I find it challenging to describe what this book is about. It addresses racial issues and differences between Black-Americans and Africans who come to the United States. The feelings are described from the perspective of the characters and are heart-felt, touching, traumatic and realistic. It is also about the relationship between a mother and a daughter and how daunting that can be especially when the mother is controlling (because of her own losses in life). It also talks about sexual violation from a priest and how that changes the perspective of a young woman for years and years and how secrets like this do tremendous damage. I wanted to condemn that priest so many times. The book describes the trauma of the 9/11 bombings in New York and the struggle to recover or even to go outdoors. To this day I think we all remember where we were (if alive) on that dreadful day. And for me the most poignant part was the end where the lead character, Soila, deals with “Mother’s” decline into dementia/Alzheimer’s. I have had that experience although my mother was quite sweet not abusive. And finally it’s about friendship of women, finding a good man, love, family, history and finding oneself. A fabulous book, epic in telling. An amazing first novel. I cannot wait to see what else the author writes next.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the Advanced Review Copy.

Thank you to NetGalley and random house publishing for the opportunity to preview this arc in exchange for an honest review! I have to say, I loved it. A bit slow to start but with an ending that leaves you cheering for your main character, crying with her and ultimately missing her at 5he end of the story! I loved seeing her growth however painstakingly each step was taken!

I loved this book. It explores the life of a young African woman who moves through a privileged but emotionally impoverished life in Africa, then immigrates to the United States to pursue an education and career. It’s a layered coming of age story with excellent character development.

The themes of mental health and enmeshment with an overbearing parent resonated with me. The main character’s mother is both an economically successful woman but a religious zealot who controls her daughter’s life. The main character’s struggle with this throughout her young adulthood is written in a nuanced way.

The book also artfully explores issues of race between African immigrants and Black Americans.

Highly recommend.

One can think that this book is just an exploration of the loss of a husband and its effects on the mothers left behind and how it affects of the mother-daughter relationship.

It's much more than that.

I can’t begin to explain how much I loved this book. Soila grew up as a privileged Kenyan girl. Her widowed mother is stern and has many strict rules that Soila must follow. Although Soila understands that her mother is showing her love in the only way she knows how, it’s still very difficult. And so when she gets the opportunity to study overseas, Soila packs her bags for New York City.

Unsurprisingly, Soila finds in 1990s New York quite a different reality for a Black young woman, however financially privileged she might be. Through the friendships she makes at school with fellow Black students, she starts to understand how her own privilege is blinding her to the racism she and other Black people face.

The conversation between an African immigrant to New York and African American descendants of slaves was incredible to read. I had to reread a number of sections, as I was flying through them way too quickly to truly appreciate them. The conversations were thorough and well thought-out, and didn’t shy away from the most difficult parts. The story ebbed and flowed beautifully and even the longer and more in-depth conversations about family heritage, privilege, and racism were intricately and naturally weaved in.

A book about balancing the life you want for yourself with family obligations and expectations. This is a slow paced, character driven novel. It would be a good book for book clubs and could lead to some great conversations. I’m glad I read it.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Random House, Dial Press Trade Paperback for this digital arc in exchange for my honest review which is not affiliated with any brand.

I really enjoyed this story! I was captivated by the bright colors of the cover but really enjoyed the story. I loved getting Soila;s perspective and seeing the world through her eyes.

This story was heartbreaking, enlightening, and moving. I was excited to read this novel because I wanted to learn more about life in Kenya and Kenyan culture. While many of the events in the novel are very sad and difficult to read, I did still appreciate all the information and cultural references that were interspersed in the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are completely my own.

This book was surprisingly good. I loved the characters and plot of the story. I do wish the book was bit longer and I would love to see this book turned into some kind of movie.

Soila is raised by a single mother and a house full of aunties in Nairobi in the 1990's and enjoys a life of prosperity; but there are many restrictions and expectations for how she will behave. Though her mother is adamant that she go to University in Nairobi, she secretly applies to a school in New York City, and is accepted. A huge battle ensues, but her mother reluctantly allows her to go.

It was incredibly brave of Soila to travel alone to a foreign country to which she'd never been, and she soon discovers that being Black in America is far different from being black in Africa. Racism and discrimination are still rampant and never far from her mind. She starts a relationship with a fellow student and they are in a committed relationship, or so she thought, but her best friend is another black woman with a free spirit who is fiercely loyal to Solia.

One relationship ends and another starts, with an open-minded, kind artist with dreadlocks, but they frequently disagree with what it means to be Black in America vs. Africa. He can't really see things her way, and she is frustrated that he is so complacent with things as they are. She is also torn between her relationship and the demands that her mother places on her to come back home to Kenya permanently.

The book was beautifully written with wonderful, strong language and fully fledged emotions. It certainly gave me a different perspective, which is the best thing that can happen from reading a book!

This was a tough read, but I could appreciate the social commentary. There was great character development despite the moments where the MC did things out of the blue that didn’t make sense. Pace and flow could’ve went better.

Lucky Girl is a coming of age story about Soila, an African girl who lived a privileged life in Nairobi. Her father died by suicide and her mother was overbearing and demanding. Soila dreamed of living in America and secretly applied to universities there, not for a better education, but to escape her dominating mother. She wanted to live life on her own terms.

While living in New York, working as an investment banker, she meets and falls in love with an African American man who she knows her mother won’t approve of. He’s an artist, he’s a bohemian type and he’s everything Soila’s mother disapproves of. Soila has never been happier. She has escaped the oppression of her mother, she has made some wonderful friends and she’s in love.

When tragedy strikes, Soila must make the hardest decision of her life. Will she choose her own happiness or will she do what is expected of her?

This is a beautiful, poignant, thought-provoking book about family, love and culture. The characters are multifaceted and complex. I give this book 4 stars with many thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Absolutely yes! I really enjoyed reading this novel. The characters were fun, it held my interest, and provided an escape from reality. I would definitely recommend!

This was an eye-opening and wonderfully written novel regarding class, race, and sex. Not only did the main character win me over from the very beginning, but her heart-felt struggles in trying to find her place in this world shattered me to pieces. This has definitely found a place in my top ten.

Soila lived an abundant life in Nairobi with her large family. But not one to follow the rules, she felt stifled by her mother's high expectations and constant nagging and began searching for relief elsewhere. Hello New York.

As she navigates college life in her new world, Soila begins to acknowledge the vast chasm between the wealthy and poor, something she didn’t think she would be witness to in America. Amidst the racism, her inner turmoil, and her bourgeoning love life with a man that her mother would never accept into the family, Soila must figure out what she wants out of life and what would make her the happiest. Does she forge her own path and identity or fall back on and honor her heritage?

The publisher provided ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

the writing in this novel is so vivid! you feel as if you are in new york and africa with soila experiencing everything with her. while i enjoyed the writing immensely, i wish the characters were more loveable. i felt for soila and everything she went through but that’s the only character i really cared about. for me, i wanted to like a few characters other than the main one. i also wanted to feel more for the other characters whether it be anger, hope, etc. leticia was nice and so was molly but they were very one dimensional. i wanted to get to know everyone better…even soila’s overbearing mother.

i also think the sister could have been taken out of the equation or have her & her mother written with more depth. i expected a longer journey to finding the sister than her being so accessible. i wanted to know more about her mothers relationship with their father. it seemed like they were close but they weren’t. so many opportunities to vamp this book up!

we still don’t know why the father killed himself.

soila’s engagement was rushed in my opinion.

the part that fell short for me the most was the over communication about black people’s struggles. i get it that we should talk about the issues 24/7 BUT there is a way to make it flow within the story. it just felt like one chapter was strictly a back and forth between characters giving great awareness about the issues of african american men with police but it read like i was reading an informative pamphlet and a staged conversation. we talk about black people’s wrongful treatment in america on a normal basis but the dialogue in the book didn’t feel believable. also between 48% and 64%, i didn’t feel the same emotions as i did in the beginning and the end.

i would definitely re-read once it comes out cause the writing is there plus it really gives a great observation of lgbtqia+ in the african community, the notorious african vs african american debate, abortion, & difficult mother/daughter relationships.

This was a very good book with a few differing strengths and weaknesses.

I found the romantic storylines not as strong as the character's evolution in her understanding of the experiences of Black Americans. Another strength was her relationship with her mother and the traditional family relationship that removed her agency in life decisions. The storyline with the abusive priest was painful, poignant, and realistically unresolved. The love stories were less interesting to me and more typical rom com fare; essentially not the higher quality of the other storytelling.
One more note: the long-lost sister is Jewish and yet her character and storyline lack any aspects of that identity, culture, experiences. A more authentic Jewish voice was warranted. A senstivity reader might have been able to offer insights. As much as I appreciate inclusion of a Jewish character, it needed much more development.

This ARC was provided to me via Kindle, from Random House Publishing Group-Random House and #NetGalley. Thank you for the opportunity to preview and review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

This one is a touch out of my norm, an epic story nonetheless.

Wish I could give this many more than five stars! First of all, this is a story of a girl from Kenya, Soila, leaving her country to go to New York. Her mother is very controlling and insists Soila earns a business degree. Soila is not interested in a business degree but dare not go against her mother. But the best part of this story is following how Soila feels. She finds it difficult to find her place in America. There are great differences between the black people from her home and the black people in America. Also a great difference in how families are treated. It was simply a wonderful story. It took over my heart.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Soila is a young Kenyan girl coming of age in Nairobi in the nineties with an overbearing mother, a beloved grandmother and four aunts who more like sisters. Despite being perceived as a lucky girl because she hails from an affluent family, Soila longs to be free. Behind her tyranical mother's back she applies to university in America and gets accepted. Once she arrives, will Soila be able to adjust to the fast pace of NYC, a city so different from her own as well as learn how to navigate America by her race instead of her nationality, pick up
Irene Muchemi-Ndiritu endearing and enlightening, Lucky Girl to find out.

I thoroughly enjoyed Lucky Girl, it was beautifully written with simple yet sagacious prose. It is the perfect combination of Soila being the star of the novel and how the people she meets and the events that occur along the way shape her story. On a personal note, I loved the Black diasporic dialogue that occured on the page which tackled important differences and taboo misconceptions regarding what is means to be Black in America, both as a native and an immigrant. Finally, it was great to read a novel which had many points tension but no real trauma, a trait I am longing in Black and African literature. Well done I highly recommend Lucky Girl.