Emma Fountain is currently drowning under her responsibilities, she has an ageing mother that needs lots of care, children that are stretching her financially and emotionally and a husband who she's trying to make time for too and the only thing that's keeping her grounded in all of this is knowing her best friend is there for her, so when Roz delivers some devastating news to her Emma is no longer sure what the future holds. Thurston Brancher is an octogenarian who has recently lost the love of his life, his wife of 62 years, Mary and he doesn't want to go on without her, but then he meets Emma and they strike up the most unlikely friendship where they immediately feel able to tell each other their troubles and woes. Could they each be what the other needs to see them through their darkest times?

Very Very Lucky is the latest work of this best selling author who, once again, puts pen to paper and creates something that is so relateable to many people. Told in alternating chapters this is the story of Emma and Thurston, who form an immediate friendship like no other from the minute that they meet and it could just be what they both need to stop them from unravelling. I absolutely adored both these characters, Emma because she always put everyone else first and never seemed to find a minute for herself and Thurston because he was such a lost soul without Mary and I just wanted to give him a great big hug and tell him he wasn't alone and these two proved that, with the right support network around you, anything is achieveable. This is another fabulous story of family, friendships, love, loss and grief told with the compassion and sensitivity that we've come to know and love from the reigning Queen of Drama and that crown is going nowhere anytime soon.

I'd like to thank Lake Union Publishing and Netgalley for the approval, I will post my review on Goodreads now and Amazon on publication day.

I’m a huge fan of this author, and this book was so well written
As someone who is living parts of the life that Emma is I instantly related to her
Raising children, and an aging mom and trying to carve out time for yourself is a lot harder than it seems
I enjoyed this book and you will not want to miss it

Touching story

Emma Fountain is tired. She is tired of being stuck in the middle, sandwiched between taking care of her aging Mom and her own family of a husband and 3 kids. So tired that she falls asleep in an IKEA display and is discovered by her Mom's neighbor. That's where the story starts, but the distance between there and where it ends are miles apart.

I feel like Emma's character is representative of so many women these days who are in the same position (but not in the IKEA bed). I recognized her guilt as something I've felt myself, did she do enough for her father when he was alive, is she doing enough now for her mother? On top of all that, her best friend Roz has found out that her cancer is back, long after the "all clear" celebration that she and Emma enjoyed, and at this point, she is not going to try any more.

I completely understood Thurston's frame of mind, as my father went through a similar time after my mother passed away. I don't think I fully appreciated it until reading this perspective, so thank you, Ms. Prowse. I recommend this book for any woman who feels stuck in the sandwich, or simply has or is struggling with life's challenges.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.

An Amanda Prowse book is a guaranteed good read without even looking at what the description says.
This story is an emotional read with some sad moments and some laugh out loud ones. Heart-breaking and heart-warming and a brilliant story that I feel privileged to have been given the opportunity to read an ARC. Many thanks to Netgalley for this opportunity in return for an honest review

What an uplifting story, although I will admit that I wasn’t expecting that. It’s a real heartfelt book that makes you realise that your family doesn’t have to be blood relatives, it’s your friends too.
One bit that I enjoyed reading was; when you see things that remind you of someone you’ve lost, think of them as little bits of glitter that brighten up your day.
I definitely recommend this book, even though I cried a lot!

This book is an absolute gem.

The narrative unfolds through alternating chapters, brilliantly capturing the lives of Emma, a struggling mother, wife, and daughter, and Thurston, an octogenarian widower. Each chapter is a perfectly crafted piece, with just the right amount of tension to keep you hooked. The themes of love, loss, family, and friendship are woven together in such a beautifully written manner that I found myself fully immersed, forgetting these characters aren't real—they felt incredibly authentic!

Every moment spent within the pages of this book was pure delight. Mandy has an incredible knack for creating such captivating stories that resonate deeply. It's a heartfelt thank you to Mandy for crafting these amazing narratives that touch the soul.

Also, immense gratitude to NetGalley and the publishing company for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review, allowing me the chance to experience this wonderful story.

I have read a few Amanda Prowse books but this is the best one I have read by far. It made me laugh and cry, both uncontrollably in parts. The blurb says that Amanda wants to write unputdownable books and I can safely say that she has succeeded. Brilliant!

I count myself, very very lucky to have found Amanda Prowse, because every book I have read by her has brought me so much joy.

The characters in this book are so relatable to me , Emma being part of the sandwich generation trying to work whilst looking after her children and her mother, with little or no time to herself. Thurston on the other hand who had recently lost his wife of many years and has a lot of time to think and question how he will exist without her.

When the two characters strike up an unlikely friendship , it was wonderful to see how they brought each other support and happiness.

This story was written with such compassion that it really pulled at my heartstrings. Everyone stage of life can bring its own challenges and the struggles we face can sometimes feel overwhelming but when shared with others they usually become more manageable.

I loved absolutely everything about this book, one that touched my heart. Thank you Amanda for another wonderful book!

What a beautiful story. The characters are all dealing with heavy matters that really touch you deeply. The story is relatable and raw. It’s dealing with loss, making new friends, enjoying what you’ve got right in front of you that many take for granted without realizing how special life is. It’s thoughtful, beautiful, and moving. I enjoyed the humor mixed in with the heavy. I had many laugh out loud moments and smiles on my face.

What rang deeply to me when finishing this story is that time is precious. Live life, love hard, and be kind. This story sure touches your heart.

A beautiful story of family, friends, and love that leaves you with a full heart, happy tears, and a smile on your face.

Emma could be you or I, she's in her 40's with 3 children, a loving husband, a part time job. She's also caring for her ailing mum, struggling for money with demands placed by children and has just received devasting news from her best friend.
Thurston is also struggling, the loss of his beloved wife of 62 years has hit him very hard, he wonders how to carry on. But then the 2 meet and what follows in the story is a story of love, friendship and survival.
This book is so typical of an Amanda Prowse book, she writes real life stories. Life isn't always perfect and tied up with a red ribbon and Amanda showcases this perfectly in the novel.
There's humour( I'll always make sure my hands are washed after chopping chillies IYKYK) and there's tears. But most of all there's affirmation of strength in numbers and the difference having support makes for your well being.
I was gifted this advanced copy from Netgalley and Lake Union publishing with no obligation to review

Oh what a fab book. So heart warming. Really relatable characters and very well written. Would highly recommend.

This is a story about friends, old and new, coming together for one another. Loved the humor and could completely relate to some of the craziness in the characters’ lives. If you enjoy family chaos and love, this is the book for you!

Very very Lucky is about people getting through life amidst it's curveballs, the little joys and big hiccups. The story overwhelms you at times much like life itself and also has its lighter moments.

Makes you feel grateful for the blessings you have, which may not seem like it in tough moments.

Amanda Prowse, Very Very Lucky, Lake Union Publishing, Jan 2024.

Thank you, NetGalley, for this uncorrected proof for review.

Once again Amanda Prowse brings together characters who, while showing their authenticity through various flaws, are at the same time people with whom it is easy to empathise. Their worries and joys are those of the reader, so firmly does the latter move into the world Prowse has designed. From a harried mother to an elderly grieving widow, the problems in Prowse’s characters’ lives resonate. A housewife and mother who takes on everything that confronts her, sensible or not, necessary or not, and a man who just wants to tie up loose ends, including his life, come together, find a way of surviving, and more. As usual, Prowse brings her characters to a warm and satisfying conclusion. Also, as usual, each has a complex journey with which the reader is compelled to take as well. Oh, and don’t forget the humour that intercedes every so often, another feature of Prowse territory.

Emma is happily married to Brendan, has three children, a part time job, and a newly widowed mother. Most importantly, her friend, Roz who provides both a comic intervention and sadness in her life, has news for her – delivered via her clambering up a ladder to the bathroom where Emma has retreated for some peace. Thurston has just lost his wife of over sixty years, has an abrasive sister, June, whose daughter Nancy is married to Andrew - a man Thurston and June consider a problem, and a precious dog.

Thurston and Emma’s stories interconnect, and their responses to this and their lives apart from the connection are told in alternate chapters. In many ways the story line is predictable. However, it is also satisfying in that the problems experienced by the characters are treated with care, the conclusions Emma and Thurston arrive at are developed from Prowse’s thoughtful representation of ideas and actions rather than startling revelation. Elderly people are given a voice through Thurston, but also through Emma’s mother and recollections of her father, and Thurston’s wife. Young people dealing with relationships, schooling and maturing are observed through Emma’s children – but also through Emma’s past.

Amanda Prowse can be considered an easy read, her domestic dramas and accessible satisfy these criteria. However, she also deals with complex topics and addresses them with concern for her readers. This might be particularly so with this novel, as Prowse explains at the beginning that her brother died when she was two chapters into Very Very Lucky. Or maybe this is the ideal she adopts whenever she is writing, and in this instance, she has done very well indeed.

"Very Very Lucky" by Amanda Prowse is a moving exploration of resilience and the strength of the human spirit. This poignant novel takes readers on an emotional journey through adversity and hope. Prowse's storytelling is both heartwarming and deeply affecting, leaving a lasting impact. A must-read for those seeking inspiration.

Emma's life is a whirlwind of trying to balance all of her responsibilities, including her mother who needs to be cared for after losing her husband. Meanwhile, Emma's husband tries to help with their 2 boys and hopes that Emma would just relax.

Amanda Prowse, a new to me author, has written a book you'll breeze through – it being both heartfelt and funny. And yet, it wasn't for me, all that drama. It raised so many questions...

Someone is struggling with mental health problems, but no counseling was mentioned. Things were financially dire, but saying no to a ski trip was not an option. There were three sets of people with difficulties or a labored relationship and in the end all of these people got along just fine which was rather predictable, and most of the loose ends beautifully tied up in a happy ending – it just doesn't sit well with me.

Plus: this book is flat regarding diversity when it comes to skin color, sexual orientation, religion, history, cultural background, you name it. Couldn't Nancy have been married to Anne instead of Andrew? Paddy being a man of color? It doesn't have to be a theme, but surely there are more flavors of the human kind. Unfortunately, I keep adding that to a lot of reviews on books I've read recently...

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Emma is reaching her breaking point. Between her family and her mom their is not enough hours in the day to get everything done. Thus book captures the life and times of what raising a family and looking out for your mom is like. I cant wait to read her next one.

This is one of my favourite authors and I couldn’t wait to get stuck into reading this. This author as always never fails to get to the heart of the human condition and take the reader on an emotional rollercoaster.

This book was beautifully written and moved me to tears at timesThe characters were well written and the story was written about real and relatable issues and amongst the sadness there were also some Humorous moments that made me laugh out loud.

A story of love and loss and how with a little help from friends everything can slowly move forwards and start to feel a bit brighter and gave hope.

Imagine that you're so exhausted that you just pop out to buy some plates, and the next thing you know, you're being woken up by your Mom's neighbour in Ikea, where you just lay down to rest for a bit.

Emma Fountain is overwhelmed by the demands of her life, her family, her job, and taking care of her mom. She's used to bending over backwards to do everything for everybody, and that leaves her exhausted, but she has never learnt to say 'no' to anyone.

Thurston is a grieving octogenarian, who has lost his wife after 60-plus years of marriage. He has nothing to live for and starts planning his suicide. To that end, he writes letters to his near and dear ones and decides how his property will be divided. He just hasn't found the correct time and place to go ahead with his plan.

Emma's ride-or-die is Roz (Rosalind), who is the one person to makes everything seem a little more manageable. One day, however, Roz delivers some very bad news to her, and she must now confront her worst fear that she may have to face the rest of her life without her dear friend.

Two people-Emma and Thurston-who are worlds apart, but find solace and friendship in each other after a chance meeting throws them together. Sometimes, when we can no longer cling on to the old, we have to make peace with the past and embrace the new and the uncertain.

There are many themes touched on in this book. Friendship, family, motherhood, and the guilt a woman feels when she believes that she hasn't been a good enough daughter/mother/friend.

All the characters were well constructed. Even though I liked Emma's character, I found her exasperating at times, for letting her kids walk all over her all the time and giving in to their every little whim and demand. She plays the part of a harrowed mother, but I can't help but think that she has brought part of that upon herself because of her inability to discipline her kids and to say 'no'.

My heart did ache for Thurston, because anyone suffering from depression can tell you how hollow and meaningless everything feels when you've lost all hope, and suicidal ideation lurks in the background most of the time, like a dense, dark grey cloud.

Roz is a great character, and everyone needs a friend like her in their lives. She doesn't play the victim but faces her issue head-on and decides what's best for her.

Emma's kids are annoying brats, who have just been enabled by her and spoilt, and somehow, that's portrayed as okay to be that way. Her daughter, especially, with her demands and always trying to make her mom feel like their life and their home is not good enough, and rushing through five or six boyfriends and getting pregnant by the time she's 20?

I also felt so sorry for Emma's mom, because of the way her care-giver was treating her, because we tend to think that old people are just making things up and blowing things out of proportion, whenever they have a complaint. But Granny did surprise (shock!) everyone in the end, didn't she?

This was the first novel I have read from this author, and I quite enjoyed it.

It was funny and poignant and bittersweet, just like life is.