The Lucky Winners - K L Slater

When just-about-managing Merri and Dev buy a lottery ticket to win the house of their dreams, they never expect to win.
For Dev, it’s a dream come true. But Merri is worried. Dev doesn’t realise there’s a reason she’s never wanted to put down roots, always fleeing from the memories of the day her little sister died.
And then a body is found in the lake

Firstly, thank you to @netgalley and @penguinrandomhouse for the advanced copy. I have really enjoyed reading this book, it’s a great thriller and a complete page turner. The characters of Merry and Dev are well written and the story really delves into how secrets of the past never truly go away, and how a stroke of luck can set off a chain of events no-one expected!

Dev buys a ticket for the DreamKey prize draw. We all know the types from the glossy television adverts. A luxury new-build house in a beautiful rural location plus a big tax free cash lump sum. Well, someone has to win it, although the chances are unbelievably slim. Dev is over the moon when DreamKey contacts him to confirm that his ticket has won their latest prize draw. Dev and his wife Merri are simply “The Lucky Winners”. What could possibly go wrong?

It has been 5 years since I have read a novel by K.L. Slater. I thought her Little Whispers was a 5 star read, so I looked forward to reading another psychological thriller from her.

The Lucky Winners is very different to Little Whispers. Both are psychological thrillers and both couples have moved to or lived in Nottingham but that is all they have in common.

The Lucky Winners has short chapters each written from three points of view. Dev the husband, Merri the wife, plus an unknown simply called The Watcher. Many topics are woven into the story, prize wins giving ordinary people the chance of a fresh start, the problems of renting accommodation plus the effects of second homes on the local community. I liked the social commentary and the scene setting of the DreamKey house in the Lake District, bringing back many holiday memories.

I was disappointed by the way this story was told. The point of view from Merri alternated from the current day to her troubles when she was a teenager. This constant back and forth from the present day to 16 years ago drove me nuts! Forget the past Merri, just live in the moment and enjoy your wonderful DreamKey home. Further torment is that Merri has a secret from her past. The author won’t tell the reader what this damn secret is and Merri has never told her husband. The story rumbles along and the only interesting bits are the short chapters from The Watcher. The plot was not wonderful but all the little details were explained before the end. Merri’s secret was revealed and it was an anti-climax - goodness knows why she worried about it for so long. Merri was right not to tell her husband Dev, everyone deserves a fresh start. When I finished The Lucky Winners, I thought, “is that it?” Oh well, that was an OKAY 3 star read, nothing more but because I gave Little Whispers 5 stars, I will give K.L. Slater a fresh start another time.

K.L. Slater’s latest psychological thriller, The Lucky Winners, delivers a gripping tale of chance and consequence, set against the haunting backdrop of Lake Windermere. I found myself quickly absorbed by its tightly woven plot and the atmospheric tension that radiates from the pages.

Dev and Merri, a couple whose daily struggles with finances are both believable and relatable. Dev’s spontaneous purchase of a national draw ticket, which miraculously wins them a luxury house on the scenic banks of Lake Windermere, feels like a dream come true. But as Slater deftly shows, dreams often come with hidden costs. The windfall sets off a maelstrom of unwanted press attention, which Merri, in particular, finds overwhelming. Her discomfort is not just for her present situation, she believes it may have deeper consequences on the past she has tried to hide.

Told across two timelines and through several points of view, the author layers the narrative, steadily building suspense.
The setting is haunting with its modern opulence clashing with the wild, brooding landscape.

The twists are satisfying and the tension never lets up.

Highly recommended for fans of atmospheric domestic thrillers.

Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley UK for the ARC.

A great book! Full of twist and turns which keep you guessing until the end. Is winning a house all it’s cracked up to be?

I was hooked on this story from the beginning. When Dev wins and expensive house why is Merri not so pleased? Why is she scared of being in the public eye? This was a well written story that kept you guessing. It explores how trauma can mess with your memory and affect you for the rest of your life. I would thoroughly recommend this book.

I chose this book as we all wonder what would happen if we won the lottery, or won one of those Omaze houses. Well, now we know ;)

The two main characters, Merri and Dev, are down on their luck and struggling financially. Dev buys a ticket for a competition to win a dream house in the English Lake District, and they win. While it seems like a miracle, things slowly start to unravel as it draws attention to Merri and someone from her past, which she was hoping to keep hidden, now knows how to find her. This is also against a backdrop of middle class suburbia!

This was my first book by KL Slater, and I would definitely read more.

Thank you to KL Slater, Penguin and NetGalley for this ARC, in return for an honest review.

Haven't we all dreamt of winning big on the lottery or winning that 'out of this world' prize in a national draw? Buying a ticket and whilst clinging to that tiny morsel of hope, knowing you have more likely wasted your money. Meet Merri and Dev, living hand to mouth in a rented property, trying hard to make ends meet but falling behind with bills. Dev buys Merri a ticket for a dream house in the Lake District for their wedding anniversary, against all the odds they win! A three million dollar house along with a tax free sum of £250,000 is theirs. Not everyone is delighted, many of the locals are clearly disgruntled. A brick is thrown through one of the many glass windows before they have even moved in. Merri cannot shake off a sense of disquiet, memories of her traumatic past (one she has not fully shared with Dev) never far away.

This is a masterclass in thriller writing, romping along with speed. Characters not quite who you think they are, twists, turns and red herrings and as always with K. L. Slater, the all powerful, slap in the guts reveal at the end. A real page turner that had me picking up the book at every opportunity, especially given the short chapters which I love. Utterly compelling, with a wonderful undercurrent that is revealed, drip by drip, by Merri's flashbacks to her past. I have one big gripe which I won't detail due to the spoilers it would involve, however there is an issue around safeguarding that I am sure would be dealt with differently in real life. For this reason alone, sadly I can only rate what is a fabulous five star read as four stars.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House for my advanced reader copy in return for my honest and unbiased review.

This was a proper page turner!

I was intrigued by the idea of this story as I had recently bought my first ever ticket for the Omaze house draw and the idea of this story felt rather apt.

I didn't win the house and I hope nothing like this happens to the real life winners!

There's a strong cast, a present time story interspersed with a rewind to the past.

Really good, edge of the seat stuff, and I would definitely recommend.

Only thing I didn't like was the title.

Another great read by K L Slater. One of my favourite authors. All the books are gripping and page turners. Would highly recommend it

While this didn't wow me or shock me. It didn't have me invested enough that I didn't struggle to get through it.
The pacing worked well here.
The writing style kept me invested.
The plot, while nothing unique, had me wondering what was going on.

Merri and Dev are living hand to mouth when Dev buys a ticket to win a luxury house in the lake District never expecting to win, so when they win they are totally shocked but decide to move in a week later.
The locals are not friendly and things are vandalised on the property.
Merri feels as if someone is watching the house and she has a secret she is scared someone finds it out.
When a body is found in the lake in front of the house will the police find out her secret.
Trying to find out the secret keeps you in suspense.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC and I give my honest review

The Lucky Winners is an interesting concept filled with believable characters. The suspense really got to me at times, especially as I was home alone for a week! I really enjoyed it.

💜 𝐊.𝐋. 𝐒𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 ~ 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐮𝐜𝐤𝐲 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬

📍Publication Date: 14.08.25📍

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5

💜 Psychological Thriller
🧡 Untrustworthy Characters
💜 Mystery Chapters
🧡 Competition Winners
💜 Hidden Secrets
🧡 Twists

Merri and Dev are a young couple struggling with the financial pressures of life on a day to day basis, swamped in debt.
Dev buys Merri a raffle ticket for their anniversary giving them a slim chance to win a million pound mansion in the Lake District along with a large lump sum of money in the bank.
To Merri and Dev’s dismay they win this once in a lifetime prize but with their dream home comes a fearful nightmare.

Merri is concerned about the media attention as she has secrets in her past that she needs to stay hidden and Dev is happy to bask in the glorious new lifestyle they have been given.

However, The Watcher, has Merri in his sights and is ready to enter her dreamland and bring in some night terrors.

The dual timeline, suspicious characters and mystery chapters help to build suspense and allow the pages to turn quickly and easily. The twists all unravel in the last 20% of the book and you cannot read the pages quick enough. An enjoyable read.

Thank you to @netgalley and @michaeljbooks for the opportunity to read the ARC for @klslaterauthor new release 💜🧡

This book does not disappoint !! You are hooked from the first chapter, the twist and turns leave you wanting more. I could not put this book down.

I enjoyed learning more about the characters throughout the book

The Lucky Winners is an addictive, twist-packed thriller from K.L. Slater that kept me hooked from start to finish.

Merri and Dev who are struggling financially can’t believe their luck when they win a dream home in a stunning location. Their excitement quickly turns to despair when they become the target of sinister pranks, stalking, and an unnerving sense that someone is watching. What begins as a story of unexpected good fortune soon turns into a nightmare, with secrets lurking in every corner.

I loved the way Slater alternates perspectives and switches from past to present, allowing us to see events unfold through Merri, Dev, and a mysterious watcher’s point of view. It added layers of tension and intrigue, I suspected everyone at points in this book!. The pacing is brilliant — starting with a slow build of dread, then racing towards a finale that genuinely surprised me.

I thought the Lake District setting was perfect and adds an eerie, isolated backdrop that really heightens the suspense.

This is a sharp, clever thriller about luck, envy, and the danger of trusting appearances. I’ve always wondered what it would be like to win one of these amazing prizes and this book really encourages the reader to think about the potential darker side of good fortune. Definitely thought provoking.

Thank you to NetGalley, Michael Joseph and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

✮✮✮⋆/⭒☆

Okay.. Imagine winning one of them million pound dream once in a life time luxurious homes in the trending new competitions raffles 🎫

Well that's me sold on never entering one of them raffles... like ever!!

Absolutely love the book concept, Dev purchases Merri a ticket for their wedding anniversary.. Does that single ticket not only go & win!

Fast forward a week Merri & Dav have moved into their lavish luxurious new pad in the heart of the Lake District.. Bliss right 🤷‍♀️ Discomfort starts to rise, deep down there is some fears along side a web of past secrets.. is there a lurker, who is the watcher?

Another fab gripping suspenseful twisty thriller by K.L Slater i enjoyed the neighbourhood dramas, the slight dark edge, mixed with the eerie twists & punchy short chapters made this an compelling satisfying read 📚

Thanking you to Netgally the publisher Micheal Joseph Penguin Random House & K.L Salter for my ARC in return for my honest thoughts ♡

K.L Slater is one of my go-to authors, so I was excited to receive a copy of her latest novel ‘ The lucky Winners’
Merri and Dev has been married for three years. They live in a rented house and are struggling in debt. So, when their anniversary arises, they promised each other that they will only buy cards t each other as they don’t have any money and they have already been cancelling subscriptions to make ends meet. So, when Merri opens her card. She finds a £20 lottery ticket from to win a house. She s furious at him for spending the money. But they suddenly find some luck. When they discover they have won the house. A dream home in the Lake district.
But when they move into their dream home. Hoping to make a fresh start with their home and their money that goes with it. Merri tries to make friends with the people at the local village. But some of them are not forthcoming and they wake up one morning to find the house vandalised. But when Dev says that he is going to call the Police. Merri doesn’t want to get the Police involved because if the secret she is being hiding from several years ago. So, secret that Dev doesn’t even know.
K. L. Slater has written another tense and full of suspense thriller. That had me on the edge of my seat. I really enjoyed it. It really got me thinking though what happens when you win a house like this and the consequences and I got to say it did put me off wanting to buy a ticket in the future for Omaze. Just encase something happened with the locals in real life like what is portrayed in this book. It would be quite unsettling. 5 stars from me.

i liked the premise of this book, with Merri and Dev changing their lives by winning a dream house after buying a lottery ticket. Unsurprisingly past secrets don't stay hidden long and the couple soon wish their lives were less public.
There were some good twists and interesting characters, but in the end I felt slightly flat at the end as if I'd read a lot of similar books.
Thank you to netgalley and Michael Joseph for an advance copy of this book.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4

The Lucky Winners had me hooked from the start. When Merri and Dev are handed the keys to a luxury lakeside house, it should be a fresh start, but something feels off from the moment they arrive.

The idea of winning a dream home in a luxury raffle is such a fun setup but K.L. Slater quickly twists it into something darker and much more unsettling. The ominous atmosphere builds steadily, and the flashbacks to Merri’s childhood add real depth. I especially loved those glimpses into her past as they gave the story emotional weight and helped explain her anxiety about being back in the spotlight.

I thought I’d figured out who the Watcher was early on, I was feeling pretty smug, tbh, but I was wrong, and I loved that. That reveal genuinely surprised me. Though the other reveal was slightly less surprising - but the crazy was real!

The tension builds in all the right places, and the mystery kept me second-guessing everyone as were several characters who were suspicious enough! I loved Merri as a main character- was definitely rooting for her.

And yes, I’m definitely thinking twice before entering another house raffle draw…

Twisty, well-paced and emotionally layered – a solid 4-star read.

Thank you to @netgalley @michaeljbooks and the author for the ARC.

I did enjoy this book, it was an interesting premise. But the dream house turns out to be a bit of a nightmare! However the lead character Merri really annoyed me, she kept going on and on about her secret until I was fed up hearing about it. When all was revealed at the end, I didn't feel like the big secret was worth all the fuss!
I do like this author and I will continue to read her books but I wasn't as invested in this one as I was some of her others.