I received this book for free from Publisher at ALA Midwinter in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Windfall by Jennifer E. Smith Published by Delacorte Press on May 2nd 2017
Genres: Contemporary Fiction, Young Adult
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher at ALA Midwinter
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Let luck find you.
Alice doesn’t believe in luck—at least, not the good kind. But she does believe in love, and for some time now, she’s been pining for her best friend, Teddy. On his eighteenth birthday—just when it seems they might be on the brink of something—she buys him a lottery ticket on a lark. To their astonishment, he wins $140 million, and in an instant, everything changes.
At first, it seems like a dream come true, especially since the two of them are no strangers to misfortune. As a kid, Alice won the worst kind of lottery possible when her parents died just over a year apart from each other. And Teddy’s father abandoned his family not long after that, leaving them to grapple with his gambling debts. Through it all, Teddy and Alice have leaned on each other. But now, as they negotiate the ripple effects of Teddy’s newfound wealth, a gulf opens between them. And soon, the money starts to feel like more of a curse than a windfall.
As they try to find their way back to each other, Alice learns more about herself than she ever could have imagined…and about the unexpected ways in which luck and love sometimes intersect.
‘at last…’ is a feature here at Forever 17 Books where I read and review older titles from my shelves, voted by you, and then give away my copy! Stick around after the review and giveaway to vote for next month’s ‘at last…’ read!
I’ve always dreamed about winning the lottery, as I’m sure many have. Adult life with all the responsibilities and often financial woes can be a lot sometimes and wouldn’t erasing the money issues alleviate some of that? Definitely, though I’m sure new problems arise too. I’ve read a couple lottery winning YA novels recently and they always make me dream and wish about all the things I would do with the money. Lucky in Love by Kasie West stands out but unlike that story, Windfall is one where the main character isn’t the winner herself (though she bought the ticket) but the best friend of a winner, a friend she has been in love with for a long time.
Alice, her cousin Leo, and Teddy have been the best of friends since she moved in with Leo’s family years ago after her parents both died. They each have some things going on in their life they are trying to work through. Alice is putting a lot of pressure on herself to live up to the standards of what she thinks her parents would want from her. Teddy was living in a small apartment with his mother after his father left and gambled away all of their savings. Leo is stressed out about his college future, choosing his dream school or choosing to be near his boyfriend. For Teddy’s 18th birthday, Alice buys him a lottery ticket and stuffs it in a card finally revealing how she feels for him. But she chickens out last minute after he removes the ticket and the card falls and disappears under the refrigerator. What they never expected was for the ticket to be a winner!
I enjoyed these characters and how flawed and imperfect they were. Teddy was a little impulsive but had a good heart. Alice is more quiet and unsure. Leo is sweet and funny. I love when a book showcases great friendships and that’s what you find here. They are very supportive and forgiving of each other. Money can cause rifts in relationships. Teddy offers to split the winnings with Alice but she refuses. She has her reasons and it is hard for Teddy to understand and see the changes already occurring in their group. He goes on a crazy spending spree and appears a little reckless and she isn’t a fan of that but I totally got it. He’s only 18 and has to suddenly grow up really fast and make huge decisions. And with having lived without much for so long so of course he wants to spend a bit. I’d probably do the same thing, to be honest. But he also seems to lose focus on what he wants for his future and that scares Alice the most. Their potential romance suddenly seems like an impossibility. The money solves many of Teddy’s problems yet catapulted him into a whole set of new ones. Who can you trust? Who is really your friend because of you or because of the money? But these three are the real deal. When it all comes down to it, they love and respect each other. Everything really came together for each character in a way I adored and ended perfectly.
This story is very moving in ways I didn’t expect. It’s been quite awhile since I’ve read anything by this author but it reminded me why I’ve pick up her books in the first place so I definitely need to go back and read a few of the ones I’ve missed along the way.
Want to win my ARC? Enter below! US only
Giveaway Rules:
1. Giveaway is US only!
2. Must be at least 13 years old to enter.
3. Winner has 48 hours to respond or another winner will be selected.
4. I am not responsible for any lost, stolen or damaged items.
5. Please follow the entry directions in the rafflecopter. (I do check and will delete entries that do not follow the directions. If you have any questions on how to enter, please ask!)
Time to vote for next month’s at last… read!
Greg
Aww, glad this was good. It looks fun and inspiring, and lovely cover too! 🙂
Sara @ Forever 17 Books
It was definitely a fun read!
Sara @ Forever 17 Books recently posted…at last… Review & Giveaway: Windfall by Jennifer E. Smith
Sam@WLABB
First, we discuss my vote – Zenn Diagram. I am always putting this book on some list, because I really, really enjoyed it.
Now, the book. I absolutely adore JES, but this was not my favorite. Like you, I gave it 3.5 stars. It was enjoyable, but heavier than her older stuff. However, it had these wonderful moments, and the ending was fabulous.
Sara @ Forever 17 Books
I definitely need to go back to the older stuff! And thanks for voting!
Sara @ Forever 17 Books recently posted…at last… Review & Giveaway: Windfall by Jennifer E. Smith
Suzanne @ The Bookish Libra
I’ve been wanting to read this one for a while now so I’m glad to hear you enjoyed it overall. I love books that have flawed characters in them.
Sara @ Forever 17 Books
I hope you get a chance too!
Sara @ Forever 17 Books recently posted…Review & Giveaway: Dark Tales Graphic Novels
Brooke Lorren
This sounds like a fun book. I inherited quite a lot of money from my grandma when she died, and I was so scared of spending it foolishly. It ended up helping us get into a house, we had some car repairs, and paid some bills, so I guess most of it was used well.
Brooke Lorren recently posted…Indianapolis is a Harrowing Tale of Lost History
Sara @ Forever 17 Books
That sounds like a wonderful use of the money. And I am so sorry about you grandma. 🙁
Sara @ Forever 17 Books recently posted…Review & Giveaway: Dark Tales Graphic Novels
verushka
When I think about the lottery and winning it, it’s always the cure all for everything, but this book is right — it’s not like that. So definitely one that gives me food for though — great review!
verushka recently posted…The Guardian: Spoilers ahoy, because I need to get things off my chest
John Smith
This sounds fascinating! I love lotteries, wealth, and savage psychology!
Lindsi
This one has been on my list for awhile now! I love this feature… reading old books based on reader votes, and then doing a giveaway–so fun!
L @ Do You Dog-ear?
Lindsi recently posted…Bring Me Back by B.A. Paris
Sara @ Forever 17 Books
Thanks! I have so many older ARCs sitting around and I want to finally read them and move them on out of my house! lol
Sara @ Forever 17 Books recently posted…Review: Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren
Arlie
Feelings from uncertainty and stress were overwhelmingly usual, while experiencing safe in the relationship was certainly not.
Arlie recently posted…Arlie