nika_nix's review against another edition
3.0
the positive
Diversity. Seth, the boy love interest, is Asian (more specifically Vietnamese) and I was so happy Kasie West finally added a bit of diversity into her work. It wasn’t much but it was something. Also, Seth talks about how people treat him because he’s Asian and how he feels about that so that was a huge plus to this book. Although I feel like it could’ve been explored a little bit more.
Cute romance. I like the way the relationship between Maddie and Seth progressed through the book. I feel like the romance accidentaly turned out to be a side plot in this book which was not something I expected but it turned out to work perfectly with the story. I think they worked great together and I loved reading about their interactions and all the cute stuff. I read Kasie West for her cute romances and I got a cute romance so I’m happy.
The message. Money can’t buy you happiness and is very likely to make you miserable. That’s what Kasie West was trying to tell us with this book. Also, what I think is even more important: teenagers should not have a lot of money! Very important message.
The zoo. Big part of this book takes place in a zoo because that’s where Maddie works and that’s where she hangs out with Seth. I thoroughly enjoyed reading these parts because the zoo was pretty amazing and I loved seeing what happens in the zoo “behind scenes”.
the negative
Audiobook narrator. I don’t know who narrated Lucky in Love and I’m to lazy to go find out but she was the worst narrator I’ve ever listened to. When she was telling the story, you know, descriptions and all that, it was good (average). However, every single voice she tried to make was an epic failure. I hated Maddie’s voice (when she talked to other charcters), I especially hated the way she did Seth’s voice and I found Blair’s voice unbearable. The rest of the characters’ voices weren’t great either but at least those I could stand. Oh, and another thing that bothered me: in the book we have a few very minor characters like the pizza delivery guy and a shopping assistant and for some reason the narrator decided that they are supposed to have foreign accents although nowhere in the text is indicated that they should (I checked). It was unnecessary and in my opinion, kind of rude. Assuming that they’re foriegn just because they’re doing jobs they do is offensive and not okay.
Maddie. She’s supposed to be the second smartest girl in her school and oh my God, she was so fucking stupid! Every single decision she made throughout the book made me want to yell at her. I was rolling my eyes so many times while reading because she would do something incredibly stupid and naive and a couple chapters later she would be genuinely shocked with the outcome. Use your brains from time to time, girl! You apparently have it, right? She’s the beautiful example for why teenagers should not be given large amounts of money – they will spend it on stupid shit! Now, let me get this straight, if Maddie was rational with her money, this book would have no plot so I don’t really have the problem with that. My problem was that she was portrayed as this super smart girl who always plans everything and has to control everything. They why the hell didn’t she plan how to spend her money?!
overall
Unfortunately, this was my least favorite Kasie West’s book I’ve read so far. I want to love it but I can’t. I’m still glad I’ve read it and appreciate it because it’s definitely a welcome change in Kasie’s work (with important topics and diversity) but I don’t think it was executed well enough. I’m still looking forward to her books and I hope she gets better because her last two releases (this one and By You Side) were quite disappointing.
I would still recommend Lucky in Love if you’re a Kasie West fan because this could be just me and my problem with it – you might love it. But please, don’t listen to the audiobook, it will most likely ruin the story for you.
Diversity. Seth, the boy love interest, is Asian (more specifically Vietnamese) and I was so happy Kasie West finally added a bit of diversity into her work. It wasn’t much but it was something. Also, Seth talks about how people treat him because he’s Asian and how he feels about that so that was a huge plus to this book. Although I feel like it could’ve been explored a little bit more.
Cute romance. I like the way the relationship between Maddie and Seth progressed through the book. I feel like the romance accidentaly turned out to be a side plot in this book which was not something I expected but it turned out to work perfectly with the story. I think they worked great together and I loved reading about their interactions and all the cute stuff. I read Kasie West for her cute romances and I got a cute romance so I’m happy.
The message. Money can’t buy you happiness and is very likely to make you miserable. That’s what Kasie West was trying to tell us with this book. Also, what I think is even more important: teenagers should not have a lot of money! Very important message.
The zoo. Big part of this book takes place in a zoo because that’s where Maddie works and that’s where she hangs out with Seth. I thoroughly enjoyed reading these parts because the zoo was pretty amazing and I loved seeing what happens in the zoo “behind scenes”.
the negative
Audiobook narrator. I don’t know who narrated Lucky in Love and I’m to lazy to go find out but she was the worst narrator I’ve ever listened to. When she was telling the story, you know, descriptions and all that, it was good (average). However, every single voice she tried to make was an epic failure. I hated Maddie’s voice (when she talked to other charcters), I especially hated the way she did Seth’s voice and I found Blair’s voice unbearable. The rest of the characters’ voices weren’t great either but at least those I could stand. Oh, and another thing that bothered me: in the book we have a few very minor characters like the pizza delivery guy and a shopping assistant and for some reason the narrator decided that they are supposed to have foreign accents although nowhere in the text is indicated that they should (I checked). It was unnecessary and in my opinion, kind of rude. Assuming that they’re foriegn just because they’re doing jobs they do is offensive and not okay.
Maddie. She’s supposed to be the second smartest girl in her school and oh my God, she was so fucking stupid! Every single decision she made throughout the book made me want to yell at her. I was rolling my eyes so many times while reading because she would do something incredibly stupid and naive and a couple chapters later she would be genuinely shocked with the outcome. Use your brains from time to time, girl! You apparently have it, right? She’s the beautiful example for why teenagers should not be given large amounts of money – they will spend it on stupid shit! Now, let me get this straight, if Maddie was rational with her money, this book would have no plot so I don’t really have the problem with that. My problem was that she was portrayed as this super smart girl who always plans everything and has to control everything. They why the hell didn’t she plan how to spend her money?!
overall
Unfortunately, this was my least favorite Kasie West’s book I’ve read so far. I want to love it but I can’t. I’m still glad I’ve read it and appreciate it because it’s definitely a welcome change in Kasie’s work (with important topics and diversity) but I don’t think it was executed well enough. I’m still looking forward to her books and I hope she gets better because her last two releases (this one and By You Side) were quite disappointing.
I would still recommend Lucky in Love if you’re a Kasie West fan because this could be just me and my problem with it – you might love it. But please, don’t listen to the audiobook, it will most likely ruin the story for you.
colloquialism's review against another edition
4.0
Exactly what you'd expect from a Kasie West book a lighthearted teen romance I couldn't put down
lissajean7's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed Maddie's interest in the zoo. I really liked Seth. I wanted to strangle her a bit when she started acting so irresponsibly. It was hard to justify her actions as coming from someone as responsible as she was, but also made sense at the same time. But it was really frustrating. Her family stress made me stressed. Her friend drama and trust issues were nerve-wracking. It was not a relaxing read. I did really like her interactions with Seth though...and the anteater, so that saved the book for me.
bookworm_15's review against another edition
4.0
It was a sweet and simple romance! Totally clean as well! I love all of Kasie West's books, but this one I think is one of my favorites! The main character (Maddie) was totally relatable (except for one thing but no spoilers lol)! And Seth was adorable and cute! And I really want a Seth in my life now lol!
librarycutie's review against another edition
3.0
ohmygosh! i got a little halfway through this book and thought it was going to have to rate it 2.5 or 3 stars and that last bit of the book has seriously redeemed itself, maybe it was the adorable zoo date that got me interested.
this story was a new twist on contemporary, maddie just turned 18 and decided to try the lottery because the annoying cashier lady wouldn’t stop bothering her about it, and luck was on her side because she won! (not a spoiler, the synopsis has this in the first few lines.)
maddie had her life planned out, almost freakishly, but that changed after she won the lottery. her parents were happy and getting along finally, her brother wasn’t lazy and depressed, she was making friends with the popular kids, and zoo seth seemed to be interested in her more! though she didn’t even realize she was buying their love until things started going wrong and finally the truth came out.
i like that maddie was a school nerd, focused and determined with school, and i thought it was realistic that after winning the lottery, she lost sight of that, not completely big enough. but she didn’t have to worry about college funds, so no big deal… right?
SETH WAS SO CUTE, YOU GO ZOO SETH!
this was such a good read, it was sitting in my ibooks for the longest time and i just wanted something to read at work since i have barely any cell service there, and i was surprised at how i flew through this. i found myself relating to maddie and her anxiety about being a perfectionist and being nervous or afraid when things do go the way they should. i loved the cute romance between a certain boy, and that she always had him to go to when life was overwhelming.
after reading this, i might try out some of kasie west’s other books!
this story was a new twist on contemporary, maddie just turned 18 and decided to try the lottery because the annoying cashier lady wouldn’t stop bothering her about it, and luck was on her side because she won! (not a spoiler, the synopsis has this in the first few lines.)
maddie had her life planned out, almost freakishly, but that changed after she won the lottery. her parents were happy and getting along finally, her brother wasn’t lazy and depressed, she was making friends with the popular kids, and zoo seth seemed to be interested in her more! though she didn’t even realize she was buying their love until things started going wrong and finally the truth came out.
i like that maddie was a school nerd, focused and determined with school, and i thought it was realistic that after winning the lottery, she lost sight of that, not completely big enough. but she didn’t have to worry about college funds, so no big deal… right?
SETH WAS SO CUTE, YOU GO ZOO SETH!
this was such a good read, it was sitting in my ibooks for the longest time and i just wanted something to read at work since i have barely any cell service there, and i was surprised at how i flew through this. i found myself relating to maddie and her anxiety about being a perfectionist and being nervous or afraid when things do go the way they should. i loved the cute romance between a certain boy, and that she always had him to go to when life was overwhelming.
after reading this, i might try out some of kasie west’s other books!
khairun_atika's review against another edition
3.0
Kasie West never disappoints. Though some of her stories may come off as just too sweet or too innocent, I still think that there are so many social issues in there. Marital problems, financial insecurity, and even gambling addiction lays out the foundation of this story. Maddie is the girl who learns and knows and plans everything, until she wins the lottery. Becoming a millionaire overnight allows Maddie to learn the truth about the problems her family are facing, and she learns more about trust. Who do you trust when everyone seems to get close to your fortune? This is a rather interesting read, full of naivete and innocence, but with important life lessons as well.
heidimrogers's review against another edition
5.0
You already know how big a fan I am of Kasie West.
thebookdance's review against another edition
4.0
I'm always so pumped for the release of a Kasie West book. The blurb for this one didn't make me want it bad because of the lottery thing, but I was still excited.
I liked the love interest a lot, Seth was really sweet and was always there for Maddie. I loved the made up story of Maddy and Leth idea. But the situation just wasn't my favorite, I had a feeling that things were gonna change a lot for her because she won the lottery, she would change, people would take advantage of her, I knew this was going to happen, that's why I was kind of meh with the story line.
I didn't like Maddie that much, Seth and the whole Santa Ana Zoo she worked at kind of made the story for me.
I liked Blair too, she was so focused on what she wanted, I wish I was like that.
I didn't like her family at all. And Trina was cool I guess.
Oh and Elise, I had no idea she was the one to broadcast Maddie's life, I kind of think there were some loose ends there that could have been tied up better but whatever.
Even though this wasn't my favorite I still love Kasie's writing and her books, I cant't wait for what she'll publish next.
Spoiler
I didn't read it as fast as I wanted to because I didn't have the time. But it was another heartwarming story from Kasie. Not my favorite ('P.S I like You' still remains in first place) but still entertaining.I liked the love interest a lot, Seth was really sweet and was always there for Maddie. I loved the made up story of Maddy and Leth idea. But the situation just wasn't my favorite, I had a feeling that things were gonna change a lot for her because she won the lottery, she would change, people would take advantage of her, I knew this was going to happen, that's why I was kind of meh with the story line.
I didn't like Maddie that much, Seth and the whole Santa Ana Zoo she worked at kind of made the story for me.
I liked Blair too, she was so focused on what she wanted, I wish I was like that.
I didn't like her family at all. And Trina was cool I guess.
Oh and Elise, I had no idea she was the one to broadcast Maddie's life, I kind of think there were some loose ends there that could have been tied up better but whatever.
Even though this wasn't my favorite I still love Kasie's writing and her books, I cant't wait for what she'll publish next.
kerrisbooks13's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars! Not my favorite Kasey West novel but a solid one! Sometimes Maddie’s naivety really got on my nerves by I think she figured it out in the end. Lots of fluff, lots of cheese, perfect for a mindless day of reading