Nadija MujagicReseñas

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.

"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.

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.

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.

SHE NEEDED TO LEAVE HIM YEARS AGO!... I frustratingly enjoyed this book, all through it I kept saying she needed to just leave, go, enjoy the money. The fact I did not stop reading is credit to the author to keep you going.
The twists, finding out what the names on the tattoo were, the searching for the gravesite were all nice touches..
I took a star off because I did not like the ending, I wasn't thinking this was part of a series and the ending was very sudden when it could have kept on going as the book felt very short.

"I'd rather die than let Jimmy discover my lottery win."

From the 1st line, the reader is captivated to learn Lynn Miller's story. Within the words, desperation oozes. Should Lynn keep this secret from her husband, James Corrigan? Why would a woman need to keep this newfound wealth a secret?

With the turn of each page, I was more captivated by Lynn Miller as beneath each action; there is grief from the past, an unanswered question of an event that haunts her mind. She has endured so many years, and time is running out.

The pace of twists is gripping, suspenseful, and intriguing. As Lynn navigates every action, there are secrets, deceit, and angst beyond measure. Is this woman at the end of life due to domestic abuse or a different reason? Has she endured domestic abuse, and the lottery win finally offers the possibility of escape? Has this woman become paranoid after winning the lottery?

Not for the faint of heart, this psychological thriller is graphic and could be non-fiction.

When reading ARCs, I do not comment nor consider needed proofreading/copy editing during the award of star ratings. However, although a win from LibraryThing, I borrowed the new release on Kindle Unlimited, and multiple errors were distracting during the reading experience. The opinions expressed in the review are my own.

I loved that this novel was really fast paced and it held my attention from the very beginning. I also enjoyed the dual points of view. The author did a fantastic job of making your opinion of certain characters shift over time.

The book opens with a startling chapter that immediately gets the reader's attention. The main character is challenged when one of his students is thought to commit suicide, then another student the professor has a connection to dies. As the story continues, Mitch begins to spiral, receiving hit by hit of new issues he must try to cope with...or not... Psychological thrillers have become one of my favorite genre-reads, for sure, so I really love/appreciate how Mujagic has put together this story! When a plot is great, you don't really have to like the main character but still feel the pull to invest your time in finishing the tale anyway. It was intense, twisted, and had me guessing till the last chapter!

I recently had the pleasure of reading a psychological thriller about a university professor, and it was a wild ride. The book kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish, with unexpected twists and turns that had me guessing until the very end.

The protagonist, a brilliant and charismatic professor, is the character you can't help but root for, even as you question their motives and actions. The book delves into the complexities of the human psyche, exploring themes of power, control, and obsession in a way that feels realistic and chilling.

What I appreciated most about this book was its ability to keep me guessing. When I thought I had everything figured out, the author would throw in another curveball that left me reeling. The writing was sharp and engaging, with vivid descriptions that brought the characters and setting to life.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good psychological thriller. It's a gripping and thought-provoking read that will keep you up late into the night, eager to uncover the truth behind the professor's twisted motivations.

A poignant and unflinchingly honest account of the author's life through traumatic war experiences to an escape into a challenging life of isolation and betrayal in another country. This inspiring story recites how the author was able to tap into her well spring of resilience and creativity to restore her sense of self, tap into her gifts and carve out a happy outcome.

I received this eBook free in exchange for an honest review through LibraryThing Early Reviews

The story is actually two stories that display similarities, in that it deals with two women and their distinctly different experiences with pregnancy. One is about a middle-class women in the U.S, the other a young woman, barely into adulthood, from a poor family in the about to be war-torn Bosnia-Herzegovina, in former Yugoslavia. The two main characters are not connected to each other until the last chapter, which packs a powerful punch. There is sadness for the most part, throughout the book, particularly the graphic and honest details of the ethnic cleansing that took place during the war. It was heart-wrenching in many instances, but a glimmer of hope, at least for one of the characters, can be found in the end. I really love this book for it's acute attention to detail, and expert story-telling, and I highly recommend it to anyone who likes a thought provoking tale.