“Life is timed to a watch we don’t control. Things happen today to set up things later that we can’t predict or see or imagine. Don’t fight it. Embrace it.”

If Layla Miller knows one thing about pro football players, she knows that they’re, well, players. Layla’s learned that lesson, both from her brother Finn and his friends, and from personal experience. It’s been demonstrated time and again that, off the field, it’s no holds barred.

When Layla meets Branch “Lucky” Best, she’s determined not to make the same mistake again, the one that’s all fun and games until it’s not. And, Branch? He’s all about the good time, and Layla is at the top of his list for good times, best friend’s sister or not.

There’s not a book that Adriana Locke has written that I don’t love, and part of what makes her a favorite is that she writes so many different kinds of books. From angsty, heartbreaking reads (that’d be SACRIFICE) to a series of Southern boys that each own a piece of my heart (that’s you, Landrys), Addy truly has something for everyone. LUCKY NUMBER ELEVEN, Addy’s addition to the Exposé series, is all things sexy and sweet, with moments of pure philosophy mixed in.

The thing about Adriana’s books is, there are layers. Branch could be just another football god, all swagger and pheromones, but that’s not the sum total of who he is. It takes life throwing a monster of a curveball (sorry, I’m mixing sports metaphors, but…) in the form of one Layla James Miller to show Branch just what’s important, and Addy does a wonderful job of helping him shine.

Don’t get me wrong, there is plenty of steam, sizzle, and sexy times for our Lucky Number Eleven and his lady. But the humor, the life lessons, and the way that they navigate those unexpected detours really made this book such an enjoyable read for me. LUCKY NUMBER ELEVEN is an easy 4.5 ‘coffee cake and curveballs’ stars for me, and perfect for fans of contemporary romance with plenty of swoony, sexy, heartwarming moments.