A story about money, secrets, and the unexpected ways life shakes up when fortune lands in your lap.

Pre-Reading Thoughts Two timelines can be tricky, but I was curious how McKenzie would balance past and present to show the full weight of Edie and Ron’s lives. A lottery win is a classic hook, but I wanted to see if the story would deliver more than just wish-fulfilment fantasy.

Post-Reading

As I thought… The dual timelines work well enough to give depth to Edie and Ron’s long life together. I loved seeing the community Edie builds around herself - the warmth, the everyday connections that feel earned. McKenzie handles the lottery premise lightly, making it about more than just wealth.

It surprised me by… How much heart and humour threaded through the story. The characters’ struggles feel real, and the tension between past mistakes and present opportunities adds stakes beyond the money itself. It’s breezy enough to be a beach read but still thoughtful, with a satisfying payoff as Edie finally decides to take control of her own life.

🎵 Featured Song “Good as Hell” — Good as Hell

🎶 Vibe Album Future Nostalgia — Future Nostalgia

🎧 Artist Recommendation Harry Styles

Vibe Check

🎨 Colour Palette: sun-bleached sand, ocean blue, coral pink 🎬 Soundtrack: seagulls, clinking glasses, warm laughter 🍂 Season: summer, ideal for slow afternoons on the beach 🌫 Mood: optimistic, playful, lightly chaotic 🕯 Scent: sunscreen, salty breeze, iced coffee

Tarot Pull

The Empress — Growth, abundance, and the things money can’t buy. Edie cultivates her community and her own life with care and intention, showing that the richest rewards often come from nurturing what’s around you, not just the fortune you hold.