melaniereadsbooks's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Thank you to Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for an ALC of this book.
Fortuna "Jane" has never considered herself lucky--until a spur-of-the-moment decision to buy a lottery ticket results in her winning a 58 million dollar jackpot. Only problem? She's only 17, and she won't get the money if anyone finds out she bought it as a minor. She can't ask her mom for help, because she will just use it to continue to buy thrift finds to help her with the grief of Jane's father passing away. So now Jane is left with few options, one of which is her ex-boyfriend, Holden.
This book was cute and funny. There were times when I wasn't really able to suspend my disbelief enough? I almost felt like Jane didn't act the way I would expect a real person to act all the time, and it didn't feel quite right. I felt like there were really basic solutions to her problems and she was jumping to conclusions that didn't make sense to prolong the conflict.
I liked how things were resolved with her mother and her friends! I wish there had been more mention of Jane's identity as a bisexual woman instead of just a one-off comment that was never mentioned again.
Overall an interesting story and a quick read!
Fortuna "Jane" has never considered herself lucky--until a spur-of-the-moment decision to buy a lottery ticket results in her winning a 58 million dollar jackpot. Only problem? She's only 17, and she won't get the money if anyone finds out she bought it as a minor. She can't ask her mom for help, because she will just use it to continue to buy thrift finds to help her with the grief of Jane's father passing away. So now Jane is left with few options, one of which is her ex-boyfriend, Holden.
This book was cute and funny. There were times when I wasn't really able to suspend my disbelief enough? I almost felt like Jane didn't act the way I would expect a real person to act all the time, and it didn't feel quite right. I felt like there were really basic solutions to her problems and she was jumping to conclusions that didn't make sense to prolong the conflict.
I liked how things were resolved with her mother and her friends! I wish there had been more mention of Jane's identity as a bisexual woman instead of just a one-off comment that was never mentioned again.
Overall an interesting story and a quick read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Grief, and Death of parent
bookcrushin's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Fast-paced, fun read. Full of hopeful moments of processing grief, and living with someone who is not dealing with their grief well and starts down an unhealthy path. I really loved that the characters were lower/middle class and these struggles directly related to how winning a large sum of money can be dangerous as well as life-changing. So many YA stories are all upper class kids and towns and this one wasn't, which makes sense too.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, Mental illness, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Bullying and Emotional abuse
mezzano's review
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Luck isn't the reason why Lucky Girl by Jamie Pacton is one of my most refreshing YA reads of the year. Pacton begins with a simple premise and expands it to a nuanced commentary on grief and healing. When Jane Bellweather wins the lottery underage, she has a few options. Find someone who's willing to cash in the money or burn it before anyone figures out its her. With a best friend set on finding the winner to use as leverage for a prestigious CNN internship, an ex boyfriend with a history of abuse talking to her again, a grandmother who hates worldly possessions, and a mother who hoards other's memories out of grief, it doesn't look like the 58,642,129 dollars will be hers anytime soon.
What begins as a personal dilemma about becoming rich soon evolves into a greater message about overcoming grief. As Jane tries to find people to confide in, she finds herself writing private messages on her late father's Facebook page. It's then we learn the true driver of this story. Jane bought the winning ticket on her father's birthday (committing a misdemeanor in the process). Her mother hoards discarded objects and clothing to fill the void of the husband who has since passed away. As we continue to follow Jane, we realize the real issue in this story is that Jane's home is still learning how they can move on from a tragic accident.
While the pace of this book is slow and the conflict is driven by lack of communication, this story shows readers a believable situation where talking is truly difficult. Despite Jane feeling alone in this story, it was heartwarming to see the moments where Jane opens up and sees that she has a supportive network of family and friends. Healing is a long process, and Lucky Girl doesn't shy away from the fact money helps but does not solve everything. The ending of this book ends on a hopeful note which is a welcome addition at a time where the real world appears so dark and gloomy.
What begins as a personal dilemma about becoming rich soon evolves into a greater message about overcoming grief. As Jane tries to find people to confide in, she finds herself writing private messages on her late father's Facebook page. It's then we learn the true driver of this story. Jane bought the winning ticket on her father's birthday (committing a misdemeanor in the process). Her mother hoards discarded objects and clothing to fill the void of the husband who has since passed away. As we continue to follow Jane, we realize the real issue in this story is that Jane's home is still learning how they can move on from a tragic accident.
While the pace of this book is slow and the conflict is driven by lack of communication, this story shows readers a believable situation where talking is truly difficult. Despite Jane feeling alone in this story, it was heartwarming to see the moments where Jane opens up and sees that she has a supportive network of family and friends. Healing is a long process, and Lucky Girl doesn't shy away from the fact money helps but does not solve everything. The ending of this book ends on a hopeful note which is a welcome addition at a time where the real world appears so dark and gloomy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Death of parent
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Mental illness
kaitplusbooks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
MY HEART. ❤❤❤
I need some time to think about what exactly to say here. In the meantime, please know that I LOVE this book, I'm currently crying happy tears, and I already know what my answer is going to be next year when everyone starts asking about the best books of 2021.
Full review to be published closer to the publication date on kaitplusbooks.com!
Thank you SO SO MUCH to NetGalley and Page Street Kids for letting me read an eARC of this book, and thank you to Jamie for answering all my questions when some of the text decided to show up in Arabic.
I need some time to think about what exactly to say here. In the meantime, please know that I LOVE this book, I'm currently crying happy tears, and I already know what my answer is going to be next year when everyone starts asking about the best books of 2021.
Full review to be published closer to the publication date on kaitplusbooks.com!
Thank you SO SO MUCH to NetGalley and Page Street Kids for letting me read an eARC of this book, and thank you to Jamie for answering all my questions when some of the text decided to show up in Arabic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Mental illness
Minor: Death and Panic attacks/disorders
More...