Step into the steamy, laugh-out-loud world of Love & Luck, where the Kelly family’s antics and heartwarming romances make every page a delight! Isla Olsen’s gay romance series blends high-heat encounters, witty banter, and modern love stories, set against the vibrant backdrop of New York. Perfect for fans of queer romantic comedies, this series is your ticket to swoon-worthy moments and family chaos.
With nine books and counting, Love & Luck follows the sprawling Kelly clan—eleven siblings, eight of whom are gay—as they navigate fake relationships, queer awakenings, and unexpected sparks. From Staten Island to Manhattan, Olsen’s stories capture the messy, joyful journey of self-discovery and love, all wrapped in a low-angst, high-fun package.
How Love & Luck Began
Isla Olsen, a USA TODAY bestselling author based in Melbourne, Australia, kicked off the Love & Luck series in 2020 with Fake It ’til You Make Out. Inspired by authors like Lauren Blakely and Tara Sivec, Olsen wanted to craft queer romantic comedies that balance humor, heat, and heart. Her love for witty dialogue and relatable characters shines through, drawing from her passion for storytelling and Melbourne’s vibrant cultural scene. The series’ focus on the Irish Catholic Kelly family reflects Olsen’s knack for creating tight-knit, chaotic family dynamics that readers adore.
The Heart of Love & Luck
The series kicks off with Fake It ’til You Make Out, where Heath pretends to date his gay best friend Declan to spite an ex, only to discover real sparks. Virtually Screwed follows Owen, the youngest Kelly, in a steamy age-gap romance with billionaire Blake, sparked by online gaming. Hopeless Bromantics reunites high school buddies Wade and Brendan, whose home renovation project turns into a double gay-for-you romance. Text Me Up, the ninth book, explores a long-distance love story between Nate and Callum, fueled by a phone mix-up and flirty texts.
Themes of self-discovery, queer awakening, and found family run deep, with each book blending tropes like friends-to-lovers, fake relationships, and age gaps. Set primarily in New York, the series uses Staten Island’s close-knit communities and Manhattan’s bustling energy to ground its stories. Olsen’s signature style—hilarious group chats, supportive yet snarky siblings, and steamy encounters—makes every book a quick, addictive read. The Kellys’ rugby-loving, Irish Catholic roots add cultural flavor, while their acceptance of each other’s identities creates a heartwarming backdrop.
While the series leans light and low-angst, it touches on deeper issues like sexual identity, divorce, and parenting, though often with a surface-level approach to keep the tone upbeat. Fans love the balance of spicy romance and laugh-out-loud moments, with group texts among the Kellys stealing the show for their chaotic hilarity.
Why Love & Luck Resonates
Love & Luck has carved a niche in queer romance for its unapologetic joy and relatable characters. Fans on Goodreads and Amazon praise its feel-good vibe, with over 19,000 ratings averaging 3.96 stars. The series’ focus on diverse queer identities and modern relationships resonates with readers seeking inclusive, lighthearted escapes. Its spin-offs, like Suits & Sevens and Royal & Reckless, expand the universe, cementing Olsen’s reputation for interconnected, binge-worthy stories.
The Kelly family’s dynamic—supportive yet delightfully meddlesome—mirrors real-life found families, making the series a comforting read for fans of queer romance. Its blend of humor, heart, and heat ensures it remains a go-to for readers craving stories that celebrate love in all its messy glory.
- First Book: Fake It ’til You Make Out (2020)
- Number of Books: 9, plus a novella
- Setting: New York, primarily Staten Island and Manhattan
- Average Rating: 3.96 on Goodreads (19,080 ratings)
Grab Fake It ’til You Make Out and dive into Love & Luck’s world of queer romance, where the Kellys’ shenanigans and steamy love stories will leave you smiling!