TW: death in the family, depression, anxiety, bullying, revenge porn
Just Our Luck by Julia Walton is a breath of fresh air to the coming-of-age genre. Told through a combination of journal entries and first person narration, this story provides an enlightening glimpse into the life, love, and mental health of Greek-American teen, Leo, as he struggles to manage his grief and anxiety. This book is a quick read at less than 300 pages, but it still packs a big punch in terms of thematic material and character development.
Walton has created a champion against toxic masculinity in Leo. Despite bullying at school and a lack of support from his father at home, he continues to find joy in unconventional (not traditionally considered masculine) sources like knitting, photography, and yoga. Where we see Leo’s greatest character development is his confidence in dealing with other people.
I was immensely satisfied to find such impressive transformations of not only the main character, but several supporting characters as well. There were moments when I related to each of them, which is rare for me to find in a YA Contemporary. I adored the realistically rocky blooming of Leo’s relationships with his father, Evey, and Drake. Aside from Leo’s personal development, these evolutions were my favorite part of the book. The ups and downs felt authentic and drew me into their personal struggles. It felt like I was watching four different journeys, even if it was only told in Leo’s POV.
This novel felt very real to me. I hope that many who read it will be able to take away the importance of self-discovery and self-acceptance and how both of those things can improve relationships with others. I applaud Walton for taking on so many important ideas in this work. One of the biggest take-aways I had was the value in seeking help. The stigma surrounding mental health continues to be one of the biggest hurdles to treating it. This novel embraces the idea that it is not shameful to go to therapy or take medication or talk about mental health with your friends. By the end of the book, I felt braver and more open-minded for having taken this journey with Leo.
Just Our Luck is the coming-of-age novel I didn’t know I needed. I highly recommend it for all teens and young adults. This title is set to release Dec. 29, 2020.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children’s for providing an e-ARC of Just Our Luck in exchange for an honest review.