What do you think?
Rate this book
Only if you're lucky
From the New York Times bestselling author of A FLICKER IN THE DARK and ALL THE DANGEROUS THINGS comes a gripping psychological thriller about female friendship and dark secrets
*An Amazon's Best Mystery and Thriller pick for January 2024*
“Utterly hypnotic … Reader beware—this will keep you breathless to the very end.” Lisa Gardner, author of One Step Too Far
'Dark, intense, and completely addictive.’ Laurie Elizabeth Flynn, author of The Girls Are All So Nice Here
Margot went to college in South Carolina for a new start. It’s a chance to get away – from her small town, her family and the memories of her dead best friend.
She gets her wish when the enigmatic Lucy invites her to join two other girls in a shared house for their second year. But as Margot gets to know the girls, she begins to realise that something’s off about Lucy, she’s not quite what she seems.
Six months later, Lucy is missing and a boy from the frat house next door is dead, leaving Margot in the wake of the investigation. But as the police continue to dig, they realise Lucy isn't the only one with secrets.
*An Amazon's Best Mystery and Thriller pick for January 2024*
“Utterly hypnotic … Reader beware—this will keep you breathless to the very end.” Lisa Gardner, author of One Step Too Far
'Dark, intense, and completely addictive.’ Laurie Elizabeth Flynn, author of The Girls Are All So Nice Here
Margot went to college in South Carolina for a new start. It’s a chance to get away – from her small town, her family and the memories of her dead best friend.
She gets her wish when the enigmatic Lucy invites her to join two other girls in a shared house for their second year. But as Margot gets to know the girls, she begins to realise that something’s off about Lucy, she’s not quite what she seems.
Six months later, Lucy is missing and a boy from the frat house next door is dead, leaving Margot in the wake of the investigation. But as the police continue to dig, they realise Lucy isn't the only one with secrets.
408 pages, Paperback
First published January 16, 2024
3109 people are currently reading
145729 people want to read
About the author
Stacy Willingham
10 books16.6k followersStacy Willingham is the New York Times, USA Today and internationally bestselling author of psychological suspense. Her books include A Flicker in the Dark, All the Dangerous Things, Only If You're Lucky and Forget Me Not.
Her debut, A Flicker in the Dark, has sold over one million copies in North America alone. It was the winner of Strand Magazine's Best Debut Award and a finalist for the Book of the Month's Book of the Year award, Goodreads Choice Best Debut award, Goodreads Choice Best Mystery & Thriller award, and ITW's Best First Novel award. Her work has been translated in more than thirty languages.
She earned her B.A. in magazine journalism from the University of Georgia and M.F.A. in writing from the Savannah College of Art and Design. She lives in Charleston, South Carolina, with her husband, daughter, and dog.
Her debut, A Flicker in the Dark, has sold over one million copies in North America alone. It was the winner of Strand Magazine's Best Debut Award and a finalist for the Book of the Month's Book of the Year award, Goodreads Choice Best Debut award, Goodreads Choice Best Mystery & Thriller award, and ITW's Best First Novel award. Her work has been translated in more than thirty languages.
She earned her B.A. in magazine journalism from the University of Georgia and M.F.A. in writing from the Savannah College of Art and Design. She lives in Charleston, South Carolina, with her husband, daughter, and dog.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 9,063 reviews
November 13, 2023
Beyond Boring
Margot, a college student, was obsessed with her former best friend, Eliza, who died tragically and is now obsessed with her current BFF, Lucy. When Lucy disappears, Margot’s obsession grows to the point of danger.
Margot is boring, her voice is boring, and her obsession is boring. The side characters seem interesting, but since only Margot's POV is shared, they get lost in Margot's monotonous narrative.
The narrative follows a before/after structure--neither timeline is compelling.
The plot: Nothing really happens until the ending, which had a bit of unexpected drama, and the atmosphere was a huge plus--both upped my rating.
I was so excited to read this--I loved Willingham’s other books, but sadly this one was a letdown. It reminds me of a Megan Miranda novel--the setting, the group of college students, the atmosphere, and the monotonous tone, but it lacks tension and suspense.
It pains me to write this review. I wish I could recommend this book, but I just can't. I can recommend Willingham's others: A Flicker in the Dark and All the Dangerous Things.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press in exchange for an honest review.
Margot, a college student, was obsessed with her former best friend, Eliza, who died tragically and is now obsessed with her current BFF, Lucy. When Lucy disappears, Margot’s obsession grows to the point of danger.
Margot is boring, her voice is boring, and her obsession is boring. The side characters seem interesting, but since only Margot's POV is shared, they get lost in Margot's monotonous narrative.
The narrative follows a before/after structure--neither timeline is compelling.
The plot: Nothing really happens until the ending, which had a bit of unexpected drama, and the atmosphere was a huge plus--both upped my rating.
I was so excited to read this--I loved Willingham’s other books, but sadly this one was a letdown. It reminds me of a Megan Miranda novel--the setting, the group of college students, the atmosphere, and the monotonous tone, but it lacks tension and suspense.
It pains me to write this review. I wish I could recommend this book, but I just can't. I can recommend Willingham's others: A Flicker in the Dark and All the Dangerous Things.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press in exchange for an honest review.
January 22, 2024
Perhaps my expectations were just too high after loving Willingham's A Flicker in the Dark and All the Dangerous Things, but this book was a huge disappointment.
Only If You're Lucky is a departure from Willingham's previous style and stories, this time focusing not on adult women in their thirties but on a bunch of college students. The result felt much more YA than the author's past work and I did not enjoy it nearly as much.
It is also much slower burn, to the point where hardly anything happens outside of college kid shenanigans-- alcohol, drugs, boys --until the last few chapters of the book. A Flicker in the Dark and All the Dangerous Things were far more urgent intense mysteries about a serial killer and a missing child, and this book never came close to that level of tension.
The author tries to do that intense-bordering-on-toxic female friendship thing, but far too many other authors have done it better, in my opinion (Megan Abbott, Louise O'Neill, Abigail Haas, to name but a few) and here I found it hard to understand Margot's obsession with Lucy. We were told how interesting Lucy was, but I never felt we were really shown it.
Then we come to the climax of the novel. The first twist I suspected early in the book, and the next few I just found very hard to believe. That whole big reveal part was really out there and wacky, and relied on a bizarre and way too convenient coincidence
I'll read what the author writes next as I loved her first two books, but this one didn't work for me.
Only If You're Lucky is a departure from Willingham's previous style and stories, this time focusing not on adult women in their thirties but on a bunch of college students. The result felt much more YA than the author's past work and I did not enjoy it nearly as much.
It is also much slower burn, to the point where hardly anything happens outside of college kid shenanigans-- alcohol, drugs, boys --until the last few chapters of the book. A Flicker in the Dark and All the Dangerous Things were far more urgent intense mysteries about a serial killer and a missing child, and this book never came close to that level of tension.
The author tries to do that intense-bordering-on-toxic female friendship thing, but far too many other authors have done it better, in my opinion (Megan Abbott, Louise O'Neill, Abigail Haas, to name but a few) and here I found it hard to understand Margot's obsession with Lucy. We were told how interesting Lucy was, but I never felt we were really shown it.
Then we come to the climax of the novel. The first twist I suspected early in the book, and the next few I just found very hard to believe. That whole big reveal part was really out there and wacky, and relied on a bizarre and way too convenient coincidence
I'll read what the author writes next as I loved her first two books, but this one didn't work for me.
January 16, 2024
“If You Knew You Could Get Away with Murder, Would You do it?”
Lucy Sharpe is larger than life-Just like Margot’s childhood best friend, Eliza, who died three weeks after their high school graduation. Both were the kind of girls who always chose “dare” over “truth”, the kind of girls who were always the center of attention as soon as they entered a room.
So when Lucy somehow notices Margot, and invites her to become one of four roommates in an off-campus house, near her new college-she couldn’t say no. This is exactly the fresh start she needs-a chance to regroup, and be a part of a close knit group of friends.
It turns out that college friends ARE different. They would do anything for each other.
ANYTHING
Margot and Lucy become close, but by the middle of their sophomore year, one of the fraternity boys from the house next door has been brutally murdered... and Lucy Sharpe is missing without a trace.
I love Stacey Willingham’s prose, and this book is no exception. I will definitely be reading whatever she pens next!
BUT, most of this book reads like YA, and I have outgrown that genre. Reading about college girls playing “spin the bottle”, and drinking until they are sick or passed out-yawn!
And, the reveal? It stretched believability too far for me.
A buddy read with DeAnn. Did this book work for her? Be sure to check out her review!
If you want to revisit the nostalgia of your college days, or enjoy twists, perhaps this will work out better for you?
AVAILABLE NOW
Thank you to Minotaur books for the gifted copy, provided through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to offer a candid review
Lucy Sharpe is larger than life-Just like Margot’s childhood best friend, Eliza, who died three weeks after their high school graduation. Both were the kind of girls who always chose “dare” over “truth”, the kind of girls who were always the center of attention as soon as they entered a room.
So when Lucy somehow notices Margot, and invites her to become one of four roommates in an off-campus house, near her new college-she couldn’t say no. This is exactly the fresh start she needs-a chance to regroup, and be a part of a close knit group of friends.
It turns out that college friends ARE different. They would do anything for each other.
ANYTHING
Margot and Lucy become close, but by the middle of their sophomore year, one of the fraternity boys from the house next door has been brutally murdered... and Lucy Sharpe is missing without a trace.
I love Stacey Willingham’s prose, and this book is no exception. I will definitely be reading whatever she pens next!
BUT, most of this book reads like YA, and I have outgrown that genre. Reading about college girls playing “spin the bottle”, and drinking until they are sick or passed out-yawn!
And, the reveal? It stretched believability too far for me.
A buddy read with DeAnn. Did this book work for her? Be sure to check out her review!
If you want to revisit the nostalgia of your college days, or enjoy twists, perhaps this will work out better for you?
AVAILABLE NOW
Thank you to Minotaur books for the gifted copy, provided through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to offer a candid review
May 11, 2025
“Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" stands as one of the most thought-provoking novels, delving into the unending, epic battle between good and evil. It shines a spotlight on the intricate psychological struggle humans face against their inner demons—questioning which force will ultimately triumph, the darkness or the light.
This book skillfully captures the essence of this monumental conflict, transforming the journey into a sinister thriller that could be likened to a fusion of "Heathers" and "Pretty Little Liars" within the realm of dark academia. The story features unreliable female characters harboring concealed secrets.
At its core, the plot revolves around Margot, who grapples with the recent loss of her best friend, Eliza. Margot plans to attend the same liberal arts college in South Carolina as Eliza had intended. Instead of succumbing to the path her parents have paved, Margot is determined to fulfill their shared dream, even though she initially confines herself to her dorm during the first semester.
Despite battling depression, Margot becomes aware of Lucy's eccentric presence. Lucy, a recent transfer student, becomes the subject of speculative theories regarding her enigmatic past. From a distance, Margot observes Lucy's closely-knit friendship with Sloane and Nicole, finding herself envious of their bond.
When Lucy unexpectedly proposes they become roommates, Margot is astounded by her luck. This offers her a chance to start anew, to embrace a different identity. Without hesitation, Margot embarks on this transformation.
Joined by Lucy, the dry-witted Sloane, the meek yet good-hearted Nicole, the trio becomes roommates and relocates to a fraternity house they rent from boys, courtesy of Nicole's connection with Trevor, a leader of the fraternity club.
The girls form an alliance when a specter from Margot's past emerges within the house, compelling her to share her reasons for selecting this place for her education. This ghostly figure is Levi, Eliza's boyfriend and the last person to have seen her alive.
As the narrative alternates between timelines, it is revealed that both Levi and Lucy are no longer present. The mystery unfolds: Could Lucy have a role in Levi's demise?
Despite the book's gradual pace, the riveting and concise chapters maintain an engaging rhythm that sustains reader interest. The final shocking revelations are undeniably jaw-dropping, although some may appear coincidental or stretched. Nevertheless, the majority of these plot twists are ingeniously crafted and executed.
The eerie atmosphere and the gradual intensification of tension contribute to a sustained sense of intrigue, even though some of the characters may not be particularly likable. However, the whirlwind plot, well-timed revelations, and the carefully constructed story structure are expertly written.
As always, I thoroughly enjoyed immersing myself in this captivating read. My gratitude extends to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for generously providing me with a digital review copy of this utterly compelling book in exchange for my honest evaluation.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
medium blog
instagram
facebook
twitter<
This book skillfully captures the essence of this monumental conflict, transforming the journey into a sinister thriller that could be likened to a fusion of "Heathers" and "Pretty Little Liars" within the realm of dark academia. The story features unreliable female characters harboring concealed secrets.
At its core, the plot revolves around Margot, who grapples with the recent loss of her best friend, Eliza. Margot plans to attend the same liberal arts college in South Carolina as Eliza had intended. Instead of succumbing to the path her parents have paved, Margot is determined to fulfill their shared dream, even though she initially confines herself to her dorm during the first semester.
Despite battling depression, Margot becomes aware of Lucy's eccentric presence. Lucy, a recent transfer student, becomes the subject of speculative theories regarding her enigmatic past. From a distance, Margot observes Lucy's closely-knit friendship with Sloane and Nicole, finding herself envious of their bond.
When Lucy unexpectedly proposes they become roommates, Margot is astounded by her luck. This offers her a chance to start anew, to embrace a different identity. Without hesitation, Margot embarks on this transformation.
Joined by Lucy, the dry-witted Sloane, the meek yet good-hearted Nicole, the trio becomes roommates and relocates to a fraternity house they rent from boys, courtesy of Nicole's connection with Trevor, a leader of the fraternity club.
The girls form an alliance when a specter from Margot's past emerges within the house, compelling her to share her reasons for selecting this place for her education. This ghostly figure is Levi, Eliza's boyfriend and the last person to have seen her alive.
As the narrative alternates between timelines, it is revealed that both Levi and Lucy are no longer present. The mystery unfolds: Could Lucy have a role in Levi's demise?
Despite the book's gradual pace, the riveting and concise chapters maintain an engaging rhythm that sustains reader interest. The final shocking revelations are undeniably jaw-dropping, although some may appear coincidental or stretched. Nevertheless, the majority of these plot twists are ingeniously crafted and executed.
The eerie atmosphere and the gradual intensification of tension contribute to a sustained sense of intrigue, even though some of the characters may not be particularly likable. However, the whirlwind plot, well-timed revelations, and the carefully constructed story structure are expertly written.
As always, I thoroughly enjoyed immersing myself in this captivating read. My gratitude extends to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for generously providing me with a digital review copy of this utterly compelling book in exchange for my honest evaluation.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
medium blog
twitter<
August 11, 2023
I definitely considered myself lucky to receive an advanced copy of this book to read! I have loved and rated both of Willingham’s previous novels five stars (and if you haven’t read them yet, please do yourself a favor and read them). However, I found this newest release to be a bit different from the previous two novels, a bit of a slow burn, and not very fast-paced. I also found it to be geared towards a younger audience, and that may be only because it dealt with a college setting.
Our main character of this story is Margot. Margot is still mourning the death of her best friend Eliza, that happened three weeks after high school graduation. Margot is currently in her first year of college in an all girls dormitory when she is singled out by the mysterious and striking Lucy Sharpe. Margot cannot believe her luck when she is asked to move into a house with Lucy and her friends for the upcoming sophomore year.
The house that Margot moves into is owned by the fraternity brothers next door. Margot finally feels a sense of belonging and friendship with her new roommates in Lucy, Sloane, and Nicole. As their friendships develop and grow stronger, she tells them about her past friendship with Eliza and how she passed away. Margot also becomes frightened and concerned when Eliza’s previous neighbor, Levi moves in next door to the fraternity house to be pledged in.
There’s lots of games, truth telling, and accusations throughout this story. There’s also lots of references to Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde, which makes sense because in reality we have a bunch of harmless, naive girls who are capable of both good and evil.
This is a good character study about belonging, and wanting to fit in- along with slow burn suspense. Although this wasn’t my favorite by Willingham, it’s only because it’s totally different from her first two books (and in my opinion, she set the bar too high). I don’t want to say too much more without giving the whole book away, but if you’ve loved Willingham in the past, give this book a try! As always, I will be waiting for her next book to come out!!
Many thanks to NetGalley, St, Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books, and the author for an ARC of this book which I had the pleasure of reading. All opinions are my own. Publication date: January 16, 2024.
Genre~ Mystery & Thrillers, General Fiction (Adult).
Our main character of this story is Margot. Margot is still mourning the death of her best friend Eliza, that happened three weeks after high school graduation. Margot is currently in her first year of college in an all girls dormitory when she is singled out by the mysterious and striking Lucy Sharpe. Margot cannot believe her luck when she is asked to move into a house with Lucy and her friends for the upcoming sophomore year.
The house that Margot moves into is owned by the fraternity brothers next door. Margot finally feels a sense of belonging and friendship with her new roommates in Lucy, Sloane, and Nicole. As their friendships develop and grow stronger, she tells them about her past friendship with Eliza and how she passed away. Margot also becomes frightened and concerned when Eliza’s previous neighbor, Levi moves in next door to the fraternity house to be pledged in.
There’s lots of games, truth telling, and accusations throughout this story. There’s also lots of references to Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde, which makes sense because in reality we have a bunch of harmless, naive girls who are capable of both good and evil.
This is a good character study about belonging, and wanting to fit in- along with slow burn suspense. Although this wasn’t my favorite by Willingham, it’s only because it’s totally different from her first two books (and in my opinion, she set the bar too high). I don’t want to say too much more without giving the whole book away, but if you’ve loved Willingham in the past, give this book a try! As always, I will be waiting for her next book to come out!!
Many thanks to NetGalley, St, Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books, and the author for an ARC of this book which I had the pleasure of reading. All opinions are my own. Publication date: January 16, 2024.
Genre~ Mystery & Thrillers, General Fiction (Adult).
November 25, 2024
˚୨୧⋆｡˖𓍢ִִ໋𓇼⋆ ❝ 𝒪𝓃𝑒 𝒹𝒶𝓎 𝓌𝑒 𝓌𝑒𝓇𝑒 𝓈𝓉𝓇𝒶𝓃𝑔𝑒𝓇𝓈 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓃𝑒𝓍𝓉 𝓌𝑒 𝓌𝑒𝓇𝑒 𝒻𝓇𝒾𝑒𝓃𝒹𝓈. 𝒯𝒽𝒶𝓉'𝓈 𝓊𝓈𝓊𝒶𝓁𝓁𝓎 𝒽𝑜𝓌 𝒾𝓉 𝓌𝑜𝓇𝓀𝓈 𝓌𝒾𝓉𝒽 𝑔𝒾𝓇𝓁𝓈. 𝐻𝑜𝓌 𝑒𝒻𝒻𝑜𝓇𝓉𝓁𝑒𝓈𝓈𝓁𝓎 𝓌𝑒 𝑔𝓁𝒾𝒹𝑒 𝒻𝓇𝑜𝓂 𝒸𝑜𝓁𝒹 𝓈𝒽𝑜𝓊𝓁𝒹𝑒𝓇𝓈 𝒾𝓃 𝓅𝓊𝒷𝓁𝒾𝒸 𝓉𝑜 𝒶𝓅𝓅𝓁𝓎𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝑒𝒶𝒸𝒽 𝑜𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓇'𝓈 𝓁𝒾𝓅𝓈𝓉𝒾𝒸𝓀 𝒾𝓃 𝓈𝓌𝑒𝒶𝓉𝓎 𝒷𝒶𝓇 𝒷𝒶𝓉𝒽𝓇𝑜𝑜𝓂𝓈, 𝒻𝒾𝓃𝑔𝑒𝓇𝓉𝒾𝓅𝓈 𝓉𝑜𝓊𝒸𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒾𝓃 𝒶 𝓈𝓌𝒶𝓇𝓂 𝑜𝒻 𝓌𝒶𝓇𝓂 𝒷𝑜𝒹𝒾𝑒𝓈. 𝐹𝓇𝑜𝓂 𝓈𝓅𝓇𝑒𝒶𝒹𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒽𝑜𝓉-𝒷𝓇𝑒𝒶𝓉𝒽𝑒𝒹 𝓇𝓊𝓂𝑜𝓇𝓈 𝒷𝑒𝒽𝒾𝓃𝒹 𝒸𝓊𝓅𝓅𝑒𝒹 𝒽𝒶𝓃𝒹𝓈 𝓉𝑜 𝓉𝑜𝓈𝓈𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒸𝑜𝓂𝓅𝓁𝒾𝓂𝑒𝓃𝓉𝓈 𝒶𝒸𝓇𝑜𝓈𝓈 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓇𝑜𝑜𝓂 𝓁����𝓀𝑒 𝒹𝒶𝓇𝓉𝓈, 𝒶𝒾𝓂𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒻𝑜𝓇 𝒶 𝒷𝓊𝓁𝓁'𝓈-𝑒𝓎𝑒, 𝒷𝓊𝓉 𝓇𝑒𝒶𝓁𝓁𝓎 𝒿𝓊𝓈𝓉 𝒽𝑜𝓅𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒻𝑜𝓇 𝓈𝑜𝓂𝑒𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓉𝑜 𝓈𝓉𝒾𝒸𝓀. ❞ *ੈ✩‧₊˚
Whew! THAT was quite a ride! This is a dark academia novel that offers a glimpse at (some) female friendships, how manipulative, secretive and dependent they can be.
How we can deeply envy, despise or strongly admire our closest friends and often portray it as something else. I found this to be very reminiscent of Pretty Little Liars (The show, I haven't read the novels) except much darker, much more sinister.
˚୨୧⋆｡˖𓍢ִִ໋𓇼⋆ ❝ 𝒯𝒽𝒶𝓉'𝓈 𝓌𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝓅𝑒𝑜𝓅𝓁𝑒 𝒹𝑜, 𝒶𝒻𝓉𝑒𝓇 𝒶𝓁𝓁. 𝒟𝑒𝓈𝓉𝓇𝑜𝓎 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓋𝑒𝓇𝓎 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓎 𝒹𝑒𝓈𝒾𝓇𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓂𝑜𝓈𝓉. ❞
❝ 𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝑜𝓃𝓁𝓎 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝓂𝒶𝓀𝑒𝓈 𝒷𝒶𝒹 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑔𝓈 𝒷𝒶𝒹 𝒶𝓇𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒸𝑜𝓃𝓈𝑒𝓆𝓊𝑒𝓃𝒸𝑒𝓈, 𝓇𝒾𝑔𝒽𝓉? ❞ *ੈ✩‧₊˚
╰┈➤˗ˏˋ 𝓠𝓾𝓲𝓬𝓴 𝓢𝓾𝓶𝓶𝓪𝓻𝔂
We follow Margot who is just starting her freshman year of college after recently experiencing the questionable death of her best friend Eliza. Margot and Eliza grew up together, did everything together, had many secrets of their own. Right around their senior year in high school they start going through a bit of a rough patch and start to drift apart, but are unable to resolve things prior to Eliza's death.
Freshly traumatized and ready to start her first year at the liberal arts college she was supposed to attend with Eliza she soon finds her self in a familiar situation of not being noticed, having any friends except her roommate that was chosen for her, just basically going through the motions but not really living.
From afar she notices Lucy Sharpe who is everything she is not.. and eerily enough, everything that Eliza was. Outgoing, dangerous, seductive, popular, powerful. Quickly becoming completely entranced by her, and on the off chance gets the opportunity to become friends with Lucy and her entourage- at the start of summer between first and second year they move off campus together. Margot just wants to live a more interesting life.. to put the past behind her and move on.
Finally coming out of the shell she's been in since the end of high school, when her best friend passed. Margot and Lucy have become the closest of friends, but by the middle of their sophomore year, one of the fraternity boys from the house next door has been brutally murdered... and Lucy Sharpe is missing without a trace.
˚୨୧⋆｡˖𓍢ִִ໋𓇼⋆ ❝ 𝒮𝑜 𝓂𝒶𝓎𝒷𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉'𝓈 𝓌𝒽𝑜 𝐼 𝒶𝓂: 𝒶 𝒸𝒽𝒶𝓂𝑒𝓁𝑒𝑜𝓃 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝒸𝒶𝓃 𝓉𝒶𝓀𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒶𝓅𝓅𝑒𝒶𝓇𝒶𝓃𝒸𝑒 𝑜𝒻 𝒾𝓉'𝓈 𝓈𝓊𝓇𝓇𝑜𝓊𝓃𝒹𝒾𝓃𝑔𝓈. 𝒜 𝓂𝒶𝓈𝓉𝑒𝓇 𝑜𝒻 𝒸𝒶𝓂𝑜𝓊𝒻𝓁𝒶𝑔𝑒 𝓉𝑜 𝓈𝓉𝒶𝓎 𝒾𝓃𝓋𝒾𝓈𝒾𝒷𝓁𝑒 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓈𝒶𝒻𝑒. 𝐼 𝓃𝑒𝑒𝒹 𝓈𝑜𝓂𝑒𝑜𝓃𝑒 𝓉𝑜 𝓂𝑜𝓁𝒹 𝓂𝑒 𝓁𝒾𝓀𝑒 𝓅𝓊𝓉𝓉𝓎; 𝑔𝒾𝓋𝑒 𝓂𝑒 𝒻𝓊𝓃𝒸𝓉𝒾𝑜𝓃 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒻𝑜𝓇𝓂. ❞
❝ 𝐼 𝓌𝒶𝓃𝓉 𝐿𝓊𝒸𝓎 𝓉𝑜 𝒷𝑒𝓃𝒹 𝓂𝑒, 𝒷𝓇𝑒𝒶𝓀 𝓂𝑒. 𝑅𝒾𝓅 𝓂𝑒 𝓉𝑜 𝓅𝒾𝑒𝒸𝑒𝓈 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓇𝑒𝒶𝓈𝓈𝑒𝓂𝒷𝓁𝑒 𝓂𝑒 𝒾𝓃𝓉𝑜 𝓈𝑜𝓂𝑒𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒹𝒾𝒻𝒻𝑒𝓇𝑒𝓃𝓉, 𝒷𝑒𝓉𝓉𝑒𝓇. 𝒩𝑒𝓌. ❞ *ੈ✩‧₊˚
╰┈➤˗ˏˋ 𝓜𝔂 𝓣𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱𝓽𝓼
I've read all of Willingham's books so far and I've really enjoyed them... I think this one is probably my favorite. It was truly twisted, and unsettling... dark and unnerving.
The characters are well done– there are so few certainties in the book that my view of the girls kept shifting as more information came to the surface.
Extremely clever of Willingham- I never knew where I really stood with each character.
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. Definitely recommend.
₊˚ ‿︵‿︵‿︵୨୧ · · ♡ · · ୨୧‿︵‿︵‿︵ ˚₊
Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books and Stacy Willingham for providing me with an advanced digital copy, all thoughts are my own. 💐
Whew! THAT was quite a ride! This is a dark academia novel that offers a glimpse at (some) female friendships, how manipulative, secretive and dependent they can be.
How we can deeply envy, despise or strongly admire our closest friends and often portray it as something else. I found this to be very reminiscent of Pretty Little Liars (The show, I haven't read the novels) except much darker, much more sinister.
˚୨୧⋆｡˖𓍢ִִ໋𓇼⋆ ❝ 𝒯𝒽𝒶𝓉'𝓈 𝓌𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝓅𝑒𝑜𝓅𝓁𝑒 𝒹𝑜, 𝒶𝒻𝓉𝑒𝓇 𝒶𝓁𝓁. 𝒟𝑒𝓈𝓉𝓇𝑜𝓎 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓋𝑒𝓇𝓎 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓎 𝒹𝑒𝓈𝒾𝓇𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓂𝑜𝓈𝓉. ❞
❝ 𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝑜𝓃𝓁𝓎 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝓂𝒶𝓀𝑒𝓈 𝒷𝒶𝒹 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑔𝓈 𝒷𝒶𝒹 𝒶𝓇𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒸𝑜𝓃𝓈𝑒𝓆𝓊𝑒𝓃𝒸𝑒𝓈, 𝓇𝒾𝑔𝒽𝓉? ❞ *ੈ✩‧₊˚
╰┈➤˗ˏˋ 𝓠𝓾𝓲𝓬𝓴 𝓢𝓾𝓶𝓶𝓪𝓻𝔂
We follow Margot who is just starting her freshman year of college after recently experiencing the questionable death of her best friend Eliza. Margot and Eliza grew up together, did everything together, had many secrets of their own. Right around their senior year in high school they start going through a bit of a rough patch and start to drift apart, but are unable to resolve things prior to Eliza's death.
Freshly traumatized and ready to start her first year at the liberal arts college she was supposed to attend with Eliza she soon finds her self in a familiar situation of not being noticed, having any friends except her roommate that was chosen for her, just basically going through the motions but not really living.
From afar she notices Lucy Sharpe who is everything she is not.. and eerily enough, everything that Eliza was. Outgoing, dangerous, seductive, popular, powerful. Quickly becoming completely entranced by her, and on the off chance gets the opportunity to become friends with Lucy and her entourage- at the start of summer between first and second year they move off campus together. Margot just wants to live a more interesting life.. to put the past behind her and move on.
Finally coming out of the shell she's been in since the end of high school, when her best friend passed. Margot and Lucy have become the closest of friends, but by the middle of their sophomore year, one of the fraternity boys from the house next door has been brutally murdered... and Lucy Sharpe is missing without a trace.
˚୨୧⋆｡˖𓍢ִִ໋𓇼⋆ ❝ 𝒮𝑜 𝓂𝒶𝓎𝒷𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉'𝓈 𝓌𝒽𝑜 𝐼 𝒶𝓂: 𝒶 𝒸𝒽𝒶𝓂𝑒𝓁𝑒𝑜𝓃 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝒸𝒶𝓃 𝓉𝒶𝓀𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒶𝓅𝓅𝑒𝒶𝓇𝒶𝓃𝒸𝑒 𝑜𝒻 𝒾𝓉'𝓈 𝓈𝓊𝓇𝓇𝑜𝓊𝓃𝒹𝒾𝓃𝑔𝓈. 𝒜 𝓂𝒶𝓈𝓉𝑒𝓇 𝑜𝒻 𝒸𝒶𝓂𝑜𝓊𝒻𝓁𝒶𝑔𝑒 𝓉𝑜 𝓈𝓉𝒶𝓎 𝒾𝓃𝓋𝒾𝓈𝒾𝒷𝓁𝑒 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓈𝒶𝒻𝑒. 𝐼 𝓃𝑒𝑒𝒹 𝓈𝑜𝓂𝑒𝑜𝓃𝑒 𝓉𝑜 𝓂𝑜𝓁𝒹 𝓂𝑒 𝓁𝒾𝓀𝑒 𝓅𝓊𝓉𝓉𝓎; 𝑔𝒾𝓋𝑒 𝓂𝑒 𝒻𝓊𝓃𝒸𝓉𝒾𝑜𝓃 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒻𝑜𝓇𝓂. ❞
❝ 𝐼 𝓌𝒶𝓃𝓉 𝐿𝓊𝒸𝓎 𝓉𝑜 𝒷𝑒𝓃𝒹 𝓂𝑒, 𝒷𝓇𝑒𝒶𝓀 𝓂𝑒. 𝑅𝒾𝓅 𝓂𝑒 𝓉𝑜 𝓅𝒾𝑒𝒸𝑒𝓈 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓇𝑒𝒶𝓈𝓈𝑒𝓂𝒷𝓁𝑒 𝓂𝑒 𝒾𝓃𝓉𝑜 𝓈𝑜𝓂𝑒𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒹𝒾𝒻𝒻𝑒𝓇𝑒𝓃𝓉, 𝒷𝑒𝓉𝓉𝑒𝓇. 𝒩𝑒𝓌. ❞ *ੈ✩‧₊˚
╰┈➤˗ˏˋ 𝓜𝔂 𝓣𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱𝓽𝓼
I've read all of Willingham's books so far and I've really enjoyed them... I think this one is probably my favorite. It was truly twisted, and unsettling... dark and unnerving.
The characters are well done– there are so few certainties in the book that my view of the girls kept shifting as more information came to the surface.
Extremely clever of Willingham- I never knew where I really stood with each character.
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. Definitely recommend.
₊˚ ‿︵‿︵‿︵୨୧ · · ♡ · · ୨୧‿︵‿︵‿︵ ˚₊
Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books and Stacy Willingham for providing me with an advanced digital copy, all thoughts are my own. 💐
July 18, 2023
ONLY IF YOU'RE LUCKY is a dark and chilling look into female friendships, the lies we tell, the secrets we keep and how much we can ever know those closest to us. Hypnotic and haunting with lifelike characters and mind blowing twists that fall perfectly into place, Willingham's latest is a masterpiece.
December 5, 2025
Only If You're Lucky is a slow burn and I know it won't necessarily be for every Reader. For me, though, there is no denying the rich-quality of Willingham's writing.
She pulled this one off in the end, big time. It took me a minute to settle into the story, not gonna lie, but once I did I was swept up into the drama like a nosy neighbor.
In this story we follow Margot, who is a Freshman at a small Liberal Arts college in South Carolina.
It was Margot's dream to attend this particular college with her childhood best friend, Eliza. Unfortunately, Eliza's life was taken in a tragic accident just prior to that dream becoming a reality.
Freshman year, Margot is obviously still coming to grips with the loss of her best friend. She feels like a ship without a port and therefore, plays it very safe. She befriends her new roommate and they barely ever leave the dorm.
At the end of the year though, she gets approached by a girl she's been watching from afar all year, Lucy Sharpe. Lucy is magnetic, bold and popular and for some reason, she wants Margot as a friend.
Lucy offers Margot the chance to move in with her and two other girls in an off-campus house. Unable to refuse a golden opportunity, the chance for a new life, a fresh start and a position amongst the it-girls, Margot accepts, thus changing her fate forever.
As Margot is folded into this new group of girls, she begins to think that perhaps Lucy isn't quite who she thinks she is.
The other two girls, Nicole and Sloane, seem a bit hesitant to discuss Lucy behind her back. Are they just loyal friends, or is there more to it than that?
By the end of Sophomore year, these girls are completely embedded in one another's lives, rarely apart. Then a boy from the fraternity house next door ends up dead and Lucy goes missing without a trace. Circumstances have shifted.
As the police dig into an investigation, it's clear Margot, Nicole and Sloane know more than they're letting on. Are they helping Lucy, or do they really not know where she is? You'll have to hang in until the very end to find out.
As mentioned before, this is a slow burn. You have to be patient as Willingham sets the stage, introduces our characters and fills in some of Margot's backstory.
As the relationship with Margot and her new friends begins, that's when things start to pick up. It's hard to get a read initially on the other girls and you wonder just what exactly Margot is getting herself into.
I did really grow to care for Margot and the other girls over the course of the story. A lot of the things they were doing and going through, I could relate to and through Willingham's writing, it really took me back to that time in my own life, when I met my best friend, Nichole.
Once I was hooked into the characters, I started to fly through this and I loved how the different aspects of the narrative tied together in the second half.
I think some may be disappointed by this because while it's pitched as Adult, I would actually classify it as New Adult. Some Readers are going to pick this up and find that the storyline reads a little young for them, and I get that.
I read a ton of YA stories, personally, and love them; particularly YA Mystery/Thrillers. While I was a little surprised initially, I still feel like this is a strong story. In fact, I think this would be a great transitional book for Readers moving from the YA to Adult category.
Also, I know the synopsis states they're in college, but I rarely read the full synopsis for a Mystery/Thriller, and I think the same can be said for a lot of Readers.
You don't want to spoil yourself, so if you see a favorite authors' name on the cover, you just give it a go. These are the people I think are going to be the most surprised.
If you go into this with the right mindset though, knowing this is a story involving young women in the early stages of college, going through all the things young women in college go through, you could really enjoy it.
I did have the pleasure of listening to the audiobook and absolutely recommend that format. It's narrated by one of the best narrators of all time, Karissa Vacker, and per usual, she brought life to this story.
Overall, I think this was a bit of a change for Stacy Willingham. Her earlier stories have been well and proper in the Adult category. It's nice to see her stretch her legs a bit and I feel she was successful in this story.
It's well-constructed and contains a full cast of nicely-fleshed out characters.
Thank you so much to the publisher, Macmillan Audio, for providing me a copy to read and review. Willingham is a must read for me. I will continue to pick up all her work!
She pulled this one off in the end, big time. It took me a minute to settle into the story, not gonna lie, but once I did I was swept up into the drama like a nosy neighbor.
In this story we follow Margot, who is a Freshman at a small Liberal Arts college in South Carolina.
It was Margot's dream to attend this particular college with her childhood best friend, Eliza. Unfortunately, Eliza's life was taken in a tragic accident just prior to that dream becoming a reality.
Freshman year, Margot is obviously still coming to grips with the loss of her best friend. She feels like a ship without a port and therefore, plays it very safe. She befriends her new roommate and they barely ever leave the dorm.
At the end of the year though, she gets approached by a girl she's been watching from afar all year, Lucy Sharpe. Lucy is magnetic, bold and popular and for some reason, she wants Margot as a friend.
Lucy offers Margot the chance to move in with her and two other girls in an off-campus house. Unable to refuse a golden opportunity, the chance for a new life, a fresh start and a position amongst the it-girls, Margot accepts, thus changing her fate forever.
As Margot is folded into this new group of girls, she begins to think that perhaps Lucy isn't quite who she thinks she is.
The other two girls, Nicole and Sloane, seem a bit hesitant to discuss Lucy behind her back. Are they just loyal friends, or is there more to it than that?
By the end of Sophomore year, these girls are completely embedded in one another's lives, rarely apart. Then a boy from the fraternity house next door ends up dead and Lucy goes missing without a trace. Circumstances have shifted.
As the police dig into an investigation, it's clear Margot, Nicole and Sloane know more than they're letting on. Are they helping Lucy, or do they really not know where she is? You'll have to hang in until the very end to find out.
As mentioned before, this is a slow burn. You have to be patient as Willingham sets the stage, introduces our characters and fills in some of Margot's backstory.
As the relationship with Margot and her new friends begins, that's when things start to pick up. It's hard to get a read initially on the other girls and you wonder just what exactly Margot is getting herself into.
I did really grow to care for Margot and the other girls over the course of the story. A lot of the things they were doing and going through, I could relate to and through Willingham's writing, it really took me back to that time in my own life, when I met my best friend, Nichole.
Once I was hooked into the characters, I started to fly through this and I loved how the different aspects of the narrative tied together in the second half.
I think some may be disappointed by this because while it's pitched as Adult, I would actually classify it as New Adult. Some Readers are going to pick this up and find that the storyline reads a little young for them, and I get that.
I read a ton of YA stories, personally, and love them; particularly YA Mystery/Thrillers. While I was a little surprised initially, I still feel like this is a strong story. In fact, I think this would be a great transitional book for Readers moving from the YA to Adult category.
Also, I know the synopsis states they're in college, but I rarely read the full synopsis for a Mystery/Thriller, and I think the same can be said for a lot of Readers.
You don't want to spoil yourself, so if you see a favorite authors' name on the cover, you just give it a go. These are the people I think are going to be the most surprised.
If you go into this with the right mindset though, knowing this is a story involving young women in the early stages of college, going through all the things young women in college go through, you could really enjoy it.
I did have the pleasure of listening to the audiobook and absolutely recommend that format. It's narrated by one of the best narrators of all time, Karissa Vacker, and per usual, she brought life to this story.
Overall, I think this was a bit of a change for Stacy Willingham. Her earlier stories have been well and proper in the Adult category. It's nice to see her stretch her legs a bit and I feel she was successful in this story.
It's well-constructed and contains a full cast of nicely-fleshed out characters.
Thank you so much to the publisher, Macmillan Audio, for providing me a copy to read and review. Willingham is a must read for me. I will continue to pick up all her work!
January 22, 2024
Stacy Willingham has mastered the art of the psychological thriller. She knows how to suck you into a storyline. With Only If You’re Lucky, she takes on life at a small college in South Carolina, where an outgoing, popular girl befriends a shy, serious girl. Margot can’t really understand what Lucy sees in her. But she’s not going to question her luck when Lucy asks her to move in with her and two other young women.
Margot is coming back from a bad year. Her best friend died three weeks after their HS graduation. She didn’t make any friends her freshman year until Lucy issued her invite. Then, things are going swimmingly until the young man that Margot blames for her friend’s death shows up on campus. And not just on campus, but part of the fraternity next door. And then, he’s dead and Lucy is gone.
The story is told solely from Margot’s POV. It starts off slowly, setting up the premise. The story jumps back and forth in time - from before and after his death.
The characters are young and that means, there’s a lot not to like. They party nonstop, they steal, they’re self centered. They place more importance on fitting in than doing what’s right. At times, they are completely obtuse and fail to ask the obvious questions. “We knew what we were doing.” From the beginning, the reader is aware that these women have done something. But I was captivated by Lucy. She was truly a star, her gravitational pull drawing the other girls to her even when they know something about her is off.
As you would expect from a good psychological thriller, there were some twists I didn’t see coming. Willingham weaves suspense and an underlying feeling of tension throughout. In addition to Lucy, I really wanted to know what was behind Nicole’s issues. The ending does require a slight suspension of belief. But this was a thoroughly entertaining audio experience.
I listened to this and Karissa Vacker did a good job as the narrator.
My thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for an advance copy of this book.
Margot is coming back from a bad year. Her best friend died three weeks after their HS graduation. She didn’t make any friends her freshman year until Lucy issued her invite. Then, things are going swimmingly until the young man that Margot blames for her friend’s death shows up on campus. And not just on campus, but part of the fraternity next door. And then, he’s dead and Lucy is gone.
The story is told solely from Margot’s POV. It starts off slowly, setting up the premise. The story jumps back and forth in time - from before and after his death.
The characters are young and that means, there’s a lot not to like. They party nonstop, they steal, they’re self centered. They place more importance on fitting in than doing what’s right. At times, they are completely obtuse and fail to ask the obvious questions. “We knew what we were doing.” From the beginning, the reader is aware that these women have done something. But I was captivated by Lucy. She was truly a star, her gravitational pull drawing the other girls to her even when they know something about her is off.
As you would expect from a good psychological thriller, there were some twists I didn’t see coming. Willingham weaves suspense and an underlying feeling of tension throughout. In addition to Lucy, I really wanted to know what was behind Nicole’s issues. The ending does require a slight suspension of belief. But this was a thoroughly entertaining audio experience.
I listened to this and Karissa Vacker did a good job as the narrator.
My thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for an advance copy of this book.
February 10, 2024
**Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press-Minotaur, and Stacy Willingham for an ARC of this book! Now available as of 1.16!!**
Have you ever seen the cult-classic film Clue?
(Yes, the film inspired by the board game, with the likes of Tim Curry, Martin Mull, Lesley Ann Warren, AND Madeline Kahn in it. If you haven't seen it...make it a weekend goal...you WON'T be sorry! But I digress. 😉)
The film actually has not one, not two, but THREE potential endings, wherein the mystery of whodunit is explained in detail by the butler, Wadsworth. He has figured out the murderer (or murderers!) in each scenario and tells the group in detail how, where, and when each murder was committed.
But one of the lines the group YELLS at the butler in each one of these endings UNFORTUNATELY popped into MY head when I was at about EIGHTY PERCENT of the way through this book...
"JUST GET ON WITH IT!" 😩
Margot has that same buzz of excitement that every young adult has when entering college...and she's equally relieved to leave her high school life behind. Her closest friend Eliza died tragically a short time after graduation and Margot hasn't even begun to chip away at the complex trauma brought on by the event and everything that came before it...including Eliza's entanglement with some less-than-savory characters. But in an attempt to move on, Margot approaches college with fresh hope and settles into her first year at school with a nice albeit boring roommate.
That's all well and good -- until one day, she's approached by the enigmatic and intoxicating Lucy, a beautiful student who is the center of every crowd, with a reputation for danger. Lucy makes Margot an offer she can't refuse: she can come live with Lucy in an off-campus house with two other girls, the sassy Sloane and doormat Nicole, and have easy access to the exciting life she could only have imagined before. Eager to break out of her shell, Margot accepts the invitation and gets swept into a life of late nights, partying, drugs, and dangerous games of Spin the Bottle...not to mention entanglements with the Frat Boys Next Door.
But when a familiar face from her past reemerges, Margot realizes that the man she holds responsible for Eliza's death is within reach...and this might be her only chance to make things right. And when Lucy asks the group one night during one of her trademark games, "If you knew you could get away with murder, would you do it?"....is her question simply rhetorical? Or does Lucy's dark streak extend farther than her trio of soul sisters knows? And when she says she would do anything for her friends...does she truly MEAN...anything?
If there's one thing I NEVER expected from Stacy Willingham after being BLOWN AWAY by her first two books and the creativity, the artful prose, and the veritable HURRICANE of twists and turns in her plots...it was THIS kind of run-of-the-mill book. This one falls neatly into a category that has over-saturated the thriller space lately: the Terrible Teen and her Trio of Friends Trope. Granted, these characters are in their early twenties...but sad to say, this book reads ENTIRELY like YA. In some respects, this may have been hard to avoid, given the location and subject matter...but although I hate to say it, these are Willingham's least compelling characters to date. Although magnetic Lucy was intriguing at the start, by about 25% in, her character became as one-dimensional as the rest of them, and I became less and less interested in her backstory as the novel wore on.
And speaking of backstory...while Willingham normally balances two timelines with efficiency as well as intrigue...I found myself not really caring AT ALL what happened to Eliza in the past, despite the mysterious circumstances of her death. Each journey into the past felt like a snooze, and hardly more interesting than what was going on at the college...and trust me, after a few recounting of drug and vomit filled evenings, THAT picture was plenty clear too. I've just read too many books that are like this, and frankly, it's not the kind of experience I need recounted. The good characters were painted as overly good, the bad as overly bad, and when even the 'good' characters aren't particularly likable? You're in a for a LONG ride.
Speaking of long rides, though I somehow finished this book in 3 days, I think was due to sheer force of will and a desire to get THROUGH it rather than the experience I had with her previous books, where I couldn't flip the pages fast enough. The biggest reason for this struggle? Pacing. When I said earlier that at EIGHTY PERCENT I was STILL waiting for the majority of the big reveal...this is no exaggeration. Slow burns are often problematic for me in and of themselves because I tend to be a fan of breakneck twists and turns, quick chapters, and mile-a-minute twists rather than the alternative...and coming from Stacy, who KNOWS how to write a sharp and speedy book...this felt especially tortured. The amount of times I rolled my eyes in this book just out of sheer impatience made me want to throw in the towel more than once...but I was ACHING for the compelling ending I hoped would come once all was revealed. And the final twists ARE decent, and brought my rating up slightly...but in all honesty, as much as it pains me to say this...it felt like too little, too late.
There are so few voices in the genre who have emerged in the last few years with a voice that feels unique, fresh, and new with the writing chops to back it up, and I still consider Stacy Willingham to be one of these talents. In her author's note, Stacy reveals that she drew a LOT of inspiration for writing this book (aside from the murders, thankfully) from her time at the University of Georgia and some of the associated places there. It often seems like when an author writes a book inspired by life or something they felt they needed to say, it can go one of two ways: the work can stand out as one of their best and most authentic...or the departure from their 'usual' work can seem like a spur of the moment trip from the airport where you picked a destination at random...and rather than ending up in Vegas, you ended up in Boise.
But when it came to this particular gamble, however...I think Willingham would have been better off not leaving ANYTHING to chance.🎲 🎰
3.5 stars
Have you ever seen the cult-classic film Clue?
(Yes, the film inspired by the board game, with the likes of Tim Curry, Martin Mull, Lesley Ann Warren, AND Madeline Kahn in it. If you haven't seen it...make it a weekend goal...you WON'T be sorry! But I digress. 😉)
The film actually has not one, not two, but THREE potential endings, wherein the mystery of whodunit is explained in detail by the butler, Wadsworth. He has figured out the murderer (or murderers!) in each scenario and tells the group in detail how, where, and when each murder was committed.
But one of the lines the group YELLS at the butler in each one of these endings UNFORTUNATELY popped into MY head when I was at about EIGHTY PERCENT of the way through this book...
"JUST GET ON WITH IT!" 😩
Margot has that same buzz of excitement that every young adult has when entering college...and she's equally relieved to leave her high school life behind. Her closest friend Eliza died tragically a short time after graduation and Margot hasn't even begun to chip away at the complex trauma brought on by the event and everything that came before it...including Eliza's entanglement with some less-than-savory characters. But in an attempt to move on, Margot approaches college with fresh hope and settles into her first year at school with a nice albeit boring roommate.
That's all well and good -- until one day, she's approached by the enigmatic and intoxicating Lucy, a beautiful student who is the center of every crowd, with a reputation for danger. Lucy makes Margot an offer she can't refuse: she can come live with Lucy in an off-campus house with two other girls, the sassy Sloane and doormat Nicole, and have easy access to the exciting life she could only have imagined before. Eager to break out of her shell, Margot accepts the invitation and gets swept into a life of late nights, partying, drugs, and dangerous games of Spin the Bottle...not to mention entanglements with the Frat Boys Next Door.
But when a familiar face from her past reemerges, Margot realizes that the man she holds responsible for Eliza's death is within reach...and this might be her only chance to make things right. And when Lucy asks the group one night during one of her trademark games, "If you knew you could get away with murder, would you do it?"....is her question simply rhetorical? Or does Lucy's dark streak extend farther than her trio of soul sisters knows? And when she says she would do anything for her friends...does she truly MEAN...anything?
If there's one thing I NEVER expected from Stacy Willingham after being BLOWN AWAY by her first two books and the creativity, the artful prose, and the veritable HURRICANE of twists and turns in her plots...it was THIS kind of run-of-the-mill book. This one falls neatly into a category that has over-saturated the thriller space lately: the Terrible Teen and her Trio of Friends Trope. Granted, these characters are in their early twenties...but sad to say, this book reads ENTIRELY like YA. In some respects, this may have been hard to avoid, given the location and subject matter...but although I hate to say it, these are Willingham's least compelling characters to date. Although magnetic Lucy was intriguing at the start, by about 25% in, her character became as one-dimensional as the rest of them, and I became less and less interested in her backstory as the novel wore on.
And speaking of backstory...while Willingham normally balances two timelines with efficiency as well as intrigue...I found myself not really caring AT ALL what happened to Eliza in the past, despite the mysterious circumstances of her death. Each journey into the past felt like a snooze, and hardly more interesting than what was going on at the college...and trust me, after a few recounting of drug and vomit filled evenings, THAT picture was plenty clear too. I've just read too many books that are like this, and frankly, it's not the kind of experience I need recounted. The good characters were painted as overly good, the bad as overly bad, and when even the 'good' characters aren't particularly likable? You're in a for a LONG ride.
Speaking of long rides, though I somehow finished this book in 3 days, I think was due to sheer force of will and a desire to get THROUGH it rather than the experience I had with her previous books, where I couldn't flip the pages fast enough. The biggest reason for this struggle? Pacing. When I said earlier that at EIGHTY PERCENT I was STILL waiting for the majority of the big reveal...this is no exaggeration. Slow burns are often problematic for me in and of themselves because I tend to be a fan of breakneck twists and turns, quick chapters, and mile-a-minute twists rather than the alternative...and coming from Stacy, who KNOWS how to write a sharp and speedy book...this felt especially tortured. The amount of times I rolled my eyes in this book just out of sheer impatience made me want to throw in the towel more than once...but I was ACHING for the compelling ending I hoped would come once all was revealed. And the final twists ARE decent, and brought my rating up slightly...but in all honesty, as much as it pains me to say this...it felt like too little, too late.
There are so few voices in the genre who have emerged in the last few years with a voice that feels unique, fresh, and new with the writing chops to back it up, and I still consider Stacy Willingham to be one of these talents. In her author's note, Stacy reveals that she drew a LOT of inspiration for writing this book (aside from the murders, thankfully) from her time at the University of Georgia and some of the associated places there. It often seems like when an author writes a book inspired by life or something they felt they needed to say, it can go one of two ways: the work can stand out as one of their best and most authentic...or the departure from their 'usual' work can seem like a spur of the moment trip from the airport where you picked a destination at random...and rather than ending up in Vegas, you ended up in Boise.
But when it came to this particular gamble, however...I think Willingham would have been better off not leaving ANYTHING to chance.🎲 🎰
3.5 stars
February 19, 2024
“If you knew you could get away with murder, would you do it?”
With secrets and mind games aplenty, nobody is actually as they seem and everybody has something to hide in this dark exploration of female friendship, college debauchery, obsession, and murder.
Margot is a withdrawn freshman at the small liberal arts Rutledge College in South Carolina. She’s reeling with grief/guilt over the accidental (and rather suspicious) death of her childhood best friend, Eliza, the summer before they were to start college.
Lucy Sharpe is the queen bee of the dorm, a charismatic party girl who sweeps Margot away from her sad-sack existence to live in a group house in back of a fraternity during their sophomore year. Completely uninhibited, Lucy’s as charming and enigmatic as you’d imagine a cult leader to be.
Margot latches on, hoping to start anew and recreate what she had with Eliza.
The creepy Southern Gothic setting of the sweltering Carolina college campus and the decrepit fraternity annex — complete with ripped sofas, beer stains, creaky floors, and broken locks — into which Margot moves with Lucy and two other roommates only adds to the sinister undercurrent of the novel.
Only If You’re Lucky is a college campus mystery that explores how the murder of a fraternity boy ends up fracturing the friendship of four female roommates, especially once one of the girls goes missing.
The book starts at the end of the story with a police investigation into Lucy’s disappearance after the death of Levi, a member of the frat and responsible, according to Margot, for Eliza’s death.
The past soon becomes tangled with the present in the fractured timeline as chapters bounce between “before” and “after” Margot moves in to her new digs.
With university-age characters who have skewed moral codes coupled with a story replete with drinking games and fraternity hazing, Only If You’re Lucky borders on young adult with themes of identity, ride-or-die friendship, and the desperation to belong.
It’s not Stacy Willingham’s best. It takes more than half the novel for the mysteries to start to unfurl. This may be challenging for those expecting the breakneck pace of her previous novels, A Flicker In The Dark (2022) and All The Dangerous Things (2023).
Blending a slow burn with the intensity of dark academia, Only If You’re Lucky vaguely reminds me of the 1989 film "Heathers" (yep, dating myself here) and Donna Tartt's far superior novel The Secret History.
Readers of a certain age (ahem) will enjoy The Beatles references scattered throughout the entire story.
January 24, 2024
Margot is entering her freshman year of college in a daze. After all, it’s only been a handful of weeks since the death of her best friend, Eliza. Quickly settling into a routine of sorts with her safe but boring roommate, Maggie, Margot can’t help but acknowledge her undeniable state of depression. At the same time, however, she can’t keep her eyes from sliding to the near hypnotic girl on her hall named Lucy Sharpe. Margot’s not the only one who is drawn to the self-possessed young woman. No matter what she does or who she’s with, Lucy seems to claim everyone’s attention.
So when, at the end of the school year, the alluring free-spirit walks into Margot’s dorm room, it’s nothing if not a surprise. Lucy’s proposal is even more astonishing. Would Margot want to take the spare room left open in her off-campus house? Despite her shock and the tentative plans with Maggie for her sophomore year, however, she can’t pass up the opportunity. Finally she just might get a do-over with a potential new friend. So without a second thought, Margot says yes.
Just a week later, she finds herself rooming with the threesome Margot’s been watching from afar all year long. Lucy—the one always leading the charge. Nicole—the girl who always seems to have a kind word to spare. And Sloane—the snarky, intelligent one of the bunch. With them, Margot starts to reawaken, finally living instead of just treading water.
As the summer rolls by and Margot and Lucy become closer than close, it seems the world is finally at her feet. But as suddenly as Margot’s life turned into every college girl’s fantasy, one of the boys from the fraternity house next door ends up dead. Even worse, Lucy seems to face vanished into thin air. Suddenly, the perfect house that she’s been living in all year is invaded by the police and their thinly veiled accusations. How did the perfect year go so bad, so quickly? Was his death an accident—or something more sinister? And where on earth is Lucy?
Jeez Louise, Only If You’re Lucky was one phenomenal book. An alluring tale of deep friendship, startling secrets, and uncomfortable motives, I was drawn in from the very first page. Throughout the long, slow burn of ever escalating suspense and foreboding, I felt tied to the characters and the very real setting. So real, in fact, that it was as if it was just one more persona that came alive on the page.
Like I said, the plot was anything but fast-paced. At the same time, however, its steady unwinding felt purposeful and deliberate in all of its character-driven glory. Along with the thinly veiled doubts that were hinted at here and there, small clues were scattered about that had me questioning each individual and their part in the story. Add in the climax that took me completely by surprise, and my respect for Ms. Willingham’s talent was a foregone conclusion.
As I said, the characters were where this book utterly shined, however. Thorough and believable but also requiring just a touch of suspension of disbelief, I connected with them right off the bat. Unsurprisingly, I was rooting for our narrator, Margot, most of all. Fully fleshed out and complete with awe-inspiring character development, her story was utterly spellbinding. Don’t get me wrong, I loved Lucy nearly as much. Much like an enigma, she was deliciously hard to pin down.
The one piece that rankled just a bit was the very end of the book. Somewhat rushed, in my opinion, it could have been explored a bit more, which would’ve provided a more wrapped up feel to the finale. Given everything that had happened, after all, there were still plenty of potential disasters left to the imagination. But then, I’m also the kind of reader who loves neat, tiny, little bows for a conclusion, so take my thoughts with a rather large grain of salt.
All in all, the first book that I’ve read by Willingham, I’m now determined to move her backlist to the top of my TBR. Dark and chilling but also filled with lessons about how little we may know those around us, this intricate storyline had me in knots. After all, it was a masterpiece to be sure, with perfectly timed clues that lead to one lightbulb moment after another. Plus, who can say no to tale of dark academia. Not I, that’s for sure. So despite the rather mixed reviews, I was won over hook, line, and sinker. Now the only question that remains is which Willingham novel I should try next… Any suggestions? Rating of 5 stars.
Thank you to Stacy Willingham, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: January 16, 2024
Scroll down for my potentially plot spoiling trigger list.
Trigger warning: drug and alcohol use, hazing, death of a best friend, mention of: infidelity, rape
So when, at the end of the school year, the alluring free-spirit walks into Margot’s dorm room, it’s nothing if not a surprise. Lucy’s proposal is even more astonishing. Would Margot want to take the spare room left open in her off-campus house? Despite her shock and the tentative plans with Maggie for her sophomore year, however, she can’t pass up the opportunity. Finally she just might get a do-over with a potential new friend. So without a second thought, Margot says yes.
Just a week later, she finds herself rooming with the threesome Margot’s been watching from afar all year long. Lucy—the one always leading the charge. Nicole—the girl who always seems to have a kind word to spare. And Sloane—the snarky, intelligent one of the bunch. With them, Margot starts to reawaken, finally living instead of just treading water.
As the summer rolls by and Margot and Lucy become closer than close, it seems the world is finally at her feet. But as suddenly as Margot’s life turned into every college girl’s fantasy, one of the boys from the fraternity house next door ends up dead. Even worse, Lucy seems to face vanished into thin air. Suddenly, the perfect house that she’s been living in all year is invaded by the police and their thinly veiled accusations. How did the perfect year go so bad, so quickly? Was his death an accident—or something more sinister? And where on earth is Lucy?
Jeez Louise, Only If You’re Lucky was one phenomenal book. An alluring tale of deep friendship, startling secrets, and uncomfortable motives, I was drawn in from the very first page. Throughout the long, slow burn of ever escalating suspense and foreboding, I felt tied to the characters and the very real setting. So real, in fact, that it was as if it was just one more persona that came alive on the page.
Like I said, the plot was anything but fast-paced. At the same time, however, its steady unwinding felt purposeful and deliberate in all of its character-driven glory. Along with the thinly veiled doubts that were hinted at here and there, small clues were scattered about that had me questioning each individual and their part in the story. Add in the climax that took me completely by surprise, and my respect for Ms. Willingham’s talent was a foregone conclusion.
As I said, the characters were where this book utterly shined, however. Thorough and believable but also requiring just a touch of suspension of disbelief, I connected with them right off the bat. Unsurprisingly, I was rooting for our narrator, Margot, most of all. Fully fleshed out and complete with awe-inspiring character development, her story was utterly spellbinding. Don’t get me wrong, I loved Lucy nearly as much. Much like an enigma, she was deliciously hard to pin down.
The one piece that rankled just a bit was the very end of the book. Somewhat rushed, in my opinion, it could have been explored a bit more, which would’ve provided a more wrapped up feel to the finale. Given everything that had happened, after all, there were still plenty of potential disasters left to the imagination. But then, I’m also the kind of reader who loves neat, tiny, little bows for a conclusion, so take my thoughts with a rather large grain of salt.
All in all, the first book that I’ve read by Willingham, I’m now determined to move her backlist to the top of my TBR. Dark and chilling but also filled with lessons about how little we may know those around us, this intricate storyline had me in knots. After all, it was a masterpiece to be sure, with perfectly timed clues that lead to one lightbulb moment after another. Plus, who can say no to tale of dark academia. Not I, that’s for sure. So despite the rather mixed reviews, I was won over hook, line, and sinker. Now the only question that remains is which Willingham novel I should try next… Any suggestions? Rating of 5 stars.
Thank you to Stacy Willingham, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: January 16, 2024
Scroll down for my potentially plot spoiling trigger list.
Trigger warning: drug and alcohol use, hazing, death of a best friend, mention of: infidelity, rape
January 8, 2024
this was a fun binge! teetering between 3.5-4 stars. it was much different A FLICKER IN THE DARK or ALL THE DANGEROUS THINGS, but i still enjoyed it and recommend it as a 2024 read.
this book is very different from her other two—it almost felt like a different author at times! i would recommend readers go in expecting more of a drama and mystery vs a thriller (which her past 2 very much were). there’s not as much “action” in this book and it’s more character building and drama that causes the suspense.
one of my fave thriller tropes is dark academia and this one had that. it followed young college kids and almost felt a bit YA when comparing to IN MY DREAMS I HOLD A KNIFE w the similar storyline and trope. these characters were much younger (basically fresh out of HS) and definitely trying to find themselves and their “clique.” it brought me back to a lot of my similar college memories in that sense for SURE 😅
my second fave thing about this book were the twists—i didn’t see either coming at all and as a thriller obsessed reader, that’s low key hard to say so that gets a big W from me.
after reflecting more, reason this wasn’t a 5-star star book was bc of the characters and pacing/length of time it took to get to the twists. most of the characters are unlikeable and i felt it hard to really root for someone. there are also a lot of them, so there’s a lot to remember and keep track of personality wise.
Willingham will continue to be an auto-buy author for me! this was an easy and enjoyable binge.
thanks to Minotaur for the gifted ARC. this hits bookshelves on 1/16/24!
this book is very different from her other two—it almost felt like a different author at times! i would recommend readers go in expecting more of a drama and mystery vs a thriller (which her past 2 very much were). there’s not as much “action” in this book and it’s more character building and drama that causes the suspense.
one of my fave thriller tropes is dark academia and this one had that. it followed young college kids and almost felt a bit YA when comparing to IN MY DREAMS I HOLD A KNIFE w the similar storyline and trope. these characters were much younger (basically fresh out of HS) and definitely trying to find themselves and their “clique.” it brought me back to a lot of my similar college memories in that sense for SURE 😅
my second fave thing about this book were the twists—i didn’t see either coming at all and as a thriller obsessed reader, that’s low key hard to say so that gets a big W from me.
after reflecting more, reason this wasn’t a 5-star star book was bc of the characters and pacing/length of time it took to get to the twists. most of the characters are unlikeable and i felt it hard to really root for someone. there are also a lot of them, so there’s a lot to remember and keep track of personality wise.
Willingham will continue to be an auto-buy author for me! this was an easy and enjoyable binge.
thanks to Minotaur for the gifted ARC. this hits bookshelves on 1/16/24!
March 22, 2024
Stacy Willingham is a solid author and one I’m starting to really really enjoy! 🫶🏻
I liked this one as much as A Flicker in the Dark although, I should add, they are two very completely different books. I think that’s really great though! Sometimes I read authors and I feel like their books are all very similar so it adds a lot more emphasis to their talent when they can write about wildly different topics.
Willingham is an incredible storyteller and her writing is almost always flawless. If I ever wrote a book, I only hope I could write as well as she does.
The story did take a while to pick up (about 200 pages in) but my favorite part of it all was how everything wrapped up, surprising me every step of the way.
It also took me back to my college days and all the fun and mischief I used to get into with my friends and now husband. Although definitely not as illegal. 😂
I have GR friends who didn’t care for this one so I might be an outlier here but I really really enjoyed it!
4.25 ⭐️
I liked this one as much as A Flicker in the Dark although, I should add, they are two very completely different books. I think that’s really great though! Sometimes I read authors and I feel like their books are all very similar so it adds a lot more emphasis to their talent when they can write about wildly different topics.
Willingham is an incredible storyteller and her writing is almost always flawless. If I ever wrote a book, I only hope I could write as well as she does.
The story did take a while to pick up (about 200 pages in) but my favorite part of it all was how everything wrapped up, surprising me every step of the way.
It also took me back to my college days and all the fun and mischief I used to get into with my friends and now husband. Although definitely not as illegal. 😂
I have GR friends who didn’t care for this one so I might be an outlier here but I really really enjoyed it!
4.25 ⭐️
January 19, 2024
The struggle was real! I absolutely loved Stacey Willingham’s A Flicker in the Dark and All the Dangerous Things, as they were both 4-5 star reads for me. However, Only if You’re Lucky failed to engage me.
I hate starting out the new year like this, but I Dnf’d this book at 30%. I read early reviews that warned this book is geared toward a YA audience and I completely agree. The plot centers around college students and frat parties. While there is a mystery component, it lacked a sophisticated intrigue. I just couldn’t get into it.
However, I am still a fan of Stacey Willingham and will gladly read her next adult themed thriller.
2/5 stars
Available now!
Thank you to Edelweiss and Minotaur Books for the ARC of Only if You’re Lucky in exchange for an honest review.
I hate starting out the new year like this, but I Dnf’d this book at 30%. I read early reviews that warned this book is geared toward a YA audience and I completely agree. The plot centers around college students and frat parties. While there is a mystery component, it lacked a sophisticated intrigue. I just couldn’t get into it.
However, I am still a fan of Stacey Willingham and will gladly read her next adult themed thriller.
2/5 stars
Available now!
Thank you to Edelweiss and Minotaur Books for the ARC of Only if You’re Lucky in exchange for an honest review.
January 17, 2024
3.5 rounded up
“Lucy in the sky with diamonds”
Is it true that the friends you make in college are for life? Margot thinks so, as these friends at Rutledge College South Carolina, will do literally anything for each other. Detective Frank questions them about the last time they saw their roommate Lucy Sharpe. They claim it’s three days ago and that her being MIA is nothing unusual. Truth or lies? They are told that Lucy is a person of interest in the murder of fellow student Levi Butler but did they know that already? Part of the storyline pursues the truth about the murder of Levi and the other part examines Before, when Margot arrives at Rutledge. In the latter we get insights into the ring leader Lucy and her magnetic personality as she draws people into her orbit, especially Margot, who is shy and rarely the centre of attention. Lucy brings Margot out of her shell and now they are the best of friends. The other members of the quartet are Sloane, the sarcastic one, and Nicole, the one who everyone likes. Now, that friendship is being well and truly tested with the murder and the vanishing, but the key question is (taking a leaf out of the students obsession with Spin the Bottle for Truth or Dare) if you thought you could get away with murder, would you? Margot narrates this tale.
This is not so much comedy of errors but more a case of Jekyll and Hyde which the author uses well in order to decide if Lucy is a diamond or otherwise. She lies absolutely at the heart of this and for a long time I puzzle over why enigmatic Lucy is even interested in Margot and why she is central to the storyline but then the light dawns. When we first meet her Margot she’s not especially interesting, in fact, I’d go so far as to say she’s dull, she’s vanilla, she’s malleable and she seems to drone on, especially about her friend Eliza from childhood. Lucy is the exciting one and Margot is flat. However if you can get past the slow start and irritation with Margot, it becomes a fascinating and compelling story of obsession and obsessive behaviour, of toxic friendships and equally toxic relationships, there’s also guilt, rejection and resentment in the mix, leading to some disastrous consequences.
For long time very little happens and it feels like a YA novel with student shenanigans thrown into the storyline but it does have sinister undertones and building suspicions as the author lulls you into a full sense of security. I realise that much of what we learn initially is nothing more than an optical illusion as the storytelling becomes increasingly suspenseful with some chapters ending on good cliffhangers. I also appreciate that I’ve missed so many clues as everything starts to click into place and connect. The last part of the of the novel contains multiple twists and a couple are so good that my jaw drops.
Finally, one thing I can say with certainty is that Stacey Willingham writes beautifully and you just have to be patient with this one as I think it’s very clever.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to HarperCollins, Harper Fiction for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
“Lucy in the sky with diamonds”
Is it true that the friends you make in college are for life? Margot thinks so, as these friends at Rutledge College South Carolina, will do literally anything for each other. Detective Frank questions them about the last time they saw their roommate Lucy Sharpe. They claim it’s three days ago and that her being MIA is nothing unusual. Truth or lies? They are told that Lucy is a person of interest in the murder of fellow student Levi Butler but did they know that already? Part of the storyline pursues the truth about the murder of Levi and the other part examines Before, when Margot arrives at Rutledge. In the latter we get insights into the ring leader Lucy and her magnetic personality as she draws people into her orbit, especially Margot, who is shy and rarely the centre of attention. Lucy brings Margot out of her shell and now they are the best of friends. The other members of the quartet are Sloane, the sarcastic one, and Nicole, the one who everyone likes. Now, that friendship is being well and truly tested with the murder and the vanishing, but the key question is (taking a leaf out of the students obsession with Spin the Bottle for Truth or Dare) if you thought you could get away with murder, would you? Margot narrates this tale.
This is not so much comedy of errors but more a case of Jekyll and Hyde which the author uses well in order to decide if Lucy is a diamond or otherwise. She lies absolutely at the heart of this and for a long time I puzzle over why enigmatic Lucy is even interested in Margot and why she is central to the storyline but then the light dawns. When we first meet her Margot she’s not especially interesting, in fact, I’d go so far as to say she’s dull, she’s vanilla, she’s malleable and she seems to drone on, especially about her friend Eliza from childhood. Lucy is the exciting one and Margot is flat. However if you can get past the slow start and irritation with Margot, it becomes a fascinating and compelling story of obsession and obsessive behaviour, of toxic friendships and equally toxic relationships, there’s also guilt, rejection and resentment in the mix, leading to some disastrous consequences.
For long time very little happens and it feels like a YA novel with student shenanigans thrown into the storyline but it does have sinister undertones and building suspicions as the author lulls you into a full sense of security. I realise that much of what we learn initially is nothing more than an optical illusion as the storytelling becomes increasingly suspenseful with some chapters ending on good cliffhangers. I also appreciate that I’ve missed so many clues as everything starts to click into place and connect. The last part of the of the novel contains multiple twists and a couple are so good that my jaw drops.
Finally, one thing I can say with certainty is that Stacey Willingham writes beautifully and you just have to be patient with this one as I think it’s very clever.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to HarperCollins, Harper Fiction for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
January 31, 2024
Solid •3.5 Rounded up!
This book was just ok for me. I guess I went in with some serious expectations because the previous two books delivered such a gut punch of emotions with heart pounding moments that kept you turning page after page.
This also was more of a YA novel as the setting is in a collage dorm and was just a slow burn from beginning to end. There are some twists and turns but nothing at all like the psychological thrillers this authors first two books were so that hampered my feelings on the book overall.
The characters weren’t enjoyable and I didn’t connect with the main character even a little bit. Someone who likes college settings with good girl/ bad girl drama may appreciate this novel more. I’ve read academia novels before but this one just missed the mark for me.
ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book was just ok for me. I guess I went in with some serious expectations because the previous two books delivered such a gut punch of emotions with heart pounding moments that kept you turning page after page.
This also was more of a YA novel as the setting is in a collage dorm and was just a slow burn from beginning to end. There are some twists and turns but nothing at all like the psychological thrillers this authors first two books were so that hampered my feelings on the book overall.
The characters weren’t enjoyable and I didn’t connect with the main character even a little bit. Someone who likes college settings with good girl/ bad girl drama may appreciate this novel more. I’ve read academia novels before but this one just missed the mark for me.
ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 5, 2024
2.5⭐️
Margot and her best friend Eliza had big plans to embark on their college experience together, but Eliza’s tragic death after her high school graduation changed everything for Margot. After spending the first year of college in her shell, Margot meets the charismatic Lucy who convinces her to become her housemate with two other girls. The house was being rented out by one of the college fraternities, and Margot is excited to be part of a more active social scene. But when a new student who has ties to Margot’s hometown and to Eliza enters the scene , Margot’s past trauma resurfaces, and she shares her story with Lucy and her housemates. Lucy expresses her concern for Margot and her intense interest in the events from Margot’s past. Lucy claims she wants to help her friend, but her weird mind games and somewhat obsessive behavior gradually reveal her dark streak, which makes Margot more than a tad uncomfortable. As the narrative continues, Margot, Lucy and their friends find themselves entangled in a web of lies, deception, secrets, and murder and not all of them will make it out alive.
Only If You’re Lucky by Stacy Willingham revolves around an interesting premise and features an interesting cast of characters which is the only strength of this novel. Firstly, this novel should have been more concise. The author seamlessly weaves past and present timelines into a coherent narrative, but the pacing is inconsistent (and excruciatingly slow , in parts) and I struggled to stay engaged. The story takes a long time to take off (even after the 50% mark I was wondering where we were going) and had the novel not been so unnecessarily lengthy, I might have appreciated the final 25% more. The premise definitely had potential but failed to deliver. I could go on and on about how this novel didn’t work for me, but I’ll keep it short: I was bored!
Overall, I can’t really say that this was a satisfying experience. Many readers have enjoyed this book more and I‘d request you to read their reviews before you decide on picking this one up.
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the digital review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Only If You’re Lucky was published on January 16, 2024.
Connect with me! ✏ Instagram ✏ My Blog ✏ The StoryGraph
Margot and her best friend Eliza had big plans to embark on their college experience together, but Eliza’s tragic death after her high school graduation changed everything for Margot. After spending the first year of college in her shell, Margot meets the charismatic Lucy who convinces her to become her housemate with two other girls. The house was being rented out by one of the college fraternities, and Margot is excited to be part of a more active social scene. But when a new student who has ties to Margot’s hometown and to Eliza enters the scene , Margot’s past trauma resurfaces, and she shares her story with Lucy and her housemates. Lucy expresses her concern for Margot and her intense interest in the events from Margot’s past. Lucy claims she wants to help her friend, but her weird mind games and somewhat obsessive behavior gradually reveal her dark streak, which makes Margot more than a tad uncomfortable. As the narrative continues, Margot, Lucy and their friends find themselves entangled in a web of lies, deception, secrets, and murder and not all of them will make it out alive.
Only If You’re Lucky by Stacy Willingham revolves around an interesting premise and features an interesting cast of characters which is the only strength of this novel. Firstly, this novel should have been more concise. The author seamlessly weaves past and present timelines into a coherent narrative, but the pacing is inconsistent (and excruciatingly slow , in parts) and I struggled to stay engaged. The story takes a long time to take off (even after the 50% mark I was wondering where we were going) and had the novel not been so unnecessarily lengthy, I might have appreciated the final 25% more. The premise definitely had potential but failed to deliver. I could go on and on about how this novel didn’t work for me, but I’ll keep it short: I was bored!
Overall, I can’t really say that this was a satisfying experience. Many readers have enjoyed this book more and I‘d request you to read their reviews before you decide on picking this one up.
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the digital review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Only If You’re Lucky was published on January 16, 2024.
Connect with me! ✏ Instagram ✏ My Blog ✏ The StoryGraph
September 4, 2023
Many people might disagree with me, but I liked the ending of this one: not every loose end was tied....
Was justice done? There might be a heated debate on this issue, and both sides would score points, I'm sure. What mattered to me is that I cared about most of the cast of characters in this story (unlike a recent so called mystery/thriller that had me fogging up my Kindle screen with sighs of boredom).
Margot was Eliza's devoted sidekick, her "silent shadow," BFF for life, etc., etc., But then Levi moves next door and Eliza bails and abandons the Friend Ship for ROMANCE! Margot is distraught, hurt, jealous..... and yes, LIVID. One night, at a drunken party, Eliza falls to her death, and Margot is left bereft, regretting her stiff-backed pride, and all those angry words....
Eliza and Margot had planned to attend Rutledge College together. Margot's first year at Rutledge is dismal, to say the least, haunted as she is by grief for what SHOULD have been.
But along comes the loud, charismatic Lucy who - for some inexplicable reason - zeroes in on Eliza's former "shadow" and convinces Margot to move out of the college dorms and share a frat house rental unit with two other female students.
There were several fairly loathsome fraternity house heads who enjoyed torturing the frosh members, but one of them went too far, one too many times. Well, suffice it to say that the body count started to climb as this slow-paced, intricate story progressed.
No spoilers intended here, but this mystery leaves you guessing right up until the last few chapters. I did not want to put this book down, it was that riveting. Well done!
I have so much more that I WANT to say about this story, but I think you should experience this very well written thriller and enjoy the journey with no advance warning, just as I did. It dragged a bit in some places, but it was still a thoroughly good read: 5 out of 5 stars!
My thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Was justice done? There might be a heated debate on this issue, and both sides would score points, I'm sure. What mattered to me is that I cared about most of the cast of characters in this story (unlike a recent so called mystery/thriller that had me fogging up my Kindle screen with sighs of boredom).
Margot was Eliza's devoted sidekick, her "silent shadow," BFF for life, etc., etc., But then Levi moves next door and Eliza bails and abandons the Friend Ship for ROMANCE! Margot is distraught, hurt, jealous..... and yes, LIVID. One night, at a drunken party, Eliza falls to her death, and Margot is left bereft, regretting her stiff-backed pride, and all those angry words....
Eliza and Margot had planned to attend Rutledge College together. Margot's first year at Rutledge is dismal, to say the least, haunted as she is by grief for what SHOULD have been.
But along comes the loud, charismatic Lucy who - for some inexplicable reason - zeroes in on Eliza's former "shadow" and convinces Margot to move out of the college dorms and share a frat house rental unit with two other female students.
There were several fairly loathsome fraternity house heads who enjoyed torturing the frosh members, but one of them went too far, one too many times. Well, suffice it to say that the body count started to climb as this slow-paced, intricate story progressed.
No spoilers intended here, but this mystery leaves you guessing right up until the last few chapters. I did not want to put this book down, it was that riveting. Well done!
I have so much more that I WANT to say about this story, but I think you should experience this very well written thriller and enjoy the journey with no advance warning, just as I did. It dragged a bit in some places, but it was still a thoroughly good read: 5 out of 5 stars!
My thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
January 7, 2024
The characters fell flat, but the ending made up for it with the unexpected twists.
Margot was trying to cope with the unbearable grief of losing her best friend, Eliza, just three weeks before their high school graduation. She had moved away to a liberal arts college in South Carolina to start afresh, but the void in her heart seemed only to grow. That's when she met Lucy, the popular girl on campus who exuded an infectious energy. Margot was immediately drawn to her and they hit it off right away. Lucy, in an unexpected gesture, invited Margot to move in with her and two other girls in an off-campus house, and she gratefully accepted the offer.
Over the next few months, Margot and Lucy became inseparable and shared everything. But one day, tragedy struck again when one of the fraternity boys who lived next door was found dead. Margot was shocked, and as the police began their investigation, she couldn't help but feel suspicious of Lucy, who was the last person to see him alive. As she grappled with her emotions, Margot started to question everything she knew about her closest friend. Can she still trust Lucy, or is there something sinister lurking beneath the surface?
I appreciate the concept of the novel and the various plot twists it presents, although some of them were easy to predict. However, the characters were the novel's main weakness. I failed to establish any emotional connection with them and found them shallow and not as fleshed out as I would have liked. Overall, an okay read.
***Thank you to NetGalley, Stacy Willingham, and Macmillan Audio for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***
Margot was trying to cope with the unbearable grief of losing her best friend, Eliza, just three weeks before their high school graduation. She had moved away to a liberal arts college in South Carolina to start afresh, but the void in her heart seemed only to grow. That's when she met Lucy, the popular girl on campus who exuded an infectious energy. Margot was immediately drawn to her and they hit it off right away. Lucy, in an unexpected gesture, invited Margot to move in with her and two other girls in an off-campus house, and she gratefully accepted the offer.
Over the next few months, Margot and Lucy became inseparable and shared everything. But one day, tragedy struck again when one of the fraternity boys who lived next door was found dead. Margot was shocked, and as the police began their investigation, she couldn't help but feel suspicious of Lucy, who was the last person to see him alive. As she grappled with her emotions, Margot started to question everything she knew about her closest friend. Can she still trust Lucy, or is there something sinister lurking beneath the surface?
I appreciate the concept of the novel and the various plot twists it presents, although some of them were easy to predict. However, the characters were the novel's main weakness. I failed to establish any emotional connection with them and found them shallow and not as fleshed out as I would have liked. Overall, an okay read.
***Thank you to NetGalley, Stacy Willingham, and Macmillan Audio for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***
February 8, 2024
Raced through this compelling thriller where the complex relationship between four college roommates practically oozes with tension and dread. Best friends, master manipulators, probable killers. This book makes you rethink everything, with a shocking yet pitch-perfect end.
October 3, 2023
Only If You’re Lucky is centered around Margot who is a student at a liberal arts college. Soon after Margot graduated from High School she lost her best friend Eliza in a tragic accident. Margot spends the majority of her first year in college mourning the loss but at the end of the year, she meets Lucy.
Lucy is a stark reminder of Eliza and the exact opposite of Margot. Lucy is very outgoing whereas Margot is more of a quiet introvert. Soon after meeting Lucy, Margot moves into a shared apartment with Lucy and two other friends.
Through Lucy’s friendship, Margot is finally coming out of her shelf and meeting new friends on campus. The duo have became best friends but by the middle of Margot’s sophomore year their neighbor who lives in a frat house next door is found brutally murdered and Lucy is missing.
Only If You’re Lucky is a bit different from Willingham’s two prior novels. Yes it's a thriller but it's more of a slower paced character driven novel than a faster paced plot centered read. I also thought that certain parts had a young adultish feel. But these new elements Willingham incorporated worked and I really enjoyed this one.
Willingham is clearly a talented writer and it shines through in this one. I really enjoyed all of the Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde references and how the author used them to compare female friendships. Also, I really enjoyed the dark academia aspect and the unexpected twists. Readers and fans of her prior works, will also enjoy Only If You’re Lucky!
Only If You’re Lucky by Stacy Willingham will be available on January 16, 2024. A massive thanks to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the gifted copy!
Lucy is a stark reminder of Eliza and the exact opposite of Margot. Lucy is very outgoing whereas Margot is more of a quiet introvert. Soon after meeting Lucy, Margot moves into a shared apartment with Lucy and two other friends.
Through Lucy’s friendship, Margot is finally coming out of her shelf and meeting new friends on campus. The duo have became best friends but by the middle of Margot’s sophomore year their neighbor who lives in a frat house next door is found brutally murdered and Lucy is missing.
Only If You’re Lucky is a bit different from Willingham’s two prior novels. Yes it's a thriller but it's more of a slower paced character driven novel than a faster paced plot centered read. I also thought that certain parts had a young adultish feel. But these new elements Willingham incorporated worked and I really enjoyed this one.
Willingham is clearly a talented writer and it shines through in this one. I really enjoyed all of the Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde references and how the author used them to compare female friendships. Also, I really enjoyed the dark academia aspect and the unexpected twists. Readers and fans of her prior works, will also enjoy Only If You’re Lucky!
Only If You’re Lucky by Stacy Willingham will be available on January 16, 2024. A massive thanks to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the gifted copy!
November 26, 2023
“You’re only young once, and only if you’re lucky."
‘Changing it up’ is risky. For some authors, it doesn’t work. For Stacy Willingham, dipping her toes into a subgenre - it definitely worked. I loved this book.
I shouldn’t have enjoyed it. I don’t care for younger characters, I never joined a fraternity, I never lived in a frat house. I never did drugs or got ‘wasted.’
BUT…as a university student..
I did know what it was like to be “vanilla, malleable. A blank slate.”
I did know what it was like to want to belong.
I did know what it was like to want to change who I am.
I did know what it was like to be a chameleon and blend in with my surroundings.
PLUS…
Willingham’s writing style is superb! I love her ability to drop a clue at just the right time. So many times I stopped reading because I had a lightbulb moment … knowing that the clue was there, I’d read it before but had missed its significance. The author’s journalism studies definitely added to her ability to tell a great story; she writes a taut plot and surprises readers with the different angles she takes and the way she can get to the meat of the story.
Piggybacking the above thought about hidden clues, I absolutely loved looking for the Easter eggs Willingham placed in this one. I was aware of the inspiration behind this novel and loved seeing clues show up in the story. I found 6 and no, I won't give them away. Being an active reader really increases my enjoyment.
So, that's why I loved it.
Yes, this one is different from her previous two thrillers. I’ve only read All The Dangerous Things (5-star read) and can tell you that this one is also a thriller, it also has a house as a main character, it has the same wonderfully descriptive writing style and vivid setting, there are still multiple twists and it still messes with your head. What is different is the types and ages of characters and the dark academia storyline. With college-aged characters, there’s a lot of ‘college life’ packed into the story. It enhances the storyline.
You’ll read about
✔️Rejection
✔️acceptance/belonging
✔️Being a part of something bigger than oneself
Two things:
😁 I don’t think I’ll ever look at my couch cushions the same way ever again…will they cough?
😁 I won’t forget the Lord of the Flies vibes I got when I read “I suddenly remember the way the shed smelled the very first time I stepped inside; that metallic tang, like something decayed, that has since become as commonplace as the vanilla perfume…I barely notice it anymore, the smell of death.”
“It feels good, doesn’t it? To finally get what you want.”
I was gifted this copy by St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
‘Changing it up’ is risky. For some authors, it doesn’t work. For Stacy Willingham, dipping her toes into a subgenre - it definitely worked. I loved this book.
I shouldn’t have enjoyed it. I don’t care for younger characters, I never joined a fraternity, I never lived in a frat house. I never did drugs or got ‘wasted.’
BUT…as a university student..
I did know what it was like to be “vanilla, malleable. A blank slate.”
I did know what it was like to want to belong.
I did know what it was like to want to change who I am.
I did know what it was like to be a chameleon and blend in with my surroundings.
PLUS…
Willingham’s writing style is superb! I love her ability to drop a clue at just the right time. So many times I stopped reading because I had a lightbulb moment … knowing that the clue was there, I’d read it before but had missed its significance. The author’s journalism studies definitely added to her ability to tell a great story; she writes a taut plot and surprises readers with the different angles she takes and the way she can get to the meat of the story.
Piggybacking the above thought about hidden clues, I absolutely loved looking for the Easter eggs Willingham placed in this one. I was aware of the inspiration behind this novel and loved seeing clues show up in the story. I found 6 and no, I won't give them away. Being an active reader really increases my enjoyment.
So, that's why I loved it.
Yes, this one is different from her previous two thrillers. I’ve only read All The Dangerous Things (5-star read) and can tell you that this one is also a thriller, it also has a house as a main character, it has the same wonderfully descriptive writing style and vivid setting, there are still multiple twists and it still messes with your head. What is different is the types and ages of characters and the dark academia storyline. With college-aged characters, there’s a lot of ‘college life’ packed into the story. It enhances the storyline.
You’ll read about
✔️Rejection
✔️acceptance/belonging
✔️Being a part of something bigger than oneself
Two things:
😁 I don’t think I’ll ever look at my couch cushions the same way ever again…will they cough?
😁 I won’t forget the Lord of the Flies vibes I got when I read “I suddenly remember the way the shed smelled the very first time I stepped inside; that metallic tang, like something decayed, that has since become as commonplace as the vanilla perfume…I barely notice it anymore, the smell of death.”
“It feels good, doesn’t it? To finally get what you want.”
I was gifted this copy by St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
March 27, 2024
Margot lost her best friend Eliza due to an accident three weeks after graduating high school. Their plan had been to go together to college in South Carolina. Margo decides to do just that but her first year doesn't bring her any happiness, she is barely living. Then, Lucy Sharpe appears out of nowhere and offers Margot to move in with her and her two besties, Sloane and Nicole to an off-campus house and she doesn't hesitate to accept the offer.
Lucy is magnetic. Everyone is interested in her and what she has to say. People gravitate towards her just like they did with Eliza. Margo is no exception. Like moths to light, Margo will follow Lucy's lead into everything but will this include murder? By the middle of sophomore year, a freshman fraternity boy has been brutally murdered and Lucy has gone missing....
The novel is narrated in past and present chapters.
I loved A Flicker in the Dark and All the Dangerous Things but Only If You're Lucky felt short for this reader. I don't know if it was the unbelievable conclusion or me guessing the conclusion very early on. I was disappointed, to say the least. I wish this wasn't the case.
Will I read Stacy Willingham's next novel? You better believe it!
Cliffhanger: No
3/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Minotaur Books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Lucy is magnetic. Everyone is interested in her and what she has to say. People gravitate towards her just like they did with Eliza. Margo is no exception. Like moths to light, Margo will follow Lucy's lead into everything but will this include murder? By the middle of sophomore year, a freshman fraternity boy has been brutally murdered and Lucy has gone missing....
The novel is narrated in past and present chapters.
I loved A Flicker in the Dark and All the Dangerous Things but Only If You're Lucky felt short for this reader. I don't know if it was the unbelievable conclusion or me guessing the conclusion very early on. I was disappointed, to say the least. I wish this wasn't the case.
Will I read Stacy Willingham's next novel? You better believe it!
Cliffhanger: No
3/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Minotaur Books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
February 29, 2024
Want to know what happens in this book?
I really dug All the Dangerous Things and was so excited when my turn for this one came at the library I pushed all of my other checkouts to the side in order to start it right away. And then I spent three days waiting for something . . . ANYTHING . . . to happen.
#snore
I really dug All the Dangerous Things and was so excited when my turn for this one came at the library I pushed all of my other checkouts to the side in order to start it right away. And then I spent three days waiting for something . . . ANYTHING . . . to happen.
#snore
January 23, 2024
This book should be categorised as YA. There is nothing for adults here. If you prefer characters with personalities this is not a book for you.
September 8, 2023
3.5 stars
Only If You're Lucky is the third novel I've read by Stacy Willingham. Even though I have mixed feelings about the book as a whole, the ending is her strongest to date. If you can handle a slow burn mystery with a cast of unlikeable characters, you do get a decent payoff in the end.
Margot is one of those people who just blends into the background, never attracting much attention. Lucy is the opposite as her personality draws people in. Margot spent her freshmen year in college pretty much only studying and hanging out in her dorm room. When Lucy invites Margot to room with her and two other students in off campus housing, she accepts. It might give Margot the opportunity to step out of her shell. Will she come to regret this decision?
There's a lot going on in this story and I chose to be vague on purpose when describing the premise. Feel free to check out the publisher synopsis as it provides way more details but personally I think it's better to just dive right in without too much info ahead of time. The story bounces around from the present day in which someone has gone missing, and the past which shows everything leading up to the disappearance as well as Margot's life before college. As the reader you are looking for answers to several mysteries.
I hate saying this but it was a bit of a slog to get thru this book because the characters just aren't people you want to hang out with if that makes sense. I can handle unlikeable characters if I feel some sort of investment but I didn't care what happened to any of them. I was only interested in seeing what the author came up with because I have a good track record with her books. It's a decent book with an above average ending but it wasn't a fun popcorn thriller read for me.
If you have never read a Stacy Willingham book, I'd start with A Flicker in the Dark.
Only If You're Lucky is the third novel I've read by Stacy Willingham. Even though I have mixed feelings about the book as a whole, the ending is her strongest to date. If you can handle a slow burn mystery with a cast of unlikeable characters, you do get a decent payoff in the end.
Margot is one of those people who just blends into the background, never attracting much attention. Lucy is the opposite as her personality draws people in. Margot spent her freshmen year in college pretty much only studying and hanging out in her dorm room. When Lucy invites Margot to room with her and two other students in off campus housing, she accepts. It might give Margot the opportunity to step out of her shell. Will she come to regret this decision?
There's a lot going on in this story and I chose to be vague on purpose when describing the premise. Feel free to check out the publisher synopsis as it provides way more details but personally I think it's better to just dive right in without too much info ahead of time. The story bounces around from the present day in which someone has gone missing, and the past which shows everything leading up to the disappearance as well as Margot's life before college. As the reader you are looking for answers to several mysteries.
I hate saying this but it was a bit of a slog to get thru this book because the characters just aren't people you want to hang out with if that makes sense. I can handle unlikeable characters if I feel some sort of investment but I didn't care what happened to any of them. I was only interested in seeing what the author came up with because I have a good track record with her books. It's a decent book with an above average ending but it wasn't a fun popcorn thriller read for me.
If you have never read a Stacy Willingham book, I'd start with A Flicker in the Dark.
January 10, 2024
Only if You're Lucky written by Stacy Willingham tells the story of a group of college kids who excessively party, talk about the desire to murder someone, and deal with real-life traumas. Then someone is murdered, as well as a second person. But how does it all connect to Margot's best friend who died the year earlier, possibly due to something nefarious (never proven). I enjoyed the overall story but I did cast it too stereotypical when it came to depicting fraternity parties, plus the ending came from pretty much from nowhere, so I felt a bit cheated. Written well. Strong characters. Just a very common story where someone is pretending to be someone else, a popular girl befriends a lonely girl, the middle friends warn her, but each of the harbors secrets. When it all explodes, it explodes but in a slightly confusing way as to who really killed whom. Worth reading if you like the author's work, but if you haven't read her yet, don't start with this one. Will definitely read her next release tho!
May 20, 2025
Really enjoyed A Flicker in the Dark and All the Dangerous Things. Expected to like this one as much, but it disappointed. It felt amateurish compared to the other two.
August 10, 2024
The flowery language did me in! Get to the point already. Disappointing, dull, and desperate for it to end! ☹️
Displaying 1 - 30 of 9,063 reviews