4 Stars Jackpot Summer by Elyssa Friedland is a really fun and light story of a dysfunctional family that wins the lottery. This was a fun idea for a plot and Friedland executed it well. I loved that each chapter was from one of the four siblings's perspective and that we got to know each of their partners and kids, who were entertaining characters as well. A great summer read!

I think the premise of Elyssa Friedland's latest novel is my absolute favorite - 4 siblings but only 3 go in on a lottery ticket together and of course, they win! No one does dysfunctional family relationships quite like Elyssa and this was another absolute winner (pun intended). I also love that Elyssa always includes Jewish representation in her books as well.

Entertaining, quick, light read about what happens to a family after winning the Powerball and becoming instant millionaires. Some resolutions come too easily, but overall, this is a great pick for a summer read.

I adored this book! Elyssa Friedland is an auto buy author for me! Her writing is phenomenal. She writes characters so real, that you want to meet them. If you love stories about family, this one is for you!

Recently, the Jacobson family lost their mother Sylvia. After grieving her, their father announces that he’s selling the family’s beloved beach house on the Jersey Shore. The family gets together to clean out the house and to say goodbye to it. While they are there, three of the four siblings go in on lottery tickets. And lo and behold, they win. That’s where the story really begins.

I loved all of the characters in this story! Matthew, Laura, Sophie, and Noah all have drama in their lives. I liked how relatable they were. Packing up their childhood beach house while still grieving their mother was written so well - I felt like I really got to know Sylvia. Their Dad Leo was fantastic too. Matthew’s wife Beth and Laura’s husband Doug were also terrific characters. The kids were great too. Each chapter is told from one of the sibling’s perspectives. We also get to see the family group text chats. You really get to know each sibling, their families, and their significant others.

I also really enjoyed the way the author portrayed the family as lottery winners. The message of being grateful for what you have was spot-on, and this book showed just how messy getting everything you want can be. There were also so many small lessons throughout the book that really resonated with me.

About halfway through this book, I decided how I would like it to end, and that’s what happened! It was absolutely perfect!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Berkley for the opportunity to read this much-anticipated summer read! It releases on June 11th. It is a perfect summer read if you love stories about family. You will not be disappointed!

I liked this family and watch them as they go through 3 of 4 kids winning a Powerball lottery.

It's not easy for any of the siblings even with more cash. They each have struggles and they each look at the money in a different way. They have to get used to being recognized since their televised win. Their relationships with themselves and others are very tested.

I love how in the end, they were all able to manage everything better after lots of help from outsiders and each other. I'm all in for family dramas and this was a great one! Great Jewish rep too

The Jacobson siblings have gathered to pack up their Jersey Shore beach house after their recently widowed father decided to sell up and decamp to a Florida retirement home.
Matthew and his wife, Beth, are both busy corporate lawyers who keep their genius son, Austin, just as busy with extracurricular activities. Lauren’s husband, Dave, has just announced he wants a trial separation. Sophie is an art teacher who wishes she had more time for her art. And Noah, who lives at the beach house, helps people sort out their tech issues.
When Noah decides to buy a Powerball ticket, his sisters chip in but Matthew decides it’s pointless. When they win a share of the massive jackpot, should their brother be included in the winnings? And does money ever buy happiness?
For anyone looking for a beach read, this one’s a winner. It's an engrossing read about an endearing family, their personal struggles and their life-changing lucky fortune. It would also make for a great book club title as you can’t help but wonder how you would handle your millions in a similar situation.

Jackpot Summer is the hilarious yet thoughtful book you need this summer! I loved how the author explored sibling dynamics as their lives changed in an instant when they (at least some of them!) won the lottery. Money doesn't solve all our problems, and sometimes you need a book that reminds you of that in the best way possible - humor. :) While each of the siblings brought a unique perspective to the family, I adored the father, Leo. He made this book (especially the ending).

My biggest issue with this book was that certain stereotypes about people were leaned into VERY heavily as we got to know the siblings. Yes, I get that's a tactic in humor, but it also was a little much at times - one example of that was with Noah, the teenage son of the power-hungry lawyer couple. He did every activity under the son, was so protected, and yet... hated it all. There's some issues that come up with him too as the book progresses. No spoilers but things just got very stereotypical at times and made me want to get through this book just a little bit faster. Not a huge issue but still one to note.

This book has depth and a great sense of humor... it's fun to explore a messy family that is not yours.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this eARC. All opinions are my own.

The Jacobson siblings are still grieving the loss of their mother when they come together at their Jersey shore beach house to pack it up for sale. On a whim, three of the four siblings go in on a Powerball ticket and actually win! The story flows from there and shows that money can't solve all problems.

I really enjoyed this book. I've read several of Friedland's books and this one is my second favorite (The Floating Feldmans is still number one for me). I loved the complicated sibling dynamics. I am one of three and could really relate to the Jacobson siblings. Their relationships felt very authentic and endearing to me. I also really identified with how they related to their Dad after Mom's death. My parents are still both here, but should my mom pass first, I can see a similar situation playing out in our family.

If you're looking for action or fast-moving plot, this is not your book. This is a slow burn that really explores family and relationships and what's important in life. I loved it! Thanks @netgalley and the publisher for the ARC!

DNF at 52% 🥴
Thank you to Net Galley and Berkeley Publishing for the eARC, but I couldn't get into this one.

After reading Last Summer at the Golden Hotel, I thought I would give this author another chance. I enjoyed the characters and setting in LS, so I figured why not. But in Jackpot Summer, I just couldn't get connected with any of the characters. I thought they all had a LOT of flaws that I could not get on board with and I didn't really care what the outcome was. I was trying to push through, just to finish but found myself skimming too much so I stopped.
This might be a good read for others, but it just wasn't my cup of tea this time

Jackpot Summer, written by Elyssa Friedland, is a delightful and insightful novel that delves into the complexities of family dynamics. This heartwarming story skillfully explores the nuances of relationships, leaving me with a renewed appreciation for the things that truly matter. Friedland's witty and touching narrative is sure to bring a smile to your face.

Thank you to PRHAudio and Berkley for the ARC/ALC! And thank you to Elyssa Friedland for the fun giveaway win!

“I think a lot of families leave things unsaid, for better or for worse”…

The four Jacobson children have always been close. Though each has taken a different path in life, they all come together to help clean out their family’s old beach house after their mother passes away. Sisters Laura, Sophie and brother Noah decide to buy a powerball ticket, while their brother Matthew tells them he thinks lottery tickets are stupid. When the lottery ticket ends up being a winner, all hell breaks loose. Despite thinking money would solve their problems (or at least alleviate some of them), the siblings find themselves even more lost. Laura, now an empty nester, is struggling to reconnect with her husband Doug. Sophie attempts to make a go of her fledgling art career, while Noah aimlessly drinks his money away and loans it to anybody who asks. Meanwhile, Matthew is miserable at his job and though he didn't need the money, he is feeling alienated. With their father retired in Florida, they miss their mother’s guidance more than ever.

I have loved every one of Elyssa Friedland’s books that I have read! “Jackpot Summer” is no different. Somehow, she always captures family dynamics SO well, across multiple generations. This story showed how each of their lives were different but ultimately they still were bound together. Amid lots of laugh-out-loud moments, the topic of grief was addressed in the loss of their beloved mother and how their father didn’t know how to be for the kids what she had been. How they faced that was truly heartfelt. Also, I loved how even though they won the lottery, they quickly discovered that money didn’t buy happiness. One other thing I also appreciate from Friedland’s books is the Jewish American representation. Steeped in history and tradition, the “Jackpot Jacobsons” quickly warmed my heart (in between all the laughs!)

I definitely hit the jackpot when I won a giveaway from the author for this book - thank you so much for the autographed copy and lottery tickets. Even if I didn’t win on the scratch offs, I definitely felt lucky to win this book :)

”Jackpot Summer” releases June 11, 2024! This review will be shared to my instagram blog (@books_by_the_bottle) shortly :)

This was a nice family story. I liked the plot line of the lottery winning to keep the story moving along. VERY outside of my normal reading range, but overall I enjoyed it. Good characters, nice setting, compelling enough plot. For me, who predominantly reads mysteries and thrillers, it's probably a 3 star, but I gave it a 4 star because I think general fiction readers will really like it.

I received a free digital copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Can you imagine winning the Jackpot or Lottery, and what you would do with the winnings? I can certainly imagine if this dream for me came true! Elyssa Friedland, the Author of “Jackpot Summer” has certainly written a “WINNER” , a captivating and enjoyable novel. The Genres for this novel are Contemporary Adult Fiction, Family Fiction, Women’s Fiction, Romance, and Fiction. In this well-written novel, the author enchants us and vividly describes the world of new wealth through a winning jackpot family of different generations. The author describes her colorful and dramatic characters as complex, complicated, quirky, dysfunctional and some that we can relate to.

The four Jacobson adult siblings have been brought up to respect what working hard for money is, and the value of a dollar. The Grandfather, Leo especially stresses that one should work hard and respect money. When three of the four siblings win the Lottery, dramatic chances seem to be on the horizon. Every summer the Jacobson families meet at the New Jersey shore, where Leo’s is selling his home to head for Florida, after his wife passed away. This is the last summer that the Jacobsons will be together at the shore. As they clean out the house, they notice items that remind them of special memories. One of the brothers and his family are already well-to do, and it is questionable if they contributed to the winning ticket. The younger children seem to be dazzled by the money. Is being extremely wealthy the answer and solution or problem in one’s life?

In this witty and thought-provoking novel, Elyssa Friedland discusses the importance of family, friends, community, love and hope. I highly recommend this memorable novel to others.

The four Jacobson kids are back at the family shore house for the weekend. Unfortunately, they are there to clean out the house for their father to sell it after they lost their mother. When Noah heads out to the 7-11, three of the four decide to throw in for some lottery tickets after seeing the jackpot of 262 million. Little did they think that a week later they would be one of 4 people that won the jackpot! After they receive their winnings, the three siblings all handle it differently, but none really handle it well.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again…GIVE ME ALL THE JERSEY SHORE BOOKS! There is so much to say in a synopsis of this book, so I just went with the basic of all basics instead! I loved all the Jacobson children and their spouses, even when I didn’t particularly like them. I think we all wonder what would happen if you were to win a massive sum, but history shows that most do not handle it well and end up broke shortly after. This book isn’t just about winning the lottery though. It’s more about family, loss, grief, healing, acceptance, and love. This book was just a damn delight to be honest and I highly recommend it!

Thank you to @berkleypub for my gifted copy of this book!

Summer reading is off to a great start! I really enjoy a messy family drama, and what could make a family messier than a Powerball win that not all the siblings go in on? This was right up my alley. It’s reminiscent of the show Schitt's Creek, where all the characters are messy and dysfunctional, but come together with a lot of heart.

I've loved all of Elyssa Friedland's books, and she is one of the few authors whose work I will happily read, no matter what she writes! I also love that Annette Feldman from her book The Floating Feldmans made an appearance. It’s always delightful when characters from different novels interweave.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy.

The four Jacobson children reunite for a weekend to clean out and sell the Jersey Shore home they’ve loved since they were children. They are preparing to say goodbye to the home, reminisce about their recently deceased mother, and help their father with his move to a Florida retirement village.

They did not expect to win the lottery that same weekend when three of the four siblings entered a Powerball drawing. But win they do, and when money becomes the focus, the family starts to fall apart.

Why I Liked It: As one of 4 siblings, I particularly loved the dynamics in this story. Anyone from a big family knows the constant texting, side arguments, and inside jokes are very real. I like that their love for each other trumped all in the end.

Thank you, NetGalley and Berkley Pub, for my free book for review.

Ah, the irony of money, meant to alleviate their financial struggles, turning into the very source of sorrow and division among the siblings. As readers, we are given front-row seats to the intricate lives of the siblings—Matthew, Laura, Sophie, and Noah. It's a rollercoaster of entertainment and relatability, delving into their sibling dynamics and their tangled web of relationships with spouses, partners, and offspring. I couldn't help but admire the distinct voice of each sibling.

Amidst the chaos, some moments tickled my funny bone, but also instances that tugged at my heartstrings, especially when the characters had their epiphanies about what truly matters in life.

Overall, it's a heartwarming exploration of family dynamics, a tale that leaves you with a warm and fuzzy feeling.

Is my new goal to become a Elyssa Friedman completist?…it is!!!

Having only read one other I have come to the conclusion she is an auto read… the way she writes a messy family story is my cup of tea!

In the short of it…the Jacobson siblings have come together to clean out their widow fathers home and while reunited three of the four siblings chip in money to buy a lottery ticket… once they realize they won, each of the siblings lives become a little more chaotic then they imagined.

The Jersey Shore is becoming a hotspot in my armchair travel lately and Friedland had painted this destination as a top hotspot for me to visit in my lifetime. A lottery winning!!! That’s a plot I don’t think I’ve read in a book but it was such a fun one to journey through alongside the complex family dynamics.

I’m looking forward to checking out Friedland’s backlist. Jackpot Summer I can totally see myself revisiting! These siblings have a place in my heart!

Thank you Berkley Pub & PRH Audio for this gifted ALC

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BOOK REVIEW: JACKPOT SUMMER 💰☀️🏡

The four Jacobson siblings go to their beach house on the Jersey shore to help their dad pack up their childhood home after their mom recently passed away. While there, 3 of the siblings buy lottery tickets and despite all odds, WIN! They think the money will solve all their problems, but it actually presents each of them with unique challenges. Lots of interesting and complicated family dynamics in this one!

While this is definitely a unique story, for me it ultimately fell a little flat as I didn’t really connect with any of the four siblings. I enjoyed seeing their growth throughout the book but didn’t feel a strong sense of connection. I have heard so many good things about Friedland’s other book, The Last Summer at the Golden Hotel, so I’ll still give that one a shot!

Big thanks to Berkley for providing this eARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own and freely given.

"Jackpot Summer" by Elyssa Friedland is a fun, thought-provoking read. Three of the four Jacobson siblings hit the lottery jackpot, thinking it’ll fix their messy lives, but it ends up causing more chaos. Matthew, Laura, Sophie, and Noah were raised to be frugal, but now as adults, they’re all struggling in different ways. When their dad decides to sell their family beach house, they all come together, and the lottery win just makes things more complicated, bringing out old family issues and personal dramas.

What I love about Elyssa Friedland’s books is how real her characters feel. There’s no perfect happy ending, but everyone ends up in a better place than where they started. Her writing focuses on everyday people, and it’s so relatable. The siblings’ text exchanges were hilarious, and following their individual stories was really engaging. They each have their own flaws but you’ll be rooting for them nonetheless.

I did wish the book went deeper into some of the storylines, though. There was potential for more and I would have enjoyed seeing additional POVs. But overall, "Jackpot Summer" is a great read about family, wealth, and figuring out what really matters.

Overall rating: 4.25 stars