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The Lucky Sisters
What would you do if you thought each day on earth might just be your last?
Lucky by name. Not so lucky by nature.
Adopted twins Nora and Stevie Lucky have always been close, despite being total opposites.
When their mother dies, Nora convinces Stevie to search for their biological parents, only to come face-to-face with a life-changing revelation that sends them spiralling in opposite directions.
With their careers, love lives and even their sisterly bond at risk, they're going to need more than luck to survive.
Lucky by name. Not so lucky by nature.
Adopted twins Nora and Stevie Lucky have always been close, despite being total opposites.
When their mother dies, Nora convinces Stevie to search for their biological parents, only to come face-to-face with a life-changing revelation that sends them spiralling in opposite directions.
With their careers, love lives and even their sisterly bond at risk, they're going to need more than luck to survive.
14 pages, Audible Audio
Published October 21, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
October 2, 2025
Nora and Stevie Lucky had a happy childhood and knew they were adopted, when their mother Lillian dies, Nora convinces her reluctant sister to begin searching for their biological parents.
Nora and Stevie are very different, Nora and her husband Santi own a Spanish restaurant and she’s reserved and driven. Stevie is a fun and KitKat loving single mum, she works in a Vinnies opportunity shop and has a daughter Cherry in her early twenties.
Stevie has always had a bad feeling about finding her birth family, shut Nora down when she wanted to do it years ago and what they uncover is life changing and makes both of them question what the future holds and they start acting differently.
I really liked the mixture of characters in the narrative, Nora’s the sensible one, while Stevie’s a whirlwind and so was her bestie Raya, Santi, Cherry and Lucas, Felix, Hugo and Theodore, Rhys and Stuart.
I received a copy of The Lucky Sisters from NetGalley and Penguin Random House Australia in exchange for an honest review. In her latest book Rachael Johns explores the link and bond between identical twins, struggles with motherhood and infertility, love and romantic relationships, aging and mortality.
The cleverly written story delves into DNA, do life style choices make any difference, and we are all born and will die. Would you want to know if you had a higher risk of passing away or not and if you did how would it make you feel?
Ms Johns is one of my favourite authors and she exceeded my expectations, a thought provoking and emotional read, one that will have you laughing out loud, grabbing for a box of tissues and thinking about Nora and Stevie well after you’ve turned the last page.
The novel is just as memorable as the stunning cover and five stars from me.
Nora and Stevie are very different, Nora and her husband Santi own a Spanish restaurant and she’s reserved and driven. Stevie is a fun and KitKat loving single mum, she works in a Vinnies opportunity shop and has a daughter Cherry in her early twenties.
Stevie has always had a bad feeling about finding her birth family, shut Nora down when she wanted to do it years ago and what they uncover is life changing and makes both of them question what the future holds and they start acting differently.
I really liked the mixture of characters in the narrative, Nora’s the sensible one, while Stevie’s a whirlwind and so was her bestie Raya, Santi, Cherry and Lucas, Felix, Hugo and Theodore, Rhys and Stuart.
I received a copy of The Lucky Sisters from NetGalley and Penguin Random House Australia in exchange for an honest review. In her latest book Rachael Johns explores the link and bond between identical twins, struggles with motherhood and infertility, love and romantic relationships, aging and mortality.
The cleverly written story delves into DNA, do life style choices make any difference, and we are all born and will die. Would you want to know if you had a higher risk of passing away or not and if you did how would it make you feel?
Ms Johns is one of my favourite authors and she exceeded my expectations, a thought provoking and emotional read, one that will have you laughing out loud, grabbing for a box of tissues and thinking about Nora and Stevie well after you’ve turned the last page.
The novel is just as memorable as the stunning cover and five stars from me.
October 14, 2025
Nora and Stevie Lucky were nearing fifty when their beloved mother died, and it changed their lives in a vastly unexpected way. The women had always known they were adopted, and while Nora wanted to find their biological parents, Stevie wasn't keen. But, close as they were, Stevie did as Nora wanted, and when they finally had some information, they met with a family member - someone they hadn't known existed. But the news wasn't good in more ways than one.
Meanwhile Stevie met Felix and his two sons and gradually fell in love. Stevie was a fun loving "wild child", with her beloved twenty-two year old daughter, Cherry, while Nora was a strait laced, down the line person. They were different but the same. Nora's husband, Santi, and she owned a top rating restaurant in Perth, and they both cooked spectacular meals - Santi mains; Nora desserts. But was the life she'd always had, the one she wanted? Nora was torn. As was Stevie, but in a different way. What would be the outcome of their search? Should they have left the past in the past?
Wow! I think The Lucky Sisters is Aussie author Rachael Johns's best yet! An exceptional contemporary novel about twin sisters who are as close as can be possible, but still disagree and argue; are strong and independent, but need each other always. Stevie's daughter Cherry is wonderful; amazing, caring and adores both her Mum and Aunty Nora. Although this is a reasonably long book - 480 pages - they flew, and I had trouble putting it down. The Lucky Sisters is an outstanding novel which I recommend highly.
With thanks to NetGalley & Penguin AU for my digital ARC to read and review.
Meanwhile Stevie met Felix and his two sons and gradually fell in love. Stevie was a fun loving "wild child", with her beloved twenty-two year old daughter, Cherry, while Nora was a strait laced, down the line person. They were different but the same. Nora's husband, Santi, and she owned a top rating restaurant in Perth, and they both cooked spectacular meals - Santi mains; Nora desserts. But was the life she'd always had, the one she wanted? Nora was torn. As was Stevie, but in a different way. What would be the outcome of their search? Should they have left the past in the past?
Wow! I think The Lucky Sisters is Aussie author Rachael Johns's best yet! An exceptional contemporary novel about twin sisters who are as close as can be possible, but still disagree and argue; are strong and independent, but need each other always. Stevie's daughter Cherry is wonderful; amazing, caring and adores both her Mum and Aunty Nora. Although this is a reasonably long book - 480 pages - they flew, and I had trouble putting it down. The Lucky Sisters is an outstanding novel which I recommend highly.
With thanks to NetGalley & Penguin AU for my digital ARC to read and review.
October 23, 2025
WOW what a story, Rachael Johns you again have given your readers a story that is filled with emotion and so much else and I felt every one of them while reading this one, it was a hard book to put down as I got to know Nora and Stevie Lucky as well as Cherry, Santi and Felix and the other awesome characters that are so important in this story it is a must read.
Nora and Stevie are just about to celebrate the festival of fifty as they get closer to their fiftieth birthday, they were adopted at birth and they have had the best life with their adoptive parents Lillian and John, they have always been very close even if they are two very different people, but now that they have lost both of them Nora dearly wants to find their biological parents Stevie not so keen to do so but in the end she agrees and what they discover rocks their world.
Nora has been married for many years to Santi and they own and run a very popular restaurant in Perth called The Lucky Spaniard but now with her news Nora decides to change everything in her life from the perfect in everything to making sure she lives for herself. With Stevie who has just started a new relationship with Felix she is fun loving and a chocolate fiend she too changes how she does things but will it all be worth it for both of them?
For the first time ever the twins are drifting apart until an accident makes everyone re-think again.
This story had me yelling and cheering them on throughout as I felt every emotion, it takes in so much with totally awesome characters, I know when I pick up a Rachael Johns book that I am going to love it and I think this one might be her best yet, wow what a story, I absolutely loved it from page one and cannot recommend it enough, thank you MS Johns for a fabulous story.
My thanks to Penguin AU and Netgalley for my copy to read and review.
Nora and Stevie are just about to celebrate the festival of fifty as they get closer to their fiftieth birthday, they were adopted at birth and they have had the best life with their adoptive parents Lillian and John, they have always been very close even if they are two very different people, but now that they have lost both of them Nora dearly wants to find their biological parents Stevie not so keen to do so but in the end she agrees and what they discover rocks their world.
Nora has been married for many years to Santi and they own and run a very popular restaurant in Perth called The Lucky Spaniard but now with her news Nora decides to change everything in her life from the perfect in everything to making sure she lives for herself. With Stevie who has just started a new relationship with Felix she is fun loving and a chocolate fiend she too changes how she does things but will it all be worth it for both of them?
For the first time ever the twins are drifting apart until an accident makes everyone re-think again.
This story had me yelling and cheering them on throughout as I felt every emotion, it takes in so much with totally awesome characters, I know when I pick up a Rachael Johns book that I am going to love it and I think this one might be her best yet, wow what a story, I absolutely loved it from page one and cannot recommend it enough, thank you MS Johns for a fabulous story.
My thanks to Penguin AU and Netgalley for my copy to read and review.
December 9, 2025
*https://www.instagram.com/mrsb_book_r...
🦋West Australian author Rachael Johns is back with another heartfelt family fiction novel that delves into the ties that hold people together and the secrets that threaten to pull them apart. The Lucky Sisters is a tale full ofsibling intricacies, genuine emotion, narrative tension and full characterisation that feels completely honest and uniting.
🦋Rachael Johns latest follows adopted twins, Nora and Stevie who are as close as they are different. After their adoptive mother passes away, the sisters decide now is right time to look for their biological mother and father. What they eventually discover knocks them both off kilter, impacting their careers, life choices, their relationships and the familial connection they have always relied on.
🦋2025 has been a year full of catching up on a number of Rachael Johns books I’ve missed in the chaos of work and life demands. I’ve managed to catch up on quite a few Rachael Johns books thanks to audiobook formats and buddy reads. The Lucky Sisters is a book that I opted to listen to due to the narrator attached to this story, although I have to say the cover of The Lucky Sisters is probably one of the best I’ve seen from the Rachael Johns collection, it’s simply breathtaking and has a lot to say about the content and messages of the novel.
🦋After reading and reflecting on this one, I have come to the conclusion that Rachael Johns is just the best when it comes to composing real family stories that captureyour heart. She gifts you protagonists that feel like people you know and grow to love, who must deal with daily pressures, along with some challenging ones. Johns ties in themes of loss, parentage, heritage, sacrifice, loyalty, fear, sisterhood, motherhood, adoption, female choice, expectations, health choices, new relationships, chance, marital strain, longing, infertility and the afterlife. The unique relationships between twin sisters is explored in detail, forming an umbrella across the whole story arc. Emotions are fully attacked and the interactions between the cast are always believable
We are exposed to both the nice and the messy parts of being part of a family. Johns navigates moments of realisation, shock, discovery, confusion, sadness, disappointment, anger and hope without losing a beat. This one gave me so much to think about, even if I needed tissues towards the end.
Fans of contemporary Australian fiction and family drama storylines will love this. Yet another triumph and a surge forward for Rachael Johns in her writing, wow!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️5 stars
🦋West Australian author Rachael Johns is back with another heartfelt family fiction novel that delves into the ties that hold people together and the secrets that threaten to pull them apart. The Lucky Sisters is a tale full ofsibling intricacies, genuine emotion, narrative tension and full characterisation that feels completely honest and uniting.
🦋Rachael Johns latest follows adopted twins, Nora and Stevie who are as close as they are different. After their adoptive mother passes away, the sisters decide now is right time to look for their biological mother and father. What they eventually discover knocks them both off kilter, impacting their careers, life choices, their relationships and the familial connection they have always relied on.
🦋2025 has been a year full of catching up on a number of Rachael Johns books I’ve missed in the chaos of work and life demands. I’ve managed to catch up on quite a few Rachael Johns books thanks to audiobook formats and buddy reads. The Lucky Sisters is a book that I opted to listen to due to the narrator attached to this story, although I have to say the cover of The Lucky Sisters is probably one of the best I’ve seen from the Rachael Johns collection, it’s simply breathtaking and has a lot to say about the content and messages of the novel.
🦋After reading and reflecting on this one, I have come to the conclusion that Rachael Johns is just the best when it comes to composing real family stories that captureyour heart. She gifts you protagonists that feel like people you know and grow to love, who must deal with daily pressures, along with some challenging ones. Johns ties in themes of loss, parentage, heritage, sacrifice, loyalty, fear, sisterhood, motherhood, adoption, female choice, expectations, health choices, new relationships, chance, marital strain, longing, infertility and the afterlife. The unique relationships between twin sisters is explored in detail, forming an umbrella across the whole story arc. Emotions are fully attacked and the interactions between the cast are always believable
We are exposed to both the nice and the messy parts of being part of a family. Johns navigates moments of realisation, shock, discovery, confusion, sadness, disappointment, anger and hope without losing a beat. This one gave me so much to think about, even if I needed tissues towards the end.
Fans of contemporary Australian fiction and family drama storylines will love this. Yet another triumph and a surge forward for Rachael Johns in her writing, wow!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️5 stars
December 11, 2025
I’m a big fan of Rachael Johns and her latest, The Lucky Sisters does not disappoint. Adopted twins Stevie and Nora Lucky are approaching their milestone 50th birthday when they discover that they may have inherited a gene from their biological mother that could prematurely end their lives. Stevie and Nora, opposites in almost every way, then have the decision to make regarding the consequences of this information. This leads them both on a journey of heartache and soul searching while also realising just how important their family and relationships are. Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for my ARC.
November 16, 2025
A beautifully written, heartfelt story of twins Nora & Stevie
While they share the special twin bond they are almost chalk and cheese living very different lives.
Nora owns and runs a restaurant with her husband Santi and lives by a routine. Stevie is a free spirit single mum to 22 year old Cherry
Nora & Stevie were adopted as babies and have never met their birth parents. Nora has always wanted to, but Stevie is against it having such wonderful adoptive parents she believes there is nothing good that come of it. They agree that when their adoptive parents pass they will begin the search
After saying goodbye to their wonderful adoptive mother, Nora begins the search which throws both her and Stevie’s world into a spin as they begin a journey to learn about their family history
A wonderful story about family, loss, love and a sisterly bond
I dual read this one and loved Lisa McCune and Anne Maynard’s narration. Nora and Stevie are such unique and interesting characters and the dual POV had me turning page after page loving every moment of their story
Cherry, Santi and Felix (Stevie’s boyfriend) were perfect side characters and helped ground our two leading ladies during their tough times
Rachael has such a fantastic way of weaving a story together and The Lucky Sisters is a must read 🤩
Thank you so much Penguinbooks for my gifted copy to review
While they share the special twin bond they are almost chalk and cheese living very different lives.
Nora owns and runs a restaurant with her husband Santi and lives by a routine. Stevie is a free spirit single mum to 22 year old Cherry
Nora & Stevie were adopted as babies and have never met their birth parents. Nora has always wanted to, but Stevie is against it having such wonderful adoptive parents she believes there is nothing good that come of it. They agree that when their adoptive parents pass they will begin the search
After saying goodbye to their wonderful adoptive mother, Nora begins the search which throws both her and Stevie’s world into a spin as they begin a journey to learn about their family history
A wonderful story about family, loss, love and a sisterly bond
I dual read this one and loved Lisa McCune and Anne Maynard’s narration. Nora and Stevie are such unique and interesting characters and the dual POV had me turning page after page loving every moment of their story
Cherry, Santi and Felix (Stevie’s boyfriend) were perfect side characters and helped ground our two leading ladies during their tough times
Rachael has such a fantastic way of weaving a story together and The Lucky Sisters is a must read 🤩
Thank you so much Penguinbooks for my gifted copy to review
October 29, 2025
3.5*
As a long-time reader of Australian women’s fiction, I can see why The Lucky Sisters will appeal to Rachael Johns’ dedicated fans. It has all her trademarks of family drama with plenty of emotional twists.
The Lucky Sisters follows twin sisters who are forced to face the consequences that are set in motion when they confront their past. The novel explores themes of forgiveness, identity, and the bonds that both unite and divide families. As the women grapple with old wounds and unexpected revelations, Johns delivers her signature blend of emotional drama, romance, and family warmth.
While the novel is likely to delight long-time fans of Johns’ work - readers who appreciate her familiar tone and focus on female relationships - I found the story a bit overextended and reliant on contrived situations. The emotional stakes are high, but at times the drama feels a little exaggerated for me. Nevertheless, Johns’ gift for depicting the nuances of family life and her engaging, conversational prose ensure that The Lucky Sisters remains a heartfelt, accessible read.
'Suddenly the butterfly etched there felt even more significant than it had before. Previously a symbol of the bond she shared with her sister, could it also be a link between the twins and their birth mother?'
As a long-time reader of Australian women’s fiction, I can see why The Lucky Sisters will appeal to Rachael Johns’ dedicated fans. It has all her trademarks of family drama with plenty of emotional twists.
The Lucky Sisters follows twin sisters who are forced to face the consequences that are set in motion when they confront their past. The novel explores themes of forgiveness, identity, and the bonds that both unite and divide families. As the women grapple with old wounds and unexpected revelations, Johns delivers her signature blend of emotional drama, romance, and family warmth.
While the novel is likely to delight long-time fans of Johns’ work - readers who appreciate her familiar tone and focus on female relationships - I found the story a bit overextended and reliant on contrived situations. The emotional stakes are high, but at times the drama feels a little exaggerated for me. Nevertheless, Johns’ gift for depicting the nuances of family life and her engaging, conversational prose ensure that The Lucky Sisters remains a heartfelt, accessible read.
'Suddenly the butterfly etched there felt even more significant than it had before. Previously a symbol of the bond she shared with her sister, could it also be a link between the twins and their birth mother?'
October 18, 2025
Ate this like it was a family pack of Kit Kats and washed it down with a Diet Coke. I inhaled it. For a book about death, life, and how you spend it goodness this was fun. I’ve been asking twins if they’re telepathic since the 90s, I’m going to stop doing that right now... I loved that this novel was also about sisterhood, motherhood and family in all the forms..out on the 21st and I can’t wait to be able chat! Thanks for my arc Penguin
October 7, 2025
Big thanks to Penguin for sending us a copy to read and review.
Contemporary fiction goddess Rachael Johns has given her devotees a family saga that’s pure magic.
A bestseller author and one of this country’s reigning matriarchs in the genre, she continues to wow her readers with gems.
The Lucky Sisters is another to add to her growing list of captivating reads.
Nora and Stevie Lucky are twins.
They have a close bond and are adopted.
When their mother dies, they search for their biological mother.
Now what they all hold dear is about to be chaotic damage….
A melodrama about the heart and soul of family and living life like it’s your last day.
The heart of this story is the extraordinary characters that have been created.
Everyday life and issues are thrown at them and it makes for an engaging and interesting narrative.
I can guarantee you will fall in love with the cast and plot.
There’s many of Rachael’s signature style here and her stamp is all over it, you know your in safe hands with one of her novels.
And while it’s a large book, it doesn’t feel like that and you will get completely immersed into it all.
Contemporary fiction goddess Rachael Johns has given her devotees a family saga that’s pure magic.
A bestseller author and one of this country’s reigning matriarchs in the genre, she continues to wow her readers with gems.
The Lucky Sisters is another to add to her growing list of captivating reads.
Nora and Stevie Lucky are twins.
They have a close bond and are adopted.
When their mother dies, they search for their biological mother.
Now what they all hold dear is about to be chaotic damage….
A melodrama about the heart and soul of family and living life like it’s your last day.
The heart of this story is the extraordinary characters that have been created.
Everyday life and issues are thrown at them and it makes for an engaging and interesting narrative.
I can guarantee you will fall in love with the cast and plot.
There’s many of Rachael’s signature style here and her stamp is all over it, you know your in safe hands with one of her novels.
And while it’s a large book, it doesn’t feel like that and you will get completely immersed into it all.
October 23, 2025
I've only read Rachael Johns' romances before so went in blindly expecting something along the same lines of 'The Other Bridget' but what I got was a contemporary family saga. And unfortunately, I've found domestic dramas aren't quite my sweet spot.
The book follows Nora and Stevie Lucky, adopted twins approaching 50 whose adopted mother has just passed away. Stevie promised Nora when their adopted parents had both passed they would look for their birth parents. But the information they find has them spiralling. As opposite as Nora and Stevie already are, this has them pulling further away from each other and their partners/other family members.
I've read a lot of grief-heavy books lately and just don't think I was in the right head space to appreciate this novel. It felt extremely long, my favourite characters were the twins partners Santi and Felix, but I felt disconnected from the main female characters. It was well-written and what I LOVED was that it was set in Perth and I could picture and appreciate every suburb and location mentioned.
It is a clever book that encourages the reader to explore mortality, motherhood, family, infertility, grief, aging, relationships, DNA and ponder the question "what would you do if you thought each day on earth might be your last"? From reviews so far I'm clearly an outlier. I didn't dislike it - more a case of wrong read, wrong time. I'd recommend if you like Rachael Johns or are looking for a family saga set in Australia with similar vibes to Liane Moriarty.
Thank you to Penguin Random House Australia for providing me with this ARC through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
The book follows Nora and Stevie Lucky, adopted twins approaching 50 whose adopted mother has just passed away. Stevie promised Nora when their adopted parents had both passed they would look for their birth parents. But the information they find has them spiralling. As opposite as Nora and Stevie already are, this has them pulling further away from each other and their partners/other family members.
I've read a lot of grief-heavy books lately and just don't think I was in the right head space to appreciate this novel. It felt extremely long, my favourite characters were the twins partners Santi and Felix, but I felt disconnected from the main female characters. It was well-written and what I LOVED was that it was set in Perth and I could picture and appreciate every suburb and location mentioned.
It is a clever book that encourages the reader to explore mortality, motherhood, family, infertility, grief, aging, relationships, DNA and ponder the question "what would you do if you thought each day on earth might be your last"? From reviews so far I'm clearly an outlier. I didn't dislike it - more a case of wrong read, wrong time. I'd recommend if you like Rachael Johns or are looking for a family saga set in Australia with similar vibes to Liane Moriarty.
Thank you to Penguin Random House Australia for providing me with this ARC through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
September 10, 2025
How many times will I say I loved this book? Until everyone hears me out!
I adored The Lucky Sisters just as much as I did The Patterson Girls.
I’ve read plenty of unique stories before, but this one has truly raised the bar. I never imagined that family, romance, drama—and even a touch of curses—could blend together into such a brilliant read.
Calling it incredible doesn’t feel enough. Rachael Johns, I need more, please!
I won’t share a summary here because it’s best experienced firsthand. So go grab your copy and dive right in.
Thank you netgalley & Penguin books Aus for an eBook though I'm really a physical book at heart kinda person so I could hold the story in my hands!
I adored The Lucky Sisters just as much as I did The Patterson Girls.
I’ve read plenty of unique stories before, but this one has truly raised the bar. I never imagined that family, romance, drama—and even a touch of curses—could blend together into such a brilliant read.
Calling it incredible doesn’t feel enough. Rachael Johns, I need more, please!
I won’t share a summary here because it’s best experienced firsthand. So go grab your copy and dive right in.
Thank you netgalley & Penguin books Aus for an eBook though I'm really a physical book at heart kinda person so I could hold the story in my hands!
October 27, 2025
OMG!
Another fantastic story by RJ!
Hit all the rights spots!!
WOW!
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Another fantastic story by RJ!
Hit all the rights spots!!
WOW!
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
November 3, 2025
Absolutely devoured this. Rachael's best book yet! Can't wait to read her next book!
December 3, 2025
Lovely, 4.5 stars rounded up.
I loved the Lucky sisters and their journey. Johns characterisation is superb. The story unfolds at a usual RJ pace and I really enjoyed the epilogue which rounded off the characters beautifully.
A book that will appeal to contemporary women’s fiction lovers and a solid Christmas gift idea for fans of the genre.
I loved the Lucky sisters and their journey. Johns characterisation is superb. The story unfolds at a usual RJ pace and I really enjoyed the epilogue which rounded off the characters beautifully.
A book that will appeal to contemporary women’s fiction lovers and a solid Christmas gift idea for fans of the genre.
November 8, 2025
Rachael Johns' books always give me all the feels and The Lucky Sisters was no different. Twins Nora and Stevie go on a quest to find their biological mother only to find out some news that they weren't expecting. This takes us on an emotional journey for each twin and I guarantee you'll go through almost every emotion while reading this one. Cleverly written and wrapped up in a stunning way, this is another masterpiece from an Aussie author that I always enjoy reading.
September 10, 2025
I actually finished this book a week ago and have been trying to decide what to put in my review but can’t find the right words so I’ll just say this.
Rachael Johns has given us another beautiful book.
There are many issues covered in this story but all are dealt with compassion and tenderness.
I laughed, I cried, I laughed and cried at the same time!
I highly recommend this book.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.
Rachael Johns has given us another beautiful book.
There are many issues covered in this story but all are dealt with compassion and tenderness.
I laughed, I cried, I laughed and cried at the same time!
I highly recommend this book.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.
October 23, 2025
I was so lucky to receive an ARC of The Lucky Sisters a few weeks ago, and then just a few days ago a stunning PR box arrived with the finished copy 😍).
I finished it yesterday — perfectly timed to celebrate publication day today! So, happy book birthday to #TheLuckySisters by Rachael Johns! 🎉
Swipe to read the blurb on the back, but trust me, you’ll want to run (not walk) to grab yourself a copy. I completely fell in love with these characters — they’re real, relatable, and so endearing. Throughout the story, I felt like part of their family, right there alongside them on this emotional rollercoaster. My heart broke and soared with them. I laughed, I teared up, and I even found myself chuckling out loud at the witty moments woven between the heartbreak.
Told in alternating POVs, this is the story of Nora and Stevie — twins adopted at birth who couldn’t be more different. Nora is a disciplined, successful restaurateur; Stevie, a single mum managing the local Vinnies op shop and always armed with a KitKat to solve life’s problems 🍫. As they approach their 50th birthday, they set out to find their birth parents, but what they uncover changes everything — testing their bond and reshaping their lives in unexpected ways.
And can we talk about the secondary characters? Cherry, Santi, Felix — I adored them all! They add so much warmth, humour, and heart, rounding out the story beautifully.
This is a heartfelt, thought-provoking exploration of family, aging, grief, self-discovery, and how we choose to live when we’re reminded that life is finite. Told with tenderness, honesty, and so much heart, this book will stay with me for a long time. 💛
I finished it yesterday — perfectly timed to celebrate publication day today! So, happy book birthday to #TheLuckySisters by Rachael Johns! 🎉
Swipe to read the blurb on the back, but trust me, you’ll want to run (not walk) to grab yourself a copy. I completely fell in love with these characters — they’re real, relatable, and so endearing. Throughout the story, I felt like part of their family, right there alongside them on this emotional rollercoaster. My heart broke and soared with them. I laughed, I teared up, and I even found myself chuckling out loud at the witty moments woven between the heartbreak.
Told in alternating POVs, this is the story of Nora and Stevie — twins adopted at birth who couldn’t be more different. Nora is a disciplined, successful restaurateur; Stevie, a single mum managing the local Vinnies op shop and always armed with a KitKat to solve life’s problems 🍫. As they approach their 50th birthday, they set out to find their birth parents, but what they uncover changes everything — testing their bond and reshaping their lives in unexpected ways.
And can we talk about the secondary characters? Cherry, Santi, Felix — I adored them all! They add so much warmth, humour, and heart, rounding out the story beautifully.
This is a heartfelt, thought-provoking exploration of family, aging, grief, self-discovery, and how we choose to live when we’re reminded that life is finite. Told with tenderness, honesty, and so much heart, this book will stay with me for a long time. 💛
November 19, 2025
In fairness to their adoptive parents, twins Nora and Stevie Lucky promised each other they wouldn't look for their birth parents until after the parents who raised them had died. At the beginning of the story their Mum Lillian has passed away. Finally Nora and Stevie are ready to uncover their birth story, but what they find
Will change their lives forever.
In true Johns fashion the story focuses heavily on relationships with a whole host of lovable side characters to enjoy. Through Nora and Stevie The Lucky Sisters explores sisterhood and being faced with one's own mortality.
I'm one of three Sisters so lots of the conversations and observations felt familiar and gave me a good chuckle. While I probably had more in common with Nora I absolutely loved Stevie's spirit and playful nature. I think everyone needs a Stevie in their lives 😆
There were so many interesting topics touched on in this story but to tell you about them would spoil a good story, so you'll have to enjoy this one for yourself and then come and let me know your thoughts below 👇🏼
With a hint of what's to come in the first chapters of the book, you'll be speeding through this one and holding your breath as the end draws near.
I did a mix of reading the book and listening to the audio for this story. The audiobook was absolutely fantastic with Australian actresses Lisa McCune and Annie Maynard capturing the personalities of Nora and Stevie perfectly 🙌🏼
Will change their lives forever.
In true Johns fashion the story focuses heavily on relationships with a whole host of lovable side characters to enjoy. Through Nora and Stevie The Lucky Sisters explores sisterhood and being faced with one's own mortality.
I'm one of three Sisters so lots of the conversations and observations felt familiar and gave me a good chuckle. While I probably had more in common with Nora I absolutely loved Stevie's spirit and playful nature. I think everyone needs a Stevie in their lives 😆
There were so many interesting topics touched on in this story but to tell you about them would spoil a good story, so you'll have to enjoy this one for yourself and then come and let me know your thoughts below 👇🏼
With a hint of what's to come in the first chapters of the book, you'll be speeding through this one and holding your breath as the end draws near.
I did a mix of reading the book and listening to the audio for this story. The audiobook was absolutely fantastic with Australian actresses Lisa McCune and Annie Maynard capturing the personalities of Nora and Stevie perfectly 🙌🏼
October 2, 2025
What a powerful, thought-provoking read! This is easily one of my favourite books of the year and one of Rachael Johns’ very best.
The Lucky sisters, Nora and Stevie, are opposites yet bound by their deep connection. When a search for their biological parents uncovers a life-changing revelation, everything they thought they knew is challenged. Careers, love lives, and even their bond as sisters are pushed to breaking point.
I was swept away by the story from start to finish. Rachael writes about heavy themes in such a compassionate and balanced way — never overwhelming, always compelling. I laughed, I cried, and sometimes both at once. The characters are beautifully layered and so easy to empathise with that they feel like people you truly know.
And that cover is stunning! I can’t wait for my pre-ordered copy to land in the post.
The Lucky sisters, Nora and Stevie, are opposites yet bound by their deep connection. When a search for their biological parents uncovers a life-changing revelation, everything they thought they knew is challenged. Careers, love lives, and even their bond as sisters are pushed to breaking point.
I was swept away by the story from start to finish. Rachael writes about heavy themes in such a compassionate and balanced way — never overwhelming, always compelling. I laughed, I cried, and sometimes both at once. The characters are beautifully layered and so easy to empathise with that they feel like people you truly know.
And that cover is stunning! I can’t wait for my pre-ordered copy to land in the post.
November 7, 2025
I confess I bought the book because of its stunning cover! And the blurb had me hooked. Despite being over 400 pages long, I romped through it in a week. It’s not my usual read but it sits nicely within its own niche - “women’s fiction” - and is a light, fast, easy story that draws the reader in quickly and keeps you hooked (mostly to discover which twin is going to die first.)
Clever writing, vivid descriptions, lovely concept - and while I suspect I should have found it more emotional and funny than I actually did, there were a few descriptive lines that truly made me go “ewww yuk” - mostly in the sex scenes!!! The characters were given what they were searching for a little too easily, and their transitions were slightly overblown (particularly Nora) but as a contemporary, light, thought provoking story, it works. 3.5 stars rounded to 4.
Clever writing, vivid descriptions, lovely concept - and while I suspect I should have found it more emotional and funny than I actually did, there were a few descriptive lines that truly made me go “ewww yuk” - mostly in the sex scenes!!! The characters were given what they were searching for a little too easily, and their transitions were slightly overblown (particularly Nora) but as a contemporary, light, thought provoking story, it works. 3.5 stars rounded to 4.
November 19, 2025
Another great book by my favourite author Rachael Johns. It gets you thinking about life, death, family and relationships. I loved the ups and downs of Stevie and Nora's sisterhood and how the other characters played their part in making them see all sides of what they go through. Thanks Rachael for another amazing book, that kept me wanting to read more. It was also wonderful to meet you again when you came to Ballarat to talk about The Lucky Sisters, it was an enjoyable night. 🙂
November 30, 2025
I liked the premise of this book, it’s well written, it’s quite heartfelt and the building of each of the characters relationships with others is great. However, I did find it peaked my anxiety around certain aspects of life (and death) so I did struggle to comfortably read some sections of this book. It also found its way into the storyline of my dreams which was a bit confronting for me 😅
November 13, 2025
Nothing to write home about, but did enjoy it
September 22, 2025
Rachael Johns has done it again, such an amazing story, beautiful characters and such a great read. Recommended to all. 5⭐️
October 24, 2025
The Lucky Sisters by @rachaeljohnsisanauthor is a beautiful exploration of life, love, death and the chaos of everyday life. It had me laughing out loud and bawling my eyes out. I felt all the emotions reading it.
The story centres around adopted twin sisters Nora and Stevie Lucky. Their adoptive mother has passed away and Nora convinces Stevie that now is the time to search for their biological parents. But what they discover is a life-changing revelation. One that sends them spiralling in opposite directions.
+ Nora and Stevie have such a special relationship in this book. While one is more uptight and serious the other is hilarious and carefree. They both have special people in their lives and you can't help but fall in love with these side characters too!
Have the tissues handy when you read this one! It is beautiful, laugh out loud funny and heartbreaking and it's one of my favorite books by this author to date. I give it all the stars
Huge thank you to @penguinbooksaus for a
copy to read and honestly review.
The story centres around adopted twin sisters Nora and Stevie Lucky. Their adoptive mother has passed away and Nora convinces Stevie that now is the time to search for their biological parents. But what they discover is a life-changing revelation. One that sends them spiralling in opposite directions.
+ Nora and Stevie have such a special relationship in this book. While one is more uptight and serious the other is hilarious and carefree. They both have special people in their lives and you can't help but fall in love with these side characters too!
Have the tissues handy when you read this one! It is beautiful, laugh out loud funny and heartbreaking and it's one of my favorite books by this author to date. I give it all the stars
Huge thank you to @penguinbooksaus for a
copy to read and honestly review.
August 10, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley, Penguin Random House Australia, and the author for the chance to read this book.
I was so excited to read this book that it jumped straight to the top of my TBR pile as soon as I was approved.
It features topics like adoption, infertility, and death/grief. There are many types of love within the story, and a big focus on how people can cope with death differently.
I was completely enthralled and finished it within a couple of days (I would have happily sat down and read it in one sitting, but life doesn't always allow for that).
I was so excited to read this book that it jumped straight to the top of my TBR pile as soon as I was approved.
It features topics like adoption, infertility, and death/grief. There are many types of love within the story, and a big focus on how people can cope with death differently.
I was completely enthralled and finished it within a couple of days (I would have happily sat down and read it in one sitting, but life doesn't always allow for that).
August 11, 2025
The Lucky Sisters by Rachael Johns. What a great read! The themes covered in this book, such as adoption, dna testing, infertility, ivf, relationships, mixed / blended families, running a family business, medical emergencies, death, and finances will be relatable for almost every reader. The story follows Stevie and Nora Lucky who after the death of their adopted parents decide to go searching for their birth parents. You’re right there with them each step of the way, dealing with the challenges they each face as they come to terms with what lays ahead depending on the decisions they make.
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to provide an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to provide an honest review. All opinions are my own.
September 30, 2025
Oh my goodness what a great book! Absolutely beautiful and like no other book that I’ve ever read. How I adored Nora and Stevie as well as all the other characters. An absolute must read!
November 15, 2025
What would you do if you thought that each day had the possibility of being your last? And as this book examines, every day can be like that. We don’t know what might be in store for us on any given day. But if you knew that you had something that potentially meant you were a ticking time bomb…..how would you live your life?
That is the question facing twins Nora and Stevie Lucky. Adopted as infants, they were raised in a wonderful and loving home. Nora has always been curious about their birth parents but Stevie has always had a feeling of trepidation about finding out. She made Nora promise that she wouldn’t look for them until their adoptive parents were no longer with them. With their father having passed away years ago and now their mother recently dying, for Nora, there’s nothing holding her back anymore. She and Stevie are about to turn 50 and even though she loved her adoptive parents and was thankful for the beautiful life they were given, that doesn’t mean that she’s not curious about her origins.
Nora and Stevie are very different, despite being identical twins. Nora is a chef but one who lives by the rule that you might not trust a skinny chef but no one respects a fat one. She’s a pastry chef, working alongside her husband Santiago in their Perth restaurant and her life is a routine of gym workouts, careful maintenance of her looks and denying herself the sweet treats she makes. Stevie on the other hand, lives on her emergency KitKat stash and budget wine, whilst working in a charity shop. She’s bigger, louder, more colourful and more laid back. She’s a single mother to daughter Cherry who is at university and has never married. Despite all their differences the twins are incredibly close. It feels like that the one thing they’ve disagreed on, is how to tackle this situation of their birth parents.
This book did character so well. The sisters are so vibrant and so different in their personalities but also so attuned to the other and so intwined in each other’s lives….although as you read further you begin to realise that there’s been some scenarios where they haven’t always confided absolutely everything in the other. As they move through this journey of grieving their adoptive mother and Nora wanting to press on with finding their birth parents, they differ in their responses to that too. I sympathised with them both at different times, I was frustrated with one or the other at different times but no matter how I was feeling in the moment on the page, I was invested in them both getting an ideal outcome.
The relationships are so well done and so complex. Nora is finding she’s struggling in a lot of aspects of her life, especially after she begins to seek out answers about their origins. She almost has an identity crisis about the way she’s been living – and actually so does Stevie, but in kind of the reverse way. Both of them begin to think about the broader impacts of the information they are discovering, how it might impact on others and what it might mean for the future. I also loved the relationship between Stevie and her daughter as well as the complexities around Nora and Cherry, Santi and Cherry and also, Stevie and a man she recently began seeing. These relationships all evolved and changed throughout the course of the story in many different ways and the character growth was crafted so well.
Which brings about the question? How would you live your life, if you knew that each day might be your last? Would you be all about the bucket lists and the experiences? Would you travel, seek adventure, explore the unknown? Or would you focus on what you had, the family you had made, the friends you’d collected during your life, making sure that each of them knew how much you appreciated them? It’s such an interesting question.
I think we don’t like to think about death – I know I don’t like to think about death. Especially my own. I have done, at various points in my life, when things have happened, when Dr Google tells you that that thing you have is probably some form of incurable cancer. Or when you hear about someone who actually has some form of incurable cancer and it makes you question your own mortality. Especially when you hear of people who are your age, dying. That has always been a really big trigger for me, when it’s someone that I am the same age as. This book definitely made me think about things as Nora and Stevie moved through their own complex thoughts about the information they were getting. Look, sometimes what they said or did really frustrated me (one of them in particular, did some things that I was like, what are you doing?!) but it’s also one of those things where I think we all react to things very differently and I simply don’t know how I would feel, if it were me so even though I personally felt frustrated by some of the reactions and events, that is not to say that they weren’t valid or realistic. They actually felt incredibly realistic in their diversity, intensity and the emotion in them.
This is a story that will grip you immediately and you’ll find yourself turning pages probably long after you were supposed to stop to do other things! I resented any interruption that took me away from the story and couldn’t wait to get back to it every time! The characters are all so wonderfully done, you’ll find yourself feeling like you’ve stepped into this family. And the book has you waiting for something to happen and maybe convincing yourself it won’t.
You’ll never look at a butterfly the same way again.
That is the question facing twins Nora and Stevie Lucky. Adopted as infants, they were raised in a wonderful and loving home. Nora has always been curious about their birth parents but Stevie has always had a feeling of trepidation about finding out. She made Nora promise that she wouldn’t look for them until their adoptive parents were no longer with them. With their father having passed away years ago and now their mother recently dying, for Nora, there’s nothing holding her back anymore. She and Stevie are about to turn 50 and even though she loved her adoptive parents and was thankful for the beautiful life they were given, that doesn’t mean that she’s not curious about her origins.
Nora and Stevie are very different, despite being identical twins. Nora is a chef but one who lives by the rule that you might not trust a skinny chef but no one respects a fat one. She’s a pastry chef, working alongside her husband Santiago in their Perth restaurant and her life is a routine of gym workouts, careful maintenance of her looks and denying herself the sweet treats she makes. Stevie on the other hand, lives on her emergency KitKat stash and budget wine, whilst working in a charity shop. She’s bigger, louder, more colourful and more laid back. She’s a single mother to daughter Cherry who is at university and has never married. Despite all their differences the twins are incredibly close. It feels like that the one thing they’ve disagreed on, is how to tackle this situation of their birth parents.
This book did character so well. The sisters are so vibrant and so different in their personalities but also so attuned to the other and so intwined in each other’s lives….although as you read further you begin to realise that there’s been some scenarios where they haven’t always confided absolutely everything in the other. As they move through this journey of grieving their adoptive mother and Nora wanting to press on with finding their birth parents, they differ in their responses to that too. I sympathised with them both at different times, I was frustrated with one or the other at different times but no matter how I was feeling in the moment on the page, I was invested in them both getting an ideal outcome.
The relationships are so well done and so complex. Nora is finding she’s struggling in a lot of aspects of her life, especially after she begins to seek out answers about their origins. She almost has an identity crisis about the way she’s been living – and actually so does Stevie, but in kind of the reverse way. Both of them begin to think about the broader impacts of the information they are discovering, how it might impact on others and what it might mean for the future. I also loved the relationship between Stevie and her daughter as well as the complexities around Nora and Cherry, Santi and Cherry and also, Stevie and a man she recently began seeing. These relationships all evolved and changed throughout the course of the story in many different ways and the character growth was crafted so well.
Which brings about the question? How would you live your life, if you knew that each day might be your last? Would you be all about the bucket lists and the experiences? Would you travel, seek adventure, explore the unknown? Or would you focus on what you had, the family you had made, the friends you’d collected during your life, making sure that each of them knew how much you appreciated them? It’s such an interesting question.
I think we don’t like to think about death – I know I don’t like to think about death. Especially my own. I have done, at various points in my life, when things have happened, when Dr Google tells you that that thing you have is probably some form of incurable cancer. Or when you hear about someone who actually has some form of incurable cancer and it makes you question your own mortality. Especially when you hear of people who are your age, dying. That has always been a really big trigger for me, when it’s someone that I am the same age as. This book definitely made me think about things as Nora and Stevie moved through their own complex thoughts about the information they were getting. Look, sometimes what they said or did really frustrated me (one of them in particular, did some things that I was like, what are you doing?!) but it’s also one of those things where I think we all react to things very differently and I simply don’t know how I would feel, if it were me so even though I personally felt frustrated by some of the reactions and events, that is not to say that they weren’t valid or realistic. They actually felt incredibly realistic in their diversity, intensity and the emotion in them.
This is a story that will grip you immediately and you’ll find yourself turning pages probably long after you were supposed to stop to do other things! I resented any interruption that took me away from the story and couldn’t wait to get back to it every time! The characters are all so wonderfully done, you’ll find yourself feeling like you’ve stepped into this family. And the book has you waiting for something to happen and maybe convincing yourself it won’t.
You’ll never look at a butterfly the same way again.
October 19, 2025
The two almost 50 year-old MCs are Nora and Stevie Lucky; identical twins who were adopted as babies. They loved their adopted parents, and were loved in return. Stevie has never had an interest in looking for their biological parents, but Nora has always had a yearning to know. The story opens with the funeral of their mother Lillian and at the wake the two sisters have an argument and Nora announces she is going to look for their birth mother now Lillian has passed.
The sisters are very different Nora, the sensible one, and her husband run a very successful restaurant, they have no children, Nora lives for the restaurant, is a neat freak and obsessed with looking good, being fit and having nice things. She loves her sister but Stevie is very different - she is a more casual, fun-loving single mum who works in an Op shop, earning just enough to pay the rent with some left over. Her place is untidy and she loves KitKat chocolates. Her more sensible daughter, Cherry, is at university.
Stevie reluctantly agrees to looking for their birth mother despite feeling that nothing good will come of if. And she is both right and wrong with her feeling. What the two women discover is life changing and causes them both to question what their futures hold and what they can do about it.
I have been a fan of Rachael Johns for many years, have read all of her books, and she has never let me down with her amazing stories. I therefore feel more than qualified to say that hands down this is her best book ever! The journey that Rachael took me on through these two sisters was thought provoking, powerful and very relevant to me in one plot point - I laughed, gasped, was angry and cried before the end of the book arrived.
Thank you to Penguin Random House Australia for providing an advanced copy of this book, at my request, for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own
The sisters are very different Nora, the sensible one, and her husband run a very successful restaurant, they have no children, Nora lives for the restaurant, is a neat freak and obsessed with looking good, being fit and having nice things. She loves her sister but Stevie is very different - she is a more casual, fun-loving single mum who works in an Op shop, earning just enough to pay the rent with some left over. Her place is untidy and she loves KitKat chocolates. Her more sensible daughter, Cherry, is at university.
Stevie reluctantly agrees to looking for their birth mother despite feeling that nothing good will come of if. And she is both right and wrong with her feeling. What the two women discover is life changing and causes them both to question what their futures hold and what they can do about it.
I have been a fan of Rachael Johns for many years, have read all of her books, and she has never let me down with her amazing stories. I therefore feel more than qualified to say that hands down this is her best book ever! The journey that Rachael took me on through these two sisters was thought provoking, powerful and very relevant to me in one plot point - I laughed, gasped, was angry and cried before the end of the book arrived.
Thank you to Penguin Random House Australia for providing an advanced copy of this book, at my request, for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own
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