Nic Stone’s Jackpot follows Rico Danger and Alexander (‘Zan’) Gustavo Macklin, who could not be leading more different lives. Rico lives pay cheque to pay cheque, having to juggle being a teenager with quite adult responsibilities, whilst Zan has to concern himself very little about whether or not he’ll see a meal when the sun rises and sets. His family business ensures that he has a back-up plan, should school not end as he would have liked, directly contrasting Rico’s uncertain future. It is when Rico discovers that a lottery ticket she sold whilst working her shift at the petrol station is a winning ticket that she encounters Zan and both agree to find the victor of the six-figure prize. Rico hopes that hunting this fortunate individual down may mean she gets a sum of money to take home to her family, unbeknownst to Zan, who simply fancies a change of pace and scenery with a girl whom he finds intriguing. The reader seeks to find out if they ever locate said jackpot winner.

I grew very fond of the female protagonist, Rico, because I found her to be so relatable: bumbling along, trying to make ends meet without losing her head in the process. She was written to be such a sweet girl, merely attempting to pick up the pieces at home, with her mother and little brother depending on her to put food on the table and a roof over their heads.

Similarly, Zan did well as the male protagonist, portrayed refreshingly as a sensitive, happy-go-lucky yet determined and driven chap. He reminded me of my all-time favourite male character, Finch, from Jennifer Niven’s All the Bright Places (high praise indeed, if you know my affinity with that story!)

The book was insightful regarding class and how living in an affluent area, like Rico did, did not make her feel any richer. Her lifestyle would lend itself to desiring more than her job at the petrol station offered. The book illustrated how easily, at times, class can label a person, both rich and poor. I was reminded of the privilege that is the NHS, here in the UK, a gift we so often can forget is just that: an entitlement that warrants high appreciation.

This book also did well to remind the reader of the sweetness of love – those first couple of butterflies that one experiences upon seeing the person of their affection, not to mention the feeling as though one is with their very best friend. Nic Stone addresses love as, albeit not a focal point of the novel, rather in a very real manner that is entirely easy to conceptualise.

All in all, Jackpot was an absolute delight to read from beginning to end and it was just what I needed for my lazy summer days basking in the thunderstorms that the UK has in abundance!

It is ideal to read if one wishes to live out an adventure from the comfort of one’s armchair.

Sincerely,

Sheeza