Imagine that you're so exhausted that you just pop out to buy some plates, and the next thing you know, you're being woken up by your Mom's neighbour in Ikea, where you just lay down to rest for a bit.

Emma Fountain is overwhelmed by the demands of her life, her family, her job, and taking care of her mom. She's used to bending over backwards to do everything for everybody, and that leaves her exhausted, but she has never learnt to say 'no' to anyone.

Thurston is a grieving octogenarian, who has lost his wife after 60-plus years of marriage. He has nothing to live for and starts planning his suicide. To that end, he writes letters to his near and dear ones and decides how his property will be divided. He just hasn't found the correct time and place to go ahead with his plan.

Emma's ride-or-die is Roz (Rosalind), who is the one person to makes everything seem a little more manageable. One day, however, Roz delivers some very bad news to her, and she must now confront her worst fear that she may have to face the rest of her life without her dear friend.

Two people-Emma and Thurston-who are worlds apart, but find solace and friendship in each other after a chance meeting throws them together. Sometimes, when we can no longer cling on to the old, we have to make peace with the past and embrace the new and the uncertain.

There are many themes touched on in this book. Friendship, family, motherhood, and the guilt a woman feels when she believes that she hasn't been a good enough daughter/mother/friend.

All the characters were well constructed. Even though I liked Emma's character, I found her exasperating at times, for letting her kids walk all over her all the time and giving in to their every little whim and demand. She plays the part of a harrowed mother, but I can't help but think that she has brought part of that upon herself because of her inability to discipline her kids and to say 'no'.

My heart did ache for Thurston, because anyone suffering from depression can tell you how hollow and meaningless everything feels when you've lost all hope, and suicidal ideation lurks in the background most of the time, like a dense, dark grey cloud.

Roz is a great character, and everyone needs a friend like her in their lives. She doesn't play the victim but faces her issue head-on and decides what's best for her.

Emma's kids are annoying brats, who have just been enabled by her and spoilt, and somehow, that's portrayed as okay to be that way. Her daughter, especially, with her demands and always trying to make her mom feel like their life and their home is not good enough, and rushing through five or six boyfriends and getting pregnant by the time she's 20?

I also felt so sorry for Emma's mom, because of the way her care-giver was treating her, because we tend to think that old people are just making things up and blowing things out of proportion, whenever they have a complaint. But Granny did surprise (shock!) everyone in the end, didn't she?

This was the first novel I have read from this author, and I quite enjoyed it.

It was funny and poignant and bittersweet, just like life is.

Thank you NetGalley for Very Very Lucky by Amanda Prowse. I'm going to start off saying I loved three quarters of this book. The first quarter I found depressing. The topics were sad and the people were either sick or broken in all different ways. I considered not finishing, which I never do, and I am so glad I forged onward. I am a fan of Amanda Prowse and had faith that it would turn around. As the story evolved, everyone still had their issues, but they all find a way to walk along side their issues and find ways to enjoy their lives. All these strangers seem to intertwine with each other making themselves dysfunctionally happy. I recommend this book without a doubt.

Another story from Amanda which was difficult to put down. I was gripped from the very beginning. It was very funny in places and sad too. I can't imagine falling asleep in Ikea - Emma must have been drained of all energy having given her all. Great characters especially Roz - climbing in through the bathroom window to visit Emma - great long time friends. The devastating news of Roz's cancer was heartbreaking. You get really drawn in to each of the characters lives - I have found that with all of Amanda's books. A story that will live with me long after I finished reading it.

Amanda Prowse has done it again! Very Very Lucky is exceptional!

The story is told in alternating chapters between struggling Mum, wife and daughter Emma, and octogenarian widower Thurston.

Each chapter is perfectly formed, each moment of drama, just tense enough to grab hold. The underlying stories of love, loss, family, and friendship are just so beautifully written that I forgot that I don't actually know these people! They don't actually exist!

I loved every single second I spent reading this book! Thank you, Mandy, for creating these amazing stories!

An excellent read from Amanda. The story features a family with Emma as the mainstay. She has a very busy life with work, family, and friends.she has to deal with a lot of issues as well as keeping the family going. It is very emotional at times and has its funny moments too.

A wonderful feel good book. With really great characters and wonderful storyline. It's a great book that will tug at your heart strings.

Amanda prowse is the most fabulous author and this book was no different. Emma and Thurston tell their story in alternate chapters. Emma leads a manic life with two boys; a husband; a mum and a best friend…Thurston is lonely, his wife Mary had passed away and he just wants to see her again. We find out midway that they’re loosely linked….Emma’s boss Nancy is Thurston neice. A friendship is formed and their lives become entwined. This is such a beautiful story of family; love and loss.

Thanks to Net Galley for granting this request - love Amanda Prowse - she writes from the heart. This book is full of everything you could wish for in a brilliant read - emotions of every type joy, sadness and humour and the realisation that no matter what you’re going thorough in life you’re still lucky! WOW what a book deservedly five stars and highly recommend did not want it to end.

When I first tried this book I couldn’t get into it. Thankfully I decided to give it another go. I absolutely loved it. The characters were amazing. I couldn’t see how the storyline was going to come together but when it did it felt right and I was impressed. Definitely recommend.

This book serves as a reminder that each day we have the opportunity to truly enjoy each moment, live fully and love unconditionally as there are such items such as disease that can be beyond our control. Emma rushed from one place to another and tried to please all members of her family by consistently catering to their needs and forgoing her own as a result. It is not surprising that she found herself sleeping in the bed at Ikea.Her chance meeting with Thurston and the deep conversations they had coupled with the emotions shared were beneficial for both as they both struggled with loss and the ramifications. Emma blamed herself for her father and Thurston didn't know how he could go on without Mary, the true love of his life of whom he got to spend 62 years together. There were definitely moments of levity such as her mother's revelation of her "friend", the chilli incident and the pub quiz team name, but the largest takeaway is that love and life should never be taken for granted.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Emma is one of those people who are always crazy busy and never able to catch up. Her husband, 3 kids and mom are needing something from her at almost every hour of the day.

Thurston has lost his wife of 60+ years and decides he doesn't need anything but to be with her and he comes up with a plan.

Roz (Rosalind) is absolutely the best kind of friend you could ever ask for. She's got a surprise for Emma which will change their lives forever. I wanted closure on their story but just knowing how real and treasured their friendship is will be enough.

This book reminded me a lot of "A Man Called Ove."

I would recommend this book!

Thanks so much to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing.

I was so excited to read this book. I've never read Amanda Prowse before, but I've heard of her and how great her writing is.

The story starts off funny - Emma falls asleep on a showroom bed at IKEA. Her life is very full. Even too full. Then there is Thurston who is recently widowed. He is sad and trying to figure out how to have meaning in his life again. He meets Emma, and her life is the opposite of his. They form a friendship and balance each other out.

This was such a dear, dear book to read, and I feel very very lucky that I was able to. I can see why Prowse's writing gets rave reviews. I was so touched by this story and the precious characters.

I love Amanda Prowse’s books, this one is my seventh by her. She never disappoints me, and Very Very Lucky is no exception. Emma is of the sandwich generation, looking after her children and her mother all while holding down a job. Emma has a lot to be thankful for and I understand how it can be hard to not feel sorry for one’s self when you’re in the thick of it and we have to remind ourselves that it is the little things that make life worth living.

There were many moments of laughter reading this story but also some very serious topical matters. The characters are dealing with some heavy issues such as grief, suicidal thoughts, and terminal illness but the way the author chooses to have her characters deal with them with love and humour touched me and it was also done in a very sensitive manner.

I loved the characters in this tale, they were so real and relatable, especially our main character, Emma. I enjoyed reading about her and her support group of friends and family, watching them learn that it’s never too late to make new friends who can be a surrogate family and that while reaching out and helping others often we can help ourselves as well. There are no easy answers to tough times but many little steps can lead to big steps forward.

This was such a clever story that I got totally absorbed in, written with warmth and compassion. It is a thoughtful, moving book and Prowse makes it very clear that although we all go through difficult times having a lot of support from friends and family makes us very very lucky indeed.

So have just finished reading the new one by Amanda Prowse, Very Very lucky, I was fortunate to receive an Arc
Well what can I say a beautiful story about family, love, loss and how with a little help from friends old and new, it can all be put back together, what a totally wonderful read, and once again Amanda has managed to leave yet another one of her books inside my heart 😍

I feel very lucky to have read Prowse's book! The story was a delight. Lots of love and great characters throughout. I stayed up late to finish it. The stories sucked me in and I was invested in the outcomes. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. Five stars.

I think most mothers, daughters, friends, colleagues will be able to relate to the main character Emma Fountain. Each day feels like a never ending to-do list and no matter how hard she tries she always feels like she’s letting someone down. Sometimes reading about someone else’s hopelessness can really put our own lives in perspective. But Prowse also shows us how to find the glint of happiness within the storm of life. There is laughter and friendship even on the darkest days.

Thanks @netgalley @lakeunionauthors for the early access. Amanda Prowse’s new book is out for general release Jan 2024

This book was so touching in a few different ways. Lost loves, illnesses, families and great friends making new ones.
I loved absolutely everything about this book.
The characters were brilliant and I loved how they teased, as this is how I was brought up.
Tears were slowly leaking from my eyes.
When a book touches you that much I have to thank the author for bringing it alive.
Definitely looking for more from this Author.

Thanks to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for an early release of this book.

Emma is a typical wife and mother, overextended and exhausted, and she ends up falling asleep in a bed in a department store. Now, she’s trying to cope with the most terrible news possible about her best friend. Meanwhile, Thurston is living a lonely and joyless existence. After losing his wife of over six decades, he doesn’t feel that he has much to live for. But the day he meets Emma, everything changes. This is a lovely and bittersweet story about love, loss, and making the most of the time we have.

I liked this from the blurb and could empathise with Emma being pulled in several directions and I don’t have kids, the friendship between Emma and Roz is priceless and anyone lucky to have that is very fortunate. Definitely a book I’ll be re reading in the future.

I do feel very, very lucky to have received this ARC.

The story was nicely written and I liked most of the characters, especially Emma's zesty best friend Roz, but otherwise the book was just a bit meh and fell flat for me.

Thank you so much to the publisher and Amanda Prowse for the advanced copy though. And I really think other people would like this, it just wasn't for me.