Lucky - by Marissa Stapley (Paperback)

About the Book

"A thrilling roller-coaster ride about a heist gone terribly wrong, with a plucky protagonist who will win readers' heart. Lucky Armstrong is a tough, talented grifter who has just pulled off a million-dollar heist with her boyfriend, Cary. She's ready to start a brand-new life, with a new identity--when things go sideways ans Lucky finds herself alone for the first time. When she discovers thar a lottery ticket she bought on a whim is worth millions, her elation is tempered by one big problem: cashing in the winning ticket means she'll be arrested for her crimes. She'll go to prison, with no chance to redeem her fortune. To save herself and her future, Lucky will have to confront her past. This is a novel about truth, personal redemptions, and the complexity of being good. It introduces a singularly gifted, multilayered character who must learn what it means to be independent and honest...before her luck runs out." --

Book Synopsis

SOON TO BE AN APPLE LIMITED SERIES STARRING ANYA TAYLOR-JOY, STREAMING JULY 2026
REESE'S BOOK CLUB PICK
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

A thrilling roller-coaster ride about a heist gone terribly wrong, with a plucky protagonist who will win readers' hearts.

What if you had the winning ticket that would change your life forever, but you couldn't cash it in?

Lucky Armstrong is a tough, talented grifter who has just pulled off a million-dollar heist with her boyfriend, Cary. She's ready to start a brand-new life, with a new identity--when things go sideways. Lucky finds herself alone for the first time, navigating the world without the help of either her father or her boyfriend, the two figures from whom she's learned the art of the scam.

When she discovers that a lottery ticket she bought on a whim is worth millions, her elation is tempered by one big problem: cashing in the winning ticket means she'll be arrested for her crimes. She'll go to prison, with no chance to redeem her fortune.

As Lucky tries to avoid capture and make a future for herself, she must confront her past by reconciling with her father; finding her mother, who abandoned her when she was just a baby; and coming to terms with the man she thought she loved--whose dark past is catching up with her, too.

This is a novel about truth, personal redemption, and the complexity of being good. It introduces a singularly gifted, multilayered character who must learn what it means to be independent and honest...before her luck runs out.

Review Quotes

"A fun page turner."
-- Toronto Star

"A wild and deeply satisfying rollercoaster ride through the world of a con artist with a heart of gold. Propulsive and affecting, Lucky is the most fun I've had reading a book in quite a while."
-- TAYLOR JENKINS REID, New York Times bestselling author of Daisy Jones & the Six

"As the narrative grows increasingly intricate, Lucky finds herself answering more to moral issues than to plain old con man concerns."
-- Toronto Star

"[A] rollicking road-trip novel . . . With Lucky's traumatic childhood with her conman father revealed in flashbacks, it's no wonder the TV rights were sold to Disney with Stapley tapped to write the pilot. . . . This book club pick will no [doubt] lead to lively debates on duplicity, truth, luck, nature vs. nurture in child-rearing, and how to spot a con from a mile away."
-- Zoomer

"A compelling and thrilling road-trip novel about a talented grifter whose past comes back to haunt her."
-- 49th Shelf

"A grifter on the run who wins the lottery is only the opening gambit of this high-fueled twisty tale through the life of Lucky, daughter of a con artist who seemed doomed to make her father's mistakes. Will the money save her and provide her with redemption or lead her down darker paths? You'll want to put this on your to-read list immediately."
-- CATHERINE McKENZIE, USA Today bestselling author of I'll Never Tell

"A page-turning novel . . . Stapley brings up interesting questions about punishment, redemption, and forgiveness, as the story unfolds in a delicious manner. Lucky is a ride with a badass friend who just happens to be that much smarter and sneakier than anyone else around."
-- Quill & Quire

"Meet Lucky Armstrong, an unconventional heroine who is on the run from her past with a winning lottery ticket that could change her future. A story of survival, redemption, and forgiveness, Lucky explores the power of second chances. A riveting caper full of heart, I loved this book!"
-- KARMA BROWN, bestselling author of Recipe for a Perfect Wife

"Stapley has created a complicated woman just as magnetic and compelling for her readers as she is for the people she fleeces--and luckily, readers will only get richer by being swept away with her story of curious fortunes."
-- KERRY CLARE, author of Waiting for a Star to Fall

"Stapley's gorgeous writing cuts to the bone, and her grifter heroine, both vulnerable and fierce, is driven by a genius premise. With equally compelling alternate timelines, Stapley takes readers on a gripping, heart-wrenching journey of resilience, hope, and redemption. A stunning read!"
-- SAMANTHA M. BAILEY, #1 bestselling author of Woman on the Edge

"Stapley's novels are always filled with strong, intriguing women and Lucky is no exception. Lucky Armstrong is the flawed, fascinating character at the heart of this gripping novel, and as we follow the twists and turns of her adventures, we're not sure where she's going to take us--but it's a hell of a fun ride."
-- ELIZABETH RENZETTI, bestselling author of Based on a True Story and Shrewed

"This fun romp, with deeper themes of identity, family ties, and the meaning of truth in a life built on lies, kept me greedily turning pages late into the night. Perfect for book clubs--or anyone looking for their next unputdownable read."
-- COLLEEN OAKLEY, USA Today bestselling author of You Were There Too

"With an original premise, a gutsy-yet-vulnerable heroine, dodgy villains, and bad choices galore, Marissa Stapley's highly entertaining Lucky is sure to wow readers. Fast-paced, skillfully crafted, and beautifully written, this book had me stay up late and get up early to find out what would happen to that winning lottery ticket. I loved it!"
-- HANNAH MARY McKINNON, bestselling author of Sister Dear

About the Author

Marissa Stapley is the New York Times bestselling author of the Reese's Book Club pick Lucky, soon to be an Apple limited series starring Anya Taylor-Joy, The Lightning Bottles, The Last Resort, Things to Do When It's Raining, and Mating for Life. Her journalism has appeared in newspapers and magazines across North America. She lives in Toronto with her family. Follow her on X and Instagram @MarissaStapley or like her page on Facebook (Facebook.com/MarissaStapleyAuthor) for updates and contests!