Jackpot by Nic Stone - HIGH

Jackpot by Nic Stone, 343 pages.  Crown (Random House), 2019.  $18.  

Content: Language: R (100+ swears; F-2); Mature Content: PG-13; Violence: G.  

BUYING ADVISORY: HS – OPTIONAL  

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH  

Rico Danger works at a convenient store to supplement her mother’s income and try to provide for their small family.  As a high school student, Rico sees other kids her age coming through the store who seem to have it all, including the cute boy, Zan Macklin.  When Rico sells a lottery ticket to an elderly woman and then finds out that their store sold the winning ticket that has never been claimed, Rico goes on an adventure to seek out the unclaimed ticket.  Rico needs Zan’s skills to help her find the elderly woman, but the more time Rico spends with Zan the more Rico realizes she may be falling for him.  

This fun romance also has some heavier themes such as race, familial obligations, class differences and not judging others.  I loved Rico and her strength, and I also loved Zan and his kind heart.  I couldn’t put this book down and was anxious to see if Rico and Zan could find the lottery ticket.  Nic Stone is a fantastic author and writes lovable characters that are easy to empathize with.  The content includes lots of language and talk of a “wet dream”.  

Reviewer, C. Peterson