Jaclyn Westlake thought a great idea for a premise is about people seeking a fresh start, and hence came up with "Lucky Break."
What was your inspiration behind your most recent book?
The idea for "Lucky Break" came to me after I wrote an article about relocation incentive programs for "The Muse." I interviewed people who had moved across the country in search of a fresh start, and I thought, that’s an amazing premise for a book.
There’s something so appealing about the idea of moving somewhere new (extra points if it oozes charm), where no one knows who you are or what you’ve been through. I think that fresh start fantasy has near-universal appeal.
What does Reading Rainbow mean to you?
Reading Rainbow is the best! For me, it means diving into amazing books by talented LGBTQ authors (a total treat), and also being intentional about seeking out and supporting these stories. It’s no secret that, at best, queer stories aren’t always centered – and at worst, they’re actively suppressed. I don’t want these books to disappear – I want more of them. And one of the best ways to help make that happen is to read them (and buy them, and tell everyone you know about them).
One of the most magical things about books is how they let you slip into someone else’s world - to get lost in another person’s story. I love – and honestly prefer – reading books that feature characters who aren’t exactly like me, who’ve had different experiences and see the world in different ways. Hand me a book by Andrew Sean Greer, Andrea Bartz, Casey McQuiston, or Laura Piper Lee (to name just a few current favorites) and I’m in.
Why do you feel representation of a variety of people is so important when it comes to writing books?
From a storytelling standpoint, an inclusive cast of characters just makes for a better book – more layered, more surprising, more fun to read and write. I’m not interested in spending months (or years!) creating a world where everyone looks the same, thinks the same, or comes from the same background. That’s not real life – and it’s definitely not interesting fiction.
I write stories that reflect the world I live in and also the world I want to see more of. I think there’s something powerful about seeing yourself – your identity, your experiences, your community – on the page, and I try to make space for as many people as I can in my work.
But more than anything, I never want anyone to feel excluded. If a reader sees themselves in even one small moment or detail and thinks, oh hey, I feel seen, then I’ve done something right.
Tell us a little more about the book and why you decided to write it.
A hallmark of women’s fiction is that when you meet the main character, it’s pretty clear there’s a lesson she needs to learn. I find that journey endlessly fascinating, which is why I write in this genre! In "Luck Break," Eliza thinks she’s got everything figured out. She’s mapped out every inch of her life – career, relationship, future house with the white picket fence – convinced that if she plans carefully enough, she can keep herself safe from heartbreak, disappointment, or disaster.
When her engagement unexpectedly falls apart, Eliza is forced to start over in a new town – one that offers relocation incentives and just enough charm to make her believe in fresh starts. Along the way, she’s helped by a quirky group of neighbors, a charming guy at the local coffee shop, and an adorable three-legged dog.
Ultimately, "Lucky Brea" is about letting go of the illusion of control, learning to trust yourself, and realizing that sometimes life’s curveballs lead to something better than you ever could have planned.
What can fans expect from your book?
At its heart, "Lucky Break" is a story about self-acceptance, found family, and fresh starts. It’s also got a dash of romance, a touch of mystery (the neighbors are definitely hiding something), plenty of summery lake life vibes, and a three-legged dog named Potato.
One of my favorite parts of the book is Marge and Gal – a couple in their 60s who foster a motley crew of senior and special-needs dogs out of their cozy lakeside home. They have the sweetest, most grounded love story, and so many early readers have told me, “Marge and Gal are relationship goals.” I couldn’t agree more. I want to be them when I grow up.
What's up next for you in the bookish world?
I’m currently working on my third book, and it’s set in the world of liveaboards and yacht clubs – which has been so much fun to dive back into, since my husband and I actually lived on a boat for years. This story follows a woman who becomes (inadvertently) infamous thanks to a true crime podcast. To escape the sudden notoriety, she retreats to her family’s old boat… only to get caught up in a yacht club murder mystery. I’m having a blast writing it.
