Jackpot by Nic Stone | Book Review

I received this book for free from Purchased in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

From the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Dear Martin--which Angie Thomas, the bestselling author of The Hate U Give, called "a must read"--comes a pitch-perfect romance that examines class, privilege, and how a stroke of good luck can change an entire life.
Meet Rico: high school senior and afternoon-shift cashier at the Gas 'n' Go, who after school and work races home to take care of her younger brother. Every. Single. Day. When Rico sells a jackpot-winning lotto ticket, she thinks maybe her luck will finally change, but only if she--with some assistance from her popular and wildly rich classmate Zan--can find the ticket holder who hasn't claimed the prize. But what happens when have and have-nots collide? Will this investigative duo unite...or divide?
Nic Stone, the New York Times bestselling author of Dear Martin and Odd One Out, creates two unforgettable characters in one hard-hitting story about class, money--both too little and too much--and how you make your own luck in the world.
"[A] funny, captivating, and thoughtful tale for young readers about class privilege, class deprivation, and the politics of luck and love." --Ibram X. Kendi, The Atlantic
"A delightful, hilarious romance that digs into issues surrounding class. You'll laugh as much as you sigh while reading this novel about luck, love...and how having a little bit of both is more than enough." --Paste

Jackpot by Nic Stone is a book I bought on a whim. I mean, I had absolutely heard of Nic Stone before (who hasn’t). However, the books I heard of were Dear Martin and Dear Justyce. I was randomly browsing in Barnes & Noble, when I saw this book for sale on the buy one get one 50% off, so I bought it without knowing anything about it except that I had really liked the cover. As it turns out, buying Jackpot was a great life choice. I LOVED this book.

Rico is the main character in Jackpot. She works at a convenience store and lives in a really small apartment in a great neighborhood with her little brother and her mother. Rico is working on Christmas Eve when she sells I think it was two tickets for the mega lottery jackpot. Also? This guy from school, Zan, who is super wealthy, shows up to buy something as well but she has her manager handle him.

Anyways, as it turns out, Rico’s convenience store sold the winning ticket. However, the winner, a little old lady, has not yet come forward to claim her winnings. Rico turns to Zan for help as he’s amazing with computer hacking and she needs to find the little old lady. Together, the two embark on a quest and along the way end up realizing they’re actually more alike than one would think.

I feel like in YA, a lot of the characters I read are basically middle class or rich and that’s something I hate. Or if they are characters who come from poverty, the portrayal just seems off. In Jackpot, I felt like the portrayal of Rico’s life felt so authentic. Then there’s also her neighbor, Jessica, who is poor as well, but she hides it so well. That also came across as authentic to me. Rico’s desperation felt honest and true. And well, I truly believe that financial security can change your life and that yes money does buy happiness. I liked that Jackpot didn’t shy from that or try to make it seem like poverty is some grand adventure.

Nic Stone’s Jackpot is a book you need to add to your TBR immediately. It’s got a wholly unique plot. The characters are raw and real. The plot kept me riveted. And also? If you still care about your Goodreads challenge, this is the kind of book you can read in a single sitting.

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April (Books&Wine)

April is in her 30s and created Good Books And Good Wine. She works for a non-profit. April always has a book on hand. In her free time she can be found binge watching The Office with her husband and toddler, spending way too much time on Pinterest or exploring her neighborhood.

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