Book Review: Chasing Lucky by Jenn Bennett
Chasing Lucky
Author: Jenn Bennett
Published by: Simon & Schuster Children’s on June 11th, 2020
Rating: ★★★★★
Genre: Young Adult // Contemporary Romance
Similar Books I’ve Read: Serious Moonlight
**this book was gifted to me by the publisher in exchange for a fair and unbiased review, which in no way changes my opinion or rating**
Budding photographer Josie Saint-Martin has spent half her life with her single mother, moving from city to city. When they return to her historical New England hometown years later to run the family bookstore, Josie knows it’s not forever. Her dreams are on the opposite coast, and she has a plan to get there.
What she doesn’t plan for is a run-in with the town bad boy, Lucky Karras. Outsider, rebel…and her former childhood best friend. Lucky makes it clear he wants nothing to do with the newly returned Josie. But everything changes after a disastrous pool party, and a poorly executed act of revenge lands Josie in some big-time trouble—with Lucky unexpectedly taking the blame.
Determined to understand why Lucky was so quick to cover for her, Josie discovers that both of them have changed, and that the good boy she once knew now has a dark sense of humor and a smile that makes her heart race. And maybe, just maybe, he’s not quite the brooding bad boy everyone thinks he is…
Jenn Bennett has quickly become one of my favourite YA authors. Her characters become instant favourites and I look forward to each and every one of the books that she brings out. So over the course of isolation, I picked up my next book in my TBR and it was this lovely little book. The title has me feeling very giddy, because I actually have a cat named Lucky! So it was like a sign to start reading it and ignore the real world for just a little while. . .
Shutterbug Josie Saint-Martin has lived pretty much everywhere on the east coast of the US since she was around twelve. Josie and her mother left Beauty, their hometown, after her Mum and Grandma had a falling out. But now that she and her Aunt are not in town and teaching abroad, Josie and her Mum return to help her cousin Evie run the family bookstore. It just so happens that a familiar face is there waiting for her. Josie hasn’t seen Lucky Karras in years. Not since she was whisked away before they could have a proper goodbye – they were once best friends, then suddenly as if overnight, just strangers. As Josie returns to a normal life in town and tries to finish school and get the attention and respect of her distant, arts-famous father on the West Coast, she sees Lucky everywhere. Like a moth to a flame, they begin talking again in parts, as Josie learns that the sweet and good little boy that she left town remembering is now this tattooed, dark haired bad boy with a knack for turning their innocent conversations into a flirtatious banter at an arm’s length.
But after a disaster at a pool party where Josie gets into major trouble, she is stunned to find that Lucky covers for her. Through new chance meetings, learning the new Lucky and trying to outlive the curse of the Saint-Martin women’s curse of never finding love, Josie begins to discover that they both have changed. And the two new people that they are have loads of chemistry. But in getting closer to him again like old times, Josie starts to uncover that maybe the sweet, good-hearted boy is still there underneath his brooding expressions. But as family drama ensues, with rumours and dashed hopes, the plan that Josie thought her heart could rely on is wavering.
Overall, Chasing Lucky was electric, surprisingly fast-paced and ultra-romantic. I couldn’t help but adore the Saint-Martin family. My heart swooned for Lucky and I rooted for Josie and Lucky’s relationship from the get-go. Far from insta-love, closer to meant-to-be. Jenn has written one of my favourite reads of the year and my new favourite of hers! I honestly can’t find a bad fault with this book – only that it wasn’t long enough. It was the perfect distraction at a not-so-perfect time in my life. Huge five stars!
What is your favourite YA Couple? And more importantly, which is your favourite Jenn Bennett book?
Let me know in the comments or on twitter @LittleMemoirs!
Happy Reading & Stay Safe!
