Luck, Love & Lemon Pie by Amy E. Reichert

July 12th, 2016 Kimberly Review 51 Comments

12th Jul
Luck, Love & Lemon Pie by Amy E. Reichert
Luck, Love & Lemon Pie
by Amy E. Reichert
Genres: Chick-Lit
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Goodreads
Rating: One StarOne StarOne StarHalf a Star

From the author of the “clever, creative, and sweetly delicious” (Kirkus Reviews) The Coincidence of Coconut Cake comes a novel about a frustrated wife and mother who hatches a scheme to reignite her marriage—and risks everything in a gamble she hopes is a sure bet. When Milwaukee-area wife and mother MJ Boudreaux notices her husband Chris seems more interested in the casino than her, she’s more bothered that she isn’t upset than by her husband’s absence. She picks up poker as a way for them to spend more time together—and reignite their marital flame. Although the game doesn’t give her the quality time with Chris that she’d hoped, MJ finds she has a knack for it. Increasingly unhappy at home, she turns to the felt top of the poker table for comfort. Intoxicated with newfound freedom, MJ begins spending more time at the gambling tables and less with her family, finally carving out for herself a place outside her role of wife and mother. After a string of great wins, MJ finds herself in Vegas, attracting the attention of a certain magnetic poker star. But when she’s forced to choose between her family and her new exciting lifestyle, the stakes may be higher than she thought and MJ will have to play her hand carefully…or risk losing it all.

well written CleanRomance WTF? Family

Luck, Love & Lemon Pie by Amy E. Reichert is a standalone novel that takes us into the difficulties of married life, jealousy, friendship and love. Luck, Love & Lemon Pie realistic look at the complexities of marriage Reichert quickly pulled me into MJ’s story and had me laughing, nodding and losing myself for a few hours.

I adored the quirky romance Reichert delivered in The Coincidence of Coconut Cake so I was eager to begin Luck, Love & Lemon Pie. Set in Milwaukee and we enter the Boudreaux home. Chris and MJ have settled into a routine and are busy raising two teenage children. When, Chris is late for their anniversary lunch it sets in motion doubts about their relationship. MJ attempts to rekindle their connection but miscommunications, trouble from an old nemesis, and plans backfires MJ is unsure where she stands.

All marriages go through phases and having been married for close to 29 years I can attest to this. Sometimes we are like new lovers, other times like roommates who bask in holding hands and watching a movie. We both have our own interests and things we enjoy together, but sometimes life gets hectic and we forget to make time for us as a couple. This is where MJ and Chris find themselves.

Chris enjoys playing poker, and MJ decides to learn so they can spend time together. With things going south at home, MJ loses herself in the game. She discovers a renewed confidence in herself and a sense of accomplishment as she begins winning. She pushes herself and enters a competition. While she is becoming more confident in herself, it also leaves her craving what she and Chris once shared. I felt for MJ, but was frustrated by their lack of communication. Even Chris had me shaking my fist for being closed lipped. So much could have been resolved if we just locked them in a closet for a few hours. Bwahaha!

I found the threads on the game of poker interesting from finding tells to strategies. Reichert shared just enough to get us into the game and understand its allure. She offered insight about what draws folks to the felt and it fit MJ perfectly. I do wish Chris was a little more fleshed out, particularly with his poker habits and secretiveness.

Reichert touched on many topics from jealous to the pressure and insecurities a stay at mom faces. While I did not always agree with the actions MJ took the author did a great job of making me understand her. Admittedly I worried we might cross the line when a certain sexy poker player entered the picture and we did indeed teeter that line, but his attentions helped MJ focus on what really mattered. Funny, sexy, and outrageous he boosted MJ’s confidence.

The back of the book contains a recipe for Anniversary Pie and questions for Book Club. I for one cannot wait to bake the pie!

Luck, Love & Lemon Pie wrapped up with character growth and tender moments that made me smile. Reichert delivered another heartfelt novel with realistic characters who drew me in and allowed the outside world to slip away.

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About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram

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51 Responses to “Luck, Love & Lemon Pie by Amy E. Reichert”

  1. Lekeisha

    I was interested in this one months back, but now I’m thinking that maybe it’s not for me. I don’t think that I can relate to the characters, so I may not like it? Who knows, it may become a library read one day. Great review!

  2. Cyn

    I do love #books with pie in it! This sounds like a sweet read. Glad you enjoyed it. Lovely review Kim!

  6. ShootingStarsMag

    When books rely on couples NOT communicating to feed the drama, it can get annoying. I’m glad you liked other aspects of this one though! It sounds like a relatively good read. 🙂

    -Lauren

  8. Candace

    This sounds like a pretty serious read despite it being chick lit and having a fun cover. I’m glad you mostly enjoyed this one though!

  9. Katherine

    That pie recipe sounds intriguing! Of course it might be because I’m starving and pie is always a good thing. I’ve been wanting to read this author since Coconut Cake. This one sounds good but doesn’t pull at me quite as much though I do like the realistic portrayal of a marriage. I think I’ll start with Coconut Cake but I won’t hesitate to pick this one up too!

  10. Leona

    Me and stories that feature real life problems and situations have had a bumpy road. I get all into my feelings and my likability with the story has a 50/50 chance of happening. I’m glad that this story worked for you, because i probably would’ve become frustrated.

  13. Lorna

    This one sounds fairly good, but I think I would be upset with them for the miscommunication throughout the read. I guess that was what spurred the story on, but not sure a poker backdrop story would be for me. I am glad you mostly enjoyed it though 🙂

  14. Ramona

    Well, I admit that any story that deals in the joys and difficulties of “old” marriages has my attention by default. Of course, execution is very important, as the writer tacking this subject has to be fairly extraordinary (and observant) in many ways. Overall, I am intrigued by this one, Kimba, thanks 🙂 I hope your summer is going well.

  15. Sophia Rose

    More and more, I have been appreciative of finding books that focus on mature-aged folks and longer relationships. People still make dumb decisions and don’t put in the work to the relationship even after many years. LOL, yes, lock them recalcitrants into a closet and charge by the hours. 🙂 Thanks for sharing about this one, Kimberly.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I have this vision of opening up a couples counseling clinic and when couples come in I lock them in a small room until they talk it out. LOL

  16. Jonetta (Ejaygirl)

    Oh, thanks for this review!!! I received an unsolicited trade copy and wasn’t certain if I’d read it. Definitely will now. Great job, Kim.

  19. Laurel-Rain Snow

    I do love books that show relationships and their issues, with the ups and downs. And the lemon pie on the cover didn’t hurt, either…lol.

    I’ve been drooling over The Coincidence of Coconut Cake for a while, now, since I love anything coconut…my favorite ice cream is coconut! So today, reading this review, I was reminded that I hadn’t yet read that book. Downloaded it now! Thanks, Kimberly.

  20. Debbie Haupt

    Oh I loved her last novel Kim, thanks for bringing this to my attention. As an almost 40yr married woman this really appeals to me too!
    xo

  21. Jenny

    This series always has me craving pie Kim! *dreams of it* I like books like this that touch on the realities of long-term relationships and how they can ebb and flow and it’s not all sexual tension all the time:) I think I’ll be frustrated by their lack of communication and will want to lock them in a closet as you did, but otherwise this sounds like a solid read!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Ah yes I do love pie Jenny! Yes the lack of communication was annoying, but it was also neat seeing her grow and figure things out.

  22. Tyler H. Jolley

    Marriage definitely has its ebbs and flows. This sounds like a real take on the ups and downs of marriage. Thanks for sharing.

  23. Angela

    There are so many characters that I want to lock in a closet until they finally just talk. I think lack of communication is one thing that bothers me the most in books. I mean, it drives me up the wall.

    I’m a bit disappointed that I passed on this one. Although there just wasn’t enough time. So many books…never enough time. lol

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Yes….especially when one little conversation could clarify everything. This was a bit more complicated but yes talking would have seriously helped.

  25. Kathy

    I loved The Coincidence of Coconut Cake, so I really want to read this one. I can imagine how great that Anniversary pie will taste. Yum! ← the pie AND the book. 😉