The Lottery Winner Widows Club

by Elly Vine

Paula is having a surreal week. Having just lost her husband, John, in a freak car accident, she's utterly shocked when two days later, she wins the lottery - with the ticket he bought.

Just as she thinks things can't get crazier, Paula is approached by a tight-knit trio of glamorous women - also jackpot winners - with dead husbands, suspiciously large bank accounts... and a very specific interest in Paula.

They tell her they've been where she is now. That grief looks good on her. That freedom does, too. There's just one Paula didn't kill her husband. She loved him. Of course she did.

But something about their world - lavish, secretive, thrilling - is hard to resist. And when word of Paula's jackpot win spreads and others come sniffing around for a share, she's faced with the ultimate hold onto her old life, or accept help from her new friends, whose methods are a little more... unconventional.

Twisty, mischievous, and deliciously dark, The Lottery Winner Widows Club is a story of luck, lies, and the dangerous appeal of starting over.

Genres: Fiction, Audiobook

384 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication August 11, 2026

Reviews

[Jo Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want to be Audrey when I grow up, I’m googling pashminas right now, I even have the mad dog, I just don’t have the bank balance or the Jag, but I’m manifesting.

This was a real feel good laugh out loud romp, which wasn’t initially what I expected but was absolutely what I needed. It’s screen ready too so it might be one to look out for in more ways than one.

Paula has been, in the course of a few days, hit with 2 of the biggest shocks of her life, and she doesn’t know how to cope with it, her family are trying to help but she’s really just stuck in a rut until the mysterious Teddy turns up quite literally in her house with an invite to join TLWWC the group of women become firm friends have some mad cap adventures and offer Paula a happiness that she never knew she was missing. There’s a serious undercurrent to the story but it’s delivered in a way that you’ll forgive the little group almost anything.

Great fun.

Huge thanks to Headline Audio via NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ALC 🎧

Solid 4 ⭐️ I loved the narration too.

[mel_neverendingtbr · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic read, I couldn’t put it down. I definitely didn’t see some of the twists and turns coming.

Paula’s husband John dies whilst away on a work trip, 2 days later she finds out that they have won the lottery.

Whilst also dealing with her grief for her husband she gets a visit from a trio of women who also have won the lottery and also all have dead husbands.

Then the news comes out to the public that she’s won the lottery and lost her husband and then there is lots of speculation that she killed him. When the news comes out, she gets lots of messages and calls from people wanting her money, who can she trust?

As she starts to get used to her husband not being around, what will happen when a shocking discovery and secrets come to light? Will she be able to move on?

Received from Netgally

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the premise of this book but my favourite part was the friendships that came out of a highly unusual situation, especially as everyone in the friendship group were such different characters.

I liked that we found out more about Paula & Johns relationship quite far into the book as I was then hooked from about halfway through and wanting to find out more.

I think there were a few parts of the book that were a little repetitive in places, but overall I did enjoy!

[Gosia · Rating 4 out of 5]

“How has her life come to this? A dead husband, twenty million in the bank, an adult son living in the shed, and endless days spent hiding away from the internet comment sections.”

The premise of this story was really interesting! It took me a while to get really hooked on the story, the plot was quite slow to unravel at first, but it picked up closer to 50% mark and somewhere around 70-80% it was packed with quite a lot of action and plot twists.
Even with the slow beginning, I think the plot was very well planned and executed.

It’s not exactly a story with likable characters, at least I didn’t particularly like any of them, but I also didn’t not like them. Each character was definitely well written, with quite strong characteristics.
The antics (let’s call it that) of the widows club got ridiculous at some points (in entertaining and funny way!), so you have to squint your eyes a bit and not worry about the logic or probability of some of their actions/plans but overall it worked well for this plot and this type of book.

There were even a couple moments when I laughed!
At the end (maybe from 70% or something like that) it got pretty dark due to themes it touched - domestic abuse. It could be overwhelming and pretty depressive for a moment, but at the very end the overall mood was back to light, funny and a bit quirky.

I got both the ARC and ALC. I was mostly listening to the audiobook, with immersive reading at times.
Although the book is under 400 pages, the audiobook is pretty long - over 11h. It’s narrated by Virginia Grainger.
I was mostly listening with speed 2.0x, getting to 2.5 or even 3x at times. The narration was very good. I did have a small issue following some of the dialogues but this is when the ARC came in handy, and also it might have been due to my listening speed. I wish NetGalley had more options of listening speed between 2-3x, cause 2.0 was still a bit too slow for me, but 3.0x was too fast.
I guess if you’re not listening to an ALC but the published version, there should be more options of setting up speed.

Big thanks to Headline and Headline Audio for the NetGalley arc+alc



~~~
The only highlights I made:

“‘Male violence is not something we should be aspiring to. We should stick to female violence as much as possible. And there’s nothing wrong with a bit of poison, if that’s what we’re left with. We just need to find some.’”

“‘Oh my God,’ she says at last. ‘Oh my God. So you really, actually, totally didn’t murder your husband. Oh my God!’ ‘No,’ says Paula, shaking her head. ‘But I should’ve done.’”

[VickydpBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meet The Lottery Winner Widows Club - a fabulous, filthy-rich sisterhood whose husbands all hit the jackpot . . . and then mysteriously dropped dead.

I enjoyed this book,

Twisty, mischievous, and deliciously dark, The Lottery Winner Widows Club is a story of luck, lies, and the dangerous appeal of starting over, from a fresh new voice in the crime world.

[Lesley · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took me a while to get into this book, I must confess, however, I later understood why. I got a bit frustrated by Paula the main character, whose life has just been turned upside down by the death of her husband and her massive lottery win soon after, but you need to be patient and then you understand more why she is as easily pushed around as she is.
I enjoyed the plot thoroughly and it’s very well thought out, sure, some of it is a bit far-fetched but it’s fiction……poetic licence is allowed. I also enjoyed thinking about what I might do first if I won a huge amount on the lottery. What I found a little hard to believe was that her two grown up children at no point so much as suggested that she give them any money!
As the book went on I got more and more engrossed in it and by the three-quarters of the way through I was looking for excuses to sit down and read………….always a good sign.
It’s my first book by this author, I’d be happy to read more.
My thanks, as always go to the author, the publishers and to NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review of ‘The Lottery Winner Widows Club’ by Elly Vine, due to be published on 26 March 2026 by Headline, Wildfire.

Paula, dealing with the unexpected news of her husband’s death in Austria, learns that they have won the lottery - £21 million to be exact. She’s shell shocked, unsure what to do with the money whilst navigating her life as a widow.

Enter Teddy, Audrey and Ivy - three fellow recent widows who also happen to have won the lottery, who bring Paula back to life and get up to wonderful antics together.

This was a light hearted, amusing story which has well written characters, centring around the four main female protagonists. It’s a story of flourishing friendship, love, grief, acceptance and revenge. A fun read that is recommended.

[Kath · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well... I took a bit of a punt on this book and I am so glad I did. I blooming loved it from start to finish. Even though it wasn't quite what I was expecting, it definitely ticked every box for me.
We start with Paula who is having a bit of a life at the time we meet her. She has just lost love-of-her-life husband John in a freak car accident in Austria. This obviously devastates her. But then, a couple days later their lottery numbers come up, winning her just shy of 20 million quid. Bitter sweet. Mixed emotions. All that and more, and totally overwhelming. Her grown up children Seb and Tilly try and help her but she can't really function. Until, that is, she is recruited to join Teddy and Audrey in their "Lottery Winners Widow's Club". They are joined swiftly by Ivy and the three of them try and get Paula to embrace her new found freedom, and money.
And that's all I am saying as the shocks and reveals you will discover herein won't be as wonderfully hard hitting if you inadvertently find out something too early. Suffice to say I knew nothing going in and, oh my days, the twists and turns and directions this story took, all the way through... Most of them completely flooring me, all of them impressing me and, occasionally kicking myself for not realising. Absolutely brilliant! And that ending! And the epilogue...
And the characters... please say this is not the last we hear from them. I love each and every one of the four club members and Seb of course. Tilly is still a bit of an unknown quantity but I would like to get to know her and her wife better. Please say this isn't the end for them. They have so much more to give. A sequel at least please :)
And then, as usually do when I think I have found another potential favourite author, and I want to zoom off and add all her back catalogue to my TBR, from the afterward, I discover out that "Elly" Vine is a pseudonym for "Lucy" Vine who is a RomCom author. Now, that's not my usual genre but I have been known to dip my toes so, obviously, I now have all her books on my TBR.
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

[Rachel Gilbey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had a great time reading this book. In fact reading may not be accurate, I devoured it. I was enjoying it so much I wasn't aware of time passing, I just needed to keep knowing what would happen next.

It also raises the question of if you were to win big on the lottery and were in a less than ideal marriage, would you get rid of your husband in a permanent manner?

As that is the premise of the group of new friends Paula finds herself making, only she is adamant that she didn't kill John, she is grieving him, she is helpless without him But yet the others have offed their husbands, and are all rather rich too.

And with that you have a fledgling friendship, where Paula starts to discover who she is without John. Her adult children seem to have pre-conceived ideas as to what she should do, and there are relatives and all manner of people asking her for money, after word of the Lottery win gets out.

Some of them far more sinister than others!

And this new group of women, they are a breath of fresh air, various ages, but they don't just want to stop with their own husbands, they would ideally like to rid the world of other horrific men. But well things aren't always as they seem, and it turns out cold heartedly plotting something is easier said than done!

There are multiple twists and turns, and plenty of reveals that I certainly didn't see coming at all. There is a total and utter mastermind to the group, who is utterly brilliant too.

I absolutely loved my time spent with Audrey, Teddy, Ivy and both Paulas (one is in dog form). I loved the various extravagant purchases mentioned, as well as Paula now trying to adjust to the fact that she can afford to spend money.

I'm also incredibly impressed that an author I know more as a rom-com author, under another name, is now writing fabulous comic crime. I think she may have found a new niche and long may it continue.

This is a lot of fun, and I was incredibly satisfied with the ending. I just really hope this isn't the last we see of these wonderful women.

Thank you to Wildfire and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

[Elizabeth]

I can highly recommend The Lottery Winner Widows Club (Kindle Edition) a crime novel with humour in the mix by Elly Vine. Her book, Hot Mess is optioned for a TV series in America.

Paula has recently become a widow due to having lost her husband John in a car crash abroad. Then out of the blue, Paula wins twenty million in the lottery.

Then Teddy contacts Paula to join their elite clique which is known as The Lottery Winner Widows Club aka TLWWC.

They inform her that they too have been in her shoes as they too have killed their partners, except Paula hasn't killed her husband.

The three merry widows all have different personalities. Teddy an American forty-something, who dresses like a football WAG was a former lawyer. Audrey in her eighties, has a pet dog called Paula also has a wicked sense of humour. Ivy who is even younger than Paula's two adult children who believes in making the world a better place for abused women. Audrey has called themselves the four muskateers in jest.

Paula's grown son Seth and daughter Tilly arrange for them to all have grief counselling, especially as Paula is struggling since John's demise. Paula is keeping things that she has locked away all through her marriage in order to maintain a united front for her children.

After John's death, Paula discovers he has kept things from her as mean looking men come knocking on her door demanding money, an entanglement with his secretary, and a big cover up.

Relativism or euphemism, the doctrine that knowledge, truth and morality exist in relation to culture, society, or historical context, and are not absolute sums up the four merry widows.

I felt for Paula, as she could not carry on with her care work, due to the press hounding her. Also the enormous amount of wealth that felt more like a hindrance than a blessing.

Paula felt a comaradie with the three widows who released her from a caterpillar into a butterfly. She shared experiences which she never had with John as her new found friends took her on cruises and flights to hotter climates.

[UKDana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fate seems to be playing tricks on Paula. At the same time, she learns that her husband has died in a terrible accident abroad, she also discovers that she's won millions on the lottery. Both events leave Paula feeling numb; luckily, some like-minded people are there to help her come to terms with the events.

I thoroughly enjoyed this comedy crime caper; it is pure escapism. Paula is overwhelmed by the two pieces of news she receives; things are made doubly difficult as her husband, John, is the one who made all the decisions. Thankfully, another lottery winner, Teddy, seeks her out and takes her under her wing. Through the glamorous Teddy, she is also introduced to another lottery winner, Audrey, and both admit to killing their abusive husbands after winning big. They are both convinced that Paula is responsible for John's death.

The longer Paula is with Teddy and Audrey, the more she comes out of her shell. It was lovely to see the personal growth Paula goes through, although there are still lots of times when she hesitates over making decisions. She's particularly reluctant to stand up to her grown-up children.

Taking a fourth lottery-winning female under their wing, the group decides that they are going to put their particular skills to use and free women from abusive relationships by murdering the men responsible. This leads to some hilarious situations. I found myself giggling at times over the antics of the trio.

There is a serious side to the story, with some alarming statistics shared with the reader. Unfortunately, the group of women proves to be poor at murder, but they are still able to ensure that fate comes calling for some of the despicable men in the story.

If you enjoyed my review please check out my book blog, Reading For Leisure
https://readingforleisure.blogspot.com/

or follow me on:-
Twitter; @Debbie_Hart_UK
Instagram; @reading_for_leisure_blog

[Debbie Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review: The Lottery Winner's Widow's Club by Elly Vine
I’ll admit, when I first picked up The Lottery Winner's Widow's Club, I expected a breezy, perhaps slightly superficial "chick-lit" romp about spending millions. What I actually found was a story with surprising heart, a bit of grit, and a very relatable exploration of what happens when the "big win" doesn’t actually fix your life.
What the Book is About
The story follows a group of women who share a very specific, bittersweet bond: they were all married to men who hit the jackpot, only to lose their husbands shortly after. Instead of living the dream, they’re left navigating massive wealth alongside massive grief—all while dealing with the "vultures" (family and strangers alike) who think a bank balance cancels out a broken heart.
My Personal Takeaways
* The Emotional Weight: I was impressed by how Elly Vine handled the nuance of grief. It’s not just about sadness; it’s about the guilt of inheriting a fortune you’d trade in a heartbeat to have your partner back.
* The "Club" Dynamic: The chemistry between the women is the soul of the book. I loved seeing how their different backgrounds clashed and then eventually fused into a support system that no one else could provide.
* The Pacing: It’s a fast read. Vine has a knack for sharp dialogue and keeping the plot moving with enough "what would I do?" scenarios to keep you turning pages.
Final Verdict
I’d give this a solid 4 out of 5 stars. It’s the kind of book that makes you look at your own life and realize that while money can buy a bigger house, it can’t buy a seat at a table for someone who’s gone. It’s poignant, occasionally funny, and deeply human.

Key takeaway: A "wealthy" read that reminds you the most valuable things in life aren't found in a bank vault, but in the people who show up when the world gets quiet.

[Mary Lawrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book; it was great fun to read, with some darkly funny & tense moments, plenty of twists & turns & and an unexpected ending. Paula’s nightmare begins when she has a phone call informing her that her husband died in a car accident whilst overseas on business. Soon afterwards she gets news of a huge lottery win. She doesn’t cope well with these situations, which frustrates both her children, but especially bossy daughter Tilly. Life starts looking up for Paula when fellow lottery winners Teddy & Audrey (also widows, both in mysterious circumstances!) turn up & take her under their wing. Much hilarity ensues as the three of them, now joined by Ivy, spend their winnings & enjoy life to the full; one of my favourite events is the time they take Paula to view a (highly unsuitable!) mansion accompanied by Audrey’s small dog (confusingly, also named Paula!) who took a liking to the hapless young estate agent!

It was a fun & enjoyable read. However, it took me a while to get into the story & I read the second half much faster than the first, eager to find out how it would all end. I found Paula a bit frustrating at times & it’s only in the second half of the book that we find out her back story, & then I felt I understood her better. There’s an extensive cast of supporting characters, some more likeable than others. Her daughter Tilly was bossy & managing but son Seb was gentle & understanding when we eventually got to know him. It’s the kind of story where people & events seem improbable, so for me it’s been a matter of suspending belief & just enjoying the fun. Having finished reading, I can appreciate the quality of the writing & the way the different strands of the story fit together. It is a good read & I will be looking out for more by this new author for me (& her alter ego, Lucy Vine!).

Thanks to the author, Netgalley & publishers Wildfire for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

“It really is such bad timing that John’s dead. Just when the biggest thing to ever happen to either of them – to anyone she’s ever met! – has occurred. Just when she and John have won twenty-one million pounds on the lottery. How is she going to manage this on her own?”

This was such a fun read! With so many twists and turns, and unexpected reveals, this is a book that’ll keep you guessing. Fast paced and very entertaining.

Paula has had two pieces of big news - firstly she’s just found out she’s won over 20 million on the lottery, secondly she’s just found out her husband has died in an accident abroad. Her life gets even more complicated when she begins to unravel her husbands secrets, and then a strange group of women get in contact with her - they’re a group who’ve apparently killed their husbands and then won the lottery.

‘Well,’ she begins, then pauses. ‘Me and a friend are putting together a group of . . . like-minded women,’ she explains in a lowered voice, elongating her vowels. ‘We’re both lottery winners who’ve . . . lost our husbands. We’re thinking of calling ourselves – are you ready for this, babe? –  The Lottery Winner Widows Club!’ She pauses. ‘And we want you to join.’”

This is a book that celebrates female friendships - in her fellow Widows Paula finds not only companionship, but begins to find herself. Despite all the murders and their shenanigans, Paula is on a journey of self-discovery and I loved how this played out in the book. There’s also great themes of feminism - supporting women’s rights and women’s wrongs - and the struggles of patriarchal oppression. This is all tied together with a hilarious comedic tone.

Overall this book took plenty of turns I wasn’t expecting and was a read I couldn’t put down!

ARC copy provided by Headline & NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

[Books By Your Bedside · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Thanks to NetGalley and Wildfire for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.

This had such a beautiful, eye-popping cover which I loved.

Elly Vine is a pseudonym for Lucy Vine, so this is her debut novel under that name. I have looked at her Lucy Vine books but I haven't read any, and so I had no expectations going in.

This was fun. It's funny and naughty; is it the most sophisticated of writing? No, but I didn't really mind as the story was interesting enough that it didn't really matter.

I loved this group of women. They're strangers who someone become friends, bonding over shared experiences. They're all so different and made it exciting to read.

Paula was an interesting protagonist. She's obviously been hit with two shocks - one good and one bad - and she's just trying to keep her head above water, and it's not helped by her family, although I accept they are just trying to support her. But I really felt for her and just wanted her to get through this. She is a bit of a doormat at times, and that is a bit annoying but I forgive her.

I will say the tone is a bit haphazard. It's not a big issue, it doesn't spoil the reading of it, but it tries to be serious but wrapped up in comedy, but it doesn't always gel, so you get a bit confused as to how you're meant to feel about it.

It is a bit repetitive at times, particularly in the middle it sags slightly, but on the whole it was quite easy to read and for the most part it zoomed by.

Whilst it is ultimately a funny comedy, an uplifting, quite frivolous book, it does touch upon some difficult subjects, particularly that of bereavement and grief, and I think she's handled that very well.

[mrsbookworm5 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Synopsis—Paula is having a surreal week. Having just lost her husband, John, in a freak car accident, she's utterly gobsmacked when, two days later, she wins the lottery - with the ticket he bought.

Just as she thinks things can't get crazier, Paula is approached by a tight-knit trio of glamorous women - also jackpot winners - with dead husbands, suspiciously large bank accounts . . . and a very specific interest in Paula.

They tell her that they've been where she is now. That grief looks good on her. That freedom does, too. There's just one problem: Paula didn't kill her husband. She loved him, of course.

But something about their world - lavish, secretive, thrilling - is hard to resist. And when word of Paula's jackpot win spreads and others come sniffing around for a share, she's faced with the ultimate choice: hold onto her old life, or accept help from her new friends, whose methods are a little more . . . unconventional.

#mythoughts

A very easy and engaging read. After Paula’s husband dies in a car accident, she unexpectedly wins over £20 million on the lottery. Soon after, she meets an intriguing group of women — Teddy, Audrey and Ivy — who have also all “won” the lottery… but each of them has killed their husbands too. Or have they?

Paula’s daughter, Tilly, and her son, Seb, think she has lost the plot in her grief, as she begins behaving in ways they never expected. Through moments of darkness and sharp, cohesive conversations, we slowly see a clearer picture of Paula’s life emerge.

I don’t want to say too much and spoil what is such an enjoyable read. It’s full of humour, brilliant characters and witty dialogue, all with a subtle undercurrent of seriousness running beneath the surface.

[Rosie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book opens with the main character Paula's who has found out she has won the lottery and become a widow. Her children Tilly and Seb are treating her like a child and her overbearing brother's in law treat her like dirt and she mostly goes along with it. I found myself screaming and swearing at them all to leave her be to grieve and make her choices in her own time. The book is a bit slow at this point but it's worth persevering as it all makes sense later. Well it does other than one particularly bad choice, Seb letting the uncles know about the lottery win, leads to more similarly bad decisions which leads to the win being made public.

Paula can barely leave the house let alone go back to work which she planned to do. Luckily a stranger called Tina Edwina aka Teddy turns up and invites her to join The Lottery Winners Widows Club. This is under the false impression that Paula murdered her husband John.

Against her better judgement Paula joins the club with Teddy and Eileen and has more fun, friendship, power and adventure than she has in the 3 decades of her marriage. The pick up a new member and there is a strong sense of sisterhood and they are very supportive of each other although Eileen goes a bit rogue at times.

There are themes of death, murder and domestic abuse.

A very enjoyable book with unexpected events and twists. I found the narration fit the book well and was very clear. I would listen to books read by this narrator again. Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for audio DRC, it was much appreciated and I would highly recommend this version.

[Sifa Poulton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an audiobook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. It has not affected my opinions.

THE LOTTERY WINNER WIDOWS CLUB is at times funny and at times poignant.

This is a book I really struggled to categorise. I thought, based on the cover and marketing, it would be a comedic thriller - and it was very funny at times - but it didn't really have the pacing or plot throughlines that would make it a thriller. It also spent a lot of time on grief and reactions to trauma in a way that meant it wasn't really a comedy. Contemporary is a very vague genre, but it's the best one I can find (and I really don't like "chick lit" as a category because it has very derogatory connotations).

This mismatch in expectations did mean it took me a while to get into it. However, once I'd adjusted to what the book actually was, I really liked it. It's a very thoughtful, human portrait of grief, denial, and healing - and also a slightly absurd tale of women with good intentions and absolutely no ability to actually execute their plans. This absurdism really helps balance that more serious side and also creates a sense of unreality that makes it feel easier and safer to engage with the various forms of domestic abuse in the tale.

Virginia Grainger narrates. I thought she did well at bringing Paula's reserve to life and never made her untraditional way of processing her shock and complex feelings about the situation feel silly or wrong. She also made Audrey and Teddy (two of the friends) really feel larger than life.

[Aga · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you Headline Audio | Wildfire and NetGalley for this ALC, out March 26th.

First of all - that title. Jackpot winners… or husband killers? I was sold immediately. It promises drama, secrets, and a little bit of champagne-fuelled chaos — and the story absolutely delivers on that vibe.

I was genuinely delighted to receive this as an audiobook, but unfortunately the narration didn’t work for me. The monotone delivery made it difficult to fully connect with the story at times, and I almost gave up early on. For a book that relies on tension, personality and morally grey nuance, the performance felt a little flat.

That said - the story itself kept me going.

I was especially invested in Paula. Her character development and emotional arc were the strongest part of the book for me. Watching her navigate loyalty, power, friendship and self-discovery added real depth beneath the scandalous premise.

The author does a great job portraying morally grey women without turning them into caricatures. There’s a strong thread of female empowerment running through the story - not loud or preachy, but present - and I appreciated that balance. These women are flawed, complicated, sometimes questionable… and that’s exactly what makes them interesting.

Overall, this is a good, entertaining read with a fantastic hook and compelling character work. I just wish the narration had matched the sharpness of the writing.

3.5 stars

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’ve ever wondered what might happen if Desperate Housewives met a murder mystery with a designer handbag budget, Elly Vine’s The Lottery Winner Widows Club delivers that fantasy with a wicked grin.

The story kicks off with Paula, freshly widowed and reeling from grief, who suddenly finds herself a lottery winner thanks to a ticket bought by her late husband. But just as she’s trying to make sense of her surreal new reality, she’s swept into the orbit of three glamorous, wealthy women whose husbands also died under suspiciously convenient circumstances. Coincidence? Or something far more deliciously sinister?

Vine’s prose is sharp and mischievous, laced with dark humour and a touch of glitter. The plot dances between grief and greed, loyalty and liberation, all while keeping the reader guessing who’s playing the game—and who’s rewriting the rules. Paula’s journey from stunned widow to potential femme fatale is both thrilling and oddly empowering.

This isn’t just a whodunit—it’s a “what would you do?” wrapped in diamonds and secrets. Perfect for fans of twisty thrillers with a stylish edge and a dash of sass.

With thanks to Elly Vine, the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded to 4
Meet The Lottery Winner Widows Club - a fabulous, filthy-rich sisterhood whose husbands all hit the jackpot . . . and then mysteriously dropped dead.

Paula is having a surreal week. Having just lost her husband, John, in a freak car accident, she's utterly gobsmacked when, two days later, she wins the lottery - with the ticket he bought.

The synopsis of this book attracted me to it. This is what I would class as a cosy crime book, but with lots of dark humour interwoven throughout. The story is told from Paula’s perspective, who presents initially as a slightly downtrodden wife and mother.
The story started slightly slowly, but as I read more, I found that I couldn’t put it down. As I got to know the characters and their backstories I wanted to know more. There were parts that you needed to suspend a small bit of belief, but that is common in most Thiller/Crime books. The story develops into one of friendship, built against a background of a elements of DA, and therefore please check trigger warnings.
Overall, a great read, with plot twists and some laugh out loud moments. Would recommend.
My thanks to #NetGalley and Headline books for the ARC copy of #TheLotteryWinnerWidowsClub

[Toni · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this is Elly Vine's first novel and I hope she continues to write. This book was fantastic!

The story focuses around Paula, newly widowed, who learns that she has won the lottery - with a whopping £21M jackpot. Her whole life is turned upside down with rumours on social media that she killed her husband to get the cash. She is quickly found by other lottery-winning widows who come together to help other widows, or women who they think should be widows (!) to come to terms with the changes to their lives.

It's a heart warming read as you observe Paula coming to terms with her husband's death, what that means for her relationship with her grown up children, and to her life, including this new group of much-needed friends. There are some twists and turns along the way, and some difficult subjects dealt with (adultery, domestic violence), but the tone of the book remains fun, playful and warm.

From reading this book it looks like this is the start of a series. I really hope it is!

Thanks to Elly Vine, Wildfire and NetGalley for this ARC in return for an honest review.

[Farah G · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Paula's husband dies in a car accident whilst travelling in Europe, she and her two adult children are left feeling bereft. Not even Paula's unexpected win at the lottery, with the ticket that she bought jointly with her husband, feels like much of a consolation.

But what does provide an unexpected source of help are the mysterious women who called themselves the lottery winners' widows, who somehow provide Paula with the joy and friendship she needs to put her life back on track once again. Until she realises that these women are widows thanks to their own actions...

This is a brilliant, hilarious book that somehow deals with some very serious topics even as it makes you laugh continuously. The characters are brought vividly to life on the page, and every one of them is memorable even the supporting cast. It gets 4.5 stars. Highly recommended!

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

[Gemma Rogers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first Elly Vine novel and I enjoyed the female friendship and comradery immensely. It dragged a tiny bit in the middle until the reveal/twist then picked up again.

Paula, or rather Pauline is a recent lottery winner but she can't take in the information because within days of finding out she gets news her husband has passed away in a car accident whilst out in Austria.

Pauline, bewildered wanders around in a state of shock much to the concern of her children Tilly and Seb. It's not until Teddy knocks on her door and invites her to join the Lottery Winner Widows Club, two women who have offed their abusive husbands and believes Pauline has murdered hers too.

As Pauline gets friendly with these women, she starts to come out of her shell, slowly embracing the fact that she is a very wealthy woman and should be enjoying her money like the other two.

It's not until a certain someone throws a spanner in the works that we see why Pauline is the way she is.

[Nicola Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book reeled me in, it was a steady starter for me but as I continued on, I looked forward to returning to it more and more!

The audiobook was great - really well narrated and the characters effortlessly brought to life - from our MC Paula, who is reeling from the loss of her husband and winning an insane amount of money in the form of a neat 21 million on the lottery, to Teddy, a strong willed American who may or may not have offed her husband. Along the way they recruit more lottery winner widows and we end up with our cast.

They’re a motley crew of characters, a bunch of widowers with more money than they know what to do with - that makes for an entertaining set up for sure! As the plot progressed I got more and more invested and I was rooting so hard for Paula! I loved the ending and I really enjoyed the audiobook.

Thank you to the publisher and author for this audiobook on NetGalley in return for my honest thoughts and review.

[Mags Schofield · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book left me a bit confused.
It tackles a very serious subject in a very frivolous way and it seems very incongruous to me. The premiss and the subject jar with each other and what saves the book for me is the characterisation. Every person is real and has their faults and flaws. I despaired of all of them and their behaviours and decisions at times. I wondered where the book was going at times, especially with Paula / Pauline and her Porsche, and at times it seemed to descend into a Brian Rix Farce (yes, I'm showing my age here) This seemed to detract from the very serious heart of the book, coercive behaviour and how it effects the victims. .The second half seemed to calm down slightly and address some of the issues, but the whole thing left me in two minds until the ens.
With thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Jayne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This quirky thriller boasted a fabulous hook and many fun, darkly comic moments.

➡️ I particularly enjoyed the book's setup:
A new widow wins the lottery with the ticket her deceased husband purchased.

She is then drawn into a secretive clique of glamorous jackpot widows whose husbands have all died under suspicious circumstances.

➡️ WHY NOT 5 STARS?
The pacing felt uneven, with stretches that dragged between the big reveals.

Also missing was more depth from the widows as individuals.

TWs: Domestic Violence.

I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Virginia Grainger.

The narration was good but not great.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars.

[KathVBtn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Lucy Vine’s writing so I knew we were in for a treat. Paula is suddenly widowed, her late husband John was on the other side of the world when he was in a cock rush.

Paula’s head is reeling minutes before,, she had found out that they had won the lottery and now have £21 million sitting in the bank.

Paula is befriended by other lottery winner widows, all who have a tale to tell. We follow the women through their well funded adventures, spending money like there’s no tomorrow but there’s a social w against Paula who is accused of killing John for the money.

There are some very emotional parts of the story quickly followed by hilarious sections and there were some neat twists in the story.

[Vicci · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy hell. This delicious read was 5 stars from the very first page.

The story follows Paula, a newly widowed lottery winner. When two strange women turn up at her door calling themselves 'The Lottery Winner Widows Club' Paula finds herself on the precipice of the most extraordinary friendship. What will they teach her? What havoc awaits? And most importantly... what will she buy first?! I laughed, I cried, I absolutely fell in love with this extraordinary group of women.

This is so much more than crime-comedy. Its about self discovery, standing up for what you believe in and the absolute joy of finding your tribe. Elly Vine, you absolutely nailed it 👌

Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paula finds out that she has won a life changing lottery jackpot in the same week that her husband John is killed in a car accident whilst on a work trip in Austria. She has a lot of decisions to make with only her two adult children to help her now that she no longer has her husband at her side. So far so straightforward until unexpected things start to happen.
This book just keeps getting better with every page turned. Nothing is as it seems, Paula is at a crossroads in her life and there is so much depth and breadth to this book, so many twists in the tale and characters that you thought you knew but didn’t. A book with many comedy moments despite dealing with some very dark themes.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.