A book that explores the extent of human nature when individuals are in an invidious position linked to wealth and it’s possible effects. It brings out the best and the worst in individuals as exemplified in the apparently close friendship group where Lexi runs a syndicate . She and her husband Jake believe the other two couples have opted out and so they are the sole winners. She is cautious and her husband extravagant. The future lives do not run smoothly, doubling crossing , subterfuge, kidnapping, ransoms and some very unpleasant people abound in this.
I kept reading to the end bemused by the twists and turns but believe that the only likeable character was Lexi.

I read this book in about a day. It sucked me in right from the very first page. Adele is such a skilled writer and she knows exactly what she's doing. She created a variety of characters each of whom were developed well. The dialogue between them developed the story well and I hated most of them as they were so vile. But this is a good thing considering the themes if the book and I believe that if an author leaves you feeling something strongly, they've done their job.

Thank you Netgalley for this arc.

If you weren't certain money was the root of all evil here is another story to help confirm it! More a garden than a beach read with lockdown, but still good escapism with jealousy, twisted morals and love featuring strongly.
Thank you to netgalley and HQ books for an advance copy of this book

This was an interesting read, different to other books I’ve read recently. It certainly made me feel lucky that I haven’t won the lottery!!!! I read this book quickly because I just keep wanting one more chapter. There were some interesting twists in the book but I can’t say I loved the ending - it felt rushed. I loved some of the secondary story lines such as Tobu and how he fit into the lottery win. I didn’t much like any of the main characters for various reasons - spineless, greedy, obnoxious, fake..... but that kind of added to the story. They weren’t the kind of characters you needed to like !! All in all it was A good Read

I must admit that I was curious as to where this one would go before I began reading, but what a story!

Three couples get together most weekends and since their friendships began, have always played the lottery together until, one week, there is a bit of a disagreement which causes friction, leaving one couple feeling cut adrift. When they routinely check the ticket the following week, they've won! And, since the others dropped out, the jackpot is all theirs .. but is that how the other four see it?

There is real food for thought in this book. Don't we all dream of our numbers coming up - and insist it won't change who we are? What an eye-opener! These are ordinary families, like you and me and the surprises and shocks just keep coming. I have been heard to utter the odd expletive whilst engrossed in this tale - so much so that I had to explain the set-up to my husband who was a bit concerned at my vehemence! This isn't a placid read, it's one to get your juices flowing and your dander up! I began reading in bed and was half-way through before I could bear to set the book aside. Gripping, riveting and stunning! And then, when I thought it was all finished, there was more! A really contemplative read for every single person who pins their hopes on the lotto draw. A well-conceived and beautifully written story, which absolutely earns each one of the five sparkling stars I'm happy to give it, along with my recommendation.

My thanks to the publisher for my copy via NetGalley; this is - as always - my honest, original and unbiased review.

Jake and Lexie win the lottery. But Jake started frittering the money away before it was in their bank account. They had been playing the lottery for fifteen years with their friends, the Heathcotes and the Pearsons, but they never thought that they would win. But the friends had pulled out of playing the lottery then week before Jale and Lexie won 18 million.

This domestic thriller has lots of twist and turns. Its told from multiple points of view. I was pulled into the story quite quickly. This is a story of jealousy, greed, secrets and betrayals. The story did seem to dip a bit around the middle ut then it picks up, leading you to a surprise twist at the end. This is a cleverly written story. Lexi was my favourite character, she was more grounded than the rest of them. This is a gripping and page turning book. I do recommend this book.

I would like to thank NetGalley, HQ and the author Adele Parks for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

So, your dream is to win the lottery...or maybe this might just turn out to be worst living nightmare! I found this was an engaging read but I just thought that the surprises, which were there, to be slightly brushed over and worthy of more explanation and scene development. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for sending me an advanced reading copy.

I gave enjoyed other books by Adele Parks but stopped reading this about a quarter of the way through, as I found the storyline too unpleasant. I’m sure other readers will enjoy it but it just wasn’t for me. Lexi is a very empathetic character but her husband changed, and not for the better, as soon as they won the lottery. The other two couples were just horrible, so I didn’t want to read more about them.

A bittersweet story where a large lottery win can spell trouble and not remove all life’s problems. An well written, plausible storyline.

A dark and disturbing look at the unexpected effects of winning the lottery. We all know our lives would change, but we'd hope they would change for the better. Unfortunately for Lexi and her family, it shines a light on the flaws in their lives and family. I really enjoyed this as there were some great twists and turns.

Having the opportunity to read an ARC of Just my luck, Adele Parks twentieth novel to date, felt a bit like winning the lottery, obviously without all the shenanigans that go on in this addictive domestic thriller.
With this author being in my top ten of favourite writers, a new novel is always eagerly anticipated. Amongst many of the reasons why I loved this novel is that the subject she has chosen to fictionalise is very ordinary and so relatable. Who hasn’t daydreamed of one day winning a huge sum on the lottery and then having fanciful conversations with either family or friends or work colleagues about how you’d go about spending the windfall? I think if you were to eavesdrop on any one of these conversations you’d probably get some insight into each individual’s personality depending on how they’d think to spend the millions and that’s kind of how I felt reading Just My Luck. Jake and Lexi’s story is an example of the kind of salacious, titillating material that would feature in the more sensationalist red top newspapers, satisfying a human need for gossip and scandal which is what makes this such an easy and highly entertaining read. I practically inhaled each page as I gained an insight into how differently Jake and Lexi, alongside their children Emily and Logan dealt with such life changing news.
Of course the first twist in the tale is that Jake and Lexi are part of a winning syndicate, having played the lottery every week with best friends Jennifer and Fred and Carla and Patrick. Initially I thought the direction this novel would take was the fallout from the revelation that these two other couples had left the syndicate a week previously and were therefore not entitled to a share of the winnings. However this deliciously dark piece of fiction goes way beyond that, with all the characters, Lexi being the exception, revealing the very worst sides of human nature. Jealousy, greed, resentment, betrayal and even violence motivate these individuals to some extent and I lapped up revelations of their transgressions with glee.
Jake and Lexi come across as polar opposites. Quite frankly he is ‘a bit of a dick’ in Lexi’s own words as he immediately starts acting like a kid in a sweet shop spending money so fast it’s astonishing. He’s a poor role model for his teenage children who are automatically swept up in his impulsive spending sprees, mistakenly thinking all these material goods will buy them friends and happiness and love. Lexi by contrast is a saintly character, working as an adviser with the citizens advice bureau and contemplates their good fortune in a more calm and measured way. She’s keenly aware of the huge responsibility and burden their wealth now places on them, acknowledging all the deserving cases she encounters on a daily basis, so her reluctance to splash the cash exposes the flaws in their marriage. They don’t seem to be the cohesive family unit that on the surface they first appear to be and as the storyline progresses that gap widens with every little secret revealed, of which there are many.
Whilst I loathed Jake from the start, I really liked his wife. She has a conscience and a desire to help others with the money they’ve won which is clearly evident in her dealings with Toma, a homeless man she has gone out of her way to help. I kept thinking how this thread related to the rest of the storyline and was surprised by some of the clever and unexpected twists that tie all the characters together.
This domestic thriller is told from the perspective of both Lexi and Emily which I found interesting, wondering why the author chose just two of the characters to relay events rather than include Jake or Logan. I’d love to know!! Towards the end the narrative takes a turn I wasn’t expecting which for some may be a stretch too far but if you appreciate the author has exaggerated events to question human behaviour for the purpose of fiction, then this will not bother you. All becomes clear with an ending I absolutely loved and the very final words bought a wry smile to my face.
Everyone thinks their problems will be solved if they win a life changing amount of money but Jake and Lexi’s story prove that money will not buy you happiness. It can divide you and bring out the worst in people and you perhaps won’t know who your real friends are, making, in this instance, the lottery win a curse rather than a blessing. Instead of bringing luck it can split families and friends apart so be mindful when purchasing your next ticket, particularly if you’re part of a syndicate!!
For me this was a yet another brilliant read from a first class author. Perfect reading to whet the appetite of those of us who love a bit of scandal and satisfies our curiosity about our fellow human beings.
My thanks as always to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read.

Who doesn’t dream of winning the lottery? But in these days of uncertainty we all realise that money and material possessions are not everything!! This book explores how a big lottery win can impact on the lives of the winners and those close to them.

Lexi wins a staggering £18 million, but soon her friends are all wanting their share. Lexi and her husband Jake were in a syndicate with two other couples but after they both pulled out, the numbers hit the jackpot. With no firm evidence of their departure from the syndicate they are determined to share the winnings.

A large win can change your life overnight but this story shows that your true self never changes. Love, friendship,, betrayal and greed are all interwoven beautifully throughout the story.

With twists and turns on every page you’ll be struggling to put this book down. The real to life characters and fantastic plot made this a brilliant read for me,,

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for my chance to read this gripping read.

This has to be my favourite Adele Parks novel. I loved the twists and turns in the story. Lexi, the main character, is likeable and relatable. Jake and Lexi win 17.8 million on the lottery but they are part of a syndicate. A syndicate that folded the week before. Their lives change and Lexi and Jake refuse to share the money. Lexi wants to give the money to charities and Jake wants to spend, spend, spend. Lexi gifts 3 million to Toma, a homeless man she met on the streets but their are reasons to her kindness. This book highlights the pitfalls of wealth and can be dark in places. I like how it reflected the nightmare side to the dream. I really enjoyed this book. Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for letting me review this book.

I’ve not read anything by Adele Parks before and the premise of this tale intrigued me.

Lexi and Jake have played the lottery with their friends for fifteen years before the Heathcotes and Pearson’s pull out, a week later the numbers come up and Lexi and Jake are £18 million richer. Billed as a gripping tale of wealth, betrayal and friendship the story follows the families after the win.

I didn’t engage with the story or any of the characters and struggled to stay focussed as the story progressed. I don’t think this really belongs in the mystery/ thriller section. Not for me I’m afraid.

Adele Parks is a good writer, and the idea behind the story is a good one, but I found the book a little dull. I found the characters unconvincing, and there was never any real sense of a friendship between the three couples. No one was particularly likeable (with the exception of Toma) and I was relieved to reach the (equally unbelievable) ending.

Lexi and Jake are just an ordinary couple with 2 children, Emily and Logan. Once a month they have dinner at each other's houses with their friends Jennifer and Fred and Patrick and Carla. They usually check the lottery numbers and realising they are once again not winners the other 4 friends decide they don't want to do the lottery anymore and pull out. Lexi decides to continue with their numbers and end up winning £17 million the following week. This obviously causes mayhem, bad feeling and jealousy, with the other 2 couples accusing Lexi and Jake as liars saying they didn't pull out.
Lexi was working in the citizen's advice bureau until the story of their winning breaks and she is asked to take a couple of weeks break by her manager. Before she leaves Lexi meets up with Toma, a man from Moldova who lost his wife and child to his landlord's negligence by not servicing the boiler and the leakage of carbon monoxide kills them, Tomo wants revenge.

The story is told by different characters from the book and you are wondering how Tomo and the lottery win story come together.
This book has lots of drama but you do float away on the dream of winning the lottery and how they spend their money. Jake becomes intolerable with the win and the other characters become irritating through the story but make the book enjoyable.
I found it a good page turner and couldn't wait to see what the outcome was going to be as the characters change and the story twists and turns.
Good book, well worth 5 stars.
Thank you, Netgalley for allowing me to read and review this book xx

Just My Luck
Adele Parks
Publisher: HQ
Publication Date 14/5/2020

Thought provoking and compelling, I enjoyed this story of a family winning £18m on the lottery and the subsequent fallout from a fractured friendship. Just when I thought I knew where this book was going, it surprised me. The ending was completely unpredictable but, upon reflection, made complete sense. A modern morality tale for our times.
4.5 stars out of 5. Highly recommended.
I’d like to thank the author, publisher and netgalley for providing me with this advance digital copy in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

This is another great story from Adele Parks with wonderful characters and plenty of plot twists. It is about families, friends and the effects of money - both too much and too little. There is an amazing twist at the end which leaves you really thinking.
Highly recommended.

This is a hard one to review as I don’t want to spoil your enjoyment as the story unfolds.
You’ll have seen from other reviews and the blurb that Lexi wins nearly £18 million on the lottery and soon her friends are wanting their share.
Two other couples say they were in a syndicate with Lexi and Jake but with no proof of this, and a discussion about it the week before, Lexi and Jake state the money is all theirs.
This book shows how money can bring out the worst in people and whilst Lexi tries to keep a sensible head on her shoulders, the others around her are blinded by the money.
I can’t comprehend winning that sort of money and this book certainly makes you think how it could affect you and those around you too.
A great thriller that’s full of twists and turns.
Thanks to HQ and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

Never do anything without a contract, especially when you enter a syndicate! 6 friends find out exactly how money can change relationships. I loved this book and couldn’t wait to find out how it would all work out! It got me thinking how I would spend lottery money if I ever won it.