8 Fun Facts About LUCKY BREAK
Plus! An extra special book recommendation
Hi! I want to say a quick thank you to everyone who reached out about Indy. I felt the love and support, and knowing that so many people care is incredibly comforting.
Now for some bookish fun! Writing LUCKY BREAK was a blast — every time I sat down in front of my computer to see what the residents of Juneberry Lake were up to, it felt like I was going on vacation.
While this story is very much a product of my overactive imagination, kernels of the real world are sprinkled throughout the book. Much to my dismay, Juneberry Lake doesn’t exist, but my love for lake life? Oh, that’s as real as it gets.
Here are eight (spoiler-free!) real-life fun facts about LUCKY BREAK.
1) The book was initially set in Wisconsin
My mom is originally from New Berlin, Wisconsin, and I grew up going back for summer visits to Oconomowoc, Mukwonago, and Waukesha (I even know how to pronounce those like a local!). There are few things I enjoy more than watching fireflies* dance around the lakeshore on a warm Midwestern summer night. So, naturally, I wanted to write a book that captured the magic of the Midwest, and Wisconsin was the obvious choice.
*I mention fireflies 15 times in LUCKY BREAK. Necessary? Probably not. I regret nothing.
2) But I had to move it to Minnesota to make the neighborhood’s big secret possible
The only problem with my plan to set LUCKY BREAK in Wisconsin is that the neighbors of Juneberry Lake are hiding something. And they wouldn’t be able to hide that something* if they lived in Wisconsin. BUT, if they lived in Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, or Minnesota, my story would still be plausible. Given that Minnesota is the land of 10,000 lakes (it’s actually more like 11,000) and that I have a few friends from the Gopher state, it felt like a perfect alternative (no offense to my other options - all great states!).
*If you want to know what “something” is, get yourself a copy of LUCKY BREAK here!
3) One of the characters is named after Indy’s veterinarian
Indy had a big health scare at the beginning of 2024, and the vet who saved his life was an absolute angel. She also happens to be a big reader! I’ll never be able to thank her enough for everything she did to care for our baby, but I wanted to do something special to honor her. So, I named a character in LUCKY BREAK after her!
In the book, Erica is the previous owner of Eliza’s new house (and she might be the key to figuring out what the neighbors are hiding). In real life, Erica is an incredible veterinarian and the reason we were able to bring Indy home. Thanks to her, we got an extra year-and-a-half with him. That’s a gift I’ll never be able to repay.
4) There’s a blink and you’ll miss it Easter Egg from DEAR DOTTY
I couldn’t resist sneaking a tiny nod to DEAR DOTTY into this new story. Ask me nicely and I’ll tell you which chapter it’s in ;)
5) The Join Juneberry Lake relocation incentive program was inspired by an article I wrote for The Muse
Back when I had my career advice column, my editor asked me to write an article about relocation incentive programs around the country (she always had the best ideas—thanks, Stav!). I talked with program managers and real-life transplants in the Alabama Shoals, Topeka, Tucson, and Tulsa. I found myself daydreaming about what it might be like to start fresh in a small town, so much so that I decided to write a whole novel about it!
6) I accidentally became a Minnesota Vikings fan during the writing process
I’m sorry, but the Skol Chant seems really fun. And have you seen them dance?!
I promise the 49ers will always have my heart. And in case any of my relatives in Wisconsin ask, so do the Packers.
7) Liguria Bakery in San Francisco loosely inspired Eliza’s family bakery
Their focaccia has been a staple at my family gatherings for generations (it’s been around for 114 years and counting). It is genuinely one of the most delicious things I’ve ever tasted. You better believe I’ll be making a stop there when I’m back in the Bay Area for my book tour.
8) My friend’s son helped me name Marge and Gal’s dogs
When I decided that my favorite couple in LUCKY BREAK would run a dog rescue out of their house, I knew I would need help coming up with names for all the members of their pack. Luckily, I also knew just who to ask for help: my dear friend’s son, Kendrick, who is incredibly creative. Not every suggestion made it into the book, but I loved every single one of them:
WaWa
Lee
Elf
Titan
Free
Party
Camoch (rhymes with hammock)
If you’re wondering, yes, several of these suggestions came with a corresponding emoji.
And here’s a bonus fun fact!
Kendrick’s dad, my friend Aaron Hundley, is also an author! Aaron’s gorgeous debut, Jack & Evan, is out NOW — get yourself a copy at Bookshop.org, Barnes & Noble, or Amazon, and read more about it below!
"A poignant exploration of young adulthood, friendship, and identity. Hundley weaves a compelling coming-of-age narrative through experimental verse, capturing the complexities of finding one's place in the world."
— Jaclyn Westlake, Author of Dear Dotty
Evan has spent most of his life chasing success, determined to avoid the fate of too many other young, Black men. After surviving a tumultuous childhood riddled with violence, drugs, and the uncertainty of Section 8 housing, he finally has it all: a corporate job, an apartment in the city, and a supportive girlfriend. But, when his mother dies, Evan's fragile grasp on stability begins to unravel.
Then Evan's therapist suggests that he do the one thing he never thought he'd do again: reach out to Jack.
Jack never left the old neighborhood. He lives life hour-by-hour, day-by-day, plagued by gun violence and a searing resentment for his childhood best friend, Evan. After a decade since Jack has heard from his old friend, Evan's first attempts to reach out through text then emails are met with Jack's steely responses and in some cases no response at all. Though the emails persist and Jack eventually returns a lengthy email of his own.
As the two men explore long-forgotten childhood memories, confront old betrayals, and unpack the events that drove them apart, Evan recognizes his pattern of achievement and destruction on his road to success. Evan senses a dark secret buried deep below the surface, a reality he has fought to deny for most of his life. He suspects that Jack might hold the key to finally facing the truth.
Aaron’s writing is lovely, thoughtful, and poignant, and Aaron is one of my oldest friends and favorite people ever (we’ve known each other since we were in college, so we’re talking decades). I’m beyond thrilled that this story is finally out in the world! Congrats, Aaron!
Thank you Jaclyn! So excited to read.
Love these fun facts! Can't wait to read it!