Unfortunately, this just did not work for me. I read other reviews to see what I was missing, and it felt like I read another book than the others. The stories are pointless, non-sensical thoughts that did not invoke any emotion in me. The book was empty, and as hard as I searched, I couldn't find anything praiseworthy. Stylistically, the writing was fine, but the stories just didn't resonate with me.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Contemporary + Short Stories

This is an intriguing book that centers on Felma, a woman who works in a flower shop and seeks her daughter after she was taken from her while serving time in prison. The world surrounding Felma and each of her customers also has their own story. There is a connection among these stories as well.

The book contains over thirty stories, each one of them focusing on different individuals with their own problems, challenges, and obstacles. These stories explore themes such as hope, grief, mental health, and identity. As a reader, you may find yourself liking some stories more than others, depending on your tastes and preferences.

One of the main strengths of this collection is the author’s writing style. It is indeed flowery, which enhances the themes being explored, particularly since flowers are a recurring motif in nearly all the stories. Additionally, I appreciated the vivid descriptions of the various locations depicted throughout the narratives. I believe the author excelled in this aspect.

Although it’s a well-written book with a very interesting structure, I believe the number of stories was excessive compared to the number of pages. The stories were short, which doesn’t provide enough opportunity to connect with the characters and their challenges. Perhaps having eight or ten stories within the same structure would have made a significant difference. This is my personal opinion, and your experience may differ, so give the book a chance if you think it’s something you might find interesting.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book.

This book was different for sure. I felt kind of lost with all the metaphors. The story was interesting with all the different places the stories take place in.

This was definitely a different read.

I want to thank NetGalley and University of Minnesota for this advanced reader copy. This is my honest review.

A Deeply Personal Collection of Short Stories With the Author at Heart

Set among others in prison cells, on a bee farm, busy street corners and a lonely beach, this collection of short stories is Deborah Jiang-Stein's newest, maybe most tender and intimate work. All 33 stories are connected, some through theme, others because they are successive episodes a character experiences. The author herself was born while her mother was in prison and has devoted herself to work with prisoners and people discarded by society. Lucky Tomorrow showcases these people and their beautiful, heartbreaking stories.

The collection is very diverse, set across the globe in cities such as Seattle, Tokyo and Chicago and Jiang-Stein's beautiful prose allows each narrator to have a distinct voice. Structurally I would say this collection is innovative, weaving the vignettes and episodes into a narrative tapestry that beautifully draws together at the end.

Deborah Jiang-Stein addresses themes of religion, spirituality, queerness, the prison system, drug abuse and children taken from incarcerated mothers. While I think many vignettes are a little short, the overall structure of the novel incorporates the varied length of chapters well.

Overall, a deeply personal story collection with the author at its heart!

This was a hopeful lil book about mental health and a good reminder that we are all connected. Some of the stories were difficult to follow and I had to go back. Otherwise it would’ve been a quick read!

** I was given an ARC of this book from NetGalley**


https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7329803695

Pub Date: May 20, 2025
Genre: General Adult Fiction, Short Stories, Literary Fiction

I really enjoyed this book. The stories were beautifully written and thought provoking. The stories tackle mental health, hope, and the desire to belong in a world that casts out those who are different. A few of the stories felt like they ended quickly and I would have liked them continue longer. This was the perfect, quick read I was craving today. Also the cover is beautiful !!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for gifting this ARC!

“Lucky Tomorrow” by Deborah Jiang-Stein is an eclectic collection of short stories, that are both emotional and thought-provoking.

The outcast and the forgotten are neither forgotten nor do they go unnoticed in these stories. The tackling of issues like mental health, longing, hope and despair is realistic as well as engaging.

On a side note, some of stories came to an abrupt ending- or so I felt, and I would’ve liked them to go on a little longer.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the e-ARC of this book.

This book consists of a variety of short stories from various perspectives, offering a unique and eye-opening collection that explores topics such as identity, belonging, grief, mental health and more. I enjoyed reading different perspectives and realising the similarity in feelings and experiences despite the various backgrounds of the characters. However I felt that some stories were too short which in turn made them feel abrupt and incomplete.

Overall this was an enjoyabnle and thought provoking read, it really embodies complex feelings and struggles surrounding mental health.

The authors insight to mental health and the need to belonging is so powerful and important throughout the book. I feel like it was something that made me personally struggle reading with it though.

What an incredible inspiration this author is. The stories are so good and made me think about my life. Mental health is not easy. Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for this chance to read this book.

I truly enjoyed this book. It was a quick read, loved the authors insight. The struggle of the mental health and the longing to belong. The combination of love, despair and hope.

The 33 stories we read in “Lucky Tomorrow’ (totaling 144 pages) are about every day people who typically go unnoticed. Their strength, hardiness and pure mental stamina moved me. The short stories are sometimes shocking, devastating, often sadly disappointing and disturbing, and a few times down-right inhuman! ….
Yet….with an author whose life work has been to help improve the lives for those in need ….Deborah Jiang-Stein’s ‘work-for-change’ is a powerful positive voice.

Deborah Jiang-Stein, (new to me), dedication and life work inspires the hell out of me.
For more than 10 years, Deborah has championed support for people in need of freedom, education, shelter, and career development.
I knew I wanted to learn more about Deborah Jiang-Stein instantly after reading the blurb for “Lucky Tomorrow”.
[side note]—
….In recent years, my youngest daughter has become a serious active advocate for everything Deborah Jiang-Stein does, too. As the mother of a serious ‘up-and-coming’ hardworking dedicated advocate daughter ….I continue to want to learn all I can to be of support myself (limitations at my age with medical issues), but I still care and wish to help - at least offer support to our advocate leaders on the front lines.
I knew I couldn’t thank Deborah Jiang-Stein enough even before reading.
And then ….’WOW’….
….these stories—these people—these women—(with a history of abuse, or drugs, or other traumas), their hardships, (medical, mental, psychological, etc.), vulnerabilities, challenges of all kinds ….’real people’ ….(many mother’s), in need of so much…. from rehabilitation, financial, educational support, housing, addictions, disabilities, childcare support—as well as major issues facing prisoners today: racism, assaults, privatization, etc….
IT’S AN UPHILL BATTLE fighting for support - even for basic hygiene supplies. The re-entry programs for women isn’t exactly an easy-peasy ‘one-size-fit-all’ transition either.

Well….
….the stories we read — are emotional. I FELT THEM!
So many of the women we read about our scared, lonely, and deeply hurt. They have suffered serious medical conditions.
And how humiliating it is too be told when to brush one’s teeth, when to take a shower, how long the shower can be…etc.

Jiang-Stein tells us that the stories in this collection are anchored and grounded in four distinct places, equally supporting the characters:
The Midwest, where she currently is living. Seattle, her hometown where she grew up. Tokyo, where she lived for three years. And the South, where she was born, and continue to travel and speak in prisons.
Over the past 10 years, Jang-Stein has been face-to-face with more than 40,000 women, men, and youth who were unseen from the public. The work kept her in close contact with people who were discarded.

Now….a couple of teaser excerpts (but for the full experience- I highly recommend taking a day or two read about some unforgettable remarkable women! These stories shift our universe!

“There’s a moment of truth, the answer you want to give, the story you need to tell, but can’t. You started out in a nuthouse when your mother was locked up there, popped out behind, in a locked steel door in an isolation unit, your mother in shackles and handcuffs because her meds weren’t working, guards along with the doctor and nurses at her side”.

“You wish they let babies grow up with their mamas no matter what. Maybe then yours wouldn’t be on death row now. Maybe if she had been able to keep you, she wouldn’t have gone so wack and sliced up that guard to pieces”.

“That’s what flowers do too. Soothe the edge. Even before I started Felma’s Cart. Thing is is, when someone like me gets a bee in her bonnet to do something, we do it no matter what. There’s no stopping me once I know what I want. And if you’re in my way, look out. I don’t mean I’ll hurt anyone, not that kind of look out, even if the shrinks at the hospital, think I will. I mean, look out World because here I come. Before you know it, I bet a large-scale nursery hires me. I’ll start at the bottom and work out. I love watering flowers, how you can be quiet and relax and think, so I hope that entry-level at the big nursery”.

“All I ever had of my mother now rested in a pile of white ashes. I bent over, then knelt and dug my fingers into the remains of my mother’s napkins sketches. My hands coated with caked ashes as my tears dripped into the white dust”.

“How does it feel to be a person whom others don’t see?”
As Deborah Jiang-Stein says:
“I believe in you. Keep the hope, keep your spirits up”

5 stars!!!!
Thank you Deborah Jiang-Stein. You are AMAZING!!!

Much appreciation to The University of Minnesota Press!!
I asked to read an early copy of these stories. Thank you deeply. It was a great gift. I hope to a little better person in the world from the inspiration these stories feed me.

I highly recommend readers - women - men - people who care about others —
Take one afternoon - maybe two - to read these stories.
They’re not only substantial and significant…but they shift us … in the best of ways!

Thanksgiving blessing to all!