6/10 - I realized while reading this that I don’t necessarily enjoy books where the main character is younger than me. This particular book takes place on a college campus, with the main character being a college student. It follows around a group of 4 girls, detailing the drama and trauma that surrounds them. As someone who has been out of college for over 5 years now, it is hard to relate to this book.

In the end, there were some plot twists that I did not see coming. Others came to light pretty quickly once the author gave a few clues. Overall, I didn’t love it, but I also didn’t hate it. I would definitely recommend this book for a younger/college student audience once it comes out in Jan of next year.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press / Minotaur Books and Stacy Willingham for sharing this digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

3.25 stars
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Grief, Child death, Death, Murder, Violence, Vomit, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Rape
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For as long as everyone remembers, Margot and Eliza have been the closest of friends. That is until Eliza tragically passes away three weeks after graduation. Having planned their entire lives together, Margot finds herself alone at Rutledge College. Although Margot vows to herself to live the life Eliza deserves she can't help but isolate herself during her first semester. That is...until she meets Lucy Sharpe. The two of them are polar opposites, Lucy stands out in a crowd and draws people in.

When Lucy offers Margot a room in her off-campus house, she can't seem to figure out why. Suddenly Margot is pulled into a lifestyle that isn't hers, it's the life that Eliza would have wanted. It doesn't take long before Margot's past starts catching up to her and forces her to come to terms with reality. This one was such a slow burn to me, but I think it's what the plot needed. I loved trying to piece everything together and figure out what was going on.

The book flashes between the past and the present, and we find out that a college frat boy next door has turned up dead, and Lucy is missing. Immediately we start to wonder how the two are connected, I would say that this book really starts to pick up at the 75% mark and becomes really thrilling, it seems that the end is filled with twists and turns that you don't see coming! From the start, we know that Lucy isn't what she seems and Margot has been told multiple times to not trust her (coming from Lucy's friends) but uncovering the truth was truly shocking.
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I would like to thank NetGalley, St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books, and the author for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Publication Date: January 16th, 2024

Margot is a quiet girl, never one to rock the boat, who finds herself living in an off-campus house with Lucy, a brash girl with a big attitude and big plans, and two of Lucy's friends. When one of the boys next door is found dead and Lucy goes missing, Margot knows she's in over her head.

I wanted to like this one so badly. I absolutely love this author. Her first two books were five stars for me. This one just didn't do it for me. It was a super slow burn and the characters are pretty much your basic teenage stereotypes. Possibly as a thirty-seven year old person I"m just not the audience for this one, maybe a younger crowd closer to college graduates would relate better and eat it up, but I really struggled.

I would still read anything this author puts out, I would just love to see an older cast of characters like the other books had.

Have you ever questioned your own ability to do something evil? Wonder why good people may do something bad? Then this book is for you!
I have read Stacy Willingham’s previous books and I will say If You’re Lucky is her best yet. This slow burn of a thriller will keep you guessing what will happen next.

Margot is trying to learn to live again after the loss of her childhood best friend, Lucy is the mystery girl that everyone wants to be. Sloane and Nicole are along for the ride. Four young women, all with secrets of their own and a friendships that will be tested in ways they never could have known.

The bonds of friendship took me back to my own college days and made me think about what I would do to protect those I care about. Are we all capable of being Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde? What will triumph? Good or evil?

Thank you NetGalley, Stacy Willingham, and Minotaur books for allowing me to receive and arc of this book.

Stacy Willingham's "Only if You're Lucky," an advanced reader copy graciously provided by NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, takes readers on a journey to a college campus, skillfully crafting a backdrop that juxtaposes the serene beauty of the outer banks with the decaying charm of the house behind Kappa Nu. Set to release on January 16, 2024, this novel offers a tantalizing blend of atmospheric storytelling and intriguing characters.

One of the highlights of the book is undoubtedly its setting. Willingham masterfully paints the picture of the house on campus, making it a character in its own right. The contrast between the idyllic outer banks and the dilapidated house adds depth to the narrative. The attention to detail, particularly in describing the azaleas, not only creates a vivid mental image but also cleverly weaves them into the story's fabric, giving them a symbolic significance that resonates throughout the book.

What sets "Only if You're Lucky" apart is the authenticity of its characters. Lucy and Margot are crafted with a depth that makes them feel like genuine individuals. Their actions and dialogues make sense in the context of their personalities, drawing readers deeper into their world. This authenticity is further emphasized by the acknowledgment that the house and fraternity in the story were inspired by real places. This real-world connection adds an extra layer of believability to the narrative, making it more immersive.

However, the book is not without its shortcomings. Mr. Jefferson's character raises some discomforting questions. While Margot may attempt to portray him as a good guy, his use of endearments like "honey" and solitary coffee meetings may come across as unsettling. It would have been beneficial for the author to explore alternative ways of depicting his character.

Another issue lies in the pacing of the narrative. The excessive use of wordy metaphors and analogies occasionally disrupts the flow of the story. These passages, while beautifully written, often feel like they distract rather than enhance the plot. They could benefit from a more judicious use that serves to foreshadow or build suspense effectively.

Margot's avoidance of her parents in favor of the Jeffersons is a plot point that requires further exploration. While it might have been intended to portray the Jeffersons as the perfect family, the reasons for Margot's actions are not sufficiently fleshed out. More insight into her relationship with her parents would have clarified why they seemingly accept her absence for extended periods, which, for most college students, would be unusual.

One of the book's major shortcomings lies in its ending. While it's acceptable that main characters have dark secrets, the revelation of these secrets in the final chapters feels rushed and inadequately explained. The use of italicized references to past dialogue to clarify the ending could have been executed more seamlessly. Key plot points should have been integrated more organically throughout the narrative to avoid the feeling of information overload at the end.

The intermittent use of "before," "after," and "now" in some chapters, while related to Lucy's disappearance, can be distracting when inconsistently applied. A more consistent approach would have improved the overall reading experience.

Chapter 66 emerges as a pivotal and engaging point in the story, but it leaves readers with unanswered questions. The audacious actions of the characters beg for further exploration, as it's challenging to believe that they could execute such a complex plan without any leaks. A deeper dive into the intricacies of their scheme would have added depth to the narrative.

In conclusion, "Only if You're Lucky" by Stacy Willingham showcases several strengths, such as its evocative setting and authentic characters. However, it does suffer from pacing issues, underdeveloped character dynamics, and an ending that demands more clarity and depth. The potential for a more profound exploration of the plot's complexities exists, and with some adjustments, this novel could reach even greater heights. Despite its flaws, it offers a unique reading experience that lingers in the mind, prompting contemplation long after the final page is turned.

Listen, there has to be a pretty apparent sense of where a story is going and why I should care in a contemporary thriller. It’s just not a good look to have a book be all description with little to no plot/character development… unfortunately, that’s what happened here. Lots of filler, weird and unlikeable characters, vague sentences… lots of telling and no showing. It’s a pass for me.

"Only If You're Lucky" by Stacy Willingham is a thrilling rollercoaster of a novel that had me hooked from the very beginning. With a plot that's filled with unexpected twists and turns, and characters you can't help but relate to, it's a definite must-read for anyone who enjoys a gripping mystery.

The reason for the minus half-star in my rating could have been a personal problem, but it was with the labeling technique that the author used. Until I got to know the characters, their relationships with each other, and their history of what led them to the current moments, the chapters labeled as "before" and "after" had me do a re-read in some chapters. I felt like there should also be a "current" or "during" label, as well. The plot transcended over these three periods in time, but the chapters weren't labeled as such, but rather up to the reader to figure out if the chapter switched to the "current."

The authors' storytelling ability is on par, if not above, of her previous novels. All characters have depth, even fringe characters, and are all crucial to the conclusion. I was blown away by the twists and turns of this novel and the references early on that came full circle in the end. The characters were authentic and relatable, as I easily became emotionally attached to them and their outcomes.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the chance to preview this in exchange for an honest review.
I was excited to read this as I've enjoyed the author's previous books. Unfortunately, I did not connect with the college- aged characters. It made the writing seem immature and awkward.
The storyline was implausible and the 'mystery' didn't start until nearly 70% of the way through.

I will be reading anything Stacy Willingham publishes - I just love her writing style! I really enjoyed her debut, Flicker in the Dark, then absolutely loved her follow-up, All the Dangerous Things, so I was thrilled to get an ARC of this. I'm from NY but have spent a lot of time in the Carolinas so I'm a big fan of her southern settings, and I find her language choices incredibly evocative.

The Greek life vibes of this were a bit different than the feel of her first two novels, but I was completely engrossed in the characters and the story. Like her other books, I gobbled it down trying (and failing) to guess the ending! The last 20% especially was chock full of reveals. I always love being surprised in a mystery, so I respect how she kept me guessing.

Definitely recommend!

I loved Stacy Willingham's other books, but this one dragged for me. The ending had a handful of twists I predicted, and I was never really invested in any of the characters. Thankfully, the pace picked up in the final third, but it was still not a favorite.

Definitely read this if you like dark academia. The college setting was perfect for this. I guessed some but not all of the things that went down in this book. It’s definitely a bit of a slow burn but in a good way. This is the third book I’ve read by this author and I’ve enjoyed them all. This comes out in January!

Thank you NetGalley for eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was so excited to see I'd been granted approval to read and review the eARC of Stacy Willingham's newest book, "Only If You're Lucky"! I've recently discovered this author, and now anything she comes out with is a must-read! Although this one didn't pull me in quite as much as "A Flicker in the Dark", which I read recently and found to be super fast-paced and engaging, it was still quite enjoyable to read. I liked the college setting and all the friendship drama, so if you're into that sort of psychological thriller, I would definitely recommend!
Thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Stacy Willingham for this ARC!

Margot hopes that her time in college will erase the pain she suffered when she lost someone she loved. When she meets Lucy, she thinks she has finally found a friend who can pull her out of her sad life. She winds up sharing a house with Lucy, Sloane,and Nicole, and for a while, is finally moving beyond her grief.
But the person she’s becoming may not save her from her self and her secrets. I had my suspicions about some of the things that were going on, but not the biggest reveal. There were several, but there was one I just didn’t see coming at all. The chapters just flew as I attempted to figure out what was actually going on. I would say that the plot seemed a bit more of a slow burn than the authors last books, but it was still one heck of a ride.

Yet again another LOVE! The plot was full of the twists and turns that keep you on your toes! Definitely got sucked in, and finished in one sitting. If your in a book slump this page turner will definitely grab you by the throat and take you for a ride!

This one felt a little slow until the 25-30% and I felt like the climax could have used a little extra substance. Only If You’re Lucky is a slow burn thriller set in a darker academia theme. I absolutely love dark academia and I feel like authors can do so much with that setting as a whole.

Margot, off to college alone without her best friend after her passing, befriends Lucy. As she makes more friends, her new ‘cool’ roommates Sloane and Nicole, things seem to skew and nothing is as it seems. After a frat boy next door is found murdered, and Lucy gone without a trace, Margot is determined to unravel the mystery within.

This novel, given its academia base, is packed full of envy, betrayal and a ton of secrets. The characters are well written, not ‘cookie cutter’ basic and memorable on their own. Willingham knows how to write a memorable ending with a handful of shocking unexpected twists without leaving any loose ends.

If you’re a fan of Pretty Little Liars, this will be a must read!

ONLY IF YOU’RE LUCKY 🍀 This is my third Stacy Willingham novel and it had a completely different feel than her other two. It was dark academia mixed with Pretty Little Liar vibes. I loved that part. I did find that it would drag you down really long rabbit holes and I would get bored. I also thought the explanations for one for the twists was a little weak and unbelievable but overall I enjoyed it. I do think fans of dark academia novels should give it a go. It is set to release January 16, 2024. ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Thank you, @netgalley and @stmartinspress for the free advanced copy in exchange for my honest review. #darkacademia #thriller #tbr #netgalley #stmartinspress

This book kept me guessing until the end... literally. The back and forth in the timeline kept my attention and was well executed. The red herrings were thrown in without obviously leading the reader to a conclusion but all the dots being connected at the end made a believable picture.

This is the first book by Stacey Willingham that I’ve read and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

It was a slow burn, but I’m a sucker for books with college settings, murder, and the slow unveiling of the murderer and the motive behind their actions.

thank you netgalley for the ARC! This is my 3rd book I’ve read by Stacy. The first 30% of this book was slow and took some time to get ramped up. Once it got going I couldn’t put this down. The setting was creepy and the ending kept me guessing till the very end!

The ending had a twist to it that brings everything all together but I kinda found this book to be boring