A Review of Lucky: The Emotional Cost of a Lifelong Con
image already created. SMI IMAGE CODE: Book cover image from Amazon
Lucky, by Marissa Stapley, follows the titular Luciana “Lucky” Armstrong, a lifelong criminal and grifter, who is on the run after a heist goes wrong. After hitting a $400 million lottery jackpot and realizing she can’t cash the ticket without getting arrested, Lucky must navigate a cross-country journey to claim her fortune and uncover her own family’s dark history.
What’s Lucky About?
Lucky didn’t come upon her nickname — or her profession — by accident. Her grifter father found her abandoned as an infant on the front stairs of a church, recognized that no one would come back for her, and took her for his own.
The story flashes from past to present, showing how he trained her to commit petty crimes, and how those crimes have impacted her. Throughout the novel, she reconnects with people from her past to uncover secrets she didn’t even know existed.
But the crux of the story begins after her boyfriend and partner-in-crime abandons her in Las Vegas: She knows she could have everything she’s ever wanted if she could just redeem her lottery winnings. But redeeming them means alerting the authorities — and her imprisoned father’s shady ex-business partners — to her location.
With no one else to turn to, Lucky must find her own way, and to do so, she must also find herself.
My Thoughts on Lucky
Lucky was an incredibly engaging story. The relationship between Lucky and her father moves in complex and heartfelt ways, full of good intentions but unmet expectations. Stapley beautifully explores the layers of their bond, showing how deeply they love each other even when they miss the mark.
Lucky’s character growth resonated with me; it feels so earned. I watched her evolve from a girl who hides from her past into a woman claiming her own future, and found the tension of the process to be both gripping and emotionally satisfying. It’s a thrilling, fast-paced read that manages to have a massive heart.
Who Should Read Lucky?
Lucky is the perfect book for anyone who loves a crime story but also wants emotional substance behind the suspense. I don’t usually pick up books about crime or con artists, but this one hooked me from page one. It values emotional depth and character relationships above pure shock, even while shifting between high-stakes chaos and quiet flashbacks.
It moves fast, but the transitions are clear. You never get confused between the dual timelines.
But what stands out above it all is Lucky herself. She’s incredibly sharp and fiercely independent, yet there is a vulnerability to her that makes you root for her despite her flaws. Even when she gets cornered by impossible choices and the literal FBI, she refuses to back down or let her past dictate who she is.
If you appreciate thrillers driven by resilient, complicated women rather than just basic action, Lucky is an absolute must-read.
Explore more adventures with these other stories and reviews!
- Seafaring Pirates Mini Special – A special magazine just for buccaneering adventures — on the sea and beyond!
- Bertrand’s Interlude – A father flees for his life, and the life of his child.
- Neighborhood List – Poetry about a veterinarian’s adventures.
- Murder Always Barks Twice – Review of a cozy mystery book.
🍵 We run on pure passion here at the Roost and every bit of help goes a long way! If you’d like to support our on-going efforts to keep our publication free for everyone, consider fueling us with a digital tea.
Megan Sawka
Megan Sawka (she/her) is a lifetime reader, cat lover, and fan of the arts. A recent college graduate, Megan has written reviews about books, television, film and live performances. Born in small-town western Pennsylvania, Megan is still figuring out who she is, one story at a time.
Visit her website to learn more!
