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Just Our Luck
From the author of Words on Bathroom Walls— now a major motion picture—comes a romance in the spirit of Dear Evan Hansen about overcoming anxiety—and about finding love and friendship in unlikely places.
★ "A masterpiece" —Kirkus, starred review
"Bad luck follows lies." That was the first rule for life that Leo's Greek grandmother, Yia Yia, gave him before she died. But Leo's anxiety just caused a fight at school, and though he didn't lie, he wasn't exactly honest about how it all went down . . . how he went down. Now Leo's father thinks a self-defense class is exactly what his son needs to "man up."
"Leave the Paros family alone." That was Yia Yia's second rule for life. But who does Leo see sitting at the front desk of the local gym? Evey Paros, whose family supposedly cursed Leo's with bad luck. Seeing that Leo is desperate to enroll in anything but self-defense class, Evey cuts him a she'll secretly enroll him in hot yoga instead—for a price. But what could the brilliant, ruthless, forbidden Evey Paros want from Leo?
Sharp, honest, and compulsively readable, Just Our Luck is as funny as it is heartwarming.
"A feel-good story, with shades of Holes and The Karate Kid " — Bulletin
★ "A masterpiece" —Kirkus, starred review
"Bad luck follows lies." That was the first rule for life that Leo's Greek grandmother, Yia Yia, gave him before she died. But Leo's anxiety just caused a fight at school, and though he didn't lie, he wasn't exactly honest about how it all went down . . . how he went down. Now Leo's father thinks a self-defense class is exactly what his son needs to "man up."
"Leave the Paros family alone." That was Yia Yia's second rule for life. But who does Leo see sitting at the front desk of the local gym? Evey Paros, whose family supposedly cursed Leo's with bad luck. Seeing that Leo is desperate to enroll in anything but self-defense class, Evey cuts him a she'll secretly enroll him in hot yoga instead—for a price. But what could the brilliant, ruthless, forbidden Evey Paros want from Leo?
Sharp, honest, and compulsively readable, Just Our Luck is as funny as it is heartwarming.
"A feel-good story, with shades of Holes and The Karate Kid " — Bulletin
272 pages, Hardcover
First published December 29, 2020
30 people are currently reading
1520 people want to read
About the author
Julia Walton
5 books306 followersJulia Walton received her MFA in creative writing from Chapman University. When she's not reading or baking cookies, she's indulging in her profound love of Swedish Fish, mechanical pencils, and hobbit-sized breakfasts. Julia lives in Huntington Beach, California, with her husband and daughter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 143 reviews
May 3, 2021
Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Books for Young Readers for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
'Just Our Luck' is interestingly compelling, detailing the story of Leo and how he struggles with his anxiety and the passing of his grandmother, Yia Yia. While I didn't enjoy it as much as I hoped I would, I can definitely see it appealing to other people.
After a fight with a classmate convinces Leo's dad to sign him up for a self-defense class, Leo finds himself agreeing to anything Evey Paros will have him do, as long as she gets him out of it. Evey Paros, as in the daughter of the family his grandmother told him to stay away from. But as it turns out, Evey is on a mission - one that just might change things for Leo for the better.
I think that one of the best parts of this book is actually what drew me to it: the anxiety rep. It was incredibly realistic and moving, to the extent that even if you have never experienced anything close to what Leo goes through, you can't help but sympathize with and understand what he's going through.
Additionally, the friendships that Leo makes over the course of the story as he connects with different people and learns to put himself out there were excellent. I loved reading about the dynamic between Leo and all of the other characters, as well as how Leo began to trust others more, and gradually opened up.
That being said, however, as wholesome as this book was, there were some issues with it that I simply couldn't stand.
The first being the romance between Leo and Evey. It just felt very unnecessary to me? And I say this as someone who enjoys almost all romance. I think that the two of them could have shared a platonic relationship and it wouldn't have taken away from the story at all, but rather have shown that Leo had a solid support system he could count on.
I also felt that the end of the book was extremely rushed. A few things that had been hidden from the reader for the sake of the plot were revealed, and lots of things happen as a result, to the effect that it feels vague and murky. I wasn't completely aware of everything that was happening and things were happening fast.
The whole book and everything that it had been building up to felt robbed of the ending it deserved, as everything resolved itself as well, with no real involvement on Leo's part, in an extremely convenient way. I definitely think that if the ending were in the same style as the rest of the book, or if it just wasn't as rushed, then I would have certainly enjoyed the book as a whole way more.
Overall, while I do feel that this book will certainly appeal to some, it simply didn't live up to everything I was expecting of it. I would, however, recommend it if you want to read good anxiety rep or something with teenage shenanigans.
'Just Our Luck' is interestingly compelling, detailing the story of Leo and how he struggles with his anxiety and the passing of his grandmother, Yia Yia. While I didn't enjoy it as much as I hoped I would, I can definitely see it appealing to other people.
After a fight with a classmate convinces Leo's dad to sign him up for a self-defense class, Leo finds himself agreeing to anything Evey Paros will have him do, as long as she gets him out of it. Evey Paros, as in the daughter of the family his grandmother told him to stay away from. But as it turns out, Evey is on a mission - one that just might change things for Leo for the better.
I think that one of the best parts of this book is actually what drew me to it: the anxiety rep. It was incredibly realistic and moving, to the extent that even if you have never experienced anything close to what Leo goes through, you can't help but sympathize with and understand what he's going through.
Additionally, the friendships that Leo makes over the course of the story as he connects with different people and learns to put himself out there were excellent. I loved reading about the dynamic between Leo and all of the other characters, as well as how Leo began to trust others more, and gradually opened up.
That being said, however, as wholesome as this book was, there were some issues with it that I simply couldn't stand.
The first being the romance between Leo and Evey. It just felt very unnecessary to me? And I say this as someone who enjoys almost all romance. I think that the two of them could have shared a platonic relationship and it wouldn't have taken away from the story at all, but rather have shown that Leo had a solid support system he could count on.
I also felt that the end of the book was extremely rushed. A few things that had been hidden from the reader for the sake of the plot were revealed, and lots of things happen as a result, to the effect that it feels vague and murky. I wasn't completely aware of everything that was happening and things were happening fast.
The whole book and everything that it had been building up to felt robbed of the ending it deserved, as everything resolved itself as well, with no real involvement on Leo's part, in an extremely convenient way. I definitely think that if the ending were in the same style as the rest of the book, or if it just wasn't as rushed, then I would have certainly enjoyed the book as a whole way more.
Overall, while I do feel that this book will certainly appeal to some, it simply didn't live up to everything I was expecting of it. I would, however, recommend it if you want to read good anxiety rep or something with teenage shenanigans.
February 8, 2021
What a delightful book!
As a clumsy fan of Yoga with Adriene, I adored the beginning of the chapters with yoga poses.
Leo, a teenager who suffers from anxiety, is a great example of how to normalize this situation and learn to live with it. The book is fun, witty and insightful. I also found the references to Greek culture really interesting and made me wish to visit that country. I even thought of learning how to knit!
A must-read for teenagers and young adults who are going through a rough patch.
www.theleisurediaries.blogspot.com
As a clumsy fan of Yoga with Adriene, I adored the beginning of the chapters with yoga poses.
Leo, a teenager who suffers from anxiety, is a great example of how to normalize this situation and learn to live with it. The book is fun, witty and insightful. I also found the references to Greek culture really interesting and made me wish to visit that country. I even thought of learning how to knit!
A must-read for teenagers and young adults who are going through a rough patch.
www.theleisurediaries.blogspot.com
September 21, 2022
Damn you, high expectations!
This author's debut novel "Words on Bathroom Walls" is one of my all-time favorite books and I foolishly hoped "Just Our Luck" would blow me away, too.
Unfortunately, it was just...fine.
Writing style was good and characters were actually quite interesting. But I wasn’t sold on the plot. The story seemed to stretch forever without anything big ever happening.
Still super stoked for "On the Subject of Unmentionable Things", though, and I can't wait to read it! Fingers crossed it delivers!
This author's debut novel "Words on Bathroom Walls" is one of my all-time favorite books and I foolishly hoped "Just Our Luck" would blow me away, too.
Unfortunately, it was just...fine.
Writing style was good and characters were actually quite interesting. But I wasn’t sold on the plot. The story seemed to stretch forever without anything big ever happening.
Still super stoked for "On the Subject of Unmentionable Things", though, and I can't wait to read it! Fingers crossed it delivers!
April 12, 2021
The story is so damn fragmented throughout. I thought it wasn't going to last but, dear me, it's like you are writing some bits and pieces of ideas but keeping the characters constant. The characters are unlikeable. And erm..... there's more chemistry between the two guy friends (hate to poop talk friendship, yes that close) was more than it was supposed to be between the narrator and this revengeful girl.
I want to write more but I just came home from work and I need some rest. Let me write the problems I have with this one later. Let me sip tea first.
I want to write more but I just came home from work and I need some rest. Let me write the problems I have with this one later. Let me sip tea first.
May 12, 2021
I am so happy that more and more YA books are focusing on mental health. Teens need to read about things they are going through and this includes not being 100% all the time.
Just Our Luck follows Leo - a Greek teen who lost both his mother and grandmother and can't seem to find common ground with his father, not that either of them really tries. Leo also suffers from anxiety and this makes him kind of a loner. He's okay with that. But then one day he gets punched in the face and his whole world starts changing.
This book is told through journal entries of Leo as he learns his way around the new relationships in his life. I almost feel like the books description is a little misleading because this book isn't really centered around the curse and Evey. Yes, they play a part, but this book is more about Leo's self-discovery and I was okay with that. I honestly felt the love story took away from Leo's journey.
The best part of this book was the relationship between Leo and Drake - the guy who punched him. Their journey was the star of the show and Drake had me in tears laughing. But it also goes to show that not everyone is who they appear to be on the outside.
Overall, an okay romance book but a great self-discovery book.
Just Our Luck follows Leo - a Greek teen who lost both his mother and grandmother and can't seem to find common ground with his father, not that either of them really tries. Leo also suffers from anxiety and this makes him kind of a loner. He's okay with that. But then one day he gets punched in the face and his whole world starts changing.
This book is told through journal entries of Leo as he learns his way around the new relationships in his life. I almost feel like the books description is a little misleading because this book isn't really centered around the curse and Evey. Yes, they play a part, but this book is more about Leo's self-discovery and I was okay with that. I honestly felt the love story took away from Leo's journey.
The best part of this book was the relationship between Leo and Drake - the guy who punched him. Their journey was the star of the show and Drake had me in tears laughing. But it also goes to show that not everyone is who they appear to be on the outside.
Overall, an okay romance book but a great self-discovery book.
January 5, 2021
5 stars
This is a book about a game changer to your own life. The story's follows Leo who attends high school and had a major anxiety 😳 issue. He could not deal with social activities. So he choose to knit in order to let out his problems.
One day in school he was caught up in a fight,which made his dad enroll him in a self defense class. But sooner or later it got switched to hot yoga class.
This is one of the most powerful books i have read about mental health, struggles of therapy and strength 💪. Highly recommend this book if you are interested in finding yourself!
This is a book about a game changer to your own life. The story's follows Leo who attends high school and had a major anxiety 😳 issue. He could not deal with social activities. So he choose to knit in order to let out his problems.
One day in school he was caught up in a fight,which made his dad enroll him in a self defense class. But sooner or later it got switched to hot yoga class.
This is one of the most powerful books i have read about mental health, struggles of therapy and strength 💪. Highly recommend this book if you are interested in finding yourself!
November 30, 2020
Who knew a punch in the face could be so life changing!
After getting into a scuffle at school, two things happened. Leo was forced to have lunch every day with the boy who hit him, and his dad signed him up for self defense classes. Though he couldn't escape the mandatory lunch time talks, He was able to replace the self defense class with hot yoga, and that was where his journey began.
This book was such a delight to read! I adored Words on Bathroom Walls, but wasn't sure what to expect from Just Our Luck. What I found a funny and heartwarming story of love and acceptance and finding your place in this world.
I immediately fell in love with Leo. He lost his mother when he was quite young, and his Yia Yia had been the center of his world. When she died, he was left on his own, as his father never quite recovered from his wife's death many years ago. Leo leveraged a lot of the advice his Yia Yia left him with, but things were still difficult for him. That's part of why it was so wonderful to see him coming into his own.
Leo not only struggled with anxiety, he also had trouble adopting the "norms" expected by his manly father and a good chunk of society for that matter. Leo was a quiet boy, who liked to knit, crochet and take pictures, to his father's dismay. He also cried "too much" according to his dad, but Leo was ok with it. He was a sweet and beautiful soft boy, who absolutely owned my heart. I loved that he was not ashamed to show emotion or his love of crafts, and it was so satisfying that people began to really "see" him and appreciate him for who he was. Leo grew and changed in the best ways. He gained more confidence, and this led to a chain reaction of great things for him. He made new friends, worked through his grief, made inroads with his father, and even found a little romance in his life.
One friendship worth mentioning was between Leo and Drake. At first glance, Drake was sort of a meathead, but like all Walton's characters in this book, he was actually quite complex. The bromance between these two did not come easy, but it was so lovely watching it grow. Drake went from being one of Leo's tormentors to being one of his champions. It was definitely something special to see.
Walton put all her characters on a journey in this story. All the main players experienced some sort of growth and change, and it was a joy to be part of their evolution. In the end, this story was about loving and accepting yourself and finding those people who will love and accept you for who you are. I hope many people get the opportunity to meet Leo, because he was such a special character and someone worth cheering for.
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
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After getting into a scuffle at school, two things happened. Leo was forced to have lunch every day with the boy who hit him, and his dad signed him up for self defense classes. Though he couldn't escape the mandatory lunch time talks, He was able to replace the self defense class with hot yoga, and that was where his journey began.
This book was such a delight to read! I adored Words on Bathroom Walls, but wasn't sure what to expect from Just Our Luck. What I found a funny and heartwarming story of love and acceptance and finding your place in this world.
I immediately fell in love with Leo. He lost his mother when he was quite young, and his Yia Yia had been the center of his world. When she died, he was left on his own, as his father never quite recovered from his wife's death many years ago. Leo leveraged a lot of the advice his Yia Yia left him with, but things were still difficult for him. That's part of why it was so wonderful to see him coming into his own.
Leo not only struggled with anxiety, he also had trouble adopting the "norms" expected by his manly father and a good chunk of society for that matter. Leo was a quiet boy, who liked to knit, crochet and take pictures, to his father's dismay. He also cried "too much" according to his dad, but Leo was ok with it. He was a sweet and beautiful soft boy, who absolutely owned my heart. I loved that he was not ashamed to show emotion or his love of crafts, and it was so satisfying that people began to really "see" him and appreciate him for who he was. Leo grew and changed in the best ways. He gained more confidence, and this led to a chain reaction of great things for him. He made new friends, worked through his grief, made inroads with his father, and even found a little romance in his life.
One friendship worth mentioning was between Leo and Drake. At first glance, Drake was sort of a meathead, but like all Walton's characters in this book, he was actually quite complex. The bromance between these two did not come easy, but it was so lovely watching it grow. Drake went from being one of Leo's tormentors to being one of his champions. It was definitely something special to see.
Walton put all her characters on a journey in this story. All the main players experienced some sort of growth and change, and it was a joy to be part of their evolution. In the end, this story was about loving and accepting yourself and finding those people who will love and accept you for who you are. I hope many people get the opportunity to meet Leo, because he was such a special character and someone worth cheering for.
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
BLOG | INSTAGRAM |TWITTER | BLOGLOVIN | FRIEND ME ON GOODREADS
January 13, 2023
"I'm good at appearing to be okay. Projecting normalcy when I don't feel normal."
Read
December 29, 2020“For something that happened completely by luck, I’m really happy with how everything turned out.”
Before Leo’s Yia Yia died, she had two rules for her grandson. First, “Bad luck follows lies, agapi mou.” And second, “Leave the Paros family alone.” But after his anxiety lands him in a fight at school, Leo’s dad enrolls him in a self-defense class at a local gym to “man-up” his croquet-and-photography-loving son. Until Leo secretly switches to a hot yoga class instead by way of the gym’s desk assistant: Evey Paros, a brilliant and kind of intimidating classmate whose family supposedly cursed Leo’s long ago. In an unlikely turn of events, Leo finds himself breaking both of his Greek grandmother’s edicts as he agrees to help Evey get back at an ex-boyfriend in exchange for keeping his secret.
With nuanced mental health representation à la Darius the Great is Not Okay and the curse hijinks of Holes, Just Our Luck is a charming and heartfelt addition to young adult contemporary literature. Walton explores tough topics like anxiety, grief, and toxic masculinity with honesty and sensitivity. It’s hard not to love Leo with his self-deprecating sarcasm, profuse kindness, and unabashed refusal to conform to masculine norms—we stan a young man who likes to knit! Each character is crafted with care and complexity; not endearing despite their flaws, but because of them. Walton writes about mental health in a way that hits deep and true. As a person who has had generalized anxiety for most of their life, I felt truly seen while watching Leo manage (and sometimes, relatably, fail to manage) his anxiety on a day-to-day basis. Showcasing vibrant Greek culture, the unbreakable bonds of family, and the promise of young love, Just Our Luck is sure to pull at the heartstrings and inspire readers of all ages.
Content Warning: generalized anxiety, panic attacks, mild violence, character passes out, bullying/revenge, death of loved ones (off-page), blackmail, sex-shaming
(Pine Reads Review would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for sending us an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change upon final publication.)
Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @pinereadsreview and check out our website at www.pinereadsreview.com for reviews, interviews, blogs, podcast episodes, and more!
Before Leo’s Yia Yia died, she had two rules for her grandson. First, “Bad luck follows lies, agapi mou.” And second, “Leave the Paros family alone.” But after his anxiety lands him in a fight at school, Leo’s dad enrolls him in a self-defense class at a local gym to “man-up” his croquet-and-photography-loving son. Until Leo secretly switches to a hot yoga class instead by way of the gym’s desk assistant: Evey Paros, a brilliant and kind of intimidating classmate whose family supposedly cursed Leo’s long ago. In an unlikely turn of events, Leo finds himself breaking both of his Greek grandmother’s edicts as he agrees to help Evey get back at an ex-boyfriend in exchange for keeping his secret.
With nuanced mental health representation à la Darius the Great is Not Okay and the curse hijinks of Holes, Just Our Luck is a charming and heartfelt addition to young adult contemporary literature. Walton explores tough topics like anxiety, grief, and toxic masculinity with honesty and sensitivity. It’s hard not to love Leo with his self-deprecating sarcasm, profuse kindness, and unabashed refusal to conform to masculine norms—we stan a young man who likes to knit! Each character is crafted with care and complexity; not endearing despite their flaws, but because of them. Walton writes about mental health in a way that hits deep and true. As a person who has had generalized anxiety for most of their life, I felt truly seen while watching Leo manage (and sometimes, relatably, fail to manage) his anxiety on a day-to-day basis. Showcasing vibrant Greek culture, the unbreakable bonds of family, and the promise of young love, Just Our Luck is sure to pull at the heartstrings and inspire readers of all ages.
Content Warning: generalized anxiety, panic attacks, mild violence, character passes out, bullying/revenge, death of loved ones (off-page), blackmail, sex-shaming
(Pine Reads Review would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for sending us an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change upon final publication.)
Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @pinereadsreview and check out our website at www.pinereadsreview.com for reviews, interviews, blogs, podcast episodes, and more!
January 14, 2024
i’m giving this 4.25 🌟
i picked this up randomly at this one independent bookstore and i didn’t think i was going to like it. it was sort of slow at first but then i really started to relate to leo even tho i had no clue the greek stuff he was talking about.
plot: honestly there wasn’t one. it was just cozy and sad but also cute. i think most of it was self discovery and reconnecting with people
leo: i am not diagnosed with anxiety or any kind of stress disorder but i get stressed very easily and the representation of his anxiety felt very realistic and that authors note really resonated with me. leo is also hilarious. i also didn’t think i would like a book where i’m only in the head of a guy when the main plot isn’t romance but i related to him so much that it was very entertaining.
evey: iris winnow and kat stratford. all you need to know to like her. i actually didn’t sense romance at all and i’m not sure if i love them as a couple but their friendship is so cute. don’t let this make you think it’s a romance book thought they kiss like 4 times. plus it’s a 250 page book. but evey was so cute and did not deserve what happened with that pic
drake: i just have to put him in here because he was so fucking funny. i hated him so much at first but by the end he was giving teddy bear but also that random fun uncle we all love
i picked this up randomly at this one independent bookstore and i didn’t think i was going to like it. it was sort of slow at first but then i really started to relate to leo even tho i had no clue the greek stuff he was talking about.
plot: honestly there wasn’t one. it was just cozy and sad but also cute. i think most of it was self discovery and reconnecting with people
leo: i am not diagnosed with anxiety or any kind of stress disorder but i get stressed very easily and the representation of his anxiety felt very realistic and that authors note really resonated with me. leo is also hilarious. i also didn’t think i would like a book where i’m only in the head of a guy when the main plot isn’t romance but i related to him so much that it was very entertaining.
evey: iris winnow and kat stratford. all you need to know to like her. i actually didn’t sense romance at all and i’m not sure if i love them as a couple but their friendship is so cute. don’t let this make you think it’s a romance book thought they kiss like 4 times. plus it’s a 250 page book. but evey was so cute and did not deserve what happened with that pic
drake: i just have to put him in here because he was so fucking funny. i hated him so much at first but by the end he was giving teddy bear but also that random fun uncle we all love
June 19, 2023
this was such a quick read! i honestly really liked this book. it talks about anxiety and yoga and yarn and revenge. idk it was a good book
July 8, 2020
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange of an honest review.
TW: anxiety, panic attacks, revenge porn, blackmail, death (before the start of the book), loss, grief, mental health, bullying
Leo always followed the two main rules his grandmother, Yia Yia, told him, "Bad luck follows lies" and "Leaves the Paros family alone", but something caused him to broke those rules.
First, when his anxiety caused a fight a school, he lies about what exactly happened, finding himself with his classmate Drake (the guy who hit him), to attend school consueling and forced by his father to attend a self defence class, even though it is the last thing he wants to do.
Then, at the gym he finds the great-granddaughter, Evey Paros, of the woman who apparently cursed his own family and seeing desperate not to go to the self-defence class, Evey cuts him a deal: she will enroll him in another class at the same time of the self-defence one (hot yoga) and he will help her get back to her ex boyfriend.
Finding himself blackmailed, Leo accepts and this starts a journey that will help him find more confidence, friends and purpose.
I really loved reading Just our luck. Leo, the main character, is absolutely relatable and I find myself so much in him, while he deals with his anxiety, panic attacks, thoughts and people issues. It was realistic and skillfully written. He's different from the son his father wants him to be. He loves knit, crochet, take photographs and since his grandmother died he feels alone and lonely, unable to connect and talk with his father. Both of them are burdened by the losses of Yia Yia and Leo's mother, when he was really young.
Yia Yia was the one able to help him calm down, using yarn to distract and ground himself and Leo finds himself out of his comfort zone when he has to be with Drake and the school consulant, doing hot yoga and following Evey in her revenge.
The way the book is written is interesting. Told by Leo's POV, except the first chapter, every chapter starts with "Dear journal" and an hot yoga pose with its description. Throught the journal Leo has to write in for the hot yoga class, the story unfolds. The reader gets to know Leo, his passions, fears, his relationship, strained and tense, with his father, he grieving his grandmother, his deal with Evey and the slow start of his friendship with Drake.
The book is skillfully written, full of interesting and complex characters and it deals with many important issues.
First of all Leo's mental health and his dealing with it, the father-son relationship, bullying, revenge porn and blackmail.
Most of all it's really interesting reading how Leo refuses to conform to the stifling masculinity norms, how people think man should act and what should they do.
Even though he's bullied and his father doesn't understand him, Leo is a strong character, quiet, but stubborn and he follows his passions, while dealing with anxiety, people, loss and grief.
I liked seeing how Leo finds people able to understand him, to help and love him, how slowly Leo starts to deal with his anxiety and people. I love Leo and he is a wonderful character, absolutely realistic, relatable and intense.
I love Drake's encouragements, him trying to get Leo to eat more healthly and to defend himself. Drake is an amazing character, funny, outspoken and the way their relationship grows and change is really beautiful and empowering to see. Jen, his girlfriend, is smart and supportive and I really enjoy reading about Evey, who, even though she finds herself in a difficult and ugly situation, she's able to fight back, finding creative way (the yarn bombing is amazing!) to get her revenge.
Leo's father is another complex character, burdened by losses and gried and unable to connect with his son, but I love how the book ends, with a hopeful ending for them. The Greekness in this book was amazing and I liked the story about the curse.
The way the author talks about mental health and the struggles of being anxious, the importance of the therapy, of talking, healing and taking medicine if needed is wonderful and on point.
I recommend this book to those who wants to read about strong characters, interesting story and finding yourself and your family.
TW: anxiety, panic attacks, revenge porn, blackmail, death (before the start of the book), loss, grief, mental health, bullying
Leo always followed the two main rules his grandmother, Yia Yia, told him, "Bad luck follows lies" and "Leaves the Paros family alone", but something caused him to broke those rules.
First, when his anxiety caused a fight a school, he lies about what exactly happened, finding himself with his classmate Drake (the guy who hit him), to attend school consueling and forced by his father to attend a self defence class, even though it is the last thing he wants to do.
Then, at the gym he finds the great-granddaughter, Evey Paros, of the woman who apparently cursed his own family and seeing desperate not to go to the self-defence class, Evey cuts him a deal: she will enroll him in another class at the same time of the self-defence one (hot yoga) and he will help her get back to her ex boyfriend.
Finding himself blackmailed, Leo accepts and this starts a journey that will help him find more confidence, friends and purpose.
I really loved reading Just our luck. Leo, the main character, is absolutely relatable and I find myself so much in him, while he deals with his anxiety, panic attacks, thoughts and people issues. It was realistic and skillfully written. He's different from the son his father wants him to be. He loves knit, crochet, take photographs and since his grandmother died he feels alone and lonely, unable to connect and talk with his father. Both of them are burdened by the losses of Yia Yia and Leo's mother, when he was really young.
Yia Yia was the one able to help him calm down, using yarn to distract and ground himself and Leo finds himself out of his comfort zone when he has to be with Drake and the school consulant, doing hot yoga and following Evey in her revenge.
The way the book is written is interesting. Told by Leo's POV, except the first chapter, every chapter starts with "Dear journal" and an hot yoga pose with its description. Throught the journal Leo has to write in for the hot yoga class, the story unfolds. The reader gets to know Leo, his passions, fears, his relationship, strained and tense, with his father, he grieving his grandmother, his deal with Evey and the slow start of his friendship with Drake.
The book is skillfully written, full of interesting and complex characters and it deals with many important issues.
First of all Leo's mental health and his dealing with it, the father-son relationship, bullying, revenge porn and blackmail.
Most of all it's really interesting reading how Leo refuses to conform to the stifling masculinity norms, how people think man should act and what should they do.
Even though he's bullied and his father doesn't understand him, Leo is a strong character, quiet, but stubborn and he follows his passions, while dealing with anxiety, people, loss and grief.
I liked seeing how Leo finds people able to understand him, to help and love him, how slowly Leo starts to deal with his anxiety and people. I love Leo and he is a wonderful character, absolutely realistic, relatable and intense.
I love Drake's encouragements, him trying to get Leo to eat more healthly and to defend himself. Drake is an amazing character, funny, outspoken and the way their relationship grows and change is really beautiful and empowering to see. Jen, his girlfriend, is smart and supportive and I really enjoy reading about Evey, who, even though she finds herself in a difficult and ugly situation, she's able to fight back, finding creative way (the yarn bombing is amazing!) to get her revenge.
Leo's father is another complex character, burdened by losses and gried and unable to connect with his son, but I love how the book ends, with a hopeful ending for them. The Greekness in this book was amazing and I liked the story about the curse.
The way the author talks about mental health and the struggles of being anxious, the importance of the therapy, of talking, healing and taking medicine if needed is wonderful and on point.
I recommend this book to those who wants to read about strong characters, interesting story and finding yourself and your family.
December 2, 2020
5 Stars!!!!
What an adorable, feel-good story!!!
Meet Leo, junior in high school, major sufferer of anxiety. He's lost his mother and more recently, his grandmother. He doesn't handle social situations very well and knits (that's correct, knits), to cope. When he gets punched in the face at school, his father enrolls him in a military self defense class. Much to Leo's dismay, Evey, whose family supposedly cursed Leo's, helps him switch to a hot yoga class.
As the story progresses, Leo and Drake, the boy that punched him, become friends. He starts learning how to cope with his anxiety and learns how to have a relationship with his father. The story just puts a smile on your face and gives you the warm and fuzzies.
A special thank you to NetGalley, Random House Children's, and Julia Walton for providing me with an ARC.
What an adorable, feel-good story!!!
Meet Leo, junior in high school, major sufferer of anxiety. He's lost his mother and more recently, his grandmother. He doesn't handle social situations very well and knits (that's correct, knits), to cope. When he gets punched in the face at school, his father enrolls him in a military self defense class. Much to Leo's dismay, Evey, whose family supposedly cursed Leo's, helps him switch to a hot yoga class.
As the story progresses, Leo and Drake, the boy that punched him, become friends. He starts learning how to cope with his anxiety and learns how to have a relationship with his father. The story just puts a smile on your face and gives you the warm and fuzzies.
A special thank you to NetGalley, Random House Children's, and Julia Walton for providing me with an ARC.
January 24, 2021
I picked this book since I read her other book, Words on Bathroom Walls, which was an excellent book. I liked this story of Leo and his journey through friendships, anxiety and loss. Unfortunately the flow of the book was confusing for me and sometimes I couldn’t focus on the story. The story also jumped locations many times that I couldn’t follow what was going on. I feel bad about stating this because I LOVED her other book so much.
Leo was a great person and I wanted great things for him. He got into a fight in school and his father decided he needed self defense classes. His classmate switched him to a hot yoga class instead but only if he helped her out. I loved how much he wanted to help others and be a good friend. The potential love interest was okay but I liked her towards the end when she treated him better. Drake was a great friend to Leo and I would love a story of him next. Overall, it was a good story about friends, family, self confidence and love.
I received this Arc from the publisher and Netgalley for my honest review. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my copy
Leo was a great person and I wanted great things for him. He got into a fight in school and his father decided he needed self defense classes. His classmate switched him to a hot yoga class instead but only if he helped her out. I loved how much he wanted to help others and be a good friend. The potential love interest was okay but I liked her towards the end when she treated him better. Drake was a great friend to Leo and I would love a story of him next. Overall, it was a good story about friends, family, self confidence and love.
I received this Arc from the publisher and Netgalley for my honest review. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my copy
May 4, 2021
*WARNING! I AM NOT PUTTING SPOILER TAGRS. READ AT YOUR OWN CAUTION*
JUST OUR LUCK ARC EDITION
rating - 4.5 stars
time to read - 5 days
page number - 256
BACKGROUND -
Okay, so this is my first review so this may suck but whatever.
Just Our Luck is a book by Julia Walton about the main character, Leo. He is an anxiety riddened guy, who loves to knit/crochet and does hot yoga.(More about that later) The book is a journal/diary-style book based in 1st person. Basically, Leo gets in a fight with the guy, Drake Gibbons. They begin duo therapy, most of it being the two of them sitting in the room, Leo knitting and Drake badgering him with questions or being quiet. Leo' grandmother once had warned Leo to "Leave the Paros family alone."
After the fight with Drake, Leo's dad signs him up for military self-defense classes, but when he arrives, the boys in there were getting beat up. He chickened out and turned to Evey Paros(yes, the family he was warned to stay away from). He begged her to sign him up for ANYTHING but self defense. And that she keep it a secret from his dad. So she signs him up for hot yoga. She made him promise to help him get revenge on her ex. In the end, he gets in a fight, they kiss, a bad phot gets leaked, they try to get revenge, photo gets leaked more, she gets a good deal, and they kiss for real. I am going to warn you, THIS BOOK IS NOT FOR KIDS UNDER 13. It's not quite appropriate and there is some swearing. On to my thoughts on this books!
THOUGHTS -
This book was pretty well written through and through. It was spotty and mixed aroung in some parts, hence why its 4.5 stars, but this book is amazing! However, I did read the Advanced Readers Copy instead of the oringinal, so maybe it was written differently. Over all, I loved this book and highly recomned. I hope you enjoyed my first ever review!
JUST OUR LUCK ARC EDITION
rating - 4.5 stars
time to read - 5 days
page number - 256
BACKGROUND -
Okay, so this is my first review so this may suck but whatever.
Just Our Luck is a book by Julia Walton about the main character, Leo. He is an anxiety riddened guy, who loves to knit/crochet and does hot yoga.(More about that later) The book is a journal/diary-style book based in 1st person. Basically, Leo gets in a fight with the guy, Drake Gibbons. They begin duo therapy, most of it being the two of them sitting in the room, Leo knitting and Drake badgering him with questions or being quiet. Leo' grandmother once had warned Leo to "Leave the Paros family alone."
After the fight with Drake, Leo's dad signs him up for military self-defense classes, but when he arrives, the boys in there were getting beat up. He chickened out and turned to Evey Paros(yes, the family he was warned to stay away from). He begged her to sign him up for ANYTHING but self defense. And that she keep it a secret from his dad. So she signs him up for hot yoga. She made him promise to help him get revenge on her ex. In the end, he gets in a fight, they kiss, a bad phot gets leaked, they try to get revenge, photo gets leaked more, she gets a good deal, and they kiss for real. I am going to warn you, THIS BOOK IS NOT FOR KIDS UNDER 13. It's not quite appropriate and there is some swearing. On to my thoughts on this books!
THOUGHTS -
This book was pretty well written through and through. It was spotty and mixed aroung in some parts, hence why its 4.5 stars, but this book is amazing! However, I did read the Advanced Readers Copy instead of the oringinal, so maybe it was written differently. Over all, I loved this book and highly recomned. I hope you enjoyed my first ever review!
April 17, 2023
(No specific spoilers, but some light general plot points are mentioned so I figured I’d mark it for spoilers)
I’m not sure how to explain my thoughts about this book, because there’s a lot to say. But I’ll try: I really enjoy both the romance and the anxiety-focused parts of the book. As someone who struggles with anxiety, I think this book is at its strongest when Leo explains and slowly works through his struggles with anxiety. The romance is fun; it’s like a romcom. Not exactly unpredictable, but has enough ups and downs that leave you begging for them to just get together already. That’s what kept me coming back to the book each day. I wanted to find out what was going to happen! Unfortunately, I don’t feel that the comedy was very strong. It had some good comedic moments, but a lot of it didn’t hit for me. And I didn’t love the style of writing; I felt like it wasn’t descriptive or specific enough about, well, everything. I did enjoy, however, the structure of the narrative (how nearly every chapter is a diary entry that catches us up on the events of the past week). So it’s a give and take. It’s strong in some areas and weak in others. Probably a better read for a slightly younger audience than me.
I’m not sure how to explain my thoughts about this book, because there’s a lot to say. But I’ll try: I really enjoy both the romance and the anxiety-focused parts of the book. As someone who struggles with anxiety, I think this book is at its strongest when Leo explains and slowly works through his struggles with anxiety. The romance is fun; it’s like a romcom. Not exactly unpredictable, but has enough ups and downs that leave you begging for them to just get together already. That’s what kept me coming back to the book each day. I wanted to find out what was going to happen! Unfortunately, I don’t feel that the comedy was very strong. It had some good comedic moments, but a lot of it didn’t hit for me. And I didn’t love the style of writing; I felt like it wasn’t descriptive or specific enough about, well, everything. I did enjoy, however, the structure of the narrative (how nearly every chapter is a diary entry that catches us up on the events of the past week). So it’s a give and take. It’s strong in some areas and weak in others. Probably a better read for a slightly younger audience than me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 22, 2021
I absolutely loved this story. Leo, of Greek heritage, suffers from extreme anxiety. He makes his way through the world focusing on photography, knitting and talking to his YaiYai as a way to cope. His relationship with his dad isn’t great; there’s a big lack of communication between the two since Leo’s Mom and YaiYai have died. Plus there’s a long standing curse hanging over his head, hindering a growing relationship with Evey, the great-granddaughter of the woman who placed the curse on Leo’s family. I loved how his relationship grew over time with Evey, Drake and Jen. This book was so well written, allowing me as the reader to walk in the shoes of a young man who deals with high anxiety on a daily basis.
January 21, 2021
Well, it was a light sweet book about a boy who learns to accept himself
The story is about Leo, who gets into a fight but have anxiety issue, so his father enrolls him into a self defense class but he doesn't want that and enrolls into .. a yoga class!! (yeah I know) so throughout the book we see his slow but sure transformation from a shy guy who doesn't like people into a guy who is friends with the guy who hit him (??) and maybe in love with the girl whose grandmother cast a curse on his family
I liked that the story ended in a very positive note, but Evey was very annoying and I really didn't get any chemistry between them .. I liked Drake most in the story he was my hero
The story is about Leo, who gets into a fight but have anxiety issue, so his father enrolls him into a self defense class but he doesn't want that and enrolls into .. a yoga class!! (yeah I know) so throughout the book we see his slow but sure transformation from a shy guy who doesn't like people into a guy who is friends with the guy who hit him (??) and maybe in love with the girl whose grandmother cast a curse on his family
I liked that the story ended in a very positive note, but Evey was very annoying and I really didn't get any chemistry between them .. I liked Drake most in the story he was my hero
March 28, 2022
3.5/5 stars
This book discusses what it is like to be a boy in high school with anxiety. Themes like grief, religion and societal norms are also included. I really enjoyed this book and it was a very quick and easy read. I think it's very important to write about kids who have mental illnesses because often people can forget that they struggle too. As I was reading I was kind of rooting for Leo and Drake to like hold hands or something until I found out that drake did in fact have a girl friend. Theres nothing necessarily wrong with this story but I felt like something was missing and I don't know what.
This book discusses what it is like to be a boy in high school with anxiety. Themes like grief, religion and societal norms are also included. I really enjoyed this book and it was a very quick and easy read. I think it's very important to write about kids who have mental illnesses because often people can forget that they struggle too. As I was reading I was kind of rooting for Leo and Drake to like hold hands or something until I found out that drake did in fact have a girl friend. Theres nothing necessarily wrong with this story but I felt like something was missing and I don't know what.
May 24, 2025
It was great. I really loved it... until around the end. It was just too rushed, like the author needed to keep the book under a certain amount of pages. The book was left with many things unanswered. The whole thing was building up to something big, something extravagant, but it didn't end that way.
However, i loved the interpretation of anxiety. I loved the way it is described, and I loved how Leo and his father got help in the end. Leo is such a relatable character, and proof that no hobby has to be too "feminine"
However, i loved the interpretation of anxiety. I loved the way it is described, and I loved how Leo and his father got help in the end. Leo is such a relatable character, and proof that no hobby has to be too "feminine"
March 22, 2021
After losing a fight, a Greek American high school junior confronts both anxiety and an old family curse. How does he do it? With knitting, hot yoga, and an unexpected romance with a girl who (according to his Yia Yia) should be his mortal enemy.
April 20, 2021
I'm becoming such a fan of YA novels. This one, has Leo, an anxiety-ridden teenager, who knits and does yoga! He learns a lot about himself and his peers in this little novel. I hope he has a great adult life!
May 18, 2021
YES: such a charming read. Leo(nidas), a boy of Greek heritage, struggles with grief over losing his mother and grandmother, distance from his father, and overcoming his anxiety. Such a good look at mental health, different ways to express masculinity...and a touch of romance. So good!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 9, 2021
I liked this book a lot! It was very interesting to see life from the perspective of Leo. I really enjoyed watching him transform from a quiet, lonely person to a friendly and happy one.
The reason I took one star off was because the characters were a bit odd. I just thought Evey was so unrealistic seeming. How did she even think of the revenge plan???
Overall, it was a great book. It perfectly combines adventure and romance to create an unforgettable story.
225 Pages
The reason I took one star off was because the characters were a bit odd. I just thought Evey was so unrealistic seeming. How did she even think of the revenge plan???
Overall, it was a great book. It perfectly combines adventure and romance to create an unforgettable story.
225 Pages
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 14, 2023
Absolutely adorable feels - good story!
January 13, 2024
Eh. Not bad. Not amazing. I had nothing against this book but it was just… idk, words on a page.
July 12, 2022
It’s about growth and growing through anxieties by finding methods of yoga, eating habits, and finally opening up to other persons.
December 27, 2020
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for this book in exchange for an honest review. This book is amazing. I’ve never read a story about a boy with anxiety. it makes me happy that there is diversity. He’s Greek and talks a lot about his grandma and heritage. I like that each chapter is a journal entry and starts with a yoga pose and how he feels about it. I appreciate that his Yia Yia is still encouraging him in his brain. It’s encouraging to know they still care. I appreciate that Leo had character development and he started to get more and more out of his comfort zone. The friendships in this book is great.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 27, 2020
I seriously had my doubts about this book.
When I first started reading it, I just really didn't understand what was going on. If you look back at my reading progress, you can clearly see my confusion...But then I read it and ended up giving it 5 stars, so I guess you don't really have to read my review to know how I felt about this book.
Please do keep reading anyway.
WHAT CHANGED MY MIND:
1. I started to fall for the characters very, very quickly. Leo is a SWEETHEART. He gives off a very detached vibe at the beginning, but his development really turns him into someone you can understand. The exposition made him seem very cold and tsundere-like, but I think as the writer warmed up to the story, readers can really feel like they're in Leo's mind rather than standing outside of it, watching as the events of his life unfold without really understanding. Walton does an excellent job of giving her characters heavy stakes that cause readers to form an emotional attachment!
2. Callbacks! I personally find this very difficult to do in my own writing, but MAN is it one of the most satisfying things to see in writing! When I say callbacks, I mean when something is referenced at the beginning of the book offhandedly, but then is brought up again in a changed manner by the end. *chef's kiss* It's a gift for readers who are paying enough attention to catch these easter eggs, and suCH A GRATIFYING THING. I found the callbacks in Leo's story to be very purposeful. They served well as a tie to character development and to emphasize the parallels in the plot. It's definitely points to an eye for detail on Walton's end. :D
3. Simple, yet powerful writing. Not gonna lie, I wasn't really in love with the writing at the beginning. I felt that the writing gradually flowed more easily as you got deeper into the book, which makes sense (since an author will warm up to their characters the more they write about them). I don't know if it was purposeful, but the almost...elementary style at the beginning nearly made me stop reading it right away. I'm glad I stayed until the end though. It wasn't hard to keep reading after...I don't know the 30-40% mark? The writing loosened up and was very easy to understand from that point on. It was definitely worth marching through the muddy beginning in my opinion.
Would I recommend this book?
- Do you like reading about underrepresented characters?
- Do you like reading about characters who might struggle with mental disorders/anxiety?
- Do you like reading about stAKES?
- Do you like reading about heartbreak and suffering with the angst that comes along with it?
- Do you like having a good time?
If your answer to any of these questions is a resounding YES, then I'd say go for it. On December 29, 2020. Which is when this book is going to be released.
Until then, you can stare out your window longingly as you wait for the day to come. ;)
**I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review! Thank you to Random House for gifting me this beauty.
When I first started reading it, I just really didn't understand what was going on. If you look back at my reading progress, you can clearly see my confusion...But then I read it and ended up giving it 5 stars, so I guess you don't really have to read my review to know how I felt about this book.
Please do keep reading anyway.
WHAT CHANGED MY MIND:
1. I started to fall for the characters very, very quickly. Leo is a SWEETHEART. He gives off a very detached vibe at the beginning, but his development really turns him into someone you can understand. The exposition made him seem very cold and tsundere-like, but I think as the writer warmed up to the story, readers can really feel like they're in Leo's mind rather than standing outside of it, watching as the events of his life unfold without really understanding. Walton does an excellent job of giving her characters heavy stakes that cause readers to form an emotional attachment!
2. Callbacks! I personally find this very difficult to do in my own writing, but MAN is it one of the most satisfying things to see in writing! When I say callbacks, I mean when something is referenced at the beginning of the book offhandedly, but then is brought up again in a changed manner by the end. *chef's kiss* It's a gift for readers who are paying enough attention to catch these easter eggs, and suCH A GRATIFYING THING. I found the callbacks in Leo's story to be very purposeful. They served well as a tie to character development and to emphasize the parallels in the plot. It's definitely points to an eye for detail on Walton's end. :D
3. Simple, yet powerful writing. Not gonna lie, I wasn't really in love with the writing at the beginning. I felt that the writing gradually flowed more easily as you got deeper into the book, which makes sense (since an author will warm up to their characters the more they write about them). I don't know if it was purposeful, but the almost...elementary style at the beginning nearly made me stop reading it right away. I'm glad I stayed until the end though. It wasn't hard to keep reading after...I don't know the 30-40% mark? The writing loosened up and was very easy to understand from that point on. It was definitely worth marching through the muddy beginning in my opinion.
Would I recommend this book?
- Do you like reading about underrepresented characters?
- Do you like reading about characters who might struggle with mental disorders/anxiety?
- Do you like reading about stAKES?
- Do you like reading about heartbreak and suffering with the angst that comes along with it?
- Do you like having a good time?
If your answer to any of these questions is a resounding YES, then I'd say go for it. On December 29, 2020. Which is when this book is going to be released.
Until then, you can stare out your window longingly as you wait for the day to come. ;)
**I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review! Thank you to Random House for gifting me this beauty.
December 11, 2020
**I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**
JUST OUR LUCK was a moving, coming-of-age title about Leo learning to find his place in the world when he's plagued with anxiety. Then comes along Evey, descendant of a long-time Greek family nemesis, and his world is turned a little bit upside down.
This book was giving me all the vibes of a crossover between To All The Boys I've Loved Before and The Perks of Being a Wallflower. I'll admit, I think there was a little bit too much "sweat" happening in the first 1/3 of the book, but by the time Leo got over the sweat, so did I. I got caught up in the whirlwind story of Evey out for revenge, Leo trying to calm his troubled soul, and the unlikely friendship that stemmed from a fight on page one.
Maybe it was the fact that I listened to the brand-new "evermore" by Taylor Swift while I read the majority of the book, but I was enchanted by this story. It exposed life as a teenager to the world, all the good, the bad, the beautiful and the ugly, and I loved that Julia Walton was able to bring this story to life. A moving, relatable tale that people will be sure to fall in love with.
JUST OUR LUCK was a moving, coming-of-age title about Leo learning to find his place in the world when he's plagued with anxiety. Then comes along Evey, descendant of a long-time Greek family nemesis, and his world is turned a little bit upside down.
This book was giving me all the vibes of a crossover between To All The Boys I've Loved Before and The Perks of Being a Wallflower. I'll admit, I think there was a little bit too much "sweat" happening in the first 1/3 of the book, but by the time Leo got over the sweat, so did I. I got caught up in the whirlwind story of Evey out for revenge, Leo trying to calm his troubled soul, and the unlikely friendship that stemmed from a fight on page one.
Maybe it was the fact that I listened to the brand-new "evermore" by Taylor Swift while I read the majority of the book, but I was enchanted by this story. It exposed life as a teenager to the world, all the good, the bad, the beautiful and the ugly, and I loved that Julia Walton was able to bring this story to life. A moving, relatable tale that people will be sure to fall in love with.
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