Just My Luck is a twisty domestic thriller with some of the most unlikeable characters I have ever had the misfortune to read about in honesty. A win of almost 18 million pounds is something the majority of us can only dream about, but for Jake and Lexi their dreams become a reality and they suddenly have a huge amount of cash to splash about. There's one kicker; they had been in a lottery syndicate for fifteen years with their closest friends, but the week before this ginormous win the friends dropped out. Or so Jake and Lexi say. Their friends - soon to be ex-friends - have a different take on the story. They say they never dropped out and are demanding their cut of the funds.

They say money doesn't bring happiness, and oh boy is that the truth in this novel. From the moment their win is confirmed, Jake becomes an absolute asshole beyond belief, splashing the cash and paying no heed at all to what his wife might want. Before the money is even in the account, he has a new sports car on the drive and he only gets more obsessed with how much he can spend. Out of all of the characters, he was perhaps the one I wanted to throttle most, but the friends aren't much better. For most of the novel, the pacing is very much around the domestic, but then there's a huge thriller edge towards the end of the novel where the stakes are no longer just the money but the safety of the family.

Throughout this there is a secondary narrative thread in the story of Tomas whose wife and young child were killed through the negligence of their landlord. Tomas' story is tragic and he had sunk to rock bottom, losing his job, his home in quick succession. Lexi is determined to help him back on his feet, and follows a trail that leads back to the landlord responsible for the death of his family. I'd have liked to have seen more of this narrative threaded through the book as it was far more interesting than the lavish expenditure of Jake and the family drama.

I have to admit, the ending is where this novel dropped a little in my view as the whirlwind of an ending really did stretch my credulity to breaking point. Money makes people do some reprehensible things, but there are some things I can't imagine a father doing and that line is crossed. It all felt a little rushed and over-played, with the final reveal making me wince. That said, I flew through the novel in less than a day, so it definitely had something going for it!

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my free review copy of this title.

Lexi and Jake are part of a close group of friends, the six of them meet every weekend and have a lottery syndicate which they have been running for fifteen years. One weekend there’s a big falling out. The next week Lexi buys a winning lottery ticket.

I wanted a light, quick read and this certainly ticked those boxes.

However, I didn’t really like any of the characters. Lexi I found just so spineless and goody two shoes. I initially liked Jake and then he started acting like an immature idiot. Not helped by the fact his wife just let him carry on.

Despite this, I still found the book readable and wanted to know what would happen.

Money can solve a lot of problems, but in this case it seems to create a lot more. There’s betrayal and lies galore. What seemed like a solid, secure marriage is far from it. What was once a close knit group of friends is broken apart.

Some parts I had already guessed and others I thought were a bit too far fetched. However, the basic premise is a good idea for a novel.

This book is a good quick read but nothing to write home about.

Thanks to NetGalley and HQ Harper Collins for a copy of this book for review.

A good read with lots of twists and turns. When a group of friends win the lottery it turns into a huge argument when Lexi and her husband Jake Insist the others had pulled out the week before and weren't entitled to any money. What then takes place leads to secrets and lies coming out.There its jealousy, deceit and affairs discovered before there can be any happiness for any of them.,and a final twist at the end which makes this novel so interesting

I really enjoyed the book, twisty, dark and gripping! I was enthralled by the main story line; what would you do if you won the lottery?

A real page turner which totally did not go the way I thought it would!!

I really enjoyed this book, a great mix of characters. Just when you think you know where the story is going, there is a twist to the tale.
A great read, Thank you

The relationships in the book were complex and interesting. The range of perspective added to that even more.

The thriller aspect didn’t really take force until 80%, but some twists definitely shocked me and the last page did floor me a little! There was a slight Big Little Lies vibe and it was a compelling read.

My only complaint is that I would have like a chapter or some take from Toma at the end.

I sometimes struggle with Adele Parks’ books, and unfortunately I struggled with this one too. I don’t know why, but sometimes her writing and storylines just don’t grip me. I can definitely understand why some people do love her books, but I find them really hit and miss. I am gutted that I didn’t enjoy this one, but you can’t love them all!

Another great story from Adele Parks. This time it about three families that have had a lottery syndicate for fifteen years. a week before the phenomenal win . two of the couples supposedly say they do not want to do it anymore. The story follows what happens next with greed, selfishness, kidnapping and so on. fascinating story with a lovely twist in the tail.

This book was very original even down to the the petty disputes which turned into monumental hateful responses from people you had called friends for fiteen years. You never know how people are going to react in this situation but I suspect that anyone and everyone would feel the same as those couples who just missed out on a huge lottery win after playing every week with other couples, using the same numbers. That is life I'm afraid. Very well written although sometimes I wanted to crack heads together.

Please note that this book is not for me - I have read the book, However I had to DNF and because i do not like to give negative reviews I will not review this book fully - there is no specific reason for not liking this book. I found it a struggle to read and did not enjoy trying to force myself to read this book.

Apologies for any inconvenience caused and thank you for the opportunity to read this book

I was really intrigued by the premise of this book, it reminded me of the BBC programme The Syndicate. Unfortunately I just couldn't get into it and didn't quite live up to my expectations.

What would you do if you won £18 million? Spend it? Save it? Buy houses, cars, holidays? Give it away to charity? In Just My Luck by Adele Parks Lexi and Jake can’t believe it when their lottery numbers come up and they’re suddenly multi-millionaires. And, in a further stroke of luck, the other 2 couples that used to be in their syndicate have recently pulled out, meaning they don’t even have to share it. But the Pearsons and the Heathcotes aren’t going to end up empty-handed without a fight!

I really enjoyed this entertaining and twisty story. There are secrets and lies galore, characters to side with and others to despise, and plenty of “what would I do?” moments to get your teeth into. It’s a nice quick read, perfect for the beach (if only!), and I would recommend if you’re after an easy to read page-turner that you don’t have to think too much about, as long as you don’t mind suspending disbelief a little at some of the more unlikely elements of the plot.

With thanks to HQ for gifting me an eARC for review. Just My Luck is available to buy now.

I was given a copy of Just my Luck by Adele Parks in exchange for an honest review. Every week Lexi and Jake have been meeting with 2 other couples to do the lottery for years. When there is a r8ft in the group they other couples decide not to do the lottery with them. When the numbers come up winning nearly 19 million the others try to claim their money. Jake along with their children soon start spending the money. I really enjoyed this book and really felt for Lexi. Money soon changes the rest of her family but Lexi wants to spend the money carefully. It made my consider what I would do if ever I won the lottery! I couldn't put this book down.

The story builds slowly, letting you get to know the characters and give you direction and then the first plot becomes clear.

I found I was gently led down this path and then out of nowhere everything changes.

A great end to the book which drew me in the more I read, another good read by Adele Parks.

When Lexi wins the lottery, she knew their lives would change. However, it tore apart their marriage and their friends marriages as everyone fights over the winnings. There is an orgy of spending by some, money given away without taking to each other, and so many secrets going on. The people are so selfish and nasty that you won't be sad if they don't keep the money. Then her daughter is kidnapped and everything is turned upside down again. The story goes from being about a bunch of dysfunctional people you don't like into a pacey thriller that has done great twists and turns. Persist with it, the last part is worth it!

Lovely tale of how you should be happy with your lot!
3 couples who've been friends for years and still spend a lot of time with each other, dinner parties 3 times a month, their children very close and playing the weekly lottery syndicate that they've never won, have a falling out. Harsh words are said and the syndicate busts up, well wouldn't you believe it, the numbers come up next week and Jake and Lexi win £18 million pounds. Obviously, the other two couples want their share but it won't be a clean fight, not even Jake and Lexi can agree on how to spend it.
An excellent portrayal of greed and selfishness all the characters have an ugly streak some more than others, the children are great, super bitchy girls and carefree boys. The couples show the most hideous sides of themselves in order to become rich. The plot moves quickly and the secrets and lies of the past are un-earthed to prove karma really is a bitch!
Overall, a great little read which I can see as a beatiful Kay Mellor short series, be happy with what you have as money doesn't fix everything!

Thanks to HQ and NetGalley for the ARC

Overall I liked this book. The storyline reaches into those dreams we all have. How would life change after a big lotto win? Life certainly changes quickly for lexi and jake after a multi million pound jackpot.

Of course things certainly don’t run smoothly and the couple and their children find that the money comes with some big drawbacks.

I was quite gripped by this and, taking it at face value, it was an enjoyable read. There were, however, a couple of sticking points for me... firstly, I didn’t really like or empathise with any of the characters. Secondly, the plot was bizarre and the sudden plot developments were a bit jarring.

I would recommend this as long as you can completely suspend reality!

I have reviewed this book honestly in exchange for an ARC from Netgalley.

I enjoyed this book although I found parts a teeny bit slow, A story about how winning a life changing amount of money can not always be a good thing and that it can also affect relationships.

A great page-turner, I read the whole thing in one day. I like a book with alternative perspective chapters and this didn’t disappoint. Problem after problem faced by the characters following their big lottery win, all had me hooked. I liked how the author was able to alternate between ‘sensible’ adult narrative and that of a teenage girl, and although I managed to guess most of the major plot points before the big reveals, this didn’t hinder my enjoyment. Would recommend.

Just My Luck by @adele_parks . Published by @hqstories 🤞
She has done it again. Adele has such a wonderful talent for writing such great books.
This offering is no different 🤞
The saying goes money is the root to all evil- also money can do funny things to folk.
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Lexi & Jake have been playing the same lottery numbers with their friends for over 15 years. Sadly without any real success. Then one weekend a disagreement between them . The syndicate appears to be broken. 🤞
Jake continues to play the lottery and theirs numbers come up and win £18million.
This all happens a week after the disagreement.
Will Jake & Lexi share the winnings?????
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The story is much more than just money. It take you though effects money can have on relationships.
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Betrayal ,secrets and so much more.
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The plot works brilliantly it’s classic Adele Parks.
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Thank you @hqstories for sending me a copy of this book
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Out Now
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