A review by dlrosebyh
The Lucky List by Rachael Lippincott

emotional hopeful medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Emily and her mother were always fortunate. Every month, they'd take her lucky quarter, choose fortunate card 505, and win the fervently competitive bingo night in Huckabee, their little, eccentric town. Emily's mother's good fortune ran short three years ago when she died of cancer, and nothing has seemed right for Emily since.

Things are getting worse now, the summer before her senior year. Not only has Emily ruined her relationship with Matt, whom her mother cherished, but her father is selling the house she grew up in and giving her mother's possessions away. She'll soon have no links to Mom other than that fortunate quarter. And, with her best friend away for the summer and her other pals siding with her ex, the only person she has to confide in is her father's best friend's daughter, Blake, a girl she hardly knows.

However, Emily discovers the list—her mother's senior year summer wish list—buried in a box at the back of her closet. When Blake suggests Emily take it on as a challenge, the two embark on a journey to tick each box and help Emily face her fears before everything changes. As they progress down the list, Emily finally begins to feel closer to her mother again, but her bond with Blake begins to deepen in unexpected ways. Emily is forced to confront yet another fear: admitting the secret part of herself that she never had the chance to share with the person who knew her best.

I enjoyed this book. The sapphic portrayal was wonderful. The romance was sweet and charming, and the characters were endearing. This book is a fantastic summer read, especially if you're a senior. The only reason I didn't enjoy it was because it included too many pop culture references, which I normally dislike. However, this is a fantastic book in general. I adore the author and have read all she has written.
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