I'd have to disagree. I've been more frustrated with Pokemon Picross. That's the one I feel you can't advance in. I flew through the first through "worlds" then started hitting the 100+ picrite paywalls, or the levels where you need a Mega Pencil that costs 500 picrites. Ridiculous.
With this game (Pokemon Shuffle) I'm on level 225 and haven't spent any money. You could apply your tactic of being patient and playing daily to consistently advance in this game. I'd say give it another shot.