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Lucky Girl
In Jamie Pacton's hilarious and poignant sophomore novel, a teen wins the lotto jackpot and suspicion and jealousy spread through her small town before she can claim her prize. Perfect for fans of Rainbow Rowell and Becky Albertalli.
58,643,129. That's how many dollars seventeen-year-old Fortuna Jane Belleweather just won in the lotto jackpot. It's also about how many reasons she has for not coming forward to claim her prize.
Problem #1: Jane is still a minor, and if anyone discovers she bought the ticket underage, she'll either have to forfeit the ticket, or worse...
Problem #2: Let her hoarder mother cash it. The last thing Jane's mom needs is millions of dollars to buy more junk. Then...
Problem #3: Jane's best friend, aspiring journalist Brandon Kim, declares on the news that he's going to find the lucky winner. It's one thing to keep her secret from the town, it's another thing entirely to lie to her best friend. Especially when...
Problem #4: Jane's ex-boyfriend, Holden, is suddenly back in her life, and he has big ideas about what he'd do with the prize money.
As suspicion and jealousy turn neighbor against neighbor, and no good options for cashing the ticket come forward, Jane begins to Could this much money actually be a bad thing?
58,643,129. That's how many dollars seventeen-year-old Fortuna Jane Belleweather just won in the lotto jackpot. It's also about how many reasons she has for not coming forward to claim her prize.
Problem #1: Jane is still a minor, and if anyone discovers she bought the ticket underage, she'll either have to forfeit the ticket, or worse...
Problem #2: Let her hoarder mother cash it. The last thing Jane's mom needs is millions of dollars to buy more junk. Then...
Problem #3: Jane's best friend, aspiring journalist Brandon Kim, declares on the news that he's going to find the lucky winner. It's one thing to keep her secret from the town, it's another thing entirely to lie to her best friend. Especially when...
Problem #4: Jane's ex-boyfriend, Holden, is suddenly back in her life, and he has big ideas about what he'd do with the prize money.
As suspicion and jealousy turn neighbor against neighbor, and no good options for cashing the ticket come forward, Jane begins to Could this much money actually be a bad thing?
240 pages, Hardcover
First published May 11, 2021
13 people are currently reading
3865 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 182 reviews
June 22, 2021
A 17 year old wins the lotto but you have to be 18 in order to claim and cash it. I thought this was a super fun premise but the book ended up being super repetitive with figuring out what to do with the lotto and then boyfriend and best friend drama. I didn't expect much romance in this book so I was actually excited about that so I was a little let down by that. Other than that, I think Jane is likable and fun so I did enjoy this. It deals with some grief as well since our main character is still dealing with the aftermath of losing her father, 5 years later. She is trying to pick up the pieces of her mothers grief as well and dealing with her hoarding. Plus the main character is bi-sexual so we have some representation! This is a fast read that is fun but also has serious topics explored. The narrator did a pretty good job as well. Also, I would like to win 58 million dollars. Must be nice..
Thanks so much to Netgalley and to the publisher for an audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks so much to Netgalley and to the publisher for an audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
January 3, 2021
Short & fast-paced, Lucky Girl puts us in the shoes of Fortuna Jane Belleweather, aka Jane, and her struggles after she finds out the lottery ticket she (okay, illegally) purchased as a minor is worth $58,643,129.
I loved how concise this story was at teasing out the core of Jane's struggles and letting us see how this unexpected journey goes for her. How we didn't dawdle around the problems or get distracted. It's emotional and contemplative even in a condensed form. Pacton really makes every word matter.
Lucky Girl teases out complicated family relationships (Jane & her hoarding mother), past romantic relationships (Jane & her ex-boyfriend who has suddenly become an econ-loving dudebro), and friendships (Jane & her best friend who's an aspiring journalist and hopes to figure out just who the winner is). We get to see just what's stopping Jane from cashing in the ticket--which, there's a lot of--and we get to see how it all resolves.
Lucky Girl is a story rooted in a small, Wisconsin town and definitely one I'd recommend for anyone looking for a shorter length contemporary that packs quite a punch while pulling you in!
I loved how concise this story was at teasing out the core of Jane's struggles and letting us see how this unexpected journey goes for her. How we didn't dawdle around the problems or get distracted. It's emotional and contemplative even in a condensed form. Pacton really makes every word matter.
Lucky Girl teases out complicated family relationships (Jane & her hoarding mother), past romantic relationships (Jane & her ex-boyfriend who has suddenly become an econ-loving dudebro), and friendships (Jane & her best friend who's an aspiring journalist and hopes to figure out just who the winner is). We get to see just what's stopping Jane from cashing in the ticket--which, there's a lot of--and we get to see how it all resolves.
Lucky Girl is a story rooted in a small, Wisconsin town and definitely one I'd recommend for anyone looking for a shorter length contemporary that packs quite a punch while pulling you in!
May 26, 2021
3.5 stars
First off, it was an incredibly cool experience to read a book that not only takes place in my home state, but in my area. Reading about a character going to the Madison Farmer's Market and looking over Lake Mendota made me feel at home in the best way possible. However, besides the setting, I feel like I never connected with the book. I'd still recommend it, but I liked Kit Sweetly a lot more.
First off, it was an incredibly cool experience to read a book that not only takes place in my home state, but in my area. Reading about a character going to the Madison Farmer's Market and looking over Lake Mendota made me feel at home in the best way possible. However, besides the setting, I feel like I never connected with the book. I'd still recommend it, but I liked Kit Sweetly a lot more.
May 14, 2021
This is an adorable YA Contemporary about a small town girl, not quite 18, who manages to buy the winning lotto ticket.
Jane just won $58 million dollars but there’s one problem, she’s not 18 and can’t legally cash it in or she could face actual criminal charges. When the news announces the name of Jane’s small town in Wisconsin as being the place where the winning ticket is purchased she starts to panic. Who is she going to get to cash all this money in and guarantee they won’t take her for all it’s worth? I thought the author did a great job in portraying the anxiety Jane feels every time someone brings up the lotto ticket and when the whole town goes on the hunt you can feel the world around Jane getting smaller and smaller.
Will she choose her best friend Bran, her mentally unstable mother, or the ex-boyfriend she thought she was in love with but left her high and dry with little explanation. I really liked the snippets of stories around other lotto winners and what happened to them throughout the book. Many of the stories included are a bit tragic from the winner taking their own life, being murdered for their money, or blowing it all and ending up broke. If all this research into past winners hasn’t given Jane enough anxiety her best friend Bran has decided to take his reporting skills to the next level to try to find the winner. Little does he know he’s connected to the winner more than he realizes.
This book was really cute. I thought the emotions were well done when it came to Jane. I thought the portrayal of her mother’s mental illness felt authentic to her grief. I have someone close to me who lost their father and his mother was never really the same. She even became a hoarder and still struggles with it to this day. This book doesn’t just portray someone with anxiety but also different ways people cope with grief. I enjoyed it overall and would recommend it to anyone looking for a fast-paced YA Contemporary that deals with grief and anxiety but in a way that feels light in tone.
https://thecleverreader.wordpress.com...
Jane just won $58 million dollars but there’s one problem, she’s not 18 and can’t legally cash it in or she could face actual criminal charges. When the news announces the name of Jane’s small town in Wisconsin as being the place where the winning ticket is purchased she starts to panic. Who is she going to get to cash all this money in and guarantee they won’t take her for all it’s worth? I thought the author did a great job in portraying the anxiety Jane feels every time someone brings up the lotto ticket and when the whole town goes on the hunt you can feel the world around Jane getting smaller and smaller.
Will she choose her best friend Bran, her mentally unstable mother, or the ex-boyfriend she thought she was in love with but left her high and dry with little explanation. I really liked the snippets of stories around other lotto winners and what happened to them throughout the book. Many of the stories included are a bit tragic from the winner taking their own life, being murdered for their money, or blowing it all and ending up broke. If all this research into past winners hasn’t given Jane enough anxiety her best friend Bran has decided to take his reporting skills to the next level to try to find the winner. Little does he know he’s connected to the winner more than he realizes.
This book was really cute. I thought the emotions were well done when it came to Jane. I thought the portrayal of her mother’s mental illness felt authentic to her grief. I have someone close to me who lost their father and his mother was never really the same. She even became a hoarder and still struggles with it to this day. This book doesn’t just portray someone with anxiety but also different ways people cope with grief. I enjoyed it overall and would recommend it to anyone looking for a fast-paced YA Contemporary that deals with grief and anxiety but in a way that feels light in tone.
https://thecleverreader.wordpress.com...
June 9, 2021
This is a quick contemporary book about a girl who wins the lottery but now has to figure out how to claim the money. It was interesting to see the pros and cons of having so much money and makes you wonder what you would do in that position.
Jane is only seventeen when she finds out she has the winning lottery ticket. Unfortunately, it's a crime for her to win so she needs an adult to claim the money. She's worried that her hoarder mom will use the millions to buy more junk, her grandma wants nothing to do with the money, and her ex boyfriend may not give the money to her after he claims it. As the pressure increases, Jane isn't sure if the money will help or hurt her and wonders if she should let it go instead.
I felt like Jane didn't think things through very well and was frustrated every time she fell for Holden's charm. I don't know why she didn't tell her best friend, he wasn't the kind of guy to hurt her or demand money. If she'd let him in, things would have been much less stressful. I also wanted her to talk to her mom about the hoarding and tell her how she was feeling. Watching Jane go along with her mom's shopping was hard and showed the affects of hoarding on the family members.
The plot could have had more to it. There's not really romance or action, it's mostly Jane thinking. I would have liked a bit more to fill out the story to keep me engaged. Not a bad premise at all, just could have had a side story or romance to round it out.
I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the copy.
Jane is only seventeen when she finds out she has the winning lottery ticket. Unfortunately, it's a crime for her to win so she needs an adult to claim the money. She's worried that her hoarder mom will use the millions to buy more junk, her grandma wants nothing to do with the money, and her ex boyfriend may not give the money to her after he claims it. As the pressure increases, Jane isn't sure if the money will help or hurt her and wonders if she should let it go instead.
I felt like Jane didn't think things through very well and was frustrated every time she fell for Holden's charm. I don't know why she didn't tell her best friend, he wasn't the kind of guy to hurt her or demand money. If she'd let him in, things would have been much less stressful. I also wanted her to talk to her mom about the hoarding and tell her how she was feeling. Watching Jane go along with her mom's shopping was hard and showed the affects of hoarding on the family members.
The plot could have had more to it. There's not really romance or action, it's mostly Jane thinking. I would have liked a bit more to fill out the story to keep me engaged. Not a bad premise at all, just could have had a side story or romance to round it out.
I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the copy.
May 7, 2021
You can find the full review and all the fancy and/or randomness that accompanies it at It Starts at Midnight
3.5*
The premise for Lucky Girl is so fun. A girl wins the lottery, but whoopsie, she's not eighteen! So she's faced with some tough choices, all while her small town goes basically bananas with Lottery Fever™, trying to find out who bought the elusive ticket.
Jane has few options, and no good ones. Her bestie is also underage, so he's out. Her mom has a severe hoarding problem, so Jane figures her mom will probably spend all $58 million on storage units, used wedding dresses, and people's first grade class pictures. She's not wrong, but still. Grandma is trying to live more simply and off the grid, so she seems a bad choice. And the only actual eighteen year old she knows is her ex-boyfriend Holden, who she really doesn't wish to talk to again.
There is a lot to like about this one, but a few things that I didn't, so I shall break it down!
What I Liked:
►Jane and Brandon's friendship was awesome. Always here for completely platonic besties where no one ends up jealous and hating the other. Brandon was a little obsessed with finding the lotto winner, but that wasn't really a bad thing- it isn't like he knew Jane's dilemma, after all. They just had a really healthy and wholesome friendship, Jane even being close with Brandon's girlfriend. Just wins all around.
►I mean, I was excited to find out what would happen to the money! I won't lie, I was super afraid that this would end in a hokey "we don't need money to be happy" thing, but the author did not go there. Jane did need the money, and she didn't pretend otherwise, and I really loved the honesty about how actually, yeah, money can be life changing.
►It's a quick and entertaining read. I mean, sometimes you just want to have a good time reading a book, right? This one delivers on that, for sure!
►I did like that Jane had to come to terms with her familial relationships. Like I mentioned, Jane's mom is a bit of a mess at the moment, and has been since the unexpected death of Jane's father. She's poured her grief into hoarding, and drove Jane away in the process. Obviously, there must be some kind of reckoning to be had between Jane and her mother throughout the story, and I was glad that it was discussed in great length.
What I Didn't:
►I wanted Jane's mom's issued to be addressed a bit more. Because look, this woman was in deep. And this part is maybe a little spoilery, but
►Jane's ex-boyfriend. Again, I don't want to go into spoiler territory, but I didn't like him from the start. He treated Jane very poorly prior to their break up, and he rubbed me the wrong way. I get that I was supposed to feel that way, but he felt... extra, if that makes sense?
Bottom Line: Overall it was a really cute story about a girl who wants to live her best life- and the winning money that just might help her do that, if she can find a way to keep it.
3.5*
The premise for Lucky Girl is so fun. A girl wins the lottery, but whoopsie, she's not eighteen! So she's faced with some tough choices, all while her small town goes basically bananas with Lottery Fever™, trying to find out who bought the elusive ticket.
Jane has few options, and no good ones. Her bestie is also underage, so he's out. Her mom has a severe hoarding problem, so Jane figures her mom will probably spend all $58 million on storage units, used wedding dresses, and people's first grade class pictures. She's not wrong, but still. Grandma is trying to live more simply and off the grid, so she seems a bad choice. And the only actual eighteen year old she knows is her ex-boyfriend Holden, who she really doesn't wish to talk to again.
There is a lot to like about this one, but a few things that I didn't, so I shall break it down!
What I Liked:
►Jane and Brandon's friendship was awesome. Always here for completely platonic besties where no one ends up jealous and hating the other. Brandon was a little obsessed with finding the lotto winner, but that wasn't really a bad thing- it isn't like he knew Jane's dilemma, after all. They just had a really healthy and wholesome friendship, Jane even being close with Brandon's girlfriend. Just wins all around.
►I mean, I was excited to find out what would happen to the money! I won't lie, I was super afraid that this would end in a hokey "we don't need money to be happy" thing, but the author did not go there. Jane did need the money, and she didn't pretend otherwise, and I really loved the honesty about how actually, yeah, money can be life changing.
►It's a quick and entertaining read. I mean, sometimes you just want to have a good time reading a book, right? This one delivers on that, for sure!
►I did like that Jane had to come to terms with her familial relationships. Like I mentioned, Jane's mom is a bit of a mess at the moment, and has been since the unexpected death of Jane's father. She's poured her grief into hoarding, and drove Jane away in the process. Obviously, there must be some kind of reckoning to be had between Jane and her mother throughout the story, and I was glad that it was discussed in great length.
What I Didn't:
►I wanted Jane's mom's issued to be addressed a bit more. Because look, this woman was in deep. And this part is maybe a little spoilery, but
►Jane's ex-boyfriend. Again, I don't want to go into spoiler territory, but I didn't like him from the start. He treated Jane very poorly prior to their break up, and he rubbed me the wrong way. I get that I was supposed to feel that way, but he felt... extra, if that makes sense?
Bottom Line: Overall it was a really cute story about a girl who wants to live her best life- and the winning money that just might help her do that, if she can find a way to keep it.
August 25, 2019
I WANT THIS. BADLY.
April 18, 2021
This was a super interesting read that really got me thinking! It had a lot of depth and covered some important topics.
Lucky Girl follows Fortuna Jane, though she prefers just Jane, after finding out she’s the sole winner of a 58 million dollar lottery. Sounds like a dream, right? Well, things aren’t all that simple as Jane is only 17 and shouldn’t have been allowed to buy a ticket in the first place, forcing her to scramble to find someone over 18 to claim her winnings for her. Her choices are slim as she’s faced with her money-obsessed ex, her mother’s hoarding problems that began after her father’s passing, and a small, Wisconsin town that’s desperate to know who among them is a new multi-millionaire.
I couldn’t help but place myself in June’s shoes and wonder what I would’ve done in her situation. This was such a conundrum! Jane was stuck in such a difficult place and it was really captivating watching her try to work through her problems.
Supporting Jane throughout her adventures was her best friend Bran, and he honestly stole the show for me. He was such a good friend in being there for Jane every step of the way and ultimately helping her solve her problem. The whole cast of characters was developed extremely well. They were all multi-faceted and easy to care about.
I loved the brief nod to The Life and (Medieval) Times of Kit Sweetly! That’s another great book by Jamie that I highly recommend. I really enjoy when authors tie their works together even if it’s in a small way.
This book was on the shorter side, but talked about so many meaningful things. There was obviously a lot of discussion around money; having it and not having it, what to do with a lot of it and how to handle having a little of it. Lucky Girl also covered some heavier topics. While contemplating what to do with $58,000,000 is a fun discussion to have, this story was more about family, loss and mental illness tied with grief.
I was expecting a fun and light read but I got so much more than that! This was a really impactful book that I highly recommend checking out.
Thank you so much to Page Street YA and Jamie Pacton for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Lucky Girl follows Fortuna Jane, though she prefers just Jane, after finding out she’s the sole winner of a 58 million dollar lottery. Sounds like a dream, right? Well, things aren’t all that simple as Jane is only 17 and shouldn’t have been allowed to buy a ticket in the first place, forcing her to scramble to find someone over 18 to claim her winnings for her. Her choices are slim as she’s faced with her money-obsessed ex, her mother’s hoarding problems that began after her father’s passing, and a small, Wisconsin town that’s desperate to know who among them is a new multi-millionaire.
I couldn’t help but place myself in June’s shoes and wonder what I would’ve done in her situation. This was such a conundrum! Jane was stuck in such a difficult place and it was really captivating watching her try to work through her problems.
Supporting Jane throughout her adventures was her best friend Bran, and he honestly stole the show for me. He was such a good friend in being there for Jane every step of the way and ultimately helping her solve her problem. The whole cast of characters was developed extremely well. They were all multi-faceted and easy to care about.
I loved the brief nod to The Life and (Medieval) Times of Kit Sweetly! That’s another great book by Jamie that I highly recommend. I really enjoy when authors tie their works together even if it’s in a small way.
This book was on the shorter side, but talked about so many meaningful things. There was obviously a lot of discussion around money; having it and not having it, what to do with a lot of it and how to handle having a little of it. Lucky Girl also covered some heavier topics. While contemplating what to do with $58,000,000 is a fun discussion to have, this story was more about family, loss and mental illness tied with grief.
I was expecting a fun and light read but I got so much more than that! This was a really impactful book that I highly recommend checking out.
Thank you so much to Page Street YA and Jamie Pacton for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
March 29, 2021
this was very sweet! I think it was generally speaking less my thing than Jamie Pacton's other book, and I didn't enjoy it quite as much, but that was through no fault of the book and it was definitely still a very good book, objectively speaking.
I really loved the cast of characters (especially Bran lol), and the writing style is so engaging!
I also do want to note that, though I fully recommend this book, it does deal with some tough subjects, specifically grief and dealing with a mentally ill parent. I thought that it was very respectful with showing the balance between "her mother is mentally ill and genuinely struggling" and "her mother's actions are still hurting her" and didn't in any way demonize mental illness, but please do be aware of these themes when going in so they don't take you off guard.
I really loved the cast of characters (especially Bran lol), and the writing style is so engaging!
I also do want to note that, though I fully recommend this book, it does deal with some tough subjects, specifically grief and dealing with a mentally ill parent. I thought that it was very respectful with showing the balance between "her mother is mentally ill and genuinely struggling" and "her mother's actions are still hurting her" and didn't in any way demonize mental illness, but please do be aware of these themes when going in so they don't take you off guard.
May 12, 2021
Read the full review on my blog Bookish Blades
the good:
- Jane! I love her!
- complex relationships and character dynamics
- Bran, what a sunshine!
- grief portrayed really well
- complex characters
- funny moments
- super emotional moments
the bad:
???
Rep: bi MC, Korean best friend
TW: grief, loss of loved one (in the past), grief, hoarding, blackmail, manipulation
the good:
- Jane! I love her!
- complex relationships and character dynamics
- Bran, what a sunshine!
- grief portrayed really well
- complex characters
- funny moments
- super emotional moments
the bad:
???
Rep: bi MC, Korean best friend
TW: grief, loss of loved one (in the past), grief, hoarding, blackmail, manipulation
February 27, 2021
Most surprising five-star read in 2021 so far - bisexuals are thriving 👌🏼👌🏼
December 6, 2024
this was sooooooooooo weird
May 17, 2021
Lucky Girl is a story about Fortuna Jane Belleweather, a seventeen-year old who has just won more than fifty-eight million dollars in the lottery. But along with the shock of winning, a lot more problems arise too. Jane isn’t eighteen yet, so she can’t cash the ticket, and if anyone finds out she bought the ticket as a minor, it would technically make her a criminal. Her best friend is intent on finding out the mystery winner, and her mom has a serious hoarding problem, which will only escalate if she lets the cat out of the bag.
And for the cherry on top? Her ex-boyfriend has shown up out of the blue, with big plans for that money.
This was a short and fluffy contemporary which dealt with hard topics in just the right way. Right from the synopsis, I knew not to expect anything going right in this book, which is basically exactly what happened. After winning the lottery, a string of funny and relatable incidents ensue, which made my experience very enjoyable.
It also explains the effects of money and greed, and what it can do to people. I feel like that’s a really important lesson we need to learn in life, and Jamie Pacton does a brilliant job of putting it into light. Another thing I loved was the friendship between Bran and Jane. He was so supportive of her and never judged her for the mistakes she made and I think everyone needs someone like him in their lives.
Initially, I was a bit weary of Jane hanging out with her ex-boyfriend again. I mean, her feelings were a mess when it came to him, and her conflicting emotions of how to deal with him were very amusing and annoying at the same time.
And as we all know, with each YA novel comes a character we want to hurtle off to hell. I’m not going to say who it was but their ending was just SO satisfying.
Jane’s mom went through some pretty hard times after her husband’s death and used hoarding as a coping method. Seeing how Jane dealt with her mom’s mental issues and how both of them came to a mutual understanding was genuinely uplifting.
Overall, the writing was amazing, and this book was just a lot of problematic lives rolled into one was just so fun to read and be a part of.
And for the cherry on top? Her ex-boyfriend has shown up out of the blue, with big plans for that money.
This was a short and fluffy contemporary which dealt with hard topics in just the right way. Right from the synopsis, I knew not to expect anything going right in this book, which is basically exactly what happened. After winning the lottery, a string of funny and relatable incidents ensue, which made my experience very enjoyable.
It also explains the effects of money and greed, and what it can do to people. I feel like that’s a really important lesson we need to learn in life, and Jamie Pacton does a brilliant job of putting it into light. Another thing I loved was the friendship between Bran and Jane. He was so supportive of her and never judged her for the mistakes she made and I think everyone needs someone like him in their lives.
Initially, I was a bit weary of Jane hanging out with her ex-boyfriend again. I mean, her feelings were a mess when it came to him, and her conflicting emotions of how to deal with him were very amusing and annoying at the same time.
And as we all know, with each YA novel comes a character we want to hurtle off to hell. I’m not going to say who it was but their ending was just SO satisfying.
Jane’s mom went through some pretty hard times after her husband’s death and used hoarding as a coping method. Seeing how Jane dealt with her mom’s mental issues and how both of them came to a mutual understanding was genuinely uplifting.
Overall, the writing was amazing, and this book was just a lot of problematic lives rolled into one was just so fun to read and be a part of.
May 2, 2021
Review originally posted on My Bookish Escapades.
"The heart is a wild creature that walks its own path."
What would you do with a million dollars?
I think most (if not all) of us have, at least once, ruminated this question. Would you buy a new house? Travel the world? Sail in your own yacht? Donate to charity? Invest all the money? Whatever the answer is, I think we can all agree that we rarely think about how something so good and miraculous could also be bad and terrifying.
Lucky Girl does a good job of addressing the what-ifs and the great unknown of becoming the sole person whose life will forever change with a million dollars worth of a piece of paper.
Going on this journey with Jane was really fun and was quite an experience! She's a very likable and a very relatable heroine. She's funny, smart and genuine. She dreams of becoming an oceanographer and finds solace in the ocean. She's a teenager on the cusp of becoming a multimillionaire. One would think, with this much money, all her problems would be solved just like that. *snaps finger* But quite the opposite. She will question her choices. She will get her heart broken. She will have to trust herself and stay true. She will learn that family (and real friends) is always all there is. She will come to realize that sometimes becoming a multimillionaire isn't as grand as it sounds. And that there are some things you can never have even with a million dollars.
I love Jamie Pacton's writing. It's short, direct, thoughtful and for a book this short, it sure packs a punch! I also really adore Jane's no nonsense grandmother and Bran's unique brand of loyalty. If I want a bestfriend for life, I'd be lucky to have someone half as caring and kind and loyal as Bran.
Lucky Girl is all parts sweet, endearing, hilarious, thought-provoking and real.
I received an ARC to read and review.
"The heart is a wild creature that walks its own path."
What would you do with a million dollars?
I think most (if not all) of us have, at least once, ruminated this question. Would you buy a new house? Travel the world? Sail in your own yacht? Donate to charity? Invest all the money? Whatever the answer is, I think we can all agree that we rarely think about how something so good and miraculous could also be bad and terrifying.
Lucky Girl does a good job of addressing the what-ifs and the great unknown of becoming the sole person whose life will forever change with a million dollars worth of a piece of paper.
Going on this journey with Jane was really fun and was quite an experience! She's a very likable and a very relatable heroine. She's funny, smart and genuine. She dreams of becoming an oceanographer and finds solace in the ocean. She's a teenager on the cusp of becoming a multimillionaire. One would think, with this much money, all her problems would be solved just like that. *snaps finger* But quite the opposite. She will question her choices. She will get her heart broken. She will have to trust herself and stay true. She will learn that family (and real friends) is always all there is. She will come to realize that sometimes becoming a multimillionaire isn't as grand as it sounds. And that there are some things you can never have even with a million dollars.
I love Jamie Pacton's writing. It's short, direct, thoughtful and for a book this short, it sure packs a punch! I also really adore Jane's no nonsense grandmother and Bran's unique brand of loyalty. If I want a bestfriend for life, I'd be lucky to have someone half as caring and kind and loyal as Bran.
Lucky Girl is all parts sweet, endearing, hilarious, thought-provoking and real.
I received an ARC to read and review.
May 31, 2021
Thanks to NetGalley and Page Street Publishing for an egalley in exchange for an honest review
Lucky Girl was a YA novel that seemed a bit lighthearted than my usual reading choices. Our 17-year-old protagonist, Fortuna is the latest lottery winner...the only thing is that it's illegal for her to have bought a ticket so she's keeping quiet. But as her small town keeps talking and her BFF and ex-boyfriend both are in a race to unmask the lottery winner. Fortuna might be running out of time.
Publication Date 11/05/21
Goodreads review published 31/05/21
Lucky Girl was a YA novel that seemed a bit lighthearted than my usual reading choices. Our 17-year-old protagonist, Fortuna is the latest lottery winner...the only thing is that it's illegal for her to have bought a ticket so she's keeping quiet. But as her small town keeps talking and her BFF and ex-boyfriend both are in a race to unmask the lottery winner. Fortuna might be running out of time.
Publication Date 11/05/21
Goodreads review published 31/05/21
June 6, 2021
I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Okay, so I just finished Lucky Girl and I'm honestly not sure how I feel about it just yet. In it, you will meet Fortuna but she goes by Jane. One day, she ends up buying a lottery ticket just for shiggles (shits & giggles my friends). She doesn't think anything will happen from it but she also wasn't having the best of days when she went to get it either. So when she randomly finds out that she actually won the money, well, shit definitely hit the fan (sort of).
Why? Well, she's technically underage because in the US you have to be at least 18 years old to buy a lottery ticket. It's true, I googled it! So being 17, she starts to freak out because she knows that she can't come forward and say that it's her ticket. Chaos comes in many ways throughout this book and I was very intrigued to see how things were going to end.
For the most part, I will gladly say that I was not a huge fan of Holden. Even those he's her ex and all, I just didn't like the guy. The reason why he dumper her? Super dumb. Coming back into her life? Also dumb - be gone demon! Also, he was just an asshole through and through. Especially when he decided blackmailing her was a bright idea. Spoiler alert: it wasn't.
Other than that, the family drama between her and her mom was also pretty interesting. I kept wanting her to just communicate with her mom about everything that was bottled up inside. Eventually it happened but I would have like it to happen a lot sooner than it did. Just because so much was going on in this book and it was pretty clear in the beginning that she needed to talk to someone. So, yeah, it definitely needed to happen way before the end of the book. It could just be me though...
In the end, it was a cute book but I'm also kind of frustrated that her being bi was mentioned once and then nothing happened after that. It's okay that nothing romantic happened because I like a good friendship book now and then but it's weird to just say it and then never go back to it. Again, it could just be me.
Okay, so I just finished Lucky Girl and I'm honestly not sure how I feel about it just yet. In it, you will meet Fortuna but she goes by Jane. One day, she ends up buying a lottery ticket just for shiggles (shits & giggles my friends). She doesn't think anything will happen from it but she also wasn't having the best of days when she went to get it either. So when she randomly finds out that she actually won the money, well, shit definitely hit the fan (sort of).
Why? Well, she's technically underage because in the US you have to be at least 18 years old to buy a lottery ticket. It's true, I googled it! So being 17, she starts to freak out because she knows that she can't come forward and say that it's her ticket. Chaos comes in many ways throughout this book and I was very intrigued to see how things were going to end.
For the most part, I will gladly say that I was not a huge fan of Holden. Even those he's her ex and all, I just didn't like the guy. The reason why he dumper her? Super dumb. Coming back into her life? Also dumb - be gone demon! Also, he was just an asshole through and through. Especially when he decided blackmailing her was a bright idea. Spoiler alert: it wasn't.
Other than that, the family drama between her and her mom was also pretty interesting. I kept wanting her to just communicate with her mom about everything that was bottled up inside. Eventually it happened but I would have like it to happen a lot sooner than it did. Just because so much was going on in this book and it was pretty clear in the beginning that she needed to talk to someone. So, yeah, it definitely needed to happen way before the end of the book. It could just be me though...
In the end, it was a cute book but I'm also kind of frustrated that her being bi was mentioned once and then nothing happened after that. It's okay that nothing romantic happened because I like a good friendship book now and then but it's weird to just say it and then never go back to it. Again, it could just be me.
June 3, 2021
Loved every minute! Jane has such a unique story that we don't hear much in YA and I really appreciated someone who didn't have it all handed to her easily. Seriously such a good, inspiring, and fun read.
January 7, 2025
Fortuna Jane Belleweather has always been good with numbers. As the only winner of the most recent lottery jackpot, Jane know there are 58,642,129 to claim the ticket. And every one of them includes a dollar sign.
Unfortunately, Jane can also see four big problems that stand between her and the big prize:
Jane is still seventeen for two weeks. This isn't terrible since she has 180 days to claim the ticket. Except if anyone finds out she bought the ticket as a minor it's a criminal offense. So aside from being in big trouble, she wouldn't be able to claim the winnings.
The most obvious solution is to give her mom the ticket to cash. But after her father's death, Jane's mother has started hoarding other peoples' possessions (and their memories, whatever that means) so Jane isn't sure she can trust her mother with that much cash. Or really any cash.
Jamie's best friend Brandon Kim is determined to reveal the big winner on his website, Bran’s Lakesboro Daily, to better prove his chops as an aspiring journalist and land a coveted internship at CNN.
Then there's the biggest problem: Jane's ex-boyfriend Holden is back on the scene with a lot of ideas about spending Jane's winnings. And trying to claim them for himself.
Winning the lottery should be the luckiest thing to ever happen to Jane, but as she struggles with keeping her big secret and figuring out how to claim her winning's she wonders if this is a case where a strike of luck is more bad than good in Lucky Girl (2021) by Jamie Pacton.
Jane narrates this standalone contemporary. Jane, like most of the small Wisconsin town residents, is white. Her best friend Brandon is Korean. Jane is bisexual.
Pacton packs a lot into a short novel as Jane comes to terms with her life-changing win and figures out how to claim her winnings (or if she even should). While this decision understandably drives most of the plot, Jane and her mother are also still grieving the death of Jane's father and dealing with the aftermath (isolation for both of them and hoarding for Jane's mom).
While some of the plot--particularly everything to do with Holden--can feel heavy-handed, Pacton delivers a very sweet slice-of-life story focused very squarely on Jane and her support system. Jane's friendship with Brandon (and Brandon's long-distance girlfriend who is in Australia) nicely centers this story and, once Jane comes clean, proves that she has more people in her corner than she realizes.
Lucky Girl is a fun bit of escapism that also thoughtfully tackles heavier themes of grief and loss. Recommended for readers seeking a change of pace in their next read.
Possible Pairings: Windfall by Jennifer E. Smith, Jackpot by Nic Stone, Lucky in Love by Kasie West
*An advance copy of this title was provided by the publisher for review consideration*
Unfortunately, Jane can also see four big problems that stand between her and the big prize:
Jane is still seventeen for two weeks. This isn't terrible since she has 180 days to claim the ticket. Except if anyone finds out she bought the ticket as a minor it's a criminal offense. So aside from being in big trouble, she wouldn't be able to claim the winnings.
The most obvious solution is to give her mom the ticket to cash. But after her father's death, Jane's mother has started hoarding other peoples' possessions (and their memories, whatever that means) so Jane isn't sure she can trust her mother with that much cash. Or really any cash.
Jamie's best friend Brandon Kim is determined to reveal the big winner on his website, Bran’s Lakesboro Daily, to better prove his chops as an aspiring journalist and land a coveted internship at CNN.
Then there's the biggest problem: Jane's ex-boyfriend Holden is back on the scene with a lot of ideas about spending Jane's winnings. And trying to claim them for himself.
Winning the lottery should be the luckiest thing to ever happen to Jane, but as she struggles with keeping her big secret and figuring out how to claim her winning's she wonders if this is a case where a strike of luck is more bad than good in Lucky Girl (2021) by Jamie Pacton.
Jane narrates this standalone contemporary. Jane, like most of the small Wisconsin town residents, is white. Her best friend Brandon is Korean. Jane is bisexual.
Pacton packs a lot into a short novel as Jane comes to terms with her life-changing win and figures out how to claim her winnings (or if she even should). While this decision understandably drives most of the plot, Jane and her mother are also still grieving the death of Jane's father and dealing with the aftermath (isolation for both of them and hoarding for Jane's mom).
While some of the plot--particularly everything to do with Holden--can feel heavy-handed, Pacton delivers a very sweet slice-of-life story focused very squarely on Jane and her support system. Jane's friendship with Brandon (and Brandon's long-distance girlfriend who is in Australia) nicely centers this story and, once Jane comes clean, proves that she has more people in her corner than she realizes.
Lucky Girl is a fun bit of escapism that also thoughtfully tackles heavier themes of grief and loss. Recommended for readers seeking a change of pace in their next read.
Possible Pairings: Windfall by Jennifer E. Smith, Jackpot by Nic Stone, Lucky in Love by Kasie West
*An advance copy of this title was provided by the publisher for review consideration*
August 7, 2021
I haven't been reading much these past few months but I do have three reviews to write. The problem is that I read/listened to these stories quite a while ago and never got to writing my opinion about them.
But anyway, Lucky Girl is one of them. It follows a teenage girl who bought a winning lottery ticket. However, she isn't eighteen just yet and technically can't get the money. However everyone around her is wondering why no one has claimed the money and everyone is trying to find out who the lucky girl is. Our main character is however thinking of how such a huge amount of money could change people and could change her life.
Overall, this was an entertaining audiobook and I liked the narrator. It wasn't a new favorite book but I had a good time listening to it.
(Thank you for letting me read and review an ARC via Netgalley)
But anyway, Lucky Girl is one of them. It follows a teenage girl who bought a winning lottery ticket. However, she isn't eighteen just yet and technically can't get the money. However everyone around her is wondering why no one has claimed the money and everyone is trying to find out who the lucky girl is. Our main character is however thinking of how such a huge amount of money could change people and could change her life.
Overall, this was an entertaining audiobook and I liked the narrator. It wasn't a new favorite book but I had a good time listening to it.
(Thank you for letting me read and review an ARC via Netgalley)
March 22, 2024
What can I say about this amazing book without spoiling it? I loved it so much I loved the story, the characters, the plot, etc. This story follows Jane Belleweather a 17 year and she bought a lottery ticket. What's so exciting about that you say? Well Jane lives in Winconsin and its illegal for someone under the age of 18 to play the lottery. Jane won the lottery and has been hiding it for awhile. She doesn't know who she can trust. to find out more of my thoughts on this book be on the look out for my monthly wrap up where I will gush all about it. Oh and something else thats amazing Jane is Bisexual <3.
February 19, 2021
Jamie Pacton is the best YA author out there! She knows how to capture the audience for sure! I love Her character Jane and the idea behind this book is fantastic! Thank you Jamie for giving us something that is hard to put down when we are reading! ❤️🤩😊
January 13, 2022
AYYYYYY the book that finished my challenge🙏🏼🙏🏼
i liked it a lot? the mc was really cool to follow.
a song i associate with this book: Gutter Girl- Hot Flash Heat Wave
i liked it a lot? the mc was really cool to follow.
a song i associate with this book: Gutter Girl- Hot Flash Heat Wave
May 7, 2021
Fortuna has a secret that is burning a hole in her pocket. She just won over $58,000,000 on the lottery and she is freaking out... internally. In the outside she refuses to let it show. There are several major issues eating away at her currently. For one, she is only 17 and even though she bought the ticket (illegally) she cannot cash it. She turns 18 soon so she is hoping to wait it out. Meanwhile, the whole town is going crazy because they have pinpointed the lottery ticket as being sold by a local store. So they know someone in their little town won that jackpot... and they cannot understand why the winner hasn’t come forward yet.
The whole town is in an uproar, sharing their ideas on what they would do with the money, and throwing a lot of shade on the individual who hasn’t claimed their winnings yet. Fortuna’s best friend is actually running an pseudo investigation into who the winner could be... leaving Fortuna feeling like a terrible friend, but still not willing to give up her secret.
Fortuna also is dealing with her hoarder of a mother, whose obsession with other people’s discarded memories is literally crushing them. And her ex boyfriend, while they shared two years together, is trying to get back in her life...
This was such a great book. I loved Fortuna. I loved her strength and her sass. She really only ever just wanted to do the right thing. And she must traverse the tumultuous waters through so many aspects of her life: her relationship with her mother, her love life, trying to be a decent friend and just trying to do the right thing.
I recommend this book to anyone looking for a sweet story about growth and loss and the realization of who you should keep in your life and who you should not.
The whole town is in an uproar, sharing their ideas on what they would do with the money, and throwing a lot of shade on the individual who hasn’t claimed their winnings yet. Fortuna’s best friend is actually running an pseudo investigation into who the winner could be... leaving Fortuna feeling like a terrible friend, but still not willing to give up her secret.
Fortuna also is dealing with her hoarder of a mother, whose obsession with other people’s discarded memories is literally crushing them. And her ex boyfriend, while they shared two years together, is trying to get back in her life...
This was such a great book. I loved Fortuna. I loved her strength and her sass. She really only ever just wanted to do the right thing. And she must traverse the tumultuous waters through so many aspects of her life: her relationship with her mother, her love life, trying to be a decent friend and just trying to do the right thing.
I recommend this book to anyone looking for a sweet story about growth and loss and the realization of who you should keep in your life and who you should not.
September 15, 2021
It is a story about Fourtuna Jane Belleweather (yes it is her name 😂 , but we call her jane) she is a normal highschooler like me , until she wins Lotto!!!
This book was such a unexpected wild ride , did I love every second of it?
Omg yesss , the story is so fast paced and engaging I couldn't put it down , and am happy to say I finished it in a day🥳 , Jane as a character was relatable and I could relate a lot to her , she won the lotto , but that doesn't mean her problems will have THE END ,as it just started .
She is seventeen years old , so it's illegal for her to cash it , she have few options , or does she? Holden (ex boyfriend , who dumbed her for no reason) , her mother ( a hoder , who collects other people's discarded items or "memories" ) , her grandma( doesn't believe in material possessions) . Jamie pacton's writing was so seemless , and Beautiful , this book can become your comfort read. There is a bisexual rep , but I think it wasn't explored enough , would have love to see more. I could relate to Jane a lot , because I understand what it feels to have a mother who is mentally ill , Jane's emotions and thoughts somewhat matched mine ♥️. Above it all whole town is in search of the winner , and her bestfriend had taken it upon him to find , how long can Jane Keep it a secret?
And what I would have give to find a bff like hers🥺 , Brandon is an angle , love him so much. Ohk now come to the ex , oh god he was so annoying , but also cute I was rooting for them also not! In a sentence I would sum up it as, "A cozy book that can uplift your mood".
This book was such a unexpected wild ride , did I love every second of it?
Omg yesss , the story is so fast paced and engaging I couldn't put it down , and am happy to say I finished it in a day🥳 , Jane as a character was relatable and I could relate a lot to her , she won the lotto , but that doesn't mean her problems will have THE END ,as it just started .
She is seventeen years old , so it's illegal for her to cash it , she have few options , or does she? Holden (ex boyfriend , who dumbed her for no reason) , her mother ( a hoder , who collects other people's discarded items or "memories" ) , her grandma( doesn't believe in material possessions) . Jamie pacton's writing was so seemless , and Beautiful , this book can become your comfort read. There is a bisexual rep , but I think it wasn't explored enough , would have love to see more. I could relate to Jane a lot , because I understand what it feels to have a mother who is mentally ill , Jane's emotions and thoughts somewhat matched mine ♥️. Above it all whole town is in search of the winner , and her bestfriend had taken it upon him to find , how long can Jane Keep it a secret?
And what I would have give to find a bff like hers🥺 , Brandon is an angle , love him so much. Ohk now come to the ex , oh god he was so annoying , but also cute I was rooting for them also not! In a sentence I would sum up it as, "A cozy book that can uplift your mood".
June 7, 2021
Thank you to Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for an ALC of this book.
Content Warnings at end of review
Fortuna "Jane" has never considered herself lucky--until a spur-of-the-moment decision to buy a lottery ticket results in her winning a 58 million dollar jackpot. Only problem? She's only 17, and she won't get the money if anyone finds out she bought it as a minor. She can't ask her mom for help, because she will just use it to continue to buy thrift finds to help her with the grief of Jane's father passing away. So now Jane is left with few options, one of which is her ex-boyfriend, Holden.
This book was cute and funny. There were times when I wasn't really able to suspend my disbelief enough? I almost felt like Jane didn't act the way I would expect a real person to act all the time, and it didn't feel quite right. I felt like there were really basic solutions to her problems and she was jumping to conclusions that didn't make sense to prolong the conflict.
I liked how things were resolved with her mother and her friends! I wish there had been more mention of Jane's identity as a bisexual woman instead of just a one-off comment that was never mentioned again.
Overall an interesting story and a quick read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Grief, and Death of parent
Content Warnings at end of review
Fortuna "Jane" has never considered herself lucky--until a spur-of-the-moment decision to buy a lottery ticket results in her winning a 58 million dollar jackpot. Only problem? She's only 17, and she won't get the money if anyone finds out she bought it as a minor. She can't ask her mom for help, because she will just use it to continue to buy thrift finds to help her with the grief of Jane's father passing away. So now Jane is left with few options, one of which is her ex-boyfriend, Holden.
This book was cute and funny. There were times when I wasn't really able to suspend my disbelief enough? I almost felt like Jane didn't act the way I would expect a real person to act all the time, and it didn't feel quite right. I felt like there were really basic solutions to her problems and she was jumping to conclusions that didn't make sense to prolong the conflict.
I liked how things were resolved with her mother and her friends! I wish there had been more mention of Jane's identity as a bisexual woman instead of just a one-off comment that was never mentioned again.
Overall an interesting story and a quick read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Grief, and Death of parent
July 24, 2021
This is a story of Jane, a 17yo girl who wins a lotto for $58 millions! But here comes a problem - she is a minor and she cannot play the lottery or cash the ticket because it’s illegal in the US, so she must find someone over 18 to claim her winnings for her. When I read the blurb I thought this was going to be a fun read. However, the book ended up being super repetitive with figuring out what to do with the lotto. It seemed clear to me what she should have done and who she should have distrusted. There wasn’t really romance or action, and I would have liked a bit more to fill out the story to keep me engaged. It also dealt with some tough subjects, specifically grief and dealing with a mentally ill parent. I did like the ending and the epilogue but the middle really missed the mark for me.
May 8, 2021
I finished this quick, funny YA in just a few hours and loved every second of it. Despite the fun nature of the book, Jane was dealing with some pretty tough stuff, a father who had passed away, a mother who was hoarding and an awful ex-boyfriend. But through it all, she managed to keep her sass and sense of humor and lean on her best friend. And the ending was very satisfying!
I would recommend this one for teens and adult YA lovers looking for a thought-provoking but entertaining read.
I received an advanced copy in exchange for my review.
I would recommend this one for teens and adult YA lovers looking for a thought-provoking but entertaining read.
I received an advanced copy in exchange for my review.
May 24, 2021
I really enjoyed this. It's definitely more of a 4.5 for me. I really appreciate when authors make characters and their relationships complicated without totally demonizing the other characters. This story features a mentally ill mother who isn't a completely horrible person or saint, she's just messy and complex and I really appreciated Jane seeing her that even if they butted heads. Honestly, this whole book was lovely and handled so well. I'd love to see more fiction in this vein, and I loved Jamie Pacton's first book and can't wait for what she writes in the future.
May 22, 2021
Well-written contemporary YA with themes around trust and secrets, family and friendship. I loved the main character, Jane, who loves whales!! Quick read builds up suspense and has a great ending. Bi/pan main character. CWs for death of a parent, hoarding. Some cursing and references to sex but seems appropriate for younger YA readers.
October 23, 2022
I thought this book was really cute and had a really fun premise. That being said, it was pretty repetitive and the pacing was a little weird. The end and resolutions just seemed to almost come out of no where when the rest of the book kind of stayed in the same place for a while. It did keep me glued to it though because I was so curious how it would turn out, but I kind of skimmed some parts that were again, very repetitive.
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