A huge Thank You to The author, The publisher and Netgalley for providing the e-arc in exchange for a unbiased review of these works.

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Lexi and Jake have been part of a lottery syndicate for fifteen years with four of their friends and always played the same numbers. The week after they decide not to participate in the lottery, their numbers come up and their friends want a share of the £18 million fortune. This isn't a thriller in the traditional sense but it is full of shocking twists and makes for a gripping read. I thought this book was really different to anything else I've read lately and hugely enjoyable.

Just My Luck, Adele Parks

Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre:  Mystery and thrillers, women's fiction. 

Sigh...women's fiction. C'mon, its 2020 not 1920.

Anyway, what a read this was, full of the very worst in people. Until the win the six have been friends for 15 years, though there are cracks at times, and Lexi has discovered something about one of them that she finds difficult to deal with. I would too. The characters are very real, warts and all, but TBH I only liked Lexi and Toma, the rest were selfish, vain, money obsessed. Toma had gone from being a hardworking family man to the depths of depression after his loss, and Lexi helps him crawl out, start living again. I rally liked him. 
Jake her husband was not the man she saw, not the guy she fell in love with. I guess we all change along the way but while Lexi is all about helping others – hence her work in citizens advice – Jake is just money and self orientated. 
The friends have fallen out, and then soon after their long held winning numbers come up. Jake and Lexi insist they'd dropped out, they insist it was just a tiff and they were still in. Who's right? Who knows. 
Complicating matters are their kids. Jake and Lexis daughter Emily is best friends with the Heathcote's daughter, Megan, and the Pearson's son Ridley is her boyfriend. We see much of the events after the win through Emily's eyes, and she is a typical teen, spend, spend on big brands. Their son Logan is a bit younger, happy that he can have some new games. 
Jake also can't wait to get his hands on the cash and start spending. His greed shows right from the start when they ring in and one of his first questions is how soon can they get the cash. He seems to mostly want others to see how rich he is, to show off his new Lamborghini, throw a huge party, buy expensive new clothes, he's all about flashing the cash.  
We see quickly how the money brings problems, not just with their friends but themselves, it affects Lexi's job as the CA office is inundated with people wanting help – or help in the form of money. Emily gets problems at school as Logan and Megan turn against her. The trio have been friends since childhood, don't have other friends and it hits her hard. 

Things get worse, trust is shattered and events quickly go downhill, showing how different Lexi and Jake have become. For me Jake was an awful man, I guess he must have been different when they met, Lexi is such a lovely person its hard to see what they have in common. Then the action ramps up, and the twist at the end has me rethinking things once more. I guess no-one is quite who we think they are. 


Stars: Four, a gripping story, a bit predictable at times but then throwing in some curve-balls that had me rethinking. 

Arc via Netgalley and publishers

Wow - this one has some great twists that I didn't see coming at all. I also loved the fact that a really annoying character got his comeuppance!

I am fascinated by lottery winners anyway, so this was a great topic for me. The way the family deal with the win is realistic, I think - I can imagine that many winners face the same sorts of problems... Well, maybe not quite! Lexi certainly doesn't have her troubles to seek!

I thought it was a great story well told. I was rooting for Lexi all the way through and really hated a lot of the others. I thought the party scene was particularly well done.

A few niggly mistakes (like 'desk draws'!) but they didn't affect my enjoyment at all.

A definite five stars - it kept me entertained from the first page to the last.

Adele parks can be a bit of hit or a miss for me and unfortunately this was a miss. Did not like the characters at all. Sorry

For fifteen years, Lexi and Jake have played the same six numbers with their friends, the Pearsons and the Heathcotes. Over dinner parties, fish & chip suppers and summer barbecues, they’ve discussed the important stuff – the kids, marriages, jobs and houses – and they’ve laughed off their disappointment when they failed to win anything more than a tenner. But then, one Saturday night, the unthinkable happens. There’s a rift in the group. Someone doesn’t tell the truth. Soon after, six numbers come up which change everything forever. Lexi and Jake have a ticket worth £18 million. And their friends are determined to claim a share of it.

I read this because I am a fan of the author, or usually I am anyway. If I am honest, the premise did not appeal to me but I was willing to give it a go. So what do we have, well a group of self-centred, unlikeable and unrealistic characters winning the lottery and then an even more unrealistic plot. I did not enjoy this. The plot was ridiculous, the way things happened were unbelievable and I did not connect with the plot, nor did I get swept away with Lexi and Jake winning the lottery. Clearly there is going to be more to the plot and there is but it happened way too late and the damage had already been done. There are twists and yes they are thrilling twists that spin the plot but they occur too late  and the impact is lost.

This is mostly told from the perspective of Lexi and Emily, Lexi is okay and the only character who has a moral backbone but I did not gel with her and there is still something not likeable about the character. Emily is fifteen and her voice is clearly an adult trying to write as a fifteen year old and failing. The words she uses and some of her behaviour, again just does not gel with being a teenager and I found her unlikeable as well. To be fair, Emily has a strong plot thread towards the end that made me like her a little bit more.

'Just My Luck' was not an enjoyable read for me. This centres around selfish, unlikeable characters and the twist, although brutal, was not enough to save this dreary read.

Thank you to NetGalley and HQ for an advance copy.

I really enjoyed this! I have been a fan of Adele Parks' writing for years and love that her books have started to take a darker turn.

This book was full of horrible characters, but they were well written and made you really want things to work out for the nicer characters. I especially liked Toma, he was such a sympathetic character and I loved the chapters where he was featured. I guessed where the book was going and whilst I was mostly right there is a twist near the end that I didn't see coming AT ALL. 

My only slight issue is that I can't understand why Lexi was friends with Jennifer or Carla in the first place. It is mentioned throughout the book that they have been good friends to her in the past, but we never see that.

I would definitely recommend this book

This story has it all, broken friendships, secrets, lies and mystery. I thought Lexi was the only likeable character in the story, it would have been interesting to see what her husband, Jake, had been like before the lottery win but his personality after knowing he had all that money was horrible, he railroaded over the idea of anything sensible. There was so much double crossing it makes you truly wonder what the friends were like before everything went toxic. There are plenty of twists and turns as well as trying to figure out just how Toma fits into everything. This really does a great job of depicting the effect money has on people and how it brings out the very best and very worst.

I must admit I wasn't that enthralled with this book.  Having said that, after reading Lies, Lies, Lies not that long ago and being in complete awe of it, it was a very hard act to follow.  I thought so anyway.

It's a very personal thing as to whether you really enjoy a book and for me the first part was just too much about what Jake - Lexi's husband spent their new found wealth on and I just found it all a bit tedious. If you've ever dreamed yourself, of winning the lottery and daydreamed about everything you'd buy with the money then you might enjoy that part of the story, I just spent most of my time rolling my eyes at him.  If you like a character who you can completely despise then Jake's your man.

It is basically a tale of greed and the lengths people will go to to protect their money.  The second half did have more action and was in places quite distressing to read.  All in all it was an OK read for me but was maybe a bit of anti climax after the excitement of finding there was another book out by Adele Parks so soon after Lies, Lies, Lies and hoping it might be equally as good.

Review to be posted to blog nearer publication date.

Just My Luck is the story of Lexi and Jake, who after doing the lottery in a syndicate with friends for 15 years, suddenly find themselves sole winners of 18 million pounds. For a family with money worries the win is a godsend but as Jake begins to spend, spend, spend, Lexi worries whether she will be able to rein him in. The story follows Lexi and her family as they come to terms with the win and what effect it has on their lives.

A great read with plenty of twists and a surprising ending.

4* A great intro to this author. A tale with a plot and twists I couldn't see coming.

This is not a tale with nice characters; I didn't like anyone, though the kids were tolerable. It's a tale about greed and about money bringing out people's true colours and about how money doesn't necessarily change lives for the better. After reading this, I did feel different about possibly winning on the lottery and what it might reveal, a bit like in vino veritas.

Not having read AP before, I expected a bit of chick lit with intelligence and whilst I got the latter, I was glad I was mistaken about the former. The meshing of the lives and details, and especially the prologue that I wondered how would fit in with the tale, was impeccable. I was not that sad about the lives that ended up changed because tbh it felt like the lot of them had superficial values and lives, but some good came out of it, with one of the victims of the prologue part ended up not quite with justice being done, but with something fulfilling and life changing. I'm glad that the bad guys here - there were several - got what they deserved, especially the one who did something so stupid and despicable that I was almost in shock; that part was really satisfying and well done. Did I like the manipulation and the games and lies? No, but it was weirdly addictive to see everything unravel and fall apart. 

I'm going to be looking out for this author in future.

ARC courtesy of HQ and NetGalley, for my reading pleasure.

I have read Adele Parks before and find her novels compelling and this is no different.

For fifteen years a syndicate of friends have played the same numbers on the lottery until one weekend when there is a fallout.  Lexi, married to Jake has been responsible for buying the ticket and she continues to buy it.  The very next weekend the numbers come up and Lexi and Jake appear to be close to £18 million winners as a couple.

This is the beginning of the dispute where the other two couples involved in the syndicate claim that they are entitled to their share and the accusations begin.  This is not the only disagreement and difficulty and as the book continues there are plots, subplots and underlying lies and deceit.

‘Just My Luck’ is cleverly plotted with characters I liked, felt empathy with and those I did not like and felt they deserved nothing from the winnings.

Many thanks to NetGalley, HQ Mystery and Thrillers and Adele Parks for my ARC of ‘Just My Luck’ in return for my honest review.

Great read and recommended.

Well! This book was not at all what I expected! I know that Adele's books have taken on a darker twist recently, so I didn't expect sunshine and rainbows but this was DARK!

I think it's safe to say we all dream of winning the lottery jackpot, but few of us think about the downside of becoming multimillionaires overnight. Who can you trust? Do you know who your true friends are? How much would it change your relationships?

Lexi and Jake, along with their children Emily and Logan are an ordinary family, with an ordinary life. They have a small circle of friends they've known for years. But can they really be trusted? Do they really, truly know them?

When Jake and Lexi win £18 million, their lives instantly change. Jake and the kids are happy to spend and splurge. Lexi wants to do some good with the money. But their friends may not be so happy for them.

This book is a huge rollercoaster of emotion! The characters are strong and well written, the dialogue is so gripping and the twists are shocking.

I had no idea what was really going on and I'm still reeling! Bloody brilliant!

#JustMyLuck #NetGalley 
Be prepared to put your life on hold with Adele Park's Just My Luck.
For fifteen years, Lexi and Jake have played the same six numbers with their friends, the Pearsons and the Heathcotes. Over dinner parties, fish & chip suppers and summer barbecues, they’ve discussed the important stuff – the kids, marriages, jobs and houses – and they’ve laughed off their disappointment when they failed to win anything more than a tenner. But then, one Saturday night, the unthinkable happens. There’s a rift in the group. Someone doesn’t tell the truth. And soon after, six numbers come up which change everything forever.Lexi and Jake have a ticket worth £18 million. And their friends are determined to claim a share of it.
Its Adele's twentieth novel and is not less than her others. 
Go for this beautiful read this summer. 
Thanks to NetGalley and HQ for giving me an advance copy.

Having just finished ‘Just my luck’ I feel like I have stepped off a rollercoaster! It is a great read! If you have ever wondered what it’s like to win the lottery, this book is for you! 

This story really lets you vicariously experience the highs and lows of a big lottery win, and definitely reinforces that old adage that money can’t buy happiness.

Married couple Lexi and Jake win  just shy of 18million .... the week after their syndicate dissolves.  The syndicate is made up of 3 couples who have been friends since the birth of their eldest children 15 years previously. 

It won’t come as any surprise that disputes over whether the syndicate really broke up feature in the storyline, but this is just one of many dramas that unfold through this book.

As I’d expected from an Adele Parks book, this one was well written with relatable characters and a storyline that really packs a punch.

A well deserved 5 stars and my thanks to Netgalley, author and publisher for the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an advance copy.

Thank you NetGalley for this advanced copy. This book started out strong, but in the middle it was just too slow for me. I ended up skimming the second half. The ending was really good, with some huge shocks, but the middle was just too slow.

Over the last 15 years Lexi and Jake have put their money down on the same six numbers with their close friends in a syndicate. During barbecues and dinner parties they have fantasised over what they would spend their winnings on, and then laughed off their disappointment together when they failed to win anything. And then one Saturday night an argument between the group erupts. Somebody is lying. Six numbers then come up that change the course of their lives forever. Lexi and Jake now have a lottery ticket for £18 million and their friends are determined to get their fair share. A story filled with twists and turns that are primarily based around the same moral theme of deciding between right and wrong. Absolutely fantastic and unputdownable!

I was eagerly awaiting Adele Park’s new book and it certainly did not disappoint. 
The story is original and different from her other books and the main premise is about a family who have won the lottery. 
The main character, Lexi is relatable and engaging. The plot kept me intrigued and I raced through it.

"It’s the stuff dreams are made of – a lottery win so big, it changes everything.
For fifteen years, Lexi and Jake have played the same six numbers with their friends, the Pearsons and the Heathcotes. Over dinner parties, fish & chip suppers and summer barbecues, they’ve discussed the important stuff – the kids, marriages, jobs and houses – and they’ve laughed off their disappointment when they failed to win anything more than a tenner.  
But then, one Saturday night, the unthinkable happens. There’s a rift in the group. Someone doesn’t tell the truth. And soon after, six numbers come up which change everything forever.
Lexi and Jake have a ticket worth £18 million. And their friends are determined to claim a share of it.
Number One Sunday Times bestseller Adele Parks returns with a riveting look at the dark side of wealth in this gripping take on friendship, money and betrayal, and good luck gone bad…"
I REALLY enjoyed this book!  The premise is great - and it plays out really well.  It twists and turns dramatically - and at different points you're not quite sure who is telling the truth and who you should be rooting for - definitely the sign of a good book!
I liked Lexi - and at times wanted her to stand up for herself - but equally recognise it was a difficult and complicated situation.  
The plots twists so much I don't want to put any spoilers in this review - you need to read it yourself and have the same 'OMG' moments and sharp intakes of breath that I had! 
There are a couple of niggles though - which I know is me being a pedant - but......
The whole premise is that they've played the same numbers as a syndicate for the last 15 years - and that each number was chosen by a different person to represent something.  Well - one of the numbers is 58 - and the National Lottery only increased to numbers higher than 49 in 2015 - so they couldn't have had the same numbers for 15 years.  (Yes, I know it's only a work of fiction.)

The game loved by kids / teenagers is Fortnite not Fortnight.  It is spelt differently at different times during the book. It might only be an autocorrect issue (and my autocorrect should know I never ever mean 'duck') but it's just a bit sloppy.

At one point it is mentioned that Lexi and Jake live in one village - and the other 2 couples live in the posher village a few miles away.  Then at another point in the book the couples walk home as they are only a few streets away.  Another minor inconsistency - but I am a knob.
Overall the niggles didn't take away from the fact that this is a very good book - but I think Ms Parks needs a slightly more anal editor!! 
But I would thoroughly recommend you read this when it comes out in May 2020.

Lexi and Jake, along with their friends; the Pearsons and the Heathcotes, have been playing the lottery for 15 years, while never really believing they'd win.
But one day, their lucky numbers come up and land them a whopping win of almost 18 million. The only problem is that Lexi and Jake's friends have pulled out if the lottery the week before. Or have they?

This story follows Lexi's first-hand point of view and is interspersed with her daughter Emily's perspective.
I was really drawn in by the original premise, and as a result, the story hooked me pretty quickly. However, after some time, the story seemed to change direction and slowed down. At this point, I was considering it a 3 star read. But soon enough, more twists and turns were thrown into the mix, spicing things up again. 
My suspicion as to who was behind what happened to Emily turned out to be partially right, but the ending was surprising nonetheless and contributed to the rating being pushed up to 4 stars. 
This was my first book by Adele Parks, but it won't be my last.