Janine Amesta’s engaging Lucky Strike is my kind of catnip – prickly marshmallows who think they are the villain, finding grace for each other and then themselves. Luna is prickly and prone to lash out. Sam has frozen his life after a car accident that resulted in his brother’s death.
Luna is back in her hometown, living with her cousin and his pregnant wife in her childhood home. She is looking for an affordable place of her own and after being rejected for one rental, she shows up to look at an apartment. The complex is managed by Sam. Earlier in the day Luna and Sam met, accidentally kissed, and then insulted each other. Not quite a meet cute. But not not a meet cute either.
Luna and Sam are both so prepared for rejection. Sam shuts down and Luna lashes out. They each consider themselves the villain in their own lives – Luna because she drives people away with her harsh words and Sam because of the accident. Even when they don’t like each other, they can’t help but banter and flirt. They maneuver each other into a situation where they have to spend time together renovating Luna apartment. Luna isn’t content to wait for some future date when she can live in a place that is her sanctuary, while Sam considers the apartment complex a familiar and safe cage. I loved the way they grew to trust each other in fits and starts until they were each other’s hero and sanctuary. Sam even does one of my favorite things in romance – he goes to therapy.
Both of them have a parent who has essentially checked out of their lives. Sam’s parents divorced after his brother died and his father essentially treats him as a neglected employee now. Luna’s mother left when she was four, leaving Luna with her grandfather and not trying to get in touch for 25 years. My heart was with Sam’s mother though. I work with people who for one reason or another struggle with clutter. A lot of people joke about being hoarders, but hoarding is very real and painful, and most often associated with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and trauma. I empathized with Sam’s feelings of being overwhelmed, and appreciated that he treated his mother with kindness (shame and anger are counterproductive in dealing with most things, but especially with care tasks). I also appreciated that he eventually admits she needs help that he cannot provide. Therapists over trashcans.
Janine Amesta is an author to keep an eye on. She has a real feel for complicated messy people and a willingness to leave some mess unresolved while still giving her main characters a happily ever after. Lucky Strike is the third in a series, but you can read it as a standalone. While I recommend reading the preceding two books, this is the one that really resonated with me.
I’m collaborating with the author this week on a giveaway. If you are interested, keep an eye on my instagram account @rochellefiguringitout.