We’ve all been asked the question, “What would you do if you won the lottery?” Well, in this story, Maddie actually does win the lottery, and realizes the money won’t solve all her problems, particularly the ones it creates.

About ‘Lucky in Love’

Maddie’s not impulsive. She’s all about hard work and planning ahead. But one night, on a whim, she buys a lottery ticket. And then, to her astonishment —

She wins!

In a flash, Maddie’s life is unrecognizable. No more stressing about college scholarships. Suddenly, she’s talking about renting a yacht. And being in the spotlight at school is fun… until rumors start flying, and random people ask her for loans. Now, Maddie isn’t sure who she can trust.

Except for Seth Nguyen, her funny, charming coworker at the local zoo. Seth doesn’t seem aware of Maddie’s big news. And, for some reason, she doesn’t want to tell him. But what will happen if he learns her secret?

‘Lucky in Love’ review

We’ve all spent time wondering what we would do if we won the lottery. Every time that Mega Millions (or whatever your state calls it) creeps up to eight figures, it’s hard not to imagine being the one to take home all that cash.

Lucky in Love took all that imagining a step further, and I was really intrigued by the premise. What comes next for an 18-year-old girl who suddenly doesn’t have to worry about financial security? The answer? A whole lot of trouble.

I found the struggles and complications brought on by Maddie’s sudden windfall to be so incredibly realistic. Of course family members you barely know would be reaching out for investors. Of course people who didn’t even know your name before would suddenly befriend you at school. Some of them may be genuine, some may not, and navigating those new waters would definitely come with a few bumps along the way.

I love that Maddie is a focused student who knows what she wants out of life. So many YA novels have heroes and heroines trying to forge their path, and those stories are important, but I think it’s equally important to represent those students that know what they want and are working hard to get it.

Despite having her future all but mapped out, I also really appreciated Maddie’s struggle over which university to choose. It may have been a while ago now, but I still remember worrying about leaving my own family behind when I left for college and I may or may not have gone to a college a little closer to home for that exact reason.

Kasie West struck gold with Maddie and Zoo Seth. While this book has a lot to offer outside of their incredible blooming romance, it is truly the most special part of the story. Seth is willing to do and be whatever Maddie needs most, and for that, he becomes more than just another friend or colleague.

This was my first Kasie West book, but it definitely won’t be the last. I read a lot of romance, and stepping back into YA regularly reminds me how earnest and honest young love can be. I cannot wait to check out Kasie West’s entire back catalog of titles and look back on my fun, emotionally fraught teenage years, remembering fondly what it felt like to navigate the tricky transition to adulthood.