How to Lose the Lottery

by Jay McKenzie

'Heartwarming, nostalgic and poignant' Lucy Clarke

'Both achingly funny and poignant' Sally Page

'Tender and uplifting' Kate Storey

Buy a lottery ticket✅

Win your wildest dreams✅

Lose everything…?

One lucky ticket is about to change everything

Edie and Ron have been together for nearly fifty years, keeping each other afloat by the skin of their teeth. They’ve always been ordinary – until something very extraordinary happens.

Winning the lottery is everything they’ve ever wanted – well, almost.

Because for the last twenty years, Edie and Ron have been running from a secret that tore their family apart. And when you can suddenly buy everything you’ve ever wanted, you realise that the only thing you really want is the one thing money can’t buy.

Join Edie as she finally takes control. She’s had enough of playing the hand she’s been dealt – it’s time to risk it all.

400 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 26, 2026

Reviews

[Julia Rice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read an advance copy of the book.
All Edie ever wanted was a family. She grew up without a Dad and her Mum just wasn't there for her, as she had mental health issues. She meets Ron and falls in love. Eventually she has her twin boys , Sean and Colin but times are hard and her marriage isn't as she'd hoped.
This story jumps between before, meaning before the lottery win and after. I loved Edie and felt so sad for her. Her life before the lottery win was one hard slog and I hated her husband for not being there for her. The lottery win comes later in life when I presume Edie is in her 60's and it doesn't seem that money really is the answer to her problems. Her husband doesn't want to spend time with her and she suspects an affair. Something has happened with Sean her son but we don't find out until the last quarter of the book.
I really did enjoy this book and became very invested in the characters. It was very well written and I will definitely look out fir more by this author.

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although Edie and Ron are living as husband and wife, winning the lottery sends them off on very different journeys.  The story weaves together themes of privilege, friendship, family secrets, honesty, identity, and quiet courage. I was reasonably engaged throughout, though I did find parts of the book a little slow at times.

That said, there were some genuine surprises in the plot that caught me off guard and made me feel unexpectedly emotional. It’s not only really a story about the lottery win; it’s also about what truly matters beneath the surface.

I enjoyed it and would recommend it.
I received an advance review copy from NetGalley and the publisher.

[Roz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Edie and Ron have been together since their early 20’s and have struggled through with little money, family health problems and the tragedy of losing unborn babies. When their twin boys arrive they feel overjoyed and then soon become overwhelmed.

Years later they win the lottery. This moves them from their beloved family home to an area that houses footballers and the like. Edie struggles with her mental health and the loss of her son, who has become estranged.

Following the family on this journey was at times difficult and at others joyful. The characters were by no means perfect and all were flawed in some way, as we all are. The couple find their way back to each other, despite all their struggles and there are sad and heartbreaking moments along with the love of a good family.

I would recommend this and thank Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Claire Grove · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice read, nothing momentous and at times, I found it difficult to keep up with where we were (I don't usually struggle with dual timelines). I did feel for Edie - you could see why she reacted the way she did to the various situations and having been married a long time myself, I can see how difficult she found it to maintain relationships. There were plenty of secrets and lots of history but it really shows why communication is so important. The story also reveals how people react so differently to such a life changing event such as winning the lottery - Ron & Colin took to it without a problem, but to Edie, it just highlighted all the things that weren't good in her life, no matter how much money she now had.

[Linda Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book. Edie and Ron have been together for 50 years. They've always struggled financially so it's a miracle when they win the lottery and can now have everything money can buy. But the one thing Edie wants more than anything is to be reunited with her estranged son. The story takes us right back to the beginning of Edie and Ron's relationship and is a wonderful story of love, friendship and loss. I loved the characters and I recommend this as a great, heartwarming read.
Thanks to NetGalley for a preview copy.

[Emilie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Edie and Ron have spent nearly fifty years together, keeping each other afloat through an "ordinary" life until a winning lottery ticket changes everything. But for Edie, the jackpot is a complication. For the last twenty years, she and Ron have been running from a secret that tore their family apart, and she quickly realizes that the one thing she truly wants—reconciliation—is the one thing money cannot buy. Alternating between the "Before" and the "After," the story follows Edie as she finally decides to stop playing the hand she was dealt and risks everything to take control of her future.

My Review
I had a bit of a rocky start with this one. The narrative structure alternates every other chapter between the past (Before) and the present (After). In the first half of the book, I found this back-and-forth made the pacing feel quite slow, and I nearly stopped reading a couple of times. However, I am so glad I stuck with it, because the second half was a complete page-turner.

The story provides a deeply intimate look at Edie's life, following her journey from her 20s all the way through to her 60s/70s. I found the portrayal of Edie incredibly moving and her story truly poignant. She represents the "invisible" woman—the one who is ready to do absolutely anything for her family, even if it means losing herself in the process. There were so many moments where I wanted to shout at her family to open their eyes and actually listen to her, and just as many moments where I wanted to shout at Edie to make herself heard. She was right, and she had the power to stand up for herself all along.

The "Before" chapters also offered a fascinating look at the "battle" between the working and middle classes in the 60s/70s, which added a great layer of social tension to her history. While the buildup to the reveal of the family secret was quite long, it kept me completely gripped. It led me to imagine so many possible stories, and I found myself racing through the pages just to find out the truth.

This quote from the book really stayed with me, as it captures the emotional core of her journey:
"I doubted you, Edie-Eves. I doubted you and I'm sorry. You are the kindest strongest, bravest person I know, and I let myself forget that. Can you forgive me?"

Ultimately, I found her story to be both dramatic and sad. It was a powerful read that made me look at my own life and reflect on the sacrifices we make for those we love. It is a thought-provoking exploration of identity and the heavy secrets we carry over a lifetime.

Thank you to NetGalley, HarperCollins, and Jay McKenzie for providing an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Books Before Bs · Rating 1 out of 5]

From the synopsis, ‘How to Lose the Lottery’ ought to have been an easy four- or five-star read for me, and I wanted to like it—really, I did!—but, honestly, even putting aside the characters changing names halfway through and the author clearly not having even the slightest grasp on basic punctuation, this book is a total mess. It reads like a zero draft—the stage of writing where the author is just spewing any ideas onto the page before coming back to form a first draft, and then a second, and then a third… Forget rewrites, it’s hard to believe this novel has even been reread.

The biggest let-down for me is that the lottery win, which is such a central part of the synopsis—and is in the title, no less!—is completely irrelevant to the story. You could take it out easily, without the core plot being affected.

Then, there is the second part of the synopsis’s promise: a big family secret that they’ve been running from. This never manifested, and the secret that does come out at the end isn’t believable. Plus, the climax in which it is revealed feels incredibly forced, not to mentioned clichéd (the classic 'I don't know how to end this, so here's a car crash' trope), and it is mired with plot holes and implausibilities.

The problems do not end there. Rather than focusing on forming a tight, coherent, and believable central plot, the author chose to throw in dozens of random subplots, which—like the lottery win—have no bearing on the story, and often feel just as implausible as they are unnecessary. The main character is dull and whiny at best, while the others are often cheap caricatures. And the constant switching between timelines, which is handled so well in other books, is just confusing here, perhaps because the sections do not rejoin where they left off and the plot isn’t strong enough to give the reader hooks to cling to and reorient himself.

I could go on, but I don’t really think there is any need. TL;DR: It’s giving me less ‘How to Lose the Lottery’ and more ‘How Not to Write a Book’.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Jay McKenzie and HarperCollins for the ARC.

⚠️ Infertility, miscarriage, death of a parent, mental illness

[UKDana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Edie and Ron have won millions on the lottery, changing their lives forever. While Ron is embracing his new lifestyle, Edie is struggling to come to terms with the change in circumstances. Something in her past is holding her back from enjoying her newfound wealth.

In How To Lose The Lottery, author Jay McKenzie has combined three things that I love seeing in novels: a positive change in circumstances, older protagonists, and a north-east setting. When we first meet Edie and her family, the lottery win is behind them, and they are settled in their new home on an exclusive housing estate. Both husband Ron and son Colin are making the most of their newfound fortune. Edie, however, is still living as if nothing has changed in her life.

Wealth is not something Edie has ever dreamt about. As chapters alternate between the present and the past, we learn about Edie's troubled childhood, the struggles to make ends meet throughout her married life, and the love she has for her twin sons.

Present-day Edie is lonely. Having relocated from her little terraced house, she has lost contact with the friends she had. Not being able to drive makes things even more problematic. But underneath everything is an overwhelming sadness; having raised twin sons, only one is ever mentioned and the reader is left wondering what happened.

As we follow Edie through all the stages of her life, we meet a host of engaging characters. We're also embroiled in a couple of mysteries. Firstly, what happened to her other son? Secondly, why is husband Ron acting so secretively? My heart constantly went out to Edie; her life had been a difficult one, I desperately wanted her to find some happiness. The book just goes to show that while money can buy nice things, it can't bring about contentment.

If you enjoyed my review please check out my book blog, Reading For Leisure
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[Helen Haythornthwaite · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is so much more than I was expecting. It’s a family saga, with Edie at the helm, which spans the decades from the 1960’s into the 21st century.

The story is told from Edie’s perspective, and begins when she and her husband, Ron, have just won the lottery - becoming multi-millionaires overnight. What follows is a narrative divided into six sections - one for each of the winning numbers - with each chapter alternating between ‘before’ and ‘after’.

The ‘before’ chapters go all the way back to when Edie and Ron started courting in the 1960’s, and living as a poor, working-class family. The ‘after’ chapters see a new Edie emerging, but not quite in the way you might think…

I absolutely loved Edie, and just wanted her to find peace and happiness within herself throughout the pages of this book. She had such a tough childhood and grew up lacking in self-confidence and belief. She’s torn between looking after her mother and following the career of her dreams, or starting a life leading to a family of her own. She struggles to believe someone will love her, doubts her own judgement and finds it hard to communicate her own feelings and needs.

But slowly, we see another Edie emerge. One who dips her toe in the water and begins to make her own decisions, before plunging right in and putting her own happiness and desires first for once. She doesn’t enjoy a lottery win in the way you might expect, but it does mark a turning point in her life.

It’s a nostalgic read, and I did enjoy reminiscing while reading the parts set in the 1960s and 70s. While it is a tough life for the family, and they go through some terrible times, there are some humorous parts which had me laughing out loud. I think it’s a brilliant debut novel!


I was sent a proof copy by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Gill · Rating 4 out of 5]

We all dream of winning the lottery and all the things we’d buy, with a new home probably being first on the list. We join Edie and Ron in their new home. It’s luxury, especially in comparison to their old terraced home where they brought up their children and struggled along trying to make ends meet. But now Edie has moved, she can’t help missing her old place and it’s taken a move to realise she was happy there. Their son Colin lives with them after his divorce and both Ron and Colin are enjoying themselves living the dream with a new luxury car each. Edie on the other hand can’t help feeling lonely and there’s still a missing piece to the jigsaw, that would really make her happy.

The book then goes back and forth in time through alternating chapters as Ron and Edie’s story is gradually revealed, from the time they met in the 60’s right through all life’s ups and downs. Personally I preferred the present and would have liked to have heard more about that and a little less about their past. Once you approach the end of the book it all comes together and you can understand the reason for such a detailed backstory but I did find some aspects of the book incredibly slow to move along.

Once all the reveals came and for perhaps the last quarter of the book, for me the story really started to pick up and move along at a faster pace and I became quite engrossed. By the end I found it quite a thought provoking story and think it would make a good book club read. Highlighting the far reaching effects of less than perfect childhoods, sibling rivalry and tensions, class diversity and social disparities, there is more to this book than first thought. There aren’t many books I would re-read but I think this one does merit a second read to gain a deeper insight into earlier parts of the book. This is one book where perseverance, if you’re finding it a little slow, really does pay off.

[Stephanie Bull · Rating 4 out of 5]

How To Lose The Lottery is a poignant, character driven novel told through the eyes of Edie across two timelines. In one, we follow Edie as she meets Ron, full of hope for a bright future that turns into a difficult and draining reality. In the other, their lives are dramatically altered when a lottery ticket Edie buys for Ron's birthday wins the jackpot. As their circumstances change overnight, Edie is forced to confront whether money can truly fix what is already broken.

This is an emotional read, with Edie's voice carrying the story in a way that feels both raw and authentic. Her journey is marked by disappointment and quiet despair. Jay McKenzie captures her inner world with sensitivity and realism. The contrast between a fresh start and the reality of life with Ron, whose priorities quickly turn to cars, adds a layer of frustration and heartbreak that is hard to ignore.

What makes this novel stand out is how it subverts expectations. Rather than following a straightforward 'rags to riches' story, it develops into something more complex and layered. The author explores themes of mental health, loss and emotional isolation with care, creating a narrative that lingers long after the final page.

The supporting cast adds both warmth and lightness, with Verushka providing some wonderfully humorous and uplifting moments. Her presence, along with others who rally around Edie, offers a welcome balance to the heavier themes and highlights the importance of connection and support.

Perfect for fans of family sagas with real grit and emotional depth. It does include sensitive themes such as mental illness and miscarriage.

Many thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for my advance reader copy in return for my honest and unbiased review.

[Claire Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ll admit, a family drama isn’t my typical go to genre, but the title of this book was too intriguing to pass up. While the pacing felt a little slow to start, I’m very glad I stuck with it. Jay McKenzie has crafted a story that is as much a cautionary tale as it is a character study.

The standout feature for me was the layout. The chapters alternate between the time "Before" the lottery win and "After." This structure kept me consistently invested.It created a sense of mystery as I tried to piece together exactly how a life-changing windfall could lead to such a dramatic unraveling. The tension of watching a family’s foundation crack under the weight of sudden wealth was incredibly compelling. As the novel progresses we become increasingly aware that the family structure was in fact unravelled a long time ago, and watching how McKenzie managed to weave these two timelines together was fascinating

While I don't have a huge library of family dramas to compare this to, it felt fresh and different. It avoids the usual tropes of the genre and instead dives into the darker, more uncomfortable side of human greed and fractured loyalty. The characters are complicated and the consequences feel real.

If you are a thriller fan looking to branch out, this is a great bridge into contemporary drama. It’s a thought provoking, well structured look at the "curse" of getting everything you ever wanted. It may start slow, but the emotional payoff is well worth the wait.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this novel.

[Mags Schofield · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book for so many reasons.
I live just a couple of miles from Darras Hall where Edie, Ron and Colin buy the home of their dreams. My mother was born and bred in a mining village in County Durham, very similar to Boldon Colliery, where they started out, and I knew virtually every setting in the book. I could identify with the fiercely independent and hard working people who live in the area. Brought up to fight and work hard for everything they had, or do without. They had little or nothing, but shared with each other. They worked hard and loved hard.
Edie and Ron are powerfully written, as is Hilda, but we have some humour thrown in too with Carol and Pats, and later Jade and Verushka.
The story works on so many levels. Does money buy happiness? Can we be happy with what we have? Should we regret what's in the past? Can we make ourselves better? Does money makes us better?
Edie has so many regrets. About her mother and father, and a brother she never even knew about. She is determined to do better. But all anyone can do is their best.
The story of the past and present unfolds in two timeframes as we learn about her romance with Ron, the birth of her babies and her life after the big win. The lesson we learn is never to give up.
I really couldn't put this book down as I learn more about the McVey family.
Great thanks to Jay McKenzie, the publishers and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

How to Lose the Lottery is a warm, thoughtful novel that moves between past and present to explore how money changes a life — and how it doesn’t.

The story centres on Edie and her husband Ron, alternating between their humble beginnings and present day, where they have won the lottery. I really enjoyed this structure; the time jumps are handled smoothly and allow the characters to deepen gradually. Edie in particular feels very real — flawed, funny, and emotionally honest. Her friendships in her “new life” are one of the highlights of the book, especially her relationship with Jade, a pregnant soon-to-be single mother. These moments are warm, funny, and grounded, and they bring a lot of heart to the story.

There is also a quiet mystery running through the novel. Edie and Ron have two sons, Colin and Sean, yet only Colin appears in the present day timeline. This absence is slowly unravelled through the flashbacks, which reveal Edie’s upbringing in the shadow of a mentally unwell mother and her deep fears about her own ability to be maternal. This emotional thread is handled with sensitivity and adds real weight to the novel.

Overall, this is a character-driven story with believable relationships, emotional depth, and just enough mystery to keep you turning the pages. I found it engaging, moving, and very readable, and I would happily recommend it.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy of this book.

[Lorraine Woodall · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was expecting a funny lighthearted read but this turned out to be more emotional than that. The story follows Edie and Ron, a couple who’ve spent the majority of their lives just scraping by, and then suddenly everything changes when they win the lottery. On the surface, it sounds like a dream situation, but the book quickly shows that money doesn’t fix everything. In fact, it ends up bringing a lot of their past issues to the surface..
What I really liked was how character focused it is. It’s not really about the lottery itself, it’s more about relationships, regret, and second chances. Edie in particular stood out to me. Watching her start to question her life and finally take control of things made the story feel quite empowering in a quiet way.
The book moves between two timelines, before and after, this added a lot of depth, especially in understanding their relationship.
It’s not fast or dramatic and exciting but more emotional and reflective. There are moments that feel quite sad, especially when you realise how much of their lives has been shaped by things they never really dealt with, they really did lack communication.
I’d describe this as a gentle and thoughtful read. It’s about what happens after the dream comes true, and whether happiness is really as simple as having money. It’s the kind of book that stays with you.

[Susanne Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fascinating read. Firstly I loved that it was based around Newcastle and South Shields which are areas I’m familiar with, I loved seeing areas I know today being described 50 years ago.

You’d think winning the lottery would be the ultimate dream, not for Edie. Edie loves her life, every ounce of happiness she had before the win she worked hard for and really appreciated it, then money changed everything. I loved the flash backs to see Edie and Ron’s life from the start, how they muddled through life and tried to make the best of things. I really felt for poor Edie, and cried when reading how overwhelmed she was as a new mother and later trying to keep everything running but feeling under appreciated. Her feelings were easily identifiable and really highlighted how much has changed over the years.

I loved the new friends Edie made, who really saw her and wanted to help, her money wasn’t a factor. Edie learnt to stand up for herself and try to find her estranged son, and throughout this we get flash backs to what happened. My heart broke for her. I enjoyed the plot and how it slowly divulged more info and gave us a greater insight in Edie’s life.

I don’t want to give any spoilers, but the ending was perfect and I had tears in my eyes reading. This is an amazing read and I think everyone should read it.

[Soozee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unexpectedly this was a very powerful book - unexpected because of the subject matter, which could easily have been a light froth. Edie has had a struggle of a life, with a lovely, hardworking husband Ron and twin boys but the shadow of her mother's illness and her poverty have ground her down. The book explores what happens when they win the lottery.

They sent one twin to private school, under a scholarship, and suffered humiliation as he moved from their sphere and his new friends and their parents looked down on them. Then when they have won the money, Edie's old friends no longer want to know her. The book takes us very skilfully into Edie's past to learn how previous events have shaped her, as well as showing her trying to move on with her life after the win.

The book explores relationships, the difficulties of poverty and mental illness, and how resilient human beings can be. I was weeping for Edie as so much of her life resonated with everyday events we all experience, on one level or another. Its a powerful piece of writing, never sensationalist, but very direct and full of understanding. A cracking, if difficult, read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for allowing me access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very slow and dull start to this novel. The timeframe switches between before and after winning the lottery for Edith and Ron; having married the couple originally lived with Ron’s mother Hilda until Edith is left a run down miners cottage. Raising twin boys, Sean and Colin, played heavily on Edith who felt inadequate as a mother, but persevering to give both boys the opportunity normally denied to a working class family, Sean won a scholarship only for him to be offered a home by the parents of a school friend. Ron’s subsequent financial troubles only added to the equation until they won the lottery and their lives changed forever.

It’s only when three quarters of the way through this book did the story become interesting. The background and story line are well written and this pulls the earlier chapters together, displaying the human elements and characters. Money might not buy love, but the wealth did not affect Edith’s kind heart, generosity and friendships of those she loved.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers HarperCollins for this ARC for review.

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Edie and Ron have struggled financially all their lives. Struggling to keep his garage afloat kept Ron working day and night. Edie longed for a proper family. She had been brought up by her mother, her father having gone from their lives. Her mother struggles with her mental health. They lived with Ron's mother for many years and Edie had twin boys.

When they were in their sixties they won the lottery. Suddenly money was no problem. However money can't buy you happiness and whilst Ron spent his time on cars, she mourned the loss of the people in her old life.

Told from two perspectives, before and after the win the contrast is stark. What did happen to Sean- the clever twin? Has Ron been cheating? How will Edie make a new life for herself? I loved Edie and the strange group of friends she managed to gather around her- especially the eccentric Russian lady!

This was a very enjoyable read that makes you count your blessings. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book.

[Kirsty · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really well written book with real heart. Easy to read, you were laughing with Eadie one minute and crying the next. I loved Eadie's relationships with her friends at all stages of her life. I studied in the North East and the characters felt true to the place and time (late 60s to early noughties). Her relationship with her mother felt real, sad but of its time. However, her husband was awful to her, but she still apparently thought he was wonderful. The resolution to the son’s arc was also kind of muddled. Had the story solely been about the strength of feminine friendships, I think this could have been an easy 5⭐️ for me. As the book wore on, I started to think I might struggle with the conclusion to the plot, and I do feel the misogynists kinda won in the end. A shame, because I definitely don’t think that’s what the author intended. I do hope to read more books by the author and hope she gets a tighter edit on her second book. 5⭐️ for funny and warm writing; 3⭐️ for the latter third of the plot. Meet in the middle and say 4🌟.

[Ink · Rating 5 out of 5]

How to Lose the Lottery by Jay McKenzie is jthe type of relatability I can get behind. Take an ordinary couple, who have been married for decades, and give them a life-changing amount of money. Will they both use it the same way? React the same way? Will their marriage endure?

Edie and Ron have had their ups and downs in life, but through it all, they have stuck together, that is, until a winning lottery ticket turns their lives upside down... and it is not just their lives they are thinking about

This book is soul food. I found the characters to be authentic in how each had different reactions and motivations, but most of all, I absolutely loved Edie. Not just because she is the storyteller and protagonist, but her heart, her stoicism and most of all her love of family in the face of adversity. Edie was really well written

A really, really enjoyable read and I look forward to seeing more from Jay McKenzie

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction | HarperCollins for this wonderful ARC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

[Fay Cadman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming, relatable read with a brilliant sense of place ⭐⭐⭐⭐
I received a free digital copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
What a fun and surprisingly moving read this was! The switching between timelines — past and present day — was handled really well and kept me engaged throughout. Piecing together how the characters got from then to now gave the story a great sense of momentum, and I found myself flying through the chapters.
As someone familiar with Newcastle, the local references were a real highlight. It added a wonderful authenticity to the setting and made it feel genuinely grounded in a place with real character.
The themes around motherhood really resonated with me too. McKenzie captures brilliantly how relentless and complicated it is to juggle life as a mum — the guilt, the love, the sheer mental load of it all. It never felt preachy, just honest and real.
A thoroughly enjoyable story with heart. Well worth picking up!

[LindyLouMac · Rating 3 out of 5]

Prior to reading 'How to Lose the Lottery' I had never heard of Jay McKenzie, despite the fact she has, I now know has had her writing published at least since 2019.

Edie and Ron are the protagonists of this story which is written as a dual time line, before and after the couple have a big lottery win. Their lives are obviously richer in monetary terms and the financial struggles they had coped with for years were resolved. The couple had not had an easy marriage and they encountered difficulties from their very first meeting. Money certainly does not guarantee happiness though as Edie in particular very soon discovered.

Although well written I found the storyline very slow and at times boring, however I do recommend the author for her writing style.

With thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read and review.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

How to Lose the Lottery follows Edie and Ron's life after they met in the 1960's. I initially struggled with this read at the start, I really wasn't too keen on the characters and found them quite hard to like - Edie came across as very selfish to say the least. The more I read though and found out more of their upbringing (particularly Edies) the more they slowly grew on me. The authors writing is good and engaging. I liked how the story moved from past to present easily and found it easy to have empathy for Edie after their lottery win. Ron and Colin, not so much though. The story follows Edie and Ron's relationship over 40 years and how their friendship circle changes after their win. I loved Veroushka. The ending gives the story good closure and considering this is a book I would say I didn't much like at first, it did get better as I was reading it.

3 stars

[Toni · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really touching book about the life and love of couple, Edie and Ron. It charts their relationship before and after a life-changing lottery win, focusing on family and friendships.It's fair to say that Edie and Ron's relationship had lost its way over the years, partly due to a challenge in the family, Edie's insecurity and their financial challenges. They moved homes after winning the lottery, and they thought that would make a positive difference, but it actually seemed to do the reverse. Edie and Ron grew more distant, and Edie lost contact with many of her friends as they no longer had anything in common.

What was nice about it was that Edie uses the experience to come into her own and make a new group of friends and they address the bigger issues. One thing that surprised me is that the lottery win doesn't really have a focus in the book.

Thanks to Jay McKenzie, Harper Collins and NetGalley for this ARC in return for an honest review.

[Hilary Mcfaul · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book stole my heart! This is the story of female friendship, hard times and what happens when you can’t believe in yourself. Edie (Edyth) and Ron win the lottery later in life but money doesn’t solve their struggles or change the past. We get to learn about their past and current lives in alternating chapters (before and after the lottery win) Edie is the main character and the book explores the impact of being raised by a mother with mental health challenges, poverty and the misconceptions of the rich. It’s about the damage caused by lack of communication in a marriage and low self-belief. I LOVED THIS BOOK! I laughed and I cried. It handles the complex issues so very well and the writing style draws you in and keeps you reading.
Thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollinsUK for this ARC.

[Elizabeth Currie · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who definitely dreams of winning the lottery (not that I do it, but my husband has done it religiously from the start), I was intrigued by the premise of How to Lose the Lottery. It proved to be a touching read, a reminder that whilst money helps, there are some things that no amount of money can buy.

Moving between before and after, we are introduced to Edie and Ron whose lives are materially transformed when they win the lottery. It should be life changing but for Edie it proves to be isolating - and as we go back to when she and Ron first met, we understand all she has been through, and seeing her emerge and move forward with her family by her side is a delight.

It's emotional at times - but there is also some lovely humour guaranteed to make you smile. A heartwarming debut!

[Nat Eveleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

Edie and Ron have won the lottery, and what could be better?! Edie and Ron have been married for a long time, and have always "made do", but now they can buy exactly what they want with no worries, and of course they buy a new house and move away from their small home. But sometimes having money doesn't make everything better.

I really loved this book, and it's not usually one I would read. I loved reading about Edie's present and past, and how she ended up where she did, and what strains and issues has made her life not as happy as she would like. It really was well written, and the characters were great, I definitely became invested in them all and where this story was going to end up. Fantastic and light hearted read. Would recommend.

[Hannah Symonds · Rating 3 out of 5]

Edie and Ron are a match made in heaven , going through all kinds of things in their marriage and staying with each other through thick and thin that is how a marriage should be. Their family haven't wanted to know them since a secret tore their family apart. But now the most amazing thing has happened they have won the lottery. It was interesting to see if the family would come back with their tails between their legs. But Edie wants something else and this time she is going to get it. I felt as though the story was multi layered, it had a kind of depth to it that there was more to it than meets the eye. It was a powerful and thought provoking story. It was a read that it did not blow me away but was readable.

[Kelly Hollingworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many of us have dreamed of winning the lottery. I know we have - wondering to what extent it might change us, our lifestyle, our outlook on life. In this book Ron and Eddie McVey win a large amount. They have had a tough life personally and financially and suddenly find themselves able to have everything they want. But money cannot buy the one thing Edie wants. I absolutely loved this book, especially the strong women - Edie of course, but Pats, Jade and Verushka. The latter two made me smile, laugh and a little tearful at times. This is a wonderful read that will have readers feeling a rollercoaster of emotions and contemplating whether that winning ticket is really worth it! I highly recommend this book.