Member Reviews

This was a delightful, ensemble comedy about the Jacobson siblings. Their lives take a dramatic turn when they win a massive Powerball jackpot, leading to both comedic and poignant moments as they navigate their newfound riches. The characters are extremely relatable, funny, and engaging. The story was fast-paced and certainly a character-driven storyline. I really enjoyed this group of siblings and following their journey as they worked through some deep, family emotions.

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Elyssa Friedland delivers another family saga full of heart and humor in her signature style. The book asks the question of how money changes us and offers up a humanistic approach to a complicated question. I could see bits of myself in each of the Jacobson siblings and was delighted with the way the family came together in the end. A perfect summer read!

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I absolutely loved Jackpot Summer! It was so nostalgic since I grew up at the Jersey Shore.
Check out my full review on Instagram!

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Jackpot Summer is the perfect fun summer read. When three out of four adult siblings chip in on a lottery ticket, and WIN, their lives are altered in unimaginable ways.

I enjoyed this story about family dynamics and was envious of this sibling quartet. At times emotional, other times stressfull, and still other times LOL funny, Jackpot Summer is a very entertaining read.

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I was surprised how much I adored this book! It was filled with family drama but also some laugh out loud moments. Each Jacobson sibling had problems in their own lives even before they won the lottery, but winning the lottery made everything more complicated. I loved the full cast of characters of the Jacobson family and how they came together and resolved everything at the end. It mostly took place at the Jersey shore, so if you’re looking for a fun, character driven book to read this summer give this one a try. The Jacobson family will warm your heart.

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Elyssa Friedland has done it again! She has quickly become an auto-buy author for me as no one does heart-warming family drama quite like her.

Can money solve all your problems? The Jacobson family is about to find out.

When the Jacobson siblings reunite for one final weekend on the Jersey Shore to pack up the family beach house, none of them expect to walk away as millionaires. But that’s exactly what happens for three of the four siblings.
In Jackpot Summer, Friedland explores how the money impacts them as individuals as well as the overall dynamics of their family.

I love a good family drama, especially one that centers around sibling relationships and Jackpot Summer delivers. I liked how the narration of the story flowed seamlessly as it shifted between each sibling. This was a quick, fun read without being overly heavy. My only wish was that there had been an epilogue as I’d love to know where the siblings are in five years or so.

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This was a good read! I loved the honesty of the family dynamic and sibling messy bits, made it feel more raw and relatable! About siblings who randomly win the lottery one summer, which you think would be amazing and it might've been, but also money complicates things! I love the character development throughout and how close these siblings are. Even through fights and messy moments, they truly do prevail. Truly amazing to see! I also thought the articles ay beginning was interesting about lottery winners, may be twisted but rooted in truth. Overall, I love this family! Sophie was amazing, the dad Leo and Noah are probably my favorite characters though! Makes me want to call up my sisters and do a nice chat over dinner.

I received this ARC from NetGalley and Berkley Publishing to read/review. All of the statements above are my true opinions after fully reading this book.

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Elyssa Friedland’s "Jackpot Summer" offers a humorous and heartfelt exploration of what happens when a dysfunctional family suddenly finds itself wealthy. The story revolves around the four Jacobson siblings who, despite being raised to respect the value of a dollar, find their lives in financial and personal disarray.

As the siblings reunite to pack up their Jersey Shore childhood home following their beloved mother's death, they each bring their own drama. Matthew is struggling with his corporate law job and distant relationship with his son, Laura's marriage is falling apart, Sophie’s art career is stagnant while her boyfriend's career is on the rise, and Noah is still living at home doing tech repair gigs. When they pool their money to buy a Powerball ticket and actually win, the unexpected cash brings more problems than solutions, exposing deep-seated family issues and rivalries.

Friedland’s portrayal of the Jacobson family is both relatable and entertaining, as each sibling's journey reveals the pitfalls of sudden wealth. The dynamics among the siblings are well-drawn, with moments of humor and heartbreak as they navigate their new reality. The character development is solid, though some readers might find certain arcs a bit predictable.

The setting, primarily at the Jersey Shore, adds a nostalgic touch that complements the themes of family and memory. The narrative's pacing keeps the reader engaged, though there are moments where the story drags slightly, making it feel longer than necessary.

Overall, "Jackpot Summer" is a light, enjoyable read that delves into the complexities of family relationships and the age-old adage that money can’t buy happiness. It’s perfect for fans of contemporary family dramas looking for a mix of humor and heart. I struggled to feel invested, but you might love these characters! I'd recommend for a breezy, summery read you aren't expecting too much from.

Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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Thank you Berkley for the free book!

If you enjoy family-centered stories, then you should read JACKPOT SUMMER.

We follow the Jacobson siblings before and after winning the lottery ticket. They think by winning the lottery many of their struggles will disappear, but oh how wrong they are, it only gets messier.

I loved the sibling dynamics, and how real our characters were with their inner thoughts and struggles.

While the story dragged a bit to get to the end, I enjoyed the ending and how it all came together.

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Advanced Book Review! Thank you @berkleypub and @netgalley for sending me this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
“After the Jacobson siblings win a life-changing fortune in the lottery, they assume their messy lives will transform into sleek, storybook perfection – but they couldn’t be more wrong.”
I really enjoyed this book by Elyssa Friedland. I generally love books about siblings and this one was no exception. The four Jacobson siblings are still reeling from the loss of their mom and now their father is selling their beloved summer home on Long Beach Island. Three of the four siblings decide on a whim to go in on some Powerball lottery tickets, with the fourth sibling and his wife basically ridiculing the idea because you could never actually win the lottery right?
Well someone has to win, and low and behold, the Jacobson siblings actually win the lottery, which is not necessarily the dream come true one would expect. The win creates a whole host of new issues for their already complicated lives, not least of which is, what to do about the one sibling who didn’t go in on the ticket if they want to stay a cohesive sibling unit.
Elyssa Friedland explores family dynamics following a major loss and life change, while throwing in the added pressure of instant riches. Read to see how each sibling handles their newfound fame and fortune, and how they
I also loved the Jewish representation in this one. Especially at a time like this I think it’s so important to read a novel about a relatable family, who’s Judaism is demonstrated throughout their daily lives.
This was my first book by Elyssa Friedland but it won’t be my last! I already have two of her backlist books waiting for me on my to be read shelf.

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Thank you to NetGalley and the Berkley Publishing for and advanced e-arc copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review.

Jackpot Summer was a fun read. I didn't expect anything extraordinary, but I did anticipate some excitement. While I was definitely entertained by parts of the book, there were also parts that went on and on.
I think a lot of us dream about what it would be like to win the lotto and how'd we'd handle the situation, or what we'd do with all the money... The family in this book entertains us while we read about all of their mistakes and misjudgments, but they don't exactly provide an example for us to follow if we win big in life.
Overall, if the synopsis really gets your interest, take the chance. I give this book 3.5 stars.

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The story of a family of jackpot winning siblings (minus one who declined to participate) raises the questions of what do we owe our siblings and does money change us. While I enjoyed the first half of the story, I found the subsequent plot lines predictable and less than engaging..

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Jackpot Summer features four siblings who are each managing family drama. Then, three out of the four win a powerball jackpot throwing their already chaotic life into a wild mess. The story tracks the changes in their homes and sibling connection. Friedland treats the reader to humor, wealthy expectations and what it means to be family.

Thank you, Berkley

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Thank you Berkle Pub for the free book and thank you PRH Audio for my #gifted listening copy of Jackpot Summer! #PRHAInfluencer #PRHAudioPartner #BerkleyBookstagram #berkleypub #BerkleyIG #berkley

Title: Jackpot Summer
Author: Elyssa Friedland
Narrator: Thérése Plummer
Pub Day: June 11, 2024

𝟰.𝟱★

I loved this book so much! It was the perfect family drama and I loved the time I got to spend with the Jacobson siblings! This was such a fun premise for a book and I thought that Friedland did such a great job with this one. I loved how the siblings all had their own issues they were dealing with on top of now having to navigate their new lives as lottery winners. This book was just so much fun and at the same time did not seem over the top, if that makes sense. Perhaps my favorite part were the text thread conversations because they just felt so real.

Trust me, you are not going to want to miss this one!

🎧I alternated between the physical book and the audiobook, narrated by Plummer and once I started listening to the audiobook, I did not want to stop. She knocked this one out of the park! I was completely hooked. This book was already so funny at times to me, and she just added to the humor and I thought she was the perfect pick. She was truly so dynamic and I highly recommend this one on audio!

💰Family Drama
💰Set in LBI
💰Jewish Representation
💰Laugh-Out-Loud Funny
💰The Perfect Summer Read

Posted on Goodreads on June 5, 2024: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/144922955?ref=nav_profile_l
**Posted on Instagram - Full Review- on or around June 6, 2024: http://www.instagram.com/nobookmark_noproblem
**Posted on Amazon on June 11, 2024
**-will post on designated date

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Read if you like:
💸 More Money, More Problems
🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒 Family Dynamics
🤐 Secrets and Lies
✡️ Jewish Rep

All in all, if you are looking for a summery family drama story with beachy vibes and Jewish Rep, this is your book!

For me family drama stories can be hit or miss but this one is so different than others I’ve read that have deep rooted family issues with this one coming up as a result of winning the lottery and all the messes that can come for people because of the more money, more problems that can occur.

I esp loved the opening of the book to really set this stage, esp because I’ve been fascinated how winning the lottery can often be a curse for many.

Thank you so much to Berkley for my ARC in exhange for my review!

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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

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