Another Willingham winner! 4.5 stars rounded up.

I really enjoyed the mystery and setting of this thriller. One thing the author always does well is writes in shorter segments that eventually give enough clues to piece things together if you look at them the right way. Me? Not smart enough to piece most of it together, so I’m always pleasantly surprised by the twists, and then say “oh! That changes things!” LOL!

Loved the college setting and the girls’ new house next to the frat—it’s exactly the type of place I would have loved to live in college (though maybe not with those roommates!) This definitely made me relive my college days a little.

The characters themselves weren’t particularly likable or dislikable—and I thought Margo was a little too in her own head in her narrative. But overall, they all helped move the story and plot forward, so what’s not to like?

Karissa Vacker is one of my favorite audiobook narrators, and this was another wonderful narration.

Netgalley Review: Only If You're Lucky by Stacy Willingham

4-Stars

Only If You're Lucky explores the intricate dynamics of friendship, loyalty, and betrayal within a college fraternity. The story begins with a slow burn, meticulously building up its characters and their relationships, drawing readers into the lives of Margot and Lucy. Margot finds herself inexplicably drawn to Lucy, a larger-than-life personality with a magnetic allure.

As the story progresses, it maintains its slow tempo, gradually unveiling the characters' motivations. Willingham's writing adeptly captures the delicateness of friendship and human behavior. Despite the initial slow start, the plot gains momentum towards the end, reaching a well-executed and satisfying ending that leaves room for curiosity about the characters' futures.

Margot's transformation from observer to participant is compelling, as she navigates questions of loyalty and trust. The supporting characters, including Lucy and the other housemates, adds depth to the narrative, although some characters could have been more fully developed.

With secrets unveiled and tensions escalating, the novel keeps readers engaged until the final pages. Its unresolved questions and lingering sense of unease make it an engaging read. It would be perfect for adaptation into a TV mini-series.

Stacy Willingham showcases her skill in crafting psychological suspense, offering readers a provoking thriller with interesting characters and a captivating plot.

This is my 3rd Willingham book and while I was very intrigued by the premise, this was definitely a slower burn than her other 2. I loved the ending with the acknowledgements that inspired her from her own experience at her college house. Glad to hear it wasn't similar in any other way except the setting ;) I would say this book is my least favorite of the 3 but I still was compelled to know what happened. I ended up surprised but I wasn't as excited about the reveal as I was with the other two. Willingham is still an auto-read author for me, though I suspect not as many readers will favorite this book when the other two are so strong.

3.5 stars. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an early copy of this book. I had intentionally passed on this book from BOTM because Stacy Willinghams other books were 3.5-4 star for me and they were entertaining but not anything I need to own, and unfortunately I think this book is the same. This book is about a girl named Margot who goes to college far from home to escape her parents and her life there after her best friend was killed 3 weeks after high school vacation. She spends her freshman year at a small college that her best friend and she had agreed to go to living in the dorm with another quiet girl. They're friends by default because neither want to put themselves out there and find other people. They spend their weekends watching movies and not really engaging with each other, though they are both physically present. One day near the end of the year, Margot gets approached by an uber outgoing, magnetically personable but enigmatic girl named Lucy. Everyone is drawn to Lucy and yet theres an air of mystery around her. She asks Margot to move in to a house with her and 2 other girls and despite the fact that she doesn't know any of them, Margot agrees. The house is next door to (and owned by) a frat. One of the girls boyfriends is the frat president so he got them into the house for cheap. As sophomore year approaches, an incoming pledge named Levi shows up. Levi is from Margot's hometown and he was her best friends boyfriend. She hates him for stealing her best friend and there is major suspicion that he's the one who killed her. Flash forward to present day (later in the year) and Lucy is missing and Levi is dead. The story is told in then and now timelines to figure out what happened to Lucy and Levi as well as the past history of Margot, her best friend, Levi, and the whole gang. I was engaged in the writing style and wanted to know what happened and who did what. I was suspicious of multiple people throughout and didn't' really figure it all out until the end. However, I got really bored in the middle. This is a slow burn thriller and I can appreciate that, but we stayed in the inter dynamics of this small group of college kids and the plot never really changed. We found out more about the relationships as the story goes on, but it felt a little redundant and like the author was trying too hard for the dark and mysterious vibes. I also think we were told a lot about who are characters are, but we weren't really shown it. The end was a little far fetched and like the author just threw up all the names into the air and determined who killed who based on where the names fell. I liked this book and will continue to read from this author, but I don't think she'll ever get more than 4 stars from me.

I have loved Stacy’s first two books. So much so that I’m still willing to read anything she puts out.

And once again, this was fabulous on audio. The narrator was perfect and did an excellent job.

This one didn’t work for me. But obviously it had some things going against it from the very start. I really don’t like mean girl fawning, mental games/idolization. I don’t love college settings where “fun and memories” are getting drunk, high and parting. It just became un-relatable to me and I wasn’t buying into the connections made.

Not to mention I found everyone in this book to be very unlikeable and not in a good unhinged “ I can’t believe they did that” way. I just need at least one person to root for and by the end I was very frustrated.

I think Stacy is a great writer and even though this wasn’t for me, I will definitely go on to try another one of her books! There were a couple plot points that surprised me and overall I still finished it and thought it was a decent read.

I don't know where to even begin. I loved 'A Flicker in the Dark' so much. Stacy Willingham's writing is compelling and I had super high hopes for this one. Unfortunately, this book read very much like a YA book, which isn't typically her writing style, and caught me off-guard. The author tried something new with this book and it just didn't really work out for me personally.

This book is about Margot, a college student, that was fixated on her best friend Eliza. Eliza tragically died, leaving Margot feeling hollow, until she met her current bestie, Lucy. When Lucy mysteriously disappears one day, heads start turning to Margot in suspicion.

Wow. I have never come across a more boring character than Margot. No personality. No aspirations. She is obsessive. We only get her POV and the narrative is monotonous from start to finish. I was extremely close to DNF'ing this audiobook. I want to give a huge shout out to the narrator, Karissa Vacker, for getting me through this one. Karissa did an amazing job narrating this book and her voice was extremely pleasant to hear.

We do get before and after timelines within this novel but neither do it for me. When I tell you nothing happens until 80%-90% of the book, I mean NOTHING happens. The "big reveal" at the end is such a letdown, I saw it a mile away, and that wouldn't have been an issue at all if the story would have been great.


As kindly as I can put while being completely honest, this book can be summarized as follows: Bland characters. Predictable story. Boring setting(s).

It hurts to compile this about an author that I believe is an incredible writer, but it happens. I still, of course, will read whatever she decides to write next.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio for this ALC, and to the author. This book was not for me but it may be for you!
Put date: Available now!

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This is a book I would most likely have given 5 stars when I was in my twenties, but this is not what I want to read now when I pick up an adult fiction book. This read like a YA, but was redeemed a little with a few twisty moments in the end. As I listened to this, I felt like the narrator did I good job bringing voice to Margot.

Two of Margot’s close friends have met the demise of death or disappearance. Is this coincidence or is Margot a jealous friend?

The dual timeline, character likability, and repetitive phrases made it difficult for me to fully engage in this novel.

I was captivated by the two novels, Flicker in the Dark and All the Dangerous Things, of Stacy Willington. Unfortunately, I couldn’t connect to Only if You’re Lucky.

Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and Stacy Willingham for the opportunity to listen to this ARC audiobook.

I was excited to read ONLY IF YOU’RE LUCKY by Stacy Willingham because I really enjoyed her first two books A Flicker in the Dark and All the Dangerous Things but this thriller fell flat to me. This book is about Margot, the quiet one, who meets outgoing Lucy at college and then basically nothing happens. I found this book kinda boring. I did like the alternating timelines, before and after and the excellent narration by Karissa Vacker on the audiobook. I’d still be curious to read her next book.

Our FMC Margot is off to college only weeks after her best friend and would have been college roommate, Eliza, tragically dies. But when she’s asked to be roommates with Lucy, one of the most popular girls on campus ( +2 other girls) she can’t resist.
However, this group of friends comes with unknown truths and lots of dares that lead to the murder of a fraternity member and Lucy suspiciously missing.

This one gave real “How to Get Away with Murder” and Pretty Little Liar vibes so I was very much entertained. It was a slow- burn with a fast paced ending.

Oh btw if Karissa Vacker narrates it I’m going to listen! Her voice is so melodic yet expressive which helps to bring the characters to life.

Slow burn but had plenty of twists! I love books with an unreliable narrator and unlikable characters!

Only If You’re Lucky is narrated by Karissa Vacker, one of my favorites, so I must recommend the audiobook as the way to read this one for sure. This was a twisty read, set at fictional Rutledge College, with Margot living with Lucy, Sloane, and Nicole, grateful she has found her friend group, the group she’s always wanted. And then. Lucy goes missing, Margot’s past can’t quite escape her, and we are left wondering what in the world is going on while she tries to figure out the same thing. One thing is for sure, this friend group sticks together no matter what.

I am a huge fan of Stacy Willingham and really enjoyed this one. I liked the twists in here, enjoyed the college setting, and how it all wrapped up. I was hooked into this story from the beginning and this held my attention until the end.

Thank you to Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio for the copies to review.

"Only If You're Lucky" by Stacy Willingham is a gripping thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat. The intricate plot, well-crafted characters, and unexpected twists make it a compelling read. The story excels in suspense. Overall, a thrilling experience that earns a solid four and a half stars for its suspenseful narrative and intriguing characters.

I really enjoyed Stacy Willingham's second novel, All the Dangerous Things so I was super excited for this one.

Unfortunately, it was too slow for me. Nothing major happens in the first 65% of the book. I found all the characters to be confusing and couldn't keep up with who was who.

I don’t read a lot of suspense novels, but listening to Stacy Willingham’s newest story has become a fun tradition every January. I definitely associate narrator Karissa Vacker’s voice with this author’s books. This year’s title, Only If You’re Lucky, is a campus novel set in South Carolina.

Margot’s freshman year was difficult because she’s mourning the tragic death of her best friend who was to attend Rutledge College with her. Just before summer break, Lucy invites Margot to share a house with her and two friends which changes everything. Lucy’s big, charismatic personality encourages Margot to step (way) outside her freshman year routines and party with the fraternity guys who live next door. Margot’s having the best summer of her life ... until someone from her hometown shows up at Rutledge and her worlds collide.

This was almost equal parts character-driven and plot-driven; I enjoy both types of stories so this worked for me. It held my attention throughout although it felt a bit slow in the middle. I could relate to some of Margot and Lucy’s emotional struggles even though (thankfully) I’m decades past my college years. This is definitely slow burn and won’t appeal to readers who prefer fast-paced thrillers.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for access to the audiobook.

A dark academia thriller set in college with alternating timelines that is steeped in secrets, betrayal and murder.

I love a good dark academia thriller and once again Stacy Willingham delivers with a twisty and suspenseful mystery about friendship, envy, secrets, loyalty and obsession. I loved All the Dangerous Things and A Flicker in the Dark and while this is a slower burn and focused on younger characters, I was absolutely engrossed and actively trying to figure out the twists.

Margot is adrift. Her best friend fell to her death just weeks after their graduation.
She spent the year shrouded in memories & adrift in depression. Until Lucy Sharpe comes into her life and convinces her to move into off-campus housing with her and her two friends. Lucy is everything Margot isn't and has a pull about her. Margot gets swept up in Lucy's life, finally enjoying her time in college until a boy from her past shows up. Soon, things take a darker turn and Margot isn't sure who she can trust.

Only If You're Lucky is filled with shady characters and young adults behaving badly. You definitely have to be willing to stretch your levels of believability but I had no problem doing that. I loved the alternating timelines and was kept on my toes - switching what i thought the twists were. I never guessed them all and a few things I never saw coming! If you enjoy character driven, slow burn thrillers based in academia you won't want to miss this one. (

College aged thriller in South Caroline with flash backs to the Outer Banks. Kept me guessing until the very end.

This story is like a scenic drive. Not fast paced but always something to see (or learn about) around the next corner. Fed information slowly throughout the story to understand the twist at the end.

Typical great character building by Stacy Willingham. She does a great job helping you get to know her characters to love or hate them.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan for an advanced copy of this audiobook.

If you could get away with murder would you do it?

Margot lost her best friend, Eliza, shortly after high school graduation. She decides to keep their plan of going to college, albeit alone now. She spends freshman year crying, and staying to herself. Before it was time to leave for summer break, she meets Lucy, who we’re told is exciting, glmaourous, magnetic..but that wasn’t properly depicted in the story, we kind of just have to take Margot’s word for it.

This book focuses on college shenanigans; thinly veiled secrets and toxic female friendships so leans very heavily toward YA. I really enjoy this narrator which I think may have saved this book for me as I think reading myself would have been too slow burn to keep my interest.

if you liked Huning Game by Foley this is great pick for you. It is about manipulation and past always finds you. The people that seem inicent mihht not be as inicent as they seem. Sometimes world is too small for all of us.

This story was completely addictive, twists, lies, secrets and a plot that will keep you asking for more. The audio was fantastic and listening to it was a thrilling experience.

Thank you Macmillan Audio for this complimentary audiobook.

𝗢𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗜𝗳 𝗬𝗼𝘂’𝗿𝗲 𝗟𝘂𝗰𝗸𝘆 by Stacy Willingham released yesterday January 16, 2024.

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