Shanghai Lottery

by Shawn T. Smith

He hides online. She hides in the real world.
The real world would like to have a word with him.

Ben isn’t asking for much. He simply wants to escape his dead-end job and shake off a wobbly family legacy.

Thanks to his creation of Eddie, a provocative online avatar and secret alter ego, Ben is almost there. Eddie has amassed an enormous following, earning Ben a modest income. He can practically smell the coffee in the distant European cafés where he’ll expand his digital enterprise and begin a prosperous new life.

But his plan collapses when a manipulative boxing promoter thrusts him into the heart of a legendary social-media spectacle built on feuds, glitz, and gambling. Now he has three short months to train for the fight of his life. And it all has to do with a woman he can’t resist and believes he doesn’t deserve.

The cafés will have to wait. Ben has a date in a bloodstained boxing ring. If he backs out, he ruins the woman’s life. If he fights and somehow beats the odds, he will have to choose between the freedom he yearns for and the people he loves.

A tale of tenacity and sacrifice, of men and meaning, Shanghai Lottery will leave you misty-eyed and smiling.

375 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 1, 2026

Reviews

[Jordan Tomasi · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I received this book for free in a giveaway. Thank you to the author and publisher.*

This book took a little bit to pick up but once it has you it does not let go. I really enjoyed the writing style and was very surprised this was the author's first fiction book.

I like that it blends serious current day concerns and themes while still keeping it appropriately light-hearted. AND that it was realistic enough that not everything goes exactly to plan or stays nice and neat.

Also, gotta love a Dolly mention and praise at the end.

[Louise Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ben is a terrific character who lives essentially a double life. For me, there was more depth to this book than the often funny and incredible plot. The social media context was worryingly real and made me wonder about the balance of reality for people who are so tied in to their on line lives. The author has created a special character in Ben, who is amusing and tender all at once,

[Jasmine Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Mesa Press for providing me with the advance copy for an honest opinion. This book is good and hooked to read. Ben created Eddie, his secret alter ego, which gave him what he needed to earn a modest income and expand the enterprise. But a moment with a boxing promoter would have him literally fighting for his life. This book is about sacrificing one thing for another. Plus, some parts of it are funny to read.

[Kaitlyn Dreifus · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free copy for this book in exchange for an honest review.

I honestly wanted to like this book more than I did. My favorite part was the well developed characters with depth. There was such a range of characters and personalities.

I felt like although the plot was interesting and delved into serious and deep sociological questions surrounding the internet that are real and constant issues in our lives today it dragged a little for me and there were no surprises.

Paul who disliked him and had a rivalry against him was the actual doxer? Feign surprise! The internet mob uses his girlfriend’s non complicit nudes against him. Feign surprise.

Great idea, great characters, just lost something along the way for me personally. I think this will be a 5-star read for many people who don’t need surprises or twists and turns to stay hooked.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won an advanced copy of this book in the Goodreads Giveaway, and this book was a lot of fun! I wanted to pick it back up again when I had time to read, and that’s always a good sign. And while I honestly hate watching boxing, reading about it in this book was actually very entertaining. I generally cared about the characters too. Would recommend for a fun read

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this ARC book in a Goodreads Giveaway. I really enjoyed this book, it had an exciting plot and keep me interested the entire time. I would recommend this book.

[Deanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this one in the giveaway. I was surprised by how much I liked it. This book is relevant to today’s social media culture and heartfelt at the same time.