City Mouse becomes a country mouse.

Eliza flees big city life for small country life. What drove her- a failed relationship was fully disclosed in the description of the book. Even with the flashbacks still couldn’t garner enough empathy for her. This was a tepid “ Northern Exposure “ in reverse minus the humor and quirkiness of that television’s show’s small town inhabitants.

Loved the cover of the book but the pacing of the story made it a challenge to finish.

This ARC was provided by the publisher, Avon and Harper Voyager, via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

#LuckyBreak #NetGalley

I could not put this adorable book down! It was darling! Loved the main character so much. I didn’t want it to end. Highly recommend.

I enjoyed this title a lot and the beautiful lakeside town was the perfect setting for an escape story. The characters were likable and the pace of the story was good. I think people will feel good about this one. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

*Lucky Break* by Jaclyn Westlake is a heartwarming story about fresh starts, self-discovery, and the unexpected twists that lead us to where we’re meant to be. After her perfectly planned life falls apart, Eliza takes a leap of faith, trading San Francisco for the charm of Juneberry Lake. What follows is a journey of healing, surprising connections, and learning to embrace the beauty of an unplanned future. Eliza’s story feels relatable and uplifting, filled with humor, hope, and a touch of small-town magic. Her new community—and Joel, the charming coffee shop regular—add layers of warmth and intrigue to her fresh start. This is a perfect feel-good read for anyone who’s ever felt lost but dared to start over anyway. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the best things in life happen when we let go of the plan and trust the process.

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for the ARC. It seems as if this book is being marketed as a romance and it is really not. This book is about a woman whose fiancé breaks up with her and she moves to a small lake town in Minnesota. It is much more about growing up and moving on and finding yourself than a romance. I would classify it as women’s fiction. I loved the characters and the various representation. This was a new to me author and I would read another one by her.

Lucky Break was a fun and enjoyable read. Eliza's life is not turning out the way she always planned. She decides to uproot and move from San Francisco to Minnesota. Here she finds a close knit group of neighbors, new passions, and a three legged dog named, Potato. While things tied together too quickly at the end, Westlake did a good job of writing complex, diverse characters. This was a story of personal growth for Eliza that I enjoyed.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

ARC Review
Book: "Lucky Break" by Jaclyn Westlake
Release Date: July 15, 2025
Rating: 5/5 Stars
Review: If you love cozy mysteries with a touch of romance, this book is for you! It's the perfect balance of intrigue and heart without the heavy suspense of typical thrillers. Plus, the slow-burning romance adds a lovely layer to the story.

Eliza has always been the planner, meticulously mapping out every step of her life. But when things go off course, she finds herself feeling lost. Hoping to reconnect with her true self, she moves to a new state, where everything seems perfect-until she discovers that her new friends might not be as transparent as they appear. "Lucky Break" weaves together mystery, romance, and small-town charm in a way that feels both heartwarming and captivating. The author's descriptions made me feel like I was right there on the lake, or enjoying a bear claw with Eliza at the local bakery.

What I liked best: As a fan of thrillers, it was refreshing to dive into a cozy mystery like this one. The mystery itself was intriguing, with plenty of twists, but the atmosphere was relaxed and inviting. The romance was subtle yet sweet, developing naturally alongside the plot.

Thank you to @jaclyn_writing and @netgalley for

This was such a strong mystery novel, it had that element that I was looking for and enjoyed going from page to page. The characters had that element that I was looking for and enjoyed how they worked in this universe. Jaclyn Westlake has a strong writing style and was glad I got to read this.

Thank you to Net Galley for providing me with this ARC.

I love the premise of Lucky Break, but did not like it as much as I’d hoped that I would have. It does do well in creating representation and inclusion within the book which was great to read.

The setting follows Eliza as she relocates to Juneberry Lake after breaking up with her fiancé. This is the perfect hallmark town that she’d always imagined. As she gets to know the people, she quickly realizes there are secrets everyone is holding onto including herself.

As far as feedback goes, there were too many plot lines at once. The varying plot lines the book a little hard to follow and remember as things kept happening back to back. I think this had the potential to be a serious following the side characters we meet and their development. After reading, I was still left with some questions especially regarding Erica. The plot felt resolved but also not. I really did enjoy the idea of Eliza relocating to find herself within this “hallmark” town. But again, there was a lot going on and I almost wish it stuck to two plot lines so that it could have been better flushed out.

Thank you NetGalley and Publisher for this book!!

What a great book! I enjoyed this one a lot!!! I had a hard time putting it down. I enjoyed the chemistry between the characters. Great writing style!! This was a first by this author for me but will not be my last!

What to love….
- cozy small town
- low stakes mystery
- romantic subplot
- found family
- animal companions
- LGBTQIA+ rep
- fertility struggle representation/grief

What I didn’t love…
- the stakes were very very low for this mystery, which may work for some but I felt a bit let down at the big reveal
- I wanted the romance to be more front and center and was a bit let down but this could be a plus for those who like less romance

Overall there was nothing particularly wrong with this book but personally I was a bit bored. I like my mystery stakes a little higher and my plot to move a little faster.

Thank you NetGalley and Avon for sending this book (eARC) for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Jaclyn Westlake’s debut novel, DEAR DOTTY, was a 5⭐️ read for me last year. Her talent for crafting interesting, captivating, authentic characters was impressive. DEAR DOTTY was simultaneously insightful, relatable, heartwarming, and hilarious and made me an instant fan. I eagerly awaited her next book and literally squealed with glee at the opportunity to read an advance copy. I’m not surprised that she has, once again, delivered a book that spoke directly to my heart.

LUCKY BREAK works on many levels. On the surface, it’s the story of Eliza Colletti who makes the unexpected decision to uproot her established San Francisco life and relocate to a tiny lake community in Minnesota. There are great storylines related to romance, friendship, and found family. There’s a bit of mystery, a cozy small town vibe, lovable characters, and very special furry creatures. It is funny, genuine, and entertaining. The references to Midwestern life and loud (READ: loving) Italian families are an added bonus.

It is also much, much deeper. It is a story of recovering from profound grief, dealing with the soul crushing loss of a long held dream, learning to love and accept oneself, and having the courage to take a chance. Ms. Westlake gets so many things right - feelings, emotions, fears, challenges, and joys - and she does it in a way that is uplifting and hopeful. LUCKY BREAK speaks to the resilience and strength we find within ourselves and the support we get from family, both the ones we are born into and the ones we choose.

Put this book on your radar. Mark your calendar for July 15, 2025 and grab it as soon as it’s released. You will find much to love in this brilliant, contemporary novel. BRAVA!!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the opportunity to read an advance copy in exchange for my unbiased review.