Publisher: Michael Joseph
Release date: 14 August 2025
Back cover blurb: When Merri and Dev buy a ticket on the last day of a national draw to win the house of their dreams, they never, in a million years, expect to win. Less than a week later, they’re receiving the keys to their new Lake District mansion. For Dev, it’s a dream come true – no more stressful rent negotiations, or waiting for the landlord to finally fix the damp. Of course he’s delighted to be interviewed about their good luck. But Merri feels a little uneasy. Dev doesn’t realise there’s a reason she’s never wanted to put down roots, always trying to run away from the memories of what happened the day her little sister died. At first it’s easy to think she’s imagining the shadowy figures in the lakefront garden. It’s silly to think that someone is watching her through the gorgeous floor-to-ceiling glass windows. And then a body is found in the lake. And Merri’s new perfect life is about to come crashing down…
Merri and Dev are the very definition of 'ordinary'. Muddling through life, doing their best with the little they have, but always secretly wanting more.
When Dev buys an entry ticket for a prize draw to win a dream house (you know the sort!), Merri scolds him for spending money on something so worthless, when they already have so little.
Everyone knows that no one actually wins those draws.
When Merri keeps getting a call from a unknown number, she ignores it, assuming it is someone who is chasing money from them, and wanting to bury her head.
So she gets the shock of her life when Dev calls her to tell her that they've won the house.
At first, she doesn't believe him, but then a team from the prize draw organisers and a camera crew turn up on their doorstep and she realises it is very real.
Dev is overjoyed but Merri has reservations. She doesn't want to be on camera, because she has been keeping a terrible secret from Dev, which could be exposed it someone sees her in the press.
Dev doesn't understand Merri's reluctance, but she assures him it's just a sense of being overwhelmed and going from having nothing to having everything.
And now they have everything to lose...
I don't want to say too much more as I don't want to give anything away. I do think that the ending of this novel could be one that divides opinion, and I look forward to hearing other readers thoughts!
The Lucky Winners is available now via Amazon online and all good book shops.
Thank You to the publishers who approved my request in exchange for an honest review.