Nadija Mujagic

Oh boy, this one, it took me a while to review this one because I did NOT like it much at all and it's harder for me to review books that rub me the wrong way like this one did. As I sit here thinking how to write some kind of little review, I'm remembering the book and reading it and it makes me feel uncomfortable. I wished that it had more content and/or trigger warnings or something. It bugged me.
If I had known how it would be talked about and in the story about miscarriage, drugs and abuse aka domestic violence, I would not have read it.
Anyway, it was about Lynn and James/Jimmy and how their marriage was falling apart and a disaster. It was about how Jimmy treated Lynn like crap and how Lynn had cancer too. Oh and Lynn was suspicious about James, who was controlling and a jerk and if he was going to kill her or whatnot to get her lottery winnings after he found out.
Then as a bizarro added thing to the the story, Lynn gets in touch with a long lost daughter, which was kind of weird and confusing and they have some weird conversations and relationship.
This story was just weird and rubbed me in the wrong way.
Maybe someone else will like it, but this is not for me. Thanks to LibraryThing and Pioneer Publishing for letting me read and review this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
… (más)

"Lottery of Secrets" by Nadija Mujagic takes readers on a rollercoaster of suspense as Lynn, an ordinary woman turned lottery winner, discovers the darker side of newfound wealth. What starts as a dream-come-true jackpot quickly transforms into a nightmare when a relentless stalker emerges, casting a shadow over Lynn's happiness. The author skillfully weaves a narrative of paranoia and uncertainty, trapping Lynn in a gripping tale that explores the fragility of trust and the treacherous terrain of sudden affluence.

Mujagic delves into the complexities of Lynn's struggle to convince her skeptical husband, James, of the danger lurking in the shadows. The escalating stalking incidents force buried family secrets to resurface, adding layers of intrigue to the narrative. Lynn finds herself entangled in a web of deception, wealth, and familial loyalty as the boundaries between friend and foe blur. The storytelling is rich with suspense, making readers question who can be trusted as Lynn fights to protect herself in a race against time.

"Lottery of Secrets" is a compelling exploration of the impact of wealth on relationships and the shocking revelations that unfold when secrets come to light. Mujagic crafts a tale that keeps readers on the edge of their seats, navigating the twists and turns of a narrative where the stakes are high and the consequences of deception reverberate through the intricate dynamics of family life. This suspenseful journey into the dark side of fortune promises a thrilling read for fans of psychological dramas and domestic thrillers.… (más)

Lynn has won 5 million dollars in the lottery. But she doesn’t want to tell her abusive husband, Jimmy. She plans to donate the money to charity. She is sick and doesn’t want him getting his hands on any of the money. But then the threats start.

There are more layers to this than I’ve mentioned. I’m not sure how much I want to give away (even if much of it is revealed early on, and I think much more is said in some of the other reviews).

Lynn is a very unreliable narrator. I thought all the feelings she went through after winning (about winning) probably were legitimate, but stacked on top of that was all the abuse she’s suffered over decades. I wanted to know what was going to happen next. There was a surprise/twist near the end, but then it ended so abruptly, so that was disappointing, as it seems it is meant to continue in another book. If it wasn’t for the (non?) ending, I might have rated it a bit higher.… (más)

The main story is told quickly.
Lynn Miller wins the lottery and then some sinister stalker starts following her and scares her even more than her abusive husband. How will she get out of all of this?
Both main characters are extremely unlikeable. Lynn – although we discover she must be in her 50s & a mother very early on – reads like an infantile teenager and keeps making the dumbest decisions. 'Oh, I'd rather die than tell my sh*tbag of a hubby of my lottery win'. ... Guess who tells him without any need two pages later in the book? Then she also screams all the time, even when it's the most illogical thing to do.
So her husband is a clichéd abusive thug and Lynn keeps acting like a silly 'scream queen' in a cheap 80s slasher movie, which is also what the whole book reads like.
What does that teach us? I should stop judging books by their covers. The only redeeming quality was that it was a very quick and easy read.

I received this eARC via LibraryThing's Early Reviewers program - Thanks, LT and author! - in exchange for an honest review.… (más)