Reviews tagging 'Alcohol'

Only If You're Lucky by Stacy Willingham

27 reviews

amanda_reads89's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Toxic friendship, Murder, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Death, and Alcohol

Moderate: Stalking

Minor: Drug use, Rape, and Sexual assault

kimveach's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

The book's first half was paced too slowly, while I enjoyed the second half as secrets were revealed.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Grief, Alcoholism, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Sexual violence, Stalking, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic friendship, Addiction, Blood, Classism, Physical abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Murder, Violence, Abandonment, Bullying, Child death, Gaslighting, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Gore, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders

Minor: Pregnancy

juanat77's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Stalking, Animal death, Cursing, Vomit, Sexual assault, Alcohol, Murder, Death, Infidelity, Rape, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, Toxic friendship, Violence, Bullying, Car accident, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Blood, Child death, Drug use, Gaslighting, and Grief

fkshg8465's review against another edition

challenging emotional mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

Really enjoyed A Flicker in the Dark and All the Dangerous Things. Expected to like this one as much, but it disappointed. It felt amateur compared to the other two. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Alcohol, Blood, Death, Stalking, Gaslighting, Murder, Rape, Animal death, Child death, and Grief

nrogers_1030's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Vomit, Alcohol, Toxic friendship, Murder, and Cursing

Moderate: Rape, Classism, and Stalking

Minor: Sexual content and Abandonment

anotheraudrey's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

It was a very interesting plot but I struggled to get along with the “kids getting killed / murdered in South Carolina in suspicious situations” plot that seemed close enough to the Murdaugh case. I may be losing my interest in thriller novels because this is the second novel that I have finished and struggled to identify why we would encourage and continue to give a voice to the ending of a life with a “reason.” 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Vomit, Rape, and Murder

Moderate: Eating disorder, Alcohol, Blood, Car accident, Death, and Drug use

weyheyitsrachel's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Stacy Willingham never disappoints! I loved her first two books, and I loved this one!
I will admit, the start of this book is a tad slow and comes off as being a bit juvenile as it surrounds teenagers and college. BUT it ends up being anything but juvenile. These college teenagers are wild and so many secrets come to life.
I did think the way this book is formatted came off as confusing at the start, but once I got into the groove, it all pieced together nicely. It jumps from "After" and "Before," and those two timelines end up connecting eventually and it's a big mind-blowing moment. LOVED it.
Stacy Willingham is one of my top thriller authors and I neeeeed more from her asap. The reveals and the twists in this one were great.
If you love reading about messed up characters and murder investigations, this is the book to try!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol

Moderate: Drug use

blueskyvibes1point0's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

**Please make sure to check your trigger warnings before reading.**

Lucy Sharpe's larger-than-life persona draws in Margot, a shy and cautious college freshman. Despite their differences, Margot is intrigued by Lucy's boldness and agrees to room with her and two other girls off-campus. As their friendship deepens, Margot begins to break free from the shell that she has lived in since the death of her best friend Eliza, only for tragedy to strike when a neighboring frat brother is murdered, and Lucy goes missing, leaving Margot grappling with uncertainty and fear. 

Ratings:

1. **Plot and Storytelling:** 4/5 While the story had well-planned twists, it started a bit slow for my taste, taking some time to fully engage me.

2. **Characterization:** 4/5 Lucy Sharpe is larger than life, thanks to Stacy Willingham's skillful character creation. However, I wished for more growth among the supporting characters.

3. **Writing Style:** 3/5 Willingham’s narrative crafted a convincing plot, but the initial pacing felt slower than I prefer for a thriller. It wasn't until about 60% into the book that it truly hooked me and picked up speed.

4. **Originality:** 4/5 The story was unique and engaging. It was a dark take on female friendships in an academic setting and I loved it. 

5. **Emotional Impact and Resolution:** 5/5 This book delves deep into your fears, expertly weaving in themes of grief and other emotions. The ending wrapped up beautifully, answering my questions and leaving me shocked. 

Overall score: 4/5

I do recommend this book and I would buy it again. If you’re a fan of Stacy Willingham I would add it to your collection. 

If you liked this book I would check out “Twenty Years Later” by Charlie Donlea. It’s fast-paced with some good twists and an ending you won’t see coming. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Drug use, Domestic abuse, and Grief

Moderate: Eating disorder

ashleycote's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief and Alcohol

Moderate: Murder, Abandonment, and Toxic friendship

Minor: Sexual assault and Car accident

katyannreads's review against another edition

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Stalking, Toxic relationship, Death, Alcohol, and Toxic friendship