This is Willingham's best work. I didn't see it coming... incredible. The characters were flawed *just* enough and, like always, I found myself rooting for the villain just a little... but who was the real villain? Impeccable.

Unfortunately, I wasn't captivated by Stacy Willingham's latest novel, "Only if You're Lucky." In fact, it took me quite a few attempts to finish it. I think it was the back and forth of "before" vs. "after" that didn't keep me riveted. And I remember a plot twist about chapter 60-something where I finally thought to myself, "Oh, it's just now getting good."

All that said, this audiobook was narrated by the uber-talented Karissa Vacker who can do character voices (particular male voices) like no other. She is a gem and a big reason why I pushed through until the end.

The story revolves around Margot, a shy and careful college student, whose life takes a daring turn when she befriends Lucy Sharpe, a larger-than-life and magnetic personality. Lucy, bold and dangerous, draws Margot into a world of excitement and unpredictability. As the two become inseparable, Margot finds herself living with Lucy and two other contrasting roommates, Sloane and Nicole, in an off-campus house. The dynamics among the four girls create a fascinating and deeply intertwined relationship.

This story is about female relationships, college life and dark secrets that can lurk beneath the surface. We follow Margot's journey of breaking free from her shell, a transformation catalyzed by her friendship with Lucy. But when a brutal murder occurs, involving a fraternity boy from the neighboring house, Lucy also goes missing without a trace. We then go back and forth in timelines to figure out "whodunit." And we know that Margot knows more than she's willing to let on.

Special thanks to Macmillan Audio for an advanced listener copy via the NetGalley app.

The premise of this book was a bit different than Stacy Willingham’s previous novels. College students navigating death and murder, jealousy, and toxic relationships. I enjoyed the plot, although, it did trudge along at times. The ending was satisfyingly frustrating with loose ends tied up and shocking revelations.

Thank you Stacy Willingham, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to an advanced copy of this audiobook! The sound quality was excellent, and the narrator, Karissa Vacker, was pleasant and familiar to listen to.

I am going to leave two reviews in one. First, the audiobook aspect: I really enjoyed this narrator's voice and the way she read the book. I tend to space out during audiobooks, but she held my attention. Second, the book itself: All the Dangerous Things was my thriller vote for 2023. I was really looking forward to this author's next book. I did not like this book as much as my previous reads by Stacy Willingham. The book had a very gradual pace and I found myself wanting things to speed along. I think if I had gone in with no pretenses, I would have enjoyed it more. This book felt more mystery than thriller. I did enjoy the ending and I was glad I stuck it out!

Psychological thrillers are by far my favorite thing to read so I was excited to receive an advanced copy Only If You’re Lucky by Stacy Willingham.
The story opens as we meet Margot, who is mourning the death of her best friend Eliza who died three weeks after high school graduation. The story is told in alternating timelines, Margot before college and Margot in her freshman year of college. Margot’s college life finally gives her the friendships, acceptance and sense of belonging that she has been looking for. What price will Margot have to pay for this though?
The story is full of a lot of unexpected twists and turns, lies and accusations. Just when I thought I had it figured out, another unexpected twist happened. The book has somewhat of a slow start, but keep reading it is so worth your time.
Thank you NetGalley and McMillian Audio for my ARC in exchange for my honest feedback.

Only If You’re Lucky by Stacy Willingham
Narrator: Karissa Vacker
Rating: 4 stars
Pub date: 1/16

Margot arrives at Rutledge College devastated after the accidental death of her best friend, Eliza, months before. She’s shy and careful but wishes she could be more outgoing. Then she meets Lucy Sharpe, an enigmatic and free-spirited classmate who reminds her so much of Eliza that she can’t help but be drawn to her. The duo and two other contrasting friends share an off-campus house next door to a frat house.
As Margot starts to come out of her shell, the plot takes a chilling turn when a neighboring fraternity boy is found murdered, and Lucy goes missing without a trace. This sets the stage for exploring female friendships, loyalty, and betrayal.

This story is very different from Willingham's previous works, introducing a slower-paced, character-driven story with a touch of young adultish vibes. Things don’t start to pick up until the 70% mark, and that’s when all the clues and Easter eggs Willingham has left behind begin to make sense.

The dark academia atmosphere drew me in and reminded me of one of my favorite thrillers, In My Dreams I Hold a Knife. I loved the dual timeline as we hopped between past and present, and Margot explained how the events leading up to Eliza’s death came together with what was happening in the present.

The unexpected twists kept me fully immersed in the story, and I couldn’t put it down! I listened to this on audio, also, and the narrator did a tremendous job bringing all of the characters to life. Karissa Vacker is one of my favorite narrators, and I’ll listen to any books she narrates.

If you're a fan of psychological suspense or character-driven mysteries, this novel is a must-read. Thank you so much to Minotaur for my advanced copy and to Macmillan Audio for my complimentary audiobook.

Well......

This was a slow, slow book. . Slow and I do not get along - at all. This tale about obsession, secrets, belonging, and toxic friendships didn't pick up until close to the ending.

Margot meets Lucy at the end of her freshman year of college. Lucy is everything that Margot is not - outgoing, lively, bold, and fun! Margot is shy and still getting over the death of her best friend, Eliza who died tragically after graduation.

Margot soon finds she is enjoying college life while living in an off-campus house with Lucy, Nicole, and Sloane. During their sophomore year, a young man will be dead, and a Lucy will go missing.

Man, I really thought I would enjoy this book. Again, it was so very slow. I didn't care for any of the characters or what was going on in their lives. It wasn't until the later part of the book that things began to get interesting but that wasn't enough to save the book for me.

I listened to the audiobook and felt the narrator did a good job despite the slowness of this book.

4⭐ (audio) The narrator did a good job with this entertaining read! I enjoyed the story and never felt pulled out of it by the narration, which can happen with lesser narrators.

4⭐ (story) Tense and captivating, this atmospheric read will keep you hooked from the beginning. Margot just graduated from high school, and a few weeks after her graduation, her best friend died. Going off to college, she is fighting depression on top of the normal adjustment for new students. She meets Lucy Sharpe, who is larger than life, the sarcastic Sloane, and the quieter Nicole.The four live together their sophomore year, and Margot is finally starting to come out of her shell when one of the boys at the house next door is found brutally murdered, and Lucy goes missing.

While the mystery aspect of this was interesting, it felt pretty predictable. For me, this book stood out because of the relationships between Margot, Lucy, and the other girls. Even though it was a bit predictable, it was still a great read, especially the second half! ❤️❤️❤️

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review!

Only If You're Lucky by Stacy Willingham - I have loved everything I read by Stacy Willingham but I think this book is my new favorite. Nothing is as it seems. I could have never guessed the ending. The narrator was fantastic and this book was truly unputdownable! One of my favorite audiobooks this year! Thanks Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the ARC!

I enjoyed this book it did keep me entertained during the whole reading the plot was well laid out and there were some surprises in it which I found really intriguing I would read this book again as well as we recommended for other people who like Mysteries

We follow Margot, the quintessential 'good girl,' whose encounter with Lucy prompts her to break out of her shell. The storyline centered around Margot's best friend kept me engaged, and the addition of the fraternity college guys added a mysterious element that left me questioning the unfolding events and how they would play a part to the story. The unexpected plot twist took me by surprise, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the story.
The narrator, Karissa Vacker did a great job portraying many characters and kept me engaged till the very end. I felt like Karissa did a wonderful job portraying the guys as well.

“If You Knew You Could Get Away with Murder, Would You do it?”
There's something about Willingham's latest novel that didn't grab me as much as I had hoped. Yes, there are lots of lies and secrets, but unfortunately for me it read more like a YA novel, and that could be due to the fact that it's centered around late high school/early college aged students. The dialogues, the games they played and their overall unlikable personalities made it feel rather juvenile. The pace is very slow and not much happens until the end, but the author and the narrator did an outstanding job creating an atmospheric setting and tone. Overall, I did enjoy reading this one, just not as much as I enjoyed the author's previous work. Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio and the author for a gifted ALC in exchange for my honest opinion.

This was a good thriller that kept me listening until the last minute. The relationship between the girls really felt realistic and I did not guess the ending which I love in a thriller! Stacy willingham does it again! 4.5 stars!

Filled with secrets, lies, deceit, and turns and twists I wasn't expecting - this was a great listen! Can you truly ever know who your real friends are and if you can, what lengths will you go to in order to protect them?

Stacy Willingham, once again, hits a home run with this book. I have read and enjoyed all of her work and "Only If You're Lucky" is no exception. This book held my attention and kept me guessing through the whole story. I very much enjoyed the dark academia, college setting, Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde vibes, and the glimpse into the often complex dynamics of female friendships.

This is definitely a book you'll want to add to your 2024 TBR list!

Stacy Willingham has managed to pull one over on me again! I swear I have so many theories as I read her books, and usually I can get PART of the ending correct. Not this time, though. Lots of twists and hidden eggs that I thought were leading me one way only for her to turn and pull a 180 at the last minute and go another way. Finished this one in a day- so good!! Willingham is a favorite of mine. :) Solid 4.5 stars

Thanks Net Galley for the advanced reader copy!

I am gutted that I didn't like this. I really loathed the main character. For me she was a pathetic puppy obsessed with her best friend. I was so tired of hearing her talk and obsess about her best friend, put herself down, or talk about the other "cool" girl in the dorm. It was exhausting! Plus I felt like n-o-t-h-i-n-g was happening; I was just stuck listening to an inner monologue of someone needing therapy.

I kept wanting to quit but having looooooved the previous two books by this author I kept on. Around 68% an interesting thing happened (some of the reveals about Lucy) but then by 80% it had started to putter and I found the ending very lame and a copy of other books/movies (legally blonde came to me fast "I thought it was YOU!" I am so disappointed but will read other books by this author for sure.

Overall I enjoyed this book. My only gripe is that it felt a little young to me, but that is just my own personal preference. The beginning I thought was a little slow, but when it picked up and everything came together I enjoyed the twists and turns.

Stacy Willingham has earned her way as an auto-read author with her third stellar thriller, Only If You're Lucky. Margot struggles through her first year at college after the death of her best friend Eliza, with little social life and mostly just watching movies with her roommate. When at the end of the freshman year, Lucy Sharpe, part of a trio of best friends, asks Margot to be their fourth roommate, she feels as if she can maybe find the close friendships she's been missing since Eliza's death. Told in before and after chapters, Willingham really explores female friendships, wanting to fit in and belong, and the secrets and lies we tell ourselves and those closest to us. I tore through this book in less than twenty four hours and though some of the twist I was able to see coming, there were still plenty of surprises!

I picked up Only If You’re Lucky even though Stacy Willingham isn’t a favourite author, because I am a sucker for thrillers involving female friendship and dark academia vibes.  It was worth the read and I’m glad I gave it a try.

Margot is going into her second year at college when she’s offered a room in a house by Lucy, an outgoing, magnetic young woman who Margot has admired from afar. But by the end of the year, Lucy has disappeared and the police are investigating Margot and her roommates.  What happened? And does it relate to the death of Margot’s high school best friend?

I really enjoyed the different timelines and how bits of the mystery were revealed in each. There’s an element of tragedy and inevitability in the events that kept me hooked, wanting to know more.  Margot’s friends Lucy, Sloan, and Nicole were interesting, well-differentiated characters.

I’d have liked a bit more depth from the protagonist, Margot. Aside from her grief over her friend and brief mentions of her interest in literature, I didn’t know very much about her by the end of the novel. It made the book seem a bit generic at times.

Karissa Vacker's narration is wonderful. She has an engaging voice and gives subtle changes to the voices of different characters.

Still, I enjoyed listening to it and the mystery kept me guessing until the end — which is exactly what I was looking for.  I think this is my favourite of Stacy Willingham’s books so far.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for my review copy of this audiobook.

Only If You're Lucky by Stacy WIllingham is a well written story with intriguing characters. I did not find the plot as original as her previous books, but it was an interesting read. I was a little disappointed by the ending because it was very similar to the ending of The Guest by B.A. Paris, but overall it was a good read. The audiobook narration was excellent, and the narrator made the characters come alive.