trying to figure out how the author pulled that off. I loved Zoe and Aiden together; the growth of their connection felt so real as they battled their own demons and slowly began to provide strength and support to one another. Despite the sad backdrop, this is a beautiful love story filled with a tremendous amount of heart. I did not read the first book in this series, and although I realized quickly that a couple of the characters mentioned had already found their HEA, in no way did I feel like I was missing anything that I needed to know to enjoy this book. It can definitely be read as a standalone. With that being said, I enjoyed it so much that I look forward to going back and reading the first book, and I'll anxiously await the next one. After I finished, I learned that this is only the second book by this author. I was stunned; this book is so well written and well edited that it gives off a veteran writer vibe. Ms. Clayborn clearly has an amazing talent backed by a strong support team. I'm so glad to have found her!

Kate Clayborn's Chance of a Lifetime series is fabulous! I really liked Kit and Ben from the first book, but Zoe and Aiden quickly became my favorites.

Both Zoe and Aiden have had difficult experiences in their past. Zoe, especially, feels guilty about the way her law firm treated Aiden's family during a settlement during a wrongful death case for his brother Aaron. They are exceptionally realistic protagonists, and my heart felt for the difficulties and sadness they both felt.

I have read a number of books that incorporate a fake relationship into the plot, but it was done very well here. As Zoe and Aiden get to know each other better it all feels very natural and I found myself rooting for them to get together.

Just like in the first book, the lottery win Zoe and her friends had is a part of what sets the plot in motion but it is not the focus of the story. Now that I have read about Kit and Zoe, I can't wait for Greer's book!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

After loving the first book in this series, I was a bit disappointed in this one. It is not the writing but simply the storyline. You can't always love the storyline or the characters, you are bound to have favorites. And Kit and Greer are mine.

Kit, Greer and Zoe have won the lottery together. It enables them to make changes to their lives. After Kit having her HEA in the first book it is time for Zoe to find her way. She was a lawyer and quit her job after the big win, but she can't seem to find her way. She feels guilty over so many things, she decides to make amends and the first 'guilt slip' she draws is of the O'Leary family. She sat in on the settlement mediation about the death of their son.

Soon she finds the family has moved away, leaving their remaining son, Aiden, in their house. He immediately recognizes Zoe and is none too pleased she came to the house. But then he asks her to be his fake fiancé for six weekends as he wants to buy a campground from his childhood and Zoe agrees.

It was difficult for me to get into the story. Aiden was silent and grumpy and I actually cared little about what he was trying to do (turning the campground into a rehab facility as his brother had been addicted). The story was slow to develop and even when I started to really like Zoe, I never warmed to Aiden.

I am looking forward to the next book about Greer and Kit's brother Alex, as I have been from the first book.

Luck of the Draw is the second sweet romance in the Chance of a Lifetime series written by author Kate Clayborn. Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books/Lyrical Shine for the advance copy.

A second chance to make things right, is what Zoe Ferris and Aiden O'Leary need. After reaching low points in their lives, it intersects and they end up relying on each other more than was planned. For Aiden, he's trying to do right by his twin that died, feeling the survivors guilt and not knowing what else to do. When Zoe comes to apologize for her part in Aaron's settlement, Aiden sees it as an opportunity to achieve his goal and possibly make her suffer. This story is a great example of things aren't always what they seem, and I couldn't put the book down!

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley.

3.5* rounded down.

Zoe has quit her job as a lawyer after winning the lottery. She has not been happy in her work for some time and her final case, in which she acted for a pharmaceutical company reaching a settlement effectively setting a value on the life of Aaron O'Leary, was one she feels especially guilty about. In fact, Zoe feels guilt and regret for many things in her past and writes them all down, so she can work through them and try to make restitution. She therefore calls at Aaron O'Leary's parents' home to apologize to them, but instead runs into his brother Aiden, who treats her with disdain.

Yes, this was all pretty depressing.

Then there is Aiden, who spent years trying to save Aaron from the consequences of drug addiction, only to lose him to a drug that was mean to help. Aiden and his parents are grieving and angry, especially with Zoe. (This seemed a little odd to me - why didn't they focus their anger on the drug company? Why did their lawyer leave them to negotiate with Zoe, rather than doing it for them?) Aiden tells Zoe she can help him by pretending to be his fiancee so he can use the settlement money to buy the campsite he and Aaron went to as children and turn it into a camp for recovering addicts.

This was also depressing.

The story itself was well-written and the secondary characters (competitors to buy the camp) and many of the scenes set at the camp at weekends were entertaining and almost amusing. I liked Zoe and thought she was a coherent and thoughtful character. Aiden was rude and withdrawn, before softening to become shy and withdrawn. I found him hard to like, despite the fact that we had alternating chapters from his point of view. He failed to stand up for Zoe when it mattered; I think she deserved a better man.