Chasing Lucky (2020)

When Josie and her mother return to Beauty to look after the family bookshop, Josie has plans -- keep to herself, finish high school, secure a photography apprenticeship, move to LA. But after Josie accidentally breaks a store-front window and her childhood friend Lucky takes the blame, Josie’s priorities change.

I enjoyed this more than I expected to. I particularly liked how Lucky subverts people’s expectations, and how Josie’s family works at communicating better with each other. ( )

DNF at 57%

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Any quotes I use are from an unpublished copy and may not reflect the finished product.


I tried so hard and got so far
But in the end it doesn't even matter

Linkin Park sums up my experience with this book perfectly. Jenn Bennett is normally my jam, but I just could not get into Chasing Lucky. I disliked Josie from the start, which made it hard for me to really enjoy this book. I have to like the main character or a book just won't work for me. Her general attitude was sour and uncaring, but her cowardice was the worst. I don't know why Lucky did what he did for Josie, but regardless of his reasons, she shouldn't have let him take the fall for something stupid she did. I'm sure it worked itself out later on, but the longer she stayed quiet, the more I started to resent her. It made me not want to pick up the book, because I couldn't stand to see Lucky care about Josie when she only cared about herself.

I've kept this book on my bedside table for months, and I've probably picked it up a handful of times without making much progress. I think I was trying to force myself to like a book because I like the author, but liking someone isn't a reason to make myself continue reading a story I'm not enjoying. (★★☆☆☆)

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3.5⭐
I absolutely adored this book. Jenn Bennett is an autobuy author for me so I didn't doubt I would've loved this one as well. We follow Josie and her mother, at the beginning they come back to their hometown after Josie's grandmother and aunt leave for a trip. We find out that Josie's mom had a huge fall out with her mother . And between curses and prejudices against their family, it's all about this family reconnecting. But not only that, Josie and her childhood best friend Lucky, also had a big fall out. And unexpectedly they find each other. It was so sweet to see them trying to move past the hurt and the miscommunication and fear. Lucky is so sweet and loyal. I love the childhood best friends to lovers trope much more than just friends to lovers, and Jenn Bennett was phenomenal here. Definitely a sweet read that you don't want to miss out.

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