The Lucky List

Emily’s Summer before senior year is nothing she pictured it would be. She still grieves the loss of her mother, and no one seems to understand what she is going through. Life continues to move on around her and Emily just feels…stuck. The only person around willing to listen is Blake, the new girl in town. But Emily is nervous around Blake, in a way she can’t quite understand. Then Emily finds her mother’s lucky list. Encouraged by Blake to live out her mother’s Summer adventure through the list, Emily will not only discover a new connection with her mother but her true feelings as well.

The Lucky List took a little while to establish the characters and plot direction, but once it did, this story shined. The confusion Emily felt when those around her dealt with grief in their own way was heartbreaking. While some have moved on, she hasn’t and the lack of communication between herself and others made it so much more difficult for her to understand. My heart went out to Emily as she tried to put her life back on track, and made missteps along the way. But the journey she underwent is well worth the read. It is not only about life after grief but about discovering your identity.

Emily experiences such a transformation as the story progresses. Once she and Blake begin to work through the lucky list, Emily slowly but surely opens up. She grows as a person and starts to live life for herself, instead of how she thinks people want her to live. Watching Emily evolve from a timid girl into one willing to take chances and embrace life was delightful to read. And the amount of pressure Emily feels as she realizes her true feelings are intense. The Lucky List puts into perspective the fear of rejection from loved ones when coming out.

The Lucky List is a wonderful story about discovering identity and coming of age. It’s a slow-burn lesbian romance that shows the social pressures when coming out. But it also shows how the loving support of friends and family can make a world of difference. This was a quick easy read, and if you’re looking for a book to read this Summer, go ahead and pick up a copy of The Lucky List.