SUCH A LUCKY GIRL
I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Such a Lucky Girl by Wendy Heard Published by Christy Ottaviano Books on 6/16/26
Genres: Horror & Ghost Stories, Thrillers, Young Adult
Pages: 378
Format: eARC
Source: Publisher
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Three years ago, Bella dumped her best friend Kerry to follow her dreams of becoming an influencer. It worked; she is Such a Lucky Girl, famous for her epic manifesting glow-up and dedicated to helping other girls be "lucky," too. She's living the dream—success, sponsorships, and fame. She burned her old life to the ground and never looked back.
Leaving Kerry behind. Alone. Angry.
When Kerry picks up a vintage self-help book on shadow work, she's fascinated by the suggested rituals. Get back at those who have wronged her? Yes, please. She has one person in mind, and that girl is smiling at her millions of followers, having forgotten Kerry long ago. But there's something attached to the book, something dark and ancient, and Kerry and Bella may not be ready for what is about to be unleashed.
SHORT AND SWEET REVIEW
Such a Lucky Girl combines influencer culture, toxic friendship, jealousy, and supernatural horror into a story that felt both timely and unsettling. The premise immediately caught my attention: Bella has transformed herself into a social media star through her brand of positivity and manifestation, while her former best friend Kerry is left behind feeling angry, abandoned, and forgotten. When Kerry discovers a mysterious book centered around shadow work and revenge, events begin spiraling into something much darker than either girl could have imagined.
The strongest aspect of the book was its atmosphere. There was an underlying sense of dread throughout the story as jealousy, resentment, and obsession slowly consumed the characters. I especially liked the commentary on influencer culture and the dangers of chasing validation online. The idea that envy itself could become something dangerous worked well within the horror elements, and the supernatural aspects felt creepy without being overly graphic. I also appreciated how the story explored the complicated relationship between Bella and Kerry. Their friendship felt messy and realistic, with both characters making mistakes and contributing to the fallout between them. The themes of insecurity, popularity, and wanting what someone else has gave the story emotional weight beyond the horror plot. That said, the book struggled with its large number of perspectives. The story jumps between several characters, including family members and side characters, and not all of them felt necessary. Instead of adding depth, some chapters made the narrative feel scattered and slowed the pacing. I found myself much more interested in Bella and Kerry than the additional viewpoints. The characterization was also a bit inconsistent. While the themes were strong, many of the characters made frustrating decisions that felt more convenient for the plot than natural. Because of that, I never became fully invested in their journeys. The ending was another mixed element for me. While I enjoyed how the horror storyline was resolved, some of the emotional resolutions felt rushed and not entirely earned.
Overall, Such a Lucky Girl is an entertaining YA horror novel with an intriguing concept, strong social commentary, and plenty of creepy moments. While the multiple perspectives and uneven character development held it back, I still found it to be a worthwhile read for fans of supernatural horror and stories that explore the darker side of social media culture.