Lucky in Love

November 27, 2017
Actor Bouvard is perfect fit for the teenage protagonist of West’s latest YA drama. Maddie is a high school senior with a type A personality: studious, responsible, organized, anxious about getting into a good college, and constantly worried about lack of money and her dysfunctional family, whom she tries her best to manage and keep together. When she buys a lottery ticket on a whim and wins $30 million, she thinks it will solve all her problems. But a host of new ones arise: people try to scam her, acquaintances try to take advantage of her, and she gets her share of negative media publicity. Narrator Bouvard sounds by turns anxious, hopeful, and excited; her narration makes Maddie an even more human and relatable than she is in the text. Bouvard also creates distinct voices for the other characters, including a French saleswoman and a hilariously snooty Valley girl accent for Trina, the most popular girl in school. Anyone who’s ever fantasized about winning the lottery will enjoy this realistic and entertaining tale of an average girl hitting it big. Ages 13–up. A Point hardcover.

Maddie Parker is driven and hardworking--she doesn't rely on luck or chance. When she buys a Lotto ticket on her 18th birthday, and wins, her life is instantly turned upside down. Laurence Bouvard is tasked with narrating Maddie's new reality as she struggles to figure out what she wants, whom she can trust, and what comes next. The difficulty Bouvard faces is that Maddie isn't always a likable protagonist. She's a bit of a pushover and can come across as whiny and insecure. In addition, as the only narrator, Bouvard is stronger at the adult characters and weaker at Maddie's friends and classmates, particularly as Seth, Maddie's love interest. The story will appeal to Kasie West's fans. K.S.M. � AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine