AD / WERBUNG
I was given this book by the author and the publisher. This will not have any influence on my honest opinion.
Lucky Girl is Jamie Pacton’s second book. It’s about families, friendship and how money can influence our lives.
Synopsis:
58,642,129. That’s how many dollars seventeen-year-old Fortuna Jane Belleweather just won in the lotto jackpot. It’s also about how many reasons she has for not coming forward to claim her prize.
Problem #1: Jane is still a minor, and if anyone discovers she bought the ticket underage, she’ll either have to forfeit the ticket, or worse . . .
Problem #2: Let her hoarder mother cash it. The last thing Jane’s mom needs is millions of dollars to buy more junk. Then . . .
Problem #3: Jane’s best friend, aspiring journalist Brandon Kim, declares on the news that he’s going to find the lucky winner. It’s one thing to keep her secret from the town — it’s another thing entirely to lie to her best friend. Especially when . . .
Problem #4: Jane’s ex-boyfriend, Holden, is suddenly back in her life, and he has big ideas about what he’d do with the prize money. As suspicion and jealousy turn neighbor against neighbor, and no good options for cashing the ticket come forward, Jane begins to wonder: Could this much money actually be a bad thing? (goodreads)
Book: Lucky Girl | Author: Jamie Pacton | Publisher: Page Street | Published: 11.05.2021 | Pages: 240 | Genre: contemporary YA | Rep: bi MC, Korean-American side character | TW: hoarding, grief, loss of loved ones (in the past), grief, blackmail, manipulation
What did I think?
To make this short: I loved this book. Immensely so. But we shall make this a bit longer.
I so do enjoy a character driven story, and this one really delivered. We have Jane, who is the protagonist. I liked her from the very start. She is so wonderfully written, her struggles and hopes interwoven in a character who is both led by emotions while simultaneously thinking so, so much. To be honest, if I could have Jane as a friend, I’d definitely want her by my side.
Her emotions and feelings really came through and I felt with her throughout the whole story.
I also liked her best friend, Bran, who was such a joy to read about. I really liked his family and the tight bond he has with Jane. I loved that the two of them were such good friends and that they’re a good friendgroup with Brandon’s girlfriend. I’d read so much more about the three of them.
Generally, I loved all the character dynamics in the story and how Jane’s surroundings influenced her. Both herself and her mother are still grieving for Jane’s father but in very different ways. I think the portrayal of grief was really well done, especially when it comes to different people reacting differently to it and how others might deal with it. It made my heart ache but it also warmed me, because so much of the story was about acceptance of different kinds.
I also really, really liked the setting of a small Wisconsin town. It had such a cozy feeling while on the other hand there always seemed frenzied and there was this contstant pressure because of the lotto winner. I really enjoyed the atmosphere this whole mix created.
So yes, I loved Lucky Girl and I got so much more than expected. I got emotions of all sorts, I laughed out loud while other parts made me absolutely emotional. If you’re looking for a short yet deep and fun contemporary read, Lucky Girl is definitely for you!
Rating:
