mitabird
Written on Aug 12, 2019
They called themselves ‘the lucky ones’
Allison was the youngest of the lucky ones, seven children adopted by legendary philanthropist Vincent Capello. Life with her newfound family seemed idyllic… until the night she almost died.
Thirteen years later, Allison receives a letter, warning her that Capello is dying, forcing her to return to her adopted family and confront the past.
Determined to find out what happened that night she starts digging, but those who want to uncover the secrets of the past should be careful what they wish for…
Readers love Reisz:“ I love unusual, gripping, suspenseful reads & this more than ticked all the boxes”
“a touching and complex story”
“unputdownable!!”
“5 star without a doubt I devoured this book”
“Fascinating and creepy and lovely”
“Addictive!”
- ISBN13 9781474077040
- Publish Date 13 February 2018
- Publish Status Active
- Publish Country GB
- Publisher HarperCollins Publishers
- Imprint HQ Digital
- Edition Digital original
- Format eBook (EPUB)
- Pages 384
- Language English
- URL http://harpercollins.co.uk
Reviews
Melanie
Written on Nov 28, 2018
I’ve been a huge fan of Tiffany Reisz since I read her debut book, The Siren (The Original Sinners #1), back in 2012. I can’t remember how I stumbled upon this book, but I’m so glad I did. I can’t imagine never being introduced to Nora, Søren, Kingsley, Griffin and Michael. I gobbled up that series and quickly started to read some of the books outside of that series.
This story is a great mystery about Allison. She’s just been dumped by her rich lover. She has been a kept woman for six years, since she was nineteen. But he’s gotten another woman pregnant and he plans to marry her and raise their child together. He leaves Allison with some money, rent paid through the end of the year and a letter of recommendation. Then she also receives a package from a former foster brother she hasn’t spoken to in thirteen years. She decides to go back to Oregon to see her dying foster father, Doctor Capello.
Doctor Capello was a neurosurgeon who never had any children of his own, but adopted three children and fostered many others. He was married to his work. He didn’t believe anyone could be evil. He believed that they were all just sick. He found several kids that were having behavior problems had brain tumors. He would remove them and they would be a different person. He devoted his life to helping these children, often pro bono.
Allison goes back to visit her former foster family. She also wants to learn why she wasn’t allowed to stay after an accident. She reconnects not only with Dr. Capello, but also with the three adopted Capello children who are all grown up now.
This story is so well told. Reisz shows you what can happen when someone believes 100% in their mission, be it good or bad. It shows people can do horrible things, even if for the right reason. Reisz has a way of taking you down a road of taboo. You will thank her for the weird road she will take you down. She always seems to take me places I never thought I wanted to go. If you’ve never tried Tiffany Reisz, I highly recommend her and this is a great book to start.
Narration:
This was my first audiobook with Emily Woo Zeller. I have to say I really liked her. This book doesn’t have a large cast, but each voices was very unique and easy to tell apart. I really need to give a shoutout for voicing of the dying father. You could really feel when he was having a bad day, versus when he had a better day, but all still sounded like a old dying man with weeks to live. She had great pacing and tone for all the different types scenes in this book. I would gladly listen to more books with Emily narrating.
kimbacaffeinate
Written on Jan 25, 2018
The tale that unfolds shared a taboo romance and a suspenseful, gothic mystery that held me spellbound. When Allison was thirteen a fall down the stairs left her in the hospital with a memory gap. Was she pushed and who made the frantic call to her aging Aunt that caused Allison to be ripped from the home and people she loved? While saying her goodbyes and reconnecting with her siblings Allison begins questioning events around her mysterious fall. Lies, omissions and startling discoveries will make her question everything.
Reisz shares a chilling tale while exploring the human mind and the minds of sociopaths. She dabbles in scientific questions and theories while enlightening the reader on studies and experiments in the field. I have a macabre fascination with serial killers and sociopaths and found this exploration interesting. It also gave the story a bit of chilling realism.
I found myself connecting with the characters particularly the siblings. Secondary characters like Allison's Ex added interest and humor while aiding her in her investigations. Reisz did an excellent job of introducing the siblings, casting doubt and evoking emotional feels from the reader.
The ending delivers answers and our main character makes decisions that will have the reader asking themselves what they would have done. The ending left me pondering the story for days after I closed the book. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
Linda
Written on Jan 25, 2018
*I received a free copy of The Lucky Ones from Harlequin MIRA via Netgalley. This has in no way influenced my voluntary review, which is honest and unbiased*
The Lucky Ones gave me goosebumps. Both the good kind and the even better kind... Reisz' writing keeps getting better and better, and this incredibly well-written, character-driven story left me with all the feels.
Story:
The Lucky Ones starts with a low for Allison, as McQueen leaves her after several years of having her as his secret lover. However, on the same day, she also receives a letter. From someone she used to call her brother. Thirteen years ago. In that letter, she learns that her almost-adoptive father is fatally ill. And she decides to go back to the dragon - the house where she was happy for the first time after her mother's death.
There is so much that is unresolved in The Lucky Ones! There are three of the children who lived in the house when Allison was there. These three were adopted by the good doctor. As soon as Allison arrives, she is inundated with memories. Some she had completely repressed. Others had been part of helping her move forward in her life. However, not all the memories she have are good.
Between the doctor and the three remaining orphans, everything is fine on the surface. But as soon as Allison starts to look a little beneath that surface, there is some ugliness. Secrets. Hidden agendas. And some taboo relationships. The Lucky Ones managed to mix family secrets, redemption, romance, mystery and a bit of suspense into a deliciously gothic package.
Characters:
Allison was a bit vapid in the beginning, however, once she started searching for the truth - all the while having strong feelings for Roland - she showed that she had a lot of inner strength.
Roland, the oldest of the children taken in by the doctor was now a monk. A beautiful, unattainable monk. He wanted Allison to come back before his father's death, and he got his wish. One should be careful what one wishes for, though, right?
Thora was a bit aloof at first, but she was also so very happy to see Allison again. It was like a family reunion, with secrets everywhere.
Deacon switched between joking and being extremely serious. An accomplished glass artist, he made dragons of all sizes in reference to his childhood home.
Writing style :
The Lucky One is written in third person point of view, and in past tense. Allison is the character that is followed most closely, and the narration shares some of her inner thoughts. Through her eyes, the other characters take shape, and the dialogues bring them all to life.
Feels :
All the feels! I don't know what magic Reisz has, but her stories always touch me deeply. And the whole specter of my emotions were invested in The Lucky Ones. This was the first book to end up on my 'Fave 2018 Read' shelf.
She'd made a terrible mistake. She realized she'd come home to find her old family and her old family didn't live here anymore.
She'd been dumped all of three days ago. Staying here was a mistake. She knew it was a mistake. But it was an honest mistake because she honestly wanted to stay, especially now that she knew she was safe at her old home.