Lucky Break by Jaclyn Westlake
Lucky Break is an upbeat, optimistic novel replete with humor, heart and an unforgettable cast of characters.
Jaclyn Westlake charmed a wide audience and garnered well-deserved stellar reviews last year for her debut novel, Dear Dotty, about a young woman who is adrift after losing her beloved great-aunt and her job in the same week.
Lucky Break, her second romantic comedy, continues in a similar vein with the character Eliza Colletti. She is a bright and determined 32-year-old woman who, by using her exceptional organizational skills since childhood, has made detailed plans to successfully attain her goals.
From Perfect Plans to Sudden Upheaval
Eliza is a fourth generation San Franciscan whose parents own and operate one of the oldest and most successful bakeries in the city. Her great-great grandparents emigrated from Italy and passed through Ellis Island before crossing the country to California. They never fully learned to speak English but created a legacy business for their descendants.
Eliza’s stellar high school record led to acceptance at UC Berkeley followed by a Silicon Valley internship and ultimately a job at a top marketing agency where she became their youngest account manager. She met her 5 years older fiancé, Marco, days before her 27th birthday, ticking off another box for a goal met.
In less than 3 years they were living together in his charming rent controlled apartment only blocks away from her family and close to public transportation. Now in her 32nd year, engagement announced with all appropriate fanfare and set to be married, assisted by her assiduous saving and investments, she was on track to buy a house to be followed by children by age 34.
Some might consider Eliza to be a bit of a control freak but it has demonstrably served her well so far.
Her carefully mapped out vision for their future is torn asunder in an upheaval akin to the devastating 1989 Loma Pietra earthquake when Marco abruptly and inexplicably broke up with her and, as her name was not on the lease, issued a 30 day eviction notice.
A Small-Town Offer Too Good to Refuse
Without informing her, he had already secured an upscale South-of-Market apartment far from their convenient nest that he had already sublet. The darkly handsome Italian mother’s dream, Marco, unlike Eliza, is a devout Catholic who attends mass regularly, earns more than double Eliza’s salary and suddenly became domineering after she accepted his ring.
With rents starting at $4,000 per month for barely acceptable one-bedroom apartments in their neighborhood and moving back into her old bedroom at her parents not feasible for many reasons, Eliza is in dire need of a miracle.
While scrolling listings, she happens upon an article about charming small-town locations that offer incentives to entice new residents. From watching Gilmore Girls, she still harbored a secret fantasy of moving from the city to a small town. With the ability to work remotely, the idea was a tantalizing possibility.
The last small town among the several listings, the fictional Juneberry Lake, Minnesota on the shore of Lake Superior, was captivating: with stunning photos of the scenery with turquoise, clean waters, tall trees, a charming main street and various seasonal festivals.
The clincher was the incentive offered by the Juneberry Lake Committee for Growth of a $10,000 gift to new full-time residents to apply towards the purchase of a home within city limits. Median housing prices were less than $300,000 which might be sufficient for a down payment in the Bay Area where a studio apartment in the crime-ridden Tenderloin starts at $500,000.
With another fortifying glass of wine at hand, Eliza completed the simple application.
Finding Home in Juneberry Lake
The committee pounces on this young tech professional’s resume and gives her two weeks to accept the deal of $10,000 gifted with a house purchase and a minimum 1-year residency commitment. How bad could it be?
An added temptation is the news a recently renovated lakeside cottage on a large lot with its own dock has just been listed. It has two stories, two bedrooms and 1.5 bathrooms with a stone fireplace, finished basement, stunning views and the additional bonus of being fully furnished and move-in ready. Despite the many objections of her parents and friends, Eliza takes the plunge and purchases the property based on a video tour.
Baby brother Enzo is the only person supportive of her decision. Born with moderate to severe autism, he lives at the familial home and has become the chief baker of what is reputed to be the best focaccia in San Francisco. Eliza has always been his protector and best friend. While he shies from physical contact, baking provides an ideal occupation with its requirements for exact measurements and impeccable timing.
Juneberry Lake is as pretty as depicted in the photographs and online brochure. The cottage on Loon Lake is enchanting, situated on a cul-de-sac with four lovely homes. There’s even a welcoming basket from the Committee for Growth waiting on her kitchen counter. If only the neighbors and shopkeepers will be as friendly.
Eliza is already prepped and ready to go with detailed lists of plans for the next several months. Everyone knows that best laid plans may go by the wayside even as Eliza determinedly sets out to charm her neighbors and fit into the community. It can take a considerable amount of time for a newcomer to transition from “you’re not from around here” to acceptance.
Romance may be brewing with handsome Joel whom she encounters most mornings in the downtown coffee shop. There are some secrets to be uncovered.
Lucky Break is an upbeat, optimistic novel replete with humor, heart and an unforgettable cast of characters. Welcome to Juneberry Lake, Minnesota and do get settled in before the winter snow flies!
Jaclyn Westlake did not disappoint and has written a second novel as charming, appealing and engaging as Dear Dotty.
Publish Date: 07/15/2025
Genre: Fiction, Humor, Romance
Author: Jaclyn Westlake
Page Count: 352 pages
Publisher: Avon
ISBN: 9780063340763