Book Review; So Lucky, Dawn O'Porter

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Book Review -So Lucky, Dawn O'Porter, Harper Collins, 2019



After the rightful success of Dawn O'Porter's novel 'The Cows', I couldn't wait to read her new novel, and was lucky enough to receive it as a gift for Christmas.  The tag line (Don't judge a woman by her cover) was very apt.

So Lucky focuses on three central characters.  On the surface, Beth has what many women dream of.  An attentive husband, a beautiful baby, and a successful career, running her own company.  Ruby is ballsy, funny, and doesn't let anyone tell her who's boss.  Lauren has the perfect body, is about to marry her dream man, and has an Instagram feed to showcase every downward dog, flawless selfie, and a fun, easy relationship with her Mother.

But scratch beneath the surface, and things are very different.  Beth's husband refuses to touch her, trying to shame her for her pregnancy weight gain, and shunning any expression of desire, telling her she's no longer the woman he married.

Ruby has a medical condition which is controlling every aspect of her life, and is even starting to affect her relationship with her little girl, Bonnie.  Coupled with her own Mother's emotional abuse, it's no wonder that she finds it difficult to get close to people.

Lauren may look like she has the perfect life, but behind the filters and hashtags, lies an insecurity, alongside a childhood tragedy which she is keeping from her heavily constructed public image.

All of the characters are believable.  Dawn O'Porter has a gripping, easy to read style.  I enjoyed the way the narrative switches between the three different characters.  The strands of the story were all nicely woven together, culminating in a huge drama which was very convincing.  It was well worth the wait after 'The Cows.'

The title So Lucky was something that everybody could relate to.  Sometimes being told you're lucky when you feel anything but can seem something of an insult.  Surely luck is relative?  But everyone has their struggles which nobody else has any idea about.  You can make your own luck.  The overwhelming vibe I got from this novel was that of female empowerment.  In coming together, we can be unstoppable.  Because actually we are so lucky.  Lucky to be alive, lucky to be living on this planet, in this century, in this decade.  In this moment, as the universe aligns all types of possibilities.  If you're reading this, then I'm grateful for your time.  So Lucky...

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