Lucky Girl is a beautiful debut novel - it addresses so much but it is somehow not too much. And despite all of the ups and downs - you are left with such a hopeful feeling at the end. Moving to the United States for college, Soila realizes how sheltered her upbringing has been as she meets new people and is confronted with racism and privilege in a way she never considered before growing up in Kenya. You see her struggle with her mother's expectations and her own dreams for her future. Soila is an amazing character - her story easily draws you in. And all of the side characters are so well-developed - I loved Atkenaten and Leticia. A truly beautiful novel - definitely recommend! Excited to read more from Irene Muchemi-Ndiritu in the future. Thank you to Dial Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this novel.

For years, Soila has lived under her imperious mother's rule, but she breaks out in spectacular fashion in Lucky Girl by Irene Muchemi-Ndiritu. After a disturbing incident occurs, she decides to leave her homeland and go to college in New York City, Although it sounds like a dream come true, the Land of the Free is anything but a dream or free. She learns what it's like to live as a Black American in 1990s America and evolves from her experiences during this time away from home.

I really loved this book because Soila is a thoughtful and relatable character. I could relate, especially, to the overbearing mother who means well but many times oversteps her bounds and makes impossible demands on her daughter. It made me think of my own mother. Soila goes to college for business, but her heart belongs to photography. She struggles to come to terms with what she should do with her life.

The relationships within the book, whether between Soila and her mother, her friends in NYC, her relationships with men and colleagues, all felt authentic. I felt the frustration that she feels with her mom. In becoming friends with Americans, she learns about racism and prejudice from a unique perspective. Her view coming from another country differs from her friends and her future boyfriends. It was interesting to see the juxtaposition of the perspective of Black Americans and Africans and how Soila forms some new opinions and understanding.

Many of the events that arise in the book ring true. I felt the emotions and felt the author captured some major events very well and in a thoughtful, respectful manner. The life events in Soila's life also rang true and really made you feel for her and root for her. Her life takes many turns--some good, some bad--but in the end, you want her to find happiness and get frustrated when she lets other things like her overwhelmingly frustrating mother disrupt her life path toward happiness.

If you're part of a book club, there are so many things that can be discussed. Racism, family relationships, cultural differences, and so much more. All the topics come off seamlessly in the book and the perspectives all come from different places. You can see where everyone is coming from even her mother who aggravated me throughout the book.

I was so impressed by this book and how well it was written. There are so many layers to the story without feeling bogged down with unnecessary details. The prose and storylines run so smoothly, and I hope this writer continues to put out thought-provoking stories that look at the human condition.

Lucky Girl" by Irene Muchemi-Ndiritu is a compelling and inspiring memoir that recounts the author's remarkable journey of resilience and triumph over adversity. From surviving a tumultuous childhood to overcoming numerous challenges as an adult, Muchemi-Ndiritu's story is a testament to the strength of the human spirit. Her candid and poignant narrative not only sheds light on the harsh realities faced by many but also serves as a beacon of hope, reminding readers of the power of determination and self-belief.

It was interesting seeing Soila adjust to life in America and her reactions to racism, while also becoming her own person beyond her mother’s control.

New York in the 1990’s was so totally different from Nairobi that Soila had no idea what to do. Though her mother grudgingly allowed her to attend college, it was with the stipulation that she major in Business Administration and come home immediately after graduation to run the family business. The courses that interested Soila the most, though, were art and photography classes, inspiring her to take out her old camera. Deciding to stay in New York rather than return home was a difficult decision for Soila, as it was rare she defied an order from her mother. Her job in the New York finance world was uncomfortable and unsatisfying, and she felt as though she didn’t belong. Being witness to the towers falling on 9/11 while knowing her friend and mentor had just left to attend a meeting there caused Soila to rethink her priorities and completely change her life.

Okay…where to start? The contrast between Soila’s life in Kenya and New York was clearly defined, and I liked how her boyfriends and her friend Leticia helped her understand the prevalence of racism and the lingering history of slavery. The book doesn’t hold back, in addition to the topics mentioned above, it talks about sexual molestation, abortion, religious conflict, Alzheimer’s, and your duty to your mother. Lucky Girl in a fascinating book that offers the reader different perspectives on wealth and privilege, cultural identity, and finding your voice in a world determined to silence you.

This is a bittersweet debut novel about Soila, a young woman growing up in Nairobi whose father committed suicide and whose mother tries to run her life. Soila is interested in photography, but her mother thinks she should have a more "useful" job so Soila goes to college and does what her mother asks. There are so many relevant topics addressed here: colonialism, abuse, abortion, racism, 911, marriage, and dementia. But it is so clearly a heart-felt look at this "lucky" girl who must navigate the world and all of its injustices! So lovely!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

Lucky Girl is a debut novel by this author. She writes with such background involving living as a Kenyan woman both in Africa as well as New York City.
The main character, Solia, is Kenyan born and bred. She is raised not only by her fierce protective mother, but also by her extended family including her grandmother and her mothers’ sisters. Her father died by suicide on her birthday. In Kenya, she is privileged and her family has wealth.
Solia wants nothing more but to gain her independence without the watchful eye of her domineering mother. She wants to move to the United States to get her college degree. Her mother finally allows it when Solia is accepted by Bard College in New York City. She moves there all by herself, knowing no one at all. She becomes fast friends with a black college student named Leticia. They room together for years and have each other’s back though happiness and heartache.
Solia’s journey, as a black woman from Kenya, is much different from a black woman born in the United States. It takes years for Solia to see the difference.
Issues that the author tackled in this novel include race, privilege, poverty and wealth, discrimination, first loves.
This story takes place in the 1900s’ and the early 2000’s in NYC. Solia’s journey is a difficult one for her as she tries to gain her independence. Trigger warnings for Alzheimer’s disease, abortion, 911 bombings.
The author has created a wonderful cast of characters, and her writing flowed easily as you were reading. Highly recommended for readers of character based novels and women finding their own voice.

Lucky Girl is such a great story. I loved the writing style and the characters. The story is about a young Kenyan woman who moves to NYC to attend college. Along the way, she deals with issues like race, love, and family. I found Soila to be a fantastic character who really pays attention to the people around her, plus, she is smart, headstrong, and funny. She has a good head on her shoulders and really means well in the things she does. It was tough to watch her make some difficult decisions that would cause her pain and grief. Trying to please her mother is not an easy thing and her upbringing makes it very difficult for her to disobey her. Watching her get the courage to stand up for what she wants was awesome. I loved her relationships not only with her boyfriend but with all her acquaintances and family members. The writing is top notch and I look forward to reading more by this author.

Define lucky... Soila was living a life in Nigeria. She had everything she could hope for (maybe she could use a little bit more freedom but still she was not missing anything). Her mother liked to do everything by the book and not allowing her to develop her own character. Soila was having a hard time voicing her concerns or needs. As an act of rebellion, she decided to apply for colleges in the US. Then she realized she was the luckiest girl in Nigeria but an average Jane in the US.

On top of everything else, she came face to face with one thing she never experienced in Nigeria: racism. I'm sure there was some level of discrimination in Nigeria too, but I bet it was because of socioeconomic levels or religion, not because of your skin color. Soila was trying to understand the difference between being African and being African American.

At the end she got everything she wanted, so she was one lucky girl. However, the price she paid for approval and acceptance of her mother, all the stress she endured, not sure I would call her the luckiest for fighting for that.

Wow- I finally got around to reading this one and finished it in 24 hours. Her journey took me on a journey and I wondered if she would ever find the peace she needed with such a difficult mother. I highlighted many lines. I especially enjoyed learning the different perspectives on being African in America vs. Being Black in America. This is something I can relate to. The two takes were very debatable and is a very difficult subject but an important conversation.

There was some confusion with the dates- hope it was fixed in the final MS, but it seemed that she 24 for like 4 years!?

Thanks to the author for teaching us about Kenyan culture. I so wish the MC would have taken charge of her life much sooner but I understand the importance of respecting a culture--even if it can be soul crushing in the end. She took on a lot more than most people ever would. I'm glad she stood her ground in the end.

LUCKY GIRL
Irene Muchemi-Ndiritu

We read THE LICKY GIRL by Irene Muchemi-Ndiritu with my book club in the second half of May 2023. I enjoyed the book and so did most of the members of our group.

In LUCKY GIRL we’re following Soila. Soila has left her home in Kenya to attend college in New York. We follow as she tries to adjust to her new life, new loves, and her new home.

LUCKY GIRL is set in the 90s but I could not tell. That is both good and bad. Most of the issues and themes present in the book are still applicable today.

Some of those themes had to do with Black politics, self-actualization, and abortion. For the most part, I appreciated the conversation.

LUCKY GIRL felt a little guiding at times but not too much.

Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Random House Audio, Random House Publishing Group - Random House, and Dial Press Trade Paperback for the advanced copies and the opportunity to provide feedback!

LUCKY GIRL…⭐️⭐️⭐️

I received a free copy from NetGalley. I thought this book tried to cover too many things. I appreciated the point of view, but really just wanted her to admit she was an adult and needed to take responsibility for the decisions she was making, instead of blaming everyone and everything else. I had not thought of the different between African living in America and African American and appreciate her trying to explain the differences.

Date is for review, not for reading.

After being raised as a privileged Kenyan Soila begs her strict conservative mother to let her leave to go to school in America. 1990's in the states is not what Soila imagined it would be. She falls in love with a man her mother would never approve of and must choose between her heart or what she owes her family.

I wanted to love this book. I always enjoy reading from a view point entirely different from my own and ones I've read before and the view point of black African who hasn't endured racism until being in the states was an interesting one but I felt this book was trying to do too many things and hence fell a bit flat instead. This was high on race and culture and well written but meandered a bit too much for me. It seemed to gloss over the checklist of issues instead of doing a deeper dive.

Lucky Girl is a coming-of-age novel about Soila, a wealthy Kenyan girl who moves to New York for college. Soila longs for independence from her strained relationship with her religious mother following the death of her father. Upon arriving in the US, she begins to witness the differences between Kenya and New York and she struggles against the juxtaposition between her own conservative upbringing and the life she is currently living in America. Soila faces many challenges and is forced to make a difficult decision when she falls in love with a man that her mother would never approve of.

LUCKY GIRL is moving and does a wonderful job of discussing the issue of racism in America. I was sucked into Soila’s life and enjoyed the characters of her family and friends as well, all of which were well developed. I found Soila and her struggles very relatable. While many tough issues are addressed in the book, it doesn’t feel too heavy or depressing. Instead, I found it extremely thought provoking. It is a beautifully told story of family loyalty, struggles, and love. I am so glad I decided to read it.

Thank you to NetGalley and The Dial Press/Random House for allowing me to read and review an ARC of this story.

Suela is a young African woman who moves to America to pursue her dreams. But what are her dreams? Does she even know? This book follows her journey as she seeks independence from her mother and searches for love and friendship.

This is a nice well written story. If you liked Maame or The Girl With The Louding Voice, you may enjoy this one, although if I had to rank them this was my least fave of those three. They all do a great job of exploring the culture of an African family but Lucky Girl was a tad slow for my taste.

Pick this up if you enjoy a literary exploration of a family from a different culture.

Soila is a young Kenyan woman who wants to make her own way in America. She heads to the US to go to college. She loves photography, but her very rigid mother insists she major in business. It’s not only her college major that Soila’s mother wants a say in. She wants a say in where she lives, who she dates, her religion, basically every aspect of her life.

This is a beautifully written story about a young lady discovering her own path in a foreign land. It is a love story, an examination of racial biases, and a wonderful coming of age story! I enjoyed it immensely!

A wonderful debut novel that packs so much into its short length. We follow main character Soila as she grows up in Kenya well to do but with a difficult and controlling mother, comes to the US for college, and through her mid-20s. It’s a coming of age novel, a family drama, a book about relationships, a book about Kenyan culture, a book about racism, and so much more.

I really enjoyed this one, and loved Soila’s character. The perspectives on race and racism and the differences about being an African in America versus an African-American were particularly interesting and thought-provoking. It’s very much it’s own unique novel, but I’d say if you enjoyed Jessica George’s also excellent debut novel Maame you might enjoy this one too, and vice versa.

What a book!

Lucky Girl is a coming-of-age story about Soila, an African girl who lives a pretty good life in Nairobi. After the death of her father, her mother becomes increasingly overbearing, and Soila dreams of independence and moving to America. Against her mother's wishes, she moves to the US for college. Thus begins her journey of self-discovery and growth.

I found it very interesting how this book tackled some heavy issues like the racial differences between Black Americans and Africans, the frantic tragedy of 9/11 and living through that; as well as having an ailing parent and how to navigate that.

This book was such a great read. Thanks, Netgalley and Penguin Random House for providing me with this ARC.

A novel that explores privilege in a different way. Soila is a well educated indulged young Kenyan woman , who has taken the life she has for granted until she attends college in the States. Going to Barnard opens her to how she has been spared any and all hardship. Her fellow students, a roommate, a boyfriend all try to educate her to the inequality African Americans have faced since the beginnings of this country. It isn’t until the morning of September eleventh that the full force of her naïveté is presented by the appearance of her mother. It’s a revelation, for both.

A poignant and heart warming story of an African immigrant coming of age in America. A rich, diverse novel that examines love, family, race, and culture. Thought provoking and engaging. Rich characters, well written