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Lucky Change
After a fluke lottery win, Karen Donaldson - the ward charity case - is determined to use her millions to pay back all the kindness she's received. But the future holds a few more surprises for Karen, her neighbors, and someone she thought was gone forever. Sweet, funny, and full of heart, this off-beat comedy is perfect for anyone who's ever dreamed of making it big.
240 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
September 30, 2023
Lucky Change is the story of a woman who goes to a gas station in Idaho and the "flirty" cashier talks her into buying one lottery ticket--and she wins over $200 million! She gets advice from her bishop, who is also a lawyer, and becomes a very generous woman.
Karen is hilarious! She isn't very educated, raised 2 kids alone when her husband walked out and divorced her, and is very blunt, much to the chagrin of her fellow Relief Society members. I thought of Kathy Bates during the whole book--she is who Karen reminded me of.
A fun, entertaining read.
Karen is hilarious! She isn't very educated, raised 2 kids alone when her husband walked out and divorced her, and is very blunt, much to the chagrin of her fellow Relief Society members. I thought of Kathy Bates during the whole book--she is who Karen reminded me of.
A fun, entertaining read.
September 13, 2017
This is just what the doctor ordered for me. I absolutely fell in love with the main character and even had a couple of moments when I identified with her even though, by the end, I was pretty much working on a hero worship relationship with Karen. This is an LDS book and much of it is directed the way but a non-LDS person would identify with the basic struggles of all Christian congregations that are filled with human people. I really needed this book right now. In fact, I neglected tasks that I needed to accomplish today in order to read this story. That doesn't happen to me often these days and I appreciate the break from my life!
February 21, 2018
Totally expected this book to just be a fun, fluffy read, but it was great to read with real circumstances and situations that the characters had to go through. While it was hilarious at times (seriously several parts I actually laughed out loud and I don't usually), it was also so sad during other points in the book.
Synopsis: Karen, a single mom who raised her two kids in the LDS faith by working at a supermarket and has always had to thrift shop and take handouts from others, kind of accidentally buys a lottery ticket and wins millions of dollars. She changes the lives and hearts of those around her by how she uses the money.
Synopsis: Karen, a single mom who raised her two kids in the LDS faith by working at a supermarket and has always had to thrift shop and take handouts from others, kind of accidentally buys a lottery ticket and wins millions of dollars. She changes the lives and hearts of those around her by how she uses the money.
March 25, 2013
Maybe my 5-star rating is a little high since I sorta know the author, but I found this to be a refreshing break from the often overly-pious writing of other LDS fiction. The author breaks down the culture within the church when a "white trash" type character (Karen) wins the lottery. Karen is the type who always has something to say, much to the chagrin of the Relief Society President who is always trying to make things line up perfectly with the Gospel principles. When she goes from the poorest woman in the ward to the richest, perspectives begin to change, and people begin to see her true nature--charitable and kind--behind her sometimes uncouth behavior. In the beginning you feel a little embarrassed for the main character, but in the end you realize that she's the one who has truly been consistent in her thoughts, feelings, and actions throughout the entire book and the other characters (and perhaps the reader) have been overly judgmental. Thoroughly enjoyable read for any age (my mom enjoyed it, too).
March 31, 2011
A great book about how life can change! A single mom buys a lottery ticket and wins 230 million dollars! She then uses the money to help others, even those who snubbed their noses at her and her kids! Fantastic read for those who dream of having money and those that do!
November 24, 2010
I had a good time reading this book. It's funny and I needed a good laugh.
December 4, 2020
Such a fun story with fun and quirky characters. The only thing was it switched POV a lot and there were a lot of characters to keep track of.
Moral Note: Talk of drinking and immorality, and innuendos. LDS themes throughout.
Moral Note: Talk of drinking and immorality, and innuendos. LDS themes throughout.
October 2, 2017
This has a fun premise - what would you do if you won the lottery? I hope I would be as generous of spirit as the main character, Karen, is.
September 7, 2018
Fun for the first 1/3 and then it just dragged and dragged for me.
July 13, 2021
What a fun story! Susan's witty writing makes this such a pleasant read. I highly recommend this book!
January 14, 2022
Funny. Some laugh out loud parts for sure. Brain candy.
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April 18, 2023""
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 26, 2023
kinda funny, heartwarming and cheesy. Light fast read.
July 28, 2012
Yep, I really liked this one. One of the best in this genre I have ever come across. (The genre being LDS Chick Lit). What set this one apart for me was the primary protagonist in this novel was a divorced woman with two grown kids, one of them a daughter with a child born out of wedlock and self described "poor white trash". Very unique for LDS females in this category of writing.
Karen Donaldson is a favorite character for me now. She is unique in so many ways. She can make you laugh, smile and be impressed by the simple wisdom and faith that she lives her life by.
The "Lucky Change" for Karen, who was a checker at Smiths until she ended up with the winning Lotto ticket, hence the title. What she does with her new found fortune and how it transforms her ward, her family, her community is one of the beauties of this story.
LDS values and LDS doctrine play a large role in this novel. More so, than I normally have experienced with past novels of this ilk. But it appears so naturally and so in-character for the construct of the tale that it blends very naturally into the story line.
The closing paragraph in this novel sums it up quite nicely:"Years ago, our ward was invaded by a woman who had just moved into the Thompsons' basement. She used poor grammar, and she obviously wasn't educated. She didn't fit in with the sophisticated, stylish women in our ward, but it turns out she wasn't the one who needed polishing. She was the diamond used to polish the rest of us."
Karen Donaldson is a favorite character for me now. She is unique in so many ways. She can make you laugh, smile and be impressed by the simple wisdom and faith that she lives her life by.
The "Lucky Change" for Karen, who was a checker at Smiths until she ended up with the winning Lotto ticket, hence the title. What she does with her new found fortune and how it transforms her ward, her family, her community is one of the beauties of this story.
LDS values and LDS doctrine play a large role in this novel. More so, than I normally have experienced with past novels of this ilk. But it appears so naturally and so in-character for the construct of the tale that it blends very naturally into the story line.
The closing paragraph in this novel sums it up quite nicely:"Years ago, our ward was invaded by a woman who had just moved into the Thompsons' basement. She used poor grammar, and she obviously wasn't educated. She didn't fit in with the sophisticated, stylish women in our ward, but it turns out she wasn't the one who needed polishing. She was the diamond used to polish the rest of us."
March 22, 2015
What would you do with a lot of money if you won the Lottery? How would you treat others with more money than most people see in a life time? This story so very well told of a woman who happened to be an eye sore to those around her. Not raised in the best of circumstances, divorced raising 2 children on her own, Karen Donaldson bought one lottery ticket and hit the jackpot. Those around her didn't appreciate her winnings as they thought they "out classed" her with the silver spoon upbringing and their fully loaded houses.
But the story takes twists and turns of how they all learn to love each other and serve each other in unexpected ways. Centered around a Mormon community, Lucky Change uses many of the "Mormon Lingo" in the culture of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints and the side characters involved with Karen add interest and thought to the whole book.
This is a different take from Susan Law Corpany as the story is a very realistic and a sad commentary on modern society but she still shines through in her humor and plot twists with wonderful characterizations. A great read.
But the story takes twists and turns of how they all learn to love each other and serve each other in unexpected ways. Centered around a Mormon community, Lucky Change uses many of the "Mormon Lingo" in the culture of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints and the side characters involved with Karen add interest and thought to the whole book.
This is a different take from Susan Law Corpany as the story is a very realistic and a sad commentary on modern society but she still shines through in her humor and plot twists with wonderful characterizations. A great read.
March 19, 2012
Lucky Change by Susan Law Corpany is a breath of fresh air. I loved Karen Donaldson, the struggling single mother who had managed to raise two children on her own after her husband ditched her for an easier life. At the beginning of the book, Karen is approaching her Bishop about a horrible sin she'd committed. Assuming she'd had an affair by her demeanor, he had to re-focus when her confession was buying a lottery ticket. It kind of put the sin in perspective. Although he couldn't accept tithing on the "dirty money," Karen found plenty of ways to do good with her money. What a fun fantasy to ride along with Karen in imagining all the good you could do with a boatload of money. I had to confess to rooting for a relationship with her lawyer, but when the ex- shows up I wasn't so sure. Susan's down-to-earth writing is a delight. Pick up a copy. You won't be disappointed.
April 11, 2011
Not a typical LDS romance. Well, not really a romance at all, more of a comedy, with a bit of some quirky romance thrown in there in a few places. A cute story about a lady who buys one lottery ticket in her life and wins big. She goes from being the Ward charity case, to helping out those who made fun of her and her kids. It's a story about forgiveness, true charity and Karen, one very unforgettable character. Humorous, touching and worth reading. And I think the Roadkill Mobile is a great idea.
March 12, 2013
Hilarious.
Karen Donaldson, a forty something, divorced mother of two grown children succumbs to temptation...and buys a lottery ticket. She wins and suddenly everything her neighbors ever judged the family to be is turned upside down. Instead of being self described poor white trash, they are now rich white trash and it is quite a fun story of change.
You won't like it if you don't like LDS fiction or Chick Lit. I loved the quirky characters. They may not be EXACTLY real life people, but I know some people who are awfully close.
Karen Donaldson, a forty something, divorced mother of two grown children succumbs to temptation...and buys a lottery ticket. She wins and suddenly everything her neighbors ever judged the family to be is turned upside down. Instead of being self described poor white trash, they are now rich white trash and it is quite a fun story of change.
You won't like it if you don't like LDS fiction or Chick Lit. I loved the quirky characters. They may not be EXACTLY real life people, but I know some people who are awfully close.
November 1, 2011
Real life with all of it's twists and turns, heroes, and villains. I laughed, cried, and even got angry as I read this book. It was so engaging that it was difficult to put down when it was time for bed. This is a quick read that will make you think, cheer for Karen and all that she does to improve the lives of others, and maybe (if you're like me) find yourself in the book and decide that what you see is not the person you want to be. Well worth the time spent. Great book.
August 5, 2012
This was a cute book, really made me want to get a lottery ticket on the off chance that I might win. A bunch of things that Karen did with her winnings are things I would love to do (if only I had money!). The one thing that ABSOLUTELY drove me nuts about this book is that she has HORRIBLE grammar. As I'm reading I can hear the characters voices in my head (that I've made up) and the grammar was awful. (It's a pet peeve of mine.)
March 29, 2011
This was a refreshing change from your run of the mill lds novel. At first I could hardly stand the main character, but I grew to love her quirkyness by the end. It was fun to think about what I would do if I had all the money in the world. Hmmmmm...I think I might go buy a lottery ticket...Just one. ;)
February 11, 2011
The story concept was delightful and the characters engaging. Unfortunately, there was a bit of POV switching within scenes, as well as a bit of info dumping in places that took me out of the story. Still, it's a fun read.
March 13, 2011
Cute and fun, I liked how the author moved away from the Mormon Automatically Equals Good trope that shows up in so much Mormon fiction. There didn't seem to be a whole lot of story driving the plot though, except for Camille the secretary's subplot which I found really interesting.
July 8, 2012
This was a very light read - humorous in some places, predictable in others. Everything wrapped up a little too nicely, but expected for a feel-good light read. This book is probably best appreciated by LDS readers.
May 17, 2011
I chose this book because it was mentioned on Segullah as a Whitney finalist. I really wanted to like the book. It has a cute premise. But the dialogue was so unrealistic. And it just wasn't funny enough to make up for that.
July 11, 2011
My daughter and I really liked this book. It had some good lessons in it.
Merged review:
This is a really great book. My daughter and I really enjoy reading it. There are some good life lessons in it.
Merged review:
This is a really great book. My daughter and I really enjoy reading it. There are some good life lessons in it.
July 22, 2011
A middle ages single mother takes a chance and her life changes. Don't want to say too much or the first part is not as funny. Smiled all the way through this one. Lessons taught with humor and occasionally a sharp stick.
February 25, 2017
What a surprising little gem this was! I don't normally read LDS comedy, but this was thought-provoking, humorous, and utterly charming. I'm really looking forward to reading everything she has written. :)
March 22, 2014
Winning the lottery--with all its challenges---makes Karen's true colors show. I have to admit that Karen really bugged me at first but I kept reading. If you like feel-good stories, this is a book for you.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews