You Should Be So Lucky

03 · Reader evidence

What the evidence says

What readers repeatedly liked

• Emotional. Reader reports being emotionally wrecked by the book and considers it the author’s best work; The emotional parts hit a perfect balance, not minimized but not overwhelming; The book is emotionally potent, with the reader warning that it will make those who cry at books cry a lot. Supported by 6 sources (source 497, source 10776, source 10779, source 10780, source 11336, source 11338).
• Strong Prose. Reader praises the writing as well done, citing realism of stories and candidness of characters; Reader describes the book as beautifully written; The book is described as really well-written. Supported by 5 sources (source 497, source 10774, source 10776, source 10777, source 10779).
• Complex Characters. Reader finds characters more developed and struggles more complex than the first book, with hefty topics like grief and identity; Secondary characters are praised as nuanced and well-developed, and Mark’s mean streak is noted as thinly veiled vulnerability; Mark and Eddie have more in common than they realize, both lonely and dealing with different kinds of grief. Supported by 3 sources (source 10774, source 10777, source 10779).
• Likable Lead. Eddie is described as a dreamy sweetheart with a Golden Retriever personality despite imperfections; Eddie is described as an absolute golden retriever with no filter, incapable of a poker face, which brings lovely energy; Eddie named as one of reader’s all-time favorite book characters. Supported by 3 sources (source 10776, source 10777, source 11338).
• Explicit Comparison. Reader prefers We Could Be So Good and the Cabot novels over this book; The book is compared to We Could Be So Good, set in the same world, but judged as not quite reaching the same heights. Supported by 2 sources (source 10776, source 10779).
• Hopeful. Reader appreciates that homophobia is softened by supporting friends and safe places, making stories less traumatic than they could be; The book is warm, funny, honest, and uplifting despite heavy topics; Characters triumph despite the homophobia of their era. Supported by 3 sources (source 10774, source 10779, source 11338).
• Tender. Eddie’s unfiltered personality brings a lovely energy to the grumpy/sunshine dynamic; The story is described as gorgeously romantic and tender; The relationship was described as subtle and lived-in. Supported by 3 sources (source 497, source 10777, source 10779).
• Genre Fans. Baseball fans will enjoy the historical sport detail more, but unfamiliarity with the sport does not hinder enjoyment; The book is heartily recommended and described as a fantastic read. Supported by 2 sources (source 10777, source 10779).

What readers repeatedly flagged

• Grief. Reader speculates they may not have loved the book because they could not relate to its grief themes; Mark’s partner William died just over a year before the story begins, and his grief is a central element of his arc; The book deals with themes of grief and loss; Mark lost his long-term partner suddenly a year earlier. Supported by 6 sources (source 497, source 10776, source 10777, source 10779, source 10780, source 11336).
• Explicit Comparison. Reader prefers We Could Be So Good and the Cabot novels over this book; The book is compared to We Could Be So Good, set in the same world, but judged as not quite reaching the same heights. Supported by 2 sources (source 10776, source 10779).
• Weak Plot. Reader finds less activity than the first book, with mostly mental conflict that gets dull; The central tension is discussed ad infinitum with no progress for long stretches, and the reviewer became bored by 60%, feeling the dithering undermined a tighter conclusion; There is not a lot of plot; the focus is entirely on characters and their developing romance. Supported by 3 sources (source 10774, source 10777, source 10779).
• Uneven Pacing. Reader finds internal monologues about homophobia and being outed made the middle of the book drag; The first half has too little conversation between leads, while the second half has too many circular discussions on the same tension, making the book feel too long at over 400 pages. Supported by 2 sources (source 10774, source 10777).

Where reader reactions differ

• Explicit Comparison. Reader prefers We Could Be So Good and the Cabot novels over this book; The Chronicle newspaper setting is noted as the same setting as Nick and Andy’s love story in We Could Be So Good; The book is compared to We Could Be So Good, set in the same world, but judged as not quite reaching the same heights. Supported by 3 sources (source 10776, source 10777, source 10779).
• Weak Plot. Reader finds less activity than the first book, with mostly mental conflict that gets dull; The central tension is discussed ad infinitum with no progress for long stretches, and the reviewer became bored by 60%, feeling the dithering undermined a tighter conclusion; There is not a lot of plot; the focus is entirely on characters and their developing romance. Supported by 3 sources (source 10774, source 10777, source 10779).

Individual observations

• Strong Narration. A reader enjoyed the audiobook enough to listen to it twice in a few days.
• Weak Narration. Reader could not finish the audiobook after three attempts and disliked the narrator.
• Flat Characters. Reader felt there was important information about Eddie that was not shown despite the book’s length.
• Unlikable Lead. A reader disliked the manager character and found the rest of the team unlikeable.
• Rushed Ending. A reader did not fully like the way it ended, feeling something was slightly off.
• Satisfying Ending. The book leaves readers with a heartfelt sigh and a smile, thoroughly deserving of DIK status.
• Easy Comfort Read. A reader felt warmed and hopeful, noting the book shows we can create contentment even in hard times.
• Slow Paced. The romance is a slow-burn with the focus on characters and their developing relationship over months.
• Banter. The grumpy/sunshine dynamic between Mark and Eddie is praised, with Mark’s camp meanness contrasting Eddie’s unfiltered warmth.
• Emotional Intimacy. The leads enjoy quiet domesticity while slowly learning to lean on each other and love one another.

Reader sources

1. Reddit discussion
2. cannonballread.com – Independent review
3. dearauthor.com – Independent review
4. Reddit discussion
5. Reddit discussion
6. smartbitchestrashybooks.com – Independent review
7. allaboutromance.com – Independent review
8. Reddit discussion
9. Reddit discussion
10. Reddit discussion