I’m a big Emma Mills fan, so of course I was dying to read this YA contemporary book about a student radio show. Check out my review of Lucky Caller.
Lucky Caller by Emma Mills. To be published on January 14, 2020 by Henry Holt. ARC provided by the publisher for review.
Synopsis: When Nina decides to take a radio broadcasting class her senior year, she expects it to be a walk in the park. Instead, it’s a complete disaster.
The members of Nina’s haphazardly formed radio team have approximately nothing in common. And to maximize the awkwardness her group includes Jamie, a childhood friend she’d hoped to basically avoid for the rest of her life.
The show is a mess, internet rumors threaten to bring the wrath of two fandoms down on their heads, and to top it all off Nina’s family is on the brink of some major upheaval. Everything feels like it’s spiraling out of control―but maybe control is overrated?
Review: Lucky Caller
If you think YA contemporary books can’t be as richly imaginative as a fantasy, you should definitely try an Emma Mills book. My favorite thing about her stories is that they contain mini-stories and invented fandoms, whether that’s Were School, the teen werewolf show that Sloane’s father becomes obsessed with in This Adventure Ends or This Is Our Now, the boy band that Iris is obsessed with in Foolish Hearts.
Lucky Caller is about Nina, who lives with her divorced mom and two sisters in Indianapolis. Like most characters in YA, Nina’s life in in flux. Her mom has just become engaged and is talking about moving, and she’s in her senior year and facing college.
Nina signs up for a radio broadcasting class and is paired up with a group that includes Jamie, a former friend turned awkward acquaintance. The group decides on a 90s music format and proceeds to make a lot of blunders with their radio show. They also accidentally start playing songs by Existential Dread an (imaginary and) obscure 90s grunge band. The band’s followers (the Deadnoughts) start following the show, much to the kids bemusement.
My one great sorrow about this book is that is does not contain any actual 90s music aside from a couple offhand references. Given my familiarity with Mills’s books, I should have realized that would be the case, but I was sad. (There is a reference to This Is Our Now, though…)
All Emma Mills books make you feel enveloped in her world and Lucky Caller is no exception. If you’ve loved her books in the past, you’ll definitely enjoy this one, and if you haven’t tried one, this is a great place to start.
Just an FYI: check out Book Outlet, where you can get Emma Mills books at a great price: Famous in a Small Town for $5.99 or First and Then for only $3.29! Limited quantities!
Are You Looking for Fun 90s Content?
Read my reviews of Slayer and Chosen, two books set in the Buffyverse!
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Find out: Which Buffy Villain Are You?
Coming January 15: Best YA Books Set in the 1990s!
Coming on January 16: Who Were You in the 1990s?
Check out my 1990s Pinterest Board!
I’ve never read anything by Mills even though I know several people who adore her and consider her a favorite author. I like how you mention that she typically creates these fictional fandoms… it seems like that would add an element of realism (because who can’t relate to a fandom of some kind) and fun.
If you like fandom books (they aren’t my favorite theme but she does a great job of it) then definitely try this!
I love Emma Mills. I loved this book. I adored all the family interactions, and slowly getting the story about her and Jamie. And, oh yeah, I loved Jamie. He was an exceptional cinnamon roll.
I’m so glad. This wasn’t my very favorite Emma Mills, but I always enjoy her books!
I have heard such good things about Emma Mills books by all the people I follow who really enjoy reading contemporary books, but I have yet to read one myself. I know I really need to. So I am happy to know this one was just as on par with the high regard you hold her in as ever!
Her books are a lot of fun – the relationships between the characters are always so well-developed!
I really need to get into Emma Mills book. I’ve been seeing this book around Booktube as well and I’m really, really interested now.
Yay, hope you like it!