“If you knew you could get away with murder, would you do it?”

This is my third book from Stacy Willingham and as I have mentioned before it won’t be my last.

We follow Margot who is now a freshman and who is still grappling the loss of her best friend, Eliza. Following in the dreams they had together Margot attends a Liberal Arts college in South Carolina. Living in the girls dormitory on campus she singled out by Lucy Sharpe, Margot thinks she is lucky and moves in to a house off campus with Lucy and her friends Sloane and Nicole. During the summer Margot becomes closer to Lucy, lots of parties, late nights and girl talk until the unthinkable occurs. One of the boys from the fraternity house next doors ends up dead and Lucy well she disappears with no trace.

Only If You’re Lucky starts off slow but packs a punch at the end and I couldn’t put the book down. I enjoyed all the twists and turns this book captured and that everything was nicely tied together, that ending though! I did not see it coming.

Thank you Harper Collins UK and Netgalley for a gifted copy of this e-book for my honest book review.

I do not want to best around the bush here, so let me be honest. This missed the mark for me. It was unnecessarily long and the snail paced narration made me want to DNF this many times but I kept going because I know the author has written a bestseller before and I didn't want to miss out on a good thriller just because of the pace. Unfortunately for me, it did not get any better.

The plot was not just slow paced (which alone is generally not a thing I mind much), tied up in the end to a very anti-climatic twist. Altogether, I just thought "what did I just read?", but not in a fun way. Please keep in mind that this is a personal opinion and if you loved it, I'm happy for you.

I was so excited to read this after being completely hooked on the authors previous releases. I’m pleased to slay this did not disappoint at all. I really enjoyed the dual timeline which built up suspense throughout and there were more than a few surprises along the way. Stacy has fast become a must read author for me.

I love author Stacy Willingham and her previous novels have been just great.

I could not wait to start this novel, but I was quite disappointed. I think I may have expected way too much after her other reads.

We meet main character Margot, she starts college and is not one of the popular girls. When the very popular Lucy invites her one day to move into their shared house, Margot decides to go for it. She also starts to be friends with the other house mates.

Margot is introduced to new situations and she starts to relax into her new role with her new friends.

There is house next door which houses a fraternity of boys and Margot is also introduced to those.

Margot is still grieving the death of her best friend and this really is shown throughout the novel.

When Lucy goes missing and one of the fraternity boys is found murdered, the story really takes a new lead and we find out what has happened.

I felt like the novel was good but very repetitive in parts.

Thanks to netgalley, the author and the publisher for allowing me a copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

This is a different novel from Stacy, written over a dual timeline which makes you think something big has happened in the past. It’s about students starting college life while delving into alcohol and drugs while the past reveals itself. I only enjoyed it to a certain extent, although it’s full of twists and turns.

3.5 of 5 stars
https://lynns-books.com/2024/02/08/only-if-youre-lucky-by-stacy-willingham/
My Five Word TL:DR Review : Dark Academia meets Female Obsession

Stacy Willingham is an author that I’m really enjoying at the moment. She fulfills my need for psychological and suspenseful stories and in that regard Only If You’re Lucky is another very readable story with plenty of twists.

I would mention upfront that this story has a somewhat different feel to the previous two books I’ve read by this author and so at first I felt myself holding back a little, it almost borders on YA/NA due to the age of the characters and the academic setting but, ultimately, I became invested in the mystery and the slow unravelling of events that took place over an almost idyllic summer that ended with murder.

To set the scene a little, Margot is our pov character and she gradually tells her story using both past and present chapters. Margot and Eliza were best friends. They spent all their time together in what can only be considered a very privileged lifestyle, they even planned to attend the same college after school. Then tragedy struck and Eliza died in a horrible accident. Margot, dazed and depressed was determined to follow through on their plans, attending the college they chose together. Her first year is almost a grey blur of despair and sadness. She roommates with a young girl called Maggie but by the end of the year another student seems to have captured her attention. Lucy. Lucy is one of those beautiful and enigmatic characters that attracts people like moths to a flame and so when she suddenly, and quite unexpectedly, bestows her unwavering attention on Margot inviting her to move into her off campus house along with two other girls (Lucy’s constant companions during the first year), well, Margot is captivated.

The story, as mentioned above, is told in a dual timeline so you immediately know that things have gone to hell in a handcart in some way or another, you just don’t know exactly how or why. The girls have spent an almost idyllic summer together but the start of the a academic year and the return to a busy campus is about to change things drastically.

The writing is really good. Willingham knows how to set the scene and easily draw you in. She writes her characters with deceptive ease. To be fair, this isn’t the first time I’ve read this kind of story where female obsession and the desperate need to fit in drive the plot, but in a way, that familiarity brought a certain amount of ease to the read which, and maybe this is a bit of laziness on my part, but I really enjoyed the way I was able to quickly run with the story. Also, honestly, when you’re reading a story of this nature not only is the narrator constantly dropping hints of what is yet to come, she’s actually also sharing with you definite spoilers. You know without a doubt that some of these characters are not going to see the year out and this mystery and the basic ‘need to know’ side of my nature makes this a compelling read.

The characters. Okay, realistically, Lucy stole the show – which is much as you would expect. Margot is a very ‘wall flower(ish) type of person. She is the sidekick. Her childhood friend Eliza was the life and soul of the party and Lucy is now her new leading lady. Margot, although the narrator, is almost like a walk-on character. Forgettable and difficult to describe. Which isn’t to say I didn’t like Margot. I liked the way she told her story and at the end of the day not everyone wants to be the life and soul of the party. Margot was fascinated by Lucy and enjoyed her new status hanging with the ‘popular’ girls but all of them were keeping secrets – all of them. Little resentments were building, and, having a house full of boys next door was only adding to the tension – particularly when a newcomer joined the campus, a blast from the past in the form of Eliza’s boyfriend.

The mystery is intriguing, we keep jumping back to Eliza, and although Margot would have you originally believe that theirs was a perfect friendship, you soon start to discover that that wasn’t always the case. Cracks were appearing, minor at first, but slowly developing into larger, more damaging resentments. Similarly, with Lucy, not everything is at first as it appears but Margot is almost relentlessly determined to protect and defend her. Personally, I had a few shots at second guessing the outcome but I wasn’t really successful – although, with the eventual twists revealed I found it interesting to go back and rethink some of the interactions which then showed themselves in a whole new light.

The following may be a little bit of a tease and could potentially be a spoiler in some ways – but, what I really liked about this is that after the reveal – you can see the characters in a new light and appreciate the way the author has deceptively drawn you into making assumptions.

In conclusion. I enjoyed this, it was a different style of story than the previous two books I’ve read by Willingham but it was still very entertaining, a little slow in parts but with a crazy finale that I really didn’t see coming. If you’re a stickler for procedures and such then this might be a little too OTT for you but it worked well for me and I also think I enjoyed that Willingham took a slightly different direction, if feels like it shakes things up a little and makes me wonder what to expect next.

I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.

This book felt different to the authors others books and while I didn’t dislike it, I did have a certain expectation. This book is very character driven, I didn’t really warm to any of them however they each brought their own unique way to bring the story together. I loved the setting of the book, collage life, it fitted well and made the plot more interesting. Overall a good read but maybe the book could have been shorted and not drawn out at times.

Readers should anticipate a departure from what we have seen in the author's last few books of a typical thriller style and instead delve into a compelling blend of drama and mystery. Unlike her previous works, this novel places less emphasis on high-octane action and instead focuses on intricate character development and suspense-inducing drama.

The narrative skilfully employs the intriguing backdrop of dark academia, immersing readers in the lives of young college students navigating the challenging transition from high school to newfound independence. The exploration of self-discovery and the formation of distinct social circles adds depth to the storyline, creating a rich tapestry of interpersonal dynamics.

A standout feature of the book is its unexpected twists, which defy the expectations of even the most seasoned thriller enthusiasts. As a devoted reader of the genre, I found myself genuinely surprised by the unforeseen developments, adding a substantial "wow" factor to the overall experience.

The characters, while mostly unlikeable, contribute to the authenticity of the narrative. Margot, the main character, emerges as a beacon of relatability and becomes the reader's anchor in a sea of flawed personalities. The challenge of finding someone to wholeheartedly support amidst the cast of characters adds an extra layer of intrigue to the story.

Stacy Willingham continues to prove her prowess as an author, seamlessly transitioning from her established thriller niche to deliver a captivating and enjoyable binge-worthy experience. As a devoted fan, I can confidently declare that Willingham remains an auto-buy author for me, and "Only if You're Lucky" stands as a testament to her versatility and storytelling finesse.

Enjoyed Stacy Willingham’s first novel “Flickering Light” but this tale of female friendship surpasses it. Amy dangles… seductive to both men and women, is she Jekyll and Hyde or is there another explanation to who she really is? Haunted by the death of her childhood friend Eliza, Margot starts at college and is soon drawn in by Lucy and the boys at Kappa fraternity house. All it needs to unravel is one loose thread… A beautifully written, gripping read.

A twisty turny psychological thriller that you can't put down.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an advanced copy

2.75

Lucy Sharpe is larger than life. Margot is drawn to her charisma. Margot is the sidekick, the one in the background never the centre of attention. Margot is a freshman at a liberal arts college in South Carolina and when Lucy singles her out at the end of the year Margot can't say no. Margot is now living off campus with Lucy her inner circle Sloane and Nicole, slowly Margot starts to come out of the shell that she's been stuck in since her best friend Eliza died three weeks before graduation. Not all is as it seems and come the end of the year a boy from the fraternity next door is brutally murdered and Lucy Sharpe is missing without a trace.

I've read Willingham's two previous books and rated them highly so I was so excited to pick this new release it up. Unfortunately, I felt this was missing the author's usual spark. The narrative at times felt like it dragged to get to the point and at times it felt like scenes could have been cut and it wouldn't have affected the overall plot. If this book was shorter I believe it would have packed the punch it intended. I did enjoy the conversation surrounding female friendships, the loss of someone close to you and the feeling of being on the outside but I just wish there was more emphasis on these aspects.

The characters weren't exactly likeable, I didn't feel much for any of them. Lucy was a character I've seen in many books and lacked depth, Margot was privileged and Judgy, Sloane could have used more page time, studious and observant and Nicole I just felt bad for frail and a follower who deserved better. I think if we had more focus on these women the plot would have packed more of a punch. we seen a lot of them interacting with the fraternity and I think some of the interactions could have been cut to have the attention on this friendship group.

Overall this one didn't work for me the way I was hoping it would. I did see some of the things I enjoy about this author's writing sprinkled in there I just think with some editing and a little more focus this could have been a hit. I will continue picking this author's work up because they have written stories I've enjoyed I do highly recommend both 'A Flicker in the Dark' and 'All the Dangerous Things'. If you looking for comp titles to this I'd recommend, Jar of Hearts by Jennifer Hillier It follows a friend group and one of them is murdered. Also, She and I by Hannah King this one follows best friends in a bad situation when one of their boyfriends turns up dead.

This is the third book I’ve read by this author and probably the most uneven.

Our narrator is Margot as she navigates the first 2 years of college. Mourning the loss of her childhood best friend, Eliza, Margot is reminded of her at every turn. This was meant to be their shared adventure. She and her assigned roommate spend their year staying in whilst the rest of the cohort are partying.

But Margot yearns for a friend to replace Eliza, someone who makes exciting things happen, so when the magnetic Lucy invites her to live with her, she immediately agrees.

The main problem is that by now you are a good way through the novel and although there are BEFORE and AFTER chapters to try to pique a reader’s interest, there is too long a wait.

For those who are tempted to dnf, the last quarter of the book is action-packed, although it stretched my credulity too far. I wish that hooks had been more evenly distributed throughout the book as otherwise there is nothing to hold the attention of adult readers who have limited interest in college life.

With thanks to NetGalley, HarperCollins UK and Stacy Willingham for an arc of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

I loved the premise of this book and although there were some parts of this book I really enjoyed, I found myself detached from the characters not really caring what happened to any of them. I needed to know what happened so I continued to read until the end but I did find the pacing slow in pace. The last quarter of the book was the most interesting. can see why this book has so many fabulous reviews but unfortunately for me it wasn’t as gripping as I was hoping, but perhaps it was my mood rather than the book.

Only If You’re Lucky is the latest from bestselling thriller writer Stacy Willingham. This is actually my first of her books that I’ve read but I’ll be looking forward to checking out the rest of them after this.

Margot is quiet and shy, grieving the death of her best friend from home the summer prior. It’s now the end of her first year of college and socially, she hasn’t been doing super well, so when life of the party Lucy invites her to move in with her and two other students, she jumps at the chance. The house they move to is off campus and connected to a fraternity where they party and generally let loose. The four girls think they’ve built an unbreakable bond but a year later, one of the frat boys is dead and Lucy is missing.

The timeline jumps back and forth to Margot before starting college, to the four roommates in better times, and to present day where three of the girls find themselves in the midst of a police investigation.

I really appreciated the world building here; in the author’s note, Willingham says that when she was in college, she and three pals lived in a house exactly like the one in the book, with all the same weird details, and that it was attached to a frat house next door! I love that she used her own fond memories and turned it into quite a creepy, tense story!

I love dark academia so I appreciated the university setting in this one but as I approach 40, the regular descriptions of students drinking and taking drugs until they pass out wore a bit thin after a while. That’s more of a me issue really 😅
I also think the book could have been shorter and still have been as impactful.
Lastly, you’ll need to suspend your disbelief for the reveal as it’s a bit of a stretch, BUT! That said! This is decent thriller and I enjoyed the author’s writing style. While it’s not my favourite of the genre, it was still enjoyable.

With many thanks to @netgalley and @harpercollinsuk for the advanced copy of #OnlyIfYoureLucky, which is now available to buy. All opinions are my own, as always.

Brilliant

Stacy Willingham never disappointed. I loved all her books and this one is no exception
Murders, lies, secrets, twist and turns with every chapter. I tried to think of an ending, I tried to guess what exactly happened and suspected every single character ... I was not even close
An absolute thriller that I recommend to all lovers of genre

Great book by Stacy Willingham. Margot and Lucy are both very well written characters. I really enjoyed reading this book. Very gripping.

Reeling from the tragic death of her best friend, Margot has barely got through her first year of college. Lonely and grieving, when she falls under the bright beam of Lucy Sharpe she is captivated by her gregarious personality.

Moving in with Lucy, Nicole and Sloane on a whim, Margot finds herself readjusting to close female friendship. There are parties, dares and secrets, and their relationship with the male frat house next door is a powder keg waiting to catch, especially when a ghost from Margot’s past moves next door.

Six months later, someone is dead and Lucy is missing. Is it too late to find out Lucy’s secrets? And are the remaining girls truly innocent?

Lucy is hard to like, but Margot also has her own guilty secrets. The connecting lines between the characters seem tenuous and coincidental at first, until the full story is revealed.

A weaving story of the fine line between love and obsession, fraught with lies and jealousy.

For fans of The It Girl and The Secret History.

Stacy Willingham's books have been among my top reads for the past two years, so I'm always excited to start the year with a new release from her.

Only If You're Lucky is another brilliantly written and fast-paced thriller that you'll struggle to put down. The characters are developed well, the plot moves at a quick speed, and the mystery keeps you wanting more.

However, the tone of this book is definitely very different compared to her previous books, and the story is not as dark as I was hoping for. With younger characters and a university setting, I would say it borders on young adult with themes of identity. friendship and belonging. For some readers, this won't be a problem, but I was certainly hoping for something more sinister.

Still, there are a lot of positives, and the twists definitely caught me off guard. It's still a thriller that is sure to stand out this year!

This is a book with everything; great characters, superb plotting, twists and turns you don’t see coming and really well written. It’s an entertaining escapist fiction, a genuine page turner from start to finish.

Stacey Willingham creates a very plausible setting; an off campus house shared by Margot, Lucy, Sloane and Nicole. Each has a back story and they’re all distinctly different. The present is haunted by the past and there’s a murder and a missing person. All these strands are inextricably linked and I found this a compelling exploration of the nature of friendship and conflict. It’s about secrets, lies trust and betrayal and I felt it captured the essence of each element perfectly. Not my usual read, but I really enjoyed this modern tale.

I read and enjoyed Stacy’s debut novel so it was clear that I just had to request her newest book when I spotted it on Netgalley. Did I enjoy it quite as much as A Flicker in the Dark? No, however it would be unfair to lump both books into the same category as they couldn’t be more different.

Only If You’re Lucky is a heavily character developed study into what it means to fit in and belong. We follow Margot, freshly graduated from high school, who is mourning the death of her best friend Eliza. Margot has no interest in anything other than getting through college until she meets the intriguing and mysterious Lucy Sharpe and becomes addicted to her friendship.

Although this is a very much character driven novel, I didn’t really form an emotional connection with any of them… I found their lives and backstories interesting but beyond that I didn’t end up rooting for any of them which is a shame. The concept of this story was good and there were several twists I was surprised by but my lack of bond with any of the characters scuppered my enjoyment somewhat.

Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins for an E-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.