Book Review: “Jackpot” by Nic Stone

Jackpot

Author: Nic Stone

Published by: Simon & Schuster (Crown Books) on October 17th, 2019

Rating: ★★★★★

Genre: Young Adult // Contemporary

Similar Books I’ve Read: Because of The Sun, The United States of Us

Disclosure: I received this book from the Publisher/Author in exchange for an impartial review. This is an unpaid/unsponsored post.

From the author of the New York Times bestseller Dear Martin –which Angie Thomas, the bestselling author of The Hate U Give, called “a must read”–comes a pitch-perfect romance that examines class, privilege, and how a stroke of good luck can change an entire life.
Meet Rico: high school senior and afternoon-shift cashier at the Gas ‘n’ Go, who after school and work races home to take care of her younger brother. Every. Single. Day. When Rico sells a jackpot-winning lotto ticket, she thinks maybe her luck will finally change, but only if she–with some assistance from her popular and wildly rich classmate Zan–can find the ticket holder who hasn’t claimed the prize. But what happens when have and have-nots collide? Will this investigative duo unite…or divide?
Nic Stone, the New York Times bestselling author of Dear Martin and Odd One Out, creates two unforgettable characters in one hard-hitting story about class, money–both too little and too much–and how you make your own luck in the world.

First Thoughts

As soon as I saw Jackpot as an upcoming novel for this year, I knew whether it landed on my doorstep or was swiped up at my local bookstore that it was definitely going to be living in my house! It checked all my boxes right away and when it arrived for review, I couldn’t believe my luck (pun intended…)

My Review

I read Jackpot in under twenty-four hours (nothing out of place there!) and from the very first couple chapters, I fell in love with Nic’s writing style. Rico, our narrator, is a Senior in High School. She works as a cashier and has a routine that involves school, work, and back to taking care of her little brother every day. You can tell that Rico is completely dedicated to her family, but tired from the lack of getting to experience other things outside of her same old, same old.

So when she sells a jackpot-winning ticket at the Gas ‘n’ Go where she works, she thinks that maybe if she tracks down the winner who hasn’t cashed in their prize, maybe they would repay her help. But she can’t go it alone, and after meeting Zan, Rico’s classmate (who also happens to be rich and popular and gorgeous and have some of the best character development from his first appearance) they team up to track down the jackpot winner together.

Throughout Jackpot, although it’s romance driven, and focuses on the bonds of relationships that grow and evolve and change throughout the plot as Rico and Zan get closer and track down the winner, this is so much more than a romance book. With greatly important Race and Class qualities, I just know this is going to hit home for so many readers and be something other than your A-typical rich girl gets the guy or vice versa. It’s raw, and honest, and the word that stands out the most is luck, because that’s what Jackpot is mostly about. And the purity of making your own, rather than searching for it.

Overall, Jackpot was some kind of wonderful. I really wasn’t expecting to love it as much as I did, and I wish that I had read it slower to take it in more. The more that I read, the faster that I fell in love with the love that Rico had for her brother, her friends, and the world she was making for herself, without even knowing it. There’s so many reasons why you should read this (believe me, my notes page for this review was gushing with so much praise and I had to whittle it down so much from sounding like the ultimate fangirl.) I just can’t wait to read more from Nic Stone – highly recommended YA gem, five star worthy!

Nic Stone was born and raised in a suburb of Atlanta, GA, and the only thing she loves more than an adventure is a good story about one. After graduating from Spelman College, she worked extensively in teen mentoring and lived in Israel for a few years before returning to the US to write full-time. Growing up with a wide range of cultures, religions, and backgrounds, Stone strives to bring these diverse voices and stories to her work.
Stone lives in Atlanta with her husband and two sons. You can find her on Twitter and Instagram at @getnicced or on her website nicstone.info.