Leanne Olson

by Stacy Willingham, narrated by Karissa Vacker

Releasing January 16, 2024 from Macmillan Audio

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.

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