The main problem I ran into was there was just a lack of plot. What was the goal we were working towards here? Grandma coming home? Josie finding herself? It felt like each chapter was just a day in the life of Josie without any real direction towards an ending, and wasn’t enough to hold your attention.

Another thing that bothered me was Lucky’s total 180 in his personality and attitude. He had a great back and forth and banter with Josie in the beginning, but it completely changed once they started hanging out. Then it was just dull conversations and lackluster scenes of him teaching her to swim. It made the romance a little boring too.

Also, what was with the 13 stuff? I got that Lucky is apparently unlucky, but the way it was thrown in your face—Lucky 13 is on his helmet, bike, and jacket, and he has a black cat—was just over the top and cheesy.

There were also some problems with Evie and Adrian’s… whatever you want to call it. Josie is the narrator and hated Adrian, so the focus would obviously be on his bad qualities and the bad things he’s done. But it bothered me that there was no hint at any reason why Evie kept going back to him. It also bothered me that he constantly hurt her family, and that didn’t really seem to bother her as much as it should.

A final thing that irked me was that neither Lucky or Josie have any friends. It wouldn’t be such a big deal until I got to thinking—except for Alex Approximately, why don’t any of the main characters in Jenn Bennett’s books have friends?

There were good parts about the book, too. For one I loved the Saint Martin and Karras family dynamics. Lucky’s family showed a big family and how close they are, while Josie’s was the opposite. She was somewhat estranged from her grandmother and there were issues with her dad.

I also liked the way Josie’s parents were written. Her relationship with her mom, Wynonna, was complex and she had an interesting backstory—which would be a great book itself. It was also interesting to see how a mistake Wynnona made in the past affected Josie today.

Josie’s father on the other hand… I can’t describe it without spoiling it, but it makes you realize that you need to know someone before you decide you know them (you know?).

And of course, Evie. You have to love Evie. She’s so wonderfully weird and a book nerd. I did like her storyline with Adrian, but I felt like there should have been more.

Overall, it just felt like we weren’t given enough to keep the story interesting. I spent most of the book bored, and anything that would just slightly annoy me usually, felt that much more obvious here. One suggestion I have is that this would have been really interesting with Evie’s perspective and/or Wynnona’s past perspective included—make more out of the curse! Or just more out of anything!

4.5 Stars (I received an e-arc from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review)

This book has cemented my love for Jenn Bennett especially with her contemporary novels, this my third novel by her and this one was even better than Starry Eyes. Moving back to her childhood town Beauty, Josie is just trying to make to the end of high school and survive her crazy family drama. Reconnecting with her cousin Ellie and her childhood best friend Lucky, as well as having to deal with small town politics and being the target of one of the Golden boys (spoiled rich kids). Summer romance, unique signs to photograph and working at the bookstore are just a few experiences in Josies new life. I do feel like the plot kind of went weird on the pacing and had some convenient things happen in the last 15%. That being said her writing is incredibly immersive and she is a master of emotional dialogue. I will definitely be picking up not only her future releases but also her backlist titles.

So... Jenn Bennett has become one of my favourite YA contemporary authors? That title may be a little hasty considering this is only my second book of hers, but I love them so much! While I didn't love this one as much as Starry Eyes, I am convinced that she can do no wrong!

Chasing Lucky follows 17 year old Josie St Martin a budding photographer who, after being constantly on the move for the past 5 years, is returning to her hometown Beauty. This abrupt move was spurred on by her Grandmother hastily deciding to go travelling, and needing someone to run her bookshop. Josie decides to just try and keep her head down in Beauty before finally escaping to LA to her famous father. However, things don't go entirely to plan when one night Josie makes a mistake and her former childhood best friend, Lucky, ends up taking the fall.

I loved the setting of this book. Small towns are some of my favourites to read about, and Beauty did not disappoint. It made the whole book have a quiet, small town atmosphere which I really enjoyed. The setting also lent itself to some social commentary about the economic disparity between some of the citizens and how that manifests itself in the local justice and political systems.

I adored the romance between Lucky and Josie. Childhood friends to lovers is one of my favourite tropes- I love the angst, tension and shared history. While I liked Josie, she wasn't as intriguing or developed as Lucky. Lucky was a really loveable character, responsible for a large amount of my investment in the romance and plot. Some of the scenes had me swooning

What else is there to say? This was an immensely enjoyable read that while did nothing exceptional or original, was successful in making me happy for the duration of my reading experience. I doubt this will stick out to me as a particularly memorable read even a few months from now, but it served its purpose and it did it well!

I would recommend this if you have loved Jenn Bennett's books in the past, or are in the mood for a cute, fluffy YA romance!

Thank you to Simon Pulse for this ARC

Release Date: 5 May 2020 (Pushed back to 10 November 2020)

My friend is reading this book currently, and from the passages she's sent me, I have lost interest. I loved Serious Moonlight, but this book appears to possess none of what made that book so great.

If you listen closely, you might just hear the pitter patter of my heart. “ Chasing Lucky”…I loved it so much! This book was so sweet, and it had the sweetest characters and ugh, I am just over the moon with how sweet it was. And why am I just now reading something by this author? I need to catch up! But seriously, there is nothing bad that I can say about this book. I loved it all. The characters, the setting, the plot. Jenn Bennett has definitely gained a new reader!

4.5 - Jenn Bennett is one of my favourite contemporary authors and I love the small town stories that she writes. I love second chance friendship, it is one of my favourite in YA especially when it turns into a romance, I loved both characters and both of their journeys even though we don't get Lucky's perspective in this. I love the complicated family dynamics in this. I also loved the slow build of Lucky and Josie's rekindling. Lucky is the classic bad boy with a heart of gold. He is struggling with opening up about wanting different dreams than what his parents have for him. Josie is struggling because she has never had a really close relationship with her mom though as the novels progress we learn more about her mom and her relationship with this town and her grandmother. I think that the journey that these characters went through felt very realistic and natural. This is my fourth Jenn Bennett book and it will not be the last.

*Thank you Netgalley for providing me a copy for an honest review*

3.5

MINI REVIEWS LATER RELEASE DATES
MAY 31, 2020 LEAVE A COMMENT
I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Mini Reviews Later Release DatesMore Than Maybe by Erin Hahn
Also by this author: You'd Be Mine
Published by St. Martin's Publishing Group on July 21, 2020
Genres: Young Adult Fiction, Romance, Contemporary, Performing Arts, Music, Girls & Women, Family
Pages: 336
Format: eARC
Source: Publisher
Buy on Amazon
ISBN: 9781250231642
Goodreads
five-stars
"Like your favorite song, More Than Maybe burrows inside your heart and stays there. Vada and Luke's story of music, family, and first love will shoot to the top of your book playlist. A rich, sweet, rock and roll ride." - Kathleen Glasgow, New York Times bestselling author of Girl in Pieces and How to Make Friends With the Dark
Growing up under his punk rocker dad’s spotlight, eighteen-year-old Luke Greenly knows fame and wants nothing to do with it. His real love isn’t in front of a crowd, it’s on the page. Hiding his gift and secretly hoarding songs in his bedroom at night, he prefers the anonymous comfort of the locally popular podcast he co-hosts with his outgoing and meddling, far-too-jealousy-inspiringly-happy-with-his-long-term-boyfriend twin brother, Cullen. But that’s not Luke’s only secret. He also has a major un-requited crush on music blogger, Vada Carsewell.
Vada’s got a five year plan: secure a job at the Loud Lizard to learn from local legend (and her mom’s boyfriend) Phil Josephs (check), take over Phil’s music blog (double check), get accepted into Berkeley’s prestigious music journalism program (check, check, check), manage Ann Arbor’s summer concert series and secure a Rolling Stone internship. Luke Greenly is most definitely NOT on the list. So what if his self-deprecating charm and out of this world music knowledge makes her dizzy? Or his brother just released a bootleg recording of Luke singing about some mystery girl on their podcast and she really, really wishes it was her?
In More Than Maybe, Erin Hahn’s swooniest book yet, Luke and Vada must decide how deep their feelings run and what it would mean to give love a try.

Erin Hahn has absolutely been cemented as one of my favorite authors with her latest release, More Than Maybe. This book was another contemporary young adult/new adult, I don’t know the classification romance. There’s music, strong friendship, family dynamics, and what a setting. I loved this book almost as much as You’d Be Mine (I have a soft spot for country music).

More Than Maybe features Vada who is a music blogger who wants to go to Berkley and eventually become a music journalist. It also features Luke, who is a fraternal twin who is one half of a podcasting duo. Vada has all this ambition, whereas Luke is really into composing and has a real talent for music, but doesn’t want the spotlight at all. Luke and Vada end up getting really close as Luke and his brother Cullen record their podcast at the club where Vada works.

I really can’t delve too deep because I do not want to spoil. However, this is the one for you if you like slow burns, sweet characters, driven young women, and positive male father type figures (namely Phil). I ate this book up so quickly during the pandemic. More Than Maybe was a wonderful distraction. It’s really a good read that’ll lighten your mood – even during the serious parts.

I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

The Mall by Megan McCafferty
Also by this author: Sloppy Firsts, Bumped
Published by St. Martin's Publishing Group on June 9, 2020
Genres: Young Adult Fiction, Girls & Women, Romance, Romantic Comedy
Pages: 320
Format: eARC
Source: Publisher
Buy on Amazon
ISBN: 9781250209979
Goodreads
four-stars
New York Times bestselling author Megan McCafferty returns to her roots with this YA coming of age story set in a New Jersey mall.
The year is 1991. Scrunchies, mixtapes and 90210 are, like, totally fresh. Cassie Worthy is psyched to spend the summer after graduation working at the Parkway Center Mall. In six weeks, she and her boyfriend head off to college in NYC to fulfill The Plan: higher education and happily ever after.
But you know what they say about the best laid plans...
Set entirely in a classic “monument to consumerism,” the novel follows Cassie as she finds friendship, love, and ultimately herself, in the most unexpected of places. Megan McCafferty, beloved New York Times bestselling author of the Jessica Darling series, takes readers on an epic trip back in time to The Mall.

The Mall by Megan McCafferty had all my nostalgia neurons firing. I did not come of age in the 1990s nor did we have a mall in easy driving distance. The closest mall was about an hour away and I actually came of age in the early 2000s. However, being a kid during the 1990s and seeing all the Mall Madness commercials, reading this book really took me back. Personally, I really enjoyed my time with The Mall because I felt like I was reading a story from an older cousin.

The Mall follows Cassie Worthy who is about to start working her mall job at America’s Best Cookie after missing out on some major milestones due to mono. She’s also ready to give her boyfriend Troy her v-card, finally. Unfortunately, in one fell swoop she is attacked by a cloud of cucumber melon, broken up with by her boyfriend, and loses her job. Down on her luck, Cassie ends up working in the last place in the mall she’d ever expect – Bellarosa’s. From there, she embarks on a quest for treasure with her ex best friend and spends the summer learning to be less judgmental.

I think if you go in expecting this book to mirror the Jessica Darling books, you’ll be disappointed. If you go in expecting nostalgia for when malls were the place for youth to hang out, you’ll enjoy this trip down memory lane. I don’t necessarily know how actual youth will feel about The Mall. Personally, I enjoyed my time with this book and read it incredibly fast. It’s easily a one sitting read and in these times, I am so here for that.

I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

This Is All Your Fault by Aminah Mae Safi
Published by Feiwel & Friends on October 13, 2020
Genres: Young Adult Fiction, Girls & Women, Romance, LGBT
Pages: 304
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher
Buy on Amazon
ISBN: 9781250242358
Goodreads
five-stars
Set over the course of one day, Aminah Mae Safi's This Is All Your Fault is a smart and voice-driven YA novel that follows three young women determined to save their indie bookstore.
Rinn Olivera is finally going to tell her longtime crush AJ that she’s in love with him.
Daniella Korres writes poetry for her own account, but nobody knows it’s her.
Imogen Azar is just trying to make it through the day.
When Rinn, Daniella, and Imogen clock into work at Wild Nights Bookstore on the first day of summer, they’re expecting the hours to drift by the way they always do. Instead, they have to deal with the news that the bookstore is closing. Before the day is out, there’ll be shaved heads, a diva author, and a very large shipment of Air Jordans to contend with.
And it will take all three of them working together if they have any chance to save Wild Nights Bookstore.

I am so excited. I read This Is All Your Fault by Aminah Mae Safi and I have MULTIPLE books by Safi to read and look forward to. You see, I loved This Is All Your Fault. It’s got a few elements I truly love and they combine in such a winning way. Plus, this book really just spoke to me.

This Is All Your Fault is mostly set in a twenty four hour timeframe. It follows main characters Daniella, Rinn, and Imogene as they try to save the Wild Nights Bookstore that they work at. The girls are each very different. Daniella is a white blonde girl who is angry and writes poetry. Rinn is half Mexican and a book influencer. Imogen is Middle Eastern and experiencing bouts of depression – she shaves her head. The girls are not all best friends and barely get along. However, a lot can happen over twenty four hours.

I loved that this book is positive about therapy. No mental health shaming here. I loved that there is SOME romance, but it is not the whole story. The diversity feels real and not shoehorned in. The characters are all so well written and multidimensional. They’re interesting people and by the end I truly came to care for them. I also loved that this book ends with friendships and I just thought that was beautiful. There’s so many elements that make This Is All Your Fault worth your time – it’s a fast read, the characters are flawed but treated with dignity by the author. This is just a great book, friends. I am pumped to read more from Safi.

I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Chasing Lucky by Jenn Bennett
Published by Simon and Schuster on November 10, 2020
Genres: Young Adult Fiction, Romance, Contemporary, Social Themes, Dating & Sex, Humorous
Pages: 416
Format: eARC
Source: Publisher
Buy on Amazon
ISBN: 9781534425194
Goodreads
three-half-stars
In this coming-of-age romance perfect for fans of Jenny Han and Sarah Dessen, scandal and romance collide when an ambitious teen returns to her hometown only to have her plans interrupted after falling for the town’s “bad boy”—a.k.a. her childhood best friend.
Sometimes to find the good, you have to embrace the bad.
Budding photographer Josie Saint-Martin has spent half her life with her single mother, moving from city to city. When they return to her historical New England hometown years later to run the family bookstore, Josie knows it’s not forever. Her dreams are on the opposite coast, and she has a plan to get there.
What she doesn’t plan for is a run-in with the town bad boy, Lucky Karras. Outsider, rebel…and her former childhood best friend. Lucky makes it clear he wants nothing to do with the newly returned Josie. But everything changes after a disastrous pool party, and a poorly executed act of revenge lands Josie in some big-time trouble—with Lucky unexpectedly taking the blame.
Determined to understand why Lucky was so quick to cover for her, Josie discovers that both of them have changed, and that the good boy she once knew now has a dark sense of humor and a smile that makes her heart race. And maybe, just maybe, he’s not quite the brooding bad boy everyone thinks he is…

Chasing Lucky by Jenn Bennett is the first Jenn Bennett book I’ve read – which is odd because I feel like I am pretty up on reading YA contemporary authors. The cover of this book immediately appealed to me. You see, I am easily suckered in by the promise of a YA contemporary romance. Plus, there’s the New England setting of Beauty, Rhode Island and I was hook line and sinker to read Chasing Lucky.

Josie Saint-Martin has moved from place to place with her single mother, Winona. The time has come for them to return to their home town of Beauty, which they left abruptly five years ago after a blowout between Winona and Josie’s grandmother, Deirdre. As it turns out, Deirdre and Josie’s Aunt Franny will be climbing the mountains in Nepal while Franny processes her grief. This allows for Josie’s mother to manage the family bookstore, the Nook, and live rent free above it so they can save up money for the next move. As it turns out, Josie, a photography enthusiast who eventually wants to be a professional photographer has other plans and dreams of moving to LA to apprentice under her famous photographer father. Complicating these plans is a blast from Josie’s past, her childhood best friend Lucky.

So, as you may guess a friendship reignites between Josie and Lucky which eventually turns into a romance. It’s sweet and intense and my goodness reminiscent of terrible communication skills. I liked that Josie and Lucky were a bit terrible at communicating because I feel like as a teen, it’s not like you automatically have those skills. They’re learned. Thankfully, Chasing Lucky shows the two learning those skills.

On the whole, Chasing Lucky is a fast, kind of dramatic read with a setting that I absolutely loved. While I was not head over heels on the plot, I do see myself reading more from Jenn Bennett. I’ve heard her other books are better and so I can’t wait to get to them.

***Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review***

Somewhat cute, but a little too long for my liking.

This story was fantastic! I completely fell in love with it from the start, I really liked our main character, Josie, and her interest for photography and how this aspect is explored during the story. I really really loved Lucky as the other main character (the love interest), oh my god, he is perfection and I'm obsessed. I'm a sucker for "bad guys" that are truly so soft on the inside. (They're the best characters). The family, and little town aspect of this story is really a plus and was really well executed.

To sum up, I loved this story, I was a sucker for the romance between Josie and Lucky, and I think everyone should read this!

Jenn Bennett is Young Adult Contemporary Royalty and does not disappoint in her newest book Chasing Lucky! Chasing Lucky is packed full of many life lessons that are important for all ages to read and possesses one of the most unique stories in YA Contemporary. Chasing Lucky packed a punch with emotion, but also had plenty of humour scattered throughout.

The setting was so picturesque set in a small New England town, filled with both small town charms and hinderances, as well as a little Greek Town. I could have even used a little more Greek Town in this story, as I grew up going to a few and always loved them. Of course, with small towns comes big gossip and there was a lot of wrong assumptions made because of the gossip that kept this story moving forward. What was a little scary was how some of the rumours sounded so true that I found myself believing them. Lastly, Josie’s (our main character’s) family owns the little bookstore in town. I love books that show a love for small bookstores or libraries, so this was perfect!

Like the plot, the characters were equally well developed. Consistently throughout the book, Lucky was my favourite character. His bad boy exteriour with a heart of gold was perfectly balanced. He was so admirable in his willingness to rise above the untrue rumours and help anyone in their lowest point. While the female characters, at first, seemed to me to be weak, they all proved themselves strong, witty, and brave in their own time. Of all the female characters, the grandma was my favourite. There was nothing she was not willing to do to protect and care for her family. She is a character that you have to warm to with time, as you continuously peel back the layers with her. In YA books, I rarely care too much about the parents. However, I kept wanting to know more and more of the mystery of Josie’s mother. I was satisfied where her story ended up, but I could have used a little more. I would be interested in a whole book about where Josie’s mum’s life ends up. Josie Saint-Martin kept surprising me. I admired that she constantly did things that scared her, and I adored the fact that she is a horrible liar. She also views things that many deem to be unworthy in a positive light, such as her love for photographing signs. Lastly, the bully and his family were terrifying. I kept feeling intimidated by them, and I had to keep remind myself they were fictional.

This story is also a great reminder that no family is so cookie cutter and straight forward, as many people often assume of other families. This story sheds light on the flaws in all types of stereotypical families. Lastly, while this story did contain the friends to lovers trope between Josie and Lucky, I did not find it as straight forward as many YA books, which was a nice change of pace.

Chasing Lucky truly is a gem of a story. I finished it in one day. The characters, plot, and setting were all equally and well developed. There was subtle symbolism scattered throughout Chasing Lucky. I think the most valuable lesson taught in this book is that no matter our age we are all works in progress.

Since I did not read a finalized proof there is one aspect I am super excited for in the final version, and that is Josie’s photographs. The end of every chapter contains one of her photographed signs! I love this little detail.

I received an e-book ARC of this book through Net Galley. All opinions are 100% my own and getting a copy in no way influences my decision. Thank you, Net Galley, Simon Pulse, and Jenn Bennett.

When I found out that Jenn Bennett was publishing another YA contemporary, I genuinely could not contain my excitement. Her stories are always incredibly thought-provoking yet filled with sweet romances that I can’t help but become invested in, and her latest book is no exception.

Starring a classic friends-to-enemies-to-lovers romance, Chasing Lucky explores the dysfunctional relationships between perfectly imperfect characters. From family members to ex-friends, this is a book about new beginnings and second chances.

Chasing Lucky follows the perspective of Josie Saint-Martin, an aspiring photographer who has spent the majority of her life following her single mother as they move from city to city. When they finally return to their New England hometown years later, it was never meant to be permanent, and Josie would have never expected to run into her former childhood best friend, Lucky Karras.

Lucky has all the characteristics of a swoon-worthy YA love interest. He’s a bad boy with a heart of gold, and despite his tough exterior, he’s always had a soft spot for his former best friend. I love how patient and caring he was for Josie, and he continuously encouraged and challenged her to be more open-minded and vulnerable.

Another main focus of the story is Josie’s relationship with her family. Josie was the child of a teenage pregnancy which has resulted in an absent father and a flight-risk mother. As she develops as a character and becomes more sure of herself, she also learns to establish a better relationship with her mother.

Throughout the story, Jenn Bennett also subtly discusses the privileges of the wealthy and power dynamics between those who have money and those who don’t. In the New England small town, the rich flaunt their wealth and wield it as a tool to remain in power, and the book doesn’t hold back in describing how it affects both children and adults.

Would I say this is my favorite Jenn Bennett book? Nah, that special award is still reserved for Starry Eyes, but this one is probably tied as my second favorite with Alex, Approximately! I had so much fun getting absorbed into her writing, and I can’t wait to read what she writes next.

Thanks to Simon Pulse for the ARC!
I really, really, really loved "The Anatomical Shape of a Heart", so I was excited to read another book by Jenn Bennett. Sadly, this one didn't work for me. Once again, it's a story about young people falling in love and going after their dreams, but... For some reason, I didn't fall in love with them. And I'm frustrated, because I really wanted to.

At first, it sounded so interesting. A small town, mother and daughter coming back after a few years, talking to people they haven't been in contact since they left... A curse. An old best friend who's suddenly very rude. An accident. Lots of lies... And plans.

Honestly, I thought I would love this story.
But I was at 49% and still wasn't feeling that *sparkle*, you know? I was waiting for something to happen... And they were just going though the same issues over and over... I kept reading it anyway, because I was hoping that maybe the ending would surprise me. And it didn't. :(

I think young readers will probably enjoy this read, but it's not the kind of book that I would recommend to older readers too.

Chasing Lucky was a sweetly cute love story with a relatable heroine and a charming hero. Bennett did a wonderful job of building a story from old friends who lost touch and turned it into one about about re-connection, family, and self-realization.

While the beginning felt slow, the development of the main characters was beautifully done and allowed readers time to fall into the people and the city. Josie was quirky and all too easy to understand, especially in how her sense of self was lost among her mother's flightiness and lack of a true father figure. The Saint Martin crew was hilariously far-fetched as a family unit, but also believable in this odd sense. They gave the story rare comedic elements, but conversely Bennett gave them each an overall depth and heart that rounded the story out perfectly. It was heartwarming to see a disjointed family find its way to one another and that all the wrong turns eventually equaled a right. But most of all I loved the connection she shared with Lucky. He was misunderstood yet big-hearted, and suffering from lack of luck (no pun intended). And still he was incredibly protective and kind. He was such a good person to help Josie find her way out of the dark. They were as great together as they were on their own.

Once I got into it, it was a quick and enjoyable read. The story and its events felt incredibly real and plausible, but also held this sort of magical element too. This was my first book by this author and it won't be my last.

Really cute! Jenn Bennett is one of my favorite authors, especially for YA contemporary romance.

Chasing Lucky is about Josie, who is a photographer that moves with her mother back to her hometown where she her childhood friend again. What follows is a lot of family and drama and a slow burn romance. I read this book in one sitting and it was just so sweet, I loved it.

Very cute and sweet YA romance. I loved Lucky and Josie.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

Very cute romance. Friends to lovers is my favourite romance trope. Bit of a slow start but it was good to set the scene and get to know the family/friendship drama. Seeing Lucky and Josies relationship change and grow made me smile. If your after a nice easy read that will make you smile this is a must read

Well written and entertaining. Very entertaining. Looking for a good YA romance? Pick this up. You'll really enjoy it. Happy reading!

Jenn Bennett's books are like a comfy sweater or your favorite cozy blanket, I always want to escape into her character's worlds.

After a catastrophic family falling out, Josie and her mother abruptly left her hometown, family and friends, and have hardly stopped to look back...until the summer they return to run the family book shop. The only reason Josie's mom agrees to come back though is because her mother and sister will be out of the country, not because they've reconciled or talked about their issues. Josie, forever caught in the middle, must confront old arguments, secret hopes and dreams, lies, and Lucky...her former best friend who she left behind all those years ago...

Readers who enjoy Sarah Dessen, Jenny Han and Emory Lord should immediately pick up Chasing Lucky, as well as all of Bennett's other YA titles!

I adore Jenn Bennett's books, she is one of my favorite writers. I will admit that this one was not my favorite, however, I still really enjoyed this book. I liked that we have to previous friends who find each other again and have to deal with their fallen out friendship. I'll also admit I wasn't a massive fan of the family issues. The mother more than anything aggravated me. The story tried to redeem her actions but it just didn't cut it for me. Most of the reasons given just felt like excuses for why they made bad decisions and behaved the way they do. Overall it was a super fast and easy read, a typical Jenn Bennett book!

4.5 Stars!
I read a few sub-genres within YA lit, but if it involves a heavier dose of romance, this is the type of story and writing I enjoy the most - smart, but not unnaturally mature main young adults, a subtly complex and well-developed plot, secondary characters with some depth, and parents who parent (maybe not perfectly) and aren’t just peripheral adornment while their kids run amok.

I've read one other book by this author and have had a taste of her compelling writing style and accomplished story development. After enjoying that previous story, I was happily surprised when I found that I liked this one even more. Chasing Lucky was an entertaining friends-to-love, second chance romance. Although fairly light in tone, Lucky and Josie had authentic and complex lives, made mistakes, and paid the consequences. There wasn't an over-the-top, evil ex villainess or manufactured drama that would have had me labeling it as teen fluff - a categorization that I diligently try to avoid. Chasing Lucky was simply a compelling and entertaining young adult story with convincing conflict and family dynamics, as well as a sweet and swoon-worthy love story. I hope that this author continues to publish contemporary YA novels, but while I wait, I look forward to finally reading the three from her backlist that I've missed.