The Lucky Ones

May Hawthorne survived a school shooting at Blythe Academy that claimed twenty-seven lives, including her twin brother Jordan. Since that day, she's withdrawn from her former life and attends therapy sessions while struggling to cope with survivor's guilt. Lucy Rivers is a member of a band and the daughter of the lawyer defending the shooter. After word gets out about her mother's role in the case, Lucy faces intense backlash and isolation from her community. When May and Lucy's paths cross, they form an unexpected connection despite their seemingly opposing positions in the aftermath of the tragedy. Their relationship develops against the backdrop of an approaching trial that has the entire town on edge. The Lucky Ones explores trauma, healing, and how a single event can create ripple effects through an entire community. Through its dual perspectives, the novel examines complex questions about justice, forgiveness, and what it means to move forward after devastating loss.

Readers highlight the book's handling of trauma and grief following a school shooting, particularly through the dual perspectives of May and Zach. Many note the authenticity of the teenage voices and natural dialogue. Positive reviews mention: - Strong character development - Realistic portrayal of PTSD and survivor's guilt - Balance between heavy themes and moments of hope - Meaningful exploration of friendship and healing Common criticisms: - Slow pacing in the middle sections - Some side characters feel underdeveloped - Romance subplot feels forced to some readers - Heavy subject matter makes it difficult to read Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (180+ ratings) BookBrowse: 4/5 "Raw and unflinching but never gratuitous," notes one Goodreads reviewer. An Amazon reader writes, "The characters' grief feels visceral and real without becoming overwhelming." Several reviewers mention needing breaks while reading due to the emotional intensity.

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📚 Author Liz Lawson worked as a music industry professional before becoming a writer, which influenced the musical elements in the novel. 🎭 The story alternates between two narrators, May and Zach, giving readers dual perspectives on grief and healing after a school shooting. 💔 Lawson wrote the book partly in response to the increasing frequency of school shootings in America, particularly the Parkland shooting in 2018. 🌟 The novel was selected as a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection and named to multiple "Most Anticipated YA" lists for 2020. 📖 Though the book deals with heavy themes, Lawson intentionally included moments of hope and humor, believing they're essential elements in stories about trauma and recovery.