Happy Girl Lucky

Sparkly, sassy, and so much fun to read from start to finish – Happy Girl Lucky is another jewel in Holly Smale’s crown. If you loved the Geek Girl series, you’re going to love the Valentines series too, as it has all the tenderness and clever wit you fell in love with during Geek Girl. I could immediately feel the Holly Smale magic from the first page, and from then on I was hooked. Fun fact: ever since I finished the book I have been regularly searching Google to see when the next instalment in the series is being published. I am not sure if we continue to follow Hope as the series progresses, or whether we get a book from each of the Valentines… I am hoping for both!

Don’t be fooled by the gorgeous and vibrant cover; there are some important messages in this book, particularly around the signs of a toxic relationship such as love-bombing and gaslighting. Even though these are serious topics, it’s truly applaudable to see them addressed in YA, and I hope Happy Girl Lucky will highlight these signs to younger readers who may be approaching or going through their first romantic relationship.

What a delightful first installment of what I’m certain will be an amazing series.
This is an important story, on so many levels. I relate to Hope’s loneliness. She’s a character all will love and I’d imagine, much like me, people won’t be able to put the book down until you know she’s okay.
You see, I’ve been in that position before with a new relationship. Only this time, being on the outside, I saw the signs. I also did wonder, had I read this book before; would I have see the signs earlier? Love bombing, narcissism and gaslighting are difficult topics to cover, but Holly Smale is as wonderfully adept as always. They also appear to be on the increase, so it’s important to see this sort of relationship present itself in a teen fic.
It’s a well rounded story that will have you begging for the sequel as soon as you read the final page. I’m interested as to where this series will go. Part of me wants to continue with Hope, and see how she gets on. However, there’s another part that is hoping one of the other siblings become the narrator.

I had been looking forward to reading this book for ages as I absolutely adored Holly's Geek Girl series and I was certainly not disappointed.

Hope Valentine is a fantastic character! She's so sweet, naive, fun-loving and kind. She is a hopeless romantic and obsessed with love and finding The One. She's also very ditzy, which is hilarious!

This book made me laugh, cry and grin from ear to ear. I really, really loved it.