The Lucky List by Rachael Lippincott Book Review

Title: The Lucky List
Author: Rachael Lippincott
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers 
Release Date: June 10, 2021
Pages: 304

Emily and her mum were always lucky.

But Emily’s mum’s luck ran out three years ago when she succumbed to cancer, and nothing has felt right since.

Now, the summer before her senior year, things are worse than ever – Emily has wrecked things with her boyfriend, Matt, and her dad is selling the house she grew up in and giving her mum’s belongings away. The only person she has to talk to is Blake, a girl she barely knows since she and her dad moved back to town five seconds ago.

But that’s when Emily finds the list – her mum’s senior year summer bucket list – buried in the back of her closet. When Blake suggests that Emily take it on as a challenge, the two set off on a journey to tick each box and help Emily face her fears over losing her connection to her mum. As she starts to feel closer to her mother, so too does Emily’s bond with Blake deepen into something she wasn't expecting.

And suddenly Emily must face another fear: accepting the secret part of herself she never got a chance to share with the person who knew her best.

A captivating, heartfelt love story about learning who you are, and who you love, when the person you’ve always shared yourself with is gone. 

Buy it on Barnes & Noble or Amazon  

My Thoughts

**Thank you so much to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for sending me an Advanced Reader's Copy in exchange for an honest review!**

Since Emily's mother passed away three years ago, her life has been a mess. Quickly, the summer before her final year of high school arrives but Emily and her dad are still grieving. Her best friend, Kiera, is away at summer camp and the rest of her other friends are distant since she broke up with Matt.

I've spent so many days and nights here since Kiera's mom quit her nursing job when my mom died, and decided to chase her lifelong dream of owning a bakery. "Live your life how you want to live it, ladies," she said to me and Kiera after she signed the lease for the building, the two of us tucked safely under her arms. "Tomorrow is never guaranteed.

Emily's dad's best friend moves back in town along with his daughter, Blake. As they clean out Emily's house for sale, the two girls find a list of things Emily's mother wanted to do the summer of her senior year. Suddenly, Emily's summer has just gotten a lot more interesting. 

Because pretty soon we will be in a new house, without a closet filled with her scent, and I will have nowhere to crawl into to try to feel close to her when I am sad or angry or heartbroken and only want to talk to her like I always did.

Star Rating: ★★★★☆ (4)

Rachael Lippincott has written another book! When it was first announced, I was super excited to read it and I'm so lucky to get a copy.

It was really fun following Emily and Blake's adventure as they completed each item on the list, and I loved the way the author created their town. It seemed small but had everything in it so a very cozy feeling.

Overall, The Lucky List was an interesting read about two girls' summer as they face the truths in their lives. Rachael Lippincott's solo debut is one that is not to miss and perfect for the summer season.

About the Author

Rachael Lippincott is the coauthor of All This Time and #1 New York Times bestseller Five Feet Apart. She holds a BA in English writing from the University of Pittsburgh. Originally from Bucks County, Pennsylvania, she currently resides in Pittsburgh with her wife and their dog, Hank.