Reviews with content warning for Eating disorder - Only If You're Lucky

I have qualms with this book, but they are highly specific personal qualms and not at all related to the plot nor the writing style which were both excellent.
I will start with my issue first just to get it out of the way. As someone who has lived in South Carolina their whole life and attended a small, private liberal arts college in South Carolina, I can attest to the fact that no private college in South Carolina is set up in this way. Typically, the students are kept on campus and Greek Life is heavily monitored (trust me I fielded the calls from angry alumni regarding this). The school in this book more closely mirrored a large southern school like a College of Charleston. It makes sense when you read the acknowledgements and realize it was based on UGA. It simply took me a second to get over this.
On the other hand, this book has some of the most compelling main characters I have ever read. The women are morally complex, and they only get more so as their backstory is revealed. Margot, the narrator, seems like she is going to be fairly bland and have the story happen around her at the beginning of the novel. She even portrays herself this way, using terms such a malleable. However, by the end, reader learn she is more involved in her own story than you would think.
Additionally, Stacy Willingham does a good job of dealing with themes such as moral greyness, the fear of being left out or not fitting in, and jealousy. It also tackles the pressure of taking on responsibility of those around you without being asked. Her emphasis on these common fears and complexities of every day life makes the novel that much more compelling and frightening. It allows readers to see how anyone (including themselves) could easily take on the villain role.
Overall, this novel is thrilling and is worth the read just for the last few chapters alone. It is brilliantly written. However, if you went to a small, liberal arts school, you may need to work a bit harder to suspend your disbelief.

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anotheraudrey's review against another edition

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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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blueskyvibes1point0's review against another edition

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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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zippysherman's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

5.0

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chloecam's review against another edition

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dark tense slow-paced

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

3.25

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katiecummings1981's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No

2.0

I found the book repetitive, slow and although I finished it, I struggled to do so.

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erincaitlin97's review against another edition

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dark tense slow-paced

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

4.5

Definitely a slow build that kept me guessing the whole time. The way that everything tied together at the end was absolutely insane and unexpected. I loved watching the way these friendships were built, and the blind loyalty they all had for one another.

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