Member Reviews
I really like this author and I really loved this book! I thought it was done in that signature Adele Parks fashion, which I find to be quite riveting and shocking! I LOVED THE UNIQUE PLOT, the character development really had me needing to see what the characters would do. I found it to be unputdownable, thrilling, chilling, twisty, and shocking! Great tense, drama with lots of new explorations not seen in another book I’ve read. I think if you’re a fan of Adele Parks’s books, you will be a huge fan of this one! Highly, highly recommend!
Will buzz around and use low Amazon reviewer number on release date!
Really liked this book, it had an interesting story line and kept me interested.I really love Adele Parks writing and she is becoming one of my go to authors!
Lexi and Jake have finally hit the lottery jackpot, however, there other friends seem to think they are entitled to a portion of the winnings as they used to a "potluck", however they all had recently pulled out.
The book goes through the motions. Lexi, is a little more conservative while Jake goes a bit crazy. I thought the book was well written, however we do learn of Jake's dark evil side throughout the book. I won't go in to further detail to avoid spoilers. Money makes people do crazy things. Well done Ms. Sparks!
I really enjoy books by Adele Parks and this was another winner. What happens if you win the lottery? Awesome right? But what if you had gone in with some friends to split the money and things changed at the last minute, then you win and your friends start looking for their cut of the winnings… things might start to get messy. And complicated. And nasty.
Such is the plot for Just My Luck. I expected this to be funny and light, but it’s not! Its darker and more nerve-wracking than I anticipated.
Check it out:
For fifteen years, Lexi and Jake have played the same six numbers with their friends. Over drinks, dinner parties and summer barbecues, the three couples have discussed the important stuff—kids, marriages, careers—and they’ve laughed off their disappointment when they failed to win anything.
But then the unthinkable happens. There’s a rift in the group. Someone is caught in a lie. And soon after, six numbers come up that change everything forever.
Lexi and Jake have a ticket worth millions. And their friends are determined to claim a share.
Money can ruin friendships, which is proven in this book. And never trust your friends when high sums of money is involved.
The book comes out in April!
Lexi and Jake have been playing the lottery with their friends for years. The same six numbers played many times before. This time however things are different, Now the numbers were spot on and Lexi and Jake have hit the jackpot. Now, their friends feel as though they should reap the rewards also. It turns out that money and friends do not always mix. It is full of great characters and is a fast paced read.
Thank you to netgalley as well as the author/publisher for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
I play the lottery, and often wonder what it would be like to win. I often think that maybe I wouldn't want to win so much that it totally changed my life. But if I did, what choices would I make? Would I go on a spending spree? How would it affect my friendships? What if my spouse and I didn't agree on how to spend it?
All these questions and more are brought up in this book. I though this was going to be about the lottery., Then I thought it would be about how the family was impacted. Then about the friends.. There were many twists and turns in this book and I really enjoyed them!
I want to thank the author, the publisher and #netgalley for the ARC. This did not impact my review.
This book is a reminder to everyone who wants to buy lottery tickets do not go in with friends to buy as many as you can, they will end up trying to steal the money. Greed and selfishness at its worst comes out of all the characters involved when they win lottery after purchasing tickets together. You definitely find out who your real friends are when you come into money. Some of the decisions made after the money was rewarded and how it would be split between 6 people reminded me of one of my favorite movies, although the movie was more hilarious than this.
The second half of this book was also more fast paced than the first half and would have benefited from being cut down by at least 30 pages, jmo. But still a good read especially when it picked up more.
3.5 stars
Thanks to Netgalley, Adele Parks and Harlequin Trade Publishing Mira for an ARC in exchange for a honest review.
Available: 4/6/21
Fast paced, totally original story of the downside of winning the lottery. When Jake and Lexi checked their lottery numbers they couldn’t believe their luck, not only did they win, but they were the sole winners. But what they soon learn is money can’t solve all their problems and it can create many new ones. Well written, fascinating story about the dark side of getting everything you think you want.
Thank you Netgalley for this ARC of Just My Luck by Adele Parks.
What would you do if you won the lottery? Would you travel the world? Buy a home filled with designer furniture, clothes and jewelry? Or maybe use it to better the world? That is the question that Jake, Lexi and their two children have to make after finding out that they won millions from the weekly tickets they buy. But they have no clue just how complicated and difficult a decision that can really be, especially when surrounded by so called "friends."
Honestly, this book had everything. Sex, betrayal, money, secrets, parties, wealth, violence, greed. All the makings of a delicious domestic thriller, full of people that you just love to hate. It was fast paced, turned at corners I never expected and kept me on the edge of my seat. This was the perfect escape during the stressful holidays.
Everyone dreams of winning lots of money, and a windfall of 17 million is the answer to countless problems. But it can also be the cause of equally unsolvable issues. I enjoyed reading about the good luck, the carefree spending and the boundless joy. I also loved the twists, secrets, jealousy, and betrayals that were revealed as the book progressed. Not a huge fan of the ending I have to say, but apart from that it is a solid read.
Money changes everything!
Isn't that a song? If not it should be. Just my Luck is the perfect book of how money can change everything and how friendships can crumble.
Three couples all decide to go in on the lottery together. Then there is a fight and two couples walk away. As luck would have it, the lone couple left won the lottery and it is a HUGE lottery. Now the other couples want their share. Its a interesting novel on how money does change everything and there are so many twists. This was actually a fun book that once I got started, I couldn't put down.
Three couples play the lottery and the week that two of them decide to opt out, the other couple wins. What happens to friendships when you hit it big? What about your kids? If you’ve ever dreamed of a big windfall, you may want to read this first. I really loved the twists and couldn’t put it down.
Loved it! Adele Parks has done it again! A real page turner full of twists and suspense. Grips you from the very beginning. A group of friends win the lottery, but before that when they previously had a disagreement, Lexi claims that they are not involved since they chose to end their inclusion immediately since they haven't won. Things get a bit crazy and Jake starts spending money like crazy. Someone gets kidnapped and everything is a mess. A book of greed and jealousy over what happens when money is involved between friends.
Thanks Netgalley and the publisher for the advance ecopy.
A fun read that shows you what we all know. Money is the root of all evil ;) Most of us have dreamed about winning the lottery and how we would spend it. Not many of us think about those that expect us to split it with them. It was interesting to read. with laughs and the unsuspected dark plot twits. This is such a great story with such a surprising ending. I don't blame Lexie and Jake for not wanting to split the money. But is is refreshing to read everyone's perspective as to why they should split the money or why they should not. AND then the lawyers come in! Oy!
I have to admit that I was beginning to think that this was going to be a ho-hum tale of what it's like to win the lottery and then bam! A twist entered the picture and I kept reading to find out what happened. There is a whole lot of family deceit going on, on both sides involving the husband and his lies and the wife and her lies, on top of dealing with their kids and the kids' relationships. The bad guy in this story ... now that was a kind of a shocker. I found this to be an entertaining read.
When I originally requested this ARC from Netgalley I didn't realize it was by an author whose previous novel I could barely finish. I saw her name and it was familiar, so I requested it and then realized my mistake.
Thankfully, this novel blew that previous one out of the water for me.
I loved the idea of a group of friends that normally play the lottery together. However, those friendships start to fall apart and then suddenly one of the couples wins all on their own.
Or do they?
This novel started off with an interesting concept, jumping between a few different points of view, with enough drama to keep my interest. And although it went a smidge off the rails towards the end of the book, it was still enjoyable enough for me to want to find out what was going on and to work my way to the end. I'd probably give this a C+ or a B- if I was to grade it. Did it make me feel strong emotions? Not really. But did it make me wonder what I would do in this situation? Sure.
The last chapter of the book really pulled it together for me and I would absolutely recommend this book if you're looking for a fun read that you don't need to put too much thought into.
This book was good. I didn’t find any of the characters likable., all were either abrasive or apathetic. The story, however, was clever, if a bit far fetched. I struggled through the first 2 thirds, but the ending made the struggle worthwhile.
This was an interesting take on a story that has been told before around what really happens if you win the lottery. The story is told from a few different perspectives, but mainly focuses on Lexi and her daughter Emily. Lexi and her husband Jake are part of a close-knit group of 6 friends who have played the lottery together every week for 15 years. There is a rift amongst the group, and lo and behold, the winning numbers come up right after. Lexi and Jake win $17M but there are a lot of questions around hw the money should be split, and a lot of bad behavior between the 6 friends.
I admit, I spent most of this book stressed out about how irresponsible Lexi and her family were with the money and doing math in my head around every cent they spent. Not sure if the author intended that much suspense around what they did with the money, but I am frugal at heart! There is MUCH more going on with this story than just what they do with the money, though- there are more than a few twists in the book revolving around various lies and backstabbing between this group of people (and their kids). Some of the twists were somewhat predictable but there were a couple that really surprised me.
There was a lot of excitement in this book, and the pace increased as the story continued. I did think that some of the narrative was a little repetitive, with time spent on them continuing to spend money on the same stuff, and dialogue around the right things to do with the money, not to mention Emily's obsession with her boyfriend. I think the first half of the book could cut back on a little of that to move at the same pace as the second half of the book.
All in all, this was a good read, and is about much more than just winning the lottery. I'd recommend it to those who read domestic suspense and psychological thrillers. 3,5 stars rounded up. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
TEN STARS!
One of the best mystery/suspense novels I've ever read, and I've read hundreds. Ten stars to this author, riveting plot, shocking ending, wonderful characterizations, and excellent excellent writing. Some people can write, but others can REALLY write! Sorry to use so many adjectives to describe this book, but I was blown away. I even read it a second time, staying up until 3 a.m.
Thank you for sharing this book with me. I loved every single page and hope those who enjoy reading will read this one. It is not to be missed. Wear a mask, stay safe, and read this book!
Just My Luck by Adele Parks is a domestic drama that encompasses all of the rich characterization, intrigue, and edginess that we have come to expect from this author. This is definitely one to immerse yourself in fully, you will not want to put it down.
We all dream of winning the lottery. How much simpler would life be if only we had millions in the bank, just waiting for the opportunity to enrich our lives in ways we do not possibly even dare to dream? When Lexie and her husband Jake win a payout of millions, it seems the answer to all of their prayers. Or is it only the start of a nightmare that will test their family and friendships in unimaginable ways?
This is Adele Parks at her best, and I was fully invested in this twisty tale from the very start. The novel, while exceptionally entertaining and undeniably addictive, also provides some very valid food for thought.
Many thanks to NetGalley and HARLEQUIN - Trade Publishing (U.S. & Canada) for the opportunity to read an ARC.