Member Reviews
The Jacobson siblings are still mourning their mother’s death. They are spending July 4th weekend cleaning out the family beach house as Dad has decided to sell and retire to sunny Boca Raton. As they reminisce and poke at each other as the siblings often do, it becomes crystal clear that the Jersey shore will never feel the same again. Taking a break, Noah, the youngest and often favored sibling, decides to venture to the local convenience store where apparently Powerball is the hot ticket of the weekend. His two sisters chip in for the fun, while the eldest and his snooty wife decline declaring that lotteries are designed for stupid people. Easy for Matthew to say since they are both power lawyers who make money faster than they could spend it. Adjusting to Dad’s big move and constantly avoiding the daily drama of their own lives the Jacobsons are beyond shocked when they actual win the pot! While the close siblings decide how they will spend their millions they must also decide if they can face the guilt of leaving Matthew out of the group. Extravagant purchases, unnecessary trips and meaningless donations backfire as this life changing event comes full circle. The Fabulous Foursome realize the truth - family is everything and money really can’t buy happiness. Loved every minute of this fast paced, laugh out loud story that is perfect for your beach bag this summer! Releases June 2024.
Friedland knows how to weave the very best family drama. Her wit, brilliant writing, and careful plotting make her an expert in multiple POVs without getting confusing or clunky. I loved the Golden Hotel, and Jackpot Summer had the same energy that had me flipping pages. A perfect balance of heart and humor that readers will devour in a single sitting.
An intriguing exploration of money, family, and circumstance. Sibling books seem to be on trend these days—I am here for it!
The tone felt sort of strange to me, and I couldn't get into the book. Like, mom died but the devastation comes from selling the Jersey Shore beach house? Something is wrong here… I didn’t want to join in for the ride, and I didn’t actually make it to the end of chapter 1. I am guessing three to four stars for the target audience.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC.
I became a fan of Elyssa Friedland after reading Last Summer at the Golden Hotel, a novel that played out like a movie in my imagination. I was eager to dig into Jackpot Summer and it did not disappoint. I quickly felt like I was one of the Jacobson siblings or that we were long lost friends. Like her other novels, Friedland created a warm and sweet novel while also weaving in complex familial relationships — especially when money is involved. I was engrossed in this book from start to finish—desperate to know how the Jacobsons would end up. Pour a glass of wine, pop some popcorn and snuggle up with this book — you won’t be disappointed.
Jersey Girl here! This is my first Elyssa Friedland book and won't be my last. It's mostly set on LBI (Long Beach Island) with stops in Northern NJ, NYC, and FL. When the Jacobson family's beloved mother passes, their Dad Leo decides to sell their shore house and move to Florida. The four siblings gather for their last 4th of July and to prepare for the sale. When brother Noah suggests buying a lottery ticket, three of the siblings jump at it. They surprisingly win, but the money does not bring happiness. Each of the characters is totally unique and fascinating.. Parts of the book were laugh out loud funny . Loved all of the actual LBI sites mentioned and one of the characters lives in my home town. This will be a super summer read. Pop. it in your beach bag and head to the shore, the mountains, the lake, or wherever you to to fine your happy place.
Elyssa Friedland is an author whom I always enjoy reading. I was so eager to start her latest novel, Jackpot Summer, that I didn't even read the book description before diving in. From the first few pages, I knew that this was a book I would devour. The story centers around a group of adult siblings who gather to sell their childhood beach house after the death of their mother. With four siblings and a retired father, it's no surprise that everyone has different opinions on what should be done. But when they unexpectedly win the Powerball lottery, things get even more interesting.
One of the things I loved about this book is that it takes place at the Jersey shore, which is my happy place. Elyssa Friedland has a talent for writing novels that would make excellent book club selections, and Jackpot Summer is no exception. It's a 5-star book that I could discuss for hours! The characters are well-developed, and by the end of the novel, you feel like you know them in real life. I always keep a short list of books to recommend when people ask me for summer reading suggestions, and Jackpot Summer is definitely on that list!
Elyssa Friedland has become an auto-buy author for me since The Last Summer at the Golden Hotel. Her latest novel out this summer is fast-paced and follows the Jacobson siblings, whose financial lives have all taken a turn in some way after they in the lottery. They all have very different lives and need to figure out how to navigate this newfound level of wealth while also dealing with their own very personal struggles. I loved all of the sibling's stories but had a soft spot for brothers Matt and Noah and their father Leo! I loved this book and just know it will be a top read of summer!
Jackpot! This book is a winner. Amacing! Such a great story with the best characters. I loved reading their perspectives. Wish I wouldn’t have rushed through but I couldn’t stop.
i am obsessed!!! elyssa friedland knocked it entirely out of the park with this one. i loved getting to know the jacobson family, and the brewing family drama definitely kept things interesting. this was such a fun and different read for me.
thank you to netgalley and berkley for the arc!!
Oh my goodness, where to begin? This was a really fantastic read. It is such a powerful, emotive tale. I cried, I laughed, I grinned like an idiot and I fell hopelessly in love. I can feel a huge book hangover coming on. I lived vicariously through the Jacobsons and felt like I knew them. I really didn’t want the Jackpot summer to end.
Thank you to NetGalley, Berkley Publishing & Elyssa Friedland for a digital ARC of Jackpot Summer in exchange for an honest review.
I absolutely LOVE Elyssa Friedland & couldn't have been more thrilled to receive an early copy of her newest novel. Everything about this book screamed at me that I HAD to read it ASAP: the author, the eye-catching cover and the synopsis. I absolutely love plots that involve an inheritance or windfall of money.
This was such an easy & quick read that I binged this past Saturday. I literally could not put it down.
This story focuses on the Potter siblings: Matthew, Noah, Sophie & Laura, who grew up in a very frugal household & were taught how to budget from a young age. However, the siblings have what is called "champagne taste on a beer budget." And their personal lives are all in shambles for various reasons. When their father moves to a retirement community, the siblings are tasked with getting his home ready to put on the market. It is during this time that Noah, Sophie & Laura go in together to buy a lottery ticket. Matthew chose not to participate. Then the unthinkable happens - they actually win the jackpot! Chaos ensues and the siblings drift further apart than ever before. While they are able to purchase anything they want, they soon realize that money really can't buy everything and realize that to truly be happy, they need to mend their family.
This was a fast-paced, very well written story full of laughs and heartfelt moments. For me, it was very realistic - something I could see happening in the real world. This was just such a fabulous family drama. I especially loved getting to read the perspective of each sibling, alternating throughout the book. I'm not always a fan of multiple POVs, but it was necessary and really worked for this book. And that family text thread was EVERYTHING!
Another homerun by Friedland! My only problem now is that I can't wait for whatever she writes next, because I will absolutely be reading it!
This is a 5 Star read that I will highly recommend to anyone & everyone.