I love Stacey Marie Brown, and everything she writes. Her world building, character development and writing is just brilliant. She draws you in and refuses to let you out until you have devoured every last page.

The Unlucky Ones was an emotional, read, but beautiful at the same time. I absolutely loved Devon. Even after everything she went through, she was strong and selfless.

A beautiful story of second chances and reaching your potential. Don't be fooled though, it's not black and white, not sunshine and rainbows. These people in the story have not had an easy life, on the contrary...time and time again they've been knocked down, their dreams placed on hold because they've had to take on roles no person their age should ever have to take.

When life knocks you down, you can eother roll with the punches or your soul and your being changes, both those things are shown here. It only takes a sliver of hope and to see the other side to maybe, just maybe, start to dream again.

I loved this story and highly recommend it.

Well written story that has you feeling everything from heartbreak to hope to happiness. The characters are complex and well written.

If I could describe “The Unlucky Ones” in one sentence from this book I would use:

„I need one moment of happiness before life consumes all of me”.

The Unlucky Ones is an exceptional story about two broken souls who at the tragic point of their life share a reckless moment together. And this short encounter gave them strength and memories to fight with cruel reality for years… and sealed their fate. Because even the thickest and highest mental wall won’t stop you from recognizing your soulmate.

After the first chapter, my heart broke in a half to regularly fall into tiny pieces. When I thought "this couldn’t get worse" I was wrong. But in the end, my bruised organ was put together and I closed The Unlucky Ones thinking: They were The Lucky Ones.

I cried.
I shouted.
I laughed.
I waved at my burning cheeks.
And eventually, I felt content.

I can’t stop my lady crush on Devon. I admire her so much. After everything, she went through…she didn’t give up. She fought and cared for everyone else, besides herself but with the right advice, finally, she started thinking about her own happiness and Lincoln’s love. She showed me that I should live my life to the fullest.

Lincoln has a special place in my heart. When he smiled I swooned. When he talked dirty, my body was on fire. When he cried, I bawled like a baby. After all the bad things, he deserved to be loved. So much.

Thank you, Stacey Marie Brown, for this beautiful yet heartbreaking story. I will cherish The Unlucky Ones forever.

This is the first book I have read by this writer. It was intense gripping and enjoyable.Devon is dealing with far more than a 17 year old should deal with. She has a quick doing with a sexy male in a bathroom than he is arrested. Flash forward Devon has moved to another city and is working at a bar to take care of her mother's needs. There she runs into quite the surprise. I loved this storyline. It was intense gripping full of amazing characters and a little suspense. I enjoyed reading about Devon. Her character is so very strong through everything she is dealing with. More strong than she needs to be sometimes. I love the chemistry between her and Lincoln. Even when they aren't getting along there is a strong spark. Just an amazing storyline. Well written book. I can't wait to read more from Stacey.

OMG! It took me days to write this review. This book is everything I love about a great story! This is a beautiful story! Devon is so unlucky! Her story is heartbreaking, but also hopeful, and heartwarming. The storyline is intriguing, and absolutely captivating, filled with twists and turns, and a lot of bad luck! At some point, all I wanted was a happy ending for Devon. I wanted to take her in my arms, and tell her that all was going to be alright, even if it wasn't. This was an emotional reading. I love Devon and Lincoln's story! They share a wonderful and strong chemistry, totally outstanding. The secondary characters are also really great. The story is told with Devon's POV only, and if I could change one thing about this story it will be to have Lincoln's POV. I wanted so much to know what he was thinking all along this story! But I understand the choice made by the author. It was Devon's story to tell. I LOVE Stacey Marie Brown's writing. She can write steamy scenes, as well as heartbreaking scenes, with an equally realism and emotion. This story is really beautifully written, and I totally recommend it. Now, I just hope we will get The Unlucky Ones in audiobook! This story is one of my favorites, and it will last on my heart for a long time 💗

Cue the waterworks! That's what you get every time from this wonderful author and her incredible, heart-twisting romances with the most magnificent characters. The waterworks could be from your eyes and/or your panties! No author writes hot romance like this one while giving us a story that is crushing and tension filled. Devon is a heartbreaker with the all the weight on her young shoulders in trying to keep her family afloat while dealing with the devastating duo of losing her father and the illness taking her mother day by day. I loved her mixed heritage and the nod to Native Americans. I mourn the loss of native cultures and the glimpse is wonderful. This story also sheds light on a horrible disease in a way that features the effects on the family that is honest and so sad. Devon gets a double hit on the same day and makes a decision that is so unlike her but she needs the connection so bad. And oh what a connection! A sexy bad boy takes her to heaven and then he disappears into the back of a cop car. Finn gives up a lot just to give Dev what she needs in the moment or maybe what they both couldn't deny. But life moves on as Devon continues sacrificing what she wants to care of her mother, sister and niece, all the while never forgetting the bad boy of her dreams. I just wanted to slap her sister, Amelia, and sometimes Dev for putting up with her crap. But the times when sisterhood won out it is wonderful. I have to say the first half was a chore for me to get through to get to what I really love from this author. The always swoon-worthy, delicious, on-the-edge romance that's full of emotion, turmoil and a sexy couple with panty melting chemistry. Enter Lincoln. Devon's smokin' hot hunk of a boss. He keeps her at arms length while not taking his eyes off of her. What's up with that? It's not hard to figure out who he really is as his story slowly unfolds and he can't hide his true identity from Devon's curiosity and snooping. Their same connection from years ago is still strong and undeniable. Linc's backstory has a few surprises and lots of heartache in the twists. His present is not so good either when his brother keeps causing problems that include some danger that Dev involves herself in. Back to the romance...it's so hot! The chemistry between Dev and Linc sizzles. There's still the question of whether they can overcome his past. It's not a black or white situation but lives in the gray in between. I love that Dev's family rallies to help her and give the couple a chance. Shout out to Uncle Gavin and his acceptance of the gray. One of my favorite colors! This is an emotional, heart wrenching story that's beautifully written with spectacular characters. There's not only the sexy hot romance but also some mystery, suspense, and terrific family and friends. I loved Nat and her boss attitude. This is definitely on my read again list. I just couldn't get enough of Devon and Lincoln and their dynamite love story. Absolutely fabulous! I voluntarily reviewed an ARC. 4.5 stars

Disclaimer: This review MAY contain spoilers. I received an Advance Reader Copy at no cost from the publisher/author.

Stacey Marie Brown knows how to write a story that will pull on your heartstrings. I consumed this story at lightning speed. I was engaged in this story from start to finish.

The book really starts off with a bang and jumps right into the emotions. I think that starting the story in the thick of things really made the sorrow real and impactful. You get up close and personal with Devon from the very beginning.

I loved Devon's character and I connected with her so much. The way that she carries everything on her shoulders while trying to stay strong really spoke to me. She was selfless, brave, and she makes so many sacrifices for the ones that she loves. And I really connected with her mother's disease since I have had a family member with the same disease. The things that Devon was going through felt entirely real.

One of my favorite things about reading a book by Stacey Marie Brown is that her characters are always very real. They aren't cookie cutter characters trudging through life and reacting. They are flawed, they have pasts and secrets, and they always embody that not everything is black and white. I think that this is especially true for her contemporary books.

When it comes to Devon and Lincoln, the chemistry between them is undeniable. Lincoln has been through just as much as Devon and it just makes the emotions in this story skyrocket.

I love how the plot unfolded in this story. I can't say much without giving things away, but Stacey Marie Brown is such an excellent and gifted storyteller. All of her books surprise me, enchant me, and make me feel a plethora of emotions.

There are many themes in this book that I liked getting to experience through these characters. There is a huge theme of circumstance and what life throws at you. The decisions that a person makes in response to their circumstances, both for themselves and for those around them. What a person will do for survival. How easy a person can slip into darkness, both internally and otherwise, when they have to constantly strive to survive the things that the world is throwing at them. What a person is willing to do for someone that they love when shit hits the fan, even if it puts their morals on the backburner. Living for yourself and standing up for yourself and your own dreams and aspirations instead of living for others. There is also a strong theme of redemption.

Overall, you need this book in your life! I can't give this book enough praise. These characters are truly crafted with excellence and the story is one that will stick with you long after you've finished the book. I can't wait for the next release from this author! Stacey Marie Brown is an auto-buy author for me. I don't care what she writes, I'm there!

Devon has been through so much for someone so young. She does something out of character and that sets off a train of events years later. This book had it all. I swooned, was swept up in the suspense, there was a moment in the book where my jaw about hit the floor. This was such a great book by Stacey Marie Brown, this one will be going to my favorites shelf. Well done!

5 + stars.

WOW…just wow.
This book… I related to it so much on a personal level with Devon and it gutted me. I cried to much reading this book. I’m pretty sure I read half of it though tears. I also read this book in one sitting because I JUST had to know what was going to happen with Devon’s mom. With going into this book, I knew that I was going to cry because of the last book that I read by Stacey, but I didn’t think it was going to be this much. Don’t get me wrong, I love books that make me cry. I think there the best books out there if they can make you feel such emotions. Now on to my review because that’s why your here.
Devon had a rough life, she was dealing with the death of her father who happened to be killed in the line if duty, her sister getting pregnant from an abusive boyfriend and her mom finding out that she was aging faster then she would like. (I don’t want to say what she has because I don’t want to spoil it.) With all that happening Devon was the responsible one in the family taking care of everything.
When she finds out her boyfriend of 3 years had been cheating on her she has a hot stranger find her in the bathroom if a diner, that leads her to some mind-blowing sex. When she leaves the bathroom, she sees there are red and blue lights and she wonders what happens. As she gets to the window, she sees the hot guy that she had just met and had sex with getting arrested she didn’t even know his name, until later. The kicker was it was her uncle that was arresting him.
Now five years later: Devon had to make the choice to move to Albuquerque an put her mom in a facility that would be able to take better care of her. When she got there, she was needing to get a job so that she would be able to pay for the medical bills and rent. On her job hunt she finds this bar and instantly became friends with the bartender, and she hired her. When Lincoln the owner meets her, she instantly feels a connection, but she isn’t sure why. She just knew that he was incredibly hot and full of secrets. The funny thing was Lincoln wanted to fire her right away, but he knew better.
The relationship that Lincoln and Devon had one that I loved reading. I loved the love hate they had in the beginning and the fact that Devon was able to slowly break down his walls that he had up for so long and be able to talk to her and tell her his secrets that he had been hiding.
One of the things that I would have loved to have seen was Lincoln’s POV especially in a few parts of the story I would LOVED to know what he was thinking. Aside from that this was still a beautiful and amazing story that I absolutely loved, and I can’t wait to see what Stacey comes out with next.
This is definitely one of those books that I think you all should check out.

THE UNLUCKY ONES:
Is a complete stand-alone romance novel by new to me author ‘Stacey Marie Brown’

BEFORE:
From the age of sixteen Devon's family was reeling from the death of their father whom was killed in the line of duty, her mother at only forty seven had aged beyond her years and had barely held on, not long after her mother had lost her regular day to day job she'd had at the bakery. Her sister barely made it through college before getting knocked up by a low life abusive boyfriend and having to drop out. Thus making devon the responsible one.

NOW:
At almost eighteen and a senior in highschool Devon has had the world put on her shoulders. Her mother has just been diagnosed with an exceedingly rare early onset of Alzheimer's. College would have to go on hold. Her dreams to study abroad were crunched. It was no secret I would be the one to help my mother. Amelia, though older, was never the responsible or compassionate one.

On that exact same day she learns that her boyfriend of three years was sleeping around behind her back with her best friend was the final nail in the coffin.
Love..Betrayed me..He was in a hotel room at this moment, screwing my best friend, while my mother's mind was beginning to rot away.
This led to one rash decision when an opportunity arises for her to have one reckless moment for herself with one hot life changing encounter with an exceedingly beautiful dangerous stranger in the bathroom of a diner where she'd been with her best friend commiserating with how her life had changed in the blink of an eye.

As she's leaving the bathroom red and blue flashing lights has her eyes wandering to the window where she witnesses her Uncle handcuffing the guy she'd just had sex with. A beautiful criminal. Learning much later on that his name was Finn Montgomery, him and partner had robbed a hospital for drugs more than likely to sell later on for triple the price on the black market.

FIVE YEARS LATER:

Now at the age of twenty two and with their mother's disease progressing further than the facility was capable of dealing with they had to make the hard decision of leaving the town they grew up in and moving to Albuquerque. In desperate need of finding full time employment to pay the medical bills etc that are piling up she comes across a high end sort of bar befriending the friendly bartender who hires her on the spot.

But when she meets the owner, Lincoln Kessler she feels such a deep emotional connection towards him which is unexplainable even though he's a jerk towards her from the get go. A man full of secrets. He hated her on the spot and wanted to fire her. It took a long time for her to break down his walls and find out what he was hiding.

I devoured this, inhaled it, breathed it, lived it, loved it.

I went into this completely blind, the blurb and cover caught my eye, I didn’t have any expectations going into this, though early reviews rated it highly. And I can clearly understand why because omg I fell in love with this book and these characters from the get go, heartbreaking, unique, unputdownable, undeniably good. It went from an easy 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating that quickly became a favourite read this year.

So easy to get into..Seconds, minutes, hours ceased to exist, once started it was hard to put down. A story you could connect with easily. Characters that nestled in your heart. There is nothing I would change about this book.

The BEST story I've ever read from Stacey Marie Brown!

Have you ever started reading a story and literally got goosebumps within the first couple pages? When get you filled with all sorts of emotions just from the words an author writes, yeah, that was me when I started reading The Unlucky Ones. My apologies go out to my husband for neglecting him while I had my head buried in my kindle--this was one story that I wasn't going to put down. Stacey Marie Brown, you gutted me!!

Holy hell, what an amazing story. It's almost too hard to put into words the way I feel about it. For someone who endured so much--emotionally, physically, mentally--I loved Devon. So much that this young woman was faced with! This is truly one of those reads that you must experience for yourself. I can recommend it all day long, but you must travel down the path with Devon to get the full-effect.

The Unlucky Ones is going to be one of my favorite reads this year!! Stacey, this story is going to be the one when your name is mentioned that readers are going to remember you for. Fantastic job!

I don’t know where to begin with this book! I loved it. I tend to gravitate toward more light hearted stories, but once in awhile it’s great to read a real gutwrencher.

This books has everything! Heartbreak, steamy romance, off the charts chemistry, family drama, great characters, suspense, and a HEA!! I didn’t want it to end.

Devon is seriously going through some BAD luck from the very beginning of the story. When we learn Lincoln’s full story it’s clear he was dealt a pretty difficult and some times depressing hand. Somehow (and what I found to be the best part of the story) these two character’s misfortunes lead them to each other and though they seem to have a doomed relationship they can’t stay apart. They learn to understand and except each other and they develop a solid relationship. They have many downs (as is their lives) but when they do end up together it’s perfect for them.

Devon went through so much at such a young age and made it through on a high note. It’s nice to read a romance novel that is about so much more then the romance.

Its no secret that I absolutely love SMB's writing and this one, well wow this is her BEST BOOK SO FAR and I wish I could rate it more then 5 stars!!

Once you start this book you will be UNABLE to put it down, so lock the door, get comfy, have wine and tissues ready and then settle in for one emotional ride.

Whilst this is a love story of two souls that were on the path to meet, fated maybe, but its one with a twist and has a bit of mystery that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The title says it all! two beautifully broken souls spinning the story of love, heartbreak, romance and some seriously hot AF swoon-worthy moments.

When I started this book I went in blind and I am glad I did. I had no expectations, not that SMB wouldn't have blown them out of the water with her brilliant anyway.

I loved Devon! Shes so kind and selfless and has been through so much but has remained so strong. I am in complete awe of her. Lincoln is the dark, brooding, mysterious Alpha male that makes you need new panties and you will fall HARD for this man.

You will not be disappointed with this one.

ARC received in exchange for an honest review from the author, Netgalley and Next Step PR

I definitely couldn’t wait to share my review for Stacey’s newest release, The Unlucky Ones. Everyone and their mom (or dad) needs to read this one ASAP. I am completely blown away, but I’m really not surprised at all. Stacey is definitely moving all the way to the top as one of my most favorite authors out there. Her stories easily suck you in, from her paranormal and emotional contemporary reads. There’s only so many authors out there that I love that can truly pull off writing PNR and contemporary romance. The Unlucky Ones has just topped my favorites for 2019!

OH.MY.GOSH! I stayed up until 4am reading this, yes, I read this book in one sitting. It had everything that I loved and more. There was heartbreak (like you couldn’t believe), angst, soooo much pain, but there’s hope even if it didn’t like there would be.

Where do I even begin? Devon has been through so much heartbreak and pain, it’s seriously unimaginable. She couldn’t catch a break at all, it honestly felt like the world was taking a sh*t on her and it just wasn’t fair at all. But all her life experiences molded and built this wall around her. But it was also just soooo sad to witness. She exudes everything kind, genuine and pure. Her character was so strong and selfless, I could never quite grasp why anyone would want to do any wrong to her. Devon constantly surprised me, but I loved that no matter what came at her, she’d always push back. Her character develops so much throughout this story and you will absolutely love her 100% by the end!

Lincoln, Lincoln, Lincoln! What a book boyfriend to fall in love with. He’s every bit of a mystery and I devoured every single page to figure out the puzzle that is Lincoln. You can just call him the brood, that’s also an alpha. Prepare yourself for this one, ladies and gents!

I gotta say that the title is extremely fitting for Devon and Lincoln’s personal story, but also their story as well. It was like one after another and it tore me so much inside. I hurt and cried for these two because with EVERYTHING they’ve been through, how the hell were they going to get their happily ever after?!

You will feel everything as you’re reading their story. I totally vote going into this completely blind. SMB delivered one of her best works yet in The Unlucky Ones. This was truly an unforgettable story and I’ve been constantly re-reading my favorite parts already. Everyone needs to have this book on their TBR, you won’t regret it!

Devon Thorpe at only 17 is being handed a really unlucky hand at life. After losing her father only a year ago she finds out her mother has early onset Alzheimer's, her older sister is pregnant and irresponsible, and her boyfriend of 3 years is currently sleeping with her best friend.

After one reckless moment in a diner bathroom she can't forget about the blue eyed, sexy, tattooed stranger that has ruined her for every other male out there. After 5 long years she still sees his eyes staring back at her.
When her mother's disease has become too much for her to handle by herself, she moves to Albuquerque, NM with her sister and niece. While trying to find a job she stumbles into a bar and meets a HOT, SEXY, BEAST of a guy, Lincoln Kessler. Lincoln is a brooding, mysterious stranger that she finds herself attracted to.

So unexpected!! This story will grab your heart and twist it until the very end! From grief, heartbreak, love, and mystery, this story has it all! Stacey Marie Brown does it AGAIN!! Bringing two characters together that have had a very unlucky life and intertwining a real life disease with trials and tribulations will have the tears flowing but will leave an impression on your heart! This is one you won’t be able to put down and leaves you wanting more!

This book took me by surprised but I really did enjoy it. There were times I wanted to smack the characters and tell them to smarten up but I also sympathized with them. I may not have agreed with their decisions but I understood sometimes you have to make a really hard decision for someone you love.

Yet again, Stacey Marie Brown hit it out of the park. Holy hanna, this book was amazing. It has everything. Family dysfunction, romance, a little mystery, and full of all of the feels. Your heart goes through a roller coaster with this one. My chest physically ached at one point during this book. My tears streaming down my face through most of it.

Stacey Marie Brown did a great job with this story. She brought us two characters who have had extremely bad luck at such an early age. They are fighters. And somehow, they cross paths. Boy, do those paths lead us readers into a grey territory of push and pull. As the reader, you really pull for these characters even though there is a reason to be wary. Stacey Marie Brown writes this plot so beautifully that you forget about the fact there is a reason you might not be so keen on Lincoln. Lincoln is hard to describe without giving away too much but boy, oh, boy is he sexy. Lincoln has been through so much. Same with Devon.

Let me tell you, Devon is a saint. I could relate so well with Devon. Devon is the yes girl. She'll do anything to help another person or take the load off another person. I can definitely relate to that.

A good quote from the book about Devon (and myself):
"I always stayed quiet, letting things build up, then I exploded. It took people back because they had no idea I was so upset."

Here are a couple more quotes that stuck out to me:

"You have completely f*cked me, Freckles."
"sometimes the precise thing you hate about someone is because you're so much alike."
"Life was gray."

I cannot stay enough good things about this book. The writing is top notch, the character development is on point, and the steamy factor is scaled to about 10. You don't want to miss out on this book. On sale on April 1st! This is not an April Fool's joke! :)

Heartbreaking! This story was so hard to read. I had to take pauses. I was hurting for Devon.
Devon..oh my goodness. She went through so much.
I cried...more than once.
The realism deeply effected me. Lincoln was absolutely amazing.
Truly tragic but also so full of hope.
Must Read for 2019
~BREAKDOWN OF RATINGS~

Plot~ 5/5
Main Characters~ 5/5
Secondary Characters~ 5/5
The Feels~ 5/5
Pacing~ 5/5
Addictiveness~5/5
Theme or Tone~ 5/5
Flow (Writing Style)~ 5/5
Backdrop (World Building)~ 5/5
Originality~ 5/5
Ending~ 5/5
Book Cover~ Fantastic
Series~ Standalone
Source~ Kindle eBook - ARC provided through Netgalley


Would I read more from this author? Yes
Would I recommend this book? Yes

I did not want this book to end!
Why did it have to end?! 😩

Gosh! I really enjoyed this book. The Unlucky Ones had it all: The heartbreak, the romance, the swoony moments…. everything!
You name it, Stacey Marie Brown delivered!

I can’t wrap my head around how much I enjoyed this book. Devon and Lincoln’s story is one of ill-fated love, heartache, angst but also of loss, pain and survival.

I loved Devon! She is one strong girl! She is selfless, kind, patient… She is the pillar of strength and endeverance and I am in awe of her.

Lincoln is a mystery. He is the perfect example of a broody alpha male. The heart wants what it wants and WE want Lincoln Kesslar. I swear, you are going to fall madly in love with this character.

Devon and Linc’s life makes for one heck of a story filled with so much emotions! There are moments where you feel an utter sense of loss and helplessness right with the characters and there are moments where you feel a sense of hope.

Since it is a romance novel, except the excitement of romance and all it’s glory! There is angst!There is drama! like I said, Stacey Marie Brown has delivered us a book that is an experience.

The Unlucky Ones is an amazing read and you should definitely read it ASAP!