“So much of feminism leans towards breaking down the patriarchy. But every day I see that it is women who are damaging other women.”
So Lucky by Dawn O’Porter is a story about three women who don’t know each other but are all dealing with a problem.
Ruby has a condition which makes her body covered in thick hair. This affects her daily life badly and is also the reason why she left her husband. On top of that, she feels like she’s a bad mother and doesn’t get along with her three-year-old daughter.
Beth is married, has a baby and runs a successful wedding planning agency. However, her husband Michael won’t even touch her. She’s frustrated and jealous of her young, brave and sexually active assistant Risky.
Lauren is an influencer who’s about to get married to a rich businessman. Her mother is a monster. While we get to be inside Ruby’s and Beth’s heads, we don’t really know what Lauren thinks. Her “chapters” are always Instagram posts.
What I liked about So Lucky
An easy read
The writing isn’t particularly complicated, which is why it’s very easy to read. This is a novel you can start and finish on a rainy Sunday; not only because of the language but also because it’s interesting. I totally wanted to know what would happen to the ladies and how it’d all end.
The humour
The novel does have funny parts but not as many as one would expect. I don’t think that everything that was meant to be funny is actually funny, at least it wasn’t to me. Ruby’s accidents are sad and frustrating more than anything else, while Beth did manage to make me laugh.
What I didn’t like about So Lucky
It’s predictable
The three women only meet in person towards the end of the book, but it’s clear from the beginning that something like this will happen. Lauren’s father somehow being the connection between the three is also pretty obvious long before it’s actually revealed.
Not enough information
Lauren’s story simply isn’t complete. I personally didn’t feel like I had enough information about her relationship with Gavin or her parents by the end of the book. Also, what the hell is wrong with Michael? Why won’t he look at or touch his wife? Beth just concludes that he has “a weird sex phobia”, and this is all the reader gets.
[spoiler]It would also be nice to know a bit more about how and when exactly Ruby and Liam ended their marriage. It’s hinted that they get back together at the end of the book, but it’s not clear, and I’m dying to know if they do. I also thought Beth and Lauren’s dad would get together, but there’s no hint there.[/spoiler]
Some cliches
The whole “women stick together” theme is a bit overdone, I think. [spoiler]It’s like the author wants the three main protagonists and Risky to be a team or best friends or something, but it doesn’t seem like they are. I mean, Lauren pays the rest lots of money in return for their help, Ruby even demands more. Also, Beth only agrees to tell Lauren about the affair because Risky convinces her. Otherwise, she would’ve gone on with the wedding.[/spoiler]
Conclusion
I’m not sorry I read this book because it’s definitely gripping. Have you read it? Have you read anything else by Dawn O’Porter? I haven’t, but I might!
