If You're Lucky

      This novel doesn't come out until this coming fall, but it's well worth the wait. I devoured this book in less than half a day, and it was way better than I could of ever imagined.
       In the beginning of the novel we learn that the main character, Georgia, has just learned her adventurous brother Lucky has drowned while surfing in Australia. This comes as a shock not only to George, but to their entire small community in California. You see, Lucky was adventurous, but never dangerous - he knew how to be safe by reading the waves and keeping track of the rip tides. So how did Lucky end up drowning, was it a horrible accident like everyone believes, or was someone behind Lucky's death?
      When Lucky's family hosts a party in memory of his life, people from all over the world fly in to celebrate - Lucky made friends really easily and was well loved by everyone. But a guy claiming to be Lucky's best pal, Fin, sticks around after all the other friends leave and seems to charm everyone in the small city. Soon, Fin is everyone, almost taking the life of Lucky - becoming Lucky. George is suspicious - but she also has schizophrenia and hasn't been taking her medications. Is she imagining things as her mental illness spirals out of control, or is she onto something?
      This story beautifully details the descent of schizophrenia - an often taboo subject that isn't often seen in fiction books. The author, Yvonne Prinz, stays away from classic cliche's and really lets the reader get to know the characters in the story - they became my friends, my enemies and I felt empathy and the whole gauntlet of emotions for them as they experienced them. A wonderful tale of loss, love, mental illness and life, I recommend this story for everyone.