What started as a $10 raffle ticket, turned into a vacation in Vegas and a whole lot of expectations that neither of them saw coming. For Kevin and Lucy, it was just supposed to be a little fun but when they are served with a large dose of luck, everything suddenly becomes unexpected. Readers will fall in love with this rags to riches romance from Lauren Helms. The 425 Madison series is back with season three and Unexpected Expectations is now live!
Kevin
With everyone around me settling down, I’m happy to continue living my life single and carefree.
That is unless I can convince the concierge, Lucy Wilson at 425 Madison to finally take me up on that offer to go out on a date.
She’s beautiful, friendly, and her compassion for each and every one of the residents is admirable. Something tells me that she doesn’t see herself that way at all though.
This is why I’ve made it my mission to break her out of her overly cautious shell starting with a lucky penny and a $10 raffle ticket.
It was all supposed to be a little fun but when a large dose of lucky graces us, everything suddenly becomes unexpected.
Lucy
He thinks I don’t see him, but I do. Oh yes, I’ve been aware of the all too good looking Kevin Harper for quite some time now.
The thing is, I’m not sure that we have enough in common and I sure don’t have the free time for a social life between my job and school. Dating? That’s pretty far down on the list of things I’d like to check off - not by choice.
That is until Kevin convinces me that a little fun is good for the soul.
What started as a $10 raffle ticket turned into a vacation in Vegas and a whole lot of expectations that neither of us saw coming.
I always believed in fairy tales, but I wonder if what we have is too good to be true. I can only hope that it’s true what they say…
After all, 425 Madison is the perfect place to fall in love.
Excerpt
Copyright @ Lauren Helms 2020
My fingers brush the smooth copper coin reminding me that I have a second mission to complete. I pinch the coin between my fingers and walk toward the concierge desk. Just like I hoped she would, there stands one of the most beautiful women I’ve ever seen. Standing around 5’4, the golden-haired beauty has curves in all the right places. She’s soft around the edges, but I can tell by the way her uniform fits her body that she’s got a sexy as fuck body underneath. Today, her thick locks are pulled low in the back, but her waves fall over her shoulder. I’d love to give that hair a yank in the throes of passion. Shit, I’d love to do a lot of things to this girl.
I’ve flirted with Lucy for a while now, and she’s one of my favorite parts of visiting the building. I’m not a shy man, and I enjoy a good romp between the sheets, but Lucy, I could tell right off the bat is the kinda girl you don’t have meaningless romps with. Nah. She’s a take-home-to-your-momma kind of girl.
My mom would love her.
Maybe, one of these days I’ll ask her out. Heck, I don’t even know if she has a boyfriend or not. It’s never stopped me from flirting, but flirting is harmless. The lady seems damn good at her job, maybe she is just that good at dealing with flirts like me every day.
I come to a stop in front of her, leaning my arm on the desk.
“Heya, Lucy. Seen any tangerine trees or marmalade skies lately?” The Beatles reference earns me a stunning smile.
“Hi Kevin, how are you today?”
I give her my sexiest smirk. “I’m better now that I’m seeing your gorgeous face.” My words hit their mark, and Lucy’s cheeks turn a sexy shade of pink.
“Okay, Mr. Charmer.” She giggles a bit. I always feel like an accomplished mother fucker when I get a girl to giggle. Especially a girl like Lucy, she’s not a giggler. Which is something I dig about her. Besides her looks, she seems to be whip-smart and down to Earth. Most likely, she doesn’t come from money, or why would she be working this gig? She has to deal with the rich and spoiled day in and day out, and she doesn’t lose her cool. I’ve seen her in action, and I’ve seen the way some of the residents treat her. I’ve had to bite my tongue a few times. As Jake has reminded me, this place is private property, I can be banned from the building.
I snap my finger, pretending to recall something important. “I actually have a gift for you.”
Two dainty eyebrows arch in surprise as I lift the penny between my thumb and forefinger.
“A penny?” Her tone is full of amusement.
“Yup. I found a penny outside the building. You know what they say, “If you find a penny, pick it up, if it’s heads, you’ll have good luck.” I smirk as I finish the saying. Pleased with the soft smile that plays at her kissable lips.
“You know, I’ve never told anyone this before…” She leans toward me and lowers her voice as if she doesn’t want anyone to hear. “When I see a penny on the ground, if I notice its tails up, I lean down and flip it over. Hopefully, I can help someone else find a little good luck.”
My heart slams against my chest. Her words nearly cause me to stumble. Who is this woman? She takes the time to flip over a penny just in case the next person who comes along can find a lucky penny? Why does hearing this nearly shatter my charming, nothing gets to me-exterior?
Why?
Because I do the exact same thing.
I clear my throat.
“Don’t worry, Lucy girl, your secret is safe with me.” I extend my hand toward her, and she holds out her hand. I carefully place the penny in her open palm and slowly drag my fingers across her bare hand. I’m expecting the sizzle from our touch, but I don’t miss Lucy’s reaction to our chemistry when I hear her tiny intake of breath.
She closes her hand around the lucky penny and pulls her fist in toward her chest, holding it to her heart.
But wait, there's more!!
Don’t miss Boyfriend Maintenance and Flawless Foundations, both by Lauren Helms, featured in the first two seasons!
Read Boyfriend Maintenance, Jake & Emmy’s story on Amazon today!
Read Flawless Foundations, Levi & Becca’s story on Amazon today!
About Lauren Helms
Lauren Helms is a romance author her nerdy and flirty contemporary words. Lauren has forever been an avid reader from the beginning. After starting a book review website, that catapulted her fully into the book world, she knew that something was missing. While working for a video game strategy guide publisher, she decided to mix what she knew best--video games and romance. She decided to take the plunge and write her first novel, Level Me Up. Several published novels later, Lauren, with her book bestie, also formed PR company, Forever Write PR, to help other authors promote their books.
Lauren lives in Indianapolis, Indiana sharing her love of books and video games with her own Gamer Boy husband and three little kid nerds who will hopefully grow up to share the love of things that united Lauren and her husband on their own happily ever after.
About the 425 Madison Series
Welcome to 425 Madison Ave the perfect place to fall in love. Rounding out the summer with some hot city nights and coasting into fall with more cool characters at this famous high-rise, 425 Madison is returning for a third season!
With some familiar faces and some brand new residents - you'll be sure to find an author you love and a trope to ignite your taste buds after all 425 Madison IS the perfect place to fall in love!
We’ve got an amazing line of up must-read romance authors including, Lauren Helms, Allie York
J Marie, Kay Gordon, Marcie Shumway, Aubree Valentine, S.L. Sterling, and Fiona Tulle
Prepare for pages packed with new romances, characters, and tropes all from the same well-loved high-rise apartment building in NYC.
Season One and Two feature stories from some of your favorite romance authors: Leigh Lennon, MK Moore, Allie York, Aubree Valentine, Kay Gordon, Lauren Helms, Sylvia Kane, Katy Ames, KC Enders, Marci Shumway, and C. Lesbirel. All these authors came together, each with a standalone romance for you to enjoy. Covering all of your favorite tropes each tale offers you something new, something different.
Make sure to follow the 425 Madison Avenue Facebook page for more on release dates, cover reveals, and author spotlights. For exclusive excerpts, giveaways, and news subscribe to our 425 Madison newsletter!
Catch up on the first two seasons, available exclusively in Kindle Unlimited!
Review: What can I say about Unexpected Expectations? Its a really sweet, fast fun read. That's it in a nutshell.
I adored Lucy and Kevin and I loved all the Beatle-y references in regards to Lucy's name. Big Beatles fan here!!
They have a fabulous whirlwind romance that falters and then blossoms.
A date, a raffle ticket, a trip to Vegas, a hasty marriage oh and a jackpot win!
What could go wrong there?
What could go right?
There is just so much fun and so much heart in this book.
The best parts are watching Kevin and Lucy fail and then try to find their way back to each other.
The only issue I had with the book and it was a little hard to ignore was the use of a penny in a slot machine in Vegas.
Now I'm no hard gambler, but I've hit a few casinos and there isn't a one that takes change, especially pennies. Now I know the penny is significant in the story, (Read it, I won't give you any spoilers) but sadly that penny wouldn't have gone into any slot machine. Its not the nature of the casino.
But I'll forgive that, because the story was so sweet and full of the warm fuzzies. I highly recommend it, to all my romance reading pals.
Rating: 5 flowers
