Member Reviews
This seemed like an intriguing premise - friends winning the lottery after everyone leaves a syndicate - but it didnt quite hit the mark for me. I do love Adele Parks' writing but her last few books just haven't been as enjoyable, for me, as her early novels. I didn't really engage with any of the characters in this book - even ones I should feel sympathy for - and the final twist was a bit disappointing really. It was still a solid read but I just wasnt gripped as I might have hoped for with a writer of Adele Park's calibre. |
I’m so sorry Adele for the one star review! I feel like such a monster since I’m normally such a big fan. Did not finish. Put down around 48% I thought Lexi was such a great character and I was rooting for her. I need to know how the man she was helping got on and how he spent his money. What I couldn’t get past with his book was Jake. I hate him. He’s supposed to be an annoying character, I understand that but when you make the character so irritating that your readers would rather put down the story then read another word of Jake it’s not good. This just read like a wet dream lottery win. |
When Lexi and Jake win £18m on the lottery it changes their lives forever. But not in a good way... Just My Luck is an unputdownable domestic thriller with lots of twists and turns. The plot builds quite slowly, but I was immediately drawn in to the lives of Lexi and Jake, and the two couples they've been friends with for years until the night it all went wrong. The twists were unexpected, and when the tension really ramps up at the party nearer to the end I couldn't read quick enough to find out what was going to happen. I found it interesting the way that Lexi and Jake dealt with their new found wealth. While Jake wanted to spend it all on flashy cars and designer clothes, Lexi wasn't as comfortable with it and there's an underlying moral theme in the book about wealth vs the value of life. It's also linked to one of the really clever twists in the plot. I loved the way it ended. |
Jill B, Reviewer
As a huge Adele Parks fan I was eagerly anticipating her newest work and, as per usual, I was not disappointed! Lexi & Jake and their teenage son and daughter are an ordinary enough family who are suddenly thrust into an extraordinary situation when they win £18 million on the Lottery. A dream come true you might think but the dream soon becomes a nightmare when their lifelong friends - couples Carla & Patrick and Jennifer & Fred - come forward to claim that they were part of a syndicate that played the Lottery together with Lexi & Jake and should have an equal share of the winnings. Lexi & Jake however state that the couples all had a major fall out a couple of weeks before culminating in the other 2 couples leaving the syndicate agreement and that the prize money is all theirs. We follow the family through their battle to prove that the money is rightfully theirs, uncover secrets and lies and adjust to life when money is no object and anything can be bought for the right price. In typical Adele Parks style there are plenty of twists and turns, excellently written characters and a fantastic ending and even though Adele's characters are never clean cut and the lines between hero to villain are often blurred, this only enhances my enjoyment of the story and appreciation of the writing skill. A stunningly good read which definitely left me with the feeling of 'be careful what you wish for'! 5 HUGE stars and massive thanks to Netgalley, Adele and the publishers for the ARC - it was a pleasure! |
If you thought Lies, Lies, Lies was a good read, then you must definitely read this! Adele has produced a book that has an ensemble of characters that feel so real that you can almost imagine they are! Secrets, lies, manipulation and revenge abound, and lead you on a journey full of twists and turns. Just when you think you know exactly who did what, and why,a game changer is thrown into the mix!. A great, well executed plot and ending, make this a highly recommended read. I couldn't put it down! Many thanks to the Publishers and Netgalley for this ARC. |
I have only read one of Adele Perks before and didn’t enjoy it so I was hovering whether to read another but I am glad I did. This is an excellent twisty novel with a great storyline. THe characters are relatable to modern day times and I have since spent a lot of time trying to decide what I would do with almost £18m! |
I absolutely loved this! I’m a fan of all Adele Parks books but this really gripped me and kept my attention. The characters came to life and it kept me guessing right until the end. I’d definitely recommend |
I really enjoyed this one!!! Having read many of Adele Parks’ books I knew that there would be twists and turns, but this managed to surprise me still! The premise is good - everyone dreams of winning the lottery don’t they? So to read the story of a couple who win nearly 18 million was interesting. The characters are well rounded, though at times I found myself getting irritated by Lexi’s lack of inner fire and by Jake’s, frankly awful, attitude. I’m glad I carried on though, I stayed up late to finish and the ending was very satisfying! A definite should read. Thank you to netgalley, the publishers and the author for allowing me to have this arc in exchange for an honest, unbiased review. |
Joanne N, Reviewer
Im a fan of Adele Parks and have read all of her books! This one I thought was very different. It’s about a couple who win nearly £18 million on the lottery and then the story unfolds! Lots of twists and turns and unexpected parts! If just shows how quickly your life can change for the worse not the better! |
Loved this book the characters were so relatable it felt like I knew them I loved the dynamics of each family and the way it played out it was refreshing to read something. Bit diffrent |
"Just My Luck" is the story of Lexi and Jake. For years, they've put a weekly ticket on the lottery with a group of friends. But when the winning numbers come up just a week after their friends have withdrawn from the syndicate, it's their word against that of their former friends. With each family hiding their own secrets and millions at stake, everyone is fighting for their own share of the fortune. But what lengths will they go to to get it... I enjoy a thriller where you feel like maybe it could happen to you, and this was one of those, albeit on the far end of the scale (I cross my fingers every week and I've never won more than a tenner). The secrets and background stories that were gradually revealed added an extra layer of tension to the book, and I loved trying to work out who was motivated by what. A great read with lots of twists. Four stars, and I look forward to the next novel! Thank you to NetGalley, who provided me with a free ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. |
Loved the description of the book and really hoped I would be approved for it - I was! And it was as good a read as it promised to be. I loved the plot, very unique, and I couldn’t stop reading. Some great twists and surprises and overall a satisfying read. Thank you! |
3.5 stars rounded up. Can you imagine winning £17.8 million on the Lottery? What would you do this all that loot? Would it change you apart from in material ways? If so, how? This is the premise of Just My Luck as Lexi’s ticket scoops the family the jackpot. There husband Jake, daughter Emily and son Logan. There’s just one teensy, weensy snag. Their friends Carla and Patrick and Jennifer and Fred claim they are in a syndicate and have been for many years. Lexi and Jake are adamant that two weeks prior to the win the couples all fell out over continuing to do the lottery and pulled out. There’s a second strand to the story which is Toma’s story .... he’s from Moldova and tragically lost his wife and son to carbon monoxide poisoning in their substandard accommodation. Do these stories connect? At first glance they don’t seem to but he will play a vital role in the ensuing drama. The story is told from several perspectives including Lexi, Toma and Emily. I really like the premise of the novel. It’s a massive amount of money and it’s interesting reading about what it does to their family and friends. There are massive changes in dynamics as you would expect and this part of the story is fairly predictable. The least changed is Logan who apart from Toma is probably the most normal and likeable character. There are few others that are likeable but I guess that is entirely the point as it undoubtedly brings out the worst in people. Jake becomes truly awful and he’s lucky he’s fictional as he may have got a piece of my mind!!! The fists clenched!!! Lexi seems to be very weak and she lets him ride rough shod over her. However, she does have the last laugh if she’s capable of it! The other two families are totally vile. There are some good descriptions and some colourful scenarios. I really like the juxtaposition of a family who wins so much but ultimately loses a lot against the situation that Toma finds himself in with the downward spiral of his life. Here Lexi gets my admiration as she tries and succeeds in improving his life. However, the sections narrated by Emily do not feel very authentic as to me she didn’t sound like s teenager in her language. Sure, in her actions she’s a teenager especially the spend, spend, spend ably assisted by Jake. Whilst I did like s lot of the story it is predictable and so there’s not much surprise. The ending came out of left field and though I understood it, what preceded it then didn’t make much sense. Overall, a fun read with some good sections and some where you knew what was coming. |
"Just My Luck" is the latest book from Adele Parks, and follows the story of the Greenwood family as they navigate a tricky few weeks after a windfall lottery win. Adele Parks consistently writes enjoyable books, and this one is no exception. The story is split between a few different narrators, which is important for the different strands of the plot, but largely follows the story from Lexi's (the wife and mum) point of view. Lexi spends most of the book struggling to cope with the win, and this is shown by her getting fed up with her husband's lavish purchases, and her giving big sums away to charity, as well as wishing on occasion that things would go back to normal. However, the main issue with the Greenwoods winning the lottery is that until the week they won, they had been part of a lottery syndicate with their oldest and closest friends. Friends that then think they should be entitled to their fair share of the prize money. This is a fascinating aspect of the plot, as friendships are laid bare and secrets are revealed at key points throughout the book, resulting in the final reveal at the end that turns the whole thing on its head. Lexi is a very likeable character, which makes the book an easy read. She is caring and compassionate, and offers a different point of view on what a windfall win would be like, as she experiences some of the pitfalls very early on. It is difficult not to get frustrated with her husband, as he makes more and more outlandish purchases, with seemingly no regard to what anyone else wants. The depth of plot and character development is what really makes this book so enjoyable, and it's one I would definitely recommend. |
Absolutely fantastic novel. Lots of surprises and twists and turns throughout the story meant I ploughed through it quickly. Definitely one to reread. Highly recommended. |
Tamsin P, Reviewer
I’ve been a fan of Adele Parks for many years and have read all of her previous works. This book did not disappoint! Lexi and Jake live with their teenaged children Emily and Logan. They have a normal life, with normal money worries and the usual concerns. They also have a close group of friends, all of whom have children the same age. All of this is reassuring and feels completely natural to the reader. Then, Lexi and Jake win the lottery jackpot. Their friends claim they were in a syndicate. Lexi and Jake say they left. The story takes us through many twists and turns until the final reveal. Adele Parks writes detailed characters. Sometimes I wanted to shake Lexi, but equally I understood her motives. Jake became more and more unlikeable as the story progressed and his true character became exposed. Emily was a typical teenager and although Logan was a more peripheral character, he was also entirely believable as a young teen. I enjoyed this story as it is well written and keeps a decent pace. There are twists and turns aplenty and what might seem outlandish and ridiculous at the start of the book becomes convincing by the end, as the characters are so well developed. I have no doubt that this book will do exceptionally well. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for my copy of this book. |
I was expecting quite a straight forward tale with this book, I liked the sound of it,but I had no idea it was going to be so twisty.It was brilliant, not spoiling it for other readers but if you like stories where there is plenty going on and plenty of surprises, you have found the perfect book.I absolutely loved it, one of the best books I have read for ages certainly this year.Cracking book I really recommend it. |




