Muchemi-Ndiritu's debut novel was a mixed bag for me. On the positive side, the depictions of Kenyan society, especially the peek into Masai culture, grabbed my attention. This novel was a refreshing look at a young woman's coming of age and her attempt to bridge cultures and generations. I loved some of the descriptions, such as the descent into the Rift Valley (I lived for a short while in Kenya in a Masia town near this spot, and the author's depiction took me right there). I always want to explore the unfamiliar, so kudos for bringing this story to Western readers.

However, several elements of the book didn't work for me. As historical fiction, I often felt the voice and references were too muddied with modern concepts. There were moments when the lead character, for example, was using a cell phone at a time when few people had access to these new devices. What detracted most from the story was how the author set up discussions between characters. They would often meet for a meal or some other activity, and then one character would lecture the other about some societal topic. As a reader, it felt more like being lectured to than being emersed in a story. Also, some storylines were left hanging, especially the side story about the half-sister.

Thanks to NetGalley for giving me access to an electronic ARC in exchange for a review.

This is an excellent coming-of-age story and debut novel. Some of the beliefs the characters state (i.e., Soila's discussions of her upbringing in Kenya and African cultures vs. other characters' experiences growing up as Black folks living in America) feel prescriptive--lots of telling rather than showing--but overall its an effective technique to outline issues that should be considered more (especially by white folks). The scenes with Soila's mom are infuriating and tragic, but again, these difficult circumstances are necessary to showcase. The ending is surprisingly heartwarming (in the best possible way).

Thoughtful and thought provoking. Soila lived in privilege in Kenya but she was also abused in so many ways. When she flees to New York, a whole different world opens up but then she begins to understand what the color of her skin means. This takes in the 1990s and early 2000s. Soila is a sympathetic protagonist you'll root for. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

A beautifully written coming of age story in which Soila, a young Kenyan woman, travels to the US for college, finds love, loses love, and ultimately discovers who she really wants to be.

This book makes a lot of interesting comparisons between life in the US vs. Kenya and (thankfully) lets the reader come to their own conclusions about Soila's decisions.

Lucky Girl was an incredibly written, multilayered novel about growing up under our parents expectations. I loved this book way more than I thought I would. It was very real and the characters were all well written. Some of the real life events in the book were heartbreaking. I really, really enjoyed this book and I will definitely look forward to this author’s next book!

An incredible coming-of-age story about a Kenyan woman, Soila who travels to the USA for school. While in school she is confronted by the vast differences when it comes to poverty, racism, culture, and how her own beliefs have the potential to be prejudiced.
I liked how being in America did open Soila’s eyes to these differences and helped her to connect with her half sister.
This was a very eyeopening read when it comes to such topics, while also taking on other important topics such as: predators, religion, abortion and Alzheimers.

This is a poignant and lovely story. It tells the story of Soila and spans several years. The story tells of family secrets and the love that binds them. It is also a love story between a man and a woman. This talented author does a magnificent job weaving this tale. It is at times sad and hits on major catastrophic events. This is countered with moments of joy leading to the beautiful end.

Lucky Girl is a book described as "A fresh look at racism, privilege, and the challenges of coming-of-age and falling in love between two cultures." Lucky Girl is about this and so much more. Soila was raised by her mother in Kenya. Her father died when she was five years old. Soila's mother is a very dominating mother, like many mothers in Kenya. Her mother has told Soila her entire life what she expects from her. However, what Soila wants and what her mother wants are two different things entirely. To make things even worse, the things that Soila wants are things her mother disapproves of.

Soila moves to the United States to attend college. Here she is exposed to the vast differences between her culture and Black American culture. Soila also realizes that many things that she now knows will make her happy, her mother would never approve of. As Soila tries to balance her new life with her old, she is forced to make some very difficult decisions.

I loved this book. It is about so many things. Although it maybe starts a little slow, it soon picks up and will keep you wanting to read to see what is going to happen next. I don't do this very often, but there was a quote in the book that I wrote down. Soila's mother had always told her "Every person, even the village idiot, knows something you don't--even the people you think are stupid know something you can learn from." How much better we all would be if we would remember this!

I received an ARC of Lucky Girl in exchange for an honest review.

So much packed into this debut novel. Told through the perspective of Soila, a Kenyan girl who grows up sheltered, privileged, & longing for freedom. After moving to NYC in the 90s, all her beliefs are challenged, and she’s forced to choose between her Kenyan identity or create her own path. Some parts were emotionally hard to read, but I’m so glad I read this book. **Trigger warning: one quick scene of assault

Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy!

Thanks to Net Galley and Dial Press, and Random House Publishing for the ARC! Really enjoyed Soila’s story. Soils grows up in Kenya and leaves for college in NYC. In NY, she struggles to find her place, to understand race relations, to fit in, to find balance between what she wants from life and how to honor her Kenyan culture and family. I learned a lot and really enjoyed the book.

If you loved maame you should read this book. A look at a sheltered woman’s coming of age. Her mother is very strict and after a harrowing sexual assault the main character heads off to new york where she finds love and herself. Great writing and it touches on a lot of important topics.

A beautiful story! I enjoyed the writing style and the characters. At points I would forget I had this (I have an issue and read a few books at a time) but always came back to it! Highly recommend

Soila is a young Kenyan girl who escapes to New York City in hopes of a better life. She is headstrong and fiercely independent and has felt suffocated by her mother's strict rule. However, New York doesn't turn out to be quite what she thought it would be. She witnesses poverty, racism, economic inequality, and frankly just how unfair the world really is.

This story was remarkable. My experiences with the issues Soila comes face to face with is limited, so I'm not even going to pretend to understand. But I can relate to an overbearing parent and waking up to a harsh reality when starting college and leaving home. It can be mind boggling. And disheartening.

The author did an incredible job of detailing the struggles Soila faced. Soila inspires me. Give this book a try. You will not be disappointed.

Do you ever judge a book exclusively by how it makes you feel? I felt like Soila's story became thin and shallow once she came to the US. The characters didn't have the same loving detail from the author. You need to show respect to all of your creations. I think there could have been more. It was a standard "coming of age" story.

The story is a coming of age story, starting from Soila's childhood in Kenya to her adulthood in New York City with the period appropriate historical events included. The writing is lyrical and the descriptions are vivid, instantly transporting the reader to the lemon tree in her mother's garden or the busy streets of Manhattan. All emotions will be felt as Soila's story unfolds, filled with family secrets, tragedies and triumphs. Once immersed in the story, the reader will become Solia's greatest cheerleader as she finds her voice and ultimate happiness.

Lucky Girl is a tender and thought provoking coming-of-age story. Soila is a young Kenyan woman who is eager to break free from her controlling and emotionally distant mother. Soila comes to NYC to attend college but finds that life in the United States isn’t exactly what she expected either.

Soila’s story is brimming with themes of love, loyalty, and independence. I loved the depiction of Soila’ female-centric family – mothers, daughters, aunts, and grandmother woven tightly together. I was heartbroken along with Soila when she feels duty-bound to leave her new life and return to Kenya to attend to family obligations. This book gave me so much to think about and made me wonder: what do we as daughters owe our mothers? What do we, as women, owe ourselves? This would be a perfect book club pick, with its many issues and nuances to unpack sure to inspire a rich discussion.

The novel’s unflinching examination of race is especially insightful, particularly the differences between the Black African and Black American experiences. Soila learns to acknowledge her privilege, challenge her assumptions and adapt her perspective on racism in America.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group, and Dial Press for providing me an advance copy of this book.

Lucky Girl follows Soila- born in Nigeria to a strong and demanding mother who loves her fiercely- but also at somewhat of a distance. Luckily she has her Aunts and her Keiko to shower her with affection. She loses her father at a young age and feels the expectations of her mother like a noose around her neck.

She convinces her mother to let her go to college in the US and this story follows her journey to find herself while trying to balance expectations, passion and cultural boundaries. This is a beautiful exploration of her experience as an African woman and the differences in racial experience vs. African American men and women.

She falls in love, but knows her mother will not approve. This story is a masterful look at self-discovery and listening to your heart. The ending is a tad too neat- but lovely all the same.

I feel like I learned so much about Nigerian family dynamics in this one and was part of this beautifully disfunctional family.

Highly, highly recommend! Thank you to netgalley and randomhouse thedialpress for the ARC to read and review. Pub day: 5/2/23

Soila has grown up in Kenya as the only child of a single, wealthy and powerful mother. Her mother is the oldest of five daughters and even though her own mother (Soila’s grandmother) is still alive, she is very much the family matriarch, very religious and rules with an iron fist. Soila’s dream is to attend university in the United States, something her mother is against. Her mother’s confidant and friend, Father Emmanuel intercedes on Soila’s behalf in a very sinister way and Soila is allowed to attend a university in New York City. The distance from her mother gives Soila a chance to experience a different life, make new friends and learn what it’s like to be black in America. However, even from a distance, Soila’s mother continues to direct her life and decisions around her career and relationships.
Wow! There’s a lot to unpack in this book! I don’t think I can begin to describe all the themes, issues and nuances and do it justice but I’ll get some thoughts down. I will say that the book moved slowly at times for me but the characters are well developed, giving it somewhat of a literary fiction vibe. The different cultures and ways to view racism is so thought provoking - the author does a great job of describing these issues and how complicated they are but I still feel like I need to roll them around in my brain. Soila’s struggles with understanding American racism vs. her African perspective is presented very well and is a concept that I hadn’t thought of. And the author’s example of white fragility involving Soila’s boyfriend, Aktenaken and her white friend, Molly is so spot on! I found myself becoming so frustrated with how Soila continued to allow her mother to influence all her decisions that I had to keep reminding myself that her Kenyan culture is something we Americans can’t fully understand. The characters of Atkenaten and Letitia are terrific - each with such different but rich perspectives on racism. Soila’s aunts can’t be overlooked - they each have terrific stories of their own. The inclusion of the 9-11 tragedy adds another complicated but compelling layer to the story. And I haven’t even touched on the themes of sexual abuse, abortion and family secrets, all addressed very skillfully but may be triggers for some readers. Soila’s devotion to her mother and Atkenaten’s devotion to Soila at the end of the book just made me love this book more! How did the author pack so much into a book that isn’t 1000 pages long?!What a great debut! Highly recommend!

My heart is swelling for this #ownvoices debut by Irene Muchemi-Ndiritu

LUCKY GIRL follows Soila as she leaves her home in Kenya to pursue university in NYC. Ambitious and a bit headstrong, Soila learns to navigate life in a new country, wrestles with familial obligations, and discovers what it means to forge her own path despite her mother’s wishes.

What I found most fascinating about this story was the cross-cultural exploration between African Americans and Africans living in America. The way Soila's worldview was shaped by growing up in a country where she was not a minority lies in stark contrast to the experience of her African American friends and colleagues.

As with Jessica George’s Maame, this is a coming of “young adult” age story that will have you rooting for Swelah.as she redefines womanhood, faith, and relationships on her own terms in the face of stifling cultural expectations.

RATING: 4.5/5 (rounded up to 5 stars)
PUB DATE: May 2, 2023

READ IF YOU:
-Appreciate hearing from a unique voice
-Enjoyed Maame by Jessica George
-Love a cross-cultural family story

"Lucky Girl" is a coming-of-age story about a young Kenyan woman who longs to live her own life despite her overbearing and controlling mother. The idea for the story was good and I enjoyed reading it, but better writing would have made this story go from good to great. I found much of the dialog to be awkward and the lack of details prevented the characters from coming alive for me. The author's writing style is definitely more "tell the reader what is happening' rather than 'show the reader what is happening." To me, because of the simplistic writing, this book felt more like YA than adult fiction. The only exceptions were the scenes depicting the September 11th attacks on the World trade Center; here, the author's words made me feel the fear and taste the grit in the air.

This book did a very good job depicting the different views and experiences regarding racism of African Americans and Africans. I liked the frank conversations between the various characters about racism in the United States and I was educated right alongside Soila. I also liked reading about Soila's family's culture. I found the characters in Kenya much more developed than the characters in the United States; perhaps this was a purposeful plot device by the author, but I didn't care for it.

I look forward to reading more from this author and am interested to see how she matures as a writer. Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to read an advanced readers copy of this debut novel in exchange for my honest review.