Margot recently lost her best friend and now she’s going to the college they were supposed to go to together. She spends most of her first year coped up in her room instead of partying or doing any of the typical college things.

At the end of the year, ‘it’ girl Lucy invites Margot to move in with her and two others into an off campus apartment owned by the fraternity next door. Not wanting to go home for the summer, Margot accepts and moves in with them. She soon finds out that someone from her past is joining the fraternity and she is not happy.

As the summer goes on and the new semester starts things begin to change for Margot. She starts coming out of her shell more and gets really close with the girls, especially Lucy. Weird stuff starts happening and Margot starts questioning everything.

This book threw me to say the least. There were multiple times where I thought I knew what was going on but then BAM plot twist. This story was so well written. The characters were amazing - each playing the part needed to in order to make you think you knew the answers when you really had no idea until the very end. I could not put this book down. The story is written in a before and after format which I tend to enjoy because I’m always trying to figure out when the timelines will meet and if I have all the information yet.

This book is definitely worth the read if you’re into who-done-it, unpredictable plot, dual timeline type stories. I read another book by this author last year and really enjoyed it so I had high hopes for this one and was not disappointed.

Thank you, NetGalley and Minotaur Books for this arc in return for an honest review.

This book was a wonderfully twisty thriller. To keep me guessing until the very end is a tough feat but the author did it!

3 stars. This was a slow but that kept me entertained and wondering who was the killer and where did Lucy go. Compared to her other previous books, this one was ok. I think it was difficult to make a connection with some of the characters as we are told a story in a way that seems like we are in the middle of the "fog". I didn't like some of the characters, specially Lucy. There was something about her since the beginning that made me super uncomfortable. Also, they talk about how the guys "used them" but besides Nicole and her boyfriend I didn't see any other altercation. What rescues this book to be a lower rating is the plot twist at the end. I wasn't really expecting that!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and St Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books for the ARC of Only if You’re Lucky by Stacy Willingham.

Only my 2nd book that I’ve picked up by Stacy Willingham, but both times I’ve greatly enjoyed them. In this one, you learn about Margot and her best friend from high school. Introduce the boy, Levi, who comes between them. Then Margot goes off to college and you meet her new friends, and here comes Levi again. What is thread that times them together. How are all these players connected? The twist at the end is one I did not see coming. I had thought I knew how it was going to end, but was I wrong!!

Easiest five stars I've given to a book this year! Did I expect anything less than perfection? No. Not coming from Stacy Willingham. This author DELIVERS twisted thrillers that will have you gasping from page one until the end!

How far would you go to protect your friends? Only if You're Lucky is a dark and twisted tale of friendship.

I'm a sucker for college thrillers and from the very first couple of pages I knew this one was going to be *chefs kiss*.

Only if You're Lucky is a slow burn, and I'm not always the biggest fan of slow burn thrillers because sometimes I lose interest. Not with this one though! It was a slow burn that I could not get enough of. I read this entire book in one sitting, I forgot about my own life for a few hours because this book had me in a chokehold.

The two major twists had me actually gasp. I had to stop reading just to comprehend what in the heck I had just read. I LOVED it though!

Margot is shy and always careful when she meets Lucy at the end of her freshman year. Lucy invites Margot to move in with her and her roommates Sloane and Nicole. Margot has past trauma after the accidental death of her best friend the summer after graduation. She has been trying to navigate college without her and Lucy changes everything for her. She becomes part of a close circle of friends and starts having fun again. But one weekend, everything changes when one of the neighbor fraternity boys is found dead and Lucy goes missing.

This is a story of complex relationships, secrets, trauma bonding, loyalty and betrayal. Full of twists until the very end.

Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Stacy Willingham for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and St Martins Press for this eArc of Only If You’re Lucky. Stacy Willingham has quickly become one of my favorite authors. This book was a bit different than her previous two books, but I still really enjoyed it. I loved that I was trying to figure out the story the whole time and she always writes interesting characters.

What I enjoyed:
•dark academia
•dual timeline
•psychological
•twists
•atmospheric

I do highly recommend this on audiobook. This had a bit of a slower pace, but the narrator did a great job and I never really lost interest. Pick this one up and head to the pool or the beach!

Margot is a timid young woman starting college when she is swept into the orbit of Lucy, who seems a suitable replacement for Margot's deceased friend Eliza. The school year unfolds in parties, drinking, drugs, and wild times at Lucy's insistence, but Margot is wary of the frat house next door and a boy who could undo her current life. But Lucy is more connected to Margot than she's admitting and Margot and the other housemates need to decide the best way to solve their problems with Lucy.

Stacy Willingham can seriously write a thriller.

No recap or summary because I personally prefer to go into thrillers blind.

Only if You're Lucky is the second book I've read by this author and she knocked it out of the park. This story had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. I NEEDED to know what was going to happen next. I was not expecting the majority of what happened in the storyline, but I guessed bits of the ending.

I would highly recommend this title if you enjoy this genre. Thank you to Stacy Willingham, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

After reading a few books from this author, I am finding them to be ok thrillers. I enjoy the book enough to finish, but not sure I would consider any of them a new favorite. If you enjoy thrillers I recommend picking up this author.

Only if You're Lucky is another twisty novel by Stacy Willingham, following a group of girls at college. The main character is Margot, who is lost at college after the death of her best friend, when she meets enchanting Lucy. While the book was interesting and had lots of twists and drama, none of the characters were particularly likable so it was hard to care about the outcome.

I enjoyed the story and the whole obsessive roommate aspect. The college setting is fun as it brings in a different sense of 'danger' as there is so much that goes on at a college and there's lots of opportunity for risk, changes, and unknowns.

"Only If You're Lucky" by Stacy Willingham is a captivating and suspenseful exploration of female friendship, loyalty, and betrayal that will keep readers on the edge of their seats from beginning to end.

The story follows Margot, a shy and cautious college student who finds herself drawn into the orbit of Lucy Sharpe, a charismatic and enigmatic figure. When Lucy invites Margot to room together in an off-campus house with two other girls, Sloane and Nicole, Margot sees it as an opportunity to break out of her shell and embrace a new, more exciting life.

As the year progresses, Margot becomes increasingly entangled in the lives of her roommates, forming close bonds with each of them despite their differences. But when a fraternity boy is murdered and Lucy goes missing, Margot finds herself thrust into a dangerous and unsettling mystery that threatens to unravel everything she thought she knew about her friends.

Willingham expertly navigates the complexities of female friendship, delving into themes of envy, loyalty, and the blurred lines between love and obsession. The suspense builds steadily throughout the novel, keeping readers guessing until the shocking conclusion.

With its compelling characters, intricate plot, and atmospheric setting, "Only If You're Lucky" is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers and suspenseful mysteries. Willingham's sharp prose and skillful storytelling make this novel an addictive and unforgettable read.

This was such a disappointment m, I love Stacy Willingham for her fun and fresh thrillers but this was just…bland. The plot was interesting in theory but the book just felt predictable and not up to par with Stacy’s previous writing.

2 stars

⭐️ ⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I have long been a fan of Stacy Willingham, this book came up a smidge short for me compared to how much I absolutely LOVED her other two novels before this one. A victim of her own success in my eyes, it was going to be very hard to measure up.

That being said, this book was edgy, addicting to read, thrilling, and the characters were thoroughly developed. I loved the mystery elements of events that had happened in a hometown vs. college campus. The ending was a surprise as well, which was great.

The alternating viewpoints were a bit confusing at first, but once I got the elements of the plot configured in my mind, everything flowed together better. A lot of characters to keep straight, but it works.

Can only hope to read more by this author in the future! 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

What.a.dud. I finished this book with a wish that I hadn’t. It was drawn out drama with a lackluster conclusion.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Stacy Willingham for providing a digital ARC of this novel through NetGalley!

I was so excited to see this as an ARC available, as I was a huge fan of A Flicker in the Dark. This one did not disappoint! It was a slow burn of suspense and young adult experiences in college connected with dark pasts and mystery.
The characters were frustrating (in a good way) and I was constantly trying to figure out what the ending would bring me. I was engulfed in the storyline and it kept me wanting to pick up the book and ignore my other responsibilities, which is always a good thing.

I'm grateful for the opportunity to read this and I'll continue to pick up anything from Stacy Willingham!
#netgalley #onlyifyourelucky

"Only If You're Lucky" by Stacy Willingham presents a gripping tale of friendship, betrayal, and the consequences of living life on the edge. Set against the backdrop of a liberal arts college in South Carolina, this novel follows the transformation of Margot, a shy and reserved freshman, who finds herself drawn into a dangerous world of mystery and intrigue.

The story revolves around Margot's relationship with Lucy Sharpe, a charismatic and enigmatic figure who captivates her from the moment they meet. Willingham deftly explores the dynamics of their friendship, highlighting the allure of Lucy's larger-than-life personality and the insecurities that lie beneath Margot's surface. As Margot becomes increasingly entangled in Lucy's world, she finds herself confronting her own desires and fears, leading to a series of unexpected twists and turns.

What sets "Only If You're Lucky" apart is its exploration of the complexities of female friendships and the dark underbelly of college life. Willingham delves into themes of identity, power, and the consequences of reckless behavior, painting a vivid portrait of a group of young women navigating the murky waters of adulthood.

However, while the novel's premise is intriguing and the character development is strong, the pacing can feel uneven at times. The plot meanders in places, and certain narrative threads are left unresolved, leaving readers with more questions than answers.

Additionally, some readers may find the portrayal of certain characters, particularly Lucy Sharpe, to be lacking in depth and nuance. While Lucy is undeniably magnetic, her motivations and actions often feel exaggerated and unrealistic, making it difficult to fully invest in her character.

In conclusion, "Only If You're Lucky" is a compelling read that offers a thought-provoking exploration of friendship and self-discovery. While it may falter in pacing and characterization at times, its engaging plot and evocative themes make it a worthwhile addition to the genre. Fans of psychological thrillers and campus dramas will find much to enjoy in Willingham's sophomore novel.

I have really enjoyed both of Stacy Willingham's previous works - A Flicker in the Dark and All The Dangerous Things, so I was looking forward to this outing.

As with both of her other books, the beginning presents itself as a very important scene. It sets the tone for the rest of the novel before flipping back in time and proceeding along two different timelines. Margot, a privileged girl from the Outer Banks of North Carolina is attending college while still grieving the death of her best friend, Eliza. When she's pulled into a friend group by a gregarious and well liked classmate, Lucy, she ends up living in a house next door to a fraternity. A frat that has a member that she blames for Eliza's death. When Lucy disappears after a frat member is murdered, Margot's life is thrown into even more turmoil.

The premise? Solid. The execution...not as solid. It felt like it took absolutely forever for anything to really happen here. There was so much time spent showing how Margot gets further and further attached to Lucy and dragged into her orbit, and endless comparisons to Lucy and Eliza. So much time was spent here that it felt like any other plot development was rushed. I got bored/tired of the constant comparison, and I think it could have been done with a much lighter hand. The opportunity for learning more about Eliza in the backstory was there, but it was glossed over/rushed through. I think we could have gotten the same comparison between Lucy and Eliza in less time and it still have the same impact. There wasn't a lot of depth to the Eliza/Margot relationship because so much was spent on the aftermath of her death instead of showing their relationship leading up to it. At times I wondered why Margot was grieving as deeply as she was because it seemed she and Eliza weren't as close as the level of grief might suggest.

90% of the twists in this came at the very end, and several of them were quite predicable while one of them seemed completely implausible. I know you have to suspend disbelief when reading thrillers, but this required a little too much.

Overall, a decent read, but not my favorite of Willingham's.

So I thought this one sounded really interesting and was looking forward to reading it. We knew that the opening scene was going to be super important somehow and I was ready to uncover why. The story was split into before and after timelines. In the before we learn how the girls all became friends. Margot is still grieving the loss of her friend Eliza and she blames one of the fraternity boys for it. The after storyline is focused on the detective investigating Lucy's disappearance... a disappearance which the girls seem to know more about than they let on. I mean the book had all the super interesting elements to be amazing.

I just really struggled to stay engaged in the story because it felt like it took forever for anything to happen. I know we needed all the background on Margot and the friendship with Lucy... and the book spends most the time making Lucy this mysterious character who Margot attaches herself to because she reminds her of Eliza. I honestly got tired of the before storyline really quickly. I think we could have done a lot of that background in less time and achieved the same impact. I don't think we got enough of the after timeline for it to make enough sense. Like I really wanted more of that one to be honest. The book saved all the big twists for the end but like they just felt rushed. One of them was highly predictable and the others I think needed a bit more to them. I struggled to like any of the characters in this one and I think it played a huge role in my not enjoying this one.