Bursting with personality, Lucky 22 puts the heart on full display. From over the top to under the radar still waters run deep. Ella and Christian are irresistible. Eckstein and Chase take an optimistic approach to dealing with deep feelings. Emotion and humor take center stage. There is no turning back once you turn that first page. An endearing charmer.

Summary
Ella Rose Holt believes in magic. Not always the fairy-tale kind, but the quiet kind that shows up when you least expect it. On the brink of her golden birthday, chasing acting dreams in Los Angeles, Ella’s life feels full of possibility…and just a little unfinished. Christian Lucas has built his world on discipline, dedication, and the game he loves. As a professional baseball player, his life is carefully scheduled, a bit guarded, and rarely spontaneous.

This book was incredible definitely recommend

Great sports romance 🩷

Cute writing style without being cutesy

Fun characters that are easy to love

Great dialogue and very eventful

⭐3.75

Such a cute no spice read! The characters were so cute and adorable and you were really rooting that they would figure everything out.

Thank you NetGalley and Blue Box Publishers for this arc. If you have ever meet, watched an interview, or seen her social media, you know Ashley’s kind, sweet, outgoing, optimistic personality! This book truly feels like Ashley.
I have been a fan since 2020 and have been fortunate to meet her 3/4 times, and I was so excited to hear she was writing a book! This book is a sweet, kind story about love and prioritizing the person most important to you. This is not a book about falling in love, rather it’s a book about keeping that love present in the chaos of life (especially for a baseball player husband and an actress wife). I haven’t read too many books about married couples, so it was nice to read something different. At times I did feel a little bored, but I loved towards the end when she got to talk about Ahsoka, or Ashla.

Review of digital advanced copy from NetGallery.

I loved how this book pulled me in and left me feeling giddy and excited the whole time. I caught myself getting butterflies right along with her, constantly eager to see what would happen next.

I was fully on that emotional rollercoaster—right there with her, even getting a little teary-eyed at times.

It was also really interesting getting a glimpse into the lives of an actress and a professional baseball player, and what it actually takes to make a relationship work in those worlds. Their struggles and journey felt genuine and added a lot of depth.

I especially appreciated that the opening chapter didn’t drag out the foreshadowing—the moment came much sooner than expected, which was a refreshing change.

Overall, I really enjoyed this one!

Thank you Blue Box Press and NetGalley for providing this advance copy for an honest review.

I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling lucky 22! Thank you so much to Blue Box Press for the ARC of Lucky 22 in exchange for my little review!

Lucky 22 is Ashley Eckstein’s first foray into fiction, having already published several non-fiction books including It’s Your Universe and Star Wars Everyday (as well as narrated the self-titled Ahsoka novel’s audiobook, based on her popular character). Her partnership with Samantha Chase proves a dream, and the two of them craft something utterly hopeful and tremendously charming. Lucky 22 is a fictionalized portrayal of Ashley’s love story with her husband, David Eckstein. The description promises something out of Hallmark or Taylor Swift’s Love Story, fabricated fantasy made into a real partnership and true love. And Lucky 22 delivers everything it promises.

We are introduced to Ella Rose Holt, a young actress who is at the beginning of her career. The last thing she expects is to fall in love, but it seems like the universe has some surprises up its sleeve, and a series of coincidences (or fate?) land Ella Rose on a date with baseball player Christian Lucas, and on her birthday no less. The fairytale romance doesn’t take long to get underway, but as the dream makes way for reality, both Ella Rose and Christian are challenged by their frequently conflicting schedules and busy lives. Through it all, what remains steadfast is their devotion to each other. Maybe having it all isn’t having it easy, but having something worth working for.

While I’m sure there are artistic touches to add flare or respect privacy, it’s very plain to see how much this story mirrors Ashley Eckstein’s life and career. And for those of us who have been around since… Ashla first came on the scene, it’s a welcome exploration of a genuinely spectacular person. If you’ve ever had the opportunity to meet Ashley, you know she is sunshine personified, as if someone bottled up a wish and made it a person. At times though, you do wonder how someone can retain that powerful sense of optimism and joy. Lucky 22 gives us a further peek behind the curtain, and thus makes her even more inspiring of a figure. Ashley has broken stigmas, normalized conversations about mental health, encouraged a generation of girls (and boys) to believe in their talents, and kicked a lot of butt with a lightsaber - why not add author to the list?

Ashley lives in all of us ;)

If you’re looking for a romance that feels soft, sincere, and quietly powerful, this story is a refreshing change of pace. Instead of relying on over-the-top drama, it leans into something more meaningful—the kind of love that grows धीरे, built on timing, trust, and the small, significant moments that sneak up on you.

Ella is easy to root for. Her belief in everyday magic never feels naive; it feels hopeful in a grounded, relatable way. She’s chasing big dreams, but there’s an emotional openness to her that makes her journey feel personal. Christian, on the other hand, brings a steady, disciplined energy that balances her perfectly. He’s not the flashy, larger-than-life athlete stereotype—instead, he’s thoughtful, a little guarded, and all the more compelling because of it.

What really makes this story shine is the way their relationship develops. It’s not rushed or forced. Their connection unfolds naturally, starting with friendship and deepening into something that feels real and lasting. The backdrop of professional sports and the entertainment world adds a subtle layer of glamour, but it never overshadows the emotional core.

There’s a calm confidence in the writing—like the story knows it doesn’t need to shout to be heard. The themes of timing, faith, and choosing love even when life is already complicated are woven in beautifully, giving the romance a sense of depth without losing its warmth.

Gentle, heartfelt, and full of quiet chemistry, this is the kind of book that lingers after the last page. Perfect for readers who believe that sometimes the best love stories aren’t about chaos—they’re about finding the right person at exactly the right moment, and having the courage to hold on.

I enjoying getting to read this book. It was a beautiful story. The story line was perfect. I loved the characters. The author did amazing job and has amazing writing. Most definitely worth reading.

I think this is such a cute and whimsical romance. It was pretty clean and allowed the reader to get a glimpse into the authors life through Ella Rose. Ella Rose and Christian favored a very "opposites attract" trope and I was loving it. Of course there are books that feature actresses and baseball players, I really enjoyed the authors' description of what it would be like for people in these careers to make it work. Overall, a very good read!

I had the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Lucky 22 by Ashley Eckstein through NetGalley, and it was such a sweet, feel-good read.

What I loved most is knowing that this story is inspired by the author’s real-life love story—it adds an extra layer of authenticity that really comes through on the page. The romance feels genuine, simple, and heartfelt in a way that makes it easy to connect with the characters.

If you’re looking for a lighthearted romance without any spice, this one is perfect. It’s the kind of book you can pick up, relax with, and just enjoy without overthinking. The pacing flows nicely, and the story never feels heavy—just easy, comforting, and genuinely enjoyable.

Overall, Lucky 22 is a charming, real-life-inspired romance that’s perfect for readers who love sweet, wholesome love stories.

Just finished Lucky 22 by Ashley Eckstein & Samantha Chase and it was such a sweet, uplifting read. This story is full of charm, heart, and those “everything happens for a reason” moments that make you smile. It blends romance with themes of friendship, purpose, and taking chances on the life you really want. I loved how easy it was to get pulled into the story the characters feel relatable, and their journeys are both fun and meaningful. It’s the kind of book that leaves you feeling hopeful and encouraged. If you’re in the mood for a light, feel-good read with a little romance and a lot of heart, this one is definitely worth adding to your list.

The name and cover for this book drew me to it, im so glad I had the opportunity to read this book.
I was hooked from the start. Loved the storyline and the characters
Thanks Netgalley for letting me read this book for an honest review

This was a fun and cute read.
A breath of fresh air to find and romance book without spice.
Lucky 22 Is real and showcases the reality of after saying I do. It teaches patience, compromise. Chasing your dreams and still making it work even when the situation seems impossible. If I could read this book for the first time again, I most certainly would.

⭐️Star Rating: 5/5

A love story that was chosen by the fates 😍💫

Lucky 22 is based on the true love story of Ashley and David Eckstein.

I will admit, I do know their story a bit from having read Ashley’s non-fiction book, It’s Our Universe and having heard her sharing her story as a guest on several podcasts. However, reading Ashley and David’s love story in a fictional romance book setting took my breath away! It was everything I loved as a romance reader myself.

As I was reading the book, I was playing out every scene in my head as if it was a movie! That’s how you know when a book is FANTASTIC!

Ella Rose and David’s first encounter was truly kismet! It was such a fairytale meet cute and I loved how the number 22 is such a prominent aspect in their lives!

I appreciated how real the topics of Ella Rose and Christian’s relationships are and how at times it was tough to navigate it through such demanding careers. We see Ella Rose deal with a lot of guilt for wanting to chase her dreams while also trying to be the best supportive wife to her amazing baseball player husband.

I loved the pacing of the story. We got to see the beginning and middle of Ella Rose and Christian’s relationship and major career shifts in a respectable time frame and it all flowed beautifully.

Thank you NetGalley and Blue Box Press for an ARC of Lucky 22! I am a huge fan of Ashley Eckstein (my daughter is named after her), Ahsoka Tano (I have her tattooed on my arm), and Star Wars (my husband and I went to see Rogue One for our first date and got married on Star Wars Day) I also grew up in St. Louis watching the Cardinals win the World Series on my 9th birthday. So many invisible strings!!

When I heard Ashley Eckstein was writing a book, I knew I had to read it ASAP!! I appreciate that the author’s note mentioned “more stardust than spice” that was a very sweet touch, and yes there’s no spice, only kisses.

It was fun deciphering what shows and movies Ella was in based on Ashley Eckstein’s filmography and I’m disappointed with the people who treated her poorly.

Overall, I am a big fan of this book. I did notice a continuity error regarding Mr. Lucas’s health journey but nothing major.

Here are a couple of my favorite quotes from the book.

“In baseball, I put my teammates first, and you are now my most important teammate.”

“You’ve worked too hard to not walk through doors when they open.”

I am biased and a fan of Ashley's and have gotten to know her, and David, over multiple years. They are seriously couple goals and this book gave me new appreciation of their relationship. Those two built an amazing foundation and I am in awe after this. I really did enjoy this story despite knowing some of her backstory and this is a great introduction to her if you just pick it up at the store.

This is seriously a Hallmark movie in a novel. This is based on the true story of Ashley and her husband, David. Things have been changed to be fictional, but wow this novel had it all. Heart fluttering moments, sweet moments that made me cry, the most realistic representation of being a WAG and dealing with a sports husband, and moments of triumph that made me cheer. I can't wait to also read David's story when it comes out and I am so glad I have both on preorder.

Ella and Christian had such a brilliant, alive and moving journey. it felt alot more real than i thought it would. i know Samantha and Ashley separately so was over the moon to see what they would create together. and then i saw what this book was a fictionalised story of and i thought aha thats why it hits deeper.
there is something charming about this book. i love a good book that can make me smile right now and give me that slight uplift of the world. lets face it we all need that right about now.
Ella just wants her dream of being an actress to come true. nothing else and especially not love or anything like that. well, the universe laughs at plans,Ella. when she ends up on a date with a star player the connection is real. you cant be denying energy between a pair that they have from the get-go.
but both our stars need to focus in their own right. they dont plan on needing or wanting something real, true and full of meaning as this is clearly becoming for both of them. and with their conflicting schedules it would just likely fizzle to nothing, right. want or not doesn't come into it when being together is like planning an event!
but love and being with something who makes you feel like these two do means you give it a shot. and then you find yourself not wanting to not keep trying, sorting, figuring this out.
i loved how little blame there was between the pair. there was pure team work. and i always felt like there was something so believably strong between the pair. when someone lights up your world like these two do it feels lucky and it feels like you've no option but to make it work. and yeh, that does take work.
this book once again delves into worlds that arent always kind to the people in them and certainly not when you want to make a blossoming love work. i felt for Ella far too many times and was genuinely protective of her. sometimes i just wanted for her to just escape to a small village and rest and be happy there. because my emotional roller coaster with her had me needing her HEA now!
a great read and one im really glad i got to read.

This book was a beautiful love story between Ella and Christian. It was a heartfelt story and read very similar to a memoir rather than a romance novel. The approach to the storytelling was refreshing and captivated my attention to the story even more. The characters were well written and had a lot of depth to their personality. You ride right along with the characters and the ups and downs in their lives. Would definitely recommend this book!

Lucky 22 is a perfect book for those girlies who love a sportsman.

This story is based on Ella who’s an actress on the brink of her career and Christian who’s a baseball player who has built his life on discipline, dedication and the game he loves.

When a chance encounter, a blind date and Ella’s favourite number 22 bring them together, neither is prepared for what happens next…

When their worlds collide under stadium lights and camera flashes, they must decide if love has a place in their lives already full of ambition, sacrifice and dreams that have been set in motion.