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Lucky Stars
Stacey Reiser left Cleveland for Hollywood to pursue an acting career—and to escape her lovable but meddlesome mother, Helen. But her plan backfires when the widowed Helen sells her house and follows Stacey to tinsel town, invades every aspect of her daughter’s world and drives her crazy. As in eye twitch crazy. Insomnia crazy. Acid reflux crazy. “If only Mom would get a life,” Stacey wishes after her mother has called for the zillionth time that day to nag her about her clothes, her hair, her lack of a wedding ring. “If only she’d get a life and stay out of mine.”
How could Stacey ever imagine that Helen would get a life – the very life Stacey craves? Just as Stacey's career takes a dive, a twist of fate lands Helen in a television commercial that catapults her to stardom. Now it’s Helen who’s the media darling and Stacey who’s the meddler. And while Stacey is hoping for a commitment from her boyfriend, it’s Helen who snares the catch of the century. Or does she? Helen’s new beau isn’t what he seems, and it’s up to Stacey to expose his shady past before it's too late. But it’ll take the acting job of a lifetime to do it, not to mention a whole lot of heart. Lucky Stars is a novel that’s as keenly observed as it is entertaining, and it will have mothers and daughters laughing out loud and nodding in recognition.
How could Stacey ever imagine that Helen would get a life – the very life Stacey craves? Just as Stacey's career takes a dive, a twist of fate lands Helen in a television commercial that catapults her to stardom. Now it’s Helen who’s the media darling and Stacey who’s the meddler. And while Stacey is hoping for a commitment from her boyfriend, it’s Helen who snares the catch of the century. Or does she? Helen’s new beau isn’t what he seems, and it’s up to Stacey to expose his shady past before it's too late. But it’ll take the acting job of a lifetime to do it, not to mention a whole lot of heart. Lucky Stars is a novel that’s as keenly observed as it is entertaining, and it will have mothers and daughters laughing out loud and nodding in recognition.
352 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 11, 2003
17 people are currently reading
231 people want to read
About the author
Jane Heller
36 books121 followersJane Heller, a New York native who recently moved from Santa Barbara, CA to New Preston, CT, is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of 13 novels of romantic comedy, including "Name Dropping," "Lucky Stars," and "Best Enemies." Nine of Heller's novels have been optioned for film or television, and all of them have been translated in countries around the world. Her first book of nonfiction, "Confessions of a She-Fan: The Course of True Love with the New York Yankees," is a humorous look at her passion for baseball. Her book about caregiving, "You'd Better Not Die or I'll Kill You: A Caregiver's Survival Guide to Keeping You in Good Health and Good Spirits," combines Heller's personal essays about being the wife of a man with Crohn's disease and the daughter of a mother with dementia, plus interviews with other caregivers who deal with everything from autism to Alzheimer's and advice/tips from experts. "You'd Better Not Die" is upbeat and inspirational - a cheerful companion to the over 60 million caregivers in America. Heller's new novel, "Three Blonde Mice," a spinoff of her bestselling novel "Princess Charming," was published on August 2, 2016.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
May 25, 2019
A breezy, fun chick-lit beach read about a woman and her overbearing mother and their antics in the entertainment industry in L.A., Lucky Stars also is a solid cheesy romantic comedy with a little mystery element. I could see this being a bad movie itself. I can't lie, though- read it without stopping today because it was fun and easy and exactly the distraction I was needing. Three stars- recommended for vacation or distraction reading. Exactly as expected.
July 3, 2021
Kto z nas nie marzył o byciu aktorką/aktorem niech pierwszy rzuci kamieniem. To samo marzenie miała od zawsze Stacey Reiser. Po “Szczęśliwe gwiazdy” sięgnęłam, bo z opisu zapowiadało się na dobrą komedię romantyczną w wersji papierowej. Ale czy tak było?
Stacey Reiser to początkująca aktorka, która wyjechała do Hollywood, bo po pierwsze chciała odnieść swój wielki aktorski sukces, a po drugie chciałą w końcu uwolnić się od swojej wścibskiej matki Helen. Niestety jej szczęście nie trwało długo, bo jej film, gdzie zagrała niewielką rolę u boku Jima Carrey’a nie jest takim hitem jak zapowiadano, a negatywna ocena jednego z krytyków literackich zrównała z ziemią jej ledwo zaczętą karierę. Należy jednak pamiętać, że nieszczęścia lubią chodzić parami i to samo tyczy się życia głównej bohaterki. Mianowicie jej matka Helen postanowiła przenieść się w pobliże córki, aby nie być skazaną tylko na rozmowy telefoniczne. Dodatkowym ciosem dla Stacey jest to, że jej mama z przypadku staje się gwiazdą Hollywood, posiadaczką wypasionego mieszkania oraz bogatego chłopaka. Tylko, co jeśli ten nowy chłopak zdaje się nie być tym za kogo się podaje?
“Szczęśliwe gwiazdy” w dużej mierze pokazują nie to jak zrobić karierę w Hollywood, ale relacje między matką i córką. Relację, która początkowo jest bardzo trudna, bo Helen jest typową matką kwoką, która najchętniej sterowałyby życiem własnej córki non stop. Stacey jest jedynaczką, więc nie może liczyć, że uwaga jej matki rozbije się na jej rodzeństwo. Stacey stała się nieznośna, gdy sytuacja uległa zmianie i jej matka z dnia na dzień została gwiazdą. Dziewczyna niby cieszyła się z sukcesu matki i jej kariery, ale w większej części moim zdaniem była zazdrosna o sukces oraz o to, że nie jest już oczkiem w głowie Helen. Oczywiście rozumiem, że martwiła się o matkę, której brakowało doświadczenia w wielkim świecie gwiazd. Samo zachowanie Helen wobec adoratora było moim zdaniem bardzo dziwne. Dojrzała kobieta, którą wcześniej poznaliśmy jako osobę z głową na karku nalge zaczęła się zachowywać jak nastolatka spuszczona ze smyczy. Nie do końca wierzę, że ktoś mógłby stracić cały zdrowy rozsądek jaki miał dla porywu serca. Po prostu zdecydowanie to nie pasowało do postaci jaką wykreowała Jane Heller. Tak pokierowała Helen, że ta z jednej skrajności wpadła w drugą.
Owszem, dobrze spędziłam czas przy tej książce, ale tak szybko jak ją przeczytałam tak szybko o niej zapomnę. Typowa amerykańska książka z typowym amerykańskim zakończeniem. Czegoś zabrakło, coś było zbyt mocno przesadzone i przerysowane. Dobra na leniwe popołudnie, ale dla szukających mocniejszych wrażeń będzie za słaba.
Stacey Reiser to początkująca aktorka, która wyjechała do Hollywood, bo po pierwsze chciała odnieść swój wielki aktorski sukces, a po drugie chciałą w końcu uwolnić się od swojej wścibskiej matki Helen. Niestety jej szczęście nie trwało długo, bo jej film, gdzie zagrała niewielką rolę u boku Jima Carrey’a nie jest takim hitem jak zapowiadano, a negatywna ocena jednego z krytyków literackich zrównała z ziemią jej ledwo zaczętą karierę. Należy jednak pamiętać, że nieszczęścia lubią chodzić parami i to samo tyczy się życia głównej bohaterki. Mianowicie jej matka Helen postanowiła przenieść się w pobliże córki, aby nie być skazaną tylko na rozmowy telefoniczne. Dodatkowym ciosem dla Stacey jest to, że jej mama z przypadku staje się gwiazdą Hollywood, posiadaczką wypasionego mieszkania oraz bogatego chłopaka. Tylko, co jeśli ten nowy chłopak zdaje się nie być tym za kogo się podaje?
“Szczęśliwe gwiazdy” w dużej mierze pokazują nie to jak zrobić karierę w Hollywood, ale relacje między matką i córką. Relację, która początkowo jest bardzo trudna, bo Helen jest typową matką kwoką, która najchętniej sterowałyby życiem własnej córki non stop. Stacey jest jedynaczką, więc nie może liczyć, że uwaga jej matki rozbije się na jej rodzeństwo. Stacey stała się nieznośna, gdy sytuacja uległa zmianie i jej matka z dnia na dzień została gwiazdą. Dziewczyna niby cieszyła się z sukcesu matki i jej kariery, ale w większej części moim zdaniem była zazdrosna o sukces oraz o to, że nie jest już oczkiem w głowie Helen. Oczywiście rozumiem, że martwiła się o matkę, której brakowało doświadczenia w wielkim świecie gwiazd. Samo zachowanie Helen wobec adoratora było moim zdaniem bardzo dziwne. Dojrzała kobieta, którą wcześniej poznaliśmy jako osobę z głową na karku nalge zaczęła się zachowywać jak nastolatka spuszczona ze smyczy. Nie do końca wierzę, że ktoś mógłby stracić cały zdrowy rozsądek jaki miał dla porywu serca. Po prostu zdecydowanie to nie pasowało do postaci jaką wykreowała Jane Heller. Tak pokierowała Helen, że ta z jednej skrajności wpadła w drugą.
Owszem, dobrze spędziłam czas przy tej książce, ale tak szybko jak ją przeczytałam tak szybko o niej zapomnę. Typowa amerykańska książka z typowym amerykańskim zakończeniem. Czegoś zabrakło, coś było zbyt mocno przesadzone i przerysowane. Dobra na leniwe popołudnie, ale dla szukających mocniejszych wrażeń będzie za słaba.
May 8, 2017
Thanks to this quick and funny book for stirring up my crazy weekend. Lucky Stars is about the crazy and tensed relationship between a mother and daughter and the misadventures they had to go through. The book was easy to relate to, as I saw myself in Stacey’s place & my mom on Helen’s.
Stacey Reiser was an upcoming actress or a starlet trying to take her chances in Hollywood. I don’t blame her, living in the land of stars would definitely make one crave for fame and fortune. In a surprising twist of fate (over a tuna debacle), it was her meddlesome mother Helen who got discovered instead and became very famous. Plus, there was that difficult-to-please film critic/reviewer, Jack Rawlins who bad-mouthed Stacey, thus preventing her from getting jobs in California. Helen Reiser was a tough act to follow, I kid you not.
This Mother & Daughter tandem is neurotic!
I loved how this book made me laugh; it’s quite a classically witty, humorous read. There are times when I found myself in Stacey’s shoes and couldn’t help but get “angry” with my own mom because of her intrusive meddling. I love my mother, but there was times when she drive me nuts. And I don’t mean nuts as in she aggravates me. I mean nuts as in she makes the tiny vein in my left eyelid twitch and sigh while rolling my eyes, babbling about her superstitious beliefs and stuffs. But I definitely love everything about my mom..
So anyway, if you got time and want some funny moments, I suggest LUCKY STARS this weekend. A perfect read just in time for Mother’s Day.
Stacey Reiser was an upcoming actress or a starlet trying to take her chances in Hollywood. I don’t blame her, living in the land of stars would definitely make one crave for fame and fortune. In a surprising twist of fate (over a tuna debacle), it was her meddlesome mother Helen who got discovered instead and became very famous. Plus, there was that difficult-to-please film critic/reviewer, Jack Rawlins who bad-mouthed Stacey, thus preventing her from getting jobs in California. Helen Reiser was a tough act to follow, I kid you not.
This Mother & Daughter tandem is neurotic!
I loved how this book made me laugh; it’s quite a classically witty, humorous read. There are times when I found myself in Stacey’s shoes and couldn’t help but get “angry” with my own mom because of her intrusive meddling. I love my mother, but there was times when she drive me nuts. And I don’t mean nuts as in she aggravates me. I mean nuts as in she makes the tiny vein in my left eyelid twitch and sigh while rolling my eyes, babbling about her superstitious beliefs and stuffs. But I definitely love everything about my mom..
So anyway, if you got time and want some funny moments, I suggest LUCKY STARS this weekend. A perfect read just in time for Mother’s Day.
June 30, 2017
I picked up this book based solely on the author's last name, which I don't see often. I really enjoyed the book and would like to read more by Jane Heller.
I liked how the mother/daughter grew to respect each other over the course of the book.
The reason I went with 4 stars instead of 5 is because I was hoping the book would have more of a twist at the end (like if Stacey was on the wrong track).
I liked how the mother/daughter grew to respect each other over the course of the book.
The reason I went with 4 stars instead of 5 is because I was hoping the book would have more of a twist at the end (like if Stacey was on the wrong track).
February 3, 2022
The story is funny, typical cliche from a comedy movie. However, the writing… definitely did not like the writing.
January 29, 2025
Not my favorite Jane Heller book, but it was a hoot. The main characters were a bit annoying. Fun plot even though it was ridiculous and outrageous. Sometimes you just need to read a silly book.
June 28, 2025
What a great book
July 4, 2025
This was just what I needed. A fast “corny”, easy read. I really like to mix up the genres!
March 2, 2017
Quick read with a few twists in the plot. Seemed a little predictable but it was a fun, easy read. I want to read another book my Jane Heller.
August 16, 2014
Here, in the former book publicist's tenth novel, we meet Stacy Reiser, a struggling Hollywood actress. Nearly 35 years old, Stacey is still plugging away waiting for her big break, in the meantime making do with commercials and part-time retail jobs. Her love life is sorely lacking, and on top of all that, her nosey, loud-mouthed, interfering mother, Helen, has just moved to Hollywood to be closer to her. Things only grow worse when Helen finds a bone in a can of tuna and writes a nasty letter to the tuna fish company. The company invites her to their tannery for a visit, and the abrasive and plainspoken Helen is soon offered a starring role in the company's new ad campaign. meanwhile, Stacey's career continues to tank. What's more, Helen now has a boyfriend, while Stacey continues to have man troubles.
Stacey gets involved with Jack Rawlins of Good Morning Hollywood, the movie critic who called her Sledgehammer Stacey wafter throwing a drink in his face. Helen gets involved with Victor Chellus. Turns out he's a bad apple and mom won't face the facts. He murdered his first wife, Mary Elizabeth, (food allergy,then dumping her over board) and tried to kill his second wife, Karen. Will Stacey's mom be next?
Of course Stacey comes to her rescue after Jack comes clean about knowing the guy (he took a bribe). Happy, happy endings all around.
This was the worse of the jane Heller books. Terrible writing, short sentences, pat romance, no sex at all, perfect guy, and low life criminal guy. Just plain bad and not terribly creative. I have been disappointed with her writing before but this is the worst.
Stacey gets involved with Jack Rawlins of Good Morning Hollywood, the movie critic who called her Sledgehammer Stacey wafter throwing a drink in his face. Helen gets involved with Victor Chellus. Turns out he's a bad apple and mom won't face the facts. He murdered his first wife, Mary Elizabeth, (food allergy,then dumping her over board) and tried to kill his second wife, Karen. Will Stacey's mom be next?
Of course Stacey comes to her rescue after Jack comes clean about knowing the guy (he took a bribe). Happy, happy endings all around.
This was the worse of the jane Heller books. Terrible writing, short sentences, pat romance, no sex at all, perfect guy, and low life criminal guy. Just plain bad and not terribly creative. I have been disappointed with her writing before but this is the worst.
May 11, 2007
I love this author, this one was not my favorite of hers. It is kind of slow and did not keep my attention very well.
November 28, 2007
Jane Heller takes on Hollywood and mother/daughter relationships when her main character moves to Hollywood to make her fortune, only to have her mother steal her thunder.
November 30, 2007
Quick & funny. Loved the mother.
January 31, 2010
Hillarious!
February 7, 2010
A Hollywood/chick-lit entry. I like Heller's brisk style. Her heroines are on the hapless side, but the relationships, especially between women, are well written.
February 23, 2010
Not my kind of humor.
June 28, 2010
Very funny! Light and quick read. The mother is hilarious! The quibbling kind of reminds me of me and my mom (only in Portuguese!). Great book for the beach.
December 29, 2010
Very fun and easy read when you need some chic lit.
September 4, 2011
Really hated the mother-daughter dynamics in this book, but the main character's growth as the story progressed and her romance made it tolerable
December 21, 2012
Fun read.
February 5, 2013
Just okay. I found certain characters annoying.
August 4, 2013
Never read Jane Heller before but I will read her again. The book was a very fun read. The type of book you can curl up with and every once in a while laugh at the nutty characters.
January 25, 2016
Wasted time reading.
November 24, 2017
Molto carino il rapporto tra madre e figlia in chiave comica.
recensione completa qui
http://imieimagicimondi.blogspot.it/2...
recensione completa qui
http://imieimagicimondi.blogspot.it/2...
August 8, 2008
Loved this book couldn't put it down.
October 11, 2008
this was not as good as her other books
November 12, 2017
Modern
November 22, 2011
This was a fun and easy read with a happily-ever-after ending.
July 22, 2014
Fun, easy read with mystery, love, and murder! I recommend it!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews