a sweet and heartwarming story for younger teens, focusing on grief and friendship, yet it is also a relatively lighthearted story.

I do love YA novels that cause their readers to think about tricky subjects without them realising and this fabulously funny book from Rob Stevens does just that!

Dealing with bereavement, friendship, family issues and differences this fast-paced comedic novel has you smiling, belly laughing, crying and, importantly, empathising in equal measure. With scenarios that will bring a smile to the most reluctant of readers this really is an accessible book and one which I would not hesitate to recommend to any parent of children, boy or girl, from about 10-14 years old.

My son, 11, who is not unlike one of the main characters Arnold, first introduced me to this book as it appeared on a "Must-Read" list that he'd happened across. His choice of reading matter is normally more dystopian so I was a little surprised. Finding the book on NetGalley I applied for a review copy but, having read the blurb I decided that this was an opportunity to engage with my son on subjects that he normally finds very difficult, an opportunity that should be seized. A copy was ordered from our local bookseller the same day! As we picked up the hard copy I received a text to say the publisher's had approved my application on NetGalley.
We read the book simultaneously!

The characterisation is superb and despite its relatively short length, it is easy to picture each scene as it unfolds. My son loved the "laugh out loud" moments and they provoked a positive reaction from a child who reads as I imagine Arnold speaks, with little outward emotion.

I would not hesitate to recommend this book to anyone, it stands on its own. If, however, like us, you have a child with ASD traits who can sometimes struggle with being different or who has a classmate who isn't "neuro-typical"; if you have a child who is bereaved whether through death or family breakdown; if you have a child with whom it is difficult to have some of those tricky conversations then I would strongly encourage you to get this for your child and to read it too. It may just open the door, even if only by a crack, to something wonderful!

Returning to my son's thoughts on the book I asked him why he chose it in the first place (acknowledging that it's not the kind of thing he normally goes for).

- "Because it has cricket on the front"
- "And were you disappointed that it wasn't really about cricket?"
- "No, it was brilliant!"

Says it all really!


With HUGE thanks to NetGalley, the publishers Anderson Press, and the author, Rob Stevens for the review copy.

This is such a wonderful book! I really loved it. I feel like I’ll turn into a rambly mess if I talk about it too much, so I’ll list my three favourite things about it:

1. Lucky Break deals with huge issues like death and grief and anti-social behaviour, but isn’t weighed down by them. It’s about these things, yes—but it’s also about the friendship and silly antics of two young boys.
2. It’s genuinely funny, without being cringey. This is such a difficult line to walk, and Rob has done a wonderful job of it. Leon comes across as cheeky and fun and it is a joy to read from his perspective. I think this would make a wonderful film, which is something I don’t often say about books I love–the humour would translate wonderfully.
3. The importance that is placed on relationships between friends and family. As much as anything else, Lucky Break really emphasises the importance of having people to talk to and relate to after a devastating situation like the loss of a brother or son. I definitely left this book with a warm feeling in the pit of my tummy.
All in all, would highly recommend!

Leon's twin Lenny passed away a year ago while not looking when crossing the road, since then their mum wants to keep Leon away from anything dangerous to the point of extreme worry all day everyday for her now.



New student, Arnold provides a welcome distraction for Leon with his strange ways and regular misunderstanding a of situations. Arnold is a foster kid and left alone by his foster family whilst they go to visit sick relatives, he needs somewhere to stay and Leon helps by sneaking him into his!



Together, they wind up in a few very extreme situations from finding a wallet, helping a homeless guy, winning big on arcade slot machines, causing a fake bank job and then getting questioned by the police!



Arnold shows Leon it's okay to remember Lenny by enjoying rugby and cricket as a family as Lenny would've loved to have them playing it with him still now if he was alive still.



Leon also reveals to his over anxious mum that he doesn't need her trying to always protect him and tells of his guilt he feels from not being able to save his brother.



As a random choice of book to review, it swung it for me having cricket, death and comedy mentioned in the write up. Comedy and death in a novel could be a bad choice but here it works, Lenny was a joker and loved to have fun especially by playing cricket and we see the emotional turmoil the memories have his family in, super understandable and relatable too. Arnold provides welcome distraction and is a guy Penny would've loved to hang out with like Leon too.



A touching novel with a comedic edge!



Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them!