Only if You're Lucky
Author Stacey Willingham
Available now!

Thank you, @minotaur_books and @netgalley, for my #gifted e-arc of Willingham's latest psychological thriller! I was so excited to read it that I also ordered it for my BOTM pick!

This one is wild! There's always that one girl, right?! And that one girl always seems to show up at the wrong time... like when you're grieving the death of your best friends, right in the beginning of your college years when you're vulnerable and insecure enough to miss the waving red flags, just as you're ready to try and fit in and feel accepted by a new group of friends...

Enter Lucy - who came out of nowhere and grew Margot right in. What's not intriguing about her? She's gorgeous, mysterious, and everything that Margot is not. And now they're living together with two other girls in an off- campus house rented from a bunch of fraternity boys. Trouble.

And then, just when things start to feel comfortable, someone shows up from Margot's past, one of the fraternity brothers is brutally murdered, and Lucy is missing.

I was questioning everything and everyone and read this one like someone on a mission to get to the bottom of this psychological twisty mess! The end was wild! The whole book was wild, and I loved it!

Before I picked up this new thriller, I heard from a few people that it was more of a slow burn, and I’m glad I had that heads up going into it because it helped to manage my expectations.

This twisty thriller surrounding a tight-knit group of friends in college was full of shocks and surprises. Despite a lot of things going on, it is true that it was more of a slow burn. It took a while for it to unravel and at times I felt a little bogged down in all that was going on. I decided to listen on audio because I knew if it was slower, as people were saying, it would be hard for me to get into in print and I’m glad I went that route.

One complaint I have is I wished there was more character development. I know thrillers aren’t known for deep character study, but in this book, I didn’t feel like I knew any of the characters as people at all. It made it hard for me to connect to the characters or really feel invested in the story.

As far as thrillers go, it did deliver with shocking surprises and twists, especially at the ended but I don’t know if it was worth what it took to get there. If you do decide to pick this one up, I highly recommend it on audio. The narrator was great and I don’t think I’d have made it through in print.

Another suspenseful novel from Stacy Willingham! This novel follows a group of college-aged women. Lucy is the ringleader. Margot (the MC) is a bit shy. There's also Sloane and Nicole. They hang out with a fraternity a lot. Suspicions rise when one of the brothers winds up dead and Lucy disappears. This was not my favorite of SW's books! Only If You're Lucky is a bit more character-driven and dragged.

Margot meets Lucy Sharpe at the end of her freshman year. Margot is a bit of a rule follower so it is a shock when Lucy singles her out to become her friend. Lucy is charismatic and a bit dangerous and Margot is drawn to her like a bee to honey. As their friendship, if you want to call it a friendship, develops Margot realizes there is more to Lucy than meets the eye…MUCH MORE!

Margot, at first, seems to be a bit of a goody two shoes. But don’t worry, Lucy is the perfect counterpart, or is she. This is a tale full of secrets! And I mean BIG SECRETS!

I have read two of this author’s other books; All The Dangerous Things and A Flicker in the Dark . I have given both of these books 5 stars. This book fell a bit short for me. Now…this is just my opinion. This story is very slow moving. It could also have been about 100 pages shorter. That being said, I do enjoy a story with family secrets and this one has a doozy!

The narrator is one of my absolute favorites, Karissa Vacker. She is probably the reason I continued to read this tale. She is one of the bests!

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

𝘼 𝙨𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙥 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙬𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙮 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙡𝙤𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙤𝙛 𝙛𝙚𝙢𝙖𝙡𝙚 𝙛𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙥.

Stacy Willingham has such interesting concepts with her thrillers, so far I’m not sure if any will be for me. However, I know her thrillers are so beloved so take my review with a grain of salt.

I mostly did this via audio, but I also had the ebook handy. I was immediately pulled into the story with the college setting and friendship group. As the story progressed, I began to lose interest.

I did love how the story focused on friendship and the setting was super tense. I could see why this story and author would work for other readers.

While the story was well written and the characters were strongly developed, there was a lot of inner monologues I didn’t care for. The middle also began to drag and got repetitive. It also read very YA at times and I didn’t care for the ending.

Overall, I wasn’t super obsessed with this book, but it wasn’t terrible by any means. It had its fun and intense moments. I could see others enjoying this more than I did.

Thank you so much NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the ARC and Macmillan Audio for the ALC in exchange for my honest review!

I’m a huge fan of this author’s work and I was excited to be approved to read and review ONLY IF YOUR’E LUCKY.

Margot is starting her first year of college without her ride or die best friend Eliza who died in an accident the summer before. Margot is so grief stricken she barely manages to get through each day without breaking down. Soon she meets another student, Lucy, who she is instantly drawn to. Lucy is everything Margot wants to be. Outgoing, spontaneous, and carefree. Lucy invites Margo to room with her and two other roommates, Sloane and Nicole and Margot thinks she has scored a new best friend. What follows is a story filled with jealousy, obsession, toxic friendships and secrets.

This is Willingham’s best book yet! I really enjoyed the college setting and the dynamics between all three girls. Lucy had a magnetic personality and could convince anyone to do what she wanted. I liked how the chapters were set up BEFORE and AFTER and how the AFTER chapters always ended on a cliffhanger. I love cliffhangers and I couldn’t wait to see how everything tied up in the end. There were some twists towards the end that were shocking 😮.

I am normally not a fan of slow burn mysteries, but this author’s writing sucks me in every time. I have read all of her novels, and I cannot wait to see what she comes out with next!

Thank you @minotaur_books for gifting me this ARC.

Read if you like:

• Slow burn mysteries
• Stories centered around university life/college town
• Before/after dual timelines
• Unlikeable characters to root against

This a mystery novel about a group of friends and all the secrets they keep hidden. Before long all those secrets are going to come out and someone will end up dead.

I love reading novels like this that revolve around toxic friendships because it just gives more to the story and how anything can happen.

I really enjoyed this book. I thought the mystery kept me reading and wanting more after every page. I’ve read all of Stacy Willingham’s novels so far and I will continue to read her future novels.

Just a couple of girls. That's all they are. Dealing with a horrible experience-the death of a classmate. Which is something at least one of them knows all too well. Only if Your Lucky has so far been my favorite book by Stacy Willingham so far.

*Thank you to @Minotaur_Books for providing an advanced copy of this book for review consideration via @netgalley. All opinions below are my own.*

Stacy Willingham has been one of my favorite authors since her 2022 debut, A Flicker in the Dark. So, when I saw Only If You’re Lucky available to request on NetGalley, I submitted a request and crossed my fingers. I feel so lucky (pun slightly intended) to have had the chance to read this before its release. And, to put it simply, it did not disappoint.

Only If You’re Lucky is a psychological thriller about a group of four girls who meet at college and, despite their differences, become best friends who would do anything for each other. For Margot, college is a chance to start fresh after the death of her best friend, and being asked to live in a house with the magnetic Lucy Sharpe is an offer she can’t refuse. But when a fraternity boy living next door is murdered and Lucy goes missing, Margot might not be feeling so lucky anymore.

I know it’s only January, but I can safely say this book will make it onto my top reads of 2024 list. As usual, Stacy Willingham combines her gorgeous writing with brilliant plotting and pacing, leaving just enough clues to make you think you know what’s going on before a twist pops up to leave you reconsidering everything. To say I was invested in this story and unable to put the book down is an understatement. If you’re looking for a thriller that is sure to keep you guessing (and, if you’re like me, make your jaw drop), I highly recommend Only If You’re Lucky.

This was my first Stacy Willingham book and it certainly isn't my last! When I first heard about this book, I was immediately drawn to the thriller set on a college campus. College is such an interesting time where you really are just at the mercy of those around you. Colleges are more dangerous than I think we really talk about. In my time at university myself, we had 8 deaths including a double murder-suicide and 2 suspicious deaths. Colleges often don't have cameras on campus either - I know mine didn't. While I like reading these types of dark academia books now, I also was lucky enough to make it out safely. I can acknowledge that dark things happen on college campuses. I think that is part of the reason that I enjoyed this book so much, because the thrill of dark academia for me is that the events could plausibly happen. I can honestly say that I did not see the twist of this book coming! I love that in a thriller. My only disappointment was the length. I think some parts could have been cut down to make this a little shorter. I had A Flicker in the Dark on my shelf so I immediately started that when I finished this book - I never read 2 of an author's books in a row!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for my advanced copy of this book.

I was provided an advanced copy of this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Stacy Willingham's "Only If You're Lucky" takes readers on a thrilling journey into the intricate world of academic intrigue, drawing subtle parallels to Donna Tartt's masterpiece, "The Secret History." Willingham weaves a captivating tale that combines mystery, suspense, and a rich exploration of the complexities within tight-knit academic circles.

The novel follows a group of college friends whose lives take a dark turn when a series of mysterious events unfolds. From the outset, Willingham skillfully builds an atmosphere of foreboding, reminiscent of Tartt's ability to immerse readers in an enigmatic and unsettling narrative.

The strength of "Only If You're Lucky" lies in its well-drawn characters, each harboring secrets and insecurities that add layers to the unfolding drama. The dynamics within the group are intricately explored, creating a sense of tension and unease that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.

The narrative structure, alternating between past and present, enhances the suspense, gradually revealing the layers of the characters' relationships and the events that shape their futures. Willingham's prose is both evocative and precise, capturing the essence of academia's intellectual fervor and the darker undercurrents that lie beneath the surface.

The nod to Donna Tartt's "The Secret History" is unmistakable, and fans of Tartt's work will likely appreciate the homage paid by Willingham. While "Only If You're Lucky" stands on its own as a compelling and original story, the echoes of Tartt's influence add an extra layer of enjoyment for those familiar with the classic novel. Stacy Willingham's "Only If You're Lucky" is a must-read for fans of academic mysteries and those who appreciate the subtle complexities of interpersonal relationships. Willingham delivers a gripping narrative that captivates from beginning to end, showcasing her talent for crafting a tale of suspense and intellectual intrigue.

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the E-ARC. I was really excited for this book because I saw everyone was reading it on Booksta . But unfortunately this book did not do it for me not in that way. There were certain I like that it went back and forth but there were 2 past and were not labeled and sometimes it was kind of like which part am I at. The last 90 percent of the book was on point not even gonna lie but that was not enough to change my mind on this. Ive read 2 other books by this author and will continue to read more.

This was a slower paced mystery that I found to be a bit hard to read to the end..
There are a lot of characters which were hard to keep up with. The timeline switching seemed to be the issue for me.
The ending did come as a surprise to me.
Overall, a ok read.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Only if You're Lucky is a slow burn mystery thriller read that follows shy Margot as she's swept under popular girl Lucy's wings.

I enjoyed the story; it was entertaining and it had some great twists. It just didn't seem very original or unique - I feel like I've read or seen a show/movie very similar to it. It just felt lackluster. Although it wasn’t my cup of tea, I know many people that will enjoy it!

Thank you, Minotaur, and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for a review.

I read this in one day! A great binge. Loved the twists! I was completely hooked into this story - the girls - the boys - the house. Loved every second. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

I hated all of the females in this book. I did not trust them and I honestly wanted to throw something at them. Probably because of their age, but maybe their personalities too? However, for maybe the first time ever, my dislike of the majority of the characters actually drew me into this book. I could not put it down. I wanted to know which of my feelings were valid and which ones the author tricked me into. I found that the switching back and forth between timelines was done incredibly well - and instead of leaving me confused, left me wanting more. The ending was mostly surprising, although not 100% believable, in my opinion. Overall, a very well done and enjoyable Psychological thriller. I was sucked into the book from the start and was disappointed when it ended.
Thank you netgalley for my advanced reader copy.

Fantastic. Stacy did amazing with this one. It kept me intrigued and wanting more. The twists were *chefs kiss*. Multiple pov that was done right with a slow burn that kept you hanging on.

This novel masterfully weaves a tale of psychological complexity, delving into the murky depths of human nature and the struggle between darkness and light. It presents an enthralling mix of suspense and dark academia. Central to this narrative are female characters, each cloaked in mystery and holding secrets close to their chests.

The protagonist, Margot, is caught in the throes of grief following her best friend Eliza's untimely death. Determined to honor their shared dream, Margot enrolls in the liberal arts college in South Carolina that Eliza had chosen, setting off on a path fraught with emotional turmoil. In the midst of her struggle, she encounters Lucy, a transfer student shrouded in rumors and mystery. Margot, along with the sarcastic Sloane and the gentle Nicole, is drawn into a new, unexpected dynamic when Lucy offers her a chance at reinvention.

As the story unfolds, the narrative shifts between past and present, revealing hidden connections and secrets. The enigma surrounding Levi, Eliza's boyfriend and the last person to see her alive, adds another layer of suspense. The plot thickens when Lucy's and Levi's fates become intertwined, leaving readers questioning their roles in the unfolding drama.

The book's pacing is deliberately slow, yet this heightens the suspense, keeping readers hooked with short, impactful chapters. While some plot twists might stretch credulity, they are mostly cleverly conceived and well-executed, contributing to a narrative rich in shock and surprise. The atmosphere is consistently eerie, underpinning a story that, despite some less likable characters, is compelling due the wonderful writing!

Thanks to the publisher for the eARC!

📖 Only If You’re Willing
🖊️ Stacy Willingham

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Another great thriller/mystery by Stacy Willingham!

The last 25-30% of this book was so good, and so compelling. I will say this one took longer to grab my attention, and it might have gotten a lower rating from me if it weren’t for the end and how it all came together. I have loved Stacy’s other books, so I knew it’d be great overall, and I wasn’t disappointed.

College students
Frat parties
Multiple mysterious deaths
Plot twists galore

I was shocked the last quarter of the book & I’m always amazed at how Stacy can pull these stories together and literally have my jaw on the floor with her twists.


Thank you @netgalley and @minotaur_books for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review. As always, Stacy crushed it and I can’t wait to read her next book!