This was such a brilliant read. I love the emotional vulnerability of the characters as well as the absolutely adorable cover!!

This was a beautiful book. I was really quite emotional by the end. A lovely story. Very thought-provoking. We see the importance to connecting with those around us and realising our place in the world and our responsibility on what happens in our lives.

The book follows Annie over the summer where she ends up volunteering for an older lady. Annie is struggling with things that happened in her past and her relationships with her family. We see certain occurrences that lead to Annie to make peace with things that have happened, to begin to find her own identity and find happiness with those around her.

I would definitely recommend this book and I'm really grateful for the opportunity to read this.

This was a great small town, big dreams type of book with a brilliant protagonist and themes!

The characters were incredibly realistic and relatable. The plot wasn't very unique but the writing and execution pulled it off really well. The messages were brilliant and I enjoyed it overall!

This was a great read and I would recommend it. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the E-arc! All opinions are my own.

Annie doesn’t feel she fits in. Anywhere. She is close to her brother but he is more like their dad than her. Her mum disappeared years back with no explanation. Annie just thinks she is unlucky as she was born under an ‘unlucky star’. One day she decides to play chap door run in order to fit in but it goes horribly wrong and the person whose door she knocks on falls over and hurts herself.

Gloria is a cantankerous old woman who is exceptionally stubborn and says she doesn’t need any help. However, Annie feels guilty and ends up helping her through the summer. However, the friendship that grows is beautiful.

This is an exceptionally well written, beautifully story about a young girl on quite a journey of self discovery. She finds out more about her family, more about Gloria and more about herself. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I adored this book and thoroughly enjoyed reading it.

The blossoming friendship between the two main characters was positively charming. I enjoyed the backstory of Annie and her family and it was so well written.

I’ll definitely look out for further titles by this author.

Many thanks to the author and NetGalley for gifting me this arc in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

These Unlucky Stars by Gillian McDunn is a sweet Middle Grade novel that reminds me, in parts, of Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo.

Annie’s mother left when she was younger. With her went spaghetti dinners in the bathtub & the sole person Annie feels ever understood her. After all, Annie’s mother is the only one who was able to explain why Annie is so unlucky.

Annie’s dad runs the family hardware store with her brother & Annie feels the burn of exclusion from the close relationship they share. Her isolation is further extended by a difficulty in making friends, so she pours her energies into her artwork instead. Considering how important creativity & art are to Annie, she is especially upset when her father shoots down her attempts to help plan their float for the town festival.

When urged to play a round of ‘Ding-Dong-Ditch’ by her brother’s friend, Annie is keen to impress so, despite her fears, she sets out to complete the task. However, nothing goes to plan & Annie instead needs to call her Dad to help rescue Gloria, the owner of the house she went to. To make matters worse, Annie’s guilt leaves her stuck looking after the cantankerous old woman all summer. Annie fears dogs after being left scarred from a childhood dog bite, so it doesn’t help that she is also required to look after Gloria’s dog.

Despite first impressions, Annie discovers that Gloria has more to her than meets the eye. The friendship they forge ends up being a key step in Annie learning some very important lessons.

Gillian McDunn has brought to life a character that is difficult not to identify with in some way. Annie’s journey contains lessons about loss, self-growth, communication, relationships, empathy, change, & more. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend purchasing this book for yourself or as a gift for someone you care about. Releasing the 5th of August 2021, These Unlucky stars is now available for preorder.

4/5 🌟

Thank you Netgalley & Bloomsbury Publishing Plc (UK & ANZ) for the opportunity to read These Unlucky Stars in exchange for my impartial review. All opinions shared above are my own.