Book Review #106: The Lucky Ones by Liz Lawson

 

Next on my reading list was 'The Lucky Ones'. The premise of this book really intrigued me, not only because there was nothing else on my reading list like it, but I read a book with a similar loose theme last year ('Nineteen Minutes' by Jodi Picoult) and absolutely loved it, so I wanted to give this a try.

After being the sole survivor of the school shooting that killed her twin brother, May is feeling anger, guilt and loneliness. Zach felt like he lost his life when his lawyer mother decided to defend the shooter. When May and Zach meet, their feelings collide, but when they found out who the other really is, will they allow new feelings to develop?

This was a somewhat enjoyable read, but I didn't love it as much as I wanted to.

I started the book loving, and rooting for, both of the main characters. They were well-written and had distinct voices.

The story is so complex and nuanced, and is told in a really interesting way.

This is a quick and easy read. It doesn't take long to get through, and you do want to keep reading.

While I was moving through the book quickly, I found that the story itself was moving quite slowly. Not much really happens.

The start of the romance between these characters feels a bit too quick and easy. The main conflict given in the description of the book feels like it quickly stops being a factor.

Ultimately the relationship ends up being a bit disappointing because it starts off as the basis for the story, but ends up being a vehicle to drive May's development. We never really get to know May and Zach as a couple.

May got a lot of interesting character development, but I can't say the same for the other characters.

There is quite a lot of repetition in the story, such as May fainting, which seems to be used as a transition into a new scene rather than having any real importance.

May (who, to me, was more of a main character than Zach) never really came across as a likeable character. She is easy to follow, but this temporary, angry, grieving version of her is all we know. Zach is a more well-rounded character from the offset, which may be why he doesn't get a lot of character development.

Speaking of development, none of these characters (either the main or supporting) live outside of the shooting. It is their entire world, so it is hard to really get to know them.

Overall, this book didn't pack the emotional punch that I wanted it to. It was an enjoyable read, but it didn't feel like much had changed from the beginning of the story to the end.

2.5/5