Book Review – The Winning Tickets By Judith Keim

Sometimes magic happens…

Gabby Willets returns to her hometown of Ellenton, NY, to care for her father, who’s dying of cancer. She and her father are exceptionally close because her mother died giving birth to her in a situation that should never have happened. As Gabby was growing up, she and her father shared a love of cars and even participated in a few races. Her father suggests she work at the Dan Davis Lexus Dealership, where he has been head mechanic for years, and Gabby decides to do it. When a contest is announced with the prize of two tickets for a 10-day Caribbean cruise for the salesperson selling the most cars in a two-month period, Gabby goes for it, competing against the owner’s son, Hank.

Gabby wins the tickets, and she and her best friend, Jessica Knight, board the ship, Tropical Magic, hoping for some magic of their own. The cruise is full of surprises starting with Hank’s arrival with Ashley Phillips, the woman he’s been dating—a woman both Gabby and Jess detest with good cause. Though Hank and Gabby have been attracted to one another, they don’t act on it because dating someone you work with seldom works, and Gabby doesn’t want to lose her job. But as Gabby and Hank get to know one another, magic does happen and suddenly they’re faced with different choices.

Surprises continue, including the most touching surprise of all when Gabby and Hank discover more than a cruise was at stake.

Published Date: 8 March 2023

My Review

This is the tale of Gabby and Hank, two individuals acquainted for years who both work as car salespeople at the local Lexus dealership. Their ongoing competition intensifies as they vie for the grand prize: a luxurious cruise for two. Gabby, raised solely by her father following her mother’s passing during childbirth, returned from New York City to her small hometown to care for her terminally ill father. Hank, on the other hand, is the son of the dealership owner, and his relationship with his father only developed after he moved back to town. Although a mutual attraction existed between Gabby and Hank, they never pursued it due to the dealership’s strict no-dating policy. Gabby intends to bring her best friend, Jessica, on the cruise if she wins, while Hank plans to bring his new girlfriend. In a surprising turn of events, Gabby emerges victorious, only to discover Hank and his girlfriend in the neighboring cabin once aboard the cruise ship named Tropical Magic.

Prepare for an engaging and humorous romantic tale that will keep you hooked with its unexpected turns. The characters in this story are authentic and remarkably well-crafted. The plot is meticulously planned, captivating readers from the very beginning. These characters possess depth, and despite my initial reservations, I couldn’t help but fall in love with Hank. All in all, this book provided me with an enjoyable reading experience that I highly recommend.

My Rating