Margot agrees to move in with Lucy, Sloane and Nicole in a house off the university campus.... But just what does she know about any of them? How is the rent so cheap? And why does Lucy seem so interested in Margots past with Eliza. Told in the present and the past it weaves the story so past and present meet. Would love a follow-up maybe a novella? Having read Stacys books before this does not disappoint, a little slow in some places but soon picks up the pace.
Many thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this novel. Will be recommending to friends and family. Can't wait for the next book by Stacy

I enjoyed reading the two previous books by this author and looked forward to this new release. Willingham did not disappoint!

The book's storyline is incredibly fast-paced and well-executed, making it an exciting read from beginning to end. It skillfully describes the lives of older teenagers in detail, which is not an easy feat to accomplish. Through its exploration of the complexities of female friendship groups, the book offers a relatable and enjoyable read for its audience. The characters are well-developed, each bringing their own unique flaws and strengths to the story. This keeps readers engaged and engrossed, as they learn more about each character's motivations and backstory.

Personally, I found the book to be a page-turner and was able to read it within a 24-hour period. While it may not be my favourite book by this author, I still highly recommend it to fans of this genre, as well as those who are new to this author. Overall, it is an excellent read that is sure to captivate its readers with its intricate plot and well-drawn characters.

After loving A Flicker in the Dark and All the Dangerous Things I was very to eager Only If You're Lucky. Although I really enjoyed the book it isn't my favourite Stacey Willingham's. However, I loved the tense and unsettling atmosphere of the four girls friendship and wanted to know more about Lucy and her secrets and as the story unfolded I was gripped. A really interesting and twisty ending had me gripped. 3.5 stars.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed the setting and the characters and while I felt like I could predict some of what was going to happen, there were bits I had no idea were coming, but were well set up! Big fan of the author, will read anything she writes!

The writing is good, the characters are intense but I didn’t feel invested in any of them. The story revolves around a group of teenage girls starting out at uni. There is no depth in the connections and relationships, which is necessary for all the twists and turns that unfold, but stops you really engaging with the characters.

The start of the book is slow and felt a little rambling in the middle. It picks up pace at the end.

The story has lots of interesting themes and the ending does make you think…but somehow this book didn’t meet the standard I was expecting for this author. The depth wasn’t there and maybe the ending was too convoluted and unbelievable.

Still a solid read but left me somewhat disappointed.

2.5 stars

I’ve read and really enjoyed both of Stacy’s other books, rating both 4 stars, but Only If You’re Lucky felt like it was from a completely different author. It read like a YA and to be honest was quite boring. Nothing really happened until quite late in to the book and when it did, it wasn’t particularly shocking. I did enjoy the writing, I think it’s clear how much stronger Stacy’s writing is in comparison to her debut book but unfortunately I just didn’t love the story itself. It took me almost a week to finish, which is unusual for me, it didn’t grip me like I wanted it to.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book is packed with teenage angst, tension and the desire to be loved and popular. A group of teenagers thrown together at the beginning of Uni. It seemed as if they all spent their time drinking and smoking and getting into all sorts of strife and trouble. It’s a great story, it’s packed with tension, fear, jealousy and all of those feelings experienced at that age when navigating the Rites of Passage.
I found myself more and more intrigued by the character of Lucy as the story unfolded. What was she trying to hide? Was she who she claimed to be? Everything seemed to become more complicated for Margot as she attempted to work out her feelings for Lucy and why she seemed more familiar than a stranger should be!
It’s a really good story with lots of turmoil and strife for the kids to work through - and then, there’s a shock twist at the end. For me, this left the book on a cliff hanger really. There are sure to be repercussions years down the line!
It’s really well worth reading, particularly if you enjoy a bit of a mystery.

Margot is a quiet wall flower and hasn’t made many friends at uni. Then Lucy takes her under her wing, a complete extrovert. They share a house next to a fraternity house, and Margot is surprised to see Levi there, a boy from her small hometown and her dead best friends boyfriend. When Lucy goes missing, after one of the fraternity boys is murdered, suspicions fall straight to Lucy.
Told from Margots perspective, this story involves layer upon layer of background information and really builds up to the climax. Margot is very timid, but seems to attract a lot of drama, I enjoyed the characters and the plot. Perhaps not to the same high bar of intrigue built up in other Stacy Willingham books but certainly a gripping read.

Having been a big fan of Stacy's previous books, I was certain this would be a hit for me. It's fast paced, gripping and mysterious like all her other reads but I sadly found the twists and conclusion to be more predictable than in her previous offerings. Usually this is totally make it or break it for me, but Stacy's writing is so tension filled and brilliant it gets a solid 3 stars.

I found this a very slow and unexciting read told by the POV of one character Margot ,I persevered but I am sorry to say I didn't find it enjoyable perhaps it was more a YA book and not for adult reading ? Thank you to NeGalley for my ARC.

I enjoyed this on the whole, the plot was well conceived and full of twists. That being said, I felt it lacked something, it just didn’t hit the mark for me.

Margot has gone from her small town home to university, but can't forget her best friend who was supposed to be with her, but died in a tragic accident. Resigned to being one of the quiet studious ones, she is surprised and delighted to be asked to share a house in the second year with Lucy, the most attractive and vivacious girl on the campus. Next door to the frat house, they enter a world of constant partying, but the more she gets to know Lucy the more Margot realises that there is something going on and all is not as it seems.. Its a clever plot and rattles along with plenty of action to a fairly bloody conclusion. Pitched to a young readership, I would think.

I have read ‘A Flicker in the Dark’ by the author and thought it was great. Unfortunately, this book started off quite slow and stayed slow for the major part. The plot takes a twist only towards the end and the story does get interesting, but it could have done with a bit more action. There are pages and pages on what the main character is thinking and her point of view, these could have been cut down/shortened to keep the story tighter. I skipped over these pages just to get to the ending. The characters are also not well developed, and the book didn’t really hold my attention at the start. But I do like the author’s writing style and find her to be creative and talented. I definitely look forward to reading her next book.
Thank you HarperCollins UK for an advanced copy of this ebook and giving me a chance to review this book!

Following a tragedy involving her best friend, Margot heads to college and keeps herself to herself. At the end of her first year, the most popular girl, Lucy, befriends her and invites her to live with her and two other girls. They quickly become firm friends and Margot starts to come out of her shell, but by the middle of their next year year, one of the fraternity boys from the house next door has been brutally murdered... and Lucy Sharpe is missing without a trace.

Only If You're Lucky is a pacey thriller that builds and builds to an exciting finale where everything finally makes sense. The characters are so well written and each have their own distinguishable traits, that it is hard not to get drawn into their stories. I quickly found myself heavily involved and wanting to read more and more to get to the bottom of the mystery.

Another excellent read by Stacy Willingham.

My thanks to NetGalley and the Publishers for sending me this ARC in return for an honest review.

The setting of the story was truly captivating, and I admire how the author drew inspiration from her own life to create such a rich and immersive backdrop. The narrative oozed with suspense and fear, delivering spine-chilling moments that kept me on edge throughout. With numerous plot twists and turns, I found myself guessing until the very last page, propelled forward by the breakneck speed and edge-of-your-seat moments. Despite the intense pacing, the character development remained authentic, allowing genuine emotions to shine through. Overall, it was an exhilarating read that balanced thrills with heartfelt storytelling.

This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and I would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

This had YA vibes to it and for me was not that enjoyable, I don’t want to say too much about it but this is third book I’ve read by this author and the second I’ve really not enjoyed so I just think she msg not a good fit for me.
The biggest problem I had with this one was how slow it seemed to go, I must say tho the last 15% was really good and I just wish the rest of it had been that exciting.

Thanks to NetGalley for the chance to read this arc

⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3 average stars. If this is your first book by the author don’t be put off - her others are far better.

It was hard to gel with any of the annoying characters and the twists were not really that amazing.

Another great read by Stacy Willingham. Her books are always very suspenseful and it keeps you guessing till the end.

This time she takes us to the College campus of Rutledge in South Carolina.
Margo is a freshman. She is not an outgoing person; she is bookish and brainy. She is trying to come to terms with the death of her best friend Eliza who died in a freak accident 3 weeks into the summer after their senior year and who was supposed to be her roommate in college.
This was something they'd been planning for years and now Margo must face it all on her own but Margo is also a troubled soul.
There is one girl, Lucy, that she's drawn to because in a way Lucy reminds her of Eliza. Then one day at the end of their freshman year Lucy invites her to move in with her and two of her best friends into a house off-campus. For Margo, this is a chance to make new friends because college friends are for life hey?
But who is Lucy really and did she have ulterior motives in inviting Margo to stay with her, Nicole, and Sloan?

The all-important question that sums up this story:

"if you knew you can get away with murder, would you do it?"

Don't expect a fast-paced story. This is rather a story that slowly peels back the layers of deceit and lays bare the devastating effect lies can have.

Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Collins UK for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Many thanks to Net Galley and Harper Collins UK for an ARC of this book in exchange for a review.
Margot is grieving and still rather obsessed with her best friend Eliza who died a few weeks after their high school graduation. She has completed her first tear at the college she had planned to attend with Eliza, and was more or less invisible.
She longs to fit in, when she is noticed by the cool, pretty and popular Lucy she is elated and makes plans to house share with Lucy and too other girls, she is excited for a new start and mesmerised by Lucy who reminds her so much of Eliza.
Here for me this story became tedious, I did not like these young people or any of the boys who lived next door, Their student antics, drunken parties, student games was boring and went on and on and on. There are a few twists to the story however which saved it a little at the end.

This is my first book by this author and I would like to read more.

When Margot is Iis voted to share a house with the 'cool girls', Lucy, Nicole and Sloane,, she can't believe her luck. They share a house owned by a fraternity and soon she becomes part of their world of parties and games. But is it all as it seems? Then a death of one of the boys changes everything. Told alternately before and after the accident, there are many twists and turns.