Just My Luck

July 19, 2019

Gr 9 Up-At first glance, Marty's prospects are favorable: she's graduated from high school, works at a nice hotel in Maui, and is about to embark on a gap year of travel with her best friend. But ever since her dad left and she started stealing small items from hotel guests, her luck has turned horribly bad. Suddenly, she is single, without a car, and in dire need of a home for an abandoned kitten she is hiding in her bedroom. To add to her already complicated summer, a tall, handsome tourist requests her as his tour guide. She knows the rules: relationships with tourists are strictly taboo. But as she attempts to repair her bad luck by returning the stolen items, she also finds herself falling for Will, the wealthy, dreamy tourist. Marty becomes overwhelmed with many unanswered questions. Will she reconcile with her father? Will she leave Maui and her mother for a gap year abroad? Will she ever see Will again? Will she get the items returned in time to change her luck? The story moves along at a quick, readable pace. Readers will be curious to uncover the answers to Marty's numerous dilemmas and will be rewarded with a satisfying ending that will meet the needs of both romantics and realists. VERDICT This a good choice for rom-com readers looking to add a light read to their pool or beach bag this summer.-Lynn Rashid, Marriotts Ridge High School, Marriottsville, MD

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