Margot is a shy, quiet, young women who has just finished his first year at University. She was devastated by the death of her best friend, Eliza, during the summer and is struggling with her grief. At the end of the year, she meets Lucy. Lucy is larger than life and in the middle of all the action. When she invites Margot to room with her, she agrees. Maybe it's time to try something new and daring. Margot ends up living in a house off campus, that belongs to one of the fraternities. There are four young women in the house and it seems like there is a lot of partying going on. Margot and Lucy have become the closest of friends, but by the middle of their sophomore year, one of the fraternity boys from the house next door has been brutally murdered, and Lucy is missing. Did Lucy kill the boy and disappear or is she also dead?

I'm not a fan of college or high school stories, but Only If You're Lucky was different from others I have read. This is a slow burn novel, one that looks at friendship, fraternities, hazing, partying at University or College, secrets and motives for various actions. There were several twists in this book, with the last one surprising me. Although the plot was not fast moving, it was steady with things happening along the way. This is a very character driven story, but it also has a good plot. I really liked Margot and felt for her. She was dealing with a lot of feelings and coming out of her shell, but was she being honest with herself and others. Lucy is a tricky one. She doesn't let others in to see the real Lucy and some of the girls realize this. The storyline involving the fraternity and the hazing is one that is timely. Many universities have banned fraternities for that reason and they do not condone any kind of hazing. With the slow build up, the ending was a bit rushed, but I did enjoy how it all played out. If you enjoy a slow burn thriller, then I recommend you give If You're Lucky a try. I did a read/listen and enjoyed both formats. Karissa Vacker does a great job with the narration. She gives the characters their own voices, using tone and expression for her storytelling. I will say that I probably listened to more than I usually do, because it was a slow burn story, I wanted to read it as that moves the story along quicker for me. I recommend you choose whichever format you prefer to enjoy this story.

This one felt very Megan Miranda to me, more so than the other Stacy Willingham books I've read in the past. I enjoyed it, but perhaps not as much as her first few.

This one had some definite twists that I did not see coming, but I also felt like it was missing something. The pacing of the story was off, as we didn't know most of the twists or what happened to Eliza/Lucy until the last 20% of the story. While there was a lot of back and forth between past and present and I think that did help set the scene and the characters, I think I would have liked more about Lucy and less about Eliza. Overall I did enjoy the story and the theme of friendship and doing almost anything for your friends, this wasn't my favorite Willingham book. I would recommend the audiobook and I will still continue to read and support her books. Thank you to NetGalley, MacMillan Audio, and Stacy Willingham for the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.

“If you knew you could get away with murder, would you do it?”

Margot isn't living the college life, she's surviving it. Until, one day a girl named Lucy talks her into moving into a house with her and two other girls for the summer. Once there Margot starts to take back her life. Things are going well...until they aren't...then the neighbor boy is found murdered.

What can I say about this book? It just wasn't for me. It was a slow burn with characters I didn't really like. I called one of the twists early on. If you like slow burns in college settings this is definitely for you!!

Thank you to Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio for the advanced copies of the book in exchange for my review.

This was unfortunately a DNF for me. Could be timing or mood as this author’s previous work has worked for me but I had no interest in continuing on and months later I have zero interest in going back to it.

Only If You're Lucky by Stacy Willingham is a gripping and intense psychological thriller that had me hooked from the very first page. The story centers around a young woman named Annalise, who is struggling to come to terms with her past while dealing with the sudden disappearance of her childhood friend. Willingham does an incredible job at creating a tense, suspenseful atmosphere, and I found myself eagerly turning pages to unravel the mystery. The writing is sharp, and the way Willingham slowly unravels the truth behind the events is masterful. Every chapter left me with more questions, making it impossible to stop reading.

What really stood out to me, though, was how Willingham weaves themes of guilt, memory, and the complexity of human relationships throughout the novel. The characters, especially Annalise, are layered and flawed, which makes them feel incredibly real. I found myself torn between sympathizing with her and questioning her actions, which is a testament to Willingham's skill as a storyteller. The twists and turns kept me on edge, and the book's ending had me completely floored. Only If You're Lucky is a dark, atmospheric novel that delves into the depths of friendship, trust, and the secrets we keep. It's a must-read for anyone who loves a psychological thriller with emotional depth.

Only If You’re Lucky by Stacy Willingham is a chilling, slow-burn thriller that dives deep into the complexities of friendship, obsession, and the dark side of college life. The audiobook brings an extra layer of intensity, with the narrator perfectly capturing the haunting, atmospheric tone of the story.

The plot follows Margot, a college student grappling with loss and loneliness, who quickly becomes entangled with a captivating but dangerous friend group. When one of them goes missing, secrets unravel, and Margot is forced to question everything she thought she knew. Willingham’s writing is sharp, with an eerie, tension-filled pace that builds steadily, keeping you hooked.

The narration is a standout — the voice acting adds emotional depth and keeps the suspense alive, making it hard to hit pause. The reason for four stars instead of five? The pacing drags slightly in the middle, and some twists feel a bit predictable. But overall, the strong character work and haunting atmosphere more than make up for it.

If you love psychological thrillers with layered characters and immersive narration, Only If You’re Lucky is definitely worth a listen!

4.5 rounded up to 5!

I love love loved LOVED this one. @stacyvwillingham books just keep getting better and better, and she’s definitely become an auto buy author for me.

I did a read/listen combo for this story thanks to @macmillan.audio and @stmartinspress and you can not go wrong with either format.

I loved @karissavacker narration she’s amazing like always. She really does a great job in making me feel like she’s telling me the story and not just reading it to me. I love her ability to do voices for other characters in the book.

As for the story Dark Academia is probably my favorite thriller troupe. If you enjoyed In My Dreams I Hold A Knife you would probably enjoy this one as well. This is told in 2 timelines before and after and explores toxic female friendships. Get this one if you are a sucker for college based thrillers like me!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ [Really Liked it]

The narration of this audiobook was really good, making it easy to really get into the story. I’m usually not a huge fan of slow burns with a large cast but this one worked really well. Dark and twisty with excellent writing. I recommend checking this one out. I’m excited to read other books from this author.

Thank you to the publisher and @netgalley for providing a free advanced copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

There are so many twists and turns, which in my opinion makes for a great thriller. Readers will keep guessing and then second guessing. I like that the plot twists are not predictable. Suspenseful and full of drama.

*received for free from netgalley for honest review* This was, different than expected, would recommend though

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! No spoilers. Beyond amazing I enjoyed this book so very much. The characters and storyline were fantastic. The ending I did not see coming Could not put down nor did I want to. Truly Amazing and appreciated the whole story. This is going to be a must read for many many readers. Maybe even a book club pick.

This book was a decent read, though it fell short of being truly memorable due to its predictability. The premise was interesting enough to keep me engaged, and the writing was competent, but the plot followed a formulaic path that made the twists and turns easy to anticipate. The characters were likable but lacked the depth needed to elevate the story beyond the expected. While there were moments of charm and a few enjoyable scenes, it didn’t bring anything fresh or surprising to the table. It’s the kind of book that’s fine for a casual read but unlikely to leave a lasting impression.

Only If You're Lucky read more like a YA thriller, with young angsty characters trying to find their way in college recently out of high school. I struggled with this coming of age aspect of the novel, not really connecting with the characters much. This made it hard for me to hang on while the story slowly built. I had loved Flicker in the Dark so much, I was really excited for this one, but it did not do it for me in the same way.

The narration was great!

I have liked all the Stacy Willingham books that I have read (all of them, I believe). This is a good book but not as good as a few of her others. I liked this book because the characters were well developed and it made me feel like I new the main character ( a woman). It is a mystery that is not as easy to solve as many others I have read. It kept me interested in the story, the characters, and the mystery! I could not put this book down and listened to the audio book in one day. It would be a good book for someone who is on a plane, traveling or stuck waiting for the dentist. It would make you forget about waiting because you want to keep reading! I recommend this book.

"Only if You're Lucky" by Stacy. Willingham is a twisty psychological thriller.The characters are all young adults just going into college. A couple of the twists were easy to predict, but not all of them. The setting was very atmospheric - an old house near a college in a small college town next to a frat house. A lot of partying went on, which I could not relate to, being a lot older than college students. It was sufficient action to keep my interest,
though it was a bit slow during some parts.

The narration by Karrissa Vacker was excellent. She was able to do both male and female voices and distinguish between the different characters effectively, which made it easy to listen to.

Thank you to Netgalley and MacMillan Audio for this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

From the author of A Flicker in the Dark and All the Dangerous Things comes a tantalizing thriller about the nature of friendship and belonging, about loyalty, envy, and betrayal—another gripping novel from an author quickly becoming the gold standard in psychological suspense.

Thank you St.Martin’s Press and Netgalley for sending me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. This is the first book I’ve read by Stacy Willingham. I read 60% of this book and decided to DNF it. This book is set on a college campus but I didn’t like any of the characters. The college students were annoying and immature and the book moved too slow for me. I didn’t feel emotionally invested in this story and I can’t relate to it because I didn’t go to college.

"Only If You're Lucky" by Stacy Willingham is a gripping psychological thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish. The story revolves around a young woman who finds herself entangled in a web of deception and dark secrets after a shocking event alters the course of her life. Willingham’s writing is taut and immersive, skillfully blending suspense with deep character exploration.

The protagonist is well-developed, grappling with her past while trying to navigate a present filled with uncertainty and danger. Willingham expertly builds tension through unexpected twists and turns, ensuring that readers remain guessing until the very end. The intricate plot is layered, revealing shocking truths that challenge perceptions of trust and loyalty.

The pacing is brisk, with a balance of thrilling action and introspective moments that add depth to the narrative. Willingham’s keen insights into human behavior and relationships enhance the story, making it not just a thriller but also a poignant exploration of the complexities of life.

Overall, "Only If You're Lucky" is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers. It offers a perfect blend of suspense, emotion, and a thought-provoking narrative that lingers long after the last page. Willingham has crafted a captivating tale that showcases her talent for storytelling and her ability to create unforgettable characters.

Only if You're Lucky by Stacy Willingham had an intriguing premise, but overall, it felt a bit underwhelming. The story leaned more toward a YA vibe, with its focus on friendships and drama, which didn't quite align with my expectations for a darker, more mature thriller. That said, the setting evoked a strong sense of nostalgia, taking me back to my own university days at a liberal arts college in North Carolina. While it didn’t grip me as much as her previous works, there was something oddly comforting in revisiting that familiar academic world. Decent, but not as thrilling as I’d hoped.

This was a really average thriller for me. DNF'd it at 35%. I read another book by this author which was also very average. I think this is just not an auhtor fir me.